Environmental assessment of a new building envelope material derived from urban agriculture wastes: the case of the tomato plants stems

Purpose: Decarbonizing cities is one of today biggest challenges. In this regard, particular attention has been paid on improving the environmental performance of buildings. In this framework, this work consists in assessing the environmental impact of an innovative building envelope component derived from urban agriculture (UA) wastes. In fact, rooftop UA seems to be a possible solution to the rising food demand due to increasing urban demographic growth. Consequently, rooftop UA wastes need to be treated in sustainable ways. Methods: This study aims to determine the carbon footprint and embodied energy of a new infill wall material, derived from UA wastes produced by a building rooftop greenhouse tomato crop, and evaluate the potential biogenic carbon that such by-product could fix temporally until its end of life. After an initial description of the manufacturing process of the new material, its carbon footprint and embodied energy have been calculated by means of the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology according to the ISO 14044 and the ISO 14067 guidelines adapted to the analyzed context. In particular, the inventory analysis is based on data collected from the production of samples of the new material at the laboratory scale. Results and discussion: The results of the LCA indicate that, when the biogenic carbon fixed in the UA wastes is considered, a negative carbon footprint of -0.2 kg CO2 eq. per kg of material can be obtained. Hence, it can be assumed that from a life cycle perspective the material is able to fix carbon emissions instead of emitting them. Specifically, for the considered scenario, approximately 0.42 kg CO2 eq./m2 per year could be sequestered. However, the crop area required to produce enough waste to manufacture a unit of material is quite high. Therefore, future studies should focus on individuate solutions to reduce the density of the new component, and also different urban crops with higher waste production rates. Conclusions: The outcomes of the study put in evidence the potential of the new proposed infill wall component in fixing carbon emissions from UA, allowing to also compensate those relating to the production and transportation stages of the component life cycle. Moreover, producing by-products with UA wastes, hence temporally storing the carbon fixed by crops, may contribute to reduce the carbon cycles speed conversely to traditional waste management solutions, other than lower new raw materials depletion

Microclimate monitoring in the Carcer Tullianum: temporal and spatial correlation and gradients evidenced by multivariate analysis; first campaign

Too often microclimate studies in the field of cultural heritage are published without any or scarce information on sampling design, sensors (type, number, position) and instrument validation. Lacking of this fundamental information does not allow an open discussion in the scientific community. This work aims to be an invitation for a different approach

Microclimate monitoring of Ariadne's house (Pompeii, Italy) for preventive conservation of fresco paintings

