Supervised Anomaly Detection in Crude Oil Stabilization

In recent years, pervasive digitalization has affected the industrial world, including the oil and gas sector. With more and more data becoming available, Machine Learning algorithms have become a promising tool to improve Predictive Maintenance operations. In this work, we have designed an alerting system that notifies the site operator with an adequate advance when an anomaly is going to occur. In particular, we focus our analysis on the stabilization column of an Oil Stabilization Facility to prevent the column bottom temperature to overcome safety boundaries. The experimental analysis demonstrates that our system provides reliable results, in terms of both identified anomalies and false alarms. In addition, the system is currently under deployment on the company computing infrastructure and the first working version will be available by the end of May 202

Guidelines for the use and interpretation of diagnostic methods in adult food allergy

Food allergy has an increasing prevalence in the general population and in Italy concerns 8 % of people with allergies. The spectrum of its clinical manifestations ranges from mild symptoms up to potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. A number of patients can be diagnosed easily by the use of first- and second-level procedures (history, skin tests and allergen specific IgE). Patients with complex presentation, such as multiple sensitizations and pollen-food syndromes, frequently require a third-level approach including molecular diagnostics, which enables the design of a component-resolved sensitization profile for each patient. The use of such techniques involves specialists' and experts' skills on the issue to appropriately meet the diagnostic and therapeutic needs of patients. Particularly, educational programs for allergists on the use and interpretation of molecular diagnostics are needed

Effects of gamma irradiation on deteriorated paper

Even though gamma radiation application, also at the minimum dosage required for disinfection, causes depolymerization and degradation of the paper substrate, recently published papers seemed, instead, to suggest that γ-rays application could be envisaged in some conditions for Cultural Heritage original documents and books. In some of the published papers, the possible application of γ-rays was evaluated mainly by using mechanical tests that scarcely reflect the chemical modifications induced in the cellulosic support. In the present article the effect of low dosage γ-irradiation on cellulosic substrates was studied and monitored applying different techniques: colorimetry, spectroscopic measurements, carbonyl content and average viscometric degree of polymerization. Two different papers were investigated, a non-sized, non-filled cotton paper, and a commercial permanent paper. To simulate a real deteriorated document, which could need γ-rays irradiation, some samples were submitted to a hydrolysis treatment. We developed a treatment based on the exposition of paper to hydrochloric acid vapors, avoiding any contact of the samples with water. This method induces a degradation similar to that observed on original documents.The samples were then irradiated with 3 kGy γ-rays at a 5258 Gy/h rate. The aforementioned analyses were performed on the samples just irradiated and after artificial ageing. All tests showed negative effects of gamma irradiation on paper. Non-irradiated paper preserves better its appearance and chemical properties both in the short term and after ageing, while the irradiated samples show appreciable color change and higher oxidation extent. Since the Istituto centrale restauro e conservazione patrimonio archivistico e librario is responsible for the choice of all restoration treatments that could be applied on library and archival materials under the protection of the Italian State (http://www.icpal.beniculturali.it/allegati/DM-7-10-2008-Istituto.pdf), it has been evaluated that the modifications induced by γ-rays irradiation are not acceptable as safe conservation treatment (http://www.icpal.beniculturali.it/allegati/Nota_uso_raggi_gamma.pdf)

ATRP synthesis and association properties of temperature responsive dextran copolymers grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)

Temperature responsive copolymers of dextran grafted with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (Dex-g-PNIPAAM) were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in homogeneous mild conditions without using protecting group chemistry. Dextran macroinitiator was synthesized by reaction of dextran with 2-chloropropionyl chloride at room temperature in DMF containing 2% LiCl. ATRP was carried out in DMF: water 50:50 (v/v) mixtures at room temperature with CuBr/Tris(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me(6)TREN) as catalyst. Several grafted copolymers with well defined number and length of low polydispersity grafted chains were prepared. Temperature induced association properties in aqueous solution were studied as a function of temperature and polymer concentration by dynamic light scattering, fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM). LCST, ranging from 35 to 41 degrees C, was significantly affected by number and length of grafted chains. The fine tuning of LCST around body temperature is an important characteristic not obtainable by conventional radical grafting of PNIPAAM. Well defined spherical nanoparticles were formed above the LCST of PNIPAAM. Hydrodynamic diameter was in the range 73-98 nm. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

New results in Dead Sea Scrolls non-destructive characterisation. Evidence of different parchment manufacture in the fragments from Reed collection

This work presents the non-destructive spectroscopic characterisation of original Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) parchment fragments from Ronald Reed collection. The fragments are of paramount importance because they have never been subjected to any treatment of preservation and restoration, this allows to investigate the manufacturing method of real original Jewish parchments. The manufacture of “sacred” Jewish parchments, in fact, is traditionally supposed to use a superficial tannin treatment. To study the DSS fragments, it was necessary both to analyse mock-up samples, especially manufactured in order to reproduce ancient Oriental Jewish ritual parchments, and to compare the results with those obtained in the analysis of modern and ancient Western Jewish ritual parchments, in order to test the effectiveness of the selected spectroscopic techniques. Traditionally, the main difference between Oriental and Western traditional parchment preparation consisted in the dehairing method: enzymatic for Oriental and lime-based for Western. Moreover, a finishing treatment with tannin was supposed to be applied on ritual Jewish parchments. The need of reference samples derives from the knowledge that each parchment preparation, treatment and degradation can induce structural modifications that affect the spectral features. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy by Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR-FTIR), FT-Raman and m-Raman were used in this study. The experimental results allowed us to recognise, with different sensitivity, the presence of tannin by using m-Raman and IR spectroscopies and to prove that not all the archaeological samples were manufactured in the same way with vegetal extracts. Many salts (tschermigite, dolomite, calcite, gypsum and iron carbonate) were found on the surface of DSS fragments. They can derive from the degradation processes and storage environment before the discovery or from the manufacture. Moreover, the different sensitivities and instrumental characteristics of the used techniques permitted us to establish an analytical protocol, useful for further studies of similar materials

Extending MPLS Traffic Engineering to deal with QoS

Traffic Engineering (TE) deals with the performance optimization in operational networks, aiming for example at the fair distribution of traffic in order to avoid or minimize congestion. Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) is a key technology that enables advanced TE functionality. The MPLS framework consists of several components, such as the label switched forwarding plane, the label distribution and routing protocols and the "routing decision engine". Extensions to these components to fully support Traffic Engineering are currently under discussion within standardization bodies. Combining the proposed extensions to different control plane components in a consistent architecture is not a trivial operation. This paper defines the architecture of a Traffic Engineered MPLS network and describes its implementation in a test-bed composed of Linux PCs acting as MPLS routers. The architecture is aligned with current discussion within IETF and includes as an option an extension to RSVP-TE proposed by the authors. The prototype implementation allows verifying the correct functional behavior of control plane protocols. The test-bed provides a flexible platform where further extensions can be tested and some kinds of performance tests are possible

Environmentally induced colour change during natural degradation of selected polymers

The aim of this study was to examine the simultaneous effect of multiple degradation agents on selected polymer materials in natural environments, and the relative effect of atmospheric pollutants compared to other environmental parameters (heat, humidity and light). A complex exposure experiment was set up to investigate the colour change of 17 different types of polymers (cellulose carboxylate, polyamide, poly(vinyl chloride), polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, and melamine formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde resins) in real time in different environmental conditions over a 2-year period at 11 sites across Europe and North Africa, sheltered from UV light and precipitation. Suitable environmental monitoring equipment, such as data loggers and gas samplers, and analytical methods to characterize sample degradation, specifically non-destructive spectrocolorimetry, were used, as colour is one of the most important properties of polymers in art and heritage contexts. A methodology based on multivariate data analysis was used for data interpretation. The results of this study suggested that light and concentration of NO2 are the most important environmental variables leading to colour change in polymer materials, and to a lesser extent the concentration of O3, while other factors such as heat, relative humidity and the concentration of SO2 were less significant. Based on the assessment of the relative contributions of light and traffic-generated pollutants to the natural ageing processes of synthetic polymers, this study enables prioritisation of environmental degradation factors in environmental management of collections and in historic material degradation studies.The authors are grateful to Marina Bicchieri, Linda Cséfalvayová, Rena Fenech, Casimir Iwaszkiewicz, Marko Kmetič, Irena Oven, Matevz Strlič and Mikel Zubiaga for technical assistance. The authors gratefully acknowledge funding from the European Commission 7th Framework Programme under the grant agreement no. 212218 (Popart–Preservation of plastic artefacts in museum collections).Peer reviewe

Anion-Sensing Properties of Cyclopentaphenylalanine

Cyclic pentaphenylalanine was studied as an efficient anion sensor for halides, thiocyanate and oxoanions in acetonitrile and methanol. Stability constants of the corresponding complexes were determined by means of fluorimetric, spectrophotometric, 1H NMR, and microcalorimetric titrations. A detailed structural overview of receptor–anion complexes was obtained by classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The results of 1H NMR and MD studies indicated that the bound anions were coordinated by the amide groups of cyclopeptide, as expected. Circular dichroism (CD) titrations were also carried out in acetonitrile. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of the detection of anion binding by cyclopeptide using CD spectroscopy. The CD spectra were calculated from the structures obtained by MD simulations and were qualitatively in agreement with the experimental data. The stoichiometry of almost all complexes was 1:1 (receptor:anion), except for dihydrogen phosphate where the binding of dihydrogen phosphate dimer was observed in acetonitrile. The affinity of the cyclopeptide receptor was correlated with the structure of anion coordination sphere, as well as with the solvation properties of the examined solvents