Towards the development of a problem solver for the monitoring and control of instrumentation in a grid environment

This paper considers the issues involved in developing a generic problem solver to be used within a grid environment for the monitoring and control of instrumentation. The specific feature of such an environment is that the type of data to be processed, as well as the problem, is not always known in advance. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a problem solver architecture that addresses this issue. We propose to analyze the performance of the problem solving algorithms available within the WEKA toolkit and determine a decision tree of the best performing algorithm for a given type of data. For this purpose the algorithms have been tested using 51 datasets either drawn from publicly available repositories or generated in a grid-enabled environmen

Plasmon resonances of highly doped two-dimensional MoS2

The exhibition of plasmon resonances in two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor compounds is desirable for many applications. Here, by electrochemically intercalating lithium into 2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoflakes, plasmon resonances in the visible and near UV wavelength ranges are achieved. These plasmon resonances are controlled by the high doping level of the nanoflakes after the intercalation, producing two distinct resonance peak areas based on the crystal arrangements. The system is also benchmarked for biosensing using bovine serum albumin. This work provides a foundation for developing future 2D MoS2 based biological and optical units

Exfoliation solvent dependent plasmon resonances in two-dimensional sub-stoichiometric molybdenum oxide nanoflakes

Few-layer two-dimensional (2D) molybdenum oxide nanoflakes are exfoliated using a grinding assisted liquid phase sonication exfoliation method. The sonication process is carried out in five different mixtures of water with both aprotic and protic solvents. We found that surface energy and solubility of mixtures play important roles in changing the thickness, lateral dimension, and synthetic yield of the nanoflakes. We demonstrate an increase in proton intercalation in 2D nanoflakes upon simulated solar light exposure. This results in substoichiometric flakes and a subsequent enhancement in free electron concentrations, producing plasmon resonances. Two plasmon resonance peaks associated with the thickness and the lateral dimension axes are observable in the samples, in which the plasmonic peak positions could be tuned by the choice of the solvent in exfoliating 2D molybdenum oxide. The extinction coefficients of the plasmonic absorption bands of 2D molybdenum oxide nanoflakes in all samples are found to be high (Îμ > 109 L mol-1 cm-1). It is expected that the tunable plasmon resonances of 2D molybdenum oxide nanoflakes presented in this work can be used in future electronic, optical, and sensing devices

High-performance field effect transistors using electronic inks of 2D molybdenum oxide nanoflakes

Planar 2D materials are possibly the ideal channel candidates for future field effect transistors (FETs), due to their unique electronic properties. However, the performance of FETs based on 2D materials is yet to exceed those of conventional silicon based devices. Here, a 2D channel thin film made from liquid phase exfoliated molybdenum oxide nanoflake inks with highly controllable substoichiometric levels is presented. The ability to induce oxygen vacancies by solar light irradiation in an aqueous environment allows the tuning of electronic properties in 2D substoichiometric molybdenum oxides (MoO3-x). The highest mobility is found to be approximate to 600 cm(2) V-1 s(-1) with an estimated free electron concentration of approximate to 1.6 x 10(21) cm(-3) and an optimal I-On/I-Off ratio of >10(5) for the FETs made of 2D flakes irradiated for 30 min (x = 0.042). These values are significant and represent a real opportunity to realize the next generation of tunable electronic devices using electronic inks

The rights of disabled persons and discrimination : a comparative study in British, American and Saudi Arabian disability law

In Saudi Arabia, as in other Arabic countries, disabled people are prevented by exclusion and marginalisation from obtaining their clear rights. In advanced countries, principles of equality and human dignity determine the position whereby disabled rights are a matter for procedures of justice, not merely for charity. Therefore in the West effective antidiscrimination legislation operates to protect the disabled. By reference to Western concepts and practice, this thesis attempts to propose appropriate means according to Islamic principles to establish the rights of disabled persons and to rectify problems of discrimination against them in Saudi Arabia. The concept of disability is here understood broadly, in order to include a social model that takes account of the stigma of impairment attached to disabled persons, and the social restrictions this entails. The rights of disabled persons rest on principles of their fundamental interests and real needs, equal respect, self-esteem, autonomy and citizenship. To establish the case for these rights is to establish a case resting on dignity, equality and recognition which prohibits discrimination against the disabled. Discrimination refers to exclusion, all forms of denial of opportunities, harm, such as losing out on benefits, and distributive injustice. Distributive justice is required in order to address disability-based discrimination. Its principles of egalitarianism, resources, deserts and difference offer practical solutions to problems of discrimination. The 'difference principle', resources and other principles here are linked to 'reparative justice', for example, through the application of reasonable adjustment to enable disabled persons to enjoy their rights. The concept of the 'veil of ignorance' is applied to the position of disabled persons as a disadvantaged group, to discover what real concept of justice - according to their circumstances and needs - must be adhered to. The UN's 2007 convention on the rights of disabled persons reflects these issues in terms of human rights, and offers a reform agenda for international consensus. It also stresses raising awareness of the clear rights of the disabled without discrimination. Examination of the situation regarding disability in Saudi Arabia reveals a range of inadequacies both in services provided and in legal response. The British and American disability acts offer norms and models informed by justice as a blueprint for reform. When disabled Saudis become legal and autonomous rights-holders, the goal of this thesis will have been achieved.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceSaudi Higher Education MinistryGBUnited Kingdo

The rights of disabled persons and discrimination : a comparative study in British, American and Saudi Arabian disability law

In Saudi Arabia, as in other Arabic countries, disabled people are prevented by exclusion and marginalisation from obtaining their clear rights. In advanced countries, principles of equality and human dignity determine the position whereby disabled rights are a matter for procedures of justice, not merely for charity. Therefore in the West effective antidiscrimination legislation operates to protect the disabled. By reference to Western concepts and practice, this thesis attempts to propose appropriate means according to Islamic principles to establish the rights of disabled persons and to rectify problems of discrimination against them in Saudi Arabia. The concept of disability is here understood broadly, in order to include a social model that takes account of the stigma of impairment attached to disabled persons, and the social restrictions this entails. The rights of disabled persons rest on principles of their fundamental interests and real needs, equal respect, self-esteem, autonomy and citizenship. To establish the case for these rights is to establish a case resting on dignity, equality and recognition which prohibits discrimination against the disabled. Discrimination refers to exclusion, all forms of denial of opportunities, harm, such as losing out on benefits, and distributive injustice. Distributive justice is required in order to address disability-based discrimination. Its principles of egalitarianism, resources, deserts and difference offer practical solutions to problems of discrimination. The 'difference principle', resources and other principles here are linked to 'reparative justice', for example, through the application of reasonable adjustment to enable disabled persons to enjoy their rights. The concept of the 'veil of ignorance' is applied to the position of disabled persons as a disadvantaged group, to discover what real concept of justice - according to their circumstances and needs - must be adhered to. The UN's 2007 convention on the rights of disabled persons reflects these issues in terms of human rights, and offers a reform agenda for international consensus. It also stresses raising awareness of the clear rights of the disabled without discrimination. Examination of the situation regarding disability in Saudi Arabia reveals a range of inadequacies both in services provided and in legal response. The British and American disability acts offer norms and models informed by justice as a blueprint for reform. When disabled Saudis become legal and autonomous rights-holders, the goal of this thesis will have been achieved.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceSaudi Higher Education MinistryGBUnited Kingdo

Treatment of Dental Plaque Biofilms using Photodynamic Therapy

BACKGROUND: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment modality involving a dye that is activated by exposure to light of a specific wavelength in the presence of oxygen to form oxygen species causing localised damage to microorganisms. AIM: To determine the most effective bactericidal incubation and irradiation times of erythrosine-based PDT, using a tungsten filament lamp, on in vivo- formed dental plaque biofilms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a two-phase randomised controlled study consisting of in-vitro and in-situ phases. Phase-1 aimed to determine the most appropriate incubation-time using erythrosine(220μM) based-PDT on lactobacillus species grown in-vitro. Phase-2 was conducted on 18-healthy adult participants wearing intraoral appliances with human enamel slabs to collect dental plaque samples in two separate periods for use in arm-1 and arm-2. For phase-2, accumulated dental plaque samples were tested under different experimental conditions; a) Control-1 (No erythrosine, no light); b) Control-2 (+Erythrosine, no light); c) Treatment-1 (+Erythrosine, +15min continuous light); d) Treatment-2 (+Erythrosine, +30sec light pulses for 5- times separated by 1min dark periods). Incubation-times of 15min and 2min were used in arm-1 and arm-2, respectively; as adapted from the previous pilot study and phase-1. Following treatment, percentage reduction of total bacterial counts were compared between the different groups. Additionally, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy(CLSM) was used to investigate the effect of PDT on in vivo-formed plaque biofilms. RESULTS: Significant reductions in the percentage of total bacterial counts (~93-95%) of in vivo-formed biofilms were found when using either 2min or 15min incubation-times and applying 15min continuous light. Whereas, when applying fractionated light, there was more cell death when 15min incubation-time was used (~91%) compared with the 2min incubation-time (~64%). CLSM results supported these findings. CONCLUSION: Improving the clinical usefulness of PDT by reducing its overall treatment time seems to be promising and effective in killing in vivo- formed dental plaque biofilms

A comprehensive study on optical features, gamma photon buildup factors and neutron shielding capability of B2O3-SB2O3-LI2O-BI2O3 glasses

ABSTRACT. Linear, nonlinear optical properties, photon buildup factors, and neutron shielding capability of glasses with chemical composition (65-x)B2O3-10Sb2O3-25Li2O-xBi2O3, where x = 0 (BSLB0) – 20 (BSLB20) mol% with steps of 4 mol% were examined. Molar refractivity (Rmolar) and molar polarizability (αmolar) were increased as Bi2O3 content mol% increase in the examined BSLB-glasses. The values of metallization criterion (Mcriterion) confirmed that the BSLB-glasses were non-metallic materials. The static (εstatic) and optical (εoptical) dielectric constants having the same trend of the refractive index (noptical). Values of optical electronegativity (χ*) were reduced from 0.825 for BSLB0 (Bi2O3 = 0 mol%) glasses to 0.758 for BSLB20 (Bi2O3 = 20 mol%) glasses. The linear electric/dielectric susceptibility (χ(1)) increased from 0.370 to 0.397. The nonlinear optical susceptibility (χ3) and nonlinear refractive index n2optical were enhanced by increasing Bi2O3 content in the BSLB-glasses. The BSLB20 glasses presented the least exposure and energy absorption build-up factors (EBF and EABF) at all considered thickness. BSLB20 sample achieved the best fast neutron removal cross section ( ) shield among all glasses. The total stopping powers (TSP) follows the trend (TSP)BSLB0 < (TSP)BSLB4 < (TSP)BSLB8 < (TSP)BSLB12 < (TSP)BSLB16 < (TSP)BSLB20. The electron absorbing and hence shielding capacity of the BSLB-glasses improves as their Bi2O3 content increase.     KEY WORDS: Antimony lithium-borate glasses, Optical properties, Buildup factors, Neutron shielding   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(4), 949-962.                                                                DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i4.19                                                     &nbsp

Data Hiding In Contourlet Coefficients Based On Their Energy

The data hiding is one of the most important subject in field of computer science, so a lot of technique was developed and modified to satisfy the optimum lend of hiding. In this research the contourlet transformation coefficients were studied to decide which of them are suitable to embed data on it a lot of parameters of the contourlet coefficients can be discussed one of them is the coefficient energy.The research covered most of the suggested events which could be met during the embedding state, one of them the size of the cover in addition to the size of the information were studied. Applying the suggested idea on different type of image with different size (cover image and the message image) shows that the coefficients with low level of energy are suitable to embedded the information, and the retrieved cover and message are so closed to the original one

Feature Extraction of Images Texture Based on Co-occurrence Matrix

There are many techniques to extracted object properties in an image. In this research a co-occurrence matrix has been to adopted for feature extraction of English letters. English letters of size 14 and font time new roman have been stored as image, then preproced by apply truncation to take off all blank area, then filtered to make it noise free. Energy, contrast, correlation and homogeneity of the co-occurrence matrix properties for the stored character images were calculated. Another character models with different size and fonts were adopted to make the database able to cover a wide range of character images for character recognition and classification . Applied technique shows that a companation features can be extracted as new properties for letters images and give good results. The experimental results of the proposed algorithm have proved that both energy and homogeneity features have given high recognition compared with the remaining other properties