Genetic Algorithm and Statistical Applications in Mines for Radiation Safety Requirements

Genetic algorithm and statistical probability distributions can give a good result for estimating the radon airborne levels into underground mines. The computer-aided algorithm for a regional mines controlling plan is presented. The mines are modeled and analyzed with the use of genetic algorithm and the total population will be distributed rationally according to the result to reach optimal values. Thus, offering an effective approach for regional radon condition improvement and pollutants control. Probability distributions are used for reducing the error rate of the radon prediction model. This is done by developing and converting the multiple regression model to probability multiple regression model using Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) of suitable probability distributions. The CDF is used to convert the actual values to probability values for creating the probability model. Then the predicted probability values are converted to the original values using the inverse CDF (quantile function). The optimal results obtained from Genetic Algorithm have been used in the probability multiple regression model for estimating the radon levels in the entire mines. Accuracy measurements are calculated to evaluate the two investigated models. The results show that the probability multiple regression model diminishes the error rate nearly by 50% to 70%. The results give accurate prediction for determining the radon levels in mines. Keywords: Radon level, genetic algorithm, multiple regression model, probability distribution

Nematicidal activity of fervenulin isolated from a nematicidal actinomycete, Streptomyces sp. CMU-MH021, on Meloidogyne incognita

An isolate of the actinomycete, Streptomyces sp. CMU-MH021 produced secondary metabolites that inhibited egg hatch and increased juvenile mortality of the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita in vitro. 16S rDNA gene sequencing showed that the isolate sequence was 99% identical to Streptomyces roseoverticillatus. The culture filtrates form different culture media were tested for nematocidal activity. The maximal activity against M. incognita was obtained by using modified basal (MB) medium. The nematicidal assay-directed fractionation of the culture broth delivered fervenulin (1) and isocoumarin (2). Fervenulin, a low molecular weight compound, shows a broad range of biological activities. However, nematicidal activity of fervenulin was not previously reported. The nematicidal activity of fervenulin (1) was assessed using the broth microdilution technique. The lowest minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the compound against egg hatch of M. incognita was 30 μg/ml and juvenile mortality of M. incognita increasing was observed at 120 μg/ml. Moreover, at the concentration of 250 μg/ml fervenulin (1) showed killing effect on second-stage nematode juveniles of M. incognita up to 100% after incubation for 96 h. Isocoumarin (2), another bioactive compound produced by Streptomyces sp. CMU-MH021, showed weak nematicidal activity with M. incognita

Risk assessment of radio-chemotherapy in pediatric soft tissue sarcomas

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a group of rare and heterogenous cancers, that diverse a wide spectrum of histology and varied clinical behavior. The aim was to study, retrospectively and prospectively the adverse effects of therapy in STS patients attending the Pediatric Oncology Clinic, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cairo University during the last 10 years. Files of 106 STS patients were revised for history, staging, investigations, treatment modalities and side effects of therapy. Radiotherapy (RTH) and surgery remains the backbone of the multi-modality treatment plan. Chemo-radiotherapy (CRTH) induces acute and delayed toxicity in the form of hematological & gastrointestinal (GIT) toxicity and alopecia that occur in all patients. However, hepatic & genitourinary toxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity and skin complications can be seen in 13.2%, 11.3%, 1.9% and 4.7% and 28.3% of patients respectively. Mucositis was noticed in 42.5% of patients, 15.1% of them were due to RTH, which can also cause dysphagia & dysphonia, impaired taste sensation and transient conjunctivitis in 4.7%, 1.9% and 6.6% of patients respectively. Additionally, 46.7% of post-pubertal patients were found to be azoospermic >5 years of end of treatments. However, 3.8% and 6.6% of patients developed ototoxicity and skin fibroses due to local irradiations. Furthermore, hypo- or hyperthyroidism and growth retardation was encountered in 7.5% and 6.6% of patients respectively. However, 5.7% of patients developed secondary malignancy, 7 years after the end of CRTH. Finally, the current study concluded that STS multidisciplinary management may cause early and late toxicity. Future approaches including radiation dose and volume reduction or application of new radiation technologies are needed. New strategies with reduction or elimination of chemotherapy (CTH) dose are also recommended for dealing with pediatric STS patients

Factors affecting radiation grafting of N-vinylpyrrolidone onto nylon-6 fabric

437-443<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;font-family:Fd1490491-Identity-H;mso-bidi-font-family:Fd1490491-Identity-H">The effect of monomer concentration, exposure time, dose rate fabric-to-liquor ratio and irradiation temperature on the kinetic parameters of grafting N-vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) onto nylon-6 fabric has been studied. Induction period is observed before the start of grafting process, especially at low dose rates and low NVP concentrations. Electron spin resonance study indicates that the oxygen still remaining in the grafting solution is possibly responsible for the existence of induction period via peroxide formation with free radicals. The order of the grafting process is found to decrease linearly with the increase in dose rate at 0.766 per increase in dose rate by 1 Gy/s. It decreases from a second order to a first order kinetics as the dose rate increases from <span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:Fd1413727-Identity-H;mso-bidi-font-family: Fd1413727-Identity-H">0.37 <span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family: Fd1490491-Identity-H;mso-bidi-font-family:Fd1490491-Identity-H">Gy/s to 1.81 Gy/s. The grafting rate constant increases with the increase in dose rate to the power of 2.9. The increase in fabric-to-liquor ratio from 1:7.5 to 1:1 5 increases the reaction order and decreases the grafting rate constant. The increase in the grafting temperature decreases the grafting rate and rate constant. The calculated activation energy 23.6 kJ/mole is attributed to the homopolymerization of NVP and the existence of unidentified transfer process. </span

Rapid biosynthesis of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles using culture supernatants of Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 andLactobacillus acidophilus DSMZ 20079T

Cell-associated biosynthesis of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles has been reported to be rather slow and costly. In this study, we report on a rapid and low cost biosynthesis of CdS using culture supernatants of Escherichia coli ATCC 8739, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Lactobacillus acidophilus DSMZ 20079T. The synthesis was performed at room temperature in the laboratory ambience and CdS nanoparticles were formed within 24 h. Ultraviolet (UV)–visible spectroscopy study revealed the build-up of absorption bands at 419.5, 381.5 and 362.5 nm for E. coli ATCC 8739, B. subtilis ATCC 6633 and L. acidophilus DSMZ 20079T, respectively for assisted synthesis of CdS nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence spectral analyses were performed to ascertain the formation of CdS nanoparticles. Individual nanoparticles as well as few aggregates having the size of 2.5 to 5.5 nm were found. The process of extracellular and fast biosynthesis may help in the development of an easy and eco-friendly route for the synthesis of CdS nanoparticles.Keywords: Nano-cadmium sulfide (CdS), nanomaterials, nanobiotechnology, biosynthesis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus acidophilu

Optimization of the culture medium using the Burman and Box-Behnken experimental designs for an enhanced production of alginate by <i>Azotobacter vinelandii</i>

Alginates are regarded as high-value biomacromolecules. A pursuit for new bacterial species that can produce novel alginates for various applications in different industries including the pharmaceutical and food industries as well as the field of medicine is still needed. Variations in the molecular weight and sugar composition of alginates depend on the culture medium composition and different physical conditions provided during fermentation. The aim of this study was to obtain a maximum alginate production by the potent Egyptian bacterial strain Azotobacter vinelandii , out of the 30 tested Azotobacter isolates. The composition of the production medium and environmental growth conditions during fermentation were optimized to ensure consistency and to enhance alginate production. Nine variables were optimized using the Plackett-Burman randomization method. Eighteen trials were performed to verify the variables to obtain high alginate production levels. Temperature as well as sucrose and NaCl concentrations have been found to affect the alginate production by A. vinelandii significantly and were therefore chosen for further improvement of the medium using the Box-Behnken design. The Box Behnken model was optimized mathematically using the Excel solver. The results were analyzed statistically by ANOVA multiple regression analysis and different statistical methods (coefficient, standard error, t statistic, and confidence interval). On using the Plackett-Burman and Box-Behnken designs, the biggest alginate production rates were found to be 3.8 and 4.94 g/l/day, respectively. Addition of 00.1 g/l MgSO4, 0.01 g/l FSO4, and 0.001 g/l NaMoO4 to the culture medium further enhanced the alginate production and yielded 5.4 g/l/day and 8.5 g/l/day. Thus, the obtained alginate was purified using Sephadex G-100 Gel chromatography and compared with a standard by IR correlation. The alginate was found to be composed of 50–70% carbohydrates and 60–80% uronic acid. The techniques used in this survey were found useful for improving the production of alginates