Generation of empirical correlation for predicting drag reduction of oil-water flows with natural polymers

There is an increasing need to accurately predict the behaviour of fluid in the different flow geometry as applicable in the industries. The prediction of drag reduction phenomenon observed during the two-phase oil-water flow with drag reducing polymers in horizontal pipes was investigated. The Power law model was adopted inthis study to empirically correlate the data acquired from our earlier experimental works in a 12-mm ID and 20-mm ID pipes. The model accurately predicts the drag reduction across the horizontal pipes. The agreement between the predicted and experimental drag reductions was better in the 12-mm ID pipe than in the 20-mm ID pipe. More work and data is needed to enhance the predictive accuracy of applicable models.Keywords: Drag reduction; polymers; horizontal pipes, oil-water flow, modellin

Aloe Vera Mucilage as Drag Reducing Agent in Oil-Water Flow

Drag reduction is the deliberate reduction of the frictional pressure drop in flow systems by the addition of heavy molecular weight polymeric materials as well as other means such as pipeline modifications. Environmentally friendly and cheaper heavy molecular weight polymeric drag reducing agents (DRAs) has become a necessity in the transportation of fluids particularly in the oil and gas industry. However, very few reports exist on the potentials of natural polymers such as extracts from the Aloe Vera plant. In this study, the effects of Reynolds number and polymer concentration on the drag reduction effectiveness of Aloe barbadensis miller were tested. An experimental flow facility using unplasticized  Polyvinylchloride (uPVC) pipe of 12 mm ID was constructed with diesel (density = 832 kg/m3, dynamic viscosity = 1.664 mPa.s at 25°C) and water (density = 1000 kg/m3, dynamic viscosity = 0.891 mPa.s at 25°C) as test fluids. Drag reduction as a function of Aloe polymer concentration in the range 50 ppm to 500 ppm and Reynolds number 20000<Re<90000 were investigated by comparing the U-tube manometer pressure drop readings with and without aloe polymer. The pressure drop difference expressed as a percentage of the pressure drop without aloe polymer is termed drag reduction and was used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Aloe Vera extracts or polymer as a DRA. In single phase horizontal (water) flow, a maximum drag reduction of 64% (U = 4.67 m/s) was measured, while in multiphase horizontal flow, a maximum drag reduction of 53.80% (α = 25%, Um = 4.67 m/s) was measured. Furthermore, measurements showed that pipe inclination had minimal effect on the drag reduction achieved. It was deduced that Aloe Vera mucilage can be used as a drag reducing agent in oil-water flows for Reynolds number below 63,00

The Level of Awareness of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Amongst Radiographers in Nigeria

Resuscitation is one of the most evolving areas of modern medicine. For the past forty years newer techniques are developed in order to improve the outcome of resuscitation. The study is aimed at finding the level of knowledge amongst radiographers practising in Nigeria because radiographers use materials that commonly cause reactions requiring resuscitation. In an Annual conference of the Nigerian Radiographers held in Benin City, questionnaires were administered to eighty participants. Data extracted included age, gender, years of experience in practice and questions relating to resuscitation Forty-five participants completed the questionnaires. 69% (31) had witnessed cardiac arrest. 80% (36) of them mentioned the causes of cardiac arrest, while 87% (39) mentioned different types of resuscitation drugs. All the respondents mentioned the adverse reactions associated with the use of intravascular contrast media (ICM). Awareness of CPR amongst the observed Nigerian radiographers is rated high as evidenced by this study

Drag Reduction with Polymer Mixtures in Pipes of Different Diameters

Transporting crude oil and other fluid in pipelines of different sizes over long distances in process industries require high amount of energy which results to high cost of installing pumping stations and maintenance. Addition in part per million (ppm) of high molecular weight polymeric solution reduce such cost. The effect of pipe diameter, oil input volume fraction and flow rate (superficial velocity) on drag reduction (DR) in horizontal oil-waterflows was investigated in unplasticised polyvinylchloride (uPVC) horizontal pipe with two different pipe diameters (0.012 and 0.02 m IDs). The two liquids used were diesel oil (ρ = 832 kg/m3, µ = 1.66 cP) and water (ρ = 1,000 kg/m3, µ = 0.89 cP) as test fluids at ambient conditions (25°C, 1 atm). Partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide (HPAM; magnafloc 1011), polyethylene oxide (PEO) and Aloe Vera Mucilage (AVM) separately, as well as mixture of HPAM-AVM and PEO-AVM at different oil input volume fraction (δo; 0,0.25, 0.5, 0.75 and 1) and flow rate (Q; 0.65, 1.28, 1.90 and 2.46 m3/hr) were used. The master solution of 2,000 ppm, 2,000 ppm and 20,000 ppm for HPAM, PEO and AVM respectively and their respective mixtures were used to achieve the required concentrations. Mercury U-tube manometer was used to measure the pressure drop. DR of 62%, 65%, 54% for HPAM, PEO and AVM; 69 and 71% for HPAM-AVM and PEO-AVM respectively at mixing ratio of 3:1 and 1:19 in 0.012 m ID. Also, DR of 58%, 62%, 43% for HPAM, PEO and AVM; 67% and 68% for HPAM-AVM and PEO-AVM respectively in 0.02 m ID were obtained at the same condition. The pressure drops observed in the smaller pipe (0.012 m ID) was higher than that of the larger pipe diameter (0.02 m ID). From the experimental results, DR decreased with increase in the pipe diameter at the same conditions. This result implies that, DR in oil-water pipeline flow is a function of oil input volume fraction, superficial velocity and pipe diamete

Postoperative Throat Complications after Tracheal Intubation

Background: A prospective study was carried out to determine the incidence of sore throat after endotracheal intubation and the associated causative factors. Methods: Two hundred patients aged 18-77 years who had surgery over sixteen months were studied. Sizes 7mm - 8.0mm internal diameter (I.D) portex endotracheal tubes with cuff were used for females while sizes 8.5mm - 9.0mm I.D were used for males. A standardized form was used to collect patients' details, types of surgery, technique of airway maintenance and number of attempts at intubation. The use of nasogastric tubes, throat pack, duration of intubation and status of the anaesthetists were also noted. The presence of sore throat and other throat complications were determined within 24 - 36 hours after surgery. Results: One hundred twenty six (63%) patients experienced throat complications. The incidence of sore throat was similar in both males and females. There was no statistically significant difference P=1.0000, odd ratio = 1.035, 95% CI: 0.5064 - 2.115. There was no statistical difference between the group whose tubes were lubricated and the one without tube lubrication. P = 0.5296, odds ratio - 1.255; 95% CI: 0.6702 - 2.351. There was statistically significant difference between the incidence of throat complications in throat related surgery and non- throat related surgery. P=0.0001., odds ratio-9.771, 95% CI: 3.065-31.148. Multiple attempts at intubation did not contribute to the development of sore throat. Duration of intubation greater than 60 minutes contributed to a higher incidence of throat complications and it was considered statistically significant. Conclusion: Routine endotracheal intubation can result in trauma and pathological changes, which could lead to postoperative throat symptoms. There is need to further evaluate if the use of smaller sized endotracheal tubes could reduce the incidence of throat complicationsFond: Une \ue9tude \ue9ventuelle a \ue9t\ue9 effectu\ue9e pour d\ue9terminer l'incidence de l'angine apr\ue8s l'intubation endotrach\ue9ale et les facteurs causatifs associ\ue9s. M\ue9thodes: Deux cents malades \ue2g\ue9s de 18-77 ans qui ont eu la chirurgie pendant une p\ue9riode de seize mois ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9tudi\ue9s. Des tailles des tubes endotrach\ue9aux de portex du diam\ue8tre interne (D.I) de 7mm \u96 8,0mm avec la manchette ont \ue9t\ue9 utilis\ue9s pour des femelles tandis que des tailles D.I de 8,5mm - de 9,0mm ont \ue9t\ue9 employ\ue9es pour des m\ue2les. Une forme normalis\ue9e a \ue9t\ue9 employ\ue9e pour rassembler les d\ue9tails de malades, les types de chirurgie, la technique de l'entretien de voie a\ue9rienne et le nombre de tentatives d'intubation. L'utilisation des tubes gastriques, l'enveloppement de pharynx, la dur\ue9e de l'intubation et le statut des anesth\ue9sies ont \ue9t\ue9 \ue9galement not\ue9s. La pr\ue9sence de l'angine et d'autres complications pharyng\ue9es ont \ue9t\ue9 d\ue9termin\ue9es dans un d\ue9lai de 24 - 36 heures apr\ue8s chirurgie. R\ue9sultats: 126 (63%) malades ont eu des complications pharyng\ue9es. L'incidence de l'angine \ue9tait semblable dans des m\ue2les et des femelles. Il n'y avait aucune diff\ue9rence statistiquement significative P=1,0000, rapport des cotes = 1,035, 95% CI : 0,5064 \u96 2,115. Il n'y avait aucune diff\ue9rence statistique entre le groupe dont les tubes ont \ue9t\ue9 lubrifi\ue9s et celui sans lubrification de tube. P = 0,5296, rapport des cotes \u96 1,255 ;95% CI : 0,6702 - 2.351. Il y avait de diff\ue9rence statistiquement significative entre l'incidence des complications de pharynx dans les chirurgie pharyng\ue9es et non-pharyng\ue9es. P=0.0001., rapport des cotes \u969,771,95%CI : 3,065-31,148. Les tentatives multiples d'intubation n'ont pas contribu\ue9 au d\ue9veloppement de l'angine. La dur\ue9e d'intubation pus grande que 60minutes a contribu\ue9 \ue0 une incidence plus \ue9lev\ue9e des complications pharyng\ue9es et on l'a consid\ue9r\ue9 statistiquement significatif. Conclusion: L'intubation endotrach\ue9ale courante peut avoir comme cons\ue9quence le trauma et les changements pathologiques, qui pourraient mener aux sympt\uf4mes pharyng\ue9s postop\ue9ratoires. Il y a le besoin d'\ue9valuer de plus si l'utilisation de plus petits tubes endotrach\ue9aux pourrait r\ue9duire l'incidence des complications pharyng\ue9es

