Search

Aims: This study is geared to evaluating honey as an alternative of conventional antibiotics to treat infections caused by the selected diarrhoeagenic bacteria. Place and duration of Study: Research laboratory of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, Nigeria between December 2017 to May 2018. Methodology: Honey samples from ten (10) different locations in Nigeria were screened for possible antibacterial activity on both the clinical and typed cultures of the selected diarrhoeagenic bacteria; Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Shigella dysenteriae, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus using agar well diffusion method. Conventional antibiotics were used as control. Data obtained were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using XL-Start, 2016 version. Results: All the honey samples used exerted growth inhibitory activity on all the test bacteria including the ones that were resistant to the conventional antibiotics (Ofloxacin and augmentin) used as control. In some cases, the growth inhibitions mediated by the honey samples were superior to that of the conventional antibiotics. Conclusion: This study showed that honey has antibacterial activity against the selected bacteria and therefore can be exploited as an alternative to conventional antibiotics to treat infections caused by the selected diarrhoeagenic bacteria especially the ones that were resistant to conventional antibiotics.

Among the pool of Power-to-X technologies, plasmas show high potential for the efficient use of intermittent renewable energies. High efficiencies of CO$_{2}$ conversion have been reported while using microwave plasmas at vacuum conditions which are, however, not suitable for CO$_{2}$ mitigation at industrial scales. Here we show that ultrafast pulsation of microwaves allow significant improvements of energy efficiencies during CO$_{2}$ splitting at atmospheric pressure as compared to continuous wave operation of the microwave source. Moreover, by the interrogation of the plasma with time-resolved optical emission spectroscopy we can, for the first time, observe the evolution of the vibrational and rotational temperatures and define a time window where nonequilibrium can be expected at the beginning of the pulse of an atmospheric CO$_{2}$ microwave plasma. In spite of the evidence of nonequilibrium in our system, thermal mechanism appears to dominate the CO$_{2}$ dissociation. It is shown that a fine control of the energy deposition in the plasma is possible with ultrafast pulsation of the microwave energy supply.

A mass spectrometer with a custom sampling system comprising one fixed and one variable orifice is presented. The custom sampling system allows the determination of the gas composition in the pressure range from 5 mbar to 1000 mbar, with low gas-demixing (2, CO, O2, and N2 gases is presented, together with an example of the CO2 conversion at a microwave plasma torch. The absolute error of the measured conversion of CO2 in CO is found to be less than 1.6% in the complete pressure range. The conversion determination routine presented here allows us to determine relative molar flows of CO2, CO, O2, and N2 and to distinguish between CO and N2 gases, which is important for the determination of the CO2 conversion in the case of air impurities or in the case of CO2/N2 mixtures.

The optical emission spectra of high pressure CO2 microwave plasmas are usually dominated by the C2 Swan bands. In this paper, the use of the C2 Swan bands for estimating the gas temperature in CO2 microwave plasmas is assessed. State by state fitting is employed to check the correctness of assuming a Boltzmann distribution for the rotational and vibrational distribution functions and, within statistical and systematic uncertainties, the C2 Swan band can be fitted accurately with a single temperature for rotational and vibrational levels. The processes leading to the production of the C2 molecule and particularly its d 3 Π g state are briefly reviewed as well as collisional relaxation times of the latter. It is concluded that its rotational temperature can be associated to the gas temperature of the CO2 microwave plasma and the results are moreover cross-checked by adding a small amount of N2 in the discharge and measuring the CN violet band system. The 2.45 GHz plasma source is analyzed in the pressure range 180–925 mbar, for input microwave powers ranging from 0.9 to 3 kW and with gas flow rates of 5–100 l min−1. An intense C2 Swan bands emission spectrum can be measured only when the plasma is operated in contracted regime. A unique temperature of about 6000 ± 500 K is obtained for all investigated conditions. A spectroscopic database is constructed using the recent compilation and calculations by Brooke et al (2013 J. Quant. Spectrosc. Radiat. Transfer 124 11–20) of the line strengths and molecular constants for the C2 (d 3 Π g −a 3 Π u ) Swan bands system and made available as supplementary material in a format compatible with the open source MassiveOES software.

