Isolation and identification of Aeromonas species from human stools

One thousand and three diarrhoeal stool samples were processed in our laboratory during the period 1996/1997 for the presence of enteric pathogens especially Aeromonas spp., which has emerged as a new agent causing diarrhoea. Ampicillin sheep blood agar was found to be the best medium for the isolation of Aeromonas spp. from stool specimens. Enteric pathogens were found in 200 (20%) stools, of which Aeromonas spp. was the second commonest pathogen isolated amounting to 21% of isolates. This study clearly indicates that Aeromonas spp. must be looked for in every diarrhoeal stool samples, specially in children below 10 years of age. Isolation and identification is cost effective and easy, if the given protocol is observed.     

Sorption-enhanced water gas shift reaction by sodium-promoted calcium oxides

The water gas shift reaction was evaluated in the presence of novel carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture sorbents, both alone and with catalyst, at moderate reaction conditions (i.e., 300-600 °C and 1-11.2 atm). Experimental results showed significant improvements to carbon monoxide (CO) conversions and production of hydrogen (H₂) when CO₂ sorbents are incorporated into the water gas shift reaction. Results suggested that the performance of the sorbent is linked to the presence of a Ca(OH)₂ phase within the sorbent. Promoting calcium oxide (CaO) sorbents with sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as well as pre-treating the CaO sorbent with steam appeared to lead to formation of Ca(OH)₂, which improved CO₂ sorption capacity and WGS performance. Results suggest that an optimum amount of NaOH exists as too much leads to a lower capture capacity of the resultant sorbent. During capture, the NaOH-promoted sorbents displayed a high capture efficiency (nearly 100%) at temperatures of 300-600 °C. Results also suggest that the CaO sorbents possess catalytic properties which may augment the WGS reactivity even post-breakthrough. Furthermore, promotion of CaO by NaOH significantly reduces the regeneration temperature of the former.     

Fabrication of Hydroxyapatite with Bioglass Nanocomposite for Human Wharton’s-Jelly-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growing Substrate

Recently, composite scaffolding has found many applications in hard tissue engineering due to a number of desirable features. In this present study, hydroxyapatite/bioglass (HAp/BG) nanocomposite scaffolds were prepared in different ratios using a hydrothermal approach. The aim of this research was to evaluate the adhesion, growth, viability, and osteoblast differentiation behavior of human Wharton’s-jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hWJMSCs) on HAp/BG in vitro as a scaffold for application in bone tissue engineering. Particle size and morphology were investigated by TEM and bioactivity was assessed and proven using SEM analysis with hWJMSCs in contact with the HAp/BG nanocomposite. Viability was evaluated using PrestoBlue^TM assay and early osteoblast differentiation and mineralization behaviors were investigated by ALP activity and EDX analysis simultaneously. TEM results showed that the prepared HAp/BG nanocomposite had dimensions of less than 40 nm. The morphology of hWJMSCs showed a fibroblast-like shape, with a clear filopodia structure. The viability of hWJMSCs was highest for the HAp/BG nanocomposite with a 70:30 ratio of HAp to BG (HAp70/BG30). The in vitro biological results confirmed that HAp/BG composite was not cytotoxic. It was also observed that the biological performance of HAp70/BG30 was higher than HAp scaffold alone. In summary, HAp/BG scaffold combined with mesenchymal stem cells showed significant potential for bone repair applications in tissue engineering.     

Computerized evaluation of water-supply reliability

The application of network reliability to maintenance and rehabilitation of water distribution systems is discussed. An algorithm converts a distribution system into a stochastic network in which arcs represent components with random life, and nodes represent demand points (junctions) between the components. Water supply reliability at a demand point is the reliability of the subnetwork defined by the source and the demand point. A simple reliability measure based on network connectivity is used to compute subnetwork reliability by the method of minimal pathsets or minimal cutsets. The point reliability values at the demand points can be used to draw a reliability surface; that surface offers a new approach to addressing water-supply infrastructure maintenance and rehabilitation issues. The methodology is illustrated by analyzing a case-study water system using a specially devised computer program. The proposed algorithm is not necessarily the most efficient, but is certainly the simplest. The reliability measure is based on water availability only, regardless of its quantity or quality     

Crohn''s disease and sclerosing cholangitis: CT and PTC diagnosis, with MR findings

Computed tomography (CT), percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in a case of sclerosing cholangitis associated with Crohn's disease of the colon and terminal ileum are described. CT gives additional information on dilatation of peripheral bile ducts and confirms findings of PTC, i.e. a decreased arborization of the biliary tree, a nodular appearance of the common bile duct and multifocal bile duct strictures. CT findings could be recognized on MRI which provided no additional information.     

A two-dimensional heat and fluid-flow model of single-roll continuous-sheet casting process

Single-roll continuous-sheet casting process has been simulated using a mathematical model based on considerations of fluid flow, heat transfer, and solidification. The principal model equations include momentum and energy balances which are written for various zones comprising the process. The flow of liquid metal in the pool is taken to be a two-dimensional recirculatory flow. The concepts of vorticity and stream function are used to reduce the number of equations and number of unknowns, respectively. Model equations and boundary conditions are written in terms of dimensionless variables and are solved, using an implicit finite difference technique, to give stream functions and velocity fields in the metal pool, temperature fields in the metal pool, sheet, and caster drum, and the final sheet thickness for various operating parameters. The parameters examined are: (1) rotational speed of the caster drum, (2) liquid metal head in the tundish, (3) superheat of the melt, (4) caster drum material, and (5) cooling conditions prevailing at the inner surface of the caster drum. The final sheet thickness decreases with increasing rotational speed of the caster drum and melt superheat, but it increases with increasing standoff distance and metal head in the tundish.     

A new theoretical approach to cut-pile carpet compression based on elastic-stored bending energy

Carpet is one of the textile structures that are subjected to compressive load in use. In this study, firstly the mechanism of pile deformation in a cut-pile carpet is investigated, and then a theoretical analysis of force and energy of deformation is presented. The elastic-stored bending energy is derived, and the frictional effect due to the sliding pile yarn with its neighbor and frictional bending couple is also considered. Results show that geometrical and mechanical properties of yarn and the applied compressive load affect the total energy of pile deformation. Meanwhile, predicted results are more close to experimental values than those obtained in previous studies.