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In this work, a novel approach to obtain high yield to poly-tert-butylglycerolethers by glycerol etherification reaction with tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) is proposed. The limit of this reaction is the production of poly-ethers, which inhibits the formation of poly-ethers potentially usable in the blend with conventional diesel for transportation. The results herein reported demonstrate that the use of a water permselective membrane offers the possibility to shift the equilibrium toward the formation of poly-ethers since the water formed during reaction is continuously and selectively removed from the reaction medium by the recirculation of the gas phase. Using a proper catalyst and optimizing the reaction conditions, in a single experiment, a total glycerol conversion can be reached with a yield to poly-ethers close to 70%, which represents data never before reached using TBA as reactant. The approach here proposed could open up new opportunities for all catalytic reactions affected by water formation.

Etherification of glycerol (GLY) with isobutylene (IB) to produce biofuels was investigated in liquid phase using spherical silica supported Hyflon® catalysts (SSHC). As reference catalyst, Amberlyst® 15 (A-15) acid ion-exchange resin was used. Experiments were carried out in batch mode at a reaction temperature ranging from 323 to 343 K. SSHC were found to be very effective systems in etherification of glycerol with IB, providing cumulative di- and tri-ethers yields higher than that obtained by using A-15 catalyst. Furthermore, such catalysts were stable and easily reusable; no leaching of active phase was observed. The formation of poly-substituted ethers, suitable additives for conventional fuels, was favored by operating at an isobutylene/glycerol molar ratio >3 and low reaction time (<6 h); however, the concentration of mono-ether reached values lower than 3 wt.% only when SSHC catalyst was used. Turnover frequency of glycerol (TOF(GLY)) highlighted that SSHC systems were much more active than A-15 catalyst: the accessibility and nature of active sites and the surface properties of catalysts were indicated as the main factors affecting the catalytic behavior. A lower acid site density of SSHC than that of A-15 catalyst was decisive in preventing the occurrence of oligomerization reaction which leads to the formation of di-isobutylene (DIB), precursors of gummy products., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This paper deals with the problem of fatal accidents that occur repeatedly in "confined spaces", with particular attention to exposure to hydrogen sulfide (H2S). This, at high concentrations, appears to be the most compatible with the dynamics of many recent incidents with sudden death. H2S offers little chance to escape at high concentrations because of the smell that causes paralysis of olfactory nerves and sudden loss of consciousness. Besides the problem of acute exposure to high concentrations, health effects may also be caused by prolonged and repeated exposures to lower doses: at low concentrations can occur eyes irritation with keratoconjunctivitis and, at higher concentrations, the risk of pulmonary oedema or chronic central nervous system sequelae. In this paper several aspects are detailed, including an interpretative analysis of the content of Articles 66 and 121 of Legislative Decree 81/2008 and subsequent amendments, the work contexts where H2S is present as a raw material or product of the process and the effects on human health. Moreover, due to few epidemiological initiatives at national level, some aspects related to the accident dynamics are taken into account through the reconstruction of cases of fatal accidents occurred in Italy in recent years and comparing it with that reported in the literature of other Countries.

Objectives: In many European countries, external economic incentives are discussed as a policy instrument to promote occupational safety and health (OSH) in enterprises. This narrative case study review aims to support policy-makers in organizations providing such incentives by supplying information about different incentive schemes and their main characteristics such as effectiveness, efficiency, and feasibility., Methods: The focal point and topic centre network of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work were used to collect case studies about incentive schemes aimed at supporting the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases in enterprises. Such incentives are rarely described in the scientific literature. To be considered for this review, studies had to focus on external financial benefits that could be provided as part of an insurance-related incentive or a governmental subsidy scheme., Results: In total, 14 cases were included in the review: 6 insurance premium- and 8 subsidy-based schemes. Of these, 13 contained an evaluation of the incentive scheme, of which 7 use quantitative criteria. Three cases provided sufficient data to conduct a cost-benefit analysis. Most qualitative evaluations related to the successful management of the program and the effectiveness of the promoted measures in the workplace. Regarding the latter, quantitative criteria covered accident rates, sick leave, and general improvement in working conditions. The cost-benefit analyses all resulted in a positive payout ratio, ranging from 1.01-4.81 euros return for every 1 euro invested., Conclusions: Generally, we found economic incentive schemes to be feasible and reasonably effective. However, analysis regarding the efficiency of such schemes is scarce and our evaluation of the cost-benefit analysis had to rely on few cases that, nevertheless, delivered positive results for large samples. Besides this finding, our study also revealed deficits in the quality of evaluations. In order to enable policy-makers to make well-informed decisions about public investments in OSH, better standards for reporting and evaluating incentive schemes are needed.

