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Calcinosis cutis is a frequent, difficult to treat manifestation of systemic sclerosis (SSc) associated with high morbidity. The aim of this prospective, controlled, monocentric study was to assess safety and efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for calcinosis cutis of the finger in SSc patients.A 12-week proof of concept study in which 4 SSc patients with calcinosis cutis were treated at one painful finger with high-energy, focused ESWT, in 3 sessions with one-week interval between each session. A second, untreated finger, served as control. The outcome parameters were: change in pain, change in size of calcification measured by ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) and of the force by pressing the finger against a Dolorimeter.Pain was reduced (by 91% and 60%) in the treated finger in two out of four patients. There was no change in the control fingers. The size of the calcinosis in the treated finger was reduced in three (US) and four patients (CT). Inter-assessor agreement was acceptable for US volume measures (ICC=0.863).We could show promising evidence for safety and efficacy of ESWT for chronic, treatment resistant calcinosis cutis in SSc patients, thus justifying the initiation of larger multicentre controlled trials.

Latent thermal energy storages (LTESs) in combination with heat pumps and smart control strategies can maximize the utilization of renewable energy sources for heating and cooling. However, smart energy management with model predictive control (MPC) requires monitoring the total energy stored in the LTES, which is determined by the liquid fraction of the phase change material (PCM). Measuring the liquid fraction is challenging and the diverse liquid-fraction sensing approaches pose a trade-off between accuracy and ease of implementation. The present study aims to quantify the effect of the liquid fraction sensing accuracy on the performance of MPC strategies for heating systems with LTES. For this purpose, a residential heating application with an energy management system is analyzed. The heating system consists of a heat pump, an LTES and a photovoltaic array. The heat pump can be driven by the photovoltaic array and the electric grid. The energy management system uses MPC based on Mixed-Integer Linear Programming. Representative seasonal profiles for the heating load and weather conditions are used as forecasts for the MPC. The performance of the energy management system is assessed in terms of total heating cost for different error values in the estimation of the liquid fraction of the PCM in the LTES. The heating cost is found to proportionally increase with the absolute error in liquid fraction due to reduced utilization of the LTES capacity.

Statistical QCD predicts that with increasing density, strongly interacting matter will undergo a transition to a plasma of deconfined quarks and gluons. High energy heavy ion collisions are expected to permit experimental studies of this transition and of the predicted new state of matter. 22 refs., 6 figs.

Chapters: 1 - Introduction. Importance of oil to the economy. 2 - Oil company finances. The financial basis for oil company decisions. 3 - Basics of petroleum geology. Sources of hydrocarbons, accumulations, means of extraction. 4 - Peak oil. Understanding the truths and limitations of the analysis. 5 - Role of energy in the economy. Flows of energy. Creation of entropy. Ecologic impacts. 6 - Future role for oil. Transportation. Transition to other energy sources. 7 - Political issues. How governments modify and control oil. 8 - Forecasting oil and natural gas. Shale oil, tar sands, deep water prospects, nature of energy markets. 9 - Likely future scenarios.

Functional asymmetry of G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) dimers has been reported for an increasing number of cases, but the molecular architecture of signalling units associated to these dimers remains unclear. Here, we characterized the molecular complex of the melatonin MT₁ receptor, which directly and constitutively couples to G(i) proteins and the regulator of G-protein signalling (RGS) 20. The molecular organization of the ternary MT₁/G(i)/RGS20 complex was monitored in its basal and activated state by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer between probes inserted at multiple sites of the complex. On the basis of the reported crystal structures of G(i) and the RGS domain, we propose a model wherein one G(i) and one RGS20 protein bind to separate protomers of MT₁ dimers in a pre-associated complex that rearranges upon agonist activation. This model was further validated with MT₁/MT₂ heterodimers. Collectively, our data extend the concept of asymmetry within GPCR dimers, reinforce the notion of receptor specificity for RGS proteins and highlight the advantage of GPCRs organized as dimers in which each protomer fulfils its specific task by binding to different GPCR-interacting proteins.

ECOS2010 - 23rd International Conference on Efficiency, Cost, Optimization, Simulation and Environmental Impact of Energy Systems, June 14-17 2010, Lausanne, Switzerland Ecoefficiency and renewable energy for a sustainable world + Developments, application and teaching of methods in: - Basic and applied thermodynamics - Thermoeconomics and environomics - Simulation, improvement and optimization of energy conversion systems - Process design, analysis and integration of thermal and chemical systems - Diagnostic and control of thermal systems - Environmental impact and sustainability of energy systems + Relevant physical systems - Conventional and advanced power plants - Polygeneration and District heating/cooling systems - New technologies in heat pumps, refrigeration and air conditioning - New technologies for electricity (co)generation - Industrial process plants - Energy storage - Carbon Capture and Storage - Hydrogen and natural gas technologies - Biomass conversion systems - Energy conversion systems for transportation - Water Desalination and Treatment + Focus points - Technology, environmental and economical aspects of biofuels and other renewable energies (biomass, geothermal, thermal solar) - Fuel cells systems - Heat pumps and Organic Rankine Cycles

Benefit corporations are gaining international recognition as a new corporate model catering for the needs of businesses striving for a triple-bottom-line approach. They are axed on three main pillars: a hybrid (for-profit and non-for-profit) purpose, expanded duties of their executive body to consider the interest of third-party stakeholders, and specific transparency requirements. In an international comparison, this thesis starts analyzing the model's inception in the United States and its further development in continental Europe (particularly in ltaly, the first civil law jurisdiction having adopted a dedicated body of law on the subject matter). lt then moves on considering its possible implementation in Switzerland by way of private ordering (on the blueprint of B Lab's requirements to obtain the B Corp certification for Swiss companies limited by shares) and its consequent implications, to conclude with certain recommendations on possible legislative amendments to improve the model's overall accountability.

Urban pollution is a current problem, constituting a serious health risk. Many pollutants are present in the urban atmosphere, they are mainly anthropogenic, resulting from the combustion of coal. Several studies have shown the harmful effects of these pollutants, particularly on the respiratory system. Through a library review, we want to explore the effects on the health of general population and of outdoor workers exposed to the products resulting from the combustion of coal, in order to compare them with the estimated effects of the pollutants from the new generation coal plants, certainly less harmful to the environment. In recent years investments in "clean technologies" have resulted in a rapid and significant reduction of all polluting emissions: sulfur dioxide, dust, oxides of nitrogen, ash and gypsum resulting from the desulfurization process. To conclude in the light of the scientific literature we can say that the activation of coal plants based on technologies for the maximum containment and optimal treatment of the production cycle is essential to defend both the environment and the health of the population. Nevertheless it remains necessary to ensure a systematic monitoring of the environment of sanitation and food processing of the population living in the area, with a long-term follow-up.