scholarly journals Analysis of the Effectiveness of Decontamination Fluids on the Level of Biological Contamination of Firefighter Suits

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. 2815
Author(s):  
Andrzej Polanczyk ◽  
Aleksandra Piechota-Polanczyk ◽  
Anna Dmochowska ◽  
Malgorzata Majder-Lopatka ◽  
Zdzislaw Salamonowicz
Keyword(s):  
Relative Number ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Pure Ethanol ◽  
Biological Contamination ◽  
Chemical Type ◽  
Heavy Gas ◽  
Imagej Software ◽  
Gas Tight ◽  
Rescue Procedures ◽  
Made In

The scope of tasks of chemical and ecological rescue procedures includes prevention of terrorist attacks with biological weapons. After each action, firefighters are obliged to clean and disinfect their outfits to prevent the potential spreading of harmful microorganisms. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of decontamination fluids used to disinfect firefighter’s suits. Two types of clothes were analyzed: special combat clothing (NOMEX), and the heavy gas-tight chemical type 1a suit. Swabbed places were cut out and sterilized mechanically using detergent and alcohol. Each time, smears were made on sterile glass, fixed in pure ethanol and stained using the Gram method. After this, the staining samples were air dried and photographed under a light microscope at magnification 1000×. Each smear was made in triplicate and the relative number of stained microorganisms was analyzed using ImageJ software. The results showed that detergent significantly decreased the number of pathogens in the chest area on the NOMEX suit and the type 1a-gas-tight clothing and was more effective than alcohol, especially in case of the NOMEX suit. In conclusion, the detergent was more efficient in decontaminating the NOMEX outfit than the heavy gas-tight clothing, whose surface was better cleaned by the alcohol.

scholarly journals The usefulness of Gram staining method for analysis of the effectiveness of decontamination of firefighter’s protective outfit

2018 ◽  
Vol 247 ◽  
pp. 00063 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrzej Polanczyk
Keyword(s):  
Staining Method ◽  
Tap Water ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Pure Ethanol ◽  
Biological Contamination ◽  
Gram Staining ◽  
Imagej Software ◽  
Number Of Bacteria ◽  
Made In

Introduction: This study was undertaken to analyze the effectiveness of different decontamination techniques of firefighters’ outfit. Methods and findings: Firefighter’s outfit used for one month in field conditions was tested for biological contamination using Gram staining. Biological samples from pantleg above the ankle, on the knee and, in the groin were analyzed. Swabbed places were cut out and sterilized mechanically using tap water, 20% soap or 70% ethanol by rubbing for 20. Swabs were taken before sterilization and right after sterilization. Each time smears were made on sterile glass, fixed in pure ethanol and stained using Gram method. This staining method is used to visualize bacteria and distinguish gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. After staining samples were air dried and photographed under a light microscope at magnification 100x. Each smear was made in triplicates and the relative number of biological contamination was analysed using ImageJ software. The results indicated that the highest level of contamination was visible on the knee. Decontamination decreased the number of bacteria in all analyzed places right after cloth patch washing. The most effective decontamination fluid was 70% ethanol followed by 20% soap. The Gram staining combined with numerical analysis may be successfully used to verify the effectiveness of decontamination method for firefighter’s outfit utilized at field.

scholarly journals MUTATION OF THE BACILLUS OF RABBIT SEPTICEMIA

1922 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 561-574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul H. De Kruif
Keyword(s):  
Room Temperature ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Pure Line ◽  
Rabbit Serum ◽  
Type D ◽  
Pure Cultures ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Distinct Maximum ◽  
Made In

Type G microbes, discovered in pure cultures of the rabbit septicemia bacillus, have been demonstrated to arise from the parent D form by mutation. The D → G mutation takes place in broth cultures of pure-line strains of Microbe D, when these are kept for several days without transplant at 37°C., or at room temperature, or in the ice box. The mutation is greatly inhibited by filtrates from 6 and 24 hour cultures of Microbe D, and to some extent by filtrates from 48 hour cultures. The process of transformation takes place to a very slight extent or not at all in undiluted rabbit serum, but Type G colonies subcultured to this medium do not revert to the parent D form. The D → G change is strongly inhibited in cultures made in simple beef infusion, or in 5 per cent rabbit serum-beef infusion. Peptone would seem to be the constituent of plain broth which favors the process. In high concentrations of peptone, the mutation is rapid and may reach a degree of 90 per cent of the total organisms in 5 to 6 days. A distinct maximum of the relative number of Type G colonies as compared to the parent Type D is observable in plain broth and in some concentrations of peptone, when these are kept at 37°C. for some days without transplant. Subsequent tests show the concentration of Type G microbes to diminish. The change in acid agglutination optimum exhibited by the mutant G forms implies a distinct change in bacterial protoplasm and would seem to be one of the most fundamental mutations so far described.

