In this researcher paper, was studied the content of heavy metals in atmospheric dust of power plants, TC "Kosova A & B" in area of Obilic city. The pollution levels and environmental risks of HMs were assessed using the geoaccumulation index, contamination factor, pollution load index and potential ecological risk index. The results revealed severe contamination of atmospheric dust from TC "Kosova A & B", with particularly hazardous HMs such as As, Cd and Pb and the proportion of As, Cd and Pb is higher in the power plants TC "Kosova A & B", compared to the other analyzed elements, in both power plants such as Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Zn, and Cr, in this case study. Dust samples were taken and analyzed to determine the content of heavy metals (HM): As, Pb, Cd, Fe, Cu, Ni, Co, Mn, Zn, and Cr using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The values obtained for heavy metals were compared with the WHO air quality guidelines and the US-EPA regulatory guideline. The concentrations of As, Cd, Pb, Mn, Co and Zn in the dust of TC “Kosova A” and As, Cd, Pb, Co, Mn and Zn in the dust of TC "Kosova B", showed high variability (CV> 35%), which indicates an intense influence of anthropogenic activity. The results of the pollution factor analysis show that As, Pb, Cd, Co and Mn in TC "Kosova A" (atmospheric dust samples) and As, Cd, Pb, Co, Mn and Zn, in TC "Kosova B", resulted as high values (very high pollution class-CF>3). According to the results of the geoaccumulation index TC "Kosova A", is heavily polluted with the following elements: As, Cd, Pb (3< Igeo ≤4). Based on the ecological risk index method, As, Cd and Pb, were found to be priority pollutants in the study area of power plants, TC "Kosova A & B", in Obiliç city, in the year 2023. Air pollution is directly related to cancerous diseases, due to the content of polluted air, with many different organic and inorganic pollutants (especially heavy metals).
The Feeling Economy, related to tasks that involve emotions or feelings, studies the impact not only on the economy but also on society, influencing areas such as employment, marketing, education, politics, governance, and ethics. This study is the first systematic and bibliometric literature review to investigate the current state of knowledge on this topic, considering the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). This review followed the PRISMA method using the VosViewer computer program. The thematic analysis of the 21 chosen studies resulted in the extraction of three key research themes: (1) characterization of multiple AI; (2) response of employees and clients/consumers to multiple intelligences; and (3) effects of AI on job skills and tasks. The results of this study allow for a greater and more detailed understanding of how the Feeling Economy has developed and been studied. The possibility of significant change, like jobs, stands out, with increasing emphasis on skills related to feeling, empathy, and emotional intelligence. There will also be practical implications for political and business decisionmakers for understanding the changes necessary to thrive in the Feeling Economy, considering the replacement of human tasks by AI and exploring human/AI complementarity and integration. One proposes a future research agenda.
The Nigella sativa seeds and its essential oil are widely used in functional foods and pharmaceutical products. Thymoquinone (TQ) and Thymohydroquinone (THQ), the major biologically active constituents of Nigella sativa seeds, showed promising medicinal properties in the treatment and prevention of various diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy, asthma, heart disease, and cancer. In frame of this study, a simple, inexpensive, and ecological method based on principle liquid–liquid extraction has been developed for preparation of extract with high content of TQ and THQ. Initially, the cold pressed oil from N. sativa seeds is mixed with solution water–ethanol and the mixture is shaken for 4–6 h at room temperature. Quinones pass from oil to solution ethanol–water, whereas the layers are immiscible and easy to separate. The extraction is the most efficient when the solution contains 70% (v/v) of ethanol. The obtained extract contains between 29 to 50% TQ and around 12% THQ. This simple method allows obtaining an extract with a defined composition which has a potential use in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Nowadays, automatic tumor detection in Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) is very important in many diagnostic and therapeutic applications due to their unpredictable shape and appearance. In medical image analysis, the automatic segmentation of brain tumors from MRI data is one of the most critical issues. The existing researches have some limitations like high processing time and less accuracy, because of their time consumption of training process. In this research, a new automatic segmentation process is introduced by using machine learning and swarm intelligence scheme. Here, a Fuzzy Logic with Spiking Neuron Model (FL-SNM) is proposed for segmenting the brain tumor region from MRI. Initially, the input images are pre-processed to remove Gaussian and poison noise by using Modified Kuan Filter (MKF). In MKF, the optimal selection of minimum MSE of image pixels is done by using Random Search Algorithm (RSA) which improves the Peak-Signal-Noise-Ratio (PSNR). Then, the image is smoothing by Anisotropic Diffusion Filter (ADF) to reduce over-filtering problem. Afterward, Fisher’s Linear-Discriminant Analysis is used to extract the statistical texture features. Finally, the extracted features are transferred to FL-SNM process and this scheme effectively segments the tumor region. In FL-SNM, the consequent parameters like weight and bias place important role to segment the region. So, the weight parameter values are optimized by using Chicken behavior based Swarm Intelligence (CSI) algorithm is proposed. The proposed (FL-SNM) scheme has attain better performance in terms of high accuracy rate of 94.87% sensitivity rate of 92.07%, specificity rate of 99.34%,precision rate of 89.36%, recall rate of 88.39% F-measure rate of 95.06%, G-mean rate of 95.63%, and DSC rate of 91.2% compared than existing Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Hierarchical Self Organizing Map (HSOM).
ABSTRACT\n Nowadays, the Economic Dispatch (ED) problem is the determination of generation levels such that the total cost of generation becomes minimum for a defined level of load. Therefore one needs to consider the fuel cost characteristics of the generators while finding their optimal real power outputs. Economic Load Dispatch (ELD) is essentially a cost minimization problem in thermal/wind power generation. In order to achieve better optimization results, in this paper, a Lévy-flight Krill Herd (LKH) algorithm with Quantum Search Algorithm (QSA) for global optimization is proposed for solving optimization tasks within limited computing time and less cost. To improve the performance of LKH, a new Local Lévy-Flight (LLF) operator is introduced, during the process of updating krill in order to improve its efficiency and reliability coping with global numerical optimization issues. The LLF operator supports the exploitation and can makes the krill individuals search the space carefully at the end of the search. Then, the elitism scheme is applied to keep the best krill during the process of updating the krill. The result comparisons have shown that the proposed methods are highly effective for solving ELD problem with multiple fuel options compared with existing results.
Weed management in rice continues to be a major challenge to the success of rice growers in northern Iran. Field experiments were conducted at Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University to investigate the spatial distribution of weed seeds in the rice growth cycle in 2010 and 2011. Transplanting was done on June 6 in both years. Samples for seedbank analysis were collected 10 days before transplanting and emerged weed density was determined on three different dates during the growing season. Results indicated that nutsedge (Cyperus spp) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) were the two most abundant weed species. The vertical distribution of weed seeds decreased by depth from 10 to 30 cm, while weed pressure was the highest at the 0-10 cm soil depth. There was no relationship between soil weed seedbanks (at different depths) and emerged weed populations, suggesting that weed seedbank data are not good predictors of weed seedling densities. Nevertheless, Kriging maps indicated that the spatial distribution of weed seeds was in accordance with seedling germination pattern. Also the regression coefficient for 0-10 cm soil depth was R2=0.17 and R2=0.34 for relation between nutsedge and bahiagrass seedlings and their seedbank in 2010 and also, R2=0.18 and R2=0.05 in 2011, respectively. Therefore, results achieved from this depth can be used to predict the relationship between nutsedge and bahiagrass seedlings densities and weed seedbanks. The results of this study provide an option for the farmers growing rice to understand the dynamics of weed populations in a cost effective way.
Legumes have been used for their nitrogen fixation properties; however, farmers in tropical countries have not used it to a great extent, because they do not appreciate visible improvement in the soil. The aim of this paper was to analyze the effect of three tropical legumes (Phaseolus vulgaris, Canavalia ensiformis and Clitoria ternatea) on growth - promoting microorganisms, [Free Life Nitrogen Fixers (FLNF), Azospirillum sp., Azotobacter sp. and mycorrhiza on the fertility of two rhizospheric soils, one for livestock use (Lu) and other for agricultural use (Au). The bioassays were established under a completely randomized design with three replicates per species. The evaluated soil properties were: pH; Organic matter, OM; Total carbon, CT; Total nitrogen, N; Useful Phosphorus, P; Cation Exchange Capacity, CEC and texture. In rhizospheric soil the populations of FLNF, Azospirillum sp. and Azotobacter sp., as well as mycorrhizal spores were estimated. The results indicate that Phaseolus vulgaris was the species that showed lower N fixation in Au soil; but higher P content was found in Lu soil. Canavalia ensiformis and Clitoria ternatea had higher N fixation, increased CEC, OM and TC. Clitoria ternatea favored the accumulation of OM and CT, promoting CEC, pH and and the mycorrhizal population. Canavalia ensiformis was the only species to promote differentiated development of Azospirillum sp. and Azotobacter sp. in Lu soil, showing higher populations with this legume. Therefore, it is recommended that these data can be considered for the conservation of tropical species, both legumes and native microorganisms.
In this paper, An Efficient and Reliable Core-Assisted Multicast Routing Protocol (ERASCA) is secured from a malicious/selfish receiver through battery estimation technique. In ERASCA, a core node will be responsible for the maintenance and update of the mesh. With battery estimation technique, a receiver that shows high or low battery capacity for the purpose to become a core or evade to become a core node is detected and removed from the mesh by comparing estimated value and claimed value. Similarly, malicious nodes may alter data or inject spoofed messages in the network. To prevent nodes from tampering with data and generating spoofed messages, a packet authentication process is also used. Packet authentication process uses a digital signature, which assures the integrity of the transmitted packet and any change on digital signature can easily reveal. At the end of paper, Network Simulator-2 is used to observe the performance of protocol and evaluate the conclusion based on results.
Tumor treating fields (TTF) is delivered with an original device causing antimitotic activity in tumor cells of glioblastoma patients. Low intensity and intermediate frequency alternating electric fields are effective over metaphase. Tumor treating fields is a novel modality approved by FDA(Federal Drug Association) for newly diagnosed and also recurrent glioblastoma. Frequency of 200 kHz is given with transducer applied on scalp of patient. Phase 3 trial showed the efficacy of this modality alone equivalent compared to chemotherapy. Skin toxicity is the major side effect of this therapy. TTF is now used in recurrent glioblastoma but future perspective shows that this unique modality can be delivered in different solid tumors.
The (non-volatile) methanol-soluble fraction isolated from DMO-118,a typical asphaltic crude from the La Luna formation, was heated at 200 °C in the presence of the air oxygen (O2) for periods 0.5 to 10 hours. In the first stage heating yields the asphaltenes-like product similar to the DMO-118 asphaltenes. In the later stage heating generates the kerogen-like material similar to the kerogens isolated from the La Luna (QM) source rocks. We used a Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to compare these artificial and natural materials. Kerogenization follows the first order consecutive reaction kinetics with the asphaltenes-like product as an intermediate. Similar oxygenic kerogenization was observed for other asphaltic DMO crudes as well as non-asphaltic DM crudes of the La Luna formation.
The main objective of this paper is to design a ANFIS based model reference adaptive PI controller for a two tank conical interacting system (TTCIS) which is highly a nonlinear system.. Multiloop decentralized controller with decoupler is designed for reducing the interaction between the two conical tanks. Simulation results are obtained for the servo and regulatory responses of ANFIS based model reference PI controller. The set point tracking and disturbance rejection of ANFIS based Model Reference Adaptive PI controller are satisfactory.
Aim of the study: Myeloperoxidase (MPO) is an enzyme generally involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases.. The current study aimed to investigate serum MPO levels in Egyptian obese women and assess its relation with insulin resistance (IR) and other biochemical risk parameters. \n Methods: The study included 80 obese women with IR and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Insulin resistance (IR) was evaluated by the Homeostasis Model Assessment-Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Serum MPO, fasting glucose, insulin and blood lipids and anthropometry were measured. Obese IR cases were divided into three groups based on MPO tertiles. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was performed to obtain the optimal cut-off values of MPO to predicate IR in obese women\nResults: The mean serum MPO was significantly higher in IR cases than controls. \nCases in the highest MPO tertile had higher HOMA-IR, blood lipids and pressure levels compared with those in the lower tertile. The cutoff point of MPO was > 86.8 (ng/mL) and area under curves was 0.82 (p<.01).\nConclusions: MPO levels were higher in obese Egyptian IR women than healthy controls. Elevation of MPO was associated with abnormal metabolic paeameters. MPO might be used as an earlier biomarker for IR in obese women and cases at high risk for metabolic disturbance.
Capsaicin, is commonly used in folk medicine to management oxidative stress in cells and might decrease the riskiness effects of cancers. The study was applied to evaluate the suppressive activity of capsaicin against mammary carcinoma induced by N-nitrosomethylurea in rats. The study continued for four months and the animal groups consisted of 80 female rats which were divided equally among four groups. Body and gain weights, estradiol and progesterone, Carcinoembryonic Antigen, anti-oxidant enzymes, oxidative stress marker, histopathological and proliferating cell nuclear antigen immunohistochemical investigations were recorded. N-nitrosomethylurea treated group displayed a significant decrease body weight and antioxidant enzymes. Also, subjects in this group displayed a significant increase estradiol, progesterone, CEA and Malondialdehyde. Additionally, the NMU exposure and capsaicin treated significantly showed the protective potential of capsaicin in restoring the altered sexual hormones, antioxidants and others biochemical analysis. Rats treated with NMU and protected with capsaicin improved the histopathological changes induced by NMU and showed that the desquamation of most of the layers of carcinoma cells leaving one or two epithelial layers in some cases and in some instances. Animals treated with NMU immunostained for PCNA displaying the strong positive stained nuclei in most of the cells, but in capsaicin treated against the NMU effects immunostained for PCNA displaying the positive stained nuclei less than that detected in NMU group. Conclusion, the results clearly establish that capsaicin performs a very important defensive role during breast carcinogenesis and has the ability to act as a chemo-suppressive factor against NMU effects.
Background: The rs12255372 variant of TCF7L2 have been strongly associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk in most populations examined up to now. While a high incidence of type 2 diabetes in Egypt, the role of this variant in Egyptians has not been established.\nMethods: We performed a case-control association study amongst 200 Egyptian patients with type 2 diabetic and 100 controls. All participants were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay to investigate the association of rs12255372 (G/T) of the transcription factor 7–like 2 (TCF7L2) gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus.\nResults: Significant differences between patients and controls were found in BMI, SBP, DBP and lipid profile parameters; accordingly, those were the potential covariates that were controlled for in the subsequent analysis.\nThe frequency of T allele in the diabetic cases (32.75%) was not different from that found in the controls (40%). In addition, the TT genotype carriers in diabetic patients had significantly higher body mass index, blood pressure levels, total cholesterol and LDL-C than those with the GG genotype.\nConclusion: Our study emphasized no association of TCF7L2 rs12255372 (G/T) polymorphism and T2D in Egyptians, however it cannot rule out the possibility of its effect of on the biochemical parameters. Our findings suggest that the rs12255372 (G/T) polymorphism of the TCF7L2 gene is an important risk factor for metabolic abnormalities in Egyptian patients with T2D.
Social capital is an intangible element, which is found in social relations and can act as an effective shaper to collective and individual actions. It can be expected that the bigger the social capital presence in a region, the bigger the level of economic development. The focus of this article is to verify the possible relationship between levels of social capital and human development within the Brazilian municipalities and regions. Methodologically, the Social Capital Index (SCI) was created through this study and was applied to all Brazilian municipalities. The result obtained shows that the level of social capital is low, nevertheless, with variations depending on the region. Another important result was the fact that it was possible to demonstrate that the resemblance of other interaction studies concerning social capital around the world, in the case of Brazil, show positive similarities among social capital, human capital and human development.