AIMS: The objectives of this study were to investigate three products for: (i) cleaning effectiveness on two common household surfaces, and (ii) disinfection effectiveness against two common ...bacteria. Products included conventional (‘bleach’), environmentally preferable (EP), do‐it‐yourself (DIY: distilled white vinegar, club soda, tea tree oil), 24‐h old DIY, and individual DIY components in dilution. METHODS AND RESULTS: For cleaning ceramic, no product was effective (≥85% removal of Hucker's soil), however, DIY performed better than EP and bleach. On stainless, only DIY failed to meet the standard. For disinfection, bleach and EP achieved ≥5·00 log₁₀ reductions under all conditions. DIY and components were more active against Escherichia coli than Staphylococcus aureus but only fresh DIY and 50% vinegar achieved ≥5·00 log₁₀ reductions. CONCLUSIONS: EP is an effective alternative to bleach. DIY may be an adequate alternative for cleaning ceramic and for household use, where complete elimination of micro‐organisms is unnecessary; however, it must be freshly prepared each day. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of performance of purportedly safer alternatives for both cleaning and disinfection for use in home health care. The EP product and DIY are potential alternatives for some household uses.
Transesterification is one of the important organic reactions employed in numerous industrial as well as laboratory applications for the synthesis of various esters. Herein, we report a rapid, highly ...efficient, and transition metal-free transesterification reaction in the presence of LiHMDS under solvent-free conditions. The transesterification reaction was carried out with three different benzoate esters and a wide range of primary and secondary alcohols (from C3-C18) in good to excellent yields (45 examples). By considering the commercial role of esters, this method will be promising for the facile synthesis of esters in industry-relevant applications.
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•Transition metal free transesterification reaction.•Facile synthetic protocol under the solvent free condition.•Transesterification using cheap and readily available base.•Mild reaction conditions.•Highly efficient synthesis of 45 different higher and long-chain esters from simple esters.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD; autism) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder associated with changes in gut-brain axis communication. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are experienced by a large ...proportion of individuals diagnosed with autism. Several mutations associated with autism modify cellular communication via neuronal synapses. It has been suggested that modifications to the enteric nervous system, an intrinsic nervous system of the GI tract, could contribute to GI dysfunction. Changes in gut motility, permeability, and the mucosal barrier as well as shifts in the large population of microbes inhabiting the GI tract could contribute to GI symptoms. Preclinical research has demonstrated that mice expressing the well-studied R451C missense mutation in Nlgn3 gene, which encodes cell adhesion protein neuroligin-3 at neuronal synapses, exhibit GI dysfunction. Specifically, NL3
mice show altered colonic motility and faster small intestinal transit. As well as dysmotility, macrophages located within the gut-associated lymphoid tissue of the NL3
mouse caecum show altered morphology, suggesting that neuro-inflammation pathways are modified in this model. Interestingly, NL3
mice maintained in a shared environment demonstrate fecal microbial dysbiosis indicating a role for the nervous system in regulating gut microbial populations. To better understand host-microbe interactions, further clarification and comparison of clinical and animal model profiles of dysbiosis should be obtained, which in turn will provide better insights into the efforts taken to design personalized microbial therapies. In addition to changes in neurophysiological measures, the mucosal component of the GI barrier may contribute to GI dysfunction more broadly in individuals diagnosed with a wide range of neurological disorders. As the study of GI dysfunction advances to encompass multiple components of the gut-brain-microbiota axis, findings will help understand future directions such as microbiome engineering and optimisation of the mucosal barrier for health.
Trachoma is an infectious disease and it is the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. To achieve its elimination, the World Health Organization set a goal of reducing the prevalence in ...endemic areas to less than
$5$
% by 2020, utilizing the SAFE (surgery, antibiotics, facial cleanliness, environmental improvement) strategy. However, in Burundi, trachoma prevalences of greater than
$5$
% are still reported in 11 districts and it is hypothesized that this is due to the poor implementation of the environmental improvement factor of the SAFE strategy. In this paper, a model based on an ordinary differential equation, which includes an environmental transmission component, is developed and analysed. The model is calibrated to recent field data and is used to estimate the reductions in trachoma that would have occurred if adequate environmental improvements were implemented in Burundi. Given the assumptions in the model, it is clear that environmental improvement should be considered as a key component of the SAFE strategy and, hence, it is crucial for eliminating trachoma in Burundi.
Large Stokes shift (LSS) fluorescent proteins (FPs) exploit excited state proton transfer pathways to enable fluorescence emission from the phenolate intermediate of their internal ...4‐hydroxybenzylidene imidazolone (HBI) chromophore. An RNA aptamer named Chili mimics LSS FPs by inducing highly Stokes‐shifted emission from several new green and red HBI analogues that are non‐fluorescent when free in solution. The ligands are bound by the RNA in their protonated phenol form and feature a cationic aromatic side chain for increased RNA affinity and reduced magnesium dependence. In combination with oxidative functionalization at the C2 position of the imidazolone, this strategy yielded DMHBO+, which binds to the Chili aptamer with a low‐nanomolar KD. Because of its highly red‐shifted fluorescence emission at 592 nm, the Chili–DMHBO+ complex is an ideal fluorescence donor for Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to the rhodamine dye Atto 590 and will therefore find applications in FRET‐based analytical RNA systems.
“My shadow side so amplified.” (Red Hot Chili Peppers): A large Stokes shift fluorogen‐activating RNA aptamer (LSS FLAP) named “Chili” strongly amplifies green or red fluorescence emission of otherwise non‐fluorescent, tightly bound cationic ligands upon excitation with blue light. Chili allows visualization of RNA and can be used in FRET sensors.
Globally an estimated 20.5 million liveborn babies are low birthweight (LBW) each year, weighing less than 2500 g. LBW babies have increased risk of mortality even beyond the neonatal period, with an ...ongoing risk of stunting and non-communicable diseases. LBW is a priority global health indicator. Now almost 80% of births are in facilities, yet birthweight data are lacking in most high-mortality burden countries and are of poor quality, notably with heaping especially on values ending in 00. We aimed to undertake qualitative research in a regional hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, observing birthweight weighing scales, exploring barriers and enablers to weighing at birth as well as perceived value of birthweight data to health workers, women and stakeholders.
Observations were undertaken on type of birthweight scale availability in hospital wards. In-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 21) were conducted with three groups: women in postnatal and kangaroo mother care wards, health workers involved in birthweight measurement and recording, and stakeholders involved in data aggregation in Temeke Hospital, Tanzania, a site in the EN-BIRTH study. An inductive thematic analysis was undertaken of translated interview transcripts.
Of five wards that were expected to have scales, three had functional scales, and only one of the functional scales was digital. The labour ward weighed the most newborns using an analogue scale that was not consistently zeroed. Hospital birthweight data were aggregated monthly for reporting into the health management information system. Birthweight measurement was highly valued by all respondents, notably families and healthcare workers, and local use of data was considered an enabler. Perceived barriers to high quality birthweight data included: gaps in availability of precise weighing devices, adequate health workers and imprecise measurement practices.
Birthweight measurement is valued by families and health workers. There are opportunities to close the gap between the percentage of babies born in facilities and the percentage accurately weighed at birth by providing accurate scales, improving skills training and increasing local use of data. More accurate birthweight data are vitally important for all babies and specifically to track progress in preventing and improving immediate and long-term care for low birthweight children.
Home care (HC) aide visits to clients' homes often involve cleaning and disinfecting (C&D) bathrooms. Some ingredients in C&D household products are associated with respiratory illness, including ...sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and quaternary ammonium compounds (quats). "Green" products may be safer for the environment, however there are limited quantitative evaluations of their respiratory risks. This study assessed airborne concentrations and time profiles of total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and chlorine generated during typical bathroom cleaning performed by aides using conventional and green products. Aides performed cleaning tasks in a simulated residential bathroom constructed in an environmental air sampling laboratory. A balanced experimental design involved each aide coming to the lab for four visits during which she performed two 20-min cleaning sessions using one of three C&D products (bleach-based, 1-5% sodium hypochlorite by weight; quats-based, 0.1-1% by weight quaternary ammonium compounds; and "green," 0.05% by weight thymol, a component of botanical thyme oil) or distilled water as a control. TVOC and chlorine direct reading instruments were attached to aides with sample inlets located in the breathing zone. Ten-second averages of TVOC and chlorine gas concentrations and instantaneous peak concentrations were recorded for the sessions' duration. TVOC concentrations by methods of C&D application (spraying, streaming, wiping) also were evaluated. The study completed 169 air sampling sessions with 22 aides. The quats-based product generated more than twice the average TVOC concentrations (mean = 1,210 ppb) than the bleach-based (mean = 593 ppb) or green (mean = 498 ppb) products. Each product generated TVOC concentrations that rose rapidly within the first few minutes of application. Spraying produced the highest TVOC exposures, wiping the lowest. Thirteen aides (65%) experienced peak chlorine exposures above the OSHA PEL ceiling limit (1 ppm) when using the bleach-based product. HC aides may experience respiratory hazards from use of conventional or green C&D products formulated with bleach or other respiratory irritants and sprayed in small, poorly ventilated spaces typical of bathrooms. Spraying should be avoided.
Temperature‐controlled laminar airflow improves symptoms in atopic asthmatics, but its effects on personal allergen exposure are unknown. We aimed to evaluate its effects on personal cat allergen and ...particulate exposures in a simulated bedroom environment. Five healthy volunteers lay under an active and an inactive temperature‐controlled laminar airflow device for 175 min, in a simulated bedroom containing bedding from a cat owner. Total airborne particles (≥0.5 – ≥10 μm diameter) were quantified with a laser particle counter. Airborne allergen was sampled with Institute of Occupational Medicine filters. Inhaled exposure was sampled with nasal air samplers. Allergen‐containing particles were quantified by immunoassay. Treatment reduced total airborne particles (>0.5 μm diameter) by >99% (P < 0.001) and reduced airborne allergen concentration within the breathing zone (ratio of median counts = 30, P = 0.043). Treatment reduced inhaled allergen (ratio of median counts = 7, P = 0.043). Treatment was not associated with a change in airborne allergen concentration outside of the breathing zone (P = 0.160). Temperature‐controlled laminar airflow treatment of individuals in an allergen‐rich experimental environment results in significant reductions in breathing zone allergenic and non‐allergenic particle exposure, and in inhaled cat allergen exposure. These findings may explain the clinical benefits of temperature‐controlled laminar airflow.
The Indian PHWR Bajaj, S.S.; Gore, A.R.
Nuclear engineering and design,
04/2006, Letnik:
236, Številka:
7
Journal Article
Recenzirano
The nuclear power program in India at present is based mainly on a series of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). Starting from Rajasthan Atomic Power Station comprising two units of 200
MW
e ...Canadian designed PHWRs in 1973, the program has come a long way with 12 PHWR units in operation and 6 units under construction which includes 2 units of 540
MW
e PHWRs. Narora Atomic Power Station commissioned in 1991 marked major indigenization and standardization of PHWR designs. The choice of PHWRs in the current stage of India's Nuclear Power Plants program is based on long-term objectives in the right available resources and infrastructure. These reactors use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as moderator and coolant. The nuclear power stations in India are generally planned as twin-unit modules, sharing common facilities such as service building, spent fuel bay, etc.
This paper brings out the key features of the design of Indian PHWR, highlighting the areas of evolution in successive project. Also covered are highlights of the operating experience with these reactors.
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