Archivio istituzionale della Ricerca - Università degli Studi di Parma
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LCA comparison of freestanding kitchens adopting three technologies: Electric, gas and induction
No full textHousehold appliances are no longer a luxury but a need in every household. The excessive use of the devices has led researchers to focus on their influence on the environment. This paper investigates the life cycle performances of three different types of freestanding kitchens used in Europe with different hob technologies (electric, gas and induction) using the Life Cycle Assessment method. The work provided data collected (Life Cycle Inventory) for each model of the freestanding kitchens manufactured in the European market. The functional unit used for the comparison of the three types of freestanding is "the amount of energy used to make 2 meals a day for a year". To evaluate the environmental impact of the appliances a dedicated software was used (i.e., SimaPro). A comparison between the environmental impact results allows the users to choose the most sustainable appliance in accordance with their need. Focusing on Global Warming Potential impact, the ranges adopted induction hob shows a higher impact results during the raw Materials and Manufacturing phase compared to the other ranges. On one hand, the environmental impact results from cradle to gate concerning the raw materials extraction and manufacturing process show that the most critical aspect is related to the use of metals in large parts such as the cavity and structure of the products. On the other hand, the environmental impact regarding the use phase shows different results depending on the source of energy in the country where the freestanding kitchen is used. The outcome of this work can be a reference to enhance the sustainability of these products in the future
The impact of hydrothermal silicification on fault zone porosity and permeability: insights from the Kornos-Aghios Ioannis normal fault, Lemnos Island, Greece
No full textIn fault zones, silica-bearing hydrothermal fluids may strongly affect petrophysical and mechanical properties of rocks with significant implications on fluid storage and flow potential. However, it is extremely difficult to predict the geometry and petrophysical properties of silicified rocks around km-long fault zones affecting reservoirs. The Kornos-Aghios Ioannis Fault (KAIF) is a 10-km long silicified extensional fault system juxtaposing volcanic rocks against turbidite sandstones. In this study, we investigate the distribution, petrophysics and mineralogy of silicified rocks through a multi-analytical approach that combines X-ray diffraction analysis, Hg-intrusion porosimetry, digital image analysis, X-ray micro-computed tomography and unsteady-state gas permeametry. Silicification is mostly localized in the footwall sandstones and extends 50–300 m from the master fault. The porosity of silicified fault cores and silicified sandstones varies over a wide range (1–13 %) depending on the degree of post-silicification dissolution that is strongly controlled by the mineralogy. However, the permeability of silicified rocks always decayed by 2–3 orders of magnitude with respect to pristine host rocks. In silicified volumes, permeability drops imparted by cementation are partially counterbalanced by higher fracture density and connectivity because of increased rock brittleness. Our results show that hydrothermal silicification along fault zones may severely degrade reservoir quality in the surrounding areas, where its effect can be locally counterbalanced by an excess permeability produced by silica dissolution, fractures, and subsidiary faults. However, the intensity and extension of silicification and dissolution are spatially variable, controlling the along-strike distribution of potentially sealing and non-sealing areas
Increasing hexokinase 1 expression improves mitochondrial and glycolytic functional deficits seen in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease astrocytes
No full textAbnormalities in cellular metabolism are seen early in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Astrocyte support for neuronal function has a high metabolic demand, and astrocyte glucose metabolism plays a key role in encoding memory. This indicates that astrocyte metabolic dysfunction might be an early event in the development of AD. In this paper we interrogate glycolytic and mitochondrial functional changes and mitochondrial structural alterations in patients’ astrocytes derived with a highly efficient direct conversion protocol. In astrocytes derived from patients with sporadic (sAD) and familial AD (fAD) we identified reductions in extracellular lactate, total cellular ATP and an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. sAD and fAD astrocytes displayed significant reductions in mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity, have altered mitochondrial membrane potential and a stressed mitochondrial network. A reduction in glycolytic reserve and glycolytic capacity is seen. Interestingly, glycolytic reserve, mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity and extracellular lactate levels correlated positively with neuropsychological tests of episodic memory affected early in AD. We identified a deficit in the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase 1 (HK1), and correcting this deficit improved the metabolic phenotype in sAD not fAD astrocytes. Importantly, the amount of HK1 at the mitochondria was shown to be reduced in sAD astrocytes, and not in fAD astrocytes. Overexpression of HK1 in sAD astrocytes increases mitochondrial HK1 levels. In fAD astrocytes HK1 levels were unaltered at the mitochondria after overexpression. This study highlights a clear metabolic deficit in AD patient-derived astrocytes and indicates how HK1, with its roles in both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, contributes to this
Cochlear Implantation: A Treatment Approach of Hearing Loss in Superficial Siderosis
No full textBACKGROUND: Superficial siderosis (SS) is a chronic condition characterized by progressive hemosiderin accumulation in the central nervous system (CNS) due to chronic subarachnoid hemorrhage. Common clinical features include progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), cerebellar ataxia and myelopathy.The aim of the study was to analyze the clinical presentation, management, and outcomes of patients affected by SS with bilateral severe-to-profound hearing loss and treated with cochlear implantation (CI), with a particular focus on the course of hearing benefit. METHODS: A retrospective monocentric review was performed, including patients affected by CNS SS and profound SNHL that underwent CI between January 2012 and December 2021. Outcomes were assessed by comparing pre-and post-operative tonal and vocal hearing thresholds together with verbal perception tests. RESULTS: A total of4 patients were identified, with a mean follow-up time of 48.25 months. All patients showed significant improvement of hearing threshold and verbal perception in the first 6 months after surgery (preoperative mean aided PTA of 58.3 dB with a mean open-set speech perception score of 20.3% versus postoperative mean PTA in bimodal stimulation of 41.1 dB and open-set speech perception score of 60.1%). At the last follow-up evaluation, despite progressive deterioration of auditory performances, all patients were users and maintained subjective benefit from CIs. CONCLUSION: Patients affected by SS who underwent CI showed a significant improvement in auditory and auditory-verbal performances in the first post-operative period. Despite a progressive decline of hearing benefit due to retrocochlear disease progression, CI represents valid support for lip-reading and spatial orientation even in the advanced stages of the disease
