Managing, Controlling And Improving The Treatment Of Produced Water Using The Six Sigma Methodology For The Iraqi Oil Fields

Produced Water (PW) is the largest volume of waste that is normally generated during oil and gas production. It has large amounts of contaminants that can cause negative environmental and economic impacts. The management method for PW relies highly on types and concentrations of these contaminants, which are field dependent and can vary from one oil field to another. Produced water can be converted to fresh water if these contaminants are removed or reduced to the acceptable drinking water quality level. In addition, increasing oil production rate and reducing amounts of discharged harmful contaminants can be achieved by removing dissolved hydrocarbons from PW. In order to identify the types of these contaminants, effective tools and methods should be used. Six Sigma, which uses the DMAIC (Define- MeasureAnalyze- Improve- Control) problem-solving approach is one of the most effective tools to identify the root causes of having high percentages of contaminants in produced water. The methodology also helped develop a new policy change for implementing a way by which this treated water may be used. Six Sigma has not been widely implemented in oil and gas industries. This research adopted the Six Sigma methodology through a case study, related to the southern Iraqi oil fields, to investigate different ways by which produced water can be treated. Research results showed that the enormous amount of contaminated PW could be treated by using membrane filtration technology. In addition, a Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) framework is developed and that could be used as an effective tool for decision makers. The developed framework could be used within manufacturing industries, services, educational systems, governmental organizations, and others. iv This work is dedicated to my scholarship providers and supporters wi

Distinct motifs in the intracellular domain of human CD30 differentially activate canonical and alternative transcription factor NF-?B signaling

The TNF-receptor superfamily member CD30 is expressed on normal and malignant lymphocytes, including anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) cells. CD30 transmits multiple effects, including activation of NF-?B signaling, cell proliferation, growth arrest and apoptosis. How CD30 generates these pleiotropic effects is currently unknown. Herein we describe ALCL cells expressing truncated forms of the CD30 intracellular domain that allowed us to identify the key regions responsible for transmitting its biological effects in lymphocytes. The first region (CD30519–537) activated both the alternative and canonical NF-?B pathways as detected by p100 and I?B? degradation, IKK?-dependent transcription of both I?B? and the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21WAF1/CIP1 and induction of cell cycle arrest. In contrast, the second region of CD30 (CD30538–595) induced some aspects of canonical NF-?B activation, including transcription of I?B?, but failed to activate the alternative NF-?B pathway or drive p21WAF1/CIP1-mediated cell-cycle arrest. Direct comparison of canonical NF-?B activation by the two motifs revealed 4-fold greater p65 nuclear translocation following CD30519–537 engagement. These data reveal that independent regions of the CD30 cytoplasmic tail regulate the magnitude and type of NF-?B activation and additionally identify a short motif necessary for CD30-driven growth arrest signals in ALCL cells.<br/

Microwave Assisted Synthesis, Characterizations and Antibacterial Activity of Some of Thiazole Schiff Base and Azetidinone Derivatives

A series of substitution thiazole Schiff base (SB1-SB12) were synthesis by reaction substitution phenyl 2-amino thiazole with 4-N,N-dimethyl benzaldehyde Azetidinone (AZ1-AZ12) were also synthesised by reaction substitution thiazole Schiff base with acetyl chloride. The synthesis compounds have been characterized by M.P., TLC, CHN, UV, FT-IR, 1HNMR,13CNMR and MS. The biological screening data of the synthesized compounds were also studied. Keywords: Microwave, Thiazole, Schiff base, Azetidinone, Anti-bacteria

Microwave Assisted Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Study of Some Novel Schiff's Bases, Thaizolidinone and Chalcone Compounds Derived from Mefenamic Acid

This work involves synthesis of some new heterocyclic compounds including thaizolidinone compounds. The new Schiff bases derived from mefenamic acid, which was synthesized by microwave irradiation of mefenamic acid with hydrazine hydrate in absolute ethanol and this amino compound condensation with different aromatic aldehydes in absolute ethanol. Thaizolidinone compounds were synthesized by cycloaddition reaction of mercapto acetic acid to imine group of Schiff bases in dry benzene. The new chalcone derivatives synthesized by the reaction aldehyde with their compounds.  M.P., TLC, CHN, UV, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy has characterized all the synthesized compounds. The biological screening data of the synthesized compounds were also studied. Keywords: Schiff bases, thaizolidinone, chalcone, antibacterial

Complex, high-risk but Indicated Percutaneous Coronary Interventions (CHiP) types, trends, and clinical outcomes

Coronary artery disease ( CAD) remains the leading cause of death worldwide. Medical therapy and lifestyle modifications are the first line of therapy to minimise symptoms and retard disease progression. An Invasive therapy in the form of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) usually offered when medical therapy fails to improve symptoms. 1 Developments in the field of interventional cardiology have introduced advances in stents, equipment, and techniques resulting in complication rates of less than 1% for elective PCI. 2, 3 This has enabled a growing elderly population who have heavier co-morbid burden and more challenging coronary anatomy to benefit from more complex PCI which is referred to as Complex, High-risk PCI (CHiP). Whilst disparities in clinical outcomes and practices in PCI in the general population are known among different groups defined by sex, ethnicity and age, there is little data in the CHiP population. In particular, there are limited data regarding the differences in types of CHiP procedures performed, patient baseline characteristics, risk profiles, and clinical outcomes among special populations, as outlined above, in contemporary practice. Furthermore, limited data is supporting whether there are advantages in utilising certain technological advances/strategies in CHiP such as access site choice or intracoronary imaging. Consequently, this thesis was designed to determine whether there are differences in the baseline clinical and procedural characteristics, risk profile, trends, and clinical outcomes of CHiP undertaken to treat stable angina 1) among males and females 2) among different age groups and whether patients’ age has an effect in receiving invasive therapy 3) among different ethnic groups and how this has changed over time 4) according to the access approach utilised and what is the optimal access site practice to perform in a CHiP 5) and finally according the availability of on-site surgical support and whether this has a significant effect on clinical outcomes. This thesis addresses the objectives in three parts. Part 1 pertains to results in Chapters 4, 5, and 6, which systematically examine the type of CHiPs, baseline characteristics, and clinical outcomes based on sex, different age groups, and ethnic background. Chapter 4 demonstrates the existence of a sex paradox, where females have a favourable risk profile and less complex CAD yet experience worse outcomes compared to males. Chapter 5 reveals that despite Black, Asian, and other Ethnic Minorities (BAME) being younger and having a worse cardiometabolic profile, their odds for adverse events post CHiP are similar to those of their white counterparts. Finally, Chapter 6 reveals that the number of CHiP procedures performed in the older age group has gradually increased over time, but age remains an independent risk factor for worse outcomes. Part 2 pertains to results in Chapter 7, which examines the effect of certain procedural modalities/techniques on the outcomes of CHiPs and details the related differences in baseline characteristics and the changes in access site use over time. It concludes that radial access has become the most common access site used in CHiPs across all types of CHiP and that it is associated with better outcomes compared to CHiP performed via femoral access. Finally, part 3 of the thesis pertains to results in Chapter 8, which examines CHiPs undertaken according to the type of hospital facility and highlights the important differences in the type of CHiP undertaken based on the presence or absence of on-site surgical support. It concludes that, in selected cases, it is safe to perform CHiP in nonsurgical centres. Overall, this thesis provides compelling evidence of substantial variations in the types of CHiPs undertaken, as well as in the clinical and procedural characteristics, trends, and outcomes influenced by factors such as sex, ethnic backgrounds, and different age groups. Additionally, the study reveals that radial access has emerged as the prevailing approach in CHiPs, displaying superior outcomes in contrast to femoral access. Notably, performing CHiPs in non-surgical centres, in selected cases, does not exhibit any adverse impact on clinical outcomes as compared to CHiPs undertaken in surgical centres. The clinical implications of these findings, along with potential avenues for further research, are thoroughly examined and discussed

Complex, high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention types, trends, and in-hospital outcomes among different age groups: An insight from a national registry.

BACKGROUND: Complex, high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) (CHiP) is increasingly being undertaken in octogenarians. However, limited data exist on CHiP types, trends, and outcomes in the octogenarian. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study from a national registry dataset on CHiP undertaken in patients with stable angina in England and Wales (January 2006 and December 2017) according to three age groups (group 1 [G1]: < 65 years; group 2 [G2]: 65-79 years; and group 3 [G3]: ≥80 years). RESULTS: Of 424,290 elective PCI procedures, 138,831 (33.0%) were CHiP [G1: 46,832 (33.7%); G2: 59,544 (42.9%); G3: 32,455 (23.4%)]. Among CHiP types, chronic total occlusion (CTO) (49.2%), prior coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) (30.4%), and severe vascular calcification (21.8%) were common in G1; prior CABG (42.9%), CTO (32.9%), and severe vascular calcifications (27%) were common in G2; prior CABG (15.8%), severe vascular calcification (15.5%), and chronic renal failure (11.1%) were common CHiP among the octogenarians. The older age groups had higher adjusted odds (aOR) for adverse outcomes [G2: mortality, aOR 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.3-2.3); major bleeding, aOR 1.3, 95% CI (1.1-1.5); MACCE, aOR 1.2, 95% CI (1.0-1.3); G3: mortality, aOR 2.6, 95%CI (1.9-3.6); major bleeding, aOR 1.4, 95% CI (1.1-1.7); MACCE, aOR 1.3, 95% CI (1.1-1.5)]. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in the types of CHiP cases undertaken and clinical outcomes across age groups

Complex high‐risk percutaneous coronary intervention types, trends, and outcomes according to vascular access site

BackgroundRadial access is associated with improved outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI); however, its role in complex, high-risk percutaneous coronary intervention (CHiP) remains poorly studied.MethodsWe studied retrospectively all registered patients's records from the British Cardiovascular Intervention Society dataset and compared the baseline characteristics, trends and outcomes of CHiP procedures performed electively between January 2006 and December 2017 according to the access site.ResultsOut of 137,785 CHiP procedures, 61,825 (44.9%) were undertaken via transradial access (TRA). TRA use increased over time (14.6% in 2006 to 67% in 2017). The TRA patients were older, with a greater prevalence of previous stroke, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and smokers. TRA was used more frequently in most CHiP procedures (elderly (51.6%), chronic renal failure (52.6%), poor left ventricular (LV) function (47.6%), left main PCI (48.0%), treatment for severe vascular calcification (50.3%); although transfemoral access (TFA) was used more commonly in those with prior history of coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and PCI to a chronic total occlusion and LV support patients. Following adjustment for differences in clinical and procedural characteristics, TFA was independently associated with higher odds for mortality [adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.3 (1.1–1.7)], major bleeding [aOR: 2.9 (2.3–3.4)], and MACCE (following propensity score matching) [aOR: 1.2 (1.1–1.4)]. The same was found with multiple accesses: mortality [aOR: 2.1 (1.5–2.8)], major bleeding [aOR: 5.5 (4.3–6.9)], and MACCE [aOR: 1.4 (1.2–1.7)].ConclusionTRA has become the predominant access site for CHiP procedures and is associated with significantly lower mortality, major bleeding and MACCE odds than TFA

Case Report Rapidly Progressive Atrioventricular Block in a Patient with Sarcoidosis

Cardiac sarcoidosis is a major cause of death in patients with systemic sarcoidosis. Cardiac manifestations are seen in 2.3% of the patients. Atrioventricular (AV) block is one of the common manifestations of cardiac sarcoidosis. Other presentations of cardiac involvement include congestive heart failure, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death. The presence of AV block in young patients should raise the suspicion of sarcoidosis. AV block may be the only manifestation and patients may not have clinical evidence of pulmonary involvement. Here we describe a young male presented with exercise induced AV block rapidly progressing to complete heart block with recurrent syncope needing urgent pacemaker implantation. Factors that suggested an infiltrative process included his young age, rapidly progressive conduction abnormalities in the ECG in the absence of coronary disease, and previous history of cutaneous sarcoidosis

Sustained TL1A expression modulates effector and regulatory T-cell responses and drives intestinal goblet cell hyperplasia

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily protein TNF-like 1A (TL1A) is the ligand for death receptor 3 (DR3). TL1A is induced on activated dendritic cells (DCs) and its expression has been linked to human inflammatory bowel disease. To address how TL1A might influence intestinal inflammation, we generated transgenic mice that constitutively express TL1A on DCs. TL1A transgenic mice developed striking goblet cell hyperplasia in the ileum that was associated with elevated interleukin (IL)-13 levels in the small intestine. IL-13- and IL-17-producing small intestinal lamina propria T cells were increased in TL1A transgenic mice. TL1A also enhanced regulatory T (Treg) cell turnover in vivo and directly stimulated Treg cell proliferation in vitro. The presence of TL1A attenuated the ability of Treg cells to suppress conventional T cells, an effect that required DR3 signaling in either conventional T cells or Treg cells. Our findings identify mechanisms by which chronic DR3 signaling could promote pathogenesis in inflammatory bowel disease.<br/