Negatively-charged air conditions and responses of the human psycho-neuro-endocrino-immune network

BACKGROUND: Against increasing environmental adverse effects on human health such as those associated with water and ground pollution, as well as out- and indoor air conditions, trials were conducted to support and promote human health by improving the indoor air atmosphere. This study was performed to estimate the effect of negatively-charged air conditions on human biological markers related to the psycho-neuro-endocrino-immune (PNEI) network. OBJECTIVES: After construction of negatively-charged experimental rooms (NCRs), healthy volunteers were admitted to these rooms and control rooms (CTRs) and various biological responses were analyzed. METHODS: NCRs were constructed using a fine charcoal coating and applying an electric voltage (72 V) between the backside of walls and the ground. Various biological markers were monitored that related to general conditions, autonomic nervous systems, stress markers, immunological parameters and blood flow. RESULTS: Regarding the indoor environment, only negatively-charged air resulted in the difference between the CTR and NCR groups. The well-controlled experimental model-room to examine the biological effects of negatively-charged air was therefore established. Among the various parameters, IL-2, IL-4, the mean RR interval of the heart rate, and blood viscosity differed significantly between the CTR and NCR groups. In addition, the following formula was used to detect NCR-biological responses: Biological Response Value (BRV)=0.498+0.0005 [salivary cortisol]+0.072 [IL-2]+0.003 [HRM-SD]-0.013 [blood viscosity]-0.009 [blood sugar]+0.017 [pulse rate]. CONCLUSIONS: Negatively-charged air conditions activated the immune system slightly, smoothened blood flow and stabilized the autonomic nervous system. Although this is the first report to analyze negatively-charged air conditions on human biological responses, the long-term effects should be analyzed for the general use of these artificial atmospheres.     

Suppression of arsenic leaching from excavated soil and the contribution of soluble and insoluble components in steel slag on arsenic immobilization

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A huge amount of soil is excavated by tunnel and road construction projects in urban, coastal, and mountainous regions. These projects enable the...     

Removal of chloride from ethylene glycol solution using alumina/zeolite membrane as a physical boundary between the organic and aqueous phases

The permeation of Cl^? ions from a NaCl/ethylene glycol (EG) solution during electrodialysis was investigated using alumina and alumina/zeolite membranes. Voltage changes had very little effect on Cl^? permeation through the alumina membrane, suggesting that the driving force for the permeation was concentration-gradient-induced diffusion, and not the electric field. Solvation of the Na⁺ ions by EG resulted in EG migration through the membrane. Replacement of the deionized water (electrolyte) in the anodic cell with NaOH resulted in increased Cl^? permeation, although a greater amount of EG migrated into the NaOH solution as well. No notable difference was observed in Cl^? permeation through the alumina and alumina/zeolite membranes, but EG migration decreased when using the latter membrane, suggesting that EG migration was prevented by the zeolite layer. The proposed alumina/zeolite membrane is, hence, useful for solvent recovery by electrodialysis, but its mechanical stability must be improved for industrial applications.     

Electrodialysis for NaCl/EG solution using ion-exchange membranes

A new concept for the recycling of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) has been introduced, including the dehydrochlorination of PVC in ethylene glycol (EG) with NaOH as a reactant, the subsequent separation of NaCl from EG by electrodialysis, and the recovery of chlorine for the synthesis of new PVC. In this work, the separation of NaCl by electrodialysis was investigated. About 98 % of the salt were recovered from EG, with less than 10 % of the EG permeating the membranes after 5 h.     

Situational characteristics of fatal pedestrian accidents involving vehicles traveling at low speeds in Japan

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the situational characteristics of fatal pedestrian accidents involving vehicles traveling at low speeds in Japan. We focused on vehicles with 4 or more wheels. Such characteristics included daytime or nighttime conditions, road type, vehicle behaviors preceding the accident, and vehicle impact locations.

Methods: Pedestrian fatality data on vehicle–pedestrian accidents were obtained from the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis of Japan (ITARDA) from 2005 to 2014. Nine vehicle classifications were considered: Trucks with gross vehicle weight (GVW) ≥7.5 tons and <7.5 tons, buses, box vans, minivans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs), sedans, light passenger cars (LPCs), and light cargo vans (LCVs). We compared the situational daytime or nighttime conditions, road type, vehicle behaviors preceding the accident, and vehicle impact locations for accident-involved vehicles traveling at low and higher speeds across all vehicle types.

Results: The results indicate that pedestrian fatalities involving vehicles traveling at low speeds occurred more often under daytime conditions across all vehicle types. At signalized intersections, the relative proportions of pedestrian fatalities were significantly higher when vehicles were traveling at low speed, except when the accidents involved box vans or SUVs. Similarly, when vehicles turned right, the relative proportions of pedestrian fatalities were significantly higher when vehicles traveling at low speed were involved across all vehicle types. In terms of the frontal right vehicle impact location, the relative proportions of pedestrian fatalities were significantly higher when trucks with GVW ≥7.5 tons or <7.5 tons, sedans, or LCVs traveling at low speed were involved.

Conclusions: The situational characteristics of fatal pedestrian accidents involving vehicles traveling at low speeds identified in this study can guide targeted development of new traffic safety regulations or technologies specific to vehicle–pedestrian interactions at low vehicle travel speeds (i.e., driver alert devices or automated emergency braking systems). Ultimately, these developments can improve pedestrian safety by reducing the frequency or severity of vehicle–pedestrian accidents for vehicles turning right at intersections and/or reducing the number of resultant pedestrian fatalities.     

Evaluation of the physiology of miniature pig fed Shochu distillery waste using mRNA expression profiling

Journal of Material Cycles and Waste Management - Shochu distillery waste is the discarded material generated during Shochu production, and it has been used as feed for livestock. In this study, we...