Integration of Digestate-Derived Biochar into the Anaerobic Digestion Process through Circular Economic and Environmental Approaches-A Review.

The growing energy consumption and the need for a circular economy have driven considerable interest in the anaerobic digestion (AD) of organic waste, offering potential solutions through biogas and digestate production. AD processes not only have the capability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also contribute to the production of renewable methane. This comprehensive review aims to consolidate prior research on AD involving different feedstocks.

The origin and the genetic regulation of the self-compatibility mechanism in clementine ( Hort. ex Tan.).

Self-incompatibility (SI) is a genetic mechanism common in flowering plants to prevent self-fertilization. Among citrus species, several pummelo, mandarin, and mandarin-like accessions show SI behavior. In these species, SI is coupled with a variable degree of parthenocarpy ensuring the production of seedless fruits, a trait that is highly appreciated by consumers.

Unveiling the Potential of Corn Cob Biochar: Analysis of Microstructure and Composition with Emphasis on Interaction with NO.

In the context of sustainable solutions, this study examines the pyrolysis process applied to corn cobs, with the aim of producing biochar and assessing its effectiveness in combating air pollution. In particular, it examines the influence of different pyrolysis temperatures on biochar properties. The results reveal a temperature-dependent trend in biochar yield, which peaks at 400 °C, accompanied by changes in elemental composition indicating increased stability and extended shelf life.

Basic Properties of MgAl-Mixed Oxides in CO Adsorption at High Temperature.

The increase of consciousness towards global warming and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions lead to the necessity of finding alternative applications based on easy-to-use materials in order to control and reduce global CO emissions. Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) and LDH-derived materials are potentially good adsorbents for CO, thanks to their low cost, easy synthesis, high sorption capacity, and surface basicity. They have been intensively studied in CO capture at high temperature, presenting variable sorption capacities for MgAl LDHs with the same composition, but prepared under different synthesis conditions.

Corn Cobs' Biochar as Green Host of Salt Hydrates for Enhancing the Water Sorption Kinetics in Thermochemical Heat Storage Systems.

Heat storage technologies are essential for increasing the use of solar energy in the household sector. Their development can be achieved by designing new storage materials; one way is to impregnate a porous matrix with hygroscopic salts. In this article, the possibility of using biochar-based composite sorbents to develop promising new heat storage materials for efficient thermal storage is explored.

Tomato waste biochar in the framework of circular economy.

Tomato pomace was slowly pyrolyzed at 350 and 550 °C (under an N flow of 50 L/h) at a rate of 6 °C/min and a residence time of 1:30 h to produce two biochars named B350 and B550, respectively. In addition, the two biochars were chemically activated with ΚΟΗ (at a ratio of 1:10 w/v) at 800 °C to produce two new materials named BA350 and BA550. The four biochars produced were characterized physically and chemically (pH, yield, calorific value).

Low Metal Loading (Au, Ag, Pt, Pd) Photo-Catalysts Supported on TiO for Renewable Processes.

Photo-catalysts based on titanium dioxide, and modified with highly dispersed metallic nanoparticles of Au, Ag, Pd and Pt, either mono- or bi-metallic, have been analyzed by multiple characterization techniques, including XRD, XPS, SEM, EDX, UV-Vis and N adsorption/desorption. Mono-metallic photo-catalysts were prepared by wet impregnation, while bi-metallic photocatalysts were obtained via deposition-precipitation (DP). The relationship between the physico-chemical properties and the catalyst's behavior for various photo-synthetic processes, such as carbon dioxide photo-reduction to liquid products and glucose photo-reforming to hydrogen have been investigated.

Generation of Transfer-DNA-Free Base-Edited Citrus Plants.

To recover transgenic citrus plants in the most efficient manner, the use of selection marker genes is essential. In this work, it was shown that the mutated forms of the acetolactate synthase () gene in combination with the herbicide selection agent imazapyr (IMZ) added to the selection medium may be used to achieve this goal. This approach enables the development of cisgenic regenerants, namely, plants without the incorporation of those bacterial genes currently employed for transgenic selection, and additionally it allows the generation of edited, non-transgenic plants with altered endogenous genes leading to IMZ resistance.

