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This paper considers AI model churn as an opportunity for frugal investigation of large AI models. It describes how the incessant push for ever more powerful AI systems leaves in its wake a collection of obsolete yet powerful AI models, discarded in a veritable scrapyard of AI production. This scrapyard offers a potent opportunity for resource-constrained experimentation into AI systems. As in the physical scrapyard, nothing ever truly disappears in the AI scrapyard, it is just waiting to be reconfigured into something else. Project Nudge-x is an example of what can emerge from the AI scrapyard. Nudge-x seeks to manipulate legacy AI models to describe how mining sites across the planet are impacting landscapes and lives. By sharing this collection of brutal landscape interventions with people and AI systems alike, Nudge-x creates a venue for the appreciation of a history sadly shared between AI and people.

After being eliminated during the 1950s, dengue reemerged in Brazil in the 1980s. Since then, incidence of the disease has increased, as serotypes move within and between cities. The co-circulation of multiple serotypes contributes to cycles of epidemic and interepidemic years, and a seasonal pattern of transmission is observed annually. Little is known regarding possible differences in the epidemiology of dengue under epidemic and interepidemic scenarios. This study addresses this gap and aims to assess the epidemiological characteristics and determinants of epidemic and interepidemic dengue transmission, utilizing data from the 5th largest city in Brazil (Fortaleza), at fine spatial and temporal scales. Longitudinal models of monthly rates of confirmed dengue cases were used to estimate the differential contribution of contextual factors to dengue transmission in Fortaleza between 2011 and 2015. Models were stratified by annual climatological schedules and periods of interepidemic and epidemic transmission, controlling for social, economic, structural, entomological, and environmental factors. Results revealed distinct seasonal patterns between interepidemic and epidemic years, with persistent transmission after June in interepidemic years. Dengue was strongly associated with violence across strata, and with poverty and irregular garbage collection during periods of low transmission, but not with other indicators of public service provision or structural deprivation. Scrapyards and sites associated with tire storage were linked to incidence differentially between seasons, with the strongest associations during transitional precipitation periods. Hierarchical clustering analysis suggests that the dengue burden concentrates in the southern periphery of the city, particularly during periods of minimal transmission. Our findings have direct programmatic implications. Vector control operations must be sustained after June even in non-epidemic years. More specifically, scrapyards and sites associated with tires (strongly associated with incidence during periods of minimal transmission), require sustained entomological surveillance, particularly during interepidemic intervals and in the urban periphery. Intersectoral collaborations that address urban violence are critical for facilitating the regular activities of vector control agents.

Abstract E-waste management in the Global South relies heavily on the informal sector. The associated workforce, vast in number, faces exposure to harmful substances and often represents society’s most vulnerable segments. While the coexistence of formality and informality has been widely documented, researchers have largely overlooked the features that lead to the thriving of informality. This study identifies these aspects through semi-structured interviews and participant observations with urban e-waste stakeholders in the Santiago Metropolitan Region of Chile. We discern six distinct working profiles (flea-market traders, scrap collectors, scrap dealers, scrapyard operators, collection-center managers, and treatment-company operators) that span a broad informality spectrum. From the characterization of the operations and labor aspects, we distill three key elements that determine the dominance of informality: agility (income-generation speed), capillarity (reach in the material collection), and flexibility (work-time adaptability). Our findings indicate that some profiles of the formal sector in the Santiago Metropolitan Region operate in a grey area with poor operational standards and a lack of contractual relationships, aligning them more closely with informality. We advocate for understanding and utilizing the features of informality to develop integration strategies and suggest a redefined understanding of formality in line with the diverse dimensions of vulnerability in the context of informality. While we identify potential opportunities to enhance a circular economy by embracing some of the advantages of the informal sector, future research should gauge the potential contributions of informality in terms of increasing collection and treatment rates and assess their environmental impact compared to formal services.

Background From 2006 to 2011, the City of Houston received nearly 200 community complaints about air pollution coming from some metal recycling facilities. The investigation by the Houston Health Department (HHD) found that while operating within legal limits, emissions from facilities that use torch cutting, a technique generating metal aerosols, may increase health risks for neighboring residents. Choosing to use collaborative problem solving over legislative rulemaking, HHD reached out to The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) to further evaluate and develop plans to mitigate, if necessary, health risks associated with metal emissions from these facilities. Methods Utilizing a community-based participatory research approach, we constituted a research team from academia, HHD and an air quality advocacy group and a Community Advisory Board (CAB) to draw diverse stakeholders (i.e., frustrated and concerned residents and wary facility managers acting within their legal rights) into an equitable, trusting and respectful space to work together. Next, we investigated metal air pollution and inhalation health risks of adults living near metal recyclers and ascertained community views about environmental health using key informant interviews, focus groups and surveys. Finally, working collaboratively with the CAB, we developed neighborhood-specific public health action plans to address research findings. Results After overcoming challenges , the CAB evolved into an effective partnership with greater trust, goodwill, representation and power among members. Working together to translate and share health risk assessment results increased accessibility of the information. These results, coupled to community survey findings, set the groundwork for developing and implementing a stakeholder-informed action plan, which included a voluntary framework to reduce metal emissions in the scrap yard, improved lines of communication and environmental health leadership training. Tangible outcomes of enhanced capacity of our community and governmental partners included trained residents to conduct door-to-door surveys, adaptation of our field training protocol and survey by our community partner and development of a successful HHD program to engage residents to improve environmental health in their neighborhood. Conclusions Academic-government-community-industry partnerships can reduce environmental health disparities in underserved neighborhoods near industrial facilities.

The purpose of this study was to examine the spatial distribution and potential anthropogenic sources of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), and iron (Fe) in surface soils throughout Brooklyn, NY. We collected soil samples (n = 1,373) from 176 different New York City parks. Samples were analyzed ex-situ using a portable X-ray fluorescence with a subset of samples laboratory confirmed. The effect of multiple sources on concentrations were determined by multivariable linear regression with generalized estimating equations. Median concentrations of Pb, Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn were 108 ppm, 145 ppm, 49 ppm, 14,034 ppm, and 279 ppm, respectively. All metals were significantly correlated with one another (p < 0.001), with the strength of the correlation ranging from a low of approximately ρ = 0.3 (Pb-Mn and Zn-Mn) to a high of ρ = 0.7 (Pb-Cu). In final multivariate modeling significant association were observed between scrap yards and Mn concentration (β = 0.075, 0.019), National Priorities List (NPL) sites and Pb, Fe and Mn (β = 0.134, p = 0.004; β = 0.038, p = 0.014; β = 0.057, p = 0.037, respectively), and bridges nearby and Pb and Zn (β = 0.106, p = 0.003; β = 0.076, p = 0.026, respectively). Although manufacturing and industry have mostly left the area, smaller scrap metal recyclers are abundant and associated with increased Cu and Mn soil concentrations. In addition, NPL sites contributed to increased concentrations of all five metals within 800 m. Roadways have long been established to be sources of urban pollution; however, in our study we also found the presence of bridges within 800 m were also strongly predictive of increased Pb, Cu, and Zn concentrations.

Objective: Present the methodology used regarding soil analysis and results found in possible contamination on a rural property.   Method: Soil collection was carried out at points in the study area and surrounding areas. Collection for Allium cepa testing and physical analysis was carried out at the beginning of March 2022 and collection for chemical analysis and organic matter was carried out in April 2023.   Results and Discussion: In the case of the Allium cepa Test, the samples analyzed did not demonstrate genotoxicity and as for phytotoxicity, it did not reach significant levels.   Final Considerations: A more detailed study is suggested over time, since the scrapyard has been in place for five years, and processes such as leaching by rainwater on the sloping terrain could contaminate the soil in a toxic manner. Another detail would be to collect deeper samples and also at the site where the scrap is deposited, not just in the surrounding area.

Machinery in industries is used to change the size and shape of the raw material to obtain the required work piece. During this process, metal chips of different types and size are obtained. These metal chips are collected manually and are transported to local scrap yards, where recycling processes takes place. During transportation, most of these metal chips are lost or not recycled due to its size. Chips Block Making Machine can convert the collection of loose metal chips to a whole block. These blocks can be transported to scrap yards more efficiently. This process is carried out by using the principle of Thermal compression. Flow simulation in Solid Works is used as a tool to analyse the exposed environmental temperature from inner body of the machine. As a result, the efficiency of transporting these metal chips is increased and recycling process can be done more comfortably.

A by-product of industrialization and population growth, automobile scrap yards are a potential source of metal contamination in soil. This study evaluated the use of portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry and magnetic susceptibility ( χ ) analysis in assessing metal soil contamination in scrap yards located in Brazil. Five automobile scrap yards were selected in Curitiba, Paraná State (CB1, CB2, and CB3) and Lavras, Minas Gerais State (LV1 and LV2). By evaluating metal concentrations and geoaccumulation index values, we verified moderate Cu, Pb, and Zr contamination and moderate to high Zn contamination, primarily in the topsoil (0–10 cm). Soil Zn concentrations in automobile scrap yards were on average four times higher than in reference soils, suggesting that galvanized automobile parts may be the primary source of this soil contaminant. Although other elements (i.e., As, Cr, Fe, Nb, Ni, and Y) were slightly increased compared to reference values in one or more soils, concentrations did not constitute contamination. Automobile scrap yard topsoil had higher χ values (5.8 to 52.9 × 10 −7  m 3  kg −1 ) at low frequency ( χ lf ) compared to reference soil (3.6 to 7.5 × 10 −7  m 3  kg −1 ). The highest values of χ lf occurred in LV soils, which also represented the highest Zn contamination. Magnetic multidomain characteristics (percent frequency–dependent susceptibility between 2 and 10) indicated magnetic particle contributions of anthropogenic origin. The use of pXRF and χ lf as non-destructive techniques displays potential for identifying soil contamination in automobile scrap yards.

This article arises from a joint project between the universities of Jaen and Malaga (Spain), which are developing outdoor prototypes at the University Campus -called Smart-Trees- to improve the quality of exterior spaces for the university community. The starting point for creating these outdoor canopies is using recycled material and elements from other buildings, such as from demolition or disassembly operations. The first prototype was developed at the Malaga University Campus, and the second at the two campuses in Jaen and Linares. Before the design process, the team needed more time to identify the materials and elements in some different locations. So, to implant this recycling initiative as a standard construction process, it needs to systematize the registration of materials from construction sites, warehouses, local industries, and scrapyards, aiming at the elements with the potential to be recycled to promote the reuse of traditionally discarded resources. To encourage collaboration between nearby universities or other institutions, creating a network for exchanging and optimizing materials is crucial, and integrating recycling practices in the design and architectural construction of the university urban spaces themselves is essential. Establishing a methodology for creating an open catalog of reusable materials is necessary to promote sustainability in constructing new urban and social spaces in the university environment. The open catalog would not only allow the identification, classification, and sharing of information on the availability of these resources. Besides, this open register would encourage research into new uses and applications of recycled materials in creating sustainable urban spaces. This interdisciplinary and collaborative approach contributes to reducing the environmental impact of construction, promotes the circular economy, and reinforces the role of universities as agents of change in the sustainable transformation of their environments.

Waste rubber is abundant worldwide and threatens to be an environmental hazard for decades to come. This has led to an interest in the use of recycled rubber materials in value-added products. One such possible use is in the wood products industry. The research analyzed the strength and acoustic properties of composite pine particleboard that contained 10, 20, 30, and 40 percent micronized rubber powder, a dry powdered elastomeric crumb rubber, by weight. Methylene diphenyl diisocyanate was used as the bonding adhesive to produce five particleboard samples, including a control board. Test samples were cut from the five parent boards for use in strength and acoustic testing. Measured displacement values for a simply loaded and simply supported load scenario were used to calculate the modulus of rupture and apparent modulus of elasticity for each composite particleboard. Acoustic measurement by impedance tube provided comparisons of the sound absorption coefficient for frequencies ranging from 60 to 6,300 Hz. Results revealed that the addition of micronized rubber powder led to a decrease in modulus of elasticity and no significant difference in modulus of rupture values as compared with the control. Statistical analysis indicated a decrease in sound absorption in particleboard that contained micronized rubber powder when compared with the control.