Radiological hazard assessment of natural radioactivity in Avcilar region, Turkey: a case of Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Avcilar Campus.

Radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K can be found in various concentrations in the surface soil. High concentrations of radionuclides in the surface soil may cause radiological risks. This study investigated natural radioactivity levels and artificial radionuclide (137Cs) levels in the Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar region, Istanbul, Turkey. Radioactivity concentrations were analyzed using the gamma-ray spectrometer. The mean activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, and 137Cs is 28.55, 29.57, 385.72, and 3.09 Bq kg-1, respectively. Radiological parameters radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, external hazard index, and excess lifetime cancer risk were calculated using activity concentrations. The radiological parameters values were lower than UNSCEAR values, except for the annual gonadal dose equivalent (approximately 10% higher). There is a strong correlation between radiological parameters and radionuclides. Generally, the activities of radionuclides in the region fall within the recommended limits, thus Istanbul-Avcilar region can be considered safe for settlement.

A review of the application of cerium and lanthanum in phosphorus removal during wastewater treatment: Characteristics, mechanism, and recovery.

Owing to their strong bond with anions, rare earth elements (REEs) are prime contenders in wastewater treatment to meet the stringent phosphorus (P) effluent quality requirements. REEs outcompete traditional metals to abate phosphorus. The application of lanthanides in wastewater treatment is mainly through adsorption, where REEs are incorporated into a carrier matrix to improve the adsorption capacity. As coagulants, information on the performance of lanthanides is lacking. In this review, the performance of major water coagulants (iron and aluminum) is discussed and compared to two lanthanides: cerium and lanthanum. The use of lanthanides as adsorbents and as coagulants is elucidated during P treatment. The recovery of P and REEs is also discussed. Where details were lacking in the literature, experiments were conducted to fill these research gaps. Using REEs as adsorbents limits their P precipitation potential; as coagulants, REE capacity is 520.79 mg P/g La3+ and 469.96 mg P/g Ce3+. In addition, as coagulants, they are not affected by pH (3.0 < pH < 10.0); however, carbonates and sulfate are the major species that can reduce the performance of REEs during P treatment. REE-P precipitation is orchestrated through the formation of an REE-PO4 bond. Unfortunately, this strong bond between lanthanides and phosphate makes phosphate recovery almost impractical. If the goal is to recover REEs and reuse P in other applications like fertilizers, REEs are not the best candidates. We recommend additional research dedicated to understanding lanthanide coagulants in typical wastewater treatment facilities and their release from phosphate precipitates under different environmental conditions.

Evaluation of disinfection byproducts for their ability to affect mitochondrial function.

In the race to deliver clean water to communities through potable water reuse, disinfection and water quality assessment are and will continue to be fundamental factors. There are over 700 disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in water; evaluating each compound is practically impossible and very time consuming. A bioanalytical approach could be an answer to this challenge. In this work, the response of four major classes of DBPs toward mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and cytoplasmic adenosine triphosphate (C-ATP) was investigated with human carcinoma (HepG2) cells. Within 90 min of cell exposure, only the haloacetic acid (HAA) mixture caused a cytotoxic response as measured by C-ATP. All four groups (haloacetonitriles (HANs), trihalomethanes (THMs), nitrosamines (NOAs), and HAAs) responded well to ΔΨm, R2 > 0.70. Based on the half-maximum concentration that evoked a 50% response in ΔΨm, the response gradient was HANs >> HAAs ∼ THM > NOAs. The inhibition of the ΔΨm by HANs is driven by dibromoacetonitrile (DBAN), while dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN) did not cause a significant change in the ΔΨm at less than 2000 µM. A mixture of HANs exhibited an antagonistic behavior on the ΔΨm compared to individual compounds. If water samples are concentrated to increase HAN concentrations, especially DBAN, then ΔΨm could be used as a biomonitoring tool for DBP toxicity.

Toxicity of lanthanide coagulants assessed using four in vitro bioassays.

Rare earth element (REE) coagulants are prime contenders in wastewater treatment plants to remove phosphorus; unlike typical coagulants, they are not affected by pH. However, the use of REEs in wastewater treatment could mean increased human exposure to lanthanides (Ln) through wastewater effluent discharge to the environment or through water reuse. Information on the toxicity of lanthanides is scarce and, where available, there are conflicting views. Using in vitro bioassays, we assessed lanthanide toxicity by evaluating four relevant endpoints: the change in mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), intracellular adenosine triphosphate (I-ATP), genotoxicity, and cell viability. At less than 5000 µmol-Ln3+/L, lanthanides increased the Δψm, while above 5000 µmol-Ln3+/L, the Δψm level plummeted. The measure of I-ATP indicated constant levels of ATP up to 250 µmol-Ln3+/L, above which the I-ATP decreased steadily; the concentration of La, Ce, Gd, and Lu that triggered half of the cells to become ATP-inactive is 794, 1505, 1488, 1115 µmol-Ln3+/L, respectively. Although La and Lu accelerated cell death in shorter studies (24 h), chronic studies using three cell growth cycles showed cell recovery. Lanthanides exhibited antagonistic toxicity at less than 1000 µmol-Ln3+/L. However, the introduction of heavy REEs in a solution amplified lanthanide toxicity. Tested lanthanides appear to pose little risk, which could pave the way for lanthanide application in wastewater treatment.

