Life Sciences Commons^™

Using Plankton Imaging Technology And Computer Science For Biological Oceanographic Advancement And Education, Adam T. Greer

Adam T. Greer

Oceanography is an inherently interdisciplinary subject that combines observations of physics, biology, chemistry, and their interactions. While most physical and chemical measurements can be made on small scales (cm to m) through the use of sensors (temperature, salinity, pH, etc.), traditional tools to understand the biology of the ocean have only allowed for coarse sampling resolution (i.e., plankton nets sample large portions of the water column). New imaging technology enables the biological component of the ocean to be sampled on the same scale as the physical and chemical, allowing scientists to finally address the interactions among different oceanographic processes. Image …

Travelling In Cuba, Fathi Habashi

Fathi Habashi

Contact with Cuban scientists was established in 1986 when two researchers from Centro de Investigaciones para Industria Minero Metalurgica in Havana visited Laval University to get acquainted with research activities in the area of extractive metallurgy. This was followed in early 1987 by two more researchers from the same centre. Invitations were then received in late 1987, 1989, and 2008 to visit the nickel refineries in Cuba and to hold seminars at the University of Havana. The present report outlines these activities.

Enhanced Transmission Of Higher Order Plasmon Modes With Random Au Nanoparticles In Periodic Hole Arrays, Fang-Tzu Chuang

Fang-Tzu Chuang

The enhanced transmission of higher order plasmon modes with random gold nanoparticles embedded in periodic hole arrays using asymmetric pair aperture as a unit is investigated in the midinfrared regime. Different thicknesses of gold film were deposited inside holes and then annealed to form randomly sized and distributed nanoparticles. The holes deposited with thin gold film exhibit significantly enhanced transmission in higher order modes after thermal annealing. The enormous local electric field around the nanoparticles enhances the scattering effect that contributes to the enhanced infrared transmission. This unique design, which integrates localized and propagating surface plasmons, provides an easy way …

Microfabricated Nanotopological Surfaces For Study Of Adhesion-Dependent Cell Mechanosensitivity, Weiqiang Chen, Yubing Sun, Jianping Fu

Weiqiang Chen

Cells exhibit high sensitivity and diverse responses to the intrinsic nanotopography of the extracellular matrix through their nanoscale cellular sensing machinery. A simple microfabrication method for precise control and spatial patterning of the local nanoroughness on glass surfaces by using photolithography and reactive ion etching is reported. It is demonstrated that local nanoroughness as a biophysical cue could regulate a diverse array of NIH/3T3 fi broblast behaviors, including cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation, migration, and cytoskeleton contractility. The capability to control and further predict cellular responses to nanoroughness might suggest novel methods for developing biomaterials mimicking nanotopographic structures in vivo for …

Surface-Micromachined Microfiltration Membranes For Efficient Isolation And Functional Immunophenotyping Of Subpopulations Of Immune Cells, Weiqiang Chen, Nien-Tsu Huang, Boram Oh, Raymond H. W. Lam, Rong Fan, Timothy T. Cornell, Thomas P. Shanley, Katsuo Kurabayashi, Jianping Fu

Weiqiang Chen

An accurate measurement of the immune status in patients with immune system disorders is critical in evaluating the stage of diseases and tailoring drug treatments. The functional cellular immunity test is a promising method to establish the diagnosis of immune dysfunctions. The conventional functional cellular immunity test involves measurements of the capacity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines when stimulated ex vivo. However, this “bulk” assay measures the overall reactivity of a population of lymphocytes and monocytes, making it difficult to pinpoint the phenotype or real identity of the reactive immune cells involved. In this research, we …

Rapid Determination Of Indirect Cod And Polyvinyl Alcohol From Textile Wastewater., Sandip S. Magdum, Gauri P. Minde, Kalyanraman V.

Sandip S. Magdum

PVA (Polyvinyl alcohol) is completely degraded and utilized by non-ubiquitous microorganisms as a sole source of carbon. PVA containing effluent treatments are not preferred because of high cost. PVA causes serious environmental pollution hence the objective of this work was to establish rapid and reliable method for analysis of COD (Chemical oxygen demand) and PVA concentration in textile desizing or any PVA containing effluent. Two indirect methods namely COD by TC (Total carbon) and TOC (Total organic carbon) were compared with COD chemical as standard. The percentage deviation of 0-0.8% PVA was same in both indirect COD by TC and …

Functions And Future Applications Of F1 Atpase As Nanobioengine - Powering The Nanoworld!, Sandip S. Magdum

Sandip S. Magdum

Recent nanotechnological revolution mandates astonishing imagination about future nanoworld. Nature has ability to create nanobiomolecules which can function in extraordinary way which can be used to produce nano hybrid systems. The opportunity to use such nanobiomolecules in combination of nanomechanical systems for development of novel nano hybrid systems for their various applications needs to explore in further nanotechnological development. F1 ATPase is a subunit of ATP synthase, which is one of the biomolecular structure works on the plasma membrane of the living cell. The reversible function of F1 ATPase gives a counterclockwise rotation of γ shaft by hydrolyzing ATP and …

An Efficient Biotreatment Process For Polyvinyl Alcohol Containing Textile Wastewater, Sandip S. Magdum, Gauri P. Minde, Upendra S. Adhyapak, Kalyanraman V.

Sandip S. Magdum

The aim of this work was to optimize the biodegradation of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing actual textile wastewater for a sustainable treatment solution. The isolated microbial consortia of effective PVA degrader namely Candida Sp. and Pseudomonas Sp., which were responsible for symbiotic degradation of chemical oxidation demand (COD) and PVA from desizing wastewater. In the process optimization, the maximum aeration was essential to achieve a high degradation rate, where as stirring enhances further degradation and foam control. Batch experiments concluded with the need of 16 lpm/l and 150 rpm of air and stirring speed respectively for high rate of COD …

Biogas As A Sustainable Alternative For Current Energy Need Of India., Gauri P. Minde, Sandip S. Magdum, Kalyanraman V.

Sandip S. Magdum

Per capita energy consumption of India is declining with increasing its population, which has direct impact on national economy. Biogas technology seems promising to attain sustainable energy yields without damaging the environment. Waste management, manure creation, health care and employment foundation are the benefits of biogas system. Use of biogas assures renewable energy supply and balance of green house gases. India is traditionally using biogas since long time but there is need to improve the technology, applications and deployment strategies. Bioenergy centralization in urban and decentralization in rural can help government to minimize both the import of fuel derivatives and …

Comparative Study Of Various Pretreatment Reagents On Rice Husk And Structural Changes Assessment Of The Optimised Pretreated Rice Husk, Teck Nam Ang Dr., Gek Cheng Ngoh Dr, Adeline Seak May Chua Dr

Teck Nam Ang Dr.

The performance of alkalis (NaOH and Ca(OH)2) and acids (H2SO4, HCl, H3PO4, CH3COOH, and HNO3) in the pretreatment of rice husk was screened, and a suitable reagent was assessed for subsequent optimisation using response surface methodology. From the assessment, HCl that hydrolysed rice husk well was optimised with three parameters (HCl loading, pretreatment duration, and temperature) using Box-Behnken Design. The optimised condition (0.5% (w/v) HCl loading, 125oC, 1.5 hours) is relatively mild, and resulted in ~22.3 mg TRS/ml hydrolysate. The reduced model developed has good predictability, where the predicted and experimental results differ by only 2%. The comprehensive structural characterization …

Extractive Bioconversion Of Cyclodextrins By Bacillus Cereus Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase In Aqueous Two-Phase System, Eng-Poh Ng Dr.

Eng-Poh Ng

No abstract provided.

Ionothermal Approach For Synthesizing Alpo-5 Hexagonal Thin Plate Influenced By Various Parameters At Ambient Pressure, Eng-Poh Ng Dr.

Eng-Poh Ng

No abstract provided.

The Immobilization Of Iron(Iii) Aminopyridine Complex On Mcm-41: Its Preparation And Characterization, Eng-Poh Ng Dr.

Eng-Poh Ng

No abstract provided.

An Assessment Of The Effects Of Desertification In Yobe State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Desertification is one of the most serious environmental and socio-economic problems of our time. Desertification describes circumstances of land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid regions resulting from the climatic variation and human activities. The fundamental goal of this thesis was to assess the effects of desertification in Yobe State, Nigeria. The present threat of desertification in the sahel has reached an alarming stage where crops cultivation and animal rearing/grazing are no more productive, soil has lost its nutrient/fertility, various infrastructure had given way because of windstorm from the neighbouring Niger Republic and sand dunes had taken over. The …

Using Remote Sensing Data To Improve Rice Production In Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria, Jibril Musa Phd, M B. Yunusa

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This research work looked in the used of Remote Sensing to improve Agricultural production in Kutigi, Niger State. The aim of the study is to use remote sensing to improve rice farming activities in Kutigi, Niger State. It is very important to identify such methods to improve Agricultural production because experts are always interested in new researches and findings to better the standard of living in any environment. In view of this, Remotely-sensed data could be used or employed to elevate most of these agricultural problems in Kutigi through the following objectives: Using Landsat imagery to assess the present landuse …

Nanoroughened Surfaces For Efficient Capture Of Circulating Tumor Cells Without Using Capture Antibodies, Weiqiang Chen, Shinuo Weng, Feng Zhang, Steven Allen, Xiang Li, Liwei Bao, Raymond H. W. Lam, Jill A. Macoska, Sofia D. Merajver, Jianping Fu

Weiqiang Chen

Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) detached from both primary and metastatic lesions represent a potential alternative to invasive biopsies as a source of tumor tissue for the detection, characterization and monitoring of cancers. Here we report a simple yet effective strategy for capturing CTCs without using capture antibodies. Our method uniquely utilized the differential adhesion preference of cancer cells to nanorough surfaces when compared to normal blood cells and thus did not depend on their physical size or surface protein expression, a significant advantage as compared to other existing CTC capture techniques.

Effect Of Paired Apertures In A Periodic Hole Array On Higher Order Plasmon Modes, Fang-Tzu Chuang

Fang-Tzu Chuang

We demonstrate that the transmission of higherorder surface plasmon modes in the mid-infrared range can be enhanced through rectangular hole array on the basis of paired apertures. Experiments prove that enhanced high-order transmission can be generated by either identical shapes or combinations of different hole shapes in pairs. The structure factor is adopted to explain the observed intensity of enhanced transmission. Numerical simulations of the enhanced secondorder mode verify a significant field enhancement in a unit cell of pairs. It is clarified that the separation between the paired apertures and the paired resonance is the key to determine certain higher-order …

Variations In Climatic Parameters And Food Crop Yields: Implications On Food Security In Benue State, Nigeria., Emmanuel Adamgbe, Fanan Ujoh

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

Agricultural production in Nigeria like in other developing countries is highly vulnerable to variations in climatic parameters which may have inverse or direct effect on the performance of food crops. This paper examines the patterns and trends of the variations in the climatic parameters and the implications of such variations on efficient yield rates of some food crops in Benue State using data on climatic variables (rainfall, temperature, sunshine) and the yield of some crops per hectare for 25 years (1986-2010). Data on the climatic variables were collected from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, AirForce Base, Makurdi while the data on …

How Can Pacific Island Economies Benefits From The Advent Of Ict’S – Review Of Best Practices In Education, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

This paper explored implementation and use of information and communication technologies in Fiji, in order to gain insight into recent government initiatives to introduce computers and other ICTs for the community of Fiji. The focus of this paper in that it provided the framework for an in-depth exploration of e-learning centers around the country and the benefits from the advent of ICT’s in e-learning community centers in Fiji. Areas concentrated on are outcome of ICT’s in formal education to students and community as a whole in areas of agriculture, health, environment and infrastructure etc. The research sought understanding from the …

Two Infrared Emission Modes With Different Wavelengths And Orthogonal Polarization In A Waveguide Thermal Emitter, Fang-Tzu Chuang

Fang-Tzu Chuang

This study investigates a Au/SiO2/Au waveguide thermal emitter incorporating a metallic grating embedded in the SiO2 layer. The metal grating acts as a beam splitter, dividing the device into two waveguide structures determined by the polarization of the waveguide modes. The thermal radiation spectrum exhibits two peaks with orthogonal polarization. The emitted wavelengths of the two waveguide modes can be adjusted by controlling the thickness of the SiO2 layers on both sides of the metallic grating during the fabrication process. The emission peaks have ratios of the full width at half maximum to the peak wavelength of 0.057 and 0.05 …

Technical Assistance, Knowledge Gatekeeping And Indigenous Knowledge: Re-Thinking The International Development Practice, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

This paper presents results from a multi-disciplinary conceptual analysis of development theory and practice. It reviews issues raised and proposes a shift in the epistemology of possession towards an epistemology of practice which is guided by the following aspects (1) The consideration of the learning culture of parties involved, (2) the ability and willingness for decontextualisation of the knowledge by the source and (3) the ability to embedded it by recipients (embededness ), (4) the importance that is attached to knowledge of the host country as reflected through (5) Similarity in culture, values, understanding of context and knowledge bases; (6) …

Environmental Impacts Of Stover Removal In The Corn Belt, Alicia English, Wallace E. Tyner, Juan Sesmero, Phillip Owens, David J. Muth Jr.

David J. Muth

When considering the market for biomass from corn stover resources erosion and soil quality issues are important to consider. Removal of stover can be beneficial in some areas, especially when coordinated with other conservation practices, such as vegetative barrier strips and cover crops. However, benefits are highly dependent on several factors, namely if farmers see costs and benefits associated with erosion and the tradeoffs with the removal of biomass. This paper uses results from an integrated RUSLE2/WEPS model to incorporate six different regime choices, covering management, harvest and conservation, into a simple profit maximization model to show these tradeoffs.

Recovery Of Sensitive Watersheds In The Northeastern United States From Chronic Acidification: The Role Of Soil Chemistry, Chris E. Johnson

Chris E Johnson

No abstract provided.

Nanoprojection Lithography Using Self-Assembled Interference Modules For Manufacturing Plasmonic Gratings, Fang-Tzu Chuang

Fang-Tzu Chuang

Abstract—A new nanoprojection lithography (NPL) is proposed to manufacture plasmonic nanogratings. Here, low-cost self-assembly elastomeric polydimethylsiloxane wavy structures are used as the interference modules, with their periods and amplitudes largely controlled by the applied mechanical strain in the synthesis process. Well defined plasmonic grating couplers with desired feature sizes and wavelengths of operation were obtained. This NPL may enable large-area and flash manufacturing of plasmonic nanogratings with tunable array periods.

Dynamics Of Land Use/Land Cover Changes And Its Implication On Food Security In Anyigba, North Central, Nigeria, Tokula E. Arome, Sunday P. Ejaro (Phd)

Confluence Journal Environmental Studies (CJES), Kogi State University, Nigeria

This study assessed land use/land cover changes and its effect on Agricultural land in Anyigba. The objectives were to identify and delineate different land use / land cover categories, assess the rate of change that occurred and examine the impact of land use/land cover change on food security using satellite remote sensing data collected at three different years (1987 Land sat TM, 2001 Land Sat TM and 2011 Land Sat ETM). The study utilized GIS software such as Idrisi Andes academic and ArcGIS 9.3. The study area covers approximately 31.8km2, and four major land use/cover classes were utilized (built up, …

Mis Mock Questions (Why Mis In Corporate Turbulant Times), Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

With corporate strategy becoming more and more dependent on speed,focus, innovation and strategy, what can MIS do? and what should be MIS role ? what is the relationship between Corporate Strategy KPI and MIS? These questions are answered in an MBA Management Information Systems at USP. This programme is delivered across the entire Pacific region through the Graduate School of Business. It is my privilege to post here few questions that students who attended one of the course in Nadi, at Tanoa International Hotel had to answer in one of the Quiz test.

Economic Benefits Analysis Of Mining Industries In Png And Solomon Islands, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

This paper discusses mining and mineral operations in the two countries Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands with regards to its contribution to the overall Gross domestic Product and the economic development of each country.

Our finding shows that mining is an excellent contributor to economic growth and development as in the case of Papua New Guinea.Tax revenue from PNG Mining industries contributions to the PNG fiscal basket remains strong and growing steadily. The mining and minerals tax revenue remains an important contributor to the government fiscal budget over the last 10 years. This has been a strong contributor to …

Understanding Economics Of The Pacific Island Nations: Issues And Cases, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

No abstract provided.

Job Creation In The Tuna Industry Of The Solomon Islands- A Tentative Strategic Analysis, Deogratias Harorimana Sr

Dr Deogratias Harorimana

The principal objective of this paper is to review the current Tuna Fisheries Policies in the Solomon Islands with a view to proposing strategies that will maximize Job creation while at the same time address the issues that currently exist in this sector. Although the Tuna Industry’s contribution to GDP is quite significant, the Solomon Island Government (SIG) gets little or close to nothing out of it in the form of revenue and Job creation with the majority of vessels being foreign owned and fishing license fees amongst the lowest in the Pacific. SOLTAI which is partly owned by the …

Nanotopography Influences Adhesion, Spreading, And Self-Renewal Of Human Embryonic Stem Cells, Weiqiang Chen, Luis G. Villa-Diaz, Yubing Sun, Shinuo Weng, Jin Koo Kim, Raymond H. W. Lam, Lin Han, Rong Fan, Paul H. Krebsbach, Jianping Fu

Weiqiang Chen

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have great potentials for future cell-based therapeutics. However, their mechanosensitivity to biophysical signals from the cellular microenvironment is not well characterized. Here we introduced an effective microfabrication strategy for accurate control and patterning of nanoroughness on glass surfaces. Our results demonstrated that nanotopography could provide a potent regulatory signal over different hESC behaviors, including cell morphology, adhesion, proliferation, clonal expansion, and self-renewal. Our results indicated that topological sensing of hESCs might include feedback regulation involving mechanosensory integrin-mediated cell matrix adhesion, myosin II, and E-cadherin. Our results also demonstrated that cellular responses to nanotopography were cell-type …