Hybrid salp swarm maximum power point tracking algorithm for photovoltaic systems in highly fluctuating environmental conditions.

The maximum power delivered by a photovoltaic system is greatly influenced by atmospheric conditions such as irradiation and temperature and by surrounding objects like trees, raindrops, tall buildings, animal droppings, and clouds. The partial shading caused by these surrounding objects and the rapidly changing atmospheric parameters make maximum power point tracking (MPPT) challenging. This paper proposes a hybrid MPPT algorithm that combines the benefits of the salp swarm algorithm (SSA) and hill climbing (HC) techniques.

Knowledge and practices of radiation protection among Malaysian radiographers working in nuclear medicine: A preliminary study.

This study is aimed to determine knowledge and practices on radiation protection among radiographers in nuclear medicine department. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among radiographers in nuclear medicine departments in four health institutions in Malaysia. A set of questionnaires was distributed to 17 respondents using convenience sampling.

Development of Copper-Aluminum Layered Double Hydroxide in Thin Film Nanocomposite Nanofiltration Membrane for Water Purification Process.

This study aims to fabricate a thin film composite (TFC) membrane, modified with copper-aluminium layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanofillers via interfacial polymerization technique for nanofiltration (NF) processes. It was found that Cu-Al LDH nanofillers possessed layered structured materials with typical hexagonal plate-like shape and positive surface charge. The study revealed that TFN membrane exhibits a relatively smooth surface and a less nodular structure compared to pristine TFC membrane.

Neisseria species identification assay for the confirmation of Neisseria gonorrhoeae-positive results of the COBAS Amplicor PCR.

Screening assays for Neisseria gonorrhoeae exhibit low positive predictive values, particularly in low-prevalence populations. A new real-time PCR assay that detects and identifies individual Neisseria spp. using melt curve analysis was compared to two previously published supplementary assays.

The I1307K APC polymorphism in Ashkenazi Jews with colorectal cancer: clinical and pathologic features.

Colorectal cancer is common in Ashkenazi Jews. The I1307K APC mutation occurs in 6-7% of Ashkenazi Jews and increases the risk of colorectal cancer. This study aimed to describe the clinical, pathologic and epidemiologic features of colorectal cancer in I1307K carriers to determine whether there were any features which might warrant individual screening for the mutation.

Species-level identification of staphylococcal isolates by real-time PCR and melt curve analysis.

A real-time PCR assay was developed to identify common staphylococcal species. A single set of consensus primers was designed to amplify a portion of the 16S rRNA gene, and a pair of fluorescence resonance energy transfer probes was used to identify species based on the unique melt properties of the probes resulting from sequence variations in the amplicons from each species. Nine common staphylococcal strains (S.

Edge waves in poroelastic plate under plane stress conditions.

Employing Biot's theory, the problem of edge waves in poroelastic plate under plane stress conditions is studied for both a pervious and an impervious surface. The equations for plane stress conditions are derived and discussed. The particle trajectory is obtained, which is an elliptic.

Medically important solar ultraviolet A. Radiation measurements.

Results from a 6-year study of solar ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation measurements at the equatorial location of Penang (5 degrees N) are presented. On clear days, the diurnal flux reaches a very high dosage of about 3.0 x 10(-2) KWHM-2 around midday.

A profile of primary hepatocellular carcinoma patients in the Gizan Area of Saudi Arabia.

Clinical, laboratory, and ultrasonographic features of 75 patients of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC) living in the Gizan Area of Saudi Arabia and their follow-up, during a 2-year period, were characterized. Eighty-nine percent of the cases were defined histologically, whereas in the rest, ultrasonographic (US) evidence along with an alphafetoprotein (AFP) level exceeding 480 ng/ml were taken as the positive evidence for PHC. Eighty percent of the cases were male patients, with the peak incidence during the seventh decade.

Effects of propranolol and hydrocortisone pretreatment on radiation-induced myocardial injury in rats.

Earlier studies in our laboratory (23) showed evidence of dose-related acute injury to the myocardium after exposure of rats to ionizing radiation. Biochemical, histological, and electrocardiographic parameters were studied. In further continuation of this study, the effects of intervention by pretreatment with propranolol (10 mg/kg body weight) and hydrocortisone (10 mg/kg body weight) have been studied.

Effect of radiation on myocardial metabolism and structure.

The effects of gamma radiation on structure, function, and metabolism of rat heart were studied. The precordial region of male albino rats (weighing 150-200 g) was exposed to 4000, 6000, and 8000 rads of gamma rays, using a cesium-137. Seventy-two hours after exposure, ECG lead II was taken, and animals were killed.

Biochemical and pathological changes in the heart following bile duct ligation.

Biochemical, histological, and ECG changes were studied on the second, fifth, tenth, and fifteenth days after bile duct ligation in male albino rats. The biochemical parameters included serum bilirubin, free fatty acids (FFA), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, pyruvate, serum bilirubin, free fatty acids (FFA), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, pyruvate, and cardiac glycogen. Maximum increase in serum bilirubin was noted on the 5th day after ligation.

Systolic time intervals in chronic anemia.

Systolic time intervals were measured noninvasively in 12 healthy control subjects (hemoglobin 12 to 15 Gm. per cent) and 32 cases of chronic anemia without underlying cardiovascular disease. It was found that in mild anemia (hemoglobin above 7 Gm.

Effect of physical fitness on myocardial damage and circulation after myocardial necrosis.

The effect of physical training (conditioning) on myocardial circulation and myocardial damage has been evaluated in experimental myocardial necrosis in albino rats. Conditioning was done by making the animals swim in a tank of water, thermostatically controlled at 32 degrees +/- 1 degrees C, 60 minutes daily, six days a week, for eight weeks. Myocardial necrosis was produced by subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol, 85 mg/kg body weight, on two consecutive days.

Effect of conditioning on myocardial metabolism after myocardial infarction.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of prior physical training on metabolic changes after isoproternol-induced myocardial infarction in albino rats. The evaluation was done in terms of serum transaminases (SGOT and SGPT), serum lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), cardiac glycogen, and cardiac noradrenaline. Male albino rats weighed 100-150 g were selected for the study.

Effect of combination of stresses on myocardial metabolism.

The effect of hypoxia, exercise, and thermal stress on myocardial metabolism have been widely investigated, but little attention has been paid to studying the effects of a combination of these stress. The influence of hypoxia as modified by physical exertion (swimming) and cold stress was therefore studied. The parameters investigated included myocardial glycogen and noradrenaline, serum free fatty acid, adrenal ascorbic acid, and adrenal weight.

Myocardial metabolism at different environmental temperatures in experimental myocardial necrosis.

Although the effect of cold and heat stress on myocardial metabolisms has been widely studied, this parameter has not been investigated over a wide range of environmental temperatures after myocardial infarction. Since high as well as low temperatures are known to adversely affect the myocardium, changes in enviromental temperature are likely to be of great importance to patients suffering from acute coronary insult. Therefore, the myocardial metabolism was studied at different environmental temperatures in albino rats with isoproterenol-induced infarct-like myocardial necrosis.