Abstract: In this study, we are interested in a species of the
family of Asteraceae (Tagetes erecta). This family is considered as a
source of antimicrobial extracts with strong capacity. The extraction
of the flavonoids is carried out by the method of liquid/liquid with the
use of successive solvents. Afterwards, we evaluated the biological
activity of the flavonoids on five pathogenic bacterial stocks such as
Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae,
Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and two stocks
of yeasts to knowing Candida albicans) and Saccharomyces
cerevisiae, by employing the method of the aromatogramme starting
from a solid disc. The result of the antimicrobial activity shows an
action and a variable degree of sensitivity according to bacterial
stocks tested. It will be noted that the flavonoids have an inhibiting
effect on E. coli, B. subtilis, K. pneumoniae and S. aureus. But a
resistance with respect to the extract by P. aeruginosa, C. albicans
and S. cerevisiae is to be mentioned.
Abstract: Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most prevalent
brain tumours among paediatrics. Although its management has
evolved over time still there is need to find new therapeutic targets
for MB that can result in less normal tissue toxicity while improving
survival and reducing recurrence. This literature review is aimed at
finding new potential therapeutic targets for MB focusing on viruses
that can be used as potential targets for MB. The review also gives an
over-view of management of paediatric Medulloblastoma focusing on
Radiotherapy management.
Abstract: The focal aspire of e-Government (eGovt) is to offer
citizen-centered service delivery. Accordingly, the citizenry
consumes services from multiple government agencies through
national portal. Thus, eGovt is an enterprise with the primary
business motive of transparent, efficient and effective public services
to its citizenry and its logical structure is the eGovernment Enterprise
Architecture (eGEA). Since eGovt is IT oriented multifaceted
service-centric system, EA doesn’t do much on an automated
enterprise other than the business artifacts. Service-Oriented
Architecture (SOA) manifestation led some governments to pertain
this in their eGovts, but it limits the source of business artifacts. The
concurrent use of EA and SOA in eGovt executes interoperability and
integration and leads to Service-Oriented e-Government Enterprise
(SOeGE). Consequently, agile eGovt system becomes a reality. As an
IT perspective eGovt comprises of centralized public service artifacts
with the existing application logics belong to various departments at
central, state and local level. The eGovt is renovating to SOeGE by
apply the Service-Orientation (SO) principles in the entire system.
This paper explores IT perspective of SOeGE in India which
encompasses the public service models and illustrated with a case
study the Passport service of India.
Abstract: The tomato is a very important crop, whose
cultivation in the Mediterranean basin is severely affected by the
phytoparasitic weed Phelipanche ramosa. The semiarid regions of
the world are considered the main areas where this parasitic weed is
established causing heavy infestation as it is able to produce high
numbers of seeds (up to 500,000 per plant), which remain viable for
extended period (more than 20 years). In this paper the results
obtained from eleven treatments in order to control this parasitic
weed including chemical, agronomic, biological and biotechnological
methods compared with the untreated test under two plowing depths
(30 and 50 cm) are reported. The split-plot design with 3 replicates
was adopted. In 2014 a trial was performed in Foggia province
(southern Italy) on processing tomato (cv Docet) grown in the field
infested by Phelipanche ramosa. Tomato seedlings were transplant
on May 5, on a clay-loam soil. During the growing cycle of the
tomato crop, at 56-78 and 92 days after transplantation, the number
of parasitic shoots emerged in each plot was detected. At tomato
harvesting, on August 18, the major quantity-quality yield parameters
were determined (marketable yield, mean weight, dry matter, pH,
soluble solids and color of fruits). All data were subjected to analysis
of variance (ANOVA) and the means were compared by Tukey's test.
Each treatment studied did not provide complete control against
Phelipanche ramosa. However, among the different methods tested,
some of them which Fusarium, gliphosate, radicon biostimulant and
Red Setter tomato cv (improved genotypes obtained by Tilling
technology) under deeper plowing (50 cm depth) proved to mitigate
the virulence of the Phelipanche ramose attacks. It is assumed that
these effects can be improved combining some of these treatments
each other, especially for a gradual and continuing reduction of the
“seed bank” of the parasite in the soil.
