86,546 research outputs found
Biorefinery development in livestock production systems: Applications, challenges, and future research directions
No full textSustainable development and reducing natural and energy resource consumption are the focus of the policies of
many institutions. In this context, livestock farming is one of the major anthropogenic sources of GHG and
acidifying gas emissions and requires comprehensive analysis to minimise its ecological footprint. For this
reason, it is beneficial to analyse the various processes within this production sector to reduce the consumption of
resources, particularly water and soil consumption; reduce energy consumption; and try to valorise the biowaste
produced, especially manure, byproducts and wastewater. Reusing residual bioresource and organic waste offers
the possibility of valorising a discarded product and, at the same time, reducing the consumption of natural
resources. For this purpose, biorefinery processes allow bioresources to be transformed into bioproducts or
bioenergy. Therefore, this study investigates the application of biorefinery processes to animal-derived waste,
aiming to extract valuable resources while curbing resource consumption. This review analysed 293 scientific
papers on biorefinery processes published in the last 11 years applied to livestock biomass to extract relevant
information to understand the evolution of this topic and formulate hypotheses regarding future research di-
rections. The analysis strongly emphasizes energy production and a growing interest in insect cultivation. In the
coming years, one of the most significant challenges will be the successful transfer of technologies and processes
from experimental research to the applied industry. To do this, it will be necessary to reduce costs, exploit
economies of scale, improve process management, and develop synergies between different industrial sectors to
implement smart circular economy systems. Overall, this review aims to clarify the hypothesis driving research in
this area and emphasizes the tangible applications of findings within the broader context of sustainable resource
management
Experimental tests on a new harvesting system for Burley tobacco
No full textThe globalization of the tobacco production has led to a drop in competitiveness
of the Italian tobacco on the world market. Burley is the
main variety of tobacco cropped in Campania region of Southern Italy.
Its leaves have to be sewn, in the curing phase. Aim of this work is to
show the results of the implementation of a new harvest machine prototype.
Basically, the machine used for Bright tobacco, totally mechanical
harvested, which doesn’t need to be sewn because it requires an
indirect-fire treatment into the curing furnaces. The machine was
modified in order to mechanize harvesting of Burley tobacco, and tested
on four cultivars of Burley tobacco under three different planting
layouts. The Burley tobacco leaves can be harvested mechanically by
pulling individual leaves off the stalk; leaves are then sorted and tied
in bundles prior to sewing. A mechanical burley tobacco harvesting
system was evaluated. This machine consists in realizing a leaves orientation
system based on the different weight between the leaf blade
and the stalk enhanced by an air flow. The measurements taken were
harvest timing, work capacity, and quality standards of the work carried
out. The results, in terms of user time, range from 6.67 h/ha to
7.80 h/ha while in terms of operational efficiency are between 88% and
89%. The average user capacity recorded for the four cultivars is equal
to 0.14 ha/h, a value far from the one recorded for the same harvesting
machine used for Bright tobacco (0.25 ha/h). The harvest timing
capacity, range from 0.51 t/h to 0.99 t/h. The work productivity goes
from 0.17 t to 0.33 t per hour of human unit respectively. The average
number of detached leaves, depending on the cultivar, has been
between 523 and 744. Concerning the leaf orientation, a general percentage
of 73% was achieved
Variations on the Author
No full text“Variations on the Author” discusses two of Eduardo Coutinho’s recent films (Um Dia na Vida, from 2010, and Últimas Conversas, posthumously released in 2015) and their contribution to the general question of documentary authorship. The director’s filmography is characterized by a consistent yet self-effacing form of authorial self-inscription: Coutinho often features as an interviewer that rather than express opinions propels discourses; an interviewer that is good at listening. This mode of self-inscription characterizes him as an author who is not expressive but who is nonetheless markedly present on the screen. In Um Dia na Vida, however, Coutinho is completely absent form the image, while Últimas Conversas, on the contrary, includes a confessional prologue that moves the director from the margins to the center of his films. This article examines the ways in which these works stand out in the filmography of a director who offers new insights into the notion of cinematic authorship
Landscape and Human Settlements in Rural Areas, a Diachronic Analysis Using Landscape Metrics and Topographic Indices. The Municipalities of Vico Equense and Sorrento, Sorrento Peninsula, Italy
No full textAbstract
Besides their primary function linked to agricultural activities, rural buildings have been for centuries also a distinctive element of the Italian landscape. The present study explores the intrinsic correlation between rural buildings and landscape, highlighting how the first ones shaped and/or were affected by the rural landscape. The study focuses on traditional and cost-effective architectures in a typical context of southern Italy, the Sorrento’ Peninsula, historically marked by small land properties with direct soil management, and nowadays subjected to various pressures: from housing to infrastructure, to tourism.
The landscape analysis covers about 60 years, starting from the Italian Touring club Land Use map (1960), until to the 2018 Corine Land Cover map . For the building analysis, data were retrieved from the topographic map of the Italian Military Geographical Institute (1957) and from the Regional Technical map of the Campania Region (2004–2005). This research critically examined rural systems, mapping buildings and connecting them to the surrounding landscape, basing on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) support, landscape metrics assessment and topographic factors analysis. The results showed significant transformations in landscape and rural settlements (−20% of agricultural areas; +30% of forest and semi-natural areas; +67 urban areas), highlighting the strong pressure to which the territory is subjected today due to land consumption.
The aim of the work is to support the landscape management and the policy makers activities to foreseen specific interventions to landscape protection and valorisation, considering both the historical building heritage and the local community development issues
Multi-temporal Analysis of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) Effect Using Satellite Imagery in the Phlegrean Area
No full textAbstract
Urbanization and the concurrent loss of green areas determine changes in land surface temperature (LST) and worsen the phenomenon of urban heath islands (UHI). To understand these relationships, long-term studies have been carried out using remote sensing data, analyzing the trend over a large area. This study is aimed at multi-temporal analysis based on satellite data for calculating LST and land use indices to identify their interaction with UHIs during the period 2000–2023, in the region known as Phlegrean Area, in Campania (Italy). Results reveal that the reference period was characterized by increasing LST which affected UHI share and intensity. On the other hand, we observed a contraction of greenery in favor of urban areas. Furthermore, in the same period of observation, it is noteworthy the loss of more than 3 km2 of forests due to a severe wildfire. In conclusion, the model results show that there could be a correlation between the increase in artificial surfaces and the increase in temperatures and consequently the enlargement of UHI areas. A greater attention in the design of green areas in urban contexts, considering sustainability and ecology targets, could help mitigating UHI phenomenon
[Newspaper Clipping: Author Claims Evidence of Second JFK Assassin #1]
No full textNewspaper article titled "Author Claims Evidence of Second JFK Assassin." The article states that author Richard J. Whalen concluded "that there is circumstantial evidence to support the theory of a second assassin in the shooting of President John F. Kennedy.
The use of "closed laparostomy" using bioabsorbable mesh in prevention of abdominal compartment syndrome.
No full textStapled transanal rectal resection with contour transtar for obstructed defecation syndrome: lessons learned after more than 3 years of single-center activity.
No full textBACKGROUND: Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) is a widespread and disabling disease.
OBJECTIVE: We want to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection (STARR) performed with a new dedicated device in the treatment of ODS.
DESIGN: A retrospective review of 187 STARR performed from June 2007 to February 2011 was conducted.
SETTINGS: The whole study was conducted at a University Hospital.
PATIENTS: All the patients with symptomatic ODS and the presence of a rectocele and/or a recto-rectal or recto-anal intussusception, in the absence of sphincter contractile deficiency, were included in the treatment protocol.
INTERVENTIONS: All procedures were performed using Contur Transtar device. We analyze the functional results of this technique and the incidence and features of the surgical and functional complications and how you can prevent or treat them.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Constipation was graded using the Agachan-Wexner constipation score; use of aids to defecate and patient satisfaction were assessed preoperatively and 6 months after surgery. Intraoperative and postoperative complications were also investigated.
RESULTS: The constipation intensity was statistically reduced from the preoperative mean value of 15.8 (± 4.9) to 5.2 (± 3.9) at 6 months after surgery (p<0.0001). Of the 151 (80.3%) patients who took laxatives and 49 (26.2%) who used enemas before treatment, only 25 (13.2 %; p<0.0001) and 7 (3.7%; p<0.0001) respectively, continued to do so after surgery. None of the 17 (9.1%) patients who had previously helped themselves with digitation needed to continue this practice. Almost all patients showed a good satisfaction rate (3.87/5) after the procedure.
LIMITATIONS: The retrospective design introduces potential selection bias.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study shows that STARR performed using Contour Transtar is a safe and effective procedure to treat ODS
Emissioni ammoniacali da bufala mediterranea in regione Campania: il progetto RiAGRI
No full textL’aumento della produzione di prodotti caseari, in regione Campania, ha comportato un surplus di nutrienti nelle aree dove si concentrano gli allevamenti stessi. L’eccesso di input azotati rispetto alle necessità effettive determina perdite dei composti azotati nei diversi comparti aria, acqua e suolo. Le emissioni ammoniacali rappresentano una delle principali vie di perdita dell’azoto. Gli allevamenti di bufala Mediterranea costituiscono una delle principali risorse economiche della provincia di Salerno, con oltre 500 aziende e circa 80.000 capi allevati. Perché ci sia sviluppo sostenibile è però necessario che questa preziosa risorsa economica si adegui alle richieste delle normative in materia di tutela ambientale. RiAGRI -Sele (http://www.riagrisele.it/) è un progetto finanziato dal Programma di Sviluppo Rurale 2014-2020 della Regione Campania, della durata di un anno e mezzo e ha come obiettivo la sensibilizzazione degli allevatori bufalini della Provincia di Salerno, al problema delle emissioni ammoniacali e all’ottimizzazione delle risorse idriche e alla protezione del suolo agricolo attraverso l’organizzazione di attività divulgative e dimostrative.
Il progetto RiAGRI è frutto di precedenti studi realizzati dal Dipartimento di Agraria, per operare una quantificazione preliminare delle emissioni ammoniacali a seguito dello spandimento di refluo di origine bufalino. In particolare, sono state eseguite tre prove in pieno campo durante la stagione estiva con i metodi: Integrated Horizontal Flux (IHF) e wind tunnel (WT). Dall’analisi dei risultati si è riscontrato che i picchi emissivi si sono registrati tutti nelle prime 6 ore a valle dello spandimento. Le emissioni cumulate da refluo tal quale sono 46.8 and 26.5 kg N ha−1, pari al 52% e il 30% del TAN applicato per IHF e WT rispettivamente. Allo stesso modo, le emissioni cumulate da separato liquido del digestato sono 49.2 and 26.4 kg N ha−1, pari al 84% e il 45Þl TAN applicato per IHF e WT rispettivamente. Infine, nell’ultima campagna sperimentale condotta con l’ausilio dei WT si è operato un confronto diretto tra le emissioni da letame e digestato bufalini, che risultano essere rispettivamente 14.77kg N ha-1 e 31.77kg N ha-1 (circa il 54% in più del letame).
Le attività di ricerca suggeriscono che un’attenta gestione dei reflui zootecnici unitamente a pratiche di gestione e ottimizzazione delle risorse idriche si può ottenere un maggior contenimento dei danni ambientali legati all’allevamento bufalino
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