Evaluation of Groundwater Quality in Shallow Aquifers Under Cultivated Lands at Al Oha Area, United Arab Emirates

To assess the impact of application of chemical fertilizers in agriculture on the Quaternary aquifer at AI Oha area, United Arab Emirates, 76 groundwater samples were collected during February 1995 - March 1996. Samples were analyzed for major, minor and trace chemical constituents in the Food Control Laboratory, Abu Dhabi. The Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of collected samples varied between 500 milligrams per liter (mg/l) in the east and 3,500 mg/l in the west. Except for bicarbonate ion (HC03-), concentration of major cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+ and K+) and anions (CO32-, SO42- and Cl-) shows a general increase from east to west. The increase of salinity and concentration of all ions from east to west occurs in the direction of groundwater flow, where ion-depleted water from recharge area in the east becomes progressively loaded with more ions towards discharge areas in the west. Concentration of nitrate ion (NO3- in groundwater within the study area during February 1995 - March 1996 remained below the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water (45 mg/l as NO3- or 10 mg/l as NO3--N). Phosphate ion (PO4-) shows trace concentrations in groundwater within the study area, averaging 0.8 mg/l. With the exception of few local anomalies, concentrations of iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co) and chromium (Cr) shows a general increase from east to west. Based on the above results, there is no reason to believe that the chemical fertilizers used on farm lands at AI Oha area has adversely affected groundwater in the Quaternary aquifer

THE IMPACT OF DETRAINING ON PERFORMANCE AND SOME OF THE BIOMECHANICAL VARIABLES IN TAEKWONDO

Twenty players (aged 9 – 13 yrs) were divided into two equivalent groups ( 10 each ) based on ( age , height , weight , training age and the selected biomechanical variables).The 1st group ( fixed training) trained by the round house kick from ready position (stance) while the 2nd group ( variant training ) trained using different types of the skills’ execution. Both group trained there times a week (75 Minutes) for 6 weeks and measurements were taken for the post test, one week later of detraining and two weeks later of detraining, for fixed training and variant training. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in the posttest and first detraining. It is recommended that both training regimen are important to conserve the level of achieved performance after 2 weeks of detraining

Dual techniques of load shedding and capacitor placement considering load models for optimal distribution system

Voltage stability represents one of the main issues in electrical power system. Under voltage load shedding (UVLS) has long been regarded as one of the most successful techniques to prevent the voltage collapse. However, the ordinary load shedding schemes do not consider the different load models and decreasing in the ‎economic cost that resulted from load disconnection, so the dual techniques of load shedding with reactive compensation are needed. Usually loads being modeled as constant power, while in fact of load flow the various load models are utilized. An investigation of optimal dual load shedding with reactive compensation for distribution system based on direct backward forward sweep method (DBFSM) load flow along with a comparison among the other load models are presented in this paper. The teaching learning-based optimization (TLBO) algorithm is executed in order to reduce power losses and enhance the voltage profile. This algorithm is tested and applied to IEEE-16 bus distribution test system to find the optimal superior capacitor size and placement while minimizing load shading for the network. Five different load shedding sequences are considered and the optimization performance of load models demonstrated the comparison through MATLAB program

Optimum reactive power compensation for distribution system using dolphin algorithm considering different load models

The distribution system represents the connection between consumers and the entire power network. The radial structure is preferred for distribution system due to its simple design and low cost. The electrical distribution system suffers from problems of rising power losses higher than the transmission system and voltage drop. One of the important solutions to improve the voltage profile and to reduce the electrical distribution system losses is the reactive power compensation which is based on the optimum choice of position and capacitor size in the network. In this paper, different models of electrical loads such as constant power(P), constant current(I), constant impedance(Z), and composite (ZIP) model are implemented with comparisons between them in order to identify the most effective load type that produces the optimal settlement for alleged loss reduction ,enhancement of the voltage profile, and cost savings. To minimize search space, Dolphin Optimization Algorithm (DOA) is applied for selecting the size and location of capacitors. Two case studies (IEEE 16- bus and 33- bus) are employed to evaluate the different load models with optimal reactive power compensation. The results of comparison between the different load models show that ZIP model is the best to produce the optimum solution for capacitor position and size. In addition, comparison of results with literature works are done and showed that DOA is the most robust among other algorithms to achieve the optimum solution for voltage profile enhancement significant reduction of losses, and saving cost

COVID-19 related complete blood count changes among asymptomatic pregnant women

Objective: To evaluate complete blood count (CBC) changes that suggest coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among asymptomatic pregnant women attending routine antenatal care Methods: A cross-sectional study included 187 healthy pregnant women who were attending the antenatal care clinic of a tertiary University hospital between March and June 2020. After a thorough history and examinations, a venous blood sample was taken from each participant for complete and differential blood counts. Those who showed CBC findings suggestive of COVID-19 were further scheduled for a nasopharyngeal swab for detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific antigens through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: We found 5.3% (n=10) of the study population showed CBC changes that are suggestive of COVID-19. When they were scheduled for nasopharyngeal swab for a PCR confirmatory test, 30% (n=3) of them were PCR positive (which represented 1.6% of the entire study population). The most frequently encountered COVID-19-suggestive change in peripheral blood leukocyte differential counts was leucopenia (100%), followed by decreased eosinophil count (50%), then neutropenia and lymphocytopenia (30%). Conclusions: Certain differential leucocyte count changes (leucopenia, neutropenia, lymphocytopenia and decreased eosinophil count) among asymptomatic pregnant women might be related to COVID-19 infection and may indicate a need for further testing

Dual technique of reconfiguration and capacitor placement for distribution system

Radial Distribution System (RDS) suffer from high real power losses and lower bus voltages. Distribution System Reconfiguration (DSR) and Optimal Capacitor Placement (OCP) techniques are ones of the most economic and efficient approaches for loss reduction and voltage profile improvement while satisfy RDS constraints. The advantages of these two approaches can be concentrated using of both techniques together. In this study two techniques are used in different ways. First, the DSR technique is applied individually. Second, the dual technique has been adopted of DSR followed by OCP in order to identify the technique that provides the most effective performance. Three optimization algorithms have been used to obtain the optimal design in individual and dual technique. Two IEEE case studies (33bus, and 69 bus) used to check the effectiveness of proposed approaches. A Direct Backward Forward Sweep Method (DBFSM) has been used in order to calculate the total losses and voltage of each bus. Results show the capability of the proposed dual technique using Modified Biogeography Based Optimization (MBBO) algorithm to find the optimal solution for significant loss reduction and voltage profile enhancement. In addition, comparisons with literature works done to show the superiority of proposed algorithms in both techniques

A promising strategies for reducing the danger of SARS-CoV2 transmission during dentistry and medical procedures

The leaves of Stevia The COVID-19 epidemic has presented serious difficulties for healthcare professionals, especially those working in dentistry and medical facilities. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19, is a high-risk infection in hospital settings since it is known to spread via respiratory droplets and aerosols. The purpose of this review paper is to determine whether preprocedural mouthwashes significantly lower the risk of SARS-CoV2 transmission during dental and medical procedures. in addition, antiseptics including Povidone-iodine, CPC, Benzalkonium Chloride, and Aromatic oils may indeed be capable of eliminating SARS-CoV2 by focusing on the virus's lipid envelope, that according in vitro study, as well as clinical experiments indicate that preprocedural mouthwashes potentially help to reduce intraoral viral load and infectivity in COVID-19 patients, but more research is required to verify this. Other infection control methods, such as PPE, high-volume evacuation (HVE), and air filtration, can also assist in minimizing SARS-CoV2 transmission during operations. The RT-qPCR alone is insufficient to determine the effectiveness of preprocedural mouthwashes against SARS-CoV2 transmission. Future research should also take into account employing supplementary techniques to evaluate the effectiveness of preprocedural mouthwashes, such as determining the virus's survival in cell cultures or using animal models to research the virus' transmission. Further research is needed to determine the best combination of infection control measures to reduce SARS-CoV2 transmission in healthcare settings, but preprocedural mouthwashes may be a simple, low-cost strategy to reduce transmission risk during dental and medical procedures, especially in high-risk patients

