Mitigation of fugitive dust impact arising from BR dry disposal

The development of international policies about environmental defense has enforced some major modifications in the management of industrial tailings. As regards the disposal of the residue deriving from the bauxite processing (BR) in the alumina industry, national and international regulations have encouraged the evolution from wet to dry disposal techniques. However, such a change in the storage practices poses a major concern due to the potential increase of the atmospheric impact in the surrounding areas, due to the emissions of Particulate Matter (PM) generated both by the BR disposal activities and by the wind erosion over the dried surfaces of the landfill. The article analyses the effect of the impact mitigation measures typically adopted to control PM emissions with reference to a major red mud basin located in the southwest of Sardinia (Italy). The PM dispersion models performed with the CALPUFF code (US EPA) allowed, for the case study under consideration, the estimate of the improvement provided by moistening the dry surfaces and reducing the total length travelled par year by the machinery involved in material handling, transportation and disposal

PM emissions from a BR basin and impact assessment on air quality

The article deals with the emission of fugitive dust from a major BR (Bauxite Residue) basin located in the south-west of Sardinia, where the prospect of a change in the storage practices is likely to cause the increase of PM (Particulate Matter) pollution in the surrounding region. In fact, other natural and anthropic sources already provide a variable contribution in terms of airborne dust concentration in the same territory. In accordance with the procedures established by the Directive 2011/92 (EIA Directive - Environmental Impact Assessment), the data recorded by a monitoring network located in the SulcisIglesiente sub-region has been taken into consideration in order to define the ante-operam condition of the potential impact area. The additional contribution of the red mud basin has been simulated with the atmospheric dispersion model proposed by US EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The expected whole concentration of the PM10, which includes both the pre-existing sources and the additional contribution of the red mud basin, has been estimated and compared with the limit values established by the Directive 2008/50/EC (Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe)

Adherence issues related to sublingual immunotherapy as perceived by allergists

Objectives: Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) is a viable alternative to subcutaneous immunotherapy to treat allergic rhinitis and asthma, and is widely used in clinical practice in many European countries. The clinical efficacy of SLIT has been established in a number of clinical trials and meta-analyses. However, because SLIT is self-administered by patients without medical supervision, the degree of patient adherence with treatment is still a concern. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perception by allergists of issues related to SLIT adherence. Methods: We performed a questionnaire-based survey of 296 Italian allergists, based on the adherence issues known from previous studies. The perception of importance of each item was assessed by a VAS scale ranging from 0 to 10. Results: Patient perception of clinical efficacy was considered the most important factor (ranked 1 by 54% of allergists), followed by the possibility of reimbursement (ranked 1 by 34%), and by the absence of side effects (ranked 1 by 21%). Patient education, regular follow-up, and ease of use of SLIT were ranked first by less than 20% of allergists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that clinical efficacy, cost, and side effects are perceived as the major issues influencing patient adherence to SLIT, and that further improvement of adherence is likely to be achieved by improving the patient information provided by prescribers. © 2010 Scurati et al, publisher and licensee Dove Medical Press Ltd

Enteric glial cells express full-length TrkB and depend on TrkB expression for normal development

The embryonic development of the enteric nervous system (ENS) from neural crest precursor cells requires neurotrophic signaling. Neurotrophins (NTs) are a family of growth factors that bind Trk receptors to signal diverse functions, including development and maintenance of different cell populations in the peripheral nervous system. In this study we investigated the expression and cell localization of TrkB, the high affinity receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and NT-4, in the murine ENS using Western blot and immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrate that enteric glial cells within the ENS express full-length TrkB at all stages tested. The ENS of TrkB deficient mice have reduced expression of glial cell markers, and a disarrangement of glial cells and the plexular neuropil. These results strongly suggest TrkB has essential roles in the normal development and maintenance of glial cells in the ENS. © 2009 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.Peer Reviewe

Network interimpresa ed opportunità imprenditoriali: il ruolo dei legami deboli e forti nella formazione e nello sfruttamento delle opportunità imprenditoriali

L'obiettivo del lavoro è indagare il ruolo dei legami deboli tra imprese nel processo di identificazione del set di potenziali partner di valore tra i quali scegliere con chi attivare legami forti, formalizzati in alleanze, che consentano di sfruttare opportunità imprenditoriali scoperte o create. Numerosi studi manageriali si sono soffermati ad analizzare l'emersione e le dinamiche evolutive della struttura dei network di alleanze ed hanno, complessivamente, individuato le differenti finalità e le logiche di formazione che contraddistinguono due categorie di legami forti: i legami locali che si formano all'interno di cluster appartenenti al network; i bridging ties, che creano ponti tra partner collocati in zone distanti del network o all'esterno del network. Le dinamiche che caratterizzano tali due tipologie di legami guidano l'evoluzione dei network di alleanze e promuovono, rispettivamente, tendenze inerziali e spinte al cambiamento. Focalizzandosi sulle tematiche appena descritte, gli studi precedenti hanno chiarito le logiche che guidano la scelta, allrinterno di un set di imprese potenzialmente di valore, dei partner con i quali attivare le alleanze. Contemporaneamente, essi non esplorano invero il processo di identificazione dei partner potenzialmente di valore da includere nel set. Conseguentemente, il presente lavoro si propone di approfondire tale processo di identificazione dei partner potenzialmente di valore e, in particolare come esso sia influenzato dal substrato di legami deboli (e sovente informali) nel quale è immersa lrimpresa, come pure dallroperare in contesti di opportunity discovery o opportunity creation