A Comprehensive Rating Tool for Sustainability Assessment of Manufacturing Organizations: A Step Towards Sustainable Manufacturing

Mohammed H. Saad,Mohammad A. Nazzal,Basil M. Darras 한국정밀공학회 2023 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.10 No.3

Corporate Sustainability is becoming a key priority for many organizations. Yet, the sustainability rating systems currently used are under intense debate due to the lack of interdependency and standardization, and the presence of subjectivity and financial biases. Here, a sustainability rating tool for manufacturing organizations is developed based on a comprehensive sustainability assessment framework to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings. The framework provides guidance for selecting and quantifying the relevant sustainability indicators that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Objective and subjective weighting methods of sustainability indicators are used to minimize uncertainties linked to pure subjective weighting methods. Interactions and interdependencies among different indicators are captured using Multi Criterion Decision Making Methods. The outcome is a sustainability leaf rating system based on statistical benchmarking approach. The rating system is used to evaluate the sustainability performance of each organization relative to its peers and acts as a baseline for enterprise sustainability performance improvement. A case study is conducted to validate the applicability of the proposed sustainability rating tool. Results show that the rating tool is capable of evaluating the sustainability performance of different organizations in the same industry.

Evaluation of Welding Processes Based on Multi-dimensional Sustainability Assessment Model

Mohammed H. Saad,Basil M. Darras,Mohammad A. Nazzal 한국정밀공학회 2021 International Journal of Precision Engineering and Vol.8 No.1

Welding is a widely used manufacturing process that has a significant impact on the sustainability dimensions represented by environmental, economic and social aspects. In this work, a general and comprehensive framework for sustainability assessment of manufacturing processes is applied to select the most sustainable welding process among several alternatives for a certain application. The considered alternatives are friction stir welding (FSW), gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), gas metal arc welding (GMAW), and shielded metal arc welding (SMAW). The four processes are used to weld two aluminum plates. Relevant sustainability indicators are selected from all sustainability dimensions. A dimension for physical performance of the welded parts is also considered. Entropy weight method is used for assigning weights to the indicators to avoid uncertainties of subjective weighting. Three multi-criteria decision making methods (MCDM) are used for normalization and aggregation of data. The reliability of the results is investigated by conducting sensitivity analysis. The results of the study show that FSW is the most sustainable welding process for this study.

Improving the brittle behavior of high-strength shielding concrete blended with lead oxide, bismuth oxide, and tungsten oxide nanoparticles against gamma ray

Mohamed Amin,Ahmad A. Hakamy,Abdullah M. Zeyad,Bassam A. Tayeh,Ibrahim Saad Agwa 국제구조공학회 2023 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.85 No.1

High-strength shielding concrete against gamma radiation is a priority for many medical and industrial facilities. This paper aimed to investigate the gamma-ray shielding properties of high-strength hematite concrete mixed with silica fume (SF) with nanoparticles of lead dioxide (PbO2), tungsten oxide (WO3), and bismuth oxide (Bi2O3). The effect of mixing steel fibres with the aforementioned binders was also investigated. The reference mixture was prepared for high-strength concrete (HSCC) containing 100% hematite coarse and fine aggregate. Thirteen mixtures containing 5% SF and nanoparticles of PbO2, WO3, and Bi2O3 (2%, 5%, and 7% of the cement mass, respectively) were prepared. Steel fibres were added at a volume ratio of 0.28% of the volume of concrete with 5% of nanoparticles. The slump test was conducted to workability of fresh concrete Unit weight water permeability, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity tests were conducted to assess concrete’s engineering properties at 28 days. Gamma-ray radiation of 137Cs emits photons with an energy of 662 keV, and that of 60Co emits two photons with energies of 1173 and 1332 keV were applied on concrete specimens to assess radiation shielding properties. Nanoparticles partially replacing cement reduced slump in workability of fresh concrete. The compressive strength of mixtures, including nanoparticles was shown to be greater, achieving 94.5 MPa for the mixture consisting of 7.5 PbO2. In contrast, the mixture (5PbO2-F) containing steel fibres achieved the highest values for splitting tensile, flexural strength, and modulus of elasticity (11.71, 15.97, and 42,840 MPa, respectively). High-strength shielded concrete (7.5PbO2) showed the best radiation protection. It also showed the minimum concrete thickness required to prevent the transmission of radiation.

Effect of high temperatures on mechanical, radiation attenuation and microstructure properties of heavyweight geopolymer concrete

Mohamed Amin,Abdullah M. Zeyad,Bassam A. Tayeh,Ibrahim Saad Agwa 국제구조공학회 2021 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.80 No.2

Heavyweight geopolymer concrete (HWGC) is a new concrete type that combines the benefits of geopolymer concrete (GC) and heavyweight concrete. HWGC can be used to produce particular properties such as high radiation shielding, and mass concrete elements. HWGC based on fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag, using electric arc furnace steel slag (EAFSS), barite and ilmenite coarse aggregates can substantially have higher specific gravities than concrete made with crushed dolomite. In the experimental work carried out on four main groups, 13 GC mixes are prepared by using heavyweight coarse aggregates (HWCAs) at volume ratios of 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Fresh and mechanical properties, compressive and tensile strengths, and influence of high temperature on radiation are investigated for specimens subjected to high temperatures of up to 900°C for 1, 2 and 3 hours. Moreover, the internal structure of geopolymer is analyzed using scanning electron microscope and energy-dispersive X-ray. Results show a good effect of HWCAs on the properties, radiation shielding and unit weight. The density of heavyweight geopolymer mixes ranges between 2,415 and 3,480 kg/m3, and HWCA ratios contribute to an increase in all properties of GC mixtures using up to 75% of NWCAs. Heavier coarse aggregate of ilmenite dampens the effect of higher temperatures on GC strength compared with lighter aggregates. In addition, replacing crushed dolomite with heavyweight aggregates of EAFSS, barite and ilmenite increases the attenuation rate to 27%, 21% and 13%, respectively. This finding confirms that the type of aggregate used in the production of GC is important for reducing the permeability of X-ray.

Controllable Biogenic Synthesis of Intracellular Silver/Silver Chloride Nanoparticles by Meyerozyma guilliermondii KX008616

( Saad A. M. Alamri ),( Mohamed Hashem ),( Nivien A. Nafady ),( Mahmoud A. Sayed ),( Ali M. Alshehri ),( Gamal A. El-shaboury ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2018 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.28 No.6

Intracellular synthesis of silver/silver chloride nanoparticles (Ag/AgCl-NPs) using Meyerozyma guilliermondii KX008616 is reported under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for the first time. The biogenic synthesis of Ag-NP types has been proposed as an easy and cost-effective alternative for various biomedical applications. The interaction of nanoparticles with ethanol production was mentioned. The purified biogenic Ag/AgCl-nanoparticles were characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic approaches. The purified nanoparticles exhibited a surface plasmon resonance band at 419 and 415 nm, confirming the formation of Ag/AgCl-NPs under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, respectively. The planes of the cubic crystalline phase of the Ag/AgCl-NPs were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Fourier-transform infrared spectra showed the interactions between the yeast cell constituents and silver ions to form the biogenic Ag/AgCl-NPs. The intracellular Ag/AgCl-NPs synthesized under aerobic condition were homogenous and spherical in shape, with an approximate particle size of 2.5-30nm as denoted by the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The reaction mixture was optimized by varying reaction parameters, including temperature and pH. Analysis of ultrathin sections of yeast cells by TEM indicated that the biogenic nanoparticles were formed as clusters, known as nanoaggregates, in the cytoplasm or in the inner and outer regions of the cell wall. The study recommends using the biomass of yeast that is used in industrial or fermentation purposes to produce Ag/AgCl-NPs as associated by-products to maximize benefit and to reduce the production cost.

Efficient electrochemical detection of L-lactic acid using platinum nanoparticle decorated Chitosan/ZnTiO3 nanocomposites

M. Faisal,M.M. Alam,Jahir Ahmed,Abdullah M. Asiri,S.A. Alsareii,Raja Saad Alruwais,Norah Faihan Alqahtani,Mohammed M. Rahman,Farid A. Harraz 한국공업화학회 2023 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.118 No.-

Herein, a facile L-lactic acid electrochemical sensor based on Pt-nanoparticles (NPs)@Chitosan/ZnTiO3nanocomposites (NCs) coated on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is demonstrated. Ultra-sonicationmethod followed by irradiation using an Osram Hg-lamp was applied to prepare Pt-NPs@Chitosan/ZnTiO3 NCs, and the characterization of prepared NCs was executed by Field Emission ScanningElectron Microscopy FESEM, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy EDS, Transmission Electron MicroscopyTEM, High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy HRTEM, Fourier Transform InfraredSpectroscopy FTIR, Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy UV–vis., and X ray Diffraction XRD analysis. A linearcurrent versus potential responses relation was obtained in a concentration range of L-lactic acid of 0. 30 2.40 mM at differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) analysis in a pH 7.0 buffer medium and resultedconcentration range was defined as the dynamic detection range (LDR) for L-lactic acid analysis. The Llacticacid sensor sensitivity (0.4529 lAlM-1cm2), limit of detection (LOD; 22.36 ± 1.12 lM), and limitof quantification (LOQ; 79.88 lM) were obtained. Besides this, the sensor reproducibility and responsetime were found to be reliable. Finally, the assembled sensor probe was validated by the testing of realsamples, which exhibited acceptable and satisfied results. It is introduced a new route for the detection ofchemicals using novel nanocomposite materials by electrochemical approach for the safety of healthcarefields in a broad scales.

Inheritance of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1C resistance in Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Saad Moussa,Essam KAMEL,Ismail M. ISMAIL,Ahmed MOHAMMED 한국곤충학회 2016 Entomological Research Vol.46 No.1

A field strain of Spodoptera littoralis Biosduval was selected against Cry1C toxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis entomocidus for 10 subsequent generations under laboratory conditions. Selection pressure resulted in a 29‐fold resistance ratio compared with the susceptible strain. Inheritance of Cry1C resistance was partially dominant and autosomal on the basis of bioassay response to Cry1C toxin in a reciprocal cross between male and/or female F1. Consistent with earlier findings, resistance was recessive at high concentrations of Cry1C toxin. However, the dominance of resistance increased as the concentration of Cry1C decreased. Analysis of survival and growth of progeny from a backcross (F1 × resistance strain) suggested that resistance was controlled by either a single or a few loci in cotton leafworm.

C^*-compactness in L-Fuzzy Topological Spaces

Saad, Ali Kandil,Tantawy, Osama A. E.,Yakout, Mohammed Mostafa,Saleh, Salem Ali M. Korean Institute of Intelligent Systems 2009 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of FUZZY LOGIC and INTELLIGE Vol.9 No.4

In this paper we introduce stronger form of the notion of cover so-called p-cover which is more appropriate. According to this cover we introduce and study another type of compactness in L-fuzzy topology so-called $C^*$-compact and study some of its properties with some interrelation.

Cardamonin exerts a protective effect against autophagy and apoptosis in the testicles of diabetic male rats through the expression of Nrf2 via p62-mediated Keap-1 degradation

Shereen M. Samir,Mahmoud Elalfy,Eman Mohamad E. Nashar,Mansour A. Alghamdi,Eman Hamza,Mohamed Saad Serria,Mona G. Elhadidy 대한생리학회-대한약리학회 2021 The Korean Journal of Physiology & Pharmacology Vol.25 No.4

Cardamonin (CARD) is a chalconoid with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, and it is present in several plants. We sought to explore whether CARD exerts any positive effects against hyperglycemia-induced testicular dysfunc-tion caused by type 2 diabetes and aimed to identify its possible intracellular path-ways. Adult male rats were subdivided into six groups: control, CARD, diabetic (DM), DM + glibenclamide (GLIB), DM + CARD and DM + GLIB + CARD. Type 2 DM induced a significant increase in blood glucose and insulin resistance, along with diminished serum insulin, testosterone and gonadotropins levels, which were associated with the impairment of key testicular androgenic enzymes and cellular redox balance. Administration of CARD at a dose of 80 mg/kg for 4 weeks effectively normalized all of these alterations, and the improvement was confirmed by epididymal sperm analysis. After treatment with CARD, the pathological changes in spermatogenic tubules were markedly improved. Significantly, CARD upregulated testicular glucose transporter-8 (GLUT-8) expression and had inhibitory effects on elevated autophagy markers and caspase-3 immunoreactive cells. Furthermore, our results revealed that CARD was able to attenuate damage via activation of Nrf2 through the p62-dependent degradation of testicular anti-Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap-1). In conclusion, this study suggests that CARD provides protection against diabetic stress-mediated testicular damage. The use of CARD with conventional anti-diabetic therapy was associated with improved efficacy compared with conventional therapy alone.

Enhancing the Opacity of the Modified Natural Thickening Agent with Different Metal Oxides for Covering Dark Dyed Fabrics

Fedaa Saad,Mohamed M. Mosaad,Hanan A. Othman,Amina L. Mohamed,Ahmed G. Hassabo 한국섬유공학회 2022 Fibers and polymers Vol.23 No.9

Most natural thickeners do not have a full coverage degree when printing on dark dyed fabrics (brown/navy/black). Therefore, some materials are added to improve their coverage. It is common practice that printing is done on dyed orundyed fabrics. The dyed fabrics are of different shades, so the printing process faces a problem, as most of the naturalthickeners do not have full coverage, especially those extracted from aloe vera and flax seeds when printing on fabrics dyedwith dark colors. Therefore, in this study the effect of adding zinc oxide and titanium oxide to the printing paste was studied. The result confirmed that, adding metal salts to printing paste using aloe vera gel or flaxseeds gum as thickener increases thewhiteness index of these pastes as well as the printed fabric. In addition, using light dye in these printing paste provides goodcovering of dark color with good appearance of the new light color used. Furthermore, the mechanical and physicalcharacteristics of printed textiles with various thickeners and metal oxide (14 %) have been evaluated and provide improvingboth tensile strength and elongation at break and had no effect on the angle of crease recovery of printed textiles across allprinting paste formulations.