Diester Derivatives from Chemically Modified Waste Cooking Oil as Substitute for Petroleum Based Lubricating Oils

In order to provide a new way for waste cooking oil(WCO) resource utilization, several diester derivatives were obtained from WCO through a three-step chemical modifications, viz.: transesterification, epoxidation and oxirane ring opening with carboxylic acids. The effects of the chain length of side chain groups on the viscosity, acid value, low temperature fluidity, thermo-oxidative stability, tribological properties and surface tension of diester derivatives were investigated. The results showed that increasing the chain length of side chain groups had a positive influence on the viscosity, viscosity index, acid value, pour point, friction coefficient and wear scar diameter along with a negative influence on the oxidation onset temperature, volatile loss, insoluble deposit, maximum non-seizure load and surface tension. These diester derivatives exhibited improved physicochemical and tribological properties that make themselves promising environmentally friendly biolubricant basestocks.

Effect of Boron Addition on the Thermal Properties of Diamond-Particle-Dispersed Cu-Matrix Composites Fabricated by SPS

Diamond particle dispersed copper (Cu) matrix composites were fabricated from the powder mixture composed of diamond, pure-Cu and boron (B) by spark plasma sintering (SPS). The composites were consolidated at 1173 K for 600 s by SPS. The reaction between the diamond particle and the Cu matrix in the composite was not confirmed by SEM observation and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The relative packing density of the Cu/diamond composites increased with B addition and attained 93.2% - 95.8% at the B content range between 1.8 vol.% and 13.8 vol.%. The thermal conductivity of the diamond-dispersed Cu composite drastically increased with B addition and reached the maximum value of 689 W/mK at 7.2 vol% B. Numerous transgranular fractures of diamond particles were observed on bending fracture surfaces of Cu-B/diamond composites. This indicates strong bonding between the diamond particle and the Cu matrix in the composite. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the composite falls in the upper line of Kerner’s model.

Video Server Technology and Application

随着计算机技术的飞速发展,硬盘技术应用在电视领域作为存储媒介早已使用,视频服务器就是一个典型的应用。 在电视领域中,视频服务器不但可用于节目制作,如节目编辑、动画创作,还可用于节目的播出,从而真正实现制播网络化,同时还带来了信息共享,消除了录像机格式选择的烦恼。 用视频服务器实现播出,国内电视台在96年就作了一些尝试,当时受技术等条件限制, 系统的可靠性、软件开发等方面还不尽如人意。随着近几年硬盘技术的成熟,以及硬件厂商和国内软件开发商的激烈竞争,视频服务器应用已经非常广泛。使用硬盘实现节目播出自动化的优点早已被大家公认。在播出系统中,硬盘的存储容量已不再是争论的焦点,人们早已把精力放在硬盘系统的安全性(如数据备份方式、自动检测自动修复等)、软件开发(如多功能、制播联网等)实用性方面,使系统更智能化、人性化。 本专题报告会主要向大家介绍近些年视频服务器主要硬件厂商在产品开发方面的动态、国内软件开发商研发经历以及国内使用单位采用硬盘播出系统的经验。

Rate of carcass and offal condemnation in animals slaughtered at Yazd slaughterhouse,central Iran

Objective:To determine the rate of carcass and offal condemnation in the animals slaughtered at Yazd slaughterhouse,Yazd,Iran.Methods:In a nine-month retrospective survey from June 2011 to March 2012,all the carcasses and offal condemnations for large animals(cattle and camels) and small animals(sheep and goats)in Yazd Slaughterhouse were carefully recorded daily.Results:In total,2741 large animals(cattle and camels) and 77515 small animals(sheep and goats) were slaughtered during the period of this survey.Six carcasses(0.21%) of the large animals and 18 carcasses(0.02%) of the small animals were condemned.For large animals,condemnations in summer and autumn were significantly greater than winter(P<0.05).Condemnation rate of liver,lungs and kidneys for the large animals were 5.36%,21.23%and 3.68%respectively and for the small animals were 4.37%,5.46%and 0.51%respectively.The main recorded reasons for carcass condemnations in both large and small animals were icterus and cachexia.The most prevalent lesion resulting in offal condemnation was due to parasitic infection specially metacestods.Conclusions:This study aimed to show the efficiency of documentation records during meal inspection at slaughterhouses to monitor the amount of condemnation and possible approaches to better awareness about the future preventive programs.Considering the percentage of condemnation of carcass and offal in the present study and their price in Iranian markets,the overall economic losses seems to be notable at Yazd slaughterhouse.

A Retrospective Study on the Prevalence of HIV among Patients Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital of Northeast India

Objective: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of HIV infection among the clients attending ICTC, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati, for a period of seven years, i.e., from April 2008 to March 2015. Material & Method: A total of 40,983 clients attended ICTC, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital from the year 2008 to 2015. Serum samples were collected after taking informed consent and pre-test counseling. In India for all ICTCs, NACO (National AIDS Control Organization), a national guidelines has been followed for HIV testing, reporting and release of results with post test counseling. Results: Of the total 40,983 clients tested for HIV infection, 1919 (4.68%) were found to be HIV seropositive. Seropositivity was higher in male clients i.e. 1314 (68.47%) than female i.e. 604 (31.47%) followed by transgender (TG), i.e., 1 (0.0005%). Heterosexual route of transmission was the major route seen in 1666 clients (86.81%). Maximum HIV seropositivity was in the age group of 45 - 49 years (43.62%). Conclusion: HIV prevalence of 4.68 % among the clients attending ICTC, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati, puts the spotlight on the HIV burden in this part of the country and suggests the need for the scaling up of focused prevention efforts in high-risk groups.

AMBIO

外来物种蔓延已成为生物多样性的第二大威胁，仅次干栖息地的破坏。生物多样性公约（CBD）已就此通过了相关决议，其中VI／23号土地破坏决议开宗明义地就防止、引入和缓解外来物种对生态系统、栖息地或物种构成威胁的影响提出了指导原则。其后，全世界的环境权威开展了有效的工作，寻求控制外来物种引入和蔓延的措施，并展开研究和监控项目以跟踪这些物种对生物多样性的影响。但是，外来物种蔓延只是对环境产生威胁的部分因素，还应该考虑到外来种群的影响。迄今为止，我们对这些外来种群蔓延的范围和严重性还只能停留在推测阶段。CBD和国际自然与自然资源保护联合会（IUCN）在外来物种的定义中明确包括了外来种群：“外来物种指种、亚种或更低层的分类……”。

Addition of Inhalation Training Devices and Smartphone Application to Verbal Counseling for Asthmatic Patients

Background:One of the main issues with pressurized metered dose inhalers(pMDI)is that some patients find it difficult to use it properly.Methods:This study was carried out to compare the effect of traditional verbal counseling and that of adding an inhalation training device,such as Flo-Tone or Clip-Tone,along with a smartphone application on the incidence of inhalation technique mistakes and the pulmonary function of asthmatic adults and children.Results:The lung function of those in the advanced counseling group significantly improved on the second visit(p<0.001),whereas for those in the verbal counseling group,their lung function only improved on the third visit(p<0.001).For both the groups,the mean number of mistakes in regard to the steps in inhalation technique decreased significantly(p<0.001),with an overall higher percentage in the advanced counseling group.Conclusion:The use of training devices and smartphone applications in addition to traditional verbal counseling for teaching asthmatic adults and children the correct inhalation technique steps using pMDI resulted in a significant improvement in pulmonary function and a significant reduction in the number of inhalation technique mistakes,compared to traditional verbal counseling alone.

Analysis of Calcined Red Mud Properties and Related Mortar Performances

Red mud(RM)is a low-activity industrial solid waste,and its utilization as a resource is currently a hot topic.In this study,the micro characteristics of red mud at different calcination temperatures were analyzed using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy.The performance of calcined red mud was determined through mortar strength tests.Results indicate that high-temperature calcination can change the mineral composition and microstructure of red mud,and increase the surface roughness and specific surface area.At the optimal temperature of 700°C,the addition of calcined red mud still leads to a decrease in mortar strength,but its activity index and flexural coefficient increase by 16.2%and 11.9%with respect to uncalcined red mud,reaching values of 0.826 and 0.974,respectively.Compared with the control group,the synergistic activation of calcined red mud with slag can increase the compressive and flexural strength of the mortar by 12.9%and 1.5%,reaching 8.7 and 62.4 MPa,respectively.Correspondingly,the activity index and flexural coefficient of the calcined RM and GGBS(Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag)mixtures also increase to 1.015 and 1.130,respectively.

Principles governing technical investigations appointed by IP courts

Guangzhou Intellectual Property Court,as the only specialized court in China with six permanent technical investigators,has been studying and improving the technical investigation officer system and has explored a specialized model for Guangzhou Intellectual Property Court,which is referred to as“Guangzhi Model”with a team of permanent technical investigators,part-time technical investigators,technical consulting experts and technical consultants.

An Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Model for Predicting Varicella Outbreaks — China, 2019

Introduction:Varicella,a prevalent respiratory infection among children,has become an escalating public health issue in China.The potential to considerably mitigate and control these outbreaks lies in surveillance-based early warning systems.This research employed an autoregressive integrated moving average(ARIMA)model with the objective of predicting future varicella outbreaks in the country.Methods:An ARIMA model was developed and fine-tuned using historical data on the monthly instances of varicella outbreaks reported in China from 2005 to 2018.To determine statistically significant models,parameter and Ljung-Box tests were employed.The coefficients of determination(R2)and the normalized Bayesian Information Criterion(BIC)were compared to selecting an optimal model.This chosen model was subsequently utilized to forecast varicella outbreak cases for the year 2019.Results:Four models passed parameter(all P<0.05)and Ljung-Box tests(all P>0.05).ARIMA(1,1,1)×(0,1,1)12 was determined to be the optimal model based on its coefficient of determination R2(0.271)and standardized BIC(14.970).Fitted values made by the ARIMA(1,1,1)×(0,1,1)12 model closely followed the values observed in 2019,the average relative error between the actual value and the predicted value is 15.2%.Conclusion:The ARIMA model can be employed to predict impending trends in varicella outbreaks.This serves to offer a scientific benchmark for strategies concerning varicella prevention and control.

Assessment of risk factors associated with oral polio vaccine refusal in Rahim Yar Khan District,Pakistan(2017)

Objective:This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with oral polio vaccine(OPV)refusal.Methodology:A case-control study was conducted in Rahim Yar Khan(RYK)District,Pakistan.A case was defined as‘‘any child aged<5 years who was enrolled in the microplans of RYK District as part of the National Immunization Days program in January 2017 and whose parents or guardians refused to receive OPV for these eligible children.”The age-and sex-matched controls(1:1)were obtained from the same locality.Ratios were calculated,and odds ratios(ORs)were determined at 95%confidence interval(CI)and p<0.05.Results:Among the 110 children,64(58%)were male(male to female ratio,1.4:1).The mean age was 29.5 months(range,0.26–60 months).Seventy-four(67.2%)children were living in urban areas and 29(26.3%)children were living in peri-urban and rural areas,while seven(6.3%)were considered nomads.A total of 72(65.2%)children were Punjabi speaking,33(30%)were Saraiki speaking,2(3.7%)were Urdu speaking,and 2(1.82%)were Balochi speaking.Repeated campaigns(n=91,82.7%)was the major reason for OPV refusal.Living at a distance>1 km from a healthcare facility was significantly associated(OR,2.5;95%CI,1.4–4.4;p<0.05)with OPV refusal,while prior visits by healthcare workers(OR,0.11;95%CI,0.06–0.22;p<0.05)and mother’education above primary level(OR,0.42;95%CI,0.24–0.73;p<0.05)were inversely associated with OPV refusal.Conclusion:On the basis of our recommendations,door-to-door social mobilization visits by healthcare workers to alleviate fear,misconception,and fatigue of repeated campaigns and strict accountability mechanism were developed by district government at pre-and intra-campaign levels.