Univariate And Multivariate Synthetic Control Charts For Monitoring The Process Mean Of Skewed Distributions

Alat yang paling berkuasa dalam Kawalan Kualiti Berstatistik (SQC) ialah carta kawalan. The most powerful tool in Statistical Quality Control (SQC) is the control chart. Control charts are now widely accepted and used in industries

Study of the Possibility to Reuse Waste Plastic Bags as a Modifier for Asphalt Mixtures Properties (Binder Course Layer)

Use of recycled waste materials in road pavements is nowadays considered not only as a positive option in terms of sustainability, but also, as an attractive option in means of providing enhanced performance in service. This is especially true in the case of recycled plastics. Thin plastic bags are mainly composed of low density Polyethylene (LDPE) and it’s commonly used for packaging, protecting and many other applications. However disposal of waste plastic bags (WPB) in large quantities constitutes an environmental problem, as they considered non-biodegradable materials. Hence, there is a real need to find useful applications for these growing quantities of wastes. In this research, Waste Plastic Bags (WPB) as one form of polymers are used to investigate the potential prospects to enhance asphalt mixture properties. Study aims include studying the effect of adding different percentages of grinded WPB as an aggregate coat on the properties of asphalt mix comparing it with conventional mix properties besides identifying the optimum percent of WPB to be added in the hot mix asphalt. WPB were introduced in the asphalt mixture in grinded form (2 - 4.75 mm). Marshal mix design procedure was used, first to determine the Optimum Bitumen Content (OBC) and then further to test the modified mixture properties. In total, (47) samples were prepared, 15 samples were used to determine the OBC and the remaining were used to investigate the effects adding different WPB percentages to asphalt mix. The OBC was 5.1 % by weight of asphalt mix. Seven proportions of WPB by weight of OBC were tested (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18%), besides testing of ordinary asphalt mix. Tests include the determination of stability, bulk density, flow and air voids. Results indicated that WPB can be conveniently used as a modifier for asphalt mixes as a part of sustainable management of plastic waste as well as for improved performance of asphalt mix. WPB content of 9.0 % by weight of OBC is recommended as the optimum WPB content for the improvement of performance of asphalt mix. Asphalt mix modified with 9.0 % WPB by OBC weight has approximately 24 % higher stability value compared to the conventional asphalt mix. Asphalt mix modified with higher percentages of WPB exhibit lower bulk density, higher flow and higher air voids. Study recommends local authorities to confirm using WPB in asphalt mix with the proposed percentage (9.0% by OBC weight) for improved performance of asphalt mix. Moreover, further studies are needed in various topics related to effective utilization and best incorporation techniques of waste materials

Zinc Status in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Gezira State (Central Sudan)

Introduction                   Sickle cell disease is inherited as an autosomal recessive manner. HbS differs from HbA in the substitution of valine for glutamic acid in the sixth position of the b-globin chain. Heterozygous state for the HbS gene. Comprises 25-45% of the total hemoglobin, the rest being Hb-A, Hb-A2 and Hb-F. .     Zinc status in children with sickle cell disease was determined in 1975, the finding, showed that there was  a significant decrease in zinc level in plasma, erythrocyte and hair. However, urinary zinc excretion was increased in sickle cell disease patients and is associated with decreased linear growth, skeletal growth, and muscle mass and sexual and skeletal maturation.  . Information regarding zinc status in sickle cell disease in Sudanese subjects is needed.             The objective of this study was to determine the zinc status in patients with sickle cell disease in addition to other related parameters including Haemoglobin level, total white blood cells count, sickling test, and identification of malaria parasite in the blood in the patients and control group. Anthropometric measurements including body weight, body height, and body mass index were also conducted. Study Design:             This is a case control study designed to study zinc status in patients with Sickle Cell Disease attending Wad Medani Paediatric Teaching Hospital in Gezira State.             Forty four patients diagnosed as sickle cell disease by clinical features and laboratory investigations (Hb Electrophoresis) were enrolled in this study. Fifty normal subjects were taken as control group. Patients with malnutrition and other diseases were excluded. Results In the present  study the mean of serum zinc concentration in the patients group(40.8 ±20 µg/dl) was significantly lower than  control group (55.3 ±32.4 µg/dl) (P < 0.05). Haemoglobin concentration in patients (6.6 ± 0.9 g/dl) was significantly lower (P< 0.001) compared to control group (11.1±2.1 g/dl).  The result of this study also showed that the values of  TWBCs count for the patients group (16150 ± 8196 cell / µL) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) compared to control group (5750 ± 3537 cell / µL ). The mean body weight (16.3 ± 8.2 kg), body height (103 ± 26 cm), and BMIs (14.5 ± 1.9) in the patients were significantly lower compared to control group (23.7 ± 8.0 kg), (120 ± 17 cm), (16.1 ± 3.2) respectively  (P < 0.001). All patients showed negative blood film for malaria parasite with the exception of only one subject, while three subjects of control group showed positive blood film for malaria parasite Conclusion Zinc status in patients with sickle cell disease in central Sudan is significantly lower than that of control group. Patients had lower hemoglobin level, lower body weight and height, and higher total white blood cell count than control group. All patients showed negative blood film for malaria parasite with exception of only one subject, while three subjects of control group showed positive blood film for malaria parasite. Because of low zinc level in patients with sickle cell disease, zinc supplementation is recommended. Further studies are needed to see its effect on the different parameters &nbsp

Developing prevention model of acute lung injury: Validity of lung injury prediction score and risk panel

AbstractBackgroundAcute lung injury (ALI) is an example of a critical care syndrome with few therapeutic modalities once the syndrome is fully established, and little has been done on the prevention of ALI.Aim of the workThe aim of this work was to early identify the onset of acute lung injury (ALI) on admission and to prospectively evaluate the lung injury prediction score (LIPS).Patients and methodsThe study was carried out on 100 patients who aged >18years, patients who had one or more of the acute lung injury (ALI) predisposing conditions on admission or within 6h after were subjected to lung injury prediction score (LIPS).ResultsAcute lung injury developed in 15 patients, 11 patients (73.3%) had LIPS >3, while 4 patients (26.7%) had LIPS ⩽3 and only 4.70% of those who didn’t develop ALI had LIPS >3, with a statistically significant relationship between patients above and below LIPS value of 3 (P=0.000), LIPS cutoff value of ⩾3.5 on admission had a 73% sensitivity and 95% specificity with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.883 (95% CI 0.782 to 0.984). Sepsis and pneumonia were the most frequent risk factors (60%).ConclusionsLung injury predictive score (LIPS) could early predict patients at risk to develop ALI on admission, Hyperbilirubinemia, high blood urea level and abnormal chest X-ray on admission were not included in the original LIPS but had significant association with development of ALI

The Effect of Median Based Estimators on CUSUM Chart

Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) chart has been used extensively to monitor mean shifts.It is highly sought after by practitioners and researchers in many areas of quality control due to its sensitivity in detecting small to moderate shifts. Normality assumption governs its ability to monitor the process mean. When the assumption is violated, CUSUM chart typically loses its practical use. As normality is hard to achieve in practice, the usual CUSUM chart is often substituted with robust charts.This is to provide more accurate results under slight deviation from normality. Thus, in this paper, we investigate the impact of using robust location estimators, namely, median and Hodges-Lehmann on CUSUM performance. By pairing the location estimators with a robust scale estimator known as median absolute deviation about the median (MADn), a duo median based CUSUM chart is attained.The performances of both charts are studied under normality and contaminated normal distribution and evaluated using the average run length (ARL). While demonstrating an average power to detect the out-of-control situations, the in-control performances of both charts remain unaffected in the presence of outliers. This could very well be advantageous when the proposed charts are tested on a real data set in the future. A case in point is when the statistical tool is used to monitor changes in clinical variables for the health care outcomes.By minimising the false positives, a sound judgement can be made for any clinical decision

Statistical Modeling of EMG Signal

The aim of this research is to measure and build a statistical model of EMG signals . A linear regression method was applied as a statistical modeling method ,the common types of linear regression models was explored. The electromyography (EMG) was measured from the two hands of a person as a way to perform noise reduction with the use of XOR logical operation facilities . To measure EMG signals, the research used six OLIMEXnbsp EMG shield , controllednbsp by Arduino 328 control board , a new classification and modeling of EMG signals of 5 movements of an arm are presented. One of the six channelsnbsp used for the EMGnbsp measurements was used as anbsp reference channel , while the remaining as a measuring channels . The resultantnbsp EMG of each channel was considered as an independent variable (emg)nbsp for the linear regression model and the movement angle (degree) as a dependent variable for the model

Livestock Practices: Traditional Animal Holdings Classification in Qatar 2020 Towards Sustainable Food Security

Background: Traditional animal holdings (TAH) in Qatar face many managerial challenges, such as inadequate usage of land capacity, low levels of animal productivity and low economic returns. The top priority of the Ministry of Municipality strategy is to take care of TAH to ensure the sustainability of this activity and to maximize its role in national food security. To support future policy choices and services provision, the ministry initiated a TAH classification system. In 2020, the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) of Qatar University conducted a comprehensive agriculture census that followed a well-known methodology. The census form consisted of questions that guided the classification of TAH. The aim of this study is to help assess TAH performance using data from the census. Results: The Animals Holdings Classification Index (AHCI) divided the current holdings into one of five categories (A, B, C, D or E) in accordance with seven factors as classification criteria. These factors were levels of land and barn capacity utilization, livestock productivity, economic return, biosecurity measures, husbandry system and usage of technology for animal production. The results showed that most of the holdings fell into categories C and D. The lowest-scoring criteria were commitment to biosecurity measures and economic benefit. We recommended intensifying extension and enacting legislation to organize holdings to comply with biosecurity measures and initiating marketing programs and market outlets for TAH. According to Qatar’s 2021 agriculture census, there are three different types of holdings: roving holdings (mobile), 33.6%; holdings in compounds, 57.6; and holdings outside rural houses, 8.8%. Conclusions: The AHCI not only determines a holding’s actual productivity capability but also encourages holders to develop and upgrade their holdings. Furthermore, it helps the government fill gaps and provide services based on information and evidence

Climate Change and Abiotic Stresses in Plants

Any altered physiological conditions which can hamper the growth and development of crop plants that is denoted as stress. The challenges of abiotic stress on plant growth and development are evident among the emerging ecological impacts of climate change. In a compatible environment for one genotype may not be fitable for another. The field of plant abiotic stress encompasses all studies on abiotic factors or stresses from the environment that can impose stress on a variety of species. Abiotic stress induces redox imbalance during reproductive growth. These studies indicate that stress induced over accumulation of ROS leads to pollen abortion and programmed cell death of microspores in developing anthers consequently resulting in male sterility. With these changing climatic conditions climate resilient crops and crop varieties have been recommended as a way for farmers to cope with or adopt to climate change. Integrated physiological and molecular approaches are important for combating multiple abiotic stresses

A structured model for performance assessment in property management.

Property performance assessment has become increasingly important in property management because of the emergence of a number of trends as issues of concern of property owners and occupiers. There are, however, many problems facing the consideration of performance measurement. Perhaps the main obstacle is the lack of a structured process for property performance measurement. The prime objective of the research work that underpins this paper therefore is to address this gap by the development of a structured model for property performance measurement. This involved three main steps. First, basic characteristics of an effective performance assessment in property managements are identified and the framework for a generic model is outlined. Next, key processes of performance measurement and property management tasks are identified. Then, these processes are set out into steps for better understanding and applicability of the model to actual property management practices. Some unique features of the model include consideration of clients and tenants requirements, integration of the functions of property management in the model and the inclusion of two property and resource databases to aid storage and retrieval of information. Besides, it is the first step in developing a dedicated computer tool for property performance assessment

Harnessing Agricultural Services Centers for Agricultural Extension Services: A case Study Gezira state-Wad Medani Great Locality, Sudan

Agricultural Services Centers expect to plays an important role in facilitate marketing of most agricultural commodities such as seeds, feed, fertilizers and pesticides. This paper attempts to realize the Importance of agricultural services centers in supporting agricultural extension services in the study area. The study based on two sources of data, primary and secondary, the primary quantitative and qualitative data were collected from field survey using structured questionnaire (in-depth and repeated interview) which designed and pre-tested. Fifty seven respondents (members ASCs) were randomly selected to represent the study population. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software was used for data analysis (Descriptive Statistic) in addition to correlation and regression analysis to test significant level of variables. The findings indicated that 98% of the respondents were explained that the link with farmers was direct link, 53% stated that the farmers they visits them to get information. 90% of the respondents reported that they provided farmers with input and information, 98% of them explained that their source of inputs was imported companies, and 91% explained that their method to present the information to the farmers was personal explanation. The results of correlation and regression analysis showed Education level had high significant correlation with link with extension (.001) the value (.430), High significant correlation also with the link with extension and Components that you consider more useful in giving information sig (.000) value (.772) and the available components in case of problem sig (.000) value (.774). Imported companies had significant regression value (.457 beta) (.042) in information exchange other partners had no significant. Conclusion: Agricultural Services Centers enhance the role of agricultural extension through marketing of most agricultural commodities. The paper recommends that the service centers workers should look after the recommended information and follow up their inputs after sailing process to the farmers, the extension view should be more than the trading view