Application of the Zürich-methodology for risk assessment concerning the inspection of pesticide application equipment in use according to article 8 (3) of Directive 2009/128/EC at the example of Germany

Die Richtline 2009/128/EC (nachhaltige Verwendung von Pestiziden) fordert in Artikel 8 eine Risikobewertung mit Bezug zur menschlichen Gesundheit und zur Umwelt, um mögliche Ausnahmen bei der Kontrollpflicht für in Gebrauch befindliche Geräte umzusetzen. Diese Ausnahmen können nur für bestimmte Gerätearten angewendet werden und können zu alternativen Zeitplänen und Kontrollabständen oder auch insgesamt zum Wegfall der Kontrollpflicht bei einigen Gerätearten führen. Auf dem Treffen der SPISE (Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers in Europe) Technical Working Group im März 2015 einigten sich die Experten darauf, die Zürich-Methode als ein geeignetes Instrument zur harmonisierten Risikobewertung in allen EU 27 Mitgliedsstaaten für diesen Fall heranzuziehen. Dieser Beitrag erklärt die Methode, zeigt ihre Anforderungen auf und demonstriert sie am Beispiel der in Gebrauch befindlichen Pflanzenschutzgeräte in Deutschland. Darüber hinaus wird aufgezeigt, welche Fragen zukünftig noch von den Experten beantwortet werden müssen, um ein europaweit harmonisiertes Verfahren anwenden zu können. DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2015.10.03, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2015.10.03Article 8 of Directive 2009/128/EC (Sustainable Use Directive) demands a risk assessment for human health and the environment in order to apply different time tables and inspection intervals in selected cases for the inspection of pesticide application equipment (PAE) in use or make exemptions from inspection within the member states of EU 27. The experts of the SPISE (Standardised Procedure for the Inspection of Sprayers in Europe) Technical Working Group agreed on their meeting in March 2015 to use the Zürich-methodology as an appropriate instrument to implement the demanded risk assessment in a harmonized manner within the EU 27. The article explains the Zürich-methodology, illustrates its requirements and demonstrates the application of this method at the example of a risk assessment in case of Germany. Furthermore, it shows of what questions still have to be discussed in future by the expert in order to come up with a common and harmonized procedure being applicable for all member states of EU 27. DOI: 10.5073/JfK.2015.10.03, https://doi.org/10.5073/JfK.2015.10.0

Wie Studierende Formeln gliedern?

Die vorgestellte Studie behandelt das Verhalten von Studierenden gegenüber Formeln. Hierbei wurde untersucht wie Studierende vorgelegte Formeln aufteilen, gliedern sowie nach eigenen Vorstellungen neu zusammensetzen und interpretieren. Die Arbeit stellt eine Erweiterung einer bereits mit Schülerinnen und Schülern durchgeführten Studie dar.Die in der ersten Studie gefundenen Kategorien, in denen Formelbestanteile eingeteilt wurden, konnten bestätigt und um zwei Unterkategorien erweitert werden. Die Neustrukturierung der Formeln ergab ähnliche Ergebnisse wie in der ersten Studie. Die Interpretation der Formeln zeigt auch bei Studierenden ein heterogenes Feld

Wie Studierende Formeln gliedern?

Die vorgestellte Studie behandelt das Verhalten von Studierenden gegenüber Formeln. Hierbei wurde untersucht wie Studierende vorgelegte Formeln aufteilen, gliedern sowie nach eigenen Vorstellungen neu zusammensetzen und interpretieren. Die Arbeit stellt eine Erweiterung einer bereits mit Schülerinnen und Schülern durchgeführten Studie dar.Die in der ersten Studie gefundenen Kategorien, in denen Formelbestanteile eingeteilt wurden, konnten bestätigt und um zwei Unterkategorien erweitert werden. Die Neustrukturierung der Formeln ergab ähnliche Ergebnisse wie in der ersten Studie. Die Interpretation der Formeln zeigt auch bei Studierenden ein heterogenes Feld

The effects of hydrochloric acid on all-ceramic restorative materials : an in-vitro study

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this in-vitro study was to assess the long-term effects of hydrochloric acid on the surface roughness of three all-ceramic restorative materials CEREC VITABLOC® Mark II CAD, IPS Empress CAD® and IPS e.max CAD®. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six cylindrical specimens (10mm diameter, 3mm height) of each material type were prepared, using the CEREC CAD/CAM machine. The unpolished samples were immersed in 15ml hydrochloric acid (pH 2) at 370C. Before immersion (baseline) and at periods of 7.5 hours, 45 hours and 91 hours, the specimens were removed from the acid and two randomised areas (10μm X 10μm) were selected and tested on each. The atomic force microscope (Bruker Dimension icon) was used to assess surface roughness and surface area at baseline and after each exposure time. The materials were compared over time with respect to surface roughness and surface area (baseline, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year) in a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Sample groups differed significantly for roughness (p<0.0001) and surface area (p<0.0001). For both parameters a significant interaction also existed between material and time (surface roughness: p=0.0085; surface area: p=0.0014). CEREC VITABLOC® Mark II CAD and IPS Empress CAD® had substantially higher levels of roughness and surface area than IPS e.max CAD®, which was also affected to a lesser extent over time. CONCLUSION: The results showed that IPS e.max CAD was least affected by long-term exposure to hydrochloric acid. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results can aid the clinician in choosing the appropriate materials for patients who are bulimic or who suffer from gastro oesophageal reflux.http://www.sada.co.za2015-04-30am201

Evaluation of surface characteristics of titanium and cobalt chromium implant abutment materials

INTRODUCTION: Micro-organism adhesion and plaque formation is affected by surface free energy (SFE), surface roughness, hydrophilicity, surface chemistry, surface charge and the presence of proteins. AIMS: The aim of this study was to assess and compare surface characteristics of surgical grade cobalt chromium alloy (CCM) and of commercially pure titanium (cpTi). METHOD: Nine metallic cylinders were machined to precise standards from each material. Surface roughness was measured at four different points on each sample and the average Ra value was calculated for each material. Contact angles were obtained using the sessile-drop method and applied in calculating the SFE. Surface hardness was evaluated by means of a Vickers hardness micro-indentation. RESULTS: Surface roughness was similar for both metals,but total SFE values and Vickers surface hardness scores showed significant differences (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: SFE analysis showed CCM to be more hydrophobic and that oral bacteria might therefore be less adherent than to cpTi. The mean Vickers Hardness scores of the cpTi were significantly lower (p<0.0001), suggesting that CCM may be more resistant to surface modifications and surface roughening, thus remaining smoother with less plaque accumulation than cpTi. This study demonstrated that CCM might be a suitable alternative implant abutment material.http://www.sada.co.zaam2013ay201

