Removal of Oil and Grease from Refinery Desalter Effluent Using Carbon Derived from Agricultural Wastes

This report basically discusses the research done and basic understanding of the chosen topic, which is Removal of oil and grease from refinery desalter effluent using carbon derived from agricultural wastes. The study takes Petronas Penapisan (Melaka) Sdn. Bhd. as a model work where the sample of effluent water from refinery desalter is taken. Currently in PP(M)SB, the desalter effluent is being sent to the effluent treatment system and discharged to the environment. The main objective of the project is to reduce the cost and consumption of process water by recycling back the desalter effluent water by removing the oil and grease from the waste water. It was reported that the amount of waste water produced is about 2000 m3/day on average [21]. The proposed raw materials to be used as an adsorbent in this project are the rubber seed. Rubber seed are found to be a good raw material for production of activated carbon [17, 18, 19]. It is revealed that particle size of raw material does not really affect the properties of the activated carbon. While the activation time and the use of chemical agent gives a significant effect on the produced activated carbon in terms of surface area, total pore volume and as well as pore structures. It was found that 46 % of oil and grease removal was reported in the experiment. It is proved that activated carbon prepared from rubber seed, an agricultural solid waste, can be effectively used as adsorbent for the removal of oil and grease from refinery desalter effluent

Crowding--a risk factor for perinatal mortality?

Crowding is known to be associated with an increased risk of infant and child morbidity and mortality particularly due to infections. We examined the association of crowding with perinatal mortality. Our results indicated a paradoxical relationship with the least crowded households showing the highest perinatal mortality (7.7% as compared to 4.7%). However, further analysis indicated that the observed paradoxical relationship is a spurious one, largely explained by the confounding effect of gravidity

Faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi ketidakcekapan teknik industri pembuatan elektrik dan elektronik di Malaysia

Industri pembuatan elektrik dan elektronik (E&E) merupakan salah satu sektor terpenting di Malaysia yang menyumbang kepada Keluaran Dalam Negara Kasar (KDNK). Namun, perkembangan pesat sektor ini pada peringkat global menuntut industri pembuatan E&E untuk menjadi lebih berdaya saing dan mempunyai strategi bagi meningkatkan kuantiti nilai tambah yang menggunakan input sedia ada. Kecekapan dan pertumbuhan sektor pembuatan E&E menyusut sebanyak 4.9% pada tahun 2015 berbanding dengan 6.2% pada tahun 2014. Ketidaktentuan kecekapan dan trend pertumbuhan ini memerlukan perhatian dalam mengenal pasti tahap kecekapan teknik (TE) dan faktor-faktor penentu ketidakcekapan teknik dalam industri pembuatan E&E di Malaysia pada tahun 2015 melalui penggunaan data pada peringkat firma yang diperoleh daripada Jabatan Perangkaan Malaysia (DOSM). Kajian ini menggunakan sampel 587 data firma daripada 13 sub industri pembuatan E&E. Metodologi kajian ini adalah dengan menggunakan Analisis Perbatasan Stokastik (SFA) melalui pendekatan Transendental Logarithma atau Translog. Keputusan kajian menunjukkan tahap pengeluaran TE industri pembuatan E&E di Malaysia secara keseluruhannya, berada pada tahap tinggi iaitu 0.723%. Sementara itu, faktor penentu ketidakcekapan teknik iaitu kadar upah; perbelanjaan teknologi komunikasi dan maklumat (ICT); serta perbelanjaan penyelidikan dan pembangunan (R&D) mempunyai kesan negatif dan signifikan terhadap ketidakcekapan teknik industri pembuatan E&E pada tahun 2015. Impikasi dapatan menunjukkan industri ini masih perlu meningkatkan pelaburan, terutamanya dari aspek modal insan serta tahap teknologi dan inovasi

Perceived gynecological morbidity among young ever-married women living in squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan

Background: Community-based information on obstetric and gynecological morbidity in developing countries is meager and nearly non-existent in Pakistan.Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of specific gynecological morbidities and investigate the predictors of pelvic inflammatory disease.Methods: Users [404] and non-users [313] of modern contraceptives were identified from eight squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan and detailed information on basic demographics, contraceptive use, female mobility, decision-making and gynecological morbidities were elicited.Results: The perceived prevalence of menstrual disorders were 45.3%, uterine prolapse 19.1%, pelvic inflammatory disease 12.8% and urinary tract infection 5.4%. The magnitude of gynecological morbidity was high with about 55% of women reporting at least one gynecological morbidity though fewer [20%] reported at least two gynecological morbidities. Significant predictors of pelvic inflammatory disease were intrauterine contraceptive device users (OR = 3.1; 95% CI 1.7-5.6), age \u3c or = 20 years (OR = 2.3; 95% CI 1.1-4.8) and urban life style (OR = 2.1; 95% CI 1.0-4.6).CONCLUSION: There is an immense burden of reproductive ill-health and a significant association between ever users of intrauterine contraceptive device and pelvic inflammatory disease. We therefore suggest improvement in the quality of reproductive health services generally, but specifically for family planning services

Induced abortions in low socio-economic settlements of Karachi, Pakistan: rates and women\u27s perspectives

Objective: The aim of the study was to determine rates on induced abortions and to identify the perceived and actual reasons for terminating an unplanned pregnancy, health care providers sought, methods used and post-abortion complications.SETTING: Three squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan.SUBJECTS: Interviews were conducted on 1,214 ever-married women in the reproductive age group (15-49) with a reproductive history of at least one pregnancy, irrespective of outcome.Methods: A cross-sectional survey from June-August 1997 was conducted in three selected squatter settlements of Karachi.Results: The abortion rate for the past year was 25.5 per 1,000 women of reproductive age group. The post-abortion complication rate reported was 68.5% (61/89), of which fever and heavy vaginal bleeding was the most commonly reported complication (54.1%).CONCLUSION: The results indicate that women are aware of the high mortality and morbidity risk resulting from seeking an unsafe abortion but nevertheless opt for this approach to attain their goal of small family size rather than for a modern method of contraception. Furthermore, healthcare providers, irrespective of legality issues, provide such services due to demand. We suggest that family physicians and other relevant health care providers be trained for post-abortion care including post-abortion family planning counseling with an emphasis on emergency contraceptives

The quest for small family size among Pakistani women--is voluntary termination of pregnancy a matter of choice or necessity?

Objective: To present the socio-biologic predictors of induced abortion among married women residing in low income squatter settlements of Karachi, Pakistan.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in three squatter settlements of Karachi from June to August 1997. Interviews were conducted on 1,214 married women assessing past pregnancy history, literacy and employment status of self and spouse and specifically probing for past history of seeking an induced abortion.Results: Fifty women reported an induced abortion during last three years prior to survey. Of these, forty percent (20/50) of abortion seekers were using some method of family planning before conceiving the index pregnancy. Post abortion family planning method use was adopted by 50% (25/50) of the abortion seekers. The most parsimonious multivariate logistic regression model included grand-multigravidity (OR 2.6 CI, 1.3 - 5.2), literate status of the woman (OR 1.9 CI, 1.0 - 3.4) and the 26-35 age group (OR 3.0 CI, 1.4 - 6.6).CONCLUSIONS: Unplanned/mistimed pregnancies generally result from high unmet need and ineffective use of contraceptives and culminate through induced abortions. We propose that improvement in the quality of family planning counseling should be targeted to effective use of a method, back-up support in case of method failure and the health consequences of unsafe abortions

Critical appraisal by reading for medical students--a case study from Pakistan

Doctors read literature to keep abreast of medical advances. A recommendation from the 1993 World Summit for Medical Education is that medical schools should teach medical students to critically appraise scientific reports. The Department of Community Health Sciences of Aga Khan University Medical College teaches basic research methods to medical students. This is now supplemented with Critical Reading . Critical reading was first taught to 67 third year students between October, 1993 and May, 1994. A validity check-list for critical readers was introduced in a two week orientation consisting of three one-hour classroom sessions and four one-hour small group sessions. Thereafter, small groups met monthly to critique clinical epidemiological reports relevant to current organ system teaching. The students reading attitudes and critical appraisal skills were assessed through continuous assessment and a written final examination with questionnaire. All but three students passed the final examination (mean score (74%, standard deviation 12%). Sixty-four of 67 (96%) completed questionnaires. All (73% strongly) agreed that critical reading skills were essential, but only 30% strongly agreed that they had, indeed, mastered the skills. Ninety-seven percent (56% strongly) disagreed that year three was too early to start critical reading. Clinical teaching staff expressed interest in learning these skills. Students benefited from and enjoyed this first critical reading course. It strengthened ties between clinical and community health sciences teaching staff. The critical reading skills of the clinical teaching staff is being addressed in seminars to strengthen institutional research capacity

