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In the current work, aluminum dross from the aluminum industry and fired-clay brick waste (Homra) were combined with alkaline activators (Na2SiO3/NaOH) with varying molarities of NaOH to create insulating geopolymer bricks. An alkaline activator with an (S/L) ratio of 3/1 was combined with Homra to replace it partly. The mixture was then molded into 50 × 50 × 50 mm3 stainless steel molds. Water absorption, compressive strength, bulk density, and apparent porosity of the produced geopolymer were measured at various curing durations and NaOH molarities. The findings showed that adding more aluminum dross waste replacement leads to a decrease in bulk density and compressive strength and an increase in the creation of pores that improve the produced bricks' ability to insulate against heat. Using 8 M of NaOH after 28 days, the findings revealed that 3% aluminum dross waste replacement has a compressive strength of about 8.6 MPa, water absorption of 14.6%, bulk density of 1.307 g/cm3, and thermal conductivity of 0.32 W/m·K. The Egyptian standard, ASTM C62, satisfies these outcomes. Using DesignBuilder energy simulation software version 6.1.06, the constructed insulating brick under ideal circumstances was utilized to calculate its contribution performance in energy consumption. The annual energy consumption was reduced by about 21% compared to traditional hollow cement bricks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research aimed to investigate the impact of salicylic acid at concentrations of 0.00, 50.00, 100.00, and 150.00 mgl-1 via foliar spray, as well as nutritional requirement of NPK (19:19:19) at 0.00, 2.00, 3.00, and 4.00 g/pot. NPK monthly throughout the growing season, and their combined influence on the growth, flowering, and chemical composition of leaves of Pelargonium zonale, L. plants under full sun conditions in an open field. The findings indicated that the application of salicylic acid and/or NPK fertilizer led to a significant increase in most studied parameters compared to the control. In terms of Pelargonium zonale, L. plants, it was observed that spraying SA at 100.0 mgl-1 while using 3 g/pot mineral NPK monthly during the growing season resulted in the highest significant values for plant height, root volume, and root dry weight. Furthermore, results showed that plants receiving SA 150 mgl-1 combined with a medium rate of NPK application (3g/plant) monthly during the growing season had the highest significant values for stem diameter, leaf number per plant, leaf area and leaf dry weights, inflorescences number, and inflorescences diameter. The data total chlorophyll, carotenoids, leaf NPK contents revealed that the highest significant values were achieved in plants treated with SA 150 mgl-1 combined with medium and/or the highest rate of NPK application in comparison to untreated plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) causes significant disability at increasing age such as cognitive impairment, gait, and sphincteric problems affecting a person's quality of life. That is why it's essential to detect and manage early. The aim of this study is to investigate the radiological progression among Egyptian patients suffering from incidental cerebral small vessel disease. Aim of the Work: To investigate radiological progression among a sample of Egyptian patients with incidental CSVD. Methods: Ninety-eight patients with CSVD underwent an MRI brain at baseline and after 12 months. Results: Regarding MRI lesions, Visual rating scales did not show any significance between baseline and follow-up. Conclusion: More sophisticated tools are needed to assess radiological progression in CSVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common disabling diseases of the Central Nervous System (CNS) especially during early adult life. Walking impairment is considered one of the most disabling symptoms to patient with MS. The only approved treatment for impaired ambulation in MS is Dalfampridine. Objective: To investigate the effect of dalfampridine on gait, cognitive functions and fatigue in Egyptian patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods: This randomized double blinded placebo-controlled study was conducted on 100 patients with multiple sclerosis undergoing assessment for cognition, gait and fatigue. Results: Baseline characteristics of dalfampridine group significantly showed more infratentorial lesions in MRI and lesser use of symptomatic treatment compared to placebo group. Along with visuospatial functions that was better in placebo group and even though this current study showed significant improvement in dalfampridinegroup better than placebo as concluded by increased endpoint (mean difference) between two groups. Conclusions: dalfampridine may has role in improvement of total EDSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]