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•Cascade biorefinery of Gracilaria g., seaweed harvested in Lesina Lagoon performed.•R-phycoerythrin, allophycocyanin, and phycocyanin were primary extracted.•Extraction’s residue ...pyrolyzed for bio-oil and biochar production, at 400–600°C.•High bio-oil yielded (∼65wt%) but not suitable for fuel without de-nitrogenation.•Pyrolytic char (26.5–33wt%) including P, K, Ca, Fe and Mg, suggested as biochar.
Phycobiliproteins extraction (primary refining) from Gracilaria gracilis seaweed, harvested in Lesina Lagoon (Italy) and further valorization of the residual algal via pyrolysis (secondary refining), were investigated with a cascade biorefinery approach. R-phycoerythrin (7mg/g d.w.), allophycocyanin (3.5mg/g d.w.) and phycocyanin (2mg/g d.w.) were the main phycobiliproteins extracted. Pyrolysis of G.gracilis residue followed, aiming to investigate the production of bio-oil and biochar within a pyrolysis temperature range of 400–600°C. Results showed that the bio-oil yield is high (∼65wt%) at pyrolysis temperature ∼500°C, but its high content in nitrogenous compounds prevents its use as a biofuel, unless some further de-nitrogenation takes place. Biochar yield ranged between 33wt% (400°C) and 26.5wt% (600°C). Interestingly, inorganic nutrients including P, K, Ca, Fe and Mg were detected in biochar, suggesting its potential use as recovering system of natural mineral resources from the oceanic reservoir.
Sensitivity to punishment (SP) and sensitivity to reward (SR) are personality characteristics that may have relevance for the pathophysiology of eating disorders (EDs). Moreover, personality ...characteristics are known to modulate the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which is the main component of the endogenous stress response system. As stress has been implicated in the aetiology and the maintenance of EDs, we aimed to study the HPA axis activity in relation to SP and SR, as conceptualized by Gray's reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST), in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN).
Twenty-five women with AN, 23 women with BN and 19 healthy women volunteered for the study. HPA axis activity was assessed by measurement of the salivary cortisol awakening response (CAR). The subjects' SP and SR were measured by the behavioural inhibition system (BIS)/behavioural approach system (BAS) scales.
The CAR was significantly enhanced in AN patients, but not in BN patients, compared to healthy women. The CAR correlated significantly with BAS measures, negatively in healthy controls and positively in binge-purging AN patients and BN women. SP, measured by the BIS scale, was higher in patients than in controls.
These findings confirm the occurrence of an enhanced activity of the HPA axis in symptomatic AN, but not in symptomatic BN, and show for the first time that the CAR is associated with SR, as conceptualized by the RST, negatively in healthy subjects but positively in binge-purging ED patients.
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•Coupling anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis is technologically efficient.•This technology integration is environmentally sound and boosts circular economy.•Digestate and pyrochar are ...soil amendments with different but complementary properties.•While pyrochar sequesters carbon, digestate could contribute to soil microbiological processes.•Their characteristics are fully consistent with those of agricultural soil amendments.
The integration of different technologies acts as a leverage in boosting “circular economy” and improving resource use efficiency. In this respect, the coupling of anaerobic digestion with pyrolysis was the focus of this work. Solid-digestate obtained from anaerobic digestion was addressed to supply pyrolysis thus increasing the net energy gains and obtaining “biochar” (called “pyrochar” in our case) to be used as soil amendment alternatively to solid-digestate. The current interest on biochar is linked to its long-term soil carbon sequestration, thus contributing to global warming mitigation.
