English course E-learning system based on relative item difficulty using web component composition

Many researches about e-learning system have been applied item difficulty to increase learning effectiveness. And development environment was changed the internet based learning media contents into the more various technology such as component, web 2.0, service oriented development and so on. Especially, service-oriented development is one of new trend in web based system and has become mainstream in software development. In the development, web components aims at providing support to service-oriented technique by enabling automatic discovery, composition, invocation and interoperation of the services. In this paper, we aimed the implementation of English e-learning system including the item guessing parameter and considering the relative correction of item difficulty. In the system, a learner was given to choose the learning step by the relative difficulty. In order to process and combine, all the learning contents are based on Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) with Learning Management System (LMS). Also, each learning contents are belong to Sharable Content Objects (SCOs).     

Action-research-based optimisation model for health care behaviour change in rural India

In this research, we utilise a multi-method braided approach for a real-world health care intervention in rural India. We first use action research to conceptually underpin the role of self-help groups, disease profiles and appropriate interventions in health care behaviour change and improvement. Action research is then coupled with a non-linear integer-programming-based simulation to determine how health care resources need to be distributed over time, disease type and groups. The action research provides specific research questions and distributional forms needed for the optimisation analysis, while the non-linear integer-programming simulation provides specific recommendations on where and when to distribute resources. External validity of the study is ensured by the adoption of recommendations in the field as part of the action research. Findings from this research have important policy implications. For example, it identifies the value of continuous embedded interventions as opposed to periodic ones and the importance of flexibility in terms of which community groups and disease types to serve over time. This research also provides an important bridge between the operations research, health care in developing nations, organisational theory and humanitarian operations bodies of knowledge.     

Effect of ultrasound on removal of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from different types of soils

A new and promising technology is utilization of sonochemistry on decontamination of polluted soil. The feasibility of this technology on treatment of contaminated soils (synthetic clay, natural farm clay, and kaolin) was studied by using two target persistent organic pollutants (POPs): hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and phenanthrene (PHE). The soils were highly contaminated in 500 mg/kg. The laboratory experiments were conducted with various conditions (moisture, power, and time duration). The effects of these parameters on ultrasonication (as well as the removal of contaminants) were examined. The reasonable moisture ratio of the slurry could be in range of 2:1–3:1. The process did not change pH values of soils. Experimental results showed that ultrasonication has a potential to reduce the high concentrations of these POPs.     

Oil price,biofuels and food supply

The price of oil could play a significant role in influencing the expansion of biofuels, but this issue has yet to be fully investigated in the literature. Using a global computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, this study analyzes the impact of oil price on biofuel expansion, and subsequently, on food supply. The study shows that a 65% increase in oil price in 2020 from the 2009 level would increase the global biofuel penetration to 5.4% in 2020 from 2.4% in 2009. If oil prices rise 150% from their 2009 levels by 2020, the resulting penetration of biofuels would be 9%, which is higher than that would be caused by current mandates and targets introduced in more than forty countries around the world. The study also shows that aggregate agricultural output drops due to an oil price increase, but the drop is small in major biofuel producing countries as the expansion of biofuels would partially offset the negative impacts of the oil price increase on agricultural outputs. An increase in oil price would reduce global food supply through direct impacts as well as through the diversion of food commodities and cropland towards the production of biofuels.     

In Vitro and In Vivo Metabolism of the Radiolytic Compound 2-Dodecylcyclobutanone

ABSTRACT: Our knowledge about the metabolism of alkylcyclobutanones (2-ACBs) is limited, and the lack of literature on the metabolism of 2-ACBs causes consumers to doubt the safety of irradiated foods. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the metabolism of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone (2-DCB) and identify any possible metabolite. The 2-DCB was mixed with rat S9 (postmitochondrial supernatant fraction) and β-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and incubated for 2 h at 37 °C. Then, the incubation mixture was mixed with sodium sulfate and extracted with n-hexane by using a Soxhlet apparatus. The hexane extract was concentrated under nitrogen and injected into the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) machine running in selective ion monitoring mode (SIM) to measure 2-DCB concentration. The hexane extract from the in vitro and in vivo studies was also derivatized with a silylation reagent and injected into a GC-MS running in full scan mode. The average percentage of 2-DCB recovered from the test incubations was 23%, compared with 50% from the controls. The GC-MS chromatograms of the derivatized samples showed a unique peak in the in vitro test incubations and in the hexane extract of the rat feces that were given 2-DCB. This peak was later identified as 2-doecylcyclobutanol.     

Fusion of Region and Boundary/Surface-Based Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Techniques for 2-D and 3-D MR Cerebral Cortical Segmentation (Part-II): A State-of-the-Art Review

Extensive growth in functional brain imaging, perfusion-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, brain mapping and brain scanning techniques has led tremendously to the importance of cerebral cortical segmentation both in 2-D and 3-D from volumetric brain magnetic resonance imaging data sets. Besides that, recent growth in deformable brain segmentation techniques in 2-D and 3-D has brought the engineering community, such as the areas of computer vision, image processing, pattern recognition and graphics, closer to the medical community, such as to neuro-surgeons, psychiatrists, oncologists, neuro-radiologists and internists. In Part I of this research (see Suri et al [1]), an attempt was made to review the state-of-the-art in 2-D and 3-D cerebral cortical segmentation techniques from brain magnetic resonance imaging based on two main classes: region- and boundary/surface-based. More than 18 different techniques for segmenting the cerebral cortex from brain slices acquired in orthogonal directions were shown using region-based techniques. We also showed more than ten different techniques to segment the cerebral cortex from magnetic resonance brain volumes using boundary/surface-based techniques. This paper (Part II) focuses on presenting state-of-the-art systems based on the fusion of boundary/surface-based with region-based techniques, also called regional-geometric deformation models, which takes the paradigm of partial differential equations in the level set framework. We also discuss the pros and cons of these various techniques, besides giving the mathematical foundations for each sub-class in the cortical taxonomy. Special emphasis is placed on discussing the advantages, validation, challenges and neuro-science/clinical applications of cortical segmentation. Received: 25 August 2000, Received in revised form: 28 March 2001, Accepted: 28 March 2001     

Using global positioning system for bus priority in London: traffic signals close to bus stops

London's bus network is one of the largest and most comprehensive urban transport systems in the world. The contribution of buses is recognised by implementing a series of initiatives including bus priority at traffic signals. London has a long history of the implementation of bus priority at traffic signals. It has kept pace with the development of new technologies by updating its bus priority system. Now, London is moving towards a bus management system based on global positioning system (GPS), which will also be used to provide bus priority at traffic signals. The authors describe theoretical work carried out by TRG on behalf of Transport for London Bus Priority Team to tackle the challenge posed by locational error associated with GPS where a traffic signal is close to a bus stop     

Green synthesis and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles using wild medicinal mushroom Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. from Similipal Biosphere Reserve,Odisha, India

In the present study, green synthesis and cost effective approach of silver nanoparticles using wild medicinal mushroom Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. from Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, India is reported. The biosynthesised AgNPs were characterised using UV‐visible spectroscopy, particle analyser and scanning electron microscopy studies. It was found by dynamic light scattering analysis, that the average size and charges of the AgNPs were 133.0 ± 0.361 nm and −6.01 ± 5.30 mV, respectively. Moreover, the Fourier transform infrared study was also conducted to identify the biomolecules or functional groups responsible for the reduction of Ag and stabilisation of the AgNPs. The potential biomedical application with reference to antimicrobial activity of the synthesised AgNPs was investigated against some pathogenic microorganisms viz. Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella flexneri.Inspec keywords: antibacterial activity, biomedical materials, nanomedicine, nanofabrication, materials preparation, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectra, molecular biophysics, reduction (chemical), biochemistry, microorganisms, silver, nanoparticlesOther keywords: green synthesis, antimicrobial activity, silver nanoparticles, wild medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma applanatum Pat, Similipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha, UV‐visible spectroscopy, particle analyser, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering analysis, Fourier transform infrared study, biomolecules, functional groups, silver reduction, AgNP stabilisation, biomedical application, pathogenic microorganisms, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Vibrio cholerae, Staphylococcus aureus, Shigella flexneri, Ag

Abbreviations

AgNPs

‐ Silver Nanoparticles

SPR

‐Surface plasmon resonance

AgNO3

‐Silver nitrate

nm

‐ Nanometer

mm

‐Milimetre

     

Aerosol and Precipitation Chemistry at a Remote Himalayan Site in Nepal

As a part of a year long aerosol measurement program in the Nepal Himalayas, a series of 12 h samples of aerosol and event-based samples of precipitation were collected in postmonsoon, 1996; premonsoon, 1997; and monsoon, 1997. Results show that diurnal variations in the regional valley wind system are responsible for variations in the major ion (Na + , NH 4 + , K + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Cl - , NO 3 - , and SO 4 -2 ) concentrations in the aerosol. On time scales greater than a day, changes in atmospheric circulation and associated changes in the precipitation regime have an important effect on aerosol ion concentrations. Periods of high major ion concentration in the aerosol generally coincide with similar periods in precipitation chemistry, although a linear relationship between concentrations in these 2 media is not robust due to limited data. High scavenging ratio values are found for all species except SO 4 2- . Nitrate, Cl - , and NH 4 + are enriched in the precipitation compared to the aerosol, implying the presence of gaseous acidic species (HNO 3 and HCl) and gaseous NH 3 in the air. Ammonium was also enriched with respect to SO 4 2- in aerosol during a dry episode in the monsoon season. This may represent relatively local sources of NH 3 (from neighboring villages) and was not scavenged due to the lack of precipitation. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis clearly shows the presence of 2 dominant pollutant transport mechanisms for the premonsoon and monsoon seasons (i.e., valley wind system and monsoon circulation). Although physically different, these 2 transport mechanisms follow similar transport pathways and transport aerosol into the Himalayas from similar source regions. Further, EOF analysis suggests a southerly maritime signal in the aerosol during monsoon and a more distant westerly maritime signal during premonsoon. Our results support the potential for using glaciochemical records from the Himalayas to investigate variations in the strength of past monsoon circulation and westerly disturbances.