Evolutionary strategies of object-sign

The present study examines the relationship between design and culture. The article focuses on discovering the mechanics through which a design remains or it is modified. By exploring the product of design, from a semiotic perspective and the evolutionary theory, this research tries to clarify the ways in which the design brings meanings; therefore, its role in the maintenance and revitalization of cultural identity is assessed. Starting from an inter- and trans-disciplinary perspective, a theoretical reflection and proposal is defined. The proposal is then validated through a case analysis driven Content Analysis and Multivariate Data Processing methodology. Finally, the accelerated transit of the objects of consumption in the contemporary society is analyzed

Editorial

Opening this new volume of the Latin American Journal of Sedimentology and Basin Analysis we would like to share with the Latin American sedimentological community some news about the journal

EDITORIAL

As you all may have noticed by now, changes have been introduced in the conformation of the editorial team of the Latin American Journal of Sedimentology and Basin Analysis (LAJSBA). Since March 2009 we have been appointed as the Editor (Gonzalo Veiga) and Associate Editor (Alfonsina Tripaldi) for this journal. We would like to thank the Board of the Asociación Argentina de Sedimentología (AAS) for honouring us with this task and it is a great commitment for us to continue with the great job that previous editors have done in producing this publication. Both of us have some experience in running this journal as we have been Associate Editors of the former AAS revista at different times, but the mission of being responsible for the production of this journal, that for the past 15 years has become a recognised means for publishing sedimentolgy-related research for Latin American specialists is challenging and stimulating

Editorial

In our initial statement last year we stressed a few objectives that we considered crucial for the future development of the Latin American Journal of Sedimentology and Basin Analysis and we have been actively working in that regard since we took charge as part of the editorial team in order to make some of them possible. Some really good news have risen in the past months concerning the evolution and current situation of LAJSBA that we want to share with the Latin American sedimentological community

Editorial

Three full years have passed since we took charge of the editorial team of the Latin American Journal of Sedimentology and Basin Analysis (LAJSBA). In July 2009 we set up a few objectives for the shortterm future of the journal and several things have happened since that we want to share with the community in order to analyse the future of LAJSBA. This inscribes not just in the relatively small universe in which the journal has impact but also in a fastevolving subject of scientific publication

Structural and electronic properties of N-doped TiO2/SnO2 photocatalysts for air pollutant remediation

Introduction TiO2/SnO2 heterojunctions bear relevance to numerous research fields, such gas sensors, fuel cells and photocatalysis [1]. Actually, the isomorphism of SnO2 cassiterite and TiO2 rutile (both P42/mnm) makes them suitable for developing stable junctions. Moreover, the relative positions of the two semiconductors\u2019 Fermi energies favour electron transfer from the TiO2 conduction band to the SnO2 one, promoting charge carrier separation and increasing the e\u2013-h+ life-time. In turn, this improves the device efficiency in photo-electrochemical applications with respect to N-doped TiO2, one of the most investigated visible-light active photocatalysts, which suffers from enhanced recombination of photo-generated charges [2]. Results and Discussion N-doped TiO2-SnO2 photocatalysts were prepared in a broad range of Sn:Ti ratios (0-20%) by three different synthetic approaches (mechanical mixing, seeded growth and co-synthesis), followed by calcination at 400\ub0C. Samples were characterized from the structural, morphological and electronic point of view, also via in situ synchrotron radiation-based XAS studies. Structural properties are remarkably modified by the adopted synthetic procedure (Fig.1a). Mechanical mixing leads to mixed phases in almost stoichiometric ratios. The seeded growth gives rise to partial segregation of SnO2, while for co-synthesis, the only appreciable component is rutile TiO2, despite the low calcination temperature. Such a tailoring of the structural features reflects in tuneable optical properties (Fig.1b), which show synergistic effects when both N and Sn diffuse in bulk TiO2. The samples\u2019 photocatalytic activity was tested toward the gas phase degradation of VOCs, under both UV and visible light irradiation, monitoring the pollutant disappearance, the main intermediates\u2019 formation and the mineralization degree. Conclusions By tuning the synthetic procedure, mixed phases or Sn doping within the TiO2 matrix could be obtained, leading to different optical and electronic properties. High-resolution XRPD and XAS analyses shed light on (i) the actual location and chemical nature of Sn species, (ii) the defectivity of the TiO2 lattice, and (iii) the interplay between the dopants. Structural and spectroscopic results were correlated with the photocatalytic activity in the visible region. References [1] G. Kelp et al., Nanoscale, 2016, 8, 7056; H. An et al., Electrochim. Acta, 2013, 92, 176. [2] Asahi et al. Chem Rev, 2014, 114, 9824; Rimoldi et al. J Phys Chem C, 2015, 119, 24410

TiO2-SiO2-PMMA Terpolymer Floating Device for the Photocatalytic Remediation of Water and Gas Phase Pollutants

