A match coefficient approach for damage imaging in structural components by ultrasonic synthetic aperture focus

Ultrasonic Synthetic Aperture Focus (SAF) techniques are commonly used to image structural defects. In this paper, a variation of SAF based on ideas borrowed from Matched Field Processing (MFP) is evaluated to reduce artifacts and sidelobes of the resulting images. In particular, instead of considering the full RF ultrasonic waveforms for the SAF time backpropagation, only selected features from the waveforms are utilized to form a “data vector” and a “replica” (expected) vector of MFP. These vectors are adaptive for the pair of transmitter-receiver and the focus point. The image is created as a matched filter between these two vectors. Experimental results are shown for an isotropic and homogenous metallic plate with simulated defects, probed by six piezoelectric patches used as receivers or transmitters

A simple and sensitive gas chromatography–electron capture detection method for analyzing perfluorocarbon tracers in soil gas samples for storage of carbon dioxide

Co-injection of a conservative tracer during the geological sequestration of CO2 can imprint a marker to the injected gas that can be easily recognized during soil gas surveys in case of CO2 leakage from the reservoir toward the surface. In this work, an ultra-trace detection method, based on gas chromatography with electron capture detection for analyzing perfluorocarbon tracers (PFTs) in soil gas samples was optimized. Three totally fluorinated cycloalcane compounds consisting of five and six atom carbon rings were selected for this purpose. We evaluated the feasibility of collecting PFTs on adsorbent tube packed with a commercial graphitized carbon black (Carbotrap™ 100) sampling 2 L of soil gas. The sorbent tubes were then analyzed by using a two-stage thermal desorption process. The developed method allows to quickly determine these compounds at very low fL/L level, method identification limits ranged from 1.3 to 5.8 fL/L. Moreover, it shows good precision, evaluated by within-day and between-day studies. A preliminary survey of the PFT soil gas background concentrations, conducted by analyzing some soil gas samples collected in two different areas in Central Italy and in the Po Plain, ascertained the PFT background concentration lower than MIL

Theoretical Estimation of CO2 Compression and Transport Costs for an Hypothetical Carbon and Capture & Storage Requalification of the Saline Joniche Power Plant Project

SEI S.p.a. presented a project to build a 1320 MW coal-fired power plant in Saline Joniche, on the Southern tip of Calabria Region, Italy, in 2008. A gross early evaluation about the possibility to add CCS (CO2 Capture & Storage) was performed too. The project generated widespread opposition among environmental associations, citizens and local institutions in that period, against the coal use to produce energy, as a consequence of its GHG clima-alterating impact. Moreover the CCS (also named Carbon Capture & Storage or more recently CCUS: Carbon Capture-Usage-Storage) technology was at that time still an unknown and “mysterious” solution for the GHG avoiding to the atmosphere.   The present study concerns the sizing of the compression and transportation system of the CCS section, included in the project presented at the time by SEI Spa; the sizing of the compression station and the pipeline connecting the plant to the possible Fosca01 offshore injection site previously studied as a possible storage solution, as part of a coarse screening of CO2 storage sites in the Calabria Region. This study takes into account the costs of construction, operation and maintenance (O&M) of both the compression plant and the sound pipeline, considering the gross static storage capacity of the Fosca01 reservoir as a whole as previously evaluated

DAPK1 Promoter Methylation and Cervical Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 (DAPK1) gene has been frequently investigated in cervical cancer (CC). The aim of the present study was to carry out a systematic review and a meta-analysis in order to evaluate DAPK1 promoter methylation as an epigenetic marker for CC risk. Methods A systematic literature search was carried out. The Cochrane software package Review Manager 5.2 was used. The fixed-effects or random-effects models, according to heterogeneity across studies, were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). Furthermore, subgroup analyses were conducted by histological type, assays used to evaluate DAPK1 promoter methylation, and control sample source. Results: A total of 20 papers, published between 2001 and 2014, on 1929 samples, were included in the meta-analysis. DAPK1 promoter methylation was associated with an increased CC risk based on the random effects model (OR: 21.20; 95%CI = 11.14–40.35). Omitting the most heterogeneous study, the between study heterogeneity decreased and the association increased (OR: 24.13; 95% CI = 15.83–36.78). The association was also confirmed in all the subgroups analyses. Conclusions: A significant strong association between DAPK1 promoter methylation and CC was shown and confirmed independently by histological tumor type, method used to evaluate methylation and source of control samples. Methylation markers may have value in early detection of CC precursor lesions, provide added reassurances of safety for women who are candidates for less frequent screens, and predict outcomes of women infected with human papilloma virus

The application of soil gas technique to geothermal exploration:study of “hidden” potential geothermal systems

Geochemical studies were conducted using soil-gas and flux surveyings for locating both permeable zones in buried reservoirs and the presence of possible gaseous haloes linked to active geothermal systems. In this work we focused our interest on the distribution of soil-gas concentrations (Rn, Th, He, H2, O2, N2, CO2, CH4 and H2S) in the soil air of the Tetitlan area (Nayarit, Mexico) considered a potential thermal field and characterized by scarcity of surface manifestations. A total of 154 soil-gas samples and 346 CO2 and CH4 flux measurements were collected in an area of about 80 square kilometres. The performed soil-gas and flux geochemical surveys highlighted a general rising patterns linked to local fault system, with the important implication that the highest CO2 and CH4 fluxes, as well as Rn concentrations, could be used in undeveloped geothermal systems to identify main upflow regions and areas of increased and deep permeability

The application of soil gas technique to geothermal exploration:

Geochemical studies were conducted throughout soil gas and flux surveying for locating both permeable zones in buried reservoirs and the presence of possible gaseous haloes linked to active geothermal systems. In this work we focused our interest on the distribution of soil gas concentrations (Rn, Th, He, H2, O2, N2, CO2, CH4 and H2S) in the soil air of the Tetitlan area considered a potential thermal field and characterized by scarcity of surface manifestations. Radon is used as a tracer gas to provide a qualitative idea of gas transfer (velocity and flux), carbon dioxide and methane are believed to act as carriers for other gases (i.e., Rn and He), helium and hydrogen are used as shallow signals of crustal leaks along faults (Ciotoli et al., 2005). Methane is also considered both a characteristic biogenic indicator of organic matter deposits and a tracer of major crustal discontinuity. A total of 154 soil gas samples were collected in an area of about 80 square kilometres. The same area was investigated throughout a total of 346 of CO2 and CH4 flux measurements

Epidemiological and virological assessment of influenza activity in Apulia, Italy, during the seasons 2004 - 2005 and 2005 - 2006.

This study evaluated the impact of influenza and vaccination coverage in Apulia, Italy, during the 2004–2005 and 2005–2006 seasons, using epidemiological and virological surveillance data collected through the Italian Net of Surveillance of Influenza (InfluNet) organized by the Superior Institute of Health (ISS) and the Inter-University Centre of Research on Influenza (CIRI). Vaccination coverage was calculated from the number of doses administered to individuals aged ≤ 65 years. Sentinel physicians reported weekly influenza-like illness (ILI) and acute respiratory illness (ARI) occurrences among patients. Influenza viruses were isolated and identified by cell culture on Madin-Darby Canine Kidney cells and polymerase chain reaction techniques. Vaccination coverage reached 72.7% and 77.0% during the 2004–2005 and 2005–2006 seasons, respectively. Incidence of ILI was higher during the 2004–2005 season compared with the 2005–2006 season, whereas the incidence ARI appeared to show a more constant trend. Incidence rates for ILI and ARI were higher in the 0 − 14-year age group. The increase in vaccination coverage and implementation of a network of epidemiological and virological surveillance are fundamental for the control and prevention of influenza

La sorveglianza della tubercolosi in Sicilia

Obiettivi. Descrivere l’andamento dei casi di tubercolosi (TB) in Sicilia negli anni 2010-2013. Disegno e partecipanti. Indagine osservazionale delle notifiche di TB relative agli anni 2010-2013 mediante l’analisi dei dati del Sistema informativo delle malattie infettive (SIMI) e indagine epidemiologico-molecolare mediante tipizzazione spoligo- e 24- loci mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number of tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) dei ceppi di Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) isolati a Palermo negli anni 2012-2013. Risultati. Negli anni 2010-2013 sono stati notificati in Sicilia 876 casi di TB con un tasso medio annuale di notifica pari a 4,4 casi per 100.000 abitanti. La proporzione di casi di TB in soggetti nati all’estero è crescente e nel 2012 e 2013 supera quella nella popolazione autoctona. L’età mediana dei pazienti stranieri è risultata significativamente inferiore agli italiani (30,5 vs. 51,2 anni, p <0,001). La distribuzione per classi di età è stata significativamente differente nelle due subpopolazioni, con la proporzione più elevata di casi nelle fascia di età 15-44 anni tra gli stranieri e, al contrario, una distribuzione uniforme dei pazienti italiani tra le fasce di età 15-44, 45-64 e >64 anni. Nell’82,5% dei casi è stata diagnosticata una localizzazione polmonare. La tipizzazione molecolare è stata effettuata su 151 ceppi di MTBC. Mediante spoligotyping essi sono stati attribuiti a 14 differenti lineage e 33 sublineage rappresentati con frequenza diversa tra le due subpopolazioni di pazienti. Soltanto nove ceppi (6,2%) sono stati inclusi in quattro cluster. Sono stati identificati, infine, due ceppi multiresistenti. Conclusioni. L’epidemiologia della TB in Sicilia è complessa e in rapida evoluzione, con una crescente proporzione di casi in soggetti non italiani e una grande eterogeneità dei ceppi di MTBC circolanti. L’integrazione di strumenti convenzionali e molecolari è necessaria per una sorveglianza efficace e un’interpretazione accurata dell’epidemiologia della TB in Sicilia

Development, Validation and Preliminary Experiments of a Measuring Technique for Eggs Aging Estimation Based on Pulse Phase Thermography

Assessment of the freshness of hen eggs destinated to human consumption is an extremely important goal for the modern food industry and sale chains, as eggs show a rapid natural aging which also depends on the storage conditions. Traditional techniques, such as candling and visual observation, have some practical limitations related to the subjective and qualitative nature of the analysis. The main objective of this paper is to propose a robust and automated approach, based on the use of pulsed phase thermography (PPT) and image processing, that can be used as an effective quality control tool to evaluate the freshness of eggs. As many studies show that the air chamber size is proportional to the egg freshness, the technique relies on the monitoring of the air chamber parameters to infer egg aging over time. The raw and phase infrared images are acquired and then post-processed by a dedicated algorithm which has been designed to automatically measure the size of the air chamber, in terms of normalized area and volume. The robustness of the method is firstly assessed through repeatability and reproducibility tests, which demonstrate that the uncertainty in the measure of the air chamber size never exceeds 5%. Then, an experimental campaign on a larger sample of 30 eggs, equally divided into three size categories (M, L, XL), is conducted. For each egg, the main sizes of the air chamber are measured with the proposed method and their evolution over time is investigated. Results have revealed, for all the egg categories, the existence of an analytic relationship and a high degree of correlation (R-2 &gt; 0.95) between the geometric data of the air chamber and the weight loss, which is a well-known marker of egg aging