Framework for integrated oil pipeline monitoring and incident mitigation systems

Wireless Sensor Nodes (motes) have witnessed rapid development in the last two decades. Though the design considerations for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have been widely discussed in the literature, limited investigation has been done for their application in pipeline surveillance. Given the increasing number of pipeline incidents across the globe, there is an urgent need for innovative and effective solutions for deterring the incessant pipeline incidents and attacks. WSN pose as a suitable candidate for such solutions, since they can be used to measure, detect and provide actionable information on pipeline physical characteristics such as temperature, pressure, video, oil and gas motion and environmental parameters. This paper presents specifications of motes for pipeline surveillance based on integrated systems architecture. The proposed architecture utilizes a Multi-Agent System (MAS) for the realization of an Integrated Oil Pipeline Monitoring and Incident Mitigation System (IOPMIMS) that can effectively monitor and provide actionable information for pipelines. The requirements and components of motes, different threats to pipelines and ways of detecting such threats presented in this paper will enable better deployment of pipeline surveillance systems for incident mitigation. It was identified that the shortcomings of the existing wireless sensor nodes as regards their application to pipeline surveillance are not effective for surveillance systems. The resulting specifications provide a framework for designing a cost-effective system, cognizant of the design considerations for wireless sensor motes used in pipeline surveillance

Phytochemical screening, antioxidant, antiulcer and toxicity studies on Desmodium adscendens (Sw) DC Fabaceae leaf and stem

Purpose: To assess the phytochemical profile, toxicity, as well as the antioxidant, and antiulcer activities of the methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens stem and leaf.Methods: Maceration procedure was employed in the preparation of the methanol extracts. Phytochemical characterization of the extracts was carried out according to standard methods. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picryhyldrazy (DPPH l) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP). Antiulcer activity was investigated using ethanol-induced ulcer model, while toxicity was assessed by observing the mice for mortality.Results: Phytochemical analysis indicate the presence of glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins in the stem and leaf. Methanol extracts of the plant exhibited antioxidant activity, with DPPH assay results showing median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 87.59 (leaf), 108.87 (stem), 28.52 (alpha-tocopherol), and 5.05 μg/mL (ascorbic acid). The FRAP assay results for the stem and leaf extracts were 1483 and 1953 μM Fe2+/g dry plant, respectively, while for ascorbic acid it was 3463 μMFe2+/g. The extracts showed significant antiulcer activity, with 14.27 and 15.18 % ulceration inhibition for the leaf extract, and 12.31 and 13.36 % for the stem extract at administered doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Cimetidine and omeprazole (standards) showed ulceration inhibition of 5.53, and 8.26 % at 5.7 and 0.57 mg/kg doses, respectively.Conclusion: The methanol extracts of Desmodium adscendens stem and leaf offer significant protective activity against ethanol-induced gastric ulceration in rats, and the activity may be related to their antioxidant effect.Keywords: Antioxidant, Antiulcer, Toxicity, Desmodium adscenden

Pattern of immunohistochemical expression of inherited breast cancer genes and collagen changes among African women with early breast cancer in Calabar, Nigeria

The disparity in age of diagnosis and genetic testing of breast cancer among African women is a major cause of concern. The common inherited breast cancer genes like breast cancer gene 1 (BRCA1), breast cancer gene 2 (BRCA2) and Tumour protein 53 (TP53 or p53) as well as increase collagen deposition in the stroma predispose women to early breast cancer. The aim of this study was to establish the immunohistochemical expressions patterns of BRCA1, BRCA2, and p53 proteins as well as collagen changes in females with early onset breast cancers in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital. Data on breast tumours occurrences among 96 females were obtained from the Histopathology register. Ten randomly selected paraffin wax-embedded breast tissue blocks from Histopathology laboratory, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital were sectioned at 4 micrometer, stained histologically with haematoxylin and eosin, van Gieson for collagen fibres and immunohistochemically for BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 protein expressions. Results showed that of the 96 women with breast tumours, 84.4% were ≤50 years while 15.6% were >50 years. Among the 10 tissues, 60% were BRCA1(-) and 40% BRCA1(+), 10% BRCA2(-) with 90% BRCA2(+), and 30% p53(-) with 70% p53(+) for protein expressions, although these were not significant. The BRCA1(+) tissues had significant lower staining intensity than BRCA2(+) (50.5±12.5; p=0.011) and p53(+) (53.8±8.6; p=0.040) counterparts. Majority of the breast tumours had significant increases in collagen fibre sizes consistent with type of tumour and grade of carcinoma but was irrespective of BRCA or p53 statuses. In conclusion, breast tumours are common among women below 50 years in Calabar and the selected early breast cancers were mostly characterized by negative expressions of BRCA1, positive expressions of BRCA2 and p53 proteins as well as increase deposition of collagen fibres. There is urgent need to carryout wider studies on these inherited breast cancer genes and collagen alterations to determine the risk of early breast cancer development

Cladribine Treatment for MS Preserves the Differentiative Capacity of Subsequently Generated Monocytes, Whereas Its Administration In Vitro Acutely Influences Monocyte Differentiation but Not Microglial Activation

