Ex-ante and ex-post modelling of energy performance in buildings

Despite energy efficiency is considered as being the most cost-effective measure to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions in the Swedish residential sector, few barriers still exist that hamper the development of a reliable and effective policy able to shift consumption patterns towards a more sustainable growth. Although the potential energy savings in the Swedish residential stock are claimed to be high, the few existing quantitative analysis rely on outdated data. In addition, ex-ante evaluations of energy efficiency policies targeting the national residential sector are scarce and often employ general modelling tools, e.g. NORDIC-MARKAL, used to answer any type of energy policy questions. Analysts and policy makers are in clear need of an improved evaluation tool that specifically targets the residential sector and allows for reliable outcomes. The EEB_Sweden is a flexible modelling tool recently developed to explicitly analyse energy efficiency policies targeting the Swedish residential sector. In this work, the EEB_Sweden platform is further developed by integrating a comprehensive disaggregated set of energy values, associated with current and potential future technological configurations, present in Swedish multi-family buildings. The database is obtained by carrying out energy performance analysis of multi-dwelling buildings belonging to eight different year-of-construction segments and three climate zones, using the sophisticated building energy use simulator eQuest. Once implemented in EEB_Swden, the database is tested by performing some policy scenarios. The outcome is used to assess if energy efficiency policy has the potential to trigger a radical change in the multi-family building segment

Maxillary disjunction: the effectiveness of MARPE method in the palatine suture - a narrative review

A disjunção da maxila com finalidade de corrigir a atresia do arco dentário superior, consiste na abertura da sutura intermaxilar e consequente aumento transversal da base óssea. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar através de uma revisão narrativa a ação do método de disjunção “Microimplant Assisted rapid Maxillary Expansion” (MARPE) na sutura palatina, bem como avaliar outros parâmetros como inclinação dentária, efeitos periodontais e ósseos além da resultante da distribuição de stress causado pela disjunção. A fim de identificar os estudos relevantes, foi realizada uma busca através do motor de pesquisa PubMed, incluindo estudos publicados entre os anos de 2010 a 2021. A seleção dos estudos respeitou os critérios de inclusão e exclusão pré - definidos. Após a avaliação dos artigos selecionados, os resultados das pesquisas permitiram concluir que o método MARPE é eficaz na abertura da sutura palatina, porém apresenta efeitos dentários secundários.The maxillary disjunction with the purpose of correcting the atresia of the superior dental arch, consists in the opening of the intermaxillary suture and consequent transversal increase of the bone base. The objective of this work was to evaluate, through a narrative review, the action of the disjunction method "Microimplant Assisted rapid Maxillary Expansion" (MARPE) in the palatal suture, as well as to evaluate other parameters such as dental inclination, periodontal and bone effects in addition to the resultant of the distribution of stress caused by the disjunction. In order to identify the relevant studies, a search was performed using the PubMed search engine, including studies published between the years 2010 to 2021. The selection of studies respected the pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. After evaluating the selected articles, the results of the research allowed to conclude that the MARPE method is effective in opening the palatal suture, but it has secondary dental effects

Stability of Cubic FAPbI3_3 from X-ray Diffraction, Anelastic, and Dielectric Measurements

Among the hybrid metal-organic perovskites for photovoltaic applications FAPbI_3 (FAPI) has the best performance regarding efficiency and the worst regarding stability, even though the reports on its stability are highly contradictory. In particular, since at room temperature the cubic alpha phase, black and with high photovoltaic efficiency, is metastable against the yellow hexagonal delta phase, it is believed that alpha-FAPI spontaneously transform into delta-FAPI within a relatively short time. We performed X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric measurements on loose powder of FAPI, and present the first complete dielectric and anelastic spectra of compacted FAPI samples under various conditions. We found that alpha-FAPI is perfectly stable for at least 100 days, the duration of the experiments, unless extrinsic factors induce its degradation. In our tests, degradation was detected after exposure to humidity, strongly accelerated by grain boundaries and the presence of delta phase, but it was not noticeable on the loose powder kept in air under normal laboratory illumination. These findings have strong implications on the strategies for improving the stability of FAPI without diminishing its photovoltaic efficiency through modifications of its composition

Ottimizzazione e durabilità di miscele UHPC (Ultra High Performance Concrete)

La nascita dei calcestruzzi ad elevatissime prestazioni, noto in inglese come UHPC (Ultra High Performance Concrete), è molto recente ed il loro primo impiego è da datarsi alla fine degli anni ’90. Tale materiale nasce per ovviare alle problematiche connesse all’impiego dei calcestruzzi ordinari soprattutto in termini di scarsa duttilità e di pessima durabilità. Con l'acronimo UHPC si definisce una nuova classe di calcestruzzo descrivibile come un materiale a base cementizia fibro-rinforzato che presenta non solo un’accresciuta risposta meccanica a compressione (con resistenze sistematicamente superiori ai 150 MPa) ma anche una buona resistenza a trazione (dell’ordine dei 15 MPa) e soprattutto una notevole duttilità. Tali caratteristiche derivano da particolari accortezze adottate in fase di progettazione della miscela cementizia quali : ● ridotto rapporto acqua/cemento possibile grazie all’impiego di additivi superfluidificanti riduttori di acqua; ● impiego di aggiunte minerali, da sole o in combinazione tra loro, ad alta attività pozzolanica e/o elevata area superficiale specifica come fumo di silice o loppa d’altoforno; ● utilizzo di inerti di dimensioni selezionate capaci di assicurare un’elevata adesione all’interfaccia tra elemento lapideo e matrice cementizia. Sebbene la resistenza di un UHPC sia impressionante rispetto a un tradizionale, è la sua durabilità a superare ulteriormente le aspettative. Il materiale, causa la sua migliorata composizione, presenta una microstruttura priva di imperfezioni e impurità̀, in grado di consentire una durabilità̀ mai riscontrata prima sui materiali cementizi ordinari, in grado di ridurre drasticamente i costi di manutenzione delle strutture e mitigando gli impatti ambientali propri del normale ciclo vitale di un manufatto in calcestruzzo ordinario (dalla produzione del calcestruzzo, alla manutenzione, alla dismissione). L'UHPC è un materiale che ha una durata prevista di 100 anni con eccezionale resistenza, durata, flessibilità e longevità. Le maggiori applicazione di questo materiale sono state inizialmente destinate ad opere di ingegneria infrastrutturale particolarmente sollecitate da carichi statici e dinamici in servizio o da azioni aggressive da parte di un ambiente particolarmente ostile. Si sta, tuttavia, prospettando la tendenza ad impiegare il calcestruzzo UHPC anche in opere di architettura o di ingegneria civile meno sollecitate per sfruttare le caratteristiche meccaniche attraverso una diversa progettazione per produrre calcestruzzi più durevoli in conseguenza del basso rapporto acqua/cemento, ed infine, per sfruttare la rapidità produttiva sia in fase di getto per l'elevata lavorabilità degli impasti, sia in fase esecutiva per un velocissimo sviluppo della resistenza meccanica. Nella parte introduttiva il presente studio punta a definire lo stato dell’arte in merito alla tecnologia che sottende la nascita e lo sviluppo del materiale, indagando la sua composizione e le principali caratteristiche dei suoi componenti. Di seguito si riportano i risultati di diverse campagne sperimentali intraprese nell’arco dei tre anni di ricerca inerenti alla caratterizzazione delle proprietà meccaniche e di durabilità che contraddistinguono i calcestruzzi UHPC. Il primo studio riguarda l’analisi dei risultati di prove di caratterizzazione meccanica a compressione, flessione e trazione eseguite su miscele UHPC tradizionali e altre aventi contenuto ridotto di cemento, sottolineando l’efficacia del contenuto del rinforzo fibroso metallico sulle prestazioni dei calcestruzzi UHPC. Il secondo studio ha riguardato invece lo studio delle caratteristiche chimico-fisiche del materiale. Sebbene la resistenza di un UHPC sia impressionante rispetto ad un calcestruzzo ordinario, è la sua durabilità a superare ulteriormente le aspettative. A tal riguardo la durabilità del composito è stata valutata dapprima in termini di ritiro ed in seguito in termini di resistenza in condizioni estreme quali ad esempio l’esposizione agli ioni cloruro o a cicli di gelo-disgelo. Infine sono state eseguite analisi in laboratorio per indagare le caratteristiche legate alla microstruttura del materiale. Il terzo ed ultimo studio invece è stato incentrato sull’analisi meccanica in regime statico e ciclico di provini UHPC