Search results for: Hamad M. Alnagran
85 Permeodynamic Particulate Matter Filtration for Improved Air Quality
Authors: Hamad M. Alnagran, Mohammed S. Imbabi
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Particulate matter (PM) in the air we breathe is detrimental to health. Overcoming this problem has attracted interest and prompted research on the use of PM filtration in commercial buildings and homes to be carried out. The consensus is that tangible health benefits can result from the use of PM filters in most urban environments, to clean up the building’s fresh air supply and thereby reduce exposure of residents to airborne PM. The authors have investigated and are developing a new large-scale Permeodynamic Filtration Technology (PFT) capable of permanently filtering and removing airborne PMs from outdoor spaces, thus also benefiting internal spaces such as the interiors of buildings. Theoretical models were developed, and laboratory trials carried out to determine, and validate through measurement permeodynamic filtration efficiency and pressure drop as functions of PM particle size distributions. The conclusion is that PFT offers a potentially viable, cost effective end of pipe solution to the problem of airborne PM.Keywords: air filtration, particulate matter, particle size distribution, permeodynamic
Procedia PDF Downloads 20384 Occupational Cumulative Effective Doses of Radiation Workers in Hamad Medical Corporation in Qatar
Authors: Omar Bobes, Abeer Al-Attar, Mohammad Hassan Kharita, Huda Al-Naemi
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The number of radiological examinations has increased steadily in recent years. As a result, the risk of possible radiation-induced consequential damage also increases through continuous, lifelong, and increasing exposure to ionizing radiation. Therefore, radiation dose monitoring in medicine became an essential element of medical practice. In this study, the occupational cumulative doses for radiation workers in Hamad medical corporation in Qatar have been assessed for a period of five years. The number of monitored workers selected for this study was 555 (out of a total of 1250 monitored workers) who have been working continuously -with no interruption- with ionizing radiation over the past five years from 2015 to 2019. The aim of this work is to examine the occupational groups and the activities where the higher radiation exposure occurred and in what order of magnitude. The most exposed group was the nuclear medicine technologist staff, with an average cumulative dose of 8.4 mSv. The highest individual cumulative dose was 9.8 mSv recorded for the PET-CT technologist category.Keywords: cumulative dose, effective dose, monitoring, occupational exposure, dosimetry
Procedia PDF Downloads 24283 AI-Based Autonomous Plant Health Monitoring and Control System with Visual Health-Scoring Models
Authors: Uvais Qidwai, Amor Moursi, Mohamed Tahar, Malek Hamad, Hamad Alansi
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This paper focuses on the development and implementation of an advanced plant health monitoring system with an AI backbone and IoT sensory network. Our approach involves addressing the critical environmental factors essential for preserving a plant’s well-being, including air temperature, soil moisture, soil temperature, soil conductivity, pH, water levels, and humidity, as well as the presence of essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Central to our methodology is the utilization of computer vision technology, particularly a night vision camera. The captured data is then compared against a reference database containing different health statuses. This comparative analysis is implemented using an AI deep learning model, which enables us to generate accurate assessments of plant health status. By combining the AI-based decision-making approach, our system aims to provide precise and timely insights into the overall health and well-being of plants, offering a valuable tool for effective plant care and management.Keywords: deep learning image model, IoT sensing, cloud-based analysis, remote monitoring app, computer vision, fuzzy control
Procedia PDF Downloads 5382 A Social Network Analysis for Formulating Construction Defect Generation Mechanisms
Authors: Hamad Aljassmi, Sangwon Han
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Various solutions for preventing construction defects have been suggested. However, a construction company may have difficulties adopting all these suggestions due to financial and practical constraints. Based on this recognition, this paper aims to identify the most significant defect causes and formulate their defect generation mechanism in order to help a construction company to set priorities of its defect prevention strategies. For this goal, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 106 industry professionals and identified five most significant causes including: (1) organizational culture, (2) time pressure and constraints, (3) workplace quality system, (4) financial constraints upon operational expenses and (5) inadequate employee training or learning opportunities.Keywords: defect, quality, failure, risk
Procedia PDF Downloads 62681 Review of Transportation Modeling Software
Authors: Hassan M. Al-Ahmadi, Hamad Bader Almobayedh
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Planning for urban transportation is essential for developing effective and sustainable transportation networks that meet the needs of various communities. Advanced modeling software is required for effective transportation planning, management, and optimization. This paper compares PTV VISUM, Aimsun, TransCAD, and Emme, four industry-leading software tools for transportation planning and modeling. Each software has strengths and limitations, and the project's needs, financial constraints, and level of technical expertise influence the choice of software. Transportation experts can design and improve urban transportation systems that are effective, sustainable, and meet the changing needs of their communities by utilizing these software tools.Keywords: PTV VISUM, Aimsun, TransCAD, transportation modeling software
Procedia PDF Downloads 3180 Enhancement of the Performance of Al-Qatraneh 33-kV Transmission Line Using STATCOM: A Case Study
Authors: Ali Hamad, Ibrahim Al-Drous, Saleh Al-Jufout
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This paper presents a case study of using STATCOM to enhance the performance of Al-Qatraneh 33-kV transmission line. The location of the STATCOM was identified maintaining minimum voltage drops at the 110 load nodes. The transmission line and the 110 load nodes have been modeled by MATLAB/Simulink. The suggested STATCOM and its location will increase the transmission capability of this transmission line and overcome the overload expected in the year 2020. The annual percentage loading rise has been considered as 14%. A graphical representation of the line voltages and the voltage drops at different load nodes has been illustrated.Keywords: FACTS, MATLAB, STATCOM, transmission line, voltage drop
Procedia PDF Downloads 44179 Computational Investigation of Gas-Solid Flow in High Pressure High Temperature Filter
Authors: M. H. Alhajeri, Hamad M. Alhajeri, A. H. Alenezi
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This paper reports a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigation for a high-temperature high-pressure filtration (ceramic candle filter). However, parallel flow to the filter is considered in this study. Different face (filtration) velocities are examined using the CFD code, FLUENT. Different sizes of particles are tracked through the domain to find the height at which the particles will impinge on the filter surface. Furthermore, particle distribution around the filter (or filter cake) is studied to design efficient cleaning mechanisms. Gravity effect to the particles with various inlet velocities and pressure drop are both considered. In the CFD study, it is found that the gravity influence should not be ignored if the particle sizes exceed 1 micron.Keywords: fluid flow, CFD, filtration, HTHP
Procedia PDF Downloads 20378 Effectiveness of Adopting Software Quality Frameworks in Software Organizations: A Qualitative Review
Authors: Sarah K. Amer, Nagwa Badr, Osman Ibrahim, Ahmed Hamad
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This paper surveys the effectiveness of software process quality assurance frameworks, with some focus on Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) - a framework that has become widely adopted in software organizations. The importance of quality improvement in software development, and the differences in the outcomes of quality framework implementation between Middle Eastern and North African (MENA-region) countries and non-MENA-region countries are discussed. The greatest challenges met in the MENA region are identified, with particular focus on Egypt and its rising software development industry.Keywords: software quality, software process improvement, software development methodologies, capability maturity model integration
Procedia PDF Downloads 35277 CuFeOx-Based Nano-Rose Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Hamad Almohamadi, Nabeel H. Alharthi, Abdulrahman Aljabri
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In this study, two-dimensional CuFeOx is deposited on nickel foam for the fabrication of electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The in-situ hydrothermal synthesis of CuFeOx in presence of aloe vera extract was found to yield unique nano-rose-like morphology which aided to improve the electrochemical surface area of the electrode. The phytochemical assisted synthesis of CuFeOx using 75% aloe vera extract resulted in improved OER electrocatalytic performance by attaining the overpotential of 310 mV for 50 mA cm−2 and 410 mV for 100 mA cm−2. The electrode also sustained robust stability throughout the 50 h of chronopotentiometry studies under alkaline electrolyte conditions, thus proving to be prospective electrode material for efficient OER in electrochemical water splitting.Keywords: water splitting, phytochemicals, oxygen evaluation reaction, Tafel's slope, stability
Procedia PDF Downloads 11576 Fluid Flow in Roughened Square Tube for Internal Blade Cooling
Authors: M. H. Alhajeri, Hamad M. Alhajeri, A. H. Alenezi, Abdulrahman Almutairi, Ayedh Alajmi
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A computational investigation has been undertaken to study fluid flow through roughened tube with turbulators. Such flows are of particular interest in cooling internally high pressure turbine blades. Turbulators are fixed in each side of the passage (tube) to promote turbulence and enhance heat transfer. The tube had an aspect ratio of 1 and the position of the ribs closest to the bend are at 0.45d from the entrance and exit of the bend. The aim of this study is to examine the tube roughened by turbulator by studying some flow parameters upstream and downstream of the turbulator. It is cleared that the eddies sizes are decreased downstream in the first two turbulators and increased after the turbulators increases the turbulence in the tube and enhanced the heat transfer in the blade.Keywords: fluid flow, turbulator, computation, blade
Procedia PDF Downloads 42575 Numerical Analysis of Swirling Chamber Using Improved Delayed Detached Eddy Simulation Turbulence Model
Authors: Hamad M. Alhajeri
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Swirling chamber is a promising cooling method for heavily thermally loaded parts like turbine blades due to the additional circumferential velocity and therefore improved turbulent mixing of the fluid. This paper investigates numerically the effect of turbulence model on the heat convection of the swirling chamber. Grid independence analysis is conducted to obtain the proper grid dimension. The work validated with experimental data available in the literature. Flow analysis using improved delayed detached eddy simulation turbulence model and Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes k-ɛ turbulence model is carried. The flow characteristic near the exit is reformed when improved delayed detached eddy simulation model used.Keywords: gas turbine, Nusselt number, flow characteristics, heat transfer
Procedia PDF Downloads 20174 Numerical Simulation of Two-Dimensional Porous Cylinder Flow in In-Line Arrangement
Authors: Hamad Alhajeri, Abdulrahman Almutairi, A. H. Alenezi, M. H. Alhajeri, Ayedh Alajmi
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The flow around three porous cylinders in inline arrangement is investigated in this paper computationally using the commercial code FLUENT. The arrangement generally operates with the dirty gases passing through the porous cylinders, the particulate material being deposited on the outside of the cylinders. However, in a combined cycle power plant, filtration is required to allow the hot exhaust gases to be fed to a turbine without causing any physical damage to the turbine blades. Three cylinder elements are placed in a two-dimensional rectangle duct with fixed face velocity and varying the velocity ratio between the approach and face velocity. Particle trajectories are obtained for a number of particle diameters and different inlet (approach) velocity to face filtration velocity ratios to investigate the behavior of particles around the cylinder.Keywords: porous cylinders, CFD, fluid flow, filtration
Procedia PDF Downloads 48373 Stress Intensity Factor for Dynamic Cracking of Composite Material by X-FEM Method
Authors: S. Lecheb, A. Nour, A. Chellil, H. Mechakra, N. Hamad, H. Kebir
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The work involves develops attended by a numerical execution of the eXtend Finite Element Method premises a measurement by the fracture process cracked so many cracked plates an application will be processed for the calculation of the stress intensity factor SIF. In the first we give in statically part the distribution of stress, displacement field and strain of composite plate in two cases uncrack/edge crack, also in dynamical part the first six modes shape. Secondly, we calculate Stress Intensity Factor SIF for different orientation angle θ of central crack with length (2a=0.4mm) in plan strain condition, KI and KII are obtained for mode I and mode II respectively using X-FEM method. Finally from crack inclined involving mixed modes results, the comparison we chose dangerous inclination and the best crack angle when K is minimal.Keywords: stress intensity factor (SIF), crack orientation, glass/epoxy, natural frequencies, X-FEM
