Analysis of Some Reliability Measures of a Deteriorating Reinforced Concrete Structure

In this paper, we study the reliability and availability characteristics of two-stage deterioration reinforce concrete structure .Failure and repair times are assumed exponential. The explicit expressions of reliability and availability characteristics such as mean time to system failure (MTSF), steady-state availability and busy period are derived using Kolmogorov forward equations method. Various cases are analyzed graphically to investigate the impact of system parameters on MTSF, availability and busy period   Keywords: Reliability, deterioration, reinforce concret

Integrating ICT in Traffic Police Department in Uganda: Design and Development of Traffic Case Management System (TCRIS)

The study was about the development of Traffic Case Records Information System (TCRIS) that would ease storage and retrieval of traffic cases in the Traffic Department of the Uganda Police. The method used to manage traffic cases is manual; information collected daily is written on paper and stored in files for reference, thus making the captured cases susceptible to loss, easy access by unauthorized people and destruction. The researcher set out to study the current system, analyze the needs and then improve on the system by designing and developing a Traffic Case Records Information System. Data collection techniques such as interviews and observation were applied to get the necessary information from the Traffic officers in the Traffic Department at the Central Police Station, Kampala. The system developed captures the defaulters’ bio data, traffic offence committed and the charge for the traffic offence. The TCRMS makes the use of the camera that captures the photo of the defaulter and the biometric gadget that captures the defaulter’s thumb print for police reference. All these are centrally stored in the database but are sharable with migrations department, Bank of Uganda (BoU) and Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) which government departments work closely with police in regard to such offences. Different programming languages were used during the development of the system including Visual Basic for the front end and SQL Server2005 for the back end. The system is thus user friendly in the way it inserts, retrieves and updates user information. Keyword: Traffic, Records management, court, customer car

Evaluation of the preoperative administration of sildenafil on operative and early postoperative outcome after mitral valve replacement in patients with pulmonary hypertension

Background: Mitral valve diseases are commonly associated with pulmonary hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative administration of sildenafil on the outcome after mitral valve replacement in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Methods: This prospective randomized study was carried out on 67 patients who had a mitral valve replacement and associated high systolic pulmonary artery pressure more than 50 mmHg. Patients were randomized into three groups: group A (n= 20) received preoperative sildenafil for one week, group B (n=22) received sildenafil for one month, and group C (n= 25) did not receive sildenafil. All patients had transthoracic echocardiography preoperatively, one week and one month postoperatively. Results: There was no difference in preoperative and operative variables among groups. Dobutamine support was required in 15 patients (60%) in group C vs. 6 patients (30%) in group A and 5 patients (22.5%) in group B (p= 0.012). Duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly longer in group C (389.2 ± 48.79 minutes) compared to group A and B (295.5 ± 17.01 and 281.4 ± 39.44 minutes, respectively, p<0.001). ICU stay was longer in group C (61.72 ± 13.69 hours) compared to groups A and B (53.55 ± 14.49 and 45.64 ± 13.43 hours, respectively, p=0001). The hospital stay was longer in group C (8.0 ± 1.80 days) compared to group A and B (6.05 ± 0.94 and 6.27 ± 1.24 days, respectively; p< 0.001). The transthoracic echocardiographic study one month after the operation showed that pulmonary artery systolic pressure significantly lower in groups A and B (28.30 ± 3.3 and 28.2 ± 4.98 mmHg, respectively) compared to group C (43.12 ± 4.99 mmHg) (p <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between groups A and B regarding PASP after five days  (p= 0.287) or one month (p= 0.939). Conclusion: We found that preoperative administration of oral sildenafil in patients with pulmonary hypertension undergoing mitral valve replacement may reduce pulmonary hypertension postoperatively. We could not find a difference in the administration of sildenafil for either one week or one month preoperatively

Cloud-Based Essentail Home Services Aggrregator

Cloud-based Home services aggregator aims to provide the much needed and essential everyday services to the consumers in an easy and affordable manner. This project basically brings technology to the doorsteps of both the employee and the employer and helps them connect in a never before manner.  The importance and impact of this paper is clearly visible in the present and pressing times of the Covid epidemic. This project demonstrates a workflow model that can function irrespective of the epidemic conditions and at the same time minimize the risk of virus infection by reducing people to people contact. Despite the reduction in contact the work quality is not affected. Tough times such as an epidemic call on for these services as essential and important much more than ever. Through this project we bring a common platform to those who provide the services and those who need it. The scope of the provided services ranges from basic home cleaning, car wash, laundry to much more. The project also aims to bring to platform the large - feature phone using - Indian workforce. The limited capabilities of the existing infrastructure hinder this section of workforce from connecting to better work opportunities. A potentially large number of footsteps on the side may cause it to render slowly. And so, project is built up in cloud technology

Progressive Collapse Resistance of RC Beam–Slab Substructures Made with Rubberized Concrete

Abnormal loads can produce localized damage that can eventually cause progressive collapse of the whole reinforced concrete (RC) structure. This might have devastating financial repercussions and cause numerous severe casualties. Numerical simulation, using the finite element method (FEM), of the consequences of abnormal loads on buildings is thus required to avoid the significant expenses associated with testing full-scale buildings and to save time. In this paper, FEM simulations, using ABAQUS software, were employed to investigate the progressive collapse resistance of the full-scale three-dimensional (3D) beam–slab substructures, considering two concrete mixes, namely: normal concrete (NC) and rubberized concrete (RuC) which was made by incorporating crumb rubber at 20% by volume replacement for sand. The FEM accuracy and dependability were validated using available experimental test results. Concrete and steel material non-linearity were considered in the FE modelling. The numerical study is extended to include eight new models with various specifics (a set of parameters) for further understanding of progressive collapse. Results showed that slabs contribute more than a third of the load resistance, which also significantly improves the building’s progressive collapse resistance. Moreover, the performance of the RuC specimens was excellent in the catenary stage, which develops additional resilience to significant deformation to prevent or even mitigate progressive collapse

Antipsychotics-related hyperprolactinaemia among patients with schizophrenia in Maiduguri

Background: Hyperprolactinaemia among patients on antipsychotic medications is generally overlooked due to lack of outwardly visible symptoms, patient resistance to reporting because the symptoms are perceived as shameful, or to clinician’s insufficient knowledge. Aim: The study aimed to evaluate the patterns and correlates of hyperprolactinemia among patients with schizophrenia on antipsychotic medications. Setting: The study was conducted in a psychiatric facility in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria. Methods: A total of 209 patients with schizophrenia were evaluated through a cross-sectional design and assayed for serum prolactin with ELISA Kits. Frequencies and percentages were tabulated for categorical variables. Variables with significant associations with hyperprolactinaemia on chi-square (p  0.05) were subjected to logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia was 45.9% in all patients on antipsychotic medication. The prevalence because of the use of typical and atypical antipsychotics was 51.5% and 25.0%, respectively. Hyperprolactinaemia was significantly associated with typical antipsychotics (β = 0314, p = 0.002), high overall drug dosage (β = 2.340, p = 0.003), high-dose typical antipsychotics (β = 3.228, p = 0.000), twice daily dosing frequency (β = 2.751, p = 0.001) and polypharmacy (β = 1.828, p = 0.0024). Conclusion: The findings support that patients on typical, high-dose antipsychotic medications and polypharmacy have a high prevalence of hyperprolactinaemia. As hyperprolactinaemia is often undetectable, screening and patient psycho-education on the significance of the signs and symptoms of hyperprolactinaemia is required for necessary clinical intervention. Contribution: The study provides evidence for the rational use of antipsychotic medications in sub-Saharan Africa

Efficacy and safety of cardioprotective drugs in chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity: an updated systematic review & network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy have an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. This limits the widespread use of lifesaving therapies, often necessitating alternate lower efficacy regimens, or precluding chemotherapy entirely. Prior studies have suggested that using common cardioprotective agents may attenuate chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. However, small sample sizes and conflicting outcomes have limited the clinical significance of these results. HYPOTHESIS: A comprehensive network meta-analysis using updated and high-quality data can provide more conclusive information to assess which drug or drug class has the most significant effect in the management of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. METHODS: We performed a literature search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of cardioprotective agents in patients with chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity. We used established analytical tools (netmeta package in RStudio) and data extraction formats to analyze the outcome data. To obviate systematic bias in the selection and interpretation of RCTs, we employed the validated Cochrane risk-of-bias tools. Agents included were statins, aldosterone receptor antagonists (MRAs), ACEIs, ARBs, and beta-blockers. Outcomes examined were improvement in clinical and laboratory parameters of cardiac function including a decreased reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), clinical HF, troponin-I, and B-natriuretic peptide levels. RESULTS: Our study included 33 RCTs including a total of 3,285 patients. Compared to control groups, spironolactone therapy was associated with the greatest LVEF improvement (Mean difference (MD) = 12.80, [7.90; 17.70]), followed by enalapril (MD = 7.62, [5.31; 9.94]), nebivolol (MD = 7.30, [2.39; 12.21]), and statins (MD = 6.72, [3.58; 9.85]). Spironolactone was also associated with a significant reduction in troponin elevation (MD =  - 0.01, [- 0.02; - 0.01]). Enalapril demonstrated the greatest BNP reduction (MD =  - 49.00, [- 68.89; - 29.11]), which was followed by spironolactone (MD =  - 16.00, [- 23.9; - 8.10]). Additionally, patients on enalapril had the lowest risk of developing clinical HF compared to the control population (RR = 0.05, [0.00; 0.75]). CONCLUSION: Our analysis reaffirmed that statins, MRAs, ACEIs, and beta-blockers can significantly attenuate chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, while ARBs showed no significant effects. Spironolactone showed the most robust improvement of LVEF, which best supports its use among this population. Our analysis warrants future clinical studies examining the cardioprotective effects of cardiac remodeling therapy in cancer patients treated with chemotherapeutic agents

Unpacking the enabling factors for hand, cord and birth-surface hygiene in Zanzibar maternity units.

