Modeling of bend discontinuity in plasmonic and spoof plasmonic waveguides

The paper proposes a method to characterize the bend discontinuity for plasmonic and spoof plasmonic waveguides in terms of scattering parameters. By means of this method, the waveguide is modelled by a two-port network and its scattering parameters are extracted. The parameters for the L-shaped sharp curved bends at different frequencies and under different bending angles are determined

Application of eye-tracking methodology in food researches

Eye-tracking is a widely applied tool to follow the human gaze direction. Due to the excessive technical development of eye-trackers, nowadays several fields of applications are available. A new field is food research where numerous questions can be answered by the analysis of gazing behaviour. The methodology might be applied not only in food marketing, but also in sensory analysis and consumer studies. In our article, we aim to introduce the principles of eye-tracking along with the major eye-movements and describe the meanings of the measured variables. Furthermore, several applications are introduced from food sciences

The Status and the Specifications of the Questions of an Achievement Exam from the Points of View of the Teaching Staff-members of Palestine Technical University- Kadoorie (PTUK)\Tulkarm-Campus

The aim of this study was to investigate the status and specifications of the questions of an achievement exam from the points of view of the teaching staff-members of Palestine Technical University Kadoorie PTUK Tulkarm campus to achieve the purpose of this study the researchers followed a descriptive quantitative approach through which a 24-item questionnaire was distributed after ensuring its reliability and validity to a sample of 140 subjects out the population of 355 teaching staff-members of PTUK Findings and conclusions of this study confirm the shaggy and blurred reality of the status and the specifications of the questions of an achievement exa

A rare case of posttraumatic bilateral orbital myositis in a young boy — a case report

Orbital myositis (OM) is a benign inflammatory disease of the orbit characterised by a polymorphous lymphoid infiltrate with varying degrees of fibrosis, without a known local or systemic cause. In this paper, we present a case of a young boy who sustained a trauma to his eyes a few days prior to admission, after which he developed bilateral orbital pain and ocular motility limitation. He underwent the appropriate investigations including orbital imaging and blood laboratory workup, which were all consistent with a diagnosis of posttraumatic bilateral orbital myositis. He was treated with steroids for few weeks, and when the dose of steroids was tapered, he had a relapse of the same disease with a different presentation, which was later controlled with a higher dose of steroids, after which the patient went into remission

Ultrasonic method for identifying oil types and their mixtures

The study focused on the efficacy of ultrasonic method for identifying vegetable oils and their mixtures in the formulation of frying oil and its ability in authentication of virgin olive oil. The ultrasonic propagation properties (velocity and Time of Flight (TOF)) were used to classify oil samples and their mixtures at 1 MHz. The results revealed the ability to classify oil types in terms of their level of un-saturation, besides it is to identify oil mixtures. Each oil sample could be grouped into different clusters using ultrasonic parameters. Hence, ultrasonic could be used to discriminate the vegetable oil types and their mixtures effectively as a rapid and continuous method in the industrial in-line quality control system of vegetable oils and their mixtures

The Effects Of Two Computerized Programs In Reducing Jordanian Tertiary Students' Spelling Errors

This study investigated the effects of using two computerized programs on reducing the spelling errors Jordanian tertiary students. Ginger and Microsoft Word 2007 were used as two modes of presentation. These programs represented the text-audio and text modes, respectively, according to the modality principle. The spelling error levels (i.e., high, medium, and low) of the students were compared. This study was conducted based on Mayer's cognitive theory of multimedia learning, dual route theory of efficient spelling, and spelling in the context approach. The modality principle was similarly use

Effectiveness of a training based on Guilford Evaluative Thinking Matrix, to examine its effect on the improvement of V-Shape evaluation strategy limitation and the improvement Science of teachers in teaching the activities and processes of the cell

This study aims at building a training program based on Guilford Evaluative Thinking Matrix, to examine its effect on the improvement of V-Shape evaluation strategy limitation and the improvement of teaching cell's activities and operations. The study was applied on 33 teachers and 666 students. The sample is separated into three groups: an experimental group for the program's effect, an experimental group for the V-Shape and a control group. To achieve the aim of the study a training program was designed to develop the teacher’s evaluation abilities based on Guilford Evaluative Thinking Matrix, a measurement tool was prepared for the teacher’s evaluation abilities consisted of 33 items and achievement test was prepared for the students and an achievement test is prepared depended on cell's activities and operations objectives. The results showed that there is an effect according to the program on treatment the teachers' evaluation limitation. To the students' achievement test, there was a significant difference for experimental group according to the program. But there was low effect in the science achievement test according to the program for the middle third students , the low effect was caused by teachers' low experience in using the program. There was no significant difference was caused by gender or the school type

Use of black pepper oil in growing-quail diets and its impact on growth, carcass measurements, intestinal microbiota, and blood chemistry

Supplements derived from plants are utilized to maintain and promote the growth efficiency of animals. The use of black pepper oil (BPO) has recently generated significant scientific interest, primarily because of its potential beneficial effects on both humans and animals. The goal of the current study was to determine how dietary BPO supplementation affected growth performance, characteristics of growing quails' immunity, antioxidant status, and carcass yield. A total of 240 growing quails (1 week old) were divided into five equal groups, each with 36 birds (four replicates of 12 each). A basal diet containing no BPO (0 g kg−1) was given to the first group, and the second, third, and fourth groups were given a diet that was supplemented with BPO (0.4, 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 g kg−1, respectively). In comparison to a control group, quails' diets that were supplemented with 0.8 g BPO kg−1 showed improvements in final live body weight, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio of 10.68 %, 12.6 %, and 18.2 %, respectively. During the whole study period (1 to 5 weeks), quails fed diets with 0.8 g BPO consumed less feed than the other groups and control. Due to BPO treatment, there were no statistically significant changes in any of the carcass parameters. BPO-supplemented groups had significantly elevated plasma levels of albumin and globulin than control groups (P < 0.05), but the ratio was reported to be significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in birds supplemented with diets containing BPO compared to the control group. When compared to the control, the liver enzyme activity (aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT)) in blood plasma was reported to be significantly increased in the quails given 0.4 and 0.8 g BPO kg−1. Glutathione and catalase activities were significantly higher in the group given diets supplemented with BPO (1.2 g kg−1) than they were in the control group. In comparison to the control, the supplementation of BPO in the diets of quail significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) the lipid profile in the plasma, moreover decreasing the caecal content pH (P < 0.05). In comparison to the control, the populations of lactobacilli, coliform, Salmonella spp., and Escherichia coli in the caecum significantly decreased in the BPO-supplemented groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary BPO supplementation in Japanese quails' diet can boost growth performance and antioxidant indices, enhance lipid profile and carcass traits, and reduce intestinal infections

Effect of metformin on Sirtuin-1 disorders associated with diabetes in male rats

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is characterized by insulin resistance, hyperinsulinaemia and hyperglycaemia. Increased glucose production through abnormally elevated hepatic gluconeogenesis is central to the manifestation of hyperglycaemia in T2DM. Metformin corrects hyperglycaemia mainly through inhibition of gluconeogenesis. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) has been identified as regulator of gluconeogenic gene expression. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of metformin on SIRT1 level and activity in liver and pancreas of diabetic rats. Further, the possible role of SIRT1 on metabolic disorders associated with diabetes mellitus, including serum levels of glucose, insulin, triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotiens (HDL), will be explored.Methods: Thirty-two male albino rats were divided into control group (GpI), diabetic (DM) group (GpII), (metformin + DM) group (GpIII) administered 120 mg/kg metformin daily for 1 month before induction of diabetes, (DM + metformin) group (GpIV) administered 250 mg/kg metformin daily for 1 month after induction of diabetes. At the end of the study, BMI%, serum levels of glucose, insulin, TG and HDL, HOMA, SIRT1 level and activity in liver and pancreas and pancreatic DNA ladder were assessed.Results: Our results showed significant decrease in serum glucose, insulin and TG levels and HOMA; significant increase in HDL level and SIRT1 level and activity in liver and pancreas beside the marked disappearance of pancreatic apoptosis in GpIII & IV relative to GpII. Regarding BMI%, it showed no significant changes in GpIV relative to GpII. No significant change was recorded between GpIII and GpIV regarding all studied parameters except on serum TG.Conclusion: Lowered SIRT1 in diabetes was improved by the administration of Metformin. Consequently, the pathophysiological disorders associated with T2DM were improved.Keywords: DM, Metformin, SIRT1, Pancreatic apoptosi