Assessment of average radiation dose for abdominal computed tomography examinations in Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano

The demand for abdominal Computed Tomography (CT) scans has dramatically increased over the years due to its higher sensitivity in ruling out a wide range medical conditions as compared to other imaging modalities. However, this patronage is associated with high effective dose and hence attributable to the risk of radiation-induced injuries. Establishing an acceptable radiation dose level and designing a protocol of maintaining dose level within that range is a sure optimization practice that is recommended by most national and international radiation monitoring bodies. The study aims to assess the average radiation dose received by patients undergoing abdominal CT examinations in Radiology unit of AKTH Kano, Nigeria. Dose survey of 100 adult abdominal CT scans in Radiology department of AKTH from June-October 2018. CTDIvol and DLP were simply obtained from the CT machine as displayed on the console and recorded into an adapted IAEA survey form. Effective dose was estimated by multiplying DLP by the conversion factor, k-value for abdomen (0.015mSv/mGy.cm). A total of 100 patient’s radiation dose summary comprising 57 (57%) of females and 43 (43%) males with a mean age of 46 years. Determined 75th percentile CTDIvol, DLP and effective doses for abdominal CT were found to be 12 mGy, 2225.25 mGy.cm and 33.38 mSv respectively. The CTDIvol value was lower than most local and international established studies. The DLP and effective doses of the present study were significantly higher than other studies and calls for review of existing protocol to optimize practice.Keywords: Abdominal CT, DRL, Effective dos

Sub-Chronic Toxicity Evaluation of Tannery Waste Water to Clarias gariepinus Juveniles

This paper was conducted to investigate the sub-chronic toxicity of tannery effluents sourced from Challawa industrial estate Kano, Nigeria using Clarias gariepinus. The study covered physicochemical parameters, haematological, and biochemical stress enzymes assessments. The water quality results revealed mean value of Temperature (29.92±1.93oC), pH (8.14±0.85), DO (1.60±0.38mg/l), BOD (0.77±0.16mg/l), Salinity (7.75±0.60mg/l), Nitrate (1.19 ± 0.05mg/l) and Phosphate (16.48±0.85mg/l). After termination of 21 days sub-chronic test, haematological and biochemical changes analysed were generally considered significantly different (P<0.05) within the treatments. The haematological indices revealed a decrease and sudden increase in concentration of estimated values of PCV, Hb, RBC, MCHC and MCH, while WBC and MCV fluctuated. These may be attributed to stress, the duration of exposure and levels of pollutants in the effluent. Furthermore, oxidative stress enzymes followed an order of SOD > CAT > GSH. This could be due to level of pollutants in the effluent. The results of the data indicated tannery effluent to have a toxic effect on the experimented organism. The information calls for a more enrich toxicity testing that should involve wide range of organisms. It should entail reproductive aspects of the species, detail relationship and enhanced methodological procedures

Nutrient composition of commonly used complementary foods in North western Nigeria

Studies on the nutrient composition of commonly used complementary foods in North Western Nigeria were carried out using Kaduna, Kebbi and Niger states as case studies. Ready to eat complementary food samples were collected from mothers with children older than 6 months but younger than 24 months and evaluated for its nutrient components using standard procedures. Results obtained showed that guinea corn and millet paps were the first foods introduced to children in the zone. The ash content ranged from 0.63±0.01 to 1.21±0.20 g/100 g with the crude protein ranging from 1.38±0.30 to 3.15±0.01 g/100 g and crude fat 0.07±0.01 to 2.56±0.06 g/100 g. Levels of lysine (1.55 to 3.11 g/100 g protein) and methionine (0.70 to 1.15 g/100 g protein) were below the international reference values of 4.2 and 2.2 for lysine and methionine, respectively. Zinc content ranged from 4.16 to 7.47 mg/100 g and iron content was between 17.82 and 33.88 mg/100 g. Phytates (0.04±0.01 to 0.12±0.02 mg/100 g), tannins (12.95±5.79 to 56.54±11.59 mg/100 g) and free cyanide (0.05±0.01 to 0.74±0.04 mg/100 g) levels in the commonly used complementary foods were low. There is low protein intake by children in the zone since their diet is mainly based on cereal with no other supplementation