Background: Ariadne's house, located at the city center of ancient Pompeii, is of great archaeological value due to the fresco paintings decorating several rooms. In order to assess the risks for long-term conservation affecting the valuable mural paintings, 26 temperature data-loggers and 26 relative humidity data-loggers were located in four rooms of the house for the monitoring of ambient conditions. Results: Data recorded during 372 days were analyzed by means of graphical descriptive methods and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results revealed an effect of the roof type and number of walls of the room. Excessive temperatures were observed during the summer in rooms covered with transparent roofs, and corrective actions were taken. Moreover, higher humidity values were recorded by sensors on the floor level. Conclusions: The present work provides guidelines about the type, number, calibration and position of thermohygrometric sensors recommended for the microclimate monitoring of mural paintings in outdoor or semi-confined environments. © 2012 Merello et al.; licensee Chemistry Central Ltd.This work was partially supported by the Spanish Government (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion) under projects HAR2010-21944-C02-01 and HAR2010-21944-C02-02.Merello Giménez, P.; García Diego, FJ.; Zarzo Castelló, M. (2012). Microclimate monitoring of Ariadne's house (Pompeii, Italy) for preventive conservation of fresco paintings. Chemistry Central Journal. 6:145-161. https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-6-145S1451616Ribera A, Olcina M, Ballester C: Pompeya Bajo Pompeya, las Excavaciones en la Casa de Ariadna. Valencia: Fundación MARQ; 2007.World Monuments Fund: World Monuments Watch: 100 Most Endangered Sites. New York: World Monuments Fund; 1996.Anter KF: Colours in Pompeiian cityscape: Adding pieces to the puzzle. Color Res Appl 2006,31(4):331–340.Harris J: Protecting Pompeii and the Italian heritage in 2012. http://www.i-italy.org/bloggers/18935/protecting-pompeii-and-italian-heritage-2012Augusti S: La Tecnica Dell’antica Pittura Parietale Pompeiana. Napoli: Gaetano Macchiaroli Editore; 1950.Miriello D, Barca D, Bloise A, Ciarallo A, Crisci GM, De Rose T, Gattuso C, Gazineo F, La Russa MF: Characterisation of archaeological mortars from Pompeii (Campania, Italy) and identification of construction phases by compositional data analysis. J Arch Sci 2010, 37:2207–2223.Castriota M, Cosco V, Barone T, De Santo G, Carafa P, Cazzanelli E: Micro-Raman characterizations of Pompei’s mortars. J Raman Spectrosc 2008,39(2):295–301.Maguregui M, Knuutinen U, Castro K, Madariaga JM: Raman spectroscopy as a tool to diagnose the impact and conservation state of Pompeian second and fourth style wall paintings exposed to diverse environments (House of Marcus Lucretius). J Raman Spectrosc 2010,41(11):1400–1409.Genestar C, Pons C, Más A: Analytical characterisation of ancient mortars from the archaeological Roman city of Pollentia (Balearic Islands, Spain). Anal Chim Acta 2006, 557:373–379.Duran A, Perez-Maqueda LA, Poyato J, Perez-Rodriguez JL: A thermal study approach to roman age wall painting mortars. J Therm Anal Calorim 2010,99(3):803–809.Pérez MC, García Diego F-J, Merello P, D’Antoni P, Fernández Navajas A, Ribera Lacomba A, Ferrazza L, Pérez Miralles J, Baró JL, Merce P, D’Antoni H, Curiel Esparza J: Ariadne’s house (Pompeii, Italy) wall paintings: a multidisciplinary study of its present state focused on a future restoration and preventive conservation. Mater Constr in pressBernardi A: Microclimate in the British Museum. London. Museum Manag Curat 1990, 9:169–182.Bernardi A, Camuffo D: Microclimate in the Chiericati Palace Municipal Museum. Vicenza. Museum Manag Curat 1995, 14:5–18.Camuffo D, Bernardi A, Sturaro G, Valentino A: The microclimate inside the Pollaiolo and Botticelli rooms in the Uffizi Gallery. Florence. J Cult Herit 2002, 3:155–161.La Gennusa M, Rizzo G, Scaccianoce G, Nicoletti F: Control of indoor environments in heritage buildings: Experimental measurements in an old Italian museum and proposal of a methodology. J Cult Herit 2005,6(2):147–155.Camuffo D, Sturaro G, Valentino A: Thermodynamic exchanges between the external boundary layer and the indoor microclimate at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome, Italy: the problem of conservation of ancient works of art. Bound Lay Meteorol 1999, 92:243–262.Tabunschikov Y, Brodatch M: Indoor air climate requirements for Russian churches and cathedrals. Indoor Air 2004,14(Suppl 7):168–174.Loupa G, Charpantidou E, Kioutsioukis I, Rapsomanikis S: Indoor microclimate, ozone and nitrogen oxides in two medieval churches in Cyprus. Atmos Environ 2006, 40:7457–7466.Vuerich E, Malaspina F, Barazutti M, Georgiadis T, Nardino M: Indoor measurements of microclimate variables and ozone in the church of San Vincenzo (Monastery of Bassano Romano – Italy): a pilot study. Microchem J 2008, 88:218–223.García-Diego F-J, Zarzo M: Microclimate monitoring by multivariate statistical control: the renaissance frescoes of the cathedral of valencia (Spain). J Cult Herit 2010,11(3):339–344.Zarzo M, Fernández-Navajas A, García-Diego F-J: Long-term monitoring of fresco paintings in the Cathedral of Valencia (Spain) through humidity and temperature sensors in various locations for preventive conservation. Sensors 2011,11(9):8685–8710.Maekawa S, Lambert F, Meyer J: Environmental monitoring at Tiwanaku. Mater Res Soc Symp Proc 1995, 352:885–892.Lillie M, Smith R, Reed J, Inglis R: Southwest Scottish Crannogs: using in situ studies to assess preservation in wetland archaeological contexts. J Archaeol Sci 2008,35(7):1886–1900.Verdecchia F, Zoccatelli C, Norelli E, Miandro R: Integrated monitoring network for surface deformation in Capo Colonna archaeological area, Crotone. Italy. IAHS-AISH P 2010, 339:345–351.Nava S, Becherini F, Bernardi A, Bonazza A, Chiari M, García-Orellana I, Lucarelli F, Ludwig N, Migliori A, Sabbioni C, Udisti R, Valli G, Vecchi R: An integrated approach to assess air pollution threats to cultural heritage in a semi-confined environment: the case study of Michelozzo’s Courtyard in Florence (Italy). Sci Total Environ 2010,408(6):1403–1413.Hygrochron Temperature/Humidity Logger iButton with 8KB Data-Log Memory. Maxim Integrated Products. http://datasheets.maxim-ic.com/en/ds/DS1923.pdfTemperature Logger iButton with 8KB Data-Log Memory. 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Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

