Study of the Effect of γ-Irradiation on Copper Single Crystals by Etching Technique

The effect of γ-irradiation with low energies on samples of copper single crystals with oriented surfaces of (111), (100) and (621) was studied by etching technique. The etch pits show a formation of glide bands, polygonized walls and Blisters as result to irradiation

Fundoplication in neurologically impaired children: Nissen or Thal?

Background/purpose Gastroesophageal reflex disease (GERD) is a highly prevalent problem in infants and children with severe neurological impairment (33–75%). It occurs in 44–67% of children undergoing antireflux surgery. This study is conducted to compare the results of fundoplication, according to the Nissen and Thal procedure for management of GERD in neurologically impaired children.Materials and methods Between May 2007 and January 2011, 69 neurologically impaired children with severe GERD underwent fundoplication (Nissen= 32, Thal= 37) with construction of a Stamm gastrostomy tube in 58 patients. The male-to-female ratio was 1.6 : 1; the mean age was 1.8 years. Preoperative workup of the patients included upper gastrointestinal tract contrast series, upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy, and a 24-h pH study.Results Perinatal asphyxia was the most common cause of neurological impairment (30.4%). Feeding dysfunction represented the most common indication for surgery (52.2%). Recurrence of symptoms was found in 14 patients (20.3%); 10 patients (14.5%) died because of respiratory failure. Acid pH-metry showed a statistically significant difference between preoperative and postoperative data; however, this difference was insignificant on comparing the postoperative parameters of the Nissen fundoplication group with the Thal fundoplication group.Conclusion GERD in neurologically impaired children is a very common problem associated with a high failure rate after properly performed fundoplication. In our series, the outcome of Thal fundoplication showed an insignificant difference when compared with that of Nissen fundoplication with less dissection and less dysphagia or gas bloat. Long-term evaluation is needed as incidence of recurrence increases with time secondary to the persistent comorbidities. Further refinement of management strategies is required to decrease incidence of recurrence and to improve the overall quality of life. Keywords: fundoplication, gastroesophageal reflux disease, neurological impairmen

Fraccionamiento del hexano comercial y uso de estas fracciones como solvente extractante de aceite de semilla de algodón

The problem of producing off-graded cottonseed oil using locally produced commercial hexane as extracting solvent has explored this research. It was aimed in this work to investigate whether this problem can be solved by controlling the boiling range of the extracting solvent. Four different hexane fractions of different boiling ranges were prepared from commercial hexane. The boiling range of commercial hexane was 62-68ºC while the boiling ranges of the four fractions were 62- 64, 64-65, 65-66 and 66-68ºC. Commercial hexane and the prepared four hexane fractions were then used to extract cottonseed oil from a fixed seed sample. The five crude oil samples were then refined and bleached and their colours were measured. The results have shown that the heaviest hexane fraction ( b.r 66-68ºC) produced the lightest coloured oils. The colour index of the bleached oil using this heavy cut was 190 compared to 350 using the original commercial hexane. However, the production of a commercial hexane cut having a narrow boiling range will be costly. Therefore, this research has been extended to investigate the suitability of a heavy petroleum cut which has a boiling range as wide as that of commercial hexane to extract cottonseed oil. The boiling range of this cut was 66-72ºC. The obtained results proved that the extraction of cottonseed oil using that heavy petroleum fraction produces much lighter oil than the use of conventional hexane solvent.En esta investigación se ha examinado el problema de producir aceite de semilla de algodón sin-clasificar usando hexano comercial producido localmente como disolvente. El objetivo de este trabajo fue investigar si este problema puede ser solucionado controlando el rango de ebullición del disolvente extractante. Cuatro fracciones diferentes de hexano de diversos rangos de ebullición fueron preparadas del hexano comercial. El rango al que ebullía el hexano comercial era 62-68ºC mientras que los rangos que ebullían las cuatro fracciones eran 62- 64, 64-65, 65- 66 y de 66-68ºC. El hexano comercial y las cuatro fracciones de hexano preparadas, fueron luego utilizados para extraer el aceite de semilla de algodón de una muestra de semilla concreta. Las cinco muestras de aceite crudo fueron posteriormente refinadas y decoloradas, y medidos sus colores. Los resultados han mostrado que la fracción más pesada del hexano (b.r. 66-68ºC) produjo los aceites más claros. El índice del color del aceite decolorado que usaba esta fracción pesada era 190 comparado al 350 obtenido usado por el hexano comercial original. Sin embargo, la producción de una fracción de hexano comercial que tenga un estrecho rango de ebullición será costosa. Por tanto, esta investigación se ha ampliado para estudiar la conveniencia del uso de una fracción pesada del petróleo que tenga un rango de ebullición tan amplio como el del hexano comercial para extraer el aceite de semilla de algodón. El rango de ebullición de esta fracción fue 66-72ºC. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que la extracción del aceite de semilla de algodón usando la fracción pesada del petroleo produce un aceite más claro que con el uso del hexano convencional como disolvente

Evaluación del proceso de decoloración del aceite de semilla de algodón en hexano

This work has been initiated to assess the feasibility of bleaching cottonseed oil in miscella as a processing step next to alkali refining in miscella. Alkali refining of cottonseed oil in miscella has several advantages over conventional refining technologies with respect to oil quality, oil losses and process cost. Therefore, the process efficiency of the bleaching of cottonseed oil in presence of hexane (at a volumetric ratio of 1:1), has been studied and compared to that without solvent. The process efficiency has been evaluated according to the decolourization capacity, the oil losses on spent earth, the filtration rate of the oil from the clay and the acidity of the bleached oil as well as its peroxide content. The bleaching in presence of hexane was carried out at 25ºC whereas that by conventional bleaching at 110ºC. Different clay loads were used in each of the two bleaching techniques and the colour indices of the oils before and after bleaching determined in each case. The results were used to predict Freundlich adsorption equations for the oil pigments in both cases. These equations were then used to predict the colour of the oils obtained by bleaching of refined oils of different grades. The results have shown that oil decolourization is more efficient in presence of solvent when the starting oil is of an acceptable grade and the reverse is true for low grade oils. Also, the possibility of oil oxidation during bleaching is less in presence of solvent. Moreover, the bleaching in miscella has proved two other additional advantages over conventional bleaching. The filtration of oil from clay is much faster in miscella bleaching and the oil losses on spent earth is lower. This will be reflected on the overall process economy.Este trabajo ha sido iniciado para evaluar la viabilidad de la decoloración del aceite de semilla de algodón en miscela como un paso de procesado próximo a la refinación alcalina en miscela. La refinación alcalina de aceite de semilla de algodón en miscela tiene varias ventajas sobre las tecnologías de refinación convencionales con respecto a la calidad del aceite, pérdida de aceite y coste del proceso. Por tanto, la eficacia del proceso de decoloración de aceite de semilla de algodón en presencia de hexano (a una relación volumétrica 1:1), ha sido estudiada y comparada a aquella sin solvente. La eficacia del proceso ha sido evaluada de acuerdo con la capacidad de decoloración, las pérdidas de aceite en tierras agotadas, la velocidad de filtración del aceite de la tierra decolorante y la acidez del aceite decolorado así como su contenido en peróxido. La decoloración en presencia de hexano se llevó a cabo a 25ºC mientras que la decoloración convencional a 110ºC. Se utilizaron diferentes cargas de tierras decolorantes en cada una de las dos técnicas de decoloración y se determinaron los índices de color de los aceites antes y después de la decoloración. Los resultados fueron usados para predecir las ecuaciones de adsorción de Freundlich para los pigmentos de los aceites en ambos casos. Estas ecuaciones fueron utilizadas posteriormente para predecir el color de los aceites obtenidos por decoloración de los aceites refinados de grados diferentes. Los resultados han mostrado que la decoloración del aceite es más eficaz en presencia de solvente cuando el aceite inicial es de un grado aceptable, y la inversa es verdad para aceites de bajo grado. También, la posibilidad de oxidación del aceite es menor durante la decoloración en presencia de solvente. Por otro lado, la decoloración en miscela ha proporcionado otras dos ventajas adicionales sobre la decoloración convencional. La filtración de aceite de la tierra decolorante es más rápida en la decoloración en miscela y las pérdidas de aceite sobre las tierras agotadas es baja. Esto se reflejará en la economía del proceso global

Relation Between Oxidant/Antioxidant Status and Postpartum Anestrous Conditions

The aim of the present study was to detect the relation between oxidant/antioxidant status and postpartum anestrous (PPA) conditions in dairy cows.The postpartum period is a very critical time that influenced mainly in cattle reproduction. A little information is obtainable in literature concerning antioxidant defense mechanisms during anestrus.The purpose of the following study is detection of the relation between oxidant/antioxidant status and postpartum anestrous (PPA) condition in dairy cows. Seventy five postpartum anestrous (PPA) and twenty five normal cyclic Holstein Friesian pluriparous dairy cows were selected on the basis of their reproductive history gained from farm records. Depend on the rectal findings and ultrasonography in addition to progesterone profile the studied animals were classified into three groups (each 25 animals) as inactive ovaries group, persistent corpus luteum group and silent heat group. Blood samples from anestrous and normal cyclic animals were gathered at day 0, day 10, day 21. These samples were utilized for detection of MDA, Vitamin C, Nitric Oxide and Total antioxidant capacity. Results of the present study revealed that MDA and Nitric Oxide were be significantly (plt0.05) higher in the groups of PPA than the normal cyclic group. Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)nbsp levels were seen to be significantly (plt0.05) lower in normal cyclic animals in comparison to inactive ovaries group and persistent C.L group ,while there is no significant difference with the silent heat group . No statistically significant difference was detected in the total antioxidant capacity between the group of silent heat and the normal cyclic group, while the groups of persistent C.L and inactive ovaries were found to have statistically significant difference (plt0.05) with the normal cyclic group. It is concluded that supplementing diets with optimal levels of micronutrients with antioxidant capabilities is a good advice to farmers to avoid post-partum anestrum. Moreover, early approaches to conflict the progression of stress and to promote the antioxidant defense mechanisms of dairy cattle during times of increased metabolic demands appears to be Pertinent

Experimental modelling of evaporation and boiling processes in a two-phase thermosyphon

A model of a closed two-phase thermosyphon was developed to study thermo-physical processes in a thermosyphon thermal condition systems of energy-saturated equipment. This model differs from the known by reasoned choice of thermocouples installation providing sealing the device during operation. In addition, the program VI (Virtual Instrument) was created in graphical environment Labview for registration of the temperatures and pressure in the thermosyphon

Epidemiological Insights of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus Infection among Cattle and Buffaloes in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Egypt and in most parts of Africa causing huge economic losses. Control of FMD using vaccination requires information on the occurrence of various FMDV serotypes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of FMDV serotypes in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. A total number of 643 different samples, within ten different localities, were collected from both cattle and buffaloes (n = 283) of different, age, sex, immune status against FMD, and health status. Field samples (n = 360) have been screened for FMDV by RT-PCR using universal primers and were further subtyped using serotype-specific primers. Additionally, serum samples (n = 283) have been analyzed by applying FMDV serotype-specific antibody ELISA. The RT-PCR screening revealed that a total number of 39/283 (13.8%), 61/283 (21.6%) and 17/38 (44.7%) animals were positive for FMDV serotype O, A and SAT2, respectively. While, by ELISA, neutralizing antibodies directed against FMDV serotype O, A, and SAT2, were found in 177/283 (62.5%), 171/283 (60.4%) and 27/38 (71.1%) serum samples, respectively. These results indicated the endemic status of the FMDV serotypes O, A and SAT2 in Sharkia Governorate despite routine FMD vaccination programs. Although many variations of disease prevalence were recorded between animals of different, age, sex and immune and health status but it was obvious that FMD was more prominent and prevalent in buffaloes (47.1%) than in cattle (34.1%). Therefore, control efforts should focus on reducing the circulation of FMDV among susceptible livestock with special attention towards water buffaloes. Continuous surveillance, at molecular and immunological levels, of FMDV serotypes is needed for the effectiveness of any adopted control strategy targeting FMD including vaccination