DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE TESTING OF A NOVEL 3-FLUID LIQUID-TO-AIR MEMBRANE ENERGY EXCHANGER

Liquid-to-air membrane energy exchangers (LAMEEs) allow simultaneous heat and moisture transfer between air and desiccant solution streams that are separated by semi-permeable membranes. Moisture transfer between the air and desiccant solution is accompanied by the release/absorption of phase change energy which increases/decreases the temperature of the desiccant solution as it flows through the exchanger. The resulting change in the desiccant solution temperature decreases the driving potential for heat and moisture transfer (i.e. the differences between the air and desiccant solution temperatures and vapor pressures), which decreases the rates of heat and moisture transfer between the air and desiccant solution inside the exchanger. To overcome this problem, a novel 3-fluid LAMEE prototype is designed, built and tested. The 3-fluid LAMEE is composed of several adjacent parallel air and solution channels separated by semi-permeable membranes with refrigerant tubes within each solution channel. The aim of these refrigerant tubes is to reduce the change in the desiccant solution temperature inside the exchanger to guarantee high differences between the air and desiccant solution temperatures and vapor pressures along the entire length of the exchanger. This thesis has three main objectives. The first objective is to determine the practical nominal air and solution channel widths for flat-plate LAMEEs, and the effects of flow maldistribution caused by membrane deflections on the performance of flat-plate LAMEEs. The results in this thesis show that the practical air and solution channel widths for flat-plate LAMEEs are 5-6 mm and 1-2 mm, respectively. The second objective is to test and compare the rates of heat and moisture transfer between the air and desiccant solution in 3-fluid and 2-fluid LAMEEs under several operating conditions. Results show that the 3-fluid LAMEE can achieve the same heat and moisture transfer rates between the air and desiccant solution as a 2-fluid LAMEE at lower desiccant solution mass flow rates and with smaller membrane surface areas. Therefore the size of LAMEEs can be significantly decreased if refrigerant tubes are installed inside the solution channels. The third objective is to present performance definitions for evaluating the overall performance of 3-fluid LAMEEs. Unlike the traditional energy exchanger effectiveness equations, results show that the overall performance definitions can be used to evaluate the overall sensible and latent effectivenesses of 3-fluid LAMEEs and are less sensitive to the inlet refrigerant temperature

Extractive Text Summarization on Single Documents Using Deep Learning

The task of summarization can be categorized into two methods, extractive and abstractive summarization. Extractive approach selects highly meaningful sentences to form a summary while the abstractive approach interprets the original document and generates the summary in its own words. The task of generating a summary, whether extractive or abstractive, has been studied with different approaches such as statistical-based, graph-based, and deep-learning based approaches. Deep learning has achieved promising performance in comparison with the classical approaches and with the evolution of neural networks such as the attention network or commonly known as the Transformer architecture, there are potential areas for improving the summarization approach. The introduction of transformers and its encoder model BERT, has created advancement in the performance of many downstream tasks in NLP, including the summarization task. The objective of this thesis is to study the performance of deep learning-based models on text summarization through a series of experiments, and propose “SqueezeBERTSum”, a trained summarization model fine-tuned with the SqueezeBERT encoder which achieved competitive ROUGE scores retaining original BERT model’s performance by 98% with ~49% fewer trainable parameters

ADR-Miner: An Ant-based data reduction algorithm for classification

Classi cation is a central problem in the elds of data mining and machine learning. Using a training set of labeled instances, the task is to build a model (classi er) that can be used to predict the class of new unlabeled instances. Data preparation is crucial to the data mining process, and its focus is to improve the tness of the training data for the learning algorithms to produce more e ective classi ers. Two widely applied data preparation methods are feature selection and instance selection, which fall under the umbrella of data reduction. For my research I propose ADR-Miner, a novel data reduction algorithm that utilizes ant colony optimization (ACO). ADR-Miner is designed to perform instance selection to improve the predictive e ectiveness of the constructed classi cation models. Two versions of ADR-Miner are developed: a base version that uses a single classi cation algorithm during both training and testing, and an extended version which uses separate classi cation algorithms for each phase. The base version of the ADR-Miner algorithm is evaluated against 20 data sets using three classi cation algorithms, and the results are compared to a benchmark data reduction algorithm. The non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-ranks test will is employed to gauge the statistical signi cance of the results obtained. The extended version of ADR-Miner is evaluated against 37 data sets using pairings from fi ve classi cation algorithms and these results are benchmarked against the performance of the classi cation algorithms but without reduction applied as pre-processing. Keywords: Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Data Mining, Classi cation, Data Reduction

In vitro cytotoxicity and induction of apoptosis by multiwalled carbon nanotubes in human peripheral lymphocytes: Correlation with physicochemical properties

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) consist of more than 80% of the current nanomaterials’ applications worldwide. Despite their wide application, little information is known concerning their impact on human health. The current study aims to identify the in vitro effects of exposure of the human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) to MWCNTs and the possible associations with their physiochemical properties. Two doses (50 and 500 µg/ml) of four different commercially available MWCNTs (obtained from Frascati Laboratory, Sigma Co., Sun Nanotech Co. and Shenzhen Co.) were used in this study. Cell viability and apoptotic activity were evaluated by trypan blue exclusion test and Annexin-V/PI staining in peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL). Physicochemical properties of the different MWCNTs were determined and correlated with the cytotoxicity results after exposure for 12 and 48 h. Results indicate that PBL exposed to MWCNTs showed decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The Pearson’s correlation test showed a lack of relationship between diameter of nanoparticles and their pro-apoptotic activity (r2= 0.282), whereas significant correlations were found between pro-apoptotic activity and the presence of some metal contaminants such as nickel, cobalt and gold (r2= 0.919, 0.698 and 0.520, respectively). Our results therefore suggest that carbon nanotubes at high concentrations lowered cell viability in vitro and induced apoptosis in human cells in vitro. In addition, the results indicate that metal contaminants in carbon nanotubes may be causative of some of the adverse outcomes observed. Finally, our finding provides important information on the biohazard potential of some carbon nanotubes in humans.Key words: Multiwalled, carbon, nanotubes, cytotoxicity, apoptosis, flow cytometry, viability,  lymphocytes

Laboratory Validation of Calculations of Magnetic Field Mitigation Underneath Transmission Lines Using Passive and Active Shield Wires

This paper is aimed at reporting experimental measurements and calculations of how the magnetic field underneath overhead transmission lines is mitigated using passive and active shield wires. The magnetic field values were compared to those calculated using the current simulation technique (CST). A laboratory transmission line model representing the Egyptian 500 kV EHV line was built with dimensions scaled down in the ratio 10:1. The flat single circuit of the line was modeled in the laboratory by phase separation of 1.2 m and conductor diameter of 2.76 mm at height of 1.9 m. The shield wires were spaced 4.3 m at a height of 1.45 m. Magnetic field measurements were carried out for load currents of 5.7 and 10 A. The field was measured at 0.3 m above ground level with and without passive and active shield wires for several different lateral positions. The measured and calculated field values generally agreed reasonably with an error ranging between 2.5 and 20 % within the ROW. The maximum reduction of magnetic field from the passive shield wires is 10% at the edge of right of way. With active shield wires carrying a current of 5 A (one half of the conductor current), the reduction of magnetic field reached 17% at the edge of ROW

Hungary in the Egyptian press (1922-1936)

My essay focuses on the published articles in Egypt concerning the Hungarian situation between 1922-1936. The aim of the paper is to give an abbreviated review of the political, economic, commercial, and military situation of Hungary, and to show the development of the independent "Hungarian kingdom without a king". In this regard, I studied the most important contemporary Egyptian newspapers including the Al-Ahram Arabic daily newspaper, the weekly magazine Al-Musawwir, in addition to the two main English-language newspapers: Egyptian Gazette and Egyptian Mail. I present the image of Hungary and Hungarians in the contemporary Egyptian press. It is worth analyzing how the Egyptian editors, journalists and reporters portrayed the era of the Hungary for the Egyptian public. The articles concerning Hungary and Hungarians and news reports indicate that the Egyptian public was well-informed about the developments of Hungary after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy in certain periods. The Egyptian press portrayed Miklós Horthy, the Hungarian regent as a positive figure, and felt sympathy with the restoration of the monarchy in Hungary. The Egyptian press concentrated on the attempts of Charles IV, to regain his Hungarian throne. They were indicated as positive events which can be connected with the fact that the Egyptian public was committed to the monarchy. The Hungarian Prime Minister, Gyula Gömbös's orientation to Rome and Berlin in 1930 was highlighted. Duel between Gyula Gömbös and Tibor Eckhardt reflected as an act of European gallantly which resolves disputes. The news of the duel evoked sympathy in archaic groups of Egyptian society suggesting that the principle of tit for tat law prevailed in Hungary. In 1936 the Italian visit of the Prime Minister, Gyula Gömbös and Foreign Minister, Kálmán Kánya and the Italian-Hungarian-Austrian Treaty were of primary interest of London, as the treaty was against Germany's claim to annex Austria (Anschluss), and laid the foundation for the establishment of a customs union among the three states, which prevented the German economic penetration into Central Europe. Accordingly, it can be concluded that the Egyptian press positively portrays the newly reformed independent Hungary, especially the consolidation of István Bethlen in the 1920s, and the most important governmental, economical, commercial, and military events in the 1930s

