Glycomic Analysis of Biomedically Important O-glycoconjugates

It has been established that all cells carry an array of glycans attached to proteins and lipids that are crucial in the interaction between cells and the surrounding matrix. Proteins are mainly glycosylated on asparagines (N-glycosylation) and serine or threonine residues (O-glycosylation). Compared to N-glycans, O-glycans offer a higher degree of structural ambiguity due to the existence of several types and cores. This is believed to contribute to the relative lack of knowledge on these molecules. Therefore, improvement to the current methodologies of structural studies is a prerequisite to complement the immense functional findings of O-glycoconjugates in biological systems. This thesis discusses the structural characterisation, regulation and biological roles of O-glycans. The overall aim was to optimise O-glycomic mass spectrometric analysis to help illuminate the phenotypic findings from our collaborators in three separate but related projects. The methodologies utilised involving MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS, GC-EI-MS, ESI-QTOF-MS and MALDI-QIT-TOF-MS. The first project investigated the effects of core 2 GlcNAc transferase (C2GnT) deficiency in mice. This enzyme exists in three isoforms which are expressed differently in different tissues. Analysis of the single knockout of each of these isoenzymes as well as the triple knockouts has allowed the investigation of their unique and overlapping functions. The outcomes of this study include characterisation of alterations of not just mucin-type O-glycans but also O-mannose glycan, which could be associated with several organ lesions and system failures. The second project focused on the gastric mucosa of mice with deficiency in α1,2-fucosyltranferase (FuT2). This enzyme plays an important role in decorating the mucosal mucins with ABH-blood group and Lewis antigens that are known to interact with various gut flora including the pathogen Helicobacter pylori. It has been shown that the binding of H. pylori via BabA adhesins was significantly impaired with the loss of H antigens and Lewis y on O-glycans. The third project investigated the regulation of mucin-type O-glycosylation. The protein Src has been recognised to play an essential role in the localisation of ppGalNAc transferases, the initiating enzyme of O-glycosylation, in the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Therefore, it could be inferred that Src influences the regulation of protein O-glycosylation. The NIH3T3 and NBT-II cell lines with different levels of Src or different localisation of ppGalNAcT-2 have been analysed in order to identify the changes on the structures of O-glycans and the relative abundances of cores 1 and 2. Valuable information has been gathered which could lead to further investigative work to better understand the role of Src in the regulation of protein O-glycosylation

Analyzing of MOS and Codec Selection for Voice over IP Technology

In this research, we propose an architectural solution to implement the voice over IP (VoIP) service in campus environment network. Voice over IP (VoIP) technology has become a discussion issue for this time being. Today, the deployment of this technology on an organization truly can give a great financial benefit over traditional telephony. Therefore, this study is to analyze the VoIP Codec selection and investigate the Mean Opinion Score (MOS) performance areas evolved with the quality of service delivered by soft phone and IP phone. This study focuses on quality of voice prediction such as i) accuracy of MOS between automated system and human perception and ii) different types of codec performance measurement via human perception using MOS technique. In this study, network management system (NMS) is used to monitor and capture the performance of VoIP in campus environment. In addition, the most apparent of implementing soft phone and IP phone in campus environment is to define the best codec selection that can be used in operational environment. Based on the finding result, the MOS measurement through automated and manual system is able to predict and evaluate VoIP performance. In addition, based on manual MOS measurement, VoIP conversations over LAN contribute more reliability and availability performance compare to WAN.Comment: 14 pages, exposed on 5th International Conference "Actualities and Perspectives on Hardware and Software" - APHS2009, Timisoara, Romani

Software network analyzer for computer network performance measurement planning over heterogeneous services in higher educational institutes

In 21st century, convergences of technologies and services in heterogeneous environment have contributed multi-traffic. This scenario will affect computer network on learning system in higher educational Institutes. Implementation of various services can produce different types of content and quality. Higher educational institutes should have a good computer network infrastructure to support usage of various services. The ability of computer network should consist of i) higher bandwidth; ii) proper network design; and iii) higher performance of communication devices/servers. Thus, presently there is no software to plan and help network administrator in determine ability of network services during introduce a new service. Current approach using by network administrators are planning computer network performance via prediction and measure ability of real network performance using hardware/software network analyzer. This approach can influence several problems such as prediction without software always inaccurate and most of the software/hardware network analyzer in real network is limited by network interfaces. Therefore, to encounter these problems, network administrators need software that can plan and measure additional network resources. Thus, this study presents a novel approach for measurement and planning network performance management in heterogeneous environment. The main objectives of this research is to i) identify which approach and problem occurs in Malaysia higher educational institutes; ii) create simulation model that able to plan and measure network performance for various services; iii) software network analyzer development based on simulation model design; and iv) conduct an evaluation of simulation model and software development with real network. These objectives can achieve as follows: i) conduct a survey; ii) select appropriate mathematical formula to create simulation model; iii) select appropriate modeling application for software development; and iv) conduct verification and validation technique for simulation modeling and evaluation of software network analyzer . The results from survey show that most of the network administrators are using hardware/software network analyzer to measure network performance during operational phase. The minimum size of bandwidth capacity has contributed higher network utilization usage. It can generate network congestion and network service failure in higher educational institutes. We create suitable models to evaluate the network performance using Little Law and Queuing theory that can represent similar to hardware/software network analyzer. In order to get accuracy results on the performance of simulation model, we measure (verify and validate) data from lab experiment and real network environment. Development of software network analyzer is based on simulation model architecture. This software will undergo evaluation process using qualitative technique. As a result, this software prototyping can provide a good approximation of real functionality observed in the real network environment. In addition the software is capable of approximating the performance within a minimum error rate. This software network analyzer can significantly enhance to analyze and propose solution on computer network performance. Future work is to develop software network analyzer for planning, suggestion and analyzing computer network performance on wireless transmission (WLAN, WWAN and WiMax) and Ipv6 protocol. We investigate how preparation and planning phases can be applied to heterogeneous environment in order to better utilize network resources. Our software network analyzer prototyping development is based on Fluke Optiview Network Analyzer. Before we develop any software prototype, it should define the following criteria: i) establish prototype objectives; ii) define prototype functionality; iii) develop prototype; and iv) evaluate prototype. Software network analyzer prototype consists of two phases: analyzing computer network performance under optimum condition and without optimum condition. Software network analyzer prototype was developed to measure and predict network activities based on offline condition. We use qualitative technique to measure our software network analyzer prototype to identify this software is able to plan, propose and analyze computer network performance. Evaluation of software network analyzer prototype is based on focus groups in University of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). Six evaluators are experienced in education and industrial sector will select to complete the survey and interview task. Three evaluators will select who are experienced in industrial sector only, while, another three evaluators experienced in academic and industrial sector. All evaluators have experienced more than 6 to 13 years in network management field. All evaluators need to complete the following task such as: acceptance test, performance test, loading test, network responsive test and repetition test. A common strategy is to design, test, evaluate and then modify the design based on analysis of the prototype.Facultad de Informátic

Development of Emulation Network Analyzer Tool for Computer Network Planning

This paper describes the development of Emulation Network Analyzer (ENA) for heterogeneous services in campus environment. The purpose of this paper is to inform this ENA able to plan and predict network performance. For this purpose, our ENA development is differ from others system such as application and hardware network analyzer. This study focuses on the design of emulation network analyzer, user interface design, characteristics, model description, implementation and evaluation. This ENA can provide a useful network architectural solutions and optimization of network resources during preparation, proposal and planning phases. Finally, ENA tool is a good emulation analyzer that can be used in small to medium size networks for campus environment purposes with minimum cost

Software network analyzer for computer network performance measurement planning over heterogeneous services in higher educational institutes

In 21st century, convergences of technologies and services in heterogeneous environment have contributed multi-traffic. This scenario will affect computer network on learning system in higher educational Institutes. Implementation of various services can produce different types of content and quality. Higher educational institutes should have a good computer network infrastructure to support usage of various services. The ability of computer network should consist of i) higher bandwidth; ii) proper network design; and iii) higher performance of communication devices/servers. Thus, presently there is no software to plan and help network administrator in determine ability of network services during introduce a new service. Current approach using by network administrators are planning computer network performance via prediction and measure ability of real network performance using hardware/software network analyzer. This approach can influence several problems such as prediction without software always inaccurate and most of the software/hardware network analyzer in real network is limited by network interfaces. Therefore, to encounter these problems, network administrators need software that can plan and measure additional network resources. Thus, this study presents a novel approach for measurement and planning network performance management in heterogeneous environment. The main objectives of this research is to i) identify which approach and problem occurs in Malaysia higher educational institutes; ii) create simulation model that able to plan and measure network performance for various services; iii) software network analyzer development based on simulation model design; and iv) conduct an evaluation of simulation model and software development with real network. These objectives can achieve as follows: i) conduct a survey; ii) select appropriate mathematical formula to create simulation model; iii) select appropriate modeling application for software development; and iv) conduct verification and validation technique for simulation modeling and evaluation of software network analyzer . The results from survey show that most of the network administrators are using hardware/software network analyzer to measure network performance during operational phase. The minimum size of bandwidth capacity has contributed higher network utilization usage. It can generate network congestion and network service failure in higher educational institutes. We create suitable models to evaluate the network performance using Little Law and Queuing theory that can represent similar to hardware/software network analyzer. In order to get accuracy results on the performance of simulation model, we measure (verify and validate) data from lab experiment and real network environment. Development of software network analyzer is based on simulation model architecture. This software will undergo evaluation process using qualitative technique. As a result, this software prototyping can provide a good approximation of real functionality observed in the real network environment. In addition the software is capable of approximating the performance within a minimum error rate. This software network analyzer can significantly enhance to analyze and propose solution on computer network performance. Future work is to develop software network analyzer for planning, suggestion and analyzing computer network performance on wireless transmission (WLAN, WWAN and WiMax) and Ipv6 protocol. We investigate how preparation and planning phases can be applied to heterogeneous environment in order to better utilize network resources. Our software network analyzer prototyping development is based on Fluke Optiview Network Analyzer. Before we develop any software prototype, it should define the following criteria: i) establish prototype objectives; ii) define prototype functionality; iii) develop prototype; and iv) evaluate prototype. Software network analyzer prototype consists of two phases: analyzing computer network performance under optimum condition and without optimum condition. Software network analyzer prototype was developed to measure and predict network activities based on offline condition. We use qualitative technique to measure our software network analyzer prototype to identify this software is able to plan, propose and analyze computer network performance. Evaluation of software network analyzer prototype is based on focus groups in University of Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). Six evaluators are experienced in education and industrial sector will select to complete the survey and interview task. Three evaluators will select who are experienced in industrial sector only, while, another three evaluators experienced in academic and industrial sector. All evaluators have experienced more than 6 to 13 years in network management field. All evaluators need to complete the following task such as: acceptance test, performance test, loading test, network responsive test and repetition test. A common strategy is to design, test, evaluate and then modify the design based on analysis of the prototype.Facultad de Informátic

Persepsi belia terhadap etos bangsa: kajian di Lembah Kelang

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis persepsi belia terhadap etos bangsa. Kajian ini melibatkan seramai 400 responden yang dipilih sekitar Lembah Kelang. Data kajian diperoleh melalui soal selidik yang dianalisis menggunakan program SPSS. Untuk itu, statistik deskriptif seperti frekuensi, peratusan, min, statistik jadual silang (cross tabulation) dan correlation coefficient digunakan bagi menerangkan latar belakang responden dan persepsi belia terhadap etos bangsa. Hasil kajian menunjukkan persepsi belia terhadap etos bangsa adalah baik. Dapatan kajian juga menunjukkan penerimaan belia terhadap etos bangsa iaitu daripada segi nilai, semangat, kepercayaan dan identiti adalah tinggi

An Overview of Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) Vertical Handover Using Systematic Mapping

The evolution of infotainment industries yet the advancement of cellular gadgets such as smartphones, tablets, and laptop had increased the request on cellular traffic demands. As a result, a Heterogeneous Wireless Network (HWN) has been introduced to fulfil users requests in having seamless mobility and better Quality of Services (QoS) for the users. A lot of research works have been done in order to provide a seamless connection to the users. Even though a lot of methods have been proposed, a Multi-Attribute Decision Making (MADM) has been seemed like a promising way due to its ability to evaluate many attributes simultaneously. Previously, many reviews based on MADM methods in a Heterogeneous Wireless Network provides a details review which required researchers time in order to determine the possible potential areas to be explored. Therefore, in this study, we present an overview of the MADM method in performing vertical handover via a systematic mapping method. This will enable future researchers to identify the trends and research opportunities within this area. This mapping study analysed 30 papers. Results from the study show eight main potential research issues can be explored by researchers, including normalisation, criteria weighting, ranking abnormality, network selection, and performance comparison between MADM algorithms, network selection for a group of calls, mobility patterns and handover triggering