The Sort on Radioactive Waste Type model: A method to sort single-shell tanks into characteristic groups. Revision 2

The SORWT model presents a methodology to group SSTs that is both simple to understand and logical in its assumptions and construction. The SORWT model has predicted the existence of 24 groups of SSTs ranging from 22 tanks per group to two tanks per group. These 24 groups encompass 133 tanks and 93% of the total waste contained in SSTs. The first 14 groups (i.e., those that contain four tanks per group or more) represent 109 tanks and 83% of the total waste volume. This demonstrates the potential for using the SORWT model to efficiently allocate resources and to maximize characterization information gained by a minimum number of sampling events. The verification study has shown that the SST groups predicted by the SORWT model are statistically significant and reduce the variability in the concentrations for all analytes examined. The SORWT model organizes a vast amount of information and presents clear options on which SSTs are more desirable to sample. The model is also simple and flexible in its ability to incorporate new parameters such as new SST analytical data, shifting programmatic needs, and/or risk assessment-oriented criteria. This report presents the nominal composition, inventory, and uncertainty for five of the 24 SORWT groups, representing 28 tanks, 10% of the total waste volume, and 29% of the total sludge volume in SSTs. Consequently, this document provides a logical beginning framework for tank waste characterization until further information becomes available or different programmatic needs are identified

The Sort on Radioactive Waste Type model: A method to sort single-shell tanks into characteristic groups. Revision 2

The SORWT model presents a methodology to group SSTs that is both simple to understand and logical in its assumptions and construction. The SORWT model has predicted the existence of 24 groups of SSTs ranging from 22 tanks per group to two tanks per group. These 24 groups encompass 133 tanks and 93% of the total waste contained in SSTs. The first 14 groups (i.e., those that contain four tanks per group or more) represent 109 tanks and 83% of the total waste volume. This demonstrates the potential for using the SORWT model to efficiently allocate resources and to maximize characterization information gained by a minimum number of sampling events. The verification study has shown that the SST groups predicted by the SORWT model are statistically significant and reduce the variability in the concentrations for all analytes examined. The SORWT model organizes a vast amount of information and presents clear options on which SSTs are more desirable to sample. The model is also simple and flexible in its ability to incorporate new parameters such as new SST analytical data, shifting programmatic needs, and/or risk assessment-oriented criteria. This report presents the nominal composition, inventory, and uncertainty for five of the 24 SORWT groups, representing 28 tanks, 10% of the total waste volume, and 29% of the total sludge volume in SSTs. Consequently, this document provides a logical beginning framework for tank waste characterization until further information becomes available or different programmatic needs are identified

Predicted waiting times for orthopaedic surgery : an urgent need to address the deficit in capacity

The authors received no financial or material support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Constructing 3D crystal templates for photonic band gap materials using holographic optical tweezers

A simple and robust method is presented for the construction of 3-dimensional crystals from silica and polystyrene microspheres. The crystals are suitable for use as templates in the production of three-dimensional photonic band gap (PBG) materials. Manipulation of the microspheres was achieved using a dynamic holographic assembler (DHA) consisting of computer controlled holographic optical tweezers. Attachment of the microspheres was achieved by adjusting their colloidal interactions during assembly. The method is demonstrated by constructing a variety of 3-dimensional crystals using spheres ranging in size from 3 µm down to 800 nm. A major advantage of the technique is that it may be used to build structures that cannot be made using self-assembly. This is illustrated through the construction of crystals in which line defects have been deliberately included, and by building simple cubic structures

Life-history characteristics and climate correlates of dioecious plant species in central southern Australia

First published online: 27 April 2023 OnlinePublContext. The proportion of dioecious species can vary considerably among climates and habitats. However, studies often involve isolated communities or large diverse areas and fail to capture how proportions vary across diverse landscapes. Aims. To identify (1) life-history associations of terrestrial dioecious plant species in central southern Australia, (2) whether proportion of dioecy varies spatially across central southern Australia, and (3) whether proportion of dioecy is correlated with life-history and/or climate factors. Methods. Species growth form, pollination mechanisms and seed-dispersal features were extracted from herbarium databases to determine potential dioecy-linked traits. Distribution data for native terrestrial species in 66 Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation of Australia subregions were extracted from the Australasian Virtual Herbarium to calculate the proportion of total native species richness that are dioecious. Climate data for each subregion were also obtained from Terrestrial Ecology Research Network databases to investigate relationships among climate, life-history traits and dioecy. Key results. Woodiness, abiotic pollination and endozoochory were more prevalent in dioecious than non-dioecious taxa. Proportion of dioecy ranged from 1.7% to 8.5% among subregions and correlated negatively with annual temperature range, January to March rainfall and precipitation seasonality and with average annual daily mean, minimum, maximum and average annual minimum temperature. The highest-ranked models of dioecy incorporated the additive effects of the relative proportion of woody species and either annual temperature ranges, January to March rainfall or average annual daily maximum temperature. Conclusions. Dioecy was associated with woodiness, abiotic pollination and endozoochory, in line with studies of other flora, with the model of stable temperature range and woodiness being the highest-ranked model of dioecy. Implications. Areas with higher proportions of dioecy can be targeted for future investigations into dioecious plant ecology to aid conservation and ecosystem management.J. T. Draper, S. Delean, J. G. Conran, P. Weinstein and B. S. Simpso

Research priorities for control of zoonoses in South Africa

BACKGROUND : Zoonoses pose major threats to the health of humans, domestic animals and wildlife, as seen in the COVID-19 pandemic. Zoonoses are the commonest source of emerging human infections and inter-species transmission is facilitated by anthropogenic factors such as encroachment and destruction of wilderness areas, wildlife trafficking and climate change. South Africa was selected for a ‘One Health’ study to identify research priorities for control of zoonoses due to its complex disease burden and an overstretched health system. METHODS : A multidisciplinary group of 18 experts identified priority zoonotic diseases, knowledge gaps and proposed research priorities for the next 5 y. Each priority was scored using predefined criteria by another group of five experts and then weighted by a reference group (n=28) and the 18 experts. RESULTS : Seventeen diseases were mentioned with the top five being rabies (14/18), TB (13/18), brucellosis (11/18), Rift Valley fever (9/11) and cysticercosis (6/18). In total, 97 specific research priorities were listed, with the majority on basic epidemiological research (n=57), such as measuring the burden of various zoonoses (n=24), followed by 20 on development of new interventions. The highest research priority score was for improving existing interventions (0.77/1.0), followed by health policy and systems research (0.72/1.0). CONCLUSION : Future zoonotic research should improve understanding of zoonotic burden and risk factors and new interventions in public health. People with limited rural services, immunocompromised, in informal settlements and high-risk occupations, should be the highest research priority.Supplementary file 1. Expert Questionnaire SASupplementary file 2. Stakeholder inputThe Belgian Directorate General for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aidhttp://trstmh.oxfordjournals.orghj2021Production Animal Studie

Documenting the absence of brucellosis in cattle, goats and dogs in a “One Health” interface in the Mnisi community, Limpopo, South Africa

This study shows the absence of the world’s most common bacterial zoonoses caused by Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis in cattle, goats and dogs in an agro-pastoral community in South Africa, where heifer vaccination against brucellosis with the live Strain 19 vaccine is compulsory. The study site is bordering wildlife reserves with multiple wildlife species infected with brucellosis. The results showed a low seroprevalence (1.4%) in cattle. Seroprevalence in cattle decreased with age after 4 years in females, males were less positive than females and a tissue culture from a brucellin skin test-positive male was negative. The results indicate that Brucella seropositivity in cattle is due to S19 vaccination and not natural infections. This conclusion is reinforced by the absence of Brucella seropositivity in goats (1/593 positive result) and dogs (0/315), which can be seen as potential spillover hosts. Therefore, the close proximity of brucellosis-infected wildlife is not a threat to domestic animals in this controlled setting with vaccination, fencing and movement control.The Belgium Institute of Tropical Medicine through collaboration with the University of Pretoria and research funds from the University of Pretoria.http://link.springer.com/journal/112502019-04-23hj2018Veterinary Tropical Disease