An asymptomatic 11 year child with ruptured sinus of Valsalva

Ruptured sinus of Valsalva (RSOV) is a rare lesion in a paediatric age group. A right sinus of Valsalva aneurysm usually ruptures into the right ventricle, while aneurysms of non-coronary sinus do so into the right atrium. RSOV usually presents in the third decade of life with congestive heart failure and is more common among Asians with male predominance. It may present as acute cardiogenic shock and sudden death or may remain completely asymptomatic with incidental detection by a murmur. Surgery is indicated as early as possible, once the diagnosis is made as without surgery, most cases will eventually succumb to uncontrollable congestive heart failure. This article reports an 11 year old child with the diagnosis of ruptured sinus of Valsalva.peer-reviewe

Structural Behavior of Light Weight Ferrocement Columns

This paper presents the results of the behavior of reinforced ferrocement light weight columns by permanent precast lightweight ferrocement hollow blocks. For this objective, an experimental program was carried out extensively and finite element models with ANSYS 14.5 were conducted. The program of the experimental constructed and testing of sixteen columns of total dimensions 450×650×250 mm consisting of 3 permanent precast lightweight ferrocement hollow blocks having the dimensions of200×400×200 mm filled with core material. Two types of light weight ferrocemnet hollow blocks were used to construct the columns. Two types of single layer welded steel mesh and glass fiber mesh were used as a horizontal connection between the permanent precast lightweight ferrocement hollow blocks. The core material was investigated: one layer of welded steel mesh embedded in the matrix. Welded steel mesh with single and double layers was used to reinforce the plastering layer as a bonding layers forms; namely welded steel mesh. Shear connections between the permanent precast hollow blocks and the core material were investigated called; shear connector. The columns were tested under uniform load. The behavior of the columns was compared. The results showed that an improvement in the cracks resistance, serviceability loads, ultimate loads, and energy absorption. Theses results were verifies the validity of the proposed model. Good agreement was found compared with the experimental results. Out of this research, this paper presents applications of  using light weight ferrocement  units in construction of low-cost housing which are very useful for developed and developing countries alike with great economic advantages.

Blurred Intersections: The Anti-Black, Islamophobic Dimensions of CVE Surveillance

Modern mechanisms of state surveillance reinforce gendered, raced, classed and sexed power hierarchies. Forms of control and regulation of problem bodies are framed as neutral or benign forms of bureaucratic bookkeeping (Dubrofsky and Magnet, 2015). This thesis explores the possible Islamophobic and Anti-Black dimensions of Counter Violent Extremism (CVE) program, a counterterrorism community outreach program initiated by the federal government in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, which targets the Somali community. I will be evaluating whether CVE programs, initiated by state agencies, transform into a site of surveillance. This thesis will examine declassified state documents from sources such as Homeland Security and the FBI relating to CVE programs, which detail program rationale, function, and implantation. My research will examine the presence of Anti-Black racism and Islamophobia in the purpose and deployment CVE programs. Additionally, I will be analyzing how mechanisms of surveillance operate at the intersections of Anti-Black racism and Islamophobia and how do CVE programs impact and shape the lived realities of Somali Muslims. This study of CVE programs is, by necessity, an analysis of power relations, and relies on an intersectional feminist approach to surveillance studies. Through this, I will produce a coherent understanding of how surveillance mechanisms build on the criminalization and over-policing of Black communities to surveil, mark and easily monitor Somali Muslims in Minnesota. The recent election of Donald Trump and the looming threat to activate a Muslim registry makes this research more relevant and necessary

Utilizing Homer Power Optimization Software for A Techno-Economic Feasibility, Study of a Sustainable Grid-Connected Design for Urban Electricity in, Khartoum

HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Electric Renewable) streamlines the design of distributed generation (DG) systems for a variety of grid-connected and off-grid applications. In Sudan, it is difficult to acquire an effective photovoltaic array for residential use due to a lack of energy consumption in power generation and access to technological, social, and environmental constraints. A model of a low-energy, solar-powered house that is suitable for Sudanese social and economic norms requires a high-quality architectural design. Method Using the HOMER software, the charge advantage analysis of a hybrid system was studied and assessed using the value for each kilowatt of grid-connected systems or utility grid. The simulation results have been presented as the most efficient and cost-effective method for achieving various home counts. At the current price, the hybrid system has a refund term of about fifty-four years. If turbine prices in Khartoum decline, the overall cost of energy will be reduced

Reinforced Concrete Corrosion and Protection

This paper reports result of a study conducted to assess the effect of some locally produced materials on the protection of reinforcing steel against corrosion. Also the effect of period and the main consequences on mechanical properties of steel and concrete are evaluated. Reinforcing steel bars, 10 mm in diameter, that were corroded in reinforced concrete specimens were removed and tested in tension. Twenty seven concrete cylinders with dimensions (15 × 30 cm) provided with central steel bar were cast and tested after 28 days to demonstrate the effect of the protective materials on the bond strength. A total of ten reinforced concrete beams (10 × 15 × 100 cm) were cast using a self-compacted concrete mix. All beams were tested in flexure. The results of the tested beams are analyzed in terms of; cracking pattern, load deflection, ductility. The failure mode of each specimen was recorded. The tests recommended determining the mechanical properties of mix were; the compressive test, the splitting tensile test, and flexural strength test. Results cleared that with increasing duration of exposure to a corrosive environment, the steel mass loss increases appreciably. This leads to a significant increase of the applied stress. In addition, a reduction of the tensile ductility of the material was observed. The main result from the accelerated corrosion tests in bare steel bars, that the important ductility property of the elongation to failure is very sensitive to mass loss due to corrosion, it is valid and in real structures. Coating with epoxy resin increases the protective from the corrosion more cement-based resin by 15 %

