A methodology on the treatment of the issue of Cultural heritage restoration in Tirana, period 1920-’40 BIM modeling, Seismic simulation and Theoretical interpretatios

The history has left its mark on the Albanian culture and society, from the “Roman Empire, Greek colonies, Turkish Empire, to the Balkan and World Wars”. Indescribable is the influence of Italian designers between 1920 and 1940. The architecture of the center of Tirana, reflected mainly along the main boulevard buildings that divides the city into two parts, is an “undeniable proof of the symbiotic process” that has always characterized the relationship between Italian and Albanian culture in all dimensions. The cultural heritage buildings of Tirana’s case provide structures and monuments of great value, since they are proof of historic forms of life and the history of modern societies, and show the existence of a tangible cultural identity. The architectural heritage adds character to its surroundings, is an integral part of the city, and is also a valuable tourism resource. The study will be carried out through theoretical approaches initially and literature research, while later the methodology will take shape through the treatment of some cases of studies, which have not been previously studied in this specific context. The Albanian context has shown a lack of cooperation in a team of experts or governments have made this contribution even more fragile. To achieve this goal, the right atmosphere of cooperation between experts must be created, to consider their diverse perspectives. On the other hand, this research aims to raise awareness of Tirana's cultural heritage past by fostering a debate on cultural heritage and its future within a structured heritage framework. The study tends to stimulate the process of digitalization by creation of 3D models including BIM, in such a way as to create accessible database of materials, elements, combined architectural and structural models, database for additions and retrofitting’s. Those buildings that surround us today define the spaces of our cities which still more tell us how we were, how to judge the past and above of all how we can project the future.La storia ha lasciato il suo marchio nella società e la cultura albanese da le colonie Greche al Impero Romano dal Impero Ottomano alle guerre balcaniche fino alle guerre mondiali. Descrivibili sono le tracce e l’influenza lasciata dagli architetti Italiani tra il 1920 al 1940. L’Architettura del centro di Tirana, riflessa principalmente lungo il viale principale il quale decide la città in due parti e prova indelebile del processo simbiotico che ha caratterizzato le relazioni culturali tra Italia e Albania in tutte le dimensioni. La ricerca e l’analisi dei materiali trovati al archivio del istituto Tecnico di Tirana e anche ne archivio del Istituto Luce, specificamente negli archivi del L. Luigi e G. Fiorini sono stati d’aiuto nel capire meglio la visione degli architetti Italiani per Tirana. Oggigiorno questi disegni servono come punto di riferimento per architetti, ingegneri e restauratori per quanto riguarda al bisogno di ricostruzione e intervento di manutenzione che questi edifici hanno. Dopo la seconda Guerra Mondiale questi edifici venivano percepiti come memoria e segno del invasione straniera, negli ultimi 30 anni queste ideologie e superstizioni furono rimpiazzate da un più pacifico processo evolutivo. Costruitesi tra gli anni 20-40 per altri scopi dopo la liberazione cambiarono destinazione d’uso trasformandosi in Università, centri di studi, sedi per Ministeri diventando cosi parte inseparabile per la vita di ogni giorno e entrando a far parte nella storia della citta, intersecandosi e comunicando tra di loro. Oggigiorno questo patrimonio Storico-culturale condivisa ha aiutato a cambiare la percezione iniziale. Questo patrimonio culturale di Tirana fornisce strutture di grande valore si come sono prova di storia e delle forme della vita e della storia moderna della società. Il patrimonio architettonico da un distintivo aspetto al contesto circostante a uno degli elementi essenziali della città e ancor più diventa una risorsa turistica. Oggigiorno questo patrimonio culturale architettonica viene riconosciuto come fragile e insostituibile, patrimonio che va preservata e trasmessa alle future generazioni. Comunque le politiche di protezione non sempre sono efficienti come lo dovrebbe essere alle quali si aggiunge un disinteresse cittadino e un clima socio-politica molto avversa. La performanza degli edifici patrimonio culturale dopo i terremoti e una preoccupazione di tante figure professionali di diverse discipline. Anche se tutti predicono la salvaguardia di questo patrimonio culturale – architettonica dal rischio danneggiamento a causa dei terremoti, il prevedibile danneggio di questi valori estetici di questi edifici (causa le addizioni e processi di riqualificazione) viene ostacolato da una decisione consensuale sul bisogno di intervento o meno nel salvaguardare questi tesori. Questo deriva dalla mancanza di una solida base di principi, nel tenere conto dei fattori che incidono sulla riduzione del rischio sismico negli edifici, per il consolidamento della struttura e nel contempo il danneggiamento dei valori attribuiti a specifici tecniche di intervento. L’età di questi edifici si sta avvicinando ai 100° anni fatto che ci rende consapevoli della grandezza degli architetti di quel periodo. Riguardo a questo studio tenta di definire i principi e i segreti della semplicità strutturale e la reinterpretazione teorica degli argomenti strutturali. Le configurazioni in piano e altezza, degli elementi strutturali più usati nel periodo e l’abilita di sopportare a un ampio numero di eventi sismici. La visione strategica di questo studio e di sviluppare una dettagliata metodologia la quale servirà come manuale di riferimento nel indirizzare sia problemi di restauro anche i problemi del analisi strutturale del patrimonio culturale con i principi delle carte internazionali sul restauro

