Concentrations of cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes in European cosmetics and personal care products: Prerequisite for human and environmental exposure assessment

Low molecular weight cyclic volatile methylsiloxanes (cVMSs) are widely employed as emollients and carrier solvents in personal care formulations in order to acquire desired performance benefits owing to their distinctive physicochemical properties. Under current European legislation cosmetic ingredients such as cVMSs are required to be labeled on the product package only qualitatively, while for the assessment of environmental and consumer exposure quantitative information is needed. The aim of this study was therefore to measure concentrations of three cVMSs, namely octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6) in 51 cosmetics and personal care products (C&PCPs) that are currently available on the European market. The list of selected articles comprised a variety of hair and sun care products, skin creams and lotions, deodorants including antiperspirants, liquid foundations and a toothpaste. The target compounds were extracted from the products with different organic solvents dependent on the product matrix, followed by gas chromatography analysis with flame ionization detection (GC–FID). D5 was the predominant cVMS with the highest mean and median concentrations in all the C&PCP categories. The median concentrations of D5, D6 and D4 were 142, 2.3 and 0.053 mg/g in deodorants/antiperspirants (n = 11); 44.6, 30.0 mg/g and below the limit of quantification (< LOQ; LOQ for D4 = 0.00071 mg/g) in cosmetics (n = 5); 8.4, 0.32 mg/g and < LOQ in skin care (n = 16); 9.6, 0.18 and 0.0055 mg/g in hair care (n = 10); and, 34.8, 0.53 and 0.0085 mg/g in sun care (n = 8) products, respectively. The calculated median aggregate daily dermal exposure to D4 and D5 from multiple C&PCPs was approximately 100 times lower than the current NOAEL derived from chronic inhalation rat studies.     

Use of empirical and full Bayes before–after approaches to estimate the safety effects of roadside barriers with different crash conditions

IntroductionAlthough many researchers have estimated the crash modification factors (CMFs) for specific treatments (or countermeasures), there is a lack of prior studies that have explored the variation of CMFs. Thus, the main objectives of this study are: (a) to estimate CMFs for the installation of different types of roadside barriers, and (b) to determine the changes of safety effects for different crash types, severities, and conditions.MethodTwo observational before–after analyses (i.e. empirical Bayes (EB) and full Bayes (FB) approaches) were utilized in this study to estimate CMFs. To consider the variation of safety effects based on different vehicle, driver, weather, and time of day information, the crashes were categorized based on vehicle size (passenger and heavy), driver age (young, middle, and old), weather condition (normal and rain), and time difference (day time and night time).ResultsThe results show that the addition of roadside barriers is safety effective in reducing severe crashes for all types and run-off roadway (ROR) crashes. On the other hand, it was found that roadside barriers tend to increase all types of crashes for all severities. The results indicate that the treatment might increase the total number of crashes but it might be helpful in reducing injury and severe crashes. In this study, the variation of CMFs was determined for ROR crashes based on the different vehicle, driver, weather, and time information.Practical applicationsBased on the findings from this study, the variation of CMFs can enhance the reliability of CMFs for different roadway conditions in decision making process. Also, it can be recommended to identify the safety effects of specific treatments for different crash types and severity levels with consideration of the different vehicle, driver, weather, and time of day information.     

Dimpling process in cold roll metal forming by finite element modelling and experimental validation

The dimpling process is a novel cold-roll forming process that involves dimpling of a rolled flat strip prior to the roll forming operation. This is a process undertaken to enhance the material properties and subsequent products’ structural performance while maintaining a minimum strip thickness. In order to understand the complex and interrelated nonlinear changes in contact, geometry and material properties that occur in the process, it is necessary to accurately simulate the process and validate through physical tests. In this paper, 3D non-linear finite element analysis was employed to simulate the dimpling process and mechanical testing of the subsequent dimpled sheets, in which the dimple geometry and material properties data were directly transferred from the dimpling process. Physical measurements, tensile and bending tests on dimpled sheet steel were conducted to evaluate the simulation results. Simulation of the dimpling process identified the amount of non-uniform plastic strain introduced and the manner in which this was distributed through the sheet. The plastic strain resulted in strain hardening which could correlate to the increase in the strength of the dimpled steel when compared to plain steel originating from the same coil material. A parametric study revealed that the amount of plastic strain depends upon on the process parameters such as friction and overlapping gap between the two forming rolls. The results derived from simulations of the tensile and bending tests were in good agreement with the experimental ones. The validation indicates that the finite element analysis was able to successfully simulate the dimpling process and mechanical properties of the subsequent dimpled steel products.     

Numerical modelling of electrohydraulic free-forming and die-forming of DP590 steel

Electrohydraulic forming (EHF) is a high energy rate forming process in which the strain rate in the sheet metal can vary from 5 × 10² to 10⁵ s⁻¹ depending on various factors. Several mechanisms have been reported to cause an improvement in formability in EHF such as material deformation mechanisms, inertial effects and the dynamic impact of the sheet against the die. EHF is a complex high speed forming process and experimental work alone is not sufficient to properly understand this process. To understand the variation of some influential variables in EHF, electrohydraulic die-forming (EHDF) and free-forming (EHFF) of DP590 dual phase steel were simulated in ABAQUS/Explicit by considering the fluid/structure interactions. Three-dimensional finite element simulations were conducted by modelling the water with Eulerian elements with a view to investigating the effect of released energy on the sheet deformation profile history, strain distribution, loading path and damage accumulation type. The Johnson–Cook constitutive material model was used to predict the sheet behaviour and the parameters in this model were calibrated based on experimental test results available for DP590 at various strain rates. The Johnson–Cook phenomenological damage model was also used to predict the ductile failure (damage accumulation) in both EHDF and EHFF. Predicted final strain values and damage accumulation type showed good agreement with the experimental observations.     

三峡库区支流澎溪河水华高发期环境因子和浮游藻类的时空特征及其关系

分别在2014年春季和夏季三峡库区水华高发期,在库区北岸最大支流澎溪河流域从其河口处逆流而上至回水末端共布置8个采样点,对浮游藻类和环境因子进行了监测,运用数理统计分析手段,对浮游藻类的群落结构及其与环境因子的关系进行了分析.结果表明在4月中旬,除河口样点外,其他采样点水体出现分层,但断面多只有温跃层和滞温层,而没有混合层;上游水体层次间温差高于下游水体;各采样点的水深以及表层水体(水面向下至0.5 m深的水层)的水温、浊度、p H、电导率、溶解氧、叶绿素a、总氮和总磷的空间分布差异显著(ANOVA,P0.05);共检测到浮游藻类25种(属),丰度在(2.76~145.8)×10~4cell·L~(-1)之间,以角甲藻(Ceratium hirundinella)为主要优势藻,鱼腥藻(Anabaena sp.)为次优势藻;上游接近支流来水的样点S7(63.4×10~4cell·L~(-1))和S8(145.8×10~4cell·L~(-1))水华最为严重;硝酸盐氮、水温、p H、电导率和溶解氧是藻类生长的决定因子.在7月下旬,水体分层,趋势与春季相似;各采样点深度和0~0.5 m水层的水温、浊度、氧化还原电位、p H、电导率、叶绿素a、氨氮、硝酸盐氮、总氮和总磷的空间分布仍然差异显著(ANOVA,P0.05);共检测到浮游藻类46种(属),丰度在(9.56~278.88)×10~4cell·L~(-1)之间,总体以席藻(Phormidium sp.)为主要优势藻,鱼腥藻(Anabaena sp.)为次优势藻;下游接近澎溪河河口的样点S2(216.44×10~4cell·L~(-1))、S3(278.88×10~4cell·L~(-1))和S4(108.12×10~4cell·L~(-1))水华严重;浊度、水深、总氮、氧化还原电位、电导率和溶解氧是藻类生长的决定因子.水体分层与水华形成有重要关系.     

Evaluation of prenatal diagnosis of associated congenital heart diseases by fetal ultrasonographic examination in Europe

Ultrasound scans in the mid trimester of pregnancy are now a routine part of antenatal care in most European countries. With the assistance of Registries of Congenital Anomalies a study was undertaken in Europe. The objective of the study was to evaluate prenatal detection of congenital heart defects (CHD) by routine ultrasonographic examination of the fetus. All congenital malformations suspected prenatally and all congenital malformations, including chromosome anomalies, confirmed at birth were identified from the Congenital Malformation Registers, including 20 registers from the following European countries: Austria, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Lithuania, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, UK and Ukrainia. These registries follow the same methodology. The study period was 1996–1998, 709 030 births were covered, and 8126 cases with congenital malformations were registered. If more than one cardiac malformation was present the case was coded as complex cardiac malformation. CHD were subdivided into ‘isolated’ when only a cardiac malformation was present and ‘associated’ when at least one other major extra cardiac malformation was present. The associated CHD were subdivided into chromosomal, syndromic non-chromosomal and multiple. The study comprised 761 associated CHD including 282 cases with multiple malformations, 375 cases with chromosomal anomalies and 104 cases with non-chromosomal syndromes. The proportion of prenatal diagnosis of associated CHD varied in relation to the ultrasound screening policies from 17.9% in countries without routine screening (The Netherlands and Denmark) to 46.0% in countries with only one routine fetal scan and 55.6% in countries with two or three routine fetal scans. The prenatal detection rate of chromosomal anomalies was 40.3% (151/375 cases). This rate for recognized syndromes and multiply malformed with CHD was 51.9% (54/104 cases) and 48.6% (137/282 cases), respectively; 150/229 Down syndrome (65.8%) were livebirths. Concerning the syndromic cases, the detection rate of deletion 22q11, situs anomalies and VATER association was 44.4%, 64.7% and 46.6%, respectively. In conclusion, the present study shows large regional variations in the prenatal detection rate of CHD with the highest rates in European regions with three screening scans. Prenatal diagnosis of CHD is significantly higher if associated malformations are present. Cardiac defects affecting the size of the ventricles have the highest detection rate. Mean gestational age at discovery was 20–24 weeks for the majority of associated cardiac defects. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancing the Engagement of U.S. Private Foundations with Conservation Science

Abstract: Funding for conservation is limited, and its investment for maximum conservation gain can likely be enhanced through the application of relevant science. Many donor institutions support and use science to pursue conservation goals, but their activities remain relatively unfamiliar to the conservation‐science community. We examined the priorities and practices of U.S.‐based private foundations that support biodiversity conservation. We surveyed 50 donor members of the Consultative Group on Biological Diversity (CGBD) to address three questions: (1) What support do CGBD members provide for conservation science? (2) How do CGBD members use conservation science in their grant making and strategic thinking? (3) How do CGBD members obtain information about conservation science? The 38 donor institutions that responded to the survey made $340 million in grants for conservation in 2005, including $62 million for conservation science. Individual foundations varied substantially in the proportion of conservation funds allocated to science. Foundations also varied in the ways and degree to which they used conservation science to guide their grant making. Respondents found it “somewhat difficult” to stay informed about conservation science relevant to their work, reporting that they accessed conservation science information mainly through their grantees. Many funders reported concerns about the strategic utility of funding conservation science to achieve conservation gains. To increase investment by private foundations in conservation science, funders, researchers, and conservation practitioners need to jointly identify when and how new scientific knowledge will lower barriers to conservation gains. We envision an evolving relationship between funders and conservation scientists that emphasizes primary research and synthesis motivated by (1) applicability, (2) human‐ecosystem interactions, (3) active engagement among scientists and decision makers, and (4) broader communication of relevant scientific information.     

Spatial and age-related variation in use of locally common song elements in dawn singing of song sparrows <Emphasis Type="Italic">Melospiza melodia</Emphasis>: old males sing the hits

In many songbirds, individuals have repertoires of multiple song types, some of which may be shared with others in the local area. Hypotheses about the evolution of song repertoires differ as to whether selection acts primarily on repertoire size itself or the ability to match songs of neighbours. We used a 16-channel acoustic location system to record neighbourhoods of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia melodia) during the dawn chorus. We asked whether males sing all songs with similar frequency as predicted by the Repertoire Size Hypothesis, whether males preferentially sing highly shared songs as predicted by the General Sharing Hypothesis, or whether use of highly shared songs is associated with phenotype as predicted by the Conditional Sharing Hypothesis. Contrary to the Repertoire Size Hypothesis, most males did not sing all songs equally often. Contrary to the General Sharing Hypothesis, we found no general tendency to overproduce highly shared songs. The degree to which males overproduced highly shared songs was repeatable across days, indicating consistent individual differences, and varied across neighbourhoods. Moreover, and consistent with the Conditional Sharing Hypothesis, older males were more likely to overproduce highly shared songs. If highly shared song is a conventional signal of aggression, with the threat of receiver retaliation maintaining honesty, older males may be more willing or able to risk conflict. Alternatively, males may learn which songs are effective signals for an area. Finally, age-related variation in vocal performance may shape the adaptive value of highly shared song.     

Effects of nematicides on population of pratylenchus penetrans and growth of flue‐cured tobacco

Abstract

Field studies were conducted on loamy sand at Tamscu farm, Delhi, Ontario, to compare the spring ridge application of Telone C17 at 73 and 101L/ha, Vorlex at 28 and 84L/ha, Vorlex CP at 50L/ha, and spring rotovated application of oxamyl at 2.24kg/ha respectively for the control of Pratylenchus penetrans (Cobb) Filip. and Stek., and for effects on the yield and quality of fluecured tobacco. Experiments were conducted on May 9 in an area that had been summer fallowed in previous year. Nematode densities of P. penetrans per kilogram of soil were lower than other treatments and controls with Telone C17 at 73 L/ha treated plots on May 24; with Vorlex at 28 L on June 7; Vorlex at 84 L on May 24 and on June 7; Vorlex CP on June 7, and with oxamyl on Sept. 6. The nematode population counts per gram dry weight of root were lower with Telone C17 at 73 L/ha on June 7, July 5, and at 101 L/ha on July 5; with Vorlex at 28 L/ha on June 7, July 5, and Sept. 6; with Vorlex at 84 L/ha on June 7, June 21, July 5 and Sept. 6, and with Vorlex CP at 50 L/ha on June 7, July 5 and Sept. 6 in the ridged soil. The population was lower with oxamyl on June 21, July 5, and Sept. 6 in the rotovated soils. There was no difference in the agronomic data on yield, indices of grade, crop and maturity, while tobacco plant height and dry weight in the ridged fanning were greater with treatments of Vorlex at 84 L and Vorlex CP at 50 L/ha. The ridged farming had greater yield of tobacco than rotovated farming. Vorlex was the most effective of all nematicides used in the experiment.