Structural steel design with BIM technology - interventions on a three buildings block in Deruta (PG)

The aim of this thesis is to use the developments, advantages and applications of "Building Information Modelling" (BIM) with emphasis on the discipline of structural design for steel building located in Perugia. BIM was mainly considered as a new way of planning, constructing and operating buildings or infrastructures. It has been found to offer greater opportunities for increased efficiency, optimization of resources and generally better management throughout the life cycle of a facility. BIM increases the digitalization of processes and offers integrated and collaborative technologies for design, construction and operation. To understand BIM and its benefits, one must consider all phases of a project. Higher initial design costs often lead to lower construction and operation costs. Creating data-rich digital models helps to better predict and coordinate the construction phases and operation of a building. One of the main limitations identified in the implementation of BIM is the lack of knowledge and qualified professionals. Certain disciplines such as structural and mechanical design depend on whether the main contractor, owner, general contractor or architect need to use or apply BIM to their projects. The existence of a supporting or mandatory BIM guideline may then eventually lead to its adoption. To test the potential of the BIM adoption in the steel design process, some models were developed taking advantage of a largely diffuse authoring software (Autodesk Revit), to produce construction drawings and also material schedule that were needed in order to estimate quantities and features of a real steel building. Once the model has been built the whole process has been analyzed and then compared with the traditional design process of steel structure. Many relevant aspect in term of clearness and also in time spent were shown and lead to final conclusions about the benefits from BIM methodology.

BIM-FEM model interoperability for the design of a prestressed concrete bridge deck

In questa tesi ho analizzato il passaggio dall'ambiente BIM a quello FEM di un impalcato da ponte a travata precompressa, identificando criteri e applicando una metodologia che hanno consentito lo sviluppo di un modello FEM utilizzabile per l'analisi strutturale. Nella tesi si descrive l'opera e il suo dimensionamento, con l'analisi statica e le verifiche strutturali eseguite sia a mano sia sul modello in ambiente FEM importato dall'ambiente BIM. Oltre a ciò, viene modellata l'opera nella sua interezza ed inserita in un contesto reale. La tesi discute l'interoperabilità tra i due software evidenziando vantaggi (modello geometrico di partenza in ambiente FEM, trasferimento di informazioni inserite in ambiente BIM, riduzione dei tempi di modellazione e inserimento proprietà dei materiali e caratteristiche degli oggetti, inserimento armature di precompressione) e criticità (implementazione manuale di alcuni elementi nel modello geometrico, perdita di alcune informazioni, definizione di alcuni parametri, limitata interoperabilità FEM-BIM) della metodologia applicata.

Studio sull'interoperabilità BIM to FEM per strutture a parete in legno

Nel seguente elaborato di tesi è stato approfondito il tema dell’interoperabilità da software BIM a FEM nell’ambito degli edifici a parete in legno. L’utilizzo di programmi di Building Information Modeling si è affermato in maniera crescente nel mondo delle costruzioni. Infatti, la possibilità di costruire modelli tridimensionali della struttura, che associano ad ogni elemento presente nell’opera tutte le informazioni utili ai fini della sua, realizzazione (quali geometrie, costi, proprietà meccaniche, fasi d’impiego, ecc..) permette di accorciare notevolmente il tempo di progettazione e costruzione, diminuendo gli errori dovuti alla trasmissione dei dati tra le varie figure professionali. Nel campo delle costruzioni, l’elemento “parete in legno” non è ancora presente all’interno dei principali software BIM. Per questo motivo, è stato necessario, per lo svolgimento del presente progetto di tesi, uno studio dei principali parametri meccanici descrittivi del reale comportamento in opera delle pareti in legno. Tali parametri sono stati calcolati secondo i due principali metodi esistenti nell’ambito delle costruzioni in legno: il metodo fenomenologico e il metodo per componenti. Nel primo caso, l’influenza sul comportamento delle pareti da parte delle connessioni metalliche viene calcolata sotto forma di parametri meccanici equivalenti. Nel secondo metodo, invece, il comportamento in opera della parete risulta essere la conseguenza dell’interazione tra la rigidezza della parete stessa e quella delle connessioni, che vengono modellate come dei vincoli equivalenti. Al fine di validare i risultati ottenuti, si è proceduto ad applicare i parametri equivalenti a due casi studio. Il primo caso è rappresentato da una parete semplice (3.2m x 3.75m) sottoposta ad una forza concentrata in sommità. Successivamente è stato studiato il caso di un edificio a parete di legno di tre piani, sottoposto ai carichi di un edificio adibito a civile abitazione.

Modelli informativi per la valutazione BIM del livello di reversibilità e circolarità di componenti edilizi: il Design for Disassembly

La Tesi presenta un metodo per valutare il livello di reversibilità e circolarità dei componenti edili. Il concetto cardine dello studio è il Design for Disassembly (DfD), definibile come un approccio alla progettazione di organismi edilizi secondo criteri costruttivi volti a facilitare successivi cambiamenti e smantellamenti (completi o parziali), consentendo il riutilizzo dei componenti, al fine di ridurre l’impatto ambientale degli interventi. Attualmente, diverse ricerche in ambito scientifico si dedicano all’approfondimento di questa tematica, correlandola ad altri concetti come la metodologia del Building Information Modeling (BIM), che consente di digitalizzare il processo progettuale, la sua realizzazione e la sua gestione attraverso modelli. Dopo l’analisi dello stato dell’arte, il lavoro è giunto alla definizione di un insieme di parametri idonei per essere introdotti in un modello informativo, in grado di rappresentare la circolarità del componente in termini di DfD. Per ogni elemento del componente analizzato viene assegnato un valore numerico (variabile da 0,1 a 1) a ogni parametro. Tramite l’utilizzo di una formula elaborata nell’ambito di precedenti ricerche svolte dal Dipartimento di Architettura dell'Università di Bologna, opportunamente modificata, si ottiene un indice sintetico finale denominato “Express Building Circularity Indicators” (EBCI). Il metodo di analisi proposto come strumento a supporto del processo progettuale è stato validato tramite l’applicazione a diverse soluzioni di facciata per l’efficientamento energetico di un fabbricato selezionato come caso di studio italiano dal progetto Europeo Horizon 2020 "DRIVE 0 – Driving decarbonization of the EU building stock by enhancing a consumer centred and locally based circular renovation process". I risultati ottenuti hanno consentito di verificare la replicabilità del processo digitalizzato a diverse soluzioni costruttive e l’affidabilità del metodo di valutazione del grado di circolarità.

Relações entre marcadores digito-palamres e aptidão fisica em atletas de judo de elite

Universidade Estadual de Campinas . Faculdade de Educação Física

Diffusive Synchronization of Hyperchaotic Lorenz Systems

The synchronizing properties of two diffusively coupled hyperchaotic Lorenz 4D systems are investigated by calculating the transverse Lyapunov exponents and by observing the phase space trajectories near the synchronization hyperplane. The effect of parameter mismatch is also observed. A simple electrical circuit described by the Lorenz 4D equations is proposed. Some results from laboratory experiments with two coupled circuits are presented. Copyright (C) 2009 Ruy Barboza.

Model Independent Tests of Skyrmions and Their Holographic Cousins

We describe a new exact relation for large N(c) QCD for the long-distance behavior of baryon form factors in the chiral limit. This model-independent relation is used to test the consistency of the structure of several baryon models. All 4D semiclassical chiral soliton models satisfy the relation, as does the Pomarol-Wulzer holographic model of baryons as 5D Skyrmions. However, remarkably, we find that the holographic model treating baryons as instantons in the Sakai-Sugimoto model does not satisfy the relation.

Quasinormal modes of brane-localized standard model fields in Gauss-Bonnet theory

We study the massless scalar, Dirac, and electromagnetic fields propagating on a 4D-brane, which is embedded in higher-dimensional Gauss-Bonnet space-time. We calculate, in the time domain, the fundamental quasinormal modes of a spherically symmetric black hole for such fields. Using WKB approximation we study quasinormal modes in the large multipole limit. We observe also a universal behavior, independent on a field and value of the Gauss-Bonnet parameter, at an asymptotically late time.

