Solid phosphorus phase in aluminum- and iron-treated biosolids

Stabilization of phosphorus (P) in sewage sludge (biosolids) to reduce water-soluble P concentrations is essential for minimizing P loss from amended soils and maximizing the capacity of the soil to safely serve as an outlet for this waste material. The chemical form at which P is retained in biosolids stabilized by Al(2)(SO(4))(3) x 18H(2)O (alum) or FeSO(4) x 7H(2)O (FeSul) was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray elemental spectrometry (EDXS) and by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Both treatments resulted in the formation of a Ca-P phase, probably brushite. Phosphorus was further retained in the alum-treated biosolids by precipitation of an Al-P phase with an Al/P molar ratio of about 1:1, while in the FeSul-treated biosolids, P was retained by both precipitation with Fe/P molar ratios of 1:1 or 1.5:1, and by adsorption onto newly formed Fe hydroxides exhibiting an Fe/P molar ratio of up to 11:1. All of these mechanisms efficiently reduced P solubility and are crucial in biosolids environmentally safe agronomic beneficial use for this waste product; however, each P phase formed may react differently in the amended soil, depending on soil properties. Thus, the proper P stabilization method would depend on the target soil.     

Fetal cells in the uterine cervix: a source for early non-invasive prenatal diagnosis

Various non-invasive techniques for prenatal diagnosis have been under investigation. We evaluated the success of fetal sexing using a non-invasive technique for obtaining fetal cells, uterine cervix brushing, in combination with FISH. Thirty pregnant women who completed between 6 and 10 weeks of gestation and who were scheduled to undergo pregnancy termination were included in the study. A Pap smear cytobrush was inserted through the external os to a maximum depth of 2 cm and removed while rotating it a full turn. The material that was caught on the brush was spread on four microscope slides. Two-color FISH was used for fetal sexing. Following pregnancy termination, a placental sample was used for full karyotyping. In 29/30 cases FISH diagnosis was confirmed by chromosomal analysis. The only male case in which a Y chromosome was not seen was from a pregnancy of 6 weeks 6 days gestational age. One case was mosaic of 46,XY/47,XXY (25%). In most cases (7/13) the Y chromosome was already identified in the first analyzed slide. With the use of a cytobrush fetal cells can be easily obtained for the purpose of prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal disorders. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Simulations of ELF magnetic shields

This paper describes a multistage algorithm for efficient calculation of magnetic flux contours, for optimizing the design of structural magnetic shielding. It is part II of the article presented in Pekar and Netzer (2006). The Environmentalist. The multi-stage algorithm enables albeit medium-power computer system to calculate the effect of shielding materials with a given geometry, in a reasonable timeframe without compromising precision. The outcome results are a large number of electrical utility models and the best cost-effective shielding materials and geometries for ELF magnetic flux reduction per Authority regulations and requirements. This article reviews methods and principles for calculation of an extremely low frequency (50/60 Hz) electromagnetic field originating from power utilities and power lines, for the purpose of constructing efficient magnetic shielding. The paper points out difficulties in existing methods and proposes a new algorithm for analysis and construction of magnetic shielding.     

A Graphical Method for the Estimation of Radiation Hazards from a Crowded Multiple Antenna Site

Summary The major objective of the design of safe crowded transmitting antenna sites is not only to determine a safe zone around each individual antenna; rather, to establish safety areas at the antenna site itself, as well as, at the neighboring areas. The requirement is to ascertain the safety regions by considering the following parameters at each Test Point (TP) (or area segment): the contribution of N co-located radiating antennas to the total radiation incident at the TP, the radiation pattern of each antenna, the near/far field region of each antenna, and most importantly, the different Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) associated with each operating frequency at the antenna site. Implementation of all the above-mentioned aspects in a suitable computer requires resources that only expert knowledgeable organizations possess. The graphically aided tool presented in this paper facilitates the calculation of a “safety zone” for RADHAZ around a crowded antenna site from the knowledge of the “safety ranges” which correspond to the individual transmitting antennas comprising it.     

Predictors of intentions to leave the ward,the hospital,and the nursing profession: A longitudinal study

The stages preceding and following the intention to withdraw from an organization have not been adequately examined. Data were collected at two time periods from a sample of 146 nurses working in a general hospital located in a large metropolitan area in Israel. Essentially, intention to withdraw from three levels — ward, hospital and profession — were examined. LISREL was used to test alternative longitudinal models for the best fitting set of linkages among variables. The findings supported a progression model of withdrawal intention. According to this conceptualization, a nurse first decides to leave the ward, then the hospital, and, finally, the profession. Theoretical and practical implications of the results were presented.