The effect of using fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FC3R) "as a cement replacement in soft soil stabilisation"

Construction sector suffer from many problems due to presence of the soft soil in many worlds' parts and to solve these problem the soft soil should be stabilised by either mechanically or chemically; the mechanical ways can be achieved by replacing with stronger materials or using special machines to increase the soil stability result which considered high cost, researchers try to find another method with alternative materials like cement, lime and pozzolanic materials to qualify the soft soil on the civil engineering project. The aim of this study is to evaluate the soft soil properties that cured with 9% binders of various mixtures of binary blended produced from Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and Fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FC3R), which is a by-produced material from petroleum sector. Geotechnical tests like (compaction, un-confined compressive strength (UCS) test and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)) were used to investigate the optimum binary mixture. Results show that the use of FC3R as a cement replacement developed the strength of soft soil after 28 days result in a higher strength comparison to using OPC alone in soil stabilisation. SEM proved presence of OPC hydration products during different curing ages. © IAEME Publication

Levels of heavy metals in urine samples of school children from selected industrial and non-industrial areas in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Objectives: The levels of lead, zinc, iron, copper and cadmium metals in the urine samples of selected school children in industrial and non-industrial areas in Dar es Salaam were investigated. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 120 children in industrial areas and 120 children in non-industrial areas then digested in concentrated acids and analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results: The concentrations of the heavy metals in the urine samples ranged from below detection limit/non-detectable (ND) to 1.92 mg/L for lead, ND to 2.55 mg/L for zinc, ND to 8.98 mg/L for iron and ND to 0.05 mg/L for copper. Cadmium was not detected. Significant differences were found between the concentrations of heavy metals in urine of pupils from the industrial areas and those from non-industrial areas. The mean concentrations of lead and copper in samples from industrial areas were significantly higher than those found in non-industrial areas (p < 0.002), while the mean concentrations of zinc and iron found in samples from non-industrial areas were significantly higher than those found in industrial areas (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The contamination levels were generally high in samples from both areas indicating exposure from various sources. The findings indicate public health risks

Organogel investigations as a floating oral system with depot property

In this work we investigate span 40, span 60 and SA as a gelators and olive oil (OO) as apolar liquid phase to discover the ability of organogel formed to be floating in acidic media and gain a unique gastroretentive dosage form. In addition, take advantage of the chemical   and physical properties of cinnarizine (CN) as a model drug suitable for gastroretentive systems. The floating parameters were studied where the floating lag time and floating duration for organogel in both solid and liquid states. Organogels charecterization were accomplished through the folowing investigatational techniques and analytical methods: table top rheology, optical microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and in- vitro release study. The results showed that all organogels immediately floated and they were floating in both states. Moreover, table top rheology showed that the transition temperature was reversible and higher than 37 ºC except for 7% w/w and 10% w/w SA in OO organogels where, optical images of organogel showed fibrillar network. The FTIR showed peaks associated to carbonyl groups indicated to form gelator-gelator interactions. Moreover, in vitro release study of organogel system showed continuous release CN for 9-12 hours.

Increasing frailty is associated with higher prevalence and reduced recognition of delirium in older hospitalised inpatients: results of a multi-centre study

Purpose: Delirium is a neuropsychiatric disorder delineated by an acute change in cognition, attention, and consciousness. It is common, particularly in older adults, but poorly recognised. Frailty is the accumulation of deficits conferring an increased risk of adverse outcomes. We set out to determine how severity of frailty, as measured using the CFS, affected delirium rates, and recognition in hospitalised older people in the United Kingdom. Methods: Adults over 65 years were included in an observational multi-centre audit across UK hospitals, two prospective rounds, and one retrospective note review. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), delirium status, and 30-day outcomes were recorded. Results: The overall prevalence of delirium was 16.3% (483). Patients with delirium were more frail than patients without delirium (median CFS 6 vs 4). The risk of delirium was greater with increasing frailty [OR 2.9 (1.8–4.6) in CFS 4 vs 1–3; OR 12.4 (6.2–24.5) in CFS 8 vs 1–3]. Higher CFS was associated with reduced recognition of delirium (OR of 0.7 (0.3–1.9) in CFS 4 compared to 0.2 (0.1–0.7) in CFS 8). These risks were both independent of age and dementia. Conclusion: We have demonstrated an incremental increase in risk of delirium with increasing frailty. This has important clinical implications, suggesting that frailty may provide a more nuanced measure of vulnerability to delirium and poor outcomes. However, the most frail patients are least likely to have their delirium diagnosed and there is a significant lack of research into the underlying pathophysiology of both of these common geriatric syndromes

DEPRESSION IN PRIMARY CARE. PART 2: MANAGEMENT

The management of depression in the primary care setting should ideally take a biological, psychological, and sociologicalapproach. Antidepressants are the most commonly used biological agents in the treatment of depression. Psychologicaltherapies and psychosocial interventions improve the outcome of treatment when combined with pharmacotherapy.Clinical depression is treatable and thus efforts should be made to alleviate the suffering of patients with depression

A 2-year prospective study on childhood acute bacterial meningitis in Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, Kuantan, Pahang

