The NA62 experiment aims at measuring rare kaon decays, in order to precisely test the standard model. The RICH (Ring Imaging CHerenkov) detector of the experiment is instrumental in charged-particle ...identification and in measurement of their crossing time, with a resolution better than 100 ps. Here we describe the design of the Level-0 trigger system for the RICH, which provides a precise time reference by counting the input hit multiplicity within programmable fine-time windows. Since the design does not use spatial information and stands the maximum input rate of TDC-based NA62 systems, it can be deployed also in other subdetectors.
•Palm oil (PO) is studied for passive-active applications at ambient temperature.•DSC, TGA, kinetic, thermal cycling analyses are performed.•PO showed promising transition phase enthalpies.•PO has ...two melting temperatures 276–307 K suitable for building application.•The environmental impact of the PO is compared to classic paraffin.
This study aims at investigating the potential use of a bio-based phase change material, i.e. expired palm oil from the food industry, as a more sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based organic PCMs. To this purpose, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and isoconversional methods (Starink and Miura-Maki methods) are applied and the main thermo-physical properties of the blend are investigated by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and extensive thermal monitoring in a controlled realistic environment. Finally, a life cycle assessment is used to evaluate the environmental impact of the bio-based material in comparison to the more common petrochemical-based application. Kinetic analysis results indicate the two dimensional phase boundary reaction model as the most reliable scheme for describing the oxidation of palm oil, with an activation energy of about 73 kJ · mol−1. The DSC and the thermal monitoring procedure, showed two separate melting peaks in the ambient temperature range, which globally guarantee a melting enthalpy of about 50 kJ · kg−1, i.e. of the same order of magnitude of the first developed PCMs. Results from the life cycle analysis reveal that the expired palm oil can be considered a promising material for bio-based latent applications.
Globally, the palm oil has proved itself as a promising, low cost, and environmentally friendly alternative for passive thermal storage solutions (e.g. building envelope applications) where stability across multiple thermal cycles, low health risks, and low leakage are crucial parameters to be addressed.
•GHG emissions of biomethane from energy crops cultivated in a central Italian farm were investigated.•Electricity consumption of the biogas plant was monitored.•Current scenario does not allow to ...achieve a GHG saving according to Renewable Energy Directive.•GHG emissions could be reduced by covering the storage tanks of digestate and installing a CHP plant.
Biomethane from energy crops is a renewable energy carrier and therefore it potentially contributes to climate change mitigation. However, significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions resulting from cultivation and processing must be considered. Among those, the production and use of nitrogen fertilizers, the resulting nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, the methane emissions from digestate storage and the energy consumption of the biogas plant are crucial factors. In the present paper an integrated life cycle assessment (LCA) of GHG emissions from biomethane production is carried out, taking into account own measurements and experience data from a modern biogas plant located in Umbria, Italy. The study is also focused on the electricity consumption of the biogas plant, assessing the specific absorption power of each machinery. The analysis is based on the methodology defined by the European Union Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC (RED). The main result is that the biomethane chain exceeds the minimum value of GHG saving (35%) mainly due to the open storage of digestate. However by varying the system, using heat and electricity from a biogas CHP plant and covering digestate storage tank, a reduction of 68.9% could be obtained.
A contribution to the Italian adaptation of the original English version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children and youth (WHODAS-Child), proxy-administered ...among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without intellectual disability.
Observational and retrospective study with within-dependent variables by cross-sectional sampling on psychometric properties (internal consistency and construct/criterion validity) of the 36- and 7-item versions of the Italian WHODAS-Child. The original English version was translated into Italian, also considering the Italian version of the WHODAS 2.0 for adults. The Italian questionnaire was then translated back into English. All authors compared the original and back-translated English versions. The sample was collected among parents and clinicians of 100 children with ASD. To assess convergent/divergent validity, the Autism Diagnostic Observational Schedule (ADOS) was also administered.
Cronbach's α for both versions' total scores was good. WHODAS-Child also showed a positive correlation with the three DSM-5 levels of impairment. A pattern of correlations with the ADOS was found for all domains of the WHODAS-Child except for the mobility and self-care domains.
The WHODAS-Child Italian proxy-administered version has the potential to be a reliable and valid tool to measure functional impairment in children with ASD.
Implications for rehabilitation
World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 for children and youth (WHODAS-Child) has shown to be sensitive in detecting children and youth functioning in the domains of activity and participation.
WHODAS-Child Italian version seems to be a reliable and valid tool to measure the functional impairment in children with autism spectrum disorder.
A critical issue for rehabilitation is that a single "minimal clinically important difference" score for the WHODAS-Child has not yet been established.
Open Multiparty Sessions Barbanera, Franco; Dezani-Ciancaglini, Mariangiola
Electronic proceedings in theoretical computer science,
09/2019, Letnik:
304, Številka:
Proc. ICE 2019
Journal Article
Odprti dostop
Multiparty sessions are systems of concurrent processes, which allow several participants to communicate by sending and receiving messages. Their overall behaviour can be described by means of global ...types. Typable multiparty session enjoy lock-freedom. We look at multiparty sessions as open systems by a suitable definition of connection transforming compatible processes into gateways (forwarders). A relation resembling the standard subtyping relation for session types is used to formalise compatibility. We show that the session obtained by connection can be typed by manipulating the global types of the starting sessions. This allows us to prove that lock-freedom is preserved by connection.
