‘Tenderstem’ Broccoli for Export Markets: an Analysis Study on the AgroFood Company

Decision case, horticulture, agriculture economics, broccoli production, protected vegetable production, Agricultural Finance, Crop Production/Industries, Production Economics,

Performance of Carbon Fiber Filament Reinforcing Cement Mortar

This paper aims to study the effect of Carbon Fiber Filament (CFF) with different ratios and lengths on the physical and mechanical properties of cement mortar. An experimental program included 3 cm fixed length of CFF with 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, and 1% different ratios by weight of cement addition were used in cement mortar cubes. Another experimental program of 0.5% CFF ratio with 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 cm different lengths by weight of cement addition was used in cement mortar prisms. The physical and mechanical properties of cement mortar containing CFF were experimentally investigated at 7 and 28 days of curing. Workability, by means of flow table test, were measured. Density is conducted for cubes and prisms at the age of 28 days. At ages of 7 and 28 days, compressive and flexural strengths were studied. The study showed a reduction in workability with the increase of CFF ratios and lengths by 0.0 to 2.7% and by 0.9 to 5.4% respectively. Moreover, an improvement in density, compressive, and flexural strengths was observed. At ages of 7 and 28 days, the results showed that compressive strength increased by 33 and 31% respectively at 0.5% of CFF ratio while the flexural strength increased by 125 and 327% respectively with CFF length of 5 cm. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091753 Full Text: PD

Serum CRP level in day of ovum pickup and embryo transfer as a predictor for success in patients undergoing IVF/ ICSI

Background: This study was performed to determine the level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in day of ovum pickup and embryo transfer as a predictor for success in patients undergoing In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intracytoplasmic Sperm injection (ICSI).Methods: This study was a cross sectional study (prospective) that was conducted in assisted reproduction unit in Al-Azhar University Hospital on 50 infertile patients who were candidate for IVF/ICSI, using standard long protocol, blood was drawn two times during cycle, in the day of ovum pick up and the day of embryo transfer.Results: In (70.6 %) the serum of CRP level was higher in day of embryo transfer than day of ovum pick up. The ratio of CRP level in the day of embryo transfer to the day of ovum pick up was heigher (1.54) in patients who became pregnant after ICSI, patients with less than this ratio have not been pregnant.Conclusions: Controlled ovarian hyper stimulation and puncture of ovaries can potentiate systemic stimulation so increasing serum CRP level in day of embryo transfer rather than day of ovum pick up can predict success in patients undergoing IVF/ICSI.

Gingival Depigmentation Using Diode 980 nm and Erbium-YAG 2940 nm Lasers: A Split-Mouth Clinical Comparative Study

This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of diode laser (980 nm) and erbium-YAG laser (2940 nm) for gum depigmentation. Background. Gingival hyperpigmentation, “black gum,” refers to black discrete single or multiple pigments on the gingiva. Several factors may play a role in gingival hyperpigmentation ranging from physiologic pigmentation to manifestations of systemic diseases. Several techniques have been used for gingival depigmentation to lighten its color. Methods. Fifteen patients exhibiting nonsmoking melanin hyperpigmentation, with the mean age of 28.6 ± 7.8 years, were recruited. The facial gingiva of the anterior teeth and premolars of each jaw was divided into two halves. The right or left side of each jaw quadrant randomly received either diode laser operating at 980 nm wavelength or erbium-YAG laser at 2940 nm. Parameters such as degree of gingival depigmentation, bleeding, pain, patient satisfaction, and wound healing were assessed and compared between the two techniques. The subjects were followed up to six months for melanin pigmentation recurrence. Results. Both techniques were efficient for gingival depigmentation. Nevertheless, bleeding during surgery was statistically higher for Er:YAG laser technique as compared to diode laser. Wound healing showed statistically nonsignificant differences between the two lasers, although Er:YAG seems to give better outcomes than the diode. The patients were satisfied with both laser techniques during and after gingival depigmentation. However, the pain score was higher for Er:YAG laser than for diode laser. Conclusion. This study demonstrated that both lasers’ techniques are efficient for gingival depigmentation. However, diode laser seems to show less painful experience and relatively better bleeding control

Evaluation of the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of fucoxanthin from Dilophys fasciola and as a food additive in stirred yoghurt

We investigated the effects of fucoxanthin isolated from the edible macroalga Dilophys fasciola on pathogenic microbes and probiotics in vitro and the antioxidant activity of fucoxanthin. The yield concentration of the obtained crude was 50.5% fucoxanthin. We found strong inhibition against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Listeria monocytogenes, and lower inhibition against Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The probiotic strains progressed between 1.2 and 1.67 log cycles at a concentration of 30 μg/mL. The antioxidant activity ranged between 54.76% and 88.36% at a concentration of 40 μg/mL. The 50% lethal dose of algal fucoxanthin was shown to be more than 2511.88 mg/kg. The production of stirred yoghurt incorporated with 20 mg and 30 mg of fucoxanthin per kilogram of milk was evaluated through chemical, microbiological, and sensory analyses during storage for 21 days and compared with control samples. The maximum growth for probiotics (Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lacticaseibacillus casei) was found on day 14, but more viability counts were detected in the treatment with 30 mg/kg. All treatments were free from mould and yeast counts up to 7 days, and the small numbers of mould, yeast, and psychrotrophic counts appeared first in control samples. Also, the highest dry matter content was observed for treatments with 30 mg/kg. Moreover, the protein, fat, and ash content of all treatments increased with a progressive cold storage period. Greater reductions in the pH were found in treatments than in the control, and were consistent with the development of acidity. During storage, the amount of crude fucoxanthin had no significant impact on the flavour, colour, or appearance scores. Significance: • Fucoxanthin is a type of carotenoid that offers many benefits to human health. • The fucoxanthin of edible Dilophys fasciola had a strong antimicrobial effect against Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria, and fungi. • Stirred yoghurt fortified with crude fucoxanthin had good overall acceptability and the percentage of crude fucoxanthin had no noticeable effects on the flavour, colour, or appearance. Fucoxanthin, therefore, has potential benefit as a food additive

The Structure and Psychometric Properties of Wellness for A Sample of Teachers in Egypt

The present study attempts to examine the structure of wellness for a sample of teachers in Egypt and examine psychometric properties of wellness Inventory. The study questions addressed are: is the structure of wellness multidimensional or uni-dimensional?, Is wellness inventory has appropriate psychometric properties?. A total of 417 teachers from Egypt completed the inventory of wellness, including males (N= 260) and females (N= 157).The teachers ranged in age from 29 to 48 with an average age 36.7 and S.D. 1.7 .  The inventory that used in this study is referred to as the multidimensional organizational wellness inventory (MOWI) (Fasone, 2017), Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is used. The results indicates that The structure of wellness is multidimensional which includes physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, occupational , and environmental. And the inventory has appropriate psychometric properties. Keywords: Wellness, Reliability, Construct Validity DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-16-04 Publication date: August 31st 201

In vitro and in vivo hepatoprotective activity of extracts of aerial parts of Bidens pilosa L (Asteraceae)

Purpose: To investigate the protective effects of aqueous and methanol extracts of Bidens pilosa using various in vivo and in vitro models of hepatic injury.Methods: One kilogram of the aerial parts of Bidens pilosa was used to prepare 80 % methanol and aqueous extracts of the plant (500 g for each extract). The total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant activity of both extracts were evaluated. The hepatoprotective activity of these extracts in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4, 0.1 %) and D-galactosamine (700 mg/kg)-induced liver injury, respectively, was investigated in mice. Paracetamol-induced liver injury was used as in vitro reference standard.Results: TPC and TFC of methanol extract were higher than those of the aqueous extract. The combination of methanol extract and silymarin showed the highest antioxidant activity. In vivo administration of CCl4 and D-galactosamine significantly increased the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), but decreased the total protein, albumin and glutathione (GSH) contents of liver. Co-administration of the extracts (50 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg) effectively countered the effects of CCl4 and Dgalactosamine, while also exerting their antioxidant properties. Both methanol and aqueous extracts showed hepatoprotective activity in paracetamol-induced cytotoxicity in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes.Conclusion: Bidens pilosa possesses significant in vivo and in vitro hepatoprotective activity in mice and may be therapeutically useful as a protective agent in acute liver injury.Keywords: Bidens pilosa, D-galactosamine, Carbon tetrachloride, Paracetamol, Liver injury, Hepatoprotective, Antioxidant, Silymarin, Hepatocyte

Unrealistic Optimism Among a Sample of University Students in Egypt and Saudi Arabia (Cross-cultural Study)

The present study considered as cross-cultural study attempts to examine the psychometric properties of unrealistic optimism in light of the scale used in the study for Egyptian and Saudi Arabia university students and Is the measurement equivalent of the scale terms for Egyptian and Saudi Arabia university students? . A total of (336) male students from university in Egypt and in Saudi Arabia from different specialties completed the scale of unrealistic optimism (prepared by the researchers), Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) is used. The results indicate that the structure of model of unrealistic optimism is fit and the scale has appropriate psychometric properties. And the result indicate that the unrealistic optimism scale  have the same structure in Egypt and Saudi Arabia , that means the factorial invariance of unrealistic optimism in Egypt and Saudi Arabia . Keywords: Unrealistic optimism, Reliability, Construct validity, Cultural differences. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/9-24-12 Publication date: December 31st 2019

Hemorrhage control, infection prevention and application on anesthetics in exodontia of natal teeth

Introduction: The teeth that appear at the time of birth are called Natal teeth. The exact cause of its appearance is unknown, but possible causes for this condition include infections, trauma, hormonal stimulation etc. There is a possibility to aspirate the tooth and difficulty with feeding. Case report: A one day old baby born with teeth in the lower jaw was referred to our dental department, Thumbay Hospital, Dubai, UAE. The crown structure was attached to the gums with grade 2 mobility (Millers classification). The shell like crown was removed with a periodontal curette and care was taken not to injure the underlying tooth. Vitamin K injection 1mg IM was given in the anterolateral thigh 2hours before the procedure. Conclusion: The appearance of natal teeth is a rare case however it is not uncommon in the newborns. Extraction as the first treatment choice should be performed as soon as possible considering all possible complications. Vitamin K administration is a mandatory step in the treatment