Verbal and spatial working memory among drug-using hiv-infected men and women

Working memory (WM) is a critical component of many neurocognitive functions. The literature has demonstrated consistently that WM impairment is more frequent and severe among substance-dependent individuals (SDIs) infected with HIV compared with uninfected SDIs; however, the SDIs who participated in these previous studies were primarily male. There are few published data on WM performance among HIV+ women with or without substance use disorders, and essentially no direct comparisons of WM performance between HIV+ men and women, regardless of substance use. We investigated potential sex and serostatus effects on WM among a sample of 360 SDIs (114 with HIV; 66% female) verified abstinent from alcohol and drugs of abuse at testing and generally comparable on substance use and comorbid characteristics. Participants were tested with the n-back task, a well-established WM measure that is sensitive to HIV-associated cognitive impairment. HIV+ men and women performed spatial and verbal versions of the n-back significantly less accurately compared with HIV− participants. Women showed slower response times compared with men on both versions, regardless of HIV serostatus. Individuals dependent on cocaine showed faster RTs compared with non-dependent users, but this effect was not apparent among opioid- or alcohol-dependent groups. Findings on n-back accuracy are consistent with our previous proposal that WM impairment represents a signature deficit among HIV+ SDIs; however, WM impairment appears less common among HIV+ women without a substance use history. The pattern of sex differences in response speed but serostatus effects on response accuracy is comparable to a recent report by our group of sex differences in learning speed but serostatus effects on delayed recall.

Ben Spielberg Ben spielberg

Study of biophysical and structural mechanisms of resistance in pigeonpea against pod borer complexstudy of biophysical and structural mechanisms of resistance in pigeonpea against pod borer complex

The maximum H. armigera and M. vitrata infestation was recorded in Pusa-992 (3.72% and 7.90%) and in D2 (1st week of July) sown crop with infestation of 4.54 and 13.08 per cent, respectively. Whereas, the infestation of pod fly, M. obtusa was maximum in Manak (2.72%) and 2.58 per cent pod infestation in D2 (1st week of July) sown crop. The infestation of pod borer complex was negatively associated with pod wall thickness (-0.909**, - 0.739*, -0.870*, -0.834*, -0.840*, -0.705* and -0.745*) and non-glandular type A (-0.730*, -0.945**, -0.768*, -0.766*, -0.923** and -0.728*) and (-0.751*, -0.759*, 0.766*, -0.852*, -0.802*, -0.895** and -0.832*) glandular type B (-0.864*, -0.734*, -0.871* and -0.858*) and (-0.729*, -0.705*, -0.730* and -0.845*) density of pod trichomes of top and middle canopy of the plant. Fat (-0.884**, -0.754*, -0.743*, -0.871* and -0.750*) phenol (-0.900** and -0.806*) and tannin (-0.792*, -0.812* and -0.763*) content showed negative correlation with the pod infestation, whereas, crude protein (0.740*, 0.881**, 0.734*, 0.810*, 0.823*, 0.856*, 0.844* and 0.711*) and total soluble sugar (0.738*, 0.792*, 0.793*, 0.898**, 0.714*, 0.816*, 0.888** and 0.819*) showed positive association. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the variety Pusa-992 and Manak was most susceptible to the pod borers.

DR. BABU LAL JAT Dr. babu lal jat

Optimum decimation and filtering for reconfigurable sigma delta adc

The Sigma Delta Analog to Digital Converter (SD-ADC) with passive analog components is presented. The digital blocks required for creating the samples with required sample rate and word length from the 1 bit ADC output are presented. The digital filters are initially modeled in MATLAB Simulink and validated in frequency domain. Further they are synthesized to Xilinx Spartan-6 FPGA technology. The synthesis results report clock speeds up to 300MHz. The simulation results are used to validate the principle and verify the performance of SD-ADC. The results demonstrate a promising technology area of realizing SD-ADC as a reconfigurable block on FPGA to meet several signal processing applications with sampling rates up to few hundreds of KHz

P.a. harsha vardhini

Hemolytic uremic syndrome: an updated review

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a microangiopathic thrombotic disease, which is classified into atypical, typical, and secondary types. Thrombocytopenia, acute kidney failure, and hemolysis are the main features of HUS regardless of its type. Infection with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli causes typical HUS, and gene mutations trigger atypical HUS, while secondary HUS is associated with bone marrow transplantation, autoimmunity, cancer, and other diseases. New insights into the pathogenesis of HUS have emerged over the past decades, suggesting an important role of the complement system in disease pathogenesis, which has been reinforced by the efficacy of plasma exchange and monoclonal antibodies in its treatment. In this review, we performed an updated review of HUS with a focus on understanding its pathogenesis.

