HVAC solutions for energy retrofitted hotel in Mediterranean area

To meet the European targets for achieving high-performing buildings, the refurbishment of the existing building stock and, in particular, of historical buildings represents a great challenge. The research aims at identifying the most energy-effective HVAC configuration for retrofitting historical hotels in Mediterranean area, where the objective is to minimize the consumptions for both space heating and cooling. A Reference Building for an historical hotel was simulated in five Mediterranean cities and different HVAC solutions were assessed, using EnergyPlus software coupled with tools specifically set to emulate the energy behaviour of certain HVAC technologies, aiming to highlight the most efficient alternative

Preoperative topical liposomal ozone dispersion to reduce bacterial colonization in conjunctival sac and periocular skin: Preliminary study in dogs

Prophylaxis represents a keystone to reduce periocular skin and ocular conjunctiva bacterial load before surgical procedures. Despite many prophylactic agents are available the preferred perioperative ocular surface antimicrobial is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of preoperative liposomal ozone dispersion in reducing bacterial colonization from the conjunctival sac and periocular skin in dogs, in comparison with povidone-iodine and fluoroquinolone. Twenty-two owned dogs consisting with 44 eyes in total scheduled for ophthalmic surgical procedure were enrolled for the study and divided in four groups receiving either ozone dispersion or povidone iodine in eyelid and conjunctiva, fluoroquinolone or placebo. A swab was taken before and after the antisepsis protocol evaluating total microbial count, coagulase positive and negative staphylococci. Statistical analysis revealed a significant decrease in colony forming units (CFU) for total microbial count, coagulase positive and negative staphylococci both for liposomal ozone dispersion and povidone iodine. No statistical differences were detected in median CFU for both one-day placebo and fluoroquinolone preoperative prophylactic topical therapy. The results of this preliminary study demonstrate that liposomal ozone-dispersion is as effective as povidone iodine to reduce preoperative bacterial load in ocular surface

PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF NO-TILLAGE EFFECT AGAINST CONVENTIONAL TILLAGE AND FERTILIZATION ON DURUM WHEAT QUALITY

With increasing world population, agriculture must face the challenge of ensuring the growing demand for food. Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. subsp. Durum) is a staple food that provides calories and nutrients in many parts of the world. It is the main cereal crop in Italy and in the Marche region is the most representative crop. The Interdepartmental Research founded by Università Politecnica delle Marche called “PFRLab: Setting of a Precision Farming Robotic Laboratory for cropping system sustainability and food safety and security”, is examining the effect of different nitrogen (N) fertilization sources, soil tillage depths and crop rotations on durum wheat quality, which is still underway. This project also aims at evaluating specific criteria for food safety, studying the effects of pollutants together with the bioavailability of nutrients. The durum wheat samples were cultivated and subsequently collected at “Pasquale Rosati” experimental farm of the Università Politecnica delle Marche on a ground divided into conventional tillage (CT) and no-tillage (NT). As regards the biochemical characterization of durum wheat, the percentage of proteins via the Kjeldahl method, lutein, and the mineral composition (Mn, Cu, Se), present in wheat grains, were evaluated. The preliminary results suggest a higher percentage of protein in the product on NT soil compared to CT; in relation to the quantity of fertilizer used N 0 Kg ha-1 and N 180 Kg ha-1 a higher protein percentage following N 180 Kg ha-1 fertilization was noted. Durum wheat is a significant source of manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) and between the two types of soil and fertilizer no significant differences were found. The same also for lutein. The NT treatment expressed its superior nature for a good level of grain quality. Further and extensive studies are planned to combine the effects of nitrogen fertilization and soil management on the main durum wheat production variables