Ultrafast and Efficient Scalable Image Compression Algorithm

Wavelet-based image compression algorithms have good performance and produce a rate scalable bitstream that can be decoded efficiently at several bit rates. Unfortunately, the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) has relatively high computational complexity. On the other hand, the discrete cosine transform (DCT) has low complexity and excellent compaction properties. Unfortunately, it is non-local, which necessitates implementing it as a block-based transform leading to the well-known blocking artifacts at the edges of the DCT blocks. This paper proposes a very fast and rate scalable algorithm that exploits the low complexity of DCT and the low complexity of the set partitioning technique used by the wavelet-based algorithms. Like JPEG, the proposed algorithm first transforms the image using block-based DCT. Then, it rearranges the DCT coefficients into a wavelet-like structure. Finally, the rearranged image is coded using a modified version of the SPECK algorithm, which is one of the best well-known wavelet-based algorithms. The modified SPECK consumes slightly less computer memory, has slightly lower complexity and slightly better performance than the original SPECK. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm has competitive performance and high processing speed. Consequently, it has the best performance to complexity ratio among all the current rate scalable algorithms

Identification and characterizations of a few species of Fusarium infecting cucumber in greenhouse conditions

One of the most problematic and devastating diseases affecting cucumber production is Fusarium wilt (Cucumis sativus L.). The present study aimed to characterize Fusarium species isolated from three different regions of cucumber fields in Babylon province, Iraq and identify them based on morphological features and phylogenetic analyses. This study showed the presence of Fusarium incarnatum, F. solani and F. oxysporum in cucumber roots. Fusarium species were phylogenetically analyzed based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions. All Fusarium isolates were pathogenic to cucumber cultivars but varied significantly in their growth and pathogenicity toward cucumber seeds during the experiment.  F. solani-2 was greater in growth and pathogenicity than all other Fusarium species. In contrast, F. solani-1 was the lowest. The data obtained from morphological and molecular studies sufficiently supported each other, and the phylogenetic trees based on ITS were distinguished. Closely related species and distinctly separated all morphological taxa. These findings are reported for the first time for the cucumber plant in Babylon province. All these ITS sequences showed homologous to those of Fusarium species isolates in the GenBank database with a similarity percentage of 99%. To the best of present knowledge, this is the first molecular record of F. incarnatum on the cucumber plants in Iraq. The study concluded that F. incarnatum was reported for the first time in Iraq and worldwide as a causal agent of wilt disease in cucumber plants. The three species of Fusarium have different pathogenic abilities, highlighting their disease incidence, growth, and pathogenicity. 

The Potential Ability of Plaster to Cause Breast Cancer as Indicated by CA15-3 and CEA Antigens in Women Working in Gypsum Factory

Plaster is an important form of gypsum that mainly used in building construction. Breast cancer was investigated among women exposure to the dust of such material. The levels of CA15-3 and carcinoembryonic antigens (CEA) as indicators for breast cancer were measured in the serum of 120 women working in a plaster factory. All of involved women showed a normal level of CEA, while 12.5% of them had moderately elevated levels of CA15-3. In conclusion; plaster dust has no significant effect to cause breast cancer in working women. Moderately high levels of CA15-3 in some of exposed women may relate to liver diseases

Antifungal activity of essential oils against itraconazoleresistant pathogenic Candida isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis

Background and Purpose: Fungal infection by species of pathogenic Candida withantifungal resistance is currently a serious problem. Treatment with new medications isbecoming more challenging to manage this type of infection. The present study aimed to investigate the antifungal effect of essential oils (EOs) against itraconazole-resistantspecies of pathogenic Candida.Materials and Methods: Seven essential oils were tested on 15 clinical isolates ofitraconazole-resistant Candida from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Theantifungal action of selected EOs was evaluated using the disc diffusion method with the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of effective EOs.Results: Radish EO was the most effective type against all Candida isolates with MICsbetween 3.125% and 6.25% (v/v) .It also had a stronger effect than itraconazole. Sixother EOs showed antifungal effects at varying concentrations and were dependent upon the type of isolate. Low concentrations of these six EOs were more effective against many isolates than their high concentrations. Moreover, camphor and linseed EOs were less effective on isolates.Conclusion: Radish EO has a strong antifungal activity against itraconazole-resistancespecies of Candida, even more than itraconazole. The antifungal action of some EOs can be increased through the use of low concentrations

Effect of propolis on gene expiration IL-1? in Cyprinus carpio challenged with Aeromonas hydrophilia

Aquaculture has become a significant source of income in areas facing declining natural fishery productivity. This work aimed to investigate the effect of Water Ethanol Extract propolis (WEEP) on peritoneal macrophages in vitro production of cytokines, including interleukin-1beta (IL-1?) in common carp, Cyprinus carpio challenged with Aeromonas hydrophilia. The results of hematological parameters revealed substantial alterations, particularly significant in the 2g/kg propolis group (T2), where red blood cells, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin exhibited changes, indicating potential advantages for fish health by intriguing immunomodulatory effects. The 2 g/kg propolis group (T2) increased WBC count, suggesting propolis's potential as an immunostimulant. Interleukin-1? (IL-1?) gene expression results showed a significant decrease in T2 compared to T3. This finding revealed the intricate relationship between propolis concentrations and the modulation of the immune response. The results showed the positive effect of propolis on as potential application as an immunostimulant in aquaculture

Encapsulation of semantic description with syntactic components for the Arabic language

The work presents new theoretical equipment for the representation of natural languages (NL) in computers. Linguistics: morphology, semantics, and syntax are also presented as components of subtle computer science that form. A structure and an integrated data system. The presented useful theory of language is a new method to learn the language by separating the fields of semantics and syntax

Efeito da clarificação sobre algumas características do suco de romã processado por dois métodos diferentes durante o armazenamento

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of two clarifying procedures and their effects on some properties in thermally or microwave-pasteurized pomegranate juices. The experiment consisted in combining pectinase and protease as well as chitosan and gelatin once they were being stored in the refrigerator. The experiment consisted in three parts, being the first one a fresh juice without any clarification treatment, whereas, the second one was the fresh juice treated with clarifying agent consisted of pectinase and protease mixture ratio (2:1) at 0.75 v/v,and 50 °C for 20 min. Finally, the third one was fresh juice treated with chitosan and gelatin mixture at 0.4 and 0.8) g/L, respectively, at 50 °C for (20) min. The pasteurization of all three experiments was done by using two techniques, i.e., one with thermal water bath at 85 °C for two min and the microwave at 400 Watts for two min. All pomegranate juice bottles were stored at 4 °C for three months. The results showed a significant effect of the clarification method variable on the properties studied, especially turbidity, polyphenol and anthocyanin values. Moreover, the juice clarified with the enzymatic clarification method had better characteristics than the traditional ones during storage, what has therefore a better commercial appeal. The area of significance was founded with the use of traditional clarification with concentration at (0.4 and 0.8) g/l, and microwave pasteurization with 400 watts and zero month of storage at 4 °C, respectively, which is provided a minimum turbidity value.Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a efetividade de dois procedimentos esclarecedores e seus efeitos sobre algumas propriedades em sucos de romã termicamente ou pasteurizados por micro-ondas. O experimento consistiu em combinar pectinase e protease, bem como quitosana e gelatina, uma vez que estavam sendo armazenadas na geladeira. O experimento consistiu em três partes, sendo a primeira um suco fresco sem qualquer tratamento de clarificação, enquanto a segunda foi o suco fresco tratado com agente clarificante consistiu na proporção de mistura de pectinase e protease (2:1) a 0,75 v/v, e 50°C por 20 min. Finalmente, o terceiro foi suco fresco tratado com mistura de quitosana e gelatina a 0,4 e 0,8) g/L, respectivamente, a 50 °C por (20) min. A pasteurização dos três experimentos foi realizada utilizando-se duas técnicas, ou seja, uma com banho de água termal a 85 °C por dois min e a micro-ondas a 400 Watts por dois min. Todas as garrafas de suco de romã foram armazenadas a 4 °C por três meses. Os resultados mostraram um efeito significativo da variável método de clarificação sobre as propriedades estudadas, especialmente os valores de turbidez, polifenóis e antocianinas. Além disso, o suco clarificado com o método de clarificação enzimática apresentou melhores características do que os tradicionais durante o armazenamento, o que tem, portanto, um melhor apelo comercial. A área de significância foi fundada com o uso de clarificação tradicional com concentração a (0,4 e 0,8) g/l, e pasteurização por micro-ondas com 400 watts e zero mês de armazenamento a 4 °C, respectivamente, o que proporciona um valor mínimo de turbidez

Prevalence and Physiological analysis of Acute Bacterial Meningitis infections at care center in Babylon province

This study was done on the 142 patients suffering from meningitis infection depending on the physician's diagnosis from January 2009 to June 2009. Most specimens was collected in Babylon maternity and children hospital because the age group in this study was (<1-10 years). Blood and CSF specimens were collected, microbiological and biochemical tests were carried. obtained results showed that the most common bacterial causing meningitis was Streptococcus pneumoniae (23.94%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (16.197%), Neisseria meningitides (14.084%), Escherichia coli (14.084%), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (11.97%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.338%), Staphylococcus spp. (3.521%) and Acinetobacter spp (1.408%), while Negative Culture formed  (8.45%). Physiological analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in acute bacterial meningitis showed that protein (mg/dl)>500, glucose <40 mg%, CSF/blood glucose <0.4, CRP > 24 mg/L, PMN (%)>80 and white blood cell (cells/mm3) different than normal values indicated of bacterial acute meningitis. Corresponding factors associated with acute bacterial meningitis like sinusitis, cirrhosis, pneumonia, chronic otitis media, diabetes mellitus and malignancy was reported. Age and sex distribution of meningitis causes revealed that the main age group of infection was (<1-5 years) and there is no significant differences between male and female infections. Keywords: Meningitis, Bacteria, Haemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, N. meningitide

Prevalence and Physiological analysis of Acute Bacterial Meningitis infections at care center in Babylon province

This study was done on the 142 patients suffering from meningitis infection depending on the physician's diagnosis from January 2009 to June 2009. Most specimens was collected in Babylon maternity and children hospital because the age group in this study was (<1-10 years). Blood and CSF specimens were collected, microbiological and biochemical tests were carried. obtained results showed that the most common bacterial causing meningitis was Streptococcus pneumoniae (23.94%) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (16.197%), Neisseria meningitides (14.084%), Escherichia coli (14.084%), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (11.97%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.338%), Staphylococcus spp. (3.521%) and Acinetobacter spp (1.408%), while Negative Culture formed  (8.45%). Physiological analysis of cerebrospinal fluid in acute bacterial meningitis showed that protein (mg/dl)>500, glucose <40 mg%, CSF/blood glucose <0.4, CRP > 24 mg/L, PMN (%)>80 and white blood cell (cells/mm3) different than normal values indicated of bacterial acute meningitis. Corresponding factors associated with acute bacterial meningitis like sinusitis, cirrhosis, pneumonia, chronic otitis media, diabetes mellitus and malignancy was reported. Age and sex distribution of meningitis causes revealed that the main age group of infection was (<1-5 years) and there is no significant differences between male and female infections. Keywords: Meningitis, Bacteria, Haemophilus influenza, Streptococcus pneumoniae, N. meningitide

Simulation Study of Wired/Wireless Fieldbus Systems Using Store and Forward Mode

Fieldbus is a specific class of LAN technology, through which the communication process in industrial applications is integrated. The extent of using the wireless communications in most applications, leading to design hybrid wired/wireless fieldbus systems is based on standard PROFIBUS protocol. Because of the difference in physicalmedia such as bit rate and/or frame format between wired domain and wireless domain, there is a need to use a method to overcome traffic congestion that may occur in the intermediate systems as a result of the heterogeneity in the physical media. Within this work the intermediate systems (repeaters) are suggested to work as store-and-forward mode. The main objectives of this work is to develop simulation tools for the hybrid wired/wireless PROFIBUS architectures in order to perform behavioral study of such network protocols. The use of our developed simulation tools has indeed enabled us totest different network configurations and different parameters settings more easily, cheaper, and faster than in a real application