Abstract: The star network is one of the promising
interconnection networks for future high speed parallel computers, it
is expected to be one of the future-generation networks. The star
network is both edge and vertex symmetry, it was shown to have
many gorgeous topological proprieties also it is owns hierarchical
structure framework. Although much of the research work has been
done on this promising network in literature, it still suffers from
having enough algorithms for load balancing problem. In this paper
we try to work on this issue by investigating and proposing an
efficient algorithm for load balancing problem for the star network.
The proposed algorithm is called Star Clustered Dimension Exchange
Method SCDEM to be implemented on the star network. The
proposed algorithm is based on the Clustered Dimension Exchange
Method (CDEM). The SCDEM algorithm is shown to be efficient in
redistributing the load balancing as evenly as possible among all
nodes of different factor networks.
Abstract: To develop AZ91D magnesium alloys with improved
properties, we have applied TiN and VN/TiN multilayer coatings
using DC magnetron sputter technique. Coating structure, surface
morphology, chemical bonding and corrosion resistance of coatings
were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron
microscope (SEM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and
tafel extrapolation method, respectively. XPS analysis reveal that VN
overlayer reacts with oxygen at the VN/TiN interface and forms more
stable TiN layer. Morphological investigations and the corrosion
results show that VN/TiN multilayer thin film coatings are quite
effective to optimize the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys.
Abstract: In this work, we propose and analyze a model of
Phytoplankton-Zooplankton interaction with harvesting considering
that some species are exploited commercially for food. Criteria for
local stability, instability and global stability are derived and some
threshold harvesting levels are explored to maintain the population
at an appropriate equilibrium level even if the species are exploited
continuously.Further,biological and bionomic equilibria of the system
are obtained and an optimal harvesting policy is also analysed using
the Pantryagin’s Maximum Principle.Finally analytical findings are
also supported by some numerical simulations.
Abstract: The demand of high quality services has fueled
dimensional research and development in wireless communications
and networking. As a result, different wireless technologies like
Wireless LAN, CDMA, GSM, UMTS, MANET, Bluetooth and
satellite networks etc. have emerged in the last two decades. Future
networks capable of carrying multimedia traffic need IP convergence,
portability, seamless roaming and scalability among the existing
networking technologies without changing the core part of the
existing communications networks. To fulfill these goals, the present
networking systems are required to work in cooperation to ensure
technological independence, seamless roaming, high security and
authentication, guaranteed Quality of Services (QoS). In this paper, a
conceptual framework for a cooperative network (CN) is proposed
for integration of heterogeneous existing networks to meet out the
requirements of the next generation wireless networks.
Abstract: This study presents an attempt to evaluate the
antioxidant potential and antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract,
and essential oils prepared from the leaves of sage (Salvia officinalis
L.). The content of polyphenol in the methanolic extracts from the
leaves of Salvia officinalis was determined spectrophotometrically,
calculated as gallic acid and catechin equivalent. The essential oils
and methanol extract were also subjected to screenings for the
evaluation of their antioxidant activities using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-
picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test. While the plant essential oils showed
only weak antioxidant activities, its methanol extract was
considerably active in DPPH (IC50 = 37.29 μg/ml) test. Appreciable
total polyphenol content (31.25 mg/g) was also detected for the plant
methanol extract as gallic acid equivalent in the Folin–Ciocalteu test.
The plant was also screened for its antimicrobial activity and good to
moderate inhibitions were recorded for its essential oils, and
methanol extracts against most of the tested microorganisms.
The present investigation revealed that this plant had rich source
of antioxidant properties. It is for this reason that sage has found
increasing application in food formulations.
