In this paper, a piecewise approximate analytical solution of nonlinear singular perturbation problems with a boundary layer at one end point is presented. The method is distinguished by the following fact: The original problem is replaced by an asymptotically equivalent first order singularly perturbed initial-value problem (SPIVP). Then, an explicit one step L-stable analytical integration scheme is applied to solve this SPIVP. The integration scheme is obtained based on a piecewise linearization of the SPIVP and its locally analytical integration over a special non-uniform mesh exhibiting second order uniform convergence in the perturbation parameter. The accuracy and stability properties of the method are investigated. Some problems are solved to demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of the method. It is observed that the present method approximates the exact solution very well.
A new high-input impedance voltage-mode universal biquadratic filter with single input and five outputs using two differential difference current conveyor transconductance amplifiers (DDCCTAs), two grounded capacitors and two resistors is presented. The proposed circuit can simultaneously realize voltage-mode lowpass, bandpass, highpass, bandreject and allpass filtering responses without component matching conditions. It still offers the features of high-input impedance, the use of only grounded capacitors, and low passive sensitivities, H-Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis simulations using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company 0.18 μm complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology process parameters are given to validate theoretical predictions.
In this study, novel piperazine derivatives (5a-j) were synthesized from the reactions of the some piperazine derivatives (4a-j) with mono(thio)substituted-halonitro-1,3-butadiene 3 in good yields (40-92%). Their antibacterial and antifungal activities against Escherichia coli B-906, Staphylococcus aureus 209-P, and Mycobacterium luteum B-917, and fungi Candida tenuis VKM Y-70 and Aspergillus niger F-1119 were evaluated. 4-(N-phenylpiperazinyl-4-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)sulfanyl-1,1,2-trichloro-3-nitro-1,3-butadiene 5c was the most potent with MICs (minimum inhibition concentrations) = 31.2 µg/mL against test culture E.Coli. The PASS computer program was used to predict the biological activity spectra and to determine the most promising biological activities for experimental testing. 4-(1-Bis(4-fluorophenyl)methylpiperazinyl-4-(4-tert-butylbenzyl)sulfanyl-1,1,2-trichloro-3-nitro-1,3-butadiene 5h showed the antieczematic activity with Pa = 0.803 by the PASS program. All new compounds were characterized on the basis of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H- and 13C-NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and elemental analysis.
In Saudi Arabia, Jawf is relatively colder region and hot water is required almost throughout the year for domestic industrial and residential applications. The study utilizes glazed and unglazed solar water heating systems of nominal water usage of 48,000 liters per day to find out the better option, both technologically and economically for the study area. The glazed solar collectors were found to be more suitable for Jawf area compared to unglazed. On an average 171% more heat could be delivered to the user from glazed collectors compared to unglazed collectors with almost the same percentage difference in achievable solar fraction. Higher Internal rate of return (IRR) values were observed for glazed type of solar collectors compared to unglazed type. IRR values also decreased with increasing capacity of the solar water heating (SWH) system. The glazed type of collectors were more efficient compared to unglazed type with greater savings in fuel consumption and fuel cost and reduction in GHG emissions for almost the same capacity compared to the base case.
Abstract\nHigher Education in Africa: Latest Development traces the development of higher education for the past 30 years, based on 15 African countries selected from 5 geographical regions of Africa, as described by the African Union. Before Independence, the majority of African countries had no universities of their own, and there were hardly any Africans who had university degrees. Following Independence, most African countries established one or two universities to cater for their national needs, particularly in terms of manpower. Such universities, staffed by expatriates, remained a monopoly for close to two decades. In the last 30 years, higher education landscape has gone through total transformation, as more universities have been established, allowing thousands of African students to have access to higher education. Most of these universities are now staffed by nationals instead of expatriates. This is an achievement and record that supersedes all other records worldwide in recent human history.
