Abstract: In composting process, N high-organic wastes loss the
great part of its nitrogen as ammonia; therefore, using compost
amendments can promote the quality of compost due to the decrease
in ammonia volatilization. With regard to the effect of pH on
composting, microorganisms- activity and ammonia volatilization,
sulfuric acid and alkaline wastewater of paper mill (as liming agent
with Ca and Mg ions) were used as compost amendments. Study
results indicated that these amendments are suitable for reclamation
of compost quality properties. These held nitrogen in compost caused
to reduce C/N ratio. Both amendments had a significant effect on
total nitrogen, but it should be used sulfuric acid in fewer amounts
(20 ml/kg fresh organic wastes); and the more amounts of acid is not
proposed.
Abstract: The necessity of accurate and timely field data is
shared among organizations engaged in fundamentally different
activities, public services or commercial operations. Basically, there
are three major components in the process of the qualitative research:
data collection, interpretation and organization of data, and analytic
process. Representative technological advancements in terms of
innovation have been made in mobile devices (mobile phone, PDA-s,
tablets, laptops, etc). Resources that can be potentially applied on the
data collection activity for field researches in order to improve this
process.
This paper presents and discuss the main features of a mobile
phone based solution for field data collection, composed of basically
three modules: a survey editor, a server web application and a client
mobile application. The data gathering process begins with the
survey creation module, which enables the production of tailored
questionnaires. The field workforce receives the questionnaire(s) on
their mobile phones to collect the interviews responses and sending
them back to a server for immediate analysis.
Abstract: Influence of octane and benzene on plant cell
ultrastructure and enzymes of basic metabolism, such as nitrogen
assimilation and energy generation have been studied. Different
plants: perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and alfalfa (Medicago
sativa); crops- maize (Zea mays L.) and bean (Phaseolus vulgaris);
shrubs – privet (Ligustrum sempervirens) and trifoliate orange
(Poncirus trifoliate); trees - poplar (Populus deltoides) and white
mulberry (Morus alba L.) were exposed to hydrocarbons of different
concentrations (1, 10 and 100 mM). Destructive changes in bean and
maize leaves cells ultrastructure under the influence of benzene
vapour were revealed at the level of photosynthetic and energy
generation subcellular organells. Different deviations at the level of
subcellular organelles structure and distribution were observed in
alfalfa and ryegrass root cells under the influence of benzene and
octane, absorbed through roots. The level of destructive changes is
concentration dependent. Benzene at low 1 and 10 mM concentration
caused the increase in glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) activity in
maize roots and leaves and in poplar and mulberry shoots, though to
higher extent in case of lower, 1mM concentration. The induction
was more intensive in plant roots. The highest tested 100mM
concentration of benzene was inhibitory to the enzyme in all plants.
Octane caused induction of GDH in all grassy plants at all tested
concentrations; however the rate of induction decreased parallel to
increase of the hydrocarbon concentration. Octane at concentration 1
mM caused induction of GDH in privet, trifoliate and white mulberry
shoots. The highest, 100mM octane was characterized by inhibitory
effect to GDH activity in all plants. Octane had inductive effect on
malate dehydrogenase in almost all plants and tested concentrations,
indicating the intensification of Trycarboxylic Acid Cycle.
The data could be suggested for elaboration of criteria for plant
selection for phytoremediation of oil hydrocarbons contaminated
soils.
Abstract: In this paper we present an adaptive method for image
compression that is based on complexity level of the image. The
basic compressor/de-compressor structure of this method is a multilayer
perceptron artificial neural network. In adaptive approach
different Back-Propagation artificial neural networks are used as
compressor and de-compressor and this is done by dividing the
image into blocks, computing the complexity of each block and then
selecting one network for each block according to its complexity
value. Three complexity measure methods, called Entropy, Activity
and Pattern-based are used to determine the level of complexity in
image blocks and their ability in complexity estimation are evaluated
and compared. In training and evaluation, each image block is
assigned to a network based on its complexity value. Best-SNR is
another alternative in selecting compressor network for image blocks
in evolution phase which chooses one of the trained networks such
that results best SNR in compressing the input image block. In our
evaluations, best results are obtained when overlapping the blocks is
allowed and choosing the networks in compressor is based on the
Best-SNR. In this case, the results demonstrate superiority of this
method comparing with previous similar works and JPEG standard
coding.
Abstract: β-Glucosidase is an important enzyme for production
of ethanol from lignocellulose. With hydrolytic activity on
cellooligosaccharides, especially cellobiose, β-glucosidase removes
product inhibitory effect on cellulases and forms fermentable sugars.
In this study, β-glucosidase encoding gene (BGL1) from traditional
starter yeast Saccharomycosis fibuligera BMQ908 was cloned and
expressed in Pichia pastoris. BGL1 of S. fibuligera BMQ 908 shared
98% nucleotide homology with the closest GenBank sequence
(M22475) but identity in amino-acid sequences of catalytic domains.
Recombinant plasmid pPICZαA/BGL1 containing the sequence
encoding BGL1 mature protein and α-factor secretion signal was
constructed and transformed into methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris by
electroporation. The recombinant strain produced single extracellular
protein with molecular weight of 120 kDa and cellobiase activity of
60 IU/ml. The optimum pH of the recombinant β-glucosidase was 5.0
and the optimum temperature was 50°C.
Abstract: Delivering course material via a virtual environment
is beneficial to today-s students because it offers the interactivity,
real-time interaction and social presence that students of all ages
have come to accept in our gaming rich community. It is essential
that the Net Generation also known as Generation Why, have
exposure to learning communities that encompass interactivity to
form social and educational connections. As student and professor
become interconnected through collaboration and interaction in a
virtual learning space, relationships develop and students begin to
take on an individual identity. With this in mind the research project
was developed to investigate the use of virtual environments on
student satisfaction and the effectiveness of course delivery.
Furthermore, the project was designed to integrate both interactive
(real-time) classes conducted in the Virtual Reality (VR)
environment while also creating archived VR sessions for student use
in retaining and reviewing course content.
Abstract: Snake bite cases in Malaysia most often involve the
species Naja-naja and Calloselasma rhodostoma. In keeping with the
need for a rapid snake venom detection kit in a clinical setting, plate
and dot-ELISA test for the venoms of Naja-naja sumatrana,
Calloselasma rhodostoma and the cobra venom fraction V antigen
was developed. Polyclonal antibodies were raised and further used to
prepare the reagents for the dot-ELISA test kit which was tested in
mice, rabbit and virtual human models. The newly developed dot-
ELISA kit was able to detect a minimum venom concentration of
244ng/ml with cross reactivity of one antibody type. The dot-ELISA
system was sensitive and specific for all three snake venom types in
all tested animal models. The lowest minimum venom concentration
detectable was in the rabbit model, 244ng/ml of the cobra venom
fraction V antigen. The highest minimum venom concentration was
in mice, 1953ng/ml against a multitude of venoms. The developed
dot-ELISA system for the detection of three snake venom types was
successful with a sensitivity of 95.8% and specificity of 97.9%.
Abstract: In this study, inhibition of Microcystis aeruginosa by
antialgal alleochemical gramine, was studied by analyzing algal
metabolic activity (represented by esterase and total dehydrogenase
activities) and cell ultrastructure (showing morphological and
ultrastructure alterations using transmission electron microscopy and
DNA ladder analysis). After gramine exposure, esterase and total
dehydrogenase activities were increased firstly but decreased later. In
contrast with the controls, the cells exposed to gramine showed
apparent ultrastructure alterations with thylakoids in breakage,
phycobilins in decrease, lipid and cyanophycin granules abundant
firstly but dissolved afterwards, DNA in fragementation. The
occurrence of increase of metabolic activity and specific granules
reflected that the resistance of cellular response to gramine was
initiated. DNA fragementation associated with the increase of
metabolic activity and specific granules hinted that gramine caused M.
aeruginosa cells to initiate some morphotype of programmed cell
death.
Abstract: The Kowsar dam supply water for different usages
such as drinking, industrial, agricultural and aquaculture farms
usages and located next to the city of Dehdashat in Kohgiluye and
Boyerahmad province in southern Iran. There are some towns and
villages on the Kowsar dam watersheds, which Dehdasht and
Choram are the most important and populated cities in this area. The
study was undertaken to assess the status of water quality in the
urban areas of the Kowsar dam. A total of 28 water samples were
collected from 6 stations on surface water and 1 station from
groundwater on the watershed of the Kowsar dam. All the samples
were analyzed for Cd concentration using standard procedures. The
results were compared with other national and international
standards. Among the analyzed samples, as the maximum value of
cadmium (1.131 μg/L) was observed on the station 2 at the winter
2009, all the samples analyzed were within the maximum admissible
limits by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, EU,
WHO, New Zealand , Australian, Iranian, and the Indian standards.
In general results of the present study have shown that Cd mean
values of stations No. 4, 1 and 2 with 0.5135, 0.0.4733 and 0.4573
μg/L respectively are higher than the other stations . Although Cd
level of all samples and stations have had normal values but this is
an indication of pollution potential and hazards because of human
activity and waste water of towns in the areas, which can effect on
human health implications in future. This research, therefore,
recommends the government and other responsible authorities to take
suitable improving measures in the Kowsar dam watershed-s.
Abstract: This paper proposes new algorithms for the computeraided
design and manufacture (CAD/CAM) of 3D woven multi-layer
textile structures. Existing commercial CAD/CAM systems are often
restricted to the design and manufacture of 2D weaves. Those
CAD/CAM systems that do support the design and manufacture of
3D multi-layer weaves are often limited to manual editing of design
paper grids on the computer display and weave retrieval from stored
archives. This complex design activity is time-consuming, tedious
and error-prone and requires considerable experience and skill of a
technical weaver. Recent research reported in the literature has
addressed some of the shortcomings of commercial 3D multi-layer
weave CAD/CAM systems. However, earlier research results have
shown the need for further work on weave specification, weave
generation, yarn path editing and layer binding. Analysis of 3D
multi-layer weaves in this research has led to the design and
development of efficient and robust algorithms for the CAD/CAM of
3D woven multi-layer textile structures. The resulting algorithmically
generated weave designs can be used as a basis for lifting plans that
can be loaded onto looms equipped with electronic shedding
mechanisms for the CAM of 3D woven multi-layer textile structures.
Abstract: This paper is concerned with motion recognition based fuzzy WP(Wavelet Packet) feature extraction approach from Vicon physical data sets. For this purpose, we use an efficient fuzzy mutual-information-based WP transform for feature extraction. This method estimates the required mutual information using a novel approach based on fuzzy membership function. The physical action data set includes 10 normal and 10 aggressive physical actions that measure the human activity. The data have been collected from 10 subjects using the Vicon 3D tracker. The experiments consist of running, seating, and walking as physical activity motion among various activities. The experimental results revealed that the presented feature extraction approach showed good recognition performance.
Abstract: Highly ordered arrays of TiO2 nanotubes (TiNTs) were grown vertically on Ti foil by electrochemical anodization. We controlled the lengths of these TiNTs from 2.4 to 26.8 ¶üÇóμm while varying the water contents (1, 3, and 6 wt%) of the electrolyte in ethylene glycol in the presence of 0.5 wt% NH4F with anodization for various applied voltages (20–80 V), periods (10–240 min) and temperatures (10–30 oC). For vertically aligned TiNT arrays, not only the increase in their tube lengths, but also their geometric (wall thickness and surface roughness) and crystalline structure lead to a significant influence on photocatalytic activity. The length optimization for methylene blue (MB) photodegradation was 18 μm. Further extending the TiNT length yielded lower photocatalytic activity presumably related to the limited MB diffusion and light-penetration depth into the TiNT arrays. The results indicated that a maximum MB photodegradation rate was obtained for the discrete anatase TiO2 nanotubes with thick and rough walls.
Abstract: In article are analyzed value of audiovisual sources which possesses high integrative potential and allows studying movement of information in the history - information movement from generation to the generation, in essence providing continuity of historical development and inheritance of traditions. Information thus fixed in them is considered as a source not only about last condition of society, but also significant for programming of its subsequent activity.
Abstract: This study considers the problem of determining
operation and maintenance schedules for a containership equipped
with components during its sailing according to a pre-determined
navigation schedule. The operation schedule, which specifies work
time of each component, determines the due-date of each maintenance
activity, and the maintenance schedule specifies the actual start
time of each maintenance activity. The main constraints are component
requirements, workforce availability, working time limitation,
and inter-maintenance time. To represent the problem mathematically,
a mixed integer programming model is developed. Then,
due to the problem complexity, we suggest a heuristic for the objective
of minimizing the sum of earliness and tardiness between the
due-date and the starting time of each maintenance activity. Computational
experiments were done on various test instances and the
results are reported.
Abstract: Isobaric vapor-liquid equilibrium measurements are reported for the binary mixtures of Mesitylene + 1-Heptanol and Mesitylene + 1-Octanol at 97.3 kPa. The measurements have been performed using a vapor recirculating type (modified Othmer's) equilibrium still. Both the mixtures show positive deviation from ideality. The Mesitylene + 1-Heptanol mixture forms an azeotrope whereas Mesitylene + 1- Octanol form a non – azeotropic mixture. The activity coefficients have been calculated taking into consideration the vapor phase nonideality. The data satisfy the thermodynamic consistency tests of Herington, and Hirata. The activity coefficients have been satisfactorily correlated by means of the Margules, Redlich-Kister, Wilson, Black, and NRTL equations. The activity coefficient values have also been obtained by UNIFAC method.
Abstract: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are attractive because of
their excellent chemical durability mechanical strength and electrical
properties. Therefore there is interest in CNTs for not only electrical
and mechanical application, but also biological and medical
application.
In this study, the dispersion power of surfactant-treated multiwalled
carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and their effect on the antibacterial
activity were examined. Surfactant was used sodium
dodecyl-benzenesulfonate (SDBS). UV-vis absorbance and
transmission electron microscopy(TEM) were used to characterize the
dispersion of MWCNTs in the aqueous phase, showing that the
surfactant molecules had been adsorbed onto the MWCNTs surface.
The surfactant-treated MWCNTs exhibited antimicrobial activities
to streptococcus mutans. The optical density growth curves and viable
cell number determined by the plating method suggested that the
antimicrobial activity of surfactant-treated MWCNTs was both
concentration and treatment time-dependent.
Abstract: Prolonged immobilization leads to significant
weakness and atrophy of the skeletal muscle and can also impair the
recovery of muscle strength following injury. Therefore, it is
important to minimize the period under immobilization and accelerate
the return to normal activity. This study examined the effects of heat
treatment and rest-inserted exercise on the muscle activity of the lower
limb during knee flexion/extension. Twelve healthy subjects were
assigned to 4 groups that included: (1) heat treatment + rest-inserted
exercise; (2) heat + continuous exercise; (3) no heat + rest-inserted
exercise; and (4) no heat + continuous exercise. Heat treatment was
applied for 15 mins prior to exercise. Continuous exercise groups
performed knee flexion/extension at 0.5 Hz for 300 cycles without rest
whereas rest-inserted exercise groups performed the same exercise but
with 2 mins rest inserted every 60 cycles of continuous exercise.
Changes in the rectus femoris and hamstring muscle activities were
assessed at 0, 1, and 2 weeks of treatment by measuring the
electromyography signals of isokinetic maximum voluntary
contraction. Significant increases in both the rectus femoris and
hamstring muscles were observed after 2 weeks of treatment only
when both heat treatment and rest-inserted exercise were performed.
These results suggest that combination of various treatment techniques,
such as heat treatment and rest-inserted exercise, may expedite the
recovery of muscle strength following immobilization.
Abstract: The purpose of this study is to revisit the concept of
rape as represented by professionals in the literature as well as its
perception (beliefs and attitudes) in the population at large and to
propose methodological improvements to its measurement tool. Rape
is a serious crime threatening its victim-s physical and mental health
and integrity; and as such is legally prosecuted in all modern
societies. The problem is not in accepting or rejecting rape as a
criminal act, but rather in the vagueness of its interpretations and
“justifications" maintained in the mentality of modern societies -
known in the literature as the phenomenon of "rape-myth". The rapemyth
can be studied from different perspectives: criminology,
sociology, ethics, medicine and psychology. Its investigation requires
rigorous scientific objectivity, free of passion (victims of rape are at
risk of emotional bias), free of activism (social activists, even if wellintentioned
are also biased), free of any pre-emptive assumptions or
prejudices. To apply a rigorous scientific procedure, we need a solid,
valid and reliable measurement. Rape is a form of heterosexual or
homosexual aggression, violently forcing the victim to give-in in the
sexual activity of the aggressor against her/his will. Human beings
always try to “understand" or find a reason justifying their acts.
Psychological literature provides multiple clinical and experimental
examples of it; just to mention the famous studies by Milgram on the
level of electroshock delivered by the “teacher" towards the “learner"
if “scientifically justifiable" or the studies on the behavior of
“prisoners" and the “guards" and many other experiments and field
observations. Sigmund Freud presented the phenomenon of
unconscious justification and called it rationalization. The multiple
justifications, rationalizations and repeated opinions about sexual
behavior contribute to a myth maintained in the society. What kind of
“rationale" our societies apply to “understand" the non-consensual
sexual behavior? There are many, just to mention few:
• Sex is a ludistic activity for both participants, therefore –
even if not consented – it should bring pleasure to both.
• Everybody wants sex, but only men are allowed to manifest
it openly while women have to pretend the opposite, thus men have
to initiate sexual behavior and women would follow.
• A person who strongly needs sex is free to manifest it and
struggle to get it; the person who doesn-t want it must not reveal
her/his sexual attraction and avoid risky situations; otherwise she/he
is perceived as a promiscuous seducer.
• A person who doesn-t fight against the sexual initiator
unconsciously accepts the rape (does it explain why homosexual
rapes are reported less frequently than rapes against women?).
• Women who are raped deserve it because their wardrobe is
very revealing and seducing and they ''willingly'' go to highly risky
places (alleys, dark roads, etc.).
• Men need to ventilate their sexual energy and if they are
deprived of a partner their urge to have sex is difficult to control.
• Men are supposed to initiate and insist even by force to have
sex (their testosterone makes them both sexual and aggressive).
The paper overviews numerous cultural beliefs about masculine
versus feminine behavior and their impact on the “rape myth".
Abstract: A. niger XP isolated from Vietnam produces very low amount of acidic phytase with optimal pH at 2.5 and 5.5. The phytase production of this strain was successfully improved through gene cloning and expression. A 1.4 - kb DNA fragment containing the coding region of the phyA gene was amplified by PCR and inserted into the expression vector pPICZαA with a signal peptide α- factor, under the control of AOX1 promoter. The recombined plasmid was transformed into the host strain P. pastoris KM71H and X33 by electroporation. Both host strains could efficiently express and secret phytase. The multicopy strains were screened for over expression of phytase. All the selected multicopy strains of P. pastoris X33 were examined for phytase activity, the maximum phytase yield of 1329 IU/ml was obtained after 4 days of incubation in medium BMM. The recombinant protein with MW of 97.4 KW showed to be the only one protein secreted in the culture broth. Multicopy transformant P. pastoris X33 supposed to be potential candidate for producing the commercial preparation of phytase.
Abstract: Soil microbial activity is adversely affected by pollutants such as heavy metals, antibiotics and pesticides. Organic amendments including sewage sludge, municipal compost and vermicompost are recently used to improve soil structure and fertility. But, these materials contain heavy metals including Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni and Cu that are toxic to soil microorganisms and may lead to occurrence of more tolerant microbes. Among these, Pb is the most abundant and has more negative effect on soil microbial ecology. In this study, Pb levels of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 mg Pb [as Pb(NO3)2] per kg soil were added to the pots containing 2 kg of a loamy soil and incubated for 6 months at 25°C with soil moisture of - 0.3 MPa. Dehydrogenase activity of soil as a measure of microbial activity was determined on 15, 30, 90 and 180 days after incubation. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) was used as an electron acceptor in this assay. PICTs (IC50 values) were calculated for each Pb level and incubation time. Soil microbial activity was decreased by increasing Pb level during 30 days of incubation but the induced tolerance appeared on day 90 and thereafter. During 90 to 180 days of incubation, the PICT was gradually developed by increasing Pb level up to 200 mg kg-1, but the rate of enhancement was steeper at higher concentrations.