NUMERICAL PREDICTION OF SOLITARY WAVE FORMATION OF A PLANING HULL IN SHALLOW WATER CHANNELS

This paper uses a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) analysis to investigate the shallow water effects on prismatic planing hull. The turbulence flow around the hull was described by Reynolds Navier Stokes equations RANSE using the k-ɛ turbulence model. The free surface was modelled by the volume of fluid (VOF) method. The analysis was steady for all the range of speeds except those close to the critical speed range due to the propagation of the planing hull solitary waves at this range. In this study, the planing hull lift force, total resistance, and wave pattern for the range of subcritical speeds, critical speeds, and supercritical speeds have been calculated using CFD. The numerical results have been compared with experimental results. The pressure distribution on the planing hull and its wave pattern at critical speed in shallow water were compared with those in deep water

Synthesis of new hybrid quinazoline compounds as antiproliferative agents for breast and colon cancer treatment

Purpose: To evaluate newly synthesized fuoryl quinazoline derivatives for antitumor efficacy.Methods: Fuoryl quinazoline derivatives were synthesized and the structures of the synthesized compounds were characterized using standard techniques. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) technique was used to assess the anti-proliferative properties of the synthesized derivatives in vitro.Results: All quinazoline compounds displayed cytotoxic activity against breast and colon cancer cell lines to varying degrees. Compound IXa with acetohydrazide moiety was the most effective on MCF7 and HCT116 cell lines, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 16.70 and 12.54 μM, respectively.Conclusion: N'-benzylidene-2-((2-(furan-2-yl) quinazolin-4-yl) oxy) acetohydrazide IXa showed the strongest anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 and HCT116 human cancer cell lines

Developing a Thermally Stable Ester-Based Drilling Fluid for Offshore Drilling Operations by Using Aluminum Oxide Nanorods

Funding: This work was supported by an Institutional Links grant, ID 352343681, under the Newton–Mosharafa Fund partnership. The grant is funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, and Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) and delivered by the British Council. For further information, please visit www.newtonfund.ac.uk. Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) support was under the grant No. (30894). Acknowledgments: The authors would like to acknowledge the School of Engineering at the University of Aberdeen for providing the required facilities to complete this research. In addition, the authors would like to thank the support from MI-SWACO in providing commercial emulsifiers and consumables used in this project.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

The influence of green modification of lignin on the electrochemical properties of biocomposites for industrial applications

It’s a report on a novel approach; preparation and electrochemical properties of modified lignin. Wax and starch were used as natural, green adhesives for enhancing the electrical resistivity of lignin in acidic medium, forming eco-friendly high insulator biocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the fabricated biocomposite. The modified lignin was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), while the electrochemical behavior was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The innovative approach described in this work provides a promising eco- friendly method for lignin modification with highly electrical resistivity and stability with time.Â

A study on the Flora of El-Qantara Sharq in North Sinai, Egypt

AbstractThe study on the Flora of El Qantara Sharq revealed that the presence of 138 species belonging to 110 genera follows 39 Angiospermae families. The percentages of the representation of these families were Gramineae by 15.9%, Compositae by 13.7%, Leguminosae by 10.8%, Chenopodiaceae by 10.1%, and Cruciferae by 4.3%, while each of Caryophyllaceae, Cyperaceae and Polygonaceae was represented by 3.6% and the percentage was 2.8% for both of Convolvulaceae and Zygophyllaceae whereas it was 2.1% for each of Aizoaceae, Amaranthaceae and Tamaricaceae. The percentage was 1.4% for each of Euphorbiaceae, Orobanchaceae, Solanaceae and Umbelliferae. The remainder families, Asclepiadaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Combretaceae, Geraniaceae, Haloragiadaceae, Juncaceae, Labiatae, Malvaceae, Neuradaceae, Nitrariaceae, Palmae, Plantaginaceae, Potamogetonaceae, Primulaceae, Ranunculaceae, Salicaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Thymelaeaceae, Typhaceae, Urticaceae and Verbenaceae were represented by one species (0.7%) for each. Shrubs were represented by 11.5% of the recorded species while the percentages of perennial and annual herbs were 21.7% and 63% respectively. Three parasite species were recorded: Cistanche phelypaea (L.) Cout., Cuscuta campestris Yunck. and Orobanche crenata Forssk

Review of synthesis, characteristics and technical challenges of biodiesel based drilling fluids

Acknowledgements The Egyptian authors were supported by Science, Technology & Innovation Funding Authority (STDF) under the grant (30894). The UK's authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from an Institutional Links grant, ID 352343681, under the Newton-Mosharafa Fund partnership. The grant is funded by the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and delivered by the British Council. We are also grateful to the publishers, journals, and authors who provided their permission for us to reproduce their figures and tables in this review.Peer reviewedPostprin

Assessment of Ceruloplasmin, Hemopexin, and Haptoglobin in Asthmatic Children

BACKGROUND: Ceruloplasmin (Cp), haptoglobin, and hemopexin play a role in iron homeostasis and may function to modulate the systemic inflammatory response and be involved in tissue repair. We hypothesized that these proteins could be biological markers for bronchial asthma that reflect the involvement of iron oxidative stress in asthma pathogenesis. AIM: Evaluation of serum levels of proteins involved in iron homeostasis (Cp, hemopexin, and haptoglobin) in asthmatic children and their correlation to pulmonary functions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty moderate to severe persistent asthmatic children aged 6–13 years were included (30 during attacks and 30 in-between attacks). Thirty healthy matched controls were also recruited. All children were subjected to history taking, clinical evaluation and assessment of complete blood picture, serum levels of Cp, haptoglobin, hemopexin, and total IgE. Pulmonary function tests were assessed for all patients. RESULTS: Serum Cp and haptoglobin were significantly elevated in asthmatic children between attacks (448.04 ± 386.79), (993.33 ± 554.56) compared to controls (168.42 ± 13.46), (473.33 ± 350.3), (p = 0.0002, p < 0.0001) and to asthmatics during exacerbations (288.8 ± 219.6), (620 ± 467.86), (p = 0.014, p = 0.006). Serum hemopexin was significantly higher in asthmatics between attacks (509.33 ± 341.51) compared to controls (296.67 ± 158.38) (p < 0.003) but no significant difference compared to acute exacerbations (477.33 ± 396.6). No significant correlations were found between any of the assessed protein levels and pulmonary functions. Hemoglobin concentration was significantly higher among stable asthmatics compared to acute exacerbation and control groups. CONCLUSION: Cp, haptoglobin, and hemopexin can be used as a panel of non-invasive biomarkers that reflect the involvement of iron oxidative stress in asthma pathogenesis

Prevalence of inducible laryngeal obstruction among patients diagnosed as bronchial asthma

Introduction: Inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO) is an important cause of a variety of respiratory symptoms and can mimic bronchial asthma (BA). This study was planned to measure the prevalence of ILO among patients diagnosed with BA and to detect its effect on BA control and severity. Material and methods: Patients aged 18 years or older who were previously diagnosed with BA were enrolled. Laryngeal obstruction was induced using the patient’s specific trigger (e.g. exercise). Visualization of vocal folds was accomplished using  a 70-degree rigid laryngoscope (Karl Storz). A visual grade score was utilized to determine the severity of laryngeal obstruction. Results: Results showed that 38.3% (n = 46) of the patients had ILO with the majority being classified as grade 2 (80.4%)  (n = 37). The most common subtype was glottic ILO (63%). Bronchial asthma duration, level of control, and severity were not associated with ILO (P values: 0.2, 0.3 and 0.8 respectively). Conclusion: Asthma and ILO commonly co-exist. An accurate classification of patients is very important and must be considered in order to determine whether the symptoms are directly related to ILO or whether they are caused by BA. Ceasing inappropriate treatment may be necessary. Objective diagnostic modalities of ILO are essential

Serum interferon-alpha level in first degree relatives of systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Correlation with autoantibodies titers

AbstractBackground and objectivesInterferon-α (IFN-α), a cytokine with both antiviral and immune-regulatory functions, was suggested as a useful tool which can evaluate current systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) disease activity and identify patients who are at risk of future disease flares. In the current study, serum IFN-α levels and associated demographic, and serological features in Egyptian SLE patients and their first degree relatives (FDRs) in comparison to unrelated healthy controls (UHCs) were examined, in order to identify individuals at the greatest risk for clinical illness.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, blood samples were drawn from 54 SLE patients, 93 of their FDRs who consented to enroll into the study and 76 UHCs. Measurement of serum IFN-α by a modified ELISA was carried out. Data were analyzed for associations of serum IFN-α levels with autoantibodies titer.ResultsMean serum IFN-α in FDRs was statistically higher than the UHCs and lower than in SLE patients (P<0.0001) and it was correlated with ANA titer (r=0.6, P<0.0001) and anti ds DNA titer (r=0.62, P<0.0001).ConclusionIFN-α is a crucial player in the complicated autoimmune changes that occur in SLE and serum IFN-α can be a useful marker identifying persons who are at risk of future disease development

Can deficit irrigations be an optimum solution for increasing water productivity under arid conditions? A case study on wheat plants

Water scarcity is of growing concern in many countries around the world, especially within the arid and semi-arid zones. Accordingly, rationalizing irrigation water has become an obligation to achieve the sustainable developmental goals of these countries. This may take place via using deficit irrigation which is long thought to be an effective strategy to save and improve water productivity. The current study is a trial to evaluate the pros and cons of using 50 and 75 % of the irrigation requirements (IR) of wheat (deficit irrigations) versus 100 %IR, while precisely charting changes in wheat growth parameters, antioxidant enzymes in plant shoots and the overall nutritional status of plants (NPK contents). Accordingly, a field experiment was conducted for two successive seasons, followed a split-plot design in which deficit irrigations (two irrigations to achieve 50 % of the irrigations requirements (IR), three irrigations to attain 75 % IR, and four irrigations to fulfill 100 % IR) were placed in main plots while four different studied wheat cultivars were in subplots. Results obtained herein indicate that deficit irrigations led to significant reductions in growth parameters and productivity of all wheat cultivars, especially when using 50 % IR. It also decreased NPK contents within plant shoots while elevated their contents of proline, peroxidase, and catalase enzymes. On the other hand, this type of irrigation decreased virtual water content (VWC, the amount of water used in production on ton of wheat grains). Stress tolerance index (STI), and financial revenues per unit area were also assessed. The obtained values of grain productivity, STI, VWC and financial revenues were weighted via PCA analyses, and then introduced in a novel model to estimate the efficiency of deficit irrigations (ODEI) whose results specified that the overall efficiency decreased as follows: 50 %IR &lt; 75 %IR &lt; 100 %IR. In conclusion, deficit irrigation is not deemed appropriate for rationalizing irrigation water while growing wheat on arid soils