Production and characterization of nano-magnetic material through different red mud reduction processes

Red mud (RM), is an industrial waste deriving from the production of primary aluminium, with about 200 Mtons generated annually. In this work, the reduction of RM for obtaining magnetic products with particular chemicalphysical characteristics has been explored. RM reduction was carried out in a semi-closed reducing environment at a high processing temperature (750–1100 ◦C) in the presence of carbon-rich ash (CA) resulting from a commercial pyro-gasification plant and by using an H2 atmosphere. All the materials were characterized by elemental analysis, XRD diffraction technique, SEM/EDX microscopy, thermogravimetry and infrared spectroscopy. The materials obtained under the different conditions have in common the presence of small iron-magnetic domains (with different iron oxidation states), in the order of hundreds of nanometres, and by the ferro-magnetic or paramagnetic response to an external magnetic field. In particular, the material pre-treated with HCl (enriched in iron) and reduced with H2 showed very good magnetic responses, more iron in reduced oxidative showing high ferro-magnetic responses to the external field. The synthesised materials are quite differents each states others and appear to have several potential fields of application, as sorbents for specific wastewater pollutants, as materials for CO2 capture, for catalysis and (bio)sensing applications. Nevertheless, the high interconnection between the magnetic and non-magnetic phases limit the direct separation or the iron enrichment. Further efforts should be focused on the functional studies and subsequent LCA and LCC analyses

Prevalence and clinical profile of patients with restless legs syndrome in Parkinson's disease: A meta-analysis

Introduction: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder of sleep/wake regulation characterized by an urge to move the legs accompanied by a wide range of sensory symptoms, mainly affecting the lower limbs. An increased incidence of RLS has been demonstrated in Parkinson's disease (PD) and has been associated with severe motor and non-motor manifestations. We aimed to provide a reliable estimate of RLS prevalence and the clinical features associated with its occurrence in PD (PD-RLS). Methods: We performed a systematic literature search up to January 2024 using PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases. Articles were included if they provided data on PD patients with or without RLS, and these proportions were used to estimate the prevalence of PD-RLS. Clinical profile associated with PD-RLS was explored by comparing the clinical characteristics of PD patients with and without RLS. Results: Forty-six studies were included in the meta-analysis. Pooled RLS prevalence was 20 % of a total sample of 6990 PD patients and was associated with female sex, mixed motor phenotype, worse motor disturbances and functional disability, and a wide range of non-motor symptoms such as sleep disorders, cognitive and autonomic dysfunctions, and more severe neuropsychiatric manifestations. Sensitivity analyses indicated significant associations of PD-RLS with variables related to dopaminergic therapy. No association was found with serum ferritin, serum iron and hemoglobin levels. Conclusions: The prevalence of PD-RLS exceeds that reported in the general population, suggesting the existence of a relationship between the two disorders. Dopaminergic treatment seems to play an ambivalent role relieving, worsening or "mimicking" RLS manifestations. However, the clinical profile of PD-RLS patients, characterized by a greater severity of non-motor symptoms, also suggests that neurotransmitter systems other than the dopaminergic one are involved in PD-RLS etiology

How Industry 4.0 technologies can contribute to plant layout design and management: a systematic literature review

Implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies has completely changed design and management of production systems. New technologies are integrated in manufacturing management and act as facilitators to guide the transformation of conventional factories into smart factories. This research has been developed focusing the attention on the importance of Industry 4.0 tools in layout design and management: how they can be applied and the results deriving from their use. The Industry 4.0 principles and the innovations involve several areas of the production systems. The principal aim of this study is to examine Industry 4.0 technologies, with a specific focus on understanding their relative importance in relation to their impact on layout design and management. To this end, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was carried out to analyze Industry 4.0 technologies and investigate their role in layout design and management. The results show how Simulation, Cloud Computing and Big Data are the most used technologies. Indeed, Simulation allows designers to explore complex scenarios, assess the performance of design layouts under various conditions, and test the functionality in a virtual environment before the physical implementation. Cloud computing allows designers to collaborate remotely, access powerful computational resources, integrate data seamlessly, and deploy advanced tools, enhancing design agility and innovation in Layout 4.0. Finally, Big Data helps in extracting valuable insights, making informed decisions, and optimizing required processes

Commento all'art. 125-sexies

Il contributo offre un commento sistematico alla norma sul rimborso anticipato nei contratti di credito ai consumatori, come riformata dal d.l. n. 73/2021, conv. in l. 106/2021. Inquadrato l'istituto dell'adempimento anticipato del consumatore nello schema delle obbligazioni con facoltà alternativa, si approfondisce la natura del rimborso anticipato, argomentando l'applicazione dei principi generali dell'indebito al diritto alla restituzione dei costi e degli interessi non ancora maturati. Chiarite le ragioni ed illustrati gli effetti del definitivo superamento della distinzione tra costi c.d. upfront e recurring, in passato consolidata negli Orientamenti della Banca d'Italia e dell'Arbitro bancario finanziario, la trattazione analizza altresì il profilo del nuovo calcolo del rimborso, illustrando le problematicità del criterio residuale del c.d. costo ammortizzato e del diritto di regresso del finanziatore nei confronti dell’intermediario del credito. Sono anche esaminati il tema dell’indennizzo del finanziatore, del suo computo e delle esenzioni ed, infine, la disciplina transitoria come riformulata in seguito alla sentenza della Corte costituzionale n. 263/2022

Digital Transformation for a Better Society: The Role of Digital Social Entrepreneurship

Global environmental and social threats challenge humans’ well-being and the survival of posterity. Industry 4.0 (I4.0) transformed the industry sector, enabling process automation and scalability, increasing manufacturers’ productivity, efficiency, and profitability, and supporting manufacturing innovation and firms’ competitive advantage. Despite this, the I4.0 paradigm, as currently conceived, does not fit for purpose in the context of the climate crisis and planetary emergency, nor does it address deep social tensions. Therefore, a new revolution focusing on human and environmental needs is strongly required to address society’s economic and social problems. Combining digitalization and social purposes may address local, national, and international issues by involving a human-centered perspective in traditional business-oriented entrepreneurship. Depending on the above, this chapter provides an in-depth understanding of Digital Entrepreneurship (DE), Digital Social Entrepreneurship (DSE), and how entrepreneurs may employ digital technologies to reach business and social aims