Influences of Magnesium <Emphasis Type="Italic">tri-</Emphasis>Silicate on the Physical,Mechanical, and Degradable Properties of Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation Cured Plain Board Surface

A series of formulations were prepared with different percentages of oligomer, epoxy diacrylate (EA-1020 ), monomer, 1,6 Hexane diol diacrylate,(HDDA) and different percentages of filler (Magnesium tri-silicate, Mg₂Si₃O₈). Irgacure 369 [2-Benzyl-2-dimethyl-amine-1 (4-morpholinophenyl) butanone-1] was used in the formulations as photoinitiator. Ultraviolet (UV) cured thin polymer films were prepared from these formulating solutions on clean glass plates. Pendulum hardness (PH), gel content and macro scratch hardness (MSH) of the UV cured films were studied. One percent Mg₂Si₃O₈ containing formulation showed the premium properties. The substrates (plain board) were coated by these formulating solutions and cured under the same UV lamp at different intensities of radiation. Various properties of the coated surface such as PH, gloss, adhesion, abrasion and MSH were investigated. The base coat containing 1% Mg₂Si₃O₈ and top coat containing 48% HDDA produced the best performance among all the formulations inspected. The degradable properties in different weathering conditions on PH, gloss, adhesion, abrasion and MSH were measured. The surface cured with the optimized formulation (E) again yielded the minimum loss of the properties.     

Assessment of older drivers: relationships among on-road errors, medical conditions and test outcome

PROBLEM: It is essential that driver licensing authorities have a valid and reliable system for evaluating older drivers' continuing competency; road tests are usually required as part of such a system. This study sought to find information about the nature of driving errors made during license review tests, and about relationships between error type and test outcome for older drivers. METHOD: Data from licensing authority files from 533 road tests during a 12-month period were analyzed; medical and other referral information was included. Average driver age was 76 years. Performance scores were generated for intersection negotiation, lane changing, low speed manoeuvres, positioning and speed control, safety margin, and car control. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that test outcome was well predicted by a subset of driving performance scores; adding driver age to the model explained very little variance. Age alone was strongly associated with outcome. Relationships between referral information and test outcome are also reported. IMPACT: Results highlight several factors relevant to the development of more valid and reliable road tests for older drivers.     

Utilization of Photographs for Determining Impact Indicators for Trail Management

Indicators are a key component of resource management, but selecting them can be difficult and controversial. This study explores different methods for selecting impact indicators for management of trail conditions by comparing photo survey methods (PSM) with written survey methods (WSM). A total of 661 subjects participated in interviews conducted within Mudeung- Mountain Provincial Park in Kwang-ju, Korea. PSM explained variation in acceptability better than WSM. Six major photo components (in order of importance: area of large rocks on trail, area of wood steps, area of bare roots, area of bare soil, area of small stones, and area of stone steps) explained 84.7% of the variation in acceptability of trail management conditions. This study suggests that PSM can be a useful tool for selecting impact indicators. Supported by the grant of Post-Doctoral Program, Chonbuk National University (2001)     

Forest Perception and Knowledge of Hikers and Mountain Bikers in Two Different Areas in Northwestern Switzerland

Recreational activities can have major impacts on vegetation and wildlife in frequently visited forests. We assessed forest perception and knowledge (state, functions, and species diversity) among hikers and mountain bikers in a frequently visited, seminatural suburban recreation forest (Muttenz) and in a more distantly situated, naturally grown excursion forest (Wasserfallen) in northwestern Switzerland. In all, 239 hikers and 126 mountain bikers were interviewed. Mountain bikers in both forests and hikers in the more intensely used recreation forest at Muttenz assessed the state of the forest less optimistically and showed a higher awareness of the negative impact of recreational activities on the flora and fauna than hikers at Wasserfallen. Furthermore, mountain bikers seemed aware of the social conflicts caused by their activity, since they appreciated neutral or positive encounters with other forest visitors. In contrast, 57% of hikers at Muttenz reported on negative experiences with other forest visitors, particularly with mountain bikers. In general, the interviewees ecological and biological forest knowledge (forest type and function, species diversity) was rather high. A large proportion was aware of the pros and cons of different forest conditions for plants and animals, and could name or recognize at least some plant and/or animal species typical for the visited forest. The forest knowledge was neither influenced by the type of recreational activity carried out nor by any aspect of forest visit behavior (frequency and duration of forest visits, means of transportation and travel distance to forest). However, the interviewees forest knowledge was influenced by their age and educational level.     

Determination of explosion limits – Criterion for ignition under non-atmospheric conditions

Many industrial processes are run at non-atmospheric conditions (elevated temperatures and pressures, other oxidizers than air). To judge whether and if yes to what extent explosive gas(vapor)/air mixtures will occur or may be generated during malfunction it is necessary to know the safety characteristic data at the respective conditions. Safety characteristic data like explosion limits, are depending on pressure, temperature and the oxidizer. Most of the determination methods are standardized for ambient conditions. In order to obtain determination methods for non-atmospheric conditions, particularly for higher initial pressures, reliable ignition criteria were investigated. Ignition tests at the explosion limits were carried out for mixtures of methane, propane, n-butane, n-hexane, hydrogen, ammonia and acetone in air at initial pressures up to 20 bar. The tests have been evaluated according to different ignition criteria: visual flame propagation, temperature and pressure rising. It could be shown that flame propagation and occasionally self-sustained combustion for several seconds occurred together with remarkable temperature rise, although the pressure rise was below 3%. The results showed that the combination of a pressure rise criterion of 2% and a temperature rise criterion of 100 K seems to be a suitable ignition criterion for the determination of explosion limits and limiting oxidizer concentration at higher initial pressures and elevated temperatures. The tests were carried out within the framework of a R&D project founded by the German Ministry of Economics and Technology.     

Evaluation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as probiotic agent with aflatoxin B1 adsorption ability for use in poultry feedstuffs

In this study the aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) removal capacity, the tolerance to salivary and gastrointestinal conditions, autoaggregation and coaggregation with pathogenic bacteria of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from broiler feces, were evaluated. Only four of twelve isolated strains were identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae using molecular techniques. The results obtained in AFB₁ binding studies indicated that the amount of AFB₁ removed was both strain and mycotoxin-concentration dependent. Therefore, a theoretical model was applied in order to select the most efficient strain to remove AFB₁ in a wide range of mycotoxin concentration. The results indicated that S. cerevisiae 08 and S. cerevisiae 01 strains were the most efficient microorganisms in the mycotoxin removal. Viability on simulated salivary and gastrointestinal conditions was investigated and S. cerevisiae 08 strain showed the best results, achieving 98% of total survival whereas S. cerevisiae 01 reached only 75%. Autoaggregation and coaggregation assays showed S. cerevisiae 08 as the most appropriate strain, mainly because it was the unique strain able to coaggregate with the four bacterial pathogens assayed. Consequently, S. cerevisiae 08 is the best candidate for future in vivo studies useful to prevent aflatoxicosis. Further quantitative in vitro and in vivo studies are required to evaluate the real impact of yeast-binding activity on the bioavailability of AFB₁ in poultry. However, this study could be useful in selecting efficient strains in terms of AFB₁ binding and provide an important contribution to research into microorganisms with potential probiotic effects on the host.     

固定化白地霉处理高硬度及高矿化度岩溶水的研究

为了使白地霉固定化小球处理太原市地下岩溶水达到最佳絮凝效果,分别研究了白地霉菌体的最佳扩大培养条件.同时,分别选用海藻酸钠(SA)、聚乙烯醇-海藻酸钠(PVA-SA)及聚乙烯醇-海藻酸钠-明胶(PVA-SA-明胶)作为固定化剂,固定化白地霉菌体,进行絮凝性能分析.最后,确定了固定化小球处理岩溶水的最佳搅拌时间及投加量,并与六水合氯化铝、自制三元复合吸附剂及壳聚糖的5%冰醋酸溶液的絮凝效果进行了比较.结果表明,将白地霉种子培养基按3%的接种量接入白地霉扩大培养基3中进行扩大培养,可在第2d获取活性较好的大量白地霉菌体进行固定化.处理岩溶水时应选用PVA-SA-明胶固定化的白地霉小球,并在其投加量为4g·L-1、搅拌时间为60min时,对岩溶水矿化度、硬度的最大絮凝率分别为96.88%、50.00%.经与化学混凝剂絮凝性能对比发现,微生物絮凝剂具有操作简便、无二次污染、絮凝效果较好的优点.     

厌氧微网反应器处理生活污水膜污染物研究

采用涤纶网加工的微网膜组件与厌氧反应器结合构成厌氧微网生物反应器用于处理城市生活污水。在不同反应器形式和水力停留时间条件下反应器稳定运行了144 d。研究结果表明完全搅拌反应器在膜通量12 L/(m2.h)条件下跨膜压差变化较小,整体出水水质高于无搅拌式反应器。通过膜面SS含量测定、粒径和三维荧光光谱分析等方法对膜面污染物进行了系统分析。无搅拌式AnFBR随着停留时间的延长,膜面污染物的SS减少,粒径减小;完全搅拌式AnFBR膜面污染物的SS最少,粒径最小。三位荧光分析表明SMP主要有2个类蛋白质荧光峰A和B,中心位置(Ex/Em)分别位于230~235/335~350 nm及280~290/330~355 nm,EPS样品中除了峰A和峰B外还有2个峰,峰C位置(Ex/Em)在340~350/435~445 nm,与类富里酸物质有关,峰D位于420~440/465~515 nm,与类腐殖酸物质有关。     

北京地区大气温湿廓线对气溶胶垂直分布的影响

目的分析北京地区大气温湿廓线对气溶胶垂直分布的影响。方法利用北京地区2017年9月至2018年8月每日两次(08时和20时)的气象探空、地面PM_(2.5)浓度和气溶胶激光雷达消光系数资料,分析不同污染条件下大气温湿廓线与气溶胶消光系数廓线的关系。结果地面PM_(2.5)浓度和210m气溶胶消光系数的相关系数达到0.77。春季、秋季和冬季污染条件下的近地面消光系数约是清洁条件下的5倍,夏季污染条件下的近地面消光系数约是清洁条件下的3倍。相比清洁条件下,污染条件下各季节的大气温度垂直递减率偏小,并且低层大气相对湿度偏大。结论大气温度廓线代表大气层结稳定性,影响气溶胶的扩散高度,而相对湿度廓线与气溶胶吸湿增长密切相关,两者对气溶胶消光系数的垂直分布都有重要影响。     

The Reproductive Capacity of Plants in a Gradient of Chemical Environmental Pollution

The reproductive capacity of Taraxacum officinale s.l. (two morphological forms: T. off. f. dahlstedtii Lindb. fil. and T. off. f. pectinatiforme Lindb. fil.) under conditions of chemical environmental pollution was studied in years differing in weather conditions. The number of generative shoots in plants increased along the toxic load gradient, which led to an increase in the total number of seeds and the weight of filled seeds. The relative energy value of seeds was determined from the amount of plastic substances in them. The number of seeds was shown to increase at a considerably higher rate than the energy expenditures for the formation of each seed. A general principle was revealed that determines the energy expenditures for the formation of a normal seed in both T. officinale forms under different weather conditions and under the chemical pollution of the environment.