Both Streptomyces species and mold species have previously been isolated from moisture-damaged building materials; however, an association between these two groups of microorganisms in indoor environments is not clear. In this study, we used a culture-independent method, PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE), to investigate the composition of the Streptomyces community in house...

In 2003, the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) published its evidence-based statement, "Adverse Human Health Effects Associated with Molds in the Indoor Environment," in its Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (JOEM). ACOEM's author selection, development, peer review, and publication of its mold position paper involved a series of seemingly bias...

The ductile iron liquid metal is very reactive with environmental gases and solid molds after a nodulizing treatment. Mold-metal reactions could alter the spheroidal graphite shape to vermicular or flake. In this research, the metal-mold reactions were enhanced by various sulfur additions to the no-bake mold inserts to study these phenomena and to artificially produce layered dual-graphite stru...

An improved process for slip casting ceramic articles that does not employ parting agents and affords the casting of complete, detailed, precision articles that do not possess parting lines. A wax pattern for a shell mold is provided, and an aqueous mixture of a calcium sulfate-bonded investment material is applied as a coating to the wax pattern. The coated wax pattern is then dried, followed ...

Nickel zone plates are fabricated by electrodeposition into a mold with high aspect ratio and narrow line width. This process requires high-mechanical stability of the mold to avoid pattern collapse in the plating bath. In the present paper we demonstrate how SU-8 can be used as plating mold material in a tri-layer resist to fabricate 35-nm half-pitch nickel gratings with an aspect ratio exceed...

A two-stage embossing technique for fabricating microchannels for microfluidic devices is presented. A micromachined aluminum mold is used o emboss a polyetherimide (PEI) substrate with a relatively high glass transition temperature (T ). The embossed PEI is then used as a mold for g mbossing an amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET) substrate with a lower Tg. The resulting APET substrate ...

Macrocyclic trichothecenes, mycotoxins produced by Stachybotrys chartarum, have been implicated in adverse reactions in individuals exposed to mold-contaminated environments. Cellular and humoral immune responses and the presence of trichothecenes were evaluated in patients with mold-related health complaints. Patients underwent history, physical examination, skin prick/puncture tests with mold...

Mold Shape Deposition Manufacturing (Mold SDM) is a Solid Freeform Fabrication technique for producing complex shaped fugitive wax molds. A variety of castable polymer and ceramic materials have been used to make parts from these molds. This paper describes the Mold SDM method and an automated mold building machine based on a commercial CNC mill. Process steps, material selection and equipment ...

An extract of small molecules (molecular weight less than 500) of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum undergoes a shift in ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum upon illumination. This illumination also confers on the extract the ability to induce sporulation when injected into a starved, unilluminated slime mold. The spectral shift and appearance of the sporulation-inducing activity both oc...

Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) is a manufacturing process that involves injection of liquid resin into a closed mold cavity containing preset fiber mats and a subsequent curing stage. Mold filling is a crucial stage for quality part productions. In order to automate production and minimize the formation of defects, control of mold filling is needed. In this paper, direct adaptive control strategy...