Assessment of Karstification Degree in the Copacabana Group for a Tailings Dam Foundation, South Andes, Peru

The world-wide occurrence of carbonate rocks is extensive, and Peru is no exception. Many mining facilities are located in or on carbonate rocks. Under specific conditions, carbonate rocks show varying degrees of karstification, which represent a potential high risk of damage or failure to mine facilities, especially tailings and water impoundments due to subsidence or internal erosion problems. Adequate engineering measures, including proper characterization of the foundation materials, should be taken to characterize foundation materials and mitigate the risk. This paper presents the assessment of the potential of karst dissolution in the Copacabana Group underlying about 50% the foundation of a proposed tailings dam and storage facility, located in the South Andes of Peru. A thorough geotechnical site investigation program was carried out in the area, which included regional and local geological mapping, geotechnical drilling, test pits, permeability tests, effervescence test in cores, petrographic analyses, and X-Ray diffraction tests. Hydrogeological studies, such as pumping and tracer tests, were also performed by other consultants to verify the observations, conclusions, and opinions developed from the geotechnical investigation program. The results of the geotechnical investigation allowed proper characterization of the dam foundation and the tailings storage facility and estimation of the degree of karstification in the carbonate rocks of the Copacabana Group. The completed geological site characterization was then used to locate the tailings dam and impoundment area to avoid areas of pervasive karst and to implement defensive engineering measures, including grout curtains and slush grouting of smaller cavities and joints, among others

Performance Evaluation of Combined Wind-Assisted Propulsion and Organic Rankine Cycle Systems in Ships

With the increasingly stringent regulation of ship carbon emissions by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), improving ship energy efficiency has become a key research direction in the current shipping industry. This paper proposes and evaluates a comprehensive energy-saving solution that integrates a wind-assisted propulsion system (WAPS) and an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) waste heat power generation system. By establishing an energy efficiency simulation model of a typical ocean-going cargo ship, the appropriate optimal system configuration parameters and working fluids are determined based on minimizing the total fuel consumption, and the impact of these two energy-saving technologies on fuel consumption is systematically analysed. The simulation results show that the simultaneous use of these two energy-saving technologies can achieve the highest energy efficiency, with the maximum fuel savings of approximately 21%. This study provides a theoretical basis and engineering reference for the design of ship energy-saving systems

The effect of gabapentin on reducing pain after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery in patients with morbid obesity: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Pain after laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery (LGBP) is a major problem. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant drug that can be efective in postoperative pain control. Objectives: This study examined the efect of preoperative administration of gabapentin on reducing pain after LGBP in patients with morbid obesity. Patients and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed in Hazrat Rasoul Akram Medical Center in Tehran. A total of 60 patients undergoing LGBP were randomly allocated into two groups; one group received 100 mg of oral gabapentin and the other group received placebo. Pain was evaluated at recovery time, and at the first, second, fourth and sixth hour of surgery by visual analog scale. The number and dose of opioid use after surgery and incidence of postoperative complications, such as nausea and vomiting, agitation, and headache, were also recorded. Results: The mean pain score in the group receiving gabapentin was significantly lower than the placebo group (P < 0.001). Indications and dose of opioid consumption between the two groups were not statistically significant. Incidence of nausea/vomiting (P = 0.028) as well as agitation (P = 0.037) was significantly lower in the gabapentin group. Conclusions: Administration of gabapentin before surgery can reduce pain after LGBP. Furthermore, it is not accompanied by significant short-term adverse effects. � 2015, Iranian Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ISRAPM)

Relationship between sperm parameters and intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcome

Objectives: With the adventure of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique, great progresses have developed in the treatment of infertility. Concentration on the properties of male's gamete has been encouraged by the increasing concerns about the causes of ICSI failure. We hence conducted this study to investigate the probable association of sperm parameters with ISCI outcome. Methods: A total of 523 couples referred to Isfahan Fertility and Sterility Center from January 2007 to June 2008 for ICSI. Semen analysis was performed before ICSI procedure according to the WHO criteria. Patients were assigned into successful ICSI (case) and failed ICSI (control) groups. Sperm parameters were then compared between the 2 groups. Results: One hundred and six patients (20) had successful ICSI results (case group) compared with 417 couples (80) with undesirable ICSI outcomes (control group). Among evaluated factors, sperm agglutination (p = 0.007), sperm concentration (p = 0.043), leukocytospermia (p = 0.026) and head abnormality of sperm (p = 0.019) showed statistically significant differences between two groups with differing ICSI results. None of the other semen parameters revealed significant differences between these two groups. Conclusion: Our study showed that some sperm parameters are associated with desirable ICSI outcome. However, it is unclear whether these associations are causal. © 2015 The Authors

Genome sequencing and population genomic analyses provide insights into the adaptive landscape of silver birch

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Effects of vitamin D on endometriosis-related pain: A double-blind clinical trial

Background: Endometriosis is a disabling disease of reproductive-age women. Dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and pelvic pain are the main symptoms of endometriosis. Its etiology is not clear. Endometriosis may have various causes, including vitamin D deficiency, but its effect is controversial. Material/Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial, we enrolled patients with endometriosis diagnosed and treated by laparoscopy, with scores of at least 3 for of dysmenorrhea and/or pelvic pain at 8 weeks after surgical treatment. They were randomly prescribed vitamin D (50 000 IU weekly for 12 weeks) or placebo. Severity of pain in the 2 groups (placebo and treatment) was compared by VAS test at 24 weeks after surgical treatment. Results: There were 19 patients in the vitamin D group and 20 in the placebo group. Baseline characteristics in the 2 groups were similar. Following the treatment with vitamin D or placebo, we did not find significant differences in severity of pelvic pain (p=0.24) and dysmenorrhea (p=0.45) between the 2 groups. Mean pelvic pain at 24 weeks after laparoscopy in the vitamin D group was 0.84�1.74 and in placebo group it was 0.68�1.70 (p=0.513). Mean dysmenorrhea was 2.10�2.33 in the vitamin D group and 2.73�2.84 in the placebo group (p=0.45). Conclusions: After ablative surgery for endometriosis, vitamin D treatment did not have a significant effect in reducing dysmenorrhea and/or pelvic pain. � Med Sci Monit

The role of alimentary and biliopancreatic limb length in outcomes of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Introduction: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the safe and easily reproducible bariatric procedures. Aim: To evaluate the effect of biliopancreatic limb (BPL) and alimentary limb (AL) length on weight loss outcomes after RYGB. Material and methods: This retrospective cohort study included 313 morbidly obese patients who underwent primary laparoscopic RYGB 2009-2015. Patients' BPL and AL lengths were categorized into three groups: Group 1 (BPL: 50 cm and AL: 150 cm), group 2 (BPL: 150 cm and AL: 50 cm), and group 3 (BPL: 100 cm and AL: 100 cm). Data were provided from the Iranian National Obesity Surgery Database. The generalized estimating equations method was used to assess the effect of limbs length on excess weight loss (EWL). Results: Mean ± standard deviation age and body mass index (BMI) of 252 patients were 38.55 ±10.24 years and 45.8 ±4.77 kg/m2, respectively. Totally, 172 (68.3, BMI of 46 ±5 kg/m2), 48 (19, BMI of 45.12 ±4.26 kg/m2), and 32 (12.7, BMI of 45.43 ±4.23 kg/m2) were in group 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p = 0.44). The results showed that the choice of different limb lengths had no significant effect on EWL over 12 months follow-up (p = 0.625) adjusted for baseline BMI (p = 0.25). Mean EWL in the patients with longer BPL and shorter AL was 5.43 (1.91, 8.95) higher in comparison to the patients with shorter BPL and longer AL during 36 months postoperatively adjusted for baseline BMI (p = 0.002). Conclusions: During 12 months after RYGB, EWL was not associated with BPL or AL length. However, during 36 months postoperatively, the patients with longer BPL had a significantly higher EWL in comparison to the patients with shorter BPL. © 2020 Termedia Publishing House Ltd.. All rights reserved

Comparing the excessive daytime sleepiness of obese and non-obese patients

Background: Obesity, particularly morbid obesity, has various physical and mental complications. Excessive daytime somnolence (EDS) is a sleep disorder that reduces individuals� performance capability and the accuracy of their short-term memory and causes learning problems. This retrospective study aimed to document the presence of EDS in a sample of obese patients in comparison to patients with a normal weight. Objectives: This article compares the excessive daytime sleepiness of obese and non-obese patients in the minimally invasive surgery research center in Tehran, Iran. Patients and Methods: In this case-control study, we compared excessive daytime sleepiness in 55 obese patients who were candidates for laparoscopic surgery, with a body mass index (BMI) of equal to or greater than 30 kg/m2, with 55 controls with a normal BMI (19.5-24.9 kg/m2). The process of selecting the control group in our case-control study is matching in group levels, so that the controls are similar to the case group with regard to certain key characteristics, such as age, sex, and race. The sleep assessment was based on the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) questionnaire. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the means of quantitative data, such as the ESS score of groups. Results: Sleepiness was not affected by gender in cases or controls. The sleepiness prevalence was 29 (52.7) in the cases group and 17 (30.9) in the control group (OR = 2.493 (95 CI 1.144-5.435)). The mean ESS scores in cases and controls were 7.82 ± 3.86 and 10.54±6.15, respectively (P = 0.007). Moreover, the prevalence of sleepiness and the mean ESS scores in class III of obesity differed significantly from the controls (16 (57.1) vs. 17 (30.9)) (OR = 2.980 (95 CI 1.162-7.645)) and (11.04±5.93 vs. 7.82±3.86) (P = 0.013), respectively. Conclusions: Our findings suggest a strong relationship between EDS and obesity, particularly morbid obesity. Therefore, physicians must be familiar with EDS as a mixed clinical entity indicating careful assessment and specific treatment planning. © 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

A robust Logistics-Electric framework for optimal power management of electrified ports under uncertain vessel arrival time

\ua9 2024Maritime transport is responsible for producing a considerable amount of environmental pollution due to the reliance of ports and ships on the carbon-based energy sources. With the increasing trend towards port electrification to reduce carbon emissions, the operation of ports will be increasingly relying on the electricity network. This interconnection creates multiple challenges due to the complexity of power flow in the port network, uncertainty of vessel arrival time and fluctuation of power generation of renewable energy sources. These uncertainties can lead to an overload in electricity networks and delays in cargo-handling activities, resulting in increased vessel handling times and environmental emissions. This paper presents a joint logistics-electric framework for optimal operation and power management of electrified ports, considering multiple uncertainties in the arrival time of vessels, network demand, and renewable power generation. An optimal power flow method is developed for a real-life port, with consideration for multiple port logistic assets such as cargo handling equipment, reefers, and renewable energy sources. The proposed model ensures feasible port operation for all uncertainty realisations defined by robust optimisation, while minimising operational costs. Simulation results demonstrate that the probability of a network constraint violation can be as high as 70% for an electrified major UK port if the uncertainty in the port operation is neglected, presenting an unacceptable risk of disruption to port activities. Furthermore, such uncertainty can cause 150% increase in emissions if the ships use their auxiliary engine instead of using shore power. The numerical study shows that such challenges can be handled by a 0.3% increase in the robustness in face of uncertainty, while the cost increase in the worst case does not exceed 4.7%. This shows the effectiveness of the proposed method enhancing robustness against uncertainty at the minimum cost