Effect of Pre-tensioning Force on Behavior of Buckling Restrained Brace (BRB) Supported by Double Pre-tensioning System

The study explores the feasibility of a new all-steel buckling restrained brace (BRB) with the double pre-tensioning system as an alternative to conventional concentrically braced frames by using finite element method (ABAQUS program), And to verify modeling, use U-V1 specimen results and compare them with test results. The restraining element in an all-steel BRB is built from a rectangular plate with a double cross arm and cables, making it easy to fabricate, inspect, and replace after a severe earthquake. Numerical analyses were conducted on four groups: first group of specimens using dynamic loading to achieve the minimum thickness for stable hysteretic behavior and high efficiency for BRB, and three groups of specimens using monotonic loading to achieve the best pre-tensioning forces value in steel 37, 44 and 52 for greater efficient use of all steel BRB. The results showed a 66% improvement in bearing capacity, with the external restraining case thickness reduced to 20 mm, making it lightweight, economical, and easy to maintain. The specimens with a pre-tensioning force of 70 kN, 50 kN and 40 kN providing a 31%, 51% and 73.2 % for steel 37, 44 and 52 respectively over than the design specimen without pre-tensioning system

Cress Seed (Lepidium sativum) Role in the healthy Processed Spread Cheese and Its Anti-Diabetic Activity

The present study dealt with utilization of cress seeds (Lepidium sativum) in the manufacture of processed spread cheese, instead of emulsifying salt. Cress seed have also health promoting properties especially lowering glucose ratios. Cress seeds powder were prepared and added with the ingredients during manufacture of processed spread cheese at levels of six ratios (0.05, 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5 and 5.5%) compared with control (3% commercial emulsifying salt). The chemical, physical, microbiology and organoleptic properties of resultant samples were evaluated. Data revealed that processed spread cheese sample fortified with 3.5% cress seeds was the best either when fresh or during storage (8±2ºC for 3 months) and they had acceptable properties. Microstructure of processed cheese spread samples were also conducted. From nutritional view, processed cheese spread samples fortified with 3.5% cress seeds were used for feeding Adult male albino rats to study their effect on plasma glucose level. Obtained data indicated that the glucose level in plasma was significantly decreased (

Potentiometric sensors selective for Cu(II) determination in real water samples and biological fluids based on graphene and multi-walled carbon nanotubes modified graphite electrodes

162-173Three newly synthesized Cu(II) ion selective electrodes based on 1,8-dihydoxyanthraquinone (DHAQ), as an ionophore, have been developed. Carbon paste electrode has been modified with DAHQ (sensor I), graphene and DHAQ (sensor II) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and DHAQ (sensor III), in order to improve the conductivity and transduction of chemical signal to electrical signal. Under optimized conditions, the electrodes I, II and III revealed Nernstian slopes of 29.78 ± 0.17, 30.25 ± 0.12, and 30.55 ± 0.19 mV decade-1, respectively, at 25±1 °C covering a wide concentration range from 1×10–6 to 1×10−1 mol L–1 for sensors I and II and from 1×10–5 to 1×10−1 mol L–1 for sensor III with detection limit values of 8×10−7, 5×10−7, and 3.3×10−6 mol L-1, respectively. The response of the proposed electrodes is very fast and independent of pH in the range of 2.4–6.5 and the response mechanism is studied using IR, SEM and EDX analyses. Selectivity coefficients have been determined by applying separate solution method and matched potential method, where the obtained values indicated the good discrimination of Cu(II) from other cations by the proposed sensors. The developed sensors have been used successfully for quantitative determination of Cu(II) ions in different matrix of spiked real water samples and biological fluids (urine and serum). These sensors have also been used successfully as indicator electrodes in the potentiometric titration of Cu(II) with EDTA

Hybrid and Adaptive P&O Maximum Power Point Tracking Techniques for PV Generation Systems

Maximum power point tracking (MPPT) techniques work to track the maximum power from the PV cell. A lot of conventional MPPT techniques, such as the perturb and observe (P&O), succeed in catch the maximum power point (MPP) with a good performance. However, they suffer many problems during fast varying weather conditions, where slow time response and high oscillations are dominant. Also, it is difficult to select the right direction for new steps. This article illustrates two new P&O MPPT techniques for PV generation systems. They operate on the power-voltage (P-V) curve under different weather conditions. The first is an adaptive perturb and observe (A-PO) technique, which changes the perturbation step-size adeptly to deal with the rapidly varying weather conditions. The second is a hybrid perturb and observe technique (H-PO), which uses a variable step-size according to the location of the operating point relative to the MPP. The MATLAB/SIMULINK software is used to study the truth of the proposed techniques. The results demonstrate that both techniques attain the MPP faster than the conventional techniques and at a reduced oscillation rate

Potentiometric determination of oxybutynin hydrochloride in pharmaceutical formulations at modified carbon paste electrodes

324-332New potentiometric sensitive and selective modified carbon paste (MCPE) electrodes based on ion pair formation between phosphotungestic acid (PTA), sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB), phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) or ammonium reineckate (RN) and oxybutynin hydrochloride (Ox.HCl) has been developed. The proposed electrodes have Nernstian slope values of 58.50±0.71, 58.71±1.20, 54.80±1.30 and 59.20±0.70 mV decade−1 for electrodes modified with 20, 10, 5 and 10 mg of Ox-TPB (electrode I), Ox-RN (electrode II), Ox-PMA (electrode III) and Ox-PTA (electrode IV) ion pairs, respectively. It is found that the dynamic drug concentration range at 25 °C is 1.0×10−5–1.0×10−2 mol L−1. The response of MCPEs is pH independent in the range 2.0–6.0 with a fast response time of 10 s for electrode I and 12 s for electrodes II-IV. These electrodes have good Nernstian response in the temperature range 10–60 °C with slope (isothermal coefficient) equal 0.791×10−3, 0.769×10−3, 0.629×10−3 and 1.277×10−3 V/°C for electrodes I, II , III and IV respectively. These small values indicate the high thermal stability of the electrodes. The MCPEs have shown a relatively long life time of 36 days. A pure and pharmaceutical formulation of Ox.HCl has quantified using calibration and standard addition methods and the obtained results agreed with that of the official HPLC method. Validation parameters have been optimized according to ICH recommendations. Limits of detection and quantification are calculated under the optimized conditions. For the analytical applications, pharmaceutical dose form has performed. Various interferents have been used to investigate the interference in the analytical application and found that the proposed method would be well adopted for real sample analysis

Potentiometric determination of oxybutynin hydrochloride in pharmaceutical formulations at modified carbon paste electrodes

324-332New potentiometric sensitive and selective modified carbon paste (MCPE) electrodes based on ion pair formation between phosphotungestic acid (PTA), sodium tetraphenyl borate (NaTPB), phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) or ammonium reineckate (RN) and oxybutynin hydrochloride (Ox.HCl) has been developed. The proposed electrodes have Nernstian slope values of 58.50±0.71, 58.71±1.20, 54.80±1.30 and 59.20±0.70 mV decade−1 for electrodes modified with 20, 10, 5 and 10 mg of Ox-TPB (electrode I), Ox-RN (electrode II), Ox-PMA (electrode III) and Ox-PTA (electrode IV) ion pairs, respectively. It is found that the dynamic drug concentration range at 25 °C is 1.0×10−5–1.0×10−2 mol L−1. The response of MCPEs is pH independent in the range 2.0–6.0 with a fast response time of 10 s for electrode I and 12 s for electrodes II-IV. These electrodes have good Nernstian response in the temperature range 10–60 °C with slope (isothermal coefficient) equal 0.791×10−3, 0.769×10−3, 0.629×10−3 and 1.277×10−3 V/°C for electrodes I, II , III and IV respectively. These small values indicate the high thermal stability of the electrodes. The MCPEs have shown a relatively long life time of 36 days. A pure and pharmaceutical formulation of Ox.HCl has quantified using calibration and standard addition methods and the obtained results agreed with that of the official HPLC method. Validation parameters have been optimized according to ICH recommendations. Limits of detection and quantification are calculated under the optimized conditions. For the analytical applications, pharmaceutical dose form has performed. Various interferents have been used to investigate the interference in the analytical application and found that the proposed method would be well adopted for real sample analysis

Molluscicidal and Mosquitocidal Activities of the Essential oils of Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. and Marrubium vulgare L.

A destilação por arraste a vapor dos óleos essenciais de partes aéreas de Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. e de Marrubium vulgare L. coletadas na costa norte do Egito resultaram em rendimento de 0,5% e 0,2%, respectivamente. Resultados de análises por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas de ambas as amostras possibilitaram a identificação de 96,27% e 90,19% dos constituintes químicos respectivamente de T. capitatus e M. vulgare. Verificou-se predomínio de constituintes oxigenados (88,22% para T. capitatus e 57,50% para M. vulgare, principalmente fenóis, como carvacrol (32,98%) e timol (32,82%) no óleo essencial de T. capitatus, e timol (34,55%) no óleo essencial de M. vulgare. Avaliou-se a atividade dos óleos essenciais obtidos contra adultos e ovos de Biomphalaria alexandrina, bem como em larvas e pupas de Culex pipiens. A CL50 e CL90 do óleo essencial de T. capitatus em moluscos adultos foi respectivamente 200 e 400 ppm/3hrs, enquanto para o óles essencial de M. vulgare verificou-se CL50 e CL90 de 50 e 100 ppm/3hrs, respectivamente. Além disso, M. vulgare apresentou atividade ovicida, com CL 100 de 200 ppm/24 horas, enquanto o óleo essencial de T. capitatus não demonstrou atividade ovicida. Verificou-se ainda atividade mosquitocida, com CL50 e CL90 de 100 e 200 ppm/12hrs respectivamente para larvas, e 200 e 400 ppm/12hrs contra pupas de C. pipiens.Steam distillation of essential oils of aerial parts of Thymus capitatus and Marrubium vulgare L. collected at North cost of Egypt yielded 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively. Results of Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the two samples identified 96.27% and 90.19% of the total oil composition for T. capitatus and M. vulgare, respectively. The two oil samples appeared dominated by the oxygenated constituents (88.22% for T. capitatus and 57.50% for M. vulgare), composed of phenols, mainly carvacrol (32.98%) and thymol (32.82%) in essential oil of T. capitatus, and thymol (34.55%) in essential oil of M. vulgare. It was evaluated the molluscicidal activity of T. capitatus and M. vulgare essential oils on adult and eggs of Biomphalaria alexandrina as well as their mosquitocidal activity on Culex pipiens. The LC50 and LC90 of T. capitatus essential oil against adult snails was 200 and 400 ppm/3hrs, respectively, while for M. vulgare it was 50 and 100 ppm/3hrs, respectively. Moreover, M. vulgare showed LC100 ovicidal activity at 200 ppm/24 hrs while T. capitatus oil showed no ovicidal activity. It was verified mosquitocidal activity, with LC50 and LC90 of 100 and 200 ppm/12hrs respectively for larvae, and 200 and 400 ppm/12hrs respectively for pupae of C. pipiens

Role of nanoparticles in diagnosis and management of parasitic diseases: Review article

Background: An extensive class of materials, nanoparticles (NPs) include particulate compounds with a minimum diameter of 100 nanometers (nm). This is because of their tiny size and huge surface area, which allows them to traverse the blood-brain barrier, enter the respiratory system and be adsorbable through endothelial cells. Today, nanoparticles for drug administration are being studied to increase their sustained release, intracellular penetrability as well as bioavailability, due to the constant development and innovation of nanomedicine.Objective: To determine how nanoparticles can help diagnose and treat parasitic diseases.Conclusion: Nanoparticles could be conjugated with proteins and immunoglobulins that could help in specific diagnosis of several parasitic diseases, in addition, improved efficacy and reduced harmful side effects can be achieved by immobilizing antiparasitic medicines on or inside nanomaterials