Search results for "STAI"

Teaching Green Analytical and Synthesis Chemistry: Performing Laboratory Experiments in a Greener Way

2019

Our future challenges in resource, environmental and societal sustainability demand efficient and benign-by-design scientific technologies for working with chemical processes and products. In this chapter, we have considered the major aspects of green analytical and synthetic chemistry as a new paradigm and its integration with higher education course curriculum. Teaching green analytical chemistry must be focused on analytical parameters and practices more than on the incorporation of the so-called green parameters to the basic analytical properties. Thus accuracy, representativeness, traceability, sensitivity and selectivity in the renewed paradigmatic chemistry have been complemented and…

Obituary for Prof. Dr. Jun-ichi Yoshida

2019

In vivo molecular and morphological imaging by real time confocal mini-microscopy

2006

We evaluated a newly developed miniaturized confocal laser microscopy probe for real-time in vivo molecular and morphological imaging of normal, inflammatory, and malignant tissue in rodents. In the rigid mini-microscopy probe (diameter 7 mm), a single line laser delivers an excitation wavelength of 488 nm. Optical slice thickness is 7 μm, lateral resolution 0.7 μm. The range of the z-axis is 0 - 250 μm below the tissue surface. Organ systems were examined in vivo in rodent models of human diseases. FITC-labeled Lycopersion esculentum lectin was injected or selected cell populations stained for molecular targeting. Morphological imaging was performed using fluorescein sodium, FITC-labeled d…

When and how to treat acute hepatitis C?

2003

Background: Appropriate treatment of acute hepatitis C is still a matter of controversy due to the lack of large controlled trials. Aim: To assess the effectiveness of interferon as treatment for acute hepatitis C by meta-analysis. Methods: MEDLINE search (1985-2002) was supplemented with manual searches of reference lists. Studies were included if they were controlled trials comparing interferon to no treatment and if they included patients with either post-transfusion or sporadic acute hepatitis C. Twelve trials were analyzed (414 patients). The outcome assessed was the sustained virological response (SVR) rate (undetectable hepatitis C virus RNA in serum at least 6 months after cessation…

Schools That ‘Open Doors’ to Prevent Child Abuse in Confinement by COVID-19

2020

Background: Due to the expected increase in child abuse during the period of COVID-19 confinement, it is essential that social researchers and other professionals work together very quickly to provide alternatives that protect children. To respond to this extremely urgent demand, evidence-based actions are presented that are being carried out in nine schools in the autonomous communities of Valencia and Murcia, Spain, during the confinement with the goal of “opening doors” to foster supportive relationships and a safe environment to prevent child abuse. Methods: The research was conducted through the inclusion of teachers who are implementing these actions in dialogue with the researchers t…

Assessing the Energy-Saving Potential of a Dish-Stirling Concentrator Integrated into Energy Plants in the Tertiary Sector

2021

Energy consumed for air conditioning in residential and tertiary sectors accounts for a large share of global use. To reduce the environmental impacts burdening the covering of such demands, the adoption of renewable energy technologies is increasing. In this regard, this paper evaluates the energy and environmental benefits achievable by integrating a dish-Stirling concentrator into energy systems used for meeting the air conditioning demand of an office building. Two typical reference energy plants are assumed: (i) a natural gas boiler for heating purposes and air-cooled chillers for the cooling periods, and (ii) a reversible heat pump for both heating and cooling. For both systems, a dis…

Energy performance evaluation of a demo solar desiccant cooling system with heat recovery for the regeneration of the adsorption material

2012

Abstract Since July 2008, a Solar Desiccant Evaporative Cooling (DEC) system has been operating as a test plant at the solar laboratory of the Dipartimento di Energia (ex DREAM) of the University of Palermo. The system is composed of an air handling unit (AHU) designed for ventilation of the laboratory coupled with a radiant ceiling that provides most of the required sensible cooling/heating energy. Flat plate collectors deliver part of the regeneration heat of the desiccant wheel during the summertime and are used for space heating during the wintertime. The system was designed for high humidity loads because of the typical climate conditions at the site and the need to support a radiant c…

A Validation Methodology for a Combined Heating Cooling and Power (CHCP) Pilot Plant

2004

A great number of variables significantly influence the energetic, environmental and economic results of CHP (Combined Heating and Power) and CHCP (Combined Heating Cooling and Power) plants operation, and as a consequence their project activity is rather complex. In order to select the best layout and properly size the machines, detailed data on hourly electric, thermal, and cooling demand are necessary, so that a series of plant life cycle simulations may have to be carried out. Unfortunately, such detailed data are rarely available, because energy consumptions data for existing buildings are usually derived from aggregated monthly or bimonthly gas and electricity bills. Even more difficu…

Energy and economic assessment of desiccant cooling systems coupled with single glazed air and hybrid PV/thermal solar collectors for applications in…

2009

Abstract This paper presents a detailed analysis of the energy and economic performance of desiccant cooling systems (DEC) equipped with both single glazed standard air and hybrid photovoltaic/thermal (PV/t) collectors for applications in hot and humid climates. The use of ‘solar cogeneration’ by means of PV/t hybrid collectors enables the simultaneous production of electricity and heat, which can be directly used by desiccant air handling units, thereby making it possible to achieve very energy savings. The present work shows the results of detailed simulations conducted for a set of desiccant cooling systems operating without any heat storage. System performance was investigated through h…

Exergoeconomic analysis as support in decision-making for the design and operation of multiple chiller systems in air conditioning applications

2020

Abstract Multiple-chillers systems represent viable solutions for medium/large-scale air conditioning applications characterized by variable cooling demand. The energy efficiency of such systems is influenced by the number of chillers, the combination of cooling capacities, and the load-sharing among the units. Large efforts have been devoted to developing efficient operation strategies for these systems, but rules of thumb are usually adopted for selecting cooling capacities thus leaving room for energy and economic savings. In this paper, exergoeconomic analysis is proposed as a promising method to identify near-optimal design and operation strategies, due to the capability of exergoecono…