scholarly journals The Radioactivity of Thorium Incandescent Gas Lantern Mantles

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 1311
Author(s):  
Halmat Jalal Hassan ◽  
Suhairul Hashim ◽  
Mohamad Syazwan Mohd Sanusi ◽  
David Andrew Bradley ◽  
Abdullah Alsubaie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Initial Application ◽  
Equivalent Rate ◽  
Protection Legislation ◽  
History Of ◽  
White Luminescence

The use of thorium in providing the intense white luminescence emitted from gas mantles, has a history of some 130 years, the initial application pre-dating by several decades large-scale urban electric lighting. Accordingly, the thoriated gas mantle has proved itself to be of enormous utility, remaining popular in more rural areas well into the 20th century, continuing to enjoy use in campsites and street night markets lanterns until today. The discovery of thorium in 1828 preceded the discovery of radioactivity, with subsequent little appreciation initially of any potential harm from exposure to radioactivity. Study has been made herein of small quantities of five different types of the thoriated gas mantle, all purchased online devoid of any control measures. Several approaches were used concerning the 232Th activity and dose consequence. First, the activity of 232Th was estimated using an HPGe detector, with sample M5 providing the greatest activity at 1.25 × 104 Bq, exceeding the exemption limit for thorium in a mantle. Compared to sample M5, samples M1 to M4 were low in radioactivity, from 5.1 ± 1.31 to 16.33 ± 1.92 Bq. Moreover, the thorium content in M5 constituted 50% of the mantle mass, somewhat greater than previous literature values. The dose equivalent rate on the surface of a single M5 mantle was found to be 0.68 µSv/h, while at the surface of a pack of six the level was 1.9 µSv/h. Monte Carlo simulation codes have been used to obtain organ equivalent and effective dose rates, the greatest close contact (10 cm) exposure to an unlit mantle being to the thymus, at 0.68 µSv/h and 0.62 µSv/h for a male and female phantom respectively. Accordingly, with packages of thoriated gas mantles potentially giving rise to non-negligible equivalent doses, greater incorporation of controls on the sale of such items in national radiation protection legislation would seem worthy of consideration.

scholarly journals SELF-REPORTED MALARIA AND MOSQUITO AVOIDANCE IN RELATION TO HOUSEHOLD RISK FACTORS IN A KENYAN COASTAL CITY

2005 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 761-771 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOSEPH KEATING ◽  
KATE MACINTYRE ◽  
CHARLES M. MBOGO ◽  
JOHN I. GITHURE ◽  
JOHN C. BEIER
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Control Measure ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Level Control ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Household Level ◽  
Household Factors ◽  
History Of

A geographically stratified cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2002 to investigate household-level factors associated with use of mosquito control measures and self-reported malaria in Malindi, Kenya. A total of 629 households were surveyed. Logistic regressions were used to analyse the data. Half of all households (51%) reported all occupants using an insecticide-treated bed net and at least one additional mosquito control measure such as insecticides or removal of standing water. Forty-nine per cent reported a history of malaria in the household. Of the thirteen household factors analysed, low (OR=0·23, CI 0·11, 0·48) and medium (OR=0·50, CI 0·29, 0·86) education, mud–wood–coral (OR=0·0·39, CI 0·24, 0·66) and mud block–plaster (OR=0·47, CI 0·25, 0·87) wall types, farming (OR=1·38, CI 1·01, 1·90) and travel to rural areas (OR=0·48, CI 0·26, 0·91) were significantly associated with the use of mosquito control, while controlling for other covariates in the model. History of reported malaria was not associated with the use of mosquito control (OR=1·22, CI 0·79, 1·88). Of the thirteen covariates analysed in the second model, only two household factors were associated with history of malaria: being located in the well-drained stratum (OR=0·49, CI 0·26, 0·96) and being bitten while in the house (OR=1·22, CI 0·19, 0·49). These results suggest that high socioeconomic status is associated with increased household-level mosquito control use, although household-level control may not be enough, as many people are exposed to biting mosquitoes while away from the house and in areas that are more likely to harbour mosquitoes.

scholarly journals Sheep Brucellosis in Kuwait: A Large-Scale Serosurvey, Identification of Brucella Species and Zoonotic Significance

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yousef Al-Sherida ◽  
Adel H. El-Gohary ◽  
Amro Mohamed ◽  
Mohamed El-Diasty ◽  
Gamal Wareth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Small Ruminants ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
History Of ◽  
Combined Action

Brucellosis is a common zoonotic disease of major concern in humans of Kuwait, and B. melitensis causes most human cases. The disease is endemic in small ruminants, cattle, and camels for decades, causing substantial economic losses in livestock production. However, a nationwide large-scale investigation of brucellosis in the small ruminant population has not been done in the past two decades. A serosurvey of sheep brucellosis in the five districts of Kuwait with most animal production farms was done between 2016 and 2019. In total, 67,054 serum samples from 233 sheep herds were collected and tested. Additionally, milk and tissue samples were collected from 46 seropositive cases for bacteriology. Thirty persons from seven seropositive farms were tested by serology. The incidence of seropositive cases was 7% in districts devoid of vaccination, while it was 4.7% in farms with history of vaccination. The serosurvey revealed that 89% of non-vaccinated herds (n = 181) were seropositive by Rose Bengal test (RBT), buffered acidified plate antigen test (BAPAT), and complement fixation test (CFT). Prevalence of 100% was reported for non-vaccinated sheep herds from Al-Wafrah and Al-Jahra districts, followed by those from Al-Salmi (88.24%), Al-Abdali (86.7%) and Kabd (75.6%). Implementation of vaccination with B. melitensis Rev.1 vaccine and test-and-slaughters in 20 herds reduced the seroprevalence to 33.3% and 25% in herds from Al-Jahra and AL-Wafrah, respectively. B. melitensis was isolated from 20 samples (43.5%). More than half of the examined animal owners (56.6%) tested positive for Brucella using RBT, BAPAT and CFT. The high numbers of infected herds and high prevalence in herdsmen are alarming. Thus, control measures have to be ensured immediately. The epidemiological situation in Kuwait is similar to those of the neighboring countries and the combined action of these states is needed. The understanding of the economic and public health impact of brucellosis in Kuwait needs to grow.

Evaluation of Suspected COVID-19 Patients in a Pediatric Emergency Department

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halise Akca ◽  
Funda Kurt ◽  
Ayla Akca Caglar ◽  
Ahmet Alptug Güngör ◽  
Aylin Irmak Kuruc ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Health Management ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Pediatric Emergency ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Polymerase Chain Reaction Test ◽  
Positive Group ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
History Of

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a global pandemic. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of COVID-19 in pediatric patients and to compare the characteristics of positive and negative patients. This study conducted from March to May 2020 in a tertiary children's hospital. Patients were included if they were under 18 years old and a SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test had been performed. Of the 1,812 patients included in the study, 365 (20.1%) were positive for COVID-19. The median age was 102 months in the positive group, 70 months in the negative group (p < 0.001). The sex distribution was almost equal. Nearly all positive patients had been in close contact with a COVID-19 infected family household member (p < 0.001). The most common symptoms were fever (54.4%) and cough (38.6%). The asymptomatic patient rate was higher in the positive group (p < 0.001). Lymphopenia (<1500/mm3) was found in 29.9% of the positive children (p = 0.005). When the groups were compared, white blood cell, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and platelet counts; neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio; and C-reactive protein level were lower in the positive group. Chest radiography was performed in 95.3% of the positive patients, and the results of 29.7% of them were interpreted as pathological (p < 0.001). Most of the pediatric patients had a history of contact with COVID-19 positive individuals, and therefore, the diagnosis is generally suspected from a history of household exposure to COVID-19. Lymphopenia can help predict positivity. Awareness, reinforcing infection control measures, and performing health management within families are important steps to manage these patients.

scholarly journals Mosques in Japan Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic: Infection Prevention and Support Provision

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitomu Kotani ◽  
Mari Tamura ◽  
Susumu Nejima
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Support Provision

