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Objective: To determine the feasibility and efficacy of transdermal hypogastric nerve stimulation by interferential current stimulation (IFCs) in the treatment of OABs in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). Material and Methods: Forty male RRMS patients with moderate overactive bladder symptoms were randomly assigned into two equal groups; the control group (G1) was treated with selected therapeutic exercises for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, and the intervention group (G2) received the same regimen plus hypogastric nerve stimulation at T10-L2 by interferential current (IFC). In both groups, the duration of each session ranged from 40-45 minutes, three days weekly for a month. Pre and post treatment evaluation was done by Overactive bladder symptom score (OABSS) included (daytime frequency, nocturia, urgency, and urgency incontinence) and Urodynamics tests included (bladder capacity, maximum flow rate, bladder compliance, detrusor instability) and post voiding residual urine measurement by abdominal ultrasound. The effect of treatment on bladder capacity, maximum flow rate, post void residual, bladder compliance and OVBSS was investigated using a mixed MANOVA. The Mann Whitney test was used to evaluate the detrusor instability between groups, and the Wilcoxon signed ranks test was used to compare pre and post treatment in each group. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05 for all statistical tests. Results: Showed that a significant increase in bladder capacity, bladder compliance, percentage of detrusor stability and maximal flow rate and a significant decrease in post void residual post treatment in comparison with pretreatment (p < 0.05) in both groups. There was a significant decrease in the daytime and nighttime frequency and urgency post treatment compared with that pretreatment in both groups (p > 0.001) while a significant decrease of urgency incontinence in the study group only post treatment compared with that pretreatment (p > 0.001). Post treatment, there was a significant difference of the intervention group (G2) compared with that of the control group (G1) for all tested variables (P< 0.05) except for the daytime frequency and percentage of detrusor stability (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Transdermal hypogastric nerve stimulation using IFC could be considered a feasible treatment option for neurogenic OABs in multiple sclerosis patients.

The study presented an extremely rare case of real complete bilateral duplication of inferior vena cava (IVC) in a male cadaver which has never been reported before. Both IVC had approximately the same diameter. The right IVC drained into the right atrium; the left IVC continued as hemiazygos vein and drained into the superior vena cava. Three anastomotic venous channels, a cranial preaortic, a middle and a caudal retroaortic, joined both vessels. Multiple variations in the way of drainage of posterior intercostal veins, on both sides, were also present. The present report invalidates an old classification defining the two vessels when joined at the level of the renal veins as complete bilateral duplication of IVC. Although the presence of combination of venous variations is extremely rare, awareness of such variations is essential for clinical and surgical procedures to avoid misdiagnosis and surgical complications.

The most critical issue that was the main research interest is its groundwater quality which is vital for public health concerns. Groundwater is a significant worldwide water supply for diverse communities, especially in dryland regions. Groundwater quality assessment in desert systems is largely hindered by the lack of hydrological data and the remote location of desert Oases. This study provides a preliminary understanding of the influences of climate, land usage, and population growth on the groundwater quality in El-Farafra Oasis in the Western Desert in Egypt from 2000 to now. Therefore, the study’s main objective was to determine the extent of change in temporal water quality and the factors causing it. The present study integrates chemical analyses and geospatial modeling better to assess groundwater quality in the study area. A chemical analysis of thirty-one groundwater samples from wells representing each study area was carried out during three time periods (2000, 2010, and 2022). Several chemical properties of groundwater samples gathered from wells in the research area were analyzed. Furthermore, the groundwater quality trend from 2000 to the present was identified using three approaches: Wilcox and Schoeller Diagram in Aq.QA software, interpolation in the ArcGIS software, and Ground Water Quality Index (GWQI). Moreover, the influence of changing land usage on groundwater quality was studied, and it was found that the increase in agriculture and urbanization areas is linked to groundwater quality degradation. The findings revealed that the barren area in 2000, 2010, and 2022 was 371.7, 362.0, and 343.2 km2, respectively, which indicates a substantial decrease of 6.2% within this research timeframe. In contrast, agriculture and human-made structures have expanded by 1.8%. Also, population growth has led to an increase in water consumption as the population has grown at a rate of 7.52% annually from 2000 to 2020. As the climatic condition increases from 2000 to 2022, these changes could extend to the water quality in shallow aquifers with increasing evaporation. Based on the water quality spatial model, it is found that, despite a declining tendency in the rate of precipitation and an expansion in agricultural areas and population growth, the water quality was still appropriate for human and farming consumption in large areas of the study area. The presented approach is applicable to the assessment of groundwater in desert regions in the Middle East area.

Glasses composed of ZnO–SiO2–B2O3–In2O3 with the addition of different content of CuO were prepared by a popular melt–quenching methodology. The effect of the addition of copper oxide in the glass network was investigated using density, FTIR spectroscopy, optical absorption, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. By increasing the concentration of CuO, a decrease in the density is observed, indicating structural changes in the glass network. The structural building units of glasses are $${\mathrm{BO}}_{3}$$ BO 3 ,$${\mathrm{BO}}_{4}$$ BO 4 , and $${\mathrm{ZnO}}_{4}$$ ZnO 4 according to the FTIR spectra. The absorption spectra of these glasses reveal a distinct broad band at 744 nm due to 2$${\mathrm{B}}_{1\mathrm{g}}$$ B 1 g → 2$${\mathrm{B}}_{2\mathrm{g}}$$ B 2 g characteristic transition of cupric ion in the distorted octahedral sites. The optical band gap energies ($${E}_{\mathrm{g}}$$ E g ) and refractive indices of the studied glasses were also evaluated using the ASF, DASF, and Tauc techniques which revealed that (Eg) values are in gradual decrease with a rise content of CuO. The photoluminescence analysis including emission and CIE chromaticity of the prepared samples were carried out. The emission spectra supported divalent state of copper ions in a distorted octahedral geometry of the glass network upon UV excitation at 270 nm. These results may suggest the material of glass as a potential candidate in the photonics applications.

Nowadays, the importance of using macrophytes in accumulation of heavy metals has gained great concerns. So, this study aimed at extracting the land use/cover types of three indices and surface temperatures in the habitats inside 100 m buffers from recent satellite images around three highly economic macrophytes namely; Phragmites australis, Typha domingensis and Potamogeton pectinatus species. In addition to land surface temperature (LST), three important indices expressing the land cover of habitats namely; normalized different vegetation index (NDVI), normalized different water index (NDWI), and normalized different moisture index (NDMI) were extracted to find out there influence on the efficiency of macrophytes in the accumulation of these metal ions; Fe, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb. The Polynomial regression models were calculated to predict the accumulation factors of plants within the remotely sensed indices and LST. Results showed different accumulation values for individual or more metals in the below-ground and above-ground parts of macrophytes within different habitats. This study considers as an innovative approach using remote sensing technique and satellite images for the selecting of species that can accumulate more metals within different habitats. The obtained results will be useful for the optimal management of these macrophytes in Lake Burullus, a Ramsar site.

This review focused on the various methods for controlling estrous cycles in well-managed dairy cows. Because up to 70% of dairy cows may stay non-pregnant after an AI procedure, an effective approach for identifying and reinseminating open cows is essential for dairy herds to achieve optimal reproductive performance. Overall, well-managed dairy farms with effective estrus detection programs inseminate 50% or more of non-pregnant cows after behavioral estrus is detected. Cows not detected in estrus are admitted in a resynchronization of ovulation procedure to receive a timed AI (TAI) service to avoid a long interbreeding interval. In Egypt, a widely used program involves starting the Ovsynch protocol (GnRH-7 d-PGF2-56 h-GnRH-16 to 20 h-TAI) 32 days after an initial AI, regardless of pregnancy status. Previous studies have proven that there was no difference in pregnancy/artificial insemination (P/AI) between Ovsynch+P4 and Presynch-Ovsynch, both protocols were equally effective in improving the fertility of cows with a CL 15 mm. The review also addressed different methods for synchronization of ovulation and different factors affecting the selection of the management program.

Groundwater is the single source of water in El-Dakhla Oasis, western desert, Egypt. The main objective of this study is an assessment of groundwater in the area for agriculture and drinking compared to Egyptian and World Health Organization criteria. Most the contamination of water in the study area comes from human and agricultural activities. Thirty soil profiles were studied in the area and we assessed soil quality. Seventy-four samples were taken from the area’s groundwater wells to assess the chemical characteristics of the groundwater. Moreover, the contamination of groundwater by farming and anthropogenic activities was assessed using a land use/land cover (LULC) map. Nine standard water criteria were determined to assess groundwater quality for agriculture. Furthermore, the resulting risk to human health and agricultural crops has been addressed. Therefore, the drinking quality of groundwater samples is graded as low as the hydrochemical study showed high TH, EC, TDS, Ca2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Fe2+ contents of 40.5%, 2.7%, 1.4%, 3.8%, 1.6%, 86.5%, and 100%, respectively. Human health is risked by drinking this water, which negatively affects hair, skin, and eyes, with greatest exposure to enteric pathogens. Using these criteria, the majority of groundwater samples cause harmful effects on soil types and are toxic to sensitive crops (vegetable crops). In conclusion, the output of this research is a map showing groundwater suitable for consumption and agriculture in El-Dakhla Oasis based on all indices using the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) model. Additionally, there was evidence of a linear relationship between soil quality and irrigation water quality (R2 = 0.90). This emphasis on tracking changes in soil/water quality was brought on by agricultural practices and environmental variables.

Semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) have emerged as versatile probes for bioanalysis and imaging at the single-particle level. Despite their utility in multiplexed analysis, deep blue Pdots remain rare due to their need for high-energy excitation and sensitivity to photobleaching. Here, we describe the design of deep blue fluorophores using structural constraints to improve resistance to photobleaching, two-photon absorption cross sections, and fluorescence quantum yields using the hexamethylazatriangulene motif. Scanning tunneling microscopy was used to characterize the electronic structure of these chromophores on the atomic scale as well as their intrinsic stability. The most promising fluorophore was functionalized with a polymerizable acrylate handle and used to give deep-blue fluorescent acrylic polymers with Mn > 18 kDa and Đ < 1.2. Nanoprecipitation with amphiphilic polystyrene-graft-(carboxylate-terminated poly(ethylene glycol)) gave water-soluble Pdots with blue fluorescence, quantum yields of 0.81, and molar absorption coefficients of (4 ± 2) × 108 M-1 cm-1. This high brightness facilitated single-particle visualization with dramatically improved signal-to-noise ratio and photobleaching resistance versus an unencapsulated dye. The Pdots were then conjugated with antibodies for immunolabeling of SK-BR3 human breast cancer cells, which were imaged using deep blue fluorescence in both one- and two-photon excitation modes.

Sensitivity to pollution in Burullus Lake was estimated based on the proximity analysis. The category of sensitivity was based on six factors including: agricultural areas, industrial areas, drains...

Two field experiments were conducted at the Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Kom, Egypt during two successive growing seasons of 2018/2019 and 2019/2020. The aims of the experiments were to investigate the effects of mineral and organic fertilizers (1.100% N as mineral fertilizer; 50% N + 50% compost; 50% N + 50% biochar; 50% N + 50% biogas; and 50%N + 50% poultry manure) as soil amendments on yield and grain quality of some Egyptian (Gemmiza 12 and Sakha 95) and Omani (Missani and Cooley) bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties. The treatments were arranged in a spilt-plot design with three replications, where the wheat varieties were occupied in the main plots, while the fertilization treatments were randomly distributed in the sub- plots. The results can be summarized as follows: Egyptian wheat varieties had the highest values of yield and its components and carbohydrates, while the Omani wheat varieties had the highest values of plant height, straw yield/ fed and protein percentage. Application of organic fertilizers (i.e. 50% biogas or 50% poultry manure) in a combination with 50% mineral N had positive effects on yield and quality of wheat. Significant improvements in grain yield and carbohydrate percentage were obtained from Gemmeiza 12 and Sakha 95 varieties when fertilized with 50% mineral N + 50% biogas or 50% mineral N + 50% poultry manure along with 100% mineral N, which were found to be the most optimal combined treatments for maximize wheat grain yields and under the environmental conditions of studies regions (i.e. Menoufia Governorate). While, Missani and Cooley varieties fertilized with 50% mineral N + 50% biogas or 50% mineral N + 50% poultry manure along with 100% mineral N produced the highest plants, straw yield/ fed and protein percentage.

IntroductionTo examine the efficacy of radial extracorporeal shock wave (rESWT) on pain & disability levels in stroke patients with shoulder structural abnormalities.Material and methodsMethods: Thirty sub-acute stroke patients their ages between 40 to 60 years were randomly allocated into 2 equal groups after signing an institutional consent form. Real rESWT group (GA) underwent rESWT in addition to a designed program of physical therapy to shoulder joint. Control group (GB) received sham rESWT in addition to the same physical therapy program as for GA. The treatment protocol for both groups was two times per week for a whole month. Baseline and post intervention findings in both groups were assessed and compared for the primary outcomes including shoulder structural changes, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and shoulder disability measured by ultrasonography (USS), handheld algometer and shoulder pain disability index (SPADI) respectively.ResultsSignificant reduction of all post treatment SPADI scores (pain, disability & total scores) in both groups with remarkable decrease in favor to rESWT group (GA) (P < 0.05), In addition, USS scores and PPT findings showed notable preference in favor to (GA) which was demonstrated as significant decrease in USS score with increase in PPT findings only in rESWT group (GA) (P < 0.05).ConclusionsThe addition of radial extracorporeal shock wave (rESWT) to a designed physical therapy program is more efficient in reducing shoulder structural abnormalities, pain and disability in sub-acute stroke patients

