Energy consumption analysis of ABS plastic parts injected in a hybrid injection moulding machine

The energy analysis of injection moulding processes is influenced by complex interactions amongst the moulded part, its material, the injection machine, the process parameters and the environmental conditions. The availability of energy usage analyses that comprehend information on specific materials and machine kind is limited. This paper reports a study that estimates and analyses the power usage profile (PUP), the specific energy consumption (SEC), and the energy distribution at an operation level of two different injected parts made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene and produced in a hybrid injection moulding machine. The methodology followed by the authors incorporates an experiment carried out in an industrial facility. A large sample size, and data-acquisition and data post-processing processes to obtain an accurate PUP and SEC are used. A breakdown of the energy consumed by the injection moulding process of the parts studied at an operation level using Sankey diagrams is discussed. The study results are used to identify strategies to reduce the energy consumed by the processes. The methodology employed, and the strategies reported could be used with other plastic parts regardless of the material and machine used. The results reported are new experimental data useful input for theoretical models.     

Males as infant protectors in Hanuman langurs (Presbytis entellus) living in multimale groups – defence pattern, paternity and sexual behaviour

Hypotheses about the evolution of gregariousness and social organisation in primates are based on ecological explanations as well as on social factors such as conspecific threat (especially infanticide by males). The social explanation fits well with the conditions found in strepsirrhine primates and furthermore explains why infanticide in anthropoid primates living in one-male groups mainly occurs when the resident male (protector) is replaced. However, whether it likewise fits to the conditions in multimale groups will depend on the role of resident males as infant protectors, which has rarely been examined. We investigated long-term data of wild Hanuman langurs (Presbytis entellus) inhabiting a forest near the village of Ramnagar (southern Nepal). Twenty-two eye-witnessed attacks on infants by males were analysed in connection with male residency, paternity (DNA analyses) and sexual behaviour. Adult males played a major role in infant defence (65%). Only the genetic father or males who had been residents when the infant was conceived were observed to protect infants. Males who immigrated after a female had conceived may later attack her infant and were never observed to defend it. lt seems that the males took only copulations with potentially fertile females but not with pregnant females as clues for paternity. In the light of these results it seems likely that the risk of infanticide is an important determinant in female-male associations even in anthropoid primate multimale groups. Received: 22 December 1998 / Received in revised form: 30 April 1999 / Accepted: 1 May 1999     

Chemically mediated avoidance of a predatory odonate (Anaxjunius) by American toad (Bufoamericanus) and wood frog (Ranasylvatica) tadpoles

Predators can have significant nonlethal effects on prey by modifying prey behaviour through chemically mediated interactions. We examined behavioural responses of wood frog (Ranasylvatica) and American toad (Bufoamericanus) tadpoles to both direct and indirect chemical signals associated with a predatory odonate (Anaxjunius). In laboratory trials, tadpoles of both species responded strongly to water conditioned with Anax nymphs by decreasing foraging rates, becoming immobile, and moving away from the stimulus. The responses to water conditioned with starved Anax versus Anax that fed on conspecific tadpoles did not differ significantly; these results suggest that tadpoles rely primarily on direct signals to detect odonates. Rana did not respond to water conditioned with conspecific tissue extracts, while Bufo responded with behaviours that were indistinguishable from those of tadpoles exposed to Anax chemicals. In a field experiment, the responses of R. sylvatica tadpoles to Anax chemicals were similar to those of tadpoles observed in the laboratory. Collectively, our data indicate that tadpoles of both species use chemical cues to assess predation risk from other community members. Tadpoles can selectively distinguish members who pose a threat, and only evacuate food patches or reduce foraging rates when in danger. These behaviours appear to be adaptive and are consistent with the predictions of optimality theory. Received: 1 August 1997 / Accepted after revision: 22 November 1997     

Avoidance behaviour of Eisenia fetida to carbofuran, chlorpyrifos, mancozeb and metamidophos in natural soils from the highlands of Colombia

Earthworm avoidance behaviour test is an important screening tool in soil eco-toxicology. This test has been developed and validated under North American and European conditions. However, little research has been performed on the avoidance test in the tropics. This work demonstrates the potential suitability of the avoidance behaviour test as screening method in the highlands of Colombia using Eisenia fetida as the bio-indicator species on contaminated soils with carbofuran and chlorpyrifos. Though for the two active ingredients 100% avoidance was not reached, a curve with six meaningful concentrations is provided. No significant avoidance behaviour trend was found for mancozeb and methamidophos. Tests were conducted in the field yielded similar results to the tests carried out in the laboratory for chlorpyrifos and mancozeb. However, for the case of carbofuran and methamidophos, differences of more than double in avoidance were obtained. Divergence might be explained by soil and temperature conditions.     

Temporal trends in opportunistic citizen science reports across multiple taxa

Opportunistic reporting of species observations to online platforms provide one of the most extensive sources of information about the distribution and status of organisms in the wild. The lack of a clear sampling design, and changes in reporting over time, leads to challenges when analysing these data for temporal change in organisms. To better understand temporal changes in reporting, we use records submitted to an online platform in Sweden (Artportalen), currently containing 80 million records. Focussing on five taxonomic groups, fungi, plants, beetles, butterflies and birds, we decompose change in reporting into long-term and seasonal trends, and effects of weekdays, holidays and weather variables. The large surge in number of records since the launch of the, initially taxa-specific, portals is accompanied by non-trivial long-term and seasonal changes that differ between the taxonomic groups and are likely due to changes in, and differences between, the user communities and observer behaviour. Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13280-021-01550-w.     

