Phenomenology of strangeness production at high energies

The strange-quark occupation factor ($\gamma_s$) is determined from the statistical fit of the multiplicity ratio $\mathrm{K}^+/\pi^+$ in a wide range of nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energies ($\sqrt{s_{NN}}$). From this single-strange-quark-subsystem, $\gamma_s(\sqrt{s_{NN}})$ was parametrized as a damped trigonometric functionality and successfully implemented to the hadron resonance gas model, at chemical semi-equilibrium. Various particle ratios including $\mathrm{K}^-/\pi^-$, $\mathrm{\Lambda}/\pi^-$, and $\mathrm{\bar{\Lambda}}/\pi^-$ are well reproduced. The phenomenology of $\gamma_s(\sqrt{s_{NN}})$ suggests that, the hadrons ($\gamma_s$ raises) at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} \simeq 7~$GeV seems to undergo a phase transition to a mixed phase ($\gamma_s$ declines), which is then derived into partons ($\gamma_s$ remains unchanged with increasing $\sqrt{s_{NN}}$), at $\sqrt{s_{NN}} \simeq 20~$GeV.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in EP

Activities of daily life recognition using process representation modelling to support intention analysis

Purpose – This paper aims to focus on applying a range of traditional classification- and semantic reasoning-based techniques to recognise activities of daily life (ADLs). ADL recognition plays an important role in tracking functional decline among elderly people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. Accurate recognition enables smart environments to support and assist the elderly to lead an independent life for as long as possible. However, the ability to represent the complex structure of an ADL in a flexible manner remains a challenge. Design/methodology/approach – This paper presents an ADL recognition approach, which uses a hierarchical structure for the representation and modelling of the activities, its associated tasks and their relationships. This study describes an approach in constructing ADLs based on a task-specific and intention-oriented plan representation language called Asbru. The proposed method is particularly flexible and adaptable for caregivers to be able to model daily schedules for Alzheimer’s patients. Findings – A proof of concept prototype evaluation has been conducted for the validation of the proposed ADL recognition engine, which has comparable recognition results with existing ADL recognition approaches. Originality/value – The work presented in this paper is novel, as the developed ADL recognition approach takes into account all relationships and dependencies within the modelled ADLs. This is very useful when conducting activity recognition with very limited features

Role of Proteomics in Crop Stress Tolerance

Plants often experience various biotic and abiotic stresses during their life cycle. The abiotic stresses include mainly drought, salt, temperature (low/high), flooding and nutritional deficiency/excess which hamper crop growth and yield to a great extent. In view of a projection 50% of the crop loss is attributable to abiotic stresses. However, abiotic stresses cause a myriad of changes in physiological, molecular and biochemical processes operating in plants. It is now widely reported that several proteins respond to these stresses at pre- and post-transcriptional and translational levels. By knowing the role of these stress inducible proteins, it would be easy to comprehensively expound the processes of stress tolerance in plants. The proteomics study offers a new approach to discover proteins and pathways associated with crop physiological and stress responses. Thus, studying the plants at proteomic levels could help understand the pathways involved in stress tolerance. Furthermore, improving the understanding of the identified key metabolic proteins involved in tolerance can be implemented into biotechnological applications, regarding recombinant/transgenic formation. Additionally, the investigation of identified metabolic processes ultimately supports the development of antistress strategies. In this review, we discussed the role of proteomics in crop stress tolerance. We also discussed different abiotic stresses and their effects on plants, particularly with reference to stress-induced expression of proteins, and how proteomics could act as vital biotechnological tools for improving stress tolerance in plants

Role of quercetin and arginine in ameliorating nano zinc oxide-induced nephrotoxicity in rats

BACKGROUND: Nanoparticles are small-scale substances (<100 nm) with unique properties. Therefore, nanoparticles pose complex health risk implications. The objective of this study was to detect whether treatment with quercetin (Qur) and/or arginine (Arg) ameliorated nephrotoxicity induced by two different doses of nano zinc oxide (n-ZnO) particles. METHOD: ZnO nanoparticles were administered orally in two doses (either 600 mg or 1 g/Kg body weight/day for 5 conscutive days) to Wister albino rats. In order to detect the protective effects of the studied antioxidants against n-ZnO induced nepherotoxicity, different biochemical parameters were investigated. Moreover, histopathological examination of kidney tissue was performed. RESULTS: Nano zinc oxide-induced nephrotoxicity was confirmed by the elevation in serum inflammatory markers including: tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6); and C-reactive protein (CRP). Moreover, immunoglobulin (IGg), vascular endothelium growth factor (VEGF), and nitric oxide (NO) were significantly increased in rat serum. Serum urea and creatinine levels were also significantly increased in rats intoxicated with n-ZnO particles compared with the control group. Additionally, a significant decrease in the non-enzymatic antioxidant reduced glutathione (GSH) was shown in kidney tissues and serum glucose levels were increased. These biochemical findings were supported by a histopathological examination of kidney tissues, which showed that in the animals that received a high dose of n-ZnO, numerous kidney glomeruli underwent atrophy and fragmentation. Moreover, the renal tubules showed epithelial desquamation, degeneration and necrosis. Some renal tubules showed casts in their lumina. Severe congestion was also observed in renal interstitium. These effects were dose dependent. Cotreatment of rats with Qur and/or Arg along with n-ZnO significantly improved most of the deviated tested parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The data show that Qur has a beneficial effect against n-ZnO oxidative stress and related vascular complications. Also, its combination with Arg proved to be even more effective in ameliorating nano zinc oxide nephrotoxicity

Academic Satisfaction and Its Relationship to Internal Locus of Control among Students of Najran University

University students' satisfaction with their institution has individual, institutional and social implications. Several theories have been proposed in an effort to better understand the psychosocial dynamics of student satisfaction. The main objectives of this study are to examine the correlation between Internal Locus of Control and students' Academic Satisfaction with faculty staff, the college administration, and textbooks; and to evaluate differences between males and females on academic satisfaction scale. The study sample consists of (120) University students in Najran, KSA, from different majors and colleges, (69) males and (51) females. Academic Satisfaction Scale (ASS) and Internal Locus of Control Scale (ICS) have been developed by the author. There are significant positive correlations between satisfaction with faculty staff, satisfaction with the college administration and internal locus of control. The results found no significant correlation between satisfaction with textbooks and internal locus of control. The results also indicated significant differences between males and females on Academic Satisfaction Scale. This study summarizes the locus of control role on academic satisfaction assessment among university students.Keywords: orkforce sizing, job-shop production, holonic model Keywords: Academic satisfaction; locus of control; university students