167 research outputs found

    The Relation Between Rough Sets And Fuzzy Sets Via Topological Spaces

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    Abstract: Theories of rough sets and fuzzy sets are related and complementary methodologies to handle uncertainty of vagueness and coarseness, respectively. They are generalizations of classical set theory for modeling vagueness and uncertainty. A fundamental question concerning both theories is their connections and differences. There have been many studies on this topic. Topology is a branch of mathematics, whose ideas exist not only in almost all branches of mathematics but also in many real life applications. The topological structure on an abstract set is used as the base, which used to extract knowledge from data. In this paper: topological structure is used to study the relation between rough sets and fuzzy sets. Membership function is used to convert from rough set to fuzzy set and vice versa. This conversion will achieve the advantages of two theories. Some examples and theories are introduced to indicate the importance of using general binary relations in the construction of rough set concepts, and indicate the relation between rough sets and fuzzy sets according to the topological spaces

    Dynamic Interaction of an Uplifted Beam with the Supporting Soil

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    During seismic events, the overturning moment exerted by the hydrodynamic pressure of a liquid contained in an unanchored, thin-walled liquid storage tank tends to lift the tank base plate off its foundation. The nonlinear uplift and contact mechanism between the base plate and the underlying foundation is investigated in the present study. Nonlinearities due to base plate contact with foundation, large deflection and plastic hinge formation are examined

    Probing redox potential for Iron sulfur clusters in photosystem I

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    Photosystem I is a light-driven electron transfer device. Available X-ray crystal structure from Thermosynechococcus elongatus, showed that electron transfer pathways consist of two nearly symmetric branches of cofactors converging at the first iron sulfur cluster FX, which is followed by two terminal iron sulfur clusters FA and FB. Experiments have shown that Fx has lower oxidation potential than FA and FB, which facilitate the electron transfer reaction. Here, we use Density Functional Theory and Multi-Conformer Continuum Electrostatics to explain the differences in the midpoint Em potentials of the Fx, FA and FB clusters. Our calculations show that Fx has the lowest oxidation potential compared to FA and FB due strong pair-wise electrostatic interactions with surrounding residues. These interactions are shown to dominated by the bridging sulfurs and cysteine ligands, which may be attributed to the shorter average bond distances between the oxidized Fe ion and ligating sulfurs for FX compared to FA and FB. Moreover, the electrostatic repulsion between the 4Fe-4S clusters and the positive potential of the backbone atoms is least for FX compared to both of FA and FB. These results agree with the experimental measurements from the redox titrations of low-temperature EPR signals and of room temperature recombination kinetics

    Computational Approach for Probing Redox Potential for Iron-Sulfur Clusters in Photosystem I

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    SIMPLE SUMMARY: Many biological systems contain iron–sulfur clusters, which are typically found as components of electron transport proteins. Continuum electrostatic calculations were used to investigate the effect of protein environment on the redox properties of the three iron–sulfur clusters in the cyanobacterial photosystem I. Our results show a good correlation between the estimated and the measured reduction potential. Moreover, the results indicate that the low potential of F(X) is shown to be due to the interactions with the surrounding residues and ligating sulfurs. Our results will help in understanding the electron transfer reaction in photosystem I. ABSTRACT: Photosystem I is a light-driven electron transfer device. Available X-ray crystal structure from Thermosynechococcus elongatus showed that electron transfer pathways consist of two nearly symmetric branches of cofactors converging at the first iron–sulfur cluster F(X), which is followed by two terminal iron–sulfur clusters F(A) and F(B). Experiments have shown that F(X) has lower oxidation potential than F(A) and F(B), which facilitates the electron transfer reaction. Here, we use density functional theory and Multi-Conformer Continuum Electrostatics to explain the differences in the midpoint [Formula: see text] potentials of the F(X), F(A) and F(B) clusters. Our calculations show that F(X) has the lowest oxidation potential compared to F(A) and F(B) due to strong pairwise electrostatic interactions with surrounding residues. These interactions are shown to be dominated by the bridging sulfurs and cysteine ligands, which may be attributed to the shorter average bond distances between the oxidized Fe ion and ligating sulfurs for F(X) compared to F(A) and F(B). Moreover, the electrostatic repulsion between the 4Fe-4S clusters and the positive potential of the backbone atoms is lowest for F(X) compared to both F(A) and F(B.) These results agree with the experimental measurements from the redox titrations of low-temperature EPR signals and of room temperature recombination kinetics

    Predator efficacy and attraction to herbivore- induced volatiles determine insect pest selection of inferior host plant

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    Unlike mammals, most invertebrates provide no direct parental care for their progeny, which makes a well-selected oviposition site crucial. However, little is known about the female evaluation of opportunities and threats during host selection. Leveraging the wide range of host plants used by the polyphagous pest, Spodoptera littoralis, we investigate oviposition choice between two plants of different nutritional quality. Females prefer to lay their eggs on the host plant, which has inferior larval development and more natural enemies but provides lower predation rates. On the superior host plant, a major predator shows more successful search behavior and is more attracted to herbivore-induced volatiles. Our findings show that predator efficacy and odor-guided attraction, rather than predator abundance, determine enemy free space. We postulate that predators’ behaviors contribute to the weak correlation between preference and performance during host plant selection in S. littoralis and in polyphagous insects in general

    Schistosoma mansoni: Antiparasitic effects of orally administered Nigella sativa oil and/or Chroococcus turgidus extract

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    Schistosoma mansoni is one of the parasites causing schistosomiasis, a disease which threatens millions of people all over the world. Traditional chemical drugs are not fully effective against schistosomaisis due to the evolving drug resistant worm strains, so exploring new remedies derived from natural products is a good way to fight schistosomiasis. In the present investigation two natural products, Nigella sativa oil and Chroococcus turgidus extract were used separately or in a combination to explore their effect on S. mansoni. The infected mice treated with Chroococcus turgidus extract or/and sativa seed oil showed a significant decrease in the total worm burden. The total number of deposited eggs by females of S. mansoni was significantly decreased in the liver of mice treated with Chroococcus turgidus extract or/and sativa seed oil. However, in the intestine, the number of eggs was significantly reduced in mice treated with algal extract and those treated with both algal extract and oil. Fecundity of female S. mansoni showed a significant decrease from mice treated with algal extract or/and sativa seed oil. According to SEM investigations the tegmental surface, oral and ventral suckers of worms also showed considerable changes; as the tubercles lost their spines, some are swollen and torn out. The suckers become edematous and enlarged while the tegmental surface is damaged due to the treatment with Chroococcus turgidus extract or/and sativa seed oil. In conclusion, the Nigella sativa oil and Chroococcus turgidus extract are promising natural compounds that can be used in fighting schistosomiasis

    Role of nucleated red blood cells in diagnosis of neonatal asphyxia in neonate with meconium stained and clear amniotic fluid

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    Background: Perinatal asphyxia has been defined as the lack of oxygen that occurs either before, during, or after birth. Many studies in recent past have suggested that an increased number of nucleated red blood cells (NRBC) in umbilical cord blood may be a useful marker to identify birth asphyxia.Objective: To find out the relationship between meconium-stained amniotic fluid and NRBC in umbilical cord blood.Patients and Methods: This was a comparative cross-section study, which was carried out at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Zagazig University Hospitals on 54 cases divided into 2 groups: (Group 1): included 27 pregnant females with meconium-stained amniotic fluid who gave birth to neonates (male 15 and female12) showing criteria of perinatal asphyxia, (Group 2): included 27 pregnant females with clear amniotic fluid who gave birth to neonate's apparently healthy full-term (male17 and female10) as control group with no obstetrical problems.Results: There was no statistically significant difference between case and control groups in basic characteristics or obstetric history. NRBC’s/100 WBCs and lactate were highly significantly increased in group 1. The mean value of lactate was increasing in relation to stage of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).Conclusion: There was a strong correlation between markers of acute asphyxia (i.e., umbilical artery blood nucleated red blood cells and lactate,) and meconium-stained liquor cases. These markers were significantly elevated in newborns with meconium-stained amniotic fluid
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