Optimization and visualization of rapid prototyping process parameters.

The optimal selection of rapid prototyping (RP) process parameters is a great concern to RP designers. When dealing with this problem, different build objectives have to be taken into consideration. Using virtual rapid prototyping (VRP) systems as a visualization tool to verify the optimally selected process parameters will assist designers in taking critical decisions regarding modeling of prototypes. This will lead to substantial improvements in part accuracy using minimal number of iterations, and no physical fabrication until confident enough to do so. The purpose of this thesis is to demonstrate that virtual validation of optimally selected process parameters can significantly reduce time and effort spent on traditional RP experimentation. To achieve the goal of this thesis, a multi-objective optimization technique is proposed and a model is generated taking into consideration different build objectives, which are surface roughness, support structure volume, build time and dimensional accuracy. The multi-objective method used is the weighted sum method, where a single utility function has been formulated, which combines all the objective functions together. The orders of magnitudes have been normalized, and finally weights have been assigned for each objective function in order to create the general formulation. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2004 .E47. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 43-03, page: 0959. Adviser: Waguih ElMaraghy. Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2004

Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Effects of Acteoside from Jacaranda mimosifolia Family Biognoniaceae in Streptozotocin–Nicotinamide Induced Diabetes in Rats

BACKGROUND: Acteoside is a phenylethanoid compound isolated from Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don leaves with a potential antidiabetic effect. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of acteoside in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced Type 2 diabetes in rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a single dose of STZ (52.5 mg/kg), 15 min following i.p. administration of NA (25 mg/kg). Rats were divided into six groups; Group I: Normal rat group received the vehicle, Group II: Diabetic control group, and Groups III-IV: Diabetic rat groups were treated by either oral acteoside (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) or pioglitazone (30 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters were assessed in the serum and liver homogenates. Examination of liver sections for histopathology was also carried out. RESULTS: Acteoside treated rats showed significant lower levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and increased serum insulin compared to control diabetic rats. Furthermore, acteoside treated rats, in comparison to the diabetic control, demonstrated significantly reduced malondialdehyde, increased reduced glutathione liver contents, and attenuated pathological alterations in the liver. These effects were comparable to those caused by the standard antidiabetic drug, pioglitazone. In vitro, acteoside scavenged stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. CONCLUSION: Acteoside could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, studying further mechanisms underlying its antidiabetic effect is recommended

Different modalities for treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis. A Randomized clinical trial

The underlying etiology of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is unclear and treatment aims to provide symptomatic and faster relief. This study compared the efficacy of diode laser, a herbal combination of Acacia nilotica and Licorice (A and L) and Amlexanox in the management of RAS. Sixty patients with minor aphthae were selected and randomly divided into four groups of 15 each. Group I and II received adhesive preparations of a herbal mixture of A and L and a 2 mg Amlexanox paste respectively, group III received diode laser and the fourth group (control) used a placebo. Ulcer size, pain score were recorded on days 1, 2 and 5. Laser group showed the statistically highest mean percentage (%) of reduction in pain scores and ulcer size than the other groups. The mean % of reduction in pain scores was 43.3+20.0 at day 2 and 67.8+21.5 % at day 5 in the laser group while Amlexanox group demonstrated a 29.8 +11.3 and 61.9+24.5 mean % of reduction in pain scores at day 2 and 5 respectively. A and L group showed a lower mean % of reduction in pain scores than laser and Amlexanox groups with a 22.2+10.5 and 43.4+15.8 mean % reduction in pain scores at day 2 and day 5 respectively. Similarly the highest mean % of reduction in ulcer size was seen in the laser group being 52.7+19.8 at day 2 and 85.1+22.0 at day 5, while it was 48.1+16.5 at day 2 and 77.8+28.7 at day 5 in the Amlexanox group and 42.0+11.5 at day 2 and 63.0+20.5 at day 5 in the A and L group. All treatment modalities reduced pain and ulcer size than placebo group. Laser therapy demonstrated the highest percentage of reduction of pain score and ulcer size

