Calcium and strontium isotope fractionation in aqueous solutions as a function of temperature and reaction rate; I. Calcite

In order to study Strontium (Sr) partitioning and isotope fractionation of Sr and Calcium (Ca) in calcite we performed precipitation (T) experiments decoupling temperature and precipitation rate (R*). Calcite was precipitated at 12.5, 25.0 and 37.5 C by diffusingNH3 andCO2 gases into aqueous solutions closely following the experimental setup of Lemarchand et al. (2004). The precipitation rate (R*) for every sample was determined applying the initial rate method and from the specific surface area of almost all samples for each reaction. The order of reaction with respect to Ca2+ ions was determined to be one and independent of T. However, the order of reaction with respect to HCO3 changed from three to one as temperature increases from 12.5, 25 C and 37.5 C. Strontium incorporated into calcite (expressed as DSr = [Sr/Ca]calcite/[Sr/Ca]solution) was found to be R* and T dependent. As a function of increasing R* the D88/86Sr-values become more negative and as temperature increases the D88/86Sr values also increase at constant R*. The DSr and D88/86Sr-values are correlated to a high degree and depend only on R* being independent of temperature, complexation and varying initial ratios. Latter observation may have important implications for the study of diagenesis, the paleo-sciences and the reconstruction of past environmental conditions. Calcium isotope fractionation (D44/40Ca) was also found to be R* and T dependent. For 12.5 and 25.0 C we observe a general increase of the D44/40Ca values as a function ofR* (Lemarchand et al. type behavior, Lemarchand et al. (2004)). Whereas at 37.5 C a significant decreasing D44/40Ca is observed relative to increasing R* (Tang et al. type behavior, Tang et al. (2008)). In order to reconcile the discrepant observations we suggest that the temperature triggered change from a Ca2+-NH3-aquacomplex covalent controlled bonding to a Ca2+-H2O-aquacomplex van-der-Waals controlled bonding caused the change in sign of the R* D44/40Ca slope due to the switch of an equilibrium type of isotope fractionation related to the covalent bonding during lower temperatures to a kinetic type of isotope fractionation at higher temperatures. This is supported by the observation that the D44/40Ca ratios tend to depend on the [Ca]:[DIC] ratio at 12.5 and 25 C but is highly independent at 37.5 C. Our observations imply the chemical fluid composition and temperature dependent complexation controls the amount and direction of Ca isotope fractionation in contrast to the Sr isotopes which do not show any change of its fractionation behavior as a function of complexation in the liquid phase. 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.Three anonymous reviewers are acknowledged for their detailed reviews which significantly helped to improve the manuscript. This study is part of the TRION project in the frame of the ‘‘Trilateral Programm der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft, DFG (Ei272/30-2)”. Ana Kolevica is acknowledged for Laboratory help and support in the design of the experiment. For fruitful discussions, Florian Bo¨hm, Volker Liebetrau and Jan Fietzke are acknowledged. Prof. Dr. Mutaz AlQutob from the AlQuds University in AbuDis, Palestinian Authority, is acknowledged for his general support of the work of MA

Patients with Cancer Receiving Radiotherapy Health Education: Integrative Literature Review

Background: Currently, radiotherapy is a backbone of cancer therapy and provides cure or palliative care for large numbers of cancer population. Patient information and education are important aspects of treatment which vary depending on the treatment site, length of the treatment, and type of the treatment. Purpose: Assess the effectiveness of patient's educational intervention on the health status and correlated symptoms in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy treatment. Methods: An integrative literature review design is used. A literature search is performed using three databases: CINAHL, MEDLINE via PubMed, and Cochrane Library using the combination of four key words. Nine articles were reviewed and considered in this review. Findings: In the reviewed articles, there was a positive relationship between educational interventions and the patient's health status and associated symptoms regarding radiotherapy treatment. There was a consistency in the articles regarding the best time for education to be delivered, the most appropriate formatting for the education interventions, role of nurses regarding the effectiveness of delivering education, and the limitations which came across these studies. Conclusion: Patient education has a positive effect on the general health status for the patient with cancer, and on the related-symptoms associated with radiotherapy. Implications: The role of oncology nurses must be expanded to include nurse educators who are responsible for appropriate education of patient with cancer from the early diagnosis to the late stages of cancer. Recommendations: Further investigations are required toward the patient's understanding about radiotherapy treatment and its related symptoms. Keywords: patient education, health promotion, radiotherapy, cance

Spurenelement und Isotopen-Messung auf künstlich gefälltes Calciumcarbonat

Calcite and aragonite were precipitated by diffusing CO2 and NH3 gases into aqueous solutions containing Ca, Sr, Mg and ammonium ions at three different temperatures 12.5, 25 and 37.5 °C. Trace element incorporation and isotopic fractionation of Sr and Ca were measured as function of temperature and precipitation rate.Calcit und Aragonit wurden durch Diffusion von CO2 und NH3 Gasen in wässrigen Lösungen, die Ca, Sr, Mg und Ammoniumionen bei drei verschiedenen Temperaturen 12,5, 25 und 37,5 ° C ausgefällt . Spurenelement Einbau und Isotopenfraktionierung von Sr und Ca wurden als Funktion der Temperatur und Niederschlagsmenge gemessen

Calcium and Strontium Isotope Fractionation in Aqueous Solutions as a Function of Temperature and Reaction Rate; I. Calcite

In order to study Strontium (Sr) partitioning and isotope fractionation of Sr and Calcium (Ca) in calcite we performed precipitation experiments decoupling temperature and precipitation rate (R∗). Calcite was precipitated at 12.5, 25.0 and 37.5 °C by diffusing NH3 and CO2 gases into aqueous solutions closely following the experimental setup of Lemarchand et al (2004). The precipitation rate (R∗) for every sample was determined applying the initial rate method and from the specific surface area of almost all samples for each reaction. The order of reaction with respect to Ca2+ ions was determined to be one and independent of T. However, the order of reaction with respect to HCO3- changed from three to one as temperature increases from 12.5, 25 °C and 37.5 °C. Strontium incorporated into calcite (expressed as DSr= [Sr/Ca] calcite/ [Sr/Ca] solution) was found to be R∗ and T dependent. As a function of increasing R∗ the Δ88/86Sr-values become more negative and as temperature increases the Δ88/86Sr values also increase at constant R∗. The DSr and Δ88/86Sr-values are correlated to a high degree and depend only on R∗ being independent of temperature, complexation and varying initial ratios. Latter observation may have important implications for the study of diagenesis, the paleo-sciences and the reconstruction of past environmental conditions. Calcium isotope fractionation (Δ44/40Ca) was also found to be R∗ and T dependent. For 12.5 and 25.0 °C we observe a general increase of the Δ44/40Ca values as a function of R∗ (Lemarchand et al type behavior, Lemarchand et al (2004)). Whereas at 37.5 °C a significant decreasing Δ44/40Ca is observed relative to increasing R∗ (Tang et al type behavior, Tang et al. (2008)). In order to reconcile the discrepant observations we suggest that the temperature triggered change from a Ca2+-NH3-aquacomplex covalent controlled bonding to a Ca2+-H2O-aquacomplex van-der-Waals controlled bonding caused the change in sign of the R∗ - Δ44/40Ca slope due to the switch of an equilibrium type of isotope fractionation related to the covalent bonding during lower temperatures to a kinetic type of isotope fractionation at higher temperatures. This is supported by the observation that the Δ44/40Ca ratios are independent from the [Ca]: [DIC] ratio at 12.5 and 25°C but highly dependent at 37.5°C. Our observations imply the chemical fluid composition and temperature dependent complexation controls the amount and direction of Ca isotope fractionation in contrast to the Sr isotopes which do not show any change of its fractionation behaviour as a function of complexation in the liquid phase

Calcium and Strontium Isotope Fractionation during Precipitation from Aqueous Solutions as a Function of Temperature and Reaction Rate; II. Aragonite

In order to study Strontium (Sr) partitioning and isotope fractionation of Sr and Calcium (Ca) in aragonite we performed precipitation experiments decoupling temperature and precipitation rates (R∗, μmol/m2.h) in the interval of about 2.3 to 4.5 μmol/m2.h. Aragonite is the only pure solid phase precipitated from a stirred solutions exposed to an atmosphere of NH3 and CO2 gases throughout the spontaneous decomposition of (NH4)2CO3. The order of reaction with respect to Ca ions is one and independent of temperature. However, the order of reaction with respect to the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is temperature dependent and decreases from three via two to one as temperature increases from 12.5 and 25.0 to 37.0 °C, respectively. Strontium distribution coefficient (DSr) increases with decreasing temperature. However, R∗ responds differently depending on the initial Sr/Ca concentration and temperature: at 37.5 °C DSr increase as a function of increasing R∗ but decrease for 12.5 and 25 °C. Not seen at 12.5 and 37.5 °C but at 25°C the DSr-R∗ gradient is also changing sign depending on the initial Sr/Ca ratio. Magnesium (Mg) adsorption coefficient between aragonite and aqueous solution (DMg) decreases with temperature but increases with R∗ in the range of 2.4 to 3.8 μmol/m2.h. Strontium isotope fractionation (Δ88/86Sraragonite-aq) follows the kinetic type of fractionation and become increasingly negative as a function of R∗ for all temperatures. In contrast Ca isotope fractionation (Δ44/40Caaragonite-aq) shows a different behavior than the Sr isotopes. At low temperatures (12.5 and 25°C) Ca isotope fractionation (Δ44/40Caaragonite-aq) becomes positive as a function of R∗. In contrast, at 37.5°C and as a function of increasing R∗ the Δ44/40Caaragonite-aq show a Sr type like behavior and becomes increasingly negative. Concerning both the discrepant behavior of DSr as a function of temperature as well as for the Ca isotope fractionation as a function of temperature we infer that the switch of sign in the trace element partitioning as well as in the direction of the Ca isotope fractionation is probably due to the switch of complexation from a Ca2+-NH3 complexation at and below 25 °C to an Ca2+-H2O aquacomplex at 37.5 °C. The DSr - Δ88/86Srcalcite-aq correlation for calcite is independent of temperature in contrast to aragonite. We interpreted the strong DSr-temperature dependency of aragonite, the smaller range of Sr isotope fractionation as well as the shallower Δ88/86Srcalcite-aq-R∗ gradients to be a consequence of the increased aragonite solubility and the “Mg blocking effect”. In contrast to Sr the Ca isotope fractionation values in calcite and aragonite depend both on the complexation in solution and independent on polymorphism

Immobilization of candida rugosa lipase on aminated polyvinyl benzyl chloride-grafted nylon-6 microfibers

This paper demonstrates a simplified procedure for the preparation of a nylon-6 microfibers based support for the immobilization of Candida rugosa lipase via covalent attachment to enhance the stability and reusability of lipase. The preparation of the support was done by radiation induced graft copolymerization (RIGC) of vinyl benzyl chloride (VBC) onto nylon-6 microfibers followed by amination with ethanolamine to facilitate the immobilization of lipase. Fourier transfer infra red (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to study the chemical and physical changes following grafting, amination and immobilization. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied for the optimization of lipase immobilization on the aminated microfibers. The optimization parameters were incubation time, pH, and lipase concentration. Moreover, this study investigated the effect of temperature, pH, and storage stability and reusability on the lipase in its immobilized and free forms. The developed model from RSM showed an R2 value of 0.9823 and P-value < 0.001 indicating that the model is significant. The optimum temperatures for both immobilized and free lipases were 45 °C, whereas the best pH values for lipase activity were at pH 8 and pH 7, respectively. This study also identifies values for KM and Vmax for both immobilized and free lipase accordingly. Based on the results, immobilized lipase had significantly improved the stability and reusability of lipase compared to that in free forms

Self-Reported Study Habits for Enhancing Medical Students\u27 Performance in the National Medical Unified Examination

Background: The National Medical Unified Examination (NMUE) is currently required for graduation, joining postgraduate medical training, and practicing medicine in Syria. Objective: To investigate self-reported study habits that correlate with high performance on the NMUE. Methods: First through 3rd year residents at the three main hospitals in Damascus, Syria, were asked to complete a retrospective cross-sectional survey investigating their study habits and previous scores. Results: Significantly higher score was associated with \u3e 15 study h/day and allocating 1-40% of study time for practicing questions. Mean NMUE score was not significantly different in relation to preparation months for examination or for those who reported spending all their time studying alone compared with spending any amount of time in a group setting. Scores of 231-240 on the Syrian scientific high school exam correlated with significantly higher NMUE performance compared with fewer scores, except scores of 221-230. For every 10 point increase in medical school cumulative grades, the NMUE score increased 3.6 (95% confidence interval 2.5-4.8). Conclusion: The NMUE score was significantly affected by hours spent studying per day, number of practice questions completed, percentage of study time allocated for doing questions, Syrian scientific high school exam scores, and the cumulative medical school class grades. It was not significantly affected by preparation months or studying in a group setting. More studies are needed to further describe and investigate the factors that might affect performance in the NMUE

Designing An Intervention Program To Control Glucose Level In Intensive Care Unit (ICU) In King Hussein Medical Center, Royal Medical Services

Controlling blood glucose level in ICU is one of the main priorities in ICU to decrease mortality rates and morbidity rates and to decrease the healthcare cost. The main objective of the present study is design and implement an intervention protocol in ICU. The method involved a suggested intervention protocol which was applied for 25 ICU patients and their findings were compared with 25 ICU patients in control group. Study findings showed that the intervention protocol was able to reduce mortality rates, positive blood cultures, decreased morning glucose level in the intervention group compared with control group. As a conclusion, controlling blood glucose level in ICU is considered an appropriate approach and leads to better outcome of the patients

Do People Live at Sea Level and the Dead Sea Level Have Different Patterns of Anti-Hypertensive Drugs

Background: people live at various areas of sea level may have different patterns of anti-hypertensive drugs. Such a relation has never been reported in Jordan. Study objectives: the current study investigated how the sea level will impact the prevalence of hypertension in these areas, and how will affect the pharmacological properties of such a population. Methodology: a cross-sectional study design was involved to collect data from study participants. A total of 1000 participants were randomly selected from the two study areas. 500 participants from each. Participants were matched for age and gender. Blood pressure were measured for all participants. Blood samples were withdrawn to investigate the level of angiotensin II. Data was collected through organizing a working excel sheet and was further analyzed through using SPSS version 20. Data was presented as means, standard deviations, frequencies and percentages. The relationships between variables were examined using independent T-test. Significance was measured at an alpha &lt; 0.05. Study findings: the main findings of the present study were that the mean of SBP is significantly higher in the Dead Sea (122.42±10.53 mmHg) than the Sea level area (118.07±11.64 mmHg), (p=0.001). Another significant variable was MBP which its mean was 91.64 ± 8.90 mmHg in the Dead Sea and 89.84 ± 8.72 mm Hg. The difference in the mean was statistically significant (p=0.001). The level of angiotensin II was 8.84 ± 4.65pg/ml in the Dead Sea area and 11.21± 6.05pg/ml in the area of the Sea level. The difference in the mean of the two study areas was not statistically significant (p&gt;0.05). Conclusions: although the level of angiotensin II was not significantly varied between the study areas, but its trend was to be higher in the Sea level area. It was surprised to have higher levels of SBP and MBP in the Dead Sea rather than the Seal level area. It can be implied that the therapeutic options of hypertensive drugs follow different patterns independent of angiotensin II pathways

Study The Overprescription Of Proton Pump Inhibitors And Their Relation With Recurrent Community Aquired Infections In Outpatient Refilled Prescriptions Of Chronic Diseases Patients

Background: proton pump inhibitors are widely used worldwide and studies have demonstrated that the use of PPIs to be associated with various diseases such as several types of infection. Study objectives: to explore the effect of using PPIs on patients through studying some inflammatory biomarkers including WBC, neutrophil count, ESR, CRP, and IL-6. Methods and subjects: a retrospective study design was followed to collect data from study participants. The study included 62 patients receiving PPIs and 60 persons without being prescribed for PPIs. A working sheet was created for each patient and included the following information: age, WBC, neutrophil count, ESR, CRP, and IL-6. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS version 20. The relationship between variables was tested using independent T test. Significance was considered at alpha level &lt; 0.05. Study findings: age was not varied significantly between study group and control group. All inflammatory biomarkers under study were significantly elevated in study group compared with control group. Conclusions: the findings of the present study showed that the use of PPIs was associated significantly with increased inflammatory biomarkers. We think that health settings should pay much attention to the role of pharmacists and pharmacy doctors to increase the awareness about the use of PPIs