Influence of Repeated Loading and Geosynthetic Reinforcement on Base Course Thickness over Soft Soil

Vehicle wheels at surface of pavement will pass through it many times. Pavement or base course over soft soil always needs a reinforcement.  Influence of repeated loading to thickness of base course and base course reinforced by geosynthetic is presented. Several existing methods as Giroud-Han, USA Corps of Engineers and DuPont Typar method respectively to calculate thickness of base course over soft soil using reinforcement material either geotextile or geogrid is presented and the influence of repeated loading will be compared. Results from calculation and analysis indicate that Giroud-Han method gives thickness of base course higher than other methods when CBR values of subgrade at least 2 %

Iterative model-guided post stack seismic imaging and interpretation of halokinetic structures: Ras Banas area, offshore northern Red Sea.

Offshore northern Red Sea salt basins are dominated by complex halokinetic features and variable seafloor topography. The resulting severe imaging distortions observed on seismic profiles from these basins mask the salt and subsalt structures and create uncertainty in structural interpretation and definition of hydrocarbon prospects in this region. 2-D seismic models are used to investigate the causes and effects of image distortions observed on seismic lines from the study area. The modeling reveals five discrete causes: rugged seafloor topography, thick salt bodies varying in lateral geometry and exhibiting complex boundaries, rapid lateral velocity variations, intensive diffractions from faults and faulted block edges, and discrete lateral velocity anomalies from shallow reefal limestone and evaporite bodies. Through iteratively integrating both geological and geophysical data, an economic only feasible solution is presented to minimize these distortions and improve the imaging and structural interpretation of subsalt seismic events. The 2-D seismic modeling provides constraints in a form of raypath analyses, anticipates imaging problems, and narrowly constrains the range of acceptable interpretation. Post stack signal enhancement techniques are implemented to remove random noise, suppress water-related multiples, and reduce the deleterious effects of varying seafloor topography on the underlying reflections. Post stack migrations performed after using signal enhancement techniques significantly improve the seismic imaging and interpretation of salt and subsalt reflections

Transitional Adaptation model for facilitating technology and expertise mobilisation in Gulf AEC Organisations

The fragmented nature of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is well recognised, the main issues of which relate to failures in communication, process, productivity and interoperability. These failures have contributed to an increased proliferation of adversarial relationships between the different parties involved in projects, the result of which have deleteriously affected projects. Challenges include a range of issues, from the veracity of design information throughout the project lifecycle, through to supply chain communication. These are global issues. For example, in the Gulf States, the nature and complexity of AEC projects has changed significantly due to increased globalisation and the emergence of enmeshed transnational practices. This has created an overwhelming reliance on the mobilisation and transfer of technology/expertise of professional expatriates, which has influenced the approach taken to traditional design and construction business models, including staff roles and procedures. New knowledge and ways of working are needed to support future projects in the Gulf States. There is also a requirement to capture and codify domain-specific expertise. This paper discusses the need to enhance Qatar’s AEC industry by fostering a smooth transition from its current position, into a more sustainable [replicable] state. The philosophical underpinnings of this paper take into account disparate socio-cultural, environmental and economic impacts of change, in terms of business models, technology, innovation, labour market needs, local laws/bylaws, and legislation. A theoretical growth model is presented for discussion. This builds on the experience of the UK (in particular) in terms of facilitating the mobility and penetration of technology/expertise/change in the AEC sectors. This paper presents a series of recommendations needed to develop a Pervasive Transnational Adaptation model for Qatar and the Gulf States, covering such issues as: ICT adoption, agile project management, technology-transfer, innovation, offsite construction, Public Private Partnerships, capacity building, and international strategic alliances

Online Assessment of Distributed Generation Connection for Smart Grid

Increasing renewable energy generation is among the most important objectives of smart grid, especially due to the increased environmental concerns, energy demand, and depletion of fossil energy resources. Introducing incentive feed-in tariff (FIT) programs to promote renewable distributed generation (DG) in distribution systems is an essential step towards smart grid implementation. However, current regulations of FIT programs for small-scale DG sources strictly limit the aggregated installed DG capacity to a small fraction of the system peak load. Limiting the DG capacity avoids the need for detailed connection impact assessment studies for the DG connection. Conducting detailed CIA studies for each small-scale DG project application is impractical due to the large number of applications, which can lead to delaying the DG connection process. However, avoiding assessment studies and imposing such strict limits result in rejecting numerous applications for renewable DG projects, and therefore losing a significant amount of renewable DG capacity. Such situations underscore the need for research that suggests new directions for increasing small-scale renewable DG projects under FIT programs. In order to accomplish this target, this thesis presents a planning model and a management scheme for DG connection online assessment in smart grids. The planning model achieves two objectives: insuring an adequate profit for DG owners and maximizing the number of installed DG sources in the systems. The management scheme controls the curtailment of the connected DG units to satisfy the system operational constrains. Implementing the proposed work evades the need for detailed connection impact assessment studies prior to installing small-scale DG units since the assessment is performed on an online basis. This feature can therefore reduce the number of rejected applications for renewable DG projects under FIT programs while accelerating the DG connection process. The proposed planning model and management scheme for DG connection online assessment are based on dividing the output power of each DG unit into two components: unconditional and conditional. The unconditional DG component refers to the portion of DG output power that is not subject to curtailment for all online conditions of the system; this component guarantees an adequate profit for the DG investors. The conditional DG component denotes the portion of the DG output power that is subject to curtailment. The curtailment of the conditional DG component is controlled using the proposed management scheme for DG connection online assessment. The first phase of this work introduces an economic model for calculating the unconditional DG component. This model ensures that the unconditional DG component, which is not susceptible to curtailment, yields adequate profit for DG investors. The first part also presents a techno-economic planning model that maximizes the number of DG units installed based on the technical and economic constraints. The second phase of this work presents a novel algorithm for DLF analysis that can interact with the continual changes of load and network topology in smart grids. This algorithm can solve the DLF problem in a specific area of interest in a distribution system without necessitating the inclusion of all of the system buses. This ``zooming'' feature leads to a significant reduction in the required DLF solution time, especially for large distribution systems. This DLF algorithm is utilized in obtaining load flow results in the proposed management scheme for DG connection online assessment, presented in the third phase of this work. The third phase of this work introduces a management scheme for DG connection online assessment in smart grids. The assessment is performed using a novel scalable optimization model that utilizes the ``zooming'' feature of the proposed DLF algorithm, presented in the second phase of this work. The scalable optimization model can therefore minimize the curtailment of the conditional DG components in a specific area of interest in the system without including all the system buses in the optimization problem. This feature ensures fast calculation of the minimum DG power to be curtailed based on the online condition of the system. The simulation results include a comparison between two maximum renewable DG capacities - that which can be installed according to the current FIT rules in Ontario and that which can be installed by implementing the proposed planning model with the management scheme for DG connection online assessment. The comparison indicates that implementing the proposed work would significantly increase the number of small-scale renewable DG projects that can be installed

Development of novel formulations to enhance in vivo transdermal permeation of tocopherol

Tocopherol represents a big challenge for transdermal permeation owing to its extreme hydrophobicity and large molecular mass. The aim of the present study was to develop alpha-tocopherol (T) topical formulations and evaluate the ex vivo and in vivo permeation. Franz diffusion cells were used for the ex vivo permeation, and neonatal rats were used for in vivo permeation. Seven gel formulations and 21 liquid formulations were investigated for physical stability, viscosity and permeation of T. Analysis of T was performed by a validated HPLC method using a UV detector.The ex vivo permeation from gel and emulsion formulations was very poor (0.001–0.015 %). The highest permeation was observed from monophasic liquid formulations containing dimethyl sulfuxide (DMSO), tocopheryl polyethylene glycols (TPGs), propylene glycol, ethanol, and 9.5 % T. The in vivo results demonstrated higher retention in the epidermis compared to subcutaneous tissues; 1377 and 1.13 µg g–1, respectively. Increasing T concentration from 4.8 to 9.5 % did not increase the amount permeated or % of T retained. It was concluded that simple solutions of T in presence of DMSO and TPGs are more promising systems for effective transdermal permeation; compared to gel, emulsion or oleaginous systems

Transnational adaptation model for facilitating technology and expertise mobilisation in Gulf AEC organisations

The fragmented nature of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry is well recognised, the main issues of which relate to failures in communication, process, productivity and interoperability. These failures have contributed to an increased proliferation of adversarial relationships between the different parties involved in projects, the result of which have deleteriously affected projects. Challenges include a range of issues, from the veracity of design information throughout the project lifecycle, through to supply chain communication. These are global issues. For example, in the Gulf States, the nature and complexity of AEC projects has changed significantly due to increased globalisation and the emergence of enmeshed transnational practices. This has created an overwhelming reliance on the mobilisation and transfer of technology/expertise of professional expatriates, which has influenced the approach taken to traditional design and construction business models, including staff roles and procedures. New knowledge and ways of working are needed to support future projects in the Gulf States. There is also a requirement to capture and codify domain-specific expertise. This paper discusses the need to enhance Qatar's AEC industry by fostering a smooth transition from its current position, into a more sustainable [replicable] state. The philosophical underpinnings of this paper take into account disparate socio-cultural, environmental and economic impacts of change, in terms of business models, technology, innovation, labour market needs, local laws/bylaws, and legislation. A theoretical growth model is presented for discussion. This builds on the experience of the UK (in particular) in terms of facilitating the mobility and penetration of technology/expertise/change in the AEC sectors. This paper presents a series of recommendations needed to develop a Pervasive Transnational Adaptation model for Qatar and the Gulf States, covering such issues as: ICT adoption, agile project management, technology-transfer, innovation, offsite construction, Public Private Partnerships, capacity building, and international strategic alliances

Maxillary neoplasms in four dromedary camels

Four camels (Camelus dromedarius) presented to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at King Faisal University with maxillary masses. On radiographs, the masses were multicystic and expanded the maxillary bone. The tumors were diagnosed by histopathologic examination as conventional ameloblastoma, two cases as intraosseous squamous cell carcinoma, and central odontogenic fibroma with ossification. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of ameloblastoma in a camel, the first detailed description of maxillary squamous cell carcinoma in camels, and the first report of central odontogenic fibroma in any animal species

AmnioQuick® Duo+ for diagnosis of premature fetal membranes rupture

Background: Failure to identify women with premature fetal membranes rupture associated with infectious morbidities. Evaluation of the accuracy of AmnioQuick® Duo+ in diagnosing premature fetal membranes rupture compared to conventional diagnostic tests was the aim of this study.Methods: 220 pregnant women ≥37 and <39 weeks` gestation studied and classified into two groups; study group (premature fetal membranes rupture) and control group (no premature fetal membranes rupture). Participants examined by trans-abdominal ultrasound (TAS) and vaginal speculum to visualize amnion leaking and for collection of samples for fern, nitrazine and AmnioQuick® Duo+ tests on admission. A final diagnosis whether the studied women had PROM or not at the initial presentation made after delivery.Results: Sensitivity and specificity of the AmnioQuick® Duo+ to diagnose PROM was 93.6% and 86.4%; respectively compared with 72.7% and 80.9%; respectively for fern test and 76.4% and 83.6%; respectively for nitrazine test. Positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of AmnioQuick® Duo+ to detect PROM were 87.3%, 93.1% and 90%; respectively compared with 79.2%, 74.8% and 76.8%; respectively for fern test and 82.4%, 77.97% and 80%; respectively for nitrazine test. AmnioQuick® Duo+ test had higher accuracy to detect premature fetal membranes rupture compared to conventional diagnostic tests.Conclusions: AmnioQuick® Duo+ is accurate bedside immunoassay test, better than the individual conventional diagnostic tests and can used as complementary test to improve the management of women with women premature fetal membranes rupture

Interleukin-6 bedside test in detecting chorioamnionitis in women with preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes

Objectives: About 30–80% of preterm deliveries following preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes (PPROM) are complicated by histological chorioamnionitis. To evaluate the accuracy of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) bedside test in detecting chorioamnionitis in women with PPROM.Material and methods: One hundred and ten (110) pregnant women with PPROM &gt; 24 and &lt; 34 weeks’ gestation, admitted for conservative management were included in this study. Participants were examined on admission using sterile speculum examination for assessment of IL-6 in the cervico-vaginal secretions using the IL-6 bedside test. The IL-6 bedside test was repeated for all participants once termination of pregnancy (TOP) decided. After TOP, placenta, umbilical cord, and fetal membranes samples were examined for histologic detection of chorioamnionitis (gold standard). The histological results were compared with IL-6 bedside test results to evaluate the accuracy of IL-6 bedside test in detecting chorioamnionitis in women with PPROM.Results: The IL-6 bedside test had 98.6% sensitivity, 94.7% specificity, 97.3% positive predictive value (PPV), 97.3% negative predictive value (NPV) and 97.3% overall accuracy in detecting chorioamnionitis. The sensitivity, specificity, NPV and overall accuracy of IL-6 bedside test (98.6%, 94.7%, 97.3%, and 97.3%; respectively) were significantly higher than the clinical and laboratory parameters of chorioamnionitis (65.3%, 57.9%, 46.8%, and 62.7%; respectively) (p = 0.04, 0.02, 0.001 and 0.03; respectively).Conclusions: The IL-6 bedside test is an accurate, non-invasive bedside test with 98.6% sensitivity, 94.7% specificity, 97.3% PPV, 97.3% NPV, and 97.3% overall accuracy in detecting chorioamnionitis. The IL-6 bedside test had significantly higher sensitivity, specificity, NPV, and overall accuracy than the clinical and laboratory parameters of chorioamnionitis

Effect of routine pre-operative urethral catheterization of women undergoing minor gynaecological surgeries on urinary symptoms and urinary infections: a randomized control study

Background: The prevalence of urinary tract infection increases in young sexually active women, and women with previous UTI. Routine urethral catheterization performed for bladder evacuation before minor gynecological procedures and it is not clear whether this routine urethral catheterization associated with increased incidence of bacteriuria or UTIs or not. This study designed to detect the effect of routine uretheral catheterization for women undergoing minor gynecological surgeries on urinary symptoms and urinary infections.Methods: Two hundred and forty women infertile women scheduled for uterine assessment by diagnostic hysteroscopy before in-vitro fertilization in assisted reproduction unit of Ahmadi Hospital, Kuwait Oil Company were included in this study. Participants were randomized into; group I (catheterized group) and group II (non-catheterized group). Participants’ urine samples compared pre-operatively and post-operatively and they asked to complete about their pre and post-operative urinary symptoms.Results: Post-operative dysuria, frequency and urgency were significantly higher in catheterized group (22 (18.33%), 26 (21.66%) and 18 (15%); respectively) compared to non- catheterized group [5 (4.16%), 7 (5.83%) and 4 (3.33%); respectively]. Relative risk of dysuria, frequency and urgency after catheterization were 4.4, 3.7 and 4.5; respectively (95% CI; 1.7-11.2, 1.67-8.22 and 1.56-12.9; respectively). Asymptomatic bacteriuria, UTIs and subsequent need for antimicrobial therapy were also significantly high in catheterized group [15 (12.5%), 18 (15%) and 18 (15%); respectively) compared to non-catheterized group (3 (2.5%), 2 (1.96%) and 2 (1.96%); respectively]. Relative risk of asymptomatic bacteriuria and UTIs after catheterization in women undergoing minor gynecological procedures were 5 and 9; respectively (95%CI; 1.48-16.8 and 2.1-37.9).Conclusions: Catheterization in women undergoing minor gynecological surgery was associated with increased risk of dysuria, frequency, urgency, ASB, UTIs and subsequent antimicrobial therapy. Surgeons should revise the practice of routine preoperative catheterization for women undergoing minor gynecological procedures