2 The Evolution of the Law of Weaponry

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boothby William H
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Arms Control ◽  
Middle Part ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Chemical Weapons ◽  
Cluster Munitions ◽  
The Hague ◽  
The Law ◽  
Made In

Chapter 2 explains how from its roots in the middle part of the nineteenth century, weapons law has developed during the ensuing one hundred and sixty years into the more comprehensive but still incomplete body of law we have today. The evolution of early treaties such as the St Petersburg Declaration of 1868, certain Regulations and Declarations made in The Hague in 1899 and 1907, and the Geneva Gas protocol of 1925 is explained by reference to the authoritative writings of contemporary experts and jurists. The significance of those early writings in inspiring the development of core principles that lie at the heart of this body of law is noted. The picture that emerges is of a body of law that responds, sometimes belatedly, to battlefield events. The emergence of more modern law in the form, for example, of arms control treaties addressing chemical weapons, biological weapons, anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions is charted.

A comparison between two in vitro gas production techniques to study fermentation profiles of three foodstuffs

1998 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. 207-208
Author(s):  
R. S. Lowman ◽  
N. S. Jessop ◽  
M. K. Theodorou ◽  
M. Herrero ◽  
D. Cuddeford
Keyword(s):  
Pressure Transducer ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Gas Production ◽  
In Vitro Gas Production ◽  
Production Techniques ◽  
Gas Tight ◽  
Gas Volume ◽  
Kinetics Of ◽  
Made In

Following the development of the Menke technique in 1979, the measurement of gas production in vitro has become increasingly popular for investigating the kinetics of rumen fermentation. The aim of this study was to compare the gas production profiles for three foods using two in vitro gas production techniques; the Menke et al. (1979) technique (MT) and the pressure transducer technique (PTT) (Theodorou et al., 1994). Both techniques involve recording gas production throughout the incubation of a food sample with rumen fluid. The MT incubations are made in gas-tight syringes where the volume of gas produced causes the plunger to move up the syringe barrel. The PTT involves measuring gas production in fermentation bottles using a pressure transducer and syringe assembly to measure the pressure and corresponding gas volume. As the medium to rumen fluid ratios also differ between techniques; 2:1 in the Menke technique and 9:1 in the PTT, both ratios were investigated in this study.

Fabrication of Dispersed Permalloy Nanoparticles by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Aqua

2008 ◽  
Vol 1118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruqiang Bao ◽  
Zijie Yan ◽  
Yong Huang ◽  
Douglas B. Chrisey
Keyword(s):  
Laser Ablation ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate ◽  
Aqueous Solutions ◽  
Laser Energy ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Pulsed Laser ◽  
Pulsed Laser Ablation ◽  
Distilled Water ◽  
Pure Ethanol ◽  
Made In

ABSTRACTPermalloy (Ni81Fe19) nanoparticles with diameters of hundreds of nanometers have been successfully fabricated by pulsed laser ablation (PLA) in air, distilled water, pure ethanol and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) aqueous solutions. The permalloy nanoparticles made in SDS solutions are typically spherical in shape. Lower laser energy with lower frequency leads to the formation of smaller permalloy nanoparticles. Higher concentration of SDS results in smaller nanoparticles. Lastly, we found some unusual permalloy nanoparticles with interesting morphologies made by PLA in air, distilled water and ethanol.

scholarly journals Can an attribution assessment be made for Yellow Rain? Systematic reanalysis in a chemical-and-biological-weapons use investigation

2007 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca Katz ◽  
Burton Singer
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Southeast Asia ◽  
Information Extraction ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Chemical And Biological Weapons ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Made In

In intelligence investigations, such as those into reports of chemical- or biological-weapons (CBW) use, evidence may be difficult to assemble and, once assembled, to weigh. We propose a methodology for such investigations and then apply it to a large body of recently declassified evidence to determine the extent to which an attribution can now be made in the Yellow Rain case. Our analysis strongly supports the hypothesis that CBW were used in Southeast Asia and Afghanistan in the late 1970s and early 1980s, although a definitive judgment cannot be made. The proposed methodology, while resource-intensive, allows evidence to be assembled and analyzed in a transparent manner so that assumptions and rationale for decisions can be challenged by external critics. We conclude with a discussion of future research directions, emphasizing the use of evolving information-extraction (IE) technologies, a sub-field of artificial intelligence (AI).

scholarly journals Considérations quantitatives sur des coupes ultraminces de bactéries infectées par un bactériophage

1959 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 469-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janine Séchaud ◽  
Antoinette Ryter ◽  
Edouard Kellenberger
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Error ◽  
Relative Number ◽  
Quantitative Relationship ◽  
Bacterial Cells ◽  
Average Volume ◽  
Upper Limits ◽  
Ultrathin Sections ◽  
Different Sources ◽  
Made In ◽  
Number Of Particles

