Cogeneration from thermal treatment of selected municipal solid wastes. A stoichiometric model building for the case study on Palermo.

This paper aims to calculate the energetic and environmental effects of an integrated solid waste management system in Palermo, Italy. In particular, the thermal treatment of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) with energy recovery is assessed. The current characterization at the local scale is taken into account. Two different options of collection are taken into account: (1) unselected wastes; and (2) sorted collection, according to the current Italian regulation. Combustion process is analyzed and the following features are calculated: (1) stoichiometric content of air and air excess; and (2) temperature and enthalpy of flue gases. Energy recovery is performed in the hypothesis of Hirn cycle both with steam condensation to produce only power, and with bleeding cycle for the combined production of power and thermal energy. Total electric efficiency is assumed as representative index of the technological level of the assessed plant. Results show that the thermal treatment of selected MSW, associated with a cogenerative recovery of energy, represents a relevant sustainable strategy of waste valorization as an alternative to fossil fuels.

Diabetes and pregnancy: prophylaxis of genital infections.

Diabetic pregnant women have many potential reasons to have genital infections such as poor metabolic control and impairement of leucocyte function. Relative immune deficiency exists in pregnancy. This study was designed to test the hypotheses that pregnant patients with insulin-dependent diabetes have a higher rate of ante partum genital infections when compared with a pair-matched control population. Two groups of pregnant women consisting of 23 patients with and 23 without diabetes mellitus, underwent colposcopy and cytology between 16th and 24th week of gestation to detect the presence of human papilloma virus (HPV), Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida albicans and aspecific infections. No significant differences were observed between the two groups.

Treatment of female hyperandrogenism: estroprogestinic therapy at low dose in an inversal sequential scheme.

OBJECTIVE: to investigate the effects of treatment with low dose of cyproterone acetate and ethynyl-estradiol on chemical and hormonal parameters in female hyperandrogenism. DESIGN: twenty patients, affected by clinical manifestations of hyperandrogenism, were studied basally and during treatment with 10 mg of cyproterone acetate associated with ethynyl-estradiol (20 m g) in an inversal sequential scheme for six months. Safety parameters were assessed throughout the study. Hirsutism was graded by Ferriman and Gallway score, and hormonal parameters were evaluated basally and after six months of therapy. RESULTS: after six months of therapy all patients showed a significant decrease of clinical and biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism, and normalization of ovarian parameters in seventeen women affected by PCOS. CONCLUSIONS: this treatment is an effective and well tolerated therapy. It is reasonable to consider this treatment as a safe procedure especially in view of a long-term administration.

Preterm labour and neonatal parameters.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to identify those neonatal factors associated with survival in preterm infants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined a population of 457 preterm newborns delivered between 1 January-31 December 1990, with birthweight between < 1000 gr and > 2000 gr, in respect to umbilical pH values, plasmatic glucose values, 5-minute Apgar score and gestational age. Data were abstracted from the maternal intrapartum records and the neonatal records, with specific attention to neonatal parameters. RESULTS: A positive correlation between birthweight and 5-minute Apgar score, between birthweight, pH and glucose values was noted. No such relationship existed between pH values and 5-minute Apgar score. Within birthweight groups the distribution of neonatal mortality rate was 85.18% in ELBW (Extremely Low Birth Weight) and only 5.26% in LBW (Low Birth Weight). CONCLUSION: The importance of the echographic estimate of the fetal weight must be emphasized, since a birthweight of 1500 gr represents the cut-off for the neonatal morbidity and mortality, and also an accurate clinical evaluation of the risk of preterm labour or pathologies in order to improve the estimate of childbirth timing.

Prognostic value of biophysical profile score in post-date pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to assess the ability of each individual biophysical profile score variable and combination of variables, to predict fetal distress or imminent labor in the post data pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From June 1992 to August 1993, Biophysical Profile Scoring (BPS) was performed on 182 pregnant women. Thirty one patients delivered between 42 and 43 weeks of gestation, while the other 151 pregnant women delivered between 38 and 41+6 days. Monitoring procedures were based on the evaluation of fetal heart rates by Non Stress Test and four ultrasound parameters: Fetal Tone; Gross Body Movements; Fetal breathing movements; Evaluation of amniotic fluid volume. RESULTS: In this analysis the BPS showed a high specificity (82.7%) with a negative predictive value of 100%. The mean value of the last BPS among the 151 term patients was significantly higher if compared with the 31 post term pregnant women (6.73 and 6.12 respectively with p < 0.05). The predictive value of Fetal Breathing Movements (FBM) for the onset of imminent labor was confirmed. CONCLUSION: BPS, as measured in this study, has proved to be a very accurate method of determination of fetal well-being. Although these results will be further verified by other studies, BPS should come into general use to help reach the correct diagnosis and treatment of post date pregnancy.