Enhancement of the Injection Grade Polypropylene using Extrusion Grade Polypropylene and Calcium Carbonate

the invention provides for study properties of polypropylene (injection grade) / polypropylene (extrusion grade) blend filled with calcium carbonates. In four formulations of PP(Injection grade)/PP(Extrusion grade)) viz. 95/5, 90/10, 85/15 and 80/20 in ratio of weight percentage were prepared for injection molding machine. This PP(Injection grade)/PP(Extrusion grade) (80/20) blend was selected and investigated at different three fractions of calcium carbonate. The mechanical properties such as tensile strength and elongation test were investigated. The rheological properties such as melt flow index (MFI) and melt density were evaluated. The results indicated that incorporate calcium carbonate increase the (MFI), melt density and elongation decreased while increase the tensile strength. It was obtained that increase calcium carbonate content into PP(Injection grade)/PP(Extrusion grade) blends will increase the density. Taking into consideration, it was concluded that, the optimum composition provided the good mechanical, rheological properties and density is PP(Injection grade)/PP(Extrusion grade)/Calcium carbonate (80/20/22.5) wt%

Integrated Management and Environmental Impact Assessment of Sustainable Groundwater-Dependent Development in Toshka District, Egypt

Egypt has recently inaugurated a mega development project aiming to alleviate the overpopulation along the Nile River and to meet the looming food gap. Toshka is a promising area where groundwater-dependent activities are being expanded adjacent to Lake Nasser. Thus, it is of utmost importance to provide a sustainable development approach and to assess the resulting environmental implications. Accordingly, a coupled groundwater flow and transport model was invoked. The generated model was successfully calibrated for the observed water levels and salinity. The proposed exploitation regime of 102 wells each pumping 1000 m3/day was simulated for a 100-year test period. The maximum resulting drawdown was about 25 m, compatible with the advocated sustainable restriction limit. Climate change (CC) impacts of reducing the lake’s storage and increasing the crops’ water requirements were investigated. The lake’s water level fluctuations were a key factor in the aquifer hydraulics and flow direction. The drawdown breakthrough considering the CC catastrophic scenario (RCP8.5) has increased by about 20%. The developed solute transport model was utilized to simulate the salinity spatial distribution and the lateral movement of leaking pollutants from the underway activities. Cultivation activities were found feasible up to 80 km away from the lake border where salinity does not exceed 2000 ppm. Yet, a protection strip of not less than 4.8, 6.0, and 7.2 km according to the lake operating condition is inevitable to ensure that pollutants do not intrude into the lake. These findings will assist the decision-makers in scheming environmental impact assessment criteria for sustainable development

Geospatial model for allocating favorable plots for groundwater-dependent cultivation activities in Egypt

Moving towards horizontal expansion in the vast barren lands to alleviate overpopulation along the Nile River is imperative to Egypt’s 2030 sustainable development strategy. Accordingly, a mega reclamation project was advocated with a key goal of achieving food self-sufficiency. Solar-powered groundwater pumping system was adopted as the main water supply. Planning efforts are therefore inevitable to help locate the most favourable sites for such extensive cultivation activities. Herein, a multicriteria decision analysis was conducted to facilitate the zoning of potential rural communities across the northern portions of the Western Desert of Egypt. For this purpose, data of groundwater exploration, soil characterization, terrestrial accessibility, insolation intensity, and terrain information were fused to produce a high-resolution suitability map. The analytical hierarchy process approach was adopted to set the weighted importance of adopted criteria. The study area was categorized into Best, Good, Moderate, Fair, Poor, and Restricted classes at 1.7%, 13%, 42.6%, 26%, 10%, and 3%, respectively, of the entire region, while the constrained plots were masked out. The implemented and proposed wells fields within the underway national rural development project extend over agriculturally suitable pixels affirming the validity of the developed geospatial model. About 1.5 million ha, representing 7.2% of the undeveloped area, were found to be highly suitable for future expansion of agribusiness activities. The generated priority map will assist the decision-makers in the planning procedures for ongoing reclamation activities throughout Egypt

PERSPECTIVE IN THE TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE: PRE-CLINICAL STUDY

Objective: This study end to investigate the efficacy of α-chymotrypcin in management of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the experimental model. Methods: Sixty adult female albino rats were divided into four groups, (1) normal control group, (2) rats underwent surgery to remove ovaries (Ovex group), (3) Ovx rats received aluminum chloride to induced AD (AD group) and (4) AD rats treated with α-chymotrypcin (α-ch group). Results: In comparison with the normal control group, the Ovx group recorded significant increase in the brain level of transforming growth factor-β, while the brain levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor and vascular endothelial growth factor were significantly decreased. Similarly, AD group displayed the same effect versus the Ovex  group. Treatment of AD group with α-chymotrypcin resulted in significant improvement in the biochemical parameters as compared to untreated AD group. These results were confirmed by the histological examination of brain tissue. Conclusion: The current study suggests that α-chymotrypcin has a potent role in restraining AD due to its proteolytic and anti-inflammatory activity