Application of 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging Technique for Engineering Site Investigation

ان تحري الموقع الهندسي مهم لدراسة خصائص التربة تحت سطح الأرض لمواقع البناء المقترحة. يوفر استخدام طريقة المقاومة النوعية الكهربائية التصويرية ثنائية البعد معلومات مفيدة عن جيولوجيا وظروف ما تحت السطح على امتداد مسارات. في هذه الدراسة، تم اعتماد النمذجة الرقمية والدراسة الحقلية باستخدام تقنية المقاومة النوعية الكهربائية ثنائية البعد لأغراض تحري المواقع الهندسية. تم استخدام ترتيب فنر- شلمبرجر للاقطاب على امتداد ثلاثة مسارات متوازية في موقع للبناء في جامعة ديالى شمال شرق مدينة بغداد للكشف عن المرافق المدفونة (أنابيب) التي تركت في المنطقة. تم تصميم موديل افتراضي لانبوب مدفون لغرض المناقشة والتحقق من صحة النتائج الحقلية. لقد بينت مقاطع المقاومة النوعية الكهربائية ثنائية البعد للموديل امكانية الكشف عن التراكيب المدفونة حتى بوجود مستوى ضجيج مقدار 5% .لقد اظهر تفسير البيانات الحقلية أن تقنية المقاومة النوعية الكهربائية ثنائية البعد كانت فعالة في تحديد الانابيب المدفونة. ان حساسية ترتيب فنر- شلمبرجر للتغيرات الرأسية والأفقية في المقاومة النوعية  الكهربائية للتربة تحت السطح جعلت من الممكن تحديد موقع وشكل هذه التراكيب المدفونة. لقد اكدت الدراسة الحالية فائدة تقنية المقاومة النوعية الكهربائية التصويرية كأداة مكملة لتحريات المواقع الهندسية.Engineering site investigation is crucial to characterize the subsurface soil of proposed construction sites. Application of 2D Electrical Resistivity Imaging ERI technique pro- vides useful information about the subsurface geology and the condition along profiles. In this paper, numerical and field studies using 2D ERI technique were adopted for engineer- ing site investigation purposes. The Wenner-Schlumberger array was implemented along three parallel profiles at the construction site of Diyala University, northeast of Baghdad city, to detect buried utilities (pipes) left over in the area. A synthetic resistivity model of a buried pipe was designed to discuss and validate the field results. The 2D ERI sections of the model resolve clearly the buried structure, even with 5% noise level. Interpretation of the field data showed that 2D ERI technique was effective in delineating the buried pipes. The vertical and horizontal sensitivity of the Wenner-Schlumberger array for sub- surface resistivity variations made it possible to determine the position and geometry of the buried structures. The current work demonstrates the usefulness of the ERI technique as a complementary tool for engineering site investigation

Immediate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy after sleeve gastrectomy

Noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure ventilation may improve postoperative oxygenation, lung functions and reduce postoperative complications in morbidly obese patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. Aim: Evaluation of the effect of immediate postoperative CPAP therapy after sleeve gastrectomy in improving oxygenation, pulmonary functions values, reducing atelectasis and reducing postoperative pulmonary complications. Patients and methods: Single blind randomized clinical trial, was conducted in Gastroenterology Centre and Chest Department, Mansoura University Hospitals during the period from 2013 to 2015 on 46 morbidly obese patients after sleeve gastrectomy. Patients were divided into two groups; group (A) immediately placed on CPAP (8–12 cm H2O) for at least 8 h and group (B) control group, received oxygen support 4–6 L per minute via nasal catheter. The primary end points of the study were CXR, spirometric pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC) and O2 tension and saturation measured 24 h postoperatively and the secondary endpoints were postoperative pulmonary complications during the first 2 weeks. Results: As regards FEV1 and FVC, there was a high statistically significant difference between both groups after treatment and there was a statistically significant increase in group (A) after treatment versus before treatment. As regards oxygen tension and saturation there were high statistically significant differences between both groups after treatment. There was a statistically significant decrease in atelectasis in group (A). There were statistically significant differences between both groups as regards postoperative respiratory failure and persistent atelectasis but there were no statistically significant differences in pneumonia and gastric distension. Conclusion: The use of immediate CPAP after sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese patients is effective in improving oxygenation, spirometric values, reducing atelectasis and decreasing postoperative pulmonary complications

Impact of Exogenously Sprayed Antioxidants on Physio-Biochemical, Agronomic, and Quality Parameters of Potato in Salt-Affected Soil

Salinity is one of the harsh environmental stresses that destructively impact potato growth and production, particularly in arid regions. Exogenously applied safe–efficient materials is a vital approach for ameliorating plant growth, productivity, and quality under salinity stress. This study aimed at investigating the impact of foliar spray using folic acid (FA), ascorbic acid (AA), and salicylic acid (SA) at different concentrations (100, 150, or 200 mg/L) on plant growth, physiochemical ingredients, antioxidant defense system, tuber yield, and quality of potato (Solanum tuberosum L cv. Spunta) grown in salt-affected soil (EC = 7.14 dS/m) during two growing seasons. The exogenously applied antioxidant materials (FA, AA, and SA) significantly enhanced growth attributes (plant height, shoot fresh and dry weight, and leaves area), photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids), gas exchange (net photosynthetic rate, Pn; transpiration rate, Tr; and stomatal conductance, gs), nutrient content (N, P, and K), K+/ Na+ ratio, nonenzymatic antioxidant compounds (proline and soluble sugar content), enzymatic antioxidants (catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)) tuber yield traits, and tuber quality (dry matter, protein, starch percentage, total carbohydrates, and sugars percentage) compared with untreated plants in both seasons. Otherwise, exogenous application significantly decreased Na+ and Cl− compared to the untreated control under salt stress conditions. Among the assessed treatments, the applied foliar of AA at a rate of 200 mg/L was more effective in promoting salt tolerance, which can be employed in reducing the losses caused by salinity stress in potato grown in salt-affected soils

