Droplet‐in‐Droplet Polymer Blend Microstructures: a Potential Route Toward the Recycling of Co‐mingled Plastics

The problem of recycling co‐mingled plastics is primarily related to the problem of multiple interfaces in multicomponent immiscible polymer blends. Here, we study a new concept where thermodynamically driven polymer segregation and phase encapsulation are used to locate multiple phases within one of two major phases. Starting from a co‐continuous blend of HDPE and PP, hierarchically encapsulated PS/PMMA/PC composite droplets are found to be exclusively located within PP when the principal HDPE/PP interface is compatibilized. The mechanical properties of the structures demonstrate an improved tensile strength and modulus as well as ductility under the appropriate processing conditions. This approach has potential as a novel route toward the recycling of co‐mingled plastics.     

Functional Analysis of Dynamin Isoforms in Drosophila Melanogaster

Dynamin and dynamin-like proteins are required for endocytosis. synaptic vesicle recycling and membrane trafficking. From the shibire locus in Drosophila melanogaster, six different isoforms of dynamin are generated by alternative splicing. However, the roles of the individual isoforms in cellular processes are unknown. To investigate functional differences among the dynamin isoforms, transgenic lines were generated that individually expressed each of 3 different isoforms under UAS^GAL4 control. The expression of the isoforms was controlled by neural promoter (elav)-driven GAL4, or by a shibire-promoter driven GAL4 transgene. Reporter gene expression indicated that the shi promoter is active during embryogenesis, and in larvae, pupae, and adults in a pattern consistent with normal dynamin expression. To assay for the ability of dynamin isoforms to function in vivo, the isoforms expressed via these GAL4 drivers were tested for the ability to rescue shibire phenotypes. When expressed at very high levels all individual isoforms tested rescued the temperature-sensitive paralytic phenotype of shl^ls2 flies; however, this rescue was partial, suggesting that no single tested isoform is sufficient for synaptic vesicle recycling in vivo. When tested for ability to rescue lethality induced by heat-pulsing larvae during development, shi- promoter driven expression of individual isoforms conferred significant resistance to heat treatment during larval development. However, all 3 isoforms were unable to rescue the lethality of shi^12-12B mutants which are severely hypomorphic (or null) for shibire function. Taken together. these observations suggest that individual shibire isoforms have specific molecular activities in vivo.     

Preparation of High Density Polyethylene/Waste Polyurethane Blends Compatibilized with Polyethylene-Graft-Maleic Anhydride by Radiation

Polyurethane (PU) is a very popular polymer that is used in a variety of applications due to its good mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties. However, PU recycling has received significant attention due to environmental issues. In this study, we developed a recycling method for waste PU that utilizes the radiation grafting technique. Grafting of waste PU was carried out using a radiation technique with polyethylene-graft-maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA). The PE-g-MA-grafted PU/high density polyethylene (HDPE) composite was prepared by melt-blending at various concentrations (0–10 phr) of PE-g-MA-grafted PU. The composites were characterized using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and their surface morphology and thermal/mechanical properties are reported. For 1 phr PU, the PU could be easily introduced to the HDPE during the melt processing in the blender after the radiation-induced grafting of PU with PE-g-MA. PE-g-MA was easily reacted with PU according to the increasing radiation dose and was located at the interface between the PU and the HDPE during the melt processing in the blender, which improved the interfacial interactions and the mechanical properties of the resultant composites. However, the elongation at break for a PU content >2 phr was drastically decreased.     

Urban political ecologies of informal recyclers׳ health in Buenos Aires,Argentina

Buenos Aires׳ informal recyclers (cartoneros) confront multiple health hazards in their work. Based in a survey with (n=397) informal recyclers, this study establishes that these workers experience uneven health landscapes as evidenced through their health outcomes, the social determinants of their health, and their living and working environments. I argue that the analytical framework of urban political ecology can provide insights to the ways that the urban environments where cartoneros live and work are socially-constructed phenomena, drawing on concepts of crisis, metabolism, and multi-scalar analyses.     

核设施退役放射性废物处理中值得重视的几个问题

概述了核设施退役过程中实现放射性废物最少化、管理纵深化和回收再利用的要求与方法,以及退役方式选择的重要性,提出了制定军用核设施退役放射性废物处理与处置要求的建议。     

KCl Extracted from Chlorine Bypass Dust as Activator for Plain Concrete

This study demonstrated the use of KCl separated from chlorine bypass dust (CBD) as an activator for plain concrete. The separated KCl was mixed with either ground granulated blast-furnace slag (BFS) alone, or a mixture of BFS and cement. The mixed paste of separated KCl and BFS set within 24 h, and exhibited a compressive strength of 22.6 MPa after 28 d. The separated KCl, cement, and BFS mixture exhibited a more rapid setting and a higher initial activity. Further, the compressive strength at 28 d was 57.7 MPa, which was 26.2% higher than that of the mixture without the activator. Water curing of samples with added separated KCl led to the generation of hydrocalumite, or Friedel’s salt. However, this hydrocalumite was decomposed while being cured under autoclave conditions at 180 °C. Overall, KCl was an effective activator for composite materials containing cement, and resulted in superior properties compared to mineral admixtures without an activator.     

Molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS): clinical results of a new membrane-based blood purification system for bioartificial liver support

The use of xenogenic or genetically engineered cell types in bioartificial liver support systems requires separation methods between the patients' blood and the liver support bioreactors that guarantee the sufficient transfer of pathophysiologically relevant substances but prevent complications. The present paper describes a new membrane separation system that is nearly impermeable to proteins but enables the exchange of water soluble and protein bound toxins by a special membrane and a recycled protein containing dialysate. Because the full range of toxins in hepatic failure has still not been identified, the value of this membrane separation method was evaluated clinically. Thirteen patients suffering from life threatening hepatic failure who had not responded to state of the art therapy were treated with this device, the molecular adsorbent recycling system (MARS). The overall survival rate was 69%. All patients showed positive response to the therapy, indicating that the presented membrane separator combines therapeutic effectivity with the highest safety criteria for the patient by cutting the exchange of substances below the level of proteins.     

The Utility of Recycled Rice Husk-Reinforced PVC Composite Profiles for Façade Cladding

The production process of construction profiles from natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites, as well as their assembly, generates considerable amounts of waste. The study analysed the possibility of utilising the said waste to produce profiles with the same intended use as products made from the primary material. The analysis involved the recycling of rice husk-reinforced PVC profiles. As a result of the applied post-processing, a composite of higher homogeneity and better filler dispersion than the product made of primary material was obtained. A slight improvement in thermal properties was observed. From the DSC test, Tg values of 78 °C and nearly 80 °C were obtained, while from the TGA test, mass loss values of 0.6% and 0.4% and the decomposition temperatures of 211 °C and 217 °C were noted for profiles of primary and secondary material, respectively. A softening temperature of 75 °C was obtained for primary material profiles, while nearly 77 °C was obtained for secondary. The more favourable mechanical properties of recycled profiles were also maintained. The higher value of flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength and hardness by 31%, 24%, 48% and 40% were obtained, respectively. After hydrothermal cycling, the same properties were higher for secondary material profiles by 35%, 20%, 68%, and 67%, respectively. The recorded level of performance properties of recycled products, better than those of primary material standard construction products’, allows us to conclude that profiles made of waste are useful for façade claddings.