Modelling for Temperature Non-Isothermal Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor Using Fuzzy Logic

Many types of controllers were applied on the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) unit to control the temperature. In this research paper, Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller are compared with Fuzzy Logic controller for temperature control of CSTR. The control system for temperature non-isothermal of a CSTR will produce a stable response curve to its set point temperature. A mathematical model of a CSTR using the most general operating condition was developed through a set of differential equations into S-function using MATLAB. The reactor model and S-function are developed using m.file. After developing the S-function of CSTR model, User-Defined functions are used to link to SIMULINK file. Results that are obtained from simulation and temperature control were better when using Fuzzy logic control compared to PID control

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT: KNOWN AND UNKNOWN ASPECTS IN THE LITERATURE

The relationship between Human Resources Management Practices (HRMP) and employee engagement has gained significant attention form scholars. Despite the importance of HRMP and its influence on employee engagement in the industry, little research has been done in terms of cultivating a systematic literature review in the subject area. Therefore, this paper aims to present a systematic literature review of articles based on forty highly ranked journals during the period of 1990 to 2017. The paper investigates the historical developments of Human Resources Management (HRM), HRMP, and employee engagement in order to present the conceptual evolvement and elaboration of the relationship between HRMP, and employee engagement. The literature highlighted that properly implementing HRMP influences employee engagement, and how this relationship positively affects the overall performance. In this term, a proposed framework is presented. Finally, the research limitations and avenues for future researchers are provided

A Discussion on Interdisciplinary Approach of Visual Art Syllabus in Malaysian Higher Education

This article contributes to the discussion on the need to adopt an interdisciplinary approach in the visual art syllabus, specifically in higher education in Malaysia. Over the last two decades, the academic world has faced rapidly advancing technology and the rise of Industrial Revolution 4.0 (IR4.0). Because of the increased level of high-tech software and hardware competency among students, universities are in dire need to improve and innovate their current syllabi. Hence, this study was carried out to discuss the need to adopt an interdisciplinary approach to improve current visual art syllabi in Malaysia. The topics that are explored in this paper include the definition of an interdisciplinary approach in visual art syllabi, the current status of visual art syllabi in Malaysia, factors that are important for the integration of art with other fields, and how an interdisciplinary approach can be implemented. The data used in this research were obtained from a seminar, in-depth interviews, and a literature review, and were analyzed using a qualitative method. The findings indicate that visual art education duly needs a new program or needs to be revamped into a future-ready curriculum. Therefore, an interdisciplinary approach, or the integration of two bodies of knowledge in one program, could be one of the solutions to this issue

Bitcoin and portfolio diversification : a portfolio optimization approach

This study investigates the performance of Bitcoin as a diversifier under different constraining portfolio optimization frameworks. The study employs different constraining optimization frameworks that seek to maximize risk-adjusted returns (Sharpe ratio) of the portfolio by optimizing allocations to each asset class (asset allocation). The performance attributes are evaluated by comparing the portfolios both with and without Bitcoin under frameworks ranging from equal-weighted, risk-parity, and semi-constrained to unconstrained. This study suggests that Bitcoin, due to its exotic nature, unwavering appeal, and unknown set of drivers, could act as a diversifier in normal market conditions, and it might also have some borderline hedge to safe haven properties. The results further suggest that while Bitcoin may be a potential diversifier for a risk-seeking investor, the risk-averse investor must exercise caution by limiting their exposure to Bitcoin in their portfolios, as unnecessary exposure may increase the probability of losses in extreme market conditions

CONSERVE: A framework for the selection of techniques for monitoring containers security

Context:\ua0Container-based virtualization is gaining popularity in different domains, as it supports continuous development and improves the efficiency and reliability of run-time environments.\ua0Problem:\ua0Different techniques are proposed for monitoring the security of containers. However, there are no guidelines supporting the selection of suitable techniques for the tasks at hand.\ua0Objective:\ua0We aim to support the selection and design of techniques for monitoring container-based virtualization environments.\ua0Approach: First, we review the literature and identify techniques for monitoring containerized environments. Second, we classify these techniques according to a set of categories, such as technical characteristic, applicability, effectiveness, and evaluation. We further detail the pros and cons that are associated with each of the identified techniques.\ua0Result:\ua0As a result, we present CONSERVE, a multi-dimensional decision support framework for an informed and optimal selection of a suitable set of container monitoring techniques to be implemented in different application domains.\ua0Evaluation:\ua0A mix of eighteen researchers and practitioners evaluated the ease of use, understandability, usefulness, efficiency, applicability, and completeness of the framework. The evaluation shows a high level of interest, and points out to potential benefits

Modelling the Impact of the Oil Sector on the Economy of Sultanate of Oman

This study constructs and analyses a simple macroeconomic model that specifically tailored to model the impact of oil sector on the economy of Sultanate of Oman. The constructed model of the study measures the impact of oil sector on the Oman economy for the last three decades and also provides some forecasting for the major macroeconomics indicators related to the Oman economy. Model simulations indicate that the oil sector has large and positive impact on Oman GDP and its influence spills over to all other non-oil sectors of Oman economy. The study found that largest influence of oil was on the gas sector and the least economic sector influenced by oil was agricultural sector. The findings of the study suggest that Oman economy is far from being diversified and that the proposed model helps the policy makers in Oman to identify and forecast the impact of oil on other components of the Oman economy.  Keywords: Macroeconomic modelling, oil, Oman JEL Classifications: C51; C53; E17; N15; Q4

VALPROIC ACID INDUCES APOPTOSIS AND INCREASES CXCR7 EXPRESSION IN EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER CELL LINE SKOV-3.

Background: The chemokine receptor, CXCR7 is described to play a biologically relevant role in tumor growth and spread. Recently, it was reported that CXCR7 overexpression is associated with an unfavorable prognosis and metastatis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Aware that, several reports indicated that Histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate the expression and activity of many proteins involved in both cancer initiation and progression, the aim of this work, was to study the effect of the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) on the expression of CXCR7 as well as its impact on survival function in the epithelial ovarian cell line (SKOV-3). Methods: cells were cultured with varying concentrations of VPA (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 mM) for different durations (0, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h). Cell survival was assessed by Neutral red assay and by colony counting which being stained with crystal violet. CXCR7 expression was determined at mRNA level using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) or at the protein level using western blotting. Results: VPA reduces cell survival of SKOV-3 cancer cells. The inhibition effect of VPA was dose and time-dependent. Exposure to VPA at concentrations above 2 mM at 24 h resulted in an increase expression of CXCR7 at both the mRNA and protein levels . Conclusion: These observations provide, for the first time, a better insight into the epigenetic mechanisms involved in regulating CXCR7 expression in EOC and will open new avenues for evaluating drugs that specifically stimulate the apoptosis of EOC with minimal unwanted side effect

VALPROIC ACID INDUCES APOPTOSIS AND INCREASES CXCR7 EXPRESSION IN EPITHELIAL OVARIAN CANCER CELL LINE SKOV-3.

Background: The chemokine receptor, CXCR7 is described to play a biologically relevant role in tumor growth and spread. Recently, it was reported that CXCR7 overexpression is associated with an unfavorable prognosis and metastatis of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Aware that, several reports indicated that Histone deacetylases (HDACs) regulate the expression and activity of many proteins involved in both cancer initiation and progression, the aim of this work, was to study the effect of the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid (VPA) on the expression of CXCR7 as well as its impact on survival function in the epithelial ovarian cell line (SKOV-3). Methods: cells were cultured with varying concentrations of VPA (1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 10 mM) for different durations (0, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h). Cell survival was assessed by Neutral red assay and by colony counting which being stained with crystal violet. CXCR7 expression was determined at mRNA level using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) or at the protein level using western blotting. Results: VPA reduces cell survival of SKOV-3 cancer cells. The inhibition effect of VPA was dose and time-dependent. Exposure to VPA at concentrations above 2 mM at 24 h resulted in an increase expression of CXCR7 at both the mRNA and protein levels . Conclusion: These observations provide, for the first time, a better insight into the epigenetic mechanisms involved in regulating CXCR7 expression in EOC and will open new avenues for evaluating drugs that specifically stimulate the apoptosis of EOC with minimal unwanted side effect

BLOOD LIPID DISORDER IN MEN WITH INCREASED WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE COMPARED TO MEN HAVING NORMAL WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE WITHIN THE SAME CATEGORY OF BMI

Background: No local studies have been performed yet to investigate the influence of central or abdominal obesity on serum lipids in men having increased Waist Circumference (WC) compared to men with normal Waist Circumference values within the same BMI (Body Mass Index) category. Objective:To examine whether the prevalence of dyslipidemia, (defined as Hypercholesterolemia (Total Cholesterol level ≥240 mg/dl), high LDL-C level (≥160 mg/dl), low HDL-C level (<35 mg/dl), or Hypertriglyceridemia (TG level ≥200 mg/dl)), is higher in men having high Waist Circumference compared to others with normal WC values within the same BMI category. Methods: The study was conducted between September 2013 and July 2014. Eighty-eight overweight men (BMI = 25-29.9) were grouped by WC as follows: 28 with high values (>102 cm) and 60 with normal values (≤ 102cm). Blood samples were drawn and assayed for total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, and LDL-C,at the department of Laboratory in the Faculty of Public Health, Lebanese University. All assays were performed by enzymatic colorimetric methods using Hitachi-704. Results: Overweight men with high WC values (according to cutoff points internationally adopted) were the most likely to have dyslipidemia with its subsequent increased health risk compared with those having normal WC values. Conclusion: we showed in this study that the prevalence of dyslipidemia in men with high WC values is greater compared to those with normal WC values within the same BMI category. This finding leads us to the importance of the incorporated evaluation of WC in addition to the BMI in clinical practice

Emotional Disorders in Pediatric Renal Transplant Recipients: A Comparative Study

Introduction: Kidney transplantation is recognized as the optimal therapy for children with ESRD. We performed this study to compare the children’s behavioral problems and their parents’ function in pediatric patients with Kidney transplantation in Arak Amir Kabir Hospital.Materials and Methods: To perform this case-control study, we recruited 29 children with renal transplantation and compared them with 29 healthy children aged 5-14 years old. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL4/18) was used for the assessment of the children’s behavioral problems and Global Assessment of functioning (GAF) was employed for the evaluation of their parents’ behaviors. Results: Among 29 patients with RTR, anxiety/depression, somatic complaints, social problems, and attention problem were demonstrated in 65.5%, 55.1%, 51.7%, and 76%, respectively. We found a significant difference between cases and controls. Delinquent and aggressive behavior was not seen in two groups. As a significant difference, the parents’ mean stress and behavior score in case and control groups was 22.4% and 63.1%, respectively.   Conclusions: The higher prevalence of behavioral problems in the renal transplant recipients and their parent’s functional impairment highlights the importance of early parental intervention for early prevention of future behavioral problems in their siblings.Keywords: Emotional Disturbances; Renal Transplantation, Child