Evaluation of Some Finishing Properties of Oil Palm Particleboard for Furniture Application

The finishing properties of particleboard made from the Empty-Fruit Bunch (EFB) of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) were evaluated for its suitability for furniture applications, using different coating and overlay materials. The results found that the thick plastic-formica overlay provided the best surface finish, in terms of surface smoothness, adhesion strength and impact resistance. Although the polyurethane lacquer provided an acceptable finish, its quality and performance is not comparable to that of the thick plastic overlay. Despite the fact that the use of such overlay material may render the material not aesthetically appealing and limit it to concealed applications or where the thick overlay material is tolerated, its cost competitiveness and environmental friendliness may be able to position the oil palm particleboard as a substitute for the conventional wood-based particleboard in the furniture manufacturing industry

Prevalence and Risk Factor Analysis for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization in Children Attending Child Care Centers

Children attending child care centers (CCCs) are at increased risk for infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Nasal colonization often precedes infection, and MRSA colonization has been associated with increased infection risk. Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) has caused increased MRSA infections in the general population, including children. Little is known about the frequency of MRSA nasal colonization in young children, particularly in those attending CCCs where disease transmission is common. We sampled the nares of 1,163 children in 200 classrooms from 24 CCCs in North Carolina and Virginia to assess S. aureus colonization. MRSA strains were molecularly analyzed for staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type, Panton-Valentine leukocidin status, and multilocus sequence type. A case-control study was performed to identify risk factors for MRSA colonization. We found that 18.1% children were colonized with S. aureus and 1.3% with MRSA. Molecular analysis of the MRSA strains identified 47% as CA-MRSA and 53% as health care-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA). Although two centers had multiple children colonized with MRSA, genotyping indicated that no transmission had occurred within classrooms. The case-control study did not detect statistically significant risk factors for MRSA colonization. However, MRSA-colonized children were more likely to be nonwhite and to have increased exposure to antibiotics and skin infections in the home. Both CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA strains were found colonizing the nares of children attending CCCs. The low frequency of colonization observed highlights the need for a large multicenter study to determine risk factors for MRSA colonization and subsequent infection in this highly susceptible population

CD16 Expression on Monocytes in Healthy Individuals but Not Schistosome-Infected Patients Is Positively Associated with Levels of Parasite-Specific IgG and IgG1

Human IgG1 antibody responses are associated with protection against Schistosoma haematobium infection and are now a target for schistosome vaccine development. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between total IgG and the IgG subclasses and the monocyte IgG receptor, known as FcγRIIIa or CD16, in schistosome exposed people. Systemic levels of schistosome-specific anti-adult worm total IgG and IgG subclass titres were measured by ELISA in 100 individuals from an S. haematobium endemic area in Zimbabwe and, using parametric statistical methods and regression analysis, related to the levels of CD16 expression on individuals' circulating monocytes, determined via flow cytometry. Monocyte CD16 expression rose with parasite-specific total IgG and IgG1 in healthy participants, but not in schistosome infected patients. Similar to parasite-specific IgG and IgG1, CD16 expression in healthy individuals is associated with protection against schistosome infection. This relationship indicates a mechanistic link between the innate and adaptive immune responses to helminth infection in protection against infection. Further understanding the elements of a protective immune response in schistosomiasis may aid in efforts to develop a protective vaccine against this disease.This work was supported by the World Health Organisation and the Wellcome Trust grant WT082028MA, the Thrasher Research Fund and the Medical Research Council grant LJA-544

An assessment of Malaysian wooden furniture manufacturers' readiness to embrace chain of custody (COC) certification

Although Malaysia is a major producer and exporter of wood products in the world, the status of wood products certification in the industry is relatively unknown. Therefore, a study was carried out to assess the status of chain of custody certification among wooden furniture manufacturers using a structured questionnaire to interview firms who had participated at the annual Malaysian International Furniture Fair (MIFF). Results collated indicate that the readiness to adopt chain of custody certification among wooden furniture manufacturers was low. The lack of price premiums, limited market potential and high cost was cited as the primary reasons deterring furniture manufacturers from adopting chain of custody certification. Furthermore, the use of plantation wood resources, such as Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), perceived to be certified wood resources, reflects the lack of understanding among the manufacturers. This study shows that an increasing adoption of chain of custody certification among wooden furniture manufacturers in Malaysia can be realized in the market organisation, especially with regards to price premiums and market requirements

Evaluation of some finishing properties of oil palm particleboard for furniture application

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Exploring the prevalence and factors associated with self-reported traffic crashes among app-based motorcycle taxis in Vietnam

Motorcycle taxis play an important role in many developing countries, particularly in servicing areas where conventional public transport is not available. This form of transport has become more popular in recent years since online ride-hailing companies launched motorcycle taxi services. However, little is known about traffic crash risks among app-based motorcycle taxi riders. This study therefore aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with road traffic crashes among app-based motorcycle taxi riders. A field survey and online survey were undertaken to obtain information about riders' socio-demographics, work patterns, travel behaviour and crash involvement. A total of 602 valid survey responses from riders were obtained across three cities in Vietnam, including 571 males and 31 females. The overall reported prevalence of road traffic crashes among app-based motorcycle taxi riders over a one-year period was 30%. Binary logistic regression modelling showed that traffic crashes were associated with non-students, low education levels, high daily travel distances, regular smoking, and using a mobile phone while driving. Despite regulation of online ride-hailing motorcycle taxi services in Vietnam, the reported prevalence of crashes among riders is considered to be relatively high. Targeted interventions to reduce the risk of being involved in a crash should be considered, such as increasing road safety education for non-student riders and imposing a daily travel distance limit for riders

A New Approach to Improving the Efficiency of FEL Oscillator Simulations

During the last year we have been benchmarking FEL oscillator simulation codes against the measured performance of the three Jefferson Lab oscillator FELs. While one might think that a full 4D simulation is de facto the best predictor of performance, the simulations are computationally intensive, even when analytical approximations to the electron bunch longitudinal distribution are used. In this presentation we compare the predictions of the 4D FEL interaction codes Genesis and Medusa, in combination with the optical code OPC, with those using a combination of the 2D & 3D versions of these codes, which can be run quickly on a single CPU core desktop computer