At present, the production of cement contributes approximately 8% to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, whereas a further increase in the future is expected. To reduce these emissions, a prominent measure of the cement industry is to use materials such as coal fly ash (CFA) as a cement substitute, but the availability of qualified ash is limited. The development of “green cements” w…
Bubbles can contribute a significant fraction of methane emissions from wetlands; however the range of reported fractions is very large and accurate characterization of this pathway has proven difficult. Here we show that continuous automated flux chambers combined with an integrated cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) instrument allow us to quantify both CH4 ebullition rate and magnitude. For a …
Abstract: Although herbage biomass and nutrient status are widely assessed from hyperspectral measurements, certain difficulties are encountered in semiarid and arid regions with low canopy cover. This study investigated the potential of band depth approaches using partial least squares (PLS) regression to estimate herbage biomass and the concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) in th…
Abstract: Aim: To evaluate differences in uteroplacental blood flow and pregnancy outcome in women with idiopathic recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (IRSM) following administration of micronized vaginal progesterone and oral dydrogesterone. Methods: One hundred and thirty-three women (aged 23–40 years) who had had early miscarriages and spontaneous conception participated. Oral dydrogester…
Abstract: The vaccinia virus vaccine was effectively used during the 19th and 20th centuries to eradicate smallpox. Over the last decade, vaccinia virus and derived recombinant vectors have been increasingly used in biomedical research, in preclinical animal studies, as well as in clinical trials. While laboratories engineer and test orthopoxvirus vaccine vectors against infectious diseases an…
Abstract: Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are regulated in the European Union (EU) through directives, which governments of Member States must implement, to provide assurance that any GMO work undertaken is done so safely. In this article the work of a European network of GMO inspectors founded in 1997, the European Enforcement Project (EEP) on Genetically Modified Organisms, is explaine…
Abstract: Biocontainment doors are a key part of high-containment shells and an integral part of a complex system. Designing a facility for these doors, as well as their installation and commissioning, is a challenging task. This article reviews biosafety regulations and standards to decipher when and where biocontainment doors are required within a high-containment facility. It then illustra…
Abstract: Recombinant vaccinia viruses are popular tools for the delivery of heterologous genes for vaccination purposes. Vaccinia viruses are generally classified as risk group 2 biological agents (in accordance to directive 2000/54/EC), with the attenuated strain Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) being classified into risk group 1. For the analytical surveillance of genetic engineering op…
Abstract: USAMRU-K Department of Emerging Infectious Diseases (DEID) is a program consisting of eight facilities (laboratories) that are centrally administered. It has instituted safety regulations in the past 5 years under specific safety standard operating procedures (SOPs) with a goal to minimize work-related risks, injuries, or illnesses to laboratory and clinical workers by ensuring that…
Abstract: The life science industry continues to grow in leaps and bounds. Novel biological discoveries occur every day. Although in recent years the dollars spent for federally-funded biological research has decreased, the regulatory requirements under which this work must be conducted have expanded, and along with it, the responsibilities of the biosafety professional. In general, the role o…
Abstract: The underlying causes of many reported laboratory associated infections (LAIs) are often not objectively identified and are generally attributed to poor laboratory technique or surface contamination in the laboratory. While training and practice can enhance laboratory technique, an objective evaluation of laboratory surface cleanliness is typically not performed. However, this is no…
Abstract: Annual verification of an Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL- 3) facility’s design and operational procedures is recommended by the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (5th edition) (BMBL) (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2009) and conducted by Iowa State University (ISU) Biosafety personnel by repeating initial verification testing. Annual verificat…
Abstract: In this article the authors describe the application of Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight (MALDITOF) Intact Cell Mass Spectrometry (ICMS) within a proficiency test organized by a European Union (EU)-funded project on the topic of Establishment of Quality Assurances for Detection of Highly Pathogenic Bacteria of Potential Bioterrorism Risk (EQADeBa). In total …
Abstract: Respiratory illnesses are increasingly recognized as a growing concern for healthcare workers (HCWs) and patients. The 2003 hospital-based outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has once again highlighted the vulnerability of HCWs to aerosol-transmitted viral infections. Personal respiratory protective equipment was one of the key means for the HCWs to avoid nosocomial…
Conclusion: The device provides a good and simple solution for emergency shower testing. Laboratory staff performs the test on a monthly rotation basis. This ensures that the laboratory staff takes ownership of the emergency equipment and knows the location of the showers. Table 1 provides a measure of key parameters before and after implementing the use of this device
Abstract: The Class III Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC) provides maximum personnel protection when it is adequately field certified and properly used. One of the major criteria for this protection is proper performance of the Class III BSC integrity (tracer gas) test as described in the National Institutes of Health Laboratory Safety Monograph (NCI, 1979). This article deals with the origins, …
Abstract: Life scientists have with increasing intensity been requested to recognize and take responsibility for the potential dual use implications of their work. To assist in meeting these demands, a number of educational modules have been produced to raise awareness of relevant dual use and biosecurity issues. A main purpose of such efforts has been to nurture an active culture of dual use…
Abstract: Dry fogging is a relatively new decontamination technology that uses liquid disinfectant and compressed air as consumables. The ultrafine droplet size of the dry fog prevents it from easily falling onto surfaces, a desirable quality for space/ area decontaminations. Liquid peracetic acid (PAA) has been shown to have excellent microbicidal activity; however, it has compatibility issue…
Abstract: This study assessed the knowledge and awareness regarding routine biosafety measures and proper waste disposal practices among healthcare workers in Karachi, Pakistan, and also highlighted areas in which training was needed. To increase knowledge of biosafety and waste disposal requirements, the Virology & Tissue Culture Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Jinnah University for…
Abstract The NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules (Guidelines) require institutions that receive NIH funding for recombinant DNA (rDNA) research to establish an institutional biosafety committee (IBC) to review and approve rDNA experiments, and to ensure that rDNA research is conducted according to the Guidelines. Three national surveys of IBCs registered with the N…
Abstract: Human psittacosis is a zoonotic infectious disease, which is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. Transmission of the disease usually originates from close contact with infected birds, most frequently in the context of the poultry industry, and from contact with Psittaciformes (cockatoos, parrots, parakeets, and lories). The zoonotic nature of the bacte…
Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes is an important food-borne pathogen which has been associated with disease outbreaks from contaminated ready-to-eat meat products due to the improper decontamination of the equipment and food-processing areas. As this bacterium maintains the ability to grow at the low temperatures used in food-processing plants, this study was undertaken to determine the bacter…
Abstract: The handling of infectious viral vectors such as adenovirus type 5 (Ad5), lentivirus (HIV1), and vaccinia virus (VV) requires biosafety level 2 (BSL-2) containment. This also applieso modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) and adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV2) provided that the insert involves additional hazard. To transfer infected cells to the lower BSL-1 containment,viral particles hav…
ABSTRACT: Simple, deterministic screening‐level assessments that are highly conservative by design facilitate a rapid initial screening to determine whether a pesticide active ingredient has the potential to adversely affect threatened or endangered species. If a worst‐case estimate of pesticide exposure is below a very conservative effects metric (e.g., the no observed effects concentrati…
Abstract: The German experience of the financial crisis was very different from that of most other European countries. Germany was hit by a very strong shock that was relatively concentrated in the exporting, manufacturing industries. In addition, the German labour market was very resilient during the crisis due to earlier labour market reforms and policy instruments facilitating labour hoard…
Abstract: The objective of this work was to evaluate the kinetic of inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes using peracetic acid, chlorhexidine, and organic acids as active agent, determining the respective D-, Z-, and F-values. From our knowledge, these important results from an industrial view point are not available in the current literature, mainly for organic acids, pointing out the main c…
Abstract In this study Shortcut Biological Nitrogen Removal (SBNR), Granular Sequencing Batch Reactor (GSBR), and anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox) were comparatively discussed for combined treatment of anaerobic digester effluent. The experiments were carried out through operating pilot and lab scale reactors. These processes have common ground that biologically removes high strength amm…
Abstract Four donor-acceptor type polymers based on quinoline and biquinoline have been synthesized by Pd catalyzed direct C-H (hetero)arylation reaction. Polymers P1 and P2 are alternate copolymers of thiophene-benzothiadiazolethiophene (TBTT) unit with quinoline and biquinoline unit, respectively. P3 is a random copolymer containing cyclopentadithiophene (CPDT), benzothiadiazole and quinolin…
Abstract: Mexican Tuba (M-Tuba) and Tepache are Mexican fermented beverages prepared mainly with pineapple pulp and coconut palm, respectively. At present, reports on the microbiota and nutritional effects of both beverages are lacking. The purpose of this study was to determine whether M-Tuba and Tepache contain cultivable lactic acid bacteria (LAB) capable of producing bacteriocins. Tepache …
Abstract Aim: A tubal ectopic pregnancy (EP) in the first trimester remains a major life-threatening complication for the mother. We aim to determine whether serum reproductive hormones may be clinically useful in the early identification of a tubal EP. Methods: A total of 109 age-matched patients with a serum b-human chorionic gonadotropin (b-hCG) concentration
Abstract: Aim: Iran’s health-care system has witnessed profound changes in the last decades. Despite its progress, the system has currently faced many challenges in one of the important subsystems, nursing. The present review article aimed to present an overview of the opportunities and challenges of the Iranian nursing system, based on recent literature. Methods: A broad search of the Engl…
Abstract: Aims: To compare the amino acid differences of changes of frozen-thawed early-stage human embryos andfresh cultured early-stage human embryos. Material and Methods: Discarded embryos and their in vitro culture medium of patients who underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) at the Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen…
a b s t r a c t: A cobalt(II) porphyrin was successfully incorporated into polymer membranes for the optical sensing of imidazole and its derivatives. This research has led to a better understanding of the behavior of Co(II) porphyrin in solution and in polymeric membranes. In aprotic dichloromethane (DCM), the Co(II) tetraphenylporphyrin (CoTPP) and Co(II) octaethylporphyrin (CoOEP) show a se…
a b s t r a c t: A comprehensive review with 185 references for the analysis of commonly prescribed members of an important class of drugs, non-sedating antihistamines (NSAs), is presented. The review covers most of the methods described for the analysis of cetirizine (CTZ), ebastine (EBS), fexofenadine (FXD), ketotifen (KET) and loratadine (LOR) in pure forms, in different pharmaceutical dosa…
a b s t r a c t Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent organic pollutants in insulating oil of a large number of transformers. A rapid and economical analytical method to detect PCB contamination is still required. To address this issue, we propose here the first microfluidic screening method for PCB contamination in insulating oil. The insulating oil was pretreated using a multilayer…
Abstract Background: Epidural analgesia has been the reference standard for the provision of post-operative pain relief in patients recovering from major upper abdominal operations, including liver resections. However, a failure rate of 20–32% has been reported. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyse the success rates of epidural analgesia and the outcome in patients who underwent liver …
E-cigarette use has increased rapidly over the past decade. There is growing concern about e-cigarette use and advertising given limited regulation of these products. This cross-sectional study reports on data collected at baseline from hospitalized cigarette smokers (N=944) cruited in monthly cohorts between December 2012 and September 2013. Participants were queried regarding e-cigarette aw…
The rapid random access of SSDs enables efficient searching of redundant data and their deduplication. However, the space earned from deduplication cannot be used as permanent storage because it must be reclaimed when deduplication is cancelled as a result of an update to the deduplicated data. To overcome this limitation, we propose a novel FTL scheme that enables the gained capacity to be us…
Identifying and communicating uncertainty is core to effective environmental assessment (EA). This study evaluates the extent to which uncertainties are considered and addressed in Canadian EA practice. We reviewed the environmental protection plans, follow-up programs, and panel reports (where applicable) of 12 EAs between 1995 and 2012. The types of uncertainties and levels of disclosure var…
Sport-related concussion is a common neurological injury that occurs in all levels of athletic participation. Concussions may actually go undiagnosed, as they do not always display outward signs and athletes may fail to report symptoms of concussion, either because they do not know the symptoms, or for fear of removal from play. Inappropriate management of concussion can lead to increased risk …
Ecological pest management employs tactics that have existed in natural ecosystems for thousands of years. Since the beginning of agriculture — indeed, long before then — plants co-evolved with pests and with the natural enemies of those pests. As plants developed inherent protective mechanisms against pests, they were helped by numerous partners in the ecosystem, for example: 1. Benefici…