EFFECTIVENESS OF PVP AND CMA AS HYDRATE INHIBITOR

Flow assurance mean to ensure the successful and economical flow of hydrocarbon stream from reservoir to the point of sale. In other term, it is actually multiphase transport, which covers the transmission of oil, gas and water in the same pipeline from the reservoir to processing plant. Somehow, gas hydrate may occur in the flow line due to variation of pressure and temperature. Nowadays, thermodynamic hydrate inhibitor (THI) had been used widely in order to prevent this gas hydrate problems. Methanol is one of the well known chemical inhibitor that had been used for many years due to its effectiveness and proven tract-record. Nevertheless, using methanol is very expensive and not cost-effective. This is because methanol needs to be added at high concentration which is 10-60 wt% in aqueous phase. So, in order to overcome this problem, researched activity has concentrated on the development of low dosage hydrate inhibitor (LDHI) which in this case is kinetic hydrate inhibitor (KHI). KHI is very cost effective and environmentally acceptable compared to THI. The objective of this study is to study the effectiveness of Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) as KHI. Besides that, another objective is to study the effective concentration of PVP and CMA as KHI. The project title: “Effectiveness of PVP and CMA as hydrate inhibitor” is to determine the ability and the effectiveness of Kinetic Hydrate Inhibitor (KHI) in delaying crystal growth of hydrate formation. This project starts by doing some research on journals in order to get reliable references regarding the topics. Then, this project will involve a lot of lab work and experiment in order to test the effectiveness of PVP and CMA as hydrate inhibitors. Equipment used in this project is the High Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) & Calorimetry - HP Micro DSC. Originally designed under a IFP (Institut Français du Petrole) license to study the gas hydrates formation and dissociation, the high pressure version of the μDSC7 evo offers unique capabilities on the market: on a wide temperature range, from the subambient temperature of -45°C up to 120°C, it is possible to carry out high sensitive DSC measurements under high and very high pressure, up to 1000 bars (14 600 psi). Experiments under gas supercritical conditions, such as CO2, are also available

Health-seeking behavior of Karachi women with reproductive tract infections

To explore the contextual factors influencing health-seeking behavior of women in Karachi regarding reproductive tract infections, 18 women with reproductive tract infections from different clinics and community settings were identified and in-depth interviews were conducted. Physicians in our study diagnosed a woman to have lower reproductive tract infection if she complained of malodorous vaginal discharge with or without perineal itching; and to have pelvic inflammatory disease or upper reproductive tract infection if she had any two of the following complaints: malodorous vaginal discharge, menstrual irregularities, lower abdominal pain or dyspareunia. Women consulted a variety of healthcare providers in their pursuit for treatment, mainly allopathic doctors and hakims. The different treatments prescribed to women ranged from oral and intravaginal medications to various home remedies including refraining from specific foods. Causes of reproductive tract infections reported were melting bones , consuming foods with perceived hot composition, poor personal hygiene and procedures like dilatation and curettage, delivery and induced abortions. None reported sexually transmitted diseases as the perceived cause of their problem. Interference with religious activities, sexual relationships or socializing was reported as consequences of reproductive tract infections, in addition to lower abdominal pain, menstrual irregularities, backache and kamzori (weakness). Pakistani women seek care for reproductive tract infections and visit a variety of providers, though causes and treatments offered are usually not related to sexually transmitted diseases. We therefore suggest training of healthcare providers for appropriate counseling and that treatment management protocols be advocated

Scaling Up a Strengthened Youth-Friendly Service Delivery Model to Include Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives in Ethiopia: A Mixed Methods Retrospective Assessment

Background: Donor funded projects are small scale and time limited, with gains that soon dissipate when donor funds end. This paper presents findings that sought to understand successes, challenges and barriers that influence the scaling up and sustainability of a tested, strengthened youth-friendly service (YFS) delivery model providing an expanded contraceptive method choice in one location – the YFS unit – with additional units in Amhara and Tigray, Ethiopia.Methods: This retrospective mixed methods study included interviews with key informants (KIs) (qualitative arm) and analysis of family planning (FP) uptake statistics extracted from the sampled health facilities (quantitative arm). A multi-stage convenience purposive sampling technique was adopted to randomly select 8 health facilities aligned with respective woredas, zones and regional health bureaus (RHBs). A semi-structured interview guide soliciting information on 6 scaling-up elements (stakeholder engagement, roles and responsibility, policy environment, financial resources, quality of voluntary FP services and data availability and use) guided the interviews. Fifty-six KI interviews were conducted with policy-makers, program managers, and clinic staff. Recurring themes were triangulated across administrative levels and implementing partners. Relevant FP data (acceptor status, age and method uptake) were extracted from the 8 sampled health facilities for a thirteen-month period. Qualitative findings triangulated with FP service statistics assessed the influence of the 6 scaling-up elements with trends in long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) uptake before and after training.Results: Our findings depict that respondents were knowledgeable and supportive of an expanded method mix. Statistically significant increases in long-acting contraceptive uptake were noted at 2 of the 8 health centers. Fidelity to the tested model was operationally constrained; respondents frequently mentioned trained staff absences and turnover as obstacles in offering quality FP services. Conclusion: Despite conducive policy environment, supportive stakeholders, favorable environment, and financial support for trainings, statistically significant increases in LARC uptake occurred at only 2 of the 8 health centers; indicating the influence of weak health systems, poor quality of voluntary FP services and a ceiling effect. Scale-up processes must consider potential bottlenecks of weak health systems and availability of financial resources by addressing these as crucial elements in any systematic scale-up framework