Petrography of construction and demolition waste (CDW) from Abruzzo region (Central Italy).

The density, colour and texture, plus mineral and chemical features of 18 ceramic-like CDW samples from the Abruzzo region (Central Italy) were characterised. The concretes, natural stones, tiles, roof-tiles, bricks and perforated bricks are either aphanitic to porphyric. Concretes and natural stones are grey to white and tend to be > 2.0 g/cm3; the masonries are brown to reddish and close to < 2.0 g/cm3. Concrete and natural stone are rich or even exclusively made up of calcite, with high amounts of CaO (>40 wt%) and LOI (volatiles, CO2 + H2O). The masonries are instead calcite-, CaO- (<25 wt%) and LOI-poor (<8 wt%) but enriched in SiO2 (45 to 70 wt%) stabilised as quartz and/or cristobalite, with significant amount of Al2O3 (12 to 20 wt%). S and Cl contents are similar among concrete, bricks and perforated bricks. The petrography of CDW concretes is similar among geographical areas with abundance of limestones used as aggregates. However, in limestone-poor areas CDW are SiO2- and Al2O3-rich, reflecting the prevalent use of masonry and/or silicate-rich construction materials, implying that each geographical area is characterised by peculiar CDW composition. Therefore, the knowledge of mesoscopic, physical and petrographic aspects has to be known for planning adequate sorting methods, promoting upcycling reusing applications. Some of the studied CDW samples are susceptible to release relative high Cr and As content.

Use of municipal solid waste incineration bottom ashes in alkali-activated materials, ceramics and granular applications: A review.

This paper presents a literature review on the incorporation of municipal solid waste incinerated bottom ash as raw material in several markets, other than those where it is conventionally used, such as geotechnical applications and road pavement construction. The main findings of an ample selection of experimental investigations on the use of the bottom ash as precursor of alkali-activated materials, as an adsorbent material for the removal of hazardous elements from wastewater and landfill gases, as soil replacement in agricultural activities, as partial or complete substitute of raw materials for the manufacture of ceramic-based products, as landfill cover and as biogas production enhancer, were gathered, collated and analysed.

Antimicrobial efficacy of alcohol-based hand gels with a 30-s application.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of alcohol-based hand gels according to European Norm 1500 (EN 1500). METHODS AND RESULTS: We assessed the antimicrobial efficacy of 12 alcohol-based hand gels produced in Brazil, containing 70% w/w or v/v ethyl alcohol as the active ingredient, according to EN 1500, with a 30-s application. In addition, 70% w/w ethyl alcohol and three alcohol-based hand rubs commonly used in Europe and effective according to EN 1500 were also tested. Eight of 12 (67%) alcohol-based hand gels produced in Brazil failed by EN 1500. In contrast, 70% w/w ethyl alcohol and European alcohol-based hand rubs were approved by EN 1500. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the majority of Brazilian alcohol-based hand gels showed limited efficacy on hand hygiene within 30 s. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The findings of this study may be used as an important argument to motivate Brazilian manufacturers to improve the antimicrobial efficacy of alcohol-based hand gels, because it is prudent to suppose that alcohol-based hand gels can be recommended for use in healthcare settings only if they show antimicrobial activity at least similar to that of alcohol-based liquid preparations, including the traditional 70% w/w ethyl alcohol.

Hyperbranched polyglycerol electrospun nanofibers for wound dressing applications.

This study reports on the performance of electrospun hyperbranched polyglycerol nanofibers capable of providing an active agent delivery for wound dressing applications. The aim of this work was to prepare electrospun HPGL nanofibers containing Calendula officinalis as a wound-healing and anti-inflammatory agent. The morphology of the electrospun HPGL-C. officinalis nanofibers was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The results showed that the diameters of the fibers were in nanoscales. The release of C. officinalis from the electrospun HPGL fibers was determined by HPLC at a physiological temperature (37 degrees C). Rapid release of the C. officinalis from the electrospun HPGL-C. officinalis nanofibers was exhibited as result of the high swelling ability as well as the high porosity of the electrospun HPGL-C. officinalis membranes. The degree of swelling, and the mechanical and biocompatible properties of the electrospun HPGL fibers were determined. The results showed that, in physiological conditions, the water absorption into the HPGL electrospun fibers slowed down, governed by the rate at which the electrospun HPGL-C. officinalis membranes interacted with the physiological fluid. The rate of release of C. officinalis seemed to depend on the C. officinalis content in the HPGL nanofibers. From the elastic modulus, it could be seen that elastic electrospun HPGL fibers were obtained with increments of C. officinalis content in the HPGL-C. officinalis membranes. The results of in vivo experiments in rats suggested that HPGL-C. officinalis might be an interesting bioactive wound dressing material for clinical applications.

Calibration of (109)Cd KXRF systems for in vivo bone lead measurements: weighted least-squares regression with different weighting functions.

The use of iteratively reweighted least squares (IRLS) has recently been described as an alternative to ordinary least squares with heteroscedastic data, in the calibration of (109)Cd KXRF systems for in vivo bone lead measurements. This work addresses the use of weighted least squares (WLS) with two different weighting functions and no iteration, with that same data set. The functions are defined as the inverse of the variance of observed ratios of lead to coherent peak amplitudes and the inverse of the square of the error reported by the Marquardt fitting program for these ratios. The results show that if no iteration is implemented when using WLS, then the two weighting functions are highly inefficient in homogenizing the residual variance. Moreover, both methods estimate much more imprecise calibration intercepts and slopes than did the IRLS method. Work is in progress to investigate the implementation of IRLS with these weighting functions, with the focus on the selection of the best function for residuals to be used in each iteration stage.

Calibration of (109)Cd KXRF systems for in vivo bone lead measurements: the guiding role of the assumptions for least-squares regression in practical problem solving.

The use of least-squares regression to probe the level of lead contamination of plaster of Paris standards in the calibration of (109)Cd KXRF systems for bone lead measurement, as well as the use of iteratively reweighted least-squares (IRLS) in the case of violation of the assumptions for ordinary least-squares (OLS), is discussed here. One common violation is non-uniform residual variance, which makes the use of OLS inappropriate due to strong influence of points with large variance on the calibration line and variance of the slope and intercept. Comparison between OLS and IRLS in that case showed that IRLS estimates of the intercept are significantly smaller and more precise than OLS estimates, while a less marked increase in the calibration slope is observed when IRLS is used. Moreover, OLS underestimates bone lead concentrations at low levels of lead exposure and overestimates those concentrations at higher levels. These discrepancies are smaller in magnitude than the measurement uncertainty of conventional systems, except for high concentrations. For the newly developed cloverleaf systems, the suggested differences at bone lead concentrations below 17 ppm are comparable to the minimum detection limit, but are larger than the measurement uncertainty for bone lead concentrations above 60 ppm.

Oral theophylline for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Oral theophylline has, for many years, been used as a bronchodilator in patients with COPD. Despite the introduction of new drugs, and its narrow therapeutic index, theophylline is still recommended for COPD treatment. OBJECTIVES: To determine the effectiveness of oral theophylline when compared to placebo in patients with stable COPD. SEARCH STRATEGY: The Cochrane Airways Review Group and Cochrane Controlled Clinical Registers were searched. SELECTION CRITERIA: All studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were independently abstracted and the methodological quality assessed by two reviewers. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Concomitant therapy varied from none to any other bronchodilator plus corticosteroid (oral and inhaled). The following outcomes were significantly different when compared to placebo. FEV1 improved with treatment: Weighted Mean Difference (WMD) 100 ml; 95% Confidence Interval (95%CI) 40, 160 ml. Similarly for FVC: WMD 210 ml 95%CI 100, 320. Two studies reported an improvement in VO2max; WMD 195 ml/min, 95%CI 113,27). At rest, PaO2 and PaCO2 both improved with treatment (WMD 3.2 mmHg; 95%CI = 1.2, 5., and WMD -2.4 mmHg; 95%CI = -3.5, -1.2, respectively). Walking distance tests did not improve (4 studies, Standardised Mean Difference 0.30, 95%CI -0.01, 0.62), neither did Visual Analogue Score for breathlessness isn two small studies (WMD 3.6, 95%CI -4.6, 11.8). The Relative Risk (RR) of nausea was greater with theophylline (RR 7.7; 95%CI 1.5, 39.9). However, patients' preference for theophylline was greater than that for placebo (RR 2.27; 95%CI = 1.26, 4.11). Very few patient withdrew from these studies for any reason. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: Theophylline has a modest effect on FEV1 and FVC and slightly improves arterial blood gas tensions in moderate to severe COPD. These benefits were seen in patients receiving a variety of different concomitant therapies. Improvement in exercise performance depended on the method of testing. There was a very low dropout rate in the studies that could be included in this review, which suggests that recruited patients may have been known by the investigators to be theophylline tolerant. This may limit the generalisability of these studies.

[Gender focus and the relationship between health and work in the context of productive reorganization and underemployment]. / Enfoque de gênero e relação saúde/trabalho no contexto de reestruturação produtiva e precarização do trabalho.

This article analyzes the issue of workers' health in the context of productive reorganization, based on the sexual division of labor and gender relations. The author begins with a discussion of cross-cutting issues and moves on to analyze current trends: the increase in female labor, its incorporation by multinational companies in the so-called Third World countries, an increase in differences and greater vulnerability vis-à-vis the process involving underemployment and suspension of social labor clauses. Finally, two examples of female labor (in industry and the school system) foster reflection on the effect of productive reorganization on working women's health, highlighting the issue of excessive workloads for women.

