University of Modena and Reggio Emilia
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The Impact of COVID-19 and the Russo-Ukraine War on Natural Gas Flow Through Time Series Forecasting
No full textThe natural gas market has experienced unprecedented volatility due to extreme events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. In Europe, natural gas is a major contributor to CO2 emissions, making its efficient transmission essential. This study examines the impact of these disruptions on natural gas distribution. We employ Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks to analyze and forecast gas flow, assessing prediction errors. Our findings attribute the observed variation in prediction errors primarily to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. We also identify a positive correlation between maximum daily flow and prediction error. Furthermore, our analysis shows that municipal nodes were disproportionately affected by lockdown measures, while inflow nodes experienced the greatest impact from the invasion
Valorizing carbonate-rich mining waste in porcelain stoneware production
No full textThe increasing demand for raw materials in the ceramic tiles industry requires the exploration of secondary raw materials to mitigate the environmental impact of mining and quarrying, as well as to address waste management challenges. This study evaluates the potential of utilizing extractive waste generated from the washing of carbonate aggregates, taken from a quarry in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, in porcelain stoneware bodies. This waste was thoroughly characterized for its chemical, mineralogical, and thermal properties. It contains a high carbonate content (over 70 wt%) and was incorporated as a partial substitute for the fluxing components due to its low quartz content and limited plasticity. Laboratory scale tests were then performed on a reference batch (B0), two batches with simple substitution of 4 and 8 wt% of the fluxes with extractive waste (WS4 and WS8), and two batches with 4 and 8 wt% extractive waste and different proportions of all of the components (WF4 and WF8). Firing was performed from 1150 degrees C to 1230 degrees C to follow the evolution of the technological properties, phase composition (X-ray powder diffraction and the Rietveld method) and microstructure (SEM). No bottleneck was encountered in the tile-making process, but a delay in the sintering kinetics and a lower densification efficiency (from 2.391 g/cm3 in B0 to 2.206 g/cm3 in WS8) were observed in the fired products. The addition of waste silts induced a variation of the chemical composition of the batches that can lead to the production of porcelain stoneware tiles only with a careful batch design
Managing climate crisis through the affects: a semiotic cultural perspective on improving pro-environmental behaviors
No full textThe urgent need for addressing the climate crisis calls for a transformation in human lifestyles. While technological and political interventions play a role, individual behavioral change is equally crucial. Pro-environmental attitudes are considered key influencers of such behaviors. However, studies have shown that having pro-environmental attitudes doesn’t always translate into pro-environmental behaviors, and the reasons for this gap are not fully understood. This study aims to analyze the effect of the affective valence (i.e., connotation of the world in terms of good-bad) on the relationship between environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behaviors. Sample was composed of 1,724 Italian employees from various companies. Participants filled out self-report questionnaires aimed at measuring pro-environmental behaviors, environmental attitudes and the affective valence. A General Linear Model (GLM) was performed to analyze the relationship between environmental attitudes and pro-environmental behaviors, and the moderation effect of affective valence. Results revealed a positive association between pro-environment attitudes and pro-environment behavior and such relationship was found to be moderated by the good dimension of the affective valence and weakened by the bad dimension. This study highlights the importance of the good dimension of the affective valence in motivating pro-environmental behaviors, suggesting that environmental campaigns should focus on this aspect to effectively promote pro-environmental actions
Heteromerization of G Protein-coupled Estrogen Receptor With the LH Receptor Biases G Protein Signaling
No full textLH/choriogonadotropin (hCG) receptor (LHCGR) and the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) are coexpressed in the ovary and support reproduction. The latter is involved in pathophysiological conditions and has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target. However, its role is still controversial, and several studies reported GPER to form heterocomplexes with other class A G protein-coupled receptors, modulating their signaling cascades. We evaluated if GPER interacts with LHCGR and impacts ligand-mediated pathways. In HEK293, LHCGR-GPER heteromers allosterically modulate LH/hCG-mediated signaling by preventing receptor coupling with Gq protein, leading to inhibition of phospholipase C pathway, and related transcriptional and mitogenic functions. This effect is prevented by mutant GPER unable to form heteromers with LHCGR. Interestingly, GPER expression has no effect on LH/hCG-induced Gs/cAMP/protein kinase A pathway activation, demonstrating selective inhibition of Gq pathway. These results were not recapitulated in cells displaying insufficient endogenous Gq protein expression levels, whereas they are recovered under exogenous Gq overexpression. Our data strengthen the concept that GPER may act as a modulator of other membrane G protein-coupled receptors, and a potential new target for treatment of tumors displaying Gq signalling
