Evidence of reproductive disturbance in Astyanax lacustris (Teleostei: Characiformes) from the Doce River after the collapse of the Fundão Dam in Mariana,Brazil

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The Fundão Dam collapsed, on November 5th, 2015, dumping more than 50 million/m3 of iron ore tailings, enriched with metals, into the Doce River...     

Correction to: An automated assessment method for integrated circuit chip detachment from printed circuit board by multistep binarization and template matching of X-ray transmission images

Given the increase in digital product waste, demand for recycling of printed circuit boards (PCBs) is increasing. Precious and minor metals are often well concentrated in integrated circuit (IC) chips, especially in PCBs; hence, IC chips are primary targets for recycling. The technology for the non-destructive detachment of IC chips from PCBs is increasing in sophistication; however, the effectiveness of IC chip detachment is currently assessed manually and visually. In the present study, an automated IC chip detachment assessment method was developed, which combines multistep binarization and template matching of X-ray transmission images of crushed PCBs. To validate the method, five types of mechanically crushed PCBs from mobile phones were examined, and the developed method successfully assessed the IC chip detachment rate, with an average error rate of only 2.2% compared to visual assessment.

     

Crystallization Behavior and Dynamic Mechanical Properties of Poly(l-Lactic Acid) with Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Terminated by Benzoate

Effect of the addition of poly(ethylene glycol) terminated by benzoate (PEG-BA) on the crystallization behavior and dynamic mechanical properties of poly(l-lactic acid) PLLA is studied as compared with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-OH). It is found that PEG-BA is miscible with PLLA and shows good plasticizing effect. Because PEG-OH having the same degree of polymerization is immiscible with PLLA, the end group in PEG-BA, i.e., benzoate, plays an important role in the miscibility. Furthermore, PEG-BA does not induce the PLLA degradation at melt-processing, whereas PEG-OH leads to the hydrolysis degradation. Finally, the addition of PEG-BA pronounces the crystallization rate of PLLA at low crystallization temperatures and thus enhances the degree of crystallinity at conventional processing. Consequently, the temperature dependence of dynamic mechanical properties are similar to that for isotactic polypropylene.     

Chronic kidney diseases of uncertain etiology (CKDue) in Sri Lanka: geographic distribution and environmental implications

The increase in the number of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients from the north central region of Sri Lanka has become a environmental health issue of national concern. Unlike in other countries where long-standing diabetes and hypertension are the leading causes of renal diseases, the majority of CKD patients from this part of Sri Lanka do not show any identifiable cause. As the disease is restricted to a remarkably specific geographical terrain, particularly in the north central dry zone of the country, multidisciplinary in-depth research studies are required to identify possible etiologies and risk factors. During this study, population screening in the prevalent region and outside the region, analysis of geoenvironmental and biochemical samples were carried out. Population screening that was carried out using a multistage sampling technique indicated that the point prevalence of CKD with uncertain etiology is about 2–3% among those above 18 years of age. Drinking water collected from high-prevalent and non-endemic regions was analyzed for their trace and ultratrace element contents, including the nephrotoxic heavy metals Cd and U using ICP-MS. The results indicate that the affected regions contain moderate to high levels of fluoride. The Cd contents in drinking water, rice from affected regions and urine from symptomatic and non-symptomatic patients were much lower indicating that Cd is not a contributing factor for CKD with uncertain etiology in Sri Lanka. Although no single geochemical parameter could be clearly and directly related to the CKD etiology on the basis of the elements determined during this study, it is very likely that the unique hydrogeochemistry of the drinking water is closely associated with the incidence of the disease.     

Solventless Delignification of Wood Flour with TiO2/poly(ethylene oxide) Photocatalyst System

A novel solventless delignification of a defatted Picea glehnii wood flour sample was performed using a TiO₂/polyethylene oxide (PEO) photocatalyst system. A cell wall structure of the wood flour was directly observed, showing that its lignin fraction was removed by the photodegradation. The total lignin amount was slightly decreased as compared with that of the pristine sample, and the vanillin formation was confirmed by the ¹H-NMR measurement. The TiO₂ worked as a radical initiator, and simultaneously acid and aldehyde compounds produced by the PEO photolysis did as an accelerator for the solventless delignification. Although the photocatalyst system showed high delignification activity even for a low molecular lignin model, the delignification of the wood flour sample was confined to the surface. It was found that the suppressed delignification behavior was due to crosslinked structure of lignin.     

Municipal solid waste composition and food loss reduction in Kyoto City

For 35 years, Kyoto City has conducted detailed household waste composition surveys under the guidance of Kyoto University by dividing household waste into approximately 400 categories. In addition, the city has conducted detailed composition surveys of commercial waste generated by businesses. These surveys show that food loss accounts for approximately 40% of total waste, of which leftovers and untouched food account for about 40% in both households and business facilities. Consequently, the annual generation of household and commercial food loss is estimated at about 30,000 tons. Various efforts have been made to reduce waste, including food loss, but further reduction in environmental burden is needed. Thus, Kyoto City revised the ordinance for waste reduction, and in March 2015, formulated a new municipal waste management plan. The plan not only includes the 2Rs (reduce, reuse), but also, for the first time in Japan, sets quantitative targets for reducing food loss. Kyoto City must ensure that the necessary waste reduction measures are clearly explained to the residents and business operators. To ensure that this plan is successful, it is important to clarify concrete actions that residents and business operators should implement, along with their effects.