Exotic phases induced by strong spin-orbit coupling in ordered double perovskites

We construct and analyze a microscopic model for insulating rocksalt ordered double perovskites, with the chemical formula A(2)BB'O(6), where the B' atom has a 4d(1) or 5d(1) electronic configuration and forms a face-centered-cubic lattice. The combination of the triply degenerate t(2g) orbital and strong spin-orbit coupling forms local quadruplets with an effective spin moment j=3/2. Moreover, due to strongly orbital-dependent exchange, the effective spins have substantial biquadratic and bicubic interactions (fourth and sixth order in the spins, respectively). This leads, at the mean-field level, to three main phases: an unusual antiferromagnet with dominant octupolar order, a ferromagnetic phase with magnetization along the [110] direction, and a nonmagnetic but quadrupolar ordered phase, which is stabilized by thermal fluctuations and intermediate temperatures. All these phases have a two-sublattice structure described by the ordering wave vector Q=2 pi(001). We consider quantum fluctuations and argue that in the regime of dominant antiferromagnetic exchange, a nonmagnetic valence-bond solid or quantum-spin-liquid state may be favored instead. Candidate quantum-spin-liquid states and their basic properties are described. We also address the effect of single-site anisotropy driven by lattice distortions. Existing and possible future experiments are discussed in light of these results.

Animated solid model of the lung constructed from unsynchronized MR sequential images

This work discusses a 4D lung reconstruction method from unsynchronized MR sequential images. The lung, differently from the heart, does not have its own muscles, turning impossible to see its real movements. The visualization of the lung in motion is an actual topic of research in medicine. CT (Computerized Tomography) can obtain spatio-temporal images of the heart by synchronizing with electrocardiographic waves. The FOV of the heart is small when compared to the lung`s FOV. The lung`s movement is not periodic and is susceptible to variations in the degree of respiration. Compared to CT, MR (Magnetic Resonance) imaging involves longer acquisition times and it is not possible to obtain instantaneous 3D images of the lung. For each slice, only one temporal sequence of 2D images can be obtained. However, methods using MR are preferable because they do not involve radiation. In this paper, based on unsynchronized MR images of the lung an animated B-Repsolid model of the lung is created. The 3D animation represents the lung`s motion associated to one selected sequence of MR images. The proposed method can be divided in two parts. First, the lung`s silhouettes moving in time are extracted by detecting the presence of a respiratory pattern on 2D spatio-temporal MR images. This approach enables us to determine the lung`s silhouette for every frame, even on frames with obscure edges. The sequence of extracted lung`s silhouettes are unsynchronized sagittal and coronal silhouettes. Using our algorithm it is possible to reconstruct a 3D lung starting from a silhouette of any type (coronal or sagittal) selected from any instant in time. A wire-frame model of the lung is created by composing coronal and sagittal planar silhouettes representing cross-sections. The silhouette composition is severely underconstrained. Many wire-frame models can be created from the observed sequences of silhouettes in time. Finally, a B-Rep solid model is created using a meshing algorithm. Using the B-Rep solid model the volume in time for the right and left lungs were calculated. It was possible to recognize several characteristics of the 3D real right and left lungs in the shaded model. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Listeria monocytogenes in two different poultry facilities: Manual and automatic evisceration

Listeriosis is a serious foodborne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes, a pathogen often found in food processing plants. Poultry meat and its derivatives may harbor L. monocytogenes even if good manufacturing practices are implanted in abattoirs. Little information exists in Brazil on the frequency of L. monocytogenes contamination, even though the country is considered the top poultry meat exporter in the world. This study attempted to compare 2 exporters poultry facilities following same the standards but differing only in manual (plant M) or automatic (plant A) evisceration. Eight hundred fifty-one samples from food, food contact and non-food contact surfaces, water, and workers` hands were collected from cage to finished products over a 1-yr period. In plant A, 20.1% of the samples were positive for L. monocytogenes, whereas in plant M, 16.4% was found. The greatest incidence of contamination with the pathogen in plant A was found in non- food contact surfaces (27.3%), while in plant M, it was found in products (19.4%). The most prevalent serovars were 1/2a or 3a (plant M) and 4b, 4d, or 4e (plant A). Despite having proper hygiene and good manufacturing practices, controlling the entry and persistence of L. monocytogenes in processing facilities remains a formidable task.

