King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals

About: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals is a education organization based out in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Adsorption. The organization has 7603 authors who have published 24030 publications receiving 443803 citations. The organization is also known as: College of Petroleum and Minerals.

Polymorphisms in Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine Resistance Transporter and Multidrug Resistance 1 Genes: Parasite Risk Factors That Affect Treatment Outcomes for P. falciparum Malaria After Artemether-Lumefantrine and Artesunate-Amodiaquine

Abstract: Adequate clinical and parasitologic cure by artemisinin combination therapies relies on the artemisinin component and the partner drug. Polymorphisms in the Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine resistance transporter (pfcrt) and P. falciparum multidrug resistance 1 (pfmdr1) genes are associated with decreased sensitivity to amodiaquine and lumefantrine, but effects of these polymorphisms on therapeutic responses to artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and artemether-lumefantrine (AL) have not been clearly defined. Individual patient data from 31 clinical trials were harmonized and pooled by using standardized methods from the WorldWide Antimalarial Resistance Network. Data for more than 7,000 patients were analyzed to assess relationships between parasite polymorphisms in pfcrt and pfmdr1 and clinically relevant outcomes after treatment with AL or ASAQ. Presence of the pfmdr1 gene N86 (adjusted hazards ratio = 4.74, 95% confidence interval = 2.29 - 9.78, P < 0.001) and increased pfmdr1 copy number (adjusted hazards ratio = 6.52, 95% confidence interval = 2.36-17.97, P < 0.001 : were significant independent risk factors for recrudescence in patients treated with AL. AL and ASAQ exerted opposing selective effects on single-nucleotide polymorphisms in pfcrt and pfmdr1. Monitoring selection and responding to emerging signs of drug resistance are critical tools for preserving efficacy of artemisinin combination therapies; determination of the prevalence of at least pfcrt K76T and pfmdr1 N86Y should now be routine.

Biological CO2 fixation with production of microalgae in wastewater – A review

Abstract: Biological CO 2 fixation and wastewater treatment by using microalgae has recently received growing interest. Microalgae can be cultivated in photobioreactors by utilizing CO 2 from point sources such as power plants, cement manufacturing facilities and waste water from industrial, municipal, dairy facilities. These processes can provide the nutrient sources for sunlight microalgae photosynthesis. Thus, microalgae culture can contribute simultaneously to both CO 2 fixation and wastewater treatment. This article presents a critical review, focusing on various photobioreactors and microalgae species cultures in wastewater that can capture high amounts of CO 2 and provide high quality biofuel. In this respect, a number of relevant topics are discussed in this review: a) current wastewater treatment processes, b) wastewater treatment using microalgae, c) classification of photobioreactors, d) microalgae growth parameters and d) the CO 2 capture mechanism.

Decomposition of hydrocarbons to hydrogen and carbon

Abstract: This review assesses technologies and catalysts pertaining to the catalytic decomposition of hydrocarbons for the CO2-free generation of hydrogen for fuel cell applications through a single-step cracking (decomposition, decarbonization, dehydrogenation, pyrolysis, splitting, or dissociation) of hydrocarbons. It discusses and systematically categorizes the options for hydrocarbon decomposition to hydrogen and carbon. This decomposition helps to reduce green house gases by co-producing valuable carbon products such as carbon black or graphite-like carbon (carbon nanotubes or carbon filaments). The catalytic approach comprises metal and carbon-based catalysts while plasma-based decomposition depends on thermal or non-thermal methods. Almost all the proposed processes are applicable to a variety of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbon fuels, and some of these processes can potentially produce a stream of high-purity hydrogen. There have been successful attempts to use catalysts to reduce the maximum temperature of the thermal decomposition of hydrocarbons. Common catalysts used are noble and transition metals such as Ni, Fe, Pd, Co, Mo, etc., supported on high surface area ceramic substrates such as A12O3 and SiO2, etc. Several other publications disclose the use of carbon-based materials as catalysts for decomposition of hydrocarbons into H2 and carbon. The other non-catalytic decomposition methods include non-thermal low-temperature plasmas such as RF (radio frequency), dc (direct current) generators, microwave plasmatrons, and arc plasma jet.

A mechanically bendable superhydrophobic steel surface with self-cleaning and corrosion-resistant properties

Abstract: We present an effective way to develop superhydrophobic steel surface which shows stable superhydrophobicity under harsh mechanical bending. The roughness on the steel surface was created by etching in acid solution and its surface energy was lowered by subsequent hydrophobic silane treatment. The steel etching time in sulfuric acid solution was optimized to 8 h which provides high surface roughness required for superhydrophobicity. A water contact angle of 164 ± 3° and a sliding angle of 9 ± 2° were obtained for the steel surface after surface chemical modification by methyltrichlorosilane. We bent this superhydrophobic steel to 90° and 180° and studied the wetting properties on the bent area, which showed absolutely no change in superhydrophobicity. This superhydrophobic steel surface showed excellent self-cleaning behaviour as well as maintained its superhydrophobic wetting properties under a stream of water jet. Further, the stability of the wetting state was evaluated using a sandpaper abrasion test, adhesive tape peeling test, and under prolonged UV irradiation. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used to confirm the surface chemical composition of the superhydrophobic steel surface. This approach can be applied to steel surfaces of any size and shape to advance their industrial applications.