Evaluating the interchangeability of infrared and digital devices with the traditional mercury thermometer in hospitalized pediatric patients: an observational study

Gradual replacement of the mercury thermometers with alternative devices is ongoing around the world in a bid to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. However, to reduce the risks of misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatments, and omission of care in pediatric populations, more evidence on the reliability of alternative thermometers is needed. The aim of this comparative observational study was to detect any differences in temperature measurements between the use of the axillary mercury thermometer and the alternative techniques. Temperature values in degree Celsius (°C) were measured in a group of Albanian children aged up to 14 years using mercury and digital axillary thermometers, as well as forehead and tympanic infrared thermometers. The digital axillary device, compared with the mercury one, showed no clinically significant difference in the mean values (− 0.04 ± 0.29 °C) and the narrowest 95% level of agreement (+ 0.53 °C to − 0.62 °C) in the paired comparisons. For cut-off point of 37.5 °C, the digital axillary thermometer showed the highest levels of sensitivity (72.5%) and specificity (99.1%) in detecting fever. This study indicates that the digital axillary thermometer may be the better option since it adequately balances accuracy, safety, and children’s comfort.

Gaining body temperature in horses: mercury, digital and infrared thermometer in different locations

The physical examination has several stages, one of which is the measurement of body temperature, when it exceeds the physiological values is indicative of some disease or hyperthermia, for this in veterinary medicine the mercury or digital thermometer is commonly used. The objective of this work is to compare if there is a difference between the mercury thermometer and the infrared thermometer or digital thermometer, as well as to identify if there is a difference between the measurement locations with the infrared thermometer and the mercury column thermometer and digital thermometer. Infrared temperature was evaluated in three places: oral mucosa, pinna and anal or vaginal mucosa (females), then a digital thermometer, followed by mercury, which was used as a reference standard. There was a statistical difference between the mercury thermometer and the infrared thermometer, when measured on the anal or vaginal mucosa and on the oral mucosa. The infrared thermometer, in the ear, and the digital thermometer did not differ from the mercury thermometer, demonstrating that these present similar values during the temperature measurement. The infrared thermometer proved to be little invasive and fast when compared to the others. However, some limitations were observed in the measurement of body temperature with the infrared thermometer measured in the ear. It is concluded that the infrared thermometer, used in the ear, and the digital thermometer are equivalent to the mercury thermometer and can be used in horses, however, more studies on this topic are still needed.

Evaluating the interchangeability of infrared and digital devices with the traditional mercury thermometer in hospitalized pediatric patients: an observational study.

A gradual replacement of the mercury thermometers with alternative devices is ongoing around the world as effect of the global strategies to reduce mercury pollution. However, to reduce the risks of misdiagnosis, unnecessary treatments, and omission of care in the pediatric population, more evidence on the reliability and validity of alternative thermometers are needed. The aim of this comparative observational study was to detect any differences in temperature measurements between the gold-standard axillary mercury thermometer (AXLMER) and the alternative devices. Temperature values in Celsius (°C) were simultaneously measured in a group of Albanian children aged up to 14 years using both (AXLMER) and digital axillary thermometers (AXLDGT), as well as forehead and tympanic infra-red thermometers. The AXLDGT device, compared with the AXLMER, showed no clinically significant difference in the mean values (-0.04 ± 0.29 °C) and the narrowest 95% Level of Agreement (+0.53 °C to -0.62 °C) in the paired comparisons. For cut-off points of 37.0 °C and 37.5 °C, the AXLDGT showed the highest levels of sensitivity (67.4% and 72.5%) and specificity (95.3% and 99.1%) in detecting fever. This study indicates that the AXLDGT thermometer may prove the better option since it adequately balances accuracy, safety and children’s comfort.

