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Sheath blight of rice caused by Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn is an important soil-borne disease throughout the rice-producing areas of the world. Twenty-nine bacterial endophytes were isolated from different plant sources and tested for their efficacy against R. solani inciting sheath blight in rice. Bacillus subtilis var. amyloliquefaciens (FZB24) caused a maximum 36% inhibition of R. solani over the control in vitro. Rice plants (cv. ADT 39) treated with FZB24, in combination with seed treatment @ 4 g kg− 1, seedling dip @ 4 g l− 1, soil application @ 500 g ha− 1 and foliar application @ 500 g ha− 1, gave the lowest severity of sheath blight (33%) with around 55% reduction over the control under glasshouse conditions. In addition, the B. subtilis (FZB24) treated rice plants showed higher induction of defence-related enzymes, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and resulted in higher accumulation of total phenols than in the untreated control plants. The endophyte-treated rice plot...

In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite rotatable design (CCRD) was applied to determine the optimum condition for pyrolysis of palm kernel shell (PKS) using microwave-assisted pyrolysis system. Three operating variables, namely reaction time (min), sample mass (g) and nitrogen gas flow rate (mL/min) with a total of 20 individual experiments were conducted to optimize the combination effects of the variables. RSM based upon CCRD can be applied to correlate the experimental microwave-assisted pyrolysis results, with regression coefficients of 96.6, 95.0, 96.4 and 99.2 for the calorific value, fixed carbon content, volatile matters content and yield percentage, respectively. This proved that the RSM based on CCRD is efficiently applicable for the pyrolysis study using microwave-assisted pyrolysis system. The predicted optimum conditions for the pyrolysis process was at 31.5 min for reaction time, 30 g for sample mass and 100 mL/min for nitrogen gas flow rate, resulting in calorific value, fixed carbon content, volatile matters content and yield percentage of 29.9 MJ/kg, 59.8 wt%, 36.4 wt% and 40.0 wt%, respectively. Thus, maximum production of PKS char, with low volatile matters content and high calorific value and fixed carbon content via microwave-assisted pyrolysis system can be optimized using RSM.

Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar (GB-SAR) system is a new innovative monitoring technique has been invented depending on the use of ground based applications and highly repeatable measurements. GB-SAR is a new class of SAR system based on unconventional platform like ground, building and ground vehicles that acts as a useful complement of airborne and spaceborne SAR system. In this empirical paper, we described a first hands-on experience working with our Ground-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar (GB-SAR). A large part of this research has been devoted to describe image construction process by Global Backprojection (GBP) algorithm, development of a GB-SAR system and perform an advanced experiment. We have developed a system full of polarimetric and interferometric functionalities to perform different measurements phenomena. The system consists of a Vector Network Analyzer (ENA 5071C), one Double Ridge Guide Horn Antenna, one Low loss-high frequency cable and an Antenna Positioner. The system can be operated in a frequency range from 300 MHz to 20 GHz, allowing a scanning aperture of 1.8 meter and 1.6 meter in horizontal and vertical direction respectively. Measurement has performed in a closed door environment for the experiment related to acquired data compression in range and image formation by GBP algorithm. The experimental results showed the excellent interferometric performance as we expected from our GB-SAR system, which should perform many useful and paramount applications for further research work.

In this article, we introduce a localization system to reduce the accumulation of errors existing in the dead-reckoning method of mobile robot localization. Dead-reckoning depends on the information that comes from the encoders. Many factors, such as wheel slippage, surface roughness, and mechanical tolerances, affect the accuracy of dead-reckoning. Therefore, an accumulation of errors exists in the dead-reckoning method. In this article, we propose a new localization system to enhance the localization operation of the mobile robots. The proposed localization system uses the extended Kalman filter combined with infrared sensors in order to solve the problems of dead-reckoning. The proposed system executes the extended Kalman filter cycle, using the walls in the working environment as references (landmarks), to correct errors in the robot’s position (positional uncertainty). The accuracy and robustness of the proposed method are evaluated in the experiment results’ section.

In this paper, the performance of a convolutional encoded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) based wireless communication system has been simulated in terms of bit error rate (BER). In FEC channel coding, the OFDM based wireless communication system incorporates a convolutional encoder under various digital modulation schemes (QAM, QPSK, 8QAM, 8PSK, 16QAM, 16PSK, 32QAM and 32PSK). The computer simulation results on BER over an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) and other fading (Rayleigh and Rician) channels demonstrate that the convolutional encoded OFDM system outperforms with QAM modulation technique as compared to other digital modulation schemes and the system is highly effective to combat inherent interferences under Rayleigh and Rician fading channels. It has been anticipated from the simulation study with synthetically generated data that the performance of the communication system degrades with the increasing of noise power.

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura affects both children and adults. It is an autoimmune disorder characterised by persistent thrombocytopenia (peripheral platelet count of less than 150 x109/L) due to autoantibody binding to platelet antigen(s) causing their premature destruction by the reticulo-endothelial system, in particular the spleen. There is no gold standard diagnostic test to confirm ITP. The diagnosis of ITP remains clinical and is based principally on the exclusion of other causes of thrombocytopenia by the history, physical examination, full blood count, peripheral blood film and autoimmune screen. Medical options for front-line drug therapy are corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, and intravenous Rh anti-D. Second and third line therapy includes monoclonal antibodies and thrombopoirtin receptor agonist. Transfusion of platelet is warranted if life threatening hemorrhage occurs. This review gives a brief discussion on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of Immune Thrombocutopenic Purpura and a case report.

The authors have reported that the funding information listed in the Acknowledgments section of their article [1] does not match the wording prescribed by their funding organization. The appropriately worded acknowledgment of the funding organization is given in this corrigendum, and reads as follows: Acknowledgments This work was supported by the Research Center of College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University. The authors are grateful for this support. The authors and the publisher sincerely regret any inconvenience this oversight might have caused to the readership.

Countless applications today are using mobile robots, including autonomous navigation, security patrolling, housework, search-and-rescue operations, material handling, manufacturing, and automated transportation systems. Regardless of the application, a mobile robot must use a robust autonomous navigation system. Autonomous navigation remains one of the primary challenges in the mobile-robot industry; many control algorithms and techniques have been recently developed that aim to overcome this challenge. Among autonomous navigation methods, vision-based systems have been growing in recent years due to rapid gains in computational power and the reliability of visual sensors. The primary focus of research into vision-based navigation is to allow a mobile robot to navigate in an unstructured environment without collision. In recent years, several researchers have looked at methods for setting up autonomous mobile robots for navigational tasks. Among these methods, stereovision-based navigation is a promising approach for reliable and efficient navigation. In this article, we create and develop a novel mapping system for a robust autonomous navigation system. The main contribution of this article is the fuse of the multi-baseline stereovision (narrow and wide baselines) and laser-range reading data to enhance the accuracy of the point cloud, to reduce the ambiguity of correspondence matching, and to extend the field of view of the proposed mapping system to 180°. Another contribution is the pruning the region of interest of the three-dimensional point clouds to reduce the computational burden involved in the stereo process. Therefore, we called the proposed system multi-sensors multi-baseline mapping system. The experimental results illustrate the robustness and accuracy of the proposed system.

Background/Objectives: Nowadays, object detection and tracking is an important issue in robotics and computer vision systems, especially in video surveillance, robot navigation and autonomous vehicle navigation. Methods: In this paper, we propose a fast method for object tracking and recognition within the context of a mobile robot acquiring real time images from a top mounted IP camera. The aim of the proposed method is to let the robot identify multi-targets within a scene, then move toward the desired object. The method is based on a new vectored contour to identify objects from HSV images. Findings: Experimental results have shown that our method best fitted the mobile platform and gave excellent competitive results in real time tracking. Our proposed method has shown better adaptation com-pared to SURF and other state of the art tracking methods, especially in terms of time and simplicity, specifically when the camera is not in front of the target object, i.e. at different inclination angles and distances. Application: The object detection and tracking proposed in this work can be implemented on many fields such as video surveillance robotic navigation or in industry in classification of objects depending on their forms or colors.

