Flood risk management based on 2D TELEMAC computations: an example with Swiss hazard map

A case study in Switzerland is considered, where hazard/flood maps are established as part of the planning of flood protection measures. Due to the commune’s location within a flat plain divided by a railway dike, it could be shown that the settlements an d infrastructures are much more endangered by floods than originally thought. Using the theme “land cover” of the digital cadastral survey , a digital terrain model (DTM) and bathymetry data, break lines were generated to build a triangular mesh . Culverts, tubes and bridges are a n important element of hazard mapping, as they can alter or create new flow paths not only as common bottlenecks in the channel ( overflow), but also outside in flooded settlement areas where pedestrian/road underpasses and tunnels a re present However, the modelling of culverts and tubes has revealed that they are no longer suitable from a certain size of the channel, as the flow passes by the point which define s the culvert. Thus, several workarounds were tested to improve the relia bility of the culverts/tubes Recorded floods have shown that buildings are not necessarily an impermeable obstacle for the flowing water. An approach was developed to consider buildings as floodable as well as impermeable, as it could be observed that lar ger building complexes may by traversed by floods and alter the flow paths in this way. If these aspects are taken into account, an informative hazard map may be established

Structure–Property Relationships in Polyethylene-Based Composites Filled with Biochar Derived from Waste Coffee Grounds

In this work, biochar (BC) derived from spent coffee grounds has been incorporated into high density polyethylene (PE) through melt mixing. The influence of the filler content on the rheological and thermal behavior of the obtained composites was assessed. In particular, a rheological study was performed systematically using different flow fields, including linear and nonlinear dynamic shear flow, revealing that the dynamics of PE macromolecules in the composite materials are slowed down because of the confinement of the polymer chains onto the filler surface and/or within the BC porous structure. Oscillatory amplitude sweep tests indicated that composites show weak strain overshoot behavior in the nonlinear regime: This finding clearly proves the formation of weak structural complexes, which cause a retardation of the macromolecular chains dynamics. Furthermore, the embedded BC particles were able to improve the thermo-oxidative stability of PE-based composites, remarkably increasing the PE decomposition temperatures

Flame retardant potential of Tetra Pak®-derived biochar for ethylene-vinyl-acetate copolymers

Food packaging waste-stream is a serious threat for current lifestyle sustainability. Among all the materials, Tetra Pak® is one of the most employed to produce food and beverage containers. Its composition represents a challenge for waste management due the simultaneous presence of poly(ethylene), paper and aluminum, wrapped together into a multilayered packaging. In this work, we report on the pyrolytic conversion of Tetra Pak® to produce alumina-rich biochar (BC), to be used as a flame retardant for an ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) copolymer. In particular, the obtained biochar was incorporated either into bulk EVA through compounding or just as a surface coating. For the surface approach, a masterbatch of biochar and EVA was prepared and then applied to the surface of unfilled EVA specimens. Both the strategies turned out to significantly improve the overall flame retardant features of the copolymer: as compared to unfilled EVA, the bulk approach promoted a remarkable decrease of peak of heat release rate (-45 and -65%, for the compounds containing 20 and 40 wt.% of BC, respectively) and of total heat release (-16.9% for the compounds filled with 40 wt.% of BC), combined with a significant increase of the residues at the end of forced combustion tests; conversely, the surface approach was capable of delaying the time to ignition and the time to peak of heat release rate, depending of the BC amount: more specifically, for the surface-coated EVA with the lowest BC loading (i.e. 3 wt.%), the two parameters increased by about 34 and 21%, respectively. The thermal, rheological and mechanical properties were also investigated, as well as the morphology of the BC particles and their dispersion in the copolymer matrix. In particular, increasing the biochar loading promoted an increase of the stiffness of the resulting compounds, as well as a decrease of their ductility with respect to unfilled EVA

UV-Led curable coatings containing porcupine-like carbon structures: thermal, dynamic-mechanical and electrical properties

Multi-functional coatings based on a UV-LED curable epoxy-acrylate resin and different loadings (up to 10 wt.%) of carbonaceous structures having a peculiar porcupine (PuP)-like morphology were formulated. More specifically, biochar-based particles derived from cellulose nanocrystals were modified through the growth of carbon nanofibers onto their outer surface, aiming at combining the effects of globular and high aspect ratio structures in a single filler. The introduction of increasing amounts of PuPs induced a progressive increase of the material storage modulus and thermal conductivity and a remarkable enhancement of the electrical conductivity, thus pointing out the effectiveness of the proposed approach of surface modifying biochar particles in obtaining composite films with superior properties

Pulmonary Embolism and Heart Failure: A Reappraisal

Acute heart failure and acute pulmonary embolism share many features, including epidemiological aspects, clinical presentation, risk factors and pathobiological mechanisms. As such, it is not surprising that diagnosis and management of these common conditions might be challenging for the treating physician, in particular when both are concomitantly present. While helpful guidelines have been elaborated for both acute heart failure and pulmonary embolism, not many studies have been published on the coexistence of these diseases. With a special focus on diagnostic tools and therapeutic options, the authors review the available literature and, when evidence is lacking, present their own approach to the management of dyspnoeic patients with acute heart failure and pulmonary embolism

Preparation and characterization of UV-LED curable acrylic films containing biochar and/or multiwalled carbon nanotubes: effect of the filler loading on the rheological, thermal and optical properties

UV-LED curable coatings represent an up-to-date attractive field due to the high curing efficiency even in the presence of high filler loadings, as well as to the absence of infrared wavelengths that may negatively impact on heat-sensitive substrates. The addition of carbonaceous materials, such as biochar (BC) and/or multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) could positively improve both the rheological and thermal properties. In this study we report on the synthesis and characterization of carbon-reinforced films containing nanometric (MWCNTs) and micrometric (BC) carbon-based materials. We analyze the rheological properties of the UV-LED curable dispersions, as well as the thermal and optical properties of the resulting films, establishing some correlations between filler dispersion/loading with the main observed properties

Early changes in diaphragmatic function evaluated using ultrasound in cardiac surgery patients: a cohort study.

