European Cooperative Research Research Articles

Impact Analysis in a European Cooperative Research Project: A Case Study

Impact Analysis in a European Cooperative Research Project: A Case Study

Report on the 3rd Global Workshop (General Consultation) of the FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants “Bast Fibrous Plants for Healthy Life,” Held on October 24-28, 2004 in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Srpska

(2006). Report on the 3rd Global Workshop (General Consultation) of the FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants “Bast Fibrous Plants for Healthy Life,” Held on October 24-28, 2004 in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Srpska. Journal of Natural Fibers: Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 89-94.

The Report on the International Conference of the FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants “Flax and Allied Fibre Plants for Human Welfare,” National Research Centre (NRC), December 8-11, 2003, in Cairo, Egypt

(2005). The Report on the International Conference of the FAO/ESCORENA European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants “Flax and Allied Fibre Plants for Human Welfare,” National Research Centre (NRC), December 8-11, 2003, in Cairo, Egypt. Journal of Natural Fibers: Vol. 1, No. 3, pp. 87-89.

The FAO European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants

(2004). The FAO European Cooperative Research Network on Flax and Other Bast Plants. Journal of Natural Fibers: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 133-137.

Chemical and biological features of a high altitude lake in the southern Alps (Laghetto Inferiore, Switzerland)

AbstractSince 1980, surveys have been performed nearly every three years on approximately 50 small high altitude alpine lakes located in the Swiss part of the Lake Maggiore watershed. On the basis of this information, since 1996 Laghetto Inferiore has been included in the Mountain Lakes Research (MOLAR) project, an extensive European cooperative research project with 23 partners. Laghetto Inferiore is located at 2074 m a.s.l.; its watershed is mainly composed of crystalline silicic rocks; it has a maximum depth of 33 m, and a theoretical renewal time of 41 days. The pH of the water is approximately 5.6; the alkalinity of the surface water is approximately 30 μmol and that of the bottom water approximately 60 μmol. Chemical studies were performed on the inputs from atmospheric deposition and the main tributary streams, the lake concentration (on a monthly basis), and the outflow. The results show that the characteristics of summer deposition (rain) differ significantly from those of winter deposition (snow). By means of a budget model it was possible to distinguish between the contribution from atmospheric deposition and the contribution from weathering. Biological studies revealed a considerable variety of phytoplankton species and a scarcity of zooplankton species. The vertical distribution of the main algal species shows a marked vertical stratification, with biomass concentrations higher in the profundal. Along this profile, the species of the same taxonomic class tend to gather in a particular depth band, while the single classes tend to be distributed at different depths, according to their specific light requirements.

Cereals Contribution to the Total Dietary Intake of Heavy Metals in Madrid, Spain

The present work is a part of FAO European Co-operative Research Network on Trace Elements reporting the results of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, molybdenum and nickel) and nutrients with potential toxicity (selenium, copper, zinc and manganese) in products from the cereals group, being a part of a total diet from Madrid. The average diet in grams per person and day was calculated based on the National Food and Nutrition Survey (ENNA-3) in a sample of 21155 households. Each family was interviewed during 7 days, through 1 year to avoid seasonal bias. Foods providing 95% of total energy intake were prepared. Foods from the cereals group were purchased in 1997 to reflect those available to the consumer and delivered to the Central Laboratory of the Agricultural and Research Centre of Finland where the concentrations of nutrients and contaminants were determined. Pasta showed the highest levels for cadmium (50.4±0.4 μg/kg dry wt.), molybdenum (308±6 μg), nickel (383±5 μg), selenium (110±3 μg), and copper (3.81±0.09 mg); whole bread, the highest of lead (59.2±8.0 μg), zinc (18.4±0.1 mg) and manganese (17.1±0.3 mg). The total dietary intake was estimated for each element and compared with relevant international standards such as the Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake (PTWI) (FAO/WHO, 1984; WHO, 1993) and Reference doses RfD. The dietary intake of all elements from the cereal group contributes less than 15% of the maximum permissible international intake standards.

Recent trends in chemistry and mass budget of a high altitude lake in the southern Alps (Laghetto Inferiore, Canton Ticino, Switzerland)

Since 1980, surveys have been performed every three years on about 50 small high-altitude Alpine lakes located in the Swiss part of the Lago Maggiore watershed (Southern Central Alps). Since 1996 one of these lakes, Laghetto Inferiore (LI) has been included in the Mountain Lakes Research (MOLAR) program, an extensive European co-operative research project with 23 partners. Laghetto Inferiore, situated at 2074 m a.s.l., has a watershed mainly composed of crystalline silicic rocks, a maximum depth of 33 m and a theoretical renewal time of 41 days. The watershed includes a second lake, Laghetto Superiore (LS), located at 2128 m a.s.l. The surface water pH of LI is around 6.6, while alkalinity is about 30 μeq l-1, increasing to 90 μeq l-1 at the maximum depth. Calculated inputs from atmospheric deposition and the main tributary streams were compared with changes in the lake concentration, and outflow fluxes on a monthly basis. Weathering ranged between 90-130 meq m-2 of alkalinity using a mass budget approach, of which 50% was consumed by the actual (H+) and potential (NH4 +) atmospheric acidity. Chemical trends over the period 1985-1998 show an increase in alkalinity and a decrease in sulphate, due to a reduction in the deposition of atmospheric acidity, and a decrease in nitrate, probably because of increased lake productivity.

Controlled laser cleaning of painted artworks using accurate beam manipulation and on-line LIBS-detection

An innovative laser restoration tool for non-contact cleaning of painted artworks is developed. Accurate beam manipulation techniques in combination with on-line detection make the system suitable for selective cleaning of delicate surfaces. The utilisation of lasers obviates the use of various chemicals, and provides a method to remove layers that are untreatable using conventional methods. The first professional laser cleaning station for paintings is equipped with a modern mechatronic engineering tool for accurate beam manipulation (‘optical arm’). An intelligent combination of software and hardware enables accurate control, necessary to deal with the variable properties of the artworks to be treated. An on-line monitoring system is incorporated, using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. The user interface plays an important role in simulating the ‘hands-on’ treatment. In January 1999, the 2-year European co-operative research project ‘Advanced workstations for controlled laser cleaning of artworks’ started. The research objective is to define the boundary conditions in which laser cleaning with the present technology can be safely applied.

Manufacturing and Testing of Composite Materials and Structures. European Cooperative Research Examples

This article describes several European cooperative research examples in the field of polymer composite materials. The projects, which were carried out in collaboration between industrial and academic partners, were all supported by the European Union. They deal, e.g., with (a) the manufacturing and crash testing of thermoplastic composite structures, (b) the production of thermoplastic composite preforms, and (c) the energy absorption behavior of aluminum foams, and other interesting subjects.

Science/industry: problematics of the European cooperative research in the biomaterials/biodevices area

The problematics created by the promotion of scientific and technological cooperation and interaction between European research bodies and industries in biomaterials/biodevices area, is presented in this work. This statement approaches the theme of cooperative research on a European level. It aims also to highlight the different problems that arise at the time of the proposal of a research project, during the setting up of a partnership with different specialities. A research project in a multi-partnership would have to bring benefits to each of the participants. Before arriving at this stage, one would have to take into account the fact that such inter-cooperation would be efficient only after delicate preparation prior to the commitment of partners because, for each of them, aims and objectives are different. This work also hopes to bring supplementary ideas to the officers of the European Commission for future frameworks.

A parametric windtunnel test on rotorcraft aerodynamics and aeroacoustics (Helishape) — test procedures and representative results

Within the framework of a major European co-operative research project on rotorcraft aerodynamics and acoustics (Helishape), a parametric model rotor test was conducted in the open test section of the DNW using DLR's MWM test rig, and a highly instrumented model of a fully articulated ECF rotor equipped with blades of advanced design with two exchangeable blade tips. One set of blade tips (7A) was rectangular, while the other (7AD1) was a swept-back parabolic-anhedral shape. The objectives of this experimental research were to evaluate noise reduction techniques (conceptionally by variation of rotor speed, dedicated tip shapes and advanced aerofoils, as well as operationally, by identifying low noise, BVI-minimising, descent procedures) and to validate the partners’ aerodynamic and aeroacoustic codes. A comprehensive set of simultaneous acoustic and aerodynamic blade surface pressure data and blade dynamic and performance data was measured. In addition, valuable information on the tip-vortex geometry and blade-vortex miss distance was obtained by LLS flow visualisation. The experimental equipment, the test procedures, and the test matrix are briefly described. A survey of the main results is presented and the trends of the most important parameter variations for both rotors are discussed.

