A Novel Method based on Gaussianity and Sparsity for Signal Separation Algorithms

Blind source separation is a very known problem which refers to finding the original sources without the aid of information about the nature of the sources and the mixing process, to solve this kind of problem having only the mixtures, it is almost impossible , that why using some assumptions is needed in somehow according to the differents situations existing in the real world, for exemple, in laboratory condition, most of tested algorithms works very fine and having good performence because the  nature and the number of the input signals are almost known apriori and then the mixing process is well determined for the separation operation.  But in fact, the real-life scenario is much more different and of course the problem is becoming much more complicated due to the the fact of having the most of the parameters of the linear equation are unknown. In this paper, we present a novel method based on Gaussianity and Sparsity for signal separation algorithms where independent component analysis will be used. The Sparsity as a preprocessing step, then, as a final step, the Gaussianity based source separation block has been used to estimate the original sources. To validate our proposed method, the FPICA algorithm based on BSS technique has been used

The Impact of Implementing Quality Management System (ISO 9001: 2008) on the Job Performance of Employees at Najran University

This research aimed to assess the impact of implementation of ISO 9001: 2008 on the job performance of employees in the Vice Presidency for Development & Quality – Najran University (VPDQ-NU). Researchers used a Quasi-experimental and descriptive method. For the Quasi-experimental method, the total sample size was (15 employee) who Stayed in the job for two consecutive years (2012/2013, 2013/2014) and received their evaluation of job performance from VPDQ-NU. For the descriptive method, researchers used the results of Internal Audit action records and designed a questionnaire to achieve research objectives. Twenty-two employees in VPDQ-NU responded to the questionnaire. The result of this research from three sources (Quasi-experimental - Internal Audit action records - Designed questionnaire) shows that there is positive effectiveness of ISO 9001:2008 to improve job performance of employees in VPDQ-NU. Based on this research, a key recommendation is the mainstream implementation of quality management system (ISO 9001: 2008) at all administrations and departments in the Najran University to ensure continuous improvement of the job performance of employees. Keywords: ISO 9001: 2008, Job performance, Quality management syste

Survey on medicinal plants and spices used in Beni-Sueif, Upper Egypt

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>This study was conducted to identify medicinal plants and spices used for medicine by the community of Beni-Sueif, Upper Egypt.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Ethnobotanical data from local people was collected using direct interviews and a semi-structured questionnaire.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Forty-eight plant species belonging to twenty-seven families and forty-seven genera were encountered during the study. Their botanical and vernacular names, plant parts used and medicinal uses are given. Results of the study were analyzed using two quantitative tools. The factor informant consensus indicated the agreement in the use of plants and the fidelity level indicated the ratio between the number of informants who independently suggested the use of a species for the same major purpose and the total number of informants who mentioned the plant for any use. The results of the factor informant consensus showed that the cardiovascular category has the greatest agreement, followed by the immunological, gastrointestinal and respiratory categories. The most important species according to their fidelity are: <it>Hibiscus sabdariffa </it>L. for the cardiovascular category; <it>Trigonella foenum-graecum </it>L. for the immunological category; <it>Mentha piperita </it>L. for the gastrointestinal category and <it>Pimpinella anisum </it>L. for the respiratory category.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Medicinal plants are still used for treatment in Beni-Sueif community despite the availability of prescribed medications. Documentation of this ethnomedicinal knowledge is important. Evaluation of pharmacological activity for the promising medicinal plants is suggested.</p

Extent of Implementing the Total Quality Management Principles by Academic Departments Heads at Najran University from Faculty Members’ Perspectives

This study aimed to identify the implementing degree of Total Quality Management (TQM) principals by Academic Departmental Heads (ADH) at the Najran University from faculty members’ perspectives. It also aimed to determine significant differences between the average estimate of sample section of faculty members about the implementing degree of TQM principles by ADH attributable to the study variables (gender, faculty, and academic rank and experience years). The study sample consists of 200 faculty members. A questionnaire divided into six domains (44 items): (effective leadership, Make decisions based on facts, strategic planning, participation and teamwork, focus on the satisfaction of the beneficiary, and the continuous improvement and excellence). The most significant outcome revealed from this study, that the implementing degree of TQM principles was average (68.4%). Results also have shown statistically significant differences at the level (α = 0.05) in the responses of faculty members about assessing the implementing degree of Total Quality Management (TQM) principals by Academic Departmental Heads (ADH) at Najran University according to the study variables (gender, academic rank and experience years). In light of these findings, the study has recommended several recommendations such as Finding a clear functional description for the job of the academic ADH which can explain the tasks and specializations at Najran University. Keywords: academic departments, academic leaderships, quality of Higher education

An Investigation into Vibration Based Techniques for Wind Turbine Blades Condition Monitoring

The rapid expansion of wind power has been accompanied by reported reliability problems and the aim is to provide a means of increasing wind turbine reliability, prevent break downs, increase availability and reduce maintenance costs and power outages. This research work reports the development of condition monitoring (CM) for early fault detection in wind turbine blades based on vibration measurements. The research started with a background and a survey of methods used for monitoring wind turbines. Then, finite element modelling (FEM) of three bladed horizontal axis wind turbine (HAWT) was developed to understand the nature and mechanism of the induced vibration. A HAWT test rig was constructed and equipped with computerised vibration measuring system for model verification. Statistical and spectral processing parameters then were used to analyse vibration signals that collected in healthy and faulty cases. Results obtained using time and frequency based techniques are not suitable for extracting blades condition related information. Consequently, empirical mode decomposition method (EMD), principal component analysis method (PCA) and continuous wavelet transform (CWT) are applied for extraction blade condition related features from the measured vibration. The result showed that although these methods generally proved their success in other fields, they have failed to detect small faults or changes in blade structure. Therefore, new techniques were developed using the above mentioned methods combined with feature intensity level (FIL) and crest factor. Namely, those are EDFIL, RMPCA and wavelet based FIL. The new techniques are found to be reliable, robust and sensitive to the severity of faults. Those analysis techniques are suitable to be the detection tool for an integrated wind turbine condition monitoring system. Directions for future work are also given at the end of the thesis

Pulmonary vein thrombosis secondary to tuberculosis in a non-HIV infected patient

Tuberculosis has been suggested as an independent risk factor for thromboembolism due to a hypercoagulable state induced by changes in clotting factors, protein C and vascular endothelium. Pulmonary vein thrombosis (PVT) is a rare, potentially serious and life-threatening condition that can be caused by tuberculosis. Its rare occurrence is due to a rich network of venous collateral vessels that drain the lung. PVT can also occur following lobectomy for malignancy, lung transplantation, radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, sclerosing mediastinitis and following metastatic cancer, such as liposarcoma. Pulmonary vein thrombosis is difficult to diagnose clinically and requires a combination of conventional diagnostic modalities. Systemic anticoagulation, treatment of the predisposing pathology and monitoring of the thrombosis are parts of management of pulmonary vein thrombosis. We present a case of pulmonary vein thrombosis due to tuberculosis. Our patient is a 67-year-old Caucasian male with a past medical history significant for hypertension and hyperlipidemia who came to our hospital with hemoptysis, cough and shortness of breath 1-month duration. He also noticed around 20 pounds of weight loss and night sweats but had no fever. He had no history of travel outside the USA and has never been incarcerated before, but he endorsed that his son has been in Jail before but the son has never been diagnosed with TB. He quit smoking 2 months ago. He was tachycardic, tachypneic and had decreased air entry with crepitation in the right side of the posterior chest. Chest x ray showed multiple cavitary lesions in the right upper lobe area. CT scan of the chest with contrast showed pulmonary venous partial thrombosis in the right upper lobe with multiple cavitary lesions with hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Sputum AFB was positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis and was sensitive for rifampicin. Patient was treated with systemic anticoagulation and anti-tuberculosis medications. Patient’s hospital course was complicated by development of elevated liver enzymes at which time the anti-TB medications were stopped to be restarted one by one with a follow up of his liver enzymes and liver function tests. Our case shows that presentation of patients with PVT is non-specific and needs a very high index of suspicion for proper diagnosis and management to prevent further complications as it is associated with limb and life-threatening complications. It also illustrates the importance of considering PVT in a patient with tuberculosis

Reccurent Reversible Encephalopathy with Ataxia and D-Lactic acidosis in Short bowel Syndrome

The short gut syndrome can lead to multiple metabolic disorders along with chronic malnutrition. Such patients can develop changes in mental status due to metabolic alterations. We present a case of eleven years old male who presented to the hospital with an altered mental state. There were repeated admissions to the hospital with a similar complain with non-conclusive cerebrospinal fluid analysis and normal neuroimaging findings. The patient suffered from chronic malnutrition and multiple hospitalizations with altered mental status, encephalopathy. However, he responded well to bicarbonate therapy and prophylactic metronidazole treatment