Effects of ammonium nitrate on physico-mechanical properties and formaldehyde contents of particleboard

In this study, the effects of hardener type (ammonium chloride and ammonium nitrate) and board thickness on the physical (density, thickness swelling and water absorption), mechanical (modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, internal bond strength, screw withdrawal resistance and surface durability) and formaldehyde content of particleboard were investigated. Three types panels were produced using 11-9% urea-formaldehyde adhesive (core and surface, respectively), with 650 kg/m(3) target density, 150 degrees C pressing temperature, 20-24 kg/cm(2) pressure, and 6 min of pressing time. The analyses revealed that use of ammonium nitrate for particleboard manufacturing resulted in improved water absorption and thickness swelling properties after 24 h of immersion in water. In addition, the using ammonium nitrate has no significant effect by Modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE). However, internal bond strength, screw withdrawal resistance and surface durability properties were positively affected by using ammonium nitrate. Formaldehyde content value was decreased by about 5%. The study demonstrated that the boards made of ammonium nitrate meet the requirements for general standard and building material

Enhanced tool wear characteristics of carbide tool inserts having a novel surface structure

This paper presents the result of an investigation into the cutting characteristics of electrical discharge machined (EDMed) surface-modified carbide cutting tool inserts. The tool inserts were coated with Titanium Nitride (TiN) by physical vapour deposition (PVD) method. In this study, comparative cutting tests using TiN coated control specimens with no EDM surface structures and TiN coated EDMed tools with a crater-like surface topography were carried out on mild steel. Various cutting speeds, up to an increase of 40% of the tool manufacturer‘s recommended speed were investigated. Thirty cuts (passes) were carried out for each inserts at the speeds investigated. After every five cuts (passes), microscopic pictures of the tool wear profiles were taken in order to monitor the progressive wear on the rake face and, on the flank of the insert. The power load was monitored for each cut using an on board meter on the machine. Results obtained confirmed advantages of cutting at all speeds investigated using EDMed coated inserts in terms of reduced tool wear. Moreover, the surface finish on the work-piece was consistently better for the EDMed inserts. It is therefore concluded, that TiN coated EDMed crater-like surface structure on tool inserts can considerably improve the tool performance

Prevalence and genetic diversity of rotavirus infection in children with acute gastroenteritis in a hospital setting, Nairobi Kenya in post vaccination era: a cross-sectional study

Introduction: Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe diarrhoea among infants and young children. Each year more than 611 000 children die from rotavirus gastroenteritis, and two million are hospitalized, worldwide. In Kenya, the impact of recent rotavirus vaccinations on morbidities has not been estimated. The study aimed at determining the prevalence and identity of rotavirus strains isolated from rotavirus-associated diarrhoea in vaccinated children presenting with acute gastroenteritis.Methods: Two hundred and ninety eight specimen from children presented at Gertrude Childrens’ Hospital from January to June 2012 were tested by EIA (Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay) for rotavirus antigens. Molecular characterization was conducted on rotavirus-positive specimens. Extracted viral RNA was separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and the specific rotavirus VP4 (P-types) and VP7 (G-types) determined.Results: The prevalence rate of rotavirus was 31.5% (94/298). Of the rotavirus dsRNA, 57 (60.1%) gave visible RNA profiles, 38 (40.4%) assigned long electropherotypes while 19 (20.2%) were short electropherotypes. The strains among the vaccinated were G3P [4], G12P [6], G3P [6], G9P [4], G mixed G9/3P [4] and G1/3P [4]. Specifically, the G genotypes were G9/3 (5.3%), G9 (4.3%), G3 (4.3%), G12 (2.1%) and mixed G1/3 (1.1%). The P genotypes detected were P [4] (5.3%) and P [6] (5.3%). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates diversity in circulating genotypes with emergence of genotypes G3, G9, G12 and mixed genotypes G9/3 and recommends that vaccines should be formulated with a broad range of strains to include G9 and G12

Three Symptoms and Nursing Management of Multiple Sclerosis: Fatigue, Bladder Problems and Sexuality

Multipl Skleroz genç erişkinleri etkileyerek özürlülüğe yol açan merkezi sinir sisteminin inflamatuar birhastalığıdır. İş gücü kaybına yol açması, sosyal ve ekonomik sorunlara neden olması, yüksek tedavi maliyetleriyleönemli bir halk sağlığı problemidir. Belirti ve bulgular tutulan bölgeye göre ve aynı bireyde ataktan atağa farklılıkgöstermektedir. Hastalığın kontrol altına alınması ve semptom yönetiminde etkin hemşirelik bakımı, eğitim vedanışmalık hizmetleri bireylerin yaşam kalitesini arttırmaktadır. Bu makalede; en sık görülen bireylerin iş-aile vesosyal yaşantısını etkileyen üç semptom yorgunluk, mesane işlev bozuklukları ve cinsel işlev bozukluklarındahemşirelik bakımına yer verilmiştir.Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of central nervous system that influences younger adults and causes disability. It is an important public health problem with its loss of labor force, social and economic problems, high treatment costs. Its symptoms and findings depend on the influenced area and attack of the same patient. Effective nursing care, education and counseling services improve the quality of life of individuals in controlling disease and symptom management. This article deal with nursing services for the three most common symptoms that effect business, family and social life of patients; fatigue, bladder problems and sexuality

