scholarly journals Design Thinking as a Framework for the Design of a Sustainable Waste Sterilization System: The Case of Piedmont Region, Italy

Electronics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (21) ◽  
pp. 2665
Author(s):  
Ivonne Angelica Castiblanco Castiblanco Jimenez ◽  
Stefano Mauro ◽  
Domenico Napoli ◽  
Federica Marcolin ◽  
Enrico Vezzetti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Design Thinking ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Renewable Energy Resource ◽  
New Methods ◽  
Infectious Waste ◽  
Treatment And Disposal ◽  
Modern Era

The development of new methods for the correct disposal of waste is unavoidable for any city that aims to become eco-friendly. Waste management is no exception. In the modern era, the treatment and disposal of infectious waste should be seen as an opportunity to generate renewable energy, resource efficiency, and, above all, to improve the population's quality of life. Northern Italy currently produces 66,600 tons/year of infectious waste, mostly treated through incineration plants. This research aims to explore a more ecological and sustainable solution, thereby contributing one more step toward achieving better cities for all. Particularly, this paper presents a conceptual design of the main sterilization chamber for infectious waste. The methodology selected was Design Thinking (DT), since it has a user-centered approach which allows for co-design and the inclusion of the target population. This study demonstrates to the possibility of obtaining feasible results based on the user's needs through the application of DT as a framework for engineering design.

scholarly journals Recycling disposable bamboo chopstick waste as a renewable energy resource: Case study in Khon Kaen University, Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Supin Jodnok ◽  
Pairaya Choeisai ◽  
Chaiyaput Kruehong ◽  
Krit Choeisai
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Bet Surface Area ◽  
Utilization Rate ◽  
Waste Generation ◽  
Renewable Energy Resource ◽  
Khon Kaen ◽  
Consumption Energy ◽  
Waste Generation Rate

AbstractThis study focused on elucidating disposable bamboo chopstick (DBC) waste generation rate and identifying the appropriate carbonization temperature for recycling DBC waste as a renewable energy resource. A survey was conducted within the study area of Khon Kaen University (KKU). Of the student population of approximately 40,000, the questionnaire was completed by 470 students. The survey revealed a bamboo chopstick utilization rate equivalent to 0.46 pairs person− 1 d− 1. A carbonization process wit 1-h was carried out at 650 and at 900 °C to compare the quality of charcoal recycled from DBC (DBC charcoal). The DBC charcoal prepared at 650 °C was of a higher quality for use as fuel compared to 900 °C prepared DBC charcoal; with 5.3 times higher BET surface area (62 × 103 m2 kg− 1), 5% higher thermal efficiency (31%), 15 times higher hydrogen (H) content (1.9% of total mass content), and 1.0 MJ kg− 1 higher heating values by bombs calorimeter (32.8 MJ kg− 1). The utilization of DBC charcoal as the biomass fuel in gasification for electricity generation could produce 0.0395% of KKU consumption energy which was estimated to reduce CO2 emission by 12.9 t CO2 yr− 1 as well as waste generation at 43.7 t yr− 1 or 0.399% around KKU area.

scholarly journals Legacy of Prof. Juraj Korpáš: International Impact of Slovak School of Experimental Respirology

2020 ◽  
pp. S1-S6
Author(s):  
J. Plevkova ◽  
I. Poliacek
Keyword(s):  
Target Population ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Complex Data ◽  
Neuronal Tracing ◽  
New Methods ◽  
New Information ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
Physiological Research

Human health is the main role of medical research. Scientists were always intrigued by disease prevention, their diagnostics and proper treatment. In fact, research in medicine is always directed towards the improvement of the health care and improvement of the quality of life of the target population. Nowadays, physiological research, which is the base stone for clinical research, progresses fast forward, providing new information about body functions in health and diseases. This obvious progress is associated with modern methods, such as neuronal tracing, patch-clamp methods, electrophysiology, molecular biology and many more, which supported by comprehensive information technology guarantees high quality and complex data. Our younger colleagues, young scientists, post-docs or PhD students are well-trained and qualified in utilizing these new methods.

Boilerplate

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret Jane Radin
Keyword(s):  
Economic Efficiency ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Regulatory Agencies ◽  
Jury Trial ◽  
Comprehensive Treatment ◽  
New Methods ◽  
And Control ◽  
Fine Print

Boilerplate—the fine-print terms and conditions that we become subject to when we click “I agree” online, rent an apartment, or enter an employment contract, for example—pervades all aspects of our modern lives. On a daily basis, most of us accept boilerplate provisions without realizing that should a dispute arise about a purchased good or service, the nonnegotiable boilerplate terms can deprive us of our right to jury trial and relieve providers of responsibility for harm. Boilerplate is the first comprehensive treatment of the problems posed by the increasing use of these terms, demonstrating how their use has degraded traditional notions of consent, agreement, and contract, and sacrificed core rights whose loss threatens the democratic order. This book examines attempts to justify the use of boilerplate provisions by claiming either that recipients freely consent to them or that economic efficiency demands them, and it finds these justifications wanting. It argues that our courts, legislatures, and regulatory agencies have fallen short in their evaluation and oversight of the use of boilerplate clauses. To improve legal evaluation of boilerplate, the book offers a new analytical framework, one that takes into account the nature of the rights affected, the quality of the recipient's consent, and the extent of the use of these terms. It goes on to offer possibilities for new methods of boilerplate evaluation and control, and concludes by discussing positive steps that NGOs, legislators, regulators, courts, and scholars could take to bring about better practices.

Why Is Safe Science Good Science?

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Kao ◽  
Che-I Kao ◽  
Russell Furr
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Good Science ◽  
Safety Issues ◽  
Safety Requirements ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Obvious Benefit ◽  
New Ideas

In science, safety can seem unfashionable. Satisfying safety requirements can slow the pace of research, make it cumbersome, or cost significant amounts of money. The logic of rules can seem unclear. Compliance can feel like a negative incentive. So besides the obvious benefit that safety keeps one safe, why do some scientists preach "safe science is good science"? Understanding the principles that underlie this maxim might help to create a strong positive incentive to incorporate safety into the pursuit of groundbreaking science.<div><br></div><div>This essay explains how safety can enhance the quality of an experiment and promote innovation in one's research. Being safe induces a researcher to have <b>greater control</b> over an experiment, which reduces the <b>uncertainty</b> that characterizes the experiment. Less uncertainty increases both <b>safety</b> and the <b>quality</b> of the experiment, the latter including <b>statistical quality</b> (reproducibility, sensitivity, etc.) and <b>countless other properties</b> (yield, purity, cost, etc.). Like prototyping in design thinking and working under the constraint of creative limitation in the arts, <b>considering safety issues</b> is a hands-on activity that involves <b>decision-making</b>. Making decisions leads to new ideas, which spawns <b>innovation</b>.</div>

Considerations of the technological quality assessment of sugarbeet

2011 ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Pezzi
Keyword(s):  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Glucose Content ◽  
Long Term Storage ◽  
Interesting Correlation ◽  
Technological Quality ◽  
Thick Juice

No real improvement in the technological quality of beet has been recorded over the last 15 years in Northern Italy. Among the possible explanations for the quality stagnation is that the traditional formulae cannot correctly differentiate between sugarbeet varieties which produce thick juice of very high purity. This seems to be connected with the role of potassium. The use of a standard purification procedure gives reliable and accurate data which is immediately comparable with the factory data. Research projects on medium/long term storage are currently being performed by Co.Pro.B., Italy, in cooperation with Syngenta and Beta. Up to now the results have shown that storage of sugarbeet in autumn time in northern Italy is possible provided that suitable varieties and proper handling of the roots are employed. Results obtained in the storage trials are reported. Correlations have been found between quality parameters (purity, color and lime salts) of the purified juice with the glucose content of the raw juice. An interesting correlation is reported between purified juice purity and raw juice purity.

Treatment and Quality of Sewage Sludge in Germany - Results of a Survey

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Meda ◽  
C. Schaum ◽  
M. Wagner ◽  
P. Cornel ◽  
A. Durth
Keyword(s):  
Sewage Sludge ◽  
Treatment Process ◽  
Wastewater Treatment Plants ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Sludge Treatment ◽  
Sewage Sludge Treatment ◽  
Treatment And Disposal ◽  
German Association ◽  
Entire Treatment

TIn 2004, the German Association for Wastewater, Water and Waste (DWA) carried out a survey about the current status of sewage sludge treatment and disposal in Germany. The study covered about one third of the wastewater treatment plants and about two thirds of the entire treatment capacity (expressed in population equivalents) in Germany. This provides an up-to-date and representative database. The paper presents the most important results regarding sludge treatment, process engineering, current disposal paths and sewage sludge quality.

