Approaching sustainable development through energy management, the case of Fongo Tongo, Cameroon

This work is aimed at defining a possible solution for sustainable energy development in the Menoua Department, West Cameroon. The purpose of the cooperation between ALA Milano Onlus and the Biomass Energy Efficiency Laboratory of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia was to analyze the case study in order to propose a solution for energy production capable of meeting the needs of the Cameroonian society while also heading towards a sustainable development. Primary researches suggested that the most viable solution was to integrate the corn food processing with the gasification of the cobs. The thermo-conversion process was modeled with a black-box approach; the results of the model were further compared with the energy required for corn processing, therefore demonstrating the sustainability and virtuosity of the chosen solution. A commercial 20 kW$$_el$$el gasifier was selected for supplying electrical power to three central buildings: the city hall, the Chaufferie and the school. This solution is a security measure assuring continue power supply to these vital buildings. Furthermore, it will bind the relation between the rural and the city areas through the energy exchange process

Psicopatia e violenza: rassegna criminologica

The aim of this article is to analyse, from a criminological point of view, the concept of psychopathy, aetiology, comorbidity,and the classification of psychopathic personalities, as well as their criminal-violent dimension, considering also criminalcareer and recurring typologies of crimes. In fact, the typical criminal history of psychopathic offender is characterized bya broad criminal versatility and by a high degree of recidivism. Thus, psychopathy is basically discovered among murderers,serial killers, sexual offenders and white-collar criminals. Starting from a review of the most recent and important referenceson definition aspects and the existing link between psicopathy and violent behaviors, the article also tackles the complicatedissues of culpability and prison treatment of psychopaths.Lo scopo di questo articolo è di indagare e approfondire, in chiave criminologica, il concetto di psicopatia, l’eziologia, la comorbidità,le classificazioni delle personalità psicopatiche, nonché la loro dimensione violenta e criminale, considerandoanche carriera criminale e tipologie di delitti generalmente riscontrati. La tipica storia delinquenziale dello psicopatico autoredi reato è, infatti, caratterizzata da un’ampia versatilità e da alti tassi di recidiva. Il quadro psicopatico è, così, tendenzialmenteriscontrabile negli assassini, nei serial killer, nei predatori sessuali e nella criminalità dei colletti bianchi. A partire da unarassegna della letteratura più recente e autorevole concernente gli aspetti definitori oltre che il legame esistente tra psicopatiae condotte violente, l’articolo affronta la complicata questione dell’imputabilità dello psicopatico e si concentra altresì sulproblema del suo trattamento in ambito carcerario

Massive right hemothorax as the source of hemorrhagic shock after laparoscopic cholecystectomy - case report of a rare intraoperative complication

A 62-year old man was referred to our institution in hemorrhagic shock after a laparoscopic cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis, performed at an outside hospital. A chest X-ray revealed a right-sided massive pleural effusion. Urgent surgical exploration was performed through a video-assisted mini-thoracotomy which revealed active bleeding from a pleural adherence. Successful hemostasis was achieved intraoperatively and the patient had an uneventful recovery. In absence of intra-abdominal hemorrhage, a hemothorax should be considered as a potential source of major bleeding in patients who develop symptoms of hypovolemia after laparoscopic surgery

Effects of standardized green tea extract and its main component, EGCG, on mitochondrial function and contractile performance of healthy rat cardiomyocytes

We recently showed that the long-term in vivo administration of green tea catechin extract (GTE) resulted in hyperdynamic cardiomyocyte contractility. The present study investigates the mechanisms underlying GTE action in comparison to its major component, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), given at the equivalent amount that would be in the entirety of GTE. Twenty-six male Wistar rats were given 40 mL/day of a tap water solution with either standardized GTE or pure EGCG for 4 weeks. Cardiomyocytes were then isolated for the study. Cellular bioenergetics was found to be significantly improved in both GTE- and EGCG-fed rats compared to that in controls as shown by measuring the maximal mitochondrial respiration rate and the cellular ATP level. Notably, the improvement of mitochondrial function was associated with increased levels of oxidative phosphorylation complexes, whereas the cellular mitochondrial mass was unchanged. However, only the GTE supplement improved cardiomyocyte mechanics and intracellular calcium dynamics, by lowering the expression of total phospholamban (PLB), which led to an increase of both the phosphorylated-PLB/PLB and the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase/PLB ratios. Our findings suggest that GTE might be a valuable adjuvant tool for counteracting the occurrence and/or the progression of cardiomyopathies in which mitochondrial dysfunction and alteration of intracellular calcium dynamics constitute early pathogenic factors

Plant–environment interactions through a functional traits perspective: a review of Italian studies

Italy is among the European countries with the greatest plant diversity due to both a great environmental heterogeneity and a long history of man–environment interactions. Trait-based approaches to ecological studies have developed greatly over recent decades worldwide, although several issues concerning the relationships between plant functional traits and the environment still lack sufficient empirical evaluation. To draw insights on the association between plant functional traits and direct and indirect human and natural pressures on the environmental drivers, this article summarizes the existing knowledge on this topic by reviewing the results of studies performed in Italy adopting a functional trait approach on vascular plants, bryophytes and lichens. Although we recorded trait measurements for 1418 taxa, our review highlighted some major gaps in plant traits knowledge: Mediterranean ecosystems are poorly represented; traits related to belowground organs are still overlooked; traits measurements for bryophytes and lichens are lacking. Finally, intraspecific variation has been little studied at community level so far. We conclude by highlighting the need for approaches evaluating trait–environment relationship at large spatial and temporal scales and the need of a more effective contribution to online databases to tie more firmly Italian researchers to international scientific networks on plant traits

L'esperienza della REMS di Casale di Mezzani: funzionamento della struttura e caratteristiche dei pazienti ricoverati

Il presente contributo introduce l’esperienza della REMS di Casale di Mezzani (PR) a quasi due anni dalla sua apertura, al fine di evidenziare il reale impatto sul territorio dell’attuale riforma degli OPG. Oltre alle qualità strutturali e funzionali della Residenza, vengono illustrati i dati riguardante gli 11 pazienti presenti e i 12 dimessi all’inizio del febbraio 2017, ricostruendone il profilo clinico e giuridico ed esaminando gli aspetti qualificanti il percorso terapeutico e riabilitativo offerto. Attraverso l’analisi del modello di Casale di Mezzani, tenuto conto delle potenzialità e criticità emerse, gli autori ritengono di poter affermare l’importanza della soluzione introdotta dal legislatore con la previsione delle nuove residenze, le quali appaiono al momento in grado di appresentare una risposta adeguata all’auspicato superamento della logica custodialistica previgente.This paper introduces the experience of REMS of Casale di Mezzani (PR) at a distance of almost two years since its opening, in order to highlight the real impact on the territory of the current OPG reform. In addition to the structural and functional qualities of the Residency, the data about 11 present and 12 resumed patients in early February 2017 are illustrated, reconstructing its clinical and legal profile and examining the qualifying aspects of the Therapy and Rehabilitation pathways offered. Through the analysis of the model of Casale di Mezzani, taking into account emerged potentialities and limits, the authors consider the importance of the solution introduced by the legislator with the provision of the new residences, currently appearing an adequate answer to the desired overcoming of the existing custodial system