Assessment of energy credits for the enhancement of the Egyptian Green Pyramid Rating System

Energy is one of the most important categories in the Green Building Rating Systems all over the world. Green Building is a building that meets the energy requirements of the present with low energy consumption and investment costs without infringing on the rights of forthcoming generations to find their own needs. Despite having more than a qualified rating system, it is clear that each system has different priorities and needs on the other. Accordingly, this paper proposes a methodology using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for assessment of the energy credits through studying and comparing four of the common global rating systems, the British Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), the American Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), the Australian Green Stars (GS), and the PEARL assessment system of the United Arab Emirates, in order to contribute to the enhancement of the Egyptian Green Pyramid Rating System (GPRS). The results show the mandatory and optional energy credits that should be considered with their proposed weights according to the present and future needs of green Egypt. The results are compared to data gathered through desk studies and results extracted from recent questionnaires

Parameters estimation of induction machine single-cage and double-cage model using Hybrid Simulated Annealing–Evaporation Rate Water Cycle algorithm

This paper presents the usage of the hybrid simulated annealing—evaporation rate water cycle algorithm (SA-ERWCA) for induction machine equivalent circuit parameter estimation. The proposed algorithm is applied to nameplate data, measured data found in the literature, and data measured experimentally on a laboratory three-phase induction machine operating as an induction motor and as an induction generator. Furthermore, the proposed method is applied to both single-cage and double-cage equivalent circuit models. The accuracy and applicability of the proposed SA-ERWCA are intensively investigated, comparing the machine output characteristics determined by using SA-ERWCA parameters with corresponding characteristics obtained by using parameters determined using known methods from the literature. Also, the comparison of the SA-ERWCA with classic ERWCA and other algorithms used in the literature for induction machine parameter estimation is presented. The obtained results show that the proposed algorithm is a very effective and accurate method for induction machine parameter estimation. Furthermore, it is shown that the SA-ERWCA has the best convergence characteristics compared to other algorithms for induction machine parameter estimation in the literature

A Methodology for Low-Cost Optimization of Energy Efficient Passive Filters in Distribution Networks

ABSTRACT: In power distribution networks, nonlinear loads produce harmonic currents that can pass through other sensitive locations in the power system and eventually back to the source. Harmonic currents can produce a variety of effects that are harmful to a power system structure. Consequentially, the deployment of new cost and energy efficient passive, active and hybrid filtering techniques is important for the utilities and consumers alike. This paper presents an application of the Genetic Algorithm toolbox (GA) provided by MatLab software in order to find the optimal sizing of parameters of C-type passive filters based on minimization of the total investment cost of the proposed filters. Load power factor (PF), load voltage total harmonic distortion (THD V ) and supply current total demand distortion (TDD) are considered as the main constraints in this paper. Besides, capacitor loading duties are taken into account in compliance with IEEE Standard 18-2002 guidelines. Various numerical results are presented to validate the proposed approach

Osteogenic Differentiation Potential of Human Bone Marrow and Amniotic Fluid-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Vitro & in Vivo

BACKGROUND: Cell therapies offer a promising potential in promoting bone regeneration. Stem cell therapy presents attractive care modality in treating degenerative conditions or tissue injuries. The rationale behind this is both the expansion potential of stem cells into a large cell population size and its differentiation abilities into a wide variety of tissue types, when given the proper stimuli. A progenitor stem cell is a promising source of cell therapy in regenerative medicine and bone tissue engineering. AIM: This study aimed to compare the osteogenic differentiation and regenerative potentials of human mesenchymal stem cells derived from human bone marrow (hBM-MSCs) or amniotic fluid (hAF-MSCs), both in vitro and in vivo studies. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Human MSCs, used in this study, were successfully isolated from two human sources; the bone marrow (BM) and amniotic fluid (AF) collected at the gestational ages of second or third trimesters. RESULTS: The stem cells derived from amniotic fluid seemed to be the most promising type of progenitor cells for clinical applications. In a pre-clinical experiment, attempting to explore the therapeutic application of MSCs in bone regeneration, Rat lumbar spines defects were surgically created and treated with undifferentiated and osteogenically differentiated MSCs, derived from BM and second trimester AF. Cells were loaded on gel-foam scaffolds, inserted and fixed in the area of the surgical defect. X-Ray radiography follows up, and histopathological analysis was done three-four months post- operation. The transplantation of AF-MSCs or BM-MSCs into induced bony defects showed promising results. The AF-MSCs are offering a better healing effect increasing the likelihood of achieving successful spinal fusion. Some bone changes were observed in rats transplanted with osteoblasts differentiated cells but not in rats transplanted with undifferentiated MSCs. Longer observational periods are required to evaluate a true bone formation. The findings of this study suggested that the different sources; hBM-MSCs or hAF-MSCs exhibited remarkably different signature regarding the cell morphology, proliferation capacity and osteogenic differentiation potential CONCLUSIONS: AF-MSCs have a better performance in vivo bone healing than that of BM-MSCs. Hence, AF derived MSCs is highly recommended as an alternative source to BM-MSCs in bone regeneration and spine fusion surgeries. Moreover, the usage of gel-foam as a scaffold proved as an efficient cell carrier that showed bio-compatibility with cells, bio-degradability and osteoinductivity in vivo

Reliability evaluation of Lithium-Ion batteries for e-mobility applications from practical and technical perspectives: A case study

Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Evaluation of the reliability of the components of electric vehicles (EVs) has been studied by international research centers, industry, and original equipment manufacturers over the last few years. Li-ion batteries are the main sensitive component of an EV’s E-power train. In other words, the Li-ion batteries for electromobility applications are one of the main components of an EV, which should be reliable and safe over the operational lifetime of the EV. Thus, investigating how to assess the reliability of the Li-ion battery has been a highly recommended task in most European projects. Moreover, with the increase in the number of new EVs made by European car companies, there has been a competition for market acquisition by these companies to win over customers and gain more market share. This article presents a comprehensive overview of the evaluation of the reliability of Li-ion batteries from practical and technical perspectives. Moreover, a case study for assessing reliability from practical and technical perspectives has been investigated.Deanship of Scientific Research at Jouf University, Saudi Arabia (Grant No. DSR-2021-02-0309)

Novel Sequence Variants in the NPC1 Gene in Egyptian Patients with Niemann-Pick Type C

BACKGROUND: Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare, autosomal recessive, progressive neuro-visceraldisease caused by biallelic mutations in either NPC1gene (95% of cases) or NPC2 gene. AIM: This caseseries study aimed at the molecular analysis of certain hot spots of NPC1 genein NPC Egyptian patients. METHODS: The study included 15 unrelated NPC patients and selected parents,as well as20 healthy controls of matched sex and age. Clinical investigations were performed according to well established clinical criteria. Assessment of the chitotriosidase level, as an initial screening tool for NPC, was done in all cases. Polymerase chain reaction amplification of NPC1 exons (17–25) encountering the hotspot residues (855–1098 and1038–1253) was carried out followed by direct sequencingfor mutational analysis. RESULTS: All includedpatients with mainly neurovisceral involvement were characterized. The onset of the disease varied from early-infantile (58.3%) to late-infantile (26.7%) and juvenile-onset (6.7%). Ahigh chitotriosidase level wasobservedin all patients. Molecular analysis of NPC1 (exons 17–25) confirmed 15 mutant alleles out of 30 studied ones. They included two novel homozygous missense variants (p.Ser1169Arg and p.Ser1197Phe) and previously reportedfour mutations (p.Arg958*, p.Gly910Ser, p.Ala927Glyfs*38, and andp.Cys1011*). CONCLUSION: The two studied amino acid residues (855–1098 and 1038–1253) could beconsidered aspotential hotspot regions in NPC1 Egyptian patients

State-of-the-art of the most commonly adopted wave energy conversion systems

Copyright © 2023 The Authors. The vast diversity of wave energy conversion systems (WECSs) in the literature makes selecting the suitable WECS for wave energy harvest a stubborn process. This work summarizes six of the most widely adopted WECSs used heavily in previous research assessments and practical projects. This includes the Archimedes Wave Swing (AWS), the Wave Dragon (WD), Pelamis Wave Power (PWP), Aquabouy (AB), the Oyster, and the Oscillating Water Column (OWC). The work includes the mathematical modeling of these WECSs and the different projects and prototypes that involve these WECSs. Moreover, the latest research development in each of these WECSs is presented. Also, the wave energy potential in the world is discussed. Besides, the wave energy potential in Egypt, including that of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, is discussed in detail. Furthermore, the steps required to perform a future feasibility study in Egypt and suggestions for the enhancement of an older study are provided. Finally, some suggestions and required equations are presented to explore the site power density and the most suitable WECS to be utilized in Egypt

Mısır sidr balının antimikrobiyal aktivitesi ve antimikrobiyal ajanlarla sinerjik etkisi

Determine the in vitro antibacterial potential activity sidr honey produced in upper Egypt against five references bacterial strains (Gram positive and Gram negative strains) and its synergistic effect with some antimicrobial agents. Material & Methods: fifteen Sidr honey samples were collected from three Governorates in Upper Egypt. Honey samples were diluted and tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Bacillus cereus by agar dilution method. Post determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values, six honey samples were examined for their synergistic action with the ineffective antimicrobial agents. Results: In vitro antimicrobial sensitivity test, all bacterial strains showed multidrug resistance action against the 13 tested antimicrobial agents with high multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index, it was ≥ 0.38. All Sidr bee honey samples showing antibacterial activity against the five tested references bacterial strains. All Sidr bee honey samples, showed better synergistic effect with all antimicrobial agents against.Bu çalışmanın amacı, Yukarı Mısır'da üretilen Sidr balının beş referans bakteri suşuna (Gram pozitif ve Gram negatif suşlar) karşı in vitro antibakteriyel potansiyel aktivitesini ve bazı antimikrobiyal ajanlarla sinerjistik etkisini belirlemektir. Yukarı Mısır'daki üç valilikten on beş Sidr balı örneği toplanmıştır. Bal örnekleri seyreltilmiş ve agar seyreltme yöntemiyle Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae ve Bacillus cereus'a karşı test edilmiştir. Minimum inhibitör konsantrasyon (MİK) değerlerinin belirlenmesinden sonra, altı bal örneği etkisiz antimikrobiyal ajanlarla sinerjik etkileri açısından incelenmiştir. In vitro antimikrobiyal duyarlılık testinde, tüm bakteri suşları test edilen 13 antimikrobiyal ajana karşı yüksek çoklu antibiyotik direnci (MAR) indeksi ile çoklu ilaç direnci etkisi göstermiştir, bu değer ≥ 0.38'dir. Tüm Sidr arı balı örnekleri, test edilen beş referans bakteri suşuna karşı antibakteriyel aktivite göstermiştir. Tüm Sidr arı balı örnekleri, tüm antimikrobiyal ajanlara karşı daha iyi sinerjik etki göstermiştir