Hydrophobicity of hemp shiv treated with sol-gel coatings

This is the first time sol-gel technology is used in the treatment of hemp shiv to develop sustainable thermal insulation building materials. The impact on the hydrophobicity of hemp shiv by depositing functionalised sol-gel coatings using hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) has been investigated. Bio-based materials have tendency to absorb large amounts of water due to their hydrophilic nature and highly porous structure. In this work, the influence of catalysts, solvent dilution and HDTMS loading in the silica sols on the hydrophobicity of hemp shiv surface has been reported. The hydrophobicity of sol-gel coated hemp shiv increased significantly when using acid catalysed sols which provided water contact angles of up to 118° at 1% HDTMS loading. Ethanol diluted sol-gel coatings enhanced the surface roughness of the hemp shiv by 36% as observed under 3D optical profilometer. The XPS results revealed that the surface chemical composition of the hemp shiv was altered by the sol-gel coating, blocking the hydroxyl sites responsible for hydrophilicity

Hydrophobic Sol-Gel Coatings on Bio-Based Materials - Influence of Catalyst and Solvent Concentration

The impact of depositing sol-gel coatings on the hydrophobicity of a bio-based material was investigated in this study. Bio-based materials have tendency to absorb large amounts of water due to their highly porous structure and presence of hydrophilic hydroxyl groups in their structure. For this purpose, two sets of silica sols were prepared to study the influence of catalysts and solvent concentration on the hydrophobicity of hemp shiv. The first set of silica sols were prepared using different acidic (hydrochloric acid and nitric acid) and basic (sodium hydroxide and ammonium hydroxide) catalysts while keeping the concentration of precursors and solvents constant. The hydrophobicity of sol-gel coated hemp shiv increased significantly when using acid catalysed sols resulting in water contact angles of up to 100° using sessile drop method.Therefore, the next set of silica sols were prepared with acidic catalysts using higher concentration of solvent. Hemp shiv coated with ethanol diluted sols showed better hydrophobicity when compared to undiluted sols. This difference in hydrophobicity can be attributed to the change in surface roughness. It was found that silica sols containing higher concentration of solvent provide a uniform coating layer covering the hemp shiv entirely. In contrast, undiluted sol coatings developed minor cracks on the hemp shiv surface as observed under 3D optical profilometer. Therefore, the use of diluted hydrophobic silica sols offers potential for treatment of extremely hydrophilic bio-based materials by sol-gel technology. For practical application of coatings on bio-based materials, diluted silica sols are of interest due to longer shelf life, reduced cost and lower environmental impact of precursors.<br/

A (p)ppGpp-Null Mutant of Haemophilus ducreyi Is Partially Attenuated in Humans Due to Multiple Conflicting Phenotypes

(p)ppGpp responds to nutrient limitation through a global change in gene regulation patterns to increase survival. The stringent response has been implicated in the virulence of several pathogenic bacterial species. Haemophilus ducreyi, the causative agent of chancroid, has homologs of both relA and spoT, which primarily synthesize and hydrolyze (p)ppGpp in Escherichia coli. We constructed relA and relA spoT deletion mutants to assess the contribution of (p)ppGpp to H. ducreyi pathogenesis. Both the relA single mutant and the relA spoT double mutant failed to synthesize (p)ppGpp, suggesting that relA is the primary synthetase of (p)ppGpp in H. ducreyi. Compared to the parent strain, the double mutant was partially attenuated for pustule formation in human volunteers. The double mutant had several phenotypes that favored attenuation, including increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. The increased sensitivity to oxidative stress could be complemented in trans. However, the double mutant also exhibited phenotypes that favored virulence. When grown to the mid-log phase, the double mutant was significantly more resistant than its parent to being taken up by human macrophages and exhibited increased transcription of lspB, which is involved in resistance to phagocytosis. Additionally, compared to the parent, the double mutant also exhibited prolonged survival in the stationary phase. In E. coli, overexpression of DksA compensates for the loss of (p)ppGpp; the H. ducreyi double mutant expressed higher transcript levels of dksA than the parent strain. These data suggest that the partial attenuation of the double mutant is likely the net result of multiple conflicting phenotypes

