Neutralization of sludge and purification of wastewater from Sindos industrial area of Thessaloniki (Greece) using natural zeolite

Η ανάμειξη λάσπης από τη βιομηχανική ζώνη Σίνδου Θεσσαλονίκης με υψηλής ποιό- τητας φυσικό ζεόλιθο τύπου-HEU (τόφφος με 86 %κ.β. κλινοπτιλόλιθο-ευλανδίτη) σε ίσες ποσότητες, έδωσαν άοσμη και συνεκτική ζεολάσπη. Επίσης, η κατεργασία υγρών αποβλήτων pH 7,8 από την ίδια βιομηχανική ζώνη με υψηλής ποιότητας φυσικό ζεό- λιθο τύπου-HEU (88 %κ.β. κλινοπτιλόλιθο-ευλανδίτη), έδωσε διαυγές νερό pH 7,3, ελεύθερο από οσμές και βελτιωμένες τις ποιοτικές παραμέτρους κατά 60% για τα NO3 -, 76% για το χημικά απαιτούμενο οξυγόνο (COD), 100% για τα P2O5 και το Cr. Ταυτόχρονα, προέκυψε άοσμη και συνεκτική ζεολάσπη ως ίζημα. Η άοσμη και συνε- κτική ζεολάσπη που προέκυψε είτε από την ανάμειξη της λάσπης με τον φυσικό ζεόλι- θο, είτε ως ίζημα από την κατεργασία των βιομηχανικών υγρών αποβλήτων με φυσικό ζεόλιθο και κροκιδωτικά, είναι κατάλληλη για ασφαλή απόθεση, επειδή η καθήλωση των επιβλαβών συστατικών στους μίκρο/νάνο-πόρους του ζεόλιθου τύπου-HEU κα- θώς και στους μέσο- και μάκρο-πόρους του φυσικού ζεόλιθου, αποτρέπει την έκπλυσή τους από το νερό της βροχής, προστατεύοντας έτσι την ποιότητα των εδαφών, επιφανειακών και υπόγειων υδάτων.The commixture of sludge from Sindos industrial area of Thessaloniki with high quality HEU-type natural zeolite (tuff with 86 wt.% clinoptilolite-heulandite) in equal proportions, resulted in odourless and cohesive zeosludge. Also, the treatment of wastewater of pH 7.8 from the same area with high quality HEU-type natural zeolite (88 wt.% clinoptilolite-heulandite) resulted in production of clear water of pH 7.3, free of odours and improved quality parameters by 60% for the NO3 - content, 76% for the chemical oxygen demand (COD), 100% for P2O5 and Cr contents. Simultaneously, a precipitate of odourless and cohesive zeosludge was produced. The odourless and cohesive zeosludge produced either by the commixture of sludge with the natural zeolite or as precipitate from the treatment of industrial wastewater with the natural zeolite and coagulants, is suitable for safe deposition, since the fixation of the hazardous components in the micro/nano-pores of the HEU-type zeolite, as well as the meso- and macro-porous of natural zeolite, prevents their leaching by the rain water, protecting thus the quality of soils, surface and ground waters

Optical coherence tomography and non-linear microscopy for paintings – a study of the complementary capabilities and laser degradation effects

This paper examines for the first time the potential complementary imaging capabilities of Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and non-linear microscopy (NLM) for multi-modal 3D examination of paintings following the successful application of OCT to the in situ, non-invasive examination of varnish and paint stratigraphy of historic paintings and the promising initial studies of NLM of varnish samples. OCT provides image contrast through the optical scattering and absorption properties of materials, while NLM provides molecular information through multi-photon fluorescence and higher harmonics generation (second and third harmonic generation). OCT is well-established in the in situ non-invasive imaging of the stratigraphy of varnish and paint layers. While NLM examination of transparent samples such as fresh varnish and some transparent paints showed promising results, the ultimate use of NLM on paintings is limited owing to the laser degradation effects caused by the high peak intensity of the laser source necessary for the generation of non-linear phenomena. The high intensity normally employed in NLM is found to be damaging to all non-transparent painting materials from slightly scattering degraded varnish to slightly absorbing paint at the wavelength of the laser excitation source. The results of this paper are potentially applicable to a wide range of materials given the diversity of the materials encountered in paintings (e.g. minerals, plants, insects, oil, egg, synthetic and natural varnish)

Survival and quality of life benefit after endoscopic management of malignant central airway obstruction

Although interventional management of malignant central airway obstruction (mCAO) is well established, its impact on survival and quality of life (QoL) has not been extensively studied.We prospectively assessed survival, QoL and dyspnea (using validated EORTC questionnaire) in patients with mCAO 1 day before interventional bronchoscopy, 1 week after and every following month, in comparison to patients who declined this approach. Material/Patients/Methods: 36 patients underwent extensive interventional bronchoscopic management as indicated, whereas 12 declined. All patients received full chemotherapy and radiotherapy as indicated. Patients of the 2 groups were matched for age, comorbidities, type of malignancy and level of obstruction. Follow up time was 8.0±8.7 (range 1-38) months.Mean survival for intervention and control group was 10±9 and 4±3 months respectively (p=0.04). QoL improved significantly in intervention group patients up to the 6(th) month (p<0.05) not deteriorating for those surviving up to 12 months. Dyspnea decreased in patients of the intervention group 1 month post procedure remaining reduced for survivors over the 12th month. Patients of the control group had worse QoL and dyspnea in all time points.Interventional management of patients with mCAO, may achieve prolonged survival with sustained significant improvement of QoL and dyspnea

Illicit purchasing and use of flavour accessories after the European Union menthol cigarette ban: Findings from the 2020-2021 ITC Netherlands Surveys

Background The 2020 European Union (EU) menthol cigarette ban increased quitting among pre-ban menthol smokers in the Netherlands, but some reported continuing to smoke menthol cigarettes. This study examined three possible explanations for post-ban menthol use—(i) illicit purchasing, (ii) use of flavour accessories and (iii) use of non-menthol replacement brands marketed for menthol smokers. Methods Data were from the ITC Netherlands Cohort Surveys among adult smokers before the menthol ban (Wave 1: February–March 2020, N = 2067) and after the ban (Wave 2: September–November 2020, N = 1752; Wave 3: June–July 2021, N = 1721). Bivariate, logistic regression and generalized estimating equation model analyses were conducted on weighted data. Results Illicit purchasing remained low from pre-ban (2.4%, 95% CI: 1.8–3.2, Wave 1) to post-ban (1.7%, 1.2–2.5%, Wave 3), with no difference between menthol and non-menthol smokers from Wave 1 to Wave 3. About 4.4% of post-ban menthol smokers last purchased their usual brand outside of the EU and 3.6% from the internet; 42.5% of post-ban menthol smokers and 4.4% of smokers overall reported using flavour accessories, with greater odds among those aged 25–39 years vs. 55+ (aOR = 3.16, P = 0.002). Approximately 70% of post-ban smokers who reported using a menthol brand were actually using a non-menthol replacement brand. Conclusions There was no increase in illicit purchasing or of smuggling outside the EU among menthol and non-menthol smokers in the Netherlands 1 year after the EU menthol cigarette ban. Use of flavour accessories and non-menthol replacement brands best explain post-ban menthol use, suggesting the need to ban accessories and ensure industry compliance

Brazilian smokers are ready for the ban on flavour additives in tobacco to be implemented

Brazil became the first country to approve a national policy to ban all flavour additives in all tobacco leaf products in 2012. However, as of February 2022, the policy remained to be implemented. Cross-sectional data come from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Brazil Wave 3 Survey among adult smokers (N = 1216) in 2016–2017. The majority of smokers supported a ban on menthol (56.0%; 95%CI: 51.7–60.2%) and a ban on all additives (61.7%; 57.5–65.8%), with no significant differences across sociodemographic groups in adjusted logistic regression models. More than half of menthol smokers reported they would either quit or reduce the amount they smoked if menthol cigarettes were banned. Findings suggest that there is support for Brazil's ban on flavour additives, which is a determinant of successful policy implemented. Continued delays will postpone an important measure with demonstrated public health gains

