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Fulltext A novel state space reduction algorithm for team formation in social networks

Rehman MZ, Zamli KZ, Almutairi M, Chiroma H, Aamir M, Kader MA, et al.

PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0259786.
PMID: 34855771 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259786

Team formation (TF) in social networks exploits graphs (i.e., vertices = experts and edges = skills) to represent a possible collaboration between the experts. These networks lead us towards building cost-effective research teams irrespective of the geolocation of the experts and the size of the dataset. Previously, large datasets were not closely inspected for the large-scale distributions & relationships among the researchers, resulting in the algorithms failing to scale well on the data. Therefore, this paper presents a novel TF algorithm for expert team formation called SSR-TF based on two metrics; communication cost and graph reduction, that will become a basis for future TF's. In SSR-TF, communication cost finds the possibility of collaboration between researchers. The graph reduction scales the large data to only appropriate skills and the experts, resulting in real-time extraction of experts for collaboration. This approach is tested on five organic and benchmark datasets, i.e., UMP, DBLP, ACM, IMDB, and Bibsonomy. The SSR-TF algorithm is able to build cost-effective teams with the most appropriate experts-resulting in the formation of more communicative teams with high expertise levels.
Fulltext Knowledge management process, knowledge based innovation: Does academic researcher's productivity mediate during the pandemic of covid-19?

Rehman FU, Ismail H, Al Ghazali BM, Asad MM, Shahbaz MS, Zeb A

PLoS One, 2021;16(12):e0261573.
PMID: 34937055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261573

Drucker's knowledge-worker productivity theory and knowledge-based view of the firm theory are widely employed in many disciplines but there is little application of these theories in knowledge-based innovation among academic researchers. Therefore, this study intends to evaluate the effects of the knowledge management process on knowledge-based innovation alongside with mediating role of Malaysian academic researchers' productivity during the Pandemic of COVID-19. Using a random sampling technique, data was collected from 382 academic researchers. Questionnaires were self-administered and data was analyzed via Smart PLS-SEM. Knowledge management process and knowledge workers' productivity have a positive and significant relationship with the knowledge-based innovation among academic researchers during the Pandemic of COVID-19. In addition, knowledge workers' productivity mediates the relationship between the knowledge management process (knowledge creation, knowledge acquisition, knowledge sharing, and knowledge utilization) and knowledge-based innovation during the Pandemic of COVID-19. Results have also directed knowledge sharing as the key factor in knowledge-based innovation and a stimulating task for management discipline around the world during the Pandemic of COVID-19. This study provides interesting insights on Malaysian academic researchers' productivity by evaluating the effects of knowledge creation, acquisition, sharing, and application on the knowledge-based innovation among academic researchers during the Pandemic of COVID-19. These useful insights would enable policymakers to develop more influential educational strategies. By assimilating the literature of defined variables, the main contribution of this study is the evaluation of knowledge creation, acquisition, sharing, and utilization into knowledge-based innovation alongside the mediating role of knowledge workers productivity in the higher education sector of Malaysia during the Pandemic of COVID-19.
On the discrimination between facial creams of different brands using Raman Spectroscopy and partial least squares discriminant analysis for forensic application

Asri MNM, Verma R, Ibrahim MH, Nor NAM, Sharma V, Ismail D

Sci Justice, 2021 Nov;61(6):687-696.
PMID: 34802642 DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2021.08.006

Determining the origin of cosmetic traces is an important aspect of forensic investigations, that helps linking a suspect to a crime. Such type of evidence can help further narrow down the undergoing investigations. This paper reports the first use of Raman Spectroscopy (RS) coupled with the exploratory principal component analysis (PCA) and supervised partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) in facial creams. 40 facial cream samples of 8 different brands were studied in this work. Preliminary assessments through visual inspection of their Raman spectra revealed the presence of oxides, titanium dioxide, castor seed oil, and beeswax. Also, the peaks of alkyne groups were indicative of the presence of talc or mica compounds. The exploratory PCA correctly segregated the samples into 8 clusters and the supervised PLS-DA model correctly classified them into 8 classes. Further evaluation of the performance of the trained PLS-DA model resulted in perfect classification shown by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The PLS-DA model also resulted in 100% accuracy of correctly assigning the brand on the face wipes on each of the five substrates viz. cotton, dry and wet tissue paper, nylon substrate, and polyester. This validation was done treating these samples as unknowns. The study has a potential for use under actual forensic casework conditions.
Psychometric properties of the Urdu version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI) and oral health-related quality of life in the elder Pakistani population

