468 research outputs found
Efficient Poisson Image Editing
Image composition refers to the process of composing two or more images to create a natural output image. It is one of the important techniques in image processing. In this paper, two efficient methods for composing color images are proposed. In the proposed methods, the Poisson equation is solved using image pyramid and divide-and-conquer methods. The proposed methods are more efficient than other existing image composition methods. They reduce the time taken in the composition process while achieving almost identical results using the previous image composition methods. In the proposed methods, the Poisson equation is solved after converting it to a linear system using different methods. The results show that the time for composing color images is decreased using the proposed methods
NANOPRECIPITATION TECHNIQUE FOR PREPARATION OF STERICALLY STABILIZED RISPERIDONE NANOSUSPENSION: IN VITRO AND IN VIVO STUDY
Objective: Risperidone is an atypical antipsychotic drug used to treat schizophrenia; however it suffers from a poor aqueous solubility, which delays its onset of action. Therefore, the purpose of the present study is to utilize the nanotechnology to formulate nanoparticles that enhance the dissolution and hence the bioavailability of risperidone.Methods: Nanosuspensions were prepared by nano precipitation method in the presence of selected stabilizers at different concentrations. The nanosuspensions were evaluated for their particle size, zeta potential, drug content and In vitro drug dissolution. The selected formula was freeze dried and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffractometry studies (XRD) and pharmacokinetic study.Results: The in vitro dissolution showed higher drug release compared to the pure drug. The optimum formula has an average particle size of 215.56±12.65 nm and zeta potential of-19.84±2.55mV. The bioavailability parameters in the rabbits were enhanced by 2 folds when compared with the marketed tablets (Risperidal®).Conclusion: Nanoprecipitation method was successfully employed to produce stable risperidone nanosuspension by using the proper stabilizer (pluronic F 127). Risperidone nanoparticles may be a promising formula that improves the dissolution and hence oral bioavailability of poorly water soluble risperidone. Keywords: Risperidone, Nanosuspension, Pluronic F127, Nanoprecipitation, Bioavailabilit
Using Process and Lifecycle Analysis to Deliver Economically Effective Environmental Health, Safety and Sustainability Public Policy
The intense focus on the intersection of energy and the environment has led to extensive discussion of both environmental issues and energy practices. While the environmental health and safety (EHS) issues in oil and gas is a topic of concern for the industry, policy makers, and citizens, it is typically overshadowed by the economic viability of oil and gas operations. Many policy makers believe that EHS practices represent an increase in cost on capital businesses. As a result, they develop environmental policy using methods which force businesses to choose between costs and the environment.
This research proposes a systematic approach to process analyses, based on the lean – six sigma discipline. It analyzes the economic and environmental footprints of existing oil and gas operations using a series of case studies and recommends environmentally favorable solutions. It then evaluates the impacts of these substitutions on both costs and EHS, combining economically and environmentally favorable solutions for oil and gas operations. The results are used to recommend environmental policy that should encourage adoption of the proposed solutions.
Two types of processes were analyzed, a carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) operation associated with liquefied natural gas production, and shale gas production. In analyzing these operations, both environmentally and economically favorable solutions were reached. In addition, by looking at the microeconomic footprints of the operations, public policy recommendations were suggested to more effectively drive adoption of environmentally favorable technologies.
In the case of CCS, the net present value (NPV) for operators with the 700,000,000. In the case of shale operations, environmental remediation options resulted in an NPV of 30,000,000, and a reduction of 20,000 to 40,000 tons of CO2 for a single well cluster.
The lean‐six sigma approach has demonstrated the ability to develop both economically and environmentally favorable solutions. With this understanding of the economics of oil and gas operations, more effective public policy can be recommended. This approach can be used across industries in a similar manner to drive effective global environmental policy and encourage environmental technology adoption
Analytical Study for the Charge-Transfer Complexes of Risperidone in Pure and Dosage Forms
Two simple, accurate and sensitive spectrophotometric methods were carried out to investigate through charge-transfer reactions of risperidone (RIS) as n-electron donor with various π acceptors: 7, 7, 8, 8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) and p-chloranilic acid (pCA). The absorbance of reaction product was measured at 842 and 520 nm for TCNQ and pCA reagents respectively. Different experimental parameters affecting the reactions were carefully studied. The reaction pathway was postulated. The proposed spectrophotometric method was utilized for the analysis of RIS in pure form as well as in its pharmaceutical preparations. Under the optimum reaction conditions, Beer’s law is obeyed over the concentration range of 1-12 µg mL-1 and 10-180 µg mL-1 for TCNQ and pCA respectively. The limit of assays detection (LOD) is 0.114 µg mL-1 and 2.55 µg mL-1 for TCNQ and pCA respectively. The mean recovery percentage was 99.72 ± 1.06 and 100.50 ± 1.07 for TCNQ and pCA respectively. The results were compared favorably with those obtained by comparison method. The proposed method was validated statistically according to ICH guidelines
COVID-19 related complete blood count changes among asymptomatic pregnant women
Objective: To evaluate complete blood count (CBC) changes that suggest coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) among asymptomatic pregnant women attending routine antenatal care
Methods: A cross-sectional study included 187 healthy pregnant women who were attending the antenatal care clinic of a tertiary University hospital between March and June 2020. After a thorough history and examinations, a venous blood sample was taken from each participant for complete and differential blood counts. Those who showed CBC findings suggestive of COVID-19 were further scheduled for a nasopharyngeal swab for detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific antigens through polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: We found 5.3% (n=10) of the study population showed CBC changes that are suggestive of COVID-19. When they were scheduled for nasopharyngeal swab for a PCR confirmatory test, 30% (n=3) of them were PCR positive (which represented 1.6% of the entire study population). The most frequently encountered COVID-19-suggestive change in peripheral blood leukocyte differential counts was leucopenia (100%), followed by decreased eosinophil count (50%), then neutropenia and lymphocytopenia (30%).
Conclusions: Certain differential leucocyte count changes (leucopenia, neutropenia, lymphocytopenia and decreased eosinophil count) among asymptomatic pregnant women might be related to COVID-19 infection and may indicate a need for further testing
The impact of the application of International Standard No. 13 on the market value of banking sector companies in the Iraqi Stock Exchange
The topic of the research aims to consolidate the concept of fair value, and then to identify the international financial reporting standard and its role in the application of fair value in the Iraqi local environment and the possibility of using it in determining the value of the company. To achieve the goal of the research, the analytical approach was adopted for the data and information that was obtained by the researcher by conducting interviews with a number of bank and department managers in a sample of Iraqi banks registered in the Iraq Stock Exchange, and then analyzed by adopting some quantitative financial methods. The researchers reached a set of conclusions, the most important of which was the impact of fair value accounting in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard on the value of the company in financial institutions, and that the adoption of fair value measurement in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard 13 is more reliable on other accounting standards in determining the value of the company. The researchers recommended the need to pay attention to the actual application of the concept of fair value, due to the advantages that this measurement enjoys because of its preference over the historical cost affecting the country's economy
EFFECT OF BIODEGRADABLE CO-POLYMERS AND DIVALENT CATIONS ON THE SUSTAINED RELEASE ABILITY OF PROPRANOLOL HYDROCHLORIDE LOADED BIOMATERIAL MICROSPHERES
Objective: Propranolol Hydrochloride (PHCL) is used for the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris; however it has two major problems; short biological halfâ€life and low bioavailability, so the aim of the present work was to develop PHCL mucoadhesive microsphere to prolong the residence time at the absorption site, therefore, increase the bioavailability.Methods: PHCL microspheres were prepared by ionotropic gelation method using nature polymers. Factorial design (33) was used to develop PHCL mucoadhesive microspheres, the independent factors used were polymer type (Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na CMC), and Hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), Carpobol 940), cross-linking type (calcium chloride, zinc chloride and barium chloride) and the concentration of Chitosan (0.5, 1, 1.5 %w/v). The developed microspheres were physicochemical characterized. The selected formula was selected for mucoadhesive test and in vivo study on human volunteers.Results: The results revealed that the PHCL mucoadhesive microspheres have good flowability, the mean particle sizes ranged from 541 to 815 µm and the entrapment efficiency ranged from 35.6% to 69.53%. The selected PHCL microspheres showed spherical particles with a rough surface and exhibited a slow release over 8h. The pharmacokinetic data of selected PHCL microspheres showed prolonged Tmax, decreased Cmax and AUC0–∞ value of 926.21±40.74ng. h/ml indicating improved relative bioavailability by144.93% compared with marketed tablets.Conclusion: PHCL microspheres were successfully prepared by ionic gelatin method that retards the release and enhances the oral bioavailability.Keywords: Propranolol HCL, Microspheres, Ionic gelation method, Chitosan, Relative bioavailabilit
The role of creative accounting in increasing the marketing of shares and their profits in the Iraqi stock exchange
As a result of creative accounting, many firms in the Iraqi stock market are able to achieve two very significant goals: first, to boost the market value of their shares and thus gain the biggest trading volume in shares, and second, to lower their earnings in order to decrease the tax burden. First by growing its profits, then by evading taxes and denying the state its right to its money. Using this research, we hope to demonstrate how financial institutions that use innovative accounting tools in the preparation of their financial statements impact trade activity. Trading volume is critical to accurately forecasting stock price patterns, allowing investors to maximize their wealth. So, without accounting information, the financial markets can't play their function in drawing in investment, ensuring a well-balanced use of resources, and making reasonable economic decisions, because they don't have the accounting knowledge to do so. There were four sections to the research, which included a look at the research methodology and previous studies, a look at creative accounting practices, and an analysis of the financial statements for the top and bottom ten companies in terms of trading volume using Miller's model to detect profit manipulation that occurred in those companies. The final section contained the most significant findings and recommendations
Efficient Poisson Image Editing
Image composition refers to the process of composing two or more images to create an acceptable output image. It is one of the important techniques of image processing. In this paper, two efficient methods for composing color images are proposed. In the proposed methods, the Poisson equation is solved using image pyramid, and divide-and-conquer methods. The proposed methods are more efficient than other existing image composition methods. They reduce the time taken in the composition process while achieving almost identical results using the previous image composition methods. In the proposed methods, the Poisson equation is solved after converting it to a linear system using different methods. The results show that the time for composing color images is decreased using the proposed methods
Response of seedling barley (Hurdeom vulgar, L.) to foliar fertilization of nano-oxides (Fe, Cu, Mg)
Background. An experiment was conducted at the Grain Technology Laboratory, Crop Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, during the 2023 season. The experiment utilized a completely randomized design to study the response of barley to foliar application of fine nanoscale iron, manganese, and copper fertilizers. The application was carried out as foliar spray at two different doses, two weeks and one month after sowing, using 3 kg capacity pots with 20 seeds per pot. The experiment included three observations for each treatment, with the nanoscale iron, manganese, and copper oxides applied at a concentration of 1 cmol/L. The data revealed the following: Significant positive response of barley shoots to foliar application of nanoscale iron, manganese, and copper fertilizers in various growth indicators, including shoot weight, shoot length, leaf area, crop growth rate, and specific leaf weight. High significant differences were observed in the effect of nanoscale iron, manganese, and copper oxides on the average shoot weight, crop growth rate, and leaf area. Copper oxide and manganese oxide showed the highest means, followed by iron oxide, compared to the control. Iron oxide exhibited the highest specific leaf weight for barley shoots, followed by copper oxide and then manganese oxide, compared to the control treatment
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