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In this study, sodium lignosulfonate was extracted from a natural lignocellulose waste and its characterization and potential application as a corrosion inhibitor were investigated. FTIR results confirmed presence of sulfonic groups like ones in a commercial sample. The aqueous solubility of sodium lignosulfonate increased from 29.17 to 88.58 wt% when reaction time was increased from 1 to 4 h. Corrosion inhibition efficiency of 90.23% was obtained. The main factors of lignin concentration (10–25 g/L), temperature (80–140 °C), reaction time (1–4 h), sodium hydroxymethyl sulfonate/lignin mole ratio (0.3–1.2), and sodium hydroxide concentration (0.25–1 M) were investigated for their effect towards the aqueous solubility of sodium lignosulfonate. The Taguchi orthogonal array statistical design was used to investigate effects of factors, their interactions, and the optimum values within factor levels towards solubility as the response. The solubility of the sodium lignosulfonate was found to be more significantly influenced by reaction time > lignin concentration > sodium hydroxide > temperature > reactants/lignin ratio. The optimum condition for sulfomethylation reaction was found to be 4 h, 100 °C, 25 g/L, 0.9, and 0.5 M for reaction time, temperature, lignin concentration, reactant/lignin ratio, and NaOH concentration, respectively. The corrosion test revealed a reduction in corrosion rate from 2.6 to 1.2 mm/year when the concentration of the sodium lignosulfonate was increased from 0 to 8 ppm.

Whereas social dominance theory has historically been used to understand the dynamics of group-based hierarchy and oppression, it has seldom been used to understand the dynamics of social change toward greater equality. We review a growing body of research that takes seriously the psychology of individuals who are interested in group-based equality and hierarchy challenge– those lower(versus higher) in social dominance orientation(SDO). This emerging research documents that lower SDO individuals are more likely to support hierarchy-attenuating policies and collective action, and identifies underlying mechanisms (e.g. perceptions of injustice). Moreover, this research suggests that egalitarian ideology can help account for efforts to change the hierarchal status quo, even among high status group members who materially benefit from the extant hierarchy.

Human societies are organized into group-based hierarchies, with some groups enjoying the privileges of being on top and others struggling at the bottom. The position groups occupy in the hierarchy fundamentally shape their psychology, influencing their perception of and orientation toward the status quo and their perspectives and needs in conflict. Despite a growing body of interventions designed to reduce group-based conflict, the role of group power in shaping the effectiveness of these approaches remains underappreciated. We first review the psychological consequences of group power. We then highlight how overlooking this psychology can result in intervention efforts to reduce conflict that are either ineffective or successfully increase intergroup harmony but do so at the cost of entrenching inequality. We conclude with recommendations for incorporating insights from research on group power to develop approaches that help to achieve both greater intergroup harmony and equality.

Byline: C. Sinha, N. Haider, W. Zaw, S. Nour Authors report an 11-month-old female child, who presented with recurrent episodes of colicky abdominal pain and diarrhea. An abdominal ultrasound revealed [...]

Byline: C. Sinha, S. Nour, R. Fisher Pyloric duplication is the rarest duplication in gastrointestinal tract. Only seven cases have been reported so far in the English literature. In most [...]

The use of aluminum chloride (AlCl3) as in purification of water and the exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) in therapeutic treatments are believed to be relatively safe. However, their combined effects remain unclear. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of concomitant exposure to aluminum chloride and gamma radiation on the histological and ultra-structural pattern of the crypt Paneth cells (PC) of the small intestine in albino rats.

Effective management of full-thickness wounds faces significant challenges due to poor angiogenesis and impaired healing. Biomimetic tissue-engineered scaffolds with angiogenic properties can, however, enhance the regeneration capacity of the damaged skin. Here, we developed a hybrid double-layer nanofibrous scaffold, comprised of egg white (EW) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), loaded with niosomal Deferoxamine (NDFO) for enhanced angiogenesis and wound healing features. The hybrid scaffold showed enhanced mechanical properties with comparable modulus and shape-recovery behavior of the human skin. Thanks to the porous morphology and uniform distribution of NDFO within the nanofibers, in vitrodrug release studies indicated controlled and sustained release of DFO for up to 9 days. The constructs also promoted a significant increase in vascular sprouting area in vitroand enhanced vascular branches ex vivo. In vivo, implantation of the hybrid scaffold in full-thickness wounds in rats revealed early angiogenic response, a higher number of neo-formed vessels, a faster healing rate and complete epithelialization as early as day 10, compared to the control groups. Thus, the presented biomimetic hybrid scaffold with DFO control release features holds great promise in accelerated full-thickness wound healing and soft tissue regeneration.

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using applied potential tomography (APT), a noninvasive and nonradioactive method, to measure the rate of gastric emptying in preterm babies and infants <3 months old. APT, a form of electrical impedance tomography, creates tomographic images of tissue resistivity to a small electrical current and has been used to study gastric emptying in adults. The rate of gastric emptying of 53 preterm infants and 29 term infants was measured. The test feed was either milk (formula milk or expressed breast milk) or Dioralyte (a commercial rehydration solution). When a nasogastric tube was present, the results obtained by APT were validated by comparing the volume of feed estimated to be present with the volume that could be aspirated. All infants completed the investigation without any problems. APT demonstrated a slower rate of emptying of milk feeds than Dioralyte and showed that milk and Dioralyte feeds in preterm babies emptied at a similar rate to feeds in term infants. In validation studies, gastric emptying has been observed in 44 of 47 studies, and this finding was confirmed by aspiration of the nasogastric tube. Applied potential tomography is a safe, noninvasive method for measuring gastric emptying in small infants.

This article is an attempt to give a brief review on the status of groundwater studies in Egypt, their results, and the present plans for groundwater development that are usually based on the hydrogeological characteristics of the groundwater resources as well as on the environmental control of the discharge area.

Recurrent urinary tract infections and enuresis are common childhood complaints. In girls, a proportion are due to incomplete bladder emptying, predisposing to infection and a reduction in effective bladder capacity. Otis urethrotomy was used on a selected group of girls with this complaint, whethere idiopathic or neuropaathic in origin, with full resolution of symptoms. The procedure is a simple, effective, and safe method of treatment when conservative measures have failed.

A six-week-old infant was seen with bilateral inguinal herniae. It was noted that the position of the right testis within the scrotum varied with the degree of inguinal herniation. At exploration the appendix was found lying within the patent processus vaginalis with its tip firmly adherent to the upper pole of the right testis. Appendicectomy was performed through the same incision. This unusual finding should be considered by the clinician if presented with a child with easily reducible inguinal herniae and a fluctuating testicular position.