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Heliyon Feb 2024The Upper Awash sub-basin characterized by urban, industrial, agricultural and population growth, has impacted the quality of its water sources. This study focuses on...
The Upper Awash sub-basin characterized by urban, industrial, agricultural and population growth, has impacted the quality of its water sources. This study focuses on the assessment of public health risks associated with drinking water sources in the sub-basin. In accordance with WHO guidelines, 120 water samples were collected from 60 water supply schemes in dry and wet seasons located in areas with low and high water pollution risk (WPR). Multi-meter, Photometer, Digital Arsenator, and Microbiological test kit measured the concentration of parameters. The assessment uses methods of hazard identification, exposure and dose-response analysis, and risk characterization, including Hazard Quotient (HQ), Cancer Risk (CR), Hazard Index (HI), and probability of infection. Monte Carlo simulation analyzes non-cancer risks from Nitrite, Nitrate, Chromium, Iron, Fluoride, and Arsenic, and CRs from Chromium and Arsenic, and infection risks from (). As a result, the Hazard Quotient (HQ) of Nitrate was beyond unity (HQ > 1) in the dry season for all groups. HQ of Chromium was HQ > 1 for Women (1.1E+00) and Children (1.4E+00) in the wet season in the high WPR area. Chromium HQ > 1 for children (1.4E+00) in the wet season and Fluoride (HQ > 1) for Children (3.2E+00) in the dry season in the low WPR area. Arsenic CR was above 1 in 10,000 persons for children in the dry season, for all groups, and for women and children in the wet season in the high WPR areas. The CR of chromium ranged from 1 in 1000 persons, which is beyond the limit. Moreover, the Hazard Index (HI) was higher than the unity (HI > 1) for most cases. All infection risks daily and annually exceeded the acceptable risks. Therefore, Public health concerns in the Sub-basin were quantified, and evidences were generated for risk management to undertake source protection through integrated watershed management and appropriate water treatment technologies.
PubMed: 38314286
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24790 -
Solar Physics 2018The (MinXSS) CubeSat is the first solar science oriented CubeSat mission flown for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, with the main objective of measuring the solar...
The (MinXSS) CubeSat is the first solar science oriented CubeSat mission flown for the NASA Science Mission Directorate, with the main objective of measuring the solar soft X-ray (SXR) flux and a science goal of determining its influence on Earth's ionosphere and thermosphere. These observations can also be used to investigate solar quiescent, active region, and flare properties. The MinXSS X-ray instruments consist of a spectrometer, called X123, with a nominal 0.15 keV full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) resolution at 5.9 keV and a broadband X-ray photometer, called XP. Both instruments are designed to obtain measurements from 0.5 - 30 keV at a nominal time cadence of 10 s. A description of the MinXSS instruments, performance capabilities, and relation to the (GOES) 0.1 - 0.8 nm flux is given in this article. Early MinXSS results demonstrate the capability of measuring variations of the solar spectral soft X-ray (SXR) flux between 0.8 - 12 keV from at least GOES A5-M5 ( ) levels and of inferring physical properties (temperature and emission measure) from the MinXSS data alone. Moreover, coronal elemental abundances can be inferred, specifically for Fe, Ca, Si, Mg, S, Ar, and Ni, when the count rate is sufficiently high at each elemental spectral feature. Additionally, temperature response curves and emission measure loci demonstrate the MinXSS sensitivity to plasma emission at different temperatures. MinXSS observations coupled with those from other solar observatories can help address some of the most compelling questions in solar coronal physics. Finally, simultaneous observations by MinXSS and the (RHESSI) can provide the most spectrally complete soft X-ray solar flare photon flux measurements to date.
PubMed: 31258201
DOI: 10.1007/s11207-018-1243-3 -
Clinical Oral Investigations Mar 2019The present study aims at correlating the relative bacterial activity with the H concentration and the ldh expression of caries-associated bacteria in co-cultures.
OBJECTIVES
The present study aims at correlating the relative bacterial activity with the H concentration and the ldh expression of caries-associated bacteria in co-cultures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Well plates were prepared with BHI medium and cultures of Lactobacillus paracasei and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Bacterial growth at 37 °C was measured using a microplate-photometer before and after adding sucrose to the samples. Samples of co-cultures (n = 12) and single-species cultures (n = 3) were taken and pH was assessed. Real-time quantitative PCRs were applied targeting the 16S-gene, the 16S-rRNA, the ldh-gene, and the ldh-mRNA.
