•Uncertainties affect the evaluation of the system capacity to accommodate DG units.•Deterministic LF analysis may overlook the risk of limit violations.•DG penetration with Monte Carlo accounts for ...the variability of power consumption.•Load variability significantly affects the amount of DG to connect to the buses.•Probabilistic margins with respect to limit violations improve service quality.
With the growing use of renewable energy sources, Distributed Generation (DG) systems are rapidly spreading. Embedding DG to the distribution network may be costly due to the grid reinforcements and control adjustments required in order to maintain the electrical network reliability. Deterministic load flow calculations are usually employed to assess the allowed DG penetration in a distribution network in order to ensure that current or voltage limits are not exceeded. However, these calculations may overlook the risk of limit violations due to uncertainties in the operating conditions of the networks. To overcome this limitation, related to both injection and demand profiles, the present paper addresses the problem of DG penetration with a Monte Carlo technique that accounts for the intrinsic variability of electric power consumption. The power absorbed by each load of a medium voltage network is characterized by a load variation curve; a probabilistic load flow is then used for computing the maximum DG power that can be connected to each bus without determining a violation of electric constraints. A distribution network is studied and a comparison is provided between the results of the deterministic load flow and probabilistic load flow analyses.
Loggerhead sea turtle (
C. caretta
) is the official European bioindicator of marine litter in the Mediterranean Sea. In 2019, 8 sea turtles, out of 28 specimens loggerhead on the Adriatic coast of ...Molise, were subjected to necropsy. The intestinal contents were collected and the microplastics until 0.45 μm were extracted. Qualitative and quantitative assessments were performed by stereomicroscope observation and spectroscopic analyses (attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ATR-FTIR and Raman microspectroscopy, RMS). Moreover, the analytical quantification of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), para phthalic acid (PTA) and bisphenol A (BPA) in fat and liver tissues was performed by LC-MS/MS. Microparticles ranging from 0.45 μm to 1 mm were found in all turtles, for a total of 623, while plastic litter greater than 1 mm were found only in 4 specimens (ranging from 0.03 to 0.11 g). Nineteen different polymers and 10 pigments, including polyester (100% of animals), high-density polyethylene (50%) and polypropylene (50%) were identified. BPA, PTA and PET were detected in fat and liver tissues of all animals, while PC was found only in 50%. A major prevalence was registered in the abdominal fat tissue, although only PC compounds were significantly higher in abdominal tissue (
p
< 0.05), except for free PTA with liver tissue being the most contaminated (
p
< 0.05). Microplastics and additives surely impact the health status of turtles that showed gastrointestinal impairment and an important level of contamination in tissues.
Graphical abstract
Junctional epithelium (JE) provides the front-line defense against pathogens invading periodontium. The breakdown of the JE barrier is the hallmark of periodontitis. Recent studies have implicated ...the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) as one of the etiopathogenetic factors of periodontitis. EBV exhibits tropism for two target cells
: B cells, where it primarily remains latent, and epithelial cells, where viral replication occurs.
Our knowledge of junctional epithelial cell (JEC) infection with EBV has been limited by the difficulty of generating cell cultures and the inability to infect JECs
readily.
To study EBV infection in JECs, we developed human JEC cultures derived from a periodontitis patient. Furthermore, we established a successful contact-free co-culture infection model between the EBV-donor B95-8 cell line and the EBV-permissive JEC culture. JECs and EBV infection of JECs were detected using immunofluorescent staining of cytokeratin 19 and EBNA1, respectively. In addition, EBV infection was confirmed by RT-qPCR for EBNA1, LMP1, and BZLF1 expression.
Our results suggest that the infection of JECs with EBV can occur in an
experimental model. These outcomes have the potential to enhance our understanding of EBV's involvement in periodontitis and advance periodontal research.
Concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCs) were found in tissue of marine organisms such as Mediterranean mussel, Norway lobster, red mullet, common ...cuttle-fish, European flying squid, European anchovy, European pilchard and Atlantic mackerel, coming from two sites along the Abruzzo coast of the Adriatic Sea. Species were selected due to their habitat, trophic level, feeding behaviour and their use in the Italian diet. Mussels, filter feeder and sedentary organisms, were used in order to test water pollution whereas Norway lobster and red mullet (benthic fish) were used in order to test sediment pollution. The concentration of ∑PCBs exceeded that of ∑OCs in the samples analysed. The highest concentrations of ∑PCBs (1415 ng/g lipid weight) and ∑OCs (507 ng/g lipid weight) were found in pilchard while the lowest concentrations of the same pollutants were found in cephalopods. Our results have shown that species such as anchovy, pilchard and mackerel, were the most polluted due to their location at the last level of the trophic chain. All samples contained different concentrations of PCBs and among these, congeners 153 and 138 were the most representative. Among the OCs, except for the cuttle-fish, the highest concentrations were found for
p,
p
′-DDE and
p,
p
′-DDD that are metabolite of DDT. The prevailing DDE presence, compared to DDT (high DDE/DDT ratio), suggested that the biotransformation rate of pollutants was very efficacious in fish and above all in crustaceans. Results have also been interpreted in terms of geographical distribution and organisms' biological cycle. None of the samples analysed exceeded the tolerance limits established by the OCs Italian legislation.
•Binary mixtures of {2-Methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MeTHF) + alcohols}•Density, speed of sound, and viscosity were determined.•FTIR spectroscopy technique was studied.•Temperature range was T = (293.15 ...to 313.15) K.•Application of the PRSV EOS and PFP Theory.•Density Functional Theory (DFT)
New data of density (ρ), viscosity (η), and speed of sound (u) have been determined at T = (288.15–303.15 K) and p = 93.2 kPa for the binary mixture of {2-methyltetrahydrofuran + ethanol, or + 1-propanol, or + 1-butanol, or + 1-pentanol} over the entire composition range. These results were used to calculate the excess molar volume (VmE), isentropic compressibility deviation (Δκs), viscosity deviation (Δη), and Gibbs excess activation energy (ΔG*E), which were correlated by a Redlich-Kister polynomial. For all systems studied, the values of the deviation properties were negative, which probably indicates a predominance of structural and chemical effects over physical effects. Five viscosity models were employed to fit the viscosity data. The VmE data were also correlated by the Prigogine-Flory-Patterson Theory (PFP Theory) and the Peng-Robinson-Stryjek-Vera Equation of State (PRSV EOS). Furthermore, a Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy study was performed to explain the hydrogen bonding interactions. Lastly, theoretical calculations using Density Functional Theory (DFT) at B3LYP-GD3(BJ)/6–311++G(3df,2p) level of theory were performed to understand the inter-interactions between the compounds present in the mixtures. The FT-IR and computational results were in good agreement with the experimental data.
Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) has been considered to be a green alternative to replace petroleum-based substances as a plasticizer for polyvinyl chloride (PVC). ESO is usually produced in a biphasic ...reaction system, in which hydrogen peroxide reacts with a carboxylic acid in the aqueous phase to generate an organic peracid that migrates to the organic phase and reacts with the soybean oil to produce ESO. The present study includes experimental data obtained in a previous work, to prepare ESO from soybean oil in a 4 h reaction time under different conditions, with single addition of the reactants and in the absence of catalysts. The paper also proposes a more robust model to predict the effects related to the hydrogen peroxide and formic acid amounts, the stirring speed, the thermostatic bath temperature, and the apparent kinematic viscosity of the system. The experimental results were used to fit a kinetic model for this system, including the heat and mass transfer effects and the undesired reactions. Additionally, the model included a satisfactory prediction of the changes in the apparent kinematic viscosity of the system, significantly improving the description of the heat transfer effects.
A continuous reactor for the epoxidation of soybean oil has been considered in various studies, with various designs. In practice, the existing commercial plants continue to use batch reactors due to ...capital cost optimization and safety concerns. This article carries out a simulation of a continuous tubular reactor (based on a detailed kinetic model from our previous work), proposing a single addition of all reagents in the absence of catalysts and emulsifiers. The design combines the robust model developed on the basis of bench experiments with industrial experience to evaluate the viability of a continuous flow model. This study provides an analysis of the effects of static mixers in the reaction system, focusing on the safety of the reactor associated with the temperature profile, the quality parameters associated with the epoxidation of vegetable oils (iodine and oxirane indexes), and the acceptable pressure drop. Promising results were obtained from simulations of a proposed reactor design, in which an oxirane index of 5.95% (79.1% net yield of the desired product) was achieved for a 120 min residence time under the most viable conditions.
Soft tissue sarcomas (STSs) are a group of neoplasms, which, despite current therapeutic advances, still confer a poor outcome to half of the patients. As other solid tumors, STSs exhibit high ...glucose consumption rates, associated with worse prognosis and therapeutic response. As highly glycolytic tumors, we hypothesized that sarcomas should present an increased expression of lactate transporters (MCTs).
