Search

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops in the world. It is also considered the most popular fresh juice in Egypt. The sugar content of the sugarcane stem represents the main source of fungal growth. This study aimed to investigate the natural co-occurrence of fungi in sugarcane plants and juice, test of aflatoxins production by aflatoxigenic fungi, and improve the quality of sugarcane juice. The obtained results indicated a notable decrease in all physical parameters of the naturally infected sugarcane plants. Isolation of fungi from sugarcane plant and juice from three localities revealed that the highest mean fungal count was recorded in sugarcane rootlets (173.55 cfu/cm), followed by sugarcane stem (94.88 cfu/cm), while sugarcane juice had the least mean fungal count (24.33 cfu/mL). The frequency of the isolated fungi associated with sugarcane plant yielded 781 fungal isolates for rootlets, 427 fungal isolates for stems, and 219 fungal isolates for juice. Four isolates of Aspergillus parasiticus were aflatoxins producers. Higher aflatoxin quantity (1434.92 ng/mL) was produced by A. parasiticus (isolate No. 21) from sugarcane stem, while A. parasiticus (isolate No. 5) from sugarcane juice was less aflatoxins producer (276.95 ng/mL). On the other hand, lemon juice showed a significant reduction effect on the fungal count of peeled and non-peeled sugarcane juice. In which the highest reduction percent of the fungal count was recorded with 20% conc. of lemon on peeled sugarcane juice (36.04%).The obtained results concluded that lemon juice was found to decrease the fungal contaminants and improve the quality of sugarcane juice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are a significant workplace problem leading to loss of productivity and disability. Administrative workers perform computer-based tasks for long periods. Consequently, they are at risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. The objective of this study was to explore the frequency and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal complaints and their impact on work productivity among administrative employees of Suez Canal University, Egypt. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 administrative employees through simple random sampling. Data were collected by an interview questionnaire including sociodemographic, work-related data, ergonomic and psychological risk factors, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), and the World Health Organization Health and Work Performance Questionnaire (HPQ). Results: The frequency of work-related musculoskeletal complaints in at least one anatomical region over the past year was 74.7%. Neck (47.1%), lower back (40.7%), and shoulder (36.3%) were the most reported sites of complaints. Risk factors significantly associated with work-related musculoskeletal complaints were gender, age, physical activity, work experience, workplace stress, sustained body position, awkward posture, and inadequate rest breaks. Logistic regression revealed that older age (OR = 1.039, p = 0.023), being female (OR = 2.175, p = 0.011), and not having adequate rest breaks (OR = 1.979, p = 0.019) were significant predictors for the occurrence of WMSDs. The risk factors of absenteeism include gender, age, marital status, educational level, physical activity, BMI, work experience, and musculoskeletal complaints. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal problems were highly prevalent among administrative employees. Being female and not having adequate rest breaks were significant predictors for the occurrence of WMSDs. Ergonomic interventions and improvement of working conditions are recommended to reduce WMSDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid baffled flocculator (HBF) is employed in this study in an effort to lower the footprint area and enhance the quality of drinking water. The process known as hydraulic mixing with media is less expensive than expanding a water treatment facility. To evaluate this technology, we use a pilot plant equipped with baffles loaded with packing material. Plastic, foam, and gravel have all been tested as turbidity-removing media. The experimental facility was designed to be similar to a traditional water treatment plant located in Benha City, Egypt. Hydraulic mixing is used in place of rapid flash mixing and gentle mechanical mixing. To assess the removal and hydraulic efficiency, this study compares the hydraulic model with and without media. Many effective parameters have been studied like media type, alum dose, and detention time. Results show that the hydraulic efficiency of the reg test is increased by packing material. Gravel has the highest average of 50% elimination efficiency for T = 18 min and alum dose = 26 P.P.m. Plastic has the second-highest turbidity removal efficiency, with an average of 45%. Finally, employing foam reduces turbidity in the Nile River by an average of 33%. Conversely, the average percentage removal while employing vertical baffles alone without media is 28%, the percentage of turbidity that was removed at varying alum doses varies from 14 to 33%, and the highest percentage of removal is achieved with a 30 P.P.m alum dosage. In addition, the average percent removal of foam, plastic, and media is 30%, 36%, and 43%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study describes the development of a novel nano gel of Carboxymethyl Cellulose Starch and Alumina (CMC-St/Al2O3) to purify the leach liquor of rare earth elements (REEs) minerals from Fe(III), which is considered the most contaminating metal in the REE liquor. CMC-St/Al2O3 nano gel was recognized by different analytical techniques such as FT-IR, SEM, TEM, X-ray diffraction, particle size, and thermal analysis. In a batch study, the best conditions for purifying REE from Fe(III) contaminants using CMC-St/Al2O3 nano gel were determined. For an initial concentration of 100 mg L−1, 97.6% of Fe(III) was efficiently adsorbed onto CMC-St/Al2O3 after 15.0 min, pH = 2, and 25 °C. Due to the competition effect, the sorption efficiencies of the binary systems decreased to 68.4%, 72.97%, and 84.71% for the systems Fe(III)/La(III), Fe(III)/Sr(II), and Fe(III)/Cs(I), respectively. 99.9% of Fe(III) is eluted by 0.50 mol L−1 H2SO4. The sorption process was fitted with pseudo-second-order and the Langmuir model based on the error functions: Coefficient of determination (R2), Reduced Chi-square (χ2), The sum of square errors (SSE), and Corrected Akaike Information Criterion (AICc) as well as Residual error plots. The sorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Finally, a CMC-St/Al2O3 nano gel was used to separate Fe(III) from the monazite liquor minerals and Sela leachate, mineralized from the Rosetta area and Gabal El Sela at Halaib environs, Egypt, with efficiencies of 89.03 and 92.7%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]