Olive oil production in Mediterranean countries represents a crucial market, especially for Spain, Italy, and Greece. However, although this sector plays a significant role in the European economy, ...it also leads to dramatic environmental consequences. Waste generated from olive oil production processes can be divided into solid waste and olive mill wastewaters (OMWW). These latter are characterized by high levels of organic compounds (i.e., polyphenols) that have been efficiently removed because of their hazardous environmental effects. Over the years, in this regard, several strategies have been primarily investigated, but all of them are characterized by advantages and weaknesses, which need to be overcome. Moreover, in recent years, each country has developed national legislation to regulate this type of waste, in line with the EU legislation. In this scenario, the present review provides an insight into the different methods used for treating olive mill wastewaters paying particular attention to the recent advances related to the development of more efficient photocatalytic approaches. In this regard, the most advanced photocatalysts should also be easily recoverable and considered valid alternatives to the currently used conventional systems. In this context, the optimization of innovative systems is today’s object of hard work by the research community due to the profound potential they can offer in real applications. This review provides an overview of OMWW treatment methods, highlighting advantages and disadvantages and discussing the still unresolved critical issues.
Photocatalytic activity of both commercial and homemade samples was tested for the degradation of toluene in the gas phase by using two different irradiation sources, UV and solar. The role played by ...humidity in affecting the final toluene degradation was discussed. Catalyst deactivation (due to the high toluene level, 1000 ppm) and subsequent regeneration, by washing with water, were analyzed. Highest degradations and corresponding kinetic constants were achieved in the case of the anatase/brookite composite samples, while the commercial ones (including P25 Degussa) showed lower efficiency. Various adsorbed aromatic species (benzoic acid, the major surface product, hydroquinone, benzylic alcohol, benzaldehyde, and cresols) obtained by washing the exhaust catalysts were analyzed by HPLC. Parallel results were achieved by Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy. The presence of different photodegradation surface species for the various photocatalysts suggests the occurrence of different reaction pathways, depending on the fine physicochemical features of the specific TiO2 adopted in the reaction.
ABSTRACT
We aim to identify and characterize binary systems containing red supergiant (RSG) stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) using a newly available ultraviolet (UV) point source catalogue ...obtained using the Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) on board AstroSat. We select a sample of 560 SMC RSGs based on photometric and spectroscopic observations at optical wavelengths and cross-match this with the far-UV point source catalogue using the UVIT F172M filter, finding 88 matches down to mF172M = 20.3 ABmag, which we interpret as hot companions to the RSGs. Stellar parameters (luminosities, effective temperatures, and masses) for both components in all 88 binary systems are determined and we find mass distributions in the ranges 6.1 < M/M⊙ < 22.3 for RSGs and 3.7 <M/M⊙ < 15.6 for their companions. The most massive RSG binary system in the SMC has a combined mass of 32 ± 4 M⊙, with a mass ratio (q) of 0.92. By simulating observing biases, we find an intrinsic multiplicity fraction of $18.8\, \pm \, 1.5\, {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ for mass ratios in the range 0.3 < q < 1.0 and orbital periods approximately in the range $3 \lt \log P \rm days \lt 8$. By comparing our results with those of a similar mass on the main sequence, we determine the fraction of single stars to be ∼20 per cent and argue that the orbital period distribution declines rapidly beyond log P ∼ 3.5. We study the mass-ratio distribution of RSG binary systems and find that a uniform distribution best describes the data below 14 M⊙. Above 15 M⊙, we find a lack of high mass ratio systems.
