Numerical solution for the time-Fractional Diffusion-wave Equations by using Sinc-Legendre Collocation Method

In this paper the numerical solution of fractional diffusion wave equation is proposed. The fractional derivative will be in the Caputo sense. The proposed method will be based on shifted Legendre collocation scheme and sinc function approximation for time and space respectively. The problem is reduced to the problem into a system of algebraic equations after implementing this method. For demonstrating the validity and applicability of the proposed numerical scheme some examples are presented. Keywords: Fractional diffusion equation, Sinc functions, shifted Legendre  polynomials, Collocation method

Hybrid genetic algorithm for clustering IC topographies of EEGs

Clustering of independent component (IC) topographies of Electroencephalograms (EEG) is an effective way to find brain-generated IC processes associated with a population of interest, particularly for those cases where event-related potential features are not available. This paper proposes a novel algorithm for the clustering of these IC topographies and compares its results with the most currently used clustering algorithms. In this study, 32-electrode EEG signals were recorded at a sampling rate of 500 Hz for 48 participants. EEG signals were pre-processed and IC topographies computed using the AMICA algorithm. The algorithm implements a hybrid approach where genetic algorithms are used to compute more accurate versions of the centroids and the final clusters after a pre-clustering phase based on spectral clustering. The algorithm automatically selects the optimum number of clusters by using a fitness function that involves local-density along with compactness and separation criteria. Specific internal validation metrics adapted to the use of the absolute correlation coefficient as the similarity measure are defined for the benchmarking process. Assessed results across different ICA decompositions and groups of subjects show that the proposed clustering algorithm significantly outperforms the (baseline) clustering algorithms provided by the software EEGLAB, including CORRMAP.Funding for open access charge: Universidad de Málaga / CBUA Funding for open access publishing: Universidad Málaga/CBUA. This work was supported by projects PGC2018-098,813-B C32 (Spanish “Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades”), UMA20-FEDERJA-086 (Consejería de economía y conocimiento, Junta de Andalucía), Project P18-rt-1624, and by European Regional Development Funds (ERDF). We also thank the Leeduca research group and Junta de Andalucía for the data supplied and the support

Numerical Solutions for the Nonlinear PDEs of Fractional Order by Using a New Double Integral Transform with Variational Iteration Method

This paper considers a new Double Integral transform called Double Sumudu-Elzaki transform DSET. The combining of the DSET with a semi-analytical method, namely the variational iteration method DSETVIM, to arrive numerical solution of nonlinear PDEs of Fractional Order derivatives. The proposed dual method property decreases the number of calculations required, so combining these two methods leads to calculating the solution's speed. The suggested technique is tested on four problems. The results demonstrated that solving these types of equations using the DSETVIM was more advantageous and efficien

EFFECT OF HERBICIDES ON GROWTH, GRAIN YIELD AND QUALITY OF BARLEY

This experiment was aimed to study the effect of   herbicide (lintur @180 g.ha-1 + Axial @1.5 L.ha-1, Navigator @ 1.25 L.ha-1 and the control treatment) in the companion weeds. Besides, grain yield and its components of three cultivars of barley (IPA 99, Buhooth 256, Aldebaran). The experiment was carried out according to RCBD, within split plot arrangement using three replicates. The cultivars represented the Main-plots, while herbicides and control treatments represented the sub-plots. The second included a laboratory experiment with four replicates of 50 seeds per replicate to study some grain quality characteristics resulting from the first field experiment. The results were showed the superiority of the Buhooth 256 cultivar in number of spikes, weight of 1000 grains, and the grain yield with an average of 495.10 spike.m-2, 22.23 g, and 1.46 ton.ha-1, respectively. Buhooth 256 also recorded the best results in increasing the percentage of weed control, reducing weed dry weight, and increasing the inhibition ratio. The same cultivar exceeded in most characteristics of grain quality. The treatment of herbicides (lintur + Axial) exceeded by achieving the highest average number of spikes of (471.60 spike.m-2), and the highest number of grains per spike with (51.77 grain.spike-1). Coupled with the weight of 1000 grains (21.47 g), and the highest grain yield (1.53 ton.ha-1)

Change in hematologic indices over time in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease treated with azathioprine

Azathioprine leads to changes in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and white blood cell (WBC) indices reflecting efficacy or toxicity. Understanding the interactions between bone marrow stem cells and azathioprine could highlight abnormal response patterns as forerunners for hematologic malig-nancies. This study gives a statistical description of factors influencing the relationship between MCV and WBC in children with inflammatory bowel disease treated with azathioprine. We found that leukopenia preceded macro¬cytosis. Macrocytosis is therefore not a good predictor of leukopenia. Further studies will be necessary to determine the subgroup of patients at increased risk of malignancies based on bone marrow response

Determination of putative virulence factors among clinical isolates of enterococci isolated from a military hospital in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia

Background: The pathogenic potential of enterococci to produce life-threatening infections is well-documented. The scientific community has, of late, evinced a renewed interest in the putative virulence factors of enterococci. Objective of the study was to determine the putative virulence factors of clinically isolated Enterococcus species from a military hospital and to describe the association between virulence factors and vancomycin susceptibility.Methods: A total of 245 enterococci were isolated from clinical samples collected from KFMMC, a leading military hospital in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Following species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the Vitek 2 system; the isolates were tested for the production of caseinase, gelatinase, biofilm, and presence of haemolysin.Results: Among the enterococcal isolates, 36.7% produced caseinase, 38% produced gelatinase, 24.1% exhibited biofilm formation, and 30.6% were positive for haemolytic activity. A significant association between vancomycin susceptibility patterns and the virulence factors, gelatinase and haemolytic activity, were noted. No significant associations were observed between vancomycin susceptibility patterns and the presence of caseinase or the formation of biofilms.Conclusions: Virulence factors are invariably produced by several clinical isolates of enterococci in our hospital, and some virulence factors are associated with vancomycin susceptibility

Population screening for colorectal cancer: the implications of an ageing population

Population screening for colorectal cancer (CRC) has recently commenced in the United Kingdom supported by the evidence of a number of randomised trials and pilot studies. Certain factors are known to influence screening cost-effectiveness (e.g. compliance), but it remains unclear whether an ageing population (i.e. demographic change) might also have an effect. The aim of this study was to simulate a population-based screening setting using a Markov model and assess the effect of increasing life expectancy on CRC screening cost-effectiveness. A Markov model was constructed that aimed, using a cohort simulation, to estimate the cost-effectiveness of CRC screening in an England and Wales population for two timescales: 2003 (early cohort) and 2033 (late cohort). Four model outcomes were calculated; screened and non-screened cohorts in 2003 and 2033. The screened cohort of men and women aged 60 years were offered biennial unhydrated faecal occult blood testing until the age of 69 years. Life expectancy was assumed to increase by 2.5 years per decade. There were 407 552 fewer people entering the model in the 2033 model due to a lower birth cohort, and population screening saw 30 345 fewer CRC-related deaths over the 50 years of the model. Screening the 2033 cohort cost £96 million with cost savings of £43 million in terms of detection and treatment and £28 million in palliative care costs. After 30 years of follow-up, the cost per life year saved was £1544. An identical screening programme in an early cohort (2003) saw a cost per life year saved of £1651. Population screening for CRC is costly but enables cost savings in certain areas and a considerable reduction in mortality from CRC. This Markov simulation suggests that the cost-effectiveness of population screening for CRC in the United Kingdom may actually be improved by rising life expectancies

Construction and Performance Monitoring of Various Asphalt Mixes in Illinois: 2016 Interim Report

series of five experimental projects were constructed to better determine the life-cycle cost and performance of pavement overlays using various levels of asphalt binder replacement (ABR) from use of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) and crushed concrete. The ABR varies from 15% to 48% in the experimental sections. The study of these projects prior to construction, during construction, and for a short monitoring period after construction is intended to determine the impact of various pavement conditions, pavement cross-section, mix design, and material properties on the ultimate performance of the hot-mix asphalt (HMA) overlay. This second interim report documents the construction and initial testing of three of the five projects in the study—namely, Washington Street, US 52 (Laraway Road to Gougar Road) and US 52 (Gougar Road to Second Street)—which were constructed in 2015. Distress and profile surveys were conducted before and after construction. Samples were obtained of the HMA surface and binder courses and were tested for basic properties, plus Cantabro, stability/flow, Texas overlay cracking potential, fracture energy, Flexibility Index, fatigue, modulus, creep, and Hamburg rutting. Presented are early performance trends and baseline conditions that future performance can be compared with. Also included in this report is an update of performance on the sections constructed in 2014 and the total recycle asphalt (TRA) sections constructed in 2013.Illinois Department of Transportation, R27-161Ope

Utilizing Lab Tests To Predict Asphalt Concrete Overlay Performance

A series of five experimental projects and three demonstration projects were constructed to better understand the performance of pavement overlays using various levels of asphalt binder replacement (ABR) from reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), recycled asphalt shingles (RAS), and crushed concrete. The ABR varied from 15% to 60% in the experimental sections. The study of these projects prior to construction, during construction, and for a short monitoring period after construction is intended to determine the impact of various pre-existing pavement conditions, pavement cross-section, mix design, and material properties on the ultimate performance of the asphalt concrete (AC) overlay. This final report is the third report on this research project. Two interim reports that documented project construction and performance to date have been previously published. This report documents final material testing, performance data collection of distress and profile surveys after construction. This report provides a compilation of findings and recommendations from all stages of these projects. The testing suite included Cantabro, stability/flow, Texas overlay, Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT), fatigue, modulus, creep, and Hamburg rutting. Pavement performance as measured by transverse cracking was found to be more pronounced in thin AC overlays than in thick AC overlays. The Flexibility Index was found to correlate to transverse cracking and confirmed the validity of using this parameter in mix design development.IDOT-R27-161Ope