Abstract: In recent decades, particulate matter (PM10) have
received much attention due to its potential adverse health impact and
the subsequent need to better control or regulate these pollutants.
The aim of this paper is focused on study risk assessment of PM10
in four different districts (Shebikah, Masfalah, Aziziyah, Awali) in
Makkah, Saudi Arabia during the period from 1 Ramadan 1434 AH -
27 Safar 1435 AH. Samples were collected by using Low Volume
Sampler (LVS Low Volume Sampler) device and filtration method
for estimating the total concentration of PM10.
The study indicated that the mean PM10 concentrations were 254.6
(186.1 - 343.2) μg/m3 in Shebikah, 184.9 (145.6 - 271.4) μg/m3 in
Masfalah, 162.4 (92.4-253.8) μg/m3 in Aziziyah, and 56.0 (44.5 -
119.8) μg/m3 in Awali. These values did not exceed the permissible
limits in PME (340 μg/m3 as daily average). Furthermore, health
assessment is carried out using AirQ2.2.3 model to estimate the
number of hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases. The
cumulative number of cases per 100,000 were 1534 (18-3050 case),
which lower than that recorded in the United States, Malaysia. The
concentration response coefficient was 0.49 (95% CI 0.05 - 0.70) per
10 μg/m3 increase of PM10.
Abstract: Paranoid ideation is a common thought process that
constitutes a defense against perceived social threats. The current
study aimed at the characterization of paranoid ideation in youths and
to explore the possible predictors involved in the development of
paranoid ideations. Paranoid ideation, shame, submission, early
childhood memories and current depressive, anxious and stress
symptomatology were assessed in a sample of 1516 Portuguese
youths. Higher frequencies of paranoid ideation were observed,
particularly in females and youths from lower socioeconomic status.
The main predictors identified relates to submissive behaviors and
adverse childhood experiences, and especially to shame feelings. The
current study emphasizes that the these predictors are similar to
findings in adults and clinical populations, and future implications to
research and clinical practice aiming at paranoid ideations are
discussed, as well as the pertinence of the study of mediating factors
that allow a wider understanding of this thought process in younger
populations and the prevention of psychopathology in adulthood.
Abstract: Many water desalination technologies have been
developed but in general they are energy intensive and have high cost
and adverse environmental impact. Recently, adsorption technology
for water desalination has been investigated showing the potential of
using low temperature waste heat (50-85oC) thus reducing energy
consumption and CO2 emissions. This work mathematically
compares the performance of an adsorption cycle that produces two
useful effects namely, fresh water and cooling using two different
adsorbents, silica-gel and an advanced zeolite material AQSOA-ZO2,
produced by Mitsubishi plastics. It was found that at low chilled
water temperatures, typically below 20oC, the AQSOA-Z02 is more
efficient than silica-gel as the cycle can produce 5.8 m3 of fresh water
per day and 50.1 Rton of cooling per tonne of AQSOA-ZO2. Above
20oC silica-gel is still better as the cycle production reaches 8.4 m3
per day and 62.4 Rton per tonne of silica-gel. These results show the
potential of using the AQSOA-Z02 at low chilled water temperature
for water desalination and cooling applications.
Abstract: During the post-Civil War era, the city of Nashville,
Tennessee, had the highest mortality rate in the United States. The
elevated death and disease rates among former slaves were
attributable to lack of quality healthcare. To address the paucity of
healthcare services, Meharry Medical College, an institution with the
mission of educating minority professionals and serving the
underserved population, was established in 1876.
Purpose: The social ecological framework and partial least squares
(PLS) path modeling were used to quantify the impact of
socioeconomic status and adverse health outcome on primary care
professionals serving the disadvantaged community. Thus, the study
results could demonstrate the accomplishment of the College’s
mission of training primary care professionals to serve in underserved
areas.
Methods: Various statistical methods were used to analyze alumni
data from 1975 – 2013. K-means cluster analysis was utilized to
identify individual medical and dental graduates in the cluster groups
of the practice communities (Disadvantaged or Non-disadvantaged
Communities). Discriminant analysis was implemented to verify the
classification accuracy of cluster analysis. The independent t-test was
performed to detect the significant mean differences of respective
clustering and criterion variables. Chi-square test was used to test if
the proportions of primary care and non-primary care specialists are
consistent with those of medical and dental graduates practicing in
the designated community clusters. Finally, the PLS path model was
constructed to explore the construct validity of analytic model by
providing the magnitude effects of socioeconomic status and adverse
health outcome on primary care professionals serving the
disadvantaged community.
Results: Approximately 83% (3,192/3,864) of Meharry Medical
College’s medical and dental graduates from 1975 to 2013 were
practicing in disadvantaged communities. Independent t-test confirmed the content validity of the cluster analysis model. Also, the
PLS path modeling demonstrated that alumni served as primary care
professionals in communities with significantly lower socioeconomic
status and higher adverse health outcome (p < .001). The PLS path
modeling exhibited the meaningful interrelation between primary
care professionals practicing communities and surrounding
environments (socioeconomic statues and adverse health outcome),
which yielded model reliability, validity, and applicability.
Conclusion: This study applied social ecological theory and
analytic modeling approaches to assess the attainment of Meharry
Medical College’s mission of training primary care professionals to
serve in underserved areas, particularly in communities with low
socioeconomic status and high rates of adverse health outcomes. In
summary, the majority of medical and dental graduates from Meharry
Medical College provided primary care services to disadvantaged
communities with low socioeconomic status and high adverse health
outcome, which demonstrated that Meharry Medical College has
fulfilled its mission. The high reliability, validity, and applicability of
this model imply that it could be replicated for comparable
universities and colleges elsewhere.
Abstract: This study was carried out to investigate the adverse
effect of industrial wastewater on surface water quality in Gebeng
industrial estate, Pahang, Malaysia. Surface water was collected from
six sampling stations. Physicochemical parameters were
characterized based on in-situ and ex-situ analysis according to
standard methods by American Public Health Association (APHA).
Selected heavy metals were determined by using Inductively Coupled
Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS). The results revealed that the
concentration of heavy metals such as Pb, Cu, Cd, Cr and Hg were
high in samples. The results also showed that the value of Pb and Hg
were higher in the wet season in comparison to dry season.
According to Malaysia National Water Quality Standard (NWQS)
and Water Quality Index (WQI) all the sampling station were
categorized as class IV (highly polluted). The present study revealed
that the adverse effects of careless disposal of wastes and directly
discharge of effluents affected on surface water quality. Therefore,
the authorities should implement the laws to ensure the proper
practices of wastewater management for environmental sustainability
around the study area.
Abstract: Chrome tannery wastewater causes serious environmental hazard due to its high pollution potential. As a result, rigorous treatment is necessary for abatement of pollution from this type of wastewater. There are many research studies on chrome tannery wastewater treatment in the field of physical, chemical, and biological methods. In general, biological treatment process is found ineffective for direct application because of adverse effects by toxic chromium, sulphide, chloride etc. However, biological methods were employed mainly for a few sub processes generating significant amount of organic matter and without chromium, chlorides etc. In this context the present paper reviews the characteristics feature and pollution potential of wastewater generated from chrome tannery units and treatment of the same. The different biological processes used earlier and their chronological development for treatment of the chrome tannery wastewater are thoroughly reviewed in this paper. In this regard, the scope of hybrid bioreactor - an advanced technology option has also been explored, as this kind of treatment is well suited for the wastewater having inhibitory substances.
Abstract: Although, lanthanum carbonate has not been approved
by the FDA for treatment of hyperphosphatemia, we prospectively
evaluated the efficacy of the combination of Calcium hydroxyapatite
(CHAp) and Lanthanum Carbonate (LaC) for the treatment of
hyperphosphatemia on mice. CHAp was prepared by co-precipitation
method using Ca(OH)2, H3PO4, NH4OH with calcination at 1200ºC.
Lanthanum carbonate was prepared by chemical method using
NaHCO3 and LaCl3 at low pH environment, below 4.0. The
structures were characterized by FTIR spectra and SEM -EDX
analysis. The study group included 16 subjects-mice divided into four
groups according to the administered substance: lanthanum carbonate
(group A), CHAp (group B), lanthanum carbonate + CHAp (group C)
and salt water (group D). The results indicate a phosphate decrease
when subjects (mice) were treated with CHAp and lanthanum
carbonate (0.5% CMC), in a single dose of 1500 mg/kg. Serum
phosphate concentration decreased [(from 4.5 ± 0.8 mg/dL) to
4.05 ± 0.2 mg/dL), P < 0.01] in group A and in group C (to 3.6
± 0.2 mg/dL) at 12 hours from the administration. The combination
of CHAp and lanthanum carbonate is a suitable regimen for
hyperphosphatemia treatment because it avoids both the
hypercalcemia of CaCO3 and the adverse effects of CHAp.
Abstract: Advances in the use of health care technology have
resulted in increased adverse events (AEs) related to the use of
medical devices. The study focused on the existing reporting systems.
This study was conducted in a tertiary care public sector hospital.
Devices included Syringe infusion pumps, Cardiac monitors, Pulse
oximeters, Ventilators and Defibrillators. A total of 211 respondents
were recruited. Interviews were held with 30 key informants. Medical
records were scrutinized. Relevant statistical tests were used.
Resident doctors reported maximum frequency of AEs, followed
by nurses; and least by consultants. A significant association was
found between the cadre of health care personnel and awareness that
the patients and bystanders have a risk of sustaining AE. Awareness
regarding reporting of AEs was low, and it was generally done
verbally. Other critical findings are discussed in the light of the
barriers to reporting, reasons for non-compliance, recording system,
and so on.
Abstract: Livestock is one of the fastest-growing sectors in
agriculture. If carefully managed, have potential opportunities for
economic growth, food sovereignty and food security. In this study
we mainly analyse and compare long-term i.e. for year 2030 climate
variability impact on predicted productivity of meat i.e. beef, mutton
and poultry for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia w.r.t three factors i.e. i)
climatic-change vulnerability ii) CO2 fertilization and iii) water
scarcity and compare the results with two countries of the region i.e.
Iraq and Yemen. We do the analysis using data from diverse sources,
which was extracted, transformed and integrated before usage. The
collective impact of the three factors had an overall negative effect on
the production of meat for all the three countries, with adverse impact
on Iraq. High similarity was found between CO2 fertilization
(effecting animal fodder) and water scarcity i.e. higher than that
between production of beef and mutton for the three countries
considered. Overall, the three factors do not seem to be favorable for
the three Middle-East countries considered. This points to possibility
of a vegetarian year 2030 based on dependency on indigenous livestock
population.
Abstract: The management of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)
eradication is still a matter of discussion, full effectiveness is rarely
achieved, and it has many adverse effects. The use of probiotics may
be associated with better eradication rates and possibly prevention of
adverse events due to antibiotic therapy. The present clinical study
was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a specially designed
fermented milk product, containing Bifidobacterium lactis B420, on
the eradication of H. pylori infection in a prospective, randomized,
double-blind, controlled study in humans. Four test fermented milks
(FM) were specially designed in which counts of viable cells in all
products were 10^10 Log CFU. 100 mL-1 for Bifidobacterium lactis -
Bifidobacterium species 420. 190 subjects infected with H. pylori,
with previous diagnosis of functional dyspepsia according to Rome
III criteria entered the study. Bifidobacterium lactis B420,
administered twice a day for 90 days was not able to eradicate H.
pylori in Brazilian patients with functional dyspepsia.
Abstract: This study evaluated the use of raw or processed
Prosopis juliflora (Meskit) pods as a major ingredient in a formulated
ration to provide an alternative non-conventional concentrate for
livestock feeding in Oman. Dry Meskit pods were reduced to lengths
of 0.5- 1.0 cm to ensure thorough mixing into three diets. Meskit
pods were subjected to two types of treatments; roasting and soaking.
They were roasted at 150оC for 30 minutes using a locally-made
roasting device (40 kg barrel container rotated by electric motor and
heated by flame gas cooker). Chopped pods were soaked in tap water
for 24 hours and dried for 2 days under the sun with frequent turning.
The Meskit-pod-based diets (MPBD) were formulated and pelleted
from 500 g/kg ground Meskit pods, 240 g/kg wheat bran, 200 g/kg
barley grain, 50 g/kg local dried sardines and 10 g/kg of salt. Twenty
four 10 months-old intact Omani male lambs with average body
weight of 27.3 kg (± 0.5 kg) were used in a feeding trial for 84 days.
They were divided (on body weight basis) and allocated to four diet
combination groups. These were: Rhodes grass hay (RGH) plus a
general ruminant concentrate (GRC); RGH plus raw Meskit pods
(RMP) based concentrate; RGH plus roasted Meskit pods (ROMP)
based concentrate; RGH plus soaked Meskit pods (SMP) based
concentrate Daily feed intakes and bi-weekly body weights were
recorded. MPBD had higher contents of crude protein (CP), acid
detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) than the
GRC. Animals fed various types of MPBD did not show signs of ill
health. There was a significant effect of feeding ROMP on the
performance of Omani sheep compared to RMP and SMP. The
ROMP fed animals had similar performance to those fed the GRC in
terms of feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio
(FCR).This study indicated that roasted Meskit pods based diet may
be used instead of the commercial concentrate for feeding Omani
sheep without adverse effects on performance. It offers a cheap
alternative source of protein and energy for feeding Omani sheep.
Also, it might help in solving the spread impact of Meskit trees,
maintain the ecosystem and helping in preserving the local tree
species.
Abstract: Background and aim: It has not been well studied
whether fentanyl-thiopental (FT) is effective and safe for PSA in
orthopedic procedures in Emergency Department (ED). The aim of
this trial was to evaluate the effectiveness of intravenous FT versus
fentanyl-midazolam (FM) in patients who suffered from shoulder
dislocation or distal radial fracture-dislocation.
Methods: In this randomized double-blinded study, Seventy-six
eligible patients were entered the study and randomly received
intravenous FT or FM. The success rate, onset of action and recovery
time, pain score, physicians’ satisfaction and adverse events were
assessed and recorded by treating emergency physicians. The
statistical analysis was intention to treat.
Results: The success rate after administrating loading dose in FT
group was significantly higher than FM group (71.7% vs. 48.9%,
p=0.04); however, the ultimate unsuccessful rate after 3 doses of
drugs in the FT group was higher than the FM group (3 to 1) but it
did not reach to significant level (p=0.61). Despite near equal onset
of action time in two study group (P=0.464), the recovery period in
patients receiving FT was markedly shorter than FM group
(P
Abstract: Shortfall of electrical energy in Pakistan is a challenge
adversely affecting its industrial output and social growth. As
elsewhere, Pakistan derives its electrical energy from a number of
conventional sources. The exhaustion of petroleum and conventional
resources, the rising costs coupled with extremely adverse climatic
effects are taking its toll especially on the under-developed countries
like Pakistan. As alternate, renewable energy sources like hydropower,
solar, wind, even bio-energy and a mix of some or all of them
could provide a credible alternative to the conventional energy
resources that would not only be cleaner but sustainable as well. As a
model, solar energy-based power grid for the near future has been
attempted to offset the energy shortfalls as a mix with our existing
sustainable natural energy resources. An assessment of solar energy
potential for electricity generation is being presented for fulfilling the
energy demands with higher level of reliability and sustainability.
This model is based on the premise that solar energy potential of
Pakistan is not only reliable but also sustainable. This research
estimates the present & future approaching renewable energy
resource specially the impact of solar energy based power grid for
mitigating energy shortage in Pakistan.
