A comparison of the efficacy of multiple ultraviolet light room decontamination devices in a radiology procedure room

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cadnum ◽  
Annette L. Jencson ◽  
Scott A. Gestrich ◽  
Scott H. Livingston ◽  
Boris A. Karaman ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of multiple ultraviolet (UV) light decontamination devices in a radiology procedure room.DesignLaboratory evaluation.MethodsWe compared the efficacy of 8 UV decontamination devices with a 4-minute UV exposure time in reducing recovery of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and Clostridium difficile spores on steel disk carriers placed at 5 sites on a computed tomography patient table. Analysis of variance was used to compare reductions for the different devices. A spectrometer was used to obtain irradiance measurements for the devices.ResultsFour standard vertical tower low-pressure mercury devices achieved 2 log10CFU or greater reductions in VRE and MRSA and ~1 log10CFU reductions in C. difficile spores, whereas a pulsed-xenon device resulted in less reduction in the pathogens (P<.001). In comparison to the vertical tower low-pressure mercury devices, equal or greater reductions in the pathogens were achieved by 3 nonstandard low-pressure mercury devices that included either adjustable bulbs that could be oriented directly over the exam table, a robotic base allowing movement along the side of the table during operation, or 3 vertical towers operated simultaneously. The low-pressure mercury devices produced primarily UV-C light, whereas the pulsed-xenon device produced primarily UV-A and UV-B light. The time required to move the devices from the corner of the room and set up for operation varied from 18 to 59 seconds.ConclusionsMany currently available UV devices could provide an effective and efficient adjunct to manual cleaning and disinfection in radiology procedure rooms.

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 72-85
Author(s):  
Nilanjana Ghoshal ◽  
Mst Tania Parveen ◽  
Dr Asraful Alam

In India, traditionally and from time immemorial, marriage has always been a sacred bond for people of this country. The aim of this study is to explain a socially sanctioned sex relationship involving people of two opposite gender whose relationship is expected to endure beyond time required for gestation. The functional method of the study has been set up on the field-based observation to find out the reasons behind rising of marital disharmony among working couples. But the problem is initially in modern times the concept of marriage is gradually taking a different turn between couples. Hence the focus of this paper is to study the various factors giving rise to marital disharmonies among working couples in urban India and how these discords can be solved so that couples can lead a happy harmonious married life ahead. Survey has been done in the city of Kolkata taking people from various walks of life. As Kolkata is one of the major Metropolitan cities of India it was easier to find people belonging to different professions. The result of this study is every marriage brings challenges in life. Maximum working couples are losing attachment with each other as they have lack of time for each other. Bringing work at home, sharing of parenthood, indifference towards each other, lack of adjustments are the causes for which level of disharmony is increasing.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 030006052199396
Author(s):  
Yang Zhou ◽  
Xue Xue ◽  
Panpan Shi ◽  
Qinrui Lu ◽  
Shulan Lv

Background We report here a case study of 17α-hydroxylase deficiency in a phenotypic girl with male karyotype (46,XY). We also review the relevant literature to deepen our understanding of the disease, reduce the rate of missed diagnosis, and emphasize that holistic management of this disease requires collaborative multidisciplinary teamwork. Case presentation A 14-year-old patient with a female phenotype visited the endocrinology department because of hypertension. The patient had primary amenorrhea and lacked secondary sexual characteristics. Initial laboratory evaluation revealed normal levels of electrolytes, a hypergonadotropic hypogonadal state with high progesterone and low testosterone levels, and a 46,XY karyotype. She was referred to the urology department for gonadectomy and transferred to the gynecological endocrine clinic. On the basis of the patient’s medical history and genetic testing results, a diagnosis of 46,XY 17α-hydroxylase deficiency was made. The patient was provided with glucocorticoids, estrogens, metformin, and psychological support. Conclusions Patients with 17α-hydroxylase deficiency, a rare cause of congenital adrenal hyperplasia, should be treated by a multidisciplinary team. Relevant experts from different disciplines should set up a systematic and comprehensive individualized management plan to optimize the physical and mental health and quality of life of affected patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amara Khan ◽  
Andrea Markus ◽  
Thomas Rittmann ◽  
Jonas Albers ◽  
Frauke Alves ◽  
...  

