Evaluation of a Twin-Fluid Nozzle for Precision Air-Assisted Agro-Chemical Application

The purpose of agrochemical application is to provide nutrients for plant growth and to control weeds, insects and other crop pests as well as plant and animal disease pathogens. The objective of this study was to fabricate a twin fluid nozzle (TFN) and evaluate its distribution pattern for on-the-go precision air-assisted agricultural chemical application. The fabricated nozzle prototype was mounted on a test rig in the laboratory with a view to determine its distribution pattern at various liquid pressures and flow rates while the air pressure was kept constant in the first instance.Thereafter, the distribution pattern was also determined for varying air pressure while keeping the liquid flow rate and pressure constant.It was concluded that independent control of liquid flow rates and spray distribution pattern was achieved by a combination of controlling liquid and air pressure. In addition, a flow turndown ratio of 1.414:1 corresponding to 35.34 to 49.98 L/min, at a fixed air pressure was achieved by the TFN and that even spray distribution pattern were observed for 35.34 L/min liquid flow rate and 200 kPa liquid pressure for air pressures below 500 kPa. Although the pattern width was independent of variation in air pressure it decreased by 40 percent as the flow rate decreased from 49.98 to 35.34 L/min

Advanced leiomyosarcoma of the uterus: a case report and literature review

Uterine leiomyosarcoma is a rare malignancy accounting for 1-2% of uterine malignancies with an annual incidence of 0.5-7 per 100,000 women. It occurs mostly between the 5th to 7th decades of life hence found more among postmenopausal women.  The aetiology is mostly unknown however, in 0.2% of cases, it originates from sarcomatous degeneration in a pre-existing benign uterine fibroid. Leiomyosarcoma can be mistaken for uterine leiomyoma also known as the uterine fibroid.  It is an aggressive tumour that has a poor prognosis, with or without treatment. This case report aimed to report and discuss the occurrence of leiomyosarcoma as a differential diagnosis of abnormal uterine bleeding in this environment among other conditions. This will bring to the fore awareness among gynaecologists, pathologists, radiologists and oncologists that leiomyosarcoma of the uterus, though rare, should be considered in cases of menorrhagia with suspected uterine fibroid to avoid mistaking it for a diagnosis of uterine fibroid/leiomyoma. It is, therefore, imperative to consider leiomyosarcoma in a pre-menopausal and perimenopausal women diagnosed of abnormal uterine bleeding with symptomatic uterine fibroid. MRI serves as a good tool in differentiating the two pathologies.

Elemental compositions and anti-anemic property of Harungana madagascariensis stem bark

The concentrations of 15 elements and heavy metals in the stem bark of Harungana madagascariensis were determined using an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometer. The anti-anemic activity was done using the changes in hematological parameters (PCV, RBC and Hb) influenced by phenylhydrazine HCL (80 mg/kg) and malaria parasites-induced anemia. Results show Cd, Ni, Mo, Cr and Br were in the range of 0.021–0.94 mg/g, while Pb, Zn, Fe, Cu and Hg were in the range of 1.50–7.24 mg/g. The elements with very high concentration were Ca, K, Sr, Mn and Cl and were in the range of 10.5–774.3 mg/g. Remarkable anti-anemic activity was obtained with PCV of 40–48%, RBC count of 81-155 x104 and Hb value of 57-66 g/dL after treatment; compared with 30% PCV, 67 x104 RBC count and 36.5 g/dL Hb value obtained for the untreated control animals. Our results suggest that H. madagascariensis stem bark extract constituents exhibit anti-anemic activity

Adaptation of the Wound Healing Questionnaire universal-reporter outcome measure for use in global surgery trials (TALON-1 study): mixed-methods study and Rasch analysis

BackgroundThe Bluebelle Wound Healing Questionnaire (WHQ) is a universal-reporter outcome measure developed in the UK for remote detection of surgical-site infection after abdominal surgery. This study aimed to explore cross-cultural equivalence, acceptability, and content validity of the WHQ for use across low- and middle-income countries, and to make recommendations for its adaptation.MethodsThis was a mixed-methods study within a trial (SWAT) embedded in an international randomized trial, conducted according to best practice guidelines, and co-produced with community and patient partners (TALON-1). Structured interviews and focus groups were used to gather data regarding cross-cultural, cross-contextual equivalence of the individual items and scale, and conduct a translatability assessment. Translation was completed into five languages in accordance with Mapi recommendations. Next, data from a prospective cohort (SWAT) were interpreted using Rasch analysis to explore scaling and measurement properties of the WHQ. Finally, qualitative and quantitative data were triangulated using a modified, exploratory, instrumental design model.ResultsIn the qualitative phase, 10 structured interviews and six focus groups took place with a total of 47 investigators across six countries. Themes related to comprehension, response mapping, retrieval, and judgement were identified with rich cross-cultural insights. In the quantitative phase, an exploratory Rasch model was fitted to data from 537 patients (369 excluding extremes). Owing to the number of extreme (floor) values, the overall level of power was low. The single WHQ scale satisfied tests of unidimensionality, indicating validity of the ordinal total WHQ score. There was significant overall model misfit of five items (5, 9, 14, 15, 16) and local dependency in 11 item pairs. The person separation index was estimated as 0.48 suggesting weak discrimination between classes, whereas Cronbach's α was high at 0.86. Triangulation of qualitative data with the Rasch analysis supported recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ items 1 (redness), 3 (clear fluid), 7 (deep wound opening), 10 (pain), 11 (fever), 15 (antibiotics), 16 (debridement), 18 (drainage), and 19 (reoperation). Changes to three item response categories (1, not at all; 2, a little; 3, a lot) were adopted for symptom items 1 to 10, and two categories (0, no; 1, yes) for item 11 (fever).ConclusionThis study made recommendations for cross-cultural adaptation of the WHQ for use in global surgical research and practice, using co-produced mixed-methods data from three continents. Translations are now available for implementation into remote wound assessment pathways