Centre Research Articles

Comparative Review and Performance Evaluation of Various Solar PV System Reconfigurations

In the current context, the most challenging and demanding research is to obtain maximum power from solar photovoltaic (SPV) power systems. Partial shadowing (PS) is a prominent cause of solar photovoltaic panels output power loss. The output decreases proportionally to the shaded area, the placement of shaded panels within the array, panel interconnections, shade pattern, etc. Numerous static and dynamic approaches for reducing the PS effect have been reported in the literature. Of these, the most common is the reconfiguration technique based on the static method, which distributes shaded panels more consistently and increases maximum power generation. The current study investigates the performance of common existing reconfiguration techniques based on static methods, including TCT, Sudoku, odd even (OE), and Latin square (LS) on a 4×4 PV array. The five different shadow patterns: short narrow (SN), short wide (SW), long narrow (LN), long wide (LW), and centre (CN) are implemented in this work. The performance analysis is carried out by comparing the maximum power generated (PM) and the results of panel simulations, as well as their theoretical conclusions, to ensure that these strategies are effectively implemented in hardware configuration.

Lessons learned in evaluating system interdependencies using qualitative methods.

This article shares lessons learned while evaluating the system interdependencies for a clinical and translational research centre (CTR). It explores the methodological challenge of discussing system concepts (e.g., cascading failures, feedback loops, and reflex arcs) with layperson participants during evaluation interviews. The article discusses the iterative process of moving from structured interview approaches in favor of an open narrative approach for data collection and lessons learned.

Learning from incidents in medically assisted reproduction: the Notify Library as a learning tool

Biovigilance is the systematic monitoring of serious adverse reactions and events (SARE) that ensures the quality and safety of tissues and cells for human application in medically assisted reproduction (MAR). The Notify Library is an open access database launched by the World Health Organization and supported by the Italian National Transplant Centre (CNT) that has collected information on documented adverse occurrences in transplantation, transfusion and MAR. It is not a SARE register, but rather a collection of SARE types identified primarily by review of published articles and case reports from national or regional vigilance programmes. The Notify Library includes many well-documented records of adverse occurrences in MAR treatment, representing a useful tool for MAR operators in the evaluation of the risks associated with the clinical application of reproductive tissues and cells. It is updated with new records when a new type of incident is reported for the first time. All incident types described might have teaching value during the risk management carried out by a MAR centre. Sharing lessons learned from these incidents represents an important didactic opportunity that can help MAR centres to improve their processes and to achieve higher standards of quality and safety.

Reinventing the play centre

EYE'S editor, Angelica Celinska, interviews the owner of Pure Imaginations with Gemma – featured throughout this issue and the setting of our front cover this month. Gemma Bohr shares her journey with us.

Pet wellness centre opens in Surrey

Pet wellness centre opens in Surrey

The prevalence of 'triple whammy' prescriptions in surgical inpatients and associated pharmacist recommendations.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are beneficial in surgical settings, they may however lead to adverse drug reactions including decreased renal function, a risk, which is exacerbated by combination with other nephrotoxics, and particularly when NSAIDs are given as part of a so-called 'Triple Whammy' (TW) with diuretics and renin-angiotensin system blockers. The objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of TW-prescriptions in a surgical inpatient setting and to document the changes in renal function after pharmacist recommendations. A prospective, observational single centre pilot study was performed using a series of eleven weekly Point-Prevalence Analyses (PPA). Adult surgical inpatients were screened for a TW-prescription by a clinical pharmacist, who made one of two recommendations on identification of a TW: for patients with eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73m² close monitoring of renal function; for patients with eGFR ≤ 60 ml/min/1.73m² discontinuation of NSAID. A TW was identified in 18 of 317 patients (prevalence 5.7%; mean age 75 years). NSAID discontinuation was recommended for 7/18 patients (39%) and implemented for six (33%). In cases where the NSAID was de-prescribed, an improvement in renal function until the time of discharge was observed, whilst in patients with eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73m² for whom monitoring was recommended eGFR remained stable. TW-prescriptions were found to be a potential problem in the studied group of older surgical inpatients. Clinical pharmacists are well placed to identify patients who are prescribed a TW, and to advise on the management of these patients.

How not to Globalise IR: ‘Centre’ and ‘Periphery’ as Constitutive of ‘the International’

How not to Globalise IR: ‘Centre’ and ‘Periphery’ as Constitutive of ‘the International’

Placing physiology and physiologists at the centre of key discussions about research, innovation, and funding

Placing physiology and physiologists at the centre of key discussions about research, innovation, and funding

A Study of 3D Printed Box Structure

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) are commonly used for surveillance and aerial mapping. Balsa wood construction is common for small UAV. However, for larger UAV size, balsa construction can be too fragile. 3D printing based airframe can help in producing accurate profile contour needed in a wing design, particularly on Blended Wing Body (BWB) design. Nowadays, 3D printing machines are not expensive and easily available. Flight Technology and Test Centre (FTTC) RIG, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) has been developing and building small BWB UAV made of 3D printing. At the moment, the strength and stiffness of the wing box structure has not been properly investigated. The general target of this research is to understand the static mechanical behavior of a small wing box suitable for UAV manufactured by 3D printing. A simple wing box that can be produced on in-house 3D printer was produced. Standard tensile test was conducted to the PLA (Polylactic Acid) printed material. Finite element simulation of the wing box was performed, and static test experiment was conducted. Stresses and displacements were obtained and analyzed.

Corneal transplant during COVID-19 pandemic: the Italian Eye Bank national report

To investigate the impact of Coronavirus Disease-2019 lockdown on the Italian Eye Bank organization. In this national retrospective, multicentric, cohort study, data from the Italian Eye Bank during both the lockdown and the first month after the lockdown period were retrieved. We compared the Italian Eye Bank metrics with the same timeframe of 2019 and 2018. Data from 13 out of 13 (100%) Italian Eye Banks were included in the analysis. A statistically significant reduction in the number of donor corneas retrieved in 2020 was found as compared to the same period in 2019 and in 2018, respectively (2020 = 1284; 2019 = 3088; 2018 = 3221; ANOVA: p < 0.0001). Only 534 corneas have been distributed by Eye Banks during the COVID-19-lockdown period (2020 = 534; 2019 = 1220; 2018 = 1237. ANOVA: p < 0.0001). Similarly, the number of wasted corneas due to postponed or cancelled surgeries was 421, resulting in a considerable increase as compared to the previous 2 years (2020 = 421; 2019 = 67; 2018 = 84; ANOVA: p = 0.0035). Overall, 45 donor corneas were rejected in accordance with the guidance of the Italian National Health Institute Italian National Transplant Centre (CNT). SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has profoundly affected every social and medical field, including the Eye Bank procurement and distribution programs. The current data collected from all the Italian Eye Banks highlights the present and the forthcoming difficulties that the Eye Bank community is going to experience, as for the ongoing pandemic.

Clariant opens catalysts R&D centre at its newly inaugurated Shanghai campus

Clariant opens catalysts R&D centre at its newly inaugurated Shanghai campus

How the Centre for Journalology hopes to fix science

How the Centre for Journalology hopes to fix science

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES REQUIRED OF BUSINESS EDUCATION GRADUATES FOR HANDLING ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGES IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA

This study determined the managerial competencies required of business education graduates for handling entrepreneurship challenges in Anambra State. Two research questions guided the study. Four null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Related literature pertinent to the study were reviewed which exposed the need for the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted, using a population of 1124 entrepreneurs of small and medium scale enterprises. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 338. A structured questionnaire developed by the researcher was used for data collection. Cronbach Alpha method was used to establish the reliability of the instrument. The reliability yielded coefficient values of .91 and .85. Data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation, t-test and ANOVA. Mean was used to answer the research questions and standard deviation was used to explain how the responses of the respondents varied. ANOVA and t-test were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that entrepreneurs of SMEs agreed that innovative and ICT competencies are required by business education graduates for handling entrepreneurship challenges in Anambra State. The results also showed that there was no significant difference in the mean ratings of entrepreneurs on innovative and ICT competencies required of business education graduates based on gender and years of experience. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended among others, that the management of tertiary educational institutions through the centre for entrepreneurship development should work in collaboration with the existing entrepreneurs/ business organizations around them in providing entrepreneurship training to students in order to enable students develop self-employment initiatives through the programme. Article visualizations:

Salivary gland tumours in the intraoral region: A retrospective study of cases treated in a teaching hospital in North-West Nigeria

Tumours of the minor salivary glands occurring in the oral cavity are uncommon. The oral cavity has many tiny salivary glands which occur in the lip, palate, floor of the mouth, cheeks, tongue and pharynx. Tumour could develop from any of these minor salivary glands. We conducted a retrospective study of twenty-four cases of these tumours treated in our Centre over a period of eleven years. The objective of this study is to investigate the nature, clinical features, pathology, and treatment of these tumours in North-West, Nigeria.  This was a retrospective study of all patients with minor salivary gland tumours that were treated at Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna, Nigeria. The study covered a period of eleven years from January, 2009 to December, 2019. Information was extracted from case files of patients. Data collected includes: age of patient at presentation, sex, location of tumour, clinical features, treatment giving, complications and histological diagnosis. The age of the patients ranged from 16 to 70 years, with the mean SD = 43.0 ± 6.6 years and male-to-female ratio was 1: 2. Benign tumours were the most common compared to malignancies. Palate was the commonest site of occurrence; followed by upper lip. The treatment was surgical excision. Palatal fistula was the commonest complication of the surgery. Tumour of minor salivary glands need urgent attention as it greatly interferes with oral functions and could destroy maxillary bone resulting in untoward debilitating effect. Key words: Salivary glands, tumour, intraoral, palate, benign, malignant.

Uptake of Cost-Free Hepatitis B Vaccination among Healthcare Workers in Northern Tanzania

Background The World Health Organization and other global agencies recommend all healthcare workers (HCWs) to get vaccinated against hepatitis B virus before enrolment to clinical work. There are limited data in low-income countries on hepatitis B virus vaccination coverage among HCWs, which set back WHO Hepatitis B Elimination Strategy 2016-2021. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B virus vaccination uptake and associated factors among HCWs from a tertiary and teaching hospital in northern Tanzania. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among HCWs at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre a referral and teaching hospital from August 2016 to June 2017. Questionnaire based interviews were used to obtain information about HCWs’ demographic characteristics, occupation risks and other invasive procedures such as intravenous, and intramuscular injections and knowledge of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors associated with Engerex DNA-recombinant hepatitis B vaccine uptake. Results About two third 295 (67.4%) of 438 participants had received HBV vaccination. Among those who ever received HBV vaccination (n=295), 205 (70.5%) received 3 shots, 57 (19.5%) received 2 shots and 33 (10%) received 1 shot. HCWs working in clinical areas had 79% higher odds of vaccine uptake compared to those who were not (OR=1.79, 95%CI 1.11, 2.89). Ever having intravenous and intramuscular injections significantly increased the odds of vaccination uptake compared to those who never had (OR=2.21, 95%CI 1.33, 3.66) and (OR=2.42, 95%CI 1.36, 4.28) respectively. Also, HCWs with a fair and good knowledge on HBV infection had over three times higher odds of vaccine uptake compared to those with poor knowledge (OR=3.08, 95%CI 1.90, 5.01) and (OR=3.07, 95%CI 1.75, 5.40), respectively. After adjusting for other factors, those that remained to be significantly associated with HBV vaccine uptake were area of specialty and knowledge on HBV infection. Conclusion The current Engerex DNA-recombinant hepatitis B vaccine coverage among HCWs at KCMC, referral and teaching hospital in North-eastern Tanzania was only 67.4% despite of it been given free of charge. Factors that were associated with HBV vaccine uptake include area of specialty and knowledge of participants on HBV infection and vaccination. We encourage continuous medical education among HCWs about importance of hepatitis B vaccination. We also recommend hepatitis B vaccination as pre-employment requirement for HCWs as well as doing antibody titer determination post vaccination. Keywords: Cost-free hepatitis B vaccine, Prevention, Healthcare workers, vaccination coverage, Low income countries, Tanzania.

Clariant opens state-of-the-art catalyst China R&D centre at its New Shanghai “One Clariant Campus”

Clariant opens state-of-the-art catalyst China R&D centre at its New Shanghai “One Clariant Campus”

BREEDING RESEARCH AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE SOUTH-URAL BOTANICAL GARDEN-INSTITUTE OF UFRC RAS

The article summarizes the results of long-term selection work with flower and ornamental plants (Hippeastrum x hortorum, Iris x hybrida, Paeonia x hybrida, Chrysanthemum coreanum) in the South-Ural Botanical Garden-Institute of Ufa Federal Research Centre of Russian Academy of Sciences. The history of breeding development is presented. The main research methods (free pollination and artificial hybridization, interspecific and intervarietal) are described. The main task of selection is formulated: the study of introduced domestic and foreign cultivars, the selection of the best of them to create their own varieties with high winter hardiness, not susceptible to diseases and pests, with different flowering periods that fit into the growing season of the Republic of Bashkortostan. The characteristics of new varieties of Hippeastrum (Akademiya, Akbuzat, Bashkiriya, Velikiy Motsart, Galina Shipayeva, etc.), Iris (Akmulla, Amina, Zigalga, Inzer, Irendyk, etc.), Paeonia (Avrora, Arkaim, Iremel, Lyudmila Mironova, etc.) and Chrysanthemum (Direktor Z.Kh. Shigapov, Zagir Ismagilov, Pamyati E.V. Kucherova, Professor L.M. Abramova, etc.) are given. All new varieties of ornamental crops selected by SUBGI UFRC RAS are included in the State register of breeding achievements allowed for use. They have received patents and author's certificates. New varieties of flower and ornamental plants are recommended to supplement the zonal assortment of cultivated plants of the Republic of Bashkortostan. High decorative and economically valuable characteristics of the obtained cultivars make it possible to use them in urban gardening for the design of flowerbeds, group plantings, arrays, borders, rabatok, alpine slides, as well as to use them for cutting.

Outcomes of simultaneous anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament reconstruction

Multiligamentous knee injuries (MLKI) are rare orthopedic injuries with involvement of two or more ligaments in the knee. There are variety of combinations of MLKI and one such relatively common and important injury pattern is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plus medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. Though MCL grade 1 and 2 does not warrant surgical management, grade 3 defintely needs reconstruction or repair according to past studies so as to avoid valgus instability. A retrospective study was conducted evaluating the outcomes of combined ACL and MCL injuries in 22 patients at our centre. Road traffic accidents (RTA) accounted for 45.5% of the total cases as the most common mechanism of injury. Out of 22 patients operated with simultaneous ACL and MCL reconstruction, 14 (63.6%) had good results based on Lyscholm scoring system, 5 (22.8%) had excellent results, and 3(13.6%) had fair result and none of our patients had poor results. Simultaneous single stage management of ACL and MCL injury has advantages like early rehabilitation, reduced number of hospital stay as well as absence of necessity for getting admitted and operated for each ligament separately which also brings down the cost to the patient. Keywords: Reconstruction, ACL, MCL, Lyscholm.

Alumina Based Electrode for Stable and Improved Supercapacitor Applications

This work describes the preparation of an Al2O3 electrode material for a performing and stable supercapacitor. The electrode was prepared by a DC thermal plasma plant installed at ENEA Research Centre of Portici. The structures and morphologies of samples were characterized by SEM, XRD, TG, and FT-IR. Al2O3 electrode electrochemical characteristics were performed in a sulphuric acid solution electrolyte. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) technique was carried out. The results show that Al2O3 exhibits a good specific capacitance. Furthermore, after 10000 cycles, 98% of the initial capacitance was maintained.

Simultaneous arthroscopic reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament and posterior cruciate ligament: An outcome analysis

Introduction: Combined anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury is relatively a rare entity and it is extremely important to manage these injuries with great accuracy, as this may involve damage to neurovascular structures associated with knee dislocation and also carries the risk of accelerated joint degeneration if left untreated. There are many issues that are topic of debate even today like timing of surgery, graft of choice and single stage versus staged reconstruction. Materials and Methods: A prospective study for evaluating the outcomes of combined ACL and PCL injuries in 20 patients was conducted at our centre, who were managed arthroscopically. Preoperative and post-operative Lyscholm scores and IKDC scores were assessed to evaluate the patients outcomes. Results: Out of 20 patients operated for ACL and PCL injury, 14(70%) of them had excellent to good results and the rest 6(30%) had fair results with none of the patients reporting poor results. Conclusion: Simultaneous ACL and PCL reconstruction using arthroscopic technique is an effective and safe procedure irrespective of the time since injury and also this is more helpful to achieve early rehabilitation. Keywords: PCL, Lyscholm score, IKDC.