During a 24-month period, 21 children with acute bacterial meningitis were identified and studied. The majority of the children was from low socio-economic group and the male:female sex ratio was equal. Seventeen children (81%) were aged twelve months or below. In 15 (71.5%) of the children. Haemophilus influenzae type b was recovered, while Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated from 4 children. Neisseria spp and Salmonella spp were identified respectively in each of the other two cases. The case fatality was four (19.0%) with nine others (42%) exhibiting neurological sequelae. Except for the Salmonella spp strain that was resistant to the cephalosporin, the rest of the bacterial species were sensitive to the commonly used antibiotics. As Haemophilus influenzae type b is still the most prevalent cause of acute bacterial meningitis, it is therefore strongly recommended that the national immunisation programme in this country should include the vaccine for it in our effort to minimise the mortality and morbidity caused by this organism

Oral health impacts profile of Malaysian adults in Nohsa 2010

Objective: In NOHSA 2010, a modified cross culturally adapted standardized socio dental questionnaire, the Malay short version Oral Health Impact Profile(S-OHIP[M]) was used to assess the impact of oral health on the quality of life of Malaysian adult. Methodology: A total of 9,065 Malaysian adults aged 15 years and above participated in the survey. Participants were interviewed using the S-OHIP[M]) questionnaire prior to mouth examination. The questionnaire consists of 16 items covering 7 domains of the oral health impacts namely, oral functional limitation, psychological discomfort, physical pain, psychological disability, physical disability, social disability and handicap. The five point frequency Likert Scale was used as the response format. An impact was defined as having experienced of at least one impact reported either "very often" or "often" due to oral condition(s) iil the last three months preceeding the survey. Severity of impact is the sum of 16 items response options. Total score ranges from 0 to 64. Higher score indicates higher impact. The prevalence and severity of impact was analysed using SPSS version 17. Results: Overall29.3% (95%CI:27.8-30.80) of Malaysian adults reported some form of impact due to oral health problems. Feeling uncomfortable due to food getting stuck in between teeth or dentures [20.0% (95%CI:18.8-21.2)] was the most common impact reported, followed by avoiding-- -certain- --food [S%(95%CI:7.3-8.8)], difficulty in chewing [6.2%[9S%CI:5.6-6.9)] and bad breadth [5.4%(95%CI:5.6-6.9)]. A higher prevalence of impact was noted among adults with 1-19 teeth [32.9% [95%CI:30.1-35.8)] compared to edentulous adults [21.6% [95%CI:18.2-25.4)]. The mean S-OHIP[M] score is 5.87(95%CI:5.63-6.11). Conclusion: About 3 in 10 Malaysian adults experienced one or more impact from oral condition{s). The most common impact was discomfort while eating. Dentition status, caries status and periodontal status had significant relationship with impact measures. Prevalence and severity of impacts wa·s found to- -be significantly associated with self-perception and satisfaction towards oral health

A pilot investigation of the Operationalized Predicaments of Suicide (OPS) framework

Background: Suicide may be conceptualized as an escape from intolerable predicaments, in particular, mental illness and environmental stressors. The operationalized predicaments of suicide (OPS) is a 4 category framework designed to assist in the classification of suicide. The objective was to examine whether this framework is potentially useful. Method: 18 psychiatrists from 6 different countries examined 12 written coroners' reports of suicide and rated each report according to the OPS. 16 of these raters then also completed a qualitative questionnaire regarding the framework. Results: In 89.8% of cases the raters where able to make a decision regarding the drivers which led to the suicides. The respondents displayed modest inter-rater correlation (Kappa = 0.42; P < 0.0001). In the qualitative section, respondents supported the face validity of OPS and considered it potentially useful. Feedback allowed improved wording of the OPS instructions. Conclusion: The OPS has potential as a useful framework. The OPS instructions have been improved and further studies are justified.Full Tex

Organogel investigations as a floating oral system with depot property

In this work we investigate span 40, span 60 and SA as a gelators and olive oil (OO) as apolar liquid phase to discover the ability of organogel formed to be floating in acidic media and gain a unique gastroretentive dosage form. In addition, take advantage of the chemical&#x0D;  &#x0D; and physical properties of cinnarizine (CN) as a model drug suitable for gastroretentive systems. The floating parameters were studied where the floating lag time and floating duration for organogel in both solid and liquid states. Organogels charecterization were accomplished through the folowing investigatational techniques and analytical methods: table top rheology, optical microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and in- vitro release study. The results showed that all organogels immediately floated and they were floating in both states. Moreover, table top rheology showed that the transition temperature was reversible and higher than 37 ºC except for 7% w/w and 10% w/w SA in OO organogels where, optical images of organogel showed fibrillar network. The FTIR showed peaks associated to carbonyl groups indicated to form gelator-gelator interactions. Moreover, in vitro release study of organogel system showed continuous release CN for 9-12 hours.&#x0D;  </jats:p

A pilot investigation of the Operationalized Predicaments of Suicide (OPS) Framework

Background: Suicide may be conceptualized as an escape from intolerable predicaments, in particular, mental illness and environmental stressors. The operationalized predicaments of suicide (OPS) is a 4 category framework designed to assist in the classification of suicide. The objective was to examine whether this framework is potentially useful. Method: 18 psychiatrists from 6 different countries examined 12 written coroners’ reports of suicide and rated each report according to the OPS. 16 of these raters then also completed a qualitative questionnaire regarding the framework. Results: In 89.8% of cases the raters where able to make a decision regarding the drivers which led to the suicides. The respondents displayed modest inter-rater correlation (Kappa = 0.42; P < 0.0001). In the qualitative section, respondents supported the face validity of OPS and considered it potentially useful. Feedback allowed improved wording of the OPS instructions. Conclusion: The OPS has potential as a useful framework. The OPS instructions have been improved and further studies are justified