Cattaneo–Christov heat flux impacts on MHD radiative natural convection of Al2O3-Cu-H2O hybrid nanofluid in wavy porous containers using LTNE

This paper aims to examine impacts of Cattaneo–Christov heat flux on the magnetohydrodynamic convective transport within irregular containers in the presence of the thermal radiation. Both of the magnetic field and flow domain are slant with the inclination angles Ω and γ, respectively. The worked fluid is consisting of water (H2O) and Al2O3-Cu hybrid nanoparticles. The enclosures are filled with a porous medium, and the local thermal nonequilibrium (LTNE) model between the hybrid nanofluids and the porous elements are considered. Influences of various types of the obstacles are examined, namely, horizontal cold elliptic, vertical elliptic and cross section ellipsis. The solution methodology is depending on the finite volume method with nonorthogonal grids. The major outcomes revealed that the location (0.75, 0.5) is better for the rate of the flow and temperature gradients. The higher values of H* causes that the solid phase temperature has a similar behavior of the fluid phase temperature indicating to the thermal equilibrium state. Also, the fluid-phase average Nusselt number is maximizing by increasing Cattaneo–Christov heat flux factor

Evaluation of the quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease: using two measuring assessment tools

Background: Coronary heart diseases (CHD) are considered to be as a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) test and assessment is considered as a major an important measuring tool of the disease effects results and other variables related to the patient’s life.Objectives: The purpose of this observational study is to assess and compare the quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease.Materials and Methods: This study was conducted at Al-shaab Teaching Hospital, where 100 patients with definite diagnosis of CHD were responded. The data was collected using two quality of life assessment tools: the Seattle angina questionnaire (SAQ) (disease specific measuring tool) and the SF-36 questionnaire (generic measuring tool).Results: Based on the 1) SAQ, out of the 50 patients who were recruited, the patients physical functioning in terms of activities performed 58% said “not limited” and 42% said “limited” in case of chest pain 26% noted “much more often” while 10% “much less often” Based on the 2) SF-36, out of the 50 patients who were recruited, the patients physical functioning in terms of activates performed 26% said “no, not limited” and 74% said “limited”. 34% had felt full of life “all the time” while 10% “none of the time”.Conclusion: HRQL measurement gives health care providers an additional tool for the assessment of the impact of specific clinical decisions on the health status of patients. Of the SAQ and SF-36, the SAQ offers more reliable assessment of quality of life.Keywords: Coronary heart Disease, measuring assessment tool

Estimation of post-harvest losses of Manfalouty pomegranate fruits

Weight loss considered one of the main causes of quality loss in pomegranate fruits during chain marketing. Therefore, this study was conducted on Manfalouty pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) in a private orchard in El Badary, Assiut Governorate, Egypt in 2017 and 2018 to define the various causes of losses during chain handing and estimate it. The fruits harvested at three periods early (September) mid (October) and late season (November). The total losses at harvest were 5.94%, 9.30% and 23.50% for early, mid and late season, respectively. The main cause of losses is due to cracked and infected pests. The total loss of fruits during chain marketing was highest in retail market in comparison with wholesale during early, mid and late season. The main causes of losses due to weight loss and shrinkage fruits. According to data dealing with storage pomegranate fruits at 5±1°C and relative humidity 85-90%, the highest fruit losses found in the third month and this losses due to fruit weight loss and internal chilling injury (brown discoloration) so the storage life of fruit should be two months. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.405122

A model for mono- and multi-component droplet heating and evaporation and its implementation into ANSYS Fluent

[EN] A model for heating and evaporation of mono- and multi-component droplets, based on analytical solutions to the heat transfer and species diffusion equations in the liquid phase, is summarised. The implementation of the model into ANSYS Fluent via User-Defined Functions (UDF) is described. The model is applied to the analysis of pure acetone, ethanol, and mixtures of acetone/ethanol droplet heating/cooling and evaporation. The predictions of the customised version of ANSYS Fluent with the newly implemented UDF model are verified against the results predicted by the previously developed in house, one-dimensional code.The authors would like to recognise that this work was supported by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Science Research Council, a studentship to support one of the authors (LP) [EPSRC grant EP/N509607/1; EP/K005758/1; EP/K020528/1; EP/M002608/1]Poulton, L.; Rybdylova, O.; Sazhin, SS.; Crua, C.; Qubeissi, M.; Elwardany, AE. (2017). A model for mono- and multi-component droplet heating and evaporation and its implementation into ANSYS Fluent. En Ilass Europe. 28th european conference on Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 67-74. https://doi.org/10.4995/ILASS2017.2017.4759OCS677

Coordination of Tetracyanoquinodimethane-Derivatives with Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane Provides Stronger p-Dopants with Enhanced Stability

Strong molecular dopants for organic semiconductors that are stable against diffusion are in demand, enhancing the performance of organic optoelectronic devices. The conventionally used p-dopants based on 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and its derivatives “FxTCN(N)Q”, such as 2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ) and 1,3,4,5,7,8-hexafluorotetracyano-naphthoquinodimethane (F6TCNNQ), feature limited oxidation strength, especially for modern polymer semiconductors with high ionization energy (IE). These small molecular dopants also exhibit pronounced diffusion in the polymer hosts. Here, we demonstrate a facile approach to increase the oxidation strength of FxTCN(N)Q by coordination with four tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (BCF) molecules using a single-step solution mixing process, resulting in bulky dopant complexes “FxTCN(N)Q-4(BCF)”. Using a series of polymer semiconductors with IE up to 5.9 eV, we show by optical absorption spectroscopy of solutions and thin films that the efficiency of doping using FxTCN(N)Q-4(BCF) is significantly higher compared to that using FxTCN(N)Q or BCF alone. Electrical transport measurements with the prototypical poly(3-hexylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (P3HT) confirm the higher doping efficiency of F4TCNQ-4(BCF) compared to F4TCNQ. Additionally, the bulkier structure of F4TCNQ-4(BCF) is shown to result in higher stability against drift in P3HT under an applied electric field as compared to F4TCNQ. The simple approach of solution-mixing of readily accessible molecules thus offers access to enhanced molecular p-dopants for the community

MHD natural convection in an inclined cavity filled with a fluid saturated porous medium with heat source in the solid phase

A numerical investigation of unsteady magnetohydrodynamic free convection in an inclined square cavity filled with a fluid-saturated porous medium and with internal heat generation has been performed. A uniform magnetic field inclined with the same angle of the inclination of the cavity is applied. The governing equations are formulated and solved by a direct explicit finite-difference method subject to appropriate initial and boundary conditions. Two cases were considered, the first case when all the cavity walls are cooled and the second case when the cavity vertical walls are kept adiabatic. A parametric study illustrating the influence of the Hartmann number, Rayliegh number, the inclination angle of the cavity and the dimensionless time parameter on the flow and heat transfer characteristics such as the streamlines, isotherms and the average Nusselt number is performed. The velocity components at mid section of the cavity as well as the temperature profiles are reported graphically. The values of average Nusselt number for various parametric conditions are presented in tabular form

Bone Mineral Density Changes in Patients with Recent-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background Osteoporosis and related fragility fractures are one of the most common complications seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and dramatically affect quality of life. Objective To evaluate changes in bone mineral density in patients with recent onset rheumatoid arthritis (< 1 year) and its correlation if any with a modified DAS-28 score and simple erosion narrowing score (SENS). Methods This study included 30 patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis fulfilling the new American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis and 20 healthy volunteers as controls. All were subjected to a complete blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, liver function tests, renal function tests, rheumatoid factor, and plain x-rays of the hands and feet. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry DEXA was used to measure bone mineral density (BMD) of the left proximal femur, lumbar spine (L1–L4), and lower distal radius at the time of recruitment. Results In the RA patients, 13.3% had osteoporosis, 50% had osteopenia, and 36.7% had normal BMD. The most common site of osteoporosis was the lumbar spine (four patients, 13.3%) followed by the femur (two patients, 6.6%), and forearm (only one patient, 3.3%). There was a significantly higher percentage of osteoporosis among RA males than females and the difference was statistically significant ( P = 0.009). Osteoporosis was more common in patients treated with corticosteroids and disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) than in patients treated with only nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( P = 0.004). Higher disease activity (DAS-28) was found in RA patients with osteoporosis compared to RA patients with normal BMD or osteopenia, but the difference was not statistically significant. Osteoporotic RA patients were found to have a higher SENS score for radiological damage than nonosteoporotic ones. Conclusion BMD changes do occur in patients with early RA, and are not necessarily correlated with disease activity (DAS-28). However, a significant negative correlation was found between BMD and the score of radiological damage (SENS). Dual energy x-ray absorptiometry is an important investigation to assess BMD in early RA patients

Biochemical and histological evidences for the antitumor potential of Teucrium Oliverianum and Rhazya stricta in chemically-induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Teucrium oliverianum and Rhazya stricta are medicinal plants used in traditional and herbal medicine for the treatment of diabetes, liver diseases and inflammatory conditions. The present study was planned to investigate the antitumor efficacy of Teucrium oliverianum and Rhazya stricta in chemically-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in rats.Materials and Methods: Forty adult male rats weighing 170-200 g were divided into four groups; each group was comprised of ten rats: (1): Normal healthy animals served as negative control group, (2):  Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) group in which the rats were orally administered Nnitrosodiethylamine (dissolved in 0.9% normal saline), in a dose of 20 mg/kg b.wt. five times a week for six weeks, (3): HCC group treated with Teucrium oliverianum extract in a dose of 600 mg/kg b.wt for two months and (4): HCC group treated with Rhazya stricta extract in a dose of 750 mg/kg b.wt for two months. Serum alanine  aminotransferase (ALT), asparatate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and  gammaglutamyl transferase (γ-GT) activities were estimated. Serum  carcinoembyronic antigen (CEA), alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), alpha-L-fucosidase (AFU), glypican-3 (GPC-3), golgi protein 73 (Gp-73) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were determined. Histopathological examination of liver tissue sections was also carried out.Results: The HCC group showed significant elevation in serum AST, ALT, ALP and γ-GT activities as well  as CEA, AFP, AFU, Gpc-3, Gp 73 and VEGF levels versus the negative control group. Photomicrograph of liver tissue sections of rats in HCC revealed hepatic parenchyma with foci of anaplastic hepatocellular carcinoma as well as other foci of cystic cholangio carcinoma associated with areas of telangictasis with haemorrhage as well as individual hepatocellular necrosis.Conclusion: Treatment of HCC groups with Teucrium oliverianum or Rhazya stricta extract experienced significant improvement in the measured biochemical parameters as well as in the structural  organization of the liver. In conclusion, the current study provided experimental evidences for the antitumor efficacy of Teucrium oliverianum and Rhazya stricta against hepatocellular carcinoma. Such effect could be attributed to hepatoprotective properties, antiproliferative activity and antiangiogenic potential.Keywords: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Teucrium oliverianum, Rhazya stricta, rat

Wax co-cracking synergism of high density polyethylene to alternative fuels

AbstractAttempts have been made to understand the thermal degradation of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and their combined co-cracking using different ratios of HDPE and petroleum wax under nitrogen atmosphere. We have conducted the experiments using HDPE as the raw material and petroleum wax as co-feed by at 400 and 450°C reaction temperatures. The product distribution was noted along with reaction time of 0.5–3h for the degradation. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) technique was used to measure the weight change of the feedstock as a function of temperature and time. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the degradation temperature. Products were characterized using gas chromatography (GC) and infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), some other standard physical methods were used to determine the main properties of the liquid products. Results show that the mixed plastic-wax samples could be converted into gases, gasoline, and middle distillate depending upon the composition of feed polymer/wax ratio. It was found that the products mostly consisted of paraffin and olefin compounds, with carbon numbers of C1–C4, C5–C9 and C10–C19 in the case of gases, gasoline and middle distillate respectively

Chicory abrogates oxidative stress, inflammation and caspase-dependent apoptosis in acute hepatic injury model induced by acetaminophen in rats

In this study the protective effect of chicory leaves hydroalcoholic extract (CIE) against acute liver injury induced by a single dose of acetaminophen (700 mg/kg, i.p.) was investigated in rats. The CIE and silymarin treatment (standard reference) were given in a dose of (100 mg/kg, p.o.) for 3 days before and at 1 and 12 h following acetaminophen administration. Treatment with CIE significantly reduced the levels of serum ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, creatinine, TNF-α and hepatic contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide, caspase-3 and hydroxyproline, with significant increases in serum total protein, albumin, HDL- cholesterol and hepatic activities of reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as compared with the acetaminophen group. The histopathological alterations mediated by acetaminophen were ameliorated by CIE. It was concluded that CIE protects rat liver against acetaminophen hepatotoxicity, most probably through abrogation of oxidative stress, inflammation and caspase-3 dependent apoptosis