Lean partially premixed turbulent flame equivalence ratio measurements using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.The creation of a more stable flame along with the extension of flammability limits under lean mixture combustion was the main motivation to develop a new burner design, which has been investigated in this research. The current burner configuration was utilized to create a wide range of higher turbulent intensities and to produce different degrees of mixture inhomogeneity, which acted to promote minimum pollution, highest performance and higher flame stability. The burner stability assessment was investigated using two types of fuel: natural gas (NG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). They were tested under different degrees of partial premixing, and two turbulence generator disks for lean mixture at an equivalence ratio of φ = 0.8 were used. Following this, the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique was utilized to characterize and quantify the impact of changing the disk slit diameter on the distributions profiles of equivalence ratio or mixture fraction for a NG/air partially premixed flame. A series of homogeneous NG/air mixtures with different equivalence ratios were used to obtain the correlations between the measured emission lines of LIBS spectra and the global flame equivalence ratio. Consequently, the emission spectral lines ratios of H/N, H/O and C/N + O were utilized to predict the equivalence ratio distributions. The results demonstrated that for all of the mixing lengths, NG/air mixture with larger disk generator diameter yielded the maximum burner stability, whilst the LPG/air mixture with a larger disk generator diameter resulted in the minimum burner stability. Furthermore, the flame associated with the larger disk slit diameter had a uniform local equivalence ratio distribution and lower RMS fluctuation profiles of equivalence ratio in comparison to the lower disk slit diameter

Impact of Hydroxychloroquine on Fructose-induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rats: Promising Protective Effect

BACKGROUND: Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is used in the treatment of malaria and rheumatoid arthritis for a long time. Its effects on inflammation and immune modulation were noted. AIM: This study aims to investigate the effects of HCQ in fructose-induced metabolic syndrome and to explore its possible mechanisms. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into Group I (negative control), Group II fed on high-fructose diet, and Group III fed on high fructose and subdivided into Group III-a (HCQ 50 mg/kg), Group III-b (HCQ 100 mg/kg), Group III-c (HCQ 200 mg/kg), and Group III-d (metformin 100 mg/kg). Body weight, blood glucose, liver enzymes, and lipid profile were measured. Insulin level, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA), soluble-intercellular adhesion molecule, and vascular cell adhesion molecule were assayed. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, adipokines (leptin, resistin, and adiponectin), and histological examination of pancreas were assessed. RESULTS: HCQ induces good effects on lipid profile and improves significantly HOMA, endothelial stress markers, and adiponectin, and reduces leptin and TNF-α levels. In addition, significant improvement in structural changes was noted in pancreas with different doses of HCQ. CONCLUSION: Favorable effects of HCQ in fructose-induced metabolic syndrome are promising and can be used early in those at risk of diabetes

Isolation of avian influenza H5N1 virus from vaccinated commercial layer flock in Egypt

Uninterrupted transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N1 of clade 2.2.1 in Egypt since 2006 resulted in establishment of two main genetic clusters. The 2.2.1/C group where all recent human and majority of backyard origin viruses clustered together, meanwhile the majority of viruses derived from vaccinated poultry in commercial farms grouped in 2.2.1.1 clade. In the present investigation, an HPAIV H5N1 was isolated from twenty weeks old layers chickens that were vaccinated with a homologous H5N1 vaccine at 1, 7 and 16 weeks old. At twenty weeks of age, birds showed cyanosis of comb and wattle, decrease in egg production and up to 27% mortality. Examined serum samples showed low antibody titer in HI test (Log2 3.2 ± 4.2). The hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the isolated virus were closely related to viruses in 2.2.1/C group isolated from poultry in live bird market (LBM) and backyards or from infected people. Conspicuous mutations in the HA and NA genes including a deletion within the receptor binding domain in the HA globular head region were observed. Despite repeated vaccination of layer chickens using a homologous H5N1 vaccine, infection with HPAIV H5N1 resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. In endemic countries like Egypt, rigorous control measures including enforcement of biosecurity, culling of infected birds and constant update of vaccine virus strains are highly required to prevent circulation of HPAIV H5N1 between backyard birds, commercial poultry, LBM and humans

Evaluation of internal MRI coils using ultimate intrinsic SNR

The upper bounds of the signal-to-noise ratio (also known as the "ultimate intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio" (UISNR)) for internal and external coils were calculated. In the calculation, the body was modeled as a dielectric cylinder with a small coaxial cylindrical cavity in which internal coils could be placed. The calculated UISNR values can be used as reference solutions to evaluate the performance of internal MRI coils. As examples, we evaluated the performance of a loopless antenna and an endourethral coil design by comparing their ISNR with the UISNR. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Surveillance on A/H5N1 virus in domestic poultry and wild birds in Egypt

The endemic H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (A/H5N1) in poultry in Egypt continues to cause heavy losses in poultry and poses a significant threat to human health. Here we describe results of A/H5N1 surveillance in domestic poultry in 2009 and wild birds in 2009-2010. Tracheal and cloacal swabs were collected from domestic poultry from 22024 commercial farms, 1435 backyards and 944 live bird markets (LBMs) as well as from 1297 wild birds representing 28 different types of migratory birds. Viral RNA was extracted from a mix of tracheal and cloacal swabs media. Matrix gene of avian influenza type A virus was detected using specific real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and positive samples were tested by RT- qPCR for simultaneous detection of the H5 and N1 genes. In this surveillance, A/H5N1 was detected from 0.1% (n = 23/) of examined commercial poultry farms, 10.5% (n = 151) of backyard birds and 11.4% (n = 108) of LBMs but no wild bird tested positive for A/H5N1. The virus was detected from domestic poultry year- round with higher incidence in the warmer months of summer and spring particularly in backyard birds. Outbreaks were recorded mostly in Lower Egypt where 95.7% (n = 22), 68.9% (n = 104) and 52.8% (n = 57) of positive commercial farms, backyards and LBMs were detected, respectively. Higher prevalence (56%, n = 85) was reported in backyards that had mixed chickens and waterfowl together in the same vicinity and LBMs that had waterfowl (76%, n = 82). Our findings indicated broad circulation of the endemic A/H5N1 among poultry in 2009 in Egypt. In addition, the epidemiology of A/H5N1 has changed over time with outbreaks occurring in the warmer months of the year. Backyard waterfowl may play a role as a reservoir and/or source of A/H5N1 particularly in LBMs. The virus has been established in poultry in the Nile Delta where major metropolitan areas, dense human population and poultry stocks are concentrated. Continuous surveillance, tracing the source of live birds in the markets and integration of multifaceted strategies and global collaboration are needed to control the spread of the virus in Egypt

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes in Egyptian pediatric cancer patients with acute and chronic active HBV infection

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are eight genotypes of hepatitis B virus (A-H) and subgenotypes are recognized. Genotyping can be accomplished based on a partial sequence of HBV genome such as the pre-S or S gene. Several methods have been developed and used for HBV genotyping. This study was undertaken to determine the HBV genotypes in Egyptian pediatric cancer patients with acute and chronic liver disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>HBV genotypes were determined in 22 patients who had acute forms of liver disease (AH) and in 48 patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH). A type-specific primer based the nested-PCR method was employed in the HBV genotyping.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This study showed that HBV infections in pediatric cancer patients are attributed predominantly to viral genotypes D and B that constituted 37.1% and 25.7%, respectively of the total infections. In addition, there was a relatively high prevalence of mixed infections of 15.7% among the studied group especially mixed A/D genotype infections. Genotype D was found significantly more often in patients with CAH than in patients with AH [23/48(47.9%) <it>v </it>3/22 (13.6%)].</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings show the distribution of HBV A-D genotypes in pediatric cancer Egyptian patients. Furthermore, our results indicate a markedly high prevalence of mixed A/D genotype infections in subjects with CAH and a possible association of mixed infections with the severity of liver diseases.</p

Investigation of Er3+ Ions Reinforced Zinc-Phosphate Glasses for Ionizing Radiation Shielding Applications

Melt quenching technique is used for preparing glasses with chemical formula (70P2 O5)– (16 − x)CdO–(14ZnO)–(xEr2 O3), (x = 1–6 mol%). These glasses were named Er1, Er2, Er3, Er4, Er5, and Er6, respectively. Photon buildup factors, fast neutron absorption, and electron stopping of the prepared glasses were examined. Glasses’ density was varied from 3.390 ± 0.003 for the Er1 glass sample to 3.412 ± 0.003 for the Er6 glass sample. The Buildup factor (BUF) spectra have relatively higher values in the Compton Scattering (CS) dominated areas compared to both Photoelectric effect (PE), and Pair Production (PP) dominated energy regions. The highest BUF appeared at the Er atom K-absorption edge, whose intensity increases as the molar concentration of Er2 O3 in the glasses increases. The photon absorption efficiency (PAE) of the glasses increases according to the trend (PAE)Er1 &lt; (PAE)Er2 &lt; (PAE)Er3 &lt; (PAE)Er4 &lt; (PAE)Er5 &lt; (PAE)Er6. Fast neutron removal cross-section, FNRC (ΣR) values of the glasses obtained via calculation varied from 0.1045–0.1039 cm−1 for Er1–Er6. Furthermore, the continuous slowing down approximation mode (CSDA) range enhances the kinetic energy of electrons for all glasses. Generally, results revealed that the investigated glasses could be applied for radiation shielding and dosimetric media. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Taif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/23), Taif University, Taif Saudi Arabia. "The APC was covered by "Dunarea de Jos" University of Galati, Romania, through grant no. RF3621/2021

Sinteza i protuupalno, analgetsko i ulcerogeno djelovanje derivata tieno[2,3-d]pirimidina

5-Methyl-6-phenyl-2-thioxothieno[2,3-d]pyrimidone derivative (2) reacted with hydrazonoyl chloride derivatives to afford triazolothienopyrimidones 4a-f. Also, acetone-1-(2-amino-5-isopropyl-thiophene-3-carbonitrile) (3) reacted with functional and bifunctional groups to yield the corresponding compounds 5-11. The new products showed anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and ulcerogenic activities comparable to that of indomethacin and acetylsalicylic acid, respectively.Reakcijom derivata 5-metil-6-fenil-2-tioksotieno[2,3-d]pirimidona (2) s hidrazonoil kloridima dobiveni su triazolotienopirimidoni 4a-f, a reakcijom aceton-1-(2-amino-5-izopropil-tiopen-3-karbonitrila (3) s funkcionalnim i bifunkcionalnim spojevima dobiveni su produkti 511. Novi spojevi imaju slično protuupalno, analgetsko i ulcerogeno djelovanje kao i indometacin, odnosno acetilsalicilna kiselina

Nonlinear Jaynes-Cummings model of atom-field interaction

Interaction of a two-level atom with a single mode of electromagnetic field including Kerr nonlinearity for the field and intensity-dependent atom-field coupling is discussed. The Hamiltonian for the atom-field system is written in terms of the elements of a closed algebra, which has SU(1,1) and Heisenberg-Weyl algebras as limiting cases. Eigenstates and eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian are constructed. With the field being in a coherent state initially, the dynamical behaviour of atomic-inversion, field-statistics and uncertainties in the field quadratures are studied. The appearance of nonclassical features during the evolution of the field is shown. Further, we explore the overlap of initial and time-evolved field states.Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures is PS forma