Correlation between serum interleukin- lß and neonatal sepsis in neonatal intensive care unit in Zagazig University Hospitals

Background: The role of interleukin-lß in the pathogenesis of sepsis is widely accepted, but less is known regarding its role in the newborn period.Objective: The aim of the work was to detect relation between serum level of IL- lß and clinical presentation of neonatal sepsis.Patients and Methods: This case control trial study included a total of thirty-six newborns, attending at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Zagazig University Hospitals. They were categorized into two groups; 18 each: Group I: newborns with suspected clinical sepsis, and Group II (control group) healthy newborns with no sepsis. Interleukin- lß was assessed in all neonates.Results: IL-lß showed significant increase in diseased versus control group (20.07±8.68 versus 1.21±0.48, respectively with p <0.001). IL-lß showed insignificant difference in preterm versus full term neonates. IL-lß showed significant difference in subgroup analysis. Full term neonates in patient group had the highest mean (23.811±10.55 pg/ml, p<0.001).Conclusion: It could be concluded that premature babies have lower IL-1ß serum concentrations, while mature newborns with sepsis had higher IL-1ß serum concentrations than healthy newborns

Robust Performance and Resistance to Attack for the Advanced Encryption Standard using Dynamic Rotation

Recently the Rijndael algorithm has been uniform by the National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST as the Advanced Encryption Standard AES This makes AES a vital and necessary data-protection mechanism for federal agencies in the US and other countries In AES rotation occurs in key expansion ciphering and deciphering Rotation is vital for confusion and diffusion which play an important role in any cryptography technique Confusion and diffusion make breaking the key complex and difficult This paper studies the effect of reconfiguring the structure of AES especially replacing constant rotation with variable rotation The resulting producing another cipher is called Dynamic Rotation for Advanced Encryption Standard DRAES DRAES with variable rotation raises the complexity of the algorithm and thus increases the time consumed for brute-force attacks We measured the diffusion of AES and DRAES algorithms DRAES reached acceptable level of diffusion faster than AE

Development of controller and observer for 2D Crane System via State-space approach

This report actually presents researches and studies and progress that are being achieved for the chosen topic which is Development of controller and observer for 2D Crane Systems via State-space approach. This report contains an introduction and background studies about cranes and how does this topic it related to my studies as a final year & control system student all being represented in scope of studies section, in fact the main objectives of this research are getting the dynamic equation for the 2D crane systems and applies state-space approach to develop a controller and an observer for them. The dynamic equations for the systems are being obtained by using Euler-Langrange formulation for obtaining the state-space representation of the systems. Furthermore, control & observer canonical forms have been designed and then simulated using Matlab Simulink for testing the stability of the system before designing the controller and the observer for the syste

Immunohistochemical localization of mdm-2, p27Kip1 and bcl-2 in Warthin's tumor of the parotid gland

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Warthin's tumor is a benign monomorphic adenoma with unclear origin that almost occur exclusively in the parotid gland. Etiology of Warthin's tumor as well as its malignant potential are still unclear. Therefore immunohistochemical assessment of Warthin's tumor may be useful to detect its origin or its malignant transformation potential.</p> <p>Aims and objectives</p> <p>The present study aims to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of murine double minute-2 (mdm-2), p27^Kip1and B cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) in Warthin's tumor of parotid gland and also to clarify the role of these proteins in the behavior of that tumor.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty paraffin blocks of cases previously diagnosed as Warthin's tumor were collected for immunohistochemical staining with primary antibodies against mdm-2, p27^Kip1and bcl-2 using streptavidin-biotin immunoperoxidase staining system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>All cases showed immunopositivity for mdm-2 and p27^Kip1while 18/20 showed bcl-2 immunopositivity. Both layers of the neoplastic epithelial cells that line the cystic spaces showed immunopositivity with all antibodies used. Goblet cells were mdm-2 immunonegative while myoepithelial cells were p27^Kip-1immunonegative. Areas of epithelial proliferation that formed buds were p27^Kip-1and bcl-2 immunopositive.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Mdm-2 played a tumor-suppressor role that might be implicated with the benign behavior of Warthin's tumor. The mutual expression of both p27^Kip1and bcl-2 suggested a protective role of these slowly proliferating cells from apoptosis to maintain their survival and elevated bcl-2 expression offers a significant protection against p27^Kip1-mediated apoptosis.</p

A Simulation-Optimization Model to Study the Control of Seawater Intrusion in Coastal Aquifers

Groundwater contamination is a very serious problem as it leads to the depletion of water resources. Seawater intrusion is a special category of groundwater contamination that threatens the health and possibly lives of many people living in coastal areas. The focus of this work is to develop a numerical model to study seawater intrusion and its effects on groundwater quality and develop a control method to effectively control seawater intrusion. Two major approaches are used in this study: the first approach is the development of a finite element model to simulate seawater intrusion; the second is the development of a simulation-optimization model to study the control of seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers using different management scenarios. The simulation-optimization model is based on the integration of a genetic algorithm optimization technique with the transient density-dependent finite element model developed in this research. The finite element model considers the coupled flow of air and water and solute transport in saturated and unsaturated soils. The governing differential equations include two mass balance equations of water and air phases and the energy balance equation for heat transfer, together with a balance equation for miscible solute transport. The nonlinear governing differential equations are solved using the finite element method in the space domain and a finite difference scheme in the time domain. A two dimensional finite element model is developed to solve the governing equations and provide values of solute concentration, pore water pressure, pore air pressure and temperature at different points within the region at different times. The mathematical formulation and numerical implementation of the model are presented. The numerical model is validated by application to standard examples from literature followed by application to a number of case studies involving seawater intrusion problems. The results show good agreement with previous results reported in the literature. The model is then used to predict seawater intrusion for a number of real world case studies. The developed model is capable of predicting, with a good accuracy, the intrusion of seawater in coastal aquifers. In the second approach, a simulation-optimization model is developed to study the control of seawater intrusion using three management scenarios: abstraction of brackish water, recharge of fresh water and combination of abstraction and recharge. The objectives of these management scenarios include minimizing the total costs for construction and operation, minimizing salt concentrations in the aquifer and determining the optimal depths, locations and abstraction/recharge rates for the wells. Also, a new methodology is presented to control seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. In the proposed methodology ADR (abstraction, desalination and recharge), seawater intrusion is controlled by abstracting brackish water, desalinating it using a small scale reverse osmosis plant and recharging to the aquifer. The simulation-optimization model is applied to a number of case studies. The efficiencies of three different scenarios are examined and compared. Results show that all the three scenarios could be effective in controlling seawater intrusion. However, ADR methodology can result in the lowest cost and salt concentration in aquifers and maximum movement of the transition zone towards the sea. The results also show that for the case studies considered in this work, the amount of abstracted and treated water is about three times the amount required for recharge; therefore the remaining treated water can be used directly for different proposes. The application of ADR methodology is shown to be more efficient and more practical, since it is a cost-effective method to control seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. This technology can be used for sustainable development of water resources in coastal areas where it provides a new source of treated water. The developed method is regard as an effective tool to control seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers and can be applied in areas where there is a risk of seawater intrusion. Finally, the developed FE model is applied to study the effects of likely climate change and sea level rise on seawater intrusion in coastal aquifers. The results show that the developed model is capable of predicting the movement of the transition zone considering the effects of sea level rise and over-abstraction. The results also indicate that the change of water level in the sea side has a significant effect on the position of the transition zone especially if the effect of sea level rise is combined with the effect of increasing abstraction from the aquifer.Egyptian Governmen

Graphene Functionalization towards Developing Superior Supercapacitors Performance

Graphene is known as the miracle material of the 21st century for the wide band of participating applications and epic properties. Unlike the CVD monolayer graphene, Reduced graphene oxide (RGO) is a commercial form with mass production accessibility via numerous numbers of methods in preparation and reduction terms. Such RGO form showed exceptional combability in supercapacitors (SCs) where RGO is participated to promote flexibility, lifetime and performance. The chapter will illustrate 4 critical milestones of using graphene derivatives for achieving SC’s superior performance. The first is using oxidized graphene (GO) blind with polymer for super dielectric spacer. The other three types are dealing with electrolytic SCs based on RGO. Polyaniline (PANI) was grown on GO for exceptionally stable SCs of 100% retention. Silver decoration of RGO was used for all-solid-state printable device. The solid-state gel electrolyte was developed by adding GO to promote current rating. Finally, laser reduced graphene is presented as a one-step and versatile technique for micropatterning processing. The RGO reduction was demonstrated from a laser GO interaction perspective according to two selected key parameters; wavelength and pulse duration

