Quantitative Kinetic Insights from Operando-UV/Vis Spectroscopy: An Application to NH-SCR of NOx on Cu-CHA Catalysts.

We employ UV/Vis Diffuse Reflectance spectroscopy directly coupled with a packed bed flow reactor to extract quantitative kinetic information. We use as a show-case the Cu/Cu redox dynamics during the reduction half cycle of the NH-Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) on Cu-CHA catalysts. Our measurements enable quantification of the fraction of oxidized Cu, reconstructed by Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR) together with monitoring of the gas-phase evolution during the reaction.

Electrified methane steam reforming on a washcoated SiSiC foam for low-carbon hydrogen production.

In view of largely available renewable electricity as a green future resource, here we report the electrification of a Rh/AlO washcoated SiSiC foam for methane steam reforming (MSR). We show that, thanks to the suitable bulk resistivity of the SiSiC foam, its direct Joule heating up to relevant temperatures is feasible; the interconnected geometry greatly reduces heat and mass transfer limitations, which results in a highly active and energy efficient system for low-carbon H production. The foam-based electrified MSR (eMSR) system showed almost full methane conversion above 700°C and methane conversions approaching equilibrium were obtained in a range of conditions.

Appraising Multinuclear Cu Structure Formation in Cu-CHA SCR Catalysts via Low-T Dry CO Oxidation with Modulated NH Solvation.

Cu ions (ZCu (OH) , Z Cu ) are regarded as the NH -SCR (SCR=selective catalytic reduction) active site precursors of Cu-exchanged chabazite (CHA) which is among the best available catalysts for the abatement of NO from Diesel engines. During SCR operation, copper sites undergo reduction (Reduction half-cycle, RHC: Cu →Cu ) and oxidation (Oxidaton half-cycle, OHC: Cu →Cu ) semi cycles, whose associated mechanisms are still debated. We recently proposed CO oxidation to CO as an effective method to probe the formation of multinuclear Cu species as the initial low-T RHC step.

A Fundamental Investigation of Gas/Solid Heat and Mass Transfer in Structured Catalysts Based on Periodic Open Cellular Structures (POCS).

In this work, we investigate the gas-solid heat and mass transfer in catalytically activated periodic open cellular structures, which are considered a promising solution for intensification of catalytic processes limited by external transport, aiming at the derivation of suitable correlations. Computational fluid dynamics is employed to investigate the Tetrakaidekahedral and Diamond lattice structures. The influence of the morphological features and flow conditions on the external transport properties is assessed.

On the Redox Mechanism of Low-Temperature NH -SCR over Cu-CHA: A Combined Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Reduction Half Cycle.

Cu-CHA is the state-of-the-art catalyst for the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) of NOx in vehicle applications. Although extensively studied, diverse mechanistic proposals still stand in terms of the nature of active Cu-ions and reaction pathways in SCR working conditions. Herein we address the redox mechanism underlying Low-Temperature (LT) SCR on Cu-CHA by an integration of chemical-trapping techniques, transient-response methods, operando UV/Vis-NIR spectroscopy with modelling tools based on transient kinetic analysis and density functional theory calculations.

Production and characterization of copper periodic open cellular structures made by 3D printing-replica technique.

Additive manufacturing by 3D printing comprises a set of methods for production of 3D objects starting from a CAD file. Advantages of additive manufacturing combine high manufacturing resolution, a reduction of waste material, and the possibility of computer-aided design (CAD). When applied to the manufacturing of structured catalyst substrates, the latter enables the optimization of transport properties of the catalyst support.

The use of S100 proteins testing in juvenile idiopathic arthritis and autoinflammatory diseases in a pediatric clinical setting: a retrospective analysis.

Background: Serum phagocyte-derived alarmins S100A8/9 and S100A12 are considered useful for the assessment of inflammatory diseases. Our study evaluated the use of S100 proteins in a pediatric clinical setting for estimating disease activity and supporting diagnosis.

Methods: Patients (n = 136) who had S100 proteins tested as part of clinical care were included in this study and relevant information obtained from the medical record: C-reactive protein (CRP), disease activity status (inactive: = 0 joint; active: > 0 active joint), systemic symptoms in systemic JIA (sJIA), and symptoms of flare of other autoinflammatory and fever syndromes.

Carditis in Acute Rheumatic Fever in a High-Income and Moderate-Risk Country.

Objective: To describe clinical presentation, electrocardiographic, and echocardiographic characteristics of carditis at the time of diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) over a 13-year period.

Study Design: A single-center retrospective chart analysis was conducted involving all consecutive patients diagnosed with ARF between 2003 and 2015. Patient age, sex, clinical characteristics, recent medical history for group A streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis and antibiotic treatment, and laboratory, echocardiographic, and electrocardiographic findings were recorded.

Carbonic Anhydrase II Deficiency: A Rare Case of Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

The term osteopetrosis describes a group of rare hereditary diseases of the skeleton, characterized by an increase in bone density, caused by a defect in the development or function of osteoclasts. It comprises a clinically and genetically heterogeneous conditions ranging from infantile onset life-threatening forms to mildest adult onset forms. "Malignant" osteopetrosis is characterized by bone fragility, short stature, compressive neuropathies, hypocalcaemia, pancytopaenia.

Biologic treatment for chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis: report of four cases and review of the literature.

Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO) is a rare non-infectious inflammatory disorder with unpredictable clinical course, characterized by acute exacerbations and spontaneous remissions. There are no randomized-controlled trials about treatment options. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) are the first-line treatment option; glucocorticoids seem to be effective; positive outcomes have been obtained with bisphosphonates.

The autoimmune burden in juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis of unknown origin which can be considered an autoimmune disease (AD). The aim of this study is to analyse the presence of two or more autoimmune diseases (polyautoimmunity) in patients suffering from JIA and to evaluate the occurrence of ADs in their families.

Methods: Seventy-nine patients diagnosed with JIA aged 0-21 years, admitted to the Paediatric Rheumatology Unit, Sant'Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna were screened for ADs.

Genotyping of Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia in Italian AIDS patients. Clinical outcome is influenced by dihydropteroate synthase and not by internal transcribed spacer genotype.

Background: Two Pneumocystis jiroveci independent genomic regions, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS2, and dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS) gene have been used for typing a cohort of HIV-infected Italian patients with P jiroveci pneumonia (PcP).

Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage samples isolated from 207 HIV-infected adults were ITS and DHPS genotyped by DNA sequencing and by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, respectively. Mutant DHPS samples were cloned and ITS typed.

A "Nitrate Route" for the low temperature "Fast SCR" reaction over a V2O5-WO3/TiO2 commercial catalyst.

A novel mechanism is proposed for the Fast SCR reaction of NH(3), NO and NO(2) at low temperature involving the formation of ammonium nitrate as intermediate and its subsequent reaction with NO as the rate determining step.

Assessment of immune reconstitution to Pneumocystis carinii in HIV-1 patients under different highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens.

The introduction of protease inhibitors (PIs) gave a dramatic drop in AIDS-related opportunistic events, mainly due to induced immune reconstitution. Discontinuation of prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii is considered safe when CD4 > 200 cells/mm(3). Ideally, we should have specific functional tests for HIV-1-related decisions.

[Aerobic fitness in police officers].

According to act n. 626, individual assessment of fitness and absence of contraindications for carrying on a job is fundamental. We considered a group of 44 Urban Police officers (36 males, 8 females), age 39.