Design of Microcontroller-Based Portable Instrument for Measuring P-Wave Speed in Impact-Echo Method

Impact-echo method is widely used for non-destructive testing on concrete evaluation. One of the procedures of this method is determining P-wave speed by measuring travel time of P-wave ( between two transducers. For this purpose, a microcontroller-based portable instrument is developed. This research proposes a PIC microcontroller routine using interrupt-on-change and timer0 features. On concrete, impact waves reach the first accelerometer and will interrupt the main routine and start the timer0. When the waves reach the second accelerometer, the timer0 will be stopped. The value of the timer represents the travel time of P-wave. Therefore, the P-wave speed can be calculated. The routine is verified using controlled signal generated by internal PIC. The accurate result of the travel time measurements is presented. )t

Reduced graphene oxide-multiwalled carbon nanotubes hybrid film with low Pt loading as counter electrode for improved photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitised solar cells

In this work, the role of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with hyperbranched surfactant and its hybridisation with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) as counter electrode (CE) were investigated to determine the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitised solar cells (DSSCs). Sodium 1,4-is(neopentyloxy)-3-(neopentyloxycarbonyl)- 1,4-dioxobutane-2-sulphonate (TC14) surfactant was utilised as dispersing and stabilising agent in electrochemical exfoliation to synthesise graphene oxide (GO) as initial solution for rGO production prior to its further hybridisation and fabrication as thin film. A chemical reduction process utilising hydrazine hydrate was conducted to produce rGO due to the low temperature process and water-based GO solution. Subsequently, hybrid solution was prepared by mixing 1 wt% MWCNTs into the produced rGO solution. TC14-rGO and TC14-rGO_MWCNTs hybrid solution were transferred into fluorine-doped tin oxide substrate to fabricate thin film by spraying deposition method. Finally, the CE films were prepared by coating with thin Pt NPs. Photoanode film was prepared by a two-step process: hydrothermal growth method to synthesise titanium dioxide nanowires (TiO2 NWs) and subsequent squeegee method to apply TiO2 NPs. According to solar simulator measurement, the highest energy conversion efficiency (η) was achieved by using CE-based TC14-rGO_MWCNTs/Pt (1.553%), with the highest short current density of 4.424 mA/cm2. The highest η was due to the high conductivity of CE hybrid film and the morphology of fabricated TiO2 NWs/TiO2 NPs. Consequently, the dye adsorption was high, and the photovoltaic performance of DSSCs was increased. This result also showed that rGO and rGO_MWCNTs hybrid can be used as considerable potential candidate materials to replace Pt gradually

A review of gelatin: properties, sources, process, applications, and commercialisation

This review begins with a discussion of the general properties of gelatin and its sources, particularly in the food and health industries, and then briefly address the status quo of gelatin in today’s market. Apart from the basic chemical compounds and gelatin types, this paper also discussed the commercialisation of gelatin. This study also highlights the production of conventional gelatin and its current method of processing, i.e. enzymatic hydrolysis. In addition, the variety of raw materials of collagen is outlined and briefly broached the plant hydrocolloids which have been labeled as ’veggie-gelatin’. With regard to the potential and market stability of gelatin, its recent studies are summarised in this paper. Accordingly, this paper focuses on assessing the general utilities of the various sources of collagen as gelatin derivatives. At that basis, the aim of this review is to provide an insight into gelatin in current applications, market value and progress in gelatin extraction

Regenerative Callus Induction and Biochemical Analysis of Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni

Stevia Leaves are the principal source of stevioside, which is estimated to be 100-300 times sweeter than table sugar. Stevioside has clinical significance as they are reported to maintain glucose levels in human blood. Owing to the difficulties in propagation of stevia through seeds and vegetative methods, callus culture has been an efficient alternative for generation of stevioside. The aim of this study is to develop an efficient and standardized protocol for maximum induction and multiplication of callus from a leaf. Callus culture was established from leaves in MS basal media fortified with various combinations (BAP, NAA, 2,4-D, KN, IBA) and concentrations of phytohormones. The best callusing (100%) was recorded in MS media supplemented with (2,4-D 1.0mg/l + NAA 1.0mg/l). The callus was harvested after 4 weeks and screened for the presence of various bioactive compounds. The qualitative results showed that the extracts of callus contained bioactive compounds like flavonoids, glycosides, phenol, tannins, sterols and saponins thereby making callus one of the sources for extraction of various secondary metabolites

Haematological Profiles of Lactating Nili-Ravi Buffaloes Under Heat Stress-Alleviated Conditions During Sub-tropical Summer Season

