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Abstract A novel photocatalytic reactor was developed to degrade methylene blue in water using titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a catalyst and fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) tubing as a transmitter for ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The reactor was operated by continuously flowing the solution through narrow tubes that were exposed to UV radiation. The efficiency of the reactor was evaluated by comparing it to a previous study that used quartz glass tubing. The study also investigated the effects of flow rate, initial concentration, pH, TiO2 dose and UV radiation without a catalyst on the degradation of methylene blue. The results showed that the FEP tubing was a more efficient UV transmitter than quartz glass. The efficiency of the reactor was also affected by the flow rate and pH of the solution. The highest degradation efficiency was achieved at a flow rate of 10 mL/min and a pH of 7.0. The use of TiO2 as a catalyst also significantly improved the degradation efficiency, with an almost doubling of the degradation rate when compared to the case without a catalyst. This study demonstrates the potential of the FEP tubing-based photocatalytic reactor for the degradation of methylene blue in water. The reactor is easy to operate and can be scaled up for industrial applications.

Abstract Maximizing surface‐to‐body ratio demands ever smaller metallic palladium (Pd) nanoparticles for catalytic applications. The quest for miniaturization is now reaching the single‐atom limit. However, if the supported Pd is below a critical size, the Pd hybridization with the supporting material can detrimentally reduce the labile electrons that facilitate the catalytic reactions. Thus, the smallest attainable size, i.e., single‐atom Pd, may not offer the best efficiency. Here, it is demonstrated that Pd with at least six atomic layers (or thickness of ≈1 nm) on the silicate sheets, synthesized via the partial exfoliation of a layered silicate, exhibits a metallic‐like electronic property, yielding an excellent catalytic activity (e.g., turnover frequency) for dehydrogenating formic acid higher than both isotropic Pd nanoparticles and single‐atom Pd.

Here, we investigate the band structure, density of states, photocatalytic activity, and heterojunction mechanism of WS2 with CeO2 (CeO2@WS2) as a photoactive heterostructure. In this heterostructure, CeO2′s growth within WS2 layers is achieved through ultrasonicating WS2 and intercalating CeO2′s precursor within the WS2 interlayers, followed by hydrothermal treatment. Through a set of density functional calculations, we demonstrate that CeO2 and WS2 form an interface through a covalent bonding that can be highly stable. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) found that the CeO2@WS2 heterostructure exhibits a remarkably higher conductivity (22.23 mS cm−2) compared to either WS2 and CeO2, assignable to the interface in CeO2@WS2. Furthermore, in a physically mixed CeO2-WS2 where the interaction between particles is noncovalent, the resistance was significantly higher (0.67 mS cm−2), confirming that the heterostructure in the interface is covalently bonded. In addition, Mott-Schottky and the bandgap measurements through Tauc plots demonstrate that the heterojunction in CeO2 and WS2 is type II. Eventually, the CeO2@WS2 heterostructure indicated 446.7 µmol g −1 CO2 generation from photocatalytic oxidation of a volatile organic compound (VOC), formic acid, compared to WS2 and CeO2 alone.

Simone et al. analyze T cell receptor usage and gene expression profiles of CD3+CD45RA-CD25+CD127low blood and synovial fluid regulatory T cells from patients with spondyloarthritis. This work provides a valuable resource for understanding regulatory T cell heterogeneity and transcriptional adaptation in an immune-driven condition.

The change of the spinal curvature in completing a variety of daily tasks is essential to independent living. There is still a lack of studies highlighting the lumbar segmental contribution during sit-to-stand (STS) and stand-to-flexion (STF) usingnon-invasive study. The purpose of this study is to compare the spine kinematics by defining lumbar as a single and multi-segmental during continuous daily motion in healthy Asian adults using a non-invasive approach. During STS, most subjects implementedkyphotic lumbar curve during the early stage of motion which revealed poor posture implementation and significant differences in the lumbar kinematics which were only noticeable at specific phases between both approaches. A significant difference in multi-segmental behaviour was observed only at the end of the motion. All three segments displayed different time responses during the transition from kyphotic to lordotic curve. Passive/delayed behavior within the lower lumbar segment was observed between 0-50% of motion completion. During STF, statistically significant differences were found between assuming lumbar as a single and multi-segment in all phases. This in vitro study identified characteristic motion patterns in the lumbar spine during daily motions. The results provided a clear description of the healthy spinal condition of adults and may serve to identify specific multi-segmental contribution.

Purpose: Antibiotics, the greatest twentieth century weapon, are faced with a repertoire of resistant microorganisms that lowers their control over life-threatening infections. Hence, mining different natural products for antimicrobial activity has been an attractive approach to combat problematic microorganisms such as the super bug, Staphylococcus aureus. Herein, we propose an optimized production and immunopurification approach for the production of the native staphylococcal cell-wall degrading enzyme “lysostaphin (LST)”. We are presenting this approach as a sustainable platform that would further help circumvent the antibiotic resistance global issue. Methods & Materials: Native LST production from S. simulans cultures was optimized using full factorial design, evaluating the influence of four independent factors (temperature, agitation, media:air ratio, and growth time) against the dependent variable of LST yield measured in unit activity (U)/mg dry weight. The activity of the optimized native LST (N-LST) was tested against a collection of clinical methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates. Recombinant LST, produced locally at our laboratory, was then used as an immunogen for polyclonal antibodies production in BALB/C mice. Finally, the produced anti-LST IgGs were purified and assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and then attached to CNBR-activated sepharose beads to be used for N-LST purification. Results: N-LST optimized production yielded up to 5.6 U/mg dry weight of the native enzyme which is significantly more (153%) than the previously reported yield. The enzyme was also found to be active against clinical MRSA isolates. The immunoaffinity purification of the N-LST was successful and yielded highly active enzyme. Conclusion: The current work identified conditions for N-LST production that yielded a highly active product, surpassing the reported methods. We also offer a sustainable purification platform incase higher grade of the enzyme was required. The current study serves the ongoing efforts to combat the surge in antimicrobial resistance and establishes a good start for the adoption of N-LST production systems to satisfy the research needs in developing countries.

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) commonly affects patients with skin psoriasis, but its pathogenesis is still unclear. Here the authors use two types of single-cells data, mass cytometry and RNA sequencing, to describe the expansion and diversity of synovial, but not peripheral blood, CD8 T cells from PsA patients to provide a molecular immune landscape for PsA.

Abstract Reducing our overwhelming dependence on fossil fuels requires groundbreaking innovations in increasing our efficiency in energy consumption for current technologies and moving towards renewable energy sources. Thermoelectric materials can help in achieving both goals. Moreover, because of recent advances in high-performance computing, researchers more increasingly rely on computational methods in discovering new thermoelectric materials with economically feasible performance. In this article, significant thermoelectric materials discovered through these computational methods are systematically reviewed. Furthermore, the primary computational tools that aid the design of the next-generation thermoelectric materials are introduced and discussed. These techniques include various levels of density functional theory, electronic transport simulations, and phonon calculations.

Ever since the uncovering of the severe discrepancy of COVID-19 manifestations, irrespective of viral load, scientists have raced to locate and manage factors contributing to the genesis of a critical state. Recent evidence delineates the role of oral dysbiosis in the development of low-grade inflammation, characterized by the increase of inflammatory cytokines common to those fundamental to the development of severe COVID. Furthermore, high periodontopathic bacteria were recorded in severe acute respiratory syndrome in COVID patients, as well as its common provoking comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. This can be explained by the immigration and elimination of oral bacteria into the airways, which, in the context of an injured lung, allows for their preferential overgrowth familiar to that, causing the progression to advanced lung diseases. This is why we indicate the promising usage of oral microbiome transplantation as a treatment of oral microbial dysbiosis, not only associated with the worst outcomes of COVID-19 but also in other disorders of low-grade inflammation.

he efficiency and biochemical effects of certain insecticides belonging to different groups namely: flubendiamide (diamide), pyridalyl (phenoxy-pyridaloxy), clothianidin (neonicotinoide), fipronil (phenylpyrazole) and spirotetramat (tetramic acid) and pirimiphos-methyl (Ops) were tested against 2nd larval instar of Spodoptera littoralis laboratory strain using dipping technique. The efficacy of the tested insecticides are arranged as follows to LC50 values. The results showed that flubendiamide was the superior toxicant insecticides ( LC50 1.03 ppm) followed by pyridalyl (2.13 ppm) then fipronil (7.42 ppm), clothianidin (26.87ppm), pirimiphos-methyl (76.31 ppm) and spirotetramat (431.91 ppm). Biochemical effects of the tested insecticides on acetylcholine esterase (AChE), glutathione-s-transferases (GST), adenosinetriphosphatase (ATPase), phenoloxidase, total calcium, and total protein were determined in the treated larvae. Data showed highest significant increase at AChE activity in treatment of fipronil by change% (70.59), while treatment with pirimiphosmethyl recorded highest significant decrease by change% (-56.41). Whereas, all treatments recorded increase in GST activity except pirimiphosmethyl recorded non significant decrease. All insecticides treatments were showed a decrease in phenoloxidase activity the highest decrease recorded by pirimiphos-methyl treatment by change % (- 53.06). Regarding change percentage of ATPase, activity data recorded significant increase with pirimiphos-methyl treatment by (72.91%). However, total protein in all treatments showed a significant decrease. On the other hand, treatment with pirimiphos-methyl recorded a significant decrease in total calcium and the corresponding change % was (- 6.0%). Previous data confirmed the mode of action of the novel tested insecticides.

Nowadays, oil spill is one of the most serious pollutants that have negative effects on the ecosystem and marine life. Environmentalists face major challenges in the treatment of spills and in developing an alternative product with low cost. Among all different sorbents, agriculture waste is preferred as an oil cleanup technology due to its biodegradation and buoyancy. This study investigates the oil sorption capacity of crude and gas oils, using banana peel as a substitutional material from local fruit wastes. The research detected that the capacity of this sorbent to clean up crude oil from produced water toward different factors is associated with surface characteristics, oil type, oil film thickness, sorption time, temperature, in addition to the salinity of crude oil. Analytical techniques of banana peel, such as microstructure and morphology using FTIR spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) are also studied. Banana peel is tested using gas oil, 1- and 7-day weathered Almein crude oil. The results explain that the best conditions were established at 0.3625 mm particle size and temperature at 25 °C for 15 min. Keywords: Banana peel, Oil spill, Adsorption, Sorption capacity, Sorbent

The influence of the mechanical property and morphology of different blend ratio of Butyl rubber (IIR)/high molecular weight polyethylene (PE) by temperature and strain rate are performed. Special attention has been considered to a ductile–brittle transition that is known to occur at around 60 °C. The idea is to explain the unexpected phenomenon of brittleness which directly related to all tensile mechanical properties such as the strength of blends, modulus of elasticity of filled and unfilled IIR-polyethylene blends. In particular, the initial Young’s modulus, tensile strength and strain at failure exhibit similar dependency on strain rate and temperature. These quantities lowered and increased with an increment of temperature, whereas the increased with increasing of strain rate. Furthermore, the tensile strength and strain at failure decreases for all temperatures range with the increase of PE content in the blend, except Young’s modulus in reverse. The strain rate sensitivity index parameter of the examined polymeric materials is consistent with the micro-mechanisms of deformation and the behavior was well described by an Eyring relationship leading to an activation volume of ∼1 nm3, except for the highest value of unfilled IIR ∼8.45 nm3. Keywords: Mechanical response, Temperature effect, Strain rate effect, HMWPE

La0.67Ca0.13Sr0.2Mn1−xFexO3 (x = 0–0.1) compounds were synthesised by standard sol-gel reaction and characterised by X-ray diffraction at room temperature. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement show that they crystallize in the rhombohedral structure with the R3‾c space group. The magnetic behavior (magnetization and Curie temperature TC) shows a large dependence on the fractional composition x. The Mössbauer results reveal the presence of iron ion at the trivalent state Fe3+ assigned by the same isomer shift δ value. Resistivity measurements, performed between 10 and 350 K, show a metal–insulator transition for 0.0 ≤ x

Background.Raqqa Governorate, Syria has recently been affected by overlapping conflicts related to the Syrian Civil war and occupation by ISIS, resulting in widespread displacement and disruption of economic livelihoods. However, little information is currently known about mental health needs and risk factors among women. Therefore, this study sought to examine potential risk factors for depressive symptoms among married women living in northern Syria.Methods.Data were collected between March and April 2018 as part of an evaluation of an International Rescue Committee cash transfer program targeted toward vulnerable households. Using cross-sectional data from 214 married women participating in the program, linear regression models were generated to explore the associations between depressive symptoms [nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)] and its potential risk factors, including food insecurity, perceived deprivation of basic needs [the Humanitarian Emergency Settings Perceived Needs Scale (HESPER) scale], and past-3-month intimate partner violence (IPV).Results.The average depressive symptom score was 10.5 (s.d.: 4.9; range: 2–27). In the final adjusted model, any form of recent IPV (β = 2.25; 95% CI 0.92–3.57; p = 0.001), severe food insecurity (β = 1.62; 95% CI 0.27–2.96; p = 0.02) and perceived needs (β = 0.38; 95% CI 0.18–0.57; p = 0.0002) were associated with an increase in depressive symptoms.Conclusion.Study findings point to the need to address the mental health needs of women in conflict-affected areas of Syria. Programming to address risk factors for depression, including IPV and other factors associated with daily stressors such as food insecurity and deprivation of basic needs, may be effective in reducing depression in this population.

Abstract Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD, OMIM# 248600) is an autosomal recessive inborn error of metabolism characterized by elevated branched chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine/isoleucine and valine in blood of affected children. The phenotypic and genotypic spectrum of MSUD is largely unreported in Egypt. We recruited ten patients (4 males/6 females, 2weeks-12years) from nine unrelated families with clinical and biochemical evidence of MSUD. We performed Sanger sequencing for the three most-commonly responsible genes: BCKDHA, BCKDHB and DBT and conducted exome sequencing for unresolved cases. Through Sanger sequencing, we detected eight homozygous pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (four in BCKDHB, three in BCKDHA and one in DBT gene) in eight different families. The proband of family VI, who had no significant genetic findings by Sanger, had a peculiar phenotype and atypical radiological findings. His exome sequencing revealed a previously reported homozygous likely pathogenic variant in the RARS2 gene (NM_020320.5:c.1026G > A;p.(Met342Ile)) causing the mitochondrial-encephalopathy disorder pontocerebellar hypoplasia, type 6 (OMIM# 611523). Furthermore, the copy-number-variant analysis of the exome data revealed a biallelic duplication affecting exons 2–6 of the BCKDHB gene (GRCh38: Chr.6-g.80127496:80171441dup) evaluated as variant of uncertain significance but expected to cause a breakpoint and may disrupt gene function, which can explain the markedly elevated BCAA levels in the patient’s blood. In conclusion, we expanded the genotypic and phenotypic spectrum of the disease and showed that aggressive intervention with specific treatment in the first few days of life resulted in normal development even in a developing country setting. Inclusion of MSUD in the national newborn screening program in Egypt is highly recommended.

The study aims to study the estimation the size of erosion in the Merka Sur valley , that located in Erbil in northern of Iraq as part of simple torsion mountain region (1000 - 2100) m , with a basin area (162.1 km2). The researchers used remote sensing technology (RS) from the US Landsat L8 OLI to Lineament Extraction, the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) for topographic analysis (elevation and slope) , hydrological analysis (river drainage system), GIS, For mapping and engineering analysis within the Arc GIS 10.3 environment The results shows natural characteristics: Lithological, soil and natural plant, as well as identify the spatial distribution of these characteristics. Lineament a role in determining the type of erosion within their presence as in the western side of the valley. Where there a heavily Lineament that motivate the presence of the groove erosion , despite its presence in the resistance to erosion configurations like (formation of Qmjoukh , Aqra – Bkhme). The slope of the gradient plays an important role in determining the type of erosion. In steep slopes (18-50 degrees) stimulates the gully erosion type , while simple slopes (1 - 18 degrees) Sheet erosion. The results showed that the number and the total length of valleys within the upper ranks of river (the first, second, third) have a role in the degree of erosion within the erosion rates by Bergsma equation , Finally, The height factor and vegetation density were found to play a role in erosion and reduce wind erosion within the region.

Objective: Knowledge about the etiology of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is essential for adequate management. Presently, few studies about CAP are available from Southeast Asia. This study aimed to investigate the etiology, severity, and outcome of CAP in the most populous Southeast Asia country, Indonesia. Methods: From October 2007 to April 2009, adult patients admitted with CAP to two hospitals in Semarang, Indonesia, were included to detect the etiology of CAP using a full range of diagnostic methods. The severity of disease was classified according to the Pneumonia Severity Index (PSI). The outcome was assessed as 30-day mortality. Results: In total, 148 consecutive patients with CAP were included. Influenza virus (18%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (14%), and Streptococcus pneumoniae (13%) were the most common agents identified. Other Gram-negative bacilli, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Chlamydia pneumoniae each accounted for 5%. The bacteria presented wild type antibiotic susceptibility profiles. Forty-four percent of subjects were high-risk patients (PSI class IV-V). The mortality rate (30%) was significantly associated with disease severity score (P

Benzene is a hydrocarbon chemical consisting of six atoms arranged in a ring structure. At normal ambient temperatures; it is a liquid, which evaporates rapidly at room temperature and is highly flammable. It has a characteristic of aromatic odor and is slightly soluble in water (1.5 g/liter at 20ºC) but miscible with most other organic solvents [1]. Long-term inhalation of benzene causes blood disorders. It specifically affects bone marrow [2]. And it may cause anemia, excessive bleeding, damage to the immune system and DNA [3, 4]. Increased incidence of leukemia (cancer of the tissues that form white blood cells) has been observed in people occupationally exposed to benzene; so (EPA) Environmental Protection Agency has classified benzene as a known human carcinogen [5]. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of benzene on some hematological parameters on 60 males working in different oil stations that provide benzene products for people at Waset governorate with a mean year for work duration 1 to 20 years, 8 hours of work as a mean per day. A haemoglobin (Hb) concentrations as well as white blood cells count (W.B.Cs) and platelets count (Plt) were well observed to evaluate the effect of benzene on these parameters. Results showed that workers in oil stations indicated normal values for haemoglobin 13.2 and white blood cells (5640 cell/cmm) and platelets 261000 during the first 10 years of work. As the duration of work progresses, results indicated that there was a gradually reduction in all parameters.

The digester geometry significantly enhances household batch digesters' performance, especially the internal surface area. The present study investigates the impact of different extended surface areas augmented around inside digesters on anaerobic digestion performance. Four batch digesters were used, i.e., A, B, C, and D, with no extended surfaces, with four horizontal circular extended surfaces of width 2, 4, and 6 cm, respectively. Cow dung was used as a substrate in those digesters under mesophilic conditions. Experimental results show that the highest peak of methane contents were 70.78, 72.61, 73.82, and 74.22 %. High daily biogas production volumes were 18.4, 19.4, 19.5, and 20.8 L, and high accumulative biogas production volumes were 354.1, 425.3, 471.4, and 509 L for digesters A, B, C, and D, respectively. During the experiment start-up phase, pH values dropped to 6.5, 6.4, 6.2, and 6.1 for digesters A, B, C, and D, respectively. The four digesters' methane (CH4) content values increased in the first days of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. Favored performance and better biogas production outlined with digester D had a high interior extended surface area. The future work, organic loading rate (OLR), and temperature at different reactors to demonstrate its potential use in industrial applications. Co-digestion of STW with multiple organic wastes originating from a significant quantity of biogas at a single point can be investigated further.

To investigate rickettsioses and leptospirosis among urban residents of Semarang, Indonesia, we tested the blood of 137 patients with fever. Evidence of Rickettsia typhi, the agent of murine typhus, was found in 9 patients. Another 9 patients showed inconclusive serologic results. Thirteen patients received a diagnosis of leptospirosis. No dual infections were detected.