Double layer glass façade in the refurbishment and architectural renewal of existing buildings in Italy

Abstract: The aim of this paper is to assess the use of an intelligent glass envelope in the refurbishment of existing buildings in Italy in order to fit their energetic performance considering Mediterranean climate inputs. With the new European and Italian regulations on energy efficiency of buildings, envelopes are not only forced to respect heat transmission limits (e.g. U value) and to improve their thermal insulation, but also to use and receive benefits from environmental input such as passive solar gains. Comparing to the North European solutions, a glass envelope seems not to be the most suitable solution for a Mediterranean climate, mainly due to the great incidence of solar gains and the risks of overheating during summer season. Examples presented in this paper indicates how double skin glass façades, that are commonly used in new constructions where the concept starts from a low environmental impact, can be also employed in the refurbishment of existing buildings, which is the main challenge for the global reduction of CO 2 . An overview on the main technical of intervention can indicate to architects and planners the weakness/strength points to take in consideration in the use of a double layer glass façade in a Mediterranean climate in order to reduce the overall energy balance

Cytidine 5'-Diphosphocholine (Citicoline): Evidence for a Neuroprotective Role in Glaucoma

Glaucoma, a heterogeneous set of progressively degenerative optic neuropathies characterized by a loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and typical visual field deficits that can progress to blindness, is a neurodegenerative disease involving both ocular and visual brain structures. Although elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) remains the most important modifiable risk factor of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and is the main therapeutic target in treating glaucoma, other factors that influence the disease course are involved and reaching the optimal IOP target does not stop the progression of glaucoma, as the visual field continues to narrow. In addition to a managed IOP, neuroprotection may be beneficial by slowing the progression of glaucoma and improving the visual defects. Citicoline (cytidine 5'-diphosphocholine) is a naturally occurring endogenous compound that has been investigated as a novel therapeutic agent for the management of glaucoma. Citicoline has demonstrated activity in a range of central neurodegenerative diseases, and experimental evidence suggests a it performs a neuromodulator and neuroprotective role on neuronal cells, including RGCs, associated with improvement in visual function, extension of the visual field and central benefits for the patient. This review aims to critically summarize the current evidence for the neuroprotective properties of citicoline in glaucoma

Double layer glass façade in the refurbishment and architectural renewal of existing buildings in Italy”

The aim of this paper is to assess the use of an intelligent glass envelope in the refurbishment of existing buildings in Italy in order to fit their energetic performance considering Mediterranean climate inputs. With the new European and Italian regulations on energy efficiency of buildings, envelopes are not only forced to respect heat transmission limits (e.g. U value) and to improve their thermal insulation, but also to use and receive benefits from environmental input such as passive solar gains. Comparing to the North European solutions, a glass envelope seems not to be the most suitable solution for a Mediterranean climate, mainly due to the great incidence of solar gains and the risks of overheating during summer season. Examples presented in this paper indicates how double skin glass façades, that are commonly used in new constructions where the concept starts from a low environmental impact, can be also employed in the refurbishment of existing buildings, which is the main challenge for the global reduction of CO2. An overview on the main technical of intervention can indicate to architects and planners the weakness/strength points to take in consideration in the use of a double layer glass façade in a Mediterranean climate in order to reduce the overall energy balance

Accessing and Understanding Cultural Heritage Through Users Experience Within the INCEPTION Project

The interdisciplinary EU funded project INCEPTION – Inclusive Cultural Heritage in Europe through 3D semantic modelling, coordinated by the Department of Architecture of the University of Ferrara, is focused on bringing together innovative 3D modelling and ICT applications and professionals involved in different fields of Cultural Heritage. The aim is to increase knowledge, enhancement and dissemination through 3D digital models in order to promote the inclusiveness and accessibility of European assets. In this direction, a Stakeholder Panel with different skills in the field of Cultural Heritage has been involved leading the research toward effective strategies to increase use and reuse of digital models. These strategies are aimed at maximizing the impact of using digital data for cultural heritage applications involving a wide range of non-expert and expert users, starting from specific requirements for processing, managing, delivering cultural heritage information to a broad audience. A co-design workshop has been organized involving Stakeholders in order to investigate on their requirements and expectations, to obtain information that could be useful for the User Centered process of definition of INCEPTION’s main outcomes and functionalities