Laboratory approach for detection of non-invasive fungal rhinosinusitis: A case-control study

         Noninvasive fungal rhinosinustis is problematic being resistant to traditional medical treatment. Mycology laboratory work helps solving this issue. This case control study was designed to supplement the lacking information about the frequency of noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis in our locality and identify fungal species responsible for this condition in Zagazig University Hospitals. In addition, to evaluate the role of microscopic examination, antigen detection and PCR in comparison to culture technique in diagnosis. Sinus material was collected from seventy eight cases represented clinically and radiologically with noninvasive fungal rhinosinusitis from June 2013 to September 2015. A control group 78 subjects with healthy sinuses from whom nasal smears were obtained. Samples were processed in Mycology Unit and examined microscopically in 10% KOH preparations. Lactophenol cotton blue slide preparations were examined for microscopic structures as hyphae and conidia. PCR amplification of the extracted DNA was performed using fungal universal primers for amplification of 28 S rDNA genes. Results: Microscopic examination revealed hyphae and fruiting bodies in 37 (47.4% of the cases). Culture diagnosed 36 FRS patients. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most frequently isolated from fungal rhino sinusitis (52.7 %) of cases, followed by Penicillium spp. in 22.2%. PCR amplification exhibits the same sensitivity and specificity as those demonstrated by microscopic examination (100% and 97.3% respectively). ELISA of Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) antigen lacked sensitivity (58.3%), with a higher specificity (100%). Conclusion: It is concluded that an experienced mycological confirmation especially, direct microscopic examination of clinically suspected noninvasive FRS cases is necessary for a final diagnosis. Key words: Rhinosinusitis; fungus; KOH; galactomannan; PCRRunning Title: Fungal rhinosinusitis mycology la

Numerical Investigation of Buoyancy Effect Associated with a Continuously Moving Horizontal plate

This work presents numerical studies of the effects of buoyancy force parameter, Bf, coupled with viscous dissipation on the convective heat transfer in a fluid-filled rectangular cavity. The cavity is bounded by a hot horizontal plate maintained at temperature Tw and moving continuously at velocity Uw. It is also bounded on the left vertical and lower horizontal sides by cold isothermal walls and an adiabatic vertical wall on the right. The cavity was filled with quenching medium. The study was carried out for different quenching media such as oil with Prandtl number, Pr = 10, air with Prandtl number, Pr = 0.7 and liquid metal with Prandtl number, Pr = 0.01, for various bouyancy parameters in the range 5 x 10-3 ≤ Bf ≤ 10-2, fixed Eckert numbers, Ec = 1.0 and mixed convection parameter, Gr/Re2 = 1.0, in order to characterize the nature of the flow patterns and energy distribution. The flow governing equations including the momentum and energy equations were thereby solved using the finite difference method. The results are presented in the form of profiles for temperature, velocity and local Nusselt numbers. The results show that the buoyancy force parameter has significant influence on the velocity and temperature profile for a Prandtl number higher than unity at fixed viscous dissipation. Further results show that an increase in the buoyancy force parameter for a Prandtl number greater than unity leads to a significant increase in the maximum velocity attainable in the cavity. The results would be useful as baseline data for manufacturing and material processing industries involved with wire drawing, continuous rolling and glass fiber productions. Keywords: Buoyancy effect, Finite difference scheme, Heat transfer, Isotherms, Mixed Convectio

Thermal Evaluation of a Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrator Using Three Different Receivers

Energy demand, global warming from the fossil fuels and attempt to reduce greenhouse gas emission have placed the centre of attention on how to utilize an alternative sources of energy such as renewable energy technology This work presents the design, fabrication, and evaluation of the performance of Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrator (PTSC) as a source of heat energy. The PTSC is built, having the Supporting stand made of mild steel and reflector is made of the segmented mirror having a reflectivity of 0.85, a rim angle of 90o and aperture area of 2.5 m2 and with a concentration ratio of 11.7. The receiver pipes are made of three different materials; copper, aluminum, and stainless steel. The effects of shifts in focal lengths on the performance of the PTSC with three different receivers were investigated. The results reveal copper as a receiver tube conducts heat to the heat transfer fluid better than aluminum and stainless steel receivers. The focal length of 30 cm gave the best results compared to other values of 27 and 35 cm with a maximum temperature of 114.4 oC. The experimental results revealed that useful heat gained, overall heat loss coefficient, collector efficiency factor, heat removal factor, collector and thermal efficiency were 147.8 J, 5.04 W/m2K, 0.05, 15.05, 0.032% and 15.5% respectively. The study shows that the Parabolic Trough Solar Concentrator as a source of heat energy gives a promising performance. This concentrator will reduce the dependence on the electric power supply, and it controls pollution emanating from fossil fuel, thereby reducing environmental problems. Keywords: Parabolic Trough Solar Collector, Segmented Mirror, Efficiency, Receivers. DOI: 10.7176/JETP/9-5-03 Publication date:June 30th 201

Experimental Evaluation of a Thermally Driven Adsorption Refrigeration System in Ogbomoso Environs

Solar energy is the most promising among the available green energy sources and also the remedy to the increasing global warming potential and ozone depletion. This paper presents an experimental evaluation of an adsorption refrigeration system uses solar energy as a source of heat gain to drive the refrigeration system. It consists of a solar collector, an adsorbent bed, a condenser and an evaporator. The effect of variation of the ambient, condenser, evaporator and desorption temperatures on the COP system and SCP cycle with local weather parameters were investigated. A parabolic solar concentrator was built to collect the solar energy to heat the combination of adsorbent, Activated carbon and adsorbate, methanol and the system employed solar energy as the main power supply. The experimental results revealed that the ambient, condenser, evaporator and desorption temperatures were increased by 25%, 4%, 13% and 265% respectively with solar time from 9hr to 13hr. The response of COP and SCP with variation in solar radiation and desorption temperature had higher influence compare to other weather parameters. The collector and thermal efficiencies were 0.014 and 6.98% respectively at the peak inner adsorber temperature of 114.1 oC. The respective cycle and net solar COPs of the ARS were 0.408 and 0.00080 at an evaporator temperature of 17.1 oC. This study showed that the solar thermal-driven ARS performed well in south-western climatic conditions of Nigeria and can be used to replace conventional refrigeration system to reduce the effect of global warming and environmental pollutions caused chlorofloro-refrigerants. Keywords: Solar, Adsorption, Refrigeration, COP, Concentrator

