Evaluation of elevator shafts as a pathway for fungal spores and particles to enter a hospital housing immuno-compromised patients

Background. It is estimated that hospitals spend between 28 and 33 billion dollars per year as a result of hospital-acquired infections. (Scott, 2009) The costs continue to rise despite the guidance and controls provided by hospital infection control staff to reduce patient exposures to fungal spores and other infectious agents. With all processes and controls in place, the vented elevator shaft represents an unprotected opening from the top of the building to the lower floors. The hypothesis for this prospective study is that there is a positive correlation between the number of Penicillium/Aspergillus-like spores, Cladosporium, ascospores, basidiospores in spores/m3 as individual spore categories found in the hoistway vent of an elevator shaft and the levels of the same spores, sampled near-simultaneously in the outdoor intake of the elevator shaft. Specific aims of this study include determining if external Penicillium/Aspergillus-like spores are entering the healthcare facility via the elevator shaft and hoistway vents. Additional aims include determining levels of Penicillium/Aspergillus-like spores outdoors, in the elevator shafts, and indoors in areas possibly affected by elevator shaft air; and, finally, to evaluate whether any effect is observed due to the installation of a hoistway vent damper, installed serendipitously during this study. ^ Methods. Between April 2010 and September 2010, a total of 3,521 air samples were collected, including 363 spore trap samples analyzed microscopically for seven spore types, and polymerase chain reaction analyses on 254 air samples. 2178 particle count measurements, 363 temperature readings and 363 relative humidity readings were also obtained from 7 different locations potentially related to the path of air travel inside and near a centrally-located and representative elevator shaft. ^ Results. Mean Penicillium/Aspergillus-like spore values were higher outside the building (530 spores/m3 of air) than inside the hoistway (22.8 spores/m3) during the six month study. Mean values inside the hospital were lower than outside throughout the study, ranging from 15 to 73 spores/m3 of air. Mean Penicillium/Aspergillus-like spore counts inside the hoistway decreased from 40.1 spores/m3 of air to 9 spores/m3 of air following the installation of a back draft damper between the outside air and the elevator shaft. Comparison of samples collected outside the building and inside the hoistway vent prior to installing the damper indicated a strong positive correlation (Spearman's Rho=0.8008, p=0.0001). The similar comparison following the damper installation indicated a moderate non-significant inverse correlation (Spearman's rho = −0.2795, p=0.1347). ^ Conclusion. Elevator shafts are one pathway for mold spores to enter a healthcare facility. A significant correlation was detected between spores and particle counts inside the hoistway and outside prior to changes in the ventilation system. The insertion of the back draft damper appeared to lower the spore counts inside the hoistway and inside the building. The mold spore counts in air outside the study building were higher in the period following the damper installation while the levels inside the hoistway and hospital decreased. Cladosporium and Penicillium/Aspergillus -like spores provided a method for evaluating indoor air quality as a natural tracer from outside the building to inside the building. Ascospores and basidiospores were not a valuable tracer due to low levels of detection during this study. ^ Installation of a back draft damper provides additional protection for the indoor environment of a hospital or healthcare facility, including in particular patients who may be immunocompromised. Current design standards and references do not require the installation of a back draft damper, but evaluation of adding language to relevant building codes should be considered. The data indicate a reduction in levels of Penicillium/Aspergillus -like spores, particle counts and a reduction in relative humidity inside of the elevator shaft after damper installation.^

Design parameters for continuously variable power-split transmissions using planetaries with 3 active shafts

Since 1996, when the first agricultural tractor with CVT transmission was shown, the presence of this type of transmissions has been increasing. All companies offer them in their products range. Nevertheless, there is little technical documentation that explains the basics of its operation. This report shows all types of CVT transmissions: non-power-split type and power-split ones, as well as the three types used in agricultural tractors, hydro-mechanical power-split transmissions (3 active shafts, input coupled planetary; 3 active shafts, output coupled planetary and 4 active shafts). The report also describes the design parameters of a type of CVT transmission, which use a power-split system with 3 active shafts as well as the fundamental relations among them. Crown Copyright 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of ISTVS. All rights reserved.

Drilled shafts for bridge foundations /

"August 1993."

A text-book on the mechanics of materials and of beams, columns, and shafts /

Alternate leaves blank.

