CO2 capture at high temperature and low concentration on Li4SiO4 based sorbents

Solid sorbents based on lithium orthosilicate (Li4SiO4) have shown promise for CO2 capture at high temperature. Improved sorption properties can be obtained by appropriate doping. In this study, different promoted Li4SiO4-based sorbents were prepared by addition of potassium carbonate and binary/ternary alkali (Li, K and Na) carbonate eutectic mixtures. The CO2 sorption properties of the sorbents were investigated by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) at different temperatures in the range between 500 and 600 °C and at low CO2 partial pressure (0.04 atm). The results showed that all the promoters used noticeably improved the CO2 sorption capacity in comparison to no-promoted Li4SiO4. At the optimum sorption temperature of 580 °C, Li4SiO4 with addition of 30 wt% of K2CO3 showed the best CO2 adsorption proprieties with sorption capacities of 230 mg CO2/g sorbent corresponding to a conversion of about 80 %. Besides this sample maintained its original capacity during multiple CO2 sorption/desorption cycles

The type of shared activity shapes caregiver and infant communication

For the beginning language learner, communicative input is not based on linguistic codes alone. This study investigated two extralinguistic factors which are important for infants’ language development: the type of ongoing shared activity and non-verbal, deictic gestures. The natural interactions of 39 caregivers and their 12-month-old infants were recorded in two semi-natural contexts: a free play situation based on action and manipulation of objects, and a situation based on regard of objects, broadly analogous to an exhibit. Results show that the type of shared activity structures both caregivers’ language usage and caregivers’ and infants’ gesture usage. Further, there is a specific pattern with regard to how caregivers integrate speech with particular deictic gesture types. The findings demonstrate a pervasive influence of shared activities on human communication, even before language has emerged. The type of shared activity and caregivers’ systematic integration of specific forms of deictic gestures with language provide infants with a multimodal scaffold for a usage-based acquisition of language

Microbiological Valorisation of Bio-composites Based on Polylactic Acid and Wood Fibres

The use of wood fibres for production of bio-based composites has attracted interest in various application sectors ranging from packaging to automotive components and in other high value applications. In the course of the present research activity, several bio-based composites were developed using wood fibres with a compostable polymeric matrix such as polylactic acid (PLA) and a flexible biodegradable polymer such as poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The developed materials were used for the manufacture of several prototypes for food packaging (trays, boxes for refrigerated or frozen fish, egg box), agricultural applications (pots and yarns), automotive components (spoiler and seats) as well as containers for cosmetics and chemicals. Biodegradability and compostability are desired properties, allowing bio-recycling as end of life scenario, mainly for materials used in food packaging and agricultural applications. Thus, they may be recycled at the end of their life time service producing compost as a value-added by-product. Composting is the main option for bio-recycling but also other valuable pathways can be pursued. Because lignocellulose is one of the components of developed materials, several by-products such as enzymes, reducing sugars, proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, organic acids, etc. may be obtained from the bio-composites produced. Alternatively, the bio-composites can be also used for the production of yeast biomass. This is important as another recyclability way of the new produced materials. In the present research the bio-composites produced were investigated as substrates for the production of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris, a potential source of single-cell protein (SCP), β-carotene, and Rhodotorula sp. as potential source of food and feed grade colorant. This is another more valuable alternative to the composting considering also that composting cannot be used to dispose of large quantities of bio-plastics, and in the future it will become more and more important to find alternative routes of valorisation for bio-plastics disposal

Dissecting the Pharmacodynamics and Pharmacokinetics of MSCs to Overcome Limitations in Their Clinical Translation

Recently, mesenchymal stromal stem cells (MSCs) have been proposed as therapeutic agents because of their promising preclinical features and good safety profile. However, their introduction into clinical practice has been associated with a suboptimal therapeutic profile. In this review, we address the biodistribution of MSCs in preclinical studies with a focus on the current understanding of the pharmacodynamics (PD) and pharmacokinetics (PK) of MSCs as key aspects to overcome unsatisfactory clinical benefits of MSC application. Beginning with evidence of MSC biodistribution and highlighting PK and PD factors, a new PK-PD model is also proposed. According to this theory, MSCs and their released factors are key players in PK, and the efficacy biomarkers are considered relevant for PD in more predictive preclinical investigations. Accounting for the PK-PD relationship in MSC translational research and proposing new models combined with better biodistribution studies could allow realization of the promise of more robust MSC clinical translation. The number of clinical trials based on MSCs that are publicly available exceeds 800; however, data regarding MSC pharmacodynamics (PD), pharmacokinetics (PK), and biodistribution are still scarce. For this reason, we dissected the PD and PK properties of MSCs, presenting factors that may influence MSC-based PK studies to then conceive a new PK-PD model that would support better and more robust MSC clinical translation

Validation of a small scale woody biomass downdraft gasification plant coupled with gas engine

In recent years, small scale cogeneration systems (< 500 kWe) distributed in different geographical locations using biomass has received special attention as economically competitive and environmentally friendly ways of producing energy. These systems can be integrated to industrial and agricultural activities where biomass residues are generated and can be converted into electricity and thermal energy by combustion or gasification. The legislations of many European countries such as Italy concerning renewable energy and energy efficiency along the taxation schemes have raised the incentives for small scale cogeneration plants. Consequently, there is a clear economic interest of the companies in this sector and there is also a scientific interest towards demonstration of their energetic efficiency, environmental performance and reliability. Among the suggested technologies for the biomass conversion into energy, downdraft gasification (using air as gasification agent), coupled with internal combustion engines, has the advantage of high electric efficiency (~ 25%) and low tar generation, making easier the gas cleaning process necessary for its use into engines. In the present work, the results of a measurement campaign performed on a commercial scale 350 kWth downdraft woodchips gasification plant, coupled with an SI internal combustion engine (ICE), are presented and discussed. The main goals of this first experimental campaign have been to verify the stability of gasifier and engine operation, operability of the plant and to determine its energy efficiency. The campaign verified a stable operation of the gasifier and the plant produced a syngas with a composition suitable for a gas engine. The energy balance resulted in a potential overall wood fuel to electricity efficiency of about 23 %

CPT theorem in a (5+1) Galilean space-time

We extend the 5-dimensional Galilean space-time to a (5+1) Galilean space-time in order to define a parity transformation in a covariant manner. This allows us to discuss the discrete symmetries in the Galilean space-time, which is embedded in the (5+1) Minkowski space-time. We discuss the Dirac-type field, for which we give the 8\times 8 gamma matrices explicitly. We demonstrate that the CPT theorem holds in the (5+1) Galilean space-time.Comment: 11 pages, 0 figur

Geochronology of late Variscan magmatism of Sardinia: a review

Sardinia represents a southern transect of the Variscan Belt and is classically divided from SW to NE into a fold and thrust belt Foreland, Nappe zone and Axial zone. This latter high-grade domain is separated from the Nappe zone by the so-called Posada-Asinara Line. The whole metamorphic basement is intruded by many calc-alkaline coalescent plutons forming the Corsica-Sardinia Batholith. The timing of magmatism, in Sardinia, is broadly referable to a large interval in the range of 320-280 Ma. Recent geological maps coupled to several chronological systematics, point out to recognize two main post-collisional magmatic peaks clustered at about 305 Ma (Older Magmatic Peak, OMP) and at 285 Ma (Young Magmatic Peak, YMP), respectively. Plutons intruding different parts of the Sardinian basement show different geological styles. Among the OMP, main differences regard: (a) the granodiorite/granite volume ratio in the main plutons; (b) the abundance of peraluminous rock-types; (c) the occurrence of mafic intrusions; (d) the abundance of late-magmatic dyke swarms. The Axial zone is dominated by monzogranites and subordinate granodiorites and leucogranites (320-307 Ma); tonalites and granodiorites (305-300 Ma), along with peraluminous granites, characterize the inner Nappe zone (i.e., Goceano, Baronie, Barbagia). Remarkably, the oldest intrusions (i.e., Barrabisa and Santa Maria: 320 Ma) are foliated and may represent a prebatholith magmatic phase. Plutons occurring in the external Nappe zone and the Foreland are generally dominated by granodiorites (e.g., Arbus, Ogliastra, Sàrrabus: 305-300 Ma) associated to small gabbronoritic bodies. The YMP is marked in the Axial zone by large leucogranite intrusions (Monte Lerno); gabbroic intrusions are present at 285-280 Ma. The YMP is dominant in the external Nappe zone and in the Foreland. This peak include monzogranites and leucogranites with minor granodiorites; specific characters are: (a) common occurrence of F-bearing, ferroan, ilmeniteseries granitoids; (b) slightly peraluminous character; (c) very shallow emplacement levels, with common greisen alteration; (d) presence of Sn-W-Mo and F ores; (e) association to swarms of tholeiitic mafic dikes. The timing and distribution of Sardinian intrusive magmatism are tentatively framed during the post-collisional evolution of the chain, in response to progressive lithospheric delamination along a N-S direction. In this model, the passive upwelling of hot astenosphere triggered dehydration melting at lower to intermediate crustal levels, associated with minor melting of the lithospheric mantle. Several major issues emerge from this schematic picture, including (a) the precise timing of the magmatic peaks, (b) the significance of the gap between them, (c) the difference in volumes and spatial distribution of the main rock-suites, (d) the geological and petrological frame at the district- to single pluton-, up to regional scale, and (e) the age of mafic dyke swarms

Bayesian methodology for probabilistic description of mechanical parameters of masonry walls

In consideration of the high vulnerability of the built environment, the assessment of seismic behavior of existing masonry buildings is a key topic in view of their retrofitting and reuse. Because masonry's behavior depends on complex nonhomogeneous, anisotropic, asymmetric, and nonlinear properties, the definition of suitable mechanical models is still a critical issue, especially for stone masonry. Structural analyses of existing masonry buildings in seismic-prone areas are thus significantly influenced by the adopted mechanical models and assumptions about their relevant masonry properties, which are characterized by large uncertainty. In this study, a procedure for the definition of masonry classes and probability density functions of relevant mechanical parameters, such as elastic modulus and shear modulus, is proposed. The general procedure is illustrated referring to a significant number of in situ double-flat-jack test results on stone masonry obtained by the authors during an ad hoc experimental campaign. Finally, combining information on masonry quality obtained by visual inspection with results of in situ tests, a Bayesian methodology is proposed for the updating of masonry mechanical parameters, thereby providing the basis for a more refined probabilistic assessment of the seismic risk index. DOI: 10.1061/AJRUA6.0001110. This work is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Landscape of KRASG12C, Associated Genomic Alterations, and Interrelation With Immuno-Oncology Biomarkers in KRAS-Mutated Cancers

Genomic alterations; Mutated cancers; Immuno-oncologyAlteraciones genómicas; Cánceres mutados; Inmuno-oncologíaAlteracions genòmiques; Càncers mutats; Immuno-oncologiaPURPOSE Promising single-agent activity from sotorasib and adagrasib in KRASG12C-mutant tumors has provided clinical evidence of effective KRAS signaling inhibition. However, comprehensive analysis of KRAS-variant prevalence, genomic alterations, and the relationship between KRAS and immuno-oncology biomarkers is lacking. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective analysis of deidentified records from 79,004 patients with various cancers who underwent next-generation sequencing was performed. Fisher's exact test evaluated the association between cancer subtypes and KRAS variants. Logistic regression assessed KRASG12C comutations with other oncogenes and the association between KRAS variants and immuno-oncology biomarkers. RESULTS Of the 79,004 samples assessed, 13,758 (17.4%) harbored KRAS mutations, with 1,632 (11.9%) harboring KRASG12C and 12,126 (88.1%) harboring other KRAS variants (KRASnon-G12C). Compared with KRASnon-G12C across all tumor subtypes, KRASG12C was more prevalent in females (56% v 51%, false discovery rate-adjusted P value [FDR-P] = .0006), current or prior smokers (85% v 56%, FDR-P 60 years (73% v 63%, FDR-P ≤ .0001). The most frequent KRAS variants across all subtypes were G12D (29.5%), G12V (23.0%), G12C (11.9%), G13D (6.5%), and G12R (6.2%). KRASG12C was most prevalent in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (9%), appendiceal (3.9%), colorectal (3.2%), tumor of unknown origin (1.6%), small bowel (1.43%), and pancreatic (1.3%) cancers. Compared with KRASnon-G12C-mutated, KRASG12C-mutated tumors were significantly associated with tumor mutational burden-high status (17.9% v 8.4%, odds ratio [OR] = 2.38; FDR-P < .0001). KRASG12C-mutated tumors exhibited a distinct comutation profile from KRASnon-G12C-mutated tumors, including higher comutations of STK11 (20.59% v 5.95%, OR = 4.10; FDR-P < .01) and KEAP1 (15.38% v 4.61%, OR = 3.76; FDR-P < .01). CONCLUSION This study presents the first large-scale, pan-cancer genomic characterization of KRASG12C. The KRASG12C mutation was more prevalent in females and older patients and appeared to be associated with smoking status. KRASG12C tumors exhibited a distinct comutation profile and were associated with tumor mutational burden-high status