The Effect of Different Fuels on Particle Size and Morphology of FTO Nano Powder Synth-sized by Gel Combustion Method

In this study, a gel combustion method was used to prepare fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) nano powders. Stannous chloride dehydrate, hydrofluoric acid, and different fuels of glycine, urea, and citric acid were used to synthesize FTO nano powder, followed by calcination at 600 °C. The results showed that using citric acid as a fuel gives homogenous FTO nano powder with average particle size of 40 nm and round morphology. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3489

Hydrologic Assessment in Uri River Basin, using SWAT Model

River basin is considered to be perfect unit for management of the natural resources. Utilizing Remote Sensing and Geographical Information System (GIS) technique with mathematical models to assess the hydrologic parameters for the basin is being practiced widely now a day. In this work SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) having an interface with Arc MAP GIS software was used for the estimation of runoff yield of Uri river basin tributary of Narmada basin. The developed model was calibrated from the year 1999 to 2006 and validated for the period of 2008 to 2014. The coefficient of determination (R2) and Nash-Sutcliffe simulation efficiency (ENS) for the monthly runoff was obtained as 0.71 and 0.70 respectively for the calibration period and 0.70 and 0.69 respectively for the validation period

Synthesis of Single-Phase Anatase TiO2 Nanoparticles by Hydrothermal Treatment

Pure anatase powders of titanium dioxide with a homogeneous nanosized particles distribution were prepared by a facile hydrothermal route using solution of acetic acid and tetraisopropyl orthotitanate as the precursors with a molar ratio of 1:1. The modified hydrolyzed alkoxide was treated at various temperatures under different autogenic pressures. Two different reactors were employed as autoclaves for heating and generation of high pressures during the synthesis and crystallization of TiO2 nanoparticles. The characteristics of TiO2 powders obtained under various synthesis conditions were verified using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM). The results indicated that particles size of the formed TiO2 could be finely tuned by varying the experimental parameters of temperature, pressure and the amount of nitric acid in the peptization step. TiO2 nanoparticles with good dispersion and mean size of about 9 nm could be seen in FE-SEM image of sample synthesized under temperature of 160 °C for 12 h using more nitric acid in the peptization step. When you are citing the document, use the following link http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/3488

Spread of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii co-expressing OXA-23 and GES-11 carbapenemases in Lebanon

© 2015 The Authors. Objectives: The acquisition of carbapenemases by Acinetobacter baumannii is reported increasingly worldwide, but data from Lebanon are limited. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of imipenem-resistant A. baumannii in Lebanon, identify resistance determinants, and detect clonal relatedness. Methods: Imipenem-resistant A. baumannii were collected from nine Lebanese hospitals during 2012. Antimicrobial susceptibility, the cloxacillin effect, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) synergy were determined. Genes encoding carbapenemases and insertion sequence IS. Aba1 were screened via PCR sequencing. IS. Aba1 position relative to genes encoding Acinetobacter-derived cephalosporinases (ADCs) and OXA-23 was studied by PCR mapping. Clonal linkage was examined by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR). Results: Out of 724 A. baumannii isolated in 2012, 638 (88%) were imipenem-resistant. Of these, 142 were analyzed. Clavulanic acid-imipenem synergy suggested carbapenem-hydrolyzing extended-spectrum β-lactamase. A positive cloxacillin test indicated ADCs, while EDTA detection strips were negative. Genotyping indicated that 90% of isolates co-harbored blaOXA-23 and blaGES-11. The remaining strains had blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaGES-11, or blaOXA-24 with blaGES-11. ISAba1 was located upstream of blaADC and blaOXA-23 in 97% and 100% of isolates, respectively. ERIC-PCR fingerprinting revealed 18 pulsotypes spread via horizontal gene transfer and clonal dissemination. Conclusion: This survey established baseline evidence of OXA-23 and GES-11-producing A. baumannii in Lebanon, indicating the need for further surveillance

Countrywide spread of OXA-48 carbapenemase in Lebanon: Surveillance and genetic characterization of carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae in 10 hospitals over a one-year period

