Neutrosophic Goal Programming

In this paper, we introduce the goal programming in neutrosophic environment. The degrees of acceptance, indeterminacy and rejection of objectives are simultaneously considered. We propose two models for solving Neutrosophic Goal Programming Problem (NGPP), at one hand aiming to minimize the sum of the deviation (the I st model), and at the other hand, transforming NGPP into a crisp programming model, using truth membership, indeterminacy membership, and falsity membership functions (the II nd model). Finally, an industrial design problem is given to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed models. The obtained results of the Ist model and of the IInd model are compared with other methods

Efficacy of different bioagents in suppressing Meloidogyne incognita, and evaluation of some physio-biochemical changes in Phaseolus vulgaris L.

Plant parasitic nematodes cause severe damage, reducing plant production. The ability of four various biocontrol agents was surveyed for effectiveness in inhibiting J2 of Meloidogyne incognita in vitro. The study aims to explore the impact of different bio-agents (Bacillus cereus 54-1, Streptomyces erythrogriesus sub sp. 2, Pleurotus ostreatus, and Spirulina platensis) on the root-knot-nematode, M. incognita reproduction, and their influence on plant growth as well as physiological and biochemical parameters in Phaseolus vulgaris L. plants under greenhouse conditions. Effective inoculation of four bio-control agents on growth and physio-biochemical parameters of bean plants infected with root-knot-nematode was also investigated. After 48 hours of exposure to bioagents, mortality was caused by M. incognita J2s. Mortality ranged between 67.3 and 89%. Under experimental conditions, further validating the relative efficacy of different bioagents in control M. incognita on common bean in two successive seasons. All pageants were efficient in preventing nematode reproduction, but with varying efficacy. Oxamyl (Nematicide) was an extremely effective treatment for suppressing total nematode populations. Nevertheless, the second most effective treatment for reducing M. incognita in roots and soil was B. cereus. All treatments significantly enhanced growth as compared to the control. Treatments with four bioagents significantly reduced H2O2 and malondialdehyde levels. While it significantly raised the activity of peroxidase, polyphenol-oxidase, and superoxide dismutase, in addition to raising the content of phenolics and flavonoids in the infected common bean. The tested bioagents were efficient in preventing nematode reproduction, but at various levels of efficacy. In addition, all treatments significantly enhanced common bean growth parameters and reduced the levels of both H2O2 and MDA. While it raised the activity of POD, PPO, SOD, and contents of phenolics and flavonoids in the infected common bean. These results highlight the value of bioagents as a promising biocontrol technique to manage root-knot-nematodes in common beans

Chemical Profile of Cyperus laevigatus and Its Protective Effects against Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity in Rats

Cyperus species represent a group of cosmopolitan plants used in folk medicine to treat several diseases. In the current study, the phytochemical profile of Cyperus laevigatus ethanolic extract (CLEE) was assessed using UPLC-QTOF–MS/MS. The protective effect of CLEE at 50 and 100 mg /kg body weight (b.w.) was evaluated on hepatorenal injuries induced by thioacetamide (100 mg/kg) via investigation of the extract’s effects on oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and histopathological changes in the liver and kidney. UPLC-QTOF–MS/MS analysis of CLEE resulted in the identification of 94 compounds, including organic and phenolic acids, flavones, aurones, and fatty acids. CLEE improved the antioxidant status in the liver and kidney, as manifested by enhancement of reduced glutathione (GSH) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), in addition to the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG). Moreover, CLEE positively affected oxidative stress parameters in plasma and thwarted the depletion of hepatorenal ATP content by thioacetamide (TAA). Furthermore, treatment of rats with CLEE alleviated the significant increase in plasma liver enzymes, kidney function parameters, and inflammatory markers. The protective effect of CLEE was confirmed by a histopathological study of the liver and kidney. Our results proposed that CLEE may reduce TAA-hepatorenal toxicity via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties suppressing oxidative stress

Survey of CT radiation doses and iodinated contrast medium administration: an international multicentric study

