Abstract: Highly ordered TiO2 nanotube (TNT) arrays were
fabricated onto a pre-treated titanium foil by anodic oxidation with a
voltage of 20V in phosphoric acid/sodium fluoride electrolyte. A pretreatment
of titanium foil involved washing with acetone,
isopropanol, ethanol and deionized water. Carbon doped TiO2
nanotubes (C-TNT) was fabricated 'in-situ' with the same method in
the presence of polyvinyl alcohol and urea as carbon sources. The
affects of polyvinyl alcohol concentration and oxidation time on the
composition, morphology and structure of the C-TN were studied by
FE-SEM, EDX and XRD techniques. FESEM images of the
nanotubes showed uniform arrays of C-TNTs. The density and
microstructures of the nanotubes were greatly affected by the content
of PVA. The introduction of the polyvinyl alcohol into the electrolyte
increases the amount of C content inside TiO2 nanotube arrays
uniformly. The influence of carbon content on the photo-current of
C-TNT was investigated and the I-V profiles of the nanotubes were
established. The preliminary results indicated that the 'in-situ'
doping technique produced a superior quality nanotubes compared to
post doping techniques.
Abstract: The study describes chitosan membrane platform
modified with nanostructure pattern which using nanotechnology to
fabricate. The cell-substrate interaction between neuro-2a neuroblasts
cell lines and chitosan membrane (flat, nanostructure and
nanostructure pattern types) was investigated. The adhered
morphology of neuro-2a cells depends on the topography of chitosan
surface. We have found that neuro-2a showed different morphogenesis
when cells adhered on flat and nanostructure chitosan membrane. The
cell projected area of neuro-2a on flat chitosan membrane is larger
than on nanostructure chitosan membrane. In addition, neuro-2a cells
preferred to adhere on flat chitosan surface region than on
nanostructure chitosan membrane to immobilize and differentiation.
The experiment suggests surface topography can be used as a critical
mechanism to isolate group of neuro-2a to a particular rectangle area
on chitosan membrane. Our finding will provide a platform to take
patch clamp to record electrophysiological behavior about neurons in
vitro in the future.
Abstract: Fermented beverages have high expression in the
market for beverages in general, is increasingly valued in situations
where the characteristic aroma and flavor of the material that gave
rise to them are kept after processing. This study aimed to develop a
distilled beverage from passion fruit, and assess, by sensory tests and
chromatographic profile, the influence of different treatments (FM1-
spirit with pulp addiction and FM2 – spirit with bigger ratio of pulp
in must) in the setting of volatiles in the fruit drink, and performing
chemical characterization taking into account the main parameters of
quality established by the legislation. The chromatograms and the
first sensorial tests had indicated that sample FM1 possess better
characteristics of aroma, as much of how much quantitative the
qualitative point of view. However, it analyzes it sensorial end
(preference test) disclosed the biggest preference of the cloth provers
for sample FM2-2 (note 7.93), being the attributes of decisive color
and flavor in this reply, confirmed for the observed values lowest of
fixed and total acidity in the samples of treatment FM2.
Abstract: The research study is carried out to determine the efficiency of the Biofilm sewage treatment plant which is located at the Engineering Complex-s. Wastewater analyses have been carried out at the Environmental Engineering laboratory to study the six parameters: Biochemical Oxygen Demand BOD, Chemical Oxygen Demand COD l, and Total Suspended Solids TSS, Ammoniac Nitrogen NH3-N and Phosphorous P which have been selected to determine the wastewater quality. The plant was designed to treat 750 Pe (population equivalent) at hydraulic retention time of 5 hours in the aerobic zone. The results show that Biofilm wastewater treatment plant was able to treat sewage successfully at different flow condition. The discharge has fulfilled the Malaysia Environmental of Standard A water quality. The achieved BOD removal is more than 85%, COD is more than 80%, TSS is more than 80%, NH3-N is more than 70%, and P was more than 70%. The Biofilm system provides a very efficient process for sewage treatment and it is compact in structure thus minimizes the required land area.
Abstract: The principal objective of a water treatment plant is to
produce water that satisfies a set of drinking water quality standards
at a reasonable price to the consumers. The gravel-bed flocculator
provide a simple and inexpensive design for flocculation in small
water treatment plants (less than 5000 m3/day capacity). The packed
bed of gravel provides ideal conditions for the formation of compact
settleable flocs because of continuous recontact provided by the
sinuous flow of water through the interstices formed by the gravel.
The field data which were obtained from the operation of the
water supply treatment unit cover the physical, chemical and
biological water qualities of the raw and settled water as obtained by
the operation of the treatment unit. The experiments were carried out
with the aim of assessing the efficiency of the gravel filter in
removing the turbidity, pathogenic bacteria, from the raw water. The
water treatment plant, which was constructed for the treatment of
river water, was in principle a rapid sand filter.