Hydrophobicity of Hemp Shiv treated with Sol-gel Coatings

This is the first time sol-gel technology is used in the treatment of hemp shiv to develop sustainable thermal insulation building materials. The impact on the hydrophobicity of hemp shiv by depositing functionalised sol-gel coatings using hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS) has been investigated. Bio-based materials have tendency to absorb large amounts of water due to their hydrophilic nature and highly porous structure. In this work, the influence of catalysts, solvent dilution and HDTMS loading in the silica sols on the hydrophobicity of hemp shiv surface has been reported. The hydrophobicity of sol-gel coated hemp shiv increased significantly when using acid catalysed sols which provided water contact angles of up to 118° at 1% HDTMS loading. Ethanol diluted sol-gel coatings enhanced the surface roughness of the hemp shiv by 36% as observed under 3D optical profilometer. The XPS results revealed that the surface chemical composition of the hemp shiv was altered by the sol-gel coating, blocking the hydroxyl sites responsible for hydrophilicity

Ancient Maya Regional Settlement and Inter-Site Analysis: The 2013 West-Central Belize LiDAR Survey

During April and May 2013, a total of 1057 km2 of LiDAR was flown by NCALM for a consortium of archaeologists working in West-central Belize, making this the largest surveyed area within the Mayan lowlands. Encompassing the Belize Valley and the Vaca Plateau, West-central Belize is one of the most actively researched parts of the Maya lowlands; however, until this effort, no comprehensive survey connecting all settlement had been conducted. Archaeological projects have investigated at least 18 different sites within this region. Thus, a large body of archaeological research provides both the temporal and spatial parameters for the varied ancient Maya centers that once occupied this area; importantly, these data can be used to help interpret the collected LiDAR data. The goal of the 2013 LiDAR campaign was to gain information on the distribution of ancient Maya settlement and sites on the landscape and, particularly, to determine how the landscape was used between known centers. The data that were acquired through the 2013 LiDAR campaign have significance for interpreting both the composition and limits of ancient Maya political units. This paper presents the initial results of these new data and suggests a developmental model for ancient Maya polities

A Chemical and Genetic Approach to the Mode of Action of Fumagillin

SummaryPrevious mode of action studies identified methionine aminopeptidase 2 (MetAP-2) as the target of the antiangiogenic natural product fumagillin and its drug candidate analog, TNP-470. We report here that TNP-470-mediated MetAP-2 inhibition blocks noncanonical Wnt signaling, which plays a critical role in development, cell differentiation, and tumorigenesis. Consistent with this finding, antisense MetAP-2 morpholino oligonucleotide injection in zebrafish embryos phenocopies gastrulation defects seen in noncanonical Wnt5 loss-of-function zebrafish mutants. MetAP-2 inhibition or depletion blocks signaling downstream of the Wnt receptor Frizzled, but upstream of Calmodulin-dependent Kinase II, RhoA, and c-Jun N-terminal Kinase. Moreover, we demonstrate that TNP-470 does not block the canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Thus, TNP-470 selectively regulates noncanonical over canonical Wnt signaling and provides a unique means to explore and dissect the biological systems mediated by these pathways

Development of novel building composites based on hemp and multi-functional silica matrix

This study focuses on the development of novel bio-composites using a silica matrix that provides dual functionality: as a hydrophobic surface treatment and as a binder for hemp-shiv. The hydrophilic nature of hemp shiv, a plant based aggregate, results in composites having poor interfacial adhesion, weak mechanical properties and long drying times. In this work, sol-gel process has been utilised to manufacture durable low density hemp based composites. Morphological characterisation by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that hemp shiv was embedded well in the matrix. Detailed chemical analysis using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) indicate the presence of water soluble and ethanol soluble extractives leached from the hemp shiv which are incorporated into the silica matrix inducing the binding effect. The composites were water resistant and showed good mechanical performance having the potential to develop novel thermal insulation building materials

The Vehicle, Spring 1974

Table of Contents PhotoJim Painterpage 1 Six Poems of the LandRay Schmuddepage 5 At Last to Find FreedomJann Briesacherpage 7 The Last IrisMarjorie Thoelepage 9 (Untitled)Melinda E. Recordpage 10 MenJan Schroederpage 10 ImpressionsJudy Bardpage 11 ScaredAnita Surpage 11 Loved and LostJan Schroederpage 12 Dripped-Over WaxAnita Surpage 13 The Crowded RoomWilliam E. Uteschpage 14 A River in IllinoisJames Jonespage 14 Sneeze SeasonDarlene A. Moorepage 14 ChangesMark Chianakaspage 15 PhotoJim Painterpage 16 Wedding VowsJann Briesacherpage 17 PhotoJim Painterpage 18 PhotoJim Painterpage 19 PhotoJim Painterpage 20 PhotoJim Painterpage 21 PhotoJim Painterpage 22 PhotoLarry Smyserpage 23 From Outside ColoradoRay Schmuddepage 24 Dairy QueenGayle Gleichmanpage 26 With Sunstreaks in our HairNancy Broom Brownpage 33 PhotoJim Painterpage 34 Water\u27s EdgeMarjorie Thoelepage 35 My 665th Illusion of SanityGordon Glessnerpage 36 Is it my turn to do the laundry again??? Jann Briesacherpage 38 TV Teachingbobbdoddpage 39 GuidanceWendy Diane Wielandpage 40 PhotoJim Painterpage 41 RaindropsJane Ann Beerspage 42 WaitingJan Schroederpage 42 To JonJudy Bardpage 43 One Autumn Day in 1971E. Christmanpage 43 More Surely Than Picture AlbumsMarjorie Thoelepage 44 WingspanningNancy Broom Brownpage 45 ReligionMelinda E. Recordpage 45 Rosalie StevensonMark Holleypage 46 PhotoJim Painterpage 47 WhiteShirley A. Rardinpage 48 The Beginning of a Perfect DayShirley A. Rardinpage 49 PhotoMichael Chenpage 50 Rosethorn Wall of June 17bobbdoddpage 51 ManJan Schroederpage 51 HaikuJudy Bardpage 51 You know it leaves me emptyJames Osbornepage 52 For JesseJames Osbornepage 52 EndingsMark Chianakaspage 53 ConfusionGary L. Owenspage 53 PhotoMichael Chenpage 54 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 54 Journey of just oneNancy Broom Brownpage 55 Blackbirds in IllinoisJames Jonespage 56 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 56 PhotoMichael Chenpage 57 I am a poemDarlene A. Moorepage 57 A Glimpse of ParadiseJann Briesacherpage 57 PhotoJim Painterpage 58 PoemSheila Marie Foorpage 59 In my windowBarbara S. Meyerpage 59 Section 4., Draft 3bobbdoddpage 60 PhotoJim Painterpage 61 PoemJann Briesacherpage 61 PhotoGary Deanpage 62 I amWilliam E. Uteschpage 62 To a tank-car in IllinoisJames Jonespage 63 PoemJane Ann Beerspage 63 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 63 Editor\u27s Pagepage 64https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1031/thumbnail.jp