Effect of Metal Cocatalysts and Operating Conditions on the Product Distribution and the Productivity of the CO Photoreduction.

The CO photoreduction is a promising way to convert one of the most abundant greenhouse gases to valuable chemicals. The photoreduction in the liquid phase is limited by the low solubility of CO in water, but this point is overcome here by using an innovative photoreactor, which allows one to work up to pressures of 20 bar, improving the overall productivity. The photoreduction was performed in the presence of NaSO and using in primis commercial titanium dioxide (P25) and a set of titania catalysts functionalized by surface deposition of either monometallic or bimetallic cocatalysts.

Potential Valorization of Waste Tires as Activated Carbon-Based Adsorbent for Organic Contaminants Removal.

The present study investigates the potential of waste tires to produce a valuable adsorbent material for application in wastewater treatment. In the first stage, the pyrolysis of ground rubber tire was explored using non-isothermal and isothermal thermogravimetric analysis experiments. The effect of operating parameters, such as heating rate and pyrolysis temperature, on the pyrolysis product yields was considered.

Cultural Management of Huanglongbing: Current Status and Ongoing Research.

Huanglongbing (HLB), formerly known as greening, is a bacterial disease restricted to some Asian and African regions until two decades ago. Nowadays, associated bacteria and their vectors have spread to almost all citrus-producing regions, and it is currently considered the most devastating citrus disease. HLB management can be approached in terms of prevention, limiting or avoiding pathogen and associated vectors to reach an area, or in terms of control, trying to reduce the impact of the disease by adopting different cultural strategies depending on infestation/infection levels.

Engineering of citrus to obtain huanglongbing resistance.

Huanglongbing (HLB) disease is threatening the sustainability of citriculture in affected regions because of its rapid spread and the severity of the symptoms it induces. Herein, we summarise the main research findings that can be exploited to develop HLB-resistant cultivars. A major bottleneck has been the lack of a system for the ex vivo cultivation of HLB-associated bacteria (CLs) in true plant hosts, which precludes the evaluation of target genes/metabolites in reliable plant/pathogen/vector environments.

Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity of Ternary Oxide Catalysts Using the Microwave-Assisted Solution Combustion Method.

Ni-Co-Al, Ni-Cu-Al and Co-Cu-Al ternary oxide catalysts, with a fixed 5 wt% transition metal loading, were prepared by the microwave-assisted solution combustion method and tested in CO oxidation. The bulk and surface properties of the catalysts were investigated, using XRD, N adsorption-desorption, SEM, XPS and TEM techniques. XRD, XPS and TEM results revealed that nickel and cobalt were present as spinels on the surface and in the bulk.

[The reorganization of the strategies of a surgical department and the nosocomial diffusion of Covid-19].

Unlabelled: . The reorganization of the strategies of a surgical department and the nosocomial diffusion of Covid-19.

Introduction: During the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, preventive measures and patients' selection were adopted to allow the treatment of non-deferrable oncological and trauma cases and to contain hospital diffusion of the virus.

COVID-19 challenge: proactive management of a Tertiary University Hospital in Veneto Region, Italy.

Background: The aim of this study is to describe the successful emergency plan implemented by Padova University Hospital (AOUP) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The emergency plan included early implementation of procedures aimed at meeting the increasing demand for testing and care while ensuring safe and timely care of all patients and guaranteeing the safety of healthcare workers.

Results: From 21 February to 1 May 2020, there were 3,862 confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Province of Padua.

Temperature-Dependent Compatible and Incompatible Pollen-Style Interactions in Hort. ex Tan. Show Different Transglutaminase Features and Polyamine Pattern.

In clementine, failure of fertilization can result in parthenocarpic fruit development, which has several advantages, such as seedless fruit, longer shelf-life, and greater consumer appeal. Recently, S-RNases have been identified in , thus revealing that the self-incompatibility (SI) reaction relies on the S-RNase gametophytic mechanism. The fundamental role of environmental factors, mostly temperature, in determining the numbers of pollen tubes reaching the ovary is also well established in .

The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experiment.