This research work was carried out to determine whether the film coating is effective to prevent the photolytic degradation of Metoprolol tartrate which is known to have photosensitivity. For this purpose, two randomly selected brands of two different pharmaceutical companies were chosen i.e. Brand A and Brand B. These two brands were exposed to different lighting conditions (normal light, direct sunlight as well as two incandescent lights i.e. 25 watt bulb, 40 watt bulb). Potency tests were performed using UV spectroscopy which showed gradual decline in potency of the tablets under aforesaid lighting conditions and the potency degradations were found 11.48%, 12.92%, 22.62%, 16.87% for Brand A and 14.74%, 14.24%, 10.88%, 18.10% for Brand B under 25 watt bulb, 40 watt bulb, direct sunlight and normal room light respectively. So this study reveals that the both brands containing metoprolol tartrate showed significant light sensitivity even though they are coated and protective opaque packaging is highly recommended for their protection.

Background: The pattern of change in FEF50%, FEF25%-75% and FEF50%/FEF25%-75% ratio depends on mechanics of forceful expiration, provided that non-homogenous lung emptying is faithfully recorded in the expiratory flow-volume loops. Objective: To assess the potential clinical value of FEF50%, FEF25%-75% and FEF50%/FEF25%-75% ratio as an indicator of bronchial asthma (BA) control. Methodology: The study involved 75 patients with BA matched for age and gender with 45 non-asthmatic subjects. Based on asthma control test (ACT) and spirometry, asthmatic patients were subdivided into controlled and poorly controlled/uncontrolled. The relationship between FEF50% and FEF25%-75% as well as FEF50%/FEF25%-75% ratio and ACT score were assessed using linear regression. ROC curves were used to assess reliability of FEF25%-75% and FEF50% to diagnose BA in patients with different degree of asthma control. Results: FEF50% correlated strongly with FEF25%-75% ( r = 0.989, P < 0.001) and the relationship between the two indices is governed by the formula FEF50% = 1.132* FEF25%-75% – 0.003. There was no significant correlation ( r = - 0.159, P = 0.083) between FEF50%/FEF25-75% ratio and ACT score. The diagnostic capability of FEF25%-75% for spirometric diagnosis of BA is only marginally better compared to FEF50% (area under ROC curves were 0.88 and 0.89 respectively, P < 0.001); however, diagnostic power of both spirometric indices deceased with poor BA control. Conclusion: FEF50%/FEF25%-75% has no clinical value as an indicator for BA control. Role of FEF25%-75% in evaluation of BA is marginally better than FEF50%; however, efficiency of both indices declined substantially as BA control worsened. Keywords: Asthma control test, Bronchial Asthma, flow volume loop, FEF50%, FEF25%-75%.

This paper addresses the problem of making a non-holonomic wheeled mobile robot (WMR) move to a target object using computer vision and obstacle-avoidance techniques. If a priori information about the obstacles is available, pre-planning the desired path can be a good candidate method. However, in so many cases, obstacles are dynamic. Therefore, our first challenge is to make the WMR move to a desired target while autonomously avoiding any obstacle along its path. The second challenge deals with visual-tracking loss; that is, when the target is lost from the camera scope, the robot should use Dead Reckoning (DR) to get back on its path towards the target. The Visual Tracking (VT) algorithm then takes the relay to reach the final destination, compensating for any errors due to DR by calculating the distance to the target when it is within the scope of the camera. The proposed system also uses two fuzzy-logic controllers; the first controller avoids objects while the second manages the path to the target. Different complex scenarios have been implemented, showing the validity of our multi-controller model.

To stay ahead of open competition, labour-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises, such as Leather, Textile and Garment, resorted to choose the best alternate production system that were popular in other sectors. This paper discusses a simulation as a decision making tool to choose the best alternate production system for leather small and medium-sized enterprises (LSMEs). The simulation models were developed and analyzed for each production system. The simulation is used to evaluate the relative performance of each production system. Based on the analysis, a conceptual Hybrid Production System (HPS), built on some of the fundamental concepts used for implementing Total Quality Management (TQM) and Lean Manufacturing (LM) is proposed for labour-intensive small scale industry.

Labour-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in stimulating employment and export in developing countries like India. Labour-intensive small and medium-sized enterprises, such as Leather, Textile and Garment, tried to implement the lean manufacturing for improving the competitiveness. The objective of this paper is to implement the lean manufacturing using value stream mapping (VSM) for leather small and medium-sized enterprises (LSMEs). The simulation models were analyzed to understand the current state and future state mapping of VSM. VSM is found to be an appropriate introductory tool for implementation of lean in LSMEs.

In this paper, we consider an allocation problem in multivariate surveys with non-linear costs of enumeration as a problem of non-linear stochastic programming with multiple objective functions. The solution is obtained through Chance Constrained programming. A different formulation of the problem is also presented in which the non-linear cost function is minimised under the precision constraints on estimates of various characters. The solution is then obtained by using Modified E-model. A numerical example is solved for both the formulations.

Recently, multi-carrier transmission schemes have been introduced into Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems to gain advantages for high data rate transmission as well as security. Due to pseudorandom code there is no chance to Inter Symbol Interference (ISI). There are different techniques to mitigate multipath fading. One of the method is to transmit identical narrowband direct-sequence (DS) waveforms in parallel over a number of sub-channels using frequency diversity. Implementation this multi-carrier modulation technique in CDMA system is known as multi-carrier CDMA (MC-CDMA). In Rayleigh fading channel, due to multi-carrier modulation, when one subcarrier goes deep fade another subcarrier may remain safe. Therefore it combats multi-path fading and signal can be received in low bit error rate.

Background Pancreatic cancer has the worst prognosis of all gastrointestinal malignancies. Lymph node metastasis is a powerful determinant of prognosis. The ratio between the number of affected lymph nodes and the total number of examined lymph nodes is known as lymph node density (LND). LND has proved clinically important in other gastrointestinal malignancies. Our main objective was to identify the role of LND in the prognosis of patients after pancreatic cancer resection. Patients and methods Our study included 30 patients who underwent pancreatic cancer resection from 2010 to 2015. Pathological reports and medical records were retrieved retrospectively for tumor-specific data and patient-specific data (age, sex, and presence of diabetes mellitus). LND was calculated as the number of metastatic lymph nodes divided by the total number of lymph nodes examined. Survival time was calculated from the date of operation to the date of death. Results Patients with LND less than 0.2 have a probability of 1-year survival of 98% and 3-year survival of 62%, which is better than those with LND more than 0.2 (P=0.001). Conclusion LND was significantly related to survival outcome after pancreatic cancer resection, as patients with LND more than or equal to 0.2 displayed a poor prognosis.

Flower shaped antimony oxide (Sb2O3) microstructures were synthesized in a large quantity via simple solution method using aqueous mixtures of antimony chloride and hexamethylene diamine (HMDA). The morphological characterizations were done by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), which revealed that the synthesized products possess flower-shaped microstructures. The detailed structural characterizations performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR) and Raman spectrophotometer confirmed that the synthesized microstructures are well-crystalline antimony oxide. The Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) shows that the grown products are composed of Sb and O. Optical properties of the synthesized products were characterized by UV-Visible spectrophotometer which exhibits a well defined peak at ~291.0 nm. The photo-catalytic activity of the Sb2O3 microstructures was evaluated by degradation of acridine orange (AO), which mineralized almost 63.0% in 150 min. The chemical sensing properties of Sb2O3 microstructures was also studied by I-V technique using chloroform as a detecting solvent. The fabricated chloroform sensor demonstrates good sensitivity of 0.1154 µA·cm –2 ·mM –1 , lower-detection limit (~0.1 mM), large-linear dynamic range (LDR, 0.122 mM to 1.22 M) with linearity (R = 0.7898) in short response time (10.0 sec).

In this paper, we obtain optimum allocation of replaceable and repairable components in a system design. When repair and replace time are considered as random in the constraints. We convert probabilistic constraint into an equivalent deterministic constraint by using chance constrained programming. We have used the selective maintenance policy to determine how many components to be replaced & repaired within the limited maintenance time interval and cost. A Numerical example is presented to illustrate the computational procedure and problem is solved by using LINGO Software.

In this research the equation of point spread function (PSF) has been derived for annular eccentric aperture optical system which is consisting of circular perture with non-central circular obscuration. The study was done with diffraction limited system and when different 1st and 3rd orders aberrations were present. Also trying to show how the presence of some 1st order errors with some of 3rd order aberrations were affected on Strehl ratio and make a balancing of aberrations which gives in turn a better image.

Objective: Despite its sensitivity to light, atenolol has been manufactured as a film-coated tablet with normal blister packaging by several pharmaceutical companies in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of light-induced potency degradation of a randomly selected film coated brand of atenolol.Methods: Atenolol tablets were exposed to different lighting conditions such as normal room light, direct sunlight and different incandescent lights (25W and 40W). Subsequently, UV spectroscopy technique was employed to determine the relative reduction of light absorbance compared to their respective controls. Thereafter, photolytic degradation was calculated by means of the potency reduction of tablets.Results: In all lighting conditions, atenolol tablets underwent exposure dependent gradual decrease in potency. Except for normal room light condition, a significant decrease in potency was found even after 4 to 6 h of exposure to all lighting conditions. After 6 h, potency reduction was found at 40-47%, 26-38% and 34-36% in the samples exposed to direct sunlight, 25 W bulb, and 40 W bulb respectively. Although the shelf life of the film coated tables was 2 y, surprisingly, statistically significant reduction in potency was observed within only 30 d in room light condition.Conclusion: In order to protect from light, blister packaging is not sufficient for film coated atenolol tablets. Photo-stability of all brands of atenolol must be ensured either by protective packaging materials or by optimizing the formulations.

Acute renal failure (AKI), which occurs in up to 20–50% of patients hospitalized with decompensated cirrhosis is an important predictor of poor outcomes and mortality (1,2). The etiology of AKI in these patients has been divided into a functional decrease in renal function; as is in pre-renal azotemia (PRA) and Hepato-renal syndrome (HRS) or structural abnormalities as is in acute tubular necrosis (ATN).

This paper draws on the theory of participatory development communication to understand the nature and philosophy of community participation in development processes. It explored the symbiotic relationship between Carpentier (2011) and Arnstein’s (1969) theses on participation to propose four major indicators in evaluating the levels of community participation in Radio Gaakii’s broadcast. The paper also investigates the frequency of community members’ participation in the stations broadcast and ascertained the levels of satisfaction (or otherwise) of their participation in the radio broadcast. The study was based on cross sectional survey design. Multistage sampling was used in the sampling processes and 150 respondents across five listening communities were recruited for the purposes of data collection and analysis. The study found out that community participation in Radio Gaakii’s broadcast is limited to the radio programme listening stage and community members mostly participate through the use of mobile phones during specific programme phone-in segments of the broadcast. The study recommends establishing Radio Gaakii Listening Clubs to facilitate community’s participation in management, governance, programming and financing decisions to give true meaning to participation, create a sense of community ownership and ultimately, ensure sustainability of the Station. Key Words : Radio Gaakii, community radio, access, community participation, rural development, participatory development

Background Breast cancer represented 35.1 % of total female cancer cases in Egypt. Seroma is one of the most serious and common complications of mastectomy and axillary dissection with incidence between 15 and 81 %. Seroma formation delays wound healing and increases susceptibility to infection, skin flap necrosis, and persistent pain as well as prolonging convalescence. Therefore, several techniques have been investigated to minimize seroma formation with no consistent success. Axillary exclusion is a technique aimed to obliterate dead space after axillary clearance and minimize collection. Methods Sixty-four patients were prepared for modified radical mastectomy. Of those, the study group contains 32 patients and the control group contains 32 patients. Study group had axillary exclusion while the other had the conventional procedure; total drain outputs were recorded daily for all patients prior to drain removal. The drains were removed when the daily drainage was less than 30 ml. Results This study contains 64 patients, the study group contains 32 patients, and the control group contains 32 patients. Age, BMI (mean control = 31.7 and study = 30.2), and tumor size were of no significant differences to be more concise on the effect of axillary exclusion. The mean of day of drain removal in the control group was 17.8 day (15–19) with a mean of total drain output of 4525.6 ml (4430–3660 ml) while the mean in the study group of day of drain removal was 11.3 (10–13) with a mean of total drain output of 1476.2 ml (620–2200 ml), p

Present day statistics of stolen vehicles used for crimes and accidents due to distracted driving or over speeding is alarming. Other frequent issues in today's commuting are over speeding and distracted driving. This paper aims to introduce an efficient method to reduce this issue in an advanced and novel way. The paper incorporates image processing and embedded system to realize this objective. Implementation of this system in automobiles prevents unauthorized use of vehicles and over speeding in speed limited areas. It can be easily implemented on the vehicles with a small modification; the cost of the device is very cheap compared to the other safety devices provided by different companies. Implementation of this technology on the vehicle will not affect the privacy and comfort of the traveler.