Abstract: The Smart Help for persons with disability (PWD) is a
part of the project SMARTDISABLE which aims to develop relevant
solution for PWD that target to provide an adequate workplace
environment for them. It would support PWD needs smartly through
smart help to allow them access to relevant information and
communicate with other effectively and flexibly, and smart editor
that assist them in their daily work. It will assist PWD in knowledge
processing and creation as well as being able to be productive at the
work place. The technical work of the project involves design of a
technological scenario for the Ambient Intelligence (AmI) - based
assistive technologies at the workplace consisting of an integrated
universal smart solution that suits many different impairment
conditions and will be designed to empower the Physically disabled
persons (PDP) with the capability to access and effectively utilize the
ICTs in order to execute knowledge rich working tasks with
minimum efforts and with sufficient comfort level. The proposed
technology solution for PWD will support voice recognition along
with normal keyboard and mouse to control the smart help and smart
editor with dynamic auto display interface that satisfies the
requirements for different PWD group. In addition, a smart help will
provide intelligent intervention based on the behavior of PWD to
guide them and warn them about possible misbehavior. PWD can
communicate with others using Voice over IP controlled by voice
recognition. Moreover, Auto Emergency Help Response would be
supported to assist PWD in case of emergency. This proposed
technology solution intended to make PWD very effective at the
work environment and flexible using voice to conduct their tasks at
the work environment. The proposed solution aims to provide
favorable outcomes that assist PWD at the work place, with the
opportunity to participate in PWD assistive technology innovation
market which is still small and rapidly growing as well as upgrading
their quality of life to become similar to the normal people at the
workplace. Finally, the proposed smart help solution is applicable in
all workplace setting, including offices, manufacturing, hospital, etc.
Abstract: PVC foam-fly ash composites (PVC-FA) are
characterized for their structural, morphological, mechanical and
thermal properties. The tensile strength of the composites increased
modestly with higher fly ash loading, while there was a significant
increase in the elastic modulus for the same composites. On the other
hand, a decrease in elongation at UTS was observed upon increasing
fly ash content due to increased rigidity of the composites. Similarly,
the flexural modulus increased as the fly ash loading increased,
where the composites containing 25 phr fly ash showed the highest
flexural strength. Thermal properties of PVC-fly ash composites were
determined by Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). The
microstructural properties were studied by Scanning Electron
Microscopy (SEM). SEM results confirm that fly ash particles were
mechanically interlocked in PVC matrix with good interfacial
interaction with the matrix. Particle agglomeration and debonding
was observed in samples containing higher amounts of fly ash.
Abstract: Adapting quickly to environmental dynamism is
essential for an organization to develop outsourcing strategic and
management in order to sustain competitive advantage. This research
used the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLSSEM)
tool to investigate the factors of environmental dynamism
impact on the strategic outsourcing success among electrical and
electronic manufacturing industries in outsourcing management.
Statistical results confirm that the inclusion of customer demand,
technological change, and competition level as a new combination
concept of environmental dynamism, has positive effects on
outsourcing success. Additionally, this research demonstrates the
acceptability of PLS-SEM as a statistical analysis to furnish a better
understanding of environmental dynamism in outsourcing
management in Malaysia. A practical finding contributes to
academics and practitioners in the field of outsourcing management.
Abstract: Floods play a key role in landform evolution of an
area. This process is likely to alter the topography of the earth’s
surface. The present study area, Kota Bharu is very prone to floods
extends from upstream of Kelantan River near Kemubu to the
downstream area near Kuala Besar. These flood events which occur
every year in the study area exhibit a strong bearing on river
morphological set-up. In the present study, three satellite imageries of
different time periods have been used to manifest the post-flood
landform changes. The pre-processing of the images such as subset,
geometric corrections and atmospheric corrections were carried-out
using ENVI 4.5 followed by the analysis processes. Twenty sets of
cross sections were plotted using software Erdas 9.2, ERDAS and
ArcGis 10 for the all three images. The results show a significant
change in the length of the cross section which suggest that the
geomorphological processes play a key role in carving and shaping
the river banks during the floods.
Abstract: The present study was conducted to evaluate the
potential applicability of biological trickling filter system for the
treatment of simulated textile wastewater containing reactive azo
dyes with bacterial consortium under non-sterile conditions. The
percentage decolorization for the treatment of wastewater containing
structurally different dyes was found to be higher than 95% in all
trials. The stable bacterial count of the biofilm on stone media of the
trickling filter during the treatment confirmed the presence,
proliferation, dominance and involvement of the added microbial
consortium in the treatment of textile wastewater. Results of
physicochemical parameters revealed the reduction in chemical
oxygen demand (58.5-75.1%), sulphates (18.9-36.5%), and
phosphates (63.6-73.0%). UV-Visible and FTIR spectroscopy
confirmed decolorization of dye containing wastewater was ultimate
consequence of biodegradation. Toxicological studies revealed the
nontoxic nature of degradative metabolites.
Abstract: This paper describes a logical method to enhance
security on the grid computing to restrict the misuse of the grid
resources. This method is an economic and efficient one to avoid the
usage of the special devices. The security issues, techniques and
solutions needed to provide a secure grid computing environment are
described. A well defined process for security management among
the resource accesses and key holding algorithm is also proposed. In
this method, the identity management, access control and
authorization and authentication are effectively handled.
Abstract: Mammography has been one of the most reliable
methods for early detection of breast cancer. There are different
lesions which are breast cancer characteristic such as
microcalcifications, masses, architectural distortions and bilateral
asymmetry. One of the major challenges of analysing digital
mammogram is how to extract efficient features from it for accurate
cancer classification. In this paper we proposed a hybrid feature
extraction method to detect and classify all four signs of breast
cancer. The proposed method is based on multiscale surrounding
region dependence method, Gabor filters, multi fractal analysis,
directional and morphological analysis. The extracted features are
input to self adaptive resource allocation network (SRAN) classifier
for classification. The validity of our approach is extensively
demonstrated using the two benchmark data sets Mammographic
Image Analysis Society (MIAS) and Digital Database for Screening
Mammograph (DDSM) and the results have been proved to be
progressive.
Abstract: Predicting earthquakes is an important issue in the
study of geography. Accurate prediction of earthquakes can help
people to take effective measures to minimize the loss of personal
and economic damage, such as large casualties, destruction of
buildings and broken of traffic, occurred within a few seconds.
United States Geological Survey (USGS) science organization
provides reliable scientific information about Earthquake Existed
throughout history & the Preliminary database from the National
Center Earthquake Information (NEIC) show some useful factors to
predict an earthquake in a seismic area like Aleutian Arc in the U.S.
state of Alaska. The main advantage of this prediction method that it
does not require any assumption, it makes prediction according to the
future evolution of the object's time series. The article compares
between simulation data result from trained BP and RBF neural
network versus actual output result from the system calculations.
Therefore, this article focuses on analysis of data relating to real
earthquakes. Evaluation results show better accuracy and higher
speed by using radial basis functions (RBF) neural network.
Abstract: Many studies have revealed the fact of the complexity
of ontology building process. Therefore there is a need for a new
approach which one of that addresses the socio-technical aspects in the
collaboration to reach a consensus. Meta-design approach is
considered applicable as a method in the methodological model of
socio-technical ontology engineering. Principles in the meta-design
framework are applied in the construction phases of the ontology. A
web portal is developed to support the meta-design principles
requirements. To validate the methodological model semantic web
applications were developed and integrated in the portal and also used
as a way to show the usefulness of the ontology. The knowledge based
system will be filled with data of Indonesian medicinal plants. By
showing the usefulness of the developed ontology in a semantic web
application, we motivate all stakeholders to participate in the
development of knowledge based system of medicinal plants in
Indonesia.
Abstract: This work is focused on the study of valuation of
recycled concrete aggregates, by measuring certain properties of
concrete in the fresh and hardened state. In this study, rheological
tests and physic-mechanical characterization on concretes and
mortars were conducted with recycled concrete whose geometric
properties were identified aggregates. Mortars were elaborated with
recycled fine aggregate (0/5mm) and concretes were manufactured
using recycled coarse aggregates (5/12.5 mm and 12.5/20 mm). First,
a study of the mortars was conducted to determine the effectiveness
of polycarboxylate superplasticizer on the workability of these and
their action deflocculating of the recycled sand. The rheological
behavior of mortars based on fine aggregate recycled was
characterized. The results confirm that the mortars composed of
different fractions of recycled sand (0 /5) have a better mechanical
properties (compressive and flexural strength) compared to normal
mortar. Also, the mechanical strengths of concretes made with
recycled aggregates (5/12.5 mm and 12.5/20 mm), are comparable to
those of conventional concrete with conventional aggregates,
provided that the implementation can be improved by the addition of
a superplasticizer.
Abstract: Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs)
were fabricated by microwave-assisted hydrothermal technique. The
optical properties of the N-GQDs were studied. The luminescence of
the N-GQDs can be tuned by varying the excitation wavelength.
Furthermore, two-photon luminescence of the N-GQDs excited by
near-infrared laser can be obtained. It is shown that N-doping play a
key role on two-photon luminescence. The N-GQDs are expected to
find application in biological applications including bioimaging and
sensing.