Characteristics of Iconic High-rise Buildings

Iconography is a degree given to a building and an objective of its architectural design. The iconic high-rise buildings are important in various fields. Distinctiveness in skyscrapers is not achieved by chance or by exciting stories told about the building. Exaggeration in one of design elements does not achieve the uniqueness and architectural creativity. Iconicity is a product of gathering specific main cores. The iconic tall buildings have distinct characteristics that set them different from other buildings. This paper proposes to combine the distinctive characteristics of the iconic high-rise buildings from different references to form a unified and clear methodology used when designing to achieve the iconicity. The developed methodology can be relied upon in the critical analysis of those skyscrapers to determine the degree of iconicity, and to know the reasons for the failure of some tall buildings in achieving the iconicity with a simple and systematic methodology

Characteristics of Iconic High-rise Buildings

Iconography is a degree given to a building and an objective of its architectural design. The iconic high-rise buildings are important in various fields. Distinctiveness in skyscrapers is not achieved by chance or by exciting stories told about the building. Exaggeration in one of design elements does not achieve the uniqueness and architectural creativity. Iconicity is a product of gathering specific main cores. The iconic tall buildings have distinct characteristics that set them different from other buildings. This paper proposes to combine the distinctive characteristics of the iconic high-rise buildings from different references to form a unified and clear methodology used when designing to achieve the iconicity. The developed methodology can be relied upon in the critical analysis of those skyscrapers to determine the degree of iconicity, and to know the reasons for the failure of some tall buildings in achieving the iconicity with a simple and systematic methodology

Changes in Physico-Chemical Quality and Volatile Compounds of Orange-Carrot Juice Blends During storage

The present study aimed to determine the changes in physico-chemical parameters (pH, total soluble solids “TSS”, total acidity, vitamin C, total carotene, total phenolic and antioxidant activity) as well as sensory evaluation and volatile constituents of the orange juice samples mixed with carrot juice at ratios (1:3, 3:1 and 1:1). While, the polyphenol content was determined using Folin–Ciocalteu, antioxidant activity was measured using two in vitro assays 2,2'-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH0) and metal chelating assays. While, the acidity increased, total carotene and pH of the juice decreased during the storage period. There were no significant changes in total phenolics throughout the storage period at the three blending ratios. A slight increase in antioxidant capacity during the storage period had been observed. The headspace volatiles of fresh orange and carrot juices as well as fresh and stored blend juice with ratio (1:3) for 14 days at refrigerator were collected and subjected to Gas chromatography (GC) and Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometery (GC-MS) analysis. A total of 26 volatile compounds were identified in samples of fresh orange and carrot juices as well as fresh and stored blend including 7 alcohols, 4 aldehydes, 9 monoterpene hydrocarbon and 6 esters. Limonene was the one most abundant monoterpene, representing in orange, carrot, fresh and stored blend 47.38, 42.37, 39.24 and 37.25%, respectively. Keywords: Orange- carrot juice, Blend, Antioxidant, Volatile compound

Evaluation of low-intensity laser radiation on stimulating the cholesterol degrading activity: Part I. Microorganisms isolated from cholesterol-rich materials

AbstractA survey was performed to isolate bacteria and fungi from cholesterol-rich sources including chicken liver, turkey giblets, salmon, lamb, egg yolk, beef brain and shrimps. A total of 34 bacterial and 22 fungal isolates were recovered from the tested sources. The highest count of isolates was recovered from the soil (12 isolates/g), followed by turkey giblets and egg yolk (8 isolates/g, for each). Out of 34 bacterial isolates, five induced the highest level in cholesterol degradation. The most potent bacterial isolate was recovered from turkey giblets and was identified as Streptomyces fradiae. In a trial to increase the cholesterol decomposing potentiality of S. fradiae, low intensity Nd-YAG laser irradiation was evaluated. The exposure of the chlorophyllin – photosensitized bacterium to 210mW Nd-YAG laser for 8min induced significant increase in cholesterol degrading activity reaching 73.8% as compared with 54.2% in the case of non-irradiated, non-photosensitized culture. Under the same conditions but using the reaction mixture containing cholesterol as a substrate and extracellular crude enzyme, the percent decomposition reached 53.7% for the irradiated culture as compared to 28.3% in the case of the control. Our data indicate the importance of the photosensitizer in enhancement of laser radiation to stimulate cholesterol decomposition of S. fradiae

Extrato de Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer neutraliza o stress oxidativo em ratos alimentados com dieta contaminada com multi-micotoxinas

The current study was conducted to evaluate the protective effects of Panax ginseng extract (PGE)against the toxicity and oxidative stress in rats fed aflatoxin (AFs) and/or fumonisin (FB)-contaminateddiet. Eighty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into eight experimental groups included thecontrol group, the group treated orally with PGE (0.5 mg/kg b.w.) and the groups fed AFs (1.4 mg/kg diet) and/or FB (20 mg/kg b.w.) contaminated diet alone or plus PGE for 11 weeks. Blood, liverand kidney tissue samples were collected at the end of treatment period for biochemical andhistological studies. The results indicated that PGE increased super oxide dismutase (SOD) levelin liver; however, the other parameters were comparable to controls. Animals fed AFs and/or FBcontaminateddiet showed a significant increase in serum biochemical parameters and oxidativestress markers accompanied with a significant decrease in antioxidant parameters levels and asevere histological changes in the liver tissue. These changes were more pronounced in the groupfed AFs plus FB. PGE succeeded to induce a significant improvement in all biochemical parametersand the histological picture towards the control although it did not normalize them. It could beconcluded that PGE is a promise candidate against the exposure to multi-mycotoxins in food.O presente estudo foi conduzido para avaliar os efeitos protetores do extrato de Panax ginseng(PGE) contra a toxicidade e estresse oxidativo em ratos alimentados com aflatoxinas (AFs) e/oudieta contaminada por fumonisina (FB). Oitenta fêmeas de ratos Sprague-Dawley foram divididasem oito grupos experimentais, incluindo o grupo controle, o grupo tratado com PGE oralmente (0,5mg/kg de peso corporal) e os grupos alimentados com as dietas contaminadas de AFs (1,4 dieta mg/kg) e/ou FB (20 mg/kg de peso corporal) isoladas ou com mais PGE durante 11 semanas. Amostrasde sangue, do fígado e do tecido do rim foram recolhidas no final do período de tratamentopara estudos bioquímicos e histológicos. Os resultados indicaram que a PGE aumenta o nível desuperóxido dismutase (SOD) no fígado, no entanto, os outros parâmetros foram comparáveis aosdo grupo controle. Animais alimentados com dieta contaminada por AF e/ou FB mostraram umaumento significativo nos parâmetros bioquímicos séricos e marcadores de estresse oxidativo,acompanhados de uma diminuição significativa nos níveis de antioxidantes e nos parâmetros dealterações histológicas graves no tecido do fígado. Essas alterações foram mais pronunciadas nogrupo alimentado com AFs mais FB. PGE obteve sucesso quanto à introdução de uma melhoriasignificativa em todos os parâmetros bioquímicos e histológicos com relação ao grupo controle,embora não os tenha normalizado. Pode-se concluir que a PGE é uma promissora candidatacontra a exposição às multimicotoxinas em alimentos

GREEN VORTEX-ASSISTED IONIC LIQUID-BASED DISPERSIVE LIQUID-LIQUID MICROEXTRACTION FOR ENRICHMENT AND DETERMINATION OF CADMIUM AND LEAD IN WATER, VEGETABLES AND TOBACCO SAMPLES

Objective: An eco-friendly, simple and sensitive vortex-assisted ionic liquid-based dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method (VA-IL-DLLµE) has been proposed to enrich and determine trace levels of cadmium (Cd2+ ) and lead (Pb2+ ) ions in water, vegetables and tobacco samples, prior to its FAAS determination. Methods: The proposed method based on utilization of ionic liquid (IL) (1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium tris(pentafluoroethyl)trifluorophosphate [HMIM][FAP]) as an extraction solvent for both ions after the complexation with 4,5-dihydroxy-3-phenylazo-2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, disodium salt (Chromotrope 2R) at pH 6.5. The impact of different analytical parameters on microextraction efficiency was optimized. Results: In the ranges of 1.0–300 and 2.0-400 μg/ml, the calibration graphs were linear. The limits of detection were 0.3 and 0.6 μg/ml for Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions, respectively. The preconcentration factor was 100. The relative standard deviation (RSD %)<3.0%, which indicates the proposed method has high precision. Conclusion: The proposed VA-IL-DLLµE method was developed and applied for the estimation of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ion content in various water, vegetables and tobacco samples, and satisfactory results were obtained. The obtained recovery values showed good agreement with the certified values

Diagnose Digital Skills Gap between Professional and Academic Sectors in Architecture Discipline – Jordan Case Study

There are many studies on digitization. The newly graduated engineer has a way of thinking, currency, and outlook on engineering work. Research on the ability of universities to graduate qualified architects for the professional market has become necessary to bring about changes in teaching methods and link them to digital programs. This paper looks at if there is a consensus between the opinion of professionals and academics about digital skills, trying to integrate urgent digital skills needed by the labor market in the Architecture education study plans. Mixed between quantitative and qualitative research methods, researchers analyze the study plan of 12 universities, using the Curriculum Content Mapping )CMM( method, and conduct a questionnaire for academics and professionals. Accordingly, we prove the gap between the profession and the academic world in the discipline, and there is no agreement between them about the digital programs needed. Then researchers provide a matrix expressing the relationship between the digital courses and the AE courses in a way to connect the two

Biochemical Characterization, Antifungal Activity, and Relative Gene Expression of Two Mentha Essential Oils Controlling Fusarium oxysporum, the Causal Agent of Lycopersicon esculentum Root Rot

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is important food in daily human diets. Root rot disease by Fusarium oxysporum caused huge losses in tomato quality and yield annually. The extensive use of synthetic and chemical fungicides has environmental risks and health problems. Recent studies have pointed out the use of medicinal plant essential oils (EOs) and extracts for controlling fungal diseases. In the current research, Mentha spicata and Mentha longifolia EOs were used in different concentrations to control F. oxysporum. Many active compounds are present in these two EOs such as: thymol, adapic acid, menthol and menthyl acetate. These compounds possess antifungal effect through malformation and degradation of the fungal cell wall. The relative expression levels of distinctly upregulated defense-related WRKY genes (WRKY1, WRKY4, WRKY33 and WRKY53) in seedling root were evaluated as a plant-specific transcription factor (TF) group in different response pathways of abiotic stress. Results showed significant expression levels of WRKY, WRKY53, WRKY33, WRKY1 and WRKY4 genes. An upregulation was observed in defense-related genes such as chitinase and defensin in roots by application EOs under pathogen condition. In conclusion, M. spicata and M. longifolia EOs can be used effectively to control this plant pathogen as sustainable and eco-friendly botanical fungicides

Green Synthesized of Thymus vulgaris Chitosan Nanoparticles Induce Relative WRKY-Genes Expression in Solanum lycopersicum against Fusarium solani, the Causal Agent of Root Rot Disease

: Fusarium solani is a plant pathogenic fungus that causes tomato root rot disease and yield losses in tomato production. The current study's main goal is testing the antibacterial efficacy of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with Thyme vulgaris essential oil (ThE-CsNPs) against F. solani in vitro and in vivo. GC-MS analysis was used to determine the chemical constituents of thyme EO. ThE-CsNPs were investigated using transmission electron microscopy before being physicochemically characterized using FT-IR. ThE-CsNPs were tested for antifungal activity against F. solani mycelial growth in vitro. A pot trial was conducted to determine the most effective dose of ThE-CsNPs on the morph/physiological characteristics of Solanum lycopersicum, as well as the severity of fusarium root rot. The relative gene expression of WRKY transcript factors and defense-associated genes were quantified in root tissues under all treatment conditions. In vitro results revealed that ThE-CsNPs (1%) had potent antifungal efficacy against F. solani radial mycelium growth. The expression of three WRKY transcription factors and three tomato defense-related genes was upregulated. Total phenolic, flavonoid content, and antioxidant enzyme activity were all increased. The outfindings of this study strongly suggested the use of ThE-CsNPs in controlling fusarium root rot on tomatoes; however, other experiments remain necessary before they are recommended

The diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative frozen section biopsy for diagnosis of sentinel lymph node metastasis in breast cancer patients: a meta-analysis

: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) sampling is important for evaluating the nodal stage of breast cancer when the axillary nodes are clinically free of metastasis. The intraoperative frozen section (IFS) of SLN is used for lymph node assessment. This meta-analysis aims to provide evidence about the diagnostic accuracy and the applicability of IFS of SLN in breast cancer patients. Data were collected by searching PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science electronic databases for trials matching our eligibility criteria. The statistical analysis included the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and pooled studies' diagnostic odds ratio outcomes. The analyses were conducted using the Open Meta-analyst software. This meta-analysis pooled the results of 110 studies. The overall sensitivity of IFS for SLN metastasis was 74.7%; 95% CI [72.0, 77.2], P < 0.001. It was 31.4% 95% CI [25.2, 38.3], P < 0.001 for the micro-metastasis, and 90.2%; 95% CI [86.5, 93.0], P < 0.001 for the macro-metastasis. The overall specificity was 99.4%; 95% CI [99.2, 99.6], P < 0.001. The overall positive likelihood ratio was 121.4; 95% CI [87.9, 167.6], P < 0.001, and the overall negative likelihood ratio was 0.226; 95% CI [0.186, 0.274], P < 0.001. The overall diagnostic odds ratio of IFS for diagnosing SLN metastasis was 569.5; 95% CI [404.2, 802.4], P < 0.001. The intraoperative frozen section of SLN has good sensitivity for diagnosing breast cancer macro-metastasis. However, the sensitivity is low for micro-metastasis. The specificity is very satisfactory