Building information modelling – A novel parametric modeling approach based on 3D surveys of historic architecture

Building Information Modelling (BIM) appears to be the best answer to simplify the traditional process of design, construction, management and maintenance. On the other hand, the intricate reality of the built heritage and the growing need to represent the actual geometry using 3D models collide with the new paradigms of complexity and accuracy, opening a novel operative perspective for restoration and conservation. The management of complexity through BIM requires a new management approach focused on the development of improve the environmental impact cost, reduction and increase in productivity and efficiency the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry. This structure is quantifiable in morphological and typical terms by establishing levels of development and detail (LoDs) and changes of direction (ReversLoDs) to support the different stages of life cycle (LCM). Starting from different experiences in the field of HBIM, this research work proposes a dynamic parametric modeling approach that involves the use of laser scanning, photogrammetric data and advanced modelling for HBIM

national bim digital platform for construction innovance project

INNOVance represents the first digital platform in the construction sector with BIM methodology on a national level. It's also a BIM library, a Common Data Environment (CDE) of BIM projects in a contract, for sharing work information, and a data exchange platform for the entire construction sector. The platform operates in accordance with the UNI 11337: 2009 standard and it is the origin of the UNI 11337: 2017 standard group. The project was formed within the research relating to the Competitive Call: Energy Efficiency, Industry 2015, promoted by the Ministry of Economic Development (MISE)

Bim as an enabler for digital transformation

Organisations all over the world are increasingly becoming digitally enabled, including infrastructure providers and are looking to use this new found a digital way of working to transform the organisation into a more lean, efficient and productive organisation. Digital transformation is not exclusively about digital technology but the fact that technology, which is digital, will enable the organisation to create greater informed decisions around there current and future challenges, objectives and strategy. While many organisations are currently going through a digital transformation process, there are challenges in demonstrating the value of such a transformation process to the broader organisation. This is partly due to the fact that for digital transformation to be successful it must encompass all of the organisation, including traditional business processes and functions that are not prone to change. Furthermore, it can be witnessed that digital transformation is not purely a technical solution but is also an organisational cultural change, one that allows for an agile approach to working and one that acknowledges failure in a positive perspective. A framework is proposed in this paper that utilises the BIM information management processes and adopts them into a digital transformation process. The framework aims to not look at BIM within individual lifecycle stages, but the full adoption of BIM between all the lifecycles stages. Furthermore, it will support the full organisational adoption of BIM within all organisational functions such as risk management, customer reengagement, fiscal management, resource management, ETC. finally, the framework will enable the culture to change requirements by providing a collaborative and transparent environment to digital transformation

International Consensus Statement on Rhinology and Allergy: Rhinosinusitis

Background: The 5 years since the publication of the first International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Rhinosinusitis (ICAR‐RS) has witnessed foundational progress in our understanding and treatment of rhinologic disease. These advances are reflected within the more than 40 new topics covered within the ICAR‐RS‐2021 as well as updates to the original 140 topics. This executive summary consolidates the evidence‐based findings of the document. Methods: ICAR‐RS presents over 180 topics in the forms of evidence‐based reviews with recommendations (EBRRs), evidence‐based reviews, and literature reviews. The highest grade structured recommendations of the EBRR sections are summarized in this executive summary. Results: ICAR‐RS‐2021 covers 22 topics regarding the medical management of RS, which are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Additionally, 4 topics regarding the surgical management of RS are grade A/B and are presented in the executive summary. Finally, a comprehensive evidence‐based management algorithm is provided. Conclusion: This ICAR‐RS‐2021 executive summary provides a compilation of the evidence‐based recommendations for medical and surgical treatment of the most common forms of RS

Formation of tight junctions between neighboring podocytes is an early ultrastructural feature in experimental crescentic glomerulonephritis

Lena Succar,1 Ross A Boadle,2 David C Harris,1,3 Gopala K Rangan1,3 1Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, 2Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research, Westmead Hospital, 3Department of Renal Medicine, Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, Sydney, NSW, Australia Purpose: In crescentic glomerulonephritis (CGN), the development of cellular bridges between podocytes and parietal epithelial cells (PECs) triggers glomerular crescent formation. However, the sequential changes in glomerular ultrastructure in CGN are not well defined. This study investigated the time course of glomerular ultrastructure in experimental CGN. Methods: Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed using kidney samples from rats with nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NSN) from day 1 to day 14. Morphometric analysis was conducted on randomly selected glomeruli captured on TEM digital images. Results: On day 1 of NSN, there was widespread formation of focal contacts between the cell bodies of neighboring podocytes, and tight junctions were evident at the site of cell-to-cell contact. This was confirmed by the increased expression of the tight junction molecule, zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), which localized to the points of podocyte cell–cell body contact. On day 2, the interpodocyte distance decreased and the glomerular basement membrane thickness increased. Foot process effacement (FPE) was segmental on day 3 and diffuse by day 5, accompanied by the formation of podocyte cellular bridges with Bowman’s capsule, as confirmed by a decrease in podocyte-to-PEC distance. Fibrinoid necrosis and cellular crescents were evident in all glomeruli by days 7 and 14. In vitro, the exposure of podocytes to macrophage-conditioned media altered cellular morphology and caused an intracellular redistribution of ZO-1. Conclusion: The formation of tight junctions between podocytes is an early ultrastructural abnormality in CGN, preceding FPE and podocyte bridge formation and occurring in response to inflammatory injury. Podocyte-to-podocyte tight junction formation may be a compensatory mechanism to maintain the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier following severe endocapillary injury. Keywords: glomerular, crescent, inflammation, zonula occluden

Induction monotherapy with sirolimus has selected beneficial effects on glomerular and tubulointersititial injury in nephrotoxic serum nephritis

Lena Succar,1 Julia Lai-Kwon,1 David J Nikolic-Paterson,2 Gopala K Rangan1 1Centre for Transplant and Renal Research, Westmead Millennium Institute, University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia; 2Department of Nephrology and Monash University Department of Medicine, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, VIC, Australia Background: The study aimed to test the hypothesis that therapeutic treatment with a mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 inhibitor reduces renal cell proliferation and attenuates glomerular and tubulointerstitial injury in the early phase of nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NSN) in rats. Methods: Male Wistar-Kyoto rats received a single tail-vein injection of sheep anti-rat glomerular basement membrane serum (day 0) and were treated with vehicle or sirolimus (0.25 mg/kg/day by subcutaneous injection) from day 1 until day 14. Results: Treatment with sirolimus attenuated kidney enlargement by 41% (P<0.05), improved endogenous creatinine clearance by 50% (P<0.05), and reduced glomerular and tubulointerstitial cell proliferation by 53% and 70%, respectively, (P<0.05 compared to vehicle) in rats with NSN. In glomeruli, sirolimus reduced segmental fibrinoid necrosis by 69%, autologous rat immunoglobulin G deposition, glomerular capillary tuft enlargement, and periglomerular myofibroblast (α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells) accumulation (all P<0.05) but did not significantly affect glomerular crescent formation (P=0.15), macrophage accumulation (P=0.25), or the progression of proteinuria. In contrast, sirolimus preserved tubulointerstitial structure and attenuated all markers of injury (interstitial ED-1- and α-smooth muscle actin-positive cells and tubular vimentin expression; all P<0.05). By immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis, sirolimus reduced the glomerular and tubulointerstitial expression of phosphorylated (Ser 235/236) S6-ribosomal protein (P<0.05). Conclusion: Induction monotherapy with sirolimus suppressed target of rapamycin complex 1 activation, renal cell proliferation, and injury during the early stages of rodent NSN, but the degree of histological protection was more consistent in the tubulointerstitium than the glomerular compartment. Keywords: glomerulonephritis, proliferation, crescentic, rapamycin, inflammation, kidne