Geofencing Components and Existing Models

This paper describes the various Geofencing Components and Existing Models in terms of their Information Security Control Attribute Profiles. The profiles will dictate the security attributes that should accompany each and every Geofencing Model used for Wi-Fi network security control in an organization, thus minimizing the likelihood of malfunctioning security controls. Although it is up to an organization to investigate the best way of implementing information security for itself, by looking at the related models that have been used in the past this paper will present models commonly used to implement information security controls in the organizations. Our findings will highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the various models and present what our experiment and prototype consider as a robust Geofencing Security Model for securing Wi-Fi Network

Establishing a One Health office in Kenya

A One Health (OH) approach that integrates human,animal and environmental approaches to management of zoonotic diseases has gained momentum in the last decadeas part of a strategy to prevent and control emerging infectious diseases. However, there are few examples of howan OH approach can be established in a country. Kenya establishment of an OH office, referred to asthe Zoonotic Disease Unit (ZDU) in 2011. The ZDU bridges theanimal and human health sectors with a senior epidemiologist deployed from each ministry; and agoal of maintaining collaboration at the animal and human health interface towards better prevention and control of zoonoses.The country is adding an ecologist to the ZDU to ensure that environmental risks are adequately addressed in emerging disease control

Quantitative Outcomes of a One Health Approach to Investigate the First Outbreak of African Swine Fever in the Republic of Sierra Leone

African swine fever (ASF) outbreaks have been reported in Sub-Saharan countries, including West Africa states, but has never been notified in the Republic of Sierra Leone. This is the first report describing field epidemiological and laboratory investigations into the outbreak of fatal pig disease in western rural and urban districts, Freetown. A preliminary finding indicated that pigs exhibited clinical and necropsy signs suggestive of ASF. Serological (ELISA) and molecular (qRT-PCR) methods used to confirm and investigate the outbreak yielded three positive results for the ASF antibody and all negative for Swine flu; thus, confirming ASF as the etiology agent

Prioritization of zoonotic diseases in Kenya, 2015

INTRODUCTION:Zoonotic diseases have varying public health burden and socio-economic impact across time and geographical settings making their prioritization for prevention and control important at the national level. We conducted systematic prioritization of zoonotic diseases and developed a ranked list of these diseases that would guide allocation of resources to enhance their surveillance, prevention, and control. METHODS:A group of 36 medical, veterinary, and wildlife experts in zoonoses from government, research institutions and universities in Kenya prioritized 36 diseases using a semi-quantitative One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization tool developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with slight adaptations. The tool comprises five steps: listing of zoonotic diseases to be prioritized, development of ranking criteria, weighting criteria by pairwise comparison through analytical hierarchical process, scoring each zoonotic disease based on the criteria, and aggregation of scores. RESULTS:In order of importance, the participants identified severity of illness in humans, epidemic/pandemic potential in humans, socio-economic burden, prevalence/incidence and availability of interventions (weighted scores assigned to each criteria were 0.23, 0.22, 0.21, 0.17 and 0.17 respectively), as the criteria to define the relative importance of the diseases. The top five priority diseases in descending order of ranking were anthrax, trypanosomiasis, rabies, brucellosis and Rift Valley fever. CONCLUSION:Although less prominently mentioned, neglected zoonotic diseases ranked highly compared to those with epidemic potential suggesting these endemic diseases cause substantial public health burden. The list of priority zoonotic disease is crucial for the targeted allocation of resources and informing disease prevention and control programs for zoonoses in Kenya

Mapping potential amplification and transmission hotspots for MERS-CoV, Kenya

Dromedary camels have been implicated consistently as the source of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) human infections and attention to prevent and control it has focused on camels. To understanding the epidemiological role of camels in the transmission of MERS-CoV, we utilized an iterative empirical process in Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify and qualify potential hotspots for maintenance and circulation of MERS-CoV, and produced risk-based surveillance sites in Kenya. Data on camel population and distribution were used to develop camel density map, while camel farming system was defined using multi-factorial criteria including the agro-ecological zones (AEZs), production and marketing practices. Primary and secondary MERS-CoV seroprevalence data from specific sites were analyzed, and location-based prevalence matching with camel densities was conducted. High-risk convergence points (migration zones, trade routes, camel markets, slaughter slabs) were profiled and frequent cross-border camel movement mapped. Results showed that high camel-dense areas and interaction (markets and migration zones) were potential hotspot for transmission and spread. Cross-border contacts occurred with in-migrated herds at hotspot locations. AEZ differential did not influence risk distribution and plausible risk factors for spatial MERS-CoV hotspots were camel densities, previous cases of MERS-CoV, high seroprevalence and points of camel convergences. Although Kenyan camels are predisposed to MERS-CoV, no shedding is documented to date. These potential hotspots, determined using anthropogenic, system and trade characterizations should guide selection of sampling/surveillance sites, high-risk locations, critical areas for interventions and policy development in Kenya, as well as instigate further virological examination of camels.The United States Agency for International Development through the MERS-CoV applied research activities in Middle East and North East Africa under the USAID’s Emerging Pandemic Threats Program (OSRO/GLO/505/USA).http://link.springer.com/journal/103932019-06-01hj2018Veterinary Tropical Disease