Search results for " impact"
showing 10 items of 1078 documents
LCA applied to an anaerobic digestion plant for biomethane and digestate production
2019
Nowadays it is paramount to promote bioenergy for climate protection, energy security and creation of income/jobs. In this perspective, Anaerobic Digestion (AD) for biogas and digestate production seems to be a viable way to simultaneously improve waste management while producing Renewable Energy Sources (RES). The main objective of this work is to assess the environmental impact associated with biomethane and digestate production from an AD plant as Global Warming Potential, expressed in CO2 equivalents. Therefore, a LCA was carried out for the production of biomethane ready for the injection into the Italian distribution natural gas grid. A mix from different waste sources (cattle manure …
Surface Modified Arundo Donax Natural Fibers for Oil Spill Recovery
2021
The use of green materials for oil recovery applications is the goal to be achieved to reduce the environmental impact of these essential processes. In this context, Arundo Donax L. is a plant known for its wide uses whose absorbent properties have been previously investigated. In this paper, the influence of silane surface treatment on the absorbent behavior of natural fibers extracted from the culms of this eco-friendly and cost-effective material was assessed. A close correspondence has been identified between the physical characteristics of the investigated oil and the fiber size, by means of microstructural and morphological analysis. Excellent results have been achieved with an absorp…
The BioS4You European project: An innovative way to effectively engage Z-generation students in STEM disciplines
2021
In this contribution, we present the BioS4You project and analyse the results obtained in the first 18 months of its activity. The “Bio-Inspired STEM topics for engaging young generations” (BioS4You) Erasmus+ KA2 Innovation project aims to bridge the gap between STEM national curricula (which include Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and the needs of Z-generation students, uninterested to basic themes, but enthusiastic in issues related to environmental, social, and health concerns. The BioS4You project engages young learners in STEM subjects, starting with current issues of interest for them, as the social and environmental impact of new technologies, connecting STEM conce…
La tecnología Blockchain en la construcción de espacios económicos de impacto social positivo
2021
espanolEste trabajo realiza un estudio del universo de la tecnologia blockchain y su aplicacion en el mundo del siglo XXI a traves del analisis de diferentes espacios virtuales construidos con ella. El objetivo ultimo de este analisis es valorar y comprender las posibilidades que esta tecnologia aporta en la construccion de procesos con un alto impacto social y/o ambiental. A tal efecto, se lleva a cabo una investigacion exploratoria a traves del estudio de casos significativos o pioneros desde una perspectiva socio-tecnologica. Los resultados concluyen que, si bien en sus origenes la tecnologia blockchain se estructuro con una marcada perspectiva financiera, el transcurso del tiempo ha dem…
The importance of dead seagrass (Posidonia oceanica)matte as a biogeochemical sink
2022
We assessed the potential of dead seagrass Posidonia oceanica matte to act as a biogeochemical sink and provide a coherent archive of environmental change in a degraded area of the Mediterranean Sea (Augusta Bay, Italy). Change in sediment properties (dry bulk density, grain size), concentration of elements (Corg, Cinorg, N, Hg) and stable isotope ratios (δ13C, δ 15N) with sediment depth were measured in dead P. oceanica matte and unvegetated (bare) sediments in the polluted area, and an adjacent P. oceanica meadow. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed a clear clustering by habitat, which explained 72% of variability in our samples and was driven mainly by the accumulation of N and H…
Effect of Combining Impact-Aerobic and Strength Exercise, and Dietary Habits on Body Composition in Breast Cancer Survivors Treated with Aromatase In…
2023
This study examines both the effect of a twice-weekly combined exercise—1 h session of strength and 1 h session of impact-aerobic—on body composition and dietary habits after one year of treatment with aromatase inhibitors (AI) in breast cancer survivors. Overall, forty-three postmenopausal women with a BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2, breast cancer survivors treated with AI, were randomized into two groups: a control group (CG) (n = 22) and a training group (IG) (n = 21). Body composition, i.e., abdominal, visceral, and subcutaneous adipose tissue) was measured by magnetic resonance. In addition, some questionnaires were used to gather dietary data and to measure adherence to the Mediterranean diet. After …
Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life and Cosleeping: The Role of Nocturnal Breastfeeding
2021
The purpose of this paper is to analyse the association between cosleeping and the number of breastfeeding sessions in infants, OHRQoL of the child and the family, and the DMFT Child’s index. The sample comprised 273 children (2–4 years old). In addition to the clinical examination of the child to assess the DMFT Index, the mother was requested to complete a questionnaire to collect data about the breastfeeding practice, diet, dental hygiene, dental check-ups, quality of the child’s oral life, and family impact (ECOHIS Scale). The children’s OHRQoL is positively correlated with number of night-time breastfeeding sessions at 12 months (r2 = 0.40 **), DMFT index (r2 = 0.60 **), impact family …
Chlorinated Ethanes: Sources, Distribution, Environmental Impact, and Health Effects
1984
A New Wireless Device for Real-Time Mechanical Impact Evaluation in a Citrus Packing Line
2020
Abstract. Postharvest handling of fresh fruit is a potential source of bruising and damage, with significant consequences for fruit quality and marketability. In the last 30 years, different types of impact-recording devices (also called electronic fruits or pseudo-fruits) have been developed with the aim of measuring the impacts experienced by fruits during postharvest operations. The aim of this study was to develop and test a novel wireless instrumented sphere to study the critical points in a citrus packing line by measuring the impacts experienced by fruits in real-time. The non-commercial device was based on a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) sensor node with a sensing range fro…
On stiffness and damping of vibro-impact dynamics of backlash
2021
We consider the instantaneous stiffness and damping of the vibro-impact in a backlash pair. Opposed to the existing and mostly used models of the backlash, we address the problem of contact and separation, and the associated force propagation within a mechanical pair, from a viewpoint of the vibro-impact dynamics. We discuss the impact forces with the coefficient of restitution as a principal factor which shapes the transient backlash response.We show that a common approach to modeling the backlash by means of a dead-zone in a restoring force is unsuitable for correctly capturing the mechanical impact. We exemplary demonstrate a qualitative accord between an experimental backlash response a…