Fuzzy Goal Programming Procedure to Bilevel Multiobjective Linear Fractional Programming Problems

This paper presents a fuzzy goal programming (FGP) procedure for solving bilevel multiobjective linear fractional programming (BL-MOLFP) problems. It makes an extension work of Moitra and Pal (2002) and Pal et al. (2003). In the proposed procedure, the membership functions for the defined fuzzy goals of the decision makers (DMs) objective functions at both levels as well as the membership functions for vector of fuzzy goals of the decision variables controlled by first-level decision maker are developed first in the model formulation of the problem. Then a fuzzy goal programming model to minimize the group regret of degree of satisfactions of both the decision makers is developed to achieve the highest degree (unity) of each of the defined membership function goals to the extent possible by minimizing their deviational variables and thereby obtaining the most satisfactory solution for both decision makers. The method of variable change on the under- and over-deviational variables of the membership goals associated with the fuzzy goals of the model is introduced to solve the problem efficiently by using linear goal programming (LGP) methodology. Illustrative numerical example is given to demonstrate the procedure

The Effect of Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 on the Osteoblast-like Cells Cultured on Implant

AIM: The aim of the study was to study the effect of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (rhBMP-7) on the osteoblast-like cells cultured on implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The osteoblast-like osteo-1 cell line was used in this experiment and derived from the parietal bone tissue of newborn albino rats. The cells were incubated in a humid atmosphere of 95% air and 5% carbon dioxide at 37°C. The medium was changed every 2 days. Four groups were conducted as follows osteoclast-like cell (machined), implanted osteoclast-like cell on titanium (Ti) (modified), osteoclast-like cell supplemented with BMP-7 (Machined + BMP-7), and implanted osteoclast-like cell on Ti and supplemented with BMP-7 (Modified + BMP-7). RESULTS: Cell proliferation was influenced by rhBMP-7, as demonstrated by a significant increase in collagen content after 7 and 21 days of culture (p = 0.005) and a significant increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity after 7 days (p < 0.001). The addition of rhBMP-7 influenced ALP activity, and a significant increase was observed after 21 days (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, we concluded that the presence of rhBMP-7 did not influence cell adhesion to chemically modified Ti surfaces but provided an additional stimulus during the differentiation of rat osteo-1 cells cultured on this type of surface

INTRANASAL MICROEMULGEL AS SURROGATE CARRIER TO ENHANCE LOW ORAL BIOAVAILABILITY OF SULPIRIDE

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate microemulsion based gel (MBG) of sulpiride "a poorly water soluble antipsychotic with low oral bioavailability."Methods: Gelling polymers such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC-Na), hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K4m), carbopol 940 and Na alginate were evaluated for their potential to gel sulpiride microemulsions (MEs) without affecting the MEs structure. Also, sulpiride solution (SS) and conventional gel (without ME) were prepared and compared with MBG. Gel formulations were checked for their viscosity, pH, spreadability (S), mucoadhesive force (MF), and nasal ciliotoxicity studies. The in vitro release of sulpiride across a cellophane membrane and its permeation through the nasal mucosa in phosphate buffered saline pH 6.8 (PBS) were also performed. In addition, a pharmacodynamic study of optimized formulae compared to SS and microemulsion (ME) was evaluated in rats.Results: CMC-Na and HPMC K4m were not able to gel sulpiride loaded MEs while Na alginate gave an unclear gel with a sticky texture. Results revealed that the viscosity, mucoadhesion force, and spreadability of the MBG increased with increasing carbopol 940 concentrations. The flux was arranged as the following, MBG>conventional gel>sulpiride solution (SS). According to histopathological study, safe and non-irritant MBGs suitable for nasal administration were successfully prepared. Finally, the pharmacodynamic study indicated that intranasal sulpiride MBG had a significant effect (*P<0.001) than SS and ME administered either intravenous or intranasal.Conclusion: MBG provides signiï¬cant enhancement in nasal bioavailability not only by absorption enhancing effect of ME but also, by increasing nasal residence tim

The history of the Isma'iliyya Tariqa in the Sudan, 1792-1914.

This study hopes to shed some light on the history of a holy family and a Sufi tariqa which developed in Kordofan. It traces the origin of the family of Sh. Isma'il al-Wali, follows its progress through the Turco-Egyptian, the Mahdia and the Condominium periods, and sees its impact on the society of Kordofan in particular, and on Sudanese society in general. The progress of the tariqa and its structure show that, although it borrowed from the Khatmiyya and the Qadiriyya, it developed into a distinct order. The main emphasis here is on the historical and structural development of the order. The sources may be divided into two main categories: oral and written. Although a number of people have been interviewed, we have depended primarily on the written sources. Most of these are manuscripts in the Sudan Government Archives, Khartoum. In addition to these we have made use of other archival materials dealing with other tariqas and other relevant topics in the Sudan Government Archives, Khartoum and in the Sudan Archives of the University of Durham Library. The work has been divided into five chapters. The first deals with the environment in which Sh. Isma'il, his family and his tariqa grew, and explains their geographical, historical and religious background. The second chapter deals with the founder of the family and the tariqa, Sh. Isma'il, his genealogy, his educational background, his ideas and his writings. The third chapter follows the progress of the Isma'il iliyya during the Mahdia, and deals with their relationship with that movement. It traces some elements of schism which led to the emergence of a branch of the family under the new name of al-Azhari. The fourth chapter deals with the Isma'il iliyya after the establishment of the Condominixm rule. During this period the Isma'il iliyya, both tariqa and family, were exposed to new political and economic changes and were brought in touch with new social forces and experiences. The chapter deals with the impact of these new conditions on the Isma'iliyya. The fifth chapter is devoted mainly to the distinctive organization and rituals of the tariqa

Impact of Some Technological Interventions on Sorghum and Sesame Yields under Small Scale Rain fed Areas of Sinnar State, Sudan

Representative data for evaluating some technological interventions in small scale rain fed farming in Sinnar, State, Sudan during 2012, 2013 and 2014 summer rainy seasons were collected and evaluated. The technologies were transferred through a technical cooperation program between the Agricultural research Corporation, Sudan and an IFAD- Government of Sudan project. The implemented technologies included the use of chisel plow for in situ water conservation and sowing of improved released cultivars of sorghum, sesame, groundnut, millet cowpea/ forage legumes in a three course rotation. The objectives were to improve crop productivities for the poor farmers, diversify their income to help alleviate their poverty and to maintain soil fertility. Data obtained revealed that the use of chisel plow had resulted in deeper water penetration in the soil than the wide level disc (WLD) and together with sowing of improved cultivars had substantially boosted sorghum and sesame yields. The overall average sorghum yield in the project areas fo

The lifestyle habits and wellbeing of physicians in Bahrain: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Lifestyle habits of physicians are of paramount importance both because they influence the physician\u27s own health and because these habits have been shown to affect patients\u27 care. There is limited information on physician health and lifestyle habits in Bahrain. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study design, an anonymous self-administered questionnaire that assesses wellbeing and lifestyle habits was distributed to a random sample of 175 out of 320 primary health care physicians in Bahrain. Descriptive analyses were performed, and the variables were cross-tabulated using SPSS version 20.0. RESULTS: 152 physicians agreed to participate in the study. Respondents were 67.1 % female with a mean age of 45 (SD = 10). The majority were of Bahraini nationality. The most prevalent reported health conditions were hyperlipidaemia (25.5 %), hypertension (20.3 %), and diabetes (11.0 %). Only 29.6 % of physicians reported performing ≥ 30 min of exercise in a usual week. Of physicians exercising ≥ 30 min weekly, only 13 % exercised ≥ 5 days weekly. 98.0 % report never drinking, 1.3 % report previously drinking, and 0.7 % report drinking less than once weekly. The average body mass index (BMI) was 27.8 (SD = 5), with 39 % of physicians being overweight and 33 % obese. BMI was directly associated with sleep time (P0.027, r(2) = 0.034), age (P CONCLUSIONS: There is a clear pattern of unfavourable lifestyle habits and obesity among primary health care physicians in Bahrain. We encourage institutions and public health sectors to be more proactive in assisting physicians to attain healthier lifestyles

Spectroscopic constants from atomic properties: a machine learning approach

We present a machine-learning approach toward predicting spectroscopic constants based on atomic properties. After collecting spectroscopic information on diatomics and generating an extensive database, we employ Gaussian process regression to identify the most efficient characterization of molecules to predict the equilibrium distance, vibrational harmonic frequency, and dissociation energy. As a result, we show that it is possible to predict the equilibrium distance with an absolute error of 0.04 {\AA} and vibrational harmonic frequency with an absolute error of 36 $\text{cm}^{-1}$, including only atomic properties. These results can be improved by including prior information on molecular properties leading to an absolute error of 0.02 {\AA} and 28 $\text{cm}^{-1}$ for the equilibrium distance and vibrational harmonic frequency, respectively. In contrast, the dissociation energy is predicted with an absolute error $\lesssim 0.4$ eV. Alongside these results, we prove that it is possible to predict spectroscopic constants of homonuclear molecules from the atomic and molecular properties of heteronuclear. Finally, based on our results, we present a new way to classify diatomic molecules beyond chemical bond properties

MPPT Based on Power Mapping and Frequency Derivative

This article presents a method for harmonic mitigation and maximum power point tracking for a variable-speed grid-connected  wind turbine. The wind energy conversion system consists of a permanent magnet synchronous generator driven by variable-speed wind turbine. The output of the permanent magnet synchronous generator is connected to a single-switch three-phase boost rectifier to generate DC voltage, which feeds a current-controlled inverter to interface the system with the electric utility. The single-switch three-phase boost rectifier is an active power factor correction technique to maintain the power factor at the permanent magnet synchronous generator side to nearly unity and mitigate the permanent magnet synchronous generator current harmonics. To mitigate inverter output current and voltage harmonics, an LCL filter has been used. Acomplete analysis of the harmonic content has been done everywhere in the system. The results show that the proposed maximum power point tracking control strategy succeeded to track the maximum wind power irrespective of the wind speed. This strategy in presence of an LCL filter achieved harmonic mitigation at the permanent magnet synchronous generator and inverter output sides. Keywords: variable-speed wind turbine ; permanent magnet synchronous generator ; maximum power point tracking ; harmonic mitigation ; active power filter.

Improving the voltage quality of Abu Hummus network in Egypt

In this paper the performance of the electrical network of Egypt is studied by considering a small part on the network (Abu Hummus city). The transmission network of Abu Hummus city was created for 66 kV, 11 kV, and 0.4 kV in the digital simulation and electrical network calculation (DIgSILENT power factory software) to study the voltage profiles. The load flow operational analysis was performed to obtain the voltage magnitudes at every bus bar. The voltage magnitudes in 11 kV and 0.4 kV networks were 10% to 15% less than the nominal value due to overloading off the transmission lines and the voltage magnitudes in 66 kV was within permissible limits. By using automatic tap-changing transformer or Static VAR System, the main idea of this paper is to obtain the voltage profiles at every bus bar to improve the voltage quality of the networks, so as to achieve better voltage profiles on the low voltage side without much effect on high voltage side under various operating conditions