Chrome-free single-step in-situ phosphatizing coatings on a Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy

Surface pretreatment, such as chromate conversion, is generally required for the organic coating on Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloys. The surface modification process facilitates bond formation between the titanium surface and adhesives or paints. However, the hexavalent chromate used in the conversion coating is carcinogenic and must be eliminated. Recently, the “green chemistry” technique of in-situ phosphatizing coatings (ISPC) has been developed at Northern Illinois University. In this study, a polyester-melamine coating system catalyzed by p-toluene sulfonic acid is used as a control paint and applied to bare (paint 1) and chromated (paint 3) Ti alloy panels. The arylphosphonic acid employed as an in-situ phosphatizing reagent (ISPR) is used to formulate ISPC polyester-melamine paint and to react in-situ with the metal surface when ISPC paint is applied on bare Ti panels (paint 2) and chromated Ti panels (paint 4). After soaking in 3% NaCl solution for 1500 hr, the electrochemical impedance, |Z|, was measured as 10⁹, 10¹⁰, 10¹⁰, and 10¹⁰ ohm-cm² for paints, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. After 1000 hr salt spray (fog) testing, a disbondment from the “X” scribe is observed as 13 and <0.5, <1, <1 mm for paints 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The simultaneous reaction of the ISPR in catalyzing the polymerization of paint film and forming the metal-phosphate layer is the reason for the superior ISPC paint performance. Presented at the 79th Annual Meeting of the Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology, in Atlanta, GA, Nov. 5–7, 2001. Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, DeKalb, IL 60115.     

Chlorophyll-a in the rivers of eastern England

Chlorophyll-a concentration variations are described for two major river basins in England, the Humber and the Thames and related to catchment characteristics and nutrient concentrations across a range of rural, agricultural and urban/industrial settings. For all the rivers there are strong seasonal variations, with concentrations peaking in the spring and summer time when biological activity is at its highest. However, there are large variations in the magnitude of the seasonal effects across the rivers. For the spring-summer low-flow periods, average concentrations of chlorophyll-a correlate with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP). Chlorophyll-a is also correlated with particulate nitrogen (PN), organic carbon (POC) and suspended sediments. However, the strongest relationships are with catchment area and flow, where two straight line relationships are observed. The results indicate the importance of residence times for determining planktonic growth within the rivers. This is also indicated by the lack of chlorophyll-a response to lowering of SRP concentrations in several of the rivers in the area due to phosphorus stripping of effluents at major sewage treatment works. A key control on chlorophyll-a concentration may be the input of canal and reservoir waters during the growing period: this too relates to issues of residence times. However, there may well be a complex series of factors influencing residence time across the catchments due to features such as inhomogeneous flow within the catchments, a fractal distribution of stream channels that leads to a distribution of residence times and differences in planktonic inoculation sources. Industrial pollution on the Aire and Calder seems to have affected the relationship of chlorophyll-a with PN and POC. The results are discussed in relation to the Water Framework Directive.     

Quantifying the extent of space shortages: English dwellings

Lack of internal space is a problem in UK homes, and is often linked to a lack of space standards for housing in the UK. Although previous studies have examined new-build housing, this paper uses a new method to study 16 000 dwellings in the English Housing Survey (EHS) 2010 to examine existing housing and compare them with a modern space standard in an attempt to quantify the extent and magnitude of the problem. Dwellings in the survey were compared against a slightly modified version of the London Housing Design Guide 2010 internal space standard. It was found that between 21% and 55% of dwellings failed to meet the standard; and that flats and small terraced houses were most commonly below the standard. Dwellings were also frequently found to be under-occupied in comparison with the number of bedrooms. This research hypothesized that this was a result of the lack of space. To illustrate the use of this new analysis method, a recent change to the Housing Benefit system (colloquially known as the ‘Bedroom Tax’) has been considered. Households receiving Housing Benefit were more likely to be undersized, suggesting that the policy to withdraw housing benefits from these households may be misguided.     

Stir bar sorptive extraction and trace analysis of selected endocrine disruptors in water, biosolids and sludge samples by thermal desorption with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) in combination with thermal desorption coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was successfully applied to analyze a range of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in wastewater, solids and sludge. The targeted EDCs include sex steroid hormones, phthalates, alkylphenols and tamoxifen. Recovery for the EDCs using this analytical technique ranged from 44% to 128%. Limit of detection (LOD) of the compounds was 2.0 ng/L for water samples and 0.02 ng/g for solid samples, whereas the limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 5.0 ng/L for water samples and 0.06 ng/g for solid samples. When this analytical technique was applied to measure EDC concentration in a biological nutrient removal (BNR) wastewater treatment plant located in South East Queensland, Australia, the results showed that there were high amounts of phthalates, alkylphenols and female hormones present in the raw influent wastewater and solids. These concentrations were dramatically reduced after passing through the various treatment zones of the bioreactor (anaerobic, aerobic and anoxic).     

Utilizing Genomically Targeted Molecular Data to Improve Patient-Specific Outcomes in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Molecular biology combined with genomics can be a powerful tool for developing potential intervention strategies for improving outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Monogenic etiologies rarely cause autism. Instead, ASD is more frequently due to many polygenic contributing factors interacting with each other, combined with the epigenetic effects of diet, lifestyle, and environment. One limitation of genomics has been identifying ways of responding to each identified gene variant to translate the information to something clinically useful. This paper will illustrate how understanding the function of a gene and the effects of a reported variant on a molecular level can be used to develop actionable and targeted potential interventions for a gene variant or combinations of variants. For illustrative purposes, this communication highlights a specific genomic variant, SHANK3. The steps involved in developing molecularly genomically targeted actionable interventions will be demonstrated. Cases will be shared to support the efficacy of this strategy and to show how clinicians utilized these targeted interventions to improve ASD-related symptoms significantly. The presented approach demonstrates the utility of genomics as a part of clinical decision-making.     

Evaluating the role of ivy (Hedera helix) in moderating wall surface microclimates and contributing to the bioprotection of historic buildings

The role of ivy (Hedera helix L.) on building walls is much debated, with arguments being put forward for it playing a biodeteriorative role (for example through ivy rootlets exploiting cracks and holes) as well as suggestions that it might provide some bioprotection (for example by the ivy canopy protecting the walls from other agents of deterioration such as frost). We have carried out a year-long study of the influence that ivy canopies play on wall surface microclimates at five sites across a range of climatic settings within England, using iButtons to monitor temperature and relative humidity fluctuations at the wall surface on ivy-covered and exposed walls. Hourly data illustrates a general mediating effect of ivy canopies on both temperature and relative humidity regimes. The ivy reduces extremes of temperature and relative humidity, with the most clearcut differences for temperature. Across all five sites the average daily maximum temperature was 36% higher and the average daily minimum temperature 15% lower on exposed vs ivy-covered surfaces. Differences in the exposure level of studied walls (i.e. whether they are shaded or not by trees or other walls) influenced the degree of microclimatic alteration provided by the ivy canopy. Other important factors influencing the strength of the ivy impact on microclimate were found to be thickness of the canopy and aspect of the wall. A detailed analysis of one site, Byland in North Yorkshire, illustrates the seasonal differences in impact of ivy on microclimates, with insulation against freezing being the dominant effect in January, and the removal of high temperature ‘spikes’ the dominant effect in July. The observed moderating role of ivy canopies on wall surface microclimates will reduce the likelihood of frost and salt deterioration to the building materials, thus contributing to their conservation. Further research needs to be done on other potentially deteriorative roles of ivy before an overall bioprotective role can be assumed, but the significant impact of ivy on wall surface microclimates across England is clear.     

Phage‐mediated transfer of virulence genes

Bacteriophages as accessory genetic elements play a crucial role in the dissemination of genes and the promotion of genetic diversity within bacterial populations. Such horizontal transfer of DNA is critical in the emergence of new pathogenic organisms, through the dissemination of genes encoding virulence factors such as toxins, adhesins and agressins. Phages can transfer genes that are not necessary for bacteriophage persistence and are generally recognised by their ability to convert their host bacteria to new phenotypes. This phenomenon is known as phage conversion. If such converting genes encode for virulence factors, the consequences of phage infection may include increased virulence of the host bacteria, and the conversion of a non‐pathogenic strain to a potentially dangerous pathogen. A number of virulence factors in bacteria causing diseases in plants, animals and humans are encoded by converting phages, the vast majority of which are temperate as opposed to lytic in nature. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry     

Amphiphilic Interpenetrating Networks for the Delivery of Hydrophobic, Low Molecular Weight Therapeutic Agents

To investigate the delivery of hydrophobic therapeutic agents, a novel class of interpenetrating networks (IPNs) were synthesized and composed of two networks: methacrylic acid grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) tethers, P(MAA-g-EG), and poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA). The hydrophilic P(MAA-g-EG) networks are pH-responsive hydrogels capable of triggered release of an encapsulated therapeutic agent, such as a low molecular weight drug or a protein, when it passes from the stomach (low pH) to upper small intestine (neutral pH). PBA is a hydrophobic homopolymer that can affect the IPN swelling behavior, the therapeutic agent loading efficiencies in IPNs, and solute release profiles from IPNs. In dynamic swelling conditions, IPNs had greater swelling ratios than P(MAA-g-EG), but in equilibrium swelling conditions the IPN swelling ratio decreased with increasing PBA content. Loading efficiencies of the model therapeutic agent fluorescein ranged from 21 - 44%. Release studies from neat P(MAA-g-EG) and the ensuing IPNs indicated that the transition from low pH (2.0) to neutral pH (7.0) triggered fluorescein release. Maximum fluorescein release depended on the structure and hydrophilicity of the carriers used in these studies.