Functional partitioning of multi-processor architectures

Many real-time computations such as process control and robotic applications may be naturally distributed in a functional manner. One way of ensuring good performance, reliability and security of operation is to map or distribute such tasks onto a distributed, multi-processor system. The time-critical task is thus functionally partitioned into a set of cooperating sub-tasks. These sub-tasks run concurrently and asynchronously on different nodes (stations) of the system. The software design and support of such a functional distribution of sub-tasks (processes) depends on the degree of interaction of these processes among the different nodes. [Continues.

Colorectal carcinoma: nucleosomes, carcinoembryonic antigen and ca 19-9 as apoptotic markers; a comparative study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Colorectal carcinoma is a common and often fatal disease in which methods of early detection and monitoring are essential. The present study was conducted for measuring serum levels of nucleosomes, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA 19-9 in patients newly diagnosed with colorectal carcinoma and confirmed by clinicopathological study.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>Thirty subjects were included in the current study: six normal subjects as a control group with mean age (45.6 ± 7.9) and twenty four colorectal carcinoma patients with mean age (46.9 ± 15.6), which were classified pathologically according to the degree of malignant cell differentiation into well differentiated (group I), moderately differentiated (group II) and poorly differentiated (group III). Fasting venous blood samples were collected preoperative.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results revealed a significant increase in serum level of nucleosomes in patients with poorly differentiated tumors versus patients with well differentiated tumors (p = 0.041). The levels of CEA and CA19-9 showed no significant increase (p = 0.569 and 0.450, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In conclusion, serum level of nucleosomes provides a highly sensitive and specific apoptotic marker for colorectal carcinoma.</p

Potential Risk Of Organic Manures Application On Soil Salinization

Application of organic manures as fertilizer is essential in supporting plant with nutrients and soil improvement. Field and laboratory experiments were carried out to assess the effect of three organic manures on soil salinity. Field experiment was arranged in randomized split plot, the main plots were two levels of soil salinity at average of 2.9 and 8.7 mS/cm, the sub plots were alfalfa green manure, chicken manure and cow manure at rate of 20 t/ha added one month before sowing of maize crop. The results showed that; soil salinity was raised up to 5.5, 5.1 and 5.8 mS/cm in low saline soil in the first season for alfalfa, cow and chicken manure respectively, whereas in the second season the salinity was increased in respective up to 7.3, 5.3 and 6.4 mS/cm. The high saline soil salinity was increased from 8.7 mS/cm to 10.9, 12.4 and 13.1 mS/cm in the first season, and 12.6, 13.6 and 14.4 mS/cm in the second season for alfalfa, cow and chicken manure respectively. The results of the laboratory experiment showed that salinity level increased linearly with increasing rate of organic manure for all organic materials investigated in this study. Keywords: organic manures, soil salinity, sustainable agricultur

Symmetrical and Anti-Symmetrical Buckling of Long Corroded Cylindrical Shell Subjected to External Pressure

This paper derives an exact analytical solution for determining elastic critical buckling pressures and mode shapes for very long corroded cylindrical steel shells subjected to external pressure considering symmetrical and anti-symmetrical mode cases. The corroded long cylindrical shell has been modelled as a non-uniform “stepped-type” ring consisting of two portions- corroded and un-corroded regions. A full range parametric study has been made to investigate the effect of corrosion angular extent and corrosion thickness on the elastic buckling pressures and their modes. The study shows that buckling loads and modes depend on the corrosion angular extent â and the corroded to un-corroded thicknesses ratio. The results are verified by a set of investigations with a series of corroded cylindrical shells. They showed a close agreement with those obtained from using the finite element package ABAQUS

Radiation Protection Measures in Radio-Diagnostic Centers in Gaza Hospitals, Palestine

Whereas radio-diagnostic centers have potential to present hazardous effects due of ionizing radiation. Radio-diagnostic workers awareness, practices regarding radiation protection issues, availability of radiation protection devices and effective personal radiation exposure monitoring process has an important role to safe working in these places. We carried out this study in nine governmental Gaza governorates hospitals. The study instrument was close-ended structured questionnaire consists of five parts. 182 radio-diagnostic workers participated in the work. Based on the obtained data, the participants reported that 35.2% of personal radiation protection devices are available in the radio-diagnostic centers at governmental Gaza governorates hospitals. In spite the fact that 74.8% of participants have awareness about radiation protection issues, but it is only about 53.4% of participants follows the radiation protection practices. There is an obvious poor of personal radiation exposure monitoring process. Conclusively, the results represented in this work reflect that majority of participants believe there is no radiation safety officer to provide the service. Therefore, there is a desperate need for rules, regulations and radiation protection act in the field of radiation in medical field

Ionizing Radiation Leakage in Radio-Diagnostic Centers at Gaza Strip Hospitals, Palestine

The fact of using radiation in medicine has led to major improvements in the diagnostic and treatment of human diseases. However, it carries some risks of health problems. In Gaza governorates hospitals, there is tremendous development has taken place in the radio-diagnostic field and there is no clear radiation protection program, lack of clear information about radiation protection measures and guidelines. The objective of this study was an assessment whether yearly equivalent radiation dose received by the radio-diagnostic workers and public in governmental Gaza governorates hospitals are within the dose limits recommended by ICRP or not. The study was carried out in nine governmental hospitals. The hospitals were selected because of their large and diverse of their radio-diagnostic services. The radiation survey meter (OD-01) was used to measure radiation leakage. Data sheet was also used to elicit information about the radio-diagnostic rooms and machines specifications. The results indicate that the fluoroscopy and CT scan rooms were not efficiently lead lined and the radiation protection is not well organized. The measured values of radiation dose rate at different locations in basic X-ray and mammography rooms are found within a permissible limits for occupational stuff and public. However, the recommended distance between the X-ray machine and control panel have not been achieved in some rooms. Therefore, there is a desperate need for rules, regulations and radiation protection act in the field of radiation in medical field

Randomised open-label trial of docosahexaenoic acid-enriched fish oil and fish meal on cognitive and behavioural functioning in Omani children

Objective: Examine the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) enriched fish oil supplement and fish meal on cognitive and behavioural functioning manifested as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in primary school students (9-10 years old) in Muscat, Oman. Methods: Randomised open-label trial involving two types of intervention: fish oil supplement or one serving (100 gram) of fish per weekday for 12 weeks. Red cell total lipid docosahexaenoic acid levels were assessed. Verbal Fluency Test, Buschke Selective Reminding Test, and Trail Making Test were used to measure cognitive functioning. Behavioural functioning was assessed using a standardised Arabic version of the National Initiative for Children’s Health Quality Vanderbilt Assessment Scales. All measurements were carried out before and after intervention. Results: DHA levels increased by 72% and 64% in fish oil (Mean: 3.6% to 6.2%) and fish meal (Mean: 3.4% to 5.6%) group, respectively (p=0.000). The Trail Making Test was the only cognitive test that demonstrated marked differences between groups: median inter-quartile range difference between pre and post intervention in the Trail Making Part B score was 61.5 (SE: 19.3, 103.2) in the fish oil vs. Fish meal group, 24.5 (SE: -15.2, 74.7, p=0.005). The Vanderbilt Assessment Scales also showed significant differences between groups (p<0.001). Conclusion: This study contributes to available evidence on the cognitive and behavioural benefits of DHA in healthy school children. Consideration should be made to expand the food fortification programme as part of broader policy to improve child health

The Oxidative Decarboxylation Of Polyaminocarboxylic Acids - I. A Study Of The Reaction Of Ethylenedinitrilotetraacetic Acid (EDTA) With Cerium (IV) In Acid Solution

The reaction between Ce(IV) and EDTA was followed titrimetrically and spectrophotometrically and was found to occur in stages. Four equivalents of Ce(IV) are reduced per mole of EDTA almost instantaneously at room temperature. With increasing temperature and reaction time an ultimate of about 14 equivalents of Ce (IV) is consumed per mole of EDTA. Carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and other yet unidentified compounds are the products of oxidation of EDTA. The kinetics of the reaction in aqueous sulfuric acid was studied over the temperature range 11.7°-40°C by a spectrophotometric technique. The effects of the acidity of the medium and of added salts are reported. © 1969 Springer-Verlag