Characteristics of the Electrical Conductivity of the Basalt-Aluminum System Manufactured by Powder Technology

تضمنت الدراسة تدعيم مساحيق البازلت بواسطة الالمنيوم باستخدام طريقة المساحيق حيثُ تم اخذ نسب تدعيم الالمنيوم     (0, 10, 20. 30, 40 and 50%)  مع المادة الاساس البازلت. ثم خلط المساحيق وكبسها بمكبس كهربائي عند (ton4) ولزمن دقيقة واحدة, تم تلبيد العينات الناتجة بفرن حراري عند (1000) وباستخدام غاز الاركون لتقليل التأكسد ولزمن ساعتين فقط. تم دراسة البنية التركيبية للنماذج باستخدام المجهر الالكتروني الماسح (SEM) وكذلك دراسة الخصائص الكهربائية وعند مدى ترددي 50-5×106 Hz)) شملت الخصائص الكهربائية كل من (ثابت العزل الحقيقي والخيالي, زاوية الفقد, التوصيلية الكهربائية المتناوبة, المقاومة الكهربائية) مع التردد وعند درجة حرارة الغرفة. وجد من خلال الخصائص التركيبية تجانس النماذج وخصوصاً نموذج التدعيم 20Al)%) اما الخصائص الكهربائية اظهرت انخفاض لقيم ثابت العزل و زاوية الفقد مع زيادة التردد و زيادة قيم التوصيلية عند نموذج التدعيم 20Al)%) اكثر من بقية النماذجThis study included reinforcement of basalt powders with aluminum using powder method, where the reinforcement ratios of aluminum were (0, 10, 20. 30, 40 and 50%) with basalt material as a matrix. The two powders were mixed and have been pressed up to (4 ton) for (1 minute). The samples were sintered inside an oven at a temperature of (1000 ˚C) with the presence of Argon (Ar) gas in order to minimize oxidation, along two hours. The microscopic structure of the samples has been examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM)  along with the electrical properties in the frequency range between (50-5×106 Hz). The electrical properties included (real and imaginary dielectric constant, loss angle, electrical conductivity, electrical resistivity) were studied with the ranged frequencies at room temperature. The microstructure properties exhibited a homogenized properties especially sample with (20%Al). Concerning the electrical properties, the results showed a decrease in the dielectric constant and the loss angle with increasing the frequency and increasing the conductivity values at the (20%Al)  among other samples

Diesel and various blending nanoparticles based diesel, fuel properties study

In recent years, many researches have been performed to find suitable alternative fuels to petroleum products. In the present investigation, an experimental work has been carried out to examine the fuel properties test for pure diesel, diesel blended with silicon oxide nano, diesel blended with titanium oxide nano and diesel blended with graphene nanoplate which are namely as D, DS5, DT5 and DG5 respectively. The results indicated that the pure diesel fuel density is higher than DT5 by about 1%. However, this value is reduced to about 1% for DG5 and DS5 respectively compared to diesel fuel due to the blending effects. Meanwhile, in calorific value test, DS5 fuel energy content is lower than diesel by about 1.5%. However, this value is reduced to about 1.43% and 1.37% for DG5 and DT5 respectively compared to diesel fuel due to the blending effects

First report of brown widow spider sightings in Peninsular Malaysia and notes on its global distribution

Background The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus Koch, 1841) has colonised many parts of the world from its continent of origin, Africa. By at least 1841, the species had successfully established populations in South America and has more recently expanded its range to the southern states of North America. This highly adaptable spider has been far more successful in finding its niche around the world than its famous cousins, the black widow, Latrodectus mactans, found in the south-eastern states of North America, and the red-back, Latrodectus hasselti, found mostly in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Methods We performed an extensive web search of brown widow sightings and mapped the location of each sighting using ArcGIS. Specimens reputedly of the species L. geometricus were collected at three localities in Peninsular Malaysia. The spiders were identified and documented based on an examination of morphological characteristics and DNA barcoding. Results The spiders found in Peninsular Malaysia were confirmed to be Latrodectus geometricus based on their morphological characteristics and DNA barcodes. We recorded 354 sightings of the brown widow in 58 countries, including Peninsular Malaysia. Conclusion Reports from the Americas and the Far East suggest a global-wide invasion of the brown widow spider. Herein we report the arrival of the brown widow spider in Peninsular Malaysia and provide notes on the identification of the species and its recently expanded range

Is there a risk of suburban transmission of malaria in Selangor, Malaysia?

