Secondary metabolites from Calotropis procera (Aiton)

Three new metabolites, 5-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone-4′-O-β-glucopyranoside (1), 2β,19-epoxy-3β,14β-dihydroxy-19-methoxy-5α-card-20(22)-enolide (4) and β-anhydroepidigitoxigenin-3β-O-glucopyranoside (5), along with two known compounds, uzarigenine (2) and β-anhydroepidigitoxigenin (3), were isolated from Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae). The structure elucidation was accomplished mainly by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic and mass spectrometric methods. To examine putative antimicrobial or cytotoxic activities, various bioassays were performed. Uzarigenine (2) demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity

Optical Properties of Bismuth Borate Glasses Doped with Zinc and Calcium Oxides

Some bismuth-borate oxide glass' samples were prepared by the fast quenching method, where B2O3 was replaced with equal concentrations of ZnO and CaO. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to examine the internal structure and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) to identify building units and bonds throughout the studied structural matrices. XRD showed that all samples have short range order structural nature, while FTIR demonstrated some of Zn2+ acted as glass network formers and all Bi3+ acted as glass. UV-visible measurements and calculations showed a decreasing in the energy band gap from 3.83 eV to 1.73 eV with decreasing B2O3 content. Also with decreasing B2O3 content, both real refractive index and metallization factor decreased from 3.1 to 1.9 and from 0.56 to 0.71, respectively. For the studied glass' samples, density and molar volume showed inverted behaviors, where the density decreased while the molar volume increases with decreasing B2O3

Influence of Sunflower Whole Seeds or Oil on Ruminal Fermentation, Milk Production, Composition, and Fatty Acid Profile in Lactating Goats

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sunflower seeds, either as whole or as oil, on rumen fermentation, milk production, milk composition and fatty acids profile in dairy goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 5) fed a basal diet of concentrate feed mixture and fresh Trifolium alexandrinum at 50:50 on dry matter basis (Control) in addition to 50 g/head/d sunflower seeds whole (SS) or 20 mL/head/d sunflower seeds oil (SO) in a complete randomized design. Milk was sampled every two weeks during 90 days of experimental period for chemical analysis and rumen was sampled at 30, 60, and 90 days of the experiment for ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids (tVFA), and ammonia-N determination. Addition of SO decreased (p = 0.017) ruminal pH, whereas SO and SS increased tVFA (p<0.001) and acetate (p = 0.034) concentrations. Serum glucose increased (p = 0.013) in SO and SS goats vs Control. The SO and SS treated goats had improved milk yield (p = 0.007) and milk fat content (p = 0.002). Moreover, SO increased milk lactose content (p = 0.048) and feed efficiency (p = 0.046) compared to Control. Both of SS and SO increased (p<0.05) milk unsaturated fatty acids content specially conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) vs Control. Addition of SS and SO increased (p = 0. 021) C18:3N3 fatty acid compared to Control diet. Data suggested that addition of either SS or SO to lactating goats ration had beneficial effects on milk yield and milk composition with enhancing milk content of healthy fatty acids (CLA and omega 3), without detrimental effects on animal performance. (Key Words: Fatty Acid Profile, Lactating Goats, Milk Composition, Sunflower Seeds, Sunflower Oil

Interpretation of multispectral and infrared thermal surveys of the Suez Canal Zone, Egypt

Remote sensing airborne surveys were conducted, as part of the plan of rehabilitation, of the Suez Canal Zone using I2S multispectral camera and Bendix LN-3 infrared passive scanner. The multispectral camera gives four separate photographs for the same scene in the blue, green, red, and near infrared bands. The scanner was operated in the microwave bands of 8 to 14 microns and the thermal surveying was carried out both at night and in the day time. The surveys, coupled with intensive ground investigations, were utilized in the construction of new geological, structural lineation and drainage maps for the Suez Canal Zone on a scale of approximately 1:20,000, which are superior to the maps made by normal aerial photography. A considerable number of anomalies belonging to various types were revealed through the interpretation of the executed multispectral and infrared thermal surveys

Evaluation of Global Solar Radiation Estimated from ECMWF-ERA5 and Validation with Measured Data over Egypt

Solar energy is a big source of renewable energy and, luckily, solar energy is very rich in Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean region.The validation of the global solar radiation from the reanalysis data ECMWF-ERA5 by using the parameters from data elements and to deduce a new model to give a good representation of the GSR distribution when compared with measured data. The estimation of global solar radiation (GSR) distribution over Egyptduring the period time from 2017 to 2019. Evaluated and a comparative assessment of the models was carried out using measured GSR at Helwan (29.82 ᵒN, 31.29ᵒE) and Suez(31ᵒN.32ᵒE) sites are done. Database:The European Center for Middle-Distance Weather Forecast recently released its most complex reanalysis product ERA5 data set (ECMWF). This method has been developed and manufactured, giving it more advantages than ECMWF's previously released ERA-Interim reanalysis products. It has better spatial resolution, can be archived every hour, and uses more advanced assimilation methods and merges more data sources. The results showed that the model could predict the pattern of the measured monthly, daily mean of GSR for the entire period. The correlation coefficient (R) is equal 95% and 97% of GSR for Helwan and Suez respectively.The outputs from our proposed model for monthly global solar radiation distribution over the period of study is given, and  the maximum value 7.5 KWh/m2and the minimum are 3 KWh/m2.The values of RMSE of GSR-ERA5 and GSR-estimated for Helwan and Suez sites are 0.275, 0.446 and 0.2, 0.36 (KWh/m2) respectively. The values of MABE of GSR-ERA5 and GSR-estimated for the two station Helwan and Suez is 0.014, 0.023 and 0.007, 0.03 (KWh/m2) respectively. Finally the proposed model was used to givean indication of theGSR distribution over Egypt

ACHILLES Reading Guide 3: Asset scale deterioration

The deterioration of earthworks reduces theirserviceable performance and increases thelikelihood of instability. This can havesignificant impacts on the safe and reliableoperation of the transportation networks thatthey support. These deterioration processesare weather-driven and may lead to failuremany years after construction even in theabsence of increased mechanical loads.Evidence also indicates that climate changewill increase rates of asset deterioration andreduce time to failure. This documentsummarises the key conclusions on assetdeterioration drawn from the ACHILLES bodyof work. A more detailed overview of theACHILLES concept can be found in ReadingGuide 1 [1], the project website (achilles-grant.org.uk), and the following papers: [2,3]

Eficiencia de la extracción asistida por ultrasonido de pétalos de Delonix regia como antioxidante natural en la estabilidad oxidativa del aceite de girasol

The possibility of improving the oxidative stability of sunflower oil by enriching it with carotenoids from Delonix regia petals was studied. A combination of ultrasound-assisted extraction and stirring techniques was used. The optimal conditions were material/solvent ratio of 1:20 (w/v), ultrasonic power of 30 W and extraction time of 50 min. Under these conditions, the yield of total carotenoids was 503.0 μg/g dry weight. Increasing the acoustic power density degraded carotenoids. A HPLC analysis was used for the quantification of β-carotene in the extract. The DPPH radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power of the carotenoid-rich extract were found to be superior to the standard Butylated hydroxyl toluene (BHT). The enrichment of sunflower oil with carotenoid-rich extract at 67.46 mg carotenoids/kg oil improved its oxidative stability by more than 50% as measured by the Rancimat method. These results suggest that the investigated extract has the potential to be used as a bio-preservative in food products.Se estudió la posibilidad de mejorar la estabilidad oxidativa del aceite de girasol enriqueciéndolo con carotenoides de pétalos de Delonix regia. Se utilizaron técnicas combinadas de extracción asistida por ultrasonido y técnicas de agitación. Las condiciones óptimas fueron una relación material/ disolvente de 1:20 (p/v), una potencia ultrasónica de 30 W y un tiempo de extracción de 50 min. En estas condiciones, el rendimiento de carotenoides totales fue de 503,0 ?g/g de peso seco. El aumento de la densidad de potencia acústica degrada a los carotenoides. El análisis por HPLC se utilizó para la cuantificación de β-caroteno en el extracto. Se encontró que la actividad de captación de radicales DPPH y el poder antioxidante reductor férrico del extracto rico en carotenoides es superior al del butilhidroxitolueno estándar (BHT). El enriquecimiento de aceite de girasol con extracto rico en carotenoides a 67,46 mg de carotenoides/kg de aceite mejoró su estabilidad oxidativa en más del 50% según lo medido por el método de Rancimat. Estos resultados proponen que el extracto investigado tiene el potencial de ser utilizado como conservante biológico en productos alimenticios

Electricity savings potentials in the residential sector of Bahrain

Electricity is the major fuel (over 99%) used in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors in Bahrain. In 1992, the total annual electricity consumption in Bahrain was 3.45 terawatt-hours (TWh), of which 1.95 TWh (56%) was used in the residential sector, 0.89 TWh (26%) in the commercial sector, and 0.59 TWh (17%) in the industrial sector. Agricultural energy consumption was 0.02 TWh (less than 1%) of the total energy use. In Bahrain, most residences are air conditioned with window units. The air-conditioning electricity use is at least 50% of total annual residential use. The contribution of residential AC to the peak power consumption is even more significant, approaching 80% of residential peak power demand. Air-conditioning electricity use in the commercial sector is also significant, about 45% of the annual use and over 60% of peak power demand. This paper presents a cost/benefit analysis of energy-efficient technologies in the residential sector. Technologies studied include: energy-efficient air conditioners, insulating houses, improved infiltration, increasing thermostat settings, efficient refrigerators and freezers, efficient water heaters, efficient clothes washers, and compact fluorescent lights. We conservatively estimate a 32% savings in residential electricity use at an average cost of about 4 fils per kWh. (The subsidized cost of residential electricity is about 12 fils per kWh. 1000 fils = 1 Bahrain Dinar = US$ 2.67). We also discuss major policy options needed for implementation of energy-efficiency technologies

Clinical and genetic spectrum in 33 Egyptian families with suspected primary ciliary dyskinesia

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disorder of motile cilia dysfunction generally inherited as an autosomal recessive disease. Genetic testing is increasingly considered an early step in the PCD diagnostic workflow. We used targeted panel next generation sequencing (NGS) for genetic screening of 33 Egyptian families with highly clinically suspected PCD. All variants prioritized were Sanger confirmed in the affected individuals and correctly segregated within the family. Targeted NGS yielded a high diagnostic output (70%) with bi‐allelic mutations identified in known PCD genes. Mutations were identified in 13 genes overall, with CCDC40 and CCDC39 the most frequently mutated genes among Egyptian patients. Most identified mutations were predicted null effect variants (79%) and not reported before (85%). This study reveals that the genetic landscape of PCD among Egyptians is highly heterogeneous, indicating that a targeted NGS approach covering multiple genes will provide a superior diagnostic yield than Sanger sequencing for genetic diagnosis. The high diagnostic output achieved here highlights the potential of placing genetic testing early within the diagnostic workflow for PCD, in particular in developing countries where other diagnostic tests can be less available