Abstract: In this article, we propose a new surgical device for
circumferentially excision of high anal fistulas in a minimally
invasive manner. The new apparatus works on the basis of axially
rotating and moving a tubular blade along a fistulous tract
straightened using a rigid straight guidewire. As the blade moves
along the tract, its sharp circular cutting edge circumferentially
separates approximately 2.25 mm thickness of tract encircling the
rigid guidewire. We used the new set to excise two anal fistulas in a
62-year-old male patient, an extrasphincteric type and a long tract
with no internal opening. With regard to the results of this test, the
new device can be considered as a sphincter preserving mechanism
for treatment of high anal fistulas. Consequently, a major reduction
in the risk of fecal incontinence, recurrence rate, convalescence
period and patient morbidity may be achieved using the new device
for treatment of fistula-in-ano.
Abstract: This study was conducted to determine the
objectivity, reliability and validity of the 90º push-ups test protocol
among male and female students of Sports Science Program, Faculty
of Sports Science and Coaching Sultan Idris University of Education.
Samples (n = 300), consisted of males (n = 168) and females (n =
132) students were randomly selected for this study. Researchers
tested the 90º push-ups on the sample twice in a single trial, test and
re-test protocol in the bench press test. Pearson-Product Moment
Correlation method's was used to determine the value of objectivity,
reliability and validity testing. The findings showed that the 900 pushups
test protocol showed high consistency between the two testers
with a value of r = .99. Likewise, The reliability value between test
and re-test for the 90º push-ups test for the male (r=.93) and female
(r=.93) students was also high. The results showed a correlation
between 90º push-ups test and bench press test for boys was r = .64
and girls was r = .28. This finding indicates that the use of the 90º
push-ups to test muscular strength and endurance in the upper body
of males has a higher validity values than female students.
Abstract: Groundlessness of application probability-statistic methods are especially shown at an early stage of the aviation GTE technical condition diagnosing, when the volume of the information has property of the fuzzy, limitations, uncertainty and efficiency of application of new technology Soft computing at these diagnosing stages by using the fuzzy logic and neural networks methods. It is made training with high accuracy of multiple linear and nonlinear models (the regression equations) received on the statistical fuzzy data basis. At the information sufficiency it is offered to use recurrent algorithm of aviation GTE technical condition identification on measurements of input and output parameters of the multiple linear and nonlinear generalized models at presence of noise measured (the new recursive least squares method (LSM)). As application of the given technique the estimation of the new operating aviation engine D30KU-154 technical condition at height H=10600 m was made.
Abstract: Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) account for an estimated 25-40% nosocomial infection, out of which 90% are associated with urinary catheter, called Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). The microbial populations within CAUTI frequently develop as biofilms. In the present study, microbial contamination of indwelling urinary catheters was investigated. Biofilm forming ability of the isolates was determined by tissue culture plate method. Prevention of biofilm formation in the urinary catheter by Pseudomonas aeruginosa was also determined by coating the catheter with some enzymes, gentamycin and EDTA. It was found that 64% of the urinary catheters get contaminated during the course of catheterization. Of the total 6 isolates, biofilm formation was seen in 100% Pseudomonas aeruginosa and E. coli, 90% in Enterococci, 80% in Klebsiella and 66% in S. aureus. It was noted that the biofilm production by Pseudomonas was prolonged by 7 days in amylase, 8 days in protease, 6 days in lysozyme, 7days in gentamycin and 5 days in EDTA treated catheter.
Abstract: The mechanical properties of granular solids are
dependent on the flow of stresses from one particle to another
through inter-particle contact. Although some experimental methods
have been used to study the inter-particle contacts in the past,
preliminary work with these techniques indicated that they do not
have the necessary resolution to distinguish between those contacts
that transmit the load and those that do not, especially for systems
with a wide distribution of particle sizes. In this research, computer
simulations are used to study the nature and distribution of contacts
in a compact with wide particle size distribution, representative of
aggregate size distribution used in asphalt pavement construction.
The packing fraction, the mean number of contacts and the
distribution of contacts were studied for different scenarios. A
methodology to distinguish and compute the fraction of load-bearing
particles and the fraction of space-filling particles (particles that do
not transmit any force) is needed for further investigation.
Abstract: Proximate (moisture, protein, total fat, total ash) and mineral (K, P, Na, Mg, Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu and Mn) composition of chicken giblets (heart, liver and gizzard) were investigated. Phosphorous content, as well as proximate composition, were determined according to recommended ISO methods. The content of all elements, except phosphorus, of the giblets tissues were determined using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), after dry ashing mineralization. Regarding proximate composition heart was the highest in total fat content, and the lowest in protein content. Liver was the highest in protein and total ash content, while gizzard was the highest in moisture and the lowest in total fat content. Regarding mineral composition liver was the highest for K, P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn, while heart was the highest for Na content. The contents of almost all investigated minerals in analysed giblets tissues of chickens from Vojvodina were similar to values reported in the literature, i.e. in national food composition databases of other countries.
Abstract: Multi-loop (De-centralized) Proportional-Integral-
Derivative (PID) controllers have been used extensively in process
industries due to their simple structure for control of multivariable
processes. The objective of this work is to design multiple-model
adaptive multi-loop PID strategy (Multiple Model Adaptive-PID)
and neural network based multi-loop PID strategy (Neural Net
Adaptive-PID) for the control of multivariable system. The first
method combines the output of multiple linear PID controllers,
each describing process dynamics at a specific level of operation.
The global output is an interpolation of the individual multi-loop
PID controller outputs weighted based on the current value of the
measured process variable. In the second method, neural network
is used to calculate the PID controller parameters based on the
scheduling variable that corresponds to major shift in the process
dynamics. The proposed control schemes are simple in structure with
less computational complexity. The effectiveness of the proposed
control schemes have been demonstrated on the CSTR process,
which exhibits dynamic non-linearity.
Abstract: Information theory and Statistics play an important role in Biological Sciences when we use information measures for the study of diversity and equitability. In this communication, we develop the link among the three disciplines and prove that sampling distributions can be used to develop new information measures. Our study will be an interdisciplinary and will find its applications in Biological systems.
Abstract: In this paper, gate leakage current has been mitigated
by the use of novel nanoscale MOSFET with Source/Drain-to-Gate
Non-overlapped and high-k spacer structure for the first time. A
compact analytical model has been developed to study the gate
leakage behaviour of proposed MOSFET structure. The result
obtained has found good agreement with the Sentaurus Simulation.
Fringing gate electric field through the dielectric spacer induces
inversion layer in the non-overlap region to act as extended S/D
region. It is found that optimal Source/Drain-to-Gate Non-overlapped
and high-k spacer structure has reduced the gate leakage current to
great extent as compared to those of an overlapped structure. Further,
the proposed structure had improved off current, subthreshold slope
and DIBL characteristic. It is concluded that this structure solves the
problem of high leakage current without introducing the extra series
resistance.
Abstract: Estimation of stormwater pollutants is a pre-requisite
for the protection and improvement of the aquatic environment and
for appropriate management options. The usual practice for the
stormwater quality prediction is performed through water quality
modeling. However, the accuracy of the prediction by the models
depends on the proper estimation of model parameters. This paper
presents the estimation of model parameters for a catchment water
quality model developed for the continuous simulation of stormwater
pollutants from a catchment to the catchment outlet. The model is
capable of simulating the accumulation and transportation of the
stormwater pollutants; suspended solids (SS), total nitrogen (TN) and
total phosphorus (TP) from a particular catchment. Rainfall and water
quality data were collected for the Hotham Creek Catchment (HTCC),
Gold Coast, Australia. Runoff calculations from the developed model
were compared with the calculated discharges from the widely used
hydrological models, WBNM and DRAINS. Based on the measured
water quality data, model water quality parameters were calibrated
for the above-mentioned catchment. The calibrated parameters are
expected to be helpful for the best management practices (BMPs)
of the region. Sensitivity analyses of the estimated parameters were
performed to assess the impacts of the model parameters on overall
model estimations of runoff water quality.
Abstract: The present paper reports results of an experimental
program conducted to study performance of fly ash based
geopolymer pastes at elevated temperature. Three series of
geopolymer pastes differing in Na2O content (8.5%, 10% and 11.5%)
were manufactured by activating low calcium fly ash with a mixture
of sodium hydroxide and sodium silicate solution. The paste
specimens were subjected to temperatures as high as 900oC and the
behaviour at elevated temperatures were investigated on the basis of
physical appearance, weight losses, residual strength, shrinkage
measurements and sorptivity tests at different temperatures. Scanning
electron microscopy along with EDX and XRD tests were also
conducted to examine microstructure and mineralogical changes
during the thermal exposure. Specimens which were initially grey
turned reddish accompanied by appearance of small cracks as the
temperature increased to 900oC. Loss of weight was more in
specimens manufactured with highest Na2O content. Geopolymer
paste specimen containing minimum Na2O performed better than
those with higher Na2O content in terms of residual compressive
strength.
Abstract: The present research was focused to investigate the
role of investment in the course of economic growth with reference to
Pakistan. The study analyzed the role of the public and private
investment and impact of the political and macroeconomic
uncertainty on economic growth of Pakistan by using the vector
autoregressive approach (VAR). In long-run both public and private
investment showed a positive impact on economic growth but the
growth was largely driven by private investment as compared to
public investment. Government consumption expenditure, economic
uncertainty and political instability hampered the economic growth of
Pakistan. In short-run the private investment positively influences the
growth but there was negative and insignificant effect of the public
investment and government consumption expenditure on the growth.
There was a positive relationship found between economic
uncertainty (proxy for inflation) and GDP in short run.
Abstract: Identifying and classifying intersections according to
severity is very important for implementation of safety related
counter measures and effective models are needed to compare and
assess the severity. Highway safety organizations have considered
intersection safety among their priorities. In spite of significant
advances in highways safety, the large numbers of crashes with high
severities still occur in the highways. Investigation of influential
factors on crashes enables engineers to carry out calculations in order
to reduce crash severity. Previous studies lacked a model capable of
simultaneous illustration of the influence of human factors, road,
vehicle, weather conditions and traffic features including traffic
volume and flow speed on the crash severity. Thus, this paper is
aimed at developing the models to illustrate the simultaneous
influence of these variables on the crash severity in urban highways.
The models represented in this study have been developed using
binary Logit Models. SPSS software has been used to calibrate the
models. It must be mentioned that backward regression method in
SPSS was used to identify the significant variables in the model.
Consider to obtained results it can be concluded that the main
factor in increasing of crash severity in urban highways are driver
age, movement with reverse gear, technical defect of the vehicle,
vehicle collision with motorcycle and bicycle, bridge, frontal impact
collisions, frontal-lateral collisions and multi-vehicle crashes in
urban highways which always increase the crash severity in urban
highways.
Abstract: Direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis (SE) from
petiole and leaf explants of Scaevola aemula R. Br. cv. 'Purple
Fanfare' was achieved. High frequency of somatic embryos was
obtained directly from petiole and leaf explants using an inductive
plant growth regulator signal thidiazuron (TDZ). Petiole explants
were more responsive to SE than leaves. Plants derived from somatic
embryos of petiole explants germinated more readily into plants. SE
occurred more efficiently in half-strength Murashige and Skoog
(MS) medium than in full-strength MS medium. Non-embryogenic
callus induced by 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid was used to
investigate the feasibility of obtaining SE with TDZ as a secondary
inductive plant growth regulator (PGR) signal. Non-embryogenic
callus of S. aemula was able to convert into an “embryogenic
competent mode" with PGR signal. Protocol developed for induction
of direct and indirect somatic embryogenesis in S. aemula can
improve the large scale propagation system of the plant in future.
Abstract: We describe a work with an evolutionary computing
algorithm for non photo–realistic rendering of a target image. The
renderings are produced by genetic programming. We have used two
different types of strokes: “empty triangle" and “filled triangle" in
color level. We compare both empty and filled triangular strokes to
find which one generates more aesthetic pleasing images. We found
the filled triangular strokes have better fitness and generate more
aesthetic images than empty triangular strokes.
Abstract: spherical porous carbon particles with
controllable porosity with a mean size of 2.5m have been
prepared using a spray drying method with organic particle
colloidal template. As a precursor, a mixing solution of carbon
nanopowder and polystyrene (PS) particles as a template was
used. The result showed that the particles with a good porous
structure could be obtained. The pore size and shape (spherical)
were identical to the initial template, giving a potential way for
further developments. The control of particle porosity was also
possible and reported in this paper, in which this control could
be achieved by means of PS concentration.
Abstract: To estimate the risks of dam failure phenomenon, it is necessary to understand this phenomenon and the involved governing factors. Overtopping and piping are the two main reasons of earthdam failures. In the piping context, the piping is determined as a phenomenon which is occurred between two phases, the water liquid and the solid soil. In this investigation, the onset of piping and its development, as well as the movement of water in soil, are numerically approached. In this regard, a one-dimensional numerical model based on the mass-conserving finite-volume method is developed and applied in order to simulate the piping phenomenon in a continuous circular tunnel of given initial length and radius, located between upstream and downstream. The simulation result includes the time-variations of radius along the tunnel until the radius value reaches its critical and the piping phenomenon converts to overtopping.
Abstract: The present study was designed to demonstrate the seasonal variations in physico-chemical parameters of fish farm at Govt. Nursery Unit, Muzaffargarh, Department of Fisheries Govt. of Punjab, Pakistan for a period of eight months from January to August 2008. Water samples were collected on fifteen days basis and have been analyzed for estimation of Air temperature, Water temperature, Light penetration, pH, Total dissolved oxygen, Clouds, Carbonates, Bicarbonates, Total carbonates, Total dissolved solids, Chlorides, Calcium and Hardness. Seasonal fluctuations were observed in all the physico-chemical parameters of fish farm. The overall physicochemical parameters of fish pond water remained within the tolerable range throughout the study period.
Abstract: Using 1km grid datasets representing monthly mean
precipitation, monthly mean temperature, and dry matter production
(DMP), we considered the regional plant production ability in
Southeast and South Asia, and also employed pixel-by-pixel
correlation analysis to assess the intensity of relation between climate
factors and plant production. While annual DMP in South Asia was
approximately less than 2,000kg, the one in most part of Southeast
Asia exceeded 2,500 - 3,000kg. It suggested that plant production in
Southeast Asia was superior to South Asia, however, Rain-Use
Efficiency (RUE) representing dry matter production per 1mm
precipitation showed that inland of Indochina Peninsula and India
were higher than islands in Southeast Asia. By the results of
correlation analysis between climate factors and DMP, while the area
in most parts of Indochina Peninsula indicated negative correlation
coefficients between DMP and precipitation or temperature, the area
in Malay Peninsula and islands showed negative correlation to
precipitation and positive one to temperature, and most part of India
dominating South Asia showed positive to precipitation and negative
to temperature. In addition, the areas where the correlation coefficients
exceeded |0.8| were regarded as “susceptible" to climate factors, and
the areas smaller than |0.2| were “insusceptible". By following the
discrimination, the map implying expected impacts by climate change
was provided.
Abstract: This paper gives an introduction to Web mining, then
describes Web Structure mining in detail, and explores the data
structure used by the Web. This paper also explores different Page
Rank algorithms and compare those algorithms used for Information
Retrieval. In Web Mining, the basics of Web mining and the Web
mining categories are explained. Different Page Rank based
algorithms like PageRank (PR), WPR (Weighted PageRank), HITS
(Hyperlink-Induced Topic Search), DistanceRank and DirichletRank
algorithms are discussed and compared. PageRanks are calculated for
PageRank and Weighted PageRank algorithms for a given hyperlink
structure. Simulation Program is developed for PageRank algorithm
because PageRank is the only ranking algorithm implemented in the
search engine (Google). The outputs are shown in a table and chart
format.