Rollover phenomena in liquefied natural gas storage: analysis on heat and pressure distribution through CFD simulation

CFD utilization in LNG industry especially in storage procedure is getting momentum since the increase in demand for LNG worldwide has led to a flexible trading market. Stored at LNG boiling temperature, heat leak is a major challenge as it causes slow boil-off which leads to LNG stratification and LNG rollover, a tragedy which has negatively impacted people, environment, company asset and reputation due to rupture and damage of the storage tank. ANSYS Fluent 14 was used to analyze the heat and pressure distribution of LNG during heat leak. The simulation involved static tank, heat leak from bottom and side wall, initial and surrounding temperature of 111K and 303K and thermal conductivity of perlite of 0.029 w/m.k. The susceptible area to rupture on inner wall tank was located at the top circumference of the tank due to higher pressure. The leak of heat occurred at the side wall contributes the largest heat compared to bottom tank since more surface area provided

Epidemiological and Evolutionary Dynamics of Influenza B Viruses in Malaysia, 2012-2014

Epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics of influenza B Victoria and Yamagata lineages remained poorly understood in the tropical Southeast Asia region, despite causing seasonal outbreaks worldwide. From 2012-2014, nasopharyngeal swab samples collected from outpatients experiencing acute upper respiratory tract infection symptoms in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were screened for influenza viruses using a multiplex RT-PCR assay. Among 2,010/3,935 (51.1%) patients infected with at least one respiratory virus, 287 (14.3%) and 183 (9.1%) samples were tested positive for influenza A and B viruses, respectively. Influenza-positive cases correlate significantly with meteorological factors-total amount of rainfall, relative humidity, number of rain days, ground temperature and particulate matter (PM10). Phylogenetic reconstruction of haemagglutinin (HA) gene from 168 influenza B viruses grouped them into Yamagata Clade 3 (65, 38.7%), Yamagata Clade 2 (48, 28.6%) and Victoria Clade 1 (55, 32.7%). With neuraminidase (NA) phylogeny, 30 intra-clade (29 within Yamagata Clade 3, 1 within Victoria Clade 1) and 1 inter-clade (Yamagata Clade 2-HA/Yamagata Clade 3-NA) reassortants were identified. Study of virus temporal dynamics revealed a lineage shift from Victoria to Yamagata (2012-2013), and a clade shift from Yamagata Clade 2 to Clade 3 (2013-2014). Yamagata Clade 3 predominating in 2014 consisted of intra-clade reassortants that were closely related to a recent WHO vaccine candidate strain (B/Phuket/3073/2013), with the reassortment event occurred approximately 2 years ago based on Bayesian molecular clock estimation. Malaysian Victoria Clade 1 viruses carried H274Y substitution in the active site of neuraminidase, which confers resistance to oseltamivir. Statistical analyses on clinical and demographic data showed Yamagata-infected patients were older and more likely to experience headache while Victoria-infected patients were more likely to experience nasal congestion and sore throat. This study describes the evolution of influenza B viruses in Malaysia and highlights the importance of continuous surveillance for better vaccination policy in this region.published_or_final_versio

Vascular-Targeted Photodynamic Therapy (VTP)

International audienc

Management of tuberculosis and latent tuberculosis infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected persons

The syndemic of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) /tuberculosis (TB) co-infection has grown as a result of the considerable sociogeographic overlaps between the two epidemics. The situation is particularly worrisome in countries with high or intermediate TB burden against the background of a variable HIV epidemic state. Early diagnosis of TB disease in an HIVinfected person is paramount but suffers from lack of sensitive and specific diagnostic tools. Enhanced symptom screening is currently advocated, and the wide application of affordable molecular diagnostics is urgently needed. Treatment of TB/HIV co-infection involves the concurrent use of standard antiretrovirals and antimycobacterials during which harmful drug interaction may occur. The pharmacokinetic interaction between rifamycin and antiretrovirals is a case in point, requiring dosage adjustment and preferential use of rifabutin, if available. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy is indicated, preferably at 2 weeks after starting TB treatment for patients with a CD4 of <50 cells/mL. Development of TB-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) is however more frequent with early antiretroviral therapy. The diagnosis of TB-IRIS is another clinical challenge, and cautious use of corticosteroids is suggested to improve clinical outcome. As a preventive measure against active TB disease, the screening for latent TB infection should be widely practiced, followed by at least 6–9 months of isoniazid treatment.To date tuberculin skin test remains the only diagnostic tool in high TB burden countries. The role of alternative tests, for example, interferon-g release assay, would need to be better defined for clinical application

Adapting an Evidence-Based Intervention Targeting HIV-Infected Prisoners in Malaysia

HIV-infected prisoners in Malaysia represent a critical target population for secondary HIV risk reduction interventions and care. We report on the process and outcome of our formative research aimed at systematically selecting and adapting an EBI designed to reduce secondary HIV risk and improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among soon-to-be-released HIV-infected prisoners. Our formative work involved a critical examination of established EBIs and associated published reports complemented by data elicited through structured interviews and focus groups with key stakeholders, members of the target population, and their family members. Based on all information, we adapted the Holistic Health Recovery Program targeting people living with HIV (HHRP+), an EBI, to consist of eight 2-hour sessions that cover a range of specified topics so that participants may individually apply intervention content as needed to accommodate their particular substance abuse, HIV risk, and antiretroviral adherence issues. This study provides a complete example of the process of selecting and adapting an EBI—taking into account both empirical evidence and input from target organization stakeholders and target population members and their families—for use in real world prison settings where high-risk populations are concentrated

Adhesion Characterization of Palm Oil Mill Sludge Modified Asphalt Binder

The adhesion of mineral aggregates to asphalt binder is an essential point that attributes to the quality and performance of the asphalt mixture. Moreover, the considerable problem to the asphalt pavement could come from the lack of bonding between the materials. Generally, adhesion of mineral aggregates depends on the source or type of aggregate and asphalt binder. This study investigated the adherence coverage of palm oil mill sludge (POMS) modified binder with granite aggregate. Base asphalt binder of penetration grade 60/70 was blended with 1%,2%,3%,4% and 5% of POMS to produce the modified asphalt binders, respectively. Consequently, POMS modified binders were mixed with the granite aggregate to produce loose mix samples. In this current study, boiling test procedure was used to reduce the adhesive bonding of the loose mix sample. Then, Image J software was used to evaluate the stripping area of the samples. The results from image analysis revealed that different stripping areas due to different amounts of POMS incorporated in the modified asphalt binder. Up to 4% POMS modified asphalt showed an acceptable resistance toward moisture compared to un-modified asphalt. Image J helped to produce a clear stripping result compared to visual observation. In conclusion, POMS could be used as an asphalt modifier with satisfactory adhesion properties

Adhesion Characterization of Palm Oil Mill Sludge Modified Asphalt Binder

The adhesion of mineral aggregates to asphalt binder is an essential point that attributes to the quality and performance of the asphalt mixture. Moreover, the considerable problem to the asphalt pavement could come from the lack of bonding between the materials. Generally, adhesion of mineral aggregates depends on the source or type of aggregate and asphalt binder. This study investigated the adherence coverage of palm oil mill sludge (POMS) modified binder with granite aggregate. Base asphalt binder of penetration grade 60/70 was blended with 1%,2%,3%,4% and 5% of POMS to produce the modified asphalt binders, respectively. Consequently, POMS modified binders were mixed with the granite aggregate to produce loose mix samples. In this current study, boiling test procedure was used to reduce the adhesive bonding of the loose mix sample. Then, Image J software was used to evaluate the stripping area of the samples. The results from image analysis revealed that different stripping areas due to different amounts of POMS incorporated in the modified asphalt binder. Up to 4% POMS modified asphalt showed an acceptable resistance toward moisture compared to un-modified asphalt. Image J helped to produce a clear stripping result compared to visual observation. In conclusion, POMS could be used as an asphalt modifier with satisfactory adhesion properties