Minia University

About: Minia University is a education organization based out in Minya, Egypt. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 4967 authors who have published 8986 publications receiving 108384 citations.

Design and analysis of kinematically redundant parallel manipulators with configurable platforms

Abstract: Redundancy can, in general, improve the ability and performance of parallel manipulators by implementing the redundant degrees of freedom to optimize a secondary objective function. Almost all published researches in the area of parallel manipulators redundancy were focused on the design and analysis of redundant parallel manipulators with rigid (nonconfigurable) platforms and on grasping hands to be attached to the platforms. Conventional grippers usually are not appropriate to grasp irregular or large objects. Very few studies focused on the idea of using a configurable platform as a grasping device. This paper highlights the idea of using configurable platforms in both planar and spatial redundant parallel manipulators, and generalizes their analysis. The configurable platform is actually a closed kinematic chain of mobility equal to the degree of redundancy of the manipulator. The additional redundant degrees of freedom are used in reconfiguring the shape of the platform itself. Several designs of kinematically redundant planar and spatial parallel manipulators with configurable platform are presented. Such designs can be used as a grasping device especially for irregular or large objects or even as a micro-positioning device after grasping the object. Screw algebra is used to develop a general framework that can be adapted to analyze the kinematics of any general-geometry planar or spatial kinematically redundant parallel manipulator with configurable platform.

Ni&Mn nanoparticles-decorated carbon nanofibers as effective electrocatalyst for urea oxidation

Abstract: Compared to alcohols, urea is considered an interesting hydrogen and electrical energy source as it is available in industrial and municipal wastes. Ni&Mn nanoparticles-decorated carbon nanofibers are introduced as effective and stable electrocatalysts for urea oxidation. The introduced decorated carbon nanofibers were synthesized by calcination of electrospun mats composed of nickel acetate, manganese acetate and poly(vinyl alcohol) in argon atmosphere at 850 °C. The utilized characterization techniques, XRD, TEM, FE SEM and TEM-EDX analyses, confirmed formation of carbon nanofibers decorated by discrete Ni, Mn and NiMn nanoparticles and absence of any oxides. The electrochemical measurements indicated that the introduced nanofibers have good electrocatalytic activity toward urea oxidation as the observed current density was 300 mAcm −2 g −1 with an onset potential of 290 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl). Moreover, the results proved that incorporation of manganese and the nanofibrous morphology distinctly enhance the electrocatalytic activity of nickel toward urea oxidation.

Assessment of the pre-combustion carbon capture contribution into sustainable development goals SDGs using novel indicators

Abstract: The rapid progress in the global population and technical advances have resulted in exponential growth in the use of fossil fuels. These are not only limited in resources but also have a severe environmental impact. The accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs), more specifically carbon emissions, in the environment has resulted in severe health issues and climate changes. The Paris Climate Agreement calls for restricting global warming to only 1.5 °C by 2050 relative to the pre-industrial era. This requires reducing global GHGs emissions as soon and as much as possible. Massive efforts are being put into minimizing GHG emissions, such as using renewable energy resources and/or using carbon capture technologies (CCT). In this study, different CCTs were introduced, focusing on the pre-combustion as a promising CCT approach. In this work, the role of CCT in realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was thoroughly analyzed and discussed. A total of 87 indicators were developed to measure and analyze the contribution of CCT to achieving the different SDGs. The focus given to the role of the pre-combustion CCT in achieving SDGs is being elaborated. The indicators and analysis covered the economic, environmental, and social pillars of sustainable development. It was found that CCT contributes well to all 17 SDGs, with core and substantial contributions to SDG-7 of "Affordable and clean energy", and ultimately SDG-13 of "Climate action". The developed indicators would work as a guideline for the different players to ensure that CCT is fully adhering the SDGs principles. The proposed indicators have nine main benefits, i.e., assist in the achievement of the SDGs, providing information for the decision-makers, enhance and benchmark sustainability performance, improve risk management, enhance data management and reporting practices, improve resource allocation and reduce the expenses, improve environmental performance, reduce social impact, and improve communications with stakeholder. Moreover, the different barriers facing the CCT were presented.

Assessment of the pre-combustion carbon capture contribution into sustainable development goals SDGs using novel indicators

Abstract: The rapid progress in the global population and technical advances have resulted in exponential growth in the use of fossil fuels. These are not only limited in resources but also have a severe environmental impact. The accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs), more specifically carbon emissions, in the environment has resulted in severe health issues and climate changes. The Paris Climate Agreement calls for restricting global warming to only 1.5 °C by 2050 relative to the pre-industrial era. This requires reducing global GHGs emissions as soon and as much as possible. Massive efforts are being put into minimizing GHG emissions, such as using renewable energy resources and/or using carbon capture technologies (CCT). In this study, different CCTs were introduced, focusing on the pre-combustion as a promising CCT approach. In this work, the role of CCT in realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was thoroughly analyzed and discussed. A total of 87 indicators were developed to measure and analyze the contribution of CCT to achieving the different SDGs. The focus given to the role of the pre-combustion CCT in achieving SDGs is being elaborated. The indicators and analysis covered the economic, environmental, and social pillars of sustainable development. It was found that CCT contributes well to all 17 SDGs, with core and substantial contributions to SDG-7 of "Affordable and clean energy", and ultimately SDG-13 of "Climate action". The developed indicators would work as a guideline for the different players to ensure that CCT is fully adhering the SDGs principles. The proposed indicators have nine main benefits, i.e., assist in the achievement of the SDGs, providing information for the decision-makers, enhance and benchmark sustainability performance, improve risk management, enhance data management and reporting practices, improve resource allocation and reduce the expenses, improve environmental performance, reduce social impact, and improve communications with stakeholder. Moreover, the different barriers facing the CCT were presented.

History and integrity of thoroughbred dam lines revealed in equine mtDNA variation

Abstract: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) D-loop sequences (381 bp) from 100 thoroughbreds in 19 of the most common matrilineal female families were used to reconstruct a founder female population for the thoroughbred ( approximately 1650-1750 AD). Seventeen haplotypes were found to have contributed to the 19 female lineages. In order to place the reconstructed founder population in wider historical context, we examined, using both single strand conformation polymorphism and direct sequence analysis, variation in a 343 bp mtDNA fragment in that population and 13 other horse populations of disparate provenance. Interpopulation diversity analyses revealed no significant difference in variation between the thoroughbred founder population and the 13 other diverse horse populations and suggested a non-random partitioning of diversity among geographically diverse horse populations. Within thoroughbreds, almost half of the female families, which are each considered from pedigrees to have matrilines converging to one of >30 historically recognized female ancestors, contained sequences which were inconsistent with common descent. Examination of the anomalies in the context of pedigree records suggests the majority might be best explained as confusion of mares at the foundation stages, although some could have some bearing on more recent (19th century - 1980) lineages. We have used this combination of molecular and historical information to identify some of the founder dams and to make new interpretations about the early history of the thoroughbred.