Scan Test Coverage Improvement Via Automatic Test Pattern Generation (Atpg) Tool Configuration

The scan test coverage improvement by using automatic test pattern generation (ATPG) tool configuration was investigated. Improving the test coverage is essential in detecting manufacturing defects in semiconductor industry so that high quality products can be supplied to consumers. The ATPG tool used was Mentor Graphics Tessent TestKompress (version 2014.1). The study was done by setting up a few experiments of utilizing and modifying ATPG commands and switches, observing the test coverage improvement from the statistical reports provided during pattern generation process and providing relatable discussions. By modifying the ATPG commands, it can be expected to have some improvement in the test coverage. The scan test patterns generated were stuck-at test patterns. Based on the experiments done, comparison was made on the different coverage readings and the most optimized method and flow of ATPG were determined. The most optimized flow gave an improvement of 0.91% in test coverage which is acceptable since this method does not involve a change in design. The test patterns generated were converted and tested using automatic test equipment (ATE) to observe its performance on real silicon. The test coverage improvement using ATPG tool instead of the design-based method is important as a faster workaround for back-end engineers to provide high quality test contents in such a short product development duration

Comparative study on data searching in linked list & B-tree and B+tree techniques

There are many methods of searching large amount of data to find one particular piece of information. Such as finding the name of a person in a mobile phone record. Certain methods of organizing data make the search process more efficient. The objective of these methods is to find the element with the least time. In this study, the focus is on time of search in large databases, which is considered an important factor in the success of the search. The goal is choosing the appropriate search techniques to test the time of access to data in the database and what is the ratio difference between them. Three search techniques are used in this work namely; linked list, B-tree, and B+ tree. A comparison analysis is conducted using five case databases studies. Experimental results reveal that after the average times for each search algorithms on the databases have been recorded, the linked list requires lots of time during search process, with B+ tree producing significantly low times. Based on these results, it is clear that searching in B- tree is faster than linked list at a ratio of (1: 5). The searching time in a B+ tree is faster than B- tree at the ratio of (1: 2). The searching time in a B+ tree is faster than linked list at the ratio of (1: 8). With that, it can be concluded that B+ tree is the fastest technique for data access

Analisis keupayaan pelajar dalam pembinaan semula kurikulum Bahasa Melayu asas bagi pelajar antarabangsa Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

Kurikulum merupakan satu elemen terpenting dalam acuan pendidikan bagi sesebuah komuniti. Kurikulum menjadi prinsip dan prosedur bagi perencanaan, implementasi, evaluasi dan pengelolaan suatu rancang-bangun sesuatu program pendidikan. Namun demikian, dalam misi untuk mengantarabangsakan bahasa Melayu melalui sektor pendidikan di Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, penyusunan kurikulum pengajaran dan pembelajaran Asas Bahasa Melayu masih memerlukan penambahbaikan. Antara permasalahan yang dikenal pasti ialah keupayaan pelajar yang berbeza terhadap penguasaan asas bahasa Melayu. Kajian ini dijalankan bagi mendapatkan pandangan tokoh, pakar atau pengamal kurikulum asas Bahasa Melayu untuk pelajar asing di universiti awam dan swasta bagi membina semula Kurikulum Asas Bahasa Melayu di Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris. Model Taba dipilih kerana model ini sesuai dengan reka bentuk metod pengajaran berdasarkan autonomi guru berbanding dengan lima model kurikulum yang lain. Teknik Delphi digunakan dalam kajian bagi mendapatkan data. Teknik ini dijalankan melalui beberapa pusingan temu bual terhadap informan kajian bagi mendapatkan pandangan mereka terhadap (1) keperluan pengasingan kelas mengikut keupayaan pelajar dan (2) keperluan mengadakan ujian penempatan bagi mengenal pasti tahap keupayaan pelajar dalam Kurikulum Asas Bahasa Melayu. Dapatan kajian mendapati pendapat informan tidak senada tentang keperluan pengasingan kelas berdasarkan tahap keupayaan pelajar kerana faktor kemudahan yang tidak mencukupi. Dapatan kajian juga mendapati bahawa wujud keperluan mengadakan pentaksiran awal atau ujian penempatan pelajar bagi pelajar antarabangsa. Implikasi kajian menunjukkan bahawa aspek keupayaan pelajar perlu diberi perhatian dalam membentuk kurikulum pengajaran Bahasa Melayu sebagai bahasa asing

A Prospective Study of Tuberculosis Drug Susceptibility in Sabah, Malaysia, and an Algorithm for Management of Isoniazid Resistance

Introduction. The burden of tuberculosis is high in eastern Malaysia, and rates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance are poorly defined. Our objectives were to determine M. tuberculosis susceptibility and document management after receipt of susceptibility results. Methods. Prospective study of adult outpatients with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in Sabah, Malaysia. Additionally, hospital clinicians accessed the reference laboratory for clinical purposes during the study. Results. 176 outpatients were enrolled; 173 provided sputum samples. Mycobacterial culture yielded M. tuberculosis in 159 (91.9%) and nontuberculous Mycobacterium (NTM) in three (1.7%). Among outpatients there were no instances of multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Seven people (4.5%) had isoniazid resistance (INH-R); all were switched to an appropriate second-line regimen for varying durations (4.5-9 months). Median delay to commencement of the second-line regimen was 13 weeks. Among 15 inpatients with suspected TB, 2 had multidrug resistant TB (one extensively drug resistant), 2 had INH-R, and 4 had NTM. Conclusions. Current community rates of MDR-TB in Sabah are low. However, INH-resistance poses challenges, and NTM is an important differential diagnosis in this setting, where smear microscopy is the usual diagnostic modality. To address INH-R management issues in our setting, we propose an algorithm for the treatment of isoniazid-resistant PTB

Synthesis of flavone-based compounds as ros-dependent apoptosis inducers in colorectal cancer

Apoptosis is essential for maintaining cell homeostasis. It hinders the cancer cells survival and excessive ROS can induce DNA damage in cancer cells, which lead to apoptosis. Therefore, targeting apoptosis may be a universal cancer therapeutic technique. Twelve flavone-based compounds were synthesised and characterised. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against four human cancer cell lines: kidney, breast, colorectal, and bladder cancer cells. Only compound 8 exhibited excellent cytotoxicity against all investigated cancer cell lines, with notably potent cytotoxicity against colorectal (SW620) cells (IC50: 3.2 μM) and higher cytotoxicity than control (IC50: 4.2 μM). Mechanistic analyses such as colony formation, cell cycle arrests and flow cytometry analyses demonstrated an increase in intracellular ROS-induced apoptosis in SW620 cells, which is a potential mode of action for compound 8. Western blot research confirmed the apoptotic mechanism of 8 by showing overexpression of c-PARP, BAD, BAK, and AMPK and downregulation of BCL-2 and AKT. Taken together, the data showed that 8 induces apoptosis by increasing ROS. According to this study, a 4-chloromethyl substituent at the C3-phenyl group may be required for 8's cytotoxicity since other para substituents are inactive. Therefore, structure-activity analysis of 8 in related proteins can be studied

Investigation of yb-1 gene expression by syber-green based real-time pcr in brain tumor

Cancer generally is a genetic disease that can cause alteration in specific gene in which a group of cells display uncontrolled growth, invasion and metastasis. YB-1 Gene Y -box binding protein (YB-1) is a member of the cold-shock domain (CSD) protein superfamily and involved in many cellular functions, including transcriptional regulation, translational regulation, DNA repair, drug resistance and stress responses to extracellular signals. YB-1 gene can be found in a cytoplasm and nuclear cell. The YB-1 gene comprises 8 exons spanning 19 kb of genomic DNA and is located on chromosome I p34. The aim of the study is to differential relatively quantitative the expression of YB-I gene in brain tumor sample (meningioma) and normal brain sample (Astrocyte SVG I2). SYBR-Green I based Real-Time PCR was performed and data analysis using formula 2-MCt has demonstrated that YB-1 gene was over-expressed by 2.86 fold in comparison to its expression in normal sample. This preliminary data is very important in the future experiment for expression of YB-I gene showed the potential as a biology marker for detection of brain tumor

Utilization of Agricultural Wastes in Stabilization of Landfill Soil

Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) are local agricultural waste material from Palm Oil Industry and from Paddy Industry in Malaysia. Currently, the disposal of these ashes from a burning process is a problem to both industries, and hence leads to environmental pollution. The main aim of this research was to investigate the potential of utilizing POFA and RHA as sustainable stabilizer material as partial replacement of traditional one which is lime and Portland Cement (PC). Laboratory investigations were carried out to establish the potential utilization of Malaysian Agricultural wastes POFA and RHA in stabilizing Teluk Kapas Landfill soil. Landfill soil on its own and combination with laterite clay soil were stabilized using POFA or RHA either on its own or in combination with Lime or Portland Cement (PC). The traditional stabilizers of lime or Portland Cement (PC) were used as controls. Compacted cylinder test specimens were made at typical stabilizer contents and moist cured for up to 60 days prior to testing for compressive and water absorption tests. The results obtained showed that landfill soil combined with laterite clay (50:50) stabilized with 20% RHA:PC (50:50)and POFA: PC (50:50) recorded the highest values of compressive strength compared to the other compositions of stabilizers and soils. However, when the amount of POFA and RHA increased in the system the compressive strength values of the samples tends to increase. These results suggest technological, economic as well as environmental advantages of using POFA and RHA and similar industrial by-products to achieve sustainable infrastructure development with near zero industrial waste

Utilization of Agricultural Wastes in Stabilization of Landfill Soil

Palm Oil Fuel Ash (POFA) and Rice Husk Ash (RHA) are local agricultural waste material from Palm Oil Industry and from Paddy Industry in Malaysia. Currently, the disposal of these ashes from a burning process is a problem to both industries, and hence leads to environmental pollution. The main aim of this research was to investigate the potential of utilizing POFA and RHA as sustainable stabilizer material as partial replacement of traditional one which is lime and Portland Cement (PC). Laboratory investigations were carried out to establish the potential utilization of Malaysian Agricultural wastes POFA and RHA in stabilizing Teluk Kapas Landfill soil. Landfill soil on its own and combination with laterite clay soil were stabilized using POFA or RHA either on its own or in combination with Lime or Portland Cement (PC). The traditional stabilizers of lime or Portland Cement (PC) were used as controls. Compacted cylinder test specimens were made at typical stabilizer contents and moist cured for up to 60 days prior to testing for compressive and water absorption tests. The results obtained showed that landfill soil combined with laterite clay (50:50) stabilized with 20% RHA:PC (50:50)and POFA: PC (50:50) recorded the highest values of compressive strength compared to the other compositions of stabilizers and soils. However, when the amount of POFA and RHA increased in the system the compressive strength values of the samples tends to increase. These results suggest technological, economic as well as environmental advantages of using POFA and RHA and similar industrial by-products to achieve sustainable infrastructure development with near zero industrial waste

Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the breakdown of immune tolerance leading to excessive inflammation and tissue damage. Imbalance in the levels of cytokines represents one of the multifactorial causes of SLE pathogenesis and it contributes to disease severity. Deregulated levels of T helper type 1 (Th1), type 2 (Th2), and type 17 (Th17) cytokines have been associated with autoimmune inflammation. Growing evidence has shown deregulated levels of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in SLE patients compared to healthy controls associated with disease activity and severity. In this review, we describe and discuss the levels of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in SLE patients, and clinical trials involving Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines in SLE patients. In particular, with the exception of IL-2, IL-4, and TGF-β1, the levels of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines are increased in SLE patients associated with disease severity. Current phase II or III studies involve therapeutic antibodies targeting IFN-α and type I IFN receptor, while low-dose IL-2 therapy is assessed in phase II clinical trials