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Herein, the possibility of including recycled glass powder as a promising material in amalgamation with slag to produce new binder materials activated by sodium silicate solution capable to resist high temperatures was studied. Slag was partially replaced with glass powder (GP) at ratios in the range of 0–15%, by weight, with a step of 5%. The powders were activated by a constant concentration of sodium silicate solution. The percentage of water absorption and compressive strength were monitored at the ages of 3, 7 and 28 days. After 28 curing days, the specimens were subjected to severe temperatures in the range of 400–1000 °C with a step of 200 °C for 2 h and the residual compressive strength was monitored. The results were analysed by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra. The results revealed higher water absorption and lower compressive strength with the incorporation of GP. The incorporation of GP has a negative effect on the compressive strength of alkali-activated slag (AAS) pastes after exposure to 400 and 600 °C, whilst it has a positive effect after exposure to 800 and 1000 °C.

The environmental impact of conventional concrete underscores the urgent need for sustainable alternatives. Alkali-activated slag (AAS) concrete offers a lower-carbon solution, Yet its performance remains open to optimization. This study evaluates the mechanical and durability enhancements achieved by partially substituting slag with 10–50% locally available feldspar powder. The optimal replacement level of 10% is shown to provide a synergistic performance enhancement, not only improving flexural strength (24.58% at 7 days) but also, for the first time, demonstrating a significant reduction in abrasion wear (10.33%), a 15.5% improvement in water permeability, and a crucial mitigation of drying shrinkage. These findings move beyond simple strength optimization to validate 10% feldspar as a strategic additive for producing a holistically durable and serviceable AAS concrete. Microstructural evidence attributes these gains to feldspar’s role in refining pore structure and promoting the development of a dense, chemically complex sodium aluminosilicate hydrate (N-A-S-H) binder matrix. Beyond 10%, performance declines due to porosity increase and incomplete reaction. These findings support feldspar’s viability as a strategic additive in AAS concrete, aligning with global efforts to decarbonize construction.

Egypt’s thriving marble industry produces extensive waste marble powder (WMP) amounts. Recycling plentiful waste safely and effectively is a key national concern, as improper disposal poses a serious threat to the environment. This study addressed this challenge by exploring a new method to produce CaO from WMP by appropriate calcination (CWMP), which can be used as an effective additive for alkali-activated slag (AAS) cement. The CaO extracted from WMP (CWMP) was introduced into AAS cement at varying levels, ranging from 2.5 up to 15%, in 2.5% increments, by weight, as a partial slag replacement. Multiple assessments were conducted to evaluate the influence of CWMP (i.e., CaO derivative from WMP) on specific features of AAS cement. Superior analytical techniques were utilized to achieve a deeper comprehension of the results. The findings revealed a decrease in both flowability and setting time with including CWMP. As the CWMP amount increased, flowability decreased, and setting time became shorter. The introduction of CWMP up to 10% improved performance, with the optimal at 7.5%, improving compressive strength and the ability to withstand environmental conditions. Specifically, the optimal 7.5% CWMP addition increased the 28-day compressive strength by 22.96% and reduced the strength loss after durability cycling from 14.43 to 10.93%. Additionally, the persistent issue of drying shrinkage within this system could also be alleviated by including CWMP up to 10%, particularly at 7.5%. Amounts of CWMP over 10% showed detrimental effects. Repurposing WMP as a CaO source not only manages a problematic waste stream but also saves CaO produced from natural limestone.

Failure mode and failure load of composite joint design has become a very vital research area for being a weak part of composite structures in aircraft segments. So the objective of this study is to investigate the effect of different parameters on the shear strength and failure mode of adhesively bonded single-lap and scarf joints. The parameters included the overlap length, adherend thickness, and adhesive thickness of single-lap joints, and also the effect of single and double scarf angles of scarf joints. The results showed that in single-lap joints, the increasing overlap length led to increase shear strength until the length-to-width ratio becomes same value. The final failure mode of most tested thin adherends bonded joints with similar specimens was the delamination, while the interfacial failure mode occurred in thick adherends bonded joints. The shear strength increased when the adhesive thickness was reduced. On the other hand, in scarf joints, the ultimate shear strength was obtained when the scarf angle was around θ = 18°, while when scarf angle reached θ = 75°, the shear strength was decreased. The failure mode of scarf joints occurred at the interfaces between the scarf angles.

Background Imprinted genes, characterized by monoallelic expressions (either maternal or paternal), they are crucial for normal growth and development. Disruption of their monoallelic expressions leads to imprinting disorders (ImpDis). The aim of this study is to achieve proper diagnosis of ImpDis in Egyptian patients through clinical evaluation and genetic testing, emphasizing certain clinical manifestations that may indicate ImpDis to provide accurate diagnosis and genetic counseling. Methods Fifty-three patients, either clinically evaluated for Impaired Disposition (ImpDis) or suspected to have it, were referred from the outpatient genetic clinics at the National Research Center, Egypt. Nineteen patients displayed clinical manifestations of ImpDis syndromes, while 34 showed signs affecting growth, which suggested ImpDis. These growth-related symptoms included growth retardation, feeding problems, failure to thrive, hypoglycemia, obesity, hemihypertrophy, asymmetry, and overgrowth. Of the 19 patients with syndromic ImpDis, 8 were clinically diagnosed with Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS), 7 with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), and 4 with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS). We employed methylation-specific multiple ligation-dependent probe amplification (MS-MLPA) for all patients, SNP-array testing for 12 patients, and whole exome sequencing (WES) for one patient. Results In patients with Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS), one patient exhibited hypermethylation of the GRB10 and MEST genes, along with segmental uniparental disomy (UPD) on chromosome 7 (patient 1). Another patient had a variant in the HMGA2 gene (NM_001300918.1:c.310dup), which, according to the American College of Medical Genetics (ACMG) criteria, was classified as PM2 VUS (patient 2). In patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), one patient showed hypermethylation of the SNPRN gene (patient 3). In patients with Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), two displayed hypomethylation of the KCNQ-CR region (patients 4 and 5). Among the group of patients with symptoms suggestive of ImpDis, no methylation defects were detected through MS-MLPA. Conclusion It is crucial to diagnose ImpDis accurately, as understanding the exact cause of ImpDis is important for genetic counseling and personalized medicine. Early diagnosis enables timely interventions, which can improve developmental outcomes. Precision in diagnosis helps differentiate between conditions with overlapping clinical features. HMGA2 mutation should be verified in SRs patients with negative 11p15 methylation defect and matUPD7.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune condition characterized by chronic synovitis, joint damage, and inflammation, leading to impaired joint functionality. Existing RA treatments, although effective to some extent, are not without side effects, prompting a search for more potent therapies. Recent research has revealed the critical role of FAS-associated death domain protein (FADD) microvesicular shedding in RA pathogenesis, expanding its scope beyond apoptosis to include inflammatory and immune pathways. This study aimed to investigate the intricate relationship between mi-RNA 128a, autoimmune and inflammatory pathways, and adenosine levels in modulating FADD expression and microvesicular shedding in a Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) induced RA rat model and further explore the antirheumatoid potency of trimetazidine (TMZ). The FCA treated model exhibited significantly elevated levels of serum fibrogenic, inflammatory, immunological and rheumatological diagnostic markers, confirming successful RA induction. Our results revealed that the FCA-induced RA model showed a significant reduction in the expression of FADD in paw tissue and increased microvesicular FADD shedding in synovial fluid, which was attributed to the significant increase in the expression of the epigenetic miRNA 128a gene in addition to the downregulation of adenosine levels. These findings were further supported by the significant activation of the TLR4/MYD88 pathway and its downstream inflammatory IkB/NFB markers. Interestingly, TMZ administration significantly improved, with a potency similar to methotrexate (MTX), the deterioration effect of FCA treatment, as evidenced by a significant attenuation of fibrogenic, inflammatory, immunological, and rheumatological markers. Our investigations indicated that TMZ uniquely acted by targeting epigenetic miRNA128a expression and elevating adenosine levels in paw tissue, leading to increased expression of FADD of paw tissue and mitigated FADD microvesicular shedding in synovial fluid. Furthermore, the group treated with TMZ showed significant downregulation of TLR4/MYD88 and their downstream TRAF6, IRAK and NF-kB. Together, our study unveils the significant potential of TMZ as an antirheumatoid candidate, offering anti-inflammatory effects through various mechanisms, including modulation of the FADD-epigenetic regulator mi-RNA 128a, adenosine levels, and the TLR4 signaling pathway in joint tissue, but also attenuation of FADD microvesicular shedding in synovial fluid. These findings further highlight the synergistic administration of TMZ and MTX as a potential approach to reduce adverse effects of MTX while improving therapeutic efficacy.

This study aimed to investigate the associations of selected lower limb biomechanical variables with pain severity, disability, and postural balance in female athletes with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). Cross-sectional study. Biomechanics Laboratory. 165 female athletes were assigned to the PFPS group and 160 as a healthy controls group. Dynamic knee valgus (DKV) was measured via the Kinovea software program, tibial torsion was measured via a universal goniometer, and the navicular height was measured via a height caliper tool. Postural balance under dynamic stress was quantified via the Biodex Balance System, Pain severity via the numerical pain rating scale (NPRS), and disability via the anterior knee pain scale (AKPS). DKV and tibial torsion showed significant differences between groups. DKV positively correlated with pain (r = 0.451) and postural balance (r = 0.244, 0.341, and 0.351 for balance scores), and negatively with disability (r = −0.432). Tibial torsion negatively correlated with disability (r = −0.339). Navicular height had no significant correlation with the measured variables. Lower limb biomechanics, especially DKV and tibial torsion, should be prioritized in performance screening for female athletes. This study highlights the importance of addressing biomechanical correction strategies into rehabilitation programs for female athletes with PFPS. •Investigation of lower limb biomechanical variables potentially associated with or explaining PFPS.•DKV showed significant group differences and had the highest correlation and strongest explanatory value for PFPS.•Tibial torsion showed significant between PFPS and healthy controls groups.•Navicular height was not significantly correlated with any of the variables being studied.