Spectral technique with convergence analysis for solving one and two-dimensional mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equation.

A numerical approach based on shifted Jacobi-Gauss collocation method for solving mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations is introduced. The novel technique with shifted Jacobi-Gauss nodes is applied to reduce the mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations to a system of algebraic equations that has an easy solved. The present algorithm is extended to solve the one and two-dimensional mixed Volterra-Fredholm integral equations. Convergence analysis for the present method is discussed and confirmed the exponential convergence of the spectral algorithm. Various numerical examples are approached to demonstrate the powerful and accuracy of the technique.

Synergistic potential of propolis and vitamin e against sub-acute toxicity of AlCl(3) in albino mice: in vivo study.

Current study evaluated the synergistic potential of propolis and vitamin E against sub-acute toxicity of aluminum chloride on different biochemical parameters and liver histology. Swiss albino mice (n=42) were randomly divided into seven groups. Group I received 0.2 ml of 0.9 % saline solution, Group II received Propolis (50 mg/kg b.w.), Group III received vitamin E (150 mg/kg b.w.), Group IV received AlCl(3) 50 mg/kg b.w., Group V received AlCl(3) + Propolis, Group VI received AlCl(3) + vitamin E and Group VII received AlCl(3) + propolis + vitamin E. Blood and tissue samples were collected after 7 and 21 days. The body weight of the animals significantly increased in all groups except Group IV. The concentration of serum high density lipoprotein significantly decreased in Group IV and increased in Group V, VI and VII. The level of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine transferase, alkaline phosphatase, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein significantly increased in AlCl(3) treated group and increased in Group V, VI and VII. Tissue sections were processed and stained by hematoxylin and eosin. Group II showed cellular necrosis. Group V, VI showed decreased number of vacuolization, sinusoidal spacing and macrophage cell infiltration. Group VI showed less degenerative changes in the third week. Vitamin E and propolis in combination with Al provides more protection against AlCl(3) induced toxicity.

MHD convective heat transfer in a discretely heated square cavity with conductive inner block using two-phase nanofluid model.

The problem of steady, laminar natural convection in a discretely heated and cooled square cavity filled by an alumina/water nanofluid with a centered heat-conducting solid block under the effects of inclined uniform magnetic field, Brownian diffusion and thermophoresis is studied numerically by using the finite difference method. Isothermal heaters and coolers are placed along the vertical walls and the bottom horizontal wall, while the upper horizontal wall is kept adiabatic. Water-based nanofluids with alumina nanoparticles are chosen for investigation. The governing parameters of this study are the Rayleigh number (103 ≤ Ra ≤ 106), the Hartmann number (0 ≤ Ha ≤ 50), thermal conductivity ratio (0.28 ≤ k w ≤ 16), centered solid block size (0.1 ≤ D ≤ 0.7) and the nanoparticles volume fraction (0 ≤ ϕ ≤ 0.04). The developed computational code is validated comprehensively using the grid independency test and numerical and experimental data of other authors. The obtained results reveal that the effects of the thermal conductivity ratio, centered solid block size and the nanoparticles volume fraction are non-linear for the heat transfer rate. Therefore, it is possible to find optimal parameters for the heat transfer enhancement in dependence on the considered system. Moreover, high values of the Rayleigh number and nanoparticles volume fraction characterize homogeneous distributions of nanoparticles inside the cavity. High concentration of nanoparticles can be found near the centered solid block where thermal plumes from the local heaters interact.

Optically stimulated Al2O3:C luminescence dosimeters for teletherapy: Hp(10) performance evaluation.

The performance of optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs, Al2O3:C) was evaluated in terms of the operational quantity of HP(10) in Co-60 external beam teletherapy unit. The reproducibility, signal depletion, and dose linearity of each dosimeter was investigated. For ten repeated readouts, each dosimeter exposed to 50mSv was found to be reproducible below 1.9 ± 3% from the mean value, indicating good reader stability. Meanwhile, an average signal reduction of 0.5% per readout was found. The dose response revealed a good linearity within the dose range of 5-50mSv having nearly perfect regression line with R2 equals 0.9992. The accuracy of the measured doses were evaluated in terms of operational quantity HP(10), wherein the trumpet curve method was used respecting the 1990 International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) standard. The accuracy of the overall measurements from all dosimeters was discerned to be within the trumpet curve and devoid of outlier. It is established that the achieved OSL Al2O3:C dosimeters are greatly reliable for equivalent dose assessment.

Natural Convection Flow of a Nanofluid in an Inclined Square Enclosure Partially Filled with a Porous Medium.

This work analyses free convection flow of a nanofluid in an inclined square enclosure consisting of a porous layer and a nanofluid layer using the finite difference methodology. Sinusoidal temperature boundary conditions are imposed on the two opposing vertical walls. Nanofluids with water as base and Ag or Cu or Al2O3 or TiO2 nanoparticles are considered for the problem. The related parameters of this study are the Darcy number, nanoparticle volume fraction, phase deviation, amplitude ratio, porous layer thickness and the inclination angle of the cavity. A comparison with previously published work is performed and the results are in good agreement. Detailed numerical data for the fluid flow and thermal distributions inside the square enclosure, and the Nusselt numbers are presented. The obtained results show that the heat transfer is considerably affected by the porous layer increment. Several nanoparticles depicted a diversity improvement on the convection heat transfer.

Potential use of phospholipids in combination with hydrophilic carriers for enhancement of the dissolution and oral bioavailability of imidazole antifungal Class II drugs.

Recently, the solid dispersion (SD) technique reattracted attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to its simplicity and effectiveness. The aim of the present study was to improve the dissolution rate and hence the oral bioavailability of a poorly water soluble imidazole antifungal model drug, ketoconazole (KET), via the preparation of SDs using phospholipid carriers either alone or in combination with other hydrophilic carriers. The results revealed that, dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) exhibited the greatest enhancement effect on the dissolution rate of the drug. Interestingly, the prominent effect of SDs using DMPG alone or in combination with PEG 4000 or Poloxamer 188 on increasing drug dissolution rate was more evident at various physiological pH values. The SD combinations were superior compared to those containing only DMPG. The powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies demonstrated a remarkable reduction of drug crystallinity in SDs. Finally, oral bioavailability of KET SD formulations in rabbits was significantly (p < 0.05) improved compared to that of the drug, particularly, the maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and the time to reach the peak plasma concentration (T(max)). Collectively, these results suggest that DMPG either alone or in combination with hydrophilic carriers was regarded as promising SDs for enhancement the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability of KET and potentially other imidazole antifungal Class II drugs.

Natural convection in a differentially heated square enclosure with a solid polygon.

The aim of the present numerical study is to analyze the conjugate natural convection heat transfer in a differentially heated square enclosure containing a conductive polygon object. The left wall is heated and the right wall is cooled, while the horizontal walls are kept adiabatic. The COMSOL Multiphysics software is applied to solve the dimensionless governing equations. The governing parameters considered are the polygon type, 3 ≤ N ≤ ∞, the horizontal position, 0.25 ≤ X 0 ≤ 0.75, the polygon size, 0 ≤ A ≤ π/16, the thermal conductivity ratio, 0.1 ≤ K r ≤ 10.0, and the Rayleigh number, 10(3) ≤ Ra ≤ 10(6). The critical size of the solid polygon was found exists at low conductivities. The heat transfer rate increases with the increase of the size of the solid polygon, until it reaches its maximum value. Here, the size of the solid polygon is reaches its critical value. Further, beyond this critical size of the solid polygon, will decrease the heat transfer rate.

Control and switching synchronization of fractional order chaotic systems using active control technique.

This paper discusses the continuous effect of the fractional order parameter of the Lü system where the system response starts stable, passing by chaotic behavior then reaching periodic response as the fractional-order increases. In addition, this paper presents the concept of synchronization of different fractional order chaotic systems using active control technique. Four different synchronization cases are introduced based on the switching parameters. Also, the static and dynamic synchronizations can be obtained when the switching parameters are functions of time. The nonstandard finite difference method is used for the numerical solution of the fractional order master and slave systems. Many numeric simulations are presented to validate the concept for different fractional order parameters.

Quality of breast and thigh meats when broilers are fed rations containing graded levels of sugar syrup.

