734 research outputs found
The problem of corrugator sequencing and its impact on packaging processes
No full textThis report presents the result of an initial step towards an interdisciplinary research partnership between the involved departments at Aleppo and Lund University. The initiator and main author, Dr. Ayman Hamadeh, visited Division of Packaging Logistics during the summer 2008. During that time the authors identified corrugator sequencing as a common research field and embarked on a joint explorative study aiming to identify future research projects within the shared problem area
Sustainable improvement of small ruminant production in the semi-arid areas of Lebanon
No full textSmall ruminant production in semi-arid areas could be improved drastically by overcoming feed, health and management constraints. This study aimed at assessing the bio-economical sustainability of small ruminant production in the semi-arid regions of Lebanon through the introduction of an integrated technical package including: a basic health preventive program, feed optimization during critical late gestation period and finally, a basic selection program. Seventeen herders were divided into four groups: Groups A and B were given the full technical package with either soybean and corn meal or barley supplements, respectively. Group C received a basic preventive health program only and Group D was considered the control group. Bio-economic data were collected on a monthly basis over one year and submitted to a cost benefit analysis. Feed cost and pasture rent represented the major obstacles to productivity and contributed 53percent and 33percent, respectively, to the total financial cost. Groups A and B showed better financial revenues than groups C and D, with Group A having the highest return and lowest risk in terms of total expenditure and total revenue variances. It may be concluded that the integration of preventive health, feed optimization, and basic selection into one program could improve the economical sustainability of small ruminant production systems in semi-arid areas. © 2005 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.[Anonymous], 1985, NUTR REQUIREMENTS DO; BISTANJI G, 1999, THESIS AM U BEIRUT B; Bradford G. E., 1988, Increasing small ruminant productivity in semi-arid areas. Proceedings of a workshop held at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, Aleppo, Syria, 30 November to 3 December 1987., P95; CAPPER BS, 1990, ROLE FOOD LEGUME STR, V38, P151; CHEMA S, 1993, COST EFFECTIVE DIS C, V107, P157; ECONOMIDES S, 1995, TECHNICAL B, V174, P12; ECONOMIDES S, 1987, FAO ANIMAL PRODUCTIO, V54, P59; FITZHUGH HA, 1987, FAO ANIMAL PRODUCTIO, V54, P1; FRESCO LO, 1997, P INT C LIV ENV ED W; GEADAH S, 1998, RECENT EC DEV, V124; HAMADEH S, 1997, SURVEY SMALL RUMINAN, P362; Hamadeh SK, 2001, SMALL RUMINANT RES, V40, P41, DOI 10.1016-S0921-4488(00)00210-8; Hamadeh SK, 1996, SMALL RUMINANT RES, V21, P173, DOI 10.1016-0921-4488(95)00831-4; HAMMAD RM, 1995, THESIS AM U BEIRUT B; *IFAD, 1991, NEAR E N AFR DIV PRO, P182; MCCRACKEN JA, 1988, INTRO RAPID RURAL AP, P8; NAYGAARD DF, 1988, INCREASING SMALL RUM, P37; NORDBLOM TL, 1995, 2 ICARDA, P55; NORMAN DW, 1995, FAO FARM SYSTEMS M V, V10; OSMAN AE, 1992, EXP AGR, V28, P461, DOI 10.1017-S0014479700020172; QURESHI AW, 1993, FAO ANIMAL PRODUCTIO, V107, P1; QURESHI AW, 1987, FAO ANIMAL PRODUCTIO, V54, P21; Steinbach J., 1988, Increasing small ruminant productivity in semi-arid areas. Proceedings of a workshop held at the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas, Aleppo, Syria, 30 November to 3 December 1987., P123; STEINBACH J, 1987, FAO ANIMAL PRODUCTIO, V54, P13; STEINFELD H, 1998, WORLD BANK INT C, P27; THOMSON EF, 1987, ICARDA106 INT CTR AG, P20; TURNER HN, 1986, ANIMAL PRODUCTION HL, V58, P1211
Food Wars
No full textPhilip McGregor is so fat that everyone either stares or sniggers as he passes by. At school he goes by the name of Porky. The day he collapses in the school canteen and is rushed to the hospital marks the start of his new life. He's drawn to the hospital garden where a sunflower beckons him to come close and listen; it has a secret to impart to him, a secret that will empower and lead him to seven other teenagers from different continents who are each escaping their own conflicts, troubles caused by the dangerous lack of food security that threatens the future of the Earth. The kids are unexpectedly entrusted with secrets communicated magically by the Earth itself—through plants, animals, and birds. As Keepers, they are led to make incredible, yet precarious journeys, unaware of their destination, but the Food Masters are hot on their heels, ready to kill to keep those secrets hidden ...
