The aim of this study was to relate placental transfer, quantified by the cord to maternal serum concentration ratio (C/M), of five organochlorine pesticides (OCP) hexachlorobenzene (HCB), ...β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH) ,
p
,
p
'-DDT,
p
,
p
'-DDE and 15 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (28, 52, 101, 105, 114, 118, 123
+149
, 138
+163
, 153, 156
+171
, 157, 167, 170, 180, and 189) to anthropometric, socioeconomic, and maternal health characteristics. We included into the study 1,134 births during the period 2002–2004 from two districts in eastern Slovakia with high organochlorine concentrations relative to other areas of the world. Only concentrations >LOD were taken into account. Variables as age, weight and height of mothers, parity, ethnicity, alcohol consumption, illness during pregnancy, smoking during pregnancy, hypertension, respiratory diseases, rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes mellitus, and birth weight were related to C/M. Results of regression analyses showed that C/M was predicted by several factors studied. Positive associations were observed for gestational alcohol consumption, fewer illnesses during pregnancy, maternal age, and maternal weight. Caucasians had a greater C/M compared to Romani for wet weight data of congeners 170 and 180 and in contrast C/M for HCB was greater in Romani. Our results show that drinking mothers compared to abstaining expose their fetuses not only to alcohol but to an increased level of several PCB congeners. A straightforward explanation of associations between C/M shifts and factors studied is very difficult, however, with regard to the high lipophilicity of OCPs and PCBs, changes in their kinetics probably reflect lipid kinetics.
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CEKLJ, EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Frothers are surfactants used in flotation to aid generation of small bubbles, an effect attributed to coalescence prevention. Studying coalescence at the moment of bubble creation is a challenge ...because events occur over a time frame of milliseconds. This communication introduces a novel acoustic technique to study coalescence as bubbles are generated at a capillary. The sound signal was linked to bubble formation and coalescence events using high-speed cinematography. The technique has the resolution to detect events that occur within 1–2 ms. The results show that for common flotation frothers and
n-alcohols (C
4–C
8) coalescence prevention is not simply related to surface activity. A total stress model is used to give a qualitative explanation to the action observed. Results for salt (sodium chloride) are included for comparison.
A novel acoustic technique to study coalescence as bubbles are generated at a capillary is presented. Results of coalescence prevention in presence of surfactants and salt are also included.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
This contribution explores the influence of curved unstable distillation boundaries on the performance of batch distillations in ternary mixtures and its incorporation into a conceptual modeling ...framework under the assumption of a batch rectifier with an infinite number of stages. First, the concept of preferred separation in batch distillation is presented. Calculation of “pitchfork” distillation boundaries is then determined using a robust predictor-corrector algorithm based on improved memory method with the purpose of estimating the maximum feasible distillate composition in the preferred separation line. Four highly nonideal systems are studied. Finally, the model is extended to allow simulation of the operation at different reflux policies. Results of a complete simulation performed with the enhanced conceptual model are shown for the system octane/2-ethoxyethanol/ethylbenzene.
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IJS, KILJ, NUK, PNG, UL, UM
Background:
We examined the probabilities of longitudinal care outcomes of working-aged patients with alcohol-use disorder (AUD) and their alcohol-related treatment utilisation patterns across the ...healthcare services, by using linked electronic health records.
Methods:
A random sample (n = 396) of patients with alcohol-related visits to healthcare services in 2011–2012 was collected retrospectively from the electronic health record data in the North Karelia region of Finland and followed prospectively in time until the end of 2016. Data on care outcomes and alcohol-related healthcare use were gathered from the electronic health records. Three outcome groups were identified: (1) dead, (2) present AUD, and (3) remission. Group differences in alcohol-related health service use were compared.
Results:
At the end of the follow-up period, an increased mortality rate of 22.9% was observed, and 18.4% had achieved stable remission, while for the majority (56%), the AUD remained. Most of those in remission had contact with either specialised AUD services or mental health services. Conversely, the majority of those who had died had no contact with specialised AUD services during the follow-up period.
Conclusions:
The electronic-health-record-based register analysis captured mainly individuals with advanced forms of AUD. An excess mortality rate and other negative health consequences were observed. Training providers to identify and treat earlier the less severe forms of AUD could have major benefit to patients and also reduce health system costs.
Cu–ZnO and Mn–Cu–ZnO catalysts have been prepared by electrodeposition and tested for the synthesis of higher alcohols via CO hydrogenation. The catalysts were prepared in the form of nanowires and ...nanotubes using a nanoporous polycarbonate membrane, which served as a template for the electrodeposition of the precursor metals from an aqueous electrolyte solution. Electrodeposition was carried out using variable amounts of Zn(NO
3)
2, Cu(NO
3)
2, Mn(NO
3)
2 and NH
4NO
3 at different galvanostatic conditions. A fixed bed reactor was used to study the reaction of CO and H
2 to produce alcohols at 270
°C, 10–20
bar, H
2/CO
=
2/1, and 10,000–33,000
scc/h
g
cat. In addition to methane and CO
2, methanol was the main alcohol product. The addition of manganese to the Cu–ZnO catalyst increased the selectivity toward higher alcohols by reducing methane formation; however, CO
2 selectivity remained high. Maximum ethanol selectivity was 5.5%, measured as carbon efficiency.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
This article investigates how treatment factors are described by different client groups and by treatment staff. The material consists of interviews with clients (n = 81) and treatment staff (n = ...18). The analysis focuses on two central themes - the importance of the treatment group and of the treatment staff, along with how these descriptions relate to the concept of the therapeutic alliance. The descriptions differ in parts between the client groups and between clients and staff. Clients as well as staff highlight structural and qualitative aspects of cohesion, but general patterns of how these are expressed in the groups are hard to grasp. However, some exceptions appear; while the clients often relate recognition to own experience of substance abuse, the staff often refer to external aspects of recognition, such as gender and/or experience of parenting. The results indicate that the social preconditions of the group members can influence group cohesion. In the treatment, focus is initially on cohesion and later on making change possible. This might create a dilemma; the homogeneity that initially creates cohesion can also act as a restraint on change. This is described in the results in relation to gender homogeneous client groups in treatment.
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BFBNIB, NUK, ODKLJ, PILJ, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK, VSZLJ
Electrocatalytic properties of ligand‐free gold nanoclusters (AuNCs, <2 nm) grown on nitrided carbon supports (denoted as AuNCs@N‐C) were evaluated for the oxidation of representative organic ...molecules including alcohols, an amine, and deoxyguanosine in oligonucleotides. AuNCs@N‐C catalysts were incorporated into films of architecture {PDDA/AuNCs@N‐C}n by using layer‐by‐layer assembly with oppositely charged poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDDA) on pyrolytic graphite (PG) electrodes. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to survey the electrocatalytic properties of these AuNCs@N‐C films. Ligand‐free AuNCs in these films demonstrated excellent electrocatalytic oxidation activity with maximum peak currents and the lowest potentials for oxidizing ethanol, propanol, and tripropylamine (TprA) compared to controls with Au‐surface capping agents or to larger sized Au nanocrystals on the nitrided carbon supports. EIS kinetic studies showed that ligand‐free AuNCs films have the smallest charge‐transfer resistance, largest electrochemically active surface area, and largest apparent standard rate constants, as compared to the control films for all compounds examined. DNA films on AuNCs@N‐C were oxidized at deoxyguanosine moieties with good catalytic activity that depended on charge transport within the films.
Good as gold: Ligand‐free Au nanoclusters supported on nitrided carbon nanoparticles and assembled into layer‐by‐layer films of {PDDA/AuNCs@N‐C}n are found to be highly active for the electrocatalytic oxidation of alcohols, an amine, and DNA.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
► Polymeric materials exposed to E20 showed mass increases below 10%. ► Ethanol absorption by some polymers is due to the high affinity of the amide group with the hydroxyl group. ► Some polymers ...displayed a greater hardness decrease in samples immersed in gasoline than samples immersed in the E20. ► There were changes in the crystallinity of the PA66 after being exposed to both fuels.
Ethanol has become one of the main components for reformulated fuels because it is able to comply with environmental regulations. Biofuels have great advantages due to their physical and chemical characteristics, raw materials and production costs. However, they also have some disadvantages, mainly in terms of their compatibility with existing materials. Some components that are normally compatible with gasoline can be degraded by the presence of ethanol in fuel. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and chemical behavior of different polymeric materials typically used in autoparts, exposed in a mixture of gasoline and ethanol. To evaluate the resistance to degradation of the polymer samples, a continuous immersion test was performed according to SAE 1748. The effects of the 20% ethanol −80% gasoline mixture (E20) were examined by comparing changes in gain/loss of mass and by measuring the Shore-D hardness of the material at the end of exposure. The characterization of polymers was carried out before and after exposure by using the techniques of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). In general, polymeric materials submerged in gasoline showed negligible changes in mass. Samples of POM, HDPE, PA6/6 and PA6 exposed to E20 showed mass increases below 10%. The chemical structure and mechanical properties (hardness) of the evaluated polymers were not significantly affected by the E20 blend with the exception of PA66. Since significant changes were observed in the thermal properties of this polymer, it can be concluded that it was at the limit of compatibility.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
500.
The American Drug Culture Weinberg, Thomas S; falk, Gerhard J; Falk, Ursula Adler
2018, 2019, 2017-12-28, 2017-12-14
eBook
The American Drug Culture uses sociological and other perspectives to examine drug and alcohol use in U.S. society. Arranged topically rather than by drug categories, the book explores diverse ...aspects of drug use, including popular culture, sexuality, legal and criminal justice systems, other social institutions, and mental and physical health.
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