Effect of vaginal progesterone in combination with cervical cerclage on improved gestational age and perinatal outcome in twin pregnancy: A prospective randomized study

Background: Prematurity is the second leading cause of death in the first month of life. Objective of present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of vaginal progesterone and cervical cerclage each alone and in combination in improving gestational age in twin pregnancy and its subsequent impact on perinatal outcome.Methods: A sample size of seventy-five patients has been calculated out of those recruited from outpatient clinic at menoufia university hospital. All fulfilled eligibility criteria of having a twin pregnancy with a history of spontaneous preterm labour, or with a sonographic short cervical length <25mm in mid trimester. The participants were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1 (N-25): received vaginal progesterone supplementation of 200 mg from 20 weeks until 34 weeks of gestation. Group2 (N-25): were remedied with cervical cerclage of Mc Donald type at 14-16 weeks of gestation Group 3 (N-25): received both vaginal progesterone as well as cervical cerclage. The primary outcome measure was spontaneous delivery between 34-37 weeks of gestation. Secondary outcomes were delivery prior 34 weeks of gestation as well as some parameters of neonatal morbidity and mortality.Results: There was a statistically significant higher gestational age in combination group when compared to progesterone group or cerclage group (P<0.001). Comparison between progesterone and cerclage groups did not reach statistical significance(P=-0.85). Both progesterone and cerclage groups demonstrated significantly lower birth weights, lower Apgar scores and a higher NICU admission rate than in combination group(P<0.001), while such significant difference did not exist between progesterone and cerclage groups.Conclusions: Combination of vaginal progesterone and cervical cerclage can improve gestational age at delivery as well as some parameters of perinatal morbidity and mortality in twin pregnancy

Factors Affecting Hemodialysis Patients' Satisfaction with Their Dialysis Therapy

Aim. To assess the degree of satisfaction among hemodialysis patients and the factors influencing this satisfaction. Methods. Patients were recruited from 3 Saudi dialysis centers. Demographic data was collected. Using 1 to 10 Likert scale, the patients were asked to rate the overall satisfaction with, and the overall impact of, their dialysis therapy on their lives and to rate the effect of the dialysis therapy on 15 qualities of life domains. Results. 322 patients were recruited (72.6% of the total eligible patients). The mean age was 51.7 years (±15.4); 58% have been on dialysis for >3 years. The mean Charlson Comorbidity Index was 3.2 (±2), and Kt/V was 1.3 (±0.44). The mean satisfaction score was (7.41 ± 2.75) and the mean score of the impact of the dialysis on the patients' lives was 5.32 ± 2.55. Male patients reported worse effect of dialysis on family life, social life, energy, and appetite. Longer period since the commencement of dialysis was associated with adverse effect on finances and energy. Lower level of education was associated with worse dialysis effect on stress, overall health, sexual life, hobbies, and exercise ability. Conclusion. The level of satisfaction is affected by gender, duration on dialysis, educational level, and standard of care given

The Effect of Creativity on Entrepreneurial Behavior: The Moderating Role of Demographics

This study aims to determine the effect of creativity on entrepreneurial behavior with demographics as a moderating variable. Creativity is critical for improving entrepreneurial behavior (EB). However, few studies exist in the literature about this topic in developing countries. Building on the literature, the study proposed a positive effect between creativity and entrepreneurial behavior. The study also proposed the demographic variables as moderating variables. The population of the study consists of all the entrepreneurs and workers at entrepreneurial enterprises in Jordan. The sample of study was composed of 155 respondents; the responses were gathered using the convenience sampling method. Simple linear regression and hierarchical regression were employed to examine the data. Results show a significant effect of creativity on entrepreneurial behavior. The results also demonstrate that none of the demographic characteristics produce a significant statistical change in the influence of creativity on EB. More studies on creativity and its impact on the EB of firms and employees at entrepreneurial firms are needed

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seeds as unconventional nutritional source

The composition of roselle seed from oil, protein, ash, fiber, fatty acids and amino acids was determined and compared in three cultivars in order to use it as an unconventional nutritional source. Aswan cv. occupies the highest significant rank in protein (31.51), oil (23.70) and fiber (4.87%) contents. Aswan and Sewa cvs. had the highest significant unsaturated fatty acid composition, especially oleic and linoleic acids, with oleic acid having values of 36.22 and 33.34% and linoleic acid, 14.95 and 15.10% values. Protein of Aswan cv. had the highest significant values of seven essential amino acids and four non-essential amino acids, especially lysine and phenylalanine.Key words: Amino acids, fatty acids, nutrition, oil, protein, roselle, unconventional crops

Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide, Methane, and Nitrogen Gases onto ZIF Compounds with Zinc, Cobalt, and Zinc/Cobalt Metal Centers

ZIF-8, Co-ZIF-8, and Zn/Co-ZIF-8 are utilized in adsorbing nitrogen (N2), methane (CH4), and carbon dioxide (CO2) gases at temperatures between 25 and 55 C and pressures up to 1 MPa. Equilibrium adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics are studied. The dual-site Langmuir equation is employed to correlate the nonisothermal adsorption equilibrium behavior. Generally, N2 showed the lowest equilibrium adsorption quantity on the three samples, whereas CO2 showed the highest equilibrium adsorption capacity. Amid the ZIF samples, the biggest adsorption quantities of N2 and CH4 were onto Zn/Co-ZIF-8, whereas the highest adsorption quantity of CO2 was on ZIF-8. The isosteric heats of adsorbing these gases on ZIF-8, Co-ZIF-8, and Zn/Co-ZIF-8 were examined. Moreover, the overall mass transfer coefficients of adsorption at different temperatures were investigated.Scopu

An empirical correlation-based model to predict solid-fluid phase equilibria and phase separation of the ternary system CH4-CO2-H2S

To cover the expected increased demand for natural gas, energy industry has to exploit sour gas reserves located around the world. However, acid gases have to be removed before the natural gas produced from these fields could be used. One of the novel concepts in this field is the utilization of solid phase formation of carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide. The main aim of this study is to develop an empirical correlation model based on Peng-Robinson equation of state (PR EoS), with fugacity expressions, that is able for the first time to describe the solid-fluid phase equilibria for the ternary system of CH4-CO2-H2S at pressures from 5 to 30 bar and over a wide range of temperature (130-200 K). The model was first tested on the binary systems of CH4-CO2, CO2-H2S and CH4-H2S with optimized interaction parameters. When proven to be successful, it was then expanded in a predictive manner to describe the ternary system of CH4-CO2-H2S. The model predictions for the solidification points of 5 different mixtures were within the acceptable error when compared to the experimental data available in the literature. A model based on equilibrium stage separation unit was used to study the separation of three different feed compositions of this ternary system. Overall, it was found that separation of CO2 in solid phase improves when increasing the operating pressure up to 20 bar, and decreases at higher temperatures. Similarly, the separation of H2S in either liquid or solid phase improves at higher pressures and lower temperatures. The recovery of CH4 was high over the entire ranges of operating conditions, expect at high pressure (30 Bar) at temperatures below 190 K. This work provides scientists and engineers with an accurate tool that may be used with confidence for predicting solid-fluid phase equilibria. Consequently, this model eliminates difficulties associated with the need for experiments on ternary system solid-fluid phase equilibria. 2021 The Author(s)The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library .Scopus2-s2.0-8510917127

A review on the solid-liquid-vapor phase equilibria of acid gases in methane

In spite of the increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and their impact on the environment, the demand for natural/biogas will increase significantly in the coming few decades. To cover this demand, the global energy industry is continuously exploiting sour gas reserves located around the world. Nonetheless, sour gas has to be sweetened before the practical utilization of natural or biogas. The cryogenic separation technologies have emerged as a new technology to separate carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S gases) from natural/biogas. The cryogenic separation produces less harmful gases, and can be less expensive to operate and maintain in comparison to the conventional technologies. To design cryogenic separation equipment, vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE), solid-liquid equilibrium (SLE), solid-vapor equilibrium (SVE), and solid-liquid-vapor equilibrium (SLVE) data for the corresponding binary systems (of CH4-CO2, CH4-H2S, and H2S-CO2) and ternary system (of CH4-H2S-CO2) are required. The main target of this article is to review the SLVE data for the acid gases (CO2 and H2S) in methane (CH4) as the main constituent of natural/biogas. It will address SLVE data for the binary systems of CH4-CO2, CH4-H2S and H2S-CO2 as well as the ternary system of CH4-H2S-CO2. It will not only address the available laboratory data, but it will also discuss, compare and evaluate the different models used to correlate/predict these data.Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.Scopus2-s2.0-8513234129

Prediction of solid-liquid-vapor phase equilibria of noble gases in nitrogen

The primary objective of this study is to develop an empirical correlation model that is able to predict the solid-liquid-vapour phase equilibria (SLVE) for the ternary system of N2-Kr-Xe at pressures ranging from 1 to 45 bar and temperatures ranging from 80 to 180 K. The model was based on Peng-Robinson equation of state. To optimize the interaction parameters that are needed in the model, it was first used to correlate the experimental SLVE data found in the literature for the N2-Kr, and N2-Xe and Kr-Xe binary systems. When the corresponding interaction parameters were optimized, the model was then expanded to predict the SLVE and construct the phase envelope of the ternary system of N2 -Kr-Xe.Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library. Not applicable. Although the scientific literature has extensively covered the thermodynamics of air components and air separation; there are little studies that cover the solid-fluid phase equilibria of nitrogen-noble gas mixture systems for their separation, despite their importance and presence in several industries. In this study, and for the first time, we attempt to model the solid-liquid-vapor equilibria (SLVE) of the ternary system Kr-Xe-N2 and its binary constituent systems (Kr-Xe, Xe-N2, and Kr-N2) using an empirical-correlation based model. Additionally, a three-phase solid-liquid-vapor (SLV) separation unit is developed to study and describe the SLVE phase envelope of the ternary system Kr-Xe-N2. Developing this model successfully will provide a useful tool to predict the SLV phase equilibrium behavior for the ternary system Kr-Xe-N2 and evaluate the performances of the corresponding three-phase SLV separation equipment without the need to conduct expensive and time-costly experiments. Furthermore, the model could be further developed and extended to different systems and gases mixtures.Scopus2-s2.0-8512734661

The Factorial Structure of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) Among a Sample of Al-Quds Open University Students

ملخص: هدفت الدراسة إلى التحقق من البنية العاملية لمقياس تورنتو للألكسيثيميا (TAS-20) لدى عينة فلسطينية من طلبة جامعة القدس المفتوحة، باستخدام المنهج الوصفي. والكشف عن مطابقة خمسة نماذج متنافسة، ولتحقيق أهداف الدراسة تم استخدام مقياس تورنتو لألكسيثميا (TAS-20) من إعداد باجبي وآخرين (Bagby al., 1994)، ووزع على عينة عشوائية عنقودية بلغت (381) طالباً وطالبة، بواقع (145) طالباً، و (236) طالبة. وبهدف التحقق من تقدير النماذج العاملية، استخدمت طريقة (WLSMV)، من خلال برنامج (Mplus. 8)، وأشارت النتائج إلى عدم تحقق بنية العامل أحادي البعدي كما لم تتحقق بنية النموذج ذي العاملين، فيما تحققت بنية النموذج الثالث ذي الثلاثة عوامل، كما تحققت بنية النموذج الرابع ذي الأربعة عوامل، كما تحققت بنية النموذج الخامس من الدرجة الثانية، وقد جاءت أفضل مطابقة على النموذج الثالث وفقاً لمحكات القبول على النحو الآتي: (χ2= 506.804*, df=167, RMSEA= .073, CFI= .985, TLI= .983)، كما أظهرت نتائج الدراسة تحقق الصدق التقاربي والصدق التميزي، وكشفت النتائج عن تحقق الاتساق الداخلي للمقياس (TAS-20)، وذلك اعتماداً على معامل كرونباخ ألفا بقيمة (.884)، وعلى معامل ماكدونالد أوميجا بقيمة (.849).The study aimed to investigate the factor structure of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) among a Palestinian sample of students from Al-Quds Open University, using a descriptive approach. The study also aimed to test the fit of five competing models. To achieve these objectives, the TAS-20 scale, developed by Bagby et al. (1994), was administered to a cluster random sample of 381 university students, consisting of 145 males and 236 females. The (WLSMV) was used to examine the factor structure of the scale, using Mplus 8 software. Results indicated that the one-factor and two-factor models did not fit the data, while the three-factor, four-factor, and second-order models did fit the data. The best fit was achieved by the third-order model, with the following fit indices: χ2= 506.804*, df=167, RMSEA= .073, CFI= .985, TLI= .983. The study also demonstrated the convergent and discriminant validity of the scale, as well as its internal consistency, as evidenced by Cronbach's alpha coefficient of .884 and McDonald's omega coefficient of .849

Virtual mimic of lab experiment using the computer-based Aspen Plus® Sensitivity Analysis Tool to boost the attainment of experiment's learning outcomes and mitigate potential pandemic confinements

The computer-based Aspen Plus® Sensitivity Analysis Tool (APSAT) was used as a virtual environment to mimic a gas absorption lab experiment in the Unit Operations Lab within the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Qatar University. A pool of 35 students enrolled in three lab sections was utilized. The approach was applied in three stages to foster the attainment of the learning outcomes of the experiment by testing and evaluating some parameters that cannot be examined using the physical lab equipment. Results show that the approach helped the students gain a profound understanding and address conceptual mistakes while discussing the results of the APSAT outputs. Students who were engaged in the APSAT activity demonstrated a strong interest in this approach. This approach can be implemented to facilitate the teaching of lab courses. Furthermore, it is a practical choice to optimize the resources and a good substitute for lab experiments in case of any pandemic, confinement or interest in testing the effects of hazardous conditions to ensure sustaining the learning outcomes from corresponding experiments.The Qatar National Library and Qatar University funded the publication of this article. Funding Open access funding is provided by the Qatar National Library.Scopus2-s2.0-8514162046