Experience in feeding coal into a liquefaction process development unit

A system for preparing coal slurry and feeding it into a high pressure liquefaction plant is described. The system was developed to provide supporting research and development for the Bureau of Mines coal liquefaction pilot plant. Operating experiences are included

Morphometric analysis of population samples of soldier caste of Odontotermes obesus (Rambur) (Isoptera, Termitidae, Macrotermitinae)

In order to study morphometric variations in Odontotermes obesus (Rambur), samples from nineteen nests were statistically analyzed for mean, standard deviation, standard error, coefficient of variability and confidence interval (95%) and analysis of variance (Model II ANOVA), The mean values of the different population samples were compared with the student t-test, following the Minitab version and Sokal & Rohlf (1973). In the study of external characters, measurements form a very important component, particularly for identification of species. However, the reliability of the measurements depends on the extent of variability which the structures show within and between colonies. For each individual soldier, the following nine parameters were measured: i) length of head; ii) width of head at mandibles; iii) width of head at the posterolateral ends of antennal carinae; iv) maximum width of head; v) length of left mandible; vi) tooth of left mandible from tip; vii) length of pronotum; viii) width of pronotum; ix) length of postmentum; and x) width of postmentum

Dichromacy: Color Vision Impairment and Consanguinity in Heterogenous Population of Pakistan

Background and Objectives: Dichromacy, an X-linked recessive disorder is identified worldwide, more in males than females. In European Caucasians, its incidence is 8% in males and 0.5% in females. In India, it is 8.73% in males and 1.69% in females, and in Iran, it is 8.18% in males and 0.43% in females. Population based epidemiological data about dichromacy in different ethnic groups in Pakistan is not available. The aim of this study was to find out the population prevalence of inherited red-green dichromacy in a heterogenous population of the district of Chiniot, Punjab, Pakistan, and to determine the impact of consanguinity and ethnicity. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, boys and girls of the higher secondary schools were examined in the three tehsils of district Chiniot. Pseudoisochromatic Ishihara Test has been employed for detection of dichromacy in the study population. The sample size was calculated statistically as 260, which was expanded to 705 and divided by population density of the three tehsils. Results: Screening of 359 males and 346 females revealed 19 (5.29%) dichromat males and only 2 (0.58%) females. The study population belonged to 23 castes / isonym groups. The consanguinity found in the district of Chiniot is 84.82% and in the dichromat families, it is 85.71%, of which 52.37% are first cousin. Interpretation & Conclusion: The study has shown that the incidence of dichromacy could be reduced through genetic counselin

Multivariate analysis of risk factors associated with genital ulcer disease among incarcerated males in Sindh

Objective: To evaluate the potential risk behaviors associated with the lifetime risk of self reported genital ulcer disease (GUD) among prison inmates.SETTING: Prison inmates from 14 prisons of Sindh Province.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3395 prison inmates during July to December, 1994. A questionnaire was used to assess the lifetime risk of self-reported GUD (whether or not the subject was ever affected with GUD up to present age) and to investigate demographic markers and risk behaviors for their possible association with lifetime risk of GUD using logistic regression analysis.Results: The reported lifetime risk of GUD in the study sample was 11.4% (386/3395). In final multivariate logistic regression model the sexual behaviors which were independently associated with GUD were having sexual intercourse with female (adjusted OR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.3-2.3, P = 0.0002), sexual intercourse with a prostitute (adjusted OR = 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2-2.0, P = 0.0008), sexual intercourse with man (adjusted OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.7-2.7, P = \u3c 0.001) and sexual intercourse with man during current incarceration (adjusted OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-2.9, P = 0.0071).CONCLUSION: Health education needs to re-enforce monogamous relationship for high risk groups such as in our study. Although infrequent condom use was not a risk factor for GUD in this study, yet based on the results of previous studies, promotion of condom use should be the component of health education program

Risk behaviours associated with urethritis in prison inmates, Sindh

Objective: To identify sexual risk behaviours associated with lifetime risk of urethritis in prison inmates.Design: A cross-sectional study using a pre-designed questionnaire.SETTING: Fourteen prisons throughout the Sindh Province, Pakistan.SUBJECTS: Three thousand three hundred ninety-five prison inmates incarcerated during July, 1994.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Lifetime risk of urethritis occurrence (whether or not the subject was ever affected with urethritis up to his present age)Results: Lifetime risk of urethritis occurrence in the study population was 20.8% (706/3395). The final multivariate logistic regression model indicated that risk behaviours associated with lifetime risk of urethritis in this population were \u27sexual intercourse with a female\u27 (adjusted OR = 2.18; 95% CI 1.60, 2.95), \u27multiple female sexual partners\u27 (adjusted OR = 1.67; 95% CI 1.28, 2.18) and \u27sexual intercourse with man\u27 (adjusted OR = 2.75; 95% CI 2.29, 3.31).CONCLUSION: The prevalence of urethritis in this population was very high. High prevalence of various risky sexual behaviours among inmates indicates, their unawareness as to what precautions they might take to avoid risk of acquiring STDs including HIV. The study subjects meet the characteristics of a core group of STDs transmitters and provides short window of opportunity for STD/HIV control programs to intervene, while they are in detention to reduce the risk not only for this group but also for general population