Enhancing the resolution of microseismicity through dense array monitoring in complex extensional settings
No full textCharacterizing geometry and mechanics of structures hosting moderate-to-large earthquakes is essential for seismic hazard assessment, yet remains challenging in extensional environments, where fault systems include multiple segments and bends. In this study, we demonstrate how a short-term array deployment can provide critical insights into seismicity patterns and fault geometry in Southern Apennines, Italy.We integrated data recorded by arrays during a one-year experiment with machine learning methodologies, producing a seismic catalog that enhances the manual catalog for the same period by nearly an order of magnitude, lowering completeness magnitude by one unit. Approximately 65% of the detected events can be accurately relocated, with median uncertainties of ~ 100 m, comparable to those of long-term catalogs. Our results reveal consistent seismicity properties down to decametric earthquake size, with hypocenters and b-value mirroring those from the previous decade. We distinguish a shallow, diffuse seismicity, likely influenced by hydrological loading, from deeper clusters, mostly rupturing patches a few-hundred meters across. Beyond asperity-scale complexity, seismicity follows the boundaries of tomographic anomalies, delineating a 50–60 km-long curving fault, featuring a right-stepping jog several kilometers wide. Dynamic simulations suggest that ruptures nucleating on this fault could propagate through these complexities, potentially generating earthquakes up to magnitude 7.0
Regulatory framework of phthalates and two common alternatives: A review of the European Union legislation
No full textBackground: Globalized supply chains make it harder to regulate hazardous chemicals in products. These include some phthalates with reproductive and developmental toxicity that maybe found in a variety of products. The European Union (EU) was among the first economies to implement policies to limit their use, yet vulnerable populations (children, pregnant women) are exposed to restricted phthalates. Phthalates’ regulation varies significantly by product or chemical compound, but literature lacks systematization of current EU legislation. Methods: We examined EU regulatory framework for 19 major phthalates (DMP, DEP, DPrP, DiPrP, DMOEP, DBP, DiBP, DPeP, DiPeP, BBP, DHxP, DCHP, DHpP, DEHP, DHNUP, DPHP, DnOP, DiNP, DiDP) and 2 substitutes (DINCH, DEHTP). We reviewed official institutional websites and regulatory agencies to assess uses and bans in food contact materials (FCMs), toys and childcare articles, cosmetics, and medical devices. Results: The European Chemical Agency (ECHA) is the main authority supervising chemical use in the EU and regulates phthalates mainly through the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. Most reviewed phthalates are severely restricted in FCMs. Phthalates classified as toxic for reproduction are limited in toys and childcare articles above 0.1% by weight; they are banned in cosmetics and restricted in medical devices. Conclusions: The EU has reduced exposure to phthalates through stringent regulations, effectively protecting newborns and infants. However, gaps remain, as many everyday items may still represent sources of exposure. Ongoing regulatory revisions and international cooperation are essential to ensure safer cross-border commerce and international compliance, to further reduce phthalate exposure and protect public health
Role of silica fume in autogenous shrinkage in MgO-K2HPO4-SiO2 cement system: Dual effects of chemical activation and pore structure refinement
No full textEngineered bicomponent polypropylene fibers: Effects of mineral particles on spinnability, surface roughness, mechanical strength, and adhesion in cementitious matrices
No full textPolypropylene (PP) fibers are widely used in fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) and Strain-Hardening Cement-based Composites (SHCCs), to improve crack control, reduce plastic shrinkage cracking, and enhance ductility. However, their smooth surface and low chemical reactivity limit fiber-matrix interaction. The goal of this research is to develop engineered core-shell bicomponent PP fibers and improve their interfacial adhesion with cement-based binders by gradually increasing the amount of fine ground calcium carbonate (GCC) powder in the fiber shell. The influence of stepwise increasing GCC content on fiber spinnability, surface micro-roughness, and tensile strength, was assessed to optimize the particle content for stable and continuous spinning. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) revealed that GCC hinders the dynamic crystallization and affects the melting temperature, potentially influencing melt-spinning by altering flow behavior and solidification kinetics. Single fiber pullout (SFPO) tests demonstrated that fibers with optimized GCC content exhibited higher energy absorption due to increased surface micro-roughness, promoting mechanical interlocking with the matrix, as confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations of localized matrix deformation. The SEM observations also suggested that GCC particles promote cementitious hydration phase growth after immersion in the cement solution. A threshold particle content of 20 vol% marked the transition from pullout-dominated to partial fiber breakage, while higher contents led to premature fiber rupture. These results demonstrate that GCC-induced surface roughness can effectively enhance microscale fiber–matrix interactions and energy dissipation during pullout
