Optical properties of diamond like carbon films prepared by DC-PECVD

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin films were deposited at different substrate temperatures using methane and hydrogen gas in DC-PECVD at 2x10-1Torr. From the light transmission using UV-VIS spectroscopy it was found that the optical transition had changed from allowed indirect transition to allowed direct transition as the substrate temperature increased. The Optical gap increased with temperature, highest of 3.034 eV was observed at 573 K, beyond which it dropped. Colour of the film changed from light brownish to a colourless transparent film in the higher temperature. The Urbach energy decreased from 1.25 eV to 0.75 eV with increasing substrate temperature till 573 K and a slight increase after it. This trend is attributed to change in sp3/sp2 ratio or change in structure. The cluster size decreases with temperature, resulting in larger band gap and the structure more ordered. Similar pattern is also witnessed in the emission spectrum of the photoluminescence

Detection of Inositol Polyphosphates by Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) under Apoptotic Conditions in Cultured SW480 Cells

Inositol phosphates are naturally occurring compounds that regulate diverse cellular processes including apoptosis. Apoptosis is a mechanism by which cells undergo natural death to maintain cellular homeostasis. It causes cell death in areas during a state that is harmful to the body. It also regulates cellular development. Previous work has shown that exogenously administered, as well as endogenously manipulated inositol phosphates bring about apoptotic changes. It has been demonstrated that cellular levels of inositol phosphates, particularly higher inositol phosphates such as inositol hexakis-phosphate (IP6) and diphosphoinositol pentakis-phosphate (IP7) levels increase during apoptotic conditions. In this study, we have attempted to separate and identify higher inositol phosphates such as IP6 by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and shown that changes in inositol phosphate levels can be detected by this method. Cells were treated with etoposide to induce apoptosis, and apoptotic cells were observed under UV light following ethidium bromide/acridine orange staining. This staining showed that IP3 - IP6 induced apoptosis in SW480 cells with IP6 being the most effective inducing agent. The extracts from apoptotic and control cells were then loaded onto the polyacrylamide gel and run along with standard IP6. Results showed that IP6 could be detected using the PAGE method and that cellular levels of IP6 were increased in SW480 cells, in which apoptosis had been induced by etoposide. Our results demonstrated that this technique could be utilized instead of the laborious radioactive labeling and HPLC separation method to study the changes in cellular levels of inositol phosphates particularly IP6

Mushroom-Like EBG to Improve Patch Antenna Performance For C-Band Satellite Application

In order to suppress the surface waves excitation that are caused by thick substrate in a patch antenna, a mushroom-like EBG (Electromagnetic Band Gap) structure is used. Such structures enhance its characteristics of gain, directivity, bandwidth and efficiency. Firstly, we determined frequency band gap characteristics of mushroom like EBG unit cell value by using CST software with 3mm (0.06λo) for covering 6 GHz. The periodic arrangement of such mushroom-like EBG structures was not limited by any interconnecting microstrip lines. Four columns of EBGs shifted inwards to antenna edges by 0.3mm (0.06λo) or a gap of its design around the patch from the left and right sides. Different configurations were also examined in order to get the better improvement in antenna performance. The final design of this mushroom-like shifted periodic structure shows an effective increase in the directivity by 77%, gain by 108%, bandwidth by 29% and the efficiency by 20% for the antenna. This structure has diversified application possibility for wireless and satellite communications

Spectrophotometric Determination of Sulfanilamide in Pure and in Synthetic Sample based on Condensation Reaction Method

A new, Simple, sensitive and accurate spectrophotometric methods have been developed for the determination of sulfanilamide (SNA) drug in pure and in synthetic sample. This method based on the reaction of sulfanilamide (SNA) with 1,2-napthoquinone-4-sulphonic acid (NQS) to form N-alkylamono naphthoquinone by replacement of the sulphonate  group of the naphthoquinone sulphonic acid by an amino group. The colored chromogen shows absorption maximum at 455 nm. The optimum conditions of condensation reaction forms were investigated by: (1) univariable method, by optimizing the effect of experimental variables; (different bases, reagent concentration, borax concentration and reaction time),     (2) central  composite design (CCD) including the effect of three experimental factors (reagent concentration, borax concentration, and reaction time). The linearity ranges of sulfanilamide are (5-30 µg.mL-1) at 455 nm with molar absorptivity (6.9568×104 - 7.0774×104 L.mol-1.cm-1), Sandell's sensitivity index (2.4753 - 2.4330 μg.cm-2) and detection limit of (0.546 – 0.536 µg.mL-1) for each procedure respectively. The results showed there are no interferences of excipients on the determination of the drug. The proposed method has been successfully applied for the determination of sulfanilamide in pure and in synthetic sample. Keywords: Spectrophotometric determination, Sulfanilamide, Central  composite design, 1, 2-napthoquinone-4-sulphonic acid (NQS)

High rates of loss of heterozygosity on chromosome 19p13 in human breast cancer

We have recently discovered that the nuclear matrix protein SAFB is an oestrogen receptor corepressor. Since it has become clear that many steroid receptor cofactors play important roles in breast tumorigenesis, we investigated whether SAFB could also be involved in breast cancer. To address this question, the gene locus was examined for structural alterations in breast cancer tissue. Laser capture microdissection was used for isolating DNA from paired primary breast tumour and normal tissue specimens, and the loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome 19p13.2–3 was determined by use of microsatellite markers. LOH was detected at the marker D19S216, which colocalizes with the SAFB locus, in specimens from 29 (78.4%) of 37 informative patients. The peak LOH rate occurred at D19S216 near the SAFB locus, with LOH frequencies ranging from 21.6% to 47.2% at other markers. The finding of a very high LOH rate at the marker D19S216 strongly indicates the presence of a breast tumour-suppressor gene locus. While preliminary findings of mutations in SAFB suggest that this indeed may be a promising candidate, other potential candidate genes are located at this locus. © 2001 Cancer Research Campaign http://www.bjcancer.co

Hybrid deposition additive manufacturing: novel volume distribution, thermo-mechanical characterization, and image analysis

(c) The Author/sCAUL read and publish agreement 2022The structural integrity of additive manufacturing structures is a pronounced challenge considering the voids and weak layer-to-layer adhesion. One of the potential ways is hybrid deposition manufacturing (HDM) that includes fused filament fabrication (FFF) with the conventional filling process, also known as “HDM composites". HDM is a potential technique for improving structural stability by replacing the thermoplastic void structure with a voidless epoxy. However, the literature lacks investigation of FFF/epoxy HDM-based composites regarding optimal volume distribution, effects of brittle and ductile FFF materials, and fractographic analysis. This research presents the effects of range of volume distributions (10–90%) between FFF and epoxy system for tensile, flexure, and compressive characterization. Volume distribution in tensile and flexure samples is achieved using printable wall thickness, slot width, and maximum width. For compression, the printable wall thickness, slot diameter, and external diameter are considered. Polylactic acid and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene are used to analyze the brittle and ductile FFF structures. The research reports novel application of image analysis during mechanical characterization using high-quality camera and fractographic analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results present surprising high tensile strain (0.038 mm/mm) and compressive strength (64.5 MPa) for lower FDM-percentages (10%, 20%) that are explained using in situ image analysis, SEM, stress–strain simulations, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). In this regard, the proposed work holds novelty to apply DMA for HDM. The optimal volume distributions of 70% and 80% alongside fractographic mechanisms for lower percentages (10%, 20%) can potentially contribute to structural applications and future material-based innovations for HDM.fals

Co-Management in Capture Fisheries Is the Effective Way of Establishing Property Rights of the Poor Fisher in Bangladesh

The study is a modest attempt of assessing community-based management of inland fisheries resources in Bangladesh to establishing access right to the poor fishing communities. Co-management initiatives undertaken by different institutes have established effective networking among Community Based Organizations (CBOs). The initiatives also provided fisheries management knowledge and created access to finance. Since the country is endowed with enormous inland open water fisheries, development of local institutions is a prime task. However, establishment of access to waterbodies is not easy as government policies favored powerful elites and local politicians. Diverse types of waterbodies and related policies hindered successful fisheries management. Community Based Fisheries Management (CBFM) approaches proved to establish friendly local institution which, can access to resources, finance, skills and income. The present study employed management information from a range of different CBFM projects covered more than 300 waterbodies in different geographic location from 1996 to 2008. This paper focuses on the lessons, cage studies and challenges of CBFM initiatives. The sustainable resources management, which is part and parcel of the CBFM approach, has led to document environmental degradation, in comparison to current indiscriminating over exploitation practices. This paper describes distributional pattern of benefit depends on the strength and appropriateness of the institutions, attitudes and social capital created for all categories of stakeholders within the co-management approach. The paper concluded with the appropriateness of different factors effecting comanagement initiatives in the open water fisheries management in Bangladesh

Partial Biodegradable Blend for Fused Filament Fabrication: In-Process Thermal and Post-Printing Moisture Resistance.

Despite the extensive research, the moisture-based degradation of the 3D-printed polypropylene and polylactic acid blend is not yet reported. This research is a part of study reported on partial biodegradable blends proposed for large-scale additive manufacturing applications. However, the previous work does not provide information about the stability of the proposed blend system against moisture-based degradation. Therefore, this research presents a combination of excessive physical interlocking and minimum chemical grafting in a partial biodegradable blend to achieve stability against in-process thermal and moisture-based degradation. In this regard, a blend of polylactic acid and polypropylene compatibilized with polyethylene graft maleic anhydride is presented for fused filament fabrication. The research implements, for the first time, an ANOVA for combined thermal and moisture-based degradation. The results are explained using thermochemical and microscopic techniques. Scanning electron microscopy is used for analyzing the printed blend. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy has allowed studying the intermolecular interactions due to the partial blending and degradation mechanism. Differential scanning calorimetry analyzes the blending (physical interlocking or chemical grafting) and thermochemical effects of the degradation mechanism. The thermogravimetric analysis further validates the physical interlocking and chemical grafting. The novel concept of partial blending with excessive interlocking reports high mechanical stability against moisture-based degradation.Published onlin

Energy Consumption of Wireless Network Access Points

2nd International Conference on Green Communications and Networking, GreeNets 2012; Gandia; Spain; 25 October 2012 through 26 October 2012The development of low cost technology based on IEEE 802.11 standard permits to build telecommunication networks at low cost, allowing providing Internet access in rural areas in developing countries. The lack of access to the electrical grid is a problem when the network is being developed in rural areas, so that wireless access points should operate using solar panels and batteries. Many cases can be found where the energy consumption becomes a key point in wireless network design. In this paper we present a comparative study of the energy consumption of several wireless network access points. We will compare the energy consumption of different brands and models, for several operation scenarios and operating modes. Obtained results allow us to achieve the objective of this article, that is, promote the development of wireless communication networks energetically efficient.Andrade Morelli, S.; Ruiz Sanchez, E.; Granell Romero, E.; Lloret, J. (2013). Energy Consumption of Wireless Network Access Points. Lecture Notes of the Institute for Computer Sciences, Social-Informatics and Telecommunications Engineering, LNICST. 113:81-91. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-37977-2_8S8191113Khoa Nguyen, K., Jaumard, B.: Routing Engine Architecture for Next Generation Routers: Evolutional Trends. Network Protocols and Algorithms 1(1), 62–85 (2009)IEEE Std 802.11: IEEE Standard for Information technology -Telecommunications and information exchange between systems -Local and metropolitan area networks - Specific requirements – Part 11: Wireless LAN Medium Access Control (MAC) and Physical Layer (PHY) Specifications. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, New York, USA, pp.1–1184 (2007)Lloret, J., Garcia, M., Bri, D., Sendra, S.: A Wireless Sensor Network Deployment for Rural and Forest Fire Detection and Verification. Sensors 9(11), 8722–8747 (2009)Tapia, A., Maitland, C., Stone, M.: Making IT work for Municipalities: Building municipal wireless networks. Government Information Quarterly 23(3), 359–380 (2006)van Drunen, R., Koolhaas, J., Schuurmans, H., Vijn, M.: Building a Wireless Community Network in the Netherland. In: USENIX 2003 / Freenix Annual Technical Conference Proceedings, San Antonio, Texas, USA, June 9-14, pp. 219–230 (2003)Powell, A., Shade, L.R.: Going Wi-Fi in Canada: Municipal and Community Initiatives. Canadian Research Alliance for Community Innovation and Networking (2005)Sendra, S., Fernández, P.A., Quilez, M.A., Lloret, J.: Study and Performance of Interior Gateway IP routing Protocols. Network Protocols and Algorithms 2(4), 88–117 (2010)Galperin, H.: Wireless Networks and Rural Development: Opportunities for Latin America. Information Technologies and International Development 2(3), 47–56 (2005)Segal, M.: Improving lifetime of wireless sensor networks. Network Protocols and Algorithms 1(2), 48–60 (2009)Momani, A.A.E., Yassein, M.B., Darwish, O., Manaseer, S., Mardini, W.: Intelligent Paging Backoff Algorithm for IEEE 802.11 MAC Protocol. Network Protocols and Algorithms 4(2), 108–123 (2012)Mohsin, A.H., Bakar, K.A., Adekiigbe, A., Ghafoor, K.Z.: A Survey of Energy-aware Routing protocols in Mobile Ad-hoc Networks: Trends and Challenges. Network Protocols and Algorithms 4(2), 82–107 (2012)Feeney, L.M., Nilsson, M.: Investigating the Energy Consumption of a Wireless Network Interface in an Ad Hoc Networking Environment. In: Proceedings of the Twentieth Annual Joint Conference of the IEEE Computer and Communications Societies, INFOCOM 2001, Anchorage, Alaska, April 22-26, vol. 3, pp. 1548–1557. IEEE (2001)Barbancho, J., León, C., Molina, F.J., Barbancho, A.: Using artificial intelligence in routing schemes for wireless networks. Computer Communications 30(14-15), 2802–2811 (2007)Tao, C., Yang, Y., Honggang, Z., Haesik, K., Horneman, K.: Network energy saving technologies for green wireless access networks. IEEE Wireless Communications 18(5), 30–38 (2011)Sendra, S., Lloret, J., Garcia, M., Toledo, J.F.: Power saving and energy optimization techniques for Wireless Sensor Networks. Journal of Communications 6(6), 439–459 (2011