Influenza outbreaks in tropical countries are rarely reported. This article reports four cases of influenza within a psychiatric ward of a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. These were patients with severe mental illness who were involuntarily admitted and did not show the classical triad of influenza-like-illness (ILI) at the beginning. However, severe respiratory complications developed requiring intubation. Referral and cooperation with the infectious disease team was initiated to help manage the outbreak while continuing psychiatric treatment. Incidences of influenza among hospitalised psychiatric patients should be treated seriously with immediate multidisciplinary approach to prevent severe unwanted complications.

Microwave plasmas are a promising technology for energy-efficient CO2 valorization via conversion of CO2 into CO and O2 using renewable energies. A 2.45 GHz microwave plasma torch with swirling CO2 gas flow is studied in a large pressure (20–1000 mbar) and flow (1–100 L min−1) range. Two different modes of the plasma torch, depending on the operating pressure and microwave input power, are described: at pressures below 120 mbar the plasma fills most of the plasma torch volume whereas at pressures of about 120 mbar an abrupt contraction of the plasma in the center of the resonator is observed along with an increase of the gas temperature from 3000 K to 6000 K. The CO outflow is generally found to be proportional to the plasma effective power and exhibits no significant dependence on the actual CO2 flow injected into the reactor but only on the input power at certain pressure. Thermal dissociation calculations show that, even at the lowest pressures of this study, the observed conversion and energy efficiency are compatible with a thermal dissociation mechanism.

Geophysical data through electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and induced polarization (IP) can be assisted to understanding hydrogeological characteristic of groundwater aquifer. By knowing the difference in electrical resistivity and induced polarization values in alluvium deposition will facilitate to identify any groundwater occurrence. In agriculture sector, shallow tube well will be option to farmers due to more economic. The resistivity measurements proved to be a good tool for mapping the subsurface in the Alluvium, especially when used in combination with Induced Polarization parameters. Alluvial deposits or fluvial deposits are composed of particles of gravel, sand, silt or clay size that are not bound or hardened by permeable mineral, by pressure, or thermal alteration of the grains. Consideration of gravelly deposition is the higher hydraulic conductivity. Furthermore, coarse to fine sand are the second higher followed by silt and clay are the lowest values. From the case study, the electrical resistivity tomography of these deposits ranged from 40 to 1000 Ωm, while the values of chargeability were 0 to 20 mS/m. The bottom of the aquifer consisted of a layer with gravelly sandy silt, and the resistivity was 260 Ωm, while the chargeability was 6.5 mS/m. The shallow tube well in quaternary aquifer was constructed at 51 m depth with thickness of aquifer was 24 m to 51 m depth into the ground will consider for groundwater resources. The groundwater discharge from tubewell is 6.53 m3/hr in mixed gravel, sandy and silt.

This paper presents a study on blast wave propagation in a soil structure when subjected to a surface air blast loading. The experimental work utilized the use of plastic explosive of 1 kg weight (PE4) in order to create a spherical blast wave at a fixed standoff distance. The experimental results were then compared with the numerical simulation model computed using LSDYNA3D. Although the computed simulation and experimental results showed large difference in terms of values, but both results provide a similar trend in terms of blast peak overpressure.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present a case study on the use of Lean Six Sigma principles and tools to study the improvement in design and construction services at a university. The quality of facilities services at universities has been criticized by users calling for improvement. Design/methodology/approach – Quality of facilities services at universities has been criticized by users calling for improvement. The purpose of this paper is to present a case study on using Lean Six Sigma principles and tools to study improving design and construction services at a university. Findings – It was found that non-value-added general improvement review form (GIRF) process steps involving revisions and rework for the design and construction result in time delays, cost increases and quality deficiencies and render cost estimates unreliable; these are unnecessary and should be minimized or eliminated. It was additionally noted that administrative reviews and approvals embedded in GIRF processes slow down work flow, leading to similar problems. Because such steps may be needed for institutional reasons precluding elimination, it was recommended that efforts be directed toward reducing their durations and costs. Overall, the Lean Six Sigma methodology proved to be successful for the intended purpose. Originality/value – Although universities are aware of their facilities services’ quality issues and have been addressing them, no published information is available on how to systematically evaluate and improve such services to increase customer satisfaction. This paper aims at filling this gap.

Normal adolescence marks a period of significant physical, cognitive and psychosocial change. It is characterized by transition from concrete to abstract thought processes and concern for risk taking behaviors. Adolescents and young adults with chronic conditions are at a particular disadvantage and tend to be more vulnerable to risky behavior than their healthy peers. While there currently exists no information on the burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in adolescent renal transplant recipients, they present a particularly worrisome population as they are likely to engage in risk taking behavior when they feel “normal” following transplantation to compensate for poor quality of life endured on dialysis. This is further compounded by adolescents’ false perception that they are unlikely to acquire such infections, and the likely improvement in libido and sexual functioning after transplantation. The potential for acquiring a sexually transmitted infection is concerning given their immunocompromised status, and complex treatment regimens which might have unfavorable interactions with STI treatments. Also, unintentional pregnancy is likely to have a significant impact on their overall medical condition and social functioning thereby impacting their long term allograft outcomes. As the pediatric nephrologist assumes a primary care provider role for these patients following their renal transplant, it becomes increasingly important to be familiar with basic reproductive health counseling techniques and available contraceptive methods on the market. Until consensus guidelines and specific recommendations for reproductive health counseling are developed for adolescent renal transplant recipients, this review provides a brief summary of available knowledge in those areas.

This paper presents the shock attenuation behavior of engineering materials namely Rolled Homogenous Armor (RHA) and sandwich composite when subject to blast loadings. Blast loading on sandwich composite structure and monolithic material are investigated using LSDYNA 3D with Arbitrary LagrangianEulerian (ALE) method. Dynamic response in terms of shock was analyzed in order to understand the shock attenuation of monolithic structure and sandwich structures. Based from the results, coupled RHA and sandwich composite structure configuration exhibit highest attenuation capability of 61.3% respectively. The study can be used as reference tool for the application related to automotive, naval and aeronautical structures, oil and gas industry.Keywords: shock attenuation; composite; survivability; honeycomb.

The effects of gasoline composition doped with a trace amount of used engine oil on the formation of simulated intake valve deposit have been investigated. Studies were performed using a bench top simulator. Oxygenated gasoline has been found to exhibit a high deposit-forming tendency. In addition to the amount, the nature of the deposit formed also depends on the type of fuel used. For oxygenated fuel, a dry carbonaceous deposit is usually formed instead of the polymeric deposit that is commonly obtained from non-oxygenated fuel.

Culicoides species are small biting £ies, 1^3 mm in size, that are obligate blood suckers, attacking mammals, birds and humans. Biting midges are notorious for irritating ostriches when they attack in large numbers and thus cause ill-thrift (Huchzermeyer, 1994). They may also be vectors of Plasmodium struthionis and Leucocytozoon struthionis and mechanical transmitters of fowlpox virus, Wesselsbron disease virus and ¢lariosis (Huchzermeyer, 1994). Ostriches are kept for their meat, leather and feathers and, since there is a high demand for ostrich meat, which is low in cholesterol (Shanawany, 1995), ostrich farming has recently been intensi¢ed. In this report, the composition of Culicoides spp. collected in a light trap placed near ostrich chicks is described.

Limb deformities were detected in 135 out of 885 ostrich chicks, giving a prevalence of 15.3%. Tibiotarsal rotation affected 73% of the chicks with limb deformities, whereas rolled toes accounted for 36%. The right leg was more often affected than the left leg. The incidence of limb deformities was highest in 2- to 3-week-old ostrich chicks. The incidence of limb deformities was highest at the beginning of the breeding season and lowest towards the end, when it was relatively warmer. The mean serum manganese and zinc levels in deformed ostrich chicks were higher than the levels reported for normal chicks.

Thirty-seven ostrich chicks raised artificially had their weights, lengths of metatarsus and heights measured weekly from hatching to the 16th week. Despite weight loss during the first week due to utilization of egg yolk by the chicks, the chicks showed and exponential growth up to the twelfth week with an overall mean weekly weight gain of 1.3 kg. Female chicks showed a superior mean weekly gain of 1.6 kg compared to 1.2 kg for males. The metatarsal length grew rapidly at a weekly rate of 2.5 cm, but began to decline in the 11th week even though the weights and heights of the chicks were still increasing. The correlation coefficient between body weight and metatarsal length was 0.97. Individual chicks also maintained their respective heavy or light weight hierarchies throughout the study period. Thus isolation of chicks into groups by weight and raising them separately could have a role in the artificial rearing of ostrich chicks. Furthermore, ostrich chick rearing may be improved by regularly weighing chicks as a means of detecting changes in the growth patterns.

The degradation of engine oil and its influence on the formation of intake valve deposits is being discussed in this paper. Degraded samples of oil were prepared using a stationary engine testbed while deposition studies were performed using a bench top simulator. The degree of degradation, as indicated by the amount of polymeric, oxidized and oxidative products, increases as the engine oil is used over a period of time. The rate of degradation, however, varies depending on the quality of base oil and the type of additives used. It was observed that the degraded oil played an important role in the formation of inlet valve deposits.

Research work of polymer nanocomposites in high voltage insulator becomes interest nowadays. Polymer based and nanofillers are the core components in polymer nanocomposites. By adding such a big amount of nanofiller it would enhance the electrical and mechanical properties of polymers. However as for today, a little percentage of nanofiller concentration could dramatically enhanced the properties of the polymeric material. Recent research of graphene oxide (GO) nanofiller has brought to this project interest. This paper presents several methods that have been published to development PMMA (poly methyl methacrylate)/GO nanocomposites and a simulation of PMMA/GO in order to investigate the potential distribution.

Biochemical and qualitative evaluation of the supernatant of urine from hydrated farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) indicated that the urine was comparable to that described by other workers. The disparities obtained between the biochemical constituents in the present and previous studies were partly attributed to the state of hydration influenced by climatic factors. Results of the cytological examination of the supernatant and the sediment concurred with the observations of other workers. It was therefore concluded that parameters from both the quantitative and qualitative analyses could be used as a guideline to monitor the health status of farmed ostriches in Botswana.

Four adult ostriches developed sudden onset paresis and were unable to stand up when disturbed. After treatment with selenium and vitamin E, one of the birds could stand and move normally. The others died and post mortem examination revealed pale patches in the thigh muscles. Histopathological examination showed degeneration of skeletal muscles as seen in nutritional myopathy. Serum selenium and vitamin E levels were low whereas aspartate aminotransferase and creatine kinase levels were very high. All remaining birds on the farm were given multimineral and vitamin E supplement and no more cases were seen.

Mushi, E.Z., Isa, J.F.W., Chabo, R.G., Binta, M.G., Sakia, R.M. and Kapaata, R.W., 1998. Culicoides associated with dairy cows at Sebele, Gaborone, Botswana. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 30(5), 305^307 Culicoides spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are important as vectors of viral diseases such as bluetongue, African horse sickness, equine encephalosis and bovine ephemeral fever (Meiswinkel et al., 1994). Culicoides of many species have been recorded from southern Africa but Botswana has remained unsampled for biting midges (Meiswinkel et al., 1994). We report on the abundance and species composition of Culicoides collected in a light trap placed next to a herd of dairy cows at Sebele, Gaborone, Botswana. This is the ¢rst report on the collection and identi¢cation of Culicoides associated with dairy cows in Botswana. The collection site was at Sebele, near Gaborone, at 24833’S, 25857’E and an altitude of 994 m. Most of the rain falls in summer from November to March and averages above 500 mm annually (Botswana Metereological Services). A single 220 volt 8 W ultraviolet down-draught suction light insect trap obtained from the Onderstepoort

(Zimbabwe Veterinary Journal, 1999, 30(1): 30-32)