Fat mobilization in water restricted Awassi ewes supplemented with vitamin C
No full textThe current study was designed to assess the effect of water restriction on fat metabolism in Awassi ewes orally supplemented with different levels of vitamin C. Experiment 1 (24 days) included four groups, four animals in each, with one group as control receiving daily water. The three remaining groups were watered once every four days, with the third and fourth groups receiving a daily oral dose of 3 g and 5 g vitamin C, respectively. Experiment 2 (21 days) was similarly designed except that the last group was administered one 10 g vitamin C oral dose at the beginning and at the middle of the experiment. Water restriction induced a reduction in feed intake and consequently weight loss in both experiments. Fat cell diameter, insulin, leptin, T3 and T4 concentrations tended to decrease in water restricted animals with or without vitamin C, while fatty acids and cholesterol increased. The observed changes reflect fat mobilization in water restricted Awassi ewes, which seemed to be correlated with insulin and leptin levels. Furthermore, fat mobilization reflected by high fatty acid and low leptin concentrations seemed to be more enhanced by daily supplementation of vitamin C than by the singular high dosages repeated twice, however further research is needed to confirm this observation. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd.ASPLUND JM, 1972, J ANIM SCI, V6, P1271; Atti N, 2004, ANIM RES, V53, P165, DOI 10.1051-animres:2004012; Avci M, 2005, TURK J VET ANIM SCI, V29, P829; BAILEY JW, 1993, J NUTR, V123, P52; Blanc F, 2004, PROD ANIM, V17, P287; Chilliard Y, 2000, P NUTR SOC, V59, P127, DOI 10.1017-S002966510000015X; Chilliard Y, 2005, DOMEST ANIM ENDOCRIN, V29, P3, DOI 10.1016-j.domaniend.2005.02.026; de Rodas BZ, 1998, J ANIM SCI, V76, P1636; Ghanem AM, 2008, J ARID ENVIRON, V72, P141, DOI 10.1016-j.jaridenv.2007.06.005; Hadjigeorgiou I, 2000, SMALL RUMINANT RES, V37, P147, DOI 10.1016-S0921-4488(99)00142-X; Hamadeh SK, 2006, LIVEST SCI, V101, P101, DOI 10.1016-j.livprodsci.2005.09.016; HAMADEH SK, 1997, OPTIONS MEDITERRAN A, V33, P231; Hidiroglou M, 1997, REPROD NUTR DEV, V37, P443, DOI 10.1051-rnd:19970405; Jaber LS, 2004, SMALL RUMINANT RES, V54, P115, DOI 10.1016-j.smallrumres.2003.11.004; KHACHADU.AK, 1966, J LIPID RES, V7, P427; LADEN S, 1987, CAN J ZOOL, V65, P363; MCDOWELL LR, 2000, VITAMINS ANIMAL HUMA, P597; NRC, 1985, NUTR REQ SHEEP; PIASENTIER E, 1995, OPTIONS MEDITERR A, V27, P67; Savendahl L, 1999, J NUTR, V129, P2005; Tyler PJ, 2003, J DAIRY SCI, V86, P622, DOI 10.3168-jds.S0022-0302(03)73640-6; Varady KA, 2007, J LIPID RES, V48, P2212, DOI 10.1194-jlr.M700223-JLR200; VERNON RG, 1981, BIOCHEM J, V200, P307; VERNON RG, 1992, P NUTR SOC, V51, P397, DOI 10.1079-PNS1992005312
Spintronic Hodgkin-Huxley-Analogue Neuron Implemented with a Single Magnetic Tunnel Junction
No full textSpiking neural networks aim to emulate the brain's properties to achieve similar parallelism and high processing power. A caveat of these neural networks is the high computational cost for emulation, while current proposals for analogue implementations are energy inefficient and not scalable. We propose a device based on a single magnetic tunnel junction to perform neuron firing for spiking neural networks without the need for any resetting procedure. We leverage two areas of physics, magnetism and thermal effects, to obtain biorealistic spiking behavior analogous to the Hodgkin-Huxley model of the neuron. The device is also able to emulate the simpler leaky-integrate-and-fire model. Numerical simulations using experimental-based parameters demonstrate firing frequency in the megahertz to gigahertz range under constant input at room temperature. The compactness, scalability, low cost, CMOS compatibility, and power efficiency of magnetic tunnel junctions advocates for their broad use in hardware implementations of spiking neural networks
Assessment of workplace bullying: Reliability and validity of an Arabic version of the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R)
