Thermal experimental dielectric characterization of cost-fewer low-density polyethylene nanocomposites

Polymer properties can be experimentally tailored by adding small amounts of different fillers, but they are expensive with respect to the classical polymer materials. This paper has been studied the enhancement and controlling of electric and dielectric properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) polymer materials by cost-fewer nanoparticles. Certain percentages of clay and fumed silica nanoparticles have been enhanced electric and dielectric properties of low-density polyethylene nanocomposite. Dielectric spectroscopy has been measured the electric and dielectric properties of low-density polyethylene with and without nanofillers at various frequencies (10Hz-100kHz) and temperatures (20°C, 40°C and 60°C). Also, it has been investigated the optimum percentages of nanofillers with respect to nanofillers type, filler concentration and temperature for enhancing electric and dielectric characterization of low-density polyethylene. Experimental measurements have been carried out on dielectric breakdown strength of new polyethylene nanocomposites materials under variant electric fields (uniform, and non-uniform) and variant temperatures. It has been specified the effective nanofillers factors on dielectric breakdown strength of polyethylene nanocomposites materials

High Performance of Power Cables Using Nanocomposites Insulation Materials

Partial discharges occur the biggest failure problem in power cable insulation due to distortion of electrical stress. In this paper, it has been investigated on the effect of spherical nanoparticles of Barium titanate (BaTiO3) and Clay for enhancing electrostatic field distribution in single and three-core power cables. It has been applied new strategies of nanotechnology techniques for designing innovative polyvinyl chloride insulation materials by using nanocomposites and multi-nanocomposites. Moreover, it has been studied the electrostatic field distribution within power cable nanocomposites insulation in presence of air voids, water voids and cupper impurity voids. The electrostatic field distribution in power cable insulation has been calculated by finite element method (FEM). A comparative study has been investigated on the effect of nanocomposite insulation for enhancing electric field stress in power cables.

Improvement Optical and Electrical Characteristics of Thin Film Solar Cells Using Nanotechnology Techniques

This work presents a theoretical study for the distribution of nanocomposite structure of plasmonic thin-film solar cells through the absorber layers. It can be reduced the material consumption and the cost of solar cell. Adding nanometallic fillers in the absorber layer has been improved optical, electrical characteristics and efficiency of traditional thin film solar cells (ITO /CdS/PbS/Al and SnO2/CdS/CdTe/Cu) models that using sub micro absorber layer.  Also, this paper explains analysis of J-V, P-V and external quantum efficiency characteristics for nanocomposites thin film solar cell performance. Also, this paper presents the effect of increasing the concentration of nanofillers on the absorption, energy band gap and electron-hole generation rate of absorber layers and the effect of volume fraction on the energy conversion efficiency, fill factor, space charge region of the nanocomposites solar cells.

Factors affecting the occurrence of postpartum depression among puerperal women in Sohag city, Egypt

Aim: Postpartum Depression (PPD) is one of the most common complications of the postpartum period. In Egypt, previous studies have reported that the prevalence of PPD ranged from 20-50% depending on location in Lower and Upper Egypt. This study aimed to evaluate the co-factors affecting the occurrence of PPD amongst puerperal women in Sohag city, Egypt. Methods: The study was carried out at Sohag University Hospital from June 2015 to May 2016. All women within 6 weeks after birth who gave their consent were included. A pretested questionnaire including demographic, psychosocial, maternal and infant variables as well as the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was completed. A woman with an EPDS score ≥13 was considered to have PPD, while a score \u3c 12 ruled out PPD. Results: We recruited 658 women, among whom 47 had an EPDS score ≥13, giving a prevalence of 7.14% of PPD. Women who delivered female babies or those who had a medical illness in their babies were significantly more likely to suffer from PPD. Conclusion: The prevalence of PPD in our setting was 7.14% which reflected the lowest prevalence among regions in Egypt. This could be due to differences of regional culture, families’ ties or other co-factors and needs further verification

A review of the national and international agro-food policies and institutions in the Mediterranean Region

This synthesized report aims at providing a comparative view of agricultural sectors and policies in the MPC, based on the individual country reports and expanding the gathered information. It offers an overall depiction of the whole MPC region under investigation and a comparative perspective, along with a summary of the key country characteristics. More in-depth, country-specific information should be sought within the country reports. In this sense, this report should be examined together with the individual country reports from which, country-related information have been extracted. References to the country reports are omitted for simplicity reasons, as it is defined that they constitute the basis of this report. In addition, and for the same reason, all references made within the country reports have been also omitted. Detailed reference sources can be found within the country reports. Any reference to additional sources, not referred to in the country reports, is explicitly mentioned. In Annex II, following the Mediterranean Partner Countries’ reports, a report entitled “Euro- Mediterranean policy and other ongoing processes and their main impact on Mediterranean Partner Countries” is given, in which the relations between the EU and the MPC under the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership (i.e. Barcelona process) are analysed

Interactive Effects of Immunoglobulin Gamma and Human Leucocyte Antigen Genotypes on Response to Interferon Based Therapy of Hepatitis C Virus

