Abstract: The biomarker for colorectal cancer (CRC) is CEACAM-6 antigen (C6AG). Therefore, this study aims to develop a novel, simple and low-cost CEACAM-6 antigen immumosensor (C6AG-IMS), based on electrical impedance measurement, for precise determination of C6AG. A low-cost screen-printed graphite electrode was constructed and used as the sensor, with CEACAM-6 antibody (C6AB) immobilized on it. The procedures of sensor fabrication and antibody immobilization are simple and low-cost. Measurement of the electrical impedance at a definite frequency ranges (0.43 – 1.26 MHz) showed that the C6AG-IMS has an excellent linear (r2>0.9) response range (8.125 – 65 pg/mL), covering the normal physiological and pathological ranges of blood C6AG levels. Also, the C6AG-IMS has excellent reliability and validity, with the intraclass correlation coefficient being 0.97. In conclusion, a novel, simple, low-cost and reliable C6AG-IMS was designed and developed, being able to accurately determine blood C6AG levels in the range of pathological and normal physiological regions. The C6AG-IMS can provide a point-of-care and immediate screening results to the user at home.
Abstract: Sickness absence represents a major economic and
social issue. Analysis of sick leave data is a recurrent challenge to analysts because of the complexity of the data structure which is
often time dependent, highly skewed and clumped at zero. Ignoring these features to make statistical inference is likely to be inefficient
and misguided. Traditional approaches do not address these problems. In this study, we discuss model methodologies in terms of statistical techniques for addressing the difficulties with sick leave data. We also introduce and demonstrate a new method by performing a longitudinal assessment of long-term absenteeism using
a large registration dataset as a working example available from the Helsinki Health Study for municipal employees from Finland during the period of 1990-1999. We present a comparative study on model
selection and a critical analysis of the temporal trends, the occurrence
and degree of long-term sickness absences among municipal employees. The strengths of this working example include the large
sample size over a long follow-up period providing strong evidence in supporting of the new model. Our main goal is to propose a way to
select an appropriate model and to introduce a new methodology for analysing sickness absence data as well as to demonstrate model
applicability to complicated longitudinal data.
Abstract: Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) and Palm Oil Mill
Effluent (POME) are two main wastes from oil palm industries which
contain rich lignocellulose. Degradation of EFB and POME by
microorganisms will produce hydrolytic enzyme which will degrade
cellulose and hemicellulose during composting process. However,
normal composting takes about four to six months to reach maturity.
Hence, application of fungi into compost can shorten the period of
composting. This study identifies the effect of xylanase and cellulase
produced by Aspergillus niger and Trichoderma virens on
composting process using EFB and POME. The degradation of EFB
and POME indicates the lignocellulolytic capacity of Aspergillus
niger and Trichoderma virens with more than 7% decrease in
hemicellulose and more than 25% decrease in cellulose for both
inoculated compost. Inoculation of Aspergillus niger and
Trichoderma virens also increased the enzyme activities during the
composting period compared to the control compost by 21% for both
xylanase and cellulase. Rapid rise in the activities of cellulase and
xylanase was observed by Aspergillus niger with the highest
activities of 14.41 FPU/mg and 3.89 IU/mg, respectively. Increased
activities of cellulase and xylanase also occurred in inoculation of
Trichoderma virens with the highest activities obtained at 13.21
FPU/mg and 4.43 IU/mg, respectively. Therefore, it is evident that
the inoculation of fungi can increase the enzyme activities hence
effectively degrading the EFB and POME.
Abstract: This paper presents results of numerical simulation of filtration of abnormal thermoviscous fluid on an example of thermo reversible polymer gel.
Abstract: Fip-gts, an immunomodulatory protein purified from Ganoderma tsugae, has been reported to possess therapeutic effects in the treatment of cancer and autoimmune disease. For medicinal application, a recombinant Fip-gts was successfully expressed and purified in Sf21 insect cells by our previously work. It is important to evaluate the immunomodulatory activity of the rFip-gts. To assess the immunomodulatory potential of rFip-gts, the T lymphocytes of murine splenocytes were used in the present study. Results revealed that rFip-gts induced cellular aggregation formation. Additionally, the expression of IL-2 and IFN-r were up-regulated after the treatment of rFip-gts, and a corresponding increased production of IL-2 and IFN-r in a dose-dependent manner. The results showed that rFip-gts has an immunomodulatory activity in inducing Th1 lymphocytes from murine splenocytes released IL-2 and IFN-γ, thus suggest that rFip-gts may have therapeutic potential in vivo as an immune modulator.
Abstract: Self-directed learning (SDL) was developed initially
for adult learning. Guglielmino constructed a scale to measure SDL.
Recent researchers have applied this concept to children. Although
there are sufficient theoretical evidences to present the possibility of
applying this concept to children, empirical evidences were not
provided. This study aimed to examine the quality of SDL and
construct a scale to measure SDL among young children. A modified
scale of Guglielmino-s scale was constructed and piloted with 183
subjects of age 9. Findings suggest that the qualities of SDL in young
ages are apparently congruent with that of adults.
Abstract: with increasing circuits- complexity and demand to
use portable devices, power consumption is one of the most
important parameters these days. Full adders are the basic block of
many circuits. Therefore reducing power consumption in full adders
is very important in low power circuits. One of the most powerconsuming
modules in full adders is XOR/XNOR circuit. This paper
presents two new full adders based on two new logic approaches. The
proposed logic approaches use one XOR or XNOR gate to implement
a full adder cell. Therefore, delay and power will be decreased. Using
two new approaches and two XOR and XNOR gates, two new full
adders have been implemented in this paper. Simulations are carried
out by HSPICE in 0.18μm bulk technology with 1.8V supply voltage.
The results show that the ten-transistors proposed full adder has 12%
less power consumption and is 5% faster in comparison to MB12T
full adder. 9T is more efficient in area and is 24% better than similar
10T full adder in term of power consumption. The main drawback of
the proposed circuits is output threshold loss problem.
Abstract: Distance education program is a dimension of contemporary and new education technologies. Concepts and applications in this field are the results of a series of educational demands and developments in various communication and education technologies. Distance education applications have some conceptual bases. These are creating new education opportunities, realizing work-education unity, getting democratic in education, lifelong education, tendency to individual matters, effective use of institutions, integration of technology and education, tendency to individual and social needs, taking three dimensional integration as the main principle (publishing, printed materials and face to face education), reaching maximum mass, individual and mass education integrity and education demand and financial matters balance. Economics, Business Administration and Open Education faculties, which have been giving education within Anadolu University since 1982 in Turkey, are carrying on education with nearly 1.000.000 students. The aim of this study is to determine organizational commitment levels of students who have been studying at Anadolu University Economics, Business Administration and Open Education faculties in the scope of affective, continuance and nominative commitment in Allen&Meyer model. In the study, organizational commitment of the Economics, Business Administration and Open Education faculty students, who are receiving education by means of distance education, to their faculties is dealt after introducing Anadolu University Distance Education system which gives higher education via distance education method in Turkey. In order to increase the success level of faculties it is required for students to have high level of organizational commitment to their faculties. A questionnaire has been applied by using “Organizational Commitment Scale", developed by Meyer&Allen to determine organizational commitments of Economics, Business Administration and Open Education students. Organizational commitment is dealt with as affective, continuance and nominative commitment. The questionnaire was applied face to face to randomly chosen 500 students living in Eskişehir and the data was downloaded to the computer by using SPSS program and the results were analyzed in terms of demographic features (gender, age, marital status, years of study, work and income level) of students by using frequency test, ttest and ANOVA test. As a result of these analyses, when the comments of Open Education Faculty students on levels of affective, continuance and nominative commitment to their faculties were examined, it has been revealed that continuance commitment level has the highest rate. Among the female participants; continuance commitment is high in the age range of 30-40, for normative commitment it is 17-22. However no dominant age range was defined for affective commitment. Regarding the marital status; continuance commitment average is higher among married participants; but nominative affective commitment average is higher among single participants. As to the years of study, affective and continuance commitment is higher among senior students while normative commitment is higher among junior students. Moreover; in terms of continuance, affective and normative commitment, those who do not work and have low income have higher level of all there commitment types than those who work and have relatively high income.
Abstract: In the other to Study of drought stress and Selenium
spraying effect on superoxide dismotase (SOD) activity of rapeseed
(Brassica napus L.) cultivars in Shahr-e-Rey region, an experiment
carried out in Split factorial design in the basis of randomized
complete blocks with 4 replications in 2006. Irrigation in two levels:
Normal irrigation and irrigation with drought stress when the soil
electrical conductivity reached to 60 as main factor and rapeseed
cultivars in 3 levels Zarfam, Okapi, Opera and selenium spraying at
the beginning of flowering stage in 3 levels: 0, 16 and 21 g/ha as sub
factor.
The results showed that the simple and interaction effect of
irrigation, selenium and cultivars on SOD activity had significant
difference. In this case Zarfam cultivar with 2010 u.mg-1 protein and
Opera with 1454 u.mg-1 protein produced maximum and minimum
amounts of SOD activitiy. Interaction effect of irrigation and variety
showed that, normal irrigation in Opera with 1115 u.mg-1 protein
and drought stress in Zarfam with 2784 u.mg-1 protein conducted to
and minimum and maximum amounts of SOD activity.
Interaction effect of irrigation, cultivar and selenium on SOD
indicated that drought stress condition and 21 gr/ha selenium
spraying in Zarfam variety with 3146 u.mg-1 protein gained to
highest activities of SOD.
Abstract: This paper presents a model for the evaluation of
energy performance and aerodynamic forces acting on a three-bladed
small vertical axis Darrieus wind turbine depending on blade chord
curvature with respect to rotor axis.
The adopted survey methodology is based on an analytical code
coupled to a solid modeling software, capable of generating the
desired blade geometry depending on the blade design geometric
parameters, which is linked to a finite volume CFD code for the
calculation of rotor performance.
After describing and validating the model with experimental data,
the results of numerical simulations are proposed on the bases of two
different blade profile architectures, which are respectively
characterized by a straight chord and by a curved one, having a chord
radius equal to rotor external circumference. A CFD campaign of
analysis is completed for three blade-candidate airfoil sections, that is
the recently-developed DU 06-W-200 cambered blade profile, a
classical symmetrical NACA 0021 and its derived cambered airfoil,
characterized by a curved chord, having a chord radius equal to rotor
external circumference.
The effects of blade chord curvature on angle of attack, blade
tangential and normal forces are first investigated and then the
overall rotor torque and power are analyzed as a function of blade
azimuthal position, achieving a numerical quantification of the
influence of blade camber on overall rotor performance.
Abstract: Y chromosome microdeletions are the most common
genetic cause of male infertility and screening for these
microdeletions in azoospermic or severely oligospermic men is now
standard practice. Analysis of the Y chromosome in men with
azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia has resulted in the
identification of three regions in the euchromatic part of the long arm
of the human Y chromosome (Yq11) that are frequently deleted in
men with otherwise unexplained spermatogenic failure. PCR analysis
of microdeletions in the AZFa, AZFb and AZFc regions of the
human Y chromosome is an important screening tool. The aim of this
study was to analyse the type of microdeletions in men with fertility
disorders in Slovakia. We evaluated 227 patients with azoospermia
and with normal karyotype. All patient samples were analyzed
cytogenetically. For PCR amplification of sequence-tagged sites
(STS) of the AZFa, AZFb and AZFc regions of the Y chromosome
was used Devyser AZF set. Fluorescently labeled primers for all
markers in one multiplex PCR reaction were used and for automated
visualization and identification of the STS markers we used genetic
analyzer ABi 3500xl (Life Technologies). We reported 13 cases of
deletions in the AZF region 5,73%. Particular types of deletions were
recorded in each region AZFa,b,c .The presence of microdeletions in
the AZFc region was the most frequent. The study confirmed that
percentage of microdeletions in the AZF region is low in Slovak
azoospermic patients, but important from a prognostic view.
Abstract: There are lots of different ways to find the natural
frequencies of a rotating system. One of the most effective methods
which is used because of its precision and correctness is the
application of the transfer matrix. By use of this method the entire
continuous system is subdivided and the corresponding differential
equation can be stated in matrix form. So to analyze shaft that is this
paper issue the rotor is divided as several elements along the shaft
which each one has its own mass and moment of inertia, which this
work would create possibility of defining the named matrix. By
Choosing more elements number, the size of matrix would become
larger and as a result more accurate answers would be earned. In this
paper the dynamics of a rotor-bearing system is analyzed,
considering the gyroscopic effect. To increase the accuracy of
modeling the thickness of the disk and bearings is also taken into
account which would cause more complicated matrix to be solved.
Entering these parameters to our modeling would change the results
completely that these differences are shown in the results. As said
upper, to define transfer matrix to reach the natural frequencies of
probed system, introducing some elements would be one of the
requirements. For the boundary condition of these elements, bearings
at the end of the shaft are modeled as equivalent spring and dampers
for the discretized system. Also, continuous model is used for the
shaft in the system. By above considerations and using transfer
matrix, exact results are taken from the calculations. Results Show
that, by increasing thickness of the bearing the amplitude of vibration
would decrease, but obviously the stiffness of the shaft and the
natural frequencies of the system would accompany growth.
Consequently it is easily understood that ignoring the influences of
bearing and disk thicknesses would results not real answers.
Abstract: Mining tailings represent a generating source of rich heavy metal material with a potential danger the public health and the environment, since these metals, under certain conditions, can leach and contaminate aqueous systems that serve like supplying potable water sources. The strategy for this work is based on the observation, experimentation and the simulation that can be obtained by binding real answers of the hydrodynamic behavior of metals leached from mining tailings, and the applied mathematics that provides the logical structure to decipher the individual effects of the general physicochemical phenomenon. The case of study presented herein focuses on mining tailings deposits located in Monte San Nicolas, Guanajuato, Mexico, an abandoned mine. This was considered the contamination source that under certain physicochemical conditions can favor the metal leaching, and its transport towards aqueous systems. In addition, the cartography, meteorology, geology and the hydrodynamics and hydrological characteristics of the place, will be helpful in determining the way and the time in which these systems can interact. Preliminary results demonstrated that arsenic presents a great mobility, since this one was identified in several superficial aqueous systems of the micro watershed, as well as in sediments in concentrations that exceed the established maximum limits in the official norms. Also variations in pH and potential oxide-reduction were registered, conditions that favor the presence of different species from this element its solubility and therefore its mobility.
Abstract: The mixed oxide nuclear fuel (MOX) of U and Pu contains several percent of fission products and minor actinides, such as neptunium, americium and curium. It is important to determine accurately the decay heat from Curium isotopes as they contribute significantly in the MOX fuel. This heat generation can cause samples to melt very quickly if excessive quantities of curium are present. In the present paper, we introduce a new approach that can predict the decay heat from curium isotopes. This work is a part of the project funded by King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology (KASCT), Long-Term Comprehensive National Plan for Science, Technology and Innovations, and take place in King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Saudi Arabia. The approach is based on the numerical solution of coupled linear differential equations that describe decays and buildups of many nuclides to calculate the decay heat produced after shutdown. Results show the consistency and reliability of the approach applied.
Abstract: The need to implement intelligent highways is much
more emphasized with the growth of vehicle production line as well as vehicle intelligence. The control of intelligent vehicles in order to
reduce human error and boost ease congestion is not accomplished solely by the aid of human resources. The present article is an attempt
to introduce an intelligent control system based on a single central computer. In this project, central computer, without utilizing Global
Positioning System (GPS), is capable of tracking all vehicles, crisis management and control, traffic guidance and recording traffic
crimes along the highway. By the help of RFID technology, vehicles
are connected to computerized systems, intelligent light poles and
other available hardware along the way. By the aid of Wimax
communicative technology, all components of the system are
virtually connected together through local and global networks
devised in them and the energy of the network is provided by the
solar cells installed on the intelligent light poles.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of
supplementing the diluent of roosters' semen with different levels of
olive oil on motility, viability, morphology and acrosome integrity of
chicken spermatozoa after in vitro storage for up to 72 h. Semen was
collected from 60 White Layer males (62 wk of age) kept in
separated floor pens and randomly divided into six treatment groups
(10 males in each group). Experimental groups were as follows: T1
:fresh semen, T2 : semen extended 1:1 with Al – Daraji 2 diluent
(AD2D) alone, T3 – T6 :semen samples extended 1:1 with AD2D
supplemented with 2 ml, 4 ml, 6 ml or 8 ml of olive oil / 100 ml of
diluent, respectively. Semen samples were then stored at 5 °C for 24
h, 48 h or 72 h. There was a clear influence of diluent
supplementation with olive oil on the spermatozoa motility profile;
olive oil groups (T3, T4, T5 and T6) recorded the highest scores of
mass activity and individual motility during all storage periods
compared to T1 and T2 groups. In addition, the inclusion of olive oil
into semen diluent (T3, T4, T5 and T6) gave significantly higher
percentages of viable spermatozoa, normal morphologically
spermatozoa and intact acrosomes irrespective of storage period.
These results clearly show that supplementation the diluent of
roosters' semen with olive oil can improve semen quality when
semen samples in vitro stored at 5 °C for up to 72 h.
Abstract: The amplitude response of infrared (IR) sensors
depends on the reflectance properties of the target. Therefore, in
order to use IR sensor for measuring distances accurately, prior
knowledge of the surface must be known. This paper describes the
Phong Illumination Model for determining the properties of a surface
and subsequently calculating the distance to the surface. The angular
position of the IR sensor is computed as normal to the surface for
simplifying the calculation. Ultrasonic (US) sensor can provide the
initial information on distance to obtain the parameters for this
method. In addition, the experimental results obtained by using
LabView are discussed. More care should be taken when placing the
objects from the sensors during acquiring data since the small change
in angle could show very different distance than the actual one.
Since stereo camera vision systems do not perform well under some
environmental conditions such as plain wall, glass surfaces, or poor
lighting conditions, the IR and US sensors can be used additionally to
improve the overall vision systems of mobile robots.
Abstract: Image mosaicing is a technique that permits to enlarge the field of view of a camera. For instance, it is employed to achieve panoramas with common cameras or even in scientific applications, to achieve the image of a whole culture in microscopical imaging. Usually, a mosaic of cell cultures is achieved through using automated microscopes. However, this is often performed in batch, through CPU intensive minimization algorithms. In addition, live stem cells are studied in phase contrast, showing a low contrast that cannot be improved further. We present a method to study the flat field from live stem cells images even in case of 100% confluence, this permitting to build accurate mosaics on-line using high performance algorithms.
Abstract: Currently, there is no database or local norms for the
physical performance of Malaysian rugby players. This database or
norms are vital for Malaysian-s sports development as programs can
be setup to improve the current status. This pilot study was
conducted to evaluate the status of our semi professional rugby
players. The rugby players were randomly selected from the
Malaysian National team and several clubs in the Klang valley, Kuala
Lumpur Malaysia. 54 male rugby players (Age: 24.41 ± 4.06 years)
were selected for this pilot study. Height, bodyweight, percentage
body fat and body mass index (BMI) and several other physical tests
were performed. Results from the BLEEP test revealed an average of
level 9, shuttle 2 for the players. Interestingly, forwards were taller,
heavier, and had lower maximal aerobic power than backs in the
same team. In conclusion, the physical characteristics of the rugby
players were much lower when compared to international players
from other countries. From this pilot study, the physical performance
of the Malaysian team must be improved in order to further develop
the sports.
Abstract: Hydrogenated biodiesel is one of the most promising
renewable fuels. It has many advantages over conventional biodiesel,
including higher cetane number, higher heating value, lower
viscosity, and lower corrosiveness due to its absence of oxygen.
From previous work, Pd/TiO2 gave high conversion and selectivity in
hydrogenated biodiesel. In this work, the effect of biomass feedstocks
(i.e. beef fat, chicken fat, pork fat, and jatropha oil) on the production
of hydrogenated biodiesel over Pd/TiO2 has been studied. Biomass
feedstocks were analyzed by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma
optical emission spectrometry) to identify the content of impurities
(i.e. P, K, Ca, Na, and Mg). The deoxygenation catalyst, Pd/TiO2,
was prepared by incipient wetness impregnation (IWI) and tested in a
continuous flow packed-bed reactor at 500 psig, 325°C, H2/feed
molar ratio of 30, and LHSV of 4 h-1 for its catalytic activity and
selectivity in hydrodeoxygenation. All feedstocks gave high
selectivity in diesel specification range hydrocarbons and the main
hydrocarbons were n-pentadecane (n-C15) and n-heptadecane (n-
C17), resulting from the decarbonylation/decarboxylation reaction.
Intermediates such as oleic acid, stearic acid, palmitic acid, and esters
were also detected in minor amount. The conversion of triglycerides
in jatropha oil is higher than those of chicken fat, pork fat, and beef
fat, respectively. The higher concentration of metal impurities in
feedstock, the lower conversion of feedstock.