P-V-T Behavior of 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (HFO-1234yf) in the Vapor Phase from (243 to 373) K

The P-V-T properties of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene (CF 3 CFdCH 2 , HFO-1234yf), an environmentally friendly refrigerant, were measured using a constant volume apparatus. Measurements were carried out at temperatures from (243 to 373) K and at pressures from (84 to 3716) kPa. A total of 136 experimental points, taken along 12 isochores, were obtained. Our experimental results were compared with a preliminary equation of state. The measurements were also regressed to the Martin-Hou equation of state. No other data on this fluid were found in the literature for the superheated region

Constraining the general reheating phase in the α\alpha-attractor inflationary cosmology

In this paper we constrain some aspects of the general postinflationary phase in the context of superconformal $\alpha$-attractor models of inflation. In particular, we provide constraints on the duration of the reheating process, $N_{reh}$, and on the reheating temperature, $T_{reh}$, simulating possible and future results given by the next-generation of cosmological missions. Moreover, we stress what kinds of equation-of-state parameter, $w_{reh}$, are favored for different scenarios. The analysis does not depend on the details of the reheating phase and it is performed assuming different measurements of the tensor-to-scalar ratio $r$.Comment: 8 pages, 2 figure

Production of nano zero valent iron particles by means of a spinning disk reactor

Nitrates are considered hazard compounds for human health due to their tendency to be reduced to nitrites, in particular in reducing environment. Nano zero valent iron (nZVI) represents an efficient and low-cost adsorbent/reductive agent for nitrate removal from groundwater. In this work, nZVI particles were produced by means of two different equipment types based on the same chemical synthesis method: a batch stirred tank reactor (BSTR) and a spinning disk reactor (SDR). This latter apparatus is capable to strongly promote micromixing at a steady-state, continuous condition, and such as qualifies to subsist in the framework of process intensification. Particle size distribution (PSD) of the obtained nZVI particles were measured by a DLS technique. The removal efficiency of the produced nVI particles were checked by using two NO3-solutions (1.6 and 6.4 mM) and by monitoring nitrate concentration reduction rates at selected time intervals. Results showed that the nZVI particles produced by SDR have a narrow PSD with a mean diameter of 65nm; on the contrary, particles produced by BSTR shows bimodal PSD with modal sizes of 105 nm and 400 nm, respectively. Experimental tests of nitrates reduction in water have been performed, using both the particles produced by the above mentioned techniques. Results of batch tests showed that the highest removal efficiency of nitrates was observed by using the nZVI particles produced by means of SDR, as a consequence of the higher average specific surface. Since nitrate removal process involves both reduction and adsorption processes, the removal mechanism has been investigated, and the pseudo-first-order reduction kinetic model was successfully tested and reported in both cases

Organized Crime, Captured Politicians, and the Allocation of Public Resources

What is the impact of collusion between members of criminal organizations and politicians on local public finances, in contexts in which organized crime is well-rooted? This article addresses this question by focusing on local governments of Southern Italy, over the period 1998–2016. In order to capture the presence of organized crime, we exploit the enforcement of a national law allowing the dissolution of a municipal government upon evidence of collusion between elected officials and the mafia. We measure the consequences of this infiltration of mafia groups within local governments by using data on local public finances at the municipality level. Difference-in-differences estimates reveal that captured municipalities commit on average more resources for investments in construction and waste management and are less effective in collecting taxes for waste and garbage. This indicates that organized crime groups exploit the collusion with local politicians in order to distort the allocation of public resources toward key sectors of strategic interest for the criminal busines

A stochastic estimated version of the Italian dynamic General Equilibrium Model (IGEM)

We estimate with Bayesian techniques the Italian dynamic General Equilibrium Model (IGEM), which has been developed at the Italian Treasury Department, Ministry of Economy and Finance, to assess the effects of alter-native policy interventions. We analyze and discuss the estimated effects of various shocks on the Italian economy. Compared to the calibrated version used for policy analysis, we find a lower wage rigidity and higher adjustment costs. The degree of prices and wages indexation to past inflation is much smaller than the indexation level assumed in the calibrated model. No substantial difference is found in the estimated monetary parameters. Estimated fiscal multipliers are slightly smaller than those obtained from the calibrated version of the model

