Evaluation of environmental sustainability threshold of “humid” and “dry” building systems, for reduction of embodied carbon (CO2)

[EN] The New Italian Procurement Code (Legislative Decree No. 50/2016), in compliance with the EU directives 26/02/2014, has introduced, among other things, the possibility of obtaining awards, during the awarding of the contract , in terms of reducing the estimated energy impact in the life cycle of the work. The objective of this study was to direct architectural design towards conscious choices that are compatible with environmental legislation. The study, therefore, aimed to analyze the characteristics of the most widespread (wet and dry) construction systems, in order to determine environmental sustainability thresholds referring to each of the four systems hypothesized for the development of the model. The simulated cases for the definition of the model refer to the following construction systems: M1 (structural system in load-bearing masonry); M2 (constructive system with frame structure and traditional brick cladding); M3 (constructive system with metallic bearing structure and dry stratified shell); M4 (constructive system with wooden supporting structure and dry stratified shell). The results indicated design scenarios aimed at using constructive systems that present advantages in terms of disassembly, recovery and reuse of the various components; in addition to the attitude of such systems, to be resilient, or to be able to be adapted and transformed during the life cycle of the building organism.Di Ruocco, G.; Melella, R. (2018). Evaluation of environmental sustainability threshold of “humid” and “dry” building systems, for reduction of embodied carbon (CO2). VITRUVIO - International Journal of Architectural Technology and Sustainability. 3(2):17-35. doi:10.4995/vitruvio-ijats.2018.11020SWORD173532Altamura P. (2016), Costruire a zero rifiuti, Strategie e strumenti per laprevenzione e l'upcycling dei materiali di scarto in edilizia, (1 edizione) Franco Angeli Editore, MilanoBenjamin D. (2017), Embodied Energy and De-sign: Making Architecture Between Metrics and Narratives, Lars Muller Publishers, Zurich Braungart M., Mcdonough W. (2003), Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, North Point Pr; 1 edizioneCellura T., Cellura L. (2018), Il nuovo manuale dei Criteri minimi Ambientali in Edilizia, Mag-gioli Editore, RiminiCommoner B. (1971), The Closing Circle: Nature, Man, and Technology, Knopf, New YorkDi Micco S. (2010), La casa ecologica prefabbricata, Maggioli Editore, RiminiDi Ruocco G. (2007), Dettagli di facciata. Tra tettonica e rivestimento dell'involucro edilizio, CUES Edizioni, Fisciano (Salerno)Di Ruocco G. (2012), Oltre la facciata. L'evoluzione tecnológica dell'involucro edilizio tra tradizione e innovazione, CUES Edizioni, Fisciano (Salerno)Fantozzi F., Scatizzi G., Venturelli F. (2017), La certificazione energetica e ambientale LEED, guida ai principi, Hoepli, MilanoFrattari A. (2014), Soluzioni costruttive per edifici in legno, Rockwool Italia, MilanoGriffin P.W., Hammond G., Norman J.B. (2016), Industrial energy use and carbon emissions reduction: A UK perspective. In Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Energy and Environment - March 2016. https://doi.org/10.1002/wene.212Hammond G., Jones C.I. (2009), Embodied Carbon: The Concealed Impact of Residential Construction, Green Energy and Technology 31:367-384. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1017-2_23Kumanayake R.B., Luo H.B. (2017), A tool for assessing life cycle CO2 emissions of buildings in Sri Lanka, Building and Environment, Vol. 128, 15 January 2018, pp. 272-286, ELSEVIER. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2017.11.042McDonough W., Braungart M. (2002), Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. New York: North Point Press.Malmqvist T., Nehasilova M., Moncaster A., Birgisdottir H., Nygaard Rasmussen F., Houlihan Wiberg A., Potting J. (2018), Design and construction strategies for reducing embodied impacts from buildings - Case study analysis, Eneregy&Building, ELSEVIER, pp.35-47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.01.033Molocchi A. (1998), La scommessa di Kyoto. Politiche di protezione del clima e sviluppo sostenibile, 1a edizione 1998, Franco Angeli Edizioni, MilanoMonticelli C. (2013), Life Cycle Design in Architettura, Maggioli Editore, RiminiNestico' A., Moffa R. (2018), Economic analysis and operational research tools for estimating productivity levels in off-site construction, Vol. 20. Pag.107-126, ISSN:2036-2404.Nivelli M. (2012), Soluzioni Tecniche sostenibili e qualità dell'architettura, Dottorato di Ricerca in Ingegneria delle Strutture e del Recupero Edilizio ed Urbano - Università degli Studi di Salerno, a.a. 2009-2012Pomponi F., De Wolf C., Moncaster A. (2018), Embodied Carbon in Buildings, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-72796-7Hammond G., Jones C. (2008), Inventory of carbon & energy (ICE), University of Bath, version 1.6aSabnis A.S., Mysore P., Anant S. (2015), Construction Materials-Embodied Energy Foot-print-Global Warming; Interaction.Santos D. (2010), Strutture e Case prefabbricate, Hoepli, Milano Saravanan J., Sridhar M. (2015), Construction Technology, Challenges and Possibilities of Low-Carbon Buildings in India, SSRG International Journal of Civil Engineering (SSRG-IJCE) - volume 2 Issue 11 November 2015, pp. 6-11. https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V2I11P102Sengupta N., Roy S., Guha H. (2018), Assessing embodied GHG emission reduction potential of cost-effective technologies for construction of residential buildings of Economically Weaker Section in India. Asian Journal of Civil Engineering 19 (2), pp.139-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42107-018-0013-8Sicignano E. (2011), I campus di Fisciano e Lancusi. Ediz. Illustrata, Gangemi Editore, RomaVenkatarama R. (2009), Sustainable materials for low carbon buildings. In International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies - August 2009. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/ctp025Victoria, M., Perera, S., Davies, A. (2016), A pragmatic approach for embodied carbon estimating in buildings. In newDist: proceedings of sustainable built environment (SBE16): towards post-carbon cities, 18-19 February 2016, Tori-no, Italy. Torino: DIST [online], pages 470-480. https://doi.org/10.1093/ijlct/ctp02