Karishma Karishma

Work-life balance and teacher engagement in private senior secondary schools in rivers state, nigeria- obasi, k. k. and adieme, f. g.2021

This study examined work-life balance and teacher engagement in private secondary schools in Rivers State. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The study adopted a correlation research design with a population of 7,143 teachers (2,676 males and 4,467 females) in all the 275 private secondary schools in Rivers State. The sample size of 714 teachers was drawn through a proportionate stratified random sampling technique, which represents 10% of the population. Two self-designed instruments entitled: “Work-life Balance Questionnaire (WLBQ)” and “Teacher Engagement Questionnaire (TEQ)” were used for data collection. The instruments were in two sections –A and B. Section A consisted of the demographic factors while Section B contained the variables that were used to elicit information from the respondents. Section B contained 20 items on Work-life Balance and 15 items on Teacher Engagement respectively. Face and content validities were ensured by experts in the relevant areas. The Cronbach’s Alpha reliability method was used to establish the internal consistency, and indexes of .79 for WLBQ and .83 for TEQ were established respectively. Research questions 1 and 2 were answered using simple regression while research question 3 was answered using multiple regression. Hypotheses 1 and 2 were tested with a t-test associated with simple regression while hypothesis 3 was tested using ANOVA associated with multiple regression at 0.05 alpha level. The findings of the study revealed, among others, that work-life balance significantly and jointly predicted teacher engagement to a very low extent in secondary schools in Rivers State. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among others, that both employers and school managers should create flexible work environments that promote work-life balance for teachers so as to motivate them to perform optimally for the attainment of educational goals.

FXintegrity Publishing Fxintegrity publishing

Adenoid facies and its management: an orthodontic perspective

Adenoid Facies and its Management: An Orthodontic Perspective Adenoid facies is a disorder which refers to the open-mouthed face of children who have long faces with adenoid hypertrophy. Hypertrophy of the lymphoid tissues in the throat (the adenoids) is the most common cause of nasal obstruction in children. The mouth is always open because upper airway congestion/narrowing has made patients obligatory mouth breathers. Persistent mouth breathing is seen due to nasal obstruction in children and it may be associated with the development of craniofacial anomalies such as the adenoid facies (also called the “long face syndrome”). The most common symptoms are habitual mouth breathing and snoring. The most dangerous symptom is sleep apnea due to obstruction. This article discusses the orthodontic aspects of diagnosis and treatment of adenoid facies.

Kamal Singh Kamal singh

Virtual reality–based biofeedback and guided meditation in rheumatology: a pilot study

Objective As technology continues to improve, it plays an increasingly vital role in the practice of medicine. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of the implementation of virtual reality (VR) in a rheumatology clinic as a platform to administer guided meditation and biofeedback as a means of reducing chronic pain. Methods Twenty participants were recruited from a rheumatology clinic. These participants included adults with physician-diagnosed autoimmune disorders who were on a stable regimen of medication and had a score of at least 5 on the pain Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for a minimum of 4 days during the prior 30 days. VAS, part of most composite outcome measurements in rheumatology, is an instrument used to assess pain that consists of a straight line with the endpoints ranging from “no pain at all” and “pain as bad as it could be.” Patients were randomized into two groups that differed in the order in which they experienced the two VR modules. One module consisted of a guided meditation (GM) environment, whereas the other module consisted of a respiratory biofeedback (BFD) environment. Data on pain and anxiety levels were gathered before, during, and after the two modules. Results The three most common diagnoses among participants were rheumatoid arthiritis (RA), lupus, and fibromyalgia. There was a significant reduction in VAS scores after BFD and GM (P values = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). There was a significant reduction in Facial Anxiety Scale after the GM compared with the BFD (P values = 0.02 and 0.08, respectively). Conclusion This novel study demonstrated that VR could be a feasible solution for the management of pain and anxiety in rheumatology patients. Further trials with varying treatment exposures and durations are required to solidify the viability of VR as a treatment option in rheumatology clinics

