Danger Signs of Suicide in Men

Overview

White men have the highest risk of suicide, notes MedlinePlus. Men are four times more likely to kill themselves than women, notes Women’s Health, because men use more violent means, such as guns or hanging. Men too often do not reach out for help when they are feeling suicidal. However, a man who is planning a suicide will give signs of his plan; someone just needs to notice them and take action to get him help.

A depressed man is talking on the phone. Photo Credit Blend Images/Blend Images/Getty Images.

Talk of Stress

Mention of extreme work or school stress may be a symptom of suicide. Many men do give clear signs before they take their lives. They may speak of feeling like they are not successful or speak of feeling overwhelmed by duties at work or in school.

Getting a Weapon

Obtaining a weapon or trying to get pills to be used in a suicide may be a sign of an upcoming suicide. Men often plan and take action to gather everything they need well before a suicide.

Loss

Divorce, death or other loss in life may lead a man to feel morose. If he does not reach out for help during a time of loss, this may be a sign that the future may hold a suicide. Reuters Health reports that “divorced or separated men are more than twice as likely to commit suicide as men who remain married.”

Ignoring Trauma

Ignoring trauma, such as prior sexual or emotional abuse, or an experience with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be a sign of a possible suicide. Some men do not like to talk to a therapist or to friends or family about issues that may bother them. They let their emotions and the stress from the incident become overwhelming; eventually, this may lead to suicide. Many men who were abused early in life may feel suicidal. Also, many men come back from war grappling with issues related to trauma; this may raise the risk of suicide, too.

Talk of Depression and Suicide

Talking about depression and statements about suicide are major symptoms of a possible suicide. Major depression is a complex medical issue; when this illness strike men may have thoughts of death, a lack of hope, lack of energy and sadness, notes the National Institute of Mental Health.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is a way some men try to find respite from the emotional pain of thoughts of suicide. Instead of reaching out for help, men may hide their feelings of depression by drinking heavily and abusing drugs. A sudden interest in drugs and alcohol may be a sign of impending suicide.

Recklessness

Recklessness is common among men with thoughts of suicide, notes the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Reckless driving and out-of-control behavior at work or in relationships may be a sign of suicidal thoughts. If a man is not planning on a future, it may become easier for him to engage in risky behavior.

Social Withdrawal

Another sign of possible suicide in men is social withdrawal. Men who start to isolate themselves from friends, significant others and family may be displaying symptoms of an upcoming suicide. The emotional pain a man feels when he is contemplating suicide may make it difficult for him to interact with others.

Giving Away Belongings

A man may give away treasured items if he is contemplating suicide. Friends or family members who notice that a man is clearing out his important belongings need to quickly communicate with him about why he is distributing items he would normally keep using. If he is vague in the answer they should reach out to a doctor or therapist for help in assessing the situation. They may call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-8255.

www.livestrong.com

The Woodwright's Shop with Roy Underhill Season Fourteen, 2-DVD Set

The Bill Anderson Woodworking Collection – Limited Quantity Available !

Woodwrights Shop with Roy Underhill Season 14

By Roy Underhill

Format: DVD 

For over 30 years, Roy Underhill has been educating and entertaining audiences with his unrivaled knowledge of traditional hand tools and building techniques. Join Roy for Season Fourteen for visiting a recreated Celtic village in Wales, building a scaled model of a Welsh cruck-frame barn, learning to build Roy’s iconic carpenter’s tool tote, and so much more!

Each episode is filled with classic techniques and how-tos including:

Woodworkers of the Red Dragon —Roy visits a recreated Celtic village in Wales, looking at Welsh woodworking including building construction, clog making and traditional carved Welsh love spoons.

The Carpenter’s Tool Box — Learn to build Roy’s iconic carpenter’s tool tote.

Ancient Woodcraft of Ireland — Roy looks at Irish woodworking, including houses, harps, caravans and traditional ship-building techniques.

A Sailor’s Sea Chest — Learn to build a sailor’s sea chest with beveled through dovetails.

High Stool with a Hickory Bark Seat — Roy builds a stool starting with splitting and riving the green wood and ending with a woven-bark seat.

Standing Embroidery Hoop — Learn the steps to build a standing embroidery hoop large enough to handle embroidery on a quilt.

The Timer-Frame House — Roy builds a scaled model of a Welsh cruck-frame barn, teaching the woodworking principals of timber framing.

Wooden Lock and Key — Create a clever wood lock-and-key door set in the shop with Roy.

Shaker Sewing Stand — Roy builds a traditional single-drawer Shaker sewing stand.

Panel Frame Construction — Learn the benefits and uses of frame-and-panel construction and the joinery steps to create a frame-and-panel door.