Abstract: Due to water shortage, application of saline water for
irrigation is an urgent in agriculture. In this study the effect of
calcium and potassium application as additive in saline root media for
reduce salinity adverse effects was investigated on tomato growth in
a hydroponic system with unequal distribution of salts in the root
media, which was divided in to two equal parts containing full
Johnson nutrient solution and 40 mMNaCl solution, alone or in
combination with KCl (6 mM), CaCl2 (4 mM), K+Ca (3+2 mM) or
half-strength Johnson nutrient solution. The root splits were
exchanged every 7 days. Results showed that addition of calcium,
calcium-potassium and nutrition elements equivalent to half the
concentration of Johnson formula to the saline-half of culture media
minimized the reduction in plant growth caused by NaCl, although
addition of potassium to culture media wasn’t effective. The greatest
concentration of sodium was observed at the shoot of treatments
which had smallest growth. According to the results of this study, in
case of dynamic and non-uniform distribution of salts in the root
media, by addition of additive to the saline solution, it would be
possible to use of saline water with no significant growth reduction.
Abstract: Particles exhausted from cars have adverse impacts on
human health. The study developed a three-dimensional particle
dispersion numerical model including particle coagulation to simulate
the particle concentration distribution under idling conditions in a
residential underground garage. The simulation results demonstrate
that particle disperses much faster in the vertical direction than that in
horizontal direction. The enhancement of particle dispersion in the
vertical direction due to the increase of cars with engine running is
much stronger than that in the car exhaust direction. Particle dispersion
from each pair of adjacent cars has little influence on each other in the
study. Average particle concentration after 120 seconds exhaust is
1.8-4.5 times higher than the initial total particles at ambient
environment. Particle pollution in the residential underground garage
is severe.
Abstract: In this paper, effect of marginal quality groundwater
on yield of cotton crop and soil salinity was studied. In this
connection, three irrigation treatments each with four replications
were applied. These treatments were i) use of canal water (T1), ii) use
of marginal quality groundwater from tubewell (T2), and iii)
conjunctive use by mixing with the ratio of 1:1 of canal water and
marginal quality tubewell water (T3).
Water was applied to the crop cultivated in Kharif season 2011; its
quantity has been measured using cut-throat flume. Total 11 watering
each of 50 mm depth have been applied from 20th April to 20th July,
2011. Further, irrigations were stopped due to monsoon rainfall up to
crop harvesting.
Maximum crop yield (seed cotton) was observed under T1 which
was 1,517 kg/ha followed by T3 (mixed canal and tubewell water)
having 1009 kg/ha and T2 i.e. marginal quality groundwater having
709 kg/ha. This concludes that crop yield in T2 and T3 in comparison
to T1was reduced by about 53 and 30% respectively.
It has been observed that yield of cotton crop is below potential
limit for three treatments due to unexpected rainfall at the time of full
flowering season; thus the yield was adversely affected.
However, salt deposition in soil profiles was not observed that is
due to leaching effect of heavy rainfall occurred during monsoon
season.
Abstract: The presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds,
such as bisphenol A (BPA), in the environment can cause serious
health problems. However, there are controversial opinions. This
study investigated the reproductive, metabolic, oxidative and
immunologic-disrupting effects of bisphenol A in male rabbits.
Rabbits were divided into five groups. The first four rabbit groups
were administered oral BPA (1, 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg/day) for ten
weeks. The fifth group was administered corn oil as the vehicle. BPA
significantly decreased serum testosterone, estradiol and the free
androgen index (FAI) and significantly increased sex hormone
binding globulin (SHBG) compared with the placebo group. The
higher doses of BPA showed a significant decrease in follicular
stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). A
significant increase in blood glucose levels was identified in the BPA
groups. The non-significant difference in insulin levels is a novel
finding. The cumulative testicular toxicity of BPA was clearly
demonstrated by the dose-dependent decrease in absolute testes
weight, primary measures of semen quality and a significant increase
in testicular malonaldehyde (MDA). Moreover, BPA significantly
decreased total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and significantly
increased immunoglobulin G (IgG) at the highest concentration. Our
results suggest that BPA, especially at higher doses, is associated
with many adverse effects on metabolism, oxidative stress, immunity,
sperm quality and markers of androgenic action.
