Synthesis of Optimal Enterprise Networks between Bio-refinery and Petroleum Refinery

The production of transportation fuels from the conversion of biomass into gasoline and diesel in a bio-refinery is an attractive, clean, carbon neutral and sustainable process. The economics of standalone bio-refinery can be improved via integration with an existing petroleum refinery, whereby bio-refinery intermediates can be upgraded using the existing petroleum refinery infrastructure. The current literature considered only limited materials integration between bio-refinery and petroleum refinery. In this work, an efficient mathematical modeling approach for synthesizing optimum enterprise networks between bio-refinery and petroleum refinery is proposed for the utilization of materials and hydrogen across the enterprise

Estimation of real traffic radiated emissions from electric vehicles in terms of the driving profile using neural networks

The increment of the use of electric vehicles leads to a worry about measuring its principal source of environmental pollution: electromagnetic emissions. Given the complexity of directly measuring vehicular radiated emissions in real traffic, the main contribution of this PhD thesis is to propose an indirect solution to estimate such type of vehicular emissions. Relating the on-road vehicular radiated emissions with the driving profile is a complicated task. This is because it is not possible to directly measure the vehicular radiated interferences in real traffic due to potential interferences from another electromagnetic wave sources. This thesis presents a microscopic artificial intelligence model based on neural networks to estimate real traffic radiated emissions of electric vehicles in terms of the driving dynamics. Instantaneous values of measured speed and calculated acceleration have been used to characterize the driving profile. Experimental electromagnetic interference tests have been carried out with a Vectrix electric motorcycle as well as Twizy electric cars in semi-anechoic chambers. Both the motorcycle and the car have been subjected to different urban and interurban driving profiles. Time Domain measurement methodology of electromagnetic radiated emissions has been adopted in this work to save the overall measurement time. The relationship between the magnetic radiated emissions of the Twizy and the corresponding speed has been very noticeable. Maximum magnetic field levels have been observed during high speed cruising in extra-urban driving and acceleration in urban environments. A comparative study of the prediction performance between various static and dynamic neural models has been introduced. The Multilayer Perceptron feedforward neural network trained with Extreme Learning Machines has achieved the best estimation results of magnetic radiated disturbances as function of instantaneous speed and acceleration. In this way, on-road magnetic radiated interferences from an electric vehicle equipped with a Global Positioning System can be estimated. This research line will allow quantify the pollutant electromagnetic emissions of electric vehicles and study new policies to preserve the environment

Estimation of real traffic radiated emissions from electric vehicles in terms of the driving profile using neural networks

The increment of the use of electric vehicles leads to a worry about measuring its principal source of environmental pollution: electromagnetic emissions. Given the complexity of directly measuring vehicular radiated emissions in real traffic, the main contribution of this PhD thesis is to propose an indirect solution to estimate such type of vehicular emissions. Relating the on-road vehicular radiated emissions with the driving profile is a complicated task. This is because it is not possible to directly measure the vehicular radiated interferences in real traffic due to potential interferences from another electromagnetic wave sources. This thesis presents a microscopic artificial intelligence model based on neural networks to estimate real traffic radiated emissions of electric vehicles in terms of the driving dynamics. Instantaneous values of measured speed and calculated acceleration have been used to characterize the driving profile. Experimental electromagnetic interference tests have been carried out with a Vectrix electric motorcycle as well as Twizy electric cars in semi-anechoic chambers. Both the motorcycle and the car have been subjected to different urban and interurban driving profiles. Time Domain measurement methodology of electromagnetic radiated emissions has been adopted in this work to save the overall measurement time. The relationship between the magnetic radiated emissions of the Twizy and the corresponding speed has been very noticeable. Maximum magnetic field levels have been observed during high speed cruising in extra-urban driving and acceleration in urban environments. A comparative study of the prediction performance between various static and dynamic neural models has been introduced. The Multilayer Perceptron feedforward neural network trained with Extreme Learning Machines has achieved the best estimation results of magnetic radiated disturbances as function of instantaneous speed and acceleration. In this way, on-road magnetic radiated interferences from an electric vehicle equipped with a Global Positioning System can be estimated. This research line will allow quantify the pollutant electromagnetic emissions of electric vehicles and study new policies to preserve the environment

Effective of Health Education Program in Knowledge, Attitudes and Practice of Diabetic Septic Foot Patients to Prevent Foot Ulcers at King Fahd General Hospital Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2018 to 2021)

Diabetes is the most common chronic disease worldwide. Although many serious complications can affect the individual with diabetes, foot problems take the greatest. This is an interventional quasi-experimental hospital-based study was conduct in King Fahd General Hospital in Jeddah, king of Saudi Arabia aimed at assessing the effective of health education program in knowledge, attitudes and practice of diabetic septic foot patient to prevent foot ulcer. Sixty diabetic ulcers patients were participating in this study during the period of the study from July 2018 to July 2021. The data was collected by using a questionnaire. The data was analyzed by using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). The study results evident that the percentage of knowledge regarding diabetic septic foot patient to prevent foot ulcer for all items of diabetic septic foot care, were improved after the training program. The results of study regarding knowledge of patients to cause of diabetic foot ulcers were highly increased in percentages in post-intervention compared to pre-intervention. The results regarding education of risk factors of diabetic patients were increased in percentage in post-intervention compared to pre-intervention in education program for correct questions, but for incorrect it decreased also same results were presented in surgical management. The study concluded that there was significant improvement in patients’ knowledge attitude and practice regarding diabetic septic foot care after the education program. So the study recommended that continuing education program for diabetic septic foot patients is very important, learning facilities (books, Journals) about diabetic septic foot care should be available at hospital

Interventional Ultrasound for Ovarian Cyst Aspiration During Pregnancy; A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract: Herewith we present perinatal outcome in pregnancies with ovarian cysts after fine needle aspiration in the second trimester and excision during c-section at term. Outcome was satisfactory for both maternal and fetal. 28 years primigravida presented with huge ovarian cyst, size 18 X 16 cm in her second trimester of pregnancy. The procedure was performed without anaesthesia under ultrasound guidance. Three litres were aspirated within two hours while the patient was on her right lateral position. Cytology of the aspirated fluid revealed a simple ovarian cyst and no evidence of malignancy. The pregnancy continued uneventfully. C-section was done at 37 weeks gestational age.  Ovarian cystectomy was performed. The result of histopathology was benign cystadenoma. We concluded that ovarian cyst aspiration under ultrasound guidance is simple, safe and useful in the management of ultrasonically benign ovarian cysts. We advocate using this procedure in similar situation and same characteristics

Direct Extraction and Assessment of Genomic DNA of Mycetoma Fungi from Black-grains Specimen

Background: Direct isolation of genomic DNA of mycetoma fungi from black-grains achieve rapid diagnosis and may overcome culture disadvantages. Objectives: This study aimed to isolate and assess the DNA of mycetoma fungi using black-grains and to apply amplification of ITS region and nucleotide sequences. Methods: CTAB method was followed by manual homogenization alternatively to liquid nitrogen and glass beads disruption to obtain the genomic DNA. Results: Yielded DNA concentrations vary from 1.50 to 47.97 μg/ml (mean 10.09 μg/ml) while the optimum DNA purity recorded with 75.8% of specimens (n=69/91).Successful amplification of ITS region was done using pan-fungal primers (ITS4/5) with 90.1 (n=82/91)percentage. Species nucleotide sequences were detected with 67 (94.4%) amplicons from a total of 71.Conclusion: The study recommended using of black-grain specimens for DNA extraction of mycetoma fungi parallel with culture to insure rabid diagnosis and identification

