Measures Of Routine Activities Research Articles

Applying the Lifestyle Routine Activities Theory to Understand Physical and Nonphysical Peer Victimization

ABSTRACTPeer victimization is a serious problem, and understanding where, with whom, and how long victims spend their time is important. Applying the lifestyle routine activities theory (LRAT), this study examines the association between 4 components of LRAT and physical and nonphysical peer victimization. Using the 2007 National Crime Victimization Survey, we examined Poisson and negative binomial regression models to explain whether physical and nonphysical peer victimization was affected by measures of routine activities. Our findings indicate that students’ exposure and proximity to motivated offenders, school environment, capable guardianship, and target attractiveness were associated with risk of peer victimization. Findings also reveal that risk factors varied depending on the type of victimization.

Precise practical measurements of 90Y used in radiopharmaceuticals using re-entrant ionization chambers

For diagnostic nuclear medicine, radiopharmaceuticals are labeled with γ-ray emitting nuclides. Routine activity measurements for these drugs are mainly performed with re-entrant ionization chambers. For radiotherapeutic applications, β-ray emitting nuclides are also used. Since very few gamma transitions are involved in these nuclides, an ionization chamber responds only to weak bremsstrahlung. In order to apply the re-entrant chamber method to routine activity assay for these β-ray emitting nuclides, detailed studies were carried out. It was determined that the response was strongly affected by the choice of thickness of the inner wall of the well in the measurement of high energy beta particle emitting nuclides. The geometrical dependences were successfully reduced. Accordingly, routine assay of radioactivity of 90Y therapeutic pharmaceuticals can be performed within an acceptable uncertainty with ordinary re-entrant dose calibrators that are commercially available and equipped in most hospitals.

Comparison for quality assurance of 99mTc activity measurements with radionuclide calibrators

In 2005, the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) and the QSA Global GmbH (QSA) organised a national comparison of 99mTc solution measurements. The purpose of this comparison was to gain information on the quality of routine activity measurements carried out in the field of nuclear medicine in Germany. In addition to this, an ampoule containing a calibrated 99mTc solution was sent from PTB to the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) to have the activity result entered into the database of the International Reference System (SIR), and thus demonstrating traceability of the measurements to the SI. In the following, we will report on the activity standardisation carried out at the PTB, and on the way in which the national comparison had been organised, and we will provide information on the analysis as well as on its results.

A Continuous Fluorescence Assay for Tryptophan Hydroxylase

A continuous fluorometric assay for tryptophan hydroxylase activity based on the different spectral characteristics of tryptophan and 5-hydroxytryptophan is presented. Hydroxylation of tryptophan at the 5-position results in a large increase in the fluorescence of the molecule. The assay selectively monitors the fluorescence yield of 5-hydroxytryptophan by exciting the reaction mix at 300 nm. The rate of increase of the emission signal was found to be directly proportional to the enzyme concentration. Inner filter effects due to quinonoid dihydropterin accumulation were eliminated by the inclusion of a thiol reductant. Activity measured using this assay method was found to be the same as that determined by established discontinuous HPLC assay methods. The application of the assay to routine activity measurements and to steady-state determinations with the substrates tryptophan and tetrahydropterin is described.

ROUTINE ACTIVITIES AND CRIME: AN ANALYSIS OF VICTIMIZATION IN CANADA *

Miethe et al. (1987) have suggested that there are strong interaction effects between demographic characteristics of victims and certain routine activities that occur at night and away from home, but only for victims of property crime. This same pattern does not appear for victims of violent crime, they maintain, because unlike property crime, violent crime often involves interpersonal conflict and disagreement and is therefore spontaneous. Using data from the Canadian Urban Victimization Survey, which contains detailed measures of routine activities not available in Miethe et al. 's U.S. study, this study finds contrary evidence that suggests that personal crime is contingent on the exposure that comes from following certain life‐styles. This is particularly true for certain demographic groups, particularly young males. The findings are considered in the light of the literature focusing on the interaction between situation and personality and the importance of the resulting conflict styles in promoting or reducing the opportunity for crime in certain settings and under certain conditions.

Analysis of tissue samples containing colloidal thorium dioxide (thorotrast) or zirconium dioxide (zirconotrast): Radiochemical preparation and alpha-spectrometry

The aim of the present study is to assess the activity of the thorium isotopes, Th-232, Th-230, and Th-228 in tissue samples containing Thorotrast or Radiozirconotrast, i.e. Th-230 and Th-228 enriched Zirconotrast, in order to enable calculations of tissue doses. Therefore: 1. 1. a procedure was developed for radiochemical processing of these samples, and 2. 2. a computerised alpha-spectroscopy system has been constructed for routine activity measurements. The procedure developed for sample preparation permitted complete radiochemical processing of the above tissue samples. By subsequent electrodeposition of the thorium isotopes as well as the internal isotopic tracer Th-229, almost massless sources were obtained for alpha-spectrometry. The recovery amounts to a mean of 85% and 70% for tissues containing Thorotrast and Radiozirconotrast. With regard to the great number of samples to be measured and the expected counting times of more than 1500 min, a computerised alphaspectroscopy system with a sample conveyor has been constructed. The energy resolution is between 45 keV and 75 keV FWHM. The detection efficiency amounts to 12%. The values of the detection level for the thorium isotopes are between 1,4 mBq and 3,1 mBq.

Alpha-spectrometric analysis and dose assessment of tissue samples containing colloidal thorium dioxide (Thorotrast)

The aim of the present study is to calculate the mean organ dose rate from alpha-spectrometric analysis of rat liver tissue samples containing colloidal ThO 2 (Thorotrast). Therefore, a procedure for radiochemical processing of these tissue samples, including electrodeposition, was developed, and an automated alpha-spectroscopy system with a sample conveyor for routine activity measurements has been constructed. The mean recovery for liver tissue samples containing Thorotrast is about 80%. The energy resolution is in the range of 35 and 75 keV FWHM, and the detection level for the thorium isotopes is about 2 mBq. The experimentally determined specific activity of thorium-232 is in good agreement with the expected value obtained from biokinetic studies. The calculated mean organ dose rates in liver tissue of rats range from 0.2 to 7.8 Gy/a.