An Experimental Investigation on the Chemical Stability of Selected Formation and Determination of the Proper Type of Water-Base Drilling Fluids. Part 2. Test Results

The objective of this study was to select the proper drilling fluid type and composition for drilling stable holes through the problems of the selected formations. This study was performed on shale samples taken from 10 wells in which hole instability was encountered to various extents during drilling the Germav formation. Both ionic and polymer inhibitions were utilized in formulating the proper drilling for the Germav formation. Ionic inhibition was obtained using KCl and NaCl. Polyanionic polymer (Pac-L) was used for providing the polymer encapsulation. Experimental results indicated that KCl is superior to NaCl in providing ionic inhibition. Both salts lowered the interaction between the drilling fluid and Germav formation, but better results were obtained with KCl. Minimum salt concentration up to 15% yields more inhibitive environment. Polymer inhibition tests indicated that minimum Pac-L concentration required for maintaining the polymer inhibition was about 2 lb/bbl for both systems. In conclusion, KCl/encapsulating polymer system seems to be the most proper water: base drilling fluid available for Germav formation achieving the required wellbore stability. The fluid loss and suspending properties of the proposed system must be controlled using the modified starch and XC polymer.     

Risky driving behavior among university students and staff in the Sultanate of Oman

Background

There is a well developed literature on research investigating the relationship between various driving behaviors and road crash involvement. However, this research has predominantly been conducted in developed economies dominated by western types of cultural environments. To date no research has been published that has empirically investigated this relationship within the context of the emerging economies such as Oman.

Objective

The present study aims to investigate driving behavior as indexed in the driving behavior questionnaire (DBQ) among a group of Omani university students and staff.

Methods

A convenience non-probability self-selection sampling approach was utilized with Omani university students and staff.

Results

A total of 1003 Omani students (n = 632) and staff (n = 371) participated in the survey. Factor analysis of the BDQ revealed four main factors that were errors, speeding violation, lapses and aggressive violation. In the multivariate logistic backward regression analysis, the following factors were identified as significant predictors of being involved in causing at least one crash: driving experience, history of offenses and two DBQ components, i.e., errors and aggressive violation.

Conclusion

This study indicates that errors and aggressive violation of the traffic regulations as well as history of having traffic offenses are major risk factors for road traffic crashes among the sample. While previous international research has demonstrated that speeding is a primary cause of crashing, in the current context, the results indicate that an array of factors is associated with crashes. Further research using more rigorous methodology is warranted to inform the development of road safety countermeasures in Oman that improves overall Traffic Safety Culture.     

A strategic decision framework for a value added supply chain

Supply chains are becoming increasingly complex. The structure of the supply chain and the suppliers who participate in it are critical decisions for managers. The supply chain is no longer simply a source of inputs or services but an integral source of value added. It is clear that in some cases strategic supply chain objectives may require trade-offs, for example, between cost and innovation capability or between managing risk and maximising flexibility. These decisions balancing trade-offs between desirable partner characteristics are critical and can make a significant contribution to business performance. A framework is outlined, based on the foundation of extant literature, within which firms can make strategic decisions on supply chain structure by categorising the characteristics they prioritise in their supply chain strategy. There is also a strong foundation in the literature on developing mathematical models that provide insight into the decision-making process. A mixed integer programming model is specified that incorporates the opportunity for diversification and provides a demand allocation decision. The model is robust enough to allow for single or diversified supplier strategies based not only on capacity constraints but also on risk pooling and minimum performance requirements for key characteristics that form the basis of the strategy. A Lagrangian relaxation is proposed and satisfactory performance results are provided.     

Evolution of the mosaic structure in InGaN layer grown on a thick GaN template and sapphire substrate

The In_xGa_1?xN epitaxial layers, with indium (x) concentration changes between 0.16 and 1.00 (InN), were grown on GaN template/(0001) Al₂O₃ substrate by metal organic chemical vapour deposition. The indium content (x), lattice parameters and strain values in the InGaN layers were calculated from the reciprocal lattice mapping around symmetric (0002) and asymmetric (10–15) reflection of the GaN and InGaN layers. The characteristics of mosaic structures, such as lateral and vertical coherence lengths, tilt and twist angle and heterogeneous strain and dislocation densities (edge and screw dislocations) of the InGaN epilayers and GaN template layers were investigated by using high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) measurements. With a combination of Williamson–Hall (W-H) measurements and the fitting of twist angles, it was found that the indium content in the InGaN epilayers did not strongly effect the mosaic structures’ parameters, lateral and vertical coherence lengths, tilt and twist angle, or heterogeneous strain of the InGaN epilayers.     

Investigation of Rubber-to-Metal Bonding on Solid Rubber Tires

The knowledge on rubber-to-metal adhesion, which is an important issue in manufacturing processes of some automotive and aircraft parts and solid rubber tires, is generally confined within the patented information. This study investigates the factors contributing to the ability to produce strong and permanent rubber-to-metal bonds. Consideration is given to the material factors and methods of surface preparation, for which the quantitative data available in the open literature are very limited. Bonding strengths achieved by two different surface preparation methods are compared. Also discussed are percent elongation, bonding strength, and tensile strength measurements on the samples prepared in accordance with the solid tire recipe and cured at 140°, 150°, 160°, and 170°C. The effect of molding forces on rubber-to-metal bonding is established by applying different force values. The use of “cushion gum” as adhesion medium is proposed as a new way of obtaining successful rubber-to-metal bonding. The effect of the thickness of cushion gum layer on bond strength is presented.     

Neural models for an asymmetric coplanar stripline with an infinitely wide strip

This paper presents a new approach, based on artificial neural networks (ANNs), to determine the characteristic impedance and the effective permittivity of an asymmetric coplanar stripline (ACPS) with an infinitely wide strip. ANNs are trained with five learning algorithms to obtain better performance and faster convergence with simpler structure. The best results for training and test were obtained from the models trained with the Levenberg–Marquardt and the Bayesian regularization algorithms. The results obtained by using the neural model are in very good agreement with the results available in the literature. The neural models presented in this work provide simplicity and accuracy to determine both the parameters of an ACPS. The method is not time consuming and is easily included in a CAD system.     

Multi-featured epoxy composites filled with surface-modified PTFE powders treated by Na-naphthalenide system

This study aimed to produce new multi-featured epoxy composites that are advanced in terms of mechanical properties, wear and impact resistance, and glass transition and heat deflection temperatures. Epoxy composites filled with chemically surface-treated poly (tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) powders at various ratios were prepared to obtain these improved properties. The chemical treatment was carried out via a Na-naphthalenide system. After this treatment, the x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results presented the existence of functional groups such as OH, carbonyl groups, and CC unsaturation points on the surface of the PTFE powders. On the PTFE surfaces, while the atomic ratios of carbon and oxygen were substantially increased, the fluorine ratio presented a significant decrease after the chemical treatment. However, the wear rates of the novel composites were highly advanced despite this large decrease in the fluorine ratio on the surface of the PTFE powders. Moreover, functional groups such as OH, carbonyl groups, and CC unsaturation points and spongelike or network structures on the PTFE surfaces provided the opportunity to obtain strong adhesion and interfacial bonding between the surface-modified PTFE powders and the matrix. Strength and modulus values showed substantial enhancement besides the IZOD impact resistance. All glass transition and heat deflection temperatures were also substantially improved.     

The role of different salt solutions and their concentration ratios in salt crystallization test on the durability of the Döğer tuff (Afyonkarahisar,Turkey) used as building stones of cultural heritages

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - Volcanic tuff is widely used in Anatolian architecture and represents building stones of cultural heritage. The present study included a...     

Design of Rupture Strength of Side Blocks in Elevated Steel Girder Bridges with Elastomeric Bearings

Elastomeric rubber bearings with side blocks have been extensively used as a seismic response-control device in steel girder bridges in Japan. In real scenarios, the behavior of the girder bridges with elastomeric bearings are usually complex because of the complex mechanism by which the seismically induced inertia forces at concrete deck transmits to the girder bearings. Therefore, it is important to carry out seismic response analysis of a whole bridge system considering the interaction between different structural components in order to check the performance of the side blocks during an event of severe earthquakes. The objectives of the present study are to develop a detailed three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of an elevated girder bridge system and to propose a design rupture strength for the side blocks. The FE-model is constructed based on an existing plate girder bridge considering the effect of concrete slab, girders, stiffeners, rubber bearing, pier and the damage control by the side blocks. A sequence of seismic response analysis is then performed using four different rupture forces of the side blocks by considering the Level-2 design earthquake, the 1995 Kobe earthquake and the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. The analytical investigation reveals that the side blocks should be designed to withstand a horizontal force of at least 1200 kN in order to prevent the rupture of the side blocks and to mitigate damage of bridge piers. Moreover, the damage to the critical parts of bridge superstructure can be mitigated by strengthening the side blocks. Based on the analysis results, a retrofit plan to strengthen the side blocks of existing girder bridges is proposed.

     

Residual monomer release from orthodontic adhesives cured with different light sources

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the residual monomer release from orthodontic adhesives cured with light-emitting diode (LED) and halogen light sources.

Methods: Seven hundred and twenty stainless steel brackets were divided into 3 groups according to the adhesive system used (Transbond XT light-cure adhesive [TXT], Transbond LR capsule [LR], and Light Bond light-cure adhesive paste [LB]), and each group was divided into 2 subgroups according to light-curing procedure (LED or halogen). Brackets were bonded with adhesives onto tooth buccal surfaces and polymerized. Each specimen contained 24 brackets that simulated the oral environment (n = 5). The specimens were immersed in a 75% ethanol/water solution at 37 °C for 10 min, 1 h, 1 d, 7 d, 14 d, and 30 d, respectively. Eluted monomers (Bis-GMA, UDMA, and TEGDMA) were detected using HPLC.

Results: There was residual monomer release at all time periods, and the highest amount of release was observed cumulatively on the 30th day. The cumulative Bis-GMA released from adhesives was not different (p > 0.05). The cumulative TEGDMA released from adhesives was statistically different (p < 0.05). There was no statistical difference between QTH and LED light-curing units for each adhesive (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: The release of residual monomers stays at a high level for a long time after polymerization. The total leaching of residual monomers from the Light Bond light-cure sealant resin plus Light Bond light-cure adhesive paste was higher than that of other materials for both curing units. Different curing units (LED or QTH) did not affect the monomer release from the orthodontic adhesives.