Optimization of Reaction Conditions in the Production of Gadolinium Diethylenetriamine Pentaacetate-Folate

A previous study has performed the laboratory-scale synthesis and characterization of Gadolinium Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate-Folate. Some parameters associated with the synthesis have been defined. In current study was focused on establishment the parameters for scaling up the production of Gadolinium Diethylenetriaminepentaacetate-Folate as a targeted MRI contrast agent. For the purpose of subsequent scaling up the synthesis, the parameters particularly those determining the yield of the reaction product should be established. This report presents the use of The Placket Burman Design and the Response Surface Methodology in establishing the parameters. Thus, following the Placket Burman Design, a number of synthesis reactions were carried out, each with different reaction conditions, with respect to parameters to include: mole ratio of reactants (i.e mole of Gd3+ to DTPA-Folate), time of reaction, temperature, stirring rate, pH and solvent volume. Using this method, a conclusion could be drawn that the three factors were found to be significant. To get final conclusions on the optimal synthesis reaction conditions, the Response Surface Methodology was then applied. For this purpose, again, some synthesis reactions experiments were performed. These were done, in accordance to the Response Surface Methodology, verified by analysis of countour plots, helped to locate the optimal value of the factors. The resulted data showed that for optimal yield of the synthesis reaction there were three dominant parameters. They were mole ratio of reactants, stirring rate process, and the volume of water

Modeling the effects of high strain rate loading on RC columns using Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) technique

In recent years, many studies have been conducted by governmental and nongovernmental organizations across the world in an attempt to better understand the effect of explosive loads on buildings in order to better design against specific threats. This study is intended to contribute to increase the knowledge about how explosions affect reinforced concrete (RC) columns. In this study, a nonlinear model is developed to study the blast response of RC columns subjected to explosive loads. Numerical modeling of RC column under explosive load is presented using advanced finite element code LS DYNA. The obtained numerical model is validated with the experimental test and the results are in substantial agreement with the experimental data. ALE method for blast analysis is presented in the current research. The effects of scaled distance on the damage profile of RC columns are investigated. The results demonstrate that the level of damage increased with describing the scaled distance. Also the results shown duration for the blast loading, and hence the impulse, varies with charge masses at the specified scaled distance. Higher magnitude charge masses produced longer blast loading durations than lower magnitude charge masses. This means that at the same scaled distance, a charge mass of higher magnitude produced a higher impulse than the lower magnitude charge mass. The findings of this research represent the scaled distance is an important parameter that should be taken into account when analyzing the behavior of RC columns under explosive effects. The data collected from this research are being used to improve the knowledge of how structures will respond to a blast event, and improve finite element models for predicting the blast performance of concrete structures.Peer Reviewe

Pemberian Dosis Mol Buah Maja (Aegle Marmelos) yang Berbeda terhadap Laju Pertumbuhan Rumput Laut (Kappaphycus Alvarezii)

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan efektivitas pemberian dosis mol buah maja yang berbeda terhadap pertumbuhan rumput laut K. alvarezii. Kegunaan penelitian ini diharapkan menjadi sumber informasi untuk meningkatkan produksi rumput laut khususnya K. Alvarezii. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan Agustus  hingga September 2014 di Perairan Desa Jaya Bakti, Kecamatan Pagimana, Kabupaten Banggai Propinsi Sulawesi Tengah. Data dianalisis Analisis Ragam (Anova) dengan menggunakan program SPSS. Bila terjadi perbedaan diantara perlakuan dilanjutkan dengan uji BNT atau LSD. Semakin tinggi dosis mol semakin tinggi pertumbuhan rumput laut, Pertumbuhan berat mutlak yang tertinggi terdapat pada perlakuan C  memberikan laju pertumbuhan sebesar 262.67 ± 5.69 gram, kemudian diikuti perlakuan B 227.00 ± 6.08 dan A 209.33 ± 29.87C. Pertumbuhan spesifik harian pada perlakuan C (mol 1,5 L/10 L air) memiliki nilai persentase tertinggi, kemudian diikuti perlakuan B (mol 1 L/10 L air)  dan perlakuan A (mol 0,5 L/10 L air)  dengan persentase pertumbuhan masing-masing yaitu (2.010 ± 0.036%), (1.758 ± 0.004%) dan (1.662 ± 0.199%). Parameter kualitas air yang terdapat pada perairan budidaya masih berada pada ambang batas kelayakan

Multiple input modality mobile application for pilgrims

Hajj consists of several rituals, which require the pilgrims to recite specific dua and zikr for each of them.Since there are so many dua and zikr involved, pilgrims who are not well versed in Arabic have difficulties to memorize them. This paper discusses the incorporation of voice recognition in an application that helps pilgrims to recite dua and zikr while performing all Hajj rituals, called Mobile Doa and Zikir for Hajj (MDZ4H).Android platform has been chosen due to the dramatic increased in the Android mobile phone users worldwide.MDZ4H displays the Arabic text, the translation in Malay and also the Arabic audio files of the dua and zikr, which has been gathered, compiled, and verified before the application could be developed using J2ME. After that it has been evaluated by experts.The findings show some of the limitations of incorporation the Google speech to text function and suggest the solutions and the future work.It is hoped that the developed application could be made available in order to help Hajj pilgrims to easily and conveniently recite the dua and zikr towards achieving Hajj Mabrur

NUMERICAL PREDICTION OF COMPOSITE BEAM SUBJECTED TO COMBINED NEGATIVE BENDING AND AXIAL TENSION

The present study has investigated the finite element method (FEM) techniques of composite beam subjected to combined axial tension and negative bending. The negative bending regions of composite beams are influenced by worsen failures due to various levels of axial tensile loads on steel section especially in the regions near internal supports. Three dimensional solid FEM model was developed to accurately predict the unfavourable phenomenon of cracking of concrete and compression of steel in the negative bending regions of composite beam due to axial tensile loads. The prediction of quasi-static solution was extensively analysed with various deformation speeds and energy stabilities. The FEM model was then validated with existing experimental data. Reasonable agreements were observed between the results of FEM model and experimental analysis in the combination of vertical-axial forces and failure modes on ultimate limit state behaviour. The local failure modes known as shear studs failure, excess yielding on steel beam and crushing on concrete were completely verified by extensive similarity between the numerical and experimental results. Finally, a proper way of modelling techniques for large FEM models by considering uncertainties of material behaviour due to biaxial loadings and complex contact interactions is discussed. Further, the model is suggested for the limit state prediction of composite beam with calibrating necessary degree of the combined axial loads