Search Results (22,578)

In the Wadi Nugrus area, south Eastern Desert of Egypt, A-type granite is highly deformed in a prominent NW-SE trending shear zone, likely related to the Najd shear system. Deformation of this post-collisional leucogranite allows the propagation of hydrothermal alterations due to fluid circulation inside the so-called “Nugrus Shear Zone (NSZ)”. This results in the remarkable destabilization of the magmatic dissemination of rare-metal and U-Th minerals in the granite. Relict magmatic minerals that survived destabilization are represented by (1) ferrocolumbite with 14–63–16.39 wt% FeO^t, (2) fresh igneous zircon, and (3) thorite. The destabilized ore minerals (hydrothermal) dominate over the fresh magmatic relict minerals. The former comprises the following: (1) altered columbite in the form of three distinct phases of niobates (fergusonite–petscheckite–uranopyrochlore), (2) altered thorite (Ce-bearing and P-F-rich), (3) betafite, (4) altered uranothorite, and (5) sulfides (mainly pyrite). It is evident that the destabilization of magmatic thorite can be distinguished into three stages of hydrothermal alteration, namely low-Zr Ce-bearing thorite (stage I), moderate-Zr Ce-bearing thorite (stage II), and high-Zr U-Nb-Y-bearing thorite (stage III). The two varieties of Ce-bearing thorite are sodic with 1.33–2.28 wt% and 1.51–1.80 wt% Na₂O, respectively, whereas the U-Nb-Y-bearing thorite is Na₂O-poor (0.06–0.07 wt%). Similarly, thorite in stages I and II are Ca-, P-, F-, and S-rich. Considerable P₂O₅ content (up to ~17 wt%) is reported in stage II Ce-bearing thorite, whereas stage III thorite is Si-rich (14.56–18.79 wt% SiO₂). Upon hydrothermal destabilization, the three niobate minerals replacing the dissemination of magmatic ferrocolumbite become enriched in UO₂ (up to 15.24 wt%, 7.86 wt%, and 10.88 wt%, respectively), and similarly, ThO₂ (up to 7.13 wt%, 5.71 wt%, and 9.52 wt%, respectively). Hydrothermal destabilization results in the complete dissolution of magmatic fluorite and phosphate minerals at pH = 2–7. This furnishes a source of Ca, P, Ce, Y, F, and Cl in the hydrothermal solution to destabilize/collapse the structure of magmatic ore minerals, particularly ferrocolumbite and thorite. Free elements in the hydrothermal solution are responsible for the crystallization of P- and F-rich Ce-bearing thorite minerals in three stages, as well as abnormal Y₂O₃ enrichment in three resulting niobates that contain up to 6.03 wt%, 2.93 wt%, and 2.65 wt%, respectively. The fresh undeformed Nugrus leucogranite is sulfide-poor. In contrast, sulfides are enriched in the deformed leucogranite inside the NSZ. Also, the intimate relationship of sulfides with destabilized rare-element minerals indicates the destabilization of these minerals during the hydrothermal stage under reduced conditions. Finally, the proposed paragenetic sequence suggests that most ore minerals are magmatic or hydrothermal primarily. In contrast, supergene minerals such as goethite, Fe-oxyhydroxide, altered betafite, and altered uranothorite are the least abundant. Full article

The development of the non-ferrous metal industry is generating increasingly large quantities of wastewater containing heavy metals (e.g., Sb). The precipitation of heavy metals by microorganisms involves complex mechanisms that require further investigation to optimize bioremediation technologies. In this study, we employed a sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) strain Desulfovibrio desulfuricans CSU_dl to treat the antimony (Sb)-containing wastewater; the behavior of Sb and mechanisms underlying precipitation were investigated by characterizing the precipitates. The results showed that the abiotic factors constraining SRB bacterial growth greatly affect Sb forms and precipitation. For instance, Sb precipitation maximumly occurred at pH 6 and 7, or C:N ratio of 10:1 and 40:3 for Sb(III) and Sb(V), respectively, resulting in a maximum Sb removal rate of 94%. Interestingly, we found that substantial antimonate and antimonite were adsorbed on the SRB cell surface, indicating that cell surface is a critical reaction site of Sb transformation and precipitation. Sb was adsorbed to the cell surface by C-C and C=O groups, and was further precipitated by forming Sb₂S₃ and Sb₂S₅ or was coprecipitated with the P-containing group. Partial Sb(V) reduction was also observed on the SRB cell surface. These results provided a deep insight into the Sb bio-transformation and were an advancement with respect to understanding bioremediation of Sb-contaminated wastewater. Full article

Caffeine is commonly used in pharmaceutical and personal care products, where it serves both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. However, its widespread presence in wastewater from the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries has raised concerns about environmental contamination. This study explores the use of a polyaniline (PANI)/cuttlefish bone (CB) nanocomposite as an effective adsorbent for the removal of caffeine from aqueous solutions. The nanocomposite was synthesized by incorporating polyaniline (PANI) onto cuttlefish bone (CB) flakes, resulting in a material with a hybrid morphology consisting of layered nanosheets and flaky structures. Adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the optimal conditions for caffeine removal, with results showing the best adsorption efficiency at pH 7 and an adsorbent dosage of 0.1 g/L for the nanocomposite, achieving an 80.73% removal efficiency. The maximum adsorption capacity of the nanocomposite was 108.33 mg/g—significantly higher than for pure CB (55.05 mg/g) and PANI (57.71 mg/g). The adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm, indicating a chemisorption mechanism and monolayer adsorption. Additionally, the nanocomposite demonstrated excellent reuse capacity, maintaining over 85% of its initial efficiency after multiple adsorption–desorption cycles, highlighting its potential for sustainable long-term use. This work demonstrates the potential of using waste-derived materials like cuttlefish bone as an effective support for PANI in the development of low-cost, sustainable adsorbents for pollutant remediation in pharmaceutical wastewater. Future studies will explore the adsorbent’s applicability for other contaminants and its potential antimicrobial properties. Full article

Biosorbents have demonstrated considerable potential for the remediation of metals in aqueous environments. An aqueous extract of Enteromorpha intestinalis L. (EiE) and its extract-coated silver nanoparticles have been prepared and employed for the removal of iron. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), and zeta potential were employed to characterize the prepared biosorbents. The adsorption properties of the biosorbents were investigated in batch experiments, with a range of factors taken into account, including pH, contact time, initial ion concentrations, biosorbent dosage, and temperature. A minimum-run resolution IV design (MRR-IV) was developed with the objective of optimizing the removal efficiency. The mechanisms of adsorption were investigated using both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Kinetic studies were conducted using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models. A variety of active constituents, including organic acids, lipids, alcohols, and terpenes, were identified through the use of GC-MS, with the findings supported by FTIR spectra. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the nanoparticle size ranged from 5 to 44 nm, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrated a high degree of crystallinity. A screening study employing the MRR-IV methodology, facilitated by the Design-Experiment, Ver 13., indicates that three factors exert a considerable influence on the biosorption process. The study demonstrated that the biosorption mechanism is pH-dependent, with an optimal pH of 5. The adsorption performance was found to follow Freundlich isothermal models and pseudo-first-order kinetics. Full article

A graph, $G=(V,E)$, is edge odd graceful if it possesses edge odd graceful labeling. This labeling is defined as a bijection $g:E\left(G\right)\to \{1,3,\dots ,2m-1\}$, from which an injective transformation is derived, $g^{*}:V\left(G\right)\to \{1,2,3,\dots ,2m-1\}$, from the rule that the image of $u\in V\left(G\right)$ under $g^{*}$ is ${\sum }_{uv\in E\left(G\right)}g\left(uv\right)\mathrm{mod}\left(2m\right)$. The main objective of this manuscript is to introduce new classes of planar graphs, namely water wheel graphs, $W{W}_n$; triangulated water wheel graphs, $T{W}_n$; closed water wheel graphs, $C{W}_n$; and closed triangulated water wheel graphs, $C{T}_n$. Furthermore, we specify conditions for these graphs to allow for edge odd graceful labelings. Full article

This article proposes numerical algorithms for solving second-order and telegraph linear partial differential equations using a matrix approach that employs certain generalized Chebyshev polynomials as basis functions. This approach uses the operational matrix of derivatives of the generalized Chebyshev polynomials and applies the collocation method to convert the equations with their underlying conditions into algebraic systems of equations that can be numerically treated. The convergence and error bounds are examined deeply. Some numerical examples are shown to demonstrate the efficiency and applicability of the proposed algorithms. Full article

