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Purpose Massive rotator cuff tears are common in the aging population. The incidence of failed rotator cuff repairs is still quite high, especially in the treatment of full-thickness tears or revision repairs. In this context, natural and synthetic meshes can be used as augmentation scaffolds or as devices to close the gap between a retracted tendon and the bone. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the ultimate tensile strength of different tendon-patch joints in order to consider their use in the treatment of massive cuff tears. Materials and methods Porcine tendons and a synthetic low-density polypropylene mesh have been used. A preliminary study on the tensile strength of tendons and patches has been performed. Different patch-tendon joints have been studied by modifying the number and the layout of the sutures. For every joint, the tensile test, performed through an electromechanical machine, has been repeated at least twice to obtain reliable data. Results Experimental tensile tests on tendons and patches have given good results with very low dispersion data. Mean values of the calculated ultimate tensile stresses are, respectively, about 34 MPa and 16 MPa for tendons and patches. As regards the sutures arrangement, the staggered layout gave, for all joints, a higher tensile strength than the regular (aligned) one. Different ultimate tensile stress values, depending on the sutures number and layout, have been calculated for the joints. Conclusion Synthetic patches could be an interesting option to repair massive cuff tears and to improve, in a significant way, pain, range of motion and strength at time 0, so reducing the rehabilitation time. Obtained results demonstrated that joints with a suitable number and layout of sutures could ensure very good mechanical performances. The failure load of the tendon-patch joint, in fact, is higher than the working load on a healthy tendon.

The Gulf of Pozzuoli includes the former second largest Italian steelworks of Bagnoli. The REE, Y, Th and Sc pollution in sediments of the Gulf of Pozzuoli was determined. Ce, La, Nd and Pr had the highest percentage distribution of rare earth elements normalized respect to chondrite with 31.19, 28.35, 19.51 and 8.41% individually. It was observed a marked enrichment of these elements, from west to the east from 26.39 to 111.04 mg/kg and from onshore to offshore from 31.67 to 217.74 mg/kg. The output of the principal component analysis revealed that the REE were mainly of anthropic origin being clearly linked to that of PAHs, metals and organic matter. This, together with their distribution patterns, highlighted the role of the former Bagnoli metallurgical plant in the pollution of the gulf.

Introduction We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the use of the electromagnetic distal targeting system in treating humeral shaft fracture. Methods Patients were divided in: Group 1) patients that received a distal locking screw placement following the free-hand technique; Group 2) patients in which the distal locking screw was performed using the SURESHOT device. Results No differences were noted comparing Group 1 (freehand) [71,9 range 40–135 min] to Group 2 (SURESHOT)[70, range 25–125 min]. Conclusion The use of the EM distal targeting system doesn't reduce the overall operative time of the humeral shaft fracture fixation using IMN.

A hydrogeological and hydrogeochemical survey in the Cumae archaeological site (Phlegraean Fields, southern Italy) together with radon levels determination in groundwater have been carried out. The study was motivated by the fact that the site is often submerged by the outcrop of groundwater, threatening the integrity of ruins, and hence by the need to preserve such important archaeological park. The hydrostratigraphic and hydrogeological data revealed the presence of a multi-layered aquifer system, formed by a shallow unconfined and a deep semiconfined aquifer. The groundwater flow appeared to be strongly influenced by vertical and lateral lithological heterogeneity of volcanic-sedimentary deposits, as well as by groundwater pumping and drainage by surface micro-channel system. The dominant hydrochemical facies were Cl−-SO42 −-Na+-K+, HCO3−-Ca2 +-Mg2 + and HCO3− Na+-K+ types. These facies were affected by: i) dissolution and chemical weathering, ion exchange with volcanic-sedimentary deposits, ii) localized rise along faults and fractured zones of deep magmatic fluids highly mineralized, with outstanding levels of F−, 6.4 mg L− 1 in deep water and 3.3 mg L− 1 in shallow water, and 222Rn, 31,500 Bq m− 3 in deep water and 5400 Bq m− 3 in shallow water; iii) freshwater-saltwater interactions, induced by groundwater pumping.

A multidisciplinary survey was carried out on the quality of water and sediments of a coastal protected marine area, embedded between the inputs from Bagnoli steel plant to the south and a sewage plant, Volturno River and Regi Lagni channel to the north. The study integrated chemical-sedimentological data with biological and ecotoxicological analyses to assess anthropogenic pressures and natural variability. Data reveal marked differences in anthropogenic pollution between southeastern and northwestern zone, with the north affected by both inorganic and organic flows and the south influenced by levels of As, Pb and Zn in the sediments above law limits, deriving from inputs of the Bagnoli brownfield site. Meiobenthic data revealed at south higher relative abundance of sensitive species to pollution and environmental stress to the south, i.e. Lobatula lobatula and Rosalina bradyi, whereas to the north relative abundance of stress tolerant Quinqueloculina lata, Quinqueloculina pygmaea and Cribroelphidium cuvilleri were determined.

