Magnetically Driven Floating Foams for the Removal of Oil Contaminants from Water

In this study, we present a novel composite material based on commercially available polyurethane foams functionalized with colloidal superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and submicrometer polytetrafluoroethylene particles, which can efficiently separate oil from water. Untreated foam surfaces are inherently hydrophobic and oleophobic, but they can be rendered water-repellent and oil-absorbing by a solvent-free, electrostatic polytetrafluoroethylene particle deposition technique. It was found that combined functionalization of the polytetrafluoroethylene-treated foam surfaces with colloidal iron oxide nanoparticles significantly increases the speed of oil absorption. Detailed microscopic and wettability studies reveal that the combined effects of the surface morphology and of the chemistry of the functionalized foams greatly affect the oil-absorption dynamics. In particular, nanoparticle capping molecules are found to play a major role in this mechanism. In addition to the water-repellent and oil-absorbing capabilities, the functionalized foams exhibit also magnetic responsivity. Finally, due to their light weight, they float easily on water. Hence, by simply moving them around oil-polluted waters using a magnet, they can absorb the floating oil from the polluted regions, thereby purifying the water underneath. This low-cost process can easily be scaled up to clean large-area oil spills in wate

Facies created by the yellow coral Dendrophyllia cornigera (Lamarck, 1816): Origin, substrate preferences and habitat complexity

The yellow coral Dendrophyllia cornigera (Lamarck, 1816) is a NE Atlantic-Mediterranean scleractinian. It is considered a typical hard bottom species, generally reported on outcropping rocks from mesophotic to upper bathyal depths. Several evidences suggest that this species is able to tolerate a broad range of temperatures, which allows it to colonize numerous environments in a wide depth range. In the present study, we first provided a detailed ecological characterization of the D. cornigera dense aggregation thriving on the Mantice Shoal (NW Ligurian Sea, Mediterranean Sea). Information on substrate type and inclination, average extension and density, colonies size-class frequency distribution and associated fauna are reported. Then, we presented an extensive review of the available information on the ecology of this species, including 142 new ROV records from the Italian coast (40–1820 m). Results indicated that D. cornigera occurs on a wide range of substrates, including soft bottoms and hardgrounds (outcropping rocks, coralligenous rock and dead cold-water coral frameworks), with significant differences in colony density and size among different substrates. Dendrophyllia cornigera creates three main facies, each characterized by a specific combination of substrate, inclination, depth, and associated fauna. Scattered living colonies, as well as large thanatocoenoses, display a wide geographical and bathymetric distribution. Differently, the facies represented by dense meadows on horizontal soft-bottoms results rare, being reported only from the Mantice Shoal and the Amendolara Bank (Ionian Sea). The radiocarbon age of the thanatocoenoses varies between 400 (Corsica Channel) and 13000 (Vercelli Seamount) years before present. This study highlights the wide adaptability of D. cornigera in terms of environmental settings, changing the current view on the ecology of this species and providing essential insights for the implementation of international deep-sea habitat classification schemes and conservation measures

Comune di Bari / P.P. della zona di rinnovamento urbano B6 - Rione ‘Madonnella’ - Studio preliminare e progettazione di massima, I fase, 1983.

Rinnovamento urbano, Studio preliminare, progettazione di massima, I contenuti completi di analisi e di progetto prescritti dalle normative vigenti: nazionali, regionali e comunali

Magnetically Driven Floating Foams for the Removal of Oil Contaminants from Water

In this study, we present a novel composite material based on commercially available polyurethane foams functionalized with colloidal superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and submicrometer polytetrafluoroethylene particles, which can efficiently separate oil from water. Untreated foam surfaces are inherently hydrophobic and oleophobic, but they can be rendered water-repellent and oil-absorbing by a solvent-free, electrostatic polytetrafluoroethylene particle deposition technique. It was found that combined functionalization of the polytetrafluoroethylene-treated foam surfaces with colloidal iron oxide nanoparticles significantly increases the speed of oil absorption. Detailed microscopic and wettability studies reveal that the combined effects of the surface morphology and of the chemistry of the functionalized foams greatly affect the oil-absorption dynamics. In particular, nanoparticle capping molecules are found to play a major role in this mechanism. In addition to the water-repellent and oil-absorbing capabilities, the functionalized foams exhibit also magnetic responsivity. Finally, due to their light weight, they float easily on water. Hence, by simply moving them around oil-polluted waters using a magnet, they can absorb the floating oil from the polluted regions, thereby purifying the water underneath. This low-cost process can easily be scaled up to clean large-area oil spills in water

Open versus Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy for the Treatment of pT4a Bladder Cancer: Comparison of Perioperative Outcomes

Simple Summary Bladder cancer is the second most common genitourinary malignancy. Robotic-assisted radical cystectomy has demonstrated comparable efficacy in treating bladder cancer to open radical cystectomy. Due to the features of the procedure itself and the often weak general health status of patients, radical cystectomy is related to a significant incidence of complications. During the last decades, robotic surgery has spread in bladder cancer treatment in order to take advantage of the benefits of minimally invasive surgery. However, the majority of evidence in the literature comes from cT2-T3 muscle-invasive bladder cancer. The management of patients with cT4 stage represents a relevant surgical challenge. The aim of the present study is to compare intra- and postoperative outcomes of robot-assisted and open radical cystectomy in the treatment of patients with a pT4a MIBC in a pathological report.Abstract We compared the perioperative outcomes of open (ORC) vs. robot-assisted (RARC) radical cystectomy in the treatment of pT4a MIBC. In total, 212 patients underwent ORC (102 patients, Group A) vs. RARC (110 patients, Group B) for pT4a bladder cancer. Patients were prospectively followed and retrospectively reviewed. We assessed operative time, estimated blood loss (EBL), intraoperative and postoperative complications, length of stay, transfusion rate, and oncological outcomes. Preoperative features were comparable. The mean operative time was 232.8 vs. 189.2 min (p = 0.04), and mean EBL was 832.8 vs. 523.7 mL in Group A vs. B (p = 0.04). An intraoperative transfusion was performed in 32 (31.4%) vs. 11 (10.0%) cases during ORC vs. RARC (p = 0.03). The intraoperative complications rate was comparable. The mean length of stay was shorter after RARC (12.6 vs. 7.2 days, p = 0.02). Postoperative transfusions were performed in 36 (35.3%) vs. 13 (11.8%) cases (p = 0.03), and postoperative complications occurred in 37 (36.3%) vs. 29 (26.4%) patients in Groups A vs. B (p = 0.05). The positive surgical margin (PSM) rate was lower after RARC. No differences were recorded according to the oncological outcomes. ORC and RARC are feasible treatments for the management of pT4a bladder tumors. Minimally invasive surgery provides shorter operative time, bleeding, transfusion rate, postoperative complications, length of stay, and PSM rate

Prior Robotic Console Expertise May Improve Basic Skills at the New Hugo RAS Simulator: Results from a Cohort Trial and Implications for Skill Transference Across Platforms

Background: Robot-assisted surgery ensures minimal invasiveness; since the expiry of the Da Vinci patent, new robotic systems have entered the market. Recently, the Hugo RAS received CE approval for several surgical procedures. However, more is needed to know about skill acquisition at the new simulator. Objective: This study aims to analyse the factors impacting basic surgical skills at the Hugo RAS simulator. Design, setting, and participants: We present a cross-sectional study involving 71 participants of different backgrounds invited to a hands-on session with the Hugo RAS simulator voluntarily. All of them had no prior expertise with the system. Participants were recruited among medical/nurse students, residents, and laparoscopic and robotic surgeons. Intervention: All participants underwent a hands-on “pick and place” exercise at the Hugo RAS simulator; the metrics of a second-round pick and place exercise were recorded. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Metrics were analysed with regard to the following variables: demographics, videogame use, and prior surgical experience (no surgical expertise, experience with laparoscopy, and experience with robotic console). Results and limitations: All participants completed the test. Of them, 77.5% were naïve to surgery, 8.5% had prior laparoscopic expertise, and 14.1% had prior robotic console experience. The time to complete the pick and place exercise was significantly lower (p < 0.001) among prior robotic surgeons (38 s, interquartile range [IQR] 34–45) compared with both naïve participants (61 s, IQR 53–71) and laparoscopists (93 s, IQR 53–162). The overall score of the exercise decreased with age (p = 0.046); however, the overall scores were significantly and steadily higher among surgeons experienced in robotic consoles across all age groups (p = 0.006). Neither gender (p = 0.7) nor videogame use (p = 0.9) correlated significantly with the metrics. Conclusions: This is the first study analysing factors impacting basic skill acquisition at a new robotic simulator. Experience with robotic consoles may represent a major factor, raising the hypothesis of the transferability of basic robotic skills across different robotic systems. Further studies are required to explore this issue. Patient summary: In the present study, we analysed which characteristics may affect the basic surgical skills at a novel robotic platform