Optimization of a thermoelectric system for power generation realized by \u2018\u2018hidden\u2019\u2019 components

Today the utilization of renewable energy sources is very important to support the traditional ones, and also in order to reach the objectives fixed by the Kyoto Protocol. In this context, also well-known technologies related to the electric energy production, formerly not suitable \u2013 due to the poor technological level of the components or due to the high costs linked to the system efficiency \u2013 may now find a suitable collocation. Among these technologies, the thermoelectric effect may be very advantageous in some particular applications of small power. A power generation system utilizing this technology has been studied by the authors. This system utilizes the thermal difference between a lower temperature sink, e.g. a water reservoir, and a higher temperature source, such as exhaust heat (e.g. from industrial processes) or as produced by solar energy captured by an extended surface. The thermoelectric generator is made up of thermocouples placed on the internal surface of a tubular heat exchanger, located inside the water body and filled up with hot water coming from the energy source. In this paper, the physical mechanisms and the energy balances governing the system are described in order to evaluate its energetic feasibility. Once fixed, the electrical power required by the end user, the system parameters are optimized with the aim to have the most compact equipment and components. A simulation of the proposed system was performed referring to the city of Palermo, Italy. A very poor economic convenience of the system has been found in this applications

Valutazione degli impatti esercitati dalla filiera della pesca

Lo studio si colloca sulla scorta dei risultati elaborati nell\u2019ambito del Rapporto Annuale del 2009, nel quale \ue8 stata presentata una rassegna generale dello stato del settore della pesca in Sicilia, con particolare riguardo ai consumi energetici, all\u2019impatto ambientale ed all\u2019innovazione tecnologica nella filiera della pesca e dell\u2019acquacoltura in Sicilia. In questo studio si analizzeranno pi\uf9 in dettaglio alcune situazioni di aziende della filiera ritenute emblematiche delle condizioni del settore in Sicilia, allo scopo di delinearne le esigenze ed i limiti, anche in vista della proposta di introdurre innovazioni tecnologiche mirate e puntuali. Ancora una volta, il tema dell\u2019efficienza energetica della filiera sar\ue0 assunto come il parametro centrale per le analisi, dal momento che intorno ad esso si possono sviluppare le tematiche e le motivazioni di carattere ambientale, economico e sociale. In particolare, per contestualizzare lo studio sullo sfondo dei temi di ricerca proposti dal VII Programma Quadro, sar\ue0 proposta un\u2019analisi delle pressioni esercitate dal settore della pesca nei suoi segmenti principali: la fase di cattura e le altre fasi che concorrono a sincronizzare il prodotto pescato sui mercati. Come detto, sar\ue0 seguito un approccio metodologico che si basa su analisi di campo di alcune particolari situazioni operative nel Distretto della Pesca di Mazara del Vallo. Da queste indagini di campo saranno desunti alcuni parametri di efficienza energetica e produttiva e di compatibilit\ue0 ambientale, che verranno confrontati con i dati medi regionali del rapporto del 2009. Inoltre, sar\ue0 proposto un semplice \u201ccalcolatore\u201d che consentir\ue0 di acquisire facilmente lo stato di efficienza con cui i natanti utilizzano l\u2019energia e la tecnologia: si tratta di un semplice foglio di calcolo gi\ue0 utilizzato in Nord Europa che, sulla base di informazioni molto basilari, indica il livello delle prestazioni dell\u2019imbarcazione, della sua manutenzione e dell\u2019uso dei combustibili