A study on determinants of customers intention to use i-Aslah

The aim of this study was to examine the factors that can influence customers’ intention to use i-Aslah, in case of Bank Rakyat, Pasir Mas. Besides, it was also conduct to identify what is the most preferred factor that influences customers’ intention to use i-Aslah personal financing at Bank Rakyat Pasir Mas. A number of variables which are interest rate, social influence and corporate image have been examined as potential factors influencing customer’s intention to use i-Aslah. The sample comprised of 100 customers of Bank Rakyat Pasir Mas and the data were obtained through a questionnaire. The researcher manages to get 100% response rate. The data collected was then tested on its frequency, reliability analysis, correlation and regression analysis. The study found that all the three variables interest rate, social influence and corporate image to be significant. The most important factor in influencing the intention to use i-Aslah is social influence. The limitation of the study is the narrow focus of the survey on the customers from only 1 branch. Despite of the limitations, the findings of this study provide recommendations which can help the management of Bank Rakyat to improve their image and reputation. The bank needs to focus on the quality of the services they are rendering to clients in order to retain their current customers and to attract new customers

Functionalization of Titanium surface with Chitosan via silanation: 3D CLSM imaging of cell biocompatibility behaviour

Introduction Biocompatibility ranks as one of the most important properties of dental materials. One of the criteria for biocompatibility is the absence of material toxicity to cells, according to the ISO 7405 and 10993 recommendations. Among numerous available methods for toxicity assessment; 3-dimensional Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (3D CLSM) imaging was chosen because it provides an accurate and sensitive index of living cell behavior in contact with chitosan coated tested implants. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro biocompatibility of functionalized titanium with chitosan via a silanation using sensitive and innovative 3D CLSM imaging as an investigation method for cytotoxicity assessment. Methods The biocompatibility of four samples (controls cells, TA6V, TA6V-TESBA and TA6V-TESBAChitosan) was compared in vitro after 24h of exposure. Confocal imaging was performed on cultured human gingival fibroblast (HGF1) like cells using Live/Dead® staining. Image series were obtained with a FV10i confocal biological inverted system and analyzed with FV10-ASW 3.1 Software (Olympus France). Results Image analysis showed no cytotoxicity in the presence of the three tested substrates after 24 h of contact. A slight decrease of cell viability was found in contact with TA6V-TESBA with and without chitosan compared to negative control cells. Conclusion Our findings highlighted the use of 3D CLSM confocal imaging as a sensitive method to evaluate qualitatively and quantitatively the biocompatibility behavior of functionalized titanium with chitosan via a silanation. The biocompatibility of the new functionalized coating to HGF1 cells is as good as the reference in biomedical device implantation TA6V

DESIGN OF AN EFFECTIVE CONTROL FOR GRID-CONNECTED PV SYSTEM BASED ON FS-MPC

This paper is deals in part of research that has been conducted on modern means in the basis of power electronics. Harmonic cancellation of distribution network is currently a serious problem, especially in high electrical industry. The main source of harmonic currents injected into the network requires attention to reduce the current harmonic levels. Energy quality is a fairly broad concept which covers both, the quality of power supply (voltage wave) and these of the currents injected into the electrical grid. In this context, a modern approved preventive solution in purpose to limit the rate of harmonic disturbance caused by the deferent power electronics systems connected to the grid must take action. It appears necessary to develop the quality and stability of the grid and develop curative devices such as converters provided with a control device making the current drawn on the most sinusoidal network possible. This paper proposes a control of tow stage grid tied PV system established on finite set model predictive control (FS-MPC). The design of FS-MPC is developed depending on the structure and operating principle associated to three-phase inverter tied to the grid.  In this context, we have also employed the structure of MPPT controller (P&O) and PI controller for adjustment of the DC-bus voltage. To set the proposed control scheme, numerical simulations are carried out using Matlab/Simulink 2013b. The obtained results demonstrate that the proposed control scheme assure the tracking of MPP and the injection of extracted PV power into the grid with high current quality under irradiation changes

Optimal Brain Surgeon Variants for Feature Selection

Colloque avec actes et comité de lecture. internationale.International audienceThis paper presents three pruning algorithms based on Optimal Brain Surgeon (OBS) and Unit-Optimal Brain Surgeon (Unit-OBS). The first variant performs a backward selection by successively removing single weights from the input variables to the hidden units in a fully connected multilayer perceptron (MLP) for variable selection. The second one removes a subset of non-significant weights in one step. The last one combines the two properties presented above. Simulation results obtained on the Monk's problem illustrate the specificities of each method described in this paper according to the preserved variables and the preserved weights

Optimal Brain Surgeon Variants for Optimization

Colloque avec actes et comité de lecture. internationale.International audienceThe determination of the optimal architecture of a multilayer perceptron (MLP) to solve a specific problem is an important and a difficult task. Several approaches based on saliency analysis, such as the Optimal Brain Surgeon method (OBS), have been developed in this field. Nevertheless, we show in this paper that OBS does not gives an optimal architecture. We also present the advantages of applying OBS on the architecture obtained by a variable selection method. New hybrid methods are proposed. A comparison of our approaches to standard techniques for architecture optimization is presented Simulation results obtained on the Monk's problem illustrate the specificities of each method described in this paper

Tissue Engineering for Periodontal Ligament Regeneration: Biomechanical Specifications

The periodontal biomechanical environment is very difficult to investigate. By the complex geometry and composition of the periodontal ligament, its mechanical behavior is very dependent on the type of loading (compressive vs. tensile loading; static vs. cyclic loading; uniaxial vs. multiaxial) and the location around the root (cervical, middle, or apical). These different aspects of the periodontal ligament make it difficult to develop a functional biomaterial to treat periodontal attachment due to periodontal diseases. This review aims to describe the structural and biomechanical properties of the periodontal ligament. Particular importance is placed in the close interrelationship that exists between structure and biomechanics: the periodontal ligament structural organization is specific to its biomechanical environment, and its biomechanical properties are specific to its structural arrangement. This balance between structure and biomechanics can be explained by a mechanosensitive periodontal cellular activity. These specifications have to be considered in the further tissue engineering strategies for the development of an efficient biomaterial for periodontal tissues regeneration

Pfaffia paniculata Extract, a Potential Antimicrobial Agent against Candida spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus mutans Biofilms

The World Health Organization (WHO) has prioritized developing new drugs against specific bacteria and fungi, such as Enterobacteriaceae and Candida spp. While Pfaffia paniculata is commonly called the “cure-everything”, its scientifically proven benefits are limited to anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Therefore, this study aims to determine the spectrum of antimicrobial activity of Pfaffia paniculata and assess its cytotoxicity. Thus, broth microdilution test was conducted according to the CLSI M7-A9 and M27-A3 reference methods. After screening, microbial species with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were selected for biofilm tests. These tests evaluated biomass using the crystal violet (CV) test, metabolic activity using the MTT assay, and structural analysis via Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Cytotoxicity was evaluated in human gingival fibroblasts (FMM-1). There were reductions of 29.4 and 42.7% in CV and MTT assays for Candida spp. biofilm. S. mutans and P. aeruginosa biofilms showed a decrease of 15.7 and 28.6%, respectively. Cell viability tests indicated 55.1, 56.9, and 65.5% of viability after contact with 1.93, 0.96, and 0.48 mg/mL of the extract, respectively. The P. paniculata extract showed antimicrobial action, displayed MIC values, and antibiofilm action on P. aeruginosa, S. mutans, and C. albicans. The cytotoxicity on the FMM-1 cell line was dose-dependent. Therefore, P. paniculata extract holds significant potential for developing new drugs

Juglans regia and Pfaffia paniculata extracts: implications for periodontal disease treatment and correlation with Alzheimer’s risk

Periodontal disease (PD) is a significant global health concern, affecting approximately 19% of the world’s population. It is one of the most prevalent diseases today, causing substantial socio-economic impacts and diminished quality of life. Recent research has also revealed a potential link between PD and Alzheimer’s disease. This study investigated the antimicrobial effects of Juglans regia and Pfaffia paniculata extracts against P. endodontalis and P. gingivalis, bacteria that cause PD and are related to Alzheimer’s risk. The study also assessed the impact of these extracts on macrophage metabolic activity, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression, and genotoxicity. The phytochemical analysis of the extract was carried out first. Antimicrobial activity was performed using the M11-A7 protocol (CLSI) for planktonic cultures on monotypic biofilms matured for 168 hours in anaerobiosis. Cell viability analysis was carried out using MTT on mouse macrophages (RAW 264-7), as well as genotoxicity assessment using micronuclei. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using ELISA method, checking the cytokines IL-6, IL-1B, TNF-alpha, IL-17 and IL-10. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Miquelianin, Regiolone and Gallic Acid in J. regia extract. For the P. paniculata extract, we identified the glycosides Pfaffoside C, Pfaffoside A, 3-O-β-D-glycopyranosyl-oleanolic acid and Beta-ecdysone. Antimicrobial activity revealed a MBC of 1.73 for the extract of J. regia and 0.48 for P. paniculata against P. endodontalis and P. gingivalis. All biofilms were reduced by more than 89% after treatment with the extracts for 5 min. Cytotoxicity evaluations revealed that cell viability remained above 50% at concentrations up to 0.216 mg/ml for J. regia and 0.015 mg/ml for P. paniculata. Neither extract exhibited genotoxicity. Furthermore, both demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity by promoting the production of the cytokine IL-10. In conclusion, the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of J. regia and P. paniculata extracts suggest their potential as treatments for oral dysbiosis, which may contribute to a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases

Juglans regia and Pfaffia paniculata extracts: implications for periodontal disease treatment and correlation with Alzheimer’s risk

Periodontal disease (PD) is a significant global health concern, affecting approximately 19% of the world’s population. It is one of the most prevalent diseases today, causing substantial socio-economic impacts and diminished quality of life. Recent research has also revealed a potential link between PD and Alzheimer’s disease. This study investigated the antimicrobial effects of Juglans regia and Pfaffia paniculata extracts against P. endodontalis and P. gingivalis, bacteria that cause PD and are related to Alzheimer’s risk. The study also assessed the impact of these extracts on macrophage metabolic activity, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine expression, and genotoxicity. The phytochemical analysis of the extract was carried out first. Antimicrobial activity was performed using the M11-A7 protocol (CLSI) for planktonic cultures on monotypic biofilms matured for 168 hours in anaerobiosis. Cell viability analysis was carried out using MTT on mouse macrophages (RAW 264-7), as well as genotoxicity assessment using micronuclei. The anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated using ELISA method, checking the cytokines IL-6, IL-1B, TNF-alpha, IL-17 and IL-10. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of Miquelianin, Regiolone and Gallic Acid in J. regia extract. For the P. paniculata extract, we identified the glycosides Pfaffoside C, Pfaffoside A, 3-O-β-D-glycopyranosyl-oleanolic acid and Beta-ecdysone. Antimicrobial activity revealed a MBC of 1.73 for the extract of J. regia and 0.48 for P. paniculata against P. endodontalis and P. gingivalis. All biofilms were reduced by more than 89% after treatment with the extracts for 5 min. Cytotoxicity evaluations revealed that cell viability remained above 50% at concentrations up to 0.216 mg/ml for J. regia and 0.015 mg/ml for P. paniculata. Neither extract exhibited genotoxicity. Furthermore, both demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity by promoting the production of the cytokine IL-10. In conclusion, the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of J. regia and P. paniculata extracts suggest their potential as treatments for oral dysbiosis, which may contribute to a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases