Experimental testing of a hybrid sensible-latent heat storage system for domestic hot water applications

Aim of this work is to present the results of the testing of a small scale hybrid sensible/latent storage system (nominal volume 48.6 dm3), consisting of water in which macro-encapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) are added. Two different PCMs were macro-encapsulated, a commercial paraffin and a hydrate salts mixture prepared in the CNR ITAE lab, and loaded inside the tank in order to be tested. Different volume ratios between the PCM and the water were tested. The tests were conducted simulating different domestic hot water draw-off profiles. The resulting data showed an appreciable increase of heat storage capacity per unit of volume, even for limited fractions of PCM employed, reaching up to 10% of heat storage increasing by 1.3 dm3 of hydrate salts mixture added. Finally, the experimental results were used to test a numerical method of a PCM enhanced tank for dynamic plant simulations in ESP-r environment

Cover crops for managing weeds, soil chemical fertility and nutritional status of organically grown orange orchard in Sicily

Cover crops can offer significant advantages in the agronomic management of citrus orchards in Mediterranean environments. Therefore, a three-year research was conducted in eastern Sicily aimed at studying the effects of four cover crop sequences (Sinapis arvensis-Trigonella foenum-graecum-T. foenum-graecum; Medicago scutellata-Avena sativa-Lolium perenne; Vicia faba minor-A. sativa-A. sativa; A. sativa-V. faba. minor-L. perenne) on weeds, major soil chemical properties and nutritional status of an organically grown orange orchard. The results highlighted that, among the studied cover crop sequences, Vicia faba-Avena-Avena was the most beneficial for weeds control within the orchard (92%, of cover crop cover, and 586 and 89 g DW m–2 of cover crop aboveground biomass and weeds aboveground biomass, respectively). Overall, the chemical fertility of the soil was positively influenced. In particular, it was observed an increase of the content of total nitrogen and available phosphorus in the soil by both Sinapis-Trigonella-Trigonella (0.75 g kg–1 and 59.0 mg kg–1, respectively) and Vicia faba-Avena-Avena (0.70 g kg–1 and 56.0 mg kg–1, respectively) cover crop sequences. Medicago-Avena-Lolium sequence seemed to be the most useful to ensure a better nutritional status of the orange orchard

Phytoremediation potential of Arundo donax (Giant Reed) in contaminated soil by heavy metals

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Allelopathic potential of leaf aqueous extracts from Cynara cardunculus L. on the seedling growth of two cosmopolitan weed species

The search for sustainable alternatives to synthetic herbicides for weed control, has led the scientific community to an increased interest for plant allelopathic mechanisms. The utilization of plant extracts as possible bioherbicides represents an important solution. In the present study, laboratory experiments were carried out to investigate, for the first time, the differences in the allelopathic activity of the three Cynara cardunculus L. botanical varieties (globe artichoke, cultivated and wild cardoon) leaf aqueous extracts on the seedling growth of Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Portulaca oleracea L. In addition, the autoallelopathic effect on wild cardoon growth and the qualitative profile of the aqueous extract through HPLC analysis were evaluated. Overall, the allelopathic effects were both genotype- and weed species-dependent. Wild cardoon showed the highest allelopathic potential (–23.4%), followed by cultivated cardoon and globe artichoke, and P. oleracea was the most sensitive target species (–32%). Besides, root system length was the most affected parameter (–32.6%). The autoallelopathic effect of wild cardoon extract was also demonstrated on root system length, hypocotyl and epicotyl length and total dry weight. C. cardunculus leaf aqueous extract was characterised by 5 sesquiterpene lactones, 2 caffeoylquinic acids, 6 flavones and 1 lignan. From the HPLC analysis we found that apigenin and luteolin 7-O-glucoronide were detected only in wild cardoon, apigenin 7-O-glucoside was typic of globe artichoke, and 11,13-dihydro-desacylcynaropicrin and 11,13-dihydroxi-8-desoxygrosheimin were characteristics of cultivated cardoon

Multicentric survey on dose reduction/interruption of cancer drug therapy in 12.472 patients: Indicators of suspected adverse reactions

Antiblastic drugs have a high number of potential side-effects. Paradoxically, according to the National Network of Pharmacovigilance, the number of reported adverse reactions to these agents is proportionally lower than that registered for non antiblastic drugs. Critical phenomena such as treatment interruptions and significant dose reductions within the first two months of use may be indicators of adverse drug reactions. The aim of the present study was to increase our knowledge of pharmacovigilance to facilitate the actions taken to improve the risk-benefit profile of cancer drugs and, consequently, their safety. This retrospective observational survey was carried out on prescriptions from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2012.Dose reductions of more than 10% during the first 90 days of therapy were considered as a surrogate indicator of an adverse reaction. Dose interruptions during the first 60 days of therapy were taken into consideration. Of the12,472 patients 1,248 underwent a dose reduction. The drugs that most often required a dose reduction were paclitaxel and oxaliplatin (17.4% and 17.3%, respectively), docetaxel (14.8%), carboplatin (15%), fluorouracil (10.7%) and, among oral medications, capecitabine (6.9%). Of the 1896 patients treated with the same drugs, 9.7% interrupted treatment. Patients required a lower dose reduction than that reported by other authors. Around 15% of cases underwent a 30% dose reduction within three months of starting therapy, indicating a possible adverse reaction. Constant monitoring of dose prescription and continuous training of medical and nursing staff are clearly needed to increase awareness of the importance of reporting adverse events.Antiblastic drugs have a high number of potential side-effects. Paradoxically, according to the National Network of Pharmacovigilance, the number of reported adverse reactions to these agents is proportionally lower than that registered for non antiblastic drugs. Critical phenomena such as treatment interruptions and significant dose reductions within the first two months of use may be indicators of adverse drug reactions. The aim of the present study was to increase our knowledge of pharmacovigilance to facilitate the actions taken to improve the risk-benefit profile of cancer drugs and, consequently, their safety. This retrospective observational survey was carried out on prescriptions from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2012. Dose reductions of more than 10% during the first 90 days of therapy were considered as a surrogate indicator of an adverse reaction. Dose interruptions during the first 60 days of therapy were taken into consideration. Of the12,472 patients 1,248 underwent a dose reduction. The drugs that most often required a dose reduction were paclitaxel and oxaliplatin (17.4% and 17.3%, respectively), docetaxel (14.8%), carboplatin (15%), fluorouracil (10.7%) and, among oral medications, capecitabine (6.9%). Of the 1896 patients treated with the same drugs, 9.7% interrupted treatment. Patients required a lower dose reduction than that reported by other authors. Around 15% of cases underwent a 30% dose reduction within three months of starting therapy, indicating a possible adverse reaction. Constant monitoring of dose prescription and continuous training of medical and nursing staff are clearly needed to increase awareness of the importance of reporting adverse events

Firm size distribution and employment fluctuations:Theory and evidence

This paper studies the effect of the firm-size distribution on the relationship between employment and output. We construct a theoretical model, which predicts that changes in demand for industry output have larger effects on employment in industries characterised by a distribution that is more skewed towards smaller firms. Industry-specific shape parameters of the firm size distributions are estimated using firm-level data from Germany, Sweden and the UK, and used to augment a relationship between industry-level employment and output. Our empirical results align with the predictions of the theory and confirm that the size distribution of firms is an important determinant of the relationship between changes in output and employment

Impact of inotuzumab ozogamicin on outcome in relapsed or refractory acute B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia patients prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and risk of sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/venous occlusive disease

: We evaluated 58 patients with relapsed or refractory (r/r) acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL; median age 42.5 years; range, 16-69 years), treated with inotuzumab ozogamicin (INO) between 2016-2022 and who received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HCT) consecutively. Forty-seven (81%) of the 58 patients were heavily pretreated receiving intensive chemotherapy +/- tyrosine kinase inhibitor, blinatumomab in 24 (41%) and allo-HCT at first-line in 11 (19%) patients. Complete remission rate prior to allo-HCT was 84%. Median follow-up was 30.5 months and median overall survival (OS) measured from start of INO was 11.2 months. One- and 2-year OS rates were 50% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 38.4-56.1) and 36.7% (95% CI: 25.5-52.9), respectively. Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/venous occlusive disease (SOS/ VOD) after allo-HCT occurred in 17 (29%) patients. Of those, nine (53%) patients died due to SOS/VOD and multi-organ failure. Two had received >2 INO cycles (3 cycles, 5 cycles, N=1, each), all others ≤2 INO cycles prior to allo-HCT. Logistic regression analysis revealed conditioning with double alkylators (P=0.038) and allo-HCT during first-line therapy (P=0.050) as significant risk factors for SOS/VOD and in trend allo-HCT ≤60 days from last INO application (P=0.07), whereas number of INO cycles before allo-HCT and time between last INO application and allo-HCT were not significant. Relapse/progressive disease occurred in 20 (34%) patients. Of those, five (25%) patients are still alive, whereas 15 succumbed of their disease. Treatment with INO seems to be an effective approach with successful bridge-to-transplant. However, risk of SOS/VOD is high, necessitating continuous monitoring and recognition of SOS/VOD risk factors

Nosocomial acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphyloccocus aureus (MRSA) and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) Enterobacteriaceae in hospitalised patients: a prospective multicenter study

The risk of acquisition of antibiotic resistant-bacteria during or shortly after antibiotic therapy is still unclear and it is often confounded by scarce data on antibiotic usage.Primary objective of the study is to compare rates of acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in hospitalised patients, after starting antibiotic therapy

New insights into the pathogenesis of giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an inflammatory chronic disease occurring exclusively in elderly individuals. Until recently, the disease has been considered a unique disease resulting from the interaction in the walls of susceptible arteries, between an unknown infectious agents with local dendritic cells (DCs), activated CD4 T cells and effector macrophages. Recent evidence has shown that this view was too simplistic and has clarified many of the pathogenetic aspects of the disease. Many genetic studies recently published have identified different new genes, including cytokines, adhesion molecules and regulators of innate immunity, as crucial players in the development and progression of GCA. Recent evidence suggests that there is heterogeneity of histological lesions in GCA, that are correlated with different immunological Th9 and Th17 signature. The recent demonstration that Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antigen is present in the 64% of GCA-negative TAs and in the 73% of GCA-positive TAs could represent an important point of arrival in the search for a causative agent in the pathogenesis of a metameric disease such as GCA. In this context, cytokines such as IL-32 and IL-33 that act as a danger signal following tissue damage and infection are over-expressed in GCA arteries. Artery tertiary lymphoid organs, present in up to 50% of GCA-positive arteries, could represent the sites were primary immune responses and T- and B-cell autoimmune responses against viral antigens are organized. The recently demonstrated disturbed distribution of B cells in GCA could be also relevant in the pathogenesis of the disease, possibly contributing to the enhanced IL-6 response. Altogether, these evidences may clarify many pathogenetic aspect of the disease, also suggesting complexity greater than first imagined

Rapporto sull'efficienza energetica 2013

Rapporto tecnico sulla gestione energetica nelle grandi strutture del CNR e sui possibili interventi per la riduzione dei consumi (258 pagine, con contributi di 25 autori). Pubblicazione del progetto “Efficienza energetica”, promosso dal Direttore Generale del CNR con lettera prot. CNR n. 0075888 del 7/12/2012