AIM: We examined the role that immunoglobulin GM 23 and KM allotypes—genetic markers of γ and κ chains, respectively—play in response to treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in Egyptian patients.MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 120 persons who had responded to HCV treatment and 125 with persistent HCV infection were genotyped for the presence of GM23 and KM determinants. HLA –C genotyping was also done.RESULTS: Association of GM 23+ and KM3 was significantly associated with non response to treatment (P < 0.0001). Individuals who lacked this GM genotype (but were positive for KM1,2 and 3) were likely to respond to treatment (P=0.045). Association of heterozygous GM23 (+/-) with KM 1,2 and 3 or KM3 alone was significantly associated with SVR (P = 0.001) and (P = 0.0001) respectively. Particular combinations of HLA and GM genotypes were associated significantly with the response to HCV treatment. The combination of HLAC2C2 and GM23+ was associated with persistence of infection (P = 0.027) while the association of HLAC2C2 and heterozygous GM23+/- was associated with SVR (P = 0.001).The association of HLAC1C1 and heterozygous GM23+/- was significantly associated with SVR (P = 0.001) and also subjects with HLA C1/C2 and heterozygous GM23+/- were likely to respond to treatment (P = 0.003) while subjects with HLA C1/C2 and GM23+ show tendency to resist to treatment (P = 0.0001).CONCLUSION: Our results didn’t support a role for KM allotypes, GM23 allotype plays a role in the persistence of HCV infection in the presence or absence of KM1,3. Interaction between certain GM and HLA-C genotypes may favor adequate response to interferon based therapies

Safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy in comorbid patients: A 3 years prospective observational study

Purpose: To report the result of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) via standard nephrostomy tract in a single training institution. The perioperative complications in relation to the comorbid state are particularly assessed. Patients and methods: A prospective interventional study between January 2019 to November 2022, included 210 patients scheduled for PCNL. The average age was 40.3 ± 11.8 years (range 18- 67 years). Patients were categorized into two groups. The first group comprised 146 cases (69 .5%) with no associated co-morbidities while the second group 64 (30.5%) had co-morbidities such as obesity in 4 cases (1.9%), hypertension (HTN) in 24 cases (11.4%) cases, diabetes mellitus (DM) in 17 (8.1%) cases, history of recurrent stone surgery in 11 (5.2%) cases and more than one in 8 cases (3.8%). Co-morbidities, stone burden, location of stone, time of surgery, stay in the hospital, further operations, and negative events were among the reported data. Complications and the stone-free rate were the main outcome indicators. Results: Intraoperative complications were reported in 40 (18.8%) patients (18 group 1 and 22 group 2) during PCNL. Bleeding occurred in 22 (10.5%) patients (9 group 1 and 13 group 2), blood transfusions were needed in 4 (1.9%) (2 group 1 and 2 group 2), extravasation was observed in 11 patients (5.2%) (6 group 1 and 5 group 2) and cardiac arrhythmia in 3 (1.4%) (1 group 1 and 2 group 2) patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 61 patients (29%) (24 group 1 and 37 group 2) in the form of fever in 10 patients (4.8 %) (3 group 1 and 7 group 2) and prolonged leakage in 50 patients (23.8%) (21 group 1 and 29 group 2). One patient of group 2 died from postoperative sepsis. Extravasation and postoperative leakage were higher in diabetic patients than in non-diabetics. Stonefree rate was 60.5% (127 of 210). Clinically significant residual fragments (CSRFs) found in 70 cases (33.3%) (33 group 1 and 37 group 2). In 13 cases (6.2%) (5 group 1 and 8 group 2), clinically insignificant residual fragments (CIRFs) were found. In 8 (3 group 1 and 5 group 2) of the 13 cases, spontaneous stone passage was observed within 4-6 weeks of surgery. Residual stones in three cases (1 group 1 and 2 group 2) were asymptomatic and 4 mm or less, whereas stones increased in two cases of group 2. Among all factors studied, stone burden was significantly correlated to both intraoperative and postoperative complications. The occurrence of postoperative fever increased with large stone burden. Conclusions: PCNL is a therapeutic modality that is effective, feasible, and safe for a wide range of patients with concurrent medical issues. A steep curve is required to reduce intraoperative and postoperative complications

Evaluation of Rezum therapy as a minimally invasive modality for management of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A prospective observational study

Objective: To evaluate safety and efficacy of Rezum therapy as a minimally invasive modality for management of benign prostatic hyperplasia in patients with prostate volume 80cc. Methods: Between June 2020 and February 2023, A total of 98 patients diagnosed with BPH and managed by Rezum were included in this study. Patients were divided based on their prostate volume of either less than 80 cc or greater than 80 cc. We evaluated several parameters related to their condition, including prostate volume, post-voiding residual (PVR) before and after surgery, number of treatments received, maximum urine flow rate (Qmax) before and after surgery and mean follow- up periods. Results: The mean age was 68 years (SD 11.2). The median prostatic volume was 62 cc (IQR 41, 17). A maximum of 9 treatments were administered. Six months was determined to be the average post-operative follow-up period (IQR: 3.5-7.2). The mean preoperative total PSA was 2.7 (IQR 1, 2), preoperative mean PVR was 79.8 cm3, preoperative mean Qmax was 8.2 ml/s (IQR 4.7-10.5), and median post-operative days until catheter removal was four days (IQR 3,1). Post-operative PVR was 24.7 cm3 (IQR 18.2, 29.4) and the mean post-operative Qmax was 18.3 ml/s (SD 6.3). Qmax levels significantly increased, by an average of 8.2 ml/s (SD 7.13) (p < 0.001). Similarly, a decrease of average PVR of 97.28 cm3 (SD 95.85) (p < 0.001) was detected, which is a substantial reduction. Between prostates less 80cc and those over 80cc, there were no appreciable differences in Qmax or PVR (p-values: 0.435 and 0.431, respectively). Conclusions: From our study, we conclude that Rezum water vapor thermal therapy, as a minimally invasive modality, is an effective and safe surgical option for management of benign prostatic hyperplasia of men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). This procedure has been shown to be effective in patients with varying larger prostate volumes

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication