Spent Foundry Sand is one of the largest industrial solid wastes generated by foundries in the production of iron and steel components. Currently, millions of tons of molten sands are discarded worldwide. Therefore, this work aims to reuse the Spent Foundry Sand for the production of glass-ceramic materials, since this reuse minimizes the environmental impacts related to its discarding. The Spent Foundry Sand, composed of >60% SiO2, was mixed with limestone and melted at 1500 °C to produce the glass (melting and rapid cooling method). The materials were characterized by X-Ray Fluorescence, X-Ray Diffraction and thermal analysis. The X-Ray Diffraction results of the glass tablets treated at 875, 941 and 1050 °C show that the formed phases are Wollastonite-1A, β-Wollastonite and Akermanite. In summary, it is possible to produce glass-ceramic from Spent Foundry Sand with Wollastonite phase.

Abstract Macusanite is a volcanic glass extracted from the volcanic field Macusani – Peru, formed by the fast cooling of magma. This study shows physical and chemical characterization of Macusanite samples to better understand its molecular structure, elemental composition as well as to investigate the presence of natural inclusions. The characterization of the natural glass can give valuable geological information about the magma composition, the eruption intensity and age of volcanism activity. Moreover, the use of different characterization techniques can help in mineral prospecting. Macusanite was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction/Fluorescence (XRD/XRF), Optical Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and micro-Raman spectroscopy. The latter suggests the presence of andalusite mineral incorporated in the glass structure, while the Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis indicates the presence of some rich calcium inclusion. Moreover, XRD shows the glass characteristic amorphous band and that the sample is in the glassy stage.

OBJETIVO: Este estudo foi desenhado para avaliar os resultados da nova política de alocação em relação à mortalidade na lista de espera. MÉTODOS: O banco de dados de transplante hepático do Estado de São Paulo foi revisado de forma retrospectiva, de julho de 2003 até julho de 2009. Os pacientes foram divididos naqueles transplantados antes (Grupo Pré-MELD) e depois (Grupo Pós-MELD) da implementação do sistema MELD (Model for End-stage Liver Disease). Foram incluídos apenas os candidatos adultos para transplante de fígado. O desfecho primário foi a mortalidade na lista de espera. RESULTADOS: A taxa não ajustada de óbitos na lista de espera diminuiu significativamente após a implementação do sistema MELD (de 91,2 para 33,5/1.000 pacientes por ano; p<0,0001). A análise multivariada mostrou uma queda significativa no risco de morte na lista de espera para pacientes após o MELD (HR de 0,34; p<0,0001). Atualmente, 48% dos pacientes são transplantados no primeiro ano na lista (versus 23% na era pré-MELD; p<0,0001). A sobrevida dos pacientes e do enxerto não mudou com a implementação do MELD. CONCLUSÃO: Houve redução no tempo de espera e na mortalidade na lista após implementação do sistema MELD em São Paulo. Os pacientes na lista no período pós-MELD apresentaram uma redução significativa no risco de mortalidade na lista de espera. Não houve mudanças nos resultados após o transplante. O MELD pode ser utilizado com sucesso para alocação para transplante fígado em países em desenvolvimento.

OBJECTIVE: The MELD system has not yet been tested as an allocation tool for liver transplantation in the developing countries. In 2006, MELD (Model for End-stage Liver Disease) was launched as a new liver allocation system in São Paulo, Brazil. This study was designed to assess the results of the new allocation policy on waiting list mortality. METHODS: The State of São Paulo liver transplant database was retrospectively reviewed from July 2003 through July 2009. Patients were divided into those who were transplanted before (Pre-MELD Group) and those who were transplanted after (post-MELD Group) the implementation of the MELD system. Only adult liver transplant candidates were included. Waiting list mortality was the primary endpoint. RESULTS: The unadjusted death rate in waiting list decreased significantly after the implementation of the MELD system (from 91.2 to 33.5/1,000 patients per year; p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed a significant drop in risk of waiting list death for post-MELD patients (HR 0.34; p<0.0001). Currently, 48% of patients are transplanted within 1-year of listing (versus 23% in the pre-MELD era; p<0.0001). Patient and graft survival did not change with MELD implementation. CONCLUSION: There was a reduction in waiting time and list mortality after implementation of the MELD system in São Paulo. Patients listed in the post-MELD era had a significant reduction in risk for the waiting list mortality. There were no changes in post-transplant outcomes. MELD can be successfully utilized for liver transplant allocation in developing countries.