Cosmic ray intensity variations at medium and low latitudes

Imperial Users onl

The Effect of Loom Speeds and Shed Heights on Beating Force

A series of experiments was carried out on Picanol (president) loom in order to study the effect of loom speed and shed height on the beating – up force. The mathematical model of warp threads mechanics established by the researcher was used to predict the warp threads tension.The results obtained clearly show that as the loom speed increased the beating – up force also increased. However, with speeds up to 180 revs/min the rate of increase of the beating – up force is not pronounced, but at higher speeds there is a substantial increase in the values of the beating – up force. Furthermore, the results obtained also showed that the beating-up force increased as the shed height increase

Impacts of Anionic and Cationic Nanoparticles on the Rheological, Hydraulics and Filtration Properties of the Water-Based Drilling Fluid

Nanoparticles are the new chemical additives for drilling fluids that can improve their properties and eliminate problems due to increased downtime and well costs. This study investigates the relative impacts of previously untested nanoparticles on the rheology, hydraulics and filtration of water-based drilling muds. The objectives of the experimental study were to select the optimum types and concentrations of commercially available nanoparticles that enhance the rheological and filtration properties and optimize the hydraulics of the water-based drilling fluids.;In this study, the samples were prepared as water-based muds with and without three different types and various concentrations of anionic nanosilica, nanotitanium, and nanoaluminum nanoparticles. In addition, cationic nanoaluminum was tested. Series of laboratory tests were carried out for all samples using standard API Low Pressure Low Temperature (LPLT) filtration and rheological devices. Two mud systems at different pH conditions were used to evaluate the impact of the nanoparticles on the mud\u27s properties. A commercially available software was used to evaluate the impact of the nanoparticles on the equivalent circulation density (ECD) and the circulation pressure loss in a directional well.;Results show enhancements in the rheological, hydraulics and filtration properties for water-based muds treated by some of the nanoparticles with concentrations below 0.7% by weight. The enhancement levels varied based on their type and concentration used in the mixtures. Further, the results show the ability of these nanoparticles to make the filter cake consistent, compacted, fragile, and thin and to prevent the spurt water loss. However, the results reflect the negative impact of all nanoparticles with concentrations above 0.7% by weight on mud\u27s properties. Among all nanoparticles, the optimum concentrations and type resulting in the best properties are observed as 0.1%-0.3% by weight of the nanosilica. Furthermore, the concentration of 0.1% by weight reflected the more significant reduction in the ECD and the pump circulating pressure. Nanoparticles used in this research can play a vital role in reducing drilling problems, such as stuck pipe, formation damage, and shale swelling if they are properly formulated. Thus, multilateral wells, slim holes and deep horizontal wells can be drilled using water-based muds with the addition of proper nanoparticles and eliminating the need for oil-based muds that are expensive and environmentally unacceptable. However, it is critical to select the proper nanoparticle size, type, and concentration in order to eliminate its negative impact on the drilling fluid properties

Enhancing maternal and fetal well-being: Exploring the determinants of preconception care

Preconception care is the delivery of biomedical, behavioral, and social health interventions to women and couples of reproductive ages. The significance of care is emphasized by the World Health Organization (WHO), as it greatly affects the quality of life of the mother and child. However, the uptake of pre-conception care services in Low and Middle-income countries (LMIC) such as Pakistan is low due to several factors. This discussion paper will identify some of the contextual factors related to the quality of health care services, acceptability due to cultural value beliefs, and affordability that largely influence the utilization of preconception care services. The paper also proposes some practical interventions to overcome these limitations

The Use of Live, Frozen and Pottasium Permanganate Treated Moina micrura for Catfish (Clarias macrocephalus) Larvae

Live, frozen and pottasium permanganate (KMnO4) treated Moina micrura were fed to catfish (Clarias macrocephalus) larvae for 20 days. The aim of KMnO4 treatment prior to feeding was to minimise the level of microorganisms present in them. micrura culture. The growth rates and feed conversion ratios for the live untreated and KMn04 treated M. micrura were not significantly different. Frozen M. micrura had a significantly lower growth rate and significantly higher feed conversion compared with the live, untreated M. micrura. The results on relative growth and feed conversion of fry fed the treated and untreated suggest that M. micrura retained its nutritive qualities even when treated with 1µM KMn04 and is suitable as a larval feed

Mathematical Modelling of Lithium-ion Concentration in Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

The demand for lithium ion batteries has increased due to the increasing need by consumers for rechargeable batteries. In the effort to produce high performance batteries, mathematical model becomes a vital instrument in helping batteries developers to understand the behaviour of the battery systems during charge and discharge process. This understanding is useful in the optimization of the battery design and parameters. This paper presents a mathematical model used to simulate the intercalation process of lithium ions in the electrode of a lithium-ion battery. This model is used to study the intercalation process through the lithium-ion concentration profiles during charge/discharge of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. This approach resulted in solving the diffusion equation in the solution phase and the solid phase of the battery. Results from both phases are plotted and compared. (Abstract by authors

The role of socio-economic and cultural factors in municipal solid waste generation: a case study in Taman Perling, Johor Bahru

The absence of a comprehensive database on solid waste generation and composition appears to be the major drawback to the development of an integrated waste management system in Malaysia. While many studies have been conducted on related fields, such as Abd. Karim et al. (1996), Sabarinah (1997), and Salim et al. (1994), there is still a lack of clear model or approach in determining attributes influencing the amount of wastes generated by our community. A study conducted in Taman Perling, Johor Bahru has shown that such as attributes as income, education, and other socioeconomic factors barely affect the amount of waste generated. It seems that only family size and lifestyle factors, particularly the eating habits of residents, contribute significantly to variations in the generation of residential waste in the study area. While the amount increases with the size of family, it decreases as the respondents dine out more often. This study suggests new insights concerning the role of social factors and lifestyle in affecting the generation of household waste

Impact of Fraud Risk Assessment on Good Corporate Governance: Case of Public Listed Companies in Oman

Background: Fraud risk assessment as a control mechanism is becoming necessary due to continuous and never-ending fraudulent activities. Frauds arise regardless of the existence of codes for corporate governance and available control activities such as those of internal and external audit units. It is high time for the corporate governance functions such as Audit and Risk Committees and Senior Management to identify the controls, which can assist in achieving good corporate governance and at the same time provide satisfaction to the shareholders. Objective: This paper intends to identify the relationship between fraud risk assessment and good corporate governance of companies listed in the Muscat Stock Market in the Sultanate of Oman. Methods/Approach: A quantitative method with a descriptive cross-sectional survey design has been utilized and data have been analysed by utilizing PLS-SEM. Result: Fraud risk assessment has a significant direct impact on good corporate governance, and the adoption and implementation of the fraud risk assessment will assist in the achievement of good corporate governance. Conclusion: It is highly recommended that organizations adopt fraud risk assessment as fraud detection, control mechanism, and embed it in their corporate governance policies, which will eventually aid in the achievement of good corporate governance