Using chemometrics in assessing Langat River water quality and designing a cost-effective water sampling strategy

Seasonally dependent water quality data of Langat River was investigated during the period of December 2001 – May 2002, when twenty-four monthly samples were collected from four different plots containing up to 17 stations. For each sample, sixteen physico-chemical parameters were measured in situ. Multivariate treatments using cluster analysis, principal component analysis and factorial design were employed, in which the data were characterised as a function of season and sampling site, thus enabling significant discriminating factors to be discovered. Cluster analysis study based on data which were characterised as a function of sampling sites showed that at a chord distance of 75.25 two clusters are formed. Cluster I consists of 6 samples while Cluster II consists of 18 samples. The sampling plots from which these samples were taken are readily identified and the two clusters are discussed in terms of data variability. In addition, varimax rotations of principal components, which result in varimax factors, were used in interpreting the sources of pollution within the area. The work demonstrates the importance of historical data, if they are available, in planning sampling strategies to achieve desired research objectives, as well as to highlight the possibility of determining the optimum number of sampling stations which in turn would reduce cost and time of sampling

Role of non-timber forest products in sustaining forest-based livelihoods and rural households' resilience capacity in and around protected area- a Bangladesh study

People in developing world derive a significant part of their livelihoods from various forest products, particularly non-timber forest products. This article attempts to explore the contribution of NTFPs in sustaining forest-based rural livelihood in and around a protected area of Bangladesh, and their potential role in enhancing households resilience capacity. Based on empirical investigation our study revealed that, local communities gather a substantial amount of NTFPs from national park despite the official restrictions. 27 percent households of the area received at least some cash benefit from the collection, processing and selling of NTFPs, and NTFPs contribute as HHs primary, supplementary and emergency sources of income. NTFPs also constituted an estimated 19 percent of HHs net annual income, and were the primary occupation for about 18 percent of the HHs. HHs dependency on nearby forests for various NTFPs varied vis-a-vis their socio-economic condition as well as with their location from the park. Based on our case study the article also offers some clues for improving the situation in PA.Comment: To appear in Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, 201

Phylogenetic analysis of human Tp53 gene using computational approach

The TP53 gene encoding p53 protein is involved in regulating a series of pathways. New discoveries about the function and control of p53 are still in progress and it is hoped to develop better therapeutics and diagnostics by exploiting this system. Evolutionary studies are of prime importance in the field of biological research since very long as provide the basis for comparative genomics. The sequence of Homo sapiens human TP53, transcript variant-1 mRNA sequence was retrieved from the NCBI in FASTAformat and was studied for its relationships and percent similarity within human and others species. Genetic variation among TP53 found in human beings and other organisms were studied in detail. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis of the human TP53, transcript variant-1 mRNA sequence through UPGMA was performed which showed its relationship and pattern of variations among different organisms. This study will help in modern research strategies through the manipulation of p53 as its pathways are emerging rapidly and one can predict its extensive clinical use in the near future for the human benefit worldwide.Key words: P53, tumour, cancer, phylogeny, sequence alignment

Study of the superconducting properties of the Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O system

High Temperature Superconductivity in the Bi-Ca-Sr-Cu-O System has been observed and has attracted considerable attention in 1988. The 80 K superconductivity phase has been identified to have a composition of Bi2CaSr2Cu2Ox, while the 110 K phase as reported in the literature has a possible composition of Bi2Ca2Sr2Cu3Ox. Researchers present here a study of the electrical properties of bulk samples of the slowly cooled and rapidly quenched 2:1:2:2 system. The samples used in this study were prepared from appropriate amounts of Bi2O3, CuO, SrCO3, CaCO3

Computational Study of Geometry, Solvation Free Energy, Dipole Moment, Polarizability, Hyperpolarizability and Molecular Properties of 2-Methylimidazole

Ab initio calculations were carried out to study the geometry, solvation free energy, dipole moment, molecular electrostatic potential (MESP), Mulliken and Natural charge distribution, polarizability, hyperpolarizability, Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) energetic and different molecular properties like global reactivity descriptors (chemical hardness, softness, chemical potential, electronegativity, electrophilicity index) of 2-methylimidazole. B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory was used to optimize the structure both in the gas phase and in solution. The solvation free energy, dipole moment and molecular properties were calculated by applying the Solvation Model on Density (SMD) in four solvent systems, namely water, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), n-octanol and chloroform. The computed bond distances, bond angles and dihedral angles of 2-methylimidazole agreed reasonably well with the experimental data except for C(2)-N(1), C(4)-C(5) and N(1)-H(7) bond lengths and N(1)-C(5)-C(4) bond angle. The solvation free energy, dipole moment, polarizability, first order hyperpolarizability, chemical potential, electronegativity and electrophilicity index of 2-methylimidazole increased on going from non-polar to polar solvents. Chemical hardness also increased with increasing polarity of the solvent and the opposite relation was found in the case of softness. These results provide better understanding of the stability and reactivity of 2-methylimidazole in different solvent systems

Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Drug Delivery

This review is focused essentially on the synthesis and applications of gold nanoparticles in the field of medicine and targeted drug delivery. Nanotechnology has become one of the most interesting and advanced areas of research in this field. Among nanoparticles, gold nanoparticles demonstrate special advantages in this field due to their unique properties, small size and high surface area-to-volume ratio. These particles have been widely used in various biomedical applications and drug delivery systems due to their inert nature, stability, high dispersity, non-cytotoxicity and biocompatibility.Keywords: Biosynthesis, Gold nanoparticles, Biomedical applications, Targeted drug delivery,Nanotechnology

Traceability for Model Driven, Software Product Line Engineering

Traceability is an important challenge for software organizations. This is true for traditional software development and even more so in new approaches that introduce more variety of artefacts such as Model Driven development or Software Product Lines. In this paper we look at some aspect of the interaction of Traceability, Model Driven development and Software Product Line

An Integrated Framework of Productivity Management /PIPs Through Conceptual QFD Modeling for High-Performance-Manufacturing Systems: 360o BSC Perspective

Business competitiveness is no longer a choice but a matter of survival in global market place. This competitiveness demands PIPS to be realigned and recalculated in the light of new culture of customer satisfaction and perceived quality. The employment of TQM, QFD and Balanced Scorecard coupled with high performance manufacturing concepts for exceeding customer expectations and business processes are the CSFs for design and architecture of current enhanced PIPs framework. The conceptual mapping of high performance manufacturing indices over a balanced score card scale has been conducted to redefine the direction of research work with a sole aim of earning competitiveness. The methodology radiated is the first step to manifest guidelines for planning performance based on TQM methodology for continuous improvement.The TQM and balanced-scorecard (BSC) technique is employed to predict performance expectations, voice of customers (VOC) and other set of balanced strategies into deliverable objectives. The proposed framework is expected to enhance the chance that a balanced management approach with the collaboration of all stakeholders will earn hyper efficiency and ultimately move towards the ultimate competitive advantage. The embedded smart Balanced Scorecard intelligence into design-schema is the key for futuristic development of performance improvement programs and a leap towards smart factory concept. Keywords: PIPs, TQM, QFD, Balanced Scorecard (BSC), TQM, VOC, CSFs, Customer Satisfaction, Customer Expectations, High Performance Manufacturing, smart factor