Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in children weighing 10kg or less: Initial experience at Sohag University Hospital

AbstractAimTo assess the challenges, feasibility, and efficacy of device closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in small children weighing ⩽10kg for different types of devices used in an initial experience at Sohag University hospital.MethodsBetween March 2011 and September 2014, 91 patients with PDA underwent transcatheter closure in our institute, among whom 54 weighed ⩽10kg. All of these patients underwent transcatheter closure of PDA using either a Cook Detachable Coil, PFM Nit-Occlud, or Amplatzer duct occluder. A retrospective review of the treatment results and adverse events was performed.ResultsSuccessful device placement was achieved in 53/54 small children (98.1%). The median minimum PDA diameter was 2.4mm [interquartile range (IQR, 1.8–3.5mm), median weight 8kg (IQR, 7–10kg), and median age 10months (IQR, 8–17months)]. Mild aortic obstruction occurred in one case (1.9%), as the device became displaced towards the aorta after release. The device embolized in one case (1.9%) and no retrieval attempt was made. Five cases (9.3%) had minor vascular complications.ConclusionWith the current availability of devices for PDA closure, transcatheter closure of PDA is considered safe and efficacious in small children weighing ⩽10kg with good mid-term outcome. The procedure had a low rate of high-severity adverse events even with the initial experience of the catheterization laboratory

Acoustic measurement of lubricant-film thickness distribution in ball bearings

An oil-film thickness monitoring system capable of providing an early warning of lubrication failure in rolling element bearings has been developed. The system is used to measure the lubricant-film thickness in a conventional deep groove ball bearing (shaft diameter 80 mm, ball diameter 12.7 mm). The measurement system comprises a 50 MHz broadband ultrasonic focused transducer mounted on the static outer raceway of the bearing. Typically the lubricant-films in rolling element bearings are between 0.1-1.0 μm in thickness and so are significantly smaller than the ultrasonic wavelength. A quasistatic spring model is used to calculate oil-film thickness from the measured reflection coefficient data. An accurate triggering system has been developed to enable multiple reflection coefficient measurements to be made as the contact ellipse sweeps over the measurement location. Experiments are described in which the loading conditions and rotational speed are varied. Lubricant-film thickness distributions measured ultrasonically are described and are shown to agree well with the predictions from classical elastohydrodynamic (EHD) lubrication theory, particularly at high radial loads and low rotary speeds. A range of parameters affecting the performance of the measurement are discussed and the limits of operation of the measurement technique defined. © 2006 Acoustical Society of America

Effect of concrete cover thickness and main reinforcement ratio on flexural behavior of RC beams strengthened by NSM-GFRP bars

Experimental and numerical programs were invoked to investigate the effect of concrete cover and area of main steel reinforcement on the flexural behavior of strengthened RC beams by near-surface mounted glass fiber reinforced polymeric (NSM GFRP) bars of different lengths. Nine beams divided into three main groups were tested under four-point bending. The three beams of the first group were strengthened by different lengths of GFRP bars and having a concrete cover of 50 mm, while the three beams in the second group were strengthened in a similar manner as those of the first group but the concrete cover was 30 mm. The main steel reinforcement in the first and second groups was 2Ø10. The three beams of the third group were similar to those of the first and second group but the main steel reinforcement was 2Ø16. The 3-D FE commercial ANSYS program was used for the numerical work. The experimental results showed that decreasing the concrete cover increased the flexural capacity of the strengthened RC beams but this improvement disappeared by decreasing the NSM GFRP bar length. The RC beams flexural strength increased with increasing area of main steel reinforcement. The numerical results showed an agreement with the experimental results

Monitoring of multi-class pesticide residues in green grape and their potential risk for Egyptian consumer

Abstract: The residual concentrations of 100 pesticides in 32 fresh grape samples collected from local markets at eight Egyptian governorates during 2011' summer season were monitored based on QuEChERS extraction followed by analysis using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The potential health risks associated with the exposure to violated pesticides were estimated as well. Mean recoveries ranged between 71 and 96.3%, while the repeatability expressed as relative standard deviation (RSD) was < 19.8%. Limits of quantification (LOQ) was 0.01 mg kg -1 , which is equal or below the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs). Of the analysed samples, 81.25% contained detectable residues, of which 21.88% exceeded their MRLs. Out of 35 pesticides that were detected in grape samples, carbendazim, acetamiprid, boscalid, λ-cyhalothrin, profenofos and pyraclostrobin were the most frequently pesticides detected. No residues of organochlorine pesticides and their metabolites were detected in any analysed samples. This study showed also that the estimated daily intake (EDI) of the violated pesticides by the Egyptian population through the consumption of grape did not exceed the toxicological acceptable level

Auto-calibration of ultrasonic lubricant-film thickness measurements

The measurement of oil film thickness in a lubricated component is essential information for performance monitoring and design. It is well established that such measurements can be made ultrasonically if the lubricant film is modelled as a collection of small springs. The ultrasonic method requires that component faces are separated and a reference reflection recorded in order to obtain a reflection coefficient value from which film thickness is calculated. The novel and practically useful approach put forward in this paper and validated experimentally allows reflection coefficient measurement without the requirement for a reference. This involves simultaneously measuring the amplitude and phase of an ultrasonic pulse reflected from a layer. Provided that the acoustic properties of the substrate are known, the theoretical relationship between the two can be fitted to the data in order to yield reflection coefficient amplitude and phase for an infinitely thick layer. This is equivalent to measuring a reference signal directly, but importantly does not require the materials to be separated. The further valuable aspect of this approach, which is demonstrated experimentally, is its ability to be used as a self-calibrating routine, inherently compensating for temperature effects. This is due to the relationship between the amplitude and phase being unaffected by changes in temperature which cause unwanted changes to the incident pulse. Finally, error analysis is performed showing how the accuracy of the results can be optimized. A finding of particular significance is the strong dependence of the accuracy of the technique on the amplitude of reflection coefficient input data used. This places some limitations on the applicability of the technique. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd

Comparative Study of Some Natural and Artificial Food Coloring Agents on Hyperactivity, Learning and Memory Performance in Weanling Rats

Color additives are used in a wide variety of foods, Food azo-colours tartrazine (Tar) is one of the most widely used artificial foods, drugs and cosmetic yellow dyes, its E number is E102 while Curcumin (Cur, an active ingredient of turmeric) is brightly yellow colored which routinely used as spice, food preservative and coloring material in different parts of the world; its E number is E100. The present study aimed to Compare between artificial yellow coloring additive Tar and natural one Cur (has the same color) on hyperactivity, learning and memory and the possibility of using Cur instead of Tar or at least in combined with Tar to protect against Tar behavioral disorder in weanling rats. To characterized biochemical and behavioral parameters the study was assessed the effect of Tar (1%, 3%) alone or in combination with Cur (200 mg/kg/b.wt) for 8 weeks on Open field test to assess the potential hyperactivity and Morris water maze test to assess learning and memory. Furthermore, biomarkers of oxidative stress malondialdhyde (MDA, end product of lipid peroxides), nitric oxides (NO, as nitrite to nitrate ratio), GSH (reduced glutathione), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in addition to some neurotransmitter, monoamines [dopamine (DA), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT)] were also measured in three different brain areas (frontal cortex, Striatum and hippocampus). These brain regions are important because they are involved in important behavioral functions, such as emotion, motivation, learning and memory. The results indicated that Tar extract significantly enhanced active behavioral response. Tar-treated rats showed hyperactivity in open field test presented by increasing horizontal locomotion as well as depletion in learning and memory by increased the escape latency in Morris water maze test and decreased the retention latency in probe test. Tar alone disturb oxidative stress marker by causing significant increase in serum NO and serum and tissue MDA and GSSG while it caused significant decrease in serum and tissue GSH as well as it inhibited neurotransmitters releases especially in striatum and hippocampus area. While combined treatment of Cur significantly ameliorated all the behavioral and biochemical alterations in serum and different brain regions of Tar-treated weanling rats. This study provides scientific evidence that there is a relationship between Tar and inflection of hyperactivity and depletion in learning and memory in weanling rats while coadministration of Cur attenuates the potential hazards of Tar

Paediatric tuberculosis preventive treatment preferences among HIV-positive children, caregivers and healthcare providers in Eswatini: a discrete choice experiment.

HEARD, 2021.Objective: Isoniazid preventive therapy initiation and completion rates are suboptimal among children. Shorter tuberculosis (TB) preventive treatment (TPT) regimens have demonstrated safety and efficacy in children and may improve adherence but are not widely used in high TB burden countries. Understanding preferences regarding TPT regimens’ characteristics and service delivery models is key to designing services to improve TPT initiation and completion rates. We examined paediatric TPT preferences in Eswatini, a high TB burden country. Design: We conducted a sequential mixed-methods study utilising qualitative methods to inform the design of a discrete choice experiment (DCE) among HIV-positive children, caregivers and healthcare providers (HCP). Drug regimen and service delivery characteristics included pill size and formulation, dosing frequency, medication taste, treatment duration and visit frequency, visit cost, clinic wait time, and clinic operating hours. An unlabelled, binary choice design was used; data were analysed using fixed and mixed effects logistic regression models, with stratified models for children, caregivers and HCP. Setting: The study was conducted in 20 healthcare facilities providing TB/HIV care in Manzini, Eswatini, from November 2018 to December 2019. Participants: Ninety-one stakeholders completed in-depth interviews to inform the DCE design; 150 children 10–14 years, 150 caregivers and 150 HCP completed the DCE. Results: Despite some heterogeneity, the results were fairly consistent among participants, with palatability of medications viewed as the most important TPT attribute; fewer and smaller pills were also preferred. Additionally, shorter waiting times and cost of visit were found to be significant drivers of choices. Conclusion: Palatable medication, smaller/fewer pills, low visit costs and shorter clinic wait times are important factors when designing TPT services for children and should be considered as new paediatric TPT regimens in Eswatini are rolled out. More research is needed to determine the extent to which preferences drive TPT initiation, adherence and completion rates

Intelligent negotiation model for ubiquitous group decision scenarios

Supporting group decision-making in ubiquitous contexts is a complex task that must deal with a large amount of factors to succeed. Here we propose an approach for an intelligent negotiation model to support the group decision-making process specially designed for ubiquitous contexts. Our approach can be used by researchers that intend to include arguments, complex algorithms and agents' modelling in a negotiation model. It uses a social networking logic due to the type of communication employed by the agents and it intends to support the ubiquitous group decision-making process in a similar way to the real process, which simultaneously preserves the amount and quality of intelligence generated in face-to-face meetings. We propose a new look into this problematic by considering and defining strategies to deal with important points such as the type of attributes in the multicriteria problems, agents' reasoning and intelligent dialogues.This work has been supported by COMPETE Programme (operational programme for competitiveness) within project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007043, by National Funds through the FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology) within the Projects UID/CEC/00319/2013, UID/EEA/00760/2013, and the João Carneiro PhD grant with the reference SFRH/BD/89697/2012 and by Project MANTIS - Cyber Physical System Based Proactive Collaborative Maintenance (ECSEL JU Grant nr. 662189).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio