Adherence to guidelines on prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting in the National Cancer Institute, Sudan

Objective: To evaluate the adherence to American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) guidelines for antiemetic prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and assess the outcomes of the prescribed antiemetic drugs. Methods: This prospective, observational study enrolled chemotherapy-naive cancer patients who were admitted to the National Cancer Institute between May and July 2015 for intravenous chemotherapy. Patient’s demographic data, chemotherapy protocols and types of antiemetic drugs were collected by reviewing patients’ files, chemotherapy prescription forms and interviewing the patients. Results: The data revealed that 90% of pre-chemotherapy antiemetic prescriptions did not adhere to antiemetic guidelines. The trends of non-adherence included an overuse of ondansetron (14%), under-prescribing of dexamethasone (16%) and corticosteroid duplication (14%). Regarding antiemetic use for the prevention of delayed emesis, the data showed that 90% of antiemetic prescriptions were non-adherent with ASCO guidelines, with overuse of ondansetron (20%) and metoclopramide (37%) and lack of dexamethasone prescriptions (80%) on days 2 and 3 being the most frequently reported trends. The percentage of patients with complete response (no emesis or rescue therapy) over 5 days post chemotherapy was 36%. Conclusion: The study indicated an extremely low adherence rate to ASCO guidelines for antiemetic prophylaxis of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Non-adherence included a trend of both underuse and overuse of indicated antiemetic medications

Automatic Laser Welding Defect Detection and Classification using Sobel-Contour Shape Detection

This paper describes a detection of common defects in laser welding of structural aluminum alloy. To overcome these problems, a technique has been proposed to detect defects automatically and effectively using the image segmentation technique. Although, this technique has been well developed, it does suffer from several disadvantages of radiographic images taken to be poor in quality, as well as the microscopic size of the defects together with poor orientation relatively to the small size and thickness of the evaluated parts. Using image segmentation algorithm allows the defects to be automatically inspected and measured within the welded surface such as cracks, porosity and foreign inclusions, which may be weakening the welded parts. This paper proposes a system to automatically identifies and classifies the faults from the welding process by using the existing image segmentation algorithms. The output of the developed system produces a measured analysis which can be then used to describe the mechanical properties of welded part of the alloy such as its tensile and force. The benefits of this project will improve the welding process to reduce faults and defects for both constructing and manufacturing field

Improvement ductility and corrosion resistance of CoCrFeNi and AlCoCrFeNi HEAs by electroless copper technique

In this study, the effect of copper coated particles on the properties of CoCrFeNi and AlCoCrFeNi high entropy alloys (HEAs) was studied. Mechanical milling is applied to achieve a good homogeneous distribution of an equiatomic CoCrFeNi and AlCoCrFeNi HEAs for 25 h milling time, followed by an electroless copper plating with 5–20 wt.% Cu by 5 wt.%, have been established. The prepared powder alloys were compacted at 800 MPa, then sintered at 1150 °C, 1200 °C, 1250 °C for Cux/(CoCrFeNi)1-x HEA and 900 °C, 950 °C, and 1000 °C for Cux/(AlCoCrFeNi)1-x HEA in a vacuum furnace for 90 min. The correlation between the microstructure, density, hardness, wear behavior and corrosion resistance of the fabricated CoCrFeNi, Cux/(CoCrFeNi)1-x and Cux/(AlCoCrFeNi)1-x HEAs were investigated. The results revealed that, alloys which sintered at 1200 °C for (CoCrFeNi – Cux/(CoCrFeNi)1-x HEAs) and at 950 °C for (Cux/(AlCoCrFeNi)1-x HEA) exhibit the highest relative density. Densification was enhanced as a result of increasing the nano Cu wt.% content. A dramatic decrease in the produced samples’ hardness was observed where it decreased from 189.1 HV to 134.5 HV for Cux/(CoCrFeNi)1-x and from 403 HV to 191 HV for Cux/(AlCoCrFeNi)1-x HEAs by the addition of the nano Cu wt.% content. In addition, Wear rate is increased gradually by the addition of the nano Cu wt.% content. The electrochemical results indicate that an increased nano Cu wt.% content corresponds to an increased corrosion rate from 0.297 mm/year to 1.84 mm/year for Cux/(CoCrFeNi)1-x and from 0.03 mm/year to 0.093 mm/year for Cux/(AlCoCrFeNi)1-x HEAs

Site-specific

In order to quantify the near-surface seismic properties (P- and S-wave velocities, and the dynamic elastic properties) with respect to the depth at a specific area (6th of October club), we conducted a non-invasive and low cost active seismic survey. The primary wave velocity is determined by conducting a P-wave shallow seismic refraction survey. The dispersive characteristics of Rayleigh type surface waves were utilized for imaging the shallow subsurface layers by estimating the 1D (depth) and 2D (depth and surface location) shear wave velocities. The reliability of the Multi-channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW) depends on the accurate determination of phase velocities for horizontally traveling fundamental mode Rayleigh waves. Consequently, the elastic properties are evaluated empirically. The Vs30 (average shear wave velocity down to 30 m depth), which is obtained from the MASW technique, plays a critical role in evaluating the site response of the upper 30 m depth. The distribution of the obtained values of Vs30 through the studied area demonstrates site classes of C and D, according to the NEHRP (National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program) and IBC (International Building Code) standards

Use of trade-off theory to advance understanding of herbivore-parasite interactions

1. Trade-off theory has been extensively used to further our understanding of animal behaviour. In mammalian herbivores, it has been used to advance our understanding of their reproductive, parental care and foraging strategies. Here, we detail how trade-off theory can be applied to herbivore-parasite interactions, especially in foraging environments. 2. Foraging is a common mode of uptake of parasites that represent the most pervasive challenge to mammalian fitness and survival. Hosts are hypothesized to alter their foraging behaviour in the presence of parasites in three ways: (i) hosts avoid foraging in areas that are contaminated with parasites; (ii) hosts select diets that increase their resistance and resilience to parasites; and (iii) hosts select for foods with direct anti-parasitic properties (self-medication). We concentrate on the mammalian herbivore literature to detail the recent advances made using trade-off frameworks to understand the mechanisms behind host-parasite interactions in relation to these three hypotheses. 3. In natural systems, animals often face complex foraging decisions including nutrient intake vs. predation risk, nutrient intake vs. sheltering and nutrient intake vs. parasite risk trade-offs. A trade-off framework is detailed that can be used to interpret mammal behaviour in complex environments, and may be used to advance the self-medication hypothesis. 4. The use of trade-off theory has advanced our understanding of the contact process between grazing mammalian hosts and their parasites transmitted via the faecal-oral route. Experimental manipulation of the costs and benefits of a nutrient intake vs. parasite risk trade-off has shown that environmental conditions (forage quality and quantity) and the physiological state (parasitic and immune status) of a mammalian host can both affect the behavioural decisions of foraging animals. 5. Naturally occurring trade-offs and the potential to manipulate their costs and benefits enables us to identify the abilities and behavioural rules used by mammals when making decisions in complex environments and thus predict animal behaviour

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien\u2013Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9\ub72 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4\u20137) and 7 (6\u20138) days respectively (P < 0\ub7001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6\ub76 versus 8\ub70 per cent; P = 0\ub7499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0\ub790, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub755 to 1\ub746; P = 0\ub7659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34\ub77 versus 39\ub75 per cent; major 3\ub73 versus 3\ub74 per cent; P = 0\ub7110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients