Search

Seeds of rice (Oryza sativa L.) have been treated with cold atmospheric plasma in air both directly in a dielectric barrier discharge and indirectly by gliding arc discharge through plasma activated mist. Comparisons of impacts of the two methods on germination and physiological parameters of rice seeds are presented. Plasma has been found to increase seeds hydrophilization and water uptake through decrease of liquid contact angles on seed’s coat and increase of total surface free energy. FTIR measurements on seed’s coat show increase of OH, lipids, and carbohydrates for indirect plasma exposure more than direct one as compared to untreated samples. Germination and seedling growth parameters investigations also indicate superiority of indirect over direct plasma exposure. During indirect operation despite the lowering of water uptake, the germination is enhanced due to higher nitrate and nitrite values formed in water mist. Plasma also enhances production of substances contributing to osmotic protection of plants against abiotic conditions such as Proline and soluble sugar. A positive correlation was found between proline and ROS in direct and indirect plasma exposure. The accumulated proline in the plants can adapt with the stress of lack of water because of the low content in lipid peroxidation level giving negative correlation. Indirect exposure of rice seeds by plasma activated mist shows enhanced effects on germination and physiological changes of increasing antioxidants substances which in turn increase the tolerance against abiotic stress. Indirect plasma application through water mist may be more practical on large seed numbers than direct one.

The aim of this study was to investigate and trace the biodegradation products of the pesticide malathion in a comparative manner by two different lactobacilli strains; L. casei (NRRL1922) and L. acidophilus (NRRL 23431). The two strains were cultivated separately into skimmed milk supplemented with 5 ng/ml malathion. After incubation under the appropriate conditions, randomized samples were taken at intervals 24, 48, 72 and 120 hours along with control samples and analyzed for the presence of malathion and its degradation products by the GC-MS spectrometry; As well as, analyzed to record the level of phosphatase enzyme which suggested to be involved in the biodegradation process. The results showed a high ability of the two tested strains to degrade malathion with a superiority of L. acidophilus (NRRL 23431) over L. casei (NRRL 1922). The level of phosphatase enzyme was elevated in both strains in the presence of malathion and decreased gradually upon the depletion of malathion from the sample, which reflects the role of the phosphatase enzyme in the biodegradation process.

In this paper, a novel design for a 5G base station (BS) antenna is proposed. The proposed antenna consists of two orthogonally polarized antennas. The two antennas are modified compact Vivaldi antennas operating in the two recommended 5G operating bands; 28 and 38 GHz with measured impedance bandwidth of 26.5–40 GHz. The orthogonality of the two antennas allows the use of two antennas on the same substrate within one enclosure to serve two sectors separately. So, instead of using two enclosures to serve two sectors, only one enclosure is required. The two elements may be part of two separate MIMO distributions. To minimize the isolation between the MIMO antennas elements with low complexity and low cost, the antenna elements have been distributed along the z-direction with half-wavelength spacing between elements including Electromagnetic band-gap (EBG) structure in between them. The simulation results have been shown that the measured mutual coupling between the array elements is improved from − 32 to − 45 dB at 28 GHz and from − 22 to − 59 at 38 GHz. The envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) is enhanced and the diversity gain (DG) is improved simultaneously. The suggested structure has been designed on CST Microwave Studio 2019. The two orthogonal antennas’ overall size approaches 34 mm × 55.8 mm × 0.203 mm3. The measured gain of the suggested design is enhanced from 10.4 to 12.8 dB at 28 GHz whereas a minor change is noticed at 38 GHz. The maximum simulated radiation efficiency approaches 96%. The antenna is fabricated and tested where good experimental results are noticed compared to the simulation results.

One of the most recent innovations of high-rise tabular structural system is diagrid structure. Diagrid structural system has been widely applied to high-rise buildings at the last two decades. Diagrid system is predominating other types of tabular structural systems because of its structural efficiency and aesthetic potential. To examine the efficiency of diagrid system as lateral load resisting system, a comparative study on the behavior of diagrid system with framed tube system, has been conducted under earthquake action. Three-dimensional finite element models for a reinforced concrete diagrid building and a concrete framed tube building of 36 stories with similar plan configuration and characteristics were performed. The only variation between the two systems is the exterior lateral load resisting scheme. Dynamic response spectrum analysis was utilized to investigate the dynamic behavior for both diagrid and the framed tube system. Findings which include modal results, lateral story displacements, story drifts, story shears and story moments were presented and discussed. The results revealed that diagrid system is more effective as lateral load resisting structure than the framed tube system with a reduction of 21 % of the consumed materials يعتبر نظام الشبکة القطرية الإنشائي أحد أحدث الأنظمة الإنشائية للمباني العالية وأکثرها أنشارا. يمتاز نظام الشبکة القطرية عن باقي الأنظمة الأنبوبية المشهورة کفائتة الإنشائية للأحمال الجانبية الناتجة من الزلازل أو أحمال الرياح وأيضا بشکله المعماري المتميز. لاختبار کفاءة نظام الشبکة القطرية في تحمل الأحمال الجانية تم عمل دراسة مقارنة بين هذا النظام ونظام الإطار الأنبوبي. تم عمل نمذجة ثلاثية الأبعاد للنظامين بأبعاد متماثلة وبارتفاع 36 دور لکلا النظامين وتم التأثير بحمل ديناميکي (زلزالي). أوضحت النتائج أن نظام الشبکة القطرية أن کفاءته أعلي لمقاومة الحمل الزلزالي من مقاومة نظام الإطار الأنبوبي.

In this paper, we enhance the performance efficiency of the free-space optical (FSO) communication link using the hybrid on-off keying (OOK) modulation, M-ary digital pulse position modulation (M-ary DPPM), and M-pulse amplitude and position modulation (M-PAPM). This work analyzes and enhances the bit error rate (BER) performance of the moment generating function, modified Chernoff bound, and Gaussian approximation techniques. In the existence of both an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise, atmospheric turbulence (AT) channels, and interchannel crosstalk (ICC), we propose a system model of the passive optical network (PON) wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technique for a dense WDM (DWDM) based on the hybrid fiber FSO (HFFSO) link. We use eight wavelength channels that have been transmitted at a data rate of 2.5 Gbps over a turbulent HFFSO-DWDM system and PON-FSO optical fiber start from 1550 nm channel spacing in the C-band of 100 GHz. The results demonstrate (2.5 Gbps × 8 channels) 20 Gbit/s-4000 m transmission with favorable performance. In this design, M-ary DPPM-M-PAPM modulation is used to provide extra information bits to increase performance. We also propose to incorporate adaptive optics to mitigate the AT effect and improve the modulation efficiency. We investigate the impact of the turbulence effect on the proposed system performance based on OOK-M-ary PAPM-DPPM modulation as a function of M-ary DPPM-PAPM and other atmospheric parameters. The proposed M-ary hybrid DPPM-M-PAPM solution increases the receiver sensitivity compared to OOK, improves the reliability and achieves a lower power penalty of 0.2–3.0 dB at low coding level (M) 2 in the WDM-FSO systems for the weak turbulence. The OOK/M-ary hybrid DPPM-M-PAPM provides an optical signal-to-noise ratio of about 4–8 dB of the DWDM-HFFSO link for the strong turbulence at a target BER of 10−12. The numerical results indicate that the proposed design can be enhanced with the hybrid OOK/M-DPPM and M-PAPM for DWDM-HFFSO systems. The calculation results show that PAPM-DPPM has increased about 10–11 dB at BER of 10−12 more than the OOK-NRZ approach. The simulation results show that the proposed hybrid optical modulation technique can be used in the DWDM-FSO hybrid links for optical-wireless and fiber-optic communication systems, significantly increasing their efficiency. Finally, the use of the hybrid OOK/M-ary DPPM-M-PAPM modulation schemes is a new technique to reduce the AT, ICC, ASE noise for the DWDM-FSO optical fiber communication systems.

The demand for high speed trains has significantly been increasing globally for the past two decades. High speed trains have great impact on bridges. Therefore, investigation of bridge performance under moving trains with high speeds is crucial. In this paper, the behavior of concrete railway tied arch bridge under moving loads is presented. Numerical study through detailed three-dimensional finite element models were developed to examine the dynamic characteristics behavior of railway tied arch bridges. Three railway concrete tied arch bridges with span lengths of 36 m, 50 m and 60 m were nominated for the study. The dynamic parameters that influence the dynamic response which include; the number of coaches, damping, and train speeds were considered. Dynamic characteristics behaviors, such as mode shapes, dynamic amplification factor, resonance and its cancellation phenomenon were evaluated. Subsequently, both resonance and cancellation speeds were determined, and the optimal bridge span length that suppresses the response at resonance was also proposed.

Tied arch bridges, among other types of arch bridges, are the most delightful bridges that have been ever shaped on the earth. Analysis and design of tied arch bridge is further intricate especially when the bridge is skewed. In this research paper, the behavior of skewed concrete tied arch bridge is presented. Numerical investigation through three-dimensional finite element models was performed to examine the behavior of skewed concrete tied arch bridge. The study involved five concrete tied arch bridges with five different span lengths of 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 m, and different skew angles ranging from 0°-to-60°. Linear static analysis was conducted for the nominated bridges. The effect of skew angle, and the aspect ratio (span length/width), on the response of the global and the main supporting structural elements and on the deck flooring system of the bridge was examined. The results showed that an increase of the skew angle will alter the bridge behavior. Deflections, reactions, and straining actions of the main supporting elements and floor system were significantly influenced when the skew angle increased.

Drug abuse is a significant public health issue in many countries worldwide. Tramadol used to help relieving moderate to moderately severe pain. Tramadol works similar to opioid (narcotic) analgesics in their mechanism of action. Diazepam belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Diazepam used to treat medical conditions such as alcohol withdrawal, anxiety and seizures. It could be used to relieve muscle spasm and to provide sedation before medical procedures. Immunoassay tests are commonly used health care field. Depending on those circumstances; this study investigated the potential interference of zinc ion used as a direct adulterant for enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique (EMIT)-based drugs of abuse testing in urine samples. For confirmatory testing, Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography with photodiode array detector method was utilized. The effect of zinc sulfate existence on two drugs of abuse, tramadol and diazepam, was explored and a minimum concentration of 10 mg/ml was found to be effective for adulteration purpose.

Nano-devices operating inside the human body enabled many new applications in the healthcare domain. Communication between nano-devices is a crucial task that aids the rising new applications in thriving. Unfortunately, in-vivo medium contains biomaterials and fluids, e.g., blood, that contaminate the THz signal. In this paper we investigate the effect of the Red Blood Cells (RBCs) concentration (i.e. hematocrit) in blood on its dielectric and optical properties. We present an electromagnetic model for blood with the flexibility of specifying the volume fraction and the particle shape of its RBCs by using Effective Medium Theory (EMT). Results show that the effect of RBCs concentrations on dielectric and optical properties is minimal while favoring the blood with high RBCs concentration as a better communication medium. Obtained results clearly highlight that the RBCs particle shape has no effect on blood's dielectric and optical properties.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most commonly prescribed anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications. However, their use is associated with many drawbacks, including mainly serious gastric and renal complications. In an attempt to circumvent these risks, a set of N-(4-bromophenyl)-7-cyano-6-substituted-H-pyrrolizine-5-carboxamide derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as dual COX/5-LOX inhibitors. The structural elucidation, in vivo anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities using a carrageenan-induced rat paw edema model and hot plate assay, were performed, respectively. From the results obtained, it was found that the newly synthesized pyrrolizines exhibited IC50 values in the range of 2.45–5.69 µM and 0.85–3.44 µM for COX-1 and COX-2, respectively. Interestingly, compounds 12, 13, 16 and 17 showed higher anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities compared to ibuprofen. Among these derivatives, compounds 16 and 19 displayed better safety profile than ibuprofen in acute ulcerogenicity and histopathological studies. Furthermore, the docking studies revealed that compound 17 fits nicely into COX-1 and COX-2 binding sites with the highest binding affinity, while compound 16 exerted the highest binding affinity for 5-LOX. In light of these findings, these novel pyrrolizine-5-carboxamide derivatives represent a promising scaffold for further development into potential dual COX/5-LOX inhibitors with safer gastric profile.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine firms' strategies to change long‐ and short‐term debt financing in Egypt. It aims to examine a list of capital structure determinants that include the basic assumptions of the three well‐known theories of capital structure: tradeoff, pecking order, and free cash.Design/methodology/approachThe paper utilizes the properties of partial adjustment model for three heterogeneous systematic risk classes: high, medium and low. The sensitivity analysis is carried out using the “extreme bound analysis”.FindingsThe results indicate that Egyptian firms adjust short‐ and long‐term debt according to the class of systematic risk; long‐term debt is a source of financing at all classes of systematic risk; firms have obvious tendency to extent short‐ to long‐term one; medium risk firms adjust long‐term debt according to the industry average debt, and depend heavily on long‐term debt financing; firms depend significantly and constantly on the liquidity position to adjust short‐term debt levels; and medium risk firms are relatively affected by the basic assumptions of free cash flow and low‐risk firms are relatively affected by the assumptions of the pecking order theory.Research limitations/implicationsIn general, the results provide evidence that the three theories have transitory effect from developed markets to transitional markets. In addition, the firm‐specific variables (industry characteristic, size and time) provide an additional support to the robustness of the results.Originality/valueFew, if any studies, have been carried out in Egyptian data.

Many risk factors are encountered during the pathogenesis of epilepsy. In this study, the effect of seizure frequency on free radical generation and antioxidants levels in epileptic patients was evaluated. This study was carried out on 15 healthy controls (GI) and 60 epileptic patients treated with mono- or poly-therapy of carbamazepine, valproic acid, or phenytoin. The treated epileptic patients were divided into 2 main groups according to the seizure frequency: controlled seizure patients GII (n = 30) and uncontrolled seizure patients GIII (n = 30). GII included the GIIA subgroup (n = 15) which had been seizure free for more than 12 months and the GIIB subgroup (n = 15) which had been seizure free for a period from 6 to12 months. GIII included GIIIA (n = 15) and GIIIB (n = 15) for patients which had a seizure frequency of less than and more than four times/month, respectively. In comparison to the control group (GI), the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde/creatinine ratio were significantly increased in GIIB, GIIIA, and GIIIB, while vitamins A and E levels were significantly decreased in GIIIB. Serum NO levels had significant negative correlations with serum vitamin E in the GIIA and GIIB groups, and with vitamin A in the GIIIA and GIIIB groups. However, serum NO had positive correlation with urinary MDA/Cr ratio. The imbalance between free radical generation and antioxidant system in epileptic patients may be a factor in seizure frequency.

リサーチレポート（北陸先端科学技術大学院大学情報科学研究科）, 本文は図書館に配架されています。 / This material is stored in the JAIST library.

Successful management of bladder function mandates a thorough knowledge of the neuroanatomy and physiology of micturition. Accurate urodynamic diagnosis of the exact vesicourethral dysfunction is a key to successful management. The primary concern for the urologist is preservation of renal function, taking into account the social needs of the patient.