FIELDBUS INTEROPERABILITY TESTING AND SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

This report discusses the progress that has been done and the results from Foundation Fieldbus interoperability testing for Honeywell Host. The project work is in line with UTP team and PETRONAS Group Technology Solutions(PGTS) initiatives in FFIT. There are four vendors who supplied and installed the field bus system in the laboratory: Emerson, Honeywell, Foxboro & Yokogawa. But the author will only focus on segment 1 by using the Honeywell system. The main target of this project is to apply the basic interoperability tests for the system including device commissioning, decommissioning, online device replacement & calibration function checks, plus developing a plant model based on the test results as a step towards efficient real life application. This will give a better understanding of the Foundation Fieldbus system, elaborating strength and weakness points in the system, so this information and results could be implemented in PETRONAS’ Plants with absolute effectiveness. The tests are completed and the results will be recorded for future reference by PETRONAS. Also a plant model is done using a transmitter form segment 1. All the results from the test will be discussed and analyzed by the author in the next chapters

Coronary artery bypass grafting in non-dialysis dependent chronic renal disease

Background: Renal impairment is associated with increased morbidity and mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Therefore, we aimed to study the risk factors of increased morbidity and mortality after CABG in patients with non-dialysis-dependent mild-to-moderate chronic kidney disease. Methods: This prospective study included 50 patients with non-dialysis-dependent renal impairment (renal disease stage II or III) with off-pump (n= 25) or on-pump (n= 25) CABG. Postoperative outcomes and creatinine levels were compared between both groups. Results: The mean age of all patients was 48.4±12.3 years, and females presented 54% (n= 27). There were no differences in postoperative myocardial infarction (P= 0.923), atrial fibrillation (P= 0.776), blood transfusion (P=0.794), and ICU (P=0.772) and hospital stay (P= 0.698) between groups. Mechanical ventilation was longer in patients with on-pump CABG (16.4 ± 10.9 vs. 6.1 ± 3.2 hours; P˂0.001). Creatinine levels were significantly lower in patients who had off-pump CABG (P˂0.001). The cumulative mortality hazard increases to 56.7% in patients with preoperative creatinine levels above 2 mg/dl.   Conclusion: High preoperative creatinine levels could increase mortality in patients undergoing CABG. Off-pump CABG could be a better approach in patients with mild to moderate renal dysfunction

FIELDBUS INTEROPERABILITY TESTING AND SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

This report discusses the progress that has been done and the results from Foundation Fieldbus interoperability testing for Honeywell Host. The project work is in line with UTP team and PETRONAS Group Technology Solutions(PGTS) initiatives in FFIT. There are four vendors who supplied and installed the field bus system in the laboratory: Emerson, Honeywell, Foxboro & Yokogawa. But the author will only focus on segment 1 by using the Honeywell system. The main target of this project is to apply the basic interoperability tests for the system including device commissioning, decommissioning, online device replacement & calibration function checks, plus developing a plant model based on the test results as a step towards efficient real life application. This will give a better understanding of the Foundation Fieldbus system, elaborating strength and weakness points in the system, so this information and results could be implemented in PETRONAS’ Plants with absolute effectiveness. The tests are completed and the results will be recorded for future reference by PETRONAS. Also a plant model is done using a transmitter form segment 1. All the results from the test will be discussed and analyzed by the author in the next chapters

Novel Urinary Biomarkers and Chronic Kidney Disease After Coronary Angiography: A Prospective Case-Controlled Study

BACKGROUND: Novel urinary biomarkers may have potential for early detection of acute kidney injury. AIM: The aim of the study was to test two urinary biomarkers: Kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) and liver-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) as markers of kidney injury following coronary angiography. METHODS: This is a prospective non-randomized controlled trial, performed in two large teaching hospitals. Patients were recruited from the catheter lab or form nephrology outpatient clinics. In group (A), 100 patients with AKI on top of CKD after coronary angiography and Group B: Thirty-one patients with stable CKD as a control. KIM-1 and L-FABP were measured at base line and after 3 months. RESULTS: In group (A), 100 patients who had acute on top of CKD after coronary angiography, stage progression occurred in 15 patients in group (A) compared to two patients in group (B) (p = 0.28). The median change in eGFR after 3 months was not statistically significant between both groups (p = 0.8). Median baseline urinary liver-type fatty acid binding protein was higher in Group A compared to Group B (3.7 μg/g vs. 1.82μg/g). The change in L-FABP from baseline to 3 months was significant between both groups (p < 0.001). The median urinary concentrations of KIM-1 and L-FABP were higher at the end of the follow-up compared to base line values in both groups, (p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Urinary L-FABP correlates with kidney function decline in patients with acute on top of CKD after coronary angiography. Urinary levels of KIM-1 and L-FABP at 3 months increase significantly compared to baseline in patients with progressive CKD

Correlation of serum soluble endoglin to the severity of pre-eclampsia and its effect on the pregnancy outcome

Background: Preeclampsia is a major obstetric problem and a significant source of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia  is associated with  increased  risks of  placental  abruption,  acute renal  failure,  cerebrovascular and  cardiovascular complications, disseminated intravascular  coagulation,  and  maternal death. Consequently, early diagnosis of preeclampsia and  close  observation are imperative. In these cases of preeclampsia, combination of Doppler flowmetry and circulating angiogenic factors levels are recorded. Stepan et al examined endoglin, a cell-surface co-receptor for transforming growth factor in patients with Doppler flow patterns of preeclampsia at 19-24 weeks. Soluble endoglin levels were elevated in second trimester pregnancies with abnormal uterine perfusion in women who experienced preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to test if there is correlation between the level of serum endoglin in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia to the maternal and fetal outcome.Methods: This study was conducted on a group of 90 pregnant women attended to the Antenatal clinic and selected from the preeclampsia unit of EL- Shatby Maternity University Hospital, The selected patients were subdivided in two groups. Group A (control group): 30 cases of normotensive pregnant ladies. Group B (case group): 60 cases of severe preeclamptic pregnant ladies. Routine investigations, maternal serum soluble endoglin and ultrasound results were analysed and compared for both groups.Results: Significant correlation was found between severe preeclampsia and high level soluble endoglin. Significant correlation was found between high level of soluble endoglin and the occurrence of IUGR among the severe preeclamptic patients. Positive correlation was found between serum level of soluble endoglin and uterine artery PI and uterine artery RI, the higher the serum level of soluble endoglin the higher the uterine artery pulsatility and resistance index. Significant correlation was found between high level of soluble endoglin and the occurrence of specific complications, the higher the level of soluble endoglin the higher the risk of exposure to preeclampsia complications as the occurrence of eclamptic fits, the development of HELLP syndrome, the admission to the ICU, the admission of the baby to the NICU, and the fetal death.Conclusions: From our study, it is evident that serum endoglin rises during  normal  as  well  as  preeclamptic  pregnancy  and that  the  rise  in  preeclampsia  is  much  higher, the rise in endoglin levels may  occur  as  early  as  the  first  trimester  in  pregnancies  which  later  develop  preeclampsia.   Hence, used alone or in combination with uterine artery Doppler flowmetry, the measurement of soluble serum endoglin has the potential for use as a predictive clinical test for preeclampsia risk assessment and could potentially improve the outcome of pregnancy

Evaluation of Antioxidants Status at Diagnosis in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a neoplastic disease of immature lymphocytes or lymphocyte progenitor cells either the B- or T-cell lineage. It is the most common malignancy diagnosed in patients younger than 15 years, and account for approximately 25-30% of adult acute leukemia. Objective: To evaluate some antioxidants as zinc, selenium, vitamin A (retinol) and vitamin E (tocopherol) status at diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia and to compare it to that of a control population. Patients and methods: This case-control study was carried out at Oncology Unit of Pediatrics Department and Medical Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University Hospitals. This study consisted of two groups: Patients’ group (30 children patients with newly diagnosed ALL). As regard control group, it included 30 healthy children who were matched well with patients’ age and sex. Fasting levels of serum zinc, selenium, retinol and tocopherol were measured. Results: There was a high statistically significant decrease of vitamin E, selenium and zinc among all cases than their controls. While, there was a significant increase of vitamin A among all cases. Zinc level was statistically significantly increased with increased risk of disease, while no statistically significant relation between disease risk and other levels of serum antioxidant. Conclusion: Some antioxidants as zinc, selenium and vitamin E (tocopherol) status at diagnosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia are lower compared to that of a control population

Design and Experimental Performance Characterization of a Three-Blade Horizontal-Axis Hydrokinetic Water Turbine in a Low-Velocity Channel

