| 1. |
- Casmo, Veronica, et al.
(författare)
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Occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Cystoisospora belli among adult patients with diarrhoea in Maputo, Mozambique
- 2018
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 2405-8440. ; 4:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Infections with Cryptosporidium spp. and Cystoisospora belli are important causes of diarrhoea in HIV patients. Nevertheless, information concerning these two parasites is scarce in many African countries, including Mozambique. In this study occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and C. belli was investigated by microscopy of stool specimens from 108 adult diarrhoeal patients, most with a confirmed HIV diagnosis. The Cryptosporidium isolates were further characterized by molecular methods. Cryptosporidium and C. belli oocysts were found in 8.3% (9/108), and 25.0% (27/108) of the study participants, respectively. Species identification was possible for all Cryptosporidium isolates with available DNA. The following Cryptosporidium species were detected (number of cases within parentheses): C. parvum (3), C. hominis (3), C. felis (1), and C. hominis/C. parvum (1). Subtyping targeting the gp60 gene revealed two C. hominis isolates with subtype IaA23R3, one C. parvum isolate with IIcA5G3d, and one with IIeAl2G1. In summary the occurrence of C. hominis and anthroponotic subtypes of C. parvum indicates that the main route of Cryptosporidium transmission in the present study population was human to human (direct or via food and water). The high prevalence of C. belli highlights the need for early diagnosis of this parasite, for which a treatment exists.
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| 2. |
- Watson, J. R., et al.
(författare)
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Resilience through risk management : cooperative insurance in small-holder aquaculture systems
- 2018
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 2405-8440. ; 4:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aquaculture is a booming industry. It currently supplies almost half of all fish and shellfish eaten today, and it continues to grow faster than any other food production sector. But it is immature relative to terrestrial crop and livestock sectors, and as a consequence it lags behind in terms of the use of aquaculture specific financial risk management tools. In particular, the use of insurance instruments to manage weather related losses is little used. In the aquaculture industry there is a need for new insurance products that achieve both financial gains, in terms of reduced production and revenue risk, and environmental wins, in terms of incentivizing improved management practices. Here, we have developed a cooperative form of indemnity insurance for application to small-holder aquaculture communities in developing nations. We use and advance the theory of risk pools, applying it to an aquaculture community in Myanmar, using empirical data recently collected from a comprehensive farm survey. These data were used to parameterize numerical simulations of this aquaculture system with and without a risk pool. Results highlight the benefits and costs of a risk pool, for various combinations of key parameters. This information reveals a path forward for creating new risk management products for aquaculturalists around the world.
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| 3. |
- A, Lavanya, et al.
(författare)
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Smart energy monitoring and power quality performance based evaluation of 100-kW grid tied PV system
- 2023
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - 2405-8440. ; 9:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Globally, the demand for energy from renewable sources is growing due to the increasing electricity consumption and the pollution of fossil fuels. The government has framed various policies to facilitate green energy generation, encouraging renewable energy source usage through PV installations in multiple sectors, including educational institutions. The primary objective of this paper is to propose a methodological approach for analysing the performance of the installed PV system on the rooftop of a university building in Tamil Nadu, India. The site selected is favourable for electricity generation from PV systems with an average global solar radiation of 5.82 kWh/m2day. Solar energy changes periodically with annual and daily variations and is not steady due to seasonal changes. The step-by-step performance assessment and the annual performance of the 100-kW solar PV system, which was instituted in 2019, with the forecasted parameters, are presented in this paper. Therefore, the assessment analysis is carried out in four phases: feasibility assessment, Energy yield assessment, Life cycle assessment, and Power quality assessment. To improve the solar PV output and efficiency, considering the solar irradiation, temperature, wind velocity, etc., PV yield is measured to evaluate the PV system's energy metrics. This paper also considers the carbon credits earned, solar power generated in the location, and the payback period. The power quality assessment is carried out in this paper to test the PV plant's compliance with effective grid integration.
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| 4. |
- Abdel-Rahman, Suzan, et al.
(författare)
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New evidence of gender inequality during COVID-19 outbreak in the Middle East and North Africa
- 2023
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - : Elsevier. - 2405-8440. ; 9:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered employment and income distribution, impacting women and men differently. This study investigates the negative effects of COVID-19 on the labour market, focusing on the gender gap in five countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The study indicates whether women are more susceptible to losing their jobs, either temporarily or permanently, switching their primary occupation, and experiencing decreased working hours and income compared to men during the COVID-19 outbreak. The study utilizes a multivariate Probit model to estimate the relationship between gender and adverse labour outcomes controlling for correlations among outcomes. Data are obtained from the Combined COVID-19 MENA Monitor Household Survey, covering Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan, and Sudan. The findings of this study offer empirical evidence of the gender gap in labour market outcomes during the pandemic. Women are more likely than men to experience negative work outcomes, such as permanent job loss and change in their main job. The increased childcare and housework responsibilities have significantly impacted women's labour market outcomes during the pandemic. However, the availability of telework has reduced the likelihood of job loss among women. The study's results contribute to a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on gender inequality in understudied MENA countries. Mitigation policies should focus on supporting vulnerable women who have experienced disproportionate negative effects of COVID-19.
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| 5. |
- Abdelrahman, Kholoud N., et al.
(författare)
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Anthocyanins from pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), chili pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum), and bougainvillea flowers (Bougainvillea spectabilis) with multiple biofunctions : antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer
- 2024
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - : Elsevier. - 2405-8440. ; 10:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Natural colorants, including natural pigments, e.g., anthocyanins, carotenoids, and chlorophylls, in novel and attractive food matrixes have become a popular trend. They impart favorite colors to food products and provide significant therapeutic effects. This study is aimed at extracting and identifying some natural pigments from different plant sources and evaluating their ability as antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities.Methods: The anthocyanin-rich extract (ARE) is derived from three natural plant sources: pomegranate peel (Punica granatum), chili pepper fruit (Capsicum annuum), and Bougainvillea flowers. Bougainvillea spectabilis are analyzed for biochemical composition, as well as antioxidant, antibacterial, and anticancer activity, HPLC, DPPH, FRAP, disc diffusion assay, MIC, MTT, VEGFR‐2, and caspase-9 assays.Results: All three extracts had varying total phenolic contents, ranging from 14 to 466 mg GAE/g extract, where Punica granatum was the highest (466 mg GAE/g extract), followed by Bougainvillea spectabilis (180 mg GAE/g extract), and then Capsicum annuum (14 mg GAE/g extract). The antioxidant activity rose steadily with raising concentration. The ARE of pomegranate peels recorded highest value, followed by Bougainvillea flowers and chili pepper fruit. The MTT assay revealed an inhibitory action of the tested extracts on the proliferation of HCT-116, MCF-7, and HepG2 in a concentration-based manner. Gene expression of caspase-9 transcripts was considerably multiplied by the application of ARE of pomegranate peels. All the tested extracts inhibited VEGFR-2, and the inhibition (%) expanded gradually with increasing concentrations, achieving the highest value (80 %) at 10 μg/mL. The ARE of pomegranate peels scored highest antibacterial activity, followed by ARE of chili pepper fruit and Bougainvillea flowers. The inhibition zone diameter escalated gradually with rising concentrations of the tested samples.Conclusion: The AREs of the three studied plant sources can be used as multifunctional products with antioxidant, anticancer, and antibacterial activities that are natural, safe, and cheap.
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| 6. |
- Abdullah Abkar, Mahdi Mohammed, et al.
(författare)
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Enhancing construction site performance through technology and management practices as material waste mitigation in the Malaysian construction industry
- 2024
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - : Elsevier. - 2405-8440. ; 10:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The construction industry, increasingly prioritizing sustainability, necessitates an exploration of technology and management's role in mitigating material waste at construction sites. This study examines the impact of 3R, IBS, BIM, and MMA in enhancing Construction Site Performance (CSP) in the Malaysian construction sector. Seven hypotheses were formulated to assess the relationship between technology adoption, material management practices, and the moderating influence of Material Management Adoption (MMA) on CSP. Data were collected through an online survey from 295 valid responses in the Malaysian construction sector, focusing on professionals involved in solid waste management. Utilizing Partial Least Squares - Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), the findings highlight the importance of technological integration, efficient material management, and competitive strategies in effective material waste mitigation. Furthermore, the qualitative aspect of the study, conducted among 6 solid waste organizations in Malaysia, enriches the findings by providing nuanced insights into local practices and challenges. Emphasizing the importance of contextual insights, the study addresses professionals involved in solid waste management within the Malaysian construction industry. The geographical specificity adds depth to the analysis, offering a comprehensive understanding of regional dynamics. Despite acknowledging limitations in technology and material usage, the study offers recommendations for refining waste mitigation and improving construction site performance. This research model offers actionable insights for construction site stakeholders, emphasizing the criticality of waste mitigation and CSP. The results, both quantitative and qualitative, underscore the potential of these practices within the Malaysian construction industry to foster innovation and drive positive change.
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| 7. |
- Abohalaka, Reshed, 1991
(författare)
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Bronchial epithelial and airway smooth muscle cell interactions in health and disease
- 2023
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - 2405-8440. ; 9:9
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chronic pulmonary diseases such as asthma, COPD, and Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are sig-nificant causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Currently, there is no radical treatment for many chronic pulmonary diseases, and the treatment options focus on relieving the symptoms and improving lung function. Therefore, efficient therapeutic agents are highly needed. Bronchial epithelial cells and airway smooth muscle cells and their crosstalk play a significant role in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Thus, targeting the interactions of these two cell types could open the door to a new generation of effective therapeutic options. However, the studies on how these two cell types interact and how their crosstalk adds up to respiratory diseases are not well established. With the rise of modern research tools and technology, such as lab-on-a-chip, organoids, co-culture techniques, and advanced immunofluorescence imaging, a substantial de-gree of evidence about these cell interactions emerged. Hence, this contribution aims to sum-marize the growing evidence of bronchial epithelial cells and airway smooth muscle cells crosstalk under normal and pathophysiological conditions. The review first discusses the impact of airway smooth muscle cells on the epithelium in inflammatory settings. Later, it examines the role of airway smooth muscle cells in the early development of bronchial epithelial cells and their recovery after injury. Then, it deliberates the effects of both healthy and stressed epithelial cells on airway smooth muscle cells, taking into account three themes; contraction, migration, and proliferation.
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| 8. |
- Adel, Amany, et al.
(författare)
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Epidemiological and molecular analysis of circulating fowl adenoviruses and emerging of serotypes 1, 3, and 8b in Egypt
- 2021
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - : Elsevier. - 2405-8440. ; 7:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fowl adenoviruses (FAdVs) are a large group of viruses of different serotypes. They are responsible for inclusion body hepatitis, adenoviral gizzard erosion, and hepatitis hydropericardium syndrome. The present study presents a comprehensive overview of FAdVs in Egypt, with a focus on the epidemiological features of virus serotypes across the country. We conducted molecular investigation of multiple FAdV species based on the genetic signature of hypervariable regions 1-4 in the loop1 (L1) region of the hexon gene. Epidemiologically, the Nile Delta governorates showed high positivity of FAdVs, which were more commonly found in broilers than in layers. Genetically, species D and serotype 8a/E dominated, and the findings also revealed the emergence of new FAdV serotypes 1, 3, and 8b. The comparative analysis of hypervariable regions in the L1 region of the hexon gene revealed variables specific to each virus serotype. In silico predictions of L1 region revealed variations in the molecular structure and predicted the antigenic epitopes which may affect the cross-antigenicity between the different FAdV species and serotypes.
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| 9. |
- Agrawal, Dhiraj, et al.
(författare)
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Optimization of eco-friendly concrete with recycled coarse aggregates and rubber particles as sustainable industrial byproducts for construction practices
- 2024
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - : Elsevier. - 2405-8440. ; 10:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this technology era, sustainable construction practices have become quite imperative. The exploration of alternative materials to reduce the environmental footprint is of paramount importance. This research paper delves into an exhaustive investigation concerning the utilization of recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) and rubber particles (RP) in concrete. It contributes to the growing body of knowledge aimed at fostering sustainable development in the construction industry by reducing waste, promoting recycling, and mitigating the environmental footprint of building materials. The objective of the study is to evaluate the potential benefits and limitations associated with incorporating these materials, thereby providing a sustainable alternative to conventional concrete. In this research, construction and demolition waste were recycled and used as RCA as a fractional switch of natural coarse aggregate (NCA) from 0% to 100%, with an increment of 20% replacement of NCA in concrete. The RP received from discarded tires generated as automobile industry waste were used as a volumetric fractional substitution of sand in concrete from 0% to 20%, with a 5% increment. No pre-treatment for RCA and RP was carried out before their utilization in concrete. A total of 26 mixes, including control concrete without NCA and RP, with a design strength of 40 MPa, were prepared and tested. Concrete mixes were examined for workability, density, mechanical, and durability properties. It was found that the concrete with 60% RCA and 10% RP showed satisfactory results in evaluation with the strength parameters of control concrete, as the compressive strength obtained for this concrete mix is 40.18 MPa, similar to the control mix. The optimization for RCA and RP was conducted using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The major concern observed was a rise in water absorption with an increase in the percentage replacement of NCA and natural sand by RCA and RP. Findings from the investigation illustrate a promising prospect for the use of RCA and RP in concrete applications, displaying competent mechanical properties and enhanced durability under certain conditions, offering a viable option for environmentally friendly construction practices. However, the research also sheds light on some constraints and challenges, such as the variability in the quality of RCA and the necessity for meticulous quality control to ensure the reliability and consistency of the end product. It is discerned that further refinement in processing techniques and quality assurance measures is pivotal for mainstream adoption of RCA and RP in concrete construction.
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| 10. |
- Ahl, Matilda, et al.
(författare)
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Immune response in blood before and after epileptic and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
- 2023
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Ingår i: Heliyon. - : Elsevier. - 2405-8440. ; 9:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Inflammatory processes may provoke epileptic seizures and seizures may promote an immune reaction. Hence, the systemic immune reaction is a tempting diagnostic and prognostic marker in epilepsy. We explored the immune response before and after epileptic and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES). Serum samples collected from patients with videoEEG-verified temporal or frontal lobe epilepsy (TLE or FLE) or TLE + PNES showed increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in between seizures (interictally), compared to controls. Patients with PNES had no increase in IL-6. The IL-6 levels increased transiently even further within hours after a seizure (postictally) in TLE but not in FLE patients. The postictal to interictal ratio of additionally five immune factors were also increased in TLE patients only. We conclude that immune factors have the potential to be future biomarkers for epileptic seizures and that the heterogeneity among different epileptic and non-epileptic seizures may be disclosed in peripheral blood sampling independent of co-morbidities.
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