Intelligent automatic lighting control systems are promising approaches that could potentially reduce energy consumption of lighting significantly. Such systems typically rely on the interplay of light controls and wireless sensors, deployed within an optimization model with an objective of minimizing energy consumption, while maintaining user satisfaction. Several prior studies tackled this optimization question form one angle or the other, but most of them look at simplified versions, and are based on heuristics providing no guarantees on performance optimality. This letter makes an effort towards devising a more comprehensive energy expenditure minimizing intelligent smart lighting system for a realworld dynamic environment. The envisioned system considers a convex programming formulation that allows leveraging versatility of a recently developed online primaldual framework. Based on this formulation, an efficient distributed algorithms for solving the optimization problem in realtime will be developed that are scalable with respect to the number of light sources and sensors.
In today's data centers, Virtual Machine Placement (VMP) is a challenging problem and far from being resolved. Most placement algorithms that are found in the literature do not consider key factors related to satisfying network endtoend delay for the VMs to be placed, nor the impact of network activities generated due to the activities of other VMs that are running cloud applications and services. Such key factors can not be ignored, as they contribute significantly to the Service Level Objective (SLO) response time experienced by the cloud users. This paper presents a heuristic networkaware virtual machine placement technique that considers endtoend delay for VMs and delays caused by existing network traffic of other applications running on the same cloud infrastructure.
Spread of carbapenemase producing multidrug resistant Enterobacteriaceae is a major public health concern. We investigated the genetic context of the rare blaNDM5 gene encountered in hospitals of Abu Dhabi Emirate by genotyping of the clinical isolates, and by establishing the complete sequence of plasmids carrying the gene. Based on our findings this carbapenemase occurred in the region partially due to clonal spread, however similar IncX3 plasmids carrying the blaNDM5 gene significantly contributed to its emergence.
Nanoparticles are being integrated into biological systems at a rapid and alarming rate despite the poor understanding of their stability, toxicity, and interactions in living systems. The overall goal of this project is to develop reliable methods for measuring nanoparticle core charge and coating stability. Here we show extinction spectroscopy and light scattering measurements of gold nanoparticles confirming that a protein monolayer is bound to the nanoparticle surface.
Lysosomal storage disorders are a group of more than 60 inherited metabolic disorders characterized by the accumulation of toxic products in lysosomes due to certain enzyme deficiencies. GM1ganglosidosis is autosomal recessive neurological LSD caused by betagalactosidase deficiency when both copies of GLB1 gene are mutated. Several missense mutations have been reported in patients with GM1ganglosidosis. One such mutation is D151Y in GLB1 previously reported in an Emirati family with GM1ganglosidosis. In this study, we have characterized the effects of this mutation using expression, localization, and activity assays. We show that the mutation is causing trafficking defect with retention of the mutant protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and thus failure to reach the lysosomes. However, our data demonstrate that this trafficking defect can be reversed using glycerol as a chemical chaperone. This finding raises the possibility of using pharmaceutical chaperones as a possible personalized treatment for this disorder.
Current diabetes management are associated with many complications and do not provide a cure. Stem cells offer a hope for permanent cure through the possible differentiation. The current differentiation methods do not produce homogeneous betacells. DNAmethylation and histonedeacetylation can render many genes irresponsive to the induction protocols. This study investigated the potential of producing functional beta cells using an epigenetic approach. MG63 cells were treated with a DNA methylation inhibitor or a histone deacetylases inhibitor followed by a differentiation protocol. Then, glucosestimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) was tested. Insulin production inside the cells was detected using immunofluorescence, while insulin secreted in the media was measured by ELISA. Moreover, the gene expression was analyzed for ?cells markers. The results suggested that AZA decreased the global DNA methylation by more than 50% of the vehicle, as well as enhanced the insulin production and secretion in comparison to the control, DMSO and SAHA
Metal oxide nanoparticles play an important role in the fields of imaging, tissue engineering as well as drug delivery. However, several studies have shown that they exhibit toxic effects on cells in invitro culture. We further investigated these findings by testing the effect on two types of nanoparticles, Aluminum oxide and Iron (III) oxide, on in vitro cultures of Human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cells. The Live/Dead assay, MTT assay and immunofluorescent staining were used to test for the cytotoxic effect of the nanoparticles at the increasing concentrations. Results have clearly shown a cytotoxic effect that is only significant as the concentrations of the nanoparticles are increased to 100?g/ml. However, at lower concentrations the nanoparticles do not exhibit a significantly toxic effect. In addition, the collected data show a greater cytotoxic effect of the Iron (III) oxide nanoparticles in comparison with the Aluminum oxide nanoparticles.
The purpose of this study is to explore the views of High School Science teachers in Al Ain with regards to the inclusion of Socioscientific Issues (SSIs) into the Science Curriculum. A Mixed method approach was used by distributing a survey to the teachers and analyzing the results. The findings indicated that the teachers believe that SSIs should be included into the curriculum. It is recommended that a more specific study is done on the place and the factors that may facilitate or impede the inclusion of SSI's into the curriculum.
This case study is aimed at gauging the gain in oral and written communication skills for 5 Arab college students through using authentic materials in the UAE. An explanatory mixed method design was adopted to achieve the purpose of this study. In the first phase of the study quantitative means were used by conducting a pre and a posttest after implementation of an extensive program for two months. The second phase featured a collection of qualitative data by means of oral and written documents analysis, anxiety selfreport scale analysis and a semistructured interview. The results gleaned from the pre and posttest showed that there was a noticeable gain in the oral communication more than in the written. Qualitatively, authentic materials led to tangible gain in vocabulary, language structures and expressions, gradual decrease in anxiety level, practical use of the language, and positive views towards the use of authentic materials.
Mohammad Ali Ben Said (18361882), better known as Nicholas Said, arrived in the United States after he had gained his freedom. Few studies have discussed The Autobiography of Nicholas Said? a Native of Bornou, Eastern Soudan, Central Africa. Florence Marfo's article "African Muslims in African American Literature" discusses possible reasons why commentators have excluded enslaved African Muslims from African American anthologies. Regarding Said, Marfo assumes a reason for exclusion is the absence of the antislavery theme. However, Allan Austin states that Said's story "is one of the few substantial lives we have of antebellum Africans in America". Ralph Keen comments on the back cover of Said's Autobiography edited by Precious Rasheeda Muhammad, that the discovery of the Autobiography is "a significant addition to the canon of AfricanAmerican writing". This paper aims to position Said's Autobiography in American literature through reviewing criticism on postbellum slave narratives and analyzing the text.
