(C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://0-dx.doi.org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.1063/1.4747841]“
“Background:
Studies of disinfection by-products in drinking water and measures of adverse fetal growth have often been limited by exposure assessment lacking data on individual water use, and therefore failing to reflect individual variation in DBP exposure.\n\nMethods: Pregnant women recruited to the Born in Bradford cohort study completed a questionnaire DMXAA clinical trial which covers water exposure. Information was collected on water consumption, showering, bathing and swimming. Water exposure data from a subset of 39 women of the cohort are described here.\n\nResults: Mean total tap water intake was 1.8 l/day, and women on average spent 146 minutes per week showering and bathing. Most tap water intake occurred at home (100% for unemployed, 71.8% for employed).
Differences between age groups were observed for total tap water intake overall (p = 0.02) and at home (p = 0.01), and for bottled water intake (p = 0.05). There were differences between ethnic groups for tap water intake at home (p = 0.02) and total tap water intake at work (p = 0.02). Total tap water intake at work differed by income category (p = 0.001). Duration per shower was inversely correlated with age (Spearman’s correlation -0.39, p = 0.02), and differed according to employment status (p = 0.04), ethnicity (p = 0.02) and income (p = 0.02).\n\nConclusion: This study Screening Library manufacturer provides estimates of water exposure in pregnant women in a multi-ethnic population in the north of England and suggests differences related to age, employment, income
and ethnicity. The findings are valuable to inform exposure assessment in studies assessing the relationship between DBPs and adverse birth outcomes.”
“The biodegradability, morphology, and mechanical properties of composite materials consisting of acrylic acid-grafted poly(butylene succinate adipate) (PBSA-g-AA) and agricultural residues (rice husk, RH) were evaluated. Composites containing acrylic acid-grafted PBSA (PBSA-g-AA/RH) exhibited Selleck MG132 noticeably superior mechanical properties compared with those of PBSA/RH due to greater compatibility with RH. The dispersion of RH in the PBSA-g-AA matrix was highly homogeneous as a result of ester formation, and the consequent creation of branched and cross-linked macromolecules, between the carboxyl groups of PBSA-g-AA and hydroxyl groups in RH. Each composite was subject to biodegradation tests in an Azospirillum brasilense BCRC 12270 liquid culture medium. The bacterium completely degraded both the PBSA and the PBSA-g-AA/RH composite films. Morphological observations indicated severe disruption of the film structure after 20-40 days of incubation. The PBSA-g-AA/RH (20 wt%) films were not only more biodegradable than those made of PBSA but also exhibited lower molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity, implying a strong connection between these characteristics and biodegradability.