CCD BVRI and 2MASS Photometry of the Poorly Studied Open Cluster NGC 6631

Here we have obtained the {\it BVRI CCD} photometry down to a limiting magnitude of $V \sim$ 20 for the southern poorly studied open cluster NGC 6631. It is observed from the {\it 1.88 m} Telescope of Kottamia Observatory in Egypt. About 3300 stars have been observed in an area of $\sim 10^{\prime} \times 10^{\prime}$ around the cluster center. The main photometric parameters have been estimated and compared with the results that determined for the cluster using {\it JHKs 2MASS} photometric database. The cluster's diameter is estimated to be 10 arcmin; the reddening E(B-V)= 0.68 $\pm$ 0.10 mag, E(J-H)= 0.21 $\pm$ 0.10 mag, the true modulus (m-M)$_{o}$= 12.16 $\pm$ 0.10 mag, which corresponds to a distance of 2700 $\pm$125 pc and age of 500 $\pm$ 50 Myr.Comment: 13 pages, 6 figure

Evaluation of Peripheral Vascular Calcification and Serum Magnesium Level in a Group of Egyptian Hemodialysis Patients

Introduction: Vascular calcification is a risk factor for cardiovascular mortality in the general population. It is highly prevalent in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. Low magnesium (Mg) levels have been reported to have a strong association with vascular calcification in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of vascular calcification and its relation to serum Mg concentration in a group of Egyptian HD patients. Methods: We studied 65 stable patients undergoing maintenance HD for more than 6 months. Vascular calcification was evaluated using hand roentgenography. Serum Mg, phosphorus, corrected calcium and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels were compared between patients with and without vascular calcification. Results: The study included 41 male and 24 female patients, aged 43-70 years. Vascular calcification was present in 38.5% of the patients. Mean serum Mg level was 2.88 ± 0.51 mg/dl. Male gender was more common in patients with vascular calcification, and they had significantly longer HD duration and significantly higher serum phosphorus and iPTH levels. Serum Mg level was significantly lower in patients with vascular calcification (2.36 ± 0.26 mg/dl vs.3.21 ± 0.32 mg/dl, p = 0.001). Serum Mg concentration remained as independent negative predictor of hand-artery vascular calcification after adjustment for age, gender, duration of HD, serum phosphorus and iPTH levels. Conclusion: Vascular calcification is common in the study population and is associated with a lower serum Mg level. High or sustained-normal Mg levels may have a protective role against the development of vascular calcification in HD patients. Keywords: hemodialysis; magnesium; renal failure; vascular calcificatio

The Use of Laparoscopy in the Management of Trauma Patients : Brief review

 Laparoscopy is one of the most effective intervention modalities, resulting in improved outcomes for major surgeries. In the past decade, the laparoscopic approach in trauma patients has shown better diagnostic outcomes than traditional laparotomies. Furthermore, this approach is cost-effective, significantly reduces the length of hospital stay and contributes to reduced complication rates. However, the use of laparoscopies in trauma cases is generally restricted to patients with normal haemodynamic parameters and is contraindicated for individuals with head injuries. With advances in knowledge and improved training, laparoscopies can also be used in the treatment of other conditions, such as diaphragmatic injuries and organ lacerations. This article briefly reviews the extent of laparoscopy use and its significance in the management of trauma patients

High efficiency dye-sensitized solar cells with a novel two dimensional Cd-V-LDH photoanode

The present study demonstrates a novel photoanode layer double hydroxide (LDH) for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The search for a photoanode (PA) with low cost and high power conversion efficiency (PCE) has become one of the most significant challenges facing researchers. LDH has proven successful as a photocatalyst in various fields. In this paper, a novel Cd-V-LDH with a molar ratio of Cd:V = 1:1 was synthesized by the coprecipitation method and used as a novel PA in DSSCS. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Nitrogen sorption analysis, UV–Vis absorption spectrum, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were used to examine the produced Cd-V-LDH. Cd-V-LDH as PA, Eosin Y (EY) as a photosensitizer, LiI-I2 as a liquid electrolyte, and g-C3N4 (GN) as a photocathode (PC) are the component of DSSCs. The series cells of DSSCs were assembled and the available variables have been studied to achieve the best performance under normal conditions. These variables, e.g., concentration and pH of EY, active area of PA, and different types of PC, e.g., graphene oxide (GO), commercial carbon (CC), and (GN). The open circuit voltage (VOC) and short circuit current density (JSC) for the Cd-V-LDH/EY/LiI-I2/GN system were observed to be 705 mV and 12.40 mA/cm2, and has a PCE of 5.4% comparable to Cd-V-LDH/EY/LiI-I2/GO and Cd-V-LDH/EY/LiI-I2/CC, which have PCEs of 4.9% and 3.8%, respectively, in the identical testing conditions

Optimization of mosquitocidal toxins production by Lysinibacillus sphaericus under solid state fermentation using statistical experimental design

Taguchi’s experimental design of surface response methodology was applied to optimize the culture medium conditions for Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Ls) mosquitocidal toxins production under solid state fermentation (SSF). The predicted results of this design revealed that the optimum culture medium conditions for the maximum mosquitocidal activity against second instar Culex pipiens larvae were: 3.08 ± 0.05% substrate concentration, 33 ± 1.5% moisture content, 7.8 ± 0.1 initial pH, 1.35 ± 0.15% (5.7 × 107 CFU) inoculum size and 5.9 ± 0.2 days incubation period. Sporulation titer of Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Ls 14N1) and mortality percentage of second instar Culex pipiens larvae of the fermented culture under these conditions were 2.8 × 1010 CFU/g fermented culture and 97.5 ± 1%, respectively. The results of practical validation of the design were incomparable with the mathematical results. Sporulation titer was 2.7 × 10 10 CFU/g fermented culture; LC50 was 2.8 × 10-5 final fermented culturedilution and toxin protein concentration was 2.24 mg/g fermented culture