Abstract: Liver disorders are one of the major problems of the
world. Despite its frequent occurrence, high morbidity and high
mortality, its medical management is currently inadequate. This study
was designed to evaluate the hepatoprotective effect of saponin
extract of the root of Garcinia kola on the integrity of the liver of
paracetamol induced wistar albino rats. Twenty five (25) male adult
wistar albino rats were divided into five (5) groups. Group I was the
Control group that received distilled water only, group II was the
negative control that received 2 g/kg of paracetamol on the 13th day,
and group III, IV and V were pre-treated with 100, 200 and
400mg/kg of the saponin extract before inducing the liver damage on
the 13th day with 2 g/kg of paracetamol. Twenty four (24) h after
administration, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were
collected. The serum Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate
Transaminase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) activities,
Bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin, glucose and protein
concentrations were evaluated. The liver was fixed immediately in
Formalin and was processed and stained in Haematoxylin and Eosin
(H&E). Administration of saponin extract from the root of Garcinia
kola significantly decreased paracetamol induced elevated enzymes
in the test group. Also histological observations showed that saponin
extract of the root of Garcinia kola exhibited a significant liver
protection against the toxicant as evident by the cells trying to return
to normal. Saponin extract from the root of Garcinia kola indicated a
protection of structural integrity of the hepatocytic cell membrane
and regeneration of the damaged liver.
Abstract: The present study was done to evaluate the presence
of tetracycline resistance genes in Lactococcus garvieae isolated
from cultured rainbow trout, West Iran. The isolates were examined
for antimicrobial resistance using disc diffusion method. Of the 49
strains tested, 19 were resistant to tetracycline (38.7%), 32 to
enrofloxacin (65.3%), 21 to erythromycin (42.8%), 20 to
chloramphenicol and trimetoprim-sulfamethoxazole (40.8%). The
strains were then characterized for their genotypic resistance profiles.
The results revealed that all 49 isolates contained at least one of the
tetracycline resistance genes. Tet (A) was found in 89.4% of
tetracycline resistant isolates and the frequency of other gene were as
follows: tet (E) 42.1%, tet (B) 47.3%, tet (D) 15.7%, tet (L) 26.3%,
tet (K) 52.6%, tet (G) 36.8%, tet (34) 21%, tet (S) 63.1%, tet (C)
57.8%, tet (M) 73.6%, tet (O) 42.1%. The results revealed high levels
of antibiotic resistance in L. garvieae strains which is a potential
danger for trout culture as well as for public health.
Abstract: In order to better understand the long term
implications of the grout wear failure mode in large-diameter plainsided
grouted connections, a numerical model has been developed
and calibrated that can take advantage of existing operational plant
data to predict the wear accumulation for the actual load conditions
experienced over a given period, thus limiting the requirement for
expensive monitoring systems. This model has been derived and
calibrated based on site structural condition monitoring (SCM) data
and supervisory control and data acquisition systems (SCADA) data
for two operational wind turbine generator substructures afflicted
with this challenge, along with experimentally derived wear rates.
Abstract: Rotary draw bending is a method which is being used
in tube forming. In the tube bending process, the neutral axis moves
towards the inner arc and the wall thickness distribution changes for
tube’s cross section. Thinning takes place in the outer arc of the tube
(extrados) due to the stretching of the material, whereas thickening
occurs in the inner arc of the tube (intrados) due to the comparison of
the material. The calculations of the wall thickness distribution,
neutral axis shifting, and strain distribution have not been accurate
enough, so far. The previous model (the geometrical model)
describes the neutral axis shifting and wall thickness distribution. The
geometrical of the tube, bending radius and bending angle are
considered in the geometrical model, while the influence of the
material properties of the tube forming are ignored. The advanced
model is a modification of the previous model using material
properties that depends on the correction factor. The correction factor
is a purely empirically determined factor. The advanced model was
compared with the Finite element simulation (FE simulation) using a
different bending factor (Bf =bending radius/ diameter of the tube),
wall thickness (Wf = diameter of the tube/ wall thickness), and
material properties (strain hardening exponent). Finite element model
of rotary draw bending has been performed in PAM-TUBE program
(version: 2012). Results from the advanced model resemble the FE
simulation and the experimental test.
Abstract: It is widely believed that mobile device is a promising technology for lending the opportunity for the third wave of electronic commerce. Mobile devices have changed the way companies do business. Many applications are under development or being incorporated into business processes. In this day, mobile applications are a vital component of any industry strategy.One of the greatest benefits of selling merchandise and providing services on a mobile application is that it widens a company’s customer base significantly.Mobile applications are accessible to interested customers across regional and international borders in different electronic business (e-business) area. But there is a dark side to this success story. The security risks associated with mobile devices and applications are very significant. This paper introduces a broad risk analysis for the various threats, vulnerabilities, and risks in mobile e-business applications and presents some important risk mitigation approaches. It reviews and compares two different frameworks for security assurance in mobile e-business applications. Based on the comparison, the paper suggests some recommendations for applications developers and business owners in mobile e-business application development process.
Abstract: In this study a ternary system containing sodium
chloride as solute, water as primary solvent and ethanol as the
antisolvent was considered to investigate the application of artificial
neural network (ANN) in prediction of sodium solubility in the
mixture of water as the solvent and ethanol as the antisolvent. The
system was previously studied using by Extended UNIQUAC model
by the authors of this study. The comparison between the results of
the two models shows an excellent agreement between them
(R2=0.99), and also approves the capability of ANN to predict the
thermodynamic behavior of ternary electrolyte systems which are
difficult to model.
Abstract: This paper presents analysis and design of a wideband
Wilkinson power divider for wireless applications. The design is
accomplished by transforming the lengths and impedances of the
quarter wavelength sections of the conventional Wilkinson power
divider into U-shaped sections. The designed power divider is
simulated by using ADS Agilent technologies and CST microwave
studio software. It is shown that the proposed power divider has
simple topology and good performances in terms of insertion loss,
port matching and isolation at all operating frequencies (1.8 GHz,
2.45 GHz and 3.55 GHz).
Abstract: A thermosyphon system is a heat transfer loop which
operates on the basis of gravity and buoyancy forces. It guarantees a
good reliability and low maintenance cost as it does not involve any
mechanical pump. Therefore, it can be used in many industrial
applications such as refrigeration and air conditioning, electronic
cooling, nuclear reactors, geothermal heat extraction, etc. But flow
instabilities and loop configuration are the major problems in this
system. Several previous researchers studied that stabilities can be
suppressed by using nanofluids as loop fluid. In the present study a
rectangular thermosyphon loop with end heat exchangers are
considered for the study. This configuration is more appropriate for
many practical applications such as solar water heater, geothermal
heat extraction, etc. In the present work, steady-state analysis is
carried out on thermosyphon loop with parallel flow coaxial heat
exchangers at heat source and heat sink. In this loop nanofluid is
considered as the loop fluid and water is considered as the external
fluid in both hot and cold heat exchangers. For this analysis onedimensional
homogeneous model is developed. In this model,
conservation equations like conservation of mass, momentum, energy
are discretized using finite difference method. A computer code is
written in MATLAB to simulate the flow in thermosyphon loop. A
comparison in terms of heat transfer is made between water and
nanofluid as working fluids in the loop.
Abstract: The transition period of Kosovo society brought
fundamental changes in all the spheres of organizing life. This was
the period when also in the cultural tradition the biggest movement
and an emerging from ‘isolation’ or from the ‘shell’ occurred.
Transformation of the traditional and embracing of the modern began
here. The same was experienced and is currently being experienced
also by Gjakova and its surrounding which is historically renowned
for its great tradition and culture.
The population of this region is actually facing a transition from
the traditional system into the modern one and quite often with huge
leaps.
These ‘movements’ or ‘evolutions’ of the society of this region,
besides the numerous positive things it ‘harvested’, also brought
things that do not at all correspond with their tradition as well as new
criminal occurrences which in the past were not present in this area.
Furthermore, some of the ‘new’ behaviors that are embraced from
other ‘cultures’ and ‘civilizations’, and which are often exceeded, are
quite perturbing. The security situation is also worrying, particularly
following the appearance of some new criminal occurrences.
Therefore, with this research paper we will strive to analyze the
new cultural “intersections” as well as the nature of the origin of
some new very worrying criminal occurrences. We will present there
also some factors inciting into these occurrences, which were
confessed by the persons involved in these criminal occurrences and
who come from this very region.
Abstract: In this paper a new algorithm to generate random
simple polygons from a given set of points in a two dimensional
plane is designed. The proposed algorithm uses a genetic algorithm to
generate polygons with few vertices. A new merge algorithm is
presented which converts any two polygons into a simple polygon.
This algorithm at first changes two polygons into a polygonal chain
and then the polygonal chain is converted into a simple polygon. The
process of converting a polygonal chain into a simple polygon is
based on the removal of intersecting edges. The experiments results
show that the proposed algorithm has the ability to generate a great
number of different simple polygons and has better performance in
comparison to celebrated algorithms such as space partitioning and
steady growth.
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine gas transport
behavior of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) combined with
porous particles. Main existing models are categorized in two main
groups; two-phase (ideal contact) and three-phase (non-ideal contact).
A new coefficient, J, was obtained to express equations for estimating
effect of the particle porosity in two-phase and three-phase models.
Modified models evaluates with existing models and experimental
data using Matlab software. Comparison of gas permeability of
proposed modified models with existing models in different MMMs
shows a better prediction of gas permeability in MMMs.
Abstract: Examining existing experimental results for shallow
rigid foundations subjected to vertical centric load (N), accompanied
or not with a bending moment (M), two main non-linear mechanisms
governing the cyclic response of the soil-foundation system can be
distinguished: foundation uplift and soil yielding. A soil-foundation
failure limit, is defined as a domain of resistance in the two
dimensional (2D) load space (N, M) inside of which lie all the
admissible combinations of loads; these latter correspond to a pure
elastic, non-linear elastic or plastic behavior of the soil-foundation
system, while the points lying on the failure limit correspond to a
combination of loads leading to a failure of the soil-foundation
system. In this study, the proposed resistance domain is constructed
analytically based on mechanics. Original elastic limit, uplift
initiation limit and iso-uplift limits are constructed inside this
domain. These limits give a prediction of the mechanisms activated
for each combination of loads applied to the foundation. A
comparison of the proposed failure limit with experimental tests
existing in the literature shows interesting results. Also, the
developed uplift initiation limit and iso-uplift curves are confronted
with others already proposed in the literature and widely used due to
the absence of other alternatives, and remarkable differences are
noted, showing evident errors in the past proposals and relevant
accuracy for those given in the present work.
Abstract: Proof of controlling crack width is a basic condition
for securing suitable performance in serviceability limit state. The
cracking in concrete can occur at any time from the casting of time to
the years after the concrete has been set in place. Most codes struggle
with offering procedure for crack width calculation. There is lack in
availability of design charts for designers to compute crack width
with ease. The focus of the study is to utilize design charts and
parametric equations in calculating crack width with minimum error.
The paper contains a simplified procedure to calculate crack width
for reinforced concrete (RC) sections subjected to bending with axial
tensile force following the guidelines of Euro code [DS EN-1992-1-1
& DS EN-1992-1-2]. Numerical examples demonstrate the
application of the suggested procedure. Comparison with parallel
analytical tools supports the validity of result and show the
percentage deviation of crack width in both the procedures. The
technique is simple, user friendly and ready to evolve for a greater
spectrum of section sizes and materials.
Abstract: Electric vehicles are one of the most complicated
electric devices to simulate due to the significant number of different
processes involved in electrical structure of it. There are concurrent
processes of energy consumption and generation with different
onboard systems, which make simulation tasks more complicated to
perform. More accurate simulation on energy consumption can
provide a better understanding of all energy management for electric
transport. As a result of all those processes, electric transport can
allow for a more sustainable future and become more convenient in
relation to the distance range and recharging time. This paper
discusses the problems of energy consumption simulations for
electric vehicles using different software packages to provide ideas
on how to make this process more precise, which can help engineers
create better energy management strategies for electric vehicles.
Abstract: Presently, engine cooling pump is driven by toothed
belt. Therefore, the pump speed is dependent on engine speed which
varies their output. At normal engine operating conditions (Higher
RPM and low load, Higher RPM and high load), mechanical water
pumps in existing engines are inevitably oversized and so the use of
an electric water pump together with state-of-the-art thermal
management of the combustion engine has measurable advantages.
Demand-driven cooling, particularly in the cold-start phase, saves
fuel (approx 3 percent) and leads to a corresponding reduction in
emissions. The lack of dependence on a mechanical drive also results
in considerable flexibility in component packaging within the engine
compartment. This paper describes the testing and comparison of
existing mechanical water pump with that of the electric water pump.
When the existing mechanical water pump is replaced with the new
electric water pump the percentage gain in system efficiency is also
discussed.
Abstract: The Roma (Gypsies) is a transnational minority with a
high degree of consanguineous marriages. Similar to other
genetically isolated founder populations, the Roma harbor a number
of unique or rare genetic disorders. This paper discusses about a rare
form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease – type 4G (CMT4G), also
called Hereditary Motor and Sensory Neuropathy type Russe, an
autosomal recessive disease caused by mutation private to Roma
characterized by abnormally increased density of non-myelinated
axons. CMT4G was originally found in Bulgarian Roma and in 2009
two putative causative mutations in the HK1 gene were identified.
Since then, several cases were reported in Roma families mainly
from Bulgaria and Spain. Here we present a Slovak Roma family in
which CMT4G was diagnosed on the basis of clinical examination
and genetic testing. This case is a further proof of the role of the HK1
gene in pathogenesis of the disease. It confirms that mutation in the
HK1 gene is a common cause of autosomal recessive CMT disease in
Roma and should be considered as a common part of a diagnostic
procedure.
Abstract: Monoamine oxidase A gene (MAOA) is suggested to
be a candidate gene implicated in many neuropsychiatric disorders,
including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This meta-analytic review
evaluates the relationship between ASD and MAOA markers such as
30 bp variable number tandem repeats in the promoter region
(uVNTR) and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by using
findings from recently published studies. It seems that in Caucasian
males, the risk of developing ASD increase with the presence of 4-
repeat allele in the promoter region of MAOA gene whereas no
differences were found between autistic patients and controls in
Egyptian, West Bengal and Korean population. Some studies point to
the importance of specific haplotype groups of SNPs and interaction
of MAOA with others genes (e. g. FOXP2 or SRY). The results of
existing studies are insufficient and further research is needed.
Abstract: It is difficult to study the effect of various variables on
cycle fitting through actual experiment. To overcome such difficulty,
the forward dynamics of a musculoskeletal model was applied to cycle
fitting in this study. The measured EMG data weres compared with the
muscle activities of the musculoskeletal model through forward
dynamics. EMG data were measured from five cyclists who do not
have musculoskeletal diseases during three minutes pedaling with a
constant load (150 W) and cadence (90 RPM). The muscles used for
the analysis were the Vastus Lateralis (VL), Tibialis Anterior (TA),
Bicep Femoris (BF), and Gastrocnemius Medial (GM). Person’s
correlation coefficients of the muscle activity patterns, the peak timing
of the maximum muscle activities, and the total muscle activities were
calculated and compared. BIKE3D model of AnyBody (Anybodytech,
Denmark) was used for the musculoskeletal model simulation. The
comparisons of the actual experiments with the simulation results
showed significant correlations in the muscle activity patterns (VL:
0.789, TA: 0.503, BF: 0.468, GM: 0.670). The peak timings of the
maximum muscle activities were distributed at particular phases. The
total muscle activities were compared with the normalized muscle
activities, and the comparison showed about 10% difference in the VL
(+10%), TA (+9.7%), and BF (+10%), excluding the GM (+29.4%).
Thus, it can be concluded that muscle activities of model &
experiment showed similar results. The results of this study indicated
that it was possible to apply the simulation of further improved
musculoskeletal model to cycle fitting.
Abstract: This paper identifies limitations of existing two e-
Governance services viz. railway ticket booking and passport service
in India. The comparison has been made as to how in the past these
two citizen services were operating manually and how these services
are taken online via e-Governance. Different e-Governance projects,
investment aspects, and role of corporate are discussed. For Indian
Railway online ticketing a comparison has been made between state
run booking website and popular private firm run booking websites.
For passport service, observations through personal visit to passport
center is described. Suggestions are made to improve these services
further to improve citizen service experiences.
Abstract: We have developed a new computer program in
Fortran 90, in order to obtain numerical solutions of a system
of Relativistic Magnetohydrodynamics partial differential equations
with predetermined gravitation (GRMHD), capable of simulating
the formation of relativistic jets from the accretion disk of matter
up to his ejection. Initially we carried out a study on numerical
methods of unidimensional Finite Volume, namely Lax-Friedrichs,
Lax-Wendroff, Nessyahu-Tadmor method and Godunov methods
dependent on Riemann problems, applied to equations Euler in
order to verify their main features and make comparisons among
those methods. It was then implemented the method of Finite
Volume Centered of Nessyahu-Tadmor, a numerical schemes that
has a formulation free and without dimensional separation of
Riemann problem solvers, even in two or more spatial dimensions,
at this point, already applied in equations GRMHD. Finally, the
Nessyahu-Tadmor method was possible to obtain stable numerical
solutions - without spurious oscillations or excessive dissipation -
from the magnetized accretion disk process in rotation with respect
to a central black hole (BH) Schwarzschild and immersed in a
magnetosphere, for the ejection of matter in the form of jet over a
distance of fourteen times the radius of the BH, a record in terms
of astrophysical simulation of this kind. Also in our simulations,
we managed to get substructures jets. A great advantage obtained
was that, with the our code, we got simulate GRMHD equations in
a simple personal computer.