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Chile’s mining industry, a global leader in copper production, faces challenges due to increasing volumes of mining waste, particularly Waste Rock Dumps (WRD) and Leaching Waste Dumps (LWD). The National Service of Geology and Mining (SERNAGEOMIN) requires assessment of the physical stability (PS) of these facilities, but current methods are hindered by data scarcity and resource constraints. This study proposes a simplified evaluation methodology using first-order parameters from open-access data. By integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)—utilizing models like YOLOv11 and convolutional neural networks—we automate the detection and characterization of WRD and LWD from satellite imagery, extracting critical parameters for PS assessment. This approach reduces analysis time and minimizes human error. Validated in the Antofagasta Region, Chile’s primary mining area, we identified and evaluated 70 WRD and 54 LWD. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of prioritizing deposits based on potential risk, enhancing SERNAGEOMIN’s capacity for supervision. The successful application suggests scalability to other mining regions and adaptability to different facility types, including tailings storage facilities. This work offers a practical tool to improve safety and risk management in the mining industry, addressing critical challenges in PS evaluation under current regulatory constraints.

Nanoplastics (NPs) are plastic particles, typically less than 100 nm in size, that result from daily life products as well as the degradation of larger plastic debris. Due to their small size and chemical composition, they can interact with biological systems in ways that larger plastic particles cannot. Humans are continuously exposed to NPs and several studies showed the potentially toxic effects of these latter on health. Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) are the prevalent form of nanoparticles found in the environment and their cellular uptake can cause cytotoxicity and structural alteration of biomolecules. Thus, there is an urgent need for evaluation of the genotoxic effects of PS-NPs on human cell models. Through different and complementary experimental approaches, we investigated the potential genotoxic and cytotoxic effects of PS-NPs exposure on HeLa cell lines. We highlighted the genotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoplastics by showing the formation of multinuclei and micronuclei in all the studied concentrations and time points, also at short incubation time (6 h) and low concentration. At higher concentrations, we demonstrate the presence of apoptotic and necrotic cells outlining the acute cytotoxic effects of nanoplastics. The genotoxic potential is further highlighted by the presence of low molecular weight DNA fragments in PS-NPs treated cells, and by the relationship between polystyrene nanoplastics and γ-H2AX. Thus, our data provide important insights at a cellular level into the possible risks produced by these nanoparticles and recommend further deeper research studies to address the impacts of nanoplastics on human health.

The quest for novel organic fluorescent materials capable of two-photon absorption (2PA) has intensified in recent years due to their promising applications in biological imaging. Two-photon fluorescence microscopy (2PFM) offers high spatial-temporal resolution, reduced photodamage, and deeper tissue penetration compared to conventional techniques. However, the development of bright two-photon molecular markers remains a challenge, necessitating compounds with high fluorescence quantum yield and 2PA cross-section (σ2PA). Strategies such as increasing π-conjugation have shown promise but are hindered by synthesis complexities and limited biocompatibility. Alternatively, incorporating electron-donating (ED) or electron-withdrawing (EW) peripheral groups in a main structure has emerged as a viable approach, leading to significant enhancements in σ2PA. This study highlights the advantages and challenges of these strategies, emphasizing the importance of exploring new organic compounds and evaluating the efficacy of peripheral groups for advanced two-photon bioimaging applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In rural America, the road to obtaining a liver transplant (LTX) often starts at the primary care provider's (PCP's) office. Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) in rural communities experience lower rates of wait-listing and higher mortality. This study identifies issues related to the knowledge and perceptions of ESLD and LTX referral among PCPs in rural Kentucky (KY)., Methods: The study protocol involved relying upon a semistructured outline to explore the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions of PCPs toward ESLD and LTX referral among PCPs in rural KY. Inductive thematic analysis was utilized to identify, analyze, and report themes., Findings: From the focus group interviews, three themes were identified: medical culture, gaps in knowledge, and bias against those with self-induced causes of ESLD. Each theme illuminated barriers to referral for transplant evaluation., Conclusions: Knowledge gaps, attitudes in medical culture, and biases surrounding ESLD and LTX referral exist in community medicine practice. This highlights the importance of education, resources, and facilitation of LTX referral processes for PCPs., (© 2024 National Rural Health Association.)