Testing of drift reducing maize sowing machines

Die meisten der heutzutage eingesetzten Maiseinzelkornsägeräte arbeiten mit Unterdruck. Im Süden Deutschlands sind insbesondere Monosem-Geräte aber auch Kuhn-, Amazone- und Gaspardo-Geräte im Einsatz. Das Hauptproblem der mit Unterdruck arbeitenden Geräte besteht darin, dass Staubabrieb hohe Mengen an Beizmittel enthält, der durch die Gebläseabluft an die Umgebung abgegeben wird und durch Abdrift auf nahe gelegene blühende Bestände gelangt (teilweise auch auf entferntere Bestände). Das Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI) hat in Abstimmung mit den Herstellern ein Abdriftmessverfahren erarbeitet, um modifizierte Maiseinzelkornsägeräte im Vergleich zu Standard-Sägeräten prüfen zu können. Im Herbst 2008 wurden die Sägeräte namhafter Hersteller vom Institut für Anwendungstechnik im Pflanzenschutz des JKI getestet und diejenigen, die eine Abdriftminderung von mindestens 90&nbsp;% erreichten, in die JKI-Liste abdriftmindernder Maiseinzelkornsägeräte eingetragen. In der Zwischenzeit wurden die gesetzlichen Regelungen geändert, um eine höhere Beizqualität und eine Driftreduktion sicherzustellen. Die Aufhebung des Ruhens der Zulassung von Mesurol ist an die Bedingung geknüpft, dass mit Mesurol gebeiztes Maissaatgut nicht mit Unterdruck arbeitenden Sägeräten ausgebracht werden darf, es sei denn, diese Sägeräte sind modernisiert und erreichen eine Abdriftminderung von mehr als 90&nbsp;%. Einzelkornsägeräte, die in der JKI-Liste „abdriftmindernde Maissägeräte“ eingetragen sind, erfüllen diese Anforderung. Diese Anforderungen sind nicht relevant für mechanisch oder mit Überdruck arbeitende Sägeräte. Maiseinzelkornsägeräte, die bereits im praktischen Einsatz sind, können mit diesen vom JKI geprüften und eingetragenen Nachrüstsätzen ausgestattet werden. Einzelkornsägeräte, für die es keine geprüften / gelisteten Nachrüstsätze gibt, können nicht mehr eingesetzt werden. Ein Umbau der Maiseinzelkornsägeräte durch den Landwirt selbst ist nicht erlaubt.The sowing machines used today are mostly precision airplanters with vacuum singling. In southern Germany, Monosem sowing machines are widespread but Kuhn, Amazone and Gaspardo are also used. The main problem with all sowing machines with vacuum singling is that abrasion dust which contains a lot of seed treatment products is blown through the fan outlet into the air and drifts to flowering plants nearby (but sometimes also further afield). Together with the manufacturers Julius Kühn-Institute (JKI) has established a drift test where modified sowing machines are tested against standard machines with high drift. In autumn 2008 the sowing machines of all well known manufacturers were tested by the Institute for Application Techniques in Plant Protection and those which proved a drift reduction of at least 90&nbsp;% were registered in the JKI-list “drift reducing maize sowing machines“. In the meantime the legal regulations have been modified resulting in both a higher quality of seed coating as well as drift reduction. The first re-registration of an insecticide for maize seed shows that maize seed treated with Mesurol may not be sown by precision airplanters with vacuum singling unless they have been modernised so that a drift reduction of more than 90&nbsp;% is guaranteed. Precision airplanters registered in the JKI-list “drift reducing maize sowing machines” fulfil these demands. This requirement is not relevant for precision airplanters with mechanical or overpressure singling. Precision airplanters for maize already used by farmers can be equipped with drift reduction kits tested and registered by the JKI. Precision airplanters, for which drift reduction kits have not been tested or listed, cannot be used any more. A modification of the sowing machines by the farmer himself is not allowed

Comparison of alveolar osteitis with post implant removal osteitis (can a “dry socket” occur after implant removal?)

The introduction of dental implants spawned an exponential growth in the number of fixtures being placed to meet the increasing functional and aesthetic demands of patients. In response, manufacturers have flooded the market with new, cheaper systems, and many general practitioners have begun placing implants to support restorations. Enhanced life expectancy means that implants placed in younger people are expected to function effectively over many years. Studies have shown that a certain low percentage of implants will develop early or late complications,1 and that the risks are greater with increased usage.2 It is thus anticipated that practitioners will be faced with increasing numbers of implant-related complications that will require appropriate management, or even implant removal.1 Hence the majority of complications will be in older persons where healing may be compromised due to physiological ageing, systemic medication, or other age-related factors.https://www.sada.co.za/the-sadjam2018Prosthodontic

A near-infrared variability study in the cloud IC1396W: low star-forming efficiency and two new eclipsing binaries

