Analysis of tubewell performance as an evaluation of the physical aquifer model being developed

Physical aquifer model is used as a tool for further understanding of groundwater concept. Demonstration and observation activities on water level drawdown in the observation well, performance of pumping well, groundwater flow and solute transport of groundwater contamination can be carried out on this aquifer model. The objective of this study is to evaluate the physical aquifer model developed in the laboratory, used as a teaching tool and research material through the analysis of well performance. Well efficiency is an indicator in determination of the performance of pumping well developed in the aquifer model. Using stepdrawdown pumping test technique, the optimum pumping discharge rate for the pumping well is determined at 0.0612m3/hr and its efficiency is calculated to be 99%. This technical evaluation helps to study further of the aquifer hydraulic properties which accomplished on this artificial aquifer model

Utjecaj toplinske obrade na fizička svojstva tankih slojeva antimon trisulfida

The influence of isochronal and isothermal annealing for 0 to 180 minutes and at 27 to 250°C, respectively, on the optical and electrical properties of thin films of Sb2S3 have been investigated. The films deposited on glass substrate by thermal vacuum evaporation have amorphous structure, but after annealing at temperatures above 200°C for 3 hours, they change to polycrystalline structure. The optical absorption coefficient becomes higher for subgap absorption at higher annealing temperatures. The value of the optical Tauc gap and direct band gap changed with the annealing temperature. The dark electrical resistivity showed a decrease by about an order of magnitude when increasing both the isochronal and isothermal annealing treatment.Ispitivao se je utjecaj izotermičkog toplinskog otpuštanja na optička i električna svojstva tankih slojeva Sb2S3 na temperaturama 27 do 250° C i u vremenima od 0 do 180 minuta. Tanki slojevi dobiveni vakuumskim naparavanjem na staklenu podlogu imaju amorfnu strukturu, ali nakon otpuštanja iznad 200° C kroz 3 sata oni mijenjaju strukturu u polikristaliničnu. Optički apsorpcijski koeficijent raste za podprocijepnu apsorpciju s povišenjem temperature otpuštanja. Vrijednost optičkog Taucovog procijepa i izravni procijep mijenjali su se s temperaturom otpuštanja. Tamna električna otpornost se je smanjila za red veličine kada se je povećalo vrijeme otpuštanja i temperatura

Utjecaj toplinske obrade na fizička svojstva tankih slojeva antimon trisulfida

The influence of isochronal and isothermal annealing for 0 to 180 minutes and at 27 to 250°C, respectively, on the optical and electrical properties of thin films of Sb2S3 have been investigated. The films deposited on glass substrate by thermal vacuum evaporation have amorphous structure, but after annealing at temperatures above 200°C for 3 hours, they change to polycrystalline structure. The optical absorption coefficient becomes higher for subgap absorption at higher annealing temperatures. The value of the optical Tauc gap and direct band gap changed with the annealing temperature. The dark electrical resistivity showed a decrease by about an order of magnitude when increasing both the isochronal and isothermal annealing treatment.Ispitivao se je utjecaj izotermičkog toplinskog otpuštanja na optička i električna svojstva tankih slojeva Sb2S3 na temperaturama 27 do 250° C i u vremenima od 0 do 180 minuta. Tanki slojevi dobiveni vakuumskim naparavanjem na staklenu podlogu imaju amorfnu strukturu, ali nakon otpuštanja iznad 200° C kroz 3 sata oni mijenjaju strukturu u polikristaliničnu. Optički apsorpcijski koeficijent raste za podprocijepnu apsorpciju s povišenjem temperature otpuštanja. Vrijednost optičkog Taucovog procijepa i izravni procijep mijenjali su se s temperaturom otpuštanja. Tamna električna otpornost se je smanjila za red veličine kada se je povećalo vrijeme otpuštanja i temperatura

The effect of type, duration and intensity of exercise on inflammatory markers CRP, IL-6 and IL-18 in metabolic syndrome patients : a systematic review

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become a major clinical challenge worldwide due to rise of urbanisation, surplus energy intake, increasing obesity and sedentary lifestyle. C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-18 (IL-18) are associated with MetS. We performed a systematic review to investigate the effects of exercise on these markers in MetS patients and therefore to determine the best exercise regime for them. We searched Medline (Pubmed and Ovid), Scopus and CINAHL databases. The searches were standardized by using the same search strategy which included the terms such as ‘metabolic syndrome’, ‘CRP’, ‘IL-6’, ‘IL-18’ and ‘exercise’. Only clinical human studies published from Jan 2007 to May 2018 were included. A total of 11 clinical trials (466 participants) were selected. Majority of the studies were randomized controlled studies (90.9%). All studies showed a decrease in serum levels of the biomarkers. However, not all were statistically significant. The main type of exercise in most of the studies was aerobic. Aerobic-resistance exercise was more effective rather than aerobic alone, but aerobic exercise was the only effective as a sole intervention. Aerobic exercise showed promising role as the main lifestyle intervention in MetS. It is concluded that patients with MetS should have combined aerobic-resistance exercise

FLOOD FORECASTING MODEL USING EMPIRICAL METHOD FOR A SMALL CATCHMENT AREA

The two most destructive natural disasters in Malaysia are monsoonal and flash floods. Malaysia is located in the tropical area and received on average, around 2800 mm of rainfall every year. Due to this high amount, a reliable and timely flood forecasting system is necessary to provide early warning to minimize the destruction caused by flash flood. This study developed and checked the adaptability and adequacy of the flood forecasting model for 93 km2 catchment area, Kampung Kasipillay, in Kuala Lumpur. The Empirical Unit Hydrograph Model was used in this study and past rainfall data, water level and stagedischarge curve were used as inputs. A Rainfall-Runoff Model (RRM) which transforms the rainfall to runoff hydrograph, was developed using excel. Since some data, such as properties of the watershed, are not always complete and precise, some model parameters were calibrated through trial and error processes to fine-tune the parameters of the model to get reliable estimation. The simulated unit hydrograph model was computed in prior runs of the flood forecasting model to estimate the model parameters. These calibrated parameters are used as constant variables for flood forecasting model when the runoff hydrograph was regenerated. The comparison between the observed and simulated hydrograph was investigated for the selected flood events and performance error was determined. The performance error achieved in this study of 15 flood events ranged from -2.06% to 5.82%.e

The direct strain feedback with PID control approach for a flexible manipulator: experimental results

Flexible manipulator (FM) is a robotic arm that can accomplish different tasks and the arm is a lightweight type, which means at least one dimension of their cross section is relatively small compared to their length. This project presents the development of direct strain feedback (DSFB) with PID controller for vibration control of a FM system. Strain gauge is the main sensor used as a strain measurement for giving a feedback to the system. The strain measurement also has been used as a displacement sensor at the endpoint of the link. The displacement was used to observe the performance of the system. The performances of the controllers are assessed in terms of the input tracking capability (desired position) and vibration reduction as compared to original system. Finally, the DSFB with PID has been implemented to achieve the desired performance

Radiographic evaluation of dental age maturity in 3–17-years-old saudi children as an indicator of chronological age

Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate the dental age in Saudi children from panoramic radiographs using the Demirjian method to estimate their chronological age. Materials And Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study consisted of 1902 panoramic radiographs of 955 boys and 947 girls between the ages of 3–17 years. All children were placed in the age group closest to their chronological age. The dental age was scored on all seven left mandibular teeth by calibrated examiners. Bivariate analyses using the t-test and Pearson correlation were performed. Results: There was significant difference in both boys and girls in all the age groups between their chronological age and dental age. Even though there was a slight overestimation in boys in some age groups and slight underestimation in girls in some groups, correlation analysis showed that there was a highly significant correlation between the chronological age and dental age for both boys (r2 = 0.96, P < 0.001) and girls (r2 = 0.98, P < 0.001). Moreover, correlation analyses for each age group showed a significant correlation between the chronological age and the dental age, using the Demirjian method, in most age groups (P < 0.01). When comparing the maturation score between boys and girls, the Student's t-test showed that there were no statistical differences between boys and girls in most age groups. Conclusion: Saudi boys and girls living in the western region of Saudi Arabia exhibited similar pattern of dental development when compared to the Demirjian method. Hence, the Demirjian method could be used as reference in children from the western region of Saudi Arabia

The importance of combining serological testing with RT-PCR assays for efficient detection of COVID-19 and higher diagnostic accuracy

Misdiagnosing suspected COVID-19 individuals could largely contribute to the viruses transmission, therefore, making an accurate diagnosis of infected subjects vital in minimizing and containing the disease. Although RT-PCR is the standard method in detecting COVID-19, it is associated with some limitations, including possible false negative results. Therefore, serological testing has been suggested as a complement assay to RT-PCR to support the diagnosis of acute infections. In this study, 15 out of 639 unvaccinated healthcare workers (HCWs) were tested negative for COVID-19 by RT-PCR and were found seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein-specific IgM and IgG antibodies. These participants underwent additional confirmatory RT-PCR and SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific ELISA tests. Of the 15 individuals, nine participants were found negative by second RT-PCR but seropositive for anti-spike IgM and IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies confirming their acute infection. At the time of collection, these nine individuals were in close contact with COVID-19-confirmed patients, with 77.7% reporting COVID-19-related symptoms. These results indicate that including serological tests in the current testing profile can provide better outcomes and help contain the spread of the virus by increasing diagnostic accuracy to prevent future outbreaks rapidly