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Four-walled or fourfold? Assessing if the gated community is an antidote to cities or a macrocosm of deprived houses
No full textThis cross-sectional study evaluates the effectiveness of established and emerging city typologies, comparing whether the gated city functions as a four-walled microcosm of the deprived concrete house or serves as an antidote to urban sprawl. The fourfold model is grounded in evidence-based theories on residential greenness and urban health, resulting in four variables: greenness, sky views, social enrichment, and personal boundaries. Against the backdrop of the Greater Cairo Region, where urban evolution unfolded over two decades, leading to the emergence of gated cities, adult participants completed surveys representing pre- and post-decades. This shift in the residential landscape towards independent and gated communities allows for an assessment of well-being across city/community types and house typologies, comparing the efficacy of gated cities in relation to macro and micro typologies with the four variables. The results reveal intriguing patterns and pitfalls of gated communities, contributing to the ongoing discourse on creating inclusive and fulfilling residential environments. The study underscores the importance of examining interactive experiences within the macro-scale environment and calls for future research to extend beyond the blueprint, engaging residents with the four variables through urban and architectural designs, rather than closing doors and expecting an experience that enhances their well-being
Optimizing growth and yield of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) in a biosaline integrated aquaculture–agriculture systems
No full textSoil salinity and freshwater scarcity are among the major global threats to sustainable development owing to their adverse impacts on agricultural productivity especially in arid and semi-arid regions. There is a need to find sustainable alternatives such as salt-tolerant crops and fish to improve people’s livelihoods in marginal areas. This study aimed to maximize the growth and yield of striped catfish (Pangasianodon hypophthalmus) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) cultivated under a biosaline integrated aquaculture–agriculture system. The study was laid in a randomized completely block design of three saline effluent treatments under three replicates: 5000 ppm (T1), 10,000 ppm (T2), 15,000 ppm (T3), and control (T0). Agro-morphological and physiological attributes of quinoa were measured. The crop yield in biomass and mineral element composition was also studied. Additionally, fish growth performance parameters such as feed intake and efficiency, growth, and survival rate were also calculated. Our results indicated that irrigating quinoa with saline aquaculture effluents above 10,000 ppm enhanced the plant growth, yield, and nutrient content of seeds. Furthermore, rearing striped catfish in saline water reaching up to 15,000 ppm did not have adverse impacts on the growth and survival of fish. Overall, integrating catfish and quinoa production under a salinity regime of 10,000 ppm could be a potential solution to ensuring alternative food sources in marginal areas
Numerical simulation of D-shaped Optical fiber water salinity sensor
No full textAs the salinity of the water changes, the refractive index of the medium changes, affecting the transmission of light through the fiber. Thus, monitoring these light changes allows for accurate measurement of water salinity in real time. This article examines the use of D-shaped optical fibers as a promising and effective method for measuring water salinity by simulating the transmission of light through D-shaped fiber to find the response to the change in water salinity
UV-VIs Spectrophotometry Study of Escherichia Coli Bacteria and Microfluidic Channel Chip Fabrication For Optical Biosensing Application
No full textOne of the most significant foodborne organisms that cause serious foodborne illnesses is Escherichia coli (E. coli). In this work, we demonstrated that the characterization of E. coli suspensions can be facilitated using conventional absorption spectroscopy in the ultraviolet and visible spectral ranges. With increasing concentrations of E. coli, a red shift in the UV-Vis spectra along with an obvious rise in intensity were observed. The results showed that the calculated cell count of E. coli was found in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth in the range of 4.08 × 108 to 1.41 × 109 CFU / mL. Besides, the optical density was theoretically calculated to be in the range of 1.22 to 3.18. An E. coli suspension in a minute volume needed to be employed, so a microfluidic channel chip was fabricated. To evaluate the suitability and validity of the microfluidic channel for the optical-based measurements, various solutions with different flow rates, including water, acetone, and ethanol, were pumped through the tubes and into the microfluidic channels
Design and simulation analysis of 130 KWp grid-connected solar PV system using PVsyst: A case study in Egypt
No full textThis paper presents a feasibility study using a PV system grid-connected photovoltaic design that satisfies a 130 KWp grid\u27s electrical needs for a local factory in Al Obour City, Egypt (Coordinates 30.19373, 31.44213). This system has been mounted on a fixed tilt mounting structure. The system comprises a photovoltaic array to capture solar energy. The modeling is accomplished by evaluating the required load and selecting and deciding the proper specifications of the components inherent in the system. Several constituents, such as the geographic area, atmospheric condition, solar irradiance, and load consumption, are analyzed and discussed for the whole work. The system produces 212.7 MWh each year. The cost of the system can be enhanced by variable system parameters such as net present one, initial capital one, energy cost, and operating expense. Further, the techno-economic analysis of the suggested system has been performed using PVsyst simulation software. The simulated results reveal that the proposed model meets the load demand, reducing the monthly bill by ~20 %. The PVsyst proves an easy, speedy, accurate, dependable, well-grounded software tool for the simulation of the solar PV system
Anti-inflammatory potential of aspergillus unguis SP51-EGY: TLR4-dependent effects & chemical diversity via Q-TOF LC-HRMS
No full textInflammation serves as an intricate defense mechanism for tissue repair. However, overactivation of TLR4-mediated inflammation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can lead to detrimental outcomes such as sepsis, acute lung injury, and chronic inflammation, often associated with cancer and autoimmune diseases. This study delves into the anti-inflammatory properties of “Aspergillus unguis isolate SP51-EGY” on LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Through real-time qPCR, we assessed the expression levels of pivotal inflammatory genes, including iNOS, COX-2, TNF-α, and IL-6. Remarkably, our fungal extracts significantly diminished NO production and showed noteworthy reductions in the mRNA expression levels of the aforementioned genes. Furthermore, while Nrf2 is typically associated with modulating inflammatory responses, our findings indicate that the anti-inflammatory effects of our extracts are not Nrf2-dependent. Moreover, the chemical diversity of the potent extract (B Sh F) was elucidated using Q-TOF LC-HRMS, identifying 54 compounds, some of which played vital roles in suppressing inflammation. Most notably, compounds like granisetron, fenofibrate, and umbelliprenin were found to downregulate TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 through the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, “Aspergillus unguis isolate SP51-EGY”, isolated from the Red Sea, Egypt, has been unveiled as a promising TLR4 inhibitor with significant anti-inflammatory potentials, presenting novel insights for their potential therapeutic use in inflammation
Unveiling the Potential of Cannabinoids in Multiple Sclerosis and the Dawn of Nano-Cannabinoid Medicine
No full textMultiple sclerosis is the predominant autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system in adolescents and adults. Specific treatments are categorized as disease-modifying, whereas others are symptomatic treatments to alleviate painful symptoms. Currently, no singular conventional therapy is universally effective for all patients across all stages of the illness. Nevertheless, cannabinoids exhibit significant promise in their capacity for neuroprotection, anti-inflammation, and immunosuppression. This review will examine the traditional treatment for multiple sclerosis, the increasing interest in using cannabis as a treatment method, its role in protecting the nervous system and regulating the immune system, commercially available therapeutic cannabinoids, and the emerging use of cannabis in nanomedicine. In conclusion, cannabinoids exhibit potential as a disease-modifying treatment rather than merely symptomatic relief. However, further research is necessary to unveil their role and establish the safety and advancements in nano-cannabinoid medicine, offering the potential for reduced toxicity and fewer adverse effects, thereby maximizing the benefits of cannabinoids
Carbon cloth core with a PEDOT decorated TiO2 shell for degradation of emerging organic contaminants and enhanced vanadium redox flow batteries
No full textIn this study, carbon cloth (CC) was enrobed with a TiO2 layer (CC@TiO2) and then decorated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT, CC@TiO2-PEDOT). The XRD, Raman, XPS, and EDS results confirmed the successful preparation of the targeted materials, and SEM images revealed the targeted morphology. According to the UV–vis and PL analysis, the CC@TiO2-PEDOT exhibits wide and strong photoabsorption across the UV–vis spectrum, and the photogenerated charge carriers have a long lifespan and low recombination rate. The photocatalytic assessment revealed that CC@TiO2-PEDOT was more efficient than CC@TiO2 and CC@PEDOT in degrading both benzotriazole and 2-hydroxybenzothiazole. However, 2-hydroxybenzothiazole was more stable than benzotriazole. The superoxide anion radicals, holes, and/or hydroxyl radicals of CC@TiO2-PEDOT played pivotal roles in the photocatalytic degradation of benzotriazole. After the photocatalytic process, the benzotriazole solution was safe to use. The CC@TiO2 and CC@TiO2-PEDOT exhibited a superior performance as a potential cathode for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) and effectively mitigated the parasitic influence of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). CC@TiO2 and CC@TiO2-PEDOT displayed significantly smaller peak separation of 94 and 62 mV, at a scan rate of 5 mV/s, respectively, and a higher suppression for HER compared to CC or CC@PEDOT. The performance of the CC@TiO2 and CC@TiO2-PEDOT electrodes manifests their high reversibility for the V(II)/V(III) redox reaction. This research underscores the multifaceted potential of CC@TiO2-PEDOT as a promising material for addressing water purification challenges and advancing VRFBs for sustainable energy applications
Effect of Waste-Based Geopolymers on Asphalt Binder Performance
No full textAsphalt cement is one of the most used road pavement materials due to its high road user satisfaction in terms of safety and comfortability. However, it possesses certain limitations such as its high carbon footprint and extensive maintenance costs over its lifetime, and hence, it negatively contributes to the environment and increases operational expenses. The aim of this work is to study the effect of incorporating waste-based geopolymers in asphalt binders on rheological properties based on multiple parameters including geopolymer composition, geopolymer percentage, and curing time. Two geopolymer mixes were prepared and comprised of combining raw materials fly ash (FA), metakaolin (MK), and silica fume (SF) with an alkali activator. The asphalt binder was modified with the geopolymer mixes by replacing the binder with 4, 8, and 12% geopolymer by weight of the binder. The modified binder was tested at different time intervals to investigate if the curing time of geopolymers inside the binder will improve the performance of the binder. Testing of the modified binder was conducted according to the Superpave testing procedures. The geopolymer-modified binder was examined under the dynamic shear rheometer, rotational viscometer, and bending beam rheometer machines. It is observed that the modification of the binder with geopolymers showed an increased performance with time. The FA as well as the MK-SF geopolymer-modified binders showed enhanced performance with respect to the virgin binder. Results showed that the binder sample modified with 12% FA geopolymer had a 31% improvement in high-temperature performance compared with the virgin binder and an 8.5% increase compared to the MK-SF geopolymer-modified binder. Both FA and MK-SF geopolymers had significant improvements in the low-performance grade with a 27% enhancement in performance compared to the virgin binder. Viscosity levels increased when modified with the geopolymer. This work provides an alternative to reduce asphalt binder in pavements which may consequently reduce carbon emissions and minimize landfill waste while enhancing the performance of the binder
Unraveling the gut microbiome’s contribution to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: mechanistic insights and therapeutic perspectives
No full textThe gut microbiome plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), influencing oncogenesis, immune responses, and treatment outcomes. Studies have identified microbial species like Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum, that promote PDAC progression through various mechanisms. Additionally, the gut microbiome affects immune cell activation and response to immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T therapy. Specific microbes and their metabolites play a significant role in the effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Alterations in the gut microbiome can either enhance or diminish responses to PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 blockade therapy. Additionally, bacterial metabolites like trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) impact antitumor immunity, offering potential targets to augment immunotherapy responses. Modulating the microbiome through fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics, dietary changes, and antibiotics shows promise in PDAC treatment, although outcomes are highly variable. Dietary modifications, particularly high-fiber diets and specific fat consumption, influence microbiome composition and impact cancer risk. Combining microbiome-based therapies with existing treatments holds potential for improving PDAC therapy outcomes, but further research is needed to optimize their effectiveness