Experimental Investigation of Interfacial Tension Measurement and Oil Recovery by Carbonated Water Injection : A Case Study Using Core Samples from an Iranian Carbonate Oil Reservoir

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge and appreciate the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Marvdasht Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, 73711-13119, Iran, for the provision of the laboratory facilities necessary for completing this work.Peer reviewedPostprin

CO2 Storage in Low Permeable Carbonate Reservoirs: Permeability and Interfacial Tension (IFT) Changes During CO2 Injection in an Iranian Carbonate Reservoir

The lack of fundamental experimental studies on low permeable carbonate reservoirs for CO2 sequestration purposes is essential for further application of CO2 sequestration as a highly-anticipated CO2 mitigation method in deep saline aquifers, specifically those with low permeabilities. The core samples were taken from a carbonate reservoir in Iran and the brine composition was based on that of the same formation. The objective of this study is to investigate permeability alteration during CO2 sequestration in the aquifers of a low permeable Iranian carbonate reservoir. Various parameters have been investigated. The effects of different parameters such as injection pressure, confining pressure, and temperature on permeability alteration of the cores was investigated. Moreover, the interfacial tension (IFT) of CO2/brine was also determined at pressures and temperatures up to 7 MPa and 100 °C, respectively. The experimental results showed CO2 solubility and rock dissolution to be the governing mechanism when CO2 was injected into carbonate cores. The permeability measurements showed that permeability increases by increasing injection pressure and decreases by increasing confining pressure and temperature. The IFT measurement results showed that the IFT decreases significantly when there is an increase in pressure and temperature

Production of Rosuvastatin Calcium Nanoparticles Using Gas Antisolvent Technique: Experimental and Optimization

The activity of pharmaceutical substances crucially depends on the bioavailability of the substances. The bioavailability of drugs in body and their rate of dissolution in the biological fluids are increased if the particle size is decreased. In the present paper, the Gas Anti-Solvent (GAS) method was used to lower the size of rosuvastatin particles. The effects of temperature (313–338 K), pressure (105–180 bar) and initial solute concentration (20–60 mg/ml) were evaluated by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimum initial solute concentration, temperature and pressure were found to be 20 mg/ml, 313 K and 180 bar, respectively which resulted in the minimum particle size. Furthermore, the particles were characterized by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The analyses showed that the rosuvastatin particles (60.3 nm) precipitated by GAS process become significantly smaller than the initial particles (45.8 µm)

CO2 sequestration through direct aqueous mineral carbonation of red gypsum

The authors would like to appreciate the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran for the provision of the laboratory facilities necessary for completing this work.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Association between rs2303861 polymorphism in CD82 gene and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a preliminary case-control study

Aim To investigate the genetic factors involved in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its sequelae in a Middle Eastern population. Methods This genetic case-control association study, conducted in 2018, enrolled 30 patients with NAFLD and 30 control individuals matched for age, sex, and body mass index. After quality control measures, entire exonic regions of 3654 genes associated with human diseases were sequenced. Allelic association test and enrichment analysis of the significant genetic variants were performed. Results The association analysis was conducted on 27 NAFLD patients and 28 controls. When Bonferroni correction was applied, NAFLD was significantly associated with rs2303861, a variant located in the CD82 gene (P = 2.49 × 10−7, adjusted P = 0.0059). When we used Benjamini- Hochberg adjustment for correction, NAFLD was significantly associated with six more variants. Enrichment analysis of the genes corresponding to all the seven variants showed significant enrichment for miR-193b-5p (P = 0.00004, adjusted P = 0.00922). Conclusion A variant on CD82 gene and a miR-193b expression dysregulation may have a role in the development and progression of NAFLD and its sequela

Experimental Investigation of Asphaltene Content Effect on Crude Oil/CO2 Minimum Miscibility Pressure

Minimum Miscibility Pressure (MMP) is regarded as one of the foremost parameters required to be measured in a CO2 injection process. Therefore, a reasonable approximation of the MMP can be useful for better development of injection conditions as well as planning surface facilities. In this study, the impact of asphaltene content ranging from 3.84 % to 16 % on CO2/heavy oil MMP is evaluated. In this respect, slim tube miscibility and Vanishing Interfacial Tension (VIT) tests are used. Regarding the VIT test, the Interfacial Tension (IFT) is measured by means of two methods including pendant drop and capillary apparatuses, and thereafter the MMP measurement error between slim tube and VIT methods are calculated. Based on the results, by increasing the asphaltene content, the measured MMP by slim tube method increases linearly while that by VIT follows no clear trend. The results also indicate that there is an asphaltene content range within which the MMP error between slim tube and VIT tests is minimized. IFT measurement by pendant drop and Capillary Glass Tube (CGT) methods show that by increasing asphaltene content up to 10.15 %, IFT declines, whereas for further increase in content, IFT increases because of the irregular dispersion of asphaltene in oil droplets

Assessment of human and physical resources in health houses and health-care centers providing emergency services: a study in Golestan province

Background and Aims: The right information on current situation such as physical space, equipment and manpower make it possible to assess emergency activities as well as to manage and provide qualified services to patients. The aim of this study was to determine human and physical resources in health houses and health care centers to provide emergency services in Golestan province. Background and Aims: The right information on current situation such as physical space, equipment and manpower make it possible to assess emergency activities as well as to manage and provide qualified services to patients. The aim of this study was to determine human and physical resources in health houses and health care centers to provideemergency services in Golestan province.Materials and Methods: The present descriptive cross sectional study was performed in Golestan province in 2012. The study population was health houses and health centers (both rural and urban). A multi-stage sampling method was exploited and required data were collected by check list through interviews and observations. All stagesof this research project were conducted ethically. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS 16.Results: The results of this study show that about 17.9 percent of health houses had no male health workers and a lack of female health workers was noticed in 2.4 percent of them. Similarly, there is not any nurse in 38.9 percent of health care centers. About 94.4 percent of centers suffered from having male nurse’s aid and 97.2 of them had no female nurse’s aid. The results further indicated that most of health houses were in a good level with regard to medical equipments (66.7%) and needed medications (63.6%). The majority of health care centers (63.9%) were indeed at intermediate level considering injection chamber and at very week level (52.4%) from the wound dressing point of view. The studied centers lacked the requisite medications and were at low levels. 74.33 percent of health care centers suffered from an apparent lack of dressing room facilities. About 85.3 percent of health centers showed ambulance deficit.Conclusion: According to the low levels of personal resources, equipment and physical spaces in studied health care centers, it is necessary to consider appropriate measures in order to improve the situation in these centers. Journal of Health in the Field, Vol.3, No.4, Winter 2016 Keywords: Personal resources, Physical resources, Health house, Health care center, Emergency services in Golestan province.Materials and Methods: The present descriptive cross sectional study was performed in Golestan province in 2012. The study population was health houses and health centers (both rural and urban). A multi-stage sampling method was exploited and required data were collected by check list through interviews and observations. All stages of this research project were conducted ethically. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using SPSS 16.Results: The results of this study show that about 17.9 percent of health houses had no male health workers and a lack of female health workers was noticed in 2.4 percent of them. Similarly, there is not any nurse in 38.9 percent of health care centers. About 94.4 percent of centers suffered from having male nurse’s aid and 97.2 of them had no female nurse’s aid. The results further indicated that most of health houses were in a good level with regard to medical equipments (66.7%) and needed medications (63.6%). The majority of health care centers (63.9%) were indeed at intermediate level considering injection chamber and at very week level (52.4%) from the wound dressing point of view. The studied centers lacked the requisite medications and were at low levels. 74.33 percent of health care centers suffered from an apparent lack of dressing room facilities. About 85.3 percent of health centers showed ambulance deficit.Conclusion: According to the low levels of personal resources, equipment and physical spaces in studied health care centers, it is necessary to consider appropriate measures in order to improve the situation in these centers.Journal of Health in the Field, Vol.3, No.4, Winter 2016Keywords: Personal resources, Physical resources, Health house, Health care center, EmergencyFor downloading the full text please click here

The relationship between the dimensions of job burnout with workplace physical environment and facilities among health workers in Golestan province

Background and Aims: Job burnout is the reaction of workers to chronic stress, with disastrous physical, psychological and adverse organizational consequences for employees. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the dimensions of job burnout and workplace physical environment and facilities among health workers in Golestan province.Materials and Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, 1141 respondents out of totally 1275 health workers in Golestan province participated in the survey. The sampling method was census. Data collection was done through a questionnaire dealing with physical environment and facilities of workplace as well as Maslach burnout inventory. Verbal consent was obtained from all participants and their responses werekept confidentially. Data were analyzed using SPSS and Chi-Square test at a significance level of 0.05Results: The results of the present survey indicate that the physical condition of the workplace was assessed as weak by 17.4% of participants. Similarly, 24.8% of respondents assessed health house facilities asweak. There were significant relationships between emotional exhaustion and physical condition as well as workplace facilities (p<0.005). The study, however, did not show a significant relationship between depersonalization and personal performance and workplace physical conditions and facilities (p>0.005).Conclusion: Regarding the relatively poor workplace physical conditions and facilities, it is recommended to improve these conditions in order to decrease health workers emotional exhaustion.Keywords: Job burnout, Physical environment, Facilities, Health house, Health worker, Golestan provinceFor downloading the full text please click her

CO2 sequestration using red gypsum via pH-swing process : Effect of carbonation temperature and NH4HCO3 on the process efficiency

The authors would like to appreciate the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Marvdasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht, Iran for the provision of the laboratory facilities necessary for completing this work. We would also like to thank Dr. Peter Dunning from University of Aberdeen for English proofreading of this manuscript.Peer reviewedPostprin

Investigation of the Relationship of Autism Spectrum Disorder with Infant Formula Consumption and Employment and Education of the Parents: A Case-Control Study

Background and Objectives: This study explored the association between breastfeeding vs. infant formula and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), considering parental education and employment as conferring variables. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 35 ASD children aged 6-12 years and 70 healthy children matched in terms of age and gender. Age, gender, postnatal nutrition, parental employment, and parental education were recorded with parental cooperation. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (P=0.005) between the two groups regarding the type of postnatal milk type. Consumption of infant formula alone or combined with breast milk and maternal employment, especially in governmental occupation, were associated with the risk of ASD incidence. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence of the possible protective effect of exclusive breastfeeding against ASD. In addition, child-mother physical distance due to maternal employment seemed to play a considerable role in the risk of ASD incidence