© 2014 The Authors. Objectives: To detect, characterize, and assess the genetic clonality of carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae in 10 Lebanese hospitals in 2012. Methods: Selected Enterobacteriaceae isolates with reduced susceptibility to carbapenems were subject to phenotypic study including antibiotic susceptibility, cloxacillin effect, modified Hodge test, and activity of efflux pump inhibitor. Carbapenemase genes were detected using PCR; clonal relatedness was studied by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Results: Out of 8717 Enterobacteriaceae isolated in 2012, 102 (1.2%) showed reduced susceptibility to carbapenems. Thirty-one (70%) of the 44 studied clinical isolates harbored blaOXA-48, including 15 Klebsiella pneumoniae, eight Escherichia coli, four Serratia marcescens, three Enterobacter cloacae, and one Morganella morganii. The majority of OXA-48 producers co-secreted an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, while one had an acquired AmpC of the ACC type. In the non-OXA-48 producers, carbapenem resistance was attributed to the production of acquired AmpC cephalosporinases of MOX or CIT type, outer membrane impermeability, and/or efflux pump overproduction. DNA fingerprints revealed that OXA-48 producers were different, except for clonal relatedness among four K. pneumoniae, two E. coli, two E. cloacae, and three S. marcescens. Conclusions: Nosocomial carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae are moderately spread in Lebanon and the predominant mechanism is OXA-48 production

Consensus Nomenclature for Reporting Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Data: Consensus on Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Nomenclature Study Group

© 2019 American Academy of Ophthalmology Purpose: To establish a process to evaluate and standardize a state-of-the-art nomenclature for reporting neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) data. Design: Consensus meeting. Participants: An international panel of retina specialists, imaging and image reading center experts, and ocular pathologists. Methods: During several meetings organized under the auspices of the Macula Society, an international study group discussed and codified a set nomenclature framework for classifying the subtypes of neovascular AMD and associated lesion components. Main Outcome Measures: A consensus classification of neovascular AMD. Results: The study group created a standardized working definition of AMD. The components of neovascular AMD were defined and subclassified. Disease consequences of macular neovascularization were delineated. Conclusions: The framework of a consensus nomenclature system, a definition of AMD, and a delineation of the subtypes of neovascular AMD were developed. Establishing a uniform set of definitions will facilitate comparison of diverse patient groups and different studies. The framework presented is modified and updated readily, processes that are anticipated to occur on a periodic basis. The study group suggests that the consensus standards outlined in this article be used in future reported studies of neovascular AMD and clinical practice

Process evaluation of a community-based program for prevention and control of non-communicable disease in a developing country: The Isfahan Healthy Heart Program, Iran

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of mortality in Iran. A six-year, comprehensive, integrated community-based demonstration study entitled Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) conducted in Iran, and it started in 2000. Evaluation and monitoring are integrated parts of this quasi-experimental trial, and consists of process, as well as short and long-term impact evaluations. This paper presents the design of the "process evaluation" for IHHP, and the results pertaining to some interventional strategies that were implemented in workplaces</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The process evaluation addresses the internal validity of IHHP by ascertaining the degree to which the program was implemented as intended. The IHHP process evaluation is a triangulated study conducted for all interventions at their respective venues. All interventional activities are monitored to determine why and how some are successful and sustainable, to identify mechanisms as well as barriers and facilitators of implementation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results suggest that factory workers and managers are satisfied with the interventions. In the current study, success was mainly shaped by the organizational readiness and timing of the implementation. Integrating most of activities of the project to the existing ongoing activities of public health officers in worksites is suggested to be the most effective means of implementation of the health promoting activities in workplaces.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results of our experience may help other developing countries to plan for similar interventions.</p

Combination of optison with ultrasound and electroporation increases albumin and thrompoietin transgene expression whilst elongation factor promoter prolongs its duration

Hypoalbuminaemia and thrombocytopaenia are two clinical problems frequently encountered in patients with chronic liver failure or cancer following treatment with chemotherapy. The current study was designed to assess the magnitude and duration of thrombopoietin and albumin transgene expression hoping to increase the production of albumin and platelets. Immunocompetent and immunocompromised (nude) mice were injected intramuscularly with plasmids expressing either human serum albumin or human thrombopoietin. The therapeutic expression cassette of the plasmids was driven by either CMV or elongation factor 1- promoters respectively. In order to achieve muscle specific expression both gene constructs included the myosin light chain enhancer. The experiment was conducted in a group of mice which were injected with the transgene plasmid either in normal saline or plasmid followed by electroporation, ultrasound, optison and a combination of all three to increase transgene expression. The result showed that plasmids with the CMV promoter induced the highest transgenic expression lasting for one week whilst plasmids with the elongation factor 1-alpha promoter produced a weaker expression lasting for a longer and more stable duration of expression up to 3 months in both immunocompetent and nude mice. The combination of electroporation and ultrasound with Optison TM provided the highest transgene expression. We concluded that it would be possible to increase albumin and platelets production by an intramuscular injection of plasmids expressing human albumin and thromopoietin. A combination of electroporation and ultrasound with Optison TM can increase their expression