1,931 research outputs found
Waste-to-Energy as a Method of Refuse Disposal: An Analysis of Sustainable Technologies and Their Environmental Impact
No full textNowadays, waste-to-energy (WtE) is considered the most effective disposal system for nonrecyclable materials. There is general concern with regard to potential environmental and health risks connected with WtE plants. Data from epidemiological studies, conducted since the 1980s, had shown that old-generation plants have a negative environmental impact. Owing to innovations in both technology and methodology involved in waste processing, new-generation WtE plants have considerably mitigated such negative impact. The aim of the study is to assess how legislation, technological innovation, and mitigation strategies can help and reduce the repercussions that waste-to-energy might have on both the environment and people’s health. The first step in this study consisted in investigating the current European and Italian legislation, as well as the operating mechanisms and technologies available to mitigate environmental impacts. Successively, the second step consisted in verifying their actual effectiveness when applied to the most recent plants. In particular, ten modern incinerations, new or restored in the last decade, were examined in detail. The case studies’ analysis and their comparison showed that, when adequately submitted to a health impact assessment (HIA) and in presence of valid monitoring plans, the most advanced facilities are able to keep emissions way below the limits prescribed by the law, mitigating environmental and health impacts. In addition, the study highlighted some areas of possible future interventions and actions. Finally, the outcome of the research is to propose a set of guidelines, legal tools, and appropriate technologies, as exportable and scalable healthy strategies in several contexts
Waste-to-Energy as a Method of Refuse Disposal: An Analysis of Sustainable Technologies and Their Environmental Impact
No full textNowadays, waste-to-energy (WtE) is considered the most effective disposal system for nonrecyclable materials. There is general concern with regard to potential environmental and health risks connected with WtE plants. Data from epidemiological studies, conducted since the 1980s, had shown that old-generation plants have a negative environmental impact. Owing to innovations in both technology and methodology involved in waste processing, new-generation WtE plants have considerably mitigated such negative impact.
The aim of the study is to assess how legislation, technological innovation, and mitigation strategies can help and reduce the repercussions that waste-to-energy might have on both the environment and people’s health.
The first step in this study consisted in investigating the current European and Italian legislation, as well as the operating mechanisms and technologies available to mitigate environmental impacts. Successively, the second step consisted in verifying their actual effectiveness when applied to the most recent plants. In particular, ten modern incinerations, new or restored in the last decade, were examined in detail.
The case studies’ analysis and their comparison showed that, when adequately submitted to a health impact assessment (HIA) and in presence of valid monitoring plans, the most advanced facilities are able to keep emissions way below the limits prescribed by the law, mitigating environmental and health impacts. In addition, the study highlighted some areas of possible future interventions and actions.
Finally, the outcome of the research is to propose a set of guidelines, legal tools, and appropriate technologies, as exportable and scalable healthy strategies in several contexts
Functional constituents of a local serotonergic system, intrinsic to the human coronary artery smooth muscle cell
No full textAim: Human coronary artery smooth muscle cell (HCASMC) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis and coronary artery diseases (CAD). Serotonin is a mediator known to produce vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) mitogenesis and contribute to coronary atherosclerosis. We hypothesize that the human coronary artery smooth muscle cell possesses certain vital elements of the serotonergic system, viz. tryptophan hydroxylase and serotonin transporter, which play a critical role in the synthesis and VSMC-mitogenic action of serotonin, respectively. Our aim was to demonstrate the presence of functional tryptophan hydroxylase 1 and serotonin transporter in HCASMC.
Methods: HCASMCs from passages 3 -6 were used for the experiments. The messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) transcripts and protein expression of tryptophan hydroxylase1 (TPH1) and serotonin transporter (SERT) were examined by real-time PCR (Real time polymerase chain reaction) and western blot analysis, respectively. The specificity and accuracy of the primers was verified using DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) gel electrophoresis and sequencing of real-time PCR products. The functionality of SERT was examined using a fluorescence dye based serotonin transporter assay and the enzymatic activity of TPH was demonstrated using Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography (UPLC).
Results: mRNA transcripts and protein of both SERT and TPH are expressed in HCASMCs. The real-time PCR showed a single melt curve peak for both transcripts, and the amplicons when sequenced aligned with the respective genes. The Western blots revealed distinct bands for SERT and TPH at 70 KDa and 50 KDa, respectively. Serotonin transporter activity was present in HCASMCs. UPLC of the HCASMC lysate, to which the substrates and catalysts for the TPH enzyme had been provided, revealed the presence of 5-hydroxy tryptophan. Conclusion: Both tryptophan hydroxylase and serotonin transporter are expressed in HCASMCs. The expressed proteins are functional. These findings are novel and an initial step in examining the clinical relevance of the serotonergic system in HCASMC and its role in the pathogenesis of coronary atherosclerosis and CADProQuest Traditional Publishing Optionxxii, 168 page
HOW TO IMPROVE STOCK MANAGEMENT IN THE COMPANY PRELOG D.O.O.
No full textV diplomskem delu sem obravnaval in proučeval pomen zalog za podjetje in problematiko njihovega managementa (načrtovanje, vodenje, kontrola, analiza zalog).
V podjetju predstavljajo zaloge trgovskega blaga pomembno postavko kratkoročnih sredstev, zato je zelo pomemben njihov management zalog, saj so z njimi povezani določeni stroški, ki neposredno vplivajo na uspešnost poslovanja.
V vsebinskem smislu je diplomsko delo razdeljeno na teoretični in praktični del.
V teoretičnem delu sem s pomočjo domače in tuje literature opredelil vlogo in pomen zalog ter njihovega managementa.
V praktičnem delu je na kratko predstavljeno podjetje Prelog d.o.o. in njihov obstoječi management zalog. S pomočjo analize in preučitve dejanskega stanja sem na koncu podal določene predloge, s katerimi bi lahko v podjetju povečali učinkovitost managementa zalog in s tem večjo uspešnost poslovanja.In this diploma thesis I closely took a look into meaning of stocks for a company and problems related with issue of its management (planning, managing, controlling and analysis of stocks).
For a company represents stocks an important short term assets, that`s why it is meaningful to have a stock managementit is associated with costs, but it has an important direct impact on successful performed organization`s results.
In a substantive sense, this thesis is divided into the theoretical part and practical part.
In the theoretical part I have, with help of domestic as well foreign literature, stated a role of stocks, their meaning and management of them.
In the practical part it is shortly presented company called Prelog L.C.C. and its current management of stocks. I analyzed present situation in the company and at the end I also recommend some proposals, which might help to the company increase efficiency of stock management and consequently increase company`s business results
Effect of S-diclofenac, a novel hydrogen sulfide releasing derivative inhibit rat vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation
No full textS-diclofenac (2-[(2,6-dichlorophenyl) amino] benzene acetic acid 4-(3H-1,2,dithiol-3-thione-5-yl) phenyl ester) is a novel molecule comprising a hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-releasing dithiol-thione moiety attached by an ester linkage to diclofenac. Effect of S-diclofenac (H2S donor) on cell proliferation was investigated on the primary and immortalized rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (SMC). Smooth muscle cell proliferation has been considered as a key event in vascular injury in diseases such as atherosclerosis and restenosis after invasive intervention. Clonogenic cell survival assay showed a dose dependent (10-100 microM) decrease in cell survival. Flow cytometric analysis showed that the asynchronized cells are more sensitive than the cells that are synchronized and revealed that the cells in G1 phase are not affected by the treatment of the S-diclofenac. Asynchronized smooth muscle cells treated with the S-diclofenac showed an increase in apoptotic cell death. S-diclofenac treatment also resulted in stabilization of p53 coupled with the induction of downstream proteins such as p21, p53AIP1 and Bax. S-diclofenac did not up-regulate cell levels of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. However, when the cells are synchronized a stimulatory effect of cell growth with the decrease in apoptosis, p53 and p21 was evident. S-diclofenac inhibits smooth muscle cell growth and may play a role in the lesion formation at sites of the vascular injury. The present results suggest that S-diclofenac may be useful for the prevention of smooth muscle cell proliferation in diseases such as vascular obstructive and restenosis
Synthesis of a tetranuclear organooxotin cage by debenzylation reactions: X-ray crystal structure of [(PhCH2)2Sn2O(O2P(OH)-t-Bu)4 ]2
No full textThe reactions of (PhCH2)2SnCl2, (PhCH2)2SnO·H2O, and (PhCH2)3SnCl with 2 equiv of t-BuP(O)(OH)2 afford the tetranuclear organooxotin cage [(PhCH2)2Sn2O(O2P(OH)-t-Bu)4 ]2 (4) in good yields. The formation of the half-cage intermediate [(PhCH2)2Sn2O(O2P(OH)-t-Bu)4 ] (4a) en route to 4 has been detected by 119Sn and 31P NMR. The molecular structure of compound 4 as determined by single-crystal X-ray analysis shows a tetranuclear cage structure containing two Sn-O-Sn motifs connected by bridging [t-BuP(OH)(O)2]- ligands. The solid-state structure of 4 is retained in solution
Reactions of n-Bu2SnO and (n-Bu3Sn)2O with 1,1,2,3,3-Pentamethyltrimethylene Phosphinic Acid: Synthesis and X-ray Crystal Structures of a Novel Spirocyclic Coordination Polymer and a 16-Membered Inorganic Macrocycle
No full textBaskar og ETA : frá fornu til Franco
No full textÍ ritgerðinni er gefin innsýn í sögu Baska og fólksins sem hefur frá fornu kennt sig við Baskaland. Fjallað er um söguleg tengsl Baska við bæði nágrannaþjóðir sínar og Íslendinga. Sagt er frá átökum sem einkennt hafa baráttu þeirra fyrir landsvæði, sjálfstæði menningar sinnar og tungumáli. Greint er frá sögu verslunar Baska með hvalaafurðir, sérstaklega verslunar sem tengja Íslendinga og Baska gegnum veiðar þeirra við Íslandsstrendur. Baskar voru meira og minna sjálfstæð þjóð innan þeirra konungsríkja sem ríktu á Íberíuskaga og norður yfir Pýreneafjöll. Helgast það meðal annars af því að Baskar áttu sitt eigið löggjafarþing og frægast þeirra var staðsett Guernica, þar sem það er enn. Á sama tíma og Baskalögin (fueros) sameinuðu Baska fyrr og síðar viðhéldu þau aðskilnaði milli þeirra og Spánverja.
Umræða um sjálfstæði Baskalands hefur einkennt fréttaflutning um málefni Baska. Þau stefnumál og stjórnmálaöfl sem hafa verið áhrifamikil í þeirri baráttu eru kynnt og fjallað er um hvernig sérstök samtök hafa myndast um kröfur Baska. Sagt er frá afleiðingum þessara átaka og pólitískum aftökum, hvernig hinir herskáu ETA liðar tóku við forystuhlutverkinu í sjálfstæðisbaráttu Baska af PNV-samtökunum, og hvernig baráttan litaði sögu Spánar á 20. öld, einkum á valdatíma Franscisco Francos. Að lokum er umfjöllun íslenskra fjölmiðla á sjötta og sjöunda áratug aldarinnar greind og sýnt hvernig sú umfjöllun endurspeglar afleiðingar þeirrar viðkvæmu pólitísku stöðu sem ríkt hefur í Baskalandi.
Lykilorð: Hvalveiðar, Baskar, tungumál Baska, ETA, PNV, þjóðernisbarátta.This essay gives insight into the history of the Basque people and those who have identified as inhabitants of the Basque Country. A description is given about the relationships the Basques have had with neighbouring countries and Iceland. A history of conflict is summarized, and accounts are given of the struggles the Basques have had to endure in order to protect their land, independent culture and language. The essay describes Basque’s unique history of whaling, with special attention to their commercial whaling near Icelandic. The essay tells the story of Basques being an almost independent nation between the reigning kingdoms of the Iberian Peninsula and the Pyrenees. The Basques have long had their own assembly, the most famous being in Guernica where it still resides. At the same time the Basques have long had their own law (fueros), contributing to their union, it has also helped maintain separation between them and Spain.
A big part of media coverage about the Basque Country has involved reports about their fight for independence. The politics and political actors that have been influential in this struggle are introduced, highlighting the impact of revolutionary groups willing to fight more heatedly for those demands. The effects of these struggles have been manifested in violence and political assassinations. The militant ETA took over from the PNV and their struggle tainted the history of Spain in the 20th century. Finally, the essay gives a portrayal of media coverage in Iceland that highlight the tension and political instability associated with the region.
Keywords: Whaling, Basque people, Basque language, ETA, PNV, national liberation
Hegel and China: Reading in Losurdo\u27s Key
No full textV zaključni nalogi Hegel in Kitajska: branje v Losurdovem ključu poskušamo s pomočjo Domenica Losurda, enega najpomembnejših sodobnih hegeljanskih filozofov, in nekaterih drugih avtorjev zagovarjati stališče, da Heglova filozofija ni zgolj evropocentrična in s tem globoko problematična, temveč da je ravno Heglova dialektična filozofija eno izmed najbolj primernih orodij za poskus neevropocentrične interpretacije sodobne Kitajske in za analizo konkretnih zgodovinskih in političnih okoliščin neke države nasploh. Če sprejmemo Heglove zgodovinske omejitve in dejstvo, da je bil, kot je tudi sam povzel, »otrok svojega časa«, ugotovimo, da je Heglova filozofija, vzeta v celoti, izjemno dragocena za sinologijo, tudi glede na to, da je navsezadnje s stališča Kitajcev samih eden največjih teoretikov in eden tistih, ki so najpomembneje vplivali na razvoj sodobne kitajske misli in politične teorije.In the graduation thesis, Hegel and China: Reading in Losurdo\u27s key, we try to argue, with the help of Domenico Losurdo, one of the most important contemporary Hegelian philosophers, and some other authors, that Hegel\u27s philosophy is not only Eurocentric and thus deeply problematic, but rather that Hegel\u27s dialectical philosophy is one of the most appropriate tools for attempting a non-Eurocentric interpretation of contemporary China and for analysing the concrete historical and political circumstances of a country in general. If we accept Hegel\u27s historical limitations and the fact that he was, in his own words, “a child of his time”, we find that Hegel\u27s philosophy, taken as a whole, is extremely valuable for Sinology, not least given that he is, from the point of view of the Chinese themselves, one of the greatest theoreticians and one of those who most significantly influenced the development of modern Chinese thought and political theory
A p-adic adjoint L-function and the ramification locus of the Hilbert modular eigenvariety
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