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In this paper, an analytical and numerical technique are examined in order to analyse the Stokes flow determination problem due to a viscous sphere droplet moving at a concentric instantaneous position inside a spherical interface separating finite and semi-infinite immiscible fluid phases. Here, when only one of the three phases of the fluid (micropolar fluid) has a microstructure, attention is focused on this case. The motion is considered when Reynolds- and capillary-numbers are low, and the droplet surface and the fluid-fluid interface have insignificant deformation. A general solution is obtained in a spherical coordinate system based on a concentric position to analyse the slow axisymmetric movement of the micropolar fluid, considering microrotation and velocity components. Boundary conditions are initially fulfilled at the fluid-fluid interface and subsequently at the droplet surface. The normalised hydrodynamic drag force applying to a moving viscous droplet appears to be a function of the droplet-to-interface radius ratio, which increases monotonically and becomes unbounded when the droplet surface touches the fluid-fluid interface. The numerical outcomes of the normalised drag force acting on the viscous droplet are derived for different values of the parameters, and are presented in a tabular and graphical framework. A comparison was made between our numerical outcomes for the drag force and the pertinent data for the special cases found in the literature.

Respiratory disorders are a frequent cause of admission in the newborn. Respiratory diseases have unique physiologic, a n a t o m i c a n d c l i n i c a l characteristics during this period necessitating special management. K n o w l e d g e o f t h e pathophysiology of pulmonary diseases and their differential impact on the lungs of differing stages of maturity is essential to the safe and efficacious applications of special techniques of treatment. Principles of respiratory management include establishment of the airway, ensuring oxygenation, assisted ventilation, assessing adequacy of vent i l a t ion, cor r e c t ion of metabolic abnormalities and alleviation of cause of distress. The goal of treatment is safe and effective assistance to oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal from the tissues. Inspired oxygen should be administered in a controlled manner to provide adequate but not excessive blood oxygen tension levels. Mechanical ventilation may be required to treat metabolic abnormalities. There is the need for continuous monitoring and re- evaluation. This article is intended to present an overview of the embryology of the respiratory system, pulmonary physiology in the newborn, the principles of oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. It also discusses the complications that can follow.

Abstract The research was designed to use computed tomography (CT) with 3D-CT reconstruction imaging techniques and the various anatomical sections—plana transversalia, frontalis, and dorsalia—to describe the anatomical architecture of the Zebu cattle head. Our study used nine mature heads. The CT bone window created detailed images of cranial bones, mandibles, teeth, and hyoid bones. All of the head cavities were evaluated, including the cranial, orbital, oral, auricular, and nasal cavities with their paranasal and conchal sinuses. The septum nasi, attached to the vomer and maxillary bones, did not reach the nasal cavity floor caudally at the level of the second premolar teeth, resulting in a single median channel from the choanae to the nasopharynx. The positions, boundaries, and connections of the paranasal sinuses were clearly identified. There were four nasal conchal sinuses (that were named the dorsal, middle, ethmoidal, and ventral) and five paranasal sinuses that were described as the following: sinus frontalis, maxillaris, palatinorum, and lacrimalis, as defined in the different anatomical sections and computed tomographic images. The complicated sinus frontalis caused the pneumatization of all bones that surrounded the cranial cavity, with the exception of the ethmoidal and body of basisphenoid bones. The sinus maxillaris was connected to the sinus lacrimalis and palatinorum through the maxillolacrimal and palatomaxillary openings, and to the middle nasal meatus through the nasomaxillary opening. Our findings provide a detailed anatomical knowledge for disease diagnosis to internal medicine veterinarians and surgeons by offering a comprehensive atlas of the Zebu cattle anatomy.

Abstract Chitosan (CH) exhibits low antimicrobial activity. This study addresses this issue by modifying the chitosan with a sulfonamide derivative, 3-(4-(N,N-dimethylsulfonyl)phenyl)acrylic acid. The structure of the sulfonamide-chitosan derivative (DMS-CH) was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Nuclear magnetic resonance. The results of scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and X-ray diffraction indicated that the morphology changed to a porous nature, the thermal stability decreased, and the crystallinity increased in the DMS-CH derivative compared to chitosan, respectively. The degree of substitution was calculated from the elemental analysis data and was found to be moderate (42%). The modified chitosan exhibited enhanced antimicrobial properties at low concentrations, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 µg/mL observed for B. subtilis and P. aeruginosa, and a value of 25 µg/mL for S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans. In the case of native chitosan, the MIC values doubled or more, with 50 µg/mL recorded for E. coli and C. albicans and 100 μg/mL recorded for B. subtilis, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa. Furthermore, toxicological examinations conducted on MCF-7 (breast adenocarcinoma) cell lines demonstrated that DMS-CH exhibited greater toxicity (IC50 = 225.47 μg/mL) than pure CH, while still maintaining significant safety limits against normal lung fibroblasts (WI-38). Collectively, these results suggest the potential use of the newly modified chitosan in biomedical applications.

Phosphorus (P) deficiency is one of the major constraints for sustainable crop production in calcareous soils. This study aimed to elucidate the key soil characteristics modulating the variability of soil Olsen P in these typical soils. A comprehensive soil sampling initiative (1.5 samples per hectare) was conducted on a 100-ha farm, considering 31 attributes that included soil physical and chemical properties, and geographic attributes. Three machine learning algorithms—partial least squares regression (PLSR), random forest (RF), and cubist regression (CR)—were employed to understand key variables controlling soil Olsen P. Furthermore, the same data set was used to spatially map the variations in Olsen P levels using ordinary kriging. The results revealed that soil chemical factors, specifically exchangeable manganese and zinc, cation exchange capacity, and carbonate, played a crucial role in controlling P levels. Among the machine learning models, the best performing model was RF (R2 = 0.95, RMSE = 1.30 mg kg−1) followed by CR (R2 = 0.92 and RMSE = 1.43 mg kg−1). Additionally, the analysis using a Gaussian semi-variogram model showed a good performance (R2 = 0.78, RMSE = 2.05 m) in visualizing the spatial distribution of Olsen P, revealing its heterogeneity. The resulting pattern of Olsen P distribution may be attributed not only to soil properties but also to external factors, such as sediment transport through watercourses across the study area and atmospheric deposition from a nearby P mining site. Overall, the combination of geostatistical methods and machine learning approach demonstrates a significant potential in understanding the complexity of soil available P (Olsen-P) that could help to develop sustainable and precise P management.

An accurate estimation of photovoltaic (PV) power production is crucial for organizing and regulating solar PV power plants. The suitable prediction is often affected by the variable nature of solar resources, system location and some internal/external disturbances, such as system effectiveness, climatic factors, etc. This paper develops a novel strategy for applying a predictive control technique to PV power forecasting applications in a smart grid environment. The strategy develops the model predictive control (MPC) under demand response (DR) and some data-driven methods. It has been found that it is challenging to model an MPC for solar power forecasting regardless of its robustness and ability to handle constraints and disturbance. Thus, an optimal quadratic performance index-based MPC scheme is formulated to model a forecasting method for a PV power prediction. This strategy is then compared with some machine learning approaches. The developed strategies solve the problem of accurately estimating the direct current (DC) power yielded from the PV plant in a real-world implementation. The study also considers external disturbances to evaluate the significance of the developed methods for a suitable forecast. Therefore, this study optimally demonstrates that an accurate solar PV DC power prediction can relatively be estimated with an appropriate strategy, such as MPC and MLs, considering the system disturbances. This study also offers promising results for intelligent and real-time energy resource estimation that assist in developing the solar power sector.

We present a newly developed instrument for 22Na-based positron-annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, designed to facilitate the simultaneous control of temperature, gas atmosphere, and humidity in a single experimental system. The spectrometer operates within a temperature range of 50–480 K and pressures from 10−6 mbar to 1.5 bars. It features a novel gas dosing chamber that allows in situ adsorption studies with gases such as but not limited to CO2, N2, Ar, O2, and their mixtures, with precise control over mixing ratios. Additionally, the device supports in situ humidity exposure, allowing for comprehensive studies of sample interactions with both humidity and humid gases. Fully automated, the system provides seamless data acquisition and environmental control, including pressure and temperature regulation. We demonstrate the instrument’s capability to elucidate alterations in the free volume of maltodextrin under humidity exposure. Additionally, we illustrate the instrument’s efficacy through case studies on CPO-27 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), highlighting its versatility in analyzing adsorption phenomena across diverse gas adsorbates and temperatures. This state-of-the-art spectrometer stands as an indispensable tool for probing the physicochemical attributes of materials under varying conditions, providing pivotal insights into gas adsorption mechanisms and material dynamics.

This article presents an analytical and numerical investigation on the quasi-steady, slow flow generated by the movement of a micropolar fluid drop sphere of at a concentrical position within another immiscible viscous fluid inside a spherical slip cavity. Additionally, the effect of a cavity with slip friction along with the change in the micropolarity parameter on the movement of the fluid sphere is introduced. When Reynolds numbers are low, the droplet moves along a diameter that connects their centres. The governing and constitutive differential equations are reduced to a computationally convenient form using appropriate transformations. By using the resulting linear partial differential equations for the stream functions and using the method of separation variables, we can obtain their solutions. General solutions for velocity fields are found using spherical coordinate systems, which are based on the concentric point of the cavity; this allows to obtain solutions to the Navier-Stokes equations internal and external to the spherical droplet. The vorticity-microrotation boundary condition is used in regard to the micropolar droplet case in a viscous fluid. The normalised drag forces acted upon the micropolar drop are illustrated via graphs and tables for diverse values of the viscosity ratio and drop-to-wall radius ratio, with the change of the spin parameter that attaches the microrotation to vorticity. The correction wall factor is shown to increase with an increase in the drop-to-wall radius ratio, when moving from the gas bubble case to the solid sphere case, with an increase in the micropolarity parameter, and with an increase in the slip frictional resistance. This study is relevant due to its potential uses in a variety of biological, natural, and industrial processes, including the creation of raindrops, the investigation of blood flow, fluid-fluid extraction, the forecasting of weather conditions, the rheology of emulsions, and sedimentation phenomena.

Abstract Drought has a significant impact on rice yield by restricting the crop's ability to grow and develop. Producing rice cultivars adapted to water deficit conditions is still the main interest of rice breeders and geneticists. To address this challenge, a set of 413 highly diverse rice populations were evaluated under normal and water deficit conditions for two growing seasons of 2021 and 2022. High genetic variation was found among genotypes for all studied traits. The heritability estimates ranged from 0.82 (panicle length) to 0.95 (plant height). Sterility percentage (SET%) was the most trait affected by water deficit in two growing seasons. 22 Rice genotypes were classified as drought tolerant in both years. Genome-wide association mapping was performed for all traits in the two growing seasons under both conditions using a total of 700,000 SNPs. The GWAS results revealed important and major SNPs associated with all traits. 26 Significant SNPs with stable allele effects were found to be associated with yield traits under water deficit conditions in both years. The results of this study provided rice genotypes that can be adapted under water deficit conditions and important stable SNP markers that can be used for marker-assisted selection after validation in different genetic backgrounds.

Abstract Background Tamsulosin, an alpha-blocker in medical expulsive therapy, selectively relaxes ureteral smooth muscle, while Tadalafil, a PDE5-Is, is recommended for treating lower urinary tract symptoms. Methods This study compares the effectiveness of Tadalafil and Tamsulosin as medical expulsive therapy for distal ureteric stones at the Urology Department, Beni-Suef University Hospital, Egypt, using baseline demographics, preoperative data, intraoperative data, and outcome analysis. Results A randomized comparative study that is prospective and was from March 2019 to March 2021. Although 280 instances were eligible, 30 were eliminated & 250 were randomized, and only 164 patients completed the study. 83 patients were in the study Tadalafil group (Group A), 54 males (65.1%) & 29 (34.9%) and 81 patients were assigned to the Tamsulosin group (Group B), 47 males (58%) &34 females made up the Tadalafil group (Group A). The study was completed by 34 females (42%). Additionally, there was a significant difference in the meantime for stone expulsion between groups A (8.8 ± 3.1 days) and B (10.8 ± 3.4 days, (p = 0.001). With fewer episodes of colic, Group A needed less analgesia than Group B. Conclusions Tadalafil is a safer and more effective treatment for 5–9 mm lower ureteric end stones, offering a higher stone expulsion rate, earlier passage, lower analgesic requirements, and fewer colic episodes.

Introduction: Bone tissue engineering seeks innovative materials that support cell growth and regeneration. Electrospun nanofibers, with their high surface area and tunable properties, serve as promising scaffolds. This study explores the incorporation of flaxseed extract, rich in polyphenolic compounds, into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers to improve their application in bone tissue engineering.Methods: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) identified ten key compounds in flaxseed extract, including polyphenolic acids and flavonoids. PVA nanofibers were fabricated with 30 wt.% flaxseed extract (P70/E30) via electrospinning. We optimized characteristics like diameter, hydrophilicity, swelling behavior, and hydrolytic degradation. MG-63 osteoblast cultures were used to assess scaffold efficacy through cell adhesion, proliferation, viability (MTT assay), and differentiation. RT-qPCR measured expression of osteogenic genes RUNX2, COL1A1, and OCN.Results: Flaxseed extract increased nanofiber diameter from 252 nm (pure PVA) to 435 nm (P70/E30). P70/E30 nanofibers showed higher cell viability (102.6% vs. 74.5% for pure PVA), although adhesion decreased (151 vs. 206 cells/section). Notably, P70/E30 enhanced osteoblast differentiation, significantly upregulating RUNX2, COL1A1, and OCN genes.Discussion: Flaxseed extract incorporation into PVA nanofibers enhances bone tissue engineering by boosting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, despite reduced adhesion. These properties suggest P70/E30’s potential for regenerative medicine, emphasizing scaffold optimization for biomedical applications.

A chordoma is a slow growing, locally invasive, low-grade tumor belonging to the sarcoma family. It mainly affects the sacrum and skull base. We present a case of thoracic chordoma initially presented with epidural hematoma (EDH), which is a rare clinical entity. We reported this case, and also performed a PRISMA-driven systematic review to summary the similar cases in the literature. This review includes the clinical characteristics and outcome of thoracic chordoma. Our case involves a 60-year-old male who, despite no history of trauma, presented with acute paraparesis. An epidural hematoma was identified at T6 level, leading to a surgical intervention involving T4-6 laminectomy and fixation. Six months subsequent to surgery, the patient experienced progressive lower limb weakness and spasticity. Computed tomography (CT) exhibited erosion of T6 and an associated aggressive mass. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a large heterogenous soft tissue mass arising from the vertebral body and right pedicle of D6, protruding in the epidural space and compressing the spinal cord focally at this level. The mass measured approximately 5 × 4 × 3.5 cm. Magnetic resonance myelography indicated a filling defect at T5–6 level, confirming the intraspinal location of the soft tissue lesion. Complete excision of the mass confirmed the diagnosis of thoracic chordoma. Postoperative follow-up demonstrated notable improvement in the lower limb spasticity and paraparesis, and the patient started adjuvant radiotherapy. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion when evaluating presentations resembling EDH.

Abstract Flash floods are a major threat to life and properties in arid regions. In recent decades, Egypt has experienced severe flash floods that have caused significant damage across the country, including the Red Sea region. The aim of this study is to map the flood hazards in flood-prone areas along the Red Sea region using a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based morphometric analysis approach. To evaluate the flood hazard degree, the adopted methodology considers various morphometric parameters such as basin area, slope, sinuosity index, shape factor, drainage intensity, circularity ratio, and curve number. GIS techniques were employed to delineate the watershed and the drainage network. The delineated watershed was used together with the digitized maps of soil and land use types to estimate the curve number and the morphometric parameters for each subbasin. The flood hazard degrees are calculated based on the considered morphometric parameters and distinguished based on a five-degree scale ranging from very low to very high. Results indicate that 47% of the study area has a very high flood hazard degree. Furthermore, morphometric analysis results align with the runoff results simulated by a hydrological model, where, for example, basins with a high to very high hazard degree exhibited high runoff. This suggests the influence of physical characteristics on the hydrological behavior of the watershed and further validates the morphometric analysis presented in this work. The results presented here can help policy planners and decision-makers develop appropriate measures to mitigate flash floods and achieve sustainable development in arid regions.

Abstract Background A novel category of unusual cannabinoid substances was created to serve as marijuana alternatives due to its widespread availability, low price, pleasurable effects, and difficulty to be detected in regular urine testing for drugs, although more potential for abuse, toxicity, and behavioral alterations can result. It is more hazardous to multiple organ systems and has higher CB1 and CB2 receptor affinities than natural cannabinoids. So, the abuse potential, toxicity, and cardiac and nervous systems health hazards of two popular street herbs (AB-PINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA) have been evaluated in mice. Methods Thirty male mice were separated into three equally sized groups indiscriminately: the control group: received no treatments, the AB-PINACA-treated group, and the MDMB-4en-PINACA-treated group. Treated groups were exposed to the two herbs for two consecutive days via inhalation to simulate natural human exposure. Cannabinoid tetrad tests and anxiety-like behavior were performed. Serum samples were obtained for cardiac enzymes measurement. Heart and brain tissue samples were harvested for the determination of oxidative stress markers, brain neurotransmitters, and histopathological findings. Results Nociception and hypothermia were significantly influenced by both treatments. The locomotor activity decreased significantly with AB-PINACA inhalation, while the cataleptic effect increased significantly with MDMB-4en-PINACA inhalation. In addition, both treatments induced anxiety-like behavior. Both treatments induced alterations in brain neurotransmitter levels (glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin) and cardiac enzyme levels (CK-MB, troponin I). Histological changes showed neurodegenerative, necrotic, and infracted heart myocytes and degenerated muscle fibers, particularly with MDMB-4en-PINACA inhalation. Conclusions Acute inhalation of street herbs containing AB-PINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA induced neurobehavioral and cardiac disturbances, which were evident by changes in behavior, brain neurotransmitters, and heart enzymes, in addition to the degenerative histopathological changes in the brain and heart.

The design of an efficient Pseudo Random Number Generator (PRNG) with good randomness properties is an important research topic because it is a core component in many applications. Based on an extensive study of most PRNGs in the past few decades, this paper categorizes six distinct design scenarios under two primary groups: non-chaotic and chaotic generators. The non-chaotic group comprises Linear Feedback Shift Registers (LFSR) with S-Boxes, primitive roots, and elliptic curves, whereas the chaotic group encompasses discrete, continuous, and fractional-order chaotic generators. This paper delves into the related scientific summaries, equations, flowcharts, and designs with necessary recommendations for each PRNG scenario. Even though the focus is on the basic design characteristics that provide simple, functional and secure PRNGs, it is possible to enhance those designs for additional features and improved efficiency. Simulation outcomes and system key configurations, which produce long random sequences, are also presented and evaluated using leading criteria. The evaluation criteria include the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP-800-22 test suite, TestU01 randomness tests, histogram, entropy, autocorrelation, and cross-correlation. Furthermore, key space, key sensitivity, and bit rate indicate that all designed examples meet international standards with high quality. The presented PRNGs are compared and integrated into an image encryption system. Although each PRNG design scenario can have a different key space, simple designs with fixed-length system keys are chosen for the sake of proper comparisons. Statistical and security assessments of the encryption system demonstrate that the PRNGs are cryptographically secure.

In Egypt, the production of power and the associated environmental problems are starting to take the stage. One environmentally responsible way to lessen the power crisis is to employ renewable energy sources effectively and efficiently. This paper proposes to develop a hydrogen energy storage-based green (or environmentally friendly) power plant on many Egyptian cities such as Sohag city. To produce green hydrogen, the proposed power station uses energy storage, solar, and wind power. Energy storage systems are used to store extra energy produced by wind turbines and solar panels and to supply energy when the output of renewable energy is low. An optimized design of the proposed power plant uses hydrogen energy to satisfy peak load requirements and reduce GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions. Electrolysis is the method used in the proposed solar/wind power plant to create hydrogen. Water can be split into hydrogen and oxygen via electrolysis, a process that uses electricity. Renewable energy sources can be used to power this procedure, ensuring that the hydrogen produced is “green” and does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The design of the power plant incorporates advanced electrolysis technology, such as proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, which are efficient and well-suited for integrating with renewable energy sources.

Background: Sacubitril/valsartan effectively treats HFrEF complications by combining vasodilatory and RAAS inhibitory actions. Its effects on myocardial and hepatic stiffness are possibly due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties but still under study. Objectives: To assess sacubitril/valsartan therapy's impact on myocardial and hepatic stiffness in HFrEF patients. Patients and methods: This prospective cohort study at Qena University Hospitals from March 2023 to February 2024 included 50 HFrEF patients. Clinical examinations, echocardiography, and hepatic stiffness assessment were conducted pre and post-sacubitril/valsartan therapy. Results: Mean age of 49.98 years (±6.98), comprised 20 males (40%) and 30 females (60%), with a mean BMI of 24.69 kg/m^2 (±1.41). None of the participants tested positive for HBsAg or HCV Ab. Pre-management, the ejection fraction (EF) averaged 30.82% (±3.19), significantly increasing to 43.24% (±3.33) post-management (p

Background: Spine fractures are prevalent injuries in our society that pose major socioeconomic problems. With thoracolumbar region being the most affected area of the spine, great dispute has been witnessed on how best to manage fractures of this particular region. Different modalities of treatment have been proposed to achieve spinal stability and prevent post-traumatic kyphosis. It is imperative to study these different surgical methods and decide the best approach for each patient. Objectives: Highlight the different surgical methods for treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures. Methods: We have searched literatures in PubMed, google scholar, Egyptian bank of knowledge and science direct from 1994 to 2020. Conclusion: The posterior short-segment fixation with inclusion of the fracture level has been recently favored for treatment of thoracolumbar spine fractures as it achieves good stability and long-term kyphosis correction.

Abstract Mosquitoes prefer stagnant areas near hospitals to live and easily spread pathogenic bacteria. Our current study aims to isolate multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus isolates from midguts of Mosquito Culex pipiens and study the potential of mint as a biocontrol strategy against C. pipiens larvae and their midgut-borne S. aureus. Samples of the third and fourth larval instars of C. pipiens were collected from water ponds around three Cairo hospitals. Ciprofloxacin, gentamycin and tetracycline, as well as various concentrations of mint leaf extract (MLE) were tested for antibiotic susceptibility. Sixty-five isolates were obtained and showed antibiotic resistance to tetracycline, gentamycin, ciprofloxacin, and undiluted MLE with resistant percentages (%) of 27.69, 30.76, 17.46, and 23.08%, respectively. Undiluted MLE inhibited 61.53% of the multidrug S. aureus isolates, whereas it couldn't inhibit any of these isolates at dilutions less than 50 μg/mL. The MIC of MLE was ≤ 700 µg/mL, while the MIC of the antibiotics ranged from 0.25 to 5.0 µg/mL for the three antibiotics. The most inhibited S. aureus isolate was identified by 16SrRNA sequencing approach and registered in GenBank as S. aureus MICBURN with gene accession number OQ766965. MLE killed all larval stages after 72 h of exposure, with mortality (%) reaching 93.33 and 100% causing external hair loss, breakage of the outer cuticle epithelial layer of the abdomen, and larvae shrinkage. Histopathology of treated larvae showed destruction of all midgut cells and organelles. Gas chromatography (GC) of MLE revealed that menthol extract (35.92%) was the largest active ingredient, followed by menthone (19.85%), D-Carvone (15.46%), Pulegone (5.0579%). Docking analysis confirmed that alpha guanine and cadinol had the highest binding affinity to both predicted active sites of Culex pipiens acetylcholinesterase. As a result, alpha-guanine and cadinol might have a role as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

