Carum carvi mediated green synthesis of copper nanoparticles and its effect on Solanum lycopersicum seedlings

The present study aims to synthesis the copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) and their effect on the biochemical and physiological characteristics of Solanum lycopersicum. The results exhibited the color change in the Carum carvi aqueous extract from clear deep brown to a greenish color and this observation indicated the green-biosynthesis of CuNPs by reduction of Cu+ to Cu0. Also, the absorbance broadening band for the green-biosynthetic CuNPs appeared at the 340 nm wavelength using UV-Vis but the C. carvi aqueous extract not showed any peaks at this wavelength. SEM analysis exhibited the micrographic surface morphology and the shape of the green-biosynthetic CuNPs with a scan area of 50 μm and showed the spherical shape particles of CuNPs aggregation. The three-dimensional image and the surface morphology of green-biosynthesized CuNPs and C. carvi aqueous extract were examined using AFM analysis that showed the surface of C. carvi aqueous extract was 45.5 nm size with non-homologus and irregular form of distribution, but the green-biosynthesized CuNPs were 12.4 nm size in nanoscale with regular and homogenous distribution form. The results also showed that the effect of bio-synthesized copper nanoparticles was evident on the S. lycopersicum seedlings fresh and dry weight according to the different reading times after treatment with nanoparticles. Also, the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL (CuNPs) showed a significant increase in the chlorophyll content (58.51 μg/cm²) on the 21st day after treatment and a significant increase in the activity of peroxidase enzyme (35.12 U min-1 mg-1 protein) was obtained at the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL (CuNPs) at 21st day after germination

Evaluation of lung function in relation to employment years among workers exposed to cement dust in Qena cement factory

Background: Dust is generated by nearly all manufacturing steps within a Portland cement facility. Exposure to dust has the potential to impact respiratory function. Objectives: The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of the duration of exposure to cement dust on the pulmonary function of individuals employed in cement factories in Qena city, furthermore to assess the prevalence and distribution of respiratory impairment resulting from dust inhalation. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study, carried out on 100 cement industry workers in Qena who exposed to cement dust. They divided into 2 groups according to employment years in the factory (≤10 years and more than 10 years). Lung function tests including; [FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC] were measured. Results: A significant reduction in the mean values of all the lung parameters among the workers employed more than 10 years compared with those employed ≤10 years. with p value (0.002, 0.014 and 0.000 considerably), there was a considerable variance between the 2 groups regarding all the spirometric pattern including [normal, obstructive and restrictive pattern] with p value (0.000 respectively). There is strong negative correlation between number of working years and FCV and FEV1. Conclusion: The lung function of individuals employed in cement factories had shown to be declined, accompanied by atypical spirometric patterns in relation to prolonged exposure to cement dust

Effect of the pre-magnetic treatment of seeds and the N-fertilizer on the yield and quality of groundnut grown in sandy soil

This field trial aimed to study the effect of the magnetic treatment (MT) of urea as a nitrogen (N) fertilizer as well as the MT of the groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) seeds before sowing on the crop yield and quality under sandy soil conditions during the summer seasons of 2020 and/or 2021. Treatments were distributed in a split-plots design in triplicates. The control CL has received the recommended dose RD of the N-fertilizer while other treatments received the rates 50, 75, and 100% of the RD as magnetized urea (main factor F1) applied to the surface soil. The sub-factor (F2) was the time of MT (15, 30, and 45 min) of the groundnut seeds exposed to magnetic field MF 1.4 T before planting. Representative samples from the soil and plant were taken after harvesting. At the 15-min time and 100% N-fertilization, the yield of pods and seeds (kg ha-1) has increased relatively by 8.2% and 9.7% respectively, compared to the corresponding CL. At the 30-min time and 50% and 100% N-fertilization, the yield (kg ha-1) has increased relatively by 9.7% and 13.3% respectively for pods and by 10.1% and 16.8% respectively for the seeds. At the 45-min time and 50% N-fertilization, the yield (kg ha-1) has increased by 12.4% and 14.6% for pods and seeds, respectively. The 100% N-fertilization along with 15 min MT before cultivation or the 50% and/or 100% N-fertilization along with 30 min MT or the 50% along with 45 min MT could be recommended. The agronomic efficiency (AE) for the N, P, and K nutrients was increased by the MT in the order 15 min < 30 min < 45 min at the 50, 75, and 100% N-fertilization rates

Modification of polyvinyl chloride by organic molecule for the improvement of its thermal stability

Improving the stability of PVC became a task for many research groups to improve its properties and lower plastic pollution. An invented Schiff base was applied as a heat-resistant agent to alter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) behavior under varying temperatures. The efficacy of the Schiff base-treated PVC films in terms of thermal stability was assessed through weight-loss analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, an optical microscope, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The outcomes demonstrated that incorporating the altered PVC extended the polymer's stability duration, consequently lowering its inclination towards degradation. Furthermore, the Schiff base led to a marked decrease in the presence of PVC's conjugated double bonds, consequently reducing weight loss. The enhancement observed can be credited to the Schiff base's strong ability to neutralize HCl and its effectiveness in protecting unstable chlorine atoms within the polymer chains. These alterations, when combined, resulted in a prolonged delay in thermal degradation and alterations in color, affirming the success of the modification method in improving the thermal stability of PVC

Pattern of Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in Qena University Hospitals

Background: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a significant concern in ICU patients, with a higher morbidity, decease rate, and increased resource use. Objectives: The study aimed to identify the causative bacteria, antibiotic sensitivity, and resistance among the cases with hospital-acquired pneumonia in Qena university hospitals. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study including 70 HAP patients at QUH during the period of one year. The demographics, full clinical evaluations, laboratory investigations, and radiography were collected. Results: This study involved 70 cases with positive cultures, Elderly patients with chronic chest disease, and COPD exacerbation was the main reason for admission. Bilateral lung consolidation was the commonest radiological finding. Gram-negative bacilli were the most prevalent strain among the study cohort. Gentamycin, chloramphenicol, and amikacin were the most effective antibiotics against blood culture organisms, while imipenem and meropenem were the most effective antibiotics against the sputum culture organisms. Resistance was observed with various antibiotics. The decease rate was 21.43%. Conclusion: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) mainly affects older individuals, Gram-negative bacilli were commonly found in cultures, emphasizing their importance in diagnosis. Antibiotic sensitivity and resistance patterns varied, highlighting the necessity for tailored antibiotic selection based on microbiology results

Plastic use for food and drinks and related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among a sample of Egyptians

IntroductionPlastic is extensively used in everyday life, particularly for food and beverage containers. The inappropriate use of these containers may lead to the leaching of various chemicals from plastic, such as bisphenol A, phthalate, and styrene, which cause numerous adverse health effects. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward using plastic for food and drinks among a sample of the Egyptian population.Materials and methodsA questionnaire was designed based on scientific literature to assess sociodemographic data, knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward the use of plastic for food and drinks. A total of 639 participants were recruited by employing the convenience sampling technique.ResultsMore than half of the participants (347, 54%) had poor knowledge scores. Personal experiences, social media, and web pages represented the most common knowledge sources. A comparison between plastic-related knowledge scores and the studied sociodemographic characteristics revealed statistically significant differences in age, gender, education, marital status, residence, working, and socioeconomic standard. A good attitude was reported by the majority (515, 80.6%) of participants. The majority (493, 77.2%) were occasional and frequent plastic users and the practice scores were significantly associated with age, education, residence, and socioeconomic standard. Higher educational level, gender (women), and rural residence were predictors of good participants knowledge, while lower socioeconomic status and urban residence were predictors of bad participants practice in a multivariate logistic regression analysis.ConclusionThe observed unsatisfactory knowledge and practice scores vs. the high attitude indicates a knowledge gap that can help direct future improvements. We call for public awareness programs about safe plastic use and the related health hazards of plastic chemicals. We also stress upon the urgent need for a collaboration between health authorities and the plastic and food industry to guarantee that information about proper plastic use is conveyed to consumers

Mixed 2D-3D Halide Perovskite Solar Cells

The 3D-perovskite halides have gained a considerable reputation versus their counterpart semiconductor materials since they achieved a remarkable high-power conversion efficiency of 25.2% within a decade. Perovskite solar cells also have some problems as lattice degradation and sensitivity against moisture, oxygen, and strong irradiation. The perovskite instability is the drawback in front of this emerging technology towards mass production and commercialization. 2D-perovskites, with the general formula A2Bn − 1MnX3n + 1, have been recently introduced to overcome some of the drawbacks of the stability of 3D-perovskites; however, this is at the expense of sacrificing a part of the power conversion efficiency. Mixed 2D/3D perovskites could solve this dilemma towards the way to high stability-efficiency perovskites. The research is expected to obtain highly stable and efficient mixed 2D/3D perovskite solar cells in the few coming years. This chapter reviews 2D-perovskites’ achieved progress, highlighting their properties, current trends, challenges, and future prospects

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Reaction kinetics, gel character and strength of ambient temperature cured alkali activated slag–fly ash blends

Room temperature cured alkali activated slag/fly ash blends have shown their advantages in field applications. Given that alkali activated materials are extraordinarily sensitive to the composition of the starting materials, identifying their influences is essential for their application. This paper focuses on the effects of two compositional factors: activator modulus (SiO2/Na2O from 1.0 to 1.8) and slag/fly ash mass ratios (between 90/10 and 50/50) on reaction kinetics, gel characters and compressive strength. The results show that when lowering the activator modulus, the early age reaction is significantly accelerated with a higher reaction intensity, and increasing the slag content also leads to an increased reaction rate, especially at low activator modulus. Regardless of the two influential factors, the main reaction products are chain structured C-A-S-H gels with similar water contents and thermal properties, and no typical N-A-S-H type gels are formed in the system. Slight differences in terminal Sisingle bondO bonds and crystallization temperature are caused by the activator modulus and slag/fly ash mass ratios, respectively. The compressive strength results show that the optimum activator modulus changes with the slag/fly ash mass ratio, and higher slag/fly ash mass ratios prefer higher activator moduli in general, while either too high or too low activator modulus has detrimental effect on strength. Understanding the reaction, gel structure and strength changes are fundamental for determining key manufacturing parameters and tailoring the properties