Chaudhary FA, Siddiqui YD, Yaqoob MA, Khalid MD, Butt DQ, Hameed S

Gerodontology, 2021 Dec;38(4):366-372.
PMID: 33403694 DOI: 10.1111/ger.12531

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to translate the English version of the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index, assess its reliability and validity, and demonstrate its psychometric properties with regard to OHRQoL in the elder Pakistani population.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 408 elder people were randomly recruited from three day-care centres. In the translation process, the translated Urdu version was reviewed by a committee of experts, followed by back-translation into English and re-reviewed by the same committee of experts. The questionnaire sought information about socio-demographic characteristics information and self-perception of oral, general health and treatment needs. OHRQoL was examined using GOHAI-U, and intraoral examination recorded the decayed, missing, and filled teeth. Reliability, internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity of GOHAI-U were examined.
RESULTS: The mean GOHAI-U score was 40.2 (SD = 5.7, range = 20-55). The Cronbach's alpha for GOHAI score was 0.71, item-scale correlation coefficients ranged from 0.63 to 0.76, and test-retest correlation ranged from 0.59 to 0.74. Three factors supported the theoretical construction in the component factor analysis of the index. For convergent validity, there was a significant relationship between the GOHAI score and self-perceived oral, general health and treatment needs (P
Synthesis, β-glucuronidase inhibition and molecular docking studies of cyano-substituted bisindole hydrazone hybrids

Abid O, Imran S, Taha M, Ismail NH, Jamil W, Kashif SM, et al.

Mol Divers, 2021 May;25(2):995-1009.
PMID: 32301032 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-020-10084-4

The β-glucuronidase, a lysosomal enzyme, catalyzes the cleavage of glucuronosyl-O-bonds. Its inhibitors play a significant role in different medicinal therapies as they cause a decrease in carcinogen-induced colonic tumors by reducing the level of toxic substances present in the intestine. Among those inhibitors, bisindole derivatives had displayed promising β-glucuronidase inhibition activity. In the current study, hydrazone derivatives of bisindolymethane (1-30) were synthesized and evaluated for in vitro β-glucuronidase inhibitory activity. Twenty-eight analogs demonstrated better activity (IC50 = 0.50-46.5 µM) than standard D-saccharic acid 1,4-lactone (IC50 = 48.4 ± 1.25 µM). Compounds with hydroxyl group like 6 (0.60 ± 0.01 µM), 20 (1.50 ± 0.10 µM) and 25 (0.50 ± 0.01 µM) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity, followed by analogs with fluorine 21 (3.50 ± 0.10 µM) and chlorine 23 (8.20 ± 0.20 µM) substituents. The presence of hydroxyl group at the aromatic side chain was observed as the main contributing factor in the inhibitory potential. From the docking studies, it was predicted that the active compounds can fit properly in the binding groove of the β-glucuronidase and displayed significant binding interactions with essential residues.
Fulltext Predicting the Ultimate Axial Capacity of Uniaxially Loaded CFST Columns Using Multiphysics Artificial Intelligence

Khan S, Ali Khan M, Zafar A, Javed MF, Aslam F, Musarat MA, et al.

Materials (Basel), 2021 Dec 22;15(1).
PMID: 35009186 DOI: 10.3390/ma15010039

The object of this research is concrete-filled steel tubes (CFST). The article aimed to develop a prediction Multiphysics model for the circular CFST column by using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN), the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and the Gene Expression Program (GEP). The database for this study contains 1667 datapoints in which 702 are short CFST columns and 965 are long CFST columns. The input parameters are the geometric dimensions of the structural elements of the column and the mechanical properties of materials. The target parameters are the bearing capacity of columns, which determines their life cycle. A Multiphysics model was developed, and various statistical checks were applied using the three artificial intelligence techniques mentioned above. Parametric and sensitivity analyses were also performed on both short and long GEP models. The overall performance of the GEP model was better than the ANN and ANFIS models, and the prediction values of the GEP model were near actual values. The PI of the predicted Nst by GEP, ANN and ANFIS for training are 0.0416, 0.1423, and 0.1016, respectively, and for Nlg these values are 0.1169, 0.2990 and 0.1542, respectively. Corresponding OF values are 0.2300, 0.1200, and 0.090 for Nst, and 0.1000, 0.2700, and 0.1500 for Nlg. The superiority of the GEP method to the other techniques can be seen from the fact that the GEP technique provides suitable connections based on practical experimental work and does not rely on prior solutions. It is concluded that the GEP model can be used to predict the bearing capacity of circular CFST columns to avoid any laborious and time-consuming experimental work. It is also recommended that further research should be performed on the data to develop a prediction equation using other techniques such as Random Forest Regression and Multi Expression Program.
Fulltext Pattern of medication utilization in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in three District Headquarters Hospitals in the Punjab province of Pakistan

Mustafa ZU, Kow CS, Salman M, Kanwal M, Riaz MB, Parveen S, et al.

Explor Res Clin Soc Pharm, 2022 Mar;5:100101.
PMID: 34977851 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2021.100101

Purpose: In Pakistan, a wide range of repurposed drugs are recommended to manage hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Therefore, the current study was conducted to evaluate the pattern of utilization of repurposed drugs and other potential therapeutic options among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in Pakistan.
Methods: This retrospective, multicenter, descriptive study enrolled consecutive hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who were admitted between March 1, 2021, and April 30, 2021, from three District Headquarter Hospitals in the Punjab province of Pakistan. We described patient and clinical characteristics and medications, stratified by COVID-19 severity during hospitalization: mild, moderate, and severe. In addition, an analytical study of drug utilization was conducted.
Findings: A total of 444 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were included. Remdesvir, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and antithrombotics were administered to 45.0%, 93.9%, 84.9%, and 60.1% of patients, respectively. Specifically, dexamethasone was the most commonly used corticosteroid among the included patients (n = 405; 91.2%), irrespective of their clinical severity. Only 60.1% of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in our cohort received antithrombotic therapy, and the prevalence of use was especially low (27.8%) in patients with mild illness. Of 444 patientsscreened, 399 (89.9%) patients had been discharged, and 45 patients (10.1%) died.
Implications: We provided an important glimpse into the utilization patterns of several medications of interest for the treatment of COVID-19 in Pakistan, which had not been entirely evidence-based, especially concerning systemic corticosteroids and antibiotics.
Fulltext An Intelligent Proposed Model for Task Offloading in Fog-Cloud Collaboration Using Logistics Regression

Bukhari MM, Ghazal TM, Abbas S, Khan MA, Farooq U, Wahbah H, et al.

Comput Intell Neurosci, 2022;2022:3606068.
PMID: 35126487 DOI: 10.1155/2022/3606068

Smart applications and intelligent systems are being developed that are self-reliant, adaptive, and knowledge-based in nature. Emergency and disaster management, aerospace, healthcare, IoT, and mobile applications, among them, revolutionize the world of computing. Applications with a large number of growing devices have transformed the current design of centralized cloud impractical. Despite the use of 5G technology, delay-sensitive applications and cloud cannot go parallel due to exceeding threshold values of certain parameters like latency, bandwidth, response time, etc. Middleware proves to be a better solution to cope up with these issues while satisfying the high requirements task offloading standards. Fog computing is recommended middleware in this research article in view of the fact that it provides the services to the edge of the network; delay-sensitive applications can be entertained effectively. On the contrary, fog nodes contain a limited set of resources that may not process all tasks, especially of computation-intensive applications. Additionally, fog is not the replacement of the cloud, rather supplement to the cloud, both behave like counterparts and offer their services correspondingly to compliance the task needs but fog computing has relatively closer proximity to the devices comparatively cloud. The problem arises when a decision needs to take what is to be offloaded: data, computation, or application, and more specifically where to offload: either fog or cloud and how much to offload. Fog-cloud collaboration is stochastic in terms of task-related attributes like task size, duration, arrival rate, and required resources. Dynamic task offloading becomes crucial in order to utilize the resources at fog and cloud to improve QoS. Since this formation of task offloading policy is a bit complex in nature, this problem is addressed in the research article and proposes an intelligent task offloading model. Simulation results demonstrate the authenticity of the proposed logistic regression model acquiring 86% accuracy compared to other algorithms and confidence in the predictive task offloading policy by making sure process consistency and reliability.
Occupational health and safety issues in the informal economic segment of Pakistan: a survey of construction sites

Ahmed I, Shaukat MZ, Usman A, Nawaz MM, Nazir MS

Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2018 Jun;24(2):240-250.
PMID: 28795938 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1366145

This research covers the current status of occupational health and safety (OHS)-related practices in the informal construction segment of Pakistan. Data were collected, through interviews, from 316 construction sites employing 3577 workers. The results of the study reveal that both employers and workers lack knowledge of OHS laws/standards and no practices of this nature are enacted at these construction sites. Alarmingly, work-related accidents, whenever they happen, are not given due attention and there is no formal injury-report system. The informal construction industry employs a huge portion of the informal workforce, and lack of OHS happens at tremendous human cost. These research findings may thus play their role in strengthening the case for reforms in the sector. This study, if properly utilized, may also enable employers of the sector by increasing their knowledge about OHS practices and, as a result, trying to offer safer environments for their workers.
Intercellular uptake of technetium-99M pertechnetate by different types of cell lines

Safri Zainal Abidin, Raizulnasuha Abdul Rashid, Muhammad Afiq Khairil Anuar, Wan Nordiana A. Abd Rahman

Journal of Nuclear and Related Technologies, 2015;12(2):33-37.
MyJurnal

The purpose of this study is to determine the technetium-99m pertechnetate (99mTcO4) intercellular uptake by different types of cell lines. HeLa, human fetal
osteoblast (hFOB), glial and glioma cell lines grown in 6-wells culture plates were incubated with 99mTcO4 of activity of 200, 400, 600. 800 and 1000
pCi for 30 minutes at 3T°C and 5% ( '< - humidified atmosphere. After incubation, the cells were washed 3 times with phosphate buffer saline to remove the
extracellular traces of 99mTcO4. Measurements of the intercellular Q9mTcOjt radioactivity were performed using single head gamma
camera and the percentage uptake of the yUwTcGpinto the cells was calculated. The intercellular uptake
0fyUmTcO_( was found to be inversely correlate to the radioactivity HeLa cell shows the highest uptake
followed by hFOB, glial and glioma cell lines. Comparison of uptake between normal and cancer cells
present indistinguishable results. The findings of this study suggest that the intercellular uptake of
yymTcOjt is highly dependent on the type of cells despite no significant different of uptake was found
between normal and cancer cell lines. The level of radioactivity is also an important determinant
factor that influence the uptake ofyUmTcG) into the cells. This study will be the first precedent toward
understanding the cellular characteristic and pharmacokinetic of non-invasive imaging tracer for
future molecular imaging and therapy.
Occupational safety and health management in the construction industry: a review

Jaafar MH, Arifin K, Aiyub K, Razman MR, Ishak MIS, Samsurijan MS

Int J Occup Saf Ergon, 2018 Dec;24(4):493-506.
PMID: 28849991 DOI: 10.1080/10803548.2017.1366129

The construction industry plays a significant role in contributing to the economy and development globally. During the process of construction, various hazards coupled with the unique nature of the industry contribute to high fatality rates. This review refers to previous published studies and related Malaysian legislation documents. Four main elements consisting of human, worksite, management and external elements which cause occupational accidents and illnesses were identified. External and management elements are the underlying causes contributing to occupational safety and health (OSH), while human and worksite elements are more apparent causes of occupational accidents and illnesses. An effective OSH management approach is required to contain all hazards at construction sites. An approach to OSH management constructed by elements of policy, process, personnel and incentive developed in previous work is explored. Changes to the sub-elements according to previous studies and the related Malaysian legislation are also covered in this review.
Fulltext Evaluation of the functional properties of mung bean protein isolate for development of textured vegetable protein

Brishti, F.H., Zarei, M., Muhammad, S.K.S., Ismail-Fitry, M.R., Shukri, R., Saari, N.

