Multi-level Multi-objective Quadratic Fractional Programming Problem with Fuzzy Parameters: A FGP Approach

The motivation behind this paper is to present multi-level multi-objective quadratic fractional programming (ML-MOQFP) problem with fuzzy parameters in the constraints. ML-MOQFP problem is an important class of non-linear fractional programming problem. These type of problems arise in many fields such as production planning, financial and corporative planning, health care and hospital planning. Firstly, the concept of the -cut and fuzzy partial order relation are applied to transform the set of fuzzy constraints into a common crisp set. Then, the quadratic fractional objective functions in each level are transformed into non-linear objective functions based on a proposed transformation. Secondly, in the proposed model, separate non-linear membership functions for each objective function of the ML-MOQFP problem are defined. Then, the fuzzy goal programming (FGP) approach is utilized to obtain a compromise solution for the ML-MOQFP problem by minimizing the sum of the negative deviational variables. Finally, an illustrative numerical example is given to demonstrate the applicability and performance of the proposed approach

Analysis of complex contagions in random multiplex networks

We study the diffusion of influence in random multiplex networks where links can be of $r$ different types, and for a given content (e.g., rumor, product, political view), each link type is associated with a content dependent parameter $c_i$ in $[0,\infty]$ that measures the relative bias type-$i$ links have in spreading this content. In this setting, we propose a linear threshold model of contagion where nodes switch state if their "perceived" proportion of active neighbors exceeds a threshold \tau. Namely, a node connected to $m_i$ active neighbors and $k_i-m_i$ inactive neighbors via type-$i$ links will turn active if $\sum{c_i m_i}/\sum{c_i k_i}$ exceeds its threshold \tau. Under this model, we obtain the condition, probability and expected size of global spreading events. Our results extend the existing work on complex contagions in several directions by i) providing solutions for coupled random networks whose vertices are neither identical nor disjoint, (ii) highlighting the effect of content on the dynamics of complex contagions, and (iii) showing that content-dependent propagation over a multiplex network leads to a subtle relation between the giant vulnerable component of the graph and the global cascade condition that is not seen in the existing models in the literature.Comment: Revised 06/08/12. 11 Pages, 3 figure

Socio-cultural determinants and impact of HIV infection in the Sudan

Background: Sudan, among the Subsaharan African countries has a low prevalence of HIV infection particularly in the North of the predominantly Muslim population. The peace agreement (2005) which stopped the civil war in the South opened the boarders with the HIV-high prevalence countries of Central and West Africa. This is expected to increase the transmission of HIV in the whole of Sudan. Methods and results: The present study interviewed 635 HIV positive individuals reporting for testing in three voluntary counseling and treatment (VCT) centres in Khartoum. Socio-cultural determinants of the infection showed that the young adults less than 50 years constitute 66.1% of all infected, with 60% males, 40% females and majority 64.9% are either illiterate or had minimum level of education. 61% of them were Muslims and 39% were Christians or non believers, 50.1% were married. The quality of life changed in 89% of individuals.Conclusion: It is concluded that the infection with HIV in Sudan may increase and health education messages need to be tailored according to the sociocultural determinants of the infection in a multicultural, multi-religious country like the Sudan. Muslims will not be protected against HIV infection unless they adhere to the code of Islam.Keywords: human immuno-deficiency virus, Muslims, Subsahara

Optimal biosynthesis and characterization of broad-spectrum antibacterial cupric oxide nanoparticles using bee glue

This work describes a simple and effective approach for producing broad-spectrum antibacterial cupper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) using bee glue. The volumetric ratio of the reactants (copper salt and aqueous propolis extract) was 40 ml to 20 ml. The pH of the reaction was 8. The optimum temperature for the reaction was 70 °C, while the fastest time for the formation of these nanoparticles was 13 minutes. Ultraviolet-visible ray absorption spectra indicated surface plasmon resonance at around 300 nm, proving the synthesis of CuO NPs. The Fourier-transform infrared spectra study confirmed the presence of the CuO nanoparticles at 533-582 cm-1, as well as the responsible biomolecules for the capping and stability of these nanoparticles. X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy determined the shape and size of the CuO NPs nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have a monoclinic shape and an average size of 31.75 nm.The antibiotic activity assay results of CuO NPs were impressive and promising against six different strains of microbes

Histopathological Features of Whipple Pancreaticoduodenectomy in Sudan: A Single-center Experience

Background: Periampullary tumors (PATs) are rare and Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy is the commonest surgical approach for its management. The aim of this study was to analyze the histopathological features of Whipple-resected periampullary tumors in Sudanese patients.Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 62 cases of Whipple resection seen in a center in Khartoum, Sudan from January 2016 to June 2021. The specimens were assessed for nine features of the tumor: site of the tumor (whether within the periampullary region), size of the tumor, histological type of the tumor, grade, perineural invasion, lymph vascular invasion, surgical margin status, lymph node metastasis status, and the pathological stage (pTNM).Results: In total, 62 cases, 40 (64.5%) males and 22 (35.5%) females, were included. Age ranged from 20 to 90 years with a mean age of 56.08 years (±12.98 SD). Of the 62 cases, 58 were malignant (93.5%), while 4 cases were benign (6.5%). The pancreas was the commonest site for malignant tumors (53.4%), followed by the ampulla (24.1%), duodenum (15.5%), and distal common bile duct tumors (DCBD) (7%). The maximum tumor size was 8 cm, and the number of lymph nodes resected ranged from 3 to 33. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDACs) showed the highest percentage of perineural (62.1%) and lymphovascular (55.2%) invasions, and a positive margin was seen in four cases. The most common tumor stage was pT3pN1pMx.Conclusion: PATs in the Sudanese population showed histological diversity regarding subtyping, grading, and staging. Further studies involving molecular prognostic features will support improving patient management. Keywords: periampullary tumors; Whipple pancreaticoduodenectomy; resection; histological features; Suda

REAL-TIME ADAPTIVE MODELING APPROACH TO COMPENSATE THE THERMAL DEFORMATION OF NONLINEAR MACHINE TOOL STRUCTURES

ABSTRACT Machine tool structures cannot be fully optimized at the design stage to cover the wide range of operating conditions. Therefore, reliable control systems emerge as the logical solution to compensate for thermal errors. Due to the difficulty of measuring the relative thermal displacement δ between the tool and the workpiece during machining, δ has to be accurately estimated in real-time. A new concept of adaptive modeling is introduced to develop control-based dynamic models to predict and compensate for thermal deformation of nonlinear complex machine tool structures. A key element of this approach is to replace the changes in the contact pressures along the joint by fictitious contact heat sources FCHS. This allows us to track the system nonlinearity through temperature measurements and real-time inverse heat conduction IHCP solution. The proposed approach dealt successfully with a number of challenges; namely, the non-uniqueness of the problem, and the lack of sufficient conditions to identify each of such unusual FCHS separately. The results showed that the models are capable of satisfying the accuracy, stability and computational efficiency requirements, even when the temperature measurement signal is contaminated with random noise. The results also showed that the thermal deformation transfer function behaves as low-pass filters, and as such it attenuates the high frequency noise associated with temperature measurement error. KEYWORDS Nonlinear structures, machine tools, thermal deformation, control, compensation, inverse heat conduction INTRODUCTION Management of thermal effects associated with high cutting speeds and federates is a focal point for a number of emerging technologies; namely, high speed and high precision machining. The problem of thermal deformation of machine tool structures is becoming, therefore, more critical than ever. Control systems based on inductive and deductive approaches were developed over the years to circumvent the difficulty of measuring the relative thermal displacement vector δ(t) between the tool and the workpiece during machining. In the inductive approach, indirect displacement or temperature measurements In response to the problems associated with both the empirical and numerical approaches, the authors of this paper have recently introduced the theory of generalized modelling and proposed integrating it into a new control syste

Proučavanje relativističke tvorbe hadrona prema naprijed i unatrag u sudarima 3he i 4he s jezgrama u emulziji na energiji ubrzivača u dubni

The experimental results on 3He- and 4He-emulsion interactions accompanied by relativistic (shower) hadrons flying into the backward (θlab ≤ 90◦ ) hemisphere at 4.5 AGeV/c are presented and analyzed. The dependence of the probabilities of these interactions on the different target sizes, impact parameter and projectile spectator charges is studied. An investigation of average values and multiplicity distributions of these hadrons for the interactions with light and heavy emulsion nuclei has been carried out. In addition, the correlations between the multiplicities of different types of the emitted particles are studied. The data show that backward shower particles are a sensitive target parameter. The values of impact parameters can be used as good indicators for selecting events which occured with light or heavy emulsion nuclei. A comparison with the modified cascade model shows a good performance in describing the data produced in the region having less cascading (i.e. interactions with light nuclei). As for the interactions with heavy nuclei, the model overestimates the experimental data.Predstavljamo eksperimentalne rezultate i analize mjerenja međudjelovanja 3He i 4He u emulziji na 4.5 AGeV/c, u kojima se opažaju relativistički pljuskovi hadrona koji lete unatrag (θlab ≤ 90◦ ). Proučavamo ovisnost vjerojatnosti tih međudjelovanja o veličini jezgre mete, sudarnom parametru i naboju projektila-promatrača. Istražili smo prosječne vrijednosti i raspodjele višestrukosti hadrona za lake i teške jezgre u emulziji. Nadalje, proučavali smo korelacije višestrukosti različitih izlaznih čestica. Podaci pokazuju da su pljuskovi čestica unatrag osjetljiv parametar jezgri mete. Vrijednosti parametara mogu poslužiti kao dobar pokazatelj sudara s lakim odnosno teškim jezgrama. Usporedba s promijenjenim kaskadnim modelom pokazuje dobro slaganje s podacima u kojima je manje kaskada (tj. Manje sudara s lakim jezgrama). Rezultati tog modela za teške jezgre veći su od eksperimentalnih podataka

Tarekat Naqshabandiyyah Khalidiyyah in Malaysia: a Study on the Leadership of Haji Ishaq Bin Muhammad Arif

: The Tarekat Naqshabandiyyah Khalidiyyah lead by Haji Ishaq has many followers and is also known especially among other tarekat followers in Malaysia. This article is navigating through the leadership of Haji Ishaq Bin Muhammad Arif, the emergence of tarekat Naqshabandiyyah Khalidiyyah he lead and its evolution in Malaysia. Beside the data collected through the manuscript written by Haji Ishaq, his murids works were also studied. Field observations were also performed at several sites that are identified to be the centers of the movement. Also, some senior students of Haji Ishaq were interviewed to strengthen the arguments of the manuscript data. This study had discovered that tarekat Naqshabandiyyah Khalidiyyah lead by Haji Ishaq was large group with many followers, made up of diverse backgrounds, including academicians and professionals. The power of this group is reflected in the extensive network of centers that are located in several states in Malaysia