Publication date: May 2016
Source:Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volumes 155–156
Author(s): Giorgia Cinelli, Laura Tositti, Domiziano Mostacci, Jonathan Baré
In view of assessing natural radioactivity with on-site quantitative gamma spectrometry, efficiency calibration of NaI(Tl) detectors is investigated. A calibration based on Monte Carlo simulation of detector response is proposed, to render reliable quantitative analysis practicable in field campaigns. The method is developed with reference to contact geometry, in which measurements are taken placing the NaI(Tl) probe directly against the solid source to be analyzed. The Monte Carlo code used for the simulations was MCNP. Experimental verification of the calibration goodness is obtained by comparison with appropriate standards, as reported. On-site measurements yield a quick quantitative assessment of natural radioactivity levels present (40K, 238U and 232Th). On-site gamma spectrometry can prove particularly useful insofar as it provides information on materials from which samples cannot be taken.
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Τρίτη 23 Φεβρουαρίου 2016
Calibration with MCNP of NaI detector for the determination of natural radioactivity levels in the field
15 habits paramedics can’t shake
There are habits EMTs and paramedics pick that are hard to shake even when off the clock or after retirement. Check out our favorites, and don't miss this other list of habits EMTs can't shake. Don't see a habit you have? Add it in the comments!
1. "I leave enough space at a red light to be able to pull out and around if needed." — Josh Sharpe
2. "Pulling the shopping cart behind me like I'm at the front of the stretcher." — Tim O'Connor
3. "When someone else is driving and making a turn I always yell 'clear right!'" — Lisa Bogowith Schaeffer
4. "I always consider coughing a foreign body obstruction and prepare to do the Heimlich." — Tamatha Arendall
5. "Where's the closest hospital and how long of a response time am I looking at if something was to happen right now?" — Rene Rogers
6. "I catch myself watching people when I'm in a crowded room; always looking for signs of someone in distress." — Scott Lisman
7. "I always back into a parking space so I'm in response mode." — Phil Murphy
8. "When meeting a new person I start taking a sample history as part of getting to know them." — Alex Lisa Brown
9. "I use my wife as a backer, and honk twice when backing." — Justin Martinets
10. "Passing large open fields thinking 'good place for an LZ'" — Sherry Lynn
11. "If I get a 'maple syrup' odor out of context, I look for the diabetic. When I hear a harsh cough in a restaurant all conversation stops until I locate them and await evidence of a clear airway. The guy nodding off in church or at the movies better show rise and fall or chest expansion or I'm tapping on his shoulder." — Guido Jannetti
12. "Driving private car with friends and shout 'bump ahead.'" — Timothy Lynn O'Ceallaigh
13. "Still can't make myself use the 'Q' word. After many years on a truck I have removed it from my vocabulary." — Eddie Battros
14. "Always checking to see if 'my scene is safe.'" — Angela N Grace
15. "When I go to my doctor for a routine physical, I start with '47 y/o male patient presenting with...'" — Bill Butler
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15 habits paramedics can’t shake
There are habits EMTs and paramedics pick that are hard to shake even when off the clock or after retirement. Check out our favorites, and don't miss this other list of habits EMTs can't shake. Don't see a habit you have" Add it in the comments!
1. "I leave enough space at a red light to be able to pull out and around if needed." — Josh Sharpe
2. "Pulling the shopping cart behind me like I'm at the front of the stretcher." — Tim O'Connor
3. "When someone else is driving and making a turn I always yell 'clear right!'" — Lisa Bogowith Schaeffer
4. "I always consider coughing a foreign body obstruction and prepare to do the Heimlich." — Tamatha Arendall
5. "Where's the closest hospital and how long of a response time am I looking at if something was to happen right now"" — Rene Rogers
6. "I catch myself watching people when I'm in a crowded room; always looking for signs of someone in distress." — Scott Lisman
7. "I always back into a parking space so I'm in response mode." — Phil Murphy
8. "When meeting a new person I start taking a sample history as part of getting to know them." — Alex Lisa Brown
9. "I use my wife as a backer, and honk twice when backing." — Justin Martinets
10. "Passing large open fields thinking 'good place for an LZ'" — Sherry Lynn
11. "If I get a 'maple syrup' odor out of context, I look for the diabetic. When I hear a harsh cough in a restaurant all conversation stops until I locate them and await evidence of a clear airway. The guy nodding off in church or at the movies better show rise and fall or chest expansion or I'm tapping on his shoulder." — Guido Jannetti
12. "Driving private car with friends and shout 'bump ahead.'" — Timothy Lynn O'Ceallaigh
13. "Still can't make myself use the 'Q' word. After many years on a truck I have removed it from my vocabulary." — Eddie Battros
14. "Always checking to see if 'my scene is safe.'" — Angela N Grace
15. "When I go to my doctor for a routine physical, I start with '47 y/o male patient presenting with...'" — Bill Butler
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Comparative study of muscular strength among active students playing recreational sports and sedentary collegiate students using 1 rm Brzyski’s method
2016-02-23T08-59-24Z
Source: International Journal of Therapies and Rehabilitation Research
Dr.Chintan Munjal Parikh, Dr. Maneesh Arora.