Effect of Intermittent Operation on the Productivity of a Single Basin Single Slope Passive Solar Still Containing Nanofluids

This study assess the effect of using two nanofluids ; composed of Ferric Oxide (Fe2O3) which is a metalic oxide and Red Clay Brick Waste (RCBW) containing over 60% SiO2 a nonmetalic oxide nanoparticles in ordinary water upon the performance of a basin solar still .An increase in the still productivity was observed for both the tested nanomaterials while the gain achieved with Fe2O3 exceeded that for RCBW at all the concentrations used .For both materials, the rise in concentration adds to the still yield which reached its maximum values ; 11% and 9.5% for Fe2O3 and RCBW respectively at 0.01 vol % then a depltion in the still yield was recorded with additional increase in concentration .The operation of the tested solar still is intermittent as the basin fluid is kept stationary during offshine sun hours . This leads to a continous decrease in thr still productivity over its operating period due to the loose of nanofluid stability causing aggregation ,clustering and gravity aided sedimentation of the nanoparticles .These effects negatively affect the optical and heat transfer characteristics of the nanofluid suspension which determines the rate of vaporization and condensation of water in the still .Over 70% depltion in the still yield relative to that obtained in the first day of operation was recorded in the third day of operation for Fe2O3 nanofluids while four consecutive days of operation were needed for RCBW nanofluids to cause similar effect

Cyber-Physical Systems: A Model-Based Approach

In this concise yet comprehensive Open Access textbook, future inventors are introduced to the key concepts of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS). Using modeling as a way to develop deeper understanding of the computational and physical components of these systems, one can express new designs in a way that facilitates their simulation, visualization, and analysis. Concepts are introduced in a cross-disciplinary way. Leveraging hybrid (continuous/discrete) systems as a unifying framework and Acumen as a modeling environment, the book bridges the conceptual gap in modeling skills needed for physical systems on the one hand and computational systems on the other. In doing so, the book gives the reader the modeling and design skills they need to build smart, IT-enabled products. Starting with a look at various examples and characteristics of Cyber-Physical Systems, the book progresses to explain how the area brings together several previously distinct ones such as Embedded Systems, Control Theory, and Mechatronics. Featuring a simulation-based project that focuses on a robotics problem (how to design a robot that can play ping-pong) as a useful example of a CPS domain, Cyber-Physical Systems: A Model-Based Approach demonstrates the intimate coupling between cyber and physical components, and how designing robots reveals several non-trivial control problems, significant embedded and real-time computation requirements, and a need to consider issues of communication and preconceptions

Effect of CuO Nanoparticles on Performance and Emissions Behaviors of CI Engine Fueled with Biodiesel-Diesel Fuel Blends

Recently the world has a very important need for replacement fossil fuel with renewable sources of energy. Greenhouse effect is considered one of bad effects of fossil fuels. In this study diesel fuel will be replaced with blends of diesel and biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil(WCO) is created using a catalytic transesterification reaction (CTR). With the addition of a low concentration of alcohol over the period of an hour at a reaction temperature of 65 °C, (CTR) converts (WCO) to methyl esters. Blends consisting of (40 % diesel, 60 % biodiesel and CuO nano- martial with different concentration) will be prepared for fueling direct injection engine four-stroke. The engine will be run at 1400 rpm with natural aspiration under various loads. Using blends of (pure diesel, B40 [consist of 60 % biodiesel and 40 % diesel], 50b40 [consist of 60 % biodiesel, 40 % diesel and 50 mg CuO],100B40 [consist of 60 % biodiesel, 40 % diesel and 100 mg CuO], 150 [consist of 60 % biodiesel, 40 % diesel and 150 mg CuO] and pure diesel). On engine performance and emissions, the impact of using copper oxide has been studied. The results of the experiment demonstrate that diesel engines can run on various mixtures of fuel, biodiesel, and CuO nano-material under the same operating conditions. The obtained data indicates that a 10% increase in brake thermal efficiency was noted, decrease in exhaust temperature with 11.6 % and decrease in brake specific fuel consumption with 6.66