Triple-play to the last mile over free space optics

This paper demonstrates the implementation of variable weight optical code division multiple access system in free space optics in order to support services with different quality of service requirement to the end users. This is achieved by varying the code weight of a particular user to provide signals with different quality level. Three users of different weights were transmitted at 622Mbps per channel rate over a free space optical channel. The received signals of different bit error rate of in several orders of magnitude such as 10-3, 10-9 and 10-12 are presented, to support the triple-play services, which are voice, data and video, respectively. The proposed system was simulated in different weather conditions with regard to Malaysia environment, whereby rain attenuations of 10 dB/km and 0.5 dB/km were used for heavy rain and clear weather, respectively

The expression of virulence genes in Group B Streptococcus isolated from symptomatic pregnant women with term and preterm delivery.

During pregnancy, group B streptococcus (GBS) colonization is one of the risk factors for preterm delivery and neonatal infections. Previous studies have revealed the crucial roles of GBS virulence factors including hemolytic pigment (CylE), hyaluronidase (HylB), serine rich protein (Srr) and bacterial surface adhesion of GBS (BsaB) in mediating GBS colonization and intrauterine ascending infection, that triggers preterm delivery. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between mRNA expression of virulence genes in GBS isolates obtained from symptomatic pregnant women and preterm delivery. GBS isolates were obtained from high vaginal swabs of pregnant women (n=40) with gestational age less than 37 weeks and symptoms including preterm labour, preterm premature rupture of membrane (pPROM), vaginal discharge and vaginal bleeding. RNA was extracted from these GBS isolates and RT-qPCR was performed to determine the relative mRNA expression of GBS virulence genes including CylE, HylB, Srr and BsaB. Women with preterm labour and pPROM who delivered prematurely were demonstrated with higher expression of CylE gene and a trend towards an increased expression of HylB gene, in comparison to women with term delivery. The expression of Srr and BsaB genes were both similar between symptomatic pregnant women who delivered at term and prematurely. These results suggest that following vaginal colonization, both CylE and HylB genes possibly contribute to intrauterine ascending infection and inflammation, causing preterm delivery in humans. These virulence factors may be targeted for the pre-clinical stages of vaccine development or therapeutic intervention

Self-configuration and self-optimization process with Taguchi method in hybrid optical wireless network

In this paper, an alternative improvement is proposed which is the adaptive wireless access networks-based optical backhaul convergence that will greatly promote to use the existing resource of MANET (mobile ad hoc network). However, these characteristics itself acts as a drawback to the MANET applications such as the random distribution of nodes and continuously changing topology. MiNiTab statistical software was used to model the effect of the parameter variation to predict the field quality through the design of experiments while OMNeT++ network simulation was created to visualize the effect of QoS performance study in response with varying speed scenario. The result shows that the proposed ESCMDR scheme can obtain robustness and outperformed compared to the nonTaguchi previous study when it is used in random waypoint mobility model in any speed of sources. The work is based on Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) and Packet Loss Probability (PLP) metric under the varying speed scenario. It results in better QoS network PDR of 28.9% improvement, with 83.56% improvement on average PLP. The paper shows that the MANET QoS performance constrained can be addressed with the self-configured data rate of integrated optimization with Taguchi method on AODV-UU (Adhoc On Demand Distance Vector-Uppsala University) routing technique

Development of A Low-Cost Near Infrared Device to Monitor Nutritional Status of Newborn Infants

Neonates with under-nutrition generally show several signs including hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level) and low body fat. In developing countries, low-cost methods to measure these signs are desired. This dissertation examines near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method as a low cost alternative for glucose sensing and for body fat sensing. Testing on fat was the main part of the project, while testing on glucose was a small part of this project, which only for the purpose to validate between simulation methods. We first validate a new simulation method of optical photon transport in tissue that is GAMOS with a widely implemented of Monte Carlo Multilayer (MCML) method for glucose measurement. An aqueous glucose solution is developed with different glucose concentrations in the simulation. For body fat sensing, we study NIR response on the increases of thickness of adipose layer using GAMOS simulation and ex-vivo phantom experiment (utilise ground beef fat). We introduce an arrangement of source-detector probe to be at ±45 angle to the skin surface. We compare the NIR sensitivity between the introduced position angle (at ±45) and the commonly used +90 angle on a single adipose layer. Utilising the optimise source-detector set up at ±45 position angle, we continue to study NIR response over thickness of fat, now on a complete skin consisting of epidermal, dermal, subcutaneous fat and muscle layers in GAMOS simulation. As NIR is sensitive to hydration and skin colour, we then study the effect variation of volume fractions of water and volume fractions of melanin in the complete skin over NIR spectra using GAMOS simulation. In clinical testing, we test the influence of different optical devices used and present an explicit model to define the relationship between body fat percentage measured by air displacement plethysmography and NIR on 52 neonates

Isolation and Production of Human Monoclonal Antibody Proteins against a Toxocara canis Excretory–Secretory Recombinant Antigen

Toxocariasis is a widespread zoonotic parasitic disease with a significant socioeconomic impact, particularly on underprivileged communities. Limitations of existing diagnostic tools and vague presenting symptoms may lead to misdiagnosis, thus underestimating the actual global impact of the disease. The present study describes the isolation and production of novel recombinant monoclonal antibodies against Toxocara canis recombinant TES-26 antigen (rTES-26) utilizing a human helminth scFv phage display library. The isolated antibody clones were characterized based on their gene sequences and binding characteristics. Three clones representing unique gene families (clone 48: IgHV3-LV1; clone 49: IgHV3-LV3; clone 50: IgHV6-LV3) were isolated, but only clones 48 and 49 showed successful insertion of the full-length scFv antibody sequence after sub-cloning. Both clones produced antibody proteins of good solubility and satisfactory yield and purity. Binding assays via Western blot and ELISA using rTES-26 and Toxocara canis native protein showed that both monoclonal antibodies were highly specific and sensitive to the target antigen. A preliminary antigen detection ELISA showed the diagnostic potential of the monoclonal antibody proteins. The proteins can also be useful in studying host–parasite interactions and therapeutic applications

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Potential COVID-19 Early Detection Method: A Review and Future Perspective

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a worldwide health anxiety. The rapid dispersion of the infection globally results in unparalleled economic, social, and health impacts. The pathogen that causes COVID-19 is known as a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). A fast and low-cost diagnosis method for COVID-19 disease can play an important role in controlling its proliferation. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a quick, non-destructive, non-invasive, and inexpensive technique for profiling the chemical and physical structures of a wide range of samples. Furthermore, the NIRS has the advantage of incorporating the internet of things (IoT) application for the effective control and treatment of the disease. In recent years, a significant advancement in instrumentation and spectral analysis methods has resulted in a remarkable impact on the NIRS applications, especially in the medical discipline. To date, NIRS has been applied as a technique for detecting various viruses including zika (ZIKV), chikungunya (CHIKV), influenza, hepatitis C, dengue (DENV), and human immunodeficiency (HIV). This review aims to outline some historical and contemporary applications of NIRS in virology and its merit as a novel diagnostic technique for SARS-CoV-2

Colorimetric Approach for Nucleic Acid Salmonella spp. Detection: A Systematic Review

Water- and food-related health issues have received a lot of attention recently because food-poisoning bacteria, in particular, are becoming serious threats to human health. Currently, techniques used to detect these bacteria are time-consuming and laborious. To overcome these challenges, the colorimetric strategy is attractive because it provides simple, rapid and accurate sensing for the detection of Salmonella spp. bacteria. The aim of this study is to review the progress regarding the colorimetric method of nucleic acid for Salmonella detection. A literature search was conducted using three databases (PubMed, Scopus and ScienceDirect). Of the 88 studies identified in our search, 15 were included for further analysis. Salmonella bacteria from different species, such as S. Typhimurium, S. Enteritidis, S. Typhi and S. Paratyphi A, were identified using the colorimetric method. The limit of detection (LoD) was evaluated in two types of concentrations, which were colony-forming unit (CFU) and CFU per mL. The majority of the studies used spiked samples (53%) rather than real samples (33%) to determine the LoDs. More research is needed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of colorimetric nucleic acid in bacterial detection, as well as its potential use in routine diagnosis