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This article focuses on assessing the environmental impact during the early stages of design, emphasizing the minimization of negative consequences on the environment. We explore methods for integrating environmental constraints into the design process and underscore the importance of preliminary choices. Considering the variability of design parameters plays a fundamental role in ensuring reliable and stable outcomes. In-depth analysis of behavior models allows quantifying the influence of assumptions on prediction accuracy. Classifying these assumptions based on their level of practical verification sheds light on the reliability of expected results. The introduction of objective and subjective accuracy indicators enhances our ability to evaluate models and identify potential sources of uncertainty. Through the study of a concrete case, that of a Fresnel mirror solar concentration system, we demonstrate the relevance of our approach. The optimal and robust design of the collector support is explored using simulation and optimization tools. The obtained results demonstrate a significant improvement in the environmental indicator, confirming the effectiveness of our approach.

The photocatalytic efficiency of the metal oxide-hydroxyapatite photocatalysts prepared by soft chemistry using phosphate rock as calcium and phosphorus precursors has been investigated on the degradation kinetic of ciprofloxacin residues in water under UV-light (HPK125 W Lamp). The nature of metal oxide (TiO2, ZnO, Fe2O3), structure, surface area and pore-size distributions of the catalysts were analyzed by various techniques analyses. Association of nanoscale metal oxide with hydroxyapatite could enhance the sorption properties of the materials and confers them interesting photodegradation properties. The results of the kinetic study revealed that the activities of these photocatalysts were dependent on the oxide surface and the best activity was obtained with TiO2/hydroxyapatite catalyst, which had the largest surface area. The effects of various operational parameters were thoroughly considered in order to achieve highest photodegradation efficiency. A correlation between the nature of associated metal oxide, surface properties, the sorption behavior and the photodegradation capacity of these composites could be establishedd.

Elastofibroma dorsi is a slowly-growing benign tumor which usually occurs at the inferior angle of the scapula. It may be more of a degenerative process than a neoplasia. We seek, through our observations and a review of the literature, to clarify the characteristics of this tumor and its modes of management. We think that all doctors should be aware of this condition, in order to treat it correctly.