Revisiting scalar field cosmology with Λ(t)\Lambda(t) in f(R,T)f(R,T) gravity

Two scalar field cosmological models in $f(R,T)$ gravity with cosmic transit and varying cosmological constant have been investigated. The time-dependent cosmological constant $\Lambda(t)$ is positive and tends to a very small value at the present epoch. The scalar field pressure $p_{\phi}$ shows a sign flipping for normal scalar field. For the phantom field, the scalar potential $V(\phi)$ is negative and the energy density $\rho_{\phi}=E_k+V$ takes negative values when the equation of state parameter $\omega_{\phi}<-1$. While the weak energy condition WEC implies that the total energy density $\rho=\sum_i\rho_i\geq 0$, we still can have a negative $\rho$ term as long as the total $\rho$ is positive. In the current work we argue that the WEC, $\rho=\sum_i \rho_i \geq 0$ and $p_i+\rho_i \geq 0$, is not violated. For a scalar field $\phi$, The condition $\rho_{\phi}+p_{\phi}=\rho_{\phi} (1+\omega_{\phi})=2E_k\geq 0$ allows for $\rho_{\phi}<0$ if $\omega_{\phi}<-1$. The cosmology in both models has been probed using a given function $a(t)$ deduced from the desired cosmic behavior which is the opposite of the conventional viewpoint

Clinical significance and treatment of striae gravidarum during pregnancy: a review article

Abdominal stretch marks found during pregnancy may be indicative of poor skin elasticity. One who does not have stretch marks may have better skin elasticity and may be less likely to tear perineal and vaginal tissue during vaginal delivery. Striae gravidarum (SG) is a common phenomenon of stretch marks observed during pregnancy that may be an indicator of poor skin elasticity. The type and amount of collagen in connective tissue are considered to determine the individual’s elastic index. The skin surface is made up of a complex network of crossing thin lines. The two-dimensional relationship between primary and secondary lines determines the skin texture and its grade of irregularity. SG is caused by changes in the structural connective tissue due to a hormonal elect on the alignment and reduced elastin and fibrillin in the dermis. Severity scoring of SG was observed using the numerical scoring system of Atwal. This score provides a rank based on observation of four areas in which SG is most commonly observed (abdomen, hips, buttocks, and breast)

Tamoxifen for treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding in etonorgstrel implant users: a randomized clinical trial

Background: The current study aims to compare the use of tamoxifen and oral contraceptive pills in women using implanon and complain with irregular uterine bleeding.Methods: Women attended family planning clinic using implanon presented by bleeding were invited to participate in the study. They were randomized into two groups: Group A: 100 women received Tamoxifen 10 mg twice daily for 10 days taken at the onset of an episode of bleeding or spotting episode. Group B: 100 women received Combined oral contraceptive pills (microcept) once daily for 21 days take at the onset of an episode of bleeding or spotting episode.Results: No difference regarding the baseline criteria of both groups. No difference between both groups regarding the duration of irregular bleeding in the implanon users (p=0.090). Additionally, the number of bleeding days and spotting in the last month was similar in both groups (p=0.554). The percentage of women who stopped bleeding during the period of treatment is 84% in the tamoxifen group and 92% in the COCs group, but the COCs needs longer treatment time, where the mean of days required to stop bleeding is 5.03±1.8 days in the tamoxifen group and 6.5±2.5 in the COCs group. Headache and nausea were the most prominent adverse effects found in the COCs group (p=0.000).Conclusions: Oral administration of tamoxifen 10 mg twice daily for 10 days is effective on stopping bleeding attacks in implanon users

Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among low risk pregnant women attending antenatal care clinic in tertiary hospital: a cross sectional study

