An "All Possible Steps" Approach to the Accelerated Use of Gillespie's Algorithm

Many physical and biological processes are stochastic in nature. Computational models and simulations of such processes are a mathematical and computational challenge. The basic stochastic simulation algorithm was published by D. Gillespie about three decades ago [D.T. Gillespie, J. Phys. Chem. {\bf 81}, 2340, (1977)]. Since then, intensive work has been done to make the algorithm more efficient in terms of running time. All accelerated versions of the algorithm are aimed at minimizing the running time required to produce a stochastic trajectory in state space. In these simulations, a necessary condition for reliable statistics is averaging over a large number of simulations. In this study I present a new accelerating approach which does not alter the stochastic algorithm, but reduces the number of required runs. By analysis of collected data I demonstrate high precision levels with fewer simulations. Moreover, the suggested approach provides a good estimation of statistical error, which may serve as a tool for determining the number of required runs.Comment: Accepted for publication at the Journal of Chemical Physics. 19 pages, including 2 Tables and 4 Figure

Étude Longitudinale de la Santé Mentale chez les Étudiants Primo-Inscrits de l’Université de Sfax

Intérêt et objectif de l’étude : Notre étude vise à évaluer la santé psychologique chez les étudiants primo-inscrits de l’université de Sfax et d’identifier certains facteurs psychosociaux qui peuvent impacter leur santé. Méthodes : Il s’agit d’une étude longitudinale qui s’est déroulée sur deux temps. Notre échantillon est composé de 344 étudiants primo-inscrits dans des filières scientifiques et littéraires qui ont été sollicités au début et à la fin de l’année universitaire 2017-2018. Seulement 252 étudiants ont participé à la deuxième étape de la recherche. Des échelles ont été traduites en arabe pour répondre aux objectifs de la recherche. Résultats : Les données indiquent que 42.7% des étudiants interrogés présentent des signes de détresse psychologique. Nos résultats révèlent que plusieurs facteurs sont associés à cette détresse d’une manière statistiquement significative, à savoir la satisfaction des conditions socio-économiques, le choix de la filière (subi ou délibéré) et la satisfaction du soutien social et des conditions de l’hébergement au campus universitaire. Certains facteurs transactionnels sont corrélés d’une manière significative à notre variable dépendante «la santé psychologique », à savoir le stress perçu et les stratégies d’ajustement et avec certains facteurs de personnalité comme l’estime de soi, le névrosisme et l’espoir. L’analyse de régression multiple indique que l’estime de soi et le névrosisme expliquent, respectivement à 31% et à 7%, la variance santé psychologique. Les résultats de l’étude longitudinale montrent l’amélioration générale de l’état de santé des étudiants interrogés lors du deuxième moment de l’étude avec un impact statistiquement significatif des facteurs de l’estime de soi et du coping centré sur la résolution des problèmes et l’espoir Conclusion :Un travail d’accompagnement psychologique centré sur les facteurs de protection s’avère plus que nécessaire pour éviter le basculement de cette détresse dans des troubles psychiatriques.   Interest and objective of the study: Our study aims to assess the psychological health of first-time students enrolled at the University of Sfax and to identify certain psychosocial factors that can impact their health. Methods: This is a longitudinal study that took place over two periods. Our sample is made up of 344 first-time students enrolled in science and literature courses who were contacted at the beginning and end of the 2017-2018 academic year. Only 252 students participated in the second stage of the research. Scales were translated into Arabic to meet the research objectives. Results: The data indicate that 42.7% of the students surveyed show signs of psychological distress. Our results reveal that several factors are associated with this distress in a statistically significant way, namely the satisfaction of socio-economic conditions, the choice of the sector (submitted or deliberate) and the satisfaction of social support and the conditions of the school. accommodation at the university campus. Some transactional factors are significantly correlated with our dependent variable “psychological health”, namely perceived stress and coping strategies and with some personality factors such as self-esteem, neuroticism and hope. . Multiple regression analysis indicates that self-esteem and neuroticism explain, respectively, 31% and 7%, of the psychological health variance. The results of the longitudinal study show the general improvement in the state of health of the students questioned during the second moment of the study with a statistically significant impact of the factors of self-esteem and coping centered on the resolution of problems. problems and hope. Conclusion: Psychological support work centered on protective factors is more than necessary to avoid the tipping of this distress into psychiatric disorders

Étude Longitudinale de la Santé Mentale chez les Étudiants Primo-Inscrits de l’Université de Sfax

Intérêt et objectif de l’étude : Notre étude vise à évaluer la santé psychologique chez les étudiants primo-inscrits de l’université de Sfax et d’identifier certains facteurs psychosociaux qui peuvent impacter leur santé. Méthodes : Il s’agit d’une étude longitudinale qui s’est déroulée sur deux temps. Notre échantillon est composé de 344 étudiants primo-inscrits dans des filières scientifiques et littéraires qui ont été sollicités au début et à la fin de l’année universitaire 2017-2018. Seulement 252 étudiants ont participé à la deuxième étape de la recherche. Des échelles ont été traduites en arabe pour répondre aux objectifs de la recherche. Résultats : Les données indiquent que 42.7% des étudiants interrogés présentent des signes de détresse psychologique. Nos résultats révèlent que plusieurs facteurs sont associés à cette détresse d’une manière statistiquement significative, à savoir la satisfaction des conditions socio-économiques, le choix de la filière (subi ou délibéré) et la satisfaction du soutien social et des conditions de l’hébergement au campus universitaire. Certains facteurs transactionnels sont corrélés d’une manière significative à notre variable dépendante «la santé psychologique », à savoir le stress perçu et les stratégies d’ajustement et avec certains facteurs de personnalité comme l’estime de soi, le névrosisme et l’espoir. L’analyse de régression multiple indique que l’estime de soi et le névrosisme expliquent, respectivement à 31% et à 7%, la variance santé psychologique. Les résultats de l’étude longitudinale montrent l’amélioration générale de l’état de santé des étudiants interrogés lors du deuxième moment de l’étude avec un impact statistiquement significatif des facteurs de l’estime de soi et du coping centré sur la résolution des problèmes et l’espoir Conclusion :Un travail d’accompagnement psychologique centré sur les facteurs de protection s’avère plus que nécessaire pour éviter le basculement de cette détresse dans des troubles psychiatriques.   Interest and objective of the study: Our study aims to assess the psychological health of first-time students enrolled at the University of Sfax and to identify certain psychosocial factors that can impact their health. Methods: This is a longitudinal study that took place over two periods. Our sample is made up of 344 first-time students enrolled in science and literature courses who were contacted at the beginning and end of the 2017-2018 academic year. Only 252 students participated in the second stage of the research. Scales were translated into Arabic to meet the research objectives. Results: The data indicate that 42.7% of the students surveyed show signs of psychological distress. Our results reveal that several factors are associated with this distress in a statistically significant way, namely the satisfaction of socio-economic conditions, the choice of the sector (submitted or deliberate) and the satisfaction of social support and the conditions of the school. accommodation at the university campus. Some transactional factors are significantly correlated with our dependent variable “psychological health”, namely perceived stress and coping strategies and with some personality factors such as self-esteem, neuroticism and hope. . Multiple regression analysis indicates that self-esteem and neuroticism explain, respectively, 31% and 7%, of the psychological health variance. The results of the longitudinal study show the general improvement in the state of health of the students questioned during the second moment of the study with a statistically significant impact of the factors of self-esteem and coping centered on the resolution of problems. problems and hope. Conclusion: Psychological support work centered on protective factors is more than necessary to avoid the tipping of this distress into psychiatric disorders

The Effect of Alcohol Intoxications on Hematological Parameters of Adult Albino Wistar Rats

Due to the accessibility of alcohol, people around the world become readily intoxicated with it and in turn, it produces protease devastating effects in the human system. This study investigates the hematological effects of alcohol in albino rats grouped into three (A, B and C). Group A and B served as test while C served as control. For 14 days, 3ml/kg and 9 ml/kg of alcohol was administered to group A and B respectively. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected from the rats, and the changes in PCV, RBC, Hb, platelets, WBC, and differential counts, were accessed. The results showed no significant (P >0.05) increase in Hb, RBC count, WBC count, but a significant decrease (P <0.05) in platelet count of group B rats. Similarly, there was no significant increase in Hb, but a significant increase in PCV (P<0.05) of group A rats when compared with the control. The results suggest therefore, that chronic ingestion of alcohol in a dose dependent fashion, can induce hematoxicity and hence the need to curb excessive consumption of alcohol.Keywords: Haematology, Bone marrow, Alcohol, Platelet

Microbiological Load of Selected Oral Liquid Pharmaceuticals

The microbiological quality of 24 samples of oral pharmaceuticals comprising antacids, cough and paracetamolsyrups purchased randomly from different drug stores operating in Abakaliki metropolis were assessed. They wereanalyzed by pour plate method. Their microbial load was determined using the viable cell count method. The resulting contaminating microorganisms were isolated and characterized by standard methods. The results revealed fungal and bacterial contaminations in 16 and 19 samples respectively. Contaminant bacteria include Bacillus spp.,Staphylococcus spp., E.coli, Proteus spp, Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas spp. with Staphylococcus spp. being the most predominant bacterial contaminant, while fungi contaminants were basically Mucor and Aspergillus species. The pH values of the analyzed drugs ranged from 5 to 9. The variations in the stated pH of sampled products were however, not justified in this work; thus queries the stated drug pH and why certain isolated organisms could grow on such pH outside their normal habitats’ pH. This study has shown therefore, that some oral pharmaceuticals sold in drug stores maybe heavily contaminated by varying microbial agents.Keywords: Oral, Pharmaceuticals, Bacteria, Fungi, Contamination

Effect of Varying Concentrations of Ethanol and Lime Extracts Pre - treatments on the Aflatoxins and Chemical Quality Characteristics of Stored Irvingia Seeds

In this study the effects of different concentrations of ethanol and lime extracts pre- treatments on the aflatoxins contamination and quality characteristics of stored Irvingia seeds were investigated. The quantity of total aflatoxins produced by Aspergillus flavus((FR33818)) on stored Irvingia seeds was determined using ELISA method. Aspergillus flavus used for this study was identified by ITS rDNA sequence analysis by CABI identification services UK. The results showed that the aflatoxins contaminations and the overall quality characteristics of the Irvingia seeds were influenced by the pre-treatments applied. No aflatoxins were produced at the different concentrations of the ethanol and lime extracts used for the first two month of the storage period. However aflatoxins were produced from the third month but the concentrations in the stored Irvingia seeds decreased with increasing concentrations of the pre-treatments applied except for sample pre-treated with 70% ethanol that recorded no aflatoxins throughout the study period. The pre-treatments applied also significantly improved the chemical qualities of the seeds when compared with the control sample.  Thus the finding of this study showed that 70% ethanol and lime extracts concentrations could be used to improve the shelf-life and other quality characteristics of stored Irvingia seeds. Keywords: Aflatoxins, Aspergillus flavus, Ethanol, Lime extracts, Pre-treatment

Preliminary Assessment of the Trace Element Composition of Dust from Two Granite Quarries from Jos Plateau and Their Possible Health Implications.

Quarrying of rocks has contributed to the development of many developed and developing nations. However, the entire process generates particulate pollution in the environment. The high level of particulates generated at the drilling and crushing areas depicts them as hazard zones. Moreover, quarry workers and communities living in proximity to these hazard zones are exposed to various health risks. In view of this fact, this research was carried out to determine the trace element concentration in the dust from Ric Rock and Satzen quarries, to establish their extent of contamination and deduce their possible human health implications. The results of As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu Ni, Pb, Zn and Mo were interpreted based on their Pollution index (anthropogenic factor), enrichment index and index of geo-accumulation. The interpretation revealed that the Rick Rock dust is practically unpolluted with As, Cr, Co Cu, and Ni with deficiency to minimal enrichment, unpolluted to moderately polluted and enriched with Zn. The dust is also extremely polluted and severely enriched by Mo. On the other hand, Satzen dust is practically unpolluted by As, Cd Cr, Co, Cu , Ni, Pb and Zn with  deficiency to minimal enrichment. It is practically unpolluted to moderately polluted and enriched by Mo. With respect to the selected elements and their contamination status, Rick rock dust has been contaminated with Cd, Pb, Mo, and Zn and Satzen dust has been contaminated with Mo. The elemental enrichment in the dust samples collected from Rick Rock quarry is higher than those from Satzen quarry and can be attributed to oil spillage and emission from trucks and diesel powered generator which is the only source of power supply to the quarry and work throughout the period of quarry operations. This enriched the elemental concentration in the dust. Satzen quarry, on the other hand, uses electricity from Power Generation Company which eliminated such enrichment contribution in the dust. However the enrichment of Mo in the dust may be attributed to oil spillage and combustion of fossil fuel from heavy duty trucks used for the quarry operation. Geochemical analysis of quarry dust from Ric Rock and Satzen quarries showed that the concentration of trace elements in the dust exceeds the permissible limit set by WHO. Some of which are very harmful to human health even at very low concentration exposure. It is certain that long exposure of quarry workers and those living in close proximity via Inhalation, ingestion and percutaneous absorption can result to various health challenges. The release of these trace elements in high concentration by quarry companies enriching their concentration in the environment, polluting air, soil and both surface and ground water which variably affects human, animal and plants through the chain causes diseases and eventual death of man. Key words: Quarry Dust, Trace Elements, Pollution index, enrichment Factor and index of geo-accumulation

Multi-objective Dual-Sale Channel Supply Chain Network Design Based on NSGA-II

[[abstract]]In this study, we propose a two-echelon multi-objective dual-sale channel supply chain network (DCSCN) model. The goal is to determine (i) the set of installed DCs, (ii) the set of customers the DC should work with, how much inventory each DC should order and (iv) the distribution routes for physical retailers or online e-tailers (all starting and ending at the same DC). Our model overcomes the drawback by simultaneously tackling location and routing decisions. In addition to the typical costs associated with facility location and the inventory-related costs, we explicitly consider the pivotal routing costs between the DCs and their assigned customers. Therefore, a multiple objectives location-routing model involves two conflicting objectives is initially proposed so as to permit a comprehensive trade-off evaluation. To solve this multiple objectives programming problem, this study integrates genetic algorithms, clustering analysis, Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II). NSGA-II searches for the Pareto set. Several experiments are simulated to demonstrate the possibility and efficacy of the proposed approach.[[notice]]補正完畢[[incitationindex]]EI[[booktype]]紙

Design and Construction of LED Matrix Display

This paper presents a compilation of the design and construction of a programmable scrolling matrix display that scrolls the following characters “WELCOME TO PHYSICS DEPARTMENT”. Dot Matrix Display based on the logic output signals of a digital signal processor (DSP) and microcontroller or other logic device. The Perspex board measuring 0.3x1.5 meters was acquired and holes of 4mm were drilled for the Perspex in order to allow the LED measuring 5mm in diameter fit tightly into the drilled holes. The circuit diagram was gotten after careful design and calculation had been done. The complete work was designed, simulated and routed with proteus and after the design, construction and testing, the device (programmable scrolling matrix display) was ascertained to be working satisfactorily