Occupational noise exposure and hearing loss: A study on knowledge, attitude and practice among Tanzanian iron and steel workers

We assessed Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) regarding occupational noise exposure, Noise-induced hearing loss, audiometry and use of hearing protection devices among iron and steel factory workers exposed to high noise level. A modified, validated, structured questionnaire was used to collect information from 253 male workers randomly selected from the four factories. The sum scores for each domain of KAP were computed. Scores above 75% were defined as good knowledge and positive attitude. For practice, scores of >50% were defined as good. Independent samples t-test and Chi-squared test were used to analyze association between KAP and continuous/categorical variables respectively. Majority of workers displayed poor knowledge and poor practice (94%), but 76% displayed a positive attitude. Most of the workers (86%) had never been provided with hearing protection devices. The mean scores for attitude and practice differed significantly between the four factories (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.001). Implementation of hearing conservation program with provision of hearing protection devices are suggested.publishedVersio

Familial hypercholesterolaemia in children and adolescents from 48 countries: a cross-sectional study

Background: Approximately 450 000 children are born with familial hypercholesterolaemia worldwide every year, yet only 2·1% of adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia were diagnosed before age 18 years via current diagnostic approaches, which are derived from observations in adults. We aimed to characterise children and adolescents with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolaemia (HeFH) and understand current approaches to the identification and management of familial hypercholesterolaemia to inform future public health strategies. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed children and adolescents younger than 18 years with a clinical or genetic diagnosis of HeFH at the time of entry into the Familial Hypercholesterolaemia Studies Collaboration (FHSC) registry between Oct 1, 2015, and Jan 31, 2021. Data in the registry were collected from 55 regional or national registries in 48 countries. Diagnoses relying on self-reported history of familial hypercholesterolaemia and suspected secondary hypercholesterolaemia were excluded from the registry; people with untreated LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) of at least 13·0 mmol/L were excluded from this study. Data were assessed overall and by WHO region, World Bank country income status, age, diagnostic criteria, and index-case status. The main outcome of this study was to assess current identification and management of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia. Findings: Of 63 093 individuals in the FHSC registry, 11 848 (18·8%) were children or adolescents younger than 18 years with HeFH and were included in this study; 5756 (50·2%) of 11 476 included individuals were female and 5720 (49·8%) were male. Sex data were missing for 372 (3·1%) of 11 848 individuals. Median age at registry entry was 9·6 years (IQR 5·8-13·2). 10 099 (89·9%) of 11 235 included individuals had a final genetically confirmed diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolaemia and 1136 (10·1%) had a clinical diagnosis. Genetically confirmed diagnosis data or clinical diagnosis data were missing for 613 (5·2%) of 11 848 individuals. Genetic diagnosis was more common in children and adolescents from high-income countries (9427 [92·4%] of 10 202) than in children and adolescents from non-high-income countries (199 [48·0%] of 415). 3414 (31·6%) of 10 804 children or adolescents were index cases. Familial-hypercholesterolaemia-related physical signs, cardiovascular risk factors, and cardiovascular disease were uncommon, but were more common in non-high-income countries. 7557 (72·4%) of 10 428 included children or adolescents were not taking lipid-lowering medication (LLM) and had a median LDL-C of 5·00 mmol/L (IQR 4·05-6·08). Compared with genetic diagnosis, the use of unadapted clinical criteria intended for use in adults and reliant on more extreme phenotypes could result in 50-75% of children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia not being identified. Interpretation: Clinical characteristics observed in adults with familial hypercholesterolaemia are uncommon in children and adolescents with familial hypercholesterolaemia, hence detection in this age group relies on measurement of LDL-C and genetic confirmation. Where genetic testing is unavailable, increased availability and use of LDL-C measurements in the first few years of life could help reduce the current gap between prevalence and detection, enabling increased use of combination LLM to reach recommended LDL-C targets early in life

Application of biochemical products as a bioremediation technique for domestic sewage treatment

Biochemical products have been widely used for treatment of various types of wastewater. The treatment processes with the addition of biochemical products are quite attractive because of their simplicity, minimal use of equipment, they are environmentally friendly and are suitable for the removal of organic pollutants. The purpose of these products is to enhance the activities of beneficial microbes in order to improve treatment performance. This study was carried out to determine the potential of applying biochemical products in assisting and improving the performance of sewage treatment plants. In this study, four biochemical products, namely: Zeolite, Bio-C, Eco-B and Was-D, were applied to the sewage treatment plant. Analyses were carried out on several water quality parameters such as biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), suspended solids (SS), oil & grease (O&G), phosphorus (P), ammoniacal nitrogen (AN) and sludge thickness (ST). From the results obtained, it can be seen that the overall performance of the treatment plant improved with most of the parameters studied were found to fulfill the DOE Standard B requirements. The performance of Bio-C was found to give better results than other products

Parametric Optimization Of Magneto-Rheological Fluid Damper Using Particle Swarm Optimization

This paper presents a parametric modeling of a magneto-rheological (MR) damper using a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method. The objective of this paper is to optimize the parameter values of the MR fluid damper behavior using the Bouc-Wen model. The parametric identification was imposed beforehand in replicating the behavior of the MR fluid damper. The algebraic function from a number of hysteresis models was steered by comparing selected models: Bingham, Bouc-Wen and BoucWen by Kwok. A simulation method was operated in investigating these models by employing MATLAB reliant from the model intricacy. The experimental data was presented in terms of the time histories of the displacement, the velocity and the force parameters, measured for both constant and variable current settings and at a selected frequency applied to the damper. The model parameters were determined using a set of experimental measurements corresponding to different current constant values. It has been shown that the MR damper model’s response via the proposed approach is in good agreement with the MR damper test rig counterpar

Bouc-Wen Model Parameter Identification for a MR Fluid Damper Using Particle Swarm Optimization

This paper present parameter identification fitting which are employed into a current model. Irregularity hysteresis of Bouc-Wen model is colloquial with magneto-rheological (MR) fluid damper. The model parameters are identified with a Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) which involves complex dynamic representation. The PSO algorithm specifically determines the best fit value and decrease marginal error which compare to the experimental data from various operating conditions in a given boundary

Psycho-social and spiritual backgrounds, experiences, and needs as a transsexual: a qualitative study within Persatuan Insaf Pahang

Transsexuals face discriminations and rejections from the Malaysian society. The number of studies done on understanding the phenomenology, experiences, and problems faced by transsexuals is still few in Malaysia. This research aims to document their psycho-social and spiritual backgrounds and the relevant experiences, and to explore their perceptions and needs as male-to-female transsexuals in the context of Persatuan Insaf Pahang, Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A qualitative research was carried out in July and August 2015 among eight male-to-female transsexual adults in Kuantan, Pahang. Snowball sampling was used. Participants who gave consent were interviewed in two focus groups. Data obtained was transcribed and used as the primary data source. Results: Subjects in this study reported confusions over their gender identity since childhood. They struggled against conflicts regarding their transsexuality in adolescence, and eventually many quit their studies. As adults, they were discriminated against in employment and religious settings. They provided positive feedbacks on religious authorities who could understand problems unique to transsexuals and empathise with the transsexual community. Conclusion: The psycho-sexual phenomenology is the same in transsexuals all over the world. Misunderstanding and discrimination from the society remain heavy towards this community. Transsexuals should learn to adapt to meeting expectations from the society as well, so they could be accepted in public. They will need religious guidance and spiritual support for better quality of life. Dedicated efforts are still needed in training professionals in the educational, medical, and religious fields to attend to the specific needs of transsexuals in this country

Optimizing Hysteresis Parameters Of Magneto-Rheological Fluid Damper Using Particle Swarm Optimization

Magneto-rheological (MR) fluid has been used in various application as it seen to increase performance from a basic machine into high performance robust machine. A damper that is partnered with MR fluid can increase the operation of vibration suppression in a bigger range compared to a passive shock absorber. MR fluid damper has the property of engaging prediction not just forthcoming behaviour but retracting the preceding measurement. With suitable parameters projected to the hysteresis model, the trajectory for MR fluid damper model can be realize and attain required absorber performance. This study target on implementing Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) to in searching the optimum parameters value of the hysteresis model for MR fluid damper. Validation by physical experiment and simulation was conducted to enhance the justification of the present model. These performances are measure in force against displacement and force against velocity for the hysteresis model to depict MR fluid damper behaviour. The average marginal error was presented to strengthen the model along with analysis and discussion in deliberating the outcome

Reopening national border and the treat of COVID-19 towards Malaysia: A systematic review approach

Pandemic pneumonia caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spreading globally at an accelerated rate, with an approximate reproductive number of 2–2.5, suggesting that two or three individuals may be infected with index patient cases. Current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) impact on disadvantaged populations and areas where there are inadequate health services to treat the infection, it is entirely dangerous and triggering serious public health emergencies. This study also highlights the review of COVID-19 for the reopening of Malaysia’s borders and puts together the new draught options for the country’s reopening. Malaysia’s border controls have been tightened to deter imported cases, mitigate locally transmitted cases, and increase the capacity of Malaysian health care facilities. The study has analysed secondary data as the primary input. The aim of this writing is to discuss the potential outbreak of COVID-19 in Malaysia in the event of the national border reopening and the question of COVID-19 protection and security. In order to find the required articles for reference, the literature search was performed throughout Google Scholar. The goal of the study is to express a view that can be seen by tertiary maternity units that are capable of treating those affected by the pandemic, but at the same time ensuring that the people at their heart are safe