RESPONSE OF CORN (ZEA MAYS), BASIL (OCIMUM BASILICUM) AND EGGPLANT (SOLANUM MELONGENA) SEEDLINGS TO WI-FI RADIATION.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the changes of growth related aspects of seedlings after being exposed to Wi-Fi radiation. Experiment was carried out by exposing seedlings to radiation from a Wi-Fi router. The test seedlings and the control were subjected to the same environment during four weeks. The results showed that corn seedlings when exposed to Wi-Fi radiation grew faster and have shoot length and stem thickness significantly larger than the other control. On the other hand basils and eggplants, both exposed and not exposed to Wi-Fi radiation, were found with no significant effects on the shoot length and stem thickness. Moreover Wi-Fi radiation significantly reduced the fresh weight of corns and basils, whereas eggplants were not affected. Furthermore Wi-Fi radiation significantly increased the dry weight of eggplants, whereas corns and basils were not affected. Finally, the results showed that Wi-Fi radiation significantly decreased the water content of three tested seedlings. The study concluded that the Wi-Fi radiation may alter growth related characters of seedlings

INFLUENCE OF MAGNETIZED WATER ON THE GROWTH OF CORN (ZEA MAYS) SEEDLINGS

This study was conducted to evaluate the response of some growth characteristics of corn (Zea mays) seedlings for watering with magnetized water. For this experiment, we took corn seedlings and separated it into two sets. The first set watered with magnetized water and the second one was given tap water (control). The magnetized water was prepared by passing of tap water through the magnetization device at a relatively low speed and then collected into bottle for distribution. The seedlings were immediately watered after magnetization of water. The growthrelated aspects of corn seedlings were investigated for 7 weeks. The results of the current study revealed that the seedlings’ length, stem thickness, leaves number and leaves morphology were affected by magnetized water. Analysis of the results revealed the positive effects of magnetized water on the growth of corn seedlings. The seedlings that given magnetized water exhibited marked increases in shoot length, stem thickness and leaves number per seedling, and also changes of morphology of leaves over the control.أجريت هذه الدراسة لتقييم استجابة بعض خصائص النمو شتلة الذرة (زيا ميس) لسقي بالماء الممغنط. لهذه التجربة ، اتخذنا الذرة الشتلات وفصلها إلى مجموعتين. المجموعة الأولى تسقى بالماء الممغنط والثانية أعطيت واحد ماء الصنبور (السيطرة). تم تحضير الماء الممغنط بتمرير ماء الصنبور من خلال جهاز مغنطة بسرعة منخفضة نسبيا ثم جمعت في زجاجة ل توزيع. تم سقي الشتلات على الفور بعد مغنطة المياه. تم التحقيق في الجوانب المرتبطة بالنمو لشتلات الذرة لمدة 7 أسابيع. نتائج الدراسة الحالية كشفت أن طول الشتلات وسمك الساق وعدد الأوراق والأوراق المورفولوجية كانت تتأثر المياه الممغنطة. كشف تحليل النتائج الآثار الإيجابية للممغنطة الماء على نمو شتلات الذرة. الشتلات التي أعطت المياه الممغنطة عرضت ملحوظ يزيد في طول تبادل لاطلاق النار ، وسمك الجذعية ويترك عدد لكل الشتلات ، وكذلك تغييرات التشكل من الأوراق على السيطرة

Multi-Channel Configuration for improving received signal strength in non-line-of-sight environments of indoor visible light communication localization

In modern engineering technologies, energy conservation is a factor of primary concern. A feature of Light-emitting diode (LED) light sources is the ability to transmit information in addition to illumination at no additional cost. VLC (Visible Light Communication) is gaining an upper hand over the traditional RF data communication model, as it utilizes a technology by which light can be used to transmit data. It is commonly seen that dealing with non-line of sight (NLOS) is a major challenge for VLC systems as the light intensity is reflected in a variety of directions. To overcome this drawback, a new technique based on multichannel configuration is utilized to enhance the overall system performance. An indoor VLC model is designed and simulated on the basis of the eye-diagram, bit error rate, and received power of the proposed model. We also investigated the model under the influence of ambient light noise. The corresponding results are compared with the conventional NLOS system and an inference made shows the significant improvement for the next-generation optical communication system

