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[Display omitted] This paper examines the copper recycling chain - from scrap generation through to metallurgical recovery - in search for current challenges and technological opportunities for improvement. We provide an analysis of global copper flows, showing largely constant amounts of recycled copper and a rise in importance of the complex end-of-life (EoL) scrap compared to the less challenging manufacturing scrap. Source separation of EoL scrap as an answer to waste complexity is examined but dismissed as not viable. A literature review on developments in sorting and separation technology revealed new promising possibilities through sensor-based technologies. However, examples for their use for tasks specific to copper recycling are rare and far from market-ready. Metallurgical recovery of copper has not experienced major developments in the last years. In particular, there is no easy solution for the removal of lead when remelting copper alloys. Interviews with experts from the copper recycling industry revealed that the handling and processing of copper scrap differs widely between companies but also between Europe and North America. While extensive scrap testing and load optimization is common practice for the copper industry in Europe, a discussion on the responsibility for scrap composition and consequently for the burden of scrap analysis is underway between scrap dealers and copper recyclers in North America. Scrap availability and optimization of the recycling chain as a whole are also important topics. A more coordinated optimization approach between actors along the recycling chain could potentially reduce overall costs and increase recovery of copper and its alloys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Hyalomma belongs to the Ixodidae family and includes many tick species. Most species in this genus are African species, but two of them, Hyalomma lusitanicum and Hyalomma marginatum, are also found in Europe and, owing to their morphological similarity, it is very difficult to tell them apart. This is a major concern because their phenology and vector capacities are quite different. Moreover, they share many habitats and both are currently spreading to new areas, probably due to climate change and animal/human movements. In this study, we review the described ecology of the two species and provide further interesting data on H. lusitanicum based on the authors' experience, which could be useful in assessing the risk they pose to humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Trabectedin has been approved in Europe as second-line therapy for advanced soft tissue sarcomas. A previous analysis showed that myxoid liposarcomas (MLS) are particularly sensitive to the drug. We report on the long-term efficacy of trabectedin in a subgroup of that series. Methods: Since September 2002, 32 advanced pretreated MLS patients received trabectedin at our center. Data were reviewed focusing on their long-term outcome. Results: Trabectedin was given as a 24-h continuous infusion every 21 days. A total of 376 and a median of 12 courses per patient (range 2–26; interquartiles range (IQR) 8–15) were delivered. Response rate per RECIST was 50% [95% confidence interval (CI) 32% to 68%], median progression-free survival (PFS) was 17 months (95% CI 13.5–30.1) and median overall survival is still not reached. In 10 patients, therapy was stopped in the absence of any evident disease, mostly after complete surgery of residual lesions. In these 10 patients, at a median follow-up of 25 months, PFS was 28.1 months (95% CI 25.6–36.4) from treatment start. Discussion: These data indicate that the high response rate of MLS to trabectedin translates into prolonged PFS. Surgery of residual metastatic disease is already used quite extensively in metastatic MLS. Trabectedin may give further significance to this kind of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]