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The main aim of this research is to study the comparison between the aeroponic and substrate systems for potato production to reduce production costs and increasing the potato yield. To achieve that study, the effect of different soilless systems (aeroponic and substrate) on plant length, root length, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf area, leaf length and potato yield. The obtained results refer to the highest value of plant height was 114.33 cm for aeroponic system and the highest value of number of leaves was 15.50 at aeroponic system. The highest values of stem diameter, number of internode and number of branches were found T2 system. The highest value of leaf area and leaf length (491.26 cm2 and 32.57 cm) was found with aeroponic system (T2). The highest value of total fresh yield 2039.12 g plant-1 was observed with aeroponic system (T2), while the lowest value of total fresh yield (658.37 g plant-1) was found with substrate system (T3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this research is to study the effect of different soilless systems (aeroponic and substrate) on nutrients and water apply rate of potato plant to achieve that study, the effect of different soilless systems (aeroponic and substrate) on nutrients and water apply rate during experimental period. Also fresh and dry weight of shoot, roots and tubers were studied at the end of experimental period. The obtained results indicate that the total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium apply rates were 42.24, 43.53 and 39.24, 18.34, 19.88 and 10.18, 31.69, 32.99 and 33.98, 27.63, 29.35 and 29.35, 24.1, 25.53 and 7.35 mg plant-1 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The water apply were 74.49, 79.48 and 61.90 L plant-1 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. The fresh and dry weight of shoot and roots were increased in aeroponic system better than those of substrate system. The fresh and dry weights of tubers were 294.46, 44.56, 255.15, 42.15 and 227.3, 40.3 g plant-1 for T1, T2 and T3 respectively. The average water use efficiency were 22.95, 25.65 and 10.63 Kg m-3 for T1, T2and T3, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the hydrodynamic flushing modeling of the new extension marina at Al-Wakrah Port, Qatar. The planning of the extension must be carefully designed to guarantee the adequate circulation of clean water. So, water flushing problem concerns must be assessed. A 2D numerical model was utilized to simulate water circulation in the port under the natural forces of tide and wind. The model should assure that the extension plan of the port would not result in the development of stagnant water areas, besides ensuring efficient water exchange throughout the entire water system. Based on a flexible mesh model of the study area, the hydrodynamic and advection/dispersion modules of MIKE 21 have both been used to the investigation. The constructed model was applicable for the analysis of free-surface flows, hydrodynamic forces, and dispersion in the proposed marina layout. The hydrodynamic module used tidal and wind data to generate tidal currents in the marina basin. The results were used as input to run the advection/dispersion module that simulated the spread and movement of conservative tracer material. After 30 hours, the tracer concentration approaches 10% of its initial concentration. This indicates excellent flushing due to the higher exchange with the Arabian Gulf.

Oil and gas platforms are exposed to ship accidents, which is an unavoidable event. Ships have been developed recently, where it becomes larger and more equipped. Design standards established guidelines that take into consideration collision energy into design calculations. Researchers have been calling for an update since 2004, as these criteria have remained unchanged for a long time. In 2019, the Det Norske Veritas (DNV) standard revised the standard vessel mass to be 6500–10,000 tons displacement, and the updates are continuing to the other relevant standards. Another standard calculated the collision energy using a standard vessel with a displacement of 5,000 tons moving with speed 2 m/s. This paper investigates and analyzes a jack-up platform that is impacted by a standard vessel using the ductility design principle. The collision is numerically modeled using ABAQUS software. Three different scenarios are considered. The results of displacement, impact force, and energy have been assessed and explained to each member. The members suffered considerable damage after being impacted by a vessel of 5,000 tons. This study can help in the development of standards for offshore structures that consider higher collision energies.

Abstract Background Accurate rectal tumor staging guides the choice of treatment options. EUS and MRI are the main modalities for staging. Aim of the work To compare the performance of EUS and MRI for loco-regional staging of anorectal cancer after neo-adjuvant therapy. Methods Seventy-three (37 male, 36 female) patients with rectal cancer after neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. Histopathological staging after surgery were used as reference for comparing the yield of loco-regional staging for EUS and MRI. EUS and MRI were done 1 month after completion of neo-adjuvant therapy. Results Regarding post-surgical T staging, eight patients had early tumor (T2 = 16 and T1 = 9) and thirty six were locally advanced (T3 = 36), while N staging, forty patients with negative nodes and 33 were positive (N1 = 22 and N2 = 11). Comparing EUS to MRI, it showed a higher sensitivity (95.7% vs. 78.7%), specificity (84.6% vs. 68.0%) and accuracy (91.8% vs. 75.3%) for staging early and locally advanced tumor. Also, it had a higher sensitivity (78.8% vs. 69.7%), specificity (75.0% vs. 65.0%) and accuracy (76.7% vs. 67.1%) for detection of lymph nodes. Conclusion EUS appears to be more accurate than MRI in loco-regional staging of rectal carcinoma after neo-adjuvant therapy.

This investigation was carried out in the experimental farm and the grain quality laboratory of the Rice Research and Training Center, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt to determine the grain quality characteristics as well as the nutritional value after milling of three Egyptian rice genotypes (Oryza sativa) under foliar treatment with different stimulating compounds. A tow-year field experiment was laid out in split-plot design with four replications in the 2017 and 2018 rice growing seasons. Rice genotypes were allocated in the main plot and stimulating compounds in the subplot. After harvesting, 150-gram from each plot was taken to study the following characteristics: hulling, milling, head rice, gelatinous temperature, kernel elongation, amylose content, protein content, carbohydrate content, lipids content, ash, phosphorus, potassium and energy composition. There were significant differences for most of the studied characteristics caused by genotype, stimulating compound and the interaction between the two factors. The results revealed that the grain quality characteristics and the nutritional value of Egyptian rice genotypes can be enhanced by the application of some stimulating compounds such as amino acids and NPK compound fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The target of this study is the synthesis of a new diester derivative and radiolabeling with one of the most effective diagnostic radioisotopes to be investigated as a novel targeting radiotracer for tumor imaging. 10‐[2‐(9‐Carboxynonanoyloxy)propoxy]‐10‐oxodecanoic acid was synthesized in excellent yield and characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, mass, 1H‐NMR, and 13C‐NMR spectra. The diester was technetium‐99m (99mTc) radiolabeled by direct technique using sodium dithionite as a reducing agent. The labeling parameters such as diester amount, reducing agent amount, pH of the medium, and reaction time were optimized. High radiochemical yield of 95.10 ± 0.41% and in vitro stability in serum up to 12 h have been obtained on complexation of the synthesized diester with Tc‐99m. Evaluation of the diester anticancer activity against breast cancer cell line (MCF‐7) showed high percent of inhibition about 61.5% at 100 μg/ml. The rhenium complex of the diester was synthesized and characterized by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (ESI) and elemental analysis depending on the strong chemical resemblance between Tc and Re. Biodistribution studies of 99mTc‐diester complex showed high target to nontarget ratio (T/NT) equals 6.24 ± 0.09 in tumor‐bearing mice at 30‐min postinjection, suggesting this complex could be used as hopeful solid tumor‐imaging agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided pancreatic cysto-gastrostomy/duodenostomy is the current accepted practice for management of symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts with insertion of two or more double-pigtail (DP) stents. There is no much work on the efficacy of using a single wide-caliber DP stent, aiming to decrease the time, complications, and accessories used in the procedure. Aim of the Work: The aim of this study was to assess technical and clinical outcomes of using a single wide-caliber DP stent in EUSguided pancreatic pseudocyst drainage. Methodology: This multicenter prospective study included 57 patients, from which the 35 patients with symptomatic pancreatic pseudocysts enrolled. Patients with cysts with multiple septations (7 cases) or cyst with >30% necrosis (8 cases) of the cyst content and patients with generalized ascites (4 cases) or patients with major comorbidities (3 cases) were excluded. Patients were followed up within 1 month and 6 months after stent placement to assess complete resolution or a decrease in the sizes of cysts with clinical symptomatic improvement. Results: From 57 patients, 35 patients (19 females/16 males, median age 40 years) with a symptomatic pancreatic pseudocyst were referred for EUS-guided drainage. All used stents were 10 Fr DP plastic stents. The median duration of the whole procedure was 16 min. Technical success was achieved in all cases. Clinical success was encountered in 32 patients (91.4%) without re-accumulation on follow-up. Minor adverse events were encountered in 3 patients (8.6%) including post-procedure abdominal pain (1 case) and fever (2 cases). Conclusion: We suggest that using a wide-caliber single-pigtail stent for EUS-guided cystogastrostomy is safe and effective with short procedure time, with reduced risks from the insertion of another stent(s).

Abstract Background The unbalanced gut microbiota, poorly ingested enriched fiber foods, leaky gut is connected to the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The leaky gut translocates uremic toxins to the systemic circulation, promote systemic inflammation, worsen CKD. Decreasing the uremic toxins influx from the gut may decrease the progression of CKD. So, we aimed to evaluate the effect of probiotic and symbiotic supplementation on the leaky gut and their role to prevent CKD progression. Methods 48 white albino rats were randomly allocated into 6 groups: sham group; CKD rats; probiotic treated and symbiotic treated rats. Treatment started either immediately or 2 weeks after the operation for each treated group. Blood pressure, body weight changes, serum level of urea, creatinine, indoxyl sulphate and CRP were determined. Histological studies of kidney remnants and intestine and renal fibrosis index were calculated. SPSS program was used for statistics. Results Serum urea, creatinine, indoxyl sulphate, CRP, fibrosis index and blood pressure significantly increased in CKD rats. Probiotic treatment decreased serum level of urea, creatinine and CRP and fibrosis index. Symbiotic treatment decreased the serum level of urea, creatinine, indoxyl sulphate and CRP compared to CKD rats. Blood pressure and fibrosis index were decreased significantly upon symbiotic treatment. Conclusions A strong correlation between the gut microbial ecosystem and CKD has been proved. The use of probiotics and symbiotic to modulate an unhealthy gut microbiome is a promising intervention to delay CKD progression specially in early stages. Symbiotic results were better than probiotic alone.

This paper studies numerically a tied-back sheet pile quay wall failure in Egypt, which started to collapse after the completion of the superstructure. The quay wall comprises a 20 m length sheet pile wall tied back to a 6 m length sheet pile wall. The failure of the tied-back sheet pile wall occurred in the tie rods, resulting in about 15 cm displacement. The explanation of failure required underwater dive inspection to investigate the cause. Investigations have revealed the absence of waler beams installation at the level of tie rods which led to their loss. And thus, the failure was attributed to the design errors and the tie rod bolts' poor material quality. This research aims to provide common rehabilitation strategies that are little disruptive. An inverted U-slab approach has been suggested to restrict the sheet pile wall's lateral displacement. The U-slab approach consists of a 40 cm thick slab connected to a beam from the seaside and a deadman from the landside which provides a tie-back mechanism and strengthens the defective sheet pile wall. The study also investigates the behavior of the sheet pile wall before and after the tie-rods numerically by PLAXIS 2D. Based on the analysis, the U-slab technique results in 2 cm lateral displacement of the defective sheet pile wall in the operational phase. This means that the technique controls the lateral movement of the displaced sheet pile wall. Eventually, the approach satisfies the factor of safety and increases the friction between the slab and soil.

Abstract Background and study aims Unexplained biliary dilatation (UBD) frequently represents a diagnostic dilemma. Linear endosonography (EUS), with its close proximity to the pancreaticobiliary system and the ability for tissue acquisition, could have a role in revealing etiologies of UBD particularly in the context of negative other non-invasive modalities. However, in such patients, the decision for this semi-invasive procedure is usually debatable and often needs justification. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of linear EUS in patients with UBD after negative magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and to delineate predictors for EUS ability to detect neoplastic lesions. Patients and methods This was a prospective diagnostic observational study between 2018 and 2021. Included patients with evidence of biliary dilatation on abdominal ultrasound and negative MRCP underwent linear EUS examination. Results were compared to the final diagnosis relied on histopathology after EUS-guided biopsy or surgery for neoplastic lesions, while ERCP, diagnostic EUS criteria plus histopathology for autoimmune pancreatitis, Rosemont criteria for chronic pancreatitis, and/or follow-up for 6 months were the gold standard tests for non-neoplastic etiologies. Logistic regression was conducted to reveal predictors of neoplasm detection by EUS. Results Sixty-one patients (mean age 60 years, 32 females) were enrolled; 13.1% of them were asymptomatic. The final diagnosis was categorized into 29 patients with and 32 without neoplasms. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, negative predictive values (PPV, NPV), and accuracy of EUS-positive findings were 98.3%, 100%, 100%, 66.7%, and 98.3%, respectively. Corresponding results for neoplasm identification were 100%, 93.8%, 93.5%, 100%, and 96.7%, respectively. The most common neoplastic etiologies were small pancreatic and ampullary masses. Common bile duct (CBD) diameter > 12.9mm and CA19-9 > 37.1 u/ML were independent predictors for pancreaticobiliary neoplasm at multivariate regression analysis. Conclusion Linear EUS appears to have a high accuracy in detecting etiologies of UBD, with higher sensitivity for small pancreatic, ampullary lesions, and CBD stones. CBD diameter > 12.9 mm and elevated CA19-9 > 37.1 u/ML should raise a concern about the presence of occult pancreaticobiliary neoplasm, and then, EUS may be warranted even in asymptomatic patients.

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality among thalassemic patients. Direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are highly effective and well-tolerated by chronic HCV patients. Results The mean age of our patients was 29 years. Sustained virologic response (SVR) at 12 and 24 weeks was achieved in all patients (100%). The most common side effects were fatigue (18%), anemia (13.63%), and headache (4.5%). There was no statistically significant difference in the hemoglobin level before and after treatment (p = 0.48). There was a significant improvement in serum bilirubin and mean ALT levels after treatment compared to baseline data (p

The desert plant, Lotus corniculatus (Fabaceae), inhabits the Saudi Arabian Sahara Desert. In these areas the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera, Acrididae), feeds on L. corniculatus containing the plant allelochemical linamarin; a cyanogenic glucoside that is usually toxic to polyphagous insects. Under laboratory conditions this plant was fed to S. gregaria. Haemolymph proteins and allelochemicals detoxification in S. gregaria, fed on L. corniculatus were assessed. Female 5th instar nymphs were reared on L. corniculatus or on wheat seedlings, Triticum aestivum, as control. In insects, glutathione-S-transferase is one of the most important detoxifying enzymes. The activity of glutathione-S-transferase (in units /gram) in the mid-gut tissues of 5th instar nymph females fed on L. corniculatus was significantly higher than in those fed on T. aestivum. The quantity of haemolymph proteins (in mg 100µl1) in adult locust females resulting from nymphs fed on L. corniculatus was significantly less than it was in females fed on T. aestivum. Decreasing protein synthesis in the adult females of S. gregaria might be related to detoxifying toxic compounds in L. corniculatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research describes how integration of engineering and environmental aspects into the planning with extensive use of numerical hydrodynamics models by using MIKE 21 software. A parametric study for different parameters which affect the residence time hence the water quality in lagoons, marinas, harbors and coastal basins was carried out to establish guidelines to improvement methods for water flushing of marinas and lagoons. Finite element conceptual computer models are applied to simulate and investigate the most important factors dominate the resident time and water exchange rate like tidal inlets characteristics (number-location-width), the shape of water body, basin dimensions and tidal variations. The boundary condition, water level variations used in simulations are collected based on the conditions of fishery ports and lagoons along Egyptian coastal line in Mediterranean and red sea. This study conducted a wide range of numerical simulation (more than 50 HD models) with different geometry and boundary conditions. The results showed that the square shape of water surface area is more efficient for small water body areas. While, as the area required increased, the rectangular water surface efficiency become closer. The inlet width and its location should be determined wisely to achieve the optimization for the usage of project. Finally, the results showed that as the level variations values increased, the maximum flood current velocities at the entrance increased. In addition, the flow spreading quality increased with higher water level values over the all water surface area regardless the water depth.

The use of geotextile tubes as retaining systems, geotechnical application, and coastal protection in temporary and permanent structures is gaining lots of concern throughout the recent decades. In the present study, computer software, ABAQUS, was used to investigate the stability of geotubes as soil retaining structure for marine causeway. Nine scenarios comprised of two geotubes lining the side of a 1:1 slope causeway were modeled to explore their effect on the causeway displacement under surcharge loads. The stability of the system was investigated through using different deformed shapes of geotubes. These deformed shapes were obtained by using different pumping pressures (0.0, 5.0, and 20.0 kPa). Moreover, the effect of tidal range was studied by defining different water depths (0.5, 1.5 and 2.5 m measured from the causeway toe). The results showed that the use of geoextile tubes subjected to pumping pressure of 0.0 and 5.0 kPa improves the deformation behavior of the causeway with water depths of 0.5 and 1.5 m. While, the deformation was aggravated with water depth of 2.5 m when using geotextile tubes subjected to pumping pressures of 0.0 , 5.0 , and 20.0 kPa. On the other hand, the model ceased when applying pumping pressure of 20.0 kPa with water depths of 0.50 and 1.50 m due to the failure of the upper tube. Therefore, it is recommended to use the geotextile tubes subjected to pumping pressure of 0.0 and 5.0 kPa in case of lower water depths only.

The study quantified the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3) as a pre-flowering treatment for male parent Giza 178 R and the influence of male to female ratio (2R:10A, 2R:12A, 2R:14A and 2R:16A) between male (R) to female (A) for two Cytoplasmic Male Sterility (CMS) lines (‘IR69625’ and ‘G46’) on hybrid rice seed production. The main plots were occupied by CMS lines while; GA3 application for male parent Giza 178R were arranged in the sub plots and male to female ratio was arranged in the sub-sub plots. The results indicated that, the, duration of floret opening, angle of floret opening, filaments exsertion, filaments length, anther length, plant height and number of tiller hill-1 of male parent Giza 178R were significantly at 300 g GA3 ha-1 concentration. Plant height, panicle exsertion, panicle length, flag leaf angle and 1000-grain mass of CMS were not significantly affected by the GA3 application for male parent and male to female ratio, while, number of fertile panicles hill-1, panicle mass, seed set, seed yield and harvest index of CMS lines were highly significantly affected. The highest seed yield (2.880 and 2.950 t ha-1) was obtained by CMS line IR69625A using 300 g GA3 ha-1 of male parent Giza 178R with male to female ratio of 2R:14A during both seasons.

Background Transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), a locoregional therapy, is widely recommended as first-line treatment for intermediate-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several prognostic indices have been used to predict overall survival in HCC patients undergoing the procedure. Patients and methods A total of 73 patients with HCC, candidate for TACE attending to HCC clinic, Specialized Medical Hospital, Mansoura University, were subjected to full history taking, physical examination, laboratory profile and testing for interleukin (IL)-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α polymorphisms. Aggressiveness index is calculated for all patients and followed-up for 4 weeks after TACE to asses response. According to IL-10 and TNF-α polymorphisms results, patients were divided into groups and compared. Results The aggressiveness index is significantly higher in the TT/AT haplotype of IL-10 and GG haplotype of TNF-α in comparison with the other haplotypes. The TT/AT haplotype of IL-10 and GG haplotype of TNF-α are significantly associated with less favorable outcome after TACE, wherein 64.3 and 56.25% of patients showed residual active tumor tissue, respectively. Conclusion The TT/AT haplotype of IL-10 and GG haplotype of TNF-α are associated with more aggressive pattern of HCC and less favorable outcome after TACE; hence, these patients must be treated as early as possible.

Background The stage of liver fibrosis is the most important predictive factor for initiation and duration of antiviral treatment, where patients with early fibrosis stages respond to treatment better with a higher sustained virologic response rate. Several noninvasive tests to stage the degree of fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been used. No single test is known to have high accuracy and the results of each test must be carefully interpreted. The objective of the study is to evaluate the value of serum fibronectin (FN) as a noninvasive predictor for the assessment of HCV-induced liver fibrosis. Patients and methods A total of 100 patients with chronic HCV infection proved by HCV antibodies and HCV RNA preparing for antiviral treatment were exposed to full history, physical examination, and laboratory assessment. Serum FN level and fibroscan were done for all patients. According to the results of fibroscan, the patients were divided into four groups of liver fibrosis and compared. Results All patients were proved to have HCV viremia with average PCR of 1990.52±3144.29 copies/ml. A statistically significant difference was found as regards FN, fibroscan, and APRI score between patients with fibrosis in comparison to patients without fibrosis. According to fibroscan results, 20 patients were found with fibrosis stage 0, 24 patients with stage 1, 24 patients with stage 2, eight patients with stage 3, and 24 patients with stage 4 (cirrhosis). On comparison of different stages of fibrosis as regards FN level, we found no statistically significant difference between stages. FN have a sensitivity of 67.5% and a specificity of 47.4% with 84.4% positive predictive value. Conclusion FN is a good noninvasive marker for the assessment of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic HCV. Larger scale multicenter studies are needed to assess its validity in the detection of fibrosis caused by causes other than HCV.