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The gas turbine engine has a wide range of applications, these include industrial and aerospace applications on locomotive, ferry, compressor and power generation, and the most popular application will be for the air transportation. The application for air transportation including military and commercial aircraft is highly sensitive to safety concerns. The engine health monitoring system plays a major role for addressing this concern, a good engine monitoring system will not only to provide immediate and correct information to the engine user but also provide useful information for managing the maintenance activities. Without a reliable performance diagnosis module involved, there will be not possible to build a good health monitoring system. There are many methodologies had been proposed and studied during past three decades, and yet still struggling to search for some good techniques to handle instrumentation errors. In order to develop a reliable engine performance diagnosis technique, a fully understanding and proper handling of the instrumentation is essential. A engine performance fault pattern matching method has been proposed and developed in this study, two fault libraries contains a complete defined set of 51963 faults was created by using a newly serviced fighter engine component data. This pattern matching system had been verified by different approaches, such as compares with linear and nonlinear diagnosis results and compares with performance sensitivity analysis results by using LTF program engine data. The outcomes from the verications indicate an encouraging result for further exploring this method. In conclusion, this research has not only propose a feasible performance diagnosis techniques, but also developed and verified through different kind of approaches for this techniques. In addition to that, by proper manipulating the created fault library, a possible new tool for analyzing the application of instruments' implementation was discovered. The author believes there will be more to study by using this created fault pattern library. For instance, this fault pattern library can be treated as a very good initial training sets for neural networking to develop a neural diagnosis technique. This study has put a new milestone for further exploring gas turbine diagnosis technique by using fault pattern related methods.

M.Phil. (Optometry) / The primary aim of this research was to investigate whether the Icare® rebound tonometer may be used in place of the Goldmann tonometer to obtain accurate and reliable intraocular pressure measurements on a sample of the general population seeking eye care, in a South African context. Due to the portability of the Icare®, lack of dependency on other instrumentation and power source, together with the ease of use with minimal training, and without the use of topical anaesthetic favourable results of the instrument may lead to its widespread use. This could aid in earlier diagnosis of glaucoma where intraocular pressure remains the only modifiable risk factor. In the South African context, where a high prevalence of undiagnosed primary open angle glaucoma has been found, access and accuracy of intraocular pressure measurement could save and extend functional vision in this country. Patients presenting at the Department of Optometry for routine eye examinations were selected utilizing convenience sampling. The right and left eyes of 113 patients were assessed using both the Icare® TA01i and the Goldman applanation tonometer by independent examiners for each method, all readings of intraocular pressure with the Goldman being taken by the same experienced examiner. The age of the patients ranged from 20 to 89 years with a mean age 50.29 ±20.97 years. Using the Oculus Pachycam® when it became available, central corneal thickness was obtained on 71 patients (142 eyes). Analysis of data using descriptive statistics from SPSS (Statistical Programs for the Social Sciences) was performed in addition to the Bland-Altman method of comparative analysis for sets of data of corrected and uncorrected measurements between the instruments...

A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of philosophy. Johannesburg, 2017. / Pancreatic cancer (PDAC) is a deadly type of cancer with almost an equal amount of new cases and deaths observed yearly. It accounts for about 7% of cancer related deaths worldwide with less than 5% of PDAC patients living up to 5 years. The lack of specific and sensitive diagnostic tests is strongly responsible for this poor statistic. The discovery of differentially expressed genes and proteins associated with PDAC is crucial to elucidating this condition and may lead to biomarker finding and further understanding of the disease. This in turn may lead to improved diagnostic tests for early diagnosis. The aim of this study was to identify novel potential biomarkers for PDAC. [No abstract provided. Information taken from summary] / MT2017

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Public Health in the field of Hospital Management May 2013 / Laboratory tests are considered a critical clinical intervention in the diagnosis and treatment of various medical conditions. However, ordering of laboratory tests is not immune from abuse (under / over-use), which necessitates that the service be effectively managed. It has been a matter for concern that there actually are no benchmarks in existence against which district hospitals laboratory test ordering patterns can be measured. This study concerns the generation and compilation of a body of knowledge that will serve as a baseline / benchmark for comparison purposes on a month-to-month basis at Brits District Hospital, as well as for comparisons with other district hospitals, towards the development of best practices.

Given the high prevalence of HIV and AIDS in South Africa, particularly among the 12-25 year age group, the study set out to understand the perceptions of parents regarding the proposed school-based HIV Counselling and Testing (HCT) campaign planned by the Department of Health in collaboration with the Department of Education. This campaign is aimed at encouraging teenagers to get tested and to know their HIV status in the hope that such knowledge will reduce the number of new infections. The target market of the HCT campaign includes high schools because they have a significant number of adolescents and young adults who could benefit from HCT campaign (SANAC, 2010:11). The research looked at the ethical, legal and social implications of the HCT campaign in schools as perceived by parents. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 20 households. Among the main findings was that parents were generally in favour of the HCT campaign but believed that participation in the programme should be voluntary. They anticipated that the HCT programme could potentially affect children’s emotional well-being, particularly if ethico-legal issues of consent and confidentiality were violated and social issues of stigma and discrimination were not handled sensitively. They emphasised that the campaign needed to consider children’s vulnerability and should seek to protect them in the process. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for promoting bioethical principles in implementing the HCT campaign.

Faculty of Health Sciencs School of Public Health 961299p muzi@hst.org.za / Most leading causes of death and disability in developing countries can be prevented, treated, or at least alleviated with cost effective essential drugs. However, hundreds of millions of people do not have regular access to essential drugs despite the fact that essential drugs can prevent many deaths. The aim of this study was to determine factors associated with essential drugs shortages in Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities (i.e. clinics and community health centres) in Mopani District in the Limpopo Province. Forty-five facilities were selected by means of stratified (by sub-district) random sampling. Forty-five professional nurses, who were in charge of the facility on the day of the interviews, were interviewed. A structured questionnaire was used for the data collection. Six pharmacists, from the six hospitals that supply drugs to the PHC facilities, were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. A one-on-one informal interview was held with 2 Hospital Superintendents and the Acting Provincial Chief Pharmaceutical Director. The study was both a retrospective and prospective observational study based on review of historical data, interviews with key players and direct observation of current practice. The tools used to collect and analyse the data were based on those developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Health Systems Trust (HST) with some adjustments and adaptation. The District STI Quality of Care (DISCA) Tool was used in the other thirty-six facilities, at which the structured questionnaire was not administered, to test prescribing indicators in relation to diagnosis, the correctness of and dosage of drugs dispensed and also drugs availability.

by Judy, Po-shan Lai. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1992. / Includes bibliographical references(leaves 83-87). / Abbreviations --- p.iii / List of Tables --- p.iv / List of Figures --- p.v / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / SUMMARY --- p.1 / Chapter 1. --- INTRODUCTION --- p.2 / Chapter 2. --- BACKGROUND --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1 --- PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED IN THYROID FUNCTION TESTS --- p.4 / Chapter 2.2 --- A NEED FOR TISSUE MARKER VERSUS EXISTING THYROID FUNCTION TESTS --- p.8 / Chapter 2.3 --- CHOICE OF TISSUE MARKER AS AN ADJUNCT TO THYROID FUNCTION TESTS --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- ERYTHROCYTE ZINC --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- ERYTHROCYTE CARBONIC ANHYDRASE ISOENZYME --- p.11 / Chapter 3. --- CARBONIC ANHYDRASE --- p.14 / Chapter 3.1 --- HISTORY AND BACKGROUND --- p.14 / Chapter 3.2 --- CARBONIC ANHYDRASE ISOENZYMES --- p.15 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- STRUCTURE AND DISTRIBUTION --- p.15 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- GENERAL MECHANISMS --- p.18 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- GENETICS AND REGULATION --- p.18 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- PHYSIOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL ASPECTS --- p.20 / Chapter 4. --- ANALYTICAL METHODS FOR MEASUREMENT OF ERYTHROCYTE CARBONIC ANHYDRASE --- p.22 / Chapter 4.1 --- DETERMINATION OF ECAI USING IMMUNOTURBIDIMETRIC ASSAY --- p.23 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- PRINCIPLE OF TECHNIQUE --- p.23 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- COLLECTION AND HANDLING OF BLOOD SPECIMENS --- p.29 / Chapter 4.1.3 --- PREPARATION OF HAEMOLYSATE --- p.31 / Chapter 4.1.4 --- MEASUREMENT OF HAEMOLYSATE CAI --- p.32 / Chapter 4.1.5 --- OPTIMIZATION PROCEDURE --- p.34 / Chapter 4.1.6 --- EVALUATION EXPERIMENTS --- p.36 / Chapter 4.1.7 --- DETERMINATION OF HAEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION IN HAEMOLYSATE --- p.39 / Chapter 4.1.8 --- DETERMINATION OF MEAN CELL HAEMOGLOBIN CONCENTRATION --- p.41 / Chapter 4.1.9 --- CALCULATION OF ERYTHROCYTE CARBONIC ANHYDRASE I CONCENTRATION --- p.43 / Chapter 4.2 --- DETERMINATION OF ECAI USING RADIAL IMMUNODIFFUSION METHOD --- p.43 / Chapter 5. --- RESULTS OF OPTIMIZATION AND EVALUATION EXPERIMENTS --- p.46 / Chapter 5.1 --- OPTIMIZATION RESULTS --- p.46 / Chapter 5.1.1 --- WAVELENGTH --- p.46 / Chapter 5.1.2 --- PEG CONCENTRATION --- p.49 / Chapter 5.1.3 --- SAMPLE VOLUME --- p.52 / Chapter 5.1.4 --- ANTIBODY DILUTION --- p.52 / Chapter 5.1.5 --- TEMPERATURE --- p.54 / Chapter 5.1.6 --- TIME OF INCUBATION --- p.54 / Chapter 5.1.7 --- OPTIMIZED TEST PROTOCOL --- p.56 / Chapter 5.2 --- EVALUATION RESULTS --- p.56 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- STABILITY --- p.56 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- LINEARITY --- p.58 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- PRECISION --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2.3.1 --- WITHIN-RUN --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2.3.2. --- BETWEEN-RUN --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2.4 --- CROSS-REACTIVITY --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2.5 --- RECOVERY --- p.62 / Chapter 5.2.6 --- COMPARISON WITH COMPARATIVE METHOD --- p.64 / Chapter 5.3 --- DISCUSSION --- p.64 / Chapter 6. --- ECAI IN NORMAL SUBJECTS --- p.67 / Chapter 6.1 --- SUBJECTS AND METHOD --- p.67 / Chapter 6.2 --- RESULTS --- p.67 / Chapter 6.3 --- DISCUSSION --- p.67 / Chapter 7. --- PATIENT STUDY --- p.69 / Chapter 7.1 --- SUBJECTS AND METHOD --- p.69 / Chapter 7.2 --- RESULTS --- p.70 / Chapter 7.2.1 --- DEMOGRAPHIC AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS --- p.70 / Chapter 7.2.2 --- CORRELATION BETWEEN ECAI AND FT3 RESULTS OF THYROTOXIC PATIENTS BEFORE TREATMENT --- p.71 / Chapter 7.2.3 --- CORRELATION BETWEEN ECAI AND EZN RESULTS OF THYROTOXIC PATIENTS --- p.71 / Chapter 7.2.4 --- RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE CHANGES IN ECAI AND FT3 RESULTS IN THYROTOXIC PATIENT ON TREATMENT --- p.71 / Chapter 7.3 --- DISCUSSION --- p.76 / Chapter 8. --- GENERAL DISCUSSION --- p.79 / Chapter 9. --- REFERENCES --- p.83

by Yu Xiongwen. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 74-84). / Abstract also in Chinese. / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / List of Tables --- p.iii / List of Figures --- p.iv / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Tumor Marker --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1 --- General concept of tumor marker --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2 --- Application of tumor marker --- p.2 / Chapter 1.1.3 --- Limitation of tumor markers --- p.5 / Chapter 1.2 --- Breast Cancer --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.1 --- Incidence in Hong Kong Chinese --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2.2 --- Need for early diagnosis and prognosis --- p.8 / Chapter 1.3 --- Markers for Breast Cancer --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- Usefulness of tumor marker for breast cancer --- p.9 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- Some tumor marker for breast cancer --- p.12 / Chapter 1.4 --- Selective Markers for Breast Cancer in this Study --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.1 --- New TPA --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4.2 --- CA 15-3 --- p.19 / Chapter 1.4.3 --- Apolipoprotein(a) --- p.22 / Chapter 1.5 --- Objectives --- p.24 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1 --- Materials --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Patients and control subjects --- p.25 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Sampling --- p.25 / Chapter 2.2 --- Methods --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- CA 15-3: Cancer Antige 15-3 --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- New TP A --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Apolipoprotein(a) --- p.28 / Chapter 2.3 --- Statistical Methods --- p.29 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1. --- Precision Studies --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- CA 15-3 --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1.2 --- TPA --- p.32 / Chapter 3.1.3 --- Apolipoprotein(a) --- p.32 / Chapter 3.2 --- CA 15-3 --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- "CA 15-3 levels in healthy women, patients with benign breast disease and patients with breast cancer" --- p.37 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- "Sensitivity, specificity, and total accuracy of preoperative CA15-3 determination by cutoff value" --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3 --- TPA --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- TPA levels in healthy women，patients with benign breast disease and patients with breast cancer --- p.45 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- "Sensitivity, specificity，and total accuracy of preoperative CA 15-3 determination by cutoff value" --- p.50 / Chapter 3.4 --- Apolipoprotein (a) --- p.53 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Apo(a) levels in healthy women，patients with benign breast disease and patients with breast cancer --- p.53 / Chapter 3.5 --- Combination Test --- p.59 / Chapter 3.6 --- Study in Pairs --- p.64 / Chapter 3.6.1 --- Results of the pairs investigation --- p.64 / Chapter 3.6.2 --- Changes in post-operation compared with the pre- operation levels --- p.64 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion --- p.69 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- Conclusion --- p.73 / References --- p.74