The Relationship Between Market Environment Dimensions and Availability of Malaria Pills in Uganda.

INTRODUCTION: This study sought to examine the contribution of relationship building (in terms of collaboration, information sharing and supply chain interdependence) on the availability of malaria treatment pills in public hospitals in Sub-Saharan Africa using data from Uganda. METHODS: By means of a cross-sectional survey research design, the study used a questionnaire strategy to collect quantitative data. Out of the 320 questionnaires that were distributed in 40 public hospitals, 283 were answered and returned, which yielded an 88% response rate. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to establish the relationship between measured variables and latent constructs. RESULTS: Drawing on the survey results, the confirmatory factor analysist and the Structural Equation Modelling clearly demonstrate that relationship building (in terms of collaboration, information sharing and supply chain interdependence) significantly influences the availability of Artemisinin-based combination therapies in public general hospitals in Uganda. CONCLUSION: Policy-makers should focus on developing cheaper information technology tools to exchange information regarding stock levels, forecasting, quantification, orders, and dispensing. This study developed a measurement model for an inter-hospital relationship, using relational view theory, and it employs dimensions in terms of information sharing and supply chain interdependence to predict and explain the availability of malaria pills in government hospitals.

A structural equation modeling of supply chain strategies for artemisinin-based combination therapies in Uganda.

Introduction: Malaria is a killer disease in the tropical environment; artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) play a central role in treating malaria. Thus, the supply and presence of ACT drugs in hospitals are a key feature in the fight against malaria. Supply chain management literature has focused on the private sector, and less attention has been paid to the public sector, especially hospitals. Aim: This study uses an interdisciplinary lens in investigating how to boost the supply and distribution of ACTs to save lives in low-income countries, specifically in Uganda. Methodology: The study adopted a quantitative research design using a questionnaire as the data collection instrument. Of the 440-population size, 304 of the sample population participated in the study. The model was estimated using structural equation modeling (SEM) to establish the causal relationship among the variables. Results: From the SEM analysis, all the hypotheses were significant at p < 0.05. The availability of ACTs is strongly affected by strategic dimensions (0.612), followed by operation dimensions (0.257); strategic determinants significantly affect operational determinants by a magnitude of 0.599. The indirect influence of the strategic determinants via operational determinants on the availability of ACTs is not significant. Overall, the factors explained 63.9% of the observed variance in the availability of ACTs, and the ACT availability can be predicted as follows: ACT availability = 0.612 × strategic determinants + 0.256 × operation determinants. Top management commitment and organizational responsiveness are among the items that positively affect the availability of ACTs. Conclusion: Strategically, hospital management should invest in cheap technology and software to minimize the unavailability of medicines. Our research suggests that strategic and operational determinants should be integrated into the hospitals' core business and implemented by the top management. The article contributes to theoretical and policy direction in the public sector medicine supply chain, specifically in public hospitals.

A facile polymerisation of magnetic coal to enhanced phosphate removal from solution.

Globally, there are increased threats to available freshwater resources due to pollution, climate change, and increased demand from population growth. Phosphorus is one of the essential nutrients required for animal and plant growth. However, when it is released into freshwater resources in excess amounts, it can become a pollutant through eutrophication. This study aimed to enhance the removal of phosphate from water using modified coal. The coal was magnetised by in-situ synthesis using a precipitation technique. To obtain functional groups and mechanical stability, magnetised coal particles were coated with polyaniline, via the polymerisation of aniline to form Magnetised Unburnt Coal Polyaniline (MUC-PANI). The properties of MUC-PANI were investigated using TGA, BET, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, SEM, and FTIR. TGA reviewed MUC-PANI as 58% magnetised coal and 42% polyaniline, while the specific surface area increased from 30.0 to 42.2 m2/g after modification. SEM indicated a cauliflower structure on the surface of MUC-PANI due to the successful polymerisation of polyaniline. The FTIR spectrum showed successful adsorption of phosphate due to the formation of incipient peak at1008 cm-1. The adsorption kinetic data are better fitted to the Elovich model. The Langmuir adsorption capacity of MUC-PANI is 147.1 mg PO43-/g at 25 °C and pH 5.0 (initial concentration 10-200 mg/L, dose 0.8 g/L). MUC-PANI is a cost-efficient compound for removal of phosphate because it is made from readily available coal.