Determination of equilibrium isotherms and proper mathematical model for lime slices

Equilibrium moisture content (EMC) at different air relative humidity and temperatures is a vital parameter in optimization of drying and storage processes. In the present study amount of moisture content in lime (Local variety) slice at different ambient temperatures of 30°C, 40°C and 50°C were measured using gravimetric method. The obtained E.M.C experimental values were employed to plot the isotherm curve at different environmental air temperatures. These data also were fed to fourteen popular mathematical models. The well-known statistical factors such as Coefficient of determination (R^2), Chi-square (χ2), Root of mean square error (RMSE) and Mean of relative deviation (MRD) were calculated to validate the goodness of fit. The Peleg Model was selected as the best model for predicting the EMC at each three temperatures level. The result of present research displayed that the amount of EMC decreased with increasing the ambient temperature. The monolayer moisture content (m0) was also determined using Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) equation. The monolayer moisture content values were 0.023, 0.021 and 0.014 g.H_2 O/g solid at 30°C, 40°Cand 50°C, respectively, and the corresponding constant values of the Brunauer, Emmett and Teller equation were found to be −4.925, −6.543 and −7.035, respectively

Ocular Manifestations of Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Comprehensive Review

Apart from conjunctival involvement which is the most well-known ocular manifestation of coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19), there are multiple reports of the involvement of other ocular structures by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We comprehensively reviewed PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar for available evidence regarding COVID-19 various ocular manifestations, with special focus on less known and unusual ocular findings. We then categorized the findings based on the parts of the eye which was involved. In anterior sections of the eye, the involvement of the eyelid (tarsadenitis), conjunctiva and cornea (follicular conjunctivitis, pseudomembranous conjunctivitis, and keratoconjunctivitis), episclera (nodular episcleritis), uvea (anterior uveitis) were reported. Also, third, fourth, and sixth nerve palsy, retinal vasculitis, retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) changes (hyper-reflective lesions and increased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness [RNFLT]), optic neuritis, papillophlebitis, Miller Fisher syndrome, posterior reversible leukoencephalopathy (PRES), ophthalmic artery and central retinal artery occlusion, and polyneuritis cranialis were reported in different studies. Postmortem evaluation of COVID-19 patients detected no viral RNA in different anterior and posterior segments of the eyes. However, another study revealed a 21.4% positivity of the retinal biopsies of dead patients. The results of this study can help ophthalmologists to be vigilant when they see these findings in a suspected case of COVID-19. In addition, wearing face masks and protective goggles or eye shields are recommended, especially in high-risk contacts

The Necessity of The Consideration of Permeability Modifier in Simulations of Clay Treatment Systems Incorporating PVDs and Surcharge

Three trial embankments as TS1, TS2, and TS3 that were built for the investigation of a soil treatment project in Bangkok were modeled and verified based on the reported data. To clarify the importance of integration of the hydraulic modifier function vs stress, in the verified models, the modifier functions were omitted and the FEM models were run in the absence of the function. It was shown that after the omission of the hydraulic modifier, the results were overestimated especially for the TS1 and TS2, which had smaller PVDs (prefabricated vertical drains) distance. For the TS1 embankment, the settlement increased from 0.78 m to 0.87 m in 210 days. In 365 days, the settlement increased from 1.27 m to 1.44 m. For the TS2 embankment, the settlement increased from 0.93 m to 1.67 m in 230 days. In 410 days, the settlement increased from 1.36 m to 2.27 m. For the TS3 embankment, the settlement increased from 1.15 m to 1.79 m in 230 days. In 410 days, the settlement increased from 1.52 m to 2.24 m. The inclusion of the hydraulic function that calibrates the model for every step of loading is essential in the modelling such problems. For the design phase, this function should be calculated from lab tests, preferably undisturbed samples that were bored from the site, and the resultant function be used as an inseparable part of modeling and calculations.Journal of Civil Engineering and Materials Applicatio

Emergence of Terbinafine Resistant Trichophyton mentagrophytes in Iran, Harboring Mutations in the Squalene Epoxidase (SQLE) Gene

Introduction: Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. interdigitale are important causative agents of superficial mycoses, demonstrating emergent antifungal drug resistance. We studied the antifungal susceptibility profiles in Iranian isolates of these two species. Methods: A total of 96 T. interdigitale and 45 T. mentagrophytes isolates were subjected to molecular typing by ribosomal ITS region. Antifungal susceptibility profiles for terbinafine, griseofulvin, clotrimazole, efinaconazole, luliconazole, amorolfine and ciclopirox were obtained by CLSI broth microdilution method. The squalene epoxidase (SQLE) gene was subjected to sequencing for mutations, if any, in isolates exhibiting elevated MICs for terbinafine. Results: Luliconazole and efinaconazole showed the lowest MIC values against T. mentagrophytes and T. interdigitale isolates. There were five isolates with terbinafine MICs >= 32 mu g/mL in our sample. They belonged to T. mentagrophytes type VIII and harbored two alternative SQLE gene sequence variants, leading to Phe397Leu and Ala448Thr or Leu393Ser and Ala448Thr substitutions in the enzyme. All terbinafine resistant strains could be inhibited by luliconazole and efinaconazole. Conclusion: This study documented a step in the global spread of resistance mechanisms in T. mentagrophytes. However, treatment alternatives for resistant isolates were available. Keywords:Trichophyton mentagrophytes; SQLE; terbinafine; antifungal drug resistance; Ira

The effect of seating preferences of the medical students on educational achievement

Background: The seat selection and classroom dynamics may have mutual influence on the student performance and participation in both assigned and random seating arrangement. Purpose: The aim of the study was to understand the influence of seat selection on educational achievement. Methods: The seating positions of the medical students were recorded on an architectural plan during each class session and the means and standard deviations of the students’ locations were calculated in X and Y orientations. The locations of the students in the class were analyzed based on three architectural classifications: interactional zone, distance from the board, and access to the aisles. Final exam scores were used to measure the students’ educational achievement. Results: Our results demonstrate that there is a statistically significant relationship between the student's locations in the class and their attendance and educational achievements. Conclusion: Two factors may effect on educational achievement: student seating in the high interactional zone and minimal changes in seating location. Seating in the high interaction zone was directly associated with higher performance and inversely correlated with the percentage of absences. This observation is consistent with the view that students in the front of the classroom are likely more motivated and interact with the lecturer more than their classmates

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4 (62.3 (55.1�70.8) million) to 6.4 (58.3 (47.6�70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization�s Global Nutrition Target of <5 in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2 (30 (22.8�38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0 (55.5 (44.8�67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic. © 2020, The Author(s)

Author Correction: Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017 (Nature Medicine, (2020), 26, 5, (750-759), 10.1038/s41591-020-0807-6)

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper. © 2020, The Author(s)

Author Correction: Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017 (Nature Medicine, (2020), 26, 5, (750-759), 10.1038/s41591-020-0807-6)

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper. © 2020, The Author(s)