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.     

Peroxyacetyl Nitrate-Induced Inhibition of Cell Wall Metabolism

Levels of PAN which inhibit oat coleoptile section growth reversibly, severely inhibit metabolism of cellulose and of cell wall noncellulosic polysaccharides. An enzyme in the coleoptile cell walls which hydrolyzes some of the noncellulosic glucan was partially inactivated by direct PAN treatment of homogenized cell wall. Treatment of intact cells by PAN also resulted in a partially inactivated enzyme. Coleoptile phos-phoglucomutase was partially inactivated by treatment with PAN both in vitro and in vivo. After treatment of intact cells with PAN, phosphoglucomutase associated with subcellular particles was more severely inactivated than was soluble enzyme. Uridine diphosphate glucose pyrophosphorylase from coleoptiles was inactivated by PAN in vitro but not in vivo. A particulate cellulose synthetase from coleoptiles was inactivated by PAN both in vitro and in vivo. Since cell wall biosynthesis and or degradation are needed for expansion it is concluded that PAN inhibition of these enzymes may account for reduced cell growth. The work of Dr. Morris J. Garber who carried out the analysis of variance is gratefully acknowledged.     

Odorants and malodors associated with land application of biosolids stabilized with lime and coal fly ash

Malodor emissions limit public acceptance of using municipal biosolids as natural organic resources in agricultural production. We aimed to identify major odorants and to evaluate odor concentrations associated with land application of anaerobically digested sewage sludges (Class B) and their alkaline (lime and coal fly ash)-stabilized products (Class A). These two types of biosolids were applied at 12.6 tonnes ha(-1) (dry weight) to microplots of very fine clayey Vertisol in the Jezreel Valley, northern Israel. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the biosolids before and during alkaline stabilization and after incorporation into the soil were analyzed by headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Odor concentrations at the plots were evaluated on site with a Nasal Ranger field olfactometer that sniffed over a defined land surface area through a static chamber. The odors emitted by anaerobically digested sewage sludges from three activated sludge water treatment plants had one characteristic chemical fingerprint. Alkaline stabilization emitted substantial odors associated with high concentrations of ammonia and release of nitrogen-containing VOCs and did not effectively reduce the potential odor annoyance. Odorous VOCs could be generated within the soil after biosolids incorporation, presumably because of anaerobic conditions within soil-biosolids aggregates. We propose that dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide, which seem to be most related to the odor concentrations of biosolids-treated soil, be used as potential chemical markers for the odor annoyance associated with incorporation of anaerobically digested sewage sludges.     

Sequential biodegradation of TNT,RDX and HMX in a mixture

We describe TNT's inhibition of RDX and HMX anaerobic degradation in contaminated soil containing indigenous microbial populations. Biodegradation of RDX or HMX alone was markedly faster than their degradation in a mixture with TNT, implying biodegradation inhibition by the latter. The delay caused by the presence of TNT continued even after its disappearance and was linked to the presence of its intermediate, tetranitroazoxytoluene. PCR–DGGE analysis of cultures derived from the soil indicated a clear reduction in microbial biomass and diversity with increasing TNT concentration. At high-TNT concentrations (30 and 90 mg/L), only a single band, related to Clostridium nitrophenolicum, was observed after 3 days of incubation. We propose that the mechanism of TNT inhibition involves a cytotoxic effect on the RDX- and HMX-degrading microbial population. TNT inhibition in the top active soil can therefore initiate rapid transport of RDX and HMX to the less active subsurface and groundwater.     

Correlates of relocation intention and emotional responses to an Israeli plant relocation

Prior to a relocation of a governmental organization in Israel, 155 workers responded to a questionnaire tapping three criteria: the intention to relocate, positive feelings, and stress reactions. The questionnaire also addressed potential correlates: biographical data, family-related variables, perceived attitudes of co-workers, job satisfaction and centrality, and anticipations regarding work and nonwork aspects. The intention to relocate was associated mainly with the perceived attitude of the spouse and the children. Stress experienced was most strongly related to the future job prospects, and the positive emotions were mostly correlated with the perceived favourability of the anticipated changes. The family-related variables were found to be significantly correlated with all the criteria. These results suggest that organization should direct efforts on spouse and children in order to influence employees' decisions and feelings regarding relocation. This and other implications are discussed.     

The dilemma of a low rate of chromosomal mosaicism found in fetal blood sampling

We report a case in which mosaicism of trisomy 13 was detected in 4/10 cells (40 per cent) in amniotic fluid cell cultures, followed by a low rate of mosaicism (1/160 cells) detected in a fetal blood sample. This finding presents a dilemma both for the genetic counsellor and for the parents in determining whether or not to terminate the pregnancy.