Moisture conditions in coated wood panels during 18 months natural weathering at five sites in Europe

Wood moisture content of coated panels of Scots pine sapwood was recorded during 18 months natural weathering in Vienna by logging electric resistance and temperature near the surface. Eight coating systems with various film thicknesses were used, including three solvent borne alkyd stains, three water borne acrylic stains and two water borne acrylic paints. At five sites in Europe wood moisture content of panels coated with three solvent borne alkyd stains, a brow acrylic stain and a white opaque acrylic paint was recorded weekly by changes in panel mass. Fluctuations in wood moisture content were influenced by the film thickness, moisture protection and colour of the coating systems used. Degradation phenomena led to decreasing moisture protection of less durable coating systems over time of exposure. Differences between the exposure sites were relatively low, except the site in the UK where moisture conditions were higher

Modelling the Material Resistance of Wood—Part 3: Relative Resistance in above- and in-Ground Situations—Results of a Global Survey

Durability-based designs with timber require reliable information about the wood properties and how they affect its performance under variable exposure conditions. This study aimed at utilizing a material resistance model (Part 2 of this publication) based on a dose–response approach for predicting the relative decay rates in above-ground situations. Laboratory and field test data were, for the first time, surveyed globally and used to determine material-specific resistance dose values, which were correlated to decay rates. In addition, laboratory indicators were used to adapt the material resistance model to in-ground exposure. The relationship between decay rates in- and above-ground, the predictive power of laboratory indicators to predict such decay rates, and a method for implementing both in a service life prediction tool, were established based on 195 hardwoods, 29 softwoods, 19 modified timbers, and 41 preservative-treated timbers

Modeling the material resistance of wood—part 2:Validation and optimization of the meyer-veltrup model

Service life planning with timber requires reliable models for quantifying the effects of exposure-related parameters and the material-inherent resistance of wood against biotic agents. The Meyer-Veltrup model was the first attempt to account for inherent protective properties and the wetting ability of wood to quantify resistance of wood in a quantitative manner. Based on test data on brown, white, and soft rot as well as moisture dynamics, the decay rates of different untreated wood species were predicted relative to the reference species of Norway spruce (Picea abies). The present study aimed to validate and optimize the resistance model for a wider range of wood species including very durable species, thermally and chemically modified wood, and preservative treated wood. The general model structure was shown to also be suitable for highly durable materials, but previously defined maximum thresholds had to be adjusted (i.e., maximum values of factors accounting for wetting ability and inherent protective properties) to 18 instead of 5 compared to Norway spruce. As expected, both the enlarged span in durability and the use of numerous and partly very divergent data sources (i.e., test methods, test locations, and types of data presentation) led to a decrease in the predictive power of the model compared to the original. In addition to the need to enlarge the database quantity and improve its quality, in particular for treated wood, it might be advantageous to use separate models for untreated and treated wood as long as the effect of additional impact variables (e.g., treatment quality) can be accounted for. Nevertheless, the adapted Meyer-Veltrup model will serve as an instrument to quantify material resistance for a wide range of wood-based materials as an input for comprehensive service life prediction software

Genetic variation in vitamin D-related genes and risk of colorectal cancer in African Americans

PurposeDisparities in both colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and survival impact African Americans (AAs) more than other US ethnic groups. Because vitamin D is thought to protect against CRC and AAs have lower serum vitamin D levels, genetic variants that modulate the levels of active hormone in the tissues could explain some of the cancer health disparity. Consequently, we hypothesized that genetic variants in vitamin D-related genes are associated with CRC risk.MethodsTo test this hypothesis, we studied 39 potentially functional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight genes (CYP2R1, CYP3A4, CYP24A1, CYP27A1, CYP27B1, GC, DHCR7, and VDR) in 961 AA CRC cases and 838 healthy AA controls from Chicago and North Carolina. We tested whether SNPs are associated with CRC incidence using logistic regression models to calculate p values, odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals. In the logistic regression, we used a log-additive genetic model and used age, gender, and percent West African ancestry, which we estimated with the program STRUCTURE, as covariates in the models.ResultsA nominally significant association was detected between CRC and the SNP rs12794714 in the vitamin D 25-hydroxylase gene CYP2R1 (p=0.019), a SNP that has previously been associated with serum vitamin D levels. Two SNPs, rs16847024 in the GC gene and rs6022990 in the CYP24A1 gene, were nominally associated with left-sided CRC (p=0.015 and p=0.018, respectively).ConclusionsOur results strongly suggest that genetic variation in vitamin D-related genes could affect CRC susceptibility in AAs. Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s10552-014-0361-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Service life of wood in outdoor above ground applications - engineering design guideline

This engineering design guideline is intended for wood in outdoor above ground applications, i.e. use class 3 according to EN 335. It is based on a prescribed limit state for onset of decay during a reference service life of 30 years. Onset of decay is defined as a state of fungal attack according to rating 1 in EN 252. The approach is to determine the climate exposure as a function of geographical location, local exposure conditions, sheltering, distance to ground and design of details. The exposure is then compared with the material resistance defined in five classes and the design output is either OK or NOT OK. The present version of the guideline covers applications for decking and cladding. The data included in the guideline have partly been derived with the help of a dose-response model for decay, which was used to derive relative measures of decay risk between different locations and between different detail solutions. Other elements in the guideline have been estimated in a semi-subjective manner based on expert opinions as well as experience from field testing. The guideline has been verified by a number of reality checks of real buildings, which show that the output from the tool agrees well with documented experience. The guideline has also been presented in a computerized Excel format, which makes practical use more convenient. It is believed that many building professionals will appreciate a tool within the area of wood durability which has an approach similar to other design tasks in building projects. An advantage is that in applying the method the designer will go through a check list where he/she becomes aware of the importance of appropriate design and detailing solutions. In addition the user will have to consider the target service life as well as the consequences of non-performance in the design of a construction

Planned maintenance painting Improving value for money

Includes bibliographical referencesAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre- DSC:2277. 485(7/03) / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo