A description of odd mass Xe and Te isotopes in the Interacting Boson-Fermion Model

Recent interest in spectroscopic factors for single-neutron transfer in low-spin states of the even-odd Xenon $^{125,127,129.131}$Xe and even-odd Tellurium, $^{123,125,127,129,131}$Te isotopes stimulated us to study these isotopes within the frame work of the Interacting Boson-Fermion Model. The fermion that is coupled to the system of bosons is taken to be in the positive parity $3s_{1/2}$, $2d_{3/2}$, $2d_{5/2}$, $1g_{7/2}$ and in the negative $1h_{11/2}$ single-particle orbits, the complete 50-82 major shell. The calculated energies of low-spin energy levels of the odd isotopes are found to agree well with the experimental data. Also B(E2), B(M1) values and spectroscopic factors for single-neutron transfer are calculated and compared with experimental data.Comment: Submitted to Nuclear Physics

Magnetohydrodynamic flow with heat and mass transfer of non-Newtonian fluid past a vertical heated plate embedded in non-Darcy porous medium with variable porosity

Numerical solutions of the nonlinear partial differential equations which describe the motion of the non-Newtonian fluid with heat and mass transfer past a semi-infinite vertical heated plate embedded in a porous medium are obtained.  The considered fluid is obeying the Eyring Powell model.  The system is stressed by an external uniform magnetic field.  The porous medium is obeying the non-Darcy Forchheimer model.  The variation of permeability, porosity and thermal conductivity are considered.  Similarity transformations are made to transform the system of equations to non-linear ordinary differential equations.  A shooting algorithm with Runge-Kutta Fehlberg integration scheme is used to solve these equations.  The velocity, temperature and concentration distributions are obtained as functions of the physical parameters of the problem.  The effects of these parameters on these distributions are discussed and illustrated graphically through a set of figures. Keywords: Magnetohydrodynamics, Mixed convection, Eyring Powell model, Non-  Darcy flow, Porous medium, Magnetic field

Antidiabetic potential of Balanites Aegyptiaca kernel, flesh and their combination against streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in male rats

Purpose: To investigate the antidiabetic effect of Balanites aegyptiaca fruit kernel, flesh and their mixture on streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in male rats.Methods: Six-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into nine groups: (1) control; (2) kernel; (3) flesh; (4) kernel + flesh; (5) STZ; (6) STZ + kernel; (7) STZ + flesh; (8) STZ + (kernel + flesh) and (9) STZ + metformin. Body weight changes, fasting blood glucose and serum insulin were assessed. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) stained pancreas sections were examined microscopically for the number and status of β cells.Results: Administration of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel, flesh and their mixture significantly increased rat body weight compared to STZ-treated rats. In addition, the hypoglycemic effect of kernel, flesh and their mixture was noticed. In STZ-treated rats, administration of Balanites aegyptiaca kernel and kernel + flesh mixture significantly increased serum insulin (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination revealed a marked increase in the islets cell population with cellular activation, with superior effect in STZ + kernel group and STZ + (kernel + flesh) group.Conclusion: Balanites aegyptiaca showed a hypoglycemic effect which is comparable to metformin action. Further studies are required to determine its suitability as an anti-diabetic agent in humansKeywords: Balanites aegyptiaca, Diabetes, Histopathology, Insulin, Pancrea

Medicinal Properties of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) Oil: An Overview

Coffee is one of the massive tropical crops in developing countries and historically understudied in subjects of crop nutrition and administration. Arabian coffee (Coffea arabica) plant belongs to the genus Coffea in the Rubiaceae family. It is known as the most widely recognized Coffea species created comprehensively summing up to over 75% of the all-out Coffea creation. Its compounds are a complex mixture of different chemicals that have many health benefits. The usage of various parts of a coffee plant, along with its oil is verified for the manufacturing of ancient medicines that helped in curing a number of ailments. These traditional uses were scientifically proven by many studies including psychoactive responses, neurological and metabolic disorders. Coffee oil consists mainly of triglycerol and fatty acids along with antioxidants. It also possesses some biologically active fatty acids that are anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-diabetic and anti-atherosclerotic in nature. This paper provides the medicinal properties and scientific review of Arabica coffee Oil

Isolation and characterization of a molybdenum-reducing and Orange G-decolorizing Enterobacter sp. strain Zeid-6 in soils from Sudan

Chemical toxins and organic contaminants such as hydrocarbons and dyes are major global contaminants with countless tones of those chemicals are created yearly with a significant amount release to the environment. In this work we screen the ability of a molybdenum-reducing bacterium isolated from contaminated soil to decolorize various azo and triphenyl methane dyes independent of molybdenum reduction. Biochemical analysis resulted in a tentative identification of the bacterium as Enterobacter sp. strain Zeid-6. The bacterium was able to decolorize the azo dye Orange G. The bacterium reduces molybdate to Mo-blue optimally at pH between 5.5 and 8.0 and temperatures of between 30 and 37 °C. Other requirements include a phosphate concentration of 5 mM and a molybdate concentration of 20 mM. The absorption spectrum of the Mo-blue produced was similar to previous Mo-reducing bacterium, and closely resembles a reduced phosphomolybdate. Molybdenum reduction was inhibited by copper, lead, mercury and silver which showed 36.8, 16.9, 64.9 and 67.6% inhibition to Mo-reducing activity of Enterobacter sp. strain Zeid-6, respectively. The resultant molybdenum blue spectrum closely resembles the spectrum of molybdenum blue from the phosphate determination method. The ability of this bacterium to detoxify molybdenum and decolorize azo dye makes this bacterium an important tool for bioremediation