Development and standardization of test methods for the prediction of sublethal effects of chemicals on earthworms

The main purpose of the European cooperative research project SECOFASE (“Development, improvement and standardization of test systems for assessing sublethal effects of chemicals on fauna of the soil ecosystem”) is to develop test systems for the early detection and evaluation of sublethal effects of chemicals on the main soil living invertebrate groups. The effects of dimethoate (insecticide), copper (heavy metal) and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (anionic detergent) as model chemicals are investigated in two standard test soils, the OECD artificial soil and the LUFA 2.2 soil. We present preliminary results of the sub-project “Lumbricidae”. Acute and sublethal effects of dimethoate and copper on the standard test organism Eisenia fetida as well as Eisenia andrei were investigated in order to select suitable test conditions. Cocoon production and numbers of juveniles were the most sensitive sublethal factors whereas sensitivity of body weight development varied. Acute effects of dimethoate to Eisenia fetida, Aporrectodea caliginosa, A. rosea and Allolobophora chlorotica showed only small differences within one order of magnitude. In a characterization of dimethoate degradation by residue analysis in both soils a faster disappearance of dimethoate was observed in LUFA 2.2 soil.

Preparation and characterization for mineral elements and total dietary fiber and testing for stability of ?-carotene of an ARC/CL carrot powder multipurpose candidate reference material

As part of the analytical assurance system of the FAO European Cooperative Research Network on Trace Elements programme an ARC/CL-coded carrot flakes powder (CFP) candidate reference material (RM) has been prepared from a lot of commercial carrot flakes. The candidate RM has been homogenized using a Robot Coupe blender fitted with titanium blades, carefully homogenized in large teflon/polypropylene containers, bottled in 1000 numbered polyethylene containers (20 g samples) and tested for homogeneity. Interlaboratory comparison studies for 9 essential elements, cadmium and total dietary fiber (TDF) based on the AOAC-method resulted in the characterization of the contents of those compounds in the above material. After exclusion of outliers, mean values from at least nine different laboratories based altogether on three independent analytical principles have been used to calculate the recommended concentration ranges for mineral elements. Testing of homogeneity and stability for β-carotene over a period of one year has been additionally carried out. The mean water content in the material amounted to 4.97% and remained stable over a one-year period. Homogeneity of the RM was within 3.0% for almost all included mineral elements as tested for a sample size of 0.5 g. The 95% confidence limits for the mean values of the established recommended concentrations of mineral elements in the present ARC/CL Carrot Powder candidate RM fell within 5% for all the other elements and TDF except for Fe (6.3%) and B (5.7%). The stability of β-carotene in the present candidate RM stored in darkness over a one-year period at room temperature was within 6.3%.

Characterization of ARC/CL wheat flour, pork meat and skim milk powder reference materials for contents of toxic elements

Wheat flour, pork meat and skim milk powder reference materials (RM) prepared and employed for the activities of the Sub-network on Trace Element Status in Food of the FAO European Cooperative Research Network on Trace Elements were subjected to an interlaboratory comparison study on the contents of Pb, Cd and Hg. The homogeneity of the above materials had earlier been shown to be within 2% for several essential elements and within 5 to 10% for Pb and Cd. An interlaboratory comparison study was conducted involving 17 reference laboratories recognized for their reliability and specialized in heavy metal determinations in biological materials. A total of seven methods based on four different analytical principles were employed to determine the contents of the above heavy metals. After the exclusion of outliers, the recommended concentration values expressed as the medians ±95% confidence limits were established. All of the recommended values reported here fell into category A, i.e. values recommended with a high degree of confidence according to the certification criteria established by Pszonicki. The present materials contain very low naturally occurring levels of all the heavy metals studied and have been successfully employed in the analytical quality control program of the above FAO study during the past five years.

Risk assessment for deliberate releases: the possible impact of genetically engineered microorganisms on the environment

This thorough study is an assessment of the risks involved with the deliberate release of microorganisms modified by means of genetic engineering. Major emphasis is on European cooperative research projects such as the ones on Rhizobium and Baculovirus. Further contributions cover aspects of soil microbiology, genetic transformation in soil, molecular and plasmid genetics, horizontal spread of plasmids, as well as administrative, regulative and legal aspects in relation to possible releases.