Decay constants, semi-leptonic and non-leptonic decays in a Bethe-Salpeter Model

We evaluate the decay constants for the B and $D$ mesons and the form factors for the semileptonic decays of the B meson to $D$ and $D^*$ mesons in a Bethe-Salpeter model. From data we extract $V_{cb}=0.039 \pm 0.002$ from ${\bar B} \to D^* l {\bar{\nu}}$ and $V_{cb}=0.037 \pm 0.004$ from ${\bar B} \to D l {\bar{\nu}}$ decays. The form factors are then used to obtain non-leptonic decay partial widths for $B\to D \pi (K)$ and $B \to D D (D_s)$ in the factorization approximation.Comment: 15 Pages, 3 Postscript figures (available also from [email protected]

The return of the sacred: Collective action of Copts during Muslim Brotherhood rule

The outbreak of the Arab Spring and the subsequent overthrow of Mubarak in 2011 gave ‎way to the rise of Islamists to power. The Muslim Brotherhood’s regime was perceived ‎by the Coptic community, in particular, as a real threat to Copts’ collective identities. In ‎response, ordinary Christians started to organize around religion as well as the religious ‎group to which they belong in order to manage perceived as well as real fears and ‎uncertainties prevailing at the time. This has eventually incited new patterns of ‎communal political activism among Christians, who seemingly embarked on “street ‎politics” rather than “electoral politics” in resisting the incumbent, which was ‎noticeably seen in the massive protests of June 30th, 2013. This thesis is an engagement with the underlying causes and mechanisms that were ‎motivating collective action of Copts during the Brotherhood’s rule. Broadly, it seeks to ‎establish a linkage between religion and politics. Utilizing a social identity theory and a ‎mixed-method consisting of both qualitative and quantitative indicators, I argue that ‎communal behavior of Copts was basically shaped by growing religious fears shared by ‎Coptic constituencies at the time while the Islamists were in office. Dynamics which ‎were transforming religious worries into real action are further discussed. The current ‎thesis contributes to literature on transition through its emphasis on the causes and ‎mechanisms that construct and reconstruct identities of “subaltern” religious minorities ‎‎(i.e., Egypt’s Copts) during times of sociopolitical transformation.

Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of three wild Mesembryanthemum species growing in heterogeneous habitats

The objective of this study was to analyze the phytochemicals and to determine the antioxidant, antibacterial and allelopathic potential of three wild Mesembryanthemum species (M. crystallinum L., M. forsskaolii Hochst. Ex Boiss and M. nodiflorum L.). The phytochemical composition of the methanolic extract of studied species revealed the considerable quantities that might be responsible for their powerful antioxidant activity. The IC50 values were 386.51, 592.97, and 752.23µg/ml for M. nodiflorum, M. crystallinum and M. forsskaolii extracts respectively. The antibacterial activity index was calculated for each extract in comparison with the standard antibiotics. M. nodiflorum showed higher potency than ampicillin and penicillin G against against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. The allelopathic potential showed that the studied Mesembryanthemum species expressed a significant phytotoxic activity against Chenopodium murale weed in a dose dependent manner. M. nodiflorum sample showed the most phytotoxic effect among the studied species

Safety and benefits of large-volume liposuction: a single center experience

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Liposuction is a surgical technique to remove excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body. Purpose of this study is to determine how far large volume liposuction is safe and effective.</p> <p>Methodology</p> <p>From July 2003 to December 2005, 60 female patients had liposuction of different areas of the body as waist, hips, buttocks, thighs, and knees. Their mean age was 30.6 ± 15.4 years old. A standard liposuction technique was done by using a tumescent infiltration formula. The average amount of infusate was 3000 cc, with an average aspirate amount of 6000 cc. Pre-operative anthropometric measurements as weight, height, body mass index, areas to be liposuctioned in addition to pre-operative hematological investigations as complete blood picture, blood sugar, liver function tests, blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum cholesterol were done.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results were evaluated with preoperative and postoperative photographs. Postoperative anthropometric measurements and hematological investigations were done at 6^thweek, and 4^thmonth after surgery. The rate of complications was low and relatively minor in nature. No major complications were presented. Minor complications have occurred as skin irregularities (20%), Seroma (15%), Garment pressure sore (10%), Cutaneous hyper-pigmentation (5%).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Large-volume liposuction can be performed safely and it can produce desirable morphological and hematological changes.</p

Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen Level in Cirrhotic Chronic Hepatitis C Patients With and Without Hepatocellular Carcinoma

This study will be carried out on 500 personnel divided into five groups : Group A: 100 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma without interventions. Group B: same 100 cases of group A before and 3 months after successful interventions.Group C: 100 cases of established cirrhosis. Group D: 100 cases with chronic hepatitis C virus infection without established cirrhosis. Group E: 100 healthy individuals as controls.Methods: Sera from selected patients and controls have been used for estimation of SCC-Ag using CanAg SCC EIA. Results: high significant increase in serum SCCA level in patients with HCC (groupA and groupB) when compared to cirrhotic, chronic HCV and control groups (P < 0.001). Positive significant correlation was found between AFP and serum SCCA level .The best cut-off value to differentiate HCC patients from cirrhotic patients was 3.2 ng/ml for SCCA yielded with 80% sensitivity and 90% specificity. When combined sensitivity of both markers was calculated in our study at the best-chosen cutoff values (SCCA 3.2 ng/ml and AFP 200 ng/ml) sensitivity improved to 93%.Conclusion: Combined SCCA and AFP can be used as in diagnosis of HCC and follow up 3 months after therapeutic intervention

The microbiome of The Egyptian Red Sea proper and Gulf of Aqaba

The Red Sea is one of the most unique environments worldwide. It possesses a unique geography, physical, chemical and biological characteristics. It encounters several ecosystems articulating with each other, these include, corals, mangroves, algae, fisheries, invertebrates and microbiota of each one of these along with microbiota of the Red Sea waters and sediments. Studying the collective microbial communities of the Egyptian Red Sea coastal sediments have not been reported before. In regards to the severe pollution impacting the different Red Sea ecosystems, sediments samples have been collected from different impacted sites. The selected sites included 1- four ports for shipping aluminum, ilmenite and phosphate, 2-a site previously reported to have suffered extensive oil spills, 3-a reported tourism impacted site 4- two mangrove sites and 5-two lakes. Bacterial communities for each site have been studied through two different approaches, Culture-Dependent and Culture-Independent approaches. Pyrosequencing of V6-V4 hypervariable regions of 16S rDNA, isolated through the two approaches, has been used to assess the microbial community of each site. Physical parameters, Chemical analysis for 29 elements, selected semi-volatile oil contents, along with Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulfur (CHNS) contents have been measured for each site. 131,402 and 136,314 significant reads have been generated through the Culture-Dependent and Independent approaches, respectively. Generally, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobateria, Fusobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes and Bacteriodetes are the major bacterial groups detected through the two approaches. The Culture-Dependent datasets distinctive analysis revealed three main patterns (1) marine Vibrio spp.-suggesting a marine Vibrio phenomenon ; (2) potential human pathogens; and (3) oil-degrading bacteria. While the Culture-Independent datasets analysis reported (1) an Egyptian Red Sea Coastal Microbiome, taxa detected in all the sites and (2) Hydrocarbon biodegrading bacteria predominance to the majority of the sites; particularly in two ports. On the other hand, the two lakes, through the two approaches, showed unique bacterial patterns, which generally grouped into anaerobic, halophilic and sulfur metabolizing bacteria. Individually, sites showed unique evolution of their microbial communities based on minor intrinsic and imposed variation per sites. Our results draw attention to the effects of different sources of pollution on the Red Sea and suggest the need for further analysis to overcome the hazardous effects observed at the impacted sites

Population structure of the European anchovy, Engraulis encrasicolus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Lake Manzala, Egypt

The present study is to identify the population and stock characteristics of Engraulis encrasicolus in the Mediterranean lagoon “Lake Manzala” of Egypt. A total of 1536 specimens were collected seasonally by a local trammel net (El-Balla), from 2019 to 2021. The length ranged from 4.2 to 12.1 cm, where the dominance was of medium sizes. Two age groups were observed with a short longevity (tmax = 3.16 y). Parameters of Von Bertalanffy, L?, and K, were estimated as 12.52 cm and 0.95 y-1, respectively. The growth performance index (Ø) was estimated as 2.17, expressing liner growth and environmental suitability. The calculated length at first maturity (Lm) = 8.1 cm, compared to 6.9 cm of length at first capture (Lc), expressing high fishing effort. Mortality indices include: total mortality (Z) = 3.71 y-1, and natural mortality (M) = 1.46 y-1. According to biological reference points, Fopt = 0.73 y-1 and Flimit = 0.97 y-1, the fishing mortality (F = 2.25 y-1) indicated overfishing of the anchovy stock in Lake Manzala. The current exploitation rate, E = 0.61 expressed the occurrence of overexploitation. Based on the results, reducing fishing efforts is vital to maintaining stock stability