Prevalenceof diabetes mellitus among Bahrainis attending primary health care centres

A sample of 573 subjects from a Bahraini population aged 20 years and above was randomly selected from persons attending four health centres. The capillary blood glucose level was measured with reflectance meter 2 hours after administering 75 g oral glucose in people with negative history for diabetes. An alarmingly high prevalence of total glucose intolerance was found. The observed prevalence rate of diabetes mellitus was 25.5%, with a further 14.7% prevalence for glucose intolerance. Hypertension and positive family history of diabetes among diabetic subjects were 27.6% and 41.7%, respectively, and mean body mass index was 27.9 +/- 5.2. Effective primary prevention strategies are needed, to be intensified among high risk groups. Awareness of the disease needs to be promoted

The Measurements of Spectral Reflectance Spatial Distribution on Mc-Si Solar Cell Surface

Measurement results of spectral reflectance spatial distribution on multi-crystalline silicon solar cells surface are presented. The optical measurement apparatus employs a specific designed micro-spectral reflectance meter. It is suitable for working in visible wavelength range; measurable sample size can be as small as 0.06mm. Results of reflectance distribution on mc-Si solar cell are presented as a spatial sampling interval of 0.1 mm. The peak values of spectral reflectance appear about 400nm wavelength and vary from 10% to 30% with the spatial position on solar cell.