Hydrogen storage performance of methyl-substituted mesoporous silica with tailored textural characteristics

Journal of Porous Materials - The present study reports a systematic analysis of morphology and hydrogen sorption capacity of mesoporous organic-inorganic silica prepared by varying the silica...     

A Decision Support System Based on AHP for Ranking Strategies to Manage Emergencies on Drinking Water Supply Systems

Water Resources Management - The provision of critical services, such as drinking water, is crucial both in ordinary and in emergency conditions due to either natural (e.g. earthquakes, droughts,...     

Phytoextraction technologies for mercury- and chromium-contaminated soil: a review

Mercury and chromium represent two important elements of environmental concern and with a strong impact on human health. Several technologies are available to clean up the environment from these kinds of contaminants, but most of them are costly and difficult to use to get optimum results. Currently, phytoextraction is an effective and affordable technological solution used to extract or remove metals from contaminated soil and water by the use of plants as tools. This technology is environment-friendly and potentially cost-effective. This paper aims to compile some information about the two metals mercury and chromium, their effects and their possible treatment by phytoextraction, a branch of phytoremediation technologies aimed to confront metal/metalloid pollution. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Variation in content of tyramine,histamine, 2-phenylethylamine,tryptamine and their precursor amino acids in a Chardonnay wine by using different commercial active dry yeasts and nitrogen sources

Wine is a fermented beverage that could be affected by high concentrations of biogenic amines, thus altering organoleptic and health properties. In this work, the capacity of different selected yeast strains regarding to affect the content of tyramine, histamine, 2-phenylethylamine, tryptamine and their precursor amino acids (pAA) during fermentation has been described. Overall, biogenic amines (BAs) and pAA contents appeared significantly related both to the strain and to the nutrient supplementation applied. Among BAs, without and (with) nitrogen source addition, the concentrations covered a range between 0.1 and 9.5 (0.1–10.3) mg L⁻¹ for tyramine; 0.1 and 4.4 (0.1–4.6) mg L⁻¹ for histamine; 0.4 and 1.1 (0.4–1.4) mg L⁻¹ for 2-phenylethylamine; and 0.02 and 0.14 (0.01–0.12) mg L⁻¹ for tryptamine, respectively. Considering that also wine yeast species are responsible for BAs formation, the evidence from fermentation trials underlined the relevance of a careful choice of ADY strains and nitrogen sources in the management of alcoholic fermentation in wine.     

New insights into the psychological dimension of wood–human interaction

The effect a wooden-built environment exerts on the physical and psychological well-being of people has mostly been investigated by evaluation, through a limited number of sensory modalities, of small size stimuli. In this research, two real-size wooden and plaster indoor settings were used to examine the influence of wood on people’s emotions and perceptions. Three questionnaires assessed participants’ multimodal sensory, affective, and cognitive responses to the settings (Semantic Differential questionnaire), their emotional state (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule), and their environmental behaviour and biophilia degree (Nature Relatedness Scale). The results revealed that wood induces more positive emotions than plaster, and that individual biophilia degree appears to influence the tactile, auditory, and olfactory evaluation of the settings. It furthermore indicates how wood used in real buildings positively influences human psychological well-being and highlights the importance of considering multiple sensory modalities when investigating wood–human interaction.     

Bio-derived sodium silicate for the manufacture of alkali-activated binders: Use of bamboo leaf ash as silicate source

Alkali activated binders are a promising alternative to the use of Portland cement in the manufacture of concrete for curbing CO₂ emissions. Novel sources of silicates have been investigated in recent years for reducing cost and environmental impacts associated with the use of chemical activators. This study describes the production of solid sodium silicate (SS) activating powder from bamboo leaf ash (BLA). Bamboo leaves were calcined at 550–800°C, mixed with NaOH pellets, and heated in an oven at 300°C. The obtained silicate powder was used for activating blended fly ash/slag samples. Mechanical and microstructural properties of BLA-based samples were compared to those of samples made with commercially available chemicals. The strength of BLA-activated mortars matched the commercially-sourced activators, being 25–30 MPa at 7 days and exceeding 40 MPa at 28 days. The microstructural analysis suggested that BLA-based SS showed a lesser degree of dissolution of precursors at 7 days, but the quality of the matrix was higher than that of NaOH-activated samples. These results confirmed that the reactivity of BLA-silicate powder was similar to that of commercial SS solutions, and show the potential valorization of future biomass renewable waste in the production of low carbon, alkali-activated concretes.     

The Association of Il28b Genotype with the Histological Features of Chronic Hepatitis C Is HCV Genotype Dependent

The interleukin 28B (IL28B) rs12979860 polymorphism is associated with treatment outcome in hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 1 and 4 patients. Its association with the histological features of chronic hepatitis C and disease severity needs further clarifications. To assess the correlation between IL28B genotype, HCV genotype and liver biopsy findings in untreated patients.

Materials and Methods

Pre-treatment liver biopsies from 335 HCV Caucasian patients (59% males, age 50 years) enrolled in the MIST study were staged for fibrosis and inflammation according to the METAVIR and the Ishak scoring systems; steatosis was dichotomized as <5% or ≥5%. IL28B was typed by Taqman Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genotyping assay. HCV genotype was 1 in 151 (45%), 2 in 99 (30%), 3 in 50 (15%) and 4 in 35 (10%) patients. IL28B genotype was CC in 117 (34%), CT in 166 (49%) and TT in 52 (15%). At univariate analysis, the IL28B CC genotype was associated with severe portal inflammation in HCV-1 patients (CC vs. CT/TT: 86% vs. 63%, p = 0.005), severe lobular inflammation in HCV-2 patients (CC vs. CT/TT: 44% vs. 23%, p = 0.03), and less fatty infiltration in HCV-1 patients (CC vs. CT/TT: 72% vs. 51%, p = 0.02). Despite the lack of any association between IL28B and fibrosis stage, in HCV-3 patients IL28B CC correlated with METAVIR F3–F4 (CC vs. CT/TT: 74% vs. 26%, p = 0.05). At multivariate analysis, the genotype CC remained associated with severe portal inflammation in HCV-1, only (Odds Ratio (OR): 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 3.24 (1.23–8.51)). IL28B genotype is associated with the histological features of chronic hepatitis C in a HCV genotype dependent manner, with CC genotype being independently associated with severe portal inflammation.     

Air and HST Multimodal Products. A Segmentation Analysis for Policy Makers

Different solutions for the integration of high-speed rail (HSR) and air transport could be implemented, ranging from very basic integration to more sophisticated systems that include ticket and handling integration. This paper uses two statistical techniques, name cluster analysis and discrete choice models in order to investigate how different market segments have a determining influence in being more proactive to change to HSR for the second leg in multimodal trips. A discrete choice experiment is conducted to better understand passengers’ preferences. We obtain a number of clusters and estimate flexible choice models, taking into account the panel nature of stated preference data. We obtain a range of willingness-to-pay values for service quality attributes, finding results that can be used to infer policy conclusions about the real attractiveness of the Air-HSR integrated alternative. In this respect, clusters and schedule coordination, which reduces connecting time, are crucial to explain HSR attractiveness.