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Abstract This research designed a distribution-free mixed exponentially weighted moving average-moving average (EWMA-MA) control chart based on signed-rank statistic to effectively identify changes in the process location. The EWMA-MA charting statistic assigns more weight to information obtained from the recent $$w$$ w samples and exponentially decreasing weights to information accumulated from all other past samples. The run-length profile of the proposed chart is obtained by employing Monte Carlo simulation techniques. The effectiveness of the proposed chart is evaluated under symmetrical distributions using a variety of individual and overall performance measures. The analysis of the run-length profile indicates that the proposed chart performs better than the existing control charts discussed in the literature. Additionally, an application from a gas turbine is provided to demonstrate how the proposed chart can be used in practice.

This study aims to develop a nonparametric mixed exponentially weighted moving average-moving average (NPEWMA-MA) sign control chart for monitoring shifts in process location, particularly when the distribution of a critical quality characteristic is either unknown or non-normal. In literature, the variance expression of the mixed exponentially weighted moving average-moving average (EWMA-MA) statistic is calculated by allowing sequential moving averages to be independent, and thus the exclusion of covariance terms results in an inaccurate variance expression. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the EWMA-MA control chart deteriorates when the distribution of a critical quality characteristic deviates from normality. The proposed NPEWMA-MA sign control chart addresses these by utilizing the corrected variance of the EWMA-MA statistic and incorporating the nonparametric sign test into the EWMA-MA charting structure. The chart integrates the moving average (MA) statistic into the exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) statistic. The EWMA-MA charting statistic assigns more weight to recent w samples, with weights for previous observations decling exponentially. Monte Carlo simulations assess the chart's performance using various run length (RL) characteristics such as average run length (ARL), standard deviation of run length (SDRL), and median run length (MRL). Additional measures for overall performance include the average extra quadratic loss (AEQL) and relative mean index (RMI). The proposed NPEWMA-MA sign control chart demonstrates superior performance compared to existing nonparametric control charts across different symmetrical and asymmetric distributions. It efficiently detects process shifts, as validated through both a simulated study and a real-life example from a combined cycle power plant.

1,4-alpha-D-glucan glucanohydrolase is among the most widely used commercial hydrolytic enzymes acting randomly on the glycosidic linkages of starch resulting in its saccharification and liquefaction. Its applicability in different industries can be improved by enhancing its stability and reusability. Therefore, in the present study attempts have been made to enhance the industrial applicability of 1,4-alpha-D-glucan glucanohydrolase from Bacillus subtilis KIBGE-HAR by adapting immobilization technology. The study developed mechanically stable, enzyme containing gel-frameworks using two support matrices including agar-agar, a natural polysaccharide and polyacrylamide gel, a synthetic organic polymer. These catalytic gel-scaffolds were compared with each other in terms of kinetics and stability of entrapped 1,4-α-D-glucan glucanohydrolase. In case of polyacrylamide gel, Km value for immobilized enzyme increased to 7.95 mg/mL, while immobilization in agar-agar resulted in decreased Km value i.e 0.277 mg/mL as compared to free enzyme. It was found that immobilized enzyme showed maximum activity at 70 °C in both the supports as compared to free enzyme having maximum activity at 60 °C. Immobilized 1,4-α-D-glucan glucanohydrolase exhibited no change in optimal pH 7.0 before and after entrapment in polyacrylamide gel and agar-agar. The enzyme containing gel-scaffold was found suitable for repeated batches of starch liquefaction in industrial processes. Agar-agar entrapped 1,4-α-D-glucanglucanohydrolase was capable to degrade starch up to seven repeated operational cycles whereas polyacrylamide entrapped enzyme conserved its activity up to sixth operational cycle.

Background: Bloodletting cupping therapy (Hijama) is a traditional alternative medicine practiced in different cultures. Claims about the therapeutic efficacy of Hijama in hypertension are contradictory. The aim of this project was to determine if Hijama therapy is beneficial in the treatment of patients with hypertension. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 60 files for patients treated for hypertension, aged 40–60 years and whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) is at least 140mm Hg, were used. The data from 30 patient files were obtained from three licensed Hijama centers (study group), whereas data from the rest of 30 patient files were collected from a hospital (control group). The data from Hijama centers included age, date of Hijama therapy, and blood pressure measured before each Hijama session. Both diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and SBP data were obtained over 3-month period. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in SBP (P value < 0.01) over three sessions of wet cupping (from 149.2 to 130.8mm Hg), but this was not significant for DBP over three sessions (P = 0.074). The study also found that the mean SBP in the study group was 9.6mm Hg less than that in the control group (130.8 vs. 140.4mm Hg, P = 0.019), whereas there was no significant difference in DBP between the study group and the control group (87.0 vs. 86.0mm Hg, P = 0.75). Conclusions: Our study shows clear relationship between Hijama and the reduction and control of SBP in patients with hypertension. Therefore, Hijama can be used as an adjunct to conventional therapy, which may allow downtitration of given doses of antihypertensive drugs. The possible association of SBP reduction by Hijama and pain reduction needs an investigation.

