analysis of mechanical performance of bitumen modified with waste plastic and rubber additives by rheology and self diffusion nmr experiments

In this study, the mechanical and physico-chemical properties of a new kind of modified bitumen are presented. The bituminous binders have been modified in order to understand the effect on the structural properties of several compounds such as a Polymer elastomer as Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), Polymer thermoplastic polypropylene (PP) and a waste plastic (Waste PP). Laboratory tests have been focused on the characterization of bitumen modified with single product and their binary combinations compared with pristine binder as a reference. Characterization has been conducted by using conventional as well as advanced methods on bitumens. Fundamental rheological tests, based on dynamic shear rheometer in the temperature range from -30 °C to +160 °C have been performed and the structure of a bitumens and modified bitumens has been analysed by the mobility of the oily maltene by self-diffusion Pulsed field gradient spin-echo (PGSE) FT-NMR experiments

A Tara Gum/Olive Mill Wastewaters Phytochemicals Conjugate as a New Ingredient for the Formulation of an Antioxidant-Enriched Pudding

Olive mill wastewater, a high polyphenols agro-food by-product, was successfully ex-ploited in an eco-friendly radical process to synthesize an antioxidant macromolecule, usefully engaged as a functional ingredient to prepare functional puddings. The chemical composition of lyophilized olive mill wastewaters (LOMW) was investigated by HPLC-MS/MS and1H-NMR analyses, while antioxidant profile was in vitro evaluated by colorimetric assays. Oleuropein aglycone (5.8 μg mL−1) appeared as the main compound, although relevant amounts of an isomer of the 3-hydroxytyrosol glucoside (4.3 μg mL−1) and quinic acid (4.1 μg mL−1) were also detected. LOMW was able to greatly inhibit ABTS radical (IC50 equal to 0.019 mg mL−1), displaying, in the aqueous medium, an increase in its scavenger properties by almost one order of magnitude compared to the organic one. LOMW reactive species and tara gum chains were involved in an eco-friendly grafting reaction to synthesize a polymeric conjugate that was characterized by spec-troscopic, calorimetric and toxicity studies. In vitro acute oral toxicity was tested against 3T3 fibro-blasts and Caco-2 cells, confirming that the polymers do not have any effect on cell viability at the dietary use concentrations. Antioxidant properties of the polymeric conjugate were also evaluated, suggesting its employment as a thickening agent, in the preparation of pear puree-based pudding. High performance of consistency and relevant antioxidants features over time (28 days) were detected in the milk-based foodstuff, in comparison with its non-functional counterparts, confirming LOWM as an attractive source to achieve high performing functional foods

How Organic Waste Improves Bitumen's Characteristics

The organic fraction derived from the differentiated collection of urban waste is mainly composed of fatty acids, medium molecular weight hydrocarbons and cellulose. This peculiar composition gave us insight into the possible use of organic waste to improve bitumen's characteristics (possible antioxidant, regenerating and/ or viscosifying additive for road pavements). The issue of the disposal of organic waste is a global one and it's constantly of increasing concern. This study looks to alleviate this problem by finding ways for this waste fraction to be utilized for the greater good- in this case, as an additive for bitumen binder in road pavements. The present study is focused on the use of waste as it is and waste treated by the FENTON process (treatment with ferrous sulphate and hydrogen peroxide solution). Dynamic Shear Rheology (DSR) and aging tests (Rolling Thin Film Oven Test, RTFOT) showed that two of the additives tested in this study proved effective: one can be utilised as a viscosifying agent and the other can be us ed as a filler

Mathematical Model to Predict the Affinity Between Aggregate/Bitumen

The stones used for the construction of road surfaces have a complex mineralogical and hence chemical composition. They are made up of several types of minerals put together. This generates a significant difference in adhesion with the bituminous binder. The aim of this study is to create a mathematical model able to predict the adhesion between bitumen and stone on the basis of contact angle measurements made on different pure minerals. The mathematical model used was developed keeping in mind the exponential bond that the minerals have with the corresponding bond angle. This model also confirmed the established fact that the lower the value of Δ, the better the adhesion between the bitumen and the aggregate

New Trends in Biosurfactants: From Renewable Origin to Green Enhanced Oil Recovery Applications

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes are technologies used in the oil and gas industry to maximize the extraction of residual oil from reservoirs after primary and secondary recovery methods have been carried out. The injection into the reservoir of surface-active substances capable of reducing the surface tension between oil and the rock surface should favor its extraction with significant economic repercussions. However, the most commonly used surfactants in EOR are derived from petroleum, and their use can have negative environmental impacts, such as toxicity and persistence in the environment. Biosurfactants on the other hand, are derived from renewable resources and are biodegradable, making them potentially more sustainable and environmentally friendly. The present review intends to offer an updated overview of the most significant results available in scientific literature on the potential application of biosurfactants in the context of EOR processes. Aspects such as production strategies, techniques for characterizing the mechanisms of action and the pros and cons of the application of biosurfactants as a principal method for EOR will be illustrated and discussed in detail. Optimized concepts such as the HLD in biosurfactant choice and design for EOR are also discussed. The scientific findings that are illustrated and reviewed in this paper show why general emphasis needs to be placed on the development and adoption of biosurfactants in EOR as a substantial contribution to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly oil and gas industry

Quantifying Photoinduced Polaronic Distortions in Inorganic Lead Halide Perovskites Nanocrystals

The development of next generation perovskite-based optoelectronic devices relies critically on the understanding of the interaction between charge carriers and the polar lattice in out-of-equilibrium conditions. While it has become increasingly evident for CsPbBr3 perovskites that the Pb-Br framework flexibility plays a key role in their light-activated functionality, the corresponding local structural rearrangement has not yet been unambiguously identified. In this work, we demonstrate that the photoinduced lattice changes in the system are due to a specific polaronic distortion, associated with the activation of a longitudinal optical phonon mode at 18 meV by electron-phonon coupling, and we quantify the associated structural changes with atomic-level precision. Key to this achievement is the combination of time-resolved and temperature-dependent studies at Br K-edge and Pb L3-edge X-ray absorption with refined ab-initio simulations, which fully account for the screened core-hole final state effects on the X-ray absorption spectra. From the temporal kinetics, we show that carrier recombination reversibly unlocks the structural deformation at both Br and Pb sites. The comparison with the temperature-dependent XAS results rules out thermal effects as the primary source of distortion of the Pb-Br bonding motif during photoexcitation. Our work provides a comprehensive description of the CsPbBr3 perovskites photophysics, offering novel insights on the light-induced response of the system and its exceptional optoelectronic properties.Comment: Main: 27 pages, 4 figures SI: 16 pages, 8 figure

Allergic sensitization to common pets (cats/dogs) according to different possible modalities of exposure: an Italian Multicenter Study

Background: The query "are there animals at home?" is usually administered for collecting information on anamnesis. This modality to consider exposure to pet allergens constitutes a potential bias in epidemiological studies and in clinical practice. The aim of our study was to evaluate/quantify different modalities of exposure to cat/dog in inducing allergic sensitization. Methods: Thirty Italian Allergy units participated in this study. Each centre was required to collect the data of at least 20 consecutive outpatients sensitized to cat/dog allergens. A standardized form reported all demographic data and a particular attention was paid in relieving possible modalities of exposure to cat/dog. Results: A total 723 patients sensitized to cat/dog were recorded, 359 (49.65%) reported direct pet contact, 213 patients (29.46%) were pet owners, and 146 subjects (20.19%) were exposed to pets in other settings. Other patients were sensitized by previous pet ownership (150-20.75%) or indirect contact (103-14.25%), in 111 subjects (15.35%) any contact was reported. Conclusions: Only 213 patients (29.46%) would be classified as "exposed to animals" and 510 (70.54%) as "not exposed" according to usual query. Our classification has shown that many "not-exposed" subjects (399-55.19%) were "really exposed". The magnitude of exposure to pet allergens at home is not related exclusively to pet ownership. These considerations should be taken into account during the planning of epidemiological studies and in clinical practice for the management of pet allergic individuals

Evidence-based guidelines on the therapeutic use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS): An update (2014-2018)

A group of European experts reappraised the guidelines on the therapeutic efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) previously published in 2014 [Lefaucheur et al., Clin Neurophysiol 2014;125:2150-206]. These updated recommendations take into account all rTMS publications, including data prior to 2014, as well as currently reviewed literature until the end of 2018. Level A evidence (definite efficacy) was reached for: high-frequency (HF) rTMS of the primary motor cortex (M1) contralateral to the painful side for neuropathic pain; HF-rTMS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) using a figure-of-8 or a H1-coil for depression; low-frequency (LF) rTMS of contralesional M1 for hand motor recovery in the post-acute stage of stroke. Level B evidence (probable efficacy) was reached for: HF-rTMS of the left M1 or DLPFC for improving quality of life or pain, respectively, in fibromyalgia; HF-rTMS of bilateral M1 regions or the left DLPFC for improving motor impairment or depression, respectively, in Parkinson's disease; HF-rTMS of ipsilesional M1 for promoting motor recovery at the post-acute stage of stroke; intermittent theta burst stimulation targeted to the leg motor cortex for lower limb spasticity in multiple sclerosis; HF-rTMS of the right DLPFC in posttraumatic stress disorder; LF-rTMS of the right inferior frontal gyrus in chronic post-stroke non-fluent aphasia; LF-rTMS of the right DLPFC in depression; and bihemispheric stimulation of the DLPFC combining right-sided LF-rTMS (or continuous theta burst stimulation) and left-sided HF-rTMS (or intermittent theta burst stimulation) in depression. Level A/B evidence is not reached concerning efficacy of rTMS in any other condition. The current recommendations are based on the differences reached in therapeutic efficacy of real vs. sham rTMS protocols, replicated in a sufficient number of independent studies. This does not mean that the benefit produced by rTMS inevitably reaches a level of clinical relevance

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity