scholarly journals Using Environmental Simulations to Test the Release of Hazardous Substances from Polymer-Based Products: Are Realism and Pragmatism Mutually Exclusive Objectives?

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (12) ◽  
pp. 2709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Bandow ◽  
Michael D. Aitken ◽  
Anja Geburtig ◽  
Ute Kalbe ◽  
Christian Piechotta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Mass Transfer Processes ◽  
Aging Conditions ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Environmental Simulations

The potential release of hazardous substances from polymer-based products is currently in the focus of environmental policy. Environmental simulations are applied to expose such products to selected aging conditions and to investigate release processes. Commonly applied aging exposure types such as solar and UV radiation in combination with water contact, corrosive gases, and soil contact as well as expected general effects on polymers and additional ingredients of polymer-based products are described. The release of substances is based on mass-transfer processes to the material surfaces. Experimental approaches to investigate transport processes that are caused by water contact are presented. For tailoring the tests, relevant aging exposure types and release quantification methods must be combined appropriately. Several studies on the release of hazardous substances such as metals, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, flame retardants, antioxidants, and carbon nanotubes from polymers are summarized exemplarily. Differences between natural and artificial exposure tests are discussed and demonstrated for the release of flame retardants from several polymers and for biocides from paints. Requirements and limitations to apply results from short-term artificial environmental exposure tests to predict long-term environmental behavior of polymers are presented.

Long-Term Stable Metal Organic Framework (MOF) Based Mixed Matrix Membranes for Ultrafiltration

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muayad Al-shaeli ◽  
Stefan J. D. Smith ◽  
Shanxue Jiang ◽  
Huanting Wang ◽  
Kaisong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Angle ◽  
Water Contact Angle ◽  
Mixed Matrix Membranes ◽  
Recovery Ratio ◽  
Mixed Matrix ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Membrane Performance ◽  
Metal Organic ◽  
Matrix Membranes

<p>In this study, novel <a>mixed matrix polyethersulfone (PES) membranes</a> were synthesized by using two different kinds of metal organic frameworks (MOFs), namely UiO-66 and UiO-66-NH<sub>2</sub>. The composite membranes were characterised by SEM, EDX, FTIR, PXRD, water contact angle, porosity, pore size, etc. Membrane performance was investigated by water permeation flux, flux recovery ratio, fouling resistance and anti-fouling performance. The stability test was also conducted for the prepared mixed matrix membranes. A higher reduction in the water contact angle was observed after adding both MOFs to the PES and sulfonated PES membranes compared to pristine PES membranes. An enhancement in membrane performance was observed by embedding the MOF into PES membrane matrix, which may be attributed to the super-hydrophilic porous structure of UiO-66-NH<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles and hydrophilic structure of UiO-66 nanoparticles that could accelerate the exchange rate between solvent and non-solvent during the phase inversion process. By adding the MOFs into PES matrix, the flux recovery ratio was increased greatly (more than 99% for most mixed matrix membranes). The mixed matrix membranes showed higher resistance to protein adsorption compared to pristine PES membranes. After immersing the membranes in water for 3 months, 6 months and 12 months, both MOFs were stable and retained their structure. This study indicates that UiO-66 and UiO-66-NH<sub>2</sub> are great candidates for designing long-term stable mixed matrix membranes with higher anti-fouling performance.</p>

scholarly journals Hair Cortisol Concentration as a Biomarker of Sleep Quality and Related Disorders

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 81
Author(s):  
Nisrin El Mlili ◽  
Hanan Ahabrach ◽  
Omar Cauli
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Disorders ◽  
Reference Ranges ◽  
Hair Cortisol ◽  
Neuropsychiatric Diseases ◽  
Close Relationship ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Common Manifestation ◽  
Functional Alteration

Cortisol is the end product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, and its production is increased mainly in stressful situations or in chronic disorders accompanied by stress enhancement. Altered cortisol concentrations have been reported in a number of neuropsychiatric diseases and sleep disorders. Cortisol concentrations have been measured using several methods, and in several matrixes, such as blood, saliva, and urine. However, lately, hair cortisol, for several reasons, has emerged as a promising biomarker of long-term retrospective HPA activation. Several experimental approaches for cortisol measurement with the corresponding concentration reference ranges and a summary of findings from scientific literature on this field are presented. There is evidence of a close relationship between HPA functional alteration and the development of neuropsychiatric disorders. Sleep disorders are the most common manifestation in several neuropsychiatric conditions, and have also been associated to cortisol alterations in both adults and children. Many studies indicate that hair cortisol constitutes a valuable tool for further contributing to existing data on salivary, plasma, or urinary cortisol concentrations in patients with sleep disorders.

