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POLYURETHANE BASED FOAM FROM OLIVE MILL WASTEWATER: SYNTHESIS AND APPLICATION IN WASTEWATER PURIFICATION
(An-Najah National University, 2023-02-21) Ishraydeh, Isra
One of the most important challenges in the world is water contamination especially from heavy metal ions. The high effectiveness removal of heavy metal ions, even at trace levels, has proved particularly demanding for absorption procedures, which are also less expensive than traditional approaches. Absorbents that have undergone chemical modification often have increased surface area and a higher absorption capacity than unmodified absorbents.
The goal of this study is to identify a natural source and a simple low-cost method to make a new absorbent for the removal of toxic metal ions. Pb(II) ions from wastewater have been tested using a modified version of lignin obtained from natural waste. What makes this study new and commercially important is the use of waste material for making new adsorbent material.
This study examines the enzymatic degradation approaches of lignin present in olive industry liquid waste (OILW) and converted it to a polyurethane foam material with urethane functionality. Then, the foam material as an adsorbent for toxic metals from wastewater.
The prepared foams were characterized by using FT-IR and TGA to examine the type of functional groups present in the foam and to determine its thermal stability. The prepared lignin-based foam was evaluated as an adsorbent for Pb (II) present in water. Lead (II) was selected because it is one of the most toxic metal ions. The effect of various parameters such as Pb ion concentration, temperature, pH, adsorbent dosage, and contact time were all evaluated to determine the optimum adsorption conditions. The optimal value of the investigated parameters for LHMDIC was around 7.5 pH, 50 mg dosage, 50.00 ppm concentration, and 5.00 min of contact time, at 10°C. The ideal conditions for LPDIC were pH 8, 50 mg dosage, 50.00 ppm concentration, 5 min contact duration, at 10°C of Pb.
The maximum removal efficiency was determined to be 99.95% for LHMDIC and 98.75% for LPDIC. This application for Pb (II) ion removal efficiency for a genuine sewage sample showed outstanding removal. The Pb (II) ion appears to follow pseudo-second-order in the Pb (II) ion adsorption on LHMDIC and LPDIC polymers because (R² = 0.9999) and (R² = 1), respectively. Both forms follow the Langmuir model, since both showed R² values near 1. The values of G° for both foams are negative, indicating that the Pb (II) ion adsorption on LPDIC polymers is spontaneous.
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STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR SMART MOBILITY FOR NEW CITIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES: A CASE STUDY FROM PALESTINE
(An-Najah National University, 2024-03-03) Sawafta, Raya
Background: As developing countries undergo rapid urbanization, the establishment of new cities presents a unique opportunity to integrate innovative smart mobility solutions that can address emerging challenges and create sustainable urban environments. This thesis proposes a comprehensive strategic planning framework for achieving smart mobility systems in new cities within developing countries, considering Palestine as the case study.
Aims: The objectives of the thesis is to leverage technology and data-driven approaches to enhance transportation efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and improve overall quality of life. Objectives include developing a strategic planning framework that encompasses various dimensions, including infrastructure development, policy formulation, technological integration, and community engagement. Another key objective of the thesis, utilizing successful case studies from both developed and developing regions, is outlining key considerations for designing and implementing smart mobility initiatives tailored to the specific needs and contexts of new cities in developing countries.
Methodology: In order to propose the strategic planning framework for smart mobility for new cities in Palestine, a comprehensive literature review was first conducted, including examining regional and international experiences in the field. This culminated in defining the concept, requirements and components of smart mobility, as well as in comparing how transforming of existing communities towards having smart transportation with planning new cities smart transportation, whether in developed countries or developing countries. The second phase involved the identification of the key factors to be include in the strategic planning process towards smart mobility, using cross impact balance (CIB) method through the analysis phase. This phase concluded with the issuance of recommendations and results, serving as guidelines for local authorities and relevant entities in each study area. Additionally, a general strategic planning framework for smart mobility for new cities was provided.
Main results: The thesis provides strategic planning for smart mobility for new cities in Palestine that can guide decision-makers, urban planners, and stakeholders in Palestine as they embark on the creation of new smart cities. The thesis presents the approach and outcome of the application of the CIB method, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the interconnected factors and their potential impacts on the strategic planning process. This includes identifying the goals and objectives, as well as the broad strategies, to achieve the vision of establishing a new city that could be characterized to have smart and integrated mobility system. The main goals include enhancing transportation infrastructure, supporting economic growth, integrating sustainable mobility, implementing smart security infrastructure, and fostering good governance.
Conclusions of the study: The strategic planning for smart mobility in new cities in Palestine focuses on the main sectors such as transportation and mobility, social, economy, security, governance, technology, and the citizens. The research emphasizes the use of tools such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), simulation software, big data analytics, urban planning software, Intelligent Traffic Management Systems, and internet of things (IoT) Sensors. It also highlights the importance of citizen engagement and digital literacy, as well as the need for a regulatory framework and collaboration with local and international entities to achieve successful smart mobility strategies.
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SUSTAINABLE URBAN MOBILITY - TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT (TOD) PERSPECTIVE: A PILOT PLANNING APPROACH FOR PALESTINIAN CITIES
(An-Najah National University, 2024-03-03) Mashaqi, Shifaa
Background: Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) has emerged as a new approach in urban development in recent decades. TOD is characterized by a relatively high-density urban design with proper transit services featuring diverse land uses, complemented by a pedestrian and cyclist-friendly urban environment. Gaining knowledge and learning about good practices related to integrated urban development through urban mobility can be beneficial to reflect on concepts, plans, and policies in order to build livable and resilient Palestinian cities.
Aims: The primary objective of the study was to assess the extent to which sustainable mobility is acknowledged in local urban plans within Palestinian case studies. The study aimed to identify sustainable mobility and integrated development strategies applicable at the local level as related to TOD. Consequently, the study provides recommended TOD policies and strategies.
Methodology: A sequential research methodology was followed to study TOD as a sustainable mobility approach in Palestine. The process began with conducting literature review and examining regional and international experiences in the field. This culminated in extracting TOD principles and measurement indicators. The second phase involved the selection of the study area by choosing two exemplary cases that reflect the urban development reality in Palestine. Subsequently, data necessary for analyzing the current situation were collected from reliable sources and processed to conduct analysis for each study area. Upon accomplishing this phase, results were presented, including development of a general strategic framework to establish TOD as a planning approach in existing and emerging Palestinian cities. This was followed by conclusions and recommendations, serving as guidelines for authorities and relevant entities.
Main results: The results show Rawabi City satisfies a majority of the objectives of best practice in transit-oriented urban development where it has achieved a score of 59%, categorizing it as bronze-standard according to the TOD standards. Therefore, there is a potential to enhance the TOD system at the local level by making some amendments to the city’s policies and strategies, which in turn are reflected in its urban master plan. On the other hand, Al-Raihan Suburb cannot be considered to be satisfying the acceptable TOD standard scale, as it has achieved a score of 41%. Therefore, there is a gap between its planning concept and TOD principles, requiring re-consideration of planning aspects, according to the recommended guidelines, in order to align with TOD principles. The thesis results therefore include presenting a proposed strategic planning framework for planning new urban developments, or the transformation of existing ones, to be consistent with TOD principles including the vision, goals and objectives, and the strategies.
Conclusions of the study: TOD incorporates diverse components to foster the creation of sustainable, dynamic, and efficient urban structure centered around public transportation and the reduction of reliance on motorized cars. However, the essential elements of TOD encompass close proximity to transit stations, mixed-use development, high density and compact design, pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and affordable housing. Furthermore, TOD is in harmony with smart growth principles, emphasizing sustainable development, minimizing environmental impact, and encouraging efficient land utilization. The recommendations include encouraging the development of compact, mixed-use urban form, with emphasis on the planning and operation of public transportation systems with proper transit stations, and prioritizing such systems during the planning of urban communities to fulfill the fundamental principles of TOD.
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CELLULOSE WITH URETHANE CROSS-LINKS DECORATED WITH IONIC FUNCTIONAL GROUP FOR WASTE WATER PURIFICATION FROM TOXIC METAL IONS
(An-Najah National University, 2024-04-25) Khaseeb, Shorouq
Background: water is elixir of life. Excessive chemical use in varies sectors, whether in industry, agriculture or other, can result in an increased load of pollutants in water. Radionuclides, household chemicals, pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), microorganisms, plumbing inorganic chemicals, and other contaminants are common in water. Heavy metals are among the most harmful of these pollutants owing to their lasting effects, and toxicity even at low concentration. As a result, removing these hazardous heavy metal ions from water is becoming crucial.
Objectives: The purpose of this thesis is to establish novel adsorbent material based on polyurethane foam (PUF) that was enhanced with an ionic functional group capable of efficiently absorbing harmful metals from water.
Methodology: The process of creating the target polymers included a series of chemical reactions between carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and diisocyanate compounds (hexamethylene diisocyanate & phenylene diisocyanate) in the presence of diisopropyl amine as a catalyst, resulting in the formation of the foam polymeric materials carboxymethyl cellulose hexamethylene polyurethane foam (CMC-HMPUF) and carboxymethyl cellulose phenylene diisocyanate polyurethane foam (CMC-PPUF) with urethane links.
Results: The adsorption capacity of polymeric foams toward Pb(II) was assessed using a variety of parameters such as temperature, pH, adsorbent dose, time and initial ion concentration.
In addition, the optimal value of each of the parameters that resulted in quantitative elimination of Pb(II) were discovered. The percentage removal of Pb(II) by CMC-HMPUF polymer was around 95%, while CMC-PPUF was approximately 93%.
Adsorption thermodynamics, kinetics, and isotherms were also studied to gain insight into the mechanism and spontaneity of adsorption. The result demonstrate that the adsorption of Pb(II) process is classified exothermic process (∆H°<0), and spontaneous at low temperatures (∆G°<0),( ∆S°<0).
The obtained isothermal and kinetic values illustrated that the adsorption by the two foams fit the Freundlich model, and obey a Pseudo-second order kinetic.
The created foams exhibited a great propensity to remove multi-metal ions found in an actual sample of sewage water.
Conclusion: The goal polymers were made, and urethane linkages were detected using IR spectroscopy, the two polymers foam showed strong thermal stability, they were effective in removing heavy metals from wastewater.
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THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SYMPTOM SEVERITY AND SYMPTOM INTERFERENCE, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND TYPE OF TREATMENT IN PALESTINIAN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER
(An-Najah National University, 2024-03-05) Yasin, Eman L.
Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers that affects women more than men and is considered a major cause of cancer death among women. Women with breast cancer experience bothersome symptoms related either to the disease itself or breast cancer treatments that interfere with patients’ life activities and affect their quality of life.
Objectives: To provide a comprehensive explanation of the relationship between symptom severity and symptom interference, quality of life and type of treatment.
Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted through the MDASI questionnaire to assess symptom severity and symptom interference and the EQ-5D-5 L questionnaire to assess quality of life among women with a confirmed diagnosis of breast cancer at An-Najah National University Hospital and AL-Watani Hospital. The questionnaire was completed through face-to-face interviews and reviewing patients’ medical records.
Results: A cohort of 229 participants was enrolled in the study. Predominantly, patients (34.1%, n=78) fell within the 50-59 years age bracket. Treatment modalities included chemotherapy alone (35.4%, n=81), hormonal therapy (48%, n=110), targeted therapy (9.6%, n=22), and various combination regimens. Specifically, 3.9% (n=9) received hormonal therapy along with targeted therapy, and 3.1% (n=7) underwent combined chemotherapy and targeted therapy. Fatigue emerged as the most prevalent and severe symptom, except for women undergoing chemotherapy plus targeted therapy who reported heightened complaints of sleep disturbances. Pearson correlations between the MDASI symptom severity total mean score and the MDASI symptom interference total mean score were significant for chemotherapy (r = 0.685, p < 0.05), hormonal therapy (r = 0.827, P < 0.05), targeted therapy (r = 0.922, P < 0.05) and hormonal plus targeted therapy (r = 0.699, P < 0.05), and not significant for the chemotherapy plus targeted therapy group (r=0.398, p=0.329). The most robust associations were identified with feelings of sadness (r=0.792, P< 0.05), fatigue (r=0.774, P< 0.05), and distress (r=0.743< P< 0.05). There were significant differences between study participants in relation to patient age, smoking status and treatment methods (p value<0.05), whereas other sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are not significantly associated with the total mean score of the symptom severity scale. Regarding the EQ-5D-5 L dimensions, the majority of patients reported no issues. The EQ-5D-5 L index score exhibited significant positive correlation with the EQ-VAS score (r = 0.568, P value < 0.05). Conversely, it demonstrated significant negative correlations with both the total mean score of symptom severity (r = -0.664, P value < 0.05) and the symptom interference total mean score (r = -0.651, P value < 0.05).
Conclusions: The most common type of treatment associated with severe symptoms and affecting patients’ daily life activities is chemotherapy, which has no significant influence on patients’ quality of life. Fatigue was the most severe symptom associated with the breast cancer treatment method.