Non-Blocking Signature of very large SOAP Messages

Data transfer and staging services are common components in Grid-based, or more generally, in service-oriented applications. Security mechanisms play a central role in such services, especially when they are deployed in sensitive application fields like e-health. The adoption of WS-Security and related standards to SOAP-based transfer services is, however, problematic as a straightforward adoption of SOAP with MTOM introduces considerable inefficiencies in the signature generation process when large data sets are involved. This paper proposes a non-blocking, signature generation approach enabling a stream-like processing with considerable performance enhancements.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Non-Blocking Signature of very large SOAP Messages

Data transfer and staging services are common components in Grid-based, or more generally, in service-oriented applications. Security mechanisms play a central role in such services, especially when they are deployed in sensitive application fields like e-health. The adoption of WS-Security and related standards to SOAP-based transfer services is, however, problematic as a straightforward adoption of SOAP with MTOM introduces considerable inefficiencies in the signature generation process when large data sets are involved. This paper proposes a non-blocking, signature generation approach enabling a stream-like processing with considerable performance enhancements.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

A Damage Identification procedure based on Hilbert transform: experimental validation

This paper aims at validating the feasibility of an identification procedure, based on the use of the Hilbert transform, by means of experimental tests for shear-type multi-degree-of-freedom systems. Particularly, a three-degree-of-freedom frame will be studied either numerically or experimentally by means of a laboratory scale model built at the laboratory of the Structural, Aerospace and Geotechnical Engineering Department (DISAG) of University of Palermo. Several damage scenarios have been considered to prove the effectiveness of the procedure. Moreover, the experimental tests have been conducted by considering two different input loads: pulse forces, simulated by means of an instrumental hammer, and wide band noise base inputs, by a shake table. In the first section the damage identification procedure, proposed in recent works, is presented. The procedure is based on the minimization of an objective function mathematically based on the properties of the analytical signal and the Hilbert transform. Second section reports the experimental model geometrical data and the data acquisition set-up as built in the DISAG laboratory. In Section 3, the results of the experimental campaigns are presented and discussed having considered three damage scenarios. The validated procedure has been proved to be able to not only detect damage even at early stage but it also needs processing of only few samples of the structural respons

ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF THE INTERNAL JUGULAR VEIN: THE ROLE OF ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Purpose: In many places, especially in emergency department, central venous catheter is still inserted using anatomical landmark guidance with a success rate up to 97.6% and complications up to 15%. This study was aimed to determine by the support of ultrasono-graphy (US) the anatomical variations of the internal jugular vein (IJV) in relation with other structures of the neck, such as the common carotid artery (CCA). Material and Methods: 830 patients requiring central vein catheterization (CVC) were in-cluded in the analysis. The position of the IJV in relation to the other structures of the neck was demonstrated by portable ultrasonography. Results: The mean diameter of IJV was 10.3 mm in right and 10.5 mm in left side of neck, in male (p > 0.05) and 9.1 mm in right and 10.5 mm in left side of neck, in female (p > 0.05). The mean distance between IJV and CCA was 1.9 mm in right and 1.7 mm in left side of neck in male, and 2.0 mm in right and 2.2 mm in left side of neck in female. The mean distance of IJV from the skin surface was 9.8 mm in right and 10.0 mm in left side of neck in male, and 12.1 mm in right and 12.5 mm in left side of neck in female. On 25.54 % we observed variations of internal jugular vein site. On 3.97 % we observed a small caliber of internal jugular vein that could complicate the catheterization of the vein. On 1.8 % was diagnosed a thrombus of internal jugular vein, that is considered as an ab-solute contraindication for a CVC. Conclusion: Different patients had anatomical variations that are important and should be knowed, in order to reduce the possibility of severe complication

Spatial, seasonal and climatic predicitve models of Rift Valley Fever disease across Africa

Understanding the emergence and subsequent spread of human infectious diseases is a critical global challenge, especially for high-impact zoonotic and vector-borne diseases. Global climate and land-use change are likely to alter host and vector distributions, but understanding the impact of these changes on the burden of infectious diseases is difficult. Here, we use a Bayesian spatial model to investigate environmental drivers of one of the most important diseases in Africa, Rift Valley fever (RVF). The model uses a hierarchical approach to determine how environmental drivers vary both spatially and seasonally, and incorporates the effects of key climatic oscillations, to produce a continental risk map of RVF in livestock (as a proxy for human RVF risk). We find RVF risk has a distinct seasonal spatial pattern influenced by climatic variation, with the majority of cases occurring in South Africa and Kenya in the first half of an El Niño year. Irrigation, rainfall and human population density were the main drivers of RVF cases, independent of seasonal, climatic or spatial variation. By accounting more subtly for the patterns in RVF data, we better determine the importance of underlying environmental drivers, and also make space- and time-sensitive predictions to better direct future surveillance resources. This article is part of the themed issue ‘One Health for a changing world: zoonoses, ecosystems and human well-being’

Organizational life cycle assessment: suitability for higher education institutions with environmental management systems

[EN] Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the suitability of organizational life cycle assessments (O-LCAs) for higher education institutions (HEIs) with special attention to the benefits and particularities of those adopting environmental management systems (EMSs) verified according to Environmental Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS). Methods A thorough analysis following ISO/TS 14072 and UNEP Guidance was carried out using the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) EMS verified by the EMAS for guiding principles to develop the methodological proposal. The self-sufficiency of UPV EMS for developing an O-LCA was tested at the university pilot unit. The four steps of the O-LCA were applied to the pilot. Results and discussion A reporting organization, the organization to be studied (boundaries and scope), was defined in consideration of the environmental units (EU) of the EMS. Operational control was selected as a consolidation method. Reporting flows and system boundaries are also discussed. A three-scope scheme of the GHG protocol is introduced and combined with the ISO 14072 boundary definition to support better alignment with the HEI structure. For the life cycle inventory analysis, a mechanism for identifying activities and processes as well as their material and energy flows is proposed in consideration of the particularities of HEIs. A procedure for the prioritization of data collection efforts and cutoffs was developed. The procedure integrates current EMAS actions based on the significance of environmental aspects combined with the influence of reporting organizations under their control. Impact categories focus on midpoint indicators along with an additional inventory level indicator as part of the life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). Unfortunately, due to a lack of quality data available, LCIA can only be assessed in part with little interest in outcomes. Partial results are presented. Conclusions An EMS verified by EMAS is proven to be useful in the assessment of O-LCA for HEIs. However, EMAS requirements do not ensure the availability of all data needed to develop an O-LCA. An accounting system should complement a lack of data if it is properly structured. Considerable efforts are required to obtain an accurate result. EMS and the accounting system may be able to provide information that supports an O-LCA approach based on a coherent prioritization of data collection efforts and cutoff procedures along with a set of justified impact category indicators. Overall, organization managers must be in favor of such an assessment to meet the requirements of successful implementation.Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, VG.; Torregrosa López, JI.; Capuz-Rizo, SF. (2017). Organizational life cycle assessment: suitability for higher education institutions with environmental management systems. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment. 22(12):1928-1943. doi:10.1007/s11367-017-1289-8S192819432212Braunschweig A (2014) GHG-balances and LCA: applying the concept of scopes in organisational LCAs. E2 Management Consulting http://www.e2mc.com Accessed 1 July 2016Clift R, Wright L (2000) Relationships between environmental impacts and added value along the supply chain. Technol Forecast Soc 65(3):281–295Cortese AD (2003) The critical role of higher education in creating a sustainable future. Planning for higher education. Retrived from http://www.aashe.org/documents/resources/pdf/Cortese_PHE.pdf . Accessed 1 June 2016Curran MA (2017) Goal and scope definition in life cycle assessment. Springer. doi: 10.1007/978—94-024-0855-3Disterheft A, da Silva Caeiro SSF, Ramos MR, de Miranda Azeiteiro UM (2012) Environmental Management Systems (EMS) implementation processes and practices in European higher education institutions—top-down versus participatory approaches. J Clean Prod 31:80–90Draucker L (2013) GHG Protocol: moving Corporate Accounting Beyond GHGs. Abstract Book: SETAC North American 34th Annual Meeting, Nashville, USAEC (2013) European Commission Organization Environmental Footprint Guide. European Commission-Joint Research Centre-Institute for Environment and Sustainability http://eur-lex.europa.eu/JOHtml.do?uri=OJ:L:2013:124:SOM:EN:HTML Accessed 1 June 2016EC (2016) European Commission Environment. Eco-Management and Audit Scheme http://ec.europa.eu/environment/emas/ Accessed 1 June 2016Finkbeiner M, Wiedemann M, Saur K (1998) A comprehensive approach towards product and organisation related environmental management tools. Int J Life Cycle Assess 3(3):169–178Fleischer G, Gerner K, Kunst H, Lichtenvort K, Rebitzer G (2001) A semi-quantitative method for the impact assessment of emissions within a simplified life cycle assessment. Int J Life Cycle Assess 6(3):149–156GRI (2005) GRI Boundary Protocol. Global Reporting Initiative. https://www.globalreporting.org/resourcelibrary/GRI-Boundary-Protocol.pdf Accessed 1 June 2016Hauschild MZ, Huijbregts MA (2015) Introducing life cycle impact assessment. In: Hauschild MZ, Huijbregts MAJ (eds) Life cycle impact assessment, LCA compendium—the complete world of life cycle assessment. Springer Science+Business Media, Dordrecht 2015. doi: 10.1007/978-94-017-9744-3_1Hellweg S, Milà i Canals L (2014) Emerging approaches, challenges and opportunities in life cycle assessment. Science 344(6188):1109–1113Hochschorner E, Finnveden G (2003) Evaluation of two simplified life cycle assessment methods. Int J Life Cycle Assess 8(3):119–128Huang YA, Lenzen M, Weber CL, Murray J, Matthews HS (2009) The role of input-output analysis for the screening of corporate carbon footprints. Econ Systems Res 21(3):217–242ISO (2004) Environmental management systems—requirements with guidance for use ISO 14001: 2004. International Organization for Standardization, GenevaISO (2006a) ISO 14040: environmental management—life cycle assessment—principles and framework. International Organization for Standardization, GenevaISO (2006b) ISO 14044: environmental management—life cycle assessment—requirements and guidelines. International Organization for Standardization, GenevaISO (2014) ISO/TS 14072: environmental management—life cycle assessment—requirements and guidelines for organizational life cycle assessment. International Organization for Standardization, GenevaJolliet O, Frischknecht R, Bare J, Boulay AM, Bulle C, Fantke P, Weisbrod A (2014) Global guidance on environmental life cycle impact assessment indicators: findings of the scoping phase. Int J Life Cycle Assess 19(4):962–967Lave LB, Cobas-Flores E, Hendrickson CT, McMichael FC (1995) Using input-output analysis to estimate economy-wide discharges. Environ Sci Technol 29(9):420A–426ALife Cycle Initiative (2016) http://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/ Accessed 22 June 2016Lo-Iacono-Ferreira V, Torregrosa-López JI, Lora García J, Bastante-Ceca MJ, Capuz-Rizo SF (2011) Study of the inclusion of life cycle assessment impact categories in ecological footprint. XV International Congress of Project Engineering. ISBN: 978-84-615-4543-8Lo-Iacono-Ferreira VG, Torregrosa-López JI, Capuz-Rizo SF (2016a) Use of life cycle assessment methodology in the analysis of ecological footprint assessment results to evaluate the environmental performance of universities. J Clean Prod 133:43–53Lo-Iacono-Ferreira VG, Capuz-Rizo SF, Torregrosa-López JI (2016b) Ecological Footprint Assessment of Higher Education applying Life Cycle Assessment framework. Case study: Universitat Politència de València. XX International Congress on Project Management and Engineering, Cartagena, p 1423–1432. http://www.aeipro.com/aplic/tree_congresos/detalle_remository_aeipro.php?file=4636Lozano R (2006) Incorporation and institutionalization of SD into universities: breaking through barriers to change. J Clean Prod 14(9):787–796. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.010Lozano García FJ, Kevany K, Huisingh D (2006) Sustainability in higher education: what is happening? J Clean Prod 14(9):757–760. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2005.12.006Lozano R (2011) The state of sustainability reporting in universities. Int J Sust Higher Ed 12(1):67–78Manzardo A, Loss A, Mazzi A, Scipioni A, (2016) Organizational life-cycle assessment (OLCA): methodological issues and case studies in the beverage-packaging sector. Environmental footprints of packaging. Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981-287-913-4Martínez-Blanco J, Inaba A, Finkbeiner M (2015a) Halfway point in the flagship project LCA of organizations by UNEP/SETAC life cycle initiative. Int J Life Cycle Ass Japan 11:1–7Martínez-Blanco J, Inaba A, Quiros A, Valdivia S, Milà-i-Canals L, Finkbeiner M (2015b) Organizational LCA: the new member of the LCA family—introducing the UNEP/SETAC life cycle initiative guidance document. Int J Life Cycle Assess 20(8):1045–1047Martínez-Blanco J, Inaba A, Finkbeiner M (2015c) Scoping organizational LCA—challenges and solutions. Int J Life Cycle Assess 20(6):829–841Pelletier N, Allacker K, Pant R, Manfredi S (2013) The European Commission Organisation Environmental Footprint method: comparison with other methods, and rationales for key requirements. Int J Life Cycle Assess 19(2):387–404Resta B, Gaiardelli P, Pinto R, Dotti S (2016) Enhancing environmental management in the textile sector: an organisational-life cycle assessment approach. J Clean Prod 135:620–632Taylor AP, Postlethwaite D (1996) Overall business impact assessment (OBIA). In: Proceedings of the 4th SETAC Case Study Symposium. SETAC, Brussels, Belgium Brussels, 181–187Tlapa DA, Limón J, Báez YA (2009) Quality and environmental management in higher education institutes by integrating ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. Form Univ 2(2):35–46Torregrosa-López JI, Lo-Iacono-Ferreira V, Martí-Barranco C, Bellver-Navarro CG (2016) The strengths of EMAS as an environmental management system for European university campuses. Int J Environ Sust Dev 15(1):89–106UNEP (2015) Guidance on organizational life cycle assessment. Life-Cycle Initiative, United Nations Environment Programme and Society for Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Paris, France. http://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/wp- content/uploads/2015/04/o-lca_24.4.15-web.pdf Accessed 1 June 2016Vivancos Bono JL (2005) Propuesta Metodológica para la Simplificación del ACV en su Aplicación a los Componentes Plásticos del Automóvil en el Marco del Ecodiseño. Ed. Universidad Politécnica de ValenciaWatkins P, Glover A (2016) Future generations: developing education for sustainability and global citizenship for university education students. In: Leal Filho W, Pace L (ed) Teaching education for sustainable development at university level. Springer International Publishing, pp 67–81. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-32928-4_5WRI and WBCSD (2011) Corporate Value Chain (Scope 3) Accounting and Reporting Standard—Supplement to the GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard. 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Environmental Assessment of Solar Photo-Fenton Processes at Mild Condition in the Presence of Waste-Derived Bio-Based Substances

[EN] The assessment of environmental sustainability has assumed great importance during the study and implementation of a new process, including those aimed to waste valorization and reuse. In this research, the environmental performance of the photo-Fenton processes was evaluated using the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. In particular, photo-Fenton conducted in mild conditions (almost neutral pH), using soluble bio-organic substances as auxiliary agents were compared with the "classic" photo-Fenton run at pH 2.8. The evaluation was carried out both, at the laboratory level and at pilot plant scale. LCA analysis shows that working in mild conditions reduces the environmental burden associated with the use of chemicals. On the other hand, the occurring drop in effectiveness significantly increases the overall impact, thus evidencing the need of considering the process as a whole.Costamagna, M.; Arqués Sanz, A.; Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, VG.; Bianco Prevot, A. (2022). Environmental Assessment of Solar Photo-Fenton Processes at Mild Condition in the Presence of Waste-Derived Bio-Based Substances. Nanomaterials. 12(16):1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12162781113121

Key Performance Indicators to optimize the environmental performance of Higher Education Institutions with environmental management system - A case study of Universitat Politècnica de València

[EN] Environmental performance is becoming increasingly important to organizational decision-making boards. As with other organizations, Higher Education Institutions concerned with environmental performance require tools to help develop appropriate policies and programs. Key Performance Indicators are typically a component of economic and financial decision-making. Defining Key Performance Indicators for relevant environmental aspects of an institution can be seen as a step toward integrating environmental issues into overall management. In this paper, a methodology is proposed to define environmental Key Performance Indicators for Higher Education Institutions with a robust Environmental Management System (International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certified or Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) verified), and this methodology is coupled with a validation system based on meta-performance evaluation indicators. The proposal is based on the relative significance of various environmental aspects and the degree of operational control that an organization has over each aspect. The methodology is developed to be easy to applied, minimum time and resource consumption) and integrate in an existent Environmental Management System. It starts with a standard procedure to define the organization allowing its application to any type of Higher Education Institution. Additionally, a list of over 140 environmental indicators, described and classified, is offered. An environmental unit, Escuela Politecnica Superior de Alcoy (EPSA), of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, EMAS verified, is used as a case study. From the study, seven Key Performance Indicators are defined, and three of these are fully assessed. Energy consumption, waste management treatment, and greenhouse gas emissions are the key elements of these three indicators. Institutions with robust Environmental Management Systems have significant advantages in identifying relevant environmental aspects and defining goals to begin defining Key Performance Indicators. However, Environmental Management Systems do not themselves ensure that data are available, nor that they are of the quality desired. In the case study, additional resources are required to generate Key Performance Indicators to assess significant environmental aspects. Securing those additional resources would benefit both the Environmental Management System and the organizational decision-makers. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Lo-Iacono-Ferreira, VG.; Capuz-Rizo, SF.; Torregrosa López, JI. (2018). Key Performance Indicators to optimize the environmental performance of Higher Education Institutions with environmental management system - A case study of Universitat Politècnica de València. Journal of Cleaner Production. 178:846-865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.12.184S84686517

Thoracoscopy in pleural effusion –two techniques: awake single-access video-assisted thoracic surgery versus 2-ports video-assisted thoracic surgery under general anesthesia

Awake single access video-assisted thoracic surgery with local anesthesia improves procedure tolerance, reduces postoperative stay and costs. MATERIALS & METHODS: Local anesthesia was made with lidocaine and ropivacaine. We realize one 20 mm incision for the 'single-access', and two incisions for the '2-trocars technique'. RESULTS: Mortality rate was 0% in both groups. Postoperative stay: 3dd ± 4 versus 4dd ± 5, mean operative time: 39 min versus 37 min (p < 0.05). Chest tube duration: 2dd ± 5 versus 3dd ± 6. COMPLICATIONS: 11/95 versus 10/79. CONCLUSION: Awake technique reduce postoperative hospital stay and chest drainage duration, similar complications and recurrence rate. The authors can say that 'awake single-access VATS' is an optimal diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the management of pleural effusions, but above extends surgical indication to high-risk patients