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Qualification and interpretation standards are essential for establishing 99mTc-SPECT MPI accuracy vs. alternative modalities. Rest–stress 99mTc-SPECT phantom scans were acquired on 35 cameras. LV defects were quantified with summed stress (SSS) and difference scores (SDS) at 2 core labs. SDS ≥ 2 in the right coronary artery (RCA) was the qualifying standard. Twenty rest (R)–stress (S) patient images were acquired on qualified cameras and interpreted by core labs. Global scoring differences > 3 between labs or discordant clinical interpretations underwent review. Scoring, interpretation, image quality, and diagnostic parameter agreement were assessed. Phantom scans: visual scoring confirmed RCA-ischemia on all cameras. Regional SSS, SDS agreement was moderate to very good: ICC-r = 0.57, 0.84. Patient scans: 90% of global SSS, 85% of SDS differences were ≤ 3. Regional SSS, SDS agreement: ICC-r = 0.87, 0.86, and global abnormal (SSS ≥ 4) and ischemic (SDS ≥ 2) interpretation: ICC-r = 0.90 were excellent. Clinical interpretation agreement was 100% following review. Image quality agreement was 70%. Automated metrics also agreed: ischemic total perfusion deficit ICC-r = 0.75, reversible perfusion defect, transient ischemic dilation, and S-R LV ejection fraction ICC-r ≥ 0.90. Quantitative scoring and interpretation of scans were highly repeatable with site qualification and clinical interpretation standardization, indicating that dual-core lab interpretation is appropriate to determine 99mTc-SPECT MPI accuracy.

The success of the 2030 Agenda hinges on mobilization at the local level. The localization of sustainable development goals (SDGs) and their targets involves adapting them to local contexts. This case study of Quebec City, Canada, illustrates how the use of a systemic sustainability analysis tool can help integrate SDGs in the building of a sustainable development strategy at the local level. Our approach focuses on the use of an SDG target prioritization grid (SDGT-PG) and begins with the mobilization and training of a group of officers representing various city services. We first used an original text-mining framework to evaluate SDG integration within existing strategic documents published by the city. The result provides a portrait of existing contributions to SDG targets and identifies potential synergies and trade-offs between services and existing policies. A citywide prioritization workshop was held to assess the relative importance of SDG targets for the city. Priorities were then identified by combining the importance of the targets as viewed by stakeholders, the current level of achievement of SDG targets as determined by the analysis of existing documents, and the jurisdiction and responsibilities given to Quebec City in regard to federal and provincial legislation. We identified the main focus areas and related SDG targets. Furthermore, we observed whether actions needed to be consolidated or new actions needed to be implemented. The identification of synergies and trade-offs within the city service actions provides information on the links to be made between the different municipal services and calls for partnerships with other organizations. The use of the SDGT-PG allows the vertical and horizontal integration of the SDG targets and demonstrates how participation and inclusion facilitate stakeholders’ appropriation of the applied sustainable development strategy.

Agricultural land abandonment is a widespread phenomenon that generally results in C accumulation due to natural establishment of woody vegetation. However, whether afforestation of abandoned agricultural lands (AAL) can sequester more C than AAL naturally reverting to woodlands is unclear. In this study, we used the CBM-CFS3 model to compare the additional C sequestration potential of afforested AAL (AR) with a reference scenario where AAL naturally returns to forest (NR). Simulations were performed for stands located in Quebec’s boreal zone (Canada) on podzolic soils. The AR scenario corresponded to stands afforested at a density of 2000 trees ha−1 with one of five commonly planted species in the region, namely black spruce (BS), white spruce (WS), eastern white pine (EWP), jack pine (JP) and tamarack (TK). The NR scenario corresponded to stands naturally reverting to natural forests of one of five species naturally occurring in the region, namely BS, WS, balsam fir (BF), trembling aspen (TA) and white birch (WB). The yield tables used for NR were phased out by 5, 10, 15 and 20 years to simulate various dynamics of colonization by woody plants following agricultural abandonment. Net C accumulation in AR stands varies depending on the planted species, from 127 to 255 Mg C ha−1 after 100 years with TK and WS, respectively. Net C accumulation in NR stands after 100 years ranges from 82 to 145 Mg C ha−1 for BS and TA, respectively, but these values are sensitive to both tree density and colonization time following abandonment. In both scenarios, the soil C pool shrinks by 6 to 12 Mg C ha−1 over the first 80–85 years, but the following soil C stock replenishment is faster in AR than in NR stands due to higher litter production (up to 50 Mg C ha−1). The additional C sequestration potential of AAL afforestation, i.e. the difference in net C accumulation between AR and NR stands, is the highest in stands afforested with WS and reaches a peak of 121–175 Mg C ha−1 80–87 years after afforestation depending on the NR scenario. Afterwards, additional C sequestration decreases due to a reduction in plantation growth combined with increasing natural regeneration growth. This modelling approach helps predict AAL additional C sequestration potential and suggests that AAL afforestation yields a more rapid C sequestration than natural regeneration, which could contribute to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.

Pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS) is applied on agricultural soils as an organic fertilizer. Although it is well accepted that land application of PPMS has benefits for soils and crops, information on PPMS-induced soil N2O emissions is still limited. We assessed the effect of substituting mineral N fertilizer for PPMS on soil N2O emissions after a single application at planting on a clay loam cropped to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) over two snow-free seasons in eastern Canada. Fertilization treatments consisted of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of crop N requirements derived from N supplied by PPMS, the remaining N being supplied as urea-N. Soil CO2 and CH4 emissions were also measured and not affected by the fertilizer addition; a slight CH4 oxidation occurred. Area-based N2O emissions from PPMS fertilization (4.4 to 12.1 kg N2O-N ha−1) were similar or higher than from urea alone (3.4 and 6.2 kg N2O-N ha−1). Although crop yields were not affected by the type of fertilizer, yield-based N2O emissions, N uptake efficiency and N surplus (applied N minus aboveground N uptake in crop biomass) indicated that N availability from the mineral fertilizer was higher than from PPMS for the wheat crop. However, treatments with PPMS had fertilizer-induced N2O emission factors (FIEF, applied N lost as N2O-N; 0.8 to 3.1%) similar to urea alone (−0.3 and 4.5%). Although substituting urea-N with PPMS in agricultural fields might reduce N2O emissions under moderate soil moisture conditions, PPMS land application produced greater N2O emissions under high soil moisture conditions. Further research on a variety of agricultural practices is needed before concluding that including PPMS in the fertilization plan could result in a global GHG abatement as compared to mineral fertilizers under the cool climate of eastern Canada.

Alors que la vaste majorite des etudes scientifiques insistent sur l’importance d’agir pour lutter contre les changements climatiques, il devient essentiel d’adopter des politiques publiques innovantes favorisant le developpement durable. Les politiques publiques doivent aujourd’hui s’appuyer sur une conception du developpement economique s’inscrivant dans une perspective a long terme et tenant compte des contraintes environnementales et sociales. Le Quebec peut deja se targuer de faire bonne figure en la matiere, dans le contexte nord-americain. Il fait partie du marche du carbone, qui vise la reduction des emissions de gaz a effet de serre, et peut compter sur une importante production d’energie propre grâce a l’hydroelectricite. Le Quebec saura-t-il tirer profit de sa situation enviable pour reussir le virage vers une economie plus respectueuse de l’environnement?? Avec la contribution de plus de vingt experts dans leurs domaines respectifs, la huitieme edition du Quebec economique offre un tour d’horizon de ces questions en explorant notamment les enjeux sociaux et internationaux du developpement durable, la croissance et l’innovation vertes, la transition energetique, et les politiques publiques favorisant le developpement durable.

Qualification and interpretation standards are essential for establishingRest-stressPhantom scans: visual scoring confirmed RCA-ischemia on all cameras. Regional SSS, SDS agreement was moderate to very good: ICC-r = 0.57, 0.84. Patient scans: 90% of global SSS, 85% of SDS differences were ≤ 3. Regional SSS, SDS agreement: ICC-r = 0.87, 0.86, and global abnormal (SSS ≥ 4) and ischemic (SDS ≥ 2) interpretation: ICC-r = 0.90 were excellent. Clinical interpretation agreement was 100% following review. Image quality agreement was 70%. Automated metrics also agreed: ischemic total perfusion deficit ICC-r = 0.75, reversible perfusion defect, transient ischemic dilation, and S-R LV ejection fraction ICC-r ≥ 0.90.Quantitative scoring and interpretation of scans were highly repeatable with site qualification and clinical interpretation standardization, indicating that dual-core lab interpretation is appropriate to determine