Little is known about the evolution of diaphragmatic function in the early post-cardiac surgery period. The main purpose of this work is to describe its evolution using ultrasound measurements of muscular excursion and thickening fraction (TF). Single-center prospective study of 79 consecutive uncomplicated elective cardiac surgery patients, using motion-mode during quiet unassisted breathing. Excursion and TF were measured sequentially for each patient [pre-operative (D1), 1 day (D2) and 5 days (D3) after surgery]. Pre-operative median for right and left hemidiaphragmatic excursions were 1.8 (IQR 1.6 to 2.1) cm and 1.7 (1.4 to 2.0) cm, respectively. Pre-operative median right and left thickening fractions were 28 (19 to 36) % and 33 (22 to 51) %, respectively. At D2, there was a reduction in both excursion (right: 1.5 (1.1 to 1.8) cm, p < 0.001, left: 1.5 (1.1 to 1.8), p = 0.003) and thickening fractions (right: 20 (15 to 34) %, p = 0.021, left: 24 (17 to 39) %, p = 0.002), followed by a return to pre-operative values at D3. A positive moderate correlation was found between excursion and thickening fraction (Spearman's rho 0.518 for right and 0.548 for left hemidiaphragm, p < 0.001). Interobserver reliability yielded a bias below 0.1 cm with limits of agreement (LOA) of ± 0.3 cm for excursion and - 2% with LOA of ± 21% for thickening fractions. After cardiac surgery, the evolution of diaphragmatic function is characterized by a transient impairment followed by a quick recovery. Although ultrasound diaphragmatic excursion and thickening fraction are correlated, excursion seems to be a more feasible and reproducible method in this population

High Frequency Electromagnetic Shielding by Biochar-Based Composites

We report on the microwave shielding efficiency of non-structural composites, where inclusions of biochar—a cost effective and eco-friendly material—are dispersed in matrices of interest for building construction. We directly measured the complex permittivity of raw materials and composites, in the frequency range 100 MHz–8 GHz. A proper permittivity mixing formula allows obtaining other combinations, to enlarge the case studies. From complex permittivity, finally, we calculated the shielding efficiency, showing that tailoring the content of biochar allows obtaining a desired value of electromagnetic shielding, potentially useful for different applications. This approach represents a quick preliminary evaluation tool to design composites with desired shielding properties starting from physical parameters

Primary Intraosseous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anterior Mandible Arising in an Odontogenic Cyst in 34-Year-Old Male

Abstract: Primary intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma (PIOSCC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy arising exclusively within the jaws, without any initial connection with the oral mucosa. The etiology and the epidemiology are unclear due to the rarity of the disease, and there is no current universally accepted staging or treatment protocol. Clinically, the posterior mandible is the most a ected site, and common symptoms are swelling and pain. The diagnosis is often di cult either because it requires stringent criteria to be satisfied or because of the absence of a pathognomonic histological pattern. Aggressive surgery is the first-choice treatment, often followed by radiotherapy. The lymph nodal status seems to be the most important factor influencing the prognosis, which is usually poor, with a 5-year survival rate ranging from 30% to 40%. In the present article, we report an unusual case of cystogenic PIOSCC interesting the anterior mandible of a young 34-year-old male, which came to our attention after complaint about recurrent infective episodes a ecting a dentigerous cyst (impacted lower canine) discovered ten years before. The age, site, and extension are uncommon. Extensive surgical treatment with fibula free flap reconstruction, adjuvant therapy, and salvage surgery was carried out. The patient was disease-free at a 31-month follow-up

Pulsed Electro-Magnetic Field (PEMF) Effect on Bone Healing in Animal Models: A Review of Its Efficacy Related to Different Type of Damage

Biophysical energies are a versatile tool to stimulate tissues by generating biopotentials. In particular, pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation has intrigued researchers since the 1970s. To date, many investigations have been carried out in vivo, but a gold standard treatment protocol has not yet been defined. The main obstacles are represented by the complex setting of PEMF characteristics, the variety of animal models (including direct and indirect bone damage) and the lack of a complete understanding of the molecular pathways involved. In the present review the main studies about PEMF stimulation in animal models with bone impairment were reviewed. PEMF signal characteristics were investigated, as well as their effect on molecular pathways and osseous morphological features. We believe that this review might be a useful starting point for a prospective study in a clinical setting. Consistent evidence from the literature suggests a potential beneficial role of PEMF in clinical practice. Nevertheless, the wide variability of selected parameters (frequency, duration, and amplitude) and the heterogeneity of applied protocols make it difficult to draw certain conclusions about PEMF effectiveness in clinical implementation to promote bone healing. Deepening the knowledge regarding the most consistent results reported in literature to date, we believe that this review may be a useful starting point to propose standardized experimental guidelines. This might provide a solid base for further controlled trials, to investigate PEMF efficacy in bone damage conditions during routine clinical practic