The temperature-time-location relationships during steam conditioning and pressure
treatment of timber poles have been studied and mathematical models that take into
account both the thermal properties of the poles and the parameters of the treatment
process have been developed. Although much work has been previously done in this
area, the...
Evaluations of previously established field trials indicate that
chioropicrin, and Vorlex continue to provide protection to Douglas-fir poles,
although the degree of protection is diminishing. Reapplication of Vapam 18
years after the initial application eliminated fungi which had recolonized the
poles. Methylisothiocyanate (MITC) continues to protect Douglas-fir poles 12
years...
Adverse effects on mechanical properties from using a supercritical fluid (SCF) to increase preservative penetration of refractory woods were evaluated by treating small ponderosa pine sapwood specimens with supercritical carbon dioxide at 64 combinations of temperatures (35 to 80 C), pressure (1,000 to 4,000 psig), and time (0.5 to 2...
The extraction of pentachlorophenol (PCP) from pressure treated wood
wafers with supercritical carbon dioxide has been studied. Experimental data
were obtained for the effects of pressure (17.5 - 25.0 MPa), temperature (313 - 353
K), flow rate (1 - 3 ml/min at supercritical conditions), and sample size (0.8 x 10...
The effect of supercritical fluid treatment on superficial gas permeability of Douglas-fir was investigated by using carbon dioxide either alone or amended with methanol. Permeability increased in a majority of samples, although nearly one-third of the specimens declined in permeability. Improvements in permeability appeared to be unrelated to variations in...
The specification, inspection, and remedial treatment of utility poles are addressed. Included are discussions of enhancing specifications for improved performance, techniques for detecting decay and other defects, and chemical treatments available for arresting decay of poles in service.
The effects of supercritical fluid (SCF) impregnation on physical properties of composites were investigated at various pressures, temperatures, and treatment times with carbon dioxide as the fluid and tebuconazole as a biocide. In general, within the ranges tested, SCF treatment had no negative effects on modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus...
This study examines the effects of pressure, temperature, and treatment time on supercritical fluid impregnation of such composites as plywood, particleboard, flakeboard, and medium-density fiberboard. Carbon dioxide with methanol as a cosolvent was used as the supercritical fluid, with tebuconazole as the biocide. Biocide distribution, as measured by extraction and...
It is difficult to treat the heartwood of many wood species with liquid preservatives using conventional liquid processes. Supercritical fluids (SCF) used as carriers of preservatives to impregnate refractory wood species may be an attractive alternative to conventional liquid carriers. While SCF impregnation has many potential advantages, some wood species...
Supercritical fluids can markedly enhance preservative treatment of wood, but the high pressures employed can lead to collapse. We investigated the effects of the rates of pressure application and release on displacement of white spruce lumber during supercritical impregnation with carbon dioxide. Displacement was greatest when pressure was rapidly increased...
Supercritical fluid (SCF) impregnation is a promising preservative treatment method, however, the development of SCF processes has been slowed by a limited understanding of the process. Developing a better understanding of the effects of various process parameters on treatment results would allow for a more rational development of SCF impregnation....
The effect of process variations under supercritical conditions on cyproconazole retention and distribution in ponderosa pine sapwood boards was assessed. While pressure and temperature appeared to affect biocide solubility to some extent, the overall results suggested that biocide movement into wood was influenced more by diffusion than bulk flow. Biocide...
Now in its 10th year, the Gramene database (http://www.gramene.org) has grown from its primary focus on rice, the first fully-sequenced grass genome, to become a resource for major model and crop plants including Arabidopsis, Brachypodium, maize, sorghum, poplar and grape in addition to several species of rice. Gramene began with...
Treatment of waste streams using algae can minimize eutrophication by removing inorganic nutrients while producing biomass which can be used for biofuels, animal feed, and fertilizer production. While there are many studies that report the growth of individual algal strains in different media, there are relatively few studies that examine...
The production of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles has increased significantly in the past decades, which has generated concern due to their known toxicity in the environment. As a result of the production, use and disposal of productions containing TiO2, TiO2 nanoparticles are often received by wastewater treatment facilities. The adsorption...
Pactamycin, produced by the soil bacterium Streptomyces pactum, is a cytotoxic antibiotic that belongs to the aminocyclitol family of natural products. This antibiotic has shown various forms of biological activity, including antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, and antitumor activities. Despite its outstanding biological activity, the mode of formation of its pharmacophore (the...
Sunscreen products are used worldwide to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. However, some of the ingredients used in sunscreen products are fatal to coral reefs especially in areas where tourism is a large part of the economy. In this study, we explored a synthetic route to produce 4-deoxygadusol, which...
The prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the United States and globally has been rising in the last few decades and it continues to climb. One of the causes for this increase is the over consumption of sugars and/or carbohydrates. Among medications available to treat obesity and diabetes are the...
The Women’s Development Army (WDA), an all-female workforce of unpaid Community Health Workers (CHW), is Ethiopia’s answer to improving rural health. Through the WDA, Ethiopia’s government says it is empowering women to spark change in their community by disseminating healthy behaviors and by advocating on their own behalf to health...
Women’s lives in one of the oldest neighborhoods in Mekele, Ethiopia are very organized, systematic, and sophisticated. The women in this study model, express, and reflect the values of community, trust, care, stability, and futurity through their perceptions and sentiments regarding social and political change. I document how these values...
Ewing sarcoma (EwS) is the second most highly malignant tumor that arises mainly from bone and surrounding soft tissue of adolescent and young adult patients. Despite the advances in Ewing sarcoma treatment that today include a combination of five chemotherapeutic agents, surgery, and/or radiotherapy, these therapies have demonstrated limited improvement...
Among the myriad of natural products are pseudosugar-containing secondary metabolites, e.g., the C7-pseudosugar-containing oligosaccharide acarbose, the C6- pseudosugar-containing aminoglycoside antibiotics, and the five-membered ring pseudosugar-containing antibiotic pactamycin. The C7-pseudosugars are normally derived from sedoheptulose 7-phosphate catalyzed by a family of enzymes called sedoheptulose 7-phosphate cyclases (SH7PCs). This family of enzymes...
Curbing overall disease burden with faster intervention requires early stage and accurate diagnostics. Ultrasound (US) provides a safe, nonionizing, inexpensive, and noninvasive imaging modality that has become commonplace in diagnostics. Paired with the relatively new technology of photoacoustic imaging (PAI), optical level resolution becomes feasible with the deeper signal penetration...
The increase in the demand for energy is estimated to be 28 TW by a year of 2050, which is twice of the energy produced in 2010, in response to the unprecedented growth of the global population. Current energy market is heavily relying on the fossil fuel, which brings the...
Throughout their lifetime individuals are exposed to complex mixtures of chemicals. The study of chemical mixtures is an internationally recognized research priority, but seemingly complex challenge. To reduce the intricacy of studying mixtures, researchers have identified different prioritization methods based on exposure or the toxicity of chemicals. However, understanding the...
Natural products (a.k.a. secondary metabolites) are produced by living organisms that are not essential for their growth, development, or reproduction, but may play a role in their survival or adaptability in nature. Many secondary metabolites isolated from plants and microbes have found use as molecular probes, drug leads, or medicine...
Persistent and uncontrolled inflammation is the root cause of various debilitating diseases. Given that interleukin-1 receptor–associated kinase 4 (IRAK4) is a critical modulator of inflammation, inhibition of its activity with selective drug molecules (IRAK4 inhibitors) represents a promising therapeutic strategy for inflammatory disorders. To exploit the full potential of this...