Serum Lipoprotein(a) Levels are Greater in Female than Male Patients with Type-2 Diabetes

Women with diabetes are faced with a higher risk of dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disorders than men with diabetes. We aimed to study the role of gender and menopausal status in serum Lp(a) levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. We quantified serum Lp(a) levels in a group of 477 patients with type 2 diabetes (men, premenopausal and postmenopausal women with diabetes), as well as in 105 controls. We stratified the patients into two groups of low Lp(a) levels (Lp(a) <35 mg/dl) and elevated Lp(a) levels (Lp(a) >35 mg/dl). Patients with diabetes had higher serum Lp(a) levels than the controls. Serum Lp(a) levels was significantly higher in women with diabetes than men with diabetes. Lp(a) levels did not differ between male and females in the control group. Premenopausal and postmenopausal women with diabetes did not differ significantly in serum Lp(a) levels. The odds ratio of having a serum Lp(a) level higher than 35 was 5.85 in premenopausal women with diabetes, 5.08 in postmenopausal women with diabetes, 2.41 in men with diabetes and 1.9 in the women in the control group compared to the men in the control group, after adjustment for age and BMI. This observational study clearly indicated that serum Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in women and men with diabetes. The increase in women was independent of menopause. The level of serum Lp(a) had no correlation with lipid parameters in men or women.     

Thermoelectric composite structure with desirable mechanical properties for high-performance multi-functional applications

Thermoelectric (TE) structures based on energy harvesting technology have played a vital role in wide-reaching applications. In this study, a composite structure consisting of a glass fabric covered with a nanocomposite membrane (polyacrylonitrile [PAN]/carbon nanotube [CNT]/copper oxide nanoparticle [CuO]) was prepared to provide thermoelectric conversion. The performance of the TE composite structure was evaluated by analyzing the mechanical properties, thermoelectric properties, and the ability of the structure to power small electronic equipment. The results showed that the nanocomposite membrane was effective in improving the electrical properties, whereas the glass fabric could significantly suppress the thermal conductivity. The results suggest that the glass fabric covered with nanocomposite fibers containing nanofillers (15 wt% CNT & 15 wt% CuO) has a high potential to enhance the resistance against external force by 56% on average, compared to the uncovered glass fabric. Besides the power factor of the TE composite structure can reach up to 19.61 μW m⁻¹ K⁻², which can power an output voltage of 3.2 V at a temperature difference from 20 to 80°C.     

ANALYSIS OF A GEODESIC DOME SOLAR FRUIT DRYER

This paper analyzes use of geodesic domes as low cost and practical solar energy drying systems, especially for developing countries. A geodesic dome solar fruit dryer was designed, constructed and tested for drying grapes. The structure was constructed using wooden members, covered with transparent tedlar plastic and a black absorber inner shell. Fresh air is heated in the space between the outer shell and the absorber sheet. The hot air then passes through the fruits on the trays and exits from the top. The dryer was tested for drying grapes under two different modes, namely natural convection and forced air flow. In addition, theoretical results were obtained by thermal-electrical simulation and considering the heat and mass transfer phenomena between the air and the grapes.     

The Best Common Ways to Manage Barite Sag in HPHT and Deviated Operations With a Case Study in the Iran Oil Industry

Abstract

Barite sag is an oilfield term used to describe significant density variations while circulating bottoms up after a trip, logging run, or other operation that requires the mud to remain static for an extended period of time. Sag is caused by static or dynamic settling followed by slumping of the weighted material. Static sag, as the name suggests, is caused when circulating is stopped for an extended period of time, and the weighting agents begin to settle under the influence of gravity. Due to slumping, dynamic sag occurs frequently in inclined holes. However, the problem has been exacerbated by the increased frequently of high-angle wells with the associated increase in particle settling rate, which occurs in an inclined fluid column. The settling of solids is enhanced by convective currents created by density differences in the fluid across the annulus cross-section. This effect is frequently referred to as the Boycott effect. The authors present the most effective ways to avoid the occurrence of barite sag in high-pressure high-temperature drilling operations, and in high-angle wells beside a case study in Gachsaran formation in the Ahwaz oil field of Iran. The methods include replacing barite with other weighted materials such as ilmenite or manganese tetraoxide. The lower the Equivalent Circulating Density, the higher the rate of drilling operation as well as the lower pressure losses especially in mud pumps. The authors introduce a new water-based mud formulation that uses attapulgite and xanthan gum as viscosifiers. By using a Brookfield viscometer (DV-II + Pro), viscosities of different muds at ultralow shear rates were measured. According to their rheological properties, a desirable mud formulation was developed.     

Bio-oil production and upgrading research: A review

Biomass can be utilized to produce bio-oil, a promising alternative energy source for the limited crude oil. There are mainly two processes involved in the conversion of biomass to bio-oil: flash pyrolysis and hydrothermal liquefaction. The cost of bio-oil production from biomass is relatively high based on current technologies, and the main challenges are the low yield and poor bio-oil quality. Considerable research efforts have been made to improve the bio-oil production from biomass. Scientific and technical developments towards improving bio-oil yield and quality to date are reviewed, with an emphasis on bio-oil upgrading research. Furthermore, the article covers some major issues that associated with bio-oil from biomass, which includes bio-oil basics (e.g., characteristics, chemistry), application, environmental and economic assessment. It also points out barriers to achieving improvements in the future.     

The effect of different solvents on the density of undersaturated athabasca bitumen: Application in VAPEX and ES-SAGD

Predicting the density of bitumen after solvent injection is highly required in solvent-based recovery techniques like expanding solvent-steam assisted gravity drainage (ES-SAGD) and vapor extraction (VAPEX) in order to estimate the cumulative oil recovery by these processes. Using experimental procedures for this purpose is so expensive and time-consuming; therefore, it is crucial to propose a rapid and accurate model for predicting the effect of various solvents on the dilution of bitumen. In this study, an adaptive neuro-fuzzy interference system is introduced to estimate the effect of methane, ethane, propane, butane, carbon dioxide, and n-hexane on the density of undersaturated Athabasca bitumen in wide ranges of operating conditions. The obtained results were in an excellent agreement with experimental data with coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.99997 and 0.99948 for training and testing datasets, respectively. Statistical analyses illustrate the superiority of the proposed model in predicting the bitumen density at different conditions.