Fractional factorial design was utilized to evaluate the effect of combinations of nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid and water for microwave digestion of fish muscle. Upon digestion, copper, iron and zinc were determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. H2O2 and HCl volumes were found to be the most significant parameters which resulted in good metal recoveries. This is especially so for the effect of HCl on Fe recovery. The results indicated that the combination of 4 mL 65% HNO3, 2 mL 30% H2O2 and 2 mL 30% HCl gave the most satisfactory percentage recovery. There was good agreement between measured and certified values for all metals with respect to the DORM-3 fish protein.
In this study, Global Positioning System (GPS) simulation was employed to study the effect of radio frequency interference (RFI) on two hand-held GPS receivers; Garmin GPSmap 60CSx (evaluated GPS receiver) and Garmin GPSmap 60CS (reference GPS receiver). Both GPS receivers employed the GPS L1 coarse acquisition (C/A) signal. It was observed that the interference signal power levels required to affect the location fixes of the GPS receivers were significantly high compared to the corresponding GPS signal power levels. The noiselike C/A code structure, which modulated the L1 signal over a 2 MHz bandwidth, allowed for the signal to be received at low levels of interferences. The evaluated GPS receiver had better RFI operability as compared to the reference GPS receiver. This is because the evaluated GPS receiver had higher receiver sensitivity, allowing it to have increased carrier-to-noise density (C/N0) levels for GPS satellites tracked by the receiver. The absence of other error parameters, including ionospheric and tropospheric delays, satellite clock, ephemeris and multipath errors, and unintentional signal interferences and obstructions, resulted in the required minimum jamming power levels in this study to be significantly higher as compared to field evaluations. These minimum jamming power levels vary with location and time. This was due to the GPS satellite constellation being dynamic, causing varying GPS satellite geometry over location and time, resulting in the minimum required GPS jamming power levels being location / time dependent. In general, the lowest minimum jamming power levels were observed for readings with the highest position dilution of precision (PDOP) values, and vice versa.
Thoracic trunk shift and Coronal balance are main features to be considered while planning
treatment for scoliosis patients. Thoracic trunk shift refers to deviation of trunk from its
normal position. Coronal balance refers to deviation of seventh cervical bone from sacrum
in coronal plane. After undergoing scoliosis correction surgery, these two parameters are
measured by surgeons using radiograph images to make sure the scoliosis curve progression
is stopped and whether vertebral alignment is back to normal. Since the relationship
between thoracic trunk shift and coronal balance in the post-operated scoliotic patients is
questionable, this study is done to find the correlation between thoracic trunk shift and
coronal balance in the thoracic scoliosis patients who underwent correction surgery at least a
year before from the date of taking radiographs. Radiographs of 24 patients were collected.
Statistical analysis was done using paired sample ‘t’ test, with ‘p’ value of 0.05 as the level of
significance. The mean millimetre measurement of thoracic trunk shift and coronal balance
was found to be 27.62 mm and 10.50 mm. Results of our study showed that there is a 10.18%
of relation in between the post thoracic trunk shift and coronal balance of those 24 patients.
Stem cells from human extracted deciduous teeth (SHED) have the ability to multiply much faster and double their population in culture at a greater rate, indicating that it may be in a more immature state than other type of adult stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from human primary molars were isolated and cultured in media supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum. The MSCs were confirmed using CD 105 and CD 166 and the identification of the osteoblast cells were done using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. Differentiated osteoblast cells (DOC) were characterized by alkaline phosphotase and von Kossa staining followed by immunocytochemistry staining using osteocalcin and osteonectin antibodies. Further validation of SHED was done by RT-PCR to detect the presence of insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-2) and discoidin domain tyrosine kinase-2 (DDTK-2) transcripts, while the presence of Runx-2 mRNA was used to characterize DOC. The results showed that SHED was found positive for CD 105 and CD 166 and could differentiate into osteoblast, bone forming cells. The findings revealed the presence of distinct MSC population which had the capability to generate living human cells that could be a possible source for tissue engineering in the future.
The receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP 140) is a well known nuclear repressor and has been shown to be crucial for female reproduction and metabolism. However, the function of this repressor in developmental processes is still unknown. We conducted a study to investigate the expression patterns of RIP 140 in developing zebrafish embryos. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that RIP140 was highly expressed in the eye, swim bladder, reproductive and metabolic organs of adult zebrafish. During embryogenesis, RIP 140 mRNA was continuously expressed throughout all the developmental stages with the highest expression at 24 hours of post-fertilization (hpf). Furthermore, in situ hybridization whole-mounts revealed that the expression of this gene was mainly localized in the eyes, mid-brain, pectoral fin buds and somites. Therefore, this present study has provided a starting point for future investigations to examine the role of RIP 140 in the development of these organs.
Aim: This study analyses factors affecting SP compliance among doctors and nurses in all areas of hospital settings worldwide.
Methods: The PICO guide helped put focus on this meta-analysis. Of the 100 studies published from search engines and/or databases from 2009 to 2014, only four were selected. A PRISMA guideline was also used to eliminate other studies. Critique framework helped in analysing the studies selected.
Outcomes: Four significant factors affected doctors’ and nurses’ compliance with the practice of SPs - health threats, behaviour modifications, systems controls and educations, and health promotions. Of the 33 doctors in the Obstetrics and Gynaecologic department, 30% complied; of the 120 doctors - 60% interns, 34.2% residents and 5.8% consultants - complied by proper hand gloving (56.7%), hand hygiene (39.3%) and wearing aprons (58.3%); of the 32 hospital nurses, 100% complied; and of the 1,444 clinical nurses in the hospital, there is a p
Since its invention, polyimide (PI) has been widely used in micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) devices. For fabrication, the PI membrane, PI-2723 HD-Microsystems was used as the membrane material due to its Young's modulus of 2.7 GPa and its film thickness could easily be controlled by changing the speed of the spin coater system. The application PI as membrane structure on silicon wafers therefore gave a much better mechanical performance then conventional membranes made of silicon dioxide (SiO2) or silicon nitride (Si3N4) layers. The fabrication of PI membrane was the same as for SiO2 and Si3N4 membranes; the basic step was to etch a side of the silicon wafer using wet anisotropic etching. This paper proposes an effective process for fabrication of PI membrane with f ast and little supervision. In this process, a dual step process was wet anisotropic etching of single crystal silicon using pottasium hydroxyl (KOH) with different concentrations and temperature processes. For the first process, 45% KOH under boiling temperature was used to etch at least 90%–95% of the silicon. In the second process, the silicon was submerged in 45% KOH with temperature at 70ºC–80ºC to etch away the residual silicon until a clean and transparent PI membrane was achieved. Using this method, the fabrication of PI membrane could be generated fast.
Information on feeding behaviour of tropical horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus gigas (M¨uller, 1785) is still scanty compared to Limulus polyphemus (Linnaeus, 1758). Foods condition such as decayed, sheltered and etc., would substantially influence the edibility of food by the T. gigas. However, horseshoe crabs might have specific behaviour to manipulate the foraged food. The aim of this paper was to investigate the feeding mechanism of T. gigas toward different feed conditions. Experiments were conducted inside a glass tank. A total of 30 males and females respectively were introduced to five different natural potential feeds, namely, gastropods (Turritella sp.), crustacean (Squilla sp.), fish (Lates calcarifer ), bivalve (Meretrix meretrix ) and polychaete (Nereis sp.). We have manipulated the condition of introduced feed based on the several potential foods conditions in nature such as sheltered (protected with shell, hard outer skin or host tube), unsheltered and decayed before introduced the feeds to the crabs. In present study, female crabs took shorter response period towards surrounding feed compared to males. Overall, they prefer to consume freshly dead feeds and would totally reject the sheltered feeds, such as, shell, hard outer skin and tube host. Male crabs have particular feeding behaviours to manipulate the edibility of the decayed feeds. Detailed experiments on the feeding mechanism of T. gigas could provide more information on their foraging activity in the wild.
A monitoring procedure was introduced for process variability in a multivariate setting based on individual observations which was a combination of (i) robust high breakdown point approach in the set-up stage to determine the reference sample and (ii) the use of Wilks chart in the mass production stage. This setting is what the Malaysian manufacturing industry is currently lacking in, especially when a robust approach must be used. The advantage of this procedure was revealed by using the case of a female shrouded connector production process in a Malaysian industry. Moreover, this procedure could also be used in any process quality monitoring and for any industry. A recommendation for quality practitioners was also addressed.
3-Nitro-2-phenoxypyridine and 3-nitro-2-(4-methyl)phenoxypyridine were obtained when 2-chloro-3-nitropyridine was treated with phenol and p-cresol, respectively. Fluorescence studies were carried out in various solvents, in capped and uncapped conditions and for differing concentrations. Both 3-nitro-2-phenoxypyridine and 3-nitro-2-(4-methyl)phenoxypyridine were fluorescent compounds but 3-Nitro-2-(4-methyl)phenoxypyridine was more fluorescent than 3-nitro-2-phenoxypyridine in all the solvents used. The fluorescence intensity decreased with concentration and time.
Nowadays, the numbers of wild horseshoe crab harvested for study are increasing. However, general information on Tachyplues gigas satiation level, gut transit time, defecation pattern and acclimation period in captivity during holding period are still scanty. The aims of this study are to identify T. gigas food intake, gut transit time and defecation pattern during the rearing period by introducing the crabs with gastropod (Turritella sp.), crustacean (Squilla sp.) and bivalve (Meretrix meretrix ) in several feed ratios; 0.2%, 0.6%, 1.0%, 1.4%, 1.8% and 2.2% expressed of crabs’ body weight. The defecation of T. gigas was monitored for every three hours after being fed to measure their gut transit time and defecation pattern. Male crabs did not significantly eat until two weeks in captivity, while the females started to eat in the early first week after being harvested from the wild. The satiation levels of the females (gastropod: 1.8%±0.04; crustacean: 1.7%±0.08; bivalve: 1.8%±0.06) were significantly higher than the males’ (gastropod: 1.7%±0.08; crustacean: 1.4%±0.02; bivalve: 1.6%±0.05) for all feed types. Gut transit time of the males were significantly longer than the females’. Male crabs took shorter time (1±0 hr) to achieve their satiation than female crabs (2±0 hrs). This study provides useful information for T. gigas rearing activity and for designing a better rearing system.
In agricultural systems, animals play a very important multifunctional role for developing communities
throughout the world. This is reflected in the generation of value-added products like meat, milk and eggs for food security; socio-economic benefits like increased income, security and survival, and an infinite variety of services such as the supply of draught power and dung for soil fertility. However, and despite this importance, the situation is awesome since the projected total meat and milk consumption levels in 2020 are far in excess of anticipated supply, and projections of both meat and milk will have to be doubled by 2050 to meet human requirements. Strategies for productivity growth from animals are therefore urgent, and are discussed in the context of the scenario of waning agriculture, extreme poverty and hunger, food crisis, the current contributions from the components of the animal industries, prevailing constraints, opportunities and strategies for improved production. Current trends suggest that the non-ruminant pig and poultry industries will continue to contribute the major share of meat and all of egg production to meet projected human needs. With ruminants by comparison, overall meat production continues to come mainly from the slaughter of numbers. Strategic opportunities exist for maximising productivity in improved production systems. These include targeting rainfed areas, development of small farms, integrated crop-animal systems, intensive application of productivity-enhancing technologies, promoting intensive use of crop residues and expanding the R&D frontiers with interdisciplinarity and farming
systems perspectives. The issues, together with increased investments and institutional commitment, provide for expanded animal production systems and productivity which can forcefully impact on improved human welfare in Asia in the immediate tomorrow.
In this paper, the problem of steady laminar boundary layer flow of an incompressible viscous fluid over a moving thin needle is considered. The governing boundary layer equations were first transformed into non-dimensional forms. These non-dimensional equations were then transformed into similarity equations using the similarity variables, which were solved numerically using an implicit finite-difference scheme known as the Keller-box method. The solutions were obtained for a blunt-nosed needle. Numerical computations were carried out for various values of the dimensionless parameters of the problem which included the Prandtl number Pr and the parameter a representing the needle size. It was found that the heat transfer characteristics were significantly
influenced by these parameters. However, the Prandtl number had no effect on the flow characteristics due to the decoupled boundary layer equations.
This paper introduces a method for modification of the formula of the fractal box counting dimension. The method is based on the utilization of the probability distribution formula in the fractal box count. The purpose of this method is to use it for the discrimination of oil spill areas from the surrounding features e.g. sea surface and look-alikes in RADARSAT-1 SAR data. The result showed that the new formula of the fractal box counting dimension was able to discriminate between oil spills and look-alike areas. The low wind area had the highest fractal dimension peak of 2.9, as compared to the oil slick and the surrounding rough sea. The maximum error standard deviation of the low wind area was 0.68 which performed with a 2.9 fractal dimension value.
In this project, a Geographic Information System (GIS) was used to collect and compile various field data in the Pedro Vicente Maldonado Ecuadorian Scientific Station Antarctica Base area. The main source of data was obtained from a global positioning system (GPS) survey using kinematic GPS (GPS-RTK) which allowed continuous point mapping in the terrain. GPS units were utilized in the collection of spatial data for all field work. The co-ordinates obtained were used to produce a point map which was then exported into GIS software where the proximity of cartographic phenomena and boundaries were mapped. All the collected data were subsequently gathered to develop the GIS database which was then used to generate and compile different maps to test for spatial and temporal relationships. The output of the project comprises a GIS database, spatial maps and 3D terrain model of the area. The developed GIS database can be used with other ecological datasets to provide biogeographical information, potential range distribution and sampling adequacy. The database is also applicable to geographical management and multi-disciplinary research projects.
Spatio-temporal datasets are a collection of datasets where data can vary in both space and time. Theoretically, such datasets can be considered as continuous and discrete. For example, specification of the function, F: Ed T Rn, where Ed denotes d-dimensional Euclidean space, T = R* ∩ {} the domain of time and Rn an n-dimensional scalar field. Examples of such data sets include time-varying simulation results, film and videos, time-varying medical datasets, geometry models with motion or deformation, meteorological measurements, and many more. It is therefore highly desirable to use visualisation to summarize meaningful information in higher dimensional spatio-temporal datasets. Our aim is to conceive an efficient visual study to facilitate scientists in identifying temporal association among complex and chaotic atom movements in ion trajectories. An application that uses a streamline for spatial motion of ion trajectories and Colour Number Coding Scheme for temporal encoding of high degree of timeline events among mobile ions is proposed. With an anthology of the visual examples, it was revealed that this application would be beneficial for scientists to visually mine any 3D spatio-temporal dataset.
Malaysia is currently poised to introduce its Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy and Act to bolster the nation's efforts at economic and social transformation. In championing this initiative, the Academy of Sciences Malaysia, while continuing to advise the Government on STI issues of the day, has made major strides in taking stock of the country's STI strengths in the various sectors of the economy as well as weaknesses that need to be addressed in terms of human capital development. In this article, the author examines the level of research expertise presently in the country in the field of chemistry, and elaborates on the four key areas of energy, catalysis and chemical synthesis, materials science and biological chemistry which will be researched globally in the next few decades that we would also need to be engaged upon to remain competitive. Intended for a wider audience than chemists alone, the descriptive sections in the article by and large belie an interdisciplinary flavour. The article also advocates the need for a more thorough road mapping exercise of the STI efforts in chemistry across the spectrum of academia and industry and makes some recommendations towards forging strong collaborations in research between the universities, public research institutes and the industry which are seen as vital in providing cross-cutting chemical solutions throughout the value chains and to the success of technologies identified as critical to the nation.
Human activity has ‘very likely’ been the primary cause of global warming since the start of the Industrial Revolution (18th–19th century). As a new player in industrial transformation, Malaysia can choose to ignore the warnings of global warming. blame. This may not augur well. Release of greenhouse gases have been categorically linked to climate change and global warming. In her march towards industrialization, Malaysia too has contributed to the release of greenhouse gases. Apart from those arising from natural sources, the industrial sector in Malaysia also releases other types of gases such as the fluorocarbons. This is evident from the worsening air quality in some of our cities. (Copied from article).
Awareness and sensitivity on the subject of green technology are currently commanding the attention of the world in the light of rising energy costs and the threat of global warming. Many countries are now recognizing the benefits of researching into and using green technology to reduce their carbon and water footprints and to minimize waste. (Copied from article).
Through the six domains of the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) - physical, psychological, level of independence, social relationship, environment and spirituality or religion - ten out of one hundred randomly selected studies were analysed and evaluated as a theoretical outcome of self care using health products such as food supplements, multivitamins and minerals. A reconstructed HRQOL tool was used in the qualitative and the quantitative analysis and evaluation of the ten selected studies. A Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool was also used in making sense of the evidences of the study trials. The Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome guide focused the protocol for the selection of the studies used in this meta-analysis. A probability sampling generated a uniform distribution of the populations. The manner of consuming or the route of administration, the volume and the preparation of commercially prepared health products were neither analysed nor evaluated as the exclusion criteria. Of the ten studies, nine gave a high significance to the six domains of the (O.R. = 90% / p =