Analisi della vulnerabilita sismica della scuola elementare di Filetto nel Comune di Villafranca in Lunigiana

La presente tesi di laurea nasce dalla Convenzione Quadro stipulata tra il Coordinamento Regionale Prevenzione Sismica della Regione Toscana, il Comune di Villafranca in Lunigiana e il Dipartimento di Ingegneria Civile dell’Università di Pisa. Tale Convenzione mira a promuovere le valutazioni preliminari sull’effettivo grado di sicurezza nei confronti dell’azione sismica di edifici “strategici”, fornendo utili informazioni alle amministrazioni pubbliche relativamente all’urgenza di un eventuale intervento ed alle possibili metodologie di miglioramento o adeguamento. L’oggetto della presente tesi è quindi l’analisi della vulnerabilità di un edificio pubblico realizzato in muratura portante: la scuola elementare di Filetto, sita nel Comune di Villafranca in Lunigiana (MS). A fronte di un dettagliato rilievo geometrico strutturale e di estesi saggi in situ volti ad ottenere un adeguato livello di conoscenza del fabbricato, si è resa possibile la realizzazione di un modello numerico, effettuato tramite software di calcolo agli elementi finiti, rappresentativo dell’attuale stato di fatto dell’edificio. In base a quanto previsto dalle NTC 2008 è stata effettuata un’analisi dinamica modale con spettro di risposta in accelerazione; quindi sono state effettuate le verifiche di sicurezza previste sia nel caso di carichi statici che sismici, da cui è stato possibile calcolare l’indice di rischio sismico della struttura e valutare quali sono gli elementi di criticità della stessa. A completamento della valutazione di vulnerabilità sismica è stata effettuata, su un secondo modello numerico, un analisi statica non lineare (push-over) che ha permesso di studiare l’evoluzione in campo plastico della struttura e di valutare il fattore di struttura q (rappresentativo delle risorse post-elastiche della struttura stessa) paragonandolo ai valori previsti dalla Norma vigente per la specifica tipologia strutturale

The shifting place of madness in modernizing Japan : Interview with Kazushige Shingu

The authors present an interview with Kazushige Shingu, full professor at Kyoto University and eminent contributor to the field of Lacanian studies in Japan. By analyzing the words and the places connected to the cultural and social definition of mental illness, throughout Edo and Meiji periods up to the present, Shingu provides a comprehensive view of the symbolic meaning acquired by madness within the national identity formation process in modernizing Japan. The interview starts and ends with a reflection on subjectivity, as the experience of recognizing one’s being in relation to the world. Shingu discusses the notion of subjectivity, reading elements of the psychoanalytic theory in the light of the Sino-Japanese tradition

Against the fragmentation of knowledge. The power of multidisciplinary research for the design of metamaterials

The new possibilities arisen in the last years in material manufacturing (3D-printing, electrospinning, roll-to-roll processing, self-assembly, etc.) and the theoretical tools made available by generalized continuum mechanics are still far from achieving their full potential. The main thesis of the present paper is that it is necessary a multidisciplinary approach to address the emerging issues in meta- materials’ design. Therefore, an improvement in the degree and the depth of the cooperation between scientists from different areas is required. The advancements needed in mechanics and physics of solids and fluids, mathematical and numerical modeling and advanced technology in material construction can be obtained only as a consequence of a synergic effort

photo geology of the montefalco quaternary basin umbria central italy

ABSTRACTWe present a photo-geological map for the 185 km2 fault-bounded, Montefalco Basin, Umbria, Central Italy. The basin formed in the Quaternary in response to extensional tectonics dissecting folds and thrusts of the northern Apennines range. To prepare the 1:25,000 geological map, we integrated geological and morphological information obtained through the visual analysis of three sets of aerial photographs of different age, the collection of new field data, and the review of pre-existing surface and sub-surface geological data. We show that systematic interpretation of aerial photographs contributed to improving the geological mapping, providing information not readily available through traditional field mapping. We expect that the new map will be used for different types of geological and geomorphological investigations, including studies of active tectonic, Quaternary morpho-tectonics, sedimentological and stratigraphic analyses, mining and exploration investigations, and the analysis of landslide..

Association between Economic Growth, Mortality, and Healthcare Spending in 31 High-Income Countries

: This study aims to investigate the association between gross domestic product (GDP), mortality rate (MR) and current healthcare expenditure (CHE) in 31 high-income countries. We used panel data from 2000 to 2017 collected from WHO and OECD databases. The association between CHE, GDP and MR was investigated through a random-effects model. To control for reverse causality, we adopted a test of Granger causality. The model shows that the MR has a statistically significant and negative effect on CHE and that an increase in GDP is associated with an increase of CHE (p < 0.001). The Granger causality analysis shows that all the variables exhibit a bidirectional causality. We found a two-way relationship between GDP and CHE. Our analysis highlights the economic multiplier effect of CHE. In the debate on the optimal allocation of resources, this evidence should be taken into due consideration

Similar reduction of cholesterol-adjusted Vitamin E serum levels in simple steatosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

OBJECTIVES: Reduced vitamin E levels have been reported in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but no conclusive data on patients with simple steatosis (SS) are available. Aim of this study was to investigate the association betweenserum vitamin E levels and SS. METHODS: A cohort of 312 patients with cardio-metabolic risk factors was screened for liver steatosis by ultrasonography (US). We reasonably classified as SS patients with US-fatty liver, normal liver function tests (LFTs) and with Cytokeratin 18 o246 mIU/ml. Liver biopsy was performed in 41 patients with US-fatty liver and persistent elevation of LFTs (46 months). Serum cholesterol-adjusted vitamin E (Vit E/chol) levels were measured. RESULTS: Mean age was 53.9±12.5 years and 38.4% were women. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was detected at US in 244 patients; of those 39 had biopsy-proven NASH and 2 borderline NASH. Vit E/chol was reduced in both SS (3.4±2.0, Po0.001), and NASH (3.5±2.1, P=0.006) compared with non-NAFLD patients (4.8±2.0 μmol/mmol chol). No difference was found between SS and NASH (P=0.785). After excluding patients with NASH, a multivariable logistic regression analysis found that Vit E/chol (odds ratio (OR): 0.716, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.602–0.851, Po0.001), alanine aminotransferase (ALT, OR: 1.093, 95% CI 1.029–1.161, P=0.004), body mass index (OR: 1.162, 95% CI 1.055–1.279, P=0.002) and metabolic syndrome (OR: 5.725, 95% CI 2.247–14.591, Po0.001) were factors independently associated with the presence of SS. CONCLUSIONS: Reduced vitamin E serum levels are associated with SS, with a similar reduction between patients with SS and NASH, compared with non-NAFLD patients. Our findings suggest that the potential benefit of vitamin E supplementation should be investigated also in patients with SS

A Simulation Model for a Hybrid-Electric Craft in Restricted Waters

Sustainable mobility is one of the most challenging issues for passenger transport inside environmental protected areas and ecologically fragile environments. To reduce the pollutant emissions, the adoption of electric or hybrid-electric solutions for crafts propulsion is a suitable option for green navigation. However, the operation in restricted basin leads also to specific critical issues for the vessel sailing, as dealing with shallow or restricted waters and transit under low air-gap bridges. The combination of these constraints with the adoption of a hybrid-electric propulsion system increases the design difficulties also for a small craft, requiring the use of advanced simulation models to assess the vessel performances. This work presents a simulation model for a small passenger craft that will operate in the Grado Lagoon. The model combines the hydrodynamic issues of manoeuvring and propulsion in restricted water with the simulation of the electric loads and capacity of the energy storage system installed onboard. The simulations performed with the developed simulation system are in accordance with data measured during trials on a prototype of the vessel. The developed model is a powerful tool for designers in order to rapidly assess the green capabilities of new projects since the early design stages

Distributed Solutions for a Reliable Data-Driven Transformation of Healthcare Management and Research

Modern healthcare management and clinical practice strongly rely on data and scientific evidence. Digital technologies, tools, and services are core components of Healthcare Management and scientific Research (HMR). Data interoperability, security, privacy, and ease of sharing represent fundamental conditions for guaranteeing quality HMR. Current data management solutions in HMR are mainly built on two technological infrastructures: cloud-based (CB) or distributed ledger systems (DLTs). DLTs offer alternative and reliable alternatives for the management and sharing of data in HMR. Their use can help increase confidence and trust in the integrity of data and the resulting evidence. The aim of this paper is to shed light on CB and DLT solutions, emphasizing the potential role of innovative digital solutions based on DLTs in creating a data-driven transformation of HMR, and to describe relevant examples and practical uses of DLT-based solutions for patients, healthcare management, and research activities. DLTs in particular can be increasingly useful for patients to truly have control over their health, for healthcare policymakers to increase the quality of organizational processes, and for research funders, editors and publishers to increase the return on investment, and the reuse and reproducibility of research. In conclusion, harnessing the potential of digital technologies is essential to transform healthcare management and research, by enhancing data quality, reliability, and trust

Hybrid-electric solutions for the propulsion of a luxury sailing yacht

The application of hybrid-electric solutions for the propulsion of pleasure crafts is increasing in recent years. The more restrictive regulations on pollutants and the growing sensibility of the people on greenness make this solution even more attractive. In case the craft is stationing in a marine equipped with renewable energy sources, the attractiveness of such a solution increases even more. Besides, a hybrid-electric configuration can reduce the consumptions and, consequently, the operative costs against an initial higher investment. Therefore, hybrid-electric propulsion could give a benefit to raise a stationary market, as the pleasure craft one. This study compares in terms of consumptions three different solutions, besides conventional diesel one, for the propulsion of a sailing yacht