LEADING CAUSES AND POSSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRIBUTORS FOR END STAGE RENAL DISEASE IN ALMADINAH REGION IN SAUDI ARABIA

To find-out the leading causes and the possible environmental contributors for End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in Al-Madinah region, KSA.. 156 patients suffering from ESRD and 160 apparently healthy subjects of comparable age and sex were included. None of the participants was occupationally exposed to lead, cadmium and/or mercury. None affection of the control subjects with renal diseases was confirmed. Patients with undefined leading causes for ESRD (44) and an equal number of the control subjects were subjected to determine their blood levels of lead, cadmium and mercury. The study revealed that the main leading causes of ESRD in Al-Madinah region were hypertension, obstructive uropathy and diabetes mellitus. Environmental pollutants of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contributed to ESRD in Al-Madinah region particularly in urban areas. Mercury (Hg) was not a pollutant in Al-Madinah region. The study recommended early diagnosis and proper control of hypertension, obstructive uropathy and diabetes mellitus. It also recommended regular environmental monitoring for (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) levels and finds the sources of their elevations and efforts should be raised up to eliminate them

Eco-structured biosorptive removal of basic fuchsin using pistachio nutshells: A definitive screening design-based approach

Biosorptive removal of basic fuchsin (BF) from wastewater samples was achieved using the recycled agro-wastes of pistachio nut shells (PNS). Seven adsorbents were developed; raw shells (RPNS) and the thermally activated biomasses at six different temperatures (250–500 °C). Two measures were implemented to assess the performance of utilized adsorbents; %removal (%R) and adsorption capacity (qe). RPNS proved to be the best among the tested adsorbents. A smart approach, definitive-screening design (DSD) was operated to test the impact of independent variables on the adsorption capacity of RPNS. pH, adsorbent dose (AD), dye concentration (DC), and stirring time (ST), were the tested variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), control, and quality charts helped establishing regression model. Characterization was performed using Fourier- transform infrared (FT-IR)/Raman spectroscopies together with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses. The surface area and other textural properties were determined using the Brunauer Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. Removal of 99.71% of BF with an adsorption capacity of 118.2 mg/g could be achieved using a factorial blend of pH 12, 100 mg/50 mL of RPNS, and 250 ppm BF for 20 min. Equilibrium studies reveal that the adsorption is physisorption with adsorption energy of 7.45 kJ/mol as indicated by Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR) and Langmuir isotherms. Moreover, adsorption follows pseudo-second-order kinetics with respect to BF and is controlled by the adsorption rate.This work was made possible by Qatar University Internal Student Grant [QUST-2-CAS-2019-18] from Qatar University. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library.Scopu

Bio-Waste Aloe vera Leaves as an efficient adsorbent for Titan Yellow from Wastewater: Structuring of a novel adsorbent using Plackett-Burman factorial design

Titan yellow (TY), a triazene azo dye, was removed from contaminated wastewater samples using a green adsorbent recycled from Aloe vera leaves (AV) waste. Two adsorbents were developed-air-dried Aloe vera (ADAV) and thermally treated Aloe vera (TTAV). Adsorption efficacy of both adsorbents was assessed in terms of percent removal (%R) of TY and adsorption capacity (qe). ADAV had a better performance compared to TTAV. Plackett-Burman design (PBD) was exploited to establish the experimental pattern of the study. Four variables were studied: pH, adsorbent dose (AD), dye concentration (DC), and stirring time (ST). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95.0 confidence interval (CI), control, and quality charts helped establish regression model(s). Characterization of both adsorbents was performed using FT-IR/Raman spectroscopy together with TGA/dTGA and SEM/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analyses. Textural properties were determined using nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K. Results showed that the surface areas of ADAV and TTAV300 were 3.940 and 7.076 m2/g, respectively. Raman analysis showed that the TTAV had clear Dand G-bands. Equilibrium studies revealed that data were well fitted to Freundlich isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 55.25 mg/g using Langmuir equation, and the adsorption was physisorption. Adsorption followed a pseudo-second order that occurred in two steps-diffusion and then adsorption. - 2019 by the authors.The project members would like to extend their special thanks to the Central Lab Unit (CLU) at the Qatar University. This work was made possible by Qatar University Internal Student Grant [QUST-2-CAS-2019-18] from Qatar University. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors. The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National LibraryScopu

Effect of Irradiated Crumb Rubber on Cold Recycled Bitumen Emulsion Mixes Properties

Recycling is one of the most innovative and interesting techniques for the rehabilitation of distressed road pavements. In recent years the increased interest in this process has led to the development of various alternative methods for the recovery and the reuse of road bituminous materials. Cold recycling is among the recycling techniques. Many researches involve the use of Crumb Rubber within a mixture containing 100% Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement. The goal of this research is to analyze and evaluate the different physical and mechanical characteristics from addition of irradiated crumb rubber to asphalt emulsion cold mixes. The results indicated that the existence of the irradiated crumb in asphalt emulsion could improve the indirect tensile strength, high temperature stability, moisture resistance and fatigue performance of asphalt emulsion cold recycled mixes

Recycling of Date Pits Into a Green Adsorbent for Removal of Heavy Metals: A Fractional Factorial Design-Based Approach

Date pits (DPs) have been recycled into a low-cost adsorbent for removing of selected heavy metals (HMs) from artificially contaminated aqueous solutions. Adsorption of targeted HMs, both by raw date pits (RDP) and burnt date pits (BDP) was tested. Results showed that BDP is more efficient as an adsorbent and mostly adsorbing Cu(II). A novel approach; fractional factorial design (2k−p – FrFD) was used to build the experimental pattern of this study. The effects of four factors on the maximum percentage (%) of removal (Y) were considered; pH, adsorbent dose (AD), heavy metal concentration (HMC), and contact time (CT). Statistically significant variables were detected using Pareto chart of standardized effects, normal and half-normal plots together with analysis of variance (ANOVA) at 95.0 confidence intervals (CI). Optimizing (maximizing) the percentage (%) removal of Cu(II) by BDP, was performed using optimization plots. Results showed that the factors: pH and adsorbent dose (AD) affect the response positively. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the surface morphology of both adsorbents while fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to get an idea on the functional groups on the surface and hence the adsorption mechanism. Raman spectroscopy was used to characterize the prepared adsorbents before and after adsorption of Cu(II). Equilibrium studies show that the adsorption behavior differs according to the equilibrium concentration. In general, it follows Langmuir isotherm up to 155 ppm, then Freundlich isotherm. Free energy of adsorption (ΔGad) is −28.07 kJ/mole, when equilibrium concentration is below 155 ppm, so the adsorption process is spontaneous, while (ΔGad) equals +17.89 kJ/mole above 155 ppm, implying that the process is non-spontaneous. Furthermore, the adsorption process is a mixture of physisorption and chemisorption processes, which could be endothermic or exothermic reactions. The adsorption kinetics were described using a second order model.Funding. This work was made possible by UREP award [UREP 20-116-1-020] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation). The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors

Shoulder Pain among Rehabilitated Spinal Cord Injured Persons Using Manually Propelled Wheelchairs in the Gaza Strip: A Survey

Shoulder pain among paraplegic persons has negative effects on their lives. The prevalence of shoulder pain among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) varies from 30% to 70% in different studies and may be related to repetitive use of the shoulder during self-care and wheelchair-related activities. Purpose: This study focused on the prevalence of shoulder pain and examined its effects on activities of daily living and social participation, and on functional, work and recreational or athletic activities. It also aimed to detect the degree of satisfaction with shoulder functioning wheelchair users who were paraplegic due to spinal cord injury, in the Gaza strip. Methods: Cross sectional study design was used to collect data from 80 persons with paraplegia, post rehabilitation, who were still using manual wheelchairs (MWC) for ambulation. After giving informed consent, the selected persons were interviewed directly in their homes, and filled questionnaires which included the demographic data, Wheelchair User’s Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI) and Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ). Results: The prevalence rate of shoulder pain among paraplegics who use manual wheelchairs was 62%. Pushing a wheelchair for 10 minutes or more, and propulsion up ramps or inclines outdoors were the most common activities that caused and exacerbated shoulder pain. Sixty four percent from among the study sample mentioned that they had no limitation in shoulder-using ability during daily personal and household activities, while the rest experienced different degrees of limitation. Seventy-four percent reported no limitation during recreational or athletic activities

Protective effects of some fruit juices with low-fat diet on rat testis damaged by carbon tetrachloride: A genetic and histological study

Oxidative stress, free radical, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant have become a common expression with most disease and methods for protection. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is an industrial solvent which has destructive effects on a cell while most fruit juices have antioxidant effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective role of fruit juice on testis after toxic effect with CCl4 through oxidative stress with basal diet and low-fat diet. Seventy-five male albino rats were used for this study in which the juices of three fresh fruit, yellow apples (Malus domestica, L.), red grapes containing seeds (Vitis vinifera, L.) and pomegranates (Punica granatum, L.) were used as therapeutic agents. Histological sections of testis indicated that low-fat diet has obvious effects than basal diet in both the low-fat diet with CCl4 "LdC""con++", LdC with grape juice 2 ml "grpL2", LdC with pomegranate juice 2 ml "pomL2" and hyper effect in LdC with pomegranate juice 4 ml "pomL4" while it was equal in effect with basal diet in the other treatments. Low-fat diet gave significant effects (about 75% recovery in con++, LdC with Apple juice 2 ml and 4 ml "appL2, appL4" , LdC with grape juice 4 ml "grpL4" and pomL2) while 25% began to recover as shown in basal diet with pomegranate juice 4 ml "pomB4" and grpL2. Treatment of rats with pomegranate juice ameliorated the toxic effects of CCl4 with low-fat diet on Semi-random RAPD-DNA profile. Low-fat diet with fruit juice had positive effect against toxicity induced by CCl4 in testes of rats on the level of histological and DNA-RAPD studies.Key words: CCl4, rat testis, yellow apples, red grapes, pomegranates, low-fat diet, oxidative stress

The development of automated spatial and temporal measurement system for lab-scale local scour

The spatial and temporal measurements of local scour around bridge piers provide the quantification of local scouring process. Most studies on a laboratory scale faced difficulties in obtaining a holistic local spatial variability around bridge pier, especially for continuous small time interval. Long experimental period, which could take up to few days, does not permit a consistent time interval spatial scour measurement due in particular to the physical constraints that exist under laboratory conditions. This study proposed an automated, cost-effective system which is capable of detecting changes in both spatial and temporal local scour. The system allows measurement to be made by using data recorder at an adjustable distance (± 0.1 mm) and angle (± 0.1˚) from the original position, which is programmed and controlled with an Arduino, which is an open source microcontroller with multiple capability of controlling electrical components such as motors and sensors. When the data recorder is in position, data is automatically captured and sequentially saved at a particular spatial interval. In this study, a web camera was used as a data recorder to capture images in the azimuthal plane for a one-hour interval. Images were captured for 30 seconds per measurement per position. The system was set up to monitor and measure the temporal and spatial local scour continuously in an 80-hour experiment. Results show that the location of maximum scour depth varied for different time intervals, and migrated from downstream to upstream of the pier. The rate of scour decreased as duration of experiment was increased. The system was able to provide a holistic view of both spatial and temporal variability in the development of local scour on a laboratory scale