The Vehicle, Spring 1974

Table of Contents PhotoJim Painterpage 1 Six Poems of the LandRay Schmuddepage 5 At Last to Find FreedomJann Briesacherpage 7 The Last IrisMarjorie Thoelepage 9 (Untitled)Melinda E. Recordpage 10 MenJan Schroederpage 10 ImpressionsJudy Bardpage 11 ScaredAnita Surpage 11 Loved and LostJan Schroederpage 12 Dripped-Over WaxAnita Surpage 13 The Crowded RoomWilliam E. Uteschpage 14 A River in IllinoisJames Jonespage 14 Sneeze SeasonDarlene A. Moorepage 14 ChangesMark Chianakaspage 15 PhotoJim Painterpage 16 Wedding VowsJann Briesacherpage 17 PhotoJim Painterpage 18 PhotoJim Painterpage 19 PhotoJim Painterpage 20 PhotoJim Painterpage 21 PhotoJim Painterpage 22 PhotoLarry Smyserpage 23 From Outside ColoradoRay Schmuddepage 24 Dairy QueenGayle Gleichmanpage 26 With Sunstreaks in our HairNancy Broom Brownpage 33 PhotoJim Painterpage 34 Water\u27s EdgeMarjorie Thoelepage 35 My 665th Illusion of SanityGordon Glessnerpage 36 Is it my turn to do the laundry again??? Jann Briesacherpage 38 TV Teachingbobbdoddpage 39 GuidanceWendy Diane Wielandpage 40 PhotoJim Painterpage 41 RaindropsJane Ann Beerspage 42 WaitingJan Schroederpage 42 To JonJudy Bardpage 43 One Autumn Day in 1971E. Christmanpage 43 More Surely Than Picture AlbumsMarjorie Thoelepage 44 WingspanningNancy Broom Brownpage 45 ReligionMelinda E. Recordpage 45 Rosalie StevensonMark Holleypage 46 PhotoJim Painterpage 47 WhiteShirley A. Rardinpage 48 The Beginning of a Perfect DayShirley A. Rardinpage 49 PhotoMichael Chenpage 50 Rosethorn Wall of June 17bobbdoddpage 51 ManJan Schroederpage 51 HaikuJudy Bardpage 51 You know it leaves me emptyJames Osbornepage 52 For JesseJames Osbornepage 52 EndingsMark Chianakaspage 53 ConfusionGary L. Owenspage 53 PhotoMichael Chenpage 54 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 54 Journey of just oneNancy Broom Brownpage 55 Blackbirds in IllinoisJames Jonespage 56 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 56 PhotoMichael Chenpage 57 I am a poemDarlene A. Moorepage 57 A Glimpse of ParadiseJann Briesacherpage 57 PhotoJim Painterpage 58 PoemSheila Marie Foorpage 59 In my windowBarbara S. Meyerpage 59 Section 4., Draft 3bobbdoddpage 60 PhotoJim Painterpage 61 PoemJann Briesacherpage 61 PhotoGary Deanpage 62 I amWilliam E. Uteschpage 62 To a tank-car in IllinoisJames Jonespage 63 PoemJane Ann Beerspage 63 PoemsJann Briesacherpage 63 Editor\u27s Pagepage 64https://thekeep.eiu.edu/vehicle/1031/thumbnail.jp

Ancient Lowland Maya neighborhoods: Average Nearest Neighbor analysis and kernel density models, environments, and urban scale

Many humans live in large, complex political centers, composed of multi-scalar communities including neighborhoods and districts. Both today and in the past, neighborhoods form a fundamental part of cities and are defined by their spatial, architectural, and material elements. Neighborhoods existed in ancient centers of various scales, and multiple methods have been employed to identify ancient neighborhoods in archaeological contexts. However, the use of different methods for neighborhood identification within the same spatiotemporal setting results in challenges for comparisons within and between ancient societies. Here, we focus on using a single method—combining Average Nearest Neighbor (ANN) and Kernel Density (KD) analyses of household groups—to identify potential neighborhoods based on clusters of households at 23 ancient centers across the Maya Lowlands. While a one-size-fits all model does not work for neighborhood identification everywhere, the ANN/KD method provides quantifiable data on the clustering of ancient households, which can be linked to environmental zones and urban scale. We found that centers in river valleys exhibited greater household clustering compared to centers in upland and escarpment environments. Settlement patterns on flat plains were more dispersed, with little discrete spatial clustering of households. Furthermore, we categorized the ancient Maya centers into discrete urban scales, finding that larger centers had greater variation in household spacing compared to medium-sized and smaller centers. Many larger political centers possess heterogeneity in household clustering between their civic-ceremonial cores, immediate hinterlands, and far peripheries. Smaller centers exhibit greater household clustering compared to larger ones. This paper quantitatively assesses household clustering among nearly two dozen centers across the Maya Lowlands, linking environment and urban scale to settlement patterns. The findings are applicable to ancient societies and modern cities alike; understanding how humans form multi-scalar social groupings, such as neighborhoods, is fundamental to human experience and social organization