Satellite technology is emerging as a promising tool for monitoring cities and cultural heritage, enabling efficient and non-invasive analysis of large areas over extended periods. In this study, we explore the potential of this method for large-scale applications, focusing on the historic centre of Pisa and its ancient city walls. Specifically, COSMO-SkyMed satellite data are used to monitor the horizontal and vertical displacements of urban walls and differential settlements in various areas of the city. The detected movements are correlated with soil morphology data and on-site evidence of cracking and deformation patterns in the structures. This approach proves to be particularly valuable for extensive linear assets such as ancient city walls, where traditional on-site monitoring can pose logistical challenges, thus aiding in the safeguarding of cultural heritage in an era of increasing environmental challenges.

Particulate matter (PM) size distribution samples were collected using a Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactor (MOUDI) in Rio de Janeiro between July and September 2016 during the Olympic and Paralympic periods, when there was an increase in tourist flow, changes in the local economy, modifications in traffic and pollution emission patterns. The samples were analyzed for elemental composition using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), for organic and inorganic ions using ion chromatography, and for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The data were processed, interpreted, and discussed through statistical analyses performed in R Language, including boxplots and Pearson correlation methodology. Results were categorized according to particle size: coarse, fine, ultrafine, and nano. Chloride dominated the coarse particulate matter (PMC; 18-3.2 mu m), NO2- the fine fraction (PMF; 1.8-0.56 mu m), and HCOO- the ultrafine fraction (PMN; 320-56 nm). Ni, Pb, Sb, and V were enriched in PMN. Four- and five-ring PAHs were predominant across all particle size groups. The species present in the coarse fraction come from natural sources, while those in the fine fraction are of anthropogenic origin, mainly from the combustion of diesel and gasoline by vehicle engines.

Exposure to air pollution is closely linked to organic damage. Several studies have investigated increased disease incidence rates caused by air quality worsening, worldwide. Particulate matter (PM) is the major air pollution constituent linked to physiological disruptions. PM-related damage is associated with particles’ diameter and chemical composition, and it results in reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Quercetin is a polyphenolic flavonoid present in plants that has been tested as antioxidant compound to help minimizing oxidative stress-related damage. The current study treated rat cardiomyoblast cells (H9c2) with quercetin (50 µmol L−1), before and after their exposure to PM, and incubated them for 24 h. PM samples (PM10 and PM2.5) were herein used at 100

In July 2023, a permanent dynamic monitoring system was installed on the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Two years of continuous data were analyzed using the Covariance-Driven Stochastic Subspace Identification method to estimate natural frequencies, mode shapes, and damping ratios and to track their seasonal variability. The influence of environmental variables on both natural frequencies and mode shapes was investigated, and statistical methods were applied to mitigate their effects, enhancing sensitivity to changes in the structural behavior, such as those caused by damage or settlements. The findings provide novel insights on the dynamic response of the Tower, supporting the design of more effective monitoring strategies for this and similar historic structures. The results further emphasize the fundamental role of soil–structure interaction in controlling the dynamic behavior of the Tower, demonstrating its impact on frequency variability and damping, an aspect which is rarely addressed in the vibration-based monitoring literature.

Dynamic Structural Health Monitoring, as a non-destructive method, plays a crucial role in the conservation of cultural heritage structures. Specifically, long-term monitoring enables continuous tracking of a structure's dynamic behavior, contributing to a deeper understanding of its responses to environmental factors and the progression of its condition over time. This paper focuses on the modal identification of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. In the past, the Tower has undergone several dynamic identification campaigns; however, each was conducted sporadically and for only short durations. In July 2023, for the first time, a continuous dynamic acquisition system was installed on the Tower, featuring 21 channels dedicated to long-term monitoring of its acceleration response. The collected data were processed using the Covariance-driven Stochastic Subspace Identification (SSIcov) algorithm, implemented via MACEC Matlab toolbox. This approach enabled the extraction of the Tower's natural frequencies, vibration modes, and damping ratios, as well as the tracking of their fluctuations over time. The results were then compared with findings from previous dynamic campaigns and modal data from a Finite Element Model of the Tower. This research advances knowledge of the Tower's response to environmental influences and provides insights into soil-structure interaction, establishing a solid foundation for enhancing future structural health assessments of this and similar heritage assets.