DETERMINATION OF LEAD ACCUMULATION BY LEAVES OF DIFFERENT VEGETATION, GROW IN SOIL POLLUTION

Both natural and anthropogenic contributions are the sources of leademissions to the environment. Lead is easily accumulated in the edible partsof leafy vegetables, as compared to grain or fruit crops. The accumulation oflead in agricultural soils is potentially hazardous to human, livestock andplants species. The purpose of this study is: determination of lead in soil anddifferent spontaneous plant species grown it, as well as calculation ofdeterminate bioaccumulation factors (BAF) soil to plant. We have selected21 sampling point at a distance 80-600 m around Former Factory Productionof Batteries to Berat, Albania. We have collected a total of 42 samples where21 are soil samples and 21 are vegetation samples. All the representativesamples for this study were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrometryfor their lead content, at the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, Universityof Tirana, Albania. From results obtained, the concentrations of lead inrepresentative soil samples were found in the levels: 126 mg/kg-24207mg/kg while in the biological samples, the levels of lead were: 0.238-4.572mg/kg. The concentration ranges of lead in soil samples collected at differentpoints are compared with the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL)recommenced by European Union according the Directive 86/278/EEC.Also, we have calculated Hazardous Quoted (HQ) for each sampling point ofsoil. The concentration ranges of lead in biological samples collected arecompared with the Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCL) specified by theDirective No. 1881/2006, Brussels. Concentrations of lead were measuredalso in surface soil, near the root of plant species, in one of the most pollutedareas in Albania, Uznove, Berat. Also we have calculated bio accumulationfactor (BAF) soil to plant

Assessment of Lead Concentration in the Aerosol Sampling Using Different Analytical Techniques

The instrumental methods of analysis with destructive and non- destructive used to determine metals concentration in aerosol samples. The purpose of this study is to determine the lead concentration in aerosol samples using different analytical techniques. We have selected 8 aerosols samples, which are divided in two parts and only one in four parts. We have analyzed a total 18 filter aerosol samples. Aerosol samples are collected in Tirana and Elbasan cities and were analyzed for lead content by using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry, Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and X-ray Fluorescence in the Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana, Albania. From the results obtained show that the level of lead in the aerosol samples that are collected in Elbasan is higher than in samples are collected in Tirana. By the use of various techniques in the measurement of lead in aerosols it is noticed that the more information is obtained from the technique of X-ray while for the presence of lead in low concentrations, GFAAS technique has the highest accuracy and sensitivity

What is the Role of Complications and Comorbidities in Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema Syndrome

Objective: Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema (CPFE) and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) are separate entities characterised by distinct clinical, functional, radiological, and pathological characteristics. Comorbidities and complications are commonly seen in both diseases. Our purpose was to investigate which comorbidities are more common and what is their impact in the outcome of CPFE and IPF. The demographic and clinical data were also studied. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. We have reviewed the medical records of the patients diagnosed with interstitial lung diseases in University Hospital of lung diseases “Shefqet Ndroqi”, in Tirana, in the period from January 2012 till April 2016. The subjects (51 in total) were further divided in two groups: the patients diagnosed with CPFE (25) 49% and the others (26) 51% with IPF. For testing the impact of comorbidities in CPFE syndrome, we have used linear regression with multiple factors using EViews 7 program. "The Student test" is used to evaluate the importance of comorbidities and complications in CPFE and IPF. The demographic and clinical data are expressed in average values using standard deviations ± SD. Results: All of the patients had comorbidities and complications. In CPFE syndrome predominate male smokers or ex-smokers. UPY is higher in CPFE. The time from the appearance of symptoms to the diagnosis is longer in CPFE than in IPF patients. Comorbidities have more impact in CPFE syndrome (p = 0.01). In IPF we didn"t find any significant relationships in comorbidities, but we have to remind that the number of patients was  small. Conclusion: Comorbidities are frequent in CPFE and IPF patients. Some of them, especially lung cancer, influence strongly in the survival rate and some others, like respiratory insuficiency, may play an important role in the outcome of the disease. However, further research is needed to clarify the impact of comorbidities in CPFE syndrome. Keywords: Combined Pulmonary Fibrosis and Emphysema, Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Evaluation of Lead Concentration on Agriculture Surface Soil around the Former Battery Production, Berat, Albania

