642 research outputs found
Valutazioni di sostenibilità energetico ambientale effettuate tramite analisi LCA per l'innovazione di prodotti orticoli trasformati
No full textIl lavoro di ricerca ha riguardato l’analisi dell’impatto ambientale delle produzioni orticole trasformate attraverso lo strumento LCA (ISO 14040 ISO 14044) e di alcune Product Category Rules. Per le realtà aziendali, Ambruosi & Viscardi e Promarche, sono state analizzate rispettivamente: la produzione di piantine in pane di terra per quattro specie di insalate in serra e delle stesse la lavorazione di I gamma, includendo anche delle misure di mitigazione; la produzione di fagiolino e spinacio di III gamma, considerando scenari alternativi di gestione in campo e di trattamento dei residui di produzione. Per stesura e rielaborazione degli inventari e calcolo degli impatti è stato utilizzato il software SimaPro. Tutti i dati inseriti sono stati raccolti con interviste a tecnici di campo e responsabili per le diverse attività oppure con la consultazione dei sistemi informatici gestionali aziendali. Nel caso A&V, per le misure di mitigazione alla produzione di insalate sono state proposte delle sostituzioni: il substrato attuale con del compost; il sistema di semina a vassoi con cubi di torba compressa; i vassoi in EPS a cono con vassoi a piramide. Per quanto riguarda i prodotti di I gamma, sono stati confrontati due scenari: base, nel quale i residui di lavorazione sono avviati a digestione anaerobica e l’energia proviene da impianti fotovoltaici; ex-ante, che prevede lo smaltimento in discarica e l’energia acquistata dalla rete. Per Promarche, sono stati analizzati gli impatti della produzione di fagiolino confrontando due scenari di trattamento fitosanitario ed erbicida. Nel caso dello spinacio sono stati confrontati due scenari di concimazione ed è stato inserito un processo di bio-trattamento dei residui tramite H. illucens, verificando la capacità dell’insetto di degradare lo scarto. Riguardo ai risultati: la produzione di piantine in serra mostra impatti in linea con quanto reperibile in letteratura e le mitigazioni proposte risultano efficaci; lo stesso vale per la produzione di insalate di I gamma e il confronto tra scenari mostra un risparmio in termini di impatto medio del 52% a favore del sistema attuale; per fagiolino e spinacio i confronti tra sistemi di gestione dei trattamenti fitosanitari e della concimazione mostrano come gli scenari alternativi siano meno impattanti; la produzione di compost ottenuto dall’allevamento di H. illucens su residui di spinacio mostra impatti paragonabili a quelli dell’attuale sistema di smaltimento.The present research work concerned the environmental impact analysis of processed horticultural products through LCA tool (ISO 14040 ISO 14044) and some Product Category Rules. For the companies, Ambruosi & Viscardi and Promarche, were analysed respectively the following themes: the production of seedlings in polystyrene trays for four species of salads in greenhouse and the same after industry processing, including mitigation measures (A&V); the production of frozen string bean and spinach, considering alternative field and treatment management of production and residues treatment scenarios. The SimaPro software was used to draw up and rework the inventories and calculate the impacts. All the data entered were collected with interviews with field technicians and responsible for the various activities or with the consultation of the company management information systems. In the A&V case, substitutions have been proposed for the mitigation measures for salads production: the current substrate with compost; the sowing system with trays with compressed peat cubes; EPS cone trays with pyramid trays. Regarding fresh products, two scenarios were compared: base, in which the processing residues are sent to anaerobic digestion and the energy comes from photovoltaic systems; ex-ante, which provides for landfilling and energy purchased from the network. For Promarche, the impact of green bean production was analysed by comparing two scenarios of phytosanitary and herbicide treatment. For spinach, two fertilization scenarios were compared and a process of bio-treatment of residues was introduced through H. illucens, verifying the ability of the insect to degrade the waste. Regarding the results: the production of greenhouse seedlings shows impacts in line with what can be found in literature and the proposed mitigations are effective; the same is valid for salad production. The comparison between scenarios shows a saving in terms of average impact of 52% in favour of the current system; for green beans and spinach, comparisons between phytosanitary treatment and fertilization treatment systems show how alternative scenarios are less impactful; the production of compost obtained from the breeding of H. illucens on spinach residues shows impacts comparable to those of the current disposal system
Energy and environmental sustainability of nursery step finalized to "fresh cut" salad production by means of LCA
No full textEuropean Hophornbeam Biomass for Energy Application: Influence of Different Production Processes and Heating Devices on Environmental Sustainability
No full textEnvironmental sustainability has recently shifted towards biodiversity protection via governmental and intergovernmental initiatives (e.g., the UN Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, MA). The life cycle assessment, the widespread method for assessing environmental sustainability, was not created to evaluate impacts on biodiversity. However, several authors recognize its ability to estimate biodiversity loss drivers (impact indices on land use change and ecosystem). The study aims to apply LCA to the forest sector, precisely to the wood–energy chain of Hophornbeam, to cover suggestions of the MA for the biodiversity impact assessment. Six different scenarios for stove (3) and fireplace (3) wood production were analyzed, evaluating two baselines and four alternative scenarios, including sensitivity analyses related to transport distances for the raw materials. The functional unit is 1 MJ of energy. The fireplace combustion scenarios are relatively more sustainable than the stove ones are (2.95–3.21% less). The global warming potential (around 3 g CO2 eq/MJ) is consistent with current European directives on the sustainability of biofuels and scientific literature. The scenarios showed similarities regarding the impact of the categories related to MA drivers. Although biodiversity is protected by limiting forest management, some authors argue that for some species (e.g., Hophornbeam), a rational tree felling could produce biofuels, increasing biodiversity
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Life Cycle Assessment on the Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens L.)
No full textThe black soldier fly (BSF) is recognised as a valuable insect for mitigating feed and organic waste management challenges. Thus, concerted efforts are being directed toward the promotion of the BSF. Despite the numerous advantages of BSF larvae, there are several critical environmental aspects, particularly its global warming potential, that need to be considered before large-scale adoption due to the complexity of the insect’s value chain. The direct assessment of greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions from BSF larvae biotreatment is crucial for conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the insect products’ environmental performance. This article reviews the emissions of GHG from BSF larvae bioconversion activities based on different gas sensing techniques while highlighting the factors that influence these emissions. Generally, low gas emissions were reported. However, the influence of various factors influencing emissions remains unclear, especially for nitrous oxide. We also analysed LCA studies on BSFL products while emphasising the uncertainties and variabilities among the studies. The wide variation of impact scores reported in the studies suggests that standardised guidelines should be developed to streamline methodical approaches for impact assessments pertaining to system boundaries, functional units, allocation, and system expansion assumptions. We identified several aspects for future improvements to harmonise studies in order to enhance the comparative assessment of the BSFL products
Energy and environmental analysis of chains for horticultural products belonging to I, III, IV gamma
No full textStudy of the neurophysiological properties of Ventral Tegmental Area dopamine neurons following moderate alcohol drinking in the mouse
No full textAlcohol is the most commonly used substance of abuse worldwide, with 250 million people
worldwide affected by an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Dopaminergic (DA) projections from
the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the ventral striatum are strongly implicated in the reward
and reinforcing properties of alcohol and other drugs of abuse. Permanent changes in this
pathway underlie the formation of compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Unfortunately, neural
alterations induced by voluntary ethanol (EtOH) consumption are not yet entirely understood,
and current treatments for AUD are hardly available and not very effective. In this respect, a
better understanding of the neural modifications marking the early phases of alcohol experience
may unravel mechanisms that lead to the development of dependence in advanced stages. On
these premises, the main goal of the present project was to investigate the functional remodeling
of the reward system induced by EtOH in an animal paradigm of voluntary drinking. To achieve
this objective, we first implemented and characterized the 2-bottle choice paradigm (3, 6, 12%
v/v EtOH vs water) with the assessment of preference and total intake dynamics, and we
evaluated anxiety levels and relapse after EtOH deprivation. We then investigated persistent
alterations in VTA DA neurons induced by voluntary alcohol intake and following withdrawal,
and the response to acute 40 mM EtOH application, by performing electrophysiological
recordings in acute slices obtained from both EtOH-exposed and naive TH (tyrosine
hydroxylase)–GFP (green fluorescence protein) mice. Finally, nociceptin/orphanin FQ
(N/OFQ), applied in the bath during recordings, was tested on electrophysiological alterations
in the VTA identified in this project. Our results demonstrated that voluntary drinking does not
lead to behavioral escalation, and EtOH-exposed mice do not show withdrawal syndrome, such
as increased anxiety and alcohol deprivation effect (ADE), following EtOH deprivation.
However, we found a significant reduction in the basal firing rate of VTA DA neurons from
exposed mice, accompanied by a greater response to acute application. In line with this, chronic
EtOH increases the frequency of GABAergic, but not glutamatergic, inputs onto VTA DA
neurons, while reducing the response to acute EtOH perfusion. Nevertheless, after 5 days of
EtOH deprivation, the strength of the inhibitory synaptic activity onto DA neurons and response
to acute EtOH is normalized. Together these changes may precede the onset of a
hypodopaminergic condition and an addictive state. Finally, we obtained evidence that N/OFQ,
long studied as an endogenous able to control addictive behavior in animal models, abolishes
the acute EtOH-induced enhancing effect on the firing rate of VTA DA neurons in both groups
without affecting their basal activity
A systematic review on precision agriculture applied to sunflowers, the role of hyperspectral imaging
No full textSunflower is an annual species of the Asteraceae family, and it occupies a relevant position in the world market business as one of the most important oilseed crops. Given the current geopolitical situation and climate change, the agri-food supply chain of sunflower is in crisis. In this context, precision agriculture, especially remote sensing, can address demands for more production and greater sustainability. The aim of the present systematic review is to evaluate the available scientific literature on precision agriculture applied to sunflower crop, specifically the use of hyperspectral data to calculate vegetation indices or create crop growth models. The systematic review follows specific guidelines and a well-described review protocol. A total of 104 studies were included in the review, starting from raw search in different data sources (Scopus, Web of Science, Springer Link, and Science Direct) and following with the application of inclusion criteria. Results focused on the following main topics: crop management (i.e., management zones, yield prediction, vegetation indices correlations), sunflower crop growth monitoring (i.e., identify different growth stages and vegetation parameters), weed management, and industrial applications. The role of hyperspectral sensors has been thoroughly investigated to help choose ideal wavelengths related to vegetation indices. Future research should prioritise water stress management, time-saving evaluation of new sunflower hybrids, and crop growth models
The Pottesman Collection in the British Museum. Early Dynastic and Sargonic administrative texts. With an Appendix on a Palmyrene Inscription
No full textEdizione, trascrizione, traduzione e commento di un frammento di iscrizione palmirena inedita presente nella collezione Pottesman del British Museum (Appendice Agostini).The British Museum houses a small collection of six cuneiform tablets and a Palmyrene dedicatory inscription purchased in 1987 from the private collection of Solomon Pottesman. The aim of the present contribution is to provide a catalog of this lot and an edition of the so far unpublished cuneiform texts. In the appendix, Alessio Agostini added the edition of the Palmyrene inscription, which would have otherwise gone beyond the capabilities of the present author
Image Processing Technique for Enhanced Combustion Efficiency of Wood Pellets
No full textThe combustion efficiency of wood pellets is partly affected by their average length. The ISO 17829 standard defines the methodology for assessing the average length of sample pellets, but the method does not always lead to representative data. Furthermore, a standard analysis is time-consuming as it requires manual measurement of the pellets using a caliper. This paper, whilst evaluating the effect of pellet length on combustion efficiency, proposes a pending-patented dimensional image processing method (DIP) for assessing pellet length. DIP allows the dimensional data of grouped and stacked pellets to be obtained by exploiting the shadows produced by pellets when exposed to a light source, assuming that different-sized pellets produce different shadows. Thus, the proposed method allows for the extraction of dimensional information from non-distinct objects, overcoming the reliance of classical image processing methods on object distance for effective segmentation. Combustion tests, carried out using pellets varying only in length, confirmed the influence of length on combustion efficiency. Shorter pellets, compared to longer ones, significantly reduced CO emissions by up to 94% (mg/MJ). However, they exhibited a higher fuel mass consumption rate (kg/h), with an increase of up to 22.8% compared to the longest sample. In addition, longer pellets produced fewer but larger shadows than shorter ones. Further studies are needed to correlate the number and size of shadows with samples’ average length so that DIP could be implemented in stoves and programmed to communicate with the control unit and automatically optimize the setting in order to improve combustion efficiency
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