BACKGROUND: Fatigue, cognition problems and multiple sclerosis (MS) inflammatory processes became main quality of life indicators and points of clinical significance in MS practice. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the changes in primary fatigue level, degree of cognitive dysfunction and level of inflammatory biomarkers in response to computer-based cognitive training in patients with MS. METHODS: A total of 40 remitting-relapse MS patients were divided into two groups, both groups were suffering cognitive decline, primary fatigue with elevated serum levels of the inflammatory biomarkers. Patients in the control group (GA) underwent conventional physical therapy program for MS including aerobic training, resistive training and a flexibility program in addition to placebo cognitive sessions, study group patients (GB) received an intensive computer-based cognitive program using the REHACOM software in addition to the same conventional physical therapy program as in GA. RESULTS: Significant decrease in the level of primary fatigue and in the serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers in GB patients compared to GA, as well as a remarkable improvement in the cognitive abilities in favor to the study group (GB) (p

Background The concepts of brain excitability are still re-wiring in response to changes in environment. Ambulation is often limited in stroke patients. Objective To determine the effect of cycling exercise on motor excitability and consequences on spatiotemporal gait parameters in stroke patients. Methods Forty male ischemic stroke patients were included; their age ranged from 45 to 60 years. The patients were assigned into two equal groups: control group (GI) and study group (GII). The GI is treated by a design physical therapy program in the form of task-oriented progressive resistance exercise for lower limb muscles, and the GII is treated by the same program in addition to cycling exercise for 30 min. Treatment was conducted three times per week for 10 weeks. The excitability over motor area (Cz) was assessed by the quantitative electroencephalogram (QEEG). The spatiotemporal gait parameters were assessed by the Biodex Gait Trainer 2TM. Results There was a significant increase of speed, step cycle, and step length of the affected side (P < 0.05) and a non-significant difference of step length of the non-affected side in the study group compared with that of the control group (P > 0.05). There was a significant increase of excitability over motor area (Cz) in the study group compared with that of the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Cycling exercise has a positive effect on excitability over motor area of lower limbs and can improve gait parameters in stroke patients.

Disposal and accumulation of agricultural and sanitary wastewater in poorly engineered ponds in the Mut region, Dakhla Oasis of Egypt is a concern due to their poor water quality; significant expan...

BACKGROUND: Cortical reorganization between both cerebral hemispheres plays an important role in regaining the affected upper extremity motor function post-stroke. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study was to investigate the recommended number of contra-lesion low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (LF-rTMS) sessions that could enhance cortical reorganization post-stroke. METHODS: Forty patients with right hemiparetic subacute ischemic stroke with an age range between 50–65 yrs were randomly assigned into two equal groups: control (GA) and study (GB) groups. Both groups were treated with a selected physical therapy program for the upper limb. Sham and real contra-lesion LF-rTMS was conducted for both groups daily for two consecutive weeks. Sequential changes of cortical excitability were calculated by the end of each session. RESULTS: The significant enhancement in the cortical excitability was observed at the fourth session in favor of the study group (GB). Sequential rate of change in cortical excitability was significant for the first eight sessions. From the ninth session onwards, no difference could be detected between groups. CONCLUSION: The pattern of recovery after stroke is extensive and not all factors could be controlled. Application of LF-rTMS in conjugation with a selected physical therapy program for the upper limb from four to eight sessions seems to be efficient.

The experimental field work was conducted at Gemmeiza and Sakha Agricultural Research Stations, (ARC), Egypt, in 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons to study the genetic behavior of grain yield and yellow rust resistance in three bread wheat crosses. The Genetic materials included (P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2) of Gemmeiza 11× Giza168 (cross 1), Sids12 × Shandaweel1 (cross 2) and Gemmeiza 12 × Shandaweel 1 (cross 3). Significant differences were observed among most genotypes for measured traits. Additive gene effects were negative and highly significant in the first and the third crosses for No. days to maturity and grain yield plant-1 and in the second cross for No. spikes plant-1. However, it was positive and highly significant in the second cross for 100-kernel weight, yellow rust resistance and grain yield plant-1. Narrow sense heritability was ranged from moderate to high values for plant height, yellow rust resistance and No. kernels spike-1 in all studied crosses. These results could be employed to improve both yield and rust resistance in Egyptian wheat breeding program.

The present study was conducted at Sakha Agricultural Research Station's Experimental Farm to evaluate six wheat genotypes during 2017/18 and 2018/19 wheat growing seasons under normal irrigation (five irrigations) and reduced irrigation (only one irrigation after the establishment). A randomised complete block design with nine replicates was the experimental design. Two stress tolerance indices were calculated to differentiate the high yielder and water deficit tolerant wheat genotypes. Results showed that the irrigation effect was highly significant for all studied characters, except for number of kernels spike-1. The mean values of all studied characters in the normal irrigation were higher than those recorded in the reduced irrigation, except for number of kernels spike-1 and 1000-kernel weight. There were a highly significant differences among genotypes for all the studied characters. The best cultivar was Misr 2 which recorded the highest values for grain filling rate, number of spikes m-2 and grain yield with a significant differences compared to the other studied genotypes. Two susceptible/tolerance indices indicated that the three genotypes namely Cham 4, Sakha 93 and Vorobey were identified as stress tolerant genotypes and the genotypes Cham 4 had the higher grain yield as well. Accordingly, it was recommended to be used in wheat breeding programs to transmit tolerance genes to the commercial cultivars for reduced irrigation.

