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This research aimed to analyze the morphological development and biological cycle of Luffa cylindrica, in different types of fertilization (basalt powder and NPK), as well as to identify the visiting entomofauna. Research was made in Canoinhas, Santa Catarina State, in a 450 m² area, held in nine flowerbeds: three with basalt powder, three with NPK and three with no fertilization (control test). Evaluations were carried out fortnightly, and variables tested were: number of germinated seeds, plant height (cm), leaves and flowers length and width (cm), fruits length (cm), number of flowers and fruits, damaged fruits (presence or absence) and, finally, collection of visiting insects. The species germinated at 60 days, its leaves can reach 18.67 cm long and 16.72 cm wide; 10 flowers, measuring on average 6.67 cm, and 11 fruits with 24.50 cm in length. Basalt powder efficiency was higher for plant height and number of damaged fruits. For flowers number, length and width of flowers, NPK was more efficient, in the other variables there was no significant difference. Thus, basalt powder is a sustainable fertilizer alternative, avoiding conventional products. RESUMEN Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo analizar el desarrollo morfológico y el ciclo biológico de Luffa cylindrica, en diferentes tipos de fertilización (polvo basáltico y NPK), así como identificar la entomofauna visitante. Fue realizado en Canoinhas/SC, en un área de 450 m², organizado en nueve camas: tres con polvo de basalto, tres con NPK y tres sin fertilización (testigo). Las evaluaciones se realizaron quincenalmente, midiendo las variables: número de semillas germinadas, altura de la planta (cm), largo y ancho de hojas y flores (cm), largo del fruto (cm), número de flores y frutos y la presencia o ausencia de frutos dañados y, finalmente, la recolección de insectos visitantes. La especie germinó a los 60 días, sus hojas pueden alcanzar 18,67 cm de largo y 16,72 cm de ancho; 10 flores midiendo en promedio 6,67 cm y 11 frutos de 24,50 cm de largo. Hubo mayor eficiencia del polvo de basalto para altura de planta y número de frutos dañados. Para el número de flores, largo y ancho de flores, el NPK demostró ser más eficiente, en las demás variables no hubo diferencia significativa. De esta forma, el polvo de basalto es una alternativa sostenible para la fertilización, evitando los productos convencionales.

Development of new biomaterials based on polysulfones tailored to act in various biomedical fields represents a promising strategy which provides an opportunity for enhancing the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of specific illnesses. To meet these requirements, structural modification of the polysulfones is essential. In this context, for design of new materials with long-term stability, enhanced workability, compatibility with biological materials and good antimicrobial activity, the functionalization of chloromethylated polysulfones with triethylphosphonium pendant groups (PSFEtP+) was adopted. The surface chemistry analysis (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX)), rheological properties, morphological aspects (Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polarized light microscopy (POM)), and antimicrobial activity of the synthetized polysulfone were investigated to establish the relationship between its structure and properties, as an important indicator for targeted applications. Based on the obtained features, evaluated by the relationship between the rheological properties and microstructural aspects, and also the response at the biomaterial-bacteria interface, these qualities have been confirmed in their performance, in terms of thermal stability, antimicrobial activity, and also an increase in lifetime. Consequently, derived results constitute the preliminary basis for future tests concerning their functionality as gel matrices in biomedical devices.

The success of seedlings establishment for commercial planting and forest restoration depends on the availability of nutrients during seedlings production. The objective was to evaluate the efficiency in controlled-release fertilizer use in Cordyline spectabilis seedlings production and what is the additional cost per seedling produced. Seedling production was performed with doses of 0.0 (control); 2.5; 5.0; 7.5; 10.0 and 12.5 kg m-³ of Basacote® Plus 9M (16-08-12) controlled-release fertilizer added to the substrate. The experiment was placed in a greenhouse and we evaluated morphological parameters to determine seedlings growth. The dose of 10.7 kg m-3 provided a greater number of leaves (11.4) and leaf length (24.9 cm), higher values of shoot (4.64 g), root (2.32 g) and shoot root ratio (1.99) were obtained above 10.7 kg m-3 fertilizer. We recommend the use of 10.7 kg m-3 controlled-release fertilizer for seedlings production with an increase of R$ 0.05 per seedling produced.

Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanowalls (NWLs) are interesting nanostructures for sensing application. In order to push towards the realization of room-temperature operating sensors, a detailed investigation of the synthesis effect on the electrical and optical properties is needed. This work focuses on the low-cost synthesis of ZnO NWLs by means of chemical bath deposition (growth time of 5, 60, and 120 minutes) followed by annealing in inert ambient (temperature of 100, 200, and 300 &deg, C). The as-grown NWLs show a typical intertwined network of vertical sheets whose features (thickness and height) stabilize after 60 minutes growth. During thermal annealing, NWLs are converted into ZnO. The electric transport across the ZnO NWL network radically changes after annealing. A higher resistivity was observed for longer deposition times and for higher annealing temperatures, at which the photoluminescence spectra resemble those obtained for ZnO material. A longer deposition time allows for a better transformation to ZnO during the annealing, thanks to the presence of ZnO seeds just after the growth. These findings can have a significant role in promoting the realization of room-temperature operating sensors based on ZnO NWLs.

In the present study, fibers were extracted from different parts of okra stem and branches by way of biological retting. The extracted fibers were subjected to chemical and enzymatic treatments. The effects of the treatments on the fibers’ physical, mechanical, chemical and morphological aspects were investigated. The dyeability of the fibers with industrial green mate (Paraguayan tea) waste was studied. The heavy metal ion adsorption capability of okra bast fibers from aqueous systems was examined. The ranges for properties of the produced okra bast fibers can be summarized as linear density of 14·7-26·9 tex (g/km), initial modulus of 862-1358 cN/tex, breaking tenacity of 24-35 cN/tex, elongation of 2·5-3·2% and water absorption of 67·2-84·8%. As a mordant, iron sulfate resulted in higher color strength (K/S) for fibers dyed with the green mate tea waste compared to potassium aluminum sulfate (alum). Use of okra bast fibers resulted in iron (III), copper (II) and chromium (III) ion concentration decreases, as high as 71-98%, in aqueous solutions for pH values under 7. © 2016, ICE Publishing. All rights reserved.

Polypropylene (PP) clay nanocomposites were injection-molded using two different coupling agents based on maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MA-g-PP) and two clay loadings. The morphological aspects of these materials were studied by depth profiling. Molecular chain and clay orientations were characterized using attenuated total reflectance-infrared analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both clay platelets and PP molecular chain orientations were found to decrease from the surface toward the core of the injection–molded specimens. Clay intercalation, characterized by both complementary X-ray diffraction and TEM, was found to be significantly influenced by both the characteristics of the coupling agent used and the type of residual stresses generated at each layer across the thickness of the injection-molded parts. The use of low-molecular weight (Mw) MA-g-PP led to a uniform intercalation but with no further exfoliation. The use of higher molecular weight MA-g-PP led to a heterogeneous intercalation with some signs of exfoliation. The crystallization behavior of PP clay nanocomposites studied by differential scanning calorimetry showed an increase in the level of crystallinity from the surface to the core of the specimens; these results were also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers

Centris (Wagenknechtia) muralis Burmeister is one of the most common bee species distributed in the xeric region of Argentina. This work describes macro-and micromorphological aspects of the nesting architecture and the stages involved in the process of nesting of C. muralis bee, in the adobe walls of Capayán ruins and recent earthen constructions in Udpinango and Villa Castelli, La Rioja, Argentina. In addition, we discuss the possible factors that may explain the high density of nests observed in the adobe walls of Capayán ruins. These constructions are settled in the northern area of the Monte desert. Our analysis showed that the nest cell walls are strengthened and waterproofed probably by the admixture of organic material to the adobe matrix. Light microscopy of thin sections of the vacated cells showed the inner layers of organic material corresponding to the cocoon, and the outer layer of 0.7 mm thick corresponding to the cell walls consisting mainly of silt and clay, fine sand grains in low rate and absence of grains of sand medium and large. The cell wall was not different in its granulometry from that in the adobe brick, thus suggesting that the cell wall was constructed probably by cementing the particles with bee secretion. The scanning micrographs showed that the cell walls and non-nesting zones exhibited abundant clay crystals in the grain distribution. Pollen from Larrea sp. was observed in high proportions in the nest contents of C. muralis in the Capayán adobe walls. Fil: Cilla, Gabriela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentina Fil: Rolon, Carlos Guillermo. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Arquitectura y Urbanismo. Instituto de Arte Americano e Investigación Estéticas "Mario Buschiazzo"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Imposex, namely the superimposition of male characteristics, such as penis and vas deferens, on females of gonochoristic gastropods is one of the most harmful effects of TBT on marine organisms. The development of such malformations on marine organisms have led to limitations in the use of TBT in antifouling paints in several countries. Regulation 782/2003 by the EU prohibits the application of organotin compounds. However, in other non EU Mediterranean countries, such as Croatia, the IMO convention has failed to be transposed into domestic legislation and TBT-based antifouling paints are still used. Different restrictions to TBT use and, consequently, likely different levels of TBT contamination between Italy and Croatia gave the cue to this work, whose aims are: (a) monitoring organotin compound levels and imposex degree in Hexaplex trunculus, a common gastropod in the Mediterranean Sea, and an exhibitor of imposex; (b) assessing the level of organotin compounds build-up in the visceral coil and in the rest of the soft body (ROSB) of this organism, in order to try to understand how H. trunculus metabolizes these pollutants; (c) investigating the relationship between organotin compound concentrations in tissues of H. trunculus and the level of imposex development. The results indicate that the incidence of imposex is still high in Italy (Lagoon of Venice) after more than 10 years from the ban of TBT-based antifouling paints. The sampling in Croatian coasts indicates that the absence of restrictions on the use of TBT is likely to cause very high levels of OTC contamination.

The domestic dove Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789) is a species well adapted to Brazil and the study of its reproductive biology is part of a broad research project on birds. This essay describes the morphological aspects of the cloaca of female Columba livia, describing compartments lengthwise starting from the head such as the coprodeo, urodeo and proctodeo limited by mucosal folds. Each compartment of the cloaca presents its own morphological characteristics which differ one from the other in form, height and position of mucosal projections, kinds of tissues, presence and histological aspects of glands, presence of lymphonodus. The rectum opens into the coprodeo, the ureter opens into the oviduct and the cloacal sac opening into the proctodeo. Histochemical studies have shown the presence of glycoproteins in tissue cells and gland cells on the three segments of the cloaca.

The author analyses the semantical evolution of two concepts, town and border. Firstly he shows that these two concepts are in a strong opposition. But the demonstration slowly moves to a subteler position and finally notes the complication and the convergence of the two concepts. Now, geographers are asking themselves about the main points of the border and are proposing the notion of town-border., L'auteur analyse l'évolution sémantique des deux concepts de ville et de frontière. D'une opposition qui paraît évidente dans une première approche, la pensée évolue vers une position plus nuancée qui souligne la convergence et la complexification des deux concepts. Désormais les géographes s'interrogent sur les lieux de frontière et recourent à l'usage de la notion de ville-frontière., Renard Jean-Pierre. Villes et frontières : antagonismes et convergences sémantiques. In: Hommes et Terres du Nord, 2001/2. Tourisme, frontières, espaces frontaliers, sous la direction de Jean-Michel Dewailly. pp. 112-122.

Supporting Information: The details of preparation of peptide, buffer solutions, and nanocrystals, layer-by-layer assembly, isothermal titration calorimetry, circular dichroism spectroscopy, quartz crystal microbalance, atomic force microscopy, and time-resolved photoluminescence studies, and protease digestion and control experiments. A bottom-up approach for constructing colloidal semiconductor quantum dot (QDot) nanocomposites that facilitate nonradiative Förster-type resonance energy transfer (FRET) using polyelectrolyte peptides was proposed and realized. The electrostatic interaction of these polypeptides with altering chain lengths was probed for thermodynamic, structural, and morphological aspects. The resulting nanocomposite film was successfully cut with the protease by digesting the biomimetic peptide layer upon which the QDot assembly was constructed. The ability to control photoluminescence decay lifetime was demonstrated by proteolytic enzyme activity, opening up new possibilities for biosensor applications.

Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-27T14:53:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000208714800006.pdf: 506843 bytes, checksum: 93f6fc40f3f575393b20dd89973dd044 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-01 Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-30T17:49:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000208714800006.pdf: 506843 bytes, checksum: 93f6fc40f3f575393b20dd89973dd044 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-01 Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-20T13:21:51Z No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000208714800006.pdf: 506843 bytes, checksum: 93f6fc40f3f575393b20dd89973dd044 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-20T13:21:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 WOS000208714800006.pdf: 506843 bytes, checksum: 93f6fc40f3f575393b20dd89973dd044 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-03-01 The work aimed to study the formation of Tabebuia chrysotricha Standl. seedlings in function of four substrates, varying the covering fertilization solutions. To compose the substrate it was used fibrous and granulated coconut fiber obtaining the following treatments: 100% fibrous (100% F), 60% fibrous + 40% granulated (60% F+40% G), 40% fibrous + 60% granulated (40% F+60% G) and 100% granulated (100% G). The basis fertilization was the same for all treatments and the solutions of covering fertilization varied in order to obtain complete solutions with electric conductivities of 1.06 dS m(-1), 2.12 dS m(-1), 3.2 dS m(-1) and 4.25 dS m(-1). The propagative material was sowed directly in plastic containers (120mL) with the respective substrates. The fertilization was received through sub-irrigation once a week, respecting the treatments of fertilizations. Seedlings produced in 100%G had been taller and higher than the others. The chemical analyses of aerial part were obtained when the seedlings were ready for expedition (height of 20 cm). The seedlings production in substrate 100% F and 60% F+40% G allowed them to have higher N, S, B, Mn and Zn concentrations in the aerial part. The production of T chrysotricha seedlings is recommended in granulated coconut fiber substrate and fertilizer solutions with EC of 1.06 dS m(-1) Inst Florestal Secretaria Estado Meio Ambiente, BR-02377000 São Paulo, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Recursos Nat, Fac Ciencias Agron, BR-18610307 Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Recursos Nat, Fac Ciencias Agron, BR-18610307 Botucatu, SP, Brazil

This work has as objective to analyze the importance and relevance of the land systems in the conception architectural, being observed a projetual process where it occurs the land relation between project architectural and systems since the definition of the party architectural, determinative and the resultant ones of this process in the functional and morphologic relations of a building, and how this if reflects in its performance. Este trabalho tem como objetivo analisar a importância e relevância dos sistemas prediais na concepção arquitetônica, observando um processo projetual em que ocorra a relação entre projeto arquitetônico e os sistemas prediais desde a definição do partido arquitetônico, os determinantes e resultantes deste processo nas relações funcionais e morfológicas de um edifício, e de que maneira isto se reflete no seu desempenho.

The muricid Hexaplex (Trunculariopsis) trunculus lacks external sexual dimorphism and is highly affected by imposex, which further complicates its sexual identification. In this context, the aim of this study was to develop sexual indices based on the dimensions of male and imposex-affected female penis, which could constitute a useful, simple and nonsacrificial tool for sexing live specimens of T. trunculus. The adoption of sexual indices consisting of penis dimensions of both sexes relative to individual size revealed a high accuracy in the sexual identification of sacrificed specimens (> 95% correct sexing). Additionally, multivariate discriminant analysis allowed correct sexing of 98.8% of the original 1053 sacrificed individuals, with accurate sexual identification being higher for males (99.5%) than for imposex-affected females (97.7%). An anaesthetization experiment was performed to investigate the effects produced by the anaesthetic (MgCl2) on penis measurements, to test this nonsacrificial approach and to validate the previously developed sexual indices. The anaesthetic provoked an expected enlargement in penis dimensions but, despite this side effect, the sexual indices developed for sacrificed specimens were still highly successful in sexing anaesthetized T. trunculus (generally more than 95% correct sexual identification). The practical application and some limitations of developing and employing this kind of index for the sexual identification of T. trunculus and other imposex-affected gastropod species are discussed. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

O trabalho objetivou descrever e ilustrar aspectos morfológicos do fruto, semente e plântulas de janaguba (Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel.). Nos ensaios realizados em laboratório e casa de vegetação do Departamento de Fitotecnia do Centro de Ciências Agrárias, da Universidade Federal do Ceará, em Fortaleza-CE, foram observados nos frutos os seguintes aspectos: tipo, deiscência, tamanho, coloração e consistência do epicarpo, mesocarpo, endocarpo e placenta. Na semente, verificou-se dimensão, coloração, textura e consistência do tegumento, forma e bordo, posição do hilo, micrópila e rafe, embrião, cotilédones, eixo hipocótilo-radícula e plúmula, enquanto na plântula observou-se protrusão da raiz primária e secundária, hipocótilo, epicótilo e plúmula. As observações foram realizadas com auxílio de lupa de mesa, microscópio estereoscópico e as medidas foram tomadas com paquímetro digital. O fruto é polispérmico, possui em média 42 sementes aladas e albuminosas, com germinação faneroepígea cotiledonar. The objectives of this study were to describe and illustrate the morphological aspects of janaguba (Himatanthus drasticus (Mart.) Plumel.) fruit, seed and seedlings. All the experiments were conducted at the Laboratory of Seed Analysis of the Federal University of Ceará. The following characteristics were studied in janaguba fruits: type, dehiscence, dimension, consistency and coloration of the epicarp, mesocarp, endocarp and placenta. In janaguba seeds the characteristics studied were dimension, colour, texture, consistency of the tegument, shape, edges, hilum, micropyle and rafe positions, embryo, cotyledons, hypocotyl-radicle axes, and plumule. The janaguba seedling root system, hypocotyls, epicotyls, and first leaves were evaluated. Ruler and pachimeter were used to take the measurements, as well as optical microscope and magnifying glass. The janaguba fruit is full of seeds (42 seeds in average), winged; seeds are the albumin type and present epigeous germination.

