| 641. |
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| 642. |
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| 643. |
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| 644. |
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| 645. |
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| 646. |
- Zieger, Paul, et al.
(author)
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Revising the hygroscopicity of inorganic sea salt particles
- 2017
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sea spray is one of the largest natural aerosol sources and plays an important role in the Earth's radiative budget. These particles are inherently hygroscopic, that is, they take-up moisture from the air, which affects the extent to which they interact with solar radiation. We demonstrate that the hygroscopic growth of inorganic sea salt is 8-15% lower than pure sodium chloride, most likely due to the presence of hydrates. We observe an increase in hygroscopic growth with decreasing particle size (for particle diameters <150 nm) that is independent of the particle generation method. We vary the hygroscopic growth of the inorganic sea salt within a general circulation model and show that a reduced hygroscopicity leads to a reduction in aerosol-radiation interactions, manifested by a latitudinal-dependent reduction of the aerosol optical depth by up to 15%, while cloud-related parameters are unaffected. We propose that a value of kappa(s) = 1.1 (at RH = 90%) is used to represent the hygroscopicity of inorganic sea salt particles in numerical models.
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| 647. |
- Ancona, M. A., et al.
(author)
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Efficiency improvement on a cruise ship: Load allocation optimization
- 2018
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In: Energy Conversion and Management. - : Elsevier BV. - 0196-8904. ; 164, s. 42-58
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Last years have been characterized by a worldwide increasing attention towards the reduction of fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Several industrial fields, as well as the civil and residential sector, have introduced innovative approaches for the design and the operation of energy systems. These actions are aimed to reach higher values of energy conversion efficiency, also including an increase in the use of renewable resources. In this context, especially in the sector of cruise ships, further efforts are required to improve the energy efficiency of the employed energy systems. The aim of this paper is to propose an optimization framework based on genetic algorithms in order to maximize the energy efficiency and minimize both the fuel consumption and the thermal energy dissipation, by optimizing the load allocation of the ship energy systems. To this purpose, different strategies for the energy systems on board of an existing cruise ship are proposed and analyzed. In particular, two main engines configurations have been defined: standard (current logic of operation maintained) and hybrid configuration. For each proposed strategy – being the ship a particular and interesting application of isolated energy grid (i.e. a grid without connections with electric and fuel national grids) – an in-house-developed software has been adapted and applied to optimize the load allocation of the various energy systems. Furthermore, an economic and environmental analysis has been carried out, in order to point out the benefits – or the eventual limits – related to the proposed solutions. The considered approach is based on the concept of introducing economically and structurally suitable modifications to the current cruise energy systems configuration, in order to reach the goal of increasing the energy efficiency. The carried out analysis shows that the hybrid strategies allow to reach the best results in terms of energy (fuel consumption and heat dissipation reduction), economic and environmental points of view.
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| 648. |
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| 649. |
- Bressan, E., et al.
(author)
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Microbial Leakage at Morse Taper Conometric Prosthetic Connection: An In Vitro Investigation
- 2017
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In: Implant Dentistry. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 1056-6163. ; 26:5, s. 756-761
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: To evaluate in vitro the sealing capability at the prosthetic connection interface of 2 conometric systems. Materials and Methods: Two conometric systems with the same design and different material were used, for a total of 24 samples. Each sample was assembled by a tapered abutment and respective coping. In group A, the copings were made of gold, whereas in group B they were made of PEEK. Three mu L of mix bacterial suspension (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Fusobacterium nucleatum species) was inoculated into the abutment screw hole, and the coping was inserted on the abutment. Samples were immersed into culture tubes and incubated for 24, 48, and 72 hours into anaerobic conditions. Visual evaluation of turbidity was performed at each time point. Qualitative-quantitative assessment using real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed at 72 hours. Any difference between the groups was checked by means of Fisher exact test. Results: Microbial leakage occurred in both groups, and there was no statistically significant difference between groups. Microbial concentration resulted in a presence inferior to 1 x 10(2) copies/mu L in all positive assemblies. Conclusions: Because of the low bacterial count, it can be concluded that a minimal bacterial infiltration may be allowed by conometric interfaces for prosthetic connection.
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| 650. |
- Chidambaram, Swathikan, et al.
(author)
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Identifying a core symptom set triggering radiological and endoscopic investigations for suspected recurrent esophago-gastric cancer : a modified Delphi consensus process
- 2023
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In: Diseases of the esophagus. - : Oxford University Press. - 1120-8694 .- 1442-2050. ; 36:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: There is currently a lack of evidence-based guidelines regarding surveillance for recurrence after esophageal and gastric (OG) cancer surgical resection, and which symptoms should prompt endoscopic or radiological investigations for recurrence. The aim of this study was to develop a core symptom set using a modified Delphi consensus process that should guide clinicians to carry out investigations to look for suspected recurrent OG cancer in previously asymptomatic patients.METHODS: A web-based survey of 42 questions was sent to surgeons performing OG cancer resections at high volume centers. The first section evaluated the structure of follow-up and the second, determinants of follow-up. Two rounds of a modified Delphi consensus process and a further consensus workshop were used to determine symptoms warranting further investigations. Symptoms with a 75% consensus agreement as suggestive of recurrent cancer were included in the core symptom set.RESULTS: 27 surgeons completed the questionnaires. A total of 70.3% of centers reported standardized surveillance protocols, whereas 3.7% of surgeons did not undertake any surveillance in asymptomatic patients after OG cancer resection. In asymptomatic patients, 40.1% and 25.9% of centers performed routine imaging and endoscopy, respectively. The core set that reached consensus, consisted of eight symptoms that warranted further investigations included; dysphagia to solid food, dysphagia to liquids, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, regurgitation of foods, unexpected weight loss and progressive hoarseness of voice.CONCLUSION: There is global variation in monitoring patients after OG cancer resection. Eight symptoms were identified by the consensus process as important in prompting radiological or endoscopic investigation for suspected recurrent malignancy. Further randomized controlled trials are necessary to link surveillance strategies to survival outcomes and evaluate prognostic value.
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