Recent national surveys in The United Republic of Tanzania have revealed poor standards of hygiene at birth in facilities. As more women opt for institutional delivery, improving basic hygiene becomes an essential part of preventative strategies for reducing puerperal and newborn sepsis. Our collaborative research in Zanzibar provides an in-depth picture of the state of hygiene on maternity wards to inform action. Hygiene was assessed in 2014 across all 37 facilities with a maternity unit in Zanzibar. We used a mixed methods approach, including structured and semi-structured interviews, and environmental microbiology. Data were analysed according to the WHO 'cleans' framework, focusing on the fundamental practices for prevention of newborn and maternal sepsis. For each 'clean' we explored the following enabling factors: knowledge, infrastructure (including equipment), staffing levels and policies. Composite indices were constructed for the enabling factors of the 'cleans' from the quantitative data: clean hands, cord cutting, and birth surface. Results from the qualitative tools were used to complement this information.Only 49% of facilities had the 'infrastructural' requirements to enable 'clean hands', with the availability of constant running water particularly lacking. Less than half (46%) of facilities met the 'knowledge' requirements for ensuring a 'clean delivery surface'; six out of seven facilities had birthing surfaces that tested positive for multiple potential pathogens. Almost two thirds of facilities met the 'infrastructure (equipment) requirement' for 'clean cord'; however, disposable cord clamps being frequently out of stock, often resulted in the use of non-sterile thread made of fabric. This mixed methods approach, and the analytical framework based on the WHO 'cleans' and the enabling factors, yielded practical information of direct relevance to action at local and ministerial levels. The same approach could be applied to collect and analyse data on infection prevention from maternity units in other contexts

Combining Ability and Heterosis for Yield and Yield Components in Maize

Abstract: The study was conducted at two sites , University of Khartoum the experimental farm, faculty of Agriculture, Shambat and at west of Khartoum state, Elrawkeeb Dry Land Research Station, Sudan, during the summer and winter seasons of 2009 and 2010 respectively. Five inbred lines (2, 3, 6, 277, and 405) were used as lines and two inbred lines namely (66Y and 160) were used as (testers). These lines were crossed together according to line x tester technique to generate 10 F 1 -hybrids, every genotype was planted in rows with 4 m along, 70cm between rows and 25cm between plants. A line × tester method for estimation the general combining ability (GCA) of parent and specific combining ability (SCA) of their F 1 -hybrids was used. Genetic components resulting from additive and nonadditive type of gene action were also estimated. Heterosis was measured as a deviation from the midparents and better-parent. The analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that both GCA and SCA variances were highly significant for most of the studied characters indicating importance of additive as well as non-additive types of gene action in controlling these traits. GCA mean squares for inbred lines were significant (P < 0.01) for all the traits except cob length and number of kernels/row while GCA due to testers was only significant (P<0.05) for 100-kernels weight. Moreover, variances due to SCA were higher in magnitude than GCA for the yield and yield components except cob diameter, number of rows/cob, number of kernels/row and harvest index. GCA to SCA ratios were less than one for most of the traits except cob diameter, number of kernels row/cob, number of kernels/row and harvest index indicating a preponderance of additive over no additive gene action. High positive heterosis for grain yield and its components was found for more than half of the hybrids studied. Crosses involving 160×3 and 66Y×2 produced the highest heterosis. It can be concluded that these parental lines can be desirable parents for hybrids as well as for inclusion in breeding program, since they may contribute favorable alleles in the synthesis of new varietie

Coupled impacts of climate and land use change across a river-lake continuum: Insights from an integrated assessment model of Lake Champlain\u27s Missisquoi Basin, 2000-2040

Global climate change (GCC) is projected to bring higher-intensity precipitation and higher-variability temperature regimes to the Northeastern United States. The interactive effects of GCC with anthropogenic land use and land cover changes (LULCCs) are unknown for watershed level hydrological dynamics and nutrient fluxes to freshwater lakes. Increased nutrient fluxes can promote harmful algal blooms, also exacerbated by warmer water temperatures due to GCC. To address the complex interactions of climate, land and humans, we developed a cascading integrated assessment model to test the impacts of GCC and LULCC on the hydrological regime, water temperature, water quality, bloom duration and severity through 2040 in transnational Lake Champlain\u27s Missisquoi Bay. Temperature and precipitation inputs were statistically downscaled from four global circulation models (GCMs) for three Representative Concentration Pathways. An agent-based model was used to generate four LULCC scenarios. Combined climate and LULCC scenarios drove a distributed hydrological model to estimate river discharge and nutrient input to the lake. Lake nutrient dynamics were simulated with a 3D hydrodynamic-biogeochemical model. We find accelerated GCC could drastically limit land management options to maintain water quality, but the nature and severity of this impact varies dramatically by GCM and GCC scenario