scholarly journals Modelling of the Radiological Contamination of the RBMK-1500 Reactor Water Purification and Cooling System

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Poskas ◽  
R. Zujus ◽  
P. Poskas ◽  
G. Miliauskas
Keyword(s):  
Water Purification ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
Reactor Water ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Final Shutdown ◽  
Contamination Levels ◽  
Activity Decay ◽  
The Moment

This paper presents modelling results on the RBMK-1500 reactor water purification and cooling system (PCS) components contamination at Ignalina NPP Unit 1. The modelling was performed using a computer code LLWAA-DECOM (Tractebel Energy Engineering, Belgium), taking into consideration PCS components characteristics, parameters of the water flowing in circuits, system work regimes, and so forth. During the modelling, results on activity of PCS subsystems and components’ deposits and nuclide composition of deposits at the moment of the final shutdown of the reactor, as well as activity decay of the most contaminated PCS components’ deposits and dose rates after the final shutdown of the reactor, were obtained. Significant difference of contamination levels was revealed among PCS subsystems and subsystems components. The subsystem of nonpurified water is the most contaminated in PCS, and the activity of the least contaminated component in this subsystem is only 1.42% compared to the activity of the most contaminated component. The most contaminated and the least contaminated components of the purified water subsystem comprise 28.33% and 0.86% of activity, respectively, compared to the activity of the most contaminated PCS component.

Blood contamination of the pharmaceutical staff by irinotecan and its two major metabolites inside and outside a compounding unit

2021 ◽  
pp. 107815522110120
Author(s):  
Victoire Béchet ◽  
Hubert Benoist ◽  
Frédéric Beau ◽  
Fabienne Divanon ◽  
Stéphanie Lagadu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Red Blood Cell ◽  
Antineoplastic Drug ◽  
Blood Contamination ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Drug Contamination ◽  
Contamination Levels

Background Caregivers in healthcare settings are exposed to a risk of antineoplastic drug contamination which can lead to adverse health effects. Biological monitoring is necessary to estimate the actual level of exposure of these workers. This study was conducted with the aim of assessing blood contamination levels by irinotecan and its metabolites of pharmaceutical staff operating inside and outside a compounding unit. Methods The study took place within the pharmaceutical unit of a French comprehensive cancer centre. Blood samples were collected from the pharmacy workers operating inside and outside the compounding unit, and analysed by UHPLC-MS/MS. Plasma and red blood cell irinotecan and its metabolites (SN-38; APC) were determined with a validated analytical method detection test. Results A total of 17/78 (21.8%) plasma and red blood cell-based assays were found to be contaminated among staff. Overall, the total number of positive assays was significantly higher for staff members working outside the compounding unit than for workers working inside it ( P = 0.022), with respectively 5/42 (11.9%) and 12/36 (33.3%) positive assays. For plasma dosages, the “outside” group had a significantly higher number of positive assays ( P = 0.014). For red blood cell-based assays, no significant difference was found ( P = 0.309). Conclusions This study reveals that pharmaceutical staff serving in health care settings are exposed to a risk of antineoplastic drug contamination, not only inside the compounding room but also in adjacent rooms. The results would help to raise awareness and potentially establish protective measures for caregivers working in areas close to the compounding room as well.

scholarly journals Outcome of the use of 0.9% saline versus 0.45% saline for fluid rehydration in moderate and severe diabetic ketoacidosis in children

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nora El Said Badawi ◽  
Mona Hafez ◽  
Heba Sharaf Eldin ◽  
Hend Mehawed Abdelatif ◽  
Shimaa Atef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Diabetic Ketoacidosis ◽  
Normal Saline ◽  
Sodium Concentration ◽  
Saline Group ◽  
Serum Electrolytes ◽  
Serum Chloride ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Rehydration Solution ◽  
The Moment

Abstract Background The debate for the optimum sodium concentration in the rehydration solution in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) persists till the moment. The aim was to compare the outcome of 0.9% saline versus 0.45% saline in children with moderate and severe (DKA) regarding the effect on serum electrolytes, duration of DKA resolution and the incidence of hyperchloremia. Results A retrospective analysis of 121 children with moderate or severe DKA was done. After the initial 4 h in which both groups received normal saline, patients were divided into two groups continuing on 0.9% (N=72) or switched to 0.45% saline (N=49). Serum chloride and Cl/Na ratios were significantly higher in 0.9% saline group at 4 and 8 h. The 0.9% saline group had significantly higher proportion of hyperchloremia at 4 and 8 h (P value: 0.002, 0.02). The median duration of correction of DKA (14 h among 0.9% saline versus 10 h among 0.45% saline) without significant difference (P value= 0.43). The change in plasma glucose, effective osmolarity, corrected Na levels were comparable between groups. Conclusion There is an unavoidable iatrogenically induced rise in serum chloride with higher incidence of hyperchloremia with the use of normal saline in rehydration of children presenting in DKA and shock. The use of 0.45% saline as post-bolus rehydration fluid is not associated with a decline in the corrected serum sodium concentration and does not affect the rate of correction of acidosis or rate of drop in blood glucose or duration of DKA resolution when compared to normal saline.

scholarly journals Thromboelastometric evaluation of horses submitted to experimental thrombosis and jugular thrombectomy

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 677-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dietrich Pizzigatti ◽  
Daniele S. Gonçalves ◽  
Thays C. Trentin ◽  
Regina K. Takahira ◽  
Ana L.G. Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Alpha Angle ◽  
Fogarty Catheter ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Α Angle

Abstract: Jugular thrombosis in horses occurs commonly in iatrogenic situations, secondary to endotoxemic clinical condition and disseminated vascular coagulation, potentially leading to death. Thus, hemostatic evaluation becomes necessary and extremely important for monitoring the risks of systemic hypercoagulability and for the efficiency of allopathic and surgical treatment. This paper describes the hemostatic behavior in experimental jugular thrombosis of ten healthy equines, subsequently submitted to two thrombectomy techniques and receiving heparin sodium as anti-rethrombosis therapy. These animals were evaluated for 20 days by thromboelastometry (TEM), platelet count, hematocrit and fibrinogen, at four moments: pre-induction to phlebitis (D0-MPF); three days after thrombophlebitis induction (D3-MFM); 6 days after, - moment of thrombophlebitis - (D9-MT); and 54 (D16) and 126 (D19) hours after thrombectomies (PTM). Thrombectomy was performed via a Vollmar Ring (group 1, n=5) and Fogarty catheter (group 2, n=5). All the animals received heparin (150 UI/kg, SC) every 12 hours, for ten days after the respective thrombectomies. Through the blood samples were evaluated TEM, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT), dosing of fibrinogen, hematocrit and platelet count at the abovementioned moments. For comparison between groups and moments the t test was applied at 5% significance level. No significant difference was verified between treatment groups at any of the moments. There were reductions in clotting time (CT) and clot formation time (CFT), with increase in maximum lysis (ML) until the moment D9-MT. Evaluation through INTEM® reagent presented prolongations of CT and CFT with reduction of α angle and ML starting from D16 and D19. Similarly, aPTT presented significant differences between moments pre- (D0, 3 and 9) and post- (D16 and 19) anticoagulant and surgical treatment. The platelet numbers were diminished at moments D16 and D19. In evaluation with EXTEM® reagent, prolongation of CT and CFT occurred only between the moments D0 vs. D3 and vs. D9. O PT did not present significant differences. The results obtained demonstrate that experimental jugular thrombophlebitis leads to local clinical alterations, with impairment of tissue and of the extrinsic coagulation pathway (EXTEM® ), but without evidence of systemic hypercoagulability status, since there was no increase of the alpha angle or maximum clot firmness (MCF). Furthermore, TEM was shown useful and more sensitive than conventional coagulation tests (PT, aPTT and fibrinogen) for the monitoring of anticoagulant therapy, as demonstrated in other works.

scholarly journals Effect of Air Heat Pump Cooling System as a Greener Energy Source on the Air Quality, Housing Environment and Growth Performance in Pig House

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1474
Author(s):  
Dhanushka Rathnayake ◽  
Hong-Seok Mun ◽  
Muhammad Ammar Dilawar ◽  
Il-Byung Chung ◽  
Kwang-Woo Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Growth Performance ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Housing Environment ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cooling Effects ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Co2

The present study examined the cooling effects of an air heat pump (AHP) system. An AHP system was installed in a pig house to compare the effects with a traditional cooling system on the growth performance, noxious gas emission, housing environment and consumption of electricity. During the 19-week experimental trial, the internal temperature in the AHP cooling system-connected pig house was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) than the conventional house. Similarly, the temperature–humidity index (THI) was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the growing and late finishing period. The carbon dioxide (CO2) and electricity consumption were also reduced significantly in the AHP cooling system relative to the control. The concentration of ammonia (NH3) during the weaning and finishing phase and the concentration of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) during all periods were lower in the AHP-installed pig house (p < 0.05). From 0–19 weeks, there was no significant difference was observed (p > 0.05) in terms of the growth performance of pigs in both houses. These results show that the AHP cooling system can be implemented as an environmentally friendly renewable energy source in swine farms for sustainable pig production and better air quality without adversely affecting productivity parameters.

scholarly journals Effects of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts

2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 357-361
Author(s):  
J.O. Oyedeji ◽  
G.O. Imagbenikaro
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Litter Size ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Cooling System ◽  
Large White ◽  
Feed Cost ◽  
Randomized Design ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Level Of Significance

The study examined the effect of cooling on the reproductive performance of gilts using 27 Large White Experimental Gilts on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 3 systems of cooling, namely Wallow Cooling (WC), Sprinkler Cooling (SC) and Zero Cooling (ZC). Gilts were weighed at the commencement of the experiment and thereafter fed ad libitum from service to farrowing. Feed intake till farrow, feed cost, gilt weight at farrow, date of farrow, litter size and weight were recorded. The feed/piglet weight, feed intake/litter, feed cost/litter and birth weight/piglet were derived. The results showed that feed intake per litter and feed per piglet weight were highest for gilts placed on WC(P< 0.05), followed by SC and least for sow placed on ZC; gilt weight before farrow was highest for sow placed on SC (69.78±0.92), followed by ZC (69.33±0.94) and least for gilts placed on WC (67.33±0.87); litter sizes of gilts placed under the WC and SC systems were similar (5.6±0.41) while that under the ZC system was comparatively smaller (5.4±0.40);while the date of farrow was lowest in the ZC system (113.8±0.32) followed by SC (114.0±0.33) and highest under the WC (114.1±0.33). However, the feed intake per litter, feed per piglet weight, litter sizes of gilts, birth weight per piglet of gilts and the average date of farrow among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC were not statistically different at 5% level of significance. Though, there is no significant difference in the performance among gilts placed on WC, SC and ZC, temperature regulation through provision of efficient cooling system in piggery would help to increase litter size, improve feed intake per litter and reduce the average cost of feeding gilt per day in maximizing reproductive performances in pigs.Keywords: Cooling, gilts, service, farrow, piggery, litter size, piglet and birth weight

scholarly journals RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF EVENTS OF DEATH AT HOME AMONG PATIENTS UNDER FOLLOW-UP OBSERVATION

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-74
Author(s):  
Ya P Sandakov
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Diseases ◽  
Medical Records ◽  
Emergency Calls ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Duration Of Disease ◽  
The Moment ◽  
Age Of Death ◽  
At Home

