Effect of diaphragm wall construction on adjacent deep foundation

The need of using the underground space was limited in the human history, but in the last century and due to the increase of world population, the use of the underground space has become essential. Underground metro stations, deep garages, tunnels and basements, etc... are examples of using the underground space inside the cities. The use of underground space is conducted through deep excavation or tunneling. Several techniques are used to conduct the deep excavation and one of the most popular and well known techniques used for deep excavation is the diaphragm walling technique which is widely used specially inside the cities to safe space because it requires a very small space to conduct a deep reinforced concreted wall under the ground. However, the construction of such walls causes deformation of the surrounding ground and it could also affect the nearby existing structures. In some recorded cases the slurry trench failed and causes a great deformation which effect the nearby structures. However, Minor damages and cracks were observed in buildings near stable slurry trenches, because the soil deformation was high. The existing structures inside the cities have been constructed on shallow or deep foundations and this research was oriented to study the effect of diaphragm wall installation on the existing adjacent piled foundation. Very limited studies were made to investigate such an effect. At Cambridge university centrifuge model tests were conducted to investigate the effect of slurry reduction on single piles. Field observation was conducted in several projects and showed the settlement and deformation of buildings located on deep foundation during the diaphragm wall trenching. Numerical analysis was conducted using FLAC 3D to simulate the laboratory and the available field works. FLAC 3D is a commercial software and it depend in its analysis on finite difference method. The purpose of the simulation was to verify the used numerical analysis method. The results from the numerical analysis were in a good agreement with the available field data results, and they were also in good agreement with the laboratory test results regarding soil settlement but it was not in such good agreement when they were compared regarding the pile. Generally, from the verification the numerical analysis method is considered to be reliable. A parametric study was performed using the verified numerical analysis method. The flexible nature of the numerical analysis allows to simulate different cases and to study a variety of parameters. The output of the parametric study was the pile deflection, the bending moment and the shaft friction. The study was divided into three main parts while each part contains several parameter combinations. The first part studied the effect of the single and double panel(s) on the single pile group that has different piles numbers and formations. The second and third parts studied the effect of multiple panels on connected pile groups and piled raft foundation, respectively. Generally, the studied parameters can be divided into three main groups. The first is related to the trench which includes the panel dimension, the number of panels and the slurry level inside the panel. The effect of slurry pressure reduction at some levels inside the trench was also studied. The second group concerned the soil type and ground water level. The third group is related to the deep foundation which includes pile characteristics, location, and formation within the group. The results from the parametric study showed that the pile behavior was greatly affected by panel length, groundwater level, slurry level inside the trench and steadiness of the slurry pressure. The piles were also affected by the different stages of construction related to the pile location from the constructed panel. The piles within the group act together so they behave different from each other according to their position. The effect of the pile on the trench stability is presented through a simple analytical approach which is based on the wedge analysis. The analytical approach provided equations that calculate the factor of safety in two and three dimensions. The pile location was governing the equation that calculate the factor of safety because the pile could be fully inside the failure wedge or intersect with the failure surface. A comparative study was conducted to find out the effect of the different pile location and other parameters on the safety factor. Generally, this comparative study showed that the pile located within the failure wedge reduces the factor of safety, while the pile that intersects the failure surface could increase it. The pile row near a trench that contains piles inside the failure wedge and others intersects the failure surface act together to balance the failure wedge. The factor of safety results of some cases from the analytical approach were also compared with those calculated from the numerical analysis. In general, the factor of safety from the numerical analysis was higher than that calculated from the proposed analytical approach. This research helped to understand the trenching effect on the ground surface and on the nearby piled foundations. It provided charts that could help to predict the soil deformation and earth pressure coefficient which could be used in the design. It showed through the parametric study the precautions that should be taken into consideration during trenching process near piled foundation. This research provided a design method for the slurry trench panel near piled foundation

Quality of Nursing Care Provided for Neonates with Tracheoesophageal Fistula

Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) is an abnormal connection between the esophagus and the trachea. It is one of the most life-threatening anomalies in newborn. The current study aimed to assess the quality of nursing care provided for neonates with TEF and to assess the nurses’ knowledge and performance regarding neonates with TEF. A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized in the current study. The study was conducted at the Neonatal Surgical Intensive Care Unit (NSICU) affiliated to Benha Specialized Pediatric Hospital. A convenient sample composed of all nurses working at NSICU and all neonates with TEF within six months from starting study. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire sheet to assess nurses’ knowledge regarding quality of nursing care for neonates with TEF and observational checklists to assess nurses’ performance for neonates with TEF at NSICU. The study results evident that three quarters of nurse shad average level of knowledge regarding neonates with TEF and all of them had good level of performance provided for neonates with TEF. Meanwhile, there were positive correlation between nurses’ knowledge and performance scores. The present study concluded that, there were positive correlation between nurses’ knowledge and performance scores in relation to their socio-demographic characteristics. It was recommended that periodical educational training programs for nurses working at NSICU are mandatory, for the purpose of updating the knowledge and to maintain efficient performance and to reach high quality of care. Key words: Neonate-Tracheoesophageal Fistula-Quality of nursing car

Effect of Self-Care Guidelines on Quality of Life for Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma Undergoing Radiofrequency Ablation

Context: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is considered one of the most challenging tumors with high incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates. Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) is one of the emerging therapeutic modalities used for the minimally invasive treatment in the management of early-stage HCC.Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of self-care guidelines on the quality of life for patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma undergoing Radio Frequency Ablation. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used to achieve the aim of this study. This study was conducted at the Interventional Radiology Unit, affiliated to Ain Shams University Hospital, on a purposive sample of 50 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma; 25 were randomly allocated to the study group, and 25 were allocated to the control group. A structured interview questionnaire for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing radiofrequency ablation was used to collect the study data. It comprises three parts: Sociodemographic characteristics, assessment of patients' medical health, and knowledge about HCC and RFA. The second tool was the quality of life of cancer survivors questionnaire (pre /post-test), and finally, a patient-reported self-care practices assessment checklist (pre /posttests). Results: There were statistically significant differences between the study and control groups regarding their total knowledge about hepatocellular carcinoma and radiofrequency ablation therapy pre and post-implementation of self-care guidelines. There were highly statistically significant differences between both groups regarding the total quality of life, pre and post-implementation of self-care guidelines. In addition, there were highly statistically significant differences regarding total self-care practice, pre, and post-implementation of self-care guidelines. A positive correlation was revealed between total knowledge with total self-care practice and total quality of life (pre/posttest). Also, a significant correlation was revealed between the total quality of life and self-care practices post-self-care guidelines implementation at (p<0.001). Conclusion: Implementation of self-care guidelines improved patients' knowledge, quality of life, and self-care practices for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing radiofrequency ablation. A simplified, illustrated, and comprehensive Arabic booklet including self-care guidelines should be available for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing radiofrequency ablation. Replication of the current study on a larger probability sample is recommended to achieve generalization of the results. Further studies are recommended to assess factors affecting the quality of life for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing radiofrequency ablation

The influence of ABO blood groups on sensitization of potential kidney transplant recipients

In this study 50 chronic renal failurepatients were tested for blood ABO groups and forthe presence of lymphocytotoxic antibodies against apanel of 20 donor lymphocytes (of known HLAtypes) using microcytotoxicity assay. The influenceof other factors affecting sensitization, such asnumber of blood transfusions, pregnancies andprevious graft rejections were analyzed too. Theresults showed that41.2 % of blood group 0 patients,61.1 % of group A I, 90% of group B, and 80% ofgroup A IB are sensitized (PRA> 10%).These results pointed to higher incidence ofsensitization in patients with blood groups B andA IB as compared to groups A I and 0.Our data suggest an impact of the ABO system on thesensitization phenomenon

Ketorolac Tromethamine In-situ Ocular Hydro Gel; Preparation, Characterization, and In-vivo Evaluation

The aim of this work is to formulate Ketorolac tromethamine in a new ocular in situ hydro gel delivery system. Two polymers; Chitosan and Carbopol 940 were used in different concentrations for the preparation of the in situ hydro gels, all formulations exposed to visual examination, pH measurement, in-vitro release, rheological study, stability study, and in-vivo anti-inflammatory effect study on the inflamed eye of rabbits. Results showed that all formulations were clear and showed pH within the acceptable range, Chitosan 0.5%w/v gives the highest release rate, all formulae exhibited pseudoplastic flow with a thixotropic behavior, stability study showed that rate of drug degradation followed first order kinetics and 0.5% Chitosan based formula showed longer shelf life (2.532 year), the percent of unhealed ulcers of the inflamed eye of rabbits was 17.5% for 0.5% Chitosan in situ hydro gel compared to 55% for Acular eye drop (positive control). Statistical analysis of the data revealed significance difference between the tested formula and control solution at p <0.05. So this system that combines the advantages of both solutions and gels, such as accuracy and facility of administration of the former and prolonged residence time of the latter, also enhances the healing rate of Ketorolac tromethamine in ulcerative rabbit's eye compared to ocular eye drops

Undiagnosed depression: An epidemiologic study in three European countries

Tesis doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Psiquiatría. Fecha de lectura: 21-11-201

Preoperative Serum IL-12p40 Is a Potential Predictor of Kasai Portoenterostomy Outcome in Infants with Biliary Atresia

The standard-of-care treatment for biliary atresia (BA) is surgical restoration of bile flow by Kasai portoenterostomy. We aimed to study serum interleukin- (IL-) 12p40, a natural antagonist for the proinflammatory IL-12p70, and its relation to surgical outcomes of BA. The study included 75 infants with neonatal cholestasis: BA group (n=25), non-BA cholestasis group (n=30), and neglected BA group (n=20), in addition to thirty healthy neonates serving as controls. IL-12p40 was measured by ELISA in all individuals and a second assessment was performed 3 months postoperatively in the BA group. The surgical outcomes were classified as successful (bilirubin ≤ 2 mg/dl) or failed (bilirubin > 2 mg/dl). IL-12p40 was higher in BA compared to that in the non-BA and control groups (P values were 0.036 and <0.0001, resp.) but comparable to that in the neglected BA group. Preoperative IL-12p40 levels in BA patients were significantly higher in successful Kasai compared with failed Kasai and a cutoff level of 547.47 pg/ml could predict the successful outcome with 87.5% sensitivity and 82.4% specificity. Three-month postoperative IL-12p40 tended to decrease in both the successful and failed groups. In conclusion, preoperative serum IL-12p40 is a potential predictor of Kasai outcome. Serial postoperative measurements may anticipate the failure of an initially successful operation, hence the need for liver transplantation

Age-associated functional morphology of thyroid and its impact on the expression of vimentin, cytokeratins and VEGF. The role of nigella in refinement

Introduction. Aging causes morphological and functional changes in the thyroid gland. Free radicals play a key role in the pathology of normal aging. Vimentin and cytokeratin are cytoskeletal intermediate filaments that are often used as indirect indices of tissue injury. The aim of the study was to clarify the age-related alterations in the structure and function of the thyroid gland. The relationship between oxidative/antioxidative stress markers and cytoskeletal intermediate filaments (vimentin and cytokeratin) and oxidative/antioxidative stress markers as well as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during aging were elucidated. Finally, the role of Nigella sativa (NS) oil in ameliorating age-related alterations of the structure and function of the thyroid gland was studied.Material and methods. Thirty Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into five groups: young adult control, young adult NS-treated, late adult control, late adult NS-treated, and senile. The age of young adult, late adult, and senile rats was nearly 7, 18 and 22 months, respectively. NS oil was added to food pellets and was administered at a daily dose of 0.1 g/kg body weight for one month. The thyroid gland was dissected and fixed immediately in 10% formalin saline. The assessment of thyroid structure was based on hematoxylin and eosin, and Masson’s trichrome stainings, and histomorphometric analysis of the deparaffinized sections. Localization and distribution of vimentin and cytokeratin filaments was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Measurements of VEGF gene expression by qPCR and oxidative/antioxidative markers (malondialdehyde and glutathione content, superoxide dismutase activity) in thyroid gland homogenates were performed. Serum concentration of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and TSH were assessed by radioimmunoassay.Results. Follicles in the late adult control group were dilated and disrupted. Follicular cells showed cytoplasmic vacuolation. Follicles in the thyroids of senile rats were of irregular shape, often with cellular exfoliations. Many follicles were dilated and lined with flattened cells. A notable amelioration of these morphological alterations was observed in late adult NS-treated rats. Decrease in serum T3 and T4 levels and increase in TSH levels were observed in the late adult control and senile groups. A clear shift of the oxidative/antioxidative markers (MDA/ /GSH, SOD) was observed in the late adult control and senile groups in favor of oxidants. Administration of NSto late adult rats resulted in normalization of these parameters. Increased area of collagen fibers, immunoreactivity of vimentin and cytokeratin filaments and VEGF gene expression were observed in the thyroids of late adult and senile rat groups as compared to young animals. The mean number of follicular cells decreased in the late adult control and senile groups. Administration of NS to the late adult rats returned these parameters to the level of the young adult rats. Conclusions. Aging-related alterations in both structure and function of the rat thyroid gland that are associated with increased indices of oxidative stress might be abrogated by administration of antioxidative agents present in Nigella sativa oil

Effect of binary and ternary solid dispersions prepared by fusion method on the dissolution of poorly water soluble diacerein

The poor solubility of drug substances in water and their low dissolution rate in aqueous G.I.T fluid often leads to insufficient bioavailability. The present investigation is an attempt to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of diacerein (a poorly soluble drug) by solid dispersion technique. Binary solid dispersions were made using PEG-4000 or PEG-6000 as carriers with varying drug: carrier ratios 1:1, 1:3 and 1:5. Also ternary solid dispersions were made using PEG-4000 and Pluronic F-68 at ratios 1:5:1, 1:5:2 and 1:5:3. Nine formulae were prepared and evaluated for saturated solubility, In-vitro drug release. Solid state characterization including DSC, FTIR, XRD and SEM is also carried out. All formulae showed marked significant improvement in the solubility and dissolution rate of the drug. The interaction studies showed no interaction between the drug and any of the used carriers. Formula SD9 (1:5:3; drug: PEG-4000: Pluronic F-68) showed the best dissolution profile with about 44.73% of the drug being released in the first 5 minutes and more than 79 % of the drug being released in the first 15 minutes. Also this formula showed the highest dissolution rate of 6.66 %/min. It was concluded that combination of PEG-4000 and Pluronic F-68 can be well utilized to improve the solubility of poorly soluble drugs