A infecção por SARS-CoV-2 pode levar a uma doença respiratória grave, esta responsável por altas internações em populações suscetíveis a infecções bacterianas e fúngicas que, por sua vez, podem ocorrer complicações graves devido a essa pneumonia viral. Entender a composição química do material particulado e monitorar a incidência de aerossóis infecciosos no ar hospitalar fornece dados importantes de saúde pública. Assim, o objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar a incidência de SARS-CoV-2, Aspergillus spp. e Mycobacterium spp. além de avaliar a qualidade do ar de quartos hospitalares usados para tratar pacientes com COVID-19, bem como em outros ambientes hospitalares internos e externos adjacentes. Não foi encontrado SARS-CoV-2 e Mycobacterium spp. em nehuma das amostras coletadas, mesmo nas coletadas de pacientes com COVID-19. O DNA de Aspergillus, pelo contrário, foi detectado em quase todas as amostras analisadas. Com base na avaliação do material particulado conduzida no ambiente investigado, os elementos observados em taxas mais altas compreenderam metais fisiológicos, como Cu e Zn, que podem influenciar a imunidade inata das vias aéreas. Os resultados do presente estudo indicaram que as práticas de prevenção e controle adotadas pelo hospital investigado para tratar pacientes com COVID-19 podem efetivamente reduzir a transmissão do SARS-CoV-2, entre outros patógenos, bem como mitigar fatores atmosféricos capazes de agravar o estado de saúde dos pacientes hospitalizados. Palavras-chave: Ambiente interno, COVID-19; pandemia; material particulado; tuberculose.

Brazil hosts the world’s largest New Year’s Eve fireworks display at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, attracting two million attendees yearly. City Hall enforces strict pedestrian-only access to Copacabana several hours before the event to manage this massive crowd and minimize vehicle traffic. The spectacular show begins at midnight and lasts between 12 and 17 min, utilizing 17 to 25 tons of fireworks. The impact of fireworks on air quality was assessed using monitoring data from automatic stations (PM10, SO2, CO, O3) and semi-automatic stations (PM2.5). PM2.5 samples were collected on filters and analyzed for elemental composition. A sharp increase in the PM10 concentration was observed during the fireworks display, peaking at 300 µg m−3, while gas concentrations showed no similar trend. On Jan 1, the daily PM2.5 concentration reached 48 µg m−3, remaining within the Brazilian regulatory limits. Significant increases in specific chemical elements (Cu, Pb, Cd, and Rb) and ions were linked to fireworks emissions. Although these pollution spikes are short-lived, they may pose risks to sensitive individuals.

Quantifying the progressive failure of infrastructures under seismic excitation is crucial for accurate risk evaluation. Such analyses often necessitate detailed structural evaluations using numerous ground motion records across a range of seismic intensities. This study proposes intensifying artificial acceleration (IAA) as a novel method for approximating the seismic response of structural systems. The performance of IAA is evaluated in comparison with traditional single-record incremental dynamic analysis (IDA), employing a benchmark geo-structure problem that incorporates soil/rock-structure interaction. This research assesses the efficacy and precision of IAA for nonlinear systems with and without wave propagation in the foundation. Wave deconvolution is applied to both IAA and IDA, and a damage index is calculated to quantify crack extension. Serving as a proof of concept, the results highlight a promising alignment between IAA and IDA outcomes, with IAA offering significant reductions in computational demand. The paper concludes with a conceptual framework for integrating ground motion-compatible IAAs into streamlined risk assessment processes.

Protecting cultural heritage buildings poses significant research challenges. Effective damage prevention hinges on a thorough understanding of structural behavior and the continuous monitoring of its changes over time. Advanced visualization tools are essential to provide adequate awareness of the monitoring systems installed over the years while guaranteeing a quick, basic analysis of their data. This paper addresses a crucial gap in structural health monitoring (SHM), particularly in managing complex structures and systems, by responding to the growing need for tools that not only represent 3D models enriched with heterogeneous data and metadata but also facilitate detailed analysis of sensor recordings. In response to this challenge, it proposes the integration of a 3D informational model and an interactive web-based platform for monitoring data, creating a comprehensive management tool. Piazza del Duomo UNESCO Site in Pisa serves as an ideal test case due to its historical significance, structural complexity, and the wealth of monitoring data collected over time. With their interactive architecture, the two developed integrated visualization tools that could offer an effective solution for data management and visualization in other heritage contexts, particularly in cases where the monitoring system consists of numerous sensors and has evolved substantially over the years.

In the context of monumental buildings resting on highly deformable soils, material parameter variability, an intrinsic characteristic of historical constructions, and soil-structure interaction (SSI) should be incorporated into simulations to assess the influence of diverse input parameters on dynamic response. This work explores the potential of sensitivity analyses within a probabilistic setting, utilizing surrogate models of a detailed finite element model (FEM) that accounts for SSI, to identify critical factors influencing the seismic behavior of the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Pisa. The study identifies the natural frequencies most sensitive to variations in masonry properties, which may be easier to detect than those primarily influenced by soil properties. These insights, combined with results obtained from modal analyses, can support the design of an effective structural health monitoring (SHM) system for the monument.

Assessing the structural safety of complex and degraded decorative elements in cultural heritage buildings presents significant challenges, primarily due to limited knowledge of both the mechanical behaviour of existing materials and the impact of environmental factors. Among these, temperature is widely recognized as a key factor influencing both material properties and structural integrity, particularly in the statically indeterminate configurations of embedded artistic assets. This study focuses on the four-light marble windows sequence in Pisa Monumental Cemetery. The primary objective is to develop an effective intervention strategy to preserve artistic value and ensure visitor safety. To this end, structural and thermal analyses are conducted to simulate both the current state and post-intervention configurations. A probabilistic approach is adopted to consider uncertainties related to the marble's thermal expansion coefficient and the daily surface temperature variations.

. Electronic smoking devices (ESDs), also known as electronic cigarettes, are devices used for nicotine consumption without the need to burn tobacco leaves. These devices heat a chemical mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetal glycerin (VG), containing varying concentrations of nicotine and other additives, known as e-liquid. When heated, this mixture forms an aerosol that is inhaled, delivering nicotine to the lungs and subsequently into the bloodstream. The chemical composition of these e-liquids varies according to their origin, brand, or consumer preference (including homemade production). In Brazil, the commercialization of electronic cigarettes has been banned since 2009, with the restriction reaffirmed by Anvisa Resolution No. 855/2024. Consequently, the composition of products available to Brazilian consumers is often unknown, raising concerns among health authorities. This review examines the reported health, societal, and environmental impacts of electronic cigarette use, as well as the environmental challenges associated with the disposal of these materials. Contrary to the belief that they reduce harm or serve as aids for smoking cessation, the review highlights that e-cigarettes are associated with considerable health risks, contribute to substantial electronic waste and environmental pollution, and impose significant socioeconomic burdens, particularly by targeting young populations by promoting nicotine dependence.

The increasing recreational use of Electronic Nicotine Delivery Device (ENDS) poses a serious public health threat, with clear evidence of adverse health effects. Studies over the past 15 years have confirmed the presence of hazardous compounds in the emissions from e-cigarettes and e-liquids. In Brazil, where sales are banned but use is not, this is the first comprehensive study on ENDS in the country. E-liquids were collected through direct user donations and systematically categorized by their origin: Brazil, China, Europe, Paraguay, and the United States. Toxicity assessments were conducted using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and rat cardiomyoblasts. Our findings unequivocally establish that the toxicity of e-liquids escalates with increased concentrations across all samples and groups, with cytotoxic concentrations for 50 % growth inhibition (CC50) values ranging (in percentage mass/volume) from 3.8 for the Paraguayan sample to 20.4 for the European sample. Cytotoxicity assessments in R9c2 cells demonstrate that toxicity intensifies with higher concentrations and the presence of additives, resulting in oxidative stress and apoptosis. Exposure (in percentage mass/volume) to 2.5 of e-liquids led to statistically significant changes compared to the unexposed group, with increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and inhibition of catalase enzyme activity. Significant toxicity was observed in products from both countries where sale is prohibited and countries where it is regulated. Evidence confirms e-liquids have distinct toxicity profiles based on their concentration and composition. Immediate action and increased public awareness are needed.