The experiment was conducted using forty two Nili-Ravi lactating buffaloes of Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Regional Station-Bir Dosanjh, Nabha, Patiala, Punjab to investigate the effect of heat stress-alleviated conditions on haematological profile in Nili-Ravi buffaloes during hot-dry (HD) and hot-humid (HH) season. All buffaloes were uniformly divided into two groups of twenty one in each group considering their lactation number, stage of lactation, body weight, dam's milk yield and milk yield in current lactation. Out of which ten buffaloes from each group were selected for blood sampling considering those above factors. The control (T0) group were kept in a separate shed without any extra nutrient supplementation and modification in microclimate and management. The treatment (T1) group was supplemented with niacin@6 gm/buffalo/day, yeast@10 gm/buffalo/day and mustard oil @150gms/buffalo/day. They were provided curtains and mist fans in the shed. Feeding time, frequency and type of ration were also altered. During HD period, T0 group exhibited higher (P<0.002, P<0.05) WBC (17.2 x 109 /L), and lymphocyte (12.52 x 109 /L) counts and lymphocyte per cent (69.46 %) than T1 group (12.32 x 10 9 /L, 7.32 x 10 9 /L and 59.68%, respectively). Similar results were recorded during hot humid season in T0 and T1 group. The neutrophil per cent differed significantly between T0 and T1 group under HD (P<0.001) and HH (P<0.006) season. The study indicated that heat stress during sub-tropical summer months affected the haematology of lactating buffaloes and the stress could be reduced through the change (use of fans and curtains, nutritional supplementations, and feeding alterations together in the form of one package) of microclimate

Reconsidering the World Heritage Potential of the Kinta Valley Post-Industrial Mining Landscape, Malaysia

The distinct landscape of the Kinta Valley is undeniably unique in its capacity in narrating significant phases and processes in Peninsular Malaysia’s history and culture. While tin mining brought about massive development to the Valley’s landscape, evidenced in the making of modern Kinta and Kampar Districts today, and Malaysia generally, this paper focuses on the potential of Kinta Valley as a World Heritage Listed mining cultural landscape. The rich cultural tapestry that is evident today across the Valley’s mining lands provides a significant living platform to understanding and appreciating the diversity of Malaysia’s cultural landscapes and in particular, offering a new perspective about industrial heritage values to Malaysia’s domestic and international tourism catchments. Keywords: Cultural Landscape as Heritage; Heritage Conservation; Post-Industrial Mining Landscape; Kinta Valley.eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i11.1736             

Unravelling Layers of Colonial and Post-Colonial Open Space Planning and Heritage: The Identity of [Padang] Merdeka Square, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In 1880, when the British moved their Federated Malay States administrative centre to Kuala Lumpur, the Padang quickly became a symbol of British economic and administrative colonisation, and a nucleus of the socio-cultural development of Kuala Lumpur. This paper discusses the layers of history, symbolism and cultural values that the Padang contributes to the socio-cultural tapestry of both Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia, and the lack of relevant planning and heritage measures to conserve these attributes and characteristics. The conclusions offer avenues to engage with pre- and post-colonisation that enable re-making and the conservation of the iconic space of Kuala Lumpur.Keywords: Urban open space; Merdeka Square; Kuala Lumpur City Hall; National Heritage Act 2005eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i11.1721             

Consideration of pyloric stenosis as a cause of feeding dysfunction in children with cyanotic heart disease

Feeding difficulty has been reported at a higher incidence in infants with cyanotic heart disease and single ventricle physiology necessitating specialized feeding strategies. However, structural causes of feed intolerance in this subset of patients should not be ignored. This case series highlights three recent cases of pyloric stenosis in infants with left-sided obstructive lesions at our institution. In all three cases, the initial presumed diagnosis was feeding intolerance related to heart disease, and there was significant clinical improvement following identification and correction of pyloric stenosis

Effect of temperature on viscosity of kokum, karonda, mango pulp and cashew apple syrup

The viscosity of the food products (kokum, karonda, mango pulp and cashew apple syrup) was determined at temperatures 20ºC, 30ºC, 40ºC, 50ºC and 60ºC and at different spindle speed such as 0.07, 0.09, 0.1, 1.1 and 17 r min-1 for mango pulp and 17, 140, 150, 160, 180 and 200 r min-1 for kokum, karonda and cashew apple syrup using Brookfield viscometer.  The kokum, karonda, mango pulp and cashew apple syrup showed shear thinning behavior and pseudo-plastic in nature (