General Covariance in Algebraic Quantum Field Theory

In this review we report on how the problem of general covariance is treated within the algebraic approach to quantum field theory by use of concepts from category theory. Some new results on net cohomology and superselection structure attained in this framework are included.Comment: 61 pages, 3 figures, LaTe

Punctured Haag duality in locally covariant quantum field theories

We investigate a new property of nets of local algebras over 4-dimensional globally hyperbolic spacetimes, called punctured Haag duality. This property consists in the usual Haag duality for the restriction of the net to the causal complement of a point $p$ of the spacetime. Punctured Haag duality implies Haag duality and local definiteness. Our main result is that, if the theory is locally covariant in the sense of Brunetti, Fredenhagen and Verch, then also the converse holds. The free Klein-Gordon field provides an example in which this property is verified.Comment: Accepted for publication in Commun. Math. Phy

Membrane condenser as emerging technology for water recovery and gas pre-treatment: current status and perspectives

Abstract The recent roadmap of SPIRE initiative includes the development of "new separation, extraction and pre-treatment technologies" as one of the "key actions" for boosting sustainability, enhancing the availability and quality of existing resources. Membrane condenser is an innovative technology that was recently investigated for the recovery of water vapor for waste gaseous streams, such as flue gas, biogas, cooling tower plumes, etc. Recently, it has been also proposed as pre-treatment unit for the reduction and control of contaminants in waste gaseous streams (SOx and NOx, VOCs, H2S, NH3, siloxanes, halides, particulates, organic pollutants). This perspective article reports recent progresses in the applications of the membrane condenser in the treatment of various gaseous streams for water recovery and contaminant control. After an overview of the operating principle, the membranes used, and the main results achieved, the work also proposes the role of this technology as pre-treatment stage to other separation technologies. The potentialities of the technology are also discussed aspiring to pave the way towards the development of an innovative technology where membrane condenser can cover a key role in redesigning the whole upgrading process

membrane engineering for environmental protection and sustainable industrial growth options for water and gas treatment

The increasing demand for materials, energy and products drives chemical engineers to propose new solutions everyday able to promote development while supporting sustainable industrial growth. Membrane engineering can offer significant assets to this development. Here, they are identified the most interesting aspects of membrane engineering in strategic industrial sectors such as water treatment, energy production and depletion and reuse of raw materials. The opportunity to integrate membrane units with innovative systems to exploit the potential advantages derived from their synergic uses is also emphasized. The analysis of the potentialities of these new technologies is supported by the introduction of process intensification metrics which provide an alternative and innovative point of view regarding the unit performance, highlighting important aspects characterizing the technology and not identified by the conventional analysis of the unit performance

Photocatalityc membrane reactor for CO2 conversion

Global warming is considered to be one of the principal environmental problems and CO2, being a greenhouse gas, largely contributes to the global climate change. Owing to this problem, an increasing concern has brought the scientific community to devote huge efforts towards CO2 reduction and/or valorization through a sustainable process. In this contest, photocatalytic membrane technologies can be a promising and innovative way to pursue CO2 conversion into value-added products.1 To this purpose, Carbon Nitride (C3N4) photocatalyst was prepared and characterized by FTIR and IR-ATR, DRS and XRD analyses. The preliminary reactivity experiments were carried out in a batch reactor (V = 120 mL) filled with humid CO2 and irradiated in a solar box (65°C). CH4 and CO were the main reduction products detected. This catalyst was then dispersed to obtain catalytic mixed matrix Nafion membranes. Comprehensive structural and morphological analyses by DRS, FT-IR, ATR-IR, SEM and N2 and CO2 permeability measurements were performed. The photocatalytic membranes were then used for the same reaction under UV-Vis irradiation in a membrane reactor operating in continuous mode, as already done with TiO2-Nafion catalytic membranes2. Different H2O/CO2 molar ratios and residence times were used. MeOH, EtOH and HCHO were the main products detected. Under the best experimental conditions, methanol and ethanol were identified as the main products with a productivity of 23 and 25 mol g-1 h-1, respectively. References. 1. R. Molinari, A. Caruso, L. Palmisano, Photocatalytic Membrane reactor in the conversion or degradation of organic compounds, in E. Drioli et L. Giorno (Eds.) Membrane Operations, innovative Separation and transformations, Chapter 15, 335-361, 2009, Wiley-Vch Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim (Germany). 2. M. Sellaro, M. Bellardita, A. Brunetti, E. Fontananova, L. Palmisano, E. Drioli, G. Barbieri, “CO2 conversion in a photocatalytic continuous membrane reactor”, RSC Advances, 2016, 6, 67418 – 67427

CO2/CH4 separation by means of Matrimid hollow fibre membranes

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Reuse of Wasted Bread as Soil Amendment: Bioprocessing, Effects on Alkaline Soil and Escarole (Cichorium endivia) Production