Aim. To study the peculiarities of asking for medical care by patients from among those dead at home, who had been under follow-up observation. Materials and methods. The data, received from ambulatory medical records of 100 dead at home patients with follow-up, were analyzed using the methods of descriptive and inductive statistics. Results. A mean age of death was 74.9 ± 13.4 years, men - 65.8 ± 14.1 years, women - 79.2 ± 10.9 years. Cardiovascular diseases were the cause of follow-up observation in 78 % of cases and the cause of death in 85 %; in 30 % of patients the disease was detected while carrying out prophylactic medical examination. A mean duration of disease by the moment of death was 13.0 ± 8.0 years, among pensioners 13.7 ± 8.5 years, in able-bodied persons 9.6 ± 4.3 years. A mean duration of follow-up observation was 9.2 ± 5.8 years. An average number of planned visits was 2.8 ± 0.89, but the number of real visits during the last year of follow-up observation was 2.4 ± 1.2. Disability was registered in 77.6 % of patients, concomitant diseases - in all patients. For the last year, exacerbations were recorded in 92 % of patients, emergency calls - in 80 %, hospitalization events - 52 %, including 55.8 % - urgent ones. Conclusions. The absence of significant difference regarding the duration of disease between pensioners and able-bodied patients (т = 0.16, р = 1.43) as well as the absence of correlation between the age and duration of disease (χ2 = 0.19, p = 0.2) indirectly prove the influence of duration of disease on its outcome, but not the age. Attendance, characterizing clinical loyalty to treatment, does not depend on age (χ2 = -0.19, р = 0.18), sex (т = 1.0, р = 0.32), way of detecting disease (f = 0.9, p = 0.4), class of main disease (f = 0.91, p = 0.44), duration of disease (χ2 = -0.13, р = 0.49), exacerbations (χ2 = -0.17, р = 0.24), concomitant diseases (χ2 = 0.006, р = 0.9). The number of emergency calls, hospitalizations, urgent hospitalizations does not depend on duration of follow-up observation, regularity and number of real visits to a doctor (p > 0.05) that indicates unsatisfactory quality of follow-up observation.

scholarly journals Plantar support adaptations in healthy subjects after eight weeks of barefoot running training

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e8862
Author(s):  
Celso Sánchez-Ramírez ◽  
Luis M. Alegre
Keyword(s):  
Peak Pressure ◽  
Time Factor ◽  
Flat Foot ◽  
Barefoot Running ◽  
Running Training ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Increasing Trend ◽  
Pressure Peak ◽  
Reaction Forces ◽  
The Moment

Background Although the studies of barefoot running have intensified, it is still missing longitudinal work analyzing the effects of barefoot running on the phases of plantar support. The objective of this research was to analyze the modifications undergone by the Total Foot Contact (TFC) phase and its Flat Foot Phase (FFP) in subjects beginning the practice of barefoot running, in its acute and chronic effects. Methods A total of 28 subjects were divided into the Barefoot Group (BFGr) (n = 16) and the Shod Group (SHGr) (n = 12), evaluated before (Baseline) and after running for 20 min at 3.05 m·s−1 (Post 20 min Running), and at the end of a running training protocol with an 8-week long progressive volume (Post-8-week Training). The dynamic plantar support was measured with a baropodoscope. The duration of TFC (ms), the moment at which the FFP occurred, the maximum surface of TFC (MSTFC) (cm2), the FFP surface (SFFP) (cm2), the peak pressure of TFC (PP°TFC) (kg·cm−2), and the peak pressure of FFP (PP°FFP) (kg·cm−2) were recorded. The 3 × 2 ANOVA analysis was made to determine the effects and interactions that the condition produced (Shod/Barefoot), and the time factor (Baseline/Post 20 min Running/Post-8-week Training). Results The condition factor caused more significant effects than the time factor in all the variables. Duration of TFC in BFGr showed significant differences between the Baseline and Post-8-week Training (p = 0.000) and between Post-20-min Running and Post-8-week Training (p = 0.000), with an increasing trend. In the moment at which the FFP occurred a significant increase (p = 0.029) increase was found in Post-20 min Running (48.5%) compared to the Baseline (42.9%). In MSTFC, BFGr showed in Post-8-week Training values significantly higher than the Baseline (p = 0.000) and than Post-20-min Running (p = 0.000). SHGr presented a significant difference between the Baseline and Post-8-week Training (p = 0.040). SFFP in BFGr modified its values with an increasing trend (p = 0.000). PP°TFC in BFGr showed a significant decrease (p = 0.003) in Post-8-week Training (1.9 kg·cm−2) compared to the Baseline (2.4 kg·cm−2). In PP°FFP significant decreases were recorded in BFGr and between Post-8-week Training and Baseline (p = 0.000), and Post-8-week Training and Post 20 min Running (p = 0.035). Conclusions The adaptation took place after the 8-week training. The adaptations to running barefoot were characterized by causing an increase of the foot’s plantar support in TFC and in FFP, as well as a decrease of the plantar pressure peak in both phases. Also, there is an increased duration of the TFC and FFP, which may be related to an acquired strategy to attenuate the impacts of the ground’s reaction forces.

