Factorial validity of the self-compassion scale among female University students: A comparative study between Saudi and Egyptian cultures

The study aims to verify the factorial structure of the self-compassion scale across different cultural contexts. The sample included 1039 students, divided into 521 students from Zagazig University (ZU) and 518 from Princess Nourah University (PNU) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which were chosen randomly. Exploratory factor analysis was used to test the stability of items on the dimensions. The results showed stability along with kindness with self, isolation, common humanity, and self-judgment factors. On the other hand, confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the results of this study yielded the best fit for the total sample. Then factor analysis across the two groups was used to verify the existence of differences between Saudi and Egyptian cultures. The analysis results revealed that the Egyptian environment model is superior to its Saudi counterpart and that there are no differences between the two cultures using the factorial differences indicators RMSEA, NNFI, GFI, and SRMR. This study's outcomes can have global implications for promoting self-compassion as a tool for improving mental health and well-being across cultures.

Preparation and Photovoltaic Evaluation of CuO@Zn(Al)O-Mixed Metal Oxides for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell

In this manuscript, a series of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated as a function of post-processing temperature based on mesoporous CuO@Zn(Al)O-mixed metal oxides (MMO) in conjunction with dye N719 as the main light absorber; the proposed CuO@Zn(Al)O geometry was, in turn, attained using Zn/Al-layered double hydroxide (LDH) as a precursor via combination of co-precipitation and hydrothermal techniques. In particular, the dye loading amount onto the deposited mesoporous materials was anticipated via regression equation-based UV-Vis technique analysis, which evidently demonstrated a robust correlation along with the fabricated DSSCs power conversion efficiency. In detail, of the DSSCs assembled, CuO@MMO-550 exhibited short-circuit current (JSC) and open-circuit voltage (VOC) of 3.42 (mA/cm²) and 0.67 (V) which result in significant fill factor and power conversion efficiency of 0.55% and 1.24%, respectively. This could mainly be due to the relatively high surface area of 51.27 (m²/g) which in turn validates considerable dye loading amount of 0.246 (mM/cm^-2).

Effect of Y3+ on the structural and photoluminescence properties of yttrium doped sodium borate glasses

Glasses of the composition 70%B₂ O₃ -(30-x)%Na₂ O-x%Y₂ O₃ with x=0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 mole% are manufactured by the melt quenching method. X-ray diffraction test indicate the amorphous structure of the glasses, with the presence of some YBO₃ clusters in the high yttrium content samples. The FTIR analysis proved the presence of different borate groups and linkages, in addition to nonsystematic changes of the ratio BO₃ /BO₄ in the glasses. Forming ability of the glasses is found approximately stable for the low Y³⁺ content samples and increases for the heavily doped samples. Density of the samples is found to increase as the Y³⁺ concentration increases, while the molar volume decreases. The bond strength of the examined glasses suggests the covalent nature is dominant between bonds. All of the Y³⁺ doped glasses are found to emit greenish-cyan light when excited by λ ex = 365 nm . The photoluminescence intensity is shown to be enhanced by the generated YBO₃ groups. The obtained correlated color temperature values with 82.5% purity recommend the suitability of these glasses for the applications in the outdoor illumination.

Newly Developed Vanadium-Based Glasses and Their Potential for Nuclear Radiation Shielding Aims: A Monte Carlo Study on Gamma Ray Attenuation Parameters

This study aimed to investigate different types of glasses based on the 46V₂O₅-46P₂O₅-(8-x) B₂O₃-xCuO system in terms of their nuclear radiation shielding properties. Accordingly, five different CuO-doped vanadate glasses were investigated extensively to determine the necessary gamma shielding parameters along with effective conductivity at 300,000 and buildup factors. Phy-x PSD software was used for determination of these vital parameters. Furthermore, these parameters, such as half value layer, tenth value layer, and mean free path were investigated in a broad energy range between 0.015 and 15 MeV. The results revealed that the amount of CuO reinforced in each sample plays an essential role in determination of the shielding abilities of the samples. The sample with the highest CuO content had the highest linear attenuation coefficient and mass attenuation coefficient values. Additionally, the lowest mean free path, half value layer, and tenth value layer values were recorded for glass sample VPCu8. There was an inverse relation between the effective conductivity and effective atomic number and photon energy; that is, as energy increases, the effective conductivity and effective atomic number decreased rapidly, especially in the regions of low energy. Glass sample VPCu8 reported the highest values for both parameters. Moreover, glass sample VPCu8 had the lowest exposure buildup factor and energy absorption buildup factor values. Our findings showed that CuO-reinforced vanadate glass composition, namely 46V₂O₅-46P₂O₅-8CuO, with a glass density of 2.9235 g/cm³, was reported to have superior gamma ray attenuation properties. These results would be helpful for scientists in determining the most appropriate additive rare earth type, as well as the most appropriate glass composition, to offer shielding characteristics similar to those described above, taking into consideration the criteria for usage and the needs of the community. The results of this research will be useful to the scientific community in evaluating the prospective characteristics of CuO-doped glass systems and related glass compositions. CuO-doped glass systems and associated glass compositions have a wide range of properties.

Development of Al-Mg-Si alloy performance by addition of grain refiner Al-5Ti-1B alloy

Aluminum alloys are the most essential part of all shaped castings manufactured, mainly in the automotive, food industry, and structural applications. There is little consensus as to the precise relationship between grain size after grain refinement and corrosion resistance; conflicting conclusions have been published showing that reduced grain size can decrease or increase corrosion resistance. The effect of Al-5Ti-1B grain refiner (GR alloy) with different percentages on the mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Aluminum-magnesium-silicon alloy (Al-Mg-Si) was studied. The average grain size is determined according to the E112ASTM standard. The compressive test specimens were made as per ASTM: E8/E8M-16 standard to get their compressive properties. The bulk hardness using Vickers hardness testing machine at a load of 50 g. Electrochemical corrosion tests were carried out in 3.5 % NaCl solution using Autolab Potentiostat/Galvanostat (PGSTAT 30).The grain size of the Al-Mg-Si alloy was reduced from 82 to 46 µm by the addition of GR alloy. The morphology of α-Al dendrites changes from coarse dendritic structure to fine equiaxed grains due to the addition of GR alloy and segregation of Ti, which controls the growth of primary α-Al. In addition, the mechanical properties of the Al-Mg-Si alloy were improved by GR alloy addition. GR alloy addition to Al-Mg-Si alloy produced fine-grained structure and better hardness and compressive strength. The addition of GR alloy did not reveal any marked improvements in the corrosion properties of Al-Mg-Si alloy.

Chitosan-based nanocomposites: preparation and characterization for food packing industry

In the present work, Cerium (IV)-Zirconium (IV) oxide nanoparticles (CeO4ZrNPs) was successfully dispersed into Chitosan/15Gelatin nanocomposites with different quantities. The obtained chitosan-based nanocomposites represented remarkable improvements in structural, morphological, mechanical, and thermal properties. Roughness increased from 74 nm to 6.4 nm, Young’s Modulus enhanced from 1.36 GPa to 2.99 GPa. The influence of dispersed CeO4ZrNPs contents on the phase transition temperature (T g) and the non-isothermal degradation processes of chitosan-based nanocomposites were examined using Differential Scanning Galorimetry (DSC) with different heating rates. Kinetic parameters of the thermal degradation for chitosan-based nanocomposites were evaluated using Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) and Kissenger (KIS) procedures. Chitosan-based nanocomposites showed an increase in the thermal degradation temperature with higher activation energies, indicating improved thermal stability. Thermal analysis demonstrated that chitosan-based nanocomposites became more ordered by increasing CeO4ZrNPs as inferred from the negative entropy increase. Moreover, the degradation of chitosan-based nanocomposites has been described as a non-spontaneous process. The resulting information is particularly important in applications in which there is a need to obtain chitosan nanocomposites with improved mechanical and thermal properties such as food packing industry.

Room-Temperature Wet Chemical Synthesis of Au NPs/TiH2/Nanocarved Ti Self-Supported Electrocatalysts for Highly Efficient H2 Generation

Self-supported electrocatalysts are a new class of materials exhibiting high catalytic performance for various electrochemical processes and can be directly equipped in energy conversion devices. We present here, for the first time, sparse Au NPs self-supported on etched Ti (nanocarved Ti substrate self-supported with TiH₂) as promising catalysts for the electrochemical generation of hydrogen (H₂) in KOH solutions. Cleaned, as-polished Ti substrates were etched in highly concentrated sulfuric acid solutions without and with 0.1 M NH₄F at room temperature for 15 min. These two etching processes yielded a thin layer of TiH₂ (the corrosion product of the etching process) self-supported on nanocarved Ti substrates with different morphologies. While F^--free etching process led to formation of parallel channels (average width: 200 nm), where each channel consists of an array of rounded cavities (average width: 150 nm), etching in the presence of F^- yielded Ti surface carved with nanogrooves (average width: 100 nm) in parallel orientation. Au NPs were then grown in situ (self-supported) on such etched surfaces via immersion in a standard gold solution at room temperature without using stabilizers or reducing agents, producing Au NPs/TiH₂/nanostructured Ti catalysts. These materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). GIXRD confirmed the formation of Au₂Ti phase, thus referring to strong chemical interaction between the supported Au NPs and the substrate surface (also evidenced from XPS) as well as a titanium hydride phase of chemical composition TiH₂. Electrochemical measurements in 0.1 M KOH solution revealed outstanding hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalytic activity for our synthesized catalysts, with Au NPs/TiH₂/nanogrooved Ti catalyst being the best one among them. It exhibited fast kinetics for the HER with onset potentials as low as -22 mV vs. RHE, high exchange current density of 0.7 mA cm^-2, and a Tafel slope of 113 mV dec^-1. These HER electrochemical kinetic parameters are very close to those measured here for a commercial Pt/C catalyst (onset potential: -20 mV, Tafel slope: 110 mV dec^-1, and exchange current density: 0.75 mA cm^-2). The high catalytic activity of these materials was attributed to the catalytic impacts of both TiH₂ phase and self-supported Au NPs (active sites for the catalytic reduction of water to H₂), in addition to their nanostructured features which provide a large-surface area for the HER.

Aluminum Titania Nanoparticle Composites as Nonprecious Catalysts for Efficient Electrochemical Generation of H2

In this paper, we demonstrated, for the first time, aluminum titania nanoparticle (Al-TiO2 NP) composites with variable amounts of TiO2 NPs as nonprecious active catalysts for the electrochemical generation of H2. These materials were synthesized by mixing desired amounts of hydrogen titanate nanotubes (TNTs), fabricated here by a cost-effective approach at moderate hydrothermal conditions, with aluminum powder (purity 99.7%; size 35 μm). The mixture was compacted under an applied uniaxial stress of 300 MPa followed by sintering at 500 °C for 1 h. After sintering had been completed, all TNTs were found to convert to TiO2 NPs (average particle size 15 nm). Finally, Al-xTiO2 NP nanocomposites (x = 1, 3, 5, and 10) were obtained and characterized by scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of these materials was studied in 0.5 M H2SO4 at 298 K using polarization and impedance measurements. The nanocomposite of chemical composition Al-5% TiO2 NPs showed the best catalytic performance for the HER, with an onset potential (EHER), a Tafel slope (βc), and an exchange current density (j0) of -100 mV (RHE), 59.8 mV decade(-1), and 0.14 mA cm(-2), respectively. This HER activity is not far from that of the commercial platinum/carbon catalyst (EHER = 0.0 mV, βc = 31 mV dec(-1), and j0 = 0.78 mA cm(-2)). The best catalyst also exhibited good stability after 10000 repetitive cycles with negligible loss in current.

Active and passive case detection strategies for the control of leishmaniasis in Bangladesh

SETTING

Two subdistricts in Bangladesh, Fulbaria and Trishal, which are hyperendemic for leishmaniasis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine 1) the numbers of patients diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) using an active case detection (ACD) strategy in Fulbaria and a passive case detection (PCD) strategy in Trishal, and 2) the time taken from symptoms to diagnosis in the ACD subdistrict.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive study of patients diagnosed from May 2010 to December 2011. The ACD strategy involved community education and outreach workers targeting households of index patients using symptom-based screening and rK-39 tests for suspected cases.

RESULTS

In the ACD subdistrict (Fulbaria) and PCD sub-district (Trishal), respectively 1088 and 756 residents were diagnosed with VL and 1145 and 37 with PKDL. In the ACD subdistrict, the median time to diagnosis for patients directly referred by outreach workers or self-referred was similar, at 60 days for VL and respectively 345 and 360 days for PKDL.

CONCLUSION

An ACD strategy at the subdistrict level resulted in an increased yield of VL and a much higher yield of PKDL. As PKDL acts as a reservoir for infection, a strategy of ACD and treatment can contribute to the regional elimination of leishmaniasis in the Indian sub-continent.

Cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase production by Bacillus megaterium NCR: evaluation and optimization of culture conditions using factorial design

Statistically-based experimental designs were used to optimize the production of cyclodextrin glucosyltransferase (CGTase) from a local isolate of Bacillus megaterium using shack culture fermentation. Seven cultural conditions were examined for enzyme production and specific activity using Plackett-Burman factorial design. Fermentation time and K(2)HPO(4) level were the crucial for factors improving enzyme production process. The steepest ascent design was adopted-based on the results recorded with Plackett-Burman design. Maximal enzyme estimates (activity 56.1 U/ml, and specific activity 62.7 U/mg protein) were achieved. A verification experiment was carried out to examine model validation of this optimization.

Inactivation of aflatoxin B1 in corn meal, copra meal and peanuts by chlorine gas treatment

More than 75% degradation of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) was achieved after treatment of AFB1-spiked corn meal, spiked copra meal (the residue of the kiln-dried coconut kernels after mechanical expulsion of oil) and peanuts artificially infected with Aspergillus parasiticus, with 11, 16 and 35 mg chlorine gas per g meal or peanuts, respectively. At these chlorine gas treatment levels, extension of the exposure period of the corn meal and copra meal beyond 2.5 hr, and the peanuts beyond 1 day, did not increase the percentage degradation of AFB1. The mutagenicity of chlorine-treated copra meal and peanuts spiked with AFB1 was greatly reduced compared with untreated controls, as determined in Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 in the presence of rat liver S-9 mix; the reduction in mutagenicity was found to be highly correlated with the reduction in AFB1 levels. Reactions of chlorine with AFB1 or constituents of the meals or peanuts did not appear to generate new mutagenic compounds. The moisture content of the meals and peanuts appeared to be an important factor affecting the degradation of AFB1 by chlorine gas.

Tolerance to long-term feeding of isolated peanut lectin in the rat: evidence for a trophic effect on the small intestines

Previously we have shown that rats fed a diet containing raw peanut meal as the sole source of protein exhibited alterations in enzyme activity and composition of certain organs. To determine the effects of isolated peanut lectin on body growth and on the intestines, experiments were carried out in weanling, male, Sprague-Dawley rats fed a casein diet incorporated with purified peanut lectin at three levels, 0.004, 0.04, and 0.2% for 23 days. Body weight gain was normal with all three diets. In rats fed the 0.004 and 0.04% peanut lectin, there were no changes in any of the small intestinal mucosal parameters under study. However, in rats consuming the 0.2% peanut lectin diet, the proximal, mid, and distal third regions of the small intestines all showed marked increases in mucosal weight, protein, and DNA contents, but without altered villus morphology. Of the 3 brush border enzymes studied, namely maltase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase, none was altered in activity in any region, suggesting that microvillus integrity was normal. These results are similar to the reported actions of red kidney bean lectin on the intestines. We conclude that peanut lectin at up to 0.2% of the diet does not inhibit food intake or growth of weanling rats and is apparently trophic for all areas of the small intestines.

Reduction of mutagenicity and toxicity of aflatoxin B1 by chlorine gas treatment

Chlorine gas was used to treat aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). The time-related exposure study showed that 4 ml (15 mg) pure chlorine gas caused about 90% destruction of 100 micrograms AFB1 within 10 min, at standard temperature and pressure. Four fluorescent reaction products were produced, two of which were identified as 8,9-dichloro-AFB1 and 8,9-dihydroxy-AFB1 (diol). The use of [14C]AFB1 confirmed the 90% destruction of the compound by chlorine gas. An increased destruction of AFB1 also occurred when an increased amount of chlorine gas was used. The mutagenic activity of the AFB1 sample treated for 10 min was reduced to about 5% of the untreated control using the Salmonella typhimurium strain TA98 in the presence of a rat-liver S-9 mix. A similar time-related reduction in AFB1 toxicity after chlorine treatment was also achieved using the chicken embryo toxicity assay.

Destruction of Aflatoxins on Peanuts by Oven- and Microwave-Roasting 1

Effects of oven and microwave roasting on aflatoxin-contaminated peanuts were studied. In artificially contaminated peanuts, oven-roasting for 30 min at 150°C or microwave-roasting for 8.5 min at 0.7 kW were equally effective in destroying 30 to 45% of AFB₁. Analysis was performed by the Best Food method followed by thin-layer chromatography and densitospectrometry. In naturally contaminated peanuts, both oven- and microwave-roasting were equally effective in destroying 48 to 61% of AFB₁ and 32 to 40% of aflatoxin G₁ (AFG₁).

Evaluating Cheese-like Emulsions from Animal Blood Proteins and Whey Solids 1

Animal blood globin powder and blood plasma concentrate prepared from cattle blood, were incorporated, along with modified whey solids, hydrolyzed cereal solids, butter, cellulose gum and water into heat processed cheese-like emulsions. Globin protein in the emulsion ranged from 12.2 to 16.4% while the plasma protein range was from 1.8 to 6.2%. The ingredients were blended while the pH was being raised to pH 6.8 and the mixtures were processed at 116 C for 15 min. Texture profile parameters of hardness, springiness and cohesiveness were evaluated. Increased globin protein concentration decreased springiness and cohesiveness. Hardness apparently was maximal at an approximate globin/plasma protein ratio of 5:1.