Hand Pump Research Articles

Source Minerals for the Release of Salinity in the Groundwater: A Case Study of Pratapgarh District, Uttar Pradesh, India

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to determine the salinity of groundwater, identify the nature of its sources, and to understand the physicochemical conditions that cause high level of salinity to be discharged into groundwater. There are several factors that influence groundwater salinity, including water quality, soil type, irrigation techniques, and groundwater depth. A total of 40 ground water samples were collected from dug wells, tube wells, and hand pumps in salinity-affected areas and analysed using physicochemical variables. A total of 11 sediment samples were collected and analysed for lithology and mineralogy. Due to high level of cations and anions in the groundwater, the study area is highly contaminated. It was observed that the leaching of salt is highly dependent on sediment types and salt-bearing minerals. Attempts were also made to determine the various depth zones responsible for release of salt in shallow aquifers. For sedimentological and mineralogical studies, a piezometer was installed at a maximum depth of 33 m below the ground surface. Based on the results of the study, it was observed that groundwater chemistry is primarily influenced by water-rock interactions, ion exchange processes, weathering (carbonate and silicate), and evaporation. These research findings will contribute to more effective sustainable groundwater management in areas with water scarcity and it will also boost the Indian economy.

Treatment of a Large Gluteal Hydatid Cyst in Syria Using a Manual Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Device (PragmaVAC)

AbstractThe lungs and liver are the most common sites of hydatid cysts, but they may also be found in other organs. We report the case of a lady in her 50s who presented to a hospital in northwest Syria with a large swelling in the right gluteal region. This was diagnosed as a gluteal abscess, and an incision and drainage were performed. Intraoperatively, a hydatid cyst germinal membrane was noted. She had the required imaging to exclude other cysts, which revealed a liver hydatid cyst of 7.5 cm, which was treated with PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, and re-aspiration) and albendazole. The residual wound was closed using a manual vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) pump for seven days. A key lesson is that a hydatid cyst in the gluteal muscles, though rare, should be considered in the differential diagnosis. We also show that the innovative use of a manual VAC pump can be used to support closure of large hydatid cyst cavities in muscles.

A comparative assessment of Lead (Pb) concentration and physicochemical parameters in groundwater from the Kabwe mine and Lusaka non-mine sites, Zambia

This study addresses the comparative influence of physicochemical parameters on the dissolution of Pb and its levels in the groundwater of former Pb mining areas in Kabwe and non-mining areas in Lusaka, Zambia. This cross-sectional study analyzed 61 groundwater samples from hand pump boreholes using atomic absorption spectrometry. Physicochemical parameters were measured, including electrical conductivity (EC), temperature, total dissolved solids (TDS), and pH. Statistical analysis involved the Wilcoxon test, Spearman’s correlation, robust linear regression, Principal component analysis (PCA), and generalized additive models. Pb concentrations were particularly higher (p = 0.029; median = 0.131 mg/L) in mining areas compared to non-mining areas (median = 0.071 mg/L). The EC in the mining areas (median = 585 µS/cm) was significantly (p = 0.001) lower than those in the non-mining area (median = 1100 µS/cm). Likewise, TDS levels revealed a significant (p = 0.001) difference between the mining area (median = 303 ppm) and the non-mining area (median = 601 ppm). The median pH values for groundwater samples in the mining and non-mining areas were 6.96 and 7.27, respectively. Spearman’s rank correlation revealed a significant (rho = − 0.405; p = 0.036) inverse relationship between Pb concentrations and pH in non-mining areas. Robust linear regression and generalized additive models underscored a significant (p = 0.016) non-linear relationship between temperature and Pb across all areas, with the non-mining area demonstrating a significant (p = 0.003) non-linear relationship between temperature and pH concerning Pb. The study associates mining activities with increased Pb concentrations, underscoring it as a principal contamination source. In contrast, elemental dissolutions from the basement limestone with dolomite might increase Pb concentration in the non-mining areas. The observed positive relationship between temperature and pH in non-mining areas highlights its positive interactions with Pb mobility while temperature greatly influences Pb dissolutions in mining areas.

Husbandry Practices, Reproductive and Production Performance of Indigenous Goats in Ahferom District of Central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

The study, aimed to investigate indigenous goats’ husbandry practices, productive and reproductive performances, and constraints, was conducted in Ahferom district of central Tigray, Northern Ethiopia. Two peasant associations from midland and one from lowland in the district were purposively selected based on their potentiality. Simple random sampling technique was employed to select 147 smallholder goats’ keepers. A pretested semi-structured questionnaire was used to gather data. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also held with knowledgeable farmers and key informants. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software Version 28.0. In the study area, goats were kept by farmers for sale (52.5%), home consumption (24.4%), saving (13.1%), manure (10%), and prestige (1.0%) in the midland. Nevertheless, goats were kept for sale (33.3%), home consumption (33.3%), saving (12.5%), manure (16.6%), and prestige (4.1%) in the lowland. Goats were mainly dependent on browsing plants in both wet and dry seasons. The overall sources of water in the study area were water wells (40.1%), hand pumps (32.7%), and ponds (27.2%). Most (89.8%) farmers used separate houses for their goats. The mean amount of milk produced/day from a lactating goat was estimated to be 0.2 liters. The overall mean litter size, age at first kidding and kidding interval were 2.350.59, 13.010.96 months and 7.440.76 months, respectively. Based on the FGDs with knowledgeable farmers and key informants, “litter size varied from parity to parity and increased as age advanced. At first, the litter size in most cases was single, increased to twins in middle age, and then remained constant after fourth and fifth parity”. Feed/land shortages, drought, diseases and parasites, inadequate extension support, predators and water shortages in descending orders were the most important identified problems. Designing sustainable improvement programs calls for understanding the husbandry practices and reproductive performance of goats in the study area

Evaluating performance and suction limits of No.6 hand pumps with varying operational parameters

ABSTRACT Access to clean water remains a critical challenge in underdeveloped and developing regions, where suction hand pumps are a primary means of water extraction from shallow water tables. This study investigates the performance and suction limits of No.6 hand pumps under varying operational parameters, encompassing both controlled model settings and actual field conditions. Conducted in Birgunj, Nepal, an area heavily reliant on hand pumps, the research examines the influence of parameters (model/field condition, suction head, stroke speed, pipe diameter, and length) on discharge and volumetric efficiency. The findings demonstrate a significant impact of operational conditions on pump performance, with discharge and volumetric efficiency highly dependent on the tested parameters. Notably, the practical suction limit observed in field conditions (21.0 feet) is lower than in model tests (26.5 feet) for the same 1.5-inch diameter pipe, while the maximum suction limit is consistent for all cases (31.0–31.5 feet). These values represent the practical working limit and the failure point of hand pumps, providing valuable insights into their operational boundaries. The findings of this study underscore the importance of considering operational conditions for optimal hand pump performance, paving the way for enhanced water accessibility in developing countries.

Views on wet nursing and expressing breastmilk for sharing and human milk bank donation among mothers in two parenting social media communities in Vietnam.

Nutrition in early life plays a key role in shaping an infant's future health. There is limited understanding of the perspectives of Vietnamese mothers with children under 24 months of age regarding breastmilk expression, donationand use. In this cross-sectional study, an online survey was administered through two parenting social media communities to assess opinions on breastmilk expression, breastmilk donation including contributions from bereaved mothersand the use of donor human milk. A 4-point Likert scale was used to evaluate respondents' opinions, and demographic and breastfeeding information was collected. Among 375 respondents, almost 30% had received breastmilk from another woman, either through direct breastfeeding (14.7%), expressed breastmilk (12.5%)or from a human milk bank (2.7%). In this survey of 375 mothers, 84.0% indicated they would store excess breastmilk, while 75.7% and 69.6% would donate to a human milk bank or another mother, respectively. When faced with insufficient breastmilk, 88.5% of mothers would seek ways to increase supply, whereas 23.8% considered using commercial milk formula. Regarding milk expression among the 375 mothers, 78.4% preferred electric pumps, compared to 48.6% for manual pumps and 45.9% for hand expression. Additionally, 80.5% of the 375 mothers would suggest donating stored milk to bereaved peersand 85.6% would suggest mothers with mild COVID-19 to continue breastfeeding with precautions. These findings indicate that this sample has positive views on breastfeeding, breastmilk donationand the use of donor human milk.

Geospatial interpolation and hydro-geochemical characterization of alluvial aquifers in the Thal Desert, Punjab, Pakistan.

This study seeks to assess the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in the southern part of Thal Desert of Pakistan. The primary focus lies in identifying potential sources of contamination and evaluating their impact on groundwater and the ecosystem. Groundwater samples were collected from diverse sources including shallow hand pumps, tubewells, and dug wells, with depths ranging from 11 to 28 m. A comprehensive analysis was performed to scrutinize the physical, chemical, and microbial attributes of the samples. Utilizing visual aids like the Piper, Durov, and Gibbs diagrams, as well as Pearson correlation, scatter plots, Schoeller diagrams, and pie charts, the study evaluated the groundwater quality and its suitability for consumption. Results indicate that mineral infiltration from rainfall, domestic waste, and industrial effluents significantly affects groundwater quality, leading to widespread salinity. Weathering processes and ion exchange were identified as key factors contributing to elevate levels of bicarbonates, sodium, magnesium, and chloride ions. Employing the Water Quality Index (WQI) on 40 groundwater samples, findings reveal that 52.5% of samples demonstrated poor to not suitable quality, with 27.5% categorized as poor, 2.5% as very poor, and 22.5% not suitable consumption. Conversely, 47.5% of samples showcased good to excellent quality, with 25% rated as good and 22.5% as excellent. These findings provide valuable insights for hydrogeologists to develop appropriate strategies for water treatment and address any concerns related to groundwater quality.

Assessing the physicochemical properties of surface/groundwater of Sudhnoti district, Azad Jammu and Kashmir: Impacts on lindane degradation by photocatalysis

Since polluted water deteriorates the health of human beings and other animals, healthy society and environmental sustainability demand for clean and safe water. The presence of contaminants, and imbalance of common physicochemical parameters significantly disturb the quality of water. Taking the importance of clean and safe water into account, this study investigated fourteen physicochemical parameters of hand pump and open well water (main drinking water sources) from fifteen places of district Sudhnoti, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The mean values of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), alkalinity, hardness and total dissolved solids (TDS) were 7.6, 349.9 μS/cm, 144, 152 and 190 mg/L, respectively. The mean concentration of Na+, K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3−, Cl−, SO42− and NO3− was found to be 9.5, 0.96, 9.9, 44.2, 144, 16.8, 8.1 and 6.67 mg/L, respectively. The turbidity as well as the concentration of CO32− was found below the detectable level in all water samples tested. Interestingly, all the studied physicochemical parameters had lower values than the maximum permissible level recommended by the world health organization (WHO) for drinking water. Eventually, the impacts of the studied physicochemical parameters, particularly anions and cation, on the efficiency of water treatment technology for real field application were discussed. The results revealed that physicochemical parameters of the groundwater of Sudhnoti, AJK had a slight effect on the degradation efficiency of one of the most widely used pesticides, lindane, in water by using ultraviolet–visible titanium oxide/hydrogen peroxide (UV–Vis)/TiO2/H2O2) and ultraviolet–visible/titanium oxide persulfate photocatalysis. Of note, the quality of hand pump and open well water which are the main drinking water sources of district Sudhnoti, AJK was found to be fit for drinking and other domestic purposes as well as for the ecosystem.

Advanced hybrid closed loop (artificial pancreas) and carbohydrate count in type 1 diabetes

BACKGROUND: Postprandial Glucose Excursion (PPGE) control is one of the goals of diabetes therapy. Patients should count meal carbohydrates but it is often inaccurate. Automated Advanced Hybrid Closed Loop (AHCL) systems may overcome carbohydrate count mistakes and aid to improve PPGE control. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of switching from manual Sensor Augmented Pump (SAP) to AHCL on PPGE in Type 1 Diabetic (T1D) subjects. METHODS: In 15 T1D patients using manual SAP, the Area Under the Curve (AUC) after breakfast, lunch and dinner was calculated for two weeks before (T0), immediately (T1) and 3 months (T2) after switching to 780 G AHCL system. Total Daily Dose (TDD), Time Above/Below/In Range (TAR, TBR, TIR), BMI, A1c, lipid profile and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (DTSQ) were considered. RESULTS: A significant reduction in AUC was observed for breakfast and dinner at T2 and for lunch and dinner at T1. TIR increased, while TAR and TBR reduced significantly from T0 to T1 and T2. For A1c, BMI and plasma lipids no statistically significant differences were observed, although A1c decreased from 7.2% to 6.8%. TDD increased significantly, due to the automatic correction boluses. DTSQ score at T2 was 33 (range 32–34, max 36). CONCLUSIONS: After switching to AHCL, PPGE decreased rapidly by automatic correction boluses, without weight gain. Meal management simplification and glucose control improvement were associated with high satisfaction scores.

Dysregulation of miR-146a in human milk of mothers having children with autism.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a set of neurobehavioral manifestations that impose poor social interaction and stereotyped repetitive patterns. Several mircoRNA (miRNA) dysregulations underpin ASD pathophysiology via impairing the neurogenic niches. For instance, miR-146a and miR-106 differential expressions are linked to deregulation of ASD-related genes and the severity of clinical symptoms, respectively. Breastfeeding provides newborns with many bioactive compounds that support their neurodevelopment including miRNA. Our pilot study evaluated the expression pattern of miR-106a and miR-146a in human milk (HM) of nursing mothers (n = 36) having autistic children compared to age-matched counterparts (n = 36) with neurotypical children as controls. Under sterile conditions, breast milk samples were collected using manual sucking pumps and centrifuged to separate the fat layer. Total RNA was extracted from the lipid fraction, and the expression profiles of both miR-106a and miR-146a were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Among the test group, we reported some factors that were previously linked to HM miRNA perturbations: gestational diabetes, hypertension, and cesarean delivery. HM miR-106a showed comparable expression levels in both mother groups (p = 0.8681), whereas HM miR-146a was significantly downregulated in mothers with autistic children compared to controls (p = 0.0399). Alternatively, HM miR-106 levels were positively associated with two ASD clinical parameters: Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and communication and language domain of Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) (r = 0.6452, p = 0.0003 and r = 0.3958, p = 0.0410, respectively). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of both maternal HM miR-106a and miR-146a showed poor fitness as predictive biomarkers for ASD. Our findings suggest that the miR-146a differential expression in ASD children may originate at infancy during the lactation period. Thus, maternal pre- and postnatal health care is critical to maintain optimal miRNome in breast milk.

Monitoring Intrarenal temperature changes during Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy in patients undergoing retrograde intrarenal surgery: a novel pilot study.

Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy is widely used for urinary stone treatment, but concerns persist regarding its thermal effects on renal tissues. This study aimed to monitor intrarenal temperature changes during kidney stone treatment using retrograde intrarenal surgery with Ho: YAG laser. Fifteen patients were enrolled. Various laser power settings (0.8J/10 Hz, 1.2J/12 Hz) and irrigation modes (10cc/min, 15cc/min, 20cc/min, gravity irrigation, and manual pump irrigation) were used. A sterile thermal probe was attached to a flexible ureterorenoscope and delivered into the calyceal system via the ureteral access sheath. Temperature changes were recorded with a T-type thermal probe with ± 0.1°C accuracy. Laser power significantly influenced mean temperature, with a 4.981°C difference between 14W and 8W laser power (p < 0.001). The mean temperature was 2.075°C higher with gravity irrigation and 2.828°C lower with manual pump irrigation (p = 0.038 and p = 0.005, respectively). Body mass index, laser power, irrigation model, and operator duty cycle explained 49.5% of mean temperature variability (Adj. R2 = 0.495). Laser power and operator duty cycle positively impacted mean temperature, while body mass index and specific irrigation models affected it negatively. Laser power and irrigation rate are critical for intrarenal temperature during Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy. Optimal settings and irrigation strategies are vital for minimizing thermal injury risk. This study underscores the need for ongoing research to understand and mitigate thermal effects during laser lithotripsy.

Intrarenal pressure with hand-pump or pressurized-bag irrigation: randomized clinical trial at retrograde intrarenal surgery.

The aim was to ascertain the impact of irrigation technique on human intrarenal pressure during retrograde intrarenal surgery. A parallel randomized trial recruited patients across three hospital sites. Patients undergoing retrograde intrarenal surgery for renal stone treatment with an 11/13-Fr ureteral access sheath were allocated randomly to 100 mmHg pressurized-bag (PB) or manual hand-pump (HP) irrigation. The primary outcome was mean procedural intrarenal pressure. Secondary outcomes included maximum intrarenal pressure, variance, visualization, HP force of usage, procedure duration, stone clearance, and clinical outcomes. Live intrarenal pressure monitoring was performed using a COMETTMII pressure guidewire, deployed cystoscopically to the renal pelvis. The operating team was blinded to the intrarenal pressure. Thirty-eight patients were randomized between July and November 2023 (trial closure). The final analysis included 34 patients (PB 16; HP 18). Compared with PB irrigation, HP irrigation resulted in significantly higher mean intrarenal pressure (mean(s.d.) 62.29(27.45) versus 38.16(16.84) mmHg; 95% c.i. for difference in means (MD) 7.97 to 40.29 mmHg; P = 0.005) and maximum intrarenal pressure (192.71(106.23) versus 68.04(24.16) mmHg; 95% c.i. for MD 70.76 to 178.59 mmHg; P < 0.001), along with greater variance in intrarenal pressure (log transformed) (6.23(1.59) versus 4.60(1.30); 95% c.i. for MD 0.62 to 2.66; P = 0.001). Surgeon satisfaction with procedural vision reported on a scale of 10 was higher with PB compared with HP irrigation (mean(s.d.) 8.75(0.58) versus 6.28(1.27); 95% c.i. for MD 1.79 to 3.16; P < 0.001). Subjective HP usage force did not correlate significantly with transmitted intrarenal pressure (Pearson R = -0.15, P = 0.57). One patient (HP arm) developed urosepsis. Manual HP irrigation resulted in higher and more fluctuant intrarenal pressure trace (with inferior visual clarity) than 100-mmHg PB irrigation. osf.io/jmg2h (https://osf.io/).

Assessment of Drinking Water Quality in Northern Ethiopia Rural Area: A Case Study of Farta District, South Gondar Zone

Access to safe drinking water remains a fundamental issue in rural areas of Ethiopia. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of drinking water at protected sources in the Farta district, South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. The study covered 16 rural Kebeles and was conducted on 75 protected dug wells with hand pumps (HDWs) and 17 protected springs (PSs). Data were collected during the wet and dry season, and field measurement were conducted on water samples pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, and temperature, while laboratory analysis focused on E. coli prevalence. Additionally, sanitary risk assessment was also performed. The result showed that, the pH values ranged from 5.4 to 8.1, turbidity levels varied between 0 to 100 nephelometric turbidity unit (NTU), electric conductivity ranged from 62 to 584 µS/cm, and temperature ranged from 12.1 to 27 °C. Among all the samples, 39.1% had a pH below the minimum standard value of 6.5, close to 50.5% did not meet the turbidity requirement (5NTU), and all samples were safe against electric conductivity levels. The E. coli contamination was widespread, and only a small percentage of water sources, such as 21.7% HDWs, 6.7% PSs during dry season, and 13% HDWs during wet season were negative to E. coli detection. A significant proportion of water sources, such as 18% HDWs and 13% PSs during dry season, as well as 44.9% HDWs and 46.7% PSs during wet season, fell into the high microbial health risk category. Sanitary inspections revealed that only 16.7% of water sources were classified as low sanitary risk. This study revealed that majority of water sources were unfit to drinking and may endanger the public health. To ensure safe water availability frequent cleaning and disinfection of water sources, implementation of household water treatment, and improvement of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) infrastructure is needed.

The Impact of Pit Latrines on the Pollution of Groundwater in the District of Rwamagana, Rwanda

The composition and condition of a water body change over time and across different locations due to internal and external factors. In many rural and peri- urban communities in Rwamagana, the lack of treated water has increased reliance on groundwater for various household and community needs. Groundwater sources are essential for meeting the water demand in these regions. An investigation was carried out in the Rwamagana district of the eastern province of Rwanda to evaluate the influence of pit latrines on groundwater quality. The research examined the water quality of four boreholes with hand pumps and 18 improved springs located near pit latrines. The evaluation specifically looked at total coliforms (TC), electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, and pH. The proximity of the pit latrines to the boreholes or springs was considered in order to determine the presence of fecal coliforms in the groundwater, with the goal of establishing a minimum safe distance between the pit latrines and water sources. The physicochemical indicators of the water samples met the drinking water quality criteria set by the World Health Organization (WHO). However, the levels of biological contaminants exceeded the WHO's drinking water quality standards. The highest coliform counts detected in the study were 99cfu/100ml of water. The research findings suggest a clear relationship between fecal microbes from pit latrines and their impact on groundwater quality, with the contamination effect extending up to 322.4m for improved springs and 266.2m for boreholes with hand pumps.

Quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) of the work of manual pit emptiers, commonly known as bayakous.

In Haiti, manual pit emptiers, known as bayakous, face significant health risks. They work by descending naked into latrine pits, exposing themselves to pathogens and contributing to environmental contamination. This study employs the quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) method to evaluate the microbial risks associated with this practice, considering nine prevalent pathogens in Haiti. Three ingestion scenarios were developed: hand-to-mouth contact, ingestion while immersed in excreta, and a combination of both. A sensitivity analysis assessed the impact of input data on study outcomes. The results indicate a high probability of infection and illness during pit emptying operations annually for all scenarios and pathogens. Recommendations include adopting personal protective equipment (PPE) and using a manual Gulper waste pump to eliminate the need to descend directly into the pits, thereby reducing the risk of injury from sharp objects. The study proposes the establishment of intermediate disposal points approximately 5 km from collection sites to deter illegal dumping. National regulations and professionalization of the bayakou profession are suggested, along with awareness campaigns to promote PPE and Gulper pump usage. Addressing these issues is crucial for safeguarding the health of bayakou and public health in Haiti.

Analysis of Avgas Fuel Spraying Schemes Using the ANSYS Application Approach

Avgas fuel consumption on Cessna trainer aircraft is very high. However, there has been little research regarding spray impacts in Cessna aircraft engines. The phenomenon of avgas spray colliding with the cylinder wall may occur during fuel injection, resulting in a changed spray radius and height, which will affect the mixing of fuel and air. In several aspects, this affects engine performance and exhaust emissions on Cessna aircraft. This research aims to determine and study the phenomenon of spray impact on avgas-fueled aircraft engines. The fuel spray in the study occurred in the combustion chamber using pressure from a fuel hand pump whose pressure was supplied from a compressor with a pressure adjusted to the original pressure on the aircraft, namely 2 Bar (30 Psi). The experiments in this research used a high-speed camera system to study the phenomenon of avgas spray on walls to get better spray distribution. The results of this research were processed using the CFD application. The result of this research is that the greater the pressure, the more concentrated the resulting jet will be on the jet wall so that the atomization of the fuel jet will be dispersed. When the burst occurs, a change of 3.80e+00 occurs compared to other burst pressures.

Oro-ruminal sampling device and technique for rapid collection of rumen content and improved recovery of solid fractions for microbiome analysis.

Rumen fistulation is a widely used procedure that allows for collection of ruminal contents. However, fistulation is an invasive and costly procedure that generally limits the number of animals that can be recruited for experiments, thus encouraging the use of alternative techniques such as the intra-esophageal tube technique. One of the challenges of this technique is the limited ability to collect solid fractions from the rumen content pool which may impact the microbial community structure in the sample, particularly affecting the recovery and characterization of solid adherent-bacteria. We developed an intra-esophageal tube rumen sampling technique and device referred to as ‘Rumen Sampler MG’ with the aim of increasing the recovery of solid fractions from rumen content compared with other oro-ruminal sampling methods. The ‘Rumen Sampler MG’ device consists of a manual pump fitted with a barometer and an intra-esophageal flexible PVC tube with beveled terminal edge allowing for minimal clogging of the sampling tubing and a rapid flux of contents being sampled. Nine lactating Holstein-Friesian dairy cows (554.6 ± 25.2 kg BW; 8.3 ± 3.3 DIM) were recruited to evaluate the proposed method. During the procedure, animals were safely restrained in a chute and administered with a low dosage of a neuroleptic drug to reduce animal stress during sampling. An endoscopic camera was inserted into the reticulo-rumen through the esophagus to identify the sampling location and determine the length of the sampling tube necessary to reach the desired location. Following, the intra-esophageal sampling tube connected to a manual pump was inserted for collection of rumen contents. Samples collected did not present visual evidence of saliva contamination (e.g., high viscosity) and their pH ranged within expected values (6.33 - 7.04) for samples collected from the reticulo-rumen. Each sample contained 35–40% wet solids volume. Individual dry matter intake and milk production of cows continued to increase after sampling as expected for cows in the early postpartum period, suggesting that the sampling procedure did not affect cow performance. Results from microbiome analysis of rumen content samples suggest that the relative abundances of the main bacterial phyla are consistent with those from samples collected from dairy cows via rumen fistula in previous studies. The device and technique proposed allow for adequate samples of ruminal liquid and solid contents to be collected for microbiome analysis without disruption of animal performance.

La boîte à outils de l’urétéroscopie ou « ce qu’il faut emporter sur une île déserte »

Flexible ureteroscopy is now widely used as the preferred option to surgically treat a urinary stone, due to several technological advancements. Thus, choosing the adequate equipment is challenging, but respect safety concepts. Indeed, placing the safety wire (nitinol, 0,035’’, « stiff ») under rigid cystoscopy is not mandatory but improve safety. Regarding ureteral access sheath (UAS), considerations are similar : UAS facilitates vision, pressure and temperature control but can also be responsible of ureteral injuries at insertion. Suction devices are now undervaluation and could not be discussed. To limit the barotrauma risk, irrigation devices with manual pumps should be used (40cmH20). Choosing a flexible ureteroscope (fURS) is challenging; a special attention has to be given to size, deflexion, working channel position and vision. Thus, using a single fURS is hardly imaginable. Both Holmium:Yttrium-Aluminium-Garnet(Ho:YAG) et Thulium Fiber (TFL) lasers are recommended to treat urinary stones during fURS, with a potential advantage of TFL on thin pulverization. A wide variety of baskets exists and size and shape have to be considered before acquisition. Finally, if ureteral stenting is not mandatory in uncomplicated cases, silicone stents present a lower risk of encrustation and stent-related symptoms compared to polyurethane ones.

Ensuring water security by reviving selected springs in Kangra region, Himachal Himalaya, India

ABSTRACT In the Himalaya, availability of fresh water is a need of mankind, but due to numerous unsustainable developments, hill peoplesare witnessing scarcity of potable water. Hence, there is an imperative need for continuous monitoring of different water sources of Himalaya along with sustainable groundwater management practices in the highlands. The present study is based on extensive field visits investigating natural and other anthropogenic influences on mountain springs, locally known as “boweris”. In the undertaken study, eleven boweris were identified in the Salol region of Kangra, out of which two were exclusively selected as representative boweris, for their detailed studies and revival during the year 2021–2022. The physio-chemical characteristics (pH, TDS, and Electrical Conductivity) of the collected water samples from the boweris and hand pumps were found to be within the acceptable limits as prescribed by Bureau of Indian standards. The correlation between the pairs of TDS-EC depicted a strong positive relationship in both post-monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons and was found to be 0.94 and 0.99, respectively. Results of the t-test show a statistically significant difference in the mean concentrations of TDS (p = 0.02) and EC (p = 0.01) compared to pH (p = 0.39) with no significant difference at 5% significance level during both the seasons in the studied area. It was evident from the field investigations that the recharge structures constructed are facilitating the local boweris in maintaining the water level during the dry seasons. In the Bhatlahru region, the water level in the boweris rose from 127 to 159 cm, whereas in the Salol region, a rise from 119 to 142 cm was observed. The obtained results support the effectiveness and suitability of the proposed structures for the sustainable water resource management in the lower Himalaya. However, regular and long-term hydrological monitoring of the existing groundwater sources of the Himalaya is required for a better understanding of groundwater dynamics.

Pressure Infusor Assisted Arthrocentesis

Temporomandibular joint internal disorders commonly present with limited mouth opening and pain. Treatment options range from invasive surgical procedures to minimally invasive interventions. This technical note aims to introduce a modification to the arthrocentesis technique in which a pressure infusion cuff (VBM Classic Infusor, Medizintechnik GmbH, Germany) is used for irrigation instead of syringes or peristaltic pumps. A pressure infusion cuff (bag) is an inflatable bag with a hand pump and a sphygmomanometer that allows monitorization of the pressure, and it is intended to apply pressure on I.V. fluid bags to assist with rapid infusion of fluids. This allows the operator to maintain an efficient and stable flow pressure throughout the procedure while avoiding occupational hand and wrist problems resulting from manual irrigation with syringes. Furthermore, pressure monitoring, as read on the sphygmomanometer of the cuff, facilitates the manipulation of the needles and adjustment of the pressure should the patient experiences discomfort. This increases the patient’s compliance, physician’s comfort and allows the collection of quantitative data in clinical studies.