OH maser towards IRAS 06056+2131: polarization parameters and evolution status

We present high angular resolution observations of OH maser emission towards the high-mass star forming region IRAS 06056+2131. The observations were carried out using the UK radio interferometer array, Multi-Element Radio Linked Interferometer Network (MERLIN) in the OH main lines at 1665- and 1667-MHz, in addition to the OH satellite line at 1720-MHz. The results of this study revealed emission in the 1665 MHz line with an estimated total intensity of $\sim 4$ Jy. We did not detect any emission from the 1667-MHz and 1720-MHz lines. The full polarization mode of MERLIN enables us to investigate the magnetic field in the OH maser region. Our results show that IRAS 06056+2131 is a highly circularly polarized source. In this transition, a Zeeman pair is identified from which a magnetic strength of $\sim -1.5$ mG is inferred. The orientation of the linear polarization vectors suggests that the magnetic field lines at the location of the OH maser emission \textbf{might be} in agreement with the orientation of the outflow thought to be associated with this source. The star forming evolutionary status of the embedded proto-stellar object is discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

Identification of rheumatoid arthritis biomarkers based on single nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotype blocks: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AbstractGenetics of autoimmune diseases represent a growing domain with surpassing biomarker results with rapid progress. The exact cause of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is unknown, but it is thought to have both a genetic and an environmental bases. Genetic biomarkers are capable of changing the supervision of RA by allowing not only the detection of susceptible individuals, but also early diagnosis, evaluation of disease severity, selection of therapy, and monitoring of response to therapy. This review is concerned with not only the genetic biomarkers of RA but also the methods of identifying them. Many of the identified genetic biomarkers of RA were identified in populations of European and Asian ancestries. The study of additional human populations may yield novel results. Most of the researchers in the field of identifying RA biomarkers use single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) approaches to express the significance of their results. Although, haplotype block methods are expected to play a complementary role in the future of that field

A transient nodal method accounting for multigroup transport effects

Thesis (Sc. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Nuclear Engineering, 1994.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-70).by Amr S.G. Mohamed.Sc.D

User friendly system for the visually impaired in learning Al-Quran

This study presents a method to enable the visually impaired Muslim to learn and read the Al-Quran using Braille Display with software help. The system reads the database which contains all verses of Al-Quran and user will need to select the verse and ayah to read. Besides that, this system can be used in a class to teach visually impaired students to learn Al-Quran. Every word or character typed by the instructor in the main Braille Panel will be transmitted to the sub Braille Panel that is connected to the main Braille Panel. The selected verse of Al-Quran and ayah will also generate an index before being transmitted to the Braille Panel. The index will be transmitted to the Braille Display for people to touch and read the display. A user friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) will be used to fulfill the ergonomics for the visually impaired user's physical capabilities. Several approaches are used to design and implement the interface for the visually impaired like speech or sound output and Braille display. The Braille codes can be displayed using the Braille panel. The design interface and structure of the system for the visually impaired users in learning Al-Quran is presented

Sedimentary cover and structural trends affecting the groundwater flow in the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System: Inferences from geophysical, field and geochemical data

This study combined gravity data from the Earth Gravitational Model (EGM2008) with other data to better understand the spatial variations of the sedimentary cover and the structural trends that affect groundwater flow in the Nubian Sandstone Aquifer System. Our findings were verified and evidenced by geological, geochronological, geochemical data, and earthquake records: 1) The Uweinat-Aswan basement uplift, which runs east-west, partially isolates the Dakhla subbasin from the shallower northern Sudan subbasin, and thereby impeding the south-to-north groundwater flow from northern Sudan platform to the Dakhla subbasin; 2) A thickening of the sedimentary cover in the NE-SW direction from the southern Kufra through the northern Kufra to the Dakhla subbasin; 3) The sedimentary cover was found to increase from less than 500 m in the south (Northern Sudan and Uweinat region) to more than 6 km in the north (Mediterranean coast); 4) A number of structural trends (NE-SW, N-S, E-W, and NW-SE) affecting the region; 5) A large Pelusium megashear system that runs northeast to southwest makes it easier for groundwater to flow from the Kufra subbasin to the Dakhla subbasin; 6) Along the paths that groundwater takes, like from Siwa to Qattara and from northwest Farafra to north Bahariya, and along structures that run in the same direction as the flow, a progressive increase in 36Cl groundwater ages were observed; 7) It is a better way to learn about the hydrogeological context of large aquifers and figure out how to best manage these underground water sources

Superabsorbent composites based on rice husk for agricultural applications: Swelling behavior, biodegradability in soil and drought alleviation

Abstract Low-cost composites with high water absorption capacity were prepared by free radical copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM) and gelatin in aqueous media using N,N' methylene bis-acrylamide (MBA) as crosslinker, potassium persulfate (KPS) as initiator and rice husk (RH) as a filler. The composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of different parameters such as the alkaline treatment on the rice husk, the media pH and salinity and the composition of the composites on their water absorption capacity were investigated. The water retention and biodegradation tests in soil were also carried out. The optimized composite containing treated RH showed a maximum water uptake value of 825 g∙g−1 in distilled water and good resistance in saline solutions and in the pH range of 6–10. Positive effects on the soil water retention were obtained after 30 days samples of soil containing 1 wt% of superabsorbent composites still contained about 7% of the initial absorbed water. Growth attributes, photosynthetic pigments and nodulation traits of droughted peanut were improved by 60 kg∙ha−1 dosage of SAC. On the basis of the good results of water retention and controlled biodegradability in the soil, the developed composites have the potential to be used in agriculture for better water management, with relevant environmental benefits

Towards adopting Zero Interest Loan (ZIL) and Profit and Loss Sharing (PLS) principle in Islamic microfinance: the case of Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia

Microfinance institutions evolved to alleviate poverty by providing micro-credit to the poor. There have been few poverty alleviation success stories from institutions such as Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia (AIM). For the majority however, there is no solid evidence to support the positive impacts of microfinance institutions on the poor (Kono and Takahashi, 2010; as cited by Aliyu, 2012). One factor that hinders the positive impact of microfinance institutions on the poor is the inherent nature of the microcredit scheme which charges fixed and high interest rate due to high administrative cost (IRTI, 2007, as cited by Aliyu, 2012). Islamic microfinance evolved to provide alternative to the interest based conventional microfinance. However, the financing modes being used by the Islamic micro-finance institutions (IMFIs) are mostly debt based, which have resemblance to the interest based conventional modes. IMFs shun away from using the PLS scheme, which they consider risky. Theoretically, it is argued that PLS mobilizes factors of production, encourages risk sharing and ensures distributive equity in income and wealth. There is hardly any literature that has shown that PLS is workable in a pristine environment of zero interest. Furthermore, there is hardly any studies that have discussed on the feasibility of financing the poor using a combination of PLS and zero interest financing (ZIF). This study will experiment on the feasibility of providing small financing using a combination of PLS and ZIF to empower the working poor. The research incorporates literature survey, field study and business model applications in its methodology to achieve the desired objectives. The results of this pioneering project are expected to promote the local socio-economic welfare of the poor and provide opportunities in applied areas for future research. © 2013 The IIUM Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance. Keywords: Poverty; Islamic microfinance; Amanah Ikhtiar Malaysia; Equity-based financing; Interest-free financing

Photo-identification of Dugongs in Marsa Alam and Wadi El Gemal National Park, Egypt

1351-1358Using photo-identification techniques, 30 dugongs were recorded at the southern Egyptian Red Sea coast between December 2015 and October 2017, 16 at Marsa Alam and 14 at Wadi El Gemal National Park (WGNP). Males were recorded seven times more frequently than females and calves were also recorded. A Photo ID catalogue was prepared for the dugongs with records of their occurrence among sites. We confirmed the presence of particular dugong specific sites. Long- and short-distance movements within the study sites were recorded for eight different dugongs. This is the first study to document the number of dugongs in inshore areas of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Further studies are recommended for offshore sites in WGNP for better documentation of this group of animals

Photo-identification of Dugongs in Marsa Alam and Wadi El Gemal National Park, Egypt

1351-1358Using photo-identification techniques, 30 dugongs were recorded at the southern Egyptian Red Sea coast between December 2015 and October 2017, 16 at Marsa Alam and 14 at Wadi El Gemal National Park (WGNP). Males were recorded seven times more frequently than females and calves were also recorded. A Photo ID catalogue was prepared for the dugongs with records of their occurrence among sites. We confirmed the presence of particular dugong specific sites. Long- and short-distance movements within the study sites were recorded for eight different dugongs. This is the first study to document the number of dugongs in inshore areas of the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Further studies are recommended for offshore sites in WGNP for better documentation of this group of animals