Real-Time PCR in the early detection of invasive fungal infection in immunodeficient infants and children

Background: Crucial to the diagnosis and effective therapy of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in the immunodeficient is the early identification of the causative agent especially in patients who lack clinical evidence of the disease. The standard methods for the detection of fungi in clinical specimens are direct microscopy and mycological culture. Microscopy often lacks a satisfactory sensitivity, whereas diagnosis by mycological culture often requires a long growth period. Studies have demonstrated the feasibility of detecting molds and yeast in a single reaction using the universal fungal primer. Objective: Evaluation of the role of real-time PCR in the early detection of fungal infection in immunodeficient patients with suspected IFI, who lack clinical evidence of the disease. Methods: This study included 30 immunodeficiency patients suspected of having IFI; 9 with primary and 21 with secondary immunodeficiency. All patients had at least one host factor, but no clinical criteria according to the EORTC-MSG definition of IFI. Twenty seven had fever and 3 had bronchopneumonia, both not responding to broad spectrum antibiotics for 96 hrs. or more. Blood samples were cultured for fungi and were analyzed with real-time PCR using universal fungal primers. For positive samples of fungal infection, aspergillus-specific primers were used for detection of aspergillus. Results: Seventeen patients (56.7%) proved to have IFI. Blood culture detected Candida in 2 patients only, while PCR detected Candida in another 9 and Aspergillus in 6, thus 15/17 patients with IFI (88%) were missed by blood culture. Blood culture for IFI diagnosis had a very low sensitivity (12%) but had a 100% specificity and positive predictive value. The results PCR did not vary with gender, degree of fever, immunodeficiency type, clinical presentation or current intake of antifungal treatment. Patients with proven IFI showed significantly increased CRP levels as compared to those without infection. Conclusion: Real-time PCR proved superior to culture in early diagnosis of IFI in patients with immunodeficiency before the appearance of the characteristic clinical and imaging signs. Reliance on blood culture alone at that stage would result in missing most of the positive cases with consequent delay in the initiation of specific treatment. Keywords: Invasive fungal infection, immunodeficiency, blood culture, real-time PCR, candida, aspergillusEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2012;10(2):67-7

Phenolic Compounds from Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) By-products and their Antimicrobial Activities

Cynara scolymus L. is a medicinal plant frequently used in traditional medicine for liver diseases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the different parts of Artichoke. Maximum antimicrobial activity was observed with methanolic extract of bound phenols for (bract and heart) against Gram negative bacteria. The MIC values for bound phenols from heart were (63?g/ml). Whereas, the bound phenols for bracts was ranged from (312 and 486?g/ml) against Gram negative and (486?g/ml) against Gram positive. Free phenols of the heart of artichoke showed the lowest MIC (204 to 206) ?g/mL for microorganism Gram positive and Gram negative. Therefore, this study indicate that the free phenolic extract from bracts of Cynara scolymus L. might be of interest within the developing market of nutritional ingredients and is capable of yielding nutritional supplements with antimicrobial activities. Key words: artichoke wastes, antibacterial effect

Wheat allergy

Food allergy is a growing health problem which emerged as the “second wave” of the allergy epidemic, lagging decades behind the ‘first wave’ of asthma, allergic rhinitis and inhalant sensitization.1 Data on challenge-diagnosed FA in some countries (e.g. China and Africa) show rising rates that became similar to those in Western countries.2 A report from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicated that among children aged 0–17 years, the prevalence of food allergies increased from 3.4% in 1997–1999 to 5.1% in 2009–2011, a 50% rise.3 About 6% of children experience food allergic reactions in the first three years of life, including approximately 2.5% with cow’s milk allergy, 1.5% with egg allergy, and 1% with peanut allergy.4 Wheat is one of the five most common foods that trigger allergic reactions in children.

Allergy-immunology glossary

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Effect of freezing-thawing on concrete behavior

This study aims to determine the effect of change of temperature (freezing-thawing cycles) on the behavior of the mortar and the concrete. Also, the evaluation of the effect of air entering for improving the durability of the mortar and concrete was discussed. 23 mixes were cast to evaluate the purpose of this study. Cement types (Portland cement and limestone cement), aggregate types (dolomite and gravel), dosages of air entering 0.01, 0.1, 0.15 and 0.2% of cement weight and freezing thawing cycles (50, 100, 150, 200, 300 and 400 cycles) were considered. Relative dynamic modules of elasticity which is illustrated the internal cracks growth, durability factor and losses of weight were evaluated. Empirical correlations were formulated. The results showed that; 0.15% air entrained of cement weight improve the durability in term of freezing-thawing; where the durability factor for the mixes was ≥ 85% that exposed to freezing-thawing cycles in range 0-200. Up to 200 cycles of freezing-thawing cycles did not effect on the compressive strength of the mixes and the durability of the mortar and the concrete. It is recommended that more than 300 freezing-thawing cycles must be avoided