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This study examines the large amount of agricultural waste produced in Egypt between 2010 and 2019 by analysing data from various departments within the Agriculture Ministry. It also provides a comprehensive database on the biomass available from agricultural waste in Egypt and its potential applications for producing power, heat and chemical products. When biomass-pyrolysis systems powered by solar energy are used, research demonstrates the potential to convert agricultural waste into a variety of chemical compounds. This approach utilizes solar energy, a clean and renewable source, and has wide-ranging industrial and power generation applications. Despite Egypt’s reliance on agriculture, the country currently utilizes little biomass for energy production and has not previously used it as a source for creating chemical products, which could potentially save on the imported oil used in these industries. The findings of the study are graphically presented using histograms, pie charts, etc. The overall production of residues reached the 30-Mt level in 2019. Because it contains the most rice-cultivated land, Dakahlia (Lower Egypt region) produces the highest percentage of the total residue (37.17%). Qena governorate (Upper Egypt region) produces 1.14 metric tons of residues, with sugarcane accounting for 20.3% of the total.

The phytochemical investigation of Caralluma quadrangula aerial parts yielded six new pregnane glycosides, quadrangulosides A–F (1–6), in addition to nine known pregnane glycosides and three known flavone glycosides.

The goal of the current study is to investigate the thermal degradation of palm fronds (PF), olive leaves (OL), and wheat straw (WS) through pyrolysis and calculate their kinetic data using TG-DTG and DTA approaches. The kinetic parameters were assessed using isoconversional techniques like the Ozawa-Flynn-Wall (OFW) and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) methods, as well as model-fitting techniques like the integral method, which employs various diffusion and reaction order models. Using kinetics data models, typical parameters for pyrolysis and thermodynamics were estimated. For PF, OL, and WS, the values of activation energy (E) from the integral method ranged between 8.82 and 167.13, 23.06 and 149.20, and 11.01 and 156.27, respectively, for diffusion models. On the other hand, the values of (E) ranged between 22.3 and 117.49, 51.69 and 92.88, and 23.48 and 125.97, respectively, for reaction-order models. The average activation energies (E) calculated by using PF, OL, and WS samples are 91.9, 69.1, and 65.2, respectively, for the OFW method and 87.5, 101.8, and 63.4, respectively, for the KAS method. The results demonstrated that the integral method provided values of (E) that were almost identical to those produced by the KAS and OFW methods. In the same range of (α), results showed that reaction order models yielded greater frequency factor values than diffusion models, demonstrating how simpler and quicker pyrolysis is. The values of ($${\Delta \mathrm{G}}_{av}$$ Δ G av ) demonstrated the acceptability of these materials for pyrolysis, and for the OFW and KAS techniques, the sequence of the degradation process was OL > WS > PF. The calculated ($${\Delta \mathrm{G}}_{av}$$ Δ G av ) showed that more heat energies are required for OL, PF, and WS to dissociate the reagent bonds, which agrees with the (E) values derived from the OFW model. Graphical Abstract

Nowadays, thermal energy production from solid fuels as biomass materials focused on the densified biofuels to overcome the disadvantages of raw biomass as irregular shape, low bulk density, and high moisture content. The quality of biomass pellets is sensitive to the pelletization conditions. Consequently, in this work the impact of the operating parameters as applied pressure, die temperature, and moisture content on the physical properties of solid and hollow pellets as pellet length (Lp), normal volume expansion (Vexp, n), initial and relaxed pellet densities (ρp, i and ρp, rel), moisture content of pellet (Mp), water absorption rate (k), and absorption volume expansion (Vexp, ab) of rice straw (RS) pellets was studied. Furthermore, the synergic effect of these parameters on the pellet properties was evaluated at the optimum conditions. The operating parameters were optimized using a multi-objective optimization approach of response surface method (RSM) based on the predicted significant models that describe the physical properties of the pellets. The optimization results showed that high-quality pellets could be produced at a pressure of 72.76 MPa, temperature of 110°C, and moisture of 7.23% for solid pellets and 81.5 MPa, 109°C, and 7.72% for hollow pellets. Significant individual and interaction effects of all independent parameters on the pellets properties were investigated using statistical analysis results, main plot curves, and 2D interaction contour plots. New four significant empirical dimensionless relationships that correlate the properties of pellets were proposed for calculating ρp, rel, Mp, k, and Vexp, ab directly based on other physical and mechanical properties and indirectly based on the operating parameters through the predicted models for different properties. These relationships can be generalized to any type of pellets that are produced under various operating conditions. Hollow pellets are recommended being used in the industrial sector due to their enhanced heat transfer which resulted from the high surface to volume ratio besides their ease of production at normal operating condition similar to that required for solid pellets.

Biomass pelletization technology overcame the poor utilization and handling properties of loose materials. The quality of pellets is sensitive to the pelletization conditions. In this work the impact of the operating parameters as pressure, temperature, and moisture content on the mechanical characteristics as the compression strength ( $${\sigma }_{max}$$ ) and durability ( $$Du$$ ) and energy consumption for both production ( $${E}_{c,p}$$ ) and ejection ( $${E}_{c,ej}$$ ) of rice straw (RS) pellets was studied. Furthermore, the synergic effect of these parameters on the pellet characteristics was evaluated at the optimum conditions. The operating parameters were optimized using a multi-objective optimization approach of Response Surface Method (RSM) based on the predicted significant models that describe the physical characteristics of the pellets. The optimization results showed that high quality pellets could be produced at a pressure of 68.4 MPa, temperature of 110.0 °C, and moisture of 8.2% for solid pellets and 63.6 MPa, 110.0 °C, and 8.7% for hollow pellets. Significant individual and interaction effects of all independent parameters on the pellets characteristics were investigated using statistical analysis results, main plot curves and 2D interaction contour plots. New significant empirical dimensionless relationships that correlate the characteristics of pellets were proposed. These relationships can be generalized for any type of pellets that produced under various operating conditions. Hollow pellets are recommended to be used in the industrial sector due to their enhanced heat transfer which resulted from the high surface to volume ratio besides their ease production at normal operating condition similar to that required for solid pellets.

Smooth muscle tumors represent the second most common mural mesenchymal neoplasm in the gastrointestinal tract, but established criteria for prognostic assessment of these tumors are lacking. A large cohort of surgically resected intramural gastrointestinal smooth muscle tumors from 31 institutions was analyzed to identify potential prognostic features. Pathologic features were assessed by expert gastrointestinal and/or soft tissue pathologists at each center. Immunohistochemical confirmation was required. A total of 407 cases from the esophagus (n = 97, 24%), stomach (n = 180, 44%), small bowel (n = 74, 18%), and colorectum (n = 56, 14%) were identified. Patients ranged in age from 19 to 92 years (mean 55 years), with a slight female predominance (57%). Mean tumor size was 5.4 cm, with the largest tumor measuring 29 cm. Disease progression following surgery, defined as local recurrence, metastasis, or disease-related death, occurred in 56 patients (14%). Colorectal tumors were most likely to progress, followed by small bowel and gastric tumors. None of the esophageal tumors in this series progressed. Receiver operator characteristic analysis identified optimal cutoffs of 9.8 cm and 3 mitoses/5 mm2 for discriminating between progressive and non-progressive tumors. Histologic features strongly associated with progression by univariate analysis included moderate-to-severe atypia, high cellularity, abnormal differentiation (defined as differentiation not closely resembling that of normal smooth muscle), tumor necrosis, mucosal ulceration, lamina propria involvement, and serosal involvement (P 10 cm and/or showing ≥3 mitoses/5 mm2 may behave aggressively, and therefore close clinical follow-up is recommended in these cases.

Data regarding the lower diagnostic threshold for gastric graft-versus-host disease is lacking. The aim of this study was to review a cohort of gastric biopsies taken to evaluate for graft-versus-host disease, and to correlate histologic findings with clinical and endoscopic evidence of graft-versus-host disease as well as biopsy findings from other locations to define a lower diagnostic threshold for gastric graft-versus-host disease. Gastric biopsies were evaluated for the maximum number of apoptotic bodies per 10 contiguous gastric pits, presence of ≥1 apoptotic body per biopsy (NIH criteria), and presence of gastric pit dropout and/or ulceration. To evaluate histologic specificity, sixty gastric biopsies from non-stem cell transplant patients were selected as a control group. Clinical information was collected from chart review. The study group consisted of 65 gastric biopsies from 52 stem cell transplant patients. The mean apoptotic count per 10 contiguous gastric pits for stem cell transplant biopsies was 1.8 (range 0–8) and for control cases 1.0 (range 0–5). Nineteen stem cell transplant biopsies (29%) had ≥1 apoptotic body per biopsy and only a single case had >6 apoptotic bodies per 10 contiguous gastric pits. When the NIH guidelines were combined with presence of at least two apoptotic bodies per 10 contiguous gastric pits, this cutoff point was significantly associated with treatment for graft-versus-host disease (OR = 9.4, 95% CI = 1.7–176.7, p = 0.04) and evidence of extraintestinal graft-versus-host disease (OR = 3.2, 95% CI = 1.1–10.7, p = 0.04). The diagnostic specificity for our proposed cutoff value is 94%. We present criteria for the lower diagnostic threshold of gastric graft-versus-host disease, which uses a lower apoptotic cutoff value than has been utilized in colonic biopsies. Although sensitivity remains a challenge for gastric graft-versus-host disease biopsies, this newly proposed cutoff provides higher specificity than NIH guidelines alone and better correlates with clinical evidence of graft-versus-host disease.

The combustion behavior, chemical kinetics, and thermodynamic parameters of Poinciana cover and Poinciana seeds were investigated using TGA at different heating rates in the air atmosphere. Kinetic characteristic parameters were estimated by adopting five traditional and parallel kinetic models besides the DTA technique. Functional group properties using FTIR were presented and discussed. The physicochemical characteristics of these materials assured their bioenergy potential for conversion into valuable, sustainable, and renewable energy resources. The activation energy values calculated from DTA measurements for Poinciana cover and seeds were found to be in good agreement with the kinetic data obtained by parallel methods using TGA data. The significant variations of the values of the pre-exponential factor of the Poinciana cover confirm the presence of a complex multi-step reaction during its combustion. DTG profiles of the Poinciana cover showed one sharp peak with a high mass loss rate value in a short time required high energy and resulted in high activation energy values. Also, the high ash content of this material resisted the oxygen diffusion and delayed the ignition which in turn played a key role in raising the activation energy values. The higher volatile content of Poinciana seeds and its high IR absorbance helped in lowering the activation energy values obtained from various models. Advanced ignition and delayed burnout give the Poinciana seeds superiority over Poinciana cover as a new alternative source of energy. The Gibbs free energy (ΔG) values of Poinciana seed material are higher than those of Poinciana cover either for the total conversion process of the volatiles and char conversion. This result reflects the bioenergy potential of Poinciana seeds through oxidation. The resulted high entropy change ( $$\Delta S$$ ) values for the poinciana cover material ensure that this material is far from its thermodynamic equilibrium and its reactivity is high.

Context.— Fatty liver disease is now one of the most commonly encountered entities in the practice of liver pathology. Distinguishing simple steatosis from steatohepatitis is critical because the latter requires follow-up because of long-term risks that include cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. An organized approach for evaluating liver biopsies with steatosis is recommended to capture all of the relevant features: (1) degree of steatosis, (2) presence or absence of ballooning degeneration, (3) lobular inflammation, and (4) fibrosis. Herein, we provide a stepwise approach that readers can use to evaluate liver biopsies with steatosis, including examples, pitfalls, differential diagnostic considerations, and suggested diagnostic phrasing. Objective.— To provide a stepwise approach for the evaluation of liver biopsies showing significant steatosis (involving ≥5% of liver parenchyma). Data Sources.— Biopsies demonstrating fatty liver disease encountered in our daily practice were examined as well as recent literature. Conclusions.— Effective evaluation of liver biopsies with steatosis requires careful histologic examination and correlation with clinical history, particularly regarding medications, nutrition status, and alcohol use. Examples of uniform reporting, including appropriate use of the nonalcoholic steatohepatitis Clinical Research Network Activity Score, are provided.

This study investigated the homogeneous formation and reduction of NO from the oxidation of CH4/NH3 to understand the effect of the high concentrations of H2O on NO emissions. The experimental results about the effects of excess oxygen ratio, gas compositions including H2O, CO2, NH3 and recycled NO, on NO formation and reduction were presented. The mechanism about the effects of high concentration of H2O and combined effect of H2O/CO2 on NO formation and reduction has been discussed. The results indicates that NO formation was markedly enhanced at high concentrations of H2O, which were mainly attributed to the increased OH radicals with steam addition at oxygen-rich conditions. By contrast, the radicals were consumed by reduction radicals, such as CO, H, and CHi radicals, under oxygen-lean conditions. NO concentrations followed the sequence of H2O/Ar > H2O/CO2 > CO2/Ar under both the oxygen-rich and oxygen-lean conditions, which meant that the highest and lowest NO emissions were recorded in Ar/H2O and CO2/Ar respectively. The combined H2O/CO2 concentration accordingly exerted an effective impact on NO reduction. The results about the effect of NH3 concentration in fuel on NO emission showed that NO emission increased with increasing NH3 concentration. Furthermore, NO reburning results implied that with increasing NO concentration, the total NO reduction increased, whereas the reduction ratio decreased.

Thermal characteristics and kinetic parameters of rice straw (RS) and sawdust (SD) raw materials were investigated under an oxidizing atmosphere using a non-isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The effect of H2O and CO2 on the oxy-steam combustion was studied by performing the TGA experiments using a mixture of (O2/CO2/H2O/N2) at different compositions. Kinetic parameters were determined using a volumetric model (VM), random pore model (RPM), double parallel random pore model (DRPM), mixed volumetric random pore model (MVRPM) and a new proposed double parallel volumetric model (DVM). The good fit between the experimental and modeled data was obtained from the parallel and mixed models results when the fractional conversion was used in these models. While the models’ solutions didn’t fit with the experimental results when they were solved based on the conversion rate. The new proposed DVM model gave the best fit with experimental conversion (α). The ignition delayed at high concentration of H2O due to the highest specific heat of H2O that lowered the temperature of the fuel particles. The activation energy and the frequency factor of RS were lower than that of SD. The char conversion rate of SD exceeded that of RS.

Biomass raw materials are widely regarded as a significant source of renewable energy, which significantly reduces the dependence on traditional fossil fuels, especially in the case of countries that are able to obtain biomass from various sources. Recently, pelletization has been widely used for mass and energy densification of biomass to overcome the problems associated with raw material use. As the global pellet market has developed quickly, the use of wood residues became no longer sufficient to fulfill the market needs. The standards of pellets provide limits for both physical and mechanical characteristics of produced pellets. Characteristics of produced pellets depend mainly on the feedstock characteristics as particle size and moisture content and operating conditions as applied pressure and die temperature. Thus, this paper provides rich information on the factors affecting the physical and mechanical properties of granules included in pellets. The main goal of the paper is to review the latest and comprehensive research on the physical and mechanical properties of most types of single and mixed pellets from biomass. The analysis of the effect of properties, adhesives, humidity, pressure and temperature as well as the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets studied was carried out. In addition, the critical and optimal values of various factors for different materials in which the following is of importance: high quality of pellets and biomass from which they are produced were analyzed. The principle and effect of applying post-production conditions as steam explosion and torrefaction on the characteristics of the pellets were reviewed in details. Moreover, this study proposes some recommendations for further development of the pelletization analysis and characteristics.

In this work, the ignition and combustion characteristics of mixed rice straw and sewage sludge pellets in air atmosphere were investigated using a plasma combustion system. One common pellet shape (solid spherical pellet) and another new shape (hollow spherical) are used in this study. High-speed camera was used to record and observe ignition and combustion process of pellets. In case of hollow pellets, the shape and distribution of flame are found to be better compared to solid pellets. Also, it is clear that the values of volatile combustion times in case of hollow pellets are low compared to solid pellets. The overall heat transfer enhanced in case of hollow pellet due to the large area subjected to hot gases and the high surface to volume ratio. Hollow pellet consumed less time for internal ignition and volatiles char combustion compared to solid pellet. Volatiles and char combustion lasted for 63.05 and 61 s, respectively for hollow pellet while these values were found to be 72.8 and 83 s, respectively for solid pellet.

The understanding of the generation mechanism of SO3 on V/W/Ti catalysts provides needed information for the achievement of ultra-low emission of pollutants and effective control of SO3 generation. This study predominantly investigates the catalytic oxidation mechanism of V/W/Ti catalysts for SO3 generation under H2O and CO2 conditions. Ion Chromatography (IC), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area, Scanning Electron Microscopy image (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), SO2 Temperature-Programmed Desorption (SO2-TPD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) experiments, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to characterize catalyst properties and the catalytic oxidation generation mechanism of SO3. Results show that Catalyst V content was more influential than physical property on the generation of SO3. In this study, when H2O or CO2 was added into the reaction atmosphere, the generation amount of SO3 would increase firstly, and then gradually decrease with the further increase of H2O or CO2 concentration. Through further mechanistic analysis, it was found that the influence mechanism of H2O and CO2 on the generation of SO3 was different. Various kinds of intermediate species such as [OH] and HOSO2 were introduced by the addition of H2O, resulting in the increase of lattice oxygen (Oα) proportion and SO3 generation path. However, the inhibition effects of high concentration of H2O on SO2 adsorption and sulfur oxides migration were the main reason for the decrease of SO3 generation under high H2O containing conditions. Conversely, although the adsorption SO2 was promoted by CO2, high CO2 addition leads to the apparently reduction of Oα proportion on catalyst resulting in the decrease of SO3 generation.

Fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum is a big barrier for rapid and precise analysis of coal structures by Raman spectroscopy. Dealing with fluorescence interference suitably is one of the key tasks before efficient application of Raman spectroscopy in coal assessment. In this study, Raman spectra and coal combustion characteristics of 32 kinds of Chinese coals were respectively obtained in a micro-Raman spectrometer and Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer. The degree of fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum was firstly defined and quantified as the drift coefficient α using a simple method without curve-fitting the spectrum. The correlations between the degree of fluorescence interference and coal property, coal combustion characteristics were set up and multivariable analysis was done. The results indicate that the degree of fluorescence interference is well related to the coal structures, and it is synthetically determined by volatile, moisture and ash content in coal. With the increase of volatile, moisture content in coal, the fluorescence interference increases continuously, and it can be reduced but not eliminated by drying the moisture in coals. Significant mathematical relations between the drift coefficient α and volatile, moisture content, coal combustion characteristic temperatures have been found. Coal with more evident fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum usually has lower degree of coalification, more polar functional groups, and burns at a lower temperature. The drift coefficient α can act as an efficient probe for coal property and coal combustion characteristics. This study provided a new and simple approach for evaluating coal property and coal combustion characteristics by fluorescence interference in Raman spectrum.

With the increase of washing raw coal, the rapid increase of coal slime (CS) production has become an urgent environmental problem. The main purpose of this work is to investigate the pyrolysis behavior and product distribution of CS by using thermogravimetric analyzer coupled to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG-FTIR) and Pyrolyzer-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis (Py-GC/MS). The results showed that the pyrolysis of CS can be divided into three stages. The maximum weight loss of CS occurred in the main devolatilization stage at 178-680 oC. The pyrolysis kinetic mechanism of CS was predicted to be f(α)=(1-α)5.4 via the master-plots method. The increase of inorganic minerals significantly increased the order of CS pyrolysis reaction, indicating that minerals have a great influence on pyrolysis chemical reaction. Compared to raw coal, the alkene contents decreased significantly, while the contents of CO2 and aromatics increased significantly, illustrating that the minerals in CS promoted polymerization and cyclization reactions of alkene as well as the formation of macrocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in CS tar. This study provided theoretical and practical guidance on efficient thermochemical conversion and utilization of CS.

Chemical investigation of the whole Fagonia schimperi C. Presl plant yielded a new triterpene saponin, namely 3-O-β- xylopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-27-hydroxyoleanolic acid 28-O-β-glucopyranoside (1), along with five known natural products 2–6. Structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by intensive spectroscopic methods including Electrospray Ionisation-Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) and 1D and 2D-NMR, which matched the literature data. Fagonia schimperi crude saponin fraction, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction, and the new compound (1) were investigated for their biological activities as antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity. EtOAc fraction and compound (1) were the most potent agents, wherein they displayed potent antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa). Additionally, the EtOAc fraction displayed potent antiproliferative activity against hepatocellular carcinoma and mammary gland with IC50 values of 7.38 ± 0.4 and 4.89 ± 0.3 μg/ml, respectively. Furthermore, compound 1 showed a significant cytotoxic activity against the two cell lines with IC50 values of 19.20 ± 1.4 and 8.18 ± 0.9, μg/ml, respectively. This comes in agreement with the antioxidant activity that was assessed by 2,2,1-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and SOD-like activity methods in the following order: EtOAc fraction > compound 1 > crude saponin fraction.

In this article, we conduct a comprehensive study of online antagonistic content related to Jewish identity posted on Twitter between October 2015 and October 2016 by UK-based users. We trained a scalable supervised machine learning classifier to identify antisemitic content to reveal patterns of online antisemitism perpetration at the source. We built statistical models to analyze the inhibiting and enabling factors of the size (number of retweets) and survival (duration of retweets) of information flows in addition to the production of online antagonistic content. Despite observing high temporal variability, we found that only a small proportion (0.7%) of the content was antagonistic. We also found that antagonistic content was less likely to disseminate in size or survive for a longer period. Information flows from antisemitic agents on Twitter gained less traction, while information flows emanating from capable and willing counter-speech actors—that is, Jewish organizations—had a significantly higher size and survival rates. This study is the first to demonstrate that Sampson’s classic sociological concept of collective efficacy can be observed on social media (SM). Our findings suggest that when organizations aiming to counter harmful narratives become active on SM platforms, their messages propagate further and achieve greater longevity than antagonistic messages. On SM, counter-speech posted by credible, capable and willing actors can be an effective measure to prevent harmful narratives. Based on our findings, we underline the value of the work by community organizations in reducing the propagation of cyberhate and increasing trust in SM platforms.

