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The building envelope is the boundary between the outer and inner spaces and it is considered as the most significant part in the process of preservation of internal spaces cooling energy consumption. In this context, it is argued that the weakest point in the envelope with the highest transmittance of thermal energy into and out of the internal spaces is the openings (windows and doors) which are affected by many factors such as their ratio, material thermal properties and construction. Therefore, this study sheds light on the alternatives of the envelope design generated with the help of a computer-based simulation tool, Design-Builder, as it has great possibilities for creating simulated scenarios for a specific building or space by linking these scenarios with specific changes in the building parameters. Thus, the study will focus on creating different scenarios for a selected classroom in the College of Arts and Design at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (Riyadh, KSA), with the aim of associating the openings ratios (20%, 30%, 50%, 100%) with wall thickness (12 cm, 25 cm solid brick, 25 cm hollow brick) and energy consumption. Optimum alternatives for the opening ratio and construction materials with the lowest cooling loads during working hours are proposed.

Abstract Around the world, most energy is consumed by buildings; residential buildings consume 40% of energy globally. In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), buildings consume 50% of all energy, and 70% of the buildings in the KSA are not insulated well. Creating an envelope is a key to decreasing energy consumption and providing thermal comfort and healthy internal spaces. Thus, the main aim of this study is to test the effect of selected passive cooling strategies by using a simulation program to evaluate a variety of envelope (floor, external and internal walls and roofs) thermal characteristic proposals to create an eco-interior space, to provide the most comfortable conditions for users and to save energy in buildings in hot climates in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. One residential building case was selected, and some of the passive cooling strategies were tested. Simulation software—Design Builder—was used to calculate the total energy consumption in 1 year and compare the results before and after applying these strategies to the selected residential building.

Environmental investment in low-carbon urban mobility contributes to the promotion of strategic goals to reduce global climate change, achieve global environmental quality, and preserve the public health of societies. In order to achieve this concept, an integrated relationship must be achieved between planning, environmental technology, information technology, and support, and the legislation that supports future plans for urbanization. The research also aims to formulate a methodology to activate the role of environmental investment in low-carbon urban mobility in future cities as a tool to reduce climate change. The research problem represented in the gap between the goals of low-carbon urban mobility and the current mobility schemes has been studied in urbanization, one of the main causes of global warming and the global climate crisis that the global reality suffers from. Through the theoretical, analytical approach represented by literature reviews for each of the concepts of environmental investment, the concept of low-carbon urban mobility and its objectives, and general principles for achieving the concept of low-carbon urban mobility in future cities. Then the analytical study of the leading urban practices of low-carbon mobility (Paris, France, Copenhagen, Denmark, Songdo, Japan) from the visions and strategies that were implemented in those practices, and extracting the most important criteria and indicators through which environmental investment in low-carbon urban mobility can be evaluated in city plans. Then a case study in the new administrative capital in Egypt, as one of the models of the new urban trends in Egypt. By establishing new cities concerned with preserving the environment, reducing carbon emissions in urbanization, and achieving the vision of Egypt 2030, then evaluating the case study for the extent to which environmental investment standards and indicators have been achieved in urban mobility. Then followed by the results and recommendations represented in the methodology used to achieve environmental investment in existing and future urbanization, then search for recommendations.

Based on studies describing an increased prevalence of addictive behaviours in several rare sleep disorders and shift workers, a relationship between circadian rhythms and addiction has been hinted for more than a decade. Although circadian rhythm alterations and molecular mechanisms associated with neuropsychiatric conditions are an area of active investigation, success is limited so far, and further investigations are required. Thus, even though compelling evidence connects the circadian clock to addictive behaviour and vice-versa, yet the functional mechanism behind this interaction remains largely unknown. At the molecular level, multiple mechanisms have been proposed to link the circadian timing system to addiction. The molecular mechanism of the circadian clock consists of a transcriptional/translational feedback system, with several regulatory loops, that are also intricately regulated at the epigenetic level. Interestingly, the epigenetic landscape shows profound changes in the addictive brain, with significant alterations in histone modification, DNA methylation, and small regulatory RNAs. The combination of these two observations raises the possibility that epigenetic regulation is a common plot linking the circadian clocks with addiction, though very little evidence has been reported to date. This review provides an elaborate overview of the circadian system and its involvement in addiction, and we hypothesise a possible connection at the epigenetic level that could further link them. Therefore, we think this review may further improve our understanding of the etiology or/and pathology of psychiatric disorders related to drug addiction.

The circadian system interacts with the mesocorticolimbic reward system to modulate reward and memory in a time-of-day dependent manner. The circadian discrimination of reward, however, remains difficult to address between natural reinforcers and drugs of abuse. Circadian rhythms control cocaine sensitization and conversely cocaine causes long-term alteration in circadian periodicity in part through the serotonergic neurotransmission. Since neural circuits activated by cocaine and natural reinforcers do not completely overlap, we compared the effect of cocaine with that of sucrose, a strong reinforcer in rodents, by using passive chronic administration. The expression of fifteen genes playing a major role in DNA methylation (Dnmts, Tets), circadian rhythms (Clock, Bmal1, Per1/2, Cry1/2, Rev-Erbβ, Dbp1), appetite, and satiety (Orexin, Npy) was analyzed in dopamine projection areas like the prefrontal cortex, the caudate putamen, and the hypothalamus interconnected with the reward system. The corresponding proteins of two genes (Orexin, Per2) were examined by IHC. For many factors controlling biological and cognitive functions, striking opposite responses were found between the two reinforcers, notably for genes controlling DNA methylation/demethylation processes and in global DNA methylation involved in chromatin remodeling. The data are consistent with a repression of critical core-clock genes by cocaine, suggesting that, consequently, both agents differentially modulate day/night cycles. Whether observed cocaine and sucrose-induced changes in DNA methylation in a time dependent manner are long lasting or contribute to the establishment of addiction requires further neuroepigenetic investigation. Understanding the mechanisms dissociating drugs of abuse from natural reinforcers remains a prerequisite for the design of selective therapeutic tools for compulsive behaviors.

Inhibitors of DNA methylation and orexin type-1 receptor antagonists modulate the neurobiological effects driving drugs of abuse and natural reinforcers by activating common brain structures of the mesolimbic reward system. In this study, we applied a self-administration paradigm to assess the involvement of factors regulating DNA methylation processes and satiety or appetite signals. These factors include Dnmts and Tets, miR-212/132, orexins, and orx-R1 genes . The study focused on dopamine projection areas such as the prefrontal cortex (PFCx) and caudate putamen (CPu) and in the hypothalamus (HP) that is interconnected with the reward system. Striking changes were observed in response to both reinforcers, but differed depending on contingent and non-contingent delivery. Expression also differed in the PFCx and the CPu. Cocaine and food induced opposite effects on Dnmt3a expression in both brain structures, whereas they repressed both miRs to a different extent, without affecting their primary transcript in the CPu. Unexpectedly, orexin mRNAs were found in the CPu, suggesting a transport from their transcription site in the HP. The o rexin receptor1 gene was found to be induced by cocaine in the PFCx, consistent with a regulation by DNA methylation. Global levels of 5-methylcytosines in the PFCx were not significantly altered by cocaine, suggesting that it is rather their distribution that contributes to long-lasting behaviors. Together, our data demonstrate that DNA methylation regulating factors are differentially altered by cocaine and food. At the molecular level, they support the idea that neural circuits activated by both reinforcers do not completely overlap.

Several sesquiterpene lactones (STLs) have been tested as lead drugs in cancer clinical trials. Salograviolide-A (Sal-A) and salograviolide-B (Sal-B) are two STLs that have been isolated from Centaurea ainetensis, an indigenous medicinal plant of the Middle Eastern region. The parent compounds Sal-A and Sal-B were modified and successfully prepared into eight novel guaianolide-type STLs (compounds 1–8) bearing ester groups of different geometries. Sal-A, Sal-B, and compounds 1–8 were tested against a human colorectal cancer cell line model with differing p53 status; HCT116 with wild-type p53 and HCT116 p53−/− null for p53, and the normal-like human colon mucosa cells with wild-type p53, NCM460. IC50 values indicated that derivatization of Sal-A and Sal-B resulted in potentiation of HCT116 cell growth inhibition by 97% and 66%, respectively. The effects of the different molecules on cancer cell growth were independent of p53 status. Interestingly, the derivatization of Sal-A and Sal-B molecules enhanced their anti-growth properties versus 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), which is the drug of choice in colorectal cancer. Structure-activity analysis revealed that the enhanced molecule potencies were mainly attributed to the position and number of the hydroxy groups, the lipophilicity, and the superiority of ester groups over hydroxy substituents in terms of their branching and chain lengths. The favorable cytotoxicity and selectivity of the potent molecules, to cancer cells versus their normal counterparts, pointed them out as promising leads for anti-cancer drug design.

The steadily growing COVID-19 pandemic is challenging health systems worldwide including Sudan. In Sudan, the first COVID-19 case was reported on 13th March 2020, and up to 11 November 2020 there were 14,401 confirmed cases of which 9,535 cases recovered and the rest 3,750 cases were under treatment. Additionally, 1,116 deaths were reported, indicating a relatively high case fatality rate of 7.7%. Several preventive and control measures were implemented by the government of Sudan and health partners, including the partial lockdown of the country, promoting social distancing, and suspending mass gathering such as festivals and performing religious practices in groups. However, new cases still emerging every day and this could be attributed to the noncompliance of the individuals to the advocated preventive measurements.