A literature review addressing midwakh and e-cigarette use in the Gulf region

Abstract A notable decrease in conventional cigarette smoking has been witnessed on a global scale. However, this decrease has been accompanied by an equally striking global increase in the consumption of alternative tobacco products (ATPs), namely e-cigarettes and midwakh in the Arabian Gulf region. A literature review was used to outline the chemical composition of these two ATPs and review their impacts on health. The study was conducted using databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, MDPI, and WorldCat. The literature search included terms such as “e-cigarettes,” “midwakh,” “dokha,” “heath impacts,” “psychological effects,” “social influences,” and “cigarette smoking” with emphasis on literature from the Arabian Gulf region. Data shows that midwakh contains markedly high levels of tar, nicotine, and various compounds of notable effects on the human body. Similarly, it was found that e-cigarettes contain non-negligible amounts of nicotine and other chemical compounds that may not have been extensively investigated. Alarming reports of system-specific effects brought about by midwakh, and e-cigarette consumption, have been reported, although further research is needed to deduce the mechanism. We also discussed some of the social and psychological factors leading to their consumption within this population. Hence, this review raises questions around the safety of these two types of ATPs and encourages comprehensive studies globally and regionally

Chemical composition and potential health risks of raw Arabian incense (Bakhour)

Burning Arabian incense (Bakhour) is a common indoor practice in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf region. However, the chemical composition of this substance has never been studied. Three different Bakhour brands were selected for this study. A complete chemical profile for the raw samples was determined using carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen elemental analysis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and gas chromatography mass spectrometry techniques. A wide range of elements and compounds were identified, many of which are hazardous to health. Nitrogen was found in all samples which should raise concerns due to the known health implications of amines, nitrogen oxides and nitrites. In addition toxic metals such as cobalt, copper, iron, nickel, lead, and zinc were also determined in all samples. The amounts of these metals are equivalent to those in raw tobacco, where they are known to pose health risks. Three types of solvents (acetone, dichloromethane and toluene) were used for the extraction of organic compounds. Carcinogens, toxins and irritants were found along others of different health implications. Isolation of these compounds provides preliminary evidence on the harmful consequences of being exposed to Bakhour

Transformers Improvement and Environment Conservation by Using Synthetic Esters in Egypt

Distribution transformer (DT) is a crucial component in power systems as it exchanges energies between different voltage levels or between utility grid and DC microgrids. Nevertheless, the operation of an oil-immersed DT is limited by the thermal and electrical capabilities of the internal insulating liquid. This paper aims to raise the efficiency of distribution transformers and preserve the environment by using a biodegradable insulating liquid instead of the conventional mineral insulating oil (MIO). This work examines the Egyptian case, where a real distribution network located in middle Egypt is selected as a pilot project. Study and analysis of the status que of the insulation system inside DTs are done with the aid of fault-tree analysis. The deficiency of the insulation system is confirmed by conducting an electronic survey of 100 expert participants. The most appropriate solution among three different alternatives is confirmed using the weighting and ranking method. The best choice suitable for the selected area is the substitution of MIO by synthetic ester (SE). The technical and environmental advantages achieved by the presented solution are discussed. The feasibility studies have proven that the solution is positively acceptable in all aspects. An execution plan is established for the application of proposed solution on the selected Egyptian distribution network

Effect of consolidation techniques on the properties of Al matrix composite reinforced with nano Ni-coated SiC

Al /Ni-SiC composite was prepared via powder metallurgy technique. SiC particles were coated with 10 wt% nano nickel by electroless deposition, then mixed by three percents (5, 10 and 15 wt%) with Al powder in a ball mill using 10:1 ball to powder ratio for 5 h. Three types of sintering techniques were used to prepare the composite. Uniaxial cold compacted samples were sintered in a vacuum furnace at 600 °C for 1 h. The second group was the vacuum sintered samples which were post-processed by hot isostatic press (HIP) at 600 °C for 1hr under the pressure of 190 MPa. The third group was the hot pressed samples that were consolidated at 550 °C under the uniaxial pressure of 840 MPa. The results showed that the hot pressed samples have the highest densification values (97–100%), followed by the HIP samples (94–98%), then come the vacuum sintered ones (92–96%). X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) indicated the presence of Al and Al3Ni, which means that all SiC particles were encapsulated with nickel as short peaks for SiC were observed. Hardness results revealed that HIP samples have the highest hardness values. The magnetization properties were improved by increasing SiC/Ni percent, and HIP samples showed the highest magnetization parameter values. Keywords: Al composite, Electroless coating, Powder technology, Microstructure, Hardness, Magnetic propertie

Fabrication of High Surface Area TiO₂-MoO₃ Nanocomposite as a Photocatalyst for Organic Pollutants Removal from Water Bodies

