Universal Design (UD) is a design process that enables a diverse population by improving human performance, health and wellness, and social participation. Its key principles are simplicity, flexibility, and efficiency. The principles of (UD) are established to evaluate existing designs, guide the design process and educate both designers and consumers about the characteristics of more usable products and environments. Furthermore, the Green Star Hotel (GSH) is a national green certification and capacity-building program managed by the Egyptian Hotel Association (EHA). Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS), Egypt Vision 2030, is in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The national strategic plan’s three dimensions (economic, social and environmental) are based on ten pillars covering broadly the SDGs. Both Universal Design (UD) and Green Star Hotel (GSH) are in support of Sustainable Development (SD) in terms of “environmental protection” and social justice "inclusion". This paper aims at accomplishing (SD) 2030 in Egypt for a better life to all Egyptians by investigating the inclusiveness in green star certified hotels. The study focuses on “Three green star certified hotels” as case studies to be evaluated in terms of the Universal Design Features to achieve (SD) in Egypt. A checklist is prepared for that purpose and is applied to the chosen hotels. The study concludes that both of (UD) and Green Star program (GS) instruct to Egypt’s Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS), Egypt Vision 2030.

reating a new opening in the shear zone of casted reinforced concrete beams is one of the critical issues during construction due to building safety and cost impact. Moreover, coordination process is a difficult stage that always lead to major impact on project schedule. To investigate the problem of rectangular openings in beams, all beams are studied as simple beams subjected to eight equidistant concentrated loads. Third large scale beam specimens with different opening location will be presented in this research. The author presents an analytical study on the behavior of RC beams with openings strengthened with CFRP laminates, in order to predict their behavior before and after strengthening. The opening location, cross section shape (rectangular – L-section), number of CFRP layers and compressive strength of concrete are the main parameters that are considered in this research. The current study is carried out using Finite Element Method on software package (ANSYS 15.0). Verification models are simulated at first and compared with similar beams tested experimentally in previous research in order to validate their results, then the parameters mentioned above are analytically studied. The maximum capacity for each beam is obtained after loading them up to failure, then the corresponding displacements are recorded. Moreover, Modes of failure, crack patterns and the relationship between loads and displacements are obtained. Furthermore, the author studies the suitable way to reach the cheapest technical solution in case the opening will be required during design stage or it will be created after casting stage.

Over the years, the discovery of petroleum in various regions of the world has led to the development of different techniques and equipment to enhance and optimize the drilling and production operations in this vital industry. Egypt is both one of the major oil-producing non-OPEC countries and one of the oldest energy producers in the Middle East. Recently, the Egyptian government have signed several agreements for the exploration of oil and gas in several provinces/regions including; the Mediterranean, the Western desert, the Nile Delta, and the Gulf of Suez. Petroleum companies have given great attention to Egypt’s new discoveries such as Zohr Gas Field, and Nour exploration prospect. Successful drilling operations to reach the oil and gas targets depends strongly on the effectiveness of the drilling fluids. Drilling fluids can be considered as the heart of the drilling process. They are used to fulfil several functions, such as controlling pressure, carrying cuttings and cooling bit and drill strings, stabilizing wellbore as well as controlling fluid losses. Drilling fluid technology is one of the most targeted and developed technologies worldwide. Several studies have examined the use of various types of nanoparticles (NPs) as additives to enhance the properties and improve the performance of the drilling fluid to mitigate the drilling problems. NPs can be defined as a simplest structure with a size in the range of nanometers. The effectiveness of NPs can be accredited to their small sizes and thus, high surface-area-to-volume ratio. NPs were also showed promising enhancements on the rheological and filtration characteristics of the drilling fluid (mud). Additionally, swelling and collapse of shale formations is expected under drilling with water-based mud, which might result in complicating the drilling operation. Adding NPs to the drilling mud was found to minimize the shale permeability and thus, promote the wellbore stability. This research paper discusses the latest applications and presents the most valuable findings concerning the efficient use of NPs in the drilling fluid industry. Based on that, different recommendations are stated. This might help researchers to better understand NPs’ functionality in this area of application and promote using NPs-based drilling muds as cost-effective and environmental-friendly fluids to drill the Egyptian oil and gas wells.

Manufacturing continues to face escalated cost challenges as the global economy grows. In order to gain competitive advantage among its rivals, manufacturing firms are in a constant strive to lower their manufacturing costs compared to their competitors. This paper introduces a mathematical optimization model based on Activity Based Costing (ABC) method for Reconfigurable Manufacturing Systems (RMS) taking into consideration the bi- directional relationship between hourly rates and annual hours on each machine/workcentre. The output from the model will be the optimum hourly rates, decision on which jobs to accept or reject and decision on the financial feasibility of reconfiguration. Reconfiguration in this paper describes both system-level reconfiguration (investing in additional machining equipment) and/or, machine-level reconfiguration (extra module to an existing equipment). The model will be applied on a real life case study of a global Original Equipment Manufacturer of Machinery. The novelty of the proposed model is the incorporation of the bi-directional relationship between hourly rates and annual hours on each machine and provides a managerial decis

Dealing with complex systems often involves a layering (e.g.: hierarchical) representation that is prevalent throughout engineering. This layering appears in various disciplines in a variety of forms. Concurrent design refers to a generalized methodology for mapping from the functional requirements and conceptual model to blueprints in various domains. Cyber-Physical, hence complex, system include mechanical, electrical, sensors, computer, data, user interface, and external factors. The system is capable of acquiring historical data, receiving real-time sensory status, adapt accordingly while interacting with the environment. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a novel design methodology approach for smart complex systems such as cyber-physical products and machines. The potential impact of this methodology is to provide a common design approach for any smart system. It can also be used to calculate system complexity in the context of the coupling index. Additionally, it can reduce the compatibility issues at the early system design level.

Background &Objectives: Still there is percentage of HCV patients not responding to Direct Acting Antiviral Agents (DAAS). Liver can be greatly affected by changes in gut Microbiome, microbiota. The study was done to evaluate the association between gut microbiome versus microbiota in HCV patients and the response to DAAS .Subjects and Methods: Thirty HCV patients aged from20-60years old ,both males and femals; group 1 (No=15 of HCV responders and group 2 (No=15 relapser HCV patients) treated by DAAS according to the treatment protocol of the Egyptian National Committee for Control of Viral Hepatitis (NCCVH).Group 3 healthy control subjects (No=15) . Full history taking, clinical examination and all investigations were done plus stool culture by Vitek 2and 16srRNA gene amplification and sequencing were done as per Clinilab Maadi ,Cairo .Statistical analysis were done after tabulation of the results ,p<0.05 considered significant. Results: 16SrRNA gene microbiome was of statistically significant decrease in (6) micrbiota in non-responders and increased in (2) .Microbiota compared to responder group ( with P value: ranged from 0.06 to 0.013) Microbiota which increased in non-responder group than responder group ( with P value: ranged from 0.002 to 0.003).The number of microbiota by culture is completely defected and different between the groups compared to 16SrRNA gene for microbiome.. Conclusion: Microbiome more accurate and specific than stool culture for detection of microbiota

Over the years, the discovery of petroleum in various regions of the world has led to the development of different techniques and equipment to enhance and optimize the drilling and production operations in this vital industry. Egypt is both one of the major oil-producing non-OPEC countries and one of the oldest energy producers in the Middle East. Recently, the Egyptian government have signed several agreements for the exploration of oil and gas in several provinces/regions including; the Mediterranean, the Western desert, the Nile Delta, and the Gulf of Suez. Petroleum companies have given great attention to Egypt’s new discoveries such as Zohr Gas Field, and Nour exploration prospect. Successful drilling operations to reach the oil and gas targets depends strongly on the effectiveness of the drilling fluids. Drilling fluids can be considered as the heart of the drilling process. They are used to fulfil several functions, such as controlling pressure, carrying cuttings and cooling bit and drill strings, stabilizing wellbore as well as controlling fluid losses. Drilling fluid technology is one of the most targeted and developed technologies worldwide. Several studies have examined the use of various types of nanoparticles (NPs) as additives to enhance the properties and improve the performance of the drilling fluid to mitigate the drilling problems. NPs can be defined as a simplest structure with a size in the range of nanometers. The effectiveness of NPs can be accredited to their small sizes and thus, high surface-area-to-volume ratio. NPs were also showed promising enhancements on the rheological and filtration characteristics of the drilling fluid (mud). Additionally, swelling and collapse of shale formations is expected under drilling with water-based mud, which might result in complicating the drilling operation. Adding NPs to the drilling mud was found to minimize the shale permeability and thus, promote the wellbore stability. This research paper discusses the latest applications and presents the most valuable findings concerning the efficient use of NPs in the drilling fluid industry. Based on that, different recommendations are stated. This might help researchers to better understand NPs’ functionality in this area of application and promote using NPs-based drilling muds as cost-effective and environmental-friendly fluids to drill the Egyptian oil and gas wells.

During Paris Agreement, a historic climate landmark signed in Paris in 2015, leaders of about 200 countries committed to limiting global warming well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, and pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5 °C by 2100. Each Country defined its commitments as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Egypt, with only 0.6% contribution to global emissions, is badly susceptible to climate change. Egypt submitted its NDCs in 2017 to be activated in 2020. Egypt’s NDCs are too general and does not provide quantified targets nor plans for emission reductions. Moreover, Egypt’s NDCs are conditional on receiving international funding of 73 Billion Dollars. This paper reviews Egypt’s NDC to assess its true level of importance and to display Egypt’s long-standing commitment to climate change efforts. Actions include reshaping the energy mix for electricity generation from (92% oil & gas and 8% hydroelectric & renewables) to (60% natural gas with combined cycle, 35% renewables & hydro and 5% nuclear energy). In transport sector, fuel switching from oil to gas and promotion of electric vehicles can lead to at least 10% emission reduction in transport sector. Energy efficiency in industry, achieved by promoting high efficient motors, variable speed drives, waste heat recovery and replacing fluorinated refrigerants, can lead to a similar reduction in industry sector. Replacing inefficient lighting with LEDs, together with the use of energy efficient appliances, air conditioners and installing solar panels can lead to similar reduction in the building sector. These actions can be done with local resources besides firmly applying environmental regulations. It shows that a target of reducing CO2 emissions by 20% from current emissions of 250 MtCO2 emissions by 2030 is possible. International funding is required for adaptation to the results of climate changes. The required technical and financial support for such adaptation needs extensive studies.

The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) is defined by a given finite number of (n) cities along with the cost of travel between each pair of them. It is required to find the tour with least cost to visit all of the cities and returning to the starting point. Each city has to be visited once and only once. The TSP has direct applications in many engineering disciplines such as telecommunications, electricity, and a lot of network applications. It has high importance in Geoinformatics as it mathematically model the networks and infrastructures. This research presents the Minimum-Travel-Cost Algorithm for computing an exact lower bound for the general case of the (TSP). Although the TSP does not have yet an exact algorithm to determine its optimal path, this algorithm can help on identifying a minimal threshold that the exact unknown cost will exceed. The minimum-travel-cost algorithm is a dynamic programming algorithm to compute an exact and deterministic lower bound for the general case of the traveling salesman problem (TSP). The algorithm is presented with its mathematical proof and asymptotic analysis. It has a (n2) complexity. A program is developed for the implementation of the algorithm and successfully tested among well known TSP problems and the results were consistent.

Supertight oil and gas reservoirs have always been considered uneconomical. Their high stimulation costs, forecasting the future production and estimating the ultimate recovery (EUR), have long been problematic. They should be constantly updated during the lifetime of a reservoir, besides; their accuracy depends on the amount of available data and the adopted method. However, after the enormous production in North America, exploring and developing unconventional hydrocarbon resources are gaining more interest worldwide. Nowadays, the Egyptian government is targeting tight layers/zones, in the western desert, to increase the high domestic energy demand and hence, increase the annual production of the conventional – high permeability – reservoirs. Several zones within Khatatba source rock in the Shoushan basin as well as in the Abu Gharadig basin are now being studied and evaluated to maximize their productivity and identify the optimal technology for future developments. In the present work, various approaches, used in predicting the performance of unconventional reservoirs, are investigated and compared through their forecasting future production and their estimated ultimate recovery (EUR). Traditional Arps’ decline, for low permeability reservoirs, over-forecasts reserves. Power-law exponential decline (PLED), stretched-exponential decline (SEPD), logistic-growth model (LGM), and Duong’s method have been used to represent the rate/time production data for the standard well completion in a multiple-fractured horizontal well in a shale play. These methods provide different forecasts as they are based on different equation forms. Unfortunately, previously mentioned methods are not satisfactorily adequate to forecast production for all unconventional reservoirs. The rate transient analytical (RTA) models require certain modifications of the reservoir and fracture parameters to provide optimistic EURs when compared to the numerical simulation. In this research, based on the production forecast and EUR prediction, different models for forecasting unconventional well data have been reviewed and compared. Production data has been used to validate the accuracy of the models, show the similarity of reserves estimation, and reveal the relationship to the reservoir theory. This work might help the Egyptian operating companies to better understand the production dynamics of unconventional reservoirs and suggest a more reliable model EUR’s estimation.

Customer satisfaction is the ultimate goal of the supply chain. At the same time, business success relies on the income made from offering service. With increasing competition, complexity, higher variety and advancing technology; supply chain management SCM is becoming challenging. Many tools have been commercialised to assist in the analysis, design, management, and evaluation of supply chains (SC). Simulation software is one of common manager’s aids that facilitates the modelling and calculation of more complicated situations. Firstly, demand have been defined based on the literature to develop an appropriate concept. Complex elements of external and internal variables affect the SC performance especially at service level. The purpose of this research is to analyse different aspects of demand then to develop a demand agent that is able to simulate a wide range of real life demand cases within the context of supply. It has been utilized as a development and modelling environment for several reasons. In addition to its 3D GUI, it offers powerful development and customizations by its features. Moreover, it can be a promising tool if combined with the numerical based applications in order to transform supply chain performance to a next level by adopting the white-box examining method and value streaming. Agent based demand have been developed using the provided C++ programming facilities of the chosen simulation software application. Virtually, demand object can be used as a powerful option in SC or production network simulation as well. In addition, it can be used in both pull and push production strategies instead of just a “sink” within the environment. An experiment has been carried out to examine the effect of different distribution patterns. Four pattern have been tested for both supply and demand: uniform, normal, triangular, and exponential. A supply object is used to represent the product end line. It has been observed that proposed demand object behaved according to the design input. Result shows that distribution type at the same frequency have different effect on service level. It also suggests that waiting variable can significantly affect the service level.

The power quality improvement faces different significant problems due to the wide use of power electronics and voltage instability. To overcome these different power quality problems, an active power filter is used. The active power filter in general has four main categories, shunt, series, unified power quality conditioner and hybrid active power filter. The shunt active power filter is usually used to mitigate source current harmonics and compensate reactive power for power factor improvement. The series active power filter is usually used to mitigate voltage problems (sags, swells, transients, dips, distortions….). The unified power quality conditioner is used for all voltage and current problems. In this paper, the three phase three-wire series active power filter is utilized alone to mitigate all power system problems (voltages and currents) for this case study, such as voltage sag, voltage swell, voltage harmonics, and source current harmonics to comply with the harmonics limits given in IEEE 519-1992, and IEC 61000-4-7 standards. The source current harmonic problem mainly exists due to, 1) distorted voltage source, and 2) non-linear loads. The series active power filter can effectively eliminate the source current harmonics in case of distorted voltage source. Consequently, the series active power filter can be used alone as a power quality improvement for all voltage and current problems as mentioned in this case study.