Design of a modified natural egyptian solar house

The rate of increase in energy consumption and high costs in addition to the depletion of existing resources has a significant impact on our standard of living for next generations. In this case, the priority is to develop alternative cost-effective sources for powering the residential and non-residential buildings. This paper proposes and develops a design of a modified small two-story residential solar house for a medium-sized family located in Cairo, Egypt. This modified solar house meets almost all its energy demands including space heating by using solar air collector with a pebble storage unit in winter and a summer cooling system using wind catcher theory. Hot water is obtained throughout the day by using a steel sheltered water storage tank with a capacity of 1000 liter. Finally, the proposed heating system of the solar house is sized and modeled

Biomimetic magnetic sensor for electrochemical determination of scombrotoxin in fish

This work addresses a novel, rapid and cost-effective approach for the electrochemical sensing of scombrotoxin (histamine) in fish based on magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (magnetic-MIP). The histamine magnetic-MIP was synthesized by the core-shell method using histamine as a template, and 2-vinyl pyridine as functional monomer. The magnetic-MIP was characterized by TEM, SEM, and confocal microscopy. Additionally, the binding capacity of magnetic-MIP towards histamine was investigated and compared with magnetic non-molecularly imprinted polymer (magnetic-NIP). This biomimetic material merged the advantages of MIPs and magnetic particles (MPs), including low cost of production, stability, high binding capacity and can be easily separated by the aid of a permanent magnet. The magnetic-MIP was integrated into magneto-actuated electrodes for the direct electrochemical detection of histamine preconcentrated from fish samples. The results revealed that this approach succeeded in the preconcentration and determination of histamine with a LOD as low as 1.6 × 10−6 mg L−1, much lower than the index for fish spoilage (50 mg kg−1) accordingly to the legislation. Furthermore, the analytical performance was validated for the determination of histamine in scombroid fish samples with recovery values ranging from 96.8 to 102.0 %, confirm so it can be applied easily for routine food examination.Fil: Hassan, Amal H. A.. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; España. Beni suef University; EgiptoFil: Sappia, Luciano David. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisicoquímicas Teóricas y Aplicadas; ArgentinaFil: Moura, Silio Lima. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; EspañaFil: Ali, Fatma H. M.. Beni Suef University; EgiptoFil: Moselhy, Walaa A.. Beni Suef University; EgiptoFil: Sotomayor, María del Pilar Taboada. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho. Faculdade de Engenharia.; BrasilFil: Pividori, María Isabel. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona; Españ

Structural and Energetic Properties of Weak Noncovalent Interactions in Two Closely Related 3,6-Disubstituted-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole Derivatives: In Vitro Cyclooxygenase Activity, Crystallography, and Computational Investigations

Two 3,6-disubstituted-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole derivatives, namely, 3-(adamantan-1-yl)-6-(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole 1 and 6-(2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl)-3-phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazole 2, were prepared, and the detailed analysis of the weak intermolecular interactions responsible for the supramolecular self-assembly was performed using X-ray diffraction and theoretical tools. Analyses of Hirshfeld surface and 2D fingerprint plot demonstrated the effect of adamant-1-yl/phenyl moieties on intermolecular interactions in solid-state structures. The effect of these substituents on H···H/Cl/N contacts was more specific. The CLP-PIXEL and density functional theory methods provide information on the energetics of molecular dimers observed in these compounds. The crystal structure of compound 1 stabilizes with a variety of weak intermolecular interactions, including C–H···N, C–H···π, and C–H···Cl hydrogen bonds, a directional C–S···π chalcogen bond, and unconventional short F···C/N contacts. The crystal structure of compound 2 is stabilized by π-stacking interactions, C–H···N, C–H···π, and C–H···Cl hydrogen bonds, and highly directional attractive σ–hole interactions such as the C–Cl···N halogen bond and the C–S···N chalcogen bond. In addition, S(lp)···C(π) and short N···N contacts play a supportive role in the stabilization of certain molecular dimers. The final supramolecular architectures resulting from the combination of different intermolecular interactions are observed in both the crystal packing. The molecular electrostatic potential map reveals complementary electrostatic potentials of the interacting atoms. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules approach was used to delineate the nature and strength of different intermolecular interactions present in different dimers of compounds 1 and 2. The in vitro experiments suggest that both compounds showed selectivity against COX-2 targets rather than COX-1. Molecular docking analysis showed the binding pose of the compounds at the active sites of COX-1/2 enzymes

ASSESSMENT OF CYTOTOXIC AND ANTICANCER ACTIVITY OF Zygophyllum album AND Suaeda palastina EXTRACTS ON HUMAN LIVER CANCER CELL LINES

In this study, anticancer activity of Zygophyllum album and Suaeda palastina extracts was evaluated. Dichloromethane, methanol and hot water were used as solvents for extraction. Results indicated that the highest half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) on human lung carcinoma (A549) cell lines was achieved by dichloromethane extracts of Z. album and S. palastina (70.48 μg/ml and 34.82 μg/ml respectively) compared to methanolic and hot water extracts. Furthermore, dichloromethane extracts of both plants had antiproliferative effect and highly cytotoxicity on human cancer cells. IC50 of Z. album was 27.74 μg/ml in the human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2), while IC50 of S. palaestina was 30.76 μg/ml with no cytotoxic activity on normal cell lines. In conclusion, these results suggest that Z. album and S. palaestina could be a good candidate species as a natural source of anticancer agents

Chromatographic Separation, Total Determination and Chemical Speciation of Mercury in Environmental Water Samples Using 4-(2-Thiazolylazo) Resorcinol-Based Polyurethane Foam Sorbent-Packed Column

A simple method has been developed for quantitative retention of traces of mercury(II) ions from aqueous media using polyurethane foams (PUFs) loaded with 4-(2-thiazolylazo) resorcinol (TAR). The kinetics and thermodynamics of the sorption of mercury(II) ions onto PUFs were studied. The sorption of mercury(II) ions onto PUF follows a first-order rate equation with k = 0.176 ± 0.010 min−1. The negative values of ΔH and ΔS may be interpreted as the exothermic chemisorption process and indicative of a faster chemisorption onto the active sites of the sorbent. The sorption data followed Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D–R) isotherm models. The D-R parameters β, KDR and E were 0.329 mol2 kJ−2, 0.001 μmol g−1 and 1.23 ± 0.07 kJ/mol for the TAR-loaded PUFs, respectively. An acceptable retention and recovery (99.6 ± 1.1%) of mercury(II) ions in water at ≤10 ppb by the TAR-treated PUFs packed columns were achieved. A retention mechanism, involving absorption related to “solvent extraction” and an “added component” for surface adsorption, was suggested for the retention of mercury(II) ions by the used solid phase extractor. The performance of TAR-immobilized PUFs packed column in terms of the number (N), the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP), the breakthrough and critical capacities of mercury(II) ion uptake by the sorbent packed column were found to be 50.0 ± 1.0, 1.01 ± 0.02 mm, 8.75 and 13.75 mg/g, respectively, at 5 mL/min flow rate

Expression Of Glucocorticoid Receptor Beta (GCR Β) In Asthmatic Patients And Its Correlation With Clinical Severity And Pulmonary Functions

N e w Y o r k S c i e n c e J o u r n a l 2 0 1 0 ; 3 Expression Of Glucocorticoid Receptor Beta (GCR Β) In Asthmatic Patients And Its Correlation With Clinical Severity And Pulmonary Functions Engy Yousry Elsayed , Enas M Foda, khaled AH Mohammed, Hassan Shalaby, Amal Z. Abd El-Halem* and Eman Ramzy** Internal Medicine, Clinical Pathology* and Chest** Departments Faculty Of Medicine, Ain Shams University, cairo, Egypt. [email protected] ABSTRACT Background: Glucocorticoids are the gold standard treatment of bronchial asthma. Although the majority of patients with asthma respond favorably to inhaled and systemic steroid therapy, a subset of asthmatics failed to demonstrate a satisfactory response even to systemic glucocorticoid therapy. GCR β (glucocorticoid receptor beta) is a hormone binding deficit isoform of GCR (glucocorticoid receptor) which has been isolated in humans and when over expressed, it may function as a dominant negative modulator of GCR. Aim of the work: This study was designed to determine the percentage of expression of GCRβ on PBMCs: (peripheral blood mononuclear cells )of asthmatic patients and to correlate it with the clinical severity and pulmonary functions. Subjects and Methods: 60 asthmatic patients (41 males, 19 females) and 20 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Asthmatics were classified according to GINA guidelines (2002) into mild, moderate and severe asthma. They were subdivided into asthmatic on inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (n=35) and those not on ICS (n=25). For all studied groups, spirometeric pulmonary functions and immunohisto-chemistry staining of PBMC S were performed to analyze percentage of expression of GCRβ on PBMCs. Results: It showed that the percentage of expression of GCRβ on PBMC S were statistically higher in all asthmatic patient groups compared to control, with higher % of expression in those not on ICS. Also a statistical significant higher % of expression of GCR β in severe asthmatics compared to both mild and moderate groups was detected. In conclusion: This study highlights the importance of glucocorticoid receptor beta isoform in pathogenesis of bronchial asthma and this may be directly linked to asthma severity and can affect the response to medications especially ICS

Comparison of Mycotoxin Contamination levels of Local and Imported Corn in Iraq

The study included determining pollution level of mycotoxin (aflatoxin, Ochratoxin, T2 / HT2) in local and imported corn in Iraq because it causes health damage and economic losses. In this study, 100 samples were collected from 50 samples of local corn, and 50 samples of imported corn and assed for mycotoxins test using ELISA technique and the results indicated the presence of the highest infection rates of mycotoxin in the local corn especially aflatoxin, where 28 sample at 56% were ranged between (20.1 - 157) ppb, which is higher than the allowable limits and 22 samples at (44%) were ranged between (5.1 to 2.9) ppb which is within the allowable limits , T2 / HT2 in 16 samples at (32%) of the total samples recorded less than (150) PPb which ranged between lowest value (25.8) ppb and the highest value (74.5) ppb and 34 samples at 68% with the value(0.0)ppb were is within the allowable limits, Ochratoxin, in 33 sample at 66% of the total samples less than(15) PPb recorded readings were  ranged between lowest value (1.5) ppb and the highest value (14.3) ppb, and 17 samples at  34% with the value (0.0)ppb,  which is also within the allowable limits in our country. Imported corn recorded readings in 24 samples at 48% as found by the three toxins and ranged the results of aflatoxin between the lowest value (0.8) PPb and the highest value (5.6) ppb and 26 samples at 52% with the value (0.0)ppb and T2 / HT2 results were ranged between the lowest value (3.1) ppb and the highest value (148) ppb and 26 samples at 52% with the value (0.0) ppb ochratoxin results were ranged between the lowest value (1.1) ppb and the highest value (5.7) ppb, and 26 samples at 52% with the value (0.0)ppb   and all of these results are within the allowable limits in our country. So we conclude from this study that the local corn was highest mycotoxin contamination than imported corn

Evaluating The Application Of Infection Control Standards In Health Facilities In Mecca

The study aims to determine the seriousness or continuity of applying infection control standards in health facilities, and the extent of the importance of applying them to workers in health facilities even after health centers have obtained the accreditation certificate for quality standards in health facilities (CBAHI) for more than 6 years. The questionnaire was distributed electronically via social media, in order to prevent crowding and avoid the spread of the Coronavirus-19. 700 questionnaires were distributed to employees who work in health facilities, and only 680 questionnaires were answered

Influenza Surveillance among Outpatients and Inpatients in Morocco, 1996–2009

There is limited information about the epidemiology of influenza in Africa. We describe the epidemiology and seasonality of influenza in Morocco from 1996 to 2009 with particular emphasis on the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 influenza seasons. Successes and challenges of the enhanced surveillance system introduced in 2007 are also discussed.Virologic sentinel surveillance for influenza virus was initiated in Morocco in 1996 using a network of private practitioners that collected oro-pharyngeal and naso-pharyngeal swabs from outpatients presenting with influenza-like-illness (ILI). The surveillance network expanded over the years to include inpatients presenting with severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) at hospitals and syndromic surveillance for ILI and acute respiratory infection (ARI). Respiratory samples and structured questionnaires were collected from eligible patients, and samples were tested by immunofluorescence assays and by viral isolation for influenza viruses.We obtained a total of 6465 respiratory specimens during 1996 to 2009, of which, 3102 were collected during 2007-2009. Of those, 2249 (72%) were from patients with ILI, and 853 (27%) were from patients with SARI. Among the 3,102 patients, 98 (3%) had laboratory-confirmed influenza, of whom, 85 (87%) had ILI and 13 (13%) had SARI. Among ILI patients, the highest proportion of laboratory-confirmed influenza occurred in children less than 5 years of age (3/169; 2% during 2007-2008 and 23/271; 9% during 2008-2009) and patients 25-59 years of age (8/440; 2% during 2007-2009 and 21/483; 4% during 2008-2009). All SARI patients with influenza were less than 14 years of age. During all surveillance years, influenza virus circulation was seasonal with peak circulation during the winter months of October through April.Influenza results in both mild and severe respiratory infections in Morocco, and accounted for a large proportion of all hospitalizations for severe respiratory illness among children 5 years of age and younger

The outcome of ultrasound-guided insertion of central hemodialysis catheter

Objective: To point out our experience and assess the efficacy and safety of real-time ultrasound-guided central internal jugular vein (IJV) catheterization in the treatment of hemodialysis patients. Methods: This retrospective study comprised 150 patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) who had real-time ultrasonography (US)-guided IJV HD catheters placed in our hospital between March 2019 and March 2021. Patients were examined for their demographic data, etiology, site of catheter insertion, type (acute or chronic) of renal failure, technical success, operative time, number of needle punctures, and procedure-related complications. Patients who have had multiple catheter insertions, prior catheterization challenges, poor compliance, obesity, bony deformity, and coagulation disorders were considered at high-operative risk. Results: All patients experienced technical success. In terms of patient clinical features, an insignificant difference was observed between the normal and high-risk groups (p-value > 0.05). Of the 150 catheters, 62 (41.3%) were placed in high-risk patients. The first-attempt success rate was 89.8% for the normal group and 72.5% for the high-risk group (p = 0.006). IJV cannulation took less time in the normal-risk group compared to the highrisk group (21.2 ± 0.09) minutes vs (35.4 ± 0.11) minutes, (p < 0.001). There were no serious complications. During the placing of the catheter in the internal jugular vein, four patients (6.4%) experienced arterial puncture in the high-risk group. Two participants in each group got a small neck hematoma. One patient developed a pneumothorax in the high-risk group, which was managed with an intercostal chest tube insertion. Conclusions: Even in the high-risk group, the real-time US-guided placement of a central catheter into the IJV is associated with a low complication rate and a high success rate. Even under US guidance, experience lowers complication rates. Real-time USguided is recommended to be used routinely during central venous catheter insertion