Tools of the Eighteenth Century — Roy visits Colonial Williamsburg to view their exhibit of 1,500 eighteenth-century woodworking tools.

The Williamsburg Blacksmiths — Watch a traditional woodworking tool –a drawknife –forged using historically accurate techniques.

Blacksmiths Forge Ahead — Learn the steps used to smith a Suffolk door latch used during colonial times.

SKU	U7262
Author/Speaker/Editor	Roy Underhill
Format	DVD
ISBN 13	9781440332913

For further information log on website :

http://www.shopwoodworking.com/woodwrights-shop-with-roy-underhill-season-fourteen-2-dvd-set-u7262

Treadmill Walking Weight-Loss Plan

Treadmills are a way to add exercise to your weight-loss plan and increase the number of calories burned. Adults need a minimum of two hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week to maintain a healthful lifestyle. A plan that includes brisk walking five times a week for a minimum duration of 30 minutes will burn calories and increase success with weight loss. Set up an appointment with your physician before you start a weight-loss walking plan to verify there are no underlying medical conditions that may cause a problem.

You can use your treadmill for a daily, convenient workout. Photo Credit inifinity health and condition concept with running woman image by .shock from Fotolia.com

Step 1

Set the treadmill speed to a comfortable walking pace between 2.5 and 3 mph. Select a pace where you can speak comfortably without taking a break to breathe. Walk for five to 10 minutes so the muscles warm up and loosen.

Step 2

Press the treadmill pause button and step off. Complete leg stretches to focus on the calf, hamstring and quadriceps.

Step 3

Step onto the treadmill, set the speed to a faster pace than the warm-up and walk at this pace for a minimum of 30 minutes. Set the pace fast enough that you cannot hold a conversation easily, generally in the range of 3 to 4 mph.

Step 4

Increase the walking time by five minutes each week until you reach 60 minutes. The longer you walk at a fast pace, the more calories burned to assist with losing weight.

Step 5

Reduce your speed to a comfortable walking pace between 2.5 and 3 mph to cool the body down before you step off the treadmill. Walk at this pace for a minimum of five minutes.

Step 6

Step off the treadmill and complete leg stretches. Make sure to focus on the calf, hamstring and quadriceps.

www.livestrong.com

Pro & Cons of Eating Breakfast

Breakfast isn’t always a joy to prepare and eat, especially if you’re not a morning person or just don’t feel hungry after you wake up. However, there are significant benefits to eating a balanced morning meal, especially if you’re trying to slim down, adopt a better diet or stay at a healthy weight.

A healthy breakfast may keep you from overeating later in the day. Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images.

Weight Control

Eating breakfast every day tends to reduce your overall hunger, prevent overeating and reduce the risk of obesity. People who eat breakfast are more likely to make healthy nutritional choices throughout the day and reach for smart snacks and meals rather than quick fixes that provide little more than empty calories. Breakfast also cuts your chance of overeating at lunch in half, notes Florida International University.

Energy and Focus

Your blood sugar levels drop when you sleep, but eating breakfast shortly after you wake up keeps them on track to be level all day. When you skip breakfast and your blood sugar levels stay low, you may feel irritable, experience trouble concentrating and become prone to dizziness, fainting or even hypoglycemia. Having a balanced breakfast also raises your energy level and activates your metabolism, which can increase the likelihood that you’ll be physically active throughout the day.

Time and Investment

One of the primary disadvantages to eating breakfast is that it takes time to prepare. Even if you only plan to down a quick meal like a smoothie, you need to wake up a few minutes early to make it and clean up. To combat the challenge, try a grab-and-go breakfast such as a protein bar or do prep for your morning meal the night before.

Nutrition

The foods you choose to eat at breakfast can be either a positive or a negative. Unfortunately, a number of popular breakfast options such as Belgian waffles, doughnuts and sausage links are packed with calories, fat and cholesterol. To get the vitamins, minerals and nutrients your body needs, Choose a combination of healthy fat, lean protein and high-fiber carbohydrates. Examples include whole-wheat toast with peanut butter, low-sugar granola with fresh berries and nonfat yogurt or brown rice porridge with skim milk and a banana.

www.livestrong.com

Resistance of eastern redcedar panels to damage by subterranean termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Author
Kard, Brad; Hiziroglu, Salim; Payton, Mark E.

Published Date
November 2007

Source
Forest Products Journal;Nov2007, Vol. 57 Issue 11, p74

Source Type
Academic Journal

Article

Abstract

The study investigated resistance of experimental particleboard-chip panels manufactured from eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana L.) to feeding by the wood-destroying eastern subterranean termite, Reticulitermes flavipes (Kollar). Eastern redcedar raw chips with or without foliage, and 2.5 by 2.5 by 1.3-cm rectangular blocks of single-layer or triple-layer particleboard-chip panels with or without foliage were exposed to foraging termites. Chips and blocks sustained some damage by feeding termites but were not equally preferred. In choice tests, where all chips and panel blocks pins controls were simultaneously available to foraging termites, radiata pine sustained 44.6 percent weight loss compared with 2.1 to 6.1 percent weight loss for chips and blocks. In no-choice feeding tests, where termites received only one type of food resource, raw redcedar chips and panel blocks sustained less feeding damage compared with radiata pine sapwood, and termite worker survival was less than 24 percent after 12 weeks, compared with more than 84 percent survival in radiata pine controls. Additionally in no-choice tests, chips and blocks lost 4.9 to 6.3 percent weight, whereas radiata pine controls sustained 9.2 percent weight loss. Based on these findings, redcedar panels tested exhibited moderate resistance against termite damage.

For further details log on website :

http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/27802543/resistance-eastern-redcedar-panels-damage-by-subterranean-termites-isoptera-rhinotermitidae

Physical and mechanical properties of particleboard manufactured from wood, bamboo and rice husk

Physical and mechanical properties of particleboard manufactured from wood, bamboo and rice husk

Rafael Rodolfo de Melo^*; Diego Martins Stangerlin; Ricardo Robinson Campomanes Santana; Talita Dantas Pedrosa

Instituto de Ciências Agrárias e Ambientais, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso - UFMT, CEP 78557-267, Sinop, MT, Brazil

ABSTRACT

In this work, the physical-mechanical properties of particleboards manufactured with wood (Eucalyptus grandis), bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris) and/or rice husk (Oryza sativa) particles, combined or not, were assessed. They were produced in the following proportions: 100% wood; 100% bamboo; 100% rice; 50% wood and 50% bamboo; 50% wood and 50% rice husk. In order to characterize the manufactured particleboards, their physical (density; moisture content; water absorption and thickness swelling) and mechanical properties (static bending; internal bonding and screw withdrawal) were assessed. The results indicated that the use of rice husk caused reduction in particleboard quality. Particleboards manufactured with bamboo showed better quality than those using rice husk as raw material. For most parameters, the particleboards manufactured exclusively with wood particles showed similar performance to bamboo and wood-bamboo particleboards.

Keywords: panels, rice husk, Bambusa vulgaris, physical-mechanical properties

1. Introduction

Owing to the rise in wood consumption, the reserves of native woody species have been decreasing, causing the search for new renewable lignocellulosic materials that may efficiently meet the demand. This environmental pressure supports research regarding new products and a better utilization of the raw material available. Residue reutilization has been increasing, thus several researches have been investigating the characteristics of particleboards produced with these residues. Furthermore, there is the possibility of combining wood with other lignocellulosic materials aiming at obtaining more profitable products and with environmental marketing strategies, without reducing its quality.
The particleboard industry in Brazil uses mostly wood shavings from reforested, resulting in a higher quality product due to better control of the homogeneity of raw material. However, in view of Brazil's agricultural boom and the resulting increase in agricultural wastes, a recent alternative for particleboard production may be the use of agroindustrial lignocellulosic wastes to replace solid wood particles in the manufacture of composite panels¹.

At first, any lignocellulosic material can be used as raw material for particleboard manufacturing. Besides wood, they can use residues from agribusiness such as: cereal straw, bagasse of sugar cane, cornstalks and corn cobs, cotton stalks, kenaf, rice husks, sunflower stalks and hulls, among others². Within these, rice husk presents the highest potential for utilization. Rice is one of the most consumed cereals in the world. Only in Brazil, which is just the ninth largest producer in the world, a production of nearly 12 million tons of rice per crop (about 2% of the global production) is estimated, whereas most part is concentrated in its southern states. Considering that the husk accounts for nearly 20% of the grain weight, annually, it would be generated about 2.4 million tons of this residue by that country³. Ndazi et al.⁴ mentioned that rice husk is one of the agricultural residues easily available in large amounts and, therefore, can be considered an excellent raw material for manufacturing particleboards. However, particleboards produced with this material have been presenting deficient gluing owing to the lack of direct interaction between this product and commercial adhesives. This behavior was also verified by Ajiwe et al.⁵and Melo et al.³, while assessing particleboards manufactured with different proportions of wood and rice husk particles.

Apart from residues, the raw materials found in large amount at regional level can decrease the final cost of the product. This is the case of bamboo, which has been used at industrial scale in several Asian countries such as: China, India, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia^6,7. In Brazil, in spite of genera (34) and species (232, whereas 174 are endemic) diversity, bamboo's potential has been poorly utilized⁸. Several studies have indicated that particleboards using bamboo as raw material present satisfactory performance with respect to physical-mechanical properties^8-10.

Hiziroglu et al.¹¹, while studying particleboards manufactured with different proportions of wood (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), rice straw and bamboo particles, observed for the particleboards made with wood-rice straw, rice straw-bamboo, and for the combination between them, inferior mechanical properties (internal bonding, modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture) compared to those manufactured only with wood particles. These authors still verified, with respect to physical properties, lower dimensional stability for these particleboards. However, wood-bamboo particleboards obtained similar or better performance than those manufactured only with wood particles.

In the present study, it was assessed the physical and mechanical properties of particleboards manufactured with wood, rice husk and bamboo particles, in different combinations.

2. Material and methods

2.1. Raw material collection and preparation
Particleboard manufacturing was carried out using eucalyptus wood (W), rice husk (R) and bamboo (B) particles. The wood particles (Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden) were obtained from six trees from homogeneous forest stands with nearly 15 years. The boards were obtained from the trees, which, were then resawed with perpendicular-to-grain cut, obtaining blocks with 5-cm width (tangential), 7-cm length (longitudinal) and variable thickness (radial), according to the diameter and position of the board removal from the log. The blocks were transformed in flakes in a knife mill, and, then, in particles after being processed in a hammer mill with 8.0-mm diameter mesh sieve. Afterwards, fines were removed by a sieve with 1.0 × 1.0 mm mesh.

The rice husks (Oryza Sativa L.) were obtained from a rice processing mill. First, the material was cleaned and selected. Then, the husks were processed in hammer mill using a sieve with 6.0-mm mesh. Afterwards, the fines were removed by a sieve with 1.0 × 1.0 mm mesh. Yet, the bamboo culms (Bambusa vulgaris Schr.) were obtained in clumps of nearly four years of age. They were cut at 2 m above ground level and, then, cut in longitudinal direction and immersed into water so as to increase its internal face exposition, to remove part of the starch and to facilitate its grinding process⁹. The culms were grinded by a hammer mill coupled with a 6.0-mm diameter mesh sieve. After drying in oven at 60°C temperature, this material was sieved in 1.0 × 1.0 mm mesh, aiming at better selecting the material and removing the fines.

2.2. Particleboards manufacturing
The wood, rice husks and bamboo particles selected were conditioned in oven at 60°C during 24 hours, where they reached equilibrium moisture content of nearly 3%. They were used separately or combined in different proportions (Table 1). In all cases, it was used the urea-formaldehyde adhesive (350 cP viscosity and 65% content of solids) in the proportion of 8% of the particles dry mass. It was still added 1% of paraffin in the same conditions. The particle mass of the particleboards (pure or combined) was represented by 91% of the manufactured particleboard mass loss. The adhesive and the paraffin were added to the particles mass through a pistol triggered by air compressor in a rotating roller.

Afterwards, the mass of particles with adhesive and paraffin was taken to a wooden mould with 50 cm × 50 cm × 20 cm, where it was manually pressed. Then, the definitive pressing was carried out in hydraulic press, at 180°C temperature and 3.0 N/mm² pressure. The shutdown period of the press was 40 seconds, and 8 minutes was the total pressing period necessary to promote water evaporation and adhesive solidification. Overall, 30 particleboards were produced (six per treatment), all with pre-established nominal specific mass of 0.65 g/cm³ and dimensions of 50 cm × 50 cm × 0.95 cm.

2.3. Assays performed and analyses of the results
In order to evaluate the properties of the particleboards produced, physical (density; moisture content; water absorption and thickness swelling) and mechanical (static bending; internal bonding and screw withdrawal) assays were carried, according to the American Society for Testing and Materials - ASTM D 1037¹² standard. The average values observed for the physical-mechanical properties were compared with the minimum required by the norm of the American National Standards Institute - ANSI 208.1¹³. For all cases, the data obtained was assessed through analysis of variance with further comparison of means by Student's T test (p < 0.05).

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Physical properties
The data obtained for specific mass and equilibrium moisture content of the particleboards for the different treatments evaluated did not differ statistically. In respect of specific mass, the mean values obtained for the treatments varied from 0.63 g/cm³ to 0.69 g/cm³. Moisture content verified varied from 8.29% to 8.75%. This low variation enables greater reliability with regard to the other results obtained, as moisture and specific mass, especially, influence significantly the physical-mechanical properties of the particleboards¹⁴.

With respect to water absorption, it was observed that after the 2-hour and 24-hour period post-immersion, particleboards manufactured exclusively with alternative particles (B and R) or through their mixture with wood particles (WB and WR) showed increase in percentages of water absorption (Figure 1). Similar results were observed by Melo et al.³ and Calegari et al.⁹. According to these authors the highest percentages of water absorption for these particleboards can be related to the high content of silica (R) and to the lower content of lignin (B) present in these materials. Such components interfere with the particles' adhesion and gluing processes, such as silica, or with the increase on the proportion of celluloses and polyoses chemical constituents with hydrophilic behavior, such as lignin.

