Abstract
Gravitational energy storage systems are among the proper methods that can be used with renewable energy. However, these systems are highly affected by their design parameters. This paper ...presents a novel investigation of different design features of gravity energy storage systems. A theoretical model was developed using MATLAB SIMULINK to simulate the performance of the gravitational energy storage system while changing its design parameters. A parametric optimization study was also conducted using Taguchi and analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques for optimizing the energy storage rate. Six parameters were studied; three are related to the piston design (diameter, height, and material density). The other parameters are the return pipe diameter, length, and charging/discharging time. Results revealed that the piston diameter and height are the two most significant parameters for the system performance compared to the other parameters, as they contributed by 35.11% and 30.28%, respectively. The optimization results indicated that the optimal piston diameter, height, and return pipe diameter were 0.25, 0.5, and 0.01 of the container height. The outcomes of this paper can significantly improve energy storage and power generation from renewable energy systems as it provides a reliable, economical, sustainable, and durable energy storage system.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disorder in which the myelin sheath covering the central nervous system axons is damaged or lost, disrupting action potential conduction and leading to ...various neurological complications. The pathogenesis of MS remains unclear, and no effective therapies are currently available. MS is triggered by environmental factors in genetically susceptible individuals. DNA damage and DNA repair failure have been proposed as MS genetic risk factors; however, inconsistent evidence has been found in multiple studies. Therefore, more investigations are needed to ascertain whether DNA damage/repair is altered in this disorder. In this context, therapies that prevent DNA damage or enhance DNA repair could be effective strategies for MS treatment. The overactivation of the extracellular-signal-related kinase 1 and 2 (Erk1/2) pathway can lead to DNA damage and has been linked to MS pathogenesis. In our study, we observed substantially elevated oxidative DNA damage and slower DNA repair rates in an experimentally autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal model of MS (EAE). Moreover, statistical decreases in oxidative DNA strand breaks and faster repair rates were observed in EAE animals injected with the Erk1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (PD). Moreover, the expression of several genes associated with DNA strand breaks and repair changed in EAE mice at both the mRNA and protein levels, as revealed by the RT2 Profiler PCR array and verified by RT-PCR and protein analyses. The treatment with PD mitigated these changes and improved DNA repair gene expression. Our results demonstrate clear associations between Erk1/2 activation, DNA damage/repair, and MS pathology, and further suggest that PD therapy may be a promising adjuvant therapeutic strategy.
•EAE mice showed a higher percentage of DNA damage than control mice.•EAE mice showed a slower repair rate than control mice.•PD98059 mitigates EAE severity in SJL/J mice and prevent relapse.•PD98059 treatments led to the enhanced repair of the damaged DNA.•PD98059 treatments restored repair genes disturbances in EAE mice.
•The addition of trace metals in form of nanoparticles reduced the lag phase.•Nanoparticles reduced time to achieve the highest biogas and methane production.•Biogas and methane production were ...proportional to nanoparticles concentration.•Nanoparticles biostimulate the methanogenic bacteria and increase their activity.
Nanoparticles (NPs) were hypothesized to enhance the anaerobic process and to accelerate the slurry digestion, which increases the biogas and methane production. The effects of NPs on biogas and methane production were investigated using a specially designed batch anaerobic system. For this purpose, a series of 2L biodigesters were manufactured and implemented to study the effects of Cobalt (Co) and Nickel (Ni) nanoparticles with different concentrations on biogas and methane production. The best results of NPs additives were determined based on the statistical analysis (Least Significant Difference using M-Stat) of biogas and methane production, which were 1mg/L Co NPs and 2mg/L Ni NPs (p<0.05). These NPs additives delivered the highest biogas and methane yields in comparison with their other concentrations (0.5, 1, and 2mg/L), their salts (CoCl2, and NiCl2) and the control. Furthermore, the addition of 1mg/L Co NPs and 2mg/L Ni NPs significantly increased the biogas volume (p<0.05) by 1.64 and 1.74 times the biogas volume produced by the control, respectively. Moreover, the aforementioned additives significantly increased the methane volume (p<0.05) by 1.86 and 2.01 times the methane volume produced by the control, respectively. The highest specific biogas and methane production were attained with 2mg/L Ni NPs (p<0.05), and were 614.5mlBiogasg−1VS and 361.6mlCH4g−1VS, respectively compared with the control which yielded only 352.6mlBiogasg−1VS and 179.6mlCH4g−1VS.
Herein, novel, efficient and multifunctional heavy metals adsorbent is developed. Graphene sheets are facilely prepared using ultrasonication process with the aid of polyethyleneglycol. Then, ...spherical polypyrrole nanoparticles of an average size of 150 nm are polymerized on the surface of prepared graphene sheets using green method yielding nanocomposite. The developed graphene-polypyrrole nanocomposite is exploited for removal and recovery of Mn2+ from aqueous solution. The developed graphene-based nanocomposite achieved superior adsorption efficiency for removal of Mn2+ ions than polypyrrole nanoparticles of similar particle size. The new adsorbent achieved excellent removal efficiency of Mn2+ ions recording 89%. Additionally, the smart adsorbent shows antibacterial properties toward Staphylococcus aureus bacteria providing a clear bacterial inhibition zone of 10 mm. The influence of various adsorption parameters of adsorbent dose, contact time and initial metal ions concentrations on the adsorption Mn2+ are studied and optimized. The adsorption of Mn2+ ions on the nanocomposite is also evaluated using Langmuir and Freundlich models and the adsorption isotherms of Mn2+ are suitable and described well with the Langmuir model. Therefore, this study presents a new approach for the design and engineering of safe handling and processing of antibacterial adsorbent for efficient removal and recovery of heavy metal ions from wastewater.
•Efficient and multifunctional heavy metals adsorbent is developed.•Graphene sheets are facilely prepared using green approach.•Graphene - spherical nanoparticles with an average size 150 nm are developed.•The new adsorbent achieved excellent removal efficiency of 89% for Mn2+ ions.•The adsorbent achieved superior antibacterial properties toward Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
•The effect of heptanol/diesel blends on diesel engine combustion is tested.•The BTE were increased when higher alcohol/diesel blends were used.•Higher alcohols have long ignition delay and the ...longest was for But10 and But20.•The highest combustion efficiency was achieved for Hept20.•The NOx and soot were reduced but CO and HC were increased for higher alcohol blends.
As there were limited efforts towards the substitution of diesel fuel with higher alcohols to operate diesel engine, the current work aims to evaluate diesel engine performance at wide operating conditions fuelled by blends of higher alcohols; including heptanol and octanol. To increase the trust of the received results, blends of lower alcohols (butanol) was studied where the attained results showed good agreement with those cited in the literature. Single-cylinder diesel engine setup equipped with the necessary sensors for measuring cylinder pressure, engine speed, output power, air flow rate, fuel flow rate and temperature at various locations in engine was used to realize the current objective. The study limits the blending ratios to be 10% and 20% v/v to keep the fuel system without any modifications. These blends showed stable and homogenous features for period of four months without phase separation. The steady state experiments were carried out at various engine loads (0%, 25%, 50% and 75% of the full load) and engine speeds (900 rpm and 1500 rpm). Results revealed that bsfc and BTE increased almost for all tested higher alcohol/diesel blends. The ignition delay increased with higher alcohols/diesel blends and the longest value was achieved by But10 and But20. The premixed combustion was enhanced for all tested higher alcohol/diesel blends. The highest cumulative net heat released was achieved for Hept20. The emissions of NOx and opacity were reduced while those of CO and HC emissions were increased for all tested higher alcohol/diesel blends compared to the corresponding values for D100.
The present study was designed to assess the impact of dietary supplementation of lemongrass essential oil (LGEO) on growth performance, carcass traits, liver and kidney function, immunity, ...antioxidant indices and caecal microbiota of growing quail. A total of 200 Japanese quails at 1-week-old were haphazardly allotted to 5 groups of 40 chicks in five replicates (8 per replicate). The first group was the control group, while LGEO was added at levels of 150, 300, 450, and 600 mg/kg diet in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th groups, respectively. Dietary supplementation of LGEO (150, 300 and 450 mg/ kg diet) increased body weight at 3 and 5 wk of age, and increased body weight gain during all periods compared with the control group (P < 0.05). All levels of LGEO improved feed conversion ratio during the periods from 1 to 3 and 1 to 5 wk of age. During 3 to 5 wk, feed conversion ratio was improved in quails fed LGEO (300 and 450 mg/kg diet) compared with the control and other treatments. Carcass traits, plasma globulin, alanine aminotransferase, and urea values did not differ among the treatments (P > 0.05), but the activity of aspartate aminotransferase in the plasma was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in LGEO-treated groups. The total protein and albumin values were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in quails fed levels of LGEO (except 600 mg/kg diet) compared with the control. The inclusion of LGEO in quail diets improved (P < 0.05) plasma lipid profile. The dietary supplementation of LGEO increased (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05) plasma immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, and IgA) levels, lysozyme values and activities of superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione and catalase compared with the control group. The caecal Coliform, E. coli and Salmonella were lowered (P < 0.0001) in the quails treated with all LGEO levels, but the total bacterial count and Lactobacillus count were increased with dietary supplementation of LGEO levels (300 and 450 mg/kg) compared with those in the control group. The activities of digestive enzymes were significantly higher in birds fed the diet supplemented with LGEO levels than those fed the control diet. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of LGEO can improve the performance, lipid profile, immunity and antioxidant indices and decline intestinal pathogens and thus boost the health status of growing quail.
This literature review discusses several aspects of biodiesel production from microalgae. This paper elucidates the optimal bioenvironmental conditions for microalgae cultivation, process design of ...algal biodiesel production, physicochemical properties of lipids extracted from microalgae and the properties of the produced biodiesel fuel, and the transesterification process. On the other hand, this paper illustrates the designs of up-to-date full-scale and lab-scale photobioreactors (PBRs). Furthermore, this paper argues different bioengineering aspects of biodiesel production from microalgae. Eventually, the measurements, calculations, design parameters, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of the production process are discussed.
