Economical comparison of CHP systems for industrial user with large steam demand

In this paper cogeneration benefits applied to a user with a high steam demand are analyzed. The methodology for the feasibility study and the economical analysis of the investment is presented under the Italian legislative framework. The methodology is applied to an actual case and a detailed description and discussion of all data input is provided. Especially this last key point will be faced using starting data usually available in these kind of studies (i.e., not very detailed for thermal consumption). Finally a comparison of different CHP technologies and a sensitivity analysis is done

Substituted Anthraquinones Represent a Potential Scaffold for DNA Methyltransferase 1-Specific Inhibitors

In humans, the most common epigenetic DNA modification is methylation of the 5-carbon of cytosines, predominantly in CpG dinucleotides. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic mark associated with gene repression. Disruption of the normal DNA methylation pattern is known to play a role in the initiation and progression of many cancers. DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1), the most abundant DNA methyltransferase in humans, is primarily responsible for maintenance of the DNA methylation pattern and is considered an important cancer drug target. Recently, laccaic acid A (LCA), a highly substituted anthraquinone natural product, was identified as a direct, DNA-competitive inhibitor of DNMT1. Here, we have successfully screened a small library of simplified anthraquinone compounds for DNMT1 inhibition. Using an endonuclease-coupled DNA methylation assay, we identified two anthraquinone compounds, each containing an aromatic substituent, that act as direct DNMT1 inhibitors. These simplified anthraquinone compounds retain the DNA-competitive mechanism of action of LCA and exhibit some selectivity for DNMT1 over DNMT3a. The newly identified compounds are at least 40-fold less potent than LCA, but have significantly less complex structures. Collectively, this data indicates that substituted anthraquinone compounds could serve as a novel scaffold for developing DNMT1-specific inhibitors

Pd-based membranes performance under hydrocarbon exposure for propane dehydrogenation processes: Experimental and modeling

In this work, a novel Pd–Ag double-skinned (DS-) membrane is used for the first time in conditions typical of propane dehydrogenation (PDH). This membrane presents a protective layer on top of the H2-selective one, which acts as shield against chemical deactivation and mechanical erosion under reaction conditions. While the protective layer is already been proven as an efficient barrier against membrane erosion in fluidized beds, there is no validation yet under PDH reaction. The DS- membrane performance is compared with a conventional (C-) Pd–Ag membrane under alkane/alkene exposure, at 400–500 °C and 3 bar, to investigate whether the incorporation of the protective layer would be suited for H2 separation in PDH systems, and if coking rate would be affected. The novel membrane shows a H2 permeance of 2.28 × 10−6 mol∙m−2 s−1∙Pa−1 at 500 ᵒC and 4 bar of pressure difference, overcoming the performance of the conventional PdAg one (1.56x∙10−6 mol m−2 s−1∙Pa−1). Both membranes present a stable H2 flux under alkane exposure, while deactivation occurs under exposure to alkenes. A model able to describe the H2 flux through Pd-based membranes is presented to fit the experimental data and predict membrane performance. The model includes mass transfer limitations in the retentate and a corrective inhibition factor to account for the competitive adsorption of hydrocarbon species in the H2 selective layer. The experimental results obtained under alkene exposure deviates from model predictions; this can be attributed to carbon deposition on the surface of the selective layer, as further detected on the DS-membrane by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)/Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), which is the main factor for membrane deactivation.European Union´s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 814671 (BiZeolCat

High all-cause mortality and increasing proportion of older adults with tuberculosis in Texas, 2008–2020

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) elimination efforts must consider the global growth of the ageing population. Here we used TB surveillance data from Texas, United States (2008–2020; total n = 10656) to identify unique characteristics and outcomes in older adults (OA, ≥65 years) with PTB, compared to young adults (YA, 18–39 years) or middle-aged adults (40–64 years). We found that the proportion of OA with PTB increased from 15% in 2008 to 24% in 2020 (trend p \u3c 0.05). Diabetes was highly prevalent in OA (32%) but not associated with adverse outcomes. Death was 13-fold higher in OA compared to YA and was 7% at the time of diagnosis which suggests diagnostic delays. However, once TB was suspected, we found no differences in culture, smear, or nucleic acid detection of mycobacteria (although less lung cavitations) in OA. During treatment, OA had less drug-resistant TB, few adverse reactions and adhered with TB treatment. We recommend training healthcare workers to ‘think TB’ in OA, for prompt treatment initiation to diminish deaths. Furthermore, OA should be added as a priority group to the latent TB treatment guidelines by the World Health Organization, to prevent TB disease in this highly vulnerable group

Elastic shape matching of parameterized surfaces using square root normal fields.

