Search Results (7)

The Iberian Pyrite Belt (IPB) contains the world’s largest massive sulfide deposit, and, due to extensive mining developed during the last 200 years, large amounts of mining waste have been abandoned in this area, with roasted pyrite ash being the focus of this study. Polymetallic mining is also classified as a NORM (naturally occurring radioactive material) activity, thus the main objective of this work was to develop a radiological and physicochemical characterization of this waste (mineral phases, elemental and radionuclide concentrations) in order to perform a valorization diagnosis of this material. The composition of this waste strongly depends on its origin (mine), and is mainly formed by iron oxides (hematite, Fe₂O₃) and heavy metals and metalloids such as As, Pb, Zn, and Cu, in levels 2–4 orders of magnitude higher than those of undisturbed soils, depending on each particular element. However, the average natural radionuclide levels are similar to those of unperturbed soils (around 30 Bqkg⁻¹ of ²³⁸U-series, 50 Bqkg⁻¹ of ²³²Th, and 70 Bqkg⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K), thus they are below the limits established by European Union regulations to require radiological control during their future valorization. As the main potential applications of roasted pyrite ash, the valorization diagnosis indicates that it can be used as a source of Fe (FeCl₃ or FeSO₄), or an additive in the manufacturing of cements, pigments, etc. Full article

Background/Objectives: Pediatric cancer survivors are at greater risk of cardiometabolic complications than their peers. This study evaluates the preliminary impact of the VIE (Valorization, Implication, Education) intervention, which integrates nutrition, physical activity, and psychological support, on dietary intake and cardiometabolic health among children and adolescents during cancer treatment. Methods: This comparative study includes pediatric cancer patients recruited to either the VIE intervention group or a control group receiving standard care. Post-treatment data on dietary intake, anthropometric measures, blood pressure, and biochemical parameters were compared between groups and stratified by level of involvement in the nutritional intervention and age at diagnosis (children and adolescents). Results: In the intervention group, 45 participants were included (51.1% male, mean age at evaluation 10.2 ± 4.5 years, mean time since end of treatment of 1.3 ± 0.8 years), and the control group comprised 77 participants (44.2% male, mean age at evaluation 12.0 ± 5.6 years, mean time since end of treatment of 1.4 ± 0.8 years). The intervention group had lower total caloric intake (mean: 1759 ± 513 vs. 1997 ± 669 kcal, p = 0.042) and higher calcium intake (mean: 567 ± 240 vs. 432 ± 197 mg/1000 kcal, p = 0.001). The participants who were highly involved in the nutritional intervention had greater protein-derived energy intake than the controls (mean: 17 ± 5 vs. 15 ± 4%, p = 0.029). While there was a tendency for a lesser proportion of cardiometabolic risk factors in the adolescents from the intervention group, the differences did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: The VIE intervention improved some specific dietary intakes in the medium term after treatment completion but did not significantly impact cardiometabolic health outcomes. Additional strategies are needed to improve the diet of pediatric cancer patients, and further research is warranted to assess the long-term impact of such interventions. Full article

Many developing countries have problems associated with waste management; therefore, this research aims to propose strategies for waste management in small municipalities (less than 50,000 inhabitants), pointing out the importance of involving the stakeholders responsible for improving each phase of this process. The methodology consisted of carrying out a diagnosis to show the current situation at the national, state, and municipal levels, as well as several strategies. The results revealed that in Mexico the waste management system consists of a collection and final disposal model, while waste recovery and treatment are incipient. To strengthen integrated waste management in small municipalities, the strategies proposed in this research consider higher budgets by the federal government to enable an infrastructure for collection, treatment, and final disposal, allowing waste valorization. Other strategies consist of improving coordination between the different stakeholders involved, based on actions by federal, state, and municipal authorities to promote the participation of the social, service, productive, and educational sectors, through public policies, as well as formal incorporation of scavengers and the formation of inter-municipal associations responsible for waste management. Among the conclusions, it is highlighted that the implementation of these strategies will favor the transition towards a circular economy model for small municipalities. Full article

Historical timber roofs play a significant role in architectural heritage, as listed in the World Heritage List protected by UNESCO. Despite their complexity, they are frequently lacking in maintenance, with the consequence that only a few original examples have been preserved until today, contradicting the principle of minimum intervention. In the paper, a decision-making approach has been proposed for the best and most sustainable solution, in which tradition and innovation meet to achieve the maximum quality with minimum intervention. With an emphasis on sustainability (environmental, economic, technological, historic, and social), analyses have been carried out in order to compare various intervention alternatives, modeled in a Heritage-Building Information Modeling (HBIM) environment, assessed using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), and implemented with the multi-criteria Modelo Integrado de cuantificacion de Valor para Edificacion Sostenibles (MIVES) methodology. The case study is the roof of the Michelangelo Cloister in the Diocletian Baths in Rome, which is a significant example of historical timber roofs. The results are given in terms of a quantitative sustainability index SI, which takes into account different alternatives of intervention, including the task of diagnosis. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) represents a growing and promising branch of computer science that is expanding the horizon of prediction, screening, and disease monitoring. The use of multimodal imaging in retinal diseases is particularly advantageous to valorize the integration of machine learning and deep learning for early diagnosis, prediction, and management of retinal disorders. In age-related macular degeneration (AMD) beyond its diagnosis and characterization, the prediction of AMD high-risk phenotypes evolving into late forms remains a critical point. The main multimodal imaging modalities adopted included color fundus photography, fundus autofluorescence, and optical coherence tomography (OCT), which represents undoubtful advantages over other methods. OCT features identified as predictors of late AMD include the morphometric evaluation of retinal layers, drusen volume and topographic distribution, reticular pseudodrusen, and hyperreflective foci quantification. The present narrative review proposes to analyze the current evidence on AI models and biomarkers identified to predict disease progression with particular attention to OCT-based features and to highlight potential perspectives for future research. Full article

The use of low-emission combustion technologies in power boilers has contributed to a significant increase in the rate of high-temperature corrosion in boilers and increased risk of failure. The use of low quality biomass and waste, caused by the current policies pressing on the decarbonization of the energy generation sector, might exacerbate this problem. Additionally, all of the effects of the valorization techniques on the inorganic fraction of the solid fuel have become an additional uncertainty. As a result, fast and reliable corrosion diagnostic techniques are slowly becoming a necessity to maintain the security of the energy supply for the power grid. Non-destructive testing methods (NDT) are helpful in detecting these threats. The most important NDT methods, which can be used to assess the degree of corrosion of boiler tubes, detection of the tubes’ surface roughness and the internal structural defects, have been presented in the paper. The idea of the use of optical techniques in the initial diagnosis of boiler evaporators’ surface conditions has also been presented. Full article

The valorization and sustainable management of historic centers is a topic relevant to the cultural identity and heritage of European cities. A rational strategy to preserve the centers must consider both energy and environmental retrofitting, even if this is a complex issue requiring interdisciplinary approaches, dedicated diagnostic procedures, and specific tools. Within this context, this paper proposes an integrated method for energy and environmental analysis specifically devoted to historical building retrofit. Attention is focused on cases in which building management is not interested in renovation or in a deep conservation project, but instead in green management and maintenance overhaul. The basis of the procedure is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M) rating protocol. The global goal was the definition of an intervention strategy indicating the principal direction of action. The first step is identifying critical issues in the operation of the building through energy diagnosis and dynamic thermophysical simulations. The second step is defining a panel of appropriate retrofit measures. The third step is choosing between alternatives to increase the sustainability performance following an environmental assessment scheme. Ca’ Rezzonico in Venice (Italy), a 17th-century palace, nowadays the seat of a museum, was used as a case study to apply the proposed methodology. Full article