Impact of dietary patterns, individual and workplace characteristics on blood pressure status among civil servants in Bida and Wushishi communities of Niger State, Nigeria

The global burden estimate of hypertension is alarming and results in several million deaths annually. A high incidence of sudden deaths from cardiovascular diseases in the civil workforce in Nigeria is often reported. However, the associations between Dietary Patterns (DPs), individual, and workplace characteristics of hypertension among this workforce have not been fully explored. This study aimed to identify DP in the Bida and Wushishi Communities of Niger State and establish its relationship with hypertension along with other individual and workplace characteristics. Factor analysis was used to establish DP, Chi-square test to identify their relationships with hypertension, and logistic regression to determine the predictor risk factors. The prevalence of hypertension was 43.7%; mean weight, height, and body fat were: 72.8±15 kg, 166±8.9 mm and 30.4%, respectively. Three DPs: “Efficient Diet,” “Local diet,” and “Energy Boost Diet” were identified. The factor loading scores for these factors were divided into quintiles Q1–Q5; none of them had a significant effect on hypertension status. Conversely, increase in age, the Ministry, Department, and Agency (MDA) of employment, frequency of eating in restaurants, and obesity were identified as significant risk factors. After adjusting for confounders (age, body mass index, MDA, and eating habits), a high score (Q5) in “efficient diet pattern” was significantly related to a lower likelihood of hypertension than a low score (Q1). The prevalence of hypertension among the participants was relatively very high. An increase in age and working in educational sector were risk factors associated with hypertension. Therefore, it is recommended that civil servants engage in frequent exercise and undergo regular medical checkups, especially as they get older. These findings highlight the need for large-scale assessment of the impact of variables considered in this study on hypertension, among the civil workforce across Niger state and Nigeria

COVAD survey 2 long-term outcomes: unmet need and protocol

Vaccine hesitancy is considered a major barrier to achieving herd immunity against COVID-19. While multiple alternative and synergistic approaches including heterologous vaccination, booster doses, and antiviral drugs have been developed, equitable vaccine uptake remains the foremost strategy to manage pandemic. Although none of the currently approved vaccines are live-attenuated, several reports of disease flares, waning protection, and acute-onset syndromes have emerged as short-term adverse events after vaccination. Hence, scientific literature falls short when discussing potential long-term effects in vulnerable cohorts. The COVAD-2 survey follows on from the baseline COVAD-1 survey with the aim to collect patient-reported data on the long-term safety and tolerability of COVID-19 vaccines in immune modulation. The e-survey has been extensively pilot-tested and validated with translations into multiple languages. Anticipated results will help improve vaccination efforts and reduce the imminent risks of COVID-19 infection, especially in understudied vulnerable groups

