1,131 research outputs found
Prospect of emission reduction standard for sustainable port equipment electrification
Despite efficient carbon monitoring system and the commercialization of battery technology for intra-port transportation, port management are found not deploying environmental equipmentsmainly due to high cost. Port authority who regulates environmental policies lacks leverage to impose tangible reduction standards on emission through concession. This model integrates sustainability into port equipment expansion theory by quantifying viable equipment electrification profile while still observing threeconstraints of operation, cost and environment. A benchmark emission reduction standard (ERS) is surveyed by Delphi method as environmental demand indicator thatsimulates for the electrification of port equipments. The results from Port of Tanjung Pelepas case study suggest an ERS implemented lower than 4% reduction a year is viable to retrofit and replace all electric rubber-tired gantries and prime movers. The simulation model allows informed decision for all port agents to establish viable environmental policies for sustainable port operations
Anatomical variations of hepatic artery using the multidetector computed tomography angiography
Background: The frequency of normal and aberrant hepatic arteries differs among ethnicities. The aim of our work was to study the frequency of normal and aberrant hepatic arteries among Egyptians using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to compare our prevalence with the prevalence of other nationalities. In addition, the gender differences of such variations were clarified. Moreover, the arterial feeding of hepatic segment IV was determined.
Materials and methods: The present study was carried out on 500 patients (409 males and 91 females). Abdominal CT was performed using two MDCT systems, a 64-row, and a 256-slice system.
Results: According to Michelâs classification, the normal anatomy (type I) was observed in 369 (73.8%) cases, while anomalous hepatic arterial pattern was detected in 131 (26.2%) cases. These anomalies were distributed as follows: type II in 36 (7.2%) cases, type III in 60 (12%) cases, types IV and V in 5 cases for each (1% each), type VI in 14 (2.8%) and types VIII and IX in a single case for each (0.2% each). Neither type VII nor type X was detected. Nine (1.8%) unclassified cases were observed. According to Hiaatâs classification, the anomalies were distributed as follows: type II in 41 (8.2%) cases, type III in 74 (14.8%) cases, type IV in 6 (1.2%) cases, type V in a single case (0.2%) and type VI in 2 (0.4%) cases. Finally, 7 (1.4%) unclassified cases were observed. Common hepatic artery (CHA) originated from coeliac trunk in 98% (79.8% males and 18.2% females). It originated from the abdominal aorta in 0.4% and from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in 0.4%. It was absent in 1.2%. Right hepatic artery (RHA) originated from the CHA in 86.6% (69.8% males and 16.8% females) and from the SMA in 13.2% (11.8% males and 1.4% females) and from the abdominal aorta in 0.2% (a single male case). Left hepatic artery (LHA) originated from the CHA in 91.2% and from the left gastric artery (LGA) in 8.8%. The most common origin of the segment IV blood supply was the LHA in 60.8%, followed by the RHA in 35%. Less commonly, blood supply derived from the hepatic artery proper (HAP) in 1%. Combined supply derived from RHA and LHA in 0.8%, from the LHA and HAP in 2% and the least encountered was from the RHA and HAP in 0.4%.
Conclusions: Hepatic artery variations among Egyptians have a different distribution when compared to such variations among other species. The normal hepatic arterial pattern was observed in 73.8%, while the anomalous was detected in 26.2%. The CHA originated from the coeliac trunk in 98%, the RHA originated from the CHA in 86.6% and the LHA originated from the CHA in 91.2%. The most common arterial supply of the hepatic segment IV is derived from the LHA (60.2%)
Views From the Street Pilot Study: Constraints and Difficulties of Using Photographs in Research of a Complex Nature Such as Homelessness
Homeless people experience a unique set of challenges leading to pervasive health and social problems. An increasing number of researchers have harnessed photographic data to gain a unique perspective of marginalised groups. The aim of the study is to explore the feasibility of using photographs in research to understand the complex environment experienced by homeless people, with a special interest in mental health. Individuals who frequently attend homeless facilities in London were sensitively approached and asked if they would be interested in taking part in the âViews From the Streetâ pilot study. Once agreement was confirmed through a formal consenting procedure, participants were asked to visually capture and upload their own digital photos, along with a brief description. The collection of data highlighted a number of barriers to engagement and acceptability, including issues around the level of familiarity with the recruiter, practicalities of participation, public perception of phone use, poor technical literacy, anonymity, and disassociation with the âhomelessâ label. Recommendations are made for future research utilising photographic participatory designs with the homeless population
Wearable activity technology and action-planning (WATAAP) to promote physical activity in cancer survivors: Randomised controlled trial protocol
Background/Objective: Colorectal and gynecologic cancer survivors are at cardiovascular risk due to comorbidities and sedentary behaviour, warranting a feasible intervention to increase physical activity. The Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) is a promising theoretical frame-work for health behaviour change, and wearable physical activity trackers offer a novel means of self-monitoring physical activity for cancer survivors.
Method: Sixty-eight survivors of colorectal and gynecologic cancer will be randomised into 12- week intervention and control groups. Intervention group participants will receive: a Fitbit AltaTM to monitor physical activity, HAPA-based group sessions, booklet, and support phone-call. Participants in the control group will only receive the HAPA-based booklet. Physical activity (using accelerometers), blood pressure, BMI, and HAPA constructs will be assessed at baseline, 12-weeks (post-intervention) and 24-weeks (follow-up). Data analysis will use the Group x Time interaction from a General Linear Mixed Model analysis.
