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Unraveling Efficient Applications of Biochar for Biodynamic Farming
No full textBiochar is the residue that is left over when plant biomass is pyrolyzed at low temperatures (around 350°C-600°C) in an environment with limited oxygen. A rising number of people are interested in using biochar as a sustainable solution to treat severely worn or damaged soils. It ensures a sustained increase in soil fertility and productivity. It can increase plant growth by enhancing the physical properties of the soil. Because of its extremely porous structure, which improves water retention and increases soil surface area. In recent years, biochar's use in agricultural has grown proportionately. Applications of biochar have been suggested to enhance the advantages of soil fertility, including decreased bulk density, increased microbial activity, improved nutrient and water-holding capacity, and the immutability of soil organic matter. This chapter enlightens a wide range of applications of biochar, including improving soil stability, fertility, and quality. Biochar technology has also been applied as a geoengineering technique. The combined effects of biochar and biodynamic methods may boost the effectiveness of soil improvement; compost made from biochar has been proposed as a substitute for individual treatments. Biochar may be a useful addition to the agro-ecosystem to address the issues and risks related to soil fertility and crop productivity in sustainable agriculture as well as the environment
NOTA SULLA DISTRIBUZIONE ITALIANA DI ALCUNE SPECIE DI NEUROTTERI (Raphidioptera, Raphidiidae; Megaloptera, Sialidae; Neuroptera, Chrysopidae, Coniopterygidae, Hemerobiidae, Sisyridae, Mantispidae, Myrmeleontidae)
Full text linkA list is presented of faunal data of Neuropterida collected in several Italia regions, mostly in Calabria. Subilla confinis (Stephens, 1836) is recorded for the first time in Lombardia; Cunctochrysa baetica (Hölzel, 1972), Brinckochrysa chlorosoma (Navás, 1914), genus Sisyra Burmeister, 1839, Helicoconis (Fontenellea) hispanica Ohm, 1965 e Coniopteryx (Xeroconiopteryx) loipetsederi H. Aspöck, 1963 are recorded for the first time in Calabria
A Genetic-Driven Optimization of the Energy Grid Structure for Nodal Full-Core Calculations in Lead-Cooled Fast Reactors
No full textThis work presents a novel genetic algorithm (GA) for optimizing the few-group energy grid structure used for full-core nodal calculations in lead-cooled fast reactors. The optimization is started considering a set of group constants computed on a reference 61-group structure from which the GA selects an optimal subset of groups. Compared to existing works in the literature, the number of groups is not defined a priori but varies within a user-defined range, allowing a better exploration of the solution space. This feature requires one to develop an adequate representation of the chromosomes used in the evolution process, which is examined with different definitions of the chromosomes. The work also proposes a suitable combination of physics-driven fitness functions (FFs) related to the effective multiplication factor, the power density, and the neutron flux. Different weights based on the adjoint flux are also studied for the flux FF, with the aim of improving the convergence of the evolution process. All the studies are performed focusing on a three-dimensional model of the Advanced Lead Fast Reactor European Demonstrator (ALFRED) core design, which is modeled using the multigroup diffusion module of the Fast REactor NEutronics/Thermal-hydraulICs (FRENETIC) multiphysics code. The results suggest that the energy grid can be profitably optimized using a representation with two chromosomes. The optimal solutions yielded by the GA are justified on a physical basis by looking at some relevant figures of merit
Surface Modified CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals Enable Free Radical Thermal Polymerization of Efficient Ultrafast Polystyrenic Nanocomposite Scintillators
No full textLead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP-NCs) embedded in a plastic matrix are highly promising for a variety of photonic technologies and are quickly gaining attention as ultrafast, radiation-resistant nanoscintillators for radiation detection. However, advancements in LHP-NC-based photonics are hindered by their well-known thermal instability, which makes them unsuitable for industrial thermally activated mass polymerization processes, crucial for creating polystyrene-based scintillating nanocomposites. In this study, we address this challenge by presenting the first thermal nanocomposite scintillators made from CsPbBr3 NCs passivated with fluorinated ligands that remain attached to the particles surfaces even at high temperatures, enabling their integration into mass-cured polyvinyl toluene without compromising optical properties. Consequently, these nanocomposites demonstrate scintillation light yields reaching 10 400 photons/MeV, subnanosecond scintillation kinetics, and remarkable radiation resilience, able to withstand γ radiation doses of up to 1 MGy. This performance not only meets but also exceeds the scintillation of plastic scintillators despite the radiation-induced damage to the host matrix
Culture and heritage for a just transition to climate-neutral and smart cities. Text mining supporting New European Bauhaus elements detection
Full text linkCities are at the forefront in linking their socio-economic development to culture and heritage that they are slowly acknowledging as a way to also address climate change. Cultural participation can influence a diverse range of social impact areas, such as health and wellbeing, social cohesion and intercultural dialogue, innovation, and education, as well as community-driven urban and territorial renewal and development. The sense of heritage ownership is a complex relationship between individual, collective, and institutional claims that can leverage action and better governance. With the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative launched in 2021, the European Union pledges culture's contribution to the European Green Deal and advocates the role of cultural institutions, as they play a vital role in strengthening community engagement. This article illustrates to what extent culture (arts, heritage, cultural, and creative industries) and NEB principles are mainstreamed into recent and innovative urban energy and climate policies to drive behavioral change and improve networking and multi-stakeholder commitment. We have focused on a sample of the 100 EU Mission Cities. By analyzing their road maps for climate-neutrality and smartness, the Climate City Contracts (CCCs), we have addressed the following questions: – Do cities rely on culture and heritage for a just transition? – What is the role of arts, heritage, cultural, and creative Industries in their pathways for a just transition? – Do these actions take advantage of digitalization? Based on the vocabulary categorization, we have started developing a text mining method that may support extending the analysis of “culture for climate action”—related elements to a broader number and types of urban transition policies. We have interpreted the CCCs sample providing a high-quality human-annotated corpus. The aim is to train a future artificial intelligence model that could help assess impacts and identify other culture and heritage-based experiences to enhance “Knowledge for Policy” toward the NEB application in cities
Non-destructive approach to study the effects of gamma irradiation on wheat samples matrices
Full text linkQuesto studio esplora gli effetti dell’irraggiamento gamma su campioni di grano, con l’obiettivo di approfondire la comprensione della sua influenza sulla sicurezza alimentare, sulla qualità e sulla conservazione. Particolare attenzione è rivolta alle matrici alimentari ricche in polisaccaridi, come l’amido, che rappresentano componenti principali del grano. Il lavoro sperimentale è stato condotto presso la facility di irraggiamento gamma Calliope situata nel Centro Ricerche ENEA Casaccia (Roma), utilizzando una sorgente di cobalto-60. Impiegando tecniche non distruttive o in minima parte distruttive come le spettroscopie ATR-FTIR, Raman ed EPR, abbiamo analizzato i cambiamenti composizione, strutturali e del contenuto di radicali indotti da dosi gamma che vanno da 0.1 kGy a 10 kGy. Come tendenza generale, l’irraggiamento gamma fino a 10 kGy non produce una notevole degradazione o depolimerizzazione dei componenti del grano. Più nel dettaglio, le variazioni spettrali evidenziano cambiamenti molecolari dose-dipendenti, in particolare nelle strutture dei carboidrati e dell’amido, con implicazioni per la sicurezza alimentare e la percezione del consumatore. I risultati contribuiscono a promuovere l’irraggiamento gamma come metodo di conservazione non termico e sostenibile per diverse matrici alimentari, in linea con gli obiettivi globali di sicurezza e approvvigionamento alimentare. Questi approcci, che richiedono una preparazione minima dei campioni, possono essere estesi allo sviluppo di metodi di screening per una vasta gamma di polisaccaridi in diverse colture.This study explores the effects of gamma irradiation on wheat samples, with a focus on improving our understanding of its influence on food safety, quality, and preservation. Particular attention is given to food matrices rich in polysaccharides, such as starch, which are key components of wheat. The experimental work was conducted at the Calliope 60Co gamma irradiation facility at the ENEA Casaccia Research Centre (NUC-IRAD-GAM Laboratory, Rome). Employing non-destructive or minimally destructive techniques such as ATR-FTIR, Raman and EPR spectroscopies, we analysed compositional, structural, and radical content changes induced by gamma doses ranging from 0.1 kGy to 10 kGy. As a general trend, gamma irradiation up to 10 kGy does not produce remarkable degradation or depolymerization of wheat components. In more detail, variations in spectral data highlight dose-dependent molecular changes, particularly in carbohydrate and starch structures, with implications for food safety and consumer perception. The findings contribute to advancing gamma irradiation as a non-thermal, sustainable preservation method for diverse food matrices, aligning with global food security and safety goals. These approaches requiring minimal samples preparation can be extended in the development of screening methods for a wide range of polysaccharides in a variety of crops
Dosimetric measurements for precise dose rate distribution mapping: ENEA Calliope gamma radiation facility and REX electron beam intercalibration
Full text linkNel contesto del programma dell’Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) ASI Supported Irradiation Facilities (ASIF), è stata condotta una campagna di misure dosimetriche per eseguire l'intercalibrazione tra l’impianto di irraggiamento gamma Calliope e il fascio di elettroni di REX. Inizialmente, sono state ottenute le curve di calibrazione aggiornate per i dosimetri alanina-EPR presso la facility Calliope utilizzando il dosimetro assoluto Fricke. Successivamente, i dosimetri ad alanina sono stati irraggiati in più punti all'interno del bunker di irraggiamento di REX, variando le distanze dalla sorgente di elettroni. È stata così determinata la distribuzione dell’intensità di dose all'interno della camera. Tali misure sono essenziali per ottimizzare le condizioni di irraggiamento all’interno del bunker di REX per applicazioni in diversi campi.In the framework of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) Supported Irradiation Facilities (ASIF) program, a campaign of dosimetric measurements was conducted to perform an intercalibration of the Calliope gamma irradiation facility and the REX electron beam. Initially, up-to-date calibration curves for alanine-EPR dosimeters were obtained at the Calliope facility using the absolute Fricke dosimeter. Subsequently, alanine dosimeters were irradiated at multiple positions in the REX chamber by varying distances from the electron source. The resulting dose rate distribution within the chamber was determined. These measurements are essential for optimizing REX irradiation conditions to be used in different applications
Localizing the United Nations 2030 Agenda to leverage shared accountability through collaborative governance
No full textThis study examines how collaborative governance and shared accountability, situated within a multi-level and multi-dimensional institutional setting, can advance the localization of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Since localization demands aligning global priorities with local contexts through a nuanced understanding of needs and interests, it calls for innovative institutional mechanisms and collaborative dynamics. Focusing on the Metropolitan City of Bologna and its 54 municipalities, the research adapts an existing framework of collaborative governance to investigate the interplay between multi-dimensional and multi-level institutional arrangements as well as retrospective and forward-looking accountability systems as elements to advance sustainable development in multi-faceted urban settings. The case study reveals how collaboration, shaped by multi-stakeholder dialogue, and exacerbated by consensus-oriented and deliberative processes, strongly influence the ability of stakeholders to have a comprehensive grasp of the underlying functional linkages, focusing not only on their cherry-picked goals but also on evaluating integration efforts seriously, thus encouraging a shared sense of responsibility towards a sustainable future. Nonetheless, challenges related to data availability and interoperability persist, continuing to hinder the symbiotic effectiveness of accounting systems and shared accountability mechanisms
Novel techniques of imaging interferometry analysis to study gas and plasma density for laser-plasma experiments
Full text linkLaser-plasma based experiments are always more demanding about the plasma features which need to be generated during the interaction. This is valid for laser-plasma acceleration as well as for inertial confinement fusion experiments. Most of these experiments are moving toward high repetition rate operation regimes, making even more demanding the requests on the plasma sources and the diagnostics to be implemented. Interferometry is one of the most used methods to characterize these sources, since it allows for non-perturbative, single-shot measurements either of the neutral gas or the plasma density. The design of the interferometric setup is non-trivial and needs to be shaped on the actual conditions of the experiment. Similarly, the analysis of the raw data is a complex task, prone to many sources of error and dependent on the manual inputs. In this work, we will present the techniques we are developing for the analysis of the interferograms to measure both the gas and plasma density. We will show the methods, the progress and the problems we encountered in the development of novel routines of analysis based on machine learning. The architectures and the methods to obtain data used for training and testing them will be introduced. The study is ongoing and preliminary results with synthetic data will be presented. The goal is to set up a fast and operator independent diagnostic for the feedback of plasma sources toward high repetition rate experiments
NOTE ABOUT LACEWINGS (NEUROPTERA) FROM KERMĀN AND ESFAHAN PROVINCES, IRAN
No full textNew faunal data regarding Iranian Neuroptera are reported. A total of 23 taxa are cited, 21 of these from Kermān Province, belonging to four families (Chrysopidae, Mantispidae, Nemopteridae and Myrmeleontidae). The mantidfly species Afromantispa nana (Erichson, 1839) is new for Ira