Framing Future of Work Considerations through Climate and Built Environment Assessment of Volunteer Work Practices in the United States Equine Assisted Services

The foundation of healthy workplace design is an understanding of work practices. Volunteers comprise the majority of the workforce in care centers using horses to address human health issues. Documentation is lacking on protections for worker well-being in equestrian microenvironments which are known to have the potential for dust exposures. Climate acts as a master variable in equestrian facility design and ventilation usage to address dust and temperature concerns. Using climate as an independent variable, our objective was to characterize space usage, safety, environmental control, and organizational practices through a national survey of equine assisted programs. We found that more fully enclosed indoor arena spaces were in cold/very cold and mixed-humid climates (p = 0.0114). Annually more volunteers (p = 0.0073) work in these two climate groups averaging 100 volunteers per location. A total of 34% of all facilities, regardless of climate, do not use mechanical ventilation systems (e.g., fans). As volunteer worker time in the arena increased, time in the barn microenvironment tended to decrease (p = 0.0538). We identified facility designs, ventilation usage, and worker arrangements to refine the scalability of future air contaminant monitoring and to provide frameworks for education, workplace design, and prevention of exposure to dust

HTR2008-58063 FLOW VISUALIZATION OF PEBBLE BED HTGR

ABSTRACT The nuclear core of High Temperature Gas Reactor(HTGR) with pebble bed type has been investigated intensively due to its benefits in management, but its complicated flow geometry requested the reliable analytical method. Recent studies have been made using the three dimensional computational methods but they need to be evaluated with the experimental data. Due to the complicated and narrow flow channel, the intrusive methods of flow measurement are not proper in the study. In the present study, we developed a wind tunnel for the pebble bed geometry in the structure of Face Centered Cubic(FCC) and measure the flow field using the Particle Image Velocimetry(PIV) directly. Due to the limitation of the image harnessing speed and accessibility of the light for particle identification, the system is scaled up to reduce the mean flow velocity by keeping the same Reynolds number of the HTGR. The velocity fields are successfully determined to identify the stagnation points suspected to produce hot spots on the surface of the pebble. It is expected that the present data is useful to evaluate the three dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) analysis. Furthermore, It would provide an insight of experimental method if the present results are compared by those of scaled down and liquid medium

Prospects for terahertz imaging the human skin cancer with the help of gold-nanoparticles-based terahertz-to-infrared converter

The design is suggested, and possible operation parameters are discussed, of an instrument to inspect a skin cancer tumour in the terahertz (THz) range, transferring the image into the infrared (IR) and making it visible with the help of standard IR camera. The central element of the device is the THz-to-IR converter, a Teflon or silicon film matrix with embedded 8.5 nm diameter gold nanoparticles. The use of external THz source for irradiating the biological tissue sample is presumed. The converter's temporal characteristics enable its performance in a real-time scale. The details of design suited for the operation in transmission mode (in vitro) or on the human skin in reflection mode {in vivo) are specified.Comment: To be published in the proceedings of the FANEM2018 workshop - Minsk, 3-5 June 201

Ordered mesoporous Co3O4 spinels as stable, bifunctional, noble metal-free oxygen electrocatalysts

We report the use of noble metal-free ordered mesoporous Co 3O4 spinels (meso-Co3O4), templated from KIT-6 mesoporous silica, as highly active and stable bifunctional electrocatalysts for both oxygen evolution and reduction reactions (OER and ORR, respectively). The meso-Co3O4 nanostructures showed high activity for OER in an alkaline medium (0.1 M KOH), which makes them comparable to the most active Ir/C catalyst and better than Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and the Pt/C catalyst. Furthermore, meso-Co 3O4 exhibited enhanced stability, compared to Co 3O4 NPs. The enhanced activity and stability of meso-Co3O4 over Co3O4 NPs could be attributed to its high surface area and structural stability of the gyroid network structure in the meso-Co3O4 catalysts. The meso-Co3O4 nanostructures also showed promising activity for ORR and exhibited a methanol-tolerance superior to the Pt/C catalyst. The total overpotential of meso-Co3O4 for OER (at 10 mA cm-2) and ORR (at -3 mA cm-2) was 1.034 V, which is on a par with noble metal-based catalysts. This work demonstrates that directing metal oxides into mesostructures is a promising means of preparing highly active, stable, bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts that can potentially replace expensive noble metal-based catalysts. This design strategy can be extended to other reactions relevant to energy conversion and storage applications.close17

Emission Characteristics and Factors of Selected Odorous Compounds at a Wastewater Treatment Plant

This study was initiated to explore the emission characteristics of Reduced Sulfur Compounds (RSCs: hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide), ammonia and trimethylamine from a Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located at Sun-Cheon, Chonlanam-Do in South Korea. The study also evaluates flux profiles of the six selected odorous compounds and their flux rates (μg/m2/min) and compares their emission characteristics. A Dynamic Flux Chamber DFC was used to measure fluxes of pollutants from the treatment plant. Quality control of odor samples using a non-reactive sulfur dioxide gas determined the time taken for DFC concentration to reach equilibrium. The reduced sulfur compounds were analyzed by interfacing gas chromatography with a Pulsed Flame Photometric Detector (PFPD). Air samples were collected in the morning and afternoon on one day during summer (August) and two days in winter (December and January). Their emission rates were determined and it was observed that during summer relatively higher amounts of the selected odorous compounds were emitted compared to winter. Air samples from primary settling basin, aeration basin, and final settling basin were tested and the total amount of selected odorous compounds emitted per wastewater ton was found to be 1344 μg/m3 from the selected treatment processes. It was also observed that, in this study, the dominant odor intensity contribution was caused by dimethyl disulfide (69.1%)

Giant Cell Tumor of the Mandible

A 53-year-old woman presented with left mandibular area pain, trismus, and facial numbness that had persisted for 4 years. Physical examination revealed a 3×5 cm, hard, non-tender, and round mass on the left mandibular area. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an expansile tumor involving the left mandibular ramus and temporomandibular joint area with bone destruction, extending to the base of middle cranial fossa and left zygomatic bone. The mass at the segment of left mandible and zygomatic bone, and base of middle cranial fossa was removed. Pathological examination of the mass revealed a giant cell tumor. The defect was reconstructed with iliac bone for the mandible and temporal bone and fascia for the cranial bone and dura. The case is described along with a review of the literature

Ordered mesoporous porphyrinic carbons with very high electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction

The high cost of the platinum-based cathode catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has impeded the widespread application of polymer electrolyte fuel cells. We report on a new family of non-precious metal catalysts based on ordered mesoporous porphyrinic carbons (M-OMPC; M = Fe, Co, or FeCo) with high surface areas and tunable pore structures, which were prepared by nanocasting mesoporous silica templates with metalloporphyrin precursors. The FeCo-OMPC catalyst exhibited an excellent ORR activity in an acidic medium, higher than other non-precious metal catalysts. It showed higher kinetic current at 0.9a�...V than Pt/C catalysts, as well as superior long-term durability and MeOH-tolerance. Density functional theory calculations in combination with extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis revealed a weakening of the interaction between oxygen atom and FeCo-OMPC compared to Pt/C. This effect and high surface area of FeCo-OMPC appear responsible for its significantly high ORR activity.open251

Boesenbergia pandurata Attenuates Diet-Induced Obesity by Activating AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and Regulating Lipid Metabolism

Obesity, a chronic metabolic disorder, is characterized by enlarged fat mass and dysregulation of lipid metabolism. The medicinal plant, Boesenbergia pandurata (Roxb.) Schltr., has been reported to possess anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its anti-obesity activity is unexplored. The present study was conducted to determine whether B. pandurata extract (BPE), prepared from its rhizome parts, attenuated high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice. The molecular mechanism was investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 human hepatoma cells. BPE treatment decreased triglyceride accumulation in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HepG2 hepatocytes by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling and regulating the expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins. In the animal model, oral administration of BPE (200 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) significantly reduced HFD-induced body weight gain without altering the amount of food intake. In addition, elevated serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were suppressed by BPE administration. Fat pad masses were reduced in BPE-treated mice, as evidenced by reduced adipocyte size. Furthermore, BPE protected against the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver by decreasing hepatic triglyceride accumulation. BPE also activated AMPK signaling and altered the expression of lipid metabolism-related proteins in white adipose tissue and liver. Taken together, these findings indicate that BPE attenuates HFD-induced obesity by activating AMPK and regulating lipid metabolism, suggesting a potent anti-obesity agent

Perceptions and behaviors related to hand hygiene for the prevention of H1N1 influenza transmission among Korean university students during the peak pandemic period

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was performed to better assess the perceptions, motivating factors, and behaviors associated with the use of hand washing to prevent H1N1 influenza transmission during the peak pandemic period in Korea.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey questionnaire was completed by 942 students at a university campus in Suwon, Korea, between December 1 and 8, 2009. The survey included questions regarding individual perceptions, motivating factors, and behaviors associated with hand washing for the prevention of H1N1 influenza transmission.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to one year prior, 30.3% of participants reported increasing their hand washing frequency. Female students were more likely to practice more frequent hand washing. Women also perceived the effectiveness of hand washing to be lower, and illness severity and personal susceptibility to H1N1 infection to be higher. Study participants who were female (OR: 1.79-3.90) who perceived of hand washing to be effective (OR: 1.34-12.15) and illness severity to be greater (OR: 1.00-3.12) washed their hands more frequently.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Korean students increased their frequency of hand hygiene practices during the pandemic, with significant gender differences existing in the attitudes and behaviors related to the use of hand hygiene as a means of disease prevention. Here, the factors that affected hand washing behavior were similar to those identified at the beginning of the H1N1 or SARS pandemics, suggesting that public education campaigns regarding hand hygiene are effective in altering individual hand hygiene habits during the peak periods of influenza transmission.</p

Knockdown of Y-box binding protein 1 induces autophagy in early porcine embryos

Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) plays important roles in RNA stabilization, translation, transcriptional regulation, and mitophagy. However, its effects on porcine preimplantation embryos remain unclear. In this study, we knocked down YBX1 in the one-cell (1C) stage embryo via small interfering RNA microinjection to determine its function in porcine embryo development. The mRNA level of YBX1 was found to be highly expressed at the four-cell (4C) stage in porcine embryos compared with one-cell (1C) and two-cell (2C) stages. The number of blastocysts was reduced following YBX1 knockdown. Notably, YBX1 knockdown decreased the phosphatase and tensin homolog-induced kinase 1 (PINK1) and parkin RBR E3 ubiquitin protein ligase (PRKN) mRNA levels. YBX1 knockdown also decreased PINK1, active mitochondria, and sirtuin 1 levels, indicating reduced mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. Furthermore, YBX1 knockdown increased the levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and calnexin, leading to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Additionally, YBX1 knockdown increased autophagy and apoptosis. In conclusion, knockdown of YBX1 decreases mitochondrial function, while increasing ER stress and autophagy during embryonic development