Between Biosphere and Gaia, the Earth as a Living Organism in Soviet Geo-ecology

This paper focuses on some aspects of Russian naturalism that were crucial to the development of a systemic and cybernetic approach to earth sciences in the Soviet Union. The author seeks to connect Soviet perspectives to the wider context of global ecology by examining three main topics: the intersection between environmentalism and research addressing holistic ecology; the attempt at a unification of biology and geology, encouraged by V. I. Vernadskij’s “pre-Gaian” concept of Biosphere as a living organism; and, the emergence of Cybernetics which accompanied the rise of a systems ecology with its implicit global understanding of environmental problems. By discussing genuine differences in styles of thinking among Russian scientists compared to Western scientists, the article is an attempt to argue that Russian science is better situated to develop an appreciation of holistic phenomena and is more conducive to interdisciplinary work than Western science, and consequently has been the source of some of the most original ideas in ecology

Pollutant emissions in common-rail diesel engines in extraurban cycle: rapeseed oils vs diesel fuel

The new energy strategy of EU (i.e., Directive 2009/28/EC) requires increasing the use of biofuels in transports up to at least 10% of the total fuel consumption. In the last years, the share of Diesel engines in automotive applications reached about 55% in EU market, thus trying to widen the alternatives to Diesel fuel is very important. In this framework straight vegetable oils (SVO) can represent one of the available possibilities at least in some specific applications (i.e., public transportation, hybrid or marine propulsion, etc.). SVO properties may be very different form Diesel fuel, thus operating a Diesel engine with SVO might result in some problems, especially in automotive configuration where the electronic unit acts as if it is working with Diesel fuel. This reflects in possible engine power and torque reduction, maintenance problems, and pollutant emissions during vehicles running. The latter aspect is the focus of the present paper. In this work, we used a turbocharged, four stroke, four cylinders, water cooled, commonrail multijet Diesel engine in automotive configuration to simulate the extraurban cycle according to the EU standard, comparing pollutant emissions in case of SVO and gasoil fuelling

Payloads development for European land mobile satellites: A technical and economical assessment

The European Space Agency (ESA) has defined two payloads for Mobile Communication; one payload is for pre-operational use, the European Land Mobile System (EMS), and one payload is for promoting the development of technologies for future mobile communication systems, the L-band Land Mobile Payload (LLM). A summary of the two payloads and a description of their capabilities is provided. Additionally, an economic assessment of the potential mobile communication market in Europe is provided

Lo studio della vittimologia nell’Arma dei Carabinieri

La centralità delle teorie criminologiche è stata per lungo tempo sbilanciata sullo studio di comportamenti antisociali, privilegiando il fascino dell’immagine cruenta e del suo autore alla figura della vittima e ai riflessi psicologici del reato sulla persona offesa. Dalla nascita della vittimologia, quale branca della criminologia, in parallelo con l’evoluzione socio-culturale-giuridica che ne è seguita -anche attraverso una crescente attività normativa, soprattutto a livello extracodicistico e ad alcuni interventi internazionali di rilievo- si è assistito ad una progressiva promozione ed elevazione del profilo della vittima a una “key figure” degna delle dovute garanzie legislative. Anche l’Arma dei Carabinieri si è inserita in questo nuovo contesto -facilitata peraltro dalla capillare architettura della sua struttura- partecipando insieme agli altri attori istituzionali del settore sicurezza a quella che è stata definita una “rivoluzione culturale” nell’approccio alla vittima del reato. Espressione di tale nuovo orientamento è il concetto di polizia di prossimità che, nato dall’idea di essere più vicini alla gente, cerca di colmare il gap esistente tra sicurezza reale e sicurezza percepita, sfruttando quel tradizionale patrimonio motivazionale che aiuta il Carabiniere ad essere primario interlocutore capace di ascoltare, aiutare ed indirizzare. La formazione di base e la specializzazione dei Carabinieri di ogni ordine e grado a questa nuova cultura nell’approccio alla vittima del reato viene pertanto avvertita dall’Istituzione come esigenza primaria, al fine di umanizzare e valorizzare la persona offesa che –spesso violentata nella sua privacy e nei suoi affetti personali- deve trovare di fronte a sé un chiaro e qualificato punto di riferimento, un cittadino che opera a favore di altri cittadini, un professionista capace di aiutare e sostenere. Résumé Pendant longtemps, la recherche en criminologie s’est concentrée sur l’étude des comportements déviants, en privilégiant l’image de l’acte cruel de l’auteur plutôt que de se focaliser sur la victime, en particulier sur les conséquences psychologiques du crime sur cette dernière. Depuis la naissance de la victimologie (branche de la criminologie) et l’intervention des grands noms de la victimologie, puis avec l’évolution socioculturelle et juridique sans cesse croissante, on a assisté à la prise en compte du profil de la victime comme étant un « élément clé » devant faire l’objet d’une attention accrue. L’Arme des Carabiniers (en raison notamment de sa dispersion sur tout le territoire) s’inscrit dans ce nouveau contexte, en participant avec les autres acteurs institutionnels de la sécurité à cette « révolution culturelle », qui se traduit par une meilleure prise en compte de la victime. Expression d’une nouvelle orientation majeure du service, le concept de police de proximité est né de l’idée de rendre l’Arme plus visible et plus proche des citoyens. Ainsi, l’action de proximité s’efforce de combattre un fort sentiment d’insécurité, en exploitant les valeurs du Carabinier, étant généralement le premier interlocuteur des personnes en détresse. Pour une meilleure satisfaction des attentes de la population, le développement d’une culture de l’accueil des victimes constitue une priorité pour l’Institution et fait l’objet d’une attention particulière dans la formation de base et continue de l’ensemble des militaires de l’Arme, tous grades confondus. La victime (souvent physiquement et moralement traumatisée) doit trouver en face d’elle un militaire, véritable professionnel chargé de son soutien et de son assistance, et toujours capable d’apporter des réponses empreintes d’humanité. Abstract The focal point of criminal theories has been, for some time now, uneven in regards to the study of anti-social behavior, because the tendency is to privilege the fascination of a cruel act and of its author rather than giving adequate consideration to the victim of crime and the psychological effects that crime produces on the person who has suffered an assault. Since victimology began as part of the criminology branch, along with the social-cultural-juridical evolution that followed (due also to the growth in rules and special laws that extend beyond the law code and to some very considerable international involvement), we have witnessed the progressive rise of the victim profile, to a “key figure”, worthy of the required legislative assurances. The expression of this new orientation can be found in the concept of “community policing”. This policy derives from the idea of getting closer to the community’s citizens and of filling the gap existing between actual security and sense of security felt. This is a result of having exploited the traditional motivational heritage that helps the Carabiniere Serviceman be a primary interlocutor experienced in listening, providing assistance and advising. The basic training and the skills of the Carabiniere Serviceman, of any social and military rank, for this new way of approaching a victim of crime is therefore perceived by the Institution, as an essential need in order to make the person who suffered an abuse, feel more human and more important, (often his/her privacy and family affection are violated) and bring him/her, to rely on a clear and qualified point of reference, who is a citizen that acts for other fellow citizens and in the same time, an expert capable of providing aid and support