Procedia PDF Downloads 51372 Numerical Study of Heat Transfer in Square Duct with Turbulators
Authors: M. H. Alhajeri, Hamad M. Alhajeri, A. H. Alenezi
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Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) investigation of heat transfer in U-duct with turbulators is presented in this paper. The duct passages used to cool internally the blades in gas turbine. The study is focused in the flow behavior and the Nusselt number (Nu) distributions. The model of the u-duct contains two square legs that are connected by 180* turn. Four turbulators are located in each surface of the leg and distributed in a staggered arrangement. The turbulator height and width are equal to 0.1 of the duct width, and the turbulator height is 0.1 of the distance between the turbulators. The Reynolds number (Re) used in this study is 95000 and the inlet velocity is 10 m/s. It was noticed that, after the flow resettles from the interruptions generated by the first turbulator or the turn, the flow construct two eddies, one large and the other is small after and before the turbulator, respectively. The maximum values of the Nu are found at a distance of approximately one turbulator width w before of the flow reattachment point.Keywords: computational fluid dynamics, CFD, rib, heat transfer, blade
Procedia PDF Downloads 15171 Investigation of Droplet Size Produced in Two-Phase Gravity Separators
Authors: Kul Pun, F. A. Hamad, T. Ahmed, J. O. Ugwu, J. Eyers, G. Lawson, P. A. Russell
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Determining droplet size and distribution is essential when determining the separation efficiency of a two/three-phase separator. This paper investigates the effect of liquid flow and oil pad thickness on the droplet size at the lab scale. The findings show that increasing the inlet flow rates of the oil and water results in size reduction of the droplets and increasing the thickness of the oil pad increases the size of the droplets. The data were fitted with a simple Gaussian model, and the parameters of mean, standard deviation, and amplitude were determined. Trends have been obtained for the fitted parameters as a function of the Reynolds number, which suggest a way forward to better predict the starting parameters for population models when simulating separation using CFD packages. The key parameter to predict to fix the position of the Gaussian distribution was found to be the mean droplet size.Keywords: two-phase separator, average bubble droplet, bubble size distribution, liquid-liquid phase
Procedia PDF Downloads 19870 Defect-Based Urgency Index for Bridge Maintenance Ranking and Prioritization
Authors: Saleh Abu Dabous, Khaled Hamad, Rami Al-Ruzouq
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Bridge condition assessment and rating provide essential information needed for bridge management. This paper reviews bridge inspection and condition rating practices and introduces a defect-based urgency index. The index is estimated at the element-level based on the extent and severity of the different defects typical to the bridge element. The urgency index approach has the following advantages: (1) It facilitates judgment submission, i.e. instead of rating the bridge element with a specific linguistic overall expression (which can be subjective and used differently by different people), the approach is based on assessing the defects; (2) It captures multiple defects that can be present within a deteriorated element; and (3) It reflects how critical the element is through quantifying critical defects and their severity. The approach can be further developed and validated. It is expected to be useful for practical purposes as an early-warning system for critical bridge elements.Keywords: condition rating, deterioration, inspection, maintenance
Procedia PDF Downloads 45069 Utilization of Watermelon Rind Extract as Green Anti-Scalent for Cooling Water Systems
Authors: Elsayed G. Zaki, Nora A. Hamad, Hadeel G. El-Shorbagy
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The effect of watermelon rind extract as green inhibitors for the formation of calcium sulphate scale have been investigated using conductivity measurements concurrently with the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and optical microscopic examinations. Mineral scales were deposited from the brine solution by cathodic polarization of the steel surface. The results show up that the anti-scaling property of the extracts could be attributed to the presence of citrulline. In solution, citrulline retards calcium sulphate precipitation via formation of a complex with the calcium cations. Thin, smooth and non adherent film formed over the steel surface, under cathodic polarization, by the deposition of the calcium- citrulline complex. The stability of the aqueous extracts with time was also investigated.Keywords: anti-scaling, scale inhibitor, green extracts, water treatment
Procedia PDF Downloads 27368 Evaluation of AR-4BL-MAST with Multiple Markers Interaction Technique for Augmented Reality Based Engineering Application
Authors: Waleed Maqableh, Ahmad Al-Hamad, Manjit Sidhu
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Augmented reality (AR) technology has the capability to provide many benefits in the field of education as a modern technology which aided learning and improved the learning experience. This paper evaluates AR based application with multiple markers interaction technique (touch-to-print) which is designed for analyzing the kinematics of 4BL mechanism in mechanical engineering. The application is termed as AR-4BL-MAST and it allows the users to touch the symbols on a paper in natural way of interaction. The evaluation of this application was performed with mechanical engineering students and human–computer interaction (HCI) experts to test its effectiveness as a tangible user interface application where the statistical results show its ability as an interaction technique, and it gives the users more freedom in interaction with the virtual mechanical objects.Keywords: augmented reality, multimedia, user interface, engineering, education technology
Procedia PDF Downloads 57467 Psychometric Properties and Factor Structure of the College Readiness Questionnaire
Authors: Muna Al-Kalbani, Thuwayba Al Barwani, Otherine Neisler, Hussain Alkharusi, David Clayton, Humaira Al-Sulaimani, Mohammad Khan, Hamad Al-Yahmadi
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This study describes the psychometric properties and factor structure of the University Readiness Survey (URS). Survey data were collected from sample of 2652 students from Sultan Qaboos University. Exploratory factor analysis identified ten significant factors underlining the structure. The results of Confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit to the data where the indices for the revised model were χ2(df = 1669) = 6093.4; CFI = 0.900; GFI =0.926; PCLOSE = 1.00 and RMSAE = 0.030 where each of these indices were above threshold. The overall value of Cronbach’s alpha was 0.899 indicating that the instrument score was reliable. Results imply that the URS is a valid measure describing the college readiness pattern among Sultan Qaboos University students and the Arabic version could be used by university counselors to identify students’ readiness factors. Nevertheless, further validation of the of the USR is recommended.Keywords: college readiness, confirmatory factor analysis, reliability, validity
Procedia PDF Downloads 22466 Electrospinning Parameters: Effect on the Morphology of Polylactic Acid/Polybutylene Succinate Fibers
Authors: Hamad Al-Turaif, Usman Saeed
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The development of nanofibers with the help of electrospinning is being prioritized as a method of choice because of the simplicity and efficiency of the process. The parameters of the electrospinning process effectively convert the polymer solution into an electrospun final product made of the desired diameter of nanofiber. The aim of the study presented is to recognize and analyze the effect of proposed parameters on biodegradable and biocompatible polylactic acid (PLA)/polybutylene succinate (PBS) nanofiber developed by the electrospinning process. The morphology of the fiber is characterized by implementing Scanning Electron Microscope. Studies were conducted to characterize the result of using different electrospinning parameters on the final diameter and orientation of fiber. It was determined that varying polymer solution concentration, feed rate, and applied voltage show different outcomes. The best results were obtained at 6% polymer solution concentration, 20 kV, and 0.5 ml/h, which can be applicable for biomedical applications. Finally, protein adsorption and mechanical testing were conducted on the PLA/PBS fiber.Keywords: electrospinning, polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, morphology
Procedia PDF Downloads 13165 Synthesis, Characterization, and Evaluation of New Series of Oil Sorbers Based on Maleate Esters
Authors: Nora A. Hamad, Ayman M. Atta, Adel A. H. Abdel-Rahman
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Two malice anhydride esters were prepared using long chain aliphatic alcohols (C8H17OH and C12H25OH, 1:1 mole ratio). Three series of crosslinked homo and copolymers of maleate esters with octadecyl acrylate and acrylic acid were prepared respectively through suspension copolymerization. The monomers were mixed with 0.02 Wt% of BP initiator, PVA 1% (170 ml for each 100g of monomers) and different weight ratios of DVB crosslinked (1% and 4%) in cyclohexane. The prepared crosslinked homo and copolymers were characterized by SEM, TGA and FTIR spectroscopic analyses. The prepared polymers were coated onto poly (ethylene terephethalate) nonwoven fiber (NWPET). The effect of copolymerization feed composition, crosslinker wt% and reaction media or solvent on swelling properties of crosslinked polymers were studied through the oil absorption tests in toluene and 10% of diluted crude oil with toluene.Keywords: acrylic acid, crosslinked copolymers, maleate ester, poly(ethylene terephethalate) nonwoven fiber (NWPET), oil absorbency, octadecyl acrylat
Procedia PDF Downloads 39064 Immunological and Genetic Studies of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Alaa Jawad Hassan, Saad Marza Al-Aaraji, Fadil Abbas Hamad
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The current study was designed to assess some immunological parameters and pedigree analysis for atopic dermatitis patients, as the study included 64 patients (37 males and 27 females) and 24 healthy individuals (12 males and 12 females) with no history of the AD. The cases of this study were divided into two age groups; the first is infant and children (1-10 years), while the second is adolescent and adults (11- 60 years). The number of cases was 51 and 13 in each age group respectively. Sera samples from confirmed AD patients and healthy control were analysed by mean of ELISA for assessment the concentrations of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4 and IgE. The study showed that a significant increase (P < 0.05) in IL-1β, IL-4 and IgE levels in the patients compared with the control group in both age groups and gender, while there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) in the concentration of IL-2. The study of pedigree analysis shows the genetic tendency in the frequency of disease depending on the genetic history of family, where more patients returning to families in which both parents or one of them infected with AD, whereas the patients were no parents infected with AD they are suffering from asthma and the disease recurs in their uncles.Keywords: atopic dermatitis, cytokines, IgE, molecular biology
Procedia PDF Downloads 41263 Investigation of Steady State Infiltration Rate for Different Head Condition
Authors: Nour Aljafari, Mariam, S. Maani, Serter Atabay, Tarig Ali, Said Daker, Lara Daher, Hamad Bukhammas, Mohammed Abou Shakra
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This paper aims at determining the soil characteristics that influence the irrigation process of green landscapes and deciding on the optimum amount of water needed for irrigation. The laboratory experiments were conducted using the constant head methodology to determine the soil infiltration rates. The steady state infiltration rate was reached after 10 minutes of infiltration at a rate of 200 mm/hr. The effects of different water heads on infiltration rates were also investigated, and the head of 11 cm was found to be the optimum head for the test. The experimental results showed consistent infiltration results for the range between 11 cm and 15 cm. The study also involved finding the initial moisture content, which ranged between 5% and 25%, and finding the organic content, which occupied 1% to 2% of the soil. These results will be later utilized, using the water balance approach, to estimate the optimum amount of water needed for irrigation for changing weather conditions.Keywords: infiltration rate, moisture content, grass type, organic content
Procedia PDF Downloads 29462 An Approach to Make an Adaptive Immunoassay to Detect an Unknown Disease
Authors: Josselyn Mata Calidonio, Arianna I. Maddox, Kimberly Hamad-Schifferli
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Rapid diagnostics are critical infectious disease tools that are designed to detect a known biomarker using antibodies specific to that biomarker. However, a way to detect unknown viruses has not yet been achieved in a paper test format. We describe here a route to make an adaptable paper immunoassay that can detect an unknown biomarker, demonstrating it on SARS-CoV-2 variants. The immunoassay repurposes cross-reactive antibodies raised against the alpha variant. Gold nanoparticles of two different colors conjugated to two different antibodies create a colorimetric signal, and machine learning of the resulting colorimetric pattern is used to train the assay to discriminate between variants of alpha and Omicron BA.5. By using principal component analysis, the colorimetric test patterns can pick up and discriminate an unknown that it has not encountered before, Omicron BA.1. The test has an accuracy of 100% and a potential calculated discriminatory power of 900. We show that it can be used adaptively and that it can be used to pick up emerging variants without the need to raise new antibodies.Keywords: adaptive immunoassay, detecting unknown viruses, gold nanoparticles, paper immunoassay, repurposing antibodies
Procedia PDF Downloads 11361 Real-Time Sensor Fusion for Mobile Robot Localization in an Oil and Gas Refinery
Authors: Adewole A. Ayoade, Marshall R. Sweatt, John P. H. Steele, Qi Han, Khaled Al-Wahedi, Hamad Karki, William A. Yearsley
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Understanding the behavioral characteristics of sensors is a crucial step in fusing data from several sensors of different types. This paper introduces a practical, real-time approach to integrate heterogeneous sensor data to achieve higher accuracy than would be possible from any one individual sensor in localizing a mobile robot. We use this approach in both indoor and outdoor environments and it is especially appropriate for those environments like oil and gas refineries due to their sparse and featureless nature. We have studied the individual contribution of each sensor data to the overall combined accuracy achieved from the fusion process. A Sequential Update Extended Kalman Filter(EKF) using validation gates was used to integrate GPS data, Compass data, WiFi data, Inertial Measurement Unit(IMU) data, Vehicle Velocity, and pose estimates from Fiducial marker system. Results show that the approach can enable a mobile robot to navigate autonomously in any environment using a priori information.Keywords: inspection mobile robot, navigation, sensor fusion, sequential update extended Kalman filter
Procedia PDF Downloads 47060 Effect of Oat-Protein Peptide in Cognitive Impairment Mice via Mediating Gut-Brain Axis
Authors: Hamad Rafique
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The bioactive peptide RDFPITWPW (RW-9) identified from oat protein has been reported to be positive in memory deficits. However, no clarity on the mechanisms responsible for the neuroprotective effects of RW-9 peptide against AD-like symptoms. Herein, it found that RW-9 intervention showed various improving effects in cognitive-behavioral tests and alleviated oxidative stress and inflammation in the scopolamine-induced mice model. The hippocampus proteomics analysis revealed the upregulation of memory-related proteins, including Grin3a, Ppp2r1b, Stat6, Pik3cd, Slc5a7, Chrm2, mainly involved in cAMP signaling, PI3K-Akt signaling, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. The administration of RW-9 significantly upregulated the neurotransmitters, including 5-HT, DA, and Arg, in mice brains. Moreover, it regulated the serum metabolic profile and increased the expression levels of ABC transporters, biosynthesis of amino acids, and Amino acyl-tRNA biosynthesis, among others. The 16s-rRNA results illustrated that the RW-9 restored the abundance of Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillus, Clostridia and Bactericides. Taken together, our results suggest that the RW-9 may prevent the AD-like symptoms via modulation of the gut-serum-brain axis.Keywords: oat protein, active peptide, neuroprotective, gut-brain axis
Procedia PDF Downloads 2759 Techno-Economic Assessment of Aluminum Waste Management
Authors: Hamad Almohamadi, Abdulrahman AlKassem, Majed Alamoudi
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Dumping Aluminum (Al) waste into landfills causes several health and environmental problems. The pyrolysis process could treat Al waste to produce AlCl₃ and H₂. Using the Aspen Plus software, a techno-economic and feasibility assessment has been performed for Al waste pyrolysis. The Aspen Plus simulation was employed to estimate the plant's mass and energy balance, which was assumed to process 100 dry metric tons of Al waste per day. This study looked at two cases of Al waste treatment. The first case produces 355 tons of AlCl₃ per day and 9 tons of H₂ per day without recycling. The conversion rate must be greater than 50% in case 1 to make a profit. In this case, the MSP for AlCl₃ is $768/ton. The plant would generate $25 million annually if the AlCl₃ were sold at $1000 per ton. In case 2 with recycling, the conversion has less impact on the plant's profitability than in case 1. Moreover, compared to case 1, the MSP of AlCl₃ has no significant influence on process profitability. In this scenario, if AlCl₃ were sold at $1000/ton, the process profit would be $58 million annually. Case 2 is better than case 1 because recycling Al generates a higher yield than converting it to AlCl₃ and H₂.Keywords: aluminum waste, aspen plus, process modelling, fast pyrolysis, techno-economic assessment
