Use of Infrared Light to Improve Breast Sonographic images

It is well known that sonography is not the first choice in detecting early breast tumors. Improving the resolution of breast sonographic image is the goal of many workers to make sonography a first choice examination as it is safe and easy procedure as well as cost effective. In this study, infrared light exposure of breast prior to ultrasound examination was implemented to see its effect on resolution of sonographic image. Results showed that significant improvement was obtained in 60% of cases

Prandtl Number Effect on Assisted Convective Heat Transfer through a Solar Collector

Numerical study of the influence of Prandtl number on forced convective heat transfer through a riser pipe of a flat plate solar collector is done. The working fluid is Al2O3/water nanofluid. By Finite Element Method the governing partial differential equations are solved. The effect of the Prandtl number on the temperature and velocity field has been depicted. Comprehensive average Nusselt number, average bulk temperature, mean velocity, mid-height temperature inside the pipe, mean output temperature and collector efficiency are presented for the governing parameter mentioned above. Nu increases by 16% with the variation of Pr from 4.6 to 6.6 using nanofluid. Due to rising Pr heat transfer rate increases but collector efficiency devalues

Effect of Solid Volume Fraction on Forced Convective Flow of Nanofluid through Direct Absorption Solar Collector

The present work numerically investigates the heat transfer performance and entropy generation of forced convection through a direct absorption solar collector. The working fluid is Cu-water nanofluid. The simulations focus specifically on the effect of solid volume fraction of nanoparticle on the mean Nusselt number, total entropy generation, Bejan number and collector efficiency. Also Isotherms, heat function and entropy generation are presented for various solid volume fraction. The governing partial differential equations are solved using penalty finite element method with Galerkins weighted residual technique. The results show that the mean Nusselt number and mean entropy generation increases as the volume fraction of Cu nanoparticles increases. The results presented in this study provide a useful source of reference for enhancing the force convection heat transfer performance while simultaneously reducing the entropy generation

"Toxic pleasures”: A study of eating out behavior in Arab female university students and its associations with psychological distress and disordered eating

University years are a critical period in which young people establish independence and adopt lasting health behaviors. The aim of this study was to estimate the associations between eating out, psychological distress, and disordered eating behaviors among young Arab females in Qatar a rapidly developing small nation. A cross-sectional probability-based survey of 1615 Qatar University's female students assessed the frequency of eating out (main independent variable) and other eating behaviors in relation to two main dependent variables, disordered eating and psychological distress, which were measured using the Eating Attitudes Test and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, respectively. Multivariable logistic-regression analyses were used to estimate these two main associations with and without adjustment for other potential confounding variables, including the main effects of psychological distress and disordered eating on each other. Of the students, 45% reported eating out 3 times or more a week. Furthermore, approximately 18% screened positive for disordered eating and 33% reported high levels of psychological distress in the past 30 days. After adjustment for other variables, eating out 5 times or more a week was not significantly associated with the odds of disordered eating (OR 1.21, p=0.32). However, eating out 5 times or more per week was significantly associated with odds of having psychological distress (OR 1.46, p=0.03). Both psychological distress and disordered eating were strongly associated with each other (OR 2.58, p < 0.001)

Study the effect of acid immersion on the hardness of (Epoxy – Granite) composite

This work has been done with using of epoxy resin mixed with Granite powder were weighted by percent volume (5,10,15, and 20)%and then mixed with epoxy polymer to compose polymer composite. Hand lay-up technique is used in fabrication of the composite samples. Hardness test was carried out for the proper samples in both normal condition and after immersion in HCL (1 M and 2 M) solutions for periods ranging up to 10 weeks. After comparing the results between the polymer and their composite, the hardness increased with increasing Granite weight percent, it was found that Hardness were greater for the composites before immersion compared with their values after immersion

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids and pioglitazone combination on insulin resistance through fibroblast growth factor 21 in type 2 diabetes mellitus

AbstractFibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an effective regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism. It is mainly regulated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptors, and is widely associated with cases of insulin resistance as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Our study aimed to investigate the potential effects of omega-3 fatty acids, pioglitazone, and their combination on serum and liver FGF21 concentrations, and its hepatic gene expression in a rat model of T2D. We also studied the modulating effects of these treatments on blood glucose, lipid profile, and insulin resistance. T2D was induced in male Sprague–Dawley rats by combination of high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated with omega-3 fatty acids (10%W/W diet), pioglitazone (20 mg/kg), and their combination for a period of 4 weeks. Serum FGF21 concentration was significantly increased in diabetic rats. In contrast, hepatic FGF21 concentration, and gene expression were significantly decreased. Omega-3 fatty acids, pioglitazone, and their combination significantly decreased serum FGF21. Omega-3 fatty acids and combination therapy significantly decreased liver FGF21 concentration, with non-significant changes in gene expression. On the other hand, pioglitazone significantly increased hepatic FGF21 concentration and gene expression. Omega-3 fatty acids, pioglitazone and their combination significantly improved lipid profile. Pioglitazone and combination significantly decreased blood glucose levels and improved insulin resistance. In conclusion, this study introduces the first evidence regarding the antidiabetic effects of omega-3 fatty acids and pioglitazone combination, such effects are mediated through FGF21

GC-MS analysis, antioxidant and antibacterial activity of acetone fractions obtained from Guiera Senegalensis leaves and Quercus Infectoria Nutgalls extracts

Medicinal plants are considered an important source of phytochemical compounds that play a vital role to produce a definite physiological action for the treatment of several diseases. This study was aimed to investigate the phytoconstituents of Guiera senegalensis leaves and Quercus infectoria nutgalls extracts, and to study their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Ethanol extracts were subjected to sequential fractionation using petroleum ether, dichloromethane and acetone. Acetone fraction (as major) was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative GC-MS analysis. In vitro antioxidant activity and antibacterial sensitivity against Staphylococcus aureus of acetone fraction were evaluated whereas; DPPH radical scavenging activity and disc diffusion methods were used, respectively. Results obtained from GC-MS analysis for G. senegalensis were showed the presence of eupafolin, pyrogallol, hydroquinone and catechol with percentages of 65.16%, 15.79%, 10.36% and 8.69%, respectively. While Q. infectoria GC-MS analysis was revealed the presence of pyrogallol as major phytoconstituent (94.77%).  The antioxidant activity of the two extracts showed higher 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activity (94%) at a concentration of 250 μg/ml compared to standard popylgallate. Both extracts at a concentration of 25 mg/ml were exhibited higher antibacterial activity against S. aureus compared to gentamicin. It could be concluded that G. senegalensis leaves and Q. infectoria nutgalls possess significant antioxidant and antibacterial principles for possible treatment of inflammations and bacterial infections especially those caused by S. aureus. Further experimental and clinical studies are warranted.

Data science strategies leading to the development of data scientists’ skills in organizations

The purpose of this paper is to compare the strategies of companies with data science practices and methodologies and the data specificities/variables that can influence the definition of a data science strategy in pharma companies. The current paper is an empirical study, and the research approach consists of verifying against a set of statistical tests the differences between companies with a data science strategy and companies without a data science strategy. We have designed a specific questionnaire and applied it to a sample of 280 pharma companies. The main findings are based on the analysis of these variables: overwhelming volume, managing unstructured data, data quality, availability of data, access rights to data, data ownership issues, cost of data, lack of pre-processing facilities, lack of technology, shortage of talent/skills, privacy concerns and regulatory risks, security, and difficulties of data portability regarding companies with a data science strategy and companies without a data science strategy. The paper offers an in-depth comparative analysis between companies with or without a data science strategy, and the key limitation is regarding the literature review as a consequence of the novelty of the theme; there is a lack of scientific studies regarding this specific aspect of data science. In terms of the practical business implications, an organization with a data science strategy will have better direction and management practices as the decision-making process is based on accurate and valuable data, but it needs data scientists skills to fulfil those goals.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Obstacles to the Adoption of Secure Communication Tools

The computer security community has advocated widespread adoption of secure communication tools to counter mass surveillance. Several popular personal communication tools (e.g., WhatsApp, iMessage) have adopted end-to-end encryption, and many new tools (e.g., Signal, Telegram) have been launched with security as a key selling point. However it remains unclear if users understand what protection these tools offer, and if they value that protection. In this study, we interviewed 60 participants about their experience with different communication tools and their perceptions of the tools' security properties. We found that the adoption of secure communication tools is hindered by fragmented user bases and incompatible tools. Furthermore, the vast majority of participants did not understand the essential concept of end-to-end encryption, limiting their motivation to adopt secure tools. We identified a number of incorrect mental models that underpinned participants' beliefs