Immunohistochemical expression of MCT1, MCT2, MCT4 and CD147 was assessed in a series of 86 STSs and the expression profiles were associated with patients' clinical-pathological parameters.
MCT1, MCT4 and CD147 were mainly observed in the plasma membrane of cancer cells (around 60% for MCTs and 40% for CD147), while MCT2 was conspicuously found in the cytoplasm (94.2%). Importantly, we observed MCT1 nuclear expression (32.6%). MCT1 and MCT4, alone or co-expressed with CD147 in the plasma membrane, were associated with poor prognostic variables including high tumor grade, disease progression and shorter overall survival. Conversely, we found MCT1 nuclear expression to be associated with low grade tumors and longer overall survival.
The present work represents the first report of MCTs characterization in STSs. We showed the original finding of MCT1 expression in the nucleus. Importantly, opposite biological roles should be behind the dual sub-cellular localization of MCT1, as plasma membrane expression of MCT1 is associated with worse patients' prognosis, while nuclear expression is associated with better prognosis.
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), in addition to its transforming properties, contributes to the pathogenesis of several inflammatory diseases. Here, we investigated its involvement in oral lichen planus ...(OLP), a common autoimmune-like disease of unknown etiopathogenesis that can display a malignant potential. EBV-infected cells (EBV+ cells) were sought in a large series of clinically representative OLPs (n = 99) through in situ hybridization to detect small noncoding EBV-encoded RNAs. Overall, our results demonstrated that EBV was commonly found in OLP (74%), with significantly higher frequency (83%) in the erosive form than in the reticular/keratinized type mild form (58%). Strikingly, many erosive OLPs were massively infiltrated by large numbers of EBV+ cells, which could represent a large part of the inflammatory infiltrate. Moreover, the number of EBV+ cells in each OLP section significantly correlated with local inflammatory parameters (OLP activity, infiltrate depth, infiltrate density), suggesting a direct relationship between EBV infection and inflammatory status. Finally, we characterized the nature of the infiltrated EBV+ cells by performing detailed immunohistochemistry profiles (n = 21). Surprisingly, nearly all EBV+ cells detected in OLP lesions were CD138+ plasma cells (PCs) and more rarely CD20+ B cells. The presence of EBV+ PCs in erosive OLP was associated with profound changes in cytokine expression profile; notably, the expression of key inflammatory factors, such as IL1-β and IL8, were specifically increased in OLP heavily infiltrated with EBV+ PCs. Moreover, electron microscopy–based experiments showed that EBV+ PCs actively produced EBV viral particles, suggesting possible amplification of EBV infection within the lesion. Our study thus brings conclusive evidence showing that OLP is commonly infiltrated with EBV+ PCs, adding a further puzzling element to OLP pathogenesis, given that PCs are now considered to be major regulatory immune cells involved in several autoimmune diseases (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02276573).
In ABO-incompatible bone marrow transplantation, an efficient depletion of red blood cells (RBC) within the graft is mandatory to avoid adverse events in transplanted patients. Using non therapeutic ...products, we evaluated the substitution of the standard density gradient-based separation (DGBS) over Ficoll-Paque with the use of an automated procedure intended for buffy coat only (SmartRedux software) introducing modifications within the settings to achieve a drastic reduction of the initial volume of the product. Both methods were conducted on the Sepax-2 device.
RBC depletion rates and CD34+ cells recoveries from eight procedures with SmartRedux software using “in-house” settings (method A) were compared to those obtained from four procedures using NeatCell software, an automated DGBS over Ficoll-Paque (method B).
Median erythrocyte depletion of 95,4% (92,7%–99,0%) and 99,8% (99,0%–99,9%) were observed using methods A and B, respectively. Median residual RBC volumes in the final product were 19 mL (4,4 mL–31,2 mL) and 0,7 mL (0,4 mL–4,7 mL), respectively (p = 0,014). CD34+ cells recoveries of 90,9% (62,7%–102,1%) and 78,4% (64,1%–86,2%) were achieved for methods A and B. Median platelet depletion was 16,6% (10%–42,7%) and 89,8% (88,5%-92,4%) using methods A and B, respectively (p = 0,004). Processing duration was shorter using method A (168 ± 29 min) than method B (295 ± 21 min) (p = 0,004).
Both methods achieved satisfactory erythrocyte depletion and CD34+ recovery. The use of Sepax-2 device in association with SmartRedux software could be extended to efficiently deplete RBC from large-volume BM in a raw instead of DGBS.
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