Performance Analysis of an Experimental Centrifugal Pump

This paper presents results on the performance characteristics of an experimental H47–centrifugal pump. Four dimensionless numbers, namely Reynolds, flow coefficient, head coefficient and power coefficient are used. The pump was operated nominally at Reynolds number of 4x107, 3.4x107 and 2.7x107 respectively. The performance charts show that the maximum possible efficiency of the pump is less than 45% and the best efficiency point is around 42%. The maximum possible power coefficient is 2.48x10-4 at a corresponding flow coefficient of 3.2x10-3 giving a head coefficient of 0.078 at the best efficient point (BEP). Electronic sensors on the H47 rig provided measurements that ensured noticing of fluctuations across the Venturi meter caused by the onset of cavitation.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v33i2.

Neuromusculoskeletal disorders in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus: Outcome of a twelve-week Therapeutic exercise programme

Usual line of management of diabetes patients is drug and diet with theirphysical needs usually receiving minimal attention. Among the physical needs, requiring attention is their neuromusculoskeletal disorders. This study was designed to investigate the effect of a twelve-week therapeuticexercise on neuromusculoskeletal disorders ofType 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients. Forty-three participants from the Diabetes Specialty Clinic ofAminu KanoTeaching Hospital, Kano completed the study. Selected neuromusculoskeletal disorders including pain, dermatological foot grades,disorders of ranges of motion and strength of selected joints and muscles were assessed before and after a period of twelve weeks of therapeutic exercises. Participants were followed up for another twelve weekswithout therapeutic exercises. Baseline assessment revealed poor neuromusculoskeletal status. Significant improvements (P0.05). T2D patients presented with neuromusculoskeletal disorders at baseline. Therapeutic exercises however assisted in the improvement of these disorders but relapsed when exercises were suspended. Engagement in therapeutic exercises enhanced neuromusculoskeletal health, while withdrawal from the exercise contributed to a decline. T2D patients should be encouraged to participate in therapeutic exercises in order to promote their health and function

Increase in Adiposity of Type 2 Diabetes Patients following Withdrawal from Therapeutic Exercise

In order to achieve optimum health status, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) patients are usually encouraged to undergo regular and consistent therapeutic exercises. This study investigated whether the gains of exercises on adiposity variables of T2D patients are maintained within a few weeks of withdrawal from exercise and whether it was significantly related to the age of the patient and the duration of diagnosis of T2D. Forty-three T2D patients aged between 30 and 64 years were recruited for this study. They were placed on a combination of endurance and strengthening exercises for 12 weeks. The participants were thereafter observed for another 12 weeks without exercises. The adiposity variables measured in both phases of the study include: body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-hip-ratio (WHR) and percent-body-fat (PBF). Significant improvements (P less than 0.05) for all the variables were achieved after 12 weeks of therapeutic exercises. The variables, however, showed significant relapses (P less than 0.05) within six weeks of withdrawal of exercise and these were significantly related (P less than 0.05) to both the age of the patient and the duration of diagnosis. The endurance and strengthening exercises improved the adiposity variables of theT2D patients, but the gains began to decline within six weeks of withdrawal from the exercises. The increase in adiposity was more as the age and duration of diagnosis of the patients increased. KEY WORDS: weight maintenance, body composition, diabetes mellitu

Psychosocial stress among patients with type 2 diabetes: habitual physical activity as a promising moderator

Psychosocial stress is a disabling condition and is common among people with diabetes mellitus in view of the complexity of the disorder. It is however not clear if the psychosocial stress has any link with habitual physical activity, which is an important component in the care of people with diabetes. This study was conducted to investigate the likely connection between habitual physical activity and psychosocial stress among people with type 2 diabetes. A total of 193 adults with type 2 diabetes took part in this study. Psychosocial stress was assessed using the Revised Questionnaire on Stress in patients with Diabetes (QSD-R) while physical activity was assessed using the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p < .05. The mean age of the participants was 58.76 ± 14.27 years with mean duration of diagnosis being 6.41 ± 4. 51 years. With a mean score of 2.8, work activity was the main source of physical activity for the patients with the least activity index of 1.2 coming from sports participation. Hypoglycaemia and self-medication/diet were the most important sources of stress to the patients and the overall psychosocial stress was related to habitual physical activity (r = - .73, p = .002). Significantly, patients with higher physical activity index presented with lower psychosocial stress. Apart from the well-known improvement in glycaemic control, type 2 diabetes patients that participate more in physical activity may be able to reduce their psychosocial stress.Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, psychosocial stress, habitual physical activit

