Domestic animals’ identification using PCR-RFLP analysis of cytochrome b gene

Background: Species identification is an important process to identify the origin of meat, adulteration and for  cooked and processed meat. The present study was conducted to identify cattle (Bos taurus) and buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) by using mitochondrial cytochrome-b (Cyt-b) gene. Size of the gene is 1140 bp, but we amplified 359 bp that is cleaved by specific restriction endonucleases. The aim of this study was species identification through Cyt-b gene by using PCR-RFLP analysis.Methods: For this study, 55 blood samples were collected from different species of domestic animals. The DNA was extracted from the whole blood through blood extraction kit. The DNA of these samples were amplified through PCR using universal Cyt-b primers. The amplified product was treated with restriction enzymes Alu I. The resultant fragments were viewed on 3.0 % agarose gel.Results: Cyt-b gene was amplified of all included animals. Different bands were observed as compared with 50 bp DNA ladder. Animals were identified on the base RFLP mediated by Alu1 restriction enzyme.Conclusion: We identified domestic animals on the basis of Mitochondrial Cyt-b gene by the process of PCR-RFLP. To identify specific animals through RFLP, a larger sample size and confirmation by gene sequence analysis may be helpful.Keywords: Domestic Animal Identification; Cytochrome b gene; AluI restriction enzyme; PCR-RFLP Analysi

Impact of Length and Percent Dosage of Recycled Steel Fibers on the Mechanical Properties of Concrete

The global rapid increase in waste tyres accumulation, as well as the looming social and environmental concerns, have become major threats in recent times. The use of Recycled Steel Fiber (RSF) extracted from waste tyres in fiber reinforced concrete can be of great profitable engineering applications however the choice of suitable length and volume fractions of RSF is presently the key challenge that requires research exploration. The present experimental work aims at investigating the influence of varying lengths (7.62 and 10.16 cm) and dosages (1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, and 4%) of RSF on the various mechanical properties and durability of concrete. Test results revealed that the varying lengths and dosages of RSF significantly affect the mechanical properties of concrete. The improvements in the compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and Modulus of Rupture (MOR) of RSF reinforced concrete observed were about 26, 70, and 63%, respectively. Moreover, the RSF reinforced concrete showed an increase of about 20 and 15% in the yield load and ultimate load-carrying capacity, respectively. The durability test results showed a greater loss in compressive strength and modulus of elasticity and a smaller loss in concrete mass of SFRC. Based on the experimental findings of this study, the optimum dosages of RSF as 2.5 and 2% for the lengths 7.62 and 10.16 cm lengths, respectively are recommended for production of structural concrete. Doi: 10.28991/cej-2021-03091750 Full Text: PD

Virtual Machine Support for Many-Core Architectures: Decoupling Abstract from Concrete Concurrency Models

The upcoming many-core architectures require software developers to exploit concurrency to utilize available computational power. Today's high-level language virtual machines (VMs), which are a cornerstone of software development, do not provide sufficient abstraction for concurrency concepts. We analyze concrete and abstract concurrency models and identify the challenges they impose for VMs. To provide sufficient concurrency support in VMs, we propose to integrate concurrency operations into VM instruction sets. Since there will always be VMs optimized for special purposes, our goal is to develop a methodology to design instruction sets with concurrency support. Therefore, we also propose a list of trade-offs that have to be investigated to advise the design of such instruction sets. As a first experiment, we implemented one instruction set extension for shared memory and one for non-shared memory concurrency. From our experimental results, we derived a list of requirements for a full-grown experimental environment for further research

Effect of palm-sesame biodiesel fuels with alcoholic and nanoparticle additives on tribological characteristics of lubricating oil by four ball tribo-tester

Dilution of engine oil with unburned fuels alters its lubricity and tribological properties. In this research paper, SAE-40 lubricating oil samples were contaminated with known percentages (5%) of fuels (diesel, palm-sesame biodiesel blend (B30), B30 + ethanol, B30 + dimethyl carbonate, B30 + carbon nanotubes and, B30 + titanium oxide). The effect of all these fuels on wear and frictional characteristics of lubricating oil was determined by using a 4-ball tribo tester and wear types on worn surfaces were analyzed by using SEM. Lubricating oil diluted with B10 (commercial diesel) showed highest COF (42.95%) with severe abrasive and adhesive wear than mineral lubricant among other fuels. Lubricating oil diluted with palm-sesame biodiesel (B30 blend) with alcoholic additives showed comparatively less COF, less wear scar diameter and polishing wear due to presence of ester molecules. Lub + B30 + Eth exhibited increment in COF value (35.81%) compared to SAE-40 mineral lubricant. While lubricating oil contaminated with B30 with nanoparticles showed least frictional characteristics with abrasive wear. Lub + B30 + TiO2 showed least increment in COF value (13.78%) among all other contaminated fuels compared to SAE-40 mineral lubricant. It is concluded that nanoparticles in biodiesel blends (B30) helps in reducing degradation of lubricants than alcoholic fuel additives and commercial diesel. (C) 2021 THE AUTHORS. Published by Elsevier BV on behalf of Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University

