Structural, spectral studies and catalytic activity of copper (II) complex of valine-containing polymer

A new copper complex of valine-containing polymer was prepared to mimic an active site center in the metalloenzymes. The valine containing polymer VPAV was prepared by modifying the vinyl pyridine-acrylamide copolymer. The polymer VPAV was investigated using IR, 1H-nmr, and thermal analysis then, the structure was proposed based on the theoretical calculation. The copper complex CuII-VPAV was fully characterized by means of different physicochemical methods such as IR, electronic spectroscopy, EPR and thermal analysis. The catalyst CuII-VPAV was used in the oxidation of poly phenol trihydroxybenzene in the presence and absence of H2O2. The catalysis shows a catalytic efficiency of 1.2 × 104 times in terms of first-order rate constant relative to auto-oxidation of the substrates in an aqueous environment in the presence of H2O2 and under mild conditions. Key words; valine; copolymer; oxidation; polyphenol; modifyin

Concerns Regarding Organ Donation among Adult Patients with Different Health Problems in Egypt

Organ donation is the charitable act or gift of an organ to help someone who needs a transplant. Some people have religious or cultural objections to donate organs. The study aimed to describe basic knowledge and attitude (concerns) regarding organ donation among adult patients with different medical surgical health problems in Cairo-Egypt. Sample: A Convenient sample of 1000 adult patients with different health problems from different urban and rural areas was recruited for this study. Design: A descriptive comparative research design was utilized to fulfill the aim of the study and answer the stated research questions. Setting: The study was conducted at ten medical surgical wards at one educational hospital, affiliated to Cairo University. Tools: Two tools were utilized to collect data pertinent to the study which are: Personal Structured Questionnaire, and Structured Questionnaire about Basic Knowledge, and Attitudes regarding Organ Donation. Results: The study findings revealed that both urban and rural inhabitants’ patients were nearly equal regarding their knowledge and attitude toward organ donation. Current study findings showed no statistical significant difference in familiarity about the term of organ donation among study sample. Regarding attitude toward organ donation, no statistical significant differences were found among study sample in their willingness about organ donation regardless the physical condition as well as religion. Conclusion: The study concluded that being an urban or rural inhabitant didn’t affect the willingness to donate an organ but it significantly affected the level of knowledge regarding organ donation.  Recommendations: Replication of the study regarding organ donation on larger probability sample as the ensuing improved understanding of this process can be used to inform and develop clinical practice and future research in this area.  Keywords: Concerns, knowledge, attitude, organ donation, health problems

Implementing SexEd programs for persons with disabilities: A Survey of Teachers' Views

The aim was to investigate teachers' views regarding implementing SexEd programs for persons with IDs. Teachers' views regarding implementing SexEd programs for persons with IDs was studied. Teachers must be teaching in special education, both sexes (males and females). Participants were 180 teachers (females, n= 30, 16.6%, and males 150, 83.4%).  No differences were found between the two sexes in their responses towards implementing SexEd programs for persons with IDs. Teacher's age had significant effect on respondents' responses towards implementing SexEd programs for persons with IDs. Old teachers had positive responses towards implementing SexEd programs for persons with IDs.     &nbsp

Isoltation, Sequencing, and Annotation of Bacteriophage Gilson

From the Washington University Office of Undergraduate Research Digest (WUURD), Vol. 13, 05-01-2018. Published by the Office of Undergraduate Research. Joy Zalis Kiefer, Director of Undergraduate Research and Associate Dean in the College of Arts & Sciences; Lindsey Paunovich, Editor; Helen Human, Programs Manager and Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences Mentor(s): Kathy Hafer and Chris Schaffe

Comparative study between intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection versus intracytoplasmic sperm injection in patients with severe male factor infertility and repeated intra cytoplasmic sperm injection failure

Background: The aim and objective of the study was to compare the results of IMSI and ICSI among infertile couples with severe male factor and repeated ICSI failure.Methods: A comparative prospective randomized controlled study was carried out in Agial IVF/ICSI center, Alexandria with sample of one hundred and forty infertile couples with severe male factor and repeated ICSI failure using ICSI or IMSI with controlled ovarian hyper-stimulation. The main outcome measures were the chemical and clinical pregnancy rates.Results: The couples were randomly subdivided equally into two groups: A, B, 70 underwent intra cytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI) (group A) and 70 underwent intra cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) (group B) treatment. In the IMSI group there were 19 (27.14%) women got pregnant and 51 (72.86%) did not got pregnant, while in the ICSI group, there were 14 (20.0%) got pregnant and 56 (80.0%) did not got pregnant. Using Pearson Chi-Square test there was no significant difference regarding chemical or clinical pregnancy between the two studied groups.Conclusions: The use of IMSI was proved to be of no evident role in improvement of outcome of pregnancy rate in infertile couples with severe male factor and repeated ICSI failure, as analyzed data didn't show any significant difference

Calibration of numerical simulations modelling of nonresidential building in hot humid clmate region

In Egypt, energy use in buildings has grown in the last 20 years mainly due to the increases in population, number of households, number of offices, as well as increase in service demand, such as more air conditioners and computers. The aim of this study is to create a thermal model for Egyptian office building to represent actual building energy consumption trying the best fit for user behaviors and actual weather data. The simulation model was created using IES VE 2014 and calibrated against measured data for an Egyptian office. The calibration process, intermediate and final results are presented and illustrated for a range of output parameters including internal temperatures, CO2, lighting, equipment, and cooling energy use for different weather periods. This calibrated model can then be used together with uncertainty analysis to evaluate future building upgrade scenarios in order to help improve the energy performance for Egyptian office buildings

Energy and indoor environmental performance of typical Egyptian offices : survey, baseline model and uncertainties

Egyptian electricity demands have increased in recent years and are projected to grow further with significant economic and social impacts. Recently, mandatory and voluntary building codes based on international standards have been increasingly adopted. The performance of existing Egyptian buildings is not well understood making the impact of these new codes uncertain. This paper aims to provide insights into existing Egyptian building performance, and elaborate a process for developing a representative model to assist in future policy. The work presented is for office buildings but intended to be widely replicable. An energy survey was carried out for 59 Egyptian offices, categorised by building service type, it was observed that energy use increases as building services increase, and existing Egyptian offices use less energy than benchmarks. A more detailed investigation for a case study office was carried out, to inform detailed model calibration. This provided insight into energy use, thermal comfort and environmental conditions, and revealed high variability in behaviours. A calibrated model was created for the case study office, then a baseline model and input parameter sets created to represent generalised performance. Future uses including assessment of the impact of codes are discussed, and further replication potentials highlighted

Features of Micro-credential Platforms in Higher Education

Interest in and demand for micro-credentials in higher education institutions is on the rise. Although the concept of micro-credentials is still evolving, they can be seen as short learning opportunities that are accompanied by digital credentials that capture the proofs of the learning. These digital proofs of learning range from skills and competences acquired to information whether such skills were acquired via formal or non-formal learning activities. Micro-credential platforms are used for multiple purposes including issuing, viewing, and storing the digital credentials. Despite the growth in the number of micro-credential platforms in the recent years, literature is limited on the features offered by the platforms and how they are helpful for higher education institutions and learners. To address this gap in research, we employed a qualitative approach by semi-structured interviews and group discussions with platform providers and education experts. Our findings resulted in 38 features that can help higher education institutions, learners, and providers understand what kind of features are emphasized in micro-credential platforms and how they can be helpful for different use purposes. As practical implications, the findings of this study can help higher education institutions in considering adoption and usage of micro-credential platform.publishedVersionPeer reviewe