We propose a refinement and a simplification of the behavioural semantics of session types, based on the concepts of compliance and sub-behaviour from the theory of web contracts. We introduce three ...relations on a suitable class of behaviours with higher-order input/output, called ‘session behaviours’. Such relations, depending on each other, represent the idea of sub-behaviour from the point of view of a client, a server or a peer, respectively. A restriction of the intersection of the first two relations characterizes the ‘usual’ sub-behaviour relation from the literature. We then device an algorithmic formal system for three subtyping relations (dubbed CSP-subtyping) for session types that takes into account the role played by a user of a channel during an interaction, so extending Gay and Hole subtyping theory. We show that our session behaviours and sub-behaviour relations provide sound and complete semantics for CSP-subtyping, and for Gay and Hole subtyping as a by-product.
A Theory of Formal Choreographic Languages Barbanera, Franco; Lanese, Ivan; Tuosto, Emilio
Logical methods in computer science,
08/2023, Letnik:
19, Issue 3, Številka:
3
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We introduce a meta-model based on formal languages, dubbed formal
choreographic languages, to study message-passing systems. Our framework allows
us to generalise standard constructions from the ...literature and to compare
them. In particular, we consider notions such as global view, local view, and
projections from the former to the latter. The correctness of local views
projected from global views is characterised in terms of a closure property. We
consider a number of communication properties -- such as (dead)lock-freedom --
and give conditions on formal choreographic languages to guarantee them.
Finally, we show how formal choreographic languages can capture existing
formalisms; specifically we consider communicating finite-state machines,
choreography automata, and multiparty session types. Notably, formal
choreographic languages, differently from most approaches in the literature,
can naturally model systems exhibiting non-regular behaviour.
•Acrylamide, a toxic process contaminant generated during heat treatment of food.•QuEChERS approach was for the first time optimized for dried fruits and edible seeds.•68 samples of dried fruits and ...edible seeds purchased on Italian market were tested.•Method linearity, sensitivity, matrix effect, accuracy, and precision were evaluated.•Dried prunes and peanuts were the only samples contaminated with acrylamide.
Acrylamide is a carcinogenic and neurotoxic process contaminant that is generated from food components during heat treatment, while it is absent in raw foodstuffs. Its level in food arouses great concern. A method for acrylamide extraction and determination in dried fruits (dried prunes and raisins) and edible seeds (almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts) using a QuEChERS-LC-ESI-MS-Triple Quadrupole approach was set up. Linearity, sensitivity, accuracy, and precision of the method were satisfactory.
Dried prunes and peanuts were the only samples appreciably contaminated, 14.7–124.3 and 10.0–42.9μg/kg, respectively, as a consequence of the drying process. In fact, prunes are dried at 70–80°C for a quite long time (24–36h), while peanuts undergo a roasting process at 160–180°C for 25–30min.
The relative standard deviations, accuracy, LOD, and LOQ show that the method provides a reliable approach to acrylamide determination in different matrices.
•Ultrasound (US)-assisted liquefaction of solid digestate from industrial waste is optimized.•US-assisted liquefaction increases high calorific value of residues from biogas plant.•US-assisted direct ...liquefaction is an energy saving process to provide bio-oil.•Bio-oil production as precursor of fuel and polymers through biorefinery is proposed.
Among the possibilities for industrial waste valorization, liquefaction is gaining interest as it may provide alternative energy and high value-added products. In this context, this work focuses on the production of bio-oil through ultrasound (US)-assisted direct liquefaction. For the reaction, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and crude glycerol were selected. As this process is conducted by raising reaction temperature, US provided it, while shortening reaction time, through the cavitation phenomenon. For liquefaction reaction optimization, a response surface methodology (Box-Behnken design) was performed. As independent variables, US-amplitude, reaction time and solvent-to-biomass ratio were selected. On the other side, bio-oil yield, high calorific value (HCV) and energy consumption were chosen as dependent responses. Optimal results showed a bio-oil yield of 34.17% (reached in<20 min), HCV of 28.44 MJ/kg and energy consumption (US) of 11.477 kJ. Moreover, differences between predicted and experimental values were found to be negligible. Bio-oil was also characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and chromatography-mass spectrometry gas (GC–MS). Both techniques showed a profile rich in phenols and poly-oils, which can be used as precursors for industrial products, i.e. polymers. Finally, to check the impact of liquefaction on solid digestate, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was carried out. Results showed an increase in porosity, fragment and conglomerate. It may be concluded that the use of US as auxiliary energy in solid digestate liquefaction, to produce bio-oil, provides energy saving. Thus, the proposed valorization path aids consolidating the concept of circular economy through an efficient biorefinery model.
This research is one of the few comparative descriptions at an intraspecific level of wild non-passerine microbiomes. We investigated for the first time the gut microbiome of red-legged partridges ...(Alectoris rufa) using fecal pellets in order to provide a more informed management. We focused on a small Italian population consisting of two demes (WEST, EAST) separated by about 20 km on the opposite sides of Elba Island. Given the small spatial scale, we set up a sampling protocol to minimize contamination from environmental bacteria, as well as differences due to variations in—among others—habitat, season, and age of feces, that could possibly affect the investigation of the three Elban sites. We found a significant divergence between the WEST and EAST Elban subpopulations in terms of microbial composition and alpha diversity. Although most represented bacterial phyla were the same in all the sites (Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroidetes), microbiomes displayed a much higher diversity in western than in eastern partridges. This result might be related to locally diverging individual physiological needs and/or to different intensities in past releases of captive-bred birds between the two sides of Elba. We suggest that the two subpopulations should be treated as distinct management units.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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