Agglomeration, related-variety and internationalisation. Does a relationship exist?

This paper uses a large sample of Italian manufacturing firms over the period 2004-2006, to investigate whether different types of agglomeration externalities affect firms’ internationalisation modes. In addition to specialisation economies, Jacobs externalities are analysed following the recent contribution by FRENKEN et al. (2007) which distinguishes between related and unrelated variety. Econometric results show that agglomeration externalities – in particular, specialisation and related-variety – positively affect export, while they do not affect the multinational strategy. Moreover, results show that the impact of agglomeration externalities on firms’ internationalisation decisions is higher for small sized firms.Agglomeration, externalities, internationalisation

Towards sustainability through energy efficient buildings‘ design: Semantic labels

When designing buildings, it is a challenge to take into account Energy Efficiency in the early design stage. This is especially difficult for hospital designs, because these buildings comprise many different room types and functions. This greatly increases the number of design directions available. Choices made early on in the design process have a large impact on the final performance of the building. However, the lack of detailing available in early designs makes it hard to evaluate them in terms of Key Performance Indicators. The Semantic Labels developed as part of the STREAMER project provide a way to address this problem, by allowing structured capture of the most relevant aspects of the Program of Requirements. Using this method, design rules can be applied to early building designs to detect and correct inconsistencies or suboptimal solutions. Also, using default values for label values, an early design can already be evaluated using simulation tools. The Semantic labels describe standard values for Construction (floor height and strength, accessibility), Hygiene class (from public spaces to operational theatres), Equipment (electric power requirements, safety), User profile (when the room is used), Comfort class (like daylight) and Access security (who can enter). Design rules may express conditions like the preferred spatial separation between rooms, or whether rooms should be placed at outer walls, but may also highlight incompatibilities in e.g. access requirements and user profiles. The Early Design Configurator, also under development as part of the STREAMER project, uses the Semantic Labels to allow automatic conversion of a Programme of Requirements, into an initial Building Information Modeling (BIM) design proposal that respects the design rules.When designing buildings, it is a challenge to take into account Energy Efficiency in the early design stage. This is especially difficult for hospital designs, because these buildings comprise many different room types and functions. This greatly increases the number of design directions available. Choices made early on in the design process have a large impact on the final performance of the building. However, the lack of detailing available in early designs makes it hard to evaluate them in terms of Key Performance Indicators. The Semantic Labels developed as part of the STREAMER project provide a way to address this problem, by allowing structured capture of the most relevant aspects of the Program of Requirements. Using this method, design rules can be applied to early building designs to detect and correct inconsistencies or suboptimal solutions. Also, using default values for label values, an early design can already be evaluated using simulation tools. The Semantic labels describe standard values for Construction (floor height and strength, accessibility), Hygiene class (from public spaces to operational theatres), Equipment (electric power requirements, safety), User profile (when the room is used), Comfort class (like daylight) and Access security (who can enter). Design rules may express conditions like the preferred spatial separation between rooms, or whether rooms should be placed at outer walls, but may also highlight incompatibilities in e.g. access requirements and user profiles. The Early Design Configurator, also under development as part of the STREAMER project, uses the Semantic Labels to allow automatic conversion of a Programme of Requirements, into an initial Building Information Modeling (BIM) design proposal that respects the design rules

Analysis of the propeller wake evolution by pressure and velocity phase measurements

In the present study an experimental analysis of the velocity and pressure fields behind a marine propeller, in non-cavitating regime is reported. Particle image velocimetry measurements were performed in phase with the propeller angle, to investigate the evolution of the axial and the radial velocity components, from the blade trailing edge up to two diameters downstream. In phase pressure measurements were performed at four radial and eight longitudinal positions downstream the propeller model at different advance ratios. Pressure data, processed by using slotting techniques, allowed reconstructing the evolution of the pressure field in phase with the reference blade position. In addition, the correlation of the velocity and pressure signals was performed. The analysis demonstrated that, within the near wake, the tip vortices passage is the most important contribution in generating the pressure field in the propeller flow. The incoming vortex breakdown process causes a strong deformation of the hub vortex far downstream of the slipstream contraction. This process contributes to the pressure generation at the shaft rate frequency

Sistemi integrati BIM-GIS nella progettazione di edilizia ospedaliera ad alta efficienza energetica

The interoperability of the tools for managing and controlling the design process is one of the themes on which research and innovations are focussed in the field of BIM (Building Information Modelling) systems. A strategic objective of the STREAMER research, co-funded by the European Union within the context of the Seventh Framework Programme, is that of defining the tools and methods of designing hospital buildings that allow for a 50% reduction in energy consumption and emissions in large healthcare districts. Contributing to the achievement of this result is the creation of integrated tools, based on BIM and GIS systems, capable of providing an effective backup to the decisions of the various subjects involved in the project and the management of hospital complexes

Analysis of the propeller wake by pressure and velocity correlation

In the present study an experimental analysis of the velocity and pressure fields behind a marine propeller, in non cavitating regime is reported. Velocity measurements were performed in phase with the propeller angle by using 2D Particle Image Velocimetry (2D-PIV). Measurements were carried out arranging the light sheet along the mid longitudinal plane of the propeller, to investigate the evolution of the axial and the radial velocity components, from the blade trailing edge up to 2 diameters downstream. The pressure measurements were performed at four radial and eight longitudinal positions downstream the propeller model. Measurements of the pressure field were performed at different advance ratios of the propeller. Pressure data, processed by using slotting techniques, allowed to reconstruct the evolution of the pressure field in phase with the reference blade position. In addition, the correlation of the velocity and pressure signals was performed. The analysis demonstrated that, within the near wake, the tip vortices passage is the most important contribution in generating the pressure field in the propeller flow. The incoming vortex breakdown process causes a strong deformation of the hub vortex far downstream the slipstream contraction. This process contributes to the pressure generation at the shaft rate frequency

Systems Engineering Solution

The development and realisation of urban infrastructural projects such as bridges is getting increasingly more difficult and complex to manage. The challenge for the actors to develop an effective solution for the project within the traditional dimensions of time, budget and quality is still very present. But society also calls for more sustainable solutions which minimizes an eventual negative impact on the environment and takes into account the interests of stakeholders. The introduction of national and EU regulated procurement methods such as the Most Economically Advantageous Tenders (MEAT), has opened the way towards a more active and balanced involvement of actors and stakeholders in the development and realisation of urban construction projects. In this new environment, the client, consultant, contractor and stakeholders strive to work together in order to realise a sustainable solution. This document describes a methodology for the management of project processes with the aim of achieving a lawful, effective and sustainable construction process. The methodology is based on the principle of Life Cycle Systems Engineering, and facilitates and structures the introduction of sustainability and stakeholders issues in the design and build process. The method uses manly existing guidelines and standards for Life Cycle Systems Engineering

TMJ metastasis: A unusual case report

The metastases to the TMJ from a primary lung tumour is a very rare occurrence

Enhancing Heritage fruition through 3D semantic modelling and digital tools: the INCEPTION project

The INCEPTION project, “Inclusive Cultural Heritage in Europe through 3D Semantic Modelling”, started in June 2015 and lasting four years, aims at developing advanced 3D modelling for accessing and understanding European cultural assets. One of the main challenges of the project is to close the gap between effective user experiences of Cultural Heritage via digital tools and representations, and the enrichment of the scientific knowledge. Within this framework, the INCEPTION project goals are consistently aligned while accomplishing the main objectives of accessing, understanding and strengthening European cultural heritage by means of enriched 3D models. At the end of the third year of activity, the project is now facing different challenging actions starting from already developed advancement in 3D data capturing and holistic digital documentation, under interdisciplinary and cross-cutting fields of knowledge. In this direction, the approach and the methodology for semantic organization and data management toward H-BIM modelling will be presented, as well as a preliminary nomenclature for semantic enrichment of heritage 3D models. According to the overall INCEPTION workflow, the H-BIM modelling procedure starts with documenting user needs, including experts and non-experts. The identification of the Cultural Heritage buildings semantic ontology and data structure for information catalogue will allow the integration of semantic attributes with hierarchically and mutually aggregated 3D digital geometric models for management of heritage information

Le nuove Information and Communication Technologies per la conoscenza e l’accessibilità del patrimonio culturale. Il progetto INCEPTION - Inclusive Cultural Heritage in Europe through 3D semantic modelling

A un anno dal suo avvio, il progetto “INCEPTION - Inclusive Cultural Heritage in Europe through 3D semantic modelling” porta al Salone del Restauro le più recenti innovazioni tecnologiche per il rilievo tridimensionale del patrimonio culturale, frutto delle prime attività di ricerca. Il progetto, finanziato dalla Commissione Europea nell’ambito del Work Programme "Europe in a changing world – inclusive, innovative and reflective Societies" (Call Reflective-7-2014, Advanced 3D modelling for accessing and understanding European cultural assets), a partire da metodologie innovative per il rilievo e la modellazione tridimensionale, si propone di sviluppare nuovi strumenti per l’interoperabilità e la condivisione inclusiva dei modelli tridimensionali verso nuove forme di accessibilità e conoscenza dell’identità del patrimonio culturale europeo

Mechanical Energy Recovery from Low Grade Thermal Energy Sources

An ORC based power plant for waste heat recovery in stationary applications has been developed and experimentally characterized. The aim of the study was to investigate the performance of a sliding vane rotary expander as the device to convert the enthalpy of the working fluid, namely R236fa, into mechanical and electric energy. A theoretical model of the expander supported the design and allowed to assess the thermodynamic transformations that take place in it. Furthermore, a deep experimental campaign explored the behavior of the expander and the one of the recovery system also at off design conditions. The experimental activity on the expander included the reconstruction of the indicated diagram using a set of high frequency piezoelectric pressure transducers that provided an accurate prediction of the pressure evolution inside the cell. The overall cycle efficiency achieved was close to 8% and further improvements concerned to the expander design have been addressed. The temperature of the upper thermal source at around 120 °C and the mechanical output power close to 2 kW make the expander and the whole system suitable for plenty of potential recovery applications. © 2013 The Authors