Preparation and Characterization of Carboxymethyl Cellulose with a High Degree of Substitution from Agricultural Wastes

Ibtissem Moussa,Ramzi Khiari,Ali Moussa,Mohamed Naceur Belgacem,Mohamed Farouk Mhenni 한국섬유공학회 2019 Fibers and polymers Vol.20 No.5

This paper describes the use of agricultural wastes for the preparation of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) with ahigh degree of substitution using two methods: the classic and a microwave-assisted method. A series of CMC samples withdegrees of substitution from 0.43 to 2.83 were prepared from cellulose extracted from almond shells, almond stems, and figstems by a one-step carboxymethylation reaction. The highest degree of substitution was 2.83, which corresponded to CMCfrom fig stems when butanol was used as a solvent. This CMC was easily dissolved in water and thus would provide manyopportunities for diverse applications. The obtained CMCs were characterized using different tools. Different CMC filmswere prepared using the casting method and were characterized by the determination of their mechanical properties. Theobtained results can be considered promising; they demonstrate the potential of using cellulose derivatives for the productionof transparent and strong films.

Principal Components Analysis based Fault Detection and Isolation for Electronic Throttle Control System

Moussa Hamadache,Dongik Lee 제어로봇시스템학회 2012 제어로봇시스템학회 국제학술대회 논문집 Vol.2012 No.10

In this paper, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) based Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) method for nonlinear Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) system is presented. The proposed method introduces a novel configuration of PCA bases by computing the absolute value of weights. The fault can be detected if the Sum Square Error (SSE) distance exceeds its pre-defined threshold and the isolation of the detected fault is done under the minimum of the SSE distance. The PCA model is used to detect (offline and/or online) failure in the ETC from the old Normal Operation Condition (NOC) as well as to diagnose the cause of the failure. A set of faults with armature resistance, armature inductance are evaluated to demonstrate the performance and effectiveness of the proposed method.

Selective Harmonic Elimination in Multi-level Inverters with Series-Connected Transformers with Equal Power Ratings

Moussa, Mona Fouad,Dessouky, Yasser Gaber The Korean Institute of Power Electronics 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.2

This study applies the selective harmonic elimination (SHE) technique to design and operate a regulated AC/DC/AC power supply suitable for maritime military applications and underground trains. The input is a single 50/60 Hz AC voltage, and the output is a 400 Hz regulated voltage. The switching angles for a multi-level inverter and transformer turns ratio are determined to operate with special connected transformers with equal power ratings and produce an almost sinusoidal current. As a result of its capability of directly controlling harmonics, the SHE technique is applicable to apparatus with congenital immunity to specific harmonics, such as series-connected transformers, which are specially designed to equally share the total load power. In the present work, a single-phase 50/60 Hz input source is rectified via a semi-controlled bridge rectifier to control DC voltage levels and thereby regulate the output load voltage at a constant level. The DC-rectified voltage then supplies six single-phase quazi-square H-bridge inverters, each of which supplies the primary of a single-phase transformer. The secondaries of the six transformers are connected in series. Through off-line calculation, the switching angles of the six inverters and the turns ratios of the six transformers are designed to ensure equal power distribution for the transformers. The SHE technique is also employed to eliminate the higher-order harmonics of the output voltage. A digital implementation is carried out to determine the switching angles. Theoretical results are demonstrated, and a scaled-down experimental 600 VA prototype is built to verify the validity of the proposed system.

Promise of Neurorestoration and Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Parkinson’s Disease with Multi Target Drugs: An Alternative to Stem Cell Therapy

Moussa Youdim,오영준 한국뇌신경과학회 2013 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.22 No.3

There is an unmet need in progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. The present therapeutics for these diseases at best is symptomatic and is not able to delay disease or possess disease modifying activity. Thus an approach to drug design should be made to slow or halt progressive course of a neurological disorder by interfering with a disease-specific pathogenetic process. This would entail the ability of the drug to protect neurons by blocking the common pathway for neuronal injury and cell death and the ability to promote regeneration of neurons and restoration of neuronal function. We have now developed a number of multi target drugs which possess neuroprotective, and neurorestorative activity as well as being able to active PGC-1α (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α), SIRT1 (NAD-dependent deacetylase protein) and NTF (mitochondrial transcription factor) that are intimately associated with mitochondrial biogenesis.

Thermomechanical analysis of antisymmetric laminated reinforced composite plates using a new four variable trigonometric refined plate theory

Moussa Abualnour,Abdelbaki Chikh,Habib Hebali,Abdelhakim Kaci,Abdeldjebbar Tounsi,Abdelmoumen Anis Bousahla,Abdelouahed Tounsi 사단법인 한국계산역학회 2019 Computers and Concrete, An International Journal Vol.24 No.6

The thermo-mechanical bending behavior of the antisymmetric cross-ply laminates is examined using a new simple four variable trigonometric plate theory. The proposed theory utilizes a novel displacement field which introduces undetermined integral terms and needs only four variables. The validity of the present model is proved by comparison with solutions available in the literature.

Comparative Study on Bone Marrow-Versus Adipose-Derived Stem Cells on Regeneration and Re-Innervation of Skeletal Muscle Injury in Wistar Rats

Moussa Manal H.,Hamam Ghada G.,Abd Elaziz Asmaa E.,Rahoma Marwa A.,Abd El Samad Abeer A.,El-Waseef Dalia A. A.,Hegazy Mohamed A. 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2020 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.17 No.6

Background: Skeletal muscle injuries are frequent clinical challenges due to associated fibrosis and disability. Regenerative medicine is an emerging promising strategy for such cases. The aim of this study was to compare between the effects of bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) versus adipose tissue stromal cells (ADSCs) on regeneration and re-innervation of skeletal muscle laceration injury in Wistar rats at different time intervals. Methods: Six young male rats were used as a source of allogenic MSCs. Eighty-four adult female rats were divided into: Group I (control), Group II (Untreated Laceration): right gluteal muscle was lacerated and left for spontaneous healing, Group III (BM-MSCs): right gluteal muscle was lacerated with concomitant local intramuscular injection of 1 × 106 BM-MSCs in the lacerated muscle, Group IV (ADSCs): right gluteal muscle was lacerated with concomitant local intramuscular injection of 1 × 106 ADSCs in lacerated muscle. Rats were sacrificed after one, two and eight weeks. Muscles were processed to prepare sections stained with H&E, Mallory’s trichrome and immune-histochemical staining (neurofilament light chain). Results: A significant increase in collagen fibers and failure of re-innervation were noticed in untreated laceration group. BM-MSCs-treated groups showed regeneration of muscle fibers but with increased collagen fibers. Meanwhile, ADSCs showed better regenerative effects evidenced by significant increase in the number of myotubes and significant decrease in collagen deposition. Re-innervation was noticed in MSCs-injected muscles after 8 weeks of laceration. Conclusion: Both BM-MSCs and ADSCs improved regeneration of skeletal muscle laceration injury at short- and long-term durations. However, fibrosis was less in ADSCs-treated rats. Effective re-innervation of injured muscles occurred only at the long-term duration.

Multi Target Neuroprotective and Neurorestorative Anti-Parkinson and Anti-Alzheimer Drugs Ladostigil and M30 Derived from Rasagiline

Moussa B.H. Youdiim 한국뇌신경과학회 2013 Experimental Neurobiology Vol.22 No.1

Present anti-PD and -AD drugs have limited symptomatic activity and devoid of neuroprotective and neurorestorative property that is needed for disease modifying action. The complex pathology of PD and AD led us to develop several multi-target neuroprotective and neurorestorative drugs with several CNS targets with the ability for possible disease modifying activity. Employing the pharmacophore of our anti-parkinson drug rasagiline (Azilect, N-propagrgyl-1-R-aminoindan), we have developed a series of novel multi-functional neuroprotective drugs (A) [TV-3326 (N-propargyl-3R-aminoindan-5yl)-ethyl methylcarbamate)], with both cholinesterase-butyrylesterase and brain selective monoamine-oxidase (MAO) A/B inhibitory activities and (B) the iron chelator-radical scavenging-brain selective monoamine oxidase (MAO) A/B inhibitor and M30 possessing the neuroprotective and neurorescuing propargyl moiety of rasagiline, as potential treatment of AD, DLB and PD with dementia. Another series of multi-target drugs (M30, HLA-20 series) which are brain permeable iron chelators and potent selective brain MAO inhibitors were also developed. These series of drugs have the ability of regulating and processing amyloid precursor protein (APP) since APP and alpha-synuclein are metaloproteins (iron-regulated proteins), with an iron responsive element 5”UTR mRNA similar to transferring and ferritin. Ladostigil inhibits brain acetyl and butyrylcholinesterase in rats after oral doses. After chronic but not acute treatment, it inhibits MAO-A and -B in the brain. Ladostigil acts like an anti-depressant in the forced swim test in rats, indicating a potential for anti-depressant activity. Ladostigil prevents the destruction of nigrostriatal neurons induced by infusion of neurotoxin MPTP in mice. The propargylamine moiety of ladostigil confers neuroprotective activity against cytotoxicity induced by ischemia and peroxynitrite in cultured neuronal cells. The multi-target iron chelator M30 has all the properties of ladostigil and similar neuroprotective activity to ladostigil, but is not a ChE inhibitor. M30 has a neurorestorative activity in post-lesion of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons in MPTP, lacatcystin and 6-hydroxydopamine animal models of PD. The neurorestorative activity is related to the ability of the drug to activate hypoxia inducing factor (HIF) which induces the production of such neurotrophins as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and erythropoietin as well as glia-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). The unique multiple actions of ladostigil and M30 make the potentially useful drugs for the treatment of dementia with Parkinsonian-like symptoms and depression.

Buckling behavior of a single-layered graphene sheet resting on viscoelastic medium via nonlocal four-unknown integral model

Moussa Bellal,Habib Hebali,Houari Heireche,Abdelmoumen Anis Bousahla,Abdeldjebbar Tounsi,Fouad Bourada,S.R. Mahmoud,E.A. Adda Bedia,Abdelouahed Tounsi 국제구조공학회 2020 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.34 No.5

In the present work, the buckling behavior of a single-layered graphene sheet (SLGS) embedded in visco-Pasternak’s medium is studied using nonlocal four-unknown integral model. This model has a displacement field with integral terms which includes the effect of transverse shear deformation without using shear correction factors. The visco-Pasternak’s medium is introduced by considering the damping effect to the classical foundation model which modeled by the linear Winkler’s coefficient and Pasternak’s (shear) foundation coefficient. The SLGS under consideration is subjected to compressive in- plane edge loads per unit length. The influences of many parameters such as nonlocal parameter, geometric ratio, the visco-Pasternak’s coefficients, damping parameter, and mode numbers on the buckling response of the SLGSs are studied and discussed.

Removal of Methylene Blue (MB) in Aqueous Solution by Economic Adsorbent Derived from Apricot Stone Activated Carbon(ASAC)

Moussa Abbas,Mohamed Trari 한국섬유공학회 2020 Fibers and polymers Vol.21 No.4

Quantitative adsorption kinetic and equilibrium parameters for methylene blue (MB) used in the textile industryfrom aqueous solutions were reported in this study using pHPZC and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy. The effects ofadsorbent dosage (1-10 g/l), agitation speed (100-1200 rpm), particule size (63 μm to 2 mm), initial dye concentration (4-15 mg/l), contact time, pH (2-14), and temperature (298-338 K) were determined to find the optimal conditions foradsorption. The FTIR spectroscopy is used to get information on interactions between the adsorbent and MB. The mechanismof adsorption of MB dyeing onto Apricot Stone Activated Carbon (ASAC) was investigated using the pseudo first-order,pseudo second-order kinetic, Elovich and intraparticles diffusion models. The adsorption isotherms of MB onto ASAC aredetermined and correlated with common isotherm equations. The smaller RMSE value obtained for the Langmuir modelindicates the better curve-fitting and the monolayer adsorption capacity of MB is found to be 46.03 mg/g at 25 oC and88.50 mg/g at 70 oC and pH 10. The evaluation of thermodynamics parameters such as the negative free energy ΔGo(+2.70025 to -1.76666 kJ/mol) and positive enthalpy change ΔHo (28.87613 kJ/mol) indicated a spontaneous andendothermic nature of the reaction with chemisorption process. This study in tiny batch gave rise to encouraging results, andwe wish to achieve the adsorption tests in column mode under the real conditions applicable to the treatment of industrialeffluents. The present investigation showed that ASAC is potentially a useful adsorbent for the heavy metals and dyes.

Support Vector Machine and Regression Analysis to Predict the Field Hydraulic Conductivity of Sandy Soil

Moussa S. Elbisy 대한토목학회 2015 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.19 No.7

Saturated hydraulic conductivity is one of the key parameters in soil physics and hydrological modeling. This study explores the use of Support Vector Machine (SVM) and a nonlinear statistical regression approach for the purpose of predicting the field saturated soil hydraulic conductivity (Kfield) of sandy soil based on basic soil properties of saline and alkaline soil data sets. Considering the significance of soil properties, both methods used the following levels of input soil data, which are easily measurable in the laboratory: hydraulic conductivity, clay/silt ratio, liquid limit, hydro carbonate anions, chloride ions, and calcium carbonate content. The influence of three kernel functions (linear, radial basis and sigmoid) on the performance of the SVM model was investigated. An adaptive genetic algorithm is used to determine the optimal free parameters of the SVM models. The results indicated that the SVM with the RBF model has better accuracy compared to the linear- and sigmoid-based models. The RBF model performed satisfactorily with a modeling efficiency of 0.972 and a correlation coefficient of 0.976. According to all of the performance measures, the different SVM models are a powerful tool and have better performance than statistical regression models. The excellent performance of the SVM with the RBF model demonstrated its potential to function as a useful tool for the indirect estimation of Kfield to assess maximum obtainable prediction accuracy.