Pilot scale tests for recycling of photovoltaic panels by physical and chemical treatment

In this work, the experimental results of the treatment at pilot scale of photovoltaic panels of different technologies were reported. The recycling route includes a sequence of mechanical and chemical operations in order to recover glass and other useful materials. After mechanical treatment, ground material is sieved and only the coarse fraction is treated by solvent treatment in order to have the detachment of panel fragments into different components: solar grade glass, metallic filaments, back sheet foils (Tedlar), polymeric gluing components (EVA aggregates). The fine fractions emerging from mechanical treatment is treated by acid leaching in order to remove metals and obtain another recoverable glass powder. Recycling rate of the demonstrated process was 80% and 85% for Si based panels and CdTe panels, respectively

Effect of training on vascular function and repair in heart\ua0failure with preserved ejection fraction

Abstract: BACKGROUND Exercise training improves peak oxygen uptake (_VO2peak) in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Multiple adaptations have been addressed, but the role of circulating endothelium-repairing cells and vascular function have not been well defined. OBJECTIVES The authors investigated effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on vascular function and repair in HFpEF. METHODS This study is a subanalysis of the OptimEx-Clin (Optimizing Exercise Training in Prevention and Treatment of Diastolic Heart Failure) study randomizing patients with HFpEF (n 1/4 180) to HIIT, MICT, or guideline control. At baseline, 3, and 12 months, the authors measured peripheral arterial tonometry (valid baseline measurement in n 1/4 109), flow -mediated dilation (n 1/4 59), augmentation index (n 1/4 94), and flow cytometry (n 1/4 136) for endothelial progenitor cells and angiogenic T cells. Abnormal values were defined as outside 90% of published sex-specific reference values. RESULTS At baseline, abnormal values (%) were observed for augmentation index in 66%, peripheral arterial tonometry in 17%, flow-mediated dilation in 25%, endothelial progenitor cells in 42%, and angiogenic T cells in 18%. These parameters did not change significantly after 3 or 12 months of HIIT or MICT. Results remained unchanged when confining analysis to patients with high adherence to training. CONCLUSIONS In patients with HFpEF, high augmentation index was common, but endothelial function and levels of endothelium-repairing cells were normal in most patients. Aerobic exercise training did not change vascular function or cellular endothelial repair. Improved vascular function did not significantly contribute to the _VO2peak improvement after different training intensities in HFpEF, contrary to previous studies in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and coronary artery disease. (Optimizing Exercise Training in Prevention and Treatment of Diastolic Heart Failure [OptimEx-Clin]; NCT02078947) (J Am Coll Cardiol HF 2023;11:454-464) (c) 2023 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation

Characteristics of a nationwide cohort of patients presenting with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH)

Objective: Isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) is a rare disorder with pubertal delay, normal (normoosmic-IHH, nIHH) or defective sense of smell (Kallmann syndrome, KS). Other reproductive and nonreproductive anomalies might be present although information on their frequency are scanty, particularly according to the age of presentation. Design: Observational cohort study carried out between January 2008 and June 2016 within a national network of academic or general hospitals. Methods: We performed a detailed phenotyping of 503 IHH patients with: (1) manifestations of hypogonadism with low sex steroid hormone and low/normal gonadotropins; (2) absence of expansive hypothalamic/pituitary lesions or multiple pituitary hormone defects. Cohort was divided on IHH onset (PPO, pre-pubertal onset or AO, adult onset) and olfactory function: PPO-nIHH (n = 275), KS (n = 184), AO-nIHH (n = 36) and AO-doIHH (AO-IHH with defective olfaction, n = 8). Results: 90% of patients were classifed as PPO and 10% as AO. Typical midline and olfactory defects, bimanual synkinesis and familiarity for pubertal delay were also found among the AO-IHH. Mean age at diagnosis was signifcantly earlier and more frequently associated with congenital hypogonadism stigmata in patients with Kallmann's syndrome (KS). Synkinesis, renal and male genital tract anomalies were enriched in KS. Overweight/obesity are signifcantly associated with AO-IHH rather than PPO-IHH. Conclusions: Patients with KS are more prone to develop a severe and complex phenotype than nIHH. The presence of typical extra-gonadal defects and familiarity for PPO-IHH among the AO-IHH patients indicates a common predisposition with variable clinical expression. Overall, these fndings improve the understanding of IHH and may have a positive impact on the management of patients and their families