CW and pulsed electrically detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 263 GHz/12 T on operating amorphous silicon solar cells

Here we describe a new high frequency/high field continuous wave and pulsed electrically detected magnetic resonance (CW EDMR and pEDMR) setup, operating at 263 GHz and resonance fields between 0 and 12 T. Spin dependent transport in illuminated hydrogenated amorphous silicon p-i-n solar cells at 5 K and 90 K was studied by in operando 263 GHz CW and pEDMR alongside with complementary X-band CW EDMR. Benefiting from the superior resolution at 263 GHz, we were able to better resolve EDMR signals originating from spin dependent hopping and recombination processes. 5 K EDMR spectra were found to be dominated by conduction and valence band tale states involved in spin dependent hopping, with additional contributions from triplet exciton states. 90 K EDMR spectra could be assigned to spin pair recombination involving conduction band tail states and dangling bonds as dominating spin dependent transport process, with additional contributions from valence band tail and triplet exciton states.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Prevalence of plasmodium slide positivity among the children treated for malaria, Jhangara, Sindh

Objective: The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of malaria amongst the children with fever or history of fever.SETTING: Rural Health Centre (RHC), Jhangara, a town near the Manchhar Lake in Taluka Sehwan, District Dadu, Sindh.SUBJECTS: Four hundred and thirty eight children of 6 months to 10 years of age, who attended above described RHC during August through October 1997.Methods: A Sindhi-translated standard questionnaire was used to record symptoms and duration of child\u27s illness. Each child was physically examined, had their axillary temperature measured; and blood samples were collected from which Giemsa stained thick and thin blood films were examined for presence of Plasmodium parasites.Results: The median age of the studied children was 24 months and 57% (250/438) were boys. Fifty three percent (231) of the study subjects were from Jhangara Town, 40% (177) and 7% (30) came from other villages and villages near to the Manchhar Lake respectively. The prevalence of Plasmodium slide positivity was 5.9% (26/438). Among Plasmodium slide positive children, 65% (17/26) were positive for P. falciparum and 35% (9/26) for P. vivax. Among the P. falciparum positive children, 88% (15/26) had scanty (MP, 1-10/100 fields) and 12% (2/26) had moderate density (MP, 10-100/100 fields) of infection. Seventeen percent (6/30) of the children from villages close to Manchhar Lake were Plasmodium slide positive compared to 7% (17/53) and 3% (5/177) from Jhangara town and other villages respectively. Cough, diarrhea, abdominal distention and vomiting were the commonly reported symptoms among the children of all ages at the time of interview. Guardians reported fever as part of the illness in all children, although during physical examination only 128 (29%) had axillary temperature \u3e or = 37.5 degrees C. Pallor as an indicator for anemia, rash and prickly heat were the major recorded observations.CONCLUSION: The Prevalence of Plasmodium positivity was higher in children who attended from villages close to Manchhar lake, therefore especial measure needs to be considered for this area. In addition, the health care workers in rural Sindh need to adopt appropriate guidelines to differentiate the clinical malarial patients from patients with other potential infectious diseases, which may need other treatment

Análisis morfométrico de muestras de una población de la casta de las obreras de Odontotermes obesus

In order to study morphometric variations in Odontotermes obesus (Rambur), samples from nineteen nests were statistically analyzed for mean, standard deviation, standard error, coefficient of variability and confidence interval (95%) and analysis of variance (Model II ANOVA), The mean values of the different population samples were compared with the student t–test, following the Minitab version and Sokal & Rohlf (1973). In the study of external characters, measurements form a very important component, particularly for identification of species. However, the reliability of the measurements depends on the extent of variability which the structures show within and between colonies. For each individual soldier, the following nine parameters were measured: i) length of head; ii) width of head at mandibles; iii) width of head at the posterolateral ends of antennal carinae; iv) maximum width of head; v) length of left mandible; vi) tooth of left mandible from tip; vii) length of pronotum; viii) width of pronotum; ix) length of postmentum; and x) width of postmentumCon el objetivo de estudiar las variaciones morfométricas en Odontotermes obesus (Rambur), se analizaron estadísticamente muestras de diecinueve nidos, obteniéndose sus medias, desviaciones estándar, errores estándar, coeficientes de variabilidad e intervalos de confianza (95%) y análisis de varianza (Modelo II ANOVA). Los valores medios de las distintas muestras de las poblaciones se compararon mediante el test t de Student, según la versión Minitab y Sokal & Rohlf (1973). En el estudio de los caracteres externos se midieron componentes muy importantes, particularmente para la identificación de la especie. Sin embargo, la fiabilidad de las mediciones depende de la cantidad de variabilidad de dichas estructuras dentro de cada colonia y entre colonias. En cada soldado se midieron los siguientes nueve parámetros: i) longitud de la cabeza, ii) ancho de la cabeza al nivel de las mandíbulas, iii) ancho de la cabeza en los extremos posterolaterales de las carinas antenales, iv) ancho máximo de la cabeza, v) longitud de la mandíbula izquierda, vi) diente de la mandíbula izquierda desde la punta, vii) longitud del pronoto, viii) ancho del pronoto, ix) longitud el postmentón, y x) ancho del postmentó