No full textIntroduction: Interest in workplace bullying has been steadily growing since the 1990s, focusing on understanding its driving factors, prevalence rates in different occupations and countries, its consequences, as well as the characteristics of the typical bully and victim. Currently, the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) is the most frequently used questionnaire to assess workplace bullying. Studies in the Arab world are scarce and to date the NAQ-R has not been validated in Arabic, the official or co-official language in around 25 countries in the Middle East and Asia. The aim of this study was therefore to develop an Arabic version of NAQ-R. Materials and methods: 447 participants aged 18-70 years were recruited through convenient sampling. Exclusion criteria were illiteracy and employment for less than 6 months. Participants were recruited from shops, banks, travel agencies and restaurants in an area in central Beirut around a tertiary care medical centre. A two-stage process was employed to translate the original version of NAQ-R to Arabic. This translated version along with validated Arabic versions of the Satisfaction with Life Scale and the Beck Depression Inventory II were distributed to participants. Results: A 14-item two-factor NAQ-R, with subscales of person-related and work-related bullying, was supported. Reliability coefficients for total and subscale scores of the NAQ-R ranged from 0.63 to 0.90. The Arabic NAQ-R had good concurrent validity as indicated by significant correlations with depression and satisfaction with life (p < 0.05). Conclusion: NAQ-R was translated to Arabic and adapted. The results revealed acceptable levels of reliability and construct validity. As for the underlying factor structure, it needs to be further supported. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2018
Feedback Control Architecture and the Bacterial Chemotaxis Network
No full textThis paper investigates the chemotaxis behavior of the bacterium R. sphaeroides. We review the results of a recent study comparing different possible mathematical models of this bacterium's chemotaxis decision mechanisms. It was found that only one of the aforesaid models could explain the experimental chemotactic response data. From a control theoretic perspective, we show that, compared to the other models posed, this model exhibits better and more robust chemotactic performance. This decision mechanism parallels a feedback architecture that has been used extensively to improve performance in engineered systems. We suggest that this mechanism may play a role in maintaining the chemotactic performance of this and potentially other bacteria
Physiological and chemical responses in water-deprived Awassi ewes treated with vitamin C
No full textThe effect of vitamin C on water stress response was evaluated in 12 dry Awassi ewes. Ewes were randomly divided to three groups of four, one receiving daily water (W) and the other two (Groups R and V) received only 1 L of water on the 4th day and 3 L on the 8th, over a 12-day experimental period in July 2004. Group V was daily administered with oral vitamin C supplementation at the rate of 10 g per animal for a 4-day preparation period prior to water restriction and 2.5 g per animal thereafter. Group V showed an attenuated response to water restriction as compared to Group R, in many physiological parameters: body weight, rectal temperature, PCV, serum protein, albumin and globulin, and blood Na+ and Cl- concentrations. On the other hand, serum cholesterol and free fatty acids (FA) showed slightly higher and similar values, respectively, as compared to group R. Other parameters showed no significant difference between groups namely, serum glucose and cortisol and blood K+ concentrations, and pH. The results seem to validate the approach of vitamin C supplementation for water-stress alleviation in sheep, however, much research is still needed to establish the most effective dosage and route of administration under field conditions. If proven successful, such an easy alleviation method would be most beneficial to farmers and producers of the arid-semi-arid regions where water shortage is a common challenge imposed by the harsh weather, long road transportations, etc. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.ABDELATIF A, 1994, J ARID ENVIRON, V28, P145; AGANGA A A, 1989, Small Ruminant Research, V2, P19, DOI 10.1016-0921-4488(89)90013-8; Alamer M, 2004, J ARID ENVIRON, V59, P71, DOI 10.1016-j.jaridenv.2004.01.003; ASHOUR G, 2001, LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION, P63; Avci M, 2005, TURK J VET ANIM SCI, V29, P829; Black WD, 1996, CAN J VET RES, V60, P216; CIVEN M, 1980, INT J VITAM NUTR RES, V50, P70; Cork SC, 2002, HDB BIOL DATA, P302; DEGEN AA, 1977, PHYSIOL ZOOL, V50, P284; de Rodas BZ, 1998, J ANIM SCI, V76, P1636; DUBESKI PL, 1996, J ANIM SCI, V74, P1356; EWING SA, 1999, FARM ANIMAL WELL BEI, P50; EYAL E, 1963, J AGR SCI, V60, P159; GHOSH PK, 1976, J AGR SCI, V87, P221; Haliloglu S, 2000, TURK J VET ANIM SCI, V24, P403; Hamadeh SK, 2006, LIVEST SCI, V101, P101, DOI 10.1016-j.livprodsci.2005.09.016; Hidiroglou M, 1999, J DAIRY SCI, V82, P1831; Hidiroglou M, 1997, REPROD NUTR DEV, V37, P443, DOI 10.1051-rnd:19970405; IGBOKWE IO, 1993, SMALL RUMINANT RES, V12, P99, DOI 10.1016-0921-4488(93)90042-G; Iniguez L., 2005, SMALL RUMINANT BREED; Jaber LS, 2004, SMALL RUMINANT RES, V54, P115, DOI 10.1016-j.smallrumres.2003.11.004; JOHNSTON CS, 1989, J NUTR, V11, P425; KHACHADU.AK, 1966, J LIPID RES, V7, P427; KITBASHI AE, 1967, NATURE, V215, P1385; LADEN S, 1987, CAN J ZOOL, V65, P363; MACFARLA.W, 1961, AUST J AGR RES, V12, P889, DOI 10.1071-AR9610889; MacFarlane W. V., 1964, HDB PHYSL 4, P509; MAHAN DC, 1983, J ANIM SCI, V56, P631; Mahan DC, 2004, ANNU REV NUTR, V24, P79, DOI 10.1146-annurev.nutr.24.012003.132150; MCDOWELL LR, 2000, VITAMINS ANIMAL HUMA, P597; MCGARRY JD, 1977, J CLIN INVEST, V60, P265, DOI 10.1172-JCI108764; McKee JS, 1997, POULTRY SCI, V76, P1278; Mohamed HE, 2002, J ANIM PHYSIOL AN N, V86, P342, DOI 10.1046-j.1439-0396.2002.00392.x; *NAT RES COUNC, 1987, VIT TOL AN; National Research Council, 1985, NUTR REQ SHEEP; PARDUE SL, 1985, J APPL PHYSIOL, V58, P1511; Parker AJ, 2003, J ANIM SCI, V81, P512; Parrott RF, 1996, ANIM WELFARE, V5, P45; Pointillart A, 1997, J NUTR, V127, P1514; PUROHIT GR, 1972, AUST J AGR RES, V23, P685, DOI 10.1071-AR9720685; Sahin K, 2001, J ANIM PHYSIOL AN N, V85, P335, DOI 10.1046-j.1439-0396.2001.00339.x; Sahin K, 2002, INT J VITAM NUTR RES, V72, P91, DOI 10.1024-0300-9831.72.2.91; SCHMELING SK, 1978, POULTRY SCI, V57, P527; Silanikove N, 2000, SMALL RUMINANT RES, V35, P181, DOI 10.1016-S0921-4488(99)00096-6; SILANIKOVE N, 1992, LIVEST PROD SCI, V30, P175; SINGH M, 1982, J AGR SCI, V99, P525; Steffens A.B., 1999, P108; TANEJA GC, 1965, INDIAN J EXP BIOL, V3, P259; TASKER JB, 1971, CLIN BIOCH DOMESTIC, P65; Tras B, 2000, BRIT POULTRY SCI, V41, P664, DOI 10.1080-00071660020009225; TURNER JC, 1979, COMP BIOCHEM PHYS A, V64, P167, DOI 10.1016-0300-9629(79)90446-8; Tyler PJ, 2003, J DAIRY SCI, V86, P622, DOI 10.3168-jds.S0022-0302(03)73640-6; Wingfield J.C., 2001, HDB PHYSL 7, V4, P211; YEN JT, 1981, J ANIM SCI, V53, P1292; Yousef MI, 2004, TOXICOLOGY, V199, P47, DOI 10.1016-j.tox.2004.02.01489
Performance and egg quality of laying hens fed mineral proteinates or amino acid chelates - by Akram Nazih Al Kadi
No full textThesis (M.S.)--American University of Beirut, Dept. of Animal Sciences, 2007.;"Advisor: Dr. Mohammad Farran, Professor, Animal Sciences--Member of Committee: Dr. Shadi Hamadeh, Professor, Animal Sciences--Member of Committee: Dr. Issam Bashour, Professor,Bibliography: leaves 25-33.Two experiments were conducted to study the effect of Eggshell 49[registered tra demark] (ES49), and Replamin [registered trademark] powder (RP), on performance and egg quality of 108 and 42-week old layers for six and five 28 day periods, r espectively
Resonant excitation of vortex gyrotropic mode via surface acoustic waves
No full textFinding new energy-efficient methods for exciting magnetization dynamics is one of the key challenges in magnonics. In this work, we present an approach to excite the gyrotropic dynamics of magnetic vortices through the phenomenon of inverse magnetostriction, also known as the Villari effect. We develop an analytical model based on the Thiele formalism that describes the gyrotropic motion of the vortex core including the energy contributions due to inverse magnetostriction. Based on this model, we predict excitations of the vortex core resonances by surface acoustic waves whose frequency is resonant with the frequency of the vortex core. We verify the model's prediction using micromagnetic simulations and show the dependence of the vortex core's oscillation radius on the surface acoustic wave amplitude and the static bias field. Our study contributes to the advancement of energy-efficient magnetic excitations by relying on voltage-induced driven dynamics, which is an alternative to conventional current-induced excitations
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