Track before mitigate: aspect dependence-based tracking method for multipath mitigation

People tracking is a key building block in many applications such as surveillance, abnormal activity detection and the monitoring of elderly persons or persons with restricted mobility. In this reported work, the problem of multipath signals, which is one of the main challenges in indoor and urban environments, is addressed. The proposed method integrates the aspect dependence feature of multipath signals into the tracking framework which allows making full use of more potentially useful information in the time domain in order to make more accurate decisions and to relax some constraints in the space domain such as the large number of antennas that are placed over a large area. An important feature of the proposed method is that it can suppress/mark the entire multipath track; furthermore, it does not assume any prior knowledge of the environment

Numerical solutions of nonlinear evolution equations using variational iteration method

AbstractThe variational iteration method is used to solve three kinds of nonlinear partial differential equations, coupled nonlinear reaction diffusion equations, Hirota–Satsuma coupled KdV system and Drinefel’d–Sokolov–Wilson equations. Numerical solutions obtained by the variational iteration method are compared with the exact solutions, revealing that the obtained solutions are of high accuracy. He's variational iteration method is introduced to overcome the difficulty arising in calculating Adomian polynomial in Adomian method. The method is straightforward and concise, and it can also be applied to other nonlinear evolution equations in mathematical physics

Corrigendum to " Adenosine role in brain functions: Pathophysiological influence on Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders "

The authors regret that the 3rd affiliation for author Ahmed A. Moustafa had been inadvertently omitted. The complete affiliations of the authors are presented above. The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused.Scopu

Phototransferred Thermoluminescence from Obsidian Using Ultraviolet Radiation

The behavior of TL and PTTL under UV stimulation in gamma-irradiated obsidian was investigated. The noticeable change of the shape of the main TL peak after thermal or optical stimulation clearly shows that this peak is related to at least two traps. The PTTL curves recorded after preheating up to a given increased end temperatures are described by two processes. The first one is associated to the decay of the traps responsible for the main TL peak. The second is related with the phototransfer from the deep to the main trap. Fading studies over a period of 14 days show that the PTTL faded by 5% when exposed to 50Gy.The results further predict the potential of obsidian as a phosphor in TL dating, accident and industrial dosimetry. Keywords: Obsidian, Phototransfer, Phosphor, Fading

Comparative experimental study on two designed intravenous anaesthetic combinations in dogs

The goal of the present study is to design a good anaesthetic program for dogs which can lead to optimal anaesthesia with no or minimal post-operative adverse effects. For this purpose, we designed two naesthetic combinations and compared their effects in Mongrel dogs: combination ‘A’ consisting of atropine, xylazine, ketamine plus propofol, and combination ‘B’ consisting of atropine, diazepam, ketamine plus propofol. The onset and duration of anaesthesia induction, the duration of maintenance as well as the period of recovery were recorded and compared for both combinations. Furthermore, heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature as well as blood picture were analyzed before and after administration of the proposed anaesthetic regimens. Administration of combination ‘A’ lead to rapid onset, within seconds, and induction of anaesthesia. The anaesthetic effect was maintained for approximately 29 minutes after injection of propofol. This was followed by very smooth recovery within approximately 68 minutes after induction of anaesthesia. In contrast, a less efficient induction and maintenance of anaesthesia as well as individual variability was observed after administration of combination ‘B’. Approximately 14 minutes were needed for anaesthesia induction, which was maintained for 23 minutes after injection of propofol. Furthermore, administration of combination ‘B’ was associated with alterations in heart rate, body temperature and hematological picture. In conclusion, our results revealed that combined administration of atropine, xylazine, ketamine plus propofol (combination ‘A’) is considered satisfactory for anaesthesia in dogs with minimal postoperative side effects

Clinico-radiographic Studies on The Prevalent Distal Limb Affections in Working Equine at Luxor City

To illustrate the clinical and radiographic findings of some distal limbs affections in Ninety two animals (24 horses and 68 donkeys) which were admitted to Animal Care Hospital in Luxor. Each animal was subjected to thorough clinical and radiographic examination; the grade of lameness was recorded and the best radiographic views were taken.  Fifteen types of distal limb affections were evident. The most prevalent affections in donkeys were high and low ring bone (29.35%) and hoof abscess ( 9.78%) followed by traumatic arthritis of the fetlock (6.52%), suspensory ligament desmitis (5.43%), fracture of first phalanx (5.43%), fracture of PII (4.35%), side bone (3.26%)  whereas, fracture of metacarpal bone (1.09%), sesamoditis (1.09%) and flexural deformities (1.09%)  represented the lowest prevalent affections.On the other hand, side bone (4.35%), fracture of the metacarpal bone (4.35%) represented the most prevalent affections in horses followed by high and low ring bone (3.26%), fractures of PI (2.17%), PII (2.17%), subluxation of coronopedal joint (2.17%) and punctured wounds in of the hoof (2.17%), traumatic arthritis of the fetlock joint (2.17%). Whereas, navicular disease (1.09%), suspensory ligament desmitis (1.09%) and hoof abscess (1.09%) were the lowest prevalent affections in horses. Treatment was not recommended in certain cases. In conclusion, although the wide stride progress have made in diagnostic imaging in recent decades, the x ray still offers a satisfactory tool for diagnostic imaging in equine limb practice that is useful for equine practitioners

Predictor factors of sustained virological response in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with current direct-acting antiviral drugs

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and predictors of treatment response of chronic hepatitis C genotype 4 Egyptian patients with sofosbuvir and daclatasvir, with or without ribavirin.Methods: This prospective study enrolled 200 patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 infection who received sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir for 12 weeks, with the addition of ribavirin for treating cirrhotic patients. Immunological parameters such as natural killer (NK) cell percentage, phenotype, and serum C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (CXCL10) were evaluated prior to treatment and at the end of the treatment.Results: Overall, 92.5 % of the patients achieved sustained virological response at 12 weeks (SVR12), where the non-cirrhotic group had 96.29 % SVR12, while the cirrhotic group had 84.61 % SVR12. Nonresponders had lower pretreatment platelet count, higher CXCL10 levels, and lower baseline frequencies of NK cells and NK subgroup CD56- CD16+.Conclusion: Based on these results, the use of sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir with or without ribavirin for 12 weeks, is an effective regimen in the treatment of Egyptian patients infected with genotype 4 HCV. The predictors of non-response are advanced age, liver cirrhosis, lower pretreatment platelet count, higher level of CXCL10, lower baseline NK cells frequency and percentage of the dysfunctional subset CD56- CD16+. Keywords: Hepatitis C virus, Genotype 4, Sofosbuvir, Daclatasvir, Sustained virological respons

Selenium and nano-selenium ameliorations in two breeds of broiler chickens exposed to heat stress

The objective of this study was to compare the effects of synthesized nano-selenium (NS) and commercial inorganic selenium (Se) on immunity, behaviour, and performance of Arbor (AB) and Ross (RB) broilers that were exposed to heat stress of 40 °C for 6 - 8 hours daily over 38 days. Two hundred and ten one-day-old broilers of two breeds were supplemented with 0.5 mL/L of NS or Se in their drinking water. Two hundred sera, 200 intestinal swabs, and 1000 internal organ and tissue samples were collected. Weight gain, performance index, behavioral indices, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin M, serum total protein, albumin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and serum creatinine concentrations increased (P <0.01) in RB compared with AB when supplemented with NS. Meanwhile, NS supplementation decreased (P <0.01) water intake and the logarithmic bacterial counts of the intestine and breast in RB and AB, respectively. Histopathology revealed mild leukocytic infiltration and mild vacuolar degeneration in hepatocytes, and focal leukocytic infiltration, mild congestion, and cytoplasmic vacuolation in the myocardium of RB. Photomicrographs showed a mild lymphoid depletion in the spleen, while histopathology of the bursa of Fabricius revealed a normal follicular epithelium and normal lymphoid follicles with mild inter-follicular fibrosis in RB that were supplied with NS as opposed to AB, which expressed more severe pathological affections from heat stress. Thus, NS was more effective than Se in allowing broilers to respond to heat stress.Keywords: behaviour, immunity, growth traits, tissue architectur

Effect of Modifying Mechanical Ventilator Trigger Sensitivity on Arterial Blood Gases in ICU Patients

Background: Despite the fact that mechanical ventilation is an essential part in management of critically ill patients, mechanically ventilated patients have a higher risk of complications, which can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study aimed to study the effect of training inspiratory muscle through modifying mechanical ventilator (MV) trigger sensitivity on arterial blood gases in mechanically ventilated patients. Patients and Methods: Sixty adult patients diagnosed with acute respiratory failure, needed to be intubated and connected to mechanical ventilated. They were from both gender and their ages ranged from 50 to 70 years. The patient were chosen from Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Department of Chest Diseases, Cairo University Hospitals. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups. Group (A): included thirty patients who received training for inspiratory muscle through modifying MV trigger sensitivity plus usual physical therapy. Group (B): included thirty patients who received usual physical therapy only. Results: The results showed a significant increase in partial arterial pressure (PaO2) in both groups, this increasing was significantly higher in  patients who received training for the inspiratory muscle plus the usual chest physical therapy than patients who only received usual chest physical therapy (P-value < 0.001). The results showed no significant change in neither power of hydrogen (pH) nor partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2). Conclusion: Training to inspiratory muscles in mechanically ventilated patient through modifying mechanical ventilator trigger sensitivity can produce a significant increase in partial arterial pressure (PaO2). Although it has no effect in pH nor PaCO2

Synthesis, characterization and molecular modeling of new ruthenium(II) complexes with nitrogen and nitrogen/oxygen donor ligands

Ru(II) complexes with some dinitrogen ligands; 3,4-diamino benzoic acid (DABA), 2-hydazinopyridine (hzpy), 2,2′-bipyridyl (bipy) and anthranilic acid (anth) have been synthesized and characterized by using IR, mass, and UV–Vis spectrometry and thermal analysis. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔE, ΔH, ΔS and ΔG) have been calculated by using Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger methods. The electrochemical properties of these complexes have been studied by using cyclic voltammetry. The evaluated energies of the HOMO and LUMO are in the range of −4.94 to −4.85 eV and −2.86 to −2.68 eV, respectively. The complexes have been proven to have an octahedral geometry with DABA, hzpy and bipy as N2 donor ligands and NSC as monodentate ligand. The structure of the Ru(II) complexes has been geometrically optimized by using parameterized PM3 semiempirical method. © 2015 The Author