A study was performed to investigate the distribution of lead concentration on the surface soils samples at a distance 80-2000 m around the former Factory Production of Batteries to Berat, Albania. There were two goals of this study: to assessment of the environmental and impact of the industrial lead waste in the surface soil around the former Factory of Battery Production; and comparison the concentration of lead in the planted areas where the inhabitants cultivate agricultural products with untreated surface soil. To achieve the goals of the work, initially are selected 33 surface sampling points of soil. 20 of them represent the untreated soils and other 13 represent soil samples where the plants are cultivated. All the representative soil samples were analyzing using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry for their lead content, in Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana, Albania. From results obtained the fraction of lead in surface soil samples ranged from 78 mg/kg to 24207 mg/kg and average concentration of lead was 1821mg/kg. Concentration of lead in uncultivated soil samples was found higher than the concentration of lead in cultivated surface soil samples, soils which have been worked for cultivated crops. The fraction of lead in soil samples that are collected at different points are compared with the MCL specified by the Directive 86/278/EEC. Also, we have calculated factor of Hazardous Quoted for each sampling point

Molybdenum-Based Polyoxometalates as Highly Active and Selective Catalysts for the Epimerization of Aldoses

In this contribution, we report on the high activity and selectivity of Keggin structure molybdenum-based polyoxometalates (POMs) in catalyzing the epimerization of aldoses. Near-equilibrium conversions and selectivities were obtained within the first hour of operation under aqueous conditions at relatively low temperatures and a wide range of pHs. Characterization of the molybdenum-based POM catalysts using X-ray diffraction and FTIR studies before and after the reaction showed no evidence of their decomposition. Our studies suggest that the active sites for the reaction are the molybdenum oxide octahedra on the surface of the Keggin structure of the molybdenum-based POMs (H_3PMo_(12)O_(40), Ag_3PMo_(12)O_(40), Sn_(0.75)PMo_(12)O_(40)). Further characterization of the system using ^(31)P NMR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments showed that the interaction between the aldose (e.g., glucose) and the molybdenum oxide octahedra in the POM results in electron transfer from the aldose to molybdenum, leading to the formation of the reduced form of the POM (also known as heteropoly blue). Isotope labeling experiments demonstrated that the epimerization of glucose using molybdenum-based POMs proceeds via an intramolecular C1–C2 shift mechanism with an activation barrier of as low as 96 kJ/mol, obtained using controlled kinetic experiments. These findings open up avenues for the implementation of molybdenum-based POMs as single, selective, and stable catalytic systems for the efficient epimerization of aldoses under aqueous conditions at relatively low temperatures and a wide range of pHs

Preliminary study of two antique Illyrian helmets (V-IV B.C.) excavated in northwest and northeast of Albania

This study combines several analytical techniques to preliminary investigate two Illyrian helmets (V-IV century B.C.) excavated in Nënshat (Shkodra, northwest Albania) and in Krumë (Has, northeast Albania). They were stored in the Center of Albanian Studies, after excavation in 1963 in damaged conditions but have never been studied until now. The aims of this paper are the investigation of the helmets’ alloy and production technique; hence SEM-EDS, OM and Vickers microhardness tester were used to study the elements content, microstructure inclusions and its characteristics due to the production process. The Illyrian helmets alloy resulted Cu-Sn with less than 1% of Fe and As. The microstructure was composed by straight and bended twins, with 160.5 and 169.6 mean Vickers microhardness values, suggesting that these objects’ alloys were casted, annealed and cold worked to obtain the final distinctive shape. Elements such as S, Si, Fe can originate from the copper mineral used for the alloy production. This paper is part of a campaign in Albania to better understand the past with the use of physical analytical techniques

WAVELET TRANSFORM APPLIED IN ECG SIGNAL PROCESSING

In this paper, we have introduced the compression of electrocardiogram (ECG) using a wavelet transformation. We will treat ECG as a signal and will implement a matched filter; and more precisely, the Wiener filter which is proportional to the signal itself. Also, we will use this filter to detect the positions of the heart beats. In this application, we will be using the white noise. However, the matched filter will not be proportional to the signal itself. Other results we have computed for this ECG signal are the mean difference of the heart beats and the heart rate. All these results are well–established diagnostic tools for cardiac diseases

WAVELET TRANSFORM APPLIED IN ECG SIGNAL PROCESSING

In this paper, we have introduced the compression of electrocardiogram (ECG) using a wavelet transformation. We will treat ECG as a signal and will implement a matched filter; and more precisely, the Wiener filter which is proportional to the signal itself. Also, we will use this filter to detect the positions of the heart beats. In this application, we will be using the white noise. However, the matched filter will not be proportional to the signal itself. Other results we have computed for this ECG signal are the mean difference of the heart beats and the heart rate. All these results are well–established diagnostic tools for cardiac diseases

Journey Across the Communist Past of Albania through the Lens of American Drama on Stage (1960-1990)

The article aims to trace how Orpheus Descending written by Tennessee Williams, The Crucible written by Arthur Miller and The Little Foxes written by Lillian Hellman were received on the Albanian stage from the 1960s to the 1980s. Trying to establish a critical eye on the Albanian audience in relation to the American way of life and capitalism, these plays were performed to strengthen communist propaganda through theatrical performances. The paper will explore the ways how these dramas were twisted and transformed in order to achieve the main goal: raising proper citizens with communist principles. For the purpose of my analysis, I will rely on historical approach and different reception theories