Effect Of Maleic Anhydride Grafting On Properties Of Bamboo And Jute Fibres Woven Fabric Reinforced Polylactic Acid Composites

Polymers like polylactic acid (PLA) is environmentally friendly with good tensile properties. However, impact strength of PLA is low. Hence, mechanically stronger bamboo and jute fibre fabrics were used as reinforcement. In this study, bamboo fibre fabric/PLA and jute fibre fabric/PLA composites were fabricated and studied. Firstly, effect of fibre content; 20 and 30 wt% on the properties of composites

Tandem mass spectrometry data quality assessment by self-convolution

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many algorithms have been developed for deciphering the tandem mass spectrometry (MS) data sets. They can be essentially clustered into two classes. The first performs searches on theoretical mass spectrum database, while the second based itself on <it>de novo </it>sequencing from raw mass spectrometry data. It was noted that the quality of mass spectra affects significantly the protein identification processes in both instances. This prompted the authors to explore ways to measure the quality of MS data sets before subjecting them to the protein identification algorithms, thus allowing for more meaningful searches and increased confidence level of proteins identified.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The proposed method measures the qualities of MS data sets based on the symmetric property of b- and y-ion peaks present in a MS spectrum. Self-convolution on MS data and its time-reversal copy was employed. Due to the symmetric nature of b-ions and y-ions peaks, the self-convolution result of a good spectrum would produce a highest mid point intensity peak. To reduce processing time, self-convolution was achieved using Fast Fourier Transform and its inverse transform, followed by the removal of the "DC" (Direct Current) component and the normalisation of the data set. The quality score was defined as the ratio of the intensity at the mid point to the remaining peaks of the convolution result. The method was validated using both theoretical mass spectra, with various permutations, and several real MS data sets. The results were encouraging, revealing a high percentage of positive prediction rates for spectra with good quality scores.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have demonstrated in this work a method for determining the quality of tandem MS data set. By pre-determining the quality of tandem MS data before subjecting them to protein identification algorithms, spurious protein predictions due to poor tandem MS data are avoided, giving scientists greater confidence in the predicted results. We conclude that the algorithm performs well and could potentially be used as a pre-processing for all mass spectrometry based protein identification tools.</p

西遊記重要詞法與句法研究 = Important aspects of morphology and syntax in Journey to the west

The aim of the thesis is to provide an analysis on specific grammatical phenomena in "near modern Chinese" (jfir ft ?X 1«), in particular, selected syntactic and morphological structures using the descriptive framework against historical developments, combined with quantitative and synchronic comparison tools. The relatively unexplored literary work, Journey to the West, is chosen for the purpose.Doctor of Philosoph

Influence of different extraction temperatures and methanol concentractions on flavonoid content af Acacia auriculiformis and its antifungal and antioxidant activities

Acacia auriculiformis is a fast growing tree species widely grown in plantations. It contains an abundance of natural products including flavonoids possessing antioxidant, antifungal and other biological activities. These flavonoids can only be fully utilized after it is extracted optimally. With this in mind, the main objectives of this study were to determine the optimum extraction temperatures and methanol solvent concentrations on the A. auriculiformis heartwood (HW) and bark (B) flavonoids extraction yield and its antioxidant and antifungal activity. The wood samples were collected, air dried under shelter for 2 weeks, flaked, grinded and sieved to a pulverized form. These pulverized wood samples were extracted in a ratio of 1:20 [pulverized samples (g): methanol solvent (mL)] at 50 rpm for 3 hours in a water bath shaker with different extraction temperatures (35ᵒC, 55ᵒC and 75ᵒC) and methanol solvent concentrations [55% (v/v), 65% (v/v) and 75% (v/v)]. The extraction yields [total extractives (TE), total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TFlav)], antioxidant (DPPH free radical scavenging activity) and antifungal (mycelia growth inhibition) activities of these extracts were then evaluated. The antifungal activity of the extracts were done against the following wood rotting fungi; Coniophora puteana (CP), Stereum ostrea (SA), Pycnoporus sanguineus (PS),Trametes spp (M) and Microporus xanthopus (MX). The results showed that an increase in the extraction temperatures and methanol solvent concentrations increases the A. auriculiformis heartwood and bark extraction yields where the optimum extraction yields [HW (TE–9.81%, TP–75.44% and TFlav–36.64%) and B (TE–18.89%, TP–87.18% and TFlav–99.10%)] were achieved at an extraction temperature of 75ᵒC with a 75% methanol solvent concentration. Statistical analysis using Pearson correlation coefficient also indicated that there is a positive correlation between the extraction temperatures and methanol solvent concentrations with the extraction yields. The extracts extracted at an extraction temperature of 75ᵒC with a 75% methanol solvent concentration also exhibited the highest antioxidant [HW (IC50 value–2.23 mg/mL) and B (IC50 value–1.79 mg/mL)] and antifungal [HW (CP–31.40%, PS–12.80%, M–17.01%, MX–0.00% and SA–49.55%) and B (CP–41.60%, PS–21.27%, M–27.55%, MX–0.00% and SA–48.65%)] activity which increases with an increase in the extraction temperatures and methanol solvent concentrations. This increase in the antioxidant and antifungal activity were influenced by the increase in the extraction yields of the extracts tested which was further supported by the statistical analysis using Pearson coefficient correlation indicating that there is a positive correlation between the extraction yields with the antioxidant and antifungal activity exhibited by the extracts. These results show that A. auriculiformis heartwood and bark flavonoids extracts to be an invaluable source when incorporated into the development of an environmental friendly wood preservatives

An Empirical Study of Translation Units in English-Chinese Translating

This paper highlights some marked findings of TAPs in the study of translation units to date. Based on this review, a series of TAP experiments are carried out to reanalyze the concept of translation unit from English into Chinese, a remotely connected language pair. We suggest that there are two types of translation units: Subjective Translation Unit (STU) and Objective Translation Unit (OTU) and that translation unit is a dynamic linguistic entity offering indexing function. On the one hand, the selection of STUs and OTUs is indicative of the underlying translation competence of translators. On the other hand, throughout the process of translation, there is a floating selection of translation units which is to say the initial translation unit chosen, be it lexical or sentential or other linguistic units, does not stay throughout. Instead it varies dynamically with parameters such as short-term memory and text comprehension among other factors

Maritime Interdiction Operations in Logistically Barren Environments

Includes supplementary materialThis report contains analysis that shows that existing technology exists to improve Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) by approximately 30%. Furthermore, analysis contained herein will aid MIO planning for future operations. Since MIOs are an inherently dangerous, but necessary activity with far reaching implications to theater political and economic dynamics, this improvement is of great interest. MIO is a Naval solution to the problems of smuggling weapons, explosives, people and narcotics. MIO, when employed correctly has the potential to save lives and limit economic/political damage.N