Performance of 2D SOVA along and across track in shingled magnetic recording media

Serial Concatenation of Two Dimensional Soft Output Viterbi Algorithm (2D-SOVA) and regular Viterbi Algorithm (VA) for 2D equalisation and detection of Shingled Magnetic Recording (SMR) media provides excellent performance as compared to the use of 1 Dimensional (1D) maximum likelihood detector. In this paper, we implement and evaluate the performances of two versions of it. The first version performs 2D SOVA along the tracks to eliminate the effect of inter-symbol interference (ISI) and then the Viterbi detector across the tracks to remove inter-track interference (ITI). The second version carries out 2D-SOVA across the tracks and VA along the tracks. The results for high ITI and ISI show a better performance when using 2D-SOVA across the track with a small difference in computational complexity in favour of 2D-SOVA across the tracks

Dyslipidemia among Sudanese Children Undergoing Maintenance Dialysis

Introduction: Dyslipidemia is an established risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. It is common among children undergoing maintenance dialysis. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the lipid profile of children undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) or continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in Sudan. Methods: We studied 17 children on HD, 11 children on CAPD and 28 controls. The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGD) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured from fasting serum samples using electrophoresis and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was then calculated. Results: End stage renal failure (ESRF) children had higher mean TC (193±36 versus 135±17 mg/dl), higher mean TGD (120±38 versus 90±15 mg/dl), higher mean LDL-C (129±32 versus 69±18 mg/dl), and lower mean HDL-C (39±12 versus 49±4 mg/dl) than controls (P=0.00 for all parameters). CAPD patients had higher mean TC (211±39 versus 181±30 mg/dl) and higher LDL-C (145±35 versus 118±25 mg/dl) than controls (P=0.03 for both parameters). The prevalence of dyslipidemia among ESRF patients was 75% while none of the control group had lipid parameters outside the accepted range. Among ESRF patients, 39.3% had TC > 200 mg/dl, 21.4% had TGD > 150 mg/dl, 42.9% had LDL-C > 130 mg/dl, and 35.7% had HDL-C < 35 mg/dl. Abnormal HDL-C values were more prevalent among CAPD patients compared to HD patients (52.9% versus 9.1%, P=0.02) Conclusion: Despite the small number of studied children, this study is likely to reflect the high prevalence of dyslipidemia among children undergoing maintenance dialysis treatment in Sudan. Keywords: Children; Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis; Dyslipidemia; Hemodialysis; Suda

Particulate matter concentrations and heavy metal contamination levels in the railway transport system of Sydney, Australia

© 2018 Elsevier Ltd Sampling campaign was conducted over six weeks to determine particulate matter (PM) concentrations from Sydney Trains airport line (T2) at both underground and ground levels using DustTrak. Dust samples were collected and analysed for 12 metals (Fe, Ca, Mn, Cr, Zn, Cu, Pb, Al, Co, Ni, Ba and Na) by atomic emission spectroscopy. Average underground PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations from inside the trains were 2.8 and 2.5 times greater than at ground level. Similarly, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations on underground platforms were 2.7 and 2.5 times greater than ground level platforms. Average underground PM concentrations exceeded the national air quality standards for both PM10 (50 µg/m3) and PM2.5 (25 µg/m3). Correlation analysis showed a strong to moderate association between PM concentrations at ground level and background PM concentrations (r2 from 0.952 to 0.500). The findings suggested that underground PM concentrations were less influenced by the ambient background than at ground level. The metal concentrations decreased in the order of Fe, Cr, Ca, Al, Na, Ba, Mn, Zn, Cu, Ni, Co and Pb. The pollution index (PI) and enrichment factor (EF) values were calculated to identify the levels and sources of contamination in the underground railway microenvironments. PM was remarkably rich in Fe with a mean concentration of 73.51 mg/g and EF of 61.31, followed by Ni and Cr. These results noticeably indicated a high level of metal contamination in the underground environments, with the principal contribution from track abrasion and wear processes

Insight into biochar properties and its cost analysis

© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. Biochars (BCs) are widely produced and used for the remediation of environmental contaminants as bio-sorbents. In this review, statistical analysis of different BC physico-chemical properties was conducted. It was observed that woody materials are the most suitable for preparing BCs, among many other potential raw materials such as food wastes and agricultural materials. Currently BCs are produced through a variety of thermal treatment processes between 300 and 900 °C, among which slow pyrolysis is widely used due to its moderate operating conditions and optimization of BC yields. Hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) is also an effective approach for BC production under certain conditions. As pyrolysis temperature is increased, the carbon content, ash content, surface area, and pore volume tend to be increased while the yield, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen content, and H/C and O/C molar ratios tend to decrease. The economic feasibility of BCs depends on a range of factors from raw material price to efficient production technologies. Thus, the overall cost equation of a pilot BC production plant together with the cost equation for BC regeneration has been proposed. The future research directions of BCs are also elaborated

Adsorptive removal of antibiotics from water and wastewater: Progress and challenges

© 2015 Elsevier B.V. Antibiotics as emerging contaminants are of global concern due to the development of antibiotic resistant genes potentially causing superbugs. Current wastewater treatment technology cannot sufficiently remove antibiotics from sewage, hence new and low-cost technology is needed. Adsorptive materials have been extensively used for the conditioning, remediation and removal of inorganic and organic hazardous materials, although their application for removing antibiotics has been reported for ~30 out of 250 antibiotics so far. The literature on the adsorptive removal of antibiotics using different adsorptive materials is summarized and critically reviewed, by comparing different adsorbents with varying physicochemical characteristics. The efficiency for removing antibiotics from water and wastewater by different adsorbents has been evaluated by examining their adsorption coefficient (Kd) values. For sulfamethoxazole the different adsorbents followed the trend: biochar (BC)>multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)>graphite=clay minerals, and for tetracycline the adsorptive materials followed the trend: SWCNT>graphite>MWCNT=activated carbon (AC)>bentonite=humic substance=clay minerals. The underlying controlling parameters for the adsorption technology have been examined. In addition, the cost of preparing adsorbents has been estimated, which followed the order of BCs<ACs<ion exchange resins<MWCNTs<SWCNTs. The future research challenges on process integration, production and modification of low-cost adsorbents are elaborated

Ventilatory support of the newborn

Respiratory disorders are a frequent cause of admission in the newborn. Respiratory diseases have unique physiologic, anatomic and clinical characteristics during this period necessitating special management. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases and their differential impact on the lungs of differing stages of maturity is essential to the safe and efficacious applications of special techniques of treatment. Principles of respiratory management include establishment of the airway, ensuring oxygenation, assisted ventilation, assessing adequacy of ventilation, correction of metabolic abnormalities and alleviation of cause of distress. The goal of treatment is safe and effective assistance to oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal from the tissues. Inspired oxygen should be administered in a controlled manner to provide adequate but not excessive blood oxygen tension levels. Mechanical ventilation may be required to treat metabolic abnormalities. There is the need for continuous monitoring and re- evaluation. This article is intended to present an overview of the embryology of the respiratory system, pulmonary physiology in the newborn, the principles of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. It also discusses the complications that can follow. Key words: Ventilatory support, oxygen delivery, newbor

Production and Evaluation of Nutritional Contents of Traditional Couscous from Sprouted Wheat Fortified with Glycine max (L.) merr (Soya Bean) and Cucurbita pepo (Pumpkin) Seeds

