Autoclaving Contaminated Liquids

Effect of Internal Mammary Arterial Mobilization on Sternal Blood Flow

Despite the increasing popularity of ambulatory assessment, the reliability and validity of psychophysiological signals from wearable devices is unproven in daily life settings. We evaluated the reliability and validity of physiological signals (electrocardiogram, ECG; photoplethysmography, PPG; electrodermal activity, EDA) collected from two wearable devices (Movisens EcgMove4 and Empatica E4) in the lab (N = 67) and daily life (N = 20) among adults aged 18-64 with Mindware as the laboratory gold standard. Results revealed that both wearable devices' valid data rates in daily life were lower than in the laboratory (Movisens ECG 82.94 vs. 93.10%, Empatica PPG 8.79 vs. 26.14%, and Empatica EDA 41.16 vs. 42.67%, respectively). The poor valid data rates of Empatica PPG signals in the laboratory could be partially attributed to participants' hand movements (r = - .27, p = .03). In laboratory settings, heart rate (HR) derived from both wearable devices exhibited higher concurrent validity than heart rate variability (HRV) metrics (ICCs 0.98-1.00 vs. 0.75-0.97). The number of skin conductance responses (SCRs) derived from Empatica showed higher concurrent validity than skin conductance level (SCL, ICCs 0.38 vs. 0.09). Movisens EcgMove4 provided more reliable and valid HRV measurements than Empatica E4 in both laboratory (split-half reliability: 0.95-0.99 vs. 0.85-0.98; concurrent validity: 0.95-1.00 vs. 0.75-0.98; valid data rate: 93.10 vs. 26.14%) and ambulatory settings (split-half reliability: 0.99-1.00 vs. 0.89-0.98; valid data rate: 82.94 vs. 8.79%). Although the reliability and validity of wearable devices are improving, findings suggest researchers should select devices that yield consistently robust and valid data for their measures of interest.

Proton-induced production and radiochemical isolation of 44Ti from scandium metal targets for 44Ti/44Sc generator development

The extraction properties of N,N,N',N'-tetra-(2-ethylhexyl) dithiodiglycolamide (DTDGA) have been evaluated for separation and recovery of palladium from simulated high-level liquid waste (SHLW) solution. Extraction of Pd was found to increase with increase in nitric acid concentration up to 4.0 M, above which the extraction remains almost constant. Acid uptake studies show 1:1 stoichiometry between DTDGA and HNO3 at nitric acid concentration above 3.0 M. The acid uptake constant (KH) was found to be 0.60 which could be due to the presence of two carbonyl groups of amidic moiety. DTDGA has shown very high extractability and selectivity for Pd over other metal ions present in SHLW. The separation factor (SF) for Pd over other metal ions was found to be more than 104. Almost complete back extraction of palladium from organic phase was achieved with 0.01 M thiourea in 0.1 M nitric acid. Reusability studies of the extractant indicate that DPd remains almost constant even after five successive cycles of extraction and stripping. Two extraction stages will be required for complete extraction of 100 mg/L Palladium in 3.0 M nitric acid solution using 0.0025 M DTDGA/n-dodecane solvent system.

The growth of sasirangan fabricated prodution has brought positive impact on the welfare of Banjarnese people. On the other hand, it also have negative impacts in the form environmental pollution as a result of sasirangan industrial liquid waste disposal without any proper treatment proccess. This study aims to determine the effect of chitosan dosage againts liquid waste water color on "Oriens Handicraft" sasirangan home industry. This is an experimental study, the test was conducted in the chemistry laboratory of environmental health department while the color level examination conducted at the Banjarbaru Industrial Standardization and Research Center. One way anova test with α = 0,05% was used for analyzed the data while chitosan regression statistic test with 84% deacetylation degree can be utilized as coagulant material for environmentally friendly sasirangan wastewater treatment with dose variation from 600, 650,700, 750 untill to 800 mg / lt. The highest color concentration eduction occurred at 750 mg / lt doses with 50,5% reduction and the lowest control at 650 mg/lt dose by 43%. The results showed that there were significant differences between color level and chitosan dose. Therefore, the government needs to play a significant role in sasirangan liquid waste treatment by using natural and environmentally friendly coagulant materials such as chitosan.

The liquid waste resulting from the regeneration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a significant amount of starch, which has the potential to be optimized for glucose production. This study aims to optimize glucose levels from the liquid waste using hydrolysis with the Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The tested variables include the volume of Saccharomyces cerevisiae regeneration liquid waste (mL): 300; 600; 900; 1200; and 1500, as well as water volume (mL): 200; 400; 600; 800; and 1000. RSM with a Central Composite Design (CCD) requires 13 experimental data combinations of variables. The hydrolysis results were analyzed using RSM to determine the effect of variables and their interactions on glucose content. Optimization of glucose levels using RSM resulted in an optimal glucose content of 23.5% at a liquid waste volume of 1378.79 mL and a water volume of 1.5238 mL, based on an analysis using Minitab 19 software. Glucose content testing from 25 data points showed the highest level at 27% for a liquid waste volume of 900 mL and a water volume of 600 mL, while spectrophotometry recorded a peak glucose content of 29.7% under the same variables. The findings of this study can be the basis for developing a more efficient hydrolysis process that produces glucose which can help industry to make waste processing methods more efficient and increase the added value of by-products.

