Total project cost: a simplified model for decision makers

A simplified model for total project cost is developed in this paper to meet the numerous requests from decision makers for a model that can be used to estimate the total project cost from the estimated cash flows and, more importantly, to check the accuracy of the project cost estimates in feasibility studies that require prudent decisions. It begins with a base cost estimate in constant dollars and discrete cash flows with discrete inflation rates as practised by the construction industry. The discrete inflation rates are used to estimate the current dollar costs of the project. The effects of inflation are estimated as escalation during construction. Using the future value concept, interest during construction is estimated, in a simplified approach, to estimate the total project cost. Data from an actual feasibility study is used to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the simplified model. The model is extended to treat discrete cash flows with continuous inflation rates.     

Elicitation of subjective probabilities for economic risk analysis: An investigation

This paper investigates three major issues regarding the elicitation of expert knowledge for economic risk analysis: (1) recognition of some of the implicit assumptions and beliefs; (2) development of an approach to elicit expert knowledge as accurate, calibrated and coherent subjective probabilities; and (3)a study to explore human ability to predict future events and the validity of the implicit assumptions and beliefs in the context of the expert judgements. The proposed elicitation approach combines the theoretical requirements for valid subjective probabilities with a practical process. The recognition that some of the implicit assumptions and beliefs in engineering risk analysis should be explored when dealing with the human ability to predict future events, and the inherent difficulties in developing experiments and methods to test such beliefs arc some of the benefits of the study. Directions for future work are suggested.     

Fabrication of protective-coated SiC reinforced tungsten matrix composites with reduced reaction phases by spark plasma sintering

SiC reinforced tungsten matrix composites were fabricated via the spark plasma sintering process. In order to prevent an interfacial reaction between the SiC and tungsten during sintering, TiOx coated SiC particles were synthesized by a solution-based process. TiOx layer coated SiC particles were treated in high temperature nitriding conditions or annealed in a high temperature vacuum to form TiN or TiC coated SiC particles, respectively. The TiC layers coated on SiC particles successfully prevented tungsten from reacting with SiC; hence the proposed process resulted in successful fabrication of the SiC/W composites. The mechanical properties such as compressive strength and flexural strength of the composites were measured. Additionally, the effect of SiC on the high temperature oxidative ablation of tungsten was also investigated. The addition of SiC resulted in an improved oxidative ablation resistance of the tungsten-based composites.     

Development of spark plasma sintered conductive SiC–TiB2 composites for electrical discharge machining applications

Highly dense electrically conductive silicon carbide (SiC)–(0, 10, 20, and 30 vol%) titanium boride (TiB₂) composites with 10 vol% of Y₂O₃–AlN additives were fabricated at a relatively low temperature of 1800°C by spark plasma sintering in nitrogen atmosphere. Phase analysis of sintered composites reveals suppressed β→α phase transformation due to low sintering temperature, nitride additives, and nitrogen sintering atmosphere. With increase in TiB₂ content, hardness increased from 20.6 to 23.7 GPa and fracture toughness increased from 3.6 to 5.5 MPa m^1/2. The electrical conductivity increased to a remarkable 2.72 × 10³ (Ω cm)^–1 for SiC–30 vol% TiB₂ composites due to large amount of conductive reinforcement, additive composition, and sintering in nitrogen atmosphere. The successful electrical discharge machining illustrates potential of the sintered SiC–TiB₂ composites toward extending the application regime of conventional SiC-based ceramics.     

A Review of the Common Neurodegenerative Disorders: Current Therapeutic Approaches and the Potential Role of Nanotherapeutics

Neurodegenerative disorders are primarily characterized by neuron loss. The most common neurodegenerative disorders include Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Although there are several medicines currently approved for managing neurodegenerative disorders, a large majority of them only help with associated symptoms. This lack of pathogenesis-targeting therapies is primarily due to the restrictive effects of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), which keeps close to 99% of all “foreign substances” out of the brain. Since their discovery, nanoparticles have been successfully used for targeted delivery into many organs, including the brain. This review briefly describes the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and their current management approaches. We then highlight the major challenges of brain-drug delivery, followed by the role of nanotherapeutics for the diagnosis and treatment of various neurological disorders.     

