Wind Data Analysis for Albaha City, Saudi Arabia
- Saeed A. Al-Ghamdi, Ahmed M. Abdel-Latif, Gamal A.W. Hazza, Ossama B. Abouelatta
- Reseived: 13 June 2017 Received in Revised Form: 10 October 2017 Accepted: 20 October 2017
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This paper presents the analysis of recently collected data at three sites in Albaha city, Saudi Arabia namely, Raghadan, Allehyan and Almorassaa. The three sites represent different geographic and climatic conditions. Results show that the highest average wind speed has been recorded at Almorassaa site at a value of 3.879 m/s in direction between NW and WNW. The second highest average wind speed has been recorded at Raghadan site at a value of 3.750 m/s in direction between S and SSE. The lowest average wind speed has been recorded at Allehyan site at a value of 2.981 m/s in direction between S and SSE. The obtained wind data analysis used for estimating wind energy production. Wind energy generation is considered for 8 wind machines of different sizes. It was found that the capacity factor is low for wind turbines located at 10 m above ground level and it is a fair indication of Albaha being a site for wind farm development.
Seaweeds Extracts; Identification and Effectiveness against Spodoptera Littoralis (Boisd)
- Amel A. Houssien, Mohamed H. Khalifa, Gihan F. Aly
- Reseived: 3 December 2017 Received in Revised Form: 30 December 2017 Accepted: 31 December 2017
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Marine bioactive substances extracted from marine algae as a biocontrol agents are used in agricultural and horticultural crops as a biofertilizers to improve their yield and quality and moreover to reduce the negative environmental impact. This study was planned to estimate the insecticidal activities of acetone, ethanol and water extracts of two seaweeds, Ulva lactuca, the green (Chlorophytes) and Pterocladia pinnate, the red (Rhodophytes) alga commonly dispersed in Alexandria beaches against 3rd instar of cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis. The data obtained from two algae by six extracts, revealed that, the ethanol extract from Ulva Lactuca gave the highest decrease in larval growth followed by both water extract from Ulva. Lactuca and acetone extract from Pterocladia pinnat without significant differences while the other extracts, Ulva. Lactuca acetone and Pterocladia pinnat ethanol extracts caused significant increase in larval growth. GC-MS analysis from the effective two seaweeds extracted were identified many carboxylic acids derivatives like, phthalic acid and its derivatives, fatty acids like palmitic acid and many alkanes and its derivatives.
Assessment of Pathognomonic Markers in Tuberculosis Patients with Pulmonary Complications for Rapid Initiation of Tuberculosis Therapy
- Mohammed H. Mukhtar
- Reseived: 30 November 2017 Received in Revised Form: 30 December 2017 Accepted: 31 December 2017
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Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.TB) can cause serious complications to human body in which the immune response plays an essential part. This study designed to evaluate serum levels of cytokine interleukin-18 (IL-18), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and soluble apoptosis-stimulating fragment (sFas) in pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) cases with confirmed M.TB infection. The study comprised of 50 patients (male & Female) with M.TB, 13 complicated and 37 uncomplicated cases. Serum IL-18, IFN-γ and sFas levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum Markers (IL-18, IFN-γ and sFas) levels were elevated significantly in complicated pulmonary TB group when compared with control and uncomplicated groups. Furthermore, sFas was found to correlate positively with IL-18 (r2=0.634, p<0.001) and IFN-γ (r2=0.623, p<0.001) in TB patient. Additionally, a positive and significant correlation was observed between serum levels of IL-18 and IFN-γ (r2=0.612, p<0.001) in the complicated group. Therefore and from these findings, the elevated IFN-γ levels after successful M.TB treatment, suggest that Fas expression might stimulate the infected macrophages. This showed an increased Fas ligand-induced (FasL) apoptosis. Modulation of FasL framework by M.TB may consider as an escape scheme to avoid the impact of apoptosis. Moreover, higher serum levels of IL-18, IFN-γ and sFas might be considered pathognomonic markers for pulmonary TB, especially in complicated cases.
Laboratory Surveillance of Antibiotic Resistance among Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Muhammad A. Halwani
- Reseived: 10 September 2017 Received in Revised Form: 12 November 2017 Accepted: 16 November 2017
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The aim of the study is to investigate the presence of multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) in twelve hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The resistance rates were detected to commonly used antibiotics. Methods: A prospective and descriptive study using laboratory data for Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) were used. Results: A total of 20,026 Gram-negative bacteria were recovered from 21,571 patients of which E. coli was counted for 29% (5897/20,026), followed by P. aeruginosa 25% (5177/20,026), K. pneumonia 23% (4632/20,026), A. baumannii 21% (4250/20,026), and E. cloacae 0.3% (70/20,026). The resistance of E. coli isolates was 43% to ciprofloxacin, 41% to gentamicin, 40% to cefuroxime, 34% to cefepime, 31% to ceftazidime, 13% to tazocin and 12% to amikacin. The resistance in P. aeruginosa isolates was 33% to ciprofloxacin, 26% to gentamicin, 43% to cefuroxime, 30% to cefepime, 33% to ceftazidime, 18% to imipenem/meropenem, 16% to amikacin, and 14% to tazocin. The resistance in K. pneumonia isolates was 31% to ciprofloxacin, 35% to gentamicin, 51% to cefuroxime, 46% to cefepime, 50% to ceftazidime, 3.5% to imipenem/meropenem, 7.2% to amikacin, and 17% to tazocin. The resistance in A. baumannii isolates was 79% to ciprofloxacin, 69% to gentamicin, 76% to cefuroxime, 71% to cefepime, 68% to ceftazidime, 90% to imipenem/meropenem, 65% to amikacin, and 64% to tazocin. Conclusion: Based on the study findings, more thorough investigations are needed to determine the common clones and the spreading genes of resistance.
Cu(II) and Ni(II) Complexes Derived from Tridentate Ligands with N=N and CH=N Linkages: Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity
- Sami A. Zabin
- Reseived: 19 March 2017 Received in Revised Form: 11 October 2017 Accepted: 20 October 2017
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The main purpose of this project was to synthesis new Schiff base ligands containing (N=N) and (CH=N) linkages along with other different substituents. Ligands were prepared by coupling azo-aldehydes with glycine as primary amine. These ligands were used to synthesize complexes with Cu(II) and Ni(II) metal ions. The prepared ligands and their corresponding Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, UV-visible, IR, NMR, magnetic susceptibility and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The analytical measurements reveal that the stoichiometries for the complexes obtained were in molar ratios of (1:2) (M: L). The proposed structures for Cu(II) and Ni(II) complexes were mononuclear with octahedral geometry which, were consistent with the chemical, physical, spectroscopic and TGA analysis data. The ligands and their copper (II) and Nickel (II) complexes were examined in vitro against different types of bacteria and Candida Albicans as fungal strains. The observations indicated moderate biological activity that increases on coordination with Cu(II) and Ni(II).