Boris Hessen at the Crossroads of Science and Ideology: from International Circulation to the Soviet Context

This article is based on a joint endeavor. The first part introduces Hessen‘s theses and reconstructs their reception from the 1930s to the most contemporary research in Science and Technology Studies in an attempt to understand how and why Hessen‘s work has been recognized as a ―classic‖ in various disciplinary fields and contexts.2 The second part frames Hessen‘s ideas within the context of the early establishment of dialectical materialism, arguing for the proximity of his thought to the positions of the Russian Machists, in particular, Alexander A. Bogdanov. The reception of Hessen‘s theses clearly shows how his work has been at the center of symbolic negotiations and historiographical re-interpretations. His consecration as a ―precursor‖ of both externalism and the contemporary field of STS shows how it is necessary to reinterpret Hessen‘s theses within the context of the Soviet debates of his day. The paper draws the conclusion that the connection between Hessen and Russian Machism is consistent with the international reception of his work as it emerges in the historiography of science studies. Furthermore, it allows for a way to approach Hessen‘s contribution under a new light in the present

Vladimir Vernadsky and the Co-evolution of the Biosphere, the Noosphere, and the Technosphere

How did the current notion of “spheres” as an operational interface between living and inert matter come into being, and how did it go on to infiltrate thinking about the bio-techno-sphere, which today seems the best descriptive model for our own habitat? In this profound historical contextualization of the work and life of the eminent Russian naturalist Vladimir Vernadsky, historians of science Giulia Rispoli and Jacques Grinevald draw on the transformational role of concepts

Dual-Tuned Removable Common-Mode Current Trap for MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) are preferred methods of gathering information from the body due to their non-invasive approach of obtaining a diagnosis. MRI can obtain spatial mappings from a region of interest, while MRS can obtain metabolic information from different elements. Dual-tuned radiofrequency (RF) coils are able to capture signals produced by both hydrogen atoms and a second atom of interest. Unwanted shield currents occur in these scans, which can cause image distortion, while the high energy dissipated can create harmful heat, which can injure the patient. These shield currents, also known as common-mode currents, need to be suppressed in the RF coils by non-magnetic current traps, or chokes. Typically, chokes are soldered directly onto the coax cables and require precise placement. In this paper, a novel dual-tuned current choke that is not soldered to the cable is presented. The design was manufactured with 3D printing to allow for optimal customization. The current trap attenuates shield currents at the Larmor frequency for hydrogen and phosphorous at 3T, 127.74MHz and 51.72MHz by -17.8 dB and -8.39 dB respectively. This novel device facilitates dual-tuned coil operation by not having to place two current traps for two frequencies, while also being able to relocate the trap to where common-mode currents are highest

Development of improved blade tip endplate concepts for low-noise operation in industrial fans

The application of improved blade tip geometries is studied with the aim of identifying an effective design concept for industrial fan passive noise control. The concept developed optimizes a datum blade by means of profiled endplates at the tip, reducing fan noise by changing the tip leakage flow behaviour. Experimental and computational investigations have been carried out on a family of axial fans, in fully ducted configuration, to establish the aerodynamic merits of the proposed blade tip design concept. The flow mechanisms in the fan tip region are correlated to specific blade design features that promote a reduction of the fan aero-acoustic signature in both tonal and broadband noise components. The tip vortical flow structures are characterized, and their role in creation of overall stage acoustic emissions clarified. The reported research identifies modification of tip geometry as markedly affecting the multiple vortex behaviour of blade tip leakage flow by altering the near-wall fluid flow paths on both blade surfaces. Blade tip endplates were also demonstrated to influence the rotor loss behaviour in the blade tip region. Improvement of rotor efficiency was correlated to the control of tip leakage flows

La scienza come impresa pubblica. Intervista a Silvano Tagliagambe

In questa intervista, Silvano Tagliagambe – filosofo ed epistemologo esperto di apprendimento e tecnologie – evidenzia alcune tappe della sua riflessione filosofico-scientifica fino all’impegno attuale a sostegno dell’istruzione e dell’innovazione tecnologica nelle scuole, impegno sorretto da un’idea di conoscenza come bene pubblic