Background The suburban transmission of malaria in Selangor, Malaysia’s most developed and populous state still remains a concern for public health in this region. Despite much successful control efforts directed at its reduction, sporadic cases, mostly brought in by foreigners have continued to occur. In addition, cases of simian malaria caused by Plasmodium knowlesi, some with fatal outcome have caused grave concern to health workers. The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility of local malaria transmission in suburban regions of Selangor, which are adjacent to secondary rainforests. Findings A malaria survey spanning 7 years (2006 - 2012) was conducted in Selangor. A total of 1623 laboratory confirmed malaria cases were reported from Selangor’s nine districts. While 72.6% of these cases (1178/1623) were attributed to imported malaria (cases originating from other countries), 25.5% (414/1623) were local cases and 1.9% (31/1623) were considered as relapse and unclassified cases combined. In this study, the most prevalent infection was P. vivax (1239 cases, prevalence 76.3%) followed by P. falciparum (211, 13.0%), P. knowlesi (75, 4.6%), P. malariae (71, 4.4%) and P. ovale (1, 0.06%). Mixed infections comprising of P. vivax and P. falciparum were confirmed (26, 1.6%). Entomological surveys targeting the residences of malaria patients’ showed that the most commonly trapped Anopheles species was An. maculatus. No oocysts or sporozoites were found in the An. maculatus collected. Nevertheless, the possibility of An. maculatus being the malaria vector in the investigated locations was high due to its persistent occurrence in these areas. Conclusions Malaria cases reported in this study were mostly imported cases. However the co-existence of local cases and potential Plasmodium spp. vectors should be cause for concern. The results of this survey reflect the need of maintaining closely monitored malaria control programs and continuous extensive malaria surveillance in Peninsula Malaysia

The coronary CT angiography vision protocol : a prospective observational imaging cohort study in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery

INTRODUCTION: At present, physicians have a limited ability to predict major cardiovascular complications after non-cardiac surgery and little is known about the anatomy of coronary arteries associated with perioperative myocardial infarction. We have initiated the Coronary CT Angiography (CTA) VISION Study to (1) establish the predictive value of coronary CTA for perioperative myocardial infarction and death and (2) describe the coronary anatomy of patients that have a perioperative myocardial infarction. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Coronary CTA VISION Study is prospective observational study. Preoperative coronary CTA will be performed in 1000–1500 patients with a history of vascular disease or at least three cardiovascular risk factors who are undergoing major elective non-cardiac surgery. Serial troponin will be measured 6–12 h after surgery and daily for the first 3 days after surgery. Major vascular outcomes at 30 days and 1 year after surgery will be independently adjudicated. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Coronary CTA results in a measurable radiation exposure that is similar to a nuclear perfusion scan (10–12 mSV). Treating physicians will be blinded to the CTA results until 30 days after surgery in order to provide the most unbiased assessment of its prognostic capabilities. The only exception will be the presence of a left main stenosis >50%. This approach is supported by best available current evidence that, excluding left main disease, prophylatic revascularisation prior to non-cardiac surgery does not improve outcomes. An external safety and monitoring committee is overseeing the study and will review outcome data at regular intervals. Publications describing the results of the study will be submitted to major peer-reviewed journals and presented at international medical conferences

A review of the performance and emissions of nano additives in diesel fueled compression ignition-engines

This paper reports the results of various researches on the engine performance and emission characteristics of Diesel engine using nano particles additives in diesel, biodiesel and water emulsified fuels. There are two methods of reducing the exhaust gas emission of the Diesel engine. First method is to reduce the emissions by using exhaust gas treatment devices like catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter. However, use of these devices affects the performance of Diesel engine. Second method to reduce emissions and improve performance of CI engine is the use of fuel additive. Main pollutants of Diesel engine are oxide of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). However, it is difficult to control NOx and PM simultaneously. Many researchers report that the best method to control the emissions and improve the engine performance is the use of nano particles additives and water emulsified fuels. This research paper also reports the biodiesel fuel as an alternative to diesel fuel by using various nano particle additives. Comparative studies of effects on various properties of diesel and biodiesel fuels without/with water contents and nano particles additives by previous researchers are done. Most of the researchers reported improved engine performance and reduction in emission characteristics with dosing of nano particles additives in diesel and biodiesel

