An overview of the Jordanian oil shale: its chemical and geologic characteristics, exploration, reserves and feasibility for oil and cement production

Abstract Oil shale is the most abundant fossil energy resource discovered in Jordan, ranking third after the USA and Brazil in terms of oil shale reserves. This asset is considered to be Jordan's most extensive domestic fossil-fuel source. The identified reserves of this oil shale are huge and sufficient to satisfy the national energy needs for hundreds of years. Numerous geologic studies have shown that the country contains several oil shale deposits. These deposits are regarded as the richest in organic bituminous marl and limestone that occur at shallow depth. Jordanian oil shale is generally of a good quality, with relatively low ash and moisture contents, a gross calorific value of 7.5 MJ/kg, and an oil yield of 8 to 12%. The spent shale has residual carbon content that may be burned to produce further energy, and ash that can be used for cement and building materials. The current study summarizes the results of the former feasibility studies and discuses the scope of future usage of Jordanian oil shale. The value of this oil shale and its associated products is highlighted herein

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Left and right ventricle functions in patients obstructive sleep apnea and their relationship with apelin levels [Obstruktif uyku apneli hastalarda sol ve sağ ventrikül fonksiyonları ve apelin düzeyleri ile ilişkisi]

Aim of this study is to determine the left and right ventricle functions by echocardiography in patients with newly diagnosed obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and to investigate whether there is a relationship between the apelin levels and systolic and diastolic functions of the right and left ventricles. Study included 44 patients (30 males, 14 females; mean age 49.8±11.5 years) diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea according to polysomnographically determined apnea hypopnea index, and 30 control subjects (25 males, 5 females; mean age 43.03±10.89 years) diagnosed with simple snoring. Apelin levels of all the study subjects are measured. Systolic and diastolic functions of both ventricles were evaluated with the help of conventional and tissue Doppler methods. Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels of the OSA group were significantly higher compared to those of the AHI control group. Lateral inferior and anterior E’ were significantly lower whereas E/E’ was significantly higher in the OSA group compared to the control group (8.40±3.24 vs. 10.80±3.24; p=0.001, 7.50±2.60 vs 9.00±2.51; p=0.009, 7.90±2.68 vs. 8.90±2.73; p=0.006, 7.57±3.20 vs. 6.44±1.55; p=0.023, respectively). Although the apelin levels were higher in the OSA group compared to the control group, this difference did not reach statistical significance. Age, AHI, and echocardiographic indices were not correlated with the apelin levels. There was no relationship between the severity of OSA and the apelin levels, either. This study showed diastolic functions may be impaired in patinets with newly diagnosed OSA. Apelin levels which has been shown to play an important role in cardiovascular hemodynamics, had no significant correlation with OSA severity. Moreover, there was no significant correlation between the apelin levels and echocardiographically assessed systolic and diastolic functions of both ventricles. © 2015, TIP ARASTIRMALARI DERNEGI. All Rights Reserved