Techno-economical and Environmental Study of Utilizing Alternative Fuel and Waste Heat Reuse in a Cement Plant

In this work, a cement plant was simulated to estimate heat losses and pollution emission in the process. Also, a waste heat recovery system was introduced to use two main sources of heat losses, i.e. flue gas and hot air streams and produce steam and power. Moreover, the use of natural gas as an alternative to the current energy source, fuel oil, was studied in two cases, associated with and without waste heat recovery system. Results showed that 34.28% of initial energy was lost in the base case, 48% of which is from flue gas and hot vent air streams. Also, changing the fuel source from fuel oil to natural gas results in CO2 emission rate to decrease from 118,693 to 115,367 kg/hr, and emission of NO2 and SO2 was reduced to nearly 100%. In addition to environmental benefits, economical analyses suggest the use of waste heat recovery system as well as change of fuel for this plant.Key words: Cement plant; Waste heat recovery; Alternative fuel; HYSYS simulation; Air pollution reductio

Blockchain for Healthcare Systems: Concepts, Applications, Challenges, and Future Trends

-Electronic medical records are digital documents that contain medical data pertaining to a patient\u27s medical care. Because electronic health records are regularly exchanged amongst stakeholders in healthcare, they are prone to a range of challenges such as data misuse and loss of privacy and security. These challenges may be solved by utilizing blockchain-based technologies in the healthcare area. Blockchain is a decentralized innovative technology that can completely transform, reshape, and reinvent how data is stored and processed in the healthcare sector. In this article, we offer an overview of the blockchain, its formation, its types, and how it works. We review the various applications of blockchain in the medical field and how Blockchain revolutionized the medical industry. We highlight previous scientific research on the application of blockchain to electronic health record systems (EHRs). Finally, we discuss the open research problems that limit the use of blockchain in the medical field

Using Information and Communication Technology and Developing the Creative Abilities of Social Work Students

The research problem is to identify the impact of using information and communication technology (ICT) on developing the creative abilities of social work students. The research employed a descriptive-analytical approach in which a sample of social work students was surveyed. Field data was collected using a scale developed by the researchers to measure the impact of students’ use of ICT on developing their creative abilities. After establishing the validity and reliability of the scale, data collection began in December 2022 when an electronic link was sent to all social work students via the official university mail. After processing the data using SPSS, the results were extracted, and a final research report was written. The results confirmed the students’ high readiness to use ICT, while their reliance on ICT improved their academic and personal performance. In addition, the research results confirmed that students’ use of ICT effectively influenced the development of their creative abilities. As a result, the study recommends that universities should focus on adequately training students and faculty members in the use of various types of ICT and encourage them to use them

Influence of Oscillating Packing Instrument on Microhardness of Bulk-Fill Composite: In Vitro Study

AIM: This study aimed to assess Vickers microhardness of Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill composite that was packed manually and using oscillating packing device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two different packing techniques were applied on Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill composite. For each packing technique, ten specimens (6 mm in diameter and 4 mm height) were prepared using a black-shaded Teflon mold. The resin was inserted in a bulk increment either packed manually or using Compothixo oscillating device and then light-cured for 40 s. Microhardness was analyzed at the top and the bottom surfaces. RESULTS: Overall, for both packing techniques, microhardness decreased significantly with the increase of depth. Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill composite when packed either manually or using oscillating device, did not show significant difference neither at the top surfaces of both applied techniques nor at the bottom surfaces of both applied techniques. CONCLUSION: Different packing techniques did not influence the microhardness of Tetric EvoCeram Bulk Fill composite. &nbsp

A study of annexin-V labeled-lymphocytes apoptosis in pediatric-onset systemic lupus erythematosus in comparison to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

Background: In systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which is the prototype of autoimmune diseases, the autoimmune process seems to be antigen driven. Apoptosis is responsible for eliminating cells from the immune system that are autoreactive, and defects in apoptosis may contribute to autoimmune diseases such as SLE and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). Objective: This work is aimed to study the apoptotic peripheral blood lymphocytes in patients with pediatric- onset SLE, to trace its correlations, if any, with the disease activity and clinical presentation, and to compare the apoptotic process to that in JRA, as an example of another rheumatologic disorder. Methods: The study was conducted on 32 patients with pediatric- onset SLE; their ages ranged between 5 and 25 years (mean + SD = 15.5 + 4.4). In addition to various laboratory investigations needed for diagnosis, assessment of different system involvement as well as disease activity, the percentage of early circulating apoptotic lymphocytes was measured by flowcytometry using Annexin –V. The results were compared to that of 20 age and sex matched clinically healthy children and adolescents as well as 10 JRA patients. Results: The percentage of circulating early apoptotic lymphocytes was significantly higher in SLE patients (mean ± SD = 7.02 ± 7.29 %) and JRA patients (mean ± SD=5.91± 6.00 %) as compared to healthy controls (mean ± SD = 1.89 ± 2.21 %; p=0.0003 and 0.023, respectively). The levels of apoptotic lymphocytes seemed higher in SLE patients than in JRA patients but the difference was statistically insignificant (p=0.58). There was no correlation between the percentage of circulating apoptotic lymphocytes and the disease activity markers (SLEDAI and ESR), different system involvement and the dose or duration of corticosteroids therapy. Conclusion: The general increase of circulating apoptotic lymphocytes seen in SLE patients may not be specific to SLE and could be seen with other autoimmune diseases. It seems that disturbance in the apoptotic process contributes more to the phenomenon of autoantigenicity rather than the prediction of the disease clinical activity or specific organ involvement.Keywords: SLE, apoptosis, annexin V, autoimmune diseases, JRA, PediatricEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2003; 1(2): 118-2

Reliability of Artificial Intelligence in Lateral Cephalometric Analysis

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability of lateral cephalometric analysis performed by an artificial intelligence-dependent software program.Methods: One Hundred and Eighty digital cephalometric radiographs acquired by Vatech PaX-i X-ray machine, were used in the study. The anatomical landmarks of both Steiner and McNamara analyses were manually traced using a third-party software AudaxCeph Empower, version 6.6.12.4731 (Audax d.o.o., Ljubljana, Slovenia), the tracing was performed by two radiologists with more than 5 years of experience in digital cephalometry to determine the inter-reliability, then it was repeated with an interval of two weeks to determine the intra-reliability. The landmarks were retraced automatically through the fully automatic option on the same software program using convolutional neural network.Results: Regarding McNamara analysis, the results of this study showed excellent reliability of the artificial intelligence measurements compared to the manual measurements, with an interclass correlation coefficient >0.9. Regarding Steiner analysis, our results showed excellent reliability of the artificial intelligence measurements compared to the manual measurements (0.75<ICC<1 excluding Positive 1/SN degree, Negative 1i/NB mm, Pg/NB mm, and S-L point mm, which show moderate reliability with 0.4<ICC<0.74). Two measurements showed poor reliability (Holdaway ratio and S-E point mm).Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the AudaxCeph automated software program has excellent reliability regarding McNamara and Steiner analyses. While in Steiner analysis, manual confirmation should be made with some dental landmarks

Emergency percutaneous tracheotomy in failed intubation

AbstractObjectiveCricothyrotomy is the emergency surgical means of gaining access to the airways. However it holds a lot of problems to the patient and is only a temporary measure until a definitive airway is reached. Griggs’ forceps technique for elective bedside percutaneous dilational tracheotomy (PDT) is safe, fast, and carries fewer complications in expert hands. This study aimed at comparing between emergency cricothyrotomy and emergency PDT in patients with failed intubation.DesignA comparative double blind study.SettingEmergency room of Alexandria main university hospitals.Patients169 failed to intubate, failed to ventilate patients.MethodsThey were serially randomized into group I (85 patients): percutaneous cricothyrotomy and group II (84 patients): PDT using Griggs’ forceps technique.ResultsSuccess rate was 95.3% in group I and 97.6% in group II. Procedure duration (in minutes) was 1.85±0.36 in group I versus 1.46±0.31 in group II. Lung atelectasis occurred to 8.2% of patients in group I only. Vocal cord injury occurred to 4.7% of patients in group I versus 1.2% in group II.ConclusionEmergency PDT is feasible and safe in expert hands

Relation of Fruiting in Seewy Date Palm Cultivar with Spraying Boric Acid and Calcium Nitrate

The objective of this work to study the influence of foliar application of boric acid (0, 125, 250 and 500 ppm) and calcium nitrate (0, 1%, 2% and 3%) on fruit set and yield as well as fruit quality of Seewy date palm cultivar growing in El Dakhla Oasis, New Valley governorate during two successive seasons (2021, 2022), palms were treated with different rates of boric acid (zero, 125, 250 and 500 ppm) and sprayed with calcium nitrate at rates (zero, 1%, 2% and 4%). Results showed that all studied treatments had significant effect on fruit set and total yield compared with the control treatment in both experimental seasons. Spraying boric acid at 500 ppm with calcium nitrate at 2% in both seasons gave the best results of fruit set and total yield. In addition, this combination gave the highest T.S.S content, total sugars and reducing sugars; in contrast, the lowest values of total acidity in two studied seasons

On Bayesian Identification of Autoregressive Processes

<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 36pt; direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;">The main objective of the current study is to handle the identification problem of autoregressive processes from the Bayesian point of view. Two Bayesian identification approaches are considered. They are referred to as the direct and the indirect approaches. The two approaches are employed to solve the Bayesian identification problem of autoregressive processes using three well known priors. These priors are the G prior, the Natural-Conjugate prior and Jeffrey's prior. The theoretical derivations related to the two Bayesian identification approaches are conducted using the above mentioned priors. Moreover, the performance of the two techniques, using each of the three priors, is investigated via comprehensive simulation studies. Simulation results show that the two techniques are adequate to solve the identification problem of autoregressive processes. The increase in the time series length leads to better performance for each technique. The use of different priors doesn't affect the previous results.</span></p

Integration Routes Between Social Work and Voluntary Work: A Sociohistorical Perspective

The research problem is to determine the nature of the historical relationship between the profession of social work and volunteer work. Consequently, the research aims to investigate the nature of this relationship from a socio-historical perspective. Three axes have been used to analyze this relationship: the role of voluntary work in the development of the social work as a profession, the efforts made by social work to reach professionism and to distinguish it from voluntary work, and the relationship between social work and voluntary work. The research is qualitative analytical research and adopts the Mixed Methods Research (MMR). It identifies some literature for the analysis and implementation of a scoping process. It represents a systematic study approach to explore the socio-historical relationship between social work and voluntary work. To meet the objective of the study, the research sample has included several studies, research, and theoretical and scientific literature that address this historical relationship. The research has concluded the following: Voluntary work contributes to the emergence of the social work profession, as there is a strong relationship between them. Further, the formalization of the social work profession has an impact on the relationship with voluntary work, as government social workers would replace volunteers in providing many social services. As a result, the relationship between social work and volunteer work has evolved into a clear, strong, and solid collaboration. The research has recommended that the education curricula in Arab countries should imply the nature of the historical relationship of profession and voluntary work