3D-Printed Fluidic Devices and Incorporated Graphite Electrodes for Electrochemical Immunoassay of Biomarker Proteins

Biomarkers are measurable indicators of health status or disease state that can be used for diagnosis and may help guide patient treatment strategies. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and other many clinical techniques currently used for measuring biomarker proteins lack sensitivity, demand high analysis cost, are often not well-suited for measuring multiple biomarkers in a single sample, and require long analysis times. Here, we demonstrate simple, low-cost 3D-printed flow-through devices with integrated electrodes modified with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for electrochemical immunoassays of S100B, a biomarker protein related to conditions like skin cancer and brain injuries. Flow-through devices are fabricated from photocurable-resin using a desktop digital light processing (DLP) projector-based 3D printer to produce 500-800 µm square cross-sectional fluidic channels. Threaded ports at the ends and center of the channel are included in the device design for connecting commercially available fittings for fluid delivery and integrating low-cost graphite electrodes for electrochemical biosensing

Training Needs of Secondary School Mathematics Teachers in the Yemen Republic

There is a need to conduct a research on identifying the training needs, which is considered one of the most essential components of a staff development programme. The present status of planning in-service training programmes and workshops for Mathematics teachers in Yemen lacks appropriate methodology and a systematic and comprehensive assessment of the trainees' needs. In addition, no attention has been paid to systematically identify in-service needs for Mathematics teachers of secondary schools in Yemen. The purpose of this study was to identify the training needs of secondary schools Mathematics teachers in two urban cities Sana'a and Amran. The study focused on training needs as perceived by secondary school Mathematics teachers, supervisors and school administrators and identified the teachers' current practices of Mathematics teaching in secondary schools.The sample of the study was a sample six hundred and twelve consisting of 389 Mathematics teachers, 34 supervisors and 189 school administrators using a stratified random sampling technique. To obtain the data two instruments were used: (i) the new questionnaire was designed by the researcher. The questionnaire classified in-service training needs (59 items) into five categories which include: implementing of Mathematics instruction, planning of Mathematics instruction, evaluation of students in Mathematics instruction, diagnosing students7 needs in Mathematics instruction and classroom management. (ii) The observation instrument was modified and developed by Shian Leou (1998) which consisted of 35 items covering four domains, teaching skills, material organization and presentation, management of the learning environment and teaching attitudes. The observation was conducted among 30 secondary school Mathematics teachers in the classes and a video camera was used to record the lessons. Data were analyzed using the SPSS computer programme. The means, standard deviations, frequency and percentages were computed for the criteria indicators and independent one-way ANOVA and t-test were computed to determine significant differences between the means of the groups. The findings of the study revqaled that all the training needs represented necessary needs for Mathematics teachers in secondary schools and the teacher's current practice of Mathematics teaching was generally weak. These findings indicated highest needs in implementing of Mathematics instruction, followed by planning of Mathematics instruction, evaluation of students in Mathematics instruction, diagnosing students' needs in Mathematics instruction and classroom management. The One-way ANOVA revealed that there are no significant differences in perceptions of training needs between teachers, supervisors and school administrators in all domains. As for the variable of experience, a significant difference was found in the domains of classroom management and evaluation of students in Mathematics instruction. The effect of the t-test showed that there is no significant difference between male and female teachers in all domains. However, a significant difference was found between a variable of with educational and without educational background in the domain of evaluation of students in Mathematics instruction. The results of this study were consistent with previous findings in other specialization studies; therefore, it is recommended that a future study should do a comparative study on the training needs among Mathematics teachers in secondary schools and primary schools. A future replication of this study with comparison with other countries is necessary

Effects of enzyme cocktails on in vitro digestibility of palm kernel cake

The variable nature of crude fibre and the difference in the profile of exogenous enzymes have necessitated the need to investigate the effects of enzyme cocktail on some high fibre feed stuffs. Whether enzyme cocktail will perform better than individual enzyme is still a subject of research. This research was conducted to test the hypothesis that cocktail of enzymes will perform better than individual enzymes on palm kernel cake using in vitro technique. Three different exogenous enzymes namely xylanase, multipurpose and phytase were used individually and as cocktails in a completely randomized design. There were eight treatments comprising of a control (with no enzyme) and seven experimental treatments with either individual enzymes, pairwise combination of enzymes or combination of the three enzymes. Each treatment was replicated thrice. In vitro technique was carried out and values of nutrients’ digestibility obtained were analyzed using Statistical Analyses Software. Treatments means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test. This study revealed that multipurpose enzyme was significantly (P0.05) between the treatments. Phytase gave the least improvement in the measured parameters among the individual enzymes. Cocktails of enzymes were significantly better (P<0.05) than individual enzymes in their effects on digestibility of dry matter, crude fibre and fibre fractions while cocktail of the three enzymes was significantly (P<0.05) the best among the cocktails. The study concluded that cocktail of exogenous enzymes holds better potential than individual enzymes in improving the utilization of palm kernel cake for poultry species

The epidemiology and impact of cystic echinococcosis in humans and domesticated animals in Basrah Province, Iraq

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval stages of Echinococcus spp.. The disease results in significant public health effects to the community and economic burden for livestock owners. Although CE is endemic in Iraq, few studies have been undertaken in Basrah Province on the disease’s epidemiology in humans and other animals. This study was designed to address these deficiencies. Medical records from five public hospitals for the period 2005 to 2015 were examined for records of CE. Data on 748 surgical cases of CE were retrieved representing an annual incidence of 4.5 cases per 100,000 people. More females were affected (61.2%) than males (38.8%). Cysts were detected most frequently in the liver (46.3%) and lungs (28.1%) of the patients. A questionnaire was administered to 50 CE patients who had undergone surgery to describe the characteristics of the patients and their knowledge, attitudes and practices about the disease. The majority of patients were found to adopt poor hygienic practices and had a low level of understanding of how the disease was transmitted. Most specialist medical staff did not inform patients on how to prevent reinfection and the study highlighted the need for improved health education for CE in southern Iraq. 314 livestock farmers were administered a questionnaire to determine their knowledge, attitudes and practices relating to CE in their livestock. Only 86 (27%) farmers owned a dog. 9.8% of respondents ate raw leafy vegetables without prior washing and most (94.3%) did not boil water before using it for domestic purposes. Approximately half of the farmers had a low level of knowledge about CE, especially how it is transmitted and 41.4% did not realize that CE is a potentially dangerous disease to human health. Eggs of Echinococcus were detected in the faecal samples of 10.1% (95% CI 7.1, 13.9) of 335 free-roaming and owned domesticated dogs sampled. A questionnaire was administered to 86 dog-owners to investigate the influence of socio-demographic factors and management and husbandry practices on the knowledge of CE. A multivariable logistic regression model indicated that owners who fed offal had less knowledge about CE (OR=0.17, 95% CI 0.05, 0.53), while keeping a dog tied up was associated with good knowledge (OR=7.0, 95% CI 2.07, 23.78). Dog owners who had a secondary or higher level of education also had better knowledge (OR=5.35, 95% CI 1.65, 17.31) than those with a lower level of formal education. 7.3% (95% CI: 5.4, 9.6) of 631 sheep examined at an abattoir in Basrah contained hydatid cysts. Cysts were detected most frequently in both the livers and lungs of affected sheep (54.3%). The average annual economic loss arising from total or partial condemnation of affected liver and lungs of sheep in Basrah was estimated at US$72,470 (90$ 8.79 per affected sheep. It is concluded that a public health education campaign and a control programme involving worming domesticated dogs and controlling the population of free-roaming dogs should be developed and implemented in Basrah to reduce the impact of CE

A Systems Engineering Methodology for Wide Area Network Selection using an Analytical Hierarchy Process

In this paper, we apply a systems engineering methodology to select the most appropriate wide area network (WAN) media suite, according to organizational technical requirements, using an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). AHP is a mathematical decision modeling tool that utilizes decomposition, determination, and synthesis to solve complex engineering decision problems. AHP can deal with the universal modeling of process engineering decision-making, which is difficult to describe quantitatively, by integrating quantitative and qualitative analysis. We formulate and apply AHP to a hypothetical case study in order to examine its feasibility for the WAN media selection problem. The results indicate that our model can improve the decision-making process by evaluating and comparing all alternative WANs. This shows that AHP can support and assist an organization in choosing the most effective solution according to its demands. AHP is an effective resource-saver from many perspectives—it gives high performance, economic, and high quality solutions. Keywords: Analytical Hierarchy Process, Wide Area Network, AHP Consistency, WAN alternatives

An Adoption of the TAM Model to Determine Factors Affecting Students' Acceptance of e-Learning in Institutions of Higher Education in Saudi Arabia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of psychological, social, technical, cultural and institutional factors on the students' acceptance of E-learning in institutions of higher education in Saudi Arabia. Data was collected from 480 students at five universities in Saudi Arabia by using multi stage stratified random sampling. The questionnaire for this study was adapted from Pituch and Lee (2006), Curtis and Payne (2008), and IVgai, Poon and Chan (2007). Several statistical techniques were used including t-tests, one-way ANOVA, bivariate correlation, and multiple regression analyses. The t-test results showed statistically significant differences in students' E-learning acceptance based on their major and internet experience while students' gender, computer and E-learning experience did not indicate any significant differences. The correlation analysis indicated that the relationships between the psychological, social, technological, cultural and institutional factors were significant. The simple linear regression revealed that, technological, social and psychological factors significantly contributed to the students' acceptance of E-learning while the cultural factor did not. The results of the stepwise regression showed that the variables related to the psychological factor all significantly contributed to the students' E-learning acceptance. As for the social factors, only image and self-identity significantly contributed to students' E-learning acceptance. With regards to the technological factor, three variables namely system response, system functionality and system interactivity significantly contributed to students' E-learning acceptance while system performance did not. Finally, all the institutional factor variables significantly contributed to students' E-learning acceptance. Hierarchical regression results indicated that attitude significantly mediated the relationship between the TAM main constructs and the students' Elearning acceptance. Based on the findings, it is suggested that, among others, higher educational institutions should take into consideration the influence of technological, institutional, social and psychological factors in the process of implementing Elearning

Compressive Strength Variability in High Performance Concrete with Steel Fiber Addition

In this study, an evaluation was conducted on the influence of specimen geometry on high performance concrete (HPC) with steel fiber addition with a view of monitoring the variability that exists. Strict mix design protocols were carried out in the production of the HPC based on the relevant standard, and strict procedures were ensured in the casting, consolidation, and curing of the specimens to produce viable specimens for testing. Standard 150 x 300 mm cylinder and 150 mm side cubes were utilized. There is an observed strength increase for both type of specimens and aspect ratios, as well as a noticeable wall effect especially in the cylindrical specimens at higher aspect ratio of fiber. Variability of the results is more prominent in lower aspect ratio of the fiber irrespective of the specimen type due to data range. At the end, due to strict quality control, the range of the data has been successfully reduced to about 2-3 MPa in most cases

Ethical Dimension of Maqasid al-Shari'ah and its Implication to Human Capital Development

Abstract The prescriptions of Shari'ah are aimed at protecting six critical areas of human needs namely; life, religion, mental health, offspring, property, and dignity. Maqasid al-Shari'ah were earlier treated as an aspect of Maslahah Mursalah (public utility). They were treated as separate principles aiding the understanding of the wisdoms and intents of the texts. Transformation in the pattern of life of modern societies caused expansion in the scope of Maqasid. In modern times, Maqasid include aspects of material development that feature in Human Development Index. This paper employed theoretical method and analyzed the ethics embodied in the objectives of Shari'ah. The aim is to find out how the ethics shape human conduct and facilitate non-material aspects of human capital development. Its findings are that, the objectives of Shari'ah on the protection of religion, life, and mind can refine conduct, inspire morality, develop and secure the mind. Thus, the ethics imbued in Shari'ah instructions transform individuals into worthy citizens, shape their life and conduct, and make them productive and sensitive about the well-being of fellow human beings. These changes in human conducts by means of Shari'ah-inspired ethical transformation are a form of non-material aspects of human capital development