This paper proposes a comparative study of two control strategies applied to a three-phase voltage source inverter (VSI) interfacing a photovoltaic generation system with an unbalanced grid. First, the modeling and the control of the PV system via a MPPT technique are analyzed. Then, the models of the grid side VSI in both the synchronous rotating coordinates and the three-phase stationary coordinates are built up, which explores the fundamental mechanism of the power flow. Based on the analysis of the grid imbalance effects on the point of common coupling (PCC) electrical quantities, two control strategies that can effectively suppress the adverse effects of a voltage imbalance on the injected currents and active power, respectively, are studied and compared. \nMATLAB software simulation results are provided in order to show the feasibility and to demonstrate the performances and the particularities of each control strategy according to power quality standards.
RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification. The ability to access information through a non-line-of-sight storage in a tag can be utilized for the identification of goods, locations, animals, and people. RFID tagging overcomes the limitations of optical barcodes, which are line-of-sight and weather dependent and need manual operation. The three basic components of a typical RFID system are; an antenna or coil, a transceiver (reader with decoder), and a transponder (RFID tag) with electronically programmed information. Most RFID tags are comprised of an antenna and integrated circuit (IC). Passive tags do not have any on-board power supply. RFID tags, which use on-board power supply (such as batteries) are called active RFID tags. Passive RFID tags offer lower prices at the cost of shorter reading ranges (up to 3 m) when compared to the more expensive long-range active RFID tags (read up to 100 m). Therefore, efforts have been put in developing chipless RFID tags with no ICs to reduce the cost of the tag. So far, the only promising chipless RFID tag is the surface acoustic wave (SAW) tag. A comparison made between SAW tags and IC-based semiconductor device. A novel classification of passive RFID transponders based on a comprehensive literature review is also presented.
At present, the automotive industry is one of the most important for the Mexican economy, representing 6% of the total Gross Domestic Product (PIB) and 18% of PIB in manufacturing production, the development of this sector is different engines in the states of Mexico, this difference in growth is reflected in the state of Tlaxcala which is away from rank as one of the states with the greatest progress in this industries. Considering various approaches to the factors affecting the competitive performance of the state, for purposes of this research the model Manufacturing Competitiveness Framework and the variables are taken into account is used are infrastructure, innovation, technology and human resources because They are closely related to the competitiveness and development of the manufacturing country. Accordingly, the purpose of this investigation was a descriptive comparative analysis of the aforementioned variables in the auto parts sector in the state of Tlaxcala compared with the states of Queretaro and Guanajuato, allowing propose future action lines aimed at increasing competitiveness the sector in Tlaxcala. This research is descriptive, the temporal dimension is transversal court, and the data for the period 2002 to 2014 are considered.
Sugar beet cultivars has received scientific interest in recent years, because it is a source of sugar. Fusarium wilt diseases caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum lead to significant yield losses of crops. We determine induction of phenolics and antioxidant constituents of sugar beet plants, in response to inoculation with plant growth promoting Rhizobacteria as Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, Brevibacillus brevis and Paenibacillus polymyxa and inoculated with the fungal pathogen Fusarium oxysporum. Phenolic compounds such as polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids as well as antioxidant activity, play an important role in the plant defense mechanisms. Phenolic compounds levels and antioxidants enzymes of the sugar beet cultivars plants were fold increased in response to inoculation with organisms. The Phenol , flavonoids , tannins and antioxidant enzymes activity were recorded to be higher than that of healthy plants in all the treatments, infected plants and treated with P. putida and P. polymyxa. This Results from this study indicate that the phenolic and antioxidants compounds investigated could be involved in the plant defence system and implicated as part of an inducible plant defense response in both cultivars.
The aim of this study is to evaluate antibacterial activities and phytochemical composition of essential oil and various solvent extracts from Limoniastrum monopetalum. The powdered aerial parts of Limoniastrum monopetalum was used to product various extracts with ethanol, chloroform, hexane and ethyl acetate. The agar diffusion method and then minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were employed to evaluate antibacterial activity of the different solvent extracts. The comparison of phenolic compounds was performed by RP-HPLC and volatile compounds were identified by GC–MS analysis. Antibacterial results showed that ethyl acetate extract carried antimicrobial activity against all microorganisms used in this study. The microorganisms Kiebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia and Escherichia coli were susceptible to the ethyl acetate extract with minimum inhibitory concentration value 5 µg/µL. Limoniastrum monopetalum could to be potential candidate for development of antibacterial agents and by its essential oil a source of insecticidal product.
