CAD software for semiconductor device modeling

Semiconductor device modeling is concerns with understanding and modeling the behaviour of semiconductor device. Its research area spans from new device model development to building Computer-Aided-Design (CAD) software that implements the model in computer. The software is also known by the term Device CAD. This is the research area of this thesis. The best accuracy of modeling can be obtained through physical modeling. In this technique, mathematical equations representing the device physically are used for analysis. Device CAD that uses this technique is not freely available and costly. The aim of this research is to develop the CAD software by using the physical modeling approach. The software is design based on object-oriented methodology by using C++ programming language and graphical toolkits. Work involves in this project includes research on physical models for PNJ Junction, BJT and MOSFET as well as research and implementation of the software. As a result, a software with graphical user interface has been developed. It is able to simulate chosen model for target device and display it as a 2D characteristic plot. Any non-constant parameter for each model can be modified prior to simulation. The software can be a starting point towards a full-fledged device or circuit analysis tools

Framework Analysis: Potential Repatriation and Mental Health System Recovery in the MENA

During the last decade and a half we have seen the culmination of what is perceived to be the biggest refugee and humanitarian crises the world has witnessed since World War II. The parts of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are in turmoil, and we are witnessing an outpouring of people fleeing the violence through precarious means. It is unknown when stability will return to parts of the MENA, but this does not mean the global health community cannot be proactive in planning for post-conflict health system recovery. With the vast number of today’s refugees originating from the MENA, it is possible that future recovering MENA nations will see the return, or repatriation, of refugees. Repatriates undergo a multi-phase exposure period that poses risks for adverse mental health outcomes, but there is extremely limited research about the risk factors and outcomes within this group. Early planning for repatriation and mental health system rehabilitation in the region will help ensure adequate mental health care delivery and coverage to vulnerable groups like repatriates. In this paper, I propose a hybrid framework, called the Repatriation and Mental Health (REPATMENT) Framework, which is built upon the literature review and various UN agency frameworks that address repatriation, health system recovery, and mental health and psychosocial support in post-conflict setting. The REPATMENT Framework acknowledges that 1) cross-system linkages, 2)information sharing, and 3)coordination between recovery actors are key to progressing through mental health system recovery. These essential factors, and the consideration of potential challenges, benefit elements of the REPATMENT Framework and could aid future repatriation and post-conflict recovery efforts

Bioinformatics in molecular immunology laboratories demonstrated: Modeling an anti-CMV scFv antibody

A scFv (single chain variable fragment) antibody clone from anti-CMV (anti-cucumber mosaic virus) was successfully constructed from immunized mouse and the DNA sequence was submitted to GenBank (AY337618 and AY337619). The expression of a 32 kDa recombinant antibody in bacteria was verified using ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoassay) and western blot. However, elucidation of specific anti-CMV scFv function requires detailed and time consuming immuno-assays. Alternatively, useful functional information on anti-CMV scFV antibody can be obtained using available Bioinformatics tools and techniques without performing tedious assays. Here, we use the commonly used Bioinformatics tools and databases such as BLAST (basic local alignment search tool), GenBank, PDB (protein databank), KABAT numbering, SWISS-MODEL and Insight II to gain specific functional insights into anti-CMV scFv

PLOJDY ANALYSIS AND DNA CONTENT OF MUTANT BANANA "PISANG BERANGAN" USING FLOW CYTOMETRY

Mutagens cause random changes in the nuclear DNA or cytoplasmic organelles, resulting in gene, chromosomal or genomic mutations and hence, create variability. In this study, flow cytometry (FCM) was used to determine ploidy levels and DNA content in gamma-irradiated variants of mutated Pisang Berangan (cv. Intan, AAA) - a local banana genotype. Induced variants such as short plant stature (stunted growth), late flowering plants (late maturity) and abnormalities in bunch characters were selected to study possible changes at the DNA level. The study showed that DNA content of mutated plants differed from non-irradiated control and that irradiation had the most effect at high doses (40 and 60 Gy). The increase of DNA content in 20 Gy and 30 Gy treated plants was not more than that of the control plants. The values of genomic DNA content of gamma-irradiation variants decreased as the dose of irradiation increased from 20 to 60 Gy, indicating that the high dose of gamma-irradiation had a significant effect on the genome of the plants. The analysis further showed that phenotypic variation due to mutagenesis was reflected in the DNA content of the plants. The results also showed that ploidy levels were not affected by gamma-irradiation even at high doses. Keywords: Musa spp./mutation breeding/ flow cytometry/  ploidy level/ DNA conten

CHARACTERIZATION OF MALAYSIAN WILD BANANAS BASED ON ANTHOCYANINS

The male buds of 16 Musa species (Musaceae) populations were investigated by HPLC for the occurrence of anthocyanins. The investigation was based on the presence of 6 anthocyanins. The 16 Musa samples could be classified into three distinct species i.e. Musa acuminata, Musa violascens and Musa balbisiana. Musa acuminata could be divided into two subspecies : malaccensis (lowland) and tmncata (highland) according to their constituents and content of major anthocyanins. No variation was observed in the composition of the anthocyanins of Kedah type ssp. siamea and Selangor types ssp. malaccensis. The classification of M. acuminata into two subspecies based on anthocyanin data further supported the current taxonomic grouping of the species. Key words: Musa acuminata/Musa violascens/Musa balbisiana/Musaceae /HPLC /chemotaxonom

Characterization of beneficial properties of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria isolated from sweet potato rhizosphere

Laboratory study was conducted to characterize the beneficial properties of plant growth-promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) strains isolated from sweet potato rhizosphere. Fifteen rhizobacterial (PGPR) strains were screened for indole acetic acid (IAA) production with and without addition of the precursor L-tryptophan (L-TRP), phosphate-solubilizing activity, and nitrogen production, antagonistic activity against fungal pathogens, siderophore production and intrinsic antibiotic resistance. Results of the laboratory study showed that 15 rhizobacterial isolates were able to produce indole acetic acid (IAA). The concentration of IAA produced ranged from 3.84 - 13.33mg L-1. Addition of L-tryptophan (L-TRP) to the bacterial isolates increased the production of IAA ranging from 4.94 - 46.66 mg L-1. Six isolates (40%) were able to solubilize insoluble phosphate as evident by production of clear zone on calcium phosphate medium. All isolates were able to grow in N-free media indicating their abilities to produce nitrogen which ranged from 0.74 - 1.32 ppm. Three of the isolates produced fluorescent pigment on agar plate indicated their abilities to produce siderophores. Four isolates were able to inhibit the fungal pathogens Rhizoctonia sp.and Pythium sp. The intrinsic antibiotic test showed that all isolates were resistant against chloramphenicol (10 and 30 µg mL-1), Streptomycin (10 µg mL-1), Kanamycin (5 and 30 µg mL-1), Penicillin (10 µg mL-1) and tetracyclin (30 µg mL-1). The rhizobacterial isolates showed the several beneficial traits that could improve plant growth

Growth and storage root development of sweetpotato inoculated with rhizobacteria under glasshouse conditions

A pot experiment was conducted to determine the effects of rhizobacterial inoculation on growth and storage root development of Sepang Oren sweetpotato. Inoculation positively affected plant growth. The highest growth was observed on plants inoculated with Klebsiella sp. which increased shoot dry weight by 23% compared to control. Five of the isolates were able to produce sweetpotato storage roots. Klebsiella sp. and Erwinia sp. produced higher storage root yields of 35.15 and 8.22 g plant-1, respectively, compared to the other treatments. The inoculation significantly increased the uptake of nutrients in plant tissue and the concentrations of nutrients in soil. The results suggest that Klebsiella sp. and Erwinia sp. are potentially effective as bioenhancers and biofertilizers for sweetpotato

Assessment of anxiety and depression after lower limb amputation in Jordanian patients

Ziad M Hawamdeh1, Yasmin S Othman2, Alaa I Ibrahim31Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 2Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan; 3Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy for Pediatrics and Pediatric surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, EgyptObjective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Jordanian lower limb amputees with different clinical characteristics and sociodemographic data (gender, marital status, social support, income, type and level of amputation, and occupation).Methods: Participants were 56 patients with unilateral lower limb amputation with mean duration (8.4 ± 5.75 years). They were recruited from inpatient and outpatient clinics of Jordan University hospital, Royal Farah Rehabilitation Center, and Al-basheer hospital in Amman, Jordan. Participants responded to a questionnaire that included a battery of questions requesting brief information about sociodemographic variables and characteristics of amputation. The level of depression and anxiety in each participating patient was assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS).Results: The prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms were 37% and 20%, respectively. Factors associated with high prevalence of psychological symptoms included female gender, lack of social support, unemployment, traumatic amputation, shorter time since amputation, and amputation below the knee. These findings were confirmed by a significant reduction of anxiety and depression scores in patients who received social support, patients with amputation due to disease, and patients with amputation above the knee. Presence of pain and use of prosthesis had no effect on the prevalence.Conclusions: The findings of the present study highlight the high incidence of psychiatric disability and depression in amputees; it also showed the importance of sociodemographic factors in psychological adjustment to amputation. It is suggested that psychiatric evaluation and adequate rehabilitation should form a part of their overall management.Keywords: amputees, depression; anxiety, rehabilitatio

Virus-Specific Read-Through Codon Preference Affects Infectivity of Chimeric Cucumber Green Mottle Mosaic Viruses Displaying a Dengue Virus Epitope

A Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) was used to present a truncated dengue virus type 2 envelope (E) protein binding region from amino acids 379 to 423 (EB4). The EB4 gene was inserted at the terminal end of the CGMMV coat protein (CP) open reading frame (ORF). Read-through sequences of TMV or CGMMV, CAA-UAG-CAA-UUA, or AAA-UAG-CAA-UUA were, respectively, inserted in between the CP and the EB4 genes. The chimeric clones, pRT, pRG, and pCG+FSRTRE, were transcribed into full-length capped recombinant CGMMV transcripts. Only constructs with the wild-type CGMMV read-through sequence yielded infectious viruses following infection of host plant, muskmelon (Cucumis melo) leaves. The ratio of modified to unmodified CP for the read-through expression clone developed was also found to be approximately 1:1, higher than what has been previously reported. It was also observed that infectivity was not affected by differences in pI between the chimera and its wild counterpart. Analysis of recombinant viruses after 21-days-postinculation (dpi) revealed that deletions occurred resulting in partial reversions of the viral population to near wild type and suggesting that this would be the limiting harvest period for obtaining true to type recombinants with this construct