Geomatic training experiences for a high vulnerability cultural heritage item

The plan of Architectural documentation is the basic platform on which the CH protection and development process is founded; it embraces the historical analysis, the metric survey and the graphical representation of the object. It covers a primary importance in order to achieve very many objects: the comprehension of cultural values through the study of historical sources; the morphological and geometrical data collection and interpretation for the object representation. The latter is the frame on which we can organize the diagnostic tests, build the restoration plan and the communication and dissemination of his cultural values. The achievement of the know how in the field of the architectural and environmental survey is an important part of the curriculum in faculties of Architecture. The basic courses in this field of study (an integrated course named Topography/Metric Survey/IT and the course of Photogrammetry) approach to the main methods and the modern techniques of metric survey and at the same time the students will be provided of the basic knowledge for the critical analysis of the historical handiworks in the different scales, from the territorial to the architectural one. In the area of the optional courses, the educational program widen to involve all data capture methodologies, including the LIDAR techniques, and systems of 3D survey data management and integration. Modern spatial data products, such as DEM and vector surface models, are used for the final rendering, where both the 2D and 3D element will be integrated. It will be also introduced the GIS environment for the storage and management of spatial information at the territorial and architectural scales. In this paper we are going to present several experiences employed during two courses of the Faculty of Architecture (Applied Photogrammetry and Digital Photogrammetry/3D scanning for CH survey, the last managed by CISDA - Architecture Interdepartmental Teaching Services Centre)*. In this training experiences the methodological contents of disciplines have been exploited to obtain the documentation of a cultural item, featured by a high risk of extinction: the decorated gypsum ceilings of the southern Piedmon

Integrazione di database spaziali multiscala in ambito urbano

An information data infrastructure is one of the key to assure efficiency and sustainability for urban processes management. In this field spatial data management plays a central role with a focus on thematic and geometric integration, multi-scale modelling and flexibility to specific needs. These goals can be achieved through the provision of specific standards and tools for data modelling and information retrieving. The widening of the application fields of GIS to the architectural representations of the cultural heritage documentation and consequently the 3D data management support are two of the major issues for filling the gap between the CAD and GIS and their cultural and productive background. Her will be presented some preliminary issues of a test on spatal data integration in a XML based data structure following the OGC's CityGML specifications. The model implementation will focus on the multiscale and multiview modelling tools of standard as a first stepo for the management of a 3D spatial database through XML based application tool

Anderson impurity in the one-dimensional Hubbard model on finite size systems

An Anderson impurity in a Hubbard model on chains with finite length is studied using the density-matrix renormalization group (DMRG) technique. In the first place, we analyzed how the reduction of electron density from half-filling to quarter-filling affects the Kondo resonance in the limit of Hubbard repulsion U=0. In general, a weak dependence with the electron density was found for the local density of states (LDOS) at the impurity except when the impurity, at half-filling, is close to a mixed valence regime. Next, in the central part of this paper, we studied the effects of finite Hubbard interaction on the chain at quarter-filling. Our main result is that this interaction drives the impurity into a more defined Kondo regime although accompanied in most cases by a reduction of the spectral weight of the impurity LDOS. Again, for the impurity in the mixed valence regime, we observed an interesting nonmonotonic behavior. We also concluded that the conductance, computed for a small finite bias applied to the leads, follows the behavior of the impurity LDOS, as in the case of non-interacting chains. Finally, we analyzed how the Hubbard interaction and the finite chain length affect the spin compensation cloud both at zero and at finite temperature, in this case using quantum Monte Carlo techniques.Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures, final version to be published in Phys. Rev.

Are older people putting themselves at risk when using their walking frames?

Background Walking aids are issued to older adults to prevent falls, however, paradoxically their use has been identified as a risk factor for falling. To prevent falls, walking aids must be used in a stable manner, but it remains unknown to what extent associated clinical guidance is adhered to at home, and whether following guidance facilitates a stable walking pattern. It was the aim of this study to investigate adherence to guidance on walking frame use, and to quantify user stability whilst using walking frames. Additionally, we explored the views of users and healthcare professionals on walking aid use, and regarding the instrumented walking frames (‘Smart Walkers’) utilized in this study. Methods This observational study used Smart Walkers and pressure-sensing insoles to investigate usage patterns of 17 older people in their home environment; corresponding video captured contextual information. Additionally, stability when following, or not, clinical guidance was quantified for a subset of users during walking in an Activities of Daily Living Flat and in a gait laboratory. Two focus groups (users, healthcare professionals) shared their experiences with walking aids and provided feedback on the Smart Walkers. Results Incorrect use was observed for 16% of single support periods and for 29% of dual support periods, and was associated with environmental constraints and a specific frame design feature. Incorrect use was associated with reduced stability. Participants and healthcare professionals perceived the Smart Walker technology positively. Conclusions Clinical guidance cannot easily be adhered to and self-selected strategies reduce stability, hence are placing the user at risk. Current guidance needs to be improved to address environmental constraints whilst facilitating stable walking. The research is highly relevant considering the rising number of walking aid users, their increased falls-risk, and the costs of falls. Trial Registration Not applicable

Analysis of particle size distribution in municipal wastewaters

Innovative membrane filtration plants for municipal wastewaters are being developed and need the support of reliable filtration models in the designing phase. In the past, semi-empirical filtration models for membrane processes have been proposed. At present, the most prominent works point out the importance of particle poly-dispersity in the development of reliable models but fail into the implementation of probability density functions (PDFs) capable of an accurate fitting of the experimental particle size distribution (PSD). We report the experimental PSDs of two different municipal wastewater samples, obtained through the laser diffraction technique. The experimental results show that the laser diffraction technique can characterize wastewater particle dimensions both in the colloidal and supra-colloidal regions. The experimental study is complemented by a comparative analysis in which many PDFs are used to fit the experimental PSDs through a least-squares approach. Some of these PDFs are proposed here for the first time to fit experimental wastewater PSDs. Among the PDFs considered for the statistical modeling, the three-parameter lognormal and the Burr PDFs are demonstrated to provide satisfactory fitting, whereas the other considered functions fail. This result is confirmed by the analysis of both the available wastewater samples

Integrazione di database spaziali multiscala in ambito urbano

An information data infrastructure is one of the key to assure efficiency and sustainability for urban processes management. In this field spatial data management plays a central role with a focus on thematic and geometric integration, multi-scale modelling and flexibility to specific needs. These goals can be achieved through the provision of specific standards and tools for data modelling and information retrieving. The widening of the application fields of GIS to the architectural representations of the cultural heritage documentation and consequently the 3D data management support are two of the major issues for filling the gap between the CAD and GIS and their cultural and productive background. Her will be presented some preliminary issues of a test on spatal data integration in a XML based data structure following the OGC's CityGML specifications. The model implementation will focus on the multiscale and multiview modelling tools of standard as a first stepo for the management of a 3D spatial database through XML based application tools