Ovarian Follicular Dynamics during the Estrous Cycle in Jennies in Upper Egypt

The objective of the current study was to describe follicular dynamics in Egyptian Jennies throughout the estrous cycle. In this experiment, 8 estrus cycles in 8 cyclic Jennies were studied from February to June using ultrasonography. The result revealed that one follicular wave per cycle was recorded throughout the studied period. Dominant follicle (DF) was firstly detected at −0.80 ± 0.84 day in Jennies. The growth rate of DF was 2.32 ± 0.18 mm/day. Left ovulations were nonsignificantly (P = .07) more than right ovulations (55.6% versus 44.6%). The CL was firstly detected at D 2.58 ± 1.2, developed in a rate of 1.19 ± 0.07 mm/day, reached a maximum diameter of 30.77 ± 1.28 mm at D 13.0 ± 0.70, and started to regress on D 17.05 ± 0.64 with a mean regression rate of 1.75 ± 0.17 mm d−1. Results of the present study indicated that Jennies had one follicular wave per cycle. The Day of the cycle has a significant effect on the number of different classes of the ovarian follicles, but not large ones. Ultrasonographic characteristics of the preovulatory follicles could be useful to predict ovulation. CL developed and regressed in a slow rate

Ultrawide phononic band gap for combined in-plane and out-of-plane waves

We consider two-dimensional phononic crystals formed from silicon and voids, and present optimized unit cell designs for (1) out-of-plane, (2) in-plane and (3) combined out-of-plane and in-plane elastic wave propagation. To feasibly search through an excessively large design space (10e40 possible realizations) we develop a specialized genetic algorithm and utilize it in conjunction with the reduced Bloch mode expansion method for fast band structure calculations. Focusing on high symmetry plain-strain square lattices, we report unit cell designs exhibiting record values of normalized band-gap size for all three categories. For the combined polarizations case, we reveal a design with a normalized band-gap size exceeding 60%.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, submitted for journal publicatio

Inertial amplification of continuous structures: Large band gaps from small masses

Wave motion in a continuous elastic rod with a periodically attached inertial-amplification mechanism is investigated. The mechanism has properties similar to an "inerter" typically used in vehicle suspensions, however here it is constructed and utilized in a manner that alters the intrinsic properties of a continuous structure. The elastodynamic band structure of the hybrid rod-mechanism structure yields band gaps that are exceedingly wide and deep when compared to what can be obtained using standard local resonators, while still being low in frequency. With this concept, a large band gap may be realized with as much as twenty times less added mass compared to what is needed in a standard local resonator configuration. The emerging inertially enhanced continuous structure also exhibits unique qualitative features in its dispersion curves. These include the existence of a characteristic double-peak in the attenuation constant profile within gaps and the possibility of coalescence of two neighbouring gaps creating a large contiguous gap.Comment: Manuscript is under review for journal publicatio

Impact of planting dates and some weather factors on population fluctuation and occurrence percentage of aphids and thrips on wheat crop in Egypt

Three planting dates of wheat (Nov., 15th, Dec., 1st and Dec., 15th ) were evaluated during 2012/ 2013 and 2013/2014 seasons at Al Ziton village, Beni-Suief Governorate to determine their effect on the population fluctuation of aphids; Rhopalosiphum padi, Schizaphis graminum, Rhopalosiphum maidis and Sitobion (Macrosiphum) avenae and thrips; Thrips tabaci. Results indicated that planting of wheat seeds in the second planting date (Dec., 1st) led to slight infestation of aphids and thrips with mean numbers of 15.52 and 5.74 individuals /10 tillers, for the two seasons. The population fluctuation of aphids and thrips were affected by delaying planting date, as the wheat plants planted at the early planting date (Nov., 15th) were found to be infested by a little numbers of aphids in the first inspection. On the contrary, the infestation of aphids postponed for 8 and 2 weeks & 8 and 6 weeks in the second and third planting dates in the two studied seasons, respectively. On the other hand, the infestation of thrips postponed for 3 & 1 weeks and 6 & 4 weeks in the second and third planting dates in the two seasons, respectively. The highest infestation rate of aphids on wheat plants were recorded at the last period of growth (ear head formation) in the three tested planting dates as the occurrence percent were 48.57, 87.55 and 76.06 % for the three planting dates, in the first season and were 92.94, 89.02 and 88.71 % in the second season. The highest infestation rate of thrips occurred during tillering stage in the 1st and 2nd planting dates, as occurrence percent were 76.58 and 78.69 % in the first season and 91.09 & 86.67 % in the second season. On the other hand, the highest  infestation rate of thrips at the 3rd planting date were recorded during the ear head formation, showing occurrence percent of  94.84 and 91.15 % in the two seasons, respectively. The population density of aphids and thrips were greatly influenced according to the change in weather factors. The combined effect of temperature and relative humidity on the population density of aphids on wheat plants were 20.44, 37.53 and 30.12 for the three tested planting dates, in the first season and were 27.39, 25.65 and 25.81 % in the second seasons, respectively. The combined effect of two climatic factors together on the population density thrips  decreased by delaying planting date of wheat, as E.V.% were 90.52, 35.04 and 28.34 % to the three tested planting dates in the first season and 54.68, 51.28 and 31.04 in the second season, respectively.

Preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and outcome from coronary artery bypass grafting

Background: An elevated preoperative white blood cell count has been associated with a worse outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Leukocyte subtypes, and particularly the neutrophil-lymphocyte (N/L) ratio, may however, convey superior prognostic information. We hypothesized that the N/L ratio would predict the outcome of patients undergoing surgical revascularization. Methods: Baseline clinical details were obtained prospectively in 1938 patients undergoing CABG. The differential leukocyte was measured before surgery, and patients were followed-up 3.6 years later. The primary end point was all-cause mortality. Results: The preoperative N/L ratio was a powerful univariable predictor of mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.13 per unit, P 3.36). Conclusion: An elevated N/L ratio is associated with a poorer survival after CABG. This prognostic utility is independent of other recognized risk factors.Peer reviewedAuthor versio