Notulae to the Italian alien vascular flora: 15

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, exclusions for Italy or for Italian administrative regions. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere, and corrections are provided as Suppl. material 1

Notulae to the Italian alien vascular flora: 7

In this contribution, new data concerning the distribution of vascular flora alien to Italy are presented. It includes new records, confirmations, and status changes for Italy or for Italian administrative regions of taxa in the genera Abies, Actinidia, Alooe, Amaryllis, Anredera, Arctotheca, Bidens, Cardiospermum, Celosia, Commelina, Cotoneaster, Cyclamen, Eclipta, Euphorbia, Grevillea, Hedera, Hibiscus, Impatiens, Juglans, Kalanchoe, Koelreuteria, Lindernia, Melinis, Myriophyllum, Nandina, Nicotiana, Oenothera, Oxalis, Parthenocissus, Phoenix, Phyllanthus, Physalis, Plumbago, Pteris, Quercus, Setaria, Symphytum, Tagetes, and Washingtonia. Nomenclatural and distribution updates, published elsewhere are provided as Suppl. material 1

Pre- and post-operam comparison of the energy consumption of a radio base station under energy efficiency actions

For some years now, one of the dominant issues in the telecommunications sector has been energy saving, as the continuous growth in the number of connected devices and data traffic inevitably leads to an increase in the electricity needs of the facilities involved. However, the attention is often towards the energy efficiency of products used by the end consumer and data centres, neglecting the telecommunications network that manages the entire system. Nonetheless, a smart approach toward energy behaviour of Base Tranceiver Station can give significant savings in power consumptions and environmental impact. Here we show how energy retrofit, that is the set of all operations, technologies and methodologies aimed at increasing the performance of a system that was previously inefficient, can bring to energy consumption reduction, management costs optimization, and noticeable diminution of the emissions and environmental impact of the facilities. Indeed, the present study shows the pre- and post-operam comparison of the energy monitoring of a radio base station subjected to energy efficiency actions. Energy savings for the new configuration has been monitored and analysed for some weeks in summer and early autumn. A net decrease of energy consumption was measured. Simulations for the new configuration with a thermal balance model of the shelter show energy savings over the entire year of about 20% compared to that of 2013. In addition, collected experimental data have been exploited in order to optimize the operating and shelter parameters. This suggests actions for further 5% savings in energy consumption

Energetic and environmental analysis of a wastewater treatment plant through static and dynamic monitoring activities

The article describes the results achieved in 5 years of monitoring of a large wastewater treatment plant (700,000 PE) in Southern Italy, which has a conventional activated sludge process scheme and electricity as exclusive energy source. The monitoring involved a preliminary phase ("static" monitoring) for the analysis of historical data on the main process-related variables, using the approach of normalization techniques. In the second monitoring phase ("dynamic" monitoring) the theoretical distribution of the energy load among the electromechanical units of the plant was first studied; then, an energy monitoring system was implemented on the most energy-consuming unit of the plant, a 500 kW turbo-blower, with the aim of analysing in detail its real-time performance and investigating potential correlations with other process parameters (wastewater flow rates and associated pollutant load). Results of the static monitoring suggest good overall performances, both from an energy and environmental point of view, even if the plant works close to the maximum hydraulic capacity due to the massive infiltrations. In particular, focusing on the energy performances, the plant consumes on average 0.17 kWh/m3, 28 kWh/PE/year and 0.66 kWh/kgCODremoved. The results of dynamic monitoring, on the other hand, indicate that the turbo-blower consumes 30% less energy than what initially estimated through the theoretical model, but its functioning does not seem to be influenced by the other process parameters; this latter result reveals an inadequate energy management of the most power-absorbing electromechanical units of the plant and the consequent need to adopt effective strategies for energy optimization

Energy monitoring of a wastewater treatment plant in salerno, campania region (southern italy)

Results of an energy audit on a large wastewater treatment plant (wwtp) are shown; critical issues related to the use of energy resources in this plant are identified; parasitic inflows negatively affect the plant performances and a distinction between organic and hydraulic load is a useful tool in describing this problem

Real-time monitoring and static data analysis to assess energetic and environmental performances in the wastewater sector: A case study

Real-time monitoring of energetic-environmental parameters in wastewater treatment plants enables big-data analysis for a true representation of the operating condition of a system, being still frequently mismanaged through policies based on the analysis of static data (energy billing, peri-odic chemical–physical analysis of wastewater). Here we discuss the results of monitoring activities based on both offline (“static”) data on the main process variables, and on-line (“dynamic”) data collected through a monitoring system for energetic-environmental parameters (dissolved oxygen, wastewater pH and temperature, TSS intake and output). Static-data analysis relied on a description model that employed statistical normalization techniques (KPIs, operational indicators). Dynamic data were statistically processed to explore possible correlations between energetic-environmental parameters, establishing comparisons with static data. Overall, the system efficiently fulfilled its functions, although it was undersized compared to the organic and hydraulic load it received. From the dynamic-data analysis, no correlation emerged between energy usage of the facility and dissolved oxygen content of the wastewater, whereas the TSS removal efficiency determined through static measurements was found to be underestimated. Finally, using probes allowed to characterize the pattern of pH and temperature values of the wastewater, which represent valuable physiological data for innovative and sustainable resource recovery technologies involving microorganisms

Preserving Intangible Heritage through Tangible Finds: The “Skull with Ears”—St. Luciella ai Librai’s Church (Naples, Italy)

The present study reports the conservative first aid concerning the human cranium known as the “Skull with Ears”, which is conserved in the crypt of Santa Luciella ai Librai’s church in Naples, Italy. These remains have historically been worshipped by devotees within the cult of the “abandoned souls”. The skulls were “adopted” by the Neapolitan population and treated with particular care in exchange for divine favors. The critical preservation status of the “Skull with ears” required a multidisciplinary approach aimed at defining the taphonomy and anthropological features of the cranium, while determining the state of its conservation by using a multi-analytical approach. Multispectral imaging, 3D modeling, X-ray imaging, microscopical observations, and microbiological tests enabled the documentation of the cranium while assessing this state of conservation. Electron scanning microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in the attenuated total reflectance (ATR) mode, and radiocarbon dating allowed for essential data to be obtained on the cranium’s history and constituent components. The results that were obtained from both the analysis of the cranium and the environmental monitoring of the crypt showed the advanced degradation of the bones due to a significant bacterial attack, which was facilitated by the inadequate environmental conditions at the site of conservation. The acquired data enabled the definition of the most suitable conservation strategy and the securing of the cranium