Axial Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generators for Pico Hydropower Application: A Parametrical Study

A pico hydropower plant is an energy harvesting system that allows energy production using the power of the water flowing in small watercourses, and in water distribution network. Axial Flow Flux Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (AFPMSG) are particularly suitable for this application, being efficient machines that achieve high power with small dimensions. This paper presents a parametrical study of several configurations and topologies of three-phase and single-phase AFPMSG, for pico hydropower application, to assess the most suitable dimensional characteristics for the most energy production using a safe voltage of 25 V. The AFPMSGs here considered has a simple single stator and rotor configuration, commercial-type permanent magnets, and concentric windings, to facilitate their cost-effective construction and the spread of their use also in developing countries. For each AFPMSG considered, the power output was calculated using 3-D modelling and Finite Element Analysis; besides, the different parameters and features that affect the power output were evaluated at different rotational speeds. The results achieving a power density up to 100 W/cm(3), at 1000 rpm with energy produced to 1.7 kWh/day

A general method to construct invariant PDEs on homogeneous manifolds

Let M = G/H be an (n + 1)-dimensional homogeneous manifold and Jk(n,M) =: Jk be the manifold of k-jets of hypersurfaces of M. The Lie group G acts naturally on each Jk. A G-invariant partial differential equation of order k for hypersurfaces of M (i.e., with n independent variables and 1 dependent one) is defined as a G-invariant hypersurface E of Jk. We describe a general method for constructing such invariant partial differential equations for k>1. The problem reduces to the description of hypersurfaces, in a certain vector space, which are invariant with respect to the linear action of the stability subgroup H(k-1) of the (k-1)-prolonged action of G. We apply this approach to describe invariant partial differential equations for hypersurfaces in the Euclidean space n+1 and in the conformal space n+1. Our method works under some mild assumptions on the action of G, namely: A1) the group G must have an open orbit in Jk-1, and A2) the stabilizer H(k-1) in G of the fiber Jk → Jk-1 must factorize via the group of translations of the fiber itself

Preliminary study on a kinetic energy recovery system for sailing yachts

This paper presents the preliminary theoretical results obtained on a model of a kinetic energy recovery system for sailing yachts, based on the conversion of wave-induced boat oscillations (heave, pitch and roll) into electric energy by means of a linear generator. The recovery system is based on a linear generator, with a mass oscillating along the vertical axis and gaining kinetic energy: the resulting mechanical energy can be extracted (by means of electromagnetic damping) and converted into electricity. The oscillating mass incorporates permanent magnets which, moving in proximity of stator windings, generate electric power due to electromagnetic induction. The device aims at recovering as much kinetic energy as possible from the natural movements of a sailing yacht on the sea, therefore taking the view of a boat as a moving wave energy converter with energy harvesting capability. The boat's motions can be vertical oscillations due to the buoyancy in the presence of sea waves, both when the boat is still or sailing, and rolling and pitching motions originated both by sailing in wavy waters and by the normal boat dynamics due to the sails' propulsion. Linear generators will convert kinetic energy into electrical energy to be used as “green” electricity for any possible application on board. Preliminary calculations show that a properly configured system could be able to recover approximately 100 W under most sea conditions on an almost continuous basis, which can be an extremely attractive result since an electric energy availability of 1–2 kWh on a sailing yacht is of significant interest

Testing a prophylactic vaccine regimen against Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone: vaccine safety, immunogenicity and factors affecting immunogenicity

BACKGROUND: In response to the 2014-16 Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa, the EBOVAC1 consortium fast-tracked the clinical development of a two-dose heterologous vaccine regimen comprising the experimental Ad26.ZEBOV and MVA-BN-Filo vaccines against Ebola virus (EBOV). AIMS AND METHODOLOGY: This analytic commentary for a PhD by prior publication aims to synthesise and critically appraise the published results of four studies conducted under the EBOVAC1 project in Sierra Leone, a country severely affected by the West African EVD epidemic. These studies included a cross-sectional seroprevalence study, a randomised controlled trial (VAC52150EBL3001), an open-label trial (VAC52150EBL2011) and a cohort study, and were all conducted in Kambia district in the northwest of the country. The main overarching objectives of these studies were to assess: The seroprevalence of EBOV Glycoprotein (GP) Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in a population affected by the 2014-16 EVD epidemic. The safety and immunogenicity of an Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen with a 56-day interval between doses in participants from a population affected by the EVD epidemic. The safety and immunogenicity of an Ad26.ZEBOV booster in participants who had been previously vaccinated with the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen. The effect of malaria on the immune response to the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen. RESULTS: Approximately 8% of Sierra Leonean adults and children who enrolled in the seroprevalence study and who reported never having had signs or symptoms of EVD had serologic responses to EBOV GP above a seropositivity threshold. The Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen, with a 56-day interval between doses, was well tolerated and induced a humoral immune response that persisted for at least two years in adults and three years in children. Booster vaccination with Ad26.ZEBOV in previously vaccinated adults and children was safe and induced a robust anamnestic response within seven days. Malaria infection did not affect the binding antibody response 21 days after the second dose of the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen. Conclusions and impact of the presented work: The results of the EBOVAC1 seroprevalence study suggest that EBOV can potentially transmit undetected with some infections occurring asymptomatically or with milder symptoms. The results of the clinical trials support the use of the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen for EVD prophylaxis in adults and children 1-17 years of age, with the option of providing an additional Ad26.ZEBOV booster to previously vaccinated people at imminent risk of EVD, such as at the start of an EVD outbreak. Some of these findings informed the marketing authorisation under exceptional circumstances granted to the Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccine regimen in the European Union in July 2020. This vaccine regimen is suitable for EVD prophylaxis in areas where malaria is highly endemic and where the vaccine may be most needed in the future

Plasmonic Light Trapping in Titania–Silver Dots Thin Films

Metal nanoparticles (NPs) in a transparent dielectric matrix represent a very intriguing system due to the plasmonic absorption tunable in the range of visible wavelengths. Herein, the preparation and physical characterization of plasmonic titania–silver dots thin films are reported. The synthesis parameter that leads to making a TiO2 matrix in which the Ag NPs are actually incorporated is carefully analyzed and controlled. Morphological (scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution electron microscopy), structural (selected area diffraction, X-ray diffraction), and spectroscopic (Raman spectroscopy) characterization techniques attest that the Ag NPs are spherical and homogeneously distributed into the TiO2 dielectric matrix in the structural modification of anatase. The study of the optical properties of films concludes the work. Plasmonic resonance is analyzed according to the light scattering theory

Ferulic acid-nlc with lavandula essential oil: A possible strategy for wound-healing?

Nowadays, an increasing interest in combinatorial drug delivery systems is emerging, highlighting the possibility of exploiting essential oils (EO) for topical applications. This work aimed at developing nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) for the combined delivery of ferulic acid and Lavandula EO, whose beneficial effects in wound-healing processes have been widely reported. Homogeneous (polydispersity index, PDI < 0.2) nanoparticles with a small size ([removed]85%) were obtained. The co-presence of ferulic acid and Lavandula EO, as compared to synthetic isopropyl myristate-based NLC, increased nanoparticles’ stability, due to higher ordering chains, as confirmed by morphological and physicochemical studies. An enhanced cytocompatibility was observed when combining ferulic acid and Lavandula EO, as confirmed by in vitro studies on fibroblasts. Furthermore, the combined delivery of ferulic acid and Lavandula EO significantly promoted cell migration with higher effectiveness in respect to the free drug solution and the carrier without the EO. Taken all together, our results suggest a potential combined effect of the antioxidant ferulic acid and Lavandula EO co-delivered in lipid nanoparticles in promoting cell proliferation and migration, representing a promising strategy in the treatment of wounds

Synergistic effect induced by gold nanoparticles with polyphenols shell during thermal therapy: Macrophage inflammatory response and cancer cell death assessment

Background: In recent decades, gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-based cancer therapy has been heavily debated. The physico-chemical properties of AuNPs can be exploited in photothermal therapy, making them a powerful tool for selectively killing cancer cells. However, the synthetic side products and capping agents often induce a strong activation of the inflammatory pathways of macrophages, thus limiting their further applications in vivo. Methods: Here, we described a green method to obtain stable polyphenol-capped AuNPs (Au NPs@polyphenols), as polyphenols are known for their anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. These NPs were used in human macrophages to test key inflammation-related markers, such as NF-κB, TNF-α, and interleukins-6 and 8. The results were compared with similar NPs obtained by a traditional chemical route (without the polyphenol coating), proving the potential of Au NPs@polyphenols to strongly promote the shutdown of inflammation. This was useful in developing them for use as heat-synergized tools in the thermal treatment of two types of cancer cells, namely, breast cancer (MCF-7) and neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cells. The cell viability, calcium release, oxidative stress, HSP-70 expression, mitochondrial, and DNA damage, as well as cytoskeleton alteration, were evaluated. Results: Our results clearly demonstrate that the combined strategy markedly exerts anticancer effects against the tested cancer cell, while neither of the single treatments (only heat or only NPs) induced significant changes. Conclusions: Au NP@polyphenols may be powerful agents in cancer treatment

HHV-8 transmission via saliva to soothe blood-sucking arthropod bites

The British Journal of Cance

Erythromycin resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes in Italy.

In a prospective study of acute pharyngitis in Italian children, 69 (38.3%) of 180 isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes were resistant to macrolides. S. pyogenes was eradicated in 12 (63.1%) of 19 patients with erythromycin-resistant S. pyogenes treated with clarithromycin and in 22 (88%) of 25 patients with erythromycin-susceptible strains. The constitutive-resistant phenotype was correlated with failure of macrolide treatment

Diagnostic investigation to support the restoration of the polychrome terracotta relief "Madonna and Child" in Piove di Sacco (Padova, Italy)

Restoration procedures of the polychrome terracotta relief “Madonna and Child” with papier-mâché inserts from a shrine in Piove di Sacco (Padova, orthern Italy) were assisted by analytical investigations, contributing to identify the chemical composition of the pigments, fractures and internal damages, additions and retouchings, which strongly modified the original manufact. In particular, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy and FT-IR spectroscopy were employed to determine the chemical composition of pigments on the original layer and on the overpaintings and to understand the artistic techniques. Moreover, X-ray planar radiography and computed tomography were used to understand the structure and its conservative state. Finally, the relief, stylistically dated to the 17th century, turned out to be a Renaissance terracotta artefact. The polychrome blue traces of lapis lazuli highlighted a valuable artwork and the resemblance with the style of Donatello and his apprentices have recently led to further studies, as an initial part of a larger research on polychrome terracotta in Veneto