A life cycle assessment framework for large-scale changes in material circularity

Increasing material circularity is high on the agenda of the European Union in order to decouple environmental impacts and economic growth. While life cycle assessment (LCA) is useful for quantifying the associated environmental impacts, consistent LCA modeling of the large-scale changes arising from policy targets addressing material circularity (i.e., recycled content and recycling rate) is challenging. In response to this, we propose an assessment framework addressing key steps in LCA, namely, goal definition, functional unit, baseline versus alternative scenario definition, and modeling of system responses. Regulatory and economic aspects (e.g., trends in consumption patterns, market responses, market saturation, and legislative side-policies affecting waste management) are emphasized as critical for the identification of potential system responses and for supporting regulatory interventions required to reach the intended environmental benefits. The framework is recommended for LCA studies focusing on system-wide consequences where allocation between product life cycles is not relevant; however, the framework can be adapted to include allocation. The application of the framework was illustrated by an example of implementing a policy target for 2025 of 70% recycled content in PET trays in EU27+1. It was demonstrated that neglecting large-scale market responses and saturation lead to an overestimation of the environmental benefits from the policy target and that supplementary initiatives are required to achieve the full benefits at system level

Polymerization shrinkage and spherical glass mega fillers: Effects on cuspal deflection

Purpose. The Authors analyzed the effect of spherical glass mega fillers (SGMF) on reducing contraction stress in dental composite resins, by means of a cavity model simulating the cuspal deflection which occurs on filled tooth cavity walls in clinical condition. Materials and methods. 20 stylized MOD cavities (C-factor = 0.83) were performed in acrylic resin. The inner surface of each cavity was sand blasted and adhesively treated in order to ensure a valid bond with the composite resin. Three different diameter of SGMF were used (i.e. 1, 1,5, 2 mm). The samples were divided in 4 groups of 5 each: Group 1 samples filled with the composite only; Group 2 samples filled with composite added with SGMFs, Ø1mm (16 spheres for each sample); Group 3 samples filled with composite added with SGMFs, Ø1,5 mm (5 spheres for each sample); Group 4 samples filled with composite added with SGMFs, Ø2 mm (2 spheres for each sample). Digital pictures were taken, in standardized settings, before and immediately after the polymerization of the composite material, placed into the cavities. With a digital image analysis software the distances from the coronal reference points of the cavity walls were measured. Then the difference between the first and second measurement was calculated. The data were analyzed by means of the ANOVA test. Results. A significative reduction on cavity walls deflection, when the composite resin is used in addiction with the SGMFs was observed. The SGMFs of smallest diameter (1mm) showed the better outcome. Conclusion. The SGMFs are reliable in reducing contraction stress in dental composite resins

Association between a common missense variant in LOXL3 gene and the risk of non-syndromic cleft palate

To investigate possible association between functional common variants in the lysyl oxidase like 3 gene and non-syndromic cleft palate we selected a common missense variant p.Ile615Phe (rs17010021), which was predicted to have a probably damaging effect on the lysyl oxidase like 3 enzyme. We genotyped 258 non-syndromic cleft palate case-parent triads of European origin and tested genetic association using the transmission disequilibrium test and log-linear regression analyses of genotypic relative risks and of parent-of-origin effects. The observed genotype frequency in parents was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Compared with wild-type Ile/Ile homozygotes, the relative risks for Phe/Phe homozygote infants was 6.87 (P value 3.0 × 10-3 ), while that for Ile/Phe heterozygotes was not significant. Assuming an autosomal recessive model, the relative risks for Phe/Phe genotype resulted 10.54 (P value 2.9 × 10-5 ), with a 3.6% population attributable risk. No parent-of-origin effect was observed. The identification in lysyl oxidase like 3 of a missense variant which under a recessive model associates with 10-fold increased risk of non-syndromic cleft palate supports the hypothesis that the genetic etiology of this congenital anomaly includes relatively uncommon recessive variants with moderate penetrance and located in genes which are also involved in syndromes that include cleft palate as part of the phenotype. Our findings require functional validation and replication in a larger independent genetic association study

A Multi-Criteria Assessment of Water Supply in Ugandan Refugee Settlements

Water supply challenges in emergency situations have increased in recent years and there is a need for analyses targeting economic and environmental sustainability. Our study investigated the end-user water demand, the capital and operational costs, the carbon footprint, the freshwater availability and the risks surrounding water quality for several groundwater supply alternatives in Ugandan refugee settlements. We compared hand pumps, motorised pumps (solar, diesel and hybrid) and water trucking. The end-users’ survey highlighted the significant variability of water access. The economic evaluation showed that the breakeven year for solar and diesel pumps was greatly affected by the length of the water distribution systems (e.g., pipes, storage tanks), the chosen timeframe and the daily working hours of the diesel engine. When excluding capital investment, most alternatives were economically viable at the existing water fee (0.8 USD/m3), and solar driven pumps were down to 0.09 USD/m3. Finally, the combustion of diesel caused the highest CO2-eq emissions per m3. Water trucking is the worst option in both the economic and environmental analysis at 7–8 USD/m3 and >1 kg CO2-eq/m3. The methodology and the results of this paper will support decision-makers to build and finance sustainable water provision solutions in refugee settlements