Diagnostic Imaging: State of the Art or Science?

BACKGROUNDDengue fever remains a major cause of acute febrile illness in India, particularly in rural areas where diagnostic facilities are limited. Early detection using point-of-care tests helps guide timely management and reduce unnecessary antibiotic use.AIMTo determine the seroprevalence and clinical profile of dengue infection among acute febrile patients attending a rural tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra.METHODSA prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Ashwini Rural Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Solapur from May to October 2025. A total of 320 consecutive patients presenting with acute fever of ≤ 7 days duration prior to hospital presentation were enrolled. Patients of all age groups were included. Serum samples were tested for dengue NS1 antigen and anti-dengue IgM and IgG antibodies using a commercial rapid test (Manufacturer: Meril diagnostics; Meriscreen dengue NS1 antigen and IgM + IgG antibodies). A 10% subset (n = 32) was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for quality assurance. Patients were classified as recent dengue (NS1+ and/or IgM+), probable secondary infection (IgM+ IgG+), past exposure (IgG+ IgM-), or negative (NS1- IgM-). Clinical data and outcomes were recorded. Statistical analysis included χ2, Mann-Whitney U, and logistic regression (α = 0.05), adjusting for age, sex, platelet count, total leukocyte count, and presence of rash.RESULTSOverall, 28% (90/320) had evidence of recent dengue, while 35% (112/320) showed IgG positivity, and 10% (32/320) had probable secondary infection. Median platelet count was significantly lower in the recent dengue group [78000/mm³; interquartile range (IQR): 55000-110000] compared with non-dengue patients (210000/mm³; IQR: 160000-240000; P < 0.001). The most common symptoms were headache (68%), myalgia (61%), and retro-orbital pain (44%). Antibiotic use prior to testing was 60%; among those diagnosed with dengue, a relative 25% reduction in antibiotic prescriptions was observed following laboratory confirmation. Quality assurance analysis showed rapid test sensitivity of 92%, specificity of 95%, and Cohen’s kappa of 0.85 vs ELISA. Logistic regression identified thrombocytopenia (< 100000/mm³) [adjust odds ratio (aOR) 5.2; 95%CI: 2.4-10.9] and rash (aOR 3.6; 95%CI: 1.8-7.0) as independent predictors of dengue positivity.CONCLUSIONA substantial proportion of acute febrile cases in this rural setting were due to dengue, highlighting the utility of NS1/IgM rapid tests for early diagnosis where molecular facilities are unavailable. Integrating rapid dengue testing into routine fever evaluation can improve case detection and rationalize antibiotic use.

A visual analog scale for measuring dental fluorosis severity

Chitosan–zeolite composite as a low-cost and efficient material in the removal of caesium in synthetic and liquid organic radioactive waste solutions.

This study is based on data collected from a total of 1196 patients (725 males and 471 females) with histologically confirmed cancer seen in King Khalid University Hospital over a 5-year period between September 1985 to August 1990. Four hundred forty-five patients were non-Saudi (37.20%). The relative frequency and rank of order are determined for various cancers in Saudi patients and total group and compared with the results of the other published studies on cancer epidemiology in Saudi Arabia. The most common cancers among Saudi males were liver, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, stomach, lung, central nervous system, prostate, lymphoid, leukemias, myeloid leukemias, urinary bladder and Hodgkin's lymphomas, central nervous cancers among Saudi females were breast, thyroid, non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, central nervous system, stomach, myeloid leukemias, esophagus, lymphoid leukemias, liver and ovary. Rank order and relative frequency for liver cancer in both sexes is the highest among any study previously published on the epidemiology of cancer in Saudi Arabia.

To compare mesorectal fascia status on histopathological findings with MRI based radiological mesorectal fascia status in patients with rectal carcinoma taking histopathology finding as gold standard. Analytical study. Department of Pathology, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore, from January 2011 to April 2012. Biopsy proven cases of rectal adenocarcinoma undergoing abdominoperineal resection were included in this study. Microscopic examination of slides was done to determine mesorectal fascia status as involved or otherwise without knowing the results of mesorectal fascia status on MRI. Mesorectal fascia status of MRI was determined by a radiologist who was not aware of the histopathological assessment of mesorectal fascia. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for age. Frequency and percentage were calculated for gender and mesorectal fascia status. 2 x 2 table was generated to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values and diagnostic accuracy of MRI for mesorectal fascia involvement taking histopathology as gold standard. The sensitivity of MRI to detect mesorectal fascia involvement was 23.07% and specificity was 70.5%. Positive predictive value of MRI was 10% and negative predictive value was 54.54%. Diagnostic accuracy of MRI for mesorectal fascia involvement was calculated as 50%. MRI findings regarding mesorectal fascia status as involved or otherwise are not helpful when compared with histopathological findings which is the gold standard.

