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Bottles and teats are ubiquitously used for feeding infants and young children. Yet there are limited empirical studies on the scope of infant feeding bottles, their attributes, or their marketing claims. We report the first comprehensive survey on infant feeding bottles and teats in Germany. We aimed to explore the extent of bottles and teats available in Germany, describe their physical attributes and analyze their marketing claims. A cross‐sectional survey of German bottle and teat manufacturer websites was conducted between June and November 2022. Product attributes are presented with descriptive statistics and photographs. Marketing claims are summarized in a descriptive content analysis. We identified 41 brands encompassing 447 unique products (226 bottles, 221 teats). The majority of bottles were plastic (147, 65%) or glass (64, 28%), and the majority of teats were silicone (188, 85%). Most brands (38, 93%) promoted products using one or more inappropriate marketing claims, including equivalency to breastfeeding (29, 73%), idealization through technical or medical descriptions (23, 58%), claims on disease prevention (31, 78%), references to naturalness (29, 73%), infant autonomy (10, 25%), and endorsements from parents (10, 25%) or health professionals (11, 28%). The majority of bottles and teats available in Germany appear to be marketed inappropriately and hold the potential to undermine public health recommendations on infant and young child feeding. Therefore, we recommend Germany strengthens legislation on the marketing of bottles and teats in accordance with the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. Key messages: There is limited research on infant feeding bottles and teats or their marketing claims.Most infant feeding bottle brands identified (38, 93%) promoted products using one or more inappropriate marketing claims.No national legislation currently exists to restrict misleading marketing claims on infant feeding bottles and teats.Large bottle volumes, teats designed for feeding complementary foods and nonstandardized language for teat flow rates may promote overfeeding, overweight and obesity.Bottles and teats should be made of safe materials, be designed for easy cleaning, meet specified European standards and reference the European safety standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Penetrating injuries are a rare but recurring emergency situation in the out-of-hospital and in-hospital emergency settings. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and characteristics of injuries associated with penetrating violence across a German metropolitan region over a 5-year period. Material and methods: In the retrospective study, a database query of the control center of the Düsseldorf rescue service area was used to identify and descriptively analyze all rescue service operations with penetrating violence-associated injuries in the years 2015, 2017, and 2019. For those patients who were transferred to the major trauma center, a further analysis of the in-hospital course was performed. Results: In the 3 years 2015, 2017 and 2019 a total of 266 patients (age: 33 ± 14 years, male: 79%) could be recorded (2015 vs. 2017 vs. 2019: n = 81 vs. n = 93 vs. n = 92, respectively). The most common age group involved had an age range of 15–34 years. A particularly higher frequency of emergency calls was found for the areas of Old Town, City Center, and one other district (Oberbilk). A high frequency of rescue missions was found in the nights from Saturday to Sunday between 20.00 p.m. and 04.00 a.m. Rescue missions with emergency physicians on board increased over the years (2015 vs. 2019: 27 vs. 42%, p = 0.04). The primary weapons used were knives (56%), broken glass bottles (18%) and broken glasses (6%). Out of all patients 71 (27%, injury severity score 11 ± 14) were admitted to the major trauma center. Among these patients, the proportion of immediate surgical care (2015 vs. 2019: 20% vs. 35%, p < 0.05) and positive alcohol detection increased over the years (2015 vs. 2019: 10% vs. 43%, p < 0.05). The 30-day mortality in the 3 years studied was 1.1% (n = 3). Conclusion: Penetrating injuries associated with violence are relevant but rare rescue missions. Future care strategies should focus on deployment of rescue resources close to the scene of the incident ("old town guard", central station), and prevention strategies should focus on weapon prohibition zones. A control of alcohol consumption should be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The steady increase in the world's population combined with the globally growing need for living space by each individual is leading to an ever-faster consumption of limited resources by the construction industry, particularly sand and gravel. While a consensus exists regarding the sand and gravel resource availability on a global level for long-term supply, it is important to note that local supply shortages may still occur. Thus, this study aims to identify critical aspects of both locally and globally traded construction materials by adapting the ESSENZ method, which evaluates the criticality of globally traded abiotic resources. For the specific case of the local availability of construction materials, a new indicator is introduced: The Surface Squared Driven Indicator (SSDI), which is adapted to the specific conditions of the German market. The modified ESSENZ method is applied in a case study of materials needed for