AbstractX-ray based lung function (XLF) as a planar method uses dramatically less X-ray dose than computed tomography (CT) but so far lacked the ability to relate its parameters to pulmonary air volume. The purpose of this study was to calibrate the functional constituents of XLF that are biomedically decipherable and directly comparable to that of micro-CT and whole-body plethysmography (WBP). Here, we developed a unique set-up for simultaneous assessment of lung function and volume using XLF, micro-CT and WBP on healthy mice. Our results reveal a strong correlation of lung volumes obtained from radiographic XLF and micro-CT and demonstrate that XLF is superior to WBP in sensitivity and precision to assess lung volumes. Importantly, XLF measurement uses only a fraction of the radiation dose and acquisition time required for CT. Therefore, the redefined XLF approach is a promising tool for preclinical longitudinal studies with a substantial potential of clinical translation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 82 (11) ◽  
pp. 1896-1900
Author(s):  
A. M. JONES-IBARRA ◽  
C. Z. ALVARADO ◽  
CRAIG D. COUFAL ◽  
T. MATTHEW TAYLOR

ABSTRACT Chicken carcass frames are used to obtain mechanically separated chicken (MSC) for use in other further processed food products. Previous foodborne disease outbreaks involving Salmonella-contaminated MSC have demonstrated the potential for the human pathogen to be transmitted to consumers via MSC. The current study evaluated the efficacy of multiple treatments applied to the surfaces of chicken carcass frames to reduce microbial loads on noninoculated frames and frames inoculated with a cocktail of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Inoculated or noninoculated frames were left untreated (control) or were subjected to treatment using a prototype sanitization apparatus. Treatments consisted of (i) a sterile water rinse, (ii) a water rinse followed by 5 s of UV-C light application, or (iii) an advanced oxidation process (AOP) combining 5 or 7% (v/v) hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) with UV-C light. Treatment with 7% H2O2 and UV-C light reduced numbers of aerobic bacteria by up to 1.5 log CFU per frame (P &lt; 0.05); reductions in aerobic bacteria subjected to other treatments did not statistically differ from one another (initial mean load on nontreated frames: 3.6 ± 0.1 log CFU per frame). Salmonella numbers (mean load on inoculated, nontreated control was 5.6 ± 0.2 log CFU per frame) were maximally reduced by AOP application in comparison with other treatments. No difference in Salmonella reductions obtained by 5% H2O2 (1.1 log CFU per frame) was detected compared with that obtained following 7% H2O2 use (1.0 log CFU per frame). The AOP treatment for sanitization of chicken carcass frames reduces microbial contamination on chicken carcass frames that are subsequently used for manufacture of MSC.


1984 ◽  
Vol 106 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Cawley

The susceptibility to bias error of two methods for computing transfer (frequency response) functions from spectra produced by FFT-based analyzers using random excitation has been investigated. Results from tests with an FFT analyzer on a single degree-of-freedom system set up on an analogue computer show good agreement with the theoretical predictions. It has been shown that, around resonance, the bias error in the transfer function estimate H2 (Syy/Sxy*) is considerably less than that in the more commonly used estimate, H1 (Sxy/Sxx). The record length, and hence the testing time, required for a given accuracy is reduced by over 50 percent if the H2 calculation procedure is used. The analysis has also shown that if shaker excitation is used on lightly damped structures with low modal mass, it is important to minimize the mass of the force gage and the moving element of the shaker.


EP Europace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Gawałko ◽  
David Duncker ◽  
Martin Manninger ◽  
Rachel M J van der Velden ◽  
Astrid N L Hermans ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims TeleCheck-AF is a multicentre international project initiated to maintain care delivery for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) during COVID-19 through teleconsultations supported by an on-demand photoplethysmography-based heart rate and rhythm monitoring app (FibriCheck®). We describe the characteristics, inclusion rates, and experiences from participating centres according the TeleCheck-AF infrastructure as well as characteristics and experiences from recruited patients. Methods and results Three surveys exploring centre characteristics (n = 25), centre experiences (n = 23), and patient experiences (n = 826) were completed. Self-reported patient characteristics were obtained from the app. Most centres were academic (64%) and specialized public cardiology/district hospitals (36%). Majority of the centres had AF outpatient clinics (64%) and only 36% had AF ablation clinics. The time required to start patient inclusion and total number of included patients in the project was comparable for centres experienced (56%) or inexperienced in mHealth use. Within 28 weeks, 1930 AF patients were recruited, mainly for remote AF control (31% of patients) and AF ablation follow-up (42%). Average inclusion rate was highest during the lockdown restrictions and reached a steady state at a lower level after easing the restrictions (188 vs. 52 weekly recruited patients). Majority (&gt;80%) of the centres reported no problems during the implementation of the TeleCheck-AF approach. Recruited patients [median age 64 (55–71), 62% male] agreed that the FibriCheck® app was easy to use (94%). Conclusion Despite different health care settings and mobile health experiences, the TeleCheck-AF approach could be set up within an extremely short time and easily used in different European centres during COVID-19.