Evaluation of outcome of percutaneous K-wires fixation of pediatric both bone forearm fractures

Background: Forearm fractures are the most common fractures in children, representing 40 to 50 percent of all childhood fractures. Objective: To improving outcome of pediatric both bone forearm fractures using K-wires. Patients and Methods: This study included 24 patients aged between 3 and 12 years with closed displaced fractures of shaft of both bones forearm presented to Zagazig General Hospital. On admission all patients were assessed by history taking, clinical examination and radiological evaluation. The K-wires were passed under control of image intensifier across the fracture site as far as the proximal physis in the radius and the distal metaphysis in the ulna taking care not to reach the growth plate. Postoperatively the limb was placed in above elbow plaster cast with the elbow at 90 degrees of flexion and the forearm at mid pronation. After the follow up period (6 - 12) month the results of patients were assessed clinically and radiologically and were classified according to the Price criteria. Results: 9 patients (37.5%) were classified as excellent results while 15 patients (62.5%) were classified as good results and no patients were classified as fair or poor results. Conclusion: Closed reduction percutaneous intramedullary fixation of pediatric displaced diaphyseal forearm fractures by K-wires is a safe, reliable, minimally invasive procedure and effective method of treatment. Based upon this study, it is concluded that displaced fractures of both forearm bones in children are preferred to be intramedullary fixed with K-wires when surgery is indicated with excellent and good results

If current inhibitor ivabradine in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: Impact on the exercise tolerance and quality of life

Background: Evidence supported a beneficial effect of ivabradine on clinical outcome of patients with systolic heart failure, and a sinus heart rate (HR) ≥ 70 bpm. We explored the effect of ivabradine, vs. placebo, added to evidence-based treatment on exercise tolerance and quality of life in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Methods: We enrolled 43 consecutive patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of no apparent cause, a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40%, New York Heart Association class ≥ II, sinus HR ≥ 70 bpm, and background evidence-based anti-failure medications. Ischemic heart disease was ruled out. Patients were randomized (1:1) to receive ivabradine or placebo. Ivabradine was titrated up gradually till 7.5 mg twice daily, or a HR < 60 bpm, and continued for 3 months. Symptom-limited exercise tolerance test was performed, and quality of life was assessed by the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire at 0, and 3 months. Results: Forty-three patients were randomized to ivabradine (n = 20), or placebo (n = 23). Mean age was 50.8 ± 14.5 years (53.5% males). Mean HR was 85 ± 12 bpm, and mean LVEF was 32 ± 6%. Mean dose of carvedilol was 31.2% of the target dose. Baseline HR, blood pressure, exercise tolerance, Minnesota questionnaire score, and left ventricular systolic function were comparable between the two groups (p > 0.05 for all). At 3 months, mean dose of ivabradine was 6.8 mg bid. Ivabradine-treated patients had a lower HR, and improved left ventricular dimensions and systolic function, versus placebo-treated ones (p < 0.05 for all). HR dropped by a mean of 14 bpm in the ivabradine group, corrected for placebo. Both exercise tolerance, and Minnesota questionnaire score were better in the ivabradine group (p < 0.05 both). Ivabradine was well-tolerated. Conclusions: In symptomatic patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, the addition of ivabradine, vs. placebo, to evidence-based treatment, reduced HR, and improved functional capacity, at short-term follow-up