Integer and Non-Integer Order Study of the GO-W/GO-EG Nanofluids Flow by Means of Marangoni Convection

Characteristically, most fluids are not linear in their natural deeds and therefore fractional order models are very appropriate to handle these kinds of marvels. In this article, we studied the base solvents of water and ethylene glycol for the stable dispersion of graphene oxide to prepare graphene oxide-water (GO-W) and graphene oxide-ethylene glycol (GO-EG) nanofluids. The stable dispersion of the graphene oxide in the water and ethylene glycol was taken from the experimental results. The combined efforts of the classical and fractional order models were imposed and compared under the effect of the Marangoni convection. The numerical method for the non-integer derivative that was used in this research is known as a predictor corrector technique of the Adams−Bashforth−Moulton method (Fractional Differential Equation-12) or shortly (FDE-12). The impact of the modeled parameters were analyzed and compared for both GO-W and GO-EG nanofluids. The diverse effects of the parameters were observed through a fractional model rather than the traditional approach. Furthermore, it was observed that GO-EG nanofluids are more efficient due to their high thermal properties compared with GO-W nanofluids

Translation and validation of MHAQ score in local language Urdu in Patients with rheumatoid arthritis presenting in a tertiary care center of Pakistan

Objective: To translate and validate the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire from English to Urdu. Method: The validation study was conducted at the Rheumatology outpatient department of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from July 1 to September 30, 2019. Two translators were given the modified health assessment questionnaire for translation from English to Urdu. It was then back-translated by two independent translators. The translated version of the tool was applied to rheumatoid arthritis patients to check for reliability, test-retest and internal consistency. It was applied to another group of patients to check for criterion validity. Reliability analysis was checked by applying Cronbach alpha. Criterion validity was checked by assessing disease activity score-28 and its correlation with Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire. Data was analysed using SPSS 23. Results: Of the 30 patients in the initial testing, 28(93%) were females and 2(6.6%) were males, with an overall mean age of 38±13.2 years. Of the 100 patients in the second group, 97(97%) were women and 3(3%) were men, with an overall mean age of 42±12.37 years. The mean disease duration of the cohort was 8.4±4.8 years. The Cronbach alpha value was 0.797 and interclass coefficient was 0.7, reflecting good reliability. A significantly high correlation between Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire and disease activity score-28 was noted along with pain, tenderness, swollen joints, patient global assessment, age and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p0.05). ---Continu

Lipid Abnormalities in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: To note association of glycemic control with lipid profile abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: In this cross sectional fasting blood samples of 226 T2DM were collected for glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile. Association between glycemic control and lipid profile abnormalities were sought employing Chi2 or t test. Results: Mean patient age was 58.70±7.725 years. Majority (54%) patients were female. Mean HbA1C level was 9.6±2.06. Majority (81.4%) had poorly controlled diabetes. Dyslipidemia was noted in 80.1%. Significant association was noted between poor glycemic control and dyslipidemia (p <0.05). Conclusion: Poor glycemic control is common in our type II DM patients. Significant association exists between glycemic control and presence or absence of dyslipidemia

Factors associated with low bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis

Objective: To determine the factors related to low bone density in postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. Method: The prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Rheumatology Department of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from June 1 to November 30, 2020, and comprised postmenopausal women with rheumatoid arthritis. On the basis of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan of total hip, femoral neck, and lumbar spine, the subjects were categorised into osteoporosis, osteopenia and normal bone density groups. The risk factors were compared across these subgroups. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 114 women, 74(64.9%) had osteoporosis, 31(27.2%) had osteopenia and 9(7.9%) had normal bone mineral density. Those with osteoporosis were older (p<0.05), had low body mass index (p<0.002) and had a longer duration since menopause (p<0.004) compared to the other groups. Age and body mass index were significant factors associated with the condition (p<0.05). Conclusion: Older age, lesser body mass index and time since menopause were the factors significantly associated with osteoporosis. Key Words: Rheumatoid arthritis, DXA, Bone mineral density

Development of empirical correlations for density and viscosity estimation of ternary biodiesel blends

This study aims to investigate the density and viscosity of ternary biodiesel blends. Fuel density and viscosity play an important role in the fuel injection system, flame propagation, and combustion process in compression ignition engine. The density and viscosity of biodiesel are higher than high-speed diesel which is an implication in the commercialization of biodiesel. In the present study, palm oil has been used for the production of biodiesel through the ultrasound-assisted transesterification process. Three different types of fuel additives including butanol, dimethyl carbonate, and plastic oil have been used for the preparation of nine ternary biodiesel blends. The density and viscosity of individual fuels and ternary biodiesel were measured experimentally in a temperature range of 281.51 Ke348.15 K. For the prediction of density and viscosity of ternary biodiesel blends, four density and viscosity models were developed. The prediction accuracy of these developed models was assessed by a statistical tool absolute percentage error (APE). Newly proposed exponential regression models predicted well compared to experimental data for density and viscosity values with high regression coefficient 0.9995 and 0.9841 and lower mean absolute percentage of error 0.012 % and e 0.516 % at (348.15 K) temperature respectively. These correlations are significant for the automobile industry in developing fuel pipeline and transport equipment where additives would be present in diesel-biodiesel fuel blends

Current status of the Dalmatian pelican and the great white pelican populations of the Black Sea/Mediterranean flyway

WOS: 000353916400003The Dalmatian pelican (DP) Pelecanus crispus and the great white pelican (GWP) Pelecanus onocrotalus are listed as 'Vulnerable' and 'Least Concern', respectively, in the IUCN Red List. We present an updated estimation of the Black Sea/Mediterranean flyway population status of both species, based on data provided by experts working in all 7 countries of the region where pelicans breed and/or overwinter, who came together at the 1st Workshop on Pelican Research and Conservation in Prespa, Greece. The DP breeding population in the Black Sea and Mediterranean countries increased from 1730-2105 pairs in the years 2000-2010 to 2154-2437 pairs in 2011-2012. Approximately 40% of the Palaearctic breeding population of GWP occurred in Southeast Europe and Turkey. In 2011-2012 the GWP population in this region was estimated to be 4702-5175 pairs, and has remained more or less stable during the last decade. Although all the breeding sites for both species are in protected areas, disturbance at nesting places was considered to be the main threat. Direct persecution and electric power lines still cause occasional problems. In deltaic lagoons, erosion and inundation of nesting sites cause breeding failures in DPs, while in inland wetlands large water level fluctuations are a widespread problem. Decrease of fish stocks is a threat, especially in coastal areas. Many stop-over wetlands along GWP migration routes between Southeast Europe and Africa have been seriously degraded or have disappeared, resulting in serious implications for their populations. Conservation needs are listed, but further research is recommended for both species.TUB TAK research projectTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [111T465]; ECEuropean Commission Joint Research CentreEuropean Community (EC) [LIFE05 NAT/RO/000169]; Swarovski Optik; Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat through the Foundation 'Le Balkan'; MAVA Foundation through the Society for the Protection of Prespa; Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat; Society for the Protection of Prespa; WWF GreeceTaej Mundkur, Nyambayar Batbayar, Piotr Cwiertnia, Andrej Vizi, Gennady Molodan, Simba Chan, Menxiu Tong, Zinovey Petrovych and Giannis Roussopoulos are thanked for providing unpublished information and/or for comments on an earlier draft. The Hellenic Ornithological Society provided International WaterBird Census data for both species in Greece. The work of M.S., O.O. and O.G. in Turkey was funded by a TUB TAK research project (No. 111T465). The conservation and monitoring activities in Romania between 2005 and 2009 were co-funded by the EC through the project LIFE05 NAT/RO/000169. The work in Srebarna was funded by Swarovski Optik and the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat through the Foundation 'Le Balkan'. The work in Prespa, Am vrakikos and Kerkini in Greece was funded by the MAVA Foundation through the Society for the Protection of Prespa and the Station Biologique de la Tour du Valat, and G.C. was supported by the Society for the Protection of Prespa and WWF Greece. D. Tommy King, Dan Chamberlain, Hans Kallander and an anonymous re viewer made many useful suggestions that improved an earlier draft. Julia Henderson corrected our gross mistakes in the use of the English language