A fast algorithm to compute the Ramanujan-Deninger gamma-function and some number-theoretic applications

We introduce a fast algorithm to compute the Ramanujan-Deninger gamma function and its logarithmic derivative at positive values. Such an algorithm allows us to greatly extend the numerical investigations about the Euler-Kronecker constants $\mathfrak{G}_q$, $\mathfrak{G}_q^+$ and $M_q=\max_{\chi\ne \chi_0} \vert L^\prime/L(1,\chi)\vert$, where $q$ is an odd prime, $\chi$ runs over the primitive Dirichlet characters $\bmod\ q$, $\chi_0$ is the trivial Dirichlet character $\bmod\ q$ and $L(s,\chi)$ is the Dirichlet $L$-function associated to $\chi$. Using such algorithms we obtained that $\mathfrak{G}_{50 040 955 631} =-0.16595399\dotsc$ and $\mathfrak{G}_{50 040 955 631}^+ =13.89764738\dotsc$ thus getting a new negative value for $\mathfrak{G}_q$. Moreover we also computed $\mathfrak{G}_q$, $\mathfrak{G}_q^+$ and $M_q$ for every odd prime $q$, $10^6< q\le 10^7$, thus extending previous results. As a consequence we obtain that both $\mathfrak{G}_q$ and $\mathfrak{G}_q^+$ are positive for every odd prime $q$ up to $10^7$ and that $\frac{17}{20} \log \log q< M_q < \frac{5}{4} \log \log q$ for every odd prime $1531 < q\le 10^7$. In fact the lower bound holds true for $q>13$. The programs used and the results here described are collected at the following address \url{http://www.math.unipd.it/~languasc/Scomp-appl.html}

Integrating life cycle inventory and process design techniques for the early estimate of energy and material consumption data

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a powerful tool to identify direct and indirect environmental burdens associated with products, processes and services. A critical phase of the LCA methodology is the collection of representative inventory data for the energy and material streams related to the production process. In the evaluation of new and emerging chemical processes, measured data are known only at laboratory scale and may have limited connection to the environmental footprint of the same process implemented at industrial scale. On the other hand, in the evaluation of processes already established at commercial scale, the availability of process data might be hampered by industrial confidentiality. In both cases, the integration of simple process design techniques in the LCA can contribute to overcome the lack of primary data, allowing a more correct quantification of the life cycle inventory. The present paper shows, through the review of case study examples, how simplified process design, modeling and simulation can support the LCA framework to provide a preliminary estimate of energy and material consumption data suitable for environmental assessment purposes. The discussed case studies illustrate the implementation of process design considerations to tackle availability issues of inventory data in different contexts. By evidencing the case-specific nature of the problem of preliminary conceptual process design, the study calls for a closer collaboration of process design experts and life cycle analysts in the green development of new products and processes

historical buildings retrofit the city hall of the city of motta di livenza tv

Abstract Issues related to energy saving, environmental sustainability and safety in case of seismic events are more and more the focus of attention of public opinion and the various actors of the construction sector. The Italian housing stock needs a strong energy adjustment, functional and seismic. The majority of buildings dating back to before the entry into force of the laws on energy saving of 1976 and first of the orders on the seismic design of 2003. The intervention on private buildings is favored by various financial systems and various facilities but to intervention on the public housing stock it is not easy. Most of the public buildings are identified as historical and therefore listed by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage. Historical constraints, facades and fine decorations and inhomogeneity of the construction techniques and materials used make it very difficult to intervene in these buildings. The article will analyze a case study: the city hall of the municipality of Motta di Livenza (TV). This historic building, listed by the Super-intendent, has been subject to an energy audit that defines what are the best measures of energy efficiency and their economic sustainability. The search result will define which are the most cost-effective interventions to associate with the project of seismic improvement already underway. The case study is a real example of finding a balance between the need for seismic and energy intervention, constraints placed by the Superintendent, the data constraints by decorations and valuable items cannot be modified and the need for improvement of interior comfort

Functional, Energy and Seismic Retrofitting in Existing Building: An Innovative System Based on xlam Technology