maintaining the material stock of the city of Herne, Germany. The results indicate that raw materials for concrete production in Germany, such as aggregates, are expected to be sufficient in the long term, but silica sand for glass production is only guaranteed for a few decades. Concrete poses the highest supply risk due to its high material demand, with steel and concrete dominating the environmental impacts. Limitations include data availability and the exclusion of certain materials. The adapted ESSENZ method allows for the comparison of criticality results for materials traded globally and locally, offering valuable insights for decision-makers seeking to promote sustainable construction practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Assessing the microleakage of glass ionomer restorations (GIC) prepared with both conventional and Er:YAG laser techniques in Class V cavities is the purpose of the study. Material and Methods: Twenty teeth with Class V cavities (4mm wide, 3mm high, 3mm deep) were used. Cavities were prepared on the buccal and lingual surfaces of teeth which were randomly separated into four groups. Er:YAG laser was used to prepare cavities in Groups II and IV, conventionally diamond bur was used to prepare cavities in Groups I and III. Then, Groups I and II were restored with conventional GIC (Ketac Molar Easymix, 3MEspe, Seefeld, Germany) and high viscosity GIC with resin coating (EQUIA Fil, GC Dental Co., Tokyo, Japan) to restore Groups III and IV. Samples were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours before subjecting to thermo-cycling (500 cycles,5°C-55°C). In a chewing simulator, all teeth were exposed to 50.000 cycles. We used 0.5% aqueous basic fuchsin dye to stain the samples and sectioned them bucco-lingually. Scoring dye penetration was made under a stereomicroscope. The data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis One-Way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: While the highest microleakage scores were obtained in the group prepared with Er: YAG laser and restored with conventional GIC the lowest microleakage scores were obtained in the group prepared with Er:YAG laser and restored with high viscosity GIC. When cavities prepared with Er:YAG laser or conventional method were restored with high viscosity GIC, no statistically significant difference was found between them (p> 0.05). Conclusion: High viscosity GIC can be preferred as a restorative material in the restorations of Class V cavities prepared using both conventional and Er:YAG lasers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to investigate the clinical effectiveness and patient acceptability of a modified glass ionomer cement placed using the atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) technique to treat root caries, and to carry out microbiological analysis of the restored sites. Two clinically visible root surface carious lesions per participant were restored using ART. One was restored with commercial glass ionomer cement (GIC) (ChemFil® Superior, DENTSPLY, Konstonz, Germany) which acted as the control. The other carious root lesion was restored with the same GIC modified with 5% chlorhexidine digluconate (GIC-CHX; test). Patient acceptability and restoration survival rate were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months. Plaque and saliva samples around the test and control restorations were collected, and microbiological analysis for selected bacterial and fungal viability were completed at baseline, and after 1, 3, and 6 months. In total, 52 restorations were placed using GIC and GIC-CHX in 26 participants; 1 patient was lost to follow-up. After reviewing the restorations during their baseline appointments, participants indicated that they were satisfied with the appearance of the restorations (n = 25, 96%) and did not feel anxious during the procedure (n = 24, 92%). Forty-eight percent (n = 12) of the GIC-CHX restorations were continuous with the existing anatomic form as opposed to six for the GIC restorations (24%), a difference which was statistically significant (p = 0.036). There was no statistically significant reduction in the mean count of the tested microorganisms in plaque samples for either type of restorations after 1, 3, or 6 months. Restoration of carious root surfaces with GIC-CHX resulted in higher survival rates than the control GIC. ART using GIC-CHX may therefore be a viable approach for use in outreach dental services to restore root surface carious lesions where dental services are not readily available, and for older people and special needs groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2015, two exceptional Roman glass vessels - a large footed beaker and a fish-shaped bottle - were discovered at a large cemetery from the Late Pre-Roman Period and the Roman Period at Czarnówko near Lębork. The finds are quite sensational, not only because of their quality and the rarity of similar wares, but also due to the fact that they are the first vessels of their types discovered in central and northern European Barbaricum. The beaker belongs to the socalled flower and bird group, with best analogies to the representations of birds found in Pannonia. The fish-shaped bottle is one of the best-preserved vessels of its type in the world. It was most likely made in the province of Germania inferior, in or around present-day Cologne. The importance of this discovery is enhanced by the fact that the grave in which both vessels were found is well dated - to stage