TG/DTG thermal pyrolysis analysis is performed under nitrogen from 100 to 1000 °C at three different heating rates for three types of most famous Egyptian mango leaves to be used as a biomass fuel. Proximate and ultimate analysis, organic composition, metallic components as well as thermal degradation and their characteristic properties are determined and deeply investigated to recognize the possibility to use them as a source of renewable energy. A maximum volatile released method and three isoconversional kinetic models were used to analyze the dependence of the activation energy (Eα) on the degree of conversion. A double parallel random pore model (DRPM), mixed volumetric random pore model (MVRPM) and a new proposed double parallel volumetric model (DVM) were used to investigate the kinetic parameters of the produced volatile and char. Three zones were chosen based on the organic composition and the temperature range of each mango leaf type. The maximum rate loss and second derivative of conversion of volatile matter (α) with temperature are used in the maximum volatile method at peak temperature for determining the kinetic parameters. The three isoconversional kinetic methods give almost closest values of Eav for all sub-zones and especially for a whole volatile zone of Sukari momtaz. The estimated Eav from the isoconversional methods are more dependable than the maximum volatile release method. Compared with previous multireaction models, the new proposed double parallel model can effectively investigate the pyrolysis kinetics of biomass materials.

Background Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease. Microalbuminuria is the most popular method for detecting the early signs of DN. However, pathological changes occur before the onset of microalbuminuria. So, there is a need for another biomarkers that might provide a sensitive and fast means for identification of the progression of DN. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is an acute-phase glycoprotein and a soluble receptor acting as an opsonin. PTX3 protein is expressed in vascular endothelial cells and macrophages. Thereby, its levels may reflect more directly the inflammatory status of the vasculature. Aim Evaluation of the levels of serum and urinary PTX3 in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and its relation to DN. Patients and methods Group A: 20 healthy volunteers (control group). Group B: 20 patients with normoalbuminuric T2DM. Group C: 20 patients with microalbuminuric T2DM. Group D: 20 patients with macroalbuminuric T2DM. Also all the participants divided into two subgroups: Group 1: 40 participants with no nephropathy (controls and normoalbuminuric patients). Group 2: 40 patients with nephropathy (microalbuminuric and macroalbuminuric patients). Results There was no significant difference among all studied groups with respect to age, sex, lipid profile, urinary PTX3, C-reactive protein, and liver function test. Whereas BMI, hemoglobin level, HBA1C, fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and 24 h urinary albumin excretion; showed high significant difference among all studied groups. Serum albumin and total protein levels were highly significantly decreased in macroalbumiuric group as a result of proteinuria compared to the other three groups Serum PTX3 showed high significant difference between nephropathic (micro and macroalbuminuric) group and non nephropathic group (control and normoalbuminuric). There were highly significant positive correlations between serum PTX3 and (fasting blood sugar, postprandial blood sugar, HBA1C, and 24 h urinary albumin) significant positive correlation with serum creatinine, whereas there were highly significant negative correlations between serum PTX3 and serum total protein and serum albumin. Conclusion Serum PTX3 increased progressively with DN and may be a serum biomarker for early diagnosis of DN. Whereas urinary PTX3 has no relation to DN.

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) is not amenable to International Society for Urologic Pathology-endorsed nucleolar grading. Novel grading approaches were proposed, but the rarity of adverse pathology hampers their discriminatory value. We investigate simple linear micrometer measurements and a proposed immunostain in CRCCs. 32 patients' CRCCs were studied: 12 adverse cases (stage pT3, recurrence, or metastasis), 15 controls (stage ≤pT2, no recurrence or metastasis after3 years), and 8 metastases (3 were paired with primary adverse cases). The ratio of greatest dimensions of largest and smallest nuclei, in each of 5 "worst" high-power fields, excluding those with degenerative features, was designated variation in nuclear size (VNS). Percent multinucleate cells (PMC) were also counted. Mouse anti PD-L2 monoclonal antibody immunostaining was performed. Mean VNS measured in adverse primary and control primary tumors were 3.7 ± 0.5 and 2.4 ± 0.4 respectively (P .001), and 3.4 ± 0.4 for metastases (P .001). Optimal VNS cut-off was 2.5, with sensitivity and specificity 0.85 and 0.81, respectively. PMCs were 6.0 ± 3.0 for adverse group, 5.7 ± 2.7 for controls, and 4.1 ± 1.6 for metastases (P = NS). PD-L2 could not discriminate adverse versus good primary tumors (χ

The cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley is an invasive polyphagous pest species causing severe economic damage to a wide range agricultural crops. Five different toxicants of different groups were evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing mealybug incidence on cotton under both laboratory and field conditions as well as their effectiveness against its associated predators (Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.), Hyperaspis vinciguerrae Capra) under field conditions. Chlorpyrifos and Imidacloprid were the most toxic insecticides after 24h and 72h of exposure compared with Pyriproxyfen, Buprofezin and Emamectin benzoate against third instar nymphs of P. solenopsis under laboratory conditions. Based on field experiments, Chlorpyrifos significantly superior in reducing the cotton mealybug population followed by Imidacloprid, Pyriproxyfen, Emamectin benzoate and finally Buprofezin with average reduction between 96.24 to 43.99%. IGRs toxicants (Buprofezin and Pyriproxyfen) found to safer to the predacious insects than other toxicant groups.

Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft tissue neoplasm generally affecting adolescents and young adults. Its unique histologic and ultrastructural features have been well-described; however, the cytopathological features of ASPS are less well-characterized, and recognition of this entity's features on cytologic preparations can ensure that the specimen adequacy and appropriate/rapid tissue allocation for additional testing. Herein we report a FNA case of ASPS with emphasis on cytomorphologic characteristics.

Stensen’s duct carcinoma (StDC) is an extremely rare neoplasm, with fewer than 40 cases reported in the literature. We report a unique case of primary StDC with papillary features and intestinal differentiation of a 74-year-old male. We discuss the radiologic and pathologic correlation along with the differential diagnosis of this rare entity.

Objectives We assess the diagnostic yield of repeat testing for C. difficile using molecular methods within 7 days of a negative test and identify specific factors associated with conversion from negative to positive test result within a 7-day period to aid in selective test utilization. Methods A retrospective chart review of 20,866 laboratory test orders for C. difficile PCR was conducted. The test result, clinicopathologic patient features, and previous test results were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analysis was conducted to compare patients with initial and repeat negative results (n = 248) to a group of patients with conversion from negative to positive results within 7 days. Results Univariate analysis demonstrated a history of C. difficile infection, receipt of antibiotics within 14 days, and duration of hospital stay as factors significantly different between patients with repeat negative and conversion to positive C. difficile test result. Only history of C. difficile infection was significantly different upon multivariate analysis. Conclusions Identification of prior C. difficile infection as the only factor significantly correlated with conversion from negative to positive C. difficile test result within 7 days aids in selective test utilization and reduces the costs associated with unnecessary laboratory testing.

Solar energy systems (SESs) are considered as one of the most important alternatives to conventional fossil fuels, due to its ability to convert solar energy directly into heat and electricity without any negative environmental impact such as greenhouse gas emissions. Utilizing nanofluid as a potential heat transfer fluid with superior thermophysical properties is an effective method to enhance the thermal performance of solar energy systems. The purpose of this review paper is the investigation of the recent advances in the nanofluids’ applications in solar energy systems, i.e., solar collectors (SCs), photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) systems, solar thermoelectric devices, solar water heaters, solar-geothermal combined cooling heating and power system (CCHP), evaporative cooling for greenhouses, and water desalination.

Combustion and emission characteristics of Egyptian sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks powders were investigated in a bubbling fluidized bed combustor (BFBC) using silica sand as an inert bed material. Mixing and fluidizing characteristics of the two biomass materials and bed material of a certain size distribution were studied. It was found that, the feed rate ranged from 70 to 113 g/min and feed rate of 51 g/min for cotton stalks and sugarcane bagasse, respectively may be suitable for better combustion characteristics in the BFBC. The effect of different operating parameters on the axial temperature and gas concentration profiles (O2, CO2, CO, H2S, SO2 and NOx) was investigated. It was found that the formation of NOX during combustion doesn’t represent a problem as the nitrogen content of fuel is low, the bed temperature of fluidized bed is below 900 °C, and the particle size of the biomass is small. It was found that combustion efficiency ranged from 90 to 100% and from 93 to 98.8% for sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks, respectively. Thermal efficiency was found to be in the range of (33.7–41%) and (32.5–48.7%) for sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks, respectively. A verification model for mass and heat balance of combustion experiments was constructed to confirm that the measured values of different parameters were measured accurately with acceptable percent of error.

Oxy-steam combustion behaviour of rice straw (RS) pellets was studied at high temperatures experimentally in a new plasma combustion system and numerically using an upgraded one-dimensional unsteady-state single particle combustion model with a new homogeneous devolatilization volatile combustion and heterogeneous char oxidation sub-models under different O2/H2O/CO2/N2 gas compositions. Experimental results showed that the temperature gradient profiles for both the surface and center decreased significantly when the steam was added to the gas mixture at 20 and 40%. At 30% H2O, the heat consumption of the gasification reaction decreased which resulted in a higher particle temperature and a higher char oxidation reaction rate. Combustion characteristics for heating, ignition, devolatization, and combustion stages were obtained and confirmed through the time of recorded pictures by high-speed camera. The obtained experimental results were validated through fitting the measured values of surface and center temperature-time profiles, ignition time, final pellet diameter, and time for the maximum amount of released volatiles, under different H2O and CO2 concentrations, with those predicted from the model solution. Also, the mass of the released volatiles and pellet diameter history were predicted from the model solution. Results of the model solution proved the reality and credibility of the measured and calculated experimental findings.

Introduction: Angiosarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract is a rare, aggressive malignant neoplasm of vascular origin. Commonly, this tumor occurs due to metastases from other sites like the head and neck region and the soft tissue. When occurring as a primary tumor of the intestines, this entity poses a diagnostic dilemma due to its non-specific clinical presentation, coupled to its infiltrative features that may occur without an obvious lesion amenable to routine gastrointestinal interventions. The findings from an autopsy and surgical case with a brief review of its diagnostic features and relevant literature are discussed.Methods: We present a 73-year-old male with a history of a recent onset of gastrointestinal bleeding who was referred to our facility for persisting bleeding. He underwent endoscopy without an identifiable source of bleeding and subsequently received a colectomy at our facility, with repeated blood transfusions for persisting gastrointestinal bleeding. He was eventually transitioned to hospice and died shortly after presentation. A complete autopsy was performed.Results: There was anasarca with hemoperitoneum and intestinal intraluminal blood. Present in the small intestinal mucosa were three hemorrhagic nodules. Histologically, the nodules demonstrated medium to large epithelioid vasoformative neoplastic cells infiltrating through the wall of the small intestine and extending to the omentum. The findings from the gross and histology examination, as well as the immunohistochemical stains were consistent with an epithelioid angiosarcoma.Conclusion: Primary epithelioid angiosarcoma of the intestine is an uncommon aggressive tumor that poses a diagnostic challenge. Although rare, this diagnosis needs to be considered in patients with intractable gastrointestinal bleeding. Due to its morphologic overlap with other benign and malignant neoplasms, the use of ancillary testing during histologic examination is key in arriving at an accurate diagnosis.

Hot plate self-ignition standard tests at constant temperature have been performed on a paddle rice husk of size 75 to 1500 μm and a sieved rice husk of sizes 75 : 106, 106 : 120, and 120 : 150 μm. Modified tests using insulated metal ring have been investigated and compared with the standard test. Gases emissions showed that CO is the main component, and its maximum percentage occurs at the maximum temperature and depends on the dust layer thickness. It was found that as the thickness of dust layer increases, the maximum temperature and its corresponding time increase. Ring with insulation showed lower maximum and ignition temperature and ignition time compared with that without insulation. The flue gases temperature and CO% and CO2% emissions were higher in case of insulated ring. Thermal and physical properties as density, thermal conductivity, heat transfer coefficient, and kinetic parameters as activation energy and frequency factor have been determined. The activation energy of the sieved husk (75 : 106, 106 : 120, 120 : 150 μm) and paddle husk was 174.76, 183.37, 189.1, and 206.1 kJ/mol, respectively. Also, (QA0) factors were 2.696 × 1014, 6.211 × 1016, 6.105 × 1019 and 3.0461 × 1016 (J/kg s), respectively. It has been noted that as the dust particle size increases, the (E) and (QA0) values increase. © 2017 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ObjectivesTo investigate concussion injury rates, the likelihood of sustaining concussion relative to the number of rugby union matches and the risk of subsequent injury following concussion.MethodsA four-season (2012/2013–2015/2016) prospective cohort study of injuries in professional level (club and international) rugby union. Incidence (injuries/1000 player-match-hours), severity (days lost per injury) and number of professional matches conferring a large risk of concussion were determined. The risk of injury following concussion was assessed using a survival model.ResultsConcussion incidence increased from 7.9 (95% CI 5.1 to 11.7) to 21.5 injuries/1000 player-match-hours (95% CI 16.4 to 27.6) over the four seasons for combined club and international rugby union. Concussion severity was unchanged over time (median: 9 days). Players were at a greater risk of sustaining a concussion than not after an exposure of 25 matches (95% CI 19 to 32). Injury risk (any injury) was 38% greater (HR 1.38; 95% CI 1.21 to 1.56) following concussion than after a non-concussive injury. Injuries to the head and neck (HR 1.34; 95% CI 1.06 to 1.70), upper limb (HR 1.59; 95% CI 1.19 to 2.12), pelvic region (HR 2.07; 95% CI 1.18 to 3.65) and the lower limb (HR 1.60; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.10) were more likely following concussion than after a non-concussive injury.ConclusionConcussion incidence increased, while severity remained unchanged, during the 4 years of this study. Playing more than 25 matches in the 2015/2016 season meant that sustaining concussion was more likely than not sustaining concussion. The 38% greater injury risk after concussive injury (compared with non-concussive injury) suggests return to play protocols warrant investigation.

A method to estimate thermal and kinetic parameters of sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks subject to thermal runaway is presented using the standard and modified ASTM E2021 hot surface ignition test apparatus. These parameters include thermal conductivity (k), activation energy (E), and coupled term (QA). Experimental tests are used to determine the minimum hot surface temperature for dust ignition, ignition temperature of the dust itself, and ignition times. Four different dust layer thicknesses: 6.4 mm, 12.7 mm, 19.1 mm, and 25.4 mm, are tested for each material and their E and (QA) values are calculated by a widely known multiple test method. The average value of estimated k is 0.08 W/m.K and 0.068 W/m.K for sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks, respectively. For sugarcane bagasse, the activation energy ranges from 178.7 kJ/mol to 181.3 kJ/mol and the corresponding value of (QA) is 3.5 × 106 for this range. For cotton stalks, the activation energy ranges from 147 kJ/mol to 149.8 kJ/mol and the ...

The effects of reaction temperature (range from 500 °C to 800 °C) on multiple competitive processes were studied for the co-production of hydrogen and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during catalytic reforming of toluene over Ni/α-Al2O3. With the temperature raising from 500 to 800 °C, H2 yield increased by 7 times while H2 proportion slightly decreased 5 vol% due to the competitive effect between steam reforming and reverse water–gas shift (WGS) reaction. Coke amounts (including amorphous carbon and CNTs) firstly increased and then decreased, which was determined by the competitive rate of formation and consumption reaction. Detailed characterization indicated the yield and quality of CNTs improved with the temperature increasing from 500 to 650 °C and reached the maximum at 650 °C, resulting from the enhancing transformation from amorphous to CNTs and consumption of amorphous carbon by steam. However, the growth of CNTs was suppressed by further increasing temperature, and almost no CNTs were generated at 800 °C. The higher temperature aggravated the sintering of Ni and enlarged their particle size, which was not conduced to CNTs growth.

Combustion behaviors of large size coal pellets were studied in a novel room temperature chamber type concentrating photothermal apparatus. 4 heating rates of 4.0 °C/s, 15.1 °C/s, 52.4 °C/s and 69.4 °C/s were realized by adjusting the voltage-up rates of the heating lamps. The temperature, image, gas emission, and mass loss were synchronously detected and the reliabilities of data were strictly verified. Coal pellets presented “heterogeneous” ignition mechanism at slow (4.0 °C/s) heating rate, “joint homo-heterogeneous” at moderate (15.1 °C/s) heating rate, and “homogeneous” at sub-fast (52.4 °C/s) and fast (69.4 °C/s) heating rates. High concentrations of CO and CH4 were evident at all heating rates. The increase of heating rate accelerated all gas generation rates and leaded to the gas yield reduction of CO but rising of CO2. Kinetics studies of the reactions around the maximum mass loss rate were carried out ultimately. 1-dimensional diffusion mechanism model (D1) showed best correlation coefficients with the reactions at slow, moderate and sub-fast heating rates and the apparent activation energies slightly decreased from 84.45 and 66.18 to 62.28 kJ/mol. The fitting curve of reactions at fast heating rate was two-stage-style and correlated best to the 3-dimensional diffusion mechanism model based on Jander equation (D3) with activation energies of 33.74 and 11.54 kJ/mol.

A TG/DTG and DTA measurements are used to determine the kinetics of the thermal decomposition of two Egyptian biomasses (sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks powders) at three heating rates of 10, 15 and 20 °C/min. Two distinct reaction zones were observed for the two biomasses. The direct Arrhenius plot method and integral method were applied to (TG/DTG) analysis for determination of kinetic parameters: activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and order of reaction. The weight loss curve showed that pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks took place mainly in the range of 200–500 °C. Also, the activation energy of a phase transition can be calculated directly from the DTA thermogram of each biomass material. Heating rates had little effect on the pyrolysis process, but the peak of the weight loss rate in the DTG curves shifted towards higher temperature with heating rate. The activation energy of the sugarcane bagasse powder obtained by the direct Arrhenius plot method are 48.25, 57.15 and 45.35 kJ/mol for the heat rate of 10, 15 and 20 °C/min, respectively. On the other side, the integral method shows larger values of the activation energy for sugarcane bagasse (82.5, 78.5 and 56.7 kJ/mol for the heat rate of 10, 15 and 20 °C/min, respectively). The activation energy of the cotton stalks powder obtained by the direct Arrhenius plot method are 100, 80 and 68 kJ/mol for the heat rate 10, 15 and 20 °C/min, respectively, but the integral method shows larger values of activation energy (100, 107 and 101 kJ/mol for the heat rate of 10, 15 and 20 °C/min, respectively). The calculated activation energy by DTA analysis was found to be 81.77 and 84.75 kJ/mol for sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks, respectively. These values are, to some extent, in agreement with the data obtained by direct and integral methods. The cotton stalks are more reactive than the sugarcane bagasse.

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of the two biomass materials (sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks powders) were evaluated using a differential thermo-gravimetric analyzer under a non-isothermal condition. Two distinct reaction zones were observed for the two biomasses. The direct Arrhenius plot method and the integral method were applied for determination of kinetic parameters: activation energy, pre-exponential factor, and order of reaction. The weight loss curve showed that pyrolysis of sugarcane bagasse and cotton stalks took place mainly in the range of 200–500 °C. The activation energy of the sugarcane bagasse powder obtained by the direct Arrhenius plot method ranged between 43 and 53.5 kJ/mol. On the other side, the integral method shows larger values of activation energy (77–87.7 kJ/mol). The activation energy of the cotton stalks powder obtained by the direct Arrhenius plot method was ranged between 98.5 and 100.2 kJ/mol, but the integral method shows larger values of activation energy (72.5–127.8 kJ/mol).

An investigation was made of relevant physical properties of two types of biomass: bagasse and cotton stalk powders. Three samples of each biomass were analyzed, and the average value of the mass retained in each sieve of the three samples was taken. Any study incorporating grain size analysis must include a clear statement of the measurement technique and the method used in the calculation of any statistics. It will be appropriate to employ more than one method, since comparison of results obtained in different ways may provide additional insight into the processes involved. In this work, the particle size distribution was calculated by three various methods. These methods are sieving analysis, statistical calculations and image analysis (i.e. microscopy). Sieving analysis has been done mechanically using a mechanical sieve shaker and a series of nested sieves. A computer program called GRADISTAT has been used for the rapid analysis of grain size statistics from the standard measuring sieving techniques. Statistical parameters of mean, median, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis are calculated arithmetically and geometrically (in metric units) and logarithmic (in phi units) using moment and Folk and Ward graphical methods.

Objective To assess the possibility of using cytological examination and DNA image-analysis of testicular fine-needle aspirates instead of open surgical biopsy in the investigation of infertile men, as testicular biopsy has long been used for investigating infertility but the interpretation of histological slides is usually subjective. Patients and methods Thirty-three men (aged 22–36 years) were evaluated for infertility and underwent both open biopsy and fine-needle aspiration of their testes. Subsequently, the needle aspirates were assessed histopathologically and cytologically, and by DNA image cytometry. The percentages of haploid, diploid and tetraploid cells were determined for each patient. Results The cases were divided into four categories: (1) Complete spermatogenesis, with a DNA pattern of 1n > 2n > 4n; (2) Maturation arrest, with a DNA pattern of 2n > 4n with no haploid cells; (3) Sertoli cell-only syndrome, with a DNA pattern of only 2n, with no haploid or tetraploid cells; (4) Hypospermatogenesis, with a variable DNA pattern, i.e. mild with 1n > 2n, moderate with 2n > 1n > 4n, and marked where the DNA pattern was 2n > 4n > 1n. From the cytological and DNA image-analysis of the aspirate a diagnosis was possible that had a strong correlation with the histological diagnosis of the same case. From image analysis we could exclude interstitial cells, Sertoli cells and sperms on the static image, and differentiate between spermatozoa and spermatids based on morphological characteristics in the cytological smear. This technique can therefore be used to quantitatively determine the percentages of various cell types within the seminiferous tubules. By coupling image ploidy analysis and cytological examination of a cytological smear, spermatogenesis can be assessed accurately. Conclusion Image cytometry could be used to exclude interstitial cells, Sertoli cells and sperms on the static image and so produce an accurate assessment of spermatogenesis. A combination of ploidy and cell morphology characteristics in cytological smears provides an accurate, reproducible and easily used alternative to open testicular biopsy.