Health effect of household fuel pollution on young children in semi-urban and urban areas of Bangladesh

Household fuel pollution from the use of low quality biomass fuels is considered as a risk factor for respiratory tract infections (RTl) in women and children. Inhalation of fuel-derived pulmonary toxins (e.g. particulate matter (PM2.5µm) , and carbon monoxide (CO) can harm the lungs of young children, due to their under-developed immune defences. In Bangladesh acute respiratory infections (ARI) are the leading cause of child mortality « 5years of age). This thesis aimed to examine the relationship between RTl and household fuel pollution exposure using measured pollution data and medical diagnoses. During an 18-month longitudinal health intervention in northern Bangladesh households (n=408) were interviewed (3 times) on cooking/fuel-use practices and child health. Anthropometric data (height/weight) and finger-prick blood samples for analysis of immune status (c-reactive protein, alpha-I-acidglycoprotein (AGP) and albumin) were collected (n=32 I < 5years of age). All unwell children (62.4%) were medically examined. Household pollution levels (particulate matter (PM2.5µm) and carbon monoxide (CO) were monitored for a 24-hour period (n=61). Moderate/ severe RTI was common (24.8%) (youngest child only n=213). Poor child growth (stunted: 43.8%, underweight=66.7%, wasted: 38.4%) and immunity were detected. 98% of the households used inefficient chimneyless mud stoves and low quality biomass fuels (wood, golden, dung). The measured indoor pollution levels exceeded the WHO safety thresholds (PM2.5 µm range: 85 to 3020 µm/m3 CO range: 0-16 ppm) (PM2.5 µm>25 µm/m3 , CO>9ppm). Longitudinal multivariate GLM showed that cooking practices were associated with child immune status: haemoglobin levels (F= 1.555, p=NS) were significantly associated with Bihari ethnicity and a fixed stove use (F=3.718 and F=3.716, p<0.05 respectively). Elevated 10glO-AGP levels were found (F=4.371, p<0.05) in Saidpur in households using a fixed stove (F=4.123, F=3.780, p<0.05). The patterns in child growth z-scores were due to age only (stunting: F=7.413,

Conservation management planning - A way to sustainability?

The research presented aims to study the process of Conservation Management Planning as a process, in order to assess how the plans and the planning process are viewed by the day-to-day stakeholders of built Cultural Heritage. The benefits and usefulness of Conservation Management Planning have been widely recognized across the field of cultural heritage, particularly within the organizations or authorities overseeing the development and funding of different sites. Undoubtedly, the process of Conservation Management Planning allows for a thorough insight in to the site in question but does the written plan allow for a better management of the property overall The study presented draws from direct contact with stakeholders of built cultural heritage - the owners, managers and administrators of private properties, as well as professionals of governing organizations. Interviews with stakeholders are summarized and discussed, in an attempt to assess to which extent Conservation Management Plans are, in fact, used in practice, whether they are considered to be a practical approach, whether these plans are thought to allow for a more sustainable management approach to a property and how, if at all, the process of Conservation Management Planning could be further developed. A property under the guardianship of Historic Scotland, Smailholm Tower, is used as a Case Study to allow for insight into the complexity of issues a stakeholder of a property may encounter, and to assess whether a Conservation Management Plan would encourage the sustainable preservation of this significant property for the future generations. Key words: Conservation Management Planning Sustainability Management Repair and Maintenance Benefits and Practicality

Feasibility of subcritical fluid technology to stabilize archaeological copper alloy artifacts.

A PhD involving collaboration between Clemson University (USA) and Cardiff University (UK) is investigating the potential of subcritical fluid technology in the treatment of heritage copper alloys at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center. The work reported here examines the impact of temperature, pH and time on the chloride bearing compounds nantokite (CuCl), clinoatacamite1 (Cu2 (OH)3 Cl) and atacamite (Cu2 (OH)3 Cl), of which the latter two are also referred to as trihydroxychlorides. These compounds were individually compressed into pellets, using calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) as a binder where necessary and subjected to continuous fixed flow of sodium carbonate (Na2 CO3 ) 0.01 percent (w/w) (pH 10) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3 ) 0.00193 percent (w/w) (pH 8) solutions in subcritical conditions. Differing sample sets were run at 130°C, 180°C and 230°C for 1 and 5 hours. Eluate was sampled for chloride content at selected values of time. X-Ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate compound transformations that occurred during treatments. Nantokite and atacamite released significant amounts of chloride in all treatment environments. Varying degrees of transformation occurred for both compounds depending on parameters. Nantokite transformed to cuprite (Cu2 O) and copper trihydroxychloride (Cu2 (OH)3 Cl) while atacamite transformed to tenorite (CuO). Significant amounts of chloride detected in the eluate from clinoatacamite treatments could be assigned to residual sodium chloride (NaCl) from its synthesis as no compositional changes were detected, suggesting differing behavior from its polymorph atacamite. Hydrolysis of nantokite in high relative humidity produces atacamite and clinoatacamite, which physically disrupts patinas and alters the object aesthetics. Conversion to unreactive compounds in subcritical conditions offers the basis for developing a predictive evidence-based treatment option for the heritage sector

