Molecular Cloning, Expression, And Characterization Of Glutathione-Stransferase As A Novel Target In Antimalarial Drug Design And Discovery

Glutation-S-transferase (GSTs) adalah sekumpulan enzim detoksifikasi. Plasmodium falciparum mempunyai isoform tunggal GST (PfGST) yang terlibat dalam bagi detoksifikasi heme. The Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are group of detoxification enzymes. Plasmodium falciparum has a single isoform of GST (PfGST) that involves in heme detoxification. While other GSTs isoforms from human (hGSTP1) and mouse (mGSTM1) are involved in apoptotic stress kinase pathway and mediate cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy

Muslims in Contemporary American English 1990-2017: Representation of Muslims in News Media

Previous research studies show that there is a negative portrayal of Islam and Muslims in the United States of America among many other countries, some of which approach how the media in the United States contributes to this negative representation and leads to prejudice against Muslims, especially after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Using the COCA corpus, a corpus-assisted analysis is conducted in this study to investigate the portrayal of Muslims in different contexts compared to Christians and Jews in contemporary American English from 1990 to 2017, as well as the role of media in associating negative attributes to Muslims. By examining collocations, the findings demonstrate that Muslims are highly associated with negative portrayals compared to Christians or Jews and that the media contributes considerably to portraying Muslims negatively in various contexts

Revisiting Factors that Influence Length of Stay and Wound Infection after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background: Diabetes is common among patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). This study aims to revisit the predictive significance of diabetes, elevated HbA1c, low serum albumin levels, and gender on wound infection and hospital stay after CABG. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who had CABG from June 2019 to March 2020. We included patients who underwent elective CABG and excluded emergency CABG surgeries and combined surgeries. Elevated HbA1c is defined as an HbA1c level above 5.8%, and the normal range for serum albumin level is at 33-54 gm/L Results: A total of 87 patients were included, 81 males (93%) and six females (7%) with a mean age of 58 ± 8.5 years. Sixt-eight patients (78%) had diabetes mellitus Type 2 (D.M.). Mean Hb1Ac level was at 8.3 ± 1.8 %; mean preoperative serum albumin level was 34.7 ± 3.3 gm/L, mean postoperative serum albumin level was 16± 0.37 gm/L; preoperative EF of <50% (31%), 50-55% (14%) and >55% (55%). Mean hospital length of stay was 8.3±10.1 days, mean bypass duration was 110.9±35.4 minutes, the mean number of grafts was 3.15±.829; 98% of patients had LIMA to L.A.D. Female gender was a significant predictor of length of stay (coefficient: 4.38 (1.63- 7.13); P= 0.002) and postoperative wound infection (OR: 38.5 (5.35- 276.80); P<0.001).  Conclusion: Females could be associated with increased length of stay and wound infection after CABG. Identifying factors that influence the length of stay and wound infections could facilitate recovery and reduce complications

Engine Driven Pumps - Vibration Problem Resolution Using Specialized Testing Techniques

Case StudyOutline: Problem description and approach overview. Specialized testing to characterize the problem. Conclusions and recommendations based on the test results. Implementing the solution. Lessons learned

ANN-Based Failure Modeling of T-56 Engine Turbines

The T-56 turboprop engine is one of the most widely used in military transportation aircraft. It operates virtually everywhere, from the arctic circle to the Sahara. Operation in desert conditions, however, presents a challenge for maintenance engineers regarding preventive maintenance scheduling. Erosion caused by sand particles drastically decreases turbine blades life. Recent studies showed that Artificial Neural Network ANN algorithms have much better capability at modeling reliability and predicting failure than conventional algorithms. In this study, more than thirty years of local operational field data were used for failure rate prediction and validation using several algorithms. These include Weibull regression modeling to establish a reference, feed-forward back-propagation ANN, and radial basis neural network algorithm. Comparison between the three methods is carried out. Results show that the failure rate predicted by both the feed-forward back-propagation artificial neural network model and radial basis neural network model are closer to actual failure data than the failure rate predicted by the Weibull model. The results also give an insight into the reliability of the engine turbine under actual operating conditions, which can be used by aircraft operators for assessing system and component failures and customizing the maintenance programs recommended by the manufacturer

A Framework Using Tangible Interaction for Automatically Capturing and Embedding Design Intent in Parametric Models

The objective of this research is to address some of the challenges of parametric design associated with defining a model’s frameworks using mathematics and computer programming. This work proposes a tactile-based approach to automate the generation of such information. A design-based research method is implemented for this work, which involves developing research prototypes consisting of Tangible User-Interfaces (TUIs) to demonstrate and test the digital-physical workflow. Five prototypes were created each generating a type of information for setting up parametric models, including; linear and polynomial mathematical equations, algorithmic rules and seed configurations for a Cellular Automata (CA) component, geometric transformations (single and compound), and Non-Uniform Rational Basis Spline (NURBS) objects. During the progress of the work, prototypes were improved to include a higher level of automation by performing multiple and more complex modeling tasks. This research includes two levels of evaluation. The first is system correctness, which tests the prototypes for translating tangible interaction with design objects into modeling information. The second is a qualitative comparison between the developed method and the conventional parametric modeling approach using graph-based and/or text-based programming applications. The results of the research have shown the plausibility of the workflow and its potential benefits for parametric modeling practice and education. This work provides a proof-of-concept for a novel approach that translates design intents into mathematical and algorithmic modeling information for establishing parametric frameworks. The outcomes of this research include; detailed workflows describing algorithmic procedures for interpreting analog data, TUI specifications, and an overall theoretical framework of the method

An investigation of the place of quality management in the leadership role of head teachers in female intermediate schools in the State of Kuwait

The growing concept of "customer-oriented approach", and market competitiveness led to the adoption of Total Quality Management and re-engineering in school management. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyse the level of implementation of Total Quality Management (TQM) principles in selected Kuwaiti female schools. This was with regard to the principals' roles, as assessed by principals, teachers, senior teachers and parents. This study aimed to: (a) identify principles of TQM in school leaders' practices; (b) recognise perspectives of teachers, senior teachers and parents of TQM in their working lives; and finally (c) examine if there is a mismatch between head teachers' attitudes and their perceptions of their actual roles in implementing Quality Management principles. To achieve these objectives, a combined research approach involving a triangulation of methods was adopted; data was gathered through semi-structured interviews that were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. The findings from a multi-step interview process were used to build a conceptual framework for TQM principles, to show their presence and applicability in Kuwaiti female schools. Then the data was used to build a questionnaire administered to head teachers in order to gain their perceptions of TQM application, its desirable elements and possible implementation. Conclusions indicate that the overall concept of TQM in female middle schools in Kuwait, as perceived by subjects of the study, must be understood from a variety of perspectives and at multiple micro-and-macro levels. At the macro-level, TQM principles need to be considered, processed, and applied through the various systems and subsystems within a school district. At the micro-level, each individual who functions as a shareholder in the educational process (parents, teachers, principals, students) must practice these principles until they become intuitive. One common theme that was detected in this study is that the TQM principles are interrelated and integrative.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo