Profile of Hepatitis B Sero Markers Among Blood Donors Attending Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto-Nigeria

Introduction: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is a double-stranded circular DNA virus, it is one of the major blood transmissible infections. The prevalence of HBV is highest in sub-Saharan Africa and East Asia, where 5-20% of the adult population are infected. In Africa, up to 15 to 60% of the population are positive for at least one of the serological markers of HBV. This study aimed to determine the prevalence markers of HBV among prospective blood donors in Sokoto. Materials/methods: About 170 blood donors were randomly recruited into this research study and 5ml of blood was aseptically collected from each of the research participants, the sample was screened for Hepatitis B virus, using a rapid step-wise HBV-5 panel immunoassay of Combo Cassette Manufactured by Lusys Laboratories Inc U.S.A. The HBV-5 is capable of detecting HBsAg, HBsAb, HBeAg, HBeAb and HBcAb simultaneously. The test component was opened from the notch, and the device was removed, 2-3 drops (60-90µl) plasma sample was added into the sample wells in the device. The result was read within 15 minutes. Results: The prevalence rates of the markers are HBsAg 8(4.7%), HBeAg 1(0.6%), HBsAb 7(4.1%), HbeAb 8(4.7%), and HBcAb 9(5.3%). Donors aged (20-30) years had the highest prevalence rate of HBV infection compared to other age groups. Male blood donors had higher seropositivity for the five markers than their female counterpart. The prevalence of HBV markers was high among the First time donors (non-vaccinated donors) who have a higher prevalence than other donors (vaccinated donors). Conclusion: This study has shown that screening for HBsAg alone may not be sufficient for the diagnosis of hepatitis B virus infection, and thus other markers should be included in the routine screening.

Effect of Specimen Length on Structural and Sealability Evaluation of Tubular Connections in HPHT and Thermal Wells

Premium connection designs are typically evaluated and qualified to broadly adopted industry standards, such as ISO 13679 (2019) and API RP 5C5 (2017) procedures for testing casing and tubing connection in High Pressure and High Temperature (HPHT) wells up to temperatures of 180°C, and ISO/PAS 12835 (2013) for testing casing connection in thermal wells that experience temperatures from 180°C to 350°C. The primary focus of these qualification protocols is to evaluate the sealing capacity and structural integrity of the candidate connection design under loads representative of the conditions that the connection will experience through the well's life cycle. The test specimens consist of the coupling and the pipe segments on both sides of the coupling. While it may be desirable to evaluate test specimens with lengths equal to that of the field product to capture the temperature, pressure and mechanical loads on the specimen, it is advantageous to limit the length for purposes including handling and controlling the size and cost of the evaluation program. It has been observed that the test results can be affected by the specimen length, so the proper selection of specimen length is a key aspect of these evaluation programs. Current test protocols provide the requirement of a minimum unsupported length for allowing the tests to simulate the strain localization condition. On the other hand, if the unsupported length exceeds a critical value, the test specimens may experience lateral buckling, and preventing buckling adds complexity and cost to the test program. No guidelines have been given in the protocols on the maximum pup length requirement for preventing lateral buckling. Therefore, a better understanding of the impact of specimen length is warranted in order to achieve more reliable and accurate results from the testing program. This paper presents an investigation of the effect of specimen length on the structural integrity and sealability of premium connections based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Parametric FEA was completed to determine the impact of specimen length for several sizes of a generic premium connection design under API RP 5C5 (2017) HPHT well and ISO/PAS 12835 (2013) thermal well conditions. Based on the analysis results, recommendations are made to improve and enhance the guidelines for identifying a suitable specimen length for the test component of an evaluation program.

How can we characterize medical simulation environment as a specific type of medical environment?

Background: In order to improve the quality of courses in simulation, it is necessary to get to know the educational environment. The objective of this study was to adapt the DREEM scale and to present a new questionnaire called QuESST, that allows to define medical simulation environment as a specific type of educational environment.Methods: The DREEM scale was translated and adapted into Polish conditions. A new tool – QuESST questionnaire was developed to complete the data with medical simulation environment aspects. Reliability, t-test, Component Analysis as well as correlation between the two methods were assessed in a sample of medical science students (N=312).Results: Statistical analysis presented a good reliability of the Polish translation of the DREEM scale (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0,95). The t-test for the DREEM questionnaire was stable and reliable relevant (t=-,584, p=,562). Significant strong correlation was reported with the DREEM and QuESST tool (r=0,559, p£ 0.001). Also, moderate and high correlations were found with the overall result of QuESST and the results of individual DREEM subscales.Conclusions: The QuESST scale may be considered helpful in determining the medical simulation environment conditions and can be used to supplement the DREEM scale to create an effective educational environment with medical simulation.

Finite Element Analysis of Cold Formed Steel Channel Columns with Complex Edge Stiffeners and Web Holes using Abaqus

The present theory work means to think about the numerical examination on models of channel segment with middle and complex edge stiffeners and web gaps under pivotal pressure. A wide scope of parameters, for example, slimness proportion, spine width and thickness have been considered in the investigation. An aggregate of 12 channel models with various parameters, for example, length, thickness and rib width are reenacted. The limited component non-direct examination program ABAQUS V6.14-2 is utilized to reproduce the models. The material properties are acquired from Coupon test. Component type utilized in this non-straight examination is SHELL. A Static, Riks step is utilized to complete examination. The Failure modes, extreme burden and the pressure conveyance around web gaps are inquired about. The relocation parts in every augmentation of burden along X, Y and Z bearings and Rotation segment about X course are gathered. The Von-Mises pressure forms, Deformed shapes and disappointment modes including nearby, horizontal distortional and parallel torsional clasping modes are acquired. The pivotal burden limits of pressure individuals with various parameters are looked at.

Development of Teacher Guidebook for Photoelectric Effects Instructional Using Predict-Observe-Explain Strategy with PhET Interactive Simulation

This study developed a teacher book guide for photoelectric effects instructional using the Predict Observe Explain strategy with PhET interactive simulation. This study used the ADDIE Model consisting of Analysis, Design, Develop, Implementation and Evaluation. The results of the validation component of the graphics feasibility were 91.1 (very feasible), the validation of the content feasibility component was 97.5 (very feasible), and the validation of the instructional feasibility component was 81.7 (very feasible). While the test component of instructional feasibility by the teacher obtained results of 85.9 (very feasible). The results concluded that the teacher book guide for photoelectric effects instructional using the Predict Observe Explain strategy with PhET interactive simulation was declared very feasible to be used as a teacher guidebook.

HIV Rapid Diagnostic Test Inventories in Zambézia Province, Mozambique: A Tale of 2 Test Kits

Background: The first pillar of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 goal seeks to accurately identify persons living with HIV (PLHIV), a process that is predicated on facilities having the necessary HIV tests available to perform the task. In many rural settings, the identification of PLHIV is accomplished through a two-step process involving the sequential use of 2 separate rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Inadequate inventory of either test has ramifications for the success of HIV-related programs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inventory levels of HIV RDT kits at specific healthcare facilities in Zambézia province, Mozambique. Methods: Using facility-level pharmacy stock surveillance data from October 2015 through September 2016, we assessed the inventory levels of HIV RDTs at 75 health facilities in 8 districts within Zambézia province, Mozambique. Using programmatically established categories (good, sufficient, threatened, or stockout), defined in conjunction with the provincial health authorities, descriptive statistics were performed to determine inventory control of HIV RDTs at the district and health facility levels. Monthly proportions of adequate (good + sufficient) inventory were calculated for each district to identify inventory trends over the evaluation period. To assess whether the proportion of inadequate stocks differed between RDT, a mixed-effects logistic regression was conducted, with inadequate inventory status as the outcome of interest. Results: When viewed as a whole, the inventory of each test kit was reported as being at adequate levels more than 89% of the time across the 75 facilities. However, disaggregated analysis revealed significant variability in the inventory levels of HIV RDTs at the district level. Specifically, the districts of Inhassunge, Namacurra, and Pebane reported inadequate inventory levels (threatened + stockout), of one or both test kits, for more than 10% of the study period. In addition, a disparity between inventory levels of each test kit was identified, with the odds of reporting inadequate inventory levels of the confirmatory test (Uni-Gold™) being approximately 1.8-fold greater than the initial test (Determine™) (odds ratio: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.40-2.38). Conclusion: As Test and Treat programs evolve, a significant emphasis should be placed on the "test" component of the strategy, beginning with assurances that health facilities have the adequate inventory of RDT necessary to meet the needs of their community. As national policy-makers rely predominantly on data from the upstream arm of the supply chain, it is unlikely the disparity between inventory levels of HIV RDTs identified at individual districts and specific health facilities would have been recognized. Moving forward, our findings point to a need for (1) renewed efforts reinforcing appropriate downstream forecasting of essential medicines and diagnostic tests in general and for Uni-Gold™ test kits specifically, and (2) simple metrics that may be routinely collected at all health facilities and which may then easily and quickly flow upstream so that policy-makers may optimally allocate resources.