Enyzmed pretreated empty pabn fruit bunch for biofuel production

Lignin peroxidase (LiP) and manganese peroxidase (1.1nP) enzymes were used to pre-treat empty fruit bunch (EPFB) before pyrolysis. Statistical analysis indicated that at 71.6%, LiP demonstrated greater lignin degradation compared to 67.9% J\1nP. Interestingly, the pretreatment sample has resulted in higher bio-oil yield compared to the untreated sample. Both LiP-treated and MnP-treated EPFB yielded approximately 30 wt% of bio-oil compared to 20 wt% of yield for the untreated sample

Reversible splenial lesion syndrome in neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Background: Reversible focal lesions in the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC) or reversible splenial lesion syndrome are rare and little is known about their pathophysiology. Case summary: The authors describe a case of a 65-year-old female who presented with fever, abnormal behaviour and mild hypernatremia. She was on neuropsychiatric treatment for bipolar disorder but denied any history of seizure. After an extensive workout to exclude infection, a clinical diagnosis of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) was made. Initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed a lesion in the SCC characterized by high-signal intensity on T2-weighted and FLAIR sequences with reduced signal intensity on T1-weighted sequence. Diffuse weighted imaging (DWI) showed restricted diffusion. There was no enhancement following Gadolinium administration. The follow-up MRI 8 weeks later showed complete resolution of the SCC lesion. Conclusion: While the pathophysiology of reversible SCC lesions is still unclear, this case highlights the need to consider NMS in the differential diagnosis of reversible splenial lesion of the corpus callosum

Effect of Partial Replacement of Wheat Flour with Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju) Powder on Nutritional Composition and Sensory Properties of Butter Biscuit (Kesan Penggantian Sebahagian Tepung Gandum dengan Serbuk Cendawan Tiram Kelabu (Pleurotus sajor-caju) terhadap Komposisi Pemakanan dan Ciri-ciri Sensori Biskut Mentega)

Nutrient composition and sensory investigation of butter biscuits incorporated with various levels of grey oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju, PSC) powder were studied. The biscuits were formulated with 0, 2, 4 or 6% of PSC powder to partially replace wheat flour. Our results showed that butter biscuit formulated with 6% PSC powder significantly (p≤ 0.05) recorded the highest protein content (6.94%) as compared with control (6.50%). Meanwhile, the addition of 2% PSC powder in biscuit does not affect the fat content (20.71%) compared with control (20.52%). Both biscuits containing 4% and 6% PSC powder recorded 5.34 g/ 100 g and 5.52 g/ 100 g total dietary fibre (TDF), respectively and significantly higher (p≤0.05) than control biscuit (4.84 g/ 100 g). Biscuits formulated with 4% and 6% PSC powder had significantly higher β-glucan concentration at 0.72 and 0.79 g/ 100 g than control biscuit (0.66 g/ 100 g). In the sensory evaluation, biscuits incorporated with 2% PSC powder had the highest scores for all sensory attributes except for crispiness and flavor. Butter biscuit containing 4% PSC powder had score values of 5.5 and 4.5 for crispiness and flavor, respectively. The present study suggested that incorporation of PSC powder up to 4% to replace wheat flour improved crispiness and flavour, increased concentration of protein, dietary fibre and β-glucan but did not affect the fat content of butter biscuit. || Komposisi nutrien dan kajian berkaitan penilaian sensori biskut mentega yang ditambah dengan cendawan tiram kelabu (Pleurotus sajor-caju, PSC) pada peratusan berbeza telah dikaji. Biskut mentega telah diformulasikan dengan serbuk PSC pada peratusan 0, 2, 4 atau 6% bagi menggantikan sebahagian tepung gandum. Keputusan kajian mendapati biskut cendawan yang diformulasikan dengan 6% serbuk PSC merekodkan kandungan protein yang paling tinggi dan signifikan (p≤0.05) iaitu 6.94% berbanding dengan kawalan (6.50%). Sementara itu, penambahan PSC pada paras 2% dalam biskut tidak mempengaruhi kandungan lemak (20.71%) berbanding dengan biskut kawalan (20.52%). Kedua-dua biskut yang mengandungi 4% dan 6% serbuk PSC merekodkan 5.34 g/ 100 g dan 5.52 g/ 100 g serat diet jumlah (TDF) dan signifikan (p≤0.05) berbanding biskut kawalan (4.84 g/ 100 g). Biskut yang diformulasikan dengan 4% dan 6% serbuk PSC mengandungi β-glukan yang tinggi dan signifikan iaitu sebanyak 0.72 dan 0.79 g/ 100 g berbanding dengan biskut kawalan (0.66 g/ 100 g). Penilaian sensori menunjukkan biskut yang ditambah dengan 2% PSC diberi skor yang tertinggi bagi semua atribut kecuali kerangupan dan perisa. Biskut mentega yang mengandungi 4% serbuk PSC merekodkan skor kerangupan dan perisa yang paling tinggi iaitu masing-masing 5.5 dan 4.5. Kajian ini menunjukkan penambahan serbuk PSC sehingga 4% bagi menggantikan sebahagian tepung gandum dapat memperbaiki kerangupan dan perisa atribut sensori, meningkatkan kandungan protein, serat diet dan β-glukan tetapi tidak mempengaruhi kandungan lemak biskut tersebut

Effect of iridium loading on the formation of protonic acid sites over Ir/PtHZSM5

The Ir/Pt-HZSM5 with different iridium loading (0.3-1.0 wt%) was prepared by impregnation of iridium on Pt-HZSM5. The acidic properties of Ir/Pt- HZSM5 were studied by FTIR spectroscopy, while the activity of the catalysts was tested for n-pentane isomerization in a microcatalytic pulse reactor. The IR results of adsorbed 2,6-lutidine showed that all catalysts possessed strong Brönsted and Lewis acid sites in the outgassing at 473 K and below. When Ir/Pt-HZSM5 was heated in hydrogen, protonic acid sites were formed with concomitant decrease of Lewis acid sites. An increase in iridium loading continuously decreased the Lewis and Brönsted acid sites and inhibited the formation of protonic acid sites induced by hydrogen. The formation of protonic acid sites induced by hydrogen was also confirmed by the formation of electron detected by ESR spectroscopy. Additionally for n-pentane isomerization, an increase in iridium loading decreased the yield of isopentane due to the inhibition in the formation of protonic acid sites via hydrogen spillover phenomenon

Performance Characteristics Of Non-Arc Double Stator Permanent Magnet Generator

The improvement in the power density in the double stator configurations is feasible with increase in the electrical loading of the electrical machines. This type of newer configuration is finding significant applications in improvising energy generation, more commonly for renewable energy generation. Various double stator configurations with non-arc permanent magnet machines for power density are modelled and analyzed in this paper. Finite Element Method (FEM) is used to simulate for the generation capability including the electromagnetics parameters such as flux linkage and open circuit voltage. A new slotted rotor structure is evolved based on the magnetic flux flow control inside the machine. The proposed structure is then fabricated in the laboratory and tested for operating characteristics with load circuit. The proposed machine produces a maximum power of 600W at speed of 2000 rpm with 75% of maximum efficiency with the micro-hydro generation unit

Mapping on slope seepage problem using Electrical Resistivity Imaging (ERI)

The stability of slope may influenced by several factors such as its geomaterial properties, geometry and environmental factors. Problematic slope due to seepage phenomenon will influenced the slope strength thus promoting to its failure. In the past, slope seepage mapping suffer from several limitation due to cost, time and data coverage. Conventional engineering tools to detect or mapped the seepage on slope experienced those problems involving large and high elevation of slope design. As a result, this study introduced geophysical tools for slope seepage mapping based on electrical resistivity method. Two spread lines of electrical resistivity imaging were performed on the slope crest using ABEM SAS 4000 equipment. Data acquisition configuration was based on long and short arrangement, schlumberger array and 2.5 m of equal electrode spacing interval. Raw data obtained from data acquisition was analyzed using RES2DINV software. Both of the resistivity results show that the slope studied consists of three different anomalies representing top soil (200 – 1000 Ωm), perched water (10 – 100 Ωm) and hard/dry layer (> 200 Ωm). It was found that seepage problem on slope studied was derived from perched water zones with electrical resistivity value of 10 – 100 Ωm. Perched water zone has been detected at 6 m depth from the ground level with varying thickness at 5 m and over. Resistivity results have shown some good similarity output with reference to borehole data, geological map and site observation thus verified the resistivity results interpretation. Hence, this study has shown that the electrical resistivity imaging was applicable in slope seepage mapping which consider efficient in term of cost, time, data coverage and sustainability

Islamic leadership and maqasid al-shari'ah: Reinvestigating the dimensions of Islamic leadership inventroy (ILI) via content analysis procedures

The purpose of this research is to investigate separate themes of Islamic Leadership based on analyses conducted on selected literature of conventional and Islamic Leadership.The themes of Islamic Leadership were identified for the purpose of developing a specific inventory to measure Islamic Leadership or the Islamic Leadership Inventory (ILI).In identifying the themes of Islamic Leadership, this research applied qualitative content analysis procedures on four categories of literature.The literature are (1) The Qur’an and Hadiths (2) Managerial Leadership and Servant Leadership literature (3) Contemporary Islamic Leadership literature (4) Classical texts of Islamic Leadership.This research used NVIVO to facilitate information processing.With respect to the underlying theory of research, this research is based on the principles of higher objectives of Shari’ah or the Maqasid al-Shari’ah to justify the importance of the identified Islamic Leadership behaviors from the lenses of Islam. Based on the content analysis, this research found 25 separate themes representing Islamic Leadership Behaviours.The 25 themes are (1) Trustworthiness and Integrity, (2) Employees Orientation, (3) Self-evaluation, (4) Patience, (5) Outcome Orientation, (6) Empowerment, (7) Social Responsibility (8) Flexibility (9) Non Calculative, (10) Spirituality, Religiousness and Piety, (11) Esprit De Corps, (12) Bravery, (13) Justice and Equity, (14) High Self-Reliance and High SelfEsteem, (15) Modesty and Shyness, (16) Impartially, (17) Moderation and Balance, (18) Good in Communication, (19) Free from environmental-constrains, (20) Earnest, (21) Cheerful, (22) Feared when angry, (23) Empowering Intelligent, Wisdom and Encourage Synergy, (24) Role Model, and (25) Avoid Conflict.The themes suggested could be used to measure Islamic Leadership in various perspectives.In general, this paper offers policymakers, organisations, and researchers in various avenues the important dimensions of Islamic Leadership.Specifically, the Islamic Leadership Inventory (ILI) could be utilised to measure the effectiveness of Muslims’ professionals based on the perspectives of Islam and the higher objectives of Shari’ah.In sum, this paper found that Islamic Leadership could be represented in several dimensions and could be adapted in the conventional measures of managerial leadership

Structural rearrangement of mesostructured silica nanoparticles incorporated with ZnO catalyst and its photoactivity: effect of alkaline aqueous electrolyte concentration

ZnO-incorporated mesostructured silica nanoparticles (MSN) catalysts (ZM) were prepared by the introduction of Zn ions into the framework of MSN via a simple electrochemical system in the presence of various concentrations of NH4OH aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were studied by XRD, 29Si MAS NMR, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, FE-SEM, TEM, FTIR, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Characterization results demonstrated that the alkaline aqueous electrolyte simply generated abundant silanol groups on the surface of the catalysts as a consequence of desilication to form the hierarchical-like structure of the MSN. Subsequent restructuring of the silica network by the creation of oxygen vacancies and formation of Si-O-Zn during the electrolysis, as well as formation of new Si-O-Si bonds during calcination seemed to be the main factors that enhanced the catalytic performance of photodecolorization of methyl orange. A ZM prepared in the presence of 1.0 M NH4OH (ZM-1.0) was determined to be the most effective catalyst. The catalyst displays a higher first-order kinetics rate of 3.87 × 10-1 h-1 than unsupported ZnO (1.13 × 10-1 h-1) that prepared under the same conditions in the absence of MSN. The experiment on effect of scavengers showed that hydroxyl radicals generated from the three main sources; reduced O2 at the conduction band, decomposed water at the valence band and irradiated H2O2 in the solution, are key factors that influenced the reaction. It is also noted that the recycled ZM-1.0 catalyst maintained its activity up to five runs without serious catalyst deactivation

Predicting survival of de novo metastatic breast cancer in Asian women: Systematic review and validation study

10.1371/journal.pone.0093755PLoS ONE94-POLN

Selective formation of tungsten nanowires

We report on a process for fabricating self-aligned tungsten (W) nanowires with polycrystalline silicon core. Tungsten nanowires as thin as 10 nm were formed by utilizing polysilicon sidewall transfer technology followed by selective deposition of tungsten by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) using WF6 as the precursor. With selective CVD, the process is self-limiting whereby the tungsten formation is confined to the polysilicon regions; hence, the nanowires are formed without the need for lithography or for additional processing. The fabricated tungsten nanowires were observed to be perfectly aligned, showing 100% selectivity to polysilicon and can be made to be electrically isolated from one another. The electrical conductivity of the nanowires was characterized to determine the effect of its physical dimensions. The conductivity for the tungsten nanowires were found to be 40% higher when compared to doped polysilicon nanowires of similar dimensions