•Al2O3 examined by XRD, FTIR, and TEM.•pmax, dp/dθmax and dQg/dθmax increased by 4.5%, 4% and 4%, respectively.•Brake specific fuel consumption decreased by 12%.•NOx, CO, UHC and Smoke opacity ...reduced by 70%, 80%, 60% and 35%, respectively.•Significant improvement in all engine performance was achieved at a concentration of 30 mg/l.
In the current work, an experimental investigation was conducted to recommend the optimal concentration of alumina nanoparticles (Al2O3) into Jojoba biodiesel-diesel (JB20D) fuel blend at which the best diesel engine performance and exhaust emissions were attained. The Al2O3 nanoparticles with concentrations varied from 10 to 50 mg/l by step of 10 mg/l were mixed into JB20D fuel blend with the help of ultrasonic stabilization. The results of the present study revealed that JB20D slightly reduced the engine performance and increased its emission characteristics at all engine tested operating conditions as compared to pure diesel oil. Utilizing of Al2O3 additives was found to improve all engine performance characteristics. However, the best emission characteristics were obtained at the dose level of 20 mg/l, where remarkable emissions reduction were observed; NOx by 70%, CO by 80%, UHC by 60%, and Smoke opacity by 35%. While the best of both mechanical performance and engine combustion characteristics were achieved at a concentration of 40 mg/l, where the reduction in the brake specific fuel consumption – bsfc was by 12% and increase in the cylinder peak pressure – pmax, the maximum rate of pressure rise – dp/dθmax, and maximum rate of gross heat release – dQg/dθmax were 4.5%, 4%, and 4%, respectively. According to the comparisons of engine performance and emissions, the recommended concentration of Al2O3 in JB20D blends was concluded to be 30 mg/l, which gave remarkable enhancement in all engine performance parameters.
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has given the electrocardiogram (ECG) and clinicians reading them super-human diagnostic abilities. Trained without hard-coded rules by finding often subclinical ...patterns in huge datasets, AI transforms the ECG, a ubiquitous, non-invasive cardiac test that is integrated into practice workflows, into a screening tool and predictor of cardiac and non-cardiac diseases, often in asymptomatic individuals. This review describes the mathematical background behind supervised AI algorithms, and discusses selected AI ECG cardiac screening algorithms including those for the detection of left ventricular dysfunction, episodic atrial fibrillation from a tracing recorded during normal sinus rhythm, and other structural and valvular diseases. The ability to learn from big data sets, without the need to understand the biological mechanism, has created opportunities for detecting non-cardiac diseases as COVID-19 and introduced challenges with regards to data privacy. Like all medical tests, the AI ECG must be carefully vetted and validated in real-world clinical environments. Finally, with mobile form factors that allow acquisition of medical-grade ECGs from smartphones and wearables, the use of AI may enable massive scalability to democratize healthcare.
Graphical Abstract
The application of artificial intelligence to the standard electrocardiogram enables it to diagnose conditions not previously identifiable by an electrocardiogram, or to do so with a greater performance than previously possible. This includes identification of the current rhythm, identification of episodic atrial fibrillation from an ECG acquired during sinus rhythm, the presence of ventricular dysfunction (low ejection fraction), the presence of valvular heart disease, channelopathies (even when electrocardiographically ‘concealed’), and the presence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
The function of different populations of the immune system in bladder cancer (BCa) is well established. However, the cohesive role of the immune cell profile of schistosomal BCa at systemic and ...tissue levels is still lacking, especially in endemic countries. The balance hypothesized between protumorigenic and antitumor molecules determines the prognosis of tumor progression. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of T cell subsets at both blood and tumor tissue, regulatory T(Treg), regulatory B cells (Breg) and proinflammatory cytokines in S. haematobium-related BCa patients in Egypt.
The frequency of T cell subsets at both blood and tumor tissue, regulatory T(Treg), regulatory B cells (Breg) were studied by flow cytometry and proinflammatory cytokines by ELISA in S. haematobium-related BCa patients in Egypt. The results indicated a significant increase in the activity of T-cell populations, particularly CD3+, CD4+, and regulatory T cells (Tregs), and a decrease in cytotoxic CD8+ T cells in the patient group. An increased proportion of CD19+CD24+CD38+ Bregs and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) was also observed. However, T-cell subpopulations in the tumor microenvironment showed a significant reduction in cancer patients compared to controls. Moreover, positive correlations were observed between the frequencies of Bregs and Tregs, suggesting the promotion of cancer progression besides their relation to the intensity of schistosomal infection.
Trapped Schistosoma haematobium eggs in bladder tissue might lead to persistent inflammation that contributes to immunomodulation and promotes tumor progression, as evidenced by the increase in peripheral T helper, Tregs, Bregs and serum tumor-promoting cytokines. Considering the role and integrated functions of specific immune responses in BCa could help future diagnostic and therapeutic implications.
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