Multiobjective presents a methodology to evaluate parameters exergoeconomics, which adjusts theoretically the behaviour of an energy system. The multiobjective methodology, allows you to include factors external to the system that they value the influence of various parameters, such as the exergoeconomic factor and the constant B, n, and m presented in the investment equation of equipment for energy systems; of the external environment, including aspects such as the quality, availability, price, and location of the resource (fuel - F); demand, supply, price and product application (P); storage and final disposal of the residue (R), including technological advances in the field of energy transformation equipment’s. The system proposed in this work is formed by a cycle of power generation and steam, corresponding to the traditional CGAM, which chooses the air compressor for the analysis. With the proposed methodology, it was established that the exergoeconomic factor and the constant B, n and m, are dependent on external factors and relate to a range in accordance with the functioning of the equipment or system and the investment restrictions provided by the decision-maker to improve the efficiency, quality of the resource, maintenance, etc. It was possible to reduce the error in the calculations from 45.4 to 2.5 per cent from the equations of integration of the system with its environment, applying non-conventional optimization methodologies whose purpose is to find robust solutions, with ample alternatives for decision-making.
The present study was planned to assess the harmful effects of heavy metals on the physiological/antioxidant statuses and histopathological alterations of African catfish, Clarias gareipinus collected from two polluted sites in River Nile, Egypt; El-Rayah El-Tawfeky (Industrial polluted site) and Moshtahr (Agricultural polluted site) as well as, El-Qanater El-Khayriyah (Reference site) during spring and summer 2015. Results revealed marked (P < 0.05) variations in cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) in water samples among sites. The overall pollution was ordered as agricultural polluted site, industrial polluted site, and reference site. Serum level of glucose, creatinine, urea, uric acid, as well as aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in fish collected from the two polluted sites especially in Moshtahr site during summer season compared to the reference site. On the other hand, serum levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, and A/G ratio were significantly lower during both seasons in fish collected from the two polluted sites compared to those of the reference site. Highest reduction in total proteins was more evident during summer in fish collected from Moshtahr site. However, fish tissues of both polluted sites exhibited a significant rise in lipid peroxidase (LPO) and reduced glutathione (GSH) values as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione S-transferase (GST), which were more obvious in Moshtahr site during summer than spring season. Histopathological examination of liver tissues of the collected fish from polluted sites showed vacuolar degeneration of the hepatocytes, haemorrhage, haemosidirin, and focal areas of necrosis compared to the fish from EL- Qanater El- Khayreya. The study indicates that the alterations in the biochemistry profile and antioxidant defense system of African catfish, C. gariepinus can be used as biomarkers of metal pollution for monitoring aquatic life.\n \n Keywords: Heavy metals; Biochemistry; Antioxidant biomarkers; Clarias gariepinus; Histopathology.
The aim of this work was to study the effect of R. irregularis inoculation (with and without) on the development of strawberry plants grown in high (8 mM) and low (1 mM) availability of N and in five different proportions of ammonium and nitrate (0:4, 1:3, 2:2, 3:1 and 4:0 respectively) in hydroponics conditions. An experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using strawberry plants cv \
Air particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters of 2.5 μm and less was collected from a location with heavy traffic in Taif City, Saudi Arabia. Samples were collected on polycarbonate filters 24 hours per week for one year covering the four seasons. The collected samples were extracted with dichloromethane and were tested for genotoxicity and cytotoxicity to cornea and lung cells. The cytotoxicity significantly increased in cells exposed to IC50 equivalent dose of air particulate, with drift in cell concentrations towards the S-phase and away from the G2/M phase. This drift could be concluded that cells exposed to the extracted to become quiescent after cell division, and, consequently, have a less regenerative ability. On the other hand, Notch-1 protein expression is not expressed. Similarly, keratin-3 expression in cornea cells is increased, but statistically insignificant. In contrast, expression of superoxide dismutase 1 was significantly increased in lung cells, but not in cornea cells. Aryl-hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 was also significantly induced except in cornea cells exposed to extracts of particulate matter collected in spring and summer. Finally, cytochrome P450 activity was significantly altered in both cell lines. Taken together, the data suggest that Taif City has possibly hazardous pollution, particularly during winter season.
Service differentiation is a basic business and marketing strategy, by which a company focuses on distinct differences in its offering to customers as the basis for establishing a competitive advantage. For e-service-oriented businesses, e-service providers can focus on service quality differentiation as a strategy to attract and retain more valuable customers. In this regard, prediction of the Quality of service (QoS) sensitive behavior of customers is an important issue which can greatly facilitate the formulation of QoS-aware offers. However, existing customer behavior prediction models are insufficient for supporting QoS-aware service delivery because they did not take into account QoS as a predictive feature. This paper proposes an approach to predict the customer interaction with e-commerce Websites which is considered service quality level. The aforementioned approach utilizes Time Delay Neural Network (TDNN) to obtain the customer behavior prediction model using preprocessed e-commerce server logs. The experimental results confirm that considering the QoS factor increases the prediction accuracy rate, especially in high QoS volatility situations.
To raise safety and practicality of structure, added damping type of damper and base isolation are proposed to protect slender soft structures. Especially, added damping type is suitable for high-rise building and wind-resistant structure. Nevertheless, “de-tuning effect” and large displacement are two defects of this kind damper. Therefore, a new semi-active mass damper, included active joint to control Lock/Unlock between the mass of damper and structure, is proposed in this study. Then, a ten floor shear building with traditional TMD and SAMD under excitation of near-fault and far-field earthquake records is simulated by numerical analysis to compare the shock absorption effects. Analysis and comparison results show that (1) For near-fault earthquake: shock absorption of roof displacement responses is 9.9 % and 15.8 % for structure with TMD and SAMD respectively. Root mean square roof displacement responses of shock absorption for structure with TMD and SAMD are 67.9% and 70.9 % respectively. For far-field earthquake: roof displacement responses reduction ratio is 52.7% and 62.1% for structure with TMD and SAMD respectively. Root mean square roof displacement responses of shock absorption for structure with TMD and SAMD are 55.7 % and 66.3 % respectively. (2) Structural responses of structure with this proposed SAMD are very low sensitivity to frequency ratio. Shock absorption ratio of the roof displacement responses for structure with SAMD under excitation of far-field earthquake is above 30%. Seismic proof efficiency of RMS displacment reposnes is above 60% for structure with SAMD under excitation of far-field earthquake. The seismic proof capability of this proposed SAMD for far-field earthquake is better than that of TMD.
Polyoxometalates are widely used as photocatalysts in organic chemistry to form C-C bond. Nevertheless, their thermal activation only has been reported in oxidation reactions, since this work presents the heptanal self-condensation under microwave irradiation using tetrabutylammonium decatungstate as catalyst. Besides, acetonitrile is widely used as solvent in chemical reactions, although its function as base has not been reported. According to the results acetonitrile not only acts as solvent, instead, it participates directly in the aldol condensation, therefore we performed a theoretical evaluation of n-heptanal self-condensation considering acetonitrile as base to confirm the experimental results.
The pharmacokinetics of marbofloxacin in healthy and Mycoplasma gallisepticum - experimentally infected broiler chickens was investigated after single intravenous (I.V.) and oral administrations at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight. Tissue residues of marbofloxacin in healthy chickens after three successive daily oral doses were also determined. Marbofloxacin concentrations were determined in Plasma and tissue by using high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma concentrations of marbofloxacin were significantly higher in healthy than in infected chickens. In healthy chickens, marbofloxacin was eliminated slower (t1/2?, 6.8 ± 0.34h) than in infected chickens (5.66±0.33 h).The mean residence time was 9.67±0.5 h in healthy vs 8.03±0.45 h in infected chickens. After oral administration the drug achieved its maximum plasma concentrations (Cmax) of 1.37±0.08 ?g/ml at maximum time (tmax) of 1.95±0.04 h in healthy and Cmax 0.95±0.02 ?g/ml at tmax of 2.08±0.05 in diseased chickens. In conclusion marbofloxacin at dose of 5 mg/kg administered intravenously or orally at 24 h intervals may provide successful treatment of chicken infected with Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Based on the tissue concentration in edible organs a 5 days withdrawal time is suggested.
Purpose: To evaluate the benefits from the dietary supplement of Chrysanthemum tea to relieve the signs of dry eye in animal model. \nMethods: A total of 66 male SD rats were enrolled in our studies in Sep 2017. In experiment 1 (n=6), we injected atropine solution (1 mg/kg) to the lacrimal glands of left eye and created the dry eye models. Moreover, we gained the associated baseline values. Furthermore, in experiment 2, after feeding with various concentrations of water extract of chrysanthemum, we began to assess the improvement of dry eye signs by using three parameters: the schirmer’s test score, tear break up time (BUT), and the grading of keroto-conjunctival staining. Moreover, we compared the effectiveness of different outcomes of treatments in the four various groups (n = 60; each group consisted of 15 SD rats). \nResults: In experiment 1, the dry eye animal models were set up after 7- day injection of atropine solution successfully. In experiment 2, the schirmer’s test score and tear BUT increased (P < 0.05) significantly after a 2-week treatment. Furthermore, the percentage of the severity of the kerato- conjunctival staining decreased significantly (P < 0.05). All the results were compatible with a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, polysaccharides, anthocyanins and carotenoids were also found in the extracts, which may play an important role in the mechanisms of dry eye induced by oxidative stress and inflammation. \nConclusion: This study is the first one to show the positive effect of chrysanthemum tea on the treatment of dry eye. However, the dietary exact concentrations and frequencies for human needs further exploration.