Procedia PDF Downloads 9258 Gender Discrepancies in Current Pedagogical and Curricular Practices in EFL Higher Education Settings
Authors: Hamad Aldosari
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the status of sexism, or gender discrepancies, in current pedagogical and curricular practices in EFL learning higher education settings. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of both course contents and pedagogies in Saudi higher education institutions are to be discussed with reference to female/male topic presentation in dialogs and reading passages, sex-based activity types, stereotyped sex roles and the masculine generic conceptions of male superiority subliminally related in EFL curriculum and pedagogical practices, as well as the causes and effects of segregated language education practices in Saudi Arabia from a holistic vantage point of analysis. Analysis findings show that language educational practices including educational settings and segregation are gender-biased in attitude, but with regard to curriculum, sexism has not been traced. Findings also show that sexism is rampant due to socio-cultural aspects of language education rather than to religious reasons: a finding that seems to mirror the institutionalized unfair sex discrimination to the disadvantage of women in the Arabian societies at large.Keywords: genderism, sex segregation, Saudi Arabia, EFL
Procedia PDF Downloads 28257 Incidence of Anaemia in Female Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Fatima Abu Baker Hamad
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Anaemia is a public health problem that affects population in both rich and poor countries. Although the primary cause is iron deficiency, it is seldom present in isolation. More frequently it coexists with a number of other causes, such as malaria, parasitic infection, nutritional deficiencies and hemoglobin apathies. That was the people in Sudan suffered from it .Anaemia has a high prevalence in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to find the incidence of anaemia in new cases of Sudanese female breast patients attending the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Gezira University, Sudan. The study was performed on 250 female breast cancer patients, the age range was (20-70) years and the mean age was 45.99±0.82. The hemoglobin level was measured by SYSMEX-KX2lM.As result 144(58.8) of patients presented with anaemia, between moderate to severe. Forty four (17.6%) of the patients were found to be under weight, 31 of them were anaemic. While 105(42%) of the patients were overweight and obese, 52 of them were anaemic. The incidence of anaemia in newly diagnosed Sudanese female breast cancer patients presented at NCI is association presentation with advance disease stage. Also it is related to age, state of nutrition and social economic factors. Early cancer detection which leads to effective treatment and reduced complication of diseases included anaemia is recommended.Keywords: anaemia, breast cancer, stages of disease, malaria
Procedia PDF Downloads 38756 Long Term Strength Behavior of Hemp-Concrete
Authors: Elie Awwad, Bilal Hamad, Mounir Mabsout, Helmi Khatib
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The paper reports test results on the long-term behavior of sustainable hemp-concrete material prepared in research work conducted at the American University of Beirut. The tests results are in terms of compressive and splitting tensile tests conducted on standard 150x300 mm cylinders. A control mix without fibers, one polypropylene-concrete mix, and ten hemp-concrete mixes were prepared with different percentages of industrial hemp fibers and reduced coarse aggregate contents. The objective was to investigate the strength properties of hemp-reinforced concrete at 1.5 years age as compared with control mixes. The results indicated that both the compressive strength and the splitting tensile strength results of all tested cylinders increased as compared with the 28-days values. Also, the difference between the hemp-concrete samples and the control samples at 28 days was maintained at 1.5 years age indicating that hemp fibers did not exhibit any negative effect on the long-term strength properties of concrete.Keywords: hemp-reinforced concrete, natural fibers, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength
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