In recent years significant investments were made in retrofitting of existing buildings with the aim to realize a strong functional, energy and seismic refurbishment. This is a complicated challenge: the technical and economic feasibility of intervention must be correctly defined and most of interventions are not standardized or coordinated or properly managed. Given the awarenessrelatedto environmental sustainability topics, this studyfocusedon the developmentof systems andtechnologiesbased on the useof natural and environmentally sustainable materials. The paper is focused on the xlam panel that is integrated into an existing building (outside or inside the external wall) in order to improve the static and structural tightening. The system is designed for modularization and standardization for giving simplicity and speed of assembly and low cost providing also. Through a three-dimensional and numerical model, simulations were carried out to verify and to optimize the energy behaviorof the chosenmaterials and to identifythe best combinationon thermal performancecomparedwith the costsandenvironmental impactsof the product. The valuesand the results obtainedwere testedexperimentallyin the laboratoryby the constructionof a prototype

The Energy Improvement of School Buildings: Analysis and Proposals for Action

The objective of this research is to identify a tool of analysis applicable to school buildings that, through simple input information, can make immediate assessment reduction of energy consumption for heating and associated reduction of CO2emission, as a result of improvements.The definition of a methodology of analysis allows to evaluate preliminarily the energy performance of the whole school building identifying the most problematic buildings and dividing into groups based on the construction and geometry. In the first phase all buildings have been filed through information obtained from survey and documentation of archives, then two analyses were performed to compare the energy performance of the whole sample.For the initial analysis it was applied a methodology proposed by ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic development) and designed specifically for school buildings; in the second analysis it was calculated the energy performance index for winter heating and compared with the appropriate limit value.Subsequently a sample of buildings was well selectedafter splitting the school building into homogeneous groups. The buildings have been translated into a mathematical model of the building system calibrated on actual energy consumption and dynamic conditions were simulated in order to accurately quantify the impact of the various proposed actions.The results of all combinations of intervention, obtained from the latter analysis, have been used to develop a tool that identified the type of building and construction technology in order to estimate the immediate reduction of consumption and the CO2emitted.The methodology was applied to the school building of the municipality of Castelfranco Veneto, simulating two scenarios: the first plan to interventions under the PAES (Action Plan for Sustainable Energy) for public buildings while the second considers the possibility of performing all the improvements recommended by the instrument in relation to the entire academic heritage of the city

Application of PestLCI model to site-specific soil and climate conditions: the case of maize production in Northern Italy

The calculation of emissions from the use of pesticides is a critical issue in LCA studies of agrifood products and only occasionally discussed in details in literature studies. The objective of this study is to assess the results of the application of PestLCI 2.0 model to the production of maize in Northern Italy using site-specific soil and climate data, which were added for this purpose in PestLCI database. In this way, the application of the tool and its database were tailored to that area. Moreover, the results were compared with those obtained assuming maize cultivation on other soil typologies in the surrounding areas. Results show that soil variation scarcely affects the emissions to air and surface water are whereas it affects significantly the emissions to groundwater. Finally, some features of PestLCI were highlighted and comments for a further improvement of the model were provided

A life-cycle assessment of poly-hydroxybutyrate extraction from microbial biomass using dimethylcarbonate

Poly-hydroxyalkanoates are an example of biodegradable and biocompatible polymers, produced from renewable raw materials. With respect to other bioplastics the market share of poly-hydroxyalkanoates is still limited because of their commercial costs. To develop more cost-effective processes, a multilevel approach is usually undertaken combining innovative, cheaper and more effective microbial cultivation with safe and cheap extraction and purification methodologies. This study assesses the potential life cycle environmental impacts related to a novel protocol poly-hydroxyalkanoates extraction based on dimethyl carbonate in comparison to the use of halogenated hydrocarbons (in particular 1,2 dicholoroethane). Four scenarios are analysed for the dimethyl carbonate protocol considering: extraction from microbial slurry or from dried biomass, and recovery by solvent evaporation or polymer precipitation. The life cycle assessment demonstrates that the environmental performances of dimethyl carbonate-based protocols are far better than those of the most comparative process using the halogenated hydrocarbons. The scenario that foresees the extraction of dried biomass and recovers solvent by evaporation appears to be the most promising in terms of environmental sustainability performance

Primary vascular bone tumors in the spine: a challenge for pathologists and spine oncology surgeons

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