The dietary energy for broiler chicken is provided through the inclusion of cereal grains and vegetable oil in the ration. The cost of corn is increasing exponentially, whereas sugar syrup (SS) is available with reasonable cost. Sugar syrup can be used as a substitute for starch/grains and vegetable oil. No research has been reported on the effect of SS on broiler meat quality. In this study, Hubbard commercial broiler chicks were fed a control basal diet (corn-soy basal diet on an ad libitum basis) alone or with graded levels of SS. A completely randomized design with 3 replications (n = 3, treatments = 4 with 4 subsamples per treatment) were used to investigate the effect of replacing part of the corn and oil in broiler chicken rations with graded levels of SS (5, 10, and 15%) on breast and thigh meat quality (proximate analysis, cooking loss, instrumental color, and texture and sensory properties). Rations containing up to 15% SS had a slight effect on proximate composition of raw and cooked broiler breast and thigh meats. Cooking loss of thigh meat decreased significantly with increasing SS but increased significantly for breast meats. No significant differences were detected (P > 0.05) among breast or thigh meats fed rations with a different level of SS on all sensory properties, except that cooked thigh meat had a slightly harder texture. Overall, results suggest that feeding broilers with SS rations (up to 15%) produced high-quality breast and thigh meats with minimal differences.

Quality characteristics and consumer acceptance of yogurt fortified with date fiber.

Yogurt is considered a healthy food and incorporating dietary fiber will make it even healthier. Date fiber (DF), a by-product of date syrup production, is a good source of dietary fiber. The effect of fortification with DF on fresh yogurt quality was investigated. Acidity, pH, color [L* (lightness), a* (redness), and b* (yellowness) values], texture profile, sensory properties, and consumer acceptance were studied. Control yogurt (without fiber), yogurt fortified with 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5% DF, and yogurt with 1.5% wheat bran (WB) were prepared. Fortification with DF did not cause significant changes in yogurt acidity, although pH was increased. Yogurts fortified with DF had firmer texture (higher hardness values) and darker color (lower L* and higher a*) compared with control or WB yogurts. Consumer test results indicated that the appearance, color, and flavor ratings were significantly affected by fiber fortification. Yogurt fortified with up to 3% DF had similar sourness, sweetness, firmness, smoothness, and overall acceptance ratings as the control yogurt. Sensory ratings and acceptability of yogurt decreased significantly when increasing DF to 4.5% or using 1.5% WB. Flavoring yogurt fortified with 4.5% DF with vanilla did not improve flavor or overall acceptance ratings. Thus, fortifying yogurt with 3% DF produced acceptable yogurt with beneficial health effects.

Quality and acceptability of a set-type yogurt made from camel milk.

Camel milk (CM) set yogurts were formulated with gelatin, alginate (ALG), and calcium (Ca). Titratable acidity, pH, sensory properties, and acceptability of CM yogurts were studied. Twelve treatments were prepared; 3 using gelatin at 0.5, 0.75, and 1% levels and 9 with combinations of ALG and Ca at different levels. Titratable acidity and pH of fresh yogurt were not affected by the addition of gelatin or the ALG and Ca combinations. Trained sensory panel results showed that CM yogurt containing 1% gelatin or 0.75% ALG + 0.075% Ca had the highest intensities for firmness and body. Consumer results indicated that the hedonic ratings of the sensory attributes and acceptability of CM yogurt containing 0.75% ALG + 0.075% Ca were similar to that of cow's milk yogurt. The CM yogurts containing ALG + Ca and flavored with 4 different fruit concentrates (15%) had similar hedonic ratings and acceptability. Addition of 0.75% ALG + 0.075% Ca could be used to produce acceptable plain or flavored CM yogurt.

The glycaemic index of dates and date/yoghurt mixed meals. Are dates 'the candy that grows on trees'?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the glycaemic index of one variety of date, alone and in mixed meals with plain full-milk yoghurt. DESIGN: An experimental study involving the measurement of the glycaemic responses of participants to the ingestion of dates, alone and with yoghurt. SETTING: Within the Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, UAE University. SUBJECTS: Healthy male and female volunteers aged 32-67 y. INTERVENTION: Glycaemic responses to date and date/yoghurt meal ingestion were plotted for each subject. Glycaemic indexes were calculated as the ratios of the incremental areas under these response curves to those for glucose ingestion. Results are presented using means and standard deviations. Glycaemic indexes were compared using paired t-tests. RESULTS: Mean glycaemic indexes of the dates were 47.2, 45.3, 35.5, 37.3, 28.9 for rutab, traditionally stored, commercial, rutab/yoghurt and commercial tamer/yoghurt preparations, respectively. There was a significant difference between the results for rutab vs commercial tamer dates (P<0.05), but other comparisons failed to reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: Khalas dates, when eaten alone or in mixed meals with plain yoghurt have low glycaemic indexes. The consumption of dates may be of benefit in glycaemic and lipid control of diabetic patients. The consumption of dates in mixed meals with yoghurt appears to have, at most, a minimal effect on the glycaemic index.

Outcome of thyrotoxicosis treatment with 3 different modalities.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of 3 different treatment modalities for thyrotoxicosis and a comparison of their cost effectiveness. METHODS: The case records of 100 patients treated for thyrotoxicosis at King Khalid National Guard Hospital in Jeddah were reviewed, during the period January 1992 through to January 2000. Their various treatments and responses were recorded as well as their thyriometabolic status, one year following the last treatment. The treatment consisted of an average of 9 months of antithyroid medication, thyroidectomy or treatment with radioactive iodide. Cure was defined as a patient being euthyroid or hypothyroid for a minimum period of at least one year. Cost-effectiveness was calculated as the total cost of treating the patient in a specific treatment modality, divided by those who were considered to be cured. RESULTS: For the remainder, the cost could not be definitively determined. The mean age was 41+/- 15.7 years, with female to male ratio of 6:1. Grave's disease was the underlying cause in 76% of cases, toxic multinodular goiter in 13% and toxic nodule in 1%. Ninety-one patients, who were treated with anti-thyroid medication for an average of 9 months, had a success rate of 11%. The success rate with surgery was 54.5%, while of 68 patients treated with radioactive iodide 65 (96%) were cured. Radioactive iodide was the most cost effective modality of treatment costing 1700 Saudi Riyals, followed by surgery at 40,000 Saudi Riyals. Medical treatment was the most expensive at 135,000 Saudi Riyals per cure. CONCLUSION: A treatment of thyrotoxicosis with radioactive iodine is much more efficacious than medical or surgical modalities. Furthermore, it is by far the most cost effective and has no harmful effects.

Circadian rhythm of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in normal subjects and neutropenic hospitalised patients.

BACKGROUND: Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), one of the haemopoietic growth factors, has rarely been detected in human serum. It has, therefore, been suggested that a paracrine model can explain its behaviour where the substance is produced and acts locally. An alternative explanation might be due to blood sampling time with GM-CSF concentrations undetectable at the nadir of secretion. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesised that endogenous production of GM-CSF in humans is subject to diurnal rhythm. METHODS: Blood samples were obtained from 17 healthy individuals and 17 neutropenic hospitalised patients with haematological malignancies on myelosuppressive therapy at 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours. In the neutropenic patients, samples were collected at the nadir of the neutrophil count (ANC < 0.2 x 109/L). Serum was assayed for GM-CSF levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: There were significant differences in the mean levels of GM-CSF within the two groups (P < 0.001). In normal subjects, peak GM-CSF levels were reached at six hours (mean = 10.1 pg/ml). Peak levels were reached in hospitalised neutropenic patients at 18 hours (mean = 13.7 pg/ml). The difference between the peak GM-CSF levels in the two groups was not significant (P = 0.11). On factorial design analysis, there was a significant interaction between the time of blood collection and the subject groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data are consistent with a diurnal secretion pattern for GM-CSF in both normal and neutropenic patients. As this finding might have practical implications, including timing of administration of GM-CSF in neutropenic patients, further studies are suggested.

Blister fluid cytokines in cutaneous inflammatory bullous disorders.

Cytokines are important regulators of immune and inflammatory reactions in the skin, and may contribute to inflammatory blister induction. We examined the profiles of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in fluid of spontaneous blisters in the immune-based inflammatory disorders bullous pemphigoid (8 patients), allergic contact dermatitis (5 patients) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (5 patients). These were compared with levels in 9 patients with burns, i.e. inflammatory blisters of non-immune aetiology, and 4 patients with blisters of physical origin. Very high levels of IL-6 were found in bullous pemphigoid and toxic epidermal necrolysis (p<0.001) compared with non-inflammatory and burn blisters. TNF-alpha levels were high in bullous pemphigoid and burns, but undetectable in non-inflammatory blisters. The pattern in bullous pemphigoid (very high IL-6, high TNF-alpha) differed substantially from toxic epidermal necrolysis (very high IL-6, low TNF-alpha), while burns and allergic contact dermatitis showed lesser elevation of both cytokines. Hence, differences in cytokine profiles were identified, although the relevance to underlying pathomechanisms is uncertain.

Wet vs. dry chemical analysis of renal stones.

Analysis of renal stones may help in elucidating the pathogenesis of nephro-lithiasis. This study compared the use of 2 methods for the analysis of renal stones. One method is qualitative dry 'spot tests' whereas the other is quantitative 'wet chemistry.' In the wet chemistry method, dissolved stone material were analysed using automated chemistry analysers, whereas, the dry method involved spot colour end-point detection. Stones (n = 64) were analysed by both methods. The majority of stones were calcium oxalate as determined by wet chemistry (57.4 per cent) and spot tests (50.0 per cent). Fewer mixed stones were obtained by the wet chemistry method (16.8 per cent) compared with the spot tests method (39.0 per cent), whereas, more uric acid stones were obtained by the wet chemistry method (5.6 per cent) compared with the spot tests method (1.9 per cent). 'Pure' calcium phosphate stones (3.0 per cent) were only obtained by the wet chemistry method. In the wet chemistry method, dissolved stone material did not show significant deterioration on storage for up to 9 days.

Bochdalek diaphragmatic hernia presenting with acute gastric dilatation.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia through the foramen of Bochdalek may present after infancy. A 21/2-year-old Malay girl presented with acute respiratory distress. Chest examination showed reduced chest expansion and decreased breath sounds on the left side. Chest radiograph showed a large "cyst" in the left chest, which was thought to be a lung cyst under tension. Tube thoracostomy resulted in clinical improvement. Results of a barium study showed that the cyst perforated by the thoracostomy tube was the stomach, which had herniated through a Bochdalek diaphragmatic defect. Surgical repair of the diaphragmatic defect and closure of the perforated stomach was performed successfully. Congenital diaphragmatic hernia should be included in the differential diagnosis of respiratory distress in young children. Nasogastric tube placement must be considered as an early diagnostic or therapeutic intervention when the diagnosis is suspected.

Quality enhancement of chicken baked without skin using honey marinades.

Chicken (bone-in, skinless, split breast) injected with lemon-pepper poultry pump marinade containing 20 or 30% honey was compared with chicken (with and without skin) marinated without honey. The objectives were to 1) determine moisture and fat contents and instrumental color and texture measurements, 2) characterize the sensory profiles of marinated chicken baked with and without skin, and 3) investigate the effect of honey marinades on the sensory characteristics of chicken baked without skin. Chicken was roasted at 177 C for one h to an internal temperature of 80 C. A trained panel (n = 13) evaluated the roasted chicken. Results showed that skin could be removed from premarinated chicken breast before baking without significantly affecting the amount of marinade uptake, moisture content, fat content, texture (force required to shear), or most instrumental measurements of color. With regard to sensory characteristics, skin removal before baking resulted in a less glossy and moist appearance, less brown color, and more intense pepper flavor in the roasted product than when the skin was not removed. Addition of honey to the marinade restored, to some extent, the intensities of moist and glossy appearance and brown color that were reduced by removal of the skin before baking.

Reconciling Islam and feminism.

PIP: This paper objects to the popular view that Islam supports a segregated social system where women are marginalized, and argues that certain Islamic texts are supportive of women's rights. The article proposes that Islam reconcile with feminism by returning to the Qur'an. The Qur'an provides rights which address the common complaints of women such as lack of freedom to make decisions for themselves and the inability to earn an income. One example is a verse in the Qur'an (4:34) that is frequently interpreted as giving women complete control over their own income and property. This article also explains how Islam has been used as a method of controlling women, particularly in the practices of veiling and purdah (seclusion). The article points out the need to engage in Islam from a position of knowing, and to ensure that Muslim women have access to this knowledge. It is only through this knowledge that women can assert their rights and challenge patriarchal interpretations of Islam.^ieng