[Female workers health: the case of a laundry at a sodium chlorate factory]. / Saúde das trabalhadoras: o caso da lavanderia de uma indústria química de cloro-soda.

This article presents a case study on working and health conditions of female workers and former workers in the laundry at a sodium chlorate plant. The women's main function was to wash uniforms of workmen who handled metallic mercury during production and maintenance. The aim of this study is to show the health effects of this work process by analyzing workplace conditions, evaluating clinical aspects in the women, and performing individual interviews in order to obtain more precise information based on their personal experience. The authors demonstrate how harmful this type of work is to the women workers' health, posing a serious risk for them in particular and workers' conditions in general in the factory. They also point out that most of what is known about women's occupational activity (in terms of its contents and risks), in addition to their specific problems and different diseases, may be disguised by gender relationships.

Effects of Tropical Rotation Crops on Meloidogyne arenaria Population Densities and Vegetable Yields in Microplots.

The effects of 12 summer crop rotation treatments on population densities of Meloidogyne arenaria race 1 and on yields of subsequent spring vegetable crops were determined in microplots. The crop sequence was: (i) rotation crops during summer 1991 ; (ii) cover crop of rye (Secale cereale) during winter 1991-92; (iii) squash (Cucurbita pepo) during spring 1992; (iv) rotation crops during summer 1992; (v) rye during winter 1992-93; (vi) eggplant (Solanum melongena) during spring 1993. The 12 rotation treatments were castor (Ricinus communis), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum), velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana), crotalaria (Crotalaria spectabilis), fallow, hairy indigo (Indigofera hirsuta), American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana), sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x S. sudanense), soybean (Glycine max), horsebean (Canavalia ensiformis), sesame (Sesamum indicum), and peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Compared to peanut, the first eight rotation treatments resulted in lower (P

Tropical rotation crops influence nematode densities and vegetable yields.

The effects of eight summer rotation crops on nematode densities and yields of subsequent spring vegetable crops were determined in field studies conducted in north Florida from 1991 to 1993. The crop sequence was as follows: (i) rotation crops during summer 1991; (ii) cover crop of rye (Secale cereale) during winter 1991-92; (iii) 'Lemondrop L' squash (Cucurbita pepo) during spring 1992; (iv) rotation crops during summer 1992; (v) rye during winter 1992-93; (vi) 'Classic' eggplant (Solanum melongena) during spring 1993. The eight summer crop rotation treatments were as follows: 'Hale' castor (Ricinus communis), velvetbean (Mucuna deeringiana), sesame (Sesamum indicum), American jointvetch (Aeschynomene americana), weed fallow, 'SX- 17' sorghum-sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor x S. sudanense), 'Kirby' soybean (Glycine max), and 'Clemson Spineless' okra (Hibiscus esculentus) as a control. Rotations with castor, velvetbean, American jointvetch, and sorghum-sudangrass were most effective in maintaining the lowest population densities of Meloidogyne spp. (a mixture of M. incognita race 1 and M. arenaria race 1), but Paratrichodorus minor built up in the sorghum-sudangrass rotation. Yield of squash was lower (P

[Framework for the study of the relationships between work, women and health]. / Referencial de análise para a estudo da relação trabalho, mulher e saúde.

The present paper aims at showing the importance of the gender approach in the theoretical construction of the field of worker's health since men and women are exposed to different work conditions within the productive process. In the case of female workers, we point to the liaison of capitalism and patriarchy as determinants of women's oppression in the hierarchical relationships of labor as well as to the hidden social responsibility of the housework, which is carried out in the private sphere thus keeping women distant from the social and political world and generating strong impacts on their health. According to the sexual division of labor, female work in industry is restricted to rather repetitive tasks that require a great nervous resistance - not especially healthy conditions that lead to a specific consuming pattern. We concluded that changes should occur in the social life schemes, besides breaking with the myths that support the sexual division of labor, so that the aggressive conditions imposed on men and women's health in the work process can be altered.

Growth of some mycobacterial strains in 7H12 Middlebrook liquid medium in the presence of auramine.

The action of auramine on the growth of some mycobacterial strains in 7H12 Middlebrook liquid medium as well as the interaction between auramine and calf thymus DNA were investigated. It was concluded that the inhibitory effect of auramine on the growth of some mycobacterial strains belonging to the TB complex or MOTT bacilli is the result of a double mechanism: interaction of auramine with mycolic acid and interaction between the dye and the mycobacterial DNA.

Growth of M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain in 7H12 Middlebrook liquid medium in the presence of acridine orange and THA.

The influence of acridine orange and THA on the growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv strain in 7H12 Middlebrook liquid medium was studied. As compared to acridine orange, THA also inhibited the growth of the H37Rv Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain but at much higher concentrations.