The Influence of Canyon Asymmetry on Heating and Cooling Energy Demand of Buildings in the Mediterranean Climate of the Gaza Strip

This paper shows the effect of canyon asymmetry on the energy consumption of buildings in the Mediterranean climate of the Gaza strip. The study was conducted using threedimensional computer models, namely, ECOTECT and IDA ICE. The ratio of the opposite buildings heights ranging from 0.2 to 3.2 were examined in the study at two different orientations, which are (EW) and (NS). The results showed that the asymmetrical profiles seemed to have a significant influence on the thermal response of buildings. The ratio which ranges between 1.2 to 2.0 is more preferable for both cooling and heating requirements. The received solar radiation is reduced by 14.02% and 55.02% in summer with increasing the buildings heights ratio at (NS) and (EW) streets respectively from 1.0 to 3.2. Asymmetrical canyon with the highest ratio provides the maximum energy savings throughout the year especially in the upper floors. About 29.53% of energy consumption can be reduced by choosing the opposite building height equal to the examined building height+ 5floor. Therefore, the study recommends to utilize the advantages of the different heights of buildings in achieving shading on the roof and building’s façades for the purpose of energy saving

New Gene Combinations Conferring Resistance to the Bacterial Blight Disease of Cotton

F2 plants comprising different gene combinations were evaluated for cotton bacterial blight resistance in the field of the Gezira Research Station and the greenhouse of the Plant Pathology Centre of the University of Gezira, Neshashiba, Wad Medani, during the autumn of 2002. Results generally showed significant differences between different gene combinations in resistance to the new race of the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum. Leaf disease grades ranged from 4 to 6. Most of the plants fell into grade 5. Genotype 12, with expected gene combination of (B2B3B6B7B9B12), expressed the highest level of resistance with a mean disease grade of 4, while genotypes 7, 11 and 15 showed the lowest level of resistance with a mean disease grade of 6. The results indicated the importance of the genetic background B2B3B7 in improving resistance to both the old and the new races when one of the following major genes B4, B6, B9, and B12 is incorporated. In such background, resistance level improves as the number of genes increases. Therefore, the commercial resistant cultivars having B2B6 genetic background to the old race of the bacterium can be replaced by the genetic background involving B2B3B7 in addition to one of the four major genes mentioned above in order to protect the cotton crop. Genotypes 5, 6, 12, and 19 were recommended for further improvement as they expressed relatively high level of resistance to the pathogen. &nbsp

Genetic variability and interrelationships of grain yield and its components of irrigated rice in Gezira

Nineteen genotypes of irrigated rice were evaluated at the Gezira Research Station Farm, Wad Medani, Sudan, for two consecutive seasons (2004 and 2005) in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. This study was conducted to estimate the genotypic and phenotypic variability, broad sense heritability and traits correlation with grain yield. The highest genotypic coefficient of variation and genetic advance were recorded for plant height and number of panicles/m2, and the lowest for number of tillers/plant, days to 50% flowering, days to 50% maturity and panicle length, in both seasons. High heritability estimates (>80%) were recorded for plant height, days to 50% flowering, days to 50% maturity and 1000-grain weight. The highest estimate of heritability combined with the highest genetic advance as percentage of the mean was shown by plant height and 1000-grain weight, in both seasons. The high yielding genotypes were WITA5 (TOX 3255-82-1-3-2), IRI 3240-108-2-2-3(SAHEL.108)(FKR44) and TOX 3081-36-2-2-3-1. Their grain yields were 4.9, 4.9 and 4.6 t/ha, respectively. Grain yield/ha was significantly and negatively correlated with the percentage of unfilled grains/panicle, plant height and days to 50% flowering. How-ever, it was significantly and positively correlated with number of tillers/ plant, number of panicles/m2, number of filled grains/panicle and 1000-grain weight, in both seasons. Path coefficient analysis indicated that number of filled grains/panicle, 1000-grain weight and number of panicles / m2 were the most directly related traits to grain yield/ha

Genetic variability and interrelationships of grain yield and its components of selected bread wheat genotypes

High temperature is one of major constraints of bread wheat production in the Sudan. Evaluation of different genotypes under heat stress conditions is one of the main tasks of breeders for exploiting genetic variations to improve cultivars under heat stress. Also, association of yield and yield contributing traits is important for selection. The objective of this study was to evaluate bread wheat genotypes under the irrigated hot environment of the Gezira, Sudan. Experiments were conducted at Gezira Research Farm, Wad Medani, Sudan for two consecutive seasons 2006/07 and 2007/08. The experiments were arranged in an augmented design with six checks, 4 and 12 blocks in the first and second seasons, respectively. Results showed wide ranges of variations in grain yield among these genotypes in both seasons. Grain yield ranged from 965 to 4019 kg/ha and from 133 to 6258 kg/ha in the first and second seasons, respectively. Similar wide ranges of variations were found in biomass, harvest index, number of spikes m-2, days to heading, days to maturity and plant height. Grain yield showed positive and significant correlation coefficients with biomass and harvest index, in both seasons. Path coefficient analysis indicated that biomass and harvest index were the most directly related parameters to grain yield, in both seasons

Predictive Analysis of Lottery Outcomes Using Deep Learning and Time Series Analysis

Abstract: Lotteries have long been a source of fascination and intrigue, offering the tantalizing prospect of unexpected fortunes. In this research paper, we delve into the world of lottery predictions, employing cutting-edge AI techniques to unlock the secrets of lottery outcomes. Our dataset, obtained from Kaggle, comprises historical lottery draws, and our goal is to develop predictive models that can anticipate future winning numbers. This study explores the use of deep learning and time series analysis to achieve this elusive feat. Through rigorous experimentation and data-driven approaches, we seek to determine the viability of AI in the realm of lottery predictions. Our findings reveal both the promise and limitations of AI in this context, shedding light on the complexities of lottery data and the potential need for quantum computing as a last resort

Composition and diversity of phytoplankton from mangrove estuaries in Sarawak, Malaysia

The composition and diversity of phytoplankton were studied along with physico-chemical parameters of water of two mangrove-dominated estuaries i.e., Kuala Sibuti (KS) and Kuala Nyalau (KN), Sarawak, Malaysia. A total of 46 species of phytoplankton with the mean density of 147000 cells L-1 were recorded from KS estuary i.e., 3 species of Cyanophyceae; 22 species of Bacillariophyceae; 20 species of Dinophyceae and 1 species of Chlorophyceae. The recorded mean density of phytoplankton was 113000 cells L-1 with 33 species from 19 genera from KN estuary, in which 19 species were from Bacillariophyceae; 12 species were from Dinophyceae; 1 species was from Cyanophyceae and 1 species was from Chlorophyceae. In both the estuaries, the species composition was found to be in an order of Diatom>Dinoflagellate>Cyanophyceae>Chlorophyceae. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) revealed that the abundance of Bacillariophyceae and Dinoflagellates was influenced by salinity and conductivity along with ammonium and phosphate while the abundance of Chlorophyceae was influenced by temperature, TDS, DO and pH in KS. The influence of salinity and conductivity along with PO4 and NH4 on the abundance of Bacillariophyceae, Dinoflagellates and Chlorophyceae were observed in KN

The Influence of Canyon Asymmetry on Heating and Cooling Energy Demand of Buildings in the Mediterranean Climate of the Gaza Strip

This paper shows the effect of canyon asymmetry on the energy consumption of buildings in the Mediterranean climate of the Gaza strip. The study was conducted using threedimensional computer models, namely, ECOTECT and IDA ICE. The ratio of the opposite buildings heights ranging from 0.2 to 3.2 were examined in the study at two different orientations, which are (E-W) and (N-S). The results showed that the asymmetrical profiles seemed to have a significant influence on the thermal response of buildings. The ratio which ranges between 1.2 to 2.0 is more preferable for both cooling and heating requirements. The received solar radiation is reduced by 14.02% and 55.02% in summer with increasing the buildings heights ratio at (N-S) and (E-W) streets respectively from 1.0 to 3.2. Asymmetrical canyon with the highest ratio provides the maximum energy savings throughout the year especially in the upper floors. About 29.53% of energy consumption can be reduced by choosing the opposite building height equal to the examined building height +5floor. Therefore, the study recommends to utilize the advantages of the different heights of buildings in achieving shading on the roof and building’s façades for the purpose of energy saving

The normal dimensions of the sella turcica in Jordanians: a study on lateral cephalograms

Background: The sella turcica is an important anatomic and radiologic entity. The dimensions of the sella turcica vary greatly in normal individuals and are influenced by genetic and local factors. The main objective of this study is to build up a normative database of the dimensions of the sella turcica in the Jordanian population. Materials and methods: For this purpose 509 computed cephalograms of 252 male and 257 female healthy Jordanians aged 10–40 years were collected and divided into two adolescent and adult age-groups for both genders. Viewbox 3 software was used to determine linear dimensions and area of the sella turcica. Results: Our results showed that the overall values for width, length, height, area, and aperture (interclinoid distance) were 8.72, 7.68, 6.25, 40.80, 3.92, and 8.67, 7.42, 6.38, 41.26, 3.68 mm (mm2) for males and females, respectively. Significant differences were found between adult male group on one hand and adolescent female group and adult female group on the other hand. Between age categories and within male and female groups, sella parameters were significantly different between adolescent and adult age-groups. Conclusions: Our data clearly confirm the classical notion of general trend of increase in parameters with age, irrespective of gender, with the area scoring the highest increase, and the height in females and length in males contributing most obviously to this trend. The aperture appears to decrease in females while it increases in males as adulthood is reached. This seems to reflect differential growth of the pituitary gland under neurohormonal effects

Seasonal variation of water characteristics in Kuala Sibuti river estuary in Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia

This paper presents the water characteristics of Kuala Sibuti river estuary, which is margined by pristine mangrove forest. For this purpose, nutrients, chlorophyll a and environmental parameters were investigated for 12 months. Physical, chemical and biological parameters of this estuarine water followed a seasonal rhythm and induced by the annual cycle of the monsoon. Surface water temperature ranged from 27.4°C to 32.2°C with a wide variety of salinity from 0.70 PSU to 27.10 PSU followed by Dissolved Oxygen (DO) from 1.94 to 6.71 mg/L. The concentration of chlorophyll a was found to be varied from 0.02 to 0.16 mg/m3. Nitrate, phosphate and ammonium concentrations ranged from 0.40 to 3.53mg/L, 0.01 to 1.92 mg/L and 0.06 to 1.24 mg/L, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients showed a significant relationship between nitrate and TDS, nitrate and pH, ammonium and salinity, temperature and salinity, temperature and TDS, phosphate and light attenuation in this estuarine environment. The estuary was found to be mesohaline in nature. Estuarine Water Quality Index (EWQI) calculated from phosphate (PO4), suspended matter (SM) and dissolved oxygen (DO) indicate very good quality (4.95). Significantly seasonal difference for salinity, water temperature and, TDS were observed probably related to tidal flow and upstream river runoff