Microscope and microâ camera assessment of Schneiderian membrane perforation via transcrestal sinus floor elevation: A randomized ex vivo study

ObjectiveWe sought to assess the effectiveness of using a microscope and nonâ invasive camera for assessing sinus membrane perforations during transcrestal sinus floor elevation (TSFE).Materials and methodsFive fresh human cadaver heads corresponding to eight maxillary sinuses (six bilateral and two unilateral) underwent 4 TSFEs per sinus (a total of 32 single site elevations). Each elevation was randomly assigned to receive a three or six mm membrane elevation height (MEH). A microscope and microâ camera were used to assess the sinus membrane perforation. Afterwards, radiological and clinical membrane perforation assessments were performed. The statistical analysis results are expressed using the means, standard deviations, range values of the residual ridge height (RRH), residual ridge width (RRW), sinus membrane thickness (SMT) and incidence of perforation (IoP). Generalized linear methods were used to test for the correlation of RRH and MEH to the microscope and microâ camera perforation assessments and the correlation of microscope and microâ camera assessments with the postâ operative CBCT and crestal liquid evaluation.ResultsThe cumulative percentage of IoP was 40.62%, (23.07% with 3 mm MEH, and 76.92% with 6 mm MEH, p < 0.05). The perforation assessed using either the microscope or microâ camera coincided with the postâ operative CBCT and crestal liquid assessment in 87.55% sites. No significant correlation was found between the microscope or microâ camera assessments with RRH or MEH.ConclusionApplication of a microscope and microâ camera during transcrestal sinus floor elevation may allow the detection of the integrity of the Schneiderian membrane with greater than 85% accuracy in this ex vivo model.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149727/1/clr13453.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/149727/2/clr13453_am.pd

Prognostic Role of Examined and Positive Lymph Nodes after Distal Pancreatectomy for Non-Functioning Neuroendocrine Neoplasms

Background: The most appropriate nodal staging system for non-functioning pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NF-PanNETs) remains unclear. Despite some evidence is available for pancreaticoduodenectomy, the adequate nodal staging is still unknown for distal pancreatectomy (DP). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of the number of positive lymph nodes (PLNs) after DP for NF-PanNETs and to define the minimal number of lymph nodes to be harvested for an appropriate nodal staging. Methods: Data were retrospectively collected from patients who underwent DP with curative intent (R0-R1) for sporadic well-differentiated NF-PanNETs in 4 European high-volume centres. NF-PanNETs with nodal involvement (N+) were subclassified into N1 (1–3 PLNs) and N2 (4 or more PLNs). Univariate and multivariate analyses of disease-free survival (DFS) were performed. Results: Of 271 patients in the study, 62 (23%) had nodal involvement (N+). A higher probability of N+ was associated with the following factors: grading, resection margin status, perineural and microvascular invasion, and the number of examined lymph nodes. Three-year DFS rate for N0, N1, and N2 patients was 92, 72, and 50%, respectively (p &#x3c; 0.001). At multivariate analysis, independent predictors of DFS were grading, T stage, presence of necrosis, and nodal status. For patients with ≥12 examined/resected lymph nodes, the N status remained a significant predictor of disease recurrence (p &#x3c; 0.001), while it failed to predict recurrence in patients with &#x3c;12 lymph nodes examined/resected (p = 0.116). Conclusions: A minimal number of 12 nodes should be harvested in case of DP for NF-PanNET for an appropriate nodal staging. The number of positive lymph nodes is an independent predictor of DFS after DP for NF-PanNET, and the N0/N1/N2 nodal classification seems to be more relevant than the current N0/N+ staging

Evaluating LINE-1 methylation in cleft lip tissues and its association with early pregnancy exposures

Aim: To pilot investigation of methylation of long interspersed nucleotide element-1 in lip tissues from infants with nonsyndromic cleft lip, and its association with maternal periconceptional exposures. Methods: The lateral and medial sides of the cleft lips of 23 affected infants were analyzed for long interspersed nucleotide element-1 methylation by bisulfite conversion and pyrosequencing. Results: The medial side showed 1.8% higher methylation compared with the lateral side; p = 0.031, particularly in male infants (2.7% difference; p = 0.011) or when the mothers did not take folic acid during periconceptional period (2.4% difference; p = 0.011). These results were not statistically significant when Bonferroni adjustment was used. Conclusion: The observed differences in DNA methylation, although nonsignificant after correction for multiple comparisons, suggest that differential regulation of the two sides may impact lip fusion and warrant larger-scale replication