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To mitigate the potential environmental and human health impacts of waste Copper–indium–gallium–diselenide (CIGS) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, effective recycling management measures are imperative. This comprehensive review provides an overview of the structural characteristics of CIGS and various recycling technologies. Through an analysis of methods such as mechanical crushing and sorting, pyrolysis, pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and electro-deposition, their effectiveness in CIGS recycling is elucidated. Mechanical crushing and sorting, as a straightforward technique, achieve a certain degree of separation between glass and metal, though further enhancement of product purity is warranted. Pyrolysis emerges as an effective recycling method, particularly excelling in polymer decomposition. Pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy emerge as crucial pathways for the recovery of Cu, In, Ga, and Se in CIGS, with pyrometallurgy achieving selenium removal through oxidative roasting, and hydrometallurgy requiring further optimization of solution systems and extractant selection. Electro-deposition technology efficiently accomplishes the high-yield recovery of multiple elements through differences in metal solubility and working potential yet faces challenges in scaling up production. The introduction of life cycle assessment analyzes the environmental impact of different technologies, providing a directional guide for module recycling research. In conclusion, this study delves deeply into the recycling, utilization, and resource recovery of waste CIGS, offering a scientific reference and guidance for future endeavors in clean and green recycling. [Display omitted] • It is necessary to carry out standardized recycling management of waste CIGS. • Comparative analysis of different CIGS recycling technologies. • Pyrolysis can serve as the mainstream method for industrial application in CIGS recycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoration goals in fire‐prone conifer forests include mitigating fire hazard while restoring forest structural components linked to disturbance resilience and ecological function. Restoration of overstory spatial pattern in forests often falls short of management objectives due to complexities in implementation, regulation, and available data. When historical data is available, it is often collected at plots too small to inform coarse‐scale metrics like gap size and structure of tree patches (e.g., 1 ha). Principles of ecological forestry typically emphasize overstory removal patterns that emulate those of natural disturbances. So, low‐ and moderate‐severity portions of contemporary wildfires may serve as a guide to restoration treatments where mixed‐severity fires occur. Here, we compare forest spatial pattern and configuration in 15 mechanical restoration treatments and low‐ and moderate‐severity portions of three wildfires in ponderosa pine‐dominated forests to determine how they differ in spatial pattern. We obtained satellite imagery of restoration treatments and wildfires and used supervised classification to differentiate canopy and openings. We assessed elements of landscape structure including canopy and gap cover, gap attributes, and landscape heterogeneity for each disturbance type. We found that both mechanical restoration treatments and low‐ and moderate‐severity portions of wildfires reduced forest cover, increased gap cover, and altered pattern and arrangement of gaps relative to undisturbed areas, though the magnitude of changes were greatest in the burned sites. Low‐ and moderate‐severity wildfire consistently increased landscape heterogeneity, but mechanical treatments did not. This suggests that a greater emphasis on increasing gap and patch spatial structure may make mechanical treatments more congruent with natural disturbances. Outcomes of low‐ and moderate‐severity portions of wildfires may provide important information upon which to base management prescriptions where reference data on landscape patterns is unavailable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the character of structural changes induced by different mechanical treatments to Prunus persica stones (PSs), and its subsequent effect on biosorption kinetics of Cu(II) were investigated. PSs were processed in vibratory disk mill (PS-V) and ultra-centrifugal mill (PS-C) and characterized by XRD, BET, SEM and FTIR spectroscopy. It was shown that PS-V was smaller and more reactive with less crystallinity index and hydrogen bond intensity compared to PS-C. In opposite, surface area of the PS-C was bigger than that of the PS-V. The total pore volume was about threefold, while the volume of micro pores was 9.29 times higher in PS-Cs than in PS-Vs. The kinetics of Cu(II) biosorption by both PSs was tested through various kinetic models: pseudo-first and pseudo-second order rate equations, Elovich equation, Boyd model, Weber–Morris and Urano–Tachikawa intraparticle diffusion model. For both sample types, Cu(II) biosorption occurred through combination of intraparticle and film diffusion mechanism, while kinetic results were best described by the pseudo-second order kinetic model. At the same time, the results indicated that together with kinetic rate the biosorption capacity of PS-C (21.20 mg g−1) was higher than that of PS-V (16.30 mg g−1). Mechanical activation like crushing and grinding will change material particle size, specific surface area and porosity, as well as its crystallinity. However, this paper elucidates that such physical structural changes will impact on heavy metal ions removal efficiency. This investigation suggests that the type of size reduction in lignocellulosic biosorbent preparation plays a very important role in overall biosorption performance, so it should be carefully considered every time when the mechanical treatment of material is necessary to be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents research aimed at the production of mesh implants used in the treatment of abdominal hernias: knitted monofilament fabric, optimal pore diameter min. 75 µm, preferably over 1 mm, mass per unit area - less than 35 g/m2. The influence of differentiation factors on mechanical parameters of the knitted fabrics was analysed. Seven variants were produced varying in the weave, linear mass of yarn and accuracy. The knitted fabrics were subjected to thermal or thermo-mechanical treatment in a two-stage process. The data obtained were analysed using parametric statistical tests. It was shown that in order to obtain an appropriate ratio of surface mass to mechanical strength at the break/size of pores, it is necessary to use a braid which allows to obtain uniformity of the pores. The braid shall be made of low-precision material and of extra linear mass. It is possible to model the strength parameters with the help of the accuracy and/or thermal treatment. The treatment has less influence on the strength parameters. The use of mechanical treatment during thermal stabilisation significantly affects the elasticity of the knitted fabric without having a significant impact on the strength of the knitted fabric. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability and robustness of long-term anaerobic digestion process of fruit and vegetable waste (FVW) generated in Mediterranean wholesale markets were assessed, monitoring potential inhibitory volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and/or monoterpenes. Particle size (4 and 10 mm) and organic loading rate (OLR) were evaluated during the experimentation. Anaerobic digestion remained stable at OLR of 1.0 g VS L−1 d−1 (VS, total volatile solids) regardless of the feedstock particle size. At this OLR, methane yield was 254 ± 8 and 229 ± 11 mL CH 4 g VS−1 for 4 and 10 mm, respectively. As the OLR increased above 1.0 g VS L−1 d−1, the system rapidly destabilized, and a high accumulation of VFAs was observed. In parallel of to the VFAs accumulation, other VOCs such as fenchone also reached concentrations that contributes to the destabilisation of the process. The destabilization process at an OLR of 3.0 g VS L−1 d−1 also resulted in a drastic reduction in the relative abundance and species diversity of methanogenic archaea in all digesters. [Display omitted] • Stability was maintained at an organic loading rate of 1.0 g VS·L−1·d−1. • An OLR increase entailed a rapid acid accumulation and methane production drop. • Acidification of the digester resulted in the almost disappearance of methanogens. • Fenchone accumulation might has contributed to the destabilisation of the process. • Further reduction to OLR of 1.0 g VS·L−1·d−1 did not recover the process efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Agricultura is the property of University of Technology & Life Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Acta Scientiarum Polonorum. Agricultura is the property of University of Technology & Life Sciences and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a frequent condition worldwide. The most common causes of acute nonvariceal UGIB include ulcers and nonulcer etiology, such as mucosal erosive disease, Mallory-Weiss tear, Dieulafoy, and other vascular lesions. Today patients are older and more likely to have comorbidities and concomitant treatments: anticoagulants, antiplatelet agent, low dose aspirin or steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In these patients with UGIB the rebleeding risk, need for surgery, and mortality rates are higher. Mechanical therapy using through-the-scope clips leads to a substantially reduced rebleeding risk and requirement for surgery compared with injections alone. The addition of injection therapy to mechanical treatment confers no further clinical advantage; clip compared with thermocoagulation had no improvement in definitive hemostasis, surgery or death, alone or in combination with injection. In patients with Dieulafoy or angiodysplasia or both, clipping and endoscopic band ligation are more effective and successful in achieving hemostasis when compared to injection. The available data are insufficient to consider over-the-scope clip as second-line therapy after the failure of conventional endoscopic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In order to release proteins in the aqueous phase, high-pressure homogenization and alkaline treatments were applied to rupture the cell walls of five intensively grown microalgae. Protein characterisation was carried out by analysing the amino acid profiles of both the crude microalgae and the protein extracts, obtained after both types of treatment. The results showed that the proportion of proteins released from microalgae following both treatments was, in descending order: Porphyridium cruentum > Arthrospira platensis > Chlorella vulgaris > Nannochloropsis oculata > Haematococcus pluvialis, reflecting the increasingly protective, cell walls. Nonetheless, mechanical treatment released more proteins from all the microalgae compared to chemical treatment. The highest yield was for the fragile cell walled P. cruentum with 88% hydro-soluble proteins from total proteins, and the lowest from the rigid cell walled H. pluvialis with 41%. The proportion of essential and non-essential amino acids in the extract was assessed and compared to the crude microalgae profile. It was higher after alkaline treatment and much higher after high-pressure homogenization. These results suggest that non-essential amino acids are more concentrated actually inside the cells and that different types of proteins are being released by these two treatments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aleppo pine is the most widespread pine species around the Mediterranean Basin. Its post-fire recruitment has been studied in depth, but regeneration of mature stands in fire-free conditions has received considerably less attention. This study examines the impact of different site preparation treatments on pine recruitment using three experimental mature stands along a gradient of site fertility in southeastern France. The stands were partially felled and subjected to the following treatments replicated four times on each site: mechanical chopping (all sites), chopping followed by single soil scarification (all sites) or double scarification (2 sites), controlled fire of low intensity (2 sites) or of high intensity (1 site) and control (all sites). In addition, the influence of slash, either left on the soil or removed before treatments, was tested for the single scarification treatment on two of the sites. Pine regeneration was counted and soil cover conditions described at different time intervals: 1–6years after the end of the treatments for two sites and 1–16years for one site. Seedling dimensions were determined during the last count. Mean seedling densities after 6–9years (0.57–1.06pines/m2) were comparable to those found in post-fire conditions, although with a narrower range. Pine density was negligible in the control, while chopping followed by a single soil scarification emerged as the most favourable treatment tested in the three sites on seedling density (0.74–1.54pines/m2 after 6–9years) and seedling growth. For this treatment, the amount of slash had a contrasting influence on pine density according to site conditions. Double scarification did not affect pine density. Controlled high intensity fire, due to slash presence, was very favourable for pine regeneration (2.35pines/m2), although this treatment was only tested at one site. Lastly, we found low pine densities in the chopping and low-intensity controlled fire treatments (0.20–0.56pines/m2). Variation in herb cover was a major factor influencing pine recruitment. This study emphasises the need for adapted site preparation treatments to regenerate mature pine stands in southern Europe. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article evaluates the effects of Fire and Fire Surrogates Network treatments on forest soil properties in the U.S. The researchers observed that pretreatment soils varied from 3.7 to 7.1 in pH and ten-fold in total inorganic N (TIN). At network scale, they found out mineral soil exposure was greater in fire-only and mechanical+fire treatments than in controls during the first posttreatment year. Based on the results, they concluded that network-wide effects of the FFS treatments on soil properties appear to have been transient and modest.

Abstract: This study investigated the effects of different soil, ground vegetation and logging slash treatments on Aleppo pine recruitment in a mature stand after partial cut in southern France. An experimental design was assessed using five treatments: (1) chopping of the ground vegetation, (2) chopping followed by soil scarification in one or (3) in two directions, (4) controlled fire, (5) control—and two logging slash treatments: (1) presence or (2) absence of slash cover before the soil and ground vegetation treatments. Pine seedling emergence and survival were recorded on 580 one-square-meter plots at the end of spring and autumn from autumn 2005 to autumn 2007. Description of the soil surface conditions in cover classes was also established in each plot at the end of the year. Seedling emergence took place predominantly in autumn except for the last year of the experiment due to a severe drought period. Soil scarification treatments and controlled fire with slash present (i.e. intense fire) showed the highest seedling densities and bare soil cover was also the highest in these treatments. By contrast, a lower seedling density was recorded in the controlled fire without slash (i.e. moderate fire) where grass cover largely developed. Chopping also proved to be unfavorable to seedling emergence and survival. Seedling emergence was enhanced by the presence of logging slash in the moderate soil scarification treatment probably due to the additional seed source provided by the breakdown of the cones in the slash. The study showed the importance of mechanical treatments – in particular scarification – to favor pine recruitment. However a longer period of data recording is requested to analyze the response of pine seedlings to developing ground vegetation development in the coming years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Changes in estimated standing stocks of carbon (C) in vegetation, forest floor, dead wood, and mineral soil for the fire and fire surrogate (FFS) network sites were evaluated in relation to the application of prescribed fire, mechanical treatments designed as surrogates for prescribed fire, and the combination of mechanical treatment and fire. Pre-treatment C stocks and changes in C stocks over two intervals (pre-treatment to first post-treatment year and first post-treatment to a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th post-treatment year, depending on site) were evaluated using meta-analytical methods. Total C storage across the network averaged 185±8 (standard error)MgCha−1, of which 