Identifying the population of young stellar objects (YSOs) in high extinction regions is a prerequisite for studies of star formation. This task is not trivial, as reddened background objects can be indistinguishable from YSOs in near-infrared colour-colour diagrams. Here we combine deep JHK photometry with J- and K-band lightcurves, obtained with UKIRT/WFCAM, to explore the YSO population in the dark cloud IC1396W. We demonstrate that a colour-variability criterion can provide useful constraints on the star forming activity in embedded regions. For IC1396W we find that a near-infrared colour analysis alone vastly overestimates the number of YSOs. In total, the globule probably harbours not more than ten YSOs, among them a system of two young stars embedded in a small (~10000 AU) reflection nebula. This translates into a star forming efficiency SFE of ~1%, which is low compared with nearby more massive star forming regions, but similar to less massive globules. We confirm that IC1396W is likely associated with the IC1396 HII region. One possible explanation for the low SFE is the relatively large distance to the ionizing O-star in the central part of IC1396. Serendipitously, our variability campaign yields two new eclipsing binaries, and eight periodic variables, most of them with the characteristics of contact binaries.Comment: 13 pages, 10 figures, MNRAS, in pres

Discontinuation of BRAF/MEK-Directed Targeted Therapy after Complete Remission of Metastatic Melanoma—A Retrospective Multicenter ADOReg Study

The advent of BRAF/MEK inhibitors (BRAFi/MEKi) has significantly improved progressionfree (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients with advanced BRAF-V600-mutant melanoma. Long-term survivors have been identified particularly among patients with a complete response (CR) to BRAF/MEK-directed targeted therapy (TT). However, it remains unclear which patients who achieved a CR maintain a durable response and whether treatment cessation might be a safe option in these patients. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of treatment cessation on the clinical course of patients with a CR upon BRAF/MEK-directed-TT. We retrospectively selected patients with BRAF-V600-mutant advanced non-resectable melanoma who had been treated with BRAFi ± MEKi therapy and achieved a CR upon treatment out of the multicentric skin cancer registry ADOReg. Data on baseline patient characteristics, duration of TT, treatment cessation, tumor progression (TP) and response to second-line treatments were collected and analyzed. Of 461 patients who received BRAF/MEK-directed TT 37 achieved a CR. TP after initial CR was observed in 22 patients (60%) mainly affecting patients who discontinued TT (n = 22/26), whereas all patients with ongoing TT (n = 11) maintained their CR. Accordingly, patients who discontinued TT had a higher risk of TP compared to patients with ongoing treatment (p < 0.001). However, our data also show that patients who received TT for more than 16 months and who discontinued TT for other reasons than TP or toxicity did not have a shorter PFS compared to patients with ongoing treatment. Response rates to second-line treatment being initiated in 21 patients, varied between 27% for immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and 60% for BRAFi/MEKi rechallenge. In summary, we identified a considerable number of patients who achieved a CR upon BRAF/MEK-directed TT in this contemporary realworld cohort of patients with BRAF-V600-mutant melanoma. Sustained PFS was not restricted to ongoing TT but was also found in patients who discontinued TT

Coupling circularity performance and climate action : from disciplinary silos to transdisciplinary modelling science

Technological breakthroughs and policy measures targeting energy efficiency and clean energy alone will not suffice to deliver Paris Agreement-compliant greenhouse gas emissions trajectories in the next decades. Strong cases have recently been made for acknowledging the decarbonisation potential lying in transforming linear economic models into closed-loop industrial ecosystems and in shifting lifestyle patterns towards this direction. This perspective highlights the research capacity needed to inform on the role and potential of the circular economy for climate change mitigation and to enhance the scientific capabilities to quantitatively explore their synergies and trade-offs. This begins with establishing conceptual and methodological bridges amongst the relevant and currently fragmented research communities, thereby allowing an interdisciplinary integration and assessment of circularity, decarbonisation, and sustainable development. Following similar calls for science in support of climate action, a transdisciplinary scientific agenda is needed to co-create the goals and scientific processes underpinning the transition pathways towards a circular, net-zero economy with representatives from policy, industry, and civil society. Here, it is argued that such integration of disciplines, methods, and communities can then lead to new and/or structurally enhanced quantitative systems models that better represent critical industrial value chains, consumption patterns, and mitigation technologies. This will be a crucial advancement towards assessing the material implications of, and the contribution of enhanced circularity performance to, mitigation pathways that are compatible with the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement and the transition to a circular economy