Haemovigilance as a quality indicator in transfusion medicine: Pakistan’s perspective

In transfusion medicine, the concept of haemovigilance has emerged during the last three decades. It is structured and systematic surveillance of the entire vein-to-vein transfusion chain and a powerful quality tool. Haemovigilance has become an integral component of transfusion medicine. It helps increase safety and improves quality during blood donation and blood transfusion, from the blood donor to recipient of blood and blood components. The haemovigilance can be successfully implemented and maximum benefit obtained if the data analysis and resulting conclusions are mutually shared with the shareholders. Although haemovigilance has proven to be an effective tool to influence policy development, it is is not well established in Pakistan. The government’s Safe Blood Transfusion Programme has taken key initiatives to introduce, support, and consolidate the haemovigilance system necessitating many changes, in the system, in the institutions, in attitude, and behaviour. The implementation of haemovigilance in Pakistan will require a major paradigm shift. It will be a stepwise or staged approach, starting from institutional to regional/provincial levels and ending at the national level

Urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters

Urinary incontinence has the potential to diminish athletic performance and discourage women from participating in sport and exercise. This study determined the prevalence and possible risk factors for urinary incontinence in competitive women weightlifters. This research was a cross-sectional, survey-based study completed by 191 competitive women weightlifters. The frequency and severity of urinary incontinence was determined using the Incontinence Severity Index. Urinary incontinence was defined as an Incontinence Severity Index score >0. The survey questions focused on risk factors, the context and triggers for urinary incontinence, and self-care strategies. Approximately, 31.9% of subjects experienced urinary incontinence within 3 months of completing the survey. Incontinence Severity Index scores were significantly correlated with parity (r = 0.283, p = 0.01) and age (r = 0.216, p = 0.01). There was no significant correlation between the Incontinence Severity Index score and the number of years participating in any form of resistance training (r = −0.010, p = 0.886) or weightlifting (r = −0.045, p = 0.534), body mass index (r = 0.058, p = 0.422), or competition total (r = −0.114, p = 0.115). The squat was the most likely exercise to provoke urinary incontinence. Although the number of repetitions, weight lifted, body position, and ground impact may increase the likelihood of urinary incontinence occurring during a lift, it is difficult to determine which factor has the greatest influence. Some self-care strategies used by competitive women weightlifters who experience urinary incontinence, such as training while dehydrated, have the potential to diminish athletic performance

Urinary incontinence in competitive women powerlifters: a cross-sectional survey

Background: Urinary incontinence (UI) can negatively affect a woman’s quality of life, participation in sport and athletic performance. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of UI in competitive women powerlifters; identify possible risk factors and activities likely to provoke UI; and establish self-care practices. Methods: This international cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey completed by 480 competitive women powerlifters aged between 20 and 71 years. The Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) was used to determine the severity of UI. Results: We found that 43.9% of women had experienced UI within the three months prior to this study. The deadlift was the most likely, and the bench-press the least likely exercise to provoke UI. ISI scores were positively correlated with parity (τ = 0.227, p < 0.001), age (τ = 0.179, p < 0.001), competition total (τ = 0.105, p = 0.002) and body mass index score (τ = 0.089, p = 0.009). There was no significant correlation between ISI and years strength training (τ = − 0.052, p = 0.147) or years powerlifting (τ = 0.041, p = 0.275). There was a negative correlation between ISI score with having a pelvic floor assessment (η = 0.197), and the ability to correctly perform pelvic floor exercises (η = 0.172). Conclusion: The prevalence of UI in this cohort was at the upper limit experienced by women in the general population. Women who had undergone a pelvic floor examination or were confident in correctly performing pelvic floor exercises experienced less severe UI

Hydromagnetic boundary layer micropolar fluid flow over a stretching surface embedded in a non-darcian porous medium with radiation

We have studied the effects of radiation on the boundary layer flow and heat transfer of an electrically conducting micropolar fluid over a continuously moving stretching surface embedded in a non-Darcian porous medium with a uniform magnetic field. The transformed coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations are solved numerically. The velocity, the angular velocity, and the temperature are shown graphically. The numerical values of the skin friction coefficient, the wall couple stress, and the wall heat transfer rate are computed and discussed for various values of parameters

On the Classification of Gasoline-fuelled Engine Exhaust Fume Related Faults Using Electronic Nose and Principal Component Analysis

The efficiency and effectiveness of every equipment or system is of paramount concern to both the manufacturers and theend users, which necessitates equipment condition monitoring schemes. Intelligent fault diagnosis system using patternrecognition tools can be developed from the result of the condition monitoring. A prototype electronic nose that uses array ofbroadly tuned Taguchi metal oxide sensors was used to carry out condition monitoring of automobile engine using itsexhaust fumes with principal component analysis (PCA) as pattern recognition tool for diagnosing some exhaust relatedfaults. The results showed that the following automobile engine faults; plug-not-firing faults and loss of compression faultswere diagnosable from the automobile exhaust fumes very well with average classification accuracy of 91%.Key words: Electronic nose, Condition Monitoring, Automobile, Fault, Diagnosis, PCA