Evaluating uncertainty in environmental life-cycle assessment. A case study comparing two insulation options for a Dutch one-family dwelling

The evaluation of uncertainty is relatively new in environmental life-cycle assessment (LCA). It provides useful information to assess the reliability of LCA-based decisions and to guide future research toward reducing uncertainty. Most uncertainty studies in LCA quantify only one type of uncertainty, i.e., uncertainty due to input data (parameter uncertainty). However, LCA outcomes can also be uncertain due to normative choices (scenario uncertainty) and the mathematical models involved (model uncertainty). The present paper outlines a new methodology that quantifies parameter, scenario, and model uncertainty simultaneously in environmental life-cycle assessment. The procedure is illustrated in a case study that compares two insulation options for a Dutch one-family dwelling. Parameter uncertainty was quantified by means of Monte Carlo simulation. Scenario and model uncertainty were quantified by resampling different decision scenarios and model formulations, respectively. Although scenario and model uncertainty were not quantified comprehensively, the results indicate that both types of uncertainty influence the case study outcomes. This stresses the importance of quantifying parameter, scenario, and model uncertainty simultaneously. The two insulation options studied were found to have significantly different impact scores for global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, and eutrophication. The thickest insulation option has the lowest impact on global warming and eutrophication, and the highest impact on stratospheric ozone depletion.     

Forensic identification of neat ricin and of ricin from crude castor bean extracts by mass spectrometry

The protein toxin ricin, which originates from the seeds of Ricinus communis plants, has been the subject of increased interest, due to its potential terrorist use. Exceptionally, this toxin is also subject to the Chemical Weapons Convention. In this paper, it is shown that mass spectrometry can be used to unambiguously verify the presence of ricin in crude toxin preparations. It is demonstrated that MALDI MS can be used for screening, either by direct analysis or by trypsin digestion and peptide mapping. Purified ricin from several varieties of R. communis was characterized by LC-ES MS(/MS). A crude ricin preparation from a single bean was similarly characterized. An LC method was set up with product ion MS/MS detection of selected marker peptides specific for ricin: T5, T7, T11, T12, and T13 from the A-chain and T3, T5, T14, T19, and T20 from the B-chain. This method was then used to unambiguously identify ricin in a crude preparation of ricin. The MALDI MS molecular weight analysis and the marker peptides LC-ES MS/MS analysis give a forensic level of identification of ricin when combined with activity testing.     

Elastic-plastic fracture mechanics analysis of an SENB specimen

This paper describes the elastic-plastic analysis of a Single Edge Notched Bend (SENB) specimen, a specimen commonly used for the determination of the fracture toughness of a material. First, a two-dimensional convergence study is described to investigate the influence of mesh size on the global response of the specimen and the fracture mechanics parameters J and COD. Then a three-dimensional analysis is compared with experimental results. The three-dimensional computational results show a good agreement with the experiments, except for the load region where the global deformations were dominated by the Lueders zone in the material stress-strain curve.     

A flexible similarity measure for 3D shapes recognition

This paper is devoted to presenting a new strategy for 3D objects recognition using a flexible similarity measure based on the recent modeling wave (MW) topology in spherical models. MW topology allows us to establish an n-connectivity relationship in 3D objects modeling meshes. Using the complete object model, a study on considering different partial information of the model has been carried out to recognize an object. For this, we have introduced a new feature called cone-curvature (CC), which originates from the MW concept. CC gives an extended geometrical surroundings knowledge for every node of the mesh model and allows us to define a robust and adaptable similarity measure between objects for a specific model database. The defined similarity metric has been successfully tested in our lab using range data of a wide variety of 3D shapes. Finally, we show the applicability of our method presenting experimentation for recognition on noise and occlusion conditions in complex scenes.     

Catalase-based thin-layer enzyme cell used in organic-phase FIA system for determination of moisture in oily foods

The aim of our present work was to study the possibility of constructing a biosensor based on immobilized catalase enzyme (EC 1.11.1.6.) in organic-phase solutions. The catalase enzyme was immobilized by glutaraldehyde on a natural protein membrane in a thin-layer enzyme cell, connected to a stopped-flow injection analyser (SFIA) system with an amperometric detector. Adding FMCA to acetonitrile, the optimal concentration was 7.5 mg l^–1, while with TBATS it was 2.7 mg l^–1. The optimal pH value of the immobilized enzyme in buffer was about 6.0. On studying the role of the buffer solution used in the carrier solvent, the activity of the enzyme changed dramatically. The signal was highest when there was no buffer added to the carrier solution and decreased rapidly when the content increased (0–1.5%). Utilizing these results, a quick analytical method was developed to monitor indirectly the water content (activator) in various butter and margarine samples by maintaining a fixed substrate concentration. The water content of samples was compared with the results obtained by the gravimetric reference method (AOAC Method 920.116); the correlation coefficient (r) was 0.993.     

Biased allocation of faces to social categories.

Three studies show that social categorization is biased at the level of category allocation. In all studies, participants categorized faces. In Studies 1 and 2, participants overallocated faces with criminal features—a stereotypical negative trait—to the stigmatized Moroccan category, especially if they were prejudiced. On the contrary, the stereotype-irrelevant negative trait stupid did not lead to overallocation to the Moroccan category. In Study 3, using the stigmatized category homosexual, the previously used negative trait criminal—irrelevant to the homosexual stereotype—did not lead to overallocation, but the stereotype-relevant positive trait femininity did. These results demonstrate that normative fit is higher for faces with stereotype-relevant features regardless of valence. Moreover, individual differences in implicit prejudice predicted the extent to which stereotype-relevant traits elicited overallocation: Whereas more negatively prejudiced people showed greater overallocation of faces associated with negative stereotype-relevant traits, they showed less overallocation of faces associated with positive stereotype-relevant traits. These results support our normative fit hypothesis: In general, normative fit is better for faces with stereotypical features. Moreover, normative fit is enhanced for prejudiced individuals when these features are evaluatively congruent. Social categorization thus may be biased in itself. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

A receding contact problem between a functionally graded layer and two homogeneous quarter planes

In this paper, the plane problem of a frictionless receding contact between an elastic functionally graded layer and two homogeneous quarter planes is considered when the graded layer is pressed against the quarter planes. The top of the layer is subjected to normal tractions over a finite segment. The graded layer is modeled as a non-homogeneous medium with a constant Poisson’s ratio and exponentially varying shear modules. The problem is converted into the solution of a Cauchy-type singular integral equation in which the contact pressure and the receding contact half-length are the unknowns using integral transforms. The singular integral equation is solved numerically using Gauss–Jacobi integration. The corresponding receding contact half-length that satisfies the global equilibrium condition is obtained using an iterative procedure. The effect of the material non-homogeneity parameter on the contact pressure and on the length of the receding contact is investigated.     

Use of single wall carbon nanohorns in polymeric electrolyte fuel cells

Single wall carbon nanohorns (SWNH), produced by AC arc discharge in air, were used as Pt and PtRu supports in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). These electrocatalysts were compared with equivalent electrocatalysts supported on commercial carbon back. The SWNH were characterized by differential thermal analysis (DTA), TEM, SEM, and XRD. The produced SWNH were 84.5 wt% pure, containing 3 wt% of amorphous carbon and 12.5 wt% of graphitic carbon. SWNH were used as electrocatalyst supports and tested in the electrodes of two types of polymer electrolyte fuel cells: H₂-fed PEMFC and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). The electrocatalyst nanoparticles anchored on both carbon supports were ca. 2.5 nm in diameter obtained by employing ethylene glycol as the reducing agent. The use of SWNH showed catalytic activities 60% higher than using carbon black as the electrocatalyst support in both types of fuel cells.     

Ultrasonic preparation of mesoporous silica using pyridinium ionic liquid

Mesoporous silica matrices have been prepared via classic acid catalyzed and sono-catalyzed sol-gel routes. Tetramethoxysilan (TMOS) and methyl-trimethoxysilane (MTMS) were used as silica precursors, and N-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([bmPy][BF₄]) was employed as co-solvent and pore template. The ionic liquid (IL) to silica mole ratio was varied between 0.007 and 0.07. Nitrogen adsorption-desorption and small-angle neutron scattering measurements were used to characterize the obtained materials. The ionic liquid played the role of catalyst that affected the formation of the primary xerogel particles, and changed the porosity of the materials. Ultrasound treatment resulted in microstructure change on the level of the colloid particle aggregates. In comparison with IL containing xerogels, the IL containing sonogels show increased pore diameter, bigger pore volumes and diminished surface areas.