Factors Associated with Female Sexual Problems among Women attending Cairo University Hospital

Background: Sexuality is an important and complex health problem that affects the quality of life and general well-being for men, women, and public health. Methods: Descriptive Correlation design was adopted to assess factors associated with female sexual problems on 361 women aged from 18-42 years old that were recruited from about 3284 women who attended gynecological and family planning outpatient clinic at Cairo University hospital, Egypt. Data were collected using semi-structured interview schedule to assess female general history and female’s sexual problems. Results: The current study revealed that 57.3% of the sample had sexual problems including  vaginal dryness, lack of genital sensation during sexual activity, lack of sexual desire, lack of orgasm, pain during sexual activity and lack of sexual satisfaction were 42.9%, 15.8%, 25.5%, 36.01%, 32.7% and 47.8% respectively. Also, the result revealed that, 60% felt sexual desire at least once a week. There was a negative correlation between female sexual problems and types of house, years of marriage, differences between sexual knowledge and actual sexual experience (p=0.01, p=0.05, p=0.02 respectively). Moreover, there was a positive statistical significant correlation between female sexual problems and women’s age, using contraception, families’ interference, and female genital mutilation (p=0.04, p=0.03, p=0.01, p= 0.05 respectively). Surprisingly, there were no statistical correlation between female sexual problems and women’ educational level, occupation, number of children, pelvic surgeries, genital tract infection, and emotional closeness (p= 0.31, p=0.40, p=0.33, p=0.23, p=0.45, p= 0.06 respectively). Conclusion: We still have no statistical results regarding the real picture of this problem, because of the sensitivity of dealing with the sexual problems whether in male or female. It is a social issue that needs further researches in the future and counseling program to manage sexual problems at the primary health care. Keywords: sexual problems, sexual dysfunction, female, factor

Effect of Structured Educational Session about Gestational Diabetes on Maternity Nurse’s Knowledge at Selected Primary Health Care Hospitals, Egypt

Gestational Diabetes (GD) has been recognized as a complication of pregnancy that will resolve after childbirth, but recent research has identified that this diagnosis may signify a lifetime of health issues. Its risk can be minimized if it properly managed. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of structured educational session on staff nurse’s knowledge about gestational diabetes. A quasi experimental design was used to conduct the study. A convenience sample of 43 maternity nurses who provide care for women during childbearing period under the supervision of the Ministry of Health from different seven primary health hospitals in Giza governorate, Egypt. Data was collected by using self-administered close ended questionnaire which consisted of two parts: socio-demographic characteristics and knowledge assessment schedule (Pre-Post assessment). The educational session implemented seven times through a period of eight weeks to cover seven hospitals at Giza governorate. There was a significant improvement of the nurses’ knowledge regarding GDM after the educational session which included definition, classification, diagnosis, risk factors and complication (p = 0.000 for each). Also the knowledge of the participants was significantly improved after the educational session regarding nursing management of GDM. This included diet, what to do with high or low blood glucose, how to count fetal movement and benefit of exercise (p= 0.000 for each). The total knowledge score increased significantly after the educational session (P = 0.000). This study demonstrated knowledge gap and inadequate practice by antenatal care givers in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus in the primary health care sector, and the educational session has a significant impact on nurse’s knowledge regarding GDM. Keywords: gestational diabetes, maternity nurse, educational sessio

Effect of Ice Cold Massage and Acupressure on Labor Pain and Labor Duration: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Labor is one of the most painful experiences to women throughout life. This study aimed to compare the effect of ice cold massage and acupressure on reducing labor pain intensity and labor duration in primigravida women. Methods: Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: This study was conducted at labor and delivery unit, maternity university hospital, Cairo University, Egypt. Sample: Three hundred laboring women were recruited randomly and allocated to the study and the control groups (ice massage group; acupressure group: and control group. Each group consisted of 100 women. Intervention was exerted in cervical dilatation of 3-4 cm on LI-4 acupoint and intervention period lasted for 20 minutes. Labor pain in the three groups was assessed by VAS and partograph. Labor pain intensity and labor duration were compared in the three groups. Results: There was a significant decrease in pain intensity immediately and 30 minutes after intervention in ice massage and acupressure groups in comparison to the control group (P≤0/003; p<0/002). Moreover the length of first and second stage of labor was significantly reduced (P≤0/003; P≤0/04) in comparison with the control group. Conclusion: Both ice massage and acupressure reduced labor pain intensity and duration of labor in primigravida women, and the ice massage appeared to be more effective in pain reduction.   Keywords: Pain; Labor; Ice Massage; Acupressur

Shear Behavior of High-Performance Reinforced Concrete Beams

High-performance concrete (HPC) is one of such new material that has a major improvement over conventional concrete; however, its behavior has to be fully understood. This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations in order to study the shear behavior of high-performance reinforced concrete beams. Four RC-HPC beams were tested experimentally in order to study the effect of the existence of web reinforcement and bar diameter of the web reinforcement as well as the amount of the tensile longitudinal steel bars on the shear behavior. Test results showed higher values of shear strength, stiffness, ductility and controlled the concrete cracking behavior due to the presence of stirrups. The ultimate load for beam having shear reinforcement of 6 mm diameter increased by about 16% compared to that of control beam BI-1 without shear reinforcement, while, that increase reached up to 34% for beam having 8 mm diameter web reinforcement. Besides, the numerical modeling enabled to capture satisfactory the behavior of HPC beam so that it can be used to study the effect of more parameters on the behavior of HPC beams

Shear Behavior of High-Performance Reinforced Concrete Beams

High-performance concrete (HPC) is one of such new material that has a major improvement over conventional concrete; however, its behavior has to be fully understood. This paper presents experimental and numerical investigations in order to study the shear behavior of high-performance reinforced concrete beams. Four RC-HPC beams were tested experimentally in order to study the effect of the existence of web reinforcement and bar diameter of the web reinforcement as well as the amount of the tensile longitudinal steel bars on the shear behavior. Test results showed higher values of shear strength, stiffness, ductility and controlled the concrete cracking behavior due to the presence of stirrups. The ultimate load for beam having shear reinforcement of 6 mm diameter increased by about 16% compared to that of control beam BI-1 without shear reinforcement, while, that increase reached up to 34% for beam having 8 mm diameter web reinforcement. Besides, the numerical modeling enabled to capture satisfactory the behavior of HPC beam so that it can be used to study the effect of more parameters on the behavior of HPC beams

SEISMIC BASE ISOLATION FOR REDUCING SEISMIC RISK OF ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE BUILDINGS

The paper analyses the applicability of seismic base isolation made of elastomeric bearings for the seismic mitigation of architectural heritage buildings. Due to the inestimable cultural and historical significance any remedial measures into such objects must be selected with care and are usually very limited. In an ideal situation only interventions with minimum visual impacts on the object and maximum potential for restoring its cultural values would be implemented. Historical structures were usually not designed accounting seismic hazard and might be seismically more vulnerable as modern buildings. The paper deals with seismic base isolation as a technique for increasing the seismic resistance of architectural heritage buildings made of unreinforced masonry. Typical base isolation devices represent special bearings that are usually installed bellow the foundations of the structure. If the isolation system is properly designed it can eliminate the need for using more invasive retrofit measures and techniques. The paper presents a relatively simple and computationally less demanding technique for the modelling and analysis of regular unreinforced masonry (URM) structures. This technique is based on the equivalent frame approach, while the complex seismic failure mechanism of masonry piers is expressed by a single failure mode interaction surface (an FMI surface ), taking into account the influence of variation in the pier’s vertical loading, and it’s bending moment distribution. A single failure mode interaction plastic hinge (an FMI hinge ) for each masonry frame element is introduced by combining specific failure modes, taking into account their minimum envelope. In the final part of the work a case study of using base isolation for the seismic retrofitting of an existing three-story masonry building has been conducted. Some results obtained by the N2 method comparing the damage in fixed based and base isolated variant of the test building demonstrate the potential of used techniques for the seismic protection of masonry heritage buildings

Productivity improvement of transmission electron microscopes - A case study

This paper aims to improve the performance of Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM) used in asbestos detection processes in a business context. Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) were studied, identifying the critical failure modes, proposing risk reduction measures and changing maintenance practices based on the Reliability Centered Maintenance strategy. In the elaboration of the FMEA it was evident the lack of data and poor information quality regarding the reliability and maintenance of TEM. These circumstances led to the implementation of training projects to standardize operations and to the development of a software application for data collection and reports generation with relevant performance indicators (Costs, Mean Down Time, Overall Equipment Effectiveness, …) to support operators tasks and decision-making. The approach followed and the tools developed allowed monitoring TEM productivity and maintenance performance. As a result, more informed decisions can be made that will lead to improved performance of TEM.This work has been supported by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020

The benefit of Arabic calligraphy aesthetics to enrich youth’s T-shirts printed by the art of typography

The Arabic calligraphy represents an important element of the Arab heritage and its appearance is related to the rise and spread of Islam, hence the Arabic calligraphy is the art and design of writing, in which the lines numerous and vary according to forms having aesthetic characteristics. The typography considered the science and art of printed elements. It means the printed units which consist of the different printed elements, such as various forms, shapes and uses- letters, different methods of production, in addition to silhouettes and scriptural art. The digital printing is considered the recent type of printing technology, where printing from the computer directly to the printing machine and the computer helps to increase productivity and quality while reducing the cost, time and effort to finish the various printing processes, accordingly, the research problem came in the main question of how to get benefit of the aesthetic values of the line and the use of it in making designs by typographic designs to enrich digitally printed shirts. The research aims to produce typographic designs using the Arabic calligraphy aesthetics to enrich and print T-shirts for young using digital printing , determining the specialists and consumers in the proposed designs and executing some of them ,in order to increase the general taste of young people in the selection of their clothes , participating in revival of the Arab Islamic heritage through finding modern clothing alternatives with the spirit of heritage for young people , run parallel to the enormous technological progress in the industry in the production and implementation of clothing , the research reached existence of statistical significance differences between the proposed designs ( in achieving of the appropriate elements of design in the designs of young people “peers”- achieving the appropriate digital printing technology for the production of designs – achieving the art principles – achieving functional performances in design ) , presence of statistical significance differences between the proposed designs in achieving the evaluation aspects (as a whole)