The role of nano-perovskite in the negligible thorium release in seawater from Greek bauxite residue (red mud)

We present new data about the chemical and structural characteristics of bauxite residue (BR) from Greek Al industry, using a combination of microscopic, analytical, and spectroscopic techniques. SEM-EDS indicated a homogeneous dominant “Al-Fe-Ca-Ti-Si-Na-Cr matrix”, appearing at the microscale. The bulk chemical analyses showed considerable levels of Th (111 μg g−1), along with minor U (15 μg g−1), which are responsible for radioactivity (355 and 133 Bq kg−1 for 232Th and 238U, respectively) with a total dose rate of 295 nGy h−1. Leaching experiments, in conjunction with SF-ICP-MS, using Mediterranean seawater from Greece, indicated significant release of V, depending on S/L ratio, and negligible release of Th at least after 12 months leaching. STEM-EDS/EELS & HR-STEM-HAADF study of the leached BR at the nanoscale revealed that the significant immobility of Th4+ is due to its incorporation into an insoluble perovskite-type phase with major composition of Ca0.8Na0.2TiO3 and crystallites observed in nanoscale. The Th LIII-edge EXAFS spectra demonstrated that Th4+ ions, which are hosted in this novel nano-perovskite of BR, occupy Ca2+ sites, rather than Ti4+ sites. That is most likely the reason of no Th release in Mediterranean seawater

Rubor, calor, dolor, tumor : infections de la peau et des tissus mous [Rubor, calor, dolor, tumor : skin and soft tissue infections]

Skin infections are a frequent cause of consultation, yet the diagnosis can be challenging for physicians. Microbiological documentation is rare, and empiric antibiotic regimens should cover the most commonly identified bacteria, i.e. streptococci Staphylococcus aureus. Other pathogens should be considered in case of immunosuppression or certain exposures. Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a severe but rare infection. Early surgical management in parallel with antibiotics is the cornerstone of treatment. Despite the high incidence of these infections, little progress has been made in their management and some areas of uncertainty exist, especially regarding the optimal duration of treatment, the prevention of recurrences and the use of polyclonal immunoglobulins for NF. This article reviews the main aspects of diagnosis and treatment of these infections

Financial crises and the attainment of the SDGs: an adjusted multidimensional poverty approach

This paper analyses the impact of financial crises on the Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating poverty. To do so, we develop an adjusted Multidimensional Poverty Framework (MPF) that includes 15 indicators that span across key poverty aspects related to income, basic needs, health, education and the environment. We then use an econometric model that allows us to examine the impact of financial crises on these indicators in 150 countries over the period 1980–2015. Our analysis produces new estimates on the impact of financial crises on poverty’s multiple social, economic and environmental aspects and equally important captures dynamic linkages between these aspects. Thus, we offer a better understanding of the potential impact of current debt dynamics on Multidimensional Poverty and demonstrate the need to move beyond the boundaries of SDG1, if we are to meet the target of eradicating poverty. Our results indicate that the current financial distress experienced by many low-income countries may reverse the progress that has been made hitherto in reducing poverty. We find that financial crises are associated with an approximately 10% increase of extreme poor in low-income countries. The impact is even stronger in some other poverty aspects. For instance, crises are associated with an average decrease of government spending in education by 17.72% in low-income countries. The dynamic linkages between most of the Multidimensional Poverty indicators, warn of a negative domino effect on a number of SDGs related to poverty, if there is a financial crisis shock. To pre-empt such a domino effect, the specific SDG target 17.4 on attaining long-term debt sustainability through coordinated policies plays a key role and requires urgent attention by the international community