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The industrial sector is the world's leading energy consumer and CO 2 emitter and yet has not received sufficient focus to reduce its energy consumption and adverse environmental impact. So, this paper addresses this gap by presenting industrial-based research on energy audit and target energy management for a sustainable bulk molding company in Alexandria, Egypt. The management focuses on the hot press hydraulic building section which consumes more than 30 % of the company's total energy. The sources of energy losses within this section are identified and quantified. Energy-saving measures including thermal energy management are proposed, implemented and valorized based on energy savings, cost and environmental impact. The yearly savings on energy consumption, energy bills and CO 2 emission reduction for the molding machines are estimated. The results show that the main sources of molds' energy losses are in the preheat stage and convection and radiation from the hot mold surfaces. The maximum energy saving due to modifying the preheat stage duration is about 51 %. The gained energy reduction due to changing the mold insulation boards is about 17.5 % and 55.3 % during the preheat and production stages, respectively. Moreover, using double layer insulation boards with the mold insulation cage reduces energy consumption by about 69.5 %. The payback period falls between 1.53 and 6.11 months where these techniques for one machine can save 1229.3 $/year and reduce 16,651.598 kg/year CO 2 emission. The study contributes to a broader understanding of how proactive insulation and thermal management can lead to significant energy and cost savings over a long-term period in industrial operations. Besides its contribution to sustainability goals: SDG7, SDG11, and SDG13, the study's approach proves its efficacity and can serve as a precedent for other industrial sites trying to enhance energy efficiency in their most energy-intensive areas. • Target Energy audit and management for an industrial sector located in Alexandria, Egypt was performed. • Modifying the preheat stage time saves 51 % of its energy consumption. • Managing the heat loss from the mold machines reduces the energy consumption by about 69.5 %. • Managing the mold section machines reduces yearly the energy cost by 1229.3$ and 16,651.598 kg CO 2 emission. • Energy management of the industrial sectors achieves SDG 7 and SDG13 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The objective of this study is to improve the heat transfer characteristics of PCM storage unit, applicable to solar still system, using hollow cylindrical pin fins embedded in PCM. Hollow cylindrical pin fins act as thermal conductivity enhancer (TCE). In view of this, three cases are considered namely, Case 1: without PCM (conventional solar still), Case 2: solar still with PCM, Case 3: solar still with pin fins heat sink embedded in the PCM. The performance of the three cases is experimentally evaluated and compared to each other under the same climate conditions. The results revealed that the presence of PCM negatively affects the daytime freshwater productivity with a significant increment in the overall freshwater yield of the still. Also, solar still with PCM-based pin finned (Case 3) achieves the best thermal performance compared to conventional still (Case 1) and solar still with only PCM (Case 2). It is perceived that the total daily cumulative yield of distillate water of Case 3 is higher than those of case 1 and case 2 by 17 % and 7 %, respectively. Finally, the findings indicated that inclusion of PCM in the solar still systems for cases 2, 3 extends the production of fresh water after sunset by approximately 5h and 7h, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We investigated the modulation of the corticospinal excitability during lengthening (LEN) and shortening (SHO) contractions in the first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle. The maximum slope of input–output property (the relationship between stimulus intensities vs. motor evoked potentials) during LEN contractions was significantly higher than that during SHO contractions. However, after repetitive exercise training of LEN and SHO contractions for 2 weeks, the maximum slope during LEN contractions was significantly reduced. This result suggests that the FDI muscle is inexperienced in a significant number of LEN contractions in daily life. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To minimize the catastrophic influence of contaminated water, smart technology-based wastewater treatment processes are mandatory for safe water and sanitation. Nanometric metal oxides supported with biochar are green choices for futuristic adsorbents for water decontamination with versatility, simplicity, high surface reactivity, and efficacy. In this study, reactive Congo Red (CR) from an aqueous solution was decontaminated using prepared innovative green pea peels biochar (GPBC), and zinc oxide green pea peels biochar nanocomposite (ZnO/GPBC). The characterizations of GPBC and ZnO/GPBC were performed by EDX, TEM, XRD, BET, FTIR, and point of zero charge. The role of experimental conditions of initial concentration (50–250 mg/l), GPBC and ZnO/GPBC dosage pH (2−12), temperature (20–60 oC) and interaction time (0–90 min) were examined. The results revealed that ZnO/GPBC demonstrated better performance for anionic CR dye removal that recorded as 98% compared to 90% using GPPBC under optimized environment conditions. The examination of adsorption equilibrium isotherm displayed the validity of Freundlich and Langmuir model for description the dye decolorization onto ZnO/GPBC and GPBC, respectively, as best fitted models. Moreover, the kinetics studies disclosed pseudo-second-order (PSO) for both studied materials. The monolayer sorption capacities were 114.94 mg/g for ZnO/GPBC and 62.11 mg/g for GPBC, both exhibiting competitive performances with other carbon-based adsorbents available in the literature. The thermodynamic studies disclosed favorable, spontaneous, and endothermic processes. The synthesized ZnO/GPBC and GPBC are excellent adsorbents recommended for large-scale production in the removal of anionic dyes from wastewaters. [Display omitted] • ZnO functionalized biochar and original biochar were synthesized from pea wastes. • Basic characterizations of EDX, FTIR, BET, TEM, XRD, SEM and point of zero charge. • Thermodynamic, kinetic and isotherm models of sorbents Congo red were determined. • ZnO/biochar exhibited superior capacity of 114–62.1 mg/g of pristine biochar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Crystal growth of dilute BGaP alloys by solid-source molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) equipped with electron beam evaporation system as the B source is investigated with changing growth condition of the growth temperature and the V/III ratio. The B composition for BGaP alloys increases with decrease of growth temperature and increase of III/V ratio. The B incorporation into the GaP matrix is difficult compared to other group-III atoms (Al or In) incorporations due to bonds in the matrix are highly strained calculated by valence force-field model. The possibilities of forming and conserving B3P bonds opportunity increased with decrease of growth temperature and increase of the V/III ratio. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The wave-seabed-pipeline interaction problem is particularly important for coastal geotechnical engineers involved in the design of submarine pipelines. Most previous investigations have only concerned with the soil response due to linear progressive ocean waves, even though strong evidence of wave non-linearity has been reported in the literature. In this study, the finite element model (GFEM-WSSI) proposed by the first author is adopted to investigate the interaction between nonlinear ocean waves, a buried pipelines and a porous seabed. Unlike previous models, the deformation of pipeline and non-homogeneous soil behavior are also considered in the new model. Numerical results demonstrate that the influence of non-linear wave components can not always be ignored without committing substantial error, especially for the case of large waves in shallow water. Also, revealed is that nonlinear wave-induced seabed response is affected significantly by variable permeability and shear modulus. Moreover, the internal stresses of buried pipeline increase significantly with a decrease of pipeline thickness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thermal behavior was examined using DSC and TG for the samples prepared by dissolving LiClO4 in several polyoxyethylene/polyethylenimine (PEO/PEI) blends (7/3–9.5/0.5 by repeat units) along with their lithium ion conductivity. Concerning the matrix polymers, while the pristine PEO and PEI began to thermally decompose at 185 and 230 °C, respectively, the (8/2) PEO/PEI blend had lost only 6.5% of its weight before 300 °C was reached. Dissolution of LiClO4 made the systems thermally even more robust: [(8/2) PEO/PEI]10–LiClO4 suffered practically no weight loss below 300 °C. So far [(8/2) PEO/PEI]10–LiClO4 has been our best-behaving SPE (σ=2.2×10−4 S cm−1 at 77 °C and 2.5×10−6 S cm−1 at 30 °C): it is less conductive than a previously reported PEO12–LiClO4 by a factor of 2.2 at 77 °C, but its conductivity drop due to the matrix crystallization below 65 °C is considerably milder and the conductivity at 30 °C was ca. 100 times higher than the plain PEO–LiClO4 systems. A significant effect of the residual methanol on the ionic conductivity of our [(8/2) PEO/PEI]10–LiClO4 samples was recognized, which necessitated our previously reported log σ vs. 1000/T curve to be corrected downward by ca. half an order of magnitude. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A high-power terahertz (THz) source for THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) and THz imaging has been developed based on an S-band compact electron linac at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). A THz pulse was generated as coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) from an ultra-short electron bunch and expected to have peak power of kW-order with frequency range of 0.1–2THz. The electro-optic (EO) sampling method with a ZnTe crystal for the THz pulse measurement has been prepared for THz-TDS system. The timing measurement between the THz pulse and a probe laser was carried out. A preliminary experiment of THz transmission imaging of an integrated circuit (IC) card has been successfully demonstrated using the THz CSR pulse and a W-band rf detector. The imaging result was experimentally compared with a result of X-ray imaging. It is confirmed that its intensity and stability are enough to perform for the THz applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Overview and preliminary results of a coordinated rocket and ground-based measurement campaign, Waves in Airglow Structures Experiment 2004 (WAVE2004), are presented. The aim of the campaign is to understand the formation process of wavy structures in the airglow from both dynamical and chemical aspects. Na lidar was used to monitor the vertical structure of atmospheric waves continuously. Ground-based measurements operated from several days before the launch could detect various waves. The atomic oxygen density distribution found showed a single peak structure as usually expected instead of a double peak structure in the previous campaign. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Atomic oxygen density and airglow volume emission rate profiles measured in the rocket experiment S-310-29 carried out as a part of the Waves in Airglow Structures Experiment over Kagoshima in 2000 (WAVE2000) campaign are presented, and the excitation processes of the atomic oxygen 557.7 nm line and the molecular oxygen atmospheric band airglow emissions are discussed. The volume emission rate profiles calculated from the measured atomic oxygen densities using the methods and parameters proposed by the ETON campaign (EATON model) are found to well represent the shapes of measured twin-peak emission rate profiles seen during this campaign suggesting that the EATON model is valid for a perturbed atmosphere. There is some discrepancy in the modeled absolute values for the emissions. Applying the model to the current O density measurements results in predicted emission rates that are a factor of 3.2 and 1.5 too high for the 557.7 nm line and Atmospheric band, respectively. This suggests either that the atomic oxygen densities of the present campaign are too large by a factor of 1.2 (=1.51/2) to 1.5 (=3.21/3), or that those of the ETON campaign were too small by the same factor or that the combined errors in both campaigns can account for the discrepancy (the modeled volume emission rates of the 557.7 nm line and atmospheric band are roughly in proportion to [O]3 and [O]2, respectively). Our present data findings do not favor the 2-step more than the 1-step excitation process for the atmospheric band because a calculation of the quantum efficiency based on the observed O density does not show a steep gradient around 100 km. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The overview and preliminary results of the WAVE2000 campaign (Waves in Airglow Structures Experiment over Kagoshima in 2000) are presented. This is a coordinated rocket-born and ground-based measurement to investigate the formation process of waves in airglow structures. One of the unique aspects of this campaign is to measure the atomic oxygen and the airglow emissions on board a rocket. Such vertical information has been poorly examined with ground-based imaging so far. Since the atomic oxygen density profile was found to be atypical, with twin-peaks at 90 and 100 km, the present data set also provides an opportunity to examine our current understanding of the airglow excitation process. The ground-based and rocket-born airglow layer height measurements agreed within 2 km. The small-scale gravity waves observed during this experiment may not be upwardly propagating from below. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We investigated the plasma levels of molecular markers for the thrombotic and fibrinolytic status in patients with healed myocardial infarction to determine the relation between left ventricular (LV) function and coagulation activity. Our findings demonstrated that the coagulation activity was increased in patients with healed myocardial infarction along with LV dysfunction, suggesting that anticoagulant therapy is considered in patients with severe LV dysfunction to prevent systemic thromboembolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The objective of this study was to determine if long term itraconazole use, as antifungal prophylaxis, in lung transplant recipients is an independent risk factor for skin cancer. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who received a lung transplant at Mayo Clinic Rochester from 2002 to 2010. The antifungal prophylaxis protocol at our institution is triazole therapy, itraconazole or voriconazole, for a minimum of 3 years. Patients who died within 6 months of initial transplant were excluded. Characteristics to help assess independent risk for the development of cutaneous cancers and type of antifungal prophylaxis were noted. Patients who were exposed to both voriconazole and more than 6 months of itraconazole were analyzed separately. Results We identified 102 patients who underwent lung transplant at Mayo Clinic from 2002 to 2010; 11 patients died within 6 months of transplant and were excluded. Of the remaining 91 patients, 44 received only itraconazole prophylaxis, 10 received only voriconazole prophylaxis, and 37 received both itraconazole and voriconazole. No statistically significant difference between the baseline characteristics of the 3 groups was observed with the exception of race. There was a lower proportion of Caucasians in the voriconazole only group compared with the itraconazole only and combined itraconazole/voriconazole groups (p =0.02). Out of the 91 patients included in the study, 40 (44.0%) were diagnosed with skin cancer post-transplant, and 5 (12.5%) developed aggressive, metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Follow-up time was similar between patients who developed skin cancer (93.0 ± 45.0 months) and those who did not (62.0 ± 49.0 months, p= 0.23). No significant difference was found in incidence of skin cancer or rate of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma between patients in the three groups (p =0.65) Duration of itraconazole was greater in patients who developed skin cancer [median 62.5 months (22.7, 87.5) vs 32.0 (18.0, 64.8), p =0.07] despite similar follow-up time. Absolute exposure (i.e. exposed to itraconazole or not) did not appear to correlate with the development of skin cancer post-transplant. Conclusion Prolonged itraconazole exposure when used as a prophylactic agent in lung transplant recipients appears to correlate with the development of skin cancers but further studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The objective of this study was to review the reasons lung transplant recipients discontinue antifungal prophylaxis, as documented by treating physicians. Methods We retrospectively reviewed patients who received a single or double lung transplant at Mayo Clinic Rochester from 2002 to 2010 examining the type of antifungal medication and reasons for discontinuation. Lung transplant recipients at our institution receive triazole therapy, voriconazole or itraconazole, for prevention of invasive fungal infections. Results We identified 102 patients who underwent lung transplant at Mayo Clinic from 2002 to 2010; 11 patients died within 6 months of transplant and were excluded. Of the 91 patients who survived longer than 6 months post lung transplant: 86 received itraconazole, 44 received voriconazole, and 37 received both (Table 1). A significantly higher proportion of patients discontinued voriconazole than itraconazole [31 out of 44 (70.5%) versus 41 out of 86 (47.6%), p =0.01]. Side effects (gastrointestinal intolerance, hepatitis, and fluorosis) were the most common reason for discontinuing voriconazole [20/44 (45.5)] compared to one of the least common reasons itraconazole was discontinued [6/86 (8.4), p <0.0001]. Suspected or diagnosed fungal infection was the most common reason itraconazole was discontinued [10/86 (11.6%) vs 2/44 (4.5%) p =0.19]. Itraconazole was the initial antifungal agent in the majority of these patients (8/10), and most patients had therapeutic serum itraconazole levels at the time of suspected fungal infection (6/10). Ultimately 6 patients who received prophylaxis with itraconazole were diagnosed with an invasive fungal infection compared with no patients receiving voriconazole. Conclusion Itraconazole was discontinued prior to the prophylactic end point significantly less often than voriconazole and appeared to be better tolerated; although, several patients were diagnosed with an invasive fungal infection while on itraconazole prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]