45% was in vegetation, 38% in soil organic matter, 10% in the forest floor and 7% in dead wood. C stored in vegetation was not significantly affected by prescribed fire, but decreased ∼30Mgha−1 as the result of mechanical or mechanical+fire treatment; in contrast, forest floor C storage was reduced by ∼1–7Mgha−1 by fire or mechanical+fire treatment, but unaffected by mechanical treatment alone. Neither dead wood C nor soil organic C was significantly affected by the treatments. At the network scale, total ecosystem C was not significantly affected by fire, though four individual sites did exhibit significant C losses to fire. Mechanical treatment, with or without fire, produced significant reductions of 16–32Mgha−1 during the first post-treatment year, but this was partially balanced by enhanced net C uptake of ∼12Mgha−1 during the subsequent 1–3 years. In terms of C storage and uptake, western coniferous forests responded differently to the FFS treatments than did eastern deciduous, coniferous, and mixed forests, suggesting that optimal management for fire, harvesting, and C sequestration may differ between regions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This study presents a new method to modify chemical pulp mechanically using an ultra-fine friction grinder, which works in a different way compared with conventional refiners. It consists of two grinding stones: a lower rotating one and an upper stationary one. The pulp passing through the gap between the stone plates is subjected to compressive and shear forces.The results showed that the gap clearance of the grinder plays an important role in controlling the fibrillation of fibres and the specific energy. External fibrillation became a dominant effect at a larger gap, whereas internal fibrillation developed faster at a smaller gap. Fibres were modified mostly into fibrils at a much smaller gap. Scott bond strength of pulps treated in the grinder was better than that of Valley-beaten pulps. Pulp properties can be varied by adjusting the pulp consistency, rotating speed, grit size, the dullness of the plate surface, and the number of pulp recirculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Fibres & Textiles in Eastern Europe is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Nanocellulose fibre is comprised of nanosized cellulose fibrils that can be isolated from plants due to the lignocellulosic components. Empty fruit bunch (EFB) is a waste product that produced after the sterilization process of the fresh fruit bunches, which contributes around 24 wt.% of the solid waste in oil palm mill and it has high cellulose content. Therefore, the isolation of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) from EFB can increase the value of EFB for high end product. CNF has high specific strength and stiffness, high aspect ratio, large specific surface area and high reinforcing potential. In this work, the characteristics of the CNF isolated from EFB through nano-grinding treatment will be investigated. The cellulose was firstly extracted from the EFB through thermal-chemical process before undergoing nano-grinding treatment to isolate the CNF. The morphology, chemical composition, thermal stability and crystallinity of the cellulose, and CNF were analysed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). From the morphology analysis, nano-dimensioned cellulose fibers can be observed, with a reduction of mean diameter of cellulose from 8.25 μm to CNF; which is approximately 17.85 nm. Based on the chemical composition; such as C O C stretching of pyranose ring and thermal analysis (T max of degradation =354 °C) of the CNF, the nano-grinding treatment does not give significant changes on chemical and thermal behaviour compared to cellulose. The crystallinity of the fibre shows a minimum increment after the mechanical treatment. Thus, the isolated CNF from EFB shows a promising characteristic and nano-grinding treatment is a potential method for the CNF isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composting is an important element in sustainable waste management for the UK and could potentially have a vital role to play in meeting the obligations of the Landfill Directive. This paper evaluates the current state of the composting industry in the UK using the survey data from 1999 and compares its performance and profile with other countries in Europe. The UK industry profile shows that most waste (92%) is managed by relatively small, centralised sites which typically employ unsophisticated technology. These centralised sites also tend to compost green (garden) waste almost exclusively and this material is usually obtained from collection at civic amenity sites. In relation to the longer-term requirements of the Landfill Directive, it would appear that continued reliance on composting green waste would not be sufficient to meet the targets. Major structural changes will be needed if the industry is to meet the challenges ahead and kerbside collection and composting of both kitchen and green waste will probably have an important role to play. The results from the 1999 survey of composting also suggest that there is a renewed interest in using mechanical and biological treatment to process municipal solid waste directly. After several years of sustained growth, it is clear that the UK composting industry is at a crucial stage in its development. It is the opinion of the authors that the experience of the more advanced composting countries in Europe should be used as a model for the continued development of the UK industry in order to deliver sustainable waste management in the longer term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]