Abstract: Ecological systems are exposed and are influenced by
various natural and anthropogenic disturbances. They produce
various effects and states seeking response symmetry to a state of
global phase coherence or stability and balance of their food webs.
This research project addresses the development of a computational
methodology for modeling plankton food webs. The use of
algorithms to establish connections, the generation of representative
fuzzy multigraphs and application of technical analysis of complex
networks provide a set of tools for defining, analyzing and evaluating
community structure of coastal aquatic ecosystems, beyond the
estimate of possible external impacts to the networks. Thus, this
study aims to develop computational systems and data models to
assess how these ecological networks are structurally and
functionally organized, to analyze the types and degree of
compartmentalization and synchronization between oscillatory and
interconnected elements network and the influence of disturbances on
the overall pattern of rhythmicity of the system.
Abstract: Cole-Cole parameters of 40 post-menopausal women
are compared with their DEXA bone mineral density measurements.
Impedance characteristics of four extremities are compared; left and
right extremities are statistically same, but lower extremities are
statistically different than upper ones due to their different fat
content. The correlation of Cole-Cole impedance parameters to bone
mineral density (BMD) is observed to be higher for dominant arm.
With the post-menopausal population, ANOVA tests of the dominant
arm characteristic frequency, as a predictor for DEXA classified
osteopenic and osteoporic population around lumbar spine, is
statistically very significant. When used for total lumbar spine
osteoporosis diagnosis, the area under the Receiver Operating Curve
of the characteristic frequency is 0.830, suggesting that the Cole-Cole
plot characteristic frequency could be a useful diagnostic parameter
when integrated into standard screening methods for osteoporosis.
Moreover, the characteristic frequency can be directly measured by
monitoring frequency driven angular behavior of the dominant arm
without performing any complex calculation.
Abstract: Communicating users' needs, goals and problems help
designers and developers overcome challenges faced by end users.
Personas are used to represent end users’ needs. In our research,
creating personas allowed the following questions to be answered:
Who are the potential user groups? What do they want to achieve by
using the service? What are the problems that users face? What
should the service provide to them? To develop realistic personas, we
conducted a focus group discussion with undergraduate and graduate
students and also interviewed a university librarian. The personas
were created to help evaluating the Institutional Repository that is
based on the DSpace system. The profiles helped to communicate
users' needs, abilities, tasks, and problems, and the task scenarios
used in the heuristic evaluation were based on these personas. Four
personas resulted of a focus group discussion with undergraduate and
graduate students and from interviewing a university librarian. We
then used these personas to create focused task-scenarios for a
heuristic evaluation on the system interface to ensure that it met
users' needs, goals, problems and desires. In this paper, we present
the process that we used to create the personas that led to devise the
task scenarios used in the heuristic evaluation as a follow up study of
the DSpace university repository.
Abstract: In this study, an Artificial Neural Network (ANN)
analytical method has been developed for analyzing earthquake
performances of the Reinforced Concrete (RC) buildings. 66 RC
buildings with four to ten storeys were subjected to performance
analysis according to the parameters which are the existing material,
loading and geometrical characteristics of the buildings. The selected
parameters have been thought to be effective on the performance of
RC buildings. In the performance analyses stage of the study, level of
performance possible to be shown by these buildings in case of an
earthquake was determined on the basis of the 4-grade performance
levels specified in Turkish Earthquake Code-2007 (TEC-2007). After
obtaining the 4-grade performance level, selected 23 parameters of
each building have been matched with the performance level. In this
stage, ANN-based fast evaluation algorithm mentioned above made
an economic and rapid evaluation of four to ten storey RC buildings.
According to the study, the prediction accuracy of ANN has been
found about 74%.
Abstract: This paper presents the influence of the vertical
seismic component on the non-linear dynamics analysis of three
different structures. The subject structures were analyzed and
designed according to recent codes. This paper considers three types
of buildings: 5-, 10-, and 15-story buildings. The non-linear dynamics
analysis of the structures with assuming elastic-perfectly-plastic
behavior was performed using RAM PERFORM-3D software; the
horizontal component was taken into consideration with and without
the incorporation of the corresponding vertical component. Dynamic
responses obtained for the horizontal component acting alone were
compared with those obtained from the simultaneous application of
both seismic components. The results show that the effect of the
vertical component of ground motion may increase the axial load
significantly in the interior columns and, consequently, the stories.
The plastic mechanisms would be changed. The P-Delta effect is
expected to increase. The punching base plate shear of the columns
should be considered. Moreover, the vertical component increases the
input energy when the structures exhibit inelastic behavior and are
taller.
Abstract: In an attempt to investigate the performance of single
basin solar still for climate conditions of Ludhiana a single basin
solar still was designed, fabricated and tested. The energy balance
equations for various parts of the still are solved by Gauss-Seidel
iteration method. Computer model was made and experimentally
validated. The validated computer model was used to estimate the
annual distillation yield and performance ratio of the still for
Ludhiana. The Theoretical and experimental distillation yield were
4318.79 ml and 3850 ml respectively for the typical day. The
predicted distillation yield was 12.5% higher than the experimental
yield. The annual distillation yield per square metre aperture area and
annual performance ratio for single basin solar still is 1095 litres and
0.43 respectively. The payback period for micro-stepped solar still is
2.5 years.
Abstract: It is the patient compliance and stability in
combination with controlled drug delivery and biocompatibility that
forms the core feature in present research and development of
sustained biodegradable patch formulation intended for wound
healing. The aim was to impart sustained degradation, sterile
formulation, significant folding endurance, elasticity,
biodegradability, bio-acceptability and strength. The optimized
formulation comprised of polymers including Hydroxypropyl methyl
cellulose, Ethylcellulose, and Gelatin, and Citric Acid PEG Citric
acid (CPEGC) triblock dendrimers and active Curcumin. Polymeric
mixture dissolved in geometric order in suitable medium through
continuous stirring under ambient conditions. With continued stirring
Curcumin was added with aid of DCM and Methanol in optimized
ratio to get homogenous dispersion. The dispersion was sonicated
with optimum frequency and for given time and later casted to form a
patch form. All steps were carried out under strict aseptic conditions.
The formulations obtained in the acceptable working range were
decided based on thickness, uniformity of drug content, smooth
texture and flexibility and brittleness. The patch kept on stability
using butter paper in sterile pack displayed folding endurance in
range of 20 to 23 times without any evidence of crack in an
optimized formulation at room temperature (RT) (24 ± 2°C). The
patch displayed acceptable parameters after stability study conducted
in refrigerated conditions (8±0.2°C) and at RT (24 ± 2°C) up to 90
days. Further, no significant changes were observed in critical
parameters such as elasticity, biodegradability, drug release and drug
content during stability study conducted at RT 24±2°C for 45 and 90
days. The drug content was in range 95 to 102%, moisture content
didn’t exceeded 19.2% and patch passed the content uniformity test.
Percentage cumulative drug release was found to be 80% in 12h and
matched the biodegradation rate as drug release with correlation
factor R2>0.9. The biodegradable patch based formulation developed
shows promising results in terms of stability and release profiles.
Abstract: Electrostatic interaction energy (ΔEEDL) is a part of the Extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory, which, together with van der Waals (ΔEVDW) and acid base (ΔEAB) interaction energies, has been extensively used to investigate the initial adhesion of bacteria to surfaces. Electrostatic or electrical double layer interaction energy is considerably affected by surface potential; however it cannot be determined experimentally and is usually replaced by zeta (ζ) potential via electrophoretic mobility. This paper focusses on the effect of ionic concentration as a function of pH and the effect of mineral grain size on ζ potential. It was found that both ionic strength and mineral grain size play a major role in determining the value of ζ potential for the adhesion of P. putida to hematite and quartz surfaces. Higher ζ potential values lead to higher electrostatic interaction energies and eventually to higher total XDLVO interaction energy resulting in bacterial repulsion.
Abstract: The present research investigated whether gender
differences affect performance in a simple math quiz in statistics
course. Participants of this study comprised a sample of 567 statistics
students in two different universities in Lebanon. Data were collected
through a simple math quiz. Analysis of quantitative data indicated
that there wasn’t a significant difference in math performance
between males and females. The results suggest that improvements in
student performance may depend on improved mastery of basic
algebra especially for females. The implications of these findings and
further recommendations were discussed.
Abstract: This study aimed to explore the practical experience
of child welfare caseworkers and professionalism in child case
management in Malaysia. This paper discussed the specific social
work practice competency and the challenges faced by child
caseworkers in the fieldwork. This research was qualitative with
grounded theory approach. Four sessions of focused group discussion
(FGD) were conducted involving a total of 27 caseworkers (child
protector and probation officers) in the Klang Valley. The study
found that the four basic principles of knowledge in child case
management namely: 1. knowledge in child case management; 2.
professional values of caseworkers towards children; 3. skills in
managing cases; and 4. culturally competent practice in child case
management. In addition, major challenges faced by the child case
manager are the capacity and commitment of the family in children’s
rehabilitation program, the credibility of caseworkers are being
challenged, and the challenges of support system from intra and interagency.
This study is important for policy makers to take into account
the capacity and the needs of the child’s caseworker in accordance
with the national social work competency framework. It is expected
that case management services for children will improve
systematically in line with national standards.
Abstract: The research aims to study the association between
job satisfaction, motivation and the five factors of organizational
citizenship behavior (i.e. Altruism, Conscientiousness,
Sportsmanship, Courtesy and Civic virtue) among Public Sector
Employees in Pakistan. In this research Structure Equation Modeling
with confirmatory factor analysis was used to test the relationship
between two independent and five dependent variables. Data was
collected through questionnaire survey from 152 Public Servants
Working in Gujrat District-Pakistan in different capacities. Stratified
Random Sampling Technique was used to conduct this survey. The
results of the study indicate that five factors of OCB have positive
significant relation with both motivation and job satisfaction except
the relationship of Civic Virtue with Motivation. The research
findings implicate that factors other than motivation and job
satisfaction may also affect OCB. Likewise, all the five factors of
OCB may not be present in all populations. Thus, Managers must
concentrate on increasing motivation and job satisfaction to increase
OCB. Furthermore, the present research gives a direction to future
researchers to use more independent variables (e.g. Culture,
leadership, workplace environment, various job attitudes, types of
motivation, etc.) on different types of populations with larger sample
size in order to find the reasons behind insignificant relationship of
civic virtue with Motivation in the research in hand and to generalize
the tested model.
Abstract: This paper describes the collection and analysis of
data obtained from face-to-face interviews conducted in selected
Libyan industrial companies. The objectives of the interviews are to
enhance understanding, and generate explanations of current issues in
culture and quality management systems in Libyan companies. The
method used in analyzing the questions, as well as the main finding
of each question are explained. The interviews probed areas identify
national and organizational culture, quality management systems,
current methods, effects, barriers and other factors affecting the
success of quality management implementation. Eleven questions are
prepared and been discussed with the interviewees.
Abstract: The current paper presents the results of a conducted
case study. During the past few years the number of children
diagnosed with Learning Difficulties has drastically augmented and
especially the cases of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder). One of the core characteristics of ADHD is a deficit in
working memory functions. The review of the literature indicates a
plethora of educational software that aim at training and enhancing
the working memory. Nevertheless, in the current paper, the
possibility of using for the same purpose free, online games will be
explored. Another issue of interest is the potential effect of the
working memory training to the core symptoms of ADHD. In order
to explore the abovementioned research questions, three digital tests
are employed, all of which are developed on the E-slate platform by
the author, in order to check the levels of ADHD’s symptoms and to
be used as diagnostic tools, both in the beginning and in the end of
the case study. The tools used during the main intervention of the
research are free online games for the training of working memory.
The research and the data analysis focus on the following axes: a) the
presence and the possible change in two of the core symptoms of
ADHD, attention and impulsivity and b) a possible change in the
general cognitive abilities of the individual. The case study was
conducted with the participation of a thirteen year-old, female
student, diagnosed with ADHD, during after-school hours. The
results of the study indicate positive changes both in the levels of
attention and impulsivity. Therefore, we conclude that the training of
working memory through the use of free, online games has a positive
impact on the characteristics of ADHD. Finally, concerning the
second research question, the change in general cognitive abilities, no
significant changes were noted.
Abstract: Numerous investigations suggest that Mesenchymal
Stem Cells (MSCs) in general represent a valuable tool for therapy of
symptoms related to chronic inflammatory diseases. Blue Horizon
Stem Cell Therapy Program is a leading provider of adult and
children’s stem cell therapies. Uniquely we have safely and
efficiently treated more than 600 patients with documenting each
procedure. The purpose of our study is primarily to monitor the
immune response in order to validate the safety of intravenous
infusion of human umbilical cord blood derived MSCs (UC-MSCs),
and secondly, to evaluate effects on biomarkers associated with
chronic inflammation. Nine patients were treated for conditions
associated with chronic inflammation and for the purpose of antiaging.
They have been given one intravenous infusion of UCMSCs.
Our study of blood test markers of 9 patients with chronic
inflammation before and within three months after MSCs treatment
demonstrates that there is no significant changes and MSCs treatment
was safe for the patients. Analysis of different indicators of chronic
inflammation and aging included in initial, 24-hours, two weeks and
three months protocols showed that stem cell treatment was safe for
the patients; there were no adverse reactions. Moreover data from
follow up protocols demonstrates significant improvement in energy
level, hair, nails growth and skin conditions. Intravenously
administered UC-MSCs were safe and effective in the improvement
of symptoms related to chronic inflammation. Further close
monitoring and inclusion of more patients are necessary to fully
characterize the advantages of UC-MSCs application in treatment of
symptoms related to chronic inflammation.
Abstract: Natural dyes are gaining interest due their expected
low risk to human health and to the environment. In this study, the
wash fastness of a natural coloring matter from the liquid waste
produced in the steam treatment of eucalyptus wood in textile fabrics
was investigated. Specifically, eucalyptus wood extract was used to
dye cotton, nylon and wool in an exhaust dyeing process without the
addition of the traditional mordanting agents and then submitted to
wash fastness analysis. The resulting dyed fabrics were evaluated for
color fastness. It was found that wash fastness of dyed fabrics was
very good to cotton and excellent to nylon and wool.
Abstract: Background: Diabetic sensorimotor polyneuropathy
(DSP) is one of the most common microvascular complications of
type 2 diabetes. Loss of sensation is thought to contribute to a lack of
static and dynamic stability and increased risk of falling. Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of low-level
laser (LLL) and monochromatic near-infrared photo energy (MIRE)
on pain, cutaneous sensation, static stability, and index of lower limb
blood flow in diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy. Methods:
Forty diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy were recruited for
participation in this study. They were divided into two groups: The
MIRE group, which contained 20 patients, and the LLL group, which
contained 20 patients. All patients who participated in the study had
been subjected to various physical assessment procedures, including
pain, cutaneous sensation, Doppler flow meter, and static stability
assessments. The baseline measurements were followed by treatment
sessions that were conducted twice a week for six successive weeks.
Results: The statistical analysis of the data revealed significant
improvement of pain in both groups, with significant improvement in
cutaneous sensation and static balance in the MIRE group compared
to the LLL group; on the other hand, the results showed no
significant differences in lower limb blood flow between the groups.
Conclusion: LLL and MIRE can improve painful symptoms in
patients with diabetic neuropathy. On the other hand, MIRE is also
useful in improving cutaneous sensation and static stability in
patients with diabetic neuropathy.
Abstract: Graphene was dispersed using a tip sonicator and the
effect of surfactants were analysed. Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS)
and Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) were compared to observe whether or
not they had any effect on any de-wrinkling, and secondly whether
they aided to achieve better dispersions. There is a huge demand for
wrinkle free graphene as this will greatly increase its usefulness in
various engineering applications. A comprehensive literature on dewrinkling
graphene has been discussed. Low magnification Scanning
Electronic Microscopy (SEM) was conducted to assess the quality of
graphene de-wrinkling. The utilization of the PVA has significant
effect on de-wrinkling whereas SDS had minimal effect on the dewrinkling
of graphene.
Abstract: In this paper, relationship between different properties
of IC concrete and water cement ratio, obtained from a
comprehensive experiment conducted on IC using local materials
(Burnt clay chips- BC) is presented. In addition, saturated SAP was
used as an IC material in some cases. Relationships have been
developed through regression analysis. The focus of this analysis is
on developing relationship between a dependent variable and an
independent variable. Different percent replacements of BC and
water cement ratios were used. Compressive strength, modulus of
elasticity, water permeability and chloride permeability were tested
and variations of these parameters were analyzed with respect to
water cement ratio.
Abstract: In this article, a new method is proposed for the measuring of well-being inequality through a model composed of superimposing satisfaction waves. The displacement of households’ satisfactory state (i.e. satisfaction) is defined in a satisfaction string. The duration of the satisfactory state for a given period is measured in order to determine the relationship between utility and total satisfactory time, itself dependent on the density and tension of each satisfaction string. Thus, individual cardinal total satisfaction values are computed by way of a one-dimensional form for scalar sinusoidal (harmonic) moving wave function, using satisfaction waves with varying amplitudes and frequencies which allow us to measure wellbeing inequality. One advantage to using satisfaction waves is the ability to show that individual utility and consumption amounts would probably not commute; hence, it is impossible to measure or to know simultaneously the values of these observables from the dataset. Thus, we crystallize the problem by using a Heisenberg-type uncertainty resolution for self-adjoint economic operators. We propose to eliminate any estimation bias by correlating the standard deviations of selected economic operators; this is achieved by replacing the aforementioned observed uncertainties with households’ perceived uncertainties (i.e. corrected standard deviations) obtained through the logarithmic psychophysical law proposed by Weber and Fechner.
Abstract: The increasing volume of solid waste generated,
collected and disposed daily complicate adequate management of
solid waste by relevant agency like Niger State Environmental
Protection Agency (NISEPA). In addition, the impacts of solid waste
on the natural environment and human livelihood require
identification of cost-effective ways for sustainable municipal waste
management in Nigeria. These signal the need for identifying
environment-friendly initiative and local solution to address the
problem of municipal solid waste. A research field was secured at
Pago, Minna, Niger State which is located in the guinea savanna belt
of Nigeria, within longitude 60 361 4311 - 4511 and latitude 90 291
37.6111 - .6211 N. Poultry droppings, decomposed household waste
manure and NPK treatments were used. The experimental field was
divided into three replications and four (4) treatments on each
replication making a total of twelve (12) plots. The treatments were
allotted using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and
Data collected was analyzed using SPSS software and RCBD. The
result depicts variation in plant height and number of leaves at 50%
flowering; Poultry dropping records the highest height while the
number of leaves for waste manure competes fairly well with NPK
treatment. Similarly, the varying treatments significantly increase
vegetable yield, as the control (non-treatment) records the least yield
for the three vegetable samples. Adoption of this organic manure for
cultivation does not only enhance environment quality and attainment
of food security but will contribute to local economic development,
poverty alleviation as well as social inclusion.