A quantitative relationship has been established between the number of particles, for example bacteriophages, counted in ultrathin sections of bacteria and the total number present in the whole bacterial cells. The factor F relating particles counted per section with the total number of these particles per entire bacterium could be arrived at by two methods, which proved to give results in close agreement. The first involves knowledge of the average volume of a bacterial section in proportion to the average volume of a whole bacterium; if the mean number of appearances of the same particle on consecutive sections is also known, F may then be calculated. The thickness of sections and, therefore, their volume, as well as the average number of times a single particle is sectioned could be learned by examination of serial sections. By counting the relative number of T2 phage particles which had been intersected once or twice, and relating this proportion to the known phage dimensions, the thickness of the sections was determined to be about 400 A. The second measurement of F could be made in a particular case of late phage development where the number of particles per cell was countable or titratable directly in the bacterial lysate, this number being compared with the number seen in sections of the bacteria just before lysis. The different sources of errors are discussed. The statistical error is under 20 per cent, while the systematic errors are higher and cannot yet be indicated precisely. After a very cautious estimation of the upper limits, we can state, however, that the counts made with this method are certainly reliable to well within a factor of two.

The Biological Weapons Convention: An overview

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (318) ◽  
pp. 251-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jozef Goldblat
Keyword(s):  
Hague Convention ◽  
Biological Agents ◽  
League Of Nations ◽  
Biological Weapons ◽  
Chemical Weapons ◽  
Chemical And Biological Weapons ◽  
Ancient Times ◽  
Pathogenic Agents ◽  
Biological Weapons Convention ◽  
Made In

Since ancient times, the use in war of poison and pathogenic agents has been considered a treacherous practice. It was condemned by international declarations and treaties, notably by the 1907 Hague Convention (IV) respecting the laws and customs of war on land. Efforts to strengthen this prohibition resulted in the conclusion, in 1925, of the Geneva Protocol which banned the use of asphyxiating, poisonous or other gases, usually referred to as chemical weapons, as well as the use of bacteriological methods of warfare. The latter are now understood to include not only bacteria, but also other biological agents, such as viruses or rickettsiae which were unknown at the time the Geneva Protocol was signed. (On 1 January 1997, 132 States were party to this Protocol.) However, the Geneva Protocol did not prohibit the development, production and stockpiling of chemical and biological weapons. Attempts to achieve a complete ban were made in the 1930s in the framework of the League of Nations, but with no success.

Spectrophotometric measurements of objective-prism spectra

1966 ◽  
Vol 24 ◽  
pp. 118-119
Author(s):  
Th. Schmidt-Kaler
Keyword(s):  
Progress Report ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Objective Prism ◽  
Made In

I should like to give you a very condensed progress report on some spectrophotometric measurements of objective-prism spectra made in collaboration with H. Leicher at Bonn. The procedure used is almost completely automatic. The measurements are made with the help of a semi-automatic fully digitized registering microphotometer constructed by Hög-Hamburg. The reductions are carried out with the aid of a number of interconnected programmes written for the computer IBM 7090, beginning with the output of the photometer in the form of punched cards and ending with the printing-out of the final two-dimensional classifications.

Surface Structure in Microtomed Sections Caused by Glass and Diamond Knives

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 456-457
Author(s):  
J. Temple Black ◽  
William G. Boldosser
Keyword(s):  
Plastic Deformation ◽  
Epoxy Resin ◽  
Carbon Coating ◽  
Surface Damage ◽  
Body Angle ◽  
Normal Manner ◽  
Bottom Side ◽  
Cutting Direction ◽  
Made In ◽  
Diamond Knife

Ultramicrotomy produces plastic deformation in the surfaces of microtomed TEM specimens which can not generally be observed unless special preparations are made. In this study, a typical biological composite of tissue (infundibular thoracic attachment) infiltrated in the normal manner with an embedding epoxy resin (Epon 812 in a 60/40 mixture) was microtomed with glass and diamond knives, both with 45 degree body angle. Sectioning was done in Portor Blum Mt-2 and Mt-1 microtomes. Sections were collected on formvar coated grids so that both the top side and the bottom side of the sections could be examined. Sections were then placed in a vacuum evaporator and self-shadowed with carbon. Some were chromium shadowed at a 30 degree angle. The sections were then examined in a Phillips 300 TEM at 60kv.Carbon coating (C) or carbon coating with chrom shadowing (C-Ch) makes in effect, single stage replicas of the surfaces of the sections and thus allows the damage in the surfaces to be observable in the TEM. Figure 1 (see key to figures) shows the bottom side of a diamond knife section, carbon self-shadowed and chrom shadowed perpendicular to the cutting direction. Very fine knife marks and surface damage can be observed.

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