Url: http://sutad.selcuk.edu.tr/sutad/article/view/338, Gerek Türkiye’de gerek dünyanın çeşitli kütüphanelerinde Kemal Ümmî Divanı’na ait elliden fazla yazma bulunmaktadır. Ancak bunların önemli bir kısmı ya tarihsiz, ya başı sonu eksik ya da bunlar daha sonraki devirlerde istinsah edilmişlerdir. Bunlara ek olarak belirlemiş olduğumuz yeni bir yazma ise Kütahya’nın Tavşanlı ilçesi Zeytinoğlu Halk Kütüphanesi’nde 1089 numarada Makâlât adı ile kayıtlı bulunmaktadır. Bu, isitinsah tarihi en eski olan üçüncü yazma durumundadır. Ses ve şekil bilgisi yönüyle çok önemli bir değişikliğe uğramamıştır; Eski Anadolu Türkçesini çok iyi temsil etmektedir. Türkçesine ait kelimelerin sözlüğü verilmektedir., There are more than 50 manuscripts belonging to “Kemal Ümmi’s Divan” in varios libraries in Turkey and all over the world. However, an importent fraction of them are either without a spesific date or not comlate or copied in the following periods. İn addition to these documents, there is also another manuscript in Zeytinoglu Halk Kutuphanesi in Tavşanli town of Kutahya (Turkey), recorded as number 1089 under the title of “Makalat”. This manuscript is known to be the third oldest copied of all. Regarding phonetic and morphological aspects, it wasn’t exposed to any significant change, and thus, represents the Old Anatolian Turkish perfectly.

There is still a lack of consensus on the way Helicobacter pylori is transmitted, but biofilms in drinking water are suspected to create a safe haven for the subsistence of the bacterium and hence promote a waterborne route of infection. Cultivability in water is low when compared to other waterborne pathogens, a situation that is attributed to the conversion of the highly infectious spiral form to the generally regarded as inactive coccoid form of the bacterium. In this study, the adhesion ability to abiotic surfaces (such as copper and PVC), morphology and cultivability of water-exposed H. pylori was assessed. In copper, the bacterium was able to retain spiral morphology and form 3D structures for over two months whereas in PVC conversion to the coccoid form occurred in approximately 1 week. Even though the logical interpretation for these results would be that copper favours the bacterium survival, standard plating experiments have shown precisely the opposite: cultivability decreases faster for the cells exposed to copper. Besides demonstrating the deleterious action that copper surfaces have on H. pylori, this study also indicates that at least for this case, H. pylori coccoid morphology is in fact a manifestation of cell adaptation to the environment., Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) European Commission Research Project SAFER.

No Abstract

The domestic dove Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789) is a species well adapted to Brazil and the study of its reproductive biology is part of a broad research project on birds. This essay describes the morphological aspects of the cloaca of female Columba livia, describing compartments lengthwise starting from the head such as the coprodeo, urodeo and proctodeo limited by mucosal folds. Each compartment of the cloaca presents its own morphological characteristics which differ one from the other in form, height and position of mucosal projections, kinds of tissues, presence and histological aspects of glands, presence of lymphonodus. The rectum opens into the coprodeo, the ureter opens into the oviduct and the cloacal sac opening into the proctodeo. Histochemical studies have shown the presence of glycoproteins in tissue cells and gland cells on the three segments of the cloaca.

The domestic dove Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789) is a species well adapted to Brazil and the study of its reproductive biology is part of a broad research project on birds. This essay describes the morphological aspects of the cloaca of female Columba livia, describing compartments lengthwise starting from the head such as the coprodeo, urodeo and proctodeo limited by mucosal folds. Each compartment of the cloaca presents its own morphological characteristics which differ one from the other in form, height and position of mucosal projections, kinds of tissues, presence and histological aspects of glands, presence of lymphonodus. The rectum opens into the coprodeo, the ureter opens into the oviduct and the cloacal sac opening into the proctodeo. Histochemical studies have shown the presence of glycoproteins in tissue cells and gland cells on the three segments of the cloaca.

Although some myocardial bridges can be asymptomatic, their presence often causes coronary disease either through direct compression of the "tunnel" segment or through stimulation and accelerated development of atherosclerosis in the segment proximally to the myocardial bridge. The studied material contained 30 human hearts received from the Department of Anatomy. The hearts were preserved 3 to 5 days in 10% formalin solution. Thereafter, the fatty tissue was removed and arterial blood vessels prepared by careful dissection with special reference to the presence of the myocardial bridges. Length and thickness of the bridges were measured by the precise electronic caliper. The angle between the myocardial bridge fibre axis and other axis of the crossed blood vessel was measured by a goniometer. The presence of the bridges was confirmed in 53.33% of the researched material, most frequently (43.33%) above the anterior interventricular branch. The mean length of the bridges was 14.64 ± 9.03 mm and the mean thickness was 1.23 ± 1.32 mm. Myocardial bridge fibres pass over the descending blood vessel at the angle of 10-90 degrees. The results obtained on a limited sample suggest that the muscular index of myocardial bridge is the highest for bridges located on RIA, but that the difference is not significant in relation to bridges located on other branches. The results obtained suggest that bridges located on other branches, not only those on RIA, could have a great contractive power and, consequently, a great compressive force, which would be exerted on the wall of a crossed blood vessel.

Due to their 24/7 operation and having to meet strict mandatory requirements for indoor air quality and sterility [1-3], hospitals are among the most energy-intensive facilities [4], thus significantly contributing to greenhouse gas emissions [5]. Even more alarming, however, is that while the steady evolution in healthcare delivery requires the continuous remodelling of the spaces in operative structures, involving both architectural-distributive aspects and building plant systems - and therefore underlining the need of forecasting the changing hospital energy needs - energy analyses are still rarely based on departmental level, thus hospital energy consumption by space type remains largely unexplained. The objective of the work is the development and experimental validation of a numerical model for the annual energy consumption assessment of six hospitals located in the province of Bologna (Italy), in relation to the morphological features of the buildings and the characteristics of the envelope, the different medical functions, the typology, operating conditions and hours of the plant systems, the comfort needs of patient and healthcare staff, etc. Aimed at addressing the weaknesses of the studies available in literature, the methodological framework represents the main aspect of the work. The model was based on the identification of the energy needs and consumptions from micro (single spaces) to macro scale (macro-area) and was then tested for each healthcare facility through the exclusive use of measurement data. The numerical model enables to forecast the energy consumption variations and, what is the most important, the saving potential related to the renovation or layout modification of existing healthcare facilities, this analysing the impact of architectural and functional features, together with energy goals. Besides functional and morphological evaluations about the six case studies examined, this paper outlines the preliminary results of the work and reports in a parametric form the findings regarding the distribution of the conditioned floor area and of the external surface in relation to the type of spaces.

Whilst accounting for 7,5% of the total built area within the non-residential sector [1], hospitals are responsible for 10% of the total energy use in Europe and are estimated to contribute roughly 5% of the carbon dioxide emissions. Healthcare facilities are characterised by an extremely high demand for electricity, heating and cooling throughout the year. In addition to this, the steady changes in the procedures of care delivery, due to the fast-moving advances of the diagnostic techniques, require the continuous remodelling of the existing spaces in operative structures, involving both architectural-distributive aspects and the building plant systems. This process deeply impacts hospital energy consumption, underlining the need of forecasting these new dynamics also in terms of costs. Against this background, the aim of the work consists in the development of a numerical model for the annual energy consumption assessment of six hospitals located in the province of Bologna (Italy), in relation to the different departments, the type of HVAC system, the morphological features of the buildings and the levels of insulation, the ventilation and humidification rates, etc. The numerical model was then tested for each healthcare facility through the use of instruments for the continuous monitoring of the real hospital energy usage. The model allows to forecast the energy consumptions related to the refurbishment or modification of existing hospitals, exploring the impact of architectural and functional features, as well as of energy goals. The main aspect of the work is represented by the methodological framework, which has been based on the identification of the energy needs and consumptions from micro (single spaces) to macro scale (macro-area). In this paper are reported the preliminary results of the work regarding the morphological aspects of the six hospitals analysed andthe distribution of the condition floor area in relation to the type of spaces.