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Online integrity and authentication checking for Quran electronic versions
No full textAbstractThe ability to control data and information through the Internet can be challenging. Preliminary analysis showed that some tampering and forgery may occur to some words of the Quran in the electronic versions that span the Internet. Such small modifications may not be noticed by public audience. The holy book of Quran includes a unique feature in that its worldwide copies are all identical. The 114 chapters (Suras) and all their verses and words are preserved in the exact form. As such, we designed and evaluated a model and a tool to evaluate the integrity of the wording in the e-versions of the Quran through generating a Meta data related to all words in the Quran preserving the counts and locations. Such Meta data can be used in the same way hash algorithms are used in security to check the integrity of a disk and its data files where any small change in the data will result in a different hash value. We conducted several experiments to evaluate the different parameters and challenges that can impact the automatic authentication process of Quranic verses based on information retrieval and hashing algorithms
Nutrition and exercise can attenuate inflammatory and psychobiological changes in hypoxia?
No full textAbstractExposure to hypoxia causes damage in several physiological systems, whose tissues are dependent on the O2 supply. Recently, there has been growing attention on the immunosuppressive and inflammatory potential of the hypoxia, including stimulation, nuclear factor kappa B pathway in macrophages and Th2 response from lymphocytes. These changes may result in transient immunosuppression and happen at the same time to worsening of cognition and other psychobiological aspects. Furthermore, exercise and nutrition, especially glutamine supplementation may provide important role, not pharmacological partially reversing the effects of hypoxia. In fact, recent studies show that moderate exercise can improve cognition in people exposed to hypoxia while the exercise associated with glutamine supplementation can reverse the increase in inflammatory markers and the Th1/Th2 balance. This review aims to bring the light of the discussion about nonpharmacological ways to prevent the effects of hypoxia on the connection between the immune system and the central nervous system
Adsorption of diazinon and fenitrothion on nanocrystalline magnesium oxides
No full textAbstractNanocrystalline magnesium oxide was prepared by the sol–gel method from magnesium methoxide and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Sol–gel derived nanocrystalline magnesium oxide along with a commercial nanocrystalline magnesium oxide was used as adsorbents to study the adsorption of two common, organophosphorous pesticides, diethoxy-[(2-isopropyl-6-methyl-4-pyrimidinyl)oxy]-thioxophosphorane (diazinon) and dimethoxy-(3-methyl-4-nitrophenoxy)-thioxophosphorane (fenitrothion). Adsorption of diazinon and fenitrothion on the sol–gel derived, and commercial nanocrystalline magnesium oxides was studied using UV–vis, FT-IR and 31P NMR spectroscopies. The effect of hydroxyl groups on edge/corner and flat panel of magnesium oxide in adsorption of diazinon and fenitrothion was investigated. The results showed that the adsorption of diazinon on the sol–gel derived nanocrystalline magnesium oxide is destructive whereas on commercial one is non-destructive. Commercial nanocrystalline magnesium oxide showed higher activity in the adsorption of fenitrothion than the sol–gel derived, and adsorptions on both nanocrystalline magnesium oxides are destructive
A unified high-resolution wind and solar dataset from a rapidly updating numerical weather prediction model
No full textAbstractA new gridded dataset for wind and solar resource estimation over the contiguous United States has been derived from hourly updated 1-h forecasts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) 3-km model composited over a three-year period (approximately 22 000 forecast model runs). The unique dataset features hourly data assimilation, and provides physically consistent wind and solar estimates for the renewable energy industry. The wind resource dataset shows strong similarity to that previously provided by a Department of Energy-funded study, and it includes estimates in southern Canada and northern Mexico. The solar resource dataset represents an initial step towards application-specific fields such as global horizontal and direct normal irradiance. This combined dataset will continue to be augmented with new forecast data from the advanced HRRR atmospheric/land-surface model
Long-term safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of omalizumab in children with severe uncontrolled asthma
No full textAbstractBackgroundOmalizumab is effective and well-tolerated in children with moderate to severe allergic asthma. However, the effects of long-term treatment with omalizumab in this population haven't been well investigated. The objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of omalizumab in children with uncontrolled severe asthma.MethodsThirty-eight Japanese children (aged 7–16 years) who completed the 24-week treatment core study were included in an uncontrolled extension study, in which treatment with omalizumab continued until the pediatric indication was approved in Japan (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT01328886).ResultsThirty-five patients (92.1%) completed the extension study. The median exposure throughout the core and extension studies was 116.6 weeks (range, 46.9–151.1 weeks). The most common adverse events were nasopharyngitis, influenza, upper respiratory tract infection, and asthma. Serious adverse events developed in 10 patients (26.3%), but resolved completely with additional treatments. Incidence of adverse events didn't increase with extended exposure with omalizumab. Twenty-nine patients (76.3%) achieved completely- or well-controlled asthma compared with 9 patients (23.7%) at the start of the extension study. QOL scores, the rates (per year) of hospitalizations and ER visits were significantly improved compared with the baseline of the core study [39.0 vs 48.0 (median), p < 0.001 for QOL, 1.33 vs 0.16, p < 0.001 for hospitalization, 0.68 vs 0.15, p = 0.002 for ER visits]. Remarkably, the mean total IgE level showed a decreasing trend while exposure to omalizumab remained at steady-state.ConclusionsLong-term treatment with omalizumab is well-tolerated and effective in children with uncontrolled severe allergic asthma. No new safety findings were identified
Balance of threat: The domestic insecurity of Vladimir Putin
No full textAbstractDuring the 17 years that Vladimir Putin has ruled Russia, the country has become increasingly authoritarian. However, I argue that this rollback of democracy has not been motivated by Putin's blind desire to maximize his political power, as many have assumed. Rather, his anti-democratic policies have responded to perceived specific threats to his control. In applying theories originally developed in the field of international relations to individual leaders, we can understand Putin as a “defensive realist” who balances against threats in order to maintain security rather than maximize power. This is an essential distinction that produces important conclusions about what motives lie behind the increasingly authoritarian character of the Russian state and gives insights into the possible future trajectory of the regime
Plot size can influence yield benefits from fungicides on corn
No full textAbstractUse of foliar fungicides on corn has increased over the last decade. Part of the reason for this increase is due to physiological benefits on plants from QoI (strobilurin) containing fungicides. However, there remains controversy over how significant yield and economic benefits are from strobilurin fungicides. A potential source of this controversy might be explained by experimental plot size. To better understand grower-relevant yield benefits from fungicides, three hundred and fourteen commercial-strip trials (8.1 ha fungicide treated and 8.1 ha untreated) were conducted on growers' farms across four years, and twenty-five small plot (37.2 m2 or less) trials were conducted across the corn belt in 2010. Yield benefits from fungicides were much greater in the commercial-strip trials than in the small plot trials. In 2011, twenty-six large plot trials (ranging from 557 to 1394 m2), were established with efforts made to reduce border and alley effects. Two corn hybrids were evaluated at each of the 26 trial locations, and the results indicated that corn yield benefits from Quadris® fungicide (a solo formulation containing 22.9% azoxystrobin) applied at the V4-V8 growth stage, Quilt Xcel® fungicide (a premix formulation containing 13.5% azoxystrobin and 11.7% propiconazole) applied at the R1 growth stage, or a combination of the two, provided yield benefits similar to those from the commercial-strip trials. The financial gain/loss from the use of fungicides was determined. Using the highest cost estimates for fungicide and applications, Quilt Xcel fungicide applied at the R1 growth stage provided estimated yield benefits of 219, 278/ha (65, 89/A) over the untreated checks in the commercial-strip trials conducted in 2009, 2010, 2012, and 2013, respectively. The average economic benefit to growers over the four year period was 62 ± $15/A). Variability in economic benefit not only includes costs associated with fungicides but also includes annual commodity price, disease pressure, and location effects. This study supports the hypothesis that plot size influences assessment of yield effects of fungicides. Yield responses from the small plot, large plot, and commercial-strip trials resulted in increases of 378 kg/Ha (6 Bu/A), 701 kg/Ha (11 Bu/A), and 1132 kg/Ha (18 Bu/A) over the untreated, respectively
Controls on runoff generation along a steep climatic gradient in the Eastern Mediterranean
No full textAbstractStudy regionLower Jordan River.Study focusThe main aim of this study was to identify differences in catchment runoff reactions across a variety of scales and a strong climatic gradient and to correlate them to physical catchment properties. For this purpose we observed rainfall and runoff responses on a hillslope (1000m2) and in several nested catchments (3.2–129km2) over a period of five years. Catchment characteristics and surface cover types were derived from high-resolution aerial images. To gain process understanding a single high magnitude event was analysed in detail using information from soil moisture plots.New hydrological insights for the regionOur results show that runoff in the semi-arid headwater area is strongly related to long lasting rainfall events of high amounts and is predominantly generated by saturation excess overland flow (SOF). Observations from the arid runoff plot indicated a strongly contrasting behaviour with dominating Hortonian overland flow (HOF). At catchment scale we found an accentuated runoff response when we compared arid with semi-arid conditions, which can be attributed to different geological substrate, more abundant rock surfaces, shallower soil and sparser vegetation cover. Identified strong correlations between event rainfall and runoff volumes may provide promising options for the assessment and management of surface runoff as a water resource
An anatomic study of the lateral patellofemoral ligament
No full textAbstractObjectiveThe lateral patellofemoral ligament (LPFL) is part of the lateral retinaculum cut during arthroscopic or open release. We investigated its anatomic and morphometric characteristics.Materials and methodsWe identified the LPFL insertion point on the condyle in vertical and sagittal planes in 32 adult cadaveric knees. We measured its length and width at the insertion point. We located the midpoint of this point and measured from it to the distal and posterior condylar ends. We measured anterior-posterior and proximal-distal lateral condylar lengths. We evaluated the insertion point shape on the lateral femoral condyle. Degree of relationship between variables was assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficient. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe LPFL mean length was 23.2 mm, and mean width at the insertion point was 15.6 mm. Regarding its insertion into the lateral condyle, central insertions were more frequent (vertical plane: 53.1% central and sagittal plane: 75% central). A significant positive correlation was evident between the LPFL length and width at the insertion point (p = 0.05). Thus, the LPFL length was proportional to its width at the insertion point. A significant positive correlation was found between the anterior-posterior condylar length and width of the LPFL at the insertion point (p = 0.017). Therefore, greater anterior-posterior condylar length equates to a larger area of insertion on the condyle.ConclusionGreater width of the LPFL at the insertion point corresponds to greater LPFL and anterior-posterior lateral condylar lengths
Design, synthesis and antimicrobial activities of some novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole, 1,2,4-triazole-5-thione and 1,3-thiazolan-4-one derivatives of benzimidazole
No full textAbstractA series of novel 1,3,4-thiadiazole; 1,2,4-triazole-5-thione and 1,3-thiazolan-4-one derivatives of benzimidazole were synthesized by nucleophilic substitution reaction of 2-substituted-1[H] benzimidazole. Compounds (1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)methanamine 3, 2-(isothiocyanatomethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole 4, 4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)benzenamine 6 and 4-(1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl)benzenamine 7 are synthesized for the synthesis of targeted compounds. Structures of all the targeted synthesized compounds were evaluated by spectral and elemental methods of analysis. All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Some of the synthesized compounds showed good antibacterial and antifungal activities with 2.0 and 2.5μg/mL MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration), respectively