3D-Pharmacophore mapping of thymidine-based inhibitors of TMPK as potential antituberculosis agents

Tuberculosis (TB) is the primary cause of mortality among infectious diseases. Mycobacterium tuberculosis monophosphate kinase (TMPKmt) is essential to DNA replication. Thus, this enzyme represents a promising target for developing new drugs against TB. In the present study, the receptor-independent, RI, 4D-QSAR method has been used to develop QSAR models and corresponding 3D-pharmacophores for a set of 81 thymidine analogues, and two corresponding subsets, reported as inhibitors of TMPKmt. The resulting optimized models are not only statistically significant with r (2) ranging from 0.83 to 0.92 and q (2) from 0.78 to 0.88, but also are robustly predictive based on test set predictions. The most and the least potent inhibitors in their respective postulated active conformations, derived from each of the models, were docked in the active site of the TMPKmt crystal structure. There is a solid consistency between the 3D-pharmacophore sites defined by the QSAR models and interactions with binding site residues. Moreover, the QSAR models provide insights regarding a probable mechanism of action of the analogues.

Rational Design and 3D-Pharmacophore Mapping of 5 `-Thiourea-Substituted alpha-Thymidine Analogues as Mycobacterial TMPK Inhibitors

Thymidine monophosphate kinase (TMPK) has emerged as an attractive target for developing inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis growth. In this study the receptor-independent (RI) 4D-QSAR formalism has been used to develop QSAR models and corresponding 3D-pharmacophores for a set of 5`-thiourea-substituted alpha-thymidine inhibitors. Models were developed for the entire training set and for a subset of the training set consisting of the most potent inhibitors. The optimized (RI) 4D-QSAR models are statistically significant (r(2) = 0.90, q(2) = 0.83 entire set, r(2) = 0.86, q(2) = 0.80 high potency subset) and also possess good predictivity based on test set predictions. The most and least potent inhibitors, in their respective postulated active conformations derived from the models, were docked in the active site of the TMPK crystallographic structure. There is a solid consistency between the 3D-pharmacophore sites defined by the QSAR models and interactions with binding site residues. This model identifies new regions of the inhibitors that contain pharmacophore sites, such as the sugar-pyrimidine ring structure and the region of the 5`-arylthiourea moiety. These new regions of the ligands can be further explored and possibly exploited to identify new, novel, and, perhaps, better antituberculosis inhibitors of TMPKmt. Furthermore, the 3D-pharmacophores defined by these models can be used as a starting point for future receptor-dependent antituberculosis drug design as well as to elucidate candidate sites for substituent addition to optimize ADMET properties of analog inhibitors.

Role of phospholipase C and protein kinase C in Aspergillus nidulans during growth on pectin or glucose: Effects on germination and duplication cycle

The effects of PLC and Pkc inhibitors on Aspergillus nidulans depend on the carbon source. PLC inhibitors Spm and C48/80 delayed the first nuclear division in cultures growing on glucose, but stimulated it in media supplemented with pectin. Less intense were these effects on the mutant transformed with PLC-A gene rupture (AP27). Neomycin also delayed the germination in cultures growing on glucose or pectin; however, on glucose, the nuclear division was inhibited whereas in pectin it was stimulated. These effects were minor in AP27. The effects of Ro-31-8425 and BIM (both Pkc inhibitors) were also opposite for cultures growing on glucose or pectin. On glucose cultures of both strains BIM delayed germination and the first nuclear division, whereas on pectin both parameters were stimulated. Opposite effects were also detected when the cultures were growing on glucose or pectin in the presence of Ro-31-8425.

Synthesis, antichagasic in vitro evaluation, cytotoxicity assays, molecular modeling and SAR/QSAR studies of a 2-phenyl-3-(1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-acrylic acid benzylidene-carbohydrazide series

Chagas disease (American trypanosomiasis) is one of the most important parasitic diseases with serious social and economic impacts mainly on Latin America. This work reports the synthesis, in vitro trypanocidal evaluation, cytotoxicity assays, and molecular modeling and SAR/QSAR studies of a new series of N-phenylpyrazole benzylidene-carbohydrazides. The results pointed 6k (X = H, Y = p-NO(2), pIC(50) = 4.55 M) and 6l (X = F, Y = p-CN, pIC(50) = 4.27 M) as the most potent derivatives compared to crystal violet (pIC(50) = 3.77 M). The halogen-benzylidene-carbohydrazide presented the lowest potency whereas 6l showed the most promising pro. le with low toxicity (0% of cell death). The best equation from the 4D-QSAR analysis (Model 1) was able to explain 85% of the activity variability. The QSAR graphical representation revealed that bulky X-substituents decreased the potency whereas hydrophobic and hydrogen bond acceptor Y-substituents increased it. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.