scholarly journals Investigation into the Release of Respiratory Aerosols by Brass Instruments and Mitigation Measures with Respect to Covid-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander S. Parker ◽  
Kenneth Crookston
Keyword(s):  
Particle Production ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Particle Counter ◽  
Brass Bands ◽  
Brass Instruments ◽  
Type Particle ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Aerosol Type

AbstractThere are a number of recent studies detailing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) via both Droplet and Aerosol airborne particle routes of infection. Because of this, it is necessary to understand the release of different sized particles in activities such as playing brass instruments in order for an analysis of risk to take place for such activities.In this investigation, the quantity and size of particles released by brass instruments while they are played was analysed for 7 different types of brass instrument. This was contrasted with the same individuals breathing as a comparison for more general activities as well as the effect of a mitigating polycotton barrier over the end of their instruments. To investigate the particles released, the particles were size sorted and counted with a six-channel laser particle counter. Multiple measurements were made by each individual in each condition investigated. The mean concentration exiting across all instruments measured was found to be 1.21×107 ±1.03×106 Aerosol type particles/m3 and 1.43×104 ±9.01×102 Droplet type particles/m3 per minute. When breathing, the mean count was 1.61×107 ±1.33×106 Aerosol type particle/m3 and 5.45×103 ±1.20×103 Droplet type particles/m3. When playing with a barrier cover, the mean number of particles emitted fell to 2.60×106 ±2.11×105 Aerosol type particle/m3 and 5.20×103 ±8.02×102 Droplet type particles/m3. This barrier represented an average 78.5% reduction for the number of respiratory Aerosol type particles and 63.8% reduction for Droplet type particles compared to playing an instrument without the barrier covering.It was investigated what effect playing for a more extended period of time had on the release of particles with comparisons made to singing, breathing and covering the instruments’ bell ends with a barrier cap. This showed that the mean number of Aerosol type particles produced while playing was 5.38×107 ±3.15×106 Aerosol type particles/m3 produced and showed a significant drop in Aerosol type particle production when playing with a barrier used, with a mean average of 2.28×106±8.01×104 Aerosol type particles/m3. Both breathing and singing showed consistent numbers of Aerosol type particles produced with means of 6.59×107 ±7.94×105 Aerosol type particles/m3 and 5.28×107 ±5.36×105 Aerosol type particles/m3 respectively. This showed a drop in mean Aerosol type particles/m of 95.7% when using a barrier cap compared to playing without a barrier.It is concluded that, while playing a brass instrument, the propagation of respiratory Aerosols does occur and, to a smaller extent, so do Droplet size particles, but at a lower level than when the subject was breathing without an instrument. Finally, it was shown that the use of a barrier cap on the bell end of the instrument offers a significant reduction in the production of respiratory Aerosols into the immediate surroundings, which offers a possible mitigation method for playing in groups from the release of Aerosol type particles, especially in hard to ventilate spaces.FundingThis study was supported by funds from Arts Council England covering salary support for AP and KC. The cleanroom facility and particle counter were provisioned by Centre Stage Ltd. The funders did not have a role in the experimental design, data collection, analysis or decision to publish and content of the manuscript.Competing InterestsThe authors have declared working for Brass Bands England, which exists to support brass bands in England and the wider UK.

Intramitochondrial Viruses of Reptilian Cell Origin

1972 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 318-319
Author(s):  
Philip D. Lunger ◽  
H. Fred Clark
Keyword(s):  
Particle Production ◽  
Outer Zone ◽  
Density Variation ◽  
Core Region ◽  
Mitochondrial Membranes ◽  
Virus Particles ◽  
The Core ◽  
Vipera Russelli ◽  
Maturation Stages ◽  
Type Particle

In the course of fine structure studies of spontaneous “C-type” particle production in a viper (Vipera russelli) spleen cell line, designated VSW, virus particles were frequently observed within mitochondria. The latter were usually enlarged or swollen, compared to virus-free mitochondria, and displayed a considerable degree of cristae disorganization.Intramitochondrial viruses measure 90 to 100 mμ in diameter, and consist of a nucleoid or core region of varying density and measuring approximately 45 mμ in diameter. Nucleoid density variation is presumed to reflect varying degrees of condensation, and hence maturation stages. The core region is surrounded by a less-dense outer zone presumably representing viral capsid.Particles are usually situated in peripheral regions of the mitochondrion. In most instances they appear to be lodged between loosely apposed inner and outer mitochondrial membranes.

scholarly journals Dietary acrylamide intake by potato crisps consumers: A case of Nairobi County

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 871-878
Author(s):  
George Ooko Abong ◽  
Jackline Akinyi Ogolla ◽  
Michael Wandayi Okoth ◽  
Bruno De Meulenaer ◽  
Jackson Ntongai Kabira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Probabilistic Approach ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Potato Crisps ◽  
Flame Ionization ◽  
Consumption Data ◽  
Dietary Acrylamide ◽  
The Mean

AbstractThe levels of acrylamide intake because of potato crisps consumption remains unknown in Kenyan context. This study assessed the exposure to acrylamide because of consumption of potato crisps in Nairobi, Kenya. A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 315 crisps consumers in Nairobi, and consumption patterns were collected using a pre-tested structured 7-day recall questionnaire. A total of 43 branded and 15 unbranded potato crisps samples were purchased in triplicates of 100 g and acrylamide was quantified using a gas chromatograph with a flame ionization detector. Consumption data were combined with the data on acrylamide contents from which dietary acrylamide intake was calculated using a probabilistic approach based on @Risk TopRank 6 risk analysis software for excel. The mean estimated acrylamide intake was 1.57 µg/kg body weight (BW) per day while the 95th (P95) percentile was 5.1 µg/kg BW per day, with margins of exposures (MOE) being 197 and 61, respectively. The intake of acrylamide was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in unbranded crisps with a mean value of 2.26 and 95th percentile of 6.54 µg/kg BW per day, MOE being 137 and 47, respectively. There were extremely lower MOE indicating higher exposure to acrylamide by the consumers mainly because of the higher acrylamide contents in potato crisps, and hence the need for mitigation measures.

P–328 Dienogest significantly decreases the size of the cyst and alters Anti-Müllerian Hormone concentration in patients with endometrioma

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Karataş ◽  
B E Temiz ◽  
S Mumusoglu ◽  
H Yarali ◽  
G Bozdag
Keyword(s):  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Mean Difference ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Mean Size ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Respective Figure

Abstract Study question Does utilization of dienogest make any impact on the size of cyst and Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) concentration in patients with endometrioma throughout 12-months? Summary answer Although dienogest makes a gradual reduction in the size of endometrioma cyst throughout 12-months, a significant drop in AMH serum concentration was also noticed. What is known already According to recent studies, pre-operative serum AMH levels might be illusively increased with parallel to the size of endometrioma which will be a misleading factor while deciding to operate the patient via cystectomy. Although dienogest is one of the medical options that might be commenced in patients with endometrioma cyst, there is limited data about its effect on the size of the endometrioma and hence serum AMH concentration throughout 12 months of follow up. Study design, size, duration The current observational cohort study was conducted among patients with endometrioma those treated with dienogest from January 2017 to January 2020. The primary outcome was alteration in diameter of endometrioma cyst at 6th and 12th months of treatment. Secondary outcome was alteration in serum AMH concentration in the same period. Of 104 patients treated with dienogest, 44 patients were excluded due to being treated with any type of surgical intervention during follow up period. Participants/materials, setting, methods A total of 60 patients were recruited for the final analysis. Of them, primary symptom was dysmenorrhea, chronic pelvic pain and menstrual irregularity in 16 (26.7%), 25 (41.7%) and 8 (13.3%) patients, respectively. Eighteen patients (30%) were asymptomatic. As 21 patients had bi-lateral endometrioma, size of the leading cyst was considered to be analyzed for the primary outcome measure. Paired-t test was used for comparison of numerical values and p ≤ 0.05 was taken as statistical significance. Main results and the role of chance The mean age was 31.5±8.0 years. In the time point when dienogest was started, the mean size of the endometrioma was 46.3±17.4 mm. The mean serum AMH concentration was 3.6±2.4 ng/ml. After 6 months of treatment, the mean size of the endometrioma decreased to 38.6±14.0 mm which corresponds to a mean difference of 7.8 mm (95% CI: 3.0 to 12.6; p: 0.003). The respective figure for AMH was 3.3±2.7 ng/ml which corresponds to a mean difference of 0.3 ng/ml (95% CI: –0.2 to 0.8; p: 0.23) at 6 months. After 12 months of treatment, the mean size of the endometrioma was 37.5±15.7 mm which corresponds to a mean difference of 8.9 mm (95% CI: 2.9 to 14.9; p: 0.005) at the end of 12 months. The respective figure for AMH was 2.7±1.9 ng/ml which corresponds to a mean difference of 0.9 ng/ml (95% CI: 0.1 to 1.7; p: 0.045) at the end of 12 months. The mean diameter of endometrioma and AMH concentration did not differ throughout the time period between 6th and 12th months of the treatment. Limitations, reasons for caution Although herein we present the largest data that depicts the alteration of endometrioma cyst and AMH concentration with the application of dienogest, the lack of control group is a limitation that avoids to perform any comparison. Wider implications of the findings: A shrinkage after commencement of treatment suggest that dienogest might present improvement in patients with endometrioma with respect to radiological findings, but further studies are required whether a decline in AMH concentration after 12 months refers to a genuine decrease in ovarian reserve or resolution of misleading high pre-treatment levels. Trial registration number not available

A Comparison of Phase Doppler Analyzer (Dual-PDA) and Optical Patternator Data for Twin-Fluid and Pressure-Swirl Atomizer Sprays

2010 ◽  
Vol 132 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariel R. Muliadi ◽  
Paul E. Sojka ◽  
Yudaya R. Sivathanu ◽  
Jongmook Lim
Keyword(s):  
Drop Size ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Arrival Rate ◽  
Drop Diameter ◽  
Volume Flux ◽  
Velocity Correlation ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Spatially Resolved ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Swirl Atomizer

The goal of this study was to determine when patternation information derived from Phase Doppler Analyzer (Dantec Dynamics, Skovlunde, Denmark, dual-PDA) measurements of volume flux, drop velocity, and mean size agreed with corresponding values measured using an optical patternator (Enurga, Inc., West Lafayette, IN, SetScan OP-600). To achieve this, data from each instrument were transformed into spatially resolved absorptances (equivalent to drop surface area per unit spray volume) and compared. Key conclusion is absorptance agreement to within 20% in many cases. However, discrepancies between phase Doppler analyzer (PDA)-calculated and optical patternator-measured absorptances become larger as the drop arrival rate increases, as the mean drop size decreases, and when a significant drop size-velocity correlation is present. These discrepancies are attributed to an underestimation of the volume flux (which becomes more important with increasing droplet arrival rate), an over-reporting of the mean drop diameter (which is the result of the restrictive data acquisition scheme applied when ensuring mass closure for the PDA measurements), the limited PDA dynamic range (which can preclude simultaneously accounting for both the largest and smallest drops in the spray), and by the optical patternator’s number-density based measurement scheme (which will not yield the same results as the flux-based PDA when a drop size-velocity correlation is present).

An Assessment of the Benefits of Off-Season Training Among Teenage Basketball Players

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donnie Andrews ◽  
Chris Banks
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Basketball Players ◽  
Anthropometric Measures ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Basketball Team ◽  
Team Setting

The purpose of this research study was to establish the benefits of off-season training among teenage basketball players. The goal of every school basketball team is to achieve the best outcomes possible among its athletes; hence, the study intends to investigate the possible outcomes of off-season training on a junior level basketball team setting. In this regard, 40 youth participants aged between 14 and 18 years were selected from their respective school basketball teams to voluntarily take part in the off-season training program. For the sample, anthropometric measures such as weight or height were not taken into account. A quantitative research design was used in which 20 participants were assigned to the control group and 20 remaining participants were assigned to the test group. The focus was to establish the development of athletes’ rebounding, passing, scoring, and dribbling skills at the end of the off-season training. The descriptive statistics of the study entailing the mean, standard deviation, sample variance, skewness, and confidence interval indicated a significant improvement in the dribbling, scoring, passing, and rebounding skills in the test group, whereas there was a significant drop in the same skills observed in the control group. The correlation analysis in the pretest assessment had values of (r = 0.17), (r = 0.5), (r = -0.5), and (r = 0.28) and posttest assessment had values of (r = -0.76), (r = -0.58), (r = -0.47), and (r = -0.99) in dribbling, scoring, passing, and rebounding, respectively. Thus, this indicates that off-season training is a positive predictor of better performance among teenage basketball players.

scholarly journals Determinants of immunisation coverage of children aged 12–59 months in Indonesia: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. e015790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Putri Herliana ◽  
Abdel Douiri
Keyword(s):  
Health Survey ◽  
Risk Groups ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Demographic And Health Survey ◽  
Immunisation Coverage ◽  
Design Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Immunisation Status

ObjectivesDespite the adoption of WHO’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation in Indonesia since 1977, a large proportion of children are still completely unimmunised or only partly immunised. This study aimed to assess factors associated with low immunisation coverage of children in Indonesia.SettingChildren aged 12–59 months in Indonesia.ParticipantThe socioeconomic characteristics and immunisation status of the children were obtained from the most recent Demographic and Health Survey, the 2012 Indonesia Demographic and Health Survey. Participants were randomly selected through a two-stage stratified sampling design. Data from 14 401 children aged 12–59 months nested within 1832 census blocks were included in the analysis. Multilevel logistic regression models were constructed to account for hierarchical structure of the data.ResultsThe mean age of the children was 30 months and they were equally divided by sex. According to the analysis, 32% of the children were fully immunised in 2012. Coverage was significantly lower among children who lived in Maluku and Papua region (adjusted OR: 1.94; 95% CI 1.42 to 2.64), were 36–47 months old (1.39; 1.20 to 1.60), had higher birth order (1.68; 1.28 to 2.19), had greater family size (1.47; 1.11 to 1.93), whose mother had no education (2.13; 1.22 to 3.72) and from the poorest households (1.58; 1.26 to 1.99). The likelihood of being unimmunised was also higher among children without health insurance (1.16; 1.04 to 1.30) and those who received no antenatal (3.28; 2.09 to 5.15) and postnatal care (1.50; 1.34 to 1.69).ConclusionsSocioeconomic factors were strongly associated with the likelihood of being unimmunised in Indonesia. Unimmunised children were geographically clustered and lived among the most deprived population. To achieve WHO target of protective coverage, public health interventions must be designed to meet the needs of these high-risk groups.

scholarly journals Control of Sphaeropsis Rot in Stored Apple Fruit Caused by Sphaeropsis pyriputrescens with Postharvest Fungicides

Plant Disease ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 95 (9) ◽  
pp. 1075-1079 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. L. Xiao ◽  
Y. K. Kim ◽  
R. J. Boal
Keyword(s):  
Mycelial Growth ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Apple Fruit ◽  
Conidial Germination ◽  
Fruit Rot ◽  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Rot Disease ◽  
Sphaeropsis Rot

Sphaeropsis rot caused by Sphaeropsis pyriputrescens is a recently reported postharvest fruit rot disease of apple grown in Washington State. The objective of this study was to develop chemical-based mitigation measures for Sphaeropsis rot in stored apple fruit. To determine in vitro sensitivity of S. pyriputrescens to the three registered postharvest fungicides thiabendazole, fludioxonil, and pyrimethanil, 30 isolates of S. pyriputrescens obtained from various sources were tested for mycelial growth and conidial germination on fungicide-amended media. Golden Delicious apple fruit were inoculated with the pathogen in the orchard at 2 or 5 weeks before harvest. After harvest, fruit were either nontreated or dipped in thiabendazole, fludioxonil, or pyrimethanil solutions, stored at 0°C, and monitored for decay development for up to 9 months after harvest. The mean effective concentration of a fungicide that inhibits mycelial growth or spore germination by 50% relative to the nonamended control (EC50) values of thiabendazole, fludioxonil, and pyrimethanil on mycelial growth were 0.791, 0.0005, and 2.829 μg/ml, respectively. Fludioxonil and pyrimethanil also were effective in inhibiting conidial germination of the fungus with EC50 values of 0.02 μg/ml for fludioxonil and 5.626 μg/ml for pyrimethanil. All three postharvest fungicides applied at label rates immediately after harvest were equally effective in controlling Sphaeropsis rot in stored apple fruit, reducing disease incidence by 92 to 100% compared with the nontreated control. The results indicated that Sphaeropsis rot may be effectively controlled by the currently registered postharvest fungicides thiabendazole, fludioxonil, and pyrimethanil.

A controlled clinical trial for the effect of bromocriptine on the adrenal contribution in polycystic ovarian disease

1987 ◽  
Vol 114 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gamal H. El Tabbakh ◽  
Ibrahim A. Loutfi ◽  
Ibrahim Azab ◽  
Hany A. Rahman ◽  
Fatma A. Aleem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Group ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate ◽  
Disease Group ◽  
Normal Range ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Polycystic Ovarian Disease ◽  
Ovarian Disease ◽  
Therapeutic Value ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. Adrenal involvement in polycystic ovarian disease was assessed by measuring dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in 20 polycystic ovarian disease patients. The response of dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate to bromocriptine treatment was compared to that of placebo, both being given for one cycle on a doubleblind, cross over basis. The mean basal DHEA-S was above the upper limit of the normal range (6793 nmol/l) in three patients. The mean basal dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate in the polycystic ovarian disease group was significantly higher than the mean of the normal control group (P < 0.01). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate showed a significant drop with bromocriptine as compared to placebo (P < 0.001) and a significant correlation with prolactin both before (P < 0.001) and after treatment with bromocriptine (P < 0.001). These findings support the hypothesis of adrenal involvement in polycystic ovarian disease and prove the significant effect of bromocriptine on the adrenal which might be of therapeutic value.

Platelet membrane receptors during short cardiopulmonary bypass - a flow cytometric study

Perfusion ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 401-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karel Holada ◽  
Jan Šimák ◽  
Vladimir Kučera ◽  
Lenka Rožňová ◽  
Tomáš Eckschlager
Keyword(s):  
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Membrane Receptors ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Activation Markers ◽  
Atrioventricular Septal Defects ◽  
Flow Cytometric ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flow Cytometric Study ◽  
Induced Defects

To elucidate a mechanism of platelet dysfunction during extracorporeal circulation, we performed a study on the surface expression of platelet adhesive receptors (GPlb, GPIIb-IIIa) and activation markers (GMP140, GP53) during short cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Ten paediatric patients, age 6-13 years, with atrial or atrioventricular septal defects were studied. The mean CPB time was 52 min (21-110 min). During CPB, a significant drop in platelet count was observed, but not below 130 x 103/μl. The expression of platelet GPlb decreased slightly during CPB and the decrease was not significant. The decrease of GPIIb-IIIa was significant, but only in samples collected either at the end of CPB (89 ± 13%, p < 0.05) or before leaving the operating room (74 ± 14%, p < 0.05). The value of surface expression of platelet activation markers (GMP140, GP53) during CPB was in the range of values for resting platelets. Our results suggest that generalized CPB-induced defects of primary haemostasis are not directly connected to circulation of activated degranulated platelets or to loss of platelet adhesive receptors GPIb-IX and GPIIb-IIIa.

scholarly journals An analysis of atmospheric CH<sub>4</sub> concentrations from 1984 to 2008 with a single box atmospheric chemistry model

2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 30259-30282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Tan ◽  
Q. Zhuang
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Methane Flux ◽  
Methane Emissions ◽  
Atmospheric Methane ◽  
Significant Drop ◽  
Oxidizing Power ◽  
The Mean

Abstract. We present a single box atmospheric chemistry model involving atmospheric methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO) and radical hydroxyl (OH) to analyze atmospheric CH4 concentrations from 1984 to 2008. When OH is allowed to vary, the modeled CH4 is 20 ppb higher than observations from the NOAA/ESRL and AGAGE networks for the end of 2008. However, when the OH concentration is held constant at 106 molecule cm−3, the simulated CH4 shows a trend approximately equal to observations. Both simulations show a clear slowdown in the CH4 growth rate during recent decades, from about 13 ppb yr−1 in 1984 to less than 5 ppb yr−1 in 2003. Furthermore, if the constant OH assumption is credible, we think that this slowdown is mainly due to a pause in the growth of wetland methane emissions. In simulations run for the Northern and Southern Hemispheres separately, we find that the Northern Hemisphere is more sensitive to wetland emissions, whereas the southern tends to be more perturbed by CH4 transportation, dramatic OH change, and biomass burning. When measured CO values from NOAA/ESRL are used to drive the model, changes in the CH4 growth rate become more consistent with observations, but the long-term increase in CH4 is underestimated. This shows that CO is a good indicator of short-term variations in oxidizing power in the atmosphere. The simulation results also indicate the significant drop in OH concentrations in 1998 (about 5% lower than the previous year) was probably due to an abrupt increase in wetland methane emissions during an intense EI Niño event. Using a fixed-lag Kalman smoother, we estimate the mean wetland methane flux is about 128 Tg yr−1 through the period 1984–2008. This study demonstrates the effectiveness in examining the role of OH and CO in affecting CH4.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document