Selected Properties of Overlaid Magnesium Based Composite Panels for Flooring

The objective of this work was to evaluate some of the mechanical and physical properties of the flooring materials manufactured from panels having magnesia substrate overlaid with oak veneer (Querqus alba) and linoleum sheets. Commercially manufactured panels were used in this work. Bending characteristics, internal bond strength, thickness swelling, and surface quality of the samples were evaluated. The highest modulus of elasticity (MOE) value of 4406 MPa for the sample type-A2 was loaded in the direction of the substrate followed by 3478 MPa for linoleum covered samples which were loaded in the same direction. Internal bond strength values of the panels did not show any significant differences from each other. Dimensional stability of the specimens in the form of thickness swelling for both 2-h and 24-h water soaking tests resulted in values ranging from 0.11 to 0.19%. The surface quality of the samples was not substantially influenced as a function of water exposure. Based on the results in this work magnesium substrate overlaid with oak veneer and linoleum panels could have potential to be used as flooring material with accepted properties

Perspectivas en nacionalidades extranjeras sobre impactos del cambio climático y medio ambiente

This study aims to analize the perspectives of foreign nationals about climate change impacts on the environment in Cyprus. The stratified purposeful sampling method was used to determine the study group. The research findings determined from this research suggest that the participants have knowledge about climate change, adaptation to climate change and the skills required to reduce climate change, as well as awareness on climate change impacts on the environment, but lack background information on how to reduce environmental problems.Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar las perspectivas de los ciudadanos extranjeros sobre los impactos del cambio climático en el medio ambiente en Chipre. El método de muestreo estratificado intencional se utilizó para determinar el grupo de estudio. Los hallazgos de la investigación determinados a partir de esta investigación sugieren que los participantes tienen conocimiento sobre el cambio climático, la adaptación al cambio climático y las habilidades necesarias para reducir el cambio climático, así como la conciencia sobre los impactos del cambio climático en el medio ambiente, pero carecen de información básica sobre cómo reducir problemas ambientales

Effluent Water Reuse Possibilities in Northern Cyprus

Northern Cyprus (NC) is suffering from limited water resources and reiterated drought condition experiences due to global warming effects. Previous studies revealed that the water management policy in the country is not sustainable from the perspective of demand and balance. Apparently, the reuse of recycled water will be an alternative resource and can be utilized for some specific purposes to reduce water extraction from the ground. It is expected that treated wastewater will reach 20 million cubic meters (MCM) per year after the completion of the new sewage system for Lefkosa. Today, 20,000 m3 of wastewater is treated at the Lefkosa Central Treatment Plant up to the secondary treatment level, in which the degree of treatment varies from 60% to 95% owing to the weather conditions in the country during the year. Effluent water reuse in NC was not accepted due to cultural belief. However, water scarcity was experienced in the country during the last decade, forcing the farmers to benefit from the recycled water. There is no regulatory framework available in the country for effluent water reuse. However, preparation studies are almost finalized after discussions among government and European Union (EU) agencies. Cyprus, as an EU country, has an obligation to treat the wastewater up to the secondary level before releasing it in an environmentally friendly nature, following the Directive 91/271/EEC. This paper analyzes the effluent water reuse possibilities as a component of integrated water resource management in Northern Cyprus considering laboratory experiment results. It appears that applying tertiary treatment in Northern Cyprus will allow 20 MCM of water contribution to the water budget and it will help protect the vulnerable environment. Also, since the cost of tertiary treatment will be 0.2 United States dollars (USD)/m3, it would be reasonable to prefer this process to the desalination of water, which costs of 1 USD/m3

Properties of Thermally Treated Yellow Poplar, Southern Pine, and Eastern Redcedar

WOS: 000454215100041Properties were evaluated for heat-treated yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), and southern pine (Pinus echinata) samples. Differences in discoloration, surface roughness, and hardness of the samples as a function of heat exposure were tested at temperature levels of 130 degrees C, 160 degrees C, and 190 degrees C. The experiments were carried out on defect-free eastern redcedar, yellow poplar, and southern pine samples with dimensions of 50 cm by 4 cm by 2 cm (longitudinal, radial, tangential) supplied by a local sawmill. A total of 80 samples, 20 for each temperature level, were used for the tests. Based on the findings, it appears that eastern redcedar specimens had the least discoloration values as compared to those of two other types of wood. In all cases, hardness values of the samples showed adverse influence of heat exposure. It seems that as temperature level increased, the surface quality of the samples from all three species was enhanced. All types of samples had significant discoloration as a result of heat treatment, and such findings were more prominent in the case of both pine and yellow poplar specimens. Overall hardness characteristics of the samples were adversely influenced due to heat exposure

Impact of pre-operative walking on post-operative bowel function in patients with gynecologic cancer

Background There is a paucity of data on whether pre-operative walking and functional capacity has a direct association with post-operative gastrointestinal function in patients who have undergone surgery to treat gynecologic cancers. Objective To explore the relationship between pre-operative walking and post-operative recovery of bowel function. Methods This randomized trial was performed from January 1, 2018 to August 31, 2018. All patients had a diagnosis of endometrial or ovarian cancer and were scheduled for comprehensive staging. Group A served as the control group who did not walk regularly on the last night before surgery. Patients in group B walked for 30 min at an average speed of 3 km/h from 20.00 to 20.30 and 21.30. to 22.00 on the last night before surgery under the supervision of a nurse or doctor. The study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (no: ). Results A total of 85 patients were enrolled: 43 patients were assigned to the walking group and 42 to the control group. There were no significant differences in demographics between the groups. Median age was 57.3 +/- 8.5 in the control and 59.9 +/- 9.1 in the walking group. In addition, 28 patients had endometrial cancer and 14 had ovarian cancer in the control group. 33 patients and 10 patients in the walking group had endometrial and ovarian cancer, respectively. The mean time to first flatus was shorter in the walking group than in the control group (32.5 +/- 10.4 vs 40.6 +/- 16.9 hours, respectively; p=0.010). In addition, the time to first defecation was significantly shorter in the walking group (62.8 +/- 26.7 vs 91.4 +/- 51.8 hours; p=0.002). Patients who walked before surgery were less likely to have post-operative paralytic ileus (25.0% vs 60.7%; p=0.003). Walking before the operative period and laparoscopic surgery independently protected against the development of post-operative paralytic ileus. Conclusion Walking before surgery expedited time to bowel motility and ability to tolerate food. In addition, this method significantly decreased the risk of post-operative paralytic ileus. We consider that walking before surgery may be integrated into the pre-operative management of patients under going surgery for gynecologic cancers