In an era characterized by land degradation, climate change, and a growing population, ensuring high‐yield productions with limited resources is of utmost importance. In this context, the use of novel soil amendments and the exploitation of plant growth‐promoting microorganisms potential are considered promising tools for developing a more sustainable primary production. This study aimed at investigating the potential of bread, which represents a large portion of the global food waste, to be used as an organic soil amendment. A bioprocessed wasted bread, obtained by an enzymatic treatment coupled with fermentation, together with unprocessed wasted bread were used as amendments in a pot trial. An integrated analytical plan aimed at assessing i) the modification of the physicochemical properties of a typical Mediterranean alkaline agricultural soil, and ii) the plant growth‐promoting effect on escarole (Cichorium endivia var. Cuartana), used as indicator crop, was carried out. Compared to the unamended soils, the use of biomasses raised the soil organic content (up to 37%) and total nitrogen content (up to 40%). Moreover, the lower pH and the higher organic acid content, especially in bioprocessed wasted bread, determined a major availability of Mn, Fe, and Cu in amended soils. The escaroles from pots amended with raw and bioprocessed bread had a number of leaves, 1.7‐ and 1.4‐fold higher than plants cultivated on unamended pots, respectively, showing no apparent phytotoxicity and thus confirming the possible re‐utilization of such residual biomasses as agriculture amendments

Default Mode Network alterations in alexithymia: An EEG power spectra and connectivity study

Recent neuroimaging studies have shown that alexithymia is characterized by functional alterations in different brain areas [e.g., posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)], during emotional/social tasks. However, only few data are available about alexithymic cortical networking features during resting state (RS). We have investigated the modifications of electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectra and EEG functional connectivity in the default mode network (DMN) in subjects with alexithymia. Eighteen subjects with alexithymia and eighteen subjects without alexithymia matched for age and gender were enrolled. EEG was recorded during 5 min of RS. EEG analyses were conducted by means of the exact Low Resolution Electric Tomography software (eLORETA). Compared to controls, alexithymic subjects showed a decrease of alpha power in the right PCC. In the connectivity analysis, compared to controls, alexithymic subjects showed a decrease of alpha connectivity between: (i) right anterior cingulate cortex and right PCC, (ii) right frontal lobe and right PCC, and (iii) right parietal lobe and right temporal lobe. Finally, mediation models showed that the association between alexithymia and EEG connectivity values was directed and was not mediated by psychopathology severity. Taken together, our results could reflect the neurophysiological substrate of some core features of alexithymia, such as the impairment in emotional awareness

Methanol Conversion to Dimethyl Ether in Catalytic Zeolite Membrane Reactors

In this work, two ZSM-5 type zeolite supported membranes were used as catalytic membrane reactors for dimethyl ether (DME) synthesis via MeOH dehydration. The membranes, both commercial and tubular, had the same ZSM-5 zeolite layers, but a different support each (TiO2 and gamma-Al2O3) and were operated as contactors in through flow configuration. The performance of the two membrane reactors was analyzed as a function of the temperature (150-250 degrees C) and feed pressure (120-300 kPa), spanning a wide range of WHSV (1-13.3 g(MeOH) g(Catalyst)(-1) h(-1)) and feed composition (25-100%(mol) MeOH). The ZSM-5-Al2O3 membrane (Si/Al = 200; porosity of the zeolite layer = 0.2; thickness = 50 mu m; area = 50.6 cm(2)) exhibited always a greater conversion than ZSM-5-TiO2 (Si/Al = 200; porosity of the zeolite layer = 0.2; thickness = 63 mu m; area = 18.8 cm(2)), revealing an influence of the membrane support, correspondent to an additional catalytic effect induced by the Al2O3, which further enhanced the DME production. At 200 degrees C and 1 h(-1), this reactor achieved a MeOH conversion of 86.6 +/- 6.7%, very close to thermodynamic equilibrium conversion. In addition, both membrane reactors showed 100% DME selectivity

Management of splenic abscess: report on 16 cases from a single center

Summary Objectives Splenic abscess is an uncommon disease, with a reported incidence of 0.14–0.7% in autoptic series. The best treatment option remains unclear. We report our experience of percutaneous drainage of splenic abscess under ultrasound (US) guidance. Methods From 1979 to 2005, 16 consecutive patients (12 male and four female; mean age 39.9 years, range 16–72 years) were diagnosed with splenic abscess by means of US, and were treated with medical therapy alone or combined with US-guided percutaneous aspiration or catheter drainage. Results Ten of 16 patients had bacterial abscesses (including one case of tubercular abscess), two had an amebic abscess, and four had fungal abscesses. Seven of ten patients with bacterial abscesses were successfully treated with fine needle aspiration alone, one patient was successfully treated with fine needle aspiration for one abscess and catheter drainage for another, and one patient, who subsequently required a splenectomy for an abdominal trauma, successfully underwent percutaneous catheter drainage alone. Four patients with fungal lesions were treated with medical therapy alone, and two patients later required a splenectomy. One patient with a bacterial abscess due to endocarditis was treated with medical therapy alone, and his recovery was uneventful. Conclusions US-guided percutaneous aspiration of splenic abscesses is a safe and effective procedure. It can be used as a bridge to surgery in patients who are critically ill or have several comorbidities. Percutaneous aspiration may allow complete non-operative healing of splenic abscesses or temporize patients at risk for surgery