Enhanced Removal of Nickel (II) Ions from Synthetic Wastewater employing Fixed Bed Ion Exchange Column Technique

Jon exchange process is an exchange of ions between a solid resin and a liquid phase. This method is widely used in the extraction of heavy metals in industries like electroplating for industrial waste water treatment. Nickel present in the wastewater can cause serious harm to living beings. It is equally harmful to human beings as well as the environment. In this study, ion exchange process was used to study and enhance the removal of nickel from wastewater which in tum improves the quality of the wastewater. In this project, the removal of Nickel (II) ions from synthetic wastewater using a strong acid cation resin called Lewatit S 1467 in fixed bed column is investigated. The resin is modified with Tetrabutylammonium Iodide prior to the experiments. The purpose of this project is to determine the optimum conditions for the removal of metal ions from the waste water solution and enhancing the performance of the resin through modification. The experiments were conducted under different pH values (3, 5 and 7) and at different initial concentrations of the contaminant (1.8, 2.8 and 3.8 gNi!L) The effect of regeneration on the modified resin is also studied. The removal efficiency and rate of removal is shown in breakthrough curves and the kinetic for the process is calculated. The exchange isotherm was confinned on Thomas model. Atomic Adsorption Spectrophotometer was used to measure the Nickel ion concentration in order to compare against the environmental limit. Fourier Transfmm Infi'ared Spectroscopy was used for charactetization of the resin. Results from this project will be useful in designing an appropriate heavy metal removal technique using ion exchange process to minimize the negative impacts caused on the environment by industrial wastewater

Fetal Anomalies in Ultrasonographically Detected Polyhydramnios

Background: To determine the frequency and types of fetal anomalies in cases of polyhydramnios detected on ultrasonography and to compare maternal age and parity of these subjects with fetal anomalies and those without fetal anomalies. Methods: In this cross sectional study, using colour and power Doppler ultrasound machine, one hundred diagnosed patients with ultrasonographically detected polyhydramnios were included . Sonographic examination was conducted between 12 to 40 weeks of gestation and fetal anomalies were examined. Results: Out of 100 patients, 35 fetal anomalies were found in 30(30%) patients. The age of the patients included in the study ranged from 18 to 40 years. Majority of the anomalies (73%) were found between age group 30 – 40 years and in multigravida (83%). Central Nervous System was the commonest site with fetal anomalies (46%) followed by gastrointestinal tract (20%) Conclusion: Prenatal detection of fetal anomalies has a decisive effect on the outcome of pregnancy and helps the obstetrician in planning the intrapartum management and for post delivery resuscitative measures, if require

Study of Toxic Gas Ingress in Non-Process Areas

Although the majority of incidents involving toxic gas release in process industries occur outdoors, nearby buildings and its indoor environments are also at high risk. Particularly, non-process areas such as administration buildings are often the least protected, even though they are in the vicinity of potential sources. In literature, indoor exposure modelling techniques range from simple statistical regression and mass balance approaches to more complex models such as multi-zone and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Therefore, to study toxic gas infiltration, a proper selection of models is required. Despite the significant risk posed by such events in process facilities, there is still a lack of data and comparative studies concerning the appropriate models and mitigation methods. This work investigates a realistic pipeline leak in a natural gas facility and the subsequent H2S exposure of the nearby administration building. A comparative study is performed by utilizing a dispersion model (SLAB), a multi-zone model (CONTAM) and a CFD model (Quick Urban and Industrial Complex – QUIC). The influence of ventilation network, wind speed, direction, and pressure on toxic gas ingress is examined. Furthermore, the sensitivity of wind pressure calculation on the toxic gas infiltration rate by using American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) correlation and CFD modelling is studied. Indoor toxic levels are attained using combinations of the above mentioned models. Results on indoor toxic levels indicated high sensitivity to wind characteristics which led to varying risks and conclusions. A detailed description of different scenarios and findings is also presented

Management of intercondylar femur fracture with distal femur locking compression plate: outcome analysis of 72 cases

Background: Supra-condylar and inter-condylar fractures of the distal femur account for 7% of all femoral fractures and have always been difficult to treat and regaining full knee function is often difficult. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the functional outcome, fracture healing, complications of distal femoral intercondylar fractures managed by locking compression plate.Methods: Total 72 patients of intercondylar femur fracture were operated by ORIF with distal femur-locking compression plate via the standard swashbuckler approach. The functional outcomes were analyzed using modified hospital for special surgery scoring system.Results: Muller type C2 fracture was the most common fracture type with 50 out of 72 patients. The average range of motion achieved was about 99.03°±24.73° (Closed fractures =105.83°±19.41°and open fractures = 89.50°±28.36°). There was also a significant difference in the duration of operative time, 84.28±18.32 minutes for closed fractures and 98.46±22.47 minutes for open fractures. The average duration for radiological union was 14.52±2.21 weeks for closed and 17.20±2.44 weeks for open fractures. The average knee score was 80.13±13.38 using modified Hospital for Special Surgery score.Conclusions: Closed fractures have a higher range of motion and a better knee score compared to open fractures, supporting the fact that soft tissue compromise also affects range of motion and post-op rehabilitation of the limb. The outcome seems to correlate with the nature of injury i.e. high vs low velocity, type of fracture, anatomic reduction, associated injuries, time elapsed since injury to fixation and the stability of fixation

Impact of Political Environment on Media Freedom in Pakistan

This study has been conducted to determine editorial independence of broadcast journalists in current political environment of Pakistan. Journalists from top news channels were approached to explore the political pressures that bar journalists to conduct their professional duties freely. Survey was conducted to asnalyse the level of media freedom based on perception of the professionals. It is found that political factors have a considerable influence on media practice. Freedom of media is being affected by the current democratic set-up of the country. &nbsp

Dependence of Editorial Independence, Influence of Economic Factors on News Channels in Pakistan

Private news channel in Pakistan get sponsorships and commercials from state as well as from private companies to run their businesses. Selling ads may lead to sell content shaped in favor of the sponsor. This study has analyzed the influence of commercialization on editorial autonomy of broadcast journalists of Pakistan. A survey of senior journalists from top ten news channels was conducted to asnalyse perception of the professionals about the influence of commercialization on the content of news and current affairs. It is found that economic pressures restrain newsroom staff to make editorial decisions independently.                                                                                                                                                        &nbsp

Assessing the Perception of Academicians about Organizational and Personal Aspects of Job Stress and Performance: A Qualitative Study

Performance of academicians negatively associated with job stress and many other factors most obvious are institutional and personal characteristics of academia. Academia performs assigned tasks within their position and expected roles at universities. Qualitative research study was conducted to assess the perception of academicians about organizational and personal aspects. A purposive sample of 60 participants as academia heads and academia (teachers) from eight public sector universities were targeted. Semi-structured face to face and telephonic interviews were conducted by using interview guide/checklist with open statements for getting different perception and working experience of academia heads as (Deans, Department Heads, InCharge), and of academia (teachers). Data were recorded in the form of mobile recorder and written notes. Transcripts were written and thematic analysis was used to analyze the data for important themes relevant to research objectives. Results of research shows that academia heads assign different tasks to academia, sometime oppose the interest of academia, may create stressful situation. Academia heads have diverse responsibilities to take part in different activities to obtain institutional goals, based on their domain, also face some stress. It was suggested that academia heads must assign work according to academia interest; knowledge and domain, also need to take investigate reasons of disappointment among academia. Work overload and autonomy need urgent concentration

Benign tumours and tumour like lesions of bone

Over the last century, there has been a remarkable development in the study of benign bone tumours. This is primarily due to the improved knowledge of the nature of these lesions and improved imaging technology. They present as a diverse group of clinical and pathological entities, which vary in their clinical behaviour and aggressiveness and, hence, multidisciplinary approach is necessary in their management. Combined opinion from an orthopaedic surgeon, radiologist and a pathologist is therefore required. Incidence of these tumours is debatable because they are often asymptomatic. Many protocols have been reported in studies with respect to the management of these tumours based on the experience of different centres and different surgeons with no set guidelines. English-language studies, including case reports, case series and systemic reviews, from PubMed, ERIC, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Reviews databases from 2002 to 2016 were included in the current. Articles reporting all levels of evidence - Level I to V - were included

Improved power quality operation of symmetrical and asymmetrical multilevel inverter using invasive weed optimization technique

Low switching frequency pulse width modulation (PWM) technique for modulation and control of multilevel inverter in medium voltage high power applications is preferred in order to reduce the switching losses. In this context, a multilevel inverter operated with Selective harmonics minimization PWM technique offers better quality waveform at reduced switching losses. After the Fourier series analysis, the system of non-linear simultaneous transcendental equations is obtained. These equations are then solved to obtain switching angles to have certain low order harmonics at minimum value and regulation in the fundamental voltage magnitude. In this paper, a novel invasive weed optimization (IWO) technique is proposed to compute switching angles. The proposed technique can compute switching angles for both symmetrical and asymmetrical multilevel inverters. Thus it has superiority over well-known optimization techniques such as GA, PSO, DE, and ACO, etc. Moreover, in certain modulation index ranges, it provides faster convergence and accurate results which have been demonstrated in the paper. The computational results have been verified with the experimental result on the prototype developed in the laboratory. The field programming gate arrays (FPGA) based controller is used to implement the proposed technique. The hardware results have been found in close agreement with the computed results. 2022This publication was made possible by NPRP grant #[ 13S-0108-20008 ] from the Qatar National Research Fund (A member of Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The APC of the paper is funded by the Qatar National Library , Doha, Qatar.Scopu