Effects of Pre-Germinative Treatments and Temperatures on Tassel Hyacinth [Muscari comosum (L.) Mill.] Seeds

Muscari comosum (L.) Mill. is a spontaneous plant that grows in the whole Mediterranean area, including the Basilicata and Puglia regions (southern Italy), where it has received inclusion in the Italian National List for Traditional Agri-Food Product (TAP). The food and medicinal uses of bulb are ancient due to its antioxidant properties and high variety of nutrients, such as starch, sugars, and minerals. Muscari seed is characterized by morpho-physiological dormancy, and in order to achieve uniform germination, some pre-germinative treatments are needed. In this research, the effects of hydro-priming and osmo-priming, i.e., PEG 8000 and KNO3, as well as three germination temperatures (4, 10, and 20 ◦C), have been evaluated. In general, the average results pointed out that the pre-treatments increased the germination index (GI) by 5% and the germination percentage (GP) by 3% compared to the no-primed control. The germination temperature of 10 ◦C significantly reduced the median germination time (T50) by 5.4 days and the mean germination time (MGT) by 5 days compared to temperature at 4 ◦C. In particular, the best results were obtained by “hydropriming treatment × 10 ◦C” interaction, in terms of T50 (34.9 days) and MGT (36.3 days). This combination decreased the T50 by 10.5 days and the MGT by 9.6 days compared to the “control × 4 ◦C” interaction. Pearson’s correlation matrix results highlighted a significant positive link between T50 and MGT (r = 0.993). In conclusion, these techniques enhanced the germination potential so that the use of pre-treated seeds could be included in a cultivation protocol to improve the germination phase and satisfy the growing demand for Italian bulbs

Building Information Modeling (BIM): analisi applicata al Centro Affari di Arezzo

Università degli Studi di Firenze - Facoltà di Ingegneria Corso di Laurea Magistrale in Ingegneria Edile BUILDING INFORMATION MODELLING (BIM): ANALISI APPLICATA AL CENTRO AFFARI DI AREZZO Autore: Vincenzo DONATO Relatori: Prof. Ing. Gianni BARTOLI, Prof. Ing. Carlo BIAGINI Data di laurea: novembre 201

H-BIM and web-database to deal with the loss of information due to catastrophic events - The digital reconstruction of San Salvatore's Church in Campi di Norcia (Italy)

Nowadays , we are able to produce geometric models of historical buildings at different scales of detail, using photos and measurements. This is true when you are observing something that is still under your eyes. We are faced more and more with lack of preservation actions and maintenance activities, policies framed without foresight, unexpected natural events, etc., that are forcing professionals and researchers to operate without usual data. In such cases, we need a consistent repository to collect and distribute data to produce information.Furthermore, we need to "give intelligence" to these repositories, in order to query them with respect to geometrical instances, topological issues, historical features, etc. This last aspect, (archives and databases connected with geometrical aspects), lead our digital model to a new dimension, the informative one (where spatial, temporal, historical and building parameters work together), that should always characterize speculative actions towards the constitution of a wealth of knowledge. We need to work on the efficiency of the process to reach effective methodologies of survey

Transformation bestehender Gebäude: Ein Ansatz auf Basis von BIM-Technologien

Working on an existing building represents a complex design challenge that stimulates the development of new design approaches. Especially in the context of historical buildings redesign, it is possible to detect some “invariants”: in an historical layout, in fact, it is possible to “read” precise traces and specific rules of aggregation that does not vary across homogenous categories of building typology. Throughout a transformation, the building will maintain its native function or change it radically, keep the original distributive path or bring an alternative layout, preserve the existing structure or acquire new additional elements. In any case, the final result must balance respect for historical constraints alongside the creative process, whilst avoiding the violation of the principles of sustainable design. From this perspective comes the idea to study the potential and the limitations of the use of modern IT tools in the context of re-designing existing buildings. One possible approach is suggested by “Building Information Modeling”, which is becoming a new paradigm for the entire architectural, engineering and construction industries. Although an in-depth review of the literature shows a variety of design methods for new construction, the existing methods and tools for dealing with existing buildings are limited. BIM may be partially adopted in the context of an automated procedure of assessment: the existing building can be parameterized and then physically and mathematically analysed. This work proposes a method that integrates Graph Theory with the evaluative process, with particular reference to the circulation aspect within a distribution layout. Using a custom tool that can extract data from a BIM model (rooms and connections) and create a graph from this information, it was possible to measure parameters and define a minimum performance usage as a criterion to compare several design solutions.Die Arbeit an einem bestehendem Gebäude stellt eine komplexe Herausforderung dar, die zur Entwicklung neuer Entwurfsansätze anregt. Speziell im Kontext von Umplanungen historischer Bauten kann man „Invarianten“ erkennen: So ist es möglich, spezifische Spuren und Prinzipien der Fügung zu lesen, die innerhalb homogener Gebäudetypologien nicht variieren. Durch Transformation kann ein Gebäude seine ursprüngliche Funktion beibehalten oder radikal verändern. Sie kann das originäre Erschließungssystem erhalten oder durch ein neues Layout verändern; sie kann das bestehende Tragsystem respektieren oder neue, zusätzliche Elemente hinzufügen. In jedem Fall muss das Ergebnis die Balance zwischen dem Respekt vor dem historischen Zwängen und dem kreativen Prozessen wahren. Daher entstammt die Idee das Potential und die Grenzen von modernen IT-Werkzeugen im Kontext der Umgestaltung bestehender Gebäude zu untersuchen. Ein möglicher Ansatz legt das “Building Information Modeling” nah, welches sich zu einem neuen Paradigma für die gesamte Architektur-Ingenieur, und Bauindustrie entwickelt. Obschon eine tiefere Sichtung der Literatur eine Fülle von Entwurfsmethoden für Neubauten aufzeigt, sind die Methoden und Werkzeuge wie mit Bestandsbauten umzugehen sind, sehr eingeschränkt. BIM wird teilweise im Kontext automatisierter Prozeduren zur Datenerhebung eingesetzt: Gebäude werden parametrisiert und dann physisch und mathematisch analysiert. Mit dieser Arbeit wird nun eine Methode vorgeschlagen, die die Graphentheorie mit evaluierenden Prozessen vereint. Schwerpunkt ist dabei der Aspekt der Zirkulation innerhalb von Erschließungslayouts. Unter Einsatz eines speziellen Werkzeugs, welches Daten (Räume und Verbindungen) aus einem BIM-Modell zieht und daraus graphische Darstellungen generiert, ist es möglich Parameter zu erhalten und Minimalleistungen der Nutzung zu definieren, die als Kriterium zur Bewertung verschiedener Entwurfsvarianten herangezogen werden können