The present work describes the design process of a 3D-printed prototype of a three-blade horizontal-axis hydrokinetic water turbine (HAHWT). The employed blade profile is an EPPLER818, which was previously studied through the Q-Blade software according to the velocity range presumed (v < 1 m/s) in the experiments. The prototype performance was studied in a recirculating water channel at the Polytechnic Engineering School of Mieres (Oviedo University), with a gate of variable height at the channel end, which allows for performing different hydrodynamic scenarios upon varying the considered flow rate. The results show that the extracted power increases due to the equally increased blockage ratio, which represents the ratio between the turbine area and the channel area. However, an excessive increase in the blockage ratio corresponds to a power reduction effect due to the reduction in the effective area and the generation of a two-phase air-water condition

EFFECT OF AQUATIC VERSUS CONVENTIONAL THERAPY IN TREATMENT OF CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN

Background: Chronic LBP a frequent sign of back dysfunction. The recent literature recorded that up to 90% of the world’s population complain from LBP which cause disability in people. This study conducted to compare the efficacy of aquatic and conventional therapy on pain level, functional limitation and lumbar ROM in subjects with CLBP. Methods: Forty CLBP were divided into two groups (A) control 20 subjects received conventional therapy. (B) experimental received 20 subjects received aquatic therapy the treatment was given for six weeks. Results: Mixed MANOVA test showed statistically significant enhancement in values of post-treatment in either group compared with pre-treatment in pain enhancement for group A was 54.86% and 57.74% for group B (P=0.0001), functional limitation enhancement for group A was 55.46% and 58.95% for group B (p=0.0001), and lumbar ROM enhancement for group A was 46.63%, 18.79%, for lumbar flexion, and extension, and for group B was 46.96%, 22.85% (p=0.0001). Conclusion: It is concluded that aquatic and conventional therapies have a similar result in reducing pain severity, functional limitation, and enhancing lumbar ROM in CLBP patients

Experimental analysis of the influence of the twist angle of the blades of hydrokinetic Darrieus helical turbines

[EN] Hydrokinetic turbines are presented as a future alternative for obtaining energy from water currents in a sustainable way. The increase in the efficiency of these turbines from different approaches constitutes a line of research in which numerous efforts are being concentrated. An experimental study is presented where the influence of the twist angle of the blades in the operation of the hydrokinetic turbines of the helical Darrieus type is analysed. The study is carried out in the water tunnel installed at the Polytechnic School of Mieres (EPM, University of Oviedo) equipped with the necessary instrumentation to obtain the characteristics of the evolution of the power produced with the rotational speed for different flow velocities and current blockages. Three models of turbine rotors were characterized with different twist angles (30º, 45º and 60º), under low current velocity and constant blockage conditions being able to know the conditions of maximum energy production, with clear differences between the cases. The results were also compared with the maximum power that can be recovered from a water current, defined by the actuator disc model for a uniform flow in channels, obtaining maximum efficiency values for the case of 45º twist angle.[ES] Las turbinas hidrocinéticas se presentan como una alternativa futura para la obtención de energía de las corrientes de agua de manera sostenible. El aumento de eficiencia de dichas turbinas desde distintas aproximaciones constituye una línea de investigación en la que se están concentrado numerosos esfuerzos. Se presenta un estudio experimental donde se analiza la influencia del ángulo de torsión de los álabes en el funcionamiento de las turbinas hidrocinéticas de tipo Darrieus helicoidal. El estudio se realiza en el túnel de agua instalado en la Escuela Politécnica de Mieres (EPM, Universidad de Oviedo) que dispone de la instrumentación necesaria para obtener las características de evolución de la potencia producida con la velocidad de rotación para distintas condiciones de velocidad del flujo y bloqueo de la corriente. Se caracterizaron tres modelos de rotores de turbinas con distintos ángulos de torsión (30°, 45° y 60°), en condiciones de baja velocidad de corriente y bloqueo constante, pudiendo conocer las condiciones de máxima obtención de energía, con diferencias claras entre los casos ensayados. También se compararon los resultados con la potencia máxima que puede recuperarse de una corriente de agua, definida por el modelo del disco actuador para un flujo uniforme en canales, obteniendo máximos valores de eficiencia para el caso de 45° de ángulo de torsión.Espina-Valdés, R.; Fernández-Jiménez, A.; Fernández-Pacheco, VM.; Gharib-Yosry, A.; Álvarez-Álvarez, E. (2022). Análisis experimental de la influencia del ángulo de torsión de los álabes de turbinas hidrocinéticas Darrieus helicoidales. Ingeniería del Agua. 26(3):205-216. https://doi.org/10.4995/ia.2022.17696OJS20521626