Long-term trends of airborne halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) by means of tree leaf and shoot analyses

2021 ◽  
pp. 117342
Author(s):  
Annekatrin Dreyer ◽  
Frank Neugebauer ◽  
Nina Lohmann ◽  
Heinz Rüdel ◽  
Kathrin Tarricone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Long Term Trends ◽  
Tree Leaf ◽  
Halogenated Flame Retardants

scholarly journals Automatic synchronisation of the cell cycle in budding yeast through closed-loop feedback control

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giansimone Perrino ◽  
Sara Napolitano ◽  
Francesca Galdi ◽  
Antonella La Regina ◽  
Davide Fiore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Genetic System ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Control Engineering ◽  
Loop Feedback ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Closed Loop Feedback ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

AbstractThe cell cycle is the process by which eukaryotic cells replicate. Yeast cells cycle asynchronously with each cell in the population budding at a different time. Although there are several experimental approaches to synchronise cells, these usually work only in the short-term. Here, we build a cyber-genetic system to achieve long-term synchronisation of the cell population, by interfacing genetically modified yeast cells with a computer by means of microfluidics to dynamically change medium, and a microscope to estimate cell cycle phases of individual cells. The computer implements a controller algorithm to decide when, and for how long, to change the growth medium to synchronise the cell-cycle across the population. Our work builds upon solid theoretical foundations provided by Control Engineering. In addition to providing an avenue for yeast cell cycle synchronisation, our work shows that control engineering can be used to automatically steer complex biological processes towards desired behaviours similarly to what is currently done with robots and autonomous vehicles.

scholarly journals Toxic effects of plastic on human health and environment : A consequences of health risk assessment in Bangladesh

2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ram Proshad ◽  
Tapos Kormoker ◽  
Md. Saiful Islam ◽  
Mohammad Asadul Haque ◽  
Md. Mahfuzur Rahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Human Health ◽  
Health Risk Assessment ◽  
Flame Retardants ◽  
Skin Diseases ◽  
Hazardous Substances ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Environment Pollution ◽  
Respiratory Problems

Plastics are used widely everywhere in our life and without plastic, modern civilization would indeed look very diverse. This study focuses on the toxic effects of plastic on human health and environment and possible consequences of health risk assessment in Bangladesh. Plastics are essential materials in modern civilization, and many products manufactured from plastics and in numerous cases, they promote risks to human health and the environment. Plastics are contained many chemical and hazardous substances such as Bisphenol A (BPA), thalates, antiminitroxide, brominated flame retardants, and poly- fluorinated chemicals etc. which are a serious risk factor for human health and environment. Plastics are being used by Bangladeshi people without knowing the toxic effects of plastic on human health and environment. Different human health problems like irritation in the eye, vision failure, breathing difficulties, respiratory problems, liver dysfunction, cancers, skin diseases, lungs problems, headache, dizziness, birth effect, reproductive, cardiovascular, genotoxic, and gastrointestinal causes for using toxic plastics. Plastics occur serious environment pollution such as soil pollution, water pollution, and air pollution. Application of proper rules and regulations for the production and use of plastics can reduce toxic effects of plastics on human health and environment.

Long-term modeling of soil loss and fluvial transport processes in a mountainous semi-arid basin, southern Spain

2020 ◽  
pp. 1733-1740 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Millares ◽  
J. Herrero ◽  
M. Bermúdez ◽  
J.F. Leiva ◽  
M. Cantalejo
Keyword(s):  
Soil Loss ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Southern Spain ◽  
Fluvial Transport ◽  
Semi Arid

scholarly journals Cyber-yeast: Automatic synchronisation of the cell cycle in budding yeast through closed-loop feedback control

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giansimone Perrino ◽  
Sara Napolitano ◽  
Francesca Galdi ◽  
Antonella La Regina ◽  
Davide Fiore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Autonomous Vehicles ◽  
Genetic System ◽  
Yeast Cells ◽  
Control Engineering ◽  
Loop Feedback ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Closed Loop Feedback ◽  
Theoretical Foundations

ABSTRACTThe cell cycle is the process by which eukaryotic cells replicate. Yeast cells cycle asynchronously with each cell in the population budding at a different time. Although there are several experimental approaches to “synchronise” cells, these work only in the short-term. Here, we built a cyber-genetic system to achieve long-term synchronisation of the cell population, by interfacing genetically modified yeast cells with a computer by means of microfluidics to dynamically change medium, and a microscope to estimate cell cycle phases of individual cells. The computer implements a “controller” algorithm to decide when, and for how long, to change the growth medium to synchronise the cell-cycle across the population. Our work builds upon solid theoretical foundations provided by Control Engineering. In addition to providing a new avenue for yeast cell cycle synchronisation, our work shows that computers can automatically steer complex biological processes towards desired behaviours similarly to what is currently done with robots and autonomous vehicles.

Identifying pathogenic determinants of Acidovorax citrulli toward the control of bacterial fruit blotch of cucurbits

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bingyu Zhao ◽  
Saul Burdman ◽  
Ronald Walcott ◽  
Tal Pupko ◽  
Gregory Welbaum
Keyword(s):  
Host Preference ◽  
Biochemical Properties ◽  
Bacterial Fruit Blotch ◽  
Group I ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Bacterial Genes ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The specific objectives of this BARD proposal were: Use a comparative genomics approach to identify T3Es in group I, II and III strains of A. citrulli. Determine the bacterial genes contributing to host preference. Develop mutant strains that can be used for biological control of BFB. Background to the topic: Bacterial fruit blotch (BFB) of cucurbits, caused by Acidovoraxcitrulli, is a devastating disease that affects watermelon (Citrulluslanatus) and melon (Cucumismelo) production worldwide, including both Israel and USA. Three major groups of A. citrullistrains have been classified based on their virulence on host plants, genetics and biochemical properties. The host selection could be one of the major factors that shape A. citrullivirulence. The differences in the repertoire of type III‐ secreted effectors (T3Es) among the three A. citrulligroups could play a major role in determining host preferential association. Currently, there are only 11 A. citrulliT3Es predicted by the annotation of the genome of the group II strain, AAC00‐1. We expect that new A. citrulliT3Es can be identified by a combination of bioinformatics and experimental approaches, which may help us to further define the relationship of T3Es and host preference of A. citrulli.   Implications, both scientific and agricultural: Enriching the information on virulence and avirulence functions of T3Es will contribute to the understanding of basic aspects of A. citrulli‐cucurbit interactions. In the long term, it will contribute to the development of durable BFB resistance in commercial varieties. In the short term, identifying bacterial genes that contribute to virulence and host preference will allow the engineering of A. citrullimutants that can trigger SAR in a given host. If applied as seed treatments, these should significantly improve the effectiveness and efficacy of BFB management in melon and atermelon production. 

scholarly journals Effect of Hydrothermal Treatment with Distilled Water on Titanium Alloy for Epithelial Cellular Attachment

Materials ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 2748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushige Sakamoto ◽  
Yasunori Ayukawa ◽  
Akihiro Furuhashi ◽  
Michimasa Kamo ◽  
Junji Ikeda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydrothermal Treatment ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Long Term Stability ◽  
Cellular Attachment ◽  
Integrin Β4 ◽  
Oral Epithelial ◽  
Laminin 332 ◽  
Surface Crystal

The enhancement of oral epithelial adhesion to the trans-mucosal material of dental implants may improve their long-term stability. The aim of this study is to investigate whether hydrothermal treatment with distilled water (HT-DW) applied to a Ti-6Al-4V (Ti64) alloy could improve epithelial cellular attachment. We hypothesized that this treatment would enhance the adsorption of proteins and the adhesion of gingival epithelial GE1 cells. This treatment changed the surface crystal structure into an anatase type of titanium oxide without an apparent change of surface roughness or topography. Nitrogen was not detected on the HT-DW-treated Ti64, which indicates decontamination. HT-DW-treated Ti64 exhibited a hydrophilic surface with a less than 10° angle of water contact. Adsorption of laminin-332 to the HT-DW-treated Ti64 was significantly greater than that of the untreated Ti64 plates (64). The number of GE1 cells on the HT-DW-treated Ti64 at 1 and 3 days was significantly lower than that on 64; however, cell adhesion strength on HT-DW was greater, with a higher expression of integrin β4, compared with 64. This indicates that the HT-DW treatment of Ti64 improves the integration of GE1 cells, which might facilitate the development of a soft tissue barrier around the implant.

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