Waterpipe tobacco smoking legislation and policy enactment: a global analysis

Objective (1) To review how current global tobacco control policies address regulation of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS). (2) To identify features associated with enactment and enforcement of WTS legislation. Data Sources (1) Legislations compiled by Tobacco Control Laws (www.tobaccocontrollaws.org). (2) Weekly news articles by ‘Google Alerts’ (www.google.com/alerts) from July 2013 to August 2014. Study Selection (1) Countries containing legislative reviews, written by legal experts, were included. Countries prohibiting tobacco sales were excluded. (2) News articles discussing aspects of the WHO FCTC were included. News articles related to electronic-waterpipe, crime, smuggling, opinion pieces or brief mentions of WTS were excluded. Data Abstraction (1) Two reviewers independently abstracted the definition of “tobacco product” and/or “smoking”. Four tobacco control domains (smokefree law, misleading descriptors, health warning labels and advertising/promotion/sponsorship) were assigned one of four categories based on the degree to which WTS had specific legislation. (2) Two investigators independently assigned at least one theme and associated subtheme to each news article. Data Synthesis (1) Reviewed legislations of 62 countries showed that most do not address WTS regulation but instead rely on generic tobacco/smoking definitions to cover all tobacco products. Where WTS was specifically addressed, no additional legislative guidance accounted for the unique way it is smoked, except for in one country specifying health warnings on waterpipe apparatuses (2) News articles mainly reported on noncompliance with public smoking bans, especially in India, Pakistan and the UK. Conclusions A regulatory framework evaluated for effectiveness and tailored for the specificities of WTS needs to be developed

Development Of Groundwater Quality Management Models Using Artificial Intelligence (Ai) And Statistical Approaches – Case Study – Khanyounis Governorate – Gaza Strip – Palestine

Groundwater (GW) is the unique water source for more than one third of the world's populations. GW quality is under serious threat due to the recent rapid urbanization and industrialization. GW contamination is influenced by various interrelated variables, leading to high complexity in the GW quality modelling process. Statistical and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques have recently become common GW modelling tools due to their high performance. In this research, hybrid systems composed of two AI techniques namely artificial neural networks (ANNs) and support vector machine (SVM) in addition to various multivariate statistical techniques, were utilized to simulate the concentrations of two GW quality parameters particularly nitrate (NO3-) and chloride (Cl-) in complex aquifers. The models were trained using limited and irregular monitoring data from 22 municipal wells from 1998 to 2010 in Gaza Coastal Aquifer (GCA) which is a complex and highly heterogeneous aquifer. Results of the statistical analyses deepened the understanding of the GCA influencing variables and GW quality trends. Both ANNs and SVM techniques showed very satisfactory simulation performance with comparable results. The correlation coefficient (r) and mean average percentage error (MAPE) for NO3- simulation model were 0.996 and 7% respectively. Meanwhile r and MAPE for Cl- simulation model were 0.998 and 3.7% respectively. The results demonstrated also the merit of performing clustering of input data into consistent clusters prior to separate application of AI techniques for each cluster. Given their high performance and simplicity, the developed models were effectively utilized as GW quality management decision support tools by assessing the effects of various management scenarios on NO3- and Cl- concentration in GCA for 2020 and 2030. Evaluation of GW quality management scenarios indicated that NO3- and Cl- concentrations in the study area municipal wells would noticeably increase if the situation remained without any immediate intervention. On the other hand, GW quality levels in most study area wells would be highly improved if a combination of management scenarios was adopted

Randomised feasibility study of a novel experience-based internet intervention to support self-management in chronic asthma.

ElectronicPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Efficient Method Cloud Point Extraction for Separation Preconcentration and Trace amount Determination of Bismuth (III) from Different Samples by New Laboratory Prepared Azo Derivative

By cloud point extraction methodology extracted Bi (III) after produced ion association complex with new laboratory prepared azo derivative AMIBSHA,in presence non-ionic surfactant Tritonx-100, the experiments show complex formation performed at pH=9 and heating for 20 minute at 90°C, the research involved determination all optimum values effect on the extraction efficiency, in addition to thermodynamic study and stoichiometry as well as interferences studies and electrolyte effect. With spectrophotometric determination in different samples. With detection limit =(7.764×10-7µg.mL-1) and Sandell’s sensitivity (9.749×10-10µg.cm-2) and ? = 21480.8 L.mol-1.cm-1and RSD% =0.00541. Keywords:Bismuth(III) , Cloud point layer ,Tritonx-100.

Frequency of cryptosporidium infection in children under five years of age having diarrhea in the North West of Pakistan

Cryptosporidium species are minute, coccidian protozoan parasites that have been associated withenterocolitis. It has worldwide distribution and has emerged as an important cause of diarrhea,particularly in children less than 5 years of age and in immunocompromised individuals. Waterbornetransmission is particularly troublesome because Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts are not eliminatedby chlorination or domestic disinfectants. In the present study, single stool specimens from youngchildren (< 5 years) presented with diarrhea were collected in Khyber teaching hospital, Peshawar,Pakistan. Wet mount preparation and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining were used for identification ofoocysts in stool specimens. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 18 (9.0%) out of 200 childrensuffering from diarrhea. Infection was common in children between 1 - 24 months of age and associatedwith abdominal cramps (50%), vomiting (61.1%) and prolonged duration of diarrhea (88.9%). Direct andindirect contact with animals was present in most of C. parvum infected children (83.3%). Most of C.parvum infected children were consumers of well water (77.8%). Cryptosporidium spp. are highlyinfectious causes of diarrheal illness around the world. It is an important cause of diarrhea in children.Clinician and laboratories should be encouraged to include C. parvum diagnostic techniques whiledealing with diarrheal stool samples of young children

