BACKGROUND: Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) is a marker of atherosclerosis and a predictor of subsequent vascular disease. To date, there has been little research into the automatic detection and quantification of AAC. METHODS: In this study, lateral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans are used to detect AAC; this is possible because of the anatomical position of the abdominal aorta anterior to the lumbar spine. The deformable shape modelling techniques active shape (ASM) and active appearance (AAM) models are used to model the calcified aorta and four vertebrae of the lumbar spine L1-L4. RESULTS: ASM and AAM were trained and tested on 14 DXA images. The shape of both calcified aorta and four lumbar vertebrae were extracted automatically from the DXA scans using combined shape and appearance models. CONCLUSION: ASM and AAM were implemented successfully. The calcified aorta obtained from the DXA scans was segmented using this modelling technique. The next step is to develop a new automated method to quantify the calcification within the aorta. arabic 13 English 89
Karima Elmasri(6-2015)

Abstract: In this study, a three dimensional computer code based on the so called SIMPLE algorithm (which stands for Semi-Implicit Method for Pressure-Linked Equations) developed by McGill University-Montréal-Canada is used for the numerical solution of a laminar fluid flow and heat transfer of impinging four jets in the presence of crossflow with constant temperature boundary condition on the impingement surface. The governing equations solved by the computer code are the continuity equation, three components of the momentum equation and the energy equation. The finite volume method is adopted for the discretisation of the governing equation. In the computer program, the finite difference equations are solved via the primitive pressure-velocity approach where the hybrid difference scheme, which is a combination of the central and upwind differences, is used to represent the convective and diffusive fluxes over the control volume surfaces. The results obtained show that in general, for multiple jets, the induced and imposed crossflow have significant effects on both the flow and temperature fields near the impingement surface. A strong crossflow deflects the jet and prevents it from impinging on the surface resulting in lower heat transfer rates and hence lower temperatures difference.The results also show that reducing the jet separation distances causes an increase of the temperature of the flow, and hence better cooling of impingement surface.
إبتسام عمارة (2008)

The huge volume of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) wastes produced annually by the oil and gas industry in Libya deserves the attention of the national environmental protection authority, radioactive waste management and regulatory bodies. An investigation was carried out to find out the concentration of (NORMs) in evaporation ponds sludge in south eastern oilfield (A/100) of Libya. Twenty soil samples were collected from five evaporation ponds sludge. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in soil generated during oil production operations were determined using a gamma spectroscopy system based on High Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. Concentrations ranged from 83 to 1000 Bq kg–1 for 226Ra, 59 to 315 Bq kg–1 for 232Th and 109 to 304 Bq kg–1 for 40K. To evaluate the radiological effects, radium equivalent activity and external hazard are calculated. The magnitude of these results demonstrates the need of screening oil residues for their radionuclide content in order to decide about possibility of minimize the environmental impact of NORM and their final disposal. Disposal of NORM waste has to be in accordance with national regulations, environmental policy and international agreements and conventions. The researchers recommend limits for clearance and disposal, based on best international practice. arabic 18 English 82
Usama Elghawi (1-2021)