A nanocomposite (NC) of titanium (IV) oxide (TiO2) and molybdenum (VI) oxide (MoO3) was synthesized using a hydrothermal route. Detailed analyses using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherms, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy were carried out and confirmed the successful formation of pure TiO2-MoO3 (Ti-Mo) NC. The Ti-Mo NC possesses sizes in the range of 150–500 nm. XPS, Raman, and DRIFT shift measurements confirmed the formation of mixed oxide linkage in the form of Ti-O-Mo. Sorption of nitrogen isotherms revealed a significant increase in the number and pore widths of mesopores in the NC. Water sorption isotherms revealed enhanced affinity of the nanocomposites for water relative to the pure metal oxides. The BET surface area for Ti-Mo NC from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm was 129.3 m2/g which is much higher than the pure metal oxides (i.e., 37.56 m2/g for TiO2 and 2.21 m2/g for MoO3). The Ti-Mo NC provided suitable adsorption sites that captured the studied carbamates from the solution and promoted their photodegradation process. The photocatalytic degradation of MB in the presence of the catalyst was enhanced by 2.9 and 5.5 folds upon irradiation with white LED and 302 nm UV light sources, respectively

Fabrication of High Surface Area TiO2-MoO3 Nanocomposite as a Photocatalyst for Organic Pollutants Removal from Water Bodies

A nanocomposite (NC) of titanium (IV) oxide (TiO2) and molybdenum (VI) oxide (MoO3) was synthesized using a hydrothermal route. Detailed analyses using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherms, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy were carried out and confirmed the successful formation of pure TiO2-MoO3 (Ti-Mo) NC. The Ti-Mo NC possesses sizes in the range of 150–500 nm. XPS, Raman, and DRIFT shift measurements confirmed the formation of mixed oxide linkage in the form of Ti-O-Mo. Sorption of nitrogen isotherms revealed a significant increase in the number and pore widths of mesopores in the NC. Water sorption isotherms revealed enhanced affinity of the nanocomposites for water relative to the pure metal oxides. The BET surface area for Ti-Mo NC from the nitrogen adsorption isotherm was 129.3 m2/g which is much higher than the pure metal oxides (i.e., 37.56 m2/g for TiO2 and 2.21 m2/g for MoO3). The Ti-Mo NC provided suitable adsorption sites that captured the studied carbamates from the solution and promoted their photodegradation process. The photocatalytic degradation of MB in the presence of the catalyst was enhanced by 2.9 and 5.5 folds upon irradiation with white LED and 302 nm UV light sources, respectively

Genomic Analysis of Waterpipe Smoke-Induced Lung Tumor Autophagy and Plasticity

The role of autophagy in lung cancer cells exposed to waterpipe smoke (WPS) is not known. Because of the important role of autophagy in tumor resistance and progression, we investigated its relationship with WP smoking. We first showed that WPS activated autophagy, as reflected by LC3 processing, in lung cancer cell lines. The autophagy response in smokers with lung adenocarcinoma, as compared to non-smokers with lung adenocarcinoma, was investigated further using the TCGA lung adenocarcinoma bulk RNA-seq dataset with the available patient metadata on smoking status. The results, based on a machine learning classification model using Random Forest, indicate that smokers have an increase in autophagy-activating genes. Comparative analysis of lung adenocarcinoma molecular signatures in affected patients with a long-term active exposure to smoke compared to non-smoker patients indicates a higher tumor mutational burden, a higher CD8+ T-cell level and a lower dysfunction level in smokers. While the expression of the checkpoint genes tested—PD-1, PD-L1, PD-L2 and CTLA-4—remains unchanged between smokers and non-smokers, B7-1, B7-2, IDO1 and CD200R1 were found to be higher in non-smokers than smokers. Because multiple factors in the tumor microenvironment dictate the success of immunotherapy, in addition to the expression of immune checkpoint genes, our analysis explains why patients who are smokers with lung adenocarcinoma respond better to immunotherapy, even though there are no relative differences in immune checkpoint genes in the two groups. Therefore, targeting autophagy in lung adenocarcinoma patients, in combination with checkpoint inhibitor-targeted therapies or chemotherapy, should be considered in smoker patients with lung adenocarcinoma

Technical Evaluation of Ionic Liquid-Extractive Processing of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel

Recent trends in legislation across the world are aimed toward the reduction of the levels of sulfur in fuel oils to less than 10 ppm (ultra low sulfur diesel, ULSD) due to its toxic and environmental effects. Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) is the current method used for desulfurization and faces technical challenges, due to the extreme conditions and energy consumption necessary to reach low sulfur levels. Recently, ionic liquid (IL) technology has been proposed as a possible solution toward achieving ULSD. ILs represent a new class of “green” solvents that are gaining popularity due to their favorable properties and have recently been shown to be effective extractants for desulfurization on a laboratory scale. In this work, the feasibility of industrial scale IL-extractive processing of ULSD has been examined via the simulation and optimization of a conceptual process in ASPEN Plus. The widely used [C_nmim] [NTF₂] series of ionic liquids have been employed, due to their favorable properties and the availability of experimental data in literature. User-defined ionic liquid components have been created within ASPEN Plus, incorporating several thermodynamic and physical property parameters derived from literature, to allow the process to be simulated via the UNIFAC thermodynamic method. On the basis of the technical analysis, it is proposed that the most feasible process configuration consists of HDS as a preliminary treatment, followed by IL extraction as intermediate treatment to reduce the sulfur content to 50 ppm, with adsorption as the final treatment to achieve ULSD levels