Constrained parameter estimation with uncertain priors for Bayesian networks

Article / Letter to editorLeiden Inst Advanced Computer Science

Constrained parameter estimation with uncertain priors for Bayesian networks

Algorithms and the Foundations of Software technolog

Comparative Colonization of HilA and Parent Strains of Salmonella enteritidis in Fertile Eggs

Background:  Young chickens are more susceptible to Salmonella colonization than older ones that have developed resistance with age as native microflora become established. Methods:  In this study, two groups of fertile eggs were inoculated with 20 CFU of hilA or parent strains of S. enteritidis. Presence and number of Salmonella cells inside the homogenized egg contents were determined on the 2nd, 5th, 8th, 12th, 17th and 21th day of incubation period. Results:   High infectivity rate of Salmonella contamination were observed in the hilA group eggs, three genes for S. enteritidis identification were detected from isolated colonies of both groups of eggs.  The gene hilA was only detected in isolated colonies of the standard group.  Conclusion:   These findings indicated that hilA mutant of Salmonella is able to rapidly multiply much higher than wild-type strain but, support more pathogenicity of wild-type strain of Salmonella compared to mutant strain

A new empirical correlation for estimating bubble point pressure using the genetic algorithm

In this paper, a new and more accurate correlation to predict bubble point pressure (Pb) for Middle East crudes by using the genetic algorithm (GA) is attempted. For this purpose, a total of 286 data sets of different crude oils from Middle East reservoirs were used as training data for constructing the correlation. The general form of the correlation was found by several regressive examinations. To improve the correlation, the genetic algorithm was applied. To validate the correlation, 143 data sets of different crudes from Middle East reservoirs which were different from the training data were used as test data for calculating mean absolute relative error (MARE) and correlation coefficient (R2) between the predicted values from the proposed correlation and the experimental values. In addition, the MARE and R2 were calculated for previous correlation in the test data. The results show that the proposed correlation is more accurate than all of the previous correlations exclusively for Middle East crudes

Study the antimicrobial effects of chitosan-based edible film containing the Trachyspermum ammi essential oil on shelf-life of chicken meat

Packaging using chitosan-based edible films incorporated with natural essential oils is a safe and economic way to increase the shelf-life and acceptability of food products and especially chicken meat. Trachyspermum ammi is a natural medicinal plant with high antimicrobial effects cultivated in Iran. The present research was done to study the antimicrobial effects of chitosan-based edible film containing T. ammi essential oil on shelf-life of chicken meat. T. ammi fruits were collected and dried. Essential oil was extracted from plants using the Clevenger’s apparatus. High molecular weight chitosan with 1% and 2% concentrations of T. ammi essential oil were used for coating of chicken fillets. Treatments were stored at 4°C for 12 days. Count of the total aerobic, total psychrophilic and coliform bacteria had ranges of 3.8±0.25 to 8.32±0.26, 4±0.23 to 8.65±0.28 and 1.8±0.09 to 5.62±0.16 CFU/g during the storage period. Antimicrobial effects were significantly increased with the incorporation of T. ammi essential oil (P<0.05). Antimicrobial effects were also depended on the concentration of T. ammi essential oil (P<0.05). Chitosan film incorporated with 2% T. ammi essential oil had the highest inhibitory effects on total aerobic, total psychrophilic and coliform bacteria (P<0.05). Our results pointed out that the incorporation of T. ammi essential oil at 2% concentration has potential for using the developed chitosan edible film as an active packaging of chicken meat

CO2 storage in depleted gas reservoirs: A study on the effect of residual gas saturation

Depleted gas reservoirs are recognized as the most promising candidate for carbon dioxide storage. Primary gas production followed by injection of carbon dioxide after depletion is the strategy adopted for secondary gas recovery and storage practices. This strategy, however, depends on the injection strategy, reservoir characteristics and operational parameters. There have been many studies to-date discussing critical factors influencing the storage performance in depleted gas reservoirs while little attention was given to the effect of residual gas. In this paper, an attempt was made to highlight the importance of residual gas on the capacity, injectivity, reservoir pressurization, and trapping mechanisms of storage sites through the use of numerical simulation. The results obtained indicated that the storage performance is proportionally linked to the amount of residual gas in the medium and reservoirs with low residual fluids are a better choice for storage purposes. Therefore, it would be wise to perform the secondary recovery before storage in order to have the least amount of residual gas in the medium. Although the results of this study are useful to screen depleted gas reservoirs for the storage purpose, more studies are required to confirm the finding presented in this paper

Manipulating the alpha level cannot cure significance testing

We argue that making accept/reject decisions on scientific hypotheses, including a recent call for changing the canonical alpha level from p = 0.05 to p = 0.005, is deleterious for the finding of new discoveries and the progress of science. Given that blanket and variable alpha levels both are problematic, it is sensible to dispense with significance testing altogether. There are alternatives that address study design and sample size much more directly than significance testing does; but none of the statistical tools should be taken as the new magic method giving clear-cut mechanical answers. Inference should not be based on single studies at all, but on cumulative evidence from multiple independent studies. When evaluating the strength of the evidence, we should consider, for example, auxiliary assumptions, the strength of the experimental design, and implications for applications. To boil all this down to a binary decision based on a p-value threshold of 0.05, 0.01, 0.005, or anything else, is not acceptable

Fabrication of Hydrophobic Membrane for the Separation of n-Hexane/Water Mixture Using Novel Oleophilic Nanoparticle and Kevlar Fabric, as a Superior Support

The fabrication of functionalized membranes with hydrophobic/oleophilic surfaces for the elimination of n-hexane from water using para-aminobenzoate alumoxane, boehmite-epoxide and a novel nanoparticle, i.e., Stearate Alumoxane by a simple coating technique, is reported here. FTIR was used to characterize nanoparticles. SEM and contact angle measurement analyses were used to identify the nanocomposite membranes. The concentrations of oil in permeate and retentate were measured by UV/vis spectrophotometer. The morphology of Stearate alumoxane nanoparticles was investigated by means of SEM images. The composed film of nanoparticles on the Kevlar fabric was hydrophobic with water contact angle of ~ 145° and oleophilic with oil contact angle of ~ 0º. In addition, the membranes retained stable hydrophobicity and high separation efficiency even after employing for 6 times. Applying these properties, a setup was considered using the functionalized Kevlar fabric to separate oil through down to a collector and leave water drops. Our batch filtration system was exclusively gravity-driven. The achieved separation system can separate the oily water mixture (with the concentration of 20 % (v/v) n-hexane in water), effectively with a separation efficiency of 84%

Kvinnlig urininkontinens, dolt handikapp - Påverkan på livskvalitet, Transkulturell omvårdnad

Aim with this literature review is to acqurie knowledge in medical, psychical, psychological and social problems evolving urine incontinence and it´s treatment metods, current legislations and the nurse´s approach towards the patient and transcultural care if the patient comes from another cultural.The results show that this problem affects the women´s life situation enormously above all it brings them a increased social isolation, helpless, sheme, psychological and sexual problems.the nurse should recognise demands and resource with the.by support of diagnostic care, patients can achive good health when there is enough resource patient to be able to support her in her efforts to achive balance i her daily life.Urininkontinens är ett allmänt förekommande folkhälsoproblem, som upplevs av de allra flesta kvinnor som ett mycket stort socialt och psykiskt problem och för många ett oöverkomligt hinder att föra ett normalt liv ich betraktas som tabu.de kvinnor känner skam eller oro för att inte bli förstådda.Rädslan för att lukta urin föranleder ofta till intensiv tvättning av underlivet.kvinnornas livssituation påverkas i hög grad, framför allt en ökad social isolering, hjälplöshet, skam, sömnsvårigheter, psykisklidande och sexualitet problem, långa sjukskrivningar och även självmordstankar.Sjusköterskans roll är mycket viktigt i detta område.Kommunikation och införmationär en viktig del i att skapa ett förtroende och en värdefull miljö, där patienten kan känna sig betrodd och tillåtelse till att tala öppet om sitt problem. Transkultuella omvårdnad är lika viktigt i sjukssköterskans professionell arbete. Att känna till kulturen och dessa värderingar är viktigt i hennes arbete. sjuksköterska skall identifiera krav och resurser hos patienten för att stödja henne i sill arbete att uppnå balans i det dagliga livet