Performance Analysis and Protection of Submersible Motor for Unbalance Condition in Dewatering

This study discusses the safety of submersible motors in dewatering under current unbalanced conditions. Submersible motors are commonly employed in artificial lifting systems used in dewatering conditions. The submersible motor is vulnerable to hazards that might cause injury during the current imbalance state in dewatering. The researcher offers a basic protection mechanism that he has devised and a performance study of the submersible motor. Work on dewatering difficulties was finished in this study, and the suggested solution sought to safeguard the submersible motor. The protective strategy is effectively realized by utilizing three temperature sensors based on submersible motor coils by transmitting the signal to the microcontroller, which identifies the defective phases and sends the tripping signal to the AC drives (inverter) and sensors (water), submersible motor probe with ceramic measuring cell, and submersible motor inverter. In addition, the simulation and experimental results for various operating locations are shown in this study. The outcomes are in line with the goals that were set. This study provides guidelines for high-performance submersible motors in wells due to groundwater conditions. These guidelines are based on several failures discovered during an examination. Furthermore, this report suggests many techniques for preventing these failures. These suggestions are based on the investigation of numerous submersible motor pumps from various manufacturers in various wells in Egypt with short-term operations induced by various situations encountered while working on the site

Psycho-Physiologically-Based Real Time Adaptive General Type 2 Fuzzy Modelling and Self-Organising Control of Operator's Performance Undertaking a Cognitive Task

—This paper presents a new modelling and control fuzzy-based framework validated with real-time experiments on human participants experiencing stress via mental arithmetic cognitive tasks identified through psycho-physiological markers. The ultimate aim of the modelling/control framework is to prevent performance breakdown in human-computer interactive systems with a special focus on human performance. Two designed modelling/control experiments which consist of carrying-out arithmetic operations of varying difficulty levels were performed by 10 participants (operators) in the study. With this new technique, modelling is achieved through a new adaptive, self-organizing and interpretable modelling framework based on General Type-2 Fuzzy sets. This framework is able to learn in real-time through the implementation of a re-structured performance-learning algorithm that identifies important features in the data without the need for prior training. The information learnt by the model is later exploited via an Energy Model Based Controller that infers adequate control actions by changing the difficulty level of the arithmetic operations in the human-computer-interaction system; these actions being based on the most current psycho-physiological state of the subject under study. The real-time implementation of the proposed modelling and control configurations for the human-machine-interaction under study shows superior performance as compared to other forms of modelling and control, with minimal intervention in terms of model re-training or parameter re-tuning to deal with uncertainties, disturbances and inter/intra-subject parameter variability

The relation between oxidative stress and adhesion molecules in Egyptian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Background: Antioxidant potential decreases while plasma lipid peroxidation products increase in type1 diabetes mellitus. The vascular endothelium is a major target of oxidative stress (OS). Reactive oxygen species signal events leading to impairment of endothelial function and promotion of leukocyte adhesion to the vascular endothelium.. Objective: To explore the relation between OS and adhesion molecules in type1 diabetes and correlate it with the state of metabolic control, disease duration and microvascular complications (MVCs). Design: Thirty-eight type 1 diabetics were included: 22 patients with disease duration less than 5 years and 16 patients with duration of 5 years or more. Thirty healthy age and sex matched subjects served as controls. They were assessed clinically. Laboratory investigations included, random blood sugar (RBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting lipid profile and measurement of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation and serum soluble P-selectin as a marker of endothelial/platelet activation. Results: Serum MDA and P-selectin were significantly elevated in type 1 diabetics compared to controls with the highest level in diabetics with disease duration of 5 years or more (p <0.0001). Both MDA and P-selectin levels were significantly elevated in complicated compared to non complicated diabetics (P < 0.0001) with strong relation to complication severity. Serum MDA level was positively correlated with serum P-selectin level in diabetics (p 0.0001). Serum MDA and P-selectin were positively and significantly correlated with disease duration (p < 0.0001 ), RBS (p < 0.0001,p=0.001 respectively), HbA1c (p < 0.0001), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.03,p=0.005 respectively), total cholesterol (p=0.04,p=0.02, respectively), triglycerides (p=0.006, p < 0.0001 respectively) and low density lipoproteins (p=0.03,p=0.05 respectively) but negatively correlated with high density lipoproteins(p=0.03). On multiple regression analysis, HbA1c had the strongest effect on both MDA and P-selectin levels (P <0.0001). Cut off values for serum MDA and Pselectin equal to 8.035 nmoles/ml and 45.15ng/dl respectively for early detection of diabetic MVCs were defined. Conclusion: Levels of MAD and P-selectin are elevated in type1 diabetics with evident relation to disease duration, metabolic control and severity of MVCs. Hence both of them might act as good markers to identify diabetics who are more susceptible to develop vascular disease.Keywords: Type1 diabetes, oxidative stress, P-selectin, adhesion molecules, microvascular complicationsEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2009; 7(2): 65-7

Flame Retardant and Mechanical Properties of Modified Paper Using Inorganic Salts for Packaging Applications

The paper sheet prepared from unbleached rice straw containing different concentration of inorganic salts, that work as flame retardant additives (Lithium hydroxide one hydrate (LiOH.1H2O), Magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH)2. 15H2O), aluminum sulphate (Al2(SO4)3) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3)) were investigated using horizontal burning test against flame retardant. Also, the prepared paper sheets were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and Infrared spectroscopy (IR). Furthermore, the water absorption was determined. In addition, the mechanical properties (breaking length, tear factor and burst factor) of the prepared paper sheet were evaluated. Correspondingly, the physical (structure and mechanical) properties of the prepared paper sheet were enhanced in terms of tensile, tear factor and water absorption. Also, delaying firing process will help in protecting the materials from burning, saving many of economic effect. So the prepared paper sheet can be used for different industrial applications especially in packaging applications

Grafting Improves Fruit Yield of Cucumber Plants Grown under Combined Heat and Soil Salinity Stresses

[EN] Improving the productivity of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) plants subjected to combined salinity and heat stresses is a significant challenge, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Gianco F1 cucumbers were grafted onto five cucurbit rootstocks and, together with an ungrafted control, were grown in Egypt in a net house with saline soil during the summer season over two years. The vegetative growth, yield, quality, biochemical, and mineral composition traits were measured. Although many differences were observed among treatments, in general, the grafted plants had a performance better than or similar to that of the ungrafted plants, based on the different parameters measured. In particular, the cucumber plants grafted onto the Cucurbita maxima x C. moschata interspecific hybrid rootstocks VSS-61 F1 and Ferro had the highest early and total marketable yields. These two rootstocks consistently conferred higher vigor to the scion, which had lower flower abortion rates and higher chlorophyll contents. The fruit quality and N, P, and K composition in the leaves suffered few relevant changes as compared with the control. However, the leaves of the VSS-61 F1 had higher catalase activity, as well as proline and Se contents, while those of Ferro had higher Si content. This study reveals that the grafting of cucumber plants onto suitable rootstocks may mitigate the adverse effects caused by the combination of saline soil and heat stresses. This represents a significant improvement for cucumber cultivation in saline soil under high-temperature stress conditions in arid regions.Bayoumi, Y.; Abd-Alkarim, E.; El-Ramady, H.; El-Aidy, F.; Hamed, E.; Taha, N.; Prohens Tomás, J.... (2021). Grafting Improves Fruit Yield of Cucumber Plants Grown under Combined Heat and Soil Salinity Stresses. Horticulturae. 7(3):1-14. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae70300611147

URBAN WATERFRONT REVITALIZATION THROUGH LANDSCAPE DESIGN ENHANCING SOCIAL-CULTURAL CONDITIONS OF EL-MINA, TRIPOLI

The concept of waterfront revitalization has been a prominent notion in the field of urban planning and is considered an effective strategy to enhance deteriorated sites and inspire the identity and authenticity of communities. Nevertheless, there is no definite prescription for success when it comes to linking waterfront landscape design with improving the social and cultural site conditions in a deteriorating historical area. This paper examines the revitalization of the waterfront through greenway design in El-Mina, Tripoli, Lebanon in order to put emphasis on the local culture of the city and create socio-cultural opportunities for the area of study and better improve the quality of life of its residents. The research employs a mixed method approach, where both qualitative and quantitative methods are applied. The qualitative approach is based on theoretical study and the analysis of three case studies and the quantitative part of the study consists of both a survey and simulations to understand the various struggles and problems that the residents of the zone of study face and to find the optimum landscape design proposal that links the waterfront to the existing urban fabric along with sustainable environmental solutions to enhance the surrounding heritage context through the design of a Cultural Park that is applied on a lot by the city’s waterfront. A set of design recommendations regarding the connectivity of landscape waterfront spaces to heritage spaces were then issued and developed based on the synthesis of the simulation results and urban analysis

Producing ice cream with concentrated cactus pear pulp: A preliminary study

Abstract Red cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) pulp was tested for some technological and chemical characteristics. The pulp was concentrated up to 30°Brix then added at four levels (0, 5, 10 and 15%) to basic ice cream mix. The basic mix contained 0.5% gelatin, 8% fat and 10.5% milk solids non-fat (MSNF), and 16% sucrose. Some of rheological parameters of both mixes and resultant ice cream samples, in addition to some technological characteristics of resultant ice cream samples were measured. The rheological properties of all ice cream mixes before and after aging showed that the flow behavior of mixes is non-Newtonian besides being pseudoplastic behavior. While specific gravity and weight per gallon of resultant ice cream samples increased by increasing of added pulp, overrun decreased. Sensory evaluation of resultant ice cream samples showed that sample with 5% cactus was very desirable and very close to control sample. This work shows the possibility of producing a new product of ice cream using cactus pear pulp as a good fruit substitute

Some Functional, Chemical, and Sensory Characteristics of Cactus Pear Rice-Based Extrudates

ABSTRACT Both orange-yellow and red cactus pear pulps were concentrated (to 40ºBrix), and then added to rice grits to produce a delectable product of rice-based extrudates. Both concentrated pulps were added to rice grits in five levels 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%. The effects of added concentrated pulps on some physical (expansion ratio (ER), bulk density (BD), water absorption index (WAI), water solubility index (WSI), breaking strength (BS), and color attributes (L*, a* and b*); chemical (moisture, total carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat and ash); and sensory (taste, crispness, chewiness, odor, color, pore distribution, surface characteristics, and overall acceptability) characteristics of extruded products were evaluated. The expansion ratio (ER), water absorption index (WAI), and water soluble index (WSI) of all products decreased by increasing the added concentrated-pulp ratio, while breaking strength (BS) decreased up to 10% of the added ratio, then increased. Bulk density, ash content and color attributes (a* and b*) increased for all extruded products. Adding both concentrated cactus pear pulps to rice flour extremely enhanced the sensory characteristics of final extruded products, and the obtained results showed the possibility of producing a new value-added snack-type extrudate based on cactus pear pulp concentrates

Pathogenesis and Clinical Relevance of Candida Biofilms in Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

The ability of Candida spp. to form biofilms is crucial for its pathogenicity, and thus, it should be considered an important virulence factor in vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and recurrent VVC (RVVC). Its ability to generate biofilms is multifactorial and is generally believed to depend on the site of infection, species and strain involved, and the microenvironment in which the infection develops. Therefore, both cell surface proteins, such as Hwp1, Als1, and Als2, and the cell wall-related protein, Sun41, play a critical role in the adhesion and virulence of the biofilm. Immunological and pharmacological approaches have identified the NLRP3 inflammasome as a crucial molecular factor contributing to host immunopathology. In this context, we have earlier shown that Candida albicans associated with hyphae-secreted aspartyl proteinases (specifically SAP4-6) contribute to the immunopathology of the disease. Transcriptome profiling has revealed that non-coding transcripts regulate protein synthesis post-transcriptionally, which is important for the growth of Candida spp. Other studies have employed RNA sequencing to identify differences in the 1,245 Candida genes involved in surface and invasive cellular metabolism regulation. In vitro systems allow the simultaneous processing of a large number of samples, making them an ideal screening technique for estimating various physicochemical parameters, testing the activity of antimicrobial agents, and analyzing genes involved in biofilm formation and regulation (in situ) in specific strains. Murine VVC models are used to study C. albicans infection, especially in trials of novel treatments and to understand the cause(s) for resistance to conventional therapeutics. This review on the clinical relevance of Candida biofilms in VVC focuses on important advances in its genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Moreover, recent experiments on the influence of biofilm formation on VVC or RVVC pathogenesis in laboratory animals have been discussed. A clear elucidation of one of the pathogenesis mechanisms employed by Candida biofilms in vulvovaginal candidiasis and its applications in clinical practice represents the most significant contribution of this manuscript

Acne and sun exposure: epidemiology, feelings and behaviours in Mediterranean countries

Background. Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease with a great impact on quality of life.Differences in latitude and sun exposure can totally change the characteristics of the disease. No universally accepted epidemiologic data are currently available. Objective. The aim of this study is to collect epidemiological data about acne, its severi- ty and its management during the summer months in different ethnic groups of the Mediterranean area. Methods. We analysed 355 acne patients (198 Italian, 85 Egyptian and 72 Croatian), between the ages of 12 and 40, and interviewed 80 dermatologists (40 Italian, 20 Egyptian, 20 Croatian) about their habitual therapeutic protocols. A group of expert der- matologists developed a questionnaire for acne patients to gather epidemiologic data and to assess their attitude towards therapy during summertime. Another questionnaire was created for dermatologists, to evaluate their approach to acne management and treat- ment during the summer. Results and discussion. Our results show that summer is an important period for the man- agement of acne in these three countries: a lot of differences in behaviour among patients were registered. Egyptian patients tend to continue therapy during the summer compared to Italian and Croatian patients