Recycled Cellulose Aerogels from Paper Waste for a Heat Insulation Design of Canteen Bottles

Exercising in a tropical climate with constant high temperatures and high humidity increases the risk of heatstroke for active people who frequently train outdoors. For these active persons, a cooling source of water nearby can be essential, and this is usually carried in canteen bottles. However, commercially available water canteen bottles have limited thermal insulation capability to keep the liquid content cooled for the required period. This work proposed an engineering solution to enhance the heat insulation performance of water canteen bottles, using recycled cellulose aerogels made from paper waste for the first time as an insulating layer. Recycled cellulose aerogels wrapped around the water canteen bottle provides excellent thermal insulation performance, while not adding significant weight to the bottle. The temperature of the ice slurry in the canteen bottle was measured periodically over four hours with a mercury thermometer. The effects of the static and dynamic conditions on the temperature rate were also quantified. A 1.5 cm thickness of 1.0 wt.% recycled cellulose aerogel wrapped around the canteen bottle can provide an excellent thermal insulation performance with the lowest rise in temperature, achieving a low final temperature of the ice slurry content of 3.5 °C after 4 h. This result is much better than that provided by available commercial bottles under the same conditions.

Study of the regularity of the process of decomposition of apatite with sulfuricacid at the boilingpoint of the solution

Experimental research of the kinetics of the decomposition process of Kovdorsky apatite with a size = 0.16 mm with sulfuric acid in a 1 dm3 batch reactor. Phosphoric acid with the concentration of 68.6 % wt and the sulfuric acid with the concentration of 12.3% wt in stoichiometric amount was introduces at the beginning of the process. The process was carried out at a ratio of liquid and solid phases 2.5:1 respectively at the boiling point of the mixture equal to 136 °C. The observing the progress was carried out according to the method of joint designation of sulfuric and phosphoric acids by titrimetric analysis. With methyl orange and then phenolphthalein 2 titration jumps were recorded, the first of which corresponded to the neutralization of sulfuric acid to Na2SO4 and phosphoric acid to NaH2PO4, the second to the neutralization of NaH2PO4 to Na2HPO4. The change in temperature of the reaction mixture was fixed during the process using a mercury thermometer. In the analysis of the derived experimental values of specified parameters that the boiling point decreases from 136 to 133.1 оС within 50 minutes during the process. A comparison of the reported values with the concentration values of sulfuric and phosphoric acids measured during the process shows that the change in boiling point of the reaction mixture is proportional to the change in the concentrations of sulfuric and phosphoric acids. This model is a closed system that provides thermal insulation and no loss of material balance. Thus, the kinetics of the decomposition of apatite with sulfuric acid at the boiling point can be monitored by the temperature change under specified conditions.

P.1.15 Mercury hazards and how the community responses in developing country

IntroductionHeavy metal like mercury was used directly or indirectly since long ago before it was stopped around the world. Since, the value of the metal and its availability in different use in medical appliances is still one of the burdens in developing country like Nepal. The main uses of mercury are in dental amalgam, sphygmomanometers, and thermometers. The mercury once released into the environment can remain for a longer period. Both acute and chronic poisoning can be caused by it. Half of the mercury found in the atmosphere is human generated and health care contributes the substantial part to it. WHO and UNEP issued new guideline for health care sector to become mercury free.Aim and methodsTo find out the Knowledge, attitude and practice due to hazards of mercury contact among paramedics and patients.Results and conclusion938 paramedics and 890 patients were asked in­depth structured questions about mercury hazards and update knowledge. Overall 18% of the paramedics have no knowledge of mercury­free with respect to 69% of the patients. Around 49% of paramedics have broken mercury thermometer in their career and contact with skin. However, 1.2% patient only have a similar history in their life time. 4% of the contamination with mercury having SKIN problems. 32% of the patients still have mercury thermometer and sphygmomanometer in their home with respect of 0.6% of paramedics. The above study showed that Healthcare worker has more knowledge of Mercury hazards than patients groups. However, paramedics have broken the mercury instruments than patients party. Similarly, Paramedics have Mercury free device at home than patients groups. It means awareness, literate people having more knowledge towards its practice making mercury free society in a resource poor country like Nepal.

Connection of Body Temperature with Fear of Rides

The present study was done in order to evaluate connection between body temperature and fear of rides. About 120 disciples of Baha Uddin Zakariya University took part in this study. Isothermal, also known as the normal temperature of body is one of the most important factors in maintaining the metabolic activities of the body that are vital for life. It normal value is 37 °C. It can be measured by using mercury thermometer [1]. It is measured on certain body positions like forehead, mouth and rectum. Fear of rides is common among people who have other phobias like claustrophobia, acrophobia etc. Those people whose body temperature is 97 are more afraid of rides as compared to those people who have low body temperature.