The relative effects of Na + and K + on soil structural stability are not clearly defined by the existing literature. This is an important issue for the application of winery wastewater on soils as it contains high levels of K + and varying levels of Na + . To evaluate the relative effects of Na + and K + on soil structural stability both surface and subsoil from a land application site for winery wastewater were used to assess changes in soil hydraulic conductivity in repacked soil columns. The soil was rich of smectite, 51–56%, with minor presence of illite, 5–8%, and kaolinite 10% clays. Solutions with sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and potassium adsorption ratio (PAR) of 5–40, where the monovalent cation was Na + or K + and the divalent cation was Ca 2 + or Mg 2 + were used to leach the soil columns, at electrolyte concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 640 meq L − 1 . In both surface and subsoil, percolating solutions with PAR or SAR, comprising all cation combinations, of 20 and 40 caused a decrease in hydraulic conductivity as electrolyte concentrations reduced. However, in PAR solutions the decreases in hydraulic conductivity were significantly smaller than the corresponding SAR solutions. These results indicated greater soil stability in the presence of K + relative to Na + .

Sewage sludges obtained from seven wastewater treatment plants from the province of Salamanca, Spain, were periodically sampled to determine seasonal and time variation of their elemental composition over 2000 to 2002. The aim of this paper was to provide additional insight to evaluate the potential environmental impact following soil incorporation of these materials as amendments. Aqua regia extractable metals (pseudo total content) of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined and furthermore, the main chemical forms of metals within the sludge were evaluated using a five-step fractionation procedure. All the studied sludges displayed high fertility properties due to their richness of OC, P and K. Total mean concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in the sludges were within the regulation of the Spanish legislation. Using an multifactor analysis of variance, significant differences between Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn pseudo total contents (pb0.01) of sludges at different sites were found while the Cd content was statistically similar. Also significant differences were found between these pseudo total contents of heavy metals in samples collected along the time after three years (0.001bpb0.08) and in samples taken at different seasonal periods (summer and winter) for Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn (0.001bpb0.07). The fractionated metals Cd, Ni and Zn were observed to be in mobile or bioavailable fraction of the sludge up to 35% of total metal content. Cu and Pb distributed in the organically bound fraction up to 25% and 60%, respectively. The Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Zn in sludges were predominantly bound within the oxide or silicate components. Significant differences between distribution fractions of metals considered together (pb0.001) were found at different years, and for each individual metal, significant differences can be observed between distribution fractions of sludges collected at different sites, times and seasonal periods. The results showed that the studied sludges can potentially enhance soil agronomic properties. The fractionation data indicated that most metals occur in weakly mobile, non-bioavailable form, and only Cd, could have potential moderate mobility in soil–water system.

Electrochemical peroxidation (ECP), an emerging remediation technology, with direct electric current applied to steel electrode and small addition of H2O2, was used to remove As(III) from contaminated aqueous solutions. Bench scale experiments were conducted to evaluate the sorption and distribution of arsenic between the soluble and solid state hydrous ferric oxides (HFO) formed as part of the ECP process. ECP was effective in removing arsenic from the aqueous solution, with98% of the applied As(III) adsorbed on HFO. Removal was complete within 3 min of ECP treatment and apparently independent of the initial pH of the water (3.5-9.5). In the absence of H2O2 more As(III) was adsorbed by solid state iron at pH 9.5 than at 3.5 (2600 vs. 1750 microg l(-1)). Thus H2O2 was crucial to oxidize As(III) to As(V) which is more strongly retained by HFO. Removal of As was not significantly affected by the concentration of H2O2 or by current processing time. The optimal operating conditions were pH6.5, H2O2 concentration of 10 mg l(-1) and current process time not exceeding 3 min. X-ray diffraction (XRD), diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform (DRIFT) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were applied to study the HFO deposits. The XRD data indicated the prevalence of poorly ordered Fe minerals in the suspended ECP solids with a dominance of 5 line ferrihydrite in the absence of H2O2. At pH 3.5 and with 100 mg H2O2 l(-1), akaganeite was formed, whereas an incipient hematitic phase, reflection at 0.39 nm, occurred at pH 6.5. DRIFT data indicate that both As(III) and As(V) were specifically adsorbed onto HFO at acid and neutral pH. TEM observations indicated the presence of spherical shape ferrihydrite and provided evidence for possible formation of subrounded hematite and acicular shape goethite.

The influence of the surfactants tetradecyltrimethylammonium bromide (cationic), lauryl sulphate (anionic) and twee 80 (non-ionic) on the leaching of pesticides diazinon, atrazine, metolachlor and acephate in soil was studied by using soil thin layer chromatography, 14C-labelled pesticides and a linear analyser for measuring the mobdity parameter Rf. The results obtained are quite interesting in that they support the use of surfactants for solving soil pollution problems caused by pesticides. The increase or decrease of pesticide mobility in soil was found to depend on the chemical nature of the surfactant, its concentration in the soil or in the leaching water and the pesticide hydrophobicity. Consequent)y, the surfactant of choice and its concentration will be dictated in each case by the nature of the pesticide ulmvolved and the. specific problem faced (pesticide immobilization or leaching).