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As fossil fuels deplete day by day due to the growing demand in various sectors such as agriculture and transportation, the escalation of fuel prices in the international oil market, and increasing global warming, the search for alternative fuels has become urgent. The technology utilized and the cost of feedstock have the greatest impact on the cost of biodiesel production. In the present work, the goal was to produce high-quality biodiesel utilizing waste cooking oil as a feedstock and a natural catalyst in a continuous mode via Oscillatory Baffled Reactor (OBR). A transesterification catalyst based on the activation of dolomite rocks was prepared under a vacuum atmosphere. A kinetic study was conducted using oleic acid as a waste cooking oil model compound at 40, 50, and 60 °C in the OBR at low and high oscillation conditions and a reaction time range of 5–40 min. The study revealed that the transesterification reaction over the dolomite catalysts was the first order, and the activation energy was approximately 34 kJ/mol. The oscillation conditions do not affect the kinetics of the reaction. The OBR was used to evaluate the dolomite catalyst for the continuous slurry production of biodiesel via transesterification. The evaluation parameters were methanol: oil ratio of 6:1, temperature (50, 60, and 70 °C), residence time (5–40 min), the amplitude of oscillation (2, 4, 6, and 8 mm), and frequency of oscillation (1, 2, 3, 4 and 4.3 Hz). The results of the evaluation were used to generate an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model to predict the continuous transesterification process in the OBR. The model was built with one hidden layer and 20 neurons. The simulated results were very close to the experimental results as a mean square error (MSE) of 0.0712 and a regression coefficient (R2) of 0.998 were obtained.

This paper reviews the environmental implications associated with the COVID-19 pandemic at the individual and community levels in the UAE. The positive effects emanating from the pandemic include improved air quality and reduced contamination of public spaces with pollutants. On the other hand, far-reaching negative effects include poor disposal of medical plastic waste and facemasks and the rise in unhygienic health practices amongst residents of UAE. The long-term ecological implications of the pandemic are still not well understood. The findings shed the light on the importance of addressing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic through preventative policies and strategies for better environmental health and readiness for future crises. Future research could assess the long-term environmental conse-quences of the pandemic on the UAE.

Abstract Background Despite the good outcomes achieved with intravitreal angiogenic therapy, a subset of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) patients experience resistance to therapy after repeated injections. Switching drugs could offer benefit to this group of patients. Purpose To determine visual and anatomical outcomes in a cohort of neovascular AMD patients resistant to repeated injections of bevacizumab/ranibizumab after switching to aflibercept therapy. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of patients who had a diagnosis of neovascular AMD and persistent intraretinal (IRF) and/or subretinal fluid (SRF) on optical coherence tomography (OCT) for at least 3 months despite monthly bevacizumab and/or ranibizumab injections prior to transition to aflibercept. We reviewed patients’ records and OCT images obtained at baseline, 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after transition to aflibercept. Data collected included demographics, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), number of injections received and the occurrence of any adverse events. Studied OCT parameters included central macular thickness (CMT) values and the presence or absence of SRF, IRF and/or pigment epithelial detachment (PED) at each visit. Results We included 53 eyes of 48 patients. Mean change in BCVA from baseline was 0.05 ± 0.13 (P = 0.01) at M1, 0.04 ± 0.16 (P = 0.08) at M3, 0.01 ± 0.22 (P = 0.9) at M6, and 0.02 ± 0.28 (P = 1) at M12, while the mean change in CMT from baseline was 64 ± 75 μm (P

A perfluorocarbon (PFC) investigated for treatment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) delivers oxygen to support brain function, but causes transient thrombocytopenia. TBI can cause acute inflammation with resulting thrombocytopenia; an interaction between the PFC effects and TBI inflammation might exacerbate thrombocytopenia. Therefore, PFC effects on platelet (PLT) function and hemostasis in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) model of inflammation in the baboon were studied. Animals were randomized to receive saline ±LPS, and ± one of two doses of PFC. PLT count, transmission electron microscopy, and microparticle populations were quantified at baseline (BL) and at 2, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours; hemostatic parameters for aggregometry and for blood clotting were measured at baseline (BL) and days 3 and 4. Injection of vehicle and LPS caused thrombocytopenia within hours; PFCs caused delayed thrombocytopenia beginning 48 hours post-infusion. LPS+PFC produced a more prolonged PLT decline and decreased clot strength. LPS+PFC increased ADP-stimulated aggregation, but PFC alone did not. Microparticle abundance was greatest in the LPS+PFC groups. LPS+PFC caused diffuse microvascular hemorrhage and death in 2 of 5 baboons in the low dose LPS-PFC group and 2 of 2 in the high dose LPS-PFC group. Necropsy and histology suggested death was caused by shock associated with hemorrhage in multiple organs. Abnormal morphology of platelets and red blood cells were notable for PFC inclusions. In summary, PFC infusion caused clinically significant thrombocytopenia and exacerbated LPS-induced platelet activation. The interaction between these effects resulted in decreased hemostatic capacity, diffuse bleeding, shock and death.

Introduction Management of epiphora in children is a stepwise process, starting with probing after age of 1 year and it provides a high cure rate. Nasolacrimal intubation is recommended when symptoms persist after two probings. For persistent epiphora following probing and intubation, more invasive procedure is required like balloon dacryocystoplasty, or external and endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy. Objective This study was designed to evaluate the indications and surgical outcome of external dacryocystorhinostomy in the paediatric age group. Design A retrospective case series study that was carried out in the oculoplastic unit in Minia University Hospital including children undergoing external dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in a 5-year period (from June 2008 to June 2013). Patients and methods Data of all patients who underwent external DCR with silicone intubation in a 5-year period were retrospectively reviewed. Patients aged 15 years or less were chosen for the study and data collected were age and sex of the patients, side of the obstruction, indication for surgery, follow-up period and postoperative results and complications. Criteria of success were disappearance of epiphora, discharge and/or the mucocele in addition to negative fluorescein dye disappearance test and patent lacrimal passages on syringing and probing. The follow-up period was at least 6 months. Data of 29 patients were retrieved and the patients were categorized into two subgroups according to the cause of obstruction: congenital group (17 patients) and acquired group (12 patients) and the collected data were statistically analysed. Results Seventeen (58.6%) out of the 29 patients had congenital causes of epiphora, whereas 12 (41.4%) patients had acquired causes. Age of the patients ranged from 6 to 180 months with a mean of 78 months. Males were slightly more (53%) in the congenital subgroup, whereas 58% of the patients in the acquired subgroup were females and the overall male to female ratio in all patients was nearly 1 : 1. The overall success rate in all patients was 89%, which was higher in the congenital subgroup (94%) than in the acquired subgroup (83%). Conclusion External DCR yielded good results with minimal complications regarding epiphora in children. The results were better in patients with congenital causes than acquired causes.

Introduction Although malignant eyelid tumors are rare, their incidence appears to be increasing. The recognition and treatment of malignant eyelid tumors pose a challenge. Moreover, late diagnosis of the tumors, although is rarely lethal, requires more invasive surgery and consequently will have adverse aesthetic effects. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate histopathologically confirmed eyelid malignant lesions as regards pathological types and degree of tissue invasion at the time of presentation in patients admitted to the Oculoplastic Unit in Minia University Hospital during the 5-year period. Design This is a retrospective case series study that was carried out in the Oculoplastic Unit in Minia University Hospital during the 5-year period (from January 2009 to December 2013). Patients and methods Five years′ medical records of all patients admitted to the Oculoplastic Unit at the Ophthalmology Department, Minia University Hospital, for the diagnosis and management of suspected eyelid lesions were reviewed. Data such as age and sex of the patients, laterality of the lesion, upper or lower lid lesion, site of the lesion, histopathological type of the lesion, grade of tissue invasion at the time of presentation, the procedure performed for each case, the recurrence if any and the follow-up period were evaluated. Results An overall 65% of eyelid malignancies were basal cell carcinoma (BCC), 23% were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and only 12% were sebaceous gland carcinoma (SGC). An overall 0.62% of the cases were confined to the lower eyelids and 38% were confined to the upper eyelids. An overall 88% of BCCs were confined to the eyelids and only 12% were extended deeper to the underlying periosteum. An overall 33% of cases with SCC and SGC extended deeper in the tissues or to the regional lymph nodes. Local recurrence after resection was nil in BCC, 16% in SCC and 33% in SGC. Conclusion In our locality, BCC represented two-thirds of the malignant eyelid lesions, whereas SCC was responsible for one-fourth of the lesions. Most of the malignant lesions were confined to the eyelid only. Although SGC was less frequent, it was aggressive and invasive; moreover, it had a higher rate of local recurrence.

In this paper, we evaluate the impacts of historic strong El Niño events on the coastal Mississippi-Alabama (MS-AL) hydroclimate. The normal physical association is that the increase in soil moisture, as a result of greater precipitation, is also associated with increased streamflow. When compared to the historic (1960−2015) long-term average, January through August streamflow volumes for five unimpaired streamflow gages located in coastal MS-AL exhibit an average increase of ~20% following a strong El Niño event. This overall increase was due to above-average precipitation during the winter-spring (January through April) season, with the corresponding average increase in streamflow volume for the five gages ~32%. In evaluating the temporal (monthly) variability of streamflow, we observe that the summer (June through August) season was dry following strong El Niño events, with streamflow volumes for the five gages decreasing by an average of ~21%. The agricultural industry in coastal MS-AL produces a variety of crops including cotton and peanuts. The typical planting season for these crops ends in mid-June with harvesting occurring in early September. Thus, the primary growing season for these crops is June−August. Given the lack of impoundments and irrigated lands in coastal MS-AL, the agricultural sector would be severely impacted by an El Niño driven drier summer. When evaluating the influence of the 2015−2016 El Niño on January through August 2016 streamflow, a similar pattern was observed in which high winter−spring streamflow was followed by diminished summer streamflow.

Purpose. To evaluate a new surgical technique using fascia lata to deepen the shallow inferior conjunctival fornix in contracted socket and anophthalmic socket syndrome. Methods. A prospective controlled study in which 24 sockets of 24 patients who were unable to wear and retain their ocular prosthesis due to shallow inferior fornix were enrolled and categorized into anophthalmic socket syndromes (9 patients) and contracted sockets (15 patients). Another 24 patients who underwent evisceration or enucleation with healthy sockets and can wear and retain their prosthesis comfortably were chosen as a control group. Deepening of the fornix was performed using fascia lata strips under general anesthesia. Central depth of the inferior fornix was measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Results. A statistically significant improvement of the postoperative central inferior fornix depth was reported which was marked in anophthalmic subgroup. 100% of anophthalmic sockets and 93.3% of contracted sockets achieved satisfactory results during the follow-up period with no postoperative lower eyelid malposition or obvious skin scar. Conclusion. Fascia lata technique is a new alternative and effective procedure to deepen the shallow inferior fornix that can be used in moderate to severe contracted sockets or anophthalmic socket syndrome with minimal lower eyelid or socket complications.

Two field experiments were performed at Sids Agriculture Farm Research Station, Bani Swif Governorate during 2003 and 2004 seasons, to study the suitability of different tillage treatments, i.e. chisel plough two and three passes at 10, 15 and 20cm depths and intercropping patterns of maize and soybean i.e. two ridges of maize : two ridges of soybean (2:2) and two ridges of maize : four ridges of soybean (2:4) on water consumption, growth characters, yield and quality of maize (cv. T.W.C. 310) intercropped with soybean (cv. Clark). The results indicated that using chisel plough 3 passes decreased the value of mean weight diameter (M.W.D) by 33.00%, 27.92% and 31.87% as compared when using chisel plough 2 passes for 10, 15 and 20cm depths respectively. On other hand, yield and quality of maize, as well as, yield and quality of soybean were significantly increased by using tillage with chisel plough 3 passes. Both yield of maize and soybean per feddan. in pure stand were always higher than those within any intercrop combination, these results were true in both seasons. The data also revealed that maize yield in (2:2) pattern and using chisel plough 3 passes at 15cm depth gave the highest yield whereas, the highest yield of soybean per feddan was obtained when soybean plants grown in (2:4) pattern with 3 passes of chisel plough at15cm depth. On other hand the highest values of water use efficiency (W.U.E) in the two seasons were recorded when (2:4) pattern was applied and using chisel plough 3 passes at15cm depth The highest values of land equivalent ratio (LER) in the two seasons were 1.54 and 1.53 respectively when (2:4 ) pattern was applied.

Bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) transplantation has shown promise for repair of the spinal cord. We showed earlier that a BMSC transplant limits the loss of spinal nervous tissue after a contusive injury. Here, we addressed the premise that BMSC-mediated tissue sparing underlies functional recovery in adult rats after a contusion of the thoracic spinal cord. Our results reveal that after 2 months BMSCs had elicited a significant increase in spared tissue volumes and in blood vessel density in the contusion epicenter. A strong functional relationship existed between spared tissue volumes and blood vessel density. BMSC-transplanted rats exhibited significant improvements in motor, sensorimotor, and sensory functions, which were strongly correlated with spared tissue volumes. Retrograde tracing revealed that rats with BMSCs had twice as many descending brainstem neurons with an axon projecting beyond the contused spinal cord segment and these correlated strongly with the improved motor/sensorimotor functions but not sensory functions. Together, our data indicate that tissue sparing greatly contributes to BMSC-mediated functional repair after spinal cord contusion. The preservation/formation of blood vessels and sparing/regeneration of descending brainstem axons may be important mediators of the BMSC-mediated anatomical and functional improvements.

We investigated whether small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) could be used in combination with computed tomography (CT) imaging techniques for longitudinal monitoring of the injured spinal cord. In adult female Sprague-Dawley rats ( n = 6), the ninth thoracic (T9) spinal cord segment was exposed by laminectomy and subsequently contused using the Infinite Horizon impactor (Precision System and Instrumentation, Lexington, KY) at 225 kDyn. In control rats ( n = 4), the T9 spinal cord was exposed by laminectomy but not contused. At 0.5 hours and 3, 7, and 21 days postinjury, 2-[ 18 F]fluoro-2-deoxy- d -glucose ([ 18 F]FDG) was given intravenously followed 1 hour later by sequential PET and CT. Regions of interest (ROIs) at T9 (contused) and T6 (uninjured) spinal cord segments were manually defined on CT images and aided by fiduciary markers superimposed onto the coregistered PET images. Monte Carlo simulation revealed that about 33% of the activity in the ROIs was due to spillover from adjacent hot areas. A simulation-based partial-volume compensation (PVC) method was developed and used to correct for this spillover effect. With PET-CT, combined with PVC, we were able to serially measure standardized uptake values of the T9 and T6 spinal cord segments and reveal small, but significant, differences. This approach may become a tool to assess the efficacy of spinal cord repair strategies.

Copyright of Egyptian Journal of Botany is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Assiut Journal of Agricultural Sciences is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Tomato is the most widely grown vegetables in the world and also the most important item of the vegetables processing sector. Tomato is important vegetable plant in our agriculture map which used as food in many countries of the world and especially Egypt. It infested with many pests, among of the most serious pest, whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae). This work was aimed to study effectiveness of acetamprid alone and binary mixtures with oil and foliar fertilizer against whitefly larvae mortality, egg hatchability (under laboratory condition) and yield of tomato plants. The results showed that in case of egg hatchability, adding fertilizer to oil, fertilizer to acetamprid and oil to acetamiprid cause decreased in hatchability percentage compared with other treatments. Also, the results illustrated that adding of fertilizer to acetamiprid or oil causing increasing in reduction percentage to B. tabaci larvae. In case of initial effect when adding fertilizer to acetamiprid cause increasing mean reduction percentage to 92.61% recording the first superior treatment. The results showed that adding foliar fertilizer to oil or acetamprid and oil to acetamprid recorded 85.48, 83.12 and 77.95% reduction, respectively. In case of tomato yield during two summer successive seasons 2016 and 2017, the results reported that the tomato yield increased when adding oil to acetamprid recorded 609.45 Kg during 2016 season with increasing value of 40.17% compared with control and other treatments, but control record the lowest yield (433.09 kg). During 2017 summer season, adding oil to acetamiprid recorded superior yield of 621.53 kg with increasing 35.53% compared with control. Impact of adding oil and fertilizer on residues of acetamprid on tomato fruits (washed and unwashed): Unwashed fruits in case of acetamiprid alone recorded residues up to maximum residue limit until 12 days from spray but addition fertilizer or oil to acetamiprid cause disappearance acetamiprid in 9th day from spray. Wash using water or acetic acid caused speed disappearance to acetamprid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quinoa, Chenopodium quinoa Willd. (Chenopodiaceae) is a herbaceous flowering plant which is originated in the Andeas region (Latin America). Seeds of quinoa are of high nutritional value, so it is important for the diversification of future agricultural systems. It is believed that quinoa deserves more research for successful cultivation in order to get the benefit of its high nutritional value. The presented study dealt with a survey and study on the common insect species which proved to infest quinoa seeds during storage. Quinoa seeds storage proved liable for infestation by three insect species; Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller), Lasioderma serricorne and Tribolium castaneum. (3.17±0.08, 21.50±1.23, 36.25±0.63 and 44.00±0.25 total infestation % at the end of each of the 4 successive years, respectively). By close observation, E. kuehniella proved to be the most common and serious pest on quinoa seeds. This insect species caused the first infestation, followed by L. serricorne and T. castaneum. The results of this study suggest that E. kuehniella more tolerant to quinoa saponin. Some biological information on the surveyed insect species was carried out. The role of saponin against either stored grain insect pests needs more investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the percentage of women assuming the role of household leaders rises, there is a prevailing consensus to lend them support. Determining their experience of social support phenomenologically is the objective of the present study. The investigation utilized the phenomenological method. In 1400, twenty-one female heads of household in Mashhad participated in semi-structured interviews; the resulting data were subsequently analyzed using MAXQDA software. Three entities provide assistance to female heads of household: family, friends, and governmental organizations. Often, family support is both financial and emotional. Companionship and friends offer practical, financial, and emotional assistance, while governmental bodies and organizations prioritize monetary support. However, these assistance programs—consisting primarily of low-interest loans—will contribute to the perpetuation of poverty if not accompanied by policies that target and alleviate poverty. Widows initially require emotional support before progressing to requiring financial, material, and informational resources. Following financial support, divorced women require emotional support. Financial, informational, instrumental, and emotional autonomy are all essential for single women. Because mistrust, particularly towards men, constitutes the foundation of each of these women's living space, conformity and aloofness serve as the primary tenets of their social connections. The findings revealed that female heads of household encounter numerous obstacles in their personal and social spheres, necessitating assistance. Nevertheless, policymakers must be concerned with the manner in which these supports are delivered in order to prevent it from becoming a "social issue" and to mitigate social harm.

Abstract Background This animal study sought to evaluate two novel nanomaterials for pulpotomy of primary teeth and assess the short-term pulpal response and hard tissue formation in dogs. The results were compared with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Methods This in vivo animal study on dogs evaluated 48 primary premolar teeth of 4 mongrel female dogs the age of 6–8 weeks, randomly divided into four groups (n = 12). The teeth underwent complete pulpotomy under general anesthesia. The pulp tissue was capped with MCM-48, MCM-48/Hydroxyapatite (HA), MTA (positive control), and gutta-percha (negative control), and the teeth were restored with intermediate restorative material (IRM) paste and amalgam. After 4–6 weeks, the teeth were extracted and histologically analyzed to assess the pulpal response to the pulpotomy agent. Results The data were analyzed using the Kruskal‒Wallis, Fisher’s exact, Spearman’s, and Mann‒Whitney tests. The four groups were not significantly different regarding the severity of inflammation (P = 0.53), extent of inflammation (P = 0.72), necrosis (P = 0.361), severity of edema (P = 0.52), extent of edema (P = 0.06), or connective tissue formation (P = 0.064). A significant correlation was noted between the severity and extent of inflammation (r = 0.954, P