Abstract Introduction: Muscular strength is defined as ability of a muscle or muscle group to exert force. Muscular strength and endurance are part of health related physical fitness. Modern technology has reduced training much of the need for high levels of force production specific during activities of daily living & also decline in physical activity among college students. Though there have been efforts earlier on to quantify the fitness status of an individual but no evidence so far could be tracked for determining the strength level of Indian collegiate students playing recreational sports & among sedentary. Null Hypothesis: There is no significant difference in muscle strength between Indian collegiate students playing recreational sports & those who are sedentary. Materials & Method The present study was observational study with descriptive in nature. One twenty subjects of age group 20-25 were recruited through random sampling method according to inclusion & exclusion criteria. They were further divided in to 2 groups with 60 subjects in each group (college students playing recreational sports & sedentary college students). In present study we took six muscle strength tests (three upper body & three lower body) consists of bench press, lateral pull, arm curl, leg press, leg curl, knee extension. The 1 RM computed through Brizynskis equation method for muscle strength comparison. Results: The data was analysed using statistical test which was performed using SPSS 17 software package. There was significant difference in muscle strength (1 RM through Brizyskis equation method) between collegiate students playing recreational sports & among sedentary at p
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Isolation and Identification by Morphological and Biochemical Methods of Antibiotic Producing Microorganisms from the gut of Macrotermes michaelseni in Maseno, Kenya
2016-02-23T03-37-59Z
Source: Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
Aswani Susan Ayitso, David Miruka Onyango.
The major gut microflora colonizing the hind gut of higher termites, include morphologically diverse microorganisms. The objective of this study was to identify by morphological and biochemical methods of the antibiotic producing microorganisms in the gut of Macrotermes michaelseni. Macrotermes michaelseni harbor dense population of actinobacteria, which are known to produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites including many commercially important enzymes and antibiotics. In this study the Macrotermes michaelseni were collected from actively growing mound in Maseno University compound. Hind gut homogenates were serially diluted in sterile basal salt solution (104, 105 and 106) then pasteurized in a hot water bath at a temperature of 630C for 30 minutes and finally transferred onto plates containing the solid media MM7 and MM7 + glucose + Asparagine. The isolates obtained were different morphologically. Gram stain determination showed that majority of the isolates had gram negative bacteria. Indole, Citrate utilization and Triple sugar iron tests were carried out on the nine out of the seventeen isolates that showed particularly strong inhibition patterns. Biochemical tests carried out confirmed that termite gut harbour different additional indigenous microorganisms where Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella species and Shigella flexneri were identified.
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Effect of Quail Egg Pretreatment on the Lipid Profile and Histomorphology of the Liver of Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rats
2016-02-23T03-37-59Z
Source: Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
Patrick Emeka Aba, Chiamaka Pearl Eneasato, Jonas Anayo Onah.
Quail eggs contain lots of vitamins and minerals that help fight some diseases in the body. Overdose of paracetamol® (acetaminophen) is considered one of the major causes of damages to liver cells. This study was conducted to assess the effect of graded doses of quail egg pretreatment on lipid profile and liver histomorphology of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Thirty (30) albino rats were assigned into 5 groups of 6 rats per group. Rats in groups 2-4 were pretreated with 30 mg/kg, 15 mg/kg, 7.5 mg/kg respectively of quail egg solution for 7 days before intoxication with 2000 mg/kg paracetamol® orally. Rats in group 5 were intoxicated but pretreated with distilled water (DW) at 10 ml/kg to serve as negative control while rats in group 1 were not intoxicated but pretreated with DW (10 ml/kg) (positive control). Fourty eight (48 h) hours post intoxication, blood was collected for lipid profile analysis. Thereafter, 2 rats per group were humanely sacrificed and the liver collected for histomorphological examination. The results obtained showed that 30 mg/kg quail egg-pretreated rats (Group 2 rats) had significantly (P
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Potentials and challenges of sustainable taro (Colocasia esculenta) production in Nigeria
2016-02-23T03-37-59Z
Source: Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
Alfred O. Ubalua, Favour Ewa, Onyinyechi D. Okeagu.
During the past years, precisely 1965-1980, yam and taro reigned supreme in the Southern parts of Nigeria. Yam was the king and taro the queen. They were then the staple food of choice and were even offered to the gods. Their acceptance and ascendancy were challenged by the arrival and domestication of the easy growers (plantain, banana, maize and later cassava, tannia and sweetpotato). The easy growers gained recognition and prominence as staple foods and subsequently replaced the earlier staples. Thus, cassava and sweetpotato superseded yam and taro respectively. Nutritionally, taro has broader compliments of vitamins and nutrients compared to other root and tuber crops. The domestication of the new crops which are relatively more yielding and at the same time enjoys international leverage in research and development poses enormous challenges to the future of taro as a major crop. Strategic options for increase in taro production and consumption should be on consumer education and on its nutritional and health benefits. Increased attention on taro research will provoke a better understanding and contributions the crop can offer in the areas of food security, health and economic empowerment.