The utilization of carbonaceous materials in separation processes of radionuclides, heavy metals and metalloids represents a burning issue in environmental and waste management. The main objective of this study was to characterize the effect of chemical modification of corncob-derived biochar by Fe-impregnations on sorption efficiency of Eu and As as a model compounds of cationic lanthanides and anionic metalloids. The biochar sample produced in slow pyrolysis process at 500 °C before (BC) and after (IBC) impregnation process was characterized by elemental, FTIR, SEM-EDX analysis to confirm the effectiveness of Fe-impregnation process. The basic physico-chemical properties showed differences in surface area and pH values of BC- and IBC-derived sorbents. Sorption processes of Eu and As by BC and IBC were characterized as a time- and initial concentration of sorbate-dependent processes. The sorption equilibrium was reached for both sorbates in 24 h of contact time. Batch equilibrium experiments revealed the increased maximum sorption capacities (Qmax) of IBC for As about more than 20 times (Qmax BC 0.11 and Qmax IBC 2.26 mg g−1). Our study confirmed negligible effect of Fe-impregnation on sorption capacity of biochar for Eu (Qmax BC 0.89 and Qmax IBC 0.98 mg g−1). The iron-impregnation of biochar-derived sorbents can be utilized as a valuable treatment method to produce stable and more effective sorption materials for various xenobiotics separation from liquid wastes and aqueous solutions.

Three simulated waste solutions representing wastes from tanks SY-102 (high nitrate, modified to exceed guidance limits), AN-107, and AY-102 were supplied by PNNL. Out of the three solutions tested, both optical and electrochemical results show that carbon steel samples corroded much faster in SY-102 (high nitrate) than in the other two solutions with lower ratios of nitrate to nitrite. The effect of the surface preparation was not as strong as the effect of solution chemistry. In areas with pristine mill-scale surface, no corrosion occurred even in the SY-102 (high nitrate) solution, however, corrosion occurred in the areas where the mill-scale was damaged or flaked off due to machining. Localized corrosion in the form of pitting in the vapor space of tank walls is an ongoing challenge to overcome in maintaining the structural integrity of the liquid waste tanks at the Savannah River and Hanford Sites. It has been shown that the liquid waste condensate chemistry influences the amount of corrosion that occurs along the walls of the storage tanks. To minimize pitting corrosion, an effort is underway to gain an understanding of the pitting response in various simulated waste solutions. Electrochemical testing has been used as an accelerated tool in the investigation of pitting corrosion. While significant effort has been undertaken to evaluate the pitting susceptibility of carbon steel in various simulated waste solutions, additional effort is needed to evaluate the effect of liquid waste supernates from six Hanford Site tanks (AY-101, AY-102, AN-102, AN-107, SY-102 (high Cl{sup -}), and SY-102 (high nitrate)) on carbon steel. Solutions were formulated at PNNL to replicate tank conditions, and in the case of SY-102, exceed Cl{sup -} and NO{sub 3}{sup -} conditions, respectively, to provide a contrast between in and out of specification limits. The majority of previous testing has been performed on pristine polished samples. To evaluate the actual tank carbon steel surface, efforts are needed to compare the polished surfaces to corroded and mill-scale surfaces, which are more likely to occur in application. Additionally, due to the change in liquid waste levels within the tanks, salt deposits are highly likely to be present along the tank wall. When the level of the tank decreases, a salt deposit will form as the solution evaporates. The effects of this pre-existing salt, or supernate deposit, are unknown at this time on the corrosion effect and thus require investigation. Additionally, in the presence of radiation, moist air undergoes radiolysis, forming a corrosive nitric acid condensate. This condensate could accelerate the corrosion process in the vapor space. To investigate this process, an experimental apparatus simulating the effects of radiation was designed and constructed to provide gamma irradiation while coupons are exposed to a simulate tank solution. Additionally, ammonia vapors will also be introduced to further represent the tank environment.

Vibrations in research facilities can cause complex animal behavioral and physiological responses that can affect animal health and research outcomes. The goal of this study was to determine the range of frequency values, where animals are unable to attenuate vibrations, and therefore may be most susceptible to their effects. Anesthetized and euthanized adult rats and mice were exposed to vibration frequencies over a wide range (0-600 Hz) and at a constant magnitude of 0.3 m/s(2). Euthanized animals were additionally exposed to vibrations at an acceleration of 1 m/s(2). The data showed that at most frequencies rodents were able to attenuate vibration magnitudes, with values for the back-mounted accelerometer being substantially less than that of the table. At frequencies of 41-60 Hz mice did not attenuate vibration magnitude, but instead the magnitude of the table and animal were equal or amplified. Rats experienced the same pattern of non-attenuation between 31 and 50 Hz. Once euthanized, the mice vibrated at a slightly more elevated frequency (up to 100 Hz). Based on these results, it may be prudent that in laboratory settings, vibrations in the ranges reported here should be accounted for as possible contributors to animal stress and/or biomechanical changes.