Information Modelling as a Support for Damage Interpretation: The Case of the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence
No full textThis study presents a methodological framework for classifying and interpreting structural damage in masonry buildings through a
Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) approach, with a particular emphasis on diagnosing crack patterns in domes. The
approach was tested on the Dome of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence (Italy). The first step involves identifying key parameters for
systematically describing cracks within the HBIM environment, focusing on their morphology, position, and related deformation. A
Diagnostic Support Tool was developed to semi-automate the identification of failure mechanisms, while final interpretation –
particularly of contributing causes – remains reliant on expert judgment. The geometric model of the case study was developed and
two levels of crack representation – realistic and simplified – were implemented to ensure both interpretative clarity and
interoperability with structural analysis software. The Santa Maria del Fiore case study demonstrates the effectiveness of the protocol
in capturing the complex behaviour of masonry domes, offering a replicable workflow. The HBIM model was then enriched with
data acquired from the structural monitoring system installed on the Dome, one of the most comprehensive ever installed on a
historical monument. This integration enabled 3D visualization of crack evolution over time. Key indicators for monitoring data
reliability and damage evolution are proposed and applied to the case stud
Protection of gypsum artifacts by Mg(OH)2 based super-hydrophobic nanocomposite
No full textGypsum has been largely used since ancient times both as a building material and for create sculptural decorations. In recent years, interest in the use of gypsum as one of the most sustainable mineral binders has grown. However, due to its strong water absorption and poor mechanical properties, it is subject to several physical, chemical and biological degradation processes. To improve the durability and water resistance of gypsum-based plaster artifacts, a new hydrophobic nanocomposite treatment for gypsum is proposed, based on a mixture of Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles with size of about 15 nm and TEOS/PDMS solution (commonly referred to as OrMoSil). The reinforcing and protective properties of the treatment were investigated. The treatment was distributed homogeneously inside and on the surface of the samples. Thermal stability is slightly improved by the treatments. The new hydrophobic coating is very effective as a protective agent against water penetration with a capillary water absorption reduced by 40 %. The super-hydrophobic properties are evidenced by a static contact angle greater than 150° with a wettability behaviour similar to the petal effect. Colorimetric measurements show no colour changes even after repeated artificial aging cycles. When embedded into the plaster, the treatment improves the mechanical resistance with respect to reference gypsum: flexural and compressive strength increase of 59 % and 72 %, respectively, and the dynamic elastic modulus of about 35 %. The new hydrophobic nanocomposite can be proposed for the protection and the improvement of mechanical properties of gypsum artifacts both for restoration of cultural heritage artefacts and for building interest
Comporre un mosaico di suoni riflessi. Intervista a Jürgen Reinhold
No full textL’intervista dell’architetta e storica dell'architettura Silvia Berselli a Jürgen Reinhold, acustico degli spazi per la musica, mette in luce – attraverso la descrizione di interventi effettuati in sale da concerto e teatri – l’importanza dell’acustica nella progettazione di spazi pensati per l’esecuzione e la fruizione della musica. Apre quindi prospettive professionali insolite, mostrando i punti di contatto tra architettura, fisica, acustica e musica.The interview by architect and architectural historian Silvia Berselli with Jürgen Reinhold, an acoustician specializing in spaces for music, highlights – through the description of interventions carried out in concert halls and theatres – the importance of acoustics in the design of spaces intended for the performance and enjoyment of music. It thus opens up unusual professional perspectives, showing the points of connection between architecture, physics, acoustics, and music
Call for regulation of social media health content: an initiative of the Italian Association of Hospital Dermatologists (ADOI)
No full text: Social media platforms have become an indispensable part of modern society, with approximately 59.9% of the global population actively engaging on these platforms. In the realm of healthcare, and particularly in dermatology, a specialty that relies heavily on visual assessment and patient education, social media serves as a powerful conduit for disseminating information. The ability to share visual content makes these platforms uniquely suited to raising awareness about skin health, promoting preventive measures, and encouraging early detection of dermatological conditions. [...]
Solar Energy Solutions for Healthcare in Rural Areas of Developing Countries: Technologies, Challenges, and Opportunities
No full textRecently, solar energy technologies are a cornerstone of the global effort to transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems. However, in many rural areas of developing countries, unreliable electricity severely impacts healthcare delivery, resulting in reduced medical efficiency and increased risks to patient safety. This review explores the transformative potential of solar energy as a sustainable solution for powering healthcare facilities, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and improving health outcomes. Consequently, energy harvesting is a vital renewable energy source that captures abundant solar and thermal energy, which can sustain medical centers by ensuring the continuous operation of life-saving equipment, lighting, vaccine refrigeration, sanitation, and waste management. Beyond healthcare, it reduces greenhouse gas emissions, lowers operational costs, and enhances community resilience. To address this issue, the paper reviews critical solar energy technologies, energy storage systems, challenges of energy access, and successful solar energy implementations in rural healthcare systems, providing strategic recommendations to overcome adoption challenges. To fulfill the aims of this study, a focused literature review was conducted, covering publications from 2005 to 2025 in the Scopus, ScienceDirect, MDPI, and Google Scholar databases. With targeted investments, policy support, and community engagement, solar energy can significantly improve healthcare access in underserved regions and contribute to sustainable development
