Visualization techniques to aid in the analysis of multi-spectral astrophysical data sets

This report describes our project activities for the period Sep. 1991 - Oct. 1992. Our activities included stabilizing the software system STAR, porting STAR to IDL/widgets (improved user interface), targeting new visualization techniques for multi-dimensional data visualization (emphasizing 3D visualization), and exploring leading-edge 3D interface devices. During the past project year we emphasized high-end visualization techniques, by exploring new tools offered by state-of-the-art visualization software (such as AVS3 and IDL4/widgets), by experimenting with tools still under research at the Department of Computer Science (e.g., use of glyphs for multidimensional data visualization), and by researching current 3D input/output devices as they could be used to explore 3D astrophysical data. As always, any project activity is driven by the need to interpret astrophysical data more effectively

54 Physiochemical Analysis of Fresh Water Sources in District Bhimber, Azad Jammu Kashmir

The present study investigates the physiochemical parameters of drinking water quality in district Bhimber of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The drinking water supplies in the area come from four main sources, streams, springs, hand pumps and boreholes. A total of seventy one (71) samples from all four water sources were taken for determination of physiochemical parameters. The results show considerable variation in water quality parameters of different water sources. However, the data analyses indicate that physiochemical parameters of water samples are well within the permissible limits of drinking water quality. Stream water samples show slightly higher pH values, while two samples from hand-pump have shown marginally higher content of TDS. The mean values of dissolved oxygen in borehole and hand-pump water samples are also slightly below the water quality standard limits. The correlation studies show that pH has a strong negative correlation with calcium and positive relation with sodium in water samples of all four sources. Similarly, the dissolved oxygen has shown negative relationship with temperature and a weak to moderate positive relationship with pH of water. No evidence of pollution and industrial contamination of water was found. The study found that water from all four sources is safe for drinking purpose

KARAKTERISTIK PATI DARI BATANG POHON AREN PADA BERBAGAI FASE PERTUMBUHAN

The aims of this experiment were to determine the most suitable phase of palm sugar tree for producing starch and the characteristics of starch (functional, physical and chemical compositions) which were appropriate for starch noodle. Three growth phases of palm sugar tree were observed, namely: before flowering, productive growth and post growth productive phases.  Starch characteristics analyzed included water content, reduced sugar, starch, amylase, lipid, protein, fiber, ash, acid degree, form and size of granular, and starch amilography. Starch of green bean was used as a comparison.  Results of this experiment indicated that the highest starch content on the palm sugar tree was found at the productive growth phase. The characteristics of starch on the palm sugar at the post growth productive phase were similar to the starch of green bean. Therefore, starch obtained from post growth productive phase is the best for starch noodle

Biological characteristics and outcomes of gliosarcoma

Gliosarcoma is a highly aggressive primary brain tumour. It is a relatively rare tumour and comprises of two histological components, glial and sarcomatous. Gliosarcomas carry a poorer prognosis than that of Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM). The current review highlights important histological and radiological features of gliosarcoma in the light of recent literature, and also touches upon the treatment options and outcomes of various types of gliosarcoma

Pathways to antibiotics in Bangladesh: a qualitative study investigating how and when households access medicine including antibiotics for humans or animals when they are ill

Background To understand how to reduce antibiotic use, greater knowledge is needed about the complexities of access in countries with loose regulation or enforcement. This study aimed to explore how households in Bangladesh were accessing antimicrobials for themselves and their domestic animals. Methods In-depth interviews were conducted with 48 households in one urban and one rural area. Households were purposively sampled from two lower income strata, prioritising those with under 5-year olds, older adults, household animals and minority groups. Households where someone was currently ill with a suspected infection (13 households) were invited for a follow-up interview. Framework analysis was used to explore access to healthcare and medicines. Findings People accessed medicines for themselves through five pathways: drugs shops, private clinics, government/charitable hospitals, community/family planning clinics, and specialised/private hospitals. Drug shops provided direct access to medicines for common, less serious and acute illnesses. For persistent or serious illnesses, the healthcare pathway may include contacts with several of these settings, but often relied on medicines provided by drug shops. In the 13 households with an unwell family member, most received at least one course of antibiotics for this illness. Multiple and incomplete dosing were common even when prescribed by a qualified doctor. Antibiotics were identified by their high cost compared to other medicines. Cost was a reported barrier to purchasing full courses of antibiotics. Few households in the urban area kept household animals. In this rural area, government animal health workers provided most care for large household animals (cows), but drug shops were also important. Conclusions In Bangladesh, unregulated drug shops provide an essential route to medicines including those prescribed in the formal sector. Wherever licensed suppliers are scarce and expensive, regulations which prohibit this supply risk removing access entirely for many people

KARAKTERISTIK BUAH KAKAO YANG DIPANEN PADA BERBAGAI KETINGGIAN TEMPAT TUMBUH DAN KELAS KEMATANGAN

The aim of the research was to determine the effect of altitude and cacao maturity class on cacao fruit characteristics and seed quality. Cacao fruits were harvested from three different altitudes  (first factor): 1-400-800 and >800 m above sea level (asl); and three different maturity classes (second): maturity class B (yellow on the fruit skin groove), maturity class A (yellow on the whole fruit skin surface) and maturity class A+ (dark yellow on the whole fruit skin surface).  Physical fruit characteristics were analysed on weight, fruit skin content, placenta, dental pulp, wet and dry seed yield, seed number/100 g, unfermented seed, and pulp content and its chemical components (sugar and total acid content).  The combination of the two factors resulted in  27 experimental units. The research resuts showed that cocoa fruit harvested from the plants growing at >400-900 m asl produced highest fruit weight (494.76 g), dry seed yield (8.43% dry weight) and seed size (90 seeds/100g).  Whereas at 1 - 400 - <800 m asl with maturity class A produced seed which meet most the quality standard set by the SNI trade 01-2323-2002. The altitude as a growth factor is more dominant in influencing the cacao fruit characteristics than either the fruit maturity class or its combination with the altitude factor

End stage renal disease: Seroprevalence of hepatitises B and C along with associated aetiology and risk factors in children

Background: End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) normally requires dialysis or transplantation for survival. Since ESRD patients are on long term dialysis, infections such as Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) are commonly reported.Methods: This was a retrospective study carried out at a government hospital during a 12-month period from January 2013 to December 2013. The data was collected using a predesigned pro forma to note the etiology, gender, age, and HBsAg and anti-HCV test result of each patient.Results: 444 children suffering from ESRD were included in our analysis. The mean age of sample was 12.7 ± 4.1 years. Sixty percent (n = 262) of the children were boys. The most common etiology of ESRD was kidney stones (n = 44, 29.3%). HBV was positive in 11 children (2.5%) while HCV was positive in 13 (2.9%).Conclusion: This study asserts the need for carrying out further work to confirm these findings and expand our recommendations. It is imperative to reliably determine the burden of HBV and HCV disease and to determine the aetiology of their spread especially in children with ESRD

Development of effective lead removal from wastewater by graphene oxide

This study aims to remove lead from wastewater effluent by adsorption process using graphene oxide (GO). FTIR revealed the presence of functional groups such as carboxyl, epoxy, and hydroxyl. The morphology of GO was analysed by SEM displayed GO consists of randomly aggregated and crumpled structure, showed some wrinkle and fold area on the surface of GO which confirmed that the graphite was well exfoliated during the oxidation process. The adsorption parameters were optimized using fractional factorial design. GO demonstrated 99.98 % of lead removal at initial concentration of 100 mg/L lead, pH 9 and 60 min of contact time. Adsorption studies indicated that the adsorption fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model, predicted the monolayer coverage removal of lead