Abstract: Array-based gene expression analysis is a powerful
tool to profile expression of genes and to generate information on
therapeutic effects of new anti-cancer compounds. Anti-apoptotic
effect of thymoquinone was studied in MCF7 breast cancer cell line
using gene expression profiling with cDNA microarray. The purity
and yield of RNA samples were determined using RNeasyPlus Mini
kit. The Agilent RNA 6000 NanoLabChip kit evaluated the quantity
of the RNA samples. AffinityScript RT oligo-dT promoter primer
was used to generate cDNA strands. T7 RNA polymerase was used to
convert cDNA to cRNA. The cRNA samples and human universal
reference RNA were labelled with Cy-3-CTP and Cy-5-CTP,
respectively. Feature Extraction and GeneSpring softwares analysed
the data. The single experiment analysis revealed involvement of 64
pathways with up-regulated genes and 78 pathways with downregulated
genes. The MAPK and p38-MAPK pathways were
inhibited due to the up-regulation of PTPRR gene. The inhibition of
p38-MAPK suggested up-regulation of TGF-ß pathway. Inhibition of
p38-MAPK caused up-regulation of TP53 and down-regulation of
Bcl2 genes indicating involvement of intrinsic apoptotic pathway.
Down-regulation of CARD16 gene as an adaptor molecule regulated
CASP1 and suggested necrosis-like programmed cell death and
involvement of caspase in apoptosis. Furthermore, down-regulation
of GPCR, EGF-EGFR signalling pathways suggested reduction of
ER. Involvement of AhR pathway which control cytochrome P450
and glucuronidation pathways showed metabolism of Thymoquinone.
The findings showed differential expression of several genes in
apoptosis pathways with thymoquinone treatment in estrogen
receptor-positive breast cancer cells.
Abstract: The check-in area of airport terminal is one of the
busiest sections at airports at certain periods. The passengers are
subjected to queues and delays during the check-in process. These
delays and queues are due to constraints in the capacity of service
facilities. In this project, the airport terminal is decomposed into
several check-in areas. The airport check-in scheduling problem
requires both a deterministic (integer programming) and stochastic
(simulation) approach. Integer programming formulations are
provided to minimize the total number of counters in each check-in
area under the realistic constraint that counters for one and the same
flight should be adjacent and the desired number of counters
remaining in each area should be fixed during check-in operations.
By using simulation, the airport system can be modeled to study the
effects of various parameters such as number of passengers on a
flight and check-in counter opening and closing time.
Abstract: In the past few decades, the field of chemistry
education has grown tremendously and researches indicated that after
traditional chemistry instruction students often lacked deep
conceptual understanding and failed to integrate their ideas into
coherent conceptual framework. For several concepts in chemistry,
students at all levels have demonstrated difficulty in changing their
initial perceptions. Their perceptions are most often wrong and don't
agree with correct scientific concepts. This study explored the
effectiveness of intervention discussion sections for a college general
chemistry course designed to apply research on students
preconceptions, knowledge integration and student explanation.
Three interventions discussions lasting three hours on bond energy
and spontaneity were done tested and intervention (treatment)
students’ performances were compared with that of control group
which did not use the experimental pedagogy. Results indicated that
this instruction which was capable of identifying students'
misconceptions, initial conceptions and integrating those ideas into
class discussion led to enhanced conceptual understanding and better
achievement for the experimental group.
Abstract: The main aim of the presented experiments is to
improve behaviour of sandwich structures under dynamic loading,
such as crash or explosion. This paper describes experimental
investigation on the response of new advanced materials to low and
high velocity load. Blast wave energy absorbers were designed using
two types of porous lightweight raw particle materials based on
expanded glass and ceramics with dimensions of 0.5-1 mm,
combined with polymeric binder. The effect of binder amount on the
static and dynamic properties of designed materials was observed.
Prism shaped specimens were prepared and loaded to obtain physicomechanical
parameters – bulk density, compressive and flexural
strength under quasistatic load, the dynamic response was determined
using Split Hopkinson Pressure bar apparatus. Numerical
investigation of the material behaviour in sandwich structure was
performed using implicit/explicit solver LS-Dyna. As the last step,
the developed material was used as the interlayer of blast resistant
litter bin, and it´s functionality was verified by real field blast tests.
