Evidence of an upper ionospheric electric field perturbation correlated with a gamma ray burst.

Earth's atmosphere, whose ionization stability plays a fundamental role for the evolution and endurance of life, is exposed to the effect of cosmic explosions producing high energy Gamma-ray-bursts. Being able to abruptly increase the atmospheric ionization, they might deplete stratospheric ozone on a global scale. During the last decades, an average of more than one Gamma-ray-burst per day were recorded. Nevertheless, measurable effects on the ionosphere were rarely observed, in any case on its bottom-side (from about 60 km up to about 350 km of altitude). Here, we report evidence of an intense top-side (about 500 km) ionospheric perturbation induced by significant sudden ionospheric disturbance, and a large variation of the ionospheric electric field at 500 km, which are both correlated with the October 9, 2022 Gamma-ray-burst (GRB221009A).

Quantification and mapping of fish waste in retail trade and restaurant sector: Experience in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

The circular economy approach imposes the complete recovery of components, materials and energy from waste. Many active compounds with biomedical and nutraceutical applications can be extracted by Fish Waste (FW), but few are the operating industrial plants. Quantification and mapping of the potential FW availability along the entire fish value-chain is crucial in fostering its actual valorisation. Apart at industrial processing, in the distribution segment the estimation of FW availability is absent. This paper aimed to quantify and locate FW generated by point sources such as supermarkets, fishmongers and restaurants as well as to establish the diffuse domestic FW production in a 4,5M inhabitants region. The study provides an exportable method and indications for comparable worldwide areas. A simplified valorisation scenario for equivalent biomethane production is also presented. Direct interviews and indirect approach based on fish consumption have been adopted and compared. Large supermarkets and medium-large restaurants are the main FW producers (239 and 125 kg/week, respectively) followed medium-large fishmongers and medium supermarkets (63 and 86 kg/week, respectively). In the investigated region the larger FW point sources are supermarkets (average 3000 Mg/y), while fishmongers are the smaller (average 750 Mg/y). Restaurants (average 1400 Mg/y) show the wider range of variability between 460 and 8000 Mg/y. The indirect methodology reveals that domestic FW production ranges from 2376 to 3961 Mg/y. Per capita estimations of FW ranged from 0.5 - 3 kg/y. The economic value of FW (biomethanation route) is 68 EUR/Mg. A qualification as "highly potential waste" would promote FW valorization.

Greenhouse gas savings and energy balance of sewage sludge treated through an enhanced intermediate pyrolysis screw reactor combined with a reforming process.

A life cycle thinking approach focusing on energy and greenhouse gas savings has been applied to study the potential for energy recovery and organic matter reclamation from Waste Activated Sludge produced in Waste Water Treatment Plants by means of a catalytic thermo-chemical process. A generic Basic Sludge Processing line has been modelled following common waste water and sludge treatment stages found in several European plants. This has served to identify and divide generic sludge treatment units in order to compare the performance of different industrial configurations where a specific thermo-chemical technology treatment unit and related cogeneration was substituted or added to reference units. The considered technology is an enhanced intermediate pyrolysis screw reactor combined with a reforming process known as Thermo-Catalytic Reforming allowing for conversion of sewage sludge into energy carriers and reclamation of organic substances in the form of charcoal (biochar). In order to study the greenhouse gas savings, a calculator tool complying with Directive 2009/28/EC has been adopted. Results show that substantial benefits in terms of energy production and greenhouse gas emissions reduction of a sludge-to-energy system are expected if the secondary sludge is directly treated with the Thermo-Catalytic Reforming process, without an intermediate anaerobic digestion step.

Exploitable fish waste and stranded beach debris in the Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy).

Within Circular Economy principles, this paper analyses and estimates exploitable marine residues, such as fish waste and stranded debris in beaches and their potential valorisation scenarios. The Emilia-Romagna Region (Italy) has been chosen as a case study. Based on the sold fish, about 200 Mg/year of fish waste are produced at the five major fish markets of the Region. Including all regional fish processing plants and retail trade, the estimated availability of fish waste increases up to 30,000 Mg/year. Stranded beach debris collected by mechanical cleaning operations are currently deposited in landfill. About 63,000 Mg/year of sieved debris are collected each year, out of which the recoverable fractions consist of 19,000 Mg/year of organic material, 8,000 Mg/year of shells and 5,200 Mg/year of stones. Classification and valorisation routes for these residual biomasses are proposed and their applicability to other regions discussed. In order to investigate the possible use in anaerobic digestion plants and the effects on biogas production, Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) assays have been carried out with fish waste samples and with organic material found in marine debris. Salt content in driftwood has been quantified to assess its potential use in Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants. Proposed valorisation routes for shells and stones include the production of calcium carbonate (cement industry, wastewater treatment and mulching) and the application in building industry, respectively.

Life Cycle Assessment of high ligno-cellulosic biomass pyrolysis coupled with anaerobic digestion.

A Life Cycle Assessment is conducted on pyrolysis coupled to anaerobic digestion to treat corn stovers and to obtain bioenergy and biochar. The analysis takes into account the feedstock treatment process, the fate of products and the indirect effects due to crop residue removal. The biochar is considered to be used as solid fuel for coal power plants or as soil conditioner. All results are compared with a corresponding fossil-fuel-based scenario. It is shown that the proposed system always enables relevant primary energy savings of non-renewable sources and a strong reduction of greenhouse gases emissions without worsening the abiotic resources depletion. Conversely, the study points out that the use of corn stovers for mulch is critical when considering acidification and eutrophication impacts. Therefore, removal of corn stovers from the fields must be planned carefully.

Activity and expression of acetylcholinesterase in PC12 cells exposed to intermittent 1.8 GHz 217-GSM mobile phone signal.

PURPOSE: Due to its role in learning, memory and in many neurodegenerative diseases, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) represents an interesting endpoint to assess possible targets of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) generated by mobile phones. We investigated possible alterations of enzymatic activity, gene and protein expression of AChE in neuronal-like cells exposed to a 1.8 GHz Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) modulated signal (217-GSM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rat PC12 cells were exposed for 24 h to 1.8 GHz 217-GSM signal. Specific adsorption rate (SAR) was 2 W/kg. AChE enzyme activity was assessed spectrophotometrically by Ellman's method, mRNA expression level was evaluated by real time polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression was assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: AChE enzymatic activity increased of 1.4-fold in PC12 cells exposed to 217-GSM signal for 24 h, whilst AChE transcriptional or translational pathways were not affected. CONCLUSION: Our results provide the first evidence of effects on AChE activity after in vitro exposure of mammalian cells to the RF-EMF generated by GSM mobile phones, at the SAR value 2 W/kg. The obtained evidence promotes further investigations on AChE as a possible target of RF-EMF and confirm the ability of 1.8 GHz 217-GSM signal to induce biological effects in different mammalian cells.

Coupling of an enzymatic biofuel cell to an electrochemical cell for self-powered glucose sensing with optical readout.

A miniaturized biofuel cell (BFC) is powering an electrolyser invoking a glucose concentration dependent formation of a dye which can be determined spectrophotometrically. This strategy enables instrument free analyte detection using the analyte-dependent BFC current for triggering an optical read-out system. A screen-printed electrode (SPE) was used for the immobilization of the enzymes glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD) for the biocatalytic oxidation of glucose and reduction of molecular oxygen, respectively. The miniaturized BFC was switched-on using small sample volumes (ca. 60 µL) leading to an open-circuit voltage of 567 mV and a maximal power density of (6.8±0.6) µW cm(-2). The BFC power was proportional to the glucose concentration in a range from 0.1 to 1.0 mM (R(2)=0.991). In order to verify the potential instrument-free analyte detection the BFC was directly connected to an electrochemical cell comprised of an optically-transparent SPE modified with methylene green (MG). The reduction of the electrochromic reporter compound invoked by the voltage and current flow applied by the BFC let to MG discoloration, thus allowing the detection of glucose.

