Life Cycle Assessment through BIM-based advanced Calculation Virtual Environment workflows

The current built stock in Europe is large and energetically inefficient due to material decay caused by lifelong use and lack of maintenance, combined. New buildings are commissioned and delivered everyday with an environmental cost, calculated using the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. The LCA is now widely requested for new assets, while existing ones are left for demolition and consequent carbon emissions released into the atmosphere, increasing the environmental crisis. In an effort to increase built stock's energy efficiency rates and decrease carbon emission, the recovery of these assets is depicted as the strategic next step for the construction sector. Both goals are achieved using data generated by dedicated construction software and processed in Calculation Virtual Environment, according to the specific needed data. The use of BIM for refurbishment design projects allows virtual construction separated by phases to simulate existing conditions of the envelope and its improvement with insulation material options. The use of one single file with clear phase definitions ensures data extraction and transference for all material options. The process is not entirely automated nevertheless it allows to save, use and share data whenever needed. The connection between data sources and databases in the cloud provides timesaving and regular updates. The research findings demonstrate the positive outcomes of modeling existing structures for energy simulation oriented to use in LCA, increasing the potential of BIM use in sensitive constructions while delivering appropriate results based on model and enriched geometry, with cost evaluation potential enabling scenario comparison for better decision making

REAL: Resilience and Adaptation using Large Language Models on Autonomous Aerial Robots

Large Language Models (LLMs) pre-trained on internet-scale datasets have shown impressive capabilities in code understanding, synthesis, and general purpose question-and-answering. Key to their performance is the substantial prior knowledge acquired during training and their ability to reason over extended sequences of symbols, often presented in natural language. In this work, we aim to harness the extensive long-term reasoning, natural language comprehension, and the available prior knowledge of LLMs for increased resilience and adaptation in autonomous mobile robots. We introduce REAL, an approach for REsilience and Adaptation using LLMs. REAL provides a strategy to employ LLMs as a part of the mission planning and control framework of an autonomous robot. The LLM employed by REAL provides (i) a source of prior knowledge to increase resilience for challenging scenarios that the system had not been explicitly designed for; (ii) a way to interpret natural-language and other log/diagnostic information available in the autonomy stack, for mission planning; (iii) a way to adapt the control inputs using minimal user-provided prior knowledge about the dynamics/kinematics of the robot. We integrate REAL in the autonomy stack of a real multirotor, querying onboard an offboard LLM at 0.1-1.0 Hz as part the robot's mission planning and control feedback loops. We demonstrate in real-world experiments the ability of the LLM to reduce the position tracking errors of a multirotor under the presence of (i) errors in the parameters of the controller and (ii) unmodeled dynamics. We also show (iii) decision making to avoid potentially dangerous scenarios (e.g., robot oscillates) that had not been explicitly accounted for in the initial prompt design.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, conference worksho

High Spectral Resolution Plasmonic Color Filters with Subwavelength Dimensions

Rapid advances in image sensor technology have generated a mismatch between the small size of image sensor pixels and the achievable filter spectral resolution. This mismatch has prevented the realization of chip-based image sensors with simultaneously high spatial and spectral resolution. We report here a concept that overcomes this trade-off, enabling high spectral resolution (transmission FWHM <31 nm) filters with subwavelength dimensions operating at optical and near-infrared wavelengths. An inverse design methodology was used to realize a new type of plasmonic cavity that efficiently couples an in-plane Fabry–Perot resonator to a single plasmonic slit that supports surface plasmon polaritons. This design principle, combined with a new metal imprinting method that yields metallic nanostructures with both top and bottom surfaces that are extremely smooth, enabled demonstration of high spectral resolution transmission filters with smaller area than any previously reported

A global compilation of dissolved iron measurements: focus on distributions and processes in the Southern Ocean

Due to its importance as a limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth in large regions of the world's oceans, ocean water column observations of concentration of the trace-metal iron (Fe) have increased markedly over recent decades. Here we compile >13 000 global measurements of dissolved Fe (dFe) and make this available to the community. We then conduct a synthesis study focussed on the Southern Ocean, where dFe plays a fundamental role in governing the carbon cycle, using four regions, six basins and five depth intervals as a framework. Our analysis highlights depth-dependent trends in the properties of dFe between different regions and basins. In general, surface dFe is highest in the Atlantic basin and the Antarctic region. While attributing drivers to these patterns is uncertain, inter-basin patterns in surface dFe might be linked to differing degrees of dFe inputs, while variability in biological consumption between regions covaries with the associated surface dFe differences. Opposite to the surface, dFe concentrations at depth are typically higher in the Indian basin and the Subantarctic region. The inter-region trends can be reconciled with similar ligand variability (although only from one cruise), and the inter-basin difference might be explained by differences in hydrothermal inputs suggested by modelling studies (Tagliabue et al., 2010) that await observational confirmation. We find that even in regions where many dFe measurements exist, the processes governing the seasonal evolution of dFe remain enigmatic, suggesting that, aside from broad Subantarctic - Antarctic trends, biological consumption might not be the major driver of dFe variability. This highlights the apparent importance of other processes such as exogenous inputs, physical transport/mixing or dFe recycling processes. Nevertheless, missing measurements during key seasonal transitions make it difficult to better quantify and understand surface water replenishment processes and the seasonal Fe cycle. Finally, we detail the degree of seasonal coverage by region, basin and depth. By synthesising prior measurements, we suggest a role for different processes and highlight key gaps in understanding, which we hope can help structure future research efforts in the Southern Ocean

