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Biodiesel is considered to be a promising alternative option to diesel fuel. The main contribution of the current work is to improve compression ignition engine performance, fueled by several biodiesel blends. Three metrics were used to evaluate the output performance of the compression ignition engine, as follows: brake torque (BT), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), and brake thermal efficiency (BTE), by varying two input parameters (engine speed and fuel type). The engine speeds were in the 1200–2400 rpm range. Three biodiesel blends, containing 20 vol.% of vegetable oil and 80 vol.% of pure diesel fuel, were prepared and tested. In all the experiments, pure diesel fuel was employed as a reference for all biodiesel blends. The experimental results revealed the following findings: although all types of biodiesel blends have low calorific value and slightly high viscosity, as compared to pure diesel fuel, there was an improvement in both BT and brake power (BP) outputs. An increase in BSFC by 7.4%, 4.9%, and 2.5% was obtained for palm, sunflower, and corn biodiesel blends, respectively, as compared to that of pure diesel. The BTE of the palm oil biodiesel blend was the lowest among other biodiesel blends. The suggested work strategy includes two stages (modeling and parameter optimization). In the first stage, a robust fuzzy model is created, depending on the experimental results, to simulate the output performance of the compression ignition engine. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is used in the second stage to determine the optimal operating parameters. To confirm the distinction of the proposed strategy, the obtained outcomes were compared to those attained by response surface methodology (RSM). The coefficient of determination (R2) and the root-mean-square-error (RMSE) were used as comparison metrics. The average R2 was increased by 27.7% and 29.3% for training and testing, respectively, based on the fuzzy model. Using the proposed strategy in this work (integration between fuzzy logic and PSO) may increase the overall performance of the compression ignition engine by 2.065% and 8.256%, as concluded from the experimental tests and RSM.

Recently, researchers use various types of alternative fuels, for diesel engines. Previous studies, reveals that biodiesel with renewable origin, is the most promising alternative fuel, with less impact on the environment. The objective of this paper, is to determine experimentally, the impact of using different biodiesel blends, extracted from Sun flower, Palm, and Corn oils, on the performance on diesel engine. The engine was operated at variable load and fixed speed. The following main parameters were determined: Torque, Brake power, Brake Specific Fuel Consumption (BSFC), Brake thermal efficiency, Fuel consumption, and Exhaust temperature. Results show that when all the biodiesels were used as a fuel to the engine, the engine has lower BSFC and exhaust temperature, and higher brake thermal efficiency, than when using pure diesel as fuel for the engine. This implies that using the biodiesel blends is more economically than using pure diesel as a fuel for the engine. In addition, it was concluded that using all these blends produces less NOx emissions.

Background: This study aimed to produce, purify, structurally elucidate, and explore the biological activities of metabolites produced by Streptomyces (S.) griseus isolate KJ623766, a recovered soil bacterium previously screened in our lab that showed promising cytotoxic activities against various cancer cell lines. Methods: Production of cytotoxic metabolites from S. griseus isolate KJ623766 was carried out in a 14L laboratory fermenter under specified optimum conditions. Using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium-bromide assay, the cytotoxic activity of the ethyl acetate extract against Caco2 and Hela cancer cell lines was determined. Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract using different chromatographic techniques was used for cytotoxic metabolite purification. Chemical structures of the purified metabolites were identified using mass, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopic analysis. Results: Bioassay-guided fractionation of the ethyl acetate extract led to the purification of two cytotoxic metabolites, R1 and R2, of reproducible amounts of 5 and 1.5 mg/L, respectively. The structures of R1 and R2 metabolites were identified as β- and γ-rhodomycinone with CD50 of 6.3, 9.45, 64.8 and 9.11, 9.35, 67.3 µg/mL against Caco2, Hela and Vero cell lines, respectively. Values were comparable to those of the positive control doxorubicin. Conclusions: This is the first report about the production of β- and γ-rhodomycinone, two important scaffolds for synthesis of anticancer drugs, from S. griseus.

Skin infections caused by strong biofilm Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) are considered a serious public health issue because of the increased resistance toward the currently available antibiotics. Consequently, innovative therapeutic strategies have emerged to address these challenging infections. Among them, phage therapy stands out, in which highly potent lytic bacteriophages (phages) are specifically selected to target and eradicate the responsible pathogens. In this study, Pseudomonas phage E21 was recovered from sewage, and it genetically belongs to the Lavrentievirus genus, Casjensviridae family. The genetic characterization of the isolated phage reveals the presence of highly potent lytic enzymes, which play a critical role in effectively suppressing the growth of the targeted pathogens. The phage has high stability patterns over a wide range of temperatures and pH values (65 ℃ and 3–11). Carboxymethylcellulose was used to formulate a hydrogel for the evaluation of the bacteriophage’s efficacy against biofilm-associated wound infection in a suitable animal model. The result of the preclinical study confirmed the efficacy of isolated phage in the therapy of biofilm-associated wound infection.

Enhancing heat exchanger efficiency is vital in industrial applications, as improved heat transfer leads to significant energy savings. One potential strategy is to add nanoparticles to the base fluid. To reduce the cost and effort of experimental trials, a CFD model in ANSYS ® 24.0 was developed to investigate the influence of nanoparticle kind and concentration (1% to 7%) on heat exchanger performance, considering copper (Cu), copper oxide (CuO), and titanium dioxide (TiO₂). The simulations revealed that Cu nanofluids provided the greatest thermal enhancement, with the overall coefficient of heat transfer (U) improving by 10% (from 955 to 1054 W·m⁻²·K⁻¹) and the rate of heat transfer (Q) by 7% (from 9.48 to 10.14 kW) as concentration rose from 1% to 7%, although the pressure drop also rose sharply by 53% (from 19.4 to 29.7 kPa). CuO nanofluids showed a more balanced performance, with U rising by 7.8% (from 951 to 1025 W·m⁻²·K⁻¹), Q rising by 5.2% (from 9.46 to 9.95 kW), and a more moderate pressure-drop increase of 35% (from 18.8 to 25.3 kPa). TiO₂ nanofluids delivered the lowest thermal enhancement (U rising by 6.5%, Q rising by 4.2%) but the smallest hydraulic penalty (23% pressure-reduction rise). The results indicate that pressure drop increases steadily with nanoparticle concentration and varies among different nanoparticle materials, as the adopted viscosity model accounts for nanoparticles’ type, size, and temperature. The performance evaluation criterion (PEC) further highlighted all these differences, peaking at 2% for Cu (PEC = 1.11), 3% for CuO (PEC = 1.09), and 5% for TiO₂ (PEC = 1.06). Overall, the findings confirm that both nanoparticle concentration and type strongly affect heat-exchanger performance: Cu offers the greatest thermal improvement at low loadings but suffers from high pressure penalties; CuO achieves a balance between thermal gain and hydraulic cost; and TiO₂, though less conductive, ensures stable operation with lower pumping power. Graphical abstract Different cases studied in the research

The design of open irrigation channels typically includes a bed slope to achieve the desired hydraulic performance, governing key parameters such as velocity, water depth, and discharge. Diversion head structures, often constructed across these channels, raise upstream water levels, generating potential energy that converts into high-velocity kinetic energy downstream Previous research has studied the type and configuration of water energy dissipaters, considering most hydraulic parameters affecting their performance, except for canal bed slope. The current work aims to explore the extent to which canal bed slope affects the performance efficiency of water energy dissipaters behind head structures, ensuring their safety. The experiments utilized a tilting flume under controlled conditions at six different bed slopes (0.05% to 0.30%) in addition to a zero bed slope, with five discharge values ranging from 9.76 to 17.14 L/s. Through 150 experimental runs, all hydraulic parameters affecting the performance efficiency of the water energy dissipater (relative energy loss, hydraulic jump, sequent depth ratio, and jump length) are measured and recorded. The results clearly show that increasing the canal bed slope to 0.20% enhances the water energy dissipater’s performance efficiency by 31.9%, reduces the jump length by 20% and lowers the sequent depth ratio ( y 2 y 1 ) by 20%. The recommended relative dissipater location ( L b b ) of 5.83 is accurate for canals with slopes up to 0.20% but for steeper slopes, this ratio must be checked.

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations increasingly depend on emulsion-based formulations that exhibit long-term stability under reservoir conditions while minimizing surfactant dosage. In this context, hybrid systems combining nanoparticles and surfactants offer a promising route to achieving both interfacial stability and formulation efficiency. Among potential nanoparticle candidates, Ti3C2Tx MXene exhibits high surface area and interfacial activity. However, its application in diesel-in-water Pickering emulsions under EOR-relevant conditions has not been explored. Challenges such as high hydrophilicity and strong electrostatic repulsion have limited the use of unmodified MXene as a standalone stabilizer in colloidal systems. To address this limitation, diesel-in-water Pickering emulsions were formulated using DL-Ti3C2Tx MXene combined with Tween 40 (0.5 wt%) and antifoam (0.15 wt%), aiming to investigate their synergistic stabilization behavior across MXene concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1.5 wt%. The MXene-only system exhibited complete and immediate phase separation, whereas the hybrid emulsions demonstrated markedly enhanced stability, with no phase separation observed at 0.1 and 0.5 wt% after 24 h. A concentration-dependent trend was evident. At lower MXene contents, interfacial adsorption improved, and droplet sizes remained small and uniform. At higher concentrations (≥ 1.0 wt%), aggregation increased, and demulsification became more pronounced. Interfacial tension decreased steadily with increasing MXene content, reaching 0.86 mN/m at 1.5 wt%, while zeta potential remained strongly negative (−47.7 mV at 0.5 wt%), indicating sufficient electrostatic repulsion. Rheological analysis revealed a transition to shear-thinning behavior at higher MXene contents, confirming the formation of internal network structures. Compared to other reported systems based on silica (SiO2), zinc oxide (ZnO), or functionalized MXenes, the MXene-Tween 40 formulation achieved superior short- and long-term emulsion stability without requiring surface modification or external stimuli. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the successful stabilization of diesel-in-water Pickering emulsions using unmodified Ti3C2Tx MXene. These findings highlight the synergistic interaction between MXene and Tween 40 and present a robust, surfactant-lean formulation suitable for oilfield applications.

Railway infrastructure plays a critical role in transportation networks, and ensuring its integrity and resilience is of utmost importance. Culverts are vital components of railway tracks, providing drainage and water management to prevent structural damage and disruptions. Identifying suitable locations for culverts requires careful evaluation and consideration of various factors. A study using GIS techniques was conducted on an existing commercial railway track in the Eastern Desert of Upper Egypt to assess the effectiveness of existing culverts in preventing flash floods. The culvert suitability index map revealed that areas with high slopes and large drainage areas were more susceptible to water accumulation, indicating the need for culverts. The study also highlighted areas where culverts could be installed without significantly impacting existing infrastructure. It was recommended to install culverts in 27 locations along the track where they intersect with watercourses. Existing culverts covered just 93 watercourses, while 5 specialized culverts needed to be relocated. The findings have significant implications for railway engineering, as using GIS techniques streamlines the process of culvert location evaluation, saving time and resources. The systematic approach ensures culverts are installed in the most appropriate locations, minimizing flooding risks and ensuring the safety and efficiency of railway operations.

Metabolic dysfunction leading to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) exhibits distinct molecular and immune signatures that are influenced by factors like gut microbiota. The gut microbiome interacts with the liver via a bidirectional relationship with the gut–liver axis. Microbial metabolites, sirtuins, and immune responses are pivotal in different metabolic diseases. This extensive review explores the complex and multifaceted interrelationship between sirtuins and gut microbiota, highlighting their importance in health and disease, particularly metabolic dysfunction and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Sirtuins (SIRTs), classified as a group of NAD+-dependent deacetylases, serve as crucial modulators of a wide spectrum of cellular functions, including metabolic pathways, the inflammatory response, and the process of senescence. Their subcellular localization and diverse functions link them to various health conditions, including NAFLD and cancer. Concurrently, the gut microbiota, comprising diverse microorganisms, significantly influences host metabolism and immune responses. Recent findings indicate that sirtuins modulate gut microbiota composition and function, while the microbiota can affect sirtuin activity. This bidirectional relationship is particularly relevant in metabolic disorders, where dysbiosis contributes to disease progression. The review highlights recent findings on the roles of specific sirtuins in maintaining gut health and their implications in metabolic dysfunction and HCC development. Understanding these interactions offers potential therapeutic avenues for managing diseases linked to metabolic dysregulation and liver pathology.

Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L.) is a nutrient-rich, seasonal fruit with limited availability and short shelf life. This study evaluated the effects of conventional pasteurization (72°C, 2 min) and ohmic heating (60-72°C, 5-25 min at constant voltage 220V) on the physicochemical, phytochemical, microbial, and sensory properties of the cantaloupe pulp. Physicochemical and sensory analyses were performed over a period of 28 days at a refrigerator temperature (4°C). Ohmic heating significantly enhanced the retention of bioactive compounds and shelf life of the cantaloupe pulp. Total phenolic content increased by up to 2.07 times with time and 1.82 times with temperature, retaining 1.18 times more than conventional heating. Flavonoid content increased by 1.20 times with optimal ohmic conditions, preserving 0.77 times more than traditional methods. Antioxidant activity increased significantly by 53.7% with time, and 46.3% with temperature, yielding 1.19 times higher activity overall, and 1.15 times more than conventional heating. Vitamin C contents significantly increased by 1.37 times because of enhanced cell permeability. Microbial load was reduced by 1.25 times, with ohmic heating achieving 1.17 times greater microbial reduction than conventional treatment. Sensory analysis has higher scores for ohmic-treated samples, especially T9 (66°C, 5 min), which maintained better acceptability and quality of pulp throughout storage. Ohmic heating demonstrated significant potential for the cantaloupe pulp preservation, by assuring uniform heating, preserving sensorial attributes, and enhancing microbial safety and shelf life. These results demonstrated that ohmic heating is an effective, minimally destructive thermal technique with strong potential for application in fruit processing industries.