Development of twelve parameter prediction model for examining the under-pipe corrosion deposit condition of localized carbon steel in acidic media

This paper presents an under deposit condition of localized carbon steel in acidic gas solutions by developing and using a twelve parameters condition prediction model. The proposed analytical model was tested against De Waard models, neural network model and experimental result and found to have an accuracy of 82.4% against 23%, 53.3%, 95.6% of De Waard Lotz and Milliams models and NN mode and was found to give reasonably accurate results. It had root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.024, mean absolute error (MAE) 0.019, scattered index (SI) 0.371 and with coefficient of determination (R2) of 82.4% in the validation series. The method is useful for introducing nonlinear conditions prediction in undergraduate/postgraduate engineering with manual computation coupled with lesser error and very simple method in application for better corrosion management than the existing manual traditional models.Keywords: Model, under-deposit, Carbon steel, Corrosion managemen

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology In Tumour Diagnosis

Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), a technique for obtaining cellular material for cytological examination and diagnosis using a 21- gauge or smaller needle, is performed using a 5, 10, or 20ml syringe either freehand or using special syringe holders. It allows a minimally invasive, rapid diagnosis of tissue samples but does not preserve its histological architecture

Diagnostic and prognostic analysis of oil and gas pipeline with allowable corrosion rate in Niger Delta Area, Nigeria

This paper presents diagnostic and prognostic analysis of oil and gas pipeline industries with allowable corrosion rate using artificial neural networks approach. The results revealed sand deposit, carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressure, pipe age, diameter and length, temperature, flow velocity of the fluid, fluid pressure, chloride contents and pH value of its environment as the relevant parameters affecting corrosion of oil and gas pipeline in this region. Condition prediction of steel pipes used for the transmission of oil and gas varies 0.02 mm/yr to 0.10 mm/yr. The training of the neural network was performed using Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm and optimal regression coefficient was equal to 0.99, for the network 10-40-1. Also, the results show a remarkable agreement with the field measurement. A corrosion severity level of two (0.01 mm/yr to 0.10 mm/yr) oil and gas pipelines was established from the analysis.Keywords: Artificial neural network, Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm, condition prediction, oil and gas dat

The adoption of some counselling techniques in teaching practice supervision

The trend in primary and secondary education, as specified by the national educational objectives of the federal government of Nigeria, is to have a balanced education; education embracing the cognitive, affective and the psychomotor. For too long, teachers have been trained well to handle the cognitive domain of education and to some degree the psychomotor is given to them in the affective area. In this regard counsellors can make some contributions. One such contribution is where counselling techniques can be adopted in teaching practice supervision. Thus, this paper describes three techniques such as acceptance, feedback modelling and how they can be used profitably in teaching practice supervision. Key words; counselling techniques, teaching practice, supervision

Histopathological evaluation of H. Pylori associated gastric lesions in Benin city, Nigeria

Background: Endoscopic biopsy of the gastric mucosa allows early diagnosis, grading, staging and classification of gastric diseases. Helicobacter pylori, has been recognized as a major aetiologic factor for chronic gastritis, benign gastric ulcers and gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma. The loco-regional variability in the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori and associated diseases in Nigeria, emphasise the need for evaluation of subsets of a heterogeneous population like oursObjective: To determine the frequency of helicobacter pylori in gastric endoscopic biopsies and document the pathology of gastric lesions commonly associated with Helicobacter pylori infection.Design: Retrospective descriptive study.Settings: University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), and Biogenics Histopathology Laboratory (a private Histopathology Laboratory), both based in Benin City, Niger Delta region of Nigeria.Subjects: Endoscopic gastric biopsies recorded in the surgical pathology register of the department from 2005-2009 were studied and relevant demographic and clinical information extracted from the registers, original request cards and patient case files. The clinical data and slides processed from paraffin embedded tissue blocks of endoscopic biopsies of gastric lesions seen from year 2005 to 2009 were studied, analyzed and statistically presented.Results: Total number of specimens studied was 142. Chronic gastritis was present in 117(82.39%) specimens; 9(6.34%) were benign gastric ulcers; 3(2.11%) were gastric polyps; and 11(7.75%) were gastric malignancies. Helicobacter pylori, was demonstrated in 55.6% of all specimens. The peak age for Chronic Gastritis and Gastric Cancer is the 6th decade. Amongst patients with chronic gastritis, inflammatory activity was present in 65%; atrophy in 53%; and intestinal metaplasia in 16.6%. All gastric malignancies seen were intestinal type adenocarcinomas.Conclusion: The spectrum of lesions diagnosed in gastric endoscopic biopsy specimens in Benin, their frequency and associations are largely comparable to what has been described elsewhere in Nigeria and Africa.Key words: Helicobacter Pylori; Gastric lesions; Endoscopic biopsies

Quantitative assessment of available probiotic products in community pharmacies in Benin City, Nigeria

Purpose: To assess four probiotic products available in community pharmacies in Benin City, Nigeria for accuracy of information on product labels with regard to the quantity and type of microorganisms, pH and bile tolerance, and antimicrobial activity.Methods: Percent label compliance of products was determined, in addition to isolation, identification and enumeration of microorganisms. Determination of pH and bile tolerance was conducted using turbidity studies in MRS broth. Antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans pathogens was investigated using agar overlay technique.Results: In each product, there was 100 % label compliance with regard to name of probiotic organism, storage condition, dose, expiration date, contact details and batch number. Three-quarters (75 %) of the probiotic products indicated product net quantity, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) number, and microbial count; 50 % of products indicated the excipients used, while only 25 % of the products showed their indications. None of the products indicated strain designation. In species identification, Enterococcus faecium was absent in a multi-species product PB1, while PB3 contained Saccharomyces cerevisiae instead of Saccharomyces boulardii. Enumeration showed comparatively low quantities of probiotic organisms. Tolerance to pH 3 and pH 7, and bile levels of 0.3 and 2 % were within acceptable range. The probiotic organisms demonstrated antimicrobial effect specifically against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, B. subtilis, K. pneumonia, S. aureus and C. albicans.Conclusion: Antimicrobial effect and tolerance to pH and bile salts were consistent with acceptable properties of probiotics. However, there is need for total compliance with the indications, strain designation, excipients, and actual quantity of the individual probiotic organisms in the formulations. Keywords: Probiotics, Strain designation, Agar overlay technique, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces boulardi

The Intellectual Disabled (Mentally Impaired) in the Inclusive Type of Education: Problems and Implications.

The Intellectual disabled child is characterized by significantly sub average general intellectual functioning, with concurrent deficits in adaptive behaviour. Sub average intellectual ability that is present from birth or infancy is manifested by abnormal development, learning difficulties, and problem in social adjustment, very few of intellectual disabled are institutionalized; most of them now live independently with few of their families or in group homes. The emphasis on education is seen in the late 20th century. The schools are responsible for providing appropriate education and many teachers and parents’ feels that inclusion of intellectual disabled in their educational system will make the intellectual disabled feel as a part of the society and will make others understand them better in their special needs and capabilities. This study therefore highlighted definitions, identifications and characteristics of the impaired child, and mentally impaired in inclusive education and lastly problems and prospects of mentally impaired. Recommendations were made. Key words: Basic Education, mentally impaired, inclusive Education, Nigeria

Immunohistochemical detection of Her-2/neu overexpression in breast carcinoma in Nigerians: A 5-year retrospective study

Objective: To determine the pattern of Her-2/neu status among breast carcinoma in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria.Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for Her-2/neu was performed on 10% formalin-fixed, paraffinembedded primary carcinoma of the breast from 83 patients, between 2003 and 2007 using anti-Her-2/neu rabbit polyclonal antibody (DakoCytomation, CA, USA) and reactivity detected by an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. The clinicopathologic parameters analyzed were patients’ age, histological types, and tumor grade. The Her-2/neu Dako scoring system was used.Results: During the 5-year period, 83 histologically confirmed cases of invasive breast carcinoma were assessed for Her-2/neu status. These included 67 (80.7%) cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, nine cases of invasive lobular carcinoma (10.8%), three cases of medullary carcinoma (3.6%), two cases of papillary carcinoma (2.4%), and a case each of mucinous and clear cell carcinoma (1.2%). Mean age of patients was 48.9 ± 13.6 years with an age range of 25 to 83 years. Only nine (10.8%) cases showed immunopositivity for Her-2/neu. Seven of these were cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, while two were invasive lobular carcinoma. Tumors were predominantly high grade with grade III, II, and I accounting for 42, 28, and 13 cases, respectively. There was no significant correlation between patient age, the various histological types, tumor grade, and Her-2/neu positivity.Conclusions: This study indicates that Her-2/neu may not be useful in defining the prognosis of breast cancer in this environment. Nevertheless, it highlights the need for routine immunostaining for Her-2/neu before institution of trastuzumab (Herceptin) therapy

Management of eclampsia in an unbooked primigravida: a case report showing the impact of cultural and socio-economic factors on health outcomes

Eclampsia is characterised by the occurrence of one or more generalised tonic-clonic seizures in patients with severe preeclampsia in the absence of other neurologic conditions. The clinical features of eclampsia can present at any time during pregnancy, but are more common from the second trimester to the puerperium. This report presents the challenges encountered in the management of eclampsia in a remote setting of a developing country and the influence of cultural and socio-economic factors on health outcomes associated with this condition

Training specialists in developing countries: A new model

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