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Background: Unorthodox medication refers to medications that are not in conformity with the standards of the medical community. Objectives: This study assessed the prevalence and use of unorthodox medications among patients in Enugu, Nigeria. It also assessed the reason, duration of use, source of information, and knowledge of harmful effects of these unorthodox medications on patients. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of 405 patients who attended dental clinic of Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (FCDTT) over a 2-month period. Data on sociodemographic profile, use of unorthodox medication, reason for use, source of information, duration of use, and knowledge of the harmful effect were collected using questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 25 and chi-square test was conducted. Factors associated with the use of unorthodox medication were considered significant at P < 0.05. Results: One hundred and sixty-four (40.5%) study participants used unorthodox medication before presenting to the dental clinic. Majority 224(55.3%) were aged 18–34 years, had postgraduate education 140(34.6%) and had visited the dental clinic in the past 211(52.1%). There was a significant association between past dental visit (P = 0.03) and use of unorthodox medication. “No need for orthodox dental prescription and care” was the main reason for use of unorthodox medication by the study participants. Dental powder particularly “Agnes Nwamma” was the most common unorthodox medication used. Conclusion: Two-fifth of the study population used unorthodox medication and the major reason for use was non-perceived need for orthodox medication. Dental powder particularly “Agnes Nwamma” was the most common unorthodox medication used.

Some living organisms have been eliminated in some ecosystems, while some diseases have recently been caused due to extreme climate changes nowadays which have been affected by greenhouse gases which disturb the ecosystems. To an extent, the temperature of Earth's planet has increased markedly over the last 100.000 years. This increment can strongly affect the normal existence of a large number of living beings such as animals, plants, and microorganisms. Human life span has been decreased due to the harsh conditions in ecosystems and as one of the consequences of global warming; besides the pathogens, like bacteria, viruses and parasites, have become more resistant to disinfectants and to novel antimicrobial agents much more than before. The production and cultivation of some crops and numerous plant species become harder as a result of high salinity and decreases rainfall. Since 2007, forestation and drought have been the most obvious manifestations in many countries, especially in Iraqi lands leading to the migration of people and some animals like birds away from them. Cattle and some animals like deer and fish have been in a limited number tending to extinction in some Iraqi areas. This review has been prepared to document the global and local impacts of climate change on biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An attempt has been made to develop filter design criteria that can be adopted for nonuniform particle sizes of different gradation for both cohesionless bases and filter material. It is a deviation from the existing empirical approaches of filter design, which mostly rely upon the ratios of certain particle sizes of the filter and base materials. This concept explains the behavior of filters more clearly and the practical validity of this concept has been amply demonstrated by a number of tests on various base-filter combinations. The results of the laboratory investigations were found comparable with the theoretical predictions. Based on the logical configuration of the filter mass and experimental observations, a procedure for the design of filter has been developed. For this purpose an empirical equation has been established for estimating the design controlling size [d.sup.*] on the basis of the base gradation. This [d.sup.*] is a guiding size for design of the filter mass and depends on the packing pattern of nonuniform particle sizes. Results of this investigation have been found to be consistent with the results of some earlier investigations. CE Database subject headings: Filters; Design; Seepage: Particle size; Base course.

ComEd developed a methodology for evaluating the reliability of transmission system protection schemes in 1995. Two approaches were developed; one focused on component reliability data, and the other on component operating history. The second approach has been put into practice. Review of disturbances identified protection schemes and lines that are less reliable than others, thus permitting a focused program of maintenance and replacements. The reliability method is described, along with sample data and results.

A program is presented for prolonging the useful life of major equipment used in the auxiliary distribution systems of nuclear generating plants, with a focus on power quality and power conditioning. Both reactive power compensation and control of power quality have a significant impact on the life of electrical equipment. Improvements result from reduced operating temperatures, from systematic load reduction in the distribution system, and from reductions in phase imbalances and harmonics. This paper focusses on the impact of power conditioning on the life of transformers, cables, breakers, motors, and solenoids.

This paper deals with the electrical issues related to the NRC Generic Letter (GL) 89-10. In this paper a brief background along with the basic design requirement of Motor Operated Valves (MOV) are also presented. Degraded voltage impact on the MOV's are discussed. Analytical and diagnostic techniques to study the degraded voltage issues are presented to resolve the issues raised in GL 89-10.

Maize is one of the main fodders and food source and even staple food in different countries. The presence of arsenic (As) in the soil has been reported to affect the growth and productivity of agricultural crops. The plant uptake of As from soil might depend on the composition and type of soil texture. In this study, we assessed the effect of four levels (0, 25, 50 and 100 mg As kg-1 of soil) of As on As uptake as well as the growth and physiology of maize (Zea mays) grown in three soils varying in texture in a pot experiment conducted at Government college university Faisalabad in February-March, 2018. Results revealed that the growth parameters significantly decreased in response to increasing concentrations of As in all three types of soil. The most prominent effects of As treatments on maize were shown under sandy loam soil followed by loamy soil and then clayey soils. At highest level of As application, the maximum As concentration in plant shoot and root were found in sandy loam soil (45.1 and 93.4 mg kg-1) followed by that in loamy soil (39.9 and 86.2 mg kg-1) and clayey soils (34.9 and 81.1 mg kg-1). Similarly, the maximum Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetic Acid (DTPA) extractable As (2.4 mg kg-1) was detected in sandy loam soil, whereas, the lowest (2.1 mg kg-1) was observed in clayey soil. Antioxidant enzyme activities and protein contents were maximum in the soils amended with 25 mg as kg-1, and were significantly decreased in the soils containing higher levels of As. However, these values were relatively higher in the clayey soils followed by the loamy soil and least in the sandy loam soil. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) including hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide (O2 -) and melondialdehyde (MDA) were found to increase with increasing level of As in the soils. The effects of As on ROS were also maximum in sandy loam soil followed by the loamy soil and minimum in clayey soil. Conclusively we can say that the presence of As significantly affected the growth and physiological parameters of the maize crop. However, the effects of As were more severe in sandy loam soil as compared to the other ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]