Analyze Gelling Properties for Time-Dependent Non-Newtonian Fluids

Drilling fluids are visco-elastic materials. This means that they behave as a viscous fluid when subject to sufficient shear stress and like an elastic solid when they are in near static conditions. Both properties are time-dependent. While drilling a well, there could be many instances when a change in the velocity of drilling fluid is required. For instance, we may have to adjust the pump flow rate depending upon the formation drilled. In a similar manner, there could be variations in the flow rate due to the movement of the drill string as it can move axially, rotationally, and side-wise. Another example is the change of flow rate owing to the difference in the flow geometry while passing from the annulus. In all these cases, the drilling fluid required a definite time to attain new equilibrium conditions. Nevertheless, the time-dependence rheological properties of drilling fluids are usually not measured during drilling operations. Additionally, in the lab measurements, seldom are experiments performed beyond 30 minutes of resting time. Consequently, it is difficult to estimate how thixotropy impacts pressure losses in drilling operations. Against this backdrop, our research is focused on the analysis of the gelling properties of time-dependent non-Newtonian fluids. We have systematically measured the time-dependence of the rheological properties of different samples of water-based and oil-based fluids with a scientific rheometer in order to capture how the gel strength of the drilling fluids responds to variations of other relevant parameters involved. Furthermore, we have analyzed the behaviours of those fluids for the longer resting times until no further gel strength is developed in them

Analyze Gelling Properties for Time-Dependent Non-Newtonian Fluids

Drilling fluids are visco-elastic materials. This means that they behave as a viscous fluid when subject to sufficient shear stress and like an elastic solid when they are in near static conditions. Both properties are time-dependent. While drilling a well, there could be many instances when a change in the velocity of drilling fluid is required. For instance, we may have to adjust the pump flow rate depending upon the formation drilled. In a similar manner, there could be variations in the flow rate due to the movement of the drill string as it can move axially, rotationally, and side-wise. Another example is the change of flow rate owing to the difference in the flow geometry while passing from the annulus. In all these cases, the drilling fluid required a definite time to attain new equilibrium conditions. Nevertheless, the time-dependence rheological properties of drilling fluids are usually not measured during drilling operations. Additionally, in the lab measurements, seldom are experiments performed beyond 30 minutes of resting time. Consequently, it is difficult to estimate how thixotropy impacts pressure losses in drilling operations. Against this backdrop, our research is focused on the analysis of the gelling properties of time-dependent non-Newtonian fluids. We have systematically measured the time-dependence of the rheological properties of different samples of water-based and oil-based fluids with a scientific rheometer in order to capture how the gel strength of the drilling fluids responds to variations of other relevant parameters involved. Furthermore, we have analyzed the behaviours of those fluids for the longer resting times until no further gel strength is developed in them

Requirement Validation for Embedded Systems in Automotive Industry Through Modeling

Requirement validation contributes significantly toward the success of software projects. Validating requirements is also essential to ensure the correctness of embedded systems in the auto industry. The auto industry emphasizes a lot on the verification of car designs and shapes. Invalid or erroneous requirements lead to inappropriate designs and degraded product quality. Considering the required expertise and time for requirement validation, significant attention is not devoted to verification and validation of requirements in the industry. Currently, the failure ratio of software projects is significantly higher and the key reason for that appears to be the inappropriate and invalidated requirements at the early stages in the projects. To that end, we propose a model-based approach that uses the existing V&V model. Through virtual prototyping, the proposed approach eliminates the need to validate the requirements after each stage of the project. Consequently, the model is validated after the design phase and the errors in requirements are detected at the earliest stage. In this research, we performed two different case studies for requirement validation in the auto industry by using a modeling-based approach and formal technique using Petri nets. A benefit of the proposed modeling-based approach is that the projects in the auto industry domain can be completed in less time due to effective requirements validation. Moreover, the modeling-based approach minimizes the development time, cost and increases productivity because the majority of the code is automatically generated using the approach

Assessment of factors affecting quality of life in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients using university of washington quality of life questionnaire

Introduction Post-treatment Quality of Life (QOL) is considered an important outcome in cancer patients. A number of questionnaire tools have been designed for its assessment. University of Washington Quality of Life (UW QOL) questionnaire version four is a reliable tool for assessment of post-treatment QOL in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) patients. Our aim was to identify the post-treatment problems faced by OSCC patients and to assess the impact of clinical factors affecting post-treatment QOL by using UW QOL (version four) questionnaire. Methods The study was conducted on 59 patients with OSCC who were treated with curative intent at Patel Hospital, Karachi from August 2015 to September 2015. Patients were asked to fill the UW QOL questionnaire (version four) on their follow-up visit. Results Overall mean composite QOL score was 66.59 ± 16.98. Chewing and saliva (dryness of mouth) had the lowest scores (38.98 ± 37.2 and 56.78 ± 41.4, respectively) among all domains while pain and anxiety had the highest scores (80.93 ± 20.4 and 79.66 ± 29.8, respectively). Patients having tumors of the tongue, late stage (III and IV) tumors, and restricted mouth opening had significantly lower mean composite QOL scores. Patients with tongue tumors revealed significantly lower scores for pain, swallowing, mood, and anxiety. Patients with late-stage tumors showed significantly lower scores for chewing, swallowing, taste, saliva, appearance, anxiety, and recreation. Patients with restricted mouth opening had significantly lower scores for pain, speech, appearance, recreation, and anxiety domains. Conclusion Different clinical features have different impacts on QOL in terms of problems faced by the patients. Features having a significant effect should be identified, and measures focused on most relevant problems should be employed in order to improve the post-treatment QOL

Poly[[di-μ-aqua-(μ-4-formyl-2-meth­oxy­phenol­ato)disodium] 4-formyl-2-meth­oxy­phenolate]

In the title coordination polymer, {[Na2(C8H7O3)(H2O)4](C8H7O3)}n, all the non-H atoms except the water O atoms lie on a crystallographic mirror plane. One sodium cation is bonded to four water O atoms and one vanillinate O atom in a distorted square-based pyramidal arrangement; the other Na+ ion is six-coordinated by four water O atoms and two vanillinate O atoms in an irregular geometry. One of the vanillinate anions is directly bonded to two sodium ions, whilst the other only inter­acts with the polymeric network by way of hydrogen bonds. In the crystal, a two-dimensional polymeric array is formed; this is reinforced by O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, which generate R 2 1(6) and R 2 2(20) loops

Assessment of Growth Inhibition of Eugenol-Loaded Nano-Emulsions against Beneficial Bifidobacterium sp. along with Resistant Escherichia coli Using Flow Cytometry

The intestinal tract microbiota influences many aspects of the dietary components on colon health and during enteric infections, thus, playing a pivotal role in the colon health. Therefore, the eugenol (EU) nano-emulsion effective concentration reported in our previous study against cancer cells should be explored for safety against beneficial microbes. We evaluated the sensitivity of Bifidobacterium breve and B. adolescentis against EU-loaded nano-emulsions at 0, 300, 600 and 900 µm, which were effective against colon and liver cancer cells. Both B. breve and B. adolescentis showed comparable growth ranges to the control group at 300 and 600 µm, as evident from the plate count experimental results. However, at 900 µm, a slight growth variation was revealed with respect to the control group. The real-time inhibition determination through flow cytometry showed B. breve viable, sublethal cells (99.49 and 0.51%) and B. adolescentis (95.59 and 0.15%) at 900 µm, suggesting slight inhibition even at the highest tested concentration. Flow cytometry proved to be a suitable quantitative approach that has revealed separate live, dead, and susceptible cells upon treatment with EU nano-emulsion against Escherichia coli. Similarly, in the case of B. breve and B. adolescentis, the cells showed only live cells that qualitatively suggest EU nano-emulsion safety. To judge the viability of these sublethal populations of B. breve and B. adolescentis, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy was carried out, revealing no peak shift for proteins, lipids, DNA and carbohydrates at 900 µm EU nano-emulsion compared to the control. On the other hand, EU-loaded nano-emulsions (900 µm)-treated E. coli showed a clear peak shift for a membrane protein, lipids, DNA and carbohydrates. This study provides insights to utilize plant phenols as safe medicines as well as dietary supplements

Characteristics of Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) over urban, suburban and rural areas of Hong Kong

In urban areas, Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5) associated with local vehicle emissions can cause respiratory and cardiorespiratory disease and increased mortality rates, but less in rural areas. However, Hong Kong may be a special case since the whole territory often suffers from regional haze from nearby mainland China, as well as local sources. Therefore, to understand which areas of Hong Kong may be affected by damaging levels of fine particulates, PM2.5 data were obtained from March 2005 to February 2009 for urban, suburban and rural air quality monitoring stations; namely Central (city area, commercial area, and urban populated area), Tsuen Wan (city area, commercial area, urban populated, and residential area), Tung Chung (suburban and residential area), Yuen Long (urban and residential area), and Tap Mun (remote rural area). To evaluate the relative contributions of regional and local pollution sources, the study aims to test the influence of weather conditions on PM2.5 concentrations. Thus meteorological parameters including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and wind directions were obtained from the Hong Kong Observatory.. The results showed that Hong Kong’s air quality is mainly affected by regional aerosol emissions, either transported from the land or ocean, as similar patterns of variations in PM2.5 concentrations were observed over urban, suburban, and rural areas of Hong Kong. Only slightly higher PM2.5 concentrations were observed over urban sites, such as Central, compared to suburban and rural sites, which could be attributed to local automobile emissions. Results showed that meteorological parameters have potential to explain 80% of the variability in daily mean PM2.5 concentrations at Yuen Long, 77% at Tung Chung, 72% at Central, 71% at Tsuen Wan, and 67% at Tap Mun during the spring to summer part of the year. The results provide not only a better understanding of the impact of regional long-distance transport of air pollutants on Hong Kong’s air quality but also a reference for future regional-scale collaboration on air quality management

COMPARISON AND EVALUATION OF ONE-STEP REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE-POLYMERASE CHAIN REACTION (RT-PCR) AND REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE LOOP-MEDIATED ISOTHERMAL AMPLIFICATION ASSAY(RT-LAMP) FOR RAPID DETECTION OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE VIRUS (FMDV)

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Pakistan and cause severe economic losses. Serotype O, A and Asia 1 is prevalent and their rapid detection for Pakistaniisolates is needed to determine the serotype prevalence in different areas of the country. One step reversetranscriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT- LAMP) was compared for the rapid and sensitive detection of FMDV genome. FMDV genome was confirmed in 19/25clinically affected animals by sequencing. These positive samples (n=19) were also confirmed in both RT-PCR and RT-LAMP consensus assay.In theserotyping assay, RT-PCR detection rate was16.67%, 80%, and 50% and RT-LAMP detection rate was 50%, 60% and 50%for serotype Asia 1, O and type A respectively. In general detection of FMDV, RT-PCR assay and the RT-LAMP assay showed high concordance (k = 1.0). However, in serotype detection, RT-LAMP was found more sensitive as compared to RT-PCR for the detection of the FMDV serotype Asia1 and Vice Versa in the detection of serotype O. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is thefirst document on thecomparison of RT-LAMP and one-step RT- PCR for FMDV using ESE-Quant Tube Scanner in Pakistan.The RT-LAMP assay has the potential for early and rapid clinical diagnosis, surveillance and serotyping of FMDV infection in endemic countries

Classification of aerosols over Saudi Arabia from 2004–2016

Knowledge of aerosol size and composition is very important for investigating the radiative forcing impacts of aerosols, distinguishing aerosol sources, and identifying harmful particulate types in air quality monitoring. The ability to identify aerosol type synoptically would greatly contribute to the knowledge of aerosol type distribution at both regional and global scales, especially where there are no data on chemical composition. In this study, aerosol classification techniques were based on aerosol optical properties from remotely-observed data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET) over Saudi Arabia for the period 2004–2016 and validated using data from the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO). For this purpose, the OMI-based Aerosol Absorption Optical Depth (AAOD) and Ultra-Violet Aerosol Index (UVAI), and AERONET-based AAOD, Ångström Exponent (AE), Absorption Ångström Exponent (AAE), Fine Mode Fraction (FMF), and Single Scattering Albedo (SSA) were obtained. Spatial analysis of the satellite-based OMI-AAOD showed the dominance of absorbing aerosols over the study area, but with high seasonal variability. The study found significant underestimation by OMI AAOD suggesting that the OMAERUV product may need improvement over bright desert surfaces such as the study area. Aerosols were classified into (i) Dust, (ii) Black Carbon (BC), and (iii) Mixed (BC and Dust) based on the relationships technique, between the aerosol absorption properties (AAE, SSA, and UVAI) and size parameters (AE and FMF). Additionally, the AE vs. UVAI and FMF vs. UVAI relationships misclassified the aerosol types over the study area, and the FMF vs. AE, FMF vs. AAE and FMF vs. SSA relationships were found to be robust. As expected, the dust aerosol type was dominant both annually and seasonally due to frequent dust storm events. Also, fine particulates such as BC and Mixed (BC and Dust) were observed, likely due to industrial activities (cement, petrochemical, fertilizer), water desalination plants, and electric energy generation. This is the first study to classify aerosol types over Saudi Arabia using several different aerosol property relationships, as well as over more than one site, and using data over a much longer time-period than previous studies. This enables classification and recognition of specific aerosol types over the Arabian Peninsula and similar desert regions

EFFECT OF WASTE POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE BOTTLE FIBERS ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF RECYCLED CONCRETE

The use of beverage containers, most of which are made of polyethylene terephthalate bottles, results in several problems with regard to sustainability. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and contrast the impact on the mechanical characteristics of concrete caused by the incorporation of polyethylene terephthalate bottle fibres in varying amounts. These fibres were generated by cutting bottles into precise dimensions (width of 5 mm and length of 25 mm), and they were used in various concentrations such as 0,25 %; 0,5 % and 1,0 % by volume of concrete with different amounts of recycled aggregate. To verify the reliability of the outcomes of the experiment, a statistical analysis was performed. According to the results, the concrete that contained 0 % recycled coarse aggregate and varying amounts of plastic fibres had a greater degree of workability compared with concrete that had either 50 % or 100 % recycled coarse aggregate. The comprehensive test findings demonstrated that the addition of polyethylene terephthalate fibres decreased compressive and split tensile strength. The study concluded that certain parameters, such as plastic fibres, curing days, and recycled aggregate, interacted together in a synergistic manner to impact the compressive and splitting tensile strengths of the concrete, with proposed equations for their prediction