Life cycle assessment of a solar thermal collector: sensitivity analysis, energy and environmental balances

Starting from the results of a life cycle assessment of solar thermal collector for sanitary warm water, an energy balance between the employed energy during the collector life cycle and the energy saved thanks to the collector use has been investigated. A sensitivity analysis for estimating the effects of the chosen methods and data on the outcome of the study was carried out. Uncertainties due to the eco-profile of input materials and the initial assumptions have been analysed.Since the study is concerned with a renewable energy system, attention has been focused on the energy indexes and in particular the “global energy consumption”. Following the principles of Kyoto Protocol, the variations of CO₂ emissions have also been studied.     

Neutron Tomography of Spent Fuel Casks

Journal of Signal Processing Systems - Dry casks for spent nuclear fuel (SNF) ensure the safe storage of SNF and provide radiation shielding. However, the presence of the thick casks encompassing...     

An improvement of the state-of-the-art covariance-based methods for statistical anomaly detection algorithms

This paper presents a possible improvement to one of the main statistical anomaly detection algorithms for cyber security applications, i.e., the covariance-based method. This algorithm employs covariance matrices to build a norm profile of the normal network traffic and to detect anomalous activities in the data flow. In order to improve the detection capabilities of this algorithm, we propose a modified version of the statistical decision rule based on a generalized version of the Chebyshev inequality for random vectors. The performance of the proposed algorithm is evaluated and compared, in terms of ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curves with the ones of the state-of-the-art covariance-based algorithm.     

A Robust Design for Cellular Vehicles of Gold Nanorods for Multimodal Imaging

The pursuit of more selectivity in the delivery of plasmonic particles to tumors is critical before their penetration into clinical applications as the photoacoustic imaging and the photothermal ablation of cancer. As their direct infusion into the bloodstream remains problematic, due to a multitude of biological barriers, the development of alternative approaches is emerging as a new challenge. In this context, the recruitment of homologous tumor‐tropic cells that may serve as Trojan horses stands out as a fascinating possibility. Here, a novel model of gold nanorods is presented that feature a composite shell and undergo efficient and reproducible endocytic uptake from murine macrophages, which is fine‐tunable over a broad range of conditions. These cells preserve their viability and more than 90% of their innate chemotactic behavior in vitro, even with a cargo exceeding 200 000 particles per cell. In addition, we show that these vehicles are detectible by photoacoustic imaging down to concentrations in the order of 1% in whole blood and by clinical X‐ray computed tomography below 10%, which is within the typical fraction of a leukocytic infiltrate in a tumor microenvironment, and may even work as contrast agents for the photothermal ablation of cancer.     

Satellite systems for personal communication networks

The paper addresses some issues related to Satellite Personal Communication Networks (S‐PCNs). The role of satellite communications in that scenario is discussed, and some characteristics of S‐PCNs are identified. In addition, the problem of the integration of S‐PCNs with the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) is considered. In this respect an original methodology for accomplishing such integration is proposed; such methodology aims at avoiding complex protocol conversions at the interfaces between the terrestrial and the satellite segment. The paper is partly based upon the work performed by the authors in the framework of the European Community INSURED Project “INtegrated Satellite UMTS Real Environment Demonstrator”. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Proanthocyanidin profile and antioxidant capacity of Brazilian Vitis vinifera red wines

The free flavan-3-ol and proanthocyanidin (PA) profile and the antioxidant capacity of wines Vitis vinifera L., 2006 and 2007 vintages, from the São Joaquim region, at southern Brazil, are reported here for the first time. Catechin and epicatechin were the two main monomers in the wine samples, followed by gallocatechin and epigallocatechin; and the PA B1 was the main dimer. The terminal units of the PAs were constituted mainly by catechin units, with the co-presence of epicatechin, gallocatechin, epigallocatechin and traces of epicatechin gallate. The epicatechin and epigallocatechin units were the main constituents of the extension units of PAs with the co-presence of catechin and epicatechin gallate. The values for the mean degree of polymerisation ranged from 4.9 to 9.8. The wine samples demonstrated effective scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals and against lipid peroxidation in vitro. A positive correlation existed between flavan-3-ol content and antioxidant capacity in vitro.     

The Case for Anthocyanin Consumption to Promote Human Health: A Review

Anthocyanins belong to the flavonoid group of polyphenolic compounds, which are responsible for the red and blue colors of plant organs such as fruits, flowers, and leaves. Due to their frequent presence in plants, particularly berry fruits, vegetables, and grapes, they are key components of the human diet. Interest in anthocyanins has increased widely during the past decade. Numerous studies have suggested that anthocyanins have a wide range of health‐promoting properties. These compounds are therefore considered to be a functional food factor, which may have important implications in the prevention of chronic diseases. The aim of this body of work is to investigate and review the current literature on anthocyanins, and particularly their pharmacokinetics and any health‐promoting properties, in order to summarize existing knowledge and highlight any aspects that require further study and analysis.     

Ettringite and calcium sulfoaluminate cement: investigation of water content by near-infrared spectroscopy

Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement is a sulfate-based binder whose high-performance hydraulic behavior depends on the rapid formation of ettringite, when grinded clinker is hydrated in presence of gypsum. Ettringite is a calcium aluminum sulfate mineral characterized by high water content, estimated as 32 water molecules per formula unit. Three examples of utilization of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy are here shown. First of all, information on water distribution in pure ettringite was deduced and compared with infrared analyses. Then its thermal behavior has been followed up to 400 °C, allowing to improve the knowledge about water loss and thermal decomposition of this hydrated phase. Finally, the obtained results have been employed in order to follow hydration of CSA cement sample, demonstrating thus that NIR spectroscopy, being highly sensitive to water amount and distribution, can be an extremely useful tool for hydration studies.     

Quantitation of hepatitis A virus and enterovirus levels in the lagoon canals and Lido beach of Venice, Italy, using real-time RT-PCR

In order to assess the microbial water quality of the lagoon canals of Venice, Italy and nearby beach on Lido island, a study was conducted using real-time RT-PCR to enumerate levels of hepatitis A virus (HAV) and enteroviruses in these marine waters over a 3-year period from 2003 to 2005. A total of 17 sites (9 lagoon canal and 8 beach sites) were assayed. For the canals of the Venice Lagoon, 78% were positive for both HAV and enteroviruses, with levels ranging from 75 to 730 and 3 to 1,614 genome copies/L, respectively. At Lido beach, HAV was never detected, but enteroviruses were detected in all Lido beach samples at levels ranging from 2 to 71 genome copies/L. There was a statistically significant correlation between thermotolerant coliform densities and HAV levels (p=0.0002), but the relationship between thermotolerant coliform densities and enterovirus levels was not significant (p>0.05). Despite the fact that enteroviruses were detected at low levels in the surfzone at Lido beach, the risk for enteroviral infection (calculated using the beta-Poisson model) for recreational exposure from swimming, was in the range of 1.9 x 10(-3) - 6.1 x 10(-2), yielding a disease risk at or below the level (5% for gastroenteritis) deemed acceptable by European Guide standards.