The objective of this work is to study the effect addition compatibilizing agent poly(ethylene-alt-maleic anhydride) (HDPE-alt-MAH) on mechanical properties and morphology HDPE/PA12 blends. amounts compatibilizer used were 0, 2, 3 wt% blends manufactured in three ratios, namely: 75/25, 50/50, 25/75. It was observed that with 2 HDPE-alt-MAH presented best performance. As proportion PA12 blend in...

Maximal static expiratory and inspiratory mouth pressures (PEmax and PImax) and quadriceps femoris muscle strength were measured in 25 patients aged 16-28 years with cystic fibrosis (mean FEV1 46% predicted). Mean (SD) PEmax was 64% (18%) predicted (below 75% predicted in 16 of the 25 patients), and PImax was 64% (24%) predicted (below 75% predicted in 14 patients). Quadriceps muscle strength w...

ii DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my wife Dr. Therese Bu Akl– for being a caring and supportive partner who made my life such a wonderful journey; to my daughters Maria and Yasmine– for their patience and love; and to my sister Susan and her husband Alex – for their kindness and support. Thank you. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Joon Sang Lee for the vital ...

Background. In patients with bronchial asthma, spirometry could identify the airflow limitation of small airways by evaluating the concave shape of the maximal expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curve. As the concave shape of the MEFV curve is not well documented, we reevaluated the importance of this curve in adult asthmatic patients. Methods. We evaluated spirometric parameters, the MEFV curve, an...

Cultivation of species high growth rates is a key achievement sustainable aquaculture development, with the aim increasing animal protein per capita, maintaining food security and preserving freshwater usage. The present study was conducted to evaluate feasibility monoculture polyculture striped catfish, Pangasianodon hypophthalmus, Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, in different proportions ...

The in vitro effect of five commonly used herbicides viz., pyridate, fluazifop-P-butyl, foramsulfuron, tembotrione and Smetolachlor on mycelial growth of entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana (ATCC 74040) was evaluated each at different concentrations: 100, 75, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 0% of recommended field application rate on PDA agar plates at 15 and 25°C. The herbicides tested were clas...

PURPOSE The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate whether blending two kinds of biomaterials, chitosan and polycaprolactone (PCL), can be used as scaffold and carrier for growth and differentiation of corneal endothelial cells (CECs). METHODS A transparent, biocompatible carrier with cultured CECs on scaffold would be a perfect replacement graft. In the initial part of experiment, for...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Additional neuromuscular blocker doses are in general needed during wall closing after abdominal surgeries. This study aimed at determining during partial pancuronium-induced neuromuscular block recovery, the effect of additional atracurium dose on spontaneous neuromuscular block recovery. METHODS Participated in this study 30 patients divided in two groups: pancuron...