Exposure to indoor allergens can occur both at home and in public places such as schools and workplaces. To investigate and compare the presence of indoor allergens in different kind of environments (schools, offices and homes), dust samples were collected from furniture, desks, mattresses and floors with a standardized procedure. Samples were analyzed for Der p 1, Der f 1, Mite group 2 (mites) and Fel d 1(cat) by monoclonal antibody ELISA assay. Mite allergens were detected with low frequencies in schools and workplaces and with high frequency in homes. Fel d 1 was found with high frequency in every examined environment. Homes rather than public places can represent the environment where people can easier incur in mite allergy. All environments could be at risk for cat allergen exposure.

In the genealogy of Phlebotomus (Diptera: Psychodidae), morphological analyses have indicated that the subgenus Larroussius is a monophyletic group which is most closely related to the subgenera Transphlebotomus and Adlerius. We conducted a phylogenetic analysis of the relationships among six representative species of the subgenus Larroussius and one species representatitive of the Phlebotomus subgenus, assessing sequences of the Second Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2) of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Three of the species (P. perniciosus, P. ariasi and P. perfiliewi perfiliewi) were collected in different parts of the Mediterranean area. The trees estimated from parsimony and neighbour-joining analyses supported the monophyly of the Larroussius subgenus inferred from the morphological analysis. According to our data, P. ariasi may be a sister group to the rest of the Larroussius subgenus, although additional sequence data are needed to confirm this observation. Our results suggest that P. perniciosus and P. longicuspis are distinct species, in spite of the fact that there are only slight morphological differences. The strict congruence between the phylogeny of the Larroussius subgenus inferred from the ITS2 sequences and that based on morphological studies further confirmed the ability of the spacer sequence to identify recently-derived affiliations.

The distribution of Dermatophagoides farinae and D. pteronyssinus in two groups of houses in Rome was investigated by means of weekly sampling of dust on mattresses during the period of high mite density (May-July, 1994). All mattresses were infested; overall 4,179 live and dead mites were collected. In the two examined areas, a difference in species distribution was observed. D farinae was always the prevalent species, it was 94.7% in area A and 64.1% in area B; only in houses 9 and 10 D. pteronyssinus was the most abundant species (71.4% and 45.8%). Housekeeping practices were investigated by interviewing the tenants and relative humidily and indoor/outdoor temperature were measured during each weekly sampling. A correlation analysis revealed a significant relationship between housekeeping practices and mite density (r = 0.83). The poorest housekeeping practices produced the heaviest mite infestation, while good ones were associated with low densities.

The dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille, 1806 (Acari: Ixodidae), is a public health problem since it is widely distributed in Italy and because of its role in the transmission of many pathogens to man and dog which is its preferred host. This review deals with the main aspects of the biology and ecology of Rh. sanguineus habitat, developmental time, distribution and seasonality, behaviour and vector competence. Moreover, the preminent role of Rh, sanguineus in the transmission of boutonneuse fever is discussed.

Temporal distribution of tick species was studied in the woodland "Macchia Grande" of Manziana in the province of Rome, Italy. A total of 2,494 ticks was collected by means of drag sampling during one year of survey (1993). Among the species identified, Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758) (95.9%) was the most abundant, followed by Haemaphysalis inermis (Birula, 1895) (2.2%), Rhipicephalus bursa (Canestrini e Fanzago, 1877) (1.8%), Dermacentor marginatus Sulzer, 1776) (0.1%). I. ricinus was present during the whole year, showing a diphasic trend, with peaks in January-April (95-173 specimens per drag) and in November-December (29-126); H. inermis was recovered only during the cold season (January-April and in December) with the highest density in February (7); Rh. bursa was collected from May to October showing maximum occurrence in July (10). The presence of I. ricinus and H. inermis, proven vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease) and TBE virus, is discussed in relation to the possible exposure risk for park visitors and operators.