Sustainable Stabilization of Poorly Graded Desert Sand by Cement Kiln Dust and Salt Water for Using in Backfilling and Subbase Layers

Effective use of natural materials and industrial by products has a direct impact on economy, sustainable environment, and waste management. Poorly graded desert sand (SP) is widely observed in sand dunes and sand seas. Studies were performed to get beneficial use of cement kiln dust (CKD) in soil improvement. But there is a lack of information concerning using of CKD as an improving material for poorly graded sand with the aid of salt water. Salt water is widely available in Egypt from seas and some deep wells, using it will help in saving drink water which suffers from shortage in many countries. The aim of this research is to study the possibility of improving SP using CKD and salt water to be used in backfilling work and subbase layers of roads and pavements. Mixtures of poorly graded sand and various CKD ratios (10%, 20% and 30%) were classified and tested using grain size distribution, compaction, shear strength and California bearing tests. The results were compared with potable water. The results show that adding CKD improves the characteristic properties of SP even with salt water. The study enhances the using of 20% CKD with optimum water content of 9.12% of salt water to have noticeable improvement for SP and to be used efficiently in backfilling and subbase layers

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Nurses' perceptions of aids and obstacles to the provision of optimal end of life care in ICU

Contains fulltext : 172380.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access

Feed utilization and carcass composition of European seabass treated with natural zeolite as removal of stressful ammonia concentrations.

Feed utilization and carcass composition of European seabass treated with natural zeolite as removal of stressful ammonia concentrations.</p

Biochemical parameters of European seabass treated with natural zeolite as removal of stressful ammonia concentrations.

Biochemical parameters of European seabass treated with natural zeolite as removal of stressful ammonia concentrations.</p

Heavy metals concentration in ammonia removal rate; as % of the source (ARRS) and ammonia removal rate; as % of the control (ARRC) of different treatments (Means± SE).

Heavy metals concentration in ammonia removal rate; as % of the source (ARRS) and ammonia removal rate; as % of the control (ARRC) of different treatments (Means± SE).</p

Heavy metals concentration (μg /L) in water of different treatments (Means± SE).

Heavy metals concentration (μg /L) in water of different treatments (Means± SE).</p

Growth performance and survival rate of European seabass treated with natural zeolite as a removal of stressful ammonia concentrations.

Growth performance and survival rate of European seabass treated with natural zeolite as a removal of stressful ammonia concentrations.</p

Means± SE of heavy metals concentration (mg/g wet weight) in different organs of European sea bass in different treatments.

Means± SE of heavy metals concentration (mg/g wet weight) in different organs of European sea bass in different treatments.</p