Background: The vaginal microbiome harbors diverse communities of microorganisms, known as vaginal flora which has an important impact on women s health as well as that of their newborns Bacteria that colonize the vaginal microbiota of women play an important role in health and homostasis that exist in a dynamic balance and establishing with each other and with the host. In healthy reproductive- aged women, the vaginal microbiome,generally shows a predominance of Lactobacillus genus,and most women display the prevalence of one species among L., crispatus, L., iners, L., jensenii and L., gasseri. Lactobacilli promote the maintenance of the vaginal homoestasis and prevent the colonization and growth of adverse microorganisms,especialy pathogens. Methodology: 150 high vaginal swabs were collected from 100 specimen from women suffering from vaginitis and 50 specimen from healthy women. Each specimen were cultured on UTI chromogenic agar under aerobic conditions and on MRS agar under anaerobic conidion Antibiotics susceptibility performed according to NCCLS (National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standereds).Biofiilms formation were assayed by TCP. Results: Results revealed that a total 150 specimens, 90 were gave positive cultured with single bacterial growth on UTI chromogenic agar as following: Escherichia. coli (42/90), Staphylococcus aureus (27/90), Enterobacter (13/90), Klebsiella pneumonia (8/90), 30 specimens were gave mixed culture and 30 others specimens were no growth. Out of 150 specimens also cultured on MRS agar,30 specimens were gave positive culture with pure bacterial isolates of Lactobacillus spp. 20 isolates of Lactobacillus (10 isolates from healthy women and 10 isolates from infected women with vaginitis) were selected to study the effect of antibiotics. It has been found that all Lactobacillus isolated from healthy women specimens resistant for chloromphincol and amikiacin. 50% resistant for ceftriaxone, 40% resistant for ciproflaxcin, gentamycin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 30% resistant for nitrofurantoin, 20% resistant for levofloxacin, and all Lactobacillus isolates sensitive to imipenem while all Lactobacillus isolates of women with vaginitis were sensitive to all antibiotics used in this study. Also 20 Lactobacillus isolates were selected to study the ability of them to produce biofilm formation. The Lactobacillus isolates from healthy women produce strong and moderate biofilm former 50%, while Lactobacillus isolates from vaginitis women produce (0%, 40%, 40%, 20%) strong, moderate, weak and non-biofilm former respectively. Conclusion: Most vaginal infections are treated by antibiotics but frequent recurrences and chronic infections are common due to the adverse effect on the indigenous lactobacilli . Probiotics have the potential to optimize, maintain and restore the microflora of the vaginal ecosystem hence the alternative approach to reducing vaginal infections and promoting consumer health by using biotherapoeutic with pre- and probiotic.The types of antibiotics used to treat vaginitis must not to kill the beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli) that help in preservation of vaginal health and ecosystem as being one of probiotic bacteria . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bloodletting cupping therapy (Hijama) is a traditional alternative medicine practiced in different cultures. Claims about the therapeutic efficacy of Hijama in hypertension are contradictory. The aim of this project was to determine if Hijama therapy is beneficial in the treatment of patients with hypertension. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 60 files for patients treated for hypertension, aged 40--60 years and whose systolic blood pressure (SBP) is at least 140 mm Hg, were used. The data from 30 patient files were obtained from three licensed Hijama centers (study group), whereas data from the rest of 30 patient files were collected from a hospital (control group). The data from Hijama centers included age, date of Hijama therapy, and blood pressure measured before each Hijama session. Both diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and SBP data were obtained over 3-month period. Results: The results showed a significant reduction in SBP (P value < 0.01) over three sessions of wet cupping (from 149.2 to 130.8 mm Hg), but this was not significant for DBP over three sessions (P = 0.074). The study also found that the mean SBP in the study group was 9.6 mm Hg less than that in the control group (130.8 vs. 140.4 mm Hg, P = 0.019), whereas there was no significant difference in DBP between the study group and the control group (87.0 vs. 86.0 mm Hg, P = 0.75). Conclusions: Our study shows clear relationship between Hijama and the reduction and control of SBP in patients with hypertension. Therefore, Hijama can be used as an adjunct to conventional therapy, which may allow downtitration of given doses of antihypertensive drugs. The possible association of SBP reduction by Hijama and pain reduction needs an investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]