Regarding thickness swelling (Figure 2), the highest instability was verified for particleboards that only used rice husk (R), or for those wherein these were mixed with wood (WR). The particleboards which used bamboo (B and WB) presented loss of early stability, i.e. higher thickness swelling - after 2-hour immersion; however, when the swelling of the samples after 24 hours is considered, these particleboards showed similar performance compared to those only with wood particles (W). The percentages of thickness swelling observed for W, B and WB particleboards fulfilled the ANSI 208.1¹³ requirements for commercialization, which accepts absorption percentages of up to 35% at 24-hour after immersion. The good performance of particleboards manufactured with bamboo, with respect to its dimensional stability, was also observed by Hiziroglu et al.¹¹. The same authors also evinced that particleboards produced with rice straw showed high water absorption and thickness swelling, which significantly reduced when the particleboards were mixed with wood in the same proportion.

3.2. Mechanical properties

The use of R particles indicated a reduction in rigidity (E_M) and resistance (f_M) to static bending (Figure 3). Other researchers, such as Ajiwe et al.⁵, Han et al.¹⁵, Lee and Kang¹⁶, Ndazi et al.⁴ and Melo et al.³, also obtained similar results, wherein the rise in the proportion of rice husk in particleboards caused a decrease in resistance and rigidity parameters of these materials. Similarly, the use of rice straw for panel manufacturing, as verified by Hiziroglu et al.¹¹, also presented results similar to this study.

With respect to the particleboards which used B particles, even though they have presented lower  E_M and f_M than the particleboards which exclusively used W particles, their influence on the performance of the particleboards was less damaging than those using R particles. Regarding EM , it was observed statistically similar results between W and WB particleboards. The good performance of bamboo particles in particleboards was also observed by Lee et al.^17,18, Xu et al.¹⁹, Hiziroglu et al.¹¹ and Calegari et al.⁹. The minimum values standardized by ANSI A 208.1¹³for medium density particleboards (0.60 g/cm³ to 0.85 g/cm³) are1760 N/mm² for E_M and 11 N/mm² for f_M, which were reached by the W and WB particleboards.

The assessed particleboards presented significant difference when resistance to screw withdrawal was evaluated (Figure 4). The highest resistance was observed for samples using W particles, followed by those with B and WB particles. The lowest resistance to screw withdrawal was observed for particleboards produced with R and WR particles. Similar results were found by Calegari et al.⁹ for bamboo-wood particleboards and by Melo et al.³ for wood-rice husk particleboards.
Within the properties evaluated in the present work, internal bonding is one of the most important for the qualitative characterization of the particleboards. This parameter indicates how significant was the interaction performed between the particles and the adhesive used, and is directly related to all the other physical-mechanical properties evaluated in this study. Particleboards produced with W, B and WB particles presented similar values of resistance to bonding. The potential of bamboo use for particleboard manufacturing was also pointed by several studies^8-11,20. Yet, for particleboards manufactured with R and WR particles, the internal bonding was substantially affected. The low values of internal bonding may be related to the cylindrical and hollow structure of the rice husk particles, which may have acted as a barrier during resin application³. Another probable influence is the low permeability mentioned by Youngquist et al.², which may have interfered on the particles' gluing. Lee and Kang¹⁶also observed that the use of rice husk particles in particleboards promoted great reduction in their physical and mechanical resistance properties. However, its increase in small concentrations, up to 10%, likewise observed by Melo et al.³, may not present any significant impact on the particleboards' properties.

The minimum values required by ANSI A 208.1¹³ standard for resistance to screw withdrawal and internal bonding for the types of particleboards studied are nearly 1,000 N and 0.40 N/mm², respectively. None of the treatments evaluated managed to fulfill the requirements established by these parameters.

4. Conclusion

The use of bamboo particles was proved as promising for the production of particleboards, not only for those made exclusively with bamboo particles, but also through the combination with wood particles. In certain cases, it was observed similar results obtained by these compared to particleboards manufactured exclusively with wood particles. The bamboo particles has potential for this purpose, with the possibility of adjustment of some production parameters for reaching performance equivalent to wood panel.

Rice husk particles presented restrictions for utilization in particleboard manufacturing, once their use, isolated or combined with wood particles, provided major reduction in the physical-mechanical properties of the particleboards. Nevertheless, its use in small concentrations and/or with application of other types of adhesives needs to be thoroughly studied.

The values standardized by ANSI A 208.113 for medium density particleboards which were reached by the wood and wood-bamboo panels.

