Biometanazione della frazione organica di rifiuti solidi urbani da raccolta indifferenziata mediante codigestione con refluo zootecnico o addizione di solfuro di sodio

Il presente elaborato è stato finalizzato allo sviluppo di un processo di digestione anaerobica della frazione organica dei rifiuti solidi urbani (FORSU oppure, in lingua inglese OFMSW, Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste) provenienti da raccolta indifferenziata e conseguente produzione di biogas da impiegarsi per il recupero energetico. Questo lavoro rientra nell’ambito di un progetto, cofinanziato dalla Regione Emilia Romagna attraverso il Programma Regionale per la Ricerca Industriale, l’Innovazione e il Trasferimento Tecnologico (PRRIITT), sviluppato dal Dipartimento di Chimica Applicata e Scienza dei Materiali (DICASM) dell’Università di Bologna in collaborazione con la Facoltà di Ingegneria dell’Università di Ferrara e con la società Recupera s.r.l. che applicherà il processo nell’impianto pilota realizzato presso il proprio sito di biostabilizzazione e compostaggio ad Ostellato (FE). L’obiettivo è stato la verifica della possibilità di impiegare la frazione organica dei rifiuti indifferenziati per la produzione di biogas, e in particolare di metano, attraverso un processo di digestione anaerobica previo trattamento chimico oppure in codigestione con altri substrati organici facilmente fermentabili. E’ stata inoltre studiata la possibilità di impiego di reattori con biomassa adesa per migliorare la produzione specifica di metano e diminuire la lag phase. Dalla sperimentazione si può concludere che è possibile giungere allo sviluppo di metano dalla purea codigerendola assieme a refluo zootecnico. Per ottenere però produzioni significative la quantità di solidi volatili apportati dal rifiuto non deve superare il 50% dei solidi volatili complessivi. Viceversa, l’addizione di solfuri alla sola purea si è dimostrata ininfluente nel tentativo di sottrarre gli agenti inibitori della metanogenesi. Inoltre, l’impiego di supporti di riempimento lavorando attraverso processi batch sequenziali permette di eliminare, nei cicli successivi al primo, la lag phase dei batteri metanogeni ed incrementare la produzione specifica di metano.

Improving approximate inverses based on Frobenius norm minimization

[EN]Approximate inverses, based on Frobenius norm minimization, of real nonsingular matrices are analyzed from a purely theoretical point of view. In this context, this paper provides several sufficient conditions, that assure us the possibility of improving (in the sense of the Frobenius norm) some given approximate inverses. Moreover, the optimal approximate inverses of matrix A ∈ R n×n , among all matrices belonging to certain subspaces of R n×n , are obtained. Particularly, a natural generalization of the classical normal equations of the system Ax = b is given, when searching for approximate inverses N 6= AT such that AN is symmetric and kAN − IkF < AAT − I F …

Predittori precoci di outcome neurologico nei neonati affetti da Encefalopatia Ipossico-Ischemica sottoposti a trattamento ipotermico. Studio combinato Elettroencefalogramma ad integrazione di ampiezza e Spettroscopia nel vicino infrarosso

Background: Brain cooling (BC) represents the elective treatment in asphyxiated newborns. Amplitude Integrated Electroencephalography (aEEG) and Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) monitoring may help to evaluate changes in cerebral electrical activity and cerebral hemodynamics during hypothermia. Objectives: To evaluate the prognostic value of aEEG time course and NIRS data in asphyxiated cooled infants. Methods: 12 term neonates admitted to our NICU with moderate-severe Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE) underwent selective BC. aEEG and NIRS monitoring were started as soon as possible and maintained during the whole hypothermic treatment. Follow-up was scheduled at regular intervals; adverse outcome was defined as death, cerebral palsy (CP) or global quotient < 88.7 at Griffiths’ Scale. Results: 2/12 infants died, 2 developed CP, 1 was normal at 6 months of age and then lost at follow-up and 7 showed a normal outcome at least at 1 year of age. The aEEG background pattern at 24 hours of life was abnormal in 10 newborns; only 4 of them developed an adverse outcome, whereas the 2 infants with a normal aEEG developed normally. In infants with adverse outcome NIRS showed a higher Tissue Oxygenation Index (TOI) than those with normal outcome (80.0±10.5% vs 66.9±7.0%, p=0.057; 79.7±9.4% vs 67.1±7.9%, p=0.034; 80.2±8.8% vs 71.6±5.9%, p=0.069 at 6, 12 and 24 hours of life, respectively). Conclusions: The aEEG background pattern at 24 hours of life loses its positive predictive value after BC implementation; TOI could be useful to predict early on infants that may benefit from other innovative therapies.

Charge transport properties of organic conjugated polymers for photovoltaic applications

Charge transport in conjugated polymers as well as in bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells made of blends between conjugated polymers, as electron-donors (D), and fullerenes, as electron-acceptors (A), has been investigated. It is shown how charge carrier mobility of a series of anthracene-containing poly(p-phenylene-ethynylene)-alt-poly(p-phenylene-vinylene)s (AnE-PVs) is highly dependent on the lateral chain of the polymers, on a moderate variation of the macromolecular parameters (molecular weight and polydispersity), and on the processing conditions of the films. For the first time, the good ambipolar transport properties of this relevant class of conjugated polymers have been demonstrated, consistent with the high delocalization of both the frontier molecular orbitals. Charge transport is one of the key parameters in the operation of BHJ solar cells and depends both on charge carrier mobility in pristine materials and on the nanoscale morphology of the D/A blend, as proved by the results here reported. A straight correlation between hole mobility in pristine AnE-PVs and the fill factor of the related solar cells has been found. The great impact of charge transport for the performance of BHJ solar cells is clearly demonstrated by the results obtained on BHJ solar cells made of neat-C70, instead of the common soluble fullerene derivatives (PCBM or PC70BM). The investigation of neat-C70 solar cells was motivated by the extremely low cost of non-functionalized fullerenes, compared with that of their soluble derivatives (about one-tenth). For these cells, an improper morphology of the blend leads to a deterioration of charge carrier mobility, which, in turn, increases charge carrier recombination. Thanks to the appropriate choice of the donor component, solar cells made of neat-C70 exhibiting an efficiency of 4.22% have been realized, with an efficiency loss of just 12% with respect to the counterpart made with costly PC70BM.

Stroke, coronary and peripheral artery disease survey on antithrombotic treatment (START IT)

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY: To determine the perception of primary care physicians regarding the risk of subsequent atherothrombotic events in patients with established cardiovascular (CV) disease, and to correlate this perception with documented antithrombotic therapy. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of the general practice population in Switzerland, 381 primary care physicians screened 127 040 outpatients during 15 consecutive workdays in 2006. Perception of subsequent atherothrombotic events in patients with established CV disease was assessed using a tick box questionnaire allowing choices between low, moderate, high or very high risk. Logistic regression models were used to determine the relationship between risk perception and antithrombotic treatment. RESULTS: Overall, 13 057 patients (10.4%) were identified as having established CV disease and 48.8% of those were estimated to be at high to very high risk for subsequent atherothrombotic events. Estimated higher risk for subsequent atherothrombotic events was associated with a shift from aspirin monotherapy to clopidogrel, vitamin K antagonist or aspirin plus clopidogrel (p <0.001 for trend). Clopidogrel (12.7% vs 6.8%, p <0.001), vitamin K antagonist (24.5% vs 15.6%, p <0.001) or aspirin plus clopidogrel (10.2% vs 4.2%, p <0.001) were prescribed in patients estimated to be at high to very high risk more often than in those at low to moderate risk. CONCLUSIONS: Perception of primary care physicians regarding risk of subsequent atherothrombotic events varies in patients with CV disease, and as a result antithrombotic therapy is altered in patients with anticipated high to very high risk even though robust evidence and clear guidelines are lacking.

Occurrence and types of associated injuries in patients with fractures of the facial bones

PURPOSE: To identify the occurrence, types, and severity of associated injuries outside the facial region among patients diagnosed with facial fractures, and to analyze whether there are any factors related to associated injuries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 401 patients diagnosed with facial fractures during the 2-year period from 2003 to 2004. RESULTS: Associated injuries were observed in 101 patients (25.2%). The most common type of injury was a limb injury (13.5%), followed by brain (11.0%), chest (5.5%), spine (2.7%), and abdominal (0.8%) injuries. Multiple associated injuries were observed in 10% and polytrauma in 7.5%. The mortality rate was 0.2%. The occurrence of associated injury correlated significantly with trauma mechanism and fracture type; high-speed accidents and severe facial fractures were significant predictors of associated injury. CONCLUSIONS: Associated injuries are frequent among patients who have sustained facial fractures. The results underscore the importance of multiprofessional collaboration in diagnosis and sequencing of treatment, but also the importance of arranging appropriate clinical rotations for maxillofacial residents in training.

Impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms and of clinical risk factors on new-onset diabetes mellitus in HIV-infected individuals

Background. Metabolic complications, including cardiovascular events and diabetes mellitus (DM), are a major long-term concern in human immunodeficienc virus (HIV)-infected individuals. Recent genome-wide association studies have reliably associated multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to DM in the general population. Methods. We evaluated the contribution of 22 SNPs identifie in genome-wide association studies and of longitudinally measured clinical factors to DM. We genotyped all 94 white participants in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study who developed DM from 1 January 1999 through 31 August 2009 and 550 participants without DM. Analyses were based on 6054 person-years of follow-up and 13,922 measurements of plasma glucose. Results. The contribution to DM risk explained by SNPs (14% of DM variability) was larger than the contribution to DM risk explained by current or cumulative exposure to different antiretroviral therapy combinations (3% of DM variability). Participants with the most unfavorable genetic score (representing 12% and 19% of the study population, respectively, when applying 2 different genetic scores) had incidence rate ratios for DM of 3.80 (95% confidenc interval [CI], 2.05–7.06) and 2.74 (95% CI, 1.53–4.88), respectively, compared with participants with a favorable genetic score. However, addition of genetic data to clinical risk factors that included body mass index only slightly improved DM prediction. Conclusions. In white HIV-infected persons treated with antiretroviral therapy, the DM effect of genetic variants was larger than the potential toxic effects of antiretroviral therapy. SNPs contributed significantl to DM risk, but their addition to a clinical model improved DM prediction only slightly, similar to studies in the general population.

Informatics for cross-sample analysis with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry (GCxGC-HRMS)

This paper describes informatics for cross-sample analysis with comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GCxGC) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). GCxGC-HRMS analysis produces large data sets that are rich with information, but highly complex. The size of the data and volume of information requires automated processing for comprehensive cross-sample analysis, but the complexity poses a challenge for developing robust methods. The approach developed here analyzes GCxGC-HRMS data from multiple samples to extract a feature template that comprehensively captures the pattern of peaks detected in the retention-times plane. Then, for each sample chromatogram, the template is geometrically transformed to align with the detected peak pattern and generate a set of feature measurements for cross-sample analyses such as sample classification and biomarker discovery. The approach avoids the intractable problem of comprehensive peak matching by using a few reliable peaks for alignment and peak-based retention-plane windows to define comprehensive features that can be reliably matched for cross-sample analysis. The informatics are demonstrated with a set of 18 samples from breast-cancer tumors, each from different individuals, six each for Grades 1-3. The features allow classification that matches grading by a cancer pathologist with 78% success in leave-one-out cross-validation experiments. The HRMS signatures of the features of interest can be examined for determining elemental compositions and identifying compounds.

Prediction of Psychosis by Mismatch Negativity

BACKGROUND: To develop risk-adapted prevention of psychosis, an accurate estimation of the individual risk of psychosis at a given time is needed. Inclusion of biological parameters into multilevel prediction models is thought to improve predictive accuracy of models on the basis of clinical variables. To this aim, mismatch negativity (MMN) was investigated in a sample clinically at high risk, comparing individuals with and without subsequent conversion to psychosis. METHODS: At baseline, an auditory oddball paradigm was used in 62 subjects meeting criteria of a late risk at-state who remained antipsychotic-naive throughout the study. Median follow-up period was 32 months (minimum of 24 months in nonconverters, n = 37). Repeated-measures analysis of covariance was employed to analyze the MMN recorded at frontocentral electrodes; additional comparisons with healthy controls (HC, n = 67) and first-episode schizophrenia patients (FES, n = 33) were performed. Predictive value was evaluated by a Cox regression model. RESULTS: Compared with nonconverters, duration MMN in converters (n = 25) showed significantly reduced amplitudes across the six frontocentral electrodes; the same applied in comparison with HC, but not FES, whereas the duration MMN in in nonconverters was comparable to HC and larger than in FES. A prognostic score was calculated based on a Cox regression model and stratified into two risk classes, which showed significantly different survival curves. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate the duration MMN is significantly reduced in at-risk subjects converting to first-episode psychosis compared with nonconverters and may contribute not only to the prediction of conversion but also to a more individualized risk estimation and thus risk-adapted prevention.

Intraoperative Patient-Specific Reconstruction of Partial Bone Flap Defects After Convexity Meningioma Resection

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate implant accuracy and cosmetic outcome of a new intraoperative patient-specific cranioplasty method after convexity meningioma resection. METHODS: The patient's own bone flap served as a template to mold a negative form with the use of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The area of bone invasion was determined and broadly excised under white light illumination with a safety margin of at least 1 cm. The definitive replica was cast within the remaining bone flap frame and the imprint. Clinical and radiologic follow-up examinations were performed 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: Four women and two men (mean age 51.4 years ± 12.8) underwent reconstruction of bone flap defects after meningioma resection. Mean duration of intraoperative reconstruction of the partial bone flap defects was 19 minutes ± 4 (range 14-24 minutes). Implant sizes ranged from 17-35 cm(2) (mean size 22 cm(2) ± 8). Radiologic and clinical follow-up examinations revealed excellent implant alignment and favorable cosmesis (visual analogue scale for cosmesis [VASC] = 97 ± 5) in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Patient-specific reconstruction of partial bone flap defects after convexity meningioma resection using the presented intraoperative PMMA cast method resulted in excellent bony alignment and a favorable cosmetic outcome. Relatively low costs and minimized operation time for adjustment and insertion of the cranioplasty implant justify use of this method in small bony defects as well.

Waiting for evidence seems to make sense - exept for the one providing the evidence

A 58-year-old male presented with a history of two prior transient ischaemic attacks and was found to have a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in the absence of atrial fibrillation or relevant carotid atheromatosis. PFO closure was deferred at this stage due to the lack of clinical evidence. Three years later the patient was re-admitted after a major stroke with residual symptoms and finally underwent PFO closure in a minimally invasive procedure using an Amplatzer PFO Occluder.