Mixture and Non-Mixture Bayesian Hierarchical Study of Seizure Count Data Using New Generalized Poisson Model

In this paper Bayesian methods is performed on a medical trial Seizure count data set by introducing the new three parameter generalized Poisson model GPM(α,β,l) as an alternative model to the standard Poisson model SPM(l) which is considered on an earlier work for the generalized linear mixed model. The new model is developed by introducing two more parameters α and β called indicator parameters. The main advantage of an indicator parameter is that it gives the new Poisson model the mixture (when α>0,β=1,2) and non-mixture (when α=0) options. Another feature of proposed new model is that it generalize the posterior of the parameters to predict the behavior of the Seizure counts data, in agreement with generalized linear mixed model. Unlike earlier authors, who confined and limited their work only on standard Poisson model SPM(l), to analyze the counts data in generalized linear mixed model, which make the new model more resilience and litheness. The parameters of the new model will be estimated using Bayesian approach that serves as a subtle tool for model selection and identification. An illustration is provided using the Seizure count data. The posterior summaries using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) Gibbs sampling approach are presented for the new model for different values of the parameters. The study of the estimated parameters would help the users to have more prospect and clarity about the role of the new model. It is found that using proposed new model in generalized linear mixed model has more resiliency than standard Poisson model considered earlier. The proposed model is fully adaptive to the available data and gives scientists another option for modeling the data

Toxicological Pathology of Contraceptive in Rat by Oral Intubation for Six Months

The study was done on laboratory white rats(Sprague dawelly) in 2groups, 8 male and female as untreated control and 8 male and female as treated with contraceptive pills. The study showed that untreated animals were normal in breeding respect while treated animals showed no evidence of breeding at all and histopathologically untreated controls showed normal ovaries and testis while treated animals showed atrophy of ovaries and marked suppression of spermatogenesis. Other histopathological changes were also seen in liver and kidney. Keywords: contraceptive, ovary, testis and ra

Reliability Prediction Updating Through Computational Bayesian for Mixed and Non-mixed Lifetime Data Using More Flexible New Extra Modified Weibull Model

A new lifetime reliability model with four parameters is proposed. We call it the extra modified Weibull model (EMWM), which is an extension of the modified Weibull model (MWM), capable of modeling a different shapes of hazard function. The new model is developed by introducing fourth parameter in MWM called indicator parameter. The main advantage of an indicator (fourth) parameter is that it gives the new model mixture and non-mixture options, besides different shapes of hazard function including bathtub. The model parameters can be estimated based on a Bayesian generalized posterior method that serves as a tool for model identification, and it gives an efficient computational updating approach with new ways of predicting and measuring behavior. To have insight of the new indicator parameter and to see its importance, we have considered three data sets [Murthy et al [1], Badar and Priest [2], and  Aarset [3]) which have been studied in the past. A prediction updating of the earlier studies of the data sets through the generalized posterior summaries using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) Gibbs sampling approach are presented for the proposed model for the different parameters. The behavior of the parameters would help the users to have more clarity about the role of the indicator parameter, and hence may be useful for certain sets of data. The proposed model is fully adaptive to the available failure data and gives reliability engineers and scientists another option for modeling the life time data. We provide description of the mathematical properties of the new model along with failure rate function

Pro-inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways which compromise sperm motility and survival may be altered by L-carnitine

The testis is an immunologically privileged organ. Sertoli cells can form a blood-testis barrier and protect sperm cells from self-immune system attacks. Spermatogenesis may be inhibited by severe illness, bacterial infections and chronic inflammatory diseases but the mechanism(s) is poorly understood. Our objective is to help in understanding such mechanism(s) to develop protective agents against temporary or permanent testicular dysfunction. Lipopolysaccaride (LPS) is used as a model of animal sepsis while L-carnitine (LCR) is used as a protective agent. A total of 60 male Swiss albino rats were divided into four groups (15/group). The control group received Saline; the 2nd group was given LCR (500 mg/kg i.p, once). The third group was treated with LPS (5 mg/kg i.p once) and the fourth group received LCR then LPS after three hours. From each group, five rats were used for histopathological examination. Biochemical parameters were assessed in the remaining ten rats. At the end of the experiment, animals were lightly anaesthetized with ether where blood samples were collected and testes were dissected on ice. Sperm count and motility were evaluated from cauda epididymis in each animal. Also, oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring testicular contents of reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-HDG, the DNA adduct for oxidative damage) in testicular DNA. The pro-inflammatory mediator nitric oxide (NO) in addition to lactate dehydrogenase (LDHx) isoenzyme-x activity as an indicator for normal spermatozoal metabolism were assessed in testicular homogenate. Serum interlukin (IL)-2 level was also assessed as a marker for T-helper cell function. The obtained data revealed that LPS induced marked reductions in sperm's count and motility, obstruction in seminiferous tubules, hypospermia and dilated congested blood vessels in testicular sections concomitant with decreased testicular GSH content and LDHx activity. Moreover, the testicular levels of MDA, 8-HDG (in testicular DNA) and NO as well as serum IL-2 level were increased. Administration of LCR before LPS returned both sperm count and motility to normal levels. Also, contents of testicular GSH, MDA, 8-HDG and NO returned back to the corresponding control values. In addition, serum IL-2 level as well as histological abnormalities were markedly improved in LCR + LPS-treated rats. In conclusion, LPS increased proinflammatory and oxidative stress markers in the testis leading to a marked testicular dysfunction. L-carnitine administration ameliorates these effects by antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory mechanisms suggesting a protective role against male infertility in severely infected or septic patients

HPLC Analysis of Chemical Composition of Selected Jordanian Medicinal Plants and their Bioactive Properties

Three medicinal plants grown wild in Jordan, namely Achillea santolina L, Achillea fragrantisimma, Asteriscus graveolens (Forssk.) Less, were extracted with ethyl acetate by continuous shaking at room temperature for three days. The antibacterial activity of the crude extract was evaluated. The extracts were analyzed for their phenolic and flavonoids content by HPLC-PDA. The HPLC analysis of the plant extracts revealed the presence of flavonoids and phenolic compounds in the three plant extracts. Results revealed a strong antibacterial activity of A. graveolens against three bacterial strains (B. subtilis, E. coli, and S.aureus). while A. fragrantissima inhibited the growth of B. subtilis. Bioactivities were attributed mainly to the immense content of phenol-based compounds in plants.University and Al-Quds University for providing facilities, and encouragemen

National Prevalence of Micronutrient Deficiencies, Anaemia, Genetic Blood Disorders and Over- and Undernutrition in Omani Women of Reproductive Age and Preschool Children

A national cross-sectional survey was conducted to estimate the prevalence of anaemia, micronutrient deficiencies, haemoglobin disorders and over- and undernutrition in children and women of reproductive age in Oman. Wasting and stunting were found in 9.3% and 11.4% of children aged 0–59 months, respectively, while 4.2% were overweight or obese. In addition, 23.8% were anaemic and 10.2%, 9.5% and 10.6% had iron, vitamin A and vitamin D deficiencies, respectively. Sickle cell and β-thalassaemia genetic traits were present in 5.3% and 4.2% of children and 4.7% and 2.8% of women, respectively. Overall, 9.1% of Omani women were underweight and 59.2% were overweight or obese. The prevalence of anaemia was 27.8%, while iron, folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin D deficiencies affected 24.8%, 11.6%, 8.9% and 16.2%, respectively. Anaemia among both children and women and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in women are the most concerning nutritional problems in Oman.Keywords: Nutrition Disorders; Malnutrition; Micronutrients; Iron-Deficiency Anemia; Avitaminosis; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency; Oman

Adsorption Refrigeration Technologies

This chapter introduces a comprehensive overview about the principles, challenges and applications of adsorption refrigeration systems (ARSs), as a promising sustainable solution for many of cooling and heating applications. In addition to the features and the basics of ARSs, the following topics have been covered such as characteristics of working pairs, trends in improving the heat and mass transfer of the adsorber; advanced adsorption cycles and performance and operational data of some adsorption refrigeration applications. In some details, the operating range and the performance of ARSs are greatly affected by the employed working adsorbent/refrigerant pairs. Therefore, the study, development and optimum selection of adsorbent/refrigerant pairs, particularly the composite adsorbents, can lead to improving the performance and reliability of ARSs. Regarding the enhancement of heat and mass transfer in the adsorbent bed, two methods are commonly used: one is the development of adsorbents through different coating technologies or new materials such as metal-organic frameworks, and the second is the optimization of the adsorber geometrical parameters and cycle modes. Finally, a brief on some adsorption chillers applications have started to find their share in markets and driven by solar or waste heats

Study on the effect of the substrate material type and thickness on the performance of the filtering antenna design

This article presents a new design of a four-pole microstrip filtering antenna. The filtering antenna consists of a bandpass filter, which has four resonators integrated to a monopole patch antenna. The filtering antenna is designed with a relatively high bandwidth of about 1.22 GHz to satisfy a high-speed data transmission. Three types of dielectric substrate materials were used for the design of the filtering antenna, which is RT/Duroid 5880, RO3003, and FR-4. The simulation results of the filtering antenna design, which are established on the three different dielectric substrate materials, are done by using Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software. Comparison results of the filtering antenna that is established on the three different dielectric substrate materials are done at a fixed substrate height and different substrate heights. The filtering antenna is designed at a center frequency f0 = 2.412 GHz, which is suitable for WLAN applications

The effects of ciprofloxacin on male rabbits: Biochemical and histopathological study

The present study was designed to investigate the possible effect of ciprofloxacin on blood serum enzymes activities (AST, ALT, and ALP), total cholesterol, total protein, albumin, and globulin as well as the histopathological changes on liver, kidney, and testes. The study conducted on twelve male rabbits divided into two equal groups. G1 was administrated distilled water orally and considered as control group. G2 was given 100 mg/kg B.W/day of ciprofloxacin for 35 days orally. Blood samples were taken from animals after 35 days of treatment for biochemical analysis to estimate; total cholesterol (TC), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphates (ALP), total protein, albumin, and globulin, then all animals were sacrificed, liver, kidney, and testes were taken and fixed in 10% formalin for histological examination. The results showed that ciprofloxacin administration significantly (p< 0.05) increased the serum total cholesterol, AST, ALT and ALP concentration. While there were significant (P<0.05) decreased the serum level of total protein and globulin, but no significant changes were observed on the serum level of albumin. While histopathologically the liver show vacuolation of hepatocytes and congestion of central vein. The kidney display vacuolation of cortical areas and dilatation of tubules. While the testes exhibit suppression of spermatogenesis in treated animals compared with the control group. These results revealed the toxic effect of ciprofloxacin on the liver, kidney, and testes of male rabbits