Low-Carbon Tourism-Technical, Economic and Management Project of Greenway for Enhancing Inner Areas of the Cilento national park, Italy

[EN] In the light of recent emergencies represented by climate change and global warming, with the consequent policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, this research aims at offering a response to the need for decarbonization of anthropization processes of territories, on a building and urban scale. This study elaborates a methodology, according to an integrated qualitative-quantitative approach, which combines the strategic need for sustainable mobility with the need to enhance the value of natural and environmental interesting places, typical of the Mediterranean area and in particular the ones which represented the heart of Magna Graecia. This strategy is implemented through a growing mobility offer in recent years: sustainable cycling tourism, which is included in the wider and more widespread strategic action of greenways. However, these strategies do not often meet the interests of the public administration, which is refractory to face great costs in exchange for a hypothetical return on investment, in the long term; the result is the abandonment and degradation of territories characterized by a remarkable naturalistic, landscape and environmental value. The aim of this study, therefore, is to provide operators in the sector (public administration, Cilento National Park Authority, economic operators, etc.) with a decision-maintenance tool, through the definition of priority criteria for interventions, according to an economic sustainability approach of the intervention and adopting an integrated qualitative-quantitative methodology. The intervention, as a whole, involves a cycle path of about 600 km, passing through 70 countries of the territory. Therefore, assuming the impossibility of being carried out at the same time, as a whole, it has been divided into 23 functional lots: the methodology intends, precisely, to define the priority and necessity criteria that determine the classification of importance of the 23 routes (sub-interventions), identified in this study.Di Ruocco, G.; Palmero Iglesias, LM.; Blandón, B.; Melella, R. (2020). Low-Carbon Tourism-Technical, Economic and Management Project of Greenway for Enhancing Inner Areas of the Cilento national park, Italy. Sustainability. 12(23):1-30. https://doi.org/10.3390 /su122310012S130122

Differential targeting of immune-cells by Pixantrone in experimental myasthenia gravis

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Trichoderma and its secondary metabolites improve yield and quality of grapes

Trichoderma is one of the most studied and applied fungal biocontrol agents. The benefits of these microorganisms to the plant include: suppression of pathogens, growth promotion, enhanced nutrient availability and induction of resistance. The biological activity is related to the variety of metabolites that they produce. These metabolites have been found to directly inhibit the pathogens, increase disease resistance and enhance plant growth. In this study, we have examined the effect of two Trichoderma strains and their secondary metabolites on Vitis vinifera in terms of induction of disease resistance, plant growth promotion and increase of polyphenols or antioxidant activity in the grapes. Applications of T. harzianum M10 or T. atroviride P1, as well as their respective major secondary metabolites, harzianic acid (HA) and 6-pentyl-a-pyrone (6PP), have been conducted in greenhouse by foliar spray or drenching. The treatments suppressed the development of powdery mildew caused by Uncinula necator. In a field experiment, a spore suspension of T. harzianum strain T22 or a 6PP solution was applied until fruit harvest. The results indicated that both T. harzianum T22 and 6PP are able to improve crop yield and increase the total amount of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in the grapes. The effects of the isolated natural compounds were comparable with those obtained by using the living fungus

Trichoderma-based products and their widespread use in agriculture

Governing bodies throughout the world, particularly in Europe, are now implementing legislative mandates with the objective of decreasing dependence on pesticides in agriculture to increase consumer and environmental safety. In order to reduce the risks associated with pesticide applications and reduce dependency on their use, Directives will promote low pesticide-input by implementing integrated pest management (IPM), and provide the means to establish the necessary conditions and measures to employ these practices, as well as to ensure security of commercial products. One approach includes the use of biological control agents and their products as alternatives to synthetic agro-chemicals. Trichoderma spp. are widely studied fungi and are among the most commonly used microbial biological control agents (MBCAs) in agriculture. They are presently marketed as bio-pesticides, biofertilizers, growth enhancers and stimulants of natural resistance. The efficacy of this fungus can be attributed to their ability to protect plants, enhance vegetative growth and contain pathogen populations under numerous agricultural conditions, as well as to act as soil amendments/inoculants for improvement of nutrient ability, decomposition and biodegradation. The living fungal spores (active substance) are incorporated in various formulations, both traditional and innovative, for applications as foliar sprays, pre-planting applications to seed or propagation material, post-pruning treatments, incorporation in the soil during seeding or transplant, watering by irrigation or applied as a root drench or dip. Trichoderma-based preparations are marketed worldwide and used for crop protection of various plant pathogens or increase the plant growth and productivity in diverse cultivated environments such as fields, greenhouses, nurseries; in the production of a variety of horticultural, fruits, trees and ornamental crops. A survey was conducted of Trichoderma-containing products found on the international market to obtain an overall perspective of the: 1) geographical distribution, 2) product composition and identity of Trichoderma species selected, 3) contents combined with Trichoderma in the products - other microbial species or substances in the mix, 4) number of products available globally and geographically, 5) number of products registered or having use specifications, 6) product formulations and applications, 7) manufacturer claims - target use, target pests, product type and effects of applications. The largest distribution of Trichoderma bioproducts is found in Asia, succeeded by Europe, South- Central America and North America. The majority of the labels indicated fungicidal properties, but only 38% of the marketed merchandise are registered. Ten Trichoderma species are specifically indicated, but many labels indicate a generic Trichoderma sp. or spp. mix in the list of ingredients. The most common formulation is a wettable powder, followed by granules. Generally, Trichoderma are applied to the seed or propagation material at the time of planting, then the secondary use is during plant development. On the whole, the target use is for the control of soilborne fungal pathogens such as Rhizoctonia, Pythium and Sclerotinia, and a few foliar pathogens such as Botrytis and Alternaria; whereas the minor use indication is for plant growth promotion. The use of Trichoderma-based biological products will have an important role in agricultural production of the future, in light of changing worldwide perspectives by consumers and governing bodies

Trichoderma secondary metabolites active on plants and fungal pathogens

Beneficial microbes typically produce bioactive molecules that can affect the interactions of plants with their pathogens. Many secondary metabolites may also have antibiotic properties, which enable the producing microbe to inhibit and/or kill other microorganisms i.e. competing for a nutritional niche. Indeed, some of these compounds have been found to play an important role in the biocontrol of plant diseases by various beneficial microbes used world-wide for crop protection and bio-fertilization. In addition to direct toxic activity against plant pathogens, biocontrol-related metabolites may also increase disease resistance by triggering systemic plant defence activity, and/or enhance root and shoot growth. Fungi belonging to the Trichoderma genus are well known producers of secondary metabolites with a direct activity against phytopathogens and compounds that substantially affect the metabolism of the plant. The widescale application of selected metabolites to induce host resistance and/or to promote crop yield may become a reality in the near future and represents a powerful tool for the implementation of IPM strategies

Multiple roles and effects of a novel Trichoderma hydrophobin

Fungi belonging to the genus Trichoderma are among the most active and ecologically successful microbes found in natural environments, as they are able to use a variety of substrates and affect the growth of other microbes and virtually any plant species. We isolated and characterized a novel type II hydrophobin secreted by the biocontrol strain MK1 of Trichoderma longibrachiatum. The corresponding gene (Hytlo1) has a multiple role in the Trichoderma-plant-pathogen three-way interaction, while the purified protein displayed a direct antifungal as well as a MAMP and a plant growth promotion (PGP) activity. Leaf infiltration with the hydrophobin systemically increased resistance to pathogens and activated defence-related responses involving ROS, SOD, oxylipins, phytoalexins and PR-proteins formation or activity. The hydrophobin was found to enhance development of a variety of plants when applied at very low doses. It particularly stimulated root formation and growth, as demonstrated also by transient expression of the encoding gene in tobacco and tomato. Targeted knock-out of Hytlo1 significantly reduced both antagonistic and PGP effect of the WT strain. We conclude that this protein represents a clear example of a molecular factor developed by Trichoderma to establish a mutually beneficial interaction with the colonized plant

ARQUITECTURA EN GAVIONES DE PIEDRA PARA UN DISEÑO SOSTENIBLE ARCHITECTURE IN STONE GABIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE DESIGN

Traditional buildings were composed of chemically inert, separable parts, such as stone, brick or wood. Almost always materials recovered from existing buildings were reused to make new ones. In the contemporary building scene, new generation materials, in particular composite materials and those assembled using chemical sealants, have been integrated into the contemporary way of building, making buildings much less inert, sometimes unhealthy, less separable in their constituent parts, and construction sites much noisier and more polluting. Design research has recently been experimenting with the possibility of combining the multiple performance requirements of the building envelope with the use of construction techniques that can guarantee the reversibility and recovery of the components. In this scenario, the opportunity of the "dry" building system is highlighted: thinking of the building no longer as a monolithic system but as a set of components, as much as possible of natural origin, which, at the end of their life cycle, can be reused, as byproducts, through the use of minimal or no crushing and selection processes