The Effects of Mode Perceptions on Intercity Mode-Choice Behavior in Saudi Arabia

The conventional mode choice models mostly consider quantitative variables in their model estimation although mode choice may be affected by the qualitative perception levels of service variables. This study aimed to investigate the effect of incorporating mode perception into the modeling of mode choice process for intercity travel in Saudi Arabia after developing and testing scales for quantifying the perceptions of mode privacy, convenience, comfort and reliability. In order to investigate the effects of mode perceptions, multinomial logit mode choice models were calibrated for business trips as well as social/recreational trips. This study reveals that the perception of mode comfort significantly affects the choice of the travelers for the mentioned three types of trips but perception of mode is significant for business trips only. The study concluded that it is not worthy to use these variables in planning stages due to the difficulty and cost in obtaining the mode perceptions. However, the variables could be quite useful in identifying deficiencies of the intercity modes as perceived by travelers and therefore could help operators in improving the required services. Keywords: mode perception, mode choice

Overall burden of bloodstream infection and nosocomial bloodstream infection in North America and Europe

AbstractIn this systematic review, we estimated the total number of episodes of bloodstream infection (BSI) and deaths from BSI per year in North America and Europe, using data from population-based settings. Then, we estimated the number of episodes and deaths from nosocomial BSI from population-based studies and nosocomial infection surveillance systems. We estimated 575 000–677 000 episodes of BSI per year in North America (536 000–628 000 in the USA and 40 000–49 000 in Canada) and 79 000–94 000 deaths (72 000–85 000 in the USA and 7000–9000 in Canada), using estimates from three population-based studies. We estimated over 1 200 000 episodes of BSI and 157 000 deaths per year in Europe, using estimates from one population-based study in each of the following countries: Denmark (9100 episodes and 1900 deaths), Finland (8700 episodes and 1100 deaths) and England (96 000 episodes and 12 000–19 000 deaths). There were substantial differences in estimates of nosocomial BSI between population-based and nosocomial infection surveillance data. BSI has a major impact on the morbidity and mortality of the general population, as it ranks among the top seven causes of death in all included countries in North America and Europe. However, it is difficult to obtain precise estimates of nosocomial BSI, owing to the limited number of studies. This review highlights the need for a greater focus on BSI research in order to reduce the overall burden of disease by improving the outcome of patients with BSI. It also emphasizes the role of infection control and prevention methods in reducing the burden of nosocomial BSI

Study of GPCR levels in Iraqi diabetic and diabetic nephropathy

Abstract Aim of the study is to determined  G-protein coupled receptor levels in diabetic and diabetic nephropathy patients and compare the results with control group. Study also, aimed   to find relationship  of GPCR with HbA1c , cholesterol and Triglyceride  in these patients ,in order to  that GPCR could be used as a marker combat diabetes and its complication . One hundred fifty subjects were involved  in this study that divided into three groups as follows:- Control group (G1) consists of 50 healthy individuals. Diabetic group (G2) consists of 50 patients and diabetic Nephropathy group (G3) consists of 50 patients . levels of HbA1c % , urea , createnine , albumin , TC, TG, HDL-c, LDL-c , VLDL-c and GPCR were determined in all subjects. Conclusion could be drawn from study that the difference between GPCR levels among  groups indicate GPCR may be used as a marker in development of diabetic nephropathy as well as their  are a significant relation for GPCR with TC and TG . Keywords: GPCR , diabetic and diabetic nephropath

Six-coordinate oxime-imine cobalt(III) complexes with amino acid co-ligands; synthesis and characterisation

In this publication, several six coordinate Co(III)-complexes are reported. The reaction of 2,3-butanedione monoxime with ethylenediamine or o-phenylenediamine in mole ratios of 2:1 gave the tetradentate imine-oxime ligands diaminoethane-N,N`-bis(2-butylidine-3-onedioxime) H2L1 and o-phenylenediamine-N,N`-bis(2-butylidine-3-onedioxime), respectively. The reaction of H2L1 and H2L2 with Co(NO3)2, and the amino acid co-ligands (glycine or serine) resulted in the formation of the required complexes. Upon complex formation, the ligands behave as a neutral tetradantate species, while the amino acid co-ligand acts as a monobasic species. The mode of bonding and overall geometry of the complexes were determined through physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. These studies revealed octahedral geometry about Co(III) complexes in which the co-ligands bound through the amine and the carboxylate groups. Molecular structure for the complexes have been optimised by CS Chem 3D Ultra Molecular Modelling and Analysis Program and supported six coordinate geometry

