A comparative study of the icephobic and self-cleaning properties of Teflon materials having different surface morphologies

Materials having fluorocarbon bonds are among the best candidates for the fabrication of superhydrophobic surfaces. Here, we describe two facile, non-expensive, and industrialized approaches to produce superhydrophobic Teflon materials having ultra-water repellency, icephobic, and self-cleaning properties. Direct replication and plasma-treatment approaches produced Teflon sheets having very different surface patterns, i.e. microstructures and micro- nanostructures. Neither approach altered the chemical composition of the original Teflon surfaces. Rice leaf–like microstructures were produced on the replicated surface, whereas lotus leaf–like hierarchical micro-nanostructures characterized the plasma-treated surface. Water droplets rolled off the micro-nanostructured surfaces ~10% faster than off the microstructured surfaces. The micro-nanostructured surface also produced more rebounds for a water droplet during the impact test. Although both surfaces possessed similar self-cleaning properties, the micro-nanostructured surface reduced ice adhesion to a greater degree than the microstructured surface. The more effective ice repellency of the micro-nanostructured surface was due to its surface morphology that reduced the interlocking of ice inside the surface asperities. However, the microstructured surface delayed considerably the onset of freezing of a water droplet due to the larger micro-air pockets trapped within its surface asperities

Rigorous testing to assess the self-cleaning properties of an ultra-water-repellent silicone rubber surface

Ultra-water-repellent silicone-based surfaces were produced to study their self-cleaning properties. First, we investigated the consistency of the micro-nano air pockets that are present between the surface asperities responsible for the formation of the Cassie-Baxter regime. We then performed a comprehensive series of self-cleaning experiments involving both dissolved and non-dissolved contaminants using various materials (e.g., kaolin, carbon black, silica, etc.) and contaminant-applying methods (e.g., dropwise, spraying, wet or dry contaminants). In this paper, the self-cleaning tests were arranged from the less severe, i.e., non- dissolved contamination tests, to more severe, i.e., wet dissolved contamination test, and ending with the most severe, i.e., dry dissolved contamination test. Due to the ultra-low contact angle hysteresis, the produced surfaces showed favorable self-cleaning properties against the various types of contaminants and the different means of contaminant application. The produced surfaces retained their water repellency properties following application of the contaminants and after the cleaning of the surfaces, thus verifying the self-cleaning performance and resistance of the fabricated superhydrophobic silicone surfaces

Direct replication of micro-nanostructures in the fabrication of superhydrophobic silicone rubber surfaces by compression molding

We describe a simple method for fabricating superhydrophobic high temperature vulcanized (HTV) silicone rubber surfaces by direct replication using a compression molding system. The resulting rubber samples possessed micro-nanostructures on the surface. This micro- and nano- scale roughness produced a water contact angle of >160º and a contact angle hysteresis of <3º. The roughness patterns on chemically etched aluminum surfaces, which served as templates, were successfully replicated on the rubber surfaces. An antistiction coating applied to the template surface ensured that the rubber was completely removed during demolding and that the replicated micro-nanostructures on the silicone surface were preserved. Surface roughness of the aluminum templates was optimized at HCl concentrations of 15 wt.%, with a lower roughness value observed at acid concentrations above and below this value. The developed HTV silicone rubber surfaces also demonstrated a freezing delay and a self-cleaning capacity

What’s in Toronto’s drug supply? Results from samples checked by Toronto’s drug checking service October 10, 2019 - March 31, 2020.

On 22 August 2018 amendments to the Northern Territory Liquor Act 1978 (the Act) were passed in the NT Legislative Assembly, introducing a minimum alcohol unit price MUP, commonly referred to as a minimum floor price. On 1 October 2018 the MUP was set at $1.30 per standard drink contained in the alcohol product, where the meaning of 'a standard drink is the volume of a liquor product that contains 10g of ethyl alcohol when measured at 20°C'. The legislative amendment prohibits selling alcohol below the price of$1.30 per standard drink (as compared to the $1.50 recommended by the Riley Review), and imposes the minimum price as an automatic condition of a liquor licence

Strategies for improving the communication of satellite-derived InSAR data for geohazards through the analysis of Twitter and online data portals

Satellite-based earth observation sensors are increasingly able to monitor geophysical signals related to natural hazards, and many groups are working on rapid data acquisition, processing, and dissemination to data users with a wide range of expertise and goals. A particular challenge in the meaningful dissemination of Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) data to non-expert users is its unique differential data structure and sometimes low signal-to-noise ratio. In this study, we evaluate the online dissemination of ground deformation measurements from InSAR through Twitter, alongside the provision of open-access InSAR data from the Centre for Observation and Modelling of Earthquakes, Volcanoes and Tectonics (COMET) Looking Into Continents from Space with Synthetic Aperture Radar (LiCSAR) processing system. Our aim is to evaluate (1) who interacts with disseminated InSAR data, (2) how the data are used, and (3) to discuss strategies for meaningful communication and dissemination of open InSAR data. We found that the InSAR Twitter community was primarily composed of non-scientists (62 %), although this grouping included earth observation experts in applications such as commercial industries. Twitter activity was primarily associated with natural hazard response, specifically following earthquakes and volcanic activity, where users disseminated InSAR measurements of ground deformation, often using wrapped and unwrapped interferograms. For earthquake events, Sentinel-1 data were acquired, processed, and tweeted within 4.7±2.8 d (the shortest was 1 d). Open-access Sentinel-1 data dominated the InSAR tweets and were applied to volcanic and earthquake events in the most engaged-with (retweeted) content. Open-access InSAR data provided by LiCSAR were widely accessed, including automatically processed and tweeted interferograms and interactive event pages revealing ground deformation following earthquake events. The further work required to integrate dissemination of InSAR data into longer-term disaster risk-reduction strategies is highly specific, to both hazard type and international community of practice, as well as to local political setting and civil protection mandates. Notably, communication of uncertainties and processing methodologies are still lacking. We conclude by outlining the future direction of COMET LiCSAR products to maximize their useability.</p

Milk and dairy products: good or bad for human health? An assessment of the totality of scientific evidence

Background: There is scepticism about health effects of dairy products in the public, which is reflected in an increasing intake of plant-based drinks, for example, from soy, rice, almond, or oat. Objective: This review aimed to assess the scientific evidence mainly from meta-analyses of observational studies and randomised controlled trials, on dairy intake and risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cancer, and all-cause mortality. Results: The most recent evidence suggested that intake of milk and dairy products was associated with reduced risk of childhood obesity. In adults, intake of dairy products was shown to improve body composition and facilitate weight loss during energy restriction. In addition, intake of milk and dairy products was associated with a neutral or reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly stroke. Furthermore, the evidence suggested a beneficial effect of milk and dairy intake on bone mineral density but no association with risk of bone fracture. Among cancers, milk and dairy intake was inversely associated with colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, gastric cancer, and breast cancer, and not associated with risk of pancreatic cancer, ovarian cancer, or lung cancer,while the evidence for prostate cancer risk was inconsistent.Finally,consumption of milk and dairy products was not associated with all-cause mortality. Calcium-fortified plant-based drinks have been included as an alternative to dairy products in the nutrition recommendations in several countries. However, nutritionally, cow’s milk and plant-based drinks are completely different foods,and an evidence-based conclusion on the health value of the plant-based drinks requires more studies in humans. Conclusion: The totality of available scientific evidence supports that intake of milk and dairy products contribute to meet nutrient recommendations, and may protect against the most prevalent chronic diseases, whereas very few adverse effects have been reported

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

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Upstream Supply Chain Visibility and Complexity Effect on Focal Company’s Sustainable Performance: Indian Manufacturers’ Perspective

Understanding supply chain sustainability performance is increasingly important for supply chain researchers and managers. Literature has considered supply chain sustainability and the antecedents of performance from a triple bottom line (economic, social, and environmental) perspective. However, the role of supply chain visibility and product complexity contingency in achieving sustainable supply chain performance has not been explored in depth. To address this gap, this study utilizes a contingent resource-based view theory perspective to understand the role of product complexity in shaping the relationship between upstream supply chain visibility (resources and capabilities) and the social, environmental, and economic performance dimensions. We develop and test a theoretical model using survey data gathered from 312 Indian manufacturing organizations. Our findings indicate that supply chain visibility (SCV) has significant influence on social and environmental performance under the moderation effect of product complexity. Hence, the study makes significant contribution to the extant literature by examining the impact of SCV under moderating effect of product complexity on social performance and environmental performance

Response of Bread Wheat Cultivars to Foliar Application of Silicon under Post Anthesis Drought Stress Conditions

In a field experiment, the effects of foliar application of silicon (sodium silicate 6mM) on yield and yield components of wheat cultivars (Shiraz, Marvdasht, Sirvan and Chamran) and also canopy temperature depression (CTD) under water stress conditions (F.C, 60 and 40% F.C.) were investigated during 2012- 2013 growing season using a split split plot as randomized complete block design with three replications. The results showed that both drought stress levels, especially 40% F.C, significantly reduced number of grains per spike, 1000 grain weight, grain yield, biological yield, harvest index and CTD of the examined wheat cultivars. The negative impact of drought stress was greater in Shiraz and Marvdasht cultivars. In contrast, foliar application of sodium silicate was associated with increased grain yield (16.11%), its components, leaf area index (20.15%) as well as CTD and this positive influence of silicon application was more pronounced under drought stress conditions. Furthermore, foliar application of silicon reduced canopy temperature and there was positive correlation between grain yield and CTD. Overall, it was concluded that foliar application of silicon under similar conditions to this experiment is potent to improve the grain yield of drought stressed wheat plants via an enhanced CTD or a reduced canopy temperature