Laboratory manifestations of COVID-19 associated with hemostatic abnormalities

Hemostatic abnormalities had been reported in COVID-19 patients, which may include disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), hypercoagulability, and alterations in platelets parameters. Articles that investigate the alterations of hemostatic abnormalities during the COVID-19 disease (2020-2021) and their predictive value of disease outcome have been thoroughly reviewed. Among the reviewed articles, thrombocytopenia is observed in 5.0-41.7% of COVID-19 patients, which is related to disease severity. Moreover, other platelets parameters, including Platelets/lymphocytes ratio (PLR), Mean platelets volume (MPV), and aggregation, may also be affected. On the other hand, findings of coagulation tests such as D dimer; fibrinogen, Antithrombin (AT), and Fibrin degradation products (FDP) are significantly elevated in COVID-19 patients, while in a single study, most of the patients had positive Lupus anticoagulants (LA) and normal protein C (PC). In the same perspective, these alterations showed significant correlations with disease severity. Overall, hemostatic laboratory markers are significant predictors of COVID-19 disease outcome as indicated by the increased risk of venous and arterial thrombotic events, especially in ICU patients. &nbsp

CLINICAL HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECTS OF ALLIUM CEPA (RED ONION) IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus results from defects in insulin secretion and/or insulin action or both. Objectives: The present study was conducted to investigate the hypoglycemic effects of Allium cepa in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.   Results: In type 2 diabetic patients (n=21) the administration of crude Allium cepa (100g) markedly reduced fasting blood glucose levels by 40 mg/dl 4 hours later, compared to glibenclamide (81 mg/dl). Also Allium cepa significantly reduced the induced hyperglycemia (GTT) after ingestion of 75 grams dextrose by 159 mg/dl in the test subgroup (n=7) of type 2 diabetic patients to a point below that produced in the negative control group after 4 hours. Conclusion: Crude Allium cepa produced hypoglycemic effects, thus it could be used as a dietary supplement in management of diabetes

Investigation of Anti-nociceptive Activity of Neem (Azadirachta indica) A. Juss on Acetic Acid Induced Writhing in Rats

Background: Plants represent the principal means of therapy in traditional medicine and the plant kingdom has long served as a prolific source of useful drugs. Objective: This study was undertaken to investigate the anti-nociceptive activity of Azadirachta indica A.juss leaf extract in experimental animals.   Methods: Three doses of methanolic extract of Azadirachta indica leaf (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) to  investigate their potential antinociceptive activity using acetic acid induced writhing in rats compared to morphine and diclofenac sodium as standard drugs.   Results: The methanolic extract of indica at a dose of 400 mg/kg produced 72.01% protection against writhing induced by acetic acid. This result points to approximately equal protection exhibited by 25mg/kg diclofenac sodium. Co-administration of indica (400 mg/kg) and diclofenac (25 mg/kg) produced 100% protection as diclofenac sodium (50mg/kg) and morphine (2.5, 5 mg/kg). Conclusion and recommendation: On the basis of results obtained, the use of indica leaf extract as antinociceptive seems to be promising. Bioassay guided fractionation of the methanolic extract of indica leaf is recommended for safety and efficacious use. Further work on determination of active ingredient(s) and mechanism of action is also needed

Antibacterial Activity and Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of Four Medicinal Plants

       The present study was undertaken to investigate the antibacterial activity and to find the biologically active functional groups of four medicinal plants. The ethanolic extracts which were obtained by maceration were tested against in vitro five bacterial strains, using cup-plate agar diffusion method. Preliminary phytochemical screening techniques were also used to test for the presence and nature of the active constituents in these plant extracts.      Extracts of the plants; Adansonia digitata, Eucalyptus globulus and Trigonella foenum graecum showed a remarkable antibacterial activity against all tested bacterial strains. Meanwhile, the ethanolic extract of Ficus sycomorous exhibited a considerable antibacterial activity against Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeuroginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of terpenes, tannins and saponins in all tested plant extracts, whereas alkaloids and cardiac glycosides were found in appreciable amounts in extracts Trigonella foenum graecum and Adansonia digitata respectively.       It can be concluded that the tested plants demonstrating broad spectra of activity which may help to discover new chemical classes of antibiotics that could serve as selective agents for the maintenance of health