Economic design of X̅-control charts under generalized exponential shock models with uniform sampling intervals

Economic design of X̅-control chart was first presented by Duncan’s model (1956) model and then followed by Hu (1984) with fixed sampling intervals and failure mechanism of Poisson and Weibull distributions, respectively. For the sake of convenience, in many situations, it may be desirable to have frequency of sampling fixed with age of the system and to avoid certain drawbacks of the mentioned distributions. It appears that the Generalized Exponential model can be used as an alternative to the Poisson or Weibull models in many situations. We, here, proposed a cost model based upon Generalized Exponential with uniform sampling intervals

Economic design of X̅-control charts under generalized exponential shock models with uniform sampling intervals

Economic design of X̅-control chart was first presented by Duncan’s model (1956) model and then followed by Hu (1984) with fixed sampling intervals and failure mechanism of Poisson and Weibull distributions, respectively. For the sake of convenience, in many situations, it may be desirable to have frequency of sampling fixed with age of the system and to avoid certain drawbacks of the mentioned distributions. It appears that the Generalized Exponential model can be used as an alternative to the Poisson or Weibull models in many situations. We, here, proposed a cost model based upon Generalized Exponential with uniform sampling intervals

Effects of lecithin on growth and hematological indices in juveniles of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri Brandet 1869)

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary lecithin on growth performance and hematological indices in juveniles of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri). Fish with initial average weight of 32.9±0.3 grams were fed five isoproteic and isolipidic formulated diets with different soybean lecithin levels including 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% in triplicate groups for 8 weeks. Results showed that lecithin supplementation to 7.5% significantly increased some growth indices such as body weight increase (BWI), specific growth rate (SGR), feed conversion ratio (FCR ) final weight (Wf), condition factor (CF) and protein efficiency ratio (PER). Also, increasing dietary lecithin to the level of 10% significantly decreased growth indices. According to the results of hematological assays, hemoglobin (Hb) in treatments of 5% and 7.5% in comparison to other treatments had higher value. Hematocrit (Hct) in fish fed with 7.5% lecithin was higher than those fed with 0 and 2.5% lecithin in the diets. Other hematological indices such as WBC, RBC, MCV, MCH and MCHC showed no significant differences among the treatments. In conclusion, the results of this study indicated that Siberian sturgeon juveniles have a relatively moderate lecithin requirement (between 5 and 7.5 percent of the diet) and these levels of lecithin in diet induces increase of growth performance and improves health status of this species

Seroepidemiology of rubella, measles, HBV, HCV and B19 virus within women in child bearing ages (Saravan City of Sistan and Bloochastan Province)

Present survey basically focused on women between 15-45 years of age resident in a town of Sistan and Baluchistan province named as Saravan city located in border of Pakistan-Iran in order to find out the seropositivity against the viruses in child bearing ages in the above stated under study community. This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried-out from 2001 up to 2002. Saravan town was divided into 4 geographical areas and each area was further sub-divided into 10 blocks and in each block 10 families were chosen randomly. In the next step by referring to each family from the chosen married women with specified age i.e., 15-45 years, 5 mL blood was collected. Serum was then separated and stored at -20°C before the assay. ELISA kit was employed to detect anti B19, anti rubella, anti measles, anti HBV and anti HCV antibody. Furthermore during samples collection a questionnaire filled for each woman under study. This study showed that 89.6% of women understudy were seropositive against measles, rubella (96.2%), B19 (59.2%), HCV (0.8%) and HBV (19.8%), respectively. According to the results of no serious problem with rubella in this area; But, about measles, the present immunity against measles in this area is insufficient. It seems that incidence of B19 infection in this region is same as other places in Iran. The rate of seropositivity against HBV and HCV indicated of these viruses circulating in the population in this area. © 2007 Academic Journals

RELATION OF RELIGIOUS BELIEFS WITH ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION IN FAMILIES WITH MENTAL PATIENTS

Introduction: Religious beliefs as an important factor in mental health to be considered. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between religious beliefs and anxiety and depression in family caregivers in families with patients with mental disorders. Method: This study is causal - comparative. The study population consisted of families with mentally ill patients were hospitalized in psychiatric wards. The sample consisted of 152 family. Research Environment was psychiatric wards in hospitals of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. Data Collection tools were demographic Characteristics, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS] and religious beliefs questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used for to describe data and for determine the relationship between qualitative variables was used of X2, SPSS 22 software was used. Results: 63.8 percent of family caregivers were male and mostly aged between 30 and 50 years.48 percent of family caregivers has symptoms of anxiety and 67.3 percent have symptoms of depression. Significant relationship was observed between anxiety and religious beliefs [P- value = 0.002]. No significant relationship was observed between depression and religious beliefs [P- value = 0.417]. Conclusion: A religious belief is effective factor in the mental health of family caregivers and to help them be better able to take care of the patient. Whatever religious beliefs of family caregivers are stronger, their anxiety are less and the level of their mental health are more. Keywords: Religious beliefs, anxiety, depression, Family caregivers, patients with mental disorder

Optimal Adaptive Output Regulation of Uncertain Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems using Lifelong Concurrent Learning

This Paper Addresses Neural Network (NN) based Optimal Adaptive Regulation of Uncertain Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems in Affine Form using Output Feedback Via Lifelong Concurrent Learning. First, an Adaptive NN Observer is Introduced to Estimate Both the State Vector and Control Coefficient Matrix, and its NN Weights Are Adjusted using Both Output Error and Concurrent Learning Term to Relax the Persistency Excitation (PE) Condition. Next, by Utilizing an Actor-Critic Framework for Estimating the Value Functional and Control Policy, the Critic Network Weights Are Tuned Via Both Temporal Different Error and Concurrent Learning Schemes through a Replay Buffer. the Actor NN Weights Are Tuned using Control Policy Errors. to Attain Lifelong Learning for Performing Effectively during Multiple Tasks, an Elastic Weight Consolidation Term is Added to the Critic NN Weight Tuning Law. the State Estimation, Regulation, and the Weight Estimation Errors of the Observer, Actor and Critic NNs Are Demonstrated to Be Bounded When Performing Tasks by using Lyapunov Analysis. Simulation Results Are Carried Out to Verify the Effectiveness of the Proposed Approach on a Vander Pol Oscillator. Finally, Extension to Optimal Tracking is Given Briefly

Contributions of CH4-amine interactions by primary, secondary, and tertiary amines on CO2/CH4 separation efficiency

In designing amine-incorporated adsorbents for CO2/CH4 separation, it is essential to understand the individual effects amine moieties have on the separation of CO2/CH4 mixtures. In this work, primary, secondary, and tertiary amines are moderately grafted on SBA-15 to examine factors affecting adsorption of CO2 and CH4. Materials were characterised by thermogravimetric and elemental analysis, and their performance was measured by volumetric and gravimetric gas adsorption. An amine density of 1.6–1.7 mmol/g in secondary and tertiary amines showed an equivalent CH4 uptake of <0.04 mmol/g at 25 °C, while primary amines adsorbed 0.05 mmol/g, indicating stronger interaction forces with CH4. In terms of selectivity, primary and secondary amines grafted at 1.3–1.4 mmol/g had similar values, unaffected by amine type. Adsorption results cross analysed with DFT simulations indicate similar binding energies for CH4 by both amine moieties, concluding the facilitated access of gas molecules to primary amine moieties is the primary factor dictating degree of adsorption. At an amine density of ∼ 1.7 mmol/g for both primary and secondary amines, an increase in temperature from 25 to 40 °C at a CO2 partial pressure of 40 kPa showed a decrease in CO2/CH4 selectivity of only primary amines. Secondary amines are thus more selective amine moieties at these conditions. Furthermore, in isothermal adsorption–desorption conditions, moderately grafted secondary amines have an equal working capacity to primary amines. Both these qualities support secondary amines at moderate densities as candidates for adsorbent development in CO2/CH4 separations

Performance evaluation of a scoria-compost biofilter treating xylene vapors

The removal of xylene vapors was studied in a biofilter packed with a new hybrid (scoria/compost) packing material at various inlet loads (IL) and empty bed residence times (EBRT) of 90, 60, and 40s. The best performance was observed for EBRT of 90s, where a removal efficiency of 98% was obtained under steady state condition for inlet xylene concentration of 1.34 g m(-3), while a maximum elimination capacity of 97.5 g m(-3) h(-1) was observed for IL of 199.5 g m(-3) h(-1). Carbon dioxide production rates and the microbial counts for xylene-degraders followed xylene elimination capacities. Overall look to the results of this study indicates that the scoria/compost mixture could be considered as a potential biofilter carrier, with low pressure drop (here <4 mm H2O), to treat air streams containing VOCs

Effects of Icelandic yogurt consumption and resistance training in healthy untrained older males

Due to the important roles of resistance training and protein consumption in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, we assessed the efficacy of post-exercise Icelandic yogurt consumption on lean mass, strength, and skeletal muscle regulatory factors in healthy untrained older males. Thirty healthy untrained older males (age = 68 ± 4 yr) were randomly assigned to Icelandic yogurt (IR; n =15, 18 g of protein) or an iso-energetic placebo (PR; n =15, 0 g protein) immediately following resistance training (3x/week) for eight weeks. Before and after training, lean mass, strength, and skeletal muscle regulatory factors (insulin-like growth factor-1 [IGF-1], transforming growth factor-beta 1 [TGF-β1], growth differentiation factor 15 [GDF15], Activin A, myostatin [MST], and follistatin [FST]) were assessed. There were group x time interactions (p < 0.05) for body mass (IR: Δ 1, PR: Δ 0.7 kg), body mass index (IR: Δ 0.3, PR: Δ 0.2 kg∙m-2), lean mass (IR: Δ 1.3, PR: Δ 0.6 kg), bench press (IR: Δ 4, PR: 2.3 kg), leg press (IR: Δ 4.2, PR: Δ 2.5 kg), IGF-1 (IR: Δ 0.5, Δ PR: 0.1 ng∙mL-1), TGF-β (IR: Δ -0.2, PR: Δ -0.1 ng∙mL-1), GDF15 (IR: Δ -10.3, PR: Δ -4.8 pg∙mL-1), Activin A (IR: Δ -9.8, PR: Δ -2.9 pg∙mL-1), MST (IR: Δ -0.1, PR: Δ -0.04 ng∙mL-1), and FST (IR: Δ 0.09, PR: Δ 0.03 ng∙mL-1), with Icelandic yogurt consumption resulting in greater changes compared to placebo. The addition of Icelandic yogurt consumption to a resistance training program improved lean mass, strength, and altered skeletal muscle regulatory factors in healthy untrained older males compared to placebo. Therefore, Icelandic yogurt as a nutrient-dense source and cost-effective supplement enhances muscular gains mediated by resistance training and consequently may be used as a strategy for the prevention of sarcopenia