This work presents an improved modelling approach for wind turbine power curves (WTPCs) using fractional differential equations (FDE). Nine novel FDE-based models are presented for mathematically modelling commercial wind turbine modules’ power–velocity (P-V) characteristics. These models utilize Weibull and Gamma probability density functions to estimate the capacity factor (CF), where accuracy is measured using relative error (RE). Comparative analysis is performed for the WTPC mathematical models with a varying order of differentiation (α) from 0.5 to 1.5, utilizing the manufacturer data for 36 wind turbines with capacities ranging from 150 to 3400 kW. The shortcomings of conventional mathematical models in various meteorological scenarios can be overcome by applying the Riemann–Liouville fractional integral instead of the classical integer-order integrals. By altering the sequence of differentiation and comparing accuracy, the suggested model uses fractional derivatives to increase flexibility. By contrasting the model output with actual data obtained from the wind turbine datasheet and the historical data of a specific location, the models are validated. Their accuracy is assessed using the correlation coefficient (R) and the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). The results demonstrate that the exponential model at α=0.9 gives the best accuracy of WTPCs, while the original linear model was the least accurate.

In this paper, we introduce a comprehensive theoretical study to obtain an optimal highly sensitive fluidic sensor based on the one-dimensional phononic crystal (PnC). The mainstay of this study strongly depends on the high impedance mismatching due to the irregularity of the considered quasi-periodic structure, which in turn can provide better performance compared to the periodic PnC designs. In this regard, we performed the detection and monitoring of the different concentrations of lead nitrate (Pb(NO3)2) and identified it as being a dangerous aqueous solution. Here, a defect layer was introduced through the designed structure to be filled with the Pb(NO3)2 solution. Therefore, a resonant mode was formed within the transmittance spectrum of the considered structure, which in turn shifted due to the changes in the concentration of the detected analyte. The numerical findings demonstrate the role of the different sequences such as Fibonacci, Octonacci, Thue–Morse, and double period on the performance of the designed PhC detector. Meanwhile, the findings of this study show that the double-period quasi-periodic sequence provides the best performance with a sensitivity of 502.6 Hz/ppm, a damping rate of 5.9×10−5, a maximum quality factor of 8463.5, and a detection limit of 2.45.

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving a class of stochastic partial differential equations is presented. The proposed method is based on a non-polynomial cubic spline algorithm with an O(h4) local truncation error. The new approach has the advantage of simultaneously including ten non-polynomial cubic spline schemes. The proposed approach is also tested on three stochastic heat equations. The current results are compared to solutions obtained using the B-spline wavelet approximation method. The provided solutions demonstrate the proposed method's accuracy and applicability.

Support Vector Machine (SVM) is a robust Machine Learning (ML) algorithm used extensively in classification tasks. This work proposes a reconfigurable hardware implementation of the SVM classification algorithm for the linear and three kernel cases on FPGA. Efficient implementations of two generalization techniques, One-versus-All (OvA) and One-versus-One (OvO), to deal with multi-class problems are also realized on FPGA to overcome the binary nature of the SVM algorithm. The presented model is fully reconfigurable and can easily be adapted to any dataset with any number of classes or features. The results show that the proposed model excels in power efficiency, requires low area utilization, and reaches high performance up to 250.7 MHz. The two realized generalization methods, OvO and OvA, offer a trade-off between accuracy and hardware cost. OvA provides lower accuracy than OvO and is more affected by the data imbalance problem, which becomes more dominant as the number of classes increases; however, it is more resource-efficient than OvO. The proposed hardware design is realized and experimentally tested on FPGA for three different datasets, employing different linear and kernel SVM cases. The classification accuracy achieved by the reconfigurable hardware design matches the software simulation results.

Crystal violet is a basic dye that is widely used by various industries, such as textiles and paints. These industries discharge their effluents, contaminated with crystal violet, into water streams, and these effluents have an adverse effect on aquatic organisms, the environment, and human health. Crystal violet is a basic dye that is widely used by various industries, such as textiles and paints. These industries discharge their effluents, contaminated with crystal violet, into water streams, and these effluents have an adverse effect on aquatic organisms, the environment, and human health. Hence, this paper is directed at studying the removal of crystal violet using environmentally friendly, cost-effective adsorbent materials such as raw fava bean (RFP-H3F), and chemically activated carbon (H3F) in comparison to commercial activated carbon (CAC).Various characterization techniques are applied, such as XRD, FT-IR,and SEM analyses. Then, the process of optimizing is shown through some preliminary experiments and a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) experiment to find the best conditions for removing crystal violet efficiently. Results revealed that the raw fava bean peels and the commercial activated carbon have the maximum removal efficiency of 95 %, and 83 % respectively, after 180 min of contact time. It is hypothesized that raw fava bean peels (RFP) and chemically activated carbon using phosphoric acid RFP-H3F will exhibit comparable efficiency in removing crystal violet when compared to commercial activated carbon (CAC). Various characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR),and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), are applied to analyze the properties of the adsorbent materials. Afterwards, the optimization process is displayed through some preliminary experiments followed by a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) experiment to obtain the optimum conditions, which achieve high crystal violet removal efficiency. The results demonstrate that both raw fava bean peels and commercial activated carbon exhibit significant removal efficiencies, with raw fava bean peels achieving a maximum removal efficiency of 95 % and commercial activated carbon achieving 83 %.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most frequently found cancer in the world, and it is frequently discovered when it is already far along in its development. About 20% of cases of CRC are metastatic and incurable. There is more and more evidence that colorectal cancer stem cells (CCSCs), which are in charge of tumor growth, recurrence, and resistance to treatment, are what make CRC so different. Because we know more about stem cell biology, we quickly learned about the molecular processes and possible cross-talk between signaling pathways that affect the balance of cells in the gut and cancer. Wnt, Notch, TGF-β, and Hedgehog are examples of signaling pathway members whose genes may change to produce CCSCs. These genes control self-renewal and pluripotency in SCs and then decide the function and phenotype of CCSCs. However, in terms of their ability to create tumors and susceptibility to chemotherapeutic drugs, CSCs differ from normal stem cells and the bulk of tumor cells. This may be the reason for the higher rate of cancer recurrence in patients who underwent both surgery and chemotherapy treatment. Scientists have found that a group of uncontrolled miRNAs related to CCSCs affect stemness properties. These miRNAs control CCSC functions like changing the expression of cell cycle genes, metastasis, and drug resistance mechanisms. CCSC-related miRNAs mostly control signal pathways that are known to be important for CCSC biology. The biomarkers (CD markers and miRNA) for CCSCs and their diagnostic roles are the main topics of this review study.

This paper undertakes a comprehensive investigation into incorporating sustainability within higher education, aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methods, our study delves into the status quo, methodologies, and impacts of sustainability education across a spectrum of international and local settings, with a specific lens on the United Arab Emirates. Our analysis spans various topics, from best practices in sustainability integration and educational frameworks to the influence of global initiatives like the Impact Ranking on promoting SDG-aligned transformations within academic institutions. Highlighting case studies from the UAE, we provide concrete evidence of successful sustainability strategies and interventions. These are juxtaposed with a global overview that uncovers the varying challenges and opportunities present in implementing sustainability education worldwide. Among our key findings is the essential role of interdisciplinary approaches and the critical need for active faculty involvement in fostering sustainability education. Drawing from a rich compilation of data and narratives, the paper presents a set of strategic recommendations designed to enhance the efficacy and reach of sustainability education. These recommendations are informed by the challenges observed and the success stories identified during our investigation. Ultimately, our research underscores the indispensable role that higher education plays in preparing future generations to navigate and address the complexities of sustainability challenges effectively.

In this work, bismuth nickel ferrite (Bix Ni1-x Fe2O4) supported by activated carbon (AC) with x=0, 0.3 and 0.5 were made and studied using the sol-gel method, and the samples were calcinated at 350 and 650 °C for 3 hours. XRD, FTIR, FESEM, and EDX spectroscopy were used to examine the chemical structure and morphology of bismuth nickel ferrite on activated carbon (Bix Ni1-x Fe2O4/ C). The XRD patterns show that when the temperature of the synthesized material is raised, the intensity and spread of the peaks decrease. This leads to more crystallization. FTIR studies were done in the frequency range (400–4000) cm-1, and the FTIR spectrum of (Bix Ni1-x Fe2O4/ C) shows the two significant absorption bands near the frequency ranges 500 cm-1 and 700 cm-1. FESEM with particles that were between 17 and 60 nm in size was used to study the surface morphology. The EDS plots revealed the existence of no extra peaks other than constituents of the taken up composition. The decrease in saturation magnetization (Ms) and remanence magnetization (Mr) is seen through the utilization of a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM).

Abstract Mosquito control in Egypt depends on applying chemical synthetic pesticides that impact negatively on human health and the environment as well as the development of antibiotic and chemical resistance. This study aims to control the 3rd and 4th instars of Culex pipiens larvae using four bacterial strains. According to Phenotypic and molecular identification, the four isolates were identified as Bacillus subtilis MICUL D2023, Serratia marcescens MICUL A2023, Streptomyces albus LARVICID, and Pseudomonas fluorescens MICUL B2023. All strains were deposited in GenBank under accession numbers OQ764791, OQ729954, OQ726575, and OQ891356, respectively. Larvicidal activity of all microbial strain metabolites against a field strain of C. pipiens explored low LC50 results and reached its lowest values on the 3rd day with values of 6.40%, 38.4%, and 46.33% for P. fluorescens, S. albus, and S. marcescens, respectively. In addition, metabolites of P. fluorescence were more toxic than those of S. albus, followed by S. marcescens. B. subtilis shows no larvicidal effect on both field and lab mosquito strains. Microscopic alterations of 3rd and 4th instars showed toxic effects on different body parts (thorax, midgut, and anal gills), including losing external hairs, abdominal breakage, and larvae shrinkage, as well as different histological malformations in the digestive tract, midgut, and cortex. GC–MS analysis detected 51, 30, and 32 different active compounds from S. albus, S. marcescens, and P. fluorescens, respectively. GC detected 1, 2-BENZEA2:A52NEDICARBOXYLIC ACID, 2-Cyclohexene-1-carboxylic-acid-5-2-butenyl-methyl ester, and 3 octadecahydro2R3S4Z9Z-11R-12S from S. albus, S. marcesens, and P. fluorescens, respectively. Total protein, Total carbohydrate, and Acetylcholine esterase activity indicated significantly low levels on the 3rd day. All strain metabolites were safe against HSF cell lines. The docking results confirmed the role of the produced metabolites as larvicidal agents and Acetylcholine esterase inhibition. Such a problem need more studies on applying more and more natural pesticides.

Human consumption of antibiotics has increased their concentrations in many parts of the environment, including rivers, sediments, soil, and wastewater. Consequently, resistant bacteria originating from these environments are distributed to humans, resulting in illness. The aim of this study was to identify mobilized colistin-resistant (mcr) genes and quinolone-resistant (qnr) genes in E. coli strains obtained from clinical samples. Additionally, the study explored the impact of different radiation dosages on the expression of antibiotic-resistance genes. In this study, conducted in Beni-Suef, Egypt, samples from 430 community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) cases resulted in the isolation of 85 different strains of E. coli. Conventional microbiological procedures were employed to identify these bacterial isolates. Three bacterial isolates with resistance to both quinolones and colistin underwent examination for their corresponding genetic determinants, which subsequently proved the presence of their respective genes. Furthermore, the expression levels of the mcr-1 and qnr-S genes were assessed using real-time PCR after exposure to gamma irradiation. Remarkably, the use of a sublethal dosage of 3 kGy gamma irradiation treatment on bacterial cells increased their susceptibility to colistin and quinolones post-irradiation. Additionally, there was a notable reduction in the expression levels of both mcr-1 and qnr-S genes, which could be helpful for preventing the storage of antibiotic-resistant E. coli in the environment.

Abstract Nano zero-valent iron (nZVI), bimetallic nano zero-valent iron-copper (Fe0–Cu), and Raw algae (sargassum dentifolium) activated carbon-supported bimetallic nano zero-valent iron-copper (AC-Fe0–Cu) are synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, XRD, and SEM. The maximum removal capacity is demonstrated by bimetallic activated carbon AC-Fe0–Cu, which is estimated at 946.5 mg/g capacity at the condition pH = 7, 30 min contact time under shaking at 120 rpm at ambient temperature, 200 ppm of M.O, and 1 g/l dose of raw algae-Fe0–Cu adsorbent. The elimination capability of the H3PO4 chemical AC-Fe0–Cu adsorbent is 991.96 mg/g under the conditions of pH = 3, 120 min contact time under shaking at 120 rpm at room temperature, 200 ppm of M.O, and 2 g/l doses of H3PO4 chemical AC-Fe0–Cu adsorbent. The Bagasse activated carbon adsorbent sheet achieves a removal capacity of 71.6 mg/g MO dye solution. Kinetic and isothermal models are used to fit the results of time and concentration experiments. The intra-particle model yields the best fit for bimetallic Fe0–Cu, AC-Fe0–Cu, H3PO4 chemical AC-Fe0–Cu and bagasse activated carbon(CH), with corrected R-Squared values of 0.9656, 0.9926, 0.964, and 0.951respectively. The isothermal results emphasize the significance of physisorption and chemisorption in concentration outcomes. Response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) are employed to optimize the removal efficiency. RSM models the efficiency and facilitates numerical optimization, while the ANN model is optimized using the moth search algorithm (MSA) for optimal results. Highlights 1. The Fe0–Cu composite, when combined with activated carbon from Bagasse Pulp (CH), exhibited the most effective decolorization effectiveness for anionic colours present in wastewater. 2. The utilization of composites presents a promising opportunity for efficient dye removal due to its cost-effectiveness and environmentally sustainable nature. 3. The utilization of response surface approach and artificial neural network modelling improves the efficacy of removal processes and treatment techniques.

Abstract Background Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children represents a health problem. Besides common enteric viruses such as rotavirus and adenovirus, new viruses such as cosavirus, salivirus, and bufavirus may be associated with AGE. The objective of the study was to detect cosavirus, salivirus, and bufavirus viruses in children below 5 years with acute gastroenteritis by the use of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) besides detection of rotavirus and adenovirus by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Method The study included 150 children ≤ 5 years with community-acquired diarrhea. Stool samples from children were subjected for the detection of rotavirus and adenovirus antigens by ELISA and for detection of buvavirus, salivirus, and cosavirus by real-time PCR. Results The commonest virus detected in the stool samples of children with AGE was rotavirus 31.3% followed by adenovirus 24%. Among the new viruses studied, salivirus was detected in six samples (4.0%), buvavirus was detected in four samples (2.7%), and cosavirus was detected in two samples (1.3%). The mixed rotavirus detection with studied viruses was 23.4% for adenovirus, 4.3% for calicivirus, and 2.1% for bocavirus, and none of the detected cosavirus was associated with rotavirus. In the studied children, at least one of the new viruses was detected in ten children (6.7%). Buvavirus, salivirus, and cosavirus were detected as a single virus (0.7%) in the children with acute gastroenteritis and buvavirus was detected with cosavirus without other viruses in one sample (0.7%). Conclusion The study reports the occurrence of buvavirus, cosavirus, and salivirus in the pediatric patients with community-acquired acute gastroenteritis. There was a high prevalence of rotavirus and adenovirus antigens in those patients with low positivity for buvavirus, cosavirus, and salivirus viruses. There is a need for a large cohort study to study the prevalence of buvavirus, cosavirus, and salivirus in pediatrics with acute gastroenteritis and to validate their association with the disease.

