Effect of Recycling on the Mechanical Properties of 6000 Series Aluminum-Alloy Sheet.

Sustainability is one of the biggest values of today and for the future of our society; a responsible usage of material in every sector is fundamental to achieving sustainability goals. Aluminum alloys are some of the most promising materials in terms of strength and weight, but their production implies the emission of a high amount of CO. For that reason, the study and development of aluminum alloys with increasing scrap content play a central role in future applications.

Combined Electrospinning-Electrospraying for High-Performance Bipolar Membranes with Incorporated MCM-41 as Water Dissociation Catalysts.

Electrospinning has been demonstrated as a very promising method to create bipolar membranes (BPMs), especially as it allows three-dimensional (3D) junctions of entangled anion exchange and cation exchange nanofibers. These newly developed BPMs are relevant to demanding applications, including acid and base production, fuel cells, flow batteries, ammonia removal, concentration of carbon dioxide, and hydrogen generation. However, these applications require the introduction of catalysts into the BPM to allow accelerated water dissociation, and this remains a challenge.

Selective butyric acid production from CO and its upgrade to butanol in microbial electrosynthesis cells.

Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) is a promising carbon utilization technology, but the low-value products (i.e., acetate or methane) and the high electric power demand hinder its industrial adoption.

Origin of Limiting and Overlimiting Currents in Bipolar Membranes.

Bipolar membranes (BPMs), a special class of ion exchange membranes with the unique ability to electrochemically induce either water dissociation or recombination, are of growing interest for environmental applications including eliminating chemical dosage for pH adjustment, resource recovery, valorization of brines, and carbon capture. However, ion transport within BPMs, and particularly at its junction, has remained poorly understood. This work aims to theoretically and experimentally investigate ion transport in BPMs under both reverse and forward bias operation modes, taking into account the production or recombination of H and OH, as well as the transport of salt ions (e.

Understanding the Impact of the Three-Dimensional Junction Thickness of Electrospun Bipolar Membranes on Electrochemical Performance.

The use of electrospun bipolar membranes (BPMs) with an interfacial three-dimensional (3D) junction of entangled nano-/microfibers has been recently proposed as a promising fabrication strategy to develop high-performance BPMs. In these BPMs, the morphology and physical properties of the 3D junction are of utmost importance to maximize the membrane performance. However, a full understanding of the impact of the junction thickness on the membrane performance is still lacking.

Direct Air Capture Using Electrochemically Regenerated Anion Exchange Resins.

Direct air capture (DAC) aims to remove CO directly from the atmosphere. In this study, we have demonstrated proof-of-concept of a DAC process combining CO adsorption in a packed bed of amine-functionalized anion exchange resins (AERs) with a pH swing regeneration using an electrochemical cell (EC). The resin bed was regenerated using the alkaline solution produced in the cathodic compartment of the EC, while high purity CO (>95%) was desorbed in the acidifying compartment.

Electrochemical Methods for Water Purification, Ion Separations, and Energy Conversion.

Agricultural development, extensive industrialization, and rapid growth of the global population have inadvertently been accompanied by environmental pollution. Water pollution is exacerbated by the decreasing ability of traditional treatment methods to comply with tightening environmental standards. This review provides a comprehensive description of the principles and applications of electrochemical methods for water purification, ion separations, and energy conversion.

How the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted Patients' Hospital Admission and Care in the Vascular Surgery Divisions of the Southern Regions of the Italian Peninsula.

Background: To investigate the effects of the COVID-19 lockdowns on the vasculopathic population. Methods: The Divisions of Vascular Surgery of the southern Italian peninsula joined this multicenter retrospective study. Each received a 13-point questionnaire investigating the hospitalization rate of vascular patients in the first 11 months of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the preceding 11 months.

Entanglement-Enhanced Water Dissociation in Bipolar Membranes with 3D Electrospun Junction and Polymeric Catalyst.

With the use of bipolar membranes (BPMs) in an expanding range of applications, there is an urgent need to understand and improve the catalytic performance of BPMs for water dissociation, as well as to increase their physical and chemical stability. In this regard, electrospinning BPMs with 2D and 3D junction structures have been suggested as a promising route to produce high-performance BPMs. In this work, we investigate the effect of entangling anion and cation exchange nanofibers at the junction of bipolar membranes on the water dissociation rate.

The Acid-Base Flow Battery: Sustainable Energy Storage via Reversible Water Dissociation with Bipolar Membranes.

The increasing share of renewables in electric grids nowadays causes a growing daily and seasonal mismatch between electricity generation and demand. In this regard, novel energy storage systems need to be developed, to allow large-scale storage of the excess electricity during low-demand time, and its distribution during peak demand time. Acid-base flow battery (ABFB) is a novel and environmentally friendly technology based on the reversible water dissociation by bipolar membranes, and it stores electricity in the form of chemical energy in acid and base solutions.

Microbial electrosynthesis: Towards sustainable biorefineries for production of green chemicals from CO emissions.

Decarbonisation of the economy has become a priority at the global level, and the resulting legislative pressure is pushing the chemical and energy industries away from fossil fuels. Microbial electrosynthesis (MES) has emerged as a promising technology to promote this transition, which will further benefit from the decreasing cost of renewable energy. However, several technological challenges need to be addressed before the MES technology can reach its maturity.

Electrochemical Regeneration of Spent Alkaline Absorbent from Direct Air Capture.

CO capture from the atmosphere (or direct air capture) is widely recognized as a promising solution to reach negative emissions, and technologies using alkaline solutions as absorbent have already been demonstrated on a full scale. In the conventional temperature swing process, the subsequent regeneration of the alkaline solution is highly energy-demanding. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate simultaneous solvent regeneration and CO desorption in a continuous system using a H-recycling electrochemical cell.

Endovascular Treatment of Multiple Ruptures of Postdissecting Thoraco Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with a Custom Branched Device Used as an Off-the-shelf Device.

Endovascular treatment of postdissection aortic aneurysms (PDAAs) is fascinating and challenging. The Colt branched graft (Jotec/Cryolife, Kennesaw, Georgia), because of its characteristics, can be used as an off-the-shelf device especially in urgent/emergency settings. In this report, we describe the first case of a PDAA successfully treated with a Colt device.

Reverse electrodialysis performed at pilot plant scale: Evaluation of redox processes and simultaneous generation of electric energy and treatment of wastewater.

This paper describes the experimental campaign carried out with a reverse electrodialysis (RED) demonstration plant (Marsala, Italy) with the main aims of: (i) evaluating the effect of various operating parameters, including the redox processes, on the system performances; (ii) using the plant for the simultaneous generation of electric energy and treatment of wastewater. The prototype (44 × 44 cm, 500 cell pairs) was tested using both real (brackish water and brine) and artificial solutions. Tests with two different electrode rinse solutions (with or without iron redox couples) were performed.

Counter-ion transport number and membrane potential in working membrane systems.

In this work we use the general space-charge (SC) theory for a combined transport model of fluid and ion through cylindrical nanopores to derive equations for the membrane potential and counter-ion transport numbers. We discuss this approach for ion exchange membranes assuming aqueous domains as interconnected network of cylindrical pores. The transport number calculations from the SC theory are compared with the corresponding ones from the uniform potential (UP) and Teorell-Meyer-Sievers (TMS) models in the case of both zero and non-zero concentration gradient across the membrane and with an applied current density.

Rapid ultrasound score as an indicator of atherosclerosis' clinical manifestations in a population of hypertensives: the interrelationship between flow-mediated dilatation of brachial artery, carotid intima thickness, renal resistive index and retina resistive index of central artery.

Objective: Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of brachial artery, renal resistive index (RRI), retina resistive index of central artery (RRICA) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) have been used for ultrasound assessment of cardiovascular risk as good surrogate markers of pre-clinical atherosclerosis. We investigated the interrelationship of these four parameters and examined whether an integrated score is a good indicator of atherosclerotic disease in hypertensives.

Methods: One-hundred fifty-two consecutive subjects were enrolled in this study between April 2004 and April 2005.

A multicentre, randomized study of telmisartan versus carvedilol for prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence in hypertensive patients.

Introduction: Atrial remodelling, leading to atrial fibrillation (AF), is mediated by the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Methods: Mild hypertensive outpatients (systolic/diastolic blood pressure 140-159/90-99 mmHg) in sinus rhythm who had experienced ≥ 1 electrocardiogram (ECG)-documented AF episode in the previous six months received randomly telmisartan 80 mg/day or carvedilol 25 mg/day. Blood pressure and 24-hour ECG were monitored monthly for one year; patients were asked to report symptomatic AF episodes and to undergo an ECG as early as possible.

Which is the correct management of patients with asymptomatic severe calcific aortic stenosis after symptomatic spontaneous calcium cerebral embolism?

Elective surgery cannot be recommended in every patient with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis, and predictors identifying high-risk patients need to be identified. In guidelines we read that elective surgery, at the asymptomatic stage, can only be recommended in selected patients, at low operative risk (see guidelines of European Society of Cardiology and American Heart Association), but we have not read any reference to patients with severe calcific aortic stenosis after symptomatic spontaneous calcium cerebral embolism. Because cardioembolic stroke is associated with poor prognosis compared to other stroke subtypes, in patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis and spontaneous calcific embolic stroke valve replacement appears to offer the best hope of avoiding a recidivation of stroke and should be considered in most cases.

New and low-cost auto-algometry for screening hypertension-associated hypoalgesia.

Objective: The aim of the present work was to measure the pain threshold in hypertensive patients with a new auto-algometry method.

Design And Setting: Auto-algometry consists of asking the subjects to push their fingers against a fixed round-tip needle until they feel a pain sensation. An electronic force transducer permits the measurement of the force applied by the subjects and storage of the data on a personal computer.

Visceral adiposity and arterial stiffness: echocardiographic epicardial fat thickness reflects, better than waist circumference, carotid arterial stiffness in a large population of hypertensives.

Aims: Relationship between obesity and cardiovascular (CV) disease depends not only on the amount of body fat, but also on its distribution. For example, individuals with increased fat accumulation in the abdominal region have atherogenic lipid profiles and are at increased CV risk. The loss of elasticity in medium and large arteries is an early manifestation of atherosclerosis.

Evaluation of retinal abnormalities in essential hypertension: qualitative fundoscopy versus central retinal artery resistance index as indicators of target organ damage.

Purpose: To compare qualitative fundoscopy with resistance index (RI) of the central retinal artery determined using color Doppler examination as indicators of target organ damage in a large population of patients with essential hypertension.

Method: We compared qualitative fundoscopy and central retinal artery RI (CRARI) in 459 patients with grade I and II essential hypertension. Correlations with left ventricular mass, carotid structural changes, and diastolic function were investigated.

Feasibility, accuracy, and clinical relevance of a rapid thyroid evaluation during carotid duplex ultrasonography in hypertensive patients.

Carotid ultrasonography can detect thyroid nodules without increasing examination duration. The authors analyzed whether management is influenced by reporting such findings during routine carotid ultrasonography in hypertensive patients vs waiting for 6 months to repeat them. This is a population-based study of 1216 hypertensive patients.

Effects of monotherapy and combination therapy on blood pressure control and target organ damage: a randomized prospective intervention study in a large population of hypertensive patients.

This prospective, randomized trial evaluated the effect of monotherapy and different combination therapies on cardiovascular target organ damage and metabolic profile in 520 hypertensive patients. Patients were allocated to a single agent: carvedilol 25 mg, amlodipine 10 mg, enalapril 20 mg, or losartan 50 mg (groups C, A, E, and L, respectively). After 2 months (level 2), nonresponders received a low-dose thiazide diuretic, and after 4 months (level 3), amlodipine (groups E, C, and L) and carvedilol (group A).

Long-term effects of nicotine on the forced swimming test in mice: an experimental model for the study of depression caused by smoke.

Large evidence showing an association between depression and tobacco smoking is known. Nicotine is the active chemical responsible for smoking addiction, and its withdrawal may induce in smokers greater sensitivity to stress. Our aim has been to investigate the links between tobacco addiction and depression by studying the long-term effects of repeated administration of nicotine followed by dependence, to forced swimming test, serotonin content and 5-HT(1A) expression in diencephalon.