Randomization of two dosing regimens of vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening and labor induction in a low resource setting

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of two dosing regimens of vaginal misoprostol for cervical ripening and induction of labour.Materials and Methods: Pregnant women with singleton low risk pregnancy at term scheduled for elective induction of labour were randomized to  receive either 25 µg or 50 µg of vaginal misoprostol for pre.labour  cervical ripening. All the patients received antenatal care and delivered at the University College Hospital (UCH) from January 1st to May 31st 2006. A total of 128 patients were randomized; 65 patients received 25 µg and 63 patients received 50 µg of vaginal misoprostol.Results: Significantly higher number of patients in the 50 µg group   progressed to active labour as compared with the 25 µg group (95.2% versus 84.6%, P < 0.05). The need for oxytocin augmentation of labour was higher among the 25 µg as compared with 50 µg (39.7% versus 16.4%, P = 0.007). There was higher proportion of patients in the 50 µg group delivering vaginally within 24 hours as compared with the 25 µg group (98.2% versus 90.0%, P = 0.063). However, the mean interval between the first dose of misoprostol and vaginal delivery was not  statistically different in the two groups (754 } 362 minutes and 885 } 582 minutes, P = 0.152). The incidence of caesarean section was similar in the two groups (7.7% versus 11%, P = 0.580). Labour complications, such as precipitate labour, tachysystole and abnormal fetal heart rate patterns were greater in the 50 µg group.Conclusion: Twenty.five microgram of misoprostol appears to be as  effective as 50 µg for pre.induction cervical ripening and labour induction. Though 50 µg of vaginal misoprostol resulted in relatively faster delivery and less need for oxytocin augmentation, it was associated with more  labour complications as compared with 25 µg of misoprostol.Key words: Cervical ripening, labour induction, misoprosto

Habitual Physical Activity, Peripheral Neuropathy, Foot Deformities and Lower Limb Function: Characterizing Prevalence and Interlinks in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may have diverse foot problems, but how these problems are linked with physical activity is not clear. This study investigated the prevalence of foot problems among patients with T2DM and investigated how the problems were related to physical activity.Methods: Habitual physical activity, peripheral neuropathy, lower limb functions and foot deformities of 246 T2DM patients were respectively assessed with the Baecke Physical Activity Questionnaire, Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument, Lower Limb Function Scale, and a self-designed foot deformity audit form.Results: Habitual physical activity index (3.2 ± 0.83) was highest in work-related activities; 69 (26.1 %) patients presented with peripheral neuropathy and 52 (19. 7%) had the lowest limb function. Pes planus was the most prevalent foot deformity (20.1%). Significant differences existed in physical activity indices across deformity groups (p < 0.05) and total activity index was related to neuropathic and lower limb function scores (p < 0.05).Conclusion: A higher work-related but reduced participation in sports and leisure time physical activity among the patients was observed. Habitual physical activity was lowest in patients with a forefoot deformity, higher neuropathic scores and lesser lower limb function scores. Patients with T2DM in these categories may be a target for special physical activity intervention programmes.Keywords: Diabetes Mellitus, Foot Complications, Physical Activit

Stepping Up Physical Exercise Among Nigerian Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: The Impact Of A Domesticated Type 2 Diabetes-Oriented Exercise Education Curriculum

Background: Most diabetes patients in Nigeria either do not exercise at all or do not exercise appropriately and this is thought to be due partly to an inadequate exercise education.Objectives: To investigate the impact of a type 2 diabetes-oriented exercise education curriculum (T2DEEC) on exercise performance and adiposity of type 2 diabetes patients.Materials and Methods: The patients (n=86) were randomized into either the T2DEEC or the control groups. The T2DEEC was administered to patients in the T2DEEC group while the controls were encouraged to exercise but did not go through the T2DEEC. The participants continued exercises at home for 12 weeks. Outcomes were amount of time and days spent on each of aerobic, resistance, joint mobilization and foot care exercises per week; waist circumference, body mass index, and percent body fat.Results: By the 12th week, the T2DEEC participants increased their exercise days from 1.2 to 3.8 days and increased aerobic, resistance, joint mobilization and foot care exercise times by 56.5, 42.3, 39.8 and 28.1 minutes respectively (p<0.05). The controls only increased their aerobic exercise time by 5.1 minutes (p=0.141) and maintained zero exercise times for resistance, joint mobilization and foot care exercises. Also the T2DEEC group but not the controls recorded significant improvements (p<0.05) in adiposity variables.Conclusions: The participants who were taught with the T2DEEC unlike those who received verbal encouragement to exercise improved their exercise performance and adiposity parameters significantly. The T2DEEC is recommended for exercise education of type 2 diabetes patients.Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, exercise education, joint mobilization, aerobic activities, curriculu

