Mathematical Model for Image Restoration Based on Fractional Order Total Variation

This paper addresses mathematical model for signal restoration based on fractional order total variation (FOTV) for multiplicative noise. In alternating minimization algorithm the Newton method is coupled with time-marching scheme for the solutions of the corresponding PDEs related to the minimization of the denoising model. Results obtained from experiments show that our model can not only reduce the staircase effect of the restored images but also better improve the PSNR as compare to other existed methods

Closed flow solar dehydration with the use of silver nanoparticles: Application for the production of Pouteria lucuma flour

In this research, a closed-flow solar dehydrator with a refrigeration moisture extraction system was evaluated, likewise, the dehydration temperature time was optimized by evaluating three types of heat transfer fluids. The dehydration equipment included devices to absorb thermal energy from incident sunlight, such as a trombe wall and a parabolic cylindrical collector, and a thermo bank system. In addition, the influence of three types of heat transfer fluids (water, oil and oil nanofluidþsilver nanoparticles) was evaluated. This dehydration system was applied to process the Pouteria lucuma fruit. The results indicate the reduction of the dehydration time by 58.19% using nanofluid. This treatment prevents the modification of the physicochemical properties of the product and helps preserving its organoleptic propertiesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Enseñanza del lenguaje a través de la literatura: un estudio basado en ELT

The present study aims to: firstly, highlight the effectiveness of using literature in ELT classes in an interesting and innovative manner in Pakistan; secondly, to help language teachers develop a thoughtful and principled approach to using literature in the language classroom; thirdly, to provide teachers with the tools for developing their own classroom materials and for using these materials in a way that is relevant to their learners’ needs. This paper explores the text of ‘Good Bye Mr. Chips’, a famous novel by James Hilton (1934) for teaching at the Intermediate level. For the analysis of data, insights are taken from the works of Dubin & Olshtain (1977), Collie & Slater (1987) and Robinette. B. W (1978). It was found that activities like role plays and a lot of pair work and group work not only caused reduction in anxiety level of students but also increased their level of interest and enthusiasm. It also concluded that for facilitating language teaching and learning, the formation of a variety of activities based on learners’ needs from carefully and properly selected texts is unavoidable. Future researchers can exploit similar literary texts following the same frameworks for language teaching purposes.El presente estudio tiene como objetivo: en primer lugar, destacar la eficacia del uso de la literatura en las clases de ELT de una manera interesante e innovadora en Pakistán; en segundo lugar, ayudar a los profesores de idiomas a desarrollar un enfoque reflexivo y basado en principios para utilizar la literatura en el aula de idiomas; tercero, proporcionar a los maestros las herramientas para desarrollar sus propios materiales de clase y para usar estos materiales de una manera que sea relevante para las necesidades de sus alumnos. Este artículo explora el texto de “Good Bye Mr. Chips”, una famosa novela de James Hilton (1934) para la enseñanza a nivel intermedio. Para el análisis de los datos, se toman ideas de los trabajos de Dubin y Olshtain (1977), Collie y Slater (1987) y Robinette. B. W (1978). Se descubrió que actividades como juegos de roles y mucho trabajo en pareja y en grupo no solo redujeron el nivel de ansiedad de los estudiantes sino que también aumentaron su nivel de interés y entusiasmo. También concluyó que para facilitar la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de idiomas, es inevitable la formación de una variedad de actividades basadas en las necesidades de los alumnos a partir de textos cuidadosamente seleccionados. Los futuros investigadores pueden explotar textos literarios similares siguiendo los mismos marcos para la enseñanza de idiomas

Indução, fortificação e primazia do inglês como meio de instrução na primária

Having influenced by the British linguistic superiority, English bequeathed to people of India. Consequently, it got into some of the elite class. Due to the frequent use of English in science and technology and military elites it ran into higher education first then it was considered as medium of instruction at school level too. The current study investigated into the perceptions of the primary school teachers about induction, fortification and primacy of the English language as a medium of instruction in Vehari district. The population of the study were all the primary school teachers of Vehari region while sample of the study selected from all the city schools as well as from surrounding villages. Now a days, English is one of the main and compulsory subjects in Pakistan and was declared as a medium of instruction at school level officially in 2009 and college levels. But teachers at most of the schools practice code-switching while teaching English in the classrooms. For the last five years, English medium of instruction is now in practice, so keeping all the reviewed in the literature ahead, the current study attempted to examine the teachers’ reflections about effects of English language as a medium of instruction at elementary level by surveying about the use of English language as medium of instruction at primary level. The earlier studies reviewed mostly about the implementation of English as a medium of instruction particularly regarding the hurdles and obstacles. As linguists working in language teaching in the classroom setting have meaningfully extended the scope of their research to redress the fundamental areas of classroom practices connected with teaching/learning of English as a medium of instruction. Moreover, the current study has significant suggestions for educational research for pointing out the loopholes and drawbacks in terms of English language implementation as instructional goal. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. The study concluded with some suggestions and pedagogical implication to the Policy makers, higher authorities and National accreditation for teacher education in Vehari and Pakistan.Habiendo influido por la superioridad lingüística británica, el inglés legó a la gente de la India. En consecuencia, entró en parte de la clase de élite. Debido al uso frecuente del inglés en la ciencia y la tecnología y en las élites militares, primero se introdujo en la educación superior y luego se consideró también como medio de instrucción en el nivel escolar. El estudio actual investigó las percepciones de los maestros de escuelas primarias sobre la inducción, el enriquecimiento y la primacía del idioma inglés como medio de instrucción en el distrito de Vehari. La población del estudio fueron todos los maestros de escuela primaria de la región de Vehari, mientras que la muestra del estudio se seleccionó de todas las escuelas de la ciudad, así como de las aldeas vecinas. Hoy en día, el inglés es una de las materias principales y obligatorias en Pakistán y se declaró oficialmente como un medio de instrucción en el nivel escolar en 2009 y en el nivel universitario. Pero los maestros en la mayoría de las escuelas practican el cambio de código mientras enseñan inglés en las aulas. Durante los últimos cinco años, el medio de instrucción en inglés está ahora en práctica, por lo que manteniendo todo lo revisado en la literatura a continuación, el estudio actual intentó examinar las reflexiones de los maestros sobre los efectos del idioma inglés como medio de instrucción a nivel elemental mediante una encuesta sobre el uso del idioma inglés como medio de instrucción en el nivel primario. Los estudios anteriores revisaron principalmente sobre la implementación del inglés como medio de instrucción, particularmente en relación con los obstáculos y obstáculos. A medida que los lingüistas que trabajan en la enseñanza de idiomas en el aula, han ampliado significativamente el alcance de su investigación para corregir las áreas fundamentales de las prácticas en el aula relacionadas con la enseñanza / aprendizaje del inglés como medio de instrucción. Además, el estudio actual tiene sugerencias importantes para la investigación educativa para señalar las lagunas e inconvenientes en términos de la implementación del idioma inglés como objetivo educativo. Los datos se analizaron utilizando la versión 21 de SPSS. El estudio concluyó con algunas sugerencias e implicaciones pedagógicas para los responsables de las políticas, las autoridades superiores y la acreditación nacional para la formación docente en Vehari y Pakistán.Tendo influenciado pela superioridade lingüística britânica, o inglês legou a pessoas da Índia. Consequentemente, entrou em algumas das classes de elite. Devido ao uso frequente de inglês em ciência e tecnologia e elites militares, o ensino superior foi o primeiro a ser considerado como meio de instrução também na escola. O presente estudo investigou as percepções dos professores do ensino fundamental sobre indução, fortalecimento e primazia do idioma inglês como meio de instrução no distrito de Vehari. A população do estudo foram todos os professores primários da região de Vehari, enquanto a amostra do estudo foi selecionada de todas as escolas da cidade, bem como das aldeias vizinhas. Hoje em dia, o inglês é um dos assuntos principais e obrigatórios no Paquistão e foi declarado oficialmente como meio de instrução a nível escolar em 2009 e nos níveis universitários. Mas os professores na maioria das escolas praticam a troca de código enquanto ensinam inglês nas salas de aula. Nos últimos cinco anos, o meio inglês de instrução está agora em prática, então mantendo todos os revisados na literatura, o presente estudo tentou examinar as reflexões dos professores sobre os efeitos da língua inglesa como um meio de instrução em nível elementar sobre o uso da língua inglesa como meio de instrução no nível primário. Os estudos anteriores revisaram principalmente sobre a implementação do inglês como meio de instrução, particularmente em relação aos obstáculos e obstáculos. Como linguistas que trabalham no ensino de línguas em sala de aula, ampliaram significativamente o escopo de suas pesquisas para corrigir as áreas fundamentais das práticas de sala de aula ligadas ao ensino / aprendizagem do inglês como meio de instrução. Além disso, o presente estudo tem sugestões significativas para a pesquisa educacional para apontar as lacunas e desvantagens em termos de implementação da língua inglesa como meta instrucional. Os dados foram analisados usando SPSS versão 21. O estudo concluiu com algumas sugestões e implicações pedagógicas para os decisores políticos, autoridades superiores e acreditação nacional para a formação de professores em Vehari e no Paquistão

Conflict Resolution: the Truncated Zoning Arrangement and the Buhari Political Tsunami in Nigeria

The Nigerian Fourth Republic ushered in a demo-cratically elected government in 1999 that paved way for the civilians to take over government after a long period of military rule in Nigeria. This made the political parties to project their candidates for contest in occupying the political positions at the federal, states and local government levels. Thus, such projection through the ruling political party that won the election in 1999 known as the People's Democratic Party (PDP), went into zoning arrange-ment that could give the country's six geopolitical zones a place for participation in the administration of the country. This arrangement coordinated the highest positions such as the President, Vice-Presi-dent, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Chairman of the ruling party. However, such arrangements were only practiced from 1999 to 2011. The zoning arrangements were trun-cated in 2011, which led to conflict in the Northern part of the country. The objective of the study there-fore, is to examine the consequences of the trun-cated zoning arrangement and lessons from the Buhari Political tsunami in 2015 general elections in Nigeria, with interest on how to resolve such con-flicts that emanated. The study made use of qualita-tive research and the review of previous literature as sources of data collection. The findings revealed that, many people were killed during the years 2011-2015 under study; both private and public properties were also destroyed. This study recom-mends constitutional approach regarding the zoning formula to accom-modate all the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria in order to resolve the conflicts therein

Chemical components of marine sponge derived fungus fusarium proliferatum collected from Pulau Tinggi Malaysia (Komponen kimia kulat fusarium proliferatum diperolehi daripada Span Marin di Perairan Pulau Tinggi, Malaysia)

Marine fungus Fusarium proliferatum derived from marine sponge collected along Pulau Tinggi, Malaysia was cultivated on Potato Dextrose Broth and incubated for 7 days at 30oC. The liquid cultures were then extracted using ethyl acetate. The crude extract was investigated for its anti-microbial activity and was passed through Sephadex column and the fractions were collected. Reverse phase HPLC was used to monitor the component of crude extract. HPLC guided purification of crude extract resulted in the isolation of linoleic acid, 4-hydroxy phenethyl alcohol, 2,5-furandimethanol and adenosine. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods

Molecular architecture of Streptococcus pneumoniae surface thioredoxin-fold lipoproteins crucial for extracellular oxidative stress resistance and maintenance of virulence.

19 pags, 8 figs, tabsThe respiratory pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae has evolved efficient mechanisms to resist oxidative stress conditions and to displace other bacteria in the nasopharynx. Here we character ize at physiological, functional and structural levels two novel surface-exposed thioredoxin-family lipoproteins, Etrx1 and Etrx2. The impact of both Etrx proteins and their r edox partner methionine sulfoxide reductase SpMsrAB2 on pneumococcal pathogenesis was assessed in mouse virulence studies and phagocytosis assays. The results demonstrate that loss of function of either both Etrx proteins or SpMsrAB2 dramatically attenuated pneumococcal virulence in the acute mouse pneumonia model and that Etrx proteins compensate each other. The deficiency of Etrx proteins or SpMsrAB2 further enhanced bacterial uptake by macrophages, and accelerated pneumococcal killing by H2O2 or free methionine sulfoxides (MetSO). Moreover, the absence of both Etrx redox pathways provokes an accumulation of oxidized SpMsrAB2 in vivo. Taken together our results reveal insights into the role of two extracellular electron pathways required for reduction of SpMsrAB2 and surface-exposed MetSO. Identification of this system and its target proteins paves the w ay for the design of novel a ntimicrobialsThe authors thank the PXIII beamline at SLS and the ESRF beamline ID14‐1 for access to synchrotron radiation. We are also grateful to Kristine Sievert‐Giermann, Nadine Gotzmann and Melanie Skibbe (Department of Genetics, University of Greifswald, Germany) for technical assistance. This work was supported by grants from the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG HA3125/4‐2 (to S.H.), DFG AN746/3‐1 (to H.A.), BFU2011‐25326 and S2010/BMD‐2457 (to J.A.H.) and EU FP7 CAREPNEUMO Grant EU‐CP223111 from the European Union (to J.A.H. and S.H.

Obudu cattle ranch: A tourist destination in Nigeria

The world over, the impact of tourism has made a positive and significant change to countries in recent times, as well as in communities and the society at large.It is therefore, one of the contributors to the economy of many countries as well as Nigeria.Obudu cattle ranch has contributed maximally to the development of Cross River State and indeed Nigeria.The ranch has provided an avenue for many people, organizations and countries to host activities within the Obudu community.There are many hotels in Obudu today, which serve as a part of development of tourism activities.These and other activities being carried out in turn bring economic growth and development to both the individuals involved and the government of Nigeria Therefore, this paper examines the impact of Obudu cattle ranch as a tourist destination in Nigeria.The method adopted in this paper includes a review of previous literature as a method of data collection.The findings thus reveal that, tourism activities in the cattle ranch has brought development to the Obudu community and also created an avenue for foreign exchange for the government of Nigeria and the people who are engaged in the field of tourism therein.The paper therefore recommends that, the cattle ranch should serve as a positive example to other states in Nigeria which have neglected the development of tourism activities in their various states where such potentials are wasting.It also recommends the development of such tourism activities in other countries in Africa where the potentials are also neglected

Reactive Oxygen Species, Oxidative Damage and Their Production, Detection in Common Bean (<em>Phaseolus vulgaris</em> L.) under Water Stress Conditions

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) being small and highly reactive oxygen containing molecules play significant role in intracellular signaling and regulation. Various environmental stresses lead to excessive production of ROS causing progressive oxidative damage and ultimately cell death. This increased ROS production is, however, tightly controlled by a versatile and cooperative antioxidant system that modulates intracellular ROS concentration and controls the cell’s redox status. Furthermore, ROS enhancement under stress serves as an alarm signal, triggering acclimatory/defense responses via specific signal transduction pathways involving H2O2 as a secondary messenger. Nevertheless, if water stress is prolonged over to a certain extent, ROS production will overwhelm the scavenging action of the anti-oxidant system resulting in extensive cellular damage and death. DAB (3,3′-diaminobenzidine) test serves as an effective assessment of oxidative damage under stress. It clearly differentiates the lines on the basis of darker staining of leaves under water stress. The lines showing greater per cent reduction in yield parameters show greater staining in DAB assay underlining the reliability of using this assay as a reliable supplement to phenotyping protocols for characterizing large germplasm sets