Revitalising metallic materials: a path towards a sustainable circular economy

Improving materials’ productivity and reusability can advance circularity by reducing extraction and enabling efficient fully recyclable parts and systems. However, the pursuit of circular materials often focuses on the choice among reusing, repairing, or recycling materials, with limited consideration for techniques that can proactively revitalise materials. Consequently, the adoption of preventive material therapies remain relatively scarce and unexplored. This work discusses the potential for revitalising metallic materials with preventive maintenance prior to detectable damage and we identify techniques that can effectively prolong the structural lifespan of metallic components. By analysing the literature and considering the eco-footprint and implementation feasibility within the aerospace sector, this study ranks approaches based on their circularity impact and provides valuable insights to guide future research in the field of materials maintenance.Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC): CENT

Management of a patient with multiple device replacements and extractions: When the leadless pacemaker is a viable solution

Leadless pacemaker (LPs) is a safe device and the implantation rates of this device is increasing. The device extraction and replacement are today a challenging procedures especially in case of infections, fragile and older patients or in unfavorable venous anatomy; LPs can be a valid alternative strategy in these cases. We report a case of management of a patient with multiple previous device replacements and extractions, with malfunction of transvenous pacemaker and with a fibrous membrane between the walls of the ventricular lead and the superior vena cava (SVC), who underwent a successful LP implantation

Frontal accretion vs. foreland plate deformation: discriminating the style of post-collisional shortening in the Apennines

Interpretation of confidential and public data was carried out in this study focusing on the structural setting and seismic stratigraphy of both foreland basin deposits and underlying shallow water carbonates of the foreland plate. Our structural interpretation, supported by accurate depth conversion of the seismic data and 2D restoration, reveals how the style of deformation of the foreland carbonate platform is dominated by positive inversion involving the oblique-slip reactivation of high-angle, inherited extensional faults rooted below the base of the carbonate succession. Rather than thrust accretion involving the foreland carbonate platform postulated by thin-skinned thrusting models, the observed structures record post-collisional foreland plate deformation associated with the far-field transmission of compressive stresses. Plio-Pleistocene foreland shortening resulted in the formation of segmented positive flower structures arranged in a right-stepping en-\ue9chelon pattern and in the coeval development of bending-moment faults accommodating arc-parallel extension in the growing anticlines. Our results emphasize the importance of Permo-Triassic extensional faults during later shortening, reducing on the other hand the role locally played by forebulge-and foreland plate flexuring-related normal faults in inversion structures involving the foreland carbonate platform. Oblique-slip faulting with substantial strike-slip components of motion and associated positive structures exerted a significant control in the development of structural traps and related hydrocarbon accumulation in the deformed foreland plate

MRI tumor volume reduction rate vs tumor regression grade in the pre-operative re-staging of locally advanced rectal cancer after chemo-radiotherapy

OBJECTIVE: To compare tumor volume reduction rate (TVRR) measured by MR volumetry after preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and pathological tumor regression grade (TRG) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: In total, 20 patients with LARC (cT3-T4) treated with CRT followed by Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) between April 2011 and April 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Pre- and post- CRT tumor volumes (MR volumetry) were measured on 3D MR sequences. TVRR was determined using the equation TVRR (%)=(pre-CRT tumor volume-post-CRT tumor volume)×100/pre-CRT tumor volume. The downstaging (defined as ypT0-T2) of tumor mass was evaluated and the correlation between TVRR and TRG was calculated with the method proposed by Dworak using the Spearman rank test. RESULTS: The median TVRR was 77.3% (range, 26.4-99.3%); TVRR was >60% in 18 cases (90%) and in 8 of these patients (44.4 %) it was >80%. Downstaging of tumor lesions was obtained in 15 patients (75%). In 4 cases there was a complete tumor regression (TRG4) at histological examination and in the same patients there was also a TVRR>80% measured by MR volumetry. A statistically significant correlation between TVRR and TRG (rs=0.5466, p=0.0126) was observed. CONCLUSION: TVRR after preoperative CRT correlates with TRG in LARC. The MR volumetry is a prognostic factor to estimate the tumor response after preoperative CRT. TVRR data may be an useful biomarker for tailoring surgery and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd