STORABILITY POTENTIAL OF CARROT (Daucuscarota L.) UNDER STEM SPONGE PADDED EVAPORATIVE COOLING STRUCTURES

A zero energy stem sponge padded evaporative cooling storage was evaluated using fresh carrots (Daucuscarota L.) with control refrigerator and a similar structure without any cooling pad. The overall percentage loss in weight (during the period of experiment) of the carrot was much in the refrigerator (53.97%) and control structure (32.80%) compared to those stored in the evaporative cooling structure (25.19%). Similarly, trend of result was recorded in firmness, loss in firmnesss of the carrots stored in the control structure was greater than the ones in the evaporative cooling sytructre. However, the evaluation of the evaporative cooling system shows that the carrots can be stored for an average of twelve (12) days with negligible changes in weight, colour and firmness unlike the refrigerator and the control structure which noticeable changes began to occur from the fifth day. The modification of the microclimate by use of the zero energy evaporative and evapotranspirative cooling principles helps attain the microclimate conditions favourable for longer storage periods. With reference to the developed stem sponge padded cooler in this study, the modified environment helped in reducing respiration and metabolic rates in the stored carrots. The high relative humidity and low temperatures in the padded evaporative cooling system discouraged microorganism action on the stored carrots leading to a lengthened shelf-life

Tourism Multiplier in the World Economy: Covid-19 Effects

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the world order with the force of a tsunami. It is important also to consider the economic aspect. In this context, tourism plays a leading role, being one of the most affected sectors – both in quantitative terms and in terms of the persistence of the negative trend – as well as, finally, for its effects on other sectors. The result of the calculation of the correlation coefficient between the tourism percentage incidence on GDP in 2018 and 2020/2019 GDP percentage loss highlights that the higher the incidence of tourism on a country’s GDP was at the beginning of the pandemic, the greater the percentage loss of GDP was for that country.

Experience in clinical use of active ultrasonic handpiece with integrated pressure transducer

Purpose: Clinical testing of new ultrasonic handpiece with active transducer of pressure Active Sentry (AS), optional for phacomachine Cebturion. The study is based on the analysis of surgical records and disease histories of 100 patients operated on age-related cataract, by the method of ultrasonic phacoemulsification. All surgeries were performed by one surgeon by using the phacomachine Cebturion with settings ensuring safety and efficacy of the procedure. The half of all procedures were performed using the conventional ultrasonic handpiece (OZ), and the other half – using the handpiece with active transducer of pressure (AS). The evaluation criteria used include the following: pressure level of irrigating fluid used for nucleofragmentation; nucleofragmentation time; percentage loss of the posterior corneal epithelium cells. Results. With equal safety of the procedure, using the ultrasonic handpiece with active transducer of pressure (AS) in the course of nucleofragmentation enables the reduction of irrigating fluid pressure (BSS) by 20 mm Hg, followed by the reduction of BBS volume passing through the anterior chamber by 30 ml upon the average. The rate of the intraoperative endothelial cells loss when using the ultrasonic active handpiece is also lower, as compared to the conventional one, 8.3±3.2 vs 10.2±2.1, respectively. However this difference could not be confirmed by statistical data, possibly due to the limited sample of patients. Conclusions. The introduction of a new active ultrasonic handpiece (AS) for phacomachine Cebturion allows further reduction of procedural injury, while maintaining high efficiency of nucleofragmentation. Key words: рhacoemulsification of cataract, ultrasonic handle, active transducer of ocular pressure, reducing of surgical injury.

Performance of Porous Asphalt Mixture Containing Seashell as Aggregate Replacement

Porous asphalt pavement is mainly used for parking lots which able to let water to drain through the pavement surface into a stone recharge bed and infiltrate into soils under the pavement. This study is to investigate the performance of seashell in porous asphalt and determine the image analysis. The seashell used in this study is cockle shell. The strength of seashell was determined through the Aggregate Impact Value Test (AIV) and Aggregate Crushing Value Test (ACV). The grade of bitumen used was grade 60/70. The porous asphalt volumetric properties was determined through Marshall Stablity Test. The permeability coefficient of sample that contain seashell as aggregate replacement was determined through Permeability Test. Generally, the results shows that the seashell’s percentage loss (AIV and ACV) is suitable use for porous asphalt mixture, where the percentage of loss for AIV and ACV was 27.84% and 7.65% respectively. Based on the Marshall Test, porous asphalt that containing seashell as aggregate replacement shows a different result, where it had lower stability value and it can increase the bulk density of porous asphalt mixture. Furthermore, the permeability coefficient also increase. The surface of seashell able to bond with bitumen. Lastly, the trend of VFA and VTM value is effected by the surface and position of seashell in the porous asphalt sample.

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECT OF TOPICAL BROMFENAC AND TOPICAL FLURBIPROFEN IN MAINTAINING MYDRIASIS DURING CATARACT SURGERY

At the time of cataract surgery, one of the challenges a surgeon encounters is intraoperative miosis. This might increase the chances of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Thus, maintainence of adequate pupillary dilatation is necessary during cataract surgery. Aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of prophylactic administration of topical bromfenac (0.09 % w/V) and topical flurbiprofen (0.03 % w/V) in maintaining mydriasis during the cataract surgery. A total of 100 patients were randomly divided into two groups of 50 each. Group 1 received topical bromfenac (0.09 %) and Group 2 received topical flurbiprofen (0.03 %). The mean percentage loss of mydriasis from the baseline was lesser in bromfenac group compared to flurbiprofen group (p < 0.001). Topical bromfenac was found to be more effective in maintaining mydriasis during the cataract surgery when compared to the topical flurbiprofen.

Performance Evaluation of a Developed Dried Grass Shredding Machine for Composting

In Nigeria Arable land covers approximately 745,000km2 of the total land area and at present organic farming is not prevalent, encouraged or facilitated despite its sustainability advantages. The anaerobic digestion process produces two main outputs (biogas and digestate). The digestate when properly harnessed can be used as a substitute for inorganic fertilizer. The digestate retains a high content of organic matter such as Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium (K), as well as a range of other macro-and micronutrients like Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Manganese, Zinc and ammonium. In this research work, a developed grass shredding machine for the composting of a digestate was evaluated for performance. Preliminary studies were undertaken to determine the liquid absorbability of non-shredded grass vise-visa dry shredded grass, the moisture content of fresh elephant and spear grass. An internal combustion powered shredding machine was developed to shred dry and sieve crushed grasses to be used as absorbent of digestate. The machine was evaluated for performance using different samples of properly dried elephant and spear grass. The shredded grasses samples were mixed with discharge digestate collected from a bio-digester to produce organic fertilizer. The shredding time, machine throughout capacity efficiency, mass of fibre and liquor were determined. The results of performance evaluation with elephant grass sample revealed that an average value of efficiency (90.97%), machine through put capacity (1.225g/sec), shredding time (126.54seconds), percentage loss (8.393%), fibre (288.58g) and liquor (119.83g) were established. Similar result were obtained with spear grass; efficiency (90.50%), machine through-put capacity (1.225g/sec), shredding time 126.54 seconds), percentage loss (8.32%), fibre (294.12g), and liquor (118.85g). The outcome of the results revealed that both solid fertilizer (fibre) and liquid fertilizer (liquor) were extracted from the digestate, and an average mass of 138.86g dried grass can absorb 269.55g of liquid digestate to produce organic fertilizer.

MON-704 Tear Glands and the Diabetic Patient: Is It a Biomarker?

Background: Tear glands in the eyelids, meibomian glands, play a role in tear film production and tear film stabilization. Diabetic patients often complain of dry eye and eye pain. Recently, there are new infrared (820nm) photography techniques to image meibomian glands easily in patients. Purpose: To study meibomian glands in diabetic patients with dry eye. Methods: A retrospective chart review (2017-2019) of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients and non-diabetic patients with the diagnosis of “dry eye” in EHR (eClinicalworks, Westborough, MA) was performed. Infrared eyelid imaging (820 nm wavelength, Heidelberg Spectralis, Heidelberg, Germany) was taken. T2DM: Inclusion criteria: 1) HbA1c of &gt; 5.7% who also had infrared eyelid imaging performed + 4 weeks of their HbA1c lab test results; 2) the percentage loss of meibomian glands for each eye, then averaged, for each patient. Control: Inclusion criteria: 1) non-diabetic patients; 2) HbA1c lab test results; 3) infrared eyelid imaging was performed; 4) percentage loss of meibomian glands was calculated for each eye, then averaged per patient. Exclusion criteria for both T2DM and Controls: younger than the age of 18 years old, older than 90 years old, no glaucoma topical medications, no eyelid surgery, no corneal surgery, no conjunctival surgery. Results: n=120 patients, Avg Age=69.6 years (sd=15.1, range 23-89 years). Diabetic patients: n=60 patients, Male=30, Female=30, Avg Age=65.1 years (sd=11.50, med=65.5, range 36-85 years). Controls: n=60 patients, Male=37, Female=23, Avg Age=54.1 years (sd=16.4, med=56.5, range 23-89 years). Meibomian gland loss: Diabetics=51.54%, Controls=11.29% (p&lt;0.0001, t-test). Of the 60 DM patients: 35/37pts with HbA1c &gt; 6.6% had greater loss of meibomian glands (&gt;40%), compared to 12/23 DM patients with HbA1c &lt; 6.5%, p=0.0001. Discussion: Loss of meibomian glands in diabetic patients have been recently investigated; however, its relationship to HbA1c as a possible biomarker has not been widely discussed in literature. In this small study, loss of meibomian glands occur more frequently with elevated HbA1c, perhaps due to microischemia of the eyelids, thereby resulting in loss of meibomian glands. Conclusion: Loss of meibomian glands may suggest a need for HbA1c testing and further monitoring of the patient’s diabetic condition. Infrared imaging of the eyelid may be useful in characterizing dry eye in diabetic patients.

Evaluate the Equivalency of Some Insecticides Pesticides Containing Diazinon and Diazinox, with Emphasis to Their Content of Impurities and Degradation

The aim of this study has investigated the degradation of diazinox 5% and five different concentration of diazinon (diazinon 95%, diazinon 15%, diazole 50%, diazit 60% and octadat 60%) before and after storage at 54 +2°C for 0, 7, 14 days. Besides, the effects of storage on the formation of its toxic impurities (sulfotep, monothiono-tepp, and water) were studied. The data showed that diazinox 5%, was less stable than different concentrations of diazinon, whereas the percentage loss 38.5% while, diazinon 95% was more stable for storage which has percentage loss is 1.14% after 14 days of storage at 54+2oC. For results, diazinon 15%, diazole 50%, diazit 60% and octadat 60% show it’s relatively moderate in its stability compared with other tests which have a percentage loss ranged from 1.33 to 27.2% after 14 days of storage at the same conditions. Moreover, the monothiono-tepp impurity (O, S- TEPP) in diazinon 95%, diazinox 5% and diazit 60% was more than the maximum permissible concentration of impurity recommended by FAO specifications before and after storage. But diazinon 15%, diazole 50% and octadat 60% was This level are allowed to limit according to FAO before and after storage. While sulfotep impurity in diazinon 95% was more than the maximum permissible concentration of impurity recommended by FAO specifications before and after storage. On the other hand, diazinon 15%, diazinox 5%, diazole 50%, diazit 60% and octadat 60% were This levels are allowed to limit according to FAO before and after storage. Finally, GC – MS analysis gives the same separation before storage whereas it gives a new separation peak after storage and results showed that of the breakdown of the 2-Isopropyl-6-methyl-pyrimidin-4-ol main product in diazinon and diazinox. Also, IR analysis showed that the % match of all tested was more than 90 before and after storage.

Reducing the Loss of Velocity and Power in Women Athletes via Rest Redistribution

Purpose: To examine rest redistribution (RR) effects on back squat kinetics and kinematics in resistance-trained women. Methods: Twelve women from strength and college sports (5.0 [2.2] y training history) participated in the randomized crossover design study with 72 hours between sessions (3 total). Participants completed 4 sets of 10 repetitions using traditional sets (120-s interset rest) and RR (30-s intraset rest in the middle of each set; 90-s interset rest) with 70% of their 1-repetition maximum. Kinetics and kinematics were sampled via force plate and 4 linear position transducers. The greatest value of repetitions 1 to 3 (peak repetition) was used to calculate percentage loss, [(repetition 10–peak repetition)/(peak repetition) × 100], and maintenance, {100–[(set mean–peak repetition)/(peak repetition)] × 100}, of velocity and power for each set. Repeated-measures analysis of variance was used for analyses (P < .05). Results: Mean and peak force did not differ between conditions. A condition × repetition interaction existed for peak power (P = .049) but not for peak velocity (P = .110). Peak power was greater in repetitions 7 to 9 (P < .05; d = 1.12–1.27) during RR. The percentage loss of velocity (95% confidence interval, –0.22% to –7.22%; P = .039) and power (95% confidence interval, –1.53% to –7.87%; P = .008) were reduced in RR. Mean velocity maintenance of sets 3 (P = .036; d = 1.90) and 4 (P = .015; d = 2.30) and mean power maintenance of set 4 (P = .006; d = 2.65) were greater in RR. Conclusion: By redistributing a portion of long interset rest into the middle of a set, velocity and power were better maintained. Therefore, redistributing rest may be beneficial for reducing fatigue in resistance-trained women.

Fire resistance properties of some selected tropical timber species from South-western Nigeria after fire exposure

The research investigated changes in post fire density and strength properties of Nigerian wood species used for construction. The selected species are: Terminalia superba (Afara), Milicia excels (Iroko), Nauclea diderrichii (Opepe), Khaya ivorensis (Mahogany), Mansonia altissima (Mansonia), Tectona grandis (Teak). Densities and strength properties of the species were determined at Moisture Contents (MC) of 9.0, 12.0, and 15.0%. Species were exposed to fire at various temperature ranges. The results revealed that at 9, 12 and 15%MC, Opepe had the highest density values of 630±28.85kg/m³, 686±22.64kg/m³ and 752±17.22 kg/m³ respectively. At 9%MC, Mahogany had the lowest density (439±10.58kg/m³) while at 12 and 15%MC, Afara had the lowest density values of 444±4.18kg/m³ and 469±7.07kg/m³ respectively. Post fire exposure revealed that Afara had the highest percentage loss in density 29.2% and strength properties, while both Iroko and Mahogany exhibited the lowest percentage loss in both density and strength properties.