chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease with episodes of exacerbation. Variable factors including infectious pathogen can predispose for this exacerbation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of intestinal protozoa in COPD exacerbation. A total of 56 patients with COPD were included in this study. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the frequency of exacerbation during the last 6 months: those with ≤1 exacerbation (32 patients) and those with ≥2 exacerbations (24 patients). Stool specimens from each patient were collected two times (one week interval) examined for intestinal parasite. In univariate analysis, rural residence and parasitic infection were more common among patients with frequent exacerbation (45.83% and 33.33%, respectively) than patients with non-frequent exacerbation (18.75% and 9.38%, respectively) with significant differences. However, in multivariate analysis, only body mass index >25 kg/m2 (OR=4.59, 95%CI=1.18-17.86, P=0.028) and parasitic infection (OR=5.51, 95%CI=1.01-30.18, P=0.049) were independently associated with COPD exacerbation. These data indicate a significant association between frequent COPD exacerbation and infection with some intestinal protozoa. However, the cause-effect relationship is debatable.
By optimizing the efficiency of a modular simulation model of the PV module structure by genetic algorithm, under several weather conditions, as a portion of recognizing the ideal plan of a Near Zero Energy Household (NZEH), an ideal life cycle cost can be performed. The optimum design from combinations of NZEH-variable designs, are construction positioning, window-to-wall proportion, and glazing categories, which will help maximize the energy created by photovoltaic panels. Comprehensive simulation technique and modeling are utilized in the solar module I-V and for P-V output power. Both of them are constructed on the famous five-parameter model. In addition, the efficiency of the PV panel is established by the genetic algorithm
... Show MoreAccurate calculation of transient overvoltages and dielectric stresses from fast-front excitations is required to obtain an optimal dielectric design of power components subjected to these conditions, which are commonly due to switching and lightning, as well as utilization of power-electronic devices. Toroidal transformers are generally used at the low voltage level. However, recent investigations and developments have explored their use at the medium voltage level. This paper analyzes the model-based improvement of the insulation design of medium voltage toroidal transformers. Lumped and distributed parameter models are used and compared to predict the transient response and dielectric stress along the transformer winding. The parameters
... Show MoreCu X Zn1-XO films with different x content have been prepared by
pulse laser deposition technique at room temperatures (RT) and
different annealing temperatures (373 and 473) K. The effect of x
content of Cu (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8) wt.% on morphology and
electrical properties of CuXZn1-XO thin films have been studied.
AFM measurements showed that the average grain size values for
CuXZn1-xO thin films at RT and different annealing temperatures
(373, 473) K decreases, while the average Roughness values increase
with increasing x content. The D.C conductivity for all films
increases as the x content increase and decreases with increasing the
annealing temperatures. Hall measurements showed that there are
two
The project has been described the design and construction of a reliable optical testing platform used for evaluate the reflectivity of metal surfaces treated with special paintings required for laser beam attenuation. The platform comprises an Nd-YAG laser system which has been designed and fabricated with specifications to be compatible with their corresponding in laser range finder transmitters used for various applications. The reflectivity of various attenuating paintings, at different detection angles, has been observed. Moreover, the variation of the reflected energy with painting type and metal type to be painted has been studied experimentally. Results illustrated the existence of a definite angle, at which the reflectivity was max
... Show Moreالخلفية: إن سمية الدواء والآثار الجانبية للعلاج الكيميائي تؤثر سلبا على مرضى سرطان الثدي. الأهداف: لتقييم فعالية التدخلات الصيدلانية في تحسين معرفة مرضى سرطان الثدي ومواقفهم وممارساتهم فيما يتعلق بالعلاج الكيميائي لسرطان الثدي.
The complete genome sequence of bacteriophage VPUSM 8 against O1 El Tor Inaba
SnS has been widely used in photoelectric devices due to its special band gap of 1.2-1.5 eV. Here, we reported on the fabrication of SnS nanosheets and the effect of synthesis condition together with heat treatment on its physical properties. The obtained band gap of the SnS nanosheets is in the rage of 1.37-1.41 eV. It was found that the photo-current density of a thin film comprised of SnS nanosheets could be enhanced significantly by annealing treatment. The maximum photo-current density of the stack structure of FTO/SnS/CdS/Pt was high as 389.5 mu A cm(-2), rendering its potential application in high efficiency solar hydrogen production.
Background: tooth debonding was one of the major reasons for denture repair. With the use of recently introduced thermoplastic denture base materials the problem of tooth debonding increased due to the nature of the bond between these materials and the acrylic teeth. This study was aimed to assess the bond of the acrylic teeth to conventional heat cure acrylic resin and to thermoplastic resin denture base material and methods to enhance it. Materials and methods: acrylic resin teeth were bonded to heat cure acrylic resin with and without wetting the ridge laps of the teeth with monomer and acrylic teeth with prefabricated retentive holes, unmodified and modified, in their ridge laps were processed with Valplast thermoplastic resin denture b
... Show MoreOne of the serious problems in any wireless communication system using multi carrier modulation technique like Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is its Peak to Average Power Ratio (PAPR).It limits the transmission power due to the limitation of dynamic range of Analog to Digital Converter and Digital to Analog Converter (ADC/DAC) and power amplifiers at the transmitter, which in turn sets the limit over maximum achievable rate.
This issue is especially important for mobile terminals to sustain longer battery life time. Therefore reducing PAPR can be regarded as an important issue to realize efficient and affordable mobile communication services.
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This paper presents a vibration suppression control design of cantilever beam using two piezoelectric patches. One patch was used as an actuator element, while the other was used as a sensor. The controller design was designed via the balance realization reduction method to elect the reduced order model that is most controllable and observable. the sliding mode observer was designed to estimate six states from the reduced order model but three states are only used in the control law. Estimating a number of states larger than that used is in order to increase the estimation accuracy. Moreover, the state estimation error is proved bounded. An optimal LQR controller is designed then using the estimated states with the slid
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