Institute of Materials Finishing

ABSTRACT In the following article we review the discussion presented in a plenary session of the Interfinish 2024 World Congress of the International Union for Surface Finishing (IUSF, Kowloon, Hong Kong). Here we describe some aspects of electrochemical materials finishing with a focus on sustainable manufacturing and on the dissolution and recovery of critical technology metals such as silver, gold, nickel, cobalt, silver and gallium. Such metals are often ubiquitous and essential for many modern technologies for example electronics (Ag, Au, Ni), energy conversion used in batteries or solar panels (Ag, Li, Co, Ni, Cu, Al) and even common light sources (Ga, In). However, they are usually present in low concentrations comprising a tiny proportion of an assembled device. We will cover some challenges and novel approaches in reclaiming these technology critical metals as well as exploring the technological synergies shared by the metal finishing and sustainable energy industries.

The literature studying the macroeconomics of weather has focused on temperature and precipitation annual averages, while micro studies have focused more on extreme weather measures. We construct hundreds of variables from high-frequency, high-spatial-resolution weather measurements. Using the LASSO, we identify the parsimonious subset of variables that can best explain GDP and key macrofiscal variables. We find that scarcer mild temperatures and an increase in the occurrence of high temperatures and severe droughts reduce GDP. These variables substantially improve the share of GDP variations explained by weather. Additional evidence suggests that fiscal policy mitigates these shocks. (JEL E23, E62, O44, Q54, Q56)

Abstract Background Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) are at increased risk of dementia. The underlying mechanisms are debated. This study aims to investigate cerebral glucose metabolism in cognitively impaired elderly BD using FDG-PET imaging, to elucidate potential underlying mechanisms and improve diagnostic accuracy. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of FDG-PET scans from 32 cognitively impaired elderly patients with BD (mean age 70.4 years). These were compared with scans from 35 neurocognitive controls (NCC) and patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease (AD, n = 27), frontotemporal dementia (FTD, n = 26), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB, n = 18). Voxel-wise statistical analysis was performed using SPM software, adjusting for age and sex. Results No significant cortical hypometabolism was found in BD patients compared to NCC. In contrast, typical patterns of hypometabolism were observed in the AD, FTD, and DLB groups. The findings suggest that late-life cognitive impairment in BD is not due to a single common neurodegenerative process. Conclusion The absence of abnormal cortical metabolism in cognitively impaired elderly patients with BD suggests that cognitive impairment in this population may not be driven by a common neurodegenerative pathway. Further studies using other biomarkers are needed to investigate the brain processes involved, which could lead to improved understanding and management of cognitive impairment in BD.

Kroese, expresses his appreciation for the excellent interdepartmental collaboration in concluding this first internal evaluation undertaken in full conformity with the "Updated Common Evaluation Framework for IMF Capacity Development and Guidance Note," which was approved by IMF management in 2020. The framework builds on international best practices as well as existing IMF practices and identifies the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Development Assistance Committee's evaluation criteria as the common basis for future evaluations. The authors are grateful to Michaela Denk (Institute for Capacity Development) and Dragana Ostojic (Statistics Department) for their helpful edits, comments, and suggestions. The note also benefited from useful comments and suggestions from the Executive Directors' offices. The authors thank Redley W. Pinkney (Statistics Department) for production assistance and technical support and the Communications Department for editing.

The paper advocates leveraging anti-money laundering (AML) measures to enhance tax compliance, tackle tax crimes, and, in turn, help mobilize domestic revenues. While AML measures have already been deployed to improve tax compliance, including during the European debt crisis, the benefits that such measures could bring to the integrity of the tax system are yet to be fully realized. In recent years, the relevance of AML measures for tax purposes resurfaced in public discourse in light of numerous data leaks that provided ample evidence of the closely intertwined nature of tax crimes and money laundering. There might now be the right political momentum for greater utilization of AML measures given post-pandemic calls for a more progressive tax system, elevated sovereign debt burdens, a challenging global economic outlook, and widespread cost-of-living crisis. In this context, the IMF has stressed the importance of rebuilding fiscal buffers, as countries with more fiscal room are better placed to weather the economic slowdown and protect households and businesses.

ABSTRACT A strong linear relationship is shown between manufacturing output and both the sub-contract surface finishing output for different national sectors, recorded by official statistics departments, and total surface finishing outputs estimated by relating industrial paint sales to paint coating plants output, to the fraction of paint and powder coating application in overall surface finishing. This estimates that total surface finishing output globally may be more than US$ 800 Bn, and at least 4x the value of the sub-contract sector. This latter sector is defined by up to half its companies being very small, less than 10 employees in size, which, because of lack of sufficient resources, in financial strength and employee education and training, may pose a significant problem to the sector when having to deal with one of the major challenges thought to be now facing the sector. This is the issue of adopting new smart technology which many customers are having to take up to stay productive and competitive.

El zinc (Zn) y el cobre (Cu) son oligoelementos importantes para el desarrollo cognoscitivo y neurológico normal de los niños. Objetivo: Establecer los valores de referencia de Zn y Cu séricos en niños aparentemente sanos. Métodos: Se utilizaron muestras de suero de niños de ambos sexos (n = 69), clínicamente sanos, elegidos al azar, provenientes del Colegio “Patria de Bolívar”, ubicado en Santa Mónica - Caracas, con edades comprendidas entre 4 y 14 años, cuyos padres o representantes aceptaron y dieron su consentimiento informado para la participación del niño en el estudio, todos residentes actuales de la Gran Caracas. Los niveles de Zn y Cu se determinaron en muestras de suero, recolectadas luego de un periodo de ayuno de 8 a 12 horas, libres de hemólisis, ictericia y turbidez, por un método estandarizado y controlado, de espectrofotometría de absorción atómica. Resultados: Las concentraciones séricas promedio de Zn, Cu y relación Zinc/Cobre (Zn/Cu) fueron de 1,159 ± 0,269, 1,660 ± 0,238 y 0,712 ± 0,206, mg/L, respectivamente. No hubo diferencias significativas en las concentraciones de los elementos Zn y Cu entre los varones y las hembras en los diferentes grupos etarios. No se encontraron deficiencias de Zn y Cu en los niños incluidos en estudio. Los valores de referencia determinados para Zn fueron de 0,781 – 1,815 mg/L, Cu 1,230 – 2,132 mg/L y relación Zn/Cu 0,398-1,223. Conclusiones: La metodología estandarizada que se empleó para llevar a cabo las respectivas determinaciones de Zn y Cu por Espectrofotometría de absorción atómica, resultó adecuadamente precisa, y útil para el análisis de las muestras clínicas. Es necesario establecer los valores de referencia de estos oligoelementos en la población pediátrica, a fin de poder evidenciar posibles deficiencias que puedan afectar el normal desarrollo neurológico y cognoscitivo en los niños, entre otros aspectos.

ABSTRACTThis paper will look at surface treatment of aluminium and its alloys and explore what steps are required in order to successfully electroplate onto it to achieve a sound adherent finish.