Design of GCSC Stabilizing Controller for Damping Low Frequency Oscillations

This paper presents a systematic procedure for modeling and simulation of a power system equipped with FACTS type Gate Controlled Series Compensator (GCSC) based stabilizer controller. Single Machine Infinite Bus (SMIB) power system was investigated for evaluation of GCSC stabilizing controller for enhancing the overall dynamic system performance. PSO algorithm is employed to compute the optimal parameters of damping controller. Eigenvalues of system under various operating condition and nonlinear time domain simulation is employed to verify the effectiveness and robustness of GCSC stabilizing controller in damping low frequency oscillations (LFO) modes

Association Between Khat (Catha edulis) Chewing and Infection with Helicobacter pylori: A Case Control Study in Nairobi County

Background: Khat (Catha edulis) is a psycho-stimulant substance grown and widely chewed in East Africa. The use of Khat leads to a number of health complications however its adverse effects and prevalence are not well studied.Objective: To compare the prevalence of Khat chewing among H. Pylori infected cases and controls.Design: Individual matched case control studySetting: KEMRI’s Centre for Clinical Research (CCR) and St. Michael’s Digestive Disease and Medical Care.Subjects: Ninety three cases were selected using Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia, and the controls (n=93) were matched on age and gender.Results: Khat Chewing was associated with infection with H. Pylori. Of the 93 cases, 58.1% were H. Pylori positive with a majority being Khat chewers 67.2% (41/61) and 32.8% (20/61) non-Khat chewers; the two groups were significantly different (p-value=0.007). Functional dyspepsia was associated with H. Pylori. Therefore, participants with functional dyspepsia were twice more likely of being diagnosed with H. Pylori (OR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2,3.9).Conclusion: The prevalence of H. Pylori infection was found to be higher among khat chewers, indicating that Khat chewing could be a predisposing factor to H. Pylori infection and to gastrointestinal disorders. Community-based awareness creation about the adverse effect of Khat use is thus recommended

Khat (Catha edulis) Use is Associated with the Development of Gastritis among Adults in Nairobi County, Kenya

Background: Khat (Catha edulis) chewing leads to a number of health related problems in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). Few studies have examined the effects of regular Khat chewing in relation to gastritis. Experimental studies with animals have shown that an association exists between Khat chewing and the incidence of gastritis.Objective: To compare the prevalence of Khat chewing among cases with gastritis cases and cases without gastritis.Design: Individual matched case control study.Setting: Kenya Medical Research Institute's Centre for Clinical Research (CCR) and St. Michael’s Digestive Disease and Medical Care.Subjects: Ninety three cases were selected using Rome III criteria for functional dyspepsia, and the controls (n=93) were matched on age and gender.Results: Among the 93 dyspepsia cases, 64.5% were Khat chewers and 35.5% were nonchewers. Khat chewing was associated with the presence of functional dyspepsia (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.6- 9.4). Of the 60 Khat chewers, 60% (36/60) had erosions in the upper GIT. Chewing Khat was associated with upper GIT erosions (OR 4.095% CI: 1.6, 10.1) It was determined that Khat chewers are four times more likely to have upper GIT erosions than non-chewers.. Khat chewers are 5.5 times (OR 5.5 95% CI: 1.9, 22.0)) more likely to have OGD (Oesophagitis, Gastritis and Duodenitis) compared to non-chewers. Among cases and controls, smoker  (p-value<0.001) and non-smoker (p-value<0.001) Khat chewers were significantly different. The prevalence of H. pylori among Khat chewers was significantly found to be higher (62.9%, p = 0.042); the two groups (Khatchewers and non-chewers) showed significant differenceConclusion: These results reveal that regular Khat chewing is positively associated with gastritis, which is consistent with previous experimental studies on animals

STR-867: FLEXURAL BEHAVIOUR OF REINFORCED SCC BEAMS CONTAINING RECYCLED CRUMB RUBBER

This study aimed to investigate the effect of crumb rubber (CR) on the flexural behavior and cracking characteristics of self-consolidating concrete beams. Four full-scale self-consolidating rubberized concrete (SCRC) beams containing recycled CR particles as a partial replacement for fine aggregate with percentage ranging from 0% to 15% (by volume of sand) were tested. The performance of some design codes was evaluated in predicting the cracking moment and crack widths of the tested beams. The results indicated that increasing the CR content noticeably reduced the compressive strength, tensile strength, and first cracking moment of all SCRC beams. However, up to 15% replacement of CR, the flexural capacity of the tested beams was shown to be slightly decreased. In addition, increasing the CR content appeared to improve the beams’ ductility and limit the flexural crack widths. In general, the results of flexural loading tests indicated a promising potential for using SCRC in structural applications

MAT-711: UTILIZATION OF RECYCLED CRUMB RUBBER IN STRUCTURAL SELF-CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE

The present work evaluates the impact of using recycled crumb rubber (CR) as a partial replacement of fine aggregate on the fresh and mechanical properties of concrete composite, especially when self-consolidating concrete is used. In this study, seven mixtures containing various amounts of fine CR (0-30% by volume of sand) were tested. The fresh properties tests included flowability, passing ability, and segregation resistance. On the other hand, the mechanical properties tests included compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength. The results indicated that although increasing the CR replacement decreased the fresh and mechanical properties of concrete, all the developed mixtures achieved adequate fresh and mechanical properties required for structural applications. The rigidity of concrete composite was also decreased effectively, exhibiting more ductile failure behaviour at ultimate loadings. In addition, using recycled rubber as a partial replacement for fine aggregate promotes the development of eco-friendly concrete with a reduced self-weight, which is receiving greater attention nowadays

Histopathological and immunohistochemical study of the protective effect of triptorelin on the neurocytes of the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex of male albino rats after short-term exposure to cyclophosphamide

AbstractChemotherapy treats many types of cancer effectively but it often causes side effects. Chemotherapy works on active cells, such as cancer cells, and some healthy cells. Side effects happen when chemotherapy damages these healthy cells. Today, many more drugs are available to treat side effects than in the past. Triptorelin (Decapeptyl) is a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist that is reported to have many therapeutic effects besides being an anti-cancer agent. In the current study, intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide (65mg/kg/day) was administered for 4 weeks to induce marked dystrophic changes in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of male albino rats. After 4 weeks, we observed significant degeneration of neurocytes with dystrophic changes. Subcutaneous triptorelin (0.05mg/kg/day) for 4 weeks significantly improved histological signs of degeneration and apoptosis. Anti-Bcl2 staining of sections of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus showed that the apoptotic index was increased. This finding was confirmed by the anti-p53 staining, which showed a significant decrease in the apoptotic index. Ultimately, such improvements were accompanied by significant restoration of normal brain histology, as revealed by hematoxylin and eosin. In conclusion, triptorelin can reverse the apoptotic changes induced by cyclophosphamide therapy, which is more marked in the hippocampus than cerebral cortex

Saving the fundaments: impact of a military coup on the Sudan health system

Military coups are not uncommon occurrences, particularly in developing nations where political systems might be less firmly entrenched or still evolving. Developments of this nature can often have profound implications for the affected nation’s healthcare systems, both in the immediate aftermath and over the longer term. This paper narrates some notable consequences of political instability on the national health system, particularly placing them in the context of the military coup in October 2021 – emphasizing the context behind the political turbulence, its acute and direct consequences, and the possible long-term legacies of political shocks on the already overwhelmed health system. As a descriptive piece, this narrative does not only look at the impact of the military coup on hospitals, but further considers the different dimensions of the healthcare system as defined by the WHO, therefore reflecting the wider implications on health funding from multi-laterals, service delivery, human resource availability, and medical and vaccine supply chains in Sudan

Saving the Fundaments: Impact of a Military Coup on the Sudan Health System

Military coups are not uncommon occurrences, particularly in developing nations where political systems might be less firmly entrenched or still evolving. Developments of this nature can often have profound implications for the affected nation’s healthcare systems, both in the immediate aftermath and over the longer term. This paper narrates some notable consequences of political instability on the national health system, particularly placing them in the context of the military coup in October 2021 – emphasizing the context behind the political turbulence, its acute and direct consequences, and the possible long-term legacies of political shocks on the already overwhelmed health system. As a descriptive piece, this narrative does not only look at the impact of the military coup on hospitals, but considers the implications for the healthcare system as defined by the WHO, with particular emphasis on the impact of the coup on health funding from multi-laterals, service delivery, human resource availability, and supply chains in Sudan

Sero-prevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Alexandria, Egypt

Background: Toxoplasma gondii infection during pregnancy can result in fetal death, neonatal death or various congenital defects. This study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection using two different diagnostic tests, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) versus Immunochromatographic assay (ICA) and to study the potential risk factors for acquiring infection in pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Alexandria, Egypt.Methods: A cross sectional study, conducted between May 2015 and June 2016. The study was done in antenatal care centers of most districts of Alexandria Governorate, Egypt. 382 pregnant women, of a gestational age between 8-40 weeks were included in the study and were given pretested structured questionnaire to assess risk factors, which included: demographic, socio-economic data, kitchen hygiene and behavioral variables. Blood samples were taken and sera were divided into two parts; the first part was examined for anti-T.gondii IgG and IgM antibodies using rapid diagnostic test RDT kit, the other part tested by ELISA.Results: The overall seroprevalence of T.gondii infection was (11.3%) detected by RDT, significantly increased to (57.9%) by ELISA test (X2= 5.3; p=0.001). RDT had the sensitivity of (15.8%), the specificity of (95%), PPV of (81.4%), NPV of (45.1%), with overall diagnostic efficiency of (49.2%). The association between T.gondii infection and the age of the pregnant women was found to be statistically significant (OR=2.84, 95%CI=1.251-6.455).Conclusions: The present study has documented a bad diagnostic performance of RDT in detection T.gondii in serum samples of infected pregnant women as compared to ELISA technique. Age is the only risk factor to be associated statistically with toxoplasma gondii infection