The bauxite beneficiation process in the Amazon generates a significant amount of tailings, which were historically stored in large basins without a designated purpose. One of these materials is clay obtained from the bauxite washing process, which is rich in Al2O3 minerals, primarily gibbsite and kaolinite, and currently lacks practical applications. This study aimed to explore an application of this tailing in the production of low-temperature geopolymers, considering its material characteristics and availability. Geopolymer synthesis was conducted following a Doehlert-type experimental design to evaluate the properties of the raw materials. The tailing was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), whereas the geopolymers were characterized by XRD, FTIR, and mechanical compressive strength testing. The mineralogical composition of the bauxite tailings consists of 45% of low-ordered kaolinite, 34% of gibbsite, and 21% of other minerals. Compressive strength values of the geopolymer produced ranged from 8.99 to 41.89 MPa, a good value for the type of geopolymer produced. The best compressive strength results were obtained at a low Na/Al ratio (0.5–0.6) and low curing temperature, which favors the application of the material for the synthesis of geopolymer, contributing to lower energy consumption and lower CO2 emissions compared with usual geopolymers.

Reliable seasonal weather forecasts are essential for irrigation management and crop yield prediction, particularly in regions with limited water resources. This study aimed to improve the usability of the North American Multi-Model Ensemble (NMME), an experimental real-time seasonal weather forecast system, for regional crop modelling and irrigation decision-making. Coarse resolution of NMME may introduce bias and uncertainty at regional/local scales. To address this, a statistical downscaling method with bias correction for both mean and variability was used to produce 1-km gridded daily weather projections for temperature and precipitation across the contiguous United States from a representative NMME model, the Canadian Coupled Climate Model version 4 (CanCM4). The daily surface weather and climatological summaries (DAYMET) data were used to calibrate the downscaled hindcast projections of CanCM4. The reliability of downscaled CanCM4 forecasts for local crop modelling was evaluated at lead times of up to six months using a calibrated DSSAT model at a research station in the semi-arid Texas Rolling Plains region. Cross-validation during the hindcast period demonstrated strong forecast skill, with R2 values of 0.72 and 0.71 for maximum and minimum temperatures, respectively. The precipitation forecast remained sensitive to extreme events, with seasonal and annual relative errors of 31% and 1%, respectively. Crop yield predictions had a relative error of 9%, and irrigation water requirements closely matched field observations, outperforming both raw CanCM4 and multi-model mean methods. The downscaling method used in this study significantly improved NMME data reliability, although the degree of improvement may vary with time and location.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement is the first choice to treat residual or recurrent right ventricular outflow tract dysfunction. Surgery is an effective option when anatomy is not permissive for transcatheter procedures. When surgical risk is too high, hybrid procedures might be considered.

In this paper, we describe the first use of Harmony valve in Europe in a 59 years old patient with a huge right ventricular outflow tract. The procedure was performed by a hybrid approach: before valve deployment, through an anterior mini-thoracotomy, the pulmonary artery was plicated to create a landing zone. The valve was deployed by trans-femoral venous approach. It was secured by putting a suture on the distal stent raw under fluoroscopic guidance. The procedure was uneventful and patient’s New York Heart Association class rapidly improved from III–IV to II.

In conclusion, hybrid strategies might represent an acceptable option for huge right ventricular outflow tract, to be less invasive and to minimise device embolisation risks. When a good match between patient’s anatomy and device can be achieved, a mini-invasive or micro-invasive surgical approach might be considered to minimise bleeding risks and shorten the hospital’s length of stay.

The crystal structure of diroximel fumarate has been solved and refined using synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction data, and optimized using density functional theory techniques. Diroximel fumarate crystallizes in space group P-1 (#2) with a = 6.12496(15), b = 8.16516(18), c = 12.7375(6) Å, α = 85.8174(21), β = 81.1434(12), γ = 71.1303(3)°, V = 595.414(23) Å3, and Z = 2 at 298 K. The crystal structure consists of interleaved double layers of hook-shaped molecules parallel to the ab-plane. The side chains form the inner portion of the layers, and the rings comprise the outer surfaces. There are no classical hydrogen bonds in the structure, but 9 C▬H⋯O hydrogen bonds contribute to the crystal energy. The powder pattern has been submitted to ICDD for inclusion in the Powder Diffraction File™ (PDF®).