Re-Desain Sepeda Lowrider Tenaga Listrik dengan Metode Design Thinking

Bersepeda kini telah menjadi bagian dari gaya hidup tidak hanya untuk eksitensi individu, membuat banyak inovasi, salah satunya transportasi dengan konsep ramah lingkungan,dan ekonomis yang cocok dengan gaya hidup modern kota besar contohnya Surabaya. Peneliti tertarik untuk membuat inovasi pengembangan sepeda lowrider tenaga listrik, agar dapat menjadi potensi diperkembangan pesepeda maupun industri kreatif dan dapat membantu mengurangi kelelahkan pengguna ataupun menambah daya jarak tempu bersepeda. Penelitian ini melalui metode deskriptif kualitatif dan pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan cara observasi dan wawancara lalu akan di analisa dengan analisis Design Thinking dari segi bentuk,dan kebutuhan pengguna. Dari hasil analisa dapat diambil sintesa dan konsep. Konsep yang diambil futuristik karena menggunakan teknologi yang mungkin menjadi inovasi diera industri kreatif

Towards integrated control of varroa: effect of variation in hygienic behaviour among honey bee colonies on mite population increase and deformed wing virus incidence

Hygienic behaviour in the honey bee, Apis mellifera, is the uncapping and removal of dead, diseased or infected brood from sealed cells by worker bees. We determined the effect of hygienic behaviour on varroa population growth and incidence of deformed wing virus (DWV), which can be transmitted by varroa. We treated 42 broodless honey bee colonies with oxalic acid in early January 2013 to reduce varroa populations to low levels, which we quantified by extracting mites from a sample of worker bees. We quantified varroa levels, again when the colonies were broodless, 48 weeks later. During the summer the hygienic behaviour in each colony was quantified four times using the Freeze Killed Brood (FKB) removal assay, and ranged from 27.5 % to 100 %. Varroa population increased greatly over the season, and there was a significant negative correlation between varroa increase and FKB removal. This was entirely due to fully hygienic colonies with >95 % FKB having only 43 % of the varroa build up of the less hygienic colonies.None of the 14 colonies with >80 % FKB removal had overt symptoms of DWV, whilst 36 % of the less hygienic colonies did. Higher levels of FKB removal also correlated significantly with lower numbers of DWV RNA copies in worker bees, but not in varroa mites. On average, fully hygienic colonies had c. 10,000 times less viral RNA than less hygienic colonies

Digital Motor Control for Hybrid-Electric Aircrafts

Transforming aviation to improve aircraft shapes, propulsion and efficiency has led to studies for future electric aircrafts that consume only half as much fuel. This project involves thermodynamics modeling and electric power system modeling for turbo-electric generations systems and battery systems for hybrid electric aircrafts. The fundamentals of a digital motor control driver were studied through the use of a fractional horsepower development kit. The investigations were supplemented with automated motor controller software that identifies, tunes and controls the motor, and exploits similarities and differences between all motors. A file was modified that stores all the parameters, such as inductance and resistance, and performs tests to ensure that the motor is operating smoothly and does not heat during the process. Pulse width modulation, testing flux frequency and other varied parameters resulted in consistent measurements of resistance and inductance values, making this software a robust tool for studying any motors

EFFECT OF ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING ON RESILIENCE AMONG EARLY-ADOLESCENTS

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of assertive training on early-adolescents‘ improvement of resilience. The training which consisted of 10 sessions of 50 minutes each was conducted at Army Day Secondary School in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. A total of 24 students aged 10-12 years were used for the study. Pre-test post test experimental and control group design was used with some observation also made. Randomisation assignment was used to draw the 14 (8 male and 6 female) students to experimental and 10 (male and female) student to control groups. Researcher made early-adolescents‘ resilience scale (P.R.S) were used as instruments. Experts in the field of Guidance and Counselling validated the instruments for both pre-test and post-test. A test retest was employed at interval of two weeks to test for the reliability co-efficient of the instrument; Spearman‘s product moment correlation method was used to test the result. The correlated coefficients of early-adolescents‘ resilience scale = 0.84. The summary of the research questions and hypothesis answered showed that there was positive effect of assertiveness training on improvement of resilience on respondents. The assertiveness training showed more improvement on resilience of the girls than that of the boys. From the statistical analysis, we conclude that the assertive training has been able to improve the level of resilience on the experimental group. This result shows that both the male and female was affected equally by the assertiveness training. There were higher scores from the experimental group and for that we attribute it to the effect of assertive training on them. The observation carried out by the researcher and the teachers has a positive outcome. Recommendation was made for the need of counselling units in schools