The results show that the average value of the turbidity level of
the settled water was 4.83 NTU with a standard deviation of turbidity
2.893 NTU. This indicated that the removal efficiency of the
sedimentation tank (gravel filter) was about 67.8 %. for pH values
fluctuated between 7.75 and 8.15, indicating the alkaline nature of
the raw water of the river Shatt Al-Hilla, as expected. Raw water pH
is depressed slightly following alum coagulation. The pH of the
settled water ranged from 7.75 to a maximum of 8.05.
The bacteriological tests which were carried out on the water
samples were: total coliform test, E-coli test, and the plate count test.
In each test the procedure used was as outlined in the Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA,
AWWA, and WPCF, 1985). The gravel filter exhibit a low
performance in removing bacterial load. The percentage bacterial
removal, which is maximum for total plate count (19%) and
minimum for total coliform (16.82%).
Abstract: The effect of chemical treatment in CdCl2 and thermal
annealing in 400°C, on the defect structures of potentially useful
ZnS\CdS solar cell thin films deposited onto quartz substrate and
prepared by vacuum deposition method was studied using the
Thermoluminesence (TL) techniques. A series of electron and hole
traps are found in the various deposited samples studied. After
annealing, however, it was observed that the intensity and activation
energy of TL signal increases with loss of the low temperature
electron traps.
Abstract: In Southeast Asia, during the dry season (August to
October) forest fires in Indonesia emit pollutants into the atmosphere.
For two years during this period, a total of 67 samples of 2.5 μm
particulate matters were collected and analyzed for total mass and
elemental composition with ICP - MS after microwave digestion. A
study of 60 elements measured during these periods suggest that the
concentration of most of elements, even those usually related to
crustal source, are extremely high and unpredictable during the haze
period. In By contrast, trace element concentration in non - haze
months is more stable and covers a lower range. Other unexpected
events and their effects on the findings are discussed.
Abstract: In this study, hydroxyapatite (HA) composites are
prepared on addition of 30%CaO-30%P2O5-40%Na2 O based glass to
pure HA, in proportion of 2, 5, and 10 wt %. Each composition was
sintered over a range of temperatures. The quantitative phase
analysis was carried out using XRD and the microstructures were
studied using SEM. The density, microhardness, and compressive
strength have shown increase with the increasing amount of glass
addition. The resulting composites have chemical compositions that
are similar to the inorganic constituent of the mineral part of bone,
and constitutes trace elements like Na. X-ray diffraction showed no
decomposition of HA to secondary phases, however, the glass
reinforced-HA composites contained a HA phase and variable
amounts of tricalcium phosphate phase, depending on the amount of
bioglass added. The HA-composite material exhibited higher
compressive strength compared to sintered HA. The HA composite
reinforced with 10 wt % bioglass showed highest bioactivity level.
Abstract: Considering toxicity of heavy metals and their
accumulation in domestic wastes, immobilization of lead and
cadmium is envisaged inside glass-ceramics. We particularly
focused this work on calcium-rich phases embedded in a
glassy matrix.
Glass-ceramics were synthesized from glasses doped with
12 wt% and 16 wt% of PbO or CdO. They were observed and
analyzed by Electron MicroProbe Analysis (EMPA) and
Analytical Scanning Electron Microscopy (ASEM). Structural
characterization of the samples was performed by powder XRay
Diffraction.
Diopside crystals of CaMgSi2O6 composition are shown to
incorporate significant amounts of cadmium (up to 9 wt% of
CdO). Two new crystalline phases are observed with very
high Cd or Pb contents: about 40 wt% CdO for the cadmiumrich
phase and near 60 wt% PbO for the lead-rich phase. We
present complete chemical and structural characterization of
these phases. They represent a promising way for the
immobilization of toxic elements like Cd or Pb since glass
ceramics are known to propose a “double barrier" protection
(metal-rich crystals embedded in a glass matrix) against metal
release in the environment.
Abstract: Mung bean starches were subjected to heat-moisture treatment (HMT) by different moisture contents (15%, 20%, 25%, 30% and 35%) at 120Ôäâ for 12h. The impact on the yields of resistant starch (RS), microstructure, physicochemical and functional properties was investigated. Compared to native starch, the RS content of heat-moisture treated starches increased significantly. The RS level of HMT-20 was the highest of all the starches. Birefringence was displayed clear at the center of native starch. For HMT starches, pronounced birefringence was exhibited on the periphery of starch granules; however, birefringence disappeared at the centre of some starch granules. The shape of HMT starches hadn-t been changed and the integrity of starch granules was preserved for all the conditions. Concavity could be observed on HMT starches under scanning electronic microscopy. After HMT, apparent amylose contents were increased and starch macromolecule was degraded in comparison with those of native starch. There was a reduction in swelling power on HMT starches, but the solubility of HMT starches was higher than that of native starch. Both of native and HMT starches showed A-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Furthermore, there is a higher intensity at the peak of 15.0 and 22.9 Å than those of native starch.