Floating photocatalytic devices are highly sought-after as they represent good candidates for practical application in pollutant remediation of large water basins. Here, we present a multilayer floating device for the photocatalytic remediation of contaminants present in water as well as of volatile species close to the water surface. The device was prepared on a novel tailored ter-polymer substrate based on methylmethacrylate, alpha-methylstyrene and perfluoroctyl methacrylate. The ad hoc synthesized support presents optimal characteristics in terms of buoyancy, transparency, gas permeability, mechanical, UV and thermal stability. The adhesion of the TiO2 top layer was favoured by the adopted casting procedure, followed by a corona pre-treatment and by the deposition of an intermediate SiO2 layer, the latter aimed also at protecting the polymer support from photocatalytic oxidation. The device was characterized by contact angle measurement, UV-vis transmittance and scanning electron microscopy. The final device was tested for the photocatalytic degradation of an emerging water pollutant as well as of vapors of a model volatile organic compound. Relevant activity was observed also under simulated solar irradiation and the device showed good stability and recyclability, prospecting its use for the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants in large water basins

Las representaciones gráficas en la formación de alumnos de la carrera de arquitectura de la FAU-UNNE-Arquitectura IV-UPC

El objetivo del presente trabajo es exponer los resultados preliminares del Proyecto de Investigación 12C006-2013-16 “Las Representaciones Gráficas en la Formación de Alumnos de la Carrera de Arquitectura-UNNE” que estamos desarrollando para conocer la manera en que los alumnos de Arquitectura de nuestra Universidad representan el objeto arquitectónico con métodos analógicos y digitales en la actualidad. Los resultados permitirán expresar el impacto del mundo digital sobre las representaciones, permitirán conocer las habilidades y destrezas del estudiante en relación a los Sistemas de Representación a través de cortes transversales en cinco (5) momentos de la formación en la carrera de Arquitectura (nivel ingresantes, primero, segundo, cuarto y sexto años) en los ciclos lectivos 2013 a 2016. Se propone una investigación cualitativa, descriptiva-explicativa que permita identificar y conocer las distintas maneras en que los alumnos prefiguran y construyen sus imágenes arquitectónicas. Fundamentalmente nos explayamos en la experiencia del Taller Virtual Red Norte Grande, experiencia innovadora única del taller colaborativo en la Cátedra Arquitectura IV UPC.Área temática 5: Comunicación y Sistemas de Representación - Eje InvestigaciónFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Las representaciones gráficas en la formación de alumnos de la carrera de arquitectura de la FAU-UNNE-Arquitectura IV-UPC

El objetivo del presente trabajo es exponer los resultados preliminares del Proyecto de Investigación 12C006-2013-16 “Las Representaciones Gráficas en la Formación de Alumnos de la Carrera de Arquitectura-UNNE” que estamos desarrollando para conocer la manera en que los alumnos de Arquitectura de nuestra Universidad representan el objeto arquitectónico con métodos analógicos y digitales en la actualidad. Los resultados permitirán expresar el impacto del mundo digital sobre las representaciones, permitirán conocer las habilidades y destrezas del estudiante en relación a los Sistemas de Representación a través de cortes transversales en cinco (5) momentos de la formación en la carrera de Arquitectura (nivel ingresantes, primero, segundo, cuarto y sexto años) en los ciclos lectivos 2013 a 2016. Se propone una investigación cualitativa, descriptiva-explicativa que permita identificar y conocer las distintas maneras en que los alumnos prefiguran y construyen sus imágenes arquitectónicas. Fundamentalmente nos explayamos en la experiencia del Taller Virtual Red Norte Grande, experiencia innovadora única del taller colaborativo en la Cátedra Arquitectura IV UPC.Área temática 5: Comunicación y Sistemas de Representación - Eje InvestigaciónFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Las representaciones gráficas en la formación de alumnos de la carrera de arquitectura de la FAU-UNNE-Arquitectura IV-UPC

El objetivo del presente trabajo es exponer los resultados preliminares del Proyecto de Investigación 12C006-2013-16 “Las Representaciones Gráficas en la Formación de Alumnos de la Carrera de Arquitectura-UNNE” que estamos desarrollando para conocer la manera en que los alumnos de Arquitectura de nuestra Universidad representan el objeto arquitectónico con métodos analógicos y digitales en la actualidad. Los resultados permitirán expresar el impacto del mundo digital sobre las representaciones, permitirán conocer las habilidades y destrezas del estudiante en relación a los Sistemas de Representación a través de cortes transversales en cinco (5) momentos de la formación en la carrera de Arquitectura (nivel ingresantes, primero, segundo, cuarto y sexto años) en los ciclos lectivos 2013 a 2016. Se propone una investigación cualitativa, descriptiva-explicativa que permita identificar y conocer las distintas maneras en que los alumnos prefiguran y construyen sus imágenes arquitectónicas. Fundamentalmente nos explayamos en la experiencia del Taller Virtual Red Norte Grande, experiencia innovadora única del taller colaborativo en la Cátedra Arquitectura IV UPC.Área temática 5: Comunicación y Sistemas de Representación - Eje InvestigaciónFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism