Utilizing of Elemental Sulfur from Oil and Gas Industry for Soil Treatment

The United Arab Emirates produces a large quantity of elemental sulfur from oil and gas industry. Elemental sulfur is widely used as soil treatment technique for reducing pH of alkaline soils than other techniques because it is cheaper and safer during treatment. In this study, different designs mixes were prepared based on its content of sulfur and calcium carbonate. Different application rates of elemental sulfur (0, 1, 2, and 3%S) were added to soils having different amounts of calcium carbonates (i.e., 16.2, 21.2, 26.2, 36.2, 46.2, and 56.2% for basic mix design, and mix designs types I, II, III, IV, and V, respectively. The changes in soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC) and sulfate concentration were measured at different time intervals (0, 5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 days) and statistically analyzed. Furthermore, mineral transformations were quantified via scanning electron microscope, x-ray diffraction analysis and energy depressive x-ray techniques. Mineral transformations were further analyzed in view of possible chemical reactions and thermodynamic modeling. The study concluded that sulfur addition for all treatments of basic mix design, mix design types I, III, IV, and V has no significant influence on pH changes but has high significance on pH changes for mix design type II as determined via statistical analysis. In this mix design, pH decreased by 1.14, 1.22, 1.27, 1.24 and 1.28 units after 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 days, respectively. For all treatment cases, sulfur addition has high influence on EC changes except for mix design type III that indicates no significance. For sulfur oxidation, similar conclusion to EC changes was reached. Furthermore, available water-soluble sulfate was highly correlated with EC. As sulfate increases, EC increases and vice versa

Is endoanal, introital or transperineal ultrasound diagnosis of sphincter defects more strongly associated with anal incontinence?

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Our aim was to explore the association between anal incontinence (AI) and persistent anal sphincter defects diagnosed with 3D endoanal (EAUS), introital (IUS) and transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) in women after obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) and study the association between sphincter defects and anal pressure. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study of 250 women with OASI recruited during the period 2013-2015. They were examined 6-12 weeks postpartum or in a subsequent pregnancy with 3D EAUS, IUS and TPUS and measurement of anal pressure. Prevalence of urgency/solid/liquid AI or flatal AI and anal pressure were compared in women with a defect and those with an intact sphincter (diagnosed off-line) using Chi-squared and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: At a mean of 23.6 (SD 30.1) months after OASI, more women with defect than those with intact sphincters on EAUS had AI; urgency/solid/liquid AI vs external defect: 36% vs 13% and flatal AI vs internal defect: 27% vs 13%, p < 0.05. On TPUS, more women with defect sphincters had flatal AI: 32% vs 13%, p = 0.03. No difference was found on IUS. Difference between defect and intact sphincters on EAUS, IUS and TPUS respectively was found for mean [SD] maximum anal resting pressure (48 [13] vs 55 [14] mmHg; 48 [12] vs 56 [13] mmHg; 50 [13] vs 54 [14] mmHg) and squeeze incremental pressure (33 [17] vs 49 [28] mmHg; 37 [23] vs 50 [28] mmHg; 36 [18] vs 50 [30] mmHg; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Endoanal ultrasound had the strongest association with AI symptoms 2 years after OASI. Sphincter defects detected using all ultrasound methods were associated with lower anal pressure

Simulating Cotton Growth and Productivity Using AquaCrop Model under Deficit Irrigation in a Semi-Arid Climate

AquaCrop is a water-driven model that simulates the effect of environment and management on crop production under deficit irrigation. The model was calibrated and validated using three databases and four irrigation treatments (i.e., 100%ET, 80%ET, 70%ET, and 50%ET). Model performance was evaluated by simulating canopy cover (CC), biomass accumulation, and water productivity (WP). Statistics of root mean square error (RMSE) and Willmott’s index of agreement (d) showed that model predictions are suitable for non-stressed and moderate stressed conditions. The results showed that the simulated biomass and yield were consistent with the measured values with a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.976 and 0.950, respectively. RMSE and d-index values for canopy cover (CC) were 2.67% to 4.47% and 0.991% to 0.998% and for biomass were 0.088 to 0.666 ton/ha and 0.991 to 0.999 ton/ha, respectively. Prediction of simulated and measured biomass and final yield was acceptable with deviation ˂10%. The overall value of R2 for WP in terms of yield was 0.943. Treatment with 80% ET consumed 20% less water than the treatment with 100%ET and resulted in high WP in terms of yield (0.6 kg/m3) and biomass (1.74 kg/m3), respectively. The deviations were in the range of −2% to 11% in yield and −2% to 4% in biomass. It was concluded that AquaCrop is a useful tool in predicting the productivity of cotton under different irrigation scenarios

The Genetics of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Current Insights

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that results in loss of the upper and lower motor neurons from motor cortex, brainstem and spinal cord. Whilst the majority of cases are sporadic, around 10% show familial inheritance. ALS is usually inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, though autosomal recessive and X-linked inheritance do occur. To date, 24 of the genes at 26 loci have been identified; these include loci linked to ALS as well as to FTD-ALS, where family pedigrees contain individuals with frontotemporal dementia with/without ALS. The most commonly established genetic causes of FALS to date are the presence of a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the C9ORF72 gene (39.3% FALS) and mutation of SOD1, TARDBP and FUS, with frequencies of 12-23.5%, 5% and 4.1% respectively. However, with the increasing use of next generation sequencing of small family pedigrees, this has led to an increasing number of genes associated with ALS. This review provides a comprehensive review on the genetics of ALS and an update of the pathogenic mechanisms associated with these genes. Commonly implicated pathways have been established, including RNA processing, the protein degradation pathways of autophagy and ubiquitin-proteasome-system as well as protein trafficking and cytoskeletal function. Elucidating the role genetics plays in both FALS and SALS is essential for understanding the subsequent cellular dysregulation that leads to motor neuron loss, in order to develop future effective therapeutic strategies

THE ROLE OF BRAND EQUITY IN MAKING DECISIONS TO CHOOSE HIGHER EDUCATION FOR NEW MIDDLE-CLASS STUDENTS

The aim of this research is to measure the influence of brand qualiy dimensions on the decision of new middle-class students in selecting their higher education. The research method that is used is the quantitative method. Data collection was conducted through a questionnare aimed at 100 new students from 20 different departements. The result of this research through simultaneous measurements, found that brand equity has a significant influence on students' decisions in selecting their higher education, and at the same time four dimensions were analyzed; quality awareness and quality perception dimension do not significantly influence the decision of middle-class studentd in selecting higher education

Mortality among patients with polymyalgia rheumatica: A retrospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is associated with premature mortality. METHODS: We extracted anonymised electronic medical records of patients over the age of 40 years, who were eligible for linkage with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) Death Registration dataset, from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink from 1990-2016. Patients with PMR were individually matched by age, sex and registered General Practice with up to 5 controls without PMR. The total number and proportion of deaths and mortality rates were calculated. The mortality rate ratio (MRR), with 95% confidence interval (CI), adjusted for age, sex, region, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), and alcohol consumption, was calculated using Poisson regression. The twenty most common causes of death were tabulated. RESULTS: 18,943 patients with PMR were matched to 87,801 controls. Mean (standard deviation) follow-up after date of diagnosis was 8.0 (4.4) years in patients with PMR, and 7.9 (4.6) in controls. PMR was not associated with an increase in the risk of death (adjusted MRR 1.00 [95% CI 0.97, 1.03]) compared to matched controls. Causes of death were broadly similar between patients with PMR and controls, although patients with PMR were slightly more likely to have a vascular cause of death recorded (24% vs 23%). CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis with PMR does not appear to increase the risk of premature death. Minor variations in cause of death were observed, but overall this study is reassuring for patients with PMR and clinicians

Algorithm for Fault Location and Classification on Parallel Transmission Line using Wavelet based on Clarke’s Transformation

This paper proposed a new algorithm for fault location and classification using wavelet based on Clarke’s transformation to obtain the fault current. This novel method of fault current approach is studied by comparing the use of the glide path of the fault voltage. The current alpha and beta (Current Mode) were used to transform the signal using discrete wavelet transform (DWT). The fault location was determined by using the Clarke’s transformation, and then turned into a wavelet, which was very precise and thorough. The most accurate was the mother wavelet Db4 which had the fastest time and smallest error detection when compared with the other wavelet mothers. In this study, the Clarke’s transformation is also compared with the Karenbauer’s, which has produced results with similar error percentage. The simulation results using PSCAD / EMTDC software showed that the proposed algorithm could distinguish internal and external faults to get the current signal in the transformation of a signal fault

Temperature and heat flux measurement techniques for aeroengine fire test: a review

This review is made of studies whereby some types of fire test measuring instrument were compared based on their mode of operation, sensing ability, temperature resistance and their calibration mode used for aero-engine applications. The study discusses issues affecting temperature and heat flux measurement, methods of measurement, calibration and uncertainties that occur in the fire test. It is found that the temperature and heat flux measurements of the flame from the standard burner need to be corrected and taken into account for radiation heat loss. Methods for temperature and heat flux measurements, as well as uncertainties analysis, were also discussed

Developing a circular economy in recycled polymer construction materials

While numerous studies have focussed on replacing carbon-intensive construction materials like concrete and steel with novel alternatives, few have addressed the feasibility of doing so at a scale that will lead to meaningful reductions in embodied carbon across the construction industry. In this study, prospective construction materials are identified that are derived from polymers reclaimed from municipal and industrial waste streams. The suitability of such materials in construction is shown through a review of mechanical properties and fabrication processes. An analysis of polymer waste sources within the manufacturing sectors is conducted to identify those that can realistically satisfy the volume of material required to replace conventional materials at impactful levels. Projected savings of embodied carbon associated with replacing conventional building materials with recycled polymers are presented, examining the influence of various levels of polymer waste reclamation and industry growth scenarios. It is found that upwards of 16 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions can be avoided by adopting these novel materials in constructio