Expression of cyp1a protein in the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea (Müller)

We investigated the expression of CYP1A in the foot, gill and visceral mass of the freshwater clam Corbicula fluminea in relation to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure. Different PCBs congeners were found in the foot and visceral mass, while the expression of CYP1A was observed only in the visceral mass. However the level of CYP1A expression in the visceral mass was not related to the level of PCBs present in the tissue. Our results indicate a higher rate of biotransformation and lower threshold of CYP1A induction in the visceral mass compared with other tissues

Dermatoglyphics as a possible morphological biomarker in myopia: analysis of finger ridge counts and fluctuating asymmetry

Background: The aim of this study is to provide the first analysis of finger ridge counts and fluctuating asymmetry in myopia, in order to evaluate dermatoglyphic role as a morphological biomarker. Materials and methods: Study sample consisted of 102 participants recruited from freshman students’ population of the University of Priština-Kosovska Mitro- vica. Prints were taken by standard ink and paper method. Differences in mean ridge counts between examined groups were analysed by ANOVA analysis of variance. Fluctuating asymmetry assessment was performed by using correlation method (p < 0.05).  Results: Analysis has identified myopic males as the group with the most pro- minent differences of examined dermatoglyphic parameters. Myopic males, compared to controls, have significantly higher ridge counts for left and right ring and little finger, as well as total ridge count. Also, this group has recorded significant difference in fluctuating asymmetry correlation score for middle finger, and borderline significance for thumb and ring finger.  Conclusions: Overall findings of this study have indicated that dermatoglyphics might serve as a morphological biomarker, especially in myopic males, selecting them as the group with dermatoglyphic differences that might be suggestive of higher developmental instability. Although promising, the present results should be considered as preliminary until future investigations replicate them in a larger sample.

A phenomenological analysis of sintering kinetics from the viewpoint of activated volume

The sintering kinetics of real systems has been viewed as a process of transport of activated volume. Activated volume is a parameter that can be used to describe mass transport during the sintering process. It defines the movement of point defects and dislocations during the sintering process. A phenomenological equation has been defined using this parameter, which can be applied to analyze kinetics of the sintering process. It has been applied to analyze the sintering process of several disperse systems. Values obtained for parameters of the equation have also been analyzed

Influence of mechanical activation on synthesis and properties of the MgO-TiO2 system

Materials applied in electronics such as multilayer capacitors are an important field of ceramic materials. Magnesium titanate based dielectric materials are used for producing type-I capacitors. A common way of obtaining this material is a solid-state reaction during reaction sintering. The process of sintering can be enhanced if mechanical activation precedes. In this work starting powders of magnesium carbonate (MgCO3) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) with a rutile crystal modification were weighed to attain a 1:1 molar MgCO3:TiO2 ratio. Mechanical activation of the starting mixture was performed by high energy ball milling using ZrO balls and vessels with a ball to powder mass ratio of 40:1. The observed grinding times were 15, 30, 60 and 120 minutes. Powder characterization was conducted using X ray powder diffraction, DTA analysis up to 1000 o C and particle morphology changes were observed with Scanning Electron Microscopy. Isothermal sintering of compacted powders was conducted at 1100ºC during 30, 60 and 180 minutes. For specimens synthesized in such a manner, microwave dielectric properties were measured, quality factor Q, specific electrical resistivity (ρ) and the dielectric constant (Єr). In this work we explain the influence of mechanical activation on the MgCO3-TiO2 system leading to titanate formation during sintering, as well as induced changes in microwave dielectric properties

The Influence of Tribophysical Activation on Zn2TiO4 Synthesis

Poster presented at the Seventh Yugoslav Materials Research Society Conference - YUCOMAT 2005, Herceg Novi, Crna Gora, September 12-16, 2005

A Framework for Establishing Restoration Goals for Contaminated Ecosystems

This article represents 1 of 6 articles in the special series “Restoration of Impaired Ecosystems: An Ounce of Prevention or a Pound of Cure?” The articles result from a Technical Workshop organized by SETAC and the Society for Ecological Restoration, held June 2014 in Jackson, Wyoming, that focused on advancing the practice of restoring ecosystems that have been contaminated or impaired from industrial activities.As natural resources become increasingly limited, the value of restoring contaminated sites, both terrestrial and aquatic, becomes increasingly apparent. Traditionally, goals for remediation have been set before any consideration of goals for ecological restoration. The goals for remediation have focused on removing or limiting contamination whereas restoration goals have targeted the ultimate end use. Here, we present a framework for developing a comprehensive set of achievable goals for ecological restoration of contaminated sites to be used in concert with determining goals for remediation. This framework was developed during a Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and Society of Ecological Restoration (SER) cosponsored workshop that brought together experts from multiple countries. Although most members were from North America, this framework is designed for use internationally. We discuss the integration of establishing goals for both contaminant remediation and overall restoration, and the need to include both the restoration of ecological and socio-cultural-economic value in the context of contaminated sites. Although recognizing that in some countries there may be regulatory issues associated with contaminants and clean up, landscape setting and social drivers can inform the restoration goals. We provide a decision tree support tool to guide the establishment of restoration goals for contaminated ecosystems. The overall intent of this decision tree is to provide a framework for goal setting and to identify outcomes achievable given the contamination present at a site. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2016;12:264–272. 2015 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC

Dilatometer Investigations of Reactive Sintering of Zinc Titanate Ceramics

Poster presented at the The Sixth Yugoslav Materials Research Society Conference - YUCOMAT 2004, Herceg Novi, Crna Gora, September 13-17, 2004

Influence of Tool Geometry and Process Parameters on the Properties of Friction Stir Spot Welded Multiple (AA 5754 H111) Aluminium Sheets.

Friction stir spot welding is an emerging spot-welding technology that offers opportunities for joining a wide range of materials with minimum energy consumption. To increase productivity, the present work addresses production challenges and aims to find solutions for the lap-welding of multiple ultrathin sheets with maximum productivity. Two convex tools with different edge radii were used to weld four ultrathin sheets of AA5754-H111 alloy each with 0.3 mm thickness. To understand the influence of tool geometries and process parameters, coefficient of friction (CoF), microstructure and mechanical properties obtained with the Vickers microhardness test and the small punch test were analysed. A scanning acoustic microscope was used to assess weld quality. It was found that the increase of tool radius from 15 to 22.5 mm reduced the dwell time by a factor of three. Samples welded with a specific tool were seen to have no delamination and improved mechanical properties due to longer stirring time. The rotational speed was found to be the most influential parameter in governing the weld shape, CoF, microstructure, microhardness and weld efficiency. Low rotational speeds caused a 14.4% and 12.8% improvement in joint efficiency compared to high rotational speeds for both tools used in this investigation

Influence of mechanical activation on synthesis of zinc metatitanate

Investigations of a ZnO-TiO2 binary oxide mixture during mechanical treatment were mainly focused on obtaining orthotitanate Zn2TiO4 with a spinel structure. Due to the specific way of energy transfer during mechanical treatment using a high-energy ball mill, the system passes through low temperature ZnTiO3 metatitanate phase formation. Mechanical activation was performed on an equimolar ratio mixture of ZnO and TiO2. The anatase phase was previously submitted to heat treatment for achieving a starting mixture rich in a rutile phase. Milling conditions were preset for observing the formation of a low temperature ZnTiO3 phase with a perovskite structure. The powder microstructure was characterized using scanning electron microscopy. A nitrogen gas sorption analyzer with the BET method was used to determine the specific surface area and porosity, indicating changes of powder sample properties during mechanical activation. Also, X ray powder diffractometry was applied to obtain the phase composition. Powders were then pressed into pellets and their compressibility was observed through density changes. According to microstructures obtained by scanning electron microscopy analysis, the system underwent a primary and secondary agglomeration process. Specific surface area measurements supported that conclusion. Compressibility investigations established the difference between compressibility of the non-activated mixture and activated powders. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that a perovskite structure forms simultaneously with a spinel phase during the process of mechanical activation