C1a of the Late Roman Period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass is magic. Not quite liquid, not quite solid, it is a shape-shifter. A curious displacer, it dislodges space while itself appearing almost absent, optically permeable—ghostly. Glass's unique conflation of materiality and immateriality recommended it for both practical and conceptual exploitation during the modern period. This essay considers glass objects and architecture produced in Germany during the Interwar years as both reactions to the cataclysms of World War I and responses to the shift in political values that fueled the advent of the Third Reich. It traces both glass's own power to displace—to shift and change the cultural landscape of modernity—and its paradoxical powerlessness to resist its own displacement: its gradual evacuation of color, texture and presence—and the cultural and political consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the mechanical reliability of glass seal in planar type solid oxide fuel cells and clarified the relationship between glass wettability and the mechanical reliability of glass seal. A visualization experiment was developed to observe a specific model seal in a furnace subjected to temperature variation and the relationship between the glass wettability and the seal shape was measured. The seal model consists of glass (G018-311, Schott, Germany) and interconnectors (Crofer 22 APU, VDM Metals GmbH, Germany). The visualization experiment and analysis were based on the sessile drop method to quantify glass surface tension and contact angle between glass and interconnector. The equation balance of forces with these surface properties succeeded to reproduce the seal shape observed in the visualization. Subsequently, the seal stress field was numerically solved, and the mechanical strength of the seal was quantitatively evaluated using the stress intensity factor. The analyses concluded that the stress intensity factor is 1.5 times higher than its minimum value as the contact angle raised from 90 to 130° and glass wettability decreased. • The correlation between glass wettability and seal strength in SOFCs was clarified. • The FEM stress analysis based on the glass wettability can predict the seal strength. • Medium wettability is most effective to prevent the crack propagation inside the glass. • High wettability can prevent peeling off the glass from the interconnector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colour measurements and non‐destructive μ‐X‐ray mappings have been used for the first time in a comprehensive study of medieval émail champlevé works from different production areas in France and Germany. This approach has given a new insight into the enamel powder preparation process of the glass material used for enamelling. Colour measurements demonstrated that all production centres used glass of very similar hues, but with large differences in colour saturation. The μ‐X‐ray mapping results of blue enamels are described by a semi‐qualitative approach. Significant variations in oxide contents of lead, cobalt, manganese and antimony oxides were found. The variations suggest that more than one glass material was used to prepare the powder for enamelling. The variations in antimony and cobalt show that glass had different degrees of opacity and colour depth. The manganese and lead contents, which do not correlate with the cobalt or antimony contents, indicate that probably glass of different base compositions was used to prepare the enamel powder for one champlevé field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Die Scharoun-Schule in Lünen ist eines der wertvollsten Denkmale der Bundesrepublik. Die kulturelle Bedeutung dieser Anlage zu verstehen war Teil des Projektes; sie zu erhalten, zu bewahren und ihr eine Zukunft zu geben, das Ziel. In den Jahren 2009 bis 2013 wurde die Schule, die zwischen 1956 und 1962 vom Architekten Hans Scharoun erbaut wurde, von der Stadt Lünen und der Wüstenrot Stiftung denkmalgerecht baulich instandgesetzt und energetisch saniert. Die Maßnahme wurde von Bund und Land gefördert. Light in Hans Scharoun school. The Hans Scharoun School in the town of Lünen is one of the most valuable monument of Germany. The objective was the cultural understanding and preservation of the site. In 2009 to 2013 the school was renovated and energetically improved by the town of Lünen and the Wüstenrot foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though monolithic restorations can be produced from dental zirconias, glaze and stains applications are routine procedures for a natural appearance result. Thus, this study evaluated the use of boron-doped soda lime glass as an alternative for finishing zirconia restorations. Disc-shaped samples of second and third generations zirconia were prepared: 3Y-TZP (ZPex, Tosoh) and 5Y-PSZ (Zpex Smile, Tosoh) (ISO 6872, diameter: 12 mm; thickness: 1.2 mm). The samples were polished with SiC #1200 sandpaper, sintered at 1550 C for 2 hours (Sirona inFire HTC speed) and randomly divided into 4 groups: 3Y-TZP with comercial glaze (3Y-G); 5Y-PSZ comercial glaze (5Y-G); 3Y-TZP with boro-doped soda-lime glass (3Y-SL) and 5Y-PSZ with boron-doped soda lime glass (5Y-SL). Then, glaze layer (Vita Akz 25, VITA Zahnfabrik, Germany) was mixed with the manufacturer building liquid, applied over the zirconia discs with a brush and fired at 950 C for 20 min. The boron-doped soda lime glass powder was mixed with propylene glycol, applied with a brush and fired at 1200 C for 20 min. The samples were subjected to surface roughness analysis in a contact profilometer for average (Ra) and ten-point-mean roughness (Rz) assessment. The biaxial flexural strength (MPa) was measured in a universal testing machine with a loading speed using the piston-on-three-ball method. The strength and roughness values (MPa) were analyzed by two-way ANOVA (α= 0.05). The glaze application led to slightly lower Ra values when applied over the 5Y-PSZ when compared to the other groups: 3Y-G (Ra-0.011; Rz-0.083), 3Y-SL(Ra-0.011; Rz-0.076), 5Y-G (Ra-0.008; Rz-0.054), 5Y-SL (Ra-0.011; Rz-0.076). However, no statistical difference was observed in Rz (p>0.05). The highest flexural strength values were observed for 3Y-TZP samples. The statistical analysis showed significant differences as follows: 3Y-SL (1026.99 MPa 130.04) > 3Y-G (818.401 MPa 89.63) > 5Y-SL (762.91 MPa 123.30) > 5Y-G (620.87 MPa 50.38). Although roughness values were similar among the experimental groups, boron-doped soda lime glass was able to improve flexural strength of both 3Y-TZP and 5Y-PSZ when compared to commercial glaze. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ancient glasses deriving from differing environments (marine and ground) and areas (Mediterranean and Continental) have been investigated to understand their weathering processes. Although the glass technologies, developed in various ways, and the differing compositions of the glasses from the two areas, have generated differing durabilities, the weathering features of both typologies of glass are identical. Therefore, the corrosion phenomena are due to the action of water, and they are not related to the sample microclimate. Data have been collected using optical microscopy, RGA and surface analysis techniques: XPS, ESEM and SIMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patches of glass with a second generation of small crystals of olivine, clinopyroxene, and spinel are abundant in hydrous peridotite mantle xenoliths with tabular equigranular textures from two maar-type volcanoes, Meerfelder Maar and Dreiser Weiher (West Eifel, Germany). The patches are similar in size to the main phases of the hosting peridotite. Their central part is often occupied by relics of pargasitic amphibole. Mass-balance calculations show that the patches were formed by surface controlled incongruent thermal breakdown of amphibole according to the reaction: amphibole ? olivine + clinopyroxene + spinel + melt. Simultaneously with the decomposition of amphibole, small crystals of olivine, clinopyroxene, and spinel grew radially from the patch/peridotite interface toward the centre of the patch. Apart from sector zoning of clinopyroxene, the crystals are virtually homogeneous and are separated from the amphibole by a seam of melt (glass). Secondary olivines reveal higher Mg-numbers, secondary clinopyroxenes higher Cr2O3 concentrations than olivines and clinopyroxenes, respectively, of the host peridotite. The silica contents of melts produced by the above breakdown reaction range from 48 to 52% SiO2 as a function of the composition of the parent amphiboles. Patches surrounded by primary olivines only reveal no reaction with the host peridotite. The variation of SiO2, MgO and CaO in melts from these patches is the result of minor precipitation of olivine and clinopyroxene during fast cooling. If patches are in contact with primary olivine and orthopyroxene, melts are additionally modified by the reaction liquid 1 + orthopyroxene ? liquid 2 + olivine + clinopyroxene resulting in more silica-rich compositions between 54 and 58%. For the rare glasses richer in silica, a more complex formation is required. Veinlets along grain boundaries are filled with glasses which are chemically identical to those from nearby patches. This suggests that the veinlets were filled by melts formed by amphibole breakdown during entrainment of the xenoliths to the host magmas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Igneous glasses found in hornblende- and clinopyroxene-rich xenoliths represent former melt pools and contain important information about magmatic processes in mafic alkaline magmas. Rare glass-bearing hornblendite and clinopyroxenite xenoliths entrained in intraplate alkali basalts from Germany and Israel contain up to 11% interstitial glass surrounded by euhedral crystals of mafic minerals (hornblende, clinopyroxene, phlogopite). These xenoliths represent natural experimental charges of alkaline magma quenched by rapid eruption whilst crystallising mafic mineral phases. Bulk rock compositions of the xenoliths are basanitic, considered as representing the starting compositions of the natural experiment, whereas the interstitial glasses are chemically more evolved (highly alkaline foidites) as a result of closed system crystallisation of mafic minerals. Ion-probe trace element data for glass and mineral phases (hornblende, clinopyroxene, phlogopite and apatite) yield in situ distribution coefficients (KDs) between magma and minerals. The results generally confirm distribution coefficients derived from experimental data and from melt-bearing peridotite xenoliths, but tend to be slightly higher, perhaps because of the evolved nature of the melt. Disruption of these xenoliths, which must have been semi-consolidated when entrained, may help to explain the origin of clinopyroxene, amphibole and phlogopite megacrysts that are commonly observed in alkali basalts. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Feasibility studies on applying laser radiation for the removal of superficial deposits from historic glass are being carried out within a three-year interdisciplinary project in Germany. Previous investigations revealed that there is insufficient knowledge about interaction processes between UV-laser radiation and individual surface layers of encrusted historic glass. therefore, detailed studies were first carried out on special model glass samples to simulate different stages in the corrosion of historic glass. The potential of UV-lasers for removing crusts and biolayers, as well as layers of various conservation materials (due to previous conservation work) is examined. It is of great importance to avoid damage to materials such as gel layers, paint layers or the glass itself. A KrF-excimer laser operating at λ = 248nm is used for the experiments. A mask projection technique is applied for irradiation. A modified optical set-up has been designed, using cylindrical lenses for large-area removal by 'line scanning'. Removal rates and thresholds for the materials mentioned above are monitored. The collected date enable comparison and evaluation of the feasibility of removing superficial layers from historic glass artifacts. The results indicate that in some cases a closed loop process control will be necessary to avoid over-cleaning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melt inclusions in granitic rocks are generally crystalline and must be homogenized to glass before analysis. We employ a simple kinetic technique with microthermometry to estimate total volatile contents and P–T conditions of trapping of the melts from their homogenization behaviour. This information complements chemical data from microprobe or ion probe analysis, and can be obtained from inclusions too small for direct analysis. We present here values for volatile contents (as equivalent wt % H2O), trapping temperatures and trapping pressures derived from studies of melt inclusions in some Variscan granites of the Erzebirge, Fichtelgebirge and Oberpfalz, Germany. The volatile concentrations range from 3 to 10 equiv. wt % H2O. Microprobe analysis shows that the most volatile-rich inclusions contain up to 8 wt % F. Estimates of trapping pressures ad temperatures suggest that crystallization began at an emplacement level of 3–6.5 km near 700°C with ‘normal’ biotite and two-mica granites, and ended with topaz–albite granite (∼650°C) and pegmatitic phases down to 520°C. This wide range of trapping temperatures and volatile contents is a general feature of melt inclusions in granites. Many of the granites studied are highly evolved geochemically, but the extreme volatile enrichment typical for these also occurs locally in the ‘unspecialized’ granites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digitalization of production environment, also called Industry 4.0 (the term invented by Wahlster Wolfgang in Germany) is now one of the hottest topics in the computer science departments at universities and companies. One of the most significant topics in this area is augmented reality (AR). The interest in AR has grown especially after the introduction of the Microsoft HoloLens in 2016, which made this technology available for researchers and developers all around the world. It is divided into numerous subtopics and technologies. These wireless, see-through glasses give a very natural human-machine interface, with the possibility to present certain necessary information right in front of the user's eyes as 3D virtual objects, in parallel with the observation of the real world, and the possibility to communicate with the system by simple gestures and speech. Scientists noted that in-depth studies connected to the effects of AR applications are presently sparse. In the first part of this paper, the authors recall the research from 2019 about the new method of manual wiring support with the AR glasses. In the second part, the study (tests) for this method carried out by the research team is described. The method was applied in the actual production environment with consideration of the actual production process, which is manual wiring of the industrial enclosures (control cabinets). Finally, authors deliberate on conclusions, technology's imperfections, limitations, and future possible development of the presented solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Injuries resulting from blows with beer steins are a frequent occurrence during annual autumn fairs or at beer halls in South Germany and Austria. The majority of these cases are tried in court and thus being assessed by a forensic medicine expert. The article at hand gives a short overview on the injury potential of one-litre beer steins and explains the key variables to consider when analyzing beer stein injuries. On the basis of representative cases, which were assessed by specialists from the Institute of Legal Medicine of the Munich University over the last 5 years, the main biomechanical aspects and resulting injuries of one-litre beer stein assaults are discussed. Several severe and potentially life-threatening injuries have been observed after an assault with a one-litre beer stein. There is a discrepancy between the mechanical stability of brand new and used steins and the corresponding injuries, which can be explained by a decrease in impact tolerance of the steins with their use. In general, a blow with a one-litre glass or stonework beer stein to the head can cause severe and even life-threatening blunt as well as sharp trauma injuries.

