Flakeboard Thickness Swelling. Part I. Stress Relaxation in a Flakeboard Mat

The steam injection schedule best suited for dimensionally stabilizing a flake mat is one in which steam treatment is initiated before the press is closed and is continued at least until the mat attains target thickness. Experiments showed that resinless mats treated with 20 sec of steam at 600 kPa had maximum thickness swelling of 205% compared to 350% for resinless mats pressed in a conventional fashion. Reductions in thickness swelling were proportional to steam duration and pressure. Mats treated with 20 sec of steam at 1,950 kPa had only one-tenth the thickness swelling measured in conventionally pressed mats. We believe that reduction of thickness swelling is dependent on a number of factors, including plasticization of the wood, "lignin" flow, and molecular changes in the wood structure

Sociodemographic factors that affect the real treatment rate among patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background Real treatment rate among patients diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH/LUTS) and also its association with sociodemographic factor (SDF) have not been extensively investigated. Methods Data were obtained from the 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016 waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). Among 10,254 individuals at the first baseline survey in 2006, a total of 4383 participants were ultimately included for final analysis. For statistical analysis, chi-square tests and generalized estimating equation regression models were conducted. Results The prevalence rate of BPH/LUTS was 6.1% (266/4383) and real treatment rate was 58.3 percent (155/266). After adjusting for all confounders, odds ratio (OR) for the treatment of prostate disease in patients ages 55-64 and 65 years or more was 1.884 times higher (95% CI 1.096-3.237; p = .022) and 2.989 times higher (95% CI 1.755-5.091; p < .0001) than patients ages under 55, respectively. The OR for treatment of prostate disease in those residing in urban areas was 0.756 times lower (95% CI 0.573-0.998; p = .048) than those residing in metropolitan areas. The OR for treatment of prostate disease in those with bad self-rated health was 1.886 times higher (95% CI 1.461-2.436; p < .0001), compared to those with good self-rated health. Conclusion The real treatment rate among patients diagnosed with BPH/LUTS was 58.3%, a larger treatment rate than earlier reports. However, there are still a large proportion of patients who do not seek treatment; and age, residential area, and self-rated health were all found to be associated with real treatment rate

Properties of oriented strand board made from Betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper (Schultes.f) Backer ex Heyne)

Bamboo has gained increasing attention as an alternative raw material for use in the manufacture of composite boards. Three-layer OSBs were made using Betung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper (Schultes.f) Backer ex Heyne) strands to evaluate the effects of strand length and pre-treatment techniques on the physical, mechanical, and durability properties. Three different strand lengths, namely 50, 60, and 70 mm, were prepared. Prior to the manufacture into OSB, the strands were immersed in cold water for 24 h and in 6% acetic anhydrides solution for 48 h. The OSBs were fabricated using 5% MDI resin based on the strand dry weight. The results indicated that MOR and MOE values in perpendicular to the grain direction were much influenced by strand length. The dimensional stability of OSB was slightly improved by immersing the strands in acetic anhydride solution. Immersing strands in cold water and acetic anhydride solution improved the resistance of OSB against subterranean termite (Macrotermes gylvus) attack under the adopted experimental condition. All OSB parameters manufactured in this experiment were better than the minimum requirement of CSA 0437.0 (Grade O–2) standard

Improving dimensional stability of injection molded wood plastic composites using cold and hot water extraction methods

Dimensional stability of wood plastic composites (WPCs) made from polypropylene and pine wood flour with and without coupling agent was investigated. The pine wood flour was prepared from wood chips which had been immersed, respectively, in boiling water for 1 h, 3 h, and 5 h or in distilled water for 1 day, 3 days, and 5 days at room temperature. It was found that thickness swelling (TS) and water absorption (WA) of the WPCs made using extracted wood were lower than those of WPCs produced with unextracted wood. The TS and WA values of WPCs decreased with extraction duration both for cold and hot water extraction. The effect of hot water extraction on the TS and WA properties of the WPCs was more pronounced than cold water extraction

Association between lower urinary tract symptoms and cigarette smoking or alcohol drinking

Background: Although there have been several studies about the relationship between alcohol or smoking and lower urinary tracts symptoms (LUTS). This study aimed to investigate the association between alcohol or smoking and severity of LUTS in men, as alcohol intake and cigarette smoking is important modifiable lifestyle factors for LUTS. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis has been performed and a total of 86,707 participants in Korean Community Health Survey were included for final analysis. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) or coefficient with 95% confidence interval (CI) estimates were described to show the association between alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking and LUTS. Results: Among the total subjects, 77,398 (89.3%), 7,532 (8.7%), and 1,777 (2.0%) had mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively, according to International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) grade. Those who drank alcohol at least once per month were significantly associated with decreased risk of having the worst IPSS grade (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.68 to 0.93). Those who smoked in the past but currently quitted and those who were daily smokers showed significantly increased risk of having the worst IPSS grade (past smoker, OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.39; daily smoker, OR: 1.21, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.34). For nocturia, daily smoking showed positive effect (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.75 to 0.84) whereas heavy alcohol drinking showed negative effect (OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.32) Conclusions: Alcohol showed positive effect on LUTS except nocturia whereas cigarette smoking had negative effect on LUTS except nocturia. Daily smoking showed positive effect on nocturia whereas heavy alcohol drinking showed negative effect on nocturia

Development of oriented strand board from acacia wood (Acacia mangium willd): effect of pretreatment of strand and adhesive content on the physical and mechanical properties of OSB.

Acacia wood (Acacia mangium Willd.) is the most popular fast growing tree species planted in timber estate in Indonesia and is considered to be very valuable raw materials for structural composite products. The objective of the research was to evaluate the propet1ies of OSB prepared from A. Mangium wood with or without immersing the strands to hot water at 80°C for 2 hours. MDI adhesive was used in 3 levels i.e., 3%, 5%, and 7%. The moisture content of strand was 7%. The results indicated that immersing strands in hot water for 2 hours at 80°C prior to manufacture OSB improved significantly the mechanical properties (i.e., MOR and MOE) of OSB. The higher the adhesive content resulted in the better the dimensional stabilisation (i.e., water absorption and thickness swelling) and the mechanical properties (i.e., MOR, MOE and IB) of OSB. OSB prepared from hot-water immersed strands with 5% adhesive content has met all parameters requirement on the JIS A 5908 (2003) standard

Hrapavost i stupanj kvašenja ugušćene površine pregrijane smrekovine (Picea abies L. Karst.)

Surface roughness and wettability of the heat-treated and then surface densified spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) wood were measured to determine the effect of densification and heat-treatment on wood surface properties. The process of heat-treatment with an initial vacuum was performed in a vacuum chamber on oven dried lamellas with dimensions of 630 mm (longitudinal direction) x 45 mm (tangential direction) x 25 mm (radial direction). The lamellas were heat-treated at four different temperatures which were 170 °C, 190 °C, 210 °C and 230 °C. Control specimens were not exposed to heat-treatment. The lamellas were first heated to 100 °C, the creation of a vacuum taking 30 min at this temperature, and then heated to the desired temperature, and treated at this constant temperature for 3 h. The lamellas were then cooled down by using coils with cold water inside the chamber. Surface densification of lamellas with compression from 22 mm to 15 mm thickness was made by press platens heated at 150 °C and held in that position for 60 s. After the 1 min, the heated platen was cooled to 90 °C, whilst the specimen remained under compression to minimize immediate spring back. The total time of compression was 2 min (30 s closing, 60 s pressing and approx. 30 s cooling). In the treatment groups, the optimum treatment temperature on the one-side densified wood specimens was found to be 170 °C based on the surface roughness and wettability values. Surface densification significantly decreased the surface roughness of the wood specimens. The surface quality of wood can be improved when the wood is exposed to the heat-treatment and then surface densification.Cilj istraživanja bio je izmjeriti hrapavost i stupanj kvašenja površine pregrijane i površinski ugušćene smrekovine (Picea abies L. Karst.) kako bi se utvrdio utjecaj ugušćivanja i pregrijavanja na svojstva površine drva. Proces pregrijavanja s početnim vakuumom proveden je u vakuumskoj komori na apsolutno suhim lamelama dimenzija 630 mm (uzdužni smjer) × 45 mm (tangentni smjer) × 25 mm (radijalni smjer). Lamele su pregrijane na četiri različite temperature: 170 °C, 190 °C, 210 °C i 230 °C. Kontrolni uzorci nisu bili pregrijani. Lamele su najprije zagrijane na 100 °C i pri toj je temperaturi za postizanje vakuuma bilo potrebno 30 min. Uzorci su nakon toga zagrijani na željenu temperaturu koja je konstantno održavana tri sata. Potom su lamele ohlađene uz pomoć hladne vode koja se nalazila u spiralnim cijevima unutar komore. Ugušćivanje površine lamela s 22 mm na 15 mm debljine provedeno je prešanjem zagrijanim pločama na temperaturi 150 °C u trajanju 60 s. Nakon jedne minute zagrijana je ploča ohlađena na 90 °C, dok je uzorak ostao pod pritiskom kako bi se umanjio trenutačni povrat. Ukupno vrijeme prešanja iznosilo je 2 min (30 s zatvaranje, 60 s prešanje i oko 30 s hlađenje). Na temelju vrijednosti hrapavosti i stupnja kvašenja utvrđeno je da je optimalna temperatura za jednostrano ugušćivanje ploče 170 °C. Ugušćivanjem površine znatno se smanjila hrapavost površine uzoraka drva. Zaključeno je da se kvaliteta površine drva može poboljšati pregrijavanjem i ugušćivanjem površine

An immunoassay using biotinylated single-walled carbon nanotubes as Raman biomarkers

A new immunoassay with biotinylated single-walled carbon nanotubes as persistent, non-photobleaching Raman biomarkers demonstrated excellent sensitivity and specificity.Shvedova AA, 2009, PHARMACOL THERAPEUT, V121, P192, DOI 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2008.10.009Choi JH, 2007, APPL PHYS LETT, V90, DOI 10.1063/1.2745228True LD, 2007, J MOL DIAGN, V9, P7, DOI 10.2353/jmoldx.2007.060186Tian FR, 2006, TOXICOL IN VITRO, V20, P1202, DOI 10.1016/j.tiv.2006.03.008Hwang ES, 2006, NANOTECHNOLOGY, V17, P3442, DOI 10.1088/0957-4484/17/14/016Jeng ES, 2006, NANO LETT, V6, P371, DOI 10.1021/nl051829kHeller DA, 2006, SCIENCE, V311, P508, DOI 10.1126/science.1120792REDDEHASE MJ, 2006, CYTOMEGALOVIRUSES MOHeller DA, 2005, ADV MATER, V17, P2793Varnum SM, 2004, J VIROL, V78, P10960, DOI 10.1128/JVI.78.20.10960-10966.2004Zheng M, 2003, SCIENCE, V302, P1545Saxena V, 2003, J PHARM SCI, V92, P2090, DOI 10.1002/jps.10470Zheng M, 2003, NAT MATER, V2, P338, DOI 10.1038/nmat877Jaiswal JK, 2003, NAT BIOTECHNOL, V21, P47, DOI 10.1038/nbt.767Dresselhaus MS, 2002, ACCOUNTS CHEM RES, V35, P1070, DOI 10.1021/ar0101537O`Connell MJ, 2002, SCIENCE, V297, P593MCCREERY RL, 2002, HDB VIBRATIONAL SPEC, V1, P71Hwang ES, 2000, MICROBIOL IMMUNOL, V44, P827DRESSELHAUS MS, 2000, CARBON, V44, P2000

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase stimulates the nuclear localization of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase in human diploid fibroblasts