A series of novel thiazole-based chalcones were evaluated for their anticancer activity as potential tubulin polymerization inhibitors. In vitro anticancer screening for the thiazole derivatives 2a–2p exhibited broad-spectrum antitumor activity against various cancer cell lines particularly Ovar-3 and MDA-MB-468 cells with a GI50 range from 1.55 to 2.95 μΜ, respectively. Compound 2e demonstrated significant inhibition of tubulin polymerization, with an IC50 value of 7.78 μM compared to Combretastatin-A4 (CA-4), with an IC50 value of 4.93 μM. Molecular docking studies of compounds 2e, 2g, and 2h into tubulin further supported these findings, revealing that they bind effectively to the colchicine binding site, mirroring key interactions exhibited by CA-4. Computational predictions suggested favorable oral bioavailability and drug-likeness for these compounds, highlighting their potential for further development as chemotherapeutic agents.

The base connection is flexible, not fully pinned/fixed, implying a nonlinear moment–rotation relationship. This deviates from a linear response, where rotation is not directly proportional to the applied moment. Numerical investigations using the commercial software ABAQUS were conducted to analyze the steel base plate connections. The finite element (FE) models were verified against previous experimental results. Moreover, numerical findings of a comprehensive parametric investigation were conducted. The studied connections were examined with different configurations, including variations in the diameter, spacing, and number of the anchor bolts; the thickness of the base plate; and the applied axial force. The current study aims to use numerical results combined with the whale optimization algorithm (WOA) and classical genetic algorithm (GA) to derive a formulation for the moment–rotation (M-θr) relationship. The distinctive aspect of this formulation is that it aims to simulate the nonlinear rotational behavior exhibited by flexible base connections under combined moment and tension loads, while also considering various parameters such as bolt number/diameter and plate thickness. The findings indicate that the WOA is capable of obtaining an optimal equation for accurately simulating the M-Ɵr relationship. This underscores the ability of the WOA to effectively address the complexity of the problem and provide a reliable equation for predicting the rotational behavior of such connections. Consequently, the WOA method can be utilized to calculate the rotational stiffness at H/150, offering valuable support for engineering design processes.

Abstract Detection of eye movement types whether the movement of the eye itself or blinking has attracted a lot of recent research. In this paper, one method to detect the type of wink or blink produced by the eye is scrutinized and another method is proposed. We discuss what statistical analysis can teach us about detection of eye movement and propose a method based on long short-term memory (LSTM) networks to detect those types. The statistical analysis is composed of two main steps, namely calculation of the first derivative followed by a digitization step. According to the values of the digitized curve and the duration of the signal, the type of the signal is detected. The success rate reached 86.6% in detection of the movement of the eye when those volunteers are not trained on using our system. However, when they are trained, the detection success rate reached 93.3%. The statistical analysis succeeds in achieving detection of all types of eye movement except one type which is the non-intentional blinking. Although rate of success achieved is high, but as the number of people using this system increases, the error in detection increases that is because it is fixed and not adaptive to changes. However; we learnt from statistical analysis that the first derivative is a very important feature to classify the type of an EOG signal. Next, we propose using the LSTM network to classify EOG signals. The effect of using the first derivative as a feature for identifying the type of EOG signals is discussed. The LSTM algorithm succeeds in detecting the type of EOG signals with a percentage equal to 92% for all types of eye movement.

In this study, a new modified chitosan conjugate (Chito-TZ) was developed via amide coupling between the acid chloride derivative of the methylthio-thidiazole compound and the free primary amino groups of chitosan. The product was characterized using several instrumental investigations, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), 1H-Nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD indicated that the crystalline pattern of chitosan was interrupted after chemical modification with the thiadiazole derivative. Broido’s model was used to determine the thermal activation energy Ea, and the results showed that the Ea for the first decomposition region of Chito-TZ is 24.70 KJ mol−1 lower than that required for chitosan (95.57 KJ mol−1), indicating the accelerating effect of the thiadiazole derivative on the thermal decomposition of Chito-TZ. The modified chitosan showed better antibacterial and antifungal activities than the non-modified chitosan; except for seed germination, chitosan was better. The Chito-TZ showed a low MIC value (25–50 µg mL−1) compared to Chito (50–100 µg mL−1). Moreover, the maximum inhibition percentages for plant-pathogenic fungi, Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, and Fusarium solani, were attained at a concentration of 300 µg mL−1 with values of 35.4 ± 0.9–39.4 ± 1.7% for Chito and 45.2 ± 1.6–52.1 ± 1.3% for Chito-TZ. The highest germination percentages (%) of broad bean, shoot and root length and weight, and seed vigor index were obtained after Chito treatment with a concentration of 200 µg mL−1 compared to Chito-TZ.

Abstract In today’s data-driven digital culture, there is a critical demand for optimized solutions that essentially reduce operating expenses while attempting to increase productivity. The amount of memory and processing time that can be used to process enormous volumes of data are subject to a number of limitations. This would undoubtedly be more of a problem if a dataset contained redundant and uninteresting information. For instance, many datasets contain a number of non-informative features that primarily deceive a given classification algorithm. In order to tackle this, researchers have been developing a variety of feature selection (FS) techniques that aim to eliminate unnecessary information from the raw datasets before putting them in front of a machine learning (ML) algorithm. Meta-heuristic optimization algorithms are often a solid choice to solve NP-hard problems like FS. In this study, we present a wrapper FS technique based on the sparrow search algorithm (SSA), a type of meta-heuristic. SSA is a swarm intelligence (SI) method that stands out because of its quick convergence and improved stability. SSA does have some drawbacks, like lower swarm diversity and weak exploration ability in late iterations, like the majority of SI algorithms. So, using ten chaotic maps, we try to ameliorate SSA in three ways: (i) the initial swarm generation; (ii) the substitution of two random variables in SSA; and (iii) clamping the sparrows crossing the search range. As a result, we get CSSA, a chaotic form of SSA. Extensive comparisons show CSSA to be superior in terms of swarm diversity and convergence speed in solving various representative functions from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC) benchmark set. Furthermore, experimental analysis of CSSA on eighteen interdisciplinary, multi-scale ML datasets from the University of California Irvine (UCI) data repository, as well as three high-dimensional microarray datasets, demonstrates that CSSA outperforms twelve state-of-the-art algorithms in a classification task based on FS discipline. Finally, a 5%-significance-level statistical post-hoc analysis based on Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test, Friedman’s rank test, and Nemenyi’s test confirms CSSA’s significance in terms of overall fitness, classification accuracy, selected feature size, computational time, convergence trace, and stability.

Abstract Background Dromedary camel heart morphology is a crucial research topic with clinical applications. The study aims to understand the dromedary camel anatomy, morphology, and architecture of the ventricular mass. Results: Sagittal and transverse gross sections were compared to sagittal, transverse, and 3D render volume reconstruction computed tomography (CT) scans. The subepicardial fat, which covered the heart base, the coronary groove (sulcus coronarius), the left longitudinal interventricular groove (sulcus interventricularis paraconalis), and the right longitudinal interventricular groove (sulcus interventricularis subsinuosus), had a relatively low density with a homogeneous appearance in the 3D render volume CT. The pericardium in the color cardiac window was identified better than the black and white window (ghost). Transverse and sagittal CT scans demonstrated the internal structures of the heart, including the right atrioventricular orifice (ostium atrioventriculare dextrum), right atrioventricular orifice (ostium atrioventriculare sinistrum), and aortic orifice (ostium aortae), chordae tendineae, the cusps of the valves (cuspis valvae), and the papillary muscles (musculi papillares). The papillary muscle (musculi papillares) was presented with a more moderate density than the rest of the heart, and the cusps of the valves (cuspis valvae) had a lower density. The ventricular wall (margo ventricularis) exhibited different densities: the outer part was hyperdense, while the inner part was hypodense. The thicknesses of the ventricular mural wall and the interventricular septum (septum atrioventriculare) were highest at the midpoint of the ventricular mass, and the lowest value was present toward the apical part. The coronary groove (sulcus coronarius) circumference measured 51.14 ± 0.72 cm, and the fat in the coronary groove (sulcus coronarius) (56 ± 6.55 cm2) represented 28.7% of the total cross-sectional area. Conclusion: The current study provided more information about ventricular mass measurements by gross and CT analysis on the heart, which provides a valuable guide for future cardiac CT investigations in camels in vivo.

Abstract Background Coccidiosis is a costly and widespread infectious disease that affects mammals and causes huge losses for the global rabbit meat industry. This study evaluated the potency of Egyptian alginate propolis nanoparticles (NPs) in attenuating the infectivity of Eimeria stiedae sporulated oocysts. The gelification method was used to prepare alginate propolis NPs, which were then characterized using a transmission electron microscope and zeta potential analysis. Results The results revealed that the zeta potential of the prepared alginate propolis NPs increased from − 60.60 ± 9.10 mV to –72.26 ± 6.04 mV. The sporulated oocysts were treated with 50 mg/mL of the alginate propolis NPs. Thereafter, the treated oocysts were tested for their ability to infect rabbits. The rabbits were divided into three groups: the healthy control (G1) group, the infected control (G2) group, and the treated oocyst-infected (G3) group. The rabbits were sacrificed 43 days post-infection (dpi). The infectivity of the oocysts was assessed. The treated oocyst-infected rabbits exhibited slight abdominal distension and dullness symptoms. The G3 group had no oocyst output, with a 100% reduction from 41 dpi until the end of the experiment. Immunologically, the IgG level of the G2 group gradually increased (p ≤ 0.05) much more than that of the G3 group. The IL-12 level in the G3 group significantly increased from 16 dpi until the end of the experiment, nearly reaching the level in healthy animals. Decreased CD4+ and CD8+ immunolabelling was observed in the liver sections of the group infected with the alginate propolis NP-treated oocysts, and there was a remarkable improvement in the histopathological parameters. Conclusions These data indicate that Alg propolis NPs are sufficient to reduce the infectivity of E. stiedae oocysts.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a versatile opportunistic pathogen which causes a variety of acute and chronic human infections, some of which are associated with the biofilm phenotype of the pathogen. We hypothesize that defining the intracellular metabolome of biofilm cells, compared to that of planktonic cells, will elucidate the metabolic pathways and biomarkers indicative of biofilm inception. Disc-shaped stainless-steel coupons (12.7 mm diameter) were employed as a surface for static biofilm establishment. Each disc was immersed in a well, of a 24-well microtiter plate, containing a 1-mL Lysogeny broth (LB) suspension of P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027, a strain known for its biofilm prolificacy. This setup underwent oxygen-depleted incubation at 37°C for 24 hours to yield hypoxic biofilms and the co-existing static planktonic cells. In parallel, another planktonic phenotype of ATCC 9027 was produced in LB under shaking (200 rpm) incubation at 37°C for 24 hours. Planktonic and biofilm cells were harvested, and the intracellular metabolites were subjected to global untargeted metabolomic analysis using LC-MS technology, where small metabolites (below 1.5 kDa) were selected. Data analysis showed the presence of 324 metabolites that differed (p < 0.05) in abundance between planktonic and biofilm cells, whereas 70 metabolites did not vary between these phenotypes (p > 0.05). Correlation, principal components, and partial least square discriminant analyses proved that the biofilm metabolome is distinctly clustered away from that of the two planktonic phenotypes. Based on the functional enrichment analysis, arginine and proline metabolism were enriched in planktonic cells, but butanoate metabolism was enriched in biofilm cells. Key differential metabolites within the butanoate pathway included acetoacetate, 2,3-butandiol, diacetyl, and acetoin, which were highly upregulated in the biofilm compared to the planktonic cells. Exogenous supplementation of acetoin (2 mM), a critical metabolite in butanoate metabolism, augmented biofilm mass, increased the structural integrity and thickness of the biofilm, and maintained the intracellular redox potential by balancing NADH/NAD+ ratio. In conclusion, P. aeruginosa hypoxic biofilm has a specialized metabolic landscape, and butanoate pathway is a metabolic preference and possibly required for promoting planktonic cells to the biofilm state. The butanoate pathway metabolites, particularly acetoin, could serve as markers for biofilm development.

This study evaluates the impact of dietary supplementation of the blue-green alga Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003 nanoparticles (AN) on the growth performance, whole-body biochemical compositions, blood biochemistry, steroid hormonal, and fry production efficiency of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock, during the spawning season. After a 21-day preparation period to equip the females and ensure that their ovaries were filled with eggs, mating between the mature females and males took place in a 3:1 ratio during a 14-day spawning cycle. A total of 384 tilapia broodstock 288 females and 96 males with an initial body weight of 450.53±0.75, were divided into four groups; AN0: a basal diet as a control group with no supplementation of Arthrospira platensis, and the other three groups (AN2, AN4, and AN6) were diets supplemented with nanoparticles of A. platensis at levels of 2, 4, and 6 g kg─1 diet, respectively. The results found that fish-fed group AN6 showed the highest significant differences in weight gain (WG), final weight (FW), feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), and feed efficiency ratio (FER). Females fed the AN6 diet showed the highest significant fat content. Compared to the AN0 group, fish fed on the supplemented diets showed significant improvement (p < 0.05) in triglyceride, glucose, and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). A gradual increase in AN inclusion level resulted in a gradual increase in the concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, progesterone, and prolactin. The rates (%) of increase in fry production for females fed supplemented diets were 10.5, 18.6, and 32.2% for AN2, AN4, and AN6, respectively, compared to the control group. This work concluded that the inclusion levels of 6 g kg─1 of A. platensis nanoparticles in the diet of Nile tilapia broodstock significantly improved the growth performances, steroid hormone concentrations, and increased the fry production efficiency by 32.2%, respectively. These findings revealed that A. platensis nanoparticles resulted in a significantly enhanced female' reproductive productivity of Nile tilapia broodstock.

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance is one of the ten major public health threats facing humanity, especially in developing countries. Identification of the pathogens responsible for different microbial infections and antimicrobial resistance patterns are important to help clinicians to choose the correct empirical drugs and provide optimal patient care. Methods During the period from November 2020 to January 2021, one hundred microbial isolates were collected randomly from different specimens from some hospitals in Cairo, Egypt. Sputum and chest specimens were from COVID-19 patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to CLSI guidelines. Results Most microbial infections were more common in males and in elderly people over 45 years of age. They were caused by Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, and yeast isolates that represented 69%, 15%, and 16%, respectively. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (35%) were the most prevalent microbial isolates and showed high resistance rates towards penicillin, ampicillin, and cefixime, followed by Klebsiella spp. (13%) and Candida spp. (16%). Of all microbial isolates, Acinetobacter spp., Serratia spp., Hafnia alvei, and Klebsiella ozaenae were extremely multidrug-resistant (MDR) and have resisted all antibiotic classes used, except for glycylcycline, in varying degrees. Acinetobacter spp., Serratia spp., and Candida spp. were secondary microbial infections in COVID-19 patients, while H. alvei was a bloodstream infection isolate and K. ozaenae was recorded in most infections. Moreover, about half of Staphylococcus aureus strains were MRSA isolates and reported low rates of resistance to glycylcycline and linezolid. In comparison, Candida spp. showed high resistance rates between 77 and 100% to azole drugs and terbinafine, while no resistance rate towards nystatin was reported. Indeed, glycylcycline, linezolid, and nystatin were considered the drugs of choice for the treatment of MDR infections. Conclusion The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in some Egyptian hospitals was high among Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, and candida spp. The high resistance pattern —especially in secondary microbial infections in COVID-19 patients— to most antibiotics used is a matter of great concern, portends an inevitable catastrophe, and requires continuous monitoring to avoid the evolution of new generations.

Abstract In this paper, the numerical solutions of time fractional Burger’s and coupled Burgers’ equations are obtained using the parametric quintic spline method with a local truncation error of order eight in distance direction. Additionally, the von Neumann method was utilized for studying the stability analysis of the present method. Finally, to show the accuracy of this method, some examples with different cases for Burger’s and coupled Burgers’ equations are presented and their results are compared with the previous methods.

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the fluid flow structure and heat transfer from an isothermal cylinder with a curved corner radius ratio (r/R) of 0.5, and attack angle (α) is varied between 0° ≤ α ≤ 45°. The cylinder is subjected to airflow at a Reynolds number (Re) = 180 and Prandtl number (Pr) = 0.7. This study focuses on the effect of α on the fluid forces, Strouhal number, Nusselt number, and flow structure, and wake bubble size. The sensitivity of the time-mean drag and lift forces is investigated to α, and they appear to be minimum at critical α of 5° and 12°, respectively. The increase of α from 0 to 45° results in about 12.9% enhancement in the heat transfer from the cylinder.

Abstract Background To compare the efficacy and safety of standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with mini- PCNL for kidney stones 2–4 cm. Methods Eighty patients were enrolled in a comparative study, they were randomly divided into mini-PCNL group (n = 40) and standard-PCNL (n = 40). Demographic characteristics, perioperative events, complications, stone free rate (SFR) were reported. Results Both groups showed no significant difference in clinical data about age, stone location, back pressure changes, and body mass index. The mean operative time was (95 ± 17.9 min) in mini-PCNL, and (72.1 ± 14.9 min). Stone free rate were 80% and 85% in mini-PCNL and standard-PCNL respectively. Intra-operative complications, post-operative need for analgesia, hospital stay were significantly higher in standard-PCNL compared to mini-PCNL (85% vs. 80%). The study followed CONSORT 2010 guidelines for reporting parallel group randomization. Conclusion Mini-PCNL is an effective and safe treatment of kidney stones 2–4 cm, it has the advantage over standard-PCNL being has less intra-operative events, less post-operative analgesia, shorter hospital stay, while operative time and stone free rate are comparable when considering multiplicity, hardness, and site of stones.

Abstract Flash lamp annealing (FLA) with millisecond pulse durations is reported as a novel curing method for pore precursor's degradation in thin films. A case study on the curing of dielectric thin films is presented. FLA-cured films are being investigated by means of positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in order to quantify the nm-scale porosity and post-treatment chemistry, respectively. Results from positron annihilation reveal the onset of the formation of porous voids inside the samples at 6 ms flash treatment time. Moreover, parameter's adjustment (flash duration and energy density) allows for identifying the optimum conditions of effective curing. Within such a systematic investigation, positron results indicate that FLA is able to decompose the porogen (pore precursors) and to generate interconnected (open porosity) or isolated pore networks with self-sealed pores in a controllable way. Furthermore, FTIR results demonstrate the structural evolution after FLA, that help for setting the optimal annealing conditions whereby only a residual amount of porogen remains and at the same time a well-densified matrix, and a hydrophobic porous structures are created. Raman spectroscopy suggests that the curing-induced self-sealing layer developed at the film surface is a graphene oxide-like layer, which could serve as the outside sealing of the pore network from intrusions.

Chorisia (syn. Ceiba) species are important ornamental, economic, and medicinal plants that are endowed with a diversity of secondary metabolites; however, their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been scarcely studied. Therefore, this work explores and compares the headspace floral volatiles of three common Chorisia species, namely Chorisia chodatii Hassl., Chorisia speciosa A. St.-Hil, and Chorisia insignis H.B.K. for the first time. A total of 112 VOCs of varied biosynthetic origins were identified at different qualitative and quantitative ratios, encompassing isoprenoids, fatty acid derivatives, phenylpropanoids, and others. Flowers of the investigated species showed perceptibly differentiated volatile profiles, with those emitted by C. insignis being dominated by non-oxygenated compounds (56.69 %), whereas oxygenated derivatives prevailed among the volatiles of C. chodatii (66.04 %) and C. speciosa (71.53 %). The variable importance in the projection (VIP) in the partial least-squares–discriminant (PLS-DA) analysis described 25 key compounds among the studied species, of which linalool was verified as the most important aroma compound based on VIP values and significance analysis, and it could represent the most typical VOC among these Chorisia species. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamics analyses of both the major and the key VOCs displayed their moderate to promising binding interactions with four main proteins of SARS-CoV-2, including Mpro, PLpro, RdRp, and spike S1 subunit RBD. The current results collectively cast new light on the chemical diversity of the VOCs of Chorisia plants as well as their chemotaxonomic and biological relevance.

Abstract Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals have been utilized in a variety of medical as well as engineering applications. However, one of the challenges associated with recording EEG data is the difficulty of recording large amounts of data. Consequently, data augmentation is a potential solution to overcome this challenge in which the objective is to increase the amount of data. Inspired by the success of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) in image processing applications, generating artificial EEG data from the limited recorded data using GANs has seen recent success. This article provides an overview of various techniques and approaches of GANs for augmenting EEG signals. We focus on the utility of GANs in different applications including Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) paradigms such as motor imagery and P300-based systems, in addition to emotion recognition, epileptic seizures detection and prediction, and various other applications. We address in this article how GANs have been used in each study, the impact of using GANs on the model performance, the limitations of each algorithm, and future possibilities for developing new algorithms. We emphasize the utility of GANs in augmenting the limited EEG data typically available in the studied applications.

This theoretical investigation explores the intricate interplay of slip, heat transfer, and magneto-hydrodynamics (MHD) on peristaltic flow within an asymmetrically inclined channel. The channel walls exhibit sinusoidal undulations to simulate flexibility. The governing equations for continuity, momentum, and energy are utilized to mathematically represent the flow dynamics. Employing the perturbation method, these nonlinear equations are systematically solved, yielding analytical expressions for key parameters such as stream function, temperature distribution, and pressure gradient. This study meticulously examines the influence of various physical parameters on flow characteristics, presenting comprehensive visualizations of flow streamlines, fluid axial velocity profiles, and pressure gradient distributions. Noteworthy findings include the observation that the axial velocity of the fluid increases by 55% when the slip parameter is increased from 0 to 0.1, indicative of enhanced fluid transport. Furthermore, the analysis reveals that the pressure gradient amplifies by 80% with increased magnetic field strength from 0.5 to 4, underscoring the significant role of MHD effects on overall flow behavior. In essence, this investigation elucidates the complex dynamics of peristaltic flow in an asymmetrically inclined channel under the combined influence of slip, heat transfer, and magnetohydrodynamics. It sheds light on fundamental mechanisms that govern fluid dynamics in complex geometries and under diverse physical conditions.

This study was conducted for the comparative analysis of antioxidant activity and untargeted metabolomics of dark- and light-colored sour cherry cultivars grown in Canada. Based on our previous study, we selected four cultivars—‘Heimann R’, ‘Gorsemska’, V70142, and ‘Montmorency’—to determine the untargeted metabolites and their role in antioxidant activities. A total of 473 metabolites were identified from four sour cherry genotypes using UPLC–ToF–MS. Untargeted metabolomics revealed the dominant chemical groups present in sour cherries. PCA showed that the diversity in sour cherry metabolites was due to the genotype differences indicating iditol, malic acid, chlorobenzene, 2-mercaptobenzothiazole, and pyroglutamic acid as the predominant contributors. The variable importance in the projection (VIP > 1.0) in partial least-squares–discriminant analysis described 20 biomarker metabolites representing the cherry metabolome profiles. A heatmap of Pearson’s correlation analysis between the 20 biomarker metabolites and antioxidant activities identified seven antioxidant determinants that displayed the highest correlations with different types of antioxidant activities. TPC and TAC were evaluated using the Folin–Ciocalteu method. The total antioxidant activity was performed using three different assays (ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH). This study of correlating metabolomics and antioxidant activities elucidated that the higher nutritional value and biological functions of sour cherry genotypes can be useful for the development of nutraceutical and functional foods.