Feasibility study on utilization of palm fibre waste into fired clay brick

Malaysia is the second largest of palm oil producer after Indonesia, which contribute to 50 % of palm oil production. With this demand, the increasing of palm oil plantation over the years has led to the large production of agricultural waste, for example palm fibre waste. This study investigates different percentages of palm fibre (0 %, 1 %, 5 % and 10 %) to be incorporated into fired clay brick. Manufactured bricks were fired at 1 °C/min heating rate up to 1050 °C. The effects of manufacture bricks on the physical and mechanical properties of manufactured brick were also determined. All brick samples were tested due to the physical and mechanical properties which include dry density, firing shrinkage, initial rate of suction (IRS), water absorption, porosity and compressive strength. Findings show that increasing palm fibre waste affected the properties of brick, which decreased their density, besides increased firing shrinkage, IRS, water absorption, porosity and compressive strength. However, all the manufactured brick still followed the requirement

The effect of supply chain power on bank financing

Using comprehensive bank-loan contract information, we show that the power of a firm relative to its suppliers eases its terms of bank financing, specifically through lower loan prices and less restrictive non-price contract terms. Our results are robust to controlling for product-market competition. Supply chain power enables the firm to achieve a greater level of control over its inventory, constituting a significant portion of the reduction in its overall loan cost. We argue that it is important to consider supply-chain related issues when analyzing the external-financing capacity of firms

Coronary revascularization in patients with left ventricle systolic dysfunction, current challenges and clinical outcomes

Copyright: \ua9 2022 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press. This is an open access article under the CC BY 4.0 license. The effects of coronary revascularization in patients with left ventricle systolic dysfunction (LVSD) are not well studied. The decision about revascularization and its timing remain challenging, not only related to procedural risk, but also linked to other several limitations including assessment of ischemia, viability, and ability to predict LV recovery. The role of viability as a prognostic marker for patients with LVSD and its use as a therapeutic target remains debatable. In this article, we will review the role of LVSD in patients undergoing coronary revascularization alongside the role of ischemia and viability assessment. We will provide a review of the literature on the outcomes of coronary revascularization, both surgically and percutaneously, in patients with LVSD

Hydrogen storage in depleted gas reservoirs: A comprehensive review

Hydrogen future depends on large-scale storage, which can be provided by geological formations (such as caverns, aquifers, and depleted oil and gas reservoirs) to handle demand and supply changes, a typical hysteresis of most renewable energy sources. Amongst them, depleted natural gas reservoirs are the most cost-effective and secure solutions due to their wide geographic distribution, proven surface facilities, and less ambiguous site evaluation. They also require less cushion gas as the native residual gases serve as a buffer for pressure maintenance during storage. However, there is a lack of thorough understanding of this technology. This work aims to provide a comprehensive insight and technical outlook into hydrogen storage in depleted gas reservoirs. It briefly discusses the operating and potential facilities, case studies, and the thermophysical and petrophysical properties of storage and withdrawal capacity, gas immobilization, and efficient gas containment. Furthermore, a comparative approach to hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide with respect to well integrity during gas storage has been highlighted. A summary of the key findings, challenges, and prospects has also been reported. Based on the review, hydrodynamics, geochemical, and microbial factors are the subsurface\u27s principal promoters of hydrogen losses. The injection strategy, reservoir features, quality, and operational parameters significantly impact gas storage in depleted reservoirs. Future works (experimental and simulation) were recommended to focus on the hydrodynamics and geomechanics aspects related to migration, mixing, and dispersion for improved recovery. Overall, this review provides a streamlined insight into hydrogen storage in depleted gas reservoirs

Posterior fixation including the fractured vertebra in short segment fixation of unstable thoracolumbar junction burst fractures

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of inclusion of the fractured vertebra in short segment fixation in terms of clinical and the radiological outcomes in unstable thoracolumbar junction burst fractures at a minimum of 1 year follow-up. Records of 52 patients (age: 21-50 years) with thoracolumbar burst fracture (T10L2) in Magerl Type A fractures underwent posterior pedicle screw fixation including the fractured vertebra. Clinical parameters were back pain using Visual Analogue Score (VAS) and disability using Oswestry disability index (ODI), neurological deficit (using ASIA grade) and radiologic parameters (Cobb angle, the kyphotic deformation and vertebral height) were measured before surgery and at 3, 6 and 12 months  post-operatively. The presence of screw breakage, screw pullout, peri-implant loosening, and rod breakage were considered as criteria for implant failure. The majority of fractures resulted due to falls (31 cases), and the remaining cases resulted from car accidents (21 cases). The fractured vertebral body level was L1, T12, L2, T11, and T10 in 23, 17, 6, 4 and 2 cases and achieved satisfactory clinical outcomes according to the modified Mcnab criteria 18, 25, 6 and 3 cases were considered to have excellent, good, fair, and poor outcome. The mean kyphotic angle at pre-, post-operative and final follow-up was 13.5 ± 6.3, 13.4 ± 4.3, 8.5 ± 6.  The average loss of kyphosis correction was 6.4 ± 5.2° at the final follow-up. The mean pre- and post-operative kyphotic deformation of vertebral body was 5.1 ± 3.2, 4.8 ± 2.3 and at final follow-up was 4.5 ± 4.0 (p>0.05). The mean anterior and posterior vertebral height also showed significant improvements post-operatively, which were maintained at the final follow-up. The mean ODI and VAS scores at the end of 1 year were 17.4%, 1.7 respectively. There was no case of major complication after surgery and during the follow-up period. In conclusion, reduction of unstable thoracolumbar junction burst fracture can be achieved and maintained with the use of short-segment pedicle screw fixation including the fractured vertebra, avoiding the need for anterior reconstruction.

Study of Some Biochemical Parameters of Tuberculosis Patients InThi-Qar Province/Iraq

        The current study was designed,to estimate of, serum sugar, serum urea and lipid profile of tuberculosis patients in comparison with healthy subjects .Twenty eight TB patients (15 men and 13 female) random, and twenty three healthy subjects(13 men and 10 female) (control group) were used in this study. The results showed that serum sugar was non significantly (p<0.89) higher than control group, serum sugar value was raised with increase of age , and it  was no significantly  increased (P<0.909) in Women compared with Men. While, the serum urea was significantly lower (P<0.000) than control group , serum urea level was decreased with increase of age and it was no significantly increased (p<0.189) in Men compared with Women. Serum cholesterol in TB patients were no significantly (P<0.505) higher than healthy subjects , TC level was decreased with increase of age  and it was no significantly increased (P<0.418) in Women compared with Men .Tiglycerides (TG) was no significantly (P<0.085)  lower than healthy subjects,. TG level was no differences with the age, and it was non significantly increased (P<0.394) in Women compared with Men. High density lipoproteins (HDL) was no significantly lower (P<0.154 ) than healthy subjects,. HDL level was no differences with the age, and it was no significantly increased (P<0.019) in Women compared with Men. Low density lipoproteins LDL in TB patients were no significantly (P<0.634) higher than healthy group, LDL level was significantly decreased with increase of age and it was no significantly increased (P<0.577) in Men compared with Women. very low density lipoproteins (VLDL)  was no significantly lower (P<0.89) than healthy subjects,.VLDL level was no differences with  the age, and it was no significantly increased (p< 0.394)in Women compared with Men

Study of Some Biochemical Parameters of Tuberculosis Patients InThi-Qar Province/Iraq

        The current study was designed,to estimate of, serum sugar, serum urea and lipid profile of tuberculosis patients in comparison with healthy subjects .Twenty eight TB patients (15 men and 13 female) random, and twenty three healthy subjects(13 men and 10 female) (control group) were used in this study. The results showed that serum sugar was non significantly (p<0.89) higher than control group, serum sugar value was raised with increase of age , and it  was no significantly  increased (P<0.909) in Women compared with Men. While, the serum urea was significantly lower (P<0.000) than control group , serum urea level was decreased with increase of age and it was no significantly increased (p<0.189) in Men compared with Women. Serum cholesterol in TB patients were no significantly (P<0.505) higher than healthy subjects , TC level was decreased with increase of age  and it was no significantly increased (P<0.418) in Women compared with Men .Tiglycerides (TG) was no significantly (P<0.085)  lower than healthy subjects,. TG level was no differences with the age, and it was non significantly increased (P<0.394) in Women compared with Men. High density lipoproteins (HDL) was no significantly lower (P<0.154 ) than healthy subjects,. HDL level was no differences with the age, and it was no significantly increased (P<0.019) in Women compared with Men. Low density lipoproteins LDL in TB patients were no significantly (P<0.634) higher than healthy group, LDL level was significantly decreased with increase of age and it was no significantly increased (P<0.577) in Men compared with Women. very low density lipoproteins (VLDL)  was no significantly lower (P<0.89) than healthy subjects,.VLDL level was no differences with  the age, and it was no significantly increased (p< 0.394)in Women compared with Men

Pollen and seed morphology of Justicieae (Ruellioideae, Acanthaceae) of Yemen

Pollen and seeds of 12 genera and 28 species belonging to Justicieae namely, Anisotes, Angkalanthus, Asystasia, Ballochia, Dicliptera, Ecbolium, Hypoestes, Isoglossa, Justicia, Megalochlamys, Rhinacanthus and Trichocalyx were collected from different field localities in Yemen and were investigated using both light and scanning electron microscopes. Nine pollen types were observed whose shapes were prolate, subprolate and spheroidal while the apertures varied from dicolporate, tricolporate, porate to colpate. The exine ornamentation was reticulate in most of the species except Megalochlamyas, which showed perforate ornamentation, and Isoglossa, which showed reticulate to rugulate ornamentation. Scanning electron microscopy and morphological observations showed that mature dry seeds of the genera have various sizes and shapes, the surface ornamentations observed were reticulate, cristate, tuberculate and papillae. In addition, hairs were present in some Ballochia species. The variation in the seed structures between the genera and within the species was useful for their identification and classification; their high structural diversity is of important taxonomic value for species differentiation

Tourism, Environment and Energy: An Analysis for China

International tourism as a cause of global warming is a controversial and topical issue. Here, we use the novel Morlet Wavelet time-frequency approach to gain a deeper insight into the dynamic nexus between tourism, renewable energy utilization, energy utilization and carbon dioxide emissions for China using annual data over the era 1974-2016. The techniques we use include Continuous Wavelet power spectrum, the Wavelet Coherency, and the Partial and the Multiple Wavelet Coherence for time-frequency decomposition that can capture local oscillatory components in time series. Our findings support the hypothesis that tourism can cause increased energy utilization and carbon dioxide emissions in China, which challenges the sustainable tourism development goal. However, on the positive side, the relationship between tourism and renewable energy utilization is shown to facilitate reduced environmental degradation in the medium-long run