Ashraf Abu-Seida

In the past few decades, a lot of optimization methods have been applied in estimating the parameter of photovoltaic (PV) models and obtained better results, but these methods still have some deficiencies, such as higher time complexity and poor stability. To tackle these problems, an enhanced success history adaptive DE with greedy mutation strategy (EBLSHADE) is employed to optimize parameters of PV models to propose a parameter optimization method in this paper. In the EBLSHADE, the linear population size reduction strategy is used to gradually reduce population to improve the search capabilities and balance the exploitation and exploration capabilities. The less and more greedy mutation strategy is used to enhance the exploitation capability and the exploration capability. Finally, a parameter optimization method based on EBLSHADE is proposed to optimize parameters of PV models. The different PV models are selected to prove the effectiveness of the proposed method. Comparison results demonstrate that the EBLSHADE is an effective and efficient method and the parameter optimization method is beneficial to design, control, and optimize the PV systems.

The microbial fuel cells (MFCs) are biochemical devices in which bacteria create electrical power by oxidizing simple compounds such as glucose as well as complex organic matter in wastewater. In this study, pumping air into the cathode chamber and its effect on microbial fuel cell performance was investigated. The metabolism of bacteria existed in wastewater was responsible for the generation of bioelectricity. The developed MFC system was designed by utilizing phosphate buffer to operate the system at controlled pH equal 7 and at a stable temperature of 30oC. It was found that increasing oxygen supply to the cathode chamber has a positive effect on the cell performance by increasing the voltage value. Generally, the efficiency of microbial fuel cell was enhanced in the case of cathodic chamber aeration in comparison to the case of no aeration was applied. It was found that the voltage increased in the case of oxygen supply to reach 0.45 mv with a stability over the 138 h of the experiment compared to the case of no aeration was applied where the voltage reached only 0.2 mV with stability in one case and 0.4 mV after 78 h of operation with instability in the second case. Therefore, the performance of the microbial fuel cell improved. It can be concluded that oxygen concentration affects both reaction kinetics and final power efficiency.

Abstract Fish-borne zoonotic trematodes (FBZT) are extremely important zoonotically and can infect humans via the consumption of poorly cooked fish containing active metacercariae. In this context, the present study aimed to update the epidemiological information of FBZT among Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) collected from Giza and Fayoum Governorates. Concerning the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of adult flukes from experimentally infected pigeons and histopathological alterations of both larval and adult trematode flukes. Oreochromis niloticus were found to be infected with different encysted metacercaria (EMC); Prohemistomum, Haplorchis and Pygidiopsis species from wild caught in Giza and farmed fish in Fayoum with the total mean of prevalence that 81.89 ± 6.48, 18.03 ± 2.9 and 34.64 ± 3.42 respectively. Three recovered flukes from experimentally infected domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica); Prohemistomum vivax, Haplorchis pumilio and Pygidiopsis genata in their small intestine. First molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of heterophyid flukes; P. genata and H. pumilio. The sequences obtained in this study were registered in the GenBank with accession numbers (MT672308.1 and MT707975.1) respectively. Moreover, constructing a phylogeny and phylogenetic relationships between two heterophyid species was performed through analytic study of the second internal transcribed spacer nuclear ribosomal genes (rDNA-ITS2). Phylogenetic analysis of P. genata and H. pumilio showed 99.42% nucleotide similarity with that sequence from Israel (AY245710) and 99.71% from Vietnam (EU826636.1). In addition, histopathological alterations of EMC and adult flukes induced necrosis of fish muscle bundles and a severe inflammatory response with muscular necrosis in intestinal tract of infected pigeons.

Abstract We studied the ectoparasite, Ergasilus extensus or gill lice in gills from farmed grey mullet, Mugil cephalus. Streptococcus agalactiae and Enterococcus faecalis were also studied and isolated from infected fish. We identified these pathogens using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Our analyses revealed high homology percentages with identical sequences in GenBank. Moreover, phylogenetic tree analysis confirmed S. agalactiae and E. faecalis from other close related pathogens. We also used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to investigate cell-mediated immunity in infected fish with this co-infection. Enhanced cell-mediated immunity was observed as a function of increased interleukin 1 ? (IL-1?) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNFα) levels. Histopathological examinations revealed the presence of haemorrhaging and many parts of the parasite near infected gill lamellae. Also, bacteria aggregated as multiple cocci close to areas of parasite attachment, together with eosinophilic granular cell infiltration. Hepatic tissue showed haemorrhaging and melanophore aggregation with vacuolar degeneration observed in hepatocytes.

Following publication of the Short Communication by Shafi Mahmud, Abdo A Elfiky, Al Amin, Sumon Chandro Mohanto, Ekhtiar Rahman, Uzzal Kumar Acharjee & Abu Saleh, 'Targeting SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 15 endoribonuclease: an in silico perspective', which appeared in the July 2021 issue of Future Virology 16(7), 475-489 (2021), it has been brought to our attention that there was an error regarding the phrase "in the active site"and "into the active site". This has now been corrected as follows: In the Abstract, the phrase "Moreover, saquinavir and aprepitant make nonbonded interactions with Leu201 in the active site cavity of Nsp15, while the drug valrubicin interacts with Arg199 and Leu201"has been corrected to "Moreover, saquinavir and aprepitant make nonbonded interactions with Leu201 near the active site cavity of Nsp15, while the drug valrubicin interacts with Arg199 and Leu201"In the Results, the phrase "Table 1 lists the formed interactions established upon docking the best three drugs (saquinavir, valrubicin and aprepitant) into SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 active site"has been corrected to "Table 1 lists the formed interactions established upon docking the best three drugs (saquinavir, valrubicin and aprepitant) near the SARS-CoV-2 Nsp15 active site"The legend of Table 1, "Interactions established upon docking the drugs saquinair, valrubicin and aprepitant into the active site of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 15."Has been corrected to "Interactions established upon docking the drugs saquinair, valrubicin and aprepitant near the active site of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 15."In the Discussion, the phrase "Moreover, the binding of these three drug molecules in the active sites of Nsp15 may contradict viral infection."has been corrected to "Moreover, the binding of these three drug molecules near the active sites of Nsp15 may contradict viral infection."The authors and editors of Future Virology would like to sincerely apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this may have caused our readers. © 2022 Future Medicine Ltd.

Ethylene is a simple gaseous phytohormone, a hydrocarbon C2H4, with various roles in the regulation of plant development, growth and stress responses, and whole biological processes. Ethylene modifies efficiency and all functions by sharing information with other signalling pathways in regular and stressful ecosystems. It can achieve a variety of different metabolic mechanisms with significant results based on the accumulation rate and plant sensitivity. The results indicate that ethylene generates dual properties in acceptable tolerances through the cellular and molecular regulation of plant mechanisms. This book helps to better understand the potential mechanisms in natural and stressful situations as a signal molecule in plant production and development. In addition, a study explores how ethylene signalling has been used as signals for some alternating pathways in agriculture. This chapter studies the adaptation and responses of plants under various stress factors as well as the response of various kinds of ethylene.

European wintertime precipitation is known to be skilfully estimated in reanalysis data and model simulations since it is highly correlated with large scale, low frequency modes of variability, namely the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Since the NAO is mainly a wintertime mode of variability, the skill of estimating precipitation becomes more limited in other seasons, most importantly in summer, when precipitation is mainly a result of mesoscale convection. In this study, we use the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model, to show the added value of using a high resolution, convection-permitting model to estimate precipitation extremes. The results show that WRF succeeds to correct the failure of ERA-Interim reanalysis to capture the positive trends over the last decades of European extreme precipitation in summer and transition seasons, that are indicated by observational data (E-OBS) and previous literature. Partial improvements are evident using ERA5 reanalysis, specifically in Spring and in Autumn. In winter, changes in European extreme precipitation over the last decades are dominated by variations in the NAO index, and are well reproduced both in reanalysis data and in the high resolution WRF downscaling.

Background: Telepharmacy services are expected to have an important role in increasing access of patients to pharmaceutical care and reducing potential dispensing errors in community pharmacies. Objective: To assess the predictors for effective telepharmacy services on increasing access of patients to care and reducing dispensing errors in community pharmacies. Method: This is a prospective study carried out for 4 months in 52 community pharmacies across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) using disguised direct observation. Multivariable logistic regression was used as a tool to predict factors associated with effective telepharmacy services in improving dispensing safety and increasing access of patients to pharmaceutical care. Data were entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software version 26. Results: Pharmacist recommendations related to COVID-19 at pharmacies with telepharmacy (n = 63,714) versus those without remote services (n = 15,539) were significantly more likely to be (1) contact the nearest testing center (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 7.93), (2) maintain home quarantine (AOR = 5.64), and (3) take paracetamol for fever (AOR = 3.53), all were significant results (p < 0.05). Rates of medication dispensing errors (MDEs) and its subcategories, prescription-related errors, and pharmacist counseling errors across pharmacies with telepharmacy versus those without remote services were (15.81% vs. 19.43%, p < 0.05), (5.38% vs. 10.08%, p < 0.05), and (10.42% vs. 9.35%, p > 0.05), respectively. However, pharmacies with telepharmacy were more likely to include wrong patient errors (AOR = 5.38, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Telepharmacy can be used as a tool to reduce the burden on the health care system and improve drug dispensing safety in community pharmacies. © Copyright 2021, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2021.

Introduction: Pregnancy period is of high concern to every woman. Knowledge about medication use needs to be highlighted at such a critical stage. Objective: This study aimed to assess pregnant and postpartum women's use and attitude regarding the utilisation of medications during pregnancy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A self-administrated survey was distributed among 500 pregnant and postpartum women randomly selected from the general population of five different cities within the UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, AL Fujairah and Ajman over a period of 3 months. All analyses were two-sided, and a P-value of ≤.05 was taken as the cut-off for statistical significance. Results: Overall, 434 participants took part in the survey. Forty-one percent of respondents reported that they use drugs during pregnancy, and the most frequently used medications during pregnancy were multivitamins, analgesics and folic acid. Moreover, 77.9% of female participants acquired their knowledge from their gynaecologists. Only 21.7% of respondents reported that the pharmacist provided enough information during dispensing. Most ladies had an uplifting mentality towards medicines, but they believed pregnant ladies should be more wary with respect to medication use during pregnancy. A significant association was found between participants’ nationality and occupation, and attitudes about medications (P <.001), where women with Arab nationality and those with health-related careers agreed that they have a higher threshold for using medicines during pregnancy. Conclusion: During pregnancy, ladies were more moderate and doubter towards the drug, healthcare providers should know about such mentalities while encouraging pregnant ladies to take prescription. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

n/a

Myo-inositol has gained a central position in plants due to its vital role in physiology and biochemistry. This experimental work assessed the effects of salinity stress and foliar application of myo-inositol (MYO) on growth, chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, antioxidant system, osmolyte accumulation, and gene expression in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa L. var. Giza1). Our results show that salinity stress significantly decreased growth parameters such as plant height, fresh and dry weights of shoot and root, leaf area, number of leaves, chlorophyll content, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and Fv/Fm, with a more pronounced effect at higher NaCl concentrations. However, the exogenous application of MYO increased the growth and photosynthesis traits and alleviated the stress to a considerable extent. Salinity also significantly reduced the water potential and water use efficiency in plants under saline regime; however, exogenous application of myo-inositol coped with this issue. MYO significantly reduced the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, reduced lipid peroxidation, and electrolyte leakage concomitant with an increase in the membrane stability index. Exogenous application of MYO up-regulated the antioxidant enzymes’ activities and the contents of ascorbate and glutathione, contributing to membrane stability and reduced oxidative damage. The damaging effects of salinity stress on quinoa were further mitigated by increased accumulation of osmolytes such as proline, glycine betaine, free amino acids, and soluble sugars in MYO-treated seedlings. The expression pattern of OSM34, NHX1, SOS1A, SOS1B, BADH, TIP2, NSY, and SDR genes increased significantly due to the application of MYO under both stressed and non-stressed conditions. Our results support the conclusion that exogenous MYO alleviates salt stress by involving antioxidants, enhancing plant growth attributes and membrane stability, and reducing oxidative damage to plants.

Salinity stress is one of the major environmental constraints responsible for a reduction in agricultural productivity. This study investigated the effect of exogenously applied nitric oxide (NO) (50 μM and 100 μM) in protecting wheat plants from NaCl-induced oxidative damage by modulating protective mechanisms, including osmolyte accumulation and the antioxidant system. Exogenously sourced NO proved effective in ameliorating the deleterious effects of salinity on the growth parameters studied. NO was beneficial in improving the photosynthetic efficiency, stomatal conductance, and chlorophyll content in normal and NaCl-treated wheat plants. Moreover, NO-treated plants maintained a greater accumulation of proline and soluble sugars, leading to higher relative water content maintenance. Exogenous-sourced NO at both concentrations up-regulated the antioxidant system for averting the NaCl-mediated oxidative damage on membranes. The activity of antioxidant enzymes increased the protection of membrane structural and functional integrity and photosynthetic efficiency. NO application imparted a marked effect on uptake of key mineral elements such as nitrogen (N), potassium (K), and calcium (Ca) with a concomitant reduction in the deleterious ions such as Na+. Greater K and reduced Na uptake in NO-treated plants lead to a considerable decline in the Na/K ratio. Enhancing of salt tolerance by NO was concomitant with an obvious down-regulation in the relative expression of SOS1, NHX1, AQP, and OSM-34, while D2-protein was up-regulated.

To protect the dam body and downstream area, spillways should be built. Because the difference in water level upstream and downstream spillways is usually very big, energy dissipation facilities should be introduced. Stepped spillways were discovered to immensely enhance energy dissipation. V-notch end sills installed on stepped spillways were not investigated enough. The challenge in using this type of end sills is to know the ideal angle of the notch. The second challenge is to link the energy dissipation percent and the scour hole characteristics with the hydraulic parameters of the spillway and the soil properties. This paper aims to investigate the V-notch end sills in stepped spillways and to assess their effect on energy dissipation and scour. For this purpose, physical models of four steps were built on stepped spillways in the laboratory. V-notch end sills were installed at the end of each step of the spillway. The dimensional analysis was used to link the various parameters influencing the studied phenomena. All V-notch end sill angles used enhanced energy dissipation, reduced the relative scour depth, length, and volume. Minimizing the angle of V-notch end sills enhanced energy dissipation. Three scour equations were developed to predict scour characteristics from easy-to-record measurements.