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Abstract In this paper, two problems involving nonlinear time fractional hyperbolic partial differential equations (PDEs) and time fractional pseudo hyperbolic PDEs with nonlocal conditions are presented. Collocation technique for shifted Chebyshev of the second kind with residual power series algorithm (CTSCSK-RPSA) is the main method for solving these problems. Moreover, error analysis theory is provided in detail. Numerical solutions provided using CTSCSK-RPSA are compared with existing techniques in literature. CTSCSK-RPSA is accurate, simple and convenient method for obtaining solutions of linear and nonlinear physical and engineering problems.

Objetivo: El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue evaluar el efecto de diferentes dosis de ácido tranexámico intraarticular en la pérdida de sangre en cirugías de artroplastia total de rodilla y compararlo con el grupo control. Materiales y métodos: La pérdida de sangre estimada y la cantidad de sangre perdida por drenaje, así como las tasas de transfusión, se compararon entre los grupos en base a los parámetros sanguíneos preoperatorios y postoperatorios quirúrgicos para evaluar la efectividad de la dosis. Resultados: En nuestro estudio, todos los grupos de ácido tranexámico redujeron significativamente la pérdida de sangre estimada y la cantidad de sangre perdida por drenaje en comparación con el grupo control. No se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre el grupo control y el grupo que recibió 1 g de TXA en términos de tasas de transfusión (p = 0.062), y no se encontró diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos que recibieron 2 g y 3 g de TXA. Conclusión: El uso de 2 g de ácido tranexámico intraarticular es una dosis efectiva para controlar la pérdida de sangre en cirugías de artroplastia total de rodilla. Las dosis más bajas no tienen un efecto significativo en las tasas de transfusión.

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Abstract Recurrent nerve laryngeal schwannoma is a rare benign tumor that, in expert hands, can be treated by transoral CO2 laser surgery.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a global health threat, and the World Health Organization has included H. pylori among 12 bacterial species that require high priority future strategies for the development of new antibiotics due mainly to its high rates of resistance. Metallic nanoparticles are known for their antimicrobial properties. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) as biocompatible antimicrobials. Green synthesis of ZnONPs was performed based on Oak galls extract (OGE) and was characterized by UV, IR, DLS, TEM, and SEM measurements. In addition, LC-MS/MS was used for the identification of OGE constituents. A checkerboard assay was used to evaluate the activity of synthesized Qi-ZnONPs and OGE against H. pylori, and their synergistic effects with amoxicillin were evaluated. LC-MS/MS analyses identified 20 compounds as major gallic acid conjugates. The ZnONPs had average particle sizes of 5.5 nm (DLS) and 7.99 nm (TEM). Both OGE and Qi-ZnONPs exhibited moderate activity against H. pylori. Amoxicillin and Qi-ZnONPs combinations (1:2 and 1:4 amoxicillin:/Qi-ZnONPs) significantly decreased the MIC90 by two-fold and four-fold, respectively, and FIC values for the combinations were more significant than with OGE alone. OGE is rich in phenolics. The synergism between Qi-ZnONPs and amoxicillin can provide an alternative safe agent of low cost to combat H. Pylori infections.

Room-temperature ball milling technique has been successfully employed to fabricate copper-zinc graphene nanocomposite by high-energy ball milling of elemental Cu, Zn, and graphene. Copper powder reinforced with 1-wt.% nanographene sheets were mechanically milled with 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt.% Zn powder. The ball-to-powder weight ratio was selected to be 10:1 with a 400-rpm milling speed. Hexane and methanol were used as a process control agent (PCA) during composite fabrication. The effect of PCA on the composite microstructure was studied. The obtained composites were compacted by a uniaxial press under 700 MPa. The compacted samples were sintered under a controlled atmosphere at 1023 K for 90 min. The microstructure, mechanical, and tribological properties of the prepared Cu-Zn GrNSs nanocomposites were studied. All results indicated that composites using hexane as PCA had a uniform microstructure with higher densities. The densities of sintered samples were decreased gradually by increasing the Zn percent. The obtained composite contained 10 wt.% Zn had a more homogeneous microstructure, low porosity, higher Vickers hardness, and compression strength, while the composite contained 15 wt.% Zn recorded the lowest wear rate. Both the electrical and thermal conductivities were decreased gradually by increasing the Zn content.

k-Mersenne and k-Mersenne-Lucas sedenions are specialised extensions of sedenions, a sixteen-dimensional algebraic structure. These variations introduce specific algebraic rules and properties derived from their connection to Mersenne and Lucas numbers. k-Mersenne sedenions are defined by their relationship to k-Mersenne numbers, while k-Mersenne-Lucas sedenions are associated with k-Mersenne-Lucas numbers. In this article firstly k-Mersenne and k-Mersenne-Lucas sedenions are defined. Then the algebraic properties of these sedenions such as norm, conjugate and inner product are examined. The Mersenne and Mersenne-Lucas recurrence relations, Binet's formulas, generating functions and finite sum formulas for these sedenions are derived. These sedenions also reveal interesting connections with established number theory identities such as Catalan's, Cassini's, D'Ocagne's and Vajda's identities, providing further depth to their significance within the mathematical theory and their potential applications across various scientific domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigates the feasibility of using friction stir welding (FSW) process as a groove filling welding technique to weld duplex stainless steel (DSS) that is extensively used by petroleum service companies and marine industries. For the FSW experiments, three different groove geometries without root gap were designed and machined in a DSS plates 6.5 mm thick. FSW were carried out to produce butt-joints at a constant tool rotation rate of 300 rpm, traverse welding speed of 25 mm/min, and tilt angle of 3o using tungsten carbide (WC) tool. For comparison, the same DSS plates were welded using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). The produced joints were evaluated and characterized using radiographic inspection, optical microscopy, and hardness and tensile testing. Electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD) was used to examine the grain structure and phases before and after FSW. The initial results indicate that FSW were used successfully to weld DSS joints with different groove designs with defect-free joints produced using the 60° V-shape groove with a 2 mm root face without root gap. This friction stir welded (FSWed) joint was further investigated and compared with the GTAW joint. The FSWed joint microstructure mainly consists of α and γ with significant grain refining; the GTWA weld contains different austenitic-phase (γ) morphologies such as grain boundary austenite (GBA), intragranular austenite precipitates (IGA), and Widmanstätten austenite (WA) besides the ferrite phase (α) in the weld zone (WZ) due to the used high heat input and 2209 filler rod. The yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation of the FSWed joint are enhanced over the GTAW weldment by 21%, 41%, and 66% and over the BM by 65%, 33%, and 54%, respectively. EBSD investigation showed a significant grain refining after FSW with grain size average of 1.88 µm for austenite and 2.2 µm for ferrite.

Nagla Salem,1 Lamyaa Salem,2 Sally Saber,2 Ghada Ismail,2 Martin H Bluth1 1Department of Pathology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA; 2Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt Abstract: Corynebacterium urealyticum is a Gram positive, slow-growing, lipophilic, multi-drug resistant, urease positive micro-organism with diphtheroid morphology. It has been reported as an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen and as the cause of a variety of diseases including but not limited to cystitis, pyelonephritis, and bacteremia among others. This review serves to describe C. urealyticum with respect to its history, identification, laboratory investigation, relationship to disease and treatment in order to allow increased familiarity with this organism in clinical disease. Keywords: Corynebacterium urealyticum, cystitis, pyelonephritis, bacteremia, micro-organisms

One hundred fifty three kidney transplant recipients whose grafts functioned for longer than one year were evaluated for evidence of post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM). Twenty-six patients (17%) developed PTDM. Patients with PTDM were older than controls (mean age 49.4 vs 37.9 years). There was no demonstrable association between sex of patients and PTDM. The body mass index (BMI) was persistently higher in patients with PTDM compared to controls, although the difference did not amount to statistical significance. The association of PTDM with HLA-A28, A30 and B8 observed in other studies was not seen in our patients. Similarly, neither the positive association of HLA-DR3 and DR4, nor the negative association of HLA-B7 and DR2 seen in population-based studies of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, were seen in our patients with PTDM. To our knowledge, this is the first report that has looked into the association of HLA antigens and PTDM in Saudi Arabia.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a global health threat, and the World Health Organization has included H. pylori among 12 bacterial species that require high priority future strategies for the development of new antibiotics due mainly to its high rates of resistance. Metallic nanoparticles are known for their antimicrobial properties. The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has approved zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) as biocompatible antimicrobials. Green synthesis of ZnONPs was performed based on Oak galls extract (OGE) and was characterized by UV, IR, DLS, TEM, and SEM measurements. In addition, LC-MS/MS was used for the identification of OGE constituents. A checkerboard assay was used to evaluate the activity of synthesized Qi-ZnONPs and OGE against H. pylori, and their synergistic effects with amoxicillin were evaluated. LC-MS/MS analyses identified 20 compounds as major gallic acid conjugates. The ZnONPs had average particle sizes of 5.5 nm (DLS) and 7.99 nm (TEM). Both OGE and Qi-ZnONPs exhibited moderate activity against H. pylori. Amoxicillin and Qi-ZnONPs combinations (1:2 and 1:4 amoxicillin:/Qi-ZnONPs) significantly decreased the MIC90 by two-fold and four-fold, respectively, and FIC values for the combinations were more significant than with OGE alone. OGE is rich in phenolics. The synergism between Qi-ZnONPs and amoxicillin can provide an alternative safe agent of low cost to combat H. Pylori infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isolation and identification of new microbial isolates capable of producing cholesterol oxidase enzyme (CHO) is of great potential in the field of biotechnology of industrial enzymes. Four producing strains of actinomycetes were isolated from Egyptian soils demonstrated high activity in cholesterol degradation compared to the other isolates. Based on different standard morphological, biochemical as well as molecular techniques using 16S rRNA sequencing, these actinomycetes were identified as Streptomyces sp. strain NHIA_CH3 MK680299, Streptomyces sp. strain NHIA_CH5 MK680300, Streptomyces griseus strain NHIA_CH6 MK680301 and Streptomyces drozdowiczii strain NHIA_CH10 MK680302. In order to optimize the CHO enzyme activity, different fermentation media were tested in submerged cultures at shake flask level. Maximum activity (23.7 U/mL) was observed in culture of Streptomyces sp. strain NHIA_CH5 which was scaled up to the 5L volume of the stirred tank bioreactor. Results of the batch fermentation showed an earlier production of CHO enzyme with 4% increase in activity compared to that obtained from shake flask cultures indicated that Streptomyces sp. strain NHIA_CH5 could be a potential source of CHO enzyme for commercial purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thrips is a harmful cosmopolitan polyphagous pest with marked serious and adverse effects on over 200 host plants, it infests tomatoes, sucking and destroying its seedlings. This study was carried out in a Rogina tomato hybrid field in three governorates, El-Beheira, El-Faiyumand El-Sharqia, in Egypt. In order to evaluate the efficacy of five predatorymites (Mesostigmata: Phytoseiidae) namely; Typhlodrompis swirskii, Phytoseiulus persimilis, Neoseiulus cucumeris, Typhlodromus nigavi and Neoseiulus californicus as well as the recom- mended combination (abamectin + Egyxide oil) as standard insecticide (1 ml + 2.5 ml/l) separately or combined with each other against Thrips tabaci nymphs and adults. The current study indicated that the single treatment with T. swirskii and N. cucumeris as well as the recommended combination (abamectin+Egyxide oil) were the most efficient as a bioagent control against T. tabaci in tomato plants in all three governorates, followed by T. nigavi, whereas P . persimilis and N. californicus has no role as a biocontrol agent for T. tabaci in single treatment compared with control. Moreover, alternately using predatory T. swirskii in combination with other predators (N. cucumeris, T. nigavi and N. californicus) showed significant reductions (95.8-99.95 %) in T. tabaci populations without any incompatibility or competition between each other compared with control in all three governorates (LSD: 3.46, indicated that there is no significant difference between treatments in all governorates). In general, the reduction effect of all treatments in El-Faiyum was decreased more than the other two governorates. This study demonstrated that T. tabaci in tomato can be reduced by using T. swirskii and N. cucumeris singly or alternately mixing with other predators mentioned above. In the light of these results, the T. swirskii and N. cucumeris singly or alternately should be considered when deciding on the timing of abamectin applications within IPM strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recurrent nerve laryngeal schwannoma is a rare benign tumor that, in expert hands, can be treated by transoral CO2 laser surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives. In the era of increased need for kidney allografts, it is essential to identify predictors of graft dysfunction after kidney transplantation. Delayed graft function (DGF) is the most common form of acute kidney injury diagnosed in the first week following kidney transplantation