The current paper presents a comprehensive numerical study of the impact of infill walls configuration on the behavior of existing Reinforced Concrete (RC) framed buildings with plan irregularities. A significant portion of these buildings constitutes a considerable percentage of real estate assets across all countries, particularly in Egypt, and they often lack sufficient seismic detailing. Additionally, the study investigates how can utilizing various infill wall configurations enhance or mitigate plan irregularities. Nonlinear dynamic time history analyses were conducted on two groups of medium- and low-rise unsymmetrical C-shaped buildings using SeismoStruct software, employing the double-strut nonlinear cyclic model for infill walls. Three different ground motion records with varying frequency contents; high, medium, and low were scaled to different levels, ranging from 0.1g to 0.5g, for use during the analysis. The results indicate that infill walls could enhance the seismic performance of RC-framed buildings with plan irregularity using the proper configuration in terms of story drift, rotation, and structural damage. Additionally, infill walls could be considered as a retrofitting solution for rehabilitating irregular plan buildings, without requiring traditional seismic rehabilitation methods, and within the available architectural solutions.
This comprehensive review presents a thorough examination of recent advances in nanoemulsion (NE) green technology, focusing on biomass-assisted synthesis, characterization, and the diverse biomedical implications of these nanoscale emulsions. NEs, characterized by their minute droplet sizes and kinetic stability, have garnered considerable attention due to their potential applications across various biomedical fields. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of state-of-the-art synthesis methods, including mini-emulsion polymerization, NE–solvent evaporation, spontaneous emulsification, sol–gel techniques, and innovative strategies for producing complex multicomponent materials. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of synthetic approaches, offering insights into the current landscape of NE production. In exploring the biomedical applications, the study categorizes nanocarriers formed within NEs, distinguishing between polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid nanocarriers based on their chemical composition. Noteworthy advancements in synthetic strategies are outlined for each category, showcasing the dynamic nature of NEs technology. A key highlight is the discussion of emerging trends in biomedical applications, spanning medicine, food, agriculture, cosmetics, and environmental science. Specific attention is given to the role of NEs in nanofiltration, elucidating their effectiveness in removing diverse pharmaceuticals through polyamide nano-filters. Moreover, the manuscript delves into the pivotal role of NEs in bioremediation, addressing hazardous substances such as PFASs through adsorption, photo-degradation/defluorination, and other innovative mechanisms. This review aims to provide a contemporary overview of green NE technologies, offering valuable insights for researchers, scientists, and practitioners in nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical sciences.
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the most important staple crops worldwide. However, its productivity, grain quality, and nutritional value are increasingly threatened by climate change, particularly drought stress. Rapid global population growth, coupled with these climatic challenges, is expected to intensify malnutrition and food insecurity, thereby increasing the risk of famine in vulnerable regions. Nanotechnology‑based approaches, especially zinc oxide nanoparticle (ZnO-NPs) seed nano priming, have emerged as promising strategies to enhance seed germination, early seedling growth, and drought tolerance in wheat. This study phenotypically evaluated 113 doubled haploid (DH) wheat genotypes, along with two parental lines, for 22 germination‑ and seedling‑related traits under optimal (C; 0
This study aims to enhance the understanding of the paleoenvironmental evolution of Early Eocene Tethyan deposits. It focuses on the facies analysis, stratal cyclicity, and sequence stratigraphy of the Ypresian platform carbonates exposed in the north Eastern Desert of Egypt, which are considered a representative example of the Southern Tethys domain. Nineteen lithofacies types were identified and grouped into six principal facies associations: tidal flat, inner lagoon, inner shoal bar, open lagoon/back-bank, nummulitic-bivalve bank, and open-marine mid- to lower-shallow subtidal associations. These facies associations indicate deposition on a tectonically controlled, tropical-to-subtropical homoclinal ramp system. Paleoecological interpretations were derived primarily from the dominated fossil assemblages. The studied succession is organized into meter-scale, peritidal and subtidal shallowing-upward carbonate cycles, which are further subdivided into six subtypes; among which the dolostone-capped peritidal cycles are the most dominant subtype. Both intrinsic and extrinsic controls governed the stacking pattern of these cycles, reflecting the interplay between auto- and allocyclic processes. The recognized cycles are grouped into four depositional sequences, which are bounded by three tectonically-controlled sequence boundaries. These boundaries are expressed as densely karstified limestone horizons that record periods of subaerial exposure associated with tectonic uplift and pronounced sea-level fall. The succession is further correlated with equivalent successions in Egypt, the broader Tethyan realm, and the global eustatic sea-level curve to evaluate the influence of local/regional tectonics and sea-level fluctuations on ramp evolution. The integrated results suggest that tectonic activity associated with the rejuvenation of the Syrian Arc Orogeny, combined with eustatic sea-level changes and sediment accumulation rates, played a primary role in controlling the facies architecture and depositional evolution of the studied ramp system.
Developing room-temperature CO2 sensors with high sensitivity at elevated concentrations remains a significant challenge for SnO2-based materials, which often require high operating temperatures or noble-metal activation. In this study, pure SnO2 (P.Sn), Li-doped SnO2 (Sn:Li), and Li–Ni codoped SnO2 (Sn:Li,3Ni) thin films were fabricated on glass substrates via spin coating and systematically characterized to evaluate the structural, chemical, and nanomorphological effects of doping. Li incorporation produced a highly porous surface that facilitated rapid gas adsorption, whereas Li–Ni codoping-induced pronounced nanostructural modifications and increased surface roughness, yielding a larger number of active adsorption sites. As a result, the Sn:Li,3Ni sensor achieved a response of 111.57
