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Peat is a unique type of soil whose properties vary widely, making it a very poor foundation material for construction purposes. Therefore, before starting any construction on ground that overlies a peat layer, it is essential to understand the properties of the peat. The purpose of this study was to investigate the properties of different peats that occur in Northeast India. Peat samples were collected from four sites located in the states of Assam, Tripura and Manipur. The names of the sites were: National Highway 39 (NH 39), Kalinagar Tea Estate (KTE), Indo-Bangladesh border (IBB) and National Institute of Technology, Manipur (NITM). The upper surfaces of the peat layers studied were 1–2 m below ground level and their average thickness was 3–9 m. Field and laboratory investigations were conducted to determine degree of decomposition, together with physicochemical and engineering properties of the peat. Microstructural and thermal analyses were also carried out. We found that high organic matter content and slight peat decomposition increased water retention capacity and acidity while simultaneously reducing specific gravity and bulk density. Furthermore, high organic matter content reduced strength and increased compressibility. Microstructural and thermal analyses helped to elucidate the morphological, mineralogical and thermal decomposition characteristics of the peats, and these results largely supported the outcomes of the field and laboratory tests. Overall, the engineering properties of peat soils from IBB and NITM were inferior to those of the soils from NH39 and KTE.

Cross nanofluid possesses an extraordinary quality among the various fluidic models to explore the key characteristics of flowing fluid during very low and very high shear rates and its viscosity models depend upon shear rate. The current study establishes the numerical treatment regarding variable viscosity-based mixed convective inclined magnetized Cross nanofluid with varying thermal conductivities over the moving permeable surface. Along with variable thermal conductivities, we considered thermal radiation, thermophoresis, and the Brownian motion effect. An inclined magnetic field was launched for velocity scrutiny and the heat transfer fact was numerically seen by mixed convective conditions. Similarity variables were actioned on generated PDEs of the physical model and conversion was performed into ODEs. Numerical results showed that the frictional force and Nusselt quantity considerably influence the skinning heat transfer processes over the geometry of a moving permeable surface. Furthermore, less velocity was noticed for the greater suction parameter and the Brownian motion parameter corresponds to lower mass transport.

A fluid’s moving class improves its heat transmission capability, as well as its rigidity, owing to multivariate molecule suspension. In this way, nanofluids are superior to common fluids. In this study, we evaluated the features of ease and heat transfer. Furthermore, we investigated permeable media, heat source, variable heat conductivity, and warm irradiation results. A mathematical technique known as the Galerkin finite element (G-FEM) approach was used to solve the supervising conditions. Third-grade nanofluid (TGNF), which consists of two types of nanoparticles (NPs), single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) distributed in a base liquid of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) water, was used for this examination. The main conclusion of this study is that MWCNT-CMC nanofluid has a higher heat transfer velocity than SWCNT-CMC nanofluid. The entropy of the framework can be increased by adjusting the thermal conductivity. Additionally, we found that increasing the main volume section decreases the speed but increases the dispersion of atomic energy. In order to separately account for the development properties of inertial forces and shallow heat dispersion forces, Reynolds and Brinkman values can be used to accelerate the entropy rate of the heating framework.

Abstract A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Piper nigrum (black pepper) leaf extract on on the growth performance, proximate composition, hematological parameters, and immune response of Labeo rohita fingerlings with an average weight of 22.14 ± 0.98g. Aftrer acclimation for two weeks, fish (n=25) were randomly selected and placed in four glass aquaria (T0, T1, T2 and T3) at constant water temperature (30.0 ± 1.0 °C), pH (7.50 ± 0.5) and total hardness (200 ± 2.0 mgL,-1) for a period of 12 weeks, with three replicates each. Fish were fed with P. nigrum leaf extract supplemented feed @ 0.0%, 1.0%, 2.0% and 3.0% in T0, T1,T2 and T3, respectively. At the end of experiment, five fish were randomly selected from each aquaria for proximate composition, gut and skin microbial load, hematological parameters. Total proteins, albumins, and globulins were also recorded to evaluate immunological memory. The result revealed that fish in T2 showed better growth performance with an average weight gain of 56.11 ± 0.51 g. Thus, it had been concluded that Piper nigrum, a medicinal plant, can also be used to enhance the growth performance and immune response of Labeo rohita as attractive alternatives against antibiotics and vaccines and has shown no negative side effects on fish health as well as on its environment.

Abstract The growth of aquaculture sector is strongly dependent upon the continuous supply of inexpensive fish feed with balanced nutritional profile. However, fish meal (FM) is unable to satisfy this demand due to its scarce supply and high cost. In order to test the potential of cottonseed meal (CSM) as a fish meal replacer, a feeding trial of 12 weeks was conducted to check growth performance and proximate composition of Labeo rohita fingerlings. The protein ration of the test feed was satisfied by replacing FM with CSM at 0, 25, 50 and 75%. Sixteen test diets viz., TD1 (control), TD2, TD3, TD4, TD5, TD6, TD7, TD8, TD9, TD10, TD11, TD12, TD13, TD14, TD15 and TD16 were supplemented with citric acid (CA; 0 and 2.5%) and phytase (PHY; 0 and 750 FTU/kg) in a completely randomized design with 3×3 factorial arrangement. The highest weight gain (11.03g), weight gain% (249.21%), specific growth rate (1.39) and best feed conversion ratio (1.20) were recorded by fish fed with TD12. Furthermore, the same level increased the crude protein (59.26%) and fat (16.04%) being significantly different (p

Abstract Economic valuation of ecosystem services is a new concept in forest management. Economic valuation provides basis for payment for ecosystem services (PES). Therefore, objective of this study was to evaluate eco-tourism and carbon stock services of the Maindam valley, District Swat, Pakistan. For the carbon stock calculation, a sample size of 155 plots of 0.1 hectare (Ha) was taken using preliminary survey at 95% confidence interval and 10% allowable error. The data for tourism services was collected from owners of all the hotels, 100 tourists and key informants of the area at 10% sampling intensity on pretested questionnaire for twenty years period (1997-2017). Results showed that Miandam valley has carbon stock worth US$ 16,306,000 while the value of eco-tourism was US$ 1,578,458 on annual basis. The results also showed that trend of tourism has drastically declined after the 9/11 incident for foreigners and locals and the situation was further deteriorated during the era of Talibanization or militancy from 2008-2011. This study recommends implementation of PES strategy at the rate of 5%, thus a total of US$ 78,922 can be earned from eco-tourism and carbon crediting in the study area annually, which could play important role in sustainable forest management.

Abstract The medicinal attributes of honey appears to overshadow its importance as a functional food. Consequently, several literatures are rife with ancient uses of honey as complementary and alternative medicine, with relevance to modern day health care, supported by evidence-based clinical data, with little attention given to honey’s nutritional functions. The moisture contents of honey extracted from University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore honey bee farm was 12.19% while that of natural source was 9.03 ± 1.63%. Similarly, ash and protein contents of farmed honey recorded were 0.37% and 5.22%, respectively. Whereas ash and protein contents of natural honey were 1.70 ± 1.98% and 6.10 ± 0.79%. Likewise fat, dietary fiber and carbohydrates contents of farmed source documented were 0.14%, 1.99% and 62.26% respectively. Although fat, dietary fiber and carbohydrates contents of honey taken from natural resource were 0.54 ± 0.28%, 2.76 ± 1.07% and 55.32 ± 2.91% respectively. Glucose and fructose contents of honey taken out from honeybee farm were 27% and 34% but natural source were 22.50 ± 2.12% and 28.50 ± 3.54%. Glucose and fructose contents of honey taken out from honeybee farm were 27% and 34% but natural source were 22.50 ± 2.12% and 28.50 ± 3.54%. Similarly, sucrose and maltose contents of farmed honey were 2.5% and 12% while in natural honey were 1.35 ± 0.49% and 8.00 ± 1.41% respectively. The present study indicates that such as moisture, carbohydrates, sucrose and maltose contents were higher farmed honey as compared to the natural honey. In our recommendation natural honey is better than farmed honey.

Abstract Unavailability of probiotics in fish digestive system fingerlings is unable to digest and absorb their food properly. The current research was conducted to investigate the influence of probiotics added Linseed meal based (LMB) diet on hematology and carcass composition of Labeo rohita juveniles. Hematological parameters are essential diagnostics used to estimate the health status of fish. The usage of probiotics for fish health improvement is becoming common due to the higher demand for environment-friendly culture system in water. Linseed meal was used as a test ingredient to prepare six experimental test diets by adding probiotics (0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 g/kg) and 1% indigestible chromic oxide for seventy days. According to their live wet weight, five percent feed was given to fingerlings twice a day. Fish blood and carcass samples (Whole body) were taken for hematological and carcass analysis at the end of the experiment. The highest carcass composition (crude protein; 18.72%, crude fat; 8.80% and gross energy; 2.31 kcal/g) was observed in fish fed with test diet II supplemented with probiotics (2 g/kg). Moreover, maximum RBCs number (2.62× 106mm-3), WBCs (7.84×103mm-3), PCV (24.61), platelets (63.85) and hemoglobin (7.87) had also been reported in the fish fingerlings fed on 2 g/kg of probiotics supplemented diet. Results indicated that probiotics supplementation has a critical role in improvement of fingerlings’ body composition and hematological indices. Present findings showed that probiotics supplementation at 2 g/kg level in linseed by-product-based diet was very useful for enhancing the overall performance of L. rohita fingerlings.

Abstract Previous studies have suggested that arsenic crosses the placenta and affects the fetus development. The study under consideration aims to show comparative ameliorative effect of Moringa oleifera leaf and flower extracts against sodium arsenate induced fetus toxicity of mice. Pregnant mice (N=44) were kept in lab and divided into eleven group from (A to K) and were orally administered the doses 6 mg/kg, 12 mg/kg for sodium arsenate, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg for Moringa oleifera leaf extracts (MOLE) and 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg for Moringa oleifera flower extracts (MOFE) comparing with control. The investigation revealed evident reduction in the fetuses weight, hind limb, fore limb, tail and snout length, crown rump and head circumferences well as malformations in tail, feet, arms, legs, skin and eyes in the negative control group (only administered with sodium arsenate). Co-administration of sodium arsenate with MOLE and MOFE ameliorate the reversed effect of sodium arsenate on the shape, length, body weight and DNA damage of fetus significantly at 95% confidence interval. However, Moringa oleifera leaf extract showed more significant results in comparison to Moringa oleifera flower extract. Hence concluded that Moringa oleifera leaf extract ameliorated the embryo toxic effects of sodium arsenate and can be used against environmental teratogens.

Abstract Climatic factors play an essential role in the growth of tree ring width. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the correlation between climatic variables and tree-ring growth characteristics of Pinus sibirica in Altai mountains, northwestern China. This study being is first of its kind on climate growth analysis of Pinus sibirica in northwestern China. The study showed great potential to understand the species growing under the specific climatic conditions. Total of 70 tree cores collected from three sites in the sampling area, out of which 63 tree cores considered for this study. The effect of climatic variables which was studied include precipitation, temperature and PDSI. Our results showed that Tree Ring Width chronology has a significantly positive correlation with the late winter (March) temperature and significant negative correlation with the July temperatures. A significant correlation was observed with the late summer precipitation whereas no significant relation found with the Palmer Drought Severity Index. These significant correlations with temperature and precipitation suggested that this tree species had the potential for the reconstruction of the past climate in the area.

Abstract Fish protein is serving as a source of nutrition for protein starving world. However, sustainable aquaculture products require inexpensive plant by-products due to finite sources of fish meal. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine nutrient utilization, growth performance and hematological indices of Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings fed on Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) based diets. Fish were fed with six isonitrogenous and isoenergetic diets having MOLM as a substitute of fish meal (FM) at the levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% for the period of 90 days. Fingerlings having initial weight 6.35±0.04g were reared in triplicate tanks at the stocking density of 15 and hand fed at the rate of 5% of total biomass twice regularly. Chromic oxide inclusion level was 1% in diets. After analysis, maximum growth performance and improved digestibility of nutrients were found in fish fed with diet at 10% replacement level as compared to fish fed on control diet and other test diets. Additionally, it was found that the red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration of fish showed a significantly (p

Abstract During this one year study, blood and fecal samples of doves (Zenaida asiatica), ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), pigeons (Columba livia), partridges (Alectoris chukar), turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) and goose (Chen caerulescens) were collected to assess the parasitic prevalence in these birds. The birds were kept at Avian Conservation and Research Center, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. All these avian species were kept in separate cages and their entire body was inspected on regularly basis to record external parasites. For internal parasites, 100 blood and 100 fecal samples for each species were analyzed. During present study, two species of ectoparasites i.e. fowl ticks (Args persicus) and mite (Dermanyssus gallinae) while 17 species of endoparasites; three from blood and 14 from fecal samples were identified. Prevalence of blood parasites was Plasmodium juxtanucleare 29.3%, Aegyptinella pullorum 15% and Leucoctoyzoon simond 13%. Parasitic species recorded from fecal samples included 6 species of nematodes viz. Syngamus trachea with parasitic prevalence of 50%, Capillaria anatis 40%, Capillaria annulata 37.5%, Heterakis gallinarum 28.3%, Ascardia galli 24% and Allodpa suctoria 2%. Similarly, two species of trematodes viz. Prosthogonimus ovatus having parasitic prevalence of 12.1% and Prosthogonimus macrorchis 9.1% were also recorded from fecal samples of the birds. Single cestode species Raillietina echinobothrida having parasitic prevalence of 27% and 3 protozoan species i.e. Eimeria maxima having prevalence 20.1%, Histomonas meleagridis 8% and Giardia lamblia 5.3% were recorded. In our recommendation, proper medication and sanitation of the bird’s houses and cages is recommended to avoid parasites.

Abstract Fishmeal; being a limited and costly feed ingredient is continuously been substituted with locally available plant proteins. However, the occurrence of anti-nutritional factors in plant meal suppresses its potential to be fully replaced. Therefore, in this study we aimed to study the synergistic effects of dietary additives like citric acid and phytase enzyme supplementation on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. Canola meal (CM) was used as a test ingredient to replace fishmeal (FM) as; 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%. These four diets were further supplemented by varying levels of phytase (0 and 750 FTU kg-1) and citric acid (0% and 2.5%) to formulate total sixteen test diets as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, T12, T13, T14, T15 and T16. Each treatment contained three replicates; applied to fish groups having 15 fingerlings each; following 3×3 factorial arrangement. 1% of chromic oxide was added as an inert marker. Maximum weight gain% (288%) and the lowest value of FCR (1.07) were recorded when fish was fed on diet T12 as compared to fish fed control diet (T1). Similarly, optimum nutrient digestibility values such as crude protein (77%), crude fat (84%) and gross energy (70%) were noted on same level. It was concluded that 50% canola meal can optimally replace fishmeal when supplemented with phytase and citric acid at the levels of 750 FTU kg-1 and 2.5%, respectively.

Abstract Cranes are the large and attractive Creatures of nature with long necks, legs, and life-span. Adults of both sexes are the same with similar color patterns. Demoiselle cranes spend most of their lifespan on dry grasses. They are also found around the stream, rivers, shallow lakes, natural wetlands, and depressions. To evaluate the current status of habitat use and major threats a study was conducted in tehsil Domel district Bannu. Line transect method and water quality tests (temperature, PH, contamination of E-coli bacteria) were used. To determine the major threats questionnaire method was used. The whole data was analyzed by using SPSS 21 version. Based on the distribution four study sites were selected and four water samples from each study site were taken. Most sites were moderate to highly degraded except Kashoo and kurram river mixing point which was low degraded with livestock grazing and human activities. Water quality tests showed PH ranges from 7-9, temperature 6.5-8.5, and contamination of E-coli in all samples. The social survey revealed that hunting, habitat degradation, and pollution as major threats. Effective long-term conservation and management in the study area are needed to focus on the protection of disturbance-free habitat.

ABSTRACT Microhabitat factors associated with the habitat of barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis) were examined and compared between summer and winter seasons. Habitat characteristics and preferred habitat were measured by locating direct and indirect signs. To quantify the habitat utilization of barking deer, each selected study site was sampled for floral diversity from 2015 to 2017. Quadrats were deployed along transect lines to determine seasonal distribution. Barking deer were not evenly distributed across vegetation types in the study area; they occurred more often in the broad-leaved forest than in Chir pine forest, at an elevational range of 550-850 m, in thick vegetation on steep slopes. The most preferred habitat included trees and shrubs with 30% and 69% cover, respectively. Barking deer avoided thicker tree cover, possibly as it hinders movement and escape from predators. No significant difference (χ2 = 6.37, df = 3, p = 0.19) in seasonal vegetation cover was recorded.

Abstract Indian crested porcupine is the largest rodent pest that damages a wide variety of crops, vegetables, and tree species which ultimately causes huge economic loss in Pakistan, which is an agricultural country. It prefers to live in hilly terrain but common in temperate and tropical forests, shrublands, and grasslands. This study focused on the identification and assessment of crops damaged along with the main precautionary measures used by the local farmers. The data was collected from twenty-four villages of two union councils i.e. Chamhad and Slahad of district Abbottabad. Two types of data (primary and secondary) were collected from the study area. Primary data was collected for identification and estimation calculation of total crop damaged through direct field observation by taking random quadrates in each village of the study area. The damage in the crop was assessed by randomly selecting a quadrate of 1x1 m2 for the wheat, pearl millet, and Sorghum fields. While 4x4 m2 quadrates were taken for maize and vegetables. At least three quadrate samples were taken from each field including one quadrate taken from the center of the field area. In union council Chamhad, damage to maize (11.31%) and wheat (0.73%) by the Indian crested porcupine while in union council Salhad, damage of maize (6.95%) and wheat (1.6%) was observed. In the entire study area, overall damage to maize crop (8.01%) and wheat (0.88%) was calculated. Based on information obtained from the farmers, the Indian porcupine inflicted damage to potato, tomato, cauliflower, chili pepper, turnip, radish, pea, and onion, etc. Secondary data obtained through a questionnaire survey to explore the human porcupine conflict and precautionary measures used by the farmers and landowners. Open and close-ended questionnaires (159) highlighted the presence of Indian crested porcupine in the study area and 96% of the respondents have seen porcupine directly. Many types of precautionary measures were used by the farmers such as fencing, night stay, night firing, and dogs to decrease the crop damage, respondents (63.91%) use guns for hunting. however, due to the largely agricultural area and nocturnal behavior of Indian crested porcupine majority of the respondents (51.57%) did not use any precautionary measure. Biological control of Indian porcupine is recommended in the study area. Farmers should be encouraged and provide incentives and killing through current should be banned while proper hunting license should be issued to overcome overhunting. Scientific studies are required to control the reproduction of porcupine specifically in the more damaged areas.

Abstract One of the most important traits that plant breeders aim to improve is grain yield which is a highly quantitative trait controlled by various agro-morphological traits. Twelve morphological traits such as Germination Percentage, Days to Spike Emergence, Plant Height, Spike Length, Awn Length, Tillers/Plant, Leaf Angle, Seeds/Spike, Plant Thickness, 1000-Grain Weight, Harvest Index and Days to Maturity have been considered as independent factors. Correlation, regression, and principal component analysis (PCA) are used to identify the different durum wheat traits, which significantly contribute to the yield. The necessary assumptions required for applying regression modeling have been tested and all the assumptions are satisfied by the observed data. The outliers are detected in the observations of fixed traits and Grain Yield. Some observations are detected as outliers but the outlying observations did not show any influence on the regression fit. For selecting a parsimonious regression model for durum wheat, best subset regression, and stepwise regression techniques have been applied. The best subset regression analysis revealed that Germination Percentage, Tillers/Plant, and Seeds/Spike have a marked increasing effect whereas Plant thickness has a negative effect on durum wheat yield. While stepwise regression analysis identified that the traits, Germination Percentage, Tillers/Plant, and Seeds/Spike significantly contribute to increasing the durum wheat yield. The simple correlation coefficient specified the significant positive correlation of Grain Yield with Germination Percentage, Number of Tillers/Plant, Seeds/Spike, and Harvest Index. These results of correlation analysis directed the importance of morphological characters and their significant positive impact on Grain Yield. The results of PCA showed that most variation (70%) among data set can be explained by the first five components. It also identified that Seeds/Spike; 1000-Grain Weight and Harvest Index have a higher influence in contributing to the durum wheat yield. Based on the results it is recommended that these important parameters might be considered and focused in future durum wheat breeding programs to develop high yield varieties.

Abstract An ethnobotanical study was conducted to document indigenous medicinal plants and their usage from knowledgeable and elderly persons in Razzar and Gadoon valley of Swabi and Allai and Tanawal valley of Hazara region of Pakistan during 2016-2019. Several systematic field visits and questionnaire surveys were carried out in selected sites of the study area to gather relevant information from the local community. Rapid assessment method was adopted for data collection by interviewing the local people having enough knowledge of medicinal plants use for treatment of different ailments. UV (UV) formula was applied to calculate the relative importance of medicinal plant species in each site of the study area. In the present study, 221 medicinal plants belonging to 105 families have been reported through 580 respondents (385 males, 138 females and 57 local health healer) from the Swabi and Hazara region. The main sources of herbal medicines were leaves (21%) followed by fruits (21%), seeds (17%), whole plants (14%), roots (9%), bark (9%), flowers (7%) and gum (2%). Mentha spicata L. and Berberis lycium Royle were reported with highest UV (UV) i.e. 0.92 and 0.68 in Razzar tehsil and Gadoon valley of Swabi, whereas Mentha longifolia L and Geranium wallichianum D were reported with highest UV i.e. (0.65) and (0.88) in Allai and Tanawal valley of Hazara region, respectively. It was concluded that Swabi and Hazara region is rich in medicinal plants species and associated traditional knowledge. Moreover, ethno-medicines have played significant role in the indigenous healthcare system of the study area. However, uprooting the entire plant for ethno-medicine is a big threat to conservation of medicinal plants diversity in the study area.

Abstract Real‐time monitoring of fluid viscosities in tubular systems is essential for industries transporting fluid media. The available real‐time viscometers for tubular systems have major drawbacks, such as using invasive methods with large pressure drops due to flow disturbances, destructive installation processes with permanent tube damage, and limited operability with laminar flows. Therefore, developing a viscometer to address the above‐mentioned concerns is required for industrial applications. In this study, a new application of a velocity‐dependent viscometer using a novel design for real‐time measurements with insignificant flow disruption is proposed. It involves a Poly (methyl‐methacrylate) microchannel bridge with a microfluidic flowmeter attached to a mechanically flexible Polydimethylsiloxane platform connected to the inner surface of the pipe, which can adapt to different pipe diameters and curvatures. Moreover, the proposed viscometer uses the pipe flow driving force to flow fluids into the microchannel for measurement without requiring a pumping system or any sample withdrawals. The results of the simulation analysis match the experimental results of the sensor performance. The sensor can measure different viscosities in the range of 4‐334 mPa s with a resolution higher than 2.7 mPa s. Finally, a stand‐alone system is integrated with the sensor for wireless data transmission.

Background: The infinite shear viscosity model of Carreau fluid characterizes the attitude of fluid flow at a very high/very low shear rate. This model has the capacity for interpretation of fluid at both extreme levels, and an inclined magnetic dipole in fluid mechanics has its valuable applications such as magnetic drug engineering, cold treatments to destroy tumors, drug targeting, bio preservation, cryosurgery, astrophysics, reaction kinetics, geophysics, machinery efficiency, sensors, material selection and cosmology. Novelty: This study investigates and interprets the infinite shear rate of Carreau nanofluid over the geometry of a cylindrical channel. The velocity is assumed to be investigated through imposing an inclined magnetic field onto cylindrical geometry. Activation energy is utilized because it helps with chemical reactions and mass transport. Furthermore, the effects of thermophoresis, the binary chemical process and the Brownian movement of nanoparticles are included in this attempt. Formulation: The mathematics of the assumed Carreau model is derived from Cauchy stress tensor, and partial differential equations (PDEs) are obtained. Similarity transformation variables converted these PDEs into a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Passing this system under the bvp4c scheme, we reached at numerical results of this research attempt. Findings: Graphical debate and statistical analysis are launched on the basis of the obtained computed numerical results. The infinite shear rate aspect of Carreau nanofluid gives a lower velocity. The inclined magnetic dipole effect shows a lower velocity but high energy. A positive variation in activation energy amplifies the concentration field.

An adaptive deep neural network is used in an inverse system identification setting to approximate the inverse of a nonlinear plant with the aim of constituting the plant controller by copying to the latter the weights and architecture of the converging deep neural network. This deep learning (DL) approach to the adaptive inverse control (AIC) problem is shown to outperform the adaptive filtering techniques and algorithms normally used in adaptive control, especially when in nonlinear plants. The deeper the controller, the better the inverse function approximation, provided that the nonlinear plant has an inverse and that this inverse can be approximated. Simulation results prove the feasibility of this DL-based adaptive inverse control scheme. The DL-based AIC system is robust to nonlinear plant parameter changes in that the plant output reassumes the value of the reference signal considerably faster than with the adaptive filter counterpart of the deep neural network. The settling and rise times of the step response are shown to improve in the DL-based AIC system.

Bioelectronics: A flexible micro-battery for healthcare There is an increasing demand for advanced healthcare electronics. That can be powered by physically flexible, biocompatible and high performance energy storage devices. However, existing technologies do not allow a combination of all favorable attributes in a single system. Now Muhammad Hussain and co-workers from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia show a physically compliant lithium ion micro-battery with an unprecedented high volumetric energy after cycling 120 times. They further integrate the battery module in a 3D printed encapsulation with near-infrared LEDs to demonstrate a smart dental brace. The present orthodontic system may be used as a personalized healthcare device that serves in faster bone regeneration and enhanced enamel healthcare protection with cost benefits.

It is clear that the intellectual is the person who can or can be a vision of his own through the surrounding whether it is a human or community or nature, so that he can express his vision and colors and words and languages and other expressions, and since the study of the intellectual variety, such as representations or images, so must To be studied according to the data of cultural criticism, which is one of the post-modern monetary activities and events is concerned with "criticism of the inherent patterns of cultural discourse in all manifestations, patterns and formulas, what is unofficial and non-institutional and what is the same, both" () Phenomena and brain Thus, the intellectual will reveal to us this conscience through his image in the text of the theater, which is a culture of humanity is constantly proliferating and diverse, and this is a claim to the study of the intellectual as a phenomenon present and wide at the level of theatrical text, especially the Iraqi, and access to the keys of his personality made us think that it is a phenomenon is a problem reflected us by questioning Next: (What are the representations of the intellectual in the Iraqi theater text in the light of cultural criticism?).

We present detailed shape-based analyses to compare the performance of metal foil-based capacitive pressure sensors based on the shape of the diaphragm (top electrode). We perform a detailed analysis on the use of new material and deflection in various shaped diaphragms to act as a performance indicator for pressure-based capacitive sensors. A low-cost, recyclable, and readily available material is used to present an alternative to the expensive materials used in conventional pressure sensors. Diaphragms of five different shapes (circle, ellipse, pentagon, square, and rectangle) are fabricated and analyzed. Mathematical, FEM, and experimental tests are performed for capacitive sensors fabricated in five different shapes. The mathematically calculated deflection for each shaped diaphragm is compared with the results of the corresponding FEM simulations. Two different experiments are performed to verify the performance of pressure sensors.

ABSTRACT The objective of this experiment was to investigate the effect of supplementation of an exogenous emulsifier (lyso-phospholipid) in the diet of growing broilers on growth performance and digestibility. A total of 1224 Ross-308 ten day old broiler chicks were distributed into two experimental treatments in such a way that each treatment had twelve replicates with fifty-one birds per replicate. Two experimental diets were formulated with and without emulsifier supplementation according to the nutrition standards of Ross 308. Feed intake and body weight gain of the broilers were measured on a daily basis and feed conversion ratio was also calculated. Nutrient digestibility was determined on the 25th day of age. Analysis of variance under completely randomized design technique was used to analyze the data. Feed intake was increased (p0.05) with or without emulsifier supplementation in the broiler diet during 11-25 days of life. However, feed conversion ratio was effected (p

In this research paper, we will compute the topological indices (degree based) such as the ordinary generalized geometric-arithmetic (OGA) index, first and second Gourava indices, first and second hyper-Gourava indices, general Randic´ index RγG,for γ=±1,±1/2, harmonic index, general version of the harmonic index, atom-bond connectivity (ABC) index, SK, SK1, and SK2 indices, sum-connectivity index, general sum-connectivity index, and first general Zagreb and forgotten topological indices for various types of chemical networks such as the subdivided polythiophene network, subdivided hexagonal network, subdivided backbone DNA network, and subdivided honeycomb network. The discussion on the aforementioned networks will give us very remarkable results by using the aforementioned topological indices.

Objectives Informing research participants of the results of studies in which they took part is viewed as an ethical imperative. However, there is little guidance in the literature about how to do this. The Fluoxetine Or Control Under Supervision trial randomised 3127 patients with a recent acute stroke to 6 months of fluoxetine or placebo and was published in the Lancet on 5 December 2018. The trial team decided to inform the participants of the results at exactly the same time as the Lancet publication, and also whether they had been allocated fluoxetine or placebo. In this report, we describe how we informed participants of the results.Design In the 6-month and 12-month follow-up questionnaires, we invited participants to provide an email address if they wished to be informed of the results of the trial. We re-opened our trial telephone helpline between 5 December 2018 and 31 March 2019.Setting UK stroke services.Participants 3127 participants were randomised. 2847 returned 6-month follow-up forms and 2703 returned 12-month follow-up forms; the remaining participants had died (380), withdrawn consent or did not respond.Results Of those returning follow-up questionnaires, a total of 1845 email addresses were provided and a further 50 people requested results to be sent by post. Results were sent to all email and postal addresses provided; 309 emails were returned unrecognised. Seventeen people replied, of whom three called the helpline and the rest responded by email.Conclusion It is feasible to disseminate results of large trials to research participants, though only around 60% of those randomised wanted to receive the results. The system we developed was efficient and required very little resource, and could be replicated by trialists in the future.Trial registration number ISRCTN83290762; Post-results.

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to check the effect of emulsifier supplementation on growth performance of broiler birds on starter phase, from days 1 to 10. In the current study, a total of twelve hundred twenty-four Ross 308 broiler one day old chicks were used. Ross 308 broiler chicks were divided into two groups in such a way that each group had12 replicates, and each replicate had 51 birds. The duration of the current trial was of 10 days. Chicks were fed experimental diets with or without emulsifier supplementation. Daily feed intake, body weight, feed conversion ratio and nutrient digestibility were recorded. Mortality was recorded on a daily basis, and feed intake was also corrected for mortality. Data collected from the experiment was interpreted by using analysis of variance method using SPSSTM under Completely Randomized Design. Results showed that emulsifier supplementation improved (p

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in elderly people in New Zealand and other developed countries. Neovascular AMD has a rapid onset and can lead to an overall loss of independence. Patients often present with an absolute central scotoma and distortion. The pathophysiology of neovascular AMD is thought to be associated with polymorphisms and mutations in genes which are involved with the progression of the complement cascade. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) may contribute to the progression of AMD via excessive angiogenesis and permeability of vessels associated with the retina. Current treatments for neovascular AMD act to reduce pathological angiogenesis via multiple mechanisms. Bevacizumab and ranibizumab bind to VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2), suppressing the actions of VEGF-A. Similar drugs, such as aflibercept, bind to placental growth factor (PIGF) in addition to VEGFR2, triggering similar effects. Endeavours to improve current treatments such as the safer use of brolucizumab and the use of the port delivery system for ranibizumab are being researched to maximise efficiency of therapies, to meet increasing demand. There are many direct and indirect costs of AMD on patients and hospitals. With an ageing population who suffer from more comorbidities, AMD cases are expected to rise; we must therefore endeavour to improve existing treatments, and future techniques for management should not be discarded without serious consideration.

Soluções analíticas para um conjunto de problemas envolvendo o fluxo subterrâneo podem ser calculadas por meio do método de elementos analíticos (MEA). A possibilidade de combinar a função potencial em uma única expressão matemática torna o MEA atrativo, pois permite considerar problemas envolvendo aquíferos confinados, não confinados ou a combinação de ambos em uma mesma equação. Neste artigo, o MEA foi utilizado para obter a solução do fluxo subterrâneo sob a ação conjunta de poços de bombeamento e injeção. O código computacional foi formulado para permitir a utilização de dados aleatórios para as vazões, posições e raios dos poços e pode ser utilizado para avaliação de cenários envolvendo o domínio infinito, com fronteiras de carga fixa, barreiras impermeáveis ou a combinação de ambas. Os resultados computacionais ilustram alguns cenários e englobam a influência do fluxo uniforme na configuração das linhas potenciais e de corrente, a utilização da teoria das imagens e o cálculo aproximado das isolinhas atavés dos pontos de estagnação.

Background and aims Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a strong independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Cyclophilin A (CyPA) is a protein secreted from vascular smooth muscle cells in response to reactive oxygen species. It is suggested that CyPA plays an important role in later stages of atherosclerosis and plaque rupture. It was demonstrated that plasma levels of CyPA are significantly higher in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in proportion to severity of disorder. Moreover, several studies have demonstrated a role of CyPA as a biomarker of CADs. Indeed studies revealed significantly higher plasma levels of CyPA in patients with CAD with type 2 DM. Objective To assess the severity of CAD among diabetic and prediabetic patients and predict future cardiovascular events. Patients and methods The study was conducted on 65 patients with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography, stratified according to GRACE score into low/intermediate/high death risk categories and subdivided into diabetic, prediabetic, and nondiabetic, and 20 age-matched and sex-matched patients, who had normal angiography as a control group. Blood samples were collected for determination of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum creatinine, cardiac troponin, and CyPA level using double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results There were significantly higher levels of CyPA among patient group than control group (P

This paper displays the effect of uncoated and coated chopped carbon fibers with alumina Al2O3 or Tri calcium phosphate (TCP) on the impact strength of acrylic poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture base resin. To improve bonding between carbon fibers and coating materials powders, the surface of carbon fibers has been treated with Para amino benzoic acid (C9H10N2O3) and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) was also used. The morphology of the coating layers has been examined by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM). From the results, PMMA reinforced with uncoated chopped carbon fiber has high impact strength value but still have bad aesthetic. Samples prepared by coated carbon fiber with Al2O3 or TCP have high impact strength values when compared to control group with good aesthetic. Impact strength was increased in samples when PVA increased and fibers amount decreased.

Urban air pollution is rapidly becoming a major environmental problem of public concern in several developing countries of the world. Jeddah, the second-largest city in Saudi Arabia, is subject to high air pollution that has severe implications for the health of the exposed population. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were collected for 24 h daily, during a 1-year campaign from 2013 to 2014. This study presents a detailed investigation of PM2.5 mass, chemical composition, and sources covering all four seasons of the year. Samples were analyzed for black carbon (BC), trace elements (TEs), and water-soluble ionic species (IS). The chemical compositions were statistically examined, and the temporal and seasonal patterns were characterized using descriptive analysis, correlation matrices, and elemental enrichment factor (EF). Source apportionment and source locations were performed on PM2.5 samples using the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model, elemental enrichment factor, and air-mass back trajectory analysis. The 24-h mean PM2.5 and BC concentrations ranged from 33.9 ± 9.1–58.8 ± 25 µg/m3 and 1.8 ± 0.4–2.4 ± 0.6 µg/m3, respectively. Atmospheric PM2.5 concentrations were well above the 24-h WHO guideline of 15 µg/m3, with overall results showing significant temporal and seasonal variability. EF defined two broad categories of TEs: anthropogenic (Ni, V, Cu, Zn, Cl, Pb, S, Lu, and Br), and earth-crust derived (Al, Si, Mg, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Sr). The five identified factors resulting from PMF were (1) fossil-fuels/oil combustion (45.3%), (2) vehicular emissions (19.1%), (3) soil/dust resuspension (15.6%), (4) industrial mixed dust (13.5%), and (5) sea-spray (6.5%). This study highlights the importance of focusing control strategies, not only on reducing PM concentration but also on the reduction of components of the PM as well, to effectively protect human health and the environment.

The data presented in this article shows the microarray based transcriptome profiles of ∆lon and ∆lon rpoB12 strains of Escherichia coli. The rif mutation namely, rpoB12 was isolated spontaneously in the background of ∆lon strain (over-produces colanic acid capsular polysaccharide) as a suppressor for over-production of colanic acid capsular polysaccharide (Meenakshi and Munavar, 2015) [1]. The E. coli strains were grown in LB medium at 30 °C overnight in duplicates. Total RNA from each samples were isolated and microarray based transcriptome profiles were studied and compared. The detailed methodology and data are given in this article. The interpretation of these data are discussed in the research article, “Evidence for Up and Down Regulation of 450 genes by rpoB12 (rif) Mutation and their Implications in Complexity of Transcription Modulation in Escherichia coli” (Meenakshi and Munavar, 2018) [2]. Keywords: ∆lon, rpoB12, Capsule, Biofilm, Motility, Stress response