From green remediation to polymer hybrid fabrication with improved optical band gaps

The present work proposed a novel approach for transferring high-risk heavy metals tometal complexes via green chemistry remediation. The method of remediation of heavy metals developed in the present work is a great challenge for global environmental sciences and engineering because it is a totally environmentally friendly procedure in which black tea extract solution is used. The FTIR study indicates that black tea contains enough functional groups (OH and NH), polyphenols and conjugated double bonds. The synthesis of copper complex was confirmed by the UV-vis, XRD and FTIR spectroscopic studies. The XRD and FTIR analysis reveals the formation of complexation between Cu metal complexes and Poly (Vinyl Alcohol) (PVA) host matrix. The study of optical parameters indicates that PVA-based hybrids exhibit a small optical band gap, which is close to inorganic-based materials. It was noted that the absorption edge shifted to lower photon energy. When Cu metal complexes were added to PVA polymer, the refractive index was significantly tuned. The band gap shifts from 6.2 eV to 1.4 eV for PVA incorporated with 45 mL of Cu metal complexes. The nature of the electronic transition in hybrid materials was examined based on the Taucs model, while a close inspection of the optical dielectric loss was also performed in order to estimate the optical band gap. The obtained band gaps of the present work reveal that polymer hybrids with sufficient film-forming capability could be useful to overcome the drawbacks associated with conjugated polymers. Based on the XRD results and band gap values, the structure-property relationships were discussed in detail. © 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

A study of tensile test on open-cell aluminum foam sandwich

Aluminum foam sandwich (AFS) panels are one of the growing materials in the various industries because of its lightweight behavior. AFS also known for having excellent stiffness to weight ratio and high-energy absorption. Due to their advantages, many researchers’ shows an interest in aluminum foam material for expanding the use of foam structure. However, there is still a gap need to be fill in order to develop reliable data on mechanical behavior of AFS with different parameters and analysis method approach. Least of researcher focusing on open-cell aluminum foam and statistical analysis. Thus, this research conducted by using open-cell aluminum foam core grade 6101 with aluminum sheets skin tested under tension. The data is analyzed using full factorial in JMP statistical analysis software (version 11). ANOVA result show a significant value of the model which less than 0.500. While scatter diagram and 3D plot surface profiler found that skins thickness gives a significant impact to stress/strain value compared to core thickness

Development of a novel 3D gut-microbiota model for the assessment of absorption and metabolism of health supplements and therapeutic drugs

The human body hosts a vast number of microorganisms such as bacteria, archaea, and viruses that are colonised inside and outside the body. This combination of microorganisms living within the human body is known as microbiota. The human microbiota varies depending on the anatomical site such as the skin, the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract, and the genitourinary tract. Microbiota’s composition and function can also vary according to the age, sex, race, and diet of its host. This research focuses on the microbiota present in the gastrointestinal tract and how it can affect the absorption of molecules. By using two types of epithelial cell lines, Caco-2 and HT29-MTX and a bacterial strain, lactobacillus bacteria. To upgrade the existing Caco-2 model. The cells were cultured in specialised plates until differentiation. Erythromycin, vitamin D3, and linoleic acid were used as test compounds. TEER and Lucifer yellow were used to monitor the integrity and formation of the monolayer. Absorption of the three molecules were studied by mass spectrometry. The results indicated that the combination of cells and bacteria produced similar results to the ADMETox model currently in use the pharmaceutical industry

On Pairwise λ-Open Soft Sets and Pairwise Locally Closed Soft Sets

Kandil and his colleagues [10], introduced the notion of -closed soft set by involving -soft set and -closed soft set. In this paper, we give some additional properties of -closed soft sets. We also introduce and study a related new class of -spaces which lies between  and  . Moreover, we show that there exists a very important relation between the notion of -closed soft sets and the  property, ,  , . In addition, we offer the notion of -locally closed soft sets and we investigate a related new pairwise soft separation axiom  which is independent from . The relationships between the -closed soft sets and the -locally closed soft sets are obtained. Furthermore, we introduce the notion of -open soft sets and we construct supra soft topology associated with the class of -open soft sets and we present pairwise soft separation axioms related to such soft sets, namely . We provide some illustrative examples to support the results

Optimal Design and Techno-economic Analysis of a Hybrid Solar-wind Power Resource: A Case Study at Al Baha University, KSA

This study presents a feasibility analysis of supplying the measured load of Al Baha University in Saudi Arabia by renewable resources including solar photovoltaic (PV), wind turbine (WT), and storage banks instead of the current conventional grid. The objective of this paper is to find the optimum system that has the lowest net present cost (NPC) and greenhouse emission CO2. The metrological data and load profile are collected at the desired location. The simulation results show that NPC of a proposed combination of Grid/PV/WT system, at the current grid’s tariff of 0.085$/kWh, is more efficient than other configurations with power load shortage (<0.1$/kWh, 0.075 $/ kWh, and 0.048$/kWh at the educational building, administration building, and total campuses’ load, respectively. The developed methods conclude that the objective function and simulation results are feasible for the selected loads at Al Baha University. The current analyses can be adopted to install the real renewable energy system at the desired University

Performance of electrical discharge machining (EDM) with nickel added dielectric fluid

In this study, the effect of nickel powder mixed dielectric fluid on Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) performance of mild steel has been carried out. Peak current, tool/electrode diameter and concentration of powder are the process parameters. The process performance is measured in terms of material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), and surface roughness (SR). The experiment has been designed using a Full Factorial in Design of Experiment (DOE) software. The research outcome is to identify the important process parameters that maximize MRR and minimize TWR and SR. The experiment has been carried out using 2 levels of current (3.5 A and 6.5 A), tool diameters (14 mm and 20 mm) and Nickel powder concentrations (0 g/l and 6 g/l). The weight of the mild steel work piece and copper electrode are measured before and after each run. Based on the results, current is the most significant parameter affecting MRR, TWR, and SR. It was also found that with added nickel powder in the dielectric fluid, the tool life is longer and surface roughness of the work piece is improved. Furthermore, it was shown that both MRR and TWR increased with the increase in tool diameter. However, SR was improved as tool diameter increased but its effect was not very significant

Factors Associated with High Prevalence of Intestinal Protozoan Infections among Patients in Sana'a City, Yemen

Intestinal protozoan diseases in Yemen are a significant health problem with prevalence ranging from 18% to 27%. The present study is a cross-sectional study aimed at determining the factors associated with the high prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections among patients seeking health care in Sana'a City, the capital of Yemen. (0.4%). Multivariate analysis using forward stepwise logistic regression based on intestinal protozoan infections showed that contact with animals (OR = 1.748, 95% CI = 1.168–2.617) and taking bath less than twice a week (OR = 1.820, 95% CI = 1.192–2.779) were significant risk factors of protozoan infections. infections being most common. Statistical analysis indicated that low personal hygiene and contact with animals were important predictors for intestinal protozoan infections. As highlighted in this study, in order to effectively reduce these infections, a multi-sectoral effort is needed. Preventive measures should include good hygienic practices, good animal husbandry practices, heightened provision of educational health programs, health services in all governorates including rural areas. Furthermore, it is also essential to find radical solutions to the recent water crises in Yemen