Cladribine (2-chlorodeoxyadenosine, 2CdA) is one of the most effective disease-modifying drugs for multiple sclerosis (MS). Cladribine is a synthetic purine nucleoside analog that induces cell death of lymphocytes and oral cladribine treatment leads to a long-lasting disease stabilization, potentially attributable to immune reconstitution. In addition to its effects on lymphocytes, cladribine has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects on innate immune cells, including dendritic cells and monocytes, which could also contribute to its therapeutic efficacy. However, whether cladribine can modulate human macrophage/microglial activation or monocyte differentiation is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the immunomodulatory effects of cladribine upon monocytes, monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) and microglia. We analyzed the phenotype and differentiation of monocytes from MS patients receiving their first course of oral cladribine both before and three weeks after the start of treatment. Flow cytometric analysis of monocytes from MS patients undergoing cladribine treatment revealed that the number and composition of CD14/CD16 monocyte subsets remained unchanged after treatment. Furthermore, after differentiation with M-CSF, such MDMs from treated MS patients showed no difference in gene expression of the inflammatory markers compared to baseline. We further investigated the direct effects of cladribine in vitro using human adult primary MDMs and microglia. GM-CSF-derived MDMs were more sensitive to cell death than M-CSF-derived MDMs. In addition, MDMs treated with cladribine showed increased expression of costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD40, as well as expression of anti-inflammatory, pro-trophic genes IL10 and MERTK, depending on the differentiation condition. Cladribine treatment in vitro did not modulate the expression of activation markers in human microglia. Our study shows that cladribine treatment in vitro affects the differentiation of monocytes into macrophages by modulating the expression of activation markers, which might occur similarly in tissue after their infiltration in the CNS during MS

Pattern and correlates of psychoactive substance use among new prison inmates in Nigeria

Psychoactive substance disorders among prison inmates are challenges to the prison authority, and this may interfere with the processes of reformation and rehabilitation therein. The study assessed the prevalence, pattern, and correlates of psychoactive substance use in a cross-sectional study involving 552 new inmates in a custodial center in Enugu, Nigeria. Diagnoses were made using the MINI-Plus (version 6) in line with the ICD 10. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of psychoactive substance disorder were 57.4% and 50.7%, respectively. The commonest substance disorders were tobacco (48.2% lifetime and 41.1% 12-month), cannabis (36.8% lifetime, and 32.4% 12-month), and alcohol (7.2% lifetime, and 6.9% 12-month). Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-squared test, and regression analyses were performed to assess the extent to which socio-demographic characteristics, type of offence, and family dysfunction predicted psychoactive substance use or disorder. Four hundred and seventy eight (86.6%) of participants had used psychoactive substance in their lifetime, while it was 405 (73.4%) in the last 12 months prior to imprisonment. Lifetime and 12-month rates of psychoactive substance disorder were 57.4% (n=317) and 50.7% (n=280), respectively. Male gender, unemployment, parental divorce, and parental drug use respectively, significantly predicted 12-month psychoactive substance disorder [β = 0.12, 95% (CI: 0.04, 0.39)], [β = 1.79, 95% (CI: 1.24, 2.60)], [β = 0.29, 95% (CI: 0.14, 0.59)], and [β = 0.56, 95% (CI: 0.39, 0.81)]. Lifetime disorder was significantly predicted by male gender [β = 0.12, 95% (CI: 0.04, 0.35)], unemployment [β = 1.60, 95% (CI: 1.10, 2.32)], parental divorce [β = 0.23, 95% (CI: 0.10, 0.52)], and parental drug use [β = 0.49, 95% (CI: 0.34, 0.72)]. Similarly, lifetime psychoactive substance disorder was associated with older age (U = 33355, Z = -2.104, p = 0.035), while the prevalence of 12-month use of psychoactive substance was significantly associated with charges of violent offences (χ2=13.55, p˂0.01). Conclusively, there is a high prevalence of psychoactive substance use and disorders among new prison inmates with  tobacco, cannabis and alcohol as the commonest. Given that male gender, unemployment, parental divorce and parental drug use  increase the likelihood of these disorders, it will be worthwhile for any drug intervention program to address these factors. Keywords: Psychoactive substances; drug; inmates; crime; Nigeria

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Go Through the Gale with us as we explore the role of lawyers in the struggle for multiracial democracy, a question made more urgent by the racial reckonings of 2020, the inequities laid bare by the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 election, and the January 6th insurrection. Columbia Law Students are joined by advocates, teachers, and experts to better understand the role of lawyers in building a racially equitable society

Discrepancies between the medical record and the reports of patients with acute coronary syndrome regarding important aspects of the medical history

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many critical treatment decisions are based on the medical history of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Discrepancies between the medical history documented by a health professional and the patient's own report may therefore have important health consequences.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Medical histories of 117 patients with an ACS were documented. A questionnaire assessing the patient's health history was then completed by 62 eligible patients. Information about 13 health conditions with relevance to ACS management was obtained from the questionnaire and the medical record. Concordance between these two sources and reasons for discordance were identified.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There was significant variation in agreement, from very poor in angina (kappa < 0) to almost perfect in diabetes (kappa = 0.94). Agreement was substantial in cerebrovascular accident (kappa = 0.76) and hypertension (kappa = 0.73); moderate in cocaine use (kappa = 0.54), smoking (kappa = 0.46), kidney disease (kappa = 0.52) and congestive heart failure (kappa = 0.54); and fair in arrhythmia (kappa = 0.37), myocardial infarction (kappa = 0.31), other cardiovascular diseases (kappa = 0.37) and bronchitis/pneumonia (kappa = 0.31). The odds of agreement was 42% higher among individuals with at least some college education (OR = 1.42; 95% CI, 1.00 - 2.01, p = 0.053). Listing of a condition in medical record but not in the questionnaire was a common cause of discordance.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Discrepancies in aspects of the medical history may have important effects on the care of ACS patients. Future research focused on identifying the most effective and efficient means to obtain accurate health information may improve ACS patient care quality and safety.</p