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Production of exopolysaccharides by the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. BTA992 and application as bioflocculants
2016-02-23T03-37-59Z
Source: Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
Romi Khangembam, Onkar Nath Tiwari, Mohan Chandra Kalita.
Bioflocculant exopolysaccharide (EPS) production by ten (10) cyanobacterial strains comprising of five (05) heterocystous and five (05) non-heterocystous strains during their photoautotrophic growth was investigated. Highest level of EPS was produced by Anabaena sp. BTA992 among the investigated strains with high flocculation capacity. The cyanobacterial EPS consisted of soluble protein and polysaccharide that included substantial amounts of neutral sugars and uronic acid. The flocculant bound a cationic dye, alcian blue, indicating it to be polyanionic. EPS production was maximum during stationary growth phase and late phase of growth at pH 8.5. The strain was identified by 16S rRNA typing and GenBank accession number was obtained as KJ830950. The investigation revealed that this Anabaena sp. could be a potential candidate for the commercial EPS production and might be utilized in applications as an alternative to synthetic flocculants.
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Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on in-vitro regeneration of a potential medicinal plant -Scilla hyacinthina (Roth.) J.F. Macbr
2016-02-23T03-37-59Z
Source: Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
K. Kamaleswari, V. Nandagopalan, A. Lakshmi Prabha.
A suitable plant regeneration protocol has been developed from scale leaf and bulb scale explants of Scillahyacinthine, a medicinally important plant species belonging to the family liliaceae.The maximum number of shoots (13.2), with average length 6.5 cm, was achieved with medium containing 1.5 mg/l TDZ. Rooting of shoots was achieved on half-strength MS medium supplemented with 1.5 mg/1 IAA.
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Properties of phenoloxidase from haemocytes of Scylla tranquebarica
2016-02-23T03-37-59Z
Source: Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
A. S. Sabu, K. P. Jithendran, C. Gopal.
The presence of phenoloxidase (PO) activity in the haemocytes of Scylla tranquebarica was electrophoretically and spectrophotometrically studied. Majority of the enzyme was located as proenzyme, prophenoloxidase (proPO) in the haemocytes. The enzyme prefers L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-dopa) as its substrate than phenol and is optimally active at pH 8.0. Besides trypsin, the proPO was also activated by both Gram positive and Gram negative microbes in vitro while, chemicals such as sodium azide, thiourea and EDTA significantly inhibited the enzyme expression. The protein needs considerable levels of divalent cations like calcium (20 mM as CaCl2) or magnesium (2050 mM as MgCl2) for its activity. The gel filtration chromatography of haemocyte lysate supernatant showed a single major peak of protein having PO activity. Electrophoresis of purified PO by native PAGE revealed a single prominent band of approximately 167.2 kDa which was further resolved to three bands having molecular mass of approximately 77.1, 56.9 and 30.2 kDa respectively, on SDS-PAGE.
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Genotype x environment interaction and kernel yield-stability of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Northern Cameroon
2016-02-23T03-37-59Z
Source: Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology
Souina Dolinassou, Jean Baptiste Noubissie Tchiagam, Alain Djiranta Kemoral and Nicolas Njintang Yanou.
ABSTRACT Kernel yield of thirteen groundnut varieties was studied for Genotype by Environment Interaction (GEI) in randomized complete block design with three replications across three locations of northern Cameroon using stability parameters and, Additive Main effects and Multiplicative Interaction analysis (AMMI). The objectives were to estimate the nature and magnitude of GEI, and to identify stable high-yielding groundnut cultivars for general adaptation and unstable varieties for specific adaptation. Combined analysis of variance showed significant differences between genotypes, locations and GEI, suggesting differential response of varieties across testing locations, and the need for stability analysis. Differences between genotypes, environments and GEI accounted respectively for 68.91%, 16.00% and 15.08% of the total variation. Highest kernel yield of 2105, 1900, 1882, 1845 and 1841 kg ha-1 was recorded from genotypes Dourou, Blanc, Gobo-55-437, Ad-Manipenta and JL28 respectively. Genotypes NW-Red Esimbi and Ouest-A2 gave the lowest kernel yield of 454 and 1284 kg ha-1 respectively. Two IPCA of AMMI were significant and captured the largest portion of variation of the total GEI. Stability analysis identified Dourou as the best lines due to its stability and high yield while Gobo-55-437 and Blanc were specifically adapted to Pitoa and Gobo locations.
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Cardiac troponins and volatile anaesthetics in coronary artery bypass graft surgery: A systematic review, meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis.
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