Background: Mobile health clinics (MHCs) are recognized to facilitate access to healthcare services, especially in disadvantaged populations. Notwithstanding that in Europe a wide-ranging background in mobile screening units for cancer is shared, evidences about MHCs targeting also at other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in universal health coverage systems are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the population attracted with a MHC initiative and to assess the potential of this tool in prevention and control of NCDs.

Layered double hydroxides and LDH-derived materials in chosen environmental applications: a review.

With increasing global warming awareness, layered double hydroxides (LDHs), hydrotalcites, and their related materials are key components to reduce the environmental impact of human activities. Such materials can be synthesized quickly with high efficiency by using different synthesis processes. Moreover, their properties' tunability is appreciated in various industrial processes.

Awareness of HPV and drivers of HPV vaccine uptake among university students: A quantitative, cross-sectional study.

HPV vaccination is a milestone in primary prevention. However in Italy, vaccine coverage is still nowhere near the target of 95%. We investigated factors associated with inclination to get vaccinated in university students, as they are likely to have just assumed a central role in their healthcare decision-making.

Sustainable metropolitan areas perspectives through assessment of the existing waste management strategies.

Human activities are considered among the main producers of any kind of pollution. This paper, through a Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model analyses, focuses on the evaluation and assessment of the existing practices, procedures, and results obtained in order to determine whether the municipal solid waste (MSW) management implemented in three major Greek municipalities in the greater urban area of Attica, namely the municipalities of Nea Smirni, Vyronas, and Piraeus, could be considered viable and sustainable. The evaluation indicated that MSW in Greek cities have reduced over the last years, also suggesting a steady downward trend, which could be considered consistent with that of the per capita incomes in Greece due to the extended economic austerity, while at the same time the recycling indicator seems to optimize.

Free-standing cellulose film containing manganese dioxide nanoparticles and its use in discoloration of indigo carmine dye.

In this study, we report the production of a free-standing film of non-modified cellulose impregnated with 12 wt.% of MnO nanoparticles with less than 100 nm in size. The method here described can be applied to the immobilization of different types of nanoparticles.

Binary Oxides Prepared by Microwave-Assisted Solution Combustion: Synthesis, Characterization and Catalytic Activity.

Three different alumina-based Ni, Cu, Co oxide catalysts with metal loading of 10 wt %, and labeled 10Ni⁻Al, 10Co⁻Al and 10Cu⁻Al, were prepared by microwave-assisted solution combustion. Their morphological, structural and surface properties were deeply investigated by complementary physico-chemical techniques. Finally, the three materials were tested in CO oxidation used as test reaction for comparing their catalytic performance.

Systems for stimuli-controlled release: Materials and applications.

The design and development of delivery controlled systems of molecules of interest has attracted great interest over the last years. pH variation, light irradiation, temperature increasing, variation of the redox potential and the application of a magnetic field are among the most widely used stimuli that can be used to induce the release of an active molecule in a medium. The dominance of pH and photo-controlled release is clearly highlighted by the numerous articles published in these fields as well as all the related applications.

Elucidating the contribution of wild related species on autochthonous pear germplasm: A case study from Mount Etna.

The pear (genus Pyrus) is one of the most ancient and widely cultivated tree fruit crops in temperate climates. The Mount Etna area claims a large number of pear varieties differentiated due to a long history of cultivation and environmental variability, making this area particularly suitable for genetic studies. Ninety-five pear individuals were genotyped using the simple sequence repeat (SSR) methodology interrogating both the nuclear (nDNA) and chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) to combine an investigation of maternal inheritance of chloroplast SSRs (cpSSRs) with the high informativity of nuclear SSRs (nSSRs).

Factors Influencing NO₂ Adsorption/Reduction on Microporous Activated Carbon: Porosity vs. Surface Chemistry.

The textural properties and surface chemistry of different activated carbons, prepared by the chemical activation of olive stones, have been investigated in order to gain insight on the NO₂ adsorption mechanism. The parent chemical activated carbon was prepared by the impregnation of olive stones in phosphoric acid followed by thermal carbonization. Then, the textural properties and surface chemistry were modified by chemical treatments including nitric acid, sodium hydroxide and/or a thermal treatment at 900 °C.