Objectives: To summarize the impact of various telerehabilitation interventions on motor function, balance, gait, activities of daily living (ADLs), and quality of life (QoL) among patients with stroke and to determine the existing telerehabilitation interventions for delivering physiotherapy sessions in clinical practice. Methods: Six electronic databases were searched to identify relevant quantitative systematic reviews (SRs). Due to substantial heterogeneity, the data were analysed narratively. Results: A total of 28 systematic reviews (n = 245 primary studies) were included that examined various telerehabilitation interventions after stroke. Motor function was the most studied outcome domain across the reviews (20 SRs), followed by ADL (18 SRs), and balance (14 SRs) domains. For primary outcomes, our findings highlight moderate- to high-quality evidence showing either a significant effect or no significant difference between telerehabilitation and other interventions. There was insufficient evidence to draw a conclusion regarding feasibility outcomes, including participant satisfaction, adherence to treatment, and cost. Most reviews under this umbrella included patients with stroke in the subacute or chronic phase (12 SRs). Simple and complex telerehabilitation interventions such as telephone calls, videoconferencing, smartphone- or tablet-based mobile health applications, messaging, virtual reality, robot-assisted devices, and 3D animation videos, either alone or in combination with other interventions, were included across reviews. Conclusions: Various telerehabilitation interventions have shown either a significant effect or no significant difference compared to other interventions in improving upper and lower limb motor function, balance, gait, ADLs, and QoL, regardless of whether simple or complex approaches were used. Further research is needed to support the delivery of rehabilitation services through telerehabilitation intervention following a stroke. Full article

Exostosin 1 (EXT1) encodes a type II transmembrane glycosyltransferase residing in the endoplasmic reticulum and plays an essential role in the elongation of heparan sulfate chain biosynthesis. Additionally, EXT1 may act as an oncogene that could promote cell proliferation as well as cancer cell metastasis. Herein, we investigated EXT1’s expression pattern and prognostic value in breast cancer, along with its immunological implications. Immunohistochemical staining of EXT1 was assessed in 85 breast cancer patients. Patients were categorized into molecular subtypes, namely luminal A, luminal B, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), along with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Correlations of EXT1 immunostaining with clinicopathological parameters were evaluated. Furthermore, the correlations of EXT1 expression with tumor immune infiltration and immune cell surface markers were assessed using TIMER. Moreover, survival analysis was conducted to reveal EXT1’s prognostic value. EXT1 expression was markedly associated with the status of the estrogen receptor (ER), molecular subtypes, and recurrence status. In addition, high levels of EXT1 expression were associated with worse overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS). Analysis of immune infiltration indicated that EXT1 expression was positively correlated with dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, neutrophils, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD8⁺ T cells, although it showed a negative correlation with the tumor purity. Overall, this study suggests that the elevated EXT1 expression, particularly in TNBC, has a positive correlation with poor prognosis and with immune-infiltrated cells in breast cancer. Therefore, it may emerge as an independent prognostic biomarker, immunological marker, and potential future therapeutic target for the most aggressive TNBC subtype. Full article

Indoor navigation is becoming increasingly essential for multiple applications. It is complex and challenging due to dynamic scenes, limited space, and, more importantly, the unavailability of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signals. Recently, new sensors have emerged, namely event cameras, which show great potential for indoor navigation due to their high dynamic range and low latency. In this study, an event-based visual–inertial odometry approach is proposed, emphasizing adaptive event accumulation and selective keyframe updates to reduce computational overhead. The proposed approach fuses events, standard frames, and inertial measurements for precise indoor navigation. Features are detected and tracked on the standard images. The events are accumulated into frames and used to track the features between the standard frames. Subsequently, the IMU measurements and the feature tracks are fused to continuously estimate the sensor states. The proposed approach is evaluated using both simulated and real-world datasets. Compared with the state-of-the-art U-SLAM algorithm, our approach achieves a substantial reduction in the mean positional error and RMSE in simulated environments, showing up to 50% and 47% reductions along the x- and y-axes, respectively. The approach achieves 5–10 ms latency per event batch and 10–20 ms for frame updates, demonstrating real-time performance on resource-constrained platforms. These results underscore the potential of our approach as a robust solution for real-world UAV indoor navigation scenarios. Full article

This work delves deeply into convolved Fibonacci polynomials (CFPs) that are considered generalizations of the standard Fibonacci polynomials. We present new formulas for these polynomials. An expression for the repeated integrals of the CFPs in terms of their original polynomials is given. A new approach is followed to obtain the higher-order derivatives of these polynomials from the repeated integrals formula. The inversion and moment formulas for these polynomials, which we find, are the keys to developing further formulas for these polynomials. The derivatives of the moments of the CFPs in terms of their original polynomials and different symmetric and non-symmetric polynomials are also derived. New product formulas of these polynomials with some polynomials, including the linearization formulas of these polynomials, are also deduced. Some closed forms for definite and weighted definite integrals involving the CFPs are found as consequences of some of the introduced formulas. Full article

Rebuilding using outdated methods and tearing down the buildings would have a negative impact on the environment without lowering carbon dioxide emissions or increasing sustainability. This study presents a novel approach to repair that considers environmental and sustainable factors. In contrast to conventional repair methods, the use of Bacillus subtilis as an external biological repair technique could offer a novel and sustainable solution, especially when used on alkali-activated slag (AAS) concrete. By breaking down urea into carbonate and ammonium, alkaliphile bacteria can precipitate calcium carbonate. In an environment rich in calcium, the bacteria’s opposing cell wall (${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{O}}_3^{2-}$) draws in positive calcium anions, which result in the formation of calcite crystals. The pores and crevices in the concrete are filled with these crystals. Incorporating bacteria into the fresh mixing of AAS ingredients is contrasted with using Bacillus subtilis culture in the water curing medium for pure AAS specimens. The effectiveness of both approaches was evaluated. Direct administration of Bacillus subtilis during mixing has a superior outcome regarding mechanical qualities rather than biological therapy, although their effective healing capability in closure of the crack width is similar. The enhancement in compressive and flexural strengths reached 51% and 128% over the control specimens. On the other hand, the healing rate reached nearly 100% for crack widths ranging from 400 to 950 µm. Furthermore, additional studies in this field led to some inferred correlations between the mechanical and durability aspects following healing. Full article

A global motivation to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and transition to cleaner, renewable energy sources propels studies of innovative technologies to harness solar energy. This paper investigates the viability of a promising renewable energy technology, solar chimney power plants (SCPPs), in a domestic context. Using a scalable mathematical model, including thermodynamic processes within the collector, chimney, and turbine generator, the power output of SCPPs is assessed across five global locations with varying annual energy requirements: Aswan, Egypt, Cornwall, UK, Melbourne, Australia, Quito Ecuador, São Paulo Brazil. This research predicts a plant’s performance under differing plant geometries and meteorological inputs such as ambient temperature and solar irradiance, revealing that Aswan, Quito, and São Paulo can reliably produce year-round power, while Cornwall and Melbourne may need a supplementary energy supply in the winter months. The model establishes a linear relationship between collector radius and chimney height for each region to minimize geometry whilst fulfilling annual energy requirements, demonstrating that reducing one component size increases the other to maintain the required output. These geometries inform discussions of technology implementation, including the integration of an air-source heat pump (ASHP) to enhance performance, though it was found that the SCPP may not meet the power demand of the ASHP in Melbourne winter. Some lifecycle factors of the Melbourne and Quito plants are considered to assess the environmental viability of the technology. Full article

Cancer cells undergo metabolic rewiring to support rapid proliferation and survival in challenging environments. Glutamine is a preferred resource for cancer metabolism, as it provides both carbon and nitrogen for cellular biogenesis. Recent studies suggest the potential anticancer activity of amino acid analogs. Some of these analogs disrupt cellular nucleotide synthesis, thereby inhibiting the formation of DNA and RNA in cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated the anticancer properties of Acivicin and Azaserine in the breast cancer MCF-7 cell line, comparing their effects to those on the non-tumorigenic MCF-10 epithelial cell line in vitro. Interestingly, at lower concentrations, both Acivicin and Azaserine showed potent inhibition of MCF-7 cell proliferation, as assessed by the MTT assay, without detectable toxicity to normal cells. In contrast, Sorafenib (Nexavar), a commonly used drug for solid tumors, showed harmful effects on normal cells, as indicated by increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) production in treated cells. Furthermore, unlike Sorafenib, treatment with Acivicin and Azaserine significantly affected apoptotic signaling in treated cells, indicating the role of both amino acid analogs in activating programmed cell death (PCD), as assessed by the Annexin-V assay, DAPI staining, and the relative expression of tumor suppressor genes PTEN and P53. ELISA analysis of MCF-7 cells revealed that both Acivicin and Azaserine treatments promoted the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-4 and IL-10, while significantly reducing the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). Mechanistically, both Acivicin and Azaserine treatment led to a significant reduction in the expression of glutamine synthetase (GS) at both the RNA and protein levels, resulting in a decrease in intracellular glutamine concentrations over time. Additionally, both treatments showed comparable effects on Raf-1 gene expression and protein phosphorylation when compared with Sorafenib, a Raf-1 inhibitor. Moreover, docking studies confirmed the strong binding affinity between Acivicin, Azaserine, and glutamine synthetase, as evidenced by their docking scores and binding interactions with the enzyme crystal. Collectively, these findings provide evidence for the anticancer activity of the two amino acid analogs Acivicin and Azaserine as antagonists of glutamine synthetase, offering novel insights into potential therapeutic strategies for breast cancer. Full article

Radiotherapy is a critical treatment for cancer but poses significant risks to ovarian tissue, particularly in young females, leading to premature ovarian failure (POF). This study examines the therapeutic potential of etoricoxib nanostructured lipid carriers (ETO-NLC) in mitigating radiation-induced ovarian damage in female Wistar rats. Twenty-four female rats were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group receiving normal saline, a group exposed to a single dose of whole-body gamma radiation (6 Gy), a group treated with etoricoxib (10 mg/kg) post-radiation, and a group treated with ETO-NLC for 14 days following radiation. Histopathological evaluations and oxidative stress biomarker assessments were conducted, including ELISAs for reactive oxygen species (ROS), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), and signaling molecules (PI3K, AKT, P38MAPK, AMH). Serum levels of estrogen, FSH, and LH were measured, and gene expression analysis for TGF-β and Nrf2 was performed using qRT-PCR. The findings indicate that ETO-NLC has the potential to ameliorate the harmful effects of ovarian damage induced by γ-radiation. These therapeutic effects were achieved through the modulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, augmentation of antioxidant defenses (including Nrf2 activation), support for cell survival pathways (via PI3K/Akt signaling), regulation of MAPK, mitigation of fibrosis (TGF-β), and preservation of ovarian reserve (as evidenced by AMH, FSH/LH, and estrogen levels). ETO-NLC shows promise as an effective strategy for attenuating radiation-induced ovarian damage, highlighting the need for further research to enhance therapeutic interventions aimed at preserving ovarian function during cancer treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives. Traditional dietary patterns are being abandoned in Mediterranean countries, especially among younger generations. This study aimed to investigate the potential lifestyle determinants that can increase adherence to the Mediterranean diet in children and adolescents. Methods. This study is a cross-sectional analysis of data from five Mediterranean countries (Italy, Spain, Portugal, Egypt, and Lebanon) within the context of the EU-funded project DELICIOUS (UnDErstanding consumer food choices & promotion of healthy and sustainable Mediterranean Diet and LIfestyle in Children and adolescents through behavIOUral change actionS). This study comprised information on 2011 children and adolescents aged 6–17 years old collected during 2023. The main background characteristics of both children and parents, including age, sex, education, and family situation, were collected. Children’s eating (i.e., breakfast, place of eating, etc.) and lifestyle habits (i.e., physical activity level, sleep, and screen time) were also investigated. The level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed using the KIDMED index. Logistic regression analyses were performed to test for likelihood of higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Results. Major determinants of higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet were younger age, higher physical activity level, adequate sleep duration, and, among dietary habits, having breakfast and eating with family members and at school. Parents’ younger age and higher education were also determinants of higher adherence. Multivariate adjusted analyses showed that an overall healthier lifestyle and parents’ education were the factors independently associated with higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Conclusions. Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet in children and adolescents living in the Mediterranean area is part of an overall healthy lifestyle possibly depending on parents’ cultural background. Full article