BIM model for existing building stock: optimisation and validation of the processes

This research was developed within an Industrial Doctorate project involving two sponsors: the Negroni Key Engineering company with a consolidated background in the computer sector, more specifically in BIM, and Platinum partner of Autodesk; and the Universidad de Valladolid which for years has been performing critical studies in the field of photogrammetric and laser scanner surveying and digitalisation. The study presented here continues along these lines in order to define a work method for the digitalisation and management of existing building heritage. It must be resilient, envisage sustainable procedures for both the public administration and private entities, and identify the potential of the current systems as well as any critical issues. The work method is based on six work phases, each one preliminary to the next; they are: • Model Definition, indicating the geometric and information characteristics of the BIM models; • Data Acquisition, in which details are provided regarding the data to be acquired and relative survey method; • Model Reconstruction, during which different instruments of the BIM platforms are used to complete the digital twin of the building; • Model Checking, including the operations needed to ensure that all the elements are coherent, both graphically and from the point of view of information; • Model Fixing, envisaging integration, where necessary, of further studies so as to ensure correct completion of the study; • Data Management, characterised by the importation of the result obtained in a GIS platform, cataloguing, and reuse of the result. The optimisation strategies identified are: • The definition of a BIM GIS methodology and the consequent drafting of guidelines, describing the step-by-step progress of the processes contained in each phase of work; • The writing algorithms for the recognition of geometric elements in BIM software; • The creation of parameters that define the reliability of the input data necessary for the reconstruction of the building model. The innovative features of the research are: • The multiscalar management of the building stock, through the combined use of GIS and BIM platforms; • The complete discipline of the digital process extends from acquisition to data management; • The integration of semi-automatic CADToBIM and ScanToBIM processes, through new applications specially developed to optimise the reconstruction of specific objects; • the definition of the parameters CoIN (Confidence of Information Needed), relating to the reliability of the data needed to reconstruct the model, and SuRe (Survey Required), relating to the integration of surveys to be performed in order to complete the process. The doctoral thesis is divided into five parts: • definition of the state of the art, presenting the fundamental features of the issues in questions; • description of the work method, including the strategies to optimise the processes; • identification of the research field and case studies in order to validate the aforementioned methodology; • results and conclusions; • annexes

Metabarcoding analysis of the bacterial and fungal communities during the maturation of preparation 500, used in biodynamic agriculture, suggests a rational link between horn and manure

Horn manure (Preparation 500) is a product used in the practice of biodynamic agriculture. It is obtained by an underground fermentation of cow fecal material incubated in cow horns for several months. The product is used as spray treatment meant to increase soil fertility. In the present report, we analyzed the successional changes in bacterial and fungal communities throughout the process of horn manure maturation by high throughput sequencing of ribosomal 16S (bacterial) and ITS (fungal) gene markers. Marked shifts in the microbial community were seen involving a general decrease from a Firmicutes dominated material to a product transiently enriched in Proteobacteria and later in Actinobacteria, mostly within the Nocardioidaceae family. In the fungal community evolution, the most abundant taxon in the starting fecal material resulted a member of the Onygenales order, known to specifically degrade keratin. Its abundance in the intestine is explained by the fact that keratin, which is also the structural component of hairs and horns, is found in all epithelial layers, including gut mucosae. This occurrence suggests a link of enzymatic/catabolic nature between manure and horn

Serum Uric Acid Predicts All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality Independently of Hypertriglyceridemia in Cardiometabolic Patients without Established CV Disease: A Sub-Analysis of the URic acid Right for heArt Health (URRAH) Study

High serum uric acid (SUA) and triglyceride (TG) levels might promote high-cardiovascular risk phenotypes across the cardiometabolic spectrum. However, SUA predictive power in the presence of normal and high TG levels has never been investigated. We included 8124 patients from the URic acid Right for heArt Health (URRAH) study cohort who were followed for over 20 years and had no established cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled metabolic disease. All-cause mortality (ACM) and cardiovascular mortality (CVM) were explored by the Kaplan-Meier estimator and Cox multivariable regression, adopting recently defined SUA cut-offs for ACM (>= 4.7 mg/dL) and CVM (>= 5.6 mg/dL). Exploratory analysis across cardiometabolic subgroups and a sensitivity analysis using SUA/serum creatinine were performed as validation. SUA predicted ACM (HR 1.25 [1.12-1.40], p < 0.001) and CVM (1.31 [1.11-1.74], p < 0.001) in the whole study population, and according to TG strata: ACM in normotriglyceridemia (HR 1.26 [1.12-1.43], p < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (1.31 [1.02-1.68], p = 0.033), and CVM in normotriglyceridemia (HR 1.46 [1.23-1.73], p < 0.001) and hypertriglyceridemia (HR 1.31 [0.99-1.64], p = 0.060). Exploratory and sensitivity analyses confirmed our findings, suggesting a substantial role of SUA in normotriglyceridemia and hypertriglyceridemia. In conclusion, we report that SUA can predict ACM and CVM in cardiometabolic patients without established cardiovascular disease, independent of TG levels

Allergic sensitization to common pets (cats/dogs) according to different possible modalities of exposure: an Italian Multicenter Study

Background: The query "are there animals at home?" is usually administered for collecting information on anamnesis. This modality to consider exposure to pet allergens constitutes a potential bias in epidemiological studies and in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to evaluate/quantify different modalities of exposure to cat/dog in inducing allergic sensitization. Methods: Thirty Italian Allergy units participated in this study. Each centre was required to collect the data of at least 20 consecutive outpatients sensitized to cat/dog allergens. A standardized form reported all demographic data and a particular attention was paid in relieving possible modalities of exposure to cat/dog. Results: A total 723 patients sensitized to cat/dog were recorded, 359 (49.65%) reported direct pet contact, 213 patients (29.46%) were pet owners, and 146 subjects (20.19%) were exposed to pets in other settings. Other patients were sensitized by previous pet ownership (150-20.75%) or indirect contact (103-14.25%), in 111 subjects (15.35%) any contact was reported. Conclusions: Only 213 patients (29.46%) would be classified as "exposed to animals" and 510 (70.54%) as "not exposed" according to usual query. Our classification has shown that many "not-exposed" subjects (399-55.19%) were "really exposed". The magnitude of exposure to pet allergens at home is not related exclusively to pet ownership. These considerations should be taken into account during the planning of epidemiological studies and in clinical practice for the management of pet allergic individuals

Gain- and Loss-of-Function CFTR Alleles Are Associated with COVID-19 Clinical Outcomes

Carriers of single pathogenic variants of the CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) gene have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 and 14-day death. The machine learning post-Mendelian model pinpointed CFTR as a bidirectional modulator of COVID-19 outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that the rare complex allele [G576V;R668C] is associated with a milder disease via a gain-of-function mechanism. Conversely, CFTR ultra-rare alleles with reduced function are associated with disease severity either alone (dominant disorder) or with another hypomorphic allele in the second chromosome (recessive disorder) with a global residual CFTR activity between 50 to 91%. Furthermore, we characterized novel CFTR complex alleles, including [A238V;F508del], [R74W;D1270N;V201M], [I1027T;F508del], [I506V;D1168G], and simple alleles, including R347C, F1052V, Y625N, I328V, K68E, A309D, A252T, G542*, V562I, R1066H, I506V, I807M, which lead to a reduced CFTR function and thus, to more severe COVID-19. In conclusion, CFTR genetic analysis is an important tool in identifying patients at risk of severe COVID-19

Bollettino Sismico Italiano settembre – dicembre 2018

Gli analisti del BSI hanno revisionato tutti gli eventi di magnitudo M≥1.5, localizzati dal 1 settembre al 31 dicembre 2018. I parametri dei terremoti di magnitudo inferiore a tale soglia di revisione, sono quelli calcolati in tempo reale, nella sala di sorveglianza sismica di Roma.Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia - Dipartimento di Protezione CivilePublished4IT. Banche dat

Association of kidney disease measures with risk of renal function worsening in patients with type 1 diabetes

Background: Albuminuria has been classically considered a marker of kidney damage progression in diabetic patients and it is routinely assessed to monitor kidney function. However, the role of a mild GFR reduction on the development of stage 653 CKD has been less explored in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic role of kidney disease measures, namely albuminuria and reduced GFR, on the development of stage 653 CKD in a large cohort of patients affected by T1DM. Methods: A total of 4284 patients affected by T1DM followed-up at 76 diabetes centers participating to the Italian Association of Clinical Diabetologists (Associazione Medici Diabetologi, AMD) initiative constitutes the study population. Urinary albumin excretion (ACR) and estimated GFR (eGFR) were retrieved and analyzed. The incidence of stage 653 CKD (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) or eGFR reduction > 30% from baseline was evaluated. Results: The mean estimated GFR was 98 \ub1 17 mL/min/1.73m2 and the proportion of patients with albuminuria was 15.3% (n = 654) at baseline. About 8% (n = 337) of patients developed one of the two renal endpoints during the 4-year follow-up period. Age, albuminuria (micro or macro) and baseline eGFR < 90 ml/min/m2 were independent risk factors for stage 653 CKD and renal function worsening. When compared to patients with eGFR > 90 ml/min/1.73m2 and normoalbuminuria, those with albuminuria at baseline had a 1.69 greater risk of reaching stage 3 CKD, while patients with mild eGFR reduction (i.e. eGFR between 90 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) show a 3.81 greater risk that rose to 8.24 for those patients with albuminuria and mild eGFR reduction at baseline. Conclusions: Albuminuria and eGFR reduction represent independent risk factors for incident stage 653 CKD in T1DM patients. The simultaneous occurrence of reduced eGFR and albuminuria have a synergistic effect on renal function worsening

SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity are associated with genetic variants affecting gene expression in a variety of tissues

Variability in SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and COVID-19 disease severity between individuals is partly due to genetic factors. Here, we identify 4 genomic loci with suggestive associations for SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility and 19 for COVID-19 disease severity. Four of these 23 loci likely have an ethnicity-specific component. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals in 11 loci colocalize with expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) associated with the expression of 20 genes in 62 tissues/cell types (range: 1:43 tissues/gene), including lung, brain, heart, muscle, and skin as well as the digestive system and immune system. We perform genetic fine mapping to compute 99% credible SNP sets, which identify 10 GWAS loci that have eight or fewer SNPs in the credible set, including three loci with one single likely causal SNP. Our study suggests that the diverse symptoms and disease severity of COVID-19 observed between individuals is associated with variants across the genome, affecting gene expression levels in a wide variety of tissue types

A first update on mapping the human genetic architecture of COVID-19

peer reviewe

DOORS of IDENTITY an innovative teaching project

Il progetto di didattica innovativa “DOORS of IDENTITY”, ideato e coordinato dai Corsi di laurea in Scienze dell’Architettura e in Architet- tura, e promosso dall’Università degli Studi di Cagliari, da un lato prende le mosse a partire da una condizione di criticità dell’insegnamento del progetto, ormai sempre più diffusa nelle scuole di architettura, legata all’assenza di una decli- nazione concreta e applicativa e dall’altro rileva la perdita del senso di appartenenza agli spazi della Scuola, specie per quanto attiene gli atrii di accesso ai diversi edifici di cui il complesso Mauriziano (sede storica dei Corsi di architettura dell’ateneo cagliaritano) si compone. La proposta si è tradotta in un’azione performa- tiva che, a partire dal ripensamento della qualità e della natura degli spazi-soglia al complesso Mauriziano e potendo contare solo su pannelli multistrato in legno di betulla, si è conclusa con la realizzazione in autocostruzione dei progetti studiati dagli studenti e dai docenti della Scuola di Architettura, impegnati intensivamente tra giugno e ottobre 2019. Con il progetto “DOORS of IDENTITY” si è potuto: - integrare l’attività didattica, secondo il principio del “learning by doing”, con una fase applicativa e costruttiva che ha visto la comunità di archi- tettura protagonista della riqualificazione degli spazi di lavoro e apprendimento; - promuovere una didattica innovativa, labora- toriale e partecipata con un esito realizzabile attraverso un processo di progetto e autoco- struzione che ha tradotto lo studio in un fatto tangibile e utile; - produrre “soglie pulsanti” che esplicitano la presenza di una Scuola giovane, creativa e attiva; - stimolare il senso etico degli studenti che, coerentemente con la loro missione sociale futu- ra, sono stati i protagonisti diretti della presa in cura degli spazi della propria Scuola; - veicolare agli studenti il messaggio disciplinare della qualità attraverso il paradigma del “molto pensiero e poco denaro”, imperativo contempo- raneo e vera sfida per gli architetti del futuro. La validità della proposta risiede, inoltre, nel suo carattere fortemente paradigmatico e nella sua replicabilità sia nel tempo, trasformandola in appuntamento ciclico, che nello spazio, con l’applicazione in altri edifici dell’AteneoThe innovative teaching project “DOORS of IDENTITY”, which was conceived and coordinated by the Degree Courses of Sciences of Architecture and Architecture, and sponsored by the University of Cagliari, has its origins in a critical condition of the project teaching methods, which is increasin- gly common in the schools of architecture due to the absence of concrete and application-oriented techniques. DOORS of IDENTITY also detects the decline in the sense of belonging to the School’s spaces, especially as regards the entrance atria of the several buildings of the Mauritian complex (historic premises of the Architecture Courses at the University of Cagliari). The proposal resulted in a performance which started with a process of rethinking the quality and nature of the threshold spaces of the Mauri- tian complex and which could only count on the availability of birch plywood panels. The perfor- mance ended with the self-construction of the projects designed by students and lecturers of the School of Architecture, intensively engaged in the action between June and October 2019. “DOORS of IDENTITY” allowed us to: - integrate the teaching activity according to the principle of “learning by doing”, with an applica- tion and construction phase which involved the whole community of the School of Architecture in the redevelopment of its work and study spaces; - promote an innovative form of teaching, embra- cing participation and action with an outcome that can be achieved by means of a design and self-construction process, transforming the lear- ning process into a useful and tangible develop- ment; - create “pulsing thresholds” which declare the presence of a young, creative and active School; - stimulate the ethical sense of students who, in line with their future social mission, were directly the leading players in the process of taking care of the spaces of their own School; - convey to students the disciplinary message of quality through the paradigm of “little money and a lot of thought”, a contemporary imperative and real challenge for the architects of the future. The validity of the proposal lies, in addition, on its strong paradigmatic character and in its repeatability over time, by turning it into a cyclical appointment, and in space, by applying the pro- cess to other buildings in the University