On Chip Isolation and Enrichment of Tumor Initiating Cells

We report for the first time a microdevice that enables the selective enrichment and culture of breast cancer stem cells using the principles of mammosphere culture. For nearly a decade, researchers have identified breast cancer stem cells within heterogeneous populations of cells by utilizing low-attachment serum-free culture conditions, which lead to the formation of spheroidal colonies (mammospheres) that are enriched for cancer stem cells. While this assay has proven to be useful for identifying cancer stem cells from a bulk population, ultimately its utility is limited by difficulties in combining the mammosphere technique with other useful cellular and molecular analyses. However, integrating the mammosphere technique into a microsystem can enable it to be combined directly with a number of functions, including cell sorting and analysis, as well as popular molecular assays. In this work, we demonstrate mammosphere culture within a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microsystem. We first prove that hydrophobic PDMS surfaces are as effective as commercial low-attachment plates at selectively promoting the formation of mammospheres. We then demonstrate the culture of mammospheres as large as 0.25 mm within a PDMS microsystem. Finally, we verify that reagents can be delivered to the cell culture wells exclusively by diffusion-based transport, which is necessary because the cells are unattached. This microsystem component can be integrated with other microfluidic functions, such as cell separation, sorting, and recovery, as well as molecular assays, to enable new discoveries in the biology of cancer stem cells that are not possible today

The relationship between share price of consumer products and industrial products with economic growth in Malaysia (1991- 2013) / Nor Juliana Saadin and Mohamad Hafiz Pheros

This paper is a fresh attempt to investigate the relationship between stock market and economic growth in Malaysia. This study identifies whether Share Price of Consumer Products and Industrial Products have affected the economic growth or not. The previous study has shown that, there was homogenous result on the relationship of Share Price of Consumer Products and Industrial Products and economic growth. Share price (independent variable) data as the indicator of stock market performance was collected from Datastream database, and country’s gross domestic product (GDP) as the indicator of economic growth (dependent variable) from the website. In this study, we use Single Linear Regression Method from first quarter 1991 until fourth quarter 2013 of the share price

Effect of water to cement ratio and replacement percentage of recycled concrete aggregate on the concrete strength

Fine Recycled Concrete Aggregate (FRCA) is one of the construction waste can be recycled. It can be the aggregate to replace the natural aggregate in concrete since we know the physical properties of materials are hard and strong. Demand for sand in the concrete production has been increased which become the problems in the concrete industry. This work deals with the effect of concrete incorporating with FRCA as partial replacement of sand. The percentage of natural sand replaced by the FRCA was 0%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 45% and 60%. Other than that, water cement ratio was manipulated variable started form 0.40, 0.45, 0.50, 0.55 and 0.60. In short, 20% replacement was the most suitable interaction of FRCA in the concrete occur that contribute to increasing in compressive strength. The porosity properties of FRCA been neutralized on that replacement percentage by the present of optimum filler effect generated form the very fine FRCA particle during the mixing process. Meanwhile, 0.50 water cement ratio was optimum condition for cement hydration process using FRCA as partial sand replacement

Perceived desirability, feasibility and social norms as antecedents on hospitality students' entrepreneurial intention in Malaysia: Does gender make a difference?

The purpose of this study is to test a research model that investigates the effects of perceived desirability, social norm, and perceived feasibility as antecedents on entrepreneurial intention in a Malaysian context.Data for this empirical investigation were gathered from a sample of full-time undergraduate hospitality management program students.Respondents self-administered the questionnaires.A total number of 427 questionnaires were obtained in the research location.Results based on hierarchical regression analysis reveal that perceived desirability, social norm, and perceived feasibility are significant predictors on entrepreneurial intention.Results also demonstrate that female students are more willing on their entrepreneurial intentions when compared to male counterparts.The current study provides further contribution to tourism and hospitality management literature and provides useful guidelines to practitioners as well

Perceived desirability, feasibility, and social norms as antecedents on hospitality students' entrepreneurial intention in Malaysia: does gender make a difference?

The purpose of this study is to test a research model that investigates the effects of perceived desirability, social norms, and perceived feasibility as antecedents on entrepreneurial intention in a Malaysian context.Data for this empirical investigation were gathered from a sample of full-time undergraduate hospitality management programme students.Respondents self-administered the questionnaires.A total number of 427 questionnaires were obtained in the research location.Results based on hierarchical regression analysis reveal that perceived desirability, social norm, and perceived feasibility are significant predictors on entrepreneurial intention.Results also demonstrate that female students are more willing on their entrepreneurial intentions when compared to male counterparts. The current study provides further contribution to tourism and hospitality management literature and provides useful guidelines to practitioners as well

Exploring the key marketing elements that shape brand awareness in service-oriented sector

Marketers employ various factors to create brand awareness. Small businesses in service industry encounter challenges in attracting consumers and adapting to market competition, contributing to the factors leading to their struggles. The purpose of the paper is to elaborate on the relationship between social media marketing, advertising, price, and product towards brand awareness. A quantitative method was used and research data was obtained via questionnaires. Purposive sampling method was applied and a total of 125 sample sizes of restaurant consumers in Perak were collected. The study findings indicated a significant and positive influence of all the variables predicting brand awareness

Evaluación de las Razas de Pollos Parrilleros Ross 308 y Cobb 500 en condiciones de altura

La presente investigación titulada “Evaluación de las razas de pollos parrilleros Ross 308 y Cobb 500 en condiciones de altura” se realizó en la parroquia de San Pablo del Lago, cantón Otavalo, provincia de Imbabura. Las variables evaluadas fueron: incremento de peso semanal, conversión alimenticia, índice de mortalidad, índice de eficiencia americano y europeo, costos de producción. Se utilizó un diseño completamente al azar (D.C.A) con 4 tratamientos y 6 repeticiones y un arreglo factorial (AXB) en el que A es la raza y B el sexo. Se utilizaron pollitos de un día de edad: 60 machos y 60 hembras de la raza Ross 308 y de la raza Cobb 500 respectivamente; dando un total de 240 a los cuales se los dividió en 24 unidades de 10 cada una. Cabe indicar, que las dos razas tuvieron el mismo manejo. En lo referente al incremento de peso semanal la raza Cobb 500 (R2S1) dio mejores resultados durante las siete semanas de crianza; teniendo un mayor consumo de alimento y una menor utilidad que la raza Ross 308 (R1S1). Además presento un mejor índice de eficiencia americana que la raza Ross 308. La raza Ross 308 y Cobb 500 no presentaron diferencia significativa para conversión alimenticia y para el factor de eficiencia europeo. Lo que se refiere a la mortalidad, la raza Ross 308 (R1S1) presento menos mortalidad que la raza Cobb 500 (R2S1). Económicamente la raza Ross 308 es la que mejor utilidad dio. Presentando una utilidad de 29,85 dólares. Mientras que la Cobb 500 tuvo una utilidad de 22,79 dólares