Corrosion study of pipeline material for seabed sediment in tropical climate

Corrosive environments such as marine sediments can cause corrosion to steel pipelines at any time when certain conditions are met. Seabed sediment could cause severe corrosion damage due to its corrosiveness to the pipelines buried under it. Many consequences could take place in case if there is incident in oil/gas pipelines. Successfully identifying elements of corrosion in marine sediment would enhance the future of steel structure protection and monitoring systems. This article focuses on the behaviour of corrosion rate of steel located near shore environment and the aim is to determine the effect of sediment on corrosion of steel. To investigate that, simulated near shore sediment conditions have been used where the steel coupons buried in sediments which have different characteristics. Weight loss technique has been implemented to determine the weight loss rate of the steel specimens. Based on the results of this study, metal weight loss increases as the duration of exposure to seabed sediment environment become longer. The sea sediment simulated condition has given significant levels of corrosion. Conclusively, the corrosion rate of steel in seabed sediment located in tropical region is complicated and further studies are suggested

A comparative study of various modalities of treatment of liver abscess

In the 54 selected cases 47 cases are having amoebic liver abscess and 7 patients are having pyogenic liver abscess. • Amoebic liver abscess is commonly seen in the age group between 30-50 years and the pyogenic liver abscess commonly seen in the age group more than 60 years. • In amoebic liver abscess males are commonly affected than the females (8.4 : 1). In pyogenic liver abscess there is equal distribution with slight difference (1.3 : 1). • All the patients included in the study are belonging to low socioeconomic groups. • Right lobe abscess in 48 patients, left lobe abscess in 5 patients, both lobes abscess in one patient. • In amoebic liver abscess 85.7% patients are having abdominal pain. It is higher than pyogenic liver abscess. Fever is seen all the patients of pyogenic liver abscess. In both types half of the patients and one third of the patients having vomiting and diarrhoea. • Tenderness and hepatomegaly is common in amoebic liver abscess and jaundice is common in pyogenic liver abscess patients. • < 5cm abscess the treatment is drugs alone. Metronidazole for amoebic abscess and antimicrobials for pyogenic abscess. • >5cm abscess ultrasound guided aspiration, percutaneous catheter drainage, laparoscopic drainage method .any one can be opted with drugs. • In case of rupture and multiple abscess open surgical method is ideal. • In laparoscopic drainage method 50% reduction of the abscess cavity seen in most of the patients with in a day in percutaneous method within 3 days in needle aspiration up to a week some patients require 10-15 days. • The duration of hospital stay is 4 days in laparoscopic drainage method, 5 days in percutaneous catheter drainage, 7-10 days in needle aspiration method. • No secondary procedure needed in laparoscopic method. Two third of the patients required secondary procedure in ultrasound guided needle aspiration. • No complication occurred in laparoscopic method. Infection rate is high in percutaneous catheter drainage and open surgical method. • 100% recovery rate is higher in patients treated with laparoscopic method. 80% recovery rate is higher in patients treated with percutaneous drainage and needle aspiration method. CONCLUSION: In case of abscess size is less than 5 cm drugs alone is enough. If the abscess size is more than 5 cm and large abscess without complications any one of the following method of treatment options may be carried out: 1. Ultrasound guided needle aspiration with drugs, 2. Percutaneous catheter drainage method drugs, 3. Laparoscopic drainage method with drugs. Among these the best option is laparoscopic drainage method. If the abscess has ruptured with peritonitis open surgical method is best option. In multiple abscesses both laparoscopic method and open surgical methods can be tried. To minimise the hospital stay laparoscopic drainage method is the best method

Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma: Targeted Therapies and Future Directions

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm that accounts for approximately 5% of all thyroid malignancies. The natural history of MTC is characterized by early lymph node and distant metastases, making complete surgical cure often impossible. Conventional chemotherapy and external beam radiation have been largely ineffective in altering the natural history of MTC. Therefore, there is a great need to develop novel therapeutic strategies to affect symptom control and reduce tumor burden in patients with widely disseminated disease. Here, we review several pathways which have been shown to be vital in MTC tumorigenesis and focus on the pathways of interest for which targeted drug therapies are currently being developed

Genetic variability among _Coleus sp_ studied by RAPD banding pattern analysis

Genetic improvement of the medicinal plants depends upon the existence, nature and extent of the genetic variability available for manipulation. Genetic analysis with RAPD markers has been extensively used to determine genetic diversity among _Coleus sp_ and to identify the best quality for human consumption for its medicinal purpose. The objectives of the present study were to assess molecular variation among _C.amboinicus_, _C.aromaticus_ and _C.forskohlii_. and to determine the level of genetic similarity among them. We performed random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis on three strains of _Coleus sp_. Random primers were used for the PCR. Electrophoresis on denaturing acrylamide gels improved RAPD reproducibility and increased the band number. The primer OPW 6 and OPW 7 gave reproducible results and the band profiles

Cockle shell as mixing ingredient in concrete: A review

The demand for the population is boosting the production of edible and non-edible products that produce by-products that result in emissions being thrown as waste. The successful cockle trade also creates vestiges of cockle shell that are thrown away as waste. Despite the effects of climate change, industrial activity including calcareous and granite mining to satisfy the need for cement and concrete production, respectively, cannot be prevented as more structures are developed worldwide. The mechanical properties of concrete containing crushed cockle shell as partial fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and cement replacement were examined and reported in this paper. Cockle shell powder was used as cement replacement up to 75%. To sum up, the use of cockle shell is an appealing option for the construction industry and sustainable green climate

Salinity changes in the estuary and the coastal sea adjacent to the portmouth at Cochin

The article deals with the details of salinity changes in the Cochin estuary and its influence and interrelations with the Vembanad lake

Recycling of coal bottom ash (CBA) as cement and aggregate replacement material: A review

The construction sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming. Therefore, utilizing 'green and recycled by-products' in construction is a measure towards a sustainable future. Coal Bottom Ash (CBA) generated from thermal power plants has increases in production. This causes disposal problems. However, due to the ongoing depletion of natural limestone in cement production and aggregate in construction, this material may be used as a recycled construction material. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of CBA's physical and chemical properties and the impact on the use of CBA as aggregate or cement. A small volume of CBA can substitute fine aggregates without compromising the strength of the concrete. Further research remains to be carried to explore the potential of this material in producing concrete with enhanced strength

Performance of nano metaclay on chloride diffusion for ultra- high performance concrete

The major cause for corrosion of steel reinforcement embedded in concrete due to chloride penetration has been the great research effort. The use of nano metaclay in UHPC increase the strength and helps the formation of micro pores by acting as a filler thus improve the chloride penetration resistance characteristic. The aim of this study is to evaluate the chloride diffusion of UHPC using RCPT and chloride penetration depth. Four (4) series of UHPC comprised of plain UHPC and a series of nanoUHPC incorporating 1%, 3% and 5% of nano metaclay were produced. It is reported that the compressive strength of nano UHPCl exhibits higher strength up to 10% compared to plain UHPC. The results showed that UHPC containing nano metaclay also significantly affect the chloride diffusion coefficient. As regards to the results, inclusion of 1% nano metaclay in UHPC led to noticeable benefit towards strength and chloride resistance

Periwinkle shell as mixing ingredient in concrete: A review

Growing population which also pushes for rising demand for seafood results in a generation of seashells which are thrown as environmental pollution waste after the edible meat is consumed. Meanwhile, the utilisation of natural resources as mixing ingredients for the production of concrete materials continues to increase over the year. The use of periwinkle shells as mixing ingredients in concrete materials can lower the dependency on natural aggregate supply. This paper discusses the properties of periwinkle shell and method of treatment prior to their usage as a cement and coarse aggregate as well as the mechanical properties of concrete produced using this seashell waste. Overall, the replacement of periwinkle shell as cement and coarse aggregate must be integrated in a specified percentage to enhance the performance of the concrete. For cement replacement, 5% of replacement gives the highest strength, meanwhile 10% of replacement as coarse aggregate can meet the desired strength. The increase in the use of periwinkle shell quantity as cement or coarse aggregate replacement reduces concrete workaibility. The integration of periwinkle shell influences the compresssive strength of concrete. Accomplishment in replacing periwinkle shell as cement and coarse aggregate would reduce pollutiion due to shell dumping and save natural resources. However, further investigation in terms of durability properties is recommended

Genetic analyses of kernel carotenoids in novel maize genotypes possessing rare allele of β-carotene hydroxylase gene

Carotenoids are important micronutrients required by humans for growth and development. Yellow maize among cereals possesses sufficient carotenoids, and thus, it is important to genetically dissect such traits for proper utilization in breeding programme. Twenty-one maize hybrids generated using novel inbreds with rare allele of β-carotene hydroxylase (crtRB1) that enhances kernel β-carotene, were evaluated at two diverse maize growing locations. Lutein, zeaxanthin and β-cryptoxanthin were positively correlated, while β-carotene showed negative correlation with other carotenoids. Grain yield did not show association with carotenoids. Preponderance of additive gene action was observed for lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene. Experimental hybrids were much superior for kernel β-carotene compared to commercial hybrids. Based on SCA effects, high yielding experimental hybrids were identified for provitamin A and non-provitamin A carotenoids. These novel hybrid combinations of maize possessing rare allele of crtRB1 hold promise in maize biofortification programme to alleviate vitamin A deficiency and degenerative diseases in humans