A new process suitable for large scale synthesis of the antitumor-antiviral agent, 2-β-D-ribofuranosyl-4-selenazolecarboxamide (selenazofurin, 1), has been developed. Thus, 1-O-acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranose (3) was converted with cyanotrimethylsilane and stannic chloride to the crystalline 2,5-anhydro-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-allononitrile (4) without chromatography. Cyanosugar 4 in ethanol was treated with hydrogen selenide gas to afford stereospecifically the unstable 2,5-anhydro-3,4,6-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-allonoselenoamide (5) which was converted in situ by ethyl bromopyruvate to the stable ethyl 2-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-selenazolecarboxylate (6). Selenazole ethyl ester 6 was deprotected with sodium methoxide affording methyl 2-β-D-ribofuranosyl-4-selenazolecarboxylate (7) which was aminated with ammonia to provide selenazofurin (1) or with other amines to provide N-substituted selenazofurin amides.


Background High quality evidence based (EB) wound care guidelines reduce costs of care and improve outcomes. They may help stem the growing burden of chronic wound care only if disseminated and used. Context Publications supported development, quality and dissemination of EB wound care guidelines with content-validity (CV). Description of Best Practice Multidisciplinary volunteer guideline developers from a global, non-profit wound care organisation with patient and wound-related specialty membership, used standardised evidence strength criteria and independently-rated CV Index as standardised recommendation strength to develop inclusive venous and pressure ulcer "Guidelines of Guidelines". Representatives of six North American societies collaboratively published research and educational opportunities identified by this unique guideline development process. Lessons for Guideline Developers, Adapters, Implementers, and/or Users Publications accessible at the organisation website transparently described the guideline development process, a hallmark of guideline quality while enhancing awareness of the guidelines and EB CV recommendations worth implementing. Publications in multidisciplinary journals minimised sampling bias by inviting readership to complete online CV surveys. Publishing research and educational opportunities focused the field on EB research and education needs and fostered international cooperation, helping unify wound care across countries, settings and specialties. Medical school and university nursing and physical therapy programmes are disseminating core messages of EB CV wound care by using the guidelines, publications, patient brochures, algorithms and implementation tools to improve quality and consistency of care. Conclusion Publications enhanced venous and pressure ulcer guideline development quality, awareness and use while unifying wound care and highlighting needed research and education initiatives.


We have carried out Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) F160BW, F555W, and F656N imaging of four young populous clusters: NGC 330, in the Small Magellanic Cloud, and NGC 1818, 2004, and 2100, in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We report photometric results for these four clusters, including identification using photometric colors of the cluster Be star population. We present theoretical WFPC2 and broadband colors and bolometric corrections for LMC and SMC metallicities. The use of the far-UV F160BW filter enables accurate determination of the effective temperatures for stars in the vicinity of the main-sequence turnoff and on the unevolved main sequence.


Our study reports on contrasts in prey items from African Crowned Eagle (Stephanoaetus coronatus) nesting in forest (n = 1) and savanna (n = 2) biomes in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. At least 12 taxa were identified at a forest nest, of which 92.1% were neonate/juvenile. Bovids and procaviids represented 73.7% and 19.6% of the diet respectively whilst Samango Monkey (Cercopithecus albogularis), a common forest species, represented only 1.7% of prey items. Other species made up 5.0% and included a range of species not found in the forest (e.g. Ourebia ourebi, Lepus sp., Ovis capra). At the savanna nests at least four taxa were identified, of which 73.1% of prey items were adult. The majority of prey items were identified as procaviids (87.0%) with 5.6% and 7.4% of prey items represented by C. albogularis/pygerythrus and other remains (e.g. Capra hircus, Philantomba monticola) respectively. In South Africa, where total forest area is reduced compared to regions further north, the dietary range of African Crowned Eagles may include a wider diversity of prey from different biomes; feeding generalisation and opportunism may therefore be an important strategy for the maintenance of African Crowned Eagles populations in the region.


This study has attempted to investigate the predictability of university students' personality traits, cultural values, stress coping strategies, negative automatic thoughts and gender on their professional/formal psychological help seeking attitudes. This research has been carried on with the participation of a total of 1284 university students. Predictive correlational method was used. To collect data, valid and reliable measurements were conducted. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis has been used to evaluate the data. As predictors of the psychological help seeking attitude, conscientious and agreeable students have more positive attitudes, but negative-valent and open ones have more negative attitudes. Students who use seeking social support and avoidance stress coping strategies have more positive attitudes, but who use keep-to-self have more negative attitudes. Collectivist and female participants' help seeking attitudes are more positive. With these variables, 14% of the attitude of seeking psychological help is explained. The findings of the study were associated to Theory of Planned Behavior and discussed in the light of literature.


Nearly all displacive transitions have been considered to be continuous or second order, and the rigid unit mode (RUM) provides a natural candidate for the soft mode. However, in-situ X-ray diffraction and Raman measurements show clearly the first-order evidences for the scheelite-to-fergusonite displacive transition in BaWO4: a 1.6% volume collapse, coexistence of phases, and hysteresis on release of pressure. Such first-order signatures are found to be the same as the soft modes in BaWO4, which indicates the scheelite-to-fergusonite displacive phase transition hides a deeper physical mechanism. By the refinement of atomic displacement parameters, we further show that the first-order character of this phase transition stems from a coupling of large compression of soft BaO8 polyhedrons to the small displacive distortion of rigid WO4 tetrahedrons. Such a coupling will lead to a deeper physical insight in the phase transition of the common scheelite-structured compounds.


The recent findings emerging from the new science of complexity are altering our view of unpredicted behavior. In many cases, natural laws hidden deep within the complex processes of healthcare systems may be exerting a powerful influence over our ability to control outcomes. The author explores the concept of complexity and how nurse administrators may use these new theories to navigate through an increasingly unpredictable world.


In Sweden, children and adolescents with intellectual disability in special residences often have complex support needs. In this study, co-production refers to when and how staff in special residences and children and adolescents living there interact to promote support that enhances their participation in everyday life according to their desires and needs. The study explores staff experiences of the conditions for co-producing individual support at special residences for children and adolescents with intellectual disability. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze focus group interviews with residential staff. The analysis identified three generic categories: establishment of a structured context, continuous individual support development, and influencing factors for co-production. A key finding derived from the generic categories was that the conditions for co-produced support are impeded by communication barriers between staff and children/adolescents. Practical implications and future research are discussed.


This piece of research adopts an interdisciplinary conceptual approach that incorporates Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) with learning and cognitive sciences. Specifically, it considers modeling of associative memorization to introduce optimal analysis for development of reading brain performance. Herein, this brain performance simulated realistically using ANNs self-organized modeling paradigm. That namely: the Generalized Hebbian Algorithm (GHA), also known in the literature as Sanger's rule, is a linear feed forward neural network model for unsupervised learning with applications primarily in principal components analysis. Furthermore, it inspired by functioning of highly specialized biological neurons in reading brain based on the organization the brain's structures/substructures. In accordance with the prevailing concept of individual intrinsic characterized properties of highly specialized neurons. Presented models have been in close correspondence with set of neurons' performance for developing reading brain in a significant way. More specifically, herein, introduced model concerned with their important role played in carrying out cognitive reading brain function's outcomes. Accordingly, the cognitive goal for reading brain is to translate that seen word (orthographic word-from) into a spoken word (phonological word-form). In this context herein, the presented work illustrates via ANN simulation results: How ensembles of highly specialized neurons could be dynamically involved in performing associative memorization cognitive function for developing reading brain.


Hoffa fracture is a rare injury consisting of unicondylar tangential posterior fracture of the distal femur. On plain radiographs the fracture line is clearly seen. However, some fractures and musculotendinous injuries may display subtle features and may be difficult to detect even with optimal images. We explain the mechanism of injury, discuss the diagnostic work-up and the operative and nonoperative management.


Abstract Hardin, E.; Kurum, M.O.; Mitasova, H., and Overton, M.F., 2012. Least cost path extraction of topographic features for storm impact scale mapping. A raster-based, spatially distributed implementation of the storm impact scale, designed to assess barrier island vulnerability, is presented. The two core topographic parameters of the scale, dune ridge and dune toe elevation, are extracted from a high-resolution, light detection and ranging (LIDAR)-derived digital elevation model (DEM). In addition, the beach slope, necessary to compute wave run-up, is extracted from the beach face. Innovative implementation of least cost path analysis and a physics-based model of an elastic sheet are used to map the dune ridge and dune toe. The robustness and efficiency of the topographic feature extraction method is demonstrated along 4 km of shoreline in Pea Island, Outer Banks, North Carolina.


Abstract The studies published in 2015 analyzing the need for human resource in Iasi IT market (the most representative market for the North-East of Romania) conclude that the demand for specialists exceeds by far the number of graduates from faculties which train IT specialists. Nationwide, within the FEBA2, the employment rate for the students that complete the Economic Informatics undergraduate program and different master programs that specialize students in BIS3 is approximately 95%. We strongly believe that the students graduating the program AIS4 could get a higher employability in the IT area and appropriate improvement measures would beneficially contribute to a higher rate of employability, but also to the diversification of their professional horizon and their adjustment to the IT field requirements for professional accountants nowadays. The research also attempts to determine the profile of AIS graduates and their compatibility with IT related positions in the labour market and graduates' employability in terms of knowledge, skills and attributes relevant to the employers' needs.


The spin-polarized electronic transport properties of zigzag graphene nanoribbons (ZGNRs) and boron nitride nanoribbons (ZBNNRs) heterojunctions with a boron vacancy are investigated by using non-equilibrium Green's function and density functional theory, especially under an external electric field. The model we used in this paper is chosen from the last essay we researched, the I–V curves in the ferromagnetic states for (ZBNNR)5–(ZGNR)3–Bv devices are investigated, and the results show that with an external electric field, the heterojunctions are promising multifunctional devices in molecular spintronics due to their nearly perfect spin-filter effect, high rectification ratio and spin negative differential resistance properties at low biases. Mechanisms for such phenomena are proposed and these findings suggest a new opportunity for developing molecular spintronic devices.


Cloud computing has been envisioned as the next generation architecture of the IT enterprise, but there exist many security problems. A significant problem encountered in the context of cloud storage is whether there exists some potential vulnerabilities towards cloud storage system after introducing third parties. Public verification enables a third party auditor (TPA), on behalf of users who lack the resources and expertise, to verify the integrity of the stored data. Many existing auditing schemes always assume TPA is reliable and independent. This work studies the problem what if certain TPAs are semi-trusted or even potentially malicious in some situations. Actually, the authors consider the task of allowing such a TPA to involve in the audit scheme. They propose a feedback-based audit scheme via which users are relaxed from interacting with cloud service provider (CSP) and can check the integrity of stored data by themselves instead of TPA yet. Specifically, TPA generates the feedback through processing the proof from CSP and returns it to user which is yet unforgeable to TPA and checked exclusively by user. Through detailed security and performance analysis, the author's scheme is shown to be more secure and lightweight.


An inorganic chemistry course is a course that explores all about the chemical elements that become basic knowledge in the chemistry department. The handbooks that currently exist have not been able to maximize the students in understanding the material because the content of the book is less interesting because it is just all writing. Along with the development of the era, many technologies used in the development of learning media one of them that is augmented reality (AR). Augmented Reality (AR) is a natural way to explore 3D objects and data, AR is a concept of a blend of virtual reality with world reality. The virtual objects of 2 Dimensions (2D) or 3 Dimensions (3D) seem to look real and to unite with the real world. In AR technology, users can see the real world that surrounds Its with the addition of virtual objects generated by the computer. The purpose of writing this scientific paper to provide innovative development of learning media based on augmented reality technology in the course of inorganic chemistry in the form of applications in android so that the students more easily understand about inorganic chemistry.


The turbulent economic crisis prevailing in today's Sudan was not born yesterday. It represents the bitter fruit of forty years of economic mismanagement, political uncertainties and entrenched corruption. Part of it, is borrowing from international financial institutions for presumed developmental projects, failures in utilization capacity and production schemes and debts accumulation with heavy arrears. Currently, it is estimated that external debts of Sudan has exceeded US$42 Billions by the end of 2011. Thus, due to evidence of continuous mismanagement, International Financial Institutions refrain from extending hands. When oil came into production many expected that to help develop the other productive sectors and integrating the Sudanese economy with the world. That did not happen, however, and debts volume continued to bloat due to interest rates and arrears. The situation worsened by the secession of Sudan's southern part which contains %75 of the country's reserves. The value of the domestic currency collapsed, inflation rates accelerated and added to the dominating recession generating unprecedented stagflation. That added to the unemployment and poverty rates in the country. This research aims to study relationship between the external debt and economic indicators, exchange rate and GDP in addition to population of Sudan during the period of (1980-2003). The analyzed data of External Debt were collected from External Debt Unit-Bank of Sudan. Annual Record and the GDP and exchange rate data were collected from the General Research and Statistics administration Bank of Sudan. The Population Data collected from the Central Bureau of Statistics by using transfer function models. The research is constituted of an introduction about External Debt and the way of data collection was exposed as a total value of external debt and number of population. A statistical description of the variables of the study came to some important points as the increase of the total external debt share per capita, and increasing exchange rate of dollar against national currency. Moreover, there were continuous decreases per capita share in GDP. Conclusions are that there are strong correlation between GDP and exchange rate; population and per capita share of external debt. There were recommendations that more in depth statistical studies to be conducted on budget planning and debt servicing to void the commercial credits witch always not used in developing projects. Additionally, loans should be used to invest in the infrastructure and social projects in the health, education and infrastructures. Conclusively, with the country continuing economic downfall, there are no solutions under the present political regime. The question is how that will add to poverty and eventual starvation leading to mass human tragedy and could it possible to put the country under economic trusteeship.


Pituitary adenylate cyclase‐activating polypeptide (PACAP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) are closely related neurotrophic peptides of the secretin/glucagon family. The two peptides are derived from a common ancestral gene and share many functional attributes in neuronal development/regeneration which occur not only from overlapping receptor subtype signaling but also through common mechanisms regulating their expression. Although PACAP or VIP null mice have been generated for study, it is unclear whether the expression of the complementary peptide or their receptor systems are altered in a compensatory manner during nervous system development. By radioimmunoassay and quantitative PCR measurements, we first show that PACAP and VIP have very different temporal patterns of expression in developing postnatal mouse brain. In wild‐type animals, PACAP transcript and peptide levels increased rapidly 2‐ and 5‐fold, respectively, within 1 week of age. These levels at 1 week of age were maintained through adulthood. VIP transcript and peptide levels, by contrast, increased 25‐ and 50‐fold, respectively, over a later time course. In parallel studies of development, there were no apparent compensatory increases in brain VIP expression in the PACAP knockout animals, PACAP expression in the VIP‐deficient animals, or receptor mRNA levels in either genotype. To the contrary, there was evidence for developmental delays in the expression of peptide and receptor transcripts in the knockout animals. A series of behavioral and neurological tests demonstrated differences between the knockout genotypes, revealing some functional distinctions between the two genes. These results suggest that the PACAP and VIP have evolved to possess distinct biological activities and intimate that the respective knockout phenotypes represent deficits unmitigated by the actions of the complementary related peptide.


Scheduling can be defined as the allocation of available resources over time while optimising a set of criteria like early completion time of task, holding inventory, etc. The complexity of the scheduling problem, already known to be high, increases if dynamic events and disruptions are considered. In addition, in production and logistics, designers of scheduling systems must consider sustainability-related expectations. This paper presents an energy-efficient scheduling and rescheduling method (named Green Rescheduling Method, GRM). GRM aims at the solving of the dynamic scheduling problem under the condition of a certain level of routing flexibility enabling the reassignment of tasks to new resources. The key performance indicators integrated into the proposed GRM are effectiveness and efficiency-oriented. Applications concern the domains of production and logistics. In order to assess the proposed approach, experimentations have been made and results illustrate the applicability of GRM to build efficient and effective scheduling and rescheduling both for flexible manufacturing systems and inventory distribution systems in a physical internet network. A mathematical formulation for flexible job shop problem with energy consumption is also proposed using mixed Integer programming to evaluate the performance of the predictive part of GRM.


The contact between Africa and colonialism has provoked the kind of  interest which has dominated the thematic trends of African scholars. African literature has been at the forefront of this engagement and intervention. Today, there is hardly any novel written in the Africa that does not discuss this contact. As a matter of fact, the act of writing novel in English language in Africa began as a reaction and protest against what had been and continues to be done to Africans for many centuries. It is with this background that the paper looks at the Nigerian state from its early beginnings to the present state of chaos, anarchy and great  backwardness and concludes that Chinua Achebe has aptly used his novels to reflect these historical movements. This paper shows clearly that imperialism is the basis of the crises and contradictions that have befallen the Nigerian state using the novels of Chinua Achebe. Almost all his novels capture a series of critical periods in Nigerian history since the advent of colonialism to the current period of great imbalances in Nigeria's political, social and economic system. This paper contends that writers like Chinua Achebe are simply using their fiction to document the historical stages of Nigerian state. The paper examines in great details how his novels have reflected and predicted the contradictions that have become the hallmark and identity of Nigerian state.


We analyzed silicon microspheres as the building blocks for VLSI silicon CMOS microphotonics. The silicon microsphere has twelve communication ports in three independent dimensions and can easily be integrated in longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions.


Abstract Chronic pelvic pain is a condition defined by pelvic pain for more than six months which is severe enough to cause functional disability or require treatment. When pain becomes a chronic condition, it is more challenging to evaluate and treat. Chronic pelvic pain patients often have multiple factors contributing to their pain. Here, we review the approach to the evaluation of chronic female pelvic pain. It is important to establish a trusting patient–physician relationship. When evaluating a female patient with chronic pelvic pain, an in-depth history and targeted physical exam can localize contributors to pain. While limited, corresponding imaging and laboratory work should also be considered.


ABSTRACT This study investigates the student mobility choices at different stages in transnational education (TNE) and how their choices are shaped by varying level contexts. Combining survey and interview data collected at a US–China TNE programme, the authors found that majority of students did not intend to be mobile during the programme. Rather, they planned to pursue graduate degrees abroad. Further, the majority of students intended to work in China after the completion of their studies. Student mobility choices into, during and after transnational education, were heavily influenced by the macro-level (e.g., labour market, university admission policies) and meso-level (e.g., programme structures) contexts.


The article is a critical appraisal of one of the most vital publications concerning Norwid and his biography: Kalendarz zycia i tworczosci Cypriana Norwida [Norwid's life and work calendar], published by Wydawnictwo Poznanskie in 2007. This ample publication has 141 publication sheets that is 1816 printed pages (vol. 1 – pp. 800, vol. 2 – pp. 800, vol. 3 – pp. 216). It constitutes an enormous achievement of the Poznan-based Polish Studies milieu. It is a collective publication, developed by a research team headed by Professor Zofia Trojanowiczowa (co-authors being as follows: Elzbieta Lijewska, Zofia Dambek and Malgorzata Pluty, Jolanta Czarnomorska and Iwona Grzeszczak). The author of the review makes a number of corrections as regards dates and facts, yet he approaches the results of the huge collective research effort with a great deal of researcher's humility, indispensable in pursuit of historical facts. In his analyses, the author employs the contextual apparatus: historical and philological. The author proves that Norwid's Calendar is an undeniable source of invaluable knowledge, yet he shows that in this kind of research there is always "endless work of History" waiting ahead.


Abstract A new technique that allows direct three-dimensional (3D) investigations of mesopores in carbon materials and quantitative characterization of their physical properties is reported. Focused ion beam nanotomography (FIB-nt) is performed by a serial sectioning procedure with a dual beam FIB-scanning electron microscopy instrument. Mesoporous carbons (MPCs) with tailored mesopore size are produced by carbonization of resorcinol-formaldehyde gels in the presence of a cationic surfactant as a pore stabilizer. A visual 3D morphology representation of disordered porous carbon is shown. Pore size distribution of MPCs is determined by the FIB-nt technique and nitrogen sorption isotherm methods to compare both results. The obtained MPCs exhibit pore sizes of 4.7, 7.2, and 18.3 nm, and a specific surface area of ca. 560 m2/g.


We develop a model of bidding markets with financial constraints a la Che and Gale (1998b) in which two firms optimally choose their budgets. First, we provide an alternative explanation for the dispersion of markups and "money left on the table" across procurement auctions. Interestingly, this explanation does not hinge on significant private information but on di?erences, both endogenous and exogenous, in the availability of financial resources. Second, we explain why the empirical analysis of the size of markups may be biased downwards or upwards with a bias positively correlated with the availability of financial resources when the researcher assumes that the data are generated by the standard auction model. Third, we show that large concentration and persistent asymmetries in market shares together with occasional leadership reversals can arise as a consequence of the firms internal financial decisions even in the absence of exogenous shocks. JEL classification: bidding markets ; ?nancial constraints ; markups ; money left on the table ; market shares ; industry dynamics JEL codes: L13, D43, D44


Diabetes mellitus contributes to male sexual dysfunction and infertility by modulating oxidative damage. To date, a number of studies have demonstrated antioxidant properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. This study was designed to investigate the effects of H. sabdariffa UKMR-2 variety on sperm functioning of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were allotted into four groups, namely control group (C), H. sabdariffa extract (HSE) group, diabetes group (D) and diabetes plus HSE group (D+HSE). HSE (100 mg/ kg/body weight) was administered orally for 28 consecutive days. After 28-days of supplementation, the rats were sacrificed to obtain epididymal sperm. Administration of HSE significantly lowered the level of fasting blood glucose and increased plasma insulin level in D+HSE group as compared to D group (p<0.05). Sperm quality in the D+HSE group was improved with significantly higher sperm concentrations (p<0.05) and sperm motility (p<0.001) as well as lower percentage of sperm abnormality (p<0.05) as compared to the diabetic group. Plasma follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level was significantly elevated (p<0.05) in D+HSE group than in D group while no significant alteration in plasma testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) level were seen between groups. In conclusion, this study suggested that H. sabdariffa UKMR-2 variety has a potential protective role against diabetes-induced sperm damage.


The clinical significance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli is a strong factor for regular monitoring of their sensitivity to both established and novel antimicrobial compounds. Human isolates of these organisms were collected from different pathological sources and tested for their sensitivity to gentamicin - an established aminoglycoside antibiotic - and to honey, a natural product that is generating renewed interest for its therapeutic application. In an agar-cup diffusion method, three undiluted different samples of honey and their 1:2 to 1:6 aq. dilutions showed activity on 100% and 96.4% respectively of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates compared with 95.4% of Escherichia coli using either of the undiluted or 1:2 aq. dilutions of the honey samples. Gentamicin used in concentrations of 8.0 and 4.0 µg/ml varied in its activity against both organisms but was generally lower than the antibacterial activity of each undiluted honey and its 1:2 aq. dilution. In the event of therapeutic failure with gentamicin or any other related antibiotics, honey offers a suitable and better alternative in managing infected burn wounds and other forms of infected wounds as well as prophylaxis in trauma wounds.


Background. Since 2016 the City of Surabaya has assisted for the first 1000 days of an infant's life. The given mentoring aimed to reduce stunting and increase exclusive breastfeeding (EB) coverage. However, EB coverage has yet to be achieved.
Objective. This study aimed to determine the effects of delayed onset of lactation, early initiation breastfeeding (EIBF), and frequency of antenatal care on exclusive breastfeeding in primipara mothers.
Methods. The research design was cross-sectional, the number of samples was 131 out of 378 primipara mothers and lactating pregnant women selected by cluster random sampling. Chi-square and logistic regression analysis α=0.05. data was collected in April 2021.
Results. The results showed that exclusive breastfeeding was associated with the onset of lactation and early initiation of breastfeeding (p-value = 0.022 and p-value = 0.014). EIBF and timely onset lactation had a greater chance of successful EB.
Conclusion. EB and the timely onset of lactation are likely to determine the success of EB. Therefore, EIBF and lactation onset are enhanced for EB success.


Activation of the nuclear factor κB plays a key role in viral pathogenesis, resulting in inflammation and modulation of the immune response. We have previously shown that A238L, an open reading frame from African swine fever virus (ASFV), encoding a protein with 40% homology to porcine IκBα exerts a potent anti-inflammatory effect in host macrophages, where it down-regulates NF-κB-dependent gene transcription and proinflammatory cytokine production. This paper reveals the mechanism of suppression of NF-κB activity by A238Lp. A238Lp is synthesized throughout infection as two molecular mass forms of 28 and 32 kDa, and vaccinia-mediated expression of A238L demonstrated that both proteins are produced from a single gene. Significantly, the higher 32-kDa form of A238L, but not the 28-kDa form, interacts directly with RelA, the 65-kDa subunit of NF-κB, indicating that the binding is dependent on a post-translational modification. Immunoprecipitation analysis shows the NF-κB p65-A238L p32 heterodimer is a separate complex from NF-κB-IκBα, and it resides in the cytoplasm. Moreover, we show that ASFV infection stimulates the NFκB signal transduction pathway, which results in the rapid degradation of endogenous IκBα, although both forms of A238Lp are resistant to stimulus-induced degradation. Using the proteasome inhibitor MG132, we show that when degradation of IκBα is inhibited, A238Lp binding to NF-κB p65 is reduced. The results suggest that the virus exploits its activation of the NF-κB pathway to enable its own IκB homologue to bind to NF-κB p65. Last, we show that synthesis of IκBα is increased during ASFV infection, indicating RelA-independent transcription of the IκBα gene.


ABSTRACT 59 academic technical services librarians were surveyed about the state of their approval plans in the wake of the collections and acquisitions challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 40 responded, with a majority indicating a move away from print auto-shipments and toward e-preferred collection models. Libraries that continued to receive print auto-shipments tended to favor narrow, targeted profiles, such as faculty publications, international plans, best-sellers and award winners. Every response qualified as a movement away from print auto-shipments as an acquisitions strategy, even in cases where approval plans were maintained or, in one case, initiated for the first time.


Progress in the development and application of replacement alternative methods is discussed, with particular reference to the new technologies and their use in current initiatives to tackle the problem of drug-induced liver injury. The formidable challenges involved are discussed in terms of improving our understanding of the immense puzzles to be solved, our inability to control events, and the law of unintended consequences. Nevertheless, the future is bright, and the reign of the animal-models-tellus-all and one-drug suits-all philosophies is rapidly coming to an end.


John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools, departed from Paris during 1712 - 1714, a critical period in the early years of the Institute. The founder's motives for and activities during this time have been the subjects of significant study among scholars of Lasallian heritage. In this careful textual analysis, the author reviews how De La Salle's early biographers account for this period; traces lines of interpretation through the work of contemporary scholars; and presents additional texts which should be referenced in interpreting this period. In light of all these sources, the author makes the case that the only correct conclusion about the role of De La Salle in the Institute during the 1712 - 1714 period is that he remained present to the action of Providence in his life, to his charism, and to the Brothers then in various communities throughout France.


This paper describes the applicability of plastic scale modeling to evaluate the crash performance of the vehicle structure, which is considered an effective tool in the initial stage of vehicle development. In selecting a suitable plastic material, importance was placed on the relative insensitivity to breakage under load, as well as the similarity of the stress versus strain characteristics to that of steel. A corrective formula was derived to convert the plastic material results to that of steel material. This formula is based on the examination of the substantial effect of material thickness, in addition to general scale analogy. Further, the plastic scale model load versus displacement characteristics, corrected using the corrective formula, were inputted in a simple mathematical simulation model. The use of this technique can predict crash response with adequate accuracy.


In this paper, we are interested in a scheme that proves effective use of soft fingertips for human-in-the-loop telemanipulation. Motion planning is carried out by the human-in-the-loop to grasp and manipulate an object using viscoelastic soft fingertips. In addition, to grasp an object firmly, an estimated torque is synthesized based on fuzzy inference. Experimental results show that the user confidence presents small variations using soft fingertips. Then, the soft fingertips in pHRI induce a more user dexterity than rigid fingertips.


Takayasu arteritis (TA) is classified as a large vessel vasculitis of predominantly aorta and its main branches, resulting in fibrosis and stenosis. Only a minority of TA patients are diagnosed in pre-stenosis phase when constitutional symptoms including fever, arthralgia, weight loss, headache, abdominal pain, and elevated acute phase reactants are dominant insidious characteristics. In this article, we present a 12-year-old female patient, who was referred to our department with a one-year history of low-grade fever, fatigue, and myalgia. Physical examination did not reveal pulse and blood pressure discrepancies between any extremities. Acute phase reactants were markedly elevated, and autoantibodies were negative. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) findings have confirmed TA diagnosis with prominent vessel wall thickening in the ascendant and abdominal aorta, focal ectasias and a thoracoabdominal fusiform aneurysm. As methotrexate and methylprednisolone treatment during three months was unsuccessful, infliximab was induced. During the next 12 months, patient had clinical improvement, but worsening of MRA findings and new onset of carotidynia forced us to switch methotrexate to mycophenolate mofetil. Six months later, laboratory and radiological remission were achieved. In conclusion, we report a challenge to diagnose pre-pulseless childhood-TA (c-TA) in the state of prolonged fever with no signs of vascular stenosis, systemic hypertension, pulses and blood pressure discrepancies, bruits and claudication. Therefore, we wish to discourse the importance of early diagnosis of TA since, to our knowledge, there are no studies investigating treatment success only in the early phases of c-TA.


Comprehensive study on a centrifugal blower for air-purifier involving a few physical filters for percolation process has been accomplished for an optimal design of the air handling system. The filtering media causes a flow resistance for induced flows by a rotating impeller. The present methodology is to adopt PIV system for velocity measurements and wind tunnel connected with an anechoic chamber for total performance test of the blower. Trial prototypes for the blades of a rotor and casing are presented for satisfaction of both flow rate and noise level set by design objectives. Tapered blades with a special casing for a fan show good performance data. The results of velocity fields also explain the reason of improvements of the blower performance.


The giant phiKZ phage infection induces the appearance of a pseudo-nucleus inside the bacterial cytoplasm. Here, we used RT-PCR, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), electron tomography, and analytical electron microscopy to study the morphology of this unique nucleus-like shell and to demonstrate the distribution of phiKZ and bacterial DNA in infected Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells. The maturation of the pseudo-nucleus was traced in short intervals for 40 min after infection and revealed the continuous spatial separation of the phage and host DNA. Immediately after ejection, phage DNA was located inside the newly-identified round compartments; at a later infection stage, it was replicated inside the pseudo-nucleus; in the mature pseudo-nucleus, a saturated internal network of filaments was observed. This network consisted of DNA bundles in complex with DNA-binding proteins. On the other hand, the bacterial nucleoid underwent significant rearrangements during phage infection, yet the host DNA did not completely degrade until at least 40 min after phage application. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis revealed that, during the infection, the sulfur content in the bacterial cytoplasm increased, which suggests an increase of methionine-rich DNA-binding protein synthesis, whose role is to protect the bacterial DNA from stress caused by infection.


The properties of strontium-doped lanthanum chromite (La084Sr016CrO3) are discussed, with particular attention to its application as an electrode material for MHD power generation. The influence of firing temperature on the ceramic properties and the behaviour of strontium carbonate as a sintering agent are described. The thermal conductivity is 51 w m−1 degk−1 between 1100 and 2000°k, and the thermal expansion 90×10−6 degk−1 averaged between 300 and 1100°k. Thermal shock resistance is fair and chemical stability is very good. The incorporation of strontium is found to reduce markedly the volatility in oxidizing atmospheres compared with that for pure lanthanum chromite. The electrical properties of both pure and strontium-doped lanthanum chromite are described, and for doped material a mobility deduced of 5×10−7 m2 v−1 s−1 at 300°k and 3×10−6 m2 v−1 s−1 at 1400°k. The electrical results are tentatively discussed using the formalism of Goodenough.


The paper presents three kinds of grey neural network combined model for short-term prediction of urban traffic parameters, which are parallel grey neural network, series grey neural network, and inlaid grey neural network. They are employed to forecast a real vehicle speed in Barbosa road of Macao with satisfied precision. The experiment shows that the above three kinds of mode are feasible and effective in comparison with single model GM(1,1) and neural network. And actual traffic speed varies smoothly or not will influence significantly the accuracy for forecasting.


Bitcoin is a decentralized blockchain-based cryptocurrency that has taken the world by storm. Since its introduction in 2009, it has grown tremendously in terms of popularity and market cap. The idea of having a decentralized public ledger while maintaining anonymity and security attracted the attention of developers and customers alike. Special nodes in the bitcoin network, called miners, are responsible for making the network secure by using a concept called proof-of-work. A certain degree of anonymity is also maintained as no personally identifiable information of a person, like name, address, etc., is linked to the bitcoin wallet. In terms of bitcoin, a user is anonymous if different interactions of the user cannot be linked to each other or the user. Recent research shows that bitcoin is not as anonymous as it appears to be. The inherently public nature of blockchain technology makes it difficult to achieve privacy. The purpose of this paper is to review how varying degrees of user privacy is maintained in bitcoin cryptocurrency. This paper is divided into two main segments. The first segment explores privacyenhancing techniques adopted in bitcoin. The second segment critically analyzes these techniques.


Organic chemistry has the long-standing reputation as a challenging course, and organic synthesis is an aspect of organic chemistry that requires students to make the most links between concepts and requires the highest order of thinking. One-on-one interviews were conducted with students from a second undergraduate organic chemistry course in which participants solved synthesis problems using a think aloud protocol. Those problems had been previously designed to scaffold students' acquisition of synthesis problem-solving skills. The research question for this study asked whether students worked through the synthesis learning activities as designed, toward the intended learning outcomes. The results show that in some questions, students used or tried to use desirable problem solving skills, such as using reaction mechanisms and chemical principles to explore possible solutions. However, with other question types, students (i) relied on familiarity with the reactions in question and lacked a problem-solving strategy when they could not recall the answer or (ii) avoided the purpose of the question and attempted to provide an answer that the professor "wanted." Strategies for promoting desired synthesis skills and addressing other issues are discussed.


Differential reflectivity from dual-polarization radars at frequencies such as S- and C-bands has been used to estimate the median drop diameter. Similarly, the dual-frequency ratio (DFR) can also be used to estimate median drop diameter. This paper presents an algorithm for estimating the raindrop size distribution parameters of median drop diameter (D0) and equivalent intercept parameter (Nw) using a dual-polarization dual-frequency ground radar operating at Ku- and Ka-bands. The retrieval philosophy is based on combining attributes of the DFR, historically used in spaceborne radar systems and dual-polarization approaches used in ground radar algorithms. The estimator of D0 as well as Nw (in the logarithmic scale) are evaluated using simulated radar observations in the presence of different error sources. It is shown that normalized bias and standard error for two estimators are both within ±2% and 16% when system noise is added. The situation when Ka-band observations are extinct during heavy precipitation is also considered.


Recently, Xie et al. (IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, vol. 16, pp. 3068-3081, 2021) proposed a privacy-preserving Online Ride-Hailing (ORH) protocol that does not make use of a trusted third-party server. The primary goal of such privacy-preserving ORH protocols is to ensure the privacy of riders' and drivers' location data w.r.t. the ORH Service Provider (SP). In this note, we demonstrate a passive attack by the SP in the protocol of Xie et al. that enables it to completely recover the location of the rider as well as that of the responding drivers in each and every ride request query.


Objectives The Second Victim Experience and Support Tool (SVEST) is a 29-item, nine-subscale questionnaire, which measures the second-victim experience and quality of support resources after the health professionals involved with medical errors. Second victim is common among the registered nurses (RNs) in China; however, no Chinese version of the SVEST is available. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the SVEST (C-SVEST) among RNs. Methods The SVEST was forward and backward translated. The reliability and validity of the final C-SVEST were tested by using 625 RNs in Beijing, China. Internal consistency and split-half analysis were used to examine reliability, content validity was evaluated by expert committee, and validity was assessed via exploratory factory analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Results The Cronbach α coefficient (0.59–0.92) and split-half analysis (Spearman-Brown coefficient = 0.88) were acceptable. The item-level content validity index (I-CVI) ranged from 0.85 to 0.97. The average of scale-level content validity index was 0.91. Eight factors were extracted by exploratory factory analysis, which explained 70.8% of the total variance of second-victim experience and support in the C-SVEST. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a good fit for a nine-factor structure and the values were acceptable: root mean square error approximation = 0.07; comparative fit index = 0.90; goodness-of-fit index = 0.84; and χ2/df = 2.19. Conclusions The C-SVEST is a valid and reliable tool to assess the extent of second-victim distress and support resources in Chinese health care workers. In Asian culture, nurses are hesitant to express emotional distress and instead they express physical discomfort and turnover intentions.


The growing trend to achieve a higher Turbine Inlet Temperature (TIT) in the modern gas turbine industry requires, in return, a more efficient and advanced cooling system design. Therefore, a complete study of heat transfer is necessary to predict the thermal loadings in the turbine vane/blade. To estimate the metal temperatures, it is important to simulate the external hot gas flow condition, the conduction in the blade material, and the internal coolant flow characteristics accurately and simultaneously. As a result, proposing novel, quicker, and more convenient ways to study the heat transfer behavior of gas turbine blades is of absolute necessity. In the current work, a predictive model for the gas turbine blade cooling analysis in the form of a computer program has been developed to answer this need. The program is capable of estimating distribution of coolant mass flow rate, internal pressure and metal temperature of a turbine blade based on external and internal boundary conditions. The simultaneous solutions result from the coupled equations of mass and energy balance. The model is validated by showing its accuracy to predict the temperature distributions of a NASA E3 blade with an uncertainty of less than +/−10%. Later, this paper documents the overall analysis for a set of different boundary conditions with the same blade model (E3) and demonstrates the capability of the program to extend for other cases as well.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


Nickolay Suvorov's book "Man of the Future.  – The Perfect Man" was published by International Publishing E.R.A., Moscow-Israel, in 2014 [1]. The book developed a basis for formation of a perfect man – a man of the future, as a holistic complex energy-informational essence. The main result of the book was a scientifically formulated and quantified category of quality and perfection. In this scientific work, the book is presented in the form of three essays: Essay of Peace, Essay of Love, and Essay of Harmony-Perfection. These essays are a collection of 150 short and capacious statements. We believe that the presentation of the book in the form of three essays: Peace, Love, Harmony-Perfection will promote the understanding of the essence and image of Man of the Future – the Perfect Man. The Perfect Man can and must become a reality because the scientific criterion of perfection derived is harmony. Harmony is a footing that will help transform Homo sapiens and form the Perfect Man Keywords: Peace, love, harmony, perfection, perfect man.


This paper presents a novel biosensor capable of continuously monitoring specific molecules (i.e., adenosine triphosphate - ATP) in the human serum by integrating the aptamer probes into a nanofluidic device. The advantage lies in its real-time signal regeneration of biosensor without the need of uploading the clean solutions for washing process since the ionic gate in the nanofluidic device could block or allow the target molecules flow through periodically.
     Ion concentration polarization (ICP) is a transport phenomenon which is observed when an electric field is applied across the nanofluidic channels, for instance formed by using a nanoporous Nafion membrane. Once the ICP process is stabilized, an ion enrichment zone and a depletion zone are established at the both sides of the channels. These two effects have been utilized for a wide range of applications such as desalination [1], pre-concentration of target analyte species [2][3][4]. ATP is an important biomolecule found in the living cells (intra/extracellular) and it relates directly to many physiological and pathophysiological events. Current techniques of secreted biomarker detections were mainly based on ion conductivity measurement, so the correlation between the signals and disease progress was limited. There were several binding assays based platforms developed before, but the contradiction between portability and functionality of signal regeneration remained. For example, aptamer assay was demonstrated for continuous real-time small molecules measurement [5], but the washing process was required by uploading a large amount of clean buffer solutions by professional operators for aptamer signal regeneration, which is highly demanded for applications in domestic health monitoring.
     In response, we have designed an aptamer based nanofluidic device for the real-time and continuous ATP detection in a small amount of human serum (100 µl for each cycle) (Figure 1). Our proposed nanofluidic device could allow the real-time monitoring individual patient's conditions so the proper therapy can be offered on time. The working mechanism of aptamer probes was studied in detail (Figure 2, 3). Unprecedentedly, we found that there is a strong relationship between the binding affinity of ligand-receptor and the detaching force caused by the hydrodynamic flow. The critical energy to detach the ATP from ATP-aptamer complex was calculated as 1.86 x 10-21 J and this energy can be used to settle the critical flowrate (i.e., 1 µl/min; kinetic energy E = 1.99 x 10-21 J). We demonstrated that the device could produce the clean buffer solutions and endure five washing cycles to regenerate the aptamer without significant decrease of signal (Figure 4).
     In conclusion, by converting patient samples (i.e., human serum) to be clean solution for washing through applying electrical field to the device, the washing process could be approached without uploading buffer solutions. Accordingly, the dynamic signals of biomarkers could be measured in real time. With further miniaturization into a small wearable device for remote health condition monitoring, this nanofluidic device could improve current healthcare facilities significantly. The flexibility of this nanofluidic device could offer the possibility to integrate different receptors (i.e., aptamers) to monitor other secreted biomarkers in sweat, saliva.


An alternative to the Clarkson technique for calculating total scattered radiation is presented. Resultant TAR values are compared with those obtained by the Clarkson technique for the same field. The new scatter technique is always more than 2.8 times faster than the Clarkson technique and more than 4 times faster on a large number of fields. The new approach appears to offer a simple and expedient alternative to the more traditional methods for iiregular field dose calculations.


The term `bottleneck` has been extensively used in operations management literature. Management paradigms like the Theory of Constraints focus on the identification and exploitation of bottlenecks. Yet, we show that the term has not been rigorously defined. We provide a classification of bottleneck definitions available in literature and discuss several myths associated with the concept of bottleneck. The apparent diversity of definitions raises the question whether it is possible to have a single bottleneck definition which has as much applicability in high variety job shops as in mass production environments. The key to the formulation of an unified concept of bottleneck lies in relating the concept of bottleneck to the concept of shadow price of resources. We propose an universally applicable bottleneck definition based on the concept of average shadow price. We discuss the procedure for determination of bottleneck values for diverse production environments. The Law of Diminishing Returns is shown to be a sufficient but not necessary condition for the equivalence of the average and the marginal shadow price. The equivalence of these two prices is proved for several environments. Bottleneck identification is the first step in resource acquisition decisions faced by managers. The definition of bottleneck presented in the paper has the potential to not only reduce ambiguity regarding the meaning of the term but also open a new window to the formulation and analysis of a rich set of problems faced by managers.


In 2004, a new anti-HIV alkaloid named drymaritin was isolated from Drymaria diandra. The authors identified the alkaloid as 5-methoxycanthin-4-one on the basis of spectroscopic data. Here we describe a synthetic approach that unambiguously gave 5-methoxycanthin-4-one, but the synthetic product showed spectroscopic data significantly different from those of the Drymaria alkaloid. Extensive re-evaluation of the spectroscopic data published for this and related alkaloids has led to the conclusion that drymaritin does not have a canthin-4-one backbone, but is identical to the known alkaloid cordatanine (4-methoxycanthin-6-one).


Although dental size and morphology have contributed to population history studies in Japan, little attention has been paid to root size and dimensions. We report here computer tomography (CT)-based metrics of mandibular tooth roots in modern Japanese, Holocene Jomon, and Late Pleistocene Minatogawa human fossils (15000–20000 BP). Our results confirmed that, in terms of both mesiodistal cervical diameters and root lengths, the Jomon is overall smaller-toothed, with summed mesiodistal cervical diameters 4% smaller than in the modern Japanese. However, no significant differences were found in the M1, in both cervical diameter and root length. These results are comparable to the crown size differences reported in the two populations. There were no significant differences in root proportions (root length relative to cervical diameter) between the Jomon and the modern Japanese in each tooth element from I1 to M1, while an allometric root length reduction was observed in the M2 and M3 of the modern Japanese. This reflects distinct patterns of dental reduction in the two populations. The Late Pleistocene Minatogawa fossils were found to have larger cervical diameters and root lengths than either the modern Japanese or the Jomon, in some respects approximating the large-toothed Australian and/or earlier Late Pleistocene Homo sapiens conditions. This indicates a largely conservative dental system retained in the Minatogawa fossils, distinct from the Jomon condition.


Urban air quality information, e.g., PM2.5 concentration, is of great importance to both the government and society. Recently, there is a growing interest in developing low-cost sensors, installed on moving vehicles, for fine-grained air quality measurement. However, low-cost mobile sensors typically suffer from low accuracy and thus need careful calibration to preserve a high measurement quality. In this paper, we propose a two-phase data calibration method consisting of a linear part and a nonlinear part. We use MLS (multiple least square) to train the linear part, and use RF (random forest) to train the nonlinear part. We propose an automatic feature selection algorithm based on AIC (Akaike information criterion) for the linear model, which helps avoid overfitting due to the inclusion of inappropriate features. We evaluate our method extensively. Results show that our method outperforms existing approaches, achieving an overall accuracy improvement of 16.4% in terms of PM2.5 levels compared with state-of-the-art approach.


The use of chitosan in medical fields known as biomaterial nowdays can be used in dental clinical application. Chitosan is obtained by N-acetylating chitin and it is a biodegradable natural biopolymer that can enhance bone healing. The aim of this study was to compare account the rate of osteoblast cells on bone healing process of dental extraction in Rattus norvegicus for 7 and 14 days. Rattus nornegicus strain wistar male, aged 8-16 weeks, divided into 3 treatment groups namely group 1 which given chitosan gel 1%, group II which given chitosan gel 2 % and group III as control which were not given chitosan gel. Chitosan were applied into the socket of dental extraction. Rat was decaputated 7 and 14 days after chitosan application and the jaw in the treated regions and control group were cut for histopatological to observe the number of osteoblast cells. Data were analyzed using t test. The result showed no significant differences in osteoblast cells number between the use chitosan gel 1 and 2 % in 7 and 14 days observation (p<0,05). There was not different number of osteoblast cells with application between chitosan gel 1 % and 2 %. It can be concluded that chitosan gel 1 and 2 % has ability to enhance the bone healing process in post extraction socket of Rattus norvegicus.


Roots tourists are members of diaspora communities who visit their motherland during holidays searching for their roots and identity. This research aims to explore how roots tourism can contribute to a more sustainable development of destinations by focusing on its socio-cultural impact. It involves qualitative research, analysing roots tourism from the tourists' point of view. 45 roots tourists who visited the Calabria region in Italy were interviewed. The findings of the research show that roots tourism can be seen as socio-culturally sustainable. This paper seeks to fill a gap in the literature on the effects of the development of roots tourism on the local socio-cultural fabric to evaluate them in terms of sustainability.


The molecules of both methyl 4-[2-(4-chlorobenzoyl)hydrazinyl]-3-nitrobenzoate, C15H12ClN3O5, (I), and methyl 4-[2-(2-fluorobenzoyl)hydrazinyl]-3-nitrobenzoate, C15H12FN3O5, (II), contain an intramolecular N-H···O hydrogen bond, and both show electronic polarization in the nitrated aryl ring. In both compounds, molecules are linked by a combination of N-H···O and C-H···O hydrogen bonds to form sheets, which are built from R4(3)(18) rings in (I) and from R4(4)(28) rings in (II). In each of methyl 3-phenyl-1,2,4-benzotriazine-6-carboxylate, C15H11N3O2, (III), and methyl 3-(4-methylphenyl)-1,2,4-benzotriazine-6-carboxylate, C16H13N3O2, (IV), the benzotriazine unit shows naphthalene-type delocalization. There are no hydrogen bonds in the structures of compounds (III) and (IV), but in both compounds, the molecules are linked into chains by π-π stacking interactions involving the benzotriazine units. The mechanism of chain formation is the same in both (III) and (IV), and the different orientations of the two chains can be related to the approximate relationship between the unit-cell metrics for (III) and (IV).


Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is aimed at halting the progression of keratoconus and is widely considered to be the golden standard in its treatment. It is usually contraindicated, however, in patients with corneal thickness of less than 400 µm, leaving the ophthalmic surgeon no option, but to perform transepithelial CXL (epi-on), usually regarded as less effective. We report a novel approach for ultrathin corneas with severe keratoconus - peripheral corneal cross-linking (P-CXL), in which corneal epithelium is still removed but the apex of the cornea is left untouched. Hypo-osmolar riboflavin solution is used as well. P-CXL was performed on a remarkably developed stage IV keratoconus with the thinnest pachymetry of 215 µm, Kmax of 88.1 D and astigmatism of 11.2 D. Four months after P-CXL, the thinnest pachymetry increased by 42 µm, Kmax decreased by 1.4 D, and astigmatism also decreased by 3.2 D.


Abstract Dementia-related psychosis (DRP) is prevalent across dementias and typically manifests as delusions and/or hallucinations. The mechanisms underlying psychosis in dementia are unknown; however, neurobiological and pharmacological evidence has implicated multiple signaling pathways and brain regions. Despite differences in dementia pathology, the neurobiology underlying psychosis appears to involve dysregulation of a cortical and limbic pathway involving serotonergic, gamma-aminobutyric acid ergic, glutamatergic, and dopaminergic signaling. Thus, an imbalance in cortical and mesolimbic excitatory tone may drive symptoms of psychosis. Delusions and hallucinations may result from (1) hyperactivation of pyramidal neurons within the visual cortex, causing visual hallucinations and (2) hyperactivation of the mesolimbic pathway, causing both delusions and hallucinations. Modulation of the 5-HT2A receptor may mitigate hyperactivity at both psychosis-associated pathways. Pimavanserin, an atypical antipsychotic, is a selective serotonin inverse agonist/antagonist at 5-HT2A receptors. Pimavanserin may prove beneficial in treating the hallucinations and delusions of DRP without worsening cognitive or motor function.


ABSTRACT:
 The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Bartonella henselae, Rickettsia felis, and Rickettsia typhi in fleas and companion cats (serum and claws) and to assess their presence as a function of host, host habitat, and level of parasitism. Eighty-nine serum and claw samples and 90 flea pools were collected. Cat sera were assayed by IFA for Bartonella henselae and Rickettssia species IgG antibodies. Conventional PCRs were performed on DNA extracted from nails and fleas collected from cats. A large portion (55.8%) of the feline population sampled was exposed to at least one of the three tested vector-borne pathogens. Seroreactivity to B. henselae was found in 50% of the feline studied population, and to R. felis in 16.3%. R. typhi antibodies were not found in any cat. No Bartonella sp. DNA was amplified from the claws. Flea samples from 41 cats (46%) showed molecular evidence for at least one pathogen; our study demonstrated a prevalence rate of 43.3 % of Rickettsia sp and 4.4% of Bartonella sp. in the studied flea population. None of the risk factors studied (cat's features, host habitat, and level of parasitation) was associated with either the serology or the PCR results for Bartonella sp. and Rickettsia sp.. Flea-associated infectious agents are common in cats and fleas and support the recommendation that stringent flea control should be maintained on cats.


Introduction Newborn bloodspot screening (NBS) involves testing a small sample of blood taken from the heel of the newborn for a number of serious and life-limiting conditions. In Canada, newborn screening programmes fall under provincial and territorial jurisdiction with no federal coordination. To date, we know very little about the underlying beliefs around different consent practices or how terminology is interpreted by different individuals. Differences in attitudes may have important healthcare consequences. This study will provide empirical data comparing stakeholder opinions on their understanding of consent-related terminology, the perceived applicability of different consent approaches to newborn screening, and the requirements of these different approaches. Methods and analysis Parents, healthcare professionals and policymakers will be recruited in the provinces of Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. Parents will be identified through records held by each provincial screening programme. Healthcare professionals will be purposively sampled on the basis of engagement with newborn screening. Within each province we will identify policymakers who have policy analysis or advisory responsibilities relating to NBS. Data collection will be by qualitative interviews. We will conduct 20 interviews with parents of young children, 10 interviews with key healthcare professionals across the range of appropriate specialties and 10 with policymakers at each site (40 per site, total, N=80). The examination of the transcripts will follow a thematic analysis approach. Recruitment started in June 2014 and is expected to be complete by June 2015. Ethics and dissemination This study received ethics approval from the Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board, the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Ethics Board (both Ontario), and the Health Research Ethics Authority (Newfoundland and Labrador). Results These will be reported in peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations. The results will have specific application to the development of parent education materials for newborn screening.


A new optical pumping source consisting of an array of plasma pinches in the hypocycloidal‐pinch geometry is employed to pump a variety of dye lasers. A dye cuvette is inserted along the symmetry axis of the plasma device such that it may be surrounded by the plasma pinch. The light from the plasma pinch is very intense and rich in ultraviolet, which makes it an attractive optical pumping source for dye lasers, particularly in the blue‐green spectral region. Control of the plasma fluorescence is achieved by the choice of gas, its fill pressure, and the capacitor bank voltage and its stored energy. The rise time of this ''plasma flashlamp'' depends mainly on the gas species and the fill pressure. Output energy of ∼2 mJ per cm3 of lasing medium, or 2 kW/cm3 for a 1‐μs laser pulse, is obtained from rhodamine 6G, coumarin 480, LD 490, and coumarin 504 dyes. That both the coumarin 480 and rhodamine 6G lasers have the comparable output power is a direct proof that the present optical pumping source is more effi...


A 43-year-old woman suffered a blast-type injury to the head and neck. She subsequently developed bilateral internal carotid artery occlusion and bilateral anterior cerebral artery infarction not demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging scan 24 hours after the explosion, but confirmed by a second scan 8 days after the explosion. In patients with blast-type injury to the head and neck who develop coma with a nonfocal neurological exam, the possibility of bilateral carotid artery occlusion and bilateral ischemic infarction should be considered.


The relevance of the study is due to the problems of medical care of the population of Ukraine caused by the 2019 pandemic and the war of 2022, which requires prompt, timely and high-quality management of the health care system. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the indicators of the financial condition of the Kolomyia Regional Medical Center after the introduction of the hospital district. To achieve the goal, the following tasks were performed in the course of the study: the peculiarities of the formation of hospital districts and the reorganization of the health care system at the local level were shown, the financial condition of the Kolomyia Regional Medical Center was investigated, and the changes before and after the introduction of the hospital district in the main indicators were shown. Materials and methods. In the course of the study, methods of economic analysis were used, in particular, the method of horizontal and vertical analysis, R-indicators. The method of observation and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis were also used. Results and discussion. The results of the study showed that the Kolomyia Regional Medical Center is characterized by an unstable financial condition with worsening indicators after the introduction of the hospital district. Improvement of the material and technical base and increase in staff wages are positive factors of the impact of the reforms. The practical significance of the study is due to the definition of the problems of implementing the reform in the health care system and the possibility of adjusting the strategy of development of medical institutions of territorial communities. Conclusion. The introduction of hospital districts became one of the elements of the medical reform, which allows optimizing state and local financial resources in order to use them effectively without threats or risks to the population. Such a reform was carried out in 2017, as a result of which a medical cluster was created in the Kolomyia United Territorial Community. Such a cluster made it possible to optimize the work of medical institutions. According to the results of the analysis of the financial condition of the Kolomyia Regional Medical Center before and after the introduction of the hospital district, it can be concluded that, taking into account the unchanged budget costs for financing the Kolomyia Hospital, its financial condition has changed significantly. In particular, indicators of financial condition, liquidity, turnover and profitability have deteriorated. At the same time, due to the use of ineffective means of optimization, in particular, the reduction of personnel, there was an increase in wages, as well as the release of additional funds for equipment and technical support of the medical institution. Of course, the formation of a hospital district did not solve the problems of medicine, and to some extent even aggravated them, since in general, medical institutions faced issues of staff reduction and reduced funding. However, at the same time, newly created medical clusters are opening up new forms of financing that allow them to provide services on a competitive basis and gain financial autonomy and even independence


Moringa oleifera and Pleurotus ostreatus are widely used as food or food supplements. They are demonstrated to have many beneficial effects on nutritional status and human health. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the nutritional value of M. oleifera and P. ostreatus mixture in specific proportions. The mushroom species was cultivated at the Mushroom Biotechnology Laboratory and M. oleifera at the botanical garden of the University Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, Senegal. The compost of P. ostreatus culture was corn and straw peanut. Mixtures of different proportion powders of M. oleifera and P.ostreatus were used for investigations. Results showed that the product contain 35.08% crude proteins, 14.28% carbohydrates, 22.71% fat, 20.96% fibers and 6.98% of total ash. The energy was 401.79 kcal for 100 g of dry matter. Among minerals, potassium (1566.83 mg/100 g) are the most abundant mineral element followed by phosphorus (318.55 mg/100 g), calcium (284.33 mg/100 g) and magnesium (253.14 mg/100 g); the less abundant was copper with 0.53 mg/100 g. This study shows that the used proportion of M. oleifera leaves and P. ostreatus powders mixture could be a good source of minerals, proteins and carbohydrates.

 Key words: Moringa oleifera, Pleurotus ostreatus, dietary supplement.


Abstract This paper presents a theoretical analysis of the liquid film dynamics during the oscillation of a meniscus between a liquid and its vapour in a cylindrical capillary. By using the theory of Taylor bubbles, the dynamic profile of the deposited liquid film is calculated within the lubrication approximation accounting for the finiteness of the film length, i.e. for the presence of the contact line. The latter is assumed to be pinned on a surface defect and thus immobile; the contact angle is allowed to vary. The fluid flow effect on the curvature in the central meniscus part is neglected. This curvature varies in time because of the film variation and is determined as a part of the solution. The film dynamics depends on the initial contact angle, which is the maximal contact angle attained during oscillation. The average film thickness is studied as a function of system parameters. The numerical results are compared to existing experimental data and to the results of the quasi-steady approximation. Finally, the problem of an oscillating meniscus is considered accounting for the superheating of the capillary wall with respect to the saturation temperature, which causes evaporation. When the superheating exceeds a quite low threshold, oscillations with a pinned contact line are impossible and the contact line recession caused by evaporation needs to be accounted for.


SARS-CoV-2, especially the variant strains, is rapidly spreading around the world. Rapid detection methods for the virus are crucial for controlling the COVID-19 epidemic. Herein, a localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) biosensor based on Ω-shaped fiber optic (Ω-FO) was developed for dual assays of SARS-CoV-2 monitoring. Due to its strong ability to control the orientation and density, a new T-shaped aptamer exhibits enhanced binding affinity toward N proteins. After being combined on the fiber optic surface, the T-shaped aptamer sensitively captured N proteins of SARS-CoV-2 for a direct assay. Further, core–shell structured gold/silver nanoparticles functionalized with a T-shaped aptamer (apt-Ag@AuNPs) can amplify the signal of N protein detection for a sandwich assay. The real-time analytical feature of the dual assays endows time-dependent sensitivity enhancement behavior, which provides a guideline to save analytical time. With those characteristics, the LSPR biosensor has been successfully used to rapidly identify 39 healthy volunteers and 39 COVID-19 patients infected with the ancestral or variant SARS-CoV-2. With the help of simple pretreatment, we obtain a true negative rate of 100% and a true positive rate of 92.3% with a short analysis time of 45 min using the direct assay. Further, the LSPR biosensor could also broaden the detection application range to the surface of cold-chain foods using a sandwich assay. Thus, the LSPR biosensor based on Ω-FO was demonstrated to have broad application potential to detect SARS-CoV-2 rapidly.


A GoBlast system was built to predict gene function by integrating Blast search and Gene Ontology (GO) annotations together. The operation system was based on Debian Linux 3.1, with Apache as the web server and Mysql database as the data storage system. FASTA files with GO annotations were taken as the sequence source for blast alignment, which were formatted by wu-formatdb program. The GoBlast system includes three Bioperl modules in Perl: a data input module, a data process module and a data output module. A GoBlast query starts with an amino acid or nucleotide sequence. It ends with an output in an html page, presenting high scoring gene products which are of a high homology to the queried sequence and listing associated GO terms beside respective gene poducts. A simple click on a GO term leads to the detailed explanation of the specific gene function. This avails gene function prediction by Blast. GoBlast can be a very useful tool for functional genome research and is available for free at http://bioq.org/goblast.


Green sukuk must be appropriate with the stock criteria enforced by the principles of Islamic Jurisprudence (Sharia). Equity through three basic selections: sources of income, business activities, and financial factors to be recognized as Islamic stocks. However, the screening criteria can not apply universally especially to financial factors. Investor use financial ratios based on the book value of total assets or market value of the company to make a selection. This results criterion not only in different portofolio composition but also requires a variety of offsets and monitoring costs. The performance of 11 green sukuk from the JII main index using environmentally sharia screening criteria is analyzed in a multi-equation framework. Multi-equation framework have advantage of utilizing information from screening different criteria. These empirical findings indicate that differences in screening criteria do not significantly affect the green sukuk performance. If there is return that deviates from the risk of green sukuk. It is necessary to streamline quantitative screening criteria to avoid confusion among investing communities.


In vitro clonal culture of leukemic cells from patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) showed that cells from all subtypes tested could be stimulated to proliferate clonally either by purified recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) or by human cross-reactive, purified murine granulocyte CSF (G-CSF). The responsiveness of AML populations to CSF stimulation was quantitatively variable but was within the heterogeneous range exhibited by normal granulocyte-monocyte progenitor cells. A general concordance was noted between the proliferative effects of GM-CSF and G-CSF on the individual leukemic populations. All AML populations tested specifically bound 125I-labeled murine G-CSF; the level of labeling varied widely and correlated with AML subtype. Labeling levels on individual labeled leukemic cells were within the heterogeneous range exhibited by normal cells, but significant numbers of blast cells in M2, M4, and M5 AMLs appeared to lack membrane receptors for G-CSF. The level of labeling with G-CSF did not correlate with the frequency of clonogenic cells able to be stimulated by G-CSF. The data emphasized that GM-CSF and G-CSF are equivalent proliferative stimuli for human myeloid leukemia cells. Further, despite the potential ability of G-CSF to suppress murine leukemic cells, many AML blast cells lack significant numbers of G-CSF receptors. These considerations warrant caution in future attempts to use G-CSF in the therapy of acute myeloid leukemia.


The last two years have been incredibly challenging for the domestic and international hospitality industry. To gain insights from New Zealand hospitality professionals who are also AUT alumni, Lizzy Coughlan, Human Resource Manager of the Hotel Britomart, Auckland, was interviewed by AUT's Associate Professor Tracy Harkison.
When Coughlan was asked about working in hospitality, she responded:
I love hospitality because daily you encounter so many different types of people, it is a family feel industry. You meet people from around the world, so it gives you so much exposure to different life experiences. I am a people person, and it has been an industry I have loved ever since I started at AUT. I wanted to be in an industry where people are the main subject, and hospitality is that industry to a tee.
When asked about the unique aspects of the New Zealand hospitality industry, she explained:
We have a lot of history. Hotels are learning more about Māori heritage and incorporating it into their establishments. New Zealand is a unique travel destination, from the mountains and snow in Queenstown to the big city feel in Auckland. With such diversity we appeal to a wide range of travellers world-wide.
When Coughlan was asked why someone should start a career in hospitality and what advice she would give, her view was that:
People often don't realise that within hospitality it's not just the operational roles you can do, it's everything from revenue management through to HR. There are so many different things you can be exposed to within hospitality. It's not just waiting tables, cleaning dishes and being a chef; careers wise you can move up very quickly in hospitality into a different field that you may not have thought of before.
Coughlan stressed the importance of starting from the entry level.
Start in the industry at an entry position. It gives you the understanding of how a hotel operates; you can go through lots of different departments. It gives you the skills that you need in a management role, as you understand the facets of the business and you can be a very effective leader. Studying and gaining a degree will serve your career very well. My best piece of advice is to just get in the door and work your way from there.
When Coughlan was asked about her greatest leadership challenge, the COVID-19 situation, and what she would change about the industry, she emphasised passion and being agile:
In hospitality you have a lot of very passionate people, and everyone has very different leadership styles. So, it is about understanding how best to lead when you have different personalities and styles to content with. So, my greatest leadership challenge has been understanding all the different leadership styles and then trying to figure out how to work with them, especially within a HR function role, because it can be challenging at times. But the more you understand them, the more you learn, and the easier it gets.
For COVID-19 our biggest decision was first and foremost the health and safety of our team and our guests. We took the stance that we need to take care of our people first, and then we made the business decisions from there. One thing remained throughout lockdown – taking care of our team and making sure they were supported. It was also about being really agile, as things were changing daily, and you have got to have a Plan A and a Plan B. So being agile and take it from there.
However, she also warned of the dangers of the industry, advising of ways to preserve one's work-life balance.
The industry is going through a huge transformation with a new generation of workers coming through. We are seeing a lot more people wanting, and rightfully so, more fair pay, more flexibility, more work life balance. Within traditional hospitality there is the mentality that you sometimes work long hours, so industry really needs to become more agile and open minded to different ways. We can approach work life balance by working from home, but within the parameters of an operational business, that is what I would like to see more of.


Conjugation of ligands to antisense oligonucleotides is a promising approach for enhancing their effects. In this report, a new method for synthesizing oligonucleotide conjugates is described. 2'-Amino-2'-deoxy-5'-dimethoxytrityl-uridine was select ively acylated with a succinic acid linker at the 2' position. This compound was incorporated at the 3' end of an oligonucleotide corresponding to the sequence of Oblimersen. The carboxyl group was protected for oligonucleotide synthesis as a benzyl ester, which could be selectively cleaved at the solid phase by a catalytic phase transfer reaction using palladium nanoparticles as catalyst. An oligonucleotide-fluorescein conjugate was prepared by condensation of aminofluorescein. Circular dichroism spectroscopic experiments showed a B-DNA type structure. The melting temperature of the duplex was only slightly lower than that of Oblimersen. Biological activity measured by western blotting resulted in a Bcl-2 target downregulation nearly identical to that of control Oblimersen on human melanoma cells, proving that this method is attractive for the binding of ligands located in the minor groove.


Nigel King and Christine Horrocks (2010) provide a functional discussion of multiple topics related to interviewing in their book, Interviews in Qualitative Research. However, the authors present more than just a useful discussion of how to design, conduct, and analyze interviews. They simultaneously introduce the importance of philosophical approaches and ethics in relation to the topics discussed, making connections between these important notions and the qualitative research process they describe. Their practical approach to the topics presented makes their book a wonderful resource for novice researchers.


Ureteral stents are routinely used in urological practice for many indications including obstruction of ureter, ureteral stricture, prior to treatment with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, and to promote healing following ureteral injury. Complications reported with ureteric stents include stent migration, stent rupture, encrustation, ureteral perforation, erosion, and fistulation. Knotting of an indwelling ureteral stent is a very rare complication, with fewer than 30 cases reported in the literature. Techniques for managing this complication include using a holmium laser to cut the knot, percutaneous antegrade removal, and gentle traction. We describe the case of a knotted stent and its removal along with a comprehensive literature review.


This article discusses the results of a study of the information use pattern of faculty members of Madurai Kamaraj University in Madurai. Data were collected from seven schools in Maduai Kamaraj University. Results show that one hundred and thirty five respondents (45 percent) seek information for preparing lectures. Forty four percent of faculty members access more information from Internet. Seventy six percent of respondents read information materials in English and twenty percent read materials in Tamil. Most of the respondents used Google.com for searching information. They use frequently e-mail for communication. It is found that 25 percent of respondents use the Biotech database. Majority of respondents faced the common problem while seeking information i.e. lack of time and unavailability of information.


Impact of tissue lactate accumulation on prognosis after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is biased. The study aimed to assess the prognostic role of lactate concentration (LC) in patients with AMI during one year of follow-up. 145 consecutive patients admitted due to AMI were enrolled. The data on the frequency of endpoint occurrence (defined as I, death; II, heart failure (HF); and III, recurrent myocardial infarction (re-MI)) were collected. The patients were divided into group A (LC below the cut-off value) and group B (LC above the cut-off value) for the endpoints according to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. The cumulative survival rate was 99% in group I-A and 85% in group I-B (p = 0.0004, log-rank test). The HF-free survival rate was 95% in group II-A and 82% in group II-B (p = 0.0095, log-rank test). The re-MI-free survival rate did not differ between groups. A multivariate Cox analysis showed a statistically significant influence of LC on death [Hazard Ratio (HR): 1.41, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (1.13–1.76), and p = 0.002] and HF [HR: 1.21, 95% CI (1.05–1.4), and p = 0.007] with no impact on re-MI occurrence. LC in capillary blood may be considered a useful prognostic marker of late-onset heart failure and death after AMI.


Wavelet transform can be computed in the time domain by direct, polyphase, or run-length methods. Alternatively FFT methods can be used. Typical comparison of the computational effort in the literature are based on the number of float multiplications or float multiplication and additions. The break even point of the time and FFT methods are computed based on this counting. But todays computer architecture are to complex (e.g. pipelining, cache and CPU register utilization) to archive precise results by counting. Benchmarks are reported in this paper to compare different methods. In addition MMX code will be shown to give essential speed-ups. The benchmarks are conducted in connection with the ESA-MAE image compression algorithm.


This article offers an integrated approach to the problem of cross-border posting of workers. The coordination rules of private international law, social security and tax law try to bring home transnational employment relationships, and in doing so strike a balance between home State and host State jurisdiction. The multilateral coordination efforts, however, result in situations in which work performed in the host State is not (fully) governed by the rules of the host State. From the unilateral perspective of the host State this outcome has a disembedding effect on the national system of labour law and industrial relations. Member States have reacted to this by different re-embedding responses, which do not always sit well with the EU provisions on free movement of services. The article discusses the several stages discernable in the interaction between national law and EU law leading up to the present proposals on revision of the Posting of Workers Directive.


Abstract: This paper analyses the budgetary process of the Quebec health and social services system from three different perspectives: chronological, i.e. a retrospective longitudinal analysis of its evolution over the last fifteen years; systemic, i.e. a logistical study of the budgetary process defined as an organizational decision-making system; and micro-political, i.e. a strategic analysis of the dynamic behavior of the actors involved in this process. The triangulation of these three approaches helped to evidence the nature and extent of the political gamesmanship taking place within this process and the limits of the budgetary process defined as a rational decision-making system. From a methodological point of view, this research is an illustration of the use of multiple perspectives in the evaluation of complex organizations. Finally, this case study research was used as a basis for assessing the dynamics of the Quebec health and social services system's functioning within the framework of its global evaluation by a commission of enquiry system.


In this study, different amounts (from 2% to 4.5%) of dietary fiber-rich cranberry pomace (CP) were added to yogurt before or after fermentation to increase dietary fiber content without changing the textural properties of the product. The addition of CP reduced whey loss, improved the firmness and viscosity, increased the total phenol compound content and the antioxidant capacity values (DPPH•, ABTS, and ORAC) of the yogurt in a dose-dependent manner, and had no significant effect on the viability of the yogurt culture bacteria. For all CP-supplemented yogurt samples, the bioaccessibility index of the polyphenols after in vitro intestinal phase digestion was approximately 90%. However, yogurt with CP added before fermentation exhibited a significantly (p < 0.05) lower degree of protein hydrolysis post-gastric and post-intestinal than the yogurt with CP added after fermentation. Yogurt supplemented with 4.5% CP could be considered a good antioxidant dairy product and a good source of dietary fiber.


This thesis reports the results of an investigation into the factors affecting the fertilising ability of avian germ plasm. The study was limited to males of a Rhode Island Red control population and females of a commercial white egg-laying hybrid. The stock was replaced annually from the same source. The investigation was broadly organised acccrding to three major objectives: 1) Development of an objective in vitro test to predict fertilising ability. 2) A study of some management and biological factors affecting fertilising ability of semen. 3) Development of a diluent and conditions for extended storage of fowl semen at high temperatures of 20 and 40°C. A simple, objective, controlled colourimetric technique was developed for estimating the capacity of fowl spermatozoa to reduce a tetrazolium dye to a coloured compound, formazan, which could be measured spectrophotometrically. The reduction of this dye is dependent on number of spermatozoa, incubation temperature and time of incubation. The test is shown to give a quantitative measurement of the metabolic activity of spermatozoa, as judged by their rate of oxygen utilisation, and thus of the quality of semen. The rate of tetrazolium dye reduction was shown to be highly correlated with sperm motility, morphology, ATP content and fertilising ability. The method has many practical advantages over existing tests for the prediction of fertilising ability. A study of frequency of semen collection, over a period of 4 weeks, showed that the fertilising ability was not significantly different when semen was collected twice a day, once a day or thrice a week. Exchange of seminal plasma between samples of semen from males designated as highly or poorly fertile, or as young or old, did not influence the de novo fertilising ability of the original spermatozoal samples. The investigation of the age of male and female revealed that age of male influenced fertilising ability but not the age of females. However, interaction in fertilising ability between age of male and age of female was significant. A simple diluent and storage condition was developed for holding fowl semen at high temperatures of 20° and 40°C for 17 hr. A simple method for storing semen for 6 hr in a still condition on a bench top around 20°C, which should be suitable for field situations, is described. This thesis examines some features of fowl semen physiology concerned with identifying quality of spermatozoa, and some beneficial procedures for the better exploitation of artificial insemination of probable benefit to breeders of commercial poultry.


Artificial Neural Network (ANN) approach was applied in developing software sensor for production of lactic acid using pineapple waste from Lactobacillus delbreuckii. Lactic acid production currently is one of the significant materials in industry and production with renewable source such as pineapple waste made the production of lactic acid faced a lot of disturbances in measuring the quality of lactic acid produced. An artificial neural network (ANN) was developed to predict the concentration of lactic acid, using collected data from an offline analysis. Multi layer perceptron (MLP) was used for mapping between the input and output parameters. Two variables were used as input parameters. MSE was used to evaluate the predictive performance of MLP. Logsig and purelin was used as the activation function and Levenberg-Marquadt was utilized as the training algorithm. The result showed that having 2 inputs is better in predicting the concentration of lactic acid; instead of 1 input. The optimum structure found was 2-5-1.


The importance of positive mood for health and well-being is a truism. However, we still lack clear understanding of the nature and range of modulatory effects created by positive mood on cognition in humans. Here, we briefly review two recent research lines that have attempted to address this question systematically. Specifically, research on attention has explored the boundaries of the so-called broadening of attention with positive mood. Likewise, effects of positive mood on error monitoring have been scrutinized lately. The new empirical findings gathered in these two separate research domains concur on the assumption that positive mood is not merely adding noise to cognition. Instead, this mood state seems to provide the organism with meaningful (internal) information, which allows for timely and flexible exploration of new opportunities in the (external) environment and alters the motivational significance of negative events, such as response errors, in a rather flexible way. As such, these new findings provide information about the existence of complex interaction effects between positive mood and cognition and may help, in turn, to better appraise the actual role and function of this protective mood state for health and cognition.