Hailey-Hailey disease (HHD), or familial benign chronic pemphigus, is a rare inherited acantholytic dermatosis. It is an autosomal dominant disease affecting the intertriginous areas. HHD has been characterized by flaccid blisters, erosions, and macerations that are limited to flexural (friction-prone) areas. The painful blisters and erosions significantly decrease patients’ quality of life. There are multiple types of therapy related to this disorder. Many of the studies have suggested benefits from steroid therapy in addition to oral antibiotics.

One of the important projects that the Egypt country seeks to implement is the desert areas development, which contributes significantly to agricultural and urban development. Development of desert areas, especially agricultural development, should be carried out scientifically in terms of the use of available water resources, irrigation methods according to the type of soil and taking the geo-environmental risks into consideration. The objective of this research is to assess the geo-environmental impact in the region under consideration and their effect on their natural components during their development phases. Estimating the rate of land-use/land-cover changes in the area is extremely important for the management of natural resources. Remote sensing and GIS techniques have been used to process the geological, topographical, land-use/land-cover and also locating high-risk areas that could be affected by flash flooding. This study showed that the study area comprises three land-cover classes: urban, agricultural and barren land. The expansion in the agricultural and residential areas was estimated from the Landsat satellite images from 1984 to 2018. The results had deduced the reasons for increasing the agricultural area and the validity of the western plateau lands for agricultural reclamation as well as land investment for residential projects such as Nasser city. The results indicate that the vegetated land increased by 9.68% and urban land by 3.17% after reclamation efforts were initiated.

Glass samples of composition xCeO2–(35–x) Bi2O3–20BaO–45B2O3 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 2 mol%) have been prepared. The studied glasses were named as G0–G5 according to the values of CeO2, respectively. Many properties of the proposed glasses were determined. Both of FTIR and UV–Visible are measured in the range of 400–4000 cm−1 and 200–1100 nm, respectively. The ability of the prepared glass to attenuate gamma-ray was investigated utilizing the newly Phy-X/PSD software. Density of glasses has minor increase as the increase of CeO2, while molar volume decreased from 38.0625 to 35.3803 (cm3/mol). The absorption edge of UV is shifted towards longer wavelength with increasing the concentration of CeO2 whereas a remarkable decrease in bandgap (2.45–2.02 eV) is observed. In addition, the refractive index of studied samples is increased from 2.56 to 2.73 with the increasing the concentration of CeO2 in the studied glasses. There are a change in the structure of studied samples by the addition of Ce ions such as change from BO3 to BO4 groups and formation of BiO6 groups. The MAC values arranged in the order that (G0)MAC > (G1)MAC > (G2)MAC > (G3)MAC > (G4)MAC > (G5)MAC. The G0 glass sample has the highest HVL among all prepared glasses. It is found that Zeff of all prepared glasses has the maximum value at 0.02 meV equal to 78.6436, 78.59407, 78.54402, 78.49343, 78.4423, and 78.23216 for G0–G5, respectively. Therefore, G0 and G5 glasses showed best shielding capacity among several commercial materials. Thus, the prepared glasses introduced themselves as superior candidates for shielding against gamma photons.

The field experiments were carried out in two successive summer seasons of 2014 and 2015 at the experimental farmof the Faculty of Agriculture, Menoufia University, in El-Raheb, Egypt to evaluate yellow inbreed lines of maize throughline x tester analysis.Top crosses were made each of the twenty-five S4 lines and the two testers by hand to give a total of 50 top crosses in2014season. In the second season (2015) two adjacent experiments were conducted under two plant densities. The firstexperimental represented a normal plant density (ND) of 24000 plant/fad., (hills spaced 25 cm apart and one plant/ hill).The second experimental represented plant density (HD) of 30000 plants/fad. (hills spaced 20 cm a part and one planthill). In each experiment the 50 top crosses as well as the two checks hybrids Giza 168 and Giza 176 were grown in aRandomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Performance of inbred lines varied with plant densities.Parental lines L3, L4, L5, L14 and L23 were the best in mean performance and general combining ability effects underthis study. Results indicated that σ² SCA was more important than σ² GCA for all studied traits, plant height at thecombined analysis. Non-additive gene action was more affected by the interaction with environments than the additiveeffects. The top crosses L12 x T2 and L17 x T2 showed desirable significant SCA effects for shortness and the low earplacement under low plant density. Thirteen top crosses showed significant positive SCA effects for grain yield (ard/fad)under HD, LD and combined analysis. Also, the top crosses L1 x T2 and L11 x T2 were significant under high plantdensity. The top crosses (L3 x T1 and L14 x T2) and (L3 x T2) showed significant number of ears per plot and 100-kernelweight relative to two check varieties for the top cross L3 x T1 gave the higher value of heterosis relative to the twochecks for ear weight and grain yield.

There is a growing need for brighter luminescent materials to improve the detection and imaging of biomarkers. Relevant contexts include low-abundance biomarkers and technology-limited applications, where an example of the latter is the emerging use of smartphones and other nonoptimal but low-cost and portable devices for point-of-care diagnostics. One approach to achieving brighter luminescent materials is incorporating multiple copies of a luminescent material into a larger supra-nanoparticle (supra-NP) assembly. Here, we present a facile method for the preparation and immunoconjugation of supra-NP assemblies (SiO2@QDs) that comprised many quantum dots (QDs) around a central silica nanoparticle (SiO2 NP). The assembly was entirely driven by spontaneous affinity interactions between the constituent materials, which included imidazoline-functionalized silica nanoparticles, ligand-coated QDs, imidazole-functionalized dextran, and tetrameric antibody complexes (TACs). The physical and optical properties of the SiO2@QDs were characterized at both the ensemble and single-particle levels. Notably, the optical properties of the QDs were preserved upon assembly into supra-NPs, and single SiO2@QDs were approximately an order of magnitude brighter than single QDs and nonblinking. In proof-of-concept applications, including selective immunolabeling of breast cancer cells, the SiO2@QDs provided higher sensitivity and superior signal-to-background ratios whether using research-grade fluorescence microscopy or smartphone-based imaging. Overall, the SiO2@QDs are promising materials for enhanced bioanalysis and imaging.

The mean concentrations of heavy metals in the sediments of Burullus Lake shoreline follow a descending order of Mn > Fe > Zn > Co > Cu > Cd > Ni > Pb > Cr. Where concentrations of Cd indicated tha...

The possibilities for the production of self-glazed sintered glass-ceramics or/and glass-ceramic foams using metallurgical slag are discussed. The effect of CaF2 addition on the glass melting, the densification and the foaming is also studied. The sintering and the bloating trends are evaluated by hot stage microscopy and the phase formation is estimated by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. The structure of the obtained samples is studied with scanning electron microscopy and with computed tomography. The results demonstrate a good sinter ability of the used glass powders in the interval 800–950 °C and a subsequent intensive bloating behaviour of the sintered samples in the range 1050–1150 °C. The addition of a certain amount of CaF2 in the glass batches leads to a noticeable decrease of both the melting and the sintering temperatures as well as to some increase of the crystallinity. As a result, self-glazed glass-ceramics with high percentage of CaF2 and with an improved micro-hardness and crystallinity can be obtained using finer glass powders, moderate heating rates and holding temperatures of 950–1000 °C. At the same time, glass-ceramic foams with closed porosity of about 80 vol % can be synthesized using glass powders with a modest addition of CaF2 by applying higher heating rates and holding temperatures of 1100–1150 °C.

The conjugated temperature distributions of a microchannel fluid flow between two semi-infinite parallel plates are obtained analytically. The variables separation and transformation techniques are implemented to introduce the degenerate hypergeometric differential equation, the solution of which is given in terms of Kummer’s functions. The eigenvalues of the corresponding transcendental characteristic equation are obtained using a mathematical solver software package. Non-dimensional analysis of the governing equations introduced the parameter of “solid-fluid heat conduction ratio” $$k_k$$. Values of this parameter are considered to present two limiting case solutions, namely, the adiabatic boundary solution, when $$k_k\approx 0$$ and the isothermal boundary solution, when $$k_k> 100$$. The Nusselt number $$Nu$$ of the two limiting solutions is obtained and compared accurately with the corresponding values from the literature. The effect of the Knudsen number $$Kn$$, the Biot number $$Bi$$, and the conductivity ratio $$k_k$$ on the temperature, temperature jump, and the Nusselt number is investigated. It is found that the temperature jump near the flow entrance becomes more significant with increase in $$Kn$$, $$Bi$$, or $$k_k$$. On the other hand, the Nusselt number is found to increase with growing $$Kn$$ and decrease with increasing $$Bi$$ or $$k_k$$.

The Homrit Akarem granitic intrusion (HAGI) outcrops near the western edge of the south Eastern Desert basement exposure in Egypt. It is a composite of two cogenetic intrusive bodies: an early albite granite phase shallowly emplaced at the apex of a magmatic cupola, and a later subjacent pink granite phase with a marginal zone of muscovite granite and better preservation of magmatic features. Mineral chemistry of primary biotite and garnet, together with whole-rock chemistry, identify the HAGI as a highly fractionated A-type peraluminous intrusion. The chemistry of F-dominant, Li-bearing, Fe3+-rich primary magmatic mica in the pink granite resembles that typically found in highly evolved Nb-Y-F pegmatites. The HAGI is the evolved product of a primary magma generated by partial melting of juvenile crust of the Arabian-Nubian Shield (ANS), emplaced along a regional strike-slip fault system that promoted its ascent. The main emplacement mechanism and evolutionary sequence of the HAGI was magmatic, although secondary minerals and textures resulting from hydrothermal fluid interactions are observed, especially at its margins. Primary columbite-(Mn) crystallized from melt and was partly replaced by secondary fluorcalciomicrolite. The high fluorine content of magmatic fluids exsolved from the intrusion is indicated by quartz-fluorite veins, greisenization, albitization, and F-bearing secondary oxide minerals. The magmatic derivation of this fluid is demonstrated by the F-dominant primary mica, a siderophyllite-polylithionite solid solution commonly known as zinnwaldite. The chemistry of zinnwaldite constrains the F/OH activity ratio and oxygen fugacity of its parental melt and thereby resolves the ambiguity between pressure and the effects of F in controlling the normative quartz content of rare-metal granites. The HAGI is less mineralized than the post-collisional rare-metal granites found further east in the south Eastern Desert, replicating a trend observed previously in the central Eastern Desert and suggesting that east-west zoning in rare metal enrichment is a persistent feature across latitudes at the western edge of the ANS.

Background No doubt that the corpus luteum (CL) plays a vital role in the regulation of female cyclicity in mammals. The scenarios among microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes and steroid hormones {estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4)} are required for better understanding the molecular regulation of CL during its formation, maturation, and regression. We aimed to (I) study the changes in the relative abundance of miR-205, miR-26a-5p, miR-17-5p, and let-7b-5p and their target genes: LHCGR, CASP3, PCNA, AMH, and PLA2G3, during different stages of corpus luteum in Egyptian buffaloes, and (II) and to address different scenarios between steroid concentrations in the serum and the expression pattern of selected miRNAs and their targets. Methods The paired ovaries and blood samples were collected from apparently healthy 50 buffalo cows at a private abattoir. The ovaries bearing CL were macroscopically divided according to their morphological structure and color into hemorrhagic (CLH), developing (CLD), mature (CLM), regressed (CLR), and albicans (CLA). Small pieces from different stages of CL (CLH, CLD, CLM, CLR, and CLA) were cut and immediately kept at − 80 °C for total RNA isolation and qRT-PCR. The serum was separated for steroid level estimation. Results The LHCGR was expressed during different stages of CL, and the peak of expression was at the mid-luteal stage. The CASP3 revealed a stage-specific response at different stages of CL. The PCNA has an essential role in cellular proliferation in buffaloes CL. Both expression patterns of PLA2G3 and AMH were found over the various developmental and regression stages. It was noticed that miR-205 is conserved to target LHCGR and CASP3 transcripts. Moreover, CASP3 and AMH were targeted via miR-26a-5p. Additionally, the CASP3 and PLA2G3 were targeted via let-7b-5p. The P4 level reached its peak during CLM. There were positive and negative strong correlations between miRNAs (miR-26a-5p and miR-205), target genes (LHCGR and CASP3) during different stages of CL, and steroid hormones in the serum. Conclusions Taken together, the orchestrated pattern among miRNAs, target genes, and steroid hormones is essential for maintaining the proper development and function of CL in buffalo cows.

Being installed as close as 5.5 mm to the beam axis, the Micro Vertex Detector (mvd) of the cbm experiment will be exposed to a sizable flow of heavy beam ions and nuclear fragments. The cmos Monolithic Active Pixel Sensor for the mvd, mimosis, must resist the related heavy ion impacts without permanent damage or frequent interrupt of operation as caused by single event effects (see). We motivate the requirements on the sensor and introduce our concept for protecting the device against sees. Moreover, we report the results of a related test campaign carried out with the first full size sensor prototype, mimosis-1, and different heavy ion beams at gsi.

Estimating wind energy at a specific wind site depends on how well the real wind data in that area can be represented using an appropriate distribution function. In fact, wind sites differ in the extent to which their wind data can be represented from one region to another, despite the widespread use of the Weibull function in representing the wind speed in various wind locations in the world. In this study, a new probability distribution model (normal PDF) was tested to implement wind speed at several wind locations in Jordan. The results show high compatibility between this model and the wind resources in Jordan. Therefore, this model was used to estimate the values of the wind energy and the extracted energy of wind turbines compared to those obtained by the Weibull PDF. Several artificial intelligence techniques were used (GA, BFOA, SA, and a neuro-fuzzy method) to estimate and predict the parameters of both the normal and Weibull PDFs that were reflected in conjunction with the actual observed data of wind probabilities. Afterward, the goodness of fit was decided with the aid of two performance indicators (RMSE and MAE). Surprisingly, in this study, the normal probability distribution function (PDF) outstripped the Weibull PDF, and interestingly, BFOA and SA were the most accurate methods. In the last stage, machine learning was used to classify and predict the error level between the actual probability and the estimated probability based on the trained and tested data of the PDF parameters. The proposed novel methodology aims to predict the most accurate parameters, as the subsequent energy calculation phases of wind depend on the proper selection of these parameters. Hence, 24 classifier algorithms were used in this study. The medium tree classifier shows the best performance from the accuracy and training time points of view, while the ensemble-boosted trees classifier shows poor performance regarding providing correct predictions.

one of the major annoying disorders occurring in people with multiple sclerosis is lower urinary tract disorders (LUT). Urgency is considered the main one seriously influencing the quality of life. Neurogenic detrusor over activity (DOAB) is characterized by a hyperreflexic, overactive detrusor that responds quickly to low-intensity sensory input from general visceral afferent fibers. Overactivity has been claimed to induce random, uncontrolled contractions of the detrusor muscle, leading to intravesicular pressure rise, producing urgency, frequency, and consequently incontinence AIM: To demonstrate the therapeutic efficacy for posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in neurogenic over active bladder (NOAB) in people with multiple sclerosis METHODS: The current trial is a prospective, randomized controlled study. Forty remitting relapsing males with MS with moderate NOAB symptoms were randomly assigned into two equal groups; control group (C) treated by selected therapeutic exercises program for strengthening pelvic floor muscles and an intervention group (ES) receiving an additional posterior tibial nerve electrical stimulation. Each session ranged from 45- 50 minutes, three days weekly for a month. Outcome measures were recorded before starting the treatment and after termination of the study intervention and included over active bladder symptoms score (OVBS) score, urodynamic parameters (uroflow, filling and voiding cystometry), and post voiding residual volume by abdominal ultrasound RESULTS: There was a significant improvement of all voiding parameters compared to baseline and the group C except frequency of urgency incontinence. A significant decrease was detected in post-treatment mean episodes number of nighttime frequency, urgency, urgency incontinence (1.65 ± 0.93, 1.2 ± 0.52 and 1.5 ± 0.76) respectively of the ES group compared to that of group C (3.05 ± 1.09, 2.25 ± 0.71 and 2.25 ± 1.06) (P0.01). There was a significant decrease in median post-treatment OVBS score 3 (3-3) compared to group C median score 5 (6-4). A statistically significant improvement was observed of all urodynamic parameters (bladder capacity and compliance, Detrusor overactivity (DO), maximum flow rate and post voidal residual volume in the ES group compared to the group C CONCLUSION: PTNS is a promising and potentially beneficial treatment option for NOAB symptoms in males with MS and superior to pelvic floor muscle training alone.

Recent research is directed toward studying plastic pollution in rivers, and estuaries due to the importance of freshwater bodies in all aspects of life. The river deltas and estuaries are interesting for studying the flux of plastics into the oceans. The Nile River has been identified as a hot spot of plastic litter flux in the eastern Mediterranean basin. In addition, it was nicknamed "Plastic Nile", yet this major river is largely unexplored with a lack of field measurements and adequate surveys. The current study was based on bridging this scientific gap. Three trips were conducted, covering 30 km in the Rosetta branch and 23 km in the Damietta branch, during the high water level in summer 2021, and 10 km off the inlet of Lake Burullus, in spring 2021. Microplastics in surface water ranged from 761 ± 319 to 1718 ± 1008 MPs/m

Controlling temperature with high spatial resolution has been a challenge and the bottleneck for advancing scientific discoveries at the micro-scale level. Herein, we exploit the heat generated from magnetic nanoparticles when placed in an alternating magnetic field to drive catalytic chemical reactions. A catalytic microstructure was assembled using a positively charged polyelectrolyte in the presence of negatively charged magnetic and gold nanoparticles. As a proof of concept, we monitored the conversion of resazurin into the fluorescent resorufin in solution and when confined in small hydrogels. In both cases, we demonstrate the possibility to drive chemical reactions using the locally generated heat from magnetic nanoparticles. This might prove an effective strategy for energy efficient catalysis.

In this research CaO–Ag-NPs @CaCO3 nanocomposite was prepared by treatment of calcined calcium oxalate [CaO, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3] with sol of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). Several techniques were used to investigate the structural properties of CaO–Ag-NPs@CaCO3 nanocomposite including FTIR, UV/VIS, XRD, TEM and TGA. XRD and TEM and UV/VIS results showed that silver nanoparticles incorporated with calcium oxide (CaO–Ag-NPs) are incorporated with calcium carbonate (CaO–Ag-NPs@CaCO3). It is confirmed that the CaO–Ag-NPs @CaCO3 nanocomposite showed strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aurous.