Effects of the exposure to intermittent 1.8 GHz radio frequency electromagnetic fields on HSP70 expression and MAPK signaling pathways in PC12 cells.

PURPOSE: We previously reported effects on heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) mRNA expression, a cytoprotective protein induced under stressful condition, in human trophoblast cells exposed to amplitude-modulated Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) signals. In the present work the same experimental conditions were applied to the rat PC12 cells, in order to assess the stress responses mediated by HSP70 and by the Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases (MAPK) in neuronal-like cells, an interesting model to study possible effects of mobile phone frequencies exposure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: HSP70 gene expression level was evaluated by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, HSP70 protein expression and MAPK phosphorylation were assessed by Western blotting. PC12 cells were exposed for 4, 16 or 24 h to 1.8 GHz continuous wave signal (CW, carrier frequency without modulation) or to two different GSM modulation schemes, GSM-217Hz and GSM-Talk (which generates temporal changes between two different GSM signals, active during talking or listening phases, respectively, thus simulating a typical conversation). Specific adsorption rate (SAR) was 2 W/kg. RESULTS: After PC12 cells exposure to the GSM-217Hz signal for 16 or 24 h, HSP70 transcription significantly increased, whereas no effect was observed in cells exposed to the CW or GSM-Talk signals. HSP70 protein expression and three different MAPK signaling pathways were not affected by the exposure to any of the three different 1.8 GHz signals. CONCLUSION: The positive effect on HSP70 mRNA expression, observed only in cells exposed to the GSM-217Hz signal, is a repeatable response previously reported in human trophoblast cells and now confirmed in PC12 cells. Further investigations towards a possible role of 1.8 GHz signal modulation are therefore advisable.

Metal nanoparticles inside microgel/clay nanohybrids: Synthesis, characterization and catalytic efficiency in cross-coupling reactions.

HYPOTHESIS: Laponite nanoclay embedded inside soluble crosslinked copolymers (microgels) may act as cation exchanger allowing loading of the microgels with cationic metal precursors, which upon reduction yield tailored ternary colloidal nanocomposites comprising both nanoclay and metal nanoparticles. EXPERIMENTS: Microgel nanohybrids with variable Laponite nanoclay content were loaded with cationic precursors of different noble metals (Pd, Pt, Au); subsequent reduction by several methods yielded ternary nanocomposites which were extensively characterized. Nanocomposites based on Pd were also tested as catalysts in standard Suzuki and Sonogashira cross-coupling reactions. FINDINGS: The proposed method for the production of ternary nanocomposite microgels has been validated. The factors influencing the final metal nanoparticle size (nature of the reducing agent, clay content in the microgel) have been determined and rationalized. The resulting Pd-containing ternary nanocomposite microgels are viable catalysts of standard cross coupling reactions in water-rich medium.

Transient DNA damage induced by high-frequency electromagnetic fields (GSM 1.8 GHz) in the human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cell line evaluated with the alkaline comet assay.

One of the most controversial issue regarding high-frequency electromagnetic fields (HF-EMF) is their putative capacity to affect DNA integrity. This is of particular concern due to the increasing use of HF-EMF in communication technologies, including mobile phones. Although epidemiological studies report no detrimental effects on human health, the possible disturbance generated by HF-EMF on cell physiology remains controversial. In addition, the question remains as to whether cells are able to compensate their potential effects. We have previously reported that a 1-h exposure to amplitude-modulated 1.8 GHz sinusoidal waves (GSM-217 Hz, SAR=2 W/kg) largely used in mobile telephony did not cause increased levels of primary DNA damage in human trophoblast HTR-8/SVneo cells. Nevertheless, further investigations on trophoblast cell responses after exposure to GSM signals of different types and durations were considered of interest. In the present work, HTR-8/SVneo cells were exposed for 4, 16 or 24h to 1.8 GHz continuous wave (CW) and different GSM signals, namely GSM-217 Hz and GSM-Talk (intermittent exposure: 5 min field on, 10 min field off). The alkaline comet assay was used to evaluate primary DNA damages and/or strand breaks due to uncompleted repair processes in HF-EMF exposed samples. The amplitude-modulated signals GSM-217 Hz and GSM-Talk induced a significant increase in comet parameters in trophoblast cells after 16 and 24h of exposure, while the un-modulated CW was ineffective. However, alterations were rapidly recovered and the DNA integrity of HF-EMF exposed cells was similar to that of sham-exposed cells within 2h of recovery in the absence irradiation. Our data suggest that HF-EMF with a carrier frequency and modulation scheme typical of the GSM signal may affect the DNA integrity.

Ranking environmental aspects in environmental management systems: a new method tested on local authorities.

A new method is described to determine and to rank the significance of the environmental aspects of a local authority, as a basis for the implementation of an environmental management system (EMS). The method is especially important as for the requirements of the EU "Environmental Management and Audit Scheme" (EMAS), a standard open to all sectors including public authorities. The method has been applied to the Municipalities of Faenza (a large town with 54,000 inhabitants) and of the small towns of Riolo Terme, Brisighella, Casola Valsenio (RA, Italy), which obtained or are on the way to get the EMAS certification.

HSP70 expression in human trophoblast cells exposed to different 1.8 Ghz mobile phone signals.

The heat-shock proteins (HSPs) are important cellular stress markers and have been proposed as candidates to infer biological effects of high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs). In the current study, HSP70 gene and protein expression were evaluated in cells of the human trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo after prolonged exposure (4 to 24 h) to 1.8 GHz continuous-wave (CW) and different GSM signals (GSM-217Hz and GSM-Talk) to assess the possible effects of time and modulation schemes on cell responses. Inducible HSP70 protein expression was not modified by high-frequency EMFs under any condition tested. The inducible HSP70A, HSP70B and the constitutive HSC70 transcripts did not change in cells exposed to high-frequency EMFs with the different modulation schemes. Instead, levels of the inducible HSP70C transcript were significantly enhanced after 24 h exposure to GSM-217Hz signals and reduced after 4 and 16 h exposure to GSM-Talk signals. As in other cell systems, in HTR-8/SVneo cells the response to high-frequency EMFs was detected at the mRNA level after exposure to amplitude-modulated GSM signals. The present results suggest that the expression analysis for multiple transcripts, though encoding the same or similar protein products, can be highly informative and may account for subtle changes not detected at the protein level.

Evaluation of HSP70 expression and DNA damage in cells of a human trophoblast cell line exposed to 1.8 GHz amplitude-modulated radiofrequency fields.

The aim of this study was to determine whether high-frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) could induce cellular effects. The human trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo was used as a model to evaluate the expression of proteins (HSP70 and HSC70) and genes (HSP70A, B, C and HSC70) of the HSP70 family and the primary DNA damage response after nonthermal exposure to pulse-modulated 1817 MHz sinusoidal waves (GSM-217 Hz; 1 h; SAR of 2 W/kg). HSP70 expression was significantly enhanced by heat, which was applied as the prototypical stimulus. The HSP70A, B and C transcripts were differentially expressed under basal conditions, and they were all significantly induced above basal levels by thermal stress. Conversely, HSC70 protein and gene expression was not influenced by heat. Exposing HTR-8/SVneo cells to high-frequency EMFs did not change either HSP70 or HSC70 protein or gene expression. A significant increase in DNA strand breaks was caused by exposure to H(2)O(2), which was used as a positive stimulus; however, no effect was observed after exposure of cells to high-frequency EMFs. Overall, no evidence was found that a 1-h exposure to GSM-217 Hz induced a HSP70-mediated stress response or primary DNA damage in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Nevertheless, further investigations on trophoblast cell responses after exposure to GSM signals of different types and durations are needed.