Ben Spielberg Ben spielberg

A review of thermal performance of solar concentrator – the future needs

Abstract Abundant solar energy is freely available almost round the year in India. As per the current scenario of global warming and climatic change, solar energy is the cleanest source in nature. Concentrated solar power (CSP)has hardly contributed to the overall installed solar power capacity in the country. CSP technologies are Parabolic Trough Collector (PTC), Linear Fresnel Reflector (LFR), Paraboloid Dish and Solar Power Tower. This paper presents a review of CSP in solar parabolic dish concentrator to understand thermal aspect like thermal efficiency, optical efficiency, useful heat gain, heat losses, solar irradiation, etc. for various applications and current development. The current scenario of global CSP is discussed to meet the future challenges and need of the society.

Pramod wadate

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of fixed oil of macrotyloma uniflorum (lam.) verdc. in mice and rats

Macrotyloma uniflorum, commonly known as horse gram or kulthi bean, is grown as a pulse for livestock and human consumption. The beans contain about 1.3% fat, 18% protein, 15% carbohydrate, and vitamins and minerals. Traditional medicine uses it as an antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antihypertensive and diuretic. Other important medicinal uses include the treatment of renal stones, obesity, piles, oedema and fever. The present study evaluated analgesic (by acetic acid-induced writhing, hot plate and tail flick tests in mice) and anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rats) activities of Macrotyloma uniflorum fixed oil (MUFO). Four groups were included in the study: Group I: Normal Saline Control (2ml/kg), Group II: MUFO (2ml/kg), Group III: MUFO (4ml/kg), and Group IV: Standard Acetyl salicylic acid (ASA 300mg/kg). All results were significant; however, the tail flick and paw oedema tests observed a delayed onset of action. The oil's acute oral toxicity was also checked in mice and was found safe up to a 4ml/kg dose, as no signs of toxicity and mortality were observed. It is concluded that Macrotyloma uniflorum fixed oil may possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, which can be related to a peripheral mechanism of action.

Dr. Salman Ahmed Dr. salman ahmed

Hydrotropic solubility determinations and evaluation of dry powder for injection of poorly water soluble diuretic spironolactone

Dry powder injection of spironolactone was developed using lyophilization and hydrotropic solubilization method. It is fast acting medication in emergencies like refractory edema associated with heart failure and hepatic cirrhosis. The ultimate aqueous based powder prepared showed 892.85 and 378.57 times increased solubility of spironolactone with sodium salicylate and sodium benzoate as compared to its water solubility. Amongst six hydrotropic agents, the solubility was increased in the order sodium salicylate > sodium benzoate > nicotinamide > sodium ascorbate > urea > sodium acetate. IR graph showed shift of wavenumber of characteristic peaks. Lyophilization technique produced more stable product against different temperature cycles and stability parameters. Degradation was only about 0.45% at room temperature and it was more about 1.3% at higher temperatures. Haemolytic activities of lyophilized formulations observed were 8.54% to 96.85% for sodium salicylate based hydrotropic lyophilized system and 3.50 to 88.17% for sodium salicylate based hydrotropic lyophilized system.

Archana Mehrotra Archana mehrotra

Management and operations

This report discusses the leadership and management functions by examining their definitions, roles, and characteristics. Besides, the differences are identified, culminating in a discussion of the skills associated with each function.

Zamzam Abdelazim Zamzam abdelazim

The effects of different forms of risk communication on judicial decision making

When mental health experts provide information to courts on the results of a risk assessment conducted on a defendant or patient, they engage in “risk communication.” We examined the effects of four different forms of risk communication (prediction, categorical, risk factors/risk management, or hybrid) on judges’ (n = 253) perceptions of risk assessment evidence introduced in a case where they must decide whether to release from the hospital an individual found not guilty by reason of insanity. Judges who received information in the risk factors/risk management form were more likely to release the patient than were those who received prediction-based or categorical risk information. Judges with greater experience hearing cases involving risk assessment evidence were also more likely to release. Moreover, judges who had positive attitudes towards risk assessment and social science evidence in general, were more likely to find the risk assessment evidence introduced in the particular case to be understandable, relevant, and dispositive. Implications of the results for how mental health experts communicate risk information to the courts are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)

John Dolores John dolores

Fragaria nubicola (rosaceae): a review of medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Fragaria nubicola (Hoof. f) Linn. (Rosaceae) is a medicinally important plant commonly called Wild strawberry. Traditionally, it has been used to treat different diseases. The study was carried out to compile all the previous data in review form based on its distribution, traditional medicinal uses, pharmacology and phytochemistry

Dr. Salman Ahmed Dr. salman ahmed

Knowledge, attitude and practice of libyan medical students about vitamin d deficiency

The prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency over the last decades has grown up rapidly worldwide among young adults. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore knowledge, attitude and practice of Libyan medical students of Sebha University regarding vitamin D deficiency. Out of a total of 200 questionnaires, 148 completed questionnaires were returned (74.0% response rate). The majority of respondents did not measure their vitamin D levels (62.1%). Participants who indicated they exposing to sunlight for less than 15 min were 47.2% while 74.9% exposing to less than 30 min with highly significant difference in gender (p < 0.001). All the males did not use sunscreen creams compared with females (43.5%). Nearly two-thirds of the participants (61.4%) denied drink milk almost daily with significant differences based on the gender (p < 0.005) while 56.0 % of the participants reported eat fish, 60.8% of the students denied eating fast food and 74.3% eating eggs daily or weekly. However, 49.3% of the students are usually drinking of tea and coffee after meals, and do not usually practice exercise (53.3%), however, disagreed that their food has a low amount of calcium (30.4%). Most of the students agreed with the benefits of vitamin D (72.0%). Based on the assessment of awareness of the participants about vitamin D information, the average of correct answers percentage of the respondents was 47.1%. The most frequent sources of vitamin D information were the internet which accounted for 49.3%, followed by relatives and friends (31.7%). Some of the respondents (58.7%) reported that unawareness is the main cause of vitamin D deficiency. This study highlights the lack of awareness about the importance of vitamin D among medical students. This finding provides the institutions of medical education in Libya with an evidence base for a deficit knowledge regarding young health which could be utilized it to draw a strategy to correct health behaviors of students and community through medical education programs.

Mediterranean Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Mediterranean journal of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences

Using microsoft excel in formulating poultry rations by linear programming

Formulation of the least cost rations that provides the nutrient requirements of birds is an important goal in poultry production . The aim of the present study was to create an application in the Excel program for formulation of low-cost poultry diets that provide adequate nutritional requirements using linear programming based on the Solver function of the Excel program and composition of common feed ingredients used in poultry diets (yellow corn, wheat, soybean meal , barley, wheat bran, protein concentrate, limestone, table salt, di-calcium phosphate, vitamins and minerals premix ,and vegetable oil), if their default prices are 500, 450, 750, 350, 250,1750, 250, 100, 500, 4500,and 1500) Iraqi Dinar / kg, respectively. The results showed that the Solver function in - Excel can be used to solve linear programming models such as those used for formulation of least cost poultry rations. This Microsoft Excel application is ready to use and can be used to assist researchers and students in formulating poultry rations that provide the desired nutritional requirements of poultry at the lowest cost. Key words : Application

RAFEA MOHAMMEDTAHER KHULEL Rafea mohammedtaher khulel

Faith, force, and fear: factors that influence ancestral worship among hindus

Reverence, obedience, and the transmission of traditions/values from one generation to the next are some of the most profound human responsibilities for families, clans, and tribes. One of the values that is transmitted in many cultures is respect for elders. However, the ways values are expressed differ based on culture and religion.

Santosh kumar Santosh kumar

Fdi in indian higher education

The decision of the government of India to allow foreign direct investment in higher education is based on a consultation paper prepared by the commerce ministry, which is marked by arguments, perverse logic and forced conclusions. FDI in any field does not have an attached objective of fulfilling social agenda of the welfare state. It is guided by profit and market. This would result in commoditization of education. As per past most foreign institutes invest in technical courses which market needs rather than in quality education and research which is important for creating and developing human resource. There is a shortage of funds in higher education sector. Here are not many ways in which this investment in this sector can be increased in this sector domestically. Since a large number of students go abroad for their higher education, it is sensible to allow foreign universities to set up their campuses here, in India. This would help in arresting the outflow of monetary and human capital. Further, foreign higher educational institutes would create competition with the local institutes making them internationally competitive this article examines the issues and financial compulsions, presented in the consultation paper

Dr Gedam Kamalakar Dr gedam kamalakar

A mathematical approach for formulation of generalized field data based model for productivity enhancement of cylinder head moulding operation

In this paper, an approach for formulation of generalized field data based model for cylinder head moulding operation. The aim of field data based modeling for cylinder head moulding operation is to improve the output by correcting or modifying the inputs. The goal of the research is to reduce human energy input required while performing cylinder head moulding operation. With the reduction in human energy input, automatically, the productivity of the process will also increase. The study identifies important ergonomic and other work environment related parameters which affect productivity. The identified parameters are properties of sand, physical dimensions of tools, energy outflow of workers, anthropometric data of the workers, working conditions like relative humidity, ambient temperature. Out of all the variables, responses and causes are identified. After dimensional analysis relationship between the dependent and independent parameters, a mathematical model is established having a relationship between output parameters and input. To get the optimized values model is optimized using the optimization technique. Sensitivity analysis is a tool which can be used to find out the effect of input one parameter over the other. The model will be useful for an industrialist to select optimized inputs so as to get targeted responses.

Rahul bachute

Cardiovascular, respiratory and all-cause (natural) health endpoint estimation using a spatial approach in malaysia

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that approximately 4.2 million premature deaths world wide were attributable to exposure to particulate matter 2.5 μm (PM2.5). This study assessed the environmental burden of disease attributable to PM2.5 at the national level in Malaysia. We estimated the population-weighted exposure level (PWEL) of PM10 concentrations in Malaysia for 2000, 2008, and 2013 using aerosol optical density (AOD) data from publicly available remote sensing satellite data (MODIS Terra). The PWEL was then converted to PM2.5 using Malaysia's WHO ambient air conversion factor. We used AirQ+ 2.0 software to calculate all-cause (natural), ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer (LC), and acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) excess deaths from the National Burden of Disease data for 2000, 2008 and 2013. The averagePWELs for annual PM2.5 for 2000, 2008, and 2013 were 22 μg m-3, 18 μg m-3 and 24 μg m-3, respectively. Using the WHO 2005 Air Quality Guideline cut-off point of PM2.5 of 10 μg m-3, the estimated excess deaths for 2000, 2008, and 2013 from all-cause (natural) mortality were between 5893 and 9781 (95 % CI: 3347–12,791), COPD was between 164 and 957 (95 % CI: 95–1411), lung cancer was between 109 and 307 (95 % CI: 63–437), IHD was between 3 and 163 deaths, according to age groups (95 % CI: 2–394) and stroke was between 6 and 155 deaths, ac-cording to age groups (95 % CI: 3–261). An increase in estimated health endpoints was associated with increased estimated PWEL PM2.5 for 2013 compared to 2000 and 2008. Adhering the ambient PM2.5 level to the Malaysian AirQuality Standard IT-2 would reduce the national health endpoints mortality

Mohamad iqbal mazeli

Project risk and procurement management

It is virtually impossible to mention the phrase ‘project management’ without introducing the concept of risk management. As Hillson (2016, p.11) states, “risks [are] particularly relevant to projects” suggesting that effective management of risk is an integral ingredient for project success. The close link that exists between projects and risks may be deduced by the definition of the word ‘project’. In simple terms, projects refer to unique endeavours undertaken with the aim of achieving desired outcomes. These endeavours typically specific start and completion dates, and involve resource, time and cost constraints. These characteristics imply that projects are intended to deliver identifiable benefits to the organisation; these benefits, however, are not enjoyed immediately even if the project is completed. On the contrary, projects commonly create capabilities that call for operation or utilisation for the actual gains to be generated (Hillson, 2016 p.11). The interpretation of this is that projects have a risk element in that they contain a potential reward and possibility of loss. For this reason, project managers must be well-versed with risk management.

Mohamed Sorogy Mohamed sorogy

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