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Diesel engine exhausts from a common rail 3.0 L F1C diesel engine were analyzed at two different load conditions of the WLTC testing cycle downstream of both the diesel particulate filter (DPF) and selective catalytic reactor (SCR) to verify their effect on the characteristics of carbon particulate matter. An array of chemical, physical and spectroscopic techniques (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), mobility analyzer, UV-Visible absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy) was applied for characterizing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), heavy aromatic compounds and soot, constituting the particulate matter (PM) sampled from the exhaust. The engine was operated in half load (HL) (188 Nm, representing the more common condition for engine in urban traffic) and full load (FL) (452 Nm, representing the best performance of the engine operation) conditions, at the same engine speed (2000 rpm). Soot formation was enhanced in HL condition, with respect to FL, but, just because of the much lower soot amount, the after-treatment systems in this last condition resulted to be less efficient in the soot abatement. Indeed, the abatement through DPF was about 40% lower in the FL condition with respect to HL condition, and any significant further concentration decrease was found after SCR, in both conditions. By contrast, PAH concentration after DPF abatement was found to be higher in the HL with respect to FL condition. A further PAH concentration decrease of about 30% was found after the SCR in the HL condition whereas in FL the reduction was only about 5-6%. Also the heavy aromatic compounds having molecular weight above the GC-MS detection limit (300 u), were mitigated by SCR. Therefore, SCR did not cause a further soot reduction, whereas it was effective in largely reducing PAH and heavy aromatics emissions, especially in the lower temperature condition featuring the half-load condition, when combustion efficiency is worse. Moreover, SCR system reduced the emission of small particles probably due to an enhanced agglomeration of particles, with beneficial effect on the harmfulness to human health.

Activity pacing (AP) is a concept that is central to many chronic pain theories and treatments, yet there remains confusion regarding its definition and effects.To review the current knowledge concerning AP and integrate this knowledge in a manner that allows for a clear definition and useful directions for future research.A narrative review of the major theoretical approaches to AP and of the empirical evidence regarding the effects of AP interventions, followed by an integrative discussion.The concept of AP is derived from 2 main traditions: operant and energy conservation. Although there are common elements across these traditions, significant conceptual and practical differences exist, which has led to confusion. Little empirical evidence exists concerning the efficacy of AP as a treatment for chronic pain.Future research on AP should be based on a clear theoretical foundation, consider the context in which the AP behavior occurs and the type of pacing problem ("underactivity" vs. "overactivity"), and should examine the impact of AP treatment on multiple clinical outcomes. We provide a provisional definition of AP and specific recommendations that we believe will move the field forward.

The main system of central ethanol oxidation is mediated by the enzyme catalase. By reacting with H2O2, brain catalase forms compound I (the catalase–H2O2 system), which is able to oxidize ethanol to acetaldehyde in the brain. Previous studies have demonstrated that pharmacological manipulations of brain catalase activity modulate the stimulant effects of ethanol in mice. However, the role of H2O2 in the behavioral effects of ethanol has not yet been clearly addressed. In the present study, we investigated the effects of alpha-lipoic acid (LA), a scavenging agent for H2O2, on ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation. CD-1 mice were pretreated with LA [0–100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (IP)] 0–60 min prior to administration of ethanol (0–3.75 g/kg, IP). In another experiment, animals were pretreated with LA (0, 25, or 50 mg/kg, IP) 30 min before cocaine (10 mg/kg, IP), amphetamine (2 mg/kg, IP), or caffeine (25 mg/kg, IP). After these treatments the animals were placed in an open-field chamber and their locomotor activity was measured for 20 min. LA 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg IP prevented ethanol-induced locomotor stimulation. LA did not affect the locomotor-stimulating effects of cocaine, amphetamine, and caffeine. Additionally, we demonstrated that LA prevents the inactivation of brain catalase by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole, thus indicating that H2O2 levels are reduced by LA. These data support the idea that a decrease in cerebral H2O2 production by LA administration inhibits ethanol-stimulated locomotion. This study suggests that the brain catalase–H2O2 system, and by implication centrally formed acetaldehyde, plays a key role in the psychopharmacological effects of ethanol.

In the recent years, some experimental forms of housing (cohousing and social housing) have developed in Italy, which also take on the features of real energy communities. These initiatives have been planned and implemented thanks to the active participation and investments of the people involved in the project. Their primary aim is to implement new form of shared housing, but by adopting renewable generation systems and sharing both energy production and consumption, they are contributing to foster the energy transition process. In this research, we studied the management of the energy resource and the social interactions among the cohousers. Moreover, we analysed the social impacts on the surrounding territory in order to know as they can widespread the clean energy technologies and social innovation processes. To do this, we compared two experiences of collaborative housing: the first one, active since some years in Northern Italy, is a bottom-up initiative set up by the voluntary action of some families and individuals. Its goal is to share common spaces and activities, but also to produce and use renewable energy with a view to economic and environmental sustainability. The second one is a social cohousing, established in Messina (Southern Italy) and implemented by the Fondazione di Comunità di Messina. The project involves people who live in socio-economic difficulties. Through the ESCO Solidarity & Energy, the Fondazione has designed and applied energy systems to allow the tenants to become prosumers and prosumagers.

Treball Final de Grau en Finances i Comptabilitat. Codi: FC1049. Curs acadèmic: 2019/2020 In recent years there has been a rise in businesses investing in social and ethical issues. The sustainable development goals published in 2015 by the UN provide a globally agreed framework to make the world more sustainable. Companies have been given the opportunity to help the environment and society through their actions whilst increasing their value and return and improving their reputation. A method for doing so is by following the principles of responsible investment and incorporating environmental, social and governance criteria into long-term businesses strategies. Spanish banks are actively working to achieve the sustainable development goals by investing in sustainable finance, social projects, housing programmes, etc. to meet societal needs whilst extending their market scope and achieving corporate growth and financial success. The main focus of their actions lays with two specific goals: ending poverty and providing decent work and economic growth for all.

An electrochemical supercapacitor in all solid configuration using perfluorosulfonate ionomer as polymer electrolyte has been successfully realized. Electrodes of supercapacitor have been prepared using activated carbon material and Nafion ionomer. This latter had the double function of binder and electrolyte. Nafion 115 membrane has been used as electrolyte separator in the preparation of small scale supercapacitors. The capacitance performance of these devices is comparable or better than traditional systems, which use sulfuric acid as electrolyte. The electrochemical evaluation of studied supercapacitor has been carried out by cyclic voltammetry, dc charge/discharge measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. A capacitance of 90 F/g (referred to the weight of active carbon material in the electrode) has been obtained with carbon having surface area (SA) of about 1000m2/g and, a capacitance of 130 F/g with activated carbon having SA of 1500m2/g. These interesting results have been tentatively explained with an optimal configuration of electrodes and with the concomitant beneficial effects on the carbon pores of adsorbed water and Nafion distribution, which produce low distribute resistance in the carbon composite electrodes.

Artículos en revistas The effectiveness and efficiency of policies that try to reduce carbon emissions in the transport sector may depend significantly, at least in the short term, on the availability of options to shift away from diesel and gasoline private cars. This paper uses a detailed model, and a carefully-constructed dataset, to show how a fuel tax reform affects differently Spanish metropolitan areas based on their fleet composition, share of public transport, and urban vs suburban distribution. We find that those areas with the largest share of diesel and with the highest penetration of public transport are able to reduce more their carbon emissions and energy use, at a lower welfare loss. We also find that the reductions obtained are not large, thus requiring additional measures. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

In this work some electrochemical characteristics of all solid double layer capacitors prepared by high surface carbon and Nafion polymer electrolyte are reported. Carbon composite electrodes with a Nafion loading of 30 wt.% were prepared and evaluated. Nafion 115 membrane, recast Nafion membrane and 1 M H2SO4 solution in a matrix of glass fiber have been used as electrolyte, in the double layer capacitors. The different double layer capacitors (DLCs) have been evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The capacitor with a recast Nafion electrolyte exhibits a proton conductivity of about 3x10-2 S cm-1 at ambient temperature, that is higher of that reported for solid electrolytes (10-3 to 10-4 S cm-1) in the current literature on capacitors. A maximum of specific capacitance of 13 F/g of active materials ( ) corresponding to 52 F/g for a single electrode measured in a three-electrode arrangement has been achieved with the capacitor with recast Nafion. The capacitance of the capacitor with recast Nafion electrolyte, evaluated in low-frequency region below 10 mHz, was practically equivalent at that with sulphuric acid electrolyte. The interpretation of the characteristics of the microporous structure of carbon material of the electrodes by impedance analysis is also discussed.

The repercussions of climate change will be felt in various ways throughout both natural and human systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. Climate change projections for this region point to a warming trend, particularly in the inland subtropics; frequent occurrence of extreme heat events; increasing aridity; and changes in rainfall—with a particularly pronounced decline in southern Africa and an increase in East Africa. The region could also experience as much as one meter of sea-level rise by the end of this century under a 4 °C warming scenario. Sub-Saharan Africa’s already high rates of undernutrition and infectious disease can be expected to increase compared to a scenario without climate change. Particularly vulnerable to these climatic changes are the rainfed agricultural systems on which the livelihoods of a large proportion of the region’s population currently depend. As agricultural livelihoods become more precarious, the rate of rural–urban migration may be expected to grow, adding to the already significant urbanization trend in the region. The movement of people into informal settlements may expose them to a variety of risks different but no less serious than those faced in their place of origin, including outbreaks of infectious disease, flash flooding and food price increases. Impacts across sectors are likely to amplify the overall effect but remain little understood.