A q-VARIANT OF STEFFENSEN'S METHOD OF FOURTH-ORDER CONVERGENCE

Starting from q-Taylor formula, we suggest a new q-variant of Stef-fensen's method of fourth-order convergence for solving non-linear equations

Multiple earthquake effects on degrading reinforced concrete structures

Multiple earthquakes occur at many regions around the world where complex fault systems exist. These fault systems usually do not relieve all accumulated strains at once when the first rupture takes place. Therefore high stresses form at different locations causing sequential ruptures until the fault system is completely stabilized. The sequential ruptures along the fault segment(s) lead to multiple earthquakes which are often hard to distinguish them as fore-, main- and after-shocks, or a sequence of earthquakes from proximate fault segments. Field investigations reported failure of structural systems under repeated earthquakes, especially where structural retrofitting was not provided due to the short time frames between the successive shaking. In most failure cases the reported damage is mainly due to dramatic loss of stiffness and strength of structural elements as a result of material deterioration under repeated earthquake loadings. Deterioration effects are obvious in structures that experienced main-shock aftershock earthquake sequence and were able to withstand the main-shock however they collapsed in the smaller aftershock. Limited research has addressed the seismic behavior of structures subjected to multiple earthquakes. Repeated shaking induces accumulated damage to structures that affects their level of stiffness and strength and hence their response. Given the complexity of depicting the degrading behavior of structures using the current numerical tools, previous researchers used simplified approaches to compensate for the absence of important numerical model features of stiffness and strength degradation, alongside pinching of load-displacement loops. Moreover ground motion sequences used in previous studies were randomized and hence the characteristics of ground motions effects on the response were not accurately accounted for. Findings from previous research indicated that repeated shaking has a minimal effect on the response of structures in terms of peak displacements, maximum base shear and period elongation and hence it can be neglected for seismic evaluation of structures if the most damaging earthquake is to be considered. This research re-investigates the behavior of reinforced concrete frame systems under multiple earthquakes. The aforementioned damage features are modeled on the material level by using a plastic energy-based degrading concrete model and a steel model that considers reinforcing bars deterioration under large cyclic amplitude plastic excursions. Structural models of reinforced concrete degrading systems are subjected to selected earthquake sequence scenarios. Ground motion characteristics of individual records within the sequence, such as peak ground accelerations, predominant periods, and durations as well as the order of records application in the sequence, are parameterized and their effect on the response is monitored. Finally the effect of multiple earthquakes on current design guidelines is investigated and modifications are proposed accordingly. The case for developing design and assessment methodologies for structures to more than one earthquake is emphasized. The results presented in this study clearly indicate that the response of degrading structural systems is appreciably influenced by strong-motion sequences in a manner that cannot be predicted from simple analysis. It also confirmed that previous research that dismissed the effect of multiple earthquakes lacked the salient modeling features, and that including appropriate degrading constitutive relationships leads to reversing previous recommendations. The effect of multiple earthquakes on earthquake safety can be very considerable

MPrime: efficient large scale multiple primer and oligonucleotide design for customized gene microarrays

BACKGROUND: Enhancements in sequencing technology have recently yielded assemblies of large genomes including rat, mouse, human, fruit fly, and zebrafish. The availability of large-scale genomic and genic sequence data coupled with advances in microarray technology have made it possible to study the expression of large numbers of sequence products under several different conditions in days where traditional molecular biology techniques might have taken months, or even years. Therefore, to efficiently study a number of gene products associated with a disease, pathway, or other biological process, it is necessary to be able to design primer pairs or oligonucleotides en masse rather than using a time consuming and laborious gene-by-gene method. RESULTS: We have developed an integrated system, MPrime, in order to efficiently calculate primer pairs or specific oligonucleotides for multiple genic regions based on a keyword, gene name, accession number, or sequence fasta format within the rat, mouse, human, fruit fly, and zebrafish genomes. A set of products created for mouse housekeeping genes from MPrime-designed primer pairs has been validated using both PCR-amplification and DNA sequencing. CONCLUSION: These results indicate MPrime accurately incorporates standard PCR primer design characteristics to produce high scoring primer pairs for genes of interest. In addition, sequence similarity for a set of oligonucleotides constructed for the same set of genes indicates high specificity in oligo design

Incorporating Ensemble and Transfer Learning For An End-To-End Auto-Colorized Image Detection Model

Image colorization is the process of colorizing grayscale images or recoloring an already-color image. This image manipulation can be used for grayscale satellite, medical and historical images making them more expressive. With the help of the increasing computation power of deep learning techniques, the colorization algorithms results are becoming more realistic in such a way that human eyes cannot differentiate between natural and colorized images. However, this poses a potential security concern, as forged or illegally manipulated images can be used illegally. There is a growing need for effective detection methods to distinguish between natural color and computer-colorized images. This paper presents a novel approach that combines the advantages of transfer and ensemble learning approaches to help reduce training time and resource requirements while proposing a model to classify natural color and computer-colorized images. The proposed model uses pre-trained branches VGG16 and Resnet50, along with Mobile Net v2 or Efficientnet feature vectors. The proposed model showed promising results, with accuracy ranging from 94.55% to 99.13% and very low Half Total Error Rate values. The proposed model outperformed existing state-of-the-art models regarding classification performance and generalization capabilities

Microwaves-Assisted Demetallization and Desulfurization of Heavy Petroleum Oil Using a Developed Demetallization Agent

Résumé : Les scientifiques du XXIe siècle ont mis au point de nouveaux procédés pour la transformation de l’énergie et ceux-ci ouvrent la voie à un avenir plus durable. Cependant, l’aspiration à atteindre les objectifs de l’Accord de Paris est malheureusement encore très éloignée. De nouvelles technologies permettant une production élevée d'énergie et une réduction des émissions de carbone sont nécessaires pour atteindre cet objectif. Outre l'innovation dans les technologies pour la production d'énergie renouvelable, l'innovation dans les secteurs d'utilisation finale est aujourd'hui l'un des besoins les plus pressants. Les résultats d'une telle feuille de route comprennent l'intégration rapide de l'électrification des secteurs d'utilisation finale et l'intégration d'une part élevée d'énergie renouvelable dans les systèmes existants. L'industrie chimique et pétrochimique dépend du pétrole pour plus de 50% de leur consommation totale en énergie.----------ABSTRACT : Even though the current noticeable pace of energy transformation paves the way for a more sustainable future, the aspirational goal to meet the Paris Agreement’s Policy is unfortunately still far off. More innovative solutions for high energy and low carbon intensity processes are urgently needed to support accelerated progress toward that goal. Along with the innovation in renewable power generation technologies, innovation in the end-use sectors is nowadays among the most pressing needs. The results of such a roadmap include the prompt embedding of the electrification of end-use sectors and integrating high shares of renewable power into the existing systems

Influence of alpha linolenic acid on the motility, viability, antioxidant activity and fertility of frozen-thawed New Zealand white rabbit buck semen

[EN] Freezing and thawing processes result in production and accumulation of high concentrations of reactive oxygen species that are detrimental to spermatozoal motility and fertility. Therefore, supplementation of exogenous source of antioxidants to freezing diluent is crucial. The aim of the present study was to investigate for the first time whether supplementation of semen diluent with alpha linolenic acid (ALA) can improve motility, viability, membrane integrity, antioxidant status and fertility of post-thaw rabbit spermatozoa. Semen was collected and pooled from fifteen New Zealand white rabbit bucks. Semen samples were diluted with a tris-citrate-glucose (TCG) extender supplemented with ALA (0, 50, 75 and 100 μmol). Then, extended rabbit semen was cooled at 5°C and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen. After thawing, spermatozoal quality parameters (individual motility %, viability %, osmotic resistance %, and acrosome integrity %), antioxidant activity (SOD, CAT, and GSH activities), lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) and fertility (conception and kindling rates) were evaluated. Results revealed that supplementation of rabbit semen extender with 50 μmol ALA significantly (P<0.05) increased spermatozoal characteristics including motility (56.54%), viability (60.01%), acrosome status (72.66%) and membrane integrity (59.13%). The activity of semen antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH) showed a significant improvement with a marked decrease in lipid peroxidation. Moreover, the conception (73.30%) and kindling (70.00%) rates were significantly (P<0.05) higher in does inseminated with thawed semen treated with 50 μmol ALA in comparison with other concentrations (0, 75 and 100 μmol). In summary, supplementation of rabbit semen extender with 50 μmol ALA improved motility, viability, membrane integrity, acrosome integrity, antioxidant enzymes activity and fertility of post-thaw rabbit spermatozoa. Our findings suggested that higher concentrations of ALA are detrimental to post-thaw characteristics of New Zealand white rabbit buck spermatozoa. To achieve better results, the semen freezing extender should be supplemented with ALA at lower concentrations, especially 50 μmol.El-Shahat, KH.; Fadl, AM.; Abdelnaby, EA. (2022). Influence of alpha linolenic acid on the motility, viability, antioxidant activity and fertility of frozen-thawed New Zealand white rabbit buck semen. World Rabbit Science. 30(3):219-226. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2022.1704221922630