Modeling and Simulation of Thermal Sterilization of Conduction Heat Canned Foods Using Heat Transfer Coefficients Boundary Conditions

A generalized computer simulation model for thermal sterilization of conduction-heated canned food was developed. The model is based on expressing the boundary conditions in term of heat transfer coefficients to allow for handling all possible types of boundary conditions in addition of updating the boundary conditions during thermal processing. The developed computer program was based on an alternating direction implicit (ADI) finite difference method using Crank-Nicolson scheme of discretization. The computer simulation model was validated using published experimental time-temperature data collected at the geometric center for 5 % (w/w) canned bentonite in cylindrical can with 9 % headspace. An excellent prediction for the can center temperature during both heating and cooling cycle compared to experimental data was obtained. The program was used successfully in tracing the location of the cold spot by examining the solution of the temperature profiles along the central axial direction at a given time confirming that cold spot for the can size and headspace level used is at the geometric center. The developed computer program will be a valuable tool in thermal process design, scheduling and optimization because it is based on realistic thermal processing conditions that take into consideration actual thermal resistance at the can boundary surfaces and at the headspace side

Determination of Cold Spot Location for Conduction-Heated Canned Foods Using an Inverse Approach

Cold spot location is a focal point in thermal process lethality calculations for conduction heated canned foods. An inverse heat conduction problem (IHCP) approach was used to model heat transfer for canned food with headspace using a one dimensional heat conduction model. Sequential function specification algorithm was used to solve for heat fluxes history at the can headspace side using known internal transient temperature measurements. The estimated heat fluxes were then used to solve the direct heat conduction problem for the temperature profiles in the axial direction including at the sensor position. Deviations between estimated temperatures and measured temperatures at the sensor position were calculated using root mean square error. From all the treatments used, a maximum error of 0.29 oC was obtained for the whole measurement period of the treatment which is well within thermocouple measurement error. The excellent agreement between the measured and calculated temperatures at the sensor position is an indication of an accurate estimation of heat fluxes and subsequent location of the cold spot. The results revealed that the cold spot is located at about 59 % of the model food height from the bottom of the can for the three levels of headspace investigated (10%, 14% and 20%). The result of this research provides a useful guide for accurate location of cold spot when collecting heat penetration data for conduction heated foods with headspace predominantly occupied by water vapor. This will aid in assuring the safety of canned foods based on accurate calculation of thermal process lethality

An Investigation of Inference of the Generalized Extreme Value Distribution Based on Record

In this article, the maximum likelihood and Bayes estimates of the generalized extreme value distribution based on record values are investigated. The asymptotic confidence intervals as well as bootstrap confidence are proposed. The Bayes estimators cannot be obtained in closed form so the MCMC method are used to calculate Bayes estimates as well as the credible intervals. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the proposed estimation methods developed here. Keywords: Generalized extreme value distribution, Record values, Maximum likelihood estimation, Bayesian estimation

Evaluation of the Antibiotic Resistance Pattern at the Medical Services Administration Hospital in Khartoum, Sudan, 2021

The number of antibiotics available is limited and does not cover the growing antibiotic resistance challenge. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics act as factors that help in improving and increasing the problem of resistance to those currently being prescribed by doctors. The study was carried out at the Medical Services Administration Hospital (MSAH) in Khartoum, Sudan to investigate the antibiotic resistance pattern for the period between Dec. 2020 and Jan. 2022. The results showed that, in a total of different clinical samples that were collected and processed, a total number of 980 organisms were isolated. The result indicated that 345 out of the total isolates (35.20%) were Klebsiella pneumonia, 326 (33.27%) Escherichia coli, 154 (15.71%) Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 130 (13.27%) Proteus mirabilis, and 25 (2.55%) Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed that K. pneumonia was quite resistant to piperacillin, cefuroxime, and azithromycin. The amikacin, imipenem, and meropenem antibiotics showed significant activity against K. pneumonia. The isolates of E. coli showed significant resistance to azithromycin and were more sensitive to imipenem and meropenem. P. aeruginosa was resistant to penicillin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and azithromycin in a big way, but it was very sensitive to cefuroxime, the drug used to treat strep throat infections. P. mirabilis was found to be resistant to nalidixic acid, nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, and azithromycin. It showed good sensitivity to amikacin, imipenem, and meropenem. It was clear that S. aureus was resistant to cefuroxime, ceftriaxone, nitrofurantoin, and norfloxacin, while tests showed that it was sensitive to imipenem

Some Features of Joint Confidence Regions for the Parameters of the Inverse Weibull Distribution

In this paper, we will study the joint confidence regions for the parameters of inverse Weibull distribution in the point of view of record values. One of the applications of the joint confidence regions of the parameters is to find confidence bounds for the functions of the parameters. Joint confidence regions for the parameters of extreme value distribution are also discussed. In this way we will discus some numerical examples with real data set and simulated data, to illustrate the proposed method. A simulation study is performed to compare the proposed joint confidence regions. Keywords: The joint confidence regions, confidence bounds; inverse Weibull distribution, extreme value distribution

Epidemiological studies on cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ad- Dawadimi District, Saudi Arabia

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ad-Dawadimi region of Saudi Arabia.Methods: Data from the patients included in this retrospective study were collected from the Leishmaniasis Control Center of Ad-Dawadimi District of Saudi Arabia. A total of 370 patients with CL were recorded from January 2009 to December 2013. The data focused on details of sociodemographics, i.e., age, gender, date of diagnosis, residence and close family members with CL.Results: Out of 370 patients with verified lesions, 280 (75.6 %) were males with a mean age of 18.26 ± 13.41 years, while 90 (24.3 %) were females with a mean age of 19.25 ± 16.10 years. The highest proportion (18.3 %) occurred in the 15 - 20 years age group. Annual distribution of CL showed that the highest rate was in 2010 with 168 cases while the lowest rate was in 2012 with 42 cases. There were no significant differences in the mean ages of the CL cases with respect to gender.Conclusion: Most of the reported cases had with single facial lesions. Although all age groups are affected by CL, a majority of the cases are aged 15 to 30 years.Keywords: Cutaneous leishmania, Epidemiology, Facial lesion, Age-relate

Polyorchidism: case report and literature review

Polyorchidism is a rare congenital anomaly frequently associated with maldescent testis, hernia, and torsion. Reports in the literature show an increased risk of testicular malignancy in the presence of polyorchidism. This entity has characteristic sonographic features and the diagnosis is often made on the basis of sonography. A conservative approach is the treatment of choice in uncomplicated cases. We report a male of 26-years old with 2 testicles in right side diagnosed by ultrasound. A brief history and review of the literature is also presente

Outcomes of integrating a clinical pharmacist in the pediatric cardiology ward

To date, very limited data are available on clinical pharmacist's services in pediatric cardiology. The aim of this review was to assess "drug-related problems" (DRPs) and patient outcomes during the involvement of the clinical pharmacist in the pediatric cardiology ward. Studies published between January 2000 and November 2021 were searched across Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and ScienceDirect for “DRPs” and “patient outcome” with “clinical pharmacist” and “pediatric cardiology”. Results revealed that the incorporation of clinical pharmacists in the multidisciplinary team can detect and resolve DRPs, reduce the overall burden of healthcare costs, and improve drug safety in pediatric cardiology patients. Most DRPs identified and interventions proposed by the clinical pharmacists were accepted by the physicians. Studies have also reported a positive impact on patient outcomes, including: shorter hospital stay, fewer disease events, optimal anticoagulation levels, lipid levels, and blood pressure. Moreover; pharmacist-led discharge medication counseling resulted in better medication adherence, fewer medication discrepancies, and a lower incidence of cardiovascular-associated hospital readmissions. In summary, there is growing evidence that integration and interventions of clinical pharmacists into cardiology ward has a positive influence on DRPs and patient outcomes