La didattica speleologica CAI – Studio, tutela e fruizione di parchi e aree carsiche in sicurezza

Ad un breve passaggio storico sulla SNS seguono argomentazioni sulla peculiarità degli ambienti carsici, visti non come riserve lontane dall’uomo ma come preziose peculiarità dell’ambiente da far conoscere e poter fruire in sicurezza. Obiettivo che si raggiunge in virtù della formazione di quadri di istruttori adeguatamente preparati sia culturalmente che tecnicamente.A brief history of the National School of Speleology (SNS) is followed by a discussion on the peculiarity of Karst environments, seen not as reserves distant from mankind, but as precious environmental features to safely share and enjoy. This objective is reached through the training of instructors with adequate cultural and technical preparation

Performance of a liquid flow ultra-compact heat exchanger

A numerical analysis of the performance of compact pin-fin array heat exchangers was carried out using water and JP-4 fuel as the working fluids. Three different configurations were used with hydraulic diameters ranging from 0.137 to 0.777 mm, and volumetric area densities varying between 4.5 and 14.5 mm2/mm3. Numerical simulations were carried out to determine the performance of each heat exchanger over a series of Reynolds numbers in both the laminar and turbulent flow regimes. It was found that very large heat transfer coefficients (in the kW/m2K range) can be achieved compared to air for the same footprint. In addition, the simulations were used to predict the Reynolds number range for transition from laminar to turbulent flow which was found to vary depending on the compactness of the heat exchanger configuration. As a final point, this study also investigated the effects of boiling of the liquid within the heat exchanger on its performance. It was found that despite improved heat transfer rates due to latent heat removal, vapor formation and resulting fluid expansion effects could result in undesirable flow patterns at low Reynolds numbers. The results from this study would be useful in the design of micro-scale heat exchangers for applications in the micro-electronic and gas turbine industries.http://archive.org/details/performanceofliq109452701US Navy (USN) author.Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

GLASS IN THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION:BEYOND THE TRASPARENCY

In the last decades, the evolution of the methodology of the glass manufacturing processes has created the opportunity to craft external frames that include integrated multifunctional elements which enable the user to fully control different functions. The evolution of glass - from being a basic see-through material to becoming a system with high-tech potentiality - has given the designer the opportunity to satisfy different needs. These can be fulfilled without altering the structure of the material and without affecting its relation with the frame it is built for. The aim of the research was the analysis, classification and verification of the performance of the translucent products currently available in the marketplace and of the ones still at an experimental stage. As well as allowing their main function - the transmission of natural light and vision. These products are designed to control energy flows in order to manage the level of illumination and thermal insulation. The use of dedicated filtering methodologies, decreases and/or modifies the effect of the solar energy. Firstly, the performance and cost of the different translucent products were compared in order to set the standard. Afterwards, new avenues were investigated in order to elucidate some issues affecting the products currently on the market, including the cost/benefit ratio which is currently not advantageous

Daylight-Transfer Systems: Physiological And Energetic Advantages

Daylight-transfer systems are devices designed to operate according to the law of reflection: they collect and transfer it to rooms lacking in light. On the whole, possible applications can deal with rooms which do not communicate directly with the outside. For instance, it can be the case of both basements and large-sized buildings like those devoted to the service industry. In recent years, the considerable attention devoted to sustainable development has prompted planners to reconsider the use of daylighting in architecture. Current research, partly examined in this article, aims at producing a range of systematised products and techniques according to some specific characteristics in order to highlight the advantages of these systems in terms of energy conservation as for essential artificial lighting and, consequently, to contribute towards decreasing the use of non-renewable sources of energy and related problems about sustainability

Water Collection and Distribution Systems in the Palermo Plain During the Middle Ages

It has been said that Palermo is short of available water. However, nothing could be more wrong. Well-documented Arab sources and narrative chronicles reported an abundance of groundwater resources in Palermo Plain since the Middle Ages. The scarcity of sources and surface water in the Palermo Plain, compared to the groundwater abundance, led the inhabitants to use groundwater both for irrigation and domestic usage through a complex and sustainable hydraulic system. Vertical and horizontal (qanāts) wells, conveyed water towards gardens and public fountains making the Arabic Bal’harm (Palermo) a flourishing town. When visitors walk through the streets of Palermo’s historical center, among Arab ruins and Baroque architecture, they hardly imagine that there is a wide and varied cultural heritage of underground cavities hidden in the basements where water flows in intricate networks fed from a numerous springs. Only in recent years was a part of this system brought to light. Moreover, the city still has a wide and fascinating water distribution system consisting of irrigation basin (gebbie), ingenious hydraulic machines named senie, and distribution chessboard of irrigation (saje) and drinking water (catusi) canals. The medieval water collection and distribution systems and their various components in the Palermo Plain are reviewed together with the influence of the Arab water management on environment

Solstice: An Electronic Journal of Geography and Mathematics, Volume XX, Number 1

This document was delivered over the internet. The .zip file contains all static images, animated images, and text files.The purpose of Solstice is to promote interaction between geography and mathematics. Articles in which elements of one discipline are used to shed light on the other are particularly sought. Also welcome, are original contributions that are purely geographical or purely mathematical. These may be prefaced (by editor or author) with commentary suggesting directions that might lead toward the desired interaction. Contributed articles will be refereed by geographers and/or mathematicians. Invited articles will be screened by suitable members of the editorial board. IMaGe is open to having authors suggest, and furnish material for, new regular features.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63017/1/Solstice Volume XX Number 1.ziphttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63017/3/sum09.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63017/5/SolsticeVolXXNo1.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63017/7/SolsticeVolXIXNo1.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/63017/8/SolsticeVolXXNo1.pdfDescription of SolsticeVolXXNo1.pdf : Cover of JournalDescription of Solstice Volume XX Number 1.zip : Solstice, June 2009. Full JournalDescription of sum09.pdf : Full Journal, pdf, attached animated graphicsDescription of SolsticeVolXIXNo1.pdf : Cover fileDescription of SolsticeVolXXNo1.pdf : Cover fil

The susceptibility of Varroa destructor against oxalic acid: A study case

Varroa destructor Anderson et Trueman is an ectoparasitic mite of the honey bee Apis mellifera L. and it must be controlled in managed bee colonies to maintain colony health. Taking into account that these mites are now resistant to synthetic acaricides worldwide, oxalic acid was suggested as an alternative for Varroa control. Oxalic acid is one of the most common natural miticides used against varroosis by spraying and sublimation administration techniques. It is a natural constituent of honey, very active against the Varroa mite, safe to use for beekeepers, and has no residue problems. Nevertheless, some authors have predicted that the risk of developing resistance to oxalic acid in mites is high. The objective of this research was to assess the susceptibility to oxalic acid of a V. destructor population belonging to a commercial apiary where 64 consecutive control treatments with this acid were performed. Bioassays to assess the oxalic acid susceptibility were performed on two mite populations: (1) a „focal‟ population consisting of mites previously exposed to oxalic acid treatments, and (2) a „naïve‟ population that was never exposed to this acid, which allows setting a reference in the absence of historical data on our „focal‟ mites. The results reported here suggest that the Varroa population exposed during 8 successive years to oxalic acid treatments remains susceptible to this acid.Fil: Maggi, Matías Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; ArgentinaFil: Damiani, Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; ArgentinaFil: Ruffinengo, Sergio Roberto. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Departamento de Producción Animal. Cátedra de Apicultura; ArgentinaFil: Brasesco, Maria Constanza. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; ArgentinaFil: Szawarski, Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación Productiva. Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica. Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; ArgentinaFil: Mitton, Giulia Angelica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; ArgentinaFil: Mariani, Fernando. Beekeeping Consultant; ArgentinaFil: Sammataro, Diana. Carl Hayden Honey Bee Research Center; Estados UnidosFil: Quintana, Silvina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; Argentina. Fares Taie Instituto de Análisis; ArgentinaFil: Eguaras, Martin Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biología. Laboratorio de Artrópodos; Argentin

A new formulation of oxalic acid for Varroa destructor control applied in Apis mellifera colonies in the presence of brood

International audienceAbstractAn organic product based on oxalic acid was evaluated for use in Varroa control under spring/summer climatic conditions in Argentina. The formulation consists of four strips made of cellulose impregnated with a solution based on oxalid acid. Forty-eight beehives were used to assess the product efficacy. Residues of the product were also tested in honey, bees, and wax. Each trial had respective control groups without oxalic treatment. At the beginning of the experiment, four strips of the formulation were applied to the colonies belonging to the treated group. Falling mites were counted after 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days. After the last count, the strips were removed and colonies received two flumethrin strips for 45 days. Falling mites were counted throughout this period. Average efficacy of the organic product was 93.1 % with low variability. This product is an organic treatment designed for Varroa control during brood presence and represents a good alternative to the synthetic treatments

Honeybee Colony Vibrational Measurements to Highlight the Brood Cycle

Insect pollination is of great importance to crop production worldwide and honey bees are amongst its chief facilitators. Because of the decline of managed colonies, the use of sensor technology is growing in popularity and it is of interest to develop new methods which can more accurately and less invasively assess honey bee colony status. Our approach is to use accelerometers to measure vibrations in order to provide information on colony activity and development. The accelerometers provide amplitude and frequency information which is recorded every three minutes and analysed for night time only. Vibrational data were validated by comparison to visual inspection data, particularly the brood development. We show a strong correlation between vibrational amplitude data and the brood cycle in the vicinity of the sensor. We have further explored the minimum data that is required, when frequency information is also included, to accurately predict the current point in the brood cycle. Such a technique should enable beekeepers to reduce the frequency with which visual inspections are required, reducing the stress this places on the colony and saving the beekeeper time