Optimization of medium for the production of β-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase using Central Composite Design (CCD)

Production of cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) from Bacillus G 1, a new bacterial isolate was optimized in shake-flask cultures using statistical design approach. An efficient fermentation medium producing CGTase with high activity (54.9U/ml) was determined: A 2(5) Central Composite Design (CCD; half fraction) has been chosen to elucidate the combined effect of five process variables; tapioca starch, peptone, yeast extract, magnesium sulphate and potassium phosphate concentration. Concentrations of 4% tapioca starch, 2% peptone, 0.04% magnesium sulphate and 1 % sodium carbonate have been shown to be optimum for the production of CGTase

Experimental study on energy absorption of foam filled kraft paper honeycomb subjected to quasi-static uniform compression loading

A statistical analysis was performed first to evaluate the effect of factor and to obtain the optimum configuration of Kraft paper honeycomb. The factors considered in this study include density of paper, thickness of paper and cell size of honeycomb. Based on the three level factorial design,two-factor interaction model (2FI) was developed to correlate the factors with specific energy absorption and specific compression strength. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the most influential factor on responses and the optimum configuration was identified. Then, Kraft paper honeycomb with optimize configuration is used to fabricate foam-filled paper honeycomb with five different densities of polyurethane foam as filler (31.8, 32.7, 44.5, 45.7, 52 kg/m3). The foam-filled paper honeycomb are subjected to quasi-static compression loading. Failure mechanism of the foam filled honeycomb were identified, analyzed and compared with the unfilled paper honeycomb. The peak force and energy absorption capability of foam filled paper honeycomb are increases up to 32% and 30% compared to the summation of individual components

The effect of caffeine on some indicators of bone metabolism in rats

The propose of this article is to evaluate the effect of caffeine on some indicators of bone metabolism in rats by biochemical measurement of minerals, bone densitometry and histometry. Forty eight Wistar albino male rats, age 6-8 weeks and weighing 100±0.11 g were randomly divided into four groups (12 rats each). Each group of animals received balanced diet; the second, third and fourth groups received pure caffeine dissolved in distilled water with different oral doses (0.35, 0.43 and 50 mg/day) for 12 constitutive weeks. Blood samples were withdrawn at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks. Serum and urinary calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and caffeine were estimated. Bone density and bone length were measured. Bone minerals were also estimated. The data revealed that the bone density was significantly decreased (p ≤ 0.05) in the fourth set (1.05±0.10 g/cm3) for right femur rats. The length of right femur increased with more doses of caffeine and it was highly significant in the fourth group (3.40±0.12cm). The proportion of each calcium, phosphors and magnesium in bone ash was significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05). Serum levels of calcium, phosphors and magnesium were decreased with increasing the dose over time. The levels of urinary calcium and magnesium were increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05) in group 4, but phosphors was raised (p ≤ 0.05) in all groups. In conclusion, intakes of caffeine in amounts >300 mg/dl significantly affected the quantitative composition of the bone and this finding lead to be at a greater risk for bone loss. These results suggested that appropriate lifestyle changes to conserve bone mineral density (BMD) by reducing the consumption of caffeine and need further studies to elucidate the mechanism that caffeine effects on bone metabolism

Manufacture of Anatomical Synthetic Demonstrating Models

The practical demonstration session is usually conducted using wet dissected cadaver specimens, plastinated specimens and sometimes plastic anatomical models. Computer-aided teaching means are added nowadays. Due to high formalin toxicity, high cost of plastinated specimens, high cost of computer-aided teaching programs, the synthetic specimens or plastic models are still good substitutes for practical teaching and learning, especially in developing countries like Egypt. Since imported synthetic models are relatively expensive, especially the magnified or those of high quality, the present trial aims at finding a simplified designing idea for manufacture of anatomical models. This simplified methodology helps in changing the two dimensional (2D) pictures to 3D synthetic anatomical local models. These models can be of great help in illustrations and teaching purposes especially for minute parts like natural ear ossicles, which can never be displayed in practical lessons except as pictures. In the present study, different human middle ear ossicles were obtained by repeated dissections of multiple wet cadavers to make an average dimensions for each ossicle. Two dimensional photographs for the ossicles on 1 mm-squared background sheet were taken to confirm measurements and the desired magnification was determined according to the reasonable demonstration distance. The third dimension is deduced by repeated reading of different sources and by reviewing their pictures in different aspects. Three-dimensional primitive magnified models made of sculpting clay were made. Permanent models were manufactured by using synthetic liquid polyester. All models contain wire core skeleton. These manufactured demonstrating anatomical models were found to be durable and easily portable in addition to their relatively simplified manufacturing methodology. They can also offer the basis for manufacturing of implants and prosthesis needed for rehabilitation purposes

Experimental study on Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) composite subjected to three point bending using ANOVA technique

This study focuses on the evaluation of factor effect to obtain the optimum configuration on empty fruit bunch (EFB) composite for impact purposes performed by statistical analysis using light resin transfer molding (LRTM). Three factors considered in this study are resin pressure, EFB volume fraction and EFB composite thickness. There are three levels of factorial design and two factors that have been developed to relate between ultimate strength and young’s modulus. Identification on the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to achieve the most influential factors on responses and optimum configuration. All the three considered factors influence the composite performance although only two are considered as the most influential factors on the composite performance for impact purposes

Effect of stitching on the tensile mechanical property of empty fruit bunch oil palm fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Stitching has proven to be an effective reinforcement for improving through-thickness (out-of-plane) mechanical properties with the incorporation of z-direction reinforcements of synthestic fiber. There are drawbacks to stitching as it may cause focal stress concentration, and fiber misalignment and breakage, but at the same time, it can also improve the tensile performance of the composite. Tensile properties, such as tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, were obtained from tensile tests performed on both stitched and unstitched oil palm fiber composites as per ASTM D638 specifications using Universal Testing Machine INSTRON 5582. The test results indicated that stitching natural, short, untreated and random empty fruit bunch oil palm fiber reinforced epoxy composites improve the tensile strength and elastic modulus due to the increase in matrix volume percentage and additional tensional resistance

Computational analysis of low velocity impacts on Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) composite

This paper is to investigate the impact response on peak force behavior of the material at low velocity impact EFB composite. This is because impact damage on EFB composite is not well-known using quasi-static indentation. Series of quasi-static indentation was conducted in experiment to obtain the impact result. However, more experimental results are required to gain an accurate result. Simulation is useful to predict results at a reduced cost and time. Mesh has been created to simulate EFB composite rectangular panel using LS-Dyna. Material properties of EFB composite obtained from three point bending test experiment using Instron 3367. Mesh density on EFB composite rectangular panel is differed, which are 0.5mm, 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, and 2.5 mm, and results from the simulation is compared to the experimental results which show the same pattern as the simulation result. From the study, the result proved that the simulation is in good agreement and has the same trend as the experimental result

An Evaluation of Internship Programme in Improving Graduate Skills and Marketability Among Arabic Language students in IIUM from the Perspective of Malaysian Job Market

The requirement of employability in the job market initiated universities to conduct internship training as part of study plan. There is a need to train the students with the important knowledge and skills related to the workplace and their gained knowledge. This study attempts to investigate the performance of internship training programme in the Department of Arabic Language and Literature, at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Methodologically, this study was conducted to congregate the opinions and experience about internship programme among Arabic language and literature students. The participants were purposively selected from 57 students who have completed their three months internship either in the public or private sector from June to September 2015 by using an online survey and open-ended questionnaires. General findings from this study show that internship training has essentially improved their soft skills and increased their work-place literacy and well-being. Despite the poor perception of Arabic language in the mutual graduate employability as well as its practicality aspects and job market by the industry, Arabic language and literature students are well accepted in both private and public sectors to undertake their internship training as reported in this paper. In conclusion, internship training is crucial, particularly among Arabic language and literature students as it enriches their experiences, knowledge and skills both in the personal and social life. It also increased their level of confidence to explore their future opportunity in the Malaysian job market including setting up their own businesses through entrepreneurship knowledge and skill

Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation programme including either O2 inhalation or noninvasive ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is crucial in managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and enhancing functional capacity and health status. Oxygen therapy and noninvasive ventilation (NIV) may be needed to be incorporated into rehabilitation to augment the effectiveness of physical training. Objectives: To compare and assess the impact of the PR programme alone and with augmentation with O2 or NIV on COPD patients. Methods: Seventy-five COPD patients were equally divided into three groups: group 1 patients performed 8 week-PR programme only. Group 2 performed the PR programme while receiving O2. Group 3 completed the PR programme plus NIV. Modified Borg scale, VO2 max, modified Medical Research Council Dyspnea Scale, 6-minute walk test, COPD assessment test score, spirometric measures and arterial blood gases were assessed before and after the programme. Results: The outcome measurements showed meaningful improvement compared with the baseline in the three studied groups. However, VO2 max in group 3 showed higher significant improvement than both groups 1 and 2. Regarding 6-minute walk test, groups 2 and 3 had a higher significant improvement than group 1. COPD assessment test score in group 3 showed higher significant improvement than groups 1 and 2. Arterial blood gases in groups 2 and 3 showed significant increase in partial pressure of arterial oxygen and arterial oxygen saturation, but group 3 only had a significant decrease in PaCO2. Conclusion: O2 supplementation and NIV help severe to very severe COPD patients to perform higher exercise intensity, so they augment the benefits of PR

Comparison of tensile properties between natural fibres and inorganic fibres for strengthening timber structures

Fibre-reinforced polymers (FRPs) have been successfully applied to the strengthening of reinforced concrete structures and a similar methodology is adopted by researchers in order to strengthen timber structures using synthetic fibres such as carbon, glass or aramid fibres. This paper explores the viability of using fibres from botanical sources for the reinforcement of timber structures. In this study, two natural fibre materials, namely kenaf and ramie, in combination with a polymeric matrix, are tested for their tensile properties in accordance with ASTM D 4018-99. The results indicate that kenaf fibres exhibit average ultimate tensile strength value at rupture of 750 MPa and Young’s modulus of 58 GPa. The test results also show that the corresponding parameters for ramie fibres average at 810 MPa and 36 GPa respectively. These values are closer to those of timber as opposed to analogous values for carbon and glass fibres. The strength and elastic moduli compatibility of both kenaf and ramie fibres with timber and contrast with carbon and glass fibres is further discussed in relation to the viability of using these natural fibres as reinforcement for timber