Clinical and microbiological aspect of surgical affections associated with current epidemics in bovine

Egypt is endemic with Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), both impose a drastic effect on the economy. These viral diseases are often complicated with secondary bacterial infections; however, scarce data is available. In this study, utilizing microbiological and molecular procedures, we identified a number of secondary bacterial infections complicating FMDand LSD-infected cases. Moreover, the antimicrobial resistance profile of the bacterial isolates was explored. The data showed that several bacterial pathogens including Serratia odorifera, Enterococcus faecium, Paenibacillus apiaries and Microbacterium hominis could be recovered from LSD-infected cases. On the other hand, FMD cases were found to be complicated with Pseudomonas mosselii, Bacillus cereus and Trueperella pyogens. However, Bacillus licheniformis was isolated from both disease conditions. The antimicrobial testing revealed that all pathogens are resistant to more than three antibiotics of different families, indicating the multi-drug resistant capabilities of these isolates. This baseline investigation confirms the presence of many secondary bacterial infections linked to LSD and FMD as well as the widespread antimicrobial resistance among the isolated pathogens, however, the contribution of these pathogens to the mortality rate in both conditions needs further studie

Knowledge and Awareness of Diabetes Mellitus Disease among High School Students in King Abdulaziz Military City, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: Saudi Arabia is considered to be one of the highest countries in the Middle East for the incidence of diabetes mellitus (DM). Data are lacking regarding knowledge and awareness about DM among school students in Saudi Arabia. AIM: The study aimed to assess the level of knowledge and awareness of DM among high school students within the military city, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A descriptive type of cross-sectional study was conducted among 278 high school students applying a convenience sampling technique. The sample size was calculated using OpenEpi, Version 3. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to the high school students (male and female) after official communication with the school’s dean. The level of knowledge and awareness was categorized into “adequate” and “inadequate” as per each topic/question, and also as per each response/answer. Data entry and analysis were carried out using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Pearson’s Chi-square tests were performed to explore if there is any significant association between the knowledge and awareness level of the high school students and their (i) gender, (ii) age, and (iii) level of education. RESULTS: More than half of the high school students had adequate level of knowledge and awareness about DM in terms of symptoms (67.3%), complications (56.5%), monitoring method (62.6%), lifestyle modifications (63.7%), frequency of routine eye check-up (63.3%), important factors for blood sugar control (79.1%), treatment (56.5%), and management of hypoglycemia symptoms (57.6%). On the contrary, a large number of the students showed inadequate level of knowledge and awareness about the disease in terms of definition (80.6%), major causes (57.9%), effect of high blood pressure (51.8%), frequency of routine blood pressure check-up (55%), rationale of a regular urine test (58.3%), medication for DM (66.9%), and duration of medication (69.8%). However, no significant associations were found between the knowledge and awareness level of the high school students about the definition or major causes of DM and the (i) gender, (ii) age group, and (iii) level of education of the students. CONCLUSION: The level of knowledge and awareness of a considerable number of high school students regarding DM was inadequate, and some of them possessed various misconceptions about this particular chronic disease. Health authorities and school authorities in the region should offer special efforts to improve the level of knowledge and awareness of the students through regular health education campaigns

Hybridizing cost saving with trust for blockchain technology adoption by financial institutions

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is transforming the financial industry and leading to a rise in the modern banking system. Like in developed nations, disruptive technology is necessary to advance the traditional banking system in emerging economies. The present study aims to investigate the critical factors that influence a user’s intention to accept blockchain technology for financial institutions. The proposed model is based on Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) constructs with trust and cost-saving, tested using structural equation modelling. Findings from an online survey of 188 practitioners working in Malaysia's financial sector confirm that all constructs except trust on perceived usefulness were found to have a significant impact during the blockchain implementation. Moreover, cost-saving matters most during the disruptive technology adoption for financial institutions. Based on the findings, the subsequent theoretical and practical implications are assessed, albeit with notable limitations