The effect on air quality of lockdown directives to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Campania Region-Italy: Indications for a sustainable development

Data on air quality collected by the regional network of fixed stations in the most urbanized areas of the Campania region in the south of Italy are examined. Two periods are considered: before and during the adoption of the main directives limiting human activities to fight the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The first period is from 5 February to 5 March, and the second is from 13 March to 13 April. Meteorological conditions in the two periods were compared and significant differences were not observed. Therefore, the comparison of air quality data is feasible. During the second period, an intercontinental transport of particulate matter occurred. Data collected during this event (4 p.m. on 30 March to 4 p.m. on 31 March) were excluded from the analysis. The main reduction of pollutant concentration is observed for NO2 (-48% of the period average). PM10 shows a lower reduction (-17%). The PM2.5 average period concentration was quite constant, while the 98° percentile was reduced by -21%. Ozone shows, on the contrary, an increase in concentration due mainly to an increase in solar irradiation during the 2nd period, but also due to the decrease of NOx concentration. The reduction or the increase of pollutant concentration depends on the category of the station: background, industrial, residential, and traffic. In addition to air quality, the reduction of anthropogenic emissions is also studied. All the information available on the reduction of emissions from transport, industry, heating, and other main emissive sectors were collected. The results give useful insights for the development of air quality management policies that could be adopted when the sanitary emergency will end to guarantee the sustainable development of the Campania region

Effect of balconies on air quality in deep street canyons

This study discusses the effect of balconies on the dispersion of vehicular pollutants inside a deep street canyon and on the mass transfer rate between the canyon and the above atmosphere. 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed considering the presence of balconies of different dimensions in a deep street canyon with aspect ratio H/W ¼ 3. The effect of two geometrical parameters has been investigated: the balcony depth and the horizontal distance between two balconies, the other geometrical parameters remaining constant. CFD simulations have been carried out adopting the scale adaptive simulation (SAS) model. Results show that the presence of balconies can determine a significant modification in the flow field inside the street canyon with a less homogeneous dispersion of pollutants emitted by vehicles circulating in the street and a less effective mass exchange with the above atmosphere. At the present models developed to assess pollutant concentration levels in street canyons do not consider the presence of balconies. As consequence, an underestimation of real concentration levels could occur. Therefore, results obtained can give a contribution in the development of more feasible air pollution models in urban areas at local scale, and useful information for design of building facades that minimize the entrapping of vehicular pollutants at pedestrian level in street canyon

Atmospheric ship emissions in ports: A review. Correlation with data of ship traffic

Ports represent a source of atmospheric pollutants that can contribute significantly to jeopardise air quality of port cities. NOx, SOx, PM and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) are emitted by ships during manoeuvring in ports at arrival or departure and during hotelling when moored at wharves. Several methods exist to estimate emissions in function of ships' activity and engine parameters. However, there is still a significant uncertainty in these calculations. This is a severe limitation to develop effective plans of mitigation of air pollution in port cities. In this paper data of NOx and PM10 emitted in port and traffic of passenger and commercial ships have been reviewed and critically analysed. All vessels are lumped into three categories: cruise, passenger ships other than cruise and commercial ships. Emissions have been correlated with traffic data per year: passengers, hours at hotelling and manoeuvring, calls and tons of goods transported. The result is a summary of regression equations that can be used for the estimation of ship emissions in ports based on traffic data. The analysis does not consider emissions of all the ancillary activities that take place at land inside a port like: upload and download of goods, vehicular traffic, manipulation of containers and others. Keywords: Ship emissions, Ports, NOx, PM10, Traffic data, Regressio

Assessment of the impact of ship emissions on the air quality in Naples

The paper reports the results of a monitoring campaign of SO2, NO2 and Benzene carried out in the port of Naples and inside the nearby urban canopy from 20th January to 8th March 2016. The activity is a continuation of a previous monitoring campaign realized by the authors in 2012. About 40 passive samplers were placed and average concentration in the period for the three pollutants was evaluated. Concentration levels observed are lower than limit values established by European directives both for SO2 and NO2. Benzene in some place of measure exceeded the limit value (5 ìg/m3) that is fixed, however, as annual average. Results have been interpreted by an interpolation algorithm using the software SURFER® obtaining contour maps that show significant differences among the three pollutants. In fact, maximum levels of SO2 occur inside the harbour area, those of NO2 inside the urban area while Benzene maximum average concentrations in the period occur at the boundary between port and urban canopy. This result has been interpreted on the basis of the occurrences of wind direction and speed measured in the same observation period

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Associated with Bifid Median Nerve and Palmaris Profundus - Case Report and Literature Review

The anatomic variations of the median nerve and of the muscles of the wrist have been widely reported in literature. It is essential for the surgeon to be familiar with these variations in order to avoid accidental injury to the nerve during surgery. We report a rare case of bifid median nerve accompanied by an anomalous tendon of palmaris profundus discovered during the surgical release of carpal tunnel. The transverse carpal ligament was dissected and the anomalous tendon was left in situ because any direct compression over the median nerve was noticed intraoperatively. The patient was evaluated one year postoperatively clinically and radiologically (with MRI). At the follow up the resolution of symptoms was complete and the sleep disturbance was solved. The patient achieved a postoperative QuickDASH score of 9.1 and a Michigan Hand Questionnaire outcome score of 90 points

Radiological evaluation of the metal-bone interface of a porous tantalum acetabular component

Introduction Porous tantalum presents a bone-matched elastic modulus and an high coefficient of friction on cancellous and cortical bone. Furthermore, its open-cell tantalum structure of repeating dodecahedrons, similar to cancellous bone, should be favourable for bone ingrowth. These physical and mechanical properties should increase primary fixation and potential osteointegration of acetabular cups and should decrease periacetabular stress shielding. The purpose of this study was to radiographically evaluate the evolution of the metal-bone interface of porous tantalum acetabular components. Materials and Methods Serial radiographic evaluation of 41porous tantalum acetabular component has been performed in 40 patients. Twelve hips underwent total hip arthroplasty using a trabecular metal monoblock acetabular component and 29 hips using a trabecular metal modular acetabular system. All patients were clinically and radiographically evaluated at four, eight, 12, 24 weeks, 12 months and then annually. All cases were available for a minimum follow-up of two years (mean 35 months). On post-operative x-rays the metal-bone interface was investigated for areas in which the porous surface of the acetabular component was not in contact with bone. These gaps were measured and classified by location according to DeLee and Charnley zones. Evolution of postoperative gaps, presence of lysis or periacetabular radiolucencies and component migration were assessed during follow-up. Results On post-operative x-rays 36 components (88%) had a gap between the outer surface and the host bone but only in 12 cases (29%) gaps were larger then 1 mm. The gaps were mostly situated in the polar region (zone II) when compared with the peripheral zones and no one was bigger then 5 mm in width. At last follow-up 23 (64%) of the initial gaps were no longer radiographically evident, 10 (28%) had a favourable evolution and appeared reduced in dimension but still present and 3 (8%) didn\u2019t fill at all and were unchanged when compared with post-operative controls. There was no progression progression of any post-operative gap and no evidence of new periacetabular radiolucent lines or lysis. No acetabular implant showed evidence of migration or needed revision for loosening. At last follow up the mean Harris Hip Score was 95. There were no dislocation or other complications. Discussion Short term results with porous tantalum acetabular component are encouraging: the bridging of the interface gaps and the absence of periacetabular radiolucencies indicate good mechanical and osteoconductive properties. Further follow-up will be required to confirm these results in the long term

Initial experience with Vanguard(R) total knee arthroplasty

Introduction Biomet Vanguard(R) Complete Knee System is a total knee replacement system, introduced into the market in 2003: thissystem boasts a designed kneecap track or groove which allows for greater mobility and decreased loss of healthy bone during the replacement process. Clinical and radiographic results in Varese Orthopaedics Unit initial experience are reported. Materials and methods Clinical and radiographic parameters are evaluated in 29 patients who underwent TKA (Vanguard(R) Complete Knee System- Biomet Inc.) for primary gonarthrosis during the last 2 years at Orthopaedics and Traumatology Unit of Ospedale di Circolo\u2014Fondazione Macchi in Varese. ROM, type of anaesthesia, patellar pain, clinical and functional Knee Score (pre-operative), size of implant, ROM, blooding, patellar pain, VAS, clinical and func- tional Knee Score (post-operative) are analyzed. Radiographic follow-up is made at 6 and 12 months. Results Clinical and Functional Knee Score respectively improve from 47 to 88 pts and from 51 to 88 pts in pre- and post-operative period (p\0.001). Post-operatively no patellar pain, 2 pts VAS and 1215 cc blooding are reported. ROM doesn\u2019t significantly improve from pre- to post-operative. No relevant complications are reported. Due to the short follow-up, radiographic evaluation does not allow to demonstrate polyethylene liner wear. Conclusions Vanguard(R) Knee Replacement significantly shows a clinical and functional improvement in patients affected by primary gonarthrosis. Moreover, post-operative pain decrease allows early mobilization and rehabilitation

Lateral parapatellar approach in primary total knee arthroplasty of the valgus knee

Background Anatomic and pathological characteristics of the valgus knee deformity represent a challenging issue for the implant of a total knee arthroplasty. The surgical approach in such cases should allow a direct ad easy exposure of the joint, easy lateral soft tissue balancing and adequate patellar tracking. Materials and Methods Twenty-four total knee arthroplasties were implanted in valgus knees between January 2002 and September 2005. A mean preoperative valgus deformity of 18\ub0 was assessed on standing x-rays. Four posterior stabilized, eighteen posterior stabilized rotating platform prosthesis and two superstabilized prosthesis were implanted in 21 patients. The surgical approach has been in all cases a lateral parapatellectomy. Follow-up assessments were obtained for all patients at a mean 23 months. They consisted of a Knee Society Score and a Patellar Score evaluation, standing AP and lateral radiograms and skyline x-rays obtained at a flection of 45\ub0. Results A mean preoperative Knee Society Clinical Score of 32,7 points (range, -4 to 64 points) significantly improved at follow-up to an average 88,8 points (range, 57 to 99 points; p<0,05). The Knee Society Function Score significantly increased from a preoperative mean score of 32,7 points (range, -20 to 75 points) to an average followup score of 81,2 points (range, 30 to 100 points; p<0.05). The Patella Score revealed absence of anterior pain in all cases but one that reported severe pain. A satisfactory patello-femoral alignement of 4.7\ub0 (range, 1\ub0 to 10\ub0) was obtained at last follow-up x-rays. One intraoperative condilar fracture occured and was treated with a single screw. Discussion The lateral approach of valgus knees led to satisfactory results in primary total knee arthroplasties in a percentage of cases comparable or superior to those presented in literature for different approaches. In addition, lateral release is performed as a part of the approach itself, allows preservation of the blood supplies of the extensor apparatus and an optimal patellar tracking in most cases. Conclusions In conclusion, the lateral approach for a primary total knee arthroplasty could be recommended in valgus knees affected by osteoarthritis because as it proved to be effective in achieving a satisfactory implant positioning and functional outcome while reporting minor complications

The "INNOVARE" project: Innovative plants for distributed poly-generation by residual biomass

The valorization of residual biomass plays today a decisive role in the concept of "circular economy", according to which each waste material must be reused to its maximum extent. The collection and energy valorization at the local level of biomass from forest management practices and wildfire prevention cutting can be settled in protected areas to contribute to local decarbonization, by removing power generation from fossil fuels. Despite the evident advantages of bioenergy systems, several problems still hinder their diffusion, such as the need to assure their reliability by extending the operating range with materials of different origin. The Italian project "INNOVARE-Innovative plants for distributed poly-generation by residual biomass", funded by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MISE), has the main scope of improving micro-cogeneration technologies fueled by biomass. A micro-combined heat and power (mCHP) unit was chosen as a case study to discuss pros and cons of biomass-powered cogeneration within a national park, especially due to its flexibility of use. The availability of local biomasses (woodchips, olive milling residuals) was established by studying the agro-industrial production and by identifying forest areas to be properly managed through an approach using a satellite location system based on the microwave technology. A detailed synergic numerical and experimental characterization of the selected cogeneration system was performed in order to identify its main inefficiencies. Improvements of its operation were optimized by acting on the engine control strategy and by also adding a post-treatment system on the engine exhaust gas line. Overall, the electrical output was increased by up to 6% using the correct spark timing, and pollutant emissions were reduced well below the limits allowed by legislation by working with a lean mixture and by adopting an oxidizing catalyst. Finally, the global efficiency of the system increased from 45.8% to 63.2%. The right blending of different biomasses led to an important improvement of the reliability of the entire plant despite using an agrifood residual, such as olive pomace. It was demonstrated that the use of this biomass is feasible if its maximum mass percentage in a wood matrix mixture does not exceed 25%. The project was concluded with a real operation demonstration within a national park in Southern Italy by replacing a diesel genset with the analyzed and improved biomass-powered plant and by proving a decisive improvement of air quality in the real environment during exercise

The “INNOVARE” Project: Innovative Plants for Distributed Poly-Generation by Residual Biomass

The valorization of residual biomass plays today a decisive role in the concept of "circular economy", according to which each waste material must be reused to its maximum extent. The collection and energy valorization at the local level of biomass from forest management practices and wildfire prevention cutting can be settled in protected areas to contribute to local decarbonization, by removing power generation from fossil fuels. Despite the evident advantages of bioenergy systems, several problems still hinder their diffusion, such as the need to assure their reliability by extending the operating range with materials of different origin. The Italian project "INNOVARE-Innovative plants for distributed poly-generation by residual biomass", funded by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development (MISE), has the main scope of improving micro-cogeneration technologies fueled by biomass. A micro-combined heat and power (mCHP) unit was chosen as a case study to discuss pros and cons of biomass-powered cogeneration within a national park, especially due to its flexibility of use. The availability of local biomasses (woodchips, olive milling residuals) was established by studying the agro-industrial production and by identifying forest areas to be properly managed through an approach using a satellite location system based on the microwave technology. A detailed synergic numerical and experimental characterization of the selected cogeneration system was performed in order to identify its main inefficiencies. Improvements of its operation were optimized by acting on the engine control strategy and by also adding a post-treatment system on the engine exhaust gas line. Overall, the electrical output was increased by up to 6% using the correct spark timing, and pollutant emissions were reduced well below the limits allowed by legislation by working with a lean mixture and by adopting an oxidizing catalyst. Finally, the global efficiency of the system increased from 45.8% to 63.2%. The right blending of different biomasses led to an important improvement of the reliability of the entire plant despite using an agrifood residual, such as olive pomace. It was demonstrated that the use of this biomass is feasible if its maximum mass percentage in a wood matrix mixture does not exceed 25%. The project was concluded with a real operation demonstration within a national park in Southern Italy by replacing a diesel genset with the analyzed and improved biomass-powered plant and by proving a decisive improvement of air quality in the real environment during exercise