An Investigation into the Potential Of Immobilized Nitrifies In Wastewater Treatment

Ahmed S. Embaby Removal of ammonia from wastewater is one of the problematic issues in wastewater treatment because nitrifies are very slow growing and can be washed out from activated sludge processes. There is a need to use higher advanced techniques to retain biomass. Among these techniques is cell immobilization in appropriate reactor environments. Cell immobilization technology can be approached by various methods, including cell entrapment or biofilms. However, these immobilization techniques are often accompanied by challenges in terms of biomass activity preservation and recovery following the immobilization treatment, reduction of nutrients mass transfer rates, adequate performance under shock situations and preservation of structural and mechanical integrity of the support material. Our literature review revealed that important issues like, the effect of support matrix Composition on nitrification performance was not addressed adequately, and the effect of pH shock and load shock to immobilized systems were not quantitatively investigated. Hence, it was decided to make these issues prime objectives of this investigation. In addition, the effect of initial ammonia concentration on nitrification performance was studied. In this investigation, immobilization of Nitrosamines cells was carried out using various methods that include entrapment in support matrices and surface biofilms, in order to evaluate the potential of this technology in large-scale wastewater treatment applications. Support material considered for entrapment in this work included alginate gels and Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Materials considered for biofilm growth included available natural and synthetic particles. The results from the biofilm growth experiments suggested that the particles considered in this work were not suitable for Nitrosamines cells. On the other hand, the results of entrapment experiments suggested that out of the three PVA compositions considered in this work (10%, 15% and 20%), the 10% PYA gave the best overall results. This was ascertained by nitrite liberation rates and SEM imagery. In addition, the initial ammonia concentration of 100 ppm that is used in bacterial reactivation gave the best overall nitrification results. This investigation has clearly shown the positive potential of immobilized Nitrosamines cell for nitrification in wastewater treatment applications. In addition to biomass retention, which is a prime objective of immobilization, additional benefits were attained. These Included a resistance to pH and load shock and the ability to sustain nitrification even at high ammonia concentrations.

Heritage conservation and architectural education: “An educational methodology for design studios”

AbstractProtecting the built heritage and conserving the local traditional and cultural values of communities for future generations present a real challenge for developers, architects, and professional education programs which are responsible for preparing the courses focused on heritage conservation aspects, learning respectful aware design with cultural context, and qualified graduates in planning, design, and implementation of conservation projects.The paper aims to propose an educational methodology for dealing with heritage conservation projects: “adaptive reuse of historic buildings” in design studios of architecture and interior design programs, by promoting a design philosophy which supports the integrated approaches of revitalizing heritage values of the traditional communities and creates new activities appropriated with: conservation principles, sense of historic buildings and its cultural context, and continuous with local communities needs. The main issue of the paper is to formulate design processes which can assist and develop students’ abilities to reconstruct and represent the heritage building’s interior within the historic context of sensitive conditions to its architecturally and historically significant features adopted with the new activities. The paper presents two examples of student’s senior project titled with “adaptive reuse of Jeddah historic houses as a tool for developing the cultural tourism” (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia). By evaluating the design processes, concepts, and outcomes the paper concluded that the architectural education programs which focused on revitalization and conservation of communities’ heritage values – throughout developing student’s creative and investigative skills – can be considered as an effective approach in cultural heritage conservation projects

Bioremediation of Crude Oil Contaminated Desert Soil: Effect of Biostimulation, Bioaugmentation and Bioavailability in Biopile Treatment Systems

This work was aimed at evaluating the relative merits of bioaugmentation, biostimulation and surfactant-enhanced bioavailability of a desert soil contaminated by crude oil through biopile treatment. The results show that the desert soil required bioaugmentation and biostimulation for bioremediation of crude oil. The bioaugmented biopile system led to a total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) reduction of 77% over 156 days while the system with polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate (Tween 80) gave a 56% decrease in TPH. The biostimulated system with indigenous micro-organisms gave 23% reduction in TPH. The control system gave 4% TPH reduction. The addition of Tween 80 led to a respiration rate that peaked in 48 days compared to 88 days for the bioaugmented system and respiration declined rapidly due to nitrogen depletion. The residual hydrocarbon in the biopile systems studied contained polyaromatics (PAH) in quantities that may be considered as hazardous. Nitrogen was found to be a limiting nutrient in desert soil bioremediation.United Arab Emirates University Research Sector (grant 03-7-12/02)

Insulin sensitivity and plasma glucose response to aerobic exercise in pregnant women at risk for gestational diabetes mellitus

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the common complications that occur during pregnancy. Early intervention is essential to prevent the development of the disease in the non-pregnant state but also helpful in preventing the occurrence of GDM. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of aerobic exercises on insulin sensitivity and fasting plasma glucose level in pregnant women with risk for gestational diabetes mellitus.Materials and methods: Forty multigravidae women between 20-24 weeks of gestation with risk for GDM were randomly selected (age range was 25-35 years), body mass index ranged from 30-35 kg/m². Women were divided into two equal groups: intervention group (A), which followed an aerobic exercise program in the form of walking on treadmill, three times weekly until the end of 37 weeks of gestation in addition to diet control. Control group (B) which received diet control with usual care given by obstetricians and midwives. Evaluation of the women in both groups was carried out before and after treatment program through assessment of fasting blood glucose and insulin levels.Results: There was a highly statistically significance decrease in fasting blood glucose level, fasting insulin level in both groups where the p value was 0.0001 favoring group (A).Conclusion: Moderate intensity of aerobic exercises were effective in reducing fasting blood glucose level and fasting insulin level in pregnant women with risk for gestational diabetes mellitus.Keywords: Aerobic exercise, Blood glucose level, Insulin level, Pregnancy, Maternal diabete

MEAN PLATELET VOLUME, RED CELL DISTRIBUTION WIDTH, AND LYMPHOCYTE RATIOS AS SURROGATE PREDICTORS OF SUBCLINICAL INFLAMMATION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Inflammation is a key player in schizophrenia pathogenesis. Higher inflammatory indicators like erythrocyte distribution width (RDW), Mean Platelet Volume (MPV), Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio (NLR), monocyte lymphocyte Ratio (MLR) and Platelet-to-lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) were found in schizophrenic patients compared to healthy controls. This comparative cross-sectional study aimed to find the predictors of subclinical inflammatory process in schizophrenic compared to healthy controls. A consecutive sample of 90 individuals were prospectively enrolled in the study: 45 schizophrenic patients and 45 age- and sex-matched controls. The DSM-5 was used to diagnose schizophrenia. Socio-demographic data and blood samples were collected for both groups. The WBCs, absolute neutrophil count, absolute lymphocytic count, RDW%, MPV were significantly higher; Unlike hemoglobin, significantly lower in schizophrenic group (P<0.05). However, no significant differences between both groups regarding absolute monocyte and platelet Count. NLR was significantly higher while PLR and MLR were significantly lower in schizophrenic group (p<0.05). The MPV, RDW, PLR and NLR were independent predictors of subclinical inflammation in schizophrenic schizophrenia. Marked alteration of RDW, MPV, NLR and PLR reflecting the ongoing inflammatory process in schizophrenic patients and these changes during the course of the disease could be monitored to stand on the disease improvement

Assessment of The Diagnostic Value of TOX Versus CD3 Immunohistochemical Markers in Detection of Early Mycosis Fungoides Cases

Background: Primary cutaneous lymphoma (PCL) with clonal proliferation of atypical CD4+ skin-homing T lymphocyte cells is called Mycosis Fungoides (MF). TOX staining is observed in subtypes of PCL, as MF &amp; Sézary Syndrome (SS) in comparison to controls. Early MF is difficult to diagnose, &amp; its distinction from inflammatory diseases may be impossible.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of the TOX versus CD3 as a diagnostic marker for early MF.Patients and methods: retrospective-cross sectional study includes 30 MF and 30 benign cutaneous inflammatory diseases (BCID) cases. All were evaluated using H &amp; E and immunohistochemical staining for TOX &amp; CD3. Results: There was statistically significant increase of TOX &amp; CD3 expression in MF than BCID &amp; ability of TOX to detect all true positive cases (100.0%) compared to (76.7%) for CD3, (P &lt; 0.001).Conclusion: TOX had the highest sensitivity (100.0%) &amp; accuracy (88.3%). TOX is useful marker in the diagnosis of early MF &amp; differentiating it from BCID

EXPERIMENTAL MEASUREMENTS ON NON-NEWTONIAN AND DRAG REDUCTION FLOWS IN PIPES

A laboratory setup was designed for experimental study of non-Newtonian and drag reducing fluid flow in a square cross section pipe. Aqueous solutions of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in water were used as the non-Newtonian fluids while dilute solutions of polyethylene oxide (PEO) in water as the drag reducing fluids. An injection technique was used to overcome the pump degrading effects on the PEO solutions. A turbometer was used for flow rate measurements, a pressure transducer for pressure measurements, Pitot tubes for velocity measurements and Preston tubes for wall shear stress measurements. The performance and calibration of the previous devices are presented in this paper with some results compared with theory

The association of polymorphic sites in some genes with type 1 diabetes mellitus in a sample of Egyptian children

Background: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes have been implicated as the major genetic component in the predisposition to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Other loci outside the MHC had also been reported to contribute in the susceptibility of T1DM. The aim of this study was to examine the role of some variants of polymorphic sites in some genes associated with T1DM in a sample of Egyptian children. Patients and methods: 60 patients with T1DM from the diabetes clinic at Alexandria University Children’s Hospital, and 60 healthy individuals were enrolled in this study. Genomic DNA was extracted using isopropanol precipitation method. Interleukin 18 (IL-18), interleukin 10 (IL-10), vitamin D receptor (VDR), protein tyrosine phosphatase non-receptor type 22 (PTPN22) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) were genotyped. Results: The findings obtained from logistic regression analysis suggest that the IL-18 single nucleotide polymorphisms SNP-137 G&gt;C (rs#187238), the VDR Fok1 SNP T&gt;A (rs#2228570) and the SNP-1123 C&gt;G (rs#2488457) in PTPN22 gene showed a significant difference between patients and controls (P = 0.026, 0.030, and 0.003, respectively). The genotype distributions of PTPN22 SNP-1858, CTLA-4 SNP 49, IL-10 SNP-819, IL-18 SNP-607, and VDR BsmI SNP G&gt;A did not show any significant difference. Conclusion: The IL-18 SNP-137 G&gt;C (rs#187238), VDR SNP-Fok1 T&gt;A (rs#2228570), and the SNP-1123 C&gt;G (rs#2488457) in PTPN22 gene may have an effect on the occurrence of T1DM in Egyptian children. Further large-scale, population-based, case-control studies are needed.Keywords: Genes; Genomic DNA; Single nucleotide polymorphism; Type 1 diabetes mellitu

Innovative Greenhouse to Improve Economic and Environmental Conditions

Together with the World Bank and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a number of international organizations are promoting innovation in agricultural systems to combat natural disasters like extreme weather, drought, floods, rising sea levels, increased snowmelt, and changes in the amount and timing of water used for irrigation. The impacts of climate change on food security are undeniably significant, and they are expected to get worse over the coming years as a result of population growth, economic development, urbanization, and the recurrence of natural disasters. In today’s agribusiness, particularly horticultural agribusinesses such as vegetables and decorative plants, climate-smart greenhouse is not a novel concept. In terms of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, CSA (Climate Smart Agriculture) can contribute. These days, climate-smart greenhouse (CSG) can actually connect adaptation and mitigation at all scales and helps farmers take the lead in combating climate change. The research on CSG emphasizes the need for innovative thinking to harmonize policy and practices in a way that is complementary. Additionally, CSG has to have a better grasp of how well-equipped the consultants or extension services are in each nation to assist with training farmers in climate-smart practices. Additionally, new financial tools are required to enable global, national, and local transformations

Vitamin D level in preschool children with recurrent wheezy chest, and its relation to the severity of the wheezing episodes

Background: Recurrent wheezy chest is a common complaint in pediatric practice. Vitamin D is a potent immunomodulator in allergic diseases as wheezy chest and asthma. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been increasing in Egypt leading to significant morbidities.Objectives: This study aimed to assess serum 25 hydroxy (OH) Vitamin D level in preschool children with recurrent wheezy chest, and to assess its relation to the recurrence, severity, and level of control of the wheezing episodes.Methods: The study included 100 preschool children (aged 2 to 5 years), of both sexes, recruited from the Emergency department, Allergy and Pulmonology units at Assiut University Children Hospital, Egypt. They should have at least 3 documented episodes of wheeze, cough, and difficulty breathing in the last year with clinical improvement on inhaled short-acting beta 2 agonists. Patients were subjected to questionnaire-based history, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations (complete blood count (CBC) with the absolute eosinophil count, serum total IgE level, and serum 25 hydroxy (OH) Vitamin D level). Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM score) for assessment of the severity of the wheezing episodes and Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) based level of asthma control for children 5 years and younger were applied. The patients were grouped according to PRAM score to mild, moderate and severe episodes and according to vitamin D level as sufficient and below-sufficient groups (including deficient and insufficient patients).Results: 25(OH) Vitamin D level was below-sufficient in 53% of the studied patients (deficient in 32% and insufficient in 21%). PRAM score was significantly lower in patients with sufficient 25(OH) Vitamin D level versus those with below-sufficient level (p &lt; 0.025). There was a significant negative correlation between PRAM score and 25 (OH) Vitamin D level (r = -0.334, p = 0.001).Conclusion: There is an inverse relationship between 25(OH)vitamin D level and parameters of asthma severity, as well as with the level of asthma control in preschool children with recurrent wheezy chest.Keywords: Vitamin D, recurrent wheezy chest, preschool childre