Mitigation of corrosion attack on carbon steel coated cermet alloy in different anion contents

This research study evaluated the corrosion mechanism attack on carbon steel coated with cermet alloys (WC9% Ni) in seawater at different sulphate-to-chloride ratios. The four different sulphate-to-chloride ratios were synthesised with the same seawater salinity of 3.5 % and same pH of real seawater. The corrosion tests involved immersion and electrochemical tests. The immersion test is used to determine the cermet coating ability to withstand the corrosion attack based on different ratios of anions present in the seawater at different periods of immersion. The corrosion attack was characterized by optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The aggressive anions present in the seawater influenced the corrosion attack on the cermet coating. For immersion test, results revealed that increasing sulphate more than chloride, increased the weight loss of cermets. The electrochemistry analysis showed that the passive layer forms on cermet coating prevented the material from further corrosion attack. However, due to its porosity, the passive layer collapsed and exposed the material for other corrosion reaction. For electrochemical test, the result shows that the solution with sulphate-to-chloride ratio of 0.14 (real seawater) has the highest corrosion current and Open Circuit Potential (OCP) compared to other solutions (different sulphate-to-chloride ratio). In conclusion, sulfate and chloride show their competition to attack the cermet coating on carbon steel and the higher the amount of chloride present in seawater, the higher the corrosion rate and pits formed on the cermet coating

Mitigation of corrosion attack on carbon steel coated cermet alloy in different anion contents

This research study evaluated the corrosion mechanism attack on carbon steel coated with cermet alloys (WC9% Ni) in seawater at different sulphate-to-chloride ratios. The four different sulphate-to-chloride ratios were synthesised with the same seawater salinity of 3.5 % and same pH of real seawater. The corrosion tests involved immersion and electrochemical tests. The immersion test is used to determine the cermet coating ability to withstand the corrosion attack based on different ratios of anions present in the seawater at different periods of immersion. The corrosion attack was characterized by optical and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The aggressive anions present in the seawater influenced the corrosion attack on the cermet coating. For immersion test, results revealed that increasing sulphate more than chloride, increased the weight loss of cermets. The electrochemistry analysis showed that the passive layer forms on cermet coating prevented the material from further corrosion attack. However, due to its porosity, the passive layer collapsed and exposed the material for other corrosion reaction. For electrochemical test, the result shows that the solution with sulphate-to-chloride ratio of 0.14 (real seawater) has the highest corrosion current and Open Circuit Potential (OCP) compared to other solutions (different sulphate-to-chloride ratio). In conclusion, sulfate and chloride show their competition to attack the cermet coating on carbon steel and the higher the amount of chloride present in seawater, the higher the corrosion rate and pits formed on the cermet coating

Poverty, Growth and Income Distribution in Lebanon

This Country Study is based on a full national report that is the first to draw a profile of poverty in Lebanon based on money-metric poverty measurements of household expenditures. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of the poor and estimates the extent of poverty and the degree of inequality in the country. It finds that nearly 28 per cent of the Lebanese population can be considered poor and eight per cent can be considered extremely poor. However, the most important finding of the report is that regional disparities are striking. For example, whereas poverty rates are insignificant in the capitol, Beirut, they are very high in the Northern city of Akkar. In general, the North governorate has been lagging behind the rest of the country and thus its poverty rate has become high. Levels of poverty are above-average in the South but are not as severe as expected. There are three other major results that have notable implications for a poverty-reduction programme in Lebanon. First, with few exceptions, measures of human deprivation, such as that provided by an Unsatisfied Basic Needs methodology, are generally commensurate with those for money-metric measures based on household expenditures. Second, the projected cost of halving extreme poverty is very modest, namely, a mere fraction of the cost of the country?s large external debt obligations. However, such a cost would rise dramatically if inequality were to worsen (i.e., if future growth were anti-poor). Also, the cost of reducing overall poverty would be substantially higher. Third, the poor are heavily concentrated among the unemployed and among unskilled workers, with the latter concentrated in sectors such as agriculture and construction. This places a priority on a broad-based, inclusive pattern of economic growth that could stimulate employment in such sectors. Based on such findings, the report concentrates on providing general policy recommendations on issues of directing public expenditures to poor households. One of its major recommendations is to concentrate on channelling resources to poor regions below the governorate level, such as to four ?strata? where two-thirds of the poor in Lebanon are concentrated. However, the report notes that macroeconomic policies, particularly fiscal policies, will have to be redesigned to mobilize the reources necessary to finance the increases in public expenditures on the social safety nets and public investment in social services that should be part of a major poverty-reduction programme.Poverty, Growth and Income Distribution in Lebanon

Customer Engagement Plans for Peak Load Reduction in Residential Smart Grids

In this paper, we propose and study the effectiveness of customer engagement plans that clearly specify the amount of intervention in customer's load settings by the grid operator for peak load reduction. We suggest two different types of plans, including Constant Deviation Plans (CDPs) and Proportional Deviation Plans (PDPs). We define an adjustable reference temperature for both CDPs and PDPs to limit the output temperature of each thermostat load and to control the number of devices eligible to participate in Demand Response Program (DRP). We model thermostat loads as power throttling devices and design algorithms to evaluate the impact of power throttling states and plan parameters on peak load reduction. Based on the simulation results, we recommend PDPs to the customers of a residential community with variable thermostat set point preferences, while CDPs are suitable for customers with similar thermostat set point preferences. If thermostat loads have multiple power throttling states, customer engagement plans with less temperature deviations from thermostat set points are recommended. Contrary to classical ON/OFF control, higher temperature deviations are required to achieve similar amount of peak load reduction. Several other interesting tradeoffs and useful guidelines for designing mutually beneficial incentives for both the grid operator and customers can also be identified

The Last Conversation

The brain-death exam is one of the most sensitive undertakings for a physician, especially a neurologist, because of its social and legal implications. It is the vital examination establishing a clear lack of meaningful vitals, allowing a family to mark the end of a journey and a life finally complete. Physicians who perform and establish this death-decision must ensure they are au courant with the family\u27s sentiments and concerns. It would behoove this obligated physician to bear in mind that it is a human being who will go through this invasive and rough exam. This comatose person is a father / mother, a child to another, a sibling to someone else, a spouse, and likely a life support for many. Those interested souls may be observing this exam; thus the greatest discretion and prudence is necessary. Though this exam is a repetition, the thought process that commences upon entering each room is distinct unto itself — much like the patient\u27s unique life story, inevitably ending with this examination

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Portable Variable Message Signs in Improving Safety for Motorists and Workers at Construction Zones in Abu Dhabi

In March 2008, a single accident resulted in three people being killed and nearly 350 injured in a horrific crash involving over 60 vehicles on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai highway near Ghantoot. The cause of this crash was attributed to failure by motorists to adhere to severe weather conditions (fog). In response to the increasing number of accidents on Abu Dhabi roads, the Abu Dhabi Department of Transport (DoT) has deployed approximately 40 portable Variable Message Signs (PVMSs) throughout the main DOT\u27s highway network as one of the strategies to control driver behavior and to improve road safety. The objective of these PVMSs is to provide drivers with adequate warnings; especially during severe weather conditions (e.g., fog, dust, rain). They are also used within critical areas such as construction zones on the highway, at school crossings and during major events so as to minimize the chances of accidents. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of PVMSs on road safety as well as their perceived satisfaction among road users. The effectiveness of PVMSs in Abu Dhabi has not yet been evaluated in this way the study adopted a longitudinal approach and involved the collection of vehicular speed, volume and classified data at three different highway sections. These covered one location close to a work-zone in Abu Dhabi with allowable speed limit of 100 km/hr., another location on freeway with allowable speed limit of 140km/hr. and one location on an arterial road with allowable speed limit of 120km/hr. Additionally, drivers and workers were interviewed in order to seek their perception on the use of PVMS. Using descriptive and analytical statistical methods, the mean and 85th percentile speed differences before and after the deployment of PVMS were found not to be statistically significant at the study locations. At both urban and rural locations, PVMS was shown to have a minor impact in reducing highway speeds but it was found not to be statistically significant. The study showed that PVMSs were found to be effective, though statistically not significant (p-value \u3e 0.005 at 95% confidence level), in reducing driver\u27s speeds with about 1% on freeway and arterial roads. PVMSs are not significant statistically effective in reducing speeds at the work zones. Newly deployed PVMS at work zones confuse drivers especially when the posted speed limits are reduced gradually over a short span length. Further, the proportion of vehicles speeding excessively (i.e. vehicles traveling over the posted speed limit) was slightly decreased by the use of PVMS. A significant number of road user\u27s responses were positive and highly satisfied with the usefulness of PVMS as a tool to display the traffic information to drivers and to manage traffic safety at work zones. They also stated that PVMS is an effective tool in alerting drivers about the irregular traffic conditions and/or any incidents on the highway and within work zones. There were many comments on the current operation of the PVMS that are mainly on updating PVMS messages, messages shall be changed frequently, PVMS messages shall cover the benefit areas mentioned in the driver survey and more care shall be considered for PVMS as a communication tool with the roadways users in order to increase the convenience on PVMS. In addition, surveys of road construction workers indicated that workers were aware of PVMS and considered PVMS to be the best tool available for traffic safety at work zones. Most of the road construction workers stated that they feel safer with the implementation of the PVMS during night shifts. The main comment was on implementation of the PVMS which are mainly about; not common in most of the work zone areas, it should be implemented immediately over all work zones within Abu Dhabi, should be well maintained through the whole construction period and moved away until work zone is cleared. Increasing public awareness of the use of PVMS suggested being a common tool used at work zones. Some recommendations can be drawn from the study. The operation of PVMS shall take more care from Department of Transportation and Ministry of Interior – Police Department. The PVMS messages should be updated regularly and be varied to accommodate a wider range of incident warnings to assist in accident reduction. In general, PVMS messages should also be displayed as symbols to cover the illiterate drivers and workers and non-English/Arabic speakers

Rethinking the measurement of the middle class: Evidence from Egypt

The degree of choice households have over their consumption expenditure is critical in deciding their economic class. Applying our measure to Egyptian household budget surveys, we estimate the population size of the middle class in Egypt and assess their well-being in the period 1995-2011. Our findings show that if economic growth is pro-poor and inclusive, more people at the lower end of income distribution will graduate into the middle class category. The increase in poverty rates and decline in the size of the middle class since 2005 indicates that the growth process in Egypt was anti-poor and anti-middle class