In addition to its well-known glycolytic activity, GAPDH displays multiple functions, such as nuclear RNA export, DNA replication and repair, and apoptotic cell death. This functional diversity depends on its intracellular localization. In this study, we explored the signal transduction pathways involved in the nuclear translocation of GAPDH using confocal laser scanning microscopy of immunostained human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs). GAPDH was present mainly in the cytoplasm when cultured with 10% FBS. Serum depletion by culturing cells in a serum-free medium (SFM) led to a gradual accumulation of GAPDH in the nucleus, and this nuclear accumulation was reversed by the re-addition of serum or growth factors, such as PDGF and lysophosphatidic acid. The nuclear export induced by the re-addition of serum or growth factors was prevented by LY 294002 and SH-5, inhibitors of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt/protein kinase B, respectively, suggesting an involvement of the PI3K signaling pathway in the nuclear export of GAPDH. In addition, 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR), an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), stimulated the nuclear translocation of GAPDH and prevented serum- and growth factor-induced GAPDH export. AMPK inhibition by compound C or AMPK depletion by siRNA treatment partially prevented SFM- and AICAR-induced nuclear translocation of GAPDH. Our data suggest that the nuclear translocation of GAPDH might be regulated by the PI3K signaling pathway acting mainly as a nuclear export signal and the AMPK signaling pathway acting as a nuclear import signal.Peairs A, 2009, CLIN EXP IMMUNOL, V156, P542, DOI 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2009.03924.xChen Z, 2009, CIRC RES, V104, P496, DOI 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.108.187567Cao C, 2008, J BIOL CHEM, V283, P28897, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M804144200Li XX, 2008, ARTERIOSCL THROM VAS, V28, P1789, DOI 10.1161/ATVBAHA.108.172452Lombardi M, 2008, J CELL BIOL, V182, P327Sen N, 2008, NAT CELL BIOL, V10, P866, DOI 10.1038/ncb1747Kim HS, 2008, J BIOL CHEM, V283, P3731, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M704432200Du ZX, 2007, ENDOCRINOLOGY, V148, P4352, DOI 10.1210/en.2006-1511Harada N, 2007, J BIOL CHEM, V282, P22651, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M610724200Goirand F, 2007, J PHYSIOL-LONDON, V581, P1163, DOI 10.1113/jphysiol.2007.132589Barbini L, 2007, MOL CELL BIOCHEM, V300, P19, DOI 10.1007/s11010-006-9341-1Hurley RL, 2006, J BIOL CHEM, V281, P36662, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M606676200Hara MR, 2006, CELL MOL NEUROBIOL, V26, P527, DOI 10.1007/s10571-006-9011-6Tisdale EJ, 2006, J BIOL CHEM, V281, P8436, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M513031200Rattan R, 2005, J BIOL CHEM, V280, P39582, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M507443200Hara MR, 2005, NAT CELL BIOL, V7, P665, DOI 10.1038/ncb1268Sirover MA, 2005, J CELL BIOCHEM, V95, P45, DOI 10.1002/jcb.20399Jones RG, 2005, MOL CELL, V18, P283, DOI 10.1016/j.molcel.2005.03.027Tisdale EJ, 2004, J BIOL CHEM, V279, P54046, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M409472200Hardie DG, 2004, J CELL SCI, V117, P5479, DOI 10.1242/jcs.01540Li J, 2004, AM J PHYSIOL-ENDOC M, V287, pE834, DOI 10.1152/ajpendo.00234.2004Cooray S, 2004, J GEN VIROL, V85, P1065, DOI 10.1099/vir.0.1977-0Brown VM, 2004, J BIOL CHEM, V279, P5984, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M307071200Tisdale EJ, 2003, J BIOL CHEM, V278, P52524, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M309343200HAWLEY SA, 2003, J BIOL, V2, P28Schmitz HD, 2003, CELL BIOL INT, V27, P511, DOI 10.1011/S1065-6995(03)00096-9Tisdale EJ, 2002, J BIOL CHEM, V277, P3334, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M109744200Schmitz HD, 2001, EUR J CELL BIOL, V80, P419Dastoor Z, 2001, J CELL SCI, V114, P1643Yeo EJ, 2000, MOL CELLS, V10, P415Stein SC, 2000, BIOCHEM J, V345, P437Sirover MA, 1999, BBA-PROTEIN STRUCT M, V1432, P159Shashidharan P, 1999, NEUROREPORT, V10, P1149Rameh LE, 1999, J BIOL CHEM, V274, P8347Sawa A, 1997, P NATL ACAD SCI USA, V94, P11669Vincent MF, 1996, BIOCHEM PHARMACOL, V52, P999Reiss N, 1996, BIOCHEM MOL BIOL INT, V38, P711CORTON JM, 1995, EUR J BIOCHEM, V229, P558KAWAMOTO RM, 1986, BIOCHEMISTRY-US, V25, P657BOYCE ST, 1983, J INVEST DERMATOL S, V81, P33