Cu-K/Al2O3 based catalysts for conversion of carbon dioxide to methane and carbon monoxide

Abstract

A series of Cu-K/Al₂O₃ catalysts were synthesized by wet impregnation technique. The reduced catalysts were further used for conversion of carbon dioxide to methane and carbon monoxide. Moreover, the fresh and used catalysts were characterized to investigate the changes in the surface morphology, metal dispersion, surface area, crystalline phases, and functional groups of studied catalysts. The SEM analysis of fresh and spent catalysts showed no remarkable difference in surface morphology with irregular shaped agglomerated particles. Furthermore, TEM micrographs presented the well distribution of metal catalyst over alumina support. The decrease in surface area from 115 to 77?m²/g for Cu_1.62-K_0.5/Al₂O₃ after reaction was related to sintering and oxidation of catalyst during reaction. XRD revealed the disappearance of some minor peaks which can be associated with the sintering of spent catalyst. FTIR also presented some new peak for spent catalyst which can be linked with metal oxides. Moreover, various reaction conditions of temperature (230, 400, and 600?°C), pressure (1 and 7?bar), and feed molar ratio of H₂/CO₂ (2:1 and 4:1) were investigated using different Cu loading (0, 1, 1.25, 1.62, and 4 weight percent). A maximum CO₂ conversion of 63% with 39% CH₄ selectivity was achieved by using Cu_1.62-K_0.5/Al₂O₃ at 600?°C, molar ratio of H₂/CO₂ 4 under 7?bar. The presence of K on the surface of synthesized catalyst increased the CO₂ conversion from 48% (Cu₁/Al₂O₃) to 55% (Cu₁-K_0.5/Al₂O₃) at above mentioned reaction conditions which suggested the promoter effect of K during conversion of carbon dioxide.     

Differential Physio-Biochemical and Metabolic Responses of Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under Multiple Abiotic Stress Conditions

The frequency and severity of extreme climatic conditions such as drought, salinity, cold, and heat are increasing due to climate change. Moreover, in the field, plants are affected by multiple abiotic stresses simultaneously or sequentially. Thus, it is imperative to compare the effects of stress combinations on crop plants relative to individual stresses. This study investigated the differential regulation of physio-biochemical and metabolomics parameters in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) under individual (salt, drought, cold, and heat) and combined stress treatments using multivariate correlation analysis. The results showed that combined heat, salt, and drought stress compounds the stress effect of individual stresses. Combined stresses that included heat had the highest electrolyte leakage and lowest relative water content. Lipid peroxidation and chlorophyll contents did not significantly change under combined stresses. Biochemical parameters, such as free amino acids, polyphenol, starch, and sugars, significantly changed under combined stresses compared to individual stresses. Free amino acids increased under combined stresses that included heat; starch, sugars, and polyphenols increased under combined stresses that included drought; proline concentration increased under combined stresses that included salt. Metabolomics data that were obtained under different individual and combined stresses can be used to identify molecular phenotypes that are involved in the acclimation response of plants under changing abiotic stress conditions. Peanut metabolomics identified 160 metabolites, including amino acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, organic acids, fatty acids, sugar acids, and other organic compounds. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed that abiotic stresses significantly affected amino acid, amino sugar, and sugar metabolism. The stress treatments affected the metabolites that were associated with the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) and urea cycles and associated amino acid biosynthesis pathway intermediates. Principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and heatmap analysis identified potential marker metabolites (pinitol, malic acid, and xylopyranose) that were associated with abiotic stress combinations, which could be used in breeding efforts to develop peanut cultivars that are resilient to climate change. The study will also facilitate researchers to explore different stress indicators to identify resistant cultivars for future crop improvement programs.     

Corrosion behaviour of some stainless steels in chlorinated Gulf seawater

The corrosion resistance of conventional and high alloy stainless steels (specifically 316L, 317L, 904L, duplex 2205, 3127hMO, 1925hMO, 254SMO, 654SMO and Remanit-4565) was determined electrochemically in chlorinated and unchlorinated Arabian Gulf Seawater at 25 and 50 °C. The stainless steels 316L and 317L were used as reference alloys. The electrochemical potentiodynamic cyclic polarization method was used to determine the passive film break down potential (E _b), protection potential (E _prot) and maximum current attained on scan reversal (I _max). It was found that at 25 °C in chlorinated and unchlorinated seawater and at 50 °C in unchlorinated seawater, stainless steels 316L and 317L have poor resistance to corrosion, Stainless steels 904L and duplex 2205 at 25 °C in chlorinated and unchlorinated seawater showed good resistance to corrosion but at 50 °C these steels failed to resist. The high alloy stainless steels such as 3127hMO, 1925hMO, 254SMO, 654SMO and Remanit-4565 showed better corrosion resistance under all the test conditions.