CLOSED-LOOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE POISSON INPUT AND MULTIPLE SERVERS.

Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1976 .S38. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 37-10, Section: B, page: 5279. Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1976

Effect of Casting Conditions on the Fracture Strength of Al-5 Mg Alloy Castings

During the transient phase of filling a casting running system, surface turbulence can cause the entrainment of oxide films into the bulk liquid. Previous research has suggested that the entrained oxide film would have a deleterious effect on the reproducibility of the mechanical properties of Al cast alloys. In this work, the Weibull moduli for the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and % elongation of sand cast bars produced under different casting conditions were compared as indicators of casting reliability which was expected to be a function of the oxide film content. The results showed that the use of a thin runner along with the use of filters can significantly eliminate the surface turbulence of the melt during mould filling which would lead to the avoidance of the generation and entrainment of surface oxide films and in turn produce castings with more reliable and reproducible mechanical properties compared to the castings produced using conventional running systems

Quality of Primary Health Care Services Within The Framework of The National Accreditation Program

Abstract: Accreditation program (AP) has the objective of supporting the quality of primary health care (PHC) services, within the Health Sector Reform/family medicine (FM) domain. Accreditation program is implemented in Family Health Units that represent a shift from fragmented vertical PHC services, into comprehensive, integrated and continuous services. In 2000, AP has been initiated in Egypt in selected primary health care facilities. The study aims at identification of strengths and challenges regarding the quality standards of resources and process as well as efficiency (output) of the accredited versus non-accredited rural facilities. The study is an operations research quasiexperimental/ time series analysis-test and control group design. A convenient sample of three accredited family health units (AFHUs) and a control group of three non-accredited rural health units (NRHUs) located in a purposively selected health district in 6 th October governorate. Observation quality checklist (2007 & 2008) and spread sheet to report service statistics data 2005-2008 had been used. Quality standards as well as PHC services output indicators had been calculated. Findings showed that AFHUs achieved 81% of the standard quality score versus 79% for the NRHUs. Output indicators delineated non-observed differences in service efficiency regarding immunization, maternal care services and family planning. There are remaining challenges in both types of facilities related to antenatal and postnatal care. It is concluded that both the AFHUs and NRHUs are working according to vertical program momentum, with limited response to the quality dimension related to the continuity of care

Biochemical Characterization, Antifungal Activity, and Relative Gene Expression of Two Mentha Essential Oils Controlling Fusarium oxysporum, the Causal Agent of Lycopersicon esculentum Root Rot

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is important food in daily human diets. Root rot disease by Fusarium oxysporum caused huge losses in tomato quality and yield annually. The extensive use of synthetic and chemical fungicides has environmental risks and health problems. Recent studies have pointed out the use of medicinal plant essential oils (EOs) and extracts for controlling fungal diseases. In the current research, Mentha spicata and Mentha longifolia EOs were used in different concentrations to control F. oxysporum. Many active compounds are present in these two EOs such as: thymol, adapic acid, menthol and menthyl acetate. These compounds possess antifungal effect through malformation and degradation of the fungal cell wall. The relative expression levels of distinctly upregulated defense-related WRKY genes (WRKY1, WRKY4, WRKY33 and WRKY53) in seedling root were evaluated as a plant-specific transcription factor (TF) group in different response pathways of abiotic stress. Results showed significant expression levels of WRKY, WRKY53, WRKY33, WRKY1 and WRKY4 genes. An upregulation was observed in defense-related genes such as chitinase and defensin in roots by application EOs under pathogen condition. In conclusion, M. spicata and M. longifolia EOs can be used effectively to control this plant pathogen as sustainable and eco-friendly botanical fungicides

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Impact of Using Emulsifier with Different Calcium and Soybean Oil Levels on Broilers Performance and Minerals Deposition

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of emulsifiers with different calcium and soybean oil levels on Ross 308 broiler performance, digestibility, carcass quality traits, and deposition of calcium, phosphorus, and manganese on the body and tibia of broilers. A total of 360 one-day-old chicks were randomly distributed into 24 treatment groups: three calcium to phosphorus ratios were used, 2:1, 1.8:1, and 1.6:1, and each ratio was divided into two positive control treatments with an emulsifier (Lipidol) and a negative control without an emulsifier; moreover, each treatment used four levels of soybean oil: 1%, 1.5%, 2%, and 2.5%. The results showed that emulsifier supplementation, low calcium levels (1.8:1 and 1.6:1), and high oil levels (2% and 2.5%) significantly elevated (P < 0.05) body weight and body weight gain and reduced (P < 0.05) feed intake and feed conversion ratio in all stages, except for body weight gain and feed conversion ratio during the finisher period, which showed a nonsignificant difference. Moreover, broilers fed the diet with emulsifier had higher dressing and abdominal fat percentage (P < 0.0001) and those fed low Ca level (1.6:1) significantly (P < 0.0001) showed the highest abdominal fat percentage. It can be concluded that an emulsifier with a low oil level could improve fat digestibility in broiler chickens. Furthermore, decreasing the level of calcium at a rate of 1.6:1 can improve fat digestibility and elevate (P < 0.0001) the level of cholesterol on day 10; however, on days 23 and 42, cholesterol level was elevated by high calcium level (2:1). Emulsifier also elevates the cholesterol level at days 10 and 42. Broilers fed emulsifier, low oil level (1%), and high calcium levels at rates of 1.8:1 and 2:1 significantly (P < 0.05) had elevating levels of calcium and phosphorus and decreased manganese levels on the broiler body and tibia

Effects of UV-Light, Temperature and Storage on the Stability and Biological Effectiveness of Some Insecticides

The degradation and biological effectiveness of five insecticides, ES-Fenvalerate (Soumi Gold), pirimicarb (Afox), imidacloprid (Emax), buprofenzin (Ablloud) and methomyl (Methiolate) in their aqueous preparations and emulsifiable concentrates, on immature stages of whitefly insect Bemisia tabaci. when exposed to UV-light, two different temperatures and daylight and dark storage after exposure intervals was studied. The results indicated the degradation rates of the five tested insecticides varied according to the chemical structure, time of exposure and wavelength of UV-rays used. Of all the five insecticides, methomyl was the most affected by UV-rays. Losses of ES-Fenvalerate, pirimicarb, imidacloprid, buprofenzin and methomyl within this period were 11.30, 14.80, 29.03, 31.83 and 39%, respectively after one hour to UV-ray exposure. A significant increase in LC50 value was obtained when ES-Fenvalerate in aqueous preparation was exposed to UV-light for 6 hr. The LC50 values and their confidence ranges in aqueous preparations and emulsifiable concentrates were 107.5 ppm (51.7-199.2) and 93.10 ppm (48.3-150.4). The residual level of Fenvalerate, pirimicarb, imidacloprid, buprofenzin and methomyl were 13.52, 17.54 ppm; 12.67, 15.87 ppm; 11.78, 16.47 ppm; 11.38, 14.73 ppm; and 11.36, 11.83 ppm for two days exposed to daylight and dark storage. Insecticides could be arranged according to LC50 values at zero-time as follow: ES-Fenvalerate, pirimicarb, imidacloprid, buprofenzin and methomyl. The corresponding values of LC50 were 3.40, 15.4, 15.6, 16.2 and 23.5 ppm for daylight storage. On the other hand, the dark storage exposure for the tested insecticides could be arranged according to LC50 values as follow: ES-Fenvalerate, imidacloprid, pirimicarb, buprofenzin and methomyl. The corresponding LC50 were 3.20, 14.8, 14.9, 15.9 and 21.3 ppm, respectively. In general, the amount recovered after a one day, 45°C exposure were 14.63, 12.84, 12.79, 12.14 and 11.76 ppm, for ES-Fenvalerate, pirimicarb, imidacloprid, buprofenzin and methomyl, respectively. While the amounts recovered after a three day 45°C exposure were 9.28, 8.34, 7.76, 7.72 and 5.83 ppm for ES-Fenvalerate, pirimicarb, imidacloprid, buprofenzin and methomyl, respectively. Efficiency against whitefly insect, B. tabaci immature stages was affected when aqueous preparations of the five tested insecticides were stored at 45°C for one and three days, compared to those stored under normal condition of 25°C for the same periods of time. Generally it could be concluded that buprofenzin n and methomyl, were more affected by UV-light, storage and temperature than ES-Fenvalerate, pirimicarb, imidacloprid