Lack of Any Relationship Between Circulating Autoantibodies and Interleukin-6 Levels in Egyptian Patients Infected with the Hepatitis C Virus

Nasr, Mohamed Y,Deeb, Ammar S Ali,Badra, Gamal,Sayed, Ibrahim H El Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.11

Introduction: Elevated serum interleukin (IL) 6 has been reported in patients infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), but it remains debatable whether this influences the production of autoantibodies and the biochemical profile of HCV disease. Therefore, this current study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between IL-6 and circulating autoantibody levels in HCV positive patients. Methods: Levels of IL-6 in serum samples from 102 patients with HCV and 103 normal controls were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Autoantibodies were detected by immunofluorescence. Results: Levels of IL-6 were significantly higher (p=0.028) in patients infected with (HCV) compared with normal group. Autoantibodies were noted in in 43.1% of the patients; of these, 23.5% featured anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA+), 16.7% anti-smooth muscle antibodies (ASMA+), 7.8% anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA+), 17.6% anti-parietal cell antibodies (APCA+), 7.8% anti canalicular antibodies, and 2.9% anti reticulin antibodies (ARA+). No patients were found to be positive for anti-brush border antibodies (ABBA) or anti-ribosomal antibodies. (ARiA). No links with IL-6 levels were apparent. Conclusions: IL-6 levels are increased in patients infected with HCV disease and could influence the production of autoantibodies. However, this study did not provide evidence of a specific relationship between IL6 and circulating autoantibodies in such cases.

Laser Acceleration of Electron Beams to the GeV-class Energies in Gas Jets

Nasr A. M. Hafz,Tae Moon Jeong,Seong Ku Lee,최일우,Ki Hong Pae,Victor V. Kulagin,Jae Hee Sung,Tae Jun Yu,John R. Cary,고도경,Jongmin Lee 한국광학회 2009 Current Optics and Photonics Vol.13 No.1

In a laser-plasma wakefield accelerator, the ponderomotive force of an ultrashort high intensity laser pulse excites a longitudinal wave or plasma bubble in a way similar to the excitation of a wake wave behind a boat as it propagates on the water surface. Electric fields inside the plasma bubble can be several orders of magnitude higher than those available in conventional RF-based particle accelerator facilities which are limited by material breakdown. Therefore, if an electron bunch is properly phase-locked with the bubble’s acceleration field, it can gain relativistic energies within an extremely short distance. Here, in the bubble regime we show the generation of stable and reproducible sub GeV, and GeV-class electron beams. Supported by three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations, our experimental results show the highest acceleration gradients produced so far. Simulations suggested that the plasma bubble elongation should be minimized in order to achieve higher electron beam energies.

The Deictic Expressions in Sibawaih's Book

Nasr Ad-Din 한국중동학회 1998 韓國 中東 學會 論叢 Vol.19 No.2

Uncertainty quantification for structural health monitoring applications

Nasr, Dana E.,Slika, Wael G.,Saad, George A. 국제구조공학회 2018 Smart Structures and Systems, An International Jou Vol.22 No.4

The difficulty in modeling complex nonlinear structures lies in the presence of significant sources of uncertainties mainly attributed to sudden changes in the structure's behavior caused by regular aging factors or extreme events. Quantifying these uncertainties and accurately representing them within the complex mathematical framework of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) are significantly essential for system identification and damage detection purposes. This study highlights the importance of uncertainty quantification in SHM frameworks, and presents a comparative analysis between intrusive and non-intrusive techniques in quantifying uncertainties for SHM purposes through two different variations of the Kalman Filter (KF) method, the Ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) and the Polynomial Chaos Kalman Filter (PCKF). The comparative analysis is based on a numerical example that consists of a four degrees-of-freedom (DOF) system, comprising Bouc-Wen hysteretic behavior and subjected to El-Centro earthquake excitation. The comparison is based on the ability of each technique to quantify the different sources of uncertainty for SHM purposes and to accurately approximate the system state and parameters when compared to the true state with the least computational burden. While the results show that both filters are able to locate the damage in space and time and to accurately estimate the system responses and unknown parameters, the computational cost of PCKF is shown to be less than that of EnKF for a similar level of numerical accuracy.

Friction tuned mass damper optimization for structure under harmonic force excitation

Nasr, Aymen,Mrad, Charfeddine,Nasri, Rachid Techno-Press 2018 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.65 No.6

In this work, an optimization method of Friction Tuned Mass Damper (FTMD) parameters is presented. Friction tuned mass dampers (FTMD) are attached to mechanical structures to reduce their vibrations with dissipating the vibratory energy through friction between both bodies. In order to exploit the performances of FTMD, the determination of the optimum parameters is recommended. However, the presence of Coulomb's friction force requires the resolution of a non-linear stick-slip problem. First, this work aims at determining the responses of the vibratory system. The responses of the main mass and of the FTMD are determined analytically in the sticking and sliding phase using the equivalent damping method. Second, this work aims to optimize the FTMD parameters; the friction coefficient and the tuned frequency. The optimization formulation based on the Ricciardelli and Vickery method at the resonance frequencies, this method is reformulated for a system with a viscous damping. The inverse problem of finding the FTMD parameters given the magnitude of the force and the maximum acceptable displacement of the primary system is also considered; the optimization of parameters leads to conclude on the favorable FTMD giving significant vibration decrease, and to advance design recommendations.

Intercropping of Cow Pea (Vigna unguiculata) as Summer Forage Yield with Grewia tenax in Irrigated Saline Soil of Khartoum State, Sudan

Nasre Aldin Mustafa Abdalla,Seid Ahmed Hussein Alawad,Ballal Mohamed ElMukhtar 강원대학교 산림과학연구소 2022 Journal of Forest Science Vol.38 No.2

Agroforestry in terms of intercropping cow pea as summer forage with Grewia tenax was undertaken under sub -irrigation system in two consecutive seasons of 2017 and 2018 in saline soil of Khartoum State of Sudan. The aims were to find out suitable agro forestry system for saline soils as well as to investigate effect of tree spacing on field summer forage crop under semi -irrigation system. Therefore G. tenax trees that spaced at 4×4 m were used as main factor versus cow pea crop that incorporated at 25×50 cm intervals by using completely randomized block design with 3 replications. Trees and crop parameters were determined in terms of plant growth and yield. In addition to land equivalent ratio and soil chemical and physical properties at different layers were determined. The results revealed that, soil parameters in terms of CaCo₃, SAR, ESP, pH paste and EC ds/m were increased with increasing soil depths. Meanwhile tree growth did not show any significant differences in the first season in 2017. Whereas in the second season in 2018 tree growth namely; tree height, tree collar and canopy diameters were higher under intercropping than in sole trees. Cow pea plant height recorded significant differences under sole crop in the first season in 2017. Unlike the forage fresh yield that was significant under the inter cropped plots. Tree fruit yield was higher under sole trees and land equivalent ratio was more advantageous under GS2 (1.5 m) which amounted to 4. Therefore it is possible to introduce this agroforestry system under saline soils to provide summer forage of highly nutritive value to feed animals and to increase farmers’ income as far as to halt desertification and to sequester carbon.

SKEW LAURENT POLYNOMIAL EXTENSIONS OF BAER AND P.P.-RINGS

Nasr-Isfahani, Alireza R.,Moussavi, Ahmad Korean Mathematical Society 2009 대한수학회보 Vol.46 No.6

Let R be a ring and ${\alpha}$ a monomorphism of R. We study the skew Laurent polynomial rings R[x, x$^{-1}$; ${\alpha}$] over an ${\alpha}$-skew Armendariz ring R. We show that, if R is an ${\alpha}$-skew Armendariz ring, then R is a Baer (resp. p.p.-)ring if and only if R[x, x$^{-1}$; ${\alpha}$] is a Baer (resp. p.p.-) ring. Consequently, if R is an Armendariz ring, then R is a Baer (resp. p.p.-)ring if and only if R[x, x$^{-1}$] is a Baer (resp. p.p.-)ring.

Economic Assessments of Hormonal and Nutritional Treatments for Improvement of Awassi Sheep Production in Jordan

Nasr, R.E.,Haddad, S.G.,Al-Karablieh, E.K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2002 Animal Bioscience Vol.15 No.8

The animal production sector in Jordan is characterized by shortages of locally produced feedstuffs derived from rangeland, forage plants or from human food crops as by products. This is exacerbated by insufficient rainfall, overgrazing, early grazing and high stocking rate. Thus, subject to these constraints, other technological improvements are highly desirable to meet the needs of crop growth and animal production. Alternative adapted technologies are also desirable in order to meet the increased demand for red meat in relation to population growth along with the changes in the price subsidy for feedstuff. The technologies are those, which have been introduced to the animal production sector, obtained in agricultural research stations besides on-farm demonstrations. They include technologies suited for increasing birth and twining rates, synchronizing the mating period, introducing the early weaning method, and animal feed and sheep production. Economic assessments conducted in this study demonstrate promising results of hormonal and nutritional practices in improving production efficiency of Awassi sheep in Jordan. Jordanian published data between 1991 and 1998 were used. The examined practices were: 1) use of PMSG in estrus synchronization in ewes, 2) introduction of early lamb weaning program, 3) supplementation with $AD_3E$ for ewes and 4) the use of agro-industrial feed block as a feed supplement for grazing lambs. Production data were then subjected to partial budgeting for economical evaluation. The use of PMSG outperformed the control groups in fertility and net returns per ewe by US$ 8.36/ewe. The early weaning of lambs increased the net returns by US$ 3.90/lamb. The injection with vitamin $AD_3E$ showed an average additional net return of US$ 5.66/ewe. Feeding agriculture by-product blocks improved weight gain in the feed block groups and resulted in additional net returns of US$ 3.5/lamb. The economic viability and reproductive performance indicators demonstrate that efforts should be undertaken to disseminate these new practices in the development program.

Thomson scattering of TW laser from plasma-accelerated electrons: All-optical method to generate femtosecond soft and hard x-rays

Nasr Hafz,C. B. Kim,G. H. Kim,김종욱,H. Suk,Jongmin Lee 한국물리학회 2004 THE JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY Vol.44 No.52

We propose a novel experimental scheme for a compact and tunable X-ray source capable of producing X-ray pulses with a few tens of femtosecond duration. The method is based on the Thomson scattering of a terawatt femtosecond laser from a relativistic plasma-accelerated electron beam. We present particle-in-cell simulations for ultrashort e-beam generation from laser-wakeeld accelerator scheme utilizing a plasma density transition as a self-injector; then, we present the basic characteristics of ultrashort X-ray generation.

Efficient Biomimetic Oxidative Decarboxylation of Some Carboxylic Acids Catalyzed by a Manganese (III) Schiff Base Complex

Nasr-Esfahani, Masoud,Montazerozohori, Morteza,Akhlaghi, Parisa Korean Chemical Society 2009 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.30 No.7

The four dentate $N_2O_2$ Schiff base ligand of bis(2-hydroxyacetophenone)-1,2-propanediimine (BHAPN) and its manganese (III) complex were synthesized and identified by microanalysis, spectral data ($^1H$ NMR, MS, FT-IR and UV-Visible) and molar conductivity measurement. The mild and efficient homogeneous oxidative decarboxylation of some carboxylic acids by catalytic amount of this manganese (III) complex, using tetrabutylamonium periodate as a mild oxidant in chloroform at room temperature is reported. The catalyst used in this study showed good activity for the decarboxylation of the titled compounds.