The Effect of Combined Atmospheric Plasma/UV Treatments on Improving the Durability of Flame Retardants Applied to Cotton.

Application of a combined atmospheric plasma/UV laser to cotton fabrics impregnated with selected non-durable flame retardants (FRs) has shown evidence of covalent grafting of the latter species on to cotton fibre surfaces. As a result, an increase in their durability to water-soaking for 30 min at 40 °C has been recorded. Based on previous research plasma gases comprising Ar80%/CO220% or N280%/O220% were used to pre-expose cotton fabric prior to or after FR impregnation to promote the formation of radical species and increased −COOH groups on surface cellulosic chains, which would encourage formation of FR-cellulose bonds.

The evaluation of electrolyzed water, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, and peracetic acid with hydrogen peroxide for the disinfection of patient room surfaces.

Background: Sporicidal disinfectants are necessary to control Clostridioides difficile and Candida auris. Novel application methods such as electrostatic sprayers may increase disinfection effectiveness. We employed a standardized protocol to assess 3 sporicidal disinfectants: electrolyzed water (EW), sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) and peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide (PAA/HO).

Effects of Water and Chemical Solutions Ageing on the Physical, Mechanical, Thermal and Flammability Properties of Natural Fibre-Reinforced Thermoplastic Composites.

Biocomposites comprising a combination of natural fibres and bio-based polymers are good alternatives to those produced from synthetic components in terms of sustainability and environmental issues. However, it is well known that water or aqueous chemical solutions affect natural polymers/fibres more than the respective synthetic components. In this study the effects of water, salt water, acidic and alkali solutions ageing on water uptake, mechanical properties and flammability of natural fibre-reinforced polypropylene (PP) and poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites were compared.

Waste generation and carbon emissions of a hospital kitchen in the US: Potential for waste diversion and carbon reductions.

This study measured the total quantity and composition of waste generated in a large, New York City (NYC) hospital kitchen over a one-day period to assess the impact of potential waste diversion strategies in potential weight of waste diverted from landfill and reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. During the one-day audit, the hospital kitchen generated 1515.15 kg (1.

The Potential for Bio-Sustainable Organobromine-Containing Flame Retardant Formulations for Textile Applications-A Review.

This review considers the challenge of developing sustainable organobromine flame retardants (BrFRs) and alternative synergists to the predominantly used antimony III oxide. Current BrFR efficiencies are reviewed for textile coatings and back-coatings with a focus on furnishing and similar fabrics covering underlying flammable fillings, such as flexible polyurethane foam. The difficulty of replacing them with non-halogen-containing systems is also reviewed with major disadvantages including their extreme specificity with regard to a given textile type and poor durability.

Potential Synergism between Novel Metal Complexes and Polymeric Brominated Flame Retardants in Polyamide 6.6.

While environmental concerns have caused polymeric brominated primary flame retardants (PolyBrFRs) to be effective replacement monomeric species, few alternatives for antimony trioxide (ATO) have been developed beyond the zinc stannates (ZnSs). Previous research, which explored the interactions of aluminium (AlW), tin (II) (SnW) and zinc (ZnW) tungstates with several phosphorus-containing flame retardants in polyamide 6.6 (PA66), is extended to two PolyBrFRs: brominated polystyrene (BrPS), and poly(pentabromobenzyl acrylate) (BrPBz).

Biopolymer blends from hardwood lignin and bio-polyamides: Compatibility and miscibility.

The compatibility of hardwood lignin (TcA)/bio-polyamide (PA) blends, prepared by melt compounding TcA with three different biobased polyamides, PA 1012, PA 1010 and PA 11 in a twin screw extruder has been studied. FTIR studies indicated the existence of physicochemical interactions between the TcA and polyamide. The melting temperatures of the blends were significantly reduced compared to the respective neat polyamides, which was attributed to the enhanced compatibility between the two components.

Discharge before noon: an achievable hospital goal.

Background: Late afternoon hospital discharges are thought to contribute to admission bottlenecks, overcrowding, and increased length of stay (LOS). In January 2012, the discharge before noon (DBN) percentage on 2 medical units was 7%, below the organizational goal of 30%.

Objective: To sustainably achieve a DBN rate of 30% and to evaluate the effect of this intervention on observed-to-expected (O/E) LOS and 30-day readmission rate.

Prontosan wound irrigation and gel: management of chronic wounds.

Chronic wounds present a challenge that is costly in terms of quality of life to the patient and in financial terms for the NHS. Several factors contribute to the development of a chronic wound, in particular the influence of bacteria as a biofilm within the wound environment. Irrigating a wound with normal saline has long been advocated as the most appropriate method of wound irrigation but biofilms are now known to be resistant to this method of cleansing.

Angiogenic cytokines in patients with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia.

Background: Angiogenesis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between plasma concentrations of the angiogenic cytokines interleukin 8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) and clinical parameters of disease progression over a 6 month period to identify potential aetiological mediators and prognostic markers of disease activity in patients with IIP.

Methods: Forty nine patients with IIP (40 men) were recruited to the study.

A prospective study of change in bone mineral density over one year in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is prevalent in adults with cystic fibrosis. To identify appropriate therapeutic strategies and the optimal time for intervention, it is necessary to document the natural history of cystic fibrosis related low BMD.

Methods: 114 adults with cystic fibrosis underwent bone densitometry a median (25-75% interquartile range) of 12 (12-13) months after initial assessment of bone density.

Pulmonary (99m)Tc-DTPA aerosol clearance and survival in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP).

Background: Clearance of inhaled technetium 99m-labelled diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid ((99m)Tc-DTPA) from the lungs is a potential indicator of disease progression in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

Methods: We prospectively analysed the usefulness of this technique for predicting survival in 106 non-smoking patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern IPF diagnosed by high resolution CT (HRCT) scanning or histological examination (M/F 65/41, mean (SD) age 61 (11) years). DTPA clearance was analysed according to both mono-exponential and bi-exponential models.

Pulmonary function in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and referral for lung transplantation.

Of patients awaiting lung transplantation, the death rates are highest in those with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), suggesting that many IPF patients are referred late for transplantation. Therefore this study was undertaken to evaluate baseline pulmonary function test (PFT) and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) fibrosis scores, and the relationship to survival in IPF patients younger than 65 yr of age. A total of 115 patients with usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) were studied.

Effect of intravenous pamidronate on bone mineral density in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is prevalent in adults with cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of intravenous pamidronate on BMD in these subjects.

Methods: Patients were invited to participate if they had a BMD Z score of -2 or less in the lumbar spine, proximal femur, or distal forearm.

Identification of perivitelline N-linked glycans as mediators of sperm-egg interaction in chickens.

This study demonstrates that carbohydrates play an essential role in sperm-egg interactions in birds. Sperm-egg interaction was measured in vitro as the ability of spermatozoa to hydrolyse a small hole in the inner perivitelline layer, the equivalent of the mammalian zona pellucida. Preincubation with Triticum vulgaris lectin (WGA) and succinyl-WGA (S-WGA) at 10 microgram ml(-1) resulted in complete inhibition of sperm-egg interaction, whereas at the same concentration a range of other lectins (Canavalia ensiformis (Con A), Arachis hypogea (PNA), Ulex europaeus II (UEA II), Solanum tuberosum (STA), Tetragonolobus purpureas (LTA) and Pisum sativum (PSA)) were unable to inhibit sperm egg interaction significantly, although fluorescein-labelled derivatives of these lectins were found to stain the inner perivitelline layer.

Outer membrane protein shifts in biocide-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1.

Benzisothiazolone (BIT), N-methylisothiazolone (MIT) and 5-chloro-N-methylisothiazolone (CMIT) are highly effective biocidal agents and are used as preservatives in a variety of cosmetic preparations. The isothiazolones have proven efficacy against many fungal and bacterial species including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, some species are beginning to exhibit resistance towards this group of compounds after extended exposure.

Low bone mineral density in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Patients with cystic fibrosis have several risk factors for the development of low bone mineral density (BMD). To identify the prevalence and clinical correlates of low BMD in adult patients with cystic fibrosis, densitometry was performed in 151 patients (83 men) aged 15-52 years.

Methods: BMD was measured in the lumbar spine (L1-4) using dual energy x ray absorptiometry (DXA) and quantitative computed tomography (QCT).

Reengineering a cardiovascular surgery service.

Background: Reengineering, involving the radical redesign of business processes, has been used successfully in a variety of health care settings. In 1994 New York University (NYU) Medical Center (MC) launched its first reengineering team, whose purpose was to redesign the entire process of caring for patients-from referral to discharge-on the cardiovascular (CV) surgery service. REENIGINEERING TEAM: The multidisciplinary CV Surgery Reengineering Team was charged with two goals: improving customer (patient, family, and referring physician) satisfaction and improving profitability.

Domiciliary radiography: an important service?

General practitioners' (GP) perceptions, comparative costs and potential influence on patient management of a domiciliary radiography service were reviewed. A postal questionnaire was sent to 159 local GPs, 130 of whom responded. Seventy-one per cent of respondents had requested domiciliary radiography in the previous year and 79% felt loss of the service could potentially be detrimental.

Abdominal radiography in suspected 'body packers'.

Drug smuggling by intra-abdominal concealment is now a world-wide problem. This paper describes the establishment of a plain radiography service to assist customs officers of Manchester International Airport (MIA) in their work. Over a 2 1/2 year period, 158 suspected 'body packers' were radiographed, resulting in nine positive detections.

Site-directed chemical conversion of serine to cysteine in penicillin acylase from Escherichia coli ATCC 11105. Effect on conformation and catalytic activity.

Penicillin acylase (EC 3.5.1.

Finger flexion function in rheumatoid arthritis: the reliability of eight simple tests.

The inter- and intra-observer errors of eight tests of finger flexion function were estimated from the results obtained by three observers assessing 10 patients with rheumatoid hand involvement. Measurements of finger flexion and muscle power involved both conventional and novel techniques using simple and easily constructed apparatus. For each test, measurements were in agreement between observers and were reproducible on three occasions.