Search

Large space buildings, such as airport terminal buildings, consume high energy due to the cooling demand; especially in hot arid climates; to achieve passenger thermal comfort. Evaluation of thermal environment and energy analysis inside airports is an important issue, in terms of reducing energy and controlling indoor environments. This work aims to analyze electrical energy consumption and the indoor environment of the terminal building at Assiut International Airport, Egypt as a case study. Indoor environmental conditions, and energy consumption with HVAC systems, were monitored inside five multiple functional zones within the terminal building (Departure hall, Public area, Duty-free hall, Gate, and Arrival hall) during summer (August 2017). The indoor environmental parameters monitored include: temperature, relative humidity, and illuminance. The results indicate the HVAC system consumed the largest portion (70%) of the overall building electricity demand, and the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of ATZ terminal building is 300 kWh/m2/year. Also, indoor temperatures were found to be within the acceptable range of comfort, with a high energy consumption of 6,000,000 kWh for the year 2017. A significant reduction of monthly energy consumption was achieved based on increasing HVAC set temperature from 25 °C to 27 °C; a reduction equal to 24.5% of total energy consumption during the hot months. The results of this study help search for sustainable solutions for reducing energy consumption and improving passenger thermal comfort inside the terminal building (phase 2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the Quaternary aquifer behavior in Assuit governorate under different management discharge/recharge scenarios. The four discharge scenarios represent 1.25, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 of the current abstraction rate. The two proposed discharge scenarios represent 0.5 and 1.0 m reduction in surface water levels in the Nile River and main canals in the study area. The sensitivity analysis was performed, identifying hydraulic conductivity as the most sensitive parameter. The model was calibrated with 28 observation wells with a good agreement with measured data. The reductions in groundwater heads are 0.17, 0.35, 0.72, 1.11 m for the four discharge scenarios, respectively, while 0.22 and 0.46 m obtained as a reduction in groundwater heads for the two proposed discharge scenarios, respectively. The recharge from the Nile and canals was reduced by 58.078, 114,800 m3/day, respectively. Sustainable management plan is recommended for long-term analysis of the Quaternary aquifer in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Interaction between multiple myeloma (MM) cells and proximal monocytes is expected during plasma cell proliferation. However, the role of monocyte subsets in the disease progression is unknown. Objective: This study evaluated circulating monocyte populations in MM patients and their correlation with disease severity. Methods: Peripheral monocytes from 20 patients with MM attending Assiut University Hospital in Assiut, Egypt, between October 2018 and August 2019 were processed using a flow cytometry procedure and stratified using the intensity of expression of CD14 and CD16 into classical (CD16−CD14++), intermediate (CD16+CD14++), and non-classical (CD16++CD14+) subsets. The data were compared with data from 20 healthy control participants with comparable age and sex. Results: In patients with MM, the percentage of classical monocytes was significantly lower (mean ± standard error: 77.24 ± 0.66 vs 83.75 ± 0.5), while those of non-classical (12.44 ± 0.5 vs 8.9 ± 0.34) and intermediate (10.3 ± 0.24 vs 7.4 ± 0.29) monocytes were significantly higher when compared with those of controls (all p < 0.0001). Proportions of non-classical and intermediate monocytes correlated positively with serum levels of plasma cells, M-protein, calcium, creatinine and lactate dehydrogenase, and correlated negatively with the serum albumin level. Proportions of classical monocytes correlated positively with albumin level and negatively correlated with serum levels of M-protein, plasma cells, calcium, creatinine, and lactate dehydrogenase. Conclusion: Circulating monocyte subpopulations are skewed towards non-classical and intermediate monocytes in MM patients, and the intensity of this skewness increases with disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To detect Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhimurium), one of the most frequently isolated serovars from food borne outbreaks throughout the world, in retail raw chicken meat and giblets. Methods: One hundred samples of retail raw chicken meat and giblets (Liver, heart and gizzard) which were collected from Assiut city markets for detection of the organism and by using Duplex PCR amplification of DNA using rfbJ and fliC genes. Results: S. typhimurium was detected at rate of 44%, 40% and 48% in chicken meat, liver and heart, respectively, but not detected in gizzard. Conclusions: The results showed high incidence of S. typhimurium in the examined samples and greater emphasis should be applied on prevention and control of contamination during processing for reducing food-borne risks to consumers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Despite transportation is a key necessity for humans, it was argued a significant contributor to environmental degradation. Responding to that, drafts of sustainable transportation (ST) were sketched, guiding principles were argued, and rating systems were pursued. However, the selection of the appropriate method to implement ST is a challengeable task; not only due to the diversity and multidimensionality of local contexts, but also due to the numerous attributes of ST and their varying relative weights. This paper aims at defining an integrated profile of ST. Firstly, the motive behind tackling the issue was introduced and the methodology was worked out. Definitions, guiding principles, indicators, and rating systems were reviewed. After that, taxonomy of ST indicators was carried out, the interrelationship of key-attributes was investigated, and strategic directions to ST were proposed, to be applied over a selected case study. At last, a discussion took place highlighting the opportunities and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Suicide is an important problem, ranking among the top 10 causes of death for individuals in all ages in developed countries. The present study is a retrospective study evaluating suicide cases in Assiut, one of the largest province in Egypt from 2005 to 2009. There were 117 cases of which involved 68 male victims (58.11%) and involved 49 females (48.11%). Suicide rates ranged from (0.6 to 0.8 per 100,000). Age predominance was 20–⩽30years. The method of suicide was different between male and female victims, as male victims tried to use more violent methods than females. Conclusion: the present study showed that suicide rates have increased since 1987, indicating a grave problem that needs to be solved. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Egypt has been facing substantial unplanned human settlement growth on agricultural land since the 1950s. Although plans to better manage future settlement growth are ongoing, a full understanding of unplanned settlement growth on agricultural land remains lacking. This study investigated why and how unplanned human settlement growth occurs in Assiut Governorate, the Nile Valley. A mixed-method approach combining the institutional resource regime framework, template analysis, and process tracing was used to gain insights into those mechanisms that generate unplanned growth. Analyzing the institutional land regime between 1805 and 2020 revealed that various public policies have existed alongside of land use and property rights, but the overall regime remains incoherent. In-depth interviews with stakeholders in Assiut Governorate highlighted that the informality in Assiut was driven by institutional and political, cultural, and economic forces (a total of 26 forces). Process tracing showed that the key mechanism behind unplanned settlement growth has existed since the 1950s and is triggered by a combination of incoherent public policy, land use and property rights. These results suggest that the current national development plan (2052 Vision) will most probably lead to similar setbacks if the land regime's complexity and incoherence are not addressed. They also revealed that several informal institutions and local values and customs could also be significant obstacles to effective regulation of the development of agricultural land in the Nile Valley and Delta Region. • The institutional land regime in the Nile Valley, Egypt, is internally and externally incoherent. • 26 forces drove unplanned human settlement growth in the Nile Valley. • Institutional land regime accompanied by informal institutions facilitate unplanned settlement growth on agricultural land. • Drawbacks of the land regime and the existing informal institutions have to be addressed to achieve sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]