Performance Analysis of the Decentralized Eigendecomposition and ESPRIT Algorithm

In this paper, we consider performance analysis of the decentralized power method for the eigendecomposition of the sample covariance matrix based on the averaging consensus protocol. An analytical expression of the second order statistics of the eigenvectors obtained from the decentralized power method which is required for computing the mean square error (MSE) of subspace-based estimators is presented. We show that the decentralized power method is not an asymptotically consistent estimator of the eigenvectors of the true measurement covariance matrix unless the averaging consensus protocol is carried out over an infinitely large number of iterations. Moreover, we introduce the decentralized ESPRIT algorithm which yields fully decentralized direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimates. Based on the performance analysis of the decentralized power method, we derive an analytical expression of the MSE of DOA estimators using the decentralized ESPRIT algorithm. The validity of our asymptotic results is demonstrated by simulations.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figures, submitted for publication in IEEE Transactions on Signal Processin

Incidence of Diabetes mellitus at the Federal Medical Centre Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria: A Retrospective Study

A six-year (2002 – 2007) retrospective study of hospital records (in-patients) was carried out to investigate the incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in Katsina. The records showed that a total of 754 cases were attended within the study period. The study showed yearly increase in the incidence of the disease with the highest incidence of 288 (38.20%) in the year 2007 and the least 65 (8.62%) in the year 2002. More males suffered from the disease 456 (60.48%) than females 298 (39.52%). The incidence was also found to be high 289 (38.33%) in the age range 65 and above, while age range 25 – 34 was least affected 28 (3.71%). Ways on how to live free of Diabetes Mellitus were also recommended.Keywords: Age Range, Diabetes Mellitus, Incidence, Hospita

Energetic proton spectra in the 11 June 1991 solar flare

We have studied a subset of the 11 June 1991 solar flare γ-ray data that we believe arise from soft proton or ion spectra. Using data from the COMPTEL instrument on the Compton Observatory we discuss the gamma-ray intensities at 2.223 MeV, 4–7 MeV, and 8–30 MeV in terms of the parent proton spectrum responsible for the emission

Importance of Fine Needle Aspiration in Evaluation of Single Nodular Goiter

Background: Improvements in the sensitivity and specificity of biochemical thyroid tests, as well as the development of fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA) and improved cytological techniques, have dramatically impacted clinical strategies for detecting and treating thyroid disorders. Fine needle aspiration is a safe and relatively painless procedure where a hypodermic needle passed into the lump and samples of tissue taken out. This procedure will provide us with more information about the nature of the lump, and especially differentiate between a benign and malignant mass.Objectives: The current prospective study designed to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNA. The study was performed in the regional major hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Patients and methods: A thousand and three hundred thirty one patients who underwent thyroidsurgery 'between' January 2004 to June 2007 were enrolled.Results: 247 (18.3%) had single nodular goiter. The incidence of benign and malignant lesions in single nodular goiter were 204 (87.6%) and 29 (12.4%) respectively. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of FNA were 95.5%, 99.5% and 99.4% respectively.Conclusion: Also there is correlation between the nodule size and the result of FNA, as the nodular size increase there is increase of the probability of malignant changes. So, solitary or dominant nodules ≥ 1cm in diameter might be evaluated by FNA.Keywords: Thyroid, Single nodule, Malignancy.

Development and Evaluation of Value-Added Biscuits of an Under-Utilised Bitter Melon Plant

Bitter melon plant is often used for some medicinal purposes in traditional medicine but its value added food products was investigated. Wheat biscuits were made for diabetic and health conscious individuals by incorporation of bitter melon extract at different levels such as 0%, 3% and 5% as sample A (control), B and C respectively. Sensory properties of the bitter melon biscuits were ranked above acceptable range by panel of judges; however, the biscuit with 100% wheat was far ranked highest in colour, texture, taste, flavour, and general acceptability. There was significance difference (p ≤ 0.05) among the three samples. The acceptability of sample A was 8.70 while sample B and C were 7.10 and 6.40. The proximate composition showed that there was significnt difference (p≤0.05) among the three samples in all the parameters analysed. The incorporation of bitter melon powder into the biscuits increased the ash content from 1.21 to 1.42%, fat content from 1.61 to 1.72%, protein from 2.37 to 2.49%. On the other hand, the crude fibre and carbohydrate were decreased significantly. This could be that the bitter melon biscuit reduced the high carbohydrate content to a low content from 87.16% to 84.17%. The phytochemical content increased as more bitter melon powder was incorporated into the biscuits and there was significant difference (P ≤ 0.05) among the samples. There was increased in phytate from 1.28% to 1.64%, tannin was 1.30 to 1.44%, oxalate was 1.10 to1.33%, saponin was 0.41 to 0.48% and alkaloid was 0.21 to 0.28% respectively. Thus, the products developed had higher ash, fat, protein and all the phytochemicals and sample B also had good colour, flavour and palatability and could still benefit diabetic, obese and health conscious people. Keywords: bitter melon, biscuit, proximate composition, phytochemicals, sensory evaluation, diabetes DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/105-06 Publication date: February 28th 202

Preliminary Study of The Nutritional Content and Phytochemical Constituent of An Under-Utilised Bitter Melon Plant

Bitter melon (momordica charantia) plant is used for some medicinal purposes in traditional medicine but the food value was investigated. The nutritional compositions and phytochemical constituents of the powdered leaf and fruit were investigated using standard analytical methods. The proximate compositions showed the percentage of moisture content (11.38 ±0.29 and 10.74 ± 0.02), ash (14.39 ±0.02 and 7.40 ± 0.1), crude fat (2.65 ±0.10 and 6.11 ± 0.05), crude fibre (16.11 ±0.04 and 13.61 ± 0.04), crude protein (21.19 ±0.52 and 27.92 ± 0.06), and carbohydrate (33.94 ±0.25 and 34.22 ± 0.11) of samples on a dry weight basis for the leaf and the fruit respectively. Also, the mineral analysis showed the concentration in mg/100g of Ca (239.65 ±0.30 and 70.60 ±0.23), Na (40.40 ±0.04 and 23.47 ±0.02), K (67.22 ±0.02 and 319.25 ±0.03), Fe (4.98 ±0.02 and 5.64 ±0.04), Zn (24.5 ±0.40 and 17.40 ±0.56) and Cu (4.96 ±0.20 and 2.57 ±0.06) of samples on a dry weight basis for the leaf and fruit respectively. Powdered samples of the leaves were extracted with water and ethanol respectively to isolate the required phytochemicals. Phytochemicals like phytate, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, and oxalate were found present in appreciable level except for the glycoside which is present in trace amount in the water extract. The study indicates the presence of nutritional components that are beneficial in addition to the purported numerous medicinal values of the plant. Keywords: Momordica, bitter melon, proximate composition, minerals, phytochemicals. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR12-2-03 Publication date: January 31st 202

Effects of temperature on the germination, sporulation, and in - vivo infection of Sphaerotheca fuliginea (powdery mildew) on water melon (Citrullus lanathus. L)

This research was conducted to investigate the effect of temperature and on the germination, sporulation and in vivo infection of Sphaerotheca fuliginea on healthy water melon. The experiment was laid out in completely Randomized Design (CRD) in the laboratory with 5 replications in each case. Mycelium growth was observed to be highest with 20°C and the control. This was also with 40°C. At 50° however there was no mycelium growth. Significant difference (P<0.05) was observed among the temperature levels on mycelium length with highest length observed at 20°C, but least was at 40°C. Temperature influence on mycelium width had not shown any significant difference (P>0.05). Spores are formed at all temperature levels, with highest spores’ number obtained at 20°C, and least was observed at 50°C. The highest effect of temperature on disease incidence was observed at 20°C (85%) and also at 20ºC, while lowest percentage was at 40°C and 50°C. On the disease severity the highest temperature effect was obtained at 20°C, 30°C, and at optimum temperature 25°C (4, severe infection), while at 40°C was (1, i.e. Mild infection) and at 50°C was observed to be no infection, significant differences (P<0.05) was not shown among the temperature levels on disease severity. Therefore, understanding the optimum ranges of temperature for the development of powdery mildew fungus, May minimized the high rate of infection to occur as well as damages caused on Water Melon.Key words. Sporulation, In vivo, Spaerotheca fuliginea, Mycelium, Temperature

Management strategies for the reuse of wastewater in Jordan

Presented at the Role of irrigation and drainage in a sustainable future: USCID fourth international conference on irrigation and drainage on October 3-6, 2007 in Sacramento, California.Includes bibliographical references.Water resources in Jordan are extremely limited and water availability per capita is among the lowest in the world. With the expected growth in population, the already limited supply of fresh water for agriculture will be used to meet the growing demands in urban and industrial regions of the country. The sustainability of irrigated agriculture in Jordan is dependent on efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation and marginal water sources such as wastewater generated from wastewater treatment facilities in Jordan. The municipal and industrial water requirements in Jordan are expected to increase by 65% over the next 15 years. While agricultural demands are expected to increase by 5% during the same period. Reuse of treated municipal water is expected to increase to meet the growing urban, industrial, and agricultural demands in the future. Irrigated agriculture in Jordan is mostly concentrated in the Jordan Valley with optimum climatic conditions that allow for the production of up to three high-value vegetable crops per year. As irrigated agriculture in Jordan becomes more dependent on wastewater and other marginal water sources, the quality of marginal waters used for irrigation must be suitable for crop production. Therefore, the availability of treated wastewater for reuse to meet crop water requirements is dependent on water quality, crop type, irrigation system, and other factors. A computer model was developed to predict the potential contribution of wastewater to crop water use of major cash crops in the Jordan Valley. The model incorporates wastewater quality, irrigation system, crop type, and soil type in estimating the maximum potential contribution of wastewater to crop evapotranspiration. The model estimates the potential quantities of wastewater that can be used to supplement fresh irrigation water for each of the major crops in the Valley. The model can be used to implement sustainable management strategies for the reuse of treated wastewater in the Jordan Valley

Gamma ray measurements of the 1991 November 15 solar flare

The 1991 November 15 X1.5 flare was a well observed solar event. Comprehensive data from ground-based observatories and spacecraft provide the basis for a contextual interpretation of gamma-ray spectra from the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO). In particular, spectral, spatial, and temporal data at several energies are necessary to understand the particle dynamics and the acceleration mechanism(s) within this flare. X-ray images, radio, Ca XIX data and magnetograms provide morphological information on the acceleration region [4,5], while gamma-ray spectral data provide information on the parent ion spectrum. Furthermore, time profiles in hard X-rays and gamma-rays provide valuable information on temporal characteristics of the energetic particles. We report the results of our analysis of the evolution of this flare as a function of energy (∼25 keV–2.5 MeV) and time. These results, together with other high energy data (e.g. from experiments on Yohkoh, Ulysses, and PVO) may assist in identifying and understanding the acceleration mechanism(s) taking place in this event

Prevalence of extended spectrum β-lactamases (esbls) among enterobacteriaceae in murtala mohammed specialist hospital, Kano, Nigeria

Confirmed variants of enterobacteriaceae isolated from 143 patients that attended Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, were screened for extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) production using Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) breakpoint. Suspected ESBLs producers were subjected to confirmation using Disc Replacement Method (DRM). Standard discs of augmentin {AMC 30μg (Oxoid, England)}, ceftriaxone {AUF 30μg (Oxoid, England)} and ceftazidime {RP 30μg (Oxoid, England)} were used in the screening. Of the 143 isolates screened, 114 (79.72%) were Gram negative isolates belonging to the family enterobacteriaceae. Among the enterobacteriaceae isolates screened, the results of CLSI breakpoint test showed that 76 (66.7%) were ESBLs producers viz: Citrobacter spp. (3), Enterobacter spp. (2), E. coli (28), Klebsiella spp. (18), Morganella morganii (7), Proteus spp. (13), Salmonella spp. (1), Serratia spp. (1), Shigella spp. (2) and Yersinia spp (1). On subjecting the CLSI positive isolates to DRM, only 47 (41.2%) were confirmed ESBLs producers. These include; Citrobacter spp. (1), E. coli (20), Klebsiella spp. (12), Morganella morganii (4), Proteus spp. (8), Salmonella spp. (1) and Shigella spp. (1). ESBLs occur at an alarming rate among enterobacteriaceae isolates in Kano which calls for government intervention in the healthcare setting