Stabilisation of archaeological copper alloy artefacts using subcritical fluid technology

The research presented aimed to investigate potential of subcritical fluid technology to effect Cl- release and transform compounds of copper alloy artefacts of cultural significance. The work intended to determine the most effective pH, temperature, and time combination subcritical treatment variables to: 1. transform or solvate insoluble or sparingly soluble copper compounds containing Cl - CuCl and Cu2(OH)3Cl (atacamite and clinoatacamite); 2. examine impact on typical patina compounds Cu2O and ‎Cu2CO3(OH)2 and to establish optimal conditions for their retention throughout treatment. Additionally, the research expected to offer guidance on the values of the operational parameters to use when applying subcritical treatment to archaeological copper alloy objects. The series of experiments yielded preliminary results on solvation, extraction, chemical transformation, and physical modification of the predominant corrosion products found on copper alloy artefacts. Experiments were completed using analogue pressed pellets of corrosion products, naturally corroded copper coupons and archaeological artefacts, with specific focus on corrosion profiles, metallography and microstructure. The results of extraction show significant amounts of Cl- are removed and thus the reactivity of objects is reduced. While this study conclusively demonstrated subcritical treatment is capable of both removal and transformation of Cl-bearing compounds commonly present in copper alloy objects, it cannot be recommended for treating archaeological objects based on these results alone. Aesthetic and physical changes are unpredictable and may be unacceptable. Accepting these changes cannot directly be balanced against the proven effectiveness of subcritical treatment for removing Cl, nor its rapid treatment time

Household environment and behavioral determinants of respiratory tract infection in infants and young children in northern Bangladesh

Objectives: Respiratory tract infections (RTI) are one of the leading causes of under-five mortality in Bangladesh. Solid biomass fuels are the main source of domestic fuel used for cooking across Bangladesh, leading to smoke and pollution exposure in the home. This paper aims to identify risk-factors for RTI among children aged under five years in Bangladesh with a particular focus on the household environment, fuel use and cooking practices. Method: A cross-sectional household-health survey was carried out in 321 households in northern Bangladesh. The survey included care-giver interviews on cooking practices, child health and household behaviors during cooking. Health status of the youngest child (under 5 years) from each household was recorded through maternal interviews, medical diagnosis, and assessment of biomarkers (c-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin) from finger-prick blood samples. Anthropometric status (weight, height) was recorded. Results: Children who spent ≥30 minutes/day within five feet of the stove during cooking had a significantly increased risk of moderate/severe RTI compared with children spending <30 minutes/day close to the stove (OR=2.15, 95%CI: 1.20-3.86, p=0.01), independent of socio-economic status (SES), biomass fuel type (wood, dung, plant-derived, compressed risk husks), child age, anthropometric status, CRP and hemoglobin. Conclusions: In environments with a heavy reliance on solid biomass fuels, the amount of time a child spends near the stove during cooking may be an important risk for RTI. These novel findings from Bangladesh warrant further investigation of mother-infant behaviors during cooking in relation to child health, to ascertain whether the association is likely to be causal

Tris(propane-1,2-diamine-κ2 N,N′)nickel(II) tetra­cyanidoplatinate(II)

In the title compound, [Ni(C3H10N2)3][Pt(CN)4], the [Pt(CN)4]2− anion with the environment of the PtII atom, lying on a mirror plane, is square planar, whereas the NiII atom in the [Ni(C3N2H10)3]2+ cation, also lying on a mirror plane, has a slightly distorted octa­hedral coordination geometry. Three chiral 1,2-diamino­propane mol­ecules, which are disordered equally over two sets of positions, adopt Δ(δδδ) and Δ(λλλ) configurations. The average Ni—N and Pt—C bond lengths are 2.131 (10) and 1.988 (10) Å, respectively. The cations and anions are connected by N—H⋯N hydrogen bonds

The impact of pH and temperature on copper corrosion products in subcritical conditions: delivering insight into the treatment of archaeological copper alloys

Corrosion profiles extant on archaeological copper alloys from aerated marine contexts often comprise CuCl beneath or intermixed with a Cu2O layer, which is normally overlaid by a range of green blue Cu2OH3Cl polymorphs. Depending on prevailing conditions, other chloride bearing compounds and basic copper carbonates, may also be present. Aesthetically pleasing patinas can be disrupted by post excavation hydrolysis of CuCl producing voluminous Cu2OH3Cl polymorphs. This can be controlled by using the inhibitor benzotriazole, except in the presence of low pH caused by hydrolysis. Alternatively, the removal of soluble chlorides (Cl-), using various aqueous alkaline wash solutions, offers an approach to fulfilling the aim of controlling post-excavation corrosion. Enhancing washing effectiveness by using subcritical conditions, that are claimed to aid desalination, has been experimentally studied for marine archaeological iron but has received limited attention for copper alloy desalination. This research investigates the potential of subcritical fluid technology to release Cl- and transform compounds that are commonly present on marine archaeological copper alloys. The impact of the treatment variables pH, temperature and time on analogue pressed pellets of the commonly occurring corrosion products, atacamite (CuCl2OH3Cl), clinoatacamite (CuCl2OH3Cl), malachite Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2, nantokite (CuCl) and cuprite (Cu2O) was studied. Sets of analogues comprising 3 pellets were treated in subcritical conditions at pH8 (NaHCO3) and pH10 (NaCO3) for up to 480 minutes, with analysis of the concentration of Cl- and pH values in the eluate at time intervals of 15, 30, 45, 60, 120 and 480 minutes. The surface and cross section of samples was analysed with SEM-EDS and ground pellet samples with XRD to detect whether transformation had occurred. To translate this into contexts for treating naturally forming corrosion product profiles, analogues were produced by corroding copper alloy coupons in a brackish environment for 12 months. Finally, real artefact samples were treated. These tests used the same subcritical methodology employed for the pressed corrosion product pellets, recording pH and Cl-concentration at the same time values. Patina and corrosion layer characteristics were recorded before and after treatment using digital photography. The outcome offered insight into the combination of variables that provided the most effective Cl- extraction from Cl- bearing pellets and identified transformations that would impact on colour change. Aesthetic impact was determined by the appearance of the coupons and real artefact samples pre and post treatment. This indicated that the change caused by the most effective parameters for Cl- extraction would likely be unacceptable in any practical context for archaeological objects

Feasibility of subcritical fluid technology to stabilize archaeological copper alloy artifacts.

A PhD involving collaboration between Clemson University (USA) and Cardiff University (UK) is investigating the potential of subcritical fluid technology in the treatment of heritage copper alloys at the Warren Lasch Conservation Center. The work reported here examines the impact of temperature, pH and time on the chloride bearing compounds nantokite (CuCl), clinoatacamite1 (Cu2 (OH)3 Cl) and atacamite (Cu2 (OH)3 Cl), of which the latter two are also referred to as trihydroxychlorides. These compounds were individually compressed into pellets, using calcium carbonate (CaCO3 ) as a binder where necessary and subjected to continuous fixed flow of sodium carbonate (Na2 CO3 ) 0.01 percent (w/w) (pH 10) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3 ) 0.00193 percent (w/w) (pH 8) solutions in subcritical conditions. Differing sample sets were run at 130°C, 180°C and 230°C for 1 and 5 hours. Eluate was sampled for chloride content at selected values of time. X-Ray diffraction and micro-Raman spectroscopy were used to investigate compound transformations that occurred during treatments. Nantokite and atacamite released significant amounts of chloride in all treatment environments. Varying degrees of transformation occurred for both compounds depending on parameters. Nantokite transformed to cuprite (Cu2 O) and copper trihydroxychloride (Cu2 (OH)3 Cl) while atacamite transformed to tenorite (CuO). Significant amounts of chloride detected in the eluate from clinoatacamite treatments could be assigned to residual sodium chloride (NaCl) from its synthesis as no compositional changes were detected, suggesting differing behavior from its polymorph atacamite. Hydrolysis of nantokite in high relative humidity produces atacamite and clinoatacamite, which physically disrupts patinas and alters the object aesthetics. Conversion to unreactive compounds in subcritical conditions offers the basis for developing a predictive evidence-based treatment option for the heritage sector

From Coarse to Fine? Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Cortical Face Processing

Primary vision segregates information along 2 main dimensions: orientation and spatial frequency (SF). An important question is how this primary visual information is integrated to support high-level representations. It is generally assumed that the information carried by different SF is combined following a coarse-to-fine sequence. We directly addressed this assumption by investigating how the network of face-preferring cortical regions processes distinct SF over time. Face stimuli were flashed during 75, 150, or 300 ms and masked. They were filtered to preserve low SF (LSF), middle SF (MSF), or high SF (HSF). Most face-preferring regions robustly responded to coarse LSF, face information in early stages of visual processing (i.e., until 75 ms of exposure duration). LSF processing decayed as a function of exposure duration (mostly until 150 ms). In contrast, the processing of fine HSF, face information became more robust over time in the bilateral fusiform face regions and in the right occipital face area. The present evidence suggests the coarse-to-fine strategy as a plausible modus operandi in high-level visual cortex