Purpose\n Prolonged air leak and high amount of pleural drainage are important factors for morbidity and mortality following pulmonary resections. We investigate the effect of autologous fibrin sealant used in our clinic (Vivostat®) \nMethods \n The patients that underwent lobectomy or bilobectomy in our clinic were included. 80 patients that underwent pulmonary resection were included. These cases were divided by autologous fibrin sealant group, which comprised 40 cases that were applied post-resection autologous fibrin sealant, and by control group, also which comprised 40 cases that were not applied. \nResults \n There was no significant difference between the autologous fibrin sealant group and the control group in terms of age, sex, type of the surgical procedure, causes of operations, the present comorbid factors (p>0.05). Prolonged air leak, mean time to removal of the drain, mean total amount of drainage at postoperative 4th day and mean postoperative time to hospital discharge were significantly lower in the autologous fibrin sealant group (p<0.05).\nConclusions \n We found that using of autologous fibrin sealant decrease the incidence of air leak, as well as the time to removal of the drain, amount of drainage and the time to hospital discharge.
The resent application of wireless ad hoc networks (WANET) demands a high and reliable data load. The simultaneous transfer of large amounts of data different nearby sources to nearby destinations in a massive network under these circumstances results in the possibility of network congestion. Large data loads can easily lead to congestion because of the limited resources of WANET. Congestion is an extremely unwanted condition because it creates extra overhead to the already deeply loaded environment, which ultimately leads to resource exhaustion, and can lead to packet drops and retransmission at either the MAC or upper layers. We present a lightweight congestion control and early avoidance congestion control scheme, which can effective control congestion while keeping overhead to a minimum. The operation of this scheme is based on the Crosse-layer between the MAC and network layers with the help of network topology. This mechanism controls the network resources rather than the data traffic. After the early detection of congestion with the help of node cooperation, the sender node is triggered to find an alternative route based on network topology. Detailed performance results show enhancement in the throughput and packet delivery ratio, as well as a reduction in packet drop. Generally, network performance increases.
This study was conducted to investigate the conformational stability against autoxidation of oxyhemoglobin (oxyHb) and erythrocytes oxidative status in human and rats. The first aim was accomplished by assessment of the rates of oxyHb autoxidation and bioenergetics of this reaction as well as hemoglobin derivatives. While the erythrocytes oxidative status was investigated by assessment of the oxidative and anti-oxidative markers in erythrocytes of healthy humans and rats. The rates of oxyHb autoxidation were determined by using newly developed multi-component spectrophotometric methods. The results of these methods revealed a significant increase in the rate of oxyHb autoxidation in rats compared to humans. This increase in oxyHb autoxidation is accompanied with a marked decrease in the activation energy (Ea), enthalpy (H250#) and free energy (G250#) for activation of this reaction in rats compared to humans (Ea = 122 and 130 kJ/mol in rats and humans, respectively). These results indicate that the human oxyHb is more conformationally stable against autoxidation than rat oxyHb. The blood levels of methemoglobin (metHb) and carboxyhemoglobin (HbCO) were significantly higher in rats than in humans. The plasma level of malondialdehyde (MDA), erythrocytes superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were significantly higher in rats than in humans, while the blood level of glutathione (GSH) was significantly lower in rats than in humans. From this study, it can be concluded that rat erythrocytes suffer from high oxidative stress, resulting from high levels of superoxide anion radicals produced from oxyHb-autoxidation reaction that is 3-times higher in rats than in humans. This high oxidative stress is accompanied with a higher rate of erythrocytes hemolysis in rats than in humans.
This paper represents an analytical study, simulation (flow field and sediment movements) and estimation of the sediment deposition for the Al- Betera river reach upstream of Al-Betera regulator – Maysan Governorate–Iraq. Field measurements techniques and SSIIM Model were used for these purposes. A river reach with length of 4250m was chosen and divided to 17 cross sections. The Model solves the Navier – stokes equations for calculating the water velocity with k-ε model for predication the turbulence (shear stress). The Model is a stepping stone in the field of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Sediment rating curve was established by using the historical data (1984-2014) of the suspended sediment loads and river discharge which considers as a reference for researchers who interest in the field of sediment transport. Plan form of river morphology was classified as a straight (1.07 sinuosity) for the period 1986, 2007and 2014. In this study, a new sediment load transport rate equation by using multiple linear regression analysis was developed. The results of evaluation showed that the new model performs better than many Researchers [Ackers(1973) , Yang(1996), Van Rijn(1987) , Ariffin (2004) and Jassim (2012) ]. Hydraulic variables , velocities and flow rates were measured using ADCP technology. Bed and suspended sediment concentrations were measured using Homemade, Bed load meter and Van Veen Grab devices. Sieve analysis was used to obtain the grain size distribution of bed material. A graphical representation of 3D velocities was obtained by simulation and by using Power law Scheme (x-y,y-z,x-z planes). The input data, grid coordinates and different parameters were generated in two files named Koordina and Control which were used in running the SSIIM Model for different flow rates (55-90) m3/sec. A sensitivity analysis was used to obtain the optimum values of bed roughness and sediment parameters in the sediment concentrations equation in which the error is minimum for the simulated velocities and concentrations. Good agreements were found between the simulated and measured values of the flow velocity and sediment concentration in 3D for the selected 3 nodes in the y direction and for 3 depths of flow. The Coefficient of determinations were (0.8- 94) and (0.72- 0.98) respectively. The annual trapped sediment load for a river discharge (80.2) m3/sec was (13816) cubic meters of deposition material of sediment which represents approximately (4.1 cm/year) along the river reach. SSIIM Model is a powerful fluid dynamic model for evaluation and estimation of water flow sediment transport and bed deposition. It has given satisfactory results for the bend in the river reach of the study. However, the grid, roughness of the bed and the sediment parameters must be chosen with suitable values taken for convergence purposes and taken into account the change of hydraulic and sediment variables with time and space.\nKeywords: three dimensional, sediment transport, SSIIM model, Al-Betera regulator.
Abstract: It is generally accepted that adequate knowledge about AIDS knowledge is associated with more preventive behaviour and fewer risky behaviour. Many HIV/AIDS education and prevention programmes in South Africa on the belief that educating youth and other high-risk groups is one of the effective strategies in the reduction of the spread of HIV/AIDS infection. Studies in South Africa and other African countries have reported that African youth HIV/AIDS knowledge fall under the category of moderate, meaning that it is neither low nor high. This may not be sufficient to serve as a shield against the wild spread of HIV/AIDS transmission. In view of what has been presented in the preceding pages, the present investigation sought to examine the 20-25-year-old-respondents’ level of HIV/AIDS knowledge, bearing in mind that such knowledge would make a valuable contribution to the battle against HIV/AIDS, the most formidable and feared disease in recent human history. The main objective of the study was to assess the levels of knowledge and awareness about HIV/AIDS among undergraduate students whose age ranged from 20-25 years. The sample comprised 165 female and male participants. Participants were administered an HIV/AIDS questionnaire consisting of 15 statements/questions. The method of data analysis comprised frequencies, percentages and chi-square. The results clearly showed that knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS was considerably high, and that attitude towards AIDS and people living with AIDS were favourable. However, it was recognised that in a number of instances of the findings, there were unacceptably high percentages, who did not have knowledge, or who responded in the negative to questions, where they should have clearly answered affirmatively.
The present work was carried out to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of grape juice, date palm fruit methanolic extracts (600 mg/kg b.wt.) and their combination (1:1 or 1:2) given orally for 21 day against CCl4 intoxication in rats. There was no significant alteration in most of the hematological parameters tested. Their administration in CCl4-intoxicated rats significantly (P> 0.05) decreased ALT and GGT activity in serum of rats as compared to rats treated with CCl4 only. Oral administration of methanolic extract of grapes and date palm fruit (1: 1 or 1:2 w/w) significantly (P> 0.05) decreased ALT, AST and GGT activity in serum of rats as compared to rats treated with CCl4 only. The tested extracts significantly (P> 0.05) decreased glucose, bilirubin, serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels as compared to rats treated with CCl4 only. However, their administration significantly (P> 0.05) increased protein level in serum of rats as compared to rats treated with CCl4 only. In conclusion the use of combination grape juice, date palm fruit methanolic extracts (1:2) caused marked hepatoprotective effect as confirmed by the histopathological examination.
A set of boundary conditions is established for modeling mud flow-rate and choke-pressure variations; also the corresponding dynamic oil-well responses are described. These describe the hydrodynamics of managed pressure drilling and controlled flow drilling. A conservative mathematical model, a numerical solution based on Godunov scheme and a Riemann problem are discussed. The flow and pressure perturbations are modeled along the true oil-well geometry. Time simulation involves new analysis of static, transient and steady well conditions to improve soft well interventions. Additional explanations to enhance the interpretation of lost circulation and onset of well kick are developed for safe drilling. Several drilling parameters such as drill-bit pressure drop, pump pressure, bottom-hole pressure, mud flow rate and choke pressure are analyzed using field units. True drilling hydraulic data are used to validate the numerical results. Good agreement between results and API 13-D (2003) is observed.
This study focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of bioethanol production from corn \nstover by separate hydrolysis and fermentation method. A multi-step process consisting in \npretreatment, hydrolysis, and fermentation was investigated for the production of ethanol from \ncorn stover. The research also investigate the extent of various conversion steps, through a detailed \nanalysis of process time courses, acidity, pH, etc., and test this process scheme for the conversion \nof lignocellulosic substances to sugars. \nThe finding in this research showed corn stover after harvest with main composition of \ncelluloses 24.07%; hemicelluloses 34.19% and lignin 16.82% considered a great potential source \nfor bioethanol production. It is also sugested appropriate conditions for pre-treatment, hydrolysis \nand fermentation to produce ethanol from corn stover. In general, producing 1 liter of ethanol \nfrom corn stove needs about 2.635 to 3.268 kg of dry biomass. However, hydrolysis by native \nStreptomyces thermocoprophilus will give better performance than using hydrolysis by acid in \nterms of conversion of carbohydrate compounds into sugar.
Several studies have emphasized the importance of creating pedestrian-friendly environments.\nThese studies have identified the safety routes and open spaces for children and elderly in cities. Many have explained the relation between the built environment’s elements used to create walkable communities.\nThis study aims to investigate the built environment’s characteristics associated with walkability in the suggested area of study, \"Khalil Alsalim Street\". The street elements were analyzed to assess their impacts on walkability by using the Chi-Square test to introduce guidelines that could be helpful for supporting walkability in Amman.\nWalkability is affected by pedestrian safety and accessibility along the streets; such as the availability of safe crossings, footbridges, foot tunnels, barriers that physically separate pedestrians from motor vehicle traffic, sidewalks connectivity, pedestrian facilities on sidewalks, crosswalks, visual quality and characteristics of buildings, street furniture\'s and other activities that support safe walking.\nFurthermore, the research concluded that there is a serious spatial planning problem, represented by an unfriendly repellent built environment for the pedestrian in modern Amman that could have a negative effect on pedestrian safety and walkability. \nThis study introduced also some recommendations that justified the importance of modifying Amman\'s street design regulations and standards to make Amman a walkable city and to get the benefits of a walkable community.
The aim of this paper is to examine the corporate strategy and Porter Five Forces (1980) being practiced in organization using Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB) as a case study. Firstly, the article will review the concepts of corporate strategy, Porter Five Forces (1980) with comparative industry structure analysis. The article will then continue with a case study of Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB). Finally, the paper will conclude with suggestions for the relevant parties and future research. This paper concluded that the corporate strategy and Porter Five Forces are necessary to be practiced in organization for future planning and development of the organization.
This article develops a simple neoclassical model which suggests that subsidising education of all individual through taxing their wages (traditional non Islamic education policy adopted by the most of countries) has no effect on the employment rate which can explain the observed persistence of unemployment despite massive public resources devoted to the education sector in these countries. However taxing only rich workers whose incomes are above Nisab (zakat), to subsidise education of only poor who fulfil the criteria to be recipients of Zakat (Islamic policy not adopted yet even by Islamic countries themselves) will reduce unemployment.
Objective: The aim of this study is to compare results of two different frequencies and density of radial shock wave therapy after 10 sessions.\nDesign: Randomized, controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.\nSetting: University-based orthopedic referral patients.\nPatients: 41 patients who were clinically diagnosed with plantar fasciitis and whose symptoms lasted more than 6 weeks were included in the study. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups, and both groups were administered 10 sessions of treatment consisting of 15 Hz frequency, 3.0 Bar density and 2000 impulses / session for the 1st group, and 10 Hz frequency, 2.0 Bar density and 2000 impulses / session for the 2nd group. \nMain Outcome Measures: Visual analog scale (VAS) and a modification of the clinical rating system of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) were used for outcome measurement. The patients were assessed before treatment and followed up 4 weeks, and 12 weeks after end of treatment.\nResults: Mean VAS scores were reduced after RSWT from 7.52 ± 2.34 (mean ± SEM) at baseline to 0.57 ± 0.68 at 12 weeks in the 1st group and from 6.45 ± 2.04 at baseline to 0.40 ± 0.60 at 12 weeks in the 2nd group . Similar changes were found for mean AOFAS scores from baseline after RSWT but were not observed significance between groups. No serious adverse events of RSWT were observed. \nConclusion: Radial shockwave treatment is effective and safe for patients with plantar fasciitis. \nKeywords: Heel pain; Plantar Fasciitis; Shockwave; Radial Shockwave Therapy.
Sox14 gene fragments (647 bp) from some ray-finned fishes (O. niloticus, C. bicolor, E. radiatus, R. kanagurta, L. harak and T. tonggol) were cloned, sequenced and analyzed to advance knowledge of the evolutionary fates of this locus in these economically important fishes. A comparative analysis was carried out among the identified sequences and other Sox14 sequences previously identified in other ray-finned fishes. SNPs were detected among the evaluated sequences and some of which resulted in changes in deduced amino-acid sequences. A number of 168 polymorphic sites, 224 mutations and 29 Sox14 DNA fragments (divided into 25 different haplotypes) were detected. Estimates of haplotype (gene) diversity, variance of haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity were 0.988, 0.00018 and 0.07557 respectively. The analysis revealed that most of the nucleotide substitutions between DNA fragments in comparison are silent substitutions. The GC contents (ranged from 0.552 to 0.627) in all evaluated DNA fragments were high and the GC3 contents ranged from 0.668 to 0.865. A positive correlation (r) of 0.98 was calculated between GC and GC3 values. The Sox14 gene was proved to harbor different alleles among the different fish species. The genetic distances among the evaluated DNA fragments were calculated and the Neighbor Joining (NJ) analysis was reconstructed. This is the first report to enrich our understanding of the evolution of the Sox14 gene in the identified ray-finned fishes.
In this paper, we study approximate controllability for fuzzy differential equations. First we show approximate controllability for extremal solutions of equations in credibility space. By using extremal solutions, equations are approximately controllable for every solutions on [0, T].
Coca-cola beverage is one of the risk factors resulting in calcium deficiencies and an increased risk of osteoporosis in rats. The objective of this study is the comparing between five and seven months of coca-cola consumption on osteoporosis markers. The obtained data suggested that orally coca-cola consumption (5ml/Kg/day) cause a significant increase in minerals (calcium and phosphorus) level, in both serum and urine while a significant decrease in the level of these minerals in bone was recorded specially in seven months rats group. At the same time, significant increases in serum and urine creatinine, urea and calcium / creatinine ratio as well as parathyroid hormone level, while a decrease in the level of calcitonine as well as in the total protein content were observed. In addition, a significant increase in the level of bone marker enzymes (alkaline and acid phosphates) activity was recorded, indicating an increase in bone turnover rate. A significant increase was observed in femur water content in rats received coca- cola, meanwhile, bone mineral density was significantly decreased. All these parameters are more pronounced at seven months group than those of five month only. Thus, it was concluded that the long-term consumption of coca-cola is strongly associated with the development of osteoporosis evidenced by the occurred changes in the estimated bone marker parameters
Purpose: The aim was to investigate the levels of serum reactive nitrogen species (RNS) (nitrate and nitrite), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and various antioxidants as well as inflammatory markers in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls. \nMethods: The levels of MDA, RNS, blood GSH, plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase activities were determined by spectrophotometric methods, while the inflammatory markers were determined by ELISA methods. \nResults: MDA and GPx activity levels in RA patients were found to be significantly higher than controls, whereas GSH, SOD, GPx, GR and catalase activities as well as ATP levels were significantly lower in patients compared to controls (p < 0.0005). The levels of RNS, IL-6 and ESR were significantly (p < 0.0005) higher in RA patients than for the controls and were higher among RA patients who were seropositive for rheumatoid factor (RF) and C-reactive protein (CRP). These results provide evidence for a potential role of increased RNS in the inflammatory process in RA and pathogenesis of this disease. \nConclusions: We conclude that detecting serum nitrate and nitrite levels may be used as routine tests to verify the levels of oxidative stress in RA and therapy with antioxidants possessing the ability to scavenge these RNS is suggested. Furthermore, correlating SOD and GR activities with IL-6 levels, CRP with IL-6 levels, as well as CRP and ESR with ATP levels may give some clues about the inflammatory processes in RA. In addition, the results support a hypothesis that defense mechanisms against reactive oxygen species are impaired in RA.
We invert Rayleigh waves by applying spatial autocorrelation (SPAC) to array measurements of microtremors at five sites within the city of Manzanillo to obtain a shallow S-wave velocity profile at each site. With the obtained profiles we estimate the transfer functions by using the records of two great subduction zone earthquakes as Green functions to propagate them through the profiles. We estimate response spectra from the surface signals after the propagation of the Green functions. \nWe obtain design spectra and dominant period at each site according to the seismic design buildings Manual (MOC-2008) of the Federal Commission of Electricity (CFE, 2008) which is widely used as reference on construction projects in Mexico.\nOur results show dominant periods are more consistent with geology than those inferred from CFE manual. Variations of dominant periods as calculated according to the CFE normative is low. We found significant differences between design spectra as proposed by MOC-2008 and response spectra obtained from seismic records. Amplitudes are underestimated for the first ones.
Natural products have found great usefulness in industry as well as in herbal medicine all over the world. Through scientific researchers, medicinal herbs have been found to contain a variety of compounds called “secondary” plant compounds (metabolites) grouped as glucosides, saponins, tannins, alkaloids, essential oils, organic acids, phytoalexins and others. Although many technologists have transformed many medicinal plants into more palatable forms like tablets, capsules, and syrups, many traditional healers still use plants in their crude form (herbal remedies). Extracts from some of the medicinal plants being used by traditional healers have been found to contain properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes. The increasing uses of herbal products demand extra attention with particular focus on their safety, effectiveness and drug interactions. Over the last few decades, a substantial body of scientific evidence is available demonstrating wide range of usefulness. These include antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory activities. This study will be undertaken with the intention of finding out the efficacy of some Saudi Arabia medicinal plants extracts as antimicrobial agents and antioxidant activities. The present study was therefore undertaken with the main objective to evaluate and characterize selected medicinal plants for their antimicrobial activities, antioxidant capacities.
This study presents a combined robust fuzzy programming model (CRFLP-AIR) for improved air pollution control planning. Regional air pollution management are often face with uncertainties and complexities associated with emission sources, meteorological conditions, control options, and cost constraints. Specifically, an optimization method is developed for handling uncertain information associated with both objective functions and constraints during a regional air pollution control planning. This method simultaneously uses fuzzy sets and probabilistic analysis, and considers the expansion of decision space in addition to traditional optimization methods to tackle modeling uncertainties at several levels and to provide a robust planning solution. Importantly, meteorological conditions are considered in the optimization framework using frequency and statistical analysis to support a practical air pollution control and management. The CRFLP-AIR is applied to a typical regional air pollution control problem. Reasonable results have been obtained to select appropriate technologies and generate optimal control strategies. Additional scenario analysis and comparison studies have demonstrated a better effectiveness of CRFLP-AIR over conventional air pollution control planning methods.