RESULTS
For L. paracasei with sucrose, an increase in relative bacterial activity (62.8% ± 23.5% [mean, SE]) was observed, while F. nucleatum showed a clear decrease in relative bacterial activity (- 35.0% ± 9.6%). Simultaneously, the H concentration increased (1.15E-05 mol*l-1 ± 4.61E-07 mol*l-1). Consequently, a significant positive correlation was found between L. paracasei's relative bacterial activity and H concentration (Spearman rank correlation, r = 0.638; p = 0.002), while F. nucleatum exhibited a negative correlation (r = - 0.741; p ≤ 0.001). Furthermore L. paracasei with sucrose showed a moderate, but significant positive correlation between relative bacterial activity and ldh-expression (r = 0.307; p = 0.024).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The relative bacterial activity after sucrose pulse showed a significant correlation not only to the acid production (H concentration) but also to ldh expression of L. paracasei. However, further research is required to confirm these findings in a mature biofilm in vivo.
Topics: Biofilms; Coculture Techniques; Fusobacterium nucleatum; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; Lactobacillus
PubMed: 29980934
DOI: 10.1007/s00784-018-2547-2 -
Data in Brief Feb 2020Nitric oxide (NO) is a vasodilator and platelet aggregation inhibitor. In patients with pulmonary hypertension, inhalation of NO is used as a therapeutic option. It has...
Nitric oxide (NO) is a vasodilator and platelet aggregation inhibitor. In patients with pulmonary hypertension, inhalation of NO is used as a therapeutic option. It has been proposed that nitrite (NO ) is a constitute intravascular storage and delivery source of NO, a potent cardioprotective-signaling molecule. The administration of NO could have therapeutic effects in conditions where the oxygen-dependent enzymatic production of NO is compromised (i.e., ischemia). Thus, if NO could be supplied by an intravenous infusion fluid, it would be an easier method than by inhalation or delivery to the blood vessels by the blood stream. We produced 2 types of solutions, i.e., a nitrogen gas injected solution (control solution) and NO gas injected solution (experimental solution). NO was measured by the Microplate Photometer (MultiSkan FC, Thermo Fisher Scientific K.K., Tokyo, Japan) with a 540-nm wavelength and NO assay kit (Quantichrom™ Nitric Oxide Assay Kit, BioAssay Systems, Hayward, CA, USA). Gas profiles were measured by the EG6+ (Abbott Japan Co., Ltd., Osaka, Japan) with an i-STAT system (300F, Abbott Japan Co., Ltd.). Comparisons of gas profiles and measured NO concentrations in vitro and ex vivo are shown between the control and experimental solutions. Since NO is oxidized to NO and nitrate (NO ), it is common practice to quantitate total NO /NO as a measure of the NO level. We used the assay that was designed to accurately measure NO production following reduction of NO to NO using the Griess method. The data in this document describe production of an infusion fluid that contains NO without any special devices.
PubMed: 31909112
DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2019.105011 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... Dec 2023The objective of the present study was to determine the effects that the reproductive season has on the motility, kinematics, morphology, and sperm morphometry of...
The objective of the present study was to determine the effects that the reproductive season has on the motility, kinematics, morphology, and sperm morphometry of Brahman bulls evaluated with a commercial CASA system. The experiment was carried out at the Costa Rica Institute of Technology from March to August 2021. A total of eight Brahman bulls were used. A total of 28 ejaculates were collected in the pre-mating period (PMP), during it (DMP), and after it (AMP) using an electroejaculator. The sperm concentration was measured with the Accuread photometer. The motility was measured using a Spermtrack counting chamber. The analyses were performed with the CASA-Mot ISASv1 system. The morphology was analyzed using a microscope with a negative phase contrast objective. Morphometry was evaluated with the CASA-Morph. The sperm concentration did not present differences between the PMP and AMP; however, it was significantly higher than DMP ( > 0.05). Regarding the progressiveness variables, linearity on forward progression (LIN), straightness (STR), and wobble (WOB) were higher ( < 0.05) DMP. A kinematic principal component analysis grouped all the variables into three factors and an effect on the reproductive period was found ( < 0.05) in the parameters of the head and middle part of the sperm, such as width and perimeter, which were greater in the PMP. The length of the sperm head in the PMP and DMP did not show differences; however, both were larger ( < 0.05) than AMP. The insertion distance of the middle piece of the sperm was significantly greater than DMP. Finally, the PMP contained cells with a larger insertion angle ( < 0.05) than AMP. These findings are important to understand the implications of reproductive status on sperm quality and to consider them in andrological evaluations.
PubMed: 38200863
DOI: 10.3390/ani14010132 -
Scientific Reports Oct 2022Research on light pollution of the night sky has been carried out in Toruń, Poland since 2017. Initially, the measurements were conducted within a network of 24 points...
Research on light pollution of the night sky has been carried out in Toruń, Poland since 2017. Initially, the measurements were conducted within a network of 24 points using a handheld sky quality meter with lens (SQM-L) photometer (Unihedron, Canada). Based on these measurements, the first accurate maps of night sky pollution by artificial light in Toruń have been developed, both in seasonal and annual terms. Using the experience gained and elements of modern technology, a decision was made to construct an automatic network of mobile devices measuring light intensity at night, covering the entire city of Toruń. This paper presents the technical characteristics of the constructed automatic measurement devices that make up the distributed monitoring network and the process of testing and using the devices. The implementation of this project has started in 2020. To accommodate the evolving expectations of different user groups and the observed trends in the concept of Smart Cities, especially those related to the communication between devices of the Internet of Things, LoRaWAN was selected for data transmission. The first stage involved the construction of a prototype of an automatic, portable and cost-effective device, which was subjected to months of field testing under operational conditions. The device was built using off-the-shelf electronic components and a housing that met the requirements for outdoor use. The next stage was to calibrate the device by simultaneously comparing the obtained results with measurements taken using professional SQM devices. This was followed by the preparation of 35 identical devices, which are already operating in the measurement network in the city of Toruń. Elements of the network are prepared in a way that allows for further expansion and makes data available in the form of an application for many recipients.
Topics: Cities; Environmental Pollution; Light Pollution; Photometry; Poland
PubMed: 36183041
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20624-7 -
Biosensors May 2023Excessive use of pesticides could potentially harm the environment for a long time. The reason for this is that the banned pesticide is still likely to be used...
Excessive use of pesticides could potentially harm the environment for a long time. The reason for this is that the banned pesticide is still likely to be used incorrectly. Carbofuran and other banned pesticides that remain in the environment may also have a negative effect on human beings. In order to provide a better chance for effective environmental screening, this thesis describes a prototype of a photometer tested with cholinesterase to potentially detect pesticides in the environment. The open-source portable photodetection platform uses a color-programmable red, green and blue light-emitting diode (RGB LED) as a light source and a TSL230R light frequency sensor. Acetylcholinesterase from (AChE) with high similarity to human AChE was used for biorecognition. The Ellman method was selected as a standard method. Two analytical approaches were applied: (1) subtraction of the output values after a certain period of time and (2) comparison of the slope values of the linear trend. The optimal preincubation time for carbofuran with AChE was 7 min. The limits of detection for carbofuran were 6.3 nmol/L for the kinetic assay and 13.5 nmol/L for the endpoint assay. The paper demonstrates that the open alternative for commercial photometry is equivalent. The concept based on the OS3P/OS3P could be used as a large-scale screening system.
Topics: Humans; Carbofuran; Cholinesterase Inhibitors; Acetylcholinesterase; Pesticides; Cholinesterases
PubMed: 37366964
DOI: 10.3390/bios13060599 -
Journal of Geophysical Research.... May 2018Analysis of sun photometer measured and satellite retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) data has shown that major aerosol pollution events with very high fine mode AOD...
Observations of the Interaction and Transport of Fine Mode Aerosols with Cloud and/or Fog in Northeast Asia from Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) and Satellite Remote Sensing.
Analysis of sun photometer measured and satellite retrieved aerosol optical depth (AOD) data has shown that major aerosol pollution events with very high fine mode AOD (>1.0 in mid-visible) in the China/Korea/Japan region are often observed to be associated with significant cloud cover. This makes remote sensing of these events difficult even for high temporal resolution sun photometer measurements. Possible physical mechanisms for these events that have high AOD include a combination of aerosol humidification, cloud processing, and meteorological co-variation with atmospheric stability and convergence. The new development of Aerosol Robotic network (AERONET) Version 3 Level 2 AOD with improved cloud screening algorithms now allow for unprecedented ability to monitor these extreme fine mode pollution events. Further, the Spectral Deconvolution Algorithm (SDA) applied to Level 1 data (L1; no cloud screening) provides an even more comprehensive assessment of fine mode AOD than L2 in current and previous data versions. Studying the 2012 winter-summer period, comparisons of AERONET L1 SDA daily average fine mode AOD data showed that Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) satellite remote sensing of AOD often did not retrieve and/or identify some of the highest fine mode AOD events in this region. Also, compared to models that include data assimilation of satellite retrieved AOD, the L1 SDA fine mode AOD was significantly higher in magnitude, particularly for the highest AOD events that were often associated with significant cloudiness.
PubMed: 32661496
DOI: 10.1029/2018JD028313 -
Orthopaedic Surgery Apr 2023Leucocyte esterase (LE) strip test is the most rapid, convenient, and cheap method to diagnose chronic periprosthesis joint infection (PJI). However, the determination...
OBJECTIVE
Leucocyte esterase (LE) strip test is the most rapid, convenient, and cheap method to diagnose chronic periprosthesis joint infection (PJI). However, the determination of LE strip mainly relies on colorimetric method with strong subjectivity, which leads to low diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, we try to convert LE strip images into digital data through the RGB photometric system to achieve objective diagnosis. This method will greatly improve the accuracy of LE strip detection and diagnosis of PJI.
METHODS
From January 2021 to September 2021, 46 patients with suspected PJI after total hip and knee arthroplasty underwent diagnostic joint puncture. After effective joint fluid samples were harvested, they were divided into original fluid and centrifuged fluid for LE strip detection. Real-time images of LE strip were taken at 90 s, 3 min, 5 min, 10 min, and 15 min after sampling, and their brightness (Y) was obtained after they were input into an RGB photometric system. Grouping was based on centrifugation, infection, and time points, and then the differences in brightness among groups were compared. The correlation between LE strip image brightness and WBC count was evaluated. Student t-test was used for the parametric data and chi-square test for qualitative data. Simple linear regression was utilized to analyze the correlation between brightness and WBC count in each group.
RESULTS
Included were 19 cases of PJI and 27 Non-PJI subjects diagnosed against ICM2018 diagnostic criteria. The brightness was lower in the PJI group than in Non-PJI group (p < 0.05). The brightness of the uncentrifuged group was lower than that of the centrifuged group (p < 0.05). Irrespective of centrifugation or infection, the brightness of LE strip decreased with the exposure time after sampling. The brightness of LE strip was correlated with WBC count at different time points, with the correlation being strongest 5 min after sampling (R (5 min) = 0.86, p < 0.0001). The correlation between LE strip brightness and WBC count was also found in the centrifugation group, with the correlation being most robust 15 min after sampling (R (15 min) = 0.73, p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
A remarkable correlation was found between LE strip brightness and the WBC count. It is feasible to directly quantify LE strip image on a RGB photometer to achieve quantitative detection of LE strip to diagnose PJI.
Topics: Humans; Prosthesis-Related Infections; Synovial Fluid; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; Arthritis, Infectious; Biomarkers; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 36782275
DOI: 10.1111/os.13667 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2020Infrared attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy is a common laboratory technique for the analysis of highly absorbing liquids and solids. However, in a process...
Infrared attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectroscopy is a common laboratory technique for the analysis of highly absorbing liquids and solids. However, in a process environment, maintaining a sufficient sample exchange and cleaning of the sensitive surface of the element is a crucial issue. An important industrial application is the measurement of isocyanate concentrations. Isocyanates are necessary for the fabrication of polyurethane materials and are among the chemicals with the highest production volume worldwide. For process applications, narrowband photometers or MEMS spectrometers are more appropriate than the use of bulky FTIR instruments frequently encountered in a laboratory environment. Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) concentrations are measured with a planar ATR photometer setup. Using a miniature Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI), trace concentrations below 100 ppm (m/m) are detected. By employing an ATR element of the cylindrical shape, sensors can be realized with a smooth surface ideally suited for an automatic cleaning system in a process environment. A laboratory setup with sapphire tubes as ATR elements for incorporation in a liquid flow system is described. Reflection and transmission configurations were investigated. Measurements with acetonitrile as a less toxic substitute showed that with cylindrical ATR sensors' detection limits for isocyanate concentrations below 100 ppm (m/m) are feasible.
PubMed: 32455667
DOI: 10.3390/s20102917