Key drivers of renewable energy deployment in the MENA Region: Empirical evidence using panel quantile regression

With the growing pressure from the adverse impact of environmental pollution and climate change, the deployment of renewable sources is becoming one of the economic priorities for governments worldwide. Despite potential gains of renewable sources, little evidence is provided in the literature about the determinants of renewable energy deployment in the MENA region. In particular, whether political stability, governance quality and financial development matter or not for unleashing the potentials of renewable energy programs. To this end, this paper aims to fill the gap by examining the impact of political stability, quality of governance and institutions, and financial development on the deployment of renewable energy production in 9 selected MENA countries using annual data over the period 1984-2014. Accordingly, an innovative panel quantile regression model with non-additive fixed effect has been developed to tackle this issue. Our findings confirm that the effect of political stability is clearly heterogeneous and supports earlier claims about the importance of political stability to foster investments in the renewable energy sector. Findings also show that financial development has a positive impact on renewable energy production. In addition, we also find that the interaction term between governance effectiveness and financial development is negative for the lower quantiles but positive for the highest quantiles. These findings support our hypotheses and suggest that political stability, governance effectiveness, and financial development are essential drivers for promoting renewable energy production in the MENA region

Dynamic localized turbulent diffusion and its impact on the galactic ecosystem

Modelling the turbulent diffusion of thermal energy, momentum, and metals is required in all galaxy evolution simulations due to the ubiquity of turbulence in galactic environments. The most commonly employed diffusion model, the Smagorinsky model, is known to be overdiffusive due to its strong dependence on the fluid velocity shear. We present a method for dynamically calculating a more accurate, locally appropriate, turbulent diffusivity: the dynamic localized Smagorinsky model. We investigate a set of standard astrophysically relevant hydrodynamical tests, and demonstrate that the dynamic model curbs overdiffusion in non-turbulent shear flows and improves the density contrast in our driven turbulence experiments. In galactic discs, we find that the dynamic model maintains the stability of the disc by preventing excessive angular momentum transport, and increases the metal-mixing time-scale in the interstellar medium. In both our isolated Milky Way-like galaxies and cosmological simulations, we find that the interstellar and circumgalactic media are particularly sensitive to the treatment of turbulent diffusion. We also examined the global gas enrichment fractions in our cosmological simulations, to gauge the potential effect on the formation sites and population statistics of Population III stars and supermassive black holes, since they are theorized to be sensitive to the metallicity of the gas out of which they form. The dynamic model is, however, not for galaxy evolution studies only. It can be applied to all astrophysical hydrodynamics simulations, including those modelling stellar interiors, planetary formation, and star formation

Rayleigh-benard convection of cu-water and cuo-water nanofluids in rectangular enclosure

The heat transfer by natural convection of nanofluid inside a horizontal cavity heated from below (Rayleigh–Bénard problem) was numerically investigated. Two different nanofluids are con-sidered: Cu-Water and CuO-Water nanofluids, for which viscos-ity and thermal conductivity were determined using Brownian motion models. We supposed that nanofluid is mono-constituent fluid. In this work, simulations have been carried out for different cavity aspect ratios (width/height) and Rayleigh number and na-noparticle volume fraction are taken up to 0.04 to ensure a New-tonian behavior of the mixture. It is found that the presence of nanoparticles affects the flow and thermal boundary layer and that is due to the high viscosity and thermal conductivity in the nanofluids. The nanofluid Nusselt number exhibits a slight increase as function of aspect ratio comparing to that in pure fluid. That enhancement is strongly influenced by Rayleigh number and the cavity aspect ratio.Papers presented to the 12th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Costa de Sol, Spain on 11-13 July 2016

Influence of array interspacing on the force required for successful microneedle skin penetration: theoretical and practical approaches

Insertion behaviour of microneedle (MN) arrays depends upon the mechanical properties of the skin and, MN geometry and distribution in an array. In addressing this issue, this paper studies MN array insertion mechanism into skin and provides a simple quantitative basis to relate the insertion force with distance between two MNs. The presented framework is based on drawing an analogy between a beam on an elastic foundation and mechanism of needle insertion, where insertion force is separated into different components. A theoretical analysis indicates that insertion force decreases as interspacing increases. For a specified skin type, insertion force decreased from 0.029 to 0.028N/MN when interspacing at MN tip was increased from 50μm (350μm at MN base) to 150μm (450μm at MN base). However, dependence of insertion force seems to decrease as the interspacing is increased beyond 150μm. To assess the validity of the proposed model, a series of experiments was carried out to determine the force required for skin insertion of MN. Experiments performed at insertion speed of 0.5 and 1.0mm/s yielded insertion force values of 0.030 and 0.0216N, respectively, for 30μm interspacing at MN base (330μm interspacing at tip) and 0.028 and 0.0214N, respectively, for 600μm interspacing at MN base (900μm interspacing at tip). Results from theoretical analysis and finite element modelling agree well with experimental results, which show MN interspacing only begins to affect insertion force at low interspacing (<150μm interspacing at MN base). This model provides a framework for optimising MN devices, and should aid development of suitable application method and determination of force for reliable insertion into skin. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Graphene oxide-induced CuO reduction in TiO2/CaTiO3/Cu2O/Cu composites for photocatalytic degradation of drugs via peroxymonosulfate activation

Contamination of water bodies is a global environmental and human health issue. Conventional water treatment systems cannot efficiently eliminate organic contaminants, particularly drugs. Photocatalysis is a promising, environmentally friendly oxidation process for the removal of such compounds. A key point is the choice of material to be used as photocatalyst. Here, TiO2/CaTiO3/Cu2O/Cu composites were fabricated by adding different amounts (x) of graphene oxide (GO) (x wt% = 1, 3, and 5 %) to CaCu3Ti4O12 powder using the solid-state synthesis method. The produced pellets were sintered under inert nitrogen atmosphere at 1100 °C for 3 h. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the Cu metal amount was increased upon GO addition, and the UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy showed that the spectral response was extended to the visible range. Then, high performance liquid chromatography assessment of paracetamol degradation by a photocatalytic cell using TiO2/CaTiO3/Cu2O/Cu composites with different GO amounts showed that the removal efficiency was increased upon introduction of 0.5 mM peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as active component to generate radical dotSO4‾ radicals. After 3 h under visible light, 96 % of 10 ppm paracetamol was degraded by the composite with 3 % of GO (1 cm2 surface photocatalyst) compared with 50 % by the composite without GO in the same experimental conditions (PMS in 210 mL of aqueous solution). Free radical trapping and the acute toxicity of potential degradation by-products were also investigated. Our results indicate that TiO2/CaTiO3/Cu2O/Cu with 3 % GO displays long-term stability and durability for the photocatalytic removal of pharmaceutical pollutants from wastewater

Characterization of Spontaneous Bone Marrow Recovery after Sublethal Total Body Irradiation: Importance of the Osteoblastic/Adipocytic Balance

Many studies have already examined the hematopoietic recovery after irradiation but paid with very little attention to the bone marrow microenvironment. Nonetheless previous studies in a murine model of reversible radio-induced bone marrow aplasia have shown a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) prior to hematopoietic regeneration. This increase in ALP activity was not due to cell proliferation but could be attributed to modifications of the properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC). We thus undertook a study to assess the kinetics of the evolution of MSC correlated to their hematopoietic supportive capacities in mice treated with sub lethal total body irradiation. In our study, colony-forming units – fibroblasts (CFU-Fs) assay showed a significant MSC rate increase in irradiated bone marrows. CFU-Fs colonies still possessed differentiation capacities of MSC but colonies from mice sacrificed 3 days after irradiation displayed high rates of ALP activity and a transient increase in osteoblastic markers expression while pparγ and neuropilin-1 decreased. Hematopoietic supportive capacities of CFU-Fs were also modified: as compared to controls, irradiated CFU-Fs significantly increased the proliferation rate of hematopoietic precursors and accelerated the differentiation toward the granulocytic lineage. Our data provide the first evidence of the key role exerted by the balance between osteoblasts and adipocytes in spontaneous bone marrow regeneration. First, (pre)osteoblast differentiation from MSC stimulated hematopoietic precursor's proliferation and granulopoietic regeneration. Then, in a second time (pre)osteoblasts progressively disappeared in favour of adipocytic cells which down regulated the proliferation and granulocytic differentiation and then contributed to a return to pre-irradiation conditions

Informe de la campaña ARGELIA0204 para la evaluación de recursos demersales en las costas de Argelia (Mediterráneo sud-occidental)

RESUMEN: Del 5 de Febrero al 8 de Marzo de 2004 se llevó a cabo la campaña de prospección pesquera con arrastre de fondo ARGELIA0204 en aguas de Argelia, a bordo del B/O Vizconde de Eza. Se realizaron 114 pescas (6 nulas) entre 40 y 760 m de profundidad. Se presentan los resultados de las capturas realizadas en esta campaña y se analizan los índices de abundancia y biomasa de las especies más importantes, así como su distribución de tallas, por sector geográfico y estrato batimétrico. Se comparan los rendimientos y las tallas obtenidos con los de la campaña realizada en 2003 en la misma área y con otras campañas realizadas en el Mediterráneo.RÉSUME: Rapport de la campagne ARGELIA0204 portant évaluation des ressources demersaux des côtes Algériennes (Méditerranée sud-occidental).- Du 05 du Février au 8 du Mars 2004, s’est réalisée une campagne de prospection par chalutage du fond ARGELIA0204 des côtes Algériennes, a bord du B/O Vizconde de Eza. 114 traits de pêche (6 annulées) ont été effectue entre 40 et 800 m de profondeur. Les résultats des captures réalisées durant cette campagne et l’analyse des indices d’abondance et biomasse des espèces les plus importantes sont présentés, par secteur, par aire géographique et strate bathymétrique, ainsi que leurs distributions de tailles par secteur géographique et strate bathymétrique. Les rendements et les tailles obtenus ont fait l’objet d’une comparaison avec les autres campagnes réalisées dans la Méditerranée.ABSTRACT: Report of the ARGELIA0204 survey for the assessment of the deep-sea demersal resources off Algerian coast (south-western Mediterranean).- From 5 February to 8 March 2004 the bottom-trawl survey ARGELIA0204 was developed in waters off Argelia, on board R/V Vizconde de Eza. 114 hauls (6 null) were carried out between 40 and 800 m depth. The results on the captures obtained during this survey are shown and abundance and biomass indexes of the most important species are analyzed by geographic sector and area, and bathymetric stratum, as their size distribution by geographic sector and bathymetric stratum. Yields and sizes obtained are compared to those from other surveys carried out in the Mediterranea

Inhibition of Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) Infections by a Novel Antiviral Peptide Derived from EV-71 Capsid Protein VP1

Enterovirus 71 (EV-71) is the main causative agent of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). In recent years, EV-71 infections were reported to cause high fatalities and severe neurological complications in Asia. Currently, no effective antiviral or vaccine is available to treat or prevent EV-71 infection. In this study, we have discovered a synthetic peptide which could be developed as a potential antiviral for inhibition of EV-71. Ninety five synthetic peptides (15-mers) overlapping the entire EV-71 capsid protein, VP1, were chemically synthesized and tested for antiviral properties against EV-71 in human Rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. One peptide, SP40, was found to significantly reduce cytopathic effects of all representative EV-71 strains from genotypes A, B and C tested, with IC50 values ranging from 6–9.3 µM in RD cells. The in vitro inhibitory effect of SP40 exhibited a dose dependent concentration corresponding to a decrease in infectious viral particles, total viral RNA and the levels of VP1 protein. The antiviral activity of SP40 peptide was not restricted to a specific cell line as inhibition of EV-71 was observed in RD, HeLa, HT-29 and Vero cells. Besides inhibition of EV-71, it also had antiviral activities against CV-A16 and poliovirus type 1 in cell culture. Mechanism of action studies suggested that the SP40 peptide was not virucidal but was able to block viral attachment to the RD cells. Substitutions of arginine and lysine residues with alanine in the SP40 peptide at positions R3A, R4A, K5A and R13A were found to significantly decrease antiviral activities, implying the importance of positively charged amino acids for the antiviral activities. The data demonstrated the potential and feasibility of SP40 as a broad spectrum antiviral agent against EV-71

Consensus Middle East and North Africa Registry on Inborn Errors of Immunity

Background: Inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are a heterogeneous group of genetic defects of immunity, which cause high rates of morbidity and mortality mainly among children due to infectious and non-infectious complications. The IEI burden has been critically underestimated in countries from middle- and low-income regions and the majority of patients with IEI in these regions lack a molecular diagnosis. Methods: We analyzed the clinical, immunologic, and genetic data of IEI patients from 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The data was collected from national registries and diverse databases such as the Asian Pacific Society for Immunodeficiencies (APSID) registry, African Society for Immunodeficiencies (ASID) registry, Jeffrey Modell Foundation (JMF) registry, J Project centers, and International Consortium on Immune Deficiency (ICID) centers. Results: We identified 17,120 patients with IEI, among which females represented 39.4%. Parental consanguinity was present in 60.5% of cases and 27.3% of the patients were from families with a confirmed previous family history of IEI. The median age of patients at the onset of disease was 36 months and the median delay in diagnosis was 41 months. The rate of registered IEI patients ranges between 0.02 and 7.58 per 100,000 population, and the lowest rates were in countries with the highest rates of disability-adjusted life years (DALY) and death rates for children. Predominantly antibody deficiencies were the most frequent IEI entities diagnosed in 41.2% of the cohort. Among 5871 patients genetically evaluated, the diagnostic yield was 83% with the majority (65.2%) having autosomal recessive defects. The mortality rate was the highest in patients with non-syndromic combined immunodeficiency (51.7%, median age: 3.5 years) and particularly in patients with mutations in specific genes associated with this phenotype (RFXANK, RAG1, and IL2RG). Conclusions: This comprehensive registry highlights the importance of a detailed investigation of IEI patients in the MENA region. The high yield of genetic diagnosis of IEI in this region has important implications for prevention, prognosis, treatment, and resource allocation