A bit stickier, a bit slower, a lot stiffer: Specific vs. nonspecific binding of gal4 to dna

Transcription factors regulate gene activity by binding specific regions of genomic DNA thanks to a subtle interplay of specific and nonspecific interactions that is challenging to quantify. Here, we exploit Reflective Phantom Interface (RPI), a label-free biosensor based on optical reflectivity, to investigate the binding of the N-terminal domain of Gal4, a well-known gene regulator, to double-stranded DNA fragments containing or not its consensus sequence. The analysis of RPI-binding curves provides interaction strength and kinetics and their dependence on temperature and ionic strength. We found that the binding of Gal4 to its cognate site is stronger, as expected, but also markedly slower. We performed a combined analysis of specific and nonspecific binding— equilibrium and kinetics—by means of a simple model based on nested potential wells and found that the free energy gap between specific and nonspecific binding is of the order of one kcal/mol only. We investigated the origin of such a small value by performing all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of Gal4–DNA interactions. We found a strong enthalpy–entropy compensation, by which the binding of Gal4 to its cognate sequence entails a DNA bending and a striking conformational freezing, which could be instrumental in the biological function of Gal4

Potential application of cryobiopsy for histo-molecular characterization of mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with thoracic malignancies: a case presentation series and implications for future developments

Background: The management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has become increasingly complex due to the evolution of personalized medicine approaches. Such approaches are characterized by the necessity of adequate tumor samples; hence, improved biopsy techniques are needed. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy is a novel endoscopic procedure designed to collect peripheral pulmonary tissue, and it is currently employed in interstitial lung diseases. The use of this technique in oncology might result in improved mediastinum staging and molecular characterizations; however, available data involving the use of a cryoprobe on mediastinal lymph nodes are still limited. Case presentation: Here we present a series of five consecutive patients who underwent endoscopic assessment of mediastinal lymph nodes for oncologic reasons. All patients were subjected both to endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS TBNA) and cryobiopsy of mediastinal lymph nodes during the same procedure, and no complications were observed. In three of the reported cases, both cryobiopsy and cell block from EBUS TBNA were positive, while in one case cryobiopsy was not diagnostic and EBUS TBNA was negative; moreover, one case showed discordance between the procedures, as cryobiopsy was negative and cell block obtained from multiple stations was diagnostic for small cell lung cancer. In one case involving a patient treated for lymphoma, cryobiopsy provided more complete histologic characterization, and in another case involving a patient affected by NSCLC cryobiopsy provided more material for molecular analyses. Conclusion: This case presentation series suggests that cryobiopsy, which has been generally used on peripheral lung lesions so far, is a feasible and safe approach for diagnosis and staging of mediastinal lymph nodal involvement, especially when station 7 is involved. Compared to EBUS TBNA, cryobiopsy might provide more adequate histological samples, with a possible impact on molecular characterizations and, therefore, therapeutic decisions. However, the learning curve of the procedure has not to be understated and optimal protocols for implementing this technique are needed. In our opinion, further studies designed to integrate the routine use of cryobiopsy in current practice for solid and eventually hematologic tumors with mediastinal lymph node involvement are warranted

Potential for Lung Recruitment and Ventilation-Perfusion Mismatch in Patients With the Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome From Coronavirus Disease 2019

OBJECTIVES: Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 develop the acute respiratory distress syndrome, requiring admission to the ICU. This study aimed to describe specific pathophysiological characteristics of acute respiratory distress syndrome from coronavirus disease 2019. DESIGN: Prospective crossover physiologic study. SETTING: ICU of a university-affiliated hospital from northern Italy dedicated to care of patients with confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019. PATIENTS: Ten intubated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and confirmed diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019. INTERVENTIONS: We performed a two-step positive end-expiratory pressure trial with change of 10\u2009cm H2O in random order. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At each positive end-expiratory pressure level, we assessed arterial blood gases, respiratory mechanics, ventilation inhomogeneity, and potential for lung recruitment by electrical impedance tomography. Potential for lung recruitment was assessed by the recently described recruitment to inflation ratio. In a subgroup of seven paralyzed patients, we also measured ventilation-perfusion mismatch at lower positive end-expiratory pressure by electrical impedance tomography. At higher positive end-expiratory pressure, respiratory mechanics did not change significantly: compliance remained relatively high with low driving pressure. Oxygenation and ventilation inhomogeneity improved but arterial CO2 increased despite unchanged respiratory rate and tidal volume. The recruitment to inflation ratio presented median value higher than previously reported in acute respiratory distress syndrome patients but with large variability (median, 0.79 [0.53-1.08]; range, 0.16-1.40). The FIO2 needed to obtain viable oxygenation at lower positive end-expiratory pressure was significantly correlated with the recruitment to inflation ratio (r = 0.603; p = 0.05). The ventilation-perfusion mismatch was elevated (median, 34% [32-45%] of lung units) and, in six out of seven patients, ventilated nonperfused units represented a much larger proportion than perfused nonventilated ones. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome from coronavirus disease 2019, potential for lung recruitment presents large variability, while elevated dead space fraction may be a specific pathophysiological trait. These findings may guide selection of personalized mechanical ventilation settings