The real concept of substitution in Ayurveda literature and adulteration the misleading concept of modern era

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashashri Shinde ◽  
Pankaj Gupta ◽  
Sudipt Rath
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Genetic Parameters ◽  
Herbal Drugs ◽  
Material Identification ◽  
The Real ◽  
Physical Chemical ◽  
Unfair Trade ◽  
Modern Era

A quality drug is central to the success of any therapeutic plan. The quality of drug is determined right from the collection to delivery to the patients. The commonest problem involving the medicinal plant stating materials is intentional or unintentional substitution and adulteration owing to multiple reasons like unavailability, higher costs, unfair trade etc. This trend was also present in the olden days, as evident from the concept of substitute drugs (Pratinidhi Dravya) as available in Yogratanakara, Bhavaprakasha and Bhaishajyaratnawali. Therefore, Charka and later Acharyas also have dealt with authentication and standardization of herbal drugs and formulations in detail by using four Pramanas (tools of knowledge) Ch.Vi.8/87. Nowadays the concept of substitution is entirely converted into intentional and unintentional malpractices of adulteration. The established authenticity parameters for plant material identification and standardization like organoleptic, physical, chemical and genetic parameters are relatively inaccessible for routine use. Not withstanding the accuracy and usefulness of these lab parameters and delay in the development of easy to perform parameters for reasonable drug authentication. These adulteration malpractices spoils the market of herbal industries. In this article we discuss about concept of substitution in ancient Ayurveda and at present intentional and unintentional adulteration practices.

scholarly journals Fault Simulations in a Multiterminal High Voltage DC Network with Modular Multilevel Converters Using Full-Bridge Submodules

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1653
Author(s):  
Ioan-Cătălin Damian ◽  
Mircea Eremia ◽  
Lucian Toma
Keyword(s):  
High Voltage ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Fault Analysis ◽  
Renewable Energy Resource ◽  
Dynamic Simulations ◽  
Multilevel Converters ◽  
Strong Focus ◽  
Modular Multilevel Converters ◽  
Overhead Power Lines ◽  
And Control

The concept of high-voltage DC transmission using a multiterminal configuration is presently a central topic of research and investment due to rekindled interest in renewable energy resource integration. Moreover, great attention is given to fault analysis, which leads to the necessity of developing proper tools that enable proficient dynamic simulations. This paper leverages models and control system design techniques and demonstrates their appropriateness for scenarios in which faults are applied. Furthermore, this paper relies on full-bridge submodule topologies in order to underline the increase in resilience that such a configuration brings to the multiterminal DC network, after an unexpected disturbance. Therefore, strong focus is given to fault response, considering that converters use a full-bridge topology and that overhead power lines connect the terminals.

scholarly journals Dental Education Challenges during the COVID-19 Pandemic Period in Italy: Undergraduate Student Feedback, Future Perspectives, and the Needs of Teaching Strategies for Professional Development

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 454
Author(s):  
Giuseppe Varvara ◽  
Sara Bernardi ◽  
Serena Bianchi ◽  
Bruna Sinjari ◽  
Maurizio Piattelli
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Student ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Dental Education ◽  
Student Feedback ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Learning Approaches ◽  
New Methods ◽  
E Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic literally stopped most human movement and activities as it initially spread, which included dental practices and dental education. This defined the need for significative changes in teaching and learning with the use of “e-learning” methods, also for traineeships. This study was designed to determine the undergraduate student perception of these new methods as part of their education. This involved 353 students attending the Dental School of the G. D’Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara, from the first to the sixth years. A questionnaire in Italian and was set-up using “Google Forms” and sent by email to the students. The questionnaire was divided into three parts: the first part included questions for general information, including age, sex and year of course; the second part had multiple choice questions related to their evaluation of the e-learning teaching, using a scale of opinion in the replies to each question (e.g., “scarce”, “fair”, “satisfying”, “very good” and “excellent”); and the third part included two open questions to indicate the strengths and limitations of these new teaching and learning approaches. The categorical variables in the first and second parts of the questionnaire were evaluated using Chi squared tests, setting significance at p < 0.05, while the comments were evaluated qualitatively. The student feedback showed significant appreciation (p < 0.05) of the new methods and the efforts that the lecturers put in to provide lectures of as high a quality as possible. However, a lack of practical training was significantly perceived as an important problem in the structure of their new curriculum (p < 0.05). COVID-19 has been an epic tragedy that has hit the human population not only in terms of health and healthcare, but also quality of life. This includes the quality of dental education within universities. However, the pandemic can be seen to also represent motivation to invest in the necessary technological innovation to deliver the best possible education to our future dentists.

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