Numerical Study of the Behaviour of Embankment Constructed over Soft Soil Stabilized with Ordinary and Geosynthetic - Reinforced Stone Columns

Structures constructed on soft soils may undergo significant settlement, local or global instability, and a significant lateral displacement of the soft soil layer. Ordinary stone columns (OSC) and stone columns strengthened with geosynthetic reinforcement reduce settlement and improve the subsoil's bearing capacity. Numerical analyses have been performed using a 3-dimensional finite element program (PLAXIS3D) to investigate the time-dependent behavior of embankments resting on stone columns constructed in very soft clay. The geosynthetic encasement is the more typical type of reinforcement; however, laminated layers can be adopted in this study. The geosynthetics material was used to strengthen the OSC in the form of vertical encasement, horizontal stripes, and combined vertical-horizontal reinforcement and vertical-basal geogrid reinforcement (BGR). This research compares these forms of reinforcement on embankment behavior. The research results showed that using the encased stone column (ESC) and the vertical-horizontal reinforced stone columns (V-HRSC) have provided a considerable improvement in the lateral deformation of the column over its length, generation, and dissipation of excess pore pressure, and settlement. An increase in factor of safety (FOS) against failure of the embankment was observed by 53% using the ESC compared to untreated soil. Using the horizontal geosynthetic layer (HGL) and the (BGR) after encasing the stone columns has no effect on the safety factor as the failure mechanism converted from deep-seated to surface failure

Human Bocavirus Infection among Children, Jordan

Human bocavirus was detected in 57 (18.3%) of 312 children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) who required hospitalization in Jordan. It was also detected in 30 (21.7%) of 138 children with severe ARI, in 27 (15.5%) of 174 with mild or moderate disease, and in 41 (72%) of 57 with other pathogens

MicroRNAs as Potential Biomarkers for Childhood Epilepsy

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is the most frequent chronic neurologic condition in childhood. Its clinical diagnosis is based on electroencephalograms (EEG) and neuroimaging techniques. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate gene expression of several genes and are aberrantly expressed in several diseases. AIM: Evaluation of using circulating miR-106b and miR-146a as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in children patients with epilepsy. METHODS: Thirty epileptic children and twenty controls were enrolled in our study. They were assessed for the expression pattern of miR-106b and miR-146a in plasma using quantitative real-time PCR and determination of plasma Immunoglobulin levels. RESULTS: MiR-146a and miR-106b expression patterns were significantly up-regulated in children patients than that in normal controls. Plasma Immunoglobulins were differentially expressed in epileptic patients in comparison with healthy controls. No correlations were found between expression levels of miRNAs (miR-146a and miR-106b) and clinical data or immunoglobulin levels in children patients with epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that up-regulated plasma miR-106b and miR-146a could be used as biomarkers for epilepsy evaluation

INCREASED URINARY 8-OXO-7,8-DIHYDRO-2′-DEOXYGUANOSINE EXCRETION IN A SAMPLE OF EGYPTIAN CHILDREN WITH BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR: MARKER FOR LIPID PEROXIDATION-INDUCED DNA DAMAGE

Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate oxidative stress status in children with β-thalassemia major.Methods: Our study was conducted in children with β-thalassemia aged from 5 to 15 years. Investigate the urinary excretion of human 8-oxo-7,8- dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine, which will be analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To investigate serum levels of antioxidant enzymes include glutathione s-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT).Results: We found a significant elevation of the urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine level with p=0.001 compared to control group, a significant reduction of both GST and CAT p=0.05 and 0.03, respectively, compared to control group. There was a significant negative correlation between urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanisine and CAT level, r=−0.378, p=0.016, hemoglobin - r=−0.610, p=0.001, hematocrit (%) - r=−0.478, p=0.002, while a significant positive correlation between urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanisine and alanine aminotransferase - r=0.547, p=0.001, and serum ferritin - r=0.391, p=0.013. There was a significant negative correlation between CAT and serum ferritin - r=−0.320, p=0.44.Conclusion: We conclude that the strongly increased urinary excretion 8-oxo-7,8=dihydro-2′-deoxyguanisine indicates elevated lipid peroxidation induced DNA damage in internal organs such as the liver. These highly pro mutagenic lesions may contribute to the increased risk of thalassemia patients to develop hepatocellular carcinoma

URINARY MARKERS OF OXIDATIVE DNA DAMAGE IN TYPE 1 DIABETIC CHILDREN: RELATION TO MICROVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS

  Objective: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a widespread metabolic disease, which frequently carries with it a significant impact on human health. Oxidative damage and tissue inflammation have been claimed to be a typical pathogenic component for the progression of diabetic complications. We aim in this study to explore the relation of urinary 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) (as a marker of nucleic acid oxidation) to microvascular complications in T1DM.Methods: A case–control study, enrolling 45 T1DM children and an equivalent number of healthy subjects, was performed. Full clinical examination and anthropometric measurement were performed to all subjects. Urinary assessment for 8-oxodG and albumin was done in addition to blood sampling for lipid profile and glycated Hb (HbA1c) assay. Complete ocular examination for assessment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) was also done.Results: Levels of urinary 8-oxodG, serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein in cases were significantly higher than non-diabetics; these levels were likewise higher in uncontrolled T1DM patients in comparison with well-controlled T1DM subjects. Urinary 8-oxodG and HbA1c were significantly higher in diabetic patients with albuminuria and DR compared to patients without complications. Significant positive correlation was found between 8-oxodG with HbA1c (r=0.8, p<0.01), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r=0.4, p=0.02), and cholesterol (r=0.4, p=0.05).Conclusion: Urinary 8-oxodG was found to be a reliable marker for assessing oxidative DNA damage in T1DM and can be used in the determination of microvascular complications related to diabetes