Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing Indoor Temperature Control Using Different Materials And Designs, Amany G. Micheal Prof.

Architectural Engineering

Controlling indoor temperature in buildings is gaining much importance. This is attributed to the increasing awareness around the world of the mandate reduction in fossil fuel consumption to produce electricity necessary to control temperature inside buildings. This research studies the potential to improve the indoor environment of buildings using different materials either insulators or incorporated inside a building and façade design. The study involves phase changing materials (PCM), thermal insulation materials and façade shading and design. Thermal insulation materials include mineral wool and polystyrene boards, which are the most popular insulators in arid countries. Wood cladding influence on the indoor …

Experimental Investigation On Properties Of Sugarcane Bagasse Fiberboard Manufactured With Different Techniques, Amany G. Micheal Prof., Marianne Nabil Girgis Ass. Prof., Omar Mohasen Khalaf Eng.

Architectural Engineering

Within an ongoing research project investigating the use of sugarcane bagasse (SCB) to develop different building materials, this article adopts an experimental approach to determine the effect of the manufacturing technique on proposed composite fiberboards. Two different prototypes of composite fiberboards are developed using (SCB) as a natural fiber, and different matrices are tested. The epoxy resin and polyester resin are used as the alternative matrices. Fiberboards are proposed to be used as cladding boards or as internal furnishing units material instead of using MDF or HDF that exploit the usage of natural soft or hard wood that is unrecyclable, …

Managing Design Changes Through Integrating Concurrent Engineering Into The Architectural Design Process, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Mariam Sherif Ali

Architectural Engineering

This research aims to investigate the role of concurrent engineering (CE) towards managing design changes (DCs) during the architectural design process (ADP). To achieve this aim, a mixed research approach combining qualitative and quantitative methods was designed to accomplish four objectives. Firstly, the literature review investigated ADP, causes and impacts of DCs and CE. Secondly, three case studies of construction projects from Finland, China and Indonesia were collected and analysed to validate the identified causes and impacts of DCs and examine the role of CE towards managing DCs during ADP. Thirdly, a survey questionnaire was conducted with a representative sample …

A 4-Dimensional Strategy For Managing Construction Waste Originating During The Design Process Within Architectural Design Firms In Egypt, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Aya Said Muawad Saad

Architectural Engineering

This study aims to develop and validate a comprehensive strategy consisting of four dimensions for effectively managing construction waste (CW) arising during the Architectural Design Process (ADP) within Architectural Design Firms (ADFs) in Egypt. To accomplish this aim, a hybrid research approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative methods, was designed to address four specific objectives. Firstly, a thorough literature review was conducted to explore the topics of ADP, CW, Waste Management (WM), as well as national and international Waste Management Strategies (WMS). Secondly, three construction-based case studies from Saudi Arabia, China, and Thailand were gathered and analyzed to investigate the efficacy …

A Lean Management Framework For Achieving Sustainability Through Reducing Risks During The Design Process, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Sherouk Mohamed Abdelrahim

Architectural Engineering

The building sector is a substantial global industry that plays a significant role in the social and economic advancement of nations. The construction industry has been criticized for its unsustainable practices, including waste generation, pollution, and the consumption of non-renewable resources and energy. Due to the dynamic nature of the construction industry and the involvement of multiple parties with diverse goals, knowledge, and skills, the industry is susceptible to various risks that can undermine the sustainability of projects. This research aims to develop a Lean Management (LM) framework to deliver sustainable construction projects through reducing risks during the design process. …

Early Supplier Involvement Framework For Reducing Construction Waste During The Design Process, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Yomna Abdelghany El-Saeidy

Architectural Engineering

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a framework to facilitate early supplier involvement (ESI) as an approach for reducing construction waste (CW) generated during the design process. Design/methodology/approach – A research methodology consists of literature review, case studies and survey questionnaire was designed to achieve the abovementioned aim. First, the literature review was used to investigate CW, CW generated during the design process, the design process and ESI. Second, two construction projects were analysed to investigate the role of ESI towards reducing CW generated during the design waste. Third, a survey questionnaire was carried out with …

Artificial Intelligence Towards Enhancing The Risk Management Practices During The Design Process, Ayman Ahmed Ezzat Othman, Nadia Mohamed Algheetany, Fatma Othman Alamoudy

Architectural Engineering

No abstract provided.

Formulating An Efficient Statistical Test Using The Goodness Of Fit Approach With Applications To Real-Life Data, S. A. Qaid, S. E. Abo Youssef Prof., Mahmoud Mansour

Basic Science Engineering

Statistical tests are very important for researchers to make decisions. In particular, when the tests are non-parametric, they are of greater importance because they can be applied to a wide range of data sets regardless of knowing the distribution of these data. Researchers are therefore racing to obtain efficient tests for making good decisions based on the results of these tests. In this study, NBU (2)L was used based on the goodness of fit approach to present an efficient statistical test. The efficiency of the proposed test was computed, and the results were compared to those of other tests. Critical …

A Closer Look At The Fabrication Of Some Doped Metal Ions In Borophosphate Glass System And Their Structural, Elastic, Optical, And Gamma-Ray Shielding Characteristics, Elsayed Salama, W. M. Abd-Allah, S. Marzouk, M. S. Gaafar

Basic Science Engineering

Borophosphate host glasses doped with zinc oxide (ZnO), titanium dioxide (TiO2), tellurium dioxide (TeO2), or cerium oxide (CeO2) were synthesized using rapid quenching techniques. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, along with deconvoluted FTIR spectra, were recorded in the 400–4000 cm􀀀 1 range. Using the models of Tauc and Urbach, the optical energy band gaps of these glasses were found to be 3.212, 3.289, 3.262, 3.087, and 2.475 eV respectively. Due to the incorporation of different metal ions into the prepared glasses, the density increased and the molar volume decreased, making the glass structure highly compact. Since the elastic moduli are …

Mathematical Formulae For Neutron Self-Shielding Properties Of Media In An Isotropic Neutron Field, Elsayed Salama, Elsayed K. Elmaghraby, Ateia W. Mahmoud, A. Elghazaly, S. A. El-Fiki

Basic Science Engineering

In the current study, an ab initio derivation of the neutron self-shielding factor to solve the complex neutron transport problem of the decrease of the neutron flux as it penetrates into a material placed in an isotropic neutron field having equal flux in all directions. The theory of steady-state neutron transport was employed, starting from Stuart’s formula, to derive simple analytical formulae based on the integral cross-section parameters. The formulae could be adopted by the user according to various variables, such as the neutron flux distribution and geometry of the simulation at hand. The concluded formulae of the self-shielding factors …

Epr Study Of Irradiated Starch: Induced Radicals And Dose Assessment, Elsayed Salama, Ahmed M. Maghraby, Samy A. Anwer, M. El-Sayed

Basic Science Engineering

Irradiation of starch is of much importance to get rid of microbes and for disinfection. EPR study of the ionizing radiation-induced radicals can lead to the assessment of radiation doses delivered during irradiation. The EPR spectra properties, microwave power saturation behavior, short- and long-term temporal dependencies, and other significant factors are studied. Response of EPR spectra of irradiated starch over the range (0.5–10 kGy) was investigated. The time dependence study of the radiation-induced signal radicals of starch showed that variation of the EPR signal can be noticed within ±7.7% relative to the average value over 38 days following irradiation. Results …

Hydrogen Production From Microbial Electrolysis Cells Powered With Microbial Fuel Cells, Dina Aboelela

Biochemical Engineering

No abstract provided.

Preliminary Results Of A Study Using Dynamic Angiography In Predicting Progression Or Regression Of Moderate Severity Lesions, Thach Nguyen, Marco Zuin, Pham Tv Le, Vinh Sieu Lam, Hien Q. Nguyen, Hung V. Dang, Huyen K. Huynh, Duc Khiem Ngo, Thinh T. Nguyen, Imran Mihas

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Many patients with stable angina (SA) having moderate 50% lesions could deteriorate or stay stable for a long time. No present techniques nor test could accurately predict the progression to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or stabilization of these moderate lesions. Based on the fluid dynamic methodology research, could turbulent flow further damage the plaque and rupture its cap? In contrast, could laminar flow delay the progression of the plaque and keep patients stable for a long period of time?

Methods: Patients with stable angina (SA) were admitted to the intermediate care unit and underwent coronary angiography. Patients were selected …

Novel Method Of Isolating Nuclei Of Human Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells Reveals Substantial Developmental Changes In Gene Expression And H3k27ac Histone Modification, Alexey Kozlenkov, Ramu Vadukapuram, Ping Zhou, Peter Fam, Michael Wegner, Stella Dracheva

School of Medicine Publications

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) generate differentiated mature oligodendrocytes (MOs) during development. In adult brain, OPCs replenish MOs in adaptive plasticity, neurodegenerative disorders, and after trauma. The ability of OPCs to differentiate to MOs decreases with age and is compromised in disease. Here we explored the cell specific and age-dependent differences in gene expression and H3K27ac histone mark in these two cell types. H3K27ac is indicative of active promoters and enhancers. We developed a novel flow-cytometry-based approach to isolate OPC and MO nuclei from human postmortem brain and profiled gene expression and H3K27ac in adult and infant OPCs and MOs genome-wide. …

A Systems Biology Approach Unveils A Critical Role Of Dpp4 In Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Patient Outcomes, Sudhir Kotnala, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Shafiul Haque, Murali Yallapu, Manish Tripathi, Meena Jaggi, Subhash Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers comprise of cancers that affect the digestive system and its accessory organs. The late detection and poor prognosis of GI cancer emphasizes the importance of identifying reliable and precise biomarkers for early diagnosis and prediction of prognosis. The membrane-bound glycoprotein dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4), also known as CD26, is ubiquitously expressed and has a wide spectrum of biological roles. The role of DPP4/CD26 in tumor progression in different types of cancers remains elusive. However, the link between DPP4 and tumor-infiltrating cells, as well as its prognostic significance in malignancies, still require further investigation. This study was intended to …

Multicentric Assessment Of A Multimorbidity-Adjusted Disability Score To Stratify Depression-Related Risks Using Temporal Disease Maps: Instrument Validation Study, Rubèn González-Colom, Kangkana Mitra, Emili Vela, Andras Gezsi, Teemu Paajanen, Zsófia Gál, Gabor Hullam, Hannu Mäkinen, Tamas Nagy, Mikko Kuokkanen

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Comprehensive management of multimorbidity can significantly benefit from advanced health risk assessment tools that facilitate value-based interventions, allowing for the assessment and prediction of disease progression. Our study proposes a novel methodology, the Multimorbidity-Adjusted Disability Score (MADS), which integrates disease trajectory methodologies with advanced techniques for assessing interdependencies among concurrent diseases. This approach is designed to better assess the clinical burden of clusters of interrelated diseases and enhance our ability to anticipate disease progression, thereby potentially informing targeted preventive care interventions.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the MADS in stratifying patients into clinically relevant risk …

False Discovery Rate And Localizing Power, Anderson M. Winkler, Paul A. Taylor, Thomas E. Nichols, Chris Rorden

School of Medicine Publications

False discovery rate (FDR) is commonly used for correction for multiple testing in neuroimaging studies. However, when using two-tailed tests, making directional inferences about the results can lead to vastly inflated error rate, even approaching 100% in some cases. This happens because FDR only provides weak control over the error rate, meaning that the proportion of error is guaranteed only globally over all tests, not within subsets, such as among those in only one or another direction. Here we consider and evaluate different strategies for FDR control with two-tailed tests, using both synthetic and real imaging data. Approaches that separate …

Riemannian Frameworks For The Harmonization Of Resting-State Functional Mri Scans, Nicolas Honnorat, Sudha Seshadri, Ron Killiany, John Blangero, David C. Glahn, Peter T. Fox, Mohamad Habes

School of Medicine Publications

Magnetic Resonance Imaging provides unprecedented images of the brain. Unfortunately, scanners and acquisition protocols can significantly impact MRI scans. The development of statistical methods able to reduce this variability without altering the relevant information in the scans, often coined harmonization methods, has been the topic of an increasing research effort supported by the recent growth of publicly available neuroimaging data sets and new possibilities for combining them to achieve greater statistical power. In this work, we focus on the challenges specifically raised by the harmonization of resting-state functional MRI scans. We propose to harmonize resting-state fMRI scans by reducing the …

Editorial: Genome-Wide Molecular Mechanisms Of Substance Use Disorders, Ilya O. Blokhin, David M. Martinez-Garza, Dhruti Patel, Antoine B. Douaihy, Ihsan M. Salloum

School of Medicine Publications

No abstract provided.

A Social Media Analysis Of Patient-Perceived Complications Following Periacetabular Osteotomy (Pao): A Retrospective Observational Study, Bretton Laboret, Ryan Bialaszewski, John M. Gaddis, Emily Middleton, Brittany Kendall, Katie Lynch, Adina Stewart, Joel Wells

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Social media is a popular resource for patients seeking medical information and sharing experiences. Periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is an accepted treatment for symptomatic acetabular dysplasia with a low published complication profile in specialty centers. Little is known regarding patient reporting of complications on social media following PAO. The purpose of this study was to describe the patient-perceived complications of PAO posted on social media and analyze how additional factors (postoperative timeframe, concomitant surgery) correlate with these complication posts.

Methods: Facebook and Instagram were queried from 02/01/18-02/01/23; Twitter was searched over an extended range back to 02/01/11. Facebook posts (1054) …

Nanopore-Based Dna Long-Read Sequencing Analysis Of The Aged Human Brain, Paulino Ramirez, Wenyan Sun, Shiva Kazempour Dehkordi, Habil Zare, Bernard Fongang, Kevin F. Bieniek, Bess Frost

School of Medicine Publications

Aging disrupts cellular processes such as DNA repair and epigenetic control, leading to a gradual buildup of genomic alterations that can have detrimental effects in post-mitotic cells. Genomic alterations in regions of the genome that are rich in repetitive sequences, often termed "dark loci," are difficult to resolve using traditional sequencing approaches. New long-read technologies offer promising avenues for exploration of previously inaccessible regions of the genome. Using nanopore-based long-read whole-genome sequencing of DNA extracted from aged 18 human brains, we identify previously unreported structural variants and methylation patterns within repetitive DNA, focusing on transposable elements ("jumping genes") as crucial …

Value Of Coraco-Humeral Ligament Thickness In Early Detection Of Adhesive Capsulitis In Diabetic Patients Using Mri., Yusur Said Thabit, Mohammed Kadhim

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Adhesive capsulitis is a common illness-causing scapula-humeral pain with decrease in range of movement in the shoulder joint. MRI gives clear images about the joint capsule, the coraco-humeral ligament (CHL), and any associated pathology.OBJECTIVE: To study value of MRI for early diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis in diabetic patients through recognition of increased thickness of CHL.PATIENTS AND METHODS:Fifty-four adult participants were included in this study, 33 were females and 21 were males, their mean age 45.5 (age range 22-67 years), divided into 2 groups. The patient group included 34 diabetic patients (24 female and 10 male) with a mean …

Effectiveness Of Nebulized Budesonide In The Treatment Of Acute Asthma: A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial, Muhi Al-Janabi, Mustafa Al-Anbaki, Maamun Mohmmed, Nadia Nasir

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

ABSTRACT:BACKGROUND:Inhaled corticosteroids administered in high and repeated doses which effect simultaneously with bronchodilators is a way to maintain the effect throughout the time. The acute effects of nebulized budesonide as an emergency treatment of acute asthma in children have been evaluated in few clinical studies.OBJECTIVE:The analysis of the early clinical impact of adding repeated doses of nebulized budesonide in the treatment of acute asthma in the emergency setting on clinical respiratory score, Peak expiratory flow rates and hospital admission after 4 hours of treatment.PATIENTS AND METHODS:The study was a double-blind and placebo-controlled trial from April 2017 to January 2018 in …

Assessment Of Cervical Smears According To The Bethesda System (Tbs) 2014 In A Sample Of Patients. A Clinico-Pathological Study, Mariam Hameed, Ban Qasim

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

BACKGROUND:Cervical cancer develops slowly, raising the possibility of early recognition of pre-neoplastic lesions using Papanicolaou test and consequently avoiding deaths. Cervical screening system seeks to identify females who have an epithelial abnormality that could; if untreated, take the lead to the progress of cervical carcinoma. Extremely applied test for cervical carcinoma screening is cervical cytology which is effective in decreasing the occurrence of cervical cancer deaths by 70% since 1950.OBJECTIVE:To assess cervical pap smear from a sample of Iraqi patients according to The Bethesda System (TBS) 2014 and to study the relation of different categories of TBS with cinicopathological parameters …

Hepatitis B And C In Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Sura Sahib, Mazin Jadiry

Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

BACKGROUND: The risk of acquiring both hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections in patients with cancer has been documented. Risk of parenteral transmission of viral hepatitis has been well recognized, especially due to blood product transfusions. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The duration of the data collection and analysis of the study was from August 2018 till October 2019. A retrospective study included 92 children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia diagnosed consecutively in a 2-year period; 2015-2016 at Oncology Unit in Children Welfare Teaching Hospital. Demographic information, treatment details, vaccination history and baseline hepatitis screen were documented. Follow up …

Ceacam7 Expression Contributes To Early Events Of Pancreatic Cancer, Anupam Dhasmana, Swati Dhasmana, Sudhir Kotnala, Partha Laskar, Sheema Khan, Shafiul Haque, Meena Jaggi, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash C. Chauhan

School of Medicine Publications

Highlights

• The trends of pancreatic cancer (PanCa) incidence and mortality are on rising pattern, and it will a second leading cause of cancer related deaths by 2030.
• Approximately 85–90% PanCa are pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), which is one of the most challenging and aggressive malignancy.
• PDAC exhibits with grim prognosis as mortality rate is very close to the incidence due lack of early detection methods and effective therapeutic regimen.
• Our team has identified a novel oncogenic protein, carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 7 (CEACAM7), that can be useful for early PDAC diagnosis and predictor of patient survival.
• We also observed …

Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Liver Fibrosis, And Structural Brain Imaging: The Cross-Cohort Collaboration, Galit Weinstein, Adrienne O'Donnell, Stefan Frenzel, Tian Xiao, Amber Yaqub, Pinar Yilmaz, Robert J. De Knegt, Gladys E. Maestre, Debora Melo Van Lent, Michelle Long

School of Medicine Publications

Background and purpose

Prior studies reported conflicting findings regarding the association of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and liver fibrosis with measures of brain health. We examined whether NAFLD and liver fibrosis are associated with structural brain imaging measures in middle- and old-age adults.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study among dementia- and stroke-free individuals, data were pooled from the Offspring and Third Generation cohorts of the Framingham Heart Study (FHS), the Rotterdam Study (RS), and the Study of Health in Pomerania. NAFLD was assessed through abdominal imaging. Transient hepatic elastography (FibroScan) was used to assess liver fibrosis in FHS and …

Higher Procedural Volumes Are Associated With Faster Treatment Times, Better Functional Outcomes, And Lower Mortality In Patients Undergoing Endovascular Treatment For Acute Ischemic Stroke, Raul G. Nogueira, Diogo C. Haussen, Eric E. Smith, Jie-Lena Sun, Ying Xian, Brooke Alhanti, Rosalia Blanco, Brian Mac Grory, Mohamed F. Doheim, Ameer E. Hassan

School of Medicine Publications

Objective We aimed to characterize the association of hospital procedural volumes with outcomes among acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT).

Methods This was a retrospective, observational cohort study using data prospectively collected from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2019, in the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke registry. Participants were derived from a cohort of 60,727 AIS patients treated with EVT within 24 hours at 626 hospitals. The primary cohort excluded patients with pretreatment NIHSS6 hours, and inter-hospital transfers. There were two secondary cohorts: (1) EVT metrics cohort: excluded patients with missing data on time from door-to-arterial-puncture; (2) …

Protein Subunit Vaccines: Promising Frontiers Against Covid-19, Vivek P. Chavda, Eswara Naga Hanuma Kumar Ghali, Pankti C. Balar, Subhash Chauhan, Nikita Tiwari, Somanshi Shukla, Mansi Athalye, Vandana Bharat Patravale, Vasso Apostolopoulos, Murali Yallapu

School of Medicine Publications

The emergence of COVID-19 has posed an unprecedented global health crisis, challenging the healthcare systems worldwide. Amidst the rapid development of several vaccine formulations, protein subunit vaccines have emerged as a promising approach. This article provides an in-depth evaluation of the role of protein subunit vaccines in the management of COVID-19. Leveraging viral protein fragments, particularly the spike protein from SARS-CoV-2, these vaccines elicit a targeted immune response without the risk of inducing disease. Notably, the robust safety profile of protein subunit vaccines makes them a compelling candidate in the management of COVID-19. Various innovative approaches, including reverse vaccinology, virus …