References

1. Fiorelli J, Sertori DL, Cravo JCM, Savastano H Jr, Rossignolo JA, Nascimento MF et al. Sugarcane bagasse and castor oil polyurethane adhesive-based particulate composite.  Material Research. 2013; 16:439-446. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1516-14392013005000004    [ Links ]
2. Youngquist JA, Krzysik AM, English EW, Spelter HN and Chow P. Agricultural fibers in composition panels. In: Proceedingsof the 27th International Particleboard/Composite Materials Symposium; 1996; Pullman. Washington: Washington State University; 1996. p. 133-152.         [ Links ]
3. Melo RR, Santini EJ, Haselein CR and Stangerlin DM. Propriedades físico-mecânicas de painéis aglomerados produzidos com diferentes proporções de madeira e casca de arroz. Ciência Florestal. 2009; 19(4):449-460.         [ Links ]
4. Ndazi B, Tesha JV, Karlsson S and Bisanda ETN. Production of rice husks composites with Acacia mimosa tannin-based resin. Journal of Material Science. 2006; 41(21):6978-6983. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-0220-7      [ Links ]
5. Ajiwe VIE, Okeke CA, Ekwuozor SC and Uba IC. A pilot plant for production of ceiling boards from rice husks. Bioresource Technology. 1998; 66(1):41-43. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(98)00023-6     [ Links ]
6. Kasim J, Ahmad AJH, Harun J, Ashari Z, Mohmod L and Yusof MNM. Properties of particleboard manufactured from commonly utilized Malaysian bamboo (Gigantochloa scortechinii).  Pertanika Journal Tropical Agricultural Science. 2001; 24(2):151-157.         [ Links ]
7. Lin CJ, Tsai MJ and Wang SY. Nondestructive evaluation techniques for assessing dynamic modulus of elasticity of moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) lamina. Journal of Wood Science. 2006; 52(4):342-347. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10086-005-0772-1      [ Links ]
8. Arruda LM, Del Menezzi CHS, Teixeira DE and Araújo PC. Lignocellulosic composites from Brazilian giant bamboo (Guadua magna). Part 1: properties of resin bonded particleboards. Maderas: Ciencia y Tecnología. 2011; 13(1):49-58.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-221X2011000100005       [ Links ]
9. Calegari L, Haselein CR, Scaravelli TL, Santini EJ, Stangerlin DM, Gatto DA et al. Desempenho físico-mecânico de painéis fabricados com bambu (Bambusa vulgaris Schr.) em combinação com madeira. Cerne. 2007; 13(1):57-63.         [ Links ]
10. Araújo PC, Arruda LM, Del Menezzi CHS, Teixeira DE and Souza MR. Lignocellulosic composites from Brazilian giant bamboo (Guadua magna). Part 2: Properties of cement or gypsium-bonded particleboard. Maderas: Ciencia y Tecnología. 2011; 13(3):297-306.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-221X2011000300005   [ Links ]
11. Hiziroglu S, Jarusombuti S and Fueangvivat V. Properties of bamboo-rice straw-eucalyptus composite panels. Forest Products Journal. 2005; 55(12):221-225.         [ Links ]
12. American Society for Testing and Materials - ASTM. Standard test methods for evaluating properties of wood-base fiber and particle panel materials: specification ASTM D 1037-98. Philadelphia: ASTM; 1998.         [ Links ]
13. American National Standard Institute - ANSI. Mat-formed wood particleboard: specification ANSI A 208.1.1993. Gaithersburg: National Particleboards Association; 1993.         [ Links ]
14. Melo RR and Del Menezzi CHS. Influência da massa específica nas propriedades físico-mecânicas de painéis aglomerados. Silva Lusitana. 2010; 18(1):59-73.         [ Links ]
15. Han G, Zhang C, Zhang D, Umemura K and Kawai S. Upgrading of urea formaldehyde-bonded reed and whet straw particleboards using silane coupling agents. Journal of Wood Science. 1998; 44(4):282-286. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00581308  [ Links ]
16. Lee HH and Kang CW. Development of rice hull insulation board using urea formaldehyde resin.  Journal of Korean Wood Science and Technology. 1998; 26(4):50-55.         [ Links ]
17. Lee AWC, Bai X and Bangi AP. Flexural properties of bamboo-reinforced southern pine OSB beams.  Forest Products Journal. 1997; 47(6):74-78.         [ Links ]
18. Lee AWC, Bai X and Peralta PN. Physical and mechanical properties of strandboard made from Moso bamboo. Forest Products Journal. 1996; 46(11-12):84-88.         [ Links ]
19. Xu H, Tanaka C, Nakao T and Katayama H. Mechanical properties of plywood reinforced by bamboo or jute. Forest Products Journal. 1998; 48(1):81-85.         [ Links ]
20. Vital BR and Haselein CR. Qualidade de chapas de aglomerado produzidas com embaúba (Cecropia sp.) e bambu (Bambusa vulgaris). Revista Árvore. 1988; 12(2):134-145.         [ Links ]

For further details log on website :

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-14392014000300020

PARTICLEBOARD AND MDF PANELS MADE FROM A MIXTURE OF WOOD AND PINECONES: RESISTANCE TO DECAY FUNGI AND TERMITES UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

BioResources

PARTICLEBOARD AND MDF PANELS MADE FROM A MIXTURE OF WOOD AND PINECONES: RESISTANCE TO DECAY FUNGI AND TERMITES UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

Coskun Kose, Evren Terzi, Ümit Büyüksarı, Erkan Avcı, Nadir Ayrılmış, S. Nami Kartal, Yuji Imamura

Abstract

Particleboard and medium density fiberboard (MDF) panels were produced using stone pine (Pinus pinea) cones, which were mixed with either wood particles or fibers from pine and beech wood at various ratios. Specimens from the panels were subjected to AWPA E10-06 soil-block tests using two brown-rot fungi, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Postia placenta and two white rot fungi, Trametes versicolor and Pleurotus ostreatus for 12 weeks. Specimens were also subjected to subterranean termites, Coptotermes formosanus, according to the JIS K 1571 standard test method for 3 weeks. Pinecone material in the furnish had no considerable effect on the decay resistance of particleboard and MDF specimens subjected to the brown-rot fungi; however, mass losses in the specimens exposed to the white-rot fungi were gradually decreased as the pinecone ratio in the furnish increased. No increased resistance was observed in the specimens exposed to the termites. In some cases, the specimens containing pinecone furnish had greater mass losses compared to the control specimens.

Keywords

Particleboard; MDF; Pinecone; Decay resistance; Termite resistance

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Welcome to BioResources! This online, peer-reviewed journal is devoted to the science and engineering of biomaterials and chemicals from lignocellulosic sources for new end uses and new capabilities. The editors of BioResources would be very happy to assist you during the process of submitting or reviewing articles. Please note that logging in is required in order to submit or review articles. Martin A. Hubbe, (919) 513-3022, hubbe@ncsu.edu; Lucian A. Lucia, (919) 515-7707, lucian.lucia@gmail.com, URLs: bioresourcesjournal.com; http://ncsu.edu/bioresources ISSN:  1930-2126

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The Best Atlanta Suburbs to Live In and Raise Kids

Atlanta is surrounded by suburbs filled with families raising children. Life outside the city offers a more laid back lifestyle with access to Atlanta's museums, sports teams and events. The one that is best for your family will depend on your unique needs, but certain suburbs have been noted as meeting specific criteria often desired by families. If your priorities are good schools, low crime and things to do, these suburbs might be right for you.

The amenities of Atlanta are easily accessible from any of these suburbs. Photo Credit SeanPavonePhoto/iStock/Getty Images.

Marietta

Marietta is located northwest of Atlanta and is easily accessible via Interstate 75. The central spot is Marietta Square, which has shopping, restaurants, farmer's markets, 5K events and a park with a free concert series. This suburb boasts museums, theaters and 18 parks. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park is nearby, offering 18 miles of trails, a Civil War museum and war reenactments. Marietta also has many strong schools that earned a 9 or 10 rating on GreatsSchools.org-- the site bases ratings on standardized testing scores. Lassiter High School was ranked seventh in Georgia by U.S. News and World Report.

Roswell

Roswell, north of Atlanta, is listed third in Frommer's "Best Places to Raise Your Family" and is ranked the 18th safest city in the United States according to City Crime Rankings. It has also been honored twice by Atlanta Magazine as the best place to live in the metro area. It has several parks and trails, including some along the Chattahoochee River. Historic Downtown Roswell has been revitalized and is packed with restaurants and shops, and the weekly event, Alive After 5, fills the streets every Thursday all summer long. A number of Roswell schools have also achieved ratings from 8 to 10 by Great Schools.

Suwannee

Suwanee is about 30 miles north of Atlanta and has been recognized by "Money Magazine" as one of the country's best small communities and by Kiplinger.com as one of the best to raise children. It has more than 500 acres of parkland and miles of walking and biking trails. Town Center Park is a major gathering site for events and the Big Splash interactive fountain. It is served by Gwinnett County Schools, the largest and one of the best school systems in the state.

Decatur

Located east of Atlanta, Decatur has small-town charm, access to MARTA--the city's public transportation system--and fiercely loyal residents. It is minutes from downtown Atlanta and Stone Mountain Park. Decatur Square is full of unique shops, restaurants and live music venues. Eddie's Attic is one such venue and the place where the Indigo Girls, Sugarland, Sean Mullins and John Mayer played in the early days of their careers. Decatur hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the Decatur Book Festival and the Decatur Arts Festival. The Decatur City School System is highly regarded.

