The efficacy and persistence of diatomaceous earths admixed with commodity against four tropical stored product beetle pests

The efficacy and persistence of two commercially available enhanced diatomaceous earth (DE) products (Dryacide^® and Protect-It^®) against four common tropical storage pests (Prostephanus truncatus, Sitophilus zeamais, Callosobruchus maculatus and Acanthoscelides obtectus) were studied when admixed with typical host commodities at different application rates and relative humidities. Persistence of the enhanced DE treatments was considered after 3 and 6 months storage by assessment of both adult mortality and F1 progeny emergence. Both DEs usually increased parental mortality and reduced progeny emergence of all four insect species in comparison with the untreated control at both 50% and 60% r.h., and at all storage periods. However, efficacy was inversely related to duration of storage and over time the host commodity also became less suitable for insect development. Each insect species differed in its susceptibility to the DE treatments, highlighting the need for field application rates to be based upon the entire spectrum of pest species likely to be present during storage.     

Evaluation of the phenolic content,antioxidant activity and colour of Slovenian honey

Honey samples from the seven most common honey types in Slovenia were screened for total phenolic content by the modified Folin–Ciocalteu method, for potential antioxidant activity using the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method for antiradical activity. In addition the colour characteristics of honey samples were analysed. The results of the study showed that total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and colour parameters differ widely among different honey types. Phenolic content expressed as gallic acid equivalent ranged from 44.8 mg/kg in acacia honey to 241.4 mg/kg in fir honey. Antioxidant activity was the lowest in the brightest acacia and lime honeys and the highest in darker honeys, namely fir, spruce and forest. The colour of the Slovenian honeys, analysed in this study was very variable and ranged from pale yellow to dark brown. Correlations between the parameters analysed were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.05).     

An analysis of the severity and incident duration of truck-involved freeway accidents

Data associated with over 9000 accidents involving large trucks and combination vehicles during a two-year period on freeways in the greater Los Angeles area are analyzed relative to collision factors, accident severity, and incident duration and lane closures. Relationships between type of collision and accident characteristics are explored using log-linear models. The results point to significant differences in several immediate consequences of truck-related freeway accidents according to collision type. These differences are associated both with the severity of the accident, in terms of injuries and fatalities, as well as with the impact of the accident on system performance, in terms of incident duration and lane closures. Hit-object and broadside collisions were the most severe types in terms of fatalities and injuries, respectively, and single-vehicle accidents are relatively more severe than two-vehicle accidents. The durations of accident incidents were found to be log-normally distributed for homogeneous groups of truck accidents, categorized according to type of collision and, in some instances, severity. The longest durations are typically associated with overturns.     

An ordinal multivariate analysis of accident counts as functions of traffic approach volumes at intersections

This research is concerned with the statistical analysis of accident counts at nonsignalized intersections. The objective is to develop a method for determining general (nonlinear) relationships between approach volumes and accident counts. The method must accommodate the testing of whether intersections of differing physical designs have higher or lower rates of accidents than predicted by traffic levels. It is assumed that only aggregate data are available: (1) counts of total accidents by type (e.g., injury versus property damage) without details concerning the locational position(s) of the vehicle(s) involved; and (2) aggregate traffic intensity on each intersection entry without details concerning turning volumes. The method involves the application of nonlinear multivariate methods to variables treated as ordinal scales. A case study application involving four-leg and three-leg ("T") nonsignalized major arterial intersections in the Netherlands is described. The effect of bicycle traffic on accident rates is included in the case study analysis. The results indicate that there are three groups of each of the two types of intersections based on traffic flow patterns. For each group, a different functional form was found to relate accident rates and specific variables measuring traffic volumes. There were no significant differences among the physical design categories of the intersections in each group that were not accounted for by differences in traffic intensities.     

Color rendering properties of light continuously modulated by an electrochromic switchable device

Every chromogenic switchable window gives rise to considerable change of spectral power distribution of the light crossing trough. The filtered light continuously changes during charging/discharging of the device, seen as its coloration/discoloration. As this process occurs continuously, it causes continuous change of colors on an illuminated multicolored scene. The ability of an electrochromic (EC) switchable unit to modulate daylight and different artificial lights passing through it is studied here. The color rendering properties of such a variable light are evaluated. The range of the effect and its consequences on the color of a scene can be adequately described by the change in chroma and hue angle during the modulation of light. These effects were evaluated by different light sources shining through the same EC unit. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 34, 321–329, 2009     

Engineering analysis of crosslinking polymerization of diallyl lsophthalate

A kinetic model for crosslinking free radical polymerization of DAIM (monomer diallyl isophthalate) with initiator CHPC (dicyclohexyl peroxydicarbonate) is developed. An improved version of Batch and Macosko's model was used to describe the initiator efficiency (f) and the active radical fraction (F_act). The experimental data of allyl and carbonyl group consumption are used for the optimization of the model and calculating of f and F_act. From the developed kinetic model and experimental results, obtained by FT‐IR measurements of monomer conversion, the introduction of the F_act was proved. Application of this model may be of use in process modeling of DAIM and other crosslinking polymerizations with CHPC as initiator.     

The structure and properties of acrylic‐polyurethane hybrid emulsions and comparison with physical blends

Aqueous acrylic‐polyurethane hybrid emulsions were prepared by semibatch emulsion polymerization of a mixture of acrylic monomers (butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, and acrylic acid) in the presence of polyurethane dispersion. Equivalent physical blends were prepared by mixing acrylic emulsion and polyurethane dispersion. The weight ratio between acrylic and polyurethane components varied to obtain different emulsion properties, microphase structure, and mechanical film properties of hybrid emulsions and physical blends. Particle size and molecular mass measurements, scanning electron microscopy, glass transition temperature, and rheological measurements performed characterization of the latex system. The mechanical properties were investigated by measuring tensile strength and Koenig hardness of dried films. The experimental results indicate better acrylic‐polyurethane compatibility in hybrid emulsions than in physical blends, resulting in improved chemical and mechanical properties. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 67–80, 2000     

An economic utility theory approach to spatial interaction

Conclusions The results show that the utility framework is consistent with the observed shopping and work-trip patterns in the Detroit Metropolitan Area. Specifically, they show that an entropy utility function (exponential resistance function) explains the data better than a gravity utility function (power resistance function). Tripmaking is influenced by the income and location of the individual. The low-income households made fewer trips than the higher income households which is most likely related to the lack of automobile availability particularly in a region like Detroit where public transportation is underdeveloped. Various suggestions have emerged for further research in spatial interaction.General Motors Research LaboratoriesBrown University     

The concept of task versus person orientation in nursing.

To clarify the concept of task versus person orientation in nursing, a factor analysis of 24 personality-and nursing-attitude variables was performed on 160 nurses from long- and short-term treatment settings in psychiatry and general medicine. 3 factors, Leadership Skills, Hostile-Self-Seeking, and Dependent-Exploited sampled behaviors in the interpersonal sphere and particularly traits related to leadership capability. The 4th factor, Impersonal-Orderly, contained many characteristics of the "Authoritarian Personality." An emphasis on the skilled technical aspects of nursing was one of the elements in this factor. In general, the derived factor scores effectively differentiated nurses from the treatment settings in this study. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Protection of farm stored maize against infestation by Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) and Sitophilus species in Tanzania

Large scale trials were undertaken in Tanzania in order to assess the effectiveness of spray applications of insecticide as protectants of maize cobs against infestation by Prostephanus truncatus (Horn) and Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and S. zeamais Motsch. In general, protection of cobs was not as effective as the protection afforded to insecticide-treated grain. However, in simulated farm stores excellent protection was obtained either by applying permethrin as a dilute dust to grain or by applying it as a spray to cobs with sheathing leaves intect. Paddy husk ash also provided good protection when applied to maize grain. The treatment of maize cobs by spraying may provide the small scale farmer with a viable and more traditionally compatible alternative to the currently recommended practice of shelling maize and treating it with a dilute insecticide dust.