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Spinel LiMn2O4 formed in a solid‐state reaction was treated with a high energy planetary ball mill. A mechanochemical in situ surface functionalization of the nanocrystallites with a size smaller than 10 nm was achieved by addition of phenylphosphonic acid. The functionalization was proven by infrared spectroscopy and it can be shown that it prevents the formation of Mn2O3 during the milling process. Structural changes of the samples were investigated via XRD and Rietveld refinement. Mild milling conditions induce an anisotropic broadening of the reflections caused by a distribution of lattice parameters. In this first stage, we propose a structure model based on orthorhombic LiMn2O4. DSC and in situ XRD measurements also verify the presence of the orthorhombic low temperature phase. Medium milling conditions induce a change of intensities, correlated to a cation disorder. Harsher milling conditions induce the transformation to a tetragonal phase. The thermal stability of the formed phases was investigated via in situ high temperature XRD. The reformation of cubic spinel is observed in all samples; however, the transition point depends on the previous milling parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The informal sector is often seen as a way for firms to evade regulation. In this paper, I therefore investigate the role of the informal sector in the impact of trade liberalization on employment, wage inequality and welfare in a model of trade with heterogeneous firms and endogenous wage dispersion. The findings suggest that trade liberalization reduces informal employment unambiguously. Contrary to the extant literature, however, its impact on total salaried employment, wage inequality and welfare is country-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The White Mountain Stewardship Project (WMSP) was the first forest stewardship project of its size and duration, lasting 10 years (2004‐2014). Based on in-depth interviews of local businesses, US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service staff, and stakeholders, we present an assessment of the WMSP and lessons learned in large-scale contracting. The assessment includes factors that promoted project initiation, the contractual process, the overall impact to the local forest products industry and economy, and the formation of key partnerships. Experiences from the WMSP offer unique social and economic perspectives that can inform other communities at risk of wildfire. The recommendations were derived from final WMSP performance metrics and respondents' reflections on the outcomes of the WMSP. The lessons learned from the WMSP offer improvements for future restoration initiatives in USDA Forest Service contracting mechanisms, industry capacity, and coordination of stakeholder interests, including agency-to-industry, business-to-business, and agency-to-stakeholder partnerships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mobile mental health applications are regarded as a promising solution to meet increasing demands in mental health treatment. They are used to treat mental disorders and can only be successful if the treatment population accepts and appreciates them. This research analyses the acceptance of mobile mental health applications by young adults in Germany in order to identify inhibiting factors regarding their use. To describe people's intentions to use mobile treatment applications, an extended version of the technology acceptance model (TAM) is applied. In the past, TAM has already been used to access the acceptance and adaption of new medical applications. The findings suggest that knowledge about the existence and clinical effectiveness of mobile mental health applications are considerably low. Even though, mobile applications are considered easy to use, their effectiveness in treating mental disorders is questioned by the young adults. Furthermore, concerns that personal information can potentially be revealed arise. This can additionally inhibit the acceptance of these applications. To improve the acceptance and increase future usage, mobile mental health applications should be promoted as a supporting tool that is always available for anyone and can facilitate mental treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the performance of immobilised laccase ( Trametes versicolor ) was investigated in combination with the mediator syringaldehyde (SYR) in removing a mixture of 38 antibiotics in an enzymatic membrane reactor (EMR). Antibiotics were spiked in osmosed water at concentrations of 10 μg·L −1 each. Laccase without mediator did not reduce the load of antibiotics significantly. The addition of SYR enhanced the removal: out of the 38 antibiotics, 32 were degraded by >50% after 24 h. In addition to chemical analysis, the samples’ toxicity was evaluated in two bioassays (a growth inhibition assay and the Microtox assay). Here, the addition of SYR resulted in a time-dependent increase of toxicity in both bioassays. In cooperation with SYR, laccase effectively removes a broad range of antibiotics. However, this enhanced degradation induces unspecific toxicity. If this issue is resolved, enzymatic treatment may be a valuable addition to existing water treatment technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report provides a brief review of the 20th annual meeting of the German Language Branch of the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC GLB) held from September 7th to 10th 2015 at ETH (Swiss Technical University) in Zurich, Switzerland. The event was chaired by Inge Werner, Director of the Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology (Ecotox Centre) Eawag-EPFL, and organized by a team from Ecotox Centre, Eawag, Federal Office of the Environment, Federal Office of Agriculture, and Mesocosm GmbH (Germany). Over 200 delegates from academia, public agencies and private industry of Germany, Switzerland and Austria attended and discussed the current state of science and its application presented in 75 talks and 83 posters. In addition, three invited keynote speakers provided new insights into scientific knowledge 'brokering', and-as it was the International Year of Soil-the important role of healthy soil ecosystems. Awards were presented to young scientists for best oral and poster presentations, and for best 2014 master and doctoral theses. Program and abstracts of the meeting (mostly in German) are provided as Additional file 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (CBZ) and its main metabolites carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide (EP-CBZ) and 10,11-dihydro-10,11-dihydroxy-carbamazepine (DiOH-CBZ) were chosen as test substances to assess chronic toxicity on the non-biting midge Chironomus riparius . All the three substances were tested in a 40-day sediment full life cycle test (according to OECD 233) in which mortality, emergence, fertility, and clutch size were evaluated. In addition, these parameters were considered to calculate the population growth rate which represents an integrated measure to assess population relevant effects. With an LC 50 of 0.20 mg/kg (time-weighted mean), the metabolite EP-CBZ was significantly more toxic than the parent substance CBZ (LC 50 : 1.1 mg/kg). Especially mortality, emergence, and fertility showed to be sensitive parameters under the exposure to CBZ and EP-CBZ. By using classical molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, the binding of CBZ to the ecdysone receptor was investigated as one possible mode of action (MoA) but appeared to be unlikely. The second metabolite DiOH-CBZ did not cause any effects within the tested concentration rage (0.17–1.2 mg/kg). Even though CBZ was less toxic compared to EP-CBZ, CBZ is found in the environment at much higher concentrations and therefore causes a higher potential risk for sediment dwelling organisms compared to its metabolites. Nevertheless, the current study illustrates the importance of including commonly found metabolites into the risk assessment of parent substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]