Tamarindus indica Extract Alters Release of Alpha Enolase, Apolipoprotein A-I, Transthyretin and Rab GDP Dissociation Inhibitor Beta from HepG2 Cells

Background: The plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol lowering effects of Tamarindus indica extract have been previously described. We have also shown that the methanol extract of T. indica fruit pulp altered the expression of lipid-associated genes including ABCG5 and APOAI in HepG2 cells. In the present study, effects of the same extract on the release of proteins from the cells were investigated using the proteomics approach. Methodology/Principal Findings: When culture media of HepG2 cells grown in the absence and presence of the methanol extract of T. indica fruit pulp were subjected to 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, the expression of seven proteins was found to be significantly different (p<0.03125). Five of the spots were subsequently identified as alpha enolase (ENO1), transthyretin (TTR), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I; two isoforms), and rab GDP dissociation inhibitor beta (GDI-2). A functional network of lipid metabolism, molecular transport and small molecule biochemistry that interconnects the three latter proteins with the interactomes was identified using the Ingenuity Pathways Analysis software. Conclusion/Significance: The methanol extract of T. indica fruit pulp altered the release of ENO1, ApoA-I, TTR and GDI-2 from HepG2 cells. Our results provide support on the effect of T. indica extract on cellular lipid metabolism, particularly that of cholesterol

Serum ferritin levels, socio-demographic factors and desferrioxamine therapy in multi-transfused thalassemia major patients at a government tertiary care hospital of Karachi, Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Beta thalassemia is the most frequent genetic disorder of haemoglobin synthesis in Pakistan. Recurrent transfusions lead to iron-overload manifested by increased serum Ferritin levels, for which chelation therapy is required.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>The study was conducted in the Pediatric Emergency unit of Civil Hospital Karachi after ethical approval by the Institutional Review Board of Dow University of Health Sciences. Seventy nine cases of beta thalassemia major were included after a written consent. The care takers were interviewed for the socio-demographic variables and the use of Desferrioxamine therapy, after which a blood sample was drawn to assess the serum Ferritin level. SPSS 15.0 was employed for data entry and analysis.</p> <p>Of the seventy-nine patients included in the study, 46 (58.2%) were males while 33 (41.8%) were females. The mean age was 10.8 (± 4.5) years with the dominant age group (46.2%) being 10 to 14 years. In 62 (78.8%) cases, the care taker education was below the tenth grade. The mean serum Ferritin level in our study were 4236.5 ng/ml and showed a directly proportional relationship with age. Desferrioxamine was used by patients in 46 (58.2%) cases with monthly house hold income significant factor to the use of therapy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The mean serum Ferritin levels are approximately ten times higher than the normal recommended levels for normal individuals, with two-fifths of the patients not receiving iron chelation therapy at all. Use of iron chelation therapy and titrating the dose according to the need can significantly lower the iron load reducing the risk of iron-overload related complications leading to a better quality of life and improving survival in Pakistani beta thalassemia major patients.</p> <p>Conflicts of Interest: None</p

Trend and status of air quality at three different monitoring stations in the Klang Valley, Malaysia

Over the last decades, the development of the Klang Valley (Malaysia), as an urban commercial and industrial area, has elevated the risk of atmospheric pollutions. There are several significant sources of air pollutants which vary depending on the background of the location they originate from. The aim of this study is to determine the trend and status of air quality and their correlation with the meteorological factors at different air quality monitoring stations in the Klang Valley. The data of five major air pollutants (PM10, CO, SO2, O3, NO2) were recorded at the Alam Sekitar Sdn Bhd (ASMA) monitoring stations in the Klang Valley, namely Petaling Jaya (S1), Shah Alam (S2) and Gombak (S3). The data from these three stations were compared with the data recorded at Jerantut, Pahang (B), a background station established by the Malaysian Department of Environment. Results show that the concentrations of CO, NO2 and SO2 are higher at Petaling Jaya (S1) which is due to influence of heavy traffic. The concentrations of PM10 and O3, however, are predominantly related to regional tropical factors, such as the influence of biomass burning and of ultra violet radiation from sunlight. They can, though, also be influenced by local sources. There are relatively stronger inter-pollutant correlations at the stations of Gombak and Shah Alam, and the results also suggest that heavy traffic flow induces high concentrations of PM10, CO, NO2 and SO2 at the three sampling stations. Additionally, meteorological factors, particularly the ambient temperature and wind speed, may influence the concentration of PM10 in the atmosphere