Modeling complex historical masonry structures to assess their seismic vulnerability poses a challenging but fundamental task in the realm of cultural heritage conservation. In complex situations, it may become necessary to adopt elaborate approaches and refined models, relying on continuum mechanics and the application of inelastic constitutive laws. However, the numerous nonlinearities inherent to masonry materials make the choice of the most appropriate constitutive law extremely difficult. Furthermore, there is an inherent challenge in experimentally determining the parameters of the chosen constitutive model. This work is part of a broader study aimed at investigating the ability of different material constitutive laws to simulate the in-plane failure modes of masonry panels. Here, we considered the Concrete Damaged Plasticity constitutive law and explored the influence of the mechanical parameters variability on the results in terms of ultimate horizontal load within a probabilistic framework. The sensitivity of the response to input parameters was evaluated through the calculation of Sobol’ indices, highlighting the parameters worthy of further investigation when dealing with the seismic assessment of historical masonry buildings.

The digitization of Cultural Heritage (CH) buildings is widely acknowledged as a time-consuming process. Over the past decade, various techniques within the scan-to-BIM domain allowed us to eliminate the manual three-dimensional modelling of each architectural element in a CH asset. Among these techniques, one consists in the elaboration of point clouds, acquired from static terrestrial laser scanners or from photogrammetry surveys, into meshes. This semi-automated output replaces hand-shaped elements in 3D models. The launch of iPad Pro’s built-in LiDAR in March 2020 brought a low-cost sensor capable of capturing point clouds. In the last years, several mobile apps using Apple’s LiDAR have been speeding up the 3D scanning phase with rapid in-app elaboration of textured meshes. A recent study comparing the performance of these apps revealed that Polycam provides reasonable reconstructions in all tested cases. This research highlights the pros and cons of using Polycam for the 3D scanning of various architectural elements within the Monumental Cemetery in Pisa Cathedral Square. The purpose of the paper is to provide practical guidelines to optimize the scanning of architectural elements taking into consideration five factors influencing mesh quality: lighting condition, iPad’s path, scanned element geometry, dimension and accessibility. These guidelines will help deciding whether to use innovative iPad technique rather than sticking with traditional methods in the scan-to-BIM process for CH buildings digitization.

The comprehension of the structural behavior of historical buildings is pivotal for preserving them through suitable interventions and designing adequate monitoring systems. The complexity lies in articulated geometries, poor knowledge of materials, and often unknown construction sequences, which may have influenced the stress field in a non-linear material such as masonry. This paper addresses the issues through different modeling strategies accounting for material uncertainties in a probabilistic framework that leverages sensitivity analyses on Finite Element (FE) global models. The prior probability density functions of soil and masonry mechanical parameters are chosen based on expert judgment and available data from experimental campaigns. Response surfaces surrogate numerical models based on general Polynomial Chaos Expansion (gPCE), thus turning burdensome runs into faster analytical evaluations. Modal analyses on the entire FE model of the Baptistery of Pisa are performed to evaluate the sensitivity of masonry and soil mechanical parameters on the variation of the first modal eigenvalues. This aims at understanding the minimum recognizable parameter variation when monitoring natural frequencies, thus guiding the sensors' best positioning.

The current study, conducted over a year, involved a comprehensive analysis of water samples from the Rainha River. This river crosses the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro Campus to assess water quality and potential applications. The samples underwent rigorous physical-chemical tests, including metal concentrations, pH, turbidity and toxicity assessments. The water collected and analysed by the standards proposed by CONAMA was found to be below the limit of regulation, classified at class 1, and requiring only a simplified treatment to remove microorganisms and achieve potability. Toxicity tests using Saccharomyces cerevisiae were performed to examine biological effects, revealing no significant toxicity. The next step was to design a water treatment plant, following the viability, water studies and identification. The process involved designing a block diagram and, later, the process flow diagram (PFD). The processes consist of getting water, passing through microfiltration, decontaminating it with hypochlorite, and using adsorption methods to turn it into a potable and useable on campus, thereby ensuring a safe and sustainable water supply for the university community.