Abstract: Using the pseudopotential technique the Sagdeev
potential equation has been derived in a plasma consisting of twotemperature
nonisothermal electrons, negatively charged dust grains
and warm positive ions. The study shows that the presence of
nonisothermal two-temperature electrons and charged dust grains
have significant effects on the excitation and structure of the ionacoustic
double layers in the model plasma under consideration. Only
compressive type double layer is obtained in the present plasma
model. The double layer solution has also been obtained by including
higher order nonlinearity and nonisothermality, which is shown to
modify the amplitude and deform the shape of the double layer.
Abstract: Now in some countries of the world the cellular
market is on the point of saturation, in others - positive dynamics of
development kept on. The reasons for it are also different, but there
are united by their general susceptibility to innovation changes, if
they are really innovative. If to take as an example the cellular market
of Kazakhstan it is defined by the low percent of smart phones at
consumers, the low population density, undercapacity of the 3G
channel, and absence of universal access to the LTE technology that
limits dynamical growth of this branch. These moments are
aggravated by failures of starting commercial projects by private
companies which prevent to be implemented and widely adopted to a
new product among consumers. The object of the research is possible
integration of wireless and program technologies at which
introduction the idea can regenerate in an innovation. The analysis of
existing projects in the market and the possible union of the
technologies through a prism of theoretical bases of innovative
activity shows that efficiency of the company by development and
introduction of innovations is possible only thanks to strict
observance of all terms and conditions of the innovative process
which main term is profit. Despite that fact that on a global scale the
innovativeness issue of companies is very popular, there are no
researches about possibility of innovative breaks in the field of
wireless access to the Internet in the cellular market of Kazakhstan.
Abstract: Exact solution of an unsteady flow of elastico-viscous
fluid through a porous media in a tube of ellipsoidal cross section
under the influence of constant pressure gradient has been obtained in
this paper. Initially, the flow is generated by a constant pressure
gradient. After attaining the steady state, the pressure gradient is
suddenly withdrawn and the resulting fluid motion in a tube of
ellipsoidal cross section by taking into account of the porosity factor
of the bounding surface is investigated. The problem is solved in twostages
the first stage is a steady motion in tube under the influence of
a constant pressure gradient, the second stage concern with an
unsteady motion. The problem is solved employing separation of
variables technique. The results are expressed in terms of a nondimensional
porosity parameter (K) and elastico-viscosity parameter
(β), which depends on the Non-Newtonian coefficient. The flow
parameters are found to be identical with that of Newtonian case as
elastic-viscosity parameter tends to zero and porosity tends to
infinity. It is seen that the effect of elastico-viscosity parameter and
the porosity parameter of the bounding surface has significant effect
on the velocity parameter.
Abstract: Over the years, it has been extensively established that
the practice of assuming a structure being fixed at base, leads to gross
errors in evaluation of its overall response due to dynamic loadings
and overestimations in design. The extent of these errors depends on
a number of variables; soil type being one of the major factor. This
paper studies the effect of Soil Structure Interaction (SSI) on multistorey
buildings with varying under-laying soil types after proper
validation of the effect of SSI. Analysis for soft, stiff and very stiff
base soils has been carried out, using a powerful Finite Element
Method (FEM) software package ANSYS v14.5. Results lead to
some very important conclusions regarding time period, deflection
and acceleration responses.
Abstract: Semiconductor crystals smaller than about 10 nm,
known as quantum dots, have properties that differ from large
samples, including a band gap that becomes larger for smaller
particles. These properties create several applications for quantum
dots. In this paper new shapes of quantum dot arrays are used to
enhance the photo physical properties of gold nano-particles. This
paper presents a study of the effect of nano-particles shape, array, and
size on their absorption characteristics.
Abstract: The building sector is responsible, in many
industrialized countries, for about 40% of the total energy
requirements, so it seems necessary to devote some efforts in this
area in order to achieve a significant reduction of energy
consumption and of greenhouse gases emissions.
The paper presents a study aiming at providing a design
methodology able to identify the best configuration of the system
building/plant, from a technical, economic and environmentally point
of view.
Normally, the classical approach involves a building's energy
loads analysis under steady state conditions, and subsequent selection
of measures aimed at improving the energy performance, based on
previous experience made by architects and engineers in the design
team. Instead, the proposed approach uses a sequence of two wellknown
scientifically validated calculation methods (TRNSYS and
RETScreen), that allow quite a detailed feasibility analysis.
To assess the validity of the calculation model, an existing,
historical building in Central Italy, that will be the object of
restoration and preservative redevelopment, was selected as a casestudy.
The building is made of a basement and three floors, with a
total floor area of about 3,000 square meters.
The first step has been the determination of the heating and
cooling energy loads of the building in a dynamic regime by means,
which allows simulating the real energy needs of the building in
function of its use. Traditional methodologies, based as they are on
steady-state conditions, cannot faithfully reproduce the effects of
varying climatic conditions and of inertial properties of the structure.
With this model is possible to obtain quite accurate and reliable
results that allow identifying effective combinations building-HVAC
system.
The second step has consisted of using output data obtained as
input to the calculation model, which enables to compare different
system configurations from the energy, environmental and financial
point of view, with an analysis of investment, and operation and
maintenance costs, so allowing determining the economic benefit of
possible interventions.
The classical methodology often leads to the choice of
conventional plant systems, while our calculation model provides a
financial-economic assessment for innovative energy systems and
low environmental impact.
Computational analysis can help in the design phase, particularly
in the case of complex structures with centralized plant systems, by
comparing the data returned by the calculation model for different
design options.
Abstract: Comparing other methods of waste water treatment,
constructed wetlands are one of the most fascinating practices
because being a natural process they are eco-friendly have low
construction and maintenance cost and have considerable capability
of wastewater treatment. The current research was focused mainly on
comparison of Ranunculus muricatus and Typha latifolia as wetland
plants for domestic wastewater treatment by designing and
constructing efficient pilot scale horizontal subsurface flow
mesocosms. Parameters like chemical oxygen demand, biological
oxygen demand, phosphates, sulphates, nitrites, nitrates, and
pathogenic indicator microbes were studied continuously with
successive treatments. Treatment efficiency of the system increases
with passage of time and with increase in temperature. Efficiency of
T. latifolia planted setups in open environment was fairly good for
parameters like COD and BOD5 which was showing reduction up to
82.5% for COD and 82.6% for BOD5 while DO was increased up to
125%. Efficiency of R. muricatus vegetated setup was also good but
lowers than that of T. latifolia planted showing 80.95% removal of
COD and BOD5. Ranunculus muricatus was found effective in
reducing bacterial count in wastewater. Both macrophytes were
found promising in wastewater treatment.
Abstract: Cemented carbide balls are usually implemented in
industry under the environment of high speed, high temperature,
corrosiveness and strong collisions. However, its application is limited
due to high fabrication cost, processing efficiency and quality. A novel
eccentric lapping method with two rotatable lapping plates was
proposed in this paper. A mathematical model was constructed to
analyze the influence of each design parameter on this lapping method.
To validate this new lapping method, an orthogonal experiment was
conducted with cemented carbide balls (YG6). The simulation model
was verified and the optimal lapping parameters were derived. The
results show that the surface roundness of the balls reaches to 0.65um
from 2um in 1 hour using this lapping method. So, using this novel
lapping method, it can effectively improve the machining precision
and efficiency of cemented carbide balls.
Abstract: New physical insights into the nonlinear Lorenz
equations related to flow resistance is discussed in this work. The
chaotic dynamics related to Lorenz equations has been studied in
many papers, which is due to the sensitivity of Lorenz equations to
initial conditions and parameter uncertainties. However, the physical
implication arising from Lorenz equations about convectional motion
attracts little attention in the relevant literature. Therefore, as a first
step to understand the related fluid mechanics of convectional motion,
this paper derives the Lorenz equations again with different forced
conditions in the model. Simulation work of the modified Lorenz
equations without the viscosity or buoyancy force is discussed. The
time-domain simulation results may imply that the states of the
Lorenz equations are related to certain flow speed and flow resistance.
The flow speed of the underlying fluid system increases as the flow
resistance reduces. This observation would be helpful to analyze the
coupling effects of different fluid parameters in a convectional model
in future work.
Abstract: Thin-walled elements with a matrix set on a base of
high-valuable Portland cement with dispersed reinforcement from
alkali-resistant glass fibres are used in a range of applications as
claddings of buildings and infrastructure constructions as well as
various architectural elements of residential buildings.
Even though their elementary thickness and therefore total weight
is quite low, architects and building companies demand on even
further decreasing of the bulk density of these fibre-cement elements
for the reason of loading elimination of connected superstructures
and easier assembling in demand conditions.
By the means of various kinds of light-weight aggregates it is
possible to achieve light-weighing of these composite elements.
From the range of possible fillers with different material properties
granulated expanded glass worked the best.
By the means of laboratory testing an effect of two fillers based on
expanded glass on the fibre reinforced cement composite was
verified.
Practical applicability was tested in the production of commonly
manufactured glass fibre reinforced concrete elements, such as
channels for electrical cable deposition, products for urban equipment
and especially various cladding elements.
Even though these are not structural elements, it is necessary to
evaluate also strength characteristics and resistance to environment
for their durability in certain applications.
Abstract: Despite the highly touted benefits, emerging
technologies have unleashed pervasive concerns regarding unintended
and unforeseen social impacts. Thus, those wishing to create safe and
socially acceptable products need to identify such side effects and
mitigate them prior to the market proliferation. Various methodologies
in the field of technology assessment (TA), namely Delphi, impact
assessment, and scenario planning, have been widely incorporated in
such a circumstance. However, literatures face a major limitation in
terms of sole reliance on participatory workshop activities. They
unfortunately missed out the availability of a massive untapped data
source of futuristic information flooding through the Internet. This
research thus seeks to gain insights into utilization of futuristic data,
future-oriented documents from the Internet, as a supplementary
method to generate social impact scenarios whilst capturing
perspectives of experts from a wide variety of disciplines. To this end,
network analysis is conducted based on the social keywords extracted
from the futuristic documents by text mining, which is then used as a
guide to produce a comprehensive set of detailed scenarios. Our
proposed approach facilitates harmonized depictions of possible
hazardous consequences of emerging technologies and thereby makes
decision makers more aware of, and responsive to, broad qualitative
uncertainties.
Abstract: Enterococci are important inhabitants of the animal
intestine and are widely used in probiotic products. A probiotic strain
is expected to possess several desirable properties in order to exert
beneficial effects. Therefore, the objective of this study was to
isolate, characterize and identify Enterococcus sp. from chicken cecal
and fecal samples to determine potential probiotic properties.
Enterococci were isolated from chicken ceca and feces of thirty three
clinically healthy chickens from a local farm. In vitro studies were
performed to assess antibacterial activity of the isolated LAB (using
agar well diffusion and cell free supernatant broth technique against
Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis), survival in acidic
conditions, resistance to bile salts, and their survival during simulated
gastric juice conditions at pH 2.5. Isolates were identified by
biochemical carbohydrate fermentation patterns using an API 50
CHL kit and API ZYM kits and by sequenced 16S rDNA. An isolate
belonging to E. faecium species exhibited inhibitory effect against S.
enteritidis. This isolate producing a clear zone as large as 10.30 mm
or greater and was able to grow in the coculture medium and at the
same time, inhibited the growth S. enteritidis. In addition, E. faecium
exhibited significant resistance under highly acidic conditions at pH
2.5 for 8 h and survived well in bile salt at 0.2% for 24 h and showing
ability to survive in the presence of simulated gastric juice at pH 2.5.
Based on these results, E. faecium isolate fulfills some of the criteria
to be considered as a probiotic strain and therefore, could be used as a
feed additive with good potential for controlling S. Enteritidis in
chickens. However, in vivo studies are needed to determine the safety
of the strain.
Abstract: Robotic surgery is used to enhance minimally invasive
surgical procedure. It provides greater degree of freedom for surgical
tools but lacks of haptic feedback system to provide sense of touch to
the surgeon. Surgical robots work on master-slave operation, where
user is a master and robotic arms are the slaves. Current, surgical
robots provide precise control of the surgical tools, but heavily rely
on visual feedback, which sometimes cause damage to the inner
organs. The goal of this research was to design and develop a realtime
Simulink based robotic system to study force feedback
mechanism during instrument-object interaction. Setup includes three
VelmexXSlide assembly (XYZ Stage) for three dimensional
movement, an end effector assembly for forceps, electronic circuit for
four strain gages, two Novint Falcon 3D gaming controllers,
microcontroller board with linear actuators, MATLAB and Simulink
toolboxes. Strain gages were calibrated using Imada Digital Force
Gauge device and tested with a hard-core wire to measure
instrument-object interaction in the range of 0-35N. Designed
Simulink model successfully acquires 3D coordinates from two
Novint Falcon controllers and transfer coordinates to the XYZ stage
and forceps. Simulink model also reads strain gages signal through
10-bit analog to digital converter resolution of a microcontroller
assembly in real time, converts voltage into force and feedback the
output signals to the Novint Falcon controller for force feedback
mechanism. Experimental setup allows user to change forward
kinematics algorithms to achieve the best-desired movement of the
XYZ stage and forceps. This project combines haptic technology
with surgical robot to provide sense of touch to the user controlling
forceps through machine-computer interface.
Abstract: Meeting the growth in demand for digital services
such as social media, telecommunications, and business and cloud
services requires large scale data centres, which has led to an increase
in their end use energy demand. Generally, over 30% of data centre
power is consumed by the necessary cooling overhead. Thus energy
can be reduced by improving the cooling efficiency. Air and liquid
can both be used as cooling media for the data centre. Traditional
data centre cooling systems use air, however liquid is recognised as a
promising method that can handle the more densely packed data
centres. Liquid cooling can be classified into three methods; rack heat
exchanger, on-chip heat exchanger and full immersion of the
microelectronics. This study quantifies the improvements of heat
transfer specifically for the case of immersed microelectronics by
varying the CPU and heat sink location. Immersion of the server is
achieved by filling the gap between the microelectronics and a water
jacket with a dielectric liquid which convects the heat from the CPU
to the water jacket on the opposite side. Heat transfer is governed by
two physical mechanisms, which is natural convection for the fixed
enclosure filled with dielectric liquid and forced convection for the
water that is pumped through the water jacket. The model in this
study is validated with published numerical and experimental work
and shows good agreement with previous work. The results show that
the heat transfer performance and Nusselt number (Nu) is improved
by 89% by placing the CPU and heat sink on the bottom of the
microelectronics enclosure.
Abstract: Fungal mutant strains have produced cellulase and
xylanase enzymes, and have induced high hydrolysis with enhanced
of rice straw. The mutants were obtained by exposing Penicillium
strain to UV-light treatments. Screening and selection after treatment
with UV-light were carried out using cellulolytic and xylanolytic
clear zones method to select the hypercellulolytic and
hyperxylanolytic mutants. These mutants were evaluated for their
cellulase and xylanase enzyme production as well as their abilities for
biodegradation of rice straw. The mutant 12 UV/1 produced 306.21%
and 209.91% cellulase and xylanase, respectively, as compared with
the original wild type strain. This mutant showed high capacity of
rice straw degradation. The effectiveness of tested mutant strain and
that of wild strain was compared in relation to enhancing the
composting process of rice straw and animal manures mixture. The
results obtained showed that the compost product of inoculated
mixture with mutant strain (12 UV/1) was the best compared to the
wild strain and un-inoculated mixture. Analysis of the composted
materials showed that the characteristics of the produced compost
were close to those of the high quality standard compost. The results
obtained in the present work suggest that the combination between
rice straw and animal manure could be used for enhancing the
composting process of rice straw and particularly when applied with
fungal decomposer accelerating the composting process.
Abstract: Skin aging is a slow multifactorial process influenced
by both internal as well as external factors. Ultra-violet radiations
(UV), diet, smoking and personal habits are the most common
environmental factors that affect skin aging. Fat contents and fibrous
proteins as collagen and elastin are core internal structural
components. The direct influence of UV on elastin integrity and
health is central on aging of skin especially by time. The deposition
of abnormal elastic material is a major marker in a photo-aged skin.
Searching for compounds that may protect against cutaneous photodamage
is exceedingly valued. Retinoids and alpha hydroxy acids
have been endorsed by some researchers as possible candidates for
protecting and or repairing the effect of UV damaged skin. For
consolidating a better system of anti- and protective effects of such
anti-aging agents, we evaluated the combinatory effects of various
dosages of lactic acid and retinol on the dermal fibroblast’s elastin
levels exposed to UV. The UV exposed cells showed significant
reduction in the elastin levels. A combination of drugs with a higher
concentration of lactic acid (30 -35 mM) and a lower concentration of
retinol (10-15mg/mL) showed to work better in maintaining elastin
concentration in UV exposed cells. We assume this preservation
could be the result of increased tropo-elastin gene expression
stimulated by retinol whereas lactic acid probably repaired the UV
irradiated damage by enhancing the amount and integrity of the
elastin fibers.