Cardio-metabolic risk factors and metabolic syndrome: A study of the prevalence and level of awareness of related risk factors among school teachers in Ogbomoso, South West Nigeria

Background: The overall health of school teachers is closely related to the performance of children in school and life generally. Objectives: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome among school teachers in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Methods: Two hundred secondary school teachers were randomly selected from all the secondary schools in the two local Governments in Ogbomoso, Nigeria. Relevant laboratory investigations and electrocardiography were performed. Metabolic syndrome was defined using the Joint Scientific Statement on Harmonising the Metabolic Syndrome Criteria. Results: Metabolic syndrome (MS) was identified among 44(22.0%) of study participants. It was more common among females 33(28.2%) compared to males 11(13.3%) [p = 0.002]. The prevalence of some cardiovascular risk factors were as follows: visceral obesity 108(54.0%), low HDL 105(52.5%), hypertension 58 (29.0%), BP > 130/85 mmHg, 76(38.0%), impaired fasting blood glucose 49(24.5%) and hypertriglyceridaemia 14(7.0%). Only a small fraction (39; 19.5%) demonstrated good level of knowledge about the cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusion: Cardiovascular risk factors were common among school teachers in Ogbomoso, south-west Nigeria in addition to a low level of awareness and poor control of the risk factors

Identification and Characterisation of Major Hydrocarbons in Thermally Degraded Low Density Polyethylene Films

The vast application of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) in packaging, greenhouses, homes etc has led to its huge accumulation as a municipal solid waste with monumental health, economic and environmental consequences. Since these are non-biodegradable and their photodegradation occurs only over a very long period, their economic conversion to energy products through pyrolysis is the thrust of this study. LDPE sample collected from the University of Ilorin Community was thermally degraded in a pyrolyser at temperatures ranging from 203 – 400 oC. The products of pyrolysis were in three (3) states of matter and both the liquid and solid products were analysed using FTIR to determine the functional groups and GC- MS for the hydrocarbons present in the products. For the GC-MS analysis, the peaks that had 90% above quality when compared with the compounds in the installed NIST11 library were reported. There were alkanes, alkenes, halogenated alkanes, and very few aromatics in the liquid product and, the hydrocarbons were observed to range between C10 - C27. The FTIR and GC-MS results show the potential of the oil obtained as renewable source of energy while that for residue shows its inherent energy content. The liquid product was refluxed over molecular sieve catalyst (US 2882244A) and the calorific value was found to increase from 13,974 kJ/kg to 15,815.52 kJ/kg and this is found to be comparable to the range for lignite and dry wood. Key words: environmental pollution, solid wastes, LDPE, pyrolysis, hydrocarbons, Calorific value

An assessment of the levels of phthalate esters and metals in the Muledane open dump, Thohoyandou, Limpopo Province, South Africa

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This work reports the determination of the levels of phthalate esters (dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP)) and metals (lead, cadmium, manganese, zinc, iron, calcium) in composite soil samples. The soil samples were collected randomly within the Muledane open dump, Thohoyandou, Limpopo province, South Africa. Control samples were collected about 200 m away from the open dump. The phthalate esters were separated and determined by capillary gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector, whilst the metals were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Open dump values for the phthalate esters and metals to be generally higher in comparison to control samples for DMP, DEP, DBP and DEHP – the mean values calculated were 0.31 ± 0.12, 0.21 ± 0.05, 0.30 ± 0.07, and 0.03 ± 0.01 mg/kg, respectively, for the open dump soil samples. Nonetheless, the mean open dump values for lead, cadmium, manganese, zinc, iron and calcium were 0.07 ± 0.04, 0.003 ± 0.001, 5.02 ± 1.92, 0.31 ± 0.02, 11.62 ± 9.48 and 0.12 ± 0.13 mg/kg, respectively. The results were compared statistically.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results revealed that the discarding of wastes into the open dump is a potential source of soil contamination in the immediate vicinity and beyond, <it>via </it>dispersal. Increased levels of phthalate esters and metals in the soil pose a risk to public health, plants and animals. Sustained monitoring of these contaminants is recommended, in addition to upgrading the facility to a landfill.</p