Integrated System Model of District Cooling for Energy Consumption Optimization

The successful modeling of a multi-plant district cooling (DC) system presents several challenges in integrating system level requirements with engineering analysis for verification and optimization. Currently, the ability to predict the behavior and performance parameters such as chilled water temperature difference, annual energy consumption, and central chiller plant coefficient of performance (COP) of the dynamic system is limited. Effective modeling and efficient simulation are required when it comes to complex physical systems. This paper presents an integrated model that combines system architecture with physical modeling to represent and simulate a multi-plant district cooling system (DCS). We refer to this model as model-based systems engineering (MBSE) model of the DC system. A systems modeling language (SysML) model is created to develop a multi-domain architecture of the DC system that will satisfy stakeholder needs and requirements. This model is capable of executing behavior and parametric aspects (or “views”) of the system. A closed-loop of information flow was developed to map SysML constructs with their respective Modelica models to support the integration of simulated experiments with SysML construct. The integrated MBSE model is successfully implemented and the results show that the IPLV.SI value of the chiller model was 6.4157, which is in the acceptable range. Based on the initial conditions provided by the actual plant, the simulation results show that the chilled water temperature predictions by Modelica as 4.8℃ verify the corresponding stakeholders’ requirements captured in the SysML model

Large scale production of antitumor cucurbitacins from Ecballium Elaterium using bioreactor

Bioreactor plays a vital role in the commercial production of secondary metabolites and pharmaceuticals from plant cells. Many physical factors, like the mixing intensity, shear stress and operation conditions were optimized as a first step in scaling up process. Qualitative and quantitative determination of cucurbitacins E and I in the extract were carried out using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). After two weeks of equipping the reactor with marine impeller, both the growth rate and the concentration of cucurbitacins were increased. However, the increase in the aeration rate from 0.3 to 0.6 vvm induced the production of cucurbitacin E, it reduced the cucurbitacin I production. The highest recorded level of cucurbitacins was 0.3 and 0.1 g/L for cucurbitacin E and cucurbitacin I, respectively. Crude cucurbitacins extract showed potent antitumor activity in a range of 15.6 to 23.5 μg/ml against various carcinoma cell lines. In the current study, the optimizing condition for the production of cucubitacins E and I in Ecballium Elaterium and their biological activities as an antitumor and antimicrobial agent were evaluated.Keywords: Ecballium Elaterium, cucubitacins E, cucubitacins I, bioreactor, antitumo

Leverage of Matricaria chamomilla L. Oil Supplementation over Ochratoxin A in Growing Quails

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the mycotoxins in the agriculture and livestock sectors. The poultry sector su3ered from significant economic losses due to the adverse impacts of OTA on the growth rate, feed conversion ratio, and livability. Thus, the present investigation aimed to determine the impact of chamomile essential oil supplementation against OTA toxicity in growing quails. 360 one-week-old growing quails were distributed into six groups (n = 60) with four replicates of 15 birds. The groups were G1 (control negative), G2 (OTA 1 mg/kg diet, control positive), G3 (chamomile oil 0.5 g/kg diet), G4 (chamomile oil 1 g/kg diet), G5 (OTA 1 mg/kg diet + chamomile oil 0.5 g/kg diet), and G6 (OTA 1 mg/kg diet + chamomile oil 1 g/kg diet). Adding OTA significantly (P < 0.05) reduced live body weight and weight gain at 5 weeks. Feed intake at 5 weeks was non significantly reduced in G3 and G4 compared to G1. G4 showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in weight gain and the lowest feed conversion ratio. The G2 showed the lowest superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione transferase (GST) activity, and the highest levels of malondialdehyde (MDA). Moreover, they showed a significant improvement in liver enzymes and kidney function tests and a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. Chamomile supplementation alone or with OTA significantly (P < 0.05) increased immunoglobulin M, G, A, and complement 3 than OTA alone. Chamomile oil with an OTA diet or alone reduced the negative effects of OTA and improved the performance, antioxidant status, lipid profile, and immunological state of growing Japanese quails

The role of chamomile oil against ochratoxin A in quail breeders: productive and reproductive performances, egg quality and blood metabolites

This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial role of chamomile essential oil in improving productive and reproductive performances, egg quality, and blood metabolites and reducing the toxic effect of Ochratoxin A (OTA) in quail breeder's diets. A total of 144 mature quails, 8 wk old, were divided into 6 groups. The treatments were: G1 (the control), G2 (supplemented with OTA 1 mg/kg diet), G3 (supplemented with chamomile oil 0.5 g/kg diet), G4 (supplemented with chamomile oil 1 G/kg diet), G5 (supplemented with OTA 1 mg/kg diet + chamomile oil 0.5 g/kg diet), and G6 (supplemented with OTA 1 mg/kg diet + chamomile oil 1 g/kg diet). The OTA administration alone significantly decreased egg production and mass in quail breeders (P < 0.0001). Moreover, poor feed conversion ratio (FCR), fertility percentage (P < 0.0001), and hatchability percentage (P < 0.0009) were recorded. A significant decline (P < 0.05) in the levels of serum protein (total protein and globulin) was also recorded in OTA-contaminated groups, along with elevated serum levels of liver enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT) and Aspartate transaminase (AST) and kidney function test as urea and creatinine levels (P < 0.05). Ochratoxin A-contaminated feed resulted in a significant elevation (P < 0.05) in total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), along with a significant reduction (P < 0.05) in antioxidant status and immunological response. The supplementation of chamomile essential oil, either 0.5 g/kg or 1g/kg, to the basal diet or OTA-supplemented feed, revealed a significant increase in hatchability %, fertility, egg mass, and egg production and better FCR, egg quality, and immunological status when compared to OTA only. Moreover, chamomile essential oil supplementation improves liver and kidney function markers, decreases LDL, VLDL), TG, and TC. Along with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in terms of antioxidant status as glutathione peroxidase enzyme (GPX), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and significantly (P < 0.05) improves immunological response as IgM, IgG, lysozyme and complement 3. In summary, chamomile oil supplementation, either separate or combined with OTA, reduced the adverse effects of OTA and led to improved productive and reproductive performance, egg quality, and blood metabolites in Japanese quail breeders

New Phenolic Constituents from the Fruit Juice of Phyllanthus emblica

Six new phenolic constituents, L-malic acid 2-O- (1), mucic acid 2-O- (5), mucic acid 1, 4-lactone 2-O- (6), 5-O- (8), 3-O- (10), and 3, 5-di-O- (11) gallates, were isolated from the fruit juice of Phyllanthus emblica together with their methyl esters (2-4, 7, 9), and their structures were determined by spectral and chemical methods. Compounds 5, 6, and 8, the major phenolic constituents of the juice, were present as an equilibrium mixture in aqueous solution

Three new a-glucosidase inhibitors from guggul, the oleogum resin of Commiphora wightii

Three new compounds; epi-mukulin, dehydroguggulsterone and dehydro-20-hydroxygugglsterone were isolated from the n-hexane-soluble fraction (HSF) of the methanol extract of guggul, the oleogum resin of Commiphora wightii together with six known compounds.

Detoxification and Bioremediation of Sulfa Drugs and Synthetic Dyes by Streptomyces mutabilis A17 Laccase Produced in Solid State Fermentation

Laccase enzyme has many important applications as bioremediation and removal of environmental wastes and also in industrial processes. Therefore, large-scale of novel producers of laccase is demanded to use cheap and low cost substrates. Hence, solid state fermentation is the best strategy to achieve this proposes. The present study is designed to optimize laccase production by Streptomyces mutabilis A17 using agro-wastes including rice bran, castor seed cake, wheat bran, wheat straw, soybeans cake, peanut cake, cotton seed cake and chicken feathers. Cotton seed cake significantly enhanced S. mutabilis A17 laccase production when it was incubated for 6 days at 37°C and 70% moisture content in presence of yeast extract and glucose as the best nitrogen and carbon sources, respectively. After purification steps, the purified laccase showed maximum activity at 40°C and pH 8.0 within stability pH range of 7.0 to 9.0. Laccase activity was highly increased to 195, 180 and 166% by the addition of Ba+2, Cu+2 and Mn+2, respectively. Sulfa drugs and synthetic dyes cause various pollutants due to their toxic effects in different environments. Therefore, a purified laccase was utilized for removal of sulfa drugs as sulfadiazine (SDZ) and sulfathiazole (STZ) and also synthetic dyes. The results showed that the maximal enzymatic removal of SDZ and STZ was attained at 50°C and pH 6.0 for 1 h at presence of 1mM HBT(1-hydroxybenzotriazole) as a laccase mediator by removal percentage of 73% and 90%, respectively. Detoxification effects of laccase-treated sulfa drugs and two synthetic dyes; congo red and malachite green solutions, were investigated using microbial toxicity test. Our results indicated that the toxicity of these laccase-treated samples against tested bacterial strains were significantly decreased. It was concluded from this study that SSF laccase is playing an important role for decreasing the toxic effects of pharmaceutical wastes and organic pollutants

Clinical study of serum interleukin-6 in children with community-acquired pneumonia

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is an important childhood killer. Excessive production of cytokines, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), might be associated with severe disease course but pediatric data is limited. Aim: To assess value of IL-6 in predicting CAP severity in children. Methods: A prospective study conducted on 73 children hospitalized for CAP and 15 healthy controls. Pneumonia severity was evaluated according to World Health Organization (WHO) classification, Respiratory Index of Severity Score (RISC), Predisposition, Insult, Response, Organ dysfunction modified (PIROm score), and Pediatric Respiratory Severity Score (PRESS). Serum IL-6 was measured within 24 h of admission. The primary outcome was occurrence of any pneumonia complications or death within 30 days. Results: IL-6 was significantly higher among patients compared with controls. Unlike CRP, IL-6 was significantly higher among children with severe pneumonia as determined by WHO, PRESS, and RISC (p = 0.001 for all). IL-6 was significantly higher among children with PICU admission, mechanical ventilation, shock (p = 0.001 for all), hypoxia (p < 0.001), and lobar consolidation (p = 0.042). IL-6 had positive correlations with PRESS (rs=0.8, P < 0.001), RISC (rs=0.6, p < 0.001), and PIROm (rs=0.59, p < 0.001) while a negative correlation was found with Oxygen saturation [r = −0.61, p = 0.001]. IL-6 was not significantly correlated with CRP. Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (ROC) analysis revealed large area under the curve (AUC) of IL-6 for prediction of severe pneumonia as classified by WHO, PRESS, and RISC (AUC = 0.95, 0.94, and 0.89 respectively). Conclusion: IL-6 appears to be valuable for assessment of CAP severity in children compared with conventional biomarkers. Keywords: Interleukin-6, Community acquired pneumonia, C-reactive protein, Prognosis, Pediatri