Strengthening of reinforced concrete beams using carbon fibre reinforced plastic

Abstract unavailable please refer to PD

Are crowdsourced datasets suitable for specialized routing services? Case study of Openstreetmap for routing of people with limited mobility

Nowadays, Volunteered Geographic Information (VGI) has increasingly gained attractiveness to both amateur users and professionals. Using data generated from the crowd has become a hot topic for several application domains including transportation. However, there are concerns regarding the quality of such datasets. As one of the most famous crowdsourced mapping platforms, we analyze the fitness for use of OpenStreetMap (OSM) database for routing and navigation of people with limited mobility. We assess the completeness of OSM data regarding sidewalk information. Relevant attributes for sidewalk information such as sidewalk width, incline, surface texture, etc. are considered, and through both extrinsic and intrinsic quality analysis methods, we present the results of fitness for use of OSM data for routing services of disabled persons. Based on empirical results, it is concluded that OSM data of relatively large spatial extents inside all studied cities could be an acceptable region of interest to test and evaluate wheelchair routing and navigation services, as long as other data quality parameters such as positional accuracy and logical consistency are checked and proved to be acceptable. We present an extended version of OSMatrix web service and explore how it is employed to perform spatial and temporal analysis of sidewalk data completeness in OSM. The tool is beneficial for piloting activities, whereas the pilot site planners can query OpenStreetMap and visualize the degree of sidewalk data availability in a certain region of interest. This would allow identifying the areas that data are mostly missing and plan for data collection events. Furthermore, empirical results of data completeness for several OSM data indicators and their potential relation to sidewalk data completeness are presented and discussed. Finally, the article ends with an outlook for future research study in this area

Analysis of growth response and tolerance index of Glycine max (L.) Merr. under hexavalent chromium stress

Background: Metal pollution has become one of the most serious environmental problems due to various human activities. It can damage or alter the biosphere reducing the agricultural productivity and can affect both animals and humans.  Emission of various pollutants into the atmosphere has many harmful effects on plant growth. Rapid urbanization, unregulated industrialization, growing transport, metal plating and agricultural activities have created a problem of heavy metals contamination. Methods: A greenhouse experiment was conducted to determine the toxicity of chromium onGlycine max. Chromium concentration applied to G. max was managed as 0.5, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50 and 100 mg kg-1 for experimental period of 90 days. The phytotoxic effect of chromium metal was analyzed by studying seed germination, seedling vigor index, root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weights, chlorophyll content tolerance index.Results: The data presented in this study showed that chromium metal adversely affects the seedling vigor of G. max and significantly (p<0.05) reduces seed germination and growth. The toxic effect of chromium on the seeds increased with increasing the concentration of the metal. It was also found that high concentrations of chromium (50 and 100 mg kg-1) can completely inhibit the seed germination. Conclusion: The chromium metal is extremely toxic for seeds and young seedling of G. max at high concentrations. Moreover, G. max has little potential to counteract the deleterious effect of chromium metal in soil at aforementioned treatments. The results of the present study may help in better understanding of the mechanisms involved in pytoextraction

Characterization of a MEMS-Based Humidity Sensor

Humidity sensors are very essential in many industrial processes and household appliances. They enable system operators and control mangers to fully monitor their processes in the industry. However, these sensors are miniaturized to be in micro-scale units due the development of micromachining technology. As a consequence, the sizes and the performance of the sensors have been drastically improved to be compatible with various complex systems. Whereas, the cost of the sensors have become much lower. Such devices are called Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). There are many types of MEMS-Based humidity sensors such as capacitive humidity sensor and Piezoresistive humidity sensor. This research work describes the performance of a capacitive MEMS-Based humidity sensor that is fabricated using PolyMUMPS process which is a three-layer surface micromachining process. Therefore, the key purpose of this project is to mechanically and electrically characterize a MEMS-Based capacitive humidity sensor that it is actuated using electromagnetic actuation method based on Lorentz force principle. The designed integrated sensor encompasses of a sensing element and a capacitive readout circuit

Exploring the English Language Teachers’ Attitudes Towards the Use of Pedagogical Dictionaries in their Classes (Sudanese Perspective)

The dictionary should always be present in language education. It is the tool with which EFL teachers can effectively perform teaching tasks in their classes. Good teachers should take on the habit of consulting their dictionaries to assimilate the lexical, syntactical, phonological, morphological, etymological and more other features of one word or expression that a good dictionary can provide. This paper is investigating the attitudes of English language teachers in the use of this important teaching aid. It is an additional viewpoint from EL teachers in four Sudanese State Universities on the use of dictionary in their classes. The findings of this research might be of significance to other researchers, teachers, language learners and textbook designers; and the results may be applicable in many similar EFL environments round the globe.

Association of the Arginase Ι with Bronchial Asthma

الهدف: الهدف من هذه الدراسة هو الكشف عن إنزيم ارجينز I ودوره في مرضى المصابين بالربو و دراسة علاقته بالربو القصبي. المواد والطرق: تم جمع عينات الدم من 100 مرضى مصابين بمرض الربو اللذين ادخلوا قسم الباطنية في مستشفى رزكاري التعليمي و 100 شخصاً من الاصحاء الذين ليس لديهم علامات سريرية سابقة لأي مرض حاد أو مزمن كمجموعة المقارنة. حيث تم ملء الاستبيان على أساس مرض الربو الناجم عن نوعه ومدة المرض وعمر المرضى والجنس والحالة السريرية للعائلة وظرف الحساسية. في مركز البحث الطبي تم فصل مصل الدم لإجراء فحص ARGΙ وايجاد علاقته مع الربو القصبي باستخدام تقنية مناعي مرتبط بالإنزيم (ELISA). تم تحديد نشاط ARGΙ وقياس تحويل الأرجينين إلى اورثنين واليوريا باستخدام مقياس قياس الألوان الكمية علي طول موجي490 نانومتر. النتائج: أظهرت النتائج الي وجود علاقة ايجابية بين ARGΙ والربو القصبي. لوحظ ارتفاع ملحوظ في مستوى الارجينيز في مصل الدم للمرضى الذين تتجاوز اعمارهم عن 81 سنة و قيمة متوسط و قيمة p (0.000); (100.16±19.77c),). كما لوحظ علاقة ملحوظ في مستوى الارجينيز مع مدة الاصابة بالمرض. حيث كان مستوى الارجينيز عالية في المرضى المصابة بالربو لأكثر من 20 سنة (82.48±38.81c), و قيمة p (0.01). كذلك لوحظ علاقة ملحوظ بين مستوى الارجينيز وأولئك الذين يعانون من أنواع الربو المستحث ومع ظرف الحساسية أيضا. ولكن لوحظ اختلاف غير معنوي في مستوى الارجينيز للمصل مع الحالة السريرية للعائلة لمرض الربو وجنس المريض. وأظهرت النتائج وجود ارتباط ملحوظ ل ARG Ι في تطويرمرض الربو في p ˂ 0.05.Objective The aim of this study was to detect the arginase Ι (ARG I) enzyme in asthma patients, clarify its role, in addition to examining the relationship of this enzyme with bronchial asthma. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 100 patients from the Department of Medicine in Rizgary Hospital in Erbil City, in addition to intact 100 volunteers; the introduced questionnaire was filled out on the basis of type-induced asthma, duration of the disease, age of the patients, gender, family history, and allergy condition, Serum was separated to perform Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in Medical Research Center to examine the association of ARGΙ with bronchial asthma. By ARG activity we can measure the conversion of arginine to ornithine and urea. By using a quantitative colorimetric assay at 490 nm, employing a QuantiChrom arginase assay kit (Bioassay Systems). Results: Our results depicted the association between ARGΙ and bronchial asthma: based on their age, significant elevation of serum arginase level was observed in the patients with ≥81 years old, which mean value (100.16±19.77c), p-value (0.000); also the duration of asthma ≥20 years (82.48±38.81c) , p-value (0.01) were remarkably affected; this sign was found in those with types of induced asthma and with allergy condition. &nbsp;But the non- significant difference in the frequency of abnormal serum arginase level was observed in those patients that have a family history of asthma disease and gender of the patients. This finding demonstrated a remarkable association of ARG Ι in the development of asthma at p ˂ 0.05

Routing Strategy for Internet of Vehicles based on Hierarchical SDN and Fog Computing

تم اکتشاف الحوسبة الضبابیة لحل مشكلة نقص المصادر في مستشعرات إنترنت الأشياء (IoT) ومعالجة المهام بسرعة. انترنت المركبات (IoV) هو تطبيق خاص من شبكات إنترنت الأشياء التي تتكون من أجهزة استشعار غير متجانسة موجودة في المركبات. تقوم هذه المستشعرات بنقل المهام إلى خوادم الحوسبة الضابية التي تعالجها وتعطي الإجابات للمستشعرات. &nbsp;على اي حال، فإن حركة المركبات تؤثر على عملية تسليم هذه الاجابات. عندما تخرج السيارة المصدرة للمهمة من مجال خادم ضبابي معين خلال وقت معالجة هذه المهمة، فأنه لن يتم وصول الاجابة لتلك السيارة بشكل صحيح. لذلك، يحتاج إلى حساب المسار الأمثل لتلك السيارة. تتسبب هذه العملية في تجاوز الموعد النهائي للمهمة وتقليل الإنتاجية. للتغلب على هذه المشكلة، يقدم هذا البحث معمارية هرمية مبنية على الشبكات المعرفة بالبرمجيات (SDN) وحوسبة الضباب لشبكة IoV. تتألف هذه المعمارية من طبقة سيارات IoV, بيئة حوسبة ضبابية ووحدات تحكم SDN شبه مركزية ووحدة تحكم SDN &nbsp;مركزية. علاوة على ذلك ، تم اقتراح إستراتيجية توجيهية تسمى إستراتيجية توجيه ذات تأخير جيد بالاعتماد على الحوسبة الضبابية و ال SDN لشبكات ال IoV (DRSFI) .تقوم وحدات التحكم SDN بتنفيذ DRSFI لحساب المسارات مع أدنى تأخير مع الأخذ بنظر الاعتبار قيد النطاق الترددي المتاح وموقع وسرعة المركبة. من نتائج محاكاة سيناريوهات مختلفة مع سرعات حركة متنوعة وعداد مختلفة من المهام، استنتجنا أن النظام المقترح أفضل من نظام IoV-Fog-Central SDN &nbsp;ونظام IoV-Fog من حيث متوسط التأخير من البداية إلى النهاية و النسبة المئوية لخسارة الحزم والنسبة المئوية للإرسال الناجح.The fog computing is invited to solve the lack of resources problem in the sensors of Internet of Things (IoT) and handle the tasks quickly. Internet of Vehicles (IoV) is a special application of IoT networks that composed of heterogeneous sensors that are found in vehicles. These sensors transfer the tasks to the fog servers that process them and give the responses to the sensors. However, the mobility of vehicles effects on the delivery operation of responses. When the source vehicle of a task exited from the domain of some fog server through the processing time of this task, the response will not be reached to that vehicle correctly. Therefore, it is need to compute the optimal path to that vehicle. This process causes exceeding the task deadline and decreasing the throughput. To overcome this issue, this paper produces a hierarchical architecture based on Software Defined Network (SDN) and fog computing for IoV networks. This architecture consists of IoV vehicles, fog computing framework, semi-central SDN controllers and central SDN controller layers. Moreover, a routing strategy is proposed called Delay-Efficient Routing strategy based on SDN and Fog computing for IoV (DRSFI). The SDN controllers perform DRSFI to compute the routes with minimum delay with taking into consideration the available bandwidth constraint and the location and speed of the vehicle. From the results of simulation of different scenarios with various mobility speeds and various number of tasks, we concluded that the proposed system is better than IoV-Fog-central SDN system and IoV-Fog system in terms of average delay from end to end, percentage of packet loss and percentage of successfully transmission. &nbsp

Maternal mortality: a tertiary care hospital experience in Upper Egypt

Background: Maternal mortality is one of the major challenges which face the developing countries throughout the world. The aim of the study is to assess the causes of maternal mortality at Women Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt, and to identify the avoidable ones.Methods: Data were collected from records of patients who presented to and/or delivered at Women Health Hospital between 2009 and 2014. Only cases of maternal mortality were included in this study. In our study, we found 213 maternal deaths at our hospital between 2009 and 2014.Results: The maternal mortality ratio decreased progressively from 2009 to 2014 (228 and 89 per 100000 live birth respectively). Moreover, we found that the indirect causes of maternal mortality accounted for 24.9 % of all mortalities. As regards the direct causes of maternal mortality, preeclampsia remained the primary cause and represented 27.7 % of the avoidable causes. The second most frequent cause of direct maternal mortality was postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), which represented 26.8 %.Conclusions: Preeclampsia and PPH, as well as their complications are the leading causes of death in one of the biggest tertiary care university hospitals in Egypt. However, there are other important avoidable predisposing factors that should be dealt with including lack of patient education, delayed transfer from other hospitals, and substandard practice

Survey of Oral Manifestation of Covid-19 in Medical Specialties in Sulaimaniyah City Hospitals

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 is a serious infection resulting in a global threat caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) characterized by different symptoms, ranging from mild flu to severe pneumonia. Objective:To focus on the oral manifestations which could be present in some cases of COVID-19 and to assess the associations between oral health and COVID19. on188 medical specialists in Sulaimaniyah city. The questionnaire was composed of 3 parts; the 1st part included demographic features. The 2nd part was composed of questions concerning the oral hygiene condition of the participants, and the 3rd section encompassed questions about oral complications during infection with COVID-19. Results: Among 188 participants, 92% complained of oral manifestation while being infected with Covid-19 at significant levels. Facial and masticatory muscle pain 27.1%, facial or oral numbness 8%, jaw bones or joint pain 39.9%, changes in buccal mucosa and gingiva 10.1%, bleeding gingivitis 9%, Altered taste sensation 67.6%, altered smell sensation 69.1% and xerostomia 54.8% were highly associated with Covid-19. Conclusion: Some cases of Covid-19 usually present with different oral manifestations. Therefore, oral care monitoring should be enhanced for Covid-19 patients and maintain good oral health