Theoretical and CAD Modelling of Distributed Filter Design with Finite Q Resonators

This project focuses on theoretical modelling of a lossy combline filter in MATLAB. Classical designs of filters have not been taking into consideration of various loss factors related to the resonator in MATLAB. With that, there will always be inconsistency to the simulated response due to the response gap between ideal and lossy. Hence, modelling of a lossy combline filter will significantly improve the traditional way of filter designs by incorporating conductor and dielectric losses in practical realization. Simulations of both ideal and lossy combline filter will be performed using MATLAB, Maple and Advanced Design System (ADS) as well as for comparison and analysis purposes

Magnetic fields facilitate DNA-mediated charge transport

Exaggerate radical-induced DNA damage under magnetic fields is of great concerns to medical biosafety and to bio-molecular device based upon DNA electronic conductivity. In this report, the effect of applying an external magnetic field (MF) on DNA-mediated charge transport (CT) was investigated by studying guanine oxidation by a kinetics trap (8CPG) via photoirradiation of anthraquinone (AQ) in the presence of an external MF. Positive enhancement in CT efficiencies was observed in both the proximal and distal 8CPG after applying a static MF of 300 mT. MF assisted CT has shown sensitivities to magnetic field strength, duplex structures, and the integrity of base pair stacking. MF effects on spin evolution of charge injection upon AQ irradiation and alignment of base pairs to CT-active conformation during radical propagation were proposed to be the two major factors that MF attributed to facilitate DNA-mediated CT. Herein, our results suggested that the electronic conductivity of duplex DNA can be enhanced by applying an external MF. MF effects on DNA-mediated CT may offer a new avenue for designing DNA-based electronic device, and unraveled MF effects on redox and radical relevant biological processes

Vertical Integration in the Taiwan Aquaculture Industry

The study aims to improve the distribution channels in the Taiwan aquaculture industry through a better vertical integration. This study is derived from a need to improve the distribution performance of agricultural-based industries in response to increasing food demands in Asia and elsewhere. Based on a four-by-eight matrix derived from both a value chain and a service profit chain, thirty different strategies are developed. This development is based on key success factors and strategies for vertical integration interviewed and cited in the literatures. The findings are identified by applying the Gray Relational Analysis (GRA). For this study, the key success factors for aquaculture wholesale markets include the communication, integration and cohesion of opinion within the wholesale market; government support; andmutual trust between members of the vertical integration scheme. The suitable vertical integration strategies are an improved safety and hygiene inspection of aquaculture products, accuracy of aquaculture product categorization, and precision in product weighing.aquaculture industry, grey relational analysis (GRA), channels integration

Theoretical and CAD Modelling of Distributed Filter Design with Finite Q Resonators

This project focuses on theoretical modelling of a lossy combline filter in MATLAB. Classical designs of filters have not been taking into consideration of various loss factors related to the resonator in MATLAB. With that, there will always be inconsistency to the simulated response due to the response gap between ideal and lossy. Hence, modelling of a lossy combline filter will significantly improve the traditional way of filter designs by incorporating conductor and dielectric losses in practical realization. Simulations of both ideal and lossy combline filter will be performed using MATLAB, Maple and Advanced Design System (ADS) as well as for comparison and analysis purposes

Kajian Perbandingan Aktiviti Peroksidaan Lipid Secara In-Vitro Bagi Ekstrak Mimosa Pigra Dan Aplikasi Ekstrak Sebagai Antioksida Dalam Pemakanan Tilapia [SB615.M46 L481 2007 f rb].

Sebanyak 36 ekstrak Mimosa pigra telah diuji aktiviti antioksidanya dengan menggunakan ujian ferik tiosianat (FTC) dan asid tiobarbiturik (TBA). Didapati ekstrak rendaman air suling (daun) mempunyai aktiviti antioksida terbaik dalam ujian FTC, manakala ekstrak rebusan etil asetat (campuran batang, ranting dan daun) mempunyai aktiviti antioksida terbaik dalam ujian TBA. The antioxidant activities of 36 samples were evaluated by using ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assays. FTC result showed that leaves extract that was soaked in distilled had the best antioxidant activity

Expanding the Genetic Code for Synthesis of Proteins with Native Biological Modifications and Novel Chemical, Biophysical Probes

Engineering of protein with new modifications essentially expands the protein functions which provide powerful tools for investigating significant biological questions. New modifications also offer scientists the ability to handle protein activity at will. Therefore, development of facile and robust protein modification protocol is highly desirable in almost every aspect of biological research. In combination with chemistry and biology principles, the genetic code expansion technology has emerged as an effective strategy for manipulating proteins and interrogating biological systems. In this regard, the overall objective of the presented research is to expand the chemical biology toolbox based on noncanonical amino acid incorporation and bioorthogonal chemistry. During my graduate study, I was focused on methodology development to genetically incorporate defined, homogeneous native protein posttranslational modifications and new chemical/biophysical probes into proteins for biological investigations, particularly for epigenetic applications. I have established the protocol to incorporate various native lysine acylations into proteins including crotonylation, propionylation and butyrylation. In addition, I also developed a chemical biology approach to study epigenetics, coined “chemical antibody”. This approach allows high throughput fluorescent detection of posttranslational modifications without the use of antibodies. I genetically encoded native lysine posttranslational modification surrogates, such as acryloyllysine, into proteins. Coupled with the bioorthogonal chemistry development, the site-specific detection of the posttranslational modifications was accomplished, essentially offering an alternative route for understanding epigenetic enzyme network. Following the same line of approach, in order to study protein long chain fatty acid acylation, I incorporated long chain unstrained alkene into proteins as chemical reports that are able to be selectively labeled via tetrazine-based bioorthogonal reaction. This development also generates a new direction of research in studying the long chain fatty acid metabolic acylome using chemical biology approach. Lastly, the site-specific incorporation of fluorine-containing noncanonical amino acid probes into proteins was also developed. Fluorine is referred to as “magic bullet” in medicinal organic chemistry and biochemistry. Introducing fluorine into protein allows generating an unrivalled unique probe in a protein without any structural perturbation. The site-specific incorporation of perfluorinated probes is an invaluable tool for the study of noncovalent protein interactions as well as the application on protein designs. Overall, the collective work presented has extensively improved our ability of handling site-specific protein modifications with native biological PTMs and handy chemical/ biophysical probes for diverse medical and biological applications

Treatment of Sludge Waste from Electronic Factory and Conversion to Construction Material

As a result of rising demand from emerging market countries, the electronics industry is quickly expanding. Growing of the electronics industry can also mean that large amount of industrial wastewater is being discharged and hence producing electroplating sludge (ES) which is consider as hazardous waste because the sludge bears high concentration of heavy metal

Tear Resistance, FTIR and Morphology Study of Tree Pruning Waste Papers: Effect of Soda Pulping Concentration

With the aim to explore the use of tree pruning waste as replacement material in papermaking, a study was conducted to investigate the effect of soda pulping concentration on the tear resistance and surface morphology of the fabricated papers. By varying the sodium hydroxide concentration from 5% to 25%, tree pruning waste papers with different tear resistance and surface morphology were fabricated. The tree pruning waste papers with the optimum tear resistance (73049.68 mN) was produced when the pulping medium was prepared at 20% sodium hydroxide concentration. As confirmed by the morphology study, the pulp fibres with improved interlocking surface morphology was produced at 20% sodium hydroxide concentration. Beyond that, fibre fibrillation had took place and exerted negative impact on the tear resistance of the papers. The present study confirms the use of tree pruning waste as an alternative in papermaking. Nonetheless, the soda pulping concentration must be properly regulated in order to maximize the performance of the fabricated paper products.&nbsp

Higgs Boson Sector of the Next-to-MSSM with CP Violation

We perform a comprehensive study of the Higgs sector in the framework of the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model with CP-violating parameters in the superpotential and in the soft-supersymmetry-breaking sector. Since the CP is no longer a good symmetry, the two CP-odd and the three CP-even Higgs bosons of the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model in the CP-conserving limit will mix. We show explicitly how the mass spectrum and couplings to gauge bosons of the various Higgs bosons change when the CP-violating phases take on nonzero values. We include full one-loop and the logarithmically enhanced two-loop effects employing the renormalization-group (RG) improved approach. In addition, the LEP limits, the global minimum condition, and the positivity of the square of the Higgs-boson mass have been imposed. We demonstrate the effects on the Higgs-mass spectrum and the couplings to gauge bosons with and without the RG-improved corrections. Substantial modifications to the allowed parameter space happen because of the changes to the Higgs-boson spectrum and their couplings with the RG-improved corrections. Finally, we calculate the mass spectrum and couplings of the few selected scenarios and compare to the previous results in literature where possible; in particular, we illustrate a scenario motivated by electroweak baryogenesis.Comment: 40 pages, 49 figures; v2: typos corrected and references added; v3: some clarification and new figures added, version published in PR