In this paper we define a new methodology for shape analysis of parameterized surfaces, where the main issues are: (1) choice of metric for shape comparisons and (2) invariance to reparameterization. We begin by defining a general elastic metric on the space of parameterized surfaces. The main advantages of this metric are twofold. First, it provides a natural interpretation of elastic shape deformations that are being quantified. Second, this metric is invariant under the action of the reparameterization group. We also introduce a novel representation of surfaces termed square root normal fields or SRNFs. This representation is convenient for shape analysis because, under this representation, a reduced version of the general elastic metric becomes the simple \ensuremathL2\ensuremathL2 metric. Thus, this transformation greatly simplifies the implementation of our framework. We validate our approach using multiple shape analysis examples for quadrilateral and spherical surfaces. We also compare the current results with those of Kurtek et al. [1]. We show that the proposed method results in more natural shape matchings, and furthermore, has some theoretical advantages over previous methods

From Work Well-Being to Burnout: A Hypothetical Phase Model

Upon exposure to chronic stressors, how do individuals move from being in a healthy state to a burnout? Strikingly in literature, this has prevailed a categorical view rather than a dimensional one, thus the underlying process that explains the transition from one state to another remains unclear. The aims of the present study are (a) to examine intermediate states between work engagement and burnout using cluster analysis and (b) to examine cortisol differences across these states. Two-hundred and eighty-one Argentine workers completed self-report measures of work engagement and burnout. Salivary cortisol was measured at three time-points: immediately after awakening and 30 and 40min thereafter. Results showed four different states based on the scores in cynicism, exhaustion, vigor, and dedication: engaged, strained, cynical, and burned-out. Cortisol levels were found to be moderate in the engaged state, increased in the strained and cynical states, and decreased in the burned-out state. The increase/decrease in cortisol across the four stages reconciles apparent contradictory findings regarding hypercortisolism and hypocortisolism, and suggests that they may represent different phases in the transition from engagement to burnout. A phase model from engagement to burnout is proposed and future research aimed at evaluating this model is suggested.Fil: Morera, Luis Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Siglo 21; ArgentinaFil: Gallea, Jose Ignacio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Siglo 21; ArgentinaFil: Trógolo, Mario Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Siglo 21; ArgentinaFil: Guido, Mario Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Centro de Investigaciones en Química Biológica de Córdoba; ArgentinaFil: Medrano, L. A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Siglo 21; Argentin

Neuroimaging in the evaluation of patients with non-acute headache

Available studies offer only limited guidance on neuroimaging of non-acute headache patients. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of significant intracranial lesions in patients with headache and to determine the clinical variables helpful in identifying patients with intracranial lesions. All patients aged ≥l 15 years attending the Neurology Clinic with non-acute headache were included in the study and followed prospectively. Every patient was investigated by neuroimaging studies, either computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Neuroimaging results were classified as ‘significant abnormalities’, ‘nonsignificant abnormalities’ or ‘normal’. Significant abnormalities included neoplastic disease, hydrocephalus, vascular malformations, Chiari malformation, large arachnoid cysts, intracranial haemorrhage, and acute cerebral infarcts. Consecutive patients (n = 1876; 1243 women and 633 men) were included. Their mean age was 38 years (range 15-95 years). Neuroimaging studies detected significant lesions in 22 patients [1.2%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7, 1.8]. The rate of significant intracranial abnormalities in patients with headache and normal neurological examination was 0.9% (95% CI 0.5, 1.4). The only clinical variable associated with a higher probability of intracranial abnormalities was neurological examination. The proportion of patients with headache and intracranial lesions is relatively small, but neither neurological examination nor the features in the clinical history permit us to rule out such abnormalitie

Fantasies of subjugation: a discourse theoretical account of British policy on the European Union

The decision by the UK government to hold a referendum on Britain’s membership of the European Union (EU) marks an important development in policy towards the EU. Policy changes of this kind must be understood in the historical and political context in which they occur. This includes the framing of the policy issues within public discourse. In the UK, policies are formed in a discursive environment which is overwhelmingly hostile towards the EU. Debates are structured by a predominantly Euroskeptic discourse which emphasizes the UK’s separation and heterogeneity from the rest of the EU. Drawing on the logics of critical explanation, this article examines the structure and affective power of Euroskeptic discourses which dictate the terms of the EU debate. It presents a case study of the recent EU treaty revision process, culminating in the Treaty of Lisbon. In so doing, it enables a deeper understanding of recent policy developments