1999 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 2025-2031 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed O. Elasri ◽  
Robert V. Miller

ABSTRACT We have developed a bioluminescent whole-cell biosensor that can be incorporated into biofilm ecosystems. RM4440 is a Pseudomonas aeruginosa FRD1 derivative that carries a plasmid-basedrecA-luxCDABE fusion. We immobilized RM4440 in an alginate matrix to simulate a biofilm, and we studied its response to UV radiation damage. The biofilm showed a protective property by physical shielding against UV C, UV B, and UV A. Absorption of UV light by the alginate matrix translated into a higher survival rate than observed with planktonic cells at similar input fluences. UV A was shown to be effectively blocked by the biofilm matrix and to have no detectable effects on cells contained in the biofilm. However, in the presence of photosensitizers (i.e., psoralen), UV A was effective in inducing light production and cell death. RM4440 has proved to be a useful tool to study microbial communities in a noninvasive manner.


COVID ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 717-727
Author(s):  
Parastoo Kheiroddin ◽  
Magdalena Gründl ◽  
Michael Althammer ◽  
Patricia Schöberl ◽  
Linda Plail ◽  
...  

(1) Background: With vaccination and new variants of SARS-CoV-2 on the horizon, efficient testing in schools may enable prevention of mass infection outbreaks, keeping schools safe places and buying time until decisions on feasibility and the necessity of vaccination in children and youth are made. We established, in the course of the WICOVIR (Where Is the COrona VIRus) study, that gargle-based pool-PCR testing offers a feasible, efficient, and safe testing system for schools in Germany when applied by central university laboratories. (2) Objectives: We evaluated whether this approach can be implemented in different rural and urban settings. (3) Methods: We assessed the arrangements required for successful implementation of the WICOVIR approach in a variety of settings in terms of transport logistics, data transfer and pre-existing laboratory set-up, as well as the time required to establish the set-up. (4) Results: We found that once regulatory issues have been overcome, all challenges pertaining to logistics, data transfer, and laboratory testing on different platforms can be solved within one month. Pooling and depooling of samples down to the individual test result were achievable within one working day in all settings. Local involvement of the community and decentralized set-ups were keys for success. (5) Conclusion: The WICOVIR gargle-based pool-PCR system is so robust and simple that it can be implemented within one month in all settings now or in future pandemics.


Author(s):  
Dr. Bilal Khlaf Al Omari

This study aims at exploring the impact of economic globalization factors on the gravity economic systems. Nonetheless, the basis of the research is a gravity economic system exposed to the impacts of globalization, and the concern is to explore the effects of the exposure on the influences of distance and economic sizes on the model. Recognizing the role of population growth and globalization in driving bilateral trade follows is one of the objectives of this research as should be part of an economic model. The study used the modified gravity and globalization variables, data retrieved from the CEPII, the World Fact-book, and the World Bank. The ordinary squares regression and STATA statistical software were used to investigate the hypotheses. The model leading to the general hypothesis that globalization is reducing the cost of entry, and total time required to set up a business and to minimize the bureaucracy associated with registering businesses and launching operations. The trade flow latent variable should contain information on export, import, free trade agreements, preferential trade agreements, and union memberships, which would help in identifying globalization factors that mediate the interaction between global variables and bilateral trade responses.


2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-195
Author(s):  
Z.D. Nikitovic

Vacuum system set-up is presented and used for calibration of pressure gauges in the region of rough vacuum, from 103 mbar to 10-1 mbar, with dry air. The capacitance manometer is used for the calibration of piezoresistant manometer, oil, mercury and mercury micrometers U manometers. The applicability of the experimental set-up and obtained results for the low pressure gauges calibration in the medium and high vacuum region is approved. It was shown how calibration of some cheaper pressure gauges might be performed and reliable measurements of the pressure may be made in the region that is of interest for atomic and molecular collision physics and low-pressure gas discharges. It was also shown that mentioned calibration procedure could be used for calibration of different U manometer types in order to renormalize older atomic and molecular collision data.


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