Background: The current study aims to identify the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among low-risk pregnant women attending the antenatal care clinic of tertiary University Hospital and to detect the most common causative organisms.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary University Hospital in the period between 1st November 2017 and 31st June 2018. All eligible women attending the outpatient clinic for antenatal care were approached to participate in the study. The recruited women were assessed through detailed history and clinical examination. Urine samples were taken for culture and sensitivity within two hours, in order to avoid bacterial multiplication. Urine culture and antibiotic sensitivity test were done.Results: The study included 250 women. The mean age of included women was 25.89±5.49 (18-42 years). The urine analysis results showed that 32% of cases had pus cells &gt;5 per high power field and 10.4% of cases have protein (+). Casts were present in 0.8% of cases. RBCs &gt;5 per high power field were present in 4.8% of cases. ASB is defined as urine culture with more than 100,000 colony forming unit; this was present in 30 cases. This indicates that the prevalence of ASB among studied cases was 12%. Enterococcus was the most prevalent organism as it was present in 36.7% among positive cases. Antibiotic sensitivity test was performed to the growing organisms indicated that teicoplanin, imipenem, cefoxitin, cefotaxime + clavulanic acid, Entrapenem, and trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole are the most effective antibiotics against the most common organisms causing asymptomatic bacteriuria.Conclusions: The prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria among low-risk pregnant women is about 12%. Urine culture for asymptomatic bacteriuria should be the standard of care for evaluation of pregnant patient during antenatal care as regard presence or absence of UTI

Effectiveness of Green Roofs and Green Walls on Energy Consumption and Indoor Comfort in Arid Climates

Increased urbanization have many negative effects on human well-being, city infrastructure, electricity usage and the increase of indoor temperatures. A solution may be to retrofit existing buildings, with implementing a vegetated layer to roofs and walls, this may enhance building performance, reduce consumption and improve indoor comfort. Cities with tall buildings may be more adequate to implement a green-wall as it have more area to make impact. This paper examines the energy reduction advantages of adding greenery on buildings in the hot arid climate of Egypt by considering three typical types of residential buildings in the city of Cairo as a case study. Designbuilder software was selected to stimulate the buildings chosen in this research. The results shows that an extensive soil thickness of 15cm performs better in the arid climates. electricity consumption for the base case is 52 kWh/m2 annually when used a traditional external envelop and dropped to 43 kWh/m2 when a vegetated layer added to the whole building (roof & wall), annual electricity consumption reduced by 17% to 25% per annum when added a vegetated layer. In addition to enhancing the indoor thermal comfort by 3 PMV values and indoor air temperature by 5°C

Undiagnosed endometrial abnormalities in women with normal hysterosalpingography scheduled for IVF: prospective evaluation of three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound versus office hysteroscopy

Objectives: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional transvaginal ultrasound (3D-US) to office hysteroscopy (OH) in the screening of uterine cavity with normal hysterosalpingography (HSG) findings for subtle endometrial abnormalities before in vitro-fertilization (IVF). Methods: A prospective cohort cost-modeling study was carried out in a University hospital. We included 120 infertile women with a normal uterine cavity on HSG scheduled for IVF. All cases were evaluated by 3D-US, and the results were compared with OH findings. Results: OH revealed cavitary endometrial lesions (CLs) in thirty-four women (28.3%). Endometrial polyps were the most common detected lesions (16, 47.1%). 3D-US had 88.2% sensitivity, 96.5% specificity, 90.9% positive predictive value, 95.4% negative predictive value, and 94.2% overall accuracy for CLs. The overall agreement between 3D-US and OH was near-perfect (κ=0.86, 95% CI=0.75-0.96). Irregular menstrual bleeds and prior endometrial procedures were significant predictors for CLs (aOR=24.96, 95% CI=2.71–230.04, P=0.005, aOR=9.16, 95% CI=2.13–39.3, P=0.002, respectively). A selective screening strategy discerning OH to women with these predictors and/or women with abnormal 2D-US would have an NPV of 92.8 % with substantial cost benefits. Conclusions: In the pre-IVF work up, 3D-US, a non-invasive imaging modality, seems to be nearly comparable to OH. Office hysteroscopy screening prioritizing women with abnormal 2D-US, irregular menstrual periods and/or prior endometrial traumatization could yield a satisfactory cost-effective approach for identifying endometrial lesions

Value of Serum Growth Differentiation Factor 15 in diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer

Background: Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is considered the third most deadly and fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world.Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare serum levels of growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) in patients with CRC and in those healthy control subjects.Patients and methods: The study included 60 subjects that were divided in two groups: Group Ι included 30 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer and group ΙΙ that included 30 healthy volunteers as control group. They didn`t have any acute or chronic diseases. All subjects of this study were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination and laboratory investigations. The study was conducted at Internal Medicine Department (gastroenterology and endoscopy unit), Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University. Results: The study comprised 35 males (58.3%) and 25 females (41.7%), with a mean age of 61 ± 9 years. Twenty-six participants were from urban areas (43.3%) and 34 from rural areas (56.7%). Thirteen participants had a suspicious occupational exposure (21.7%) and 27 were smokers (45%). Mean BMI of all participants was 31 ± 6 kg/m2 with no statistically significant differences between the studied groups. Regarding Hb level and GDF-15, there were statistically significant differences between CRC group and control group where Hb was higher in the control group, while GDF15 was higher in CRC group. Conclusion: Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) could be used as a valuable independent biomarker for screening CRC

Strengthening of Concrete Beams Using FRP Composites

Finite element analysis (FEA) is used to predict the behavior of reinforced concrete beams strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP). To verify and measure the accuracy of the FEM model, the current model results were compared with both experimental and theoretical available results. Four beams were studied simulating the Horsetail Creek Bridge, Oregon, USA. The first one is a control beam with no strengthening fiber.The second beam is strengthened with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) oriented along the length of the beam to reinforce the flexure behavior. The third beam is wrapped with glass fiber reinforced polymer(GFRP) laminates representing the shear beam. The fourth one is strengthened with CFRP and GFRP laminates representing the flexure-shear beam.The load-strain for concrete, steel and fiber as well were represented and compared. In addition, the load deflection curves and crack patterns were developed and represented. The results showed that the modeling process was accurate in simulating the tested beams. It was also clear that using FRP in strengthening reinforced concrete beams is an effective method in improving both shear and flexural behavior of the beams

Evaluation of the uterine cavity by office hysteroscopy in patients with infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss: a cross sectional study

Background: The aim of the present study is to determine role of hysteroscopy in women presented with primary or secondary infertility and in women presented with recurrent pregnancy loss.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Obstetrics and Genecology Department, Women Health Hospital Assiut University, Egypt from October 2016 to February 2018. Reproductive aged women who are suspected as having intrauterine pathology, such as submucosal myoma, endometrial polyps or other endometrial pathological findings based on the transvaginal ultrasound were enrolled. All patients were scheduled for office hysteroscopy as an outpatient. An informed consent was obtained prior to participation in the study.Results: Hysteroscopy was performed in 139 infertile women and 41 cases of repeated pregnancy loss. With regard to infertile patients; 67.6% of the patients had normal findings, 10.1% of the patients had intrauterine adhesion, 8.6% of the patients had intrauterine polyp. 5.8% of the patients had septate uterus and 3.6% of the patients had depressed fundus. With regard to patients with recurrent pregnancy loss; 51.2% of the patients had normal findings, 21.9% of the patients had partial septum, 9.8% of patients had intrauterine adhesions, 7.3% of patients had intrauterine polyp and 4.9% of the patients had submucous myoma.Conclusions: It was concluded that hysteroscopy should be considered as routine investigation in evaluation of women with primary and secondary infertility

Organic and Inorganic Salts as Postharvest Alternative Control Means of Citrus

Several postharvest disease control means alternative to conventional chemical fungicides, such as organic and inorganic salts, will be highlighted in the proposed chapter. In particular, it will comprehensively cover different aspects of the use of salts against postharvest Penicillium decay of citrus. It will be an essential resource for the graduate and postgraduate students, researchers, professionals, supply chain players, citrus industries, and retailers. Organic and inorganic salts have a broad spectrum of activity against a wide range of fungi. In addition, they are easy to apply, inexpensive, safe for humans and the environment, and suitable for commercial postharvest handling practices. Different application strategies of salts, before and after harvest, and combined application (with wax, natural compounds, and fungicides, etc.) will be also discussed. The present chapter attempts to highlight how the use of organic and inorganic salts as alternative postharvest disease management technologies has developed from the laboratory to the market