Geographical differences in semen characteristics of 13 892 infertile men

Objective: To assess the relationship between geographical differences and all semen parameters, across 13,892 infertile men of 84 diverse nationalities, recruited at a specialised tertiary hospital that represents the main healthcare provider in Qatar. Male infertility is an important and global public health problem. Despite this, there is a significant scarcity of epidemiological male infertility and semen analysis research in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as well as geographical comparisons with other parts of the world. Patients and methods: Retrospective study of semen findings of 13 892 infertile men assessed at the Male Infertility Unit at Hamad Medical Corporation, in Qatar between January 2012 and August 2015. Based on country of origin, patients were categorised into those from the MENA region (n = 8799) and non-MENA patients (n = 5093). The two groups were compared across demographic features and semen characteristics: age, sperm volume, sperm total motility, sperm progressive motility (PMot), abnormal sperm forms (ABF), and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF). Results: The whole sample's mean (SD) age was 35.7 (0.7) years, sperm concentration was 32.3 (0.25) × 106 sperm/mL, total motility was 45.4 (0.2)%, sperm PMot was 25.1 (0.2)%, and ABF was 79.9 (0.2)%. Overall, 841 patients had azoospermia (6.05%), 3231 had oligospermia (23.3%), 4239 had asthenospermia (30.5%) and 6772 had teratospermia (48.7%). SDF (1050 patients) was abnormal in 333 patients (31.7%). MENA patients were significantly younger than their non-MENA counterparts and had a greater semen volume. Non-MENA patients had significantly higher sperm counts, total motility and PMot, and lower ABF. SDF showed no statistical difference between the two groups. MENA patients had significantly higher prevalence of oligospermia, asthenospermia, and teratospermia; and lower prevalence of normal sperm concentration, normal motility, and normal morphology. Throughout the 4 years of the study, MENA patients constantly had significantly lower sperm counts; generally lower sperm total motility percentage and generally lower quality sperm morphology. We compared patients by age (≤40 and >40 years): in the patients aged ≤40 years, the same results as for the overall study were reproduced; in the >40-years group, the same results were reproduced with the exception of morphology, which was not significantly different between the MENA and non-MENA patients. Conclusion: Semen quality is generally lower in male infertility patients from the MENA region compared to non-MENA regions. © 2018 Arab Association of UrologyScopu

TRAVEL TIME RELIABILITY INDICES FOR URBAN ROUTES IN BAGHDAD CITY

Reliability is one of the main metrics of transport system efficiency and quality of service. For both travelers and transport management organizations, the high variance of road travel times has become a problem. Reliability has been identified as one of the main areas of interest of the Strategic Highway Research Plan II. In order to evaluate congestion and unexpected changes in travel time, reliability metrics are increasingly used. GPS devices provide for exact assessment of travel time for each connection along the routes used for this research. (14 Ramadan arterial street, Al-Karada arterial street and Damascus arterial street). A GPS-equipped instrumented car was used to gather 50 test runs at peak and off peak times. At peak and off peak hours, 50 test runs were obtained using a GPS-equipped instrumented car. Raising the buffer time index results in inferior conditions for reliability. A buffer index of AL- Karada street was created about 53% and 30% for Damascus street and finally for 14 Ramadan street which present a 29% buffer index for north direction. As for its southern direction 14 Ramadan street created a buffer index of about 65% and 33% for AL- Karada street and finally for Damascus street which present a 29% buffer index. In addition, travel time index for (14 Ramadan street, AL- Karada street and Damascus street) respectively is about 2.8 %, 3.3% and 2.6% for north direction, as for its southern direction the travel time index is obtained for (14 Ramadan street, AL- Karada street and Damascus street) respectively were a 3%,3.7%, and 2.5%. Finally, the 95% percentile travel time for observed three selected routes in this study, the extra delay was felt on each route (1627, 2212, and 1192) sec. for (14 Ramadan street, AL- Karada street and Damascus street) for north direction, as for its southern direction the extra delay that perceived on each route (2221, 2132, and 975) sec. for (14 Ramadan street, AL- Karada street and Damascus street) respectively

Streptococcus anginosus bacteremia: a septic IVC thrombus and a large empyema requiring decortication

A previously healthy 39 year old male presented with complaints of cough, fever, abdominal pain and chills. The patient was found to be in active sepsis with hypotension on presentation so was resuscitated while a full septic work-up was ordered. Initial chest X-ray showed only increased broncho-alveolar markings and no consolidations, but blood cultures eventually revealed Streptococcus anginosus bacteremia. Intravenous antibiotics were started and infective endocarditis was ruled out. Computerized tomography scan of the abdomen with contrast revealed findings suggestive of a septic hepatic inferior vena cava thrombus and right lower lung findings suggestive of septic embolization and an empyema. Later on during admission, CT scan of the chest with contrast revealed a moderate-sized empyema of the right lung which eventually required decortication. Discovering such findings concurrently in a single patient is extremely rare, particularly an embolizing septic IVC thrombus with confirmed bacteremia. For this reason it is described in the following case presentatio

Endocrine contribution to the sexual dysfunction in patients with advanced chronic kidney disease and the role of hyperprolactinemia.

In this study, we investigated the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among males with advanced chronic kidney disease and the effect of treating hyperprolactinemia among these patients. In this prospective study, patients were assessed with history, physical examination, hormonal assessment, and two questionnaires, IIEF and AIPE. Patients with hyperprolactinemia received treatment with cabergoline 0.5 mg once per week for 6 months and were re-evaluated. A total of 102 patients were included in this study, 75 (73.53%) were on hemodialysis, 13 (12.75%) on peritoneal dialysis and 14 (13.73%) on medical treatment alone. Ninety (88.24%) patients had premature ejaculation, 85 (83.33%) had anything from mild-to-moderate-to-severe erectile dysfunction. The incidence of hypogonadism and hyperprolactinemia was 34.4%. Patients treated with cabergoline (n = 26) showed a significant increase in LH levels (p = .003) and a significant decrease in prolactin levels (p = .003). Testosterone levels and the incidence of erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation did not improve significantly. There is a high incidence of sexual dysfunction among patients. Treatment of hyperprolactinemia is effective in correcting prolactin levels, but does not improve erectile dysfunction or premature ejaculation. Therefore, treating hyperprolactinemia is not an overall effective treatment for erectile dysfunction in these patients

Oxidation–reduction potential and sperm DNA fragmentation, and their associations with sperm morphological anomalies amongst fertile and infertile men

Objective: To assess seminal oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in male infertility and their relationships with sperm morphology in fertile and infertile men. Patients and methods: Prospective case-control study comparing the findings of infertile men (n = 1168) to those of men with confirmed fertility (n = 100) regarding demographics and semen characteristics (conventional and advanced semen tests). Spearman rank correlation assessed the correlation between ORP, SDF, and different morphological indices. Means of ORP and SDF were assessed in variable levels of normal sperm morphology amongst all participants. Results: Infertile patients had a significantly lower mean sperm count (32.7 vs 58.7 × 10 6 sperm/mL), total motility (50.1% vs 60.4%), and normal morphology (5.7% vs 9.9%). Conversely, infertile patients had significantly higher mean head defects (54% vs 48%), and higher ORP and SDF values than fertile controls. ORP and SDF showed significant positive correlations and significant negative correlations with sperm head defects and normal morphology in infertile patients, respectively. ORP and SDF were significantly inversely associated with the level of normal sperm morphology. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, ORP and SDF threshold values of 1.73 mV/10 6 sperm/mL and 25.5%, respectively, were associated with 76% and 56% sensitivity and 72% and 72.2% specificity, respectively, in differentiating <4% from ≥4% normal morphology. Conclusion: A direct inverse relationship exists between seminal ORP and SDF with various levels of normal sperm morphology. Using ORP and SDF measures in conjunction with standard semen morphology analysis could validate the result of the fertility status of patients. © 2017 Arab Association of UrologyScopu

Influence of different curing methods on the compressive strength of ultra-high-performance concrete : A comprehensive review

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) is a distinguishing material used in new construction and conjunction with conventional concrete. However, some issues limit the wider application of UHPC, such as high autogenous shrinkage, low workability for large-volume production, high cost, and unpredictable peak curing method. This comprehensive study aims to clarify the different effects of curing methods on the strength development of normal concrete and UHPC. The present article reviews studies that used microwave curing, autoclave curing, carbon curing, steam curing, electric curing, ambient and air curing and water to determine their effect on compressive strength. All the curing methods achieved satisfactory values of compressive strength. However, it is not practical to specify the peak curing regimes for concrete or UHPC since the best results need critical monitoring of curing parameters. The time when the samples are demolded and subjected to hydrothermal and thermal treatments varies in the literature since it depends on the binder setting time. That time should be carefully selected to avoid adverse effects and to maximise output. A combination of these curing regimes could be used together or with pressure or heat to further improve the compressive strength. In addition to the type of materials used, the curing temperature and duration significantly affect the overall performance of concrete. This review is expected to guide future research and provide an overview of the research field

Effect of recycled waste glass on the properties of high-performance concrete : A critical review

Solid waste disposal is one of the major environmental concerns. Disposal of waste glass into open areas and landfills is one of the major threats that pollutes the environment in addition to the cases of health hazards around the world. Recycling the discarded glass as a sustainable construction material have received an increasing attention in the construction industry as it may mitigate the greenhouse emissions and potential environmental risks. This paper presents a brief review on the fresh, mechanical and durability properties of normal and high-performance concrete containing waste glass aggregates (WGA). The size, type, replacement ratio of the WGA, in addition to the mixing and curing methods of concrete significantly affects the mechanical and durability characteristics. The concrete containing powdered glass exhibited superior durability properties on account of the refined pore structure and densified microstructure. The findings exhibited that waste glass can be potentially utilised as coarse and fine aggregates in concrete production, along with the advanced recommendations for further studies