A parallel detailed screening of the physical and chemical properties of both solid-digestate and pyrochar was performed, inferring their effects on soil quality. Results showed that while P and K are enriched in pyrochar, total N showed no significant differences. Heavy metals revealed higher concentrations in pyrochar, but always largely below the biochar quality thresholds. Pyrochar exhibited a higher surface area (49–88m2g−1), a greater water holding capacity (352–366%), and a more recalcitrant carbon structure. Both solid-digestate and pyrochar showed good soil amendments properties but with complementary effects. Although starting from the same biomass, being the original feedstock processed differently, their ability to improve the physical and chemical soil properties has proved to be different. While several other soil improvers of organic origin can substitute digestate, the important role played by biochar appears not-replaceable considering its precious “carbon negative” action.
Free Association as an Epistemic Method Monteleone, John, M.
International journal of applied psychoanalytic studies,
March 2022, Letnik:
19, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Recenzirano
What sort of clinical evidence can free association provide? Can it be characterized without presupposing Freud's controversial metaphysics? This essay claims that free association aims for entirely ...open and spontaneous expression. The emphasis on expression contrasts with Freud's own emphasis on dispassionate self‐observation. So conceived, the method of free association is here argued to be epistemically valuable in two interestingly different ways. Firstly, it can enable recognition of certain long‐standing patterns in the analysand's emotional and desiderative life, which are called concerns. Secondly, and more distinctively, since such an extreme degree of open, spontaneous expression will often be difficult to begin or will break down unexpectedly, the method enables recognition of ways in which an analysand's moral education has suppressed and re‐shaped those concerns.
A novel method to determine the individual diffusion coefficients of gases in a mixture during their permeation through polymeric membranes is described. The method was developed in two independent ...laboratories, using rubbery Pebax® and glassy Hyflon® AD60X membrane samples as standards, and validated using the Tröger's base containing Polymer of Intrinsic Microporosity, PIM-EA-TB. Monitoring of the permeate composition in real time by a quadrupole mass spectrometer allowed the analysis of the permeation transient for gas mixtures. Two operation modes, either with a vacuum in the permeate and a direct connection to the mass spectrometer via a heated restriction, or using a sweeping gas and a heated capillary sample inlet, give excellent agreement with the traditional time lag method for single gases. A complete overview of the method development, identification of the critical parameters, instruments calibration, data elaboration and estimation of the experimental accuracy are provided. Validation with PIM-EA-TB, shows that the method can also successfully detect anomalous phenomena, related to pressure and concentration dependency of the transport properties, physical aging or penetrant-induced dilation. Rapid online analysis of the permeate composition makes the method also very suitable for routine mixed gas permeability measurements.
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•Mass spectrometry allows online analysis of the permeate during gas permeation.•Unique mixed gas diffusion coefficients can be obtained.•Method development and validation is presented.•Differences between a fixed volume setup and the mixed gas setup are discussed.•Easy identification of anomalies in polymers of intrinsic microporosity.
Eating disorders: what age at onset? Volpe, Umberto; Tortorella, Alfonso; Manchia, Mirko ...
Psychiatry research,
04/2016, Letnik:
238
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Abstract Age at onset (AAO) of eating disorders has classically been described in adolescence. We analyzed data from 806 subjects with anorexia nervosa (AN) or bulimia nervosa (BN) and performed a ...normal distribution admixture analysis to determine their AAO. No significant differences were found concerning the AAO functions of AN and BN subjects. Both groups had a mean AAO of about 18 years. Most of the subjects with AN (75.3%) and BN (83.3%) belonged to the early onset group. The definition of AAO for ED may be crucial for planning treatment modalities, with specific consideration of their clinical history and course.
The present study aims to valorise, through fast pyrolysis, the solid residue of microalga Dunaliella tertiolecta, after extraction of added-value compounds (β-carotene, phytosterols and fatty ...acids), which are included in the total lipid fraction, following the “Biorefinery Approach”. This study targets biooil and/or char as pyrolysis end-products. At pyrolysis temperature of 600°C, biooil yield was maximized (45.13wt.%), while char reached 29.34wt.%. Biooil quality was assessed and its potential use as biofuel discussed. In addition, assessment of char composition and properties, either as fertilizer or sorbent for soil remediation, was also discussed. Finally, microalga D. tertiolecta can produce high amounts of lipids which have a high potential application and also renewable fuel/soil amendment by fast pyrolysis of its residue.
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•Dunaliella tertiolecta can produce β-carotene, phytosterols, fatty acids and a residue.•The residue can be valorised through fast pyrolysis for bio-oil and/or biochar production.•Pyrolysis temperature affects the choice of algal residue as feedstock for biofuel or biochar.•The highest bio-oil yield (45.13wt.%) obtained at 600°C is suitable for biofuel.•Char (29.34wt.%) at 600°C can be used as fertilizer or inorganic contaminant sorbent.
Introduction
Childhood maltreatment (CM) has been associated to an increased risk of developing bipolar disorder (BD). A role of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in mediating ...trauma-related risk for adult psychopathology has been suggested but scarcely investigated in BD.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to explore the impact of childhood maltreatment on clinical features of BD and on the activity of the HPA axis.
Methods
One hundred and six patients participated in the study. On the basis of their history of childhood trauma, as assessed by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ), they were divided into a group with a history of childhood maltreatment (CM+) and a group without (CM−). Twenty-nine participants (16 with a history of childhood trauma and 13 without) underwent the cortisol awakening response (CAR) test. Saliva cortisol concentrations were determined by an enzyme immunoassay method, using a commercially available ELISA kit.
Results
According to CTQ, 62 had a history of childhood maltreatment and 44 had not. CM was significantly more frequent in females than males. CM+ patients showed significant higher body mass index (p = .01), number of suicide attempts (p = .03), and more severe mania symptoms (p = .01) than CM− ones. Significant associations between lifetime suicide attempts and any type of childhood maltreatment (OR = 2.79; CI = 1.01-7.73) and between emotional abuse and the presence of psychotic symptoms (OR = 2.74, CI = 1.11-6.74) or mixed mood episodes were found (OR = 2.62, CI = 1.07-6.43). Moreover, CM+ individuals with BD exhibited a significantly reduced CAR with respect to CM− ones.
Conclusions
Our results add to literature findings showing a worse clinical course in BD patients with a history of childhood maltreatment and show for the first time that childhood trauma exposure is associated to impaired CAR in adults with BD.
Disclosure of Interest
None Declared
The stress response involves the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). As a role for stress in determining of the onset and the natural ...course of eating disorders (EDs) has been proposed, the study of the psychobiology of the stress response in patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) should be helpful in understanding the pathophysiology of these disorders. The two neurobiological components of the stress response can be easily explored in humans by the measurement of salivary cortisol and α-amylase response to a stressor. Therefore, we assessed salivary cortisol and α-amylase responses to the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) in symptomatic patients with AN and BN compared to healthy controls.
Seven AN women, eight BN women and eight age-matched healthy females underwent the TSST between 1530 and 1700 h. Salivary cortisol and α-amylase levels were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Compared to healthy women, AN patients showed a normal cortisol response to the TSST, although this occurred at significantly increased hormone levels, and an almost complete absence of response of α-amylase. BN women, however, exhibited enhanced pre-stress levels of salivary α-amylase but a normal response of the enzyme and cortisol to the TSST.
These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the occurrence of an asymmetry between the HPA axis and SNS components of the stress response in the acute phase of AN but not in BN. The pathophysiological significance of this asymmetry remains to be determined.
Many have thought that exercises of skill are intentional. The argument of the paper is that this thesis fails to account for important types of mistakes and errors. In what psychologists and ...linguists call “verbal slips with semantic bias”, a speaker mistakenly switches, reverses, or blends certain conceptual contents. Nevertheless, the speaker has successfully exercised an intellectual skill, insofar as her slip uses concepts in conformity to semantic and logical rules. To flesh out how one might successfully exercise skills without doing so intentionally, the paper appeals to the idea of habit. Verbal slips thus show how human skillfulness has a considerably wider scope than is often supposed.
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