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Application of Laplace Transform in Science and Engineering
Get PDFOne reliable mathematical tool that is used extensively in many scientific and technical fields is the Laplace transform (LP). Similar to the application of transfer functions in solving ordinary differential equations (ODEs), LPs offer a simple method for tackling increasingly complex engineering problems. LPs are used in physics and engineering, and this research first looks at such uses before concentrating on how they are used in electric circuit analysis. The research also explores more sophisticated uses, such as load frequency control in power systems engineering
The Effects of English File Coursebook on Enhancing Listening Comprehension Skills in the IELTS Proficiency Test
Get PDFThis research investigates the intricate realm of language learning, with a specific focus on the challenging domain of listening skills for Kurdish EFL (English as a Foreign Language) learners. Listening, an essential component of language learning alongside speaking, reading, and writing, poses a significant cognitive challenge for individuals acquiring a second language, particularly English. Using a pre-experimental one-group study design, this study aims to uncover the impact of English course books on the enhancement of listening skills among Kurdish EFL learners. In pursuit of this objective, a group of 24 first-year university students, comprising 14 females and 10 males, engaged in both pre-tests and post-tests to evaluate their listening proficiency, and conducting the survey questionnaire. Employing the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for data analysis, the research utilized various statistical tests to explore the effects of supplementary materials and the perspectives of learners on the English File course book. Furthermore, a Paired Samples T-Test was employed to measure the degree of change between the pre-test and post-test scores. Remarkably, the findings from this analysis suggest that the use of English File course books led to improved listening skills among Kurdish EFL learners. These improvements are vital, emphasizing the significance of considering individual learning journey. Notably, gender-based differences in perceptions were explored, and the results revealed a surprising consistency in the perceptions of male and female EFL learners within the Kurdish context. These insights contribute to our understanding of language acquisition and underscore the importance of tailored instructional interventions in enhancing listening skills
Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Rainfall and Evapotranspiration in Erbil Plain and the Peripheral Areas
Get PDFSince analysis of spatial events is region specific and cannot be generalized, local studies are of vital importance to identify the most accurate interpolation methods. Furthermore, the trend analysis of climatic parameters at different time scales is helpful for making a better climate change adaptation and mitigation plan to overcome water scarcity. Accordingly, the current study was proposed to detect trends in rainfall and evapotranspiration at monthly and annual time scales over the Erbil plain and the surrounding area using parametric and non-parametric tests. Moreover, four deterministic and five geostatistical methods were evaluated for searching the best interpolation method to generate a continuous surface for the indicated climatic variables. The results revealed that the majority of data sets are categorized useful class and serially independent. Furthermore, it was found both rainfall and potential evapotranspiration have a mix of upward and downward trends and most of them are insignificant at 5% level of significance. Further, the interpolation analysis indicated that local polynomial interpolation (LPI) method was proven to be best interpolator for generating continuous surfaces for rainfall and ETo over the area under study followed by the empirical Bayesian Kriging method
Effect of Rock Fragments on Engineering And Physical Behaviors of Clay Soils
Get PDFSoils that contain rock fragments are widely distributed throughout the study area (Semel and Bakoz sites). Albeit, this component imposes profound effects on soil physical and engineering properties, its role is sporadically researched and there is contrasting response to this component. Consequently, the current study was proposed to quantitatively describe compressibility, water transport and water retention of soil rock mixtures prepared from two background clay soils and rock fragments of different rock characteristics in form of repacked soil columns or specimens. The results indicated that an increase in rock fragment content resulted in a decrease in soil void ratio and consequently caused a reduction in compression index. This parameter also tended to decrease with an increase in rock strength. It was also noticed that there is a fluctuating increasing trend in saturated hydraulic conductivity to a critical level of soil rock content. On the other hand, it was revealed that the rock fragment size had not an obvious effect on the values of the saturated hydraulic conductivity. Additionally, the results indicated at a fixed suction there is a steady decrease in retained amount of water with an increase in rock fragment contents from 0% to 50% regardless of the rock size. Furthermore, the ratio of transmitting pore to non-transmitting pores and that of macrospores to the sum of mesopores and microspores tended to increase with an increase in rock fragment to a certain limit
Novel probe based on rhodamine B and quinoline as a naked-eye colorimetric probe for dual detection of nickel and hypochlorite ions
Get PDFThis work demonstrates the design and straightforward syntheses of several novel probe-based on rhodamine B and 2-mercaptoquinoline-3-carbaldehydes as a naked-eye colorimetric probe, indicating a sensitive and selective recognition towards nickel (II) with a limit of detection 0.30 μmol L−1 (0.02 mg L−1). Further, by employing the oxidation property of hypochlorite (OCl−), this novel probe parallelly has been deployed to detect hypochlorite in laboratory conditions with a limit of detection of 0.19 μmol mL−1 and in living cells. Regarded to negligible cell toxicity toward mammalian cells, this probe has the potential to determine these analytes in in-vivo investigation and foodstuff samples
The local medicinal plant knowledge in Kashmir Western Himalaya: a way to foster ecological transition via community-centred health seeking strategies
Get PDFBackground
The mountainous region of Kashmir is a biodiversity hotspot, with diverse local communities and a rich cultural history linked to nature. Mountain ecosystems are highly vulnerable to climate change. This study emphasises the need to record the indigenous ethnoecological knowledge of wild plants used for the treatment of various ailments at higher elevations in remote areas where globalisation poses a threat to this traditional knowledge.
Methods
The field survey was carried out in 2020–2022, to collect data on wild medicinal plants. Informants were selected randomly to collect indigenous medicinal knowledge using semi-structured interviews and group discussions. Various quantitative indices were employed to evaluate ethnomedicinal data.
Results
A total of 110 medicinal plants belonging to 49 families were recorded in the study area. These medicinal plants are extensively used by local communities for the treatment of 20 major disease categories. Asteraceae was the dominant family contributing (9.09%) to medicinal plants, followed by Polygonaceae (8.18%), Apiaceae (7.27%), Lamiaceae (5.45%), and Ranunculaceae (5.45%). We observed 166 remedies were used for the treatment of various diseases in humans, and 9 remedies were used for animals. The most frequently used medicinal remedy was tea or decoction (30.91%). Among the medicinal plants, herbs (85.5%) were most frequently used by the local populations of Kashmir, whereas leaves (10.26%) were used for the treatment of various ailments. Out of 110 species, 31 were endemic, 15 of which are endemic to the Kashmir region and 16 to the Western Himalaya. The highest RFC value was reported for Allium humile (0.77), the highest UV value for Fritillaria cirrhosa (1.33), and the highest ICF value for gastro-intestinal/digestive disorders (0.85).
Conclusions
Local communities still rely on wild medicinal plants for primary healthcare. These communities retained valuable indigenous knowledge, which needs to be preserved for the conservation and sustainable utilisation of natural resources. Further field exploration is required to fully explore indigenous knowledge in the mountainous regions of Kashmir, and this knowledge has the potential to support the ongoing ecological transition
Chemopreventive Effects of Onosma mutabilis against Azoxymethane-Induced Colon Cancer in Rats via Amendment of Bax/Bcl-2 and NF-κB Signaling Pathways
Get PDFOnosma species (Boraginaceae) are well known as medicinal plants due to their wide range of pharmaceutical potential. The present study aims to investigate the anticancer (in vitro) and chemo-protective (in vivo) efficacies of Onosma mutabilis extract (OME) in the azoxymethane (AOM)-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rats. The in vitro antiproliferative effects of OME were determined on two human tumor cell lines (Caco-2 and HT-29) via MTT assay. The in vivo chemoprotective effects of OME were investigated by performing various biochemical analyses in serum and tissue homogenates of albino rats, along with determining oxidative stress biomarkers. Inflammatory biomarkers of colon, colonic gross morphology (by methylene blue), ACF formation, and colonic histopathology (H & E stain) were determined. The immunohistochemistry of colonic tissues was also assessed by Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression. The results showed that the antitumor activity of OME against Caco-2 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells ranged between 22.28–36.55 µg/mL. OME supplementation caused a significant drop in the ACF values and improved the immunohistochemistry of the rats shown by up-regulation of Bax and down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expressions. These outcomes reveal that O. mutabilis may have chemoprotective efficiency against AOM-induced colon cancer represented by the attenuation of ACF formation possibly through inhibition of free radicals, inflammation, and stimulation of the colon antioxidant armory (SOD, CAT, and GPx) and positive regulation of the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway
SYBR-Green I fluorescence-based qRT-PCR of clove oil's anticancer, chemical characterization and antidiabetic activities
Get PDFSyzygium aromaticum is a valuable herbal plant in China, Europe, and Asia. It has been described as a powerful analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal, and antibacterial agent. The goal of this work is to determine the phytoconstituents in clove oil derived from Syzygium aromaticum, a Myrtaceae family member. The GC-MS analysis of clove essential oil revealed 23 chemical compounds, including eugenol (58.65%), caryophyllene (6.60%), camphane (monoterpenes) (2.95%), Bisabolol (7.31%), tricosane (3.80%), eugenol acetate (3.35%), naphthalene (18.81%), and endo-borneol (19.98%). Certain organic acids such as benzoic acid (33.65%), acetic acid (9.30%), cinnamic acid (6.69%), and phenol (5.47 %). The anti-diabetic activity was evaluated utilizing an α-amylase suppression analysis. The anticancer effect of Cas 3 gene expression analysis by qRT-PCR was assessed in a human bone cancer cell line (MG-63). Clove oil inhibited the α -amylase enzyme concentration-dependently, with an IC50 value (IC50 167.24.46 μg/ml) equivalent to that of conventional acarbose (IC50 85.393.14 μg/ml). The results of real-time qRT-PCR revealed that following treatment with clove oil with an IC50 value of 33.6 μg/ml, the Cas 3 gene expression level in -actin and the human bone cancer cell line (MG-63) was expressed with a fold gene variation difference of 2.07. According to one study, clove oil could be utilized to treat diabetes and human bone cancer
Minimizing regain awareness time of the epileptic patient using a well-known phone ringtone
Get PDFMore than 65 million people worldwide are affected by epilepsy. There are numerous techniques to assist epileptics. The primary danger to their lives, however, is unconsciousness and convulsions. Novel techniques for shortening the time it takes to regain awareness are given in this research. This is accomplished by programming and fabricating the ARM Cortex M4F LPC4330 microcontroller in a six-layer printed circuit board (PCB) capable of detecting an early epileptic seizure. The suggested system gets real-time signals from two electrodes attached to the head. When the system detects seizures, it activates and broadcasts a familiar smartphones ringtone to the patient’s earphone. In vivo test was effective, and the outcome was as expected. The average time for regaining a 22 years old patient was reduced from several minutes to 24 seconds
Enhancing vocabulary learning through understanding the human memory system: Episodic memory
Get PDFVocabulary acquisition in learning languages is a crucial aspect of language learning, and effective teaching theories are essential for the retention and application of new vocabulary. However, understanding the memory system is important for educators to design and implement effective vocabulary teaching strategies that support student learning and retention. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the human memory system, including sensory, short-term, and long-term memory, with a focus on the differences between semantic and episodic memory. It explains the impact of episodic memory on vocabulary recall. In addition, it puts forward two teaching theories that enhance the utilization of episodic memories. Experiential Learning and Elaboration Theory focus on connecting vocabulary with personal experience for episodic memory and using previous knowledge to help students remember new vocabulary