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%

The Role of Acid Sites in the Catalytic Performance of Tungsten Oxide during the Dehydration of Isopropyl and Methyl Alcohols

Abstract WO 3 catalyst was prepared by thermal decomposition of ammonium metatungstate (AMT) in a static air atmosphere for 3h at 450, 550, 650 and 750 o C. The techniques employed for characterization of the catalyst were TG, DTA, XRD, FTIR, N 2 -sorption measurements. The surface acidity of the catalyst was investigated by adsorption of pyridine and 2, 6-dimethyl pyridine. The catalytic properties of the catalyst were carried out for the dehydration of isopropyl and methyl alcohols. The results revealed that WO 3 is more active toward isopropanol dehydration than methanol dehydration. Also reflect that the reaction mechanism and the yield of propene and dimethyl ether produced from dehydration of isopropyl and methyl alcohols are controlled by the strength of acid sites

Simulation Study Correlation of Ultrasound Wave with Two Orientation of Cancellous Bone

Ultrasound technology offering a safer and inexpensive method compared to X-ray densitometry to evaluate bone quality in order to predict fracture cause by osteoporosis disease. Yet, dual X-ray absorptiometry still become choice due to its accuracy and reliability to predict fracture risk compared to quantitative ultrasound (QUS). Moreover, QUS method also isn't fully exploiting interactions between ultrasound wave and bone structure orientation. Hence, this paper is focused on investigation of fast and slow wave propagation in cancellous bone by manipulating vertical (y) and horizontal (x) direction of bone structure orientation. Using Finite Difference Time Domain simulation software, 50 Volt peak-to-peak of the Sine Gaussian wave is transmitted through cancellous bone model as well as setting up other parameter. The result shows that, at the y-direction, first and second wave which have similar behavior with fast and slow wave was observed in time domain at the earlier of wave arrival. The results also have a good agreement with other research where fast and slow wave can be clearly observed in time domain depending on cancellous bone orientation. Besides, future study will focus on analysis of fast and slow wave in overall backscattered wave using Pulse Echo measurement technique

Seasonal Abundance and the Efficiency of Yeast Liquid Culture (Candida tropicalis) as Bait for Capturing the Oriental Wasps (Vespa orientalis L.) Under Egyptian Environment

Abstract: Seasonal abundance and the efficiency of liquid culture of yeast (Candida tropicalis) as bait to capture the oriental wasps (Vespa orientalis L.), were studied at Dirut location, Assiut governorate during 2003 seasons. The oriental wasps started to appear in the first week of April and gradually decreased to the minimum levels during June (late spring) and July (earlier summer). Then, the activity of wasps increased gradually from the second week of August to the fourth week of September. Total numbers of wasps reached the highest values in October followed by September and November and then the number of oriental wasps decreased until disappeared at the fourth week of December. The modified traps recommended by Ministry of Agriculture were baited with 100% of 1.26×10 5 freshly prepared yeast liquid culture (Candida tropicalis) captured the highest mean numbers of oriental wasps after 24 hr. and 7 days during the active period of wasps (September, October and November). Using liquid yeast culture at 25% concentration recorded the lowest mean numbers of wasps captured in the traps

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

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

L-karnitin ublažava hepatotoksičnost bisfenola A aktiviranjem Nrf2 i inhibicijom proupalne ekspresije gena citokina u štakora

Bisphenol, used in many polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins industries, exerts toxic effects on mammalian organs. The mechanisms underlying bisphenol toxicity are well understood, however the chemoprevention effects of L-carnitine have not yet been recorded. This study aimed to explore the protective mechanism of L-carnitine against BPA-induced hepatotoxicity. Male rats were randomly distributed into 4 groups of 10 rats each: vehicle (5 mL corn oil/kg), bisphenol (50 mg/kg b.w. orally), L-carnitine (500 mg/kg b.w. i/p), and L-carnitine bisphenol pre-treated groups. Bisphenol was dissolved in corn oil and gavaged for 70 consecutive days. Up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor (6.6-fold), and interleukin 6 (3.2-fold) mRNA transcript, along with suppression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (0.4-fold), were recorded, following bisphenol administration. Subsequently, bisphenol provoked oxidative stress and attenuated the antioxidative molecules. Finally, hepatic dysfunction was assessed by elevated serum aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, glutamyl transferase activities and ammonia levels, with the subsequent decline in serum albumin concentration, which confirmed the inflammatory cell infiltration and hydropic degeneration, and the impairment of lipid profile. Interestingly, co-administration of L-carnitine improved liver function and lipid profile, which was explained by the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (1.5-fold) mRNA transcript, which augmented the antioxidant levels and suppressed oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor (2.6- fold), and interleukin 6 (1.5-fold) gene expression. In conclusion, L-carnitine exerted hepatoprotective activity against bisphenol toxicity via antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.Bisfenol, koji se koristi u mnogim industrijama polikarbonatne plastike i epoksidnih smola, ima toksične učinke na organe sisavaca. Mehanizmi na kojima se temelji toksičnost bisfenola dobro su razumljivi, međutim učinci L-karnitina na kemoprevenciju još nisu zabilježeni. Cilj ovog ispitivanja bio je istražiti zaštitni mehanizam L-karnitina protiv hepatotoksičnosti izazvane BPA-om. Mužjaci štakora slučajnim su odabirom podijeljeni u su u 4 skupine od po 10 štakora: kontrolna skupina (5 mL kukuruznog ulja/kg tjelesne težine), duga skupina (50 mg bisfenol/kg tjelesne težine peroralno), teća skupina (500 mg L-karnitin/kg tjelesne težine i/p) i četvrta skupina (L-karnitin apliciran skupini prethodno tretiranoj bisfenolom). Bisfenol je otopljen u kukuruznom ulju kojim su štakori hranjeni 70 uzastopnih dana. Nakon primjene bisfenola zabilježeno je povećanje mRNK transkripta za stvarnje faktora tumorske nekroze i interleukina 6 uz supresiju nukleotidnog faktora sličnog eritroidu 2, povezanog s faktorom 2. Nakon toga bisfenol je izazvao oksidativni stres i oslabio antioksidativne molekule. Naposljetku, disfunkcija jetre procjenjivana je povišenim razinama aminotransferaza u serumu, alkalne fosfataze, laktat dehidrogenaze, aktivnosti glutamiltransferaze i amonijaka, uz naknadno smanjenje koncentracije serumskog albumina, što je potvrdilo infiltraciju upalnih stanica i hidropičnu degeneraciju, te narušavanje lipidnog statusa. Zanimljivo je da je istodobna primjena L-karnitina poboljšala funkciju jetre i lipidni status, što je objašnjeno aktivacijom transkripta mRNK tipa 2 povezanog s faktorom 2, koji je povećao razine antioksidansa i potisnuo oksidativni stres, te ekspresiju gena faktora tumorske nekroze i interleukina 6. Zaključno, L-karnitin je pokazao hepatozaštitnu aktivnost protiv toksičnosti bisfenola antioksidativnim i protuupalnim učincima

Sinteza i antimikrobno djelovanje derivata nafto[2,1-b]pirano[2,3-d]pirimidina i pirano[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pirimidina

Several novel naphtho[2,1-b]pyrano[2,3-d]pyrimidines, pyrano[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidines and their coumarin-3-yl derivatives were synthesized. Some of these derivatives exhibited pronounced antimicrobial activities.Sintetizirano je nekoliko novih nafto[2,1-b]pirano[2,3-d]pirimidina, pirano[3,2-e][1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-c]pirimidina i njihovih kumarin-3-il derivata. Neki od njih imaju izraženo antimikrobno djelovanje

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