A feasible and automatic free tool for T1 and ECV mapping

Purpose: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a useful non-invasive tool for characterizing tissues and detecting myocardial fibrosis and edema. Estimation of extracellular volume fraction (ECV) using T1 sequences is emerging as an accurate biomarker in cardiac diseases associated with diffuse fibrosis. In this study, automatic software for T1 and ECV map generation consisting of an executable file was developed and validated using phantom and human data. Methods: T1 mapping was performed in phantoms and 30 subjects (22 patients and 8 healthy subjects) on a 1.5T MR scanner using the modified Look-Locker inversion-recovery (MOLLI) sequence prototype before and 15 min after contrast agent administration. T1 maps were generated using a Fast Nonlinear Least Squares algorithm. Myocardial ECV maps were generated using both pre- and post-contrast T1 image registration and automatic extraction of blood relaxation rates. Results: Using our software, pre- and post-contrast T1 maps were obtained in phantoms and healthy subjects resulting in a robust and reliable quantification as compared to reference software. Coregistration of pre- and post-contrast images improved the quality of ECV maps. Mean ECV value in healthy subjects was 24.5% ± 2.5%. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that it is possible to obtain accurate T1 maps and informative ECV maps using our software. Pixel-wise ECV maps obtained with this automatic software made it possible to visualize and evaluate the extent and severity of ECV alterations

The boundary flux. New perspectives for membrane process design

In the last decades much effort was put in understanding fouling phenomena on membranes. Many new concepts have been introduced in time, and parallel to this many parameters capable to quantify fouling issues and fouling evolution. One successful approach was the introduction of the critical flux theory. At first validated for microfiltration, the theory applied to ultrafiltration and nanofiltration, too. The possibility to measure a maximum value of the permeate flux for a given system without incurring in fouling issues was a breakthrough in membrane process design. Nevertheless, the application to the concept remains very limited: in many cases, in particular on systems where fouling is a main issue, critical fluxes were found to be very low, lower than economical feasibility permits to make membrane technology advantageous. Despite these arguments, the knowledge of the critical flux value still remains and must be considered as a good starting point for process design concerning productivity and longevity. In 2011, a new concept was introduced, that is the threshold flux. In this case, the concept evaluates the maximum permeate flow rate characterized by a low constant rate fouling regime, due to formation of a secondary, selective layer of foulant on the membrane surface. This concept, more than the critical flux, may be a new practical tool for membrane process designers. In this paper a brief review on critical and threshold flux will be reported and analyzed. In fact, critical and threshold flux concepts share many common aspects which merge perfectly into a new concept that is the boundary flux. The validation will occur mainly by the analysis of previous collected data by the authors, during the treatment of olive mill wastewater. A novel membrane process design method based on the boundary flux will then be presented

Dorsal Prefrontal Cortex Impairment in Methoxetamine-Induced Psychosis: an 18F-FDG PET/CT Case Study

Submitted15 June 2018. Accepted 13 December 2018. Epub ahead of print 13 February 2019Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) have currently become a major public health concern because of relatively easy accessibility to these compounds and difficulty in identifying them with routine laboratory techniques. Here, we report the 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) case study of a 23-year-old man who developed a substance-induced psychotic disorder after having intravenously injected himself with an unspecified amount of methoxetamine (MXE), a ketamine derivative hallucinogen. From a clinical perspective, a blunted affective responsiveness with diminished social drive and sense of purpose, along with a profound detachment from the environment, was observed. Psychometric and neuropsychological assessments highlighted severe dissociative symptoms and lack of motivation, along with a mild impairment of verbal fluency, working memory, and attention. Patient’s 18 F-FDG PET/CT scans displayed a significant bilateral deficit of tracer uptake within the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). DLPFC activity is critical to goal-oriented cognitive functions, including working memory and sustained attention. DLPFC is also involved in both the temporal integration across multiple sensory modes and in the volitional control of actions, leading to the possibility to construct logically coherent temporal configurations of thought, speech, and behavior. This report highlights that a single acute MXE intoxication may produce severe brain impairment.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Transanal minimally invasive surgery for rectal lesions

Background and Objectives: Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) has emerged as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). The authors report their experience with TAMIS for the treatment of mid and high rectal tumors. Methods: From November 2011 through May 2016, 31 patients (21 females, 68%), with a median age of 65 years who underwent single-port TAMIS were prospectively enrolled. Mean distance from the anal verge of the rectal tumors was 9.5 cm. Seventeen patients presented with T1 cancer, 10 with large adenoma, 2 with gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and 2 with carcinoid tumor. Data concerning demographics, operative procedure and pathologic results were analyzed. Results: TAMIS was successfully completed in all cases. In 4 (13%) TAMIS was converted to standard Park’s transanal technique. Median postoperative stay was 3 days. The overall complication rate was 9.6%, including 1 urinary tract infection, 1 subcutaneous emphysema, and 1 hemorrhoidal thrombosis. TAMIS allowed an R0 resection in 96.8% of cases (30/31 cases) and a single case of local recurrence after a large adenoma resection was encountered. Conclusion: TAMIS is a safe technique, with a short learning curve for laparoscopic surgeons already proficient in single-port procedures, and provides effective oncological outcomes compared to other techniques

Teorie criminologiche e corruzione. Uno studio esplicativo in ambito internazionale

Although numerous studies have been carried out at a national and international level, there are very few that detail whether and to what extent criminological theories can yield insights useful for understanding the etiology of corruption. The article first identifies the criminological theories that seemingly possess better explanatory power in regard to corruption in the public sector, distinguishing between theories pertaining to a situational/mechanistic perspective and those related to a more historical/evolutionary one. The article then tests these criminological theories in 51 states of the world. It does so by tranforming these theories into measurable hypotheses with which to test a model where, in each country concerned, the dependent variable is represented by the percentage of firms expected to make informal payments to public officials to “get things done”, while the independent variables are represented by: the perception of the legal system’s certainty and impartiality and willingness to comply with the laws; the time that the entrepreneur spends with public officials on matters regarding the enterprise; government payments in exchange for goods and services; the percentage of firms that do not report all sales for tax purposes; and the percentage of firms with female participation in ownership. The results of the multiple linear regression between the dependent variable ‘corruption’ and the independent variables considered show that the model proposed is statistically significant (R square 0.246) and that the independent variable that has explanatory power is the one concerning tax evasion. This was identified as an expression of the differential association theory translated into the hypothesis that an increase in illegal conduct other than corruption by entrepreneurs leads to an increase in corruption itself.Nonostante i numerosi studi a livello nazionale e internazionale, rari sono quelli che approfondiscono se ed in che termini le teorie criminologiche possano fornire spunti utili per comprendere l’eziologia della corruzione. Dopo aver individuato le teorie criminologiche che paiono avere migliore portata esplicativa della corruzione nella pubblica amministrazione, distinguendo tra teorie appartenenti ad una prospettiva situazionale/meccanicistica e teorie legate ad una prospettiva maggiormente storico/evolutiva, questo articolo procede ad un loro test empirico in 51 stati del mondo. Le teorie criminologiche sono trasformate in ipotesi misurabili per testare un modello in cui, in ogni paese considerato, la variabile dipendente è rappresentata dalla percentuale di imprese sul totale di quelle presenti che ha dichiarato di avere effettuato pagamenti corruttivi a favore di pubblici ufficiali e le variabili indipendenti, invece, sono rappresentate da: la percezione della certezza ed imparzialità del sistema giuridico e propensione all’osservanza delle leggi; il tempo che l’imprenditore trascorre con pubblici ufficiali per questioni attinenti l’impresa; le spese effettuate dalla pubblica amministrazione per l’approvvigionamento di beni e servizi; la percentuale di imprese che non riporta tutte le vendite al fine di evadere il fisco; la percentuale di imprese con ownership femminile. I risultati della regressione lineare multipla tra la variabile dipendente corruzione e le variabili indipendenti considerate evidenziano come il modello proposto sia staticamente significativo (R quadrato 0,246) e che la variabile indipendente che ha potere esplicativo è l’evasione fiscale, identificata come espressione della teoria delle associazioni differenziali, tradotta nell’ipotesi secondo cui l’aumentare di comportamenti imprenditoriali illeciti diversi dalla corruzione determinerebbe un aumento della corruzione stessa