Prospective environmental life cycle assessment of nanosilver T-shirts

A cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) is performed to compare nanosilver T-shirts with conventional T-shirts with and without biocidal treatment. For nanosilver production and textile incorporation, we investigate two processes: flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) and plasma polymerization with silver co-sputtering (PlaSpu). Prospective environmental impacts due to increased nanosilver T-shirt commercialization are estimated with six scenarios. Results show significant differences in environmental burdens between nanoparticle production technologies: The "cradle-to-gate" climate footprint of the production of a nanosilver T-shirt is 2.70 kg of CO(2)-equiv (FSP) and 7.67-166 kg of CO(2)-equiv (PlaSpu, varying maturity stages). Production of conventional T-shirts with and without the biocide triclosan has emissions of 2.55 kg of CO(2)-equiv (contribution from triclosan insignificant). Consumer behavior considerably affects the environmental impacts during the use phase. Lower washing frequencies can compensate for the increased climate footprint of FSP nanosilver T-shirt production. The toxic releases from washing and disposal in the life cycle of T-shirts appear to be of minor relevance. By contrast, the production phase may be rather significant due to toxic silver emissions at the mining site if high silver quantities are required.     

Changes in hoof health and animal hygiene in a dairy herd after covering concrete slatted floor with slatted rubber mats: a case study

The objective was to investigate the effect of changing the flooring in the alleys of a barn from slatted concrete to slatted rubber mats on hoof disorders and animal hygiene in 44 loose-housed Brown Swiss dairy cows. Cows were examined for disorders of the hind hooves (hemorrhages, white line fissures, ulcers, heel horn erosion, and digital dermatitis) and for skin lesions. The dirtiness of the animals and of the floor was recorded. Climatic (temperature, humidity) and ammonia gas conditions were measured. Evaluations were carried out when the cows were housed on a concrete slatted floor and after 4 and 10 mo on soft flooring (slatted rubber mats, 29-mm thick). The anatomical portion of claw (medial, lateral), number of lactations (parity), and days in milk were included as covariates in the statistical model. Changing the flooring from slatted concrete to slatted rubber mats increased the score for white line fissures [1.0 ± 0.3 (concrete) vs. 2.5 ± 0.4 (10 mo rubber mats)] and influenced air humidity (i.e., the difference in the absolute humidity between the inside and outside of the barn increased from 1.5 ± 0.1 to 1.7 ± 0.2 g/m³), whereas the other hoof disorders, skin lesions (score of 8.7 ± 0.3), the dirtiness of the animals (score of 5.9 ± 0.3), and the floor (score of 2.1 ± 0.1), and ammonia gas concentration (2.6 ± 0.3 mg/kg) were not affected (overall scores or measures; mean ± SE). Lateral claws were more affected (except for heel horn erosion) than medial claws (estimated effects between 1.3 ± 0.2 and 3.0 ± 0.6). Parity influenced hoof disorders (except for hemorrhages) and skin lesions (estimated effects between −0.6 ± 0.3 and 0.5 ± 0.2). Days in milk influenced hoof disorders, but had no effect on skin lesions and on the dirtiness of the animal. Irrespective of floor type, the slots (2.6 ± 0.1) were dirtier than the slats (1.6 ± 0.1). In conclusion, covering slatted concrete flooring with slatted rubber mats partially impaired hoof health but did not influence skin lesions or the dirtiness of the cows or the floor. Similar results were found for climatic conditions, as ammonia gas concentration was not affected, but absolute humidity increased in the barn when rubber mats were present.     

Towards a better understanding of the pectin structure-function relationship in broccoli during processing: Part I—macroscopic and molecular analyses

To investigate the structure-function relationship of pectin during (pre)processing, broccoli samples (Brassica oleracea L. cultivar italica) were subjected to one of the following pretreatments: (i) low-temperature blanching (LTB), (ii) LTB in combination with Ca²⁺ infusion, (iii) high-pressure pretreatment (HP), (iv) HP in combination with Ca²⁺ infusion, or (v) no pretreatment (control sample), whether or not in combination with a thermal treatment of 15 min at 90 °C. The macroscopic attributes of broccoli were linked to the chemical structure of broccoli pectin. By enhancing the cross-linking of pectic polymers, both LTB and HP reduced the texture loss that occurred during thermal processing of broccoli. During these pretreatments, homogalacturonan was de-esterified by pectin methylesterase, which led to changes in pectin solubility. When LTB or HP was combined with Ca²⁺ infusion, changes in the structure of pectin occurred, however not always reflected at the macroscopic level. The degree of esterification of pectin in Ca²⁺-soaked broccoli samples was lower compared to non-Ca²⁺-soaked samples and, in addition, a higher amount of ionically cross-linked pectin was retrieved.     

