Ectopic calcification (EC) of myofibers is a pathological feature of muscle damage in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Mineralisation of muscle tissue occurs concomitantly with macrophage infiltration, suggesting a link between ectopic mineral deposition and inflammation. One potential link is the P2X7 purinoceptor, a key trigger of inflammation, which is expressed on macrophages but also up-regulated in dystrophic muscle cells. To investigate the role of P2X7 in dystrophic calcification, we utilised the
he development of multidrug resistance in Gram-negative bacteria is a major problem faced antimicrobial therapy and management of infectious diseases. Too many resistance mechanisms were developed since the antimicrobial agents were produced and actually used. The mechanisms involved in antimicrobial agents' resistance are, modifying enzymes, alteration of the target site of antimicrobials and prevention of antimicrobials accumulation inside the bacterial cells. The latest is accomplished by two mechanisms: alteration of outer membrane permeability and efflux pumps. Efflux pumps are either chromosomal or plasmid-encoded although chromosomal encoded efflux pumps are common in Gram-negative bacteria. Resistance nodulation division (RND) efflu
... Show MoreThe interesting new sources of data for official statistics are cell phone data. Electronic media has defined the way of research human behavior rapidly over the last decade. As data storage and sensing technology progressed, electronic records now cover a diverse variety of human activities from localized data (phone) to open source contributions on Wikipedia and the Open Area Map. Electronic records now encompass the numerous fields of activity. The ad hoc vehicle network is a research community-based wireless technology for the implementation of intelligent transport applications. It is necessary to estimate migration flows and predict future trends to understand the causes and effects of migration and to enforce policies t
... Show MoreThe reduction in the rivers capacity is one the most important issue to give the decision maker an idea during the flood season. The study area included the rivers of the Al Atshan, Al Sabeel and Euphrates, which are surveyed with a length of 21, 5 and 20 km respectively. The Euphrates , the Atshan and Al Sabeel rivers were simulated by using HEC-RAS 5.0.3 software to study the real condition within the city of Assamawa. As well as the simulation was implemented by modifying the cross sections of the Euphrates and Al Sabeel rivers to increase their capacity to 1300 and 1200 m3/s respectively which are a flood discharges100 year return periods. The results showed that the maximum discharge capacity under real conditions o
... Show MoreDirectional control valve is the main part in hydraulic system which has complex construction, such as moving spool to control the direction of actuator for required speed. Utilizing MR fluid properties, direct interface can be realized between magnetic field and fluid power without the need for moving parts like spool in directional control valves. This paper dedicates the experimental test of four ways, three position MR directional control valve. The experimental methods were done by connecting the MR directional control valve with hydraulic actuators. The experiment was conducted to show the principle work of the valve functionally and performance test for valve was done. The valve works proportionally to control the direction a
... Show MoreThis paper aims to introduce a concept of an equilibrium point of a dynamical system which will call it almost global asymptotically stable. We also propose and analyze a prey-predator model with a suggested function growth in prey species. Firstly the existence and local stability of all its equilibria are studied. After that the model is extended to an optimal control problem to obtain an optimal harvesting strategy. The discrete time version of Pontryagin's maximum principle is applied to solve the optimality problem. The characterization of the optimal harvesting variable and the adjoint variables are derived. Finally these theoretical results are demonstrated with numerical simulations.
The maximization of the net present value of the investment in oil field improvements is greatly aided by the optimization of well location, which plays a significant role in the production of oil. However, using of optimization methods in well placement developments is exceedingly difficult since the well placement optimization scenario involves a large number of choice variables, objective functions, and restrictions. In addition, a wide variety of computational approaches, both traditional and unconventional, have been applied in order to maximize the efficiency of well installation operations. This research demonstrates how optimization approaches used in well placement have progressed since the last time they were examined. Fol
... Show MoreGrowth of Penicillium expansum, an ubiquitous mould found in stored fruit globallyt, was significantly restricted by exposure to 48 h cell-free supernatant of two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum (p < 0.001). In addition, the biotransformation of patulin, a toxic secondary metabolite formed by P. expansum, on exposure to L. plantarum cells and cell-free supernatant highlights the potential of this GRAS microbe as a biocontrol agent. Up to 80% of patulin was biotransformed following a 4 h incubation with 1010 cells ml−1 (37 °C) forming E- and Z-ascladiol. The formation of these products was more pronounced at elevated pH and cell density. Exposure to cell free supernatant or sonicated cells resulted in complete patulin biotransformation
... Show MoreWarm mix asphalt (WMA) is relatively a new technology which enables the production and compaction of asphalt concrete mixtures at temperatures 15-40 °C lower than that of traditional hot mix asphalt HMA. In the present work, six asphalt concrete mixtures were produced in the mix plant (1 ton each) in six different batches. Half of these mixes were WMA and the other half were HMA. Three types of fillers (limestone dust, Portland cement and hydrated lime) were used for each type of mix. Samples were then taken from these patches and transferred to lab for performance testing which includes: Marshall characteristics, moisture susceptibility (indirect tension test), resilient modulus, permanent deformation (axial repe
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