Growth of nannochloris algae in the presence of microwaves (continuous reactor)

[EN] Algae are very effective in capturing the sun's energy, carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and nutrients to turn them into useful substances (carbohydrates, oils, proteins, etc.). Besides the main metabolites, there are also secondary metabolites, such as carotenoids (astaxanthin, β-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and canthaxanthin [1]). Both major and compounds existing in small amounts in algae are useful. Oils and carbohydrates could provide biofuels, proteins can get products with nutritional value and from carotenoids can be prepared food supplements. Obtaining biofuel from algae has not yet proved to be economically viable [2, 3]. A much higher interest might be getting food supplements from algae. To increase their value as ingredients for food supplements, algal oils should have a higher degree of unsaturation (rich in omega 3) and an increased carotenoid content to be an important additional benefit in over all processing of algae. There are studies that refer to the influence of environmental factors on algae composition [2], but the microwave influence on algae growth, especially algal metabolites composition change is very poor studied. In this paper, besides the experiments for the activation of algal growth in discontinuous reactors [4] additional work was conducted in a continuous photobioreactor. The goal was checking not only the growth of microalgae but also their content in polyunsaturated oil and in carotenoids. By microwave-controlled irradiation of the nutrient and algae flux, which is recirculated through the photobioreactor and through a glass reactor located in a TE-type monomod cavity, the lipid content of the algae increased, but only, the modification of the lipid fraction content was significantly increased in the concentration of polyunsaturated acids with 16 and 18 carbon atoms. As far as carotenoids are concerned, the algae nannochloris has a higher carotenoid content over many known vegetables holding carotene or lycopene (carrots or tomatoes). Besides oil increasing microwave treatment produced a significant increase in carotenoid content of algae. They can be extracted together with omega-3-rich algal oil and are the basis of very valuable dietary supplements.The authors acknowledge the financial support received from the Competitiveness Operational Programme 2014-2020, Action 1.1.4: Attracting high-level personnel from abroad in order to enhance the RD capacity, project: P_37_471, „Ultrasonic/Microwave Nonconventional Techniques as new tools for nonchemical and chemical processes”, financed by contract: 47/05.09.2016Calinescu, I.; Vintila, A.; Diacon, A.; Vinatoru, M.; Chipurici, P.; Galan, AM.; Velea, S. (2019). Growth of nannochloris algae in the presence of microwaves (continuous reactor). En AMPERE 2019. 17th International Conference on Microwave and High Frequency Heating. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 203-209. https://doi.org/10.4995/AMPERE2019.2019.9820OCS20320

STRIAE RUBRAE: CUSHING’S SYNDROME

Striae rubrae or red striae are found in different circumstances like pregnancy, weight gain and Cushing’s syndrome regardless of endogenous or exogenous type. This type of skin lesion is commonly found in general population and usually does not underline a severe condition. The histological aspect that involves the stretch marks is the destruction of the dermal fibbers and their local network. The fibbers have receptors for glucocorticoids. A secondary epidermal anomaly is also seen. In benign scenarios the prevention with topic applications is still a matter of debate while therapy lasers of different types might help. In cases with pathological glucocorticoids excess the removal of the source improves the skin lesions yet not completely, they become white. We aim to introduce two cases of Cushing’s disease of different origins to whom impressive red striae were positive from the presentation. Red striae may be the hallmark of Cushing’s syndrome in association with different cardio-metabolic and/or bone complications. Despite the remission of the glucocorticoid excess the skin lesions are not completely reversible

ADRENAL ULTRASOUND

Ultrasound is the first step to detect an abdominal tumour at the level of adrenal. The most common scenario is related to the pelvic and abdominal ultrasound. This kind of tumour is more frequently seen in menopausal women than in premenopausal ones. We introduce a case of a menopausal woman accidentally detected at ultrasound with an adrenal mass starting from a routine gynaecological control. The use of ultrasound on adrenal masses is related to their detection and follow-up in cases when surgery is not necessar

Towards an Integrated Approach to Wildfire Risk Assessment: When, Where, What and How May the Landscapes Burn

This paper presents a review of concepts related to wildfire risk assessment, including the determination of fire ignition and propagation (fire danger), the extent to which fire may spatially overlap with valued assets (exposure), and the potential losses and resilience to those losses (vulnerability). This is followed by a brief discussion of how these concepts can be integrated and connected to mitigation and adaptation efforts. We then review operational fire risk systems in place in various parts of the world. Finally, we propose an integrated fire risk system being developed under the FirEUrisk European project, as an example of how the different risk components (including danger, exposure and vulnerability) can be generated and combined into synthetic risk indices to provide a more comprehensive wildfire risk assessment, but also to consider where and on what variables reduction efforts should be stressed and to envisage policies to be better adapted to future fire regimes. Climate and socio-economic changes entail that wildfires are becoming even more a critical environmental hazard; extreme fires are observed in many areas of the world that regularly experience fire, yet fire activity is also increasing in areas where wildfires were previously rare. To mitigate the negative impacts of fire, those responsible for managing risk must leverage the information available through the risk assessment process, along with an improved understanding on how the various components of risk can be targeted to improve and optimize the many strategies for mitigation and adaptation to an increasing fire risk