Abstract: Gene expression profiling is rapidly evolving into a
powerful technique for investigating tumor malignancies. The
researchers are overwhelmed with the microarray-based platforms
and methods that confer them the freedom to conduct large-scale
gene expression profiling measurements. Simultaneously,
investigations into cross-platform integration methods have started
gaining momentum due to their underlying potential to help
comprehend a myriad of broad biological issues in tumor diagnosis,
prognosis, and therapy. However, comparing results from different
platforms remains to be a challenging task as various inherent
technical differences exist between the microarray platforms. In this
paper, we explain a simple ratio-transformation method, which can
provide some common ground for cDNA and Affymetrix platform
towards cross-platform integration. The method is based on the
characteristic data attributes of Affymetrix- and cDNA- platform. In
the work, we considered seven childhood leukemia patients and their
gene expression levels in either platform. With a dataset of 822
differentially expressed genes from both these platforms, we carried
out a specific ratio-treatment to Affymetrix data, which subsequently
showed an improvement in the relationship with the cDNA data.
Abstract: Boon Rawd Brewery is a beer company based in
Thailand that has an exemplary image, both as a good employer and a
well-managed company with a strong record of social responsibility.
The most famous of the company’s products is Singha beer. To study
the company’s marketing strategy, a case study analysis was
conducted together with qualitative research methods. The study
analyzed the marketing strategy of Boon Rawd Brewery before the
liberalization of the liquor market in 2000. The company’s marketing
strategies consisted of the following: product line strategy, product
development strategy, block channel strategy, media strategy, trade
strategy, and consumer incentive strategy. Additionally, the company
employed marketing mix strategy based on the 4Ps: product, price,
promotion and place (of distribution).
Abstract: Herein, we report the different types of surface morphology due to the interaction between the pure protein Insulin (INS) and catanionic surfactant mixture of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS) and Cetyl Trimethyl Ammonium Bromide (CTAB) at air/water interface obtained by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. We characterized the aggregations by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in LB films. We found that the INS adsorption increased in presence of catanionic surfactant at air/water interface. The presence of small amount of surfactant induces two-stage growth kinetics due to the pure protein absorption and protein-catanionic surface micelle interaction. The protein remains in native state in presence of small amount of surfactant mixture. Smaller amount of surfactant mixture with INS is producing surface micelle type structure. This may be considered for drug delivery system. On the other hand, INS becomes unfolded and fibrillated in presence of higher amount of surfactant mixture. In both the cases, the protein was successfully immobilized on a glass substrate by the LB technique. These results may find applications in the fundamental science of the physical chemistry of surfactant systems, as well as in the preparation of drug-delivery system.
Abstract: With the development of virtual communities, there is
an increase in the number of members in Virtual Communities (VCs).
Many join VCs with the objective of sharing their knowledge and
seeking knowledge from others. Despite the eagerness of sharing
knowledge and receiving knowledge through VCs, there is no
standard of assessing ones knowledge sharing capabilities and
prospects of knowledge sharing. This paper developed a vector space
model to assess the knowledge sharing prospect of VC users.
Abstract: Vibrations of circular cylindrical shells made of
layered composite materials are considered. The shells are weakened
by circumferential cracks. The influence of circumferential cracks
with constant depth on the vibration of the shell is prescribed with the
aid of a matrix of local flexibility coupled with the coefficient of the
stress intensity known in the linear elastic fracture mechanics.
Numerical results are presented for the case of the shell with one
circular crack.
Abstract: This paper presents key challenges reported by a
group of Australian undergraduate Physical Education students in
conducting a program for persons with an intellectual disability.
Strategies adopted to address these challenges are presented together
with representative feedback given by the Physical Education
students at the completion of the program. The significance of the
program’s findings is summarized.
Abstract: This paper concerns about the experimental and
numerical investigations of energy absorption and axial tearing
behaviour of aluminium 6060 circular thin walled tubes under static
axial compression. The tubes are received in T66 heat treatment
condition with fixed outer diameter of 42mm, thickness of 1.5mm
and length of 120mm. The primary variables are the conical die
angles (15°, 20° and 25°). Numerical simulations are carried on
ANSYS/LS-DYNA software tool, for investigating the effect of
friction between the tube and the die.
Abstract: This article attempts to analyze functionally graded beam thermal buckling along with piezoelectric layers applying based on the third order shearing deformation theory considering various boundary conditions. The beam properties are assumed to vary continuously from the lower surface to the upper surface of the beam. The equilibrium equations are derived using the total potential energy equations, Euler equations, piezoelectric material constitutive equations and third order shear deformation theory assumptions. In order to fulfill such an aim, at first functionally graded beam with piezoelectric layers applying the third order shearing deformation theory along with clamped -clamped boundary conditions are thoroughly analyzed, and then following making sure of the correctness of all the equations, the very same beam is analyzed with piezoelectric layers through simply-simply and simply-clamped boundary conditions. In this article buckling critical temperature for functionally graded beam is derived in two different ways, without piezoelectric layer and with piezoelectric layer and the results are compared together. Finally, all the conclusions obtained will be compared and contrasted with the same samples in the same and distinguished conditions through tables and charts. It would be noteworthy that in this article, the software MAPLE has been applied in order to do the numeral calculations.
Abstract: Perth will run out of available sustainable natural
water resources by 2015 if nothing is done to slow usage rates,
according to a Western Australian study [1]. Alternative water
technology options need to be considered for the long-term
guaranteed supply of water for agricultural, commercial, domestic
and industrial purposes. Seawater is an alternative source of water for
human consumption, because seawater can be desalinated and
supplied in large quantities to a very high quality.
While seawater desalination is a promising option, the technology
requires a large amount of energy which is typically generated from
fossil fuels. The combustion of fossil fuels emits greenhouse gases
(GHG) and, is implicated in climate change. In addition to
environmental emissions from electricity generation for desalination,
greenhouse gases are emitted in the production of chemicals and
membranes for water treatment. Since Australia is a signatory to the
Kyoto Protocol, it is important to quantify greenhouse gas emissions
from desalinated water production.
A life cycle assessment (LCA) has been carried out to determine
the greenhouse gas emissions from the production of 1 gigalitre (GL)
of water from the new plant. In this LCA analysis, a new desalination
plant that will be installed in Bunbury, Western Australia, and known
as Southern Seawater Desalinization Plant (SSDP), was taken as a
case study. The system boundary of the LCA mainly consists of three
stages: seawater extraction, treatment and delivery. The analysis
found that the equivalent of 3,890 tonnes of CO2 could be emitted
from the production of 1 GL of desalinated water. This LCA analysis
has also identified that the reverse osmosis process would cause the
most significant greenhouse emissions as a result of the electricity
used if this is generated from fossil fuels
Abstract: This research paper presents some methods to assess the performance of Wigner Ville Distribution for Time-Frequency representation of non-stationary signals, in comparison with the other representations like STFT, Spectrogram etc. The simultaneous timefrequency resolution of WVD is one of the important properties which makes it preferable for analysis and detection of linear FM and transient signals. There are two algorithms proposed here to assess the resolution and to compare the performance of signal detection. First method is based on the measurement of area under timefrequency plot; in case of a linear FM signal analysis. A second method is based on the instantaneous power calculation and is used in case of transient, non-stationary signals. The implementation is explained briefly for both methods with suitable diagrams. The accuracy of the measurements is validated to show the better performance of WVD representation in comparison with STFT and Spectrograms.
Abstract: A numerical method for Riccati equation is presented in this work. The method is based on the replacement of unknown functions through a truncated series of hybrid of block-pulse functions and Chebyshev polynomials. The operational matrices of derivative and product of hybrid functions are presented. These matrices together with the tau method are then utilized to transform the differential equation into a system of algebraic equations. Corresponding numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of the proposed method.
Abstract: The traditional software product and process metrics
are neither suitable nor sufficient in measuring the complexity of
software components, which ultimately is necessary for quality and
productivity improvement within organizations adopting CBSE.
Researchers have proposed a wide range of complexity metrics for
software systems. However, these metrics are not sufficient for
components and component-based system and are restricted to the
module-oriented systems and object-oriented systems. In this
proposed study it is proposed to find the complexity of the JavaBean
Software Components as a reflection of its quality and the component
can be adopted accordingly to make it more reusable. The proposed
metric involves only the design issues of the component and does not
consider the packaging and the deployment complexity. In this way,
the software components could be kept in certain limit which in turn
help in enhancing the quality and productivity.
Abstract: The study was a case study analysis about Thai Asia
Pacific Brewery Company. The purpose was to analyze the
company’s marketing objective, marketing strategy at company level,
and marketing mix before liquor liberalization in 2000. Methods used
in this study were qualitative and descriptive research approach
which demonstrated the following results of the study demonstrated
as follows: (1) Marketing objective was to increase market share of
Heineken and Amtel, (2) the company’s marketing strategies were
brand building strategy and distribution strategy. Additionally, the
company also conducted marketing mix strategy as follows. Product
strategy: The company added more beer brands namely Amstel and
Tiger to provide additional choice to consumers, product and
marketing research, and product development. Price strategy: the
company had taken the following into consideration: cost,
competitor, market, economic situation and tax. Promotion strategy:
the company conducted sales promotion and advertising. Distribution
strategy: the company extended channels its channels of distribution
into food shops, pubs and various entertainment places. This strategy
benefited interested persons and people who were engaged in the beer
business.
Abstract: In this paper the main objective is to analyze the
quality of service of the bus companies operating in the city of
Campos, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This analysis,
based on the opinion of the bus customers, will help to determine
their degree of satisfaction with the service provided by the bus
companies. The result of this assessment shows that the bus
customers are displeased with the quality of service supplied by the
bus companies. Therefore, it is necessary to identify alternative
solutions to minimize the consequences of the main problems related
to customers- dissatisfaction identified in our evaluation and to help
the bus companies operating in Campos better fulfill their riders-
needs.
Abstract: Demand of energy is increasing faster than the
generation. It leads shortage of power in all sectors of society. At
peak hours this shortage is higher. Unless we utilize energy efficient
technology, it is very difficult to minimize the shortage of energy. So
energy efficiency program and energy conservation has an important
role. Energy efficient technologies are cost intensive hence it is
always not possible to implement in country like India. In the recent
study, an educational building with operating hours from 10:00 a.m.
to 05:00 p.m. has been selected to quantify the possibility of lighting
energy conservation. As the operating hour is in daytime, integration
of daylight with artificial lighting system will definitely reduce the
lighting energy consumption. Moreover the initial investment has
been given priority and hence the existing lighting installation was
unaltered. An automatic controller has been designed which will be
operated as a function of daylight through windows and the lighting
system of the room will function accordingly. The result of the study
of integrating daylight gave quite satisfactory for visual comfort as
well as energy conservation.
Abstract: A spectrophotometric method was developed for simultaneous quantification of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride (PSE) triprolidine hydrochloride (TRI) using second derivative method (zero-crossing technique). The second derivative amplitudes of PSE and TRI were measured at 271 and 321 nm, respectively. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 200 to 1,000 g/ml for PSE and 10 to 50 g/ml for TRI. The method was validated for specificity, accuracy, precision, limit of detection and limit of quantitation. The proposed method was applied to the assaying and dissolution of PSE and TRI in commercial tablets without any chemical separation. The results were compared with those obtained by the official USP31 method and statistical tests showed that there is no significant between the methods at 95% confidence level. The proposed method is simple, rapid and suitable for the routine quality control application. KeywordsTriprolidine, Pseudoephedrine, Derivative spectrophotometry, Dissolution testing.
Abstract: The continuity in the electric supply of the electric installations is becoming one of the main requirements of the electric supply network (generation, transmission, and distribution of the electric energy). The achievement of this requirement depends from one side on the structure of the electric network and on the other side on the avaibility of the reserve source provided to maintain the supply in case of failure of the principal one. The avaibility of supply does not only depends on the reliability parameters of the both sources (principal and reserve) but it also depends on the reliability of the circuit breaker which plays the role of interlocking the reserve source in case of failure of the principal one. In addition, the principal source being under operation, its control can be ideal and sure, however, for the reserve source being in stop, a preventive maintenances which proceed on time intervals (periodicity) and for well defined lengths of time are envisaged, so that this source will always available in case of the principal source failure. The choice of the periodicity of preventive maintenance of the source of reserve influences directly the reliability of the electric feeder system In this work and on the basis of the semi- markovian's processes, the influence of the time of interlocking the reserve source upon the reliability of an industrial electric network is studied and is given the optimal time of interlocking the reserve source in case of failure the principal one, also the influence of the periodicity of the preventive maintenance of the source of reserve is studied and is given the optimal periodicity.
Abstract: In this research, the diffusion of innovation regarding
smartphone usage is analysed through a consumer behaviour theory.
This research aims to determine whether a pattern surrounding the
diffusion of innovation exists. As a methodology, an empirical study
of the switch from a conventional cell phone to a smartphone was
performed. Specifically, a questionnaire survey was completed by
general consumers, and the situational and behavioural characteristics
of switching from a cell phone to a smartphone were analysed. In
conclusion, we found that the speed of the diffusion of innovation, the
consumer behaviour characteristics, and the utilities of the product
vary according to the stage of the product life cycle.
Abstract: Batch adsorption of recalcitrant melanoidin using the abundantly available coal fly ash was carried out. It had low specific surface area (SBET) of 1.7287 m2/g and pore volume of 0.002245 cm3/g while qualitative evaluation of the predominant phases in it was done by XRD analysis. Colour removal efficiency was found to be dependent on various factors studied. Maximum colour removal was achieved around pH 6, whereas increasing sorbent mass from 10g/L to 200 g/L enhanced colour reduction from 25% to 86% at 298 K. Spontaneity of the process was suggested by negative Gibbs free energy while positive values for enthalpy change showed endothermic nature of the process. Non-linear optimization of error functions resulted in Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson isotherms describing sorption equilibrium data best. The coal fly ash had maximum sorption capacity of 53 mg/g and could thus be used as a low cost adsorbent in melanoidin removal.
Abstract: This paper proposes an effective algorithm approach to hybrid control systems combining fuzzy logic and conventional control techniques of controlling the speed of induction motor assumed to operate in high-performance drives environment. The introducing of fuzzy logic in the control systems helps to achieve good dynamical response, disturbance rejection and low sensibility to parameter variations and external influences. Some fundamentals of the fuzzy logic control are preliminary illustrated. The developed control algorithm is robust, efficient and simple. It also assures precise trajectory tracking with the prescribed dynamics. Experimental results have shown excellent tracking performance of the proposed control system, and have convincingly demonstrated the validity and the usefulness of the hybrid fuzzy controller in high-performance drives with parameter and load uncertainties. Satisfactory performance was observed for most reference tracks.