Abstract Religious activities tend to be conducted in enclosed, crowded, and close-contact settings, which have a high potential of transmitting the coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19); therefore, religious communities are expected to take appropriate infection prevention measures. Meanwhile, during past disasters, religious communities have provided various types of support to affected people; hence, their role in disaster risk reduction has received much attention. In this study, we aimed to identify the infection prevention measures and support provision implemented by mosques—Islamic institutions managed and operated mainly by foreign Muslims living in Japan—during the one year from January 2020. We collected information from newspaper articles (18 articles on 19 mosques) and interviews with representatives of three mosques. We found that various infection control measures were implemented in mosques—refraining from mass prayers and closing buildings from an early stage (around February 2020); canceling large-scale events during the month of Ramadan; moving some activities online; and ensuring indoor ventilation and safe physical distance even when continuing face-to-face prayer activities. We also found that various types of support were provided by mosques—donating masks to the local government; listening to problems of people affected by COVID-19 regardless of their nationality; providing financial support to them; translating and disseminating information to foreign Muslims; and providing religious meals for them. This study provides actual examples of infection prevention measures taken by mosques in a Muslim-minority society and suggests that mosques appropriately responded to the needs of religious minorities during disasters, including COVID-19.

scholarly journals Mosques in Japan Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic: Infection Prevention and Support Provision

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitomu Kotani ◽  
Mari Tamura ◽  
Susumu Nejima
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Support Provision

Abstract Religious activities tend to be conducted in enclosed, crowded, and close-contact settings, which have a high potential of transmitting the coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19); therefore, religious communities are expected to take appropriate infection prevention measures. Meanwhile, during past disasters, religious communities have provided various types of support to affected people; hence, their role in disaster risk reduction has received much attention. In this study, we aimed to identify the infection prevention measures and support provision implemented by mosques—Islamic institutions managed and operated mainly by foreign Muslims living in Japan—during the one year from January 2020. We collected information from newspaper articles (18 articles on 19 mosques) and interviews with representatives of three mosques. We found that various infection control measures were implemented in mosques—refraining from mass prayers and closing buildings from an early stage (around February 2020); canceling large-scale events during the month of Ramadan; moving some activities online; and ensuring indoor ventilation and safe physical distance even when continuing face-to-face prayer activities. We also found that various types of support were provided by mosques—donating masks to the local government; listening to problems of people affected by COVID-19 regardless of their nationality; providing financial support to them; translating and disseminating information to foreign Muslims; and providing religious meals for them. This study provides actual examples of infection prevention measures taken by mosques in a Muslim-minority society and suggests that mosques appropriately responded to the needs of religious minorities during disasters, including COVID-19.

scholarly journals Mosques in Japan Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic: Infection Prevention and Support Provision

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hitomu Kotani ◽  
Mari Tamura ◽  
Susumu Nejima
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
Physical Distance ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Religious Communities ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Religious Activities ◽  
Support Provision

Abstract Religious activities tend to be conducted in enclosed, crowded, and close-contact settings, which have a high potential of transmitting the coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID-19); therefore, religious communities are expected to take appropriate infection prevention measures. Meanwhile, during past natural disasters, religious communities have provided various types of support to affected people; hence, their role in disaster risk reduction has received much attention. In this study, we aimed to identify the infection prevention measures and support provision implemented by mosques—Islamic institutions managed and operated mainly by foreign Muslims living in Japan—during the one year from January 2020. We collected qualitative information from newspaper articles (18 articles on 19 mosques) and interviews with representatives of three mosques. We found that various infection control measures were implemented in mosques—refraining from mass prayers and closing buildings from an early stage (around February 2020); canceling large-scale events during the month of Ramadan; moving some activities online; and ensuring indoor ventilation and safe physical distance even when continuing face-to-face prayer activities. We also found that various types of support were provided by mosques—donating masks to the local government; listening to problems of people affected by COVID-19 regardless of their nationality; providing financial support to them; translating and disseminating information to foreign Muslims; and providing religious meals for them. This study provides actual examples of infection prevention measures taken by mosques in a Muslim-minority society and suggests that mosques appropriately responded to the needs of religious minorities during disasters, including COVID-19.

scholarly journals Les Sous-Regions Rurales de la Province Orientale Dans la Dynamique de L’histoire Recente du Zaire: De 1960 à 1985 (Cas Du Bas-Uélé)

Afrika Focus ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-218
Author(s):  
Mily Denda-Sakala Dieudonné
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
History Of ◽  
Economic Infrastructure ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Elected Representatives ◽  
Local Research

The Rural Sub-Regions of the East-Province in the Recent Historical Dynamics of Zaïre: from 1960 to 1985 (The Case of the Bas-Uélé) This study takes the Sub-Region of the Bas-Ulélé as an example of the recent history of the rural areas in Zaire. It gives a description from an insider’s point of view based on local research, results in a testimony relating the complete deterioration of rural potentialities in Zaire. The article describes how in the first years after independence, the rich natural resources and the colonial infrastructure brought prosperous development. From 1964 to 1966, however, the Simba-rebellion ravaged the area, destroying a great deal of the infrastructure and caused large-scale massacres among the local population. After the crushing of the rebellion, the subsequent revival was quickly halted by constant bureaucratic hindrances and interference from Mobutu’s MPR. “Zairisation” led to farther deterioration of the economic infrastructure. From 1980 on, the Sub-Region was neglected more and more by the central government and even by its elected representatives. Finally, the liberalising of gold-prospecting withdrew farmers, schoolchildren and teachers form their normal activities leading only to more misery in the area.

scholarly journals The Rural Sub-regions of the East-Province in the recent historical Dynamics of Zaïre: from 1960 to 1985 (the Case of the Bas-Ulélé)

Afrika Focus ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dieudonné Mily Denda-Sakala
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Central Government ◽  
Local Population ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
History Of ◽  
Economic Infrastructure ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Elected Representatives ◽  
Local Research

This study takes the Sub-Region of the Bas-Ulélé as an example of the recent history of the rural areas in Zaire. It gives a description from an insider's point of view based on local research, results in a testimony relating the complete deterioration of rural potentialities in Zaire. The article describes how in the first years after independence, the rich natural resources and the colonial infrastructure brought prosperous development. From 1964 to 1966, however, the Simba-rebellion ravaged the area, destroying a great deal of the infrastructure and caused large-scale massacres among the local population. After the crushing of the rebellion, the subsequent revival was quickly halted by constant bureaucratic hindrances and interference from Mobutu's MPR. "Zairisation " led to further deterioration of the economic infrastructure. From 1980 on, the Sub-Region was neglected more and more by the central government and even by its elected representatives. Finally, the liberalising of gold- prospecting withdrew farmers, schoolchildren and teachers form their normal activities leading only to more misery in the area.KEY WORDS: Development, Local Administration, Politics, Zaire 

A Demographic Profile of the Mexican Immigration to the United States, 1910-1950

1966 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 471-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
José Hernández Álvarez
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
The United States ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Rapid Economic Growth ◽  
Latin American Culture ◽  
History Of ◽  
Traditional Pattern

During the first half of the present century, about one million Mexicans were involved in a singular instance of large scale entry into the United States. Arriving just before the influx of foreigners abated sharply, they provide an example of recent immigration. In contrast to the experience of other groups entering one or more generations before, Mexican settlement occurred during the drastic changes caused by rapid economic growth and depression, by two world wars and the nation's reorganization for modern living. Nor did the newcomers from the South follow the traditional pattern of residence and occupation. Instead of locating in the densely urban and industrial Northeast of the United States, they flowed into rural areas in the Southwest, working in agriculture, railroad construction and related activities. Except for Canadian immigrants, the Mexicans were the only major immigrant group having relatively easy access to the home country by an overland route. Lastly, their distinctively Latin American culture has added novelty to history of immigration to the United States.

Training Aides to Screen Children for Speech and Language Problems

1976 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 236-241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marisue Pickering ◽  
William R. Dopheide
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
School Personnel ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
Speech And Language ◽  
Elementary School Age ◽  
Evaluation Procedures ◽  
Language Problems ◽  
Competency Based ◽  
Large Scale Screening

This report deals with an effort to begin the process of effectively identifying children in rural areas with speech and language problems using existing school personnel. A two-day competency-based workshop for the purpose of training aides to conduct a large-scale screening of speech and language problems in elementary-school-age children is described. Training strategies, implementation, and evaluation procedures are discussed.

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