The purpose of the present study is to determine some morphological and palynological features of Helichrysum chionophilum, Helichrysum noeanum and Helichrysum arenarium subsp. aucheri (Asteraceae) taxa. H. chionophilum, H. noeanum and H. arenarium subsp. aucheri are endemics to Turkey and aerial parts of the plants were collected from different regions in Turkey. Pollen features of both taxa were observed with the Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Both taxa were found different in Throughout the plant, Lenght of basal leaves, stem, cauline leaves, phyllaries and tubular flowers, Colour of cauline leaves, phyllaries and tubular flowers, Leaf shapes of cauline leaves, Piece of flowers and Length of involucre of flowers from each others. The pollen type of both taxa were determined as trycolporate, pollen shape was oblate-spheroidal and reticular pollen ornamantation was observed. Consequently, there are some morphological and morphometrical differences in both taxa, however, no significant differences were determined in view of pollen characters. The findings obtained from the study were discussed with each other and the genus patterns.
In present work, we consider a smoking model by incorporating a new class which represents the number of individuals who aware the bad effects of smoking\nthrough education or media campaign. The stability of extended model is discussed for which the smokers-generation number R_0 is calculated by using next generation matrix method. First, the unique positive solution for the model is presented and then we show that the system is asymptotically local stable if smokers-generation number is less than unity. The theoretical analysis of the basic model reveals that the associated smoking-free equilibrium is globally-asymptotically stable whenever a certain threshold, known as the smokers-generation number is less than unity and unstable if this threshold is greater than unity. Then, we find the approximate analytic series solution of the proposed model by using the Multistage Variation Iteration Method (VIM).
Abstract\nLength-weight relationship, length-length relationship, condition factor, mean lengths and weights of S. bailloni, based on 827 individuals, are reported. The samples were collected by gillnets on rocky, sandy and muddy bottoms within 4.5 and 28 m depth between June 2010 and August 2011. The total length, standard length and the total weight of the fish ranged from, 8.9 to 15.4 cm with the mean 11.9 cm ±0.9989 cm, 7.6-13.5 cm with the mean 10.3 cm ±0.9121 cm and 12.46-78.78 g with the mean 34.33 g ±9.6696 g, respectively. The LLR between TL and SL was described by the equation SL = 0.8918TL?0.2816 and the relationship found linear (r2>0.979). The values of the exponent b of LWR ranged from 2.924 to 3.477 for seasonal. The length-weight equation was W = 0.0175 TL3.0560 and r2 was determined to be 0.9430 for 827 individuals. The mean K value was determined to be 2.0247. The K values were also calculated seasonal and recorded as 2.1342 (summer 2010), 2.0361 (autumn 2010), 1.9342 (winter 2011), and 1.9756 (spring 2011). As S. bailloni is the new record (Göktürk et al. 2012) and not found previous studies from western Black Sea the current study provides basic information on the LWR, LLR and K parameters.
Eagle syndrome, caused by an elongated styloid process, leads to symptoms such as persisted or intermittent odynophagia, intractable sore throat, dullness, electric pain, swallowing pain, otalgia, and neck pain. Thirteen patients with elongated styloid process were diagnosed and treated at a medical center in Taiwan from 2004 to 2014. History taking, physical palpation and imaging were helpful to confirm the impression. As conservative medical treatments were not helpful, all patients received transoral surgical shortening the elongated styloid process and the symptoms were relieved with satisfactory results.
This paper reports a micro-power, transmission gates based CMOS voltage controlled ring oscillator. The proposed ring oscillator is deliberately designed for low power as well as low frequency applications. This circuit is a modified version of conventional ring oscillator. The desired tuning frequency and micro power are achieved by varying the transmission gate voltage. Cadence Virtuoso Schematic Editor has been used for the circuit designing purpose. The circuit is fully integrated and implemented in 180 nm CMOS, 1- poly 6-metal-layer process provided by TSMC using 1.8 V power supply. The performance of the circuit is confirmed through the simulations carried out using Cadence Spectre tool. The proposed ring oscillator exhibits a frequency range of 341 MHz – 423 MHz. The simulated circuit draws a maximum power of 2.003 µW. This oscillator is designed for wireless telemetry biomedical systems applications.
