A BAYESIAN SDP MODEL FOR MULTI-RESERVOIR OPERATION

NIRMALA B,MUJUMDAR P.P 한국수자원학회 2005 한국수자원학회 학술대회 Vol.2005 No.1

Electrical Properties of Ultrafine Nylon-6 Nanofibers Prepared Via Electrospinning

Nirmala, R.,Jeong, Jin-Won,Oh, Hyun-Ju,Navamathavan, R.,El-Newehy, Mohamed,Al-Deyab, Salem S.,Kim, Hak-Yong 한국섬유공학회 2011 FIBERS AND POLYMERS Vol.12 No.8

We report on the preparation and electrical characterization of nylon-6 nanofibers via electrospinning technique. During electrospinning, the polymer solution became highly ionized and emerging out of the micro-tip syringe by forming mesh-like ultrafine nanofibers structure in between the main fibers. The resultant nylon-6 nanofibers were well-oriented with uniform structure. The diameter of the ultrafine nanofibers (7 to 40 nm) is one order less than those of main fibers (100 to 200 nm). The current-voltage (I-V) measurements revealed a linear curve with an occurrence of negative differential resistance (NDR) behavior. The existence of NDR region in the nylon-6 nanofibers can be attributed to the tunneling current through the ultrafine structures. The fabrication of nanofibers, in the form of ultrafine mesh-like form, is relatively fast and inexpensive, and it paves the way to build up of new dimension for nano device applications.

Genetic Variants Associated with Clinicopathological Profiles in Sporadic Breast Cancer in Sri Lankan Women

Nirmala Dushyanthi Sirisena,Adebowale Adeyemo,Anchala Ishani Kuruppu,Nilakshi Samaranayake,Vajira Harshadeva Weerabaddana Dissanayake 한국유방암학회 2018 Journal of breast cancer Vol.21 No.2

Purpose: Several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been reported to be associated with clinicopathological profiles in sporadic breast cancer based on studies conducted on major population groups. The knowledge of the effects of these common genetic variants in South Asian populations remains limited. The present study aimed to investigate the association between a selected set of SNPs and the clinicopathological profiles in sporadic breast cancer in Sri Lankan women. Methods: A total of 350 postmenopausal women with histologically confirmed invasive breast cancer were genotyped for 58 SNPs located in 36 breast cancer related genes. The clinicopathological factors that were investigated included age of onset, tumor histologic grade, and lymph node involvement, as well as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. Association testing was performed using logistic regression models adjusted for confounding factors. Results: Seven SNPs showed significant associations with clinicopathological profiles in breast cancer. The G allele of BRCA1:rs799917 (p=0.047; β [standard error; SE]=–1.069 [0.537]) and the G allele of NQO2:rs17136117 (p=0.040, β [SE]=1.901 [0.923]) were found to be associated with age of onset between 50 and 59 years. The C allele of CDH1:rs13689 (odds ratio [OR], 2.121; p=0.033) was found to be associated with ER-positive breast cancer. The A allele of AKT1:rs1130214 (OR, 2.095; p=0.011) and the C allele of NQO2:rs2071002 (OR, 1.632; p=0.045) were associated with HER2-positive breast cancer. The C allele of BRCA2:rs15869 (OR, 1.600; p=0.041) and the C allele of CCND1:rs7177 (OR, 1.555; p=0.041) were associated with high tumor histologic grade. Conclusion: The common genetic variants identified in the AKT1, BRCA1, BRCA2, CCND1, CDH1, and NQO2 genes could serve as potential clinical and prognostic biomarkers in sporadic breast cancer patients. Further studies are required to validate our current findings in other populations.

Preparation and Characterizations of Rosin Based Thin Films and Fibers.

Nirmala, R,Woo-il, Baek,Navamathavan, R,Kim, Hak Yong,Park, Soo-Jin American Scientific Publishers 2015 Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Vol.15 No.6

<P>In this study, we report the preparation and comparison of the rosin based thin films and electrospun fibers in terms of their formation and characterizations. Rosin in the form of thin films and fibers can be obtained via wet casting method and electrospinning process, respectively. Systematic experiments were performed to study the morphology, structure and thermal properties of the rosin thin films and electrospun fibers. Finally, in order to understand the accurate mass values of rosin in the different morphologies, we performed matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) spectroscopy. The rosin thin film prepared via wet casting method exhibited very smooth surfaces whereas the electrospun fibers were continuous without any beads over long distances. The MALDI-TOF data revealed that the most intense peak in the molecular weight of rosin components is about 302 for the rosin powder, thin film and fibers. On the other hand, some of the higher molecular component can also be observed for electrospun rosin fibers owing to the structural morphology. The present study demonstrated that the full structural characterization of the molecular species present in these different forms of rosin.</P>

Recent Progress on the Fabrication of Ultrafine Polyamide-6 Based Nanofibers Via Electrospinning: A Topical Review

Nirmala, R.,Navamathavan, R.,Park, Soo-Jin,Kim, Hak Yong Springer-Verlag 2014 Nano-micro letters Vol.6 No.2

Early Childhood Care and Education in Cambodia

Nirmala Rao,Veronica Pearson 육아정책연구소 2009 International Journal of Child Care and Education Vol.3 No.1

This paper analyses child care and education policy in Cambodia, a country where there is currently a strong commitment to Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). This is done by (i) providing an overview of national statistics related to the health and development of young Cambodian children and information about their access to ECCE programs; (ii) considering government policy, administrative structures, and funding for ECCE; and (iii) discussing the different models of preschool provision (state preschools, community preschools, home-based programs and private preschools) that are available. Recent initiatives and research findings are discussed and the implications of the analysis for policy development and young children’s well-being are considered.

Enhanced Electrical Properties of Electrospun Nylon66 Nanofibers Containing Carbon Nanotube Fillers and Ag Nanoparticles

Nirmala, R.,Jeon, Kyung Soo,Navamathavan, R.,Park, Mira,Kim, Hak Yong,Park, Soo-Jin 한국섬유공학회 2014 FIBERS AND POLYMERS Vol.15 No.5

In this study, we describe the preparation and characterization of electrospun Nylon66 composite nanofibers incorporated with carbon nanotubes (CNT) fillers and silver nanoparticles. We have incorporated the composites in to Nylon66 nanofibers to enhance the characteristics of the resultant composite nanofibers. The resultant composite nanofibers were characterized by using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and current-voltage (I-V) measurement analysis. The morphology of the composite nanofibers exhibited densely arranged mesh-like ultrafine nanofibers which were strongly bound in between the main fibers. From I-V characteristics, it was observed that the incorporation of CNT fillers and Ag nanoparticles in to electrospun Nylon66 composite nanofibers can be significantly enhanced the electrical properties.

Electrospun nickel doped titanium dioxide nanofibers as an effective photocatalyst for the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane

Nirmala, R.,Kim, Hak Yong,Yi, Chuan,Barakat, Nasser A.M.,Navamathavan, R.,El-Newehy, Mohamed Elsevier 2012 International journal of hydrogen energy Vol.37 No.13

<P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>In this study, Ni-doped titanium dioxide (TiO<SUB>2</SUB>) electrospun nanofibers are introduced as novel material for dehydrogenation of ammonia borane (AB) complex. Hydrolysis experiments with introduced catalytic nanofibers are prevailed to rapidly release hydrogen from AB complex. Typically, Ni nanoparticles (NPs) behave as a catalyst, meanwhile the incorporation of nickel NPs lead to decrease in the electrons/holes recombination rate in TiO<SUB>2</SUB> which resulted in the increase of active ions in the solution to a rapid evolution of hydrogen gas at room temperature. The utilized physiochemical analyses indicate that the introduced Ni-doped TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanofibers have a smooth surface and uniform diameters along their lengths. Under sunlight irradiation, the hydrogen production rate in case of utilizing Ni-doped TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanofibers is rapidly increased compared to the pristine TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanofibers, the maximum hydrogen equivalent in case of the doped nanofibers is 2.6 while the pristine one is 1.4. Both formulations exhibit almost equal low activity in daylight as the observed hydrogen equivalent is 0.4. Overall, this study proposes cheap, stable and effective material for AB dehydrogenation at room temperature.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P><P>► Novel Ni–TiO<SUB>2</SUB> photocatalyst is introduced for ammonia borane (AB) hydrolysis. ► A simple method to synthesis Ni-doped TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanofibers for hydrogen production. ► High amount of hydrogen was produced by catalyst assisted hydrolysis. ► This is a cheap, stable and effective material for AB dehydrogenation. ► The introduced photocatalyst reveal good performance even at low content.</P>

Role of autophagy in regulation of cancer cell death/apoptosis during anti-cancer therapy: focus on autophagy fl ux blockade

Nirmala Tilija Pun,장원준,정철호 대한약학회 2020 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.43 No.5

Autophagy is a self-degradation process in whichthe cytoplasmic cargoes are delivered to the lysosomes fordegradation. As the cargoes are degraded/recycled, theautophagy process maintains the cellular homeostasis. Anticancertherapies induce apoptosis and autophagy concomitantly,and the induced autophagy normally prevents stressresponses that are being induced. In such cases, the inhibitionof autophagy can be a reasonable strategy to enhancethe effi cacy of anti-cancer therapies. However, recent studieshave shown that autophagy induced by anti-cancer drugscauses cell death/apoptosis induction, indicating a controversialrole of autophagy in cancer cell survival or death/apoptosis. Therefore, in the present review, we aimed to assessthe signaling mechanisms involved in autophagy and celldeath/apoptosis induction during anti-cancer therapies. Thisreview summarizes the process of autophagy, autophagy fl uxand its blockade, and measurement and interpretation ofautophagy fl ux. Further, it describes the signaling pathwaysinvolved in the blockade of autophagy fl ux and the role ofsignaling molecules accumulated by autophagy blockade incell death/apoptosis in various cancer cells during anti-cancertherapies. Altogether, it implies that factors such as typesof cancer, drug therapies, and characteristics of autophagyshould be evaluated before targeting autophagy for cancertreatment.

Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism in human angiogenin using droplet-based microfluidics

Nirmala Bardiya,최재원,장수익 한국바이오칩학회 2014 BioChip Journal Vol.8 No.1

Human angiogenin through its ribonucleolytic activity and nuclear translocation promotes angiogenesis and protects motor neurons from damage under stress conditions. Several heterozygous missense and loss of function mutations in the coding region of angiogenin have been implicated in the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease. Every year, thousands of new patients of ALS are diagnosed, making detection of angiogenin variants an urgent necessity. In this work, we report a method of SNP detection based on offline PCR amplification of the target samples followed by bulk and droplet-based microfluidic fluorescence measurements. Our assay relied on the 5′ nuclease- based reporter excision by Taq polymerase from two differently-labeled TaqMan minor groove binder (MGB) probes, one specific for the wild type and the other for K84E single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). The reporter-specific fluorescence signals after 30 cycles of PCR from 20 ng starting template were determined, and the wild type and the K84E SNP fluorescence intensities were approximately 3.5-times and 6-times higher compared to the no template control reaction, respectively. The results on both bulk and dropletbased microfluidic fluorescence measurements are consistent with each other, and suggest that fluorescencedetection using droplet-based microfluidics can be used for the detection of SNP in angiogenin.