Dynamic MR Imaging, Biodistribution and Pharmacokinetics of Polymer Shelled Microbubbles Containing Spion

Biodistribution and pharmacokinetics of polymer shelled microbubbles (MBs), embedded with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) in the shell, were determined in rats using dynamic Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging. The histological survey of tissue samples showed that SPION MBs were taken up by macrophages in the lungs, spleen and liver. The elimination half-life of SPION MBs was longer than that of SPION. This study shows that MRI is a reliable and non-invasive method for pharmacokinetic calculations

Impact of grazing around industrial areas on milk heavy metals contamination and reproductive ovarian hormones of she-camel with assessment of some technological processes on reduction of toxic residue concentrations

Abstract Heavy metals are one of the most toxic chemical pollutants of the environment. Their hazards not restricted to human but extend to animal productivity and reproductively. The present study aimed to assess the impact of grazing around industrial areas on the levels of copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) residues in milk samples collected from dromedary she-camels and studying their effects on some ovarian hormones. In addition, the study aimed to investigate methods of removal of the toxic concentrations of these heavy metals in milk by applying different technological processes. Blood and milk samples were collected from 30 dromedary she-camels, 15 grazing in non-industrial areas (group A) and 15 grazing in industrial areas (group B). Detection of the levels of these heavy metals in milk was done. Ovarian hormones investigation on the blood was performed. Different technological processes such as boiling, skimming and fermentation were applied to all contaminated samples to reduce the toxic concentrations of these heavy metals. Results revealed that all examined milk samples in both groups contained Cu, while 40% of group A and 100 % of group B contained Al residues with different concentrations. The levels of Cu and Al residues in samples of group A not exceeded the maximum residual limit (MRL) set by World Health Organization (WHO) while 60% and 100% of milk samples in group B contained Cu and Al residues exceeded MRL, respectively. Technological processes induce variant changes in the levels of these metals in milk. Heat treatment of milk in Al vats leads to leaching of Al from containers to the milk causing significant increase in Al load, while Cu level was not significantly affected. Boiling in stainless-steel containers decreased the levels of Al and Cu but in non-significant levels. Regarding skimming process, small amount of Cu and Al escaped into the skimmed milk while greater amount were recovered in the cream. Fermentation by probiotic bacteria showed that milk fermentation has non-significant effect on Cu and Al levels. Investigation of ovarian hormones (estrogen and progesterone) revealed presence of a signification reduction in the levels of these hormones in group B compared to group A. In addition, a negative correlation was found between these heavy metals and ovarian hormones concentrations in the blood. It is concluded that grazing of dromedary camels around industrial areas induce heavy metals toxicity represented by excretion of these metals in milk and significant reduction on ovarian function showed by reduction of estrogen and progesterone levels. Technological processes such as skimming decreased the levels of Al and Cu residues in milk

Comparative study between efficacy of dexamethasone-prostaglandin-receptal combination and mechanical correction in uterine torsion cases in Egyptian buffalo-cows (Bubalus bubalis)

Abstract Background According to reports, the majority of domesticated species exhibited uterine torsion. It was occasionally noted as a cause of dystocia in buffaloes. The uterus might twist more frequently late in pregnancy because of certain animal traits. The current research monitored the clinical findings and laboratory assays associated with uterine torsion cases in pregnant buffalo-cows through comparing between normal labored buffalo-cows (Norm-Labgr; n = 20), mechanically corrected uterine torsed animals without medicament interference (UtrTorsgr; n = 160), and mechanically corrected uterine torsed animals with medicament interference (UtrTors-Medgr; n = 40) through focusing on placental characterization, calves body weight, milk constituents and milk somatic cell count (SCC) in normal labored buffaloes and uterine torsed ones. Through clinical and laboratory investigations of these buffaloes (N = 220) had been conducted 3 times; 7 h pre-calving and post calving (Post uterine correction) i.e. 48 and 96 h. Uterine torsion prevalence parameters, placental characterization, calves body weight, milk constituents and milk somatic cell counts were evaluated in normal labored buffaloes and uterine torsed ones. Results and Conclusions The study concluded pre-calving remarkable variations in clinical findings, leukogram picture, calf birth weight and some placental characterization parameters between Norm-Labgr and each of UtrTorsgr and UtrTors-Medgr whereas these variations disappeared post-partum as a result to either only mechanical correction or mechanical correction plus medicaments interference. No pre-or post-calving significant changes between UtrTorsgr and UtrTors-Medgr except for the abnormal clinical findings were more representative in UtrTors-Medgr than those in UtrTorsgr particularly pre-calving. The applied pre-calving therapeutic regimen including dexamethasone-prostaglandin-receptal combination had a powerful potential efficacy that induced vaginal delivery of calves in UtrTors-Medgr as well as prepartum mechanical correction of torsed uterus approved higher efficacy in UtrTorsgr. The applied prepartum mechanical correction of torsed uterus and/or pre-calving therapeutic regimen as well as subsequent post-calving, post uterine correction applied medicament treatment accelerated rapid recovery of affected buffalo-cows through achieving rapid restoring of their physiological parameters. Buffalo-cow’s milk composition, milk pH and milk SCC were not affected whereas no significant variations were reported between Norm-Labgr, UtrTorsgr and UtrTors-Medgr