Prediction of Flow Duration Curve for Seasonal Rivers in Iraq

This paper presents a new method to estimate the flow duration curves [FDCs] for ungauged river basins whose natural and meterological characteristics are known. This study highlights the modeling of the lower three-quarters of the section of the flow duration curves [FDCs]. Eight sub-catchments were used to develop and evaluate the proposed flow duration model in the north of Iraq. The logarithmic type function has been found appropriate for the lower three-quarters of the section of [FDCs] for all river sub-catchments located in the study area. Parameter values of the logarithmic function model were calculated using topographic, hydrological and climatic characteristics of the basins under study by two regional regression models: first CA-MAP (catchment area-mean annual precipitation) model and second MAF-PE (mean annual flowpotential evapotranspiration) model. Generally, it is found that both models used were predicting a good estimate at the end of the flow duration curve (low-flows). In most cases, the statistics and graphical results showed that the agreement between observed and estimated FDCs is very good by using MAF-PE model as compared to CA-MAP model

Effect of Pre-Ageing Thermal Conditions on the Corrosion Properties of Antimony-Modified Al-Si-Mg Alloy

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the effect of pre-ageing thermal conditions on the corrosion properties of antimony-modified Al-Si-Mg alloy.The alloy was subjected to a Single Thermal Ageing Treatment; STAT (T6 temper-solution heat treatment and ageing) and Double thermal ageing treatment; DTAT (T7 temper- solution heat treatment and ageing for stabilization). These consist of solution heat treatment (SHT) at 540oC for 1hr, water quenched followed by an artificial ageing; DTAT and STAT. For the single thermal ageing treatment (STAT), quenched samples were aged at temperatures of 1800C for 2hrs, before cooling in air. In the double thermal ageing treatment (DTAT), quenched samples were pre-aged at a temperature of 90oC, 105oC and 120oC for 1- 5 hrs. This was followed by ageing at 180oC for 2hrs before cooling in air. The corrosion characteristic of the as-cast, Single Thermal Ageing Treatment (STAT) and Double Thermal Ageing Treatment (DTAT) were evaluated using weight loss and linear polarization techniques in a static 3.5%NaCl solution. From the results, the corrosion rate decreases with increasing pre-ageing time and temperatures. Equally, from the linear polarization data/curves, the corrosion rate of the treated alloy decreases at all ageing temperatures along with the ageing time. The Optical Microscope (OM) results of as-corroded samples revealed that the alloy suffers pitting/uniform corrosion. The corrosion behaviour of the DTAT samples in simulated seawater showed an excellent improvement in corrosion resistance than the as-cast and conventional STAT alloy.http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/njt.v34i4.

The impact of intrapartum pethidine on the neonatal outcome: a perspective review

Objective: To study the effect of intrapartum pethidine administration on the fetal heart rate pattern and neonatal outcome. Method: This is a prospective observational study done on forty low risk uncomplicated pregnancy at term in the first stage of labour. The study was done in the labour suite in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan Kuantan, Malaysia. Intramuscular Pethidine 1mg/kg was given as intrapartum analgesia to all consented patient with normal baseline fetal heart rate and clear liquor. Intrapartum fetal heart rate pattern and neonatal outcome were reviewed and analysed by SSPS 17.0. Results: Total of 40 patients recruited in this study with mean age of 27.9 ± 6.03 years and mean gestational age of 39.0 ± 0.81 weeks. The mean duration from pethidine administration to delivery is 285.5 ± 178.9 minutes (4 hours and 45 minutes). Out of 40 patients, 2 (5%) cases had suspicious CTG 1 hour post pethidine administration, first one with absence of acceleration and the second with early deceleration which lasted for 45 minutes and one hour respectively. All neonates delivered with good Apgar Score, 8 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minute. A total of 9 (22.5%) cases were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Seven (17.5%) cases were admitted for observation because of delivery less than 4 hours after pethidine administration, following the neonatal protocol at our centre. Two (5%) cases were admitted for G6PD. Neither required ventilation nor antidotes. All of them were discharged to mother after 24 hours apart from those admitted because of G6PD. Conclusion: Intrapartum pethidine is still an analgesic option which is simple, cheap and easily available without major effect to the fetal heart rate pattern and the neonatal outcome

Study of the Inhibitive and Adsorptive Properties of Mild Steel in H2SO4 - Boscia senegalensis Plant Environment

The inhibitive and adsorption properties of ethanol extract of Boscia senegalensis for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4 were investigated using weight loss, linear polarization, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. From the result, it was found that the corrosion rate of mild steel to decrease with an increase in the concentration of the inhibitor as well as increase with an increase in temperature of the environment. The inhibition efficiency of the inhibitor increases with increasing concentration but decreases with increasing temperature. The inhibition potential of ethanol extract of Boscia senegalensis is attributed to the presence of saponnin, tannin, phlobatanins, anthraquinone, cardiac glycosides, flavanoid, terpene, and alkaloid in the extract. The adsorption of the inhibitor on mild steel surface was found to be exothermic, spontaneous and is best described by Freundlich and Temkim adsorption model. The calculated values of activation energy, enthalpy of activation, entropy of activation, free energy of adsorption and the trend in the variation of inhibition efficiency with temperature, the mechanism of adsorption of the inhibitor by physical adsorption. Ethanol extract of Boscia senegalensis is a good adsorption inhibitor for the corrosion of mild steel in H2SO4. Tafel polarization analyses indicated that studied plant extract is a mixed type inhibitor. Keywords: boscia senegalensis; polarization; adsorption.

Theoretical and Experimental Inhibitive Properties of Mild Steel in HCl by Ethanolic Extract of Boscia senegalensis

The experimental aspect of the corrosion inhibition potentials of Boscia senegalensis was carried out using gravimetric and linear polarization techniques techniques as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), whereas the theoretical aspect was done by using the Density functional theory (DFT) calculations to performed and model the electronic structures of some extract constituents, including Physiosorptive interactions with the Fe surface. The analyses of the experimental results showed that the inhibition efficiency increased with increase in concentration of the inhibitor and decreased with increase in temperature. The efficiency of the extract in HCl (70%).  Thermodynamic parameters revealed that the adsorption of extract onto the metal surface was spontaneous, exothermic and supported the Physical adsorption process. FTIR results showed that the inhibition mechanism was by absorption process, through the functional groups present in the extract and that of the inhibited. Surface morphology also revealed that corrosion product confirmed the protection offered by the extract on the surface of the metal immersed in the acid media. The data obtained were fitted into various adsorption isotherms though the Freundlich isotherm was found to be best fit. Keywords: Inhibition, density functional theory, corrosion, boscia senegalensis

Effect of intrapartum pethidine on the neonatal outcome: is it duration related?

Objectives: To study the effect of pethidine on the intrapartum fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern and to assess the neonatal outcome with regards to the interval between pethidine administration to delivery of the fetus. Materials: 73 healthy women intrapartum from labour suite hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Malaysia Methods: This is a prospective observational study done on 73 healthy consented women with singleton pregnancy at term . All fetus were normal, vertex presentation with reactive FHR tracing before pethidine administration. FHR recording were performed for 40 minutes prior to and one hour post pethidine. Cervical dilatation of all patients ≤ 4 cm at time of pethidine administration. Intramuscular pethidine 1mg/kg was given as an intrapartum analgesia. The study sample was divided into two groups, first group delivered within 4 hours and second group delivered more than 4 hours after the pethidine administration. The data were analysed by SSPS 17.0. Results: the mean age of the recruited patients is 28.15 ± 6.15 years and mean gestational age of 39.14 ± 1.094 weeks. The mean duration from pethidine administration to delivery is 296.48 ± 173.65 minutes (4 hours and 56 minutes). Four (5.5%) cases had suspicious CTG 1 hour post pethidine, 1 with absence of acceleration for 45 minutes and 3 cases with early deceleration lasted for 60 to 90 minutes. Out of 73 patients, 38 babies delivered within 4 hours and 35 delivered after 4 hours of pethidine. All neonates delivered with good Apgar Score (AS), 8 at 1 minute and 9 at 5 minute except 1 with AS of 5 at 1 min and 7 at 5 min which delivered more than 4 hours after pethidine. Sixteen (21.9%) cases were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Eleven (68.75%) cases were admitted due to neonatal sedation from the delivery group less than 4 hours after pethidine. Five (31.25%) cases from the delivery group more than 4 hours, 4 cases with a diagnosis of transient tachypnea of newborn and 1 secondary to meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). All discharge to mother after 24 hours, non required ventilation apart from the one with MAS which required ventilation for one day and longer admission. Despite of the higher number of those require admission in the less than 4 hours group, it was not statistically significant with P value of 7.44. Conclusions: Pethidine can be used as an intrapartum analgesia which is safe, easily available without major effect on fetal heart rate pattern and neonatal outcome even if given in advance stage of labour

Effect of load on the wear behaviour of polypropylene/carbonized bone ash particulate composite

The effect of applied load on the wear behaviour of polymer matrix composites produced using carbonized bone particles (CBp) as reinforcement has been studied. The addition of the CBp ranges from 5 to 20 wt% in the polypropylene matrix. The composites were produced by compounding and compressive moulding. The wear test was conducted by varying the applied load from 5 to 15 N. Microstructures of the worn surface were assessed with high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM/EDS). The wear rate increased with increases in applied load from 5 to 15 N and decreased with increasing in CBp from 0 to 15 wt%. The work has established that carbonized bone can be use in increasing the wear resistance of polypropylene composite

Inhibitive effect of Arachis hypogeae on the corrosion of mild steel in sulphuric acid solution

The corrosion assessment of mild steel in H2SO4-Arachis hypogeae natural oils have been studied using electrochemical technique. The surface morphology of as-corroded samples was assessed with scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results revealed that corrosion rate of mild steel with Arachis hypogeae-H2SO4 environment decreased significantly. Results of the linear polarization indicate a higher potential value and inhibitor efficiency of 98.68, 86.87 and 97.10% at 100%v/v Arachis hypogeae with an increase in polarization resistance (Rp) and lower current density for the inhibited samples than the uninhibited mild steel. There exists some level of correlation in the corrosion efficiency between the methods used as criteria for the corrosion evaluation of mild steel/Arachis hypogeae in 2M H2SO4 solution

Maternal outcome of prenatally diagnosed lethal fetal anomalies: a year review

Objectives: To determine maternal morbidities in relation to prenatal diagnosis of lethal fetal anomalies and termination of pregnancy (TOP). Materials: Twenty five patients with prenatal diagnosis of lethal fetal anomalies in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Malaysia. Methods: This was a retrospective review in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan, Kuantan, Malaysia in the year of 2011. All patients diagnosed prenatally to carry lethal fetal anomalies was reviewed. Data regarding maternal morbidities and outcome was collected from patients’ case note in the hospital record office. Analysis was done by using SPSS version 17.0. Results: Twenty five pregnant patients were diagnosed with lethal fetal anomalies via ultrasound with or without genetic study. The patients’ mean age was 29.9±6.3 years old. The mean gestational age at diagnosis of lethal fetal anomalies and at TOP or delivery were 26.5±7.4 and 28.7±7.8 weeks respectively. The lethal fetal anomalies included fetuses with multiple structural abnormalities (40%), anencephaly or severe encephalocele (32%), non-immune hydrops fetalis (16%) and syndromic fetuses (12%) i.e. Pentalogy of Cantrell and Edward’s syndrome. Seven (28%) patients had early counseling and TOP at the gestation of <22 weeks. Beyond 22 weeks gestation, 8 (32%) patients had TOP and 10 (40%) patients had spontaneous delivery. Twenty (80%) patients delivered or aborted vaginally, 3 (12%) patients with assisted breech delivery, and 2 (8%) patients with abdominal delivery. The abdominal deliveries were for transverse lie in labour and emergency hysterotomy for failed induction complicated by hysterectomy due to intraoperative finding of ruptured uterus. Overall, the associated adverse events included abnormal lie during delivery (16%), symptomatic polyhydramnios requiring amnioreduction (16%), post-partum haemorrhage (12%), retained placenta (12%), blood transfusion (8%), uterine rupture (4%) and endometritis (4%). Mean duration of hospital stay was 6.6±3.7 days. Conclusions: Prenatal diagnosis and TOP at an early gestation may reduce maternal morbidities and improve the outcom