Abstract: Collapsible soils go through radical rearrangement of
their particles when triggered by water, stress or/and vibration,
causing loss of volume. This loss of volume in soil as seen in
foundation failures has caused millions of dollars’ worth of damages
to public facilities and infrastructure and so has an adverse effect on
the society and people. Despite these consequences and the several
studies that are available, more research is still required in the study
of soil collapsibility. Discerning the pedogenesis (formation) of soils
and investigating the combined effects of the different geological soil
properties is key to elucidating and quantifying soils collapsibility.
This study presents a novel laboratory testing regime that would be
undertaken on soil samples where the effects of soil type, compactive
variables (moisture content, density, void ratio, degree of saturation)
and loading are analyzed. It is anticipated that results obtained would
be useful in mapping the trend of the combined effect thus the basis
for evaluating soil collapsibility or collapse potentials encountered in
construction with volume loss problems attributed to collapse.
Abstract: The purpose of the present work is to review some
data for the management challenges that the aquaculture industry in
Greece is currently facing. The results indicate that Greek
aquaculture fish farms apply Human Resources Management (HRM)
practices which can increase motivation, commitment and job
satisfaction of their personnel. In turn, these practices can increase
the productivity of the business. The Greek fish farms appear to
invest in research and technological innovation with a good record in
research activities and the generation of patents. Interestingly, the
results of the present work were carried out during the period of the
recent economic crisis in Greece. Several sectors of the Greek
economy were severely affected by the financial problems of the
Greek government and the Greek banks. Under the adverse
economical conditions created by the Greek economic crisis, even the
Greek aquaculture industry, which historically is considered as a
thriving national exporting business sector, experienced harsh
economic and market conditions. As a result of the global, European
and national economic crisis, consumption of fish dropped while
companies had to hold most of their stocked fish in order to regulated
the flow to the market and the price. This occurred at a time where
Banks in Greece had their own financial crisis – banking crisis -
which resulted in limited access to lending for the all business sectors
of the national economy including the Greek aquaculture industry. In
spite of these economic conditions, the Greek aquaculture industry,
after a series of mergers and acquisitions, has now stabilized
production and exhibits very good prospects for future growth.
Evidently, the firms had to cut salaries and on some occasions even
pay their staff in arrears. Nevertheless, the results presented in this
paper indicate that during the economic crisis, the surveyed fish
farms maintained their HRM practices, investing in their human
capital and technological input. In fact, human capital and
technological input are the ticket for future success of companies in
any business sector.
Abstract: The growth of wireless devices affects the availability
of limited frequencies or spectrum bands as it has been known that
spectrum bands are a natural resource that cannot be added.
Meanwhile, the licensed frequencies are idle most of the time.
Cognitive radio is one of the solutions to solve those problems.
Cognitive radio is a promising technology that allows the unlicensed
users known as secondary users (SUs) to access licensed bands
without making interference to licensed users or primary users (PUs).
As cloud computing has become popular in recent years, cognitive
radio networks (CRNs) can be integrated with cloud platform. One of
the important issues in CRNs is security. It becomes a problem since
CRNs use radio frequencies as a medium for transmitting and CRNs
share the same issues with wireless communication systems. Another
critical issue in CRNs is performance. Security has adverse effect to
performance and there are trade-offs between them. The goal of this
paper is to investigate the performance related to security trade-off in
CRNs with supporting cloud platforms. Furthermore, Queuing
Network Models with preemptive resume and preemptive repeat
identical priority are applied in this project to measure the impact of
security to performance in CRNs with or without cloud platform. The
generalized exponential (GE) type distribution is used to reflect the
bursty inter-arrival and service times at the servers. The results show
that the best performance is obtained when security is disabled and
cloud platform is enabled.