14-Bromo-12-chloro-2,16-dioxapentacyclohenicosa-3(8),10,12,14-tetraene-7,20-dione

In the title compound, C19H16BrClO4, both the fused xanthene rings and one of the cyclohexane rings adopt envelope conformations, while the other cyclohexane ring is in a chair conformation. In the crystal, molecules are linked by C-H...O hydrogen bonds, forming infinite chains running along [10-1] incorporating R22(16) ring motifs. In addition, C-H...[pi] interactions and weak [pi]-[pi] stacking interactions [centroid-centroid distance = 3.768 (3) Å] help to consolidate the packing

The Effect of Cannabinoids and Terpenes on the Activation of HMC3 Microglial Cells

Life expectancies of people living with HIV have significantly lengthened due to the availability of antiretroviral therapies. Despite their ability to increase survival, these treatments do not “cure” HIV, nor do the stop the onset of neurological symptoms associated with infection, termed neuroHIV. NeuroHIV describes a myriad of neurological impairments including mood disorders (depression and anxiety), cognitive impairment, neuropathic pain, and motor disinhibition that reduce quality of life for people living with HIV. Mechanistically, the neurological impairments may involve actions of neurotoxic proteins directly produced by the virus. One of these proteins that has been well-characterized is the HIV trans activator of transcription (Tat). Tat exerts neurotoxic effects via activation of microglia, the first line of immune defense of the central nervous system, to induce a pro-inflammatory state in the brain. Cannabis is more often smoked by HIV-positive individuals than the general population to reduce neuroinflammation. Cannabinoids or cannabis terpenes can attenuate HIV-induced neuroinflammation, this study was carried out to elucidate the potential anti-inflammatory constituents of cannabis for their efficacy on Tat-mediated activation of human microglia cell lines. Herein, we exposed human microglia to Tat in the presence of a variety of compounds found in cannabis. Toxicity of the cannabis compounds themselves were also assessed. Several active compounds were then tested in a concentration-response curve to determine efficacy and potency. Two compounds, namely, β- caryophyllene and CBN reduced microglial activation in a concentration- dependent manner such that 1000 nM of β-caryophyllene and CBN significantly reduced activation compared to all other concentrations. In regards to CBN acid, 100nM significantly reduced activation compared to 1000nM. As such, the anti-inflammatory effects of β- caryophyllene, CBN, and CBN acid were observed at 1000 nM and 100 nM. Further studies are needed to be carried out on cannabis and its individual cannabinoids for better understanding of their potential anti-inflammatory effects that the cannabis constituents can exert over HIV or HIV proteins and their mechanisms of actions

Compound Heterozygous VSX2 Mutation Causing Bilateral Anophthalmia in a Consanguineous Egyptian Family

Purpose: To report the clinical and genetic study of a child with bilateral anophthalmia. Methods: A 14-year-old Egyptian boy, born from consanguineous parents, underwent a general and a full ophthalmological examination. Mutation screen of the A/M genes with recessive inheritance was done stepwise and DNA was analyzed by Sanger sequencing. Results: Bilateral anophthalmia, arachnodactyly of the feet and high arched palate were observed on general examination. The parents were first cousins and healthy. Sequencing analysis revealed a novel compound heterozygous mutation in one of the copy of exon 2 of VSX2 and a possible deletion of at least exon 2 on the other allele. Conclusions: A compound heterozygous VSX2 mutation associated with anophthalmia was identified in a patient from an Egyptian consanguineous family. This report brings the number of VSX2 mutation in anophthalmia/microphthalmia (A/M) to 13. Functional consequences of the reported changes still need to be characterized, as well as the percentage of A/M caused by mutations in the VSX2 gene. This family also shows that despite consanguinity, heterozygous mutations can also happen and one should not restrict the molecular analysis to homozygous mutations

A priori testing of sparse adaptive polynomial chaos expansions using an ocean general circulation model database

This work explores the implementation of an adaptive strategy to design sparse ensembles of oceanic simulations suitable for constructing polynomial chaos surrogates. We use a recently developed pseudo-spectral algorithm that is based on a direct application of the Smolyak sparse grid formula and that allows the use of arbitrary admissible sparse grids. The adaptive algorithm is tested using an existing simulation database of the oceanic response to Hurricane Ivan in the Gulf of Mexico. The a priori tests demonstrate that sparse and adaptive pseudo-spectral constructions lead to substantial savings over isotropic sparse sampling in the present setting.United States. Office of Naval Research (award N00014-101-0498)United States. Dept. of Energy. Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research (award numbers DE-SC0007020, DE-SC0008789, and DE-SC0007099)Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (contract numbers SA1207GOMRI005 (CARTHE) and SA12GOMRI008 (DEEP-C)

آليات ومتطلبات تطبيق فكر الزراعة المستدامة المبتكرة، في إطار تحقيق أهداف التنمية المستدامة بالتطبيق على نطاق الدلتا المصرية

The agricultural sector faces several challenges that are working to exploit it to solve the issue of the rise in world population, which requires an increase in food production, which leads to increased pressure on constantly depleting resources, as agriculture is a source of employment and foreign exchange, a supplier of raw materials for industry, and has important potential for economic development. On the other hand, the sector’s capabilities are weak compared to other economic sectors, as the sector has not succeeded in ensuring income for farmers, achieving food security, or supporting integrated sectors. The reasons behind this include using agricultural technologies that have been transferred without any development, as well as storage and transportation difficulties and problems. Marketing. Therefore, the world has turned to innovative agricultural systems that depend on the sustainability of food production and support the sector to become more resilient in the face of challenges since global food production relies heavily on farmers who often lack access to adequate production technology at reasonable prices. As well as sources of funding to invest in their work, the agricultural sectors characterized by technology and innovation that are targeted by urban clusters shortly have provided solutions to these problems, which have a significant impact on regional development within the scope of those clusters and are also working to achieve the basic principles of the sustainable development goals. Which aims to make the communities economically and physically sustainable

Using 3D laser scanning to analyze heritage structures: the case study of Egyptian Palace

Preservation of heritage buildings should be carried out to get a better understanding of the behavior of their structures and keep them in a good condition. As such, corrective diagnosis of heritage buildings health conditions would help to identify potential risks and take remedy actions. This paper presents a framework for heritage Building Information Modeling (HBIM) application in Egyptian Heritage buildings. The framework is capable of utilizing processed point clouds using 3D laser scanning to create different purpose BIM models at the different levels of development to simulate the structural performances under different types of actions. The paper illustrates an extensive structural analysis for Tosson palace in Cairo – Egypt to assess its health state to assure its sustainability for future use

Optimizing earthmoving operations using computer simulation

This thesis presents a new methodology for optimizing earthmoving operations using computer simulation and genetic algorithms. It provides an optimization tool geared towards selection of near-optimum fleet configurations. The optimization used in the selection of fleets accounts for availability of equipment and aims at minimizing the total project cost or duration. The simulation process, in the proposed methodology, utilizes discrete event simulation (DEVS) and object oriented modeling. Different features of object orientation are employed including classes, dynamic data structure and polymorphism. The three-phase simulation approach, rather than process interaction, was employed to control the dynamics of the simulation process and track involved activities. This simulation approach is considered most appropriate for object oriented simulation (OOS). The optimization process uses a developed genetic algorithm to search for a near-optimum fleet configuration that reduces project total cost. The algorithm considers a set of qualitative and quantitative variables that influence the production of earthmoving operations. Qualitative variables represent the models of equipment used in each fleet scenario, whereas, quantitative variables represent the number of equipment involved in each scenario. The proposed methodology accounts for: (1) uncertainties associated with earthmoving operations; (2) optimization of project duration or its total cost, considering equipment availability; and (3) realistic estimates of haulers' travel time. It also makes full use of object oriented features and is implemented in a prototype software system named SimEarth . The system consists of five main components: (1) EarthMoving Simulation Program ( EMSP ); (2) Equipment Cost Application ( ECA ); (3) Equipment Database Application ( EDA ); (4) EarthMoving Genetic Algorithm ( EM_GA ), and (5) Output Reporting Module ( ORM ). Beside these main components, SimEarth is supported by: (a) Hauler's Travel Time Application ( HTTA ), and (b) EarthMoving Markup Application ( EMMA ). All system components are implemented in Microsoft ( MS ) environment except the dynamic sub-module of ORM component, which is implemented utilizing " Proof Animation " software. Five numerical examples were analyzed in order to validate and demonstrate the essential features of the system's components. A comprehensive case study of an actual project was analyzed in order to test the performance of the developed system (including the dynamic interaction among its components) and to illustrate the practical features of the developed methodology. The project involves the construction of a large rockfill dam, located in the northern part of the province of Quebec

Fuzzy Monte Carlo simulation optimization for selecting materials in green buildings

Global interest in sustainable and green building design has been increasing in the last few decades. This interest is strengthened by the fact that sustainable measures help in reducing negative social and environmental impacts of buildings. For that, this paper aims to develop a mixed integer optimization model that aids architects/designers and owner representatives during design stage in selecting building materials taking into consideration costs and risks that are involved in the selection process. The model is developed as a simulation optimization tool based on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for new construction. The developed model allows deterministic and probabilistic cost analysis of various design alternatives. In addition, it identifies the least possible cost to gain the LEED credits and the risks associated with materials’ quantities and materials’ unit prices. To illustrate the use of the proposed tool, a case study of an office building project constructed in Egypt is presented. An integrated Fuzzy Monte Carlo Simulation (FMCS) analysis is performed to account for the associated risks of using new materials in the considered case study. The proposed model is capable to capture the cost uncertainty of building materials and to identify the cost and sustainability performance of various building materials by relating the LEED rating system for new construction