Anger mood detection based on face recognition and heartbeat

Anger is one of the feeling that showing strong resentment that can be found in facial expressions, body language, physiological responses and at times in public acts of aggression. So, this project has designed to examine the existence of the individual nature of anger using facial expression and heartbeat. The objective of this project is to warn and help people to control their temper. This can prevent the bad effect towards heart rate, blood pressure, levels of adrenaline and noradrenalin and other physical effects. Matlab-Image-processing is used to analyze facial expressions while heartbeat is measured using a heartbeat detector circuit. The Graphic User Interface (GUI) indicates the angry face result while the Liquid Crystal Display states the faster heartbeat when a person is angry

Comparison of Methods for Isolating High Quality DNA and RNA from an Oleaginous Fungus Cunninghamella bainieri Strain 2a1

A number of protocols have been reported for efficient fungal DNA and RNA isolation. However, many of these methods are often designed for certain groups or morphological forms of fungi and, in some cases, are species dependent. In this report, we compared four published protocols for DNA isolation from a locally isolated oleaginous fungus, Cunninghamella bainieri strain 2a1. These protocols either involved the use of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), hexacetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or without using PVB or CTAB. For RNA isolation, we tested two published protocols, one of which is based on TRI REAGENT (Molecular Research Center, USA) and another is simple method employing phenol for RNA extraction and LiCl for precipitation. We found that the protocol involving the use of CTAB produced the highest genomic DNA yield with the best quality compared to other protocols. In the presence of CTAB, unwanted polysaccharides were removed and this method yielded an average amount of 816 ± 12.2 µg DNA/g mycelia with UV absorbance ratios A260/280 and A260/230 of 1.67 ± 0.64 and 1.97 ± 0.23, respectively. The genomic DNA isolated via this protocol is also suitable for PCR amplification and restriction enzyme digestion. As for RNA isolation, the method involving phenol extraction and LiCl precipitation produced the highest yield of RNA with an average amount of 372 ± 6.0 µg RNA/g mycelia. The RNA appears to be relatively pure since it has UV absorbance ratios A260/280 and A260/230 of 1.89 ± 2.00 and 1.99 ± 0.03, respectively. Finally, we have demonstrated that this method could produce RNA of sufficient quality for RT-PCR that amplified a 600 bp fragment of ∆12-fatty acid desaturase gene in C. bainieri

Effect of Steel Fibres And Wire Mesh Reinforcement on Flexural Strength and Strain Energy Steel-Epoxy-Aluminium Composite Laminates / W. N. M. Jamil ...[et al.]

This paper evaluates the effect of reinforcement materials on the flexural strength and strain energy in metal laminates under bending tests. Traditionally, high hardness monolithic steel has been utilised in lightweight armoured vehicles. In order to increase the performance of the armoured plates, their weight is reduced by incorporating adhesive bonding metal laminates technology. Simultaneously, the application of metallic fibres in construction is also being developed for the same purpose. Therefore the incorporation of metallic fibres in adhesive layer can reduce the weight and increase the strength of armoured panels. It is important to assess and predict the flexural strength and strain energy in the metal laminated armour. The effects of steel fibres and stainless steel mesh were investigated through flexural tests. The flexural strength was assessed by a three-point bending test using a universal testing machine. The strain energy was measured from the stress-strain curve using the data from the bending test. From the results, the steel fibre-reinforced and wire mesh-reinforced composite laminates exhibited higher flexural strength compared to non-reinforced composite laminate by 10% and 9%, respectively. Further, steel fibre-reinforced and wire mesh-reinforced composite laminates had higher strain energy at 23% and 31% compared to non-reinforced composite laminate, respectively. Cracks occurred at the back layer of the aluminium alloy and propagated vertically through the aluminium and adhesive layer and stopped at the steel layer. This is due to the higher strength and ductility of the steel in withstanding the load. Reinforcement with steel fibres and wire mesh enabled the metal laminate to bear higher load, while decreasing the damage and delamination due to its higher strength, strain energy and ductility compared to the non-reinforced composite laminate. The reinforcement materials have the potential to produce tough adhesive-bonded metal laminates for ballistic impact applications

Characterization of banana peels waste adsorbent for preliminary study of methylene blue removal from aqueous solution

This paper presents the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution using adsorbent produced from Banana peels waste (BPW). Banana peels waste adsorbent (BPWA) was prepared via carbonization in laboratory muffle furnace for 1 h. A preliminary study was performed on the adsorption reaction by varying the initial concentration of MB, adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH and temperature of the aqueous solution. Under the best conditions obtained, the maximum percentage removal of MB is approximately 99 %. The potential of BPWA as dyeing wastewater adsorbent was proven by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). From the results, the synthesized adsorbent shown a good percentage removal of MB. In addition, the optimum conditions for the adsorption study are 1 g of adsorbent in the 1 g L-1 of MB initial concentration, for 1 h at pH 8 in 65 ?C. This study reveals potential of BPW in removal of MB dyes from aqueous solution however, further studies are required to establish the applicability of the synthesized adsorbent for the treatment of wastewater from textile industry

Global Perspectives on Task Shifting and Task Sharing in Neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND: Neurosurgical task shifting and task sharing (TS/S), delegating clinical care to non-neurosurgeons, is ongoing in many hospital systems in which neurosurgeons are scarce. Although TS/S can increase access to treatment, it remains highly controversial. This survey investigated perceptions of neurosurgical TS/S to elucidate whether it is a permissible temporary solution to the global workforce deficit. METHODS: The survey was distributed to a convenience sample of individuals providing neurosurgical care. A digital survey link was distributed through electronic mailing lists of continental neurosurgical societies and various collectives, conference announcements, and social media platforms (July 2018-January 2019). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and univariate regression of Likert Scale scores. RESULTS: Survey respondents represented 105 of 194 World Health Organization member countries (54.1%; 391 respondents, 162 from high-income countries and 229 from low- and middle-income countries [LMICs]). The most agreed on statement was that task sharing is preferred to task shifting. There was broad consensus that both task shifting and task sharing should require competency-based evaluation, standardized training endorsed by governing organizations, and maintenance of certification. When perspectives were stratified by income class, LMICs were significantly more likely to agree that task shifting is professionally disruptive to traditional training, task sharing should be a priority where human resources are scarce, and to call for additional TS/S regulation, such as certification and formal consultation with a neurosurgeon (in person or electronic/telemedicine). CONCLUSIONS: Both LMIC and high-income countries agreed that task sharing should be prioritized over task shifting and that additional recommendations and regulations could enhance care. These data invite future discussions on policy and training programs

Selection criteria of MPOB-Angola germplasm collection for yield improvement of the oil palm

Oil palm germplasm collected from Angola, Africa in 1991 were subjected to genetic variability potential studies. The collection was planted in the form of open-pollinated families as trials at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Kluang Research Station, Johor, Malaysia, in 1994. Dura palms from 52 families and tenera palms from 44 families of MPOB-Angola were evaluated for their bunch yield and bunch quality components. The objectives of this study were to determine the genetic variability among the families and performance of MPOB-Angola germplasm for yield improvement. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed highly significant differences between the dura and tenera families for most of the traits, suggesting the presence of high genetic variability, which is essential for breeding programmes. Among the duras, family AGO 02.02 displayed the best yield performance, with a high fresh fruit bunch, oil yield and total economic product at 240.40, 29.46 and 37.93 ​kg palm−1 year−1, respectively. As for the teneras, family AGO 03.04 recorded the highest FFB yield and oil yield at 249.25 and 45.22 ​kg palm−1 year−1, respectively. Besides that, several families with big fruit sizes or producing a mean fruit weight of 14–17 ​g were also identified. Both dura and tenera from AGO 01.01 recorded the highest oil to bunch (O/B) of 17.76% and 28.65%, respectively. These findings will facilitate the selection of palms from the MPOB-Angola germplasm for future breeding programmes

Distribution of Pasteurella multocida B:2 in the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts of buffaloes following experimental subcutaneous inoculation

Pasteurella multocida B:2 causes haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) in cattle and buffalo, leading to acute death of many animals, usually in the form of outbreaks. HS occurs especially in Asia and Africa, leading to devastating loss of animals and economics. The involvement of respiratory tract as the route of infection and transmission has been well established. The present study describes the distribution of P. multocida B:2 using bacteriological isolations in the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts of buffalo calves following different dosages of subcutaneous exposure to live wild-type P. multocida B:2. Nine buffalo calves were divided into 3 groups before calves of Group 1 were inoculated subcutaneously with 109 cfu/ml of live wild-type P. multocida B:2. Calves of Group 2 were similarly inoculated with 105 cfu/ml while calves of Group 3 were exposed to PBS. All calves of Group 1 were euthanised between 6 and 12 h post-infection, while calves Group 2 were euthanized between 24 and 48 h post-infection. P. multocida B:2 was isolated from the lungs, liver, deodenum, rectum, urinary bladder swabs and the urine of all infected calves of Groups 1 and 2. Bacterial concentration varied between the organs with the lungs showed significantly (p<0.05) higher concentration than other tracts. Nevertheless, duodenum, colon, liver and urinary bladder of infected calves showed considerably high concentrations of P. multocida B: 2. Both infected groups showed similar concentrations of P. multocida B:2 in the respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. Isolation and detection of P. multocida B:2 in the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts of infected calves re-emphasize the role of these tracts in transmission of haemorrhagic septicaemia and aid in understanding the terminal stage of bacteraemia in HS

Ballistic Limit of High-Strength Steel and Al7075-T6 Multi-Layered Plates Under 7.62-mm Armour Piercing Projectile Impact

Abstract This paper presents the computational-based ballistic limit of laminated metal panels comprised of high strength steel and aluminium alloy Al7075-T6 plate at different thickness combinations to necessitate the weight reduction of existing armour steel plate. The numerical models of monolithic configuration, double-layered configuration and triple-layered configuration were developed using a commercial explicit finite element code and were impacted by 7.62 mm armour piercing projectile at velocity range of 900 to 950 m/s. The ballistic performance of each configuration plate in terms of ballistic limit velocity, penetration process and permanent deformation was quantified and considered. It was found that the monolithic panel of high-strength steel has the best ballistic performance among all panels, yet it has not caused any weight reduction in existing armour plate. As the weight reduction was increased from 20-30%, the double-layered configuration panels became less resistance to ballistic impact where only at 20% and 23.2% of weight reduction panel could stop the 950m/s projectile. The triple-layered configuration panels with similar areal density performed much better where all panels subjected to 20-30% weight reductions successfully stopped the 950 m/s projectile. Thus, triple-layered configurations are interesting option in designing a protective structure without sacrificing the performance in achieving weight reduction