The Study of Drag Reduction on Ships Inspired by Simplified Shark Skin Imitation.

The skin of a fast swimming shark reveals riblet structures that help reduce the shark's skin friction drag, enhancing its efficiency and speed while moving in the water. Inspired by the structure of the shark skin denticles, our team has carried out a study as an effort in improving the hydrodynamic design of marine vessels through hull design modification which was inspired by this riblet structure of shark skin denticle. Our study covers on macroscaled design modification. This is an attempt to propose an alternative for a better economical and practical modification to obtain a more optimum cruising characteristics for marine vessels. The models used for this study are constructed using computer-aided design (CAD) software, and computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations are then carried out to predict the effectiveness of the hydrodynamic effects of the biomimetic shark skins on those models. Interestingly, the numerical calculated results obtained show that the presence of biomimetic shark skin implemented on the vessels give about 3.75% reduction of drag coefficient as well as reducing up to 3.89% in drag force experienced by the vessels. Theoretically, as force drag can be reduced, it can lead to a more efficient vessel with a better cruising speed. This will give better impact to shipping or marine industries around the world. However, it can be suggested that an experimental procedure is best to be conducted to verify the numerical result that has been obtained for further improvement on this research.

High prevalence rates of anemia, vitamin A deficiency and stunting imperil the health status of Bedouin schoolchildren in North Badia, Jordan.

AIMS: This survey aimed to identify nutritional deficits affecting Bedouin children as they enter school age and illustrate their families' dietary consumption patterns. METHODS: 560 healthy schoolchildren aged 5.5-10 years from 8 Badia hamlets were nutritionally investigated by applying anthropometric, laboratory and dietary assessment methods. RESULTS: Mean and median serum retinol concentrations (SRCs) were 228 and 218 microg/l, respectively. Mean prevalence of nutritional deficits among children were stunting (23.4%), anemia (57.5%), vitamin A deficiency (29.5%), iron deficiency (28.4%), and vitamin E deficiency (17.1%). Including those with borderline values, the proportion of children vulnerable to VAD threats reached 90%. Compared to normal subjects, anemic children had lower SRC (207 vs. 233 microg/l; p < 0.001) and ferritin (9.6 vs. 11.3 microg/l; p < 0.001) levels; stunted children had lower serum vitamin E (6.5 vs. 7.3 mg/l; p < 0.001) and ferritin (10.3 vs. 11.1 microg/l; p < 0.001) levels; vitamin A-deficient children had lower hemoglobin (11.3 vs. 11.8 g/dl; p < 0.001), serum vitamin E (6.69 vs. 7.23 mg/l; p < 0.01), and serum ferritin (10.4 vs. 11.2 microg/l; p < 0.001) levels, and vitamin E-deficient subjects had lower SRC levels (206 vs. 232 microg/l; p < 0.001). Except for hemoglobin status, no significant differences between genders were detected. SRC correlated strongly with hemoglobin, vitamin E, BMI and serum ferritin. The frequency of consumption of meat and fats seemed to be among the determinants of SRC and hemoglobin values. CONCLUSION: Urbanization has brought Bedouins towards poverty and undernutrition, with older children suffering more severe consequences in comparison with preschool-age children. This multifaceted nutritional problem requires implementation of multicomponent interventions.

Poor nutritional health of Bedouin preschool children in Jordan: the irony of urbanization.

AIMS: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to assess growth and nutritional status of Bedouin preschool children with special focus on the extent of the interaction of anemia with iron deficiency and vitamin A deficiency as possible underlying factors. METHODS: Subjects aged 6-66 months were included by recruitment of 262 mothers having either an infant or a preschool child. Nutritional assessment by anthropometric, laboratory and dietary methods was carried out, with anthropometric indices expressed in z-score units. Serum retinol concentration, alpha-tocopherol, ferritin and blood hemoglobin and hematocrit were assessed. RESULTS: Stunting, vitamin A deficiency, anemia, and iron deficiency were prevalent at rates of 21.1, 25.2, 57.3, and 20.2%, respectively. Mean serum retinol concentration was 249 +/- 64 microg/l. More than 50% of the children were at risk of vitamin A deficiency. Compared to others, subjects with vitamin A deficiency tended to have lower hemoglobin (10.0 +/- 1.9 vs. 10.95 +/- 1.99 g/dl, p < 0.001) and lower serum ferritin concentrations (9.2 +/- 3.4 vs. 16.3 +/- 6.2 microg/l, p < 0.001). Serum retinol concentration correlated with hemoglobin (r = 0.41, p < 0.001) and ferritin (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). No gender differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: Bedouin preschool children are at risk for anemia, iron deficiency, nonocular vitamin A deficiency and stunting. Vitamin A deficiency exacerbates the development of anemia and iron deficiency among children. Urbanization has led Bedouins to the verge of poverty. They have been losing their characteristic lifestyle as traditional livestock keepers, with their children deprived of milk to drink or meat to eat. Coordinated interventional actions by the socioeconomic development planners and decision makers are needed.

Rapid diagnosis of bacterial meningitis with reagent strips.

Laboratory examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is not available in many parts of the world, and without knowledge of CSF glucose, protein, and cells, a diagnosis of meningitis may be missed. Testing CSF with urine reagent strips that measure glucose and protein has given variable results. We tested CSF samples from 234 children with suspected meningitis for glucose, protein, and leucocytes with Combur9 reagent strips. The results were compared with those obtained from the laboratory and also interpreted as indicating bacterial or viral meningitis. There was good agreement between the strip and laboratory method of estimating CSF glucose, protein, and leucocytes. All but 4 of the cases of meningitis were correctly identified by the strip method (sensitivity 97%). 2 (2.9%) of 69 cases of bacterial meningitis were judged by an independent observer to be viral, and 2 (3.3%) of 60 cases of viral meningitis as normal. No normal CSF was diagnosed as meningitis (specificity 100%). The results indicate that Combur9 reagent strips can distinguish normal from infected CSF and are of value in the diagnosis of meningitis.

Autosomal recessive osteopetrosis in Arab children.

Nineteen Arab children including six boys and 13 girls in ten sibships were diagnosed as having osteopetrosis over a 5-year period in various hospitals in Kuwait. Eighteen patients had an isolated autosomal recessive form and one had autosomal recessive osteopetrosis associated with renal tubular acidosis. The mean age of diagnosis was 24 months. Parental consanguinity was high amongst them (68%). Anaemia, hepatosplenomegaly, failure to thrive, recurrent infections and neurological manifestations were common. Associated congenital abnormalities were found in 26%. Deafness, hydrocephalus and dental caries were relatively less common. A high mortality (37%) owing to infection was noted. The medical management and recommendations for patient care are discussed briefly.

Camel trypanosomiasis and its vectors in Somalia.

Blood samples from 3000 Somali camels (Camelus dromedarius) were examined for trypanosome infection. Of these, 160 (5.33%) were infected with Trypanosoma evansi, one (0.03%) with T. congolense and one (0.03%) with T. brucei. Camel trypanosomiasis occurred in most areas of tabanid infestation throughout the country. The tabanids Philoliche zonata and P. magretti are incriminated as the major vectors of the disease.