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The operation temperature windows of commercial industrial catalysts for NH3-SCR of NO (WO3-V2O5/TiO2 and MoO3-V2O5/TiO2) is 300-400 °C. As such, the SCR unit have to be located upstream of the desulphurizer and the particulate control device to avoid reheating of the flue gas. This makes these catalysts susceptible to deactivation from high-sulfur and high-dust. Therefore, it is a great interest to develop active low temperature SCR catalysts that could be placed downstream of the flue gas desulphurization and particle removal. Consequently, widespread attentions have been paid to the development of low-temperature SCR catalysts in recent years for tail-end configurations. The advantages of tail-end configurations include catalyst exposure to a relatively clean flue gas, more space to accommodate any changes in the power cycle or fuel, a decrease in catalyst volume and cost as the result of the cleaner flue gas, and an increase in catalyst life. Nevertheless, the special tail-end configuration of the Deecon FP7 project, after the ESWS unit, entails the possible exposure of the catalyst to alkaline metals contained in the flue gas from the scrubber. In this report the most promising catalytic solutions proposed in the open literature for a SCR operation at low temperature and in the presence of alkali and alkali earth metals are examined and a research activity aimed at testing novel catalytic formulations under conditions simulating those supposed for a tail end configuration is presented.

Hybrid catalytic combustion technology, which is a staged process comprising a preliminary catalytic partial oxidation (CPO) step followed by a homogeneous flame combustion with interstage heat removal, was tested for the first time with mixtures of methane and hydrogen. Short contact time CPO experiments were run to elucidate the effect of the progressive substitution of methane with H2 in the fuel feed to the structured catalytic reactor, which was operated under self-sustained conditions at high temperature. Furthermore, a prototype radiant hybrid burner was realized and safely operated at atmospheric pressure with up to 80% vol. of H2 in the fuel and a primary equivalence ratio in the range 2.4–4.0. Outstanding NOx emission levels were attained with pure methane feed, which were also confirmed with H2-rich fuels, due to the effective reduction of both thermal and prompt NOx formation.

The novel concept of hybrid catalytic combustion based on Catalytic Partial Oxidation + homogeneous flame combustion was tested for the first time with fuel mixtures of methane and hydrogen. CPO experiments were run to elucidate the effect of the progressive substitution of CH4 with H2 in the fuel feed. Furthermore a prototype radiant hybrid burner was safely operated and characterized with up to 80% vol. of H2 in the fuel and a primary equivalence ratio in the range 2.4 - 4.0. Outstanding NOx emission levels were attained due to the effective reduction of both thermal and prompt NOx formation.

In the last several years, significant effort has been applied to identifying novel agents with effectiveness against prostate cancer. These studies were designed to determine the efficacy of one of these novel compounds, D2A21, in the treatment of an animal model of prostate cancer. Using the Mat-Ly-Lu(MLL) line of the Dunning R-3327 rat prostate adenocarcinoma model, the optimal dose, schedule and route of administration of D2A21 were established. A study involving the G line was used to further support these findings. In addition, hemotoxylin and eosin stained tissue samples were examined to investigate the extent of inhibition of lung metastases in animals injected with MLL cells. When D2A21 was injected intraperitoneally or subcutaneously, MLL and G cell tumor growth was inhibited 50-72% as demonstrated by both tumor volumes and weights. The optimal dosage of 0.179 mg/injection was established and it was determined to be most efficacious when administered five times per week. At this concentration, D2A21 appears to have no significant toxicity. Additionally, D2A21 increased the survival rate from only 25% to 70-75% in animals that were challenged with a large number of tumor cells. The peptide D2A21 is able to significantly inhibit tumor growth in rat models of prostate cancer. In addition, it can inhibit metastases and decrease deaths resulting from metastases in these animals.

The increased use of mobile phones, the media's attention for general health, and the increase of idiopathic male infertility suggest to investigate the possible consequences of an excessive use of mobile phones on semen quality.To evaluate the conventional and some of the main biofunctional sperm parameters in healthy men according to the different use of the mobile phone.All the enrolled subjects in this study were divided into four groups according to their active cell phone use: group A= no use (no.=10 subjects); group B=2 h/day (no.=16); group C= 2-4 h/day (no.=17); and group D=4 h/day (no.=20). Among the subjects of the group D (4 h/day), a further evaluation was made between the "trousers users"(no.=12) and "shirt users"(no.=8), and they underwent semen collection to evaluate conventional and biofunctional sperm parameters (density, total count, morphology, progressive motility, apoptosis, mithocondrial membrane potential, chromatin compaction, DNA fragmentation).None of the conventional sperm parameters examined were significantly altered. However, the group D and the trousers users showed a higher percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation compared to other groups.These results suggest that the sperm DNA fragmentation could represent the only parameter significantly altered in the subjects who use the mobile phone for more than 4 h/day and in particular for those who use the device in the pocket of the trousers.