O efeito das propriedades antioxidantes do extrato aquoso do alho e da Nigella sativa como agentes anti-esquistossômicos no camundongo

The aim of this study was to assess the antioxidant and anti-schistosomal activities of the garlic extract (AGE) and Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on normal and Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. AGE (125 mg kg-1, i.p.) and NSO (0.2 mg kg-1, i.p.) were administrated separately or in combination for successive 28 days, starting from the 1st day post infection (pi). All mice were sacrificed at weeks 7 pi. Hematological and biochemical parameters including liver and kidney functions were measured to assess the progress of anemia, and the possibility of the tissue damage. Serum total protein level, albumin, globulin and cholesterol were also determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were determined in the liver tissues as biomarkers for oxidative and reducing status, respectively. The possible effect of the treatment regimens on Schistosoma worms was evaluated by recording percentage of the recovered worms, tissue egg and oogram pattern. Result showed that, protection with AGE and NSO prevented most of the hematological and biochemical changes and markedly improved the antioxidant capacity of schistosomiasis mice compared to the infected-untreated ones. In addition, remarkable reduction in worms, tissue eggs and alteration in oogram pattern were recorded in all the treated groups. The antioxidant and antischistosomal action of AGE and NSO was greatly diverse according to treatment regimens. These data point to these compounds as promising agents to complement schistosomiasis specific treatment.O propósito deste estudo foi verificar os efeitos anti-oxidantes e anti-esquistossômicos do extrato de alho (AGE) e do óleo da Nigella sativa (NSO) em camundongos normais e infectados com S. mansoni. AGE (125 mg/kg, i.p. ) e NSO (0,2 mg/kg, i.p.) foram administrados separadamente ou em combinação por 28 dias sucessivos começando do primeiro dia pós infecção (p.i.). Todos os camundongos foram sacrificados sete semanas p.i. Parâmetros hematológicos e bioquímicos incluindo funções renais e hepáticas foram medidos para avaliar o progresso da anemia e a possibilidade de dano tecidual. O nível total de proteínas séricas, albumina, globulina e colesterol foram também medidos. Níveis de malondialdeído (MDA) e glutationa (GSH) foram determinados em tecido hepático como biomarcações para o estado oxidativo e redutor, respectivamente. O possível efeito dos tratamentos sobre os vermes de Schistosoma foram avaliados através do percentual de vermes recuperados, ovos no tecido e o oograma. Resultados mostraram que a proteção com AGE e NSO preveniu a maior parte das alterações hematológicas e bioquímicas e melhoraram bastante a capacidade anti-oxidante de camundongos com esquistossomose comparados com aqueles infectados e não tratados. Adicionalmente, foi registrado uma acentuada redução nos vermes, ovos no tecido e alterações do oograma. A ação anti-oxidante e anti-esquistossômica do AGE e NSO foi diferente de acordo com os vários tratamentos. Estes dados mostram que estes compostos são agentes promissores para complementar o tratamento específico da esquistossomose

Cleome droserifolia tem atividade anti-esquistossomose mansônica?

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of the crude extract of Cleome droserifolia (CD) leaves on experimentally infected mice with Schistosoma mansoni. Two groups of mice, showing a patent infection of S. mansoni, one of them was daily treated with an alcoholic extract of CD leaves (0.31 g kg-1 body weight, i.p.) for 21 days. The schistosomicidal activity of the CD extract was evaluated, three weeks post-treatment, on some parasitological and histopathological aspects including worm load, oogram pattern, faecal eggs releasing and granuloma formation. In addition, serum thyroid hormones levels (tri-iodothyronine; T3 and tetra-iodo-thyronin; T4), serum total protein contents and hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH) were evaluated. Treatment using CD extract resulted in a weak reduction in worm burden (32.46%) and affected the viability of both mature and immature eggs as indicated by the increase in the percentage of dead eggs and the decrease in the percentage of live ones. In addition, a week post-treatment, eggs elimination was observed in the stool of the infected-treated group which was low compared to the infected group. There was a suppressive effect of the extract on granuloma formation that could be due to the antioxidant effect of the extract. These data are confirmed by increasing hepatic GSH, serum total proteins and thyroid hormone levels in the infected-treated group as compared to the infected group. Treatment significantly enhanced b globulin fractions of the protein. Based on these assumptions, CD extract has beneficial effects on thyroid hormones status and anti-schistosomiasis activity. The beneficial effects of CD extract could be related to its direct effects on the parasite, and secondary to its effect on the antioxidant capacity of the host. The present study could emphasize the precise mechanism (s) of CD extract protection.O presente estudo foi realizado para verificar o efeito do extrato cru de folhas de Cleome droserifolia (CD) em camundongos experimentalmente infectados com Schistosoma mansoni. Em dois grupos de camundongos mostrando infecção patente por S. mansoni, um deles foi tratado diariamente com extrato alcoólico de folhas de CD (0.31g kg-1 por peso corporal, i.p.) por 21 dias. A atividade esquistossomicida do extrato de CD foi avaliada, três semanas após o tratamento, em alguns aspectos parasitológicos e histopatológicos incluindo carga parasitária, padrão de oograma, eliminação fecal de ovos e formação de granuloma. Além disto, níveis séricos de hormônio tireoideano (tri-iodotironina: T3 e tetra-iodotironina: T4), conteúdo sérico total de proteínas e glutatione hepático reduzido (GSH) foram avaliados. Tratamento usando extrato de CD resultou em fraca redução da carga de vermes (32,46%) e afetou a viabilidade de ovos maduros ou não, como indicado pelo aumento na porcentagem de ovos mortos e o descrécimo na porcentagem de ovos viáveis. Além disso, uma semana após o tratamento, a eliminação de ovos foi observada nas fezes do grupo infectado-tratado que foi baixa comparada ao grupo infectado. Houve efeito supressivo do extrato sobre a formação de granuloma que poderia ser devido ao efeito antioxidante do extrato. Estes dados são confirmados pelo aumento do GSH hepático, soro total de proteínas e níveis dos hormônios tireoideanos no grupo infecto-tratado quando comparado com o grupo infectado. O tratamento aumentou significativamente as frações beta-globulina da proteína. Baseado nestas afirmativas o extrato de CD tem efeitos benéficos sobre o nível dos hormônios tireoideanos e da atividade anti-esquistossomica. Os efeitos benéficos do extrato de CD poderiam estar relacionados com seu efeito direto sobre o parasita, e secundariamente por seus efeitos na capacidade anti-oxidante do hospedeiro. O presente trabalho poderia enfatizar o(s) mecanismo(s) preciso(s) desta proteção do extrato de CD

Solar and Geomagnetic Activity Effects on Global Surface Temperatures

Abstract It is a clear fact that the Earth's climate has been changing since the pre-industrial era, especially during the last three decades. This change is generally attributed to two main factors: greenhouse gases (GHGs) and solar activ ity changes. However, these factors are not all-independent. Furthermore, contributions of the above-mentioned factors are still d isputed. The aim of th is paper is relation in the longer t ime , between changer of g lobal surface temperature (GST), and solar geomagnetic activ ist represented by sunspot number (Rz) and geomagnetic indices (aa , Kp ), and to what degree they are connected. The geomagnetics aa are more effect ive on global surface temperature than solar activity. Furthermore, the global surface temperature are strongly sensitive to the 21.3-yr, 10.6-yr, and 5.3-yr variations that observed in the considered geomagnetic and sunspot spectra. The present changes in aa geo magnetics may reflect part ially some future changes in the global surface temperatures

Economic Analysis of Stand-Alone Hybrid Wind/PV/Diesel Water Pumping System: A Case Study in Egypt

The design and evaluation of a stand-alone hybrid renewable energy system for pumping underground water for small farm irrigation is presented. Given environmental conditions, system specifications and daily load demand data, the optimal size of main system components is obtained using a sizing algorithm. Different renewable energy systems are compared using yearly simulations, on hourly base via specialized commercial software simulation packages PVSYST and HOMER, to simulate the system performance and to reach the optimum configurations based on the objective criteria. The criteria used in economic optimization are the net present cost and the cost of energy, with the percent of the capacity shortage. The following systems can be compared: PV only, PV with horizontal axis wind turbine, PV with vertical axis wind turbine, and PV with horizontal axis wind turbine and diesel generator and diesel generator only. The simulation also was carried out for different load patterns for optimum operation. The study was illustrated for climatic conditions of an isolated area in El-Tour City, Sinai, Egypt. The installed 3.42 kW PV water pumping system for irrigation purposes in the same site was also described

Treatment of Gingival Hyperpigmentation by Diode Laser for Esthetical Purposes

BACKGROUND: Gingival hyperpigmentation is a common esthetical concern in patients with gummy smile or excessive gingival display. Laser ablation has been recognized recently as the most effective, pleasant and reliable technique. It has the advantage of easy handling, short treatment time, hemostasis, decontamination, and sterilization effect.AIM: In the present study we wanted to explore the efficacy of a 980 nm wavelength diode laser in gingival depigmentation clinically by using both VAS and digital imaging method as means of assessment.METHODS: Diode laser ablation was done for 15 patients who requested cosmetic therapy for melanin pigmented gums. The laser beam delivered by fiberoptic with a diameter of 320 µm, the diode laser system has 980 nm wave lengths and 3 W irradiation powers, in a continuous contact mode in all cases, the entire surface of each pigmented maxillary and mandibular gingiva that required treatment was irradiated in a single session. Clinical examination and digital image analysis were done and the patients were followed up for 3 successive months.RESULTS: There was a statistically significant change in prevalence of bleeding after treatment, as none of the cases showed any signs of bleeding 1 week, 1 month and 3 months after ablation. No statistically significant change was observed in the prevalence of swelling after treatment The VAS evaluation demonstrated that only 4 patients complained of mild pain immediately after the procedure. No pain was perceived from the patients in the rest of the follow up period. There was no statistically significant change in prevalence of pain immediately after treatment compared to pain during treatment. There was a decrease in cases with mild pain after 1 week, 1 month as well as 3 months compared to pain during treatment and immediately after treatment.CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the use of diode laser was shown to be a safe and effective treatment modality that provides optimal aesthetics with minimal discomfort in patients with gingival hyperpigmentation

TOXICOLOGICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF GOLD NANORODS IN NORMAL RATS

Objective: assessment of acute, subchronic and chronic toxicity of pegylated gold nanorods (PEG-gold NRs) in Wistar rats of both sex in three routes of administration {intravenous (IV), intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC)}.Methods: in the acute toxicity study; PEG-gold NRs were injected once by three different routes, blood and tissue samples were collected after 14 d. In the subchronic and chronic studies; PEG-gold NRs were injected via three different routes, at 0.225, 0.45 and 0.9 mg/kg, once daily for 5 consecutive days, followed by a 23-day recovery period, for three and six months in the subchronic and chronic toxicity studies, respectively. Hematology, urinalysis, biochemical and histopathological examinations were conducted at the end of each study.Results: acute toxicity showed a significant decrease in serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels after single IV, IM and SC injection of PEG-gold NRs, while serum creatinine was significantly increased after IV and IM injection. Subchronic results revealed a significant decrease in serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels. The chronic study showed a significant decrease in serum triglycerides, sodium levels, total leukocytes count and significant increase in serum creatinine after IV injection. IM injection resulted in significant decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, cholesterol, sodium levels and total leukocytes count. SC injection resulted in significant decrease in serum triglycerides, glucose, red blood cell count with increased creatinine and hematocrit.Conclusion: PEG-gold NRs at the three examined doses is apparently safe since no serious signs of toxicity were detected. IM and SC routes of injection were irritating, so we recommend the IV route.Â