Hydrothermal carbonization of sewage sludge: Char characterization and reference to international legislations

The aim of this work is to apply Hydrothermal Carbonisation (HTC) to different kinds of sludge such as thickened sludge, digested sludge and dewatered sludge, and compare the composition of the solid produced by the process, i.e. hydrochar, with soil and biosolid legislations: Table 1. For the purpose, experimental tests were performed at different operating conditions, namely three temperatures (190, 220 and 250 °C) and two reaction times (30 and 60 minutes). Please click on the file below for full content of the abstract

Morphological and chemical analysis of Tremolite related to natural asbestos in the road paving

Tremolite group minerals could be present in the aggregate used as filler in the mix asphalt floor in the road sur- faces and are subject to wear for vehicular traffic and materials ageing. Dust produced by the degradation of asphalt surfaces can disperse tremolite group minerals present in road paving causing exposure by asbestos fiber to an increasing number of people and animals. In recent years, attention has been focused on naturally occurring asbestos (NOA) as the greatest frequency of lung cancer has been observed in environments characterized by rocks and soils rich in Tremolite that characterize asbestos minerals. Asphalt samples object of this study were collected in a motorway segment of the Lombardia Region (north of Italy) for an exposure assessment research on road paving workers. The evaluation was performed using a metrological approach based on petrographic and mineralogical analyses in order to reduce the epidemiologic risks and to define the best treatment strategies on waste management with sustainable costs in fulfilment of Council Directive 67/548/EEC (1967) and EC Regulation 1272/2008 (2008) (Paglietti et al., 2016). The fibers are generally not broken down to other compounds in the environment, but asbestos hazard could be related to the occurrence of tremolite fiber in road paving arises when natural weathering processes (e.g., erosion) or human activities (e.g., continuous passage of motorized vehicles) separate and breakdown the fibers, which could be lost into the environment as airborne and easily penetrate into the human respiratory tract (Punturo et al., 2019). Despite this, this work is not an epidemiological risk analysis but obtained data could be useful to other specialists to define the exposure risks

Análise e formação do preço de venda de produtos de uma fabrica de móveis do interior paulista

Orientador: Dr. José Wladimir Freitas da FonsecaMonografia (especialização) - Universidade Federal do Paraná, Setor de Ciências Agrárias, Curso de Especialização em Negócios e Sustentabilidade da Produção MadeireiraInclui referênciasResumo: As mudanças que vêm ocorrendo nos últimos anos têm levado as empresas a buscarem estratégias que as tornem mais competitivas. A formação dos preços de venda dos produtos obedece a várias técnicas e estratégias, porém, a mais antiga e, portanto, a mais usada é a formação de preços por meio da apuração dos custos dos produtos. Assim sendo, os métodos de custeio são considerados fontes gerenciais de extrema importância para a tomada de decisões, para a obtenção de lucro. Assim, o objetivo geral do trabalho é identificar os modelos de custos e formação de preço de venda, utilizado por uma fabrica de móveis do interior paulista. Atualmente a empresa utiliza o método de margem de contribuição. Neste, é analisado o percentual em que cada produto contribui para o pagamento dos custos e despesas fixas da empresa, e a hora utilizada deve contribuir para esta amortização. E assim é possivel precificar os produtos para que todos tragam o mínimo aceitável para otimização da utilização da capacidade produtiva. Neste trabalho será analisado se este método utilizado atualmente é eficiente para uma ótima gestão e precificação de seus produtos

L-Arginina e ipertensione in gravidanza

Il ruolo svolto dal sistema L-Arginina-ossido d’azoto (L-Arg-NO) nella genesi dell’ipertensione gestazionale è consolidato da numerosi studi in vitro ed in vivo. Infatti è stato dimostrato che l’inibizione della produzione di NO determina nell’animale da esperimento i medesimi segni e sintomi che si verificano in corso di preeclampsia (1-4). Recentemente la nostra attenzione si è focalizzata sulla capacità della L-Arginina di modificare la storia ostetrica delle donne affette da ipertensione cronica, che come è noto rappresenta un importante fattore di rischio per lo sviluppo di preeclampsia. A questo proposito sono state prese in esame 62 gravide affette da ipertensione preesistente alla gravidanza afferenti all’Ambulatorio di Patologia Ostetrica del Dipartimento Integrato Materno-Infantile dell’Università di Modena. Scopo dello studio è la valutazione della percentuale di conversione in preeclampsia, la quantità complessiva di farmaco antipertensivo utilizzato durante la gravidanza ed inoltre la valutazione dell’effetto della L-Arginina sulla pressione arteriosa misurato tramite Holter-24 ore. Considerando l’outcome materno-fetale, è stato osservato come il gruppo trattato con L-Arginina presenti rispetto al gruppo osservazione un’epoca gestazionale al parto più avanzata (38.1±2.8 vs 36.9±3.7), peso fetale maggiore (3048±741 vs 2933±950) e minor ricorso al taglio cesareo (20.6% vs 27.6%). Inoltre, il gruppo trattato con L-Arginina presenta una minor percentuale di parti al di sotto della 37ª settimana (26.5% vs 34.5%) e minor percentuale di neonati con peso inferiore a 2500 grammi (20.6% vs 24.1%

Active Biopolymer Coating Based on Sodium Caseinate: Physical Characterization and Antioxidant Activity

The objective of this work was to investigate the e�ect of sodium caseinate concentration on physical-chemical properties of coating solutions and films obtained by casting as a starting point for the development of an active coating for minimally processed fruits or vegetables. Sodium caseinate solutions at di�erent concentrations (4%, 8%, 10%, 12%, 14%) were used as a coating system. The coating viscosity and desorption kinetic were characterized. Minimally processed fennels were coated by dipping and the liquid and dry coating thickness were estimated by assessing the amount of coating on fennel during draining as a function of solution properties (concentration and viscosity). Film obtained by casting were also characterized in terms of equilibrium moisture content, color, and water vapor permeability. The potential of using the sodium caseinate solution to obtain active coating was investigated by adding gallic acid or rosemary oil to sodium caseinate solution at 4%. The antioxidant capacity of the coating was evaluated by DPPH test. Results show that sodium caseinate solutions follow a Newtonian behavior in the range of concentration investigated and the viscosity increased as solids concentration increased, following a power law. The drying rate was in the range 0.0063–0.00107 mgH2O mgsolids -1 min-1 m-2 as a function of sodium caseinate concentration. The average liquid and dry coating thickness on fennels were in the range 20–70 and 0.7–6.4 micrometry, respectively. The water vapor permeability slightly decreased as the solid concentration increased. Active coating showed good antioxidant properties

Aglianico and Fiano wines obtained with an autochthonous non-Saccharomyces yeast

Non-Saccharomyces yeasts are microorganisms that play a prominent role in the fermentation dynamics, composition and flavour of wine. The principal aromatic compounds responsible for varietal aroma in wine are terpenes; of these, the monoterpenes represent the oenologically most important group in terms of volatility and odour, if they are present in a free form. The glycosidically bound forms can be converted into compounds with free odours by hydrolysis with the glycosidases produced by yeasts. We performed a screening of non-Saccharomyces yeasts present in the grapes and must of Aglianico and Fiano cultivars typical of South Italy (Irpinia), which have a high extra-cellular glycosidase activity. Among the species analysed was a strain belonging to Rhodotorula spp. that showed the highest glycosidase activity, an increased free terpene fraction and, simultaneously, little modification of the bouquet. The isolated yeast was subsequently utilized for experimental winemaking processes of Aglianico and Fiano wines. The results demonstrated that the obtained wines had a more intense floral aroma and some sweet and ripened fruit notes

Physical properties and antimicrobial activity of bioactive film based on whey protein and Lactobacillus curvatus 54M16 producer of bacteriocins