MAGI is an acronym that identifies the "male accessory gland inflammations/infections", a potential cause of male infertility. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) prevalence is going to increase among men of reproductive age. Due to the high prevalence of these two conditions, we could suppose that they might appear together in the same patient.To evaluate MAGI prevalence in patients with DM2 in fertile age.A cross-sectional study carried out on patients with DM2 of fertile age. All patients underwent andrological evaluation for the identification of conventional MAGI diagnostic criteria.DM2 patients showed a frequency of MAGI about 43%, significantly lower (p0.05) than in infertile patients of the same age without diabetes, which showed a MAGI overall frequency of 61%. Among examined diabetic patients the prevalence of MAGI did not significantly differ between patients attending for diabetes care problems (glycemic control) and patients with andrological disorders. Finally, no significant difference in seminal inflammatory signs frequency was detected between patients with DM2 and infertile patients without diabetes. Finally, the correlation analysis showed a significant direct correlation between duration of diabetes and glycemic control with the prevalence of MAGI.MAGI prevalence in DM2 is lower than the one detected in age-matched infertile non-diabetic patients, however, as in infertile patients, there is a high frequency of seminal inflammatory signs. Moreover, the observed prevalence among diabetic patients with diabetes care problems and diabetic patients with andrological problems is not statistically different.

Wp3.1 Sviluppo di bruciatori catalitici ibridi innovativi "Ultra Low NOx" 1)Studio dell'accoppiamento catalisi - fiamma attraverso la valutazione dell'effetto della formulazione catalitica sulle prestazioni ambientali di un bruciatore ibrido su scala prototipale. 2)"Proof of concept" del bruciatore ibrido con combustibili ricchi in idrogeno (H2-CH4) 3)Caratterizzazione funzionale di catalizzatori su schiume metalliche per CPO sviluppati da IENI CNR (Wp 3.3) per la combustione catalitica ricca di miscele CH4-H2 4)Studio del meccanismo di avvelenamento da zolfo in sistemi catalitici CPO e valutazione della resistenza all'avvelenamento.

The reactivity of a multi-layered monolith catalyst containing Pt and Sn over LaMnO 3 /La-γ-Al 2 O 3 /cordierite, previously studied in a lab-scale plant for producing ethylene via Short Contact Time – Catalytic Partial Oxidation of ethane, has been further and extensively investigated in a bench-scale plant with higher production capacity. Ethylene yields exceeding 55 wt.% have been achieved and the reactivity performances have been maintained for more than 500 h.o.s. The experiments, while confirming the potential of the technology, have pointed out some weakness in catalyst stability and reactor design. The bench-scale experimental study has also addressed the reactivity features of n-butane indicating that ethylene + propylene yields approach 54 wt.% in a wide range of experimental conditions.

WP3 Processi di combustione catalitica per turbine a gas a basso impatto ambientale alimentate con biocombustibile - Validazione sperimentale del funzionamento del bruciatore ibrido catalitico-diffusivo su scala pilota (30 kWth) alimentato con miscele metano-idrogeno - Caratterizzazione dell'accoppiamento tra stadio catalitico e quello di fiamma attraverso misure di imaging IR - Caratterizzazione funzionale di nuovi catalizzatori strutturati per lo stadio di ossidazione parziale catalitica di miscele metano-idrogeno e studio dei fenomeni di avvelenamento da zolfo di catalizzatori strutturati a base di Rh.

Valutazione della tecnologia di combustione catalitica per TG alimentate a H2 con emissioni "ultra low " 1. Sviluppo e caratterizzazione di nuovi sistemi catalitici bi-funzionali 2. Sviluppo e valutazione di approcci alternativi di combustione catalitica o Fuel-Lean vs. Fuel-Rich 3. Progettazione, realizzazione e test di moduli catalitici di combustione fino alla scala pilota 4. Modellazione numerica dettagliata (CFD) del reattore catalitico di combustione Il documento raccoglie i documenti sullo stato di avanzamento semestrale dell' OR6 del progetto nonchè la presentazione conclusiva dei principali risultati ottenuti effettuata durante la riunione plenaria tenutasi a Mestre il 24-02-2010

The scope of the innovative technology herein presented is to provide a gas burner for domestic and industrial cooking appliances (gas stoves, cooktops, hobs, ranges, fry tops), with improved cooking performance, higher thermal efficiency with respect to the known burners, with the concurrent advantages of lower pollutant emissions, higher stability and safety under operation, and same simplicity of use. The novel hybrid catalytic cooktop burner operates at atmospheric pressure and is highly energy efficient due to the combined and concurrent use of radiant and/or conductive mechanisms of heat exchange together to the common convective mechanisms by hot combustion gases, and characterized by a significant reduction of pollutant emissions (such as CO, unburned hydrocarbons, NO x ).

Il progetto di ricerca, nel suo complesso, prevede lo sviluppo di una tecnologia "ibrida" che, combinando premiscelazione DLN e combustione catalitica, consenta di contemperare i vantaggi di entrambe le tecnologie. L'impiego di un bruciatore catalitico alloggiato in un combustore DLN in luogo di una equivalente fiamma pilota diffusiva avrà lo scopo di ancorare la reazione del flusso premiscelato, offrendo per converso il vantaggio di una combustione intrinsecamente "Ultra - Low NOx", con grande stabilità di funzionamento, alto fattore di "turndown", migliore operabilità, mantenimento di elevati valori di efficienza di conversione.

