Conceptual compression discussion on a multi-linear (FTA) and systematic (FRAM) method in an offshore operation’s accident modeling

Risk assessment can be classified into two broad categories: traditional and modern. This paper is aimed at contrasting the functional resonance analysis method (FRAM) as a modern approach with the fault tree analysis (FTA) as a traditional method, regarding assessing the risks of a complex system. Applied methodology by which the risk assessment is carried out, is presented in each approach. Also, FRAM network is executed with regard to nonlinear interaction of human and organizational levels to assess the safety of technological systems. The methodology is implemented for lifting structures deep offshore. The main finding of this paper is that the combined application of FTA and FRAM during risk assessment, could provide complementary perspectives and may contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of an incident. Finally, it is shown that coupling a FRAM network with a suitable quantitative method will result in a plausible outcome for a predefined accident scenario.     

The use and safety of medications known to affect driving in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the main driving-impairing medications used by drivers in Jordan, the reported frequency of medication side effects, the frequency of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) while using driving-impairing medicines, as well as factors associated with MVCs.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 1,049 individuals (age 18–75 years) who are actively driving vehicles and taking at least one medication known to affect driving (anxiolytics, antidepressants, hypnotics, antiepileptics, opioids, sedating antihistamines, hypoglycemic agents, antihypertensives, central nervous system [CNS] stimulants, and herbals with CNS-related effects) was conducted in Amman, Jordan, over a period of 8 months (September 2013–May 2014) using a structured validated questionnaire.

Results: Sixty-three percent of participants noticed a link between a medicine taken and feeling sleepy and 57% stated that they experience at least one adverse effect other than sleepiness from their medication. About 22% of the participants reported having a MVC while on medication. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that among the participants who reported having a crash while taking a driving-impairing medication, the odds ratios were significantly higher for the use of inhalant substance (odds ratio [OR] = 2.787, P = .014), having chronic conditions (OR = 1.869, P = .001), and use of antiepileptic medications (OR = 2.348, P = .008) and significantly lower for the use of antihypertensives (OR = 0.533, P = .008).

Conclusion: The study results show high prevalence of adverse effects of medications with potential for driving impairment, including involvement in MVCs. Our findings highlight the types of patient-related and medication-related factors associated with MVCs in Jordan, such as inhalant use, presence of chronic conditions, and use of antiepileptics.     

Investigation of the Thermosensitive Nanosphere Polymer in Removing Organophosphorus Pesticides from Water and Its Isotherm Study (Case Study: Diazinon)

In this research, a novel thermosensitive nanosphere polymer (TNP) was synthesized by copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide with 3-allyloxy-1,2-propanediol for the removal of diazinon from water. The characterization of the synthesized adsorbent has been performed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis. Batch adsorption method was performed to investigate the influences of various parameters like pH, temperature and contact time on the adsorption of diazinon. The equilibrium adsorption data of diazinon by TNP was studied by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Redlich–Peterson model. According to equilibrium adsorption results, the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin constants were evaluated to be 0.912 (L/mg), 7.916 (mg/g) (L/mg)^1/n and 2.494 respectively at pH 7 and room temperature. Based on Redlich–Peterson model analysis, the equilibrium data for the adsorption of diazinon was conformed well to the Langmuir isotherm model. This method was successfully applied for removal of diazinon from environmental samples. Moreover, in reusing of TNP, the sorption capacity was maintained without any significant change after 10 cycles of sorption–desorption process.     

Phosphate-arsenate relations to affect arsenic concentration in plant tissues,growth, and antioxidant efficiency of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) under arsenic stress

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Relations between phosphate and arsenate are important but inconsistent to influence arsenic (As) phytotoxicity depending on many plant and soil...     

Root responses to soil Ni heterogeneity in a hyperaccumulator and a non-accumulator species

We compared root responses of the Ni-hyperaccumulator plant Berkheya coddii Rossler with the non-accumulator plant Cicer arietinum L. to Ni heterogeneity in soil. We grew plants in growth containers filled with control soil, homogeneously spiked, and heterogeneously spiked soil with Ni concentrations of 62 and 125 mg kg^?1. Neutron radiography (NR) was used to observe the root distribution and the obtained images were analysed to reveal the root volumes in the spiked and unspiked segments of the growth container. There was no significant difference in root distribution pattern of B. coddii among different concentrations of Ni. Unlike B. coddii, the roots of C. arietinum initially grew into the spiked segments. However, the later developing roots did not penetrate the spiked segment suggesting an avoidance strategy. Our results indicate that, B. coddii does not forage towards the Ni-rich patches, although presence of Ni in soil changes its root morphology.     

Speciation and antimicrobial resistance of Enterococci isolated from recreational beaches in Malaysia

We report the first study on the occurrence of antibiotic-resistant enterococci in coastal bathing waters in Malaysia. One hundred and sixty-five enterococci isolates recovered from two popular recreational beaches in Malaysia were speciated and screened for antibiotic resistance to a total of eight antibiotics. Prevalence of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium was highest in both beaches. E. faecalis/E. faecium ratio was 0.384:1 and 0.375:1, respectively, for isolates from Port Dickson (PD) and Bagan Lalang (BL). Analysis of Fisher’s exact test showed that association of prevalence of E. faecalis and E. faecium with considered locations was not statistically significant (p?<?0.05). Chi-square test revealed significant differences (χ ²?=?82.630, df?=?20, p?<?0.001) in the frequency of occurrence of enterococci isolates from the considered sites. Resistance was highest to nalidixic acid (94.84 %) and least for chloramphenicol (8.38 %). One-way ANOVA using Tukey–Kramer multiple comparison test showed that resistance to ampicillin was higher in PD beach isolates than BL isolates and the difference was extremely statistically significant (p?<?0.0001). Frequency of occurrence of multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) isolates were higher for PD beach water (64.29 %) as compared to BL beach water (13.51 %), while MAR indices ranged between 0.198 and 0.48. The results suggest that samples from Port Dickson may contain MAR bacteria and that this could be due to high-risk faecal contamination from sewage discharge pipes that drain into the sea water.     

Industrialization,Freight Transport and Environmental Quality: Evidence from Belt and Road Initiative Economies

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Belt and Road initiative has been proposed by China to initiate the cooperation among relevant countries in sector of energy and Trade. The...     

Groundwater vulnerability to selenium in semi-arid environments: Amman Zarqa Basin,Jordan

An evaluation of ~250 samples of groundwater in the Amman Zarqa Basin for selenium along with other major and trace elements showed that concentrations of Se ranged between 0.09 and 742 μg/L, with an average value of about 24 μg/L. Selenium concentrations exceeded the recommended threshold for drinking water of the World Health Organization (WHO; 10 μ/L of Se) in 114 samples, with greater than 50 μg/L (quantity equivalent to the Jordanian standard of the allowed concentration of the element in water) of Se in nine cases. The average concentrations of Se in the lower, middle, and upper aquifers of the basin were 3.41, 32.99, and 9.19 μg/L, respectively. Based on the correlation with geologic formations and the statistical analysis of major/minor constituents and Piper tri-linear diagrams, we suggest that carbonate/phosphate dissolution, oxidation–reduction processes, and fertilizers/irrigation return flow are, together, the primary factors affecting the chemistry of the groundwater. Factor analysis helped to define the relative role of limestone-dolomitic dissolution in the aquifers (calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate), agricultural activities (sulfate, nitrates, phosphorus, and potassium), oxidation–reduction factor (Eh, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, and Se), and anthropogenic (industrial) factor (EC, Fe, Cr, Co, Zn, and As). The high variability in Se concentrations might be related to the possibility of a multi-source origin of Se in the area.     

Yield gap analysis of major food crops in Pakistan: prospects for food security

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The concept of yield gap analysis can be used to meet the growing demands for agricultural products. Sustainable development goals (e.g. SDG1 and...     

Heavy metal concentration in sediment, benthic, benthopelagic, and pelagic fish species from Musa Estuary (Persian Gulf)

The concentration of Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, and Pb was measured in sediment and three fish species collected from Musa Estuary, Persian Gulf. The concentration order of heavy metals in sediment were Ni > Co > Cu > Pb > Cd >. Concentrations of the heavy metals in the fish were apparently different among the three species. The concentrations of Cd and Ni in fish were Johnius belangerii > Euryglossa orientalis > Liza abu, while the Co and Cu levels were L. abu > E. orientalis > J. belangerii and E. orientalis > L. abu > J. belangerii, respectively. Result of regression analysis showed that there were no significant relationships between metal concentration in fish tissues and sediment, except for Ni concentration in the J. belangerii liver. The concentrations of studied metals in fish muscle were below the permissible limits proposed by FAO, WHO, and EC.