Pulp and paper mill sludge (PPMS) is an organic residual generated from the wastewater treatments. PPMS management involves economic, environmental and social costs that will likely increase in the future as landfilling tends to be reduced or banned in certain jurisdictions. The reduction or the banning of landfilling may be considered as a climate change mitigation measure since organic waste disposal is normally associated with greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This critical review aims to (1) describe the variety of the current and emerging PPMS management practices that are alternatives to landfilling and (2) underline the crucial need for GHG emission assessments. The management practices of the three main PPMS types (primary, secondary and de-inking) comprised in this review are land application (agriculture, silviculture, land reclamation and composting), energy recovery (combustion, anaerobic digestion, pyrolysis, bioethanol, hydrogen production and direct liquefaction) and integration in materials (biocomposite, cement, asphalt and adsorbent–absorbent). Future research should focus to increase the comprehension of known GHG determinants from the PPMS management practices and reveal unknown factors. Life cycle analyses, based on direct GHG emission measurements, are needed to determine GHG emissions from current and emerging practices and plan a responsible future reduction or banning of landfilling. Such analyses will contribute to assist decision makers in implementing the best PPMS management practices with the least impact on climate change.

In the field of construction, wood products are known to have environmental benefits in comparison with materials like steel and concrete, especially to mitigate climate change. Since wood is an anisotropic material, comparisons with other building materials on a volume functional unit basis, such as a cubic meter of product, are not relevant. Wood structures also allow for architectural forms that are not feasible with other building materials. To enable a comparison between wood and steel, we have assessed the Life Cycle Carbon Footprint of complete non-residential building structures. This building frame was initially planned to be made from steel, but the architecture was modified to integrate glued laminated timber beams. The structural engineers provided material balance changes. The results show a significant reduction in reenhouse gas emissions for structures using wood as a building material.

Hydropower in boreal conditions is generally considered the energy source emitting the least greenhouse gas per kilowatt-hour during its life cycle. The purpose of this study was to assess the relative contribution of the land-use change on the modification of the carbon sinks and sources following the flooding of upland forested territories to create the Eastmain-1 hydroelectric reservoir in Quebec's boreal forest using Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector. Results suggest a carbon sink loss after 100 yr of 300,000 ± 100,000 Mg CO equivalents (COe). A wildfire sensitivity analysis revealed that the ecosystem would have acted as a carbon sink as long as

Sustainability assessment is a growing concern worldwide with United Nations’ Agenda 2030 being implemented. As sustainability refers to the consideration of environmental, social and economic issues in light of cultural, historic—retrospective and prospective—and institutional perspectives, appropriate tools are needed to ensure the complete coverage of these aspects and allow the participation of multiple stakeholders. This article presents a scientifically robust and flexible tool, developed over the last 25 years and tested in different cultural and development contexts to build a framework for sustainability assessment of policies, strategies, programs and projects in light of Agenda 2030. A selected case study conducted on a major mining project in Quebec (Canada) illustrates the Sustainable Development Analytical Grid performance for sustainability assessment. This tool and process is part of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Acceleration Toolkit; it is one of the most adaptable, addresses all 17 SDGs and is fully accessible for free. Other advantages and limitations of the tool and process are discussed.

Large areas of mine tailings are reclaimed by applying organic amendments such as paper mill sludge (PMS). Although mining industries can use PMS freshly generated by paper mills, operational constraints on paper industries make temporary landfilling of this material an unavoidable alternative for the paper industries, creating the most prominent PMS source for mining industries. This study aimed to quantify soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (N2O, CO2, and CH4) after application of landfilled PMS (LPMS; i.e., excavated from a landfill site at a paper mill) and LPMS combined with a seeding treatment of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) on nonacidic mine tailings site prior to reforestation. Soil N2O, CO2, and CH4 fluxes were measured after applications of 50 and 100 Mg dry LPMS ha−1 during two consecutive snowfree seasons on two adjacent sites; LPMS was applied once in the first season. The LPMS application increased N2O emissions (7.6 to 34.7 kg N2O-N ha−1, comprising 1.04 to 2.43% of applied N) compared with the unamended control during the first season; these emissions were negligible during the second season. The LPMS application increased CO2 emissions (~5800 to 11,400 kg CO2–C ha−1, comprising 7 to 27% of applied C) compared with the unamended control on both sites and in both seasons. Fluxes of CH4 were negligible. White clover combined with LPMS treatments did not affect soil GHG emissions. These new GHG emission factors should be integrated into life-cycle analyses to evaluate the C footprint of potential symbioses between the mining and paper industries. Future research should focus on the effect of PMS applications on soil GHG emissions from a variety of mine tailings under various management practices and climatic conditions to plan responsible and sustainable land reclamation.