Chronic respiratory patients requiring oxygen or home mechanical ventilation experience frequent exacerbations and hospitalisations with related costs. Strict monitoring and care have been ...recommended. The aim of the present study was to primarily evaluate reduction in hospitalisations and, secondly, exacerbations, general practitioner (GP) calls and related cost-effectiveness of tele-assistance (TA) for these patients. A total of 240 patients (101 with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) were randomised to two groups: an intervention group entered a 1-yr TA programme while controls received traditional care. No anthropometric and clinical differences were found between groups both in baseline and in mortality (18% for TA, 23% for controls). Compared with controls, the TA group experienced significantly fewer hospitalisations (-36%), urgent GP calls (-65%) and acute exacerbations (-71%). Only COPD patients, as a separate group, had fewer hospitalisations, emergency room admissions, urgent GP calls or exacerbations. Each patient referred to staff a mean+/-sd 36+/-25 times. After deduction of TA costs, the average overall cost for each patient was 33% less than that for usual care. In chronic respiratory failure patients on oxygen or home mechanical ventilation, a nurse-centred tele-assistance prevents hospitalisations while it is cost-effective. The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease group seems to have a greater advantage from tele-assistance.
Milk production in dairy cows is affected by numerous factors, including diet. Feed restriction is known to have little impact on milk total protein content but its effect on the fine protein ...composition is still poorly documented. The objective of this study was to describe the effects of two feed restriction trials of different intensities on the milk protein composition of Holstein cows. One restriction trial was of high intensity (H: 8 mid-lactation Holstein cows) and the second of moderate intensity (M: 19 peak lactation Holstein cows). Feed restriction decreased the milk protein yield for caseins under the M trial and of all six major milk proteins under the H trial. These decreased yields lead to lower concentrations of αs1-, αs2- and β-caseins during the H trial. The milk proteome, analyzed on 32 milk samples, was affected as a function of restriction intensity. Among the 345 proteins identified eight varied under the M trial and 160 under the H trial. Ontology analyses revealed their implication in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolisms as well as in the immune system. These proteins reflected adaptations of the animal and mammary gland physiology to feed restriction and constituted a signature of this change.
Finding innovative and highly performing approaches for NOx degradation represents a key challenge to enhance the air quality of our environment. In this study, the high efficiency of PANI/TiO2 ...nanostructures in the NO2 abatement both in the dark and under light irradiation is demonstrated for the first time. Heterostructures were synthesized by a “green” method and their composition, structure, morphology and oxidation state were investigated by a combination of characterization techniques. The results show that the unique PANI structure promotes two mechanisms for the NO2 abatement in the dark (adsorption on the polymeric chains and chemical reduction to NO), whereas the photocatalytic behavior prevails under light irradiation, leading to the complete NOx degradation. The best-performing materials were subjected to recycling tests, thereby showing high stability without any significant activity loss. Overall, the presented material can represent an innovative and efficient night-and-day solution for NOx abatement.
Objective
To investigate the association among rheumatoid arthritis (RA), saliva production, and periodontal status.
Methods
An observational study was carried out on 103 subjects with RA and 103 ...without RA matched by sex and age. Rheumatologic evaluation included serological and clinical variables. A full mouth periodontal examination was performed according to the American Academy of Periodontology (1999). Resting and stimulated whole salivary flows were determined after spiting during 5 min.
Results
RA was associated with a higher prevalence of severe periodontitis (12% vs. 4%), with a marked reduction in resting and stimulated saliva production, and with a higher prevalence of resting (19% vs. 0%) and also stimulated hyposalivation (54% vs. 10%), compared with the control group. The differences in mean resting and stimulated salivary flows between RA and control groups persisted after the exclusion of people with hyposalivation. Saliva production was not associated with the presence or the severity of periodontal disease, or with the rheumatic clinical characteristics of the patients.
Conclusions
More than 50% of people with RA have some degree of reduction in their salivary flows, an affection not associated with the periodontal status or rheumatic activity, which are the expression of the two related inflammatory diseases. The influence of autonomic dysfunction on hyposalivation can be considered. While periodontitis would be a disease-associated comorbidity of RA, poor saliva production should be included among the extra-articular manifestations.
Key Points
• Rheumatoid arthritis patients are more prone to suffer from periodontitis and/or hyposalivation.
• Periodontal disease is more prevalent in people with rheumatoid arthritis and also an association was found between the severities of both pathologies.
• More than 50% of people with RA would have some degree of reduction in their salivary flows, an affection not associated with the periodontal status or rheumatic activity.
• Reduced saliva production in rheumatoid arthritis patients should be included among the extra-articular manifestations.
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