Distribution and metabolism of corticotropin-releasing factor in the rat

1986 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 683-688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard Candas ◽  
Josée Lalonde ◽  
Maurice Normand
Keyword(s):  
Time Course ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Metabolic Clearance ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Rapid Injection ◽  
Sprague Dawley Rats ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Moment ◽  
The One

To develop a mathematical model of the distribution and metabolism of rat corticotropin-releasing factor (rCRF), the time course of 125I-labelled rCRF in plasma was measured in male Sprague–Dawley rats (i) following a rapid injection of 24 ng rCRF/100 g body weight (BW), or (ii) following a rapid injection of 424 ng rCRF/100 g BW, or (iii) during an infusion at a rate ranging from 0.28 to0.73 ng rCRF∙min−1∙100 g BW−1. The comparison of the one-, two-, and three-compartment models shows that the two-pool structure fits better to the dynamics of CRF in plasma as measured in each rat. Following a rapid injection the decay curve occurs in a biphasic manner; the early phase of disappearance is 25 times faster than the late one. There is no significant difference between the estimates of the metabolic clearance rate following both amplitudes of injection (0.40 ± 0.06 and 0.48 ± 0.05 mL∙min−1∙100 g BW−1). The volume of the first pool, 16.8 ± 1.1 mL/100 g BW, is four times larger than the plasma volume. It would thus appear that CRF is rapidly distributed from plasma into several tissues which are represented in the first pool of the model. The mean residence time of every CRF molecule in the second compartment, from the moment of secretion to its elimination, is from three to four times longer than in the first one. It stays, on average, between 140 min and 3 h in the system before an irreversible exit. At steady state, the disposal rate represents only 3% of the CRF mass of the first compartment every minute. These results could explain the prolonged effects of CRF on pituitary-adrenocortical secretion.

scholarly journals Application of Gamma Induced Mutation in Breeding Potato for Bacterial Wilt Disease Resistance

2020 ◽  
pp. 28-38
Author(s):  
Emmy Chepkoech ◽  
Miriam Kinyua ◽  
Julius Ochuodho ◽  
Oliver Kiplagat ◽  
Souleymane Bado ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Wilt ◽  
Crop Production ◽  
Solanum Tuberosum L ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Yield Reduction ◽  
Broad Host Range ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Pathogenicity Test ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Significant Difference

Aims: Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) production in Kenya has not been achieved in its full potential due to susceptibility of potato varieties to pest and diseases among others. Bacterial wilt, caused by Ralstonia solanacearum in potato is regarded as an important disease contributing to significant yield reduction. The disease is considered more difficult to control in field crop production using universal control measure due to pathogen’s properties as a soil-borne bacterium, broad host range and the genetic variation level within the strains. The objective was to screen potato mutants at M1V4 mutant populations for resistance against bacterial wilt using pathogenicity test. Study Design: The experimental design used was an alpha lattice with twenty three blocks each having seven plots with three replications each. Data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS statistical package, version 9.1 and mean separation done using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT) whenever there were significant differences. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO), Kabete station for one season (December 2015 to April 2016). Methodology: One hundred and sixty three mutants developed from three commercial varieties (Asante 72, Mpya 43 and Sherekea 47) were evaluated. Results: The reactions of potato mutants to bacterial wilt varied from variety to variety and mutants to mutants. None of the Asante, Mpya and Sherekea mutants used was found to be resistant to bacterial wilt though Asante mutant populations showed better response. There was significant difference in some traits such as DTOW, AUDPC and PSTTN across the three potato mutant populations. Conclusion: The variation within the potato mutants and response to bacterial wilt resistance levels could be attributed to different dose rates and the reaction of each variety to the mutagen used. Since mutation is random its effects are enormous.

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