Occupational health and safety in the framework of corporate social responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been defined as the voluntary integration of social and environmental concerns into the firm’s decision-making. The search for a good Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) environment and the promotion of a culture of risk prevention are two of the firm’s main social responsibilities, and consequently an integral part of CSR. This paper discusses how the growing interest in corporate social responsibility can contribute to improving the implementation of adequate systems of prevention. For this purpose, we study to what extent OHS issues are present in the field of CSR, and consequently determine which aspects have received the most attention, and which are less well developed; we offer some proposals as well. The methodology followed is a content analysis of the main international CSR management tools.     

Assessing joint toxicity of chemicals in Enchytraeus albidus (Enchytraeidae) and Porcellionides pruinosus (Isopoda) using avoidance behaviour as an endpoint

Contamination problems are often characterized by complex mixtures of chemicals. There are two conceptual models usually used to evaluate patterns of mixture toxicity: Concentration Addition (CA) and Independent Action (IA). Deviations from these models as synergism, antagonism and dose dependency also occur. In the present study, single and mixture toxicity of atrazine, dimethoate, lindane, zinc and cadmium were tested in Porcellionides pruinosus and Enchytraeus albidus, using avoidance as test parameter. For both species patterns of antagonism were found when exposed to dimethoate and atrazine, synergism for lindane and dimethoate exposures (with the exception of lower doses in the isopod case study) and concentration addition for cadmium and zinc occurred, while the exposure to cadmium and dimethoate showed dissimilar patterns.This study highlights the importance of dose dependencies when testing chemical mixtures and that avoidance tests can also be used to asses the effects of mixture toxicity.     

Behaviour of pendimethalin in tropical and mediterranean plain field condition

Abstract

Behaviour of the herbicide pendimethalin [N‐(l‐ethylpropyl)‐3,4‐dimethyl‐2,6‐dinitrobenzenamine] was evaluated in plain field under wet tropical conditions (Martinique, FWI) and in the Mediterranean area (Languedoc, South of France). Simultaneously, adsorption parameters were discussed with Freundlich equation, and desorption evaluated using a model with two compartments corresponding to two different energy levels. Pendimethalin showed a strong adsorption in all three soils and was very difficult to desorb. Higher clay content in tropical vertisol and ferrisol involved adsorption parameters (Kfa) higher than the one found in the Mediterranean fluvisol. Although heavy rainfalls in the tropics intervene on migration, pendimethalin propensity to leaching is levelled by its strong adsorption potential and appears very limited under the conditions chosen during this work. Half‐life of the compound (in the 0–25 cm soil layer) varied from 13 to 17 days. Pendimethalin was also classified as a “non‐leacher” compound using the “Gustafson model”.     

Tsunami Survey Expedition: Preliminary Investigation of Maldivian Coral Reefs Two Weeks After the Event

On December 26th 2004, a earthquake west of Sumatra generated a devastating tsunami. Hundreds of thousands of people fell victim. Economic losses were greatest in those countries dependant on tourism. The impact in the Maldives on persons and things was modest. Immediately following the event and notwithstanding the lack of scientific data, the mass media gave catastrophic reports on the state of coral reefs in the area. This paper reports on the first survey on coral reefs in the Maldives after the Tsunami. Ocean walls, passes, inner reefs, and shoals in the North and South Malé atolls, were surveyed two weeks after the event. Significant damage was recorded in the passes in the South Malé atoll. Our observations showed that the damage was more or less extensive depending on latitude and topography. Sri Lanka may have broken the wave’s rush, reducing the extent of the impact on northern atolls. The water’s acceleration inside the passes was so intense as to cause reef collapses. The observed damage represents a minimum fraction of the entire coral reef system. Tourist perception of the area seems unchanged. These data may be used to disseminate correct information about the state of Maldives coral reefs, which would be useful in relaunching local economy.     

The influence of a voluntary fee in the consumption of plastic bags on supermarkets from Madeira Island (Portugal)

Since 2007, some supermarkets in Portugal have voluntarily abolished the free distribution of plastic bags, implementing a symbolic charge of €0.02 each at the same time that others still offer free plastic bags. This study assesses the influence of this voluntary measure on the reduction of plastic bags consumption, comparing clients from supermarkets that have adopted it with others who have free distribution. The reutilisation of bags reached 37% in supermarkets where customers pay a fee and was absent in supermarkets where plastic bags are free. Even the abstention of using bags, when clients buy only few products, is significantly higher in supermarkets where there are charges for plastic bags. The 2 cents charged has also induced a significant increase in optimal use of plastic bags since 52% of clients that pay for plastic bags use them so they are almost full, but only 17% do the same when they are free. Taken together, the different effects of charging for plastic bags represents a potential reduction of 64%. A mandatory tax on plastic bags is an important measure to reduce substantially the number of plastic bags consumed and to improve sustainability through the reduction of environmental, economic and social costs of pollution and waste management.