Assessment of the biodegradation of 1-methyl naphthalene using immobilized Pseudomonas macerans and Bacillus subtilis on periwinkle snail shell

The treatment of pollution using eco-friendly and sustainable methods is one of the bases of biotechnology. The work reports the use of periwinkle snail shell (PS) as carrier to immobilize Pseudomonas macerans and Bacillus subtilis for the biodegradation of 1-methyl naphthalene in aqueous medium. The biodegradation of 1-methyl naphthalene (500 mg L-1) were monitored after 36 h and 72 h by determining the concentration of carbonic acid (by titrimetric method) following the release of carbon (IV) oxide. The pH as well as the Fourier Transform-infrared (FT-IR) of the metabolites from the bioreactors/reactors were also studied. The pH of all the supernatants in the bioreactors/reactors decreased with time. There was increase in the concentration of H2CO3 due to the biodegradation of 1-methyl naphthalene by immobilized Pseudomonas macerans and Bacillus subtilis on 1.0 g and 2.0 g of PS. However, the use of immobilized Pseudomonas macerans on PS resulted to significant biodegradation of 1-methylnaphthalene (range of 0.61 - 0.81 mg/L H2CO3) compared to degradation alone with PS after 72 h. FTIR of the metabolite at end products show new peaks within 3372- 3268 cm-1 and within 1643-1640cm-1, these bands are attributed to overlapping of hydroxyl (OH) and carbonyl (C=O) stretching in carboxylic acid respectively, this implies that 1-methyl naphthalene got converted to carboxylic acid. Therefore, the use of carbonaceous wastes for localization in order to enhance biodegradation of hydrocarbons can be harnessed for mop-up of oil spills.Keywords: Biodegradation, Immobilized, Periwinkle snail shell, Pseudomonas macerans, Bacillus subtili

Carbon mineralization by reaction with steel-making waste: A review

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is taking the lead as a means for mitigating climate change. It is considered a crucial bridging technology, enabling carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from fossil fuels to be reduced while the energy transition to renewable sources is taking place. CCS includes a portfolio of technologies that can possibly capture vast amounts of CO 2 per year. Mineral carbonation is evolving as a possible candidate to sequester CO2 from medium-sized emissions point sources. It is the only recognized form of permanent CO 2 storage with no concerns regarding CO 2 leakage. It is based on the principles of natural rock weathering, where the CO 2 dissolved in rainwater reacts with alkaline rocks to form carbonate minerals. The active alkaline elements (Ca/Mg) are the fundamental reactants for mineral carbonation reaction. Although the reaction is thermodynamically favored, it takes place over a large time scale. The challenge of mineral carbonation is to offset this limitation by accelerating the carbonation reaction with minimal energy and feedstock consumption. Calcium and magnesium silicates are generally selected for carbonation due to their abundance in nature. Industrial waste residues emerge as an alternative source of carbonation minerals that have higher reactivity than natural minerals; they are also inexpensive and readily available in proximity to CO 2 emitters. In addition, the environmental stability of the industrial waste is often enhanced as they undergo carbonation. Recently, direct mineral carbonation has been investigated significantly due to its applicability to CO 2 capture and storage. This review outlines the main research work carried out over the last few years on direct mineral carbonation process utilizing steel-making waste, with emphasis on recent research achievements and potentials for future research

Behavior of Tapered Self-Compacting Reinforced Concrete Beams Strengthened by CFRP

This study presents an experimental investigation on the behavior of fourteen reinforced self-compacting concrete tapered beams with or without strengthening. The strengthening was applied by using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) to beams with simply supported span and subjected to two points loading. Those beams have an overall length of 2000 mm, a width of 150 mm and a height of 250 mm at supports (hs) and a mid-span depth (hm) varies between 150 mm and 200 mm and with different strengthening scheme, they are investigated to evaluate the behavior at experimental test and to study the effect of the parameters which include haunch angle α, shear-span to effective depth ratio a/d and strengthening strips number and locations on beams behavior. The experimental results show that decreasing the value of haunch angle α increased the load capacity by about 56% and decreased the corresponding deflection while when tapered beams are strengthened by CFRP the ultimate load is increased up to 39% with decrease of deflection. On the other hand, increasing a/d ratio leads to a decrement in load capacity and increment in deflection

