Recent results connected to nuclear collision dynamics, from low up to relativistic energies, are reviewed. Heavy ion reactions offer the unique opportunity to probe the complex nuclear many-body ...dynamics and to explore, in laboratory experiments, transient states of nuclear matter under several conditions of density, temperature and charge asymmetry. Transport models are an essential tool to undertake these investigations and make a connection between the nuclear effective interaction and sensitive observables of experimental interest. In this article, we mainly focus on the description of results of transport models for a selection of reaction mechanisms, also considering comparisons of predictions of different approaches. This analysis can help understanding the impact of the interplay between mean-field and correlation effects, as well as of in-medium effects, on reaction observables, which is an essential point also for extracting information on the nuclear Equation of State. A special emphasis will be given to the review of recent studies aimed at constraining the density behavior of the nuclear symmetry energy. For reactions at medium (Fermi) energies, we will describe light particle and fragment emission mechanisms, together with isospin transport effects. Collective effects characterizing nuclear collision dynamics, such as transverse and elliptic flows, will be discussed for relativistic heavy ion reactions, together with meson production and isotopic ratios.
Within a dynamical description of nuclear fragmentation, based on the liquid-gas phase transition scenario, we explore the relation between neutron-proton density fluctuations and nuclear symmetry ...energy. We show that, along the fragmentation path, isovector fluctuations follow the evolution of the local density and approach an equilibrium value connected to the local symmetry energy. Higher-density regions are characterized by smaller average asymmetry and narrower isotopic distributions. This dynamical analysis points out that fragment final state isospin fluctuations can probe the symmetry energy of the density domains from which fragments originate.
Head-on collisions between nuclei of different size at Fermi energies may give rise to extremely deformed dynamical regimes and patterns. Those latter, may suddenly turn into a stream of nuclear ...clusters, resembling collimated jets. This mechanism, which could be easily addressed in experiments, is simulated in the framework of stochastic one-body approaches. We employ the Boltzmann-Langevin equation to specifically address out-of-equilibrium conditions and handle dynamical fluctuations. An interesting interplay between surface and volume instabilities is discussed for the first time, leading to the appearing of stable and rather regular patterns of streaming clusters.
Spent coffee grounds (SGC) have been separated from exhausted coffee capsules, mainly made in polypropylene (PP), and subsequently melt mixed in different percentages (10 and 20%wt.) with the same ...empty grinded capsules to obtain new composites formed by different parts of the same waste. The obtained composites have been compared with pristine neat PP and recycled neat PP in terms of thermal, rheological and thermo-mechanical properties to evaluate the effect of the SGC filler and to determine the degradative contributes. 3-aminopropyltriethoxy-silane (SIL) and maleic anhydride grafted PP (PPgMA), have been also tested at 2%wt. as coupling agents and experimental data have been fitted with micromechanical models to better understand the behaviour of these new composites. Results have shown the SGC ability to improve the thermo-mechanical properties such as tensile (from +4% to +24%) and storage moduli (from +20% to +50%) and creep resistance (from +3% to +14%) and recovery (from +4% to +7%) of the recycled capsules in a way almost proportional to the SGC loading. In parallel, the use of 20%wt. of SGC particles has counterbalanced and restored the loss of processability due to the degradation of the recycled capsules as testified by the MFR values (around 11 g/10′), which have been similar to those of pristine neat PP (9 g/10’). The proposed method offers a cost-advantage route of recycling able to fabricate new eco-friendly particle-filled polymers completely formed by exhausted coffee capsules.
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The objective of this paper is to present the technical and feasibility analysis of an innovative mechanical recycling system for exhausted coffee capsules. This recycling process involved the ...sorting of spent coffee grounds (SGC) and the subsequent drying and melt-mixing of a portion of these grounds with the remaining capsule components, mainly composed of polypropylene (PP), along with optional virgin PP. These newly developed composite materials exhibited mechanical and rheological properties comparable or even surpassing those of virgin PP. They were also successfully utilized for the injection of new capsule shells, thus alignin with the principles of the circular economy. In addition to the technical aspects, this paper present a comprehensive Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) of the proposed recycling processes, considering the inclusion of virgin PP (0-20 %) and the initial moisture content (M
) of SGC(5-55 %) as varying factors. An industrial plant, designed to handle up to 190 million exhausted coffee capsules and produce up to 1500 tons of recycled compund was appropriately sized. The analysis revealed that processes are profitable across all examined scenarios and that the Net Present Value ranged between 800 k€ (for vPP = 20 % and M
= 55 %) and 2000 k€ (for vPP = 0 % and M
= 5 %).
Objective To analyze trends in cancer incidence and mortality (France, 1990-2018), with a focus on men-women disparities. Methods Incidence data stemmed from cancer registries (FRANCIM) and mortality ...data from national statistics (CépiDc). Incidence and mortality rates were modelled using bidimensional penalized splines of age and year (at diagnosis and at death, respectively). Trends in age-standardized rates were summarized by the average annual percent changes (AAPC) for all-cancers combined, 19 solid tumors, and 8 subsites. Sex gaps were indicated using male-to-female rate ratios (relative difference) and male-to-female rate differences (absolute difference) in 1990 and 2018, for incidence and mortality, respectively. Results For all-cancers, the sex gap narrowed over 1990-2018 in incidence (1.6 to 1.2) and mortality (2.3 to 1.7). The largest decreases of the male-to-female incidence rate ratio were for cancers of the lung (9.5 to 2.2), lip - oral cavity - pharynx (10.9 to 3.1), esophagus (12.6 to 4.5) and larynx (17.1 to 7.1). Mixed trends emerged in lung and oesophageal cancers, probably explained by differing risk factors for the two main histological subtypes. Sex incidence gaps narrowed due to increasing trends in men and women for skin melanoma (0.7 to 1, due to initially higher rates in women), cancers of the liver (7.4 to 4.4) and pancreas (2.0 to 1.4). Sex incidence gaps narrowed for colon-rectum (1.7 to 1.4), urinary bladder (6.9 to 6.1) and stomach (2.7 to 2.4) driven by decreasing trends among men. Other cancers showed similar increasing incidence trends in both sexes leading to stable sex gaps: thyroid gland (0.3 to 0.3), kidney (2.2 to 2.4) and central nervous system (1.4 to 1.5). Conclusion In France in 2018, while men still had higher risks of developing or dying from most cancers, the sex gap was narrowing. Efforts should focus on avoiding risk factors (e.g., smoking) and developing etiological studies to understand currently unexplained increasing trends. Keywords: Cancer, Incidence, Mortality, Registries, Sex, Trends
Highlights • Time trend analysis of papillary thyroid cancer showed a dramatic increase. • This increase has slowed down within in recent years, especially at younger ages. • There is a strong ...geographic disparity in incidence between areas in France. • 10-years net survival is high and has improved between 1989 and 2004.
The study aimed to evaluate the effects of linseed and oregano supplementation to the diet of goats on fatty acid profile and sensory properties of Padraccio, a typical cheese produced during spring ...through summer in the Basilicata region (southern Italy). Extruded linseed and dried oregano inflorescences were integrated in the pelleted concentrate supplementation (500 g/head per day) in 21 grazing goats that were randomly assigned, 7 per group, to the following experimental treatments: concentrate, concentrate with addition of linseed, and concentrate with addition of linseed and oregano. Pooled milk from each group was used in cheesemaking. From a nutritional perspective, integration of extruded linseed in the goat diet improved the fatty acid profile of Padraccio cheese. Moreover, the cheese from this group evidenced the highest scoring on color, flavor, texture, and overall liking.
Human and mouse plasmacytoid dendritic cells have been shown to correspond to a specialized cell population that produces large amounts of type I interferons in response to viruses, the so-called ...natural interferon-producing cells. As a result, intensive investigation is now focused on the potential functions of plasmacytoid dendritic cells in both innate and adaptive immunity. Here we review recent progress on the characterization of plasmacytoid dendritic cell origin, development, migration and function in immunity and tolerance, as well as their effect on human diseases.
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