609 research outputs found
Mapping for the future: Business intelligence tool to map regional housing stock
The amount of data available and the lack of data integration represent an increasing challenge to effective planning for government agencies. Integration of data from multiple sources has the potential to enable a user to draw valuable insights, which can be used to enhance service targeting and delivery, and to improve program evaluation. In recognition of the need to improve data integration the University of Wollongong and the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) partnered to create an integrated housing stock database for the Illawarra region. The database serves as the backbone for an online and interactive Housing Stock Mapping Dashboard (HSMD). It assembled multilevel granular information (including at the Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) and Local Government Area (LGA) level) collected from multiple historical programs by multiple agencies. This centralised, integrated data repository can help agencies understand the existing housing stock, and improve access to information to support evidence-based policy. This paper presents a model of how data can be integrated from multiple agencies to provide an online collaboration platform. The platform, HSMD, was designed to demonstrate to government, industry, and the research community the opportunity of data integration and advanced analytics. Potential applications of the HSMD include characterisation of the existing housing stock according to a range of building attributes, for instance the presence of ceiling insulation or rainwater tanks. Comparison of these attributes with energy consumption data can indicate the influence of the attribute, or the impact of a specific intervention. This can help policy makers understand uptake and penetration of previous rebate schemes
Immobilization of fungal biomass with multi-walled carbon nanotubes as biosorbent
Aim: This study was mainly highlighted on a combination of fungal biomass onto MWCNTs in order to enhance the
positive integration of impurities removal in aqueous solution.
Methodology and results: The immobilization of fungal biomass and MWCNTs was done in a batch liquid medium with
several factors such as agitation speed, dose of MWCNTs, pH and inoculum dosage that were conducted with one
factor at one time (OFAT) method. Basically, to verify the functional group of MWCNTs, Aspergillus niger biomass and
immobilized A. niger biomass, the FTIR was applied and FESEM was done to demonstrate and compare the image of
the immobilized A. niger biomass with MWCNTs and fungal biomass alone. The finding showed the best agitation
speed, dose of MWCNTs, pH and inoculum dosage were 150 rpm, 0.5 g, 5-6 and 2% respectively. FTIR indicates the
presents of the functional groups like –OH (3270 cm
-1
), C-O (1619 cm
-1
) and –CH (2915 cm
-1
) while FESEM illustrates
the images of the wrapped MWCNTs on A. niger biomass.
Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The conventional technique of adsorption of fungal biomass alone not
showing a favorable removal of impurities. Thus, the immobilization of fungal biomass (A. niger) with multi-walled carbon
nanotubes (MWCNTs) was a good combination since both have potential functional group to accumulate to each other
and has a tendency to remove effectively and efficiently the impurities in aqueous solution
Antimicrobial potential of alkaloids and flavonoids extracted from Tamarix aphylla leaves against common human pathogenic bacteria
Background: Alkaloids and flavonoids are secondary metabolites extracted from different medicinal plants. Tamarix aphylla a traditionally valuable medicinal plant; was used for the extraction of alkaloids and flavonoids in order to evaluate their antibacterial activity.Methodology: The leaves of the plant were collected from district Kohat, Pakistan, and their alkaloids and flavonoids were extracted with ethanol and methanol, respectively. Four bacteria i.e. Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were selected for the biological screening of these phyto-constituents.Results: The concentration of alkaloids was found to be more in the leaves of Tamarix aphylla than flavonoids. The extracted phytochemicals showed varied inhibition zones against tested bacterial isolates. Alkaloids showed highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus (14±0.6 mm) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13±0.7 mm). Conversely, flavonoids showed the highest inhibitory affect against Salmonella typhi (17±0.7 mm) followed by Staphylococcus aureus (14±0.7 mm). However, both extracts showed the lowest inhibitory effects against Escherichia coli.Conclusions: It was concluded that the alkaloids and flavonoids from Tamarix aphylla leaves have antimicrobial potential against common human bacterial pathogens. However, flavonoids were found to be more active phytochemical against tested bacterial strains as compared to alkaloids.Keywords: Kohat; Medicinal plants; Phytochemical screening; In-vitro activity; Bacterial strains
The methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews from China and the USA are similar
Objective: To compare the methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews by authors from China and those from the United States (the USA). Study Design: From systematic reviews of randomised trials published in 2014 in English, we randomly selected 100 from China and 100 from the USA. The methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR tool, and reporting quality assessed using the PRISMA tool. Results: Compared with systematic reviews from the USA, those from China were more likely to be a meta-analysis, published in low impact journals, and a non-Cochrane review. The mean summary AMSTAR score was 6.7 (95% confidence interval: 6.5 to 7.0) for reviews from China and 6.6 (6.1 to 7.1) for reviews from the USA, and the mean summary PRISMA score was 21.2 (20.7 to 21.6) for reviews from China and 20.6 (19.9 to 21.3) for reviews from the USA. The differences in summary quality scores between China and the USA were statistically non-significant after adjusting for multiple review factors. Conclusions: The overall methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews by authors from China are similar to those from the USA, although the quality of systematic reviews from both countries could be further improved
Supercruiser Arrow HS-8
Technology in aeronautics has advanced dramatically since the last design of a production High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) aircraft. Newly projected requirements call for a new High Speed Civil Transport aircraft with a range of approximately 550 nm and at least 275 passenger capacity. The aircraft must be affordable and marketable. The new HSCT must be able to sustain long-duration flights and to absorb the abuse of daily operation. The new aircraft must be safe and simple to fly and require a minimum amount of maintenance. This aircraft must meet FAA certification criteria of FAR Part 25 and environmental constraints. Several design configurations were examined and two designs were selected for further investigation. The first design employs the delta planform wings and conventional empennage layout. The other design uses a swing wing layout and conventional empennage. Other engineering challenges, including materials and propulsion are also discussed. At a cruise flight speed between Mach 2.2 and Mach 3.0, no current generation of materials can endure the thermal loading of supersonic flight and satisfy the stringent weight requirements. A new generation of lightweight composite materials must be developed for the HSCT. With the enforcement of stage 3 noise restrictions, these new engines must be able to propel the aircraft and satisfy the noise limit. The engine with the most promise is the variable cycle engine. At low subsonic speeds the engine operates like a turbofan engine, providing the most efficient performance. At higher speeds the variable cycle engine operates as a turbojet power plant. The two large engine manufacturers, General Electric and Pratt & Whitney in the United States, are combining forces to make the variable cycle engine a reality
The clinical and economic benefits of capecitabine and tegafur with uracil in metastatic colorectal cancer
Two oral fluoropyrimidine therapies have been introduced for metastatic colorectal cancer. One is a 5-fluorouracil pro-drug, capecitabine; the other is a combination of tegafur and uracil administered together with leucovorin. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these oral therapies against standard intravenous 5-fluorouracil regimens. A systematic literature review was conducted to assess the clinical effectiveness of the therapies and costs were calculated from the UK National Health Service perspective for drug acquisition, drug administration, and the treatment of adverse events. A cost-minimisation analysis was used; this assumes that the treatments are of equal efficacy, although direct randomised controlled trial (RCT) comparisons of the oral therapies with infusional 5-fluorouracil schedules were not available. The cost-minimisation analysis showed that treatment costs for a 12-week course of capecitabine (ÂŁ2132) and tegafur with uracil (ÂŁ3385) were lower than costs for the intravenous Mayo regimen (ÂŁ3593) and infusional regimens on the de Gramont (ÂŁ6255) and Modified de Gramont (ÂŁ3485) schedules over the same treatment period. Oral therapies result in lower costs to the health service than intravenous therapies. Further research is needed to determine the relative clinical effectiveness of oral therapies vs infusional regimens
A survey on internet of things enabled smart campus applications
The fictional future home, workspace or city, as predicted by science TV shows of the 1960s, is now a reality. Modern microelectronics and communication technologies offer the type of smart living that looked practically inconceivable just a few decades ago. The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the main drivers of the future smart spaces. It enables new operational technologies and offers vital financial and environmental benefits. With IoT, spaces are evolving from being just 'smart' to become intelligent and connected. This survey paper focuses on how to leverage IoT technologies to build a modular approach to smart campuses. The paper identifies the key benefits and motivation behind the development of IoT-enabled campus. Then, it provides a comprehensive view of general types of smart campus applications. Finally, we consider the vital design challenges that should be met to realise a smart campus
Business opportunities analysis using GIS: the retail distribution sector
[EN] The retail distribution sector is facing a difficult time as the current
landscape is characterized by ever-increasing competition. In these conditions, the
search for an appropriate location strategy has the potential to become a differentiating
and competitive factor. Although, in theory, an increasing level of importance
is placed on geography because of its key role in understanding the success of
a business, this is not the case in practice. For this reason, the process outlined in
this paper has been specifically developed to detect new business locations. The
methodology consists of a range of analyzes with Geographical Information Systems
(GISs) from a marketing point of view. This new approach is called geomarketing.
First, geodemand and geocompetition are located on two separate digital
maps using spatial and non-spatial databases. Second, a third map is obtained by
matching this information with the demand not dealt with properly by the current
commercial offer. Third, the Kernel density allows users to visualize results, thus
facilitating decision-making by managers, regardless of their professional background.
The advantage of this methodology is the capacity of GIS to handle large
amounts of information, both spatial and non-spatial. A practical application is
performed in Murcia (Spain) with 100 supermarkets and data at a city block level,
which is the highest possible level of detail. This detection process can be used in
any commercial distribution company, so it can be generalized and considered a
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