The study was carried to process, produce, and evaluate nutritional contents of traditional couscous from sprouted wheat (Triticum aestivum), fortified with Soya bean (Glycine max) and Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) seeds. The composite couscous blends were traditionally produced and compared with commercial couscous. The sprouted wheat couscous blends were blended in different ratios, they include; unprocessed (Raw wheat, 100), blend 1 (sprouted wheat mixed with soya bean and pumpkin seeds, 70:20:10), blend 2 (sprouted wheat mixed with soya bean, 60:40) and blend 3 (sprouted wheat mixed with pumpkin seeds, 60:40). Traditional wheat couscous blends were fed to experimental albino rats of wister strain weighing between (35 g and 45 g) for a period of 28 days. The nutritional and physiochemical analysis were determined using standard laboratory methods. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 20.0 was used to analyze the data collected which were expressed as means ± SE. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan’s multiple range tests were used to compare the means obtained after each experiment. Differences were considered significant at p < 0.05. Processing (Sprouting) decreases the levels of anti-nutrients, mineral elements and vitamins. Supplementation with soya bean and pumpkin seeds increased the nutritional composition of the sprouted wheat couscous blends. Results of chemical composition showed that blend 2, recorded high protein (29.95%), fat (8.95%) and low carbohydrate content (49.56%), followed by blend 1 and then blend 3, while commercial couscous crude protein, fat and carbohydrate were 12.53%, 1.42% and 75.10% respectively. There was improved level of in vitro protein digestibility at 1 hour (76.64% to 98.59%) and at 6 hours (96.80% to 99.33%). Results of in vivo studies showed that raw wheat couscous recorded protein quality when compared with spouted wheat couscous blends produced. The biological values of the composite couscous blends range from 95.04% to 95.73% and blend 2, recorded high net protein utilization (98.57%). In terms of sensory evaluation using hedonic method, blend 2 was most acceptable and differ significantly (p < 0.05) with other sprouted wheat couscous blends and commercial couscous. The cost of producing sprouted wheat couscous blends is cheaper than the commercial couscous. The study has therefore, revealed that with proper selection of locally available cereal, it is possible to produce nutritious complementary couscous blends that would be acceptable and nutritionally adequate to meet up the nutritional requirement for both children and adults. It also compares favourably with the commercial couscous in terms of nutrient contents

Sorptive removal of phenolic endocrine disruptors by functionalized biochar: Competitive interaction mechanism, removal efficacy and application in wastewater

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. Sorptive removal of six phenolic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethynylestradiol (EE2), bisphenol A (BPA) and 4-tert-butylphenol (4tBP) by functionalized biochar (fBC) through competitive interactions was investigated. EDC sorption was pH dependent with the maximum sorption at pH 3.0–3.5 due to hydrogen bonds and π-π interactions as the principal sorptive mechanism. Sorption isotherm of the EDCs was fitted to the Langmuir model. Sorption capacities and distribution coefficient values followed the order E1 > E2 ≥ EE2 > BPA > 4tBP > E3. The findings suggested that EDC sorption occurred mainly through pseudo-second order and external mass transfer diffusion processes, by forming H-bonds along with π-π electron-donor–acceptor (EDA) interactions at different pH. The complete removal of ∼500 μg L−1 of each EDC from different water decreased in the order: deionised water > membrane bioreactor (MBR) sewage effluent > synthetic wastewater. The presence of sodium lauryl sulphonate and acacia gum in synthetic wastewater significantly suppressed sorption affinity of EDCs by 38–50%, hence requiring more fBC to maintain removal efficacy

Levels of Heavy Metals in Soil, Water and Vegetables around Industrial area in Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria

This study examined the levels of heavy metals in soil, water, and vegetables (amaranthus, hibiscussabdariffa, and allium cepa leaves) around the industrial area Bauchi, Northeastern Nigeria. The composite samples of soil, water, and vegetables were collected and determine the level of heavy metals (Mn, Zn, Cd, Pb, and As) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The level of the heavy metals decreased in the order of Mn &gt; Zn &gt; Pb &gt; Cd, Pb &gt; Zn &gt; Mn &gt; Cd, and Mn &gt; Zn &gt; Mn &gt; Cd in the soil, water, and vegetables respectively. Among the vegetables, amaranthus had the highest heavy metals level followed by allium cepa leaves and hibiscus sabdariffa. The levels of heavy metals obtained were below the tolerance level recommended by the world health organization (WHO). The bio-concentration factors of the heavy metals for the studied samples were below one except Zn in amaranthus. The daily intake of metals for Mn was found to be the highest in amaranthus for children and estimated to be 1.149 mg/person/day. Health risk index of Zn for amaranthus and allium cepa leaves for children and Pb for amaranthus, hibiscus sabdariffa and allium cepa leaves for both children and adults were above 1, except in hibiscus sabdariffa for adults, signifying provable of health risks for the consumption of the vegetables in the study area. Therefore, the consumption of these vegetables as food could pose a health hazard, and regular monitoring is recommended to prevent metal accumulation with their associated health implications in the consuming public