Mechanochemical Treatment of Soils Contaminated by Heavy Metals in Attritor and Impact Mills: Experiments and Modeling

An integrative approach was developed to support the scale-up from lab-into pilot-scale mechano-chemical reactors for immobilize heavy metals in contaminated mining soil

Mathematical Modelling and Computational Simulation of Mammalian Cell Cycle Progression in Batch Systems

Cell cycle and its progression play a crucial role in the life of all living organisms, in tissues and organs of animals and humans, and therefore are the subject of intense study by scientists in various fields of biomedicine, bioengineering and biotechnology. Effective and predictive simulation models can offer new development opportunities in such fields. In the present paper a comprehensive mathematical model for simulating the cell cycle progression in batch systems is proposed. The model includes a structured population balance with two internal variables (i.e., cell volume and age) that properly describes cell cycle evolution through the various stages that a cell of an entire population undergoes as it grows and divides. The rate of transitions between two subsequent phases of the cell cycle are obtained by considering a detailed biochemical model which simulates the series of complex events that take place during cell growth and its division. The model capability for simulating the effect of various seeding conditions and the adding of few substances during in vitro tests, is discussed by considering specific cases of interest in tissue engineering and biomedicine

Effects of supplementation with vegetable extracts on physicochemical, antioxidant and microbiological properties of yogurts

The objective of this work was the evaluation of physico-chemical properties, antioxidant capacity and microbiological vitality of in laboratory prepared yogurts, whose fermentation was conducted in presence or in absence of different vegetable extracts: artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) edible (ED) and not edible (NED) part, strawberry-tree (Arbutus unedo L.) fruits at two different stages of ripening, ripe (red) and unripe (yellow) fruits, cherries (Prunus avium L.), compared to commercial yogurts supplemented with vegetable extracts or with antioxidant factors

Azione di estratti polifenolici naturali sul ceppo probiotico <i>Lactobacillus casei</i> ATCC 12116

La presente indagine ha lo scopo di studiare il comportamento del ceppo probiotico Lactobacillus casei ATCC 12116 in presenza di estratti naturali ricchi di polifenoli. Gli estratti sono stati preparati a partire sia da mieli sardi di diversa origine botanica che da droghe essiccate reperite attraverso i canali commerciali, e in essi sono stati determinati i polifenoli presenti. Attualmente, utilizzando tecniche microbiologiche standard, si stanno valutando la vitalità e la crescita del microrganismo in presenza di varie concentrazioni di questi estratti e in varie condizioni sperimentali. Sul poster saranno discussi in dettaglio i risultati ottenuti

Incorporation of different natural polyphenol extracts into a yoghurt and their effect on viability of a selected probiotic strain

The aims of our project were: (1) to prepare different extracts of strawberry-tree honey, Cynara scolymus L. (artichoke), Arbutus unedo L. fruits (strawberry-tree) and Prunus avium L. var. Bonnannaro fruits (cherry) and characterise them with respect to their polyphenol contents; (2) to study the effect of these extracts on viability of probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei ATCC 12116; (3) to incorporate these extracts into commercial yoghurt samples to verify if their presence improves the shelf-life of this food

Recent advances on ISRU technologies and study of microgravity impact on blood cells for deep space exploration

The long-term solution to problems like overcrowding, fossil fuel depletion, climate change, and decreasing natural resource availability could be overcome through space colonization and human presence in space, as well as the exploitation of extraterrestrial natural resources. In keeping with this, the objective of this work is to analyze current advancements in technology development for deep space exploration and colonization made by our research team as well as by other organizations with which we are collaborating. First, a method for producing tangible goods suited for industrial or civil installations on the Moon, Mars, or asteroids, using in situ available regolith as the main resource, is discussed. In this regard, a new process based on the occurrence of self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) reactions was developed for the fabrication of composite ceramics to be used as construction materials. A theoretical analysis of the process using proper dimensionless numbers is also described to offer potential explanations of the key experimental evidences presented in the relevant literature. For instance, it is found that free convection likely plays a crucial role to make SHS front velocity higher under terrestrial conditions when the reaction ignition is carried out from the bottom side, instead of the top side, of reacting mixture. Next, a method that uses the atmosphere and regolith of Mars as raw feedstock to produce in situ useful material such as oxygen, water, food, fuels and fertilizers, is considered. In the next section, the potential for cultivating Spirulina platensis to provide nourishment for the Martian crew is examined. The possible use of sintered lunar regolith simulants such as JSC-1A is also considered for potential thermal energy storage and solar energy harvesting applications, within the context of resource exploitation. Sintered regolith simulant exhibited, compared to the native material in powder form, superior solar absorptance, which makes it suitable for sunlight absorbers in architectures with a cavity-like solar receiver. Finally, a new study is reported which combines biochemical and biophysical approaches in order to compare, under simulated microgravity and under terrestrial conditions, the functioning and structure of red blood cells, over various intervals of time

GRIDA3—a shared resources manager for environmental data analysis and applications

GRIDA3 (Shared Resources Manager for Environmental Data Analysis and Applications) is a multidisciplinary project designed to deliver an integrated system to forge solutions to some environmental challenges such as the constant increase of polluted sites, the sustainability of natural resources usage and the forecast of extreme meteorological events. The GRIDA3 portal is mainly based on Web 2.0 technologies and EnginFrame framework. The portal, now at an advanced stage of development, provides end-users with intuitive Web-interfaces and tools that simplify job submission to the underneath computing resources. The framework manages the user authentication and authorization, then controls the action and job execution into the grid computing environment, collects the results and transforms them into an useful format on the client side. The GRIDA3 Portal framework will provide a problem-solving platform allowing, through appropriate access policies, the integration and the sharing of skills, resources and tools located at multiple sites across federated domains

Microalgal cell disruption through Fenton reaction: Experiments, modeling and remarks on its effect on the extracted lipids composition

A novel cell disruption technique, based on the use of Fenton reaction, for the improvement of lipid extraction from microalgae has been recently presented in the literature. In this work, a mathematical model is proposed to quantitatively interpret the relevant experimental results obtained so far. Model results and experimental data are successfully compared. Moreover, a mechanistic explanation of the relevant phenomena underlying the positive effects of disruption on the composition of fatty acids methyl esters, obtained through trans-esterification of the extracted lipids, is presented