Testing for a large roundabout capacity model: experimental comparisons between Italy and Bahrain

It is well-known that the maximum traffic flow that a roundabout entry is able to accommodate depends on the amount of flow circulating in the roundabout carriageway that conflicts with the entry flow, that exiting from it and strictly related to the geometric characteristics of the roundabout. International guidelines deal with various capacity models requiring different input data and often leading to different results for the same roundabout entry. Recently, an exponential model has been developed for capacity estimates of multi-lane roundabout entries under different conditions of circulating flow and geometrical factors. Such a model was validated by Al-Madani and Saad [1] on data gathered from a sample of existing large roundabouts in Bahrain. Calculations made applying the developed model, or BAHR model, showed a reasonable fitting to computational data obtained from different international models, as German, French SETRA, American HCM, and so on. In this paper, we have collected traffic data during peaks or congested periods and measured geometry parameters on twelve large roundabouts located in Tuscany, Italy. The main goal was in view of testing if the BAHR model could be well suited or not to Italian context. The same previous methodology applied for the BAHR model was followed and found a new exponential entry capacity model, called TUSC. Statistical tests are performed and the paper ends with some comments about the obtained results

Using dart language to create first gift ordering application in Iraq, with (as-is to-be) analysis

The use of smartphones and the areas in which smartphone solutions are provided have increased immensely over the past decade. However, one area which has not been as keen on adopting the smartphone approach is the Gifts area. This study aims to investigate the amenability of users to adapt to this approach and outlines the requirements and desires of such a product. By conducting extensive research in form of usability tests, interviews and observations, we developed a high-fidelity prototype based on an elaborate requirements specification. The results show that the users are, to a great extent, willing to use an application for Gifts-related tasks. Together with the prototype, the study provides support for further development of similar applications

Studies of fat and surfactant systems in bread-making

Call number: LD2668 .T4 1978 A44Master of Scienc

The smart steganography system using AES & SPK algorithms

In this paper a new steganography approach proposed based on LSB technique by using Alpha channel on JPG cover images and Bit-slicing decomposition and Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) on the secrete image. For this method first the secrete image decomposed to bit streams and the data encrypted using AES algorithm. On the cover side, an alpha channel is attached to the cover image and the data embedded into LSBs of RGBA channels. The method was implemented and tested by using MATLAB® (R2011a)

Memberdayakan Masyarakat melalui Kemitraan Kehutanan: Kompilasi Tulisan Pengalaman dari KPH Rinjani Barat

Skema Kemitraan kehutanan merupakan salah satu bentuk program pemberdayaan masyarakat di dalam dan sekitar hutan. Skema ini diharapkan mendukung peningkatan akses masyarakat terhadap kawasan hutan, khususnya pada areal hutan yang pengelolaannya telah diberikan kepada pemegang ijin dan pengelola hutan, dalam hal ini Kesatuan Pengelolaan Hutan (KPH). Selain itu diharapkan dapat menjadi alternatif pengembangan kerjasama antara Perusahaan dengan masyarakat sehingga dapat mengatasi sengketa dan atau konflik lahan hutan

The effect of Staphylococcus aureus carriage in late pregnancy on antibody levels to staphylococcal toxins in cord blood and breast milk.

We investigated the effect of carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in the later stages of pregnancy on levels of antibody specific to the S. aureus toxins, staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB), staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1), in cord blood and breast milk and also explored the relationship between levels of antibody in antenatal serum and cord blood. Nasopharyngeal swabs and stool samples were collected on two occasions, from 96 women, during the last 6 weeks of pregnancy. Samples were cultured and S. aureus isolates were identified. Antenatal and cord blood samples from the same women and their infants were analysed for IgG antibody to SEB, SEC and TSST-1 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Breast milk samples were analysed for IgA antibody to the same toxins. We found that S. aureus carriage in pregnancy is common and exposure to a toxin-producing isolate boosts immunity. Over 89% of women and infants have some protective antibody to the toxins, and antitoxin IgG levels are higher in cord blood samples compared with antenatal samples. Levels of cord blood IgG and breast milk IgA specific for the staphylococcal toxins vary. Some infants lack protection and could be at risk of toxin-induced disease

Ultrasonographic and biochemical assessments as early prediction of polycystic ovarian syndrome in obese women

Backgroud: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is considered as a common cause of hormonal disturbance and obesity. The diagnosis of PCOS was done by different methods including clinical signs as anovulation, hyperandrogenism, biochemical markers and ultrasounographic investigation. This study investigated comparative outcomes of ultrasonographic and biochemical markers for early prediction of PCOS in obese women. Subjects and methods: Seventy-five patients were clinically diagnosed with obese, PCOS and obese with PCOS and twenty-five normal age matched subjects were enrolled as control. Abdominal and transvaginal ultrasonographic for assessment of ovarian properties. In addition, BMI, serum free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and LDL-c levels were evaluated. Results: In obese patients with PCOs (20%) ovaries revealed normal appearance in morphology while the rest (80%) showed PCOs in the form of cysts of 2\u20138 mm in diameter peripherally arranged around stroma. A significant elevation of free testosterone, DHEA and insulin in obese with or without PCOS compared with obese group (p<0.001). A positive correlation with hormonal abnormalities of increased HA1c, LDL-c, free testosterone, DHEA and insulin compared with obese only. Conclusion: According to our study findings, ovarian morphology combined with biochemical markers is more reliable for early prediction and diagnosis of PCOS for interpretation and management

Research priority setting related to older adults: a scoping review to inform the Cochrane-Campbell Global Ageing Partnership work programme.

OBJECTIVE: To explore and map the findings of prior research priority-setting initiatives related to improving the health and well-being of older adults. DESIGN: Scoping review. DATA SOURCES: Searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, AgeLine, CINAHL and PsycINFO databases from January 2014 to 26 April 2021, and the James Lind Alliance top 10 priorities. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included primary studies reporting research priorities gathered from stakeholders that focused on ageing or the health of older adults (≥60 years). There were no restrictions by setting, but language was limited to English and French. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: We used a modified Reporting Guideline for Priority Setting of Health Research (REPRISE) guideline to assess the transparency of the reported methods. Population-intervention-control-outcome (PICO) priorities were categorised according to their associated International Classification of Health Interventions (ICHI) and International Classification of Functioning (ICF) outcomes. Broad research topics were categorised thematically. RESULTS: Sixty-four studies met our inclusion criteria. The studies gathered opinions from various stakeholder groups, including clinicians (n=56 studies) and older adults (n=35), and caregivers (n=24), with 75% of the initiatives involving multiple groups. None of the included priority-setting initiatives reported gathering opinions from stakeholders located in low-income or middle-income countries. Of the priorities extracted, 272 were identified as broad research topics, while 217 were identified as PICO priorities. PICO priorities that involved clinical outcomes (n=165 priorities) and interventions concerning health-related behaviours (n=59) were identified most often. Broad research topics on health services and systems were identified most often (n=60). Across all these included studies, the reporting of six REPRISE elements was deemed to be critically low. CONCLUSION: Future priority setting initiatives should focus on documenting a more detailed methodology with all initiatives eliciting opinions from caregivers and older adults to ensure priorities reflect the opinions of all key stakeholder groups

Clinical features of culture-proven Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective chart review describes the epidemiology and clinical features of 40 patients with culture-proven Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: Patients with positive M. pneumoniae cultures from respiratory specimens from January 1997 through December 1998 were identified through the Microbiology records. Charts of patients were reviewed. RESULTS: 40 patients were identified, 33 (82.5%) of whom required admission. Most infections (92.5%) were community-acquired. The infection affected all age groups but was most common in infants (32.5%) and pre-school children (22.5%). It occurred year-round but was most common in the fall (35%) and spring (30%). More than three-quarters of patients (77.5%) had comorbidities. Twenty-four isolates (60%) were associated with pneumonia, 14 (35%) with upper respiratory tract infections, and 2 (5%) with bronchiolitis. Cough (82.5%), fever (75%), and malaise (58.8%) were the most common symptoms, and crepitations (60%), and wheezes (40%) were the most common signs. Most patients with pneumonia had crepitations (79.2%) but only 25% had bronchial breathing. Immunocompromised patients were more likely than non-immunocompromised patients to present with pneumonia (8/9 versus 16/31, P = 0.05). Of the 24 patients with pneumonia, 14 (58.3%) had uneventful recovery, 4 (16.7%) recovered following some complications, 3 (12.5%) died because of M pneumoniae infection, and 3 (12.5%) died due to underlying comorbidities. The 3 patients who died of M pneumoniae pneumonia had other comorbidities. CONCLUSION: our results were similar to published data except for the finding that infections were more common in infants and preschool children and that the mortality rate of pneumonia in patients with comorbidities was high