When the monochromatic light passes through a random attenuating medium, the radiant intensity drops exponentially with the length of the path and attenuation coefficient. The law of exponential decay was called the law of Bouguer, Lambert, Beer or some combination of these three. Here we refer to it as the modified Beer–Lambert law due to the arrangement proposed in the current work. This work aims to use UV–Vis spectroscopy and apply Beer–Lambert law; the feasibility of the work is assessed and shows the possibility of validating a beam intensity measurement experiment in two experimental situations with a known constant. The empirical part of the work consists of changes in chemical or physical properties. The first experimental situation consists of the variation of the concentration of the medium and evaluates the absorption of the laser beam. In this situation is used industrial synthetic dye. The second experiment also assessed the absorption of laser intensity, using variations of the number of films poly (ethylene terephthalate) polymeric sums found in the PET bottle. The values found for constant were ≈ 2.697 in the variation of concentration of synthetic dye in blue color, and for the condition of PET, films were found and ≈ 2.699. The value of the constant experimentally found approaches the Euler number. And they are so, proving that the Euler number can be determined experimentally in a system of Markovian non-interagent particles and how to experimentally validate a result by the association of a constant known in the literature.

Numerical models play a crucial role in the study and understanding of cultural heritage structures, serving as valuable tools for predicting their behavior under diverse and prospective scenarios. They are however affected by various uncertainties, which impact can be mitigated through the calibration of model parameters. For heritage structures, where testing is usually restricted to the use of non-destructive techniques, and often unable to directly assess the inherent heterogeneity of the materials, a calibration approach can prove particularly useful to obtain a working model. This work applies a Bayesian model updating procedure to material-related uncertainties affecting a recently developed finite element model of the Leaning Tower of Pisa also comprising the underlying soil layers. The procedure takes advantage of literature modal data of the Tower and uses a general Polynomial Chaos Expansion-based surrogation of the model to evaluate sensitivity and ease the computational burden that comes with the probabilistic framing of the updating problem. The results represent the first probabilistic model-based assessment of material uncertainties in a three-dimensional finite element model of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. They shed some light into the value of specific modal information, while the use of analytical surrogation paves the way for the future design of a real-time updating procedure for monitoring and damage detection.

Historic constructions are affected by several uncertainties, among which those on mechanical parameters of masonry, because of reduced knowledge given by the limitation imposed on performing extensive destructive tests not to jeopardize the structural integrity. Besides, uncertainties on soil characterization can play a significant role in the evaluation of structural response, however is often neglected. Finite Element Models (FEM) often represent a good compromise given the possibility of reproducing the complex geometry of historical structures while requiring relatively limited material parameters from experimental tests (to feed models). However, the computational burden can become prohibitive when the evaluation of the effects of the variation of input mechanical properties for the assessment of the current behavior of the structure and potential design of adequate interventions and definition of monitoring systems requires running several analyses. In this work, modal analyses of a monumental Medieval construction such as the Baptistery of Pisa are carried out within a probabilistic framework including material uncertainties on both mechanical parameters of soil and masonry, which are assigned suitable probability distributions based on the limited data from in-situ campaigns combined with engineering judgment. A gPCE-based surrogate model is employed to transform the onerous numerical runs into speeded-up analytical evaluations for the computation of Sobol’ indices to assess the influence of input variability on the first ten natural frequencies of the monument at issue. The method leads to the identification of the most relevant soil and masonry parameters and highlights which frequencies are primarily controlled by either the stiffness of the soil or that of the aboveground historical structure. In this sense, this work provides a first clue for designing a SHM of the Baptistery of Pisa with a view to assessing minimum detectable parameter change while monitoring natural frequencies.