Biological Aspects, Advancements and Techno-Economical Evaluation of Biological Methanation for the Recycling and Valorization of CO2

Nowadays, sustainable and renewable energy production is a global priority. Over the past decade, several Power-to-X (PtX) technologies have been proposed to store and convert the surplus of renewable energies into chemical bonds of chemicals produced by different processes. CO2 is a major contributor to climate change, yet it is also an undervalued source of carbon that could be recycled and represents an opportunity to generate renewable energy. In this context, PtX technologies would allow for CO2 valorization into renewable fuels while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With this work we want to provide an up-to-date overview of biomethanation as a PtX technology by considering the biological aspects and the main parameters affecting its application and scalability at an industrial level. Particular attention will be paid to the concept of CO2-streams valorization and to the integration of the process with renewable energies. Aspects related to new promising technologies such as in situ, ex situ, hybrid biomethanation and the concept of underground methanation will be discussed, also in connection with recent application cases. Furthermore, the technical and economic feasibility will be critically analyzed to highlight current options and limitations for implementing a sustainable process

“Innovative high pressure/high temperature, multi-sensing bioreactors system for microbial risk assessment in underground hydrogen storage”

This study addresses the microbial risks associated with Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS), a critical component in the transition towards renewable energy systems, by employing an innovative multi-reactor system (Bio-xplorer) to simulate UHS conditions in two Italian reservoirs. The microbiological risk assessment (MRA) of Reservoir A and B was evaluated by subjecting them to gas mixtures of 10 % H2 and 90 % CH4, and 99 % H2 and 1 % CO2, respectively. In Reservoir A, the stability of pressure and temperature, the negligible optical density, and lack of microbial metabolites suggested a low risk of microbial activation. Molecular analyses confirmed the absence of sulphate- reducing bacteria (SRB) and limited growth of hydrogenotrophic methanogens (HM). Similarly, in Reservoir B, the absence of SRB and limited occurrence of HM indicated a low microbiological risk. Overall, the present work supports the safe and efficient implementation of UHS, a promising mitigation technique for climate change, using an innovative tool for MRA

XIV Concurso Internacional de Canto Francisco Viñas

Programa de mà de la XIV edició del Concurs Internacional de Cant Francesc Viñas. S'hi van interpretar fragments de "Parsifal" de R. Wagner, "El Messies" de G. F. Haendel, "Eugène Oneguin" de P. I. Txaikovski, "La Bohème" de G. Puccini, "Le nozze di Figaro" de W. A. Mozart, "I Pagliacci" de R. Leoncavallo, "Lakmé" de L. Delibes i "Peer Gynt" d'E. Grieg. També s'hi van interpretar peces d'A. Copland, F. Schubert, J. Sibelius, G. Verdi, A. Scarlatti, G. Fauré, M. I. Glinka, L. v. Beethoven, J. Brahms, F. Mendelssohn, M. Ravel, V. Bellini i G. Meyerbeer, entre altres. Els participants van ser J. Prasser, F. Laurent, M. T. Godoy, M. Popova, Y. H. Kim Lee, C. M. Soto-Chavarria, R. Christesen, M. C. Alzola, I. Aragón, J. J. Beristain, I. Encinas, A. Herrero, M. Lora, R. Martínez, A. Matalonga, F. Matilla, B. Melero, L. Pascual, J. Porras, A. Sarroca, A. Segarra, K. Fowler, D. M. Pelton, G. Silva Marin, J. J. Cubaynes, M. Chaineaud, J. P. Lafont, J. Manric, D. Cusick, H. Kenway, M. Lefevre, A. Andriesen, J. M. Bakker i J. J. LeeuwOrquestra del Gran Teatre del Liceu dirigida per G. Pérez Busquie

Giustizia e letteratura II

The book explores and links different cultures, disciplines and perspectives, with a far more original and broad approach to the relations between “Justice” and “Literature” than more traditional works focused on “Law” and “Literature”. The many contributions from writers, literature and movie critics, psychologists, and criminal law practitioners and scholars, draw a complex and interdisciplinary path through primary texts of Italian and international literature, with the aim of prompting readers’ reflections about core issues related to law, crime, and responsibility. Through the analysis of masterpieces of literature, theatre and cinema, this book aims at stimulating dialogue and debate, as well as critical abilities and a deep-rooted sense of justice, amongst both law professionals and citizens at large. Literature and other forms of narration are presented here as a privileged key to approach long-standing questions about (amongst other) causes and consequences of crime; victimization and coping mechanisms; the role of criminal law and criminal proceedings; legalism and equity; law and ethics; the ‘time’ of justice; freedom, responsibility, culpability and forgiveness; rules, legality, socialization and culture; language and images as mediums for justice issues; the impact of prejudice and of existing balances of power on the application of the law; social and legal mechanisms of exclusion and inclusion; gender issues and legal systems; and so on. A whole section (Part V) is devoted to crimes against humanity and how the literary testimony may be understood both as a strategy to resist injustice and to seek justice, and as a way to prevent further horrors. Through this quest for justice in literature and arts, the volume proposes a wider cultural and research project which defies traditional formalistic and retributive approaches to criminal law, in order to open new perspectives for restorative and reintegrative strategies

Global disparities in surgeons’ workloads, academic engagement and rest periods: the on-calL shIft fOr geNEral SurgeonS (LIONESS) study

: The workload of general surgeons is multifaceted, encompassing not only surgical procedures but also a myriad of other responsibilities. From April to May 2023, we conducted a CHERRIES-compliant internet-based survey analyzing clinical practice, academic engagement, and post-on-call rest. The questionnaire featured six sections with 35 questions. Statistical analysis used Chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression (SPSS® v. 28). The survey received a total of 1.046 responses (65.4%). Over 78.0% of responders came from Europe, 65.1% came from a general surgery unit; 92.8% of European and 87.5% of North American respondents were involved in research, compared to 71.7% in Africa. Europe led in publishing research studies (6.6 ± 8.6 yearly). Teaching involvement was high in North America (100%) and Africa (91.7%). Surgeons reported an average of 6.7 ± 4.9 on-call shifts per month, with European and North American surgeons experiencing 6.5 ± 4.9 and 7.8 ± 4.1 on-calls monthly, respectively. African surgeons had the highest on-call frequency (8.7 ± 6.1). Post-on-call, only 35.1% of respondents received a day off. Europeans were most likely (40%) to have a day off, while African surgeons were least likely (6.7%). On the adjusted multivariable analysis HDI (Human Development Index) (aOR 1.993) hospital capacity > 400 beds (aOR 2.423), working in a specialty surgery unit (aOR 2.087), and making the on-call in-house (aOR 5.446), significantly predicted the likelihood of having a day off after an on-call shift. Our study revealed critical insights into the disparities in workload, access to research, and professional opportunities for surgeons across different continents, underscored by the HDI

Highlighting the Role of Archaea in Urban Mine Waste Exploitation and Valorisation

E-materials become e-waste once they have been discarded without the intent of reuse. Due to its rich content of metals, among which many are Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), e-waste can be considered an urban mine to exploit and valorise. Common metal refining is performed by energy-intensive processes frequently based on the use of fossil fuel. Bio-metallurgy is a promising alternative for e-waste valorisation based on biological routes of specialised microorganisms able to leach solid-containing metals. Because of the physiology of these microorganisms, microbial leaching can be economically feasible, besides being an environmentally sustainable process. Like Bacteria and Fungi, Archaea are also capable of metal leaching activity, though their potential is underestimated. Among them, the extremophiles are the most studied and applied in the field of metal recovery, while mesophilic species are less common but still of high interest. Here we provide the state of industrial application of bio-metallurgy and report on the state of the art of Archaea exploitation in metal recovery from e-waste. Moreover, we give a special highlight to methanogenic archaea, which are able to convert CO2 into methane in order to highlight the potential for the valorisation of CO2-rich industrial streams generated by key processes (i.e., anaerobic digestion, concrete, and steel production) in CH4 for gas grid distribution, while making metals content in e-waste available again as raw material

Highlighting the Role of Archaea in Urban Mine Waste Exploitation and Valorisation

E-materials become e-waste once they have been discarded without the intent of reuse. Due to its rich content of metals, among which many are Critical Raw Materials (CRMs), e-waste can be considered an urban mine to exploit and valorise. Common metal refining is performed by energy-intensive processes frequently based on the use of fossil fuel. Bio-metallurgy is a promising alternative for e-waste valorisation based on biological routes of specialised microorganisms able to leach solid-containing metals. Because of the physiology of these microorganisms, microbial leaching can be economically feasible, besides being an environmentally sustainable process. Like Bacteria and Fungi, Archaea are also capable of metal leaching activity, though their potential is underestimated. Among them, the extremophiles are the most studied and applied in the field of metal recovery, while mesophilic species are less common but still of high interest. Here we provide the state of industrial application of bio-metallurgy and report on the state of the art of Archaea exploitation in metal recovery from e-waste. Moreover, we give a special highlight to methanogenic archaea, which are able to convert CO2 into methane in order to highlight the potential for the valorisation of CO2-rich industrial streams generated by key processes (i.e., anaerobic digestion, concrete, and steel production) in CH4 for gas grid distribution, while making metals content in e-waste available again as raw material

Transoral robotic-assisted tongue base resection in pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: case presentation, clinical and technical consideration

Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is primarily caused by adenotonsillar hypertrophy. However, tongue base hypertrophy is increasingly being recognized as a cause, even after adenotonsillectomy. We report three cases of pediatric OSAS successfully treated by transoral robotic reduction of the tongue base. In all children, we were able to achieve improved retrolingual patency while avoiding significant procedure-related morbidity. In conclusion, tongue base reduction by transoral robotic surgery appears to be a feasible solution for the base of tongue obstruction due to lingual tonsil hypertrophy in pediatric patients

Biogeochemical characterization of four depleted gas reservoirs for conversion into underground hydrogen storage

: Depleted gas reservoirs are a valuable option for underground hydrogen storage (UHS). However, different classes of microorganisms, which are capable of using free H2 as a reducing agent for their metabolism, inhabit deep underground formations and can potentially affect the storage. This study integrates metagenomics based on Illumina-NGS sequencing of bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA and dsrB and mcrA functional genes to unveil the composition and the variability of indigenous microbial populations of four Italian depleted reservoirs. The obtained mcrA sequences allow us to implement the existing taxonomic database for mcrA gene sequences with newly classified sequences obtained from the Italian gas reservoirs. Moreover, the KEGG and COG predictive functional annotation was used to highlight the metabolic pathways potentially associated with hydrogenotrophic metabolisms. The analyses revealed the specificity of each reservoir microbial community, and taxonomic and functional data highlighted the presence of an enriched number of taxa, whose activity depends on both reservoir hydrochemical composition and nutrient availability, of potential relevance in the context of UHS. This study is the very first to address the profiling of the microbial population and allowed us to perform a preliminary assessment of UHS feasibility in Italy