Abstract: Chemical industry project management involves
complex decision making situations that require discerning abilities
and methods to make sound decisions. Project managers are faced
with decision environments and problems in projects that are
complex. In this work, case study is Research and Development
(R&D) project selection. R&D is an ongoing process for forward
thinking technology-based chemical industries. R&D project
selection is an important task for organizations with R&D project
management. It is a multi-criteria problem which includes both
tangible and intangible factors. The ability to make sound decisions
is very important to success of R&D projects. Multiple-criteria
decision making (MCDM) approaches are major parts of decision
theory and analysis. This paper presents all of MCDM approaches
for use in R&D project selection. It is hoped that this work will
provide a ready reference on MCDM and this will encourage the
application of the MCDM by chemical engineering management.
Abstract: The literature reports a large number of approaches for
measuring the similarity between protein sequences. Most of these
approaches estimate this similarity using alignment-based techniques
that do not necessarily yield biologically plausible results, for two
reasons.
First, for the case of non-alignable (i.e., not yet definitively aligned
and biologically approved) sequences such as multi-domain, circular
permutation and tandem repeat protein sequences, alignment-based
approaches do not succeed in producing biologically plausible results.
This is due to the nature of the alignment, which is based on the
matching of subsequences in equivalent positions, while non-alignable
proteins often have similar and conserved domains in non-equivalent
positions.
Second, the alignment-based approaches lead to similarity measures
that depend heavily on the parameters set by the user for the alignment
(e.g., gap penalties and substitution matrices). For easily alignable
protein sequences, it's possible to supply a suitable combination of
input parameters that allows such an approach to yield biologically
plausible results. However, for difficult-to-align protein sequences,
supplying different combinations of input parameters yields different
results. Such variable results create ambiguities and complicate the
similarity measurement task.
To overcome these drawbacks, this paper describes a novel and
effective approach for measuring the similarity between protein
sequences, called SAF for Substitution and Alignment Free. Without
resorting either to the alignment of protein sequences or to substitution
relations between amino acids, SAF is able to efficiently detect the
significant subsequences that best represent the intrinsic properties of
protein sequences, those underlying the chronological dependencies of
structural features and biochemical activities of protein sequences.
Moreover, by using a new efficient subsequence matching scheme,
SAF more efficiently handles protein sequences that contain similar
structural features with significant meaning in chronologically
non-equivalent positions. To show the effectiveness of SAF, extensive
experiments were performed on protein datasets from different
databases, and the results were compared with those obtained by
several mainstream algorithms.
Abstract: We have developed a database for membrane protein functions, which has more than 3000 experimental data on functionally important amino acid residues in membrane proteins along with sequence, structure and literature information. Further, we have proposed different methods for identifying membrane proteins based on their functions: (i) discrimination of membrane transport proteins from other globular and membrane proteins and classifying them into channels/pores, electrochemical and active transporters, and (ii) β-signal for the insertion of mitochondrial β-barrel outer membrane proteins and potential targets. Our method showed an accuracy of 82% in discriminating transport proteins and 68% to classify them into three different transporters. In addition, we have identified a motif for targeting β-signal and potential candidates for mitochondrial β-barrel membrane proteins. Our methods can be used as effective tools for genome-wide annotations.
Abstract: Controlled release urea has become popular in agricultural industry as it helps to solve environmental issues and increase crop yield. Recently biomass was identified to replace the polymer used as a coating material in the conventional coated urea. In this paper spreading and contact angle of biomass droplet (lignin, cellulose and clay) on urea surface are investigated experimentally. There were two tests were conducted, sessile drop for contact angle measurement and pendant drop for contact angle measurement. A different concentration of biomass droplet was released from 30 mm above a substrate. Glass was used as a controlled substrate. Images were recorded as soon as the droplet impacted onto the urea before completely adsorb into the urea. Digitized droplets were then used to identify the droplet-s surface tension and contact angle. There is large difference observed between the low surface tension and high surface tension liquids, where the wetting and spreading diameter is higher for lower surface tension. From the contact angle results, the data showed that the biomass coating films were possible as wetting liquid (θ < 90º). Contact angle of biomass coating material gives good indication for the wettablity of a liquid on urea surface.
Abstract: In Algeria, some fruit trees produce fruits in free nature. Such trees are Celtis australis, Crataegus azarolus, Crataegus monogyna and Zizyphus lotus. In spite of their appreciable consumption, their nutritional value remains unknown. The objective of this study is the determination of sugars in the pulpe and almond of the above fruits. The biochemical analysis shows that these fruits present interesting contents of soluble sugars which confers significant caloric intakes to them. As well as significant fibres which give them therapeutic and industrial benefits? The analysis of the almonds shows that it contains considerable contents of sugars which enable them to be an energetic food.
Abstract: We aimed to investigate how can target and optimize
pulmonary delivery distribution by changing physicochemical
characteristics of instilled liquid.Therefore, we created a new liquids
group:
a. eligible for desired distribution within lung because of
assorted physicochemical characteristics
b. capable of being augmented with a broad range of
chemicals inertly
c. no interference on respiratory function
d. compatible with airway surface liquid
We developed forty types of new liquid,were composed of
Carboxymethylcellulose sodium,Glycerin and different types of
Polysorbates.Viscosity was measured using a Programmable
Rheometer and surface tension by KRUSS Tensiometer.We
subsequently examined the liquids and delivery protocols by simple
and branched glass capillary tube models of airways.Eventually,we
explored pulmonary distribution of liquids being augmented with
technetium-99m in mechanically ventilated rabbits.We used a single
head large field of view gamma camera.Kinematic viscosity between
0.265Stokes and 0.289Stokes,density between 1g/cm3 and 1.5g/cm3
and surface tension between 25dyn/cm and 35dyn/cm were the most
acceptable.
Abstract: In recent years, scanning probe atomic force
microscopy SPM AFM has gained acceptance over a wide spectrum
of research and science applications. Most fields focuses on physical,
chemical, biological while less attention is devoted to manufacturing
and machining aspects. The purpose of the current study is to assess
the possible implementation of the SPM AFM features and its
NanoScope software in general machining applications with special
attention to the tribological aspects of cutting tool. The surface
morphology of coated and uncoated as-received carbide inserts is
examined, analyzed, and characterized through the determination of
the appropriate scanning setting, the suitable data type imaging
techniques and the most representative data analysis parameters
using the MultiMode SPM AFM in contact mode. The NanoScope
operating software is used to capture realtime three data types
images: “Height", “Deflection" and “Friction". Three scan sizes are
independently performed: 2, 6, and 12 μm with a 2.5 μm vertical
range (Z). Offline mode analysis includes the determination of three
functional topographical parameters: surface “Roughness", power
spectral density “PSD" and “Section". The 12 μm scan size in
association with “Height" imaging is found efficient to capture every
tiny features and tribological aspects of the examined surface. Also,
“Friction" analysis is found to produce a comprehensive explanation
about the lateral characteristics of the scanned surface. Configuration
of many surface defects and drawbacks has been precisely detected
and analyzed.
Abstract: Several studies have shown the association between
ambient particulate matter (PM) and adverse health effects and
climate change, thus highlighting the need to limit the anthropogenic
sources of PM. PM Exposure is commonly monitored as mass
concentration of PM10 (particle aerodynamic diameter < 10μm) or
PM2.5 (particle aerodynamic diameter < 2.5μm), although increasing
toxicity with decreasing aerodynamic diameter has been reported due
to increased surface area and enhanced chemical reactivity with other
species. Additionally, the light scattering properties of PM increases
with decreasing size. Hence, it is important to study the chemical
characterization of finer fraction of the particulate matter and to
identify their sources so that they can be controlled appropriately to a
large extent at the sources before reaching to the receptors.
Abstract: This paper demonstrates an effort of a serviceoriented
engineering department in improving the sharing and
transfer of knowledge. Although the department consist of only six
employees, but it provides services in various chemical application in
an oil and gas business. The services provided span across Asia
Pacific region mainly Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Brunei,
Thailand and Singapore. Currently there are no effective tools or
integrated systems that support the sharing or transfer and
maintenance of knowledge so the department has considered
preserving this valuable knowledge by developing a Knowledge
Management System (KMS). This paper presents the development of
a KMS to support the sharing of knowledge in a service-oriented
engineering department of an oil and gas company. The embedded
features in the KMS like blog and forum will encourage iterative
process of knowledge sharing among the employees in the
department. The information and knowledge being shared, discussed
and communicated will be then achieved for future re-use. The re-use
of the knowledge allows the department to reduce redundant efforts
in providing consistent, up-to-date and cost effective of the best
solution to the its clients.
Abstract: A composite made of plasma functionalized multiwall
carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) coated with SnO2 was synthesized by
sonochemical precipitation method. Thick layer of this
nanocomposite material was used as ethanol sensor at low
temperatures. The composite sensitivity for ethanol has increased by
a factor of 2 at room temperature and by a factor of 13 at 250°C in
comparison to that of pure SnO2. SEM image of nanocomposite
material showed MWNTs were embedded in SnO2 matrix and also a
higher surface area was observed in the presence of functionalized
MWNTs. Greatly improved sensitivity of the composite material to
ethanol can be attributed to new gas accessing passes through
MWNTs and higher specific surface area.