Naked Flame Research Articles

The flaming gypsy skirt injury

On review of admissions over a 12-month period, we noted a significant number of women presenting with gypsy skirt burns. We describe all six cases to highlight the unique distribution of the wounds and the circumstances in which the accidents occurred. Four skirts were ignited by open fire heaters: two skirts ignited whilst the women were standing nearby, distracted with a telephone conversation; one brushed over the flame as she was walking past the heater; other whilst dancing in the lounge. One skirt was ignited by decorative candles placed on the floor during a social gathering. Another skirt was set alight by cigarette ember, whilst smoking in the toilet. Percentage surface area burned, estimated according to the rule of nines, showed that gypsy skirt burns were significant ranging from 7 to 14% total body surface area (TBSA) and averaging 9% TBSA. Two patients required allogenic split-skin grafts. Common sense care with proximity to naked flame is all that is needed to prevent this injury.

Meat intake, cooking-related mutagens and risk of colorectal adenoma in a sigmoidoscopy-based case-control study

Reported habits of red meat consumption, particularly red meat that has been cooked to the degree termed 'well-done', is a positive risk factor for colorectal cancer. Under high, pyrolytic temperatures, heterocyclic amines (HCA) and benzo[a]pyrene (BP) molecules can form inside and on the surface of red meat, respectively. These compounds are precursors that are metabolically converted to compounds known to act as mutagens and carcinogens in animal models, yet their role in human colorectal carcinogenesis remains to be clarified. We investigated whether intake of these compounds is associated with risk of colorectal adenoma in the context of a polyp-screening study conducted in Southern California. Using a database of individual HCAs and BP in meats of various types and subjected to specified methods and degrees of cooking, we estimated nanogram consumption of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline, 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline and benzo[a]pyrene (BP). We observed a 6% increased risk of large (>1 cm) adenoma per 10 ng/day consumption of BP [OR = 1.06 (95% CI, 1.00-1.12), P (trend) = 0.04]. A major source of BP is red meat exposed to a naked flame, as occurs during the barbecuing process. Consistent with this finding an incremental increase of 10 g of barbecued red meat per day was associated with a 29% increased risk of large adenoma [OR = 1.29 (95% CI, 1.02-1.63), P (trend) = 0.04]. Individuals in the top quintile of barbecued red meat intake were at increased risk of large adenoma [OR = 1.90 (95% CI, 1.04-3.45)], compared with never consuming barbecued red meat. The consumption of oven-broiled red meat was inversely related to adenoma risk compared with non-consumers [OR = 0.49 (95% CI, 0.28-0.85)]. We did not identify any association with consumption of individual HCAs and colorectal adenoma risk. These results support the hypothesis that BP contributes to colorectal carcinogenesis.

Epidemiology of hospitalized burns patients in Taiwan

Previous studies based on either single hospital data or sampling of specific groups of hospitalized burns victims in Taiwan have provided only minimal epidemiological information. The study is designed to provide additional data on the epidemiology of hospitalized burns patients in Taiwan. Data were obtained from the Burn Injury Information System (BIIS), which brings together information supplied by 34 contracted hospitals. The study time course spanned a 2-year period from July 1997 to June 1999. Patient characteristics (age, sex, education level, etc.), causes and severity of injuries, and medical care measures were explored. A total of 4741 patients were registered with BIIS over the study period. The majority of hospitalized patients (67%) were male. The age distribution of burns patients showed peaks occurring at the age groups of 0–5 and 35–44 years. Over the time course of a day, burn injuries occurred more frequently from 10:00 to 12:00 h and 16:00 to 18:00 h. Injuries suspected as the result of suicide, homicide or child abuse accounted for 4.8% of hospitalized cases. More than 48% of the burns occurred in the home. The leading type of burn injury was scalding, followed by naked flame, explosion, electrical burns, and chemical burns due to caustic or corrosive substances. The mean percent total body surface area (%TBSA) for adults was 19%, and for young children was 12%. The average length of hospital stay was 18 days. In conclusion, children under 5 years and adults between 35 and 44 years of age are two high-risk groups for burn injuries. Corresponding to meal preparation time, hot substances such as boiling water, hot soup, etc. are the most common agents responsible for scalds. Prevention programs for reducing the risk of burn injuries during cooking and eating are required, especially for parents with young children.

Probe Diagnostics of Meteotron Flame

A movable double probe was used to study the large-scale naked flame of the meteotron installation. The paper gives a description of the installation and experimental technique used and the data obtained. The electron temperature and the degree of ionization of the flame plasma are obtained from current–voltage characteristics. The operation mode of the probe–flame plasma system is determined. The possibility of positive surface ionization of the potassium atoms adsorbed on soot particles and in the flame volume is indicated.

Minerva: November 2002

Beds are a great habitat for house dust mites, so anti-allergic mattress covers in carpet free rooms might benefit people who have asthma. A randomised, double blind placebo controlled study of 30 patients with house dust mite allergy found a significant reduction in the concentration of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus in dust from the covered mattresses after one year. Unfortunately, such allergen avoidance made no difference to the participants symptoms and lung function ( Thorax 2002;57:784-90). Smokers and childless women are known to go through the menopause at a younger age than other women. Evidence from a British birth cohort suggests that early life influences also play a role in ovarian ageing. Women of low weight at age 2 years had an earlier menopause, and those who had been breast fed had a later menopause ( Human Reproduction 2002,17:2474-9). The dangers of having a naked flame and, in particular, of smoking, near an oxygen supply are usually fully explained to respiratory patients who must be treated with oxygen at home. The need to explain this to hospital inpatients may not be so obvious. A woman was admitted …

Variation of copper, iron, and zinc levels in Pekmez products.

Pekmez is a very popular and traditional food products in Turkey and it is produced in almost every region of the country. Fruits containing high sugar like mulberry, plum, apple, and mainly grape are used as raw material in the production of Pekmez. According to investigations in Turkey, about 20% of all growth grapes were used in Pekmez production in 1982, this ratio was about 18% in 1992 (Nas and Nas, 1987; Batu and Aktan, 1992; Batu, 1993). Pekmez has been produced since ancient but its production technique has not been developed. Fruit-juice, which was obtained with different techniques, used in producing Pekmez, is boiled with the Pekmez soil (this soil is added to the grape-juice in order to neutralize its acidity and contains 50-90% of CaC03, and it has various colors from white to light brown). After than, it is concentrated in the boiler on naked flame after filtration. This concentrated fruit-juice is a very clear and brownish

Ultrasound assessment of scald scars in Asian children receiving pressure garment therapy

Background/Purpose: Scar formation after scald injury in children is managed commonly by application of pressure garment. The duration of the treatment depends on clinical assessment. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the pressure garment therapy and to correlate the clinical assessment scar thickness with ultrasound measurement. Methods: Prospective study of children with hypertrophic scars receiving pressure garment therapy was carried out between 1993 and 1998. The scars were mapped with paper cutting. Representative scar sites were scored clinically according to Vancouver General Hospital Burn Assessment Scale (pigmentation, vascularity, pliability, height, pain, itchiness). Blind to the clinical results, 2 radiologists measured the scar thickness of the same sites with ultrasonography (5 to 10 MHz transducer, General Electric LOGIQ 500). The correlation between the clinical scores and ultrasound measurement of scar thickness were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The median age of 58 children with scald injury (M:F = 36:22) was 2.8 years (0.5 to 15.8 years). The mean percentage of scald was 8.8% (24% had scald area >10%). In addition, there were 5 children with burn from naked flame and 9 children with keloid secondary to surgical incisions. With pressure garment therapy, the scar thickness reached a plateau 1½ years after the injury and began to decline gradually thereafter. The clinical estimation of scar thickness correlated well with the ultrasound measurement (ANOVA, P =.003, Adjusted R square = 0.99). The accuracy rate of clinical thickness estimation was 67%. Overestimation and underestimation accounted for 15% and 18%, respectively. There also was good correlation between total clinical score and the ultrasound measurement (ANOVA, P <.001). Conclusions: In children with scald injury, the pressure garment needs to be continued for a minimum of 1 year. Ultrasound measurement correlates well with overall score of the Vancouver General Hospital Burn Assessment Scale but not individual components of the scoring system except wound height. J Pediatr Surg 36:466-469. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.

Hazard Assessment for Manufacture of Combustible Cartridge Cases using Picrite

A systematic study of the effect of impact, friction, flame and electric spark sensitivity was carried out on the samples combustible cartridge case (CCC) withdrawn at different stages of manufacture. These are Stage I dried felted CCC; stage II-CCC from stage III Coated with nitrocellulose coating. based on the results obtained from various experiments, the CCC can be classified for handling storage and transportation as Group 3, for safety distance category as UN 1.3 and for fire fighting as class 2. further it is concluded from hazard analysis study that the CCCs are safe to handle but these should be protected from naked flame.

