AUGMENTED REALITY AND GAMIFICATION APPROACH WITHIN THE DIMMER PROJECT

Innovative learning methods as well as research projects dissemination can be achieved by digital technology. AR (Augmented Reality) can play a key role in the education field in order to transmit knowledge to young generations. AR is used to develop a playing cards game for children based on energy saving topics within the DIMMER (District Information Modelling and Management for Energy Reduction) European Project, where energy consumption awareness is one of its main aims. The DIMMER system enables the integration of BIM (Building Information Modelling), distribution network models, real-time data from sensors and user feedback through QR Codes and web portals. The energy performance of buildings is analysed from their actual utilization and especially from users’ feedback. Despite pervasive sensors implementation is a necessary tool to monitor buildings, the more effective way to reach real energy saving is to pursue user awareness and promote good practices in energy using. In fact, energy information sharing has been intended as the main focus in the DIMMER game, since children can adopt good habits that will be reflected on adults behaviour. The game conception has been reached by the collaboration between Politecnico di Torino and Primo Liceo Artistico Statale, as well as the staging of a theatrical show about these issues. In this way a connection between University and High School has been established about current research topics and the uses of new technologies for pedagogical purposes. AR is investigated in order to promote an interactive game for children in which the differences between good and bad practices in terms of sustainability and energy efficiency are discussed. It indeed turns out to be an effective means of communication with immediate impact on children learning. Cards are characterized by markers which are linked to 3D models through a specific software that enables their visualization on personal devices in AR. In the game, natural elements that are capable to generate energy (sun, fire, earth, water and wind) define the seed of every card. Attractive and colourful figures are used to represent renewable energy sources and their applications, while dark images represent the most polluting solutions. The DIMMER game purpose is not to pick up the higher number of cards, but saving energy through positive figures, avoiding those that involve pollution generation. This kind of approach establishes an interaction between children and the energy problem by encouraging active learning through the game and raising their awareness. Children are stimulated by AR multimedia elements that make learning more interesting and entertaining

Targeting the ASMase/S1P pathway protects from sortilin-evoked vascular damage in hypertension

Sortilin has been positively correlated with vascular disorders in humans. No study has yet evaluated the possible direct effect of sortilin on vascular function. We used pharmacological and genetic approaches coupled with study of murine and human samples to unravel the mechanisms recruited by sortilin in the vascular system. Sortilin induced endothelial dysfunction of mesenteric arteries through NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) isoform activation, dysfunction that was prevented by knockdown of acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) or sphingosine kinase 1. In vivo, recombinant sortilin administration induced arterial hypertension in WT mice. In contrast, genetic deletion of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 3 (S1P3) and gp91phox/NOX2 resulted in preservation of endothelial function and blood pressure homeostasis after 14 days of systemic sortilin administration. Translating these research findings into the clinical setting, we detected elevated sortilin levels in hypertensive patients with endothelial dysfunction. Furthermore, in a population-based cohort of 270 subjects, we showed increased plasma ASMase activity and increased plasma levels of sortilin, S1P, and soluble NOX2-derived peptide (sNOX2-dp) in hypertensive subjects, and the increase was more pronounced in hypertensive subjects with uncontrolled blood pressure. Our studies reveal what we believe is a previously unrecognized role of sortilin in the impairment of vascular function and in blood pressure homeostasis and suggest the potential of sortilin and its mediators as biomarkers for the prediction of vascular dysfunction and high blood pressure