Background: Treatment of non-union remains challenging and often necessitates augmentation of the resulting defect with an autologous bone graft (ABG). ABG is limited in quantity and its harvesting incurs an additional surgical intervention leaving the risk for associated complications and morbidities. Therefore, artificial bone graft substitutes that might replace autologous bone are needed. S53P4-type bioactive glass (BaG) is a promising material which might be used as bone graft substitute due to its osteostimulative, conductive and antimicrobial properties. In this study, we plan to examine the clinical effectiveness of BaG as a bone graft substitute in Masquelet therapy in comparison with present standard Masquelet therapy using an ABG with tricalciumphosphate to fill the bone defect., Methods/design: This randomized controlled, clinical non-inferiority trial will be carried out at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Heidelberg University. Patients who suffer from tibial or femoral non-unions with a segmental bone defect of 2-5 cm and who are receiving Masquelet treatment will be included in the study. The resulting bone defect will either be filled with autologous bone and tricalciumphosphate (control group, N = 25) or BaG (S53P4) (study group, N = 25). Subsequent to operative therapy, all patients will receive the same standardized follow-up procedures. The primary endpoint of the study is union achieved 1year after surgery., Discussion: The results from the current study will help evaluate the clinical effectiveness of this promising biomaterial in non-union therapy. In addition, this randomized trial will help to identify potential benefits and limitations regarding the use of BaG in Masquelet therapy. Data from the study will increase the knowledge about BaG as a bone graft substitute as well as identify patients possibly benefiting from Masquelet therapy using BaG and those who are more likely to fail, thereby improving the quality of non-union treatment., Trial Registration: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), ID: DRKS00013882 . Registered on 22 January 2018.

This section offers news briefs related to glass as of June 2009. It notes that 500,000 U.S. dollars has been pledged by PPG Industries Foundation to the University of Pittsburgh in Massachusetts for the establishment of a laboratory for nanoscience research. Doctor Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, German Federal Minister of Economics, has permitted the start of the production of solar thin film modules by Malibu. A 70% controlling interest has been obtained by yarn firm AGY in electronic glass yarn producer Shanghai Grace Technology Co. Ltd.

The article reports that researchers at Leibniz Institute for New Materials in Germany have developed a glass-like barrier layer that could increase solar efficiency.

The article reports on the study conducted by Thomas Koop and colleagues of the Bielefeld University regarding the glass formation of various solutions in Germany. Researchers investigated the glass formations in various solutions under realistic atmospheric conditions in the laboratory and found that aerosol particles enriched with large organic molecules and are most likely to form glasses at low temperatures and high relative humidity. They concluded that modeling studies should be used to assess the regional and global impact of atmospheric glass formation.

Background: Reports on open globe injuries caused by exploding bottles containing carbonated drinks have already raised the demand to switch from multi-use glass bottles to plastic bottles. We retrospectively analyzed our files to find out whether this type of injury is limited to multi-use glass bottles, and to what extent carelessness contributed to the injury, Patients: Among 1,402 open globe injuries that were treated in the departments of ophthalmology at the universities of Freiburg and Würzburg between 1981 and 2004, we retrospectively identified 33 injuries caused by exploding bottles containing carbonated drinks. Patients were excluded from analysis when the destruction of the bottle was intended (destroyed with a hammer, or bottle used as a weapon). The circumstances of the injury, the treatment and the functional outcome was analyzed., Results: 2.4% of all open globe injuries were related to exploding bottles, with a risk of one injury per 1 million inhabitants per year. Ten eyes suffered from a spontaneous explosion of the bottle when it was moved on a shelf or taken out of a box. Eighteen eyes received the injury after the bottle had fallen down and exploded (six of them in children 2 to 8 years). Five bottles exploded during opening of the bottle. In four cases, the bottle cap came off spontaneously and penetrated the eye. Eleven injuries (33%) occurred at work, five of them while moving the bottle and six during breaks at work., Conclusion: Spontaneous explosions in multi-use glass bottles could easily be avoided by changing to plastic bottles; however, exploding single-use glass bottles Containing sparkling wine also contributed to the injuries. In many cases, carelessness was involved. Glass bottles should be never exposed to heat or shaking, and children should never carry glass bottles containing carbonated drinks.

Background: Soft cast (SC) is a semirigid cast material which opened new possibilities for fracture care in adults and children. The primary definitive cast technique (PDCT) with SC is a new casting method that uses a combination of fiberglass and polyurethane resin. Time, personnel, and material costs for producing plaster casts using the conventional technique (primary plaster cast and secondary hard cast, or POPHC) were prospectively compared with PDCT using SC on upper and lower extremities., Methods: Time, personnel, and material costs for producing plaster casts using the conventional technique (primary plaster cast and secondary hard cast, or POPHC) were prospectively compared with PDCT using SC on upper and lower extremities., Results: Compared with PDCT, the costs for POPHC were always higher: 138% for upper arm casts, 142% for lower arm and scaphoid casts, 219% for ankle joint casts, 157% for ankle splints, 336% for first-toe bandage/orthesis, and 289% for geisha shoes., Conclusion: The procedure using PDCT with SC can contribute to cost savings and improve patient comfort.

Background: To investigate the association between lung cancer and occupational exposure to man-made vitreous fibers (MMVF), a pooled analysis of two case-control studies was conducted in the years 1988-1994., Methods: The case series consisted of 3498 males who were histologically or cytologically verified primary lung cancer cases. 3541 male population controls were drawn at random from the general population and matched to cases by sex, age, and place of residence. To examine the relationship between MMVF and lung cancer we asked all study subjects who worked for at least 6 months as construction and installation workers whether they ever installed or removed insulations and what kind of insulation material they used., Results: Some 304 (8.7%) cases and 170 (4.8%) controls reported to have insulated with glass wool or mineral wool mats. Coded as ever/never exposed, the odds ratio was 1.48 (95% CI: 1.17-1.88), adjusted for smoking and asbestos. To be sure to exclude any confounding effect of asbestos, we tried to identify those cases and controls who insulated with glass wool or mineral wool mats only and never reported any asbestos exposure. For this group we calculated an odds ratio of 1.56 (95% CI: 0.92-2.65), after adjustment for smoking. An elevated risk was also estimated on the basis of an expert rating which was done for a subgroup of cases and controls. Ever exposure to MMVF (but not to asbestos) in this subgroup yielded an odds ratio of 1.30 (95% CI: 0.82-2.07)., Conclusions: Our study provides some indication for an excess risk of man-made vitreous fibers. This result also persists after adjustment for smoking and asbestos., (Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.)

Glass fiber filters of a certain brand were found to be very efficient (retention > 95%) for adsorption of short-lived radon decay products during filtration of water. Carrier-free samples are obtained in a convenient geometry for efficient gross beta counting. Adsorption of "hot atoms" is not disturbed by the presence of "cold" lead ions. Approximate radioactive equilibrium between radon and its short-lived decay products may or may not exist in water at the source, but does exist after 3 h in PET bottles. These bottles are shown to be gas-tight for radon. Calibration of activity concentration in Bq L(-1) (radon gas concentration approximately equilibrium equivalent radon concentration) was performed by several standard procedures. Limit of detection is 2 Bq L(-1) within 10 min (total time) or 10 Bq L(-1) within 5 min for a net signal of 5 times standard deviation.

The author reviews the development of contact lenses in the period 1930 to 1950. Based on personal knowledge and involvement the author describes the ideas, the problems, and the people who combined to advance this aspect of optometry.

The history of the artificial eye, from antiquity to the present, is described. Around the beginning of the nineteenth century, glass eyes replaced the earlier metal ones--not always well tolerated. In 1835, cryolite glass was used instead of lead glass; to this day it remains the lightest and most desirable substance for making artificial eyes.