Analysis of Odorous VOCs using TD-GC-MS/FID/PFPD: Development and Applications to Real Samples

This work aims to present the applicability of a gas chromatograph equipped with three detectors for the analysis of odorous mixtures. An Agilent gas chromatograph (mod. 8890), equipped with a mass spectrometer (Agilent 5977B MSD), a Flame Ionization Detector (FID, Agilent) and a Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector (PFPD, OI Analytical mod. 5833) was adopted, obtaining simultaneous acquisition with MS, FID and PFPD detectors. The splitting of the sample into the three detectors was carried out at the end of the chromatographic column, by a capillary flow technology splitter (Agilent Splitter CFT). By using this system, it is, therefore, possible to achieve the specific detection and quantification of organic compounds by FID analysis, sulphur compounds by PFPD and the identification of the compounds by MS analysis, via comparison with mass spectra. Based on the preliminary outcomes obtained,the application of this system in the analysis of odour samples enabled the determination of specific classes, even in traces: by this, the subsequent identification of these compounds during a single chromatographic run is possible. This combination provides significant time and costs savings in the calibration and analysis of chromatographic data

Strengthening multi-stakeholder cooperation in the international investment regime: The Brazilian model

The rule of law and dispute avoidance and settlement may not be enough to turn FDI into a means to the realization of the SDGs. Multi-stakeholder dialogue and cooperation should also be a central aspect of any institutional design. In this regard, the Brazilian model, at least in theory, scores better than most existing treaties and reform proposals

Solar tower CSP plants with transcritical cycles based on CO2 mixtures: A sensitivity on storage and power block layouts

In this work three CO2-based binary mixtures, CO2 + C6F6, CO2 + C2H3N and CO2 + C4F8, are compared as innovative working fluids for closed power cycles in CSP plants. Adopted in transcritical cycles, they lead to cycle efficiencies higher than sCO2 cycles at minimum temperatures above 50 degrees C, a typical condition for arid regions with high solar radiation. The analysis considers four plant configurations: the first with direct storage, solar salts as HTF and cycle maximum temperatures of 550 degrees C, while the three other plants adopt sodium as HTF and an indirect storage system, designed for cycle maximum temperatures of 550 degrees C, 625 degrees C and 700 degrees C. Detailed models are used to characterize the solar fields optical performance, the receiver thermal efficiency and the HTF pump consumption, both at design and off-design conditions, for large scale plants located in Las Vegas. Different power block layouts are considered, spanning from the more efficient ones to cycles with a high heat recovery capacity. In addition, the impact of the mixtures on the design of heat exchangers is evidenced, with convincing results with respect to the heat transfer characteristics of CO2. Considering the resulting yearly performances and LCOE of each configuration, the adoption of indirect storage systems is considered a viable solution for high temperature solar plants. The three innovative mixtures allow for a reduction in LCOE with respect to sCO2 cycles (up to 10 $/MWh, depending on the configuration), capacity factors above 70% for the specific location, optimal solar multiples around 2.8 and 12 equivalent hours of TES

Creativity Support in a Serious Game for Dementia Care

This paper advocates the use of computer-based serious games as a form of creativity support tool. Whilst the use of serious games has grown considerably in recent years, support for players to think creatively is often implicit in the game, and does not exploit the wide range of creativity techniques and software tools available. This paper makes the case for explicit creativity support in serious games, explores how implicit creativity support can be delivered in game play, and extends one reported model of serious game play with activities in which players deploy different forms of supported creative thinking. The model is then applied to inform 2 versions of a serious game developed to train carers in creativity techniques to deliver more person-centered care to people with dementia. Each version of the game was delivered as a prototype to support playtesting of the game and its effect on carer training

Experimental investigation of the CO2+SiCl4 mixture as innovative working fluid for power cycles: Bubble points and liquid density measurements

International audienceHighlights Carbon dioxide/Silicon Tetrachloride mixture is proposed as innovative working fluid. Bubble points and liquid densities of the mixture are experimentally obtained. The experimental data are used for the fine-tuning of the equation of state. The thermodynamic efficiency of the mixture is simulated in next-generation CSP plant. The mixture enables +2 % electric efficiency gain compared to pure sCO2

Arsenic movement and fractionation in agricultural soils which received wastewater from an adjacent industrial site for 50 years

Arsenic (As) is an element with important environmental and human health implications due to its toxic properties. It is naturally occurring since it is contained in minerals, but it can also be enriched and distributed in the environment by anthropogenic activities. This paper reports on the historic As contamination of agricultural soils in one of the most important national relevance site for contamination in Italy, the so-called SIN Brescia-Caffaro, in the city of Brescia, northern Italy. These agricultural areas received As through the use of irrigation waters from wastewater coming from a factory of As-based pesticides (lead and calcium arsenates, sodium arsenite). Pesticide production started in 1920 and ended in the '70. Concentrations in the areas are generally beyond the legal threshold values for different soil uses and are up to >200 mg/kg. Arsenic contamination was studied to assess the long-time trend and the dynamics related to the vertical movement of As down to 1 m depth and its horizontal diffusion with surface irrigation in the entire field. Arsenic fractionation analysis (solid phase speciation by sequential extraction procedure) was also performed on samples collected from these areas and employed in greenhouse experiments with several plant species to evaluate the long-term contamination and the role of plant species in modifying As availability in soil. The results of this work can help in the evaluation of the conditions controlling the vertical transfer of As towards surface aquifers, the bioaccumulation likelihood in the agricultural food chain and the selection of sustainable remediation techniques such as phytoextraction

加强国际投资体系中的多方合作：巴西模式

The rule of law and dispute avoidance and settlement may not be enough to turn FDI into a means to the realization of the SDGs. Multi-stakeholder dialogue and cooperation should also be a central aspect of any institutional design. In this regard, the Brazilian model, at least in theory, scores better than most existing treaties and reform proposals

Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid proteome from systemic sclerosis patients with or without functional, clinical and radiological signs of lung fibrosis

Lung fibrosis is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, its pathogenesis still needs to be elucidated. We examined whether the alteration of certain proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) might have a protective or a causative role in the lung fibrogenesis process. For this purpose we compared the BALF protein profile obtained from nine SSc patients with lung fibrosis (SSc(Fib+)) with that obtained from six SSc patients without pulmonary fibrosis (SSc(Fib-)) by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). Only spots and spot-trains that were consistently expressed in a different way in the two study groups were taken into consideration. In total, 47 spots and spot-trains, corresponding to 30 previously identified proteins in human BALF, showed no significant variation between SSc(Fib+ )patients and SSc(Fib- )patients, whereas 24 spots showed a reproducible significant variation in the two study groups. These latter spots corresponded to 11 proteins or protein fragments, including serum albumin fragments (13 spots), 5 previously recognized proteins (7 spots), and 4 proteins (3 spots) that had not been previously described in human BALF maps, namely calumenin, cytohesin-2, cystatin SN, and mitochondrial DNA topoisomerase 1 (mtDNA TOP1). Mass analysis did not determine one protein-spot. The two study groups revealed a significant difference in BALF protein composition. Whereas levels of glutathione S-transferase P (GSTP), Cu–Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and cystatin SN were downregulated in SSc(Fib+ )patients compared with SSc(Fib- )patients, we observed a significant upregulation of α1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin-α chain, calgranulin (Cal) B, cytohesin-2, calumenin, and mtDNA TOP1 in SSc(Fib+ )patients. Some of these proteins (GSTP, Cu–Zn SOD, and cystatin SN) seem to be involved in mechanisms that protect lungs against injury or inflammation, whereas others (Cal B, cytohesin-2, and calumenin) seem to be involved in mechanisms that drive lung fibrogenesis. Even if the 2-DE analysis of BALF did not provide an exhaustive identification of all BALF proteins, especially those of low molecular mass, it allows the identification of proteins that might have a role in lung fibrogenesis. Further longitudinal studies on larger cohorts of patients will be necessary to assess their usefulness as predictive markers of disease