Draft genome sequences of three multidrug-resistant staphylococcus spp. Isolated from hospital wastewater in Malaysia

Staphylococcus spp. are Gram-positive bacteria that reside within the normal microbiota of humans and animals but pose a health threat as reservoirs of antimicrobial resistance genes. Here, we present the draft genome sequences of three Staphylococcus sp. strains isolated from hospital wastewater in Malaysia that demonstrated resistance to multiple antibiotics

Kinetic Models of Trymethylolpropane (TMP) and Castor Oil Methyl Ester Transesterification for engine oil synthesis

Non-digestible oil as renewable resources has grown a compulsive concern for engine oil synthesis. The synthesis of engine oil was conducted in a bath stirrer flask via two-steps catalytic transesterification. Modification of trimethylolpropane (TMP) and castor oil methyl ester (COME) transesterification was run under non- and impregnated Perna V. shells catalysts. Operation temperature effect on the castor trimethylol propane triester as engine lubricant was conditioned at range 90°C – 130°C. The optimal reaction temperature was detected at 110°C with 98.60 % TMP conversion and 71.29% triester composition. Excess dosage of COME was structured at 4:1 ratio to TMP for progressive reaction limitation. Kinetics of TMP and COME transesterifation were established for first- and second orders. The second order kinetic model best matchs the acquired data for an overall reaction rate constants of 0.0354 (% wt/wt min °C)-1. Synthesized engine oil resulted activation energy of 74.10 kJ/mol. Estimated pour and flash point were -17 °C and 221°C. Kinematic viscosity at 40°C was 64.31 mm2/s and density was 872 kg/m3 fulfilled the proposed lubricant standard. The kinetic models were proportionate to other oil seeds crops based engine oil, typically Jatropha seeds oil

Draft genome sequence of lignin-degrading agrobacterium sp. Strain s2, isolated from a decaying oil palm empty fruit bunch

We report the draft genome sequence of Agrobacterium sp. strain S2, isolated from a decaying oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, which yields potential genes encoding lignin degradation enzymes. This genome of 9,722,071bp exhibited 58.9% GC content, 10,416 coding genes, and 12 RNAs

Draft genome sequence of the prazosin-degrading bacillus sp. Strain pr5, isolated from a river receiving hospital and urban wastewater in Malaysia

We report the complete genome sequence of Bacillus sp. strain PR5, isolated from a river receiving hospital and urban wastewater in Malaysia, which demonstrated a high capability for degrading prazosin. This genome sequence of 4,525,264 bp exhibited 41.5% GC content, 4,402 coding sequences, and 32 RNAs

Characterization and Construction of a Robust and Elastic Wall-Less Flow Phantom for High Pressure Flow Rate Using Doppler Ultrasound Applications

A Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive test that can be used to estimate the blood flow through the vessels. Presently, few flow phantoms are being used to be qualified for long-term utilize and storage with high physiological flow rate Doppler ultrasound. The main drawback of the two hydrogel materials items (Konjac (K) and carrageenan (C) (KC)) that it is not fit for long-term storage and easy to deteriorate. Thus, this research study focuses on the characterization and construction of a robust and elastic wall-less flow phantom with suitable acoustical properties of TMM. The mechanisms for the fabrication of a wall-less flow phantom utilizing a physically strong material such as K, C, and gelatin (bovine skin)-based TMM were explained. In addition, the clinical ultrasound (Hitachi Avius (HI)) system was used as the main instrument for data acquisition. Vessel mimicking material (VMM) with dimensions of 15.0 mm depth equal to those of human common carotid arteries (CCA) were obtained with pulsatile flow. The acoustical properties (speed of sound and attenuation were 1533±2 m/s and 0.2 dB/cm. MHz, respectively) of a new TMM were agreed with the IEC 61685 standards. Furthermore, the velocity percentages error were decreased with increase in the Doppler angle (the lowest % error (3%) it was at 53◦). The gelatin from bovine skin was a proper material to be added to KC to enhance the strength of TMM during for long-term utilize and storage of high-flow of blood mimicking Fluid (BMF). This wall-less flow phantom will be a suitable instrument for examining in-vitro research studies

Performance analysis of stacked capacitive antenna for lightning remote sensing

Antennas are the important elements in the lightning detection system. To improve performance of the lightning detection system, it is so necessary to improve the efficiency of the antennas. There are two types of antennas used in the system which are capacitive antenna for electric field sensing and loop antenna for magnetic field sensing [1]. Both of these antennas are big in size and causing inconvenient during set up. Thus, small and portable antennas are designed. It is so important to remain or improve the sensitivity of the antennas even though it is small in size. Stacking method is used in capacitive antenna by increase copper plate layer in between the parallel plate antenna. After prototype the multi-stacked capacitive antenna, performance analysis is carried out. Performances of the antennas are compared using CST simulation and hardware set up. Multi-stacked capacitive antenna is compared with the single plate antenna and found that the performance of the antenna increases as the stacked number increases

A Soundtrack for Reimagining Pakistan? Coke Studio, memory, and the music video

Since 2007, Coke Studio has rapidly become one of the most influential platforms in televisual, digital and musical media, and has assumed a significant role in generating new narratives about Pakistani modernity. The musical pieces in Coke Studio’s videos re-work a range of genres and performing arts, encompassing popular and familiar songs, as well as resuscitating classical poetry and the musical traditions of marginalised communities. This re-working of the creative arts of South Asia represents an innovative approach to sound, language, and form, but also poses larger questions about how cultural memory and national narratives can be reimagined through musical media, and then further reworked by media consumers and digital audiences. This article considers how Coke Studio’s music videos have been both celebrated and criticised, and explores the online conversations that compared new covers to the originals, be they much loved or long forgotten. The ways in which the videos are viewed, shared, and dissected online sheds light on new modes of media consumption and self-reflection. Following specific examples, we examine the larger implications of the hybrid text–video–audio object in the digital age, and how the consumers of Coke Studio actively participate in developing new narratives about South Asian history and Pakistani modernity

Evaluation of air-gap stacked capacitive antennas for lightning remote sensing

This paper evaluates the capacitive antenna performance (sensitivity and frequency shifting) as a lightning sensor in different antenna design structures. Two experiments were carried out, Experiment A - using two different structure antennas, an A3 size capacitive antenna and a quarter A4- sized capacitive antenna, capturing the electric field (E-field) generated by the small spark at a distance of 1 meter away from both antennas. The results were taken in a ratio form of the 1st pulse amplitude captured by quarter A4 size antenna verses 1st pulse amplitude of the waveform captured by A3 antenna for each corresponding spark. Same set up and measurement were taken during the Experiment B except for the quarter A4 size antenna was now being slotted with 6 copper plates were slotted within the gap between the top plate and bottom plate. The result from Experiment A showed an average ratio at 0.1957 with a range of 0.0333 to 0.3085 while the results of Experiment B showed the average value laid at 0.2606 within the range of 0.1581 to 0.4510. The comparison results of Experiment A with Experiment B gave an increment of the sensitivity of the quarter A4 antenna from no stack to fully stacked antenna. However, there was also a significant frequency shifting of the quarter A4 antenna with the change of antenna structure (15% for quarter A4 capacitive antenna without stack; 20% for quarter A4 stacked capacitive antenna)

Enhancement of spin seebeck effect of reverse spin crossover fe (ii) micellar charge transport using PMMA polymer electrolyte

The electrochemical thermoelectric effect is capable of generating Seebeck and conductivity from a temperature gradient through redox reaction at the electrode. Conventional spin Seebeck effect (SSE) is the generation of spin voltage by solid coupling magnetic thin film in presence of magnetic field and temperature gradient. In this study, we demonstrate an enhancement of a magnetic free SSE of Fe (II) reverse spin-crossover in electrolyte using 1% PMMA polymer additive in form of polymer electrolyte. The reverse spin effect of Fe (II) complex, which is confirmed by SQUID magnetometer analysis and DFT simulation, is able to produce magnetic free SSE in solution. A unique electrochemical behavior is found in form of SSE Fe (II) polymer electrolyte that is elucidated using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and UV-Vis analysis. The polymer electrolyte that possesses strong spin Seebeck produces a maximum Seebeck coefficient and conductivity of 124 % and 233 % higher than that weak SSE and conventional liquid electrolyte. The spin Seebeck produces a high number of carrier density through fast diffusion at high spin state, and the opposite charge properties trend at low spin state. Cryo-TEM analysis had shown that the generation of spin Seeebeck effect of the Fe (II) complex in solution also involves reverse spherical micelles formation. Thus, this study highlights the finding of a rare magnetic free spin Seebeck generation in polymer electrolyte that having potential for waste heat recycles, heat sensors, and thermal switches applications upon development