Dual site Pd-LaMnO3 monolithic catalysts with different Pd loadings were prepared and tested in the high temperature lean premixed combustion of methane. The novel catalysts effectively combine low and high temperature oxidation activity widening the operating window of both Pd and LaMnO3 alone. Correlation between morphological and chemical analysis and results of isothermal and self-sustained combustion tests allowed the determination of the nature of the active species and the reversible synergic interaction between Pd and perovskite.

L'attività di ricerca svolta è stata quindi mirata alla determinazione qualitativa e quantitativa dell'effetto del vapor d'acqua sia sul catalizzatore che sulla reazione operando un riscaldamento tradizionale e, successivamente, alla messa a punto di un sistema per condurre la stessa reazione in un campo di micro-onde.

Scopo dell'attività di ricerca è stata la realizzazione di elementi per un combustore catalitico premiscelato alimentato ad idrogeno e la valutazione delle sue prestazioni, attraverso la definizione preliminare del campo di operabilità, delle problematiche di sicurezza e stabilità di funzionamento nonché la verifica della possibilità di mantenere le emissioni di NO x a livello "single digit". Tale attività risulta propedeutica alla valutazione dell'integrzione di uno stadio catalitico all'interno di un più complesso bruciatore innovativo per turbine a gas alimentate ad idrogeno (e/o miscele di H 2 e gas naturale) a basse emissioni di NO x di interesse ENEL Ricerca

L'attività di ricerca e sviluppo è stata indirizzata allo sviluppo di un bruciatore parzialmente premiscelato a metano compatto, con un campo di operabilità minimo da 6 a 24 kW, adatto alle caldaie a condensazione europee, caratterizzato da massima sicurezza, stabilità di fiamma e acustica, efficienza di trasporto di calore incrementato dall'irraggiamento, ed emissioni "single digit" di NO x e CO. Per la realizzazione e lo sviluppo di tale bruciatore è stato elaborato un concetto innovativo di combustione ibrida in due stadi, di cui il primo è catalitico (ricco) ed il secondo con fiamma in fase omogenea. Questo schema di combustore ha le caratteristiche di novità ed originalità che lo rendono brevettabile per le applicazioni atmosferiche in sistemi di generazione di energia quali le caldaie di interesse Riello. Recentemente nella letteratura brevettuale e scientifica è stato proposto e descritto uno schema concettuale con alcune limitate similitudini applicato nello specifico ambito dei combustori adiabatici ed in pressione utilizzati nei sistemi con Turbina a Gas.

A rare case of pregnancy in a patient with primary hyperoxaluria type 1 is reported offering a clinical contribution for the prognostic study of a natural event such as the pregnancy on these patients. It is underlined how epicriticity of the hepatorenal system is remarkably altered during the last weeks of pregnancy with a great increase of calciuria and proteinuria with a risk of life for the patient and the newborn. In fact, during the 36rd week a caesarean section was performed due to gestosis. Moreover, the deterioration of kidney functionality doesn't decrease during post partum. Therefore, it would be advisable inform these patients about the risk of pregnancy.

A conductive atomic force microscope (C-AFM) has been used to perform a nanometer scale characterization of the electrical properties of irradiated thin SiO/sub 2/ gate oxides of MOS devices. The results have been compared to those obtained on fresh (without irradiation) and electrically stressed oxides. The electrical images reveal the existence of weak spots, which have been attributed to the electrical damage induced by irradiation. Their I-V characteristics have been registered with the C-AFM. The results show that they have a leaky behaviour, which has been associated to the radiation induced leakage current (RILC).

A nanoscale characterisation of the electrical conduction of irradiated thin SiO2 gate oxides of MOS devices has been performed with a conductive atomic force microscope. The electrical images reveal the existence of weak spots, which have been attributed to the electrical damage induced by irradiation. Although their I–V characteristics show a leaky behaviour, these locations have not experienced a hard breakdown event.

The life-expectancy of type 1 diabetics (T1D) on dialysis is still shorter than that of non-diabetics. Pancreas transplantation (PT) in its different modalities should be considered as a life-saving procedure.We analyzed our referral activity of T1D to PT from 1992. Since 2002, we have created a kidney and diabetes out-patient clinic devoted to the prevention of diabetic nephropathy and to the early referral of suitable T1D to combined kidney- pancreas transplantation (KPT) and isolated pancreas (PTA).In the last 14 yrs, 25 T1D underwent KP in our district (620000 inhabitants). At the beginning, KPT was performed abroad, but then the borders were closed. After stopping in the mid 1990s, KP activity restarted addressing preemptive KPT and PTA. Currently, only one patient is on dialysis while awaiting KPT. Four T1D were evaluated and excluded from the list on medical grounds; two patients are on the list and a further two patients are currently under evaluation.The implementation of a cooperative network among dialysis and transplant centers, supported by devoted out-patient clinics allowed the effective prevention of the dialysis requirement in T1D. Out-patient clinics devoted to diabetic nephropathy should play a pro-active role in preemptive KP, including the 'new' option of islet transplantation according to the Edmonton protocol.