Speciation of some trace metals (Fe, Cu, and Cd) in El-Mex Bay waters, Alexandria, Egypt

Surface- and bottom-water samples were collected from October 1996 to August 1997 to study levels of iron, copper, and cadmium species in their dissolved labile as well as non-labile and particulate forms in the waters of El-Mex Bay. The results showed that the non-labile concentration of the metals was generally more abundant than that of the labile form: its content reached more than 90% of the total dissolved metal for Cu and more than 80% for Fe. The particulate form was almost at the level of the labile form. The annual concentration of the trace metals of the labile form was 13 µglˉ¹ for Fe; 3µglˉ¹ for Cu, and 1.2 µglˉ¹ for Cd in the surface- and bottom-waters

Communication Accommodation Process In Coping With Culture Shock Experienced By Mexican Students In Surakarta

Culture shock phenomenon is such a common case encountered by the foreign students who study in Indonesia especially Surakarta. A couple of factors, like new environment, customs and culture different from the native country are tangible challenges hard to be avoided. According to the newest research, the indicator of the foreign student’s success depends on the way the individual coping with the culture shock. To figure out on how the culture shock brings a significant impact to the foreign students, the causes, as well as the approaches in regard to the process of communication accommodation with an objective to resolve the phenomenon; the writer conducts a minor research involving three informants i.e. the Mexican students. The method applied to dig up information, arguably undemanding includes inquiring several questions or interviewing. The result of the interview eventually ends up in a catchy conclusion. Speaking of the factors leading to the culture shock, the communication matter (incapacity to understand Bahasa Indonesia), inability to interact with the people of Surakarta and the conservative point of views allow the students feel depressed and inconvenient. In short, there are three major solutions that include language approach, culture and art approach, and not to mention the mental and moral support from the close people especially friends from same country of origi

Integrated co-cultured bacterial strains capabilities to aqueous sulfide and chemical oxygen demand mitigation from high-strength petroleum refinery wastewater

The heterogeneous nature of petroleum refinery based wastewater (PRW) couple with the documented paucity of the classical physicochemical mitigation approaches were behind the quest for a cost-effective and ecofriendly alternative with minimum negative effects. The toxic and inhibitory substances contained in PRW have made its treatment strenuous using a simple pure culture. A novel integrated bacterial mixed culture (BMC), Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 49128) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 14579) with traceable imprints in biodegradation of high-strength PRW was proposed as a suitable alternative for sulfide oxidation and COD reduction with a potential alternative to classical physicochemical mitigation approaches. Comparative biodegradation potential of two acclaimed bacteria mixed-culture regimen was evaluated. The degree of inhibition cast was assessed based on the effectiveness of BMC to remove the targeted compounds (aqueous hydrogen sulfide and COD) within the assigned period of 8 hours hydraulic retention time (HRT). The PRW was found to contained initial concentration of 8,155 ppm COD, and 500 ppm sulfide, coupled with other refractory substances. The experiment was repeated batch-wise under defined optimal conditions of 0.25 L/min O2, the temperature of 30oC, agitation of 140 rpm at 8 hours retention time. The results obtained indicated 97.47±1.7 % (mg/L) COD reduction and 99.75±1.8 (ppm) sulfide removal efficiency (RE). In addition, the SEM analysis revealed further the potential of BMC to degrade sulfide from PRW to economically feasible elemental sulfur species, while EDXS demonstrated a proportionate elemental composition revealing appreciable sulfur content and high organic carbon accumulation. Despite the expected toxicity and inhibitory effect of the medium, an overwhelming biodegradation was achieved disproportionately, hence the model can be suggested for further research of repulsive wastewaters.Keywords: Biodegradation, petroleum refinery wastewater, mixed-culture, Batch cultur

The influence of outliers on a model for the estimation of crossbreeding parameters for weaning weight in a beef cattle herd

Data on 17348 weaning weight records from a beef cattle crossbreeding operation were used to determine the effect of outliers on regression coefficients. Different criteria were used for detecting potential influential points. Eliminating a small number (932 or 5.4%) influential points resulted in the improvement of the model fitted. The R2 values increased from 41% to 49% while the mean square error was reduced from 672.9 to 500.4. The use of diagnostic statistics for detecting influential observations is recommended before any analysis is performed. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol.32(3) 2002: 164-17

Experimental Analysis on Double Layer Kapton Material using Peltier Thermoelectric Device

Kapton is one of the flexible materials used in the development of microwave components for the telecommunications system. The electrical properties of Kapton are dependent on the material's temperature. In this study, this material will be heated, and the electrical properties of dielectric permittivity and loss tangent will be analyzed. This material heating process is done by using Peltier thermoelectric which is installed with Aluminium alloy. The 0 V up to 7 V DC voltage was supplied to the Peltier during the heating process. Then, the electrical properties of Kapton were measured by using a dielectric probe and vector network analyzer (VNA) at frequencies of 1 GHz to 9 GHz. The results obtained show the Kapton temperature was increased from 27oC to 41oC. Meanwhile, the dielectric permittivity also varied from 1.72 to 1.64 at the frequency of 5 GHz when 4 V was used. The maximum loss tangent value of 0.5 was observed when the maximum DC voltage of 7 V was applied. The knowledge of this experimental work can be used to design reconfigurable microwave components for smart system application

EFFECT OF PERMEABLE VESSEL CLOSURE AND GELLING AGENT ON REDUCTION OF HYPERHYDRICITY IN IN VITRO CULTURE OF CARNATION

Hyperhydricity, an abnormal morphological appearance and physiologicalfunction, is an important problem in carnation tissue culture. The problem causes premature flowering, high occurrence of abnormal shoots, difficulty in transferring hyperhydric plantlets to soil, and low survival rate of plantlets. High relative humidity and the water potential are considered as the key factors involved in the abnormality. Furthermore, permeable culture vessel and gelling agent were assured to be high potential treatment to eliminate it. Objective of this research was to reduce  hyperhydricity in regenerants of carnation using different permeable vessel closures and gelling agents and to assess the multiplication and  acclimatization abilities of recovered shoots. Experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications. First factor was different types of closure, i.e. cotton wool, plastic wrap, parafilm and aluminium foil, while second one was gelling agents, i.e. bacto agar, phytagel, swallow agar, and Type 900 agar. The recovered shoots were then multiplied, rooted, and acclimatized. The results showed that hyperhydricity was successfully reduced by applying permeable closure (cotton wool and plastic wrap) in combination with Type 900 agar. The combination of plastic wrap and Type 900 agar was the most appropriate treatment in reducing hyperhydricity and producing good quality shoots. The treatment reduced the problem down to 23% of total condition of hyperhydricity (100%) and increased leaf chlorophyll content from 0.0883 to 0.1288 mg mg-1. The plastic wrap was easily applied and cheaper material compared to cotton wool. The recovered shoots were able to produce 1-3 healthy axillary shoots and easily rooted on half-strength MS. The recovered plantlets were simply acclimatized with survival rate up to 100% on kossas peat + soil (1:1, v/v) and flowered 4-5 months after acclimatization with decreasing in number and size of flower

Understanding Malaysian English (Manglish) jargon in social media

The advent of the internet, mobile communication and media has created a new form of language such as Slang, Emoticons, Hashtag and Abbreviation as well as a combination of several languages in one word. Some go to the extent of localizing foreign language. In Malaysia, a new trend of using social media language is called Manglish, a mix language of Malay and English words that are popularized by social media users. Based on initial findings, the use of Malaysian English (Manglish) jargon can lead to confusion and miscommunication between social media users of different generations. Even though there are various translation software available, no online Manglish Jargon translator is available at present. Therefore, this work proposes the development of Manglish Jargon Translator that will reduce the miscommunication gap between social media users of all ages. Interview and survey instruments were conducted to capture user requirement and as part of the Manglish Jargon validation process.  As a result, the Manglish Jargon translator was developed to further clarify Manglish Jargon terms, actual words, meanings and definitions.Keywords: Manglish, jargon, communication, social media, Malaysia

Kapton Based Antenna Simulation Analysis for Smart System

This paper describes the analysis of Kapton material in antenna design for telecommunication systems. Kapton is usually used in the design of radio and microwave frequency antenna. It is a flexible material and with different dielectric value. The antenna is made of a Kapton substrate, a patch and copper (FR4). The dielectric characteristics of Kapton substrate changes according to temperature. The simulation result shows that the bandwidth of the antenna increased up to 10 MHz with a second layer of Kapton substrate. While the antenna gain decreased 1.19 dB when the dielectric value is increased. Computer Simulation Technology (CST) software was used to analyse the antenna’s  performance

Genetic and phenotypic variation of some reproductive traits in Egyptian buffalo

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of season, year of calving and parity on lactation period, calving interval, number of days open and dry period in Egyptian buffalo, and to estimate genetic and phenotypic parameters for these traits using a multi-trait animal model. Season of calving, year of calving and parity affected the traits studied. Heritability estimates for lactation period, calving interval, dry period and number of days open were 0.09, 0.07, 0.13 and 0.08 respectively and repeatability estimates were 0.27, 0.14, 0.27 and 0.19 respectively. Estimates of the permanent environmental component (c2) were low. Genetic correlations between these traits were low and positive, except for that between lactation period and dry period, which was negative. A similar pattern was observed for phenotypic correlations, but these were higher than those observed for genetic correlations. South African Journal of Animal Science, Vol 31, Issue 3, Oct – Dec (2001) pp.195-199 Key Words Buffalo, Calving interval, Days open, Dry period, Heritabilit