Serious burns sustained from wearing saris

Two cases are reported in which patients have received burns following the accidental ignition of saris. This paper stresses the danger of these garments in the presence of a naked flame.

The Treatment of Traditional Papua New Guinea Building Materials to Resist Fire

Traditional Papua New Guinea building materials were treated with Dulux “Firebrake” an intumescent paint, to investigate their fire-retardani characteristics. The project endeavoured to improve the performance of these materials in fire, and, by persuading Building Authorities to approve the use of treated traditional materials in urban areas, encourage their wider use. Samples of 1 m x 1 m woven bamboo and pitpit (a reed) mats, some painted with Dulux “Firebrake”, others untreated, had a naked flame applied to them to investigate their fire retardant characteristics. The Dulux “Firebrake” improved the fire-retardant characteristics of the bamboo mats considerably. This test was also carried out on a plywood door (30 minute fire rating) and was used as the basis for comparing the results. The pitpit mat with 2 coats of “Firebrake” was insufficiently protected, while the 3-and 4-coat mats were far superior in their flame retardant characteristics.

Studies on the Determination of Carbon Dioxide in Coals (I)

The methods for the determination of carbon dioxide in coals are not specified in JIS M8813-1963, in disregard of the necessity for the correction of carbon present as carbonate in the ultimate analysis, etc.The authors have studied on this methods and obtained the following conclusions.1) The following modifications on the pressometric method proposed by ISO/TC 27 are effective in the improvement of repeatability of the method.ISO/TC 27-490 E Modificated method.Heating device of the reaction flask naked gas flame water bath (90°C)Heating time of it 3 min. 5 min.Cooling time of it 7 min. 9 min.2) The significant difference is not observed between two means of the pressometric method (modified ISO/TC 27 490E) and the gravimetric method (ASTM D 1756). Therepeatability of the pressometric method is superior to that of the gravimetric method, and the apparatus and procedures of the former are simpler than that of the latter.The pressometric method, therefore, is suitable when the method for the determination of carbon dioxide will be specified in JIS M 8813.3) The corrections for converting total carbon and oxygen values to organic ones calculated from the determined carbon dioxides of 25 samples are as follows:for carbon…0. 01-0. 54% (ab.)for oxygen …0. 03-1. 45% (ab.)

Research in the Electrical Industry

THE fourteenth annual report of the British Electrical and Allied Industries Research Association (the E.R.A.) shows that the electrical industry is fully alive to the commercial value of research. It has been well supported both by the Government and the various branches of the industry during last year, and although we do not agree that there can never be a point “at which research has all the support it needs and deserves”, it has certainly not been “oversubscribed” in the past. The long list of researches the Association has before it, still inadequately financed, shows that there is need for further co-operative help. It is interesting to read that designers of insulating material for electrical material are now attaching less importance to a knowledge of the electric strength of their materials and more to their thermal conductivity. The importance of Fourier's theorems on the conduction of heat is being fully recognised, and also that temperature is a leading factor in electrical breakdowns. For some years the flame of the Meker burner has been the standard for the determination of “resistance to naked flame”. It has been found that the standardisation of the burner flame in conjunction with simple correction factors is unsatisfactory, as flame temperature is not correlated to the calorific value of the gas in a simple manner. Further experiments are being made to develop a standard flame for scientific tests in connexion with ‘inflammability’. The electrical resistivity map of the soil of England and southern Scotland has now been completed, and a summary of the work done on telephone interference has been published. Tests on radio interference are in progress. A list is given of the Government departments, engineering and scientific institutions, universities and colleges which have co-operated in the work of the Association.

Poisoning during Chloroform Anesthesia in the Presence of a Naked Flame

Poisoning during Chloroform Anesthesia in the Presence of a Naked Flame

XIII. A redetermination of the atomic weight of cerium

XIII. A redetermination of the atomic weight of cerium

Explosive Dust

IN NATURE, vol. xvii. p. 123, I noticed a letter by A. Mackennah on an explosion of malt dust in a grinding machine. This I believe to be not an uncommon occurrence, as I hear there have been three explosions in our mill within a period of four years, and these not due to any such culpable carelessness as allowing a naked flame to approach the heated impalpable dust, but ignited either by a spark from a piece of flint passing through the steel rollers (barley from some localities is invariably accompanied by quantities of small fragments of flint), or from excessive friction on some part of the wood fittings.