Waste glass as partial replacement in cement – a review

The industries of Cement and glass are dealing with a variety of demanding situations due to the excessive factories gases emissions, the extensive use of power and the intensive use of the earth's natural resources. The temporary landfills of dumping waste glass are now not providing a friendly environment, because of waste glass particle are nonbiodegradable. Furthermore, the chemical structure and the pozzolanic characteristics of waste glass are inspiring for using this waste in the cement industries and urban industries and to provide an environmentally friendly answer for the glass and cement industries. Thus, it can be used as a partial cement replacement in Portland cement concrete or as a partial replacement in the form of waste glass powder (WGP) or as waste glass sludge (WGS). The use of glass powder in Portland cement concrete does have some negative impact on characteristics of the concrete; however, waste glass in its crushed condition can be use in about 100 % and it can still be a practical applicability. This paper reviews the unusual uses of waste glass in cement and concrete and the effect of thermal and pozzolanic activity on the properties of waste glass the impact of the glass characteristics on the durability and performance of the produced cement and concrete

Heat transfer augmentation and entropy generation analysis of Microchannel Heat Sink (MCHS) with symmetrical ogive-shaped ribs

This study proposes the use of symmetrical ogive-shaped ribs on the walls of microchannel heat sinks (MCHS) to improve their thermal performance with minimal pressure drop. The ribs are arranged in three different configurations: ribs attached to all channel walls (MC-SAWR), ribs attached to side channel walls (MC-SSWR), and ribs attached to the bottom channel wall (MC-SBWR). Numerical investigations are conducted using the laminar conjugate heat transfer model to study the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the MCHS. The augmentation entropy generation number and thermal enhancement factor criterion are used to quantify the overall hydrothermal performance of the MCHS. The results show that the inclusion of symmetrical ogive-shaped ribs improves the Nusselt number of MCHS. The MC-SAWR configuration shows the highest Nusselt number improvement of 13–50% compared to the smooth MCHS over the Reynolds number range of 100–1000. Additionally, the MC-SAWR configuration shows a maximum reduction of 58% in the total entropy generation rate as it has the smallest augmentation entropy generation number value of 0.42. In terms of the thermal enhancement factor criterion, the MC-SSWR configuration shows the highest performance at Reynolds numbers below 400, but the MC-SAWR configuration outperformed the MC-SSWR configuration at Reynolds numbers above 400. Therefore, the MC-SAWR configuration is the best configuration that provides high cooling performance

Effects of job stress on job performance and job satisfaction

Job stress is increasingly becoming an epidemic in the work environment. Female Nursing staff is constantly encountering trouble, crisis and conflict in the work environment prevailing in the public sector hospitals that require them to cope with. The central theme of this research study is focused on digging out the fundamental causes of job stress of female nurses. Further, how job stress affects their job performance and job satisfaction. The study generated quantitative data which will open doors for further research in this area. This research study adopts quantitative approach using questionnaire methods. Several procedures were applied to carry out rigorous quantitative analysis. Organizations can help reduce the overall effects of job stress by developing and implementing prevention and intervention methods to help employees manage and cope with job stress. To reduce job stress of female nurses, this study suggests several measures along with employee’s assistance programe (EAP). This programme is focused on the employee’s total mental and physical condition. It was found that public sector hospitals are factories to manufacture stress. Female nurses experience more stress than male counterpart in the public sector hospitals. The findings of this paper revealed that job stress has negative co relation with job performance and job satisfaction

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10&nbsp;years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37&nbsp;years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Effect of the Combined Oral Contraceptive Pills (Yasmin) on the Fetal Malformation in Pregnant Mice (Mus Musculus)

Background:- Combined oral contraceptive pills (Yasmin) is an great contraceptive which used a very big vary of female worldwide , and it consists of synthetic estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and a synthetic progesterone (drospirenone). Aim of study:- This study was designed to inspect the effect of Yasmin on the deformation of fetus of pregnant mice when treated with the drug before pregnancy. Methods:- In this study, 25 female mice were used, divided to three groups, the first group is control group (A) consisting of 5 pregnant mice, while the second group (B) and the third group (C) are the treatment group, each group consists of 10 pregnant mice which treated before pregnancy occurs with drug Yasmin for 10 days for group (B) and 20 days for group (C) at a dose (0.1ml) of concentration. Results:- The results showed macroscopic congenital malformations in both treatment groups compared with control group (A), which include (exophthalmia, congestion in the brain, enlarged head size, pros encephalon, rough skin, micromelia, foot rotart, increased number of fingers, and Tail torsion), in addition to the presence of (bleeding at the end of the tail area) in third group. And the percentage of malformations in (group C) was higher than the (group B) . And observed that there was no extensive difference (P 0.05) in the rate of fetus weight, head, trunk and body length for the group (B), and there was extensive difference (P 0.05) in the group (C) contrast to the control group(A). And there was extensive difference in the length of the tail and hind limbs in both groups (B, C), and there was no extensive difference in average length of fore limbs of both groups (B, C), contrast to the control group(A). Conclusion:- The results of the current study suggest the use of contraceptive pills (Yasmin) immediately before pregnancy occure has the potential to cause deformities in fetuses in the event of pregnancy occur

Association between T-182C polymorphism of the norepinephrine transporter SLC6A2(NET) gene and major depressive disorder in Iraqi patients

Major sympathetic nervous system neurotransmitter that is responsible for consciousness, attention, cognitive ability, as well as the function of the majority of body systems, glands, and the immune system, is called Norepinephrine (NE). Norepinephrine transporter (NET) and norepinephrine binding sites are decreased in the brains of MDD patients, showing that dysregulated synaptic NE plays a role in the pathophysiology of MDD. Indeed, different NET polymorphism combinations may be linked to different MDD sub-phenotypes. The aim of the current work is to investigate or detect if there is a relation between T-182C gene polymorphism of SLC6A2 gene with major depressive disorder (MDD) in Iraqi patients.Materials and Methods: Blood specimens were collected from 70 individuals with MDD and 20 healthy individuals as a control group (both patients and control ages ranged between 18-65 years). DNA extracted from white blood cells (WBC), and the T-182C gene was detected and amplified by the PCR-ARMS technique. Results: The distribution of TT, TC, and CC genotype ratio of MDD group was 22.9%, 27.1%, and 50.0%, respectively. While the control group show genotype distribution as 35.0% for TT, 55.0% for TC and 10.0% for CC ratio.&nbsp