HYDRODYNAMIC STUDIES OF BED EXPANSION IN LIQUID SOLID FLUIDIZED BED

Expanded bed behavior was modeled by using the Richardson-Zaki correlation between the superficial velocity of the feed stream and the void fraction of the bed at moderate Reynolds number. The terminal velocity expression was developed by introducing two empirical parameters, the effective diameter of the particles and an exponent for the p l l l 2 term. The Richardson-Zaki exponent constant (n) was found to vary with the density ratio p l l and diameter ratio d D p . It was noted that when the density ratio p l l is less than one, there is no dense phase at the bottom of the test section. However, for density ratio p l l greater than unity, there exists accelerating or dense regime at the bottom of the test section

Deep learning model for thorax diseases detection

Despite the availability of radiology devices in some health care centers, thorax diseases are considered as one of the most common health problems, especially in rural areas. By exploiting the power of the Internet of things and specific platforms to analyze a large volume of medical data, the health of a patient could be improved earlier. In this paper, the proposed model  is based on pre-trained ResNet-50  for diagnosing thorax diseases. Chest x-ray images are cropped to extract the rib cage part from the chest radiographs. ResNet-50 was re-train on Chest x-ray14 dataset where a chest radiograph images are inserted into the model to determine if the person is healthy or not. In the case of an unhealthy patient, the model can classify the disease into one of the fourteen chest diseases. The results show the ability of ResNet-50 in achieving impressive performance in classifying thorax diseases

Overlapped hierarchical clusters routing protocol for improving quality of service

The rapid development in communications and sensors technologies make wireless sensor networks (WSNs) as essential key in several advanced applications such as internet of things (IoT). The increasing demands on using WSNs required high quality of services (QoS) because most WSNs applications have critical requirements. This work aims to offer a routing protocol to improve the QoS in WSNs, taking in consideration its ability to prolong the lifetime of the network, optimize the utilization of the limited bandwidth available, and decrease the latency that accompanies the packets transmitted to the gateway. The proposed protocol is called overlapped hierarchical cluster routing protocol (OHCRP). OHCRP is compared with the traditional routing protocols such as SPEED, and THVR. The results show that OHCRP reduces latency effectively and achieve high energy conservation, which lead to increase the network lifetime and insure network availability

Circulating dendritic cells in pediatric patients with nephrotic syndrome

Background: Dendritic cells (DCs) represent one of the most extensively studied topics in immunology, because of their central role in the induction and regulation of adaptive immunity, and because of their therapeutic potential for manipulating immune responses. Objectives: To evaluate circulating DC levels in pediatric patients with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) and its relation to disease activity in these patients. Methods: Fifteen nephrotic patients in relapse (proteinuria>40mg/m2/hour, hypoalbuminemia, and edema) before initiating steroid therapy (Group I), and another15 nephrotic patients in remission after withdrawal of steroid therapy (Group II) were compared to 15 age- and sex- matched healthy children. Besides clinical evaluation and routine laboratory investigations of nephrotic syndrome, circulating DCs were measured by flowcytometry. Results: Circulating DC count was lower in nephrotic patients in both proteinuria and remission groups [(48.89±13.52) and (64.64±7.69) X106/liter respectively] than in the control group (78.54±9.8) X106/liter with highly significant statistical difference (p < 0.001), and lower in proteinuria group than the remission group with highly significant statistical difference (p < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between DC count and serum albumin (moderate association) (p=0.002) and a negative correlation between DC count and urine protein /creatinine ratio (strong association) (p=0.001). Conclusion: Nephrotic syndrome was associated with decreased number of circulating DCs and the decrease was more apparent in patients with active disease. The positive correlation between DC counts and total protein, and serum albumin, and the negative correlation between DC count and urine protein/creatinine ratio point to the link between the decrease in DC count and the severity of the disease process.Keywords: Denderitic cells, nephrotic syndrome, immune deficiencyEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2011;9(1):41-4

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling-plus: a one-stop management approach for PCO-associated infertility

Background: The current study aims to estimate additional values of laparoscopic intervention for diagnosis and treatment of concomitant pelvic pathologies among infertile women with clomiphene-resistant polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) subjected to laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) in comparison to non-PCOS infertile women subjected to diagnostic/therapeutic laparoscopy.Methods: A prospective cross sectional observational study was carried out in the Endoscopic unit of a tertiary care university hospital.  The study included 232 infertile women planned for laparoscopy were divided into a study group A (116 cases) with clomiphene-resistant PCOS and a control group B (116 cases) without PCOS. Each group was further subdivided into two subgroups according to the presence and absence of risk factors (RF) for adhesion formation. Diagnostic/operative laparoscopy was done. The main study outcome was the prevalence of any pelvic abnormalities seen during laparoscopy.Results: Both groups showed insignificant difference regarding socio-demographic history and basic data. Laparoscopy detected pelvic pathologies in 44 cases (37.9%) and 86 cases (74.1%) in both groups respectively. In group A, we diagnosed pelvic pathologies in 29 (32.6%) and 15 (55.6%) cases with and without RF respectively while in group B they were diagnosed in 76 (84.4%) and 10 (38.5%) cases with and without RF respectively. If compared to women with unexplained infertility, PCO patients without risk factors have an insignificant but higher prevalence of pelvic abnormalities. All concomitant pelvic pathologies in both groups were treated on a one-stop (see and treat) basis.Conclusions: Detection and proper management of associated pelvic pathologies at laparoscopy is a valuable additional advantage of LOD particularly in women with positive risk factors. LOD plus see and treat associated pathologies is a time saving and prompt management approach for women with PCO–associated infertility

TREATMENT OF A HIGH STRENGTH ACIDIC INDUSTRIAL CHEMICAL WASTEWATER USING EXPANDED BED ADSORBER

Treatment of a high strength acidic industrial wastewater was attempted by activated carbon adsorption to evaluate the feasibility of yielding effluents of reusable qualities. The experimental methods which were employed in this investigation included batch and column studies. The former was used to evaluate the rate and equilibrium of carbon adsorption, while the latter was used to determine treatment efficiencies and performance characteristics. Fixed bed and expanded bed adsorbers were constructed in the column studies. In this study, the adsorption behavior of acetic acid onto activated carbon was examined as a function of the concentration of the adsorbate, contact time and adsorbent dosage. The adsorption data was modeled with Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms.The amount of acetic acid adsorbed increased with the decrease in initial concentration of acetic acid and increased with the increase in contact time and adsorbent dose. The effects of various important and influencing parameters such as flow rate, bed height, inlet adsorbate concentration on breakthrough curve are studied in details in the column studies

Sufficiency and Efficiency of Field Training for Radiology Students During Internship Experience in Najran University, Saudi Arabia

Purpose: The study was design to evaluate the effectiveness and adequacy of the internship period employing quantitative study descriptive survey approach.   Theoretical framework: Internship is requirement of every student of radiology program of Radiological Sciences patch for the award of bachelor's degree at Najran University, Saudi Arabia. The competency level would demonstrate influence the sufficiency and efficiency of clinical training during internship period which represent six months after completing nine levels of radiology program.   Design\Methodology\Approach: The survey was distributed to the tow levels of the last year of radiological sciences which composed of 81 male and female students which gathered seventy-seven (77) participants. Data collected through a questionnaire and summarized as percentages, frequencies, means and standard deviations using SPSS version 20.0.   Findings: The study revealed un adequacy of the internship period and showed low efficiency due to its short duration.   Research, Practical, Social Implication:The research construct and variables are identified the effectiveness and adequacy of the internship period.this  study will be the modele of internship with a new qualitative change related to a period of time acceptable to students, similar to other universities.   Originality/Value: The originality and value in this study are the framework conceptance and questionnaire that prepared and proved for evaluating the effectiveness and adequacy of the internship period for student of radiology program.   Conclusion: In general internship period must be efficient and adequate to enhance sufficiency and efficiency experience by intern trainees

Phytochemical Screening, Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry Analysis, and Antidiabetic Effects of Corchorus olitorius Leaves in Rats

BACKGROUND: Therapies for diabetes mellitus are still meeting failure in most cases, especially in the developed stages of the disease due to incredible associating complications. Hence, there is a need for continuous development of curative therapies for that stubborn disease. AIM: We aimed to investigate the antidiabetic effects of one of the most popular plants cultivated in Egypt, C. olitorius. METHODS: Phytochemical screening of total alcoholic extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves and its aqueous and chloroform fractions revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, tannins, coumarins, and alkaloids. RESULTS: The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of 12 and nine chemical compounds in aqueous and chloroform extracts, respectively. C. olitorius decreased serum glucose level and α-amylase activity. This effect was more pronounced in the total alcoholic extract and its chloroform fraction than the aqueous one. The extracts also adjusted the lipid profile, reduced liver injury parameters, and caused remarkable improvement and increase number, size, and density of functioning β-cells. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of C. olitorius besides its beneficial effect on diabetic complications such as hyperlipidemia and liver injury. The presence of some phytochemicals such as theophylline, trans-2, 3-dimethoxycinnamic acid, 7-hydroxy-4-methyl coumarin, apigenin 7-glucoside, and glycitein may contribute to such pharmacological effects

Genotype Dependent Somatic Embryogenesis from Egyptian Rice Mature Zygotic Embryos

Abs tract: Seven agronomically and genetically different rice (Oryza sativa L.) c u lt iv a rs were compared for their capacity for callus induction and plant regene ra t io n from mature zygotic embryos . W hite embryonic calli were formed within three weeks in the pres ence of 3 mgl 2,4,D . T h e s o matic Giza 178 s howed high regeneration fre q u e ncy (39%) followed by Giza 175 (38%) where the cultivar H1 s howed the lowes t record (24%). The data obtained fro m t h e random amplified polymorphic DNA analys is s howed that a total of 45 DNA markers were detected among the s e v e n ric e cultivars of wh ich, 29 bands were polymorphic (64.4%) and can be cons idered as us eful RA PD markers for th e rice cultivars us ed. Based on the data obtained by RA PD analys is , it was pos s ible to dis c riminate between the different genotyp e s u s e d . Sixteen out of the twenty nine polymorphic RAPD markers generated were found to be genotype-specific. Thes e markers can be verified as being RAPD markers ass ociated with the rege n e ra t io n c a pacity in the s even rice genotypes. Genetic s tability in tis s uecultured rice plants was examined by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RA PD) an a ly s is . T he genetic s imilarity between the mother and the regenerated plants was hig h fo r Giza 178 (91%) and it w a s 87.5 and 82 for Giza 175 and Sakha 102 respectively. The cultivar Giza 178 proved t o b e a us eful genetic res ource with unique regeneration ability and can be us ed for efficient generation of trans genic rice plants

Current Technologies and Future Perspectives in Immunotherapy towards a Clinical Oncology Approach

Immunotherapy is now established as a potent therapeutic paradigm engendering antitumor immune response against a wide range of malignancies and other diseases by modulating the immune system either through the stimulation or suppression of immune components such as CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells, and natural killer cells. By targeting several immune checkpoint inhibitors or blockers (e.g., PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2, CTLA-4, LAG3, and TIM-3) expressed on the surface of immune cells, several monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies have been developed and already translated clinically. In addition, natural killer cell-based, dendritic cell-based, and CAR T cell therapies have been also shown to be promising and effective immunotherapeutic approaches. In particular, CAR T cell therapy has benefited from advancements in CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing technology, allowing the generation of several modified CAR T cells with enhanced antitumor immunity. However, the emerging SARS-CoV-2 infection could hijack a patient’s immune system by releasing pro-inflammatory interleukins and cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and IL-10, and IFN-γ and TNF-α, respectively, which can further promote neutrophil extravasation and the vasodilation of blood vessels. Despite the significant development of advanced immunotherapeutic technologies, after a certain period of treatment, cancer relapses due to the development of resistance to immunotherapy. Resistance may be primary (where tumor cells do not respond to the treatment), or secondary or acquired immune resistance (where tumor cells develop resistance gradually to ICIs therapy). In this context, this review aims to address the existing immunotherapeutic technologies against cancer and the resistance mechanisms against immunotherapeutic drugs, and explain the impact of COVID-19 on cancer treatment. In addition, we will discuss what will be the future implementation of these strategies against cancer drug resistance. Finally, we will emphasize the practical steps to lay the groundwork for enlightened policy for intervention and resource allocation to care for cancer patients