Percutaneous Drainage of Abdominal Collections under Imaging Guide

Background: One of the most significant advances in the treatment of intra-abdominal collections during the past 2 decades has been the introduction of image-guided therapy with percutaneous catheter drainage. The development of improved imaging modalities, together with broad-spectrum antibiotics and soft drainage catheters, has changed the treatment of collections that previously required an urgent operation. Disease processes that have traditionally been treated with open surgical drainage and debridement can now be resolved with percutaneous catheter drainage and antibiotics. In selected cases, this will allow for better preparation of the patient for a later elective and definitive operation. Objective: Highlight the outcome, safety and effectiveness of percutaneous drainage procedure of abdominal collections performed under imaging guide. Patients and Methods: Forty one patients were referred from surgical wards and emergency department after diagnosing abdominal collections. Then each case discussed with radiologist to determine the route and type of catheter and imaging modality for guidance (ultrasound and/or computerized tomography). The size and site of the collections were estimated along with the most suitable approach and angle of catheter insertion. A safe drainage route was identified avoiding solid organs and bowel. Results: Percutaneous drainage of 41 abdominal collections under imaging control was carried out in 41 patients during a one year period. No complications resulted from the procedure itself. Percutaneous drainage was sufficient to drain the collections in 35 cases (no further surgery is needed). Of those who require surgery (5 patients), the procedure considered to be as a temporary measure. One case was diagnosed as sero-mucinous tumor of bowel. Conclusion: Percutaneous drainage of abdominal collections is a safe, effective and minimally invasive alternative approach to formal surgical drainage.The advantages include: the drainage can be done under local anesthesia, diagnosis and treatment can be achieved simultaneously in radiological department

Observations of changes in acoustic emission parameters for varying corrosion defect in reciprocating compressor valves

Acoustic Emission (AE) technology is probably one of the most recent entries in the field of machinery condition monitoring. This paper investigates the application of AE parameters for valve faults detection in reciprocating compressor. The defective valves were designed by emulating the actual valve corrosion with varying sizes such that defects could be applied onto the reciprocating compressor. A set of experiments was performed to acquire the AE signal. The primary source of AE signal was verified using waveform analysis. The AE parameters versus different operational and valve condition were illustrated individually. In addition, the significance of the change and sensitivity of AE parameters versus different experimental conditions was verified using MANOVA and coefficient of variance analysis. It is concluded that the AE signal parameters can be used to detect the valve faults in the reciprocating compressor with the consideration of the variation in the AE parameters sensitivity

Advancements in Fresnel Lens Technology across Diverse Solar Energy Applications: A Comprehensive Review

Concentration of solar energy may be obtained by reflection, refraction, or a combination of the two. The collectors of a reflection system are designed to concentrate the sun’s rays onto a photovoltaic cell or steam tube. Refractive lenses concentrate light by having it travel through the lens. The sun’s rays are partially reflected and then refracted via a hybrid technique. Hybrid focus techniques have the potential to maximize power output. Fresnel lenses are an efficient tool for concentrating solar energy, which may then be used in a variety of applications. Development of both imaging and non-imaging devices is occurring at this time. Larger acceptance angles, better concentration ratios with less volume and shorter focal length, greater optical efficiency, etc., are only some of the advantages of non-imaging systems over imaging ones. This study encompasses numerical, experimental, and numerical and experimental studies on the use of Fresnel lenses in various solar energy systems to present a comprehensive picture of current scientific achievements in this field. The framework, design criteria, progress, and difficulties are all dissected in detail. Accordingly, some recommendations for further studies are suggested

The influence of vitamin-C intake on blood glucose measurements in COVID-19 pandemic

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is declared as pandemic by the World Health Orgnazation (WHO) on March 2020. One of the heavily utilized measures during this pandemic is vitamin C (aka ascorbic acid). Unfortunately, vitamin C has been associated with glucose measurement interference and thus this study highlights the elevated levels of blood glucose correlated with the presence of vitamin C interference. METHODOLOGY: Thirty samples were selected randomly and the blood glucose were measured prior and post the addition of spiked standard concentrations of vitamin C. The interference of vitamin C with glucose readings in COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated and observed employing the Auto Chemistry Analyzer machine. RESULTS: The addition of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) standards (spikes) into the isolated samples shows a correlated increment in the reading measures. Thereafter, the increments of Random Blood Sugar (RBS) readings after being spiked with the vitamin C standards shows a logarithmic correlation with good interesting R-squared (R2 = 0.9921). CONCLUSIONS: The authors find that the presence of vitamin C in blood actively and significantly alters the glucose level readings especially with the highly consumption of vitamin C during the COVID-19 pandemic