Analysis of pressure blips in aft-finocyl solid rocket motor

Ballistic anomalies have frequently occurred during the firing of several solid rocket motors (SRMs) (Inertial Upper Stage, Space Shuttle Redesigned SRM (RSRM) and Titan IV SRM Upgrade (SRMU)), producing even relevant and unexpected variations of the SRM pressure trace from its nominal profile. This paper has the purpose to provide a numerical analysis of the following possible causes of ballistic anomalies in SRMs: an inert object discharge, a slag ejection, and an unexpected increase in the propellant burning rate or in the combustion surface. The SRM configuration under investigation is an aft-finocyl SRM with a first-stage/small booster design. The numerical simulations are performed with a quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) unsteady model of the SRM internal ballistics, properly tailored to model each possible cause of the ballistic anomalies. The results have shown that a classification based on the head-end pressure (HEP) signature, relating each other the HEP shape and the ballistic anomaly cause, can be made. For each cause of ballistic anomalies, a deepened discussion of the parameters driving the HEP signatures is provided, as well as qualitative and quantitative assessments of the resultant pressure signals

Influencia de la infestación por Dacus Oleae sobre el flavor de aceites, extraídos de aceitunas atacadas, por análisis HPLC y HRGC de compuestos volátiles

The authors have examined the influence of the Dacus Oleae infestation on the aroma of the oils obtained from olives of Coratina and Nebbio varieties at different levels of attack. The results obtained indicated a worsening of the qualitative level of the oils obtained from increasing percentages of infested olives; these were found to have a great decrease of phenolic substances and higher contents of both volatile alcohols and aldehydes with an unpleasant sensation. Of particular interest was hexanal/total volatile alcohols ratio, in which having been well correlated with the extent of infestation, would permit one to establish in an objective manner, if and how much the olives from which an oil has been extracted have suffered a Dacus attack.Los autores han examinado la influencia de la infestación por Dacus Oleae sobre el aroma de aceites obtenidos de aceitunas de las variedades Coratina y Nebbio en diferentes estados de ataque. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron un empeoramiento de los niveles de calidad de los aceites obtenidos a medida que se incrementaba el porcentaje de aceitunas infestadas; mostrando una gran disminución de las sustancias fenólicas y altos contenidos tanto de alcoholes volátiles como de aldehídos, con una sensación desagradable. De particular interés fue la relación hexanal/alcoholes volátiles totales, la cual ha sido bien correlacionada con la extensión de la infestación, lo que permitiría establecer de una manera objetiva, sí y cuantas de las aceitunas de las cuales se ha extraído, han sufrido ataque por Dacus

Less Can Be More: Optimization of the Acquisition Range to Enhance Phasor Analysis in Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy

The phasor approach is widely recognized as a powerful method for analyzing multidimensional images, and is currently one of the most utilized algorithms for spectral unmixing in fluorescence microscopy. Notably, it is exstensively employed in fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, but limitations in the acquisition window can affect the accuracy of lifetime and fraction estimates if not properly considered. In this article, we introduce a novel analytical framework to predict how photophysical and acquisition parameters influence the values of lifetimes and fractions estimated via phasor analysis. This approach also accounts for photon loss during detection, allowing researchers to mitigate errors by optimizing integration bounds. By refining these parameters, we enhance the precision of lifetime estimation and improve fluorescence signal clarity, particularly for low-signal contributions in autofluorescence imaging. Our findings expand the utility of phasor analysis across fluorescence microscopy techniques, even in challenging conditions where capturing the full emission spectrum is difficult. This advancement improves the specificity and sensitivity of fluorescence microscopy, providing more accurate quantification and separation of fluorophore contributions in complex biological samples

Ésteres alquílicos de ácidos grasos en aceitunas de mesa en relación con fermentaciones anormales y tratamientos tecnológicos mal realizados

There are several methods to prepare table olives, and each of the steps and conditions during this processing can affect the composition and nutritional value of the product. The influence of abnormal fermentation and poorly conducted technological treatments was examined here in terms of the lipid fraction of table olives. In ‘Greek style’ olives, a low concentration of brine can allow the growth of spontaneous microflora and consequent organoleptic defects (‘putrid/butyric fermentation’, ‘winey-vinegary’). Here, the ‘Kalamata’ and ‘Moresca’ cultivars can produce methyl esters (methyl oleate/ linoleate: 553 and 450 mg·kg-1 oil, respectively) and ethyl esters (ethyl oleate/ inoleate: 4764 and 4195; palmitate: 617 and 886 mg·kg-1 oil, respectively). In ‘Sevillan style’ olives, a high NaOH concentration influences the fatty-acid composition less, but is difficult to eliminate, for a ‘soapy’ defect. The ‘Giarraffa’ and ‘Nocellara del Belice’ cultivars produce only ethyl esters (ethyl oleate/ linoleate: 222 and 289 mg·kg-1 oil, respectively). With this production of ethyl and methyl esters from the principal fatty acids in the lipid fractions of table olives, methods that provide only biological treatments (i.e., Greek style) pose more risk than methods that provide only chemical treatments (i.e., Sevillan style).H�a�y� �v�a�r�i�o�s� �m�ét�o�d�o�s� �p�a�r�a� �p�r�e�p�a�r�a�r� �l�a�s� �a�c�e�i�t�u�n�a�s� �d�e� �m�e�s�a�,� �y� �c�a�d�a� �u�n�o� �d�e� �l�o�s� �p�a�s�o�s� �y� �c�o�n�d�i�c�i�o�n�e�s� �d�u�r�a�n�t�e� �e�s�t�e� �p�r�o�c�e�s�a�m�i�e�n�t�o� �p�u�e�d�e�n� �a�f�e�c�t�a�r� �a� �l�a� �c�o�m�p�o�s�i�c�i�ón� �y� �a�l� �v�a�l�o�r� �n�u�t�r�i�c�i�o�n�a�l� �d�e�l� �p�r�o�d�u�c�t�o�.� �L�a� �i�n�f�l�u�e�n�c�i�a� �d�e� �l�a� �f�e�r�m�e�n�t�a�c�i�ón� �a�n�o�r�m�a�l� �y� �t�r�a�t�a�m�i�e�n�t�o�s� �t�e�c�n�o�l�ó�g�i�c�o�s� �m�a�l� �r�e�a�l�i�z�a�d�a�s� �s�e� �e�x�a�m�i�nó� �a�q�u�í� �e�n� �t�é�r�m�i�n�o�s� �d�e� �l�a� �f�r�a�c�c�i�ó�n� �l�i�p�í�d�i�c�a� �d�e� �a�c�e�i�t�u�n�a�s� �d�e� �m�e�s�a�.� �E�n� �l�a�s� �a�c�e�i�t�u�n�a�s� �p�r�o�c�e�s�a�d�a�s� �m�e�d�i�a�n�t�e� �e�s�t�i�l�o� �g�r�i�e�g�o�,� �l�a� �b�a�j�a� �c�o�n�c�e�n�t�r�a�c�i�.�n� �d�e� �s�a�l�m�u�e�r�a� �p�e�r�m�i�t�e� �e�l� �c�r�e�c�i�m�i�e�n�t�o� �e�s�p�o�n�tá�n�e�o� �d�e� �m�i�c�r�o�f�l�o�r�a� �y� �l�a� �c�o�n�s�i�g�u�i�e�n�t�e� �a�p�a�r�i�c�i�ó�n� �d�e� �d�e�f�e�c�t�o�s� �o�r�g�a�n�o�l�é�p�t�i�c�o�s� �(‘�f�e�r�m�e�n�t�a�c�i�ó�n� �b�u�t�í�r�i�c�a� �y� �a�v�i�n�a�g�r�a�d�o’ )�.� �L�o�s� �c�u�l�t�i�v�a�r�e�s� �d�e� �‘K�a�l�a�m�a�t�a’� �y� ‘M�o�r�e�s�c�a’� �p�u�e�d�e�n� �p�r�o�d�u�c�i�r� �é�s�t�e�r�e�s� �m�e�t�í�l�i�c�o�s� �(�o�l�e�a�t�o� �y� �l�i�n�o�l�e�a�t�o�:� �5�5�3� �y� �4�5�0� �m�g·�k�g�-1� �d�e� �a�c�e�i�t�e�,� �r�e�s�p�e�c�t�i�v�a�me�n�t�e�)� �y� �é�s�t�e�r�e�s� �e�t�í�l�i�c�o�s� �(�o�l�e�a�t�o� �y� �l�i�n�o�l�e�a�t�o�:� �4�7�6�4� �y� �4�1�9�5�;� �p�a�l�m�i�t�a�t�o�:� �6�1�7� �y� �8�8�6� �m�g·k�g�-1�,� �r�e�s�p�e�c�t�i�v�a�m�e�n�t�e�)�.� �E�n� �l�a�s� �a�c�e�i�t�u�n�a�s� �p�r�o�c�e�s�a�d�a�s� �m�e�d�i�a�n�t�e� �e�s�t�i�l�o� �s�e�v�i�l�l�a�n�o�,� �l�a� �a�l�t�a� �c�o�n�c�e�n�t�r�a�c�ió�n� �d�e� �N�a�O�H� �i�n�f�l�u�y�e� �m�e�n�o�s� �e�n� �l�a� �c�o�m�p�o�s�i�c�ión� �d�e� �ác�i�d�o�s� �g�r�a�s�o�s�,� �p�e�r�o� �e�s� �d�i�fíc�i�l� �d�e� �e�l�i�m�i�n�a�r� �e�l� �d�e�f�e�c�t�o� �j�a�b�ón�.� �L�o�s� �c�u�l�t�i�v�a�r�e�s� �d�e� �‘G�i�a�r�r�a�f�f�a’� y� �‘N�o�c�e�l�l�a�r�a� �d�e�l� �B�e�l�i�c�e’ �p�r�o�d�u�c�e�n� �s�o�l�a�m�e�n�t�e� é�s�t�e�r�e�s� �e�t�éíl�i�c�o�s� �(�o�l�e�a�t�o� �y� �l�i�n�o�l�e�a�t�o�:� �2�2�2� �y� �2�8�9� �m�g�·�k�g-1� �d�e� �a�c�e�i�t�e�,� �r�e�s�p�e�c�t�i�v�a�m�e�n�t�e�)�.� �C�o�n� �e�s�t�a� �p�r�o�d�u�c�c�ión� �d�e� �é�s�t�e�r�e�s� �e�t�í�l�i�c�o�s� �y� �m�e�t�í�l�i�c�o�s� �d�e� �l�o�s� �á�c�i�d�o�s� �g�r�a�s�o�s� �p�r�i�n�c�i�p�a�l�e�s� �e�n� �l�a�s� �f�r�a�c�c�i�o�n�e�s� �l�i�pí�d�i�c�a�s� �d�e� �l�a�s� �a�c�e�i�t�u�n�a�s� �d�e� �m�e�s�a�,� �l�o�s� �mét�o�d�o�s� �q�u�e� �p�r�o�p�o�r�c�i�o�n�a�n� �t�r�a�t�a�m�i�e�n�t�o�s� �u�n�i�c�a�m�e�n�t�e� �b�i�o�ló�g�i�c�o�s� �(�e�s� �d�e�c�i�r�,� �d�e� �e�s�t�i�l�o� �g�r�i�e�g�o�)� �p�l�a�n�t�e�a�n� �má�s� �r�i�e�s�g�o�s� �q�u�e� �l�o�s� �m�ét�o�d�o�s� �q�u�e� �p�r�o�p�o�r�c�i�o�n�a�n� �t�r�a�t�a�m�i�e�n�t�o�s� �q�uí�m�i�c�o�s� �(�e�s� �d�e�c�i�r�,� �d�e� �e�s�t�i�l�o� �s�e�v�i�l�l�a�n�o�)�

Assessment of the energetic potential by hazelnuts pruning in Viterbo’s area

In this work the amount of biomass available by the hazelnuts pruning in the province of Viterbo was investigated. At present, the pruning's residues are destroyed by farmers directly in the field, at the end of the pruning; in this way a large quantity of biomass, represented by hazelnut's prunings, is lost; the residues obtained from the hazelnut's pruning, are an important source of biomass that could be used for thermal energy production. The aim of this work is to realize a map with the estimated energy potential from hazelnut pruning biomass, in the province of Viterbo. In the first phase the amount of biomass obtained from a hectare of hazelnut's cultivationwas estimated:sampling were carried out in some municipalities of Viterbo while hazelnut pruning was taking place, from January to March.In the field, biomass was weighed and some pieces of wood were collected for laboratory analysis; in particular humidity of biomass, low calorific value, ashand the content of carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and nitrogen (N) were determined. In the calculation of the biomass were considered the age of the plants and the number of plants per hectare. The results show that the amount of biomass obtained from pruning of hazelnuts varies with the age of plants, but even more so by the number of plants per hectare. The average value of biomass obtained from pruning of a hectare of land is just under 0,9 t. Knowing the net calorific value of the hazelnut wood and the number of hectares cultivated for each municipality, a map of thermal potential energy has been realized

Exploring novel circulating biomarkers for liver cancer through extracellular vesicle characterization with infrared spectroscopy and plasmonics

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common form of liver cancer, with cirrhosis being a major risk factor. Traditional blood markers like alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) demonstrate limited efficacy in distinguishing between HCC and cirrhosis, underscoring the need for more effective diagnostic methodologies. In this context, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising candidates; however, their practical diagnostic application is restricted by the current lack of label-free methods to accurately profile their molecular content. To address this gap, our study explores the potential of mid-infrared (mid-IR) spectroscopy, both alone and in combination with plasmonic nanostructures, to detect and characterize circulating EVs. Results: EVs were extracted from HCC , cirrhotic patients. Mid-IR spectroscopy in the Attenuated Total Reflection (ATR) mode was utilized to identify potential signatures for patient classification, highlighting sig- nificant changes in the Amide I-II region (1475-1700 cm-1 ). This signature demonstrated diagnostic performance comparable to AFP and surpassed it when the two markers were combined. Further investigations utilized a plasmonic metasurface suitable for ultrasensitive spectroscopy within this spectral range. This device consists of two sets of parallel rod-shaped gold nanoantennas (NAs); the longer NAs produced an intense near-field amplification in the Amide I-II bands, while the shorter NAs were utilized to provide a sharp reflectivity edge at 1800-2200 cm-1 for EV mass-sensing. A clinically relevant subpopulation of EVs was targeted by conjugating NAs with an antibody specific to Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM). This methodology enabled the detection of variations in the quantity of EpCAM-presenting EVs and revealed changes in the Amide I-II lineshape. Significance: The presented results can positively impact the development of novel laboratory methods for the label-free characterization of EVs, based on the combination between mid-IR spectroscopy and plasmonics. Additionally, data obtained by using HCC and cirrhotic subjects as a model system, suggest that this approach could be adapted for monitoring these conditions

The heat stress for workers employed in a dairy farm

The Italian dairy production is characterized by high heterogeneity. The typology quantitatively more important (80% of national production) is represented by cow’s milk cheeses (Grana Padano cheese, string cheese, Parmesan cheese, etc.), while the cheese from buffalo’s milk (especially string cheese such as mozzarella) and cheese from sheep and goats represents respectively 4% and 8% of the national dairy production, and are linked to specific regional contexts. Some phases of the cycle of milk processing occur at certain temperatures that are not comfortable for the workers also in relation to possible problems due to thermal shock. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk of heat stress on workers operating in a dairy for processing of buffalo milk. The research was conducted at a dairy farm located in the province of Viterbo, Italy, during the spring-summer period. To carry out the research were detected major climatic parameters (air temperature, relative humidity, mean radiant temperature, air velocity) and the main parameters of the individual operators (clothing thermal insulation and the energy expenditure required from the work done by employees). Subsequently, main indices of heat stress assessment provided by the main technical standards were calculated. In particular have been calculated predicted mean vote and predicted percentage of dissatisfied in moderate thermal environments (environments in which the objective, in the design and management phases, is to achieve the thermal comfort), provided by the UNI EN ISO 7730 and the wet bulb globe temperature in severe hot environments (environments in which you must protect the health of workers) required by UNI EN ISO 27243. The results show some phases of risk from heat stress especially during times of test in which the internal air temperature exceeds the threshold of 30°C and possible solutions to improve the safety of the operators

The Management of Decumulation Risks in a Defined Contribution Pension Plan

The aim of the paper is to lay the theoretical foundations for the construction of a flexible tool that can be used by pensioners to find optimal investment and consumption choices in the distribution phase of a defined contribution pension plan. The investment/consumption plan is adopted until the time of compulsory annuitization, taking into account the possibility of earlier death. The effect of the bequest motive and the desire to buy a higher annuity than the one purchasable at retirement are included in the objective function. The mathematical tools provided by dynamic programming techniques are applied to find closed-form solutions: numerical examples are also presented. In the model, the tradeoff between the different desires of the individual regarding consumption and final annuity can be dealt with by choosing appropriate weights for these factors in the setting of the problem. Conclusions are twofold. First, we find that there is a natural time-varying target for the size of the fund, which acts as a sort of safety level for the needs of the pensioner. Second, the personal preferences of the pensioner can be translated into optimal choices, which in turn affect the distribution of the consumption path and of the final annuity