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Natural Treatments for Diabetes and High Blood Sugar Levels

Overview

According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. As of 2010, 23.6 million people live with diabetes, and there are 1.6 million new cases each year. Diabetes is a disease affecting blood sugar, or glucose, levels. Doctors and nutritionists advocate controlling type 2 diabetes with diet and exercise.

Cinnamon sticks on a plate. Photo Credit Getideaka/iStock/Getty Images

Cinnamon

According to a study published in the May 2006 edition of the "European Journal of Clinical Investigation," cinnamon can control blood sugar levels due to its stimulating action on the digestive tract.

There are several ways to add cinnamon to the diet. Sprinkle some in your coffee grounds prior to brewing--it adds a slight spicy taste to the coffee, and balances the blood sugar at the start of the day. Adding 1/4 tsp. to oatmeal or soup twice daily is another way to lower blood sugar.

Natural Sugars

Some sweeteners have relatively low-glycemic levels for those at risk for diabetes, or those with a diabetes diagnosis. Low-glycemic foods eliminate blood sugar spikes and crashes that can be dangerous for diabetics and pre-diabetics.

Agave nectar, made from the agave cactus, is an example of a relatively low-glycemic sweetener. Many people switch to agave nectar as their choice of sweetener because it mixes well in tea and coffee, and also works well in baking.

Another alternative sweetener is stevia. According to the Stevia website, Stevia is an all-natural supplement used as a sweetener that has been around as a sugar substitute since World War II. Made from the stevia plant, it is known for its sweetness and use in controlling blood sugar.

Peony

"The Essential Herbs Handbook" notes that the Japanese call the peony the "food of dragons" and eat it as a vegetable. The beautiful fragrant red blossom of the peony have been used as a medicine for 2,000 years. Named for the Greek god Paeon, physician to the gods, peony flowers are dried and ground into powder used for balancing blood sugar. 

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Do Frozen Dinners Have Too Much Sodium?

The convenience and relatively low cost of frozen dinners makes them a tempting choice whether you are pressed for time or unable to cook a meal from scratch. However, some frozen dinners contain more sodium than you should consume in one meal or even in one day. Before you microwave or warm up your next frozen meal, analyze the sodium content to determine whether the particular frozen meal is a healthy choice for you.

Frozen dinners offer convenience but sometimes contain excessive sodium. Photo Credit Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images.

Sodium Recommendations

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services established sodium recommendations in its "Dietary Guidelines for Americans." The guidelines state that your sodium levels should remain under 1,500 mg per day if you are black, over the age of 51, have coronary heart disease, kidney disease or high blood pressure, or if your doctor recommends it. If you meet none of those conditions, your maximum sodium intake should be 2,300 mg per day. A frozen dinner that has 900 mg of sodium comprises more than half of the 1,500 mg recommendation and almost 40 percent of the 2,300 mg recommendation.

Dangers of High Sodium Intake

The relatively high sodium content in many frozen dinners occurs because manufacturers use sodium to enhance the flavor of the frozen food and as a preservative, according to registered dietitian Katherine Zeratsky of the Mayo Clinic. When you consume sodium through the food you eat, the sodium in your blood increases, which in turn causes more fluid to enter your blood vessels and eventually increases your blood volume. This increase in blood volume raises your blood pressure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that suffers of high blood pressure are at increased risk for both heart disease and strokes.

Sodium Levels

The sodium content in frozen dinners varies depending on the meal. A serving of frozen lasagna with meat contains 832 mg of sodium, and a serving of turkey pot pie has 1,390 mg of sodium, according to the USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory. Even diet frozen meals can be high in sodium. An example is a chicken and almond entree, which has only 250 calories, but 490 mg of sodium. Other diet meals have higher amounts of sodium, with a sesame chicken entree containing 650 mg, and a diet rigatoni with meatball dinner having 830 mg. The lower the sodium content in your frozen dinner, the better it is for you. Eating less than 500 mg of sodium for dinner leaves you enough leeway to have foods with average amounts of sodium for other meals and snacks.

Strategies

Examine both the calories, nutrients and sodium content of any frozen foods before you purchase them. If you are dieting or monitoring your fat consumption, look for frozen meals with lower amounts of overall and saturated fat as well as lower sodium contents. An alternative to commercially frozen meals is to create your own frozen meals at home. Make hamburgers with extra-lean ground beef and freeze the patties in separate containers. Warm the hamburger, and serve with a serving of canned fruit, a whole-wheat hamburger bun and 1 cup of frozen, heated vegetables. You can make a low-fat chicken, rice and broccoli casserole and freeze in individual servings. Add fruit and a bun for a complete dinner.

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