in funzione della percentuale di rinforzo fibroso. Particolare attenzione è stata posta sul comportamento post-fessurativo dei provini analizzati e sull’avanzamento dello stato di danno durante l’esecuzione di test meccanici.The birth of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC), is very recent and their first use dates back to the end of the 90s. This material was created to overcome the problems associated with the use of ordinary concretes, especially in terms of poor ductility and poor durability. The acronym UHPC defines a new class of concrete that can be described as a fiber-reinforced cement-based material which has not only an increased mechanical response to compression (with strengths systematically higher than 150 MPa) but also a good tensile strength (of the order of 15 MPa) and above all a remarkable ductility. These characteristics derive from particular precautions adopted in the design phase of the cement mixture such as: • reduced water/cement ratio thanks to the use of water-reducing superplasticizers; • use of mineral additions, alone or in combination, with high pozzolanic activity and/or high specific surface area such as silica fume or blast furnace slag; • use of aggregates of selected dimensions capable of ensuring high adhesion at the interface between the stone element and the cement matrix. While the endurance of a UHPC is impressive compared to a traditional one, it is its durability that further exceeds expectations. The material, due to its improved composition, has a microstructure free of imperfections and impurities, capable of allowing a durability never seen before on ordinary cementitious materials, capable of drastically reducing the maintenance costs of the structures and mitigating the environmental impacts of the normal life cycle of an ordinary concrete product (from concrete production, to maintenance, to decommissioning). UHPC is a material that has an expected life span of 100 years with exceptional strength, durability, flexibility and longevity. The major applications of this material were initially intended for infrastructural engineering works particularly stressed by static and dynamic loads in service or by aggressive actions by a particularly hostile environment. However, there is a trend to use UHPC concrete also in less stressed architectural or civil engineering works to exploit the mechanical characteristics through a different design to produce more durable concretes as a result of the low water/cement ratio, and finally, to exploit the production speed both in the casting phase for the high workability of the mixtures, and in the execution phase for a very rapid development of the mechanical strength. In the introduction, this study aims to define the state of the art regarding the technology that underlies the birth and development of the material, investigating its composition and the main characteristics of its components. The results of various experimental campaigns undertaken over the three years of research concerning the characterization of the mechanical and durability properties that distinguish UHPC concretes are reported below. The first study concerns the analysis of the results of mechanical characterization tests in compression, bending and traction performed on traditional UHPC mixes and others with reduced cement content, emphasizing the effectiveness of the steel fiber content on the performance of UHPC concretes. The second study concerned the investigation of the chemical-physical characteristics of the material. While the strength of UHPC is impressive compared to ordinary concrete, it is its durability that further exceeds expectations. In this regard, the durability of the composite was first evaluated in terms of shrinkage and then in terms of resistance under extreme conditions such as, for example, exposure to chloride ions or freeze-thaw cycles. Finally, laboratory analyzes were performed to investigate the characteristics related to the microstructure of the material. The third and last study instead focused on the mechanical analysis under static and cyclic conditions of UHPC specimens as a function of the percentage of fibrous reinforcement. Particular attention was paid to the post-cracking behavior of the analyzed specimens and to the progress of the damage state during the execution of mechanical tests