The objective of the work was to study the viability and antimicrobial activity of bacteriocin-producing lactic acid bacteria (LAB) incorporated into whey protein/inulin/gelatine (WP) edible films in presence or absence of nutrient (modified MRS broth). Moreover, the role of the cell on the film structure and properties has been investigated. The results of the work showed that WP-based films were able to ensure a high viability of the bacteriocin-producing strain L. curvatus 54M16 during 28 days of storage at 4 �C. The addition of nutrient in the film matrix slightly affected the viability of the cells, but it was critical for the antimicrobial activity of the films. Films in presence of nutrient showed a good antimicrobial activity against L. innocua C6 as in vitro system as on cooked ham. The presence of LAB has a significant effect on the structure of the film: it reduced the viscosity of the film forming solution and improved the elasticity and the percentage of elongation. Whereas, no effect was observed for water vapour transmission rate and solubility. Thus, WP-based films in presence of modified MRS broth can be used as effective delivery and carrier systems for lactic acid bacteria to develop bioactive edible film or coating with antimicrobial properties

TAPHONOMIC ANALYSIS ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM THE CIOTA CIARA CAVE (PIEDMONT, ITALY) AND NEW EVIDENCE OF CAVE BEAR AND WOLF EXPLOITATION WITH SIMPLE QUARTZ FLAKES BY NEANDERTHAL

The Ciota Ciara cave is located in the karst area of Monte Fenera (Borgosesia - VC) and, with the Ciotarun cave, it is the only Middle Palaeolithic site in Piedmont where the presence of Homo neanderthalensis has been confirmed by discoveries of human remains. Preliminary taphonomic and archaeozoological studies have been performed on a portion of the palaeontological remains from the Stratigraphic Unit 14 (1144 bones). The studies confirmed the presence of cut-marks on Ursus spelaeus and Canis lupus, made by lithic instruments. The position of the cut marks on the bones can be related to skinning and butchery. An experimental butchery has been performed to test the efficiency of the tools made by local quartz during slaughtering activities. The archaeozoological analysis of the faunal remains of S.U. 14, identified cut-marks with weak peculiarities, probably due to the use of quartz tools. The analysis of the experimental collection allowed distinguishing between cut-marks made by quartz tools from those made by flint tools. A preliminary experimentation, conducted on more than 50 different cut-marks made with flakes of three different raw materials (vein quartz, quartzite and flint), allow us to hypothesize that it is possible to distinguish cut-marks made with unretouched flakes of different raw materials

TAPHONOMIC ANALYSIS ON FOSSIL REMAINS FROM THE CIOTA CIARA CAVE (PIEDMONT, ITALY) AND NEW EVIDENCE OF CAVE BEAR AND WOLF EXPLOITATION WITH SIMPLE QUARTZ FLAKES BY NEANDERTHAL

The Ciota Ciara cave is located in the karst area of Monte Fenera (Borgosesia - VC) and, with the Ciotarun cave, it is the only Middle Palaeolithic site in Piedmont where the presence of Homo neanderthalensis has been confirmed by discoveries of human remains. Preliminary taphonomic and archaeozoological studies have been performed on a portion of the palaeontological remains from the Stratigraphic Unit 14 (1144 bones). The studies confirmed the presence of cut-marks on Ursus spelaeus and Canis lupus, made by lithic instruments. The position of the cut marks on the bones can be related to skinning and butchery. An experimental butchery has been performed to test the efficiency of the tools made by local quartz during slaughtering activities. The archaeozoological analysis of the faunal remains of S.U. 14, identified cut-marks with weak peculiarities, probably due to the use of quartz tools. The analysis of the experimental collection allowed distinguishing between cut-marks made by quartz tools from those made by flint tools. A preliminary experimentation, conducted on more than 50 different cut-marks made with flakes of three different raw materials (vein quartz, quartzite and flint), allow us to hypothesize that it is possible to distinguish cut-marks made with unretouched flakes of different raw materials