FORMULATION AND IN VITRO EVALUATION OF PIROXICAM MICROSPONGE AS A TABLET

Objective: Piroxicam is a poor water soluble drug; an effort had been made to enhance their dissolution rate through formulating it as a microsponge and then fabricated as a tablet for oral administration. Methods: Piroxicam microsponges were prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method using Eudragit RS100, RL100, S100 with different drug-polymer ratios, three different types of inner phase solvent were used, along with various volumes of the selected organic solvent, the prepared formulas were examined for it its production yield, loading efficiency, particle size and in vitro drug release for formulas have excellent physical properties. Optimum formula that had fast release profile was further fabricated into a tablet using direct compression method, two types of disintegrants along with two different amounts were used, also the addition of microcrystalline cellulose was examined.Results: The results showed that as the ratio of drug to polymer was increased, the production yield and loading efficiency were enhanced, but the particle size had an inverse relationship. Among the three types of solvent, ethanol was most preferable one; 5 ml of ethanol was most favorable. PF13 (containing Eudragit RS100) have the rapid release profile. No any chemical interaction was observed, microsponge with spherical shape, porous structure was obtained. The prepared tablets have acceptable physical parameters. A dramatic enhancement in the dissolution rate as compared with the pure piroxicam tablet was shown, as well as release profile follows Hixson-Crowell kinetic with non Fickian diffusion.Conclusion: Microsponge may represent a promising way to increase the dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drug.Â

Sensitive Cloud Point Extraction Methodology for Separation Preconcentration of Co(II) Followed by Spectrophotometric Determination in Different Samples

With application CPE methodology to separation preconcentration and extraction Co2+ion used 2-[4-antybyren zolylazo]-1,2-dihydroxy-9,10-anthracene-dione (AADAD) as complexing agent to form ion pair complex as well as used non-ionic surfactant 1% Tritonx-100 at PH=8 , also this research involved limitation optimum conditions as well as thermodynamic study , Synergism effect and spectrophotometric determination of Co(II) in different samples with detection limit(D.L) =(1.6559×10-5µg.mL-1) and Sandell’s sensitivity =(7.99×10-5mg.cm-2) and ε =(7374.12L.mol-1.cm-1 )and RSD% =(%0.0065). Keywords:Cobalt(II) , Cloud point layer ,TritonX-100

Image Formation Free Rotation in Triple Pole-Piece Magnetic Lenses

Present work is mainly concern with the mathematical function, considered to represent the axial magnetic flux density distributions of proposed triple pole-pieces magnetic lenses which is used as rotation free lenses. This function has, in fact, three-optimization parameters. The only important parameter is the bore radius of the lens in the proposed model. This parameter can be affect on the projector properties of the lens, when the other two optimization parameters (maximum value of flux density and lens length) are constants, where the literature survey proved that unaffected on the lens properties. Results have clearly shown that the optimization parameter for current function, have a considerable effect on the lens distortion, lens magnification, and the reconstructed pole-pieces. Furthermore, the results obviously show the excellent ability for converting the form of the chosen mathematical function in order to represent the magnetic field of triple pole-pieces lenses. Keywords: Electron Optics, Projector Lens, Distortion, Magnificatio

Parametric BIM-based Design Review

This research addressed the need for a new design review technology and method to express the tangible and intangible qualities of architectural experience of parametric BIM-based design projects. The research produced an innovative presentation tool by which parametric design is presented systematically. Focus groups provided assessments of the tool to reveal the usefulness of a parametric BIM-based design review method. The way in which we visualize architecture affects the way we design and perceive architectural form and performance. Contemporary architectural forms and systems are very complex, yet most architects who use Building Information Modeling (BIM) and generative design methods still embrace the two-dimensional 15th-century Albertian representational methods to express and review design projects. However, architecture cannot be fully perceived through a set of drawings that mediate our perception and evaluation of the built environment. The systematic and conventional approach of traditional architectural representation, in paper-based and slide-based design reviews, is not able to visualize phenomenal experience nor the inherent variation and versioning of parametric models. Pre-recorded walk-throughs with high quality rendering and imaging have been in use for decades, but high verisimilitude interactive walk-throughs are not commonly used in architectural presentations. The new generations of parametric and BIM systems allow for the quick production of variations in design by varying design parameters and their relationships. However, there is a lack of tools capable of conducting design reviews that engage the advantages of parametric and BIM design projects. Given the multitude of possibilities of in-game interface design, game-engines provide an opportunity for the creation of an interactive, parametric, and performance-oriented experience of architectural projects with multi-design options. This research has produced a concept for a dynamic presentation and review tool and method intended to meet the needs of parametric design, performance-based evaluation, and optimization of multi-objective design options. The concept is illustrated and tested using a prototype (Parametric Design Review, or PDR) based upon an interactive gaming environment equipped with a novel user interface that simultaneously engages the parametric framework, object parameters, multi-objective optimized design options and their performances with diagrammatic, perspectival, and orthographic representations. The prototype was presented to representative users in multiple focus group sessions. Focus group discussion data reveal that the proposed PDR interface was perceived to be useful if used for design reviews in both academic and professional practice settings