Conclusions: Physical activity interventions that are acceptable and have robust theoretical underpinnings show promise for improving the health of cancer survivors
MALE FACTOR Inhibition of human sperm respiration by 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide and protection by mesna and WR-1065
Objective: To determine the effect of 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide (4OOH-CP) on the respiration of human sperm, and investigate the protective properties of mesna and WR-1065. Setting: SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY. Patient(s): Men (n ÂŒ 12) visited the Andrology Department for fertility evaluation. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Sperm respiration. Result(s): Immediate decline in the rate of respiration was observed when 4OOH-CP was added to washed sperm or semen. The inhibition was concentration dependent. The respiration was less affected when 4OOH-CP was added to semen, suggesting the presence of protective factors in the seminal plasma. Excess of mesna or WR-1065 ameliorated the effect of 4OOH-CP. Mesna was the more potent of the two compounds. 4OOH-CP also inhibited the respiration of mitochondria from beef heart. Conclusion(s): These findings emphasize the adverse effects of alkylating agents on sperm function. The results also provide a framework for thiol drug administration with high-dose alkylating agents to protect male fertility. The protective capacity of seminal plasma deserves further testing. (Fertil Steril Ă 2009;91:173-8. Ă2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
Inertial range scaling of scalar flux spectra in uniformly sheared turbulence
A model based on two-point closure theory of turbulence is proposed and
applied to study the Reynolds number dependency of the scalar flux spectra in
homogeneous shear flow with a cross-stream uniform scalar gradient. For the
cross-stream scalar flux, in the inertial range the spectral behavior agrees
with classical predictions and measurements. The streamwise scalar flux is
found to be in good agreement with the results of atmospheric measurements.
However, both the model results and the atmospheric measurements disagree with
classical predictions. A detailed analysis of the different terms in the
evolution equation for the streamwise scalar flux spectrum shows that nonlinear
contributions are governing the inertial subrange of this spectrum and that
these contributions are relatively more important than for the cross-stream
flux. A new expression for the scalar flux spectra is proposed. It allows us to
unify the description of the components in one single expression, leading to a
classical K^-7/3 inertial range for the cross-stream component and to a new
K^-23/9 scaling for the streamwise component that agrees better with
atmospheric measurements than the K^-3 prediction of J. C. Wyngaard and O. R.
Cot\'e [Quart. J. R. Met. Soc. 98, 590 (1972)]
Reynolds-number Dependence of Streamwise Velocity Fluctuations in Turbulent Pipe Flow
Statistics of the streamwise velocity component in fully-developed pipe flow are examined for Reynolds numbers in the range 5.5 x 10^4 < Re_D < 5.7 x 10^6. The second moment exhibits two maxima: one in the viscous sublayer is Reynolds-number dependent while the other, near the lower edge of the log region, is also Reynolds-number dependent and follows roughly the peak in Reynolds shear stress. The behaviour of both peaks is consistent with the concept of inactive motion which increases with increasing Reynolds number and decreasing distance from the wall. No simple scaling is apparent, and in particular, so-called "mixed" scaling is no better than wall scaling in the viscous sublayer and is actually worse than wall scaling in the outer region. The second moment is compared with empirical and theoretical scaling laws
and some anomalies are apparent. The scaling of spectra using y, R and u_Ï is examined. It appears that even at the highest Reynolds number, they exhibit
incomplete similarity only: while spectra do collapse with either inner or outer scales for limited ranges of wave number, these ranges do not overlap. Thus similarity may not be described as complete and any apparent k_1^(-1) range does not attract any special significance and does not involve universal constants. It is suggested that this is because of the influence of inactive motion. Spectra also show the presence of very long structures close to the wall
Towards NHS Zero: greener gastroenterology and the impact of virtual clinics on carbon emissions and patient outcomes. A multisite, observational, cross-sectional study
OBJECTIVE: The National Health Service (NHS) produces more carbon emissions than any public sector organisation in England. In 2020, it became the first health service worldwide to commit to becoming carbon net zero, the same year as the COVID-19 pandemic forced healthcare systems globally to rapidly adapt service delivery. As part of this, outpatient appointments became largely remote. Although the environmental benefit of this change may seem intuitive the impact on patient outcomes must remain a priority. Previous studies have evaluated the impact of telemedicine on emission reduction and patient outcomes but never before in the gastroenterology outpatient setting. METHOD: 2140 appointments from general gastroenterology clinics across 11 Trusts were retrospectively analysed prior to and during the pandemic. 100 consecutive appointments during two periods of time, from 1 June 2019 (prepandemic) to 1 June 2020 (during the pandemic), were used. Patients were telephoned to confirm the mode of transport used to attend their appointment and electronic patient records reviewed to assess did-not-attend (DNA) rates, 90-day admission rates and 90-day mortality rates. RESULTS: Remote consultations greatly reduced the carbon emissions associated with each appointment. Although more patients DNA their remote consultations and doctors more frequently requested follow-up blood tests when reviewing patients face-to-face, there was no significant difference in patient 90-day admissions or mortality when consultations were remote. CONCLUSION: Remote consultations greatly reduced the carbon emissions associated with each appointment. Although more patients DNA their remote consultations and doctors more frequently requested follow-up blood tests when reviewing patients face-to-face, there was no significant difference in patient 90-day admissions or mortality when consultations were remote
Mucosal-Associated Invariant T Cells in the Human Gastric Mucosa and Blood: Role in Helicobacter pylori Infection
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