A dry deposition scheme for particulate matter coupled with a well-known Lagrangian Stochastic model for pollutant dispersion

Environmental Fluid Mechanics - A 3D dry deposition scheme for particulate matter (PM) is presented as a Free-Libre and Open-Source Software (FOSS) library, DePaSITIA (RSE SpA). This combines some...     

Dealing with SMEs as a whole in OHS issues: Warnings from empirical evidence

Not surprisingly it has been shown that there are higher accident rates and larger magnitudes in Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) if compared with the case of the larger ones. Some studies suggest that SMEs have serious problems aggravated by limited access to human, economic and technological resources. Moreover, it is now acknowledged that methods developed specifically for Large Enterprises (LEs) cannot be simply transferred to smaller enterprises. Although the debate concerning essentially the size of the enterprises and their corresponding accident rates is ongoing, very little attention is paid to the difference between the Micro- (MiEs), the Small- (SEs), and the Medium-sized Enterprises (MEs). Indeed, in most of the cases, SMEs are bundled together and considered as a whole, in opposition to LEs. In some cases SEs and MEs are studied separately, but only the difference in terms of accident rates is highlighted. Instead, important information in terms of performance and organizational, cultural and economic differences between MiEs, SEs and MEs exist. Within the implementation of the E-merging project (financed by the Italian National Institute for Insurance against Occupational Accidents – INAIL), some differences have been identified on the basis of two existing data sources.     

Neonatal hemochromatosis: management,outcome, and prevention

Neonatal hemochromatosis (NH) is a rare disorder but the most common cause of acute liver failure in neonates. NH is characterized by severe hepatic injury and iron overload and is associated with high perinatal mortality and morbidity rates. NH is often preceded by oligohydramnios and intrauterine growth restriction, suggesting an important impact of NH during fetal life. Stillbirth and prematurity are not uncommon. During the last decade, major discoveries on the etiology of NH have radically changed the management and outcome of this disease. NH is now regarded as an alloimmune disease and is, as such, often referred to as gestational alloimmune liver disease. Antenatal treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins starting at 14 weeks' gestation has been shown to prevent the development of NH in subsequent pregnancies. Postnatal treatment, previously based on the use of anti-oxidants and chelation therapy, has now successfully been replaced by exchange transfusions and intravenous immunoglobulins substitution. This review summarizes the latest discoveries on the etiology of NH and the new recommendations concerning its management and prevention. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Intermittent absent and reversed umbilical artery flows in appropriately grown monochorionic diamniotic twins in relation to proximate cord insertion: A harmful combination?

Objective

To compare the prevalence of intermittent absent or reversed end-diastolic flow (iAREDF) in the umbilical artery in appropriately grown monochorionic diamniotic (MCDA) pregnancies with and without proximate cord insertion (PCI), and to evaluate pregnancy outcome.

Methods

The prevalence of iAREDF in MCDA pregnancies with PCI (n = 11) was compared with a control group without PCI (n = 33). PCI was defined as a distance between the cord insertions below the fifth percentile. Placental sharing, number, and diameter of anastomoses were assessed by placental examination. Pregnancy outcome was evaluated.

Results

iAREDF was present in 7/11 PCI pregnancies, compared with 0/33 in the control group (P ≤ .01). All PCI pregnancies and 94% of controls had arterioarterial (AA)-anastomoses (P = .56), the diameter was larger in the PCI group, respectively 3.3 vs 2.1 mm (P = .03). Three cases with iAREDF had adverse outcome, two resulted in fetal death of which one with brain damage in the co-twin, another underwent early premature emergency section for fetal distress.

Conclusion

iAREDF occurs in a large proportion of MCDA pregnancies with PCI and is related to the diameter of the AA anastomosis. We hypothesize that iAREDF in appropriately grown MCDA twin pregnancies reflects an unstable hemodynamic balance with an increased risk for fetal deterioration. Whether outcome in these pregnancies can be improved by altered management requires further investigation.

     

Multi-criteria analysis for PM10 planning

To implement sound air quality policies, Regulatory Agencies require tools to evaluate outcomes and costs associated to different emission reduction strategies. These tools are even more useful when considering atmospheric PM10 concentrations due to the complex nonlinear processes that affect production and accumulation of the secondary fraction of this pollutant. The approaches presented in the literature (Integrated Assessment Modeling) are mainly cost-benefit and cost-effective analysis. In this work, the formulation of a multi-objective problem to control particulate matter is proposed. The methodology defines: (a) the control objectives (the air quality indicator and the emission reduction cost functions); (b) the decision variables (precursor emission reductions); (c) the problem constraints (maximum feasible technology reductions). The cause-effect relations between air quality indicators and decision variables are identified tuning nonlinear source–receptor models. The multi-objective problem solution provides to the decision maker a set of not-dominated scenarios representing the efficient trade-off between the air quality benefit and the internal costs (emission reduction technology costs). The methodology has been implemented for Northern Italy, often affected by high long-term exposure to PM10. The source–receptor models used in the multi-objective analysis are identified processing long-term simulations of GAMES multiphase modeling system, performed in the framework of CAFE-Citydelta project.     

Epiphytic Lichens and Tree Leaves As Biomonitors of Trace Elements Released By Geothermal Power Plants

Leaves of the oak, Quercus cerris, and thalli of the epiphytic lichen, Parmelia caperata, from the Travale-Radicondoli geothermal area (central Italy) were analyzed for their trace elements (As, B, Cd, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Zn). the results showed that concentrations of arsenic and boron in leaf and lichen samples were higher than in remote areas. the mean concentrations of many trace elements were higher in lichens than in oak leaves, suggesting that these organisms can be used in similar biomonitoring studies. the levels of boron and manganese were higher in tree leaves, so that for these two elements, the higher plant foliage could constitute a better biomonitor than lichens. the correlations found between the concentrations of cadmium and manganese in leaves and lichens suggests foliar leaching and washing of the elements down the tree trunk, where lichens may intercept them.