Iterative Time-Varying Filter Algorithm Based on Discrete Linear Chirp Transform

Denoising of broadband non--stationary signals is a challenging problem in communication systems. In this paper, we introduce a time-varying filter algorithm based on the discrete linear chirp transform (DLCT), which provides local signal decomposition in terms of linear chirps. The method relies on the ability of the DLCT for providing a sparse representation to a wide class of broadband signals. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with the discrete fractional Fourier transform (DFrFT) filtering algorithm. Simulation results show that the DLCT algorithm provides better performance than the DFrFT algorithm and consequently achieves high quality filtering.Comment: 6 pages, conference pape

Production and Characteristics of a Turkish Traditional Food in Another Country (Jonkoping-Sweden): Molasses

Pekmez, which has been produced for a long time in Turkey, is one of the popular and traditional Turkish foods (Tosun & Üstün, 2003; Celik & Surucuoglu, 2005). Although it is not very common, it is being tried in houses and production places in some countries where Turks live. Pekmez is produced primarily from grapes (Alpaslan & Hayta, 2002; Sürücüoglu & Celik, 2005; Batu et al., 2007). Grapes suitable for fruit juice yield, sugar content, acid value and ripening time are suitable for molasses production.Turkey, approximately 4185.126 tons of grapes are produced per year (TUIK, 2012), and approximately 30% of the grapes produced in Turkey are used for pekmez, wort and sausage with pekmez production in a year. In this study, some information is given on Molasses (produced in another country), production stages, effects on health and the relevant regulations and in terms of product chemical and microbiological characteristics

Renewable Energies

Fossil fuels are being consumed at much faster rates than they are produced in the Earth's crust; hence, the world's supply of these fuels is being depleted. The depletion of these nonrenewable fuels is a major challenge facing humanity. There are alternative sources of energy that are renewable and not based on the burning of fossil fuels. Renewable energy resources are those from sources that are capable of being continually replenished after exploitation. They are not exhaustible within human timescales. They occur naturally and abundantly and provide relatively clean energy that does not produce greenhouse gases like fossil fuels do

Rotavirus and adenovirus frequency among patients with acute gastroenteritis and their relationship to clinical parameters: a retrospective study in Turkey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Diarrhea is the third leading cause of death related to infectious diseases all over the world. The diseases related to viral gastroenteritis are gradually increasing, particularly in the developed countries. The purpose of our study was to determine the frequency and to investigate the clinical manifestations of acute rotavirus and adenovirus gatroenteritis and to assess the diagnostic value of the related clinical findings.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 2007-2008 patients with diarrhea and/or vomiting attended to Yeditepe University Hospital and related clinics, Istanbul, were studied. The rotavirus and/or adenovirus antigen in stool of these patients were investigated. Data regarding clinical findings were collected from the electronic records, retrospectively. Age, gender, symptoms, fever, antibiotic use, vomiting, number of vomiting and diarrhaeae, dehydration, abdominal pain, the other pathological physical examination findings were analyzed by the physicians in the study group. To investigate the rotavirus and adenovirus antigen CerTest Rota-Adeno Blister Test (CerTest, Biotec, Spain), a qualitative immunochromotographic assay was used. Statistical analysis wasperformed with SPSS v. 11,5 statistical software. X²test was used for bivariate and logistic regression analysis was used for multivariate analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Rotavirus positivity was 18,7% (n = 126). Concomitantly, in 596 cases adenovirus antigen test were also performed. Adenovirus positivity was 8,9% (n = 53) and rota-adenovirus co-infection was 4,4% (n = 26). Most of rotavirus positive cases were seen in December, January, February and March (p < 0.001). In clinical parameters, there was a significant difference between rotavirus positive cases and negative cases regarding to vomiting, dehydration and vomiting and diarrhea coexistence (respectively p = 0.010, p < 0.00, p = 0.007).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Rotavirus can be seen in all age groups, but more frequently in childhood. Although there is no clinical gold standard to distinguish the rotavirus cases from the other gastroenteritis agents, the findings of dehydration and vomiting-diarrhea coexistence, considering months of referral may lead clinician to perform rapid antigen tests and affect approach to the treatment. Prospective studies with representative samples are needed to determine the rotavirus and adenovirus incidence and to develop safe and reliable protective policies in our country.</p

Follow-up observations of pulsating subdwarf B stars: Multisite campaigns on PG 1618+563B and PG 0048+091

We present follow-up observations of pulsating subdwarf B (sdB) stars as part of our efforts to resolve the pulsation spectra for use in asteroseismological analyses. This paper reports on multisite campaigns of the pulsating sdB stars PG 1618+563B and PG 0048+091. Data were obtained from observatories placed around the globe for coverage from all longitudes. For PG 1618+563B, our five-site campaign uncovered a dichotomy of pulsation states: Early during the campaign the amplitudes and phases (and perhaps frequencies) were quite variable while data obtained late in the campaign were able to fully resolve five stable pulsation frequencies. For PG 0048+091, our five-site campaign uncovered a plethora of frequencies with short pulsation lifetimes. We find them to have observed properties consistent with stochastically excited oscillations, an unexpected result for subdwarf B stars. We discuss our findings and their impact on subdwarf B asteroseismology.Comment: 50 pages including 17 figures and 10 tables. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journa

Energy Characterisation of Briquettes Produced from Admixture of Arundo donax L. and Coconut Coir

The study was carried out to evaluate the combustible energy characteristics of briquettes produced from Arundo donax, coconut coir and admixture of both agricultural wastes, using cassava starch as binder. The 2 x 5 factorial experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (CRD), and replicated 3 times to give a total of 15 samples. Physical parameters assessed in the study were: moisture content and density while combustion properties included: ash content, percentage fixed carbon, percentage volatile matter, heating value and water boiling test value. The results obtained from the assessment of the physical properties of the briquettes produced from the admixture of 50g Arundo donax and 50g of coconut coir showed the lowest mean value of 32.72+1.86% for moisture content while 100g of coconut coir recorded the highest density of 0.56+ 0.03g/cm3. For the combustion properties, it was observed that admixture of 50g of Arundo donax and 50g of coconut coir produced briquette with the lowest ash content of 4.33 +0.76%. The results also revealed that briquette produced form 50g of Arundo donax and 50g of coconut coir had the highest mean value of percentage fixed carbon, heating energy and cooking efficiency (water boiling test value) as 14.83 +1.89%, 32.13 + 255.39 kJ/g and 3.39 + 0.10 kJ/kg respectively. A relatively high volatile matter of 84.83 + 2.08% was also recorded for briquette from this admixture. Inspite of the limitations posed by the use of manual moulding equipment for the briquetting process -- low densification and less compression of loose biomass materials into briquette blocks -- biomass briquette was successfully produced., based on the results of this study, However, it is recommended that briquette should be produced from Arundo donax and coconut coir mixed together in equal proportion for improved combustion properties, due to its low moisture content, low ash content, high heating value, high percentage fixed carbon and highest cooking efficiency

A microsatellite marker for yellow rust resistance in wheat

Bulk segregant analysis (BSA) was used to identify molecular markers associated with yellow rust disease resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). DNAs isolated from the selected yellow rust tolerant and susceptible F-2 individuals derived from a cross between yellow rust resistant and susceptible wheat genotypes were used to established a "tolerant" and a "susceptible" DNA pool. The BSA was then performed on these DNA pools using 230 markers that were previously mapped onto the individual wheat chromosomes. One of the SSR markers (Xgwm382) located on chromosome group 2 (A, B, D genomes) was present in the resistant parent and the resistant bulk but not in the susceptible parent and the susceptible bulk, suggesting that this marker is linked to a yellow rust resistance gene. The presence of Xgwm382 was also tested in 108 additional wheat genotypes differing in yellow rust resistance. This analysis showed that 81% of the wheat genotypes known to be yellow rust resistant had the Xgwm382 marker, further suggesting that the presence of this marker correlates with yellow rust resistance in diverse wheat germplasm. Therefore, Xgwm382 could be useful for marker assisted selection of yellow rust resistances genotypes in wheat breeding programs

Dietary elimination of children with food protein induced gastrointestinal allergy – micronutrient adequacy with and without a hypoallergenic formula?

Background: The cornerstone for management of Food protein-induced gastrointestinal allergy (FPGIA) is dietary exclusion; however the micronutrient intake of this population has been poorly studied. We set out to determine the dietary intake of children on an elimination diet for this food allergy and hypothesised that the type of elimination diet and the presence of a hypoallergenic formula (HF) significantly impacts on micronutrient intake. Method: A prospective observational study was conducted on children diagnosed with FPIGA on an exclusion diet who completed a 3 day semi-quantitative food diary 4 weeks after commencing the diet. Nutritional intake where HF was used was compared to those without HF, with or without a vitamin and mineral supplement (VMS). Results: One-hundred-and-five food diaries were included in the data analysis: 70 boys (66.7%) with median age of 21.8 months [IQR: 10 - 67.7]. Fifty-three children (50.5%) consumed a HF and the volume of consumption was correlated to micronutrient intake. Significantly (p <0.05) more children reached their micronutrient requirements if a HF was consumed. In those without a HF, some continued not to achieve requirements in particular for vitamin D and zinc, in spite of VMS. Conclusion: This study points towards the important micronutrient contribution of a HF in children with FPIGA. Children, who are not on a HF and without a VMS, are at increased risk of low intakes in particular vitamin D and zinc. Further studies need to be performed, to assess whether dietary intake translates into actual biological deficiencies

Biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles and activated sodium persulphate for hydrocarbon remediation in contaminated soil

Biogenic iron oxide nanoparticles synthesized from a locally sourced, readily available plant — Azadirachta indica, were used synergistically with sodium persulphate (PS) to degrade total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPHs) in contaminated soil. A chemometric approach to optimizing the conditions for the degradation of TPH was developed using central composite design (CCD). Characterization of iron oxide nanoparticles was carried out with X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected electron area diffraction (SAED). Analysis of TPH was carried out with gas chromatography flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The optimum condition for the complete degradation of TPH was achieved at pH 6.0 and oxidant dosage of 0.74 M within 14 h and 5 days. Iron nanoparticles AZA FeNP (1:1) and AZA FeNP (2:1) were synthesized by varying the ratio of extract/precursor. The nanoparticles displayed heterogeneous, amorphous morphology with increased agglomeration in AZA FeNP (1:1). AZA FeNP (2:1) XRD spectra exhibited characteristic peaks at 27.0◦, 35.4◦ and 44.5◦, which are attributed to iron nanoparticles. TEM and HR-TEM images confirmed spherical nanoclusters’ presence with an average size of 9.3 and 10.0 nm for AZA FeNP (1:1) and AZA FeNP (2:1), respectively. The EDX spectra displayed intense peaks of oxygen, carbon, and iron at 0.4, 0.6 and 6.4 KeV confirming the presence of FeNP. Under optimized conditions, PS alone degraded 68% TPH while 0.07 and 0.15 g/L FeNP achieved ∼93 and 95% degradation, respectively. Additionally, 0.07 and 0.15 g/L FeNP-activated PS achieved ∼99 and 100% TPH degradation, respectively. The outcome of these findings suggests that FeNP synthesized using A. indica successfully catalyzed PS for complete degradation of TPH in crude oil-contaminated soil