Improving fire performances of PEAL: More second-life options for recycled Tetra Pak®

The purpose of this work was to evaluate and improve the flammability and combustion behavior of the polyethylene-based material obtained from the recycling of Tetra Pak® (PEAL) to widen its use to applications where these properties are required. Firstly, its thermal stability was investigated with thermogravimetric analysis, resulting in an enhancement in the main degradation step temperature (from 385◦C to 421◦C) due to the presence of the aluminum-flakes. Then, to improve the poor flammability (HB in UL-94 test) and combustion behavior (Fire Performance Index of 0.07) of the raw material, two flame retardant approaches were tested: an intumescent system made of ammonium polyphosphate and pentaerythritol, and magnesium hydroxide. In addition, the effectiveness of polyethylene as a charring agent was evaluated. Characterization was made with UL-94, cone calorimeter, and morphologic analysis. For all the materials tested, the temperature of the main weight loss step increased and the flammability rating improved (V2 for intumescent and V0 for magnesium hydroxide reached). Moreover, fire hazard decreased (Fire Performance Index of 0.15 and 0.55; Flame Retardancy Index of 2.6 and 10.0). Referring to the morphology, full compatibility was found in the PEAL–magnesium hydroxide compound, while PEAL-intumescent appeared as a heterogeneous system

Is it possible to mechanical recycle the materials of the disposable filtering masks?

In a singular period, such as during a pandemic, the use of personal protective masks can become mandatory for all citizens in many places worldwide. The most used device is the disposable mask that, inevitably, generates a substantial waste flow to send to incineration or landfill. The article examines the most diffused type of disposable face mask and identifies the characteristic of the constituent materials through morphological, chemical, physical, and thermal analyses. Based on these investigations, a mechanical recycling protocol with different approaches is proposed. Advantages and disadvantages of the different recycling solutions are discussed with considerations on necessary separation processes and other treatments. The four solutions investigated lead to a recycling index from 78 to 91% of the starting disposable mask weight. The rheological, mechanical, and thermo-mechanical properties of the final materials obtained from the different recycling approaches are compared with each other and with solutions present on the market resulting in materials potentially industrially exploitable

Musculoskeletal Diseases Role in the Frailty Syndrome: A Case-Control Study.

Frailty syndrome severely burdens older age, and musculoskeletal diseases are of paramount importance in its development. The aim of this study is to unravel the contribution of musculoskeletal diseases to frailty syndrome. This is a case-control study, and we enrolled 55 robust community-dwelling age- and gender-matched patients, with 58 frail and pre-frail subjects. Frailty was diagnosed according to the Fried criteria (FP), and the Fragility Index (FI) was calculated. In all the subjects, a comprehensive geriatric assessment was carried out. Their nutritional status was evaluated by the Mini Nutritional Assessment and Bioelectrical Impedance Analyses. Their bone density (BMD), bone turnover, muscle mass, strength and performance were evaluated. Here, we show that the prevalence of frailty varies according to the diagnostic criteria used and that FP and FI showed a moderate to good agreement. Despite age and gender matching, frail subjects had lower muscle strength, performance and BMD. Their quality of life and cognitive performance were reduced in the frail subjects compared to the robust ones. Muscular strength and performance, together with mood, significantly predicted the diagnosis of frailty, whereas BMD and bone turnover did not. In conclusion, we show that sarcopenia plays a pivotal role in predicting the diagnosis of frailty, whereas osteoporosis does not

Selection of artichoke plants and analysis of correlation between quantitative traits for fresh consumption

The goals of the present study were to evaluate and select artichoke plants suitable for fresh consumption and to establish correlations between quantitative traits. Clones from 39 accessions were obtained from the germplasm collection of the University of Passo Fundo and evaluated for 17 quantitative and 3 qualitative traits. Data on quantitative traits were subjected to analysis of variance followed by a Tukey test at p<0.05 to compare averages, and correlations were analyzed using the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. Significant differences were observed for 9 of the 17 quantitative traits analyzed, and 10 of the 39 accessions presented higher values for some of those traits than the remaining tested accessions. Significant correlations were observed between several traits and the capitulum yield, which makes indirect selection easier. For the qualitative traits, nine accessions were selected that presented circular head, violet colored bracts and absence of thorns, which are desirable traits for fresh consumption.Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron evaluar y seleccionar plantas de alcachofa aptas para consumo en fresco y establecer correlaciones entre caracteres cuantitativos. Treinta y nueve accesiones pertenecientes a la colección de germoplasma de la Universidad de Passo Fundo fueron clonadas y luego evaluadas para 17 caracteres cuantitativos y 3 cualitativos. Los datos correspondientes a los caracteres cuantitativos fueron sometidos a análisis de varianza seguido por una prueba comparación de valores medios de Tukey (p<0,05); las correlaciones fueron analizadas utilizando el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Se observaron diferencias significativas para 9 de los 17 caracteres cuantitativos analizados y 10 de las 39 accesiones mostraron elevados valores para algunos de esos caracteres. Se observaron valores significativos de correlación entre varios caracteres y el rendimiento, lo que facilita la selección indirecta. Considerando los caracteres cualitativos, se seleccionaron nueve accesiones por presentar capítulo esférico, brácteas violetas y ausencia de espinas, las cuales son características deseables para el consumo en fresco.Fil: Reolon Costa, A.. Universidade de Passo Fundo; BrasilFil: Grando, M. F.. Universidade de Passo Fundo; BrasilFil: Cravero, Vanina Pamela. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Almeida, A.. Universidade de Passo Fundo; Brasi

Recycled PP for 3D Printing: Material and Processing Optimization through Design of Experiment

In this work, blends that were based on first use PP added with talc (PPt) and recycled polypropylene (r-PP) were designed and formulated, aiming at producing filaments that are suitable for 3D printing fused filament fabrication (FFF) processes. A preliminary characterization of PPt/r-PP blends at different weight ratios allowed selecting two systems showing adequate rheological behavior for FFF. The selected blends were melt compounded in a twin-screw extruder, optimizing the processing conditions through a design of experiments approach, involving the use of Taguchi's method. The materials that were prepared with the optimized processing conditions, hence showing the best performance in terms of rheological behavior and thermal characteristics, were then selected for the production of the filament and for the subsequent FFF processing. Finally, the morphology of the filament and the mechanical properties of 3D-printed samples were assessed, demonstrating the achievement of satisfactory results in terms of performances. In general, the obtained results clearly demonstrated that a proper optimization of both material and processing conditions offers the possibility of using recycled PP-based formulations for additive manufacturing processes, hence allowing a remarkable valorization of a low added-value material through its utilization for an innovative and sustainable manufacturing approach

Theoretical Description of Two- and Three-Particle Interactions in Single Ionization of Helium by Ion Impact

In this work we calculate doubly differential cross sections (DDCS) for single ionization of helium by highly charged ion impact. We study the importance of two-particle interactions in these processes by considering the cross sections as a function of all two-particle subsystems momenta. Experimental DDCSs were obtained recently from kinematically complete experiments on single ionization of He by 100 MeV/amu C6+ and 3.6 MeV/amu Au24,53+ impact. Furthermore, we evaluated the importance of three-particle interactions by plotting the squared momenta of all three collision fragments simultaneously in a Dalitz plot. Using the first Born and distorted-wave approximations for fully differential cross sections, together with Monte Carlo integration techniques, we were able to reproduce the main features observed in experimental data and to assess the quality of the models implied by the different employed approximations

Post-Prior discrepancies in CDW-EIS calculations for ion impact ionization fully differential cross sections

In this work we present fully differential cross sections (FDCSs) calculations using post and prior version of CDW--EIS theory for helium single ionization by 100 MeV C$^{6+}$ amu$^{-1}$ and 3.6 MeV amu$^{-1}$ Au$^{24+}$ and Au$^{53+}$ ions. We performed our calculations for different momentum transfer and ejected electron energies. The influence of internuclear potential on the ejected electron spectra is taken into account in all cases. We compare our calculations with absolute experimental measurements. It is shown that prior version calculations give better agreement with experiments in almost all studied cases.Comment: 9 pages, 7 figure

Volatile profile of white wines fermented with sequential inoculation of Starmerella bacillaris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Mixed fermentations with Starmerella bacillaris and Saccharomyces cerevisiae affect the chemical composition of wines, by modulating various metabolites of oenological interest. The current study was carried out to elucidate the effect of sequential inoculation of the above mentioned species on the production of white wines, especially on the chemical and aromatic characteristics of Chardonnay, Muscat, Riesling and Sauvignon blanc wines. Titratable acidity and glycerol content exhibited evident differences among the wines after fermentation. For volatile compounds, mixed fermentations led to a reduction of the total esters, including ethyl acetate, which is a compound responsible for wine deterioration. However, Sauvignon blanc wines fermented by mixed cultures contained significantly higher levels of esters and thiols, both associated with positive sensory attributes. These findings suggest that sequential inoculations possess great potential in affecting and modulating the chemical and aromatic profile of white wines, especially those produced from Sauvignon blanc grapes