International Food Research Journal, 2017;24(4):1595-1605.
MyJurnal

Mung bean is considered a ‘green pearl’ for its relatively high protein content; however, it has limited application as a raw material for industrial food products. As the potential use of mung beans relies on its protein behavior, this study characterized the functional properties of mung bean protein isolates and the results were compared with soy protein isolates. The protein isolates were prepared from mung bean and soy bean flours via extraction with 1 N NaOH, precipitated at pH 4, and subsequently freeze-dried. The amino acid profile as well as the hydrophilic and hydrophobic ratio of mung bean protein isolate, had been comparable with soy protein isolate. The water and oil absorption capacities as well as the denaturation temperature of mung bean protein isolate, were found to be similar with those of soy bean protein isolate. However, foaming capacity (89.66%) of mung bean protein isolate was higher than that of soy protein isolate (68.66%). Besides, least gelation concentration (LGC) of mung bean protein isolate (12%) was also close to LGC of soy protein isolate (14%), while the protein solubility was comparable between both the isolated proteins. The physical features of the textured mung bean were close to the commercial textured soy protein, which showed a heterogeneous and porous network like matrix when the mung bean flour was extruded to measure its potentiality to produce textured vegetable protein.all seaweed extracts. Results showed that extraction parameters had significant effect (p < 0.05) on the antioxidant compounds and antioxidant capacities of seaweed. Sargassum polycystum portrayed the most antioxidant compounds (37.41 ± 0.01 mg GAE/g DW and 4.54 ± 0.02 mg CE/g DW) and capacities (2.00 ± 0.01 μmol TEAC/g DW and 0.84 ± 0.01 μmol TEAC/g DW) amongst four species of seaweed.
Fulltext Study of Cationic and Nonionic Mixed Micelles with NaBr and 3,5-Cl2C6H3CO2Na by Use of Probe Nucleophilic Reaction of Piperidine with Ionized Phenyl Salicylate

Fagge II, Khalid K, Noh MAM, Yusof NSM, Zain SM, Khan MN

J Oleo Sci, 2018 Jan 01;67(1):55-66.
PMID: 29238023 DOI: 10.5650/jos.ess17033

Behaviors of cationic and nonionic mixed micelles in the form of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDABr) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide-Polyethylene glycol hexadecyl ether (C16E20), in the presence of inert salts (NaBr and 3,5-dichlorosodium benzoate), by the use of reaction probe between Pp and ionized PhSH (Pp = piperidine and PhSH = phenyl salicylate), has been reported in this work. The values of RXBr (RXBr denotes ion exchange constants obtained in the presence of micelles of different structural features) or KXBr (KXBr denotes ion exchange constants obtained in the presence of micelles of the same structural features) for 3,5-Cl2C6H3CO2- were almost the same at three different [HDABr]T (0.006, 0.010 and 0.015 M). The average value of RXBr or KXBr determined, in the presence of pure HDABr micelles, using semi empirical kinetic (SEK) method appeared to be almost 2½-fold larger (RXBr or KXBr = 198) than that in the presence of mixed HDABr-C16E20 micelles (RXBr or KXBr = 78). Rheological measurements indicated the existence of wormlike/twisted micelles and vesicle at 0.015 M pure HDABr, various [3,5-Cl2C6H3CO2Na], and 25 and 35℃ whereas there were evidence of only spherical micelles in the presence of mixed HDABr-C16E20 ([HDABr]T = 0.015 M and [C16E20]T = 0.006 M) at both temperatures.
Silver nanoparticle conjugation affects antiacanthamoebic activities of amphotericin B, nystatin, and fluconazole

Anwar A, Siddiqui R, Hussain MA, Ahmed D, Shah MR, Khan NA

Parasitol Res, 2018 Jan;117(1):265-271.
PMID: 29218442 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-017-5701-x

Infectious diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality, killing more than 15 million people worldwide. This is despite our advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy and supportive care. Nanoparticles offer a promising technology to enhance drug efficacy and formation of effective vehicles for drug delivery. Here, we conjugated amphotericin B, nystatin (macrocyclic polyenes), and fluconazole (azole) with silver nanoparticles. Silver-conjugated drugs were synthesized successfully and characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Conjugated and unconjugated drugs were tested against Acanthamoeba castellanii belonging to the T4 genotype using amoebicidal assay and host cell cytotoxicity assay. Viability assays revealed that silver nanoparticles conjugated with amphotericin B (Amp-AgNPs) and nystatin (Nys-AgNPs) exhibited significant antiamoebic properties compared with drugs alone or AgNPs alone (P
Fulltext Isolation and characterisation of filamentous fungi from animal agricultural farm soil

Muhammad Shukri Senwan, Muhd Fauzi Safia, Zainon Mohd Noor, Zaidah Zainal Ariffin

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(104):19-28.
MyJurnal

Aspergillus sp. is an extremely resilient species that can be found everywhere in the environment and
is present abundantly in water and soil. The defining characteristic of Aspergillus sp. is their extensive
hyphal network which enable them to survive anywhere, even in very harsh conditions. This study was
carried out to isolate the filamentous fungi from peat soil of animal agricultural farm and characterise
them based on their morphological and molecular characteristics. Growth rate of each isolated fungi was
also evaluated in order to determine the period of maturity for each fungi. Soil samples were collected,
weighed and then dissolved in sterile distilled water. The samples were serially diluted and spread
onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) for isolation. Different isolated colonies that were morphologically
different from each plate was purified and sub-cultured onto new media for macroscopic and microscopic
identifications. For molecular identification, a conventional technique was used in genomic DNA
extraction of filamentous fungi due to their thick cell wall and presence of surface proteins protecting the
fungus. These characteristics make it difficult to harvest the genomic DNA. Polymerase chain reaction
(PCR) was carried out using internal transcribed spacer primers; ITS1 (forward) and ITS4 (reverse).
The morphological identification and molecular
technique showed that majority of these isolated
fungi are Aspergillus sp.
Fulltext Consumers’ demand and willingness to pay for rice attributes in Malaysia

Ahmad Hanis, I.A.H., Jinap, S, Mad Nasir, S., Alias, R., Muhammad Shahrim, A.K.

International Food Research Journal, 2012;19(1):363-369.
MyJurnal

The growth of the Malaysian’s per capita income has generally empowered consumers to have more choices for food, more purchasing power, health consciousness and demand for more nutritional values of their food intake. Motivated by the changes in Malaysian consumer’s food choice, a conjoint analysis was performed to investigate Malaysian consumers’ demand for rice attributes and how much consumers are willing to pay for the demanded attribute. A conjoint analysis is a method used in identifying and understanding the combined effects of product attributes on preferences for a product or service. In conjoint analysis, utility is the conceptual basis for assessing the value of a product or service, where individuals make decisions between bundles of products based on their budget constraints. The findings suggested that the most important attribute for rice was food safety, followed by taste and size of grain. Consumers were also willing to pay premium prices for the demanded attributes. The findings would have positive implications for the agrifood industry if it responds effectively to translate into business opportunities to these changes.
Fulltext Different germanium dopant concentration and the thermoluminescence characteristics of flat Ge-doped optical fibres

Muhammad Safwan Ahmad Fadzil, Noramaliza Mohd Noor, Ung, Ngie Min, David Andrew Bradley

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(1):327-336.
MyJurnal

The influence of elevated germanium concentration on the thermoluminesence characteristics of a novel
form of fabricated flat optical fibre was examined. All the samples were irradiated with two nominal
photon energies (6 MV and 10 MV) and 1.25 MeV gamma energy. Flat fibres with 10 mol % Ge
concentration provided the superior TL yield compared against that of 6 and 8 mol % Ge-doped optical
fibres for both 6 MV and 10 MV energy. Interpretation of the results has been aided by study of the glow
curves, revealing in particular new generation of defects in the flat fibres due to strain-generation at the
collapsed surfaces. The strain represent deep-energy defects.
Evaluating the Potential of Oleaginous Yeasts as Feedstock for Biodiesel Production

Mukhtar H, Suliman SM, Shabbir A, Mumtaz MW, Rashid U, Rahimuddin SA

Protein Pept Lett, 2018;25(2):195-201.
PMID: 29359654 DOI: 10.2174/0929866525666180122112805

BACKGROUND: Lipid-producing microorganisms, said to be oleaginous have been recognized since several years. We had investigated the effects of medium components and culturing situations on cell growth and lipid accumulation of oleaginous yeasts which were analytically examined so as to enhance lipid yield for biodiesel production.
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to explore oleaginous yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica isolated from soil and optimization of culture conditions and medium components to obtained better quality microbial oil for biodiesel production.
METHODS: Fifty yeast strains were isolated from soil from different regions of Lahore and eleven of them were selected for oil production. The isolated yeast colonies were screened to further check their lipid producing capabilities by the qualitative analysis. Five yeast strains were designated as oleaginous because they produced more than 16% of oil based on their biomass. To estimate the total lipid content of yeast cells, the extraction of lipids was done by performing the procedure proposed by Bligh and Dyer. The transesterification of yeast oils was performed by using different methods. There were three different strategies customized to transesterifying microbial oil using base catalyzed transesterification, acid catalyzed transesterification and enzyme-based transesterification. After completion of transesterification, sample was used for fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were analyzed by gas-chromatograph with ionization detector type MS.
RESULTS: The isolate IIB-10 identified as Yarrowia lipolytica produced maximum amount of lipids i.e. 22.8%. More amount of biomass was obtained when cane molasses was utilized as carbon source where it produced 29.4 g/L of biomass while sucrose and lactose were not utilized by IIB-10 and no biomass was obtained. Similarly, meat extracts showed best results when it was used as nitrogen source because it resulted in 35.8 g/L biomass of Yarrowia lipolytica IIB-10. The culturing conditions like size of inoculum, effect of pH and time of incubation were also studied. The 10% of inoculum size produced 25.4 g/L biomass at 120 h incubation time, while the pH 7 was the optimum pH at which 24.8 g/L biomass was produced by Yarrowia lipolytica IIB-10. GC-MS analysis showed that biodiesel produced by transesterification contained similar fatty acids as found in vegetable oil for this reason it is widely accepted feedstock for biodiesel production.
CONCLUSION: The analysis of fatty acids methyl esters showed the similar composition of microbial oil as in vegetable oils and high amount of methyl esters were obtained after transesterification. Therefore, potentially oleaginous yeast could be used to generate a large amount of lipids for biodiesel production that will be the better substitute of petroleum-based diesel and will also control the environmental pollution.
Dental age estimation employing CBCT scans enhanced with Mimics software: Comparison of two different approaches using pulp/tooth volumetric analysis

Asif MK, Nambiar P, Mani SA, Ibrahim NB, Khan IM, Sukumaran P

J Forensic Leg Med, 2018 Feb;54:53-61.
PMID: 29324319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2017.12.010

The methods of dental age estimation and identification of unknown deceased individuals are evolving with the introduction of advanced innovative imaging technologies in forensic investigations. However, assessing small structures like root canal volumes can be challenging in spite of using highly advanced technology. The aim of the study was to investigate which amongst the two methods of volumetric analysis of maxillary central incisors displayed higher strength of correlation between chronological age and pulp/tooth volume ratio for Malaysian adults. Volumetric analysis of pulp cavity/tooth ratio was employed in Method 1 and pulp chamber/crown ratio (up to cemento-enamel junction) was analysed in Method 2. The images were acquired employing CBCT scans and enhanced by manipulating them with the Mimics software. These scans belonged to 56 males and 54 females and their ages ranged from 16 to 65 years. Pearson correlation and regression analysis indicated that both methods used for volumetric measurements had strong correlation between chronological age and pulp/tooth volume ratio. However, Method 2 gave higher coefficient of determination value (R2 = 0.78) when compared to Method 1 (R2 = 0.64). Moreover, manipulation in Method 2 was less time consuming and revealed higher inter-examiner reliability (0.982) as no manual intervention during 'multiple slice editing phase' of the software was required. In conclusion, this study showed that volumetric analysis of pulp cavity/tooth ratio is a valuable gender independent technique and the Method 2 regression equation should be recommended for dental age estimation.
Fulltext Anaerobic batch digestion of cattle manure under various oscillatory flow mixing

Ismail, Muhammad Nasir, Tinia Idaty, Mohd Ghazi, Rozita, Omar, Wan Azlina, Wan Abd Karim Ghani

Pertanika Journal of Science & Technology, 2017;25(1):161-170.
MyJurnal

The feasibility of an anaerobic digestion of cattle manure for biogas production is studied in this paper.
A batch thermophilic oscillatory flow anaerobic bioreactor (OFBR) operated in thermophilic (55o
C)
condition was used. Within the experimental conditions set in this study, the effect of mixing intensity on
volatile solids removal was found out to be significant. Results demonstrated that increasing the level of
mixing decreased the digester performance. Low intensity mixing at oscillatory Reynolds number (Reo)
of 100 achieved an increase of 37% in biogas yields compared to high mixing intensity, Reo of 500. It
was observed that the mixing intensity effect interacts with the methane composition in the biogas. The
benefit of decreasing mixing intensity emerges to significantly increase the methane composition in the
biogas. These experiments established that high intensity mixing was not essential for good performance
of oscillatory flow anaerobic bioreactor. In addition, the effect of mixing intensity might be reduced
through the use of a slightly lower total solid concentration, hence, lowering the operational cost of the
process. Although the study was lab scale a pilot-scale system where mixing retention times are longer
would be useful.

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