Steam System Optimization at Palm Oil Mill: Case Study in Sabah, Malaysia

In this paper, a preliminary study of industrial steam system reveals that most of the industrial steam user especially the palm oil mill did not bother to save energy as long as the mill meets their productions target and is getting profits for the company. The management is not aware that a huge amount of energy is being wasted during the processes of extracting oil from the fresh fruit bunch (FFB). To embark this study, Steam System Scoping Tool (SSST), Steam System Assessment Tool (SSAT) and 3E Plus: Insulation Program Software, provided by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) are used to assess the efficiency of steam system operations. The tools also assist in preliminary assessments of how efficiently the steam system is operating. After analyses are conducted, the proposed improvement project is recommended to modify the system back to its initial designed best efficiency. The results also show that there were various losses that are contributing to the energy waste and its cost impact to the mill. Meanwhile, the boiler efficiency was only about 68.6%. The findings proposed steam system optimization (SSO) opportunities by installing the feedwater economizer and reducing the blowdown rate of the boiler. The efficiency of the boiler was increased to 77% from its current operating condition. This also improved the steam quality and production output of the mill. Through these SSO, the annual demand saving is around 4.9 MW, with an energy saving of 75,276 GJ/yr., capable of reducing 13,002 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions per annum and save 598.3 Tph/yr of biomass fuel. Thus, through this steam system optimization the estimated annual net cost savings are around USD 100,000.00. This paper aims at promoting similar system optimization projects at other plants throughout Malaysia, as it benefits to all industrial steam user especially the palm oil mill industries in Malaysia

Prevalence of Prediabetes in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and Its Relation to In-Hospital Clinical Outcome

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of vascular disease. The caseload is expected to reach 350 million by the year 2030, and it is estimated that up to 30% of patients are undiagnosed. Objective: The aim of the study was to explore the prevalence of prediabetes in patients admitted with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) who were not known to have diabetes and to determine the impact of prediabetes on in-hospital clinical outcomes versus non-diabetic patients. Patients and methods: This prospective study was conducted on 60 patients with acute coronary syndrome who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University during the period from September 2019 to March 2020. All studied subjects were subjected to full history taking complete clinical examination, complete blood count, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), lipid profile, serum creatinine and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), ECG and ECHO. Results: There was a statistical significant difference between the studied groups regarding acute coronary syndrome types, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), serum creatinine, and high-density lipoproteins cholesterol. There was statistically significant difference between the studied patients grouped according to the clinical outcome regarding ACS types. Conclusion: Prediabetes is common in patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome who are not previously known to have diabetes. Pre-diabetic patients had worse in-hospital clinical outcomes compared with patients without diabetes. Pre-diabetic patients with ACS have greater  prevalence of cardio-metabolic risk factors (abdominal obesity, and hypertension) as compared to non-diabetic patients

Experience with the large eddy simulation (LES) technique for the modelling of premixed and non-premixed combustion

Paper presented at the 8th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Mauritius, 11-13 July, 2011.Compared to RANS based combustion modelling, the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) technique has recently emerged as a more accurate and very adaptable technique in terms of handling complex turbulent interactions in combustion modelling problems. In this paper application of LES based combustion modelling technique and the validation of models in non-premixed and premixed situations are considered. Two well defined experimental configurations where high quality data are available for validation is considered as case studies to demonstrate the methods, accuracy and capability of the LES combustion modelling technique as a predictive tool. The large eddy simulation technique for the modelling flow and turbulence is based on the solution of governing equations for continuity and momentum in a structured Cartesian grid arrangement. Smagorinsky eddy viscosity model with a localised dynamic procedure is used as the sub-grid scale turbulence model. A swirl flame is considered as the nonpremixed combustion application. For non-premixed combustion modelling a conserved scalar mixture fraction based steady laminar flamelet model is used. A radiation model incorporating the discrete transfer method is also included in the non-premixed swirl flame calculations. For premixed combustion where the application considered here is flame propagation in a confined explosion chamber, a model based on dynamic flame surface density (DSFD) is used. It is shown that in both cases LES based combustion models perform remarkably well and results agree well with the experimental data.mp201