Rare-earth diiodides and derivatives

The rare-earth diiodides, MI₂, may be synthesized from the corresponding triiodides, MI₃, by reduction with their metals at elevated temperatures or, alternatively, through so-called metallothermic reduction reactions with alkaline or alkaline-earth metals. In these cases, ternary iodides may be obtained that may be derived from the binary diiodides by either formal addition or substitution. Prominent formula types that are thus obtained are A^IMI₃, or the mixed-valent A^I₅M^II₂M^IIII₁₂ and A^IIMI₄ with A^I and A^II representing alkaline or alkaline-earth elements (and their analogues), respectively. Further iodides that are relevant in these systems are, for example, Pr₂I₅, Ba₆Pr₃I₁₉ and interstitially stabilized phases such as {Er₁₄(N₂)(C₂)₂}I₂₄, La₉O₄I₁₆ and Ba{Ce₄N₂}I₈.     

Differential responses to male and female depressive reactions.

Suggests that the commonly reported preponderance of female over male depression in incidence and prevalence studies requires further analysis. One explanation is that the social consequences of expression of depressive symptomatology are different for males and females. A comparison of 157 male and 189 female undergraduates' reactions to male and female case histories of common reactions to stress confirmed the hypothesis. Depression elicited more rejection of males than of females, and the sex difference in rejection of depression was more pronounced than for anxiety or flat affect-detached responses. A discriminant analysis suggested that depressed males are especially likely to be perceived as impaired in role functioning as compared with depressed females. Results suggest that depressed males are not rejected for expression of emotionality as such. Speculations about the causes and consequences of differential rejection of depression are noted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

X-ray microbeam and recrystallization studies of plastic deformation around fatigue cracks

X-ray microbeam technique and recrystallization method were used to measure plastic zones around 20 kHz fatigue cracks in mild steel. Both methods render approximately the same extension of a plastic zone. In order to obtain the amount of deformation within a plastic zone measurements of integral line breadth and recrystallization temperature were calibrated by specimens deformed with known per cent static tension. But since static and cyclic loading cause different dislocation structures (especially the dislocation density is much more inhomogeneous in fatigued specimens) quantitative comparison is difficult. Furthermore the two methods display different values of the actual amount of deformation. X-ray line broadening indicates an average dislocation density, whereas recrystallization displays a maximum amount of deformation, which corresponds to the local dislocation concentrations.     

SNR enhancement in radial SSFP imaging using partial k-space averaging

The steady-state free precessing (SSFP) sequences, widely used in MRI today, acquire data only during a short fraction of the repetition time (TR). Thus, they exhibit a poor scan efficiency. In this paper, a novel approach to extending the acquisition window for a given TR without considerably modifying the basic sequence is explored for radial SSFP sequences. The additional data are primarily employed to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, rather than to improve the temporal resolution of the imaging. The approach is analyzed regarding its effect on the image SNR (signal to noise ratio) and the reconstruction algorithm. Results are presented for phantom experiments and cardiac functions studies. The gain in SNR is most notable in rapid imaging, since SNR enhancement for a constant repetition time may be used to compensate for the increase in noise resulting from angular undersampling.     

Surface properties of wood and MDF after ultrasonic-assisted cutting

Surfaces created by ultrasonic-assisted cutting (UC) of beech and spruce and of medium density fibreboard (MDF) are compared to surfaces obtained by conventional linear cutting (CC) using a sharp tool. Topography is evaluated performing roughness measurements and scanning electron microscopy. No effect of UC procedure on mean roughness is found. The surface of MDF and large areas of the surfaces of the woods appear similar after UC and CC, whereas other regions show impact marks and microscopic reels produced by the periodic oscillation of the tool in UC. The wettability of surfaces produced with both wood processing techniques is similar. Surface free energy measurements indicate accelerated ageing caused by UC, probably due to heating.