A text-book on the mechanics of materials and of beams, columns, and shafts /

Mode of access: Internet.

Materials used for cleaning, preserving, abrading, and cementing ordnance materiel and related materials including chemicals.

"October 1960."

Chemical composition of <0.001 mm grain size fractions of bottom sediments and cementing mass of basalt breccia from the North Atlantic

A comprehensive study of 102 samples of grain size fractions 0.010-0.005; 0.005-0.001, and <0.001 mm showns that clay mineral compositions from bottom sediments of the Faroe-Iceland Threshold and Faroe-Shetland Trench are different. In the first case it is essentially smectite-chlorite, in the second - mainly hydromicaceous. The difference in composition of clay minerals is due to influence of different source areas of terrigenous material.

Myosin light chain kinase regulates synaptic plasticity and fear learning in the lateral amygdala

Learning and memory depend on signaling mole- cules that affect synaptic efficacy. The cytoskeleton has been implicated in regulating synaptic transmission but its role in learning and memory is poorly understood. Fear learning depends on plasticity in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala. We therefore examined whether the cytoskeletal-regulatory protein, myosin light chain kinase, might contribute to fear learning in the rat lateral amygdala. Microinjection of ML-7, a specific inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase, into the lateral nucleus of the amygdala before fear conditioning, but not immediately afterward, enhanced both short-term memory and long-term memory, suggesting that myosin light chain kinase is involved specifically in memory acquisition rather than in posttraining consolidation of memory. Myosin light chain kinase inhibitor had no effect on memory retrieval. Furthermore, ML-7 had no effect on behavior when the train- ing stimuli were presented in a non-associative manner. An- atomical studies showed that myosin light chain kinase is present in cells throughout lateral nucleus of the amygdala and is localized to dendritic shafts and spines that are postsynaptic to the projections from the auditory thalamus to lateral nucleus of the amygdala, a pathway specifically impli- cated in fear learning. Inhibition of myosin light chain kinase enhanced long-term potentiation, a physiological model of learning, in the auditory thalamic pathway to the lateral nu- cleus of the amygdala. When ML-7 was applied without as- sociative tetanic stimulation it had no effect on synaptic responses in lateral nucleus of the amygdala. Thus, myosin light chain kinase activity in lateral nucleus of the amygdala appears to normally suppress synaptic plasticity in the cir- cuits underlying fear learning, suggesting that myosin light chain kinase may help prevent the acquisition of irrelevant fears. Impairment of this mechanism could contribute to pathological fear learning.

CORR Insights® : loss of cement-bone interlock in retrieved tibial components from total knee arthroplasties

Most surgeons cement the tibial component in total knee replacement surgery. Mid-term registry data from a number of countries, including those from the United Kingdom and Australia, support the excellent survivorship of cemented tibial components. In spite of this success, results can always be improved, and cementing technique can play a role. Cementing technique on the tibia is not standardized, and surgeons still differ about the best ways to deliver cement into the cancellous bone of the upper tibia. Questions remain regarding whether to use a gun or a syringe to inject the cement into the cancellous bone of the tibial plateau . The ideal cement penetration into the tibial plateau is debated, though most reports suggest that 4 mm to 10 mm is ideal. Thicker mantles are thought to be dangerous due to the risk of bone necrosis, but there is little in the literature to support this contention...

from "The Roving Party"

They walked down through a dry creek bed lined with swamp gums grown so close together they appeared as one living whole. The men passed around these trees in single file, among sun shafts which pierced the canopy but threw no light upon their faces nor warmed their bones. In the gloom the air was thick with flies and the mushrooms grew like the sightless larvae of some queer and unnamed vermin. Before long they found themselves among a stand of trees which had been stripped of their bark for windbreaks. The naked trunks were carved over with bisected circles, detailings of the moon and sun, images of snakes and roo. The Parramatta men gazed at the finely wrought icons but John Batman found more to hold his attention. Pressed onto the flesh of the tree was a bloody handprint. Batman removed his hat and crouched to examine the ground and Black Bill joined him. One injured man had passed this way...

Tropical Clays .1. Index Properties And Microstructural Aspects

Soils showing changes in plasticity characteristics upon driving form an important group in tropical soils. These changes are attributed to the grouping of particles into aggregates either due to mineralogy or presence of cementing agents and/or pore fluid characteristics. These changes are found to be permanent. In this paper, the effect of these changes leading to changes in index properties is discussed. The coefficient of permeability has been found to be comparable at liquid limit water content for different soils of varying liquid limit values. Permeability is an indirect reflection of microstructure and indicates the flow rate, which depends upon pore geometry. Other mechanical properties like compressibility and shear strength also depend upon pore geometry. These microstructural aspects of liquid limit as a reference state for the analysis of engineering behavior of tropical soils are examined in detail.

固井工程中的流动问题

同井是油气在建过程中的重要工程，一般分下套管和注水泥两个过程．本文结合作者近年来的研究，着重阐述了钻井液、前置液、水泥浆在环形空间中流动的流体力学问题，包括：高温高压下的水泥浆流变性、偏心环形空间中浆液的流动特性、钻井液-前置液和前置液-水泥浆界面的稳定性等，介绍了国内外学者对这些问题的研究进展，提出了今后应深入研究的问题.

Leistungsmessung an Bord von Fischereifahrzeugen zur Kontrolle der 300-PS-Begrenzung in der Schollenbox

For monitoring of the engine power of fishing vessels permitted for fishery in the plaice box with engine power of 300 HP or less at sea three different portable power measurement systems are developed and tested. A system measuring the twist of the propeller shaft by two divisible gearwheels mounted on the shaft worked well at shafts with roller bearing at both sides of the measured interval of 100–300 mm length. Only at a very few fishing vessels this system is applicable and therefore for monitoring purposes not suitable. The application of a commercial available system measuring the stress at the surface of the shaft was simplified for application by non experts. The torque is measured by strain gauges. The calibration of the system, measuring and recording of the power is done by a PC automatically. A small polished facet on the shaft protected against oxidation is needed for easy and quick application. In this case the system can be used by technical personnel of supervision boats for monitoring of the engine power at sea in a short time. A third power measurement system determinates the torque by measuring the displacement of two supports clamped on the shaft at a distance of 100 mm. The displacement is measured by a micrometer gauge mounted on one of the supports. Readout of the rotating gauge display is possible taking advantage of stroboscopic effect. The system needs no conditioning of the shaft and can be used by non technicians. The development is not finished until now and some additional investigations and tests are required. Additional measures for monitoring of the power on fishing vessels by self recording power measurement systems and sealed fuel racks with limited injection are reported and discussed.

Selección de métodos de análisis de fatiga para ejes de transmisiones de máquinas.

[ES]Existe un elevado número de métodos para cálculos de fatiga en piezas sometidas a estados de tensiones multiaxiales. Cada método tiene un campo óptimo de aplicación: para materiales dúctiles, frágiles, estados con y sin tensiones medias, etc. En este Trabajo de Fin de Grado se trata de estudiar la precisión que proporcionan diferentes métodos de enfoque global (no de plano crítico) y comparar sus resultados a fin de decidir cuáles son los idóneos para los casos de carga más frecuentes en los ejes de transmisiones en automóviles.

Origem e função da fantasia na obra freudiana

O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar a origem e a função da fantasia na obra de Sigmund Freud, por meio do papel que desempenha na constituição do psiquismo humano e da sua importância em produzir um sentido para a vida. A pesquisa - de cunho bibliográfico - buscou esclarecer os diferentes usos e modificações do termo "fantasia" no decorrer das descobertas realizadas por Freud ao longo de sua vida e obra, desde o período denominado de pré-psicanalítico (1886/1899) até os últimos textos publicados no Esboço de Psicanálise (1940 [1938]). A análise da investigação revelou três grandes eixos descritivos, complexos, por vezes contraditórios e submetidos a constantes redefinições que caracterizam a fantasia como um sintoma, uma criação e um enigma da transmissão geracional. A conclusão corrobora o pressuposto de que a vida não tem sentido sem a capacidade de fantasiar. A fantasia ocupa um lugar de fundamental importância no pensamento freudiano, comparecendo como um elemento essencial na constituição do psiquismo e revelando horizontes, para que os estudiosos da psicanálise pudessem ampliar essa investigação tão reveladora da psiquê.