Fine structure of the integument of Argas (Persicargas) persicus (Oken) (Ixodoidea: Argasidae)

The integument of Argas persicus was investigated using light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The study revealed that two layers, viz. an outer epicuticle and an inner procuticle, form the cuticle. The epicuticle includes wax, cuticulin and protein epicuticular layers. The wax layer carries numerous crater-like deposits, oval or circular discs and numerous infoldings. The procuticle contains an exo-, endo- and a subcuticle.Underlining the cuticle, flattened epidermal cells are connected via desmosomes and contain rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes and mitochondria. Scattered dermal glands are located beneath the cuticle and are continuous with the outside through dermal ducts and surface pores

Digital Six Sigma® Concepts in Expert Systems Development ofWeb-Based User Configurable Numerical Data Acquisition Module for MOTOROLA Penang EMAS

This Final Report on Final Year Project of Digital Six Sigma Concepts in Expert Systems describes from backgrounds, problem statements, objectives, methodologies, results until the conclusions of the Final Year Project which covers bothpart I andpart II. The scopesofresearch in this project focus exclusively on Six Sigma initiatives and how it could be realized efficiently and with enhancement using Information Technology tools and capabilities. In this project there were two developments been identified as the main objectives. They were the development of a Numerical Data Acquisition Module and a model of Motorola Penang Electronic Measurements & Action tracking System (EMAS). The Numerical Data Acquisition Module was meant to be integrated with current MOTOROLA Penang implemented system. The developed Numerical Data Acquisition module and also the model of Motorola Penang EMAS were tested, analysis were done to produce results for discussion. Some analysis of the results was based on surveys during visits to plants adopting Six Sigma® and literature reviews conducted throughout the project. The research methodologies in this report explained in detail the procedures and tools used along the progress of the project. In the last chapter, future recommendations were suggested for future enhancements and expansions ofthe project

Global Visibility and Web Impact of Leading Universities of SAARC Nations

In the present time, the World Wide Web (WWW) is one of the main platforms for every forum who wants to be recognized on in the ‘factual world’. At the academic level, universities have to play significant part for communicating scientific and cultural achievements. Publication by scholars of the institutions on the internet I snot only a tool for scholarly communication but it is also a way to reach larger audiences and thus represents the performance of the institutions globally. Thus, there have been numerous endeavours to develop the web indicators that can eventually lead to build a university’s rankings (Aguillo, Ortega & Fernandez, 2008). In this milieu, the Web Ranking of Universities originally aims at promoting Web publications. The Webometrics ranking is not only centralized towards scholarly output but also in other indicators which may reflect better global quality of scholars and presence of research institutions worldwide. The present study made an attempt to explore the top universities of SAARC nations in order to find out their performance, web-presence and impact. It has been observed from the study that Indian universities are performing better than other SAARC nation universities in terms of average world rank, continental rank, impact rank and openness rank while as Pakistan outpace in terms of average presence rank. This indicates that Indian universities have better scholarly output though Pakistan universities are more visible on the WWW

Radiation Damage in XFEL: Case study from the oxygen-evolving complex of Photosystem II

Structural changes induced by radiation damage in X-ray crystallography hinder the ability to understand the structure/function relationship in chemical reactions. Serial femtosecond crystallography overcomes this problem by exposing the sample to very short and intense laser pulse leading to measurement before destruction. Here we use molecular modeling to map the radiation damage during the 10–50 fs to the intensity, the energy and the time duration of the laser pulse on the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of photosystem II. In the model, the nuclei move classically in a fully quantum potential created by electron density under the effect of strong laser pulse in the Ehrenfest dynamics regime. The results show that the Mn-Mn and Mn-Ca distances are less affected by radiation damage due to the their heavy masses, while one μ-oxo bridge (O5) moves significantly. The radiation damage may induce conformational changes of the water ligands but only bond elongation for the amino acids ligands. These effects are relatively intensity independent from 1016 to 1017 W/cm2, but changes increase dramatically if the beam intensity is increased to 1018 W/cm2. In addition, the self amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) nature of the laser beam does not affect the dynamics of the ions

Remittances, Economic Growth and Poverty: A Case of African OIC Member Countries

This paper investigates the impact of remittance inflows on economic growth and poverty reduction for seven African countries using annual data from 1992-2010. By using the depth of hunger as a proxy for poverty in a Simultaneous Equation Model (SEM), we find that remittances have statistically significant growth enhancing and poverty reducing impact. Drawing on our estimates, we conclude that financial development level significantly increases the remittances inflows and strengthens poverty alleviating impact of remittances. Results of our study further show a signficant interactive imapct of remittances and finacial develpment on economic growth, suggesting the substitutability between remittance inflows and financial development. We further find that 3 percentage point increase in credit provision to the private sector (financial development) can help eliminate the severe depth of hunger in the region. Remittances, serving an alternative source of private credit, can be effective in this regard. Keywords: Remittance Inflow, Poverty Alleviation, Financial Development, Simultaneous Equation Mode

The Potential of Establishing Technology Computer Aided Design Industry: Africa - Sudan As a Case-Study

Very-Large-Scale-Integration (VLSI) Integrated-Circuit (IC) designs have steadily grown in their capacity and complexity through the years. The need for technology simulations using technology computer-aided-design (TCAD) tools have become an essential part of design success. The TCAD simulations facilitate process optimization, highlight device performance tradeoffs, enable worst case analysis, and reveal device defects and weakness. Microelectronics higher education in African universities focuses mainly on the chip/circuit design instruction. Virtually little or no emphasis is applied to grow students TCAD simulation skills. This paper discusses the potential of African educational institutes of becoming the supplier of qualified TCAD simulation engineers for future African IC industry and/or worldwide VLSI job market. The African universities are encouraged to emphasize on establishing frameworks that would include TCAD simulation research and development into their curriculums and motivate students to venture the VLSI design and automation fields. This would enable African graduates to exploit the microelectronics job market worldwide and establish TCAD industries within Africa to industrialize African job market

Review of Biomass Thermal Gasification

Gasification of biomass is one of the most attractive methods for producing hydrogen rich gas. Syngas production from biomass is an attractive solution for energy crisis. The production of energy from biomass reduces the dependence of developing countries on fossil fuels, as ample biomass is available in the developing countries and is renewable. Downdraft gasifiers are fixed bed gasifiers where the gasifying agent and biomass are flowing downwards, developed for high-volatile fuels such as wood or biomass gasification. Cocurrent flow regime throughout the oxidation and reduction zones reduces the tars and particulates in syngas, which will reduce the necessity of complicated cleaning methods compared to updraft gasifiers especially if the gas is used as a burnable gas in a small community. It is important to ensure homogenous distribution of gasifying agent at the downdraft gasifier throat. This chapter presents latest trends in gasification of biomass using downdraft gasification

Digital Six Sigma® Concepts in Expert Systems Development ofWeb-Based User Configurable Numerical Data Acquisition Module for MOTOROLA Penang EMAS

This Final Report on Final Year Project of Digital Six Sigma Concepts in Expert Systems describes from backgrounds, problem statements, objectives, methodologies, results until the conclusions of the Final Year Project which covers bothpart I andpart II. The scopesofresearch in this project focus exclusively on Six Sigma initiatives and how it could be realized efficiently and with enhancement using Information Technology tools and capabilities. In this project there were two developments been identified as the main objectives. They were the development of a Numerical Data Acquisition Module and a model of Motorola Penang Electronic Measurements & Action tracking System (EMAS). The Numerical Data Acquisition Module was meant to be integrated with current MOTOROLA Penang implemented system. The developed Numerical Data Acquisition module and also the model of Motorola Penang EMAS were tested, analysis were done to produce results for discussion. Some analysis of the results was based on surveys during visits to plants adopting Six Sigma® and literature reviews conducted throughout the project. The research methodologies in this report explained in detail the procedures and tools used along the progress of the project. In the last chapter, future recommendations were suggested for future enhancements and expansions ofthe project