Biogas Production in Zabrze: Closing the Cycle of Organic Waste

Both energy security and the demand for energy, particularly from renewable energy sources, as principle drivers, call for the investigation of renewable energy potential in Poland. The city of Zabrze, located in the Upper Silesia province and urban zone of Katowice, dedicates continuous efforts to the improvement of its waste management against the background of European Union Directives requiring the increased reuse and recycling of waste and the gradual reduction of waste being landfilled. Biogas production presents a rewarding solution by using organic waste as resource for energy production and thereby closing the loop in the life-cycle attached to organic products. This pre-feasibility study explores the potential for biogas production from pig manure and organic household waste, taking into account the prevailing local conditions in Zabrze. From a thorough data analysis, field study visits in the vicinity of Lund in Sweden and in Zabrze and adjoining communities, as well as multiple stakeholder interviews, the feasibility of a 350 kW biogas plant fed by municipal organic household waste and a base load of pig manure, with an electricity generation potential of 2.9 GWhe per year, is deduced. The report concludes that the technical implementation will need to be accompanied, in addition to continuous public awareness raising and educational endeavours, by economic measures and a supportive legal framework, both of which need to be clearly defined for a medium to long term period to allow for predictability on behalf of potential interested operators and businesses

Biological samples studied by optical nanospectroscopy

The different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum result in diverse effects upon interaction with matter: according to the wavelength, the radiation has energy appropriate for the excitation of a specific physical process. X-rays can be used as a tool to analyze the structure of matter since their wavelength is comparable with the interatomic distances. Infrared light is in the spectral region that excites molecular vibrations and is employed to investigate the chemical composition of a material. Visible radiation can study the optical properties of a sample, such as the fluorescence and the absorbance, and provide a chemical fingerprint when the inelastically scattered light is detected. In this thesis work these light sources are used in diverse experimental approaches to study structured biological specimens, resulting in a detailed chemical and physical characterization at the atomic and molecular scale. Conventional spectroscopy is often not enough sensitive and spatially resolved to detect specific elements or domains in a sample. The need of imaging objects on increasingly finer scales and spatially localize specific molecules, brought to combine infrared, visible and Raman spectroscopy with scanning near-field microscopy giving rise to a powerful nanospectroscopic tool used to perform simultaneous topographical measurements and optical/chemical characterizations with subwavelength resolution, overcoming the diffraction limit of light. Our study combines X-ray diffraction and reflectivity with optical nanospectroscopy to investigate the order and clustering of lipid bilayers, the interaction between solid-supported membranes and embedded alamethicin peptides, the optical and chemical properties of hippocampal neuron cells and the trafficking mechanism of specific neuron receptors

Prefácio

Educação Física e Esport

Avaliação Institucional na ESEF: O desafio de uma construção coletiva

Artigo publicado na Revista Movimento – Edição Especial: ESEF 70 AnosEste artigo tem por objetivo apresentar algumas reflexões sobre a caminhada que o Núcleo de Avaliação da Escola de Educação Física da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (NAU/ESEF/UFRGS) vem trilhando na área da avaliação institucional. Após uma breve contextualização histórica da avaliação do Ensino Superior nas Universidades brasileiras e, mais especificamente, na UFRGS, discorremos a respeito da metodologia empregada pelo NAU da ESEF no processo avaliativo desenvolvido dentro da Unidade. A partir desta experiência de construção coletiva, trazemos alguns questionamentos acerca do tema, na tentativa de contribuir para discussões que possam vir a ocorrer em diversos âmbitos.Produto do Projeto "ESCOLA DE EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA DA UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL (1940-2010): mapeando cenários da formação profissional e da produção do conhecimento em políticas públicas de esporte e lazer", financiado pela Rede Cede