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between intravenous iodinated contrast media (ICM) administration usage and radiation doses for contrast-enhanced (CE) CT of head, chest, and abdomen-pelvis (AP) in international, multicenter settings. MethodsOur international (n = 16 countries), multicenter (n = 43 sites), and cross-sectional (ConRad) study had two parts. Part 1: Redcap survey with questions on information related to CT and ICM manufacturer/brand and respective protocols. Part 2: Information on 3,258 patients (18-96 years; M:F 1654:1604) who underwent CECT for a routine head (n = 456), chest (n = 528), AP (n = 599), head CT angiography (n = 539), pulmonary embolism (n = 599), and liver CT examinations (n = 537) at 43 sites across five continents. The following information was recorded: hospital name, patient age, gender, body mass index [BMI], clinical indications, scan parameters (number of scan phases, kV), IV-contrast information (concentration, volume, flow rate, and delay), and dose indices (CTDIvol and DLP). ResultsMost routine chest (58.4%) and AP (68.7%) CECT exams were performed with 2-4 scan phases with fixed scan delay (chest 71.4%; AP 79.8%, liver CECT 50.7%) following ICM administration. Most sites did not change kV across different patients and scan phases; most CECT protocols were performed at 120-140 kV (83%, 1979/2685). There were no significant differences between radiation doses for non-contrast (CTDIvol 24 [16-30] mGy; DLP 633 [414-702] mGycm) and post-contrast phases (22 [19-27] mGy; 648 [392-694] mGycm) (p = 0.142). Sites that used bolus tracking for chest and AP CECT had lower CTDIvol than sites with fixed scan delays (p < 0.001). There was no correlation between BMI and CTDIvol (r2 <= - 0.1 to 0.1, p = 0.931). ConclusionOur study demonstrates up to ten-fold variability in ICM injection protocols and radiation doses across different CT protocols. The study emphasizes the need for optimizing CT scanning and contrast protocols to reduce unnecessary contrast and radiation exposure to patients. Clinical relevance statementThe wide variability and lack of standardization of ICM media and radiation doses in CT protocols suggest the need for education and optimization of contrast usage and scan factors for optimizing image quality in CECT

Application of date palm leaves compost and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria for controlling faba bean root rot disease in New Valley, Egypt

This study was designed to investigate the effect of date palm leaves compost (DPLC) individually and/or in combined with plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for controlling faba bean root rot disease caused by Rhizoctonia solani and Fusarium solani under greenhouse and field conditions. The obtained data indicate that DPLC at different concentrations significantly decreased root rot incidence either under artificial infection in pot or natural infection in field as well as increased growth and yield parameters during growing season 2013-2014. Date palm leaves compost at 8 ton/ feddan (feddan = 1.038 acres) recorded the highest protection against root rot disease and gave the highest increased of plant growth and yield parameters. On the other hand, PGPR viz. Bacillus megaterium, B. cereus and Pseudomonas fluorescens individually or mixed significantly decreased root rot incidence under greenhouse and field conditions. The mixed of PGPR strains significantly suppressed the diseases more than used alone of them. Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria increased efficacy of DPLC for controlling root rot disease in faba bean more than the applied of DPLC or PGPR alone under greenhouse and field conditions during both tested seasons as well as increased of nodulations, growth and yield parameters. The application mixed of PGPR strains and DPLC at 8 ton/feddan recorded the highest reduction of root rot incidence and increase of nodulations, growth and yield parameters during both growing seasons. 

A Hybrid Flower Pollination Algorithm with Tabu Search for Unconstrained Optimization Problems

Flower pollination algorithm (FPA) is a novel metaheuristic optimization algorithm with quick convergence, but its population diversity and convergence precision can be limited in some problems. In order to enhance its exploitation and exploration abilities, in this paper a novel hybrid flower pollination algorithm with Tabu Search (TS-FPA) has been applied to unconstrained optimization problems. TS-FPA is validated by ten benchmark functions. The results show that the proposed algorithm is able to obtained accurate solution, and it also has a fast convergence speed and a high degree of stability

RELATIVE POWER DISTRIBUTIONS IN OMNIGUIDING PHOTONIC BAND-GAP FIBERS

Using Bloch formulations, an analysis is presented of the confinement of power in omniguiding photonic band-gap fibers of different dimensional values. Results are compared for four-layer and eight-layer fibers. Power peaks are observed that correspond to different propagation modes. Power patterns are found to be fairly smoothly matched at the different layer interfaces, which confirm the validity of the analytical approach