that is frequently associated with a negative impact on short-term and long-term allograft function. This study aimed to determine the risk factors influencing DGF after deceased donor kidney transplantation in our center. Materials and Methods. In this prospective study we enrolled 116 recipients of kidney grafts transplanted from deceased donors between January and December 2014 in the Center of Uronephrology and Renal Transplantation, Fundeni Clinical Institute. Our kidney transplant center team consisted of experts in transplant surgery, nephrology and anesthesiology was involved in all steps of transplantation. The endpoint of our study was DGF which was defined as the need for dialysis within the first 7 days after kidney transplantation. Results. Incidence of DGF was 12.9%. Recipient cardiac heart failure (CHF) was the only independent risk factor for DGF. Moreover, by multivariate analysis, CHF significantly increased the risk of DGF by 7.4 times (OR=7.39; 95% CI 1.57- 34.63, p=0.01). Recipient weight and cold ischemia time > 12 h presented a statistical trend of association with DGF. Conclusions. In our study, recipient weight and recipient CHF were the most important risk factor associated with DGF, highlighting the importance of recipient characteristics for a successful kidney transplant. Moreover, prolonged CIT presented a trend association with DGF, underlining the importance of logistic period until reimplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives. Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare autosomal dominant disease with multisystemic involvement. Renal angiomyolipomas (AMLs) affect up to 80% of TSC patients and AML hemorrhage risk increases with size. Everolimus (EVE) is a mTOR inhibitor and is the only approved drug for managing renal AMLs in the adult population. We studied a series of TSC patients who received EVE therapy to evaluate its renal efficiency and safety. Materials and Methods. 18 patients with TSC and renal AML were enrolled, and they received 10 mg Everolimus daily. AML measurements were performed yearly, by using either computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The largest baseline diameter of the biggest renal tumor was compared with the subsequent measurements. Clinical examination was performed, and biological parameters were systematically evaluated. Results. Of the total of 17 patients who underwent efficiency assessment, 16 (94.1%) responded to EVE by renal tumor shrinkage. A significant AML reduction was observed after 12 months of treatment, from a mean of 74.5 mm to 57.3 mm (23% reduction). The primary endpoint (AML’s diameter shrinkage ≥ 25% from baseline) was attained by 8 (47%) patients. In the aspect of adverse events (AE), no treatment interruptions were necessary due to intolerance. The most frequent AE was dyslipidemia, affecting 14 patients (82.3%), followed by anemia in 10 patients (58.8%). Proteinuria was the most common renal AE, which was managed by temporarily lowering the EVE dose. There were no AML-related hemorrhage and no local interventions were necessary. Conclusions. In our experience, EVE is an efficient and well tolerated treatment for adult TSC patients and associated AML. The most important positive result observed was no new bleeding episodes, which improves both renal and general outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Lupus nephritis (LN) affects nearly 60% of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and up to 30% of them will progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD), despite receiving aggressive immunosuppressive therapy. The prognostic value of ISN/RPS classification is controversial. Therefore, we aimed to identify clinical and pathological predictors of outcome in LN patients independent of this classification. Material and methods: Thirty-seven patients with LN who underwent percutaneous kidney biopsy between 1997 and 2016 were included in this study. Twenty clinical and twenty histological variables were tested for their association with a composite end-point of doubling of serum creatinine, ESRD and death. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis were performed to identify independent predictors of outcome. Results: During a median follow-up period of 48 months (IQR: 17.5-120 months), 21.6% of patients reached the composite end-point. The overall survival rate of our cohort was 89% at one year, 86% at five years, 74% at 10 years and 64% at 20 years. Patients with Class IV LN showed the worst prognosis with 44% survival at 10 years, while those who additionally showed crescents and global sclerosis on kidney biopsy had an even lower survival of 21% and 0% at 10 years, respectively. After multivariate adjustment, we identified estimated glomerular filtration rate at baseline (HR, 0.91 per ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI, 0.84 to 0.99), 24-hour proteinuria at baseline (HR, 2.04 per g/d; 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.5), crescents (HR, 1.068 per %; 95% CI, 1.003 to 1.091), global sclerosis (HR, 1.036 per %; 95% CI, 0.984 to 1.091), presence of adhesions (HR, 9.2; 95% CI, 1.38 to 61.2) and tubulitis (HR, 13.1; 95% CI; 1.3 to 131) as independent predictors of outcome in our cohort of LN. Conclusions: Our study identified glomerular (crescents, global sclerosis, adhesions) and tubulointerstitial (tubulitis) lesions, in addition to clinical variables (renal function, 24-hour proteinuria), as important predictors of renal outcome, independent of the ISN/RPS classification. We suggest that the ISN/RPS classification could be improved by a quantitative assessment of glomeruli with active and chronic lesions and by a greater emphasis given to tubulointerstitial lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives. Cystatin C is a reliable, alternative marker to creatinine in estimating glomerular filtration rate in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), even in those with kidney transplant. Also, cystatin C tends to be superior to serum creatinine in evaluating early stages of CKD in kidney recipients, which is critical to early detection of acute rejection. The aim of our study was to evaluate the correlation of serum cystatin C measured after transplantation with demographical, biological parameters and organ preservation time. Materials and methods. We performed a prospective observational study on 44 consecutive kidney transplant recipients, followed for 3 months after transplantation. Graft kidney function was evaluated with both serum creatinine and cystatin C and was estimated with CKD-EPI and Cystatin C formula. Cystatin C was analyzed on a latex enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay. Results. We found that cystatin C levels measured first time post-transplant was correlated with recipient age (r=0.39, p=0.008), cold ischemia time (r=0.56, p< 0.001) and warm ischemia time (r=0.35, p= 0.01). Results evaluated at 3 months after transplantation showed that serum cystatin C was also correlated with recipient age (r=0.36, p=0.001) and cold ischemia time (r=0.32, p=0.003) and more than that, with pretransplant recipient weight (r=0.34, p=0.002), tryglicerides and haemoglobin levels (r=0.40, p= 0.008 and r= -0.36, p=0.01). Conclusions. We showed that serum cystatin C measured early after kidney transplantation is correlated with demographic, biological parameters and ischemia times, in kidney transplant recipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives. Despite refinements in the initial evaluation and management of patients with newly diagnosed localized high-risk prostate cancer, urologist have difficulties to counsel their patients based upon currently used pretreatment parameters. In this study, we investigate preoperative characteristics that can predict unfavorable pathological outcome in patients undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localized high-risk prostate cancer. Materials and Methods. We analyzed a database of 279 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer and treated with radical prostatectomy in our institute between 2014 and 2017 and identified 83 patients with high-risk characteristics because of PSA > 20 ng/ml or biopsy Gleason score ³ 8. The following postsurgical parameters were considered unfavorable pathological outcome: seminal vesicle invasion, surgical margins, perineural invasion and lymph node invasion. To identify the determinants associated with unfavorable pathologic outcomes, we performed univariate and multivariate logistic regression in two models. Results. 77.1% of patients (n=64) had unfavorable pathological outcome. In multivariate analysis, we pointed out that PSA > 20 ng/ml was an independent determinant associated with lymph node invasion ( OR: 3.7, 95 % CI: 1.02- 14.36, p=0.04), biopsy Gleason score ≥ 8 was independently associated with increased risk of perineural invasion ( OR: 6.04, 95% CI: 1.09-33.31, p=0.03) and PSA > 20 ng/ml and biopsy Gleason score ≥ 8 were independent high risk factors for seminal vesicle invasion (OR: 11.10, 95% CI: 1.30-98.44, p=0.02; OR: 11.45, 95% CI: 1.28-102, p=0.02, respectively). Moreover, in the second model, we showed that Gleason score pattern 5 increased the risk of lymph node invasion by 3.21 (OR: 3.21, 95% CI: 1.03-9.99, p=0.04). Conclusions. Newly diagnosed patients with PSA > 20 ng/ml or biopsy Gleason score≥ 8 are at increased risk of more extensive disease. Our data is important for urologist in the selection of patients with high risk characteristics proposed for radical prostatectomy and for patients to better understand their disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and Objectives. Cystatin C could be used as a reliable alternative marker to creatinine in estimating glomerular filtration rate (GFR), even in kidney transplant recipients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and biological determinants of glomerular filtration rate estimated with cystatin C (CysC) in kidney transplant recipients, at 3 months after kidney transplantation. Materials and Methods. We performed a prospective observational study on 44 consecutive kidney transplant patients, followed for 3 months after kidney transplantation. Cystatin C was measured by latex enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay (EuroLyser). Results. Thirty patients (68.2%) out of 44 had an estimated GFRCysC less than 60 ml/min/1.73m2. Patients with estimated GFRCysC < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 tended to be older (33.4 ± 11 vs 40.6 ± 12 years, p = 0.06), were more frequently males (35.7% vs 80%, p = 0.004) and presented significantly decreased levels of pretransplant total cholesterol (208± 32.7mg/dl vs 175.8 ± 54.6 mg/dl, p= 0.04). By multivariate binary logistic regression, recipient male gender (OR: 5.59; 95% CI: 1.06-29.53; p= 0.04) and pretransplant total cholesterol levels (OR: 0.97; 95% CI: 0.95-0.99; p= 0.02) were independently associated with estimated GFRCysC < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 at 3 months after transplantation and recipient age had a near-significant trend (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 0.98-1.18; p= 0.07). Conclusions. In conclusion, we found that recipient male gender and pretransplant total cholesterol levels were independent determinants of glomerular filtration rate estimated with cystatin C in kidney transplant recipients, at 3 months after kidney transplantation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To enhance clavulanic acid production using UV-mutagenesis on Streptomyces sp. NRC77. Methods: UV-mutagenesis was used to study the effect of Streptomyces sp. NRC77 on CA production. Phenotypic and genotypic identification methods of the promising mutant strain were characterized. Optimization of the fermentation medium and culture conditions were investigated. Results: Out of the screened mutants, 120A3 mutant isolate was selected as promising. The phenotypic properties of 120A3 mutant showed culture characteristics similar to those of Streptomyces species. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence indicate that this strain has similarity (99 %) to Streptomyces sp.T2-7; therefore it was suggested as Streptomyces sp. MU-NRC77 and has Gen Bank accession no. KT953342. Conclusion: Improvement of CA yield by 48 % was obtained from fermentation medium and culture condition optimization. Further optimization by addition of H2O2 and activated charcoal to the production medium increased CA yield to 646.12 and 682.94 mg/L respectively, i.e., 83 % more than that obtained prior to addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper carries out an analysis on the momentum, heat and mass transfer characteristics in an incompressible magnetohydrodynamic non-Newtonian boundary flow of a viscoelastic fluid over a stretching sheet in the presence of thermal diffusion and chemical reaction. The partial differential equations governing the flow as well as heat and mass transfer features are converted into highly non-linear coupled ordinary differential equations by similarity transformations. The resulting differential equations are solved by using a shooting technique with fifth-order Runge-Kutta-Fehlberg integration scheme. The influence of magnetic interaction, variable thermal conductivity, viscoelastic, variable fluid viscosity, heat source/sink rate of chemical reaction, themal radiation and thermal diffusion parameters as well as Prandtl and Schmidt numbers are analyzed for velocity, temperature and concentration profiles. The wall shear stress, wall temperature and concentration gradients are also investigated for the problem. The fluid viscosity varies as an inverse function of velocity while the thermal conductivity assumes a linear and an inverse function of temperature and concentration respectively. The study shows that the thermal diffusion and thermal radiation parameters have opposite effects on the skin friction coefficient and wall concentration gradient. However, the rate of chemical reaction has similar influence on the skin friction coefficient and wall temperature gradient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates Ornithogalum brevipedicellatum, which was previously accepted as a synonym of O. oligophyllum, as a separate distinct species and discusses the similarities and differences between O. brevipedicellatum and its related species (O. oligophyllum and O. pamphylicum). Similarities and differences among these species were identifi ed by morphological and molecular studies. The leaf morphology and inflorescence of O. brevipedicellatum and O. pamphylicum are similar to each other, and in terms of these features, they show differences from O. oligophyllum. Some diagnostic characteristics are quite different in O. brevipedicellatum and O. pamphylicum, such as the size of tepals, length of fruiting pedicels and style. Morphological data were supported by the results obtained from molecular studies. According to a dendrogram obtained by molecular studies, O. brevipedicellatum and O. pamphylicum are similar. O. oligophyllum is more closely related to O. pyrenaicum used as an out-group. Additionally, the seeds of O. brevipedicellatum were examined with the use of scanning electron microscopy [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]