1,721,099 research outputs found
Antioxidant properties of minimally processed (ready-to-eat) Italian Cichorium genus salads
No full textThe modern lifestyle is characterized by a continuous increase in the demand of ready-to-eat fresh food products subjected to minimal processes prior marketing. Attention is drawn towards the effect of this processing on the antioxidant/antiradical properties of two typical Italian salads belonging to Cichorium genus. Four chemical assays (anti-peroxyl radical activity, DPPH• assay, metal chelating ability assay, and reducing power assay) were used for evaluating these properties. The results indicated that the anti-peroxyl radical activity, the anti-DPPH radical activity, the metal chelating ability, and the reducing power were significantly higher in fresh samples as compared to 8-days stored samples (p < 0.001). Minimal processing applied to vegetables further affected the tested properties causing a decrease over time from 24h to 8d of storage at 4°C. Overall, the results presented in this study showed that any minimal processing applied to ready-to-eat vegetable affects the antioxidant/antiradical properties determining a decrease in the values registered in the four chemical assays
Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) by-products and their impact: from bioactive compounds to biomass energy and sorbent material for removing contaminants. A Review
No full textAvocado industry produces enormous by-products and represents an important source of raw material in
food and non-food applications. This review aims to focus the attention on the valorisation of avocado
wastes recycling to produce different materials with important industrial and environmental impacts. In
fact, peels and seeds can be reused in food and cosmetic fields due to the presence of bioactive ingredients
such as polyphenols; thanks to their antioxidant and antinflammatory activities. In addition, both peels
and seeds can be reused in the production of carbonaceous materials with important consequences for
environmental pollution in the removal of contaminants from water. Interesting applications of avocado
wastes in photocatalysis and biofuel production are also discussed. All the utilisations attest the great
potential of recycling avocado by-products, a little known resource
An Intelligence-based Tool for Energy Management by Device Interoperability in Smart Houses
No full textThe recent developments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and Internet of Things (IoT) make several house devices cooperate to each other to achieve higher energy performances and offer new services. However, the increasing embedded intelligence of smart devices is also generating a huge quantity of data, which must be properly managed. In fact, it is difficult to easily manage data to make certain functions available and to define a strategy for results maximization. This paper defines a methodology to improve smart home information management based on the selection, aggregation and classification of the sensible data and the correlation with the device typology, nature, and destination of use. Furthermore, a case study focused on washing machine is presented to demonstrate how this methodology can be implemented to realize a supporting tool encouraging service ideation to benefit the different subjects involved. The proposed model represents a first step towards the creation of a standard for smart house information management and device interoperability
A smart home information management model for device interoperability simulation
Full text linkNumerous smart home systems have been created in the recent years, but they still lack of high interoperability and research has been focused on single smart technologies instead of the system interoperability as a whole. Furthermore, available systems are usually strongly technology-oriented and they neglect the user’s satisfaction and the benefits’ analysis. In addition to this, modern systems impose the intelligent management of a huger amount of data, which needs to be properly coordinated to achieve higher performances and offer new energy-control services.
This paper defines an information management model to improve device interoperability in smart homes. It allows selecting and classifying the devices, visualizing their data model, aggregating the necessary data according to the desired service functions, and finally defining a set of rules to coordinate device operations according to user preferences and external events. A case study focused on washing machines is presented to demonstrate the methodology implementation; it allows designing and developing an energy-control service for the selected device and optimizing its functions according to the users’ needs and preferences as well as the constraints of the use scenario. Finally, the benefits achieved with such a new service are evaluated in terms of energy consumption, costs reduction and user satisfaction in a simulated home environment that represents practical scenarios of use
A comparison of different waste collection methods: Environmental impacts and occupational risks
No full textMunicipal waste management, especially in developed countries, has a significant impact on the environment and humans that need to be quantified and mitigated. This study aims to investigate and compare the envi-ronmental impact and occupational risks of the following three municipal waste collection methods in Italy: street bins, door-to-door collection, and a smart bins system. Six waste categories (paper, plastics, glass, metal, organic materials, and residual waste) are analysed.Environmental performances are calculated by the life cycle assessment (LCA) and material and flow analysis (MFA) methodologies. The ergonomic analysis is based on direct observation of municipal waste collectors and the application of standard assessment methods as RULA, NIOSH, and Snook Ciriello. Results: show that the smart bins collection method is environmentally more effective in all the impact categories considered, thanks to the better quality of collected waste. The residual waste flow directed to landfills has a lower value in the case of smart bins (36.63%) in comparison with door-to-door (52.90%) and street bins (89.56%). The use of smart bins allows higher environmental benefits, passing for the Climate Change impact category from-2.80E+01 kg of CO2eq. of the door-to-door system and-2.74E+01 kg of CO2eq. of street bins to-7.13E+01 kg of CO2eq. of smart bins. Regarding the transport phase, the smart bins system determines a reduction of the impact of about 60% if compared with the door-to-door system for all the impact categories considered.On the other hand, acceptable occupational risks result in street and smart waste collection methods, while poor ergonomics conditions are observed during the door-to-door collection. Containers lifting and emptying are the most critical tasks
Exploring how new industrial paradigms affect the workforce: A literature review of Operator 4.0
Full text linkThe ongoing paradigm transition from Industry 4.0 to Industry 5.0 is driving toward a new industrial vision rooted in addressing human and planetary needs rather than solely focusing on innovation for profit. One of the most significant shifts that defines Industry 5.0 is the change in focus from technology-driven progress to a genuinely human-centric approach. This means that the industrial sector should prioritize human needs and interests at the core of the production process. Instead of replacing workers on the shop floor, technologies should enhance their capabilities, leading to a safer and more fulfilling work environment. Consequently, the role of industrial operators is undergoing a substantial transformation. This subject has garnered increasing interest from both researchers and industries. However, there is a lack of comprehensive literature covering the concept of Operator 4.0. To address this gap, this paper presents a systematic literature review of the role of Operator 4.0 within the manufacturing context. Out of the 1333 papers retrieved from scientific literature databases, 130 scientific papers met the inclusion criteria and underwent detailed analysis. The study aims to provide an extensive overview of Operator 4.0, analyzing the occupational risks faced by workers and the proposed solutions to support them by leveraging the key enabling technologies of Industry 4.0. The paper places particular emphasis on human aspects, which are often overlooked although the successful implementation of technologies heavily relies on who uses them and how they are utilized. Finally, the paper discusses open issues and challenges and puts forth suggestions for future research directions
Anti- and pro-oxidant water soluble activity of Cichorium genus vegetables and effect of thermal treatment
No full textProprietà anti e proossidanti di alimenti vegetali ed influenza dei trattamenti termici su tali proprietà
No full textProduct Service Platform to improve care systems for elderly living at home
No full textBackground: Population aging is inducing governments to redesign their healthcare models. One policy measure aimed at reducing healthcare expenditures and improving services is to encourage people to age-in-place. Scientific research has been trying to find ICT-enabled solutions to the growing problem of elderly home care. However, such research is often technology-oriented and neglects the end-user perspective. It does not consider the real needs of older people and all stakeholders involved in their healthcare. Method: A user-centered design approach was adopted with the involvement of older people, experts dealing with the aging population, and the whole stakeholders’ chain. Through surveys, focus groups, and brainstorming sessions, it was possible to determine the main features of the product service platform. Results: Starting from a large-scale survey of elderly people living in Italy, this paper presents the requirements and the architecture of a product service platform aimed at improving the independence and elderly quality of life. This work proposes an elderly-centered platform that works as an aggregation point of an articulated social health system, provides multiple tailored services, and optimizes the use of local resources. Conclusions: The involvement of the end-user and all the stakeholders allowed for the consideration of different perspectives and the creation of a value network that aggregates existing services, resources, and information with new opportunities to achieve common benefits. This work provides guidelines on how to develop this type of platform by exploiting the potential of each stakeholder without creating new barriers. Technology, caregivers, and society are combined synergistically to provide tailored services able to satisfy specific users’ needs
A framework to promote social sustainability in industry 4.0
Full text linkIndustrial process digitalisation is pervading numerous areas of production system, including sustainability. The study presents a method to affirm how the social sustainability of a company also passes through the protection of the welfare of the worker and describes a case study focused on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The method considers different aspects including the characteristics of the worker/s, the working context, and the content of the work activity. According to the objectives of social sustainability in the factory environment multifactorial variables related to the workers wellbeing have been defined. IoT system and ad-hoc questionnaires can be used to collect such variables. Following the proposed method, the results of the case study offer many in-depth insights, from the objective analysis of personal characteristics to the organisation of work, and from the application of international standards to the evaluation of psychological parameters
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