A Critical Review of the Recent Improvements in Minimizing Nuclear Waste by Innovative Gas-Cooled Reactors

This paper presents a critical review of the recent improvements in minimizing nuclear waste in terms of quantities, long-term activities, and radiotoxicities by innovative GCRs, with particular emphasis to the results obtained at the University of Pisa. Regarding these last items, in the frame of some EU projects (GCFR, PUMA, and RAPHAEL), we analyzed symbiotic fuel cycles coupling current LWRs with HTRs, finally closing the cycle by GCFRs. Particularly, we analyzed fertile-free and Pu-Th-based fuel in HTR: we improved plutonium exploitation also by optimizing Pu/Th ratios in the fuel loaded in an HTR. Then, we chose GCFRs to burn residual MA. We have started the calculations on simplified models, but we ended them using more "realistic" models of the reactors. In addition, we have added the GCFR multiple recycling option usingkeffcalculations for all the reactors. As a conclusion, we can state that, coupling HTR with GCFR, the geological disposal issues concerning high-level radiotoxicity of MA can be considerably reduced

The impact of intra-operative factors in otosclerosis outcomes: retrospective study in a tertiary centre

The aim of the study was to assess results from a large cohort of patients undergoing otosclerosis surgery with respect to the impact of intra-operative variables on post-operative hearing function and complications. We enrolled 384 patients affected by otosclerosis who were subjected to stapes surgery between 2004 and 2013 at a single institution. Surgery was performed in all cases under local anaesthesia, using a manual perforator and/or microdrill. Teflon-piston prosthesis was used in all patients. Audiological data obtained preoperatively and at last follow-up examination (minimum 12 months) were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the multiple regression model. Peripheral rim otosclerosis and diffuse otosclerosis were associated with better functional results compared to the obliterative pattern (p < 0.05). Mean post-operative Air-Bone Gap was significantly higher in the 0.4 mm, compared to 0.6 mm piston group at 0.5 kHz (p < 0.001) and 1 kHz (p < 0.02); in the stapedotomy group a statistically significant difference was found between 0.4 and 0.6 mm piston groups, in favour of the latter (p < 0.05). No differences were encountered in terms of average hearing threshold and complications. Intra-operative variables cannot be fully predictable and our data could help in stratification of the results and as a landmark for the surgeon’s decisions

Barriers and Enablers for Industry 4.0 in SMEs: A Combined Integration Framework

Although Industry 4.0 was introduced a decade ago, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still have not adopted several technologies. Therefore, integrating SMEs along horizontal, vertical, and end-to-end engineering dimensions remains challenging. Due to the importance of SMEs for industrial value chains, understanding SMEs' barriers and respective enablers for Industry 4.0 integration is vital. Applying a multiple case study approach, this paper investigates their experience in Industry 4.0 through technological, organizational, and environmental factors. We aggregate the barriers and respective enablers to Industry 4.0 into an integration framework, which helps to understand Industry 4.0 in SMEs from a broader viewpoint inside these firms, upstream and downstream supply chains, and beyond manufacturing. The findings show that the success of Industry 4.0 integration is more oriented toward operational benefits than strategic advantages and depends upon how these technologies are integrated with various stakeholders across the supply chain, such as original equipment manufacturers, R&D agencies, or sub-suppliers

Soluciones de sustentables para una vivienda en Dique Luján

En el trabajo integrador final desarrollado en el marco de la Especialización en arquitectura y hábitat sustentable se buscó consolidar un proyecto de arquitectura que unifique los criterios de sustentabilidad estudiados. Consistió en la evaluación de un proyecto realizado mediante estudios de carácter bioclimático y verificando la aplicación de estrategias de sustentabilidad. La elaboración de las soluciones de sustentabilidad para aplicar en la vivienda no solo se consideró los resultados obtenidos en dichos estudios, sino también la incorporación de estrategias que no exigen evaluación para verificar su efectividad, por ejemplo la incorporación de estacionamiento de bicicletas. El nuevo proyecto también fue sometido a los estudios para evaluar el grado de efectividad de las estrategias adoptadas. La arquitectura sustentable es un tema que hoy en día está en plena difusión. Muchos arquitectos, empresas y publicaciones se remiten a temas de sustentabilidad sin mostrar las verificaciones de lo que denominan sustentable o eficiente. Este trabajo muestra una posible forma de difundir el trabajo que realizamosFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Soluciones de sustentables para una vivienda en Dique Luján

En el trabajo integrador final desarrollado en el marco de la Especialización en arquitectura y hábitat sustentable se buscó consolidar un proyecto de arquitectura que unifique los criterios de sustentabilidad estudiados. Consistió en la evaluación de un proyecto realizado mediante estudios de carácter bioclimático y verificando la aplicación de estrategias de sustentabilidad. La elaboración de las soluciones de sustentabilidad para aplicar en la vivienda no solo se consideró los resultados obtenidos en dichos estudios, sino también la incorporación de estrategias que no exigen evaluación para verificar su efectividad, por ejemplo la incorporación de estacionamiento de bicicletas. El nuevo proyecto también fue sometido a los estudios para evaluar el grado de efectividad de las estrategias adoptadas. La arquitectura sustentable es un tema que hoy en día está en plena difusión. Muchos arquitectos, empresas y publicaciones se remiten a temas de sustentabilidad sin mostrar las verificaciones de lo que denominan sustentable o eficiente. Este trabajo muestra una posible forma de difundir el trabajo que realizamosFacultad de Arquitectura y Urbanism

Effect of GnRH on scrotal surface temperature, testicular volume and spern parameters of bulls with poor semen quality.

Spermatogenesis is coordinated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, mainly by GnRH secretion.Edição dos Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Embryo Technology Society (SBTE)

Conteúdo de melanina do pelame de bovinos da raça Nelore ao longo das estações do ano.

Bovinos da raça Nelore (Bos indicus) possuem a pelagem de coloração branca à acinzentada, podendo variar de cinza claro à cinza escuro

Health care's response to climate change: a carbon footprint assessment of the NHS in England

Background: Climate change threatens to undermine the past 50 years of gains in public health. In response, the National Health Service (NHS) in England has been working since 2008 to quantify and reduce its carbon footprint. This Article presents the latest update to its greenhouse gas accounting, identifying interventions for mitigation efforts and describing an approach applicable to other health systems across the world. Methods: A hybrid model was used to quantify emissions within Scopes 1, 2, and 3 of the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, as well as patient and visitor travel emissions, from 1990 to 2019. This approach complements the broad coverage of top-down economic modelling with the high accuracy of bottom-up data wherever available. Available data were backcasted or forecasted to cover all years. To enable the identification of measures to reduce carbon emissions, results were disaggregated by organisation type. Findings: In 2019, the health service's emissions totalled 25 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a reduction of 26% since 1990, and a decrease of 64% in the emissions per inpatient finished admission episode. Of the 2019 footprint, 62% came from the supply chain, 24% from the direct delivery of care, 10% from staff commute and patient and visitor travel, and 4% from private health and care services commissioned by the NHS. Interpretation: This work represents the longest and most comprehensive accounting of national health-care emissions globally, and underscores the importance of incorporating bottom-up data to improve the accuracy of top-down modelling and enabling detailed monitoring of progress as health systems act to reduce emissions. Funding: Wellcome Trust