New Flame Retardant and Antimicrobial Paints Based on Epoxy Paint Incorporated by Hexachlorocylodiphosphazane Derivatives for Protective Coating

Flame retardants can be incorporated into polymeric material either as additives or as reactive materials. Additive type flame retardants are widely used by means of blending them with a specific polymeric material. In this particular research, hexachlorocylodiphosphazane derivatives type (I-II) were synthesized for use as flame retardant and antimicrobial additives with epoxy varnish. These additives are physically incorporated into the epoxy varnish formula. Experimental coatings were manufactured on a laboratory scale and applied by brush on wood and steel panels. The fire retardant ability of each coating type was characterized using the limiting oxygen index (LOI) test. The mechanical properties of these flame retardants were also examined to evaluate the drawbacks of the additives. Results of the LOI indicated that coating with these compounds containing chlorine, nitrogen and phosphorus exhibit a very good retardant effect, when blended with epoxy varnish comparing with the blanket sample which not contain on the hexachlorocylodiphosphazane derivative as a additives. The hexachlorocylodiphosphazane derivative also exhibit mild results as preservative against microbiological attack. The mechanical properties of the painted dry films were investigated acordinting to ASTM

Fast prediction of voltage stability index based on radial basis function neural network: Iraqi super grid network, 400-kV

With the increase in power demand and limited power sources has caused the system to operate at its maximum capacity. Therefore, the ability of determine voltage stability before voltage collapse has received a great attention due to the complexity of power system. In this paper a prediction of voltage stability index (VSI) based on radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) for the Iraqi Super Grid network, 400KV. Learning data has been obtained for various settings of load variables using load flow and conventional FVSI method. The input data was performed by using a 135 samples test with different bus voltage (Vb), Bus active and reactive power (Pb, Qb), bus load angle (?b) and FVSIij. The RBFNN model has four input representing the (Vb, Pb, Qb and ?b), sixteen nodes at hidden layer and one output node representing FVSIij have been used to assess the security on line. The proposed method has been tested in the IEEE 30 and a practical system. In Simulation results show that the proposed method is more suitable for on-line voltage stability assessment in term of automatically detection of critical transmission line when additional real or reactive loads are added

Analysis SEM the Chemical and Physics Composition of Used Rice Husks as an Absorber Plate

Rice husk is a removal waste from its grain that can be used as an absorber in the distillation process using solar energy (sunlight) to convert seawater into clean water. This process will be supported by carrying out necessary study on the material properties to be used as the absorbent which is made of rice husk briquettes. The chemical composition of rice husk obtained after the process comparing to before the process of distillation using SEM. The study using SEM, there is an increase before and after the process distillation. For 100% Normalized Sum matrix is 2.37% (before the process) and 2.82% (after the process). It means that there is an increase percentage of about 0.45%

GINGER ETHANOLIC EXTRACT, GINGER OIL OR RICE BRAN OIL INDUCED HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT AGAINST FATTY LIVER IN RATS

Hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extract of ginger, ginger oil or rice bran oil against fatty liver disease which induced by ethanol stress was investigated in the present study. Thirty six (36) male albino rats were classified into 6 groups as follows: 1- Normal control (NC), 2- Positive control (induced fatty liver by ethanolic stress) (PC+), 3- rats group administered ethanol and ginger extract (GE group), 4- rats group administered ethanol and ginger oil (GO group), 5- rats group administered ethanol and rice bran oil (RBO group) and 6- rats group administered ethanol and DMSO (DMSO  control group, because GE, GO and RBO were dissolved in DMSO as a vehicle). Results revealed that hepatic triglycerides was significantly (p≤0.05) raised to 80.7 mg/g liver, in positive control (PC+), compared to 15.98 mg/g liver in normal control (NC). Also significant increase (p≤0.05) in levels of ALT (69.41 U/L), AST (62.98 U/L) and ALP (121.65 U/L) in PC+, compared to their levels in NC (23.35 U/L), (27.95 U/L) and (73.45 U/L) respectively. In addition, high significant level was observed in serum triglycerides (214.37 mg/dl), total cholesterol (TC) (99.81 mg/dl) and LDL cholesterol (47.75 mg/dl) in PC+, compared with its values in NC group: (74.22 mg/dl), (31.45 mg/dl), (4.21 mg/dl) respectively. However, significant (p≤0.05) decrease was noticed in HDL cholesterol level (9.18 mg/dl) in PC+, compared to NC (12.39 mg/dl). On the other hand, treatment by ethanolic ginger extract (200 mg/kg body weight) showed a hepatoprotective effect which confirmed by remediation the values of hepatic TG, ALT, AST, ALP, TP, Alb, besides serum TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C in GE group as compared with their values in NC and PC+. Moreover, treatment by ginger oil (200 mg/kg body weight) and rice bran oil (200 mg/kg body weight) displayed a protective effect in GO or RBO groups, but lower than GE. In addition, ethanol extract of ginger disclosed very high antioxidant activity (IC50 = 18.25 µg/ml) compared to both ginger oil (IC50 = 6714.38 µg/ml) or rice bran oil (IC50 = 1409.57 µg/ml). Finally the present study indicates that ethanol extract of ginger showed hepatoprotective effect more than either ginger oil or rice bran oil

New water-based copolymer nanoparticles and their use as eco-friendly binders for industry of flexographic ink, part I

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to prepare, characterise and evaluate nano-emulsions of copolymers of various compositions as eco-friendly binders for flexographic ink industry. Design/methodology/approach: Various nano-emulsions of copolymers were prepared using styrene (St), butyl acrylate (BuAc), acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AAm) monomers by means of a conventional seeded emulsion polymerisation technique, using K2S2O8 as the initiator. The characterisation of the prepared emulsions was performed using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A selection of copolymers was formulated with pigments and additional ingredients, as water-based flexographic inks. The inks were characterised for their viscosity, pH, degree of dispersion, water resistance and colour density. Findings: It was found that the low viscosity of the prepared copolymers may reduce the film thickness of the flexographic inks and may also increase the spreading of the ink on the surface. As a result, stable modified polyacrylate-based latex with improved physico-mechanical properties were obtained. The prepared latexes were showed improving and enhancing in water resistance; gloss values, and the print density that ranged from 2.06 to 2.51 and the maximum gloss values (39 and 48) were also obtained. Also, these binders provide excellent adhesion properties for both the pigment particles and the base paper. Practical implications: This study focuses on the preparation of new water-based copolymer nanoparticles and their use as eco-friendly binders for flexographic ink industry. Social implications: The ink formulations developed could find use in industrial-scale printing. Originality/value: Eco-friendly environment ink formulations for printing on paper substrates are novel

Mycobacterial CYP121 as a target for anti-TB drug discovery

Despite the introduction of the first line treatment regimen forty years ago and the continuous trials since that time to introduce new regimens, tuberculosis (TB) is considered to be the cause of considerable mortality worldwide. Recent research highlighted the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)CYP450s as potential drug targets. This article reviews mycobacterial CYP121 as a target for anti-TB drug discovery

Subclinical hypothyroidism among Egyptian children with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Thyroid autoimmune diseases have been associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Both hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism are seen, but hypothyroidism is the most common abnormality. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has been reported among adult lupus patients. SCH is not without risk as it might contribute to a proatherogenic state. Objectives: This study was aimed to assess the frequency of SCH in a group of Egyptian children with SLE and its effects on the serum lipids. Methods: Forty patients with pediatric SLE who regularly follow up at our center were enrolled in this study. They were subjected to routine laboratory investigations of SLE and measurement of serum lipids (serum triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL and HDL) as well as free thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (anti-TPO-ab) titre. SLE activity was assessed using the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI). Results: Six patients (15%) were found to have SCH while the remaining 34 patients (85%) had normal thyroid function. Anti-TPO-abs were positive in 4 out of the 6 (66.6 %) SLE patients with SCH and in 20 out of the 34 (58.8%) SLE patients with normal thyroid function. In SLE patients with SCH, TSH correlated positively yet insignificantly with anti-TPO-ab titre and the duration of SLE (p = 0.17, p = 0.12, respectively). There were no statistically significant correlations between the serum lipids of SLE patients with SCH and their thyroid function or anti-TPO-ab titre. Conclusion: SCH is not uncommon among children with SLE. This SCH does not seem to affect serum lipids. However, further longitudinal studies on wider scales are needed to assess the long term effects of SCH in those patients.Keywords: SLE, anti-thyroperoxidase antibodies, subclinical hypothyroidismEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011;9(2):87-9

Adult sex identification using digital radiographs of the proximal epiphysis of the femur at Suez Canal University Hospital in Ismailia, Egypt

AbstractSex identification is an important step toward establishing identity from unknown human remains. The study was performed to test accuracy of sex identification using digital radiography of proximal epiphysis of femur among known cross-sectional population at Suez Canal region. Seventy-two radiographs of femur of living non-pathologic individuals were included. Original sample was divided into two equal groups of females and males (24 each). Test sample (group 3) included 24 radiographs. Six landmarks (A–F) were selected and 15 distances were generated representing all possible combinations of these landmarks. A is a point on the shaft under lower end of lesser trochanter, B is a point on the shaft. A–B is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. C and D are points on femoral neck. E and F are points on femoral head. In original sample, mean and standard deviation were calculated, then accuracy, sensitivity and specificity. In test sample, the 15 distances were used to identify sex of that radiograph according to the cut-off value made from original sample.In original sample, CE and EF were most distinctive measurements for sexual dimorphism. AB and CF showed least accuracy (66.7% and 70.8%). BF, CE and EF were most sensitive for identification.In test sample, CE and EF showed 100% accuracy. AB and CF showed least accuracy (54.2% and 62.5%). AC, AE, BC, BE, BF, CE and EF were most sensitive for identification.Digital radiography of femur can be an alternative measurement used in sex identification in Egyptian population

Application of region growing segmentation method for mangrove zonation at Pulau Kukup, Johor

The anticipated impact of Sea Level Rise (SLR) for the next century has been studied for the past long years. Prolonged submergence and changes in tidal inundation frequency changed the intertidal community landscape including the mangroves zonation pattern. This study aims to identify the mangrove species distribution at Pulau Kukup, Johor using a high resolution, Worldview-2 satellite data. Mangrove extent was extracted from multispectral and panchromatic images using region growing segmentation method. Several thresholds were used to identify the best-fit segmentation parameters. Eleven plots of 100m transects were established in the study area to sample the representative mangrove trees. The type of mangrove species, tree height, Diameter at the Breast Height (DBH), elevation, coordinate location and the sediment sample were collected during the field survey based on Point-Centre-Quadrate Method (PCQM). The general characteristics of mangrove tree were investigated and sampled from 186 mangrove trees. Rhizophoraapiculata and R.mucronata were found dominating the outer part of the mangrove island facing the seaward area. From the field analyses, the relative density of Rhizophoraapiculata and R.mucronataare 41.9% and 16.7% respectively. The mangrove characteristic and coordinate locations were then mapped out and used as a reference point for training processes. The image classification is determined based on Bhattacharyya method and the mangrove zonation pattern was mapped from the result