Effects of transcranial alternating current stimulation on repetitive finger movements in healthy humans

Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) is a noninvasive neurophysiological technique that can entrain brain oscillations. Only few studies have investigated the effects of tACS on voluntary movements. We aimed to verify whether tACS, delivered over M1 at beta and gamma frequencies, has any effect on repetitive finger tapping as assessed by means of kinematic analysis. Eighteen healthy subjects were enrolled. Objective measurements of repetitive finger tapping were obtained by using a motion analysis system. M1 excitability was assessed by using single-pulse TMS and measuring the amplitude of motor-evoked potentials (MEPs). Movement kinematic measures and MEPs were collected during beta, gamma, and sham tACS and when the stimulation was off. Beta tACS led to an amplitude decrement (i.e., progressive reduction in amplitude) across the first ten movements of the motor sequence while gamma tACS had the opposite effect. The results did not reveal any significant effect of tACS on other movement parameters, nor any changes in MEPs. These findings demonstrate that tACS modulates finger tapping in a frequency-dependent manner with no concurrent changes in corticospinal excitability. The results suggest that cortical beta and gamma oscillations are involved in the motor control of repetitive finger movements

Wild geophytes of ornamental interest in the native flora of southern Italy

The growing focus on the protection and the conservation of biodiversity has attracted attention to problem of the potential invasiveness of alien species that escaped cultivation spread in various types of habitats and might replace native species. This would lead to a loss of biodiversity and have negative economic and environmental repercussions. The Mediterranean flora is particularly rich in genera and species that are characteristic of different habitats, soil and climatic conditions, and can offer exciting opportunities for innovation in the floricultural industry. In this paper we test the qualitative and quantitative data of wild geophytic species with a focus on the peninsular regions of Southern Italy. Information regarding the attributes of each species was obtained from a number of published sources, including flora and plant checklists. This selection of geophytes belonging to the spontaneous flora of Southern Italy presents a potential floricultural interest in Italy, since these plants could be used as street furniture and for gardens and turfing

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF H-BIM WITH REGARDS TO HISTORICAL INFRASTRUCTURES: A CASE STUDY OF THE PONTE GIORGINI IN CASTIGLIONE DELLA PESCAIA (GROSSETO – ITALY)

Historical Building Information Modeling (H-BIM) has been widely documented in literature and is becoming more popular with government bodies, who are increasingly choosing to make its use mandatory in public procurements and contracts. Although the system seems to be one of the best approaches for managing data and driving the decision-making process, several difficulties arise due to the amount of effort required in the initial phases, when the data derived from a geometrical survey must be converted into parametric elements. Moreover, users must decide on a “level of geometrical simplification” a long time in advance, and this inevitably leads to a loss of geometrical data. From this perspective, our research describes a procedure to optimize the workflow of information for existing artefacts, in order to achieve a “lean” H-BIM. In this article, we will analyse two aspects: the first relates to the level of accuracy in a digital model created from the two different point clouds achieved from laser scanner and form images, while the second concerns the conversion of this information into parametric elements (Building Object Models- BOMs) that need to have specific characteristics. The case study we are presenting is the “Ponte Giorgini” (“Giorgini Bridge”) in Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto – Italy)

BIM FM: An international call for action

Despite significant progress for the adoption of BIM in AEC, currently its adoption for FM has been sparse, scarce, and extraneous. There are few cases in the world where robust adoption has taken place that are able to demonstrate success and are willing to disseminate the positive impact of BIM FM on sustainability, operational efficiency, and cost reduction. To date, there is no approach, motivation, or support in place to enable the extensive adoption of BIM for FM worldwide. In the UK, for instance, the UK BIM initiative, mandate, and the Digital Built Britain cannot count on the participation of FM stakeholders; the government has only started promoting initiatives that could trigger an extensive BIM approach, generating benefits for organizations and more importantly, society as a whole. In this chapter, data from authors’ various research projects has been put together to generate an agenda for BIM FM implementation. The findings reveal that unless an intervention, such as a mandate for FM services suppliers, is put in place, very little will happen with regards to BIM FM