Search

أظهرت نتائج تحليل أوراق نبات الشاي الأخضر باستخدام جهاز GC-MSالمستخلصة بواسطة جهاز soxhlet باستخدام الإيتانول كمذيب وجود 24 مركب كيميائي من ثلاث مناطق مختلفة (بانياس – بستان الباشا - دمسرخو) مثلت نسبة 46.69% في بانياس، و17.66% في بستان الباشا، و33.65% في دمسرخو وكانت على النحو الآتي: في منطقة دمسرخو كانت نسبة المركبات النتروجينية 15.20%، ونسبة المركبات الهيدروكربونية 1.13%، ونسبة المركبات الفينولية 15.42%، وبلغت نسبة المركبات الأخرى 1.90%، أما في منطقة بانياس كانت نسبة المركبات النتروجينية 7.52%، ونسبة المركبات الهيدروكربونية 3.39%، ونسبة المركبات الفينولية 35.78%، وفي منطقة بستان الباشا كانت نسبة المركبات النتروجينية 12.62%، ونسبة المركبات الهيدروكربونية 2.35%، ونسبة المركبات الفينولية 2.69%. كما أظهرت نتائج تحليل أوراق نبات الشاي الأخضر باستخدام جهاز GC-MS المستخلصة بواسطة جهاز ultrasonic وجود 20 مركب كيميائي مثلت نسبة 38.17% في بانياس، و18.91% في بستان الباشا، و31.91% في دمسرخو وكانت على النحو الآتي: في منطقة دمسرخو كانت نسبة المركبات النتروجينية 12.19%، ونسبة المركبات الهيدروكربونية 14.74%، ونسبة المركبات الفينولية 4.98%، وفي منطقة بانياس كانت نسبة المركبات النتروجينية 6.24%، ونسبة المركبات الهيدروكربونية 1.46%، ونسبة المركبات الفينولية 30.47%، وفي منطقة بستان الباشا كانت نسبة المركبات النتروجينية 4.02%، ونسبة المركبات الهيدروكربونية 1.36%، ونسبة المركبات الفينولية 11.78%، وبلغت نسبة المركبات الأخرى 1.75%.

1,3,4-Selenadiazoles and 1,3,4-thiadiazolese, were synthesized from the reaction of hydrazonoyl bromide with potassium thiocyanate and potassium selenocyanate, respectively. Also, treatment of hydrazonoyl bromide with malononitrile gave pyrazole-4-carbonitrile derivatives which reacted with formic acid, and formamide to produce the respective pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidines. Elemental analyses, alternative synthesis procedures, and spectrum data were used to confirm the structures of the novel compounds. We studied the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction mechanism of these reactions using the density functional theory (DFT) method at the B3LYP/6–311++G** level of theory. The product formation was explained experimentally by calculations involving natural bond orbitals (NBO) and frontier molecular orbitals (FMO).The results of this study are consistent with the proposed experimental mechanism.

Abstract Two simple, accurate and precise chromatographic methods have been developed and validated for estimating Mupirocin (MUP) in two binary mixtures. Mixture (1); with Fluticasone propionate (FLU) together with two of their impurities, namely; Pseudomonic acid-D (Pseud-D) and Fluticasone impurity C (FIC). Mixture (2); with Mometasone furoate (MF) along with Pseud-D impurity. High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC-densitometry) and high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) were the two proposed methods. In the HPTLC method, good separation of both mixtures was achieved by using HPTLC plates pre-coated with silica gel 60 F254 as stationary phase and the mobile phase consisted of toluene: chloroform: ethanol at a ratio of (5: 4: 2, by volume). The detection was carried out at 220 nm for MUP and 254 nm for FLU, MF, Pseud-D and FIC. In the HPLC method, chromatographic separation was carried out using Agilent Eclipse XDB (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) C18 column. For mixture (1), a mobile phase of methanol: sodium di-hydrogen phosphate (pH 3.0) was applied in stepwise gradient elution starting at ratios of (50: 50, v/v) and then switching to (80: 20, v/v) after 7 min at a flow rate of 1 mL.min− 1. Detection was performed using diode array detector at 220 nm for MUP and Pseud-D and 240 nm for FLU and FIC. For mixture (2), the same mobile phase was used, but in isocratic elution in the ratio (80: 20, v/v) at flow rate of 1 mL.min− 1 and detection at 220 nm for MUP and Pseud-D and 248 nm for MF. The two methods successfully separated the cited drugs and were used to determine the drugs in pure form as well as pharmaceutical dosage forms. Validation was done as per International Council on Harmonization guidelines. Furthermore, the greenness of the proposed methods compared to the reported method, was evaluated as per the National Environmental Method Index, analytical Eco scale, Green Analytical Procedure Index and Analytical Greenness metric approaches.

Polymer concrete (PC) was developed at the end of the 1950s and gained popularity in the 1970s for precast parts, flimsy floor coverings, and repairs. Due to its superior performance over traditional Portland cement concrete, which offers many benefits, including mechanical properties, quick hardening, and durability. In this article, polymeric concrete was made using a mixture of sand and epoxy, and different proportions of sand were replaced with crushed concrete waste. This study found that the ideal ratio between resin and fine aggregate was 23% resin to 77% fine aggregate in terms of the total weight of the combination to get the best dispersion of fine aggregate. Waste concrete replaced 5, 10, 15, and 20% of aggregate in PC, respectively. It was further demonstrated that increased waste concrete aggregate content in PC increased the 28-day compressive strength by 7.7, 13.44, 16.8, and 18.97%, respectively; flexural strength increased by 16.68, 25.32, 37.16, and 47.71% at 28 days’ age; and direct tensile strength was higher than the reference mixture by values of 3.41, 17.21, 23.54, and 30.38% at 28 days age. The findings recommended using recycled fine aggregate on PC and suggested a 20% replacement ratio as an optimum percentage.

Using substances of high latent heat such as phase change materials is a perfect technique in the energy storage units. Additionally, examining the heat transport and melting process for these materials is beneficial for a wide variety of solar-related applications. Therefore, this study aims to examine the time-dependent fractional melting process within inclined containers filled with Nanoparticles-enhanced Phase-Change Materials (NePCM) via the model of the enthalpy-porosity. The used NePCM is octadecane and the fractional derivatives are considered for all the time-dependent variables, namely, velocities, temperature and liquid fraction. The Caputo definition is applied to estimate the non-integer derivatives and the fractional order takes the values between 0.75 and 0.95. The solution methodology is depending on the Finite Volume technique with SIMPLE approach. The range of the Fourier number is between 0.05 and 0.4 and the resulting data is presented in terms of melting interface, liquid fraction, streamlines, isotherms and heat transfer rate. The main findings revealed that the influences of order of the fractional derivatives more significant at the higher values of the Fourier number and the melting interface points move towards the heated wall as order of the fractional derivatives is reduced. Also, at higher values of the fractional derivative's order (0.9), the maximizing of inclination angle causes a diminishing in the rate of the heat transfer.

Nitrogen and sulfur-containing heterocyclic aromatic derivatives play an enormous and important role in the field of medicine and in synthesis of pharmaceutically active compounds. In this study, a series of new 2-[1-(1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinyl)-4-methyl-5-aryldiazinyl)-thiazole derivatives (9a–d) was synthesized by an efficient and convenient method by reacting hydrazonoyl chloride derivatives (4) with carbothioamide derivative (3). The structures of these compounds were elucidated using elemental analyses, spectroscopic analyses (IR, NMR, Mass spectrometer) and computational measurements. Density functional theory (DFT) is performed to get the optimized structures with minimization Energy. The main goal of preparing these compounds is to evaluate their in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activities after studying their molecular docking. The docking was performed on compounds (9a–d) against tyrosine kinase (PDB ID: 2HCK). The results revealed that all docked compounds (9a-d) have a higher binding energy, ranging from −7.56 to −8,89 kcal/mol. compared to the original ligand quercetin, which was −5.92 kcal/mol. Moreover, the results of antioxidant and anticancer activity assay methods demonstrated that the tested derivatives (9a-d) exhibited potent antioxidant and anti-tumor activities against HepG2 cell lines.

This study provides a complete analysis of the electronic and photophysical properties of, the derivative of uracil, IsoOrotic (IOA) azo dyes. The ability of the dye to work as an excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) was investigated by using Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) methods. The effect of electron-donating substituents (CH3 and NMe2) and an electron-withdrawing one (NO2) was examined. In addition, the effect of the solvent polarity on the ESIPT process is studied. All the geometrical structures in the singlet ground (S0) and excited (S1) states, were optimized using B3LYP/6–311 + G** level of theory. The intramolecular hydrogen bond parameters (IHBs), and the Infra-Red vibrational analysis of the O-H bond show that the IHBs are enhanced in the S1 state. Furthermore, the absorption and emission spectra were simulated and the values of stokes shifts were observed. The PAIOA derivative with an electron withdrawing group shows large stokes shift compared with those having electron-donating ones. Therefore, we can safely conclude that the substituent groups and the different solvents are extremely impactful on the ESIPT process.

Photovoltaic (PV) and concentrated solar power (CSP) are the two main methods for capturing solar energy. Egypt has so far focused its energy investments on solar PV technology. However, considering Egypt's hot, dry weather throughout the year, centralized large-scale PV power generation would not be the best option for Egypt's energy needs. In light of the preceding, this study assesses the most suitable CSP technologies (parabolic trough collector, linear Fresnel reflector, and solar power tower (SPT)) for massively centralized power generation in Egypt. There are six potential sites for the construction of these power stations, all of which are close to cities and dispersed around Egypt. This is a result of the region's natural appropriateness for developing solar power facilities, its configuration, and its proximity to the Egyptian electrical system. The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) and annual water consumption are two of the proposed power plant's key economic factors, which are examined. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis is used to verify the comparative technical analysis, which is based on electrical output and the capacity utilization factor. The results show that the Benban SPT site has both the highest produced energy and the lowest LCOE, with an annual production of 258,789.8 MWh and 11.71 ¢/kWh.

Melamine (ML), a chemical substance of high nitrogen content, is used as a food adulterant. Former evidences implied that ML could induce a variety of toxic effects including neurotoxicity and cognitive impairment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to delineate the protective effect of the nootkatone (NK) against ML-induced neural adverse effects. Rats were orally pretreated with NK (5 and 10 mg/kg) prior to the oral administration of ML (700 mg/kg) for a period of 28 days. Our findings unveiled remarkable alleviating effect of NK on MK-induced neurobehavioral disturbance in open field test. Furthermore, NK lessened ML-caused increases in the acetylcholine esterase level in the brain tissue of exposed rats. NK also decreased the neural oxidative stress as represented by elevated levels of SOD, CAT, and GSH along with decreased MDA and NO levels. Upregulated mRNA expression levels of neural NRF-2 and HO-1 were noticed after NK administration. Remarkable anti-inflammatory impact was prominent by decreased neural IL-1β, and TNF-α along with downregulated NF-κB and TLR-4 gene expression levels in NK-treated rats. Noteworthily, pre-treatment with NK decreased the immune reaction of RAGE and HMGB-1 induced by oral ML exposure. Brain histological examination validated the obtained biochemical and molecular results. To sum up, these outcomes reveal that NK successfully alleviated the neural damage induced by ML via blocking of oxidative stress, and inflammatory signaling pathways. Consequently, our study may suggest NK as a new effective therapeutic supplement for treatment of ML-mediated neurotoxicity in rats via inhibition of HMGB-1-RAGE/TLR-4/NF-κB.

This paper presents the Physicochemical effects of organic solvents on a painted layer during the cleaning process in the conservation of mural painting. An experimental study was carried out replicating mural paintings followed by using two organic solvents (Ethanol and Benzene), which were applied on Egg yolk binder mixed with Malachite. This experiment was performed by a range of complementary analytical techniques used to examine treated samples, such as FTIR (Fourier- Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) analysis, Colorimetric Measurements and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The Surface Morphology analysis by SEM confirms an increase in the roughness with a fairly even surface topography at the micro level as the grains of pigment becomes more evident and more light scattering than a saturated paint film. The FTIR analysis indicated that the amides of the secondary structure of proteins were affected by organic solvents. Colorimetric measurements showed a total color difference ∆E in the sample with benzene.

Abstract Background Under inflammatory conditions, the activation of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) receptor has been shown to inhibit pain through opioid peptide release from immune cells or neurons. CRF’s effects on human and animal pain modulation depend, however, on the distribution of its receptor subtypes 1 and 2 (CRF-R1 and CRF-R2) along the neuraxis of pain transmission. The objective of this study is to investigate the respective role of each CRF receptor subtype on centrally administered CRF-induced antinociception during inflammatory pain. Methods The present study investigated the role of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) CRF receptor agonists on nociception and the contribution of cerebral CRF-R1 and/or CRF-R2 subtypes in an animal model of Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced hind paw inflammation. Methods used included behavioral experiments, immunofluorescence confocal analysis, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Results Intracerebroventricular, but systemically inactive, doses of CRF elicited potent, dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in inflammatory pain which were significantly antagonized by i.c.v. CRF-R1-selective antagonist NBI 27914 (by approximately 60%) but less by CRF-R2-selective antagonist K41498 (by only 20%). In line with these findings, i.c.v. administration of CRF-R1 agonist stressin I produced superior control of inflammatory pain over CRF-R2 agonist urocortin-2. Intriguingly, i.c.v. opioid antagonist naloxone significantly reversed the CRF as well as CRF-R1 agonist-elicited pain inhibition. Consistent with existing evidence of high CRF concentrations in brain areas such as the thalamus, hypothalamus, locus coeruleus, and periaqueductal gray following its i.c.v. administration, double-immunofluorescence confocal microscopy demonstrated primarily CRF-R1-positive neurons that expressed opioid peptides in these pain-relevant brain areas. Finally, PCR analysis confirmed the predominant expression of the CRF-R1 over CRF-R2 in representative brain areas such as the hypothalamus. Conclusion Taken together, these findings suggest that CRF-R1 in opioid-peptide-containing brain areas plays an important role in the modulation of inflammatory pain and may be a useful therapeutic target for inflammatory pain control.

The plastic deformation effect on the phase transformation (grain boundary diffusion) for Al-22at.%Zn polycrystals in the presence of copper additions have been investigated in the range of aging temperature 303-513K under the solvus line of the alloy (557K). The copper additions are 1, 1.5 and 2 at.% of the alloy. Also, the degrees of plastic deformation involved by rolling are 5, 10,15 and 20%, respectively. The occurrence of the discontinuous precipitation reaction has been effective by the degree of plastic deformation and the addition of copper. The phase constituents involve the FCC Al-rich, HCP Zn-rich, and CuZn4 phases. The cell growth rate of discontinuous precipitation reaction of Al-Zn-Cu alloy is affected by the copper addition. The growth rates are higher by one order of magnitude than the value at the lowest aging temperature (303K). This is compared to the growth rate at zero plastic deformation. The experimental measurements of nucleation and the growth of the discontinuous precipitation with cold rolling occur. The grain boundary diffusivities determined are in good agreement with the radiotracer measurement data in the Al-Zn systems. While the values of the activation energy, Qo, of the discontinuous precipitation reactions are -35.94, -39.71 and -45.36KJ/mol. The values of the pre-exponential factors, (SDb)o, are 2.962*10-12, 3.21*10-12 and 6.53*10-12 m3/sec with cold rolling of 5,10, 15 and 20 percent, respectively.

We report on organoboron complexes characterized by very small energy gaps (ΔEST) between their singlet and triplet states, which allow for highly efficient harvesting of triplet excitons into singlet states for working as thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) devices. Energy gaps ranging between 0.01 and 0.06 eV with dihedral angles of ca. 90° were registered. The spin–orbit couplings between the lowest excited S1 and T1 states yielded reversed intersystem crossing rate constants (KRISC) of an average of 105 s−1. This setup accomplished radiative decay rates of ca. 106 s−1, indicating highly potent electroluminescent devices, and hence, being suitable for application as organic light-emitting diodes.

التوصيف الفيزيو كيميائي لايقونة السيد المسيح ، كنيسة ابى سيفين ،جمهورية مصر العربية [Ar] قدم هذا البحث التوصيف الفيزوكيميائى لأيقونة قبطية من القرن التاسع عشر من كنيسة القديس مرقوريوس، حيث تمثل مثال فريد من هذة الايقونات التى تعود الى العصر القبطى. ولكى يتحقق الغرض من الدراسة تم استخدام بعض الوسائل الفحص والتحليل لشرح وايضاح كل مظاهر التلف مما يساعد في التوثيق الأثري للأيقونة ، وقد يعطي ذلك تفسير عن ميكانيكة تلف الأيقونات الأثرية . كشف الفحص البصري أن الأيقونة القبطية تتكون من أربع طبقات: دعامة لوح خشبي ، وطبقة تحضير ، وطبقة طلاء ، وبقية طبقة الورنيش ، وقد عانت كل طبقة من ظروف البيئة المحيطة ، وظهر ذلك في العديد من علامات التلف. تم فحص وتحليل العينات المأخوذة من أماكن مختلفة عن طريق الفحص باستخدام الميكرسكوب الإلكتروني الماسح المجهز بكاشف الأشعة السينية المشتت للطاقة (EDS) والتحليل الطيفى بالاشعة تحت الحمراء فورير " FTIR" وحيود الأشعة السينيةXRD " " أظهرت نتائج التحليل الطيفى بالاشعة فوق الحمراء للعينة الأثرية أن الطبقة الأرضية تتكون من الجبس والطباشير والغراء الحيواني كمادة رابطة. أشارت أطياف XRD إلى مصادر الأصباغ المستخدمة في رسم الأيقونة ، وتم تحديد المادة الملونة الحمراء من أحمر الرصاص ، وبالنسبة لمادة اللون الازرق من الالترامارين ، و المادة الملونة البيضاء من الرصاص الأبيض ، والمادة الملونة البنية كانت من أكسيد الحديد ، بالإضافة إلى استخدام صفار البيض كمادة رابطة في طبقة الطلاء والورنيش المستخدم كان من راتنج الشيلاك. ثم تم الكشف عن حالة التدهور ، وفقًا لنتائج SEM ، والتي أظهرت بوضوح وجود بقع وسناج وشمع وتشققات وثقوب في الطبقة السفلية من الأيقونة ، وتراكم الغبار وطبقات الورنيش الداكنة على الطبقة العليا. [EN] This research presents a physiochemical analysis of a Coptic icon from church of Saint Mercurius that back to the 19th century. Identified deterioration phenomena were illustrated using various examination and analysis tools in order to fulfill the study's objectives. So as to find an explanation for how ancient icons were damaged. The visual inspection revealed that the Coptic icon is made up of four layers: the wooden panel support, the preparation layer, the painting layer, and the remaining varnish layer, Each of these layers suffered from surrounding environment, appearing in various signs of damage in the visual assessment. Samples taken from different places were investigated and analyzed by using scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X- ray detector (EDX), FTIR, and X- Ray diffraction. The results of FTIR analysis revealed that the ground layer consists of gypsum, chalk and animal glue. XRD spectra confirmed that the red pigment was red lead , blue pigment was ultramarine, white pigment was white lead, and brown pigment was iron oxide (burnt sienna), in addition to the use of the egg yolk as a binder in the painting layer and the varnish was shellac resin. The state of deterioration was detected, according to the SEM results, which show clearly the presence of stain, soot, wax ,cracks and lacunae at the lower layer of the icon, and accumulation of dust and darkening of varnish layers on the upper layer.

BackgroundEmerging evidences indicate that glucocorticoid receptors (GR) play a regulatory role in cardiac function, particularly with regard to the autonomic nervous system. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate the expression and the precise anatomical location of GR in relation to the parasympathetic and sympathetic innervations of the heart.MethodsThe present study used tissue samples from rat heart atria to perform conventional reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot, and double immunofluorescence confocal analysis of GR with the neuronal markers vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) as well as the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR).ResultsDouble immunofluorescence labeling revealed that GRs were co-expressed with VAChT in parasympathetic principal neuronal somata and nerve terminals innervating atrium. Also, GR colocalized with the sympathetic neuronal marker TH in a cluster of small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells, on intracardiac nerve terminals and in the atrial myocardium. GR immunoreactivity was scarcely identified on CGRP-immunoreactive sensory nerve terminals. Approximately 20% of GR immunoreactive neuronal somata co-localized with MR. Finally, conventional RT-PCR and Western blot confirmed the presence of GR and MR in rat heart atria.ConclusionThis study provides evidence for the existence of GR predominantly on cardiac parasympathetic neurons and TH-immunoreactive SIF cells suggesting a functional role of cardiac GR on cardiovascular function by modulation of the cardiac autonomic nervous system.

The activation of the mineralocorticoid (MR) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors on peripheral sensory neurons seems to modify pain perception through both direct non-genomic and indirect genomic pathways. These distinct subpopulations of sensory neurons are not known for peripheral human nerves. Therefore, we examined MR and GR on subpopulations of sensory neurons in sectioned human and rat peripheral nerves. Real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and double immunofluorescence confocal analysis of MR and GR with the neuronal markers PGP9.5, neurofilament 200 (NF200), and the potential pain signaling molecules CGRP, Nav1.8, and TRPV1 were performed in human and rat nerve tissue. We evaluated mechanical hyperalgesia after intrathecal administration of GR and MR agonists. We isolated MR- and GR-specific mRNA from human peripheral nerves using RT-PCR. Our double immunofluorescence analysis showed that the majority of GR colocalized with NF200 positive, myelinated, mechanoreceptive A-fibers and, to a lesser extent, with peripheral peptidergic CGRP-immunoreactive sensory nerve fibers in humans and rats. However, the majority of MR colocalized with CGRP in rat as well as human nerve tissue. Importantly, there was an abundant colocalization of MR with the pain signaling molecules TRPV1, CGRP, and Nav1.8 in human as well as rat nerve tissue. The intrathecal application of the GR agonist reduced, and intrathecal administration of an MR agonist increased, mechanical hyperalgesia in rats. Altogether, these findings support a translational approach in mammals that aims to explain the modulation of sensory information through MR and GR activation. Our findings show a significant overlap between humans and rats in MR and GR expression in peripheral sensory neurons.

The aim of this research was to determine the levels of metacognitive awareness among college students in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on both academic majors and gender. There were 113 participants (58 females and 55 males) from the Information Technology (n = 68) and Human Resources (n = 45) majors. Using the Metacognitive Awareness of Writing Questionnaire (MAWQ), the study found moderate levels of metacognition awareness in writing skills, suggesting room to improve. The study found no significant differences between the academic majors, indicating the need for further research on the relationship between cognitive factors and writing skills. Similarly, the study found no significant gender differences in metacognitive awareness among applied college students. Differences in the Regulation of Cognition (RCOG) domain, however, may affect writing. Male students showed lower metacognitive awareness than female students. Instructors and policymakers can use these findings to improve students' metacognitive skills and writing strategies. In the future, researchers should explore other variables and identify effective strategies to improve college students' metacognitive awareness and writing skills.

In previous studies, upregulation of myocardial opioid receptors as well as the precursors of their endogenous ligands were detected in the failing heart due to chronic volume overload. Moreover, opioid receptor blockade by naltrexone improved left ventricular function. In parallel, inflammatory processes through cytokines have been confirmed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of different forms of heart failure. Thus, the present study examined the systemic and myocardial inflammatory response to chronic volume overload and its modulation by chronic naltrexone therapy. Chronic volume overload was induced in male Wistar rats by applying an infrarenal aortocaval fistula (ACF) for 28 days during which the selective opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone (n = 6) or vehicle (n = 6) were administered via a subcutaneously implanted Alzet minipump. The ultrastructural, morphometric and hemodynamic characterization of ACF animals were performed using an intraventricular conductance catheter in vivo and electron microscopy in vitro. Co-localization of mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptor subtypes (MOR, DOR, and KOR respectively) with the voltage gated L-type Ca2+ channel (Cav1.2), the ryanodine receptor (RyR), and mitochondria in cardiomyocytes as well as IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha, and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined using double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. In rat left ventricular myocardium, three opioid receptor subtypes MOR, DOR, and KOR colocalized with Cav1.2, RyR and mitochondria suggesting a modulatory role of the excitation-contraction coupling. In rats with ACF-induced volume overload, signs of heart failure and myocardial ultrastructural damage, chronic naltrexone therapy improved cardiac function and reversed the systemic and myocardial inflammatory cytokine expression as well as lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, antagonism of the cardiodepressive effects of the myocardial opioid system does not only improve left ventricular function but also blunts the inflammatory response and lipid peroxidation.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the perspectives of English as a Foreign Language Special Education teachers (EFLSE) regarding game-based learning approaches for addressing behavioral disorders in ADHD patients. Method: The study involved a sample (n = 131) of EFLSE teachers who completed a questionnaire to determine how feasible, acceptable, and helpful they found game-based learning. Results: The study revealed that EFLSE teachers perceive game-based learning to be a feasible and acceptable method for engaging ADHD students and helping to maintain their attention during game-based learning activities. Nevertheless, implementation and individualized approaches are cited as challenges. Additionally, EFLSE teachers emphasized the benefits of game-based learning, including improved problem solving, assessment methods, collaboration, and the acquisition of academic skills. Conclusions: The study contributes insights for educators, policymakers, and researchers that can support the development of evidence-based interventions offering game-based learning for students with ADHD.

Mohamed M Abdel-Daim,1 Mohamed Shaaban Ali,2 Fedekar F Madkour,3 Hamed Elgendy2,4 1Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt; 2Anesthesia Department, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut, Egypt; 3Marine Science Department, Faculty of Science, Port Said University, Port Said 42526, Egypt; 4Anesthesia Department, HAMAD Medical Corporation & Weill Cornell Medicine Qatar & Qatar University, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Hamed ElgendyAnesthesia Department, HAMAD Medical Corporation, P.O. Box 3050, Doha, QatarTel +974- 4011 4271Fax +974- 4439 1511Email helgendy70@gmail.comIntroduction: Diabetic neuropathy is a common consequence of diabetes. Hyperalgesia is one of the main symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. In response to noxious stimuli, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats show exaggerated hyperalgesic behavior, while Spirulina platensis has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and insulin-like effects. To assess the antinociceptive effect of oral Spirulina platensis (SP) powder on formalin-induced nociceptive responses in STZ-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Sixty mature male albino rats were randomly allocated into six equal groups (10 in each group). Group 1 (control non-diabetic group) received 0.9% saline; group 2 was given oral pure SP powder-treated as a non-diabetic control group, group 3 was sodium salicylate-treated rats and used as a positive non-diabetic control group, group 4 managed as vehicle-treated diabetic rats, group 5 considered as SP-treated-diabetic group, and sodium salicylate-treated-diabetic rats used as a diabetic positive control group (group 6). STZ-diabetic rats were orally given SP in a dose of 500 mg kg/day for 1 month. The formalin test was implemented in two phases: the early phase in the first 10-min post-formalin injection, and the late phase was considered in the 15– 60 min post-formalin injection time interval.Results: Pain scores were increased in the diabetic groups during both phases of the experiment. Blood glucose was significantly reduced in diabetic rats that received oral SP, P < 0.01. Besides, SP-treated rats had lower pain scores during both phases of the experiment than untreated diabetic ones. However, in the sodium salicylate group, the pain score was reduced only during the second phase. An exaggerated nociceptive response occurred in diabetic rats after the formalin test. A significant antinociceptive effect appeared in SP-treated control and diabetic rats.Discussion: The findings suggest that oral Spirulina platensis could have a potential therapeutic role for managing induced painful diabetic neuropathy in rats.Keywords: antinociceptive, Spirulina platensis, diabetes, neuropathy, rat

Abstract Background Recently, mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) were identified in peripheral nociceptive neurons, and their acute antagonism was responsible for immediate and short-lasting (non-genomic) antinociceptive effects. The same neurons were shown to produce the endogenous ligand aldosterone by the enzyme aldosterone synthase. Methods Here, we investigate whether endogenous aldosterone contributes to inflammation-induced hyperalgesia via the distinct genomic regulation of specific pain signaling molecules in an animal model of Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced hindpaw inflammation. Results Chronic intrathecal application of MR antagonist canrenoate-K (over 4 days) attenuated nociceptive behavior in rats with FCA hindpaw inflammation suggesting a tonic activation of neuronal MR by endogenous aldosterone. Consistently, double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy showed abundant co-localization of MR with several pain signaling molecules such as TRPV1, CGRP, Nav1.8, and trkA whose enhanced expression of mRNA and proteins during inflammation was downregulated following i.t. canrenoate-K. More importantly, inhibition of endogenous aldosterone production in peripheral sensory neurons by continuous intrathecal delivery of a specific aldosterone synthase inhibitor prevented the inflammation-induced enhanced transcriptional expression of TRPV1, CGRP, Nav1.8, and trkA and subsequently attenuated nociceptive behavior. Evidence for such a genomic effect of endogenous aldosterone was supported by the demonstration of an enhanced nuclear translocation of MR in peripheral sensory dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons. Conclusion Taken together, chronic inhibition of local production of aldosterone by its processing enzyme aldosterone synthase within peripheral sensory neurons may contribute to long-lasting downregulation of specific pain signaling molecules and may, thus, persistently reduce inflammation-induced hyperalgesia.

Due to the high-quality standards required by the process control industry such as liquid-level control, it is desired to implement sophisticated controllers that ensure the proper functioning of the process. Currently most industrial controllers are of the classic PID type. These controllers do a good job in reducing the system error and have simple structure and can be tuned easily when compared to fuzzy gain scheduled PID controllers. However, classic PID controllers do not perform well when the controlled system possesses largely varying dynamics at different operating conditions. Another limitation of classic PID controllers is that their operation depends on the tuning of the proportional, derivative, and integral gains. This paper presents a comparative study between a fuzzy gain scheduled PID controller and a classic PID controller commonly implemented in the process control industry. A comprehensive mathematical model for the Festo MPS PA compact workstation is developed for future use for control system design of the MPS PA compact workstation. Based on the experimental results, the fuzzy gain scheduled PID controller demonstrated supremacy on the PID control strategy. The presented analysis is verified by the implementation of the fuzzy gain scheduled PID control algorithm in the MPS PA compact workstation using custom-built LabVIEW interface. Experimental results verified the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.

Recent interest has focused on the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and its impact on the myocardium and the performance of the heart. However, there is a lack of evidence about MR expression and its endogenous ligand aldosterone synthesis with specific regard to the intrinsic cardiac nervous system. Therefore, we looked for evidence of MR and aldosterone in sympathetic and parasympathetic neurons of intracardiac ganglia. Tissue samples from rat heart atria were subjected to conventional reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, and double immunofluorescence confocal analysis of MR, corticosterone-inactivating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase-2 (11β-HSD2), aldosterone, and its processing enzyme CYP11B2 together with the neuronal markers vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). Our results demonstrated MR, 11β-HSD2, and CYP11B2 specific mRNA and protein bands in rat heart atria. Double immunofluorescence labeling revealed coexpression of MR immunoreactivity with VAChT in large diameter parasympathetic principal neurons. In addition, MR immunoreactivity was identified in TH-immunoreactive small intensely fluorescent (SIF) cells and in nearby VAChT- and TH-immunoreactive nerve terminals. Interestingly, the aldosterone and its synthesizing enzyme CYP11B2 and 11β-HSD2 colocalized in MR– immunoreactive neurons of intracardiac ganglia. Overall, this study provides first evidence for the existence of not only local expression of MR, but also of 11β-HSD2 and aldosterone with its processing enzyme CYP11B2 in the neurons of the cardiac autonomic nervous system, suggesting a possible modulatory role of the mineralocorticoid system on the endogenous neuronal activity on heart performance.

Solar energy is receiving considerable attention worldwide. Our contribution here focuses on fabricating p-N,N-(dimethylamino) benzoic acid (4-DMABA) donor-π-acceptor derivatives for use in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The gas-phase and solvated 4-DMABA and some of its electron donating or withdrawing ortho or meta derivatives were studied theoretically. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) were applied to visualize their structural, molecular, photoelectrical, electronic, and photophysical parameters. The parameters for monitoring DSSC efficacies include HOMOs, LUMOs, energy gaps, wavelengths, oscillator strengths, light harvesting efficiencies (LHE), electron injection driving forces (ΔGinject), regeneration driving forces (ΔGregen), open circuit voltages (VOC), and short-circuit current densities (Jsc).

This paper discusses accuracy improvements to Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) modeling of supersonic flow by assessing a wide range of factors for physics capture. Numerical simulations reveal complex flow behavior resulting from shock and expansion waves and so, a supersonic jet emanating from rectangular nozzle is considered. PIV based experimental data for the jet is available from literature and is used for validation purposes. Effect of various boundary conditions and turbulence modeling approaches is assessed qualitatively and quantitatively. Of particular interest are the inlet conditions considering the turbulence intensity and the effect of upstream air supply duct, the effect of nozzle wall surface roughness on nozzle internal flow and downstream, wall y+ sensitivity for boundary layer resolution and laminar to turbulent transition modeling. In addition to mesh sensitivity, domain dependency is conducted to evaluate the appropriate domain size to capture the kinetic energy dissipation downstream of the nozzle. To further improve the flow characteristics, accounting for the anisotropy of Reynolds stresses is also one of the focuses. Therefore, non-linear eddy viscosity-based two-equation model and Reynolds stress transport model are also investigated. Additionally, the results of baseline linear (Boussinesq) RANS are compared. Corresponding comparisons with high-fidelity LES are presented. Jet self-similar behavior resulting from all simulation fidelities is assessed and it appears that turbulent flow in LES becomes self-similar, but not in RANS. Finally, various factors such as the nozzle geometry and numerical modeling choices influencing the anisotropy in jet turbulence are discussed.

Spatial scan statistics is one of the most important models in order to detect high activity or hotspots in real world applications such as epidemiology, public health, astronomy and criminology applications on geographic data. Traditional scan statistic uses regular shapes like circles to detect areas of high activity; the same model was extended to eclipses to improve the model. More recent works identify irregular shaped hotspots for data with geographical boundaries, where information about population within the geographical boundaries is available. With the introduction of better mapping technology, mapping individual cases to latitude and longitude became easier compared to aggregated data for which the previous models were developed. We propose an approach of spatial hotspot detection for point data set with no geographical boundary information. Our algorithm detects hotspots as a polygon made up of a set of triangles that are computed by a Polygon Propagation algorithm. The time complexity of the algorithm is non-linear to the number of observations, which does not scale well for larger datasets. To improve the model, we also introduce a MapReduce version of our algorithm to identify hotspots for larger datasets.

Turbulence is governed by various mechanisms, such as production, dissipation, diffusion, dilatation and convection, which lead to its evolution and decay. In high-speed flows, turbulence becomes complicated due to compressibility effects. Therefore, the goal of the current work is to characterize these mechanisms in rectangular supersonic jets by directly evaluating their contributions in turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) budget equation. The budgets are obtained using high-fidelity Large Eddy Simulations that employ WALE subgrid-scale model. Jet nearfield data are validated with PIV experimental measurements, available from the literature, which include mean flow and second-order statistics. To ensure spatial resolution and temporal convergence of higher-order statistics, qualitative performance metrics are presented. The results indicate that TKE production is the major source term, while pressure-dilatation term acts as a sink throughout the development of the jet. The diffusion term has the highest contribution from triple-velocity correlations, followed by pressure diffusion and molecular diffusion. Subgrid-scale diffusion and dissipation are also evaluated and their contributions are minimal. Each term is presented on both minor and major axis plane and reveals asymmetry in the statistics. A detailed explanation of budget contributions is provided, leading to the mechanisms responsible for the anisotropy of TKE.

BackgroundIntersectionality has rarely been considered in research studies of cognitive ageing. We investigated whether life-course financial mobility is differentially associated with later-life memory function and decline across intersectional identities defined by gender, and race and ethnicity.MethodsData were from two harmonised multiethnic cohorts (the Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences cohort and the Study of Healthy Aging in African Americans cohort) in northern California, USA (n=2340). Life-course financial mobility, measured using a combination of self-reported financial capital measures in childhood (from birth to age 16 years) and later adulthood (at the cohort baseline) was defined as consistently high, upwardly mobile, downwardly mobile, or consistently low. We clustered individuals into 32 strata representing intersectional identities defined by life-course financial mobility combined with gender, and race and ethnicity. Verbal episodic memory was assessed using the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales over four waves from 2017 to 2023. Adjusted mixed-effects linear regression models were estimated with and without fixed effects of gender, race and ethnicity, and financial mobility, to evaluate whether the random effects of the intersectional identity strata contributed variance to memory beyond individual fixed effects.FindingsMean age was 73·6 years (SD 8·1). Of 2340 individuals, 1460 (62·4%) were women, 880 (37·6%) were men, 388 (16·6%) were Asian, 1136 (48·5%) were Black, 334 (14·3%) were Latinx, and 482 (20·6%) were White. Consistently low and downwardly mobile financial capital were strongly negatively associated with later-life memory at baseline (-0·162 SD units [95% CI -0·273 to -0·051] for consistently low and -0·171 [-0·250 to -0·092] for downwardly mobile), but not rate of change over time. Intersectional identities contributed 0·2% of memory variance after accounting for the fixed effects of gender, race and ethnicity, and financial mobility.InterpretationConsistently low and downward life-course financial mobility are associated with lower later-life memory function. Intersectional identities defined by financial mobility in addition to gender, and race and ethnicity, contribute negligible additional variance to later-life memory in this study setting.FundingUS National Institute on Aging, US National Institutes of Health.

Dina S El-Agamy,1,2 Khaled M El-Harbi,3 Saad Khoshhal,3 Nishat Ahmed,1 Mohamed A Elkablawy,4,5 Ahmed A Shaaban,2,6 Hany M Abo-Haded3,7 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah 30001, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; 3Cardiogenetic Team, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah 30001, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Taibah University, Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah 30001, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia 32511, Egypt; 6Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aqaba University of Technology, Aqaba 77110, Jordan; 7Pediatric Cardiology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt Background/purpose: Pristimerin (Pris) is triterpenoid compound with many biological effects. Until now, nothing is known about its effect on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. Hence, this study investigated the impact of Pris on DOX-induced cardiotoxic effects. Materials and methods: Rats were treated with Pris 1 week before and 2 weeks contaminant with repeated DOX injection. Afterwards, electrocardiography (ECG), biochemical, histopathological, PCR, and Western blot assessments were performed. Results: Pris effectively alleviated DOX-induced deleterious cardiac damage. It inhibited DOX-induced ECG abnormities as well as DOX-induced elevation of serum indices of cardiotoxicity. The histopathological cardiac lesions and fibrosis were remarkably improved in Pris-treated animals. Pris reduced hydroxyproline content and attenuated the mRNA and protein expression of the pro-fibrogenic genes. The antioxidant activity of Pris was prominent through the amelioration of oxidative stress parameters and enhancement of antioxidants. Furthermore, Pris enhanced the activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway as it increased the mRNA and protein expression of Nrf2 and Nrf2-dependent antioxidant genes (GCL, NQO1, HO-1). Additionally, the anti-inflammatory effect of Pris was obvious through the inhibition of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK)/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) signaling and subsequent inhibition of inflammatory mediators. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the cardioprotective activity of Pris which is related to the modulation of Nrf2 and MAPK/NF-kB signaling pathways. Keywords: doxorubicin, pristimerin, cardiotoxicity, Nrf2, MAPK/NF-kB