The present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of MSCs on lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT)-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Thirty adult male rats were divided into three groups: group I: normal control; group II: received LCT (1/10DL50 = 6.23 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)); group III: received LCT (6.23 mg/kg)+MSCs(1x106 cells/animal, intravenously (i.v.)). LCT elicited significant (p<0.001) declines in serum testosterone, proteins profile, testicular glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the anti-inflammatory cytokine; interleukin-10 (IL-10), whereas, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), lipid profile and pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor (TNF-?) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) levels were significantly (p<0.001) increased as compared to the control group. Light microscopic examination showed abnormal germ cells displaying nuclear pyknosis or karyolysis. Lacking of both spermatogenic cells and mature spermatozoa, hyalinization of the seminiferous tubules and congestion of the blood vessels were also observed. Ultrastructure changes confirmed the light microscope results. Compared to LCT-rats, LCT+MSCs-treated group showed significant improvement in the activity of all biochemical parameters and marked preservation in histological and ultrastructural configuration of the testis. It can be concluded that therapy with MSCs was effective in ameliorating LCT-induced testicular damage by improvement of testicular function and structure as well as male fertility.
This study proposes an economic and efficient model to automatically adjusting size of the smart transom window due to indoor environment factors. The factors caused by diverse data include aerosol, gas, and toxic air as well as basic information of temperature, humidity, and light. They can be collected through wireless sensor network (WSN) that is compliable with the ZigBee protocol. For the monitoring system, we remodeled environmental sensors with WSN motes while a WSN-based motor was installed on a stretchable rod that can actively control the transom window. The algorithm for driving WSN motor was established to evaluate sensor data and activate the actuator of motor. Based on the computation procedure in this approach, the model incorporates functionalities of listening to the serial port, operating with the control criteria, and activating the actuator. The motion of the rod contains eight modes for stepwise managing open size of the transom window. At the pilot study stage, the developed algorithm accomplished the design and simulation on practical transmission of diverse WSN packets and active control of the transom window. As the result, the prototype model is feasible to cooperate with managing the smart window system behind indoor environmental surveillance.
The application of New Public Governance by many countries has led to the creation of new management systems in public administration and the development of an effective accounting structure with efficient internal control to guarantee a proper provision of services that meet citizens\
The present study validates the conclusions drawn in the Spanish National Plan on Climate Change (1996) on the thermal evolution of the Mediterranean region over the period 1950–1996, rigorously treated by the SNHT (Standard Normal Homogeneity Test). In this context, it was considered judicious to verify twenty years later, in 2016, the validity of the trends obtained and conclusions drawn at the end of the 20th century (1996) regarding the regional climate. In this study, two analytical techniques were used: analysis of the regional temperature trend (1950–2016) and localised experimental verification (2001–2016). The territorial delimitation was intended to provide the thermal series used with greater spatial cohesion. The cohesion was further heightened by two factors. The first was the greater proximity to the experimentally investigated area (2001–2016) of the thermal processes inherent to the urbanisation effect. The second factor was that it included the coastal area facing the Columbretes Islands (28 miles off the coast of Castellón). The island climate series, analysed for the first time, entail a profound revision of the conclusions drawn to date. The conclusions entail, as noted, a profound revision of the trends indicated in our previous studies on the processes inherent to the region’s thermal evolution.
Abstract\nTitanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) are excessively used and represent one of the top five most commonly used nanoparticles worldwide. Recently, various studies referred to their toxic potential on various organs using different treatment route. The present study was carried out to evaluate the potential protective role of blackberry and selenium (Se) against (TiO2NPs)-induced oxidative stress and histological changes in liver and heart tissues of rats. Rats were divided into seven groups according to the treatment into control, Titanium dioxide treated group (TiO2NPs) (500 mg/kg b.w.), Black berry (Bb) treated group (1.6 g/kg body), Selenium (Se) (0.5 mg/kg;), (TiO2NPs)plus Bb and (TiO2NPs)plus Se and the last group treated with combination of (TiO2NPs) plus Bb and Se. All the Animals were treated orally for 30 successive days. (TiO2NPs) increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) activities and changed the levels of lipid profile as well as creatinine and uric acid levels. It marked decreased hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, antioxidant enzymes activities and increased the levels of lipid peroxidation, C-reactive protein and interleukins. Bb and Se prevented the (TiO2NPs)-induced liver and heart injury as indicated by improving all the parameters previously illustrated. Histopathological results confirm the biochemical finding and the ameliorating effect of both Bb and Se on liver toxicities and heart failure. In conclusion, co-treatment of either Bb and Se possessed different protective mechanisms against (TiO2NPs)-induced liver toxicity and heart damage. So, the intake of (TiO2NPs) should be restricted due to it\'s increased toxicity.
