Modelling CO₂ and NO<SUB>x</SUB> on signalized roundabout using modified adaptive neural fuzzy inference system model

Ghassan Sulaiman,Mohammad K. Younes,Ghassan A. Al-Dulaimi 대한환경공학회 2018 Environmental Engineering Research Vol.23 No.1

Air quality and pollution have recently become a major concern; vehicle emissions significantly pollute the air, especially in large and crowded cities. There are various factors that affect vehicle emissions; this research aims to find the most influential factors affecting CO₂ and NOx emissions using Adaptive Neural Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) as well as a systematic approach. The modified ANFIS (MANFIS) was developed to enhance modelling and Root Mean Square Error was used to evaluate the model performance. The results show that percentages of CO₂ from trucks represent the best input combination to model. While for NOx modelling, the best pair combination is the vehicle delay and percentage of heavy trucks. However, the final MANFIS structure involves two inputs, three membership functions and nine rules. For CO₂ modelling the triangular membership function is the best, while for NOx the membership function is two-sided Gaussian.

A Secure Cloud Computing System by Using Encryption and Access Control Model

Ghassan Sabeeh Mahmood,Dongjun Huang,Baidaa Abdulrahman Jaleel 한국정보처리학회 2019 Journal of information processing systems Vol.15 No.3

Cloud computing is the concept of providing information technology services on the Internet, such as software,hardware, networking, and storage. These services can be accessed anywhere at any time on a pay-per-use basis. However, storing data on servers is a challenging aspect of cloud computing. This paper utilizes cryptographyand access control to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and proper control of access to sensitive data. Wepropose a model that can protect data in cloud computing. Our model is designed by using an enhanced RSAencryption algorithm and a combination of role-based access control model with extensible access controlmarkup language (XACML) to facilitate security and allow data access. This paper proposes a model that usescryptography concepts to store data in cloud computing and allows data access through the access controlmodel with minimum time and cost for encryption and decryption.

Canal preparation with nickel-titanium or stainless steel instruments without the risk of instrument fracture: preliminary observations

Ghassan Yared 대한치과보존학회 2015 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.40 No.1

This report introduces a novel technique that allows a safe and predictable canal negotiation, creation of a glide path and canal preparation with reciprocating nickel-titanium or stainless steel engine-driven instruments in canals where the use of rotary and the newly developed reciprocating instruments is contraindicated. In this novel technique, the instruments are used in reciprocating motion with very small angles. Hand files are not used regardless of the complexity of the canal anatomy. It also allows achieving predictable results in canal negotiation and glide path creation in challenging canals without the risk of instrument fracture.

Surveillance Study of Acute Gastroenteritis Etiologies in Hospitalized Children in South Lebanon (SAGE study)

Ghassan Ghssein,Ali Salami,Lamis Salloum,Pia Chedid,Wissam H Joumaa,Hadi Fakih 대한소아소화기영양학회 2018 Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol.21 No.3

Purpose: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity and remains a major cause of hospitalization. Following the Syrian refugee crisis and insufficient clean water in the region, this study reviews the etiological and epidemiological data in Lebanon.Methods: We prospectively analyzed demographic, clinical and routine laboratory data of 198 children from the age of 1 month to 10 years old who were admitted with the diagnosis of AGE to a private tertiary care hospital located in the district of Nabatieh in south Lebanon.Results: Males had a higher incidence of AGE (57.1%). Pathogens were detected in 57.6% (n=114) of admitted pa-tients, among them single pathogens were found in 51.0% (n=101) of cases that consisted of: Entamoeba histolytica26.3% (n=52), rotavirus 18.7% (n=37), adenovirus 6.1% (n=12) and mixed co-pathogens found in 6.6% (n=13). Breast-fed children were significantly less prone to rotavirus (p=0.041). Moreover, children who had received the rota-virus vaccine were significantly less prone to rotavirus (p=0.032).Conclusion: Our findings highlight the high prevalence of E. histolytica infection as the major cause of pediatric gastro-enteritis in hospitalized children, during the summer period likely reflecting the insanitary water supplies and lack of hygiene. Moreover the 42.4% of unidentified causative pathogens should prompt us to widen our diagnostic laboratory arsenal by adopting new diagnostic technologies.

Re-refining of used lubricant oil by solvent extraction using central composite design method

Ghassan Rokan Daham,Adnan AbdulJabbar AbdulRazak,Adel Sharif Hamadi,Ayad Ahmed Mohammed 한국화학공학회 2017 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.34 No.9

The primary aim of this study was to recover base oil from used oil using solvent extraction followed by the adsorption method. Many effective variables were examined within the solvent extraction method, including using different solvents, solvent/used oil, temperature and speed of blending. Central composite design (CCD) was applied as the statistical method. Response surface methodology was then used to find the optimum conditions in the process of extraction: ratio of solvent/used oil 2.4 and 3.12 vol/vol, temperature=54 and 18 oC, and speed of mixing=569 and 739 rpm for 1-butanol and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), respectively. Various flocculation agents were used with the solvent, such as Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and Monoethylamine (MEA); they provided an increase in the separation efficiency. The best result was obtained when using 2 grams of MEA/kg solvent; this amount of MEA increases sludge removal from 12.6% to 14.7%. In the process of clay adsorption, the variables that were tested included the ratio of clay/extract oil, temperature and time of contact. The best conditions in the process of adsorption by activated bentonite were a ratio of clay/extract oil=15 wt/vol%, temperature=120 oC, and time of contact=150 minutes. The recovered base oil was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and compared to Iraqi specifications of base oils. The recovered base oil specifications were analyzed, including, viscosity @100 oC 8.32, 9.22 cSt, pour point −17.35, −22.23 oC, flash point 210.12, 223.04 oC, total acid number (TAN) 0.25, nill, total base number (TBN) nill, nill, ash 0.031, 0.0019wt% and color 3.0, 2.5 for two types of base oil recovered using MEK, 1- butanol with activated bentonite, respectively.

Molecular Structure and Anti-proliferative Effect of Galangin in HCT-116 Cells: In vitro Study

Ghassan Mohammad Sulaiman 한국식품과학회 2016 Food Science and Biotechnology Vol.25 No.1

Galangin is a naturally occurring plant flavonoid with potential anticancer activity. In present work, the Becke three-parameter hybrid exchange functional method and the Lee-Yang-Parr correction functional methods were used to investigate the structural properties of galangin. The structure-activity relationship analysis has been performed to determine its antioxidant pharmacophore by using density functional theory method and quantum chemical calculations. The free radical scavenging activities of galangin were analyzed with the use of 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and compared with Vitamin C as a control. Galangin decreased the cell proliferation rate in HCT-116 cells and showed concentration- and time-dependent response. Galangin significantly increase the inhibitory effect on HCT-116 clonogenicity and promotes cell cycle arrest at the G2/M or G1 phase, as confirmed by flow cytometry analysis.

From Globalization to Liquidation: The Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and the First World War in China

Ghassan Moazzin 고려대학교 민족문화연구원 2015 Cross-Currents Vol.- No.16

This article uses the case of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank and its liquidation during the First World War to examine the challenges faced by German businesses during the war in China and China’s involvement in Allied economic warfare. This case suggests the detrimental effect that political crises and global shifts of power had on foreign businesses in modern China’s globalized treaty port economy. It also reveals China’s role in the global economic warfare of the Allies, showing that China first resisted Allied demands for a full liquidation of the German bank but eventually acquiesced to Allied pressure and handed control over the liquidation to the Allies. As a consequence, China ended up violating the very international law it had put so much value on when entering the war.

Canal preparation with nickel-titanium or stainless steel instruments without the risk of instrument fracture: preliminary observations

Yared, Ghassan The Korean Academy of Conservative Dentistry 2015 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.40 No.1

This report introduces a novel technique that allows a safe and predictable canal negotiation, creation of a glide path and canal preparation with reciprocating nickeltitanium or stainless steel engine-driven instruments in canals where the use of rotary and the newly developed reciprocating instruments is contraindicated. In this novel technique, the instruments are used in reciprocating motion with very small angles. Hand files are not used regardless of the complexity of the canal anatomy. It also allows achieving predictable results in canal negotiation and glide path creation in challenging canals without the risk of instrument fracture.

Surveillance Study of Acute Gastroenteritis Etiologies in Hospitalized Children in South Lebanon (SAGE study)

Ghssein, Ghassan,Salami, Ali,Salloum, Lamis,Chedid, Pia,Joumaa, Wissam H,Fakih, Hadi The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology 2018 Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol.21 No.3

Purpose: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a major cause of morbidity and remains a major cause of hospitalization. Following the Syrian refugee crisis and insufficient clean water in the region, this study reviews the etiological and epidemiological data in Lebanon. Methods: We prospectively analyzed demographic, clinical and routine laboratory data of 198 children from the age of 1 month to 10 years old who were admitted with the diagnosis of AGE to a private tertiary care hospital located in the district of Nabatieh in south Lebanon. Results: Males had a higher incidence of AGE (57.1%). Pathogens were detected in 57.6% (n=114) of admitted patients, among them single pathogens were found in 51.0% (n=101) of cases that consisted of: Entamoeba histolytica 26.3% (n=52), rotavirus 18.7% (n=37), adenovirus 6.1% (n=12) and mixed co-pathogens found in 6.6% (n=13). Breast-fed children were significantly less prone to rotavirus (p=0.041). Moreover, children who had received the rotavirus vaccine were significantly less prone to rotavirus (p=0.032). Conclusion: Our findings highlight the high prevalence of E. histolytica infection as the major cause of pediatric gastroenteritis in hospitalized children, during the summer period likely reflecting the insanitary water supplies and lack of hygiene. Moreover the 42.4% of unidentified causative pathogens should prompt us to widen our diagnostic laboratory arsenal by adopting new diagnostic technologies.

Prevalence, Laboratory Findings and Clinical Characteristics of Campylobacteriosis Agents among Hospitalized Children with Acute Gastroenteritis in Lebanon

Ghssein, Ghassan,Awada, Rana,Salami, Ali,Bahmad, Hisham F.,Awad, Ali,Joumaa, Wissam H.,Roz, Ali El The Korean Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology 2021 Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition Vol.24 No.4

Purpose: Campylobacter species are currently the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis. In Lebanon, Campylobacter infection occurrence is underdiagnosed owing to the lack of specific culture and rapid test kits, particularly among children. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, laboratory findings, and clinical characteristics of Campylobacter infection in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in South Lebanon. Methods: We conducted a 6-month retrospective cohort study between January and June 2018, including 291 children aged between 1 month and 12 years, who were admitted to a tertiary healthcare center in South Lebanon. The medical files of the patients were reviewed to retrieve the required clinical information, including clinical and laboratory data. Results: The prevalence of campylobacteriosis agents in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis is 12.02%. Patients infected with Campylobacter had more severe acute gastroenteritis than Campylobacter-negative patients and often presented with high-grade fever, diarrhea episodes more than six times per day, diarrhea lasting for more than five days, and dehydration. Indeed, children with high-grade fever (≥38.5℃) were five times more likely to test positive for Campylobacter than those with low-grade fever. In addition, the results showed a higher Vesikari score for the majority of Campylobacter-positive patients with severe acute gastroenteritis compared to a moderate profile for Campylobacter-negative patients. Conclusion: The present study findings highlight that Campylobacter infection is frequent among children with acute gastroenteritis. Therefore, the detection of Campylobacter should be carried out for the diagnosis of human gastroenteritis in Lebanon, along with the detection of routine enteropathogens.