Red blood cell count (31012/liter) Hemoglobin (g/dl) Packed cell volume (%) Mean corpuscular volume (fl) Mean corpuscular hemoglobin (pg) Mean hemoglobin concentration (g/dl) Total leukocyte count (3109/liter) Heterophil (H) (%) Lymphocyte (L) (%) H/L ratio Eosinophils (%) Monocytes (%) Basophils (%) Thrombocyte count (3109/liter) 2.1 6 0.2 16.68 6 0.93 43.25 6 1.9 205.95 6 15.0 79.42 6 12 38.56 6 2.0 5.0 6 1.8 60 6 2.1 32 6 2.0 1:2 1 6 0.2 1 6 0.5 6 6 1.4 0.2 1.8 6 0.2 10.9 6 1.2* 36 6 1.2* 200 6 18.0 60.56 6 5.0* 30.28 6 1.5* 3.8 6 1.7 62 6 1.2 29 6 1.6 . . . 1 6 0.2 1 6 0.6 7 6 1.4 0.2

Arterial hypertension is one of the most important risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the main cause of death in Brazil. Hypertensive patients that have treated in tertiary care hospitals have shown elevated co-morbidity including psychiatric disturbances. Our objective is to study psychiatric co-morbidity among severe hypertensive patients. This study was performed in an out-patient clinic of tertiary medical care setting. Forty-one patients were enrolled in this research (26 women, 15 men). They were submitted to a clinical interview and answering the PRIME-MD, a specific questionnaire for diagnosis of psychiatric disturbances (by a general practitioner). Frequencies of psychiatric disturbances were different in men and women: 63.4% of the women in this study showed some type of psychiatric disturbance versus 36.6% of men (p = 0.012). The majority of the diagnosis were mood disturbances, mainly depression associated or not with anxious disturbances. Mean age of psychiatric disturbance patients was 47.1 years versus 59.3 years in the patients without psychiatric disturbances (p = 0.0049), showing the presence of psychiatric disturbances in younger patients. Other factors as systolic arterial blood pressure, diastolic arterial blood pressure and body mass index did not show any differences associated with psychiatric disturbance. We conclude that there is a great co-morbidity between high complexity hospitals hypertensive patients and that this type of disturbance is more frequent in women and in younger patients.

Impaction of the proventriculus, gizzard, and sometimes intestines due to sand was confirmed at postmortem in 25 cases involving ostriches (Struthio camelus). Although there was no age predisposition, impaction was more common in juvenile over 3 mo old. Clinical signs included sternal recumbency, outstretched neck, debility, and inability to stand. Palpation of the impacted stomachs gave a gritty sensation. Depletion of coronary fat was a consistent postmortem finding. The most common material causing impaction was sand. This report highlights impaction as one of the major causes of debility and death in intensively farmed ostriches. High levels of alkaline phosphatase coupled with low levels of plasma glucose, protein, and albumin detected in impacted ostriches may be useful diagnostic antemortem indicators of the syndrome.

Heritage building conservation in Malaysia is fairly new. Recent phenomenon witnesses its acceptance as an important national policy. Essentially in 2008 Melaka and Goergetown the historical cities were enrolled as UNESCO's World Heritage Site. However being internationally recognized World Heritage Site come with international accountability. This paper comprised critical review of existing literature and highlighting some fundamental principles in conservation of historic building in relation to the maintenance needs. It also reported the early stage of proposed ongoing research in Universiti Teknologi MARA which focuses on the maintenance practice of Malaysian conserved heritage building at UNESCO's World Heritage Site. Findings suggest that maintenance is most significant in order to conform with the conservation good practice. At least with the following key themes: clear maintenance policy, regular and plan maintenance, appropriate maintenance programme, regular condition survey and reports and providing maintenance manual and logbook help to support good maintenance practice. It is also found that in Asia's heritage is generally under-protected. The theory and practice of maintenance needs for historic building in Malaysian are still not duly addressed. Good maintenance practice is one of the important perspectives that still leave a gap in effective management strategies. This research finally aims to establish Malaysian conserved heritage building best maintenance practice guidelines.