Persistent pain after caesarean and vaginal delivery: Experience at a public tertiary hospital, Benin city, Nigeria

Background: Recent observation has revealed that persistent pain (PP) might follow both vaginal delivery (VD) and cesarean delivery. The present study sought to examine the development of PP following delivery in Nigerian women. Methods: Questionnaires were administered to all consenting women at their 6-week post-delivery visit to hospital to ask about persistence of abdominal scar, pelvic, or perineal pain. They were subsequently called on phone to enquire about the duration of previously documented pain, or the persistence of pain at 6 months and 1 year post-delivery. Information on the frequency and intensity of pain, the impact on daily activities, as well as the quality of life was also sought. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was done for differences in proportion, prevalence ratio (PR) and cross tabulation was done for association using SPSS 20.0 and GraphPad Instat 3. Results: Cesarean section (CS) was associated with higher prevalence of PP at 6 weeks postpartum than VD {(37/88, 42%) and (26/144, 18%), respectively; PR 2.1, 95% CI: 1.2--3.7, P = 0.01)}. The majority (93.7%) had mild to moderate pain. PP was associated with previous pain problem (PR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.2--4.5; P = 0.02). The women with PP recalled more severe peripartum pain (P = 0.01), and primiparity was highly predictive of PP (0.001). Conclusion: PP is more common after 6 weeks of CS than VD, but pain beyond 6 months appears rare. PP is associated with poorly managed chronic pain and severe peripartum pain especially in primiparas. We advocate a deliberate attempt to screen for and treat pain on an individualized basis

The Level of Awareness of Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Amongst Radiographers in Nigeria

Resuscitation is one of the most evolving areas of modern medicine. For the past forty years newer techniques are developed in order to improve the outcome of resuscitation. The study is aimed at finding the level of knowledge amongst radiographers practising in Nigeria because radiographers use materials that commonly cause reactions requiring resuscitation. In an Annual conference of the Nigerian Radiographers held in Benin City, questionnaires were administered to eighty participants. Data extracted included age, gender, years of experience in practice and questions relating to resuscitation Forty-five participants completed the questionnaires. 69% (31) had witnessed cardiac arrest. 80% (36) of them mentioned the causes of cardiac arrest, while 87% (39) mentioned different types of resuscitation drugs. All the respondents mentioned the adverse reactions associated with the use of intravascular contrast media (ICM). Awareness of CPR amongst the observed Nigerian radiographers is rated high as evidenced by this study

INCIDENCE OF OBESITY IN PARTURIENTS SCHEDULED FOR CAESAREAN SECTION, INTRA-OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS, MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME

Objectives: To determine the incidence of obesity in parturients scheduled for Caesarean section, identify intra-operative complications, management and outcome.Design: A prospective observational study.Setting: University of Benin Teaching Hospital, a university-affiliated tertiary centre.Subjects: Parturients scheduled for Caesarean section excluding patients in American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) health status 4 and 5.Results: Three hundred patients were recruited in the study. One hundred and forty eight (49.3%) were non – obese (BMI < 30kgm2) while 152 (50.7%) were obese (BMI >30kgm–2). The incidence of obesity was extremely significant P<0.0001, t = 19.721 and 95% C.I. = 11.998 – –9.820. Twenty fourpercent of the obese and 6% of the non-obese parturients had intercurrent medical diseases. 40.5% of the non-obese parturients had general anaesthesia while 13.1% of the obese parturients were offered general anaesthesia. The incidence of intra-operative complications was higher in the obese group. P<0.0001; extremely significant. Odds ratio = 3.647; 95% C.I. of 2.0007 – 6.626. The most common complications were hypotension (n = 14), shivering (n = 12) and inadequate anaesthesia (n = 8).Conclusion: There is a high incidence of obesity in parturients. This group of patients constitutes a high risk group in obstetric anaesthesia. The incidence of complications was higher in the obese than in the non-obese