From a fossil-fuel to a biobased economy : the politics of industrial biotechnology

Industrial biotechnology involves the replacement of petrochemical processes and inputs with more energy-efficient and renewable biological ones. It is already being used in the production of biofuels and bioplastics and has been touted as a means by which modern economies can be shifted toward a more competitive, low-carbon growth model. This paper does two things. First, it outlines the policy framework established in the European Union and the narrative of a knowledge-based bioeconomy (KBBE) underpinning this. Second, it argues that the ‘win – win’ rhetoric contained within the KBBE narrative is misleading. Among the different groups commenting on the use of industrial biotechnology, the paper locates cleavages between farmers and agribusiness, between those convinced and those sceptical of environmental technofixes, and between procorporate and anticorporate NGOs. Taken together, they show the purported transition from a fossil-fuel to a bio-based economy to be a resolutely political one

Hygrothermal performance of wood-hemp insulation in timber frame wall panels with and without a vapour barrier

An in situ experiment on a full-scale timber frame test building was carried out to study the hygrothermal performance of wood-hemp composite insulation in timber frame wall panels with and without a vapour barrier. The heat transfer properties and the likelihood of mould growth and condensation in the panels were compared. Step changes in the internal relative humidity were performed to explore the effects of high, normal and low internal moisture loads on the wall panels. No significant difference in the average equivalent thermal transmittance (U-values) between the panels with and without a vapour barrier was observed. The average equivalent U-values of the panels were close to the U-values calculated from the manufacturers’ declared thermal conductivity values of the insulation. The likelihood of condensation was higher at the interface of the wood-hemp insulation and the oriented strand board (OSB) in the panel without a vapour barrier. In terms of the parametric assessment of the mould germination potential, the relative humidity, the temperature and the exposure conditions in the insulation-OSB interfaces of the panel without a vapour barrier were found to be more favourable to the germination of mould spores. Nonetheless, when the insulations were dismantled, no mould was visually detected

The influence of learning curve of robot-assisted laparoscopy on oncological outcomes in early-stage cervical cancer: an observational cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the learning curve of robot-assisted laparoscopy in early-stage cervical cancer and quantify impact on oncological outcomes. DESIGN: Observational cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre with one surgical team. POPULATION: All women with early-stage cervical cancer treated consecutively with robot-assisted laparoscopy between 2007 and 2017. METHODS: With multivariate risk-adjusted cumulative sum analysis (RA-CUSUM), we assessed the learning curve of robot-assisted laparoscopy of a single surgical team based on cervical cancer recurrence. Subsequently, a survival analysis was conducted comparing oncological outcomes of women treated during different phases of the learning curve. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgical proficiency based on recurrence, survival rates in the different learning phases. RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-five women with cervical cancer underwent robot-assisted laparoscopy, with a median follow up of 57 months (range 3-132 months). The RA-CUSUM analysis demonstrated two phases of the learning curve: a learning phase of 61 procedures (group 1) and an experienced phase representing the 104 procedures thereafter (group 2). The 5-year disease-free survival was 80.2% in group 1 and 91.1% in group 2 (P = 0.040). Both the 5-year disease-specific survival and overall survival significantly increased after the learning phase. CONCLUSION: The learning phase of robot-assisted laparoscopy in early-stage cervical cancer in this institutional cohort is at least 61 procedures, with higher survival rates in the women treated thereafter. The learning curve of robot-assisted laparoscopy affects oncological outcomes and warrants more attention in the design of future studies. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: The learning curve of robot-assisted laparoscopy in early-stage cervical cancer affects oncological outcomes and warrants more attention

Exploring Training-led Approaches to Responsible Game Design

Describing, understanding and mitigating product-related risk is one of the fastest growing priorities for the gambling industry, regulators and all those concerned to minimise gambling-related harm. However, it is also one of the most challenging priorities. This conference paper will consider the feasibility, application and potential impact of a training-led approach to responsible game design, within IGT. In this presentation, we will review the need for industry to manage product-related risk. We will also briefly examine the existing theory and evidence around responsible game design. Practical examples of the types of training content and delivery under consideration will also be included. We will also examine the advantages and disadvantages of a training-led approach. Finally, we will explore the important question of ‘impact’ and outline future priorities and challenges for designing sustainable games in the gambling industry. Implications: Managing risks posed by gambling games has become a priority for gambling regulators, industry and other concerned stakeholders. In this presentation, we will discuss the critically important questions and share our current thinking, with examples, of what we think is a positive step in the right direction

Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling: The Case of Construction Waste Management (COWAM) Project

Construction waste in general consists of both waste generated by construction as well as demolition. Disposal of demolition waste is becoming a growing problem which became evident after the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004, particularly in Sri Lanka. Management of these wastes came into picture with the establishment of a C&D waste recycling plant by the Construction Waste Management (COWAM) Project. With the development of construction industry, the question arises whether COWAM plant alone is capable of managing such waste. Thus, this paper presents recommendations to further improve the COWAM plant by expanding the same into other local areas. COWAM plant was selected as a single case study and data were gathered through semi-structured interviews. It revealed lack of funds to establish recycling plants and infrastructure and unavailability of a proper C&D waste management policy in Sri Lanka as major problems. Taking contracts to demolish buildings and increasing the number of productions are the most important recommendations to improve the COWAM plant. Further, allocation of requisite budget for infrastructure and public awareness is recommended to enhance the COWAM concept in Sri Lanka.International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB

Inhibition of oxytocin receptor and estrogen receptor-alpha expression, but not relaxin receptors (LGR7), in the myometrium of late pregnant relaxin gene knockout mice

This study used relaxin (RLX) gene knockout mice (Rlx-/-) to investigate the effects of RLX on myometrial oxytocin receptor (OTR) and estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha gene expression in late gestation. We also characterized the temporal expression of the RLX receptor (LGR7) and demonstrated gene transcripts in the myometrium of Rlx+/+ and Rlx-/- mice. There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in myometrial LGR7 gene expression on d 17.5 and 18.5 post coitum (pc) compared with earlier stages of gestation, but no differences between Rlx+/+ and Rlx-/- mice. Myometrial OTR mRNA levels increased at the end of gestation in Rlx+/+ but not Rlx-/- mice. ERalpha gene expression was up-regulated on d 14.5 pc in Rlx+/+ mice, with mRNA levels remaining high throughout late gestation. In contrast, ERalpha mRNA levels were significantly lower in Rlx-/- mice on d 14.5 and 18.5 pc. These data show that the increases in myometrial OTR and ERalpha expression in late pregnant Rlx+/+ mice were attenuated in Rlx-/- mice. The effects of RLX on OTRs are probably mediated via activation of ERalpha. Finally, RLX receptor expression in the myometrium of Rlx-/- mice did not differ from wild-type mice, implying that RLX does not influence expression of its receptor

Festschrift zum 60. Geburtstag von Prof. Dr. Ing.-habil. Dietrich Franke

Available from TIB Hannover: RR 9035(3) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekSIGLEDEGerman

OHDE-Kolloquium 1993 Vortraege

SIGLEAvailable from TIB Hannover: RR 9035(2) / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

Mechanisms of relaxin action in the reproductive tract - Studies in the relaxin-deficient (Rlx(-/-)) mouse

The major functions of relaxin (RLX) are associated with female reproductive tract physiology, namely, the regulation of biochemical processes involved in remodeling of extracellular matrix components in the cervix and vagina at term. Studies in RLX-deficient mice (Rlx-/-) demonstrate that although females give birth to live young without apparent dystocia, the pubic symphysis is not elongated, and they have abnormal cervical and vaginal morphology. The current study examined phenotypic differences in collagen, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP), and estrogen receptors (ERs) in the cervix and vagina of pregnant Rlx+/+ and Rlx-/- mice. Neither collagen nor TGFbeta1 mRNA levels in the cervix and vagina differed significantly between Rlx+/+ and Rlx-/- at any stage of gestation, except on gestation day 18.5, with an increase in alpha(1)-I collagen and TGFbeta1 expression in Rlx-/- mice. MMP gene expression was also increased in Rlx-/- mice, especially at term. Administration of recombinant H2 RLX (0.05 microg/microL/h) to Rlx-/- mice for 6 d from gestation day 12.5 caused a significant decrease in alpha1-I collagen and MMP-13 gene expression in the cervix and vagina, but it had no effect on TGFbeta1. There was also a significant reduction in ERbeta expression in RLX-treated Rlx-/- mice. Interestingly, RLX treatment caused a significant decrease in LGR7 expression in these reproductive tissues. In summary, these data show increases in MMP gene expression in Rlx-/- mice that are not correlated with changes in collagen expression. Furthermore, we report a novel ER phenotype in the cervix and vagina of Rlx-/- mice