Developing a Targeting Approach for Syngas Generation from Natural Gas

The conversion of natural and unconventional gas into syngas is a crucial intermediate step in the production of various important chemicals and liquid fuels. The syngas generation step usually requires the largest capital investment of the process and may also be very energy intensive. Therefore, determining the most efficient method of converting feedstock into syngas of the correct H2:CO ratio is of significant importance. The aim of this work was to set design and performance targets for different H2:CO ratios (depending on the downstream requirements) in terms of the carbon efficiency (including CO2 utilization or emissions), water usage, and energy requirements. It was shown that the overall process for natural gas tri-reforming is limited by the enthalpy change (ΔH = 0) and this process was able to produce work. It was further shown that high syngas ratios not only require significant amounts of natural gas and oxygen but also emit CO2

Fundamental targets for the synthesis and evaluation of chemical processes

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Partial substitution of coal with palm kernel in cement kilns: effects on cement production and quality

The production of Portland cement is a complex process involving several chemical reactions and different materials, complex systems, and high temperatures (up to 1500 °C). Traditional fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum coke and natural gas have been used as primary source of energy for the process, though still abundant, their supply is slowly being depleted, and costs associated with obtaining these fuels are increasing with time. Therefore, alternative fuels such as biomass waste (palm kernel, rice, and coffee husks etc.) or processed waste materials (refuse derived fuel, waste tires, waste plastics, used oil etc.) and other types of waste have gained much interest recently in cement industries as they present a potential substitution option. In order to achieve the aim of this study, chemical and physical properties of both coal and PK have been determined and compared. Results show that the PK has an average calorific value ranging from 18-20 MJ/kg which is significantly acceptable and means that the waste can directly be used as fuel in the cement kiln for clinker production. Coal thermal substitution rate was progressively increased depending on the process conditions with the reference case for each kiln run (2% in August 2021, 3% in September 2021 and 5% in January 2022). Impacts on the product quality and process, benefits in terms of emissions and production cost were evaluated and discussed. Technical challenges encountered during the coal and palm kernel milling process and combustion process have been identified and possible solutions have been recommended

Waste to energy opportunities in Botswana : a case study review

Abstract: The need for efficient solid waste management practices has become more pressing, especially in developing nations largely experiencing a population boom in urban areas. Currently, however, it is only developed nations that have embraced resource efficient practices and technologies to produce energy, heat, fuels and compost from solid waste. This paper reviews such global trends and best practices as a benchmark against current practices within the context of Botswana. It also reviews the opportunities for Waste to Energy (WtE) in this developing nation by taking a solid waste inventory. A literature survey revealed that Botswana is still operating in the previous policy direction of keeping the society clean to avoid the hygienic effects of waste. The collection and disposal of waste is partly decentralized with several private players..

Pilot scale tar production from Morupule coal dust through flash pyrolysis

Abstract: The fourth industrial revolution promotes green and cleaner processes, pyrolysis being one of the strategies for waste utilization. In Palapye, Botswana, dust produced in the process of mining, beneficiation and utilization of coal at Morupule Mine and Power Plants causes serious health hazards to the employees, residents of Palapye and surrounding communities. Pyrolysis of coal dust is one of the wastes to energy technique that can be adopted to utilize waste coal dust. Botswana relies on imported tar to upgrade dusty roads while it has sufficient resources to produce its own tar from coal. One of the main products for pyrolysis of coal dust is tar which can be used to construct roads and pavements. This study utilizes coal dust from Morupule coal mine for tar production using flash pyrolysis in a batch reactor at pilot scale. Morupule coal dust was characterized before pyrolysis and the highest recorded yield is 22.9% kg at 600 ﹾC

Effects of polypharmacy on adverse drug reactions among geriatric outpatients at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) present a challenging and expensive public health problem. Polypharmacy is defined according to the WHO criteria as the, ‘‘concurrent use of five or more different prescription medication’’. Elderly are more prone to adverse reactions due to comorbid conditions, longer lists of medications and sensitivity to drug effects. The aim of the study is to estimate the incidence and strength of association of ADRs due to polypharmacy among the geriatric cohort attending outpatient clinics at a tertiary care center. Methods: A hospital based prospective cohort study was conducted at ambulatory care clinics of Aga Khan University Hospital April 2012 to March 2013. One thousand geriatrics patients (age $65 years) visiting ambulatory clinics were identified. They were divided on the basis of exposure (polypharmacy vs. no polypharmacy). We followed them from the time of their enrollment (day zero) to six weeks, checking up on them once a week. Incidence was calculated and Cox Proportional Hazard Model estimates were used. Results: The final analysis was performed on 1000 elderly patients. The occurrence of polypharmacy was 70% and the incidence of ADRs was 10.5% among the study cohort. The majority (30%) of patients were unable to read or write. The use of herbal medicine was reported by 3.2% of the patients and homeopathic by 3%. Our Cox adjusted model shows that polypharmacy was 2.3 times more associated with ADRs, con-current complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) was 7.4 times and those who cannot read and write were 1.5 times more associated with ADRs. Conclusion: The incidence of ADRs due to poly pharmacy is alarmingly high. The factors associated with ADRs are modifiable. Policies are needed to design and strengthen the prescription pattern

Mortality risk of long-term amiodarone therapy for atrial fibrillation patients without structural heart disease

Background: Amiodarone is often prescribed in the management of atrial fibrillation (AF) but is known to cause significant end-organ toxicities. In this study, we examined the impact of amiodarone on all-cause mortality in AF patients with structurally normal hearts. Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of all AF patients with structurally normal hearts who were prescribed antiarrhythmic drugs (AAD) for rhythm control of AF at our institution from 2006 to 2013 (n = 2,077). Baseline differences between the amiodarone (AMIO: n = 403) and other AADs (NON-AMIO: n = 1,674) groups were corrected for using propensity score matching. Results: Amiodarone use as first-line therapy decreased significantly with a higher degree of prescriber specialization in arrhythmia management (31%, 22%, and 9% for primary care physicians, general cardiologists and cardiac electrophysiologists, respectively, p < 0.001). After propensity score matching, baseline comorbidities were balanced between the AMIO and NON-AMIO groups. Over a median follow-up of 28.2 months (range 6.0–100.9 months), amiodarone was associated with increased all-cause (HR 2.41, p = 0.012) and non-cardiac (HR 3.55, p = 0.008) mortality, but not cardiac mortality. AF recurrence and cardiac hospi­talizations were similar between the two study groups. Conclusions: Amiodarone treatment of AF is associated with increased mortality in patients without structural heart disease and therefore should be avoided or only used as a second-line therapy, when other AF therapies fail. Adherence to guideline recommendations in the management of AF patients impacts clinical outcome

Effects of a Home-Based Exercise Program on Inflammatory Cytokines and Functional Capacity in Men with Prostate Cancer Under Active Surveillance

Regular exercise can improve physical fitness, functional performance, and quality of life in men with prostate cancer (PCa); however, few men with PCa meet national physical activity guidelines. Structured, home-based exercise programs may bridge this gap and increase physical activity in men with PCa. PURPOSE: This pilot study aimed to investigate the impact of a home-based exercise program on cytokines associated with tumor progression in men with PCa. METHODS: A single group, self-controlled study design was used. Fifteen men with PCa under active surveillance were recruited to complete 24 weeks of a home-based exercise program, combining aerobic and body-weight based exercises. The aerobic portion of the intervention included 5 days of light-to-moderate intensity walking for 30 minutes at 40-60% of the participant’s heart rate reserve as calculated using the Karvonen formula. Body-weight based exercises were performed 3 times per week consisting of 3 sets of 15 reps of bodyweight squats, inclined push-ups, and hip thrusts. Serum was collected at baseline and end of study to measure circulating eotaxin, interferon (IFN)γ, interleukin (IL)-12, IL-1a, IL-5, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) cytokines using an 8-protein multiplex (Millipore Sigma, Billerica, MA). A 6-minute walk test (MWT)was completed at the beginning and end of study to measure physical function. T-tests were performed with significance set to p \u3c0.05. RESULTS: A total of 15 men were consented with 9 men completing the intervention (40% attrition due to COVID). At baseline, participants were 70.11 ± 5.42 years of age, weighted 85.31 ± 6.41 kg with a body mass index of 27.77 ± 2.93 kg/m2. A non-significant tendency was observed for improved 6MWT distance (meters) (Pre: 382.7 ± 108.1; Post: 466.7 ± 73.78; p=0.08). Analysis of circulating cytokines showed tendencies for reduced circulating concentrations (pg/mL) of IFNγ (Pre: 152.9 ± 312.7; Post: 118.9 ± 258.8; p=0.08), and VEGF (Pre: 125.2 ± 198.7; Post: 80.29 ± 124.3; p=0.06) following the intervention. Several other biomarkers showed relevant, though not significant, decreases as well, including IL-12 (Pre: 28.69 ± 32.06; Post: 23.92 ± 19.38; -16.6%), IL-1a (Pre: 78.76 ± 183.3; Post: 65.55 ± 147.7; -16.8%), IL-6 (Pre: 23.71 ± 45.64; Post: 21.24 ± 45.18; -10.4%), and TNF-α (Pre: 24.58 ± 35.4; Post: 19.71 ± 20.76; -19.8%). CONCLUSION: Due to institutional COVID-19 protocols limiting in person research visits, six participants declined to continue the study. The small sample size likely accounts for the lack of statistically significant findings. Although the study did not yield statistically significant outcomes, the results of this study show promising indications that a home-based exercise program could be effective in reducing inflammatory cytokines and increasing functional capacity in men with PCa. Further investigation is needed to confirm these results with a powered sample

Impact of a Home-Based Exercise Program on Cardiovascular Disease Biomarkers in Men with Prostate Cancer

Patients with prostate cancer (PCa) tend to live a sedentary lifestyle and fail to meet national physical activity requirements putting them at a greater risk for developing weight-related co-morbidities and cancer recurrence. Physical activity after cancer diagnosis is known to improve body composition, physical function, and overall quality of life. The inclusion of a home-based exercise regimen may increase their physical activity and reduce the risk of weight-related illness. PURPOSE: To gather preliminary data regarding the impact of a home-based exercise program on body composition and cardiovascular disease (CVD) biomarkers. METHODS: A single group self-controlled study design was used to test the hypothesis that a home-based exercise program can reduce CVD risk in men with PCa. Fifteen men with PCa under active surveillance were recruited to complete a 24-week home-based exercise program consisting of both aerobic and strength-based exercises. Each week, participants were asked to complete 5 days of light-to-moderate intensity walking at a heart rate reserve of 40-60% and 3 days of bodyweight-based exercises including 3 sets of 15 reps of squats, incline push-ups, and hip thrusts. Serum was collected at baseline and end of study to quantify circulating CVD biomarkers: a-2 macroglobulin (A2M), C-reactive protein (CRP), fetuin-A, a-1 acid glycoprotein (AGP), fibrinogen, L-selectin, serum amyloid P (SAP), platelet factor 4 (PF4/CXCL4), and adipsin using an 8-protein multiplex (Millipore Sigma, Billerica, MA). T-tests were performed with significance established at pRESULTS: A total of 15 men consented and 9 men saw the trial to completion (Age: 72.0 ± 8.52; Weight: 85.31 ± 6.41 kg; BMI: 27.77 ± 2.93 kg/m2). There was a 40% rate of attrition observed due to COVID-19. No significant changes occurred in average weights and BMI from pre to post trial visits. Though not significant, tendencies for increased concentrations of the anticoagulant, A2M (Pre: 99.83 ± 81.19 pg/mL; Post: 126.7 ± 102.5; p=0.064) and the inflammatory protein, SAP (Pre: 0.63 ± 0.32 pg/mL; Post: 0.86 ± 0.46; p=0.09) were seen. We also observed a 1.5-fold increase in CRP (Pre: 0.47 ± 0.38 pg/mL; Post: 1.19 ± 2.209) perhaps, as a result of an increase in SAP, or indicative of increased levels of stress due to COVID-19. No other significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: The reduced sample size may have contributed to the lack of significance found in the analysis. Although there were no statistically significant findings, the tendencies seen in A2M suggest that a home-based exercise program may protect against certain facets of CVD in this overweight population. However, our enthusiasm is blunted by the observed increases in SAP and CRP. Further investigation is necessary to validate these results

Depression is Associated with Weight Gain in Patients Transplanted for NASH Cirrhosis but Not Other Etiologies of Cirrhosis

The present study was to bridge this gap in knowledge by evaluating the relationship between depression, liver disease and weight change after LT. Weight gain after liver transplantation (LT) is common, particularly in patients transplanted for NASH cirrhosis, and is associated with reduced survival. In non-LT patients, presence and sub-optimal management of depression is closely associated with weight gain and obesity. The impact of depression as predictor of post-LT weight gain is currently not known. Method:All adult patients receiving LT between 7/2007 to 7/2017 were included in the analysis. Patients with graft failure or death within 6 months after LT were excluded. Baseline weight was weight 2 weeks after LT to avoid contribution of peri-transplant edema. Screening for depression was performed by a psychologist or psychiatrist using DSM-IV/V guidelines. Antidepressant use was quantified through chart review. Results: The presence of depression did not affect weight change in patients transplanted for HCV and alcoholic cirrhosis; however, in patients transplanted for NASH cirrhosis depression was positively associated with 60 months post-LT weight gain. Patients receiving treatment for depression, the weight gain was mitigated, whereas in patients with NASH cirrhosis and depression not on anti-depressants the weight gain was significantly more profound at each follow up.Conclusion: Presence and under-treatment of depression are associated with more profound weight gain in patients transplanted for NASH cirrhosis, likely reflecting poor coping mechanisms. Additional trials with aggressive screening and treatment of depression in patients transplanted for NASH cirrhosis are essential to mitigate post-LT weight gai