Energy Efficiency in the ICT - Profiling Power Consumption in Desktop Computer Systems

Energy awareness in the ICT has become an important issue. Focusing on software, recent work suggested the existence of a relationship between power consumption, software configuration and usage patterns in computer systems. The aim of this work was collecting and analysing power consumption data of general-purpose computer systems, simulating common usage scenarios, in order to extract a power consumption profile for each scenario. We selected two desktop systems of different generations as test machines. Meanwhile, we developed 11 usage scenarios, and conducted several test runs of them, collecting power consumption data by means of a power meter. Our analysis resulted in an estimation of a power consumption value for each scenario and software application used, obtaining that each single scenario introduced an overhead from 2 to 11 Watts, which corresponds to a percentage increase that can reach up to 20% on recent and more powerful systems. We determined that software and its usage patterns impact consistently on the power consumption of computer systems. Further work will be devoted to evaluate how power consumption is affected by the usage of specific system resource

Síntesis y evaluación de algunos agentes surfactantes de aminas grasas de cadena larga

This study continues our series of synthesis of surface active agents containing heterocyclic moiety. NHeptadecanoyl- 3-(4-oxo-4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-2-yl)- acrylamide (4) was used as a new starting material to synthesize propenoxylated nonionic surface active agents having heterocycles such as (thiazole, triazole, benzoxazine, quinazoline, triazine, and oxazine). The structures of the prepared compounds were elucidated by using spectroscopic tools (IR, 1H NMR and Mass spectroscopy). Physical properties such as surface and interfacial tension, cloud point, foaming height, wetting time, emulsification power and critical micelle concentration (CMC) were determined. Antimicrobial and biodegradability properties were also screened. It was found that the produced novel groups of nonionic surface active agents have pronounced surface properties and good antimicrobial activities.Este estudio continua nuestra serie sobre la síntesis de agentes surfactantes que contienen grupos heterociclicos. N-Heptadecanoyl-3-(4-oxo-4H-benzo[d][1,3]oxazin-2-yl)- acrylamida (4) se usa como nueva materia prima para sintetizar surfactantes noiónico propenoxilado conteniendo herociclos tales como thiazol, triazol, benzoxazina, quinazolina, triazina, y oxazina. Las estructuras de los compuestos preparados se dilucidan mediante herramientas espectroscópicas (IR, 1H NMR and espectroscopía de masas). Se determinan sus propiedades físicas, tensión superficial e interfacial, punto de nube, altura de espuma, poder de emulsificación y concentración micelar critica.También se revisan sus propiedades antimicrobianas y de biodegradabilidad Se encontró que los nuevos compuestos poseían destacadas propiedades superficiales y unas buenas actividades antimicrobianas

Síntesis y evaluación de compuestos heterocíclicos derivados de ?-hidroxiácidos con interés industrial potencial.

The reaction of 2-hydroxyheptadecanoyl chloride (2) and anthranilic acid gave 2-(1-hydroxyheptadecyl)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one (3) which was used as starting material to synthesize some condensed and non-condensed heterocyclic compounds by a reaction with nitrogen nucleophiles (e.g., hydrazine hydrate, and formamide). The subsequent reaction of the synthetic products with different amounts of propylene oxide gave a novel group of nonionic compounds having a double function as antibacterial and surface active agents which may serve in the manufacturing of drugs, cosmetics, pesticides or as antibacterial and/or antifungal products. The surface active properties such as surface and interfacial tensions, cloud point, foaming height, wetting time, and emulsification power were determined. Antimicrobial and biodegradability were also screened.La reacción de cloruro de 2-hidroxiheptadecanoilo (2) con ácido antranílico produjo 2-(1-hidroxiheptadecil)-4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-ona (3) que fue usada como material de partida en la síntesis de compuestos heterocíclicos condensados y no condensados por reacción con nucleófilos nitrogenados (hidracina y formamida). La reacción de los productos sintetizados con distintas cantidades de óxido de propileno dio un grupo nuevo de compuestos no iónicos con una función doble como antibacterianos y agentes tensioactivos que pueden servir en la manufactura de medicamentos, cosméticos, pesticidas, o como productos antibacterianos y/o antifúngicos. Se determinaron las propiedades tensioactivas así como la capacidad antimicrobiana y la biodegrabilidad de los compuestos sintetizados

Tensioactivos anfóteros conteniendo un grupo alfa hidroxi éster y un residuo de aminoácido

A series of amphoteric surfactants containing α-hydroxy ester group and an amino acid residue were prepared with the addition of epoxy derivatives (which were prepared from epoxidation of alkyl methacrylate) to different types of amino acids (glycine, alanine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, serine, threonine, aspartic and anthranilic acid).The structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by infrared spectra, proton magnetic resonance spectra, Mass spectra and elementary analysis. Surface tension, Kraft point, foaming power, critical micelle concentration emulsion and Ca++ stabilities were determined. Antimicrobial activity and biodegradability were also screened.Se prepararon una serie de tensioactivos anfóteros conteniendo un grupo alfa hidroxi éster y un residuo de aminoácido por adición de derivados epoxy (obtenidos mediante epoxidación de metacrilato de alquilo) a diferentes tipos de aminoácidos (glicina, alanina, valina, isoleucina, fenilalanina, tirosina, serina, treonina y ácidos aspártico y antranílico). Las estructuras de los compuestos preparados se confirmaron por los espectros de infrarrojo, de masa, resonancia magnética nuclear de protones y análisis elemental. Se determinaron la tensión superficial, el punto de Kraft, el poder espumante, la concentración micelar crítica en emulsión y las estabilidades de Ca++. También se estudiaron la actividad antimicrobiana y la biodegradabilidad

Effects of omega-3 fatty acids and pioglitazone combination on insulin resistance through fibroblast growth factor 21 in type 2 diabetes mellitus

AbstractFibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an effective regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism. It is mainly regulated by peroxisome proliferator activated receptors, and is widely associated with cases of insulin resistance as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Our study aimed to investigate the potential effects of omega-3 fatty acids, pioglitazone, and their combination on serum and liver FGF21 concentrations, and its hepatic gene expression in a rat model of T2D. We also studied the modulating effects of these treatments on blood glucose, lipid profile, and insulin resistance. T2D was induced in male Sprague–Dawley rats by combination of high fat diet and low dose streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated with omega-3 fatty acids (10%W/W diet), pioglitazone (20 mg/kg), and their combination for a period of 4 weeks. Serum FGF21 concentration was significantly increased in diabetic rats. In contrast, hepatic FGF21 concentration, and gene expression were significantly decreased. Omega-3 fatty acids, pioglitazone, and their combination significantly decreased serum FGF21. Omega-3 fatty acids and combination therapy significantly decreased liver FGF21 concentration, with non-significant changes in gene expression. On the other hand, pioglitazone significantly increased hepatic FGF21 concentration and gene expression. Omega-3 fatty acids, pioglitazone and their combination significantly improved lipid profile. Pioglitazone and combination significantly decreased blood glucose levels and improved insulin resistance. In conclusion, this study introduces the first evidence regarding the antidiabetic effects of omega-3 fatty acids and pioglitazone combination, such effects are mediated through FGF21

Detection of Avian Influenza (H5N1) In Some Fish and Shellfish from Different Aquatic Habitats across Some Egyptian Provinces

Abstract: The global climatic changes impact on air, water and earth could extend scope of Avian Influenza (H5N1) virus to another broad sector of creatures including aquatic animals, especially those with direct relationship to aquatic birds. In the current study, Avian Influenza virus (H5N1) was detected in hemolymph of the Red Swamp crayfish (Procambrus clarkii) from three different provinces across the Nile Delta. Most of the positive cases were from the neighborhood of migratory bird natural stop stations. The virus was also detected in the Mediterranean Cone Shell (Conus mediterraneus) and the Pufferfish Lagocephalus sceleratus (Gmelin, 1789) during its course of invasion to the Mediterranean Sea. Two out of three poultry manure samples collected prior to earthen pond fertilization at three different localities were proved to be positive for the H5N1 virus. Tissue / mucous samples collected from earthen pond raised tilapias were negative for the virus. Catfish (Clarias gariepinus) has presented a striking model for aquatic species carrying the virus in their blood. The current results are suggestive for an important epidemiological role played by aquatic animals in spread of avian influenza (H5N1) virus across the Egyptian aquatic habitat

Factors Affecting Hemodialysis Patients' Satisfaction with Their Dialysis Therapy

Aim. To assess the degree of satisfaction among hemodialysis patients and the factors influencing this satisfaction. Methods. Patients were recruited from 3 Saudi dialysis centers. Demographic data was collected. Using 1 to 10 Likert scale, the patients were asked to rate the overall satisfaction with, and the overall impact of, their dialysis therapy on their lives and to rate the effect of the dialysis therapy on 15 qualities of life domains. Results. 322 patients were recruited (72.6% of the total eligible patients). The mean age was 51.7 years (±15.4); 58% have been on dialysis for >3 years. The mean Charlson Comorbidity Index was 3.2 (±2), and Kt/V was 1.3 (±0.44). The mean satisfaction score was (7.41 ± 2.75) and the mean score of the impact of the dialysis on the patients' lives was 5.32 ± 2.55. Male patients reported worse effect of dialysis on family life, social life, energy, and appetite. Longer period since the commencement of dialysis was associated with adverse effect on finances and energy. Lower level of education was associated with worse dialysis effect on stress, overall health, sexual life, hobbies, and exercise ability. Conclusion. The level of satisfaction is affected by gender, duration on dialysis, educational level, and standard of care given

An intelligent System for Diagnosis Schizophrenia and Bipolar Diseases based on Support Vector Machine with Different Kernels

Bipolar disorder and schizophrenia overlap in symptoms and may share some underlying neural substrates. The discrimination between the two diseases is one of the problems that face psychiatric experts. This paper will propose some solutions to this problem based on the artificial methods. The support vector machine (SVM) is used for discrimination based on measuring of the patient EEG rhythms. The large set of features included in the EEG rhythms is reduced into smaller set of features after Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) segmentation. Different kernels are applied on the SVM which are linear, polynomial, quadratic and radial basis function. The application of SVM with different kernels for the EEG discrimination of the patients suffering from schizophrenia and bipolar diseases is the core of this work. Experimental results have shown that the proposed algorithms will solve the discrimination between the two diseases using EEG rhythms and the support vector machine with linear and quadratic kernels have achieved a high performance rate equal to 98 % and 97.667% respectively compared to the other kernels