Proteomic analysis of Glossina pallidipes salivary gland hypertrophy virus virions for immune intervention in tsetse fly colonies

Many species of tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) can be infected by a virus that causes salivary gland hypertrophy (SGH). The viruses isolated from Glossina pallidipes (GpSGHV) and Musca somestica (MdSGHV) have recently been sequenced. Tsetse flies with SGH have a reduced fecundity and fertility which cause a serious problem for mass rearing in the frame of sterile insect technique (SIT) programs to control and eradicate tsetse populations in the wild. A potential intervention strategy to mitigate viral infections in fly colonies is neutralizing of the GpSGHV infection with specific antibodies against virion proteins. Two major GpSGHV virion proteins of about 130 kDa and 50 kDa, respectively, were identified by Western analysis using polyclonal rabbit antibody raised against whole GpSHGV virions. The proteome of GpSGHV, containing the antigens responsible for the immune-response, was investigated by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and 61 virion proteins were identified by comparison with the genome sequence. Specific antibodies were produced in rabbits against seven candidate proteins including the ORF10 / C-terminal fragment, ORF47 and ORF96 as well as proteins involved in peroral infectivity PIF-1 (ORF102), PIF-2 (ORF53), PIF-3 (ORF76) and P74 (ORF1). Antiserum against ORF10 specifically reacted to the 130 kDa protein in a Western blot analysis and to the envelope of GpSGHV using immunogold-EM. This result suggests that immune intervention of viral infections in colonies of G. pallidipes is a realistic optio

Wave reflection at a free interface in an anisotropic pyroelectric medium with nonclassical thermoelasticity

In this paper, the well-established two-dimensional mathematical model for linear pyroelectric materials is employed to investigate the reflection of waves at the boundary between a vacuum and an elastic, transversely isotropic, pyroelectric material. A comparative study between the solutions of (a) classical thermoelasticity, (b) Cattaneo–Lord–Shulman theory and (c) Green–Lindsay theory equations, characterised by none, one and two relaxation times, respectively, is presented. Suitable boundary conditions are considered in order to determine the reflection coefficients when incident elasto–electro–thermal waves impinge the free interface. It is established that, in the quasi-electrostatic approximation, three different classes of waves: (1) two principally elastic waves, namely a quasi-longitudinal Primary (qP) wave and a quasi-transverse Secondary (qS) wave; and (2) a mainly thermal (qT) wave. The observed electrical effects are, on the other hand, a direct consequence of mechanical and thermal phenomena due to pyroelectric coupling. The computed reflection coefficients of plane qP waves are found to depend upon the angle of incidence, the elastic, electric and thermal parameters of the medium, as well as the thermal relaxation times. The special cases of normal and grazing incidence are also derived and discussed. Finally, the reflection coefficients are computed for cadmium selenide observing the influence of (1) the anisotropy of the material, (2) the electrical potential and (3) temperature variations and (4) the thermal relaxation times on the reflection coefficients

The Spermatophore in Glossina morsitans morsitans: Insights into Male Contributions to Reproduction.

Male Seminal Fluid Proteins (SFPs) transferred during copulation modulate female reproductive physiology and behavior, impacting sperm storage/use, ovulation, oviposition, and remating receptivity. These capabilities make them ideal targets for developing novel methods of insect disease vector control. Little is known about the nature of SFPs in the viviparous tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae), vectors of Human and Animal African trypanosomiasis. In tsetse, male ejaculate is assembled into a capsule-like spermatophore structure visible post-copulation in the female uterus. We applied high-throughput approaches to uncover the composition of the spermatophore in Glossina morsitans morsitans. We found that both male accessory glands and testes contribute to its formation. The male accessory glands produce a small number of abundant novel proteins with yet unknown functions, in addition to enzyme inhibitors and peptidase regulators. The testes contribute sperm in addition to a diverse array of less abundant proteins associated with binding, oxidoreductase/transferase activities, cytoskeletal and lipid/carbohydrate transporter functions. Proteins encoded by female-biased genes are also found in the spermatophore. About half of the proteins display sequence conservation relative to other Diptera, and low similarity to SFPs from other studied species, possibly reflecting both their fast evolutionary pace and the divergent nature of tsetse's viviparous biology

Equation of state for β\beta-stable hot nuclear matter

We provide an equation of state for hot nuclear matter in $\beta$-equilibrium by applying a momentum-dependent effective interaction. We focus on the study of the equation of state of high-density and high-temperature nuclear matter, containing leptons (electrons and muons) under the chemical equilibrium condition in which neutrinos have left the system. The conditions of charge neutrality and equilibrium under $\beta$-decay process lead first to the evaluation of proton and lepton fractions and afterwards of internal energy, free energy, pressure and in total to the equation of state of hot nuclear matter. Thermal effects on the properties and equation of state of nuclear matter are assesed and analyzed in the framework of the proposed effective interaction model. Special attention is dedicated to the study of the contribution of the components of $\beta$-stable nuclear matter to the entropy per particle, a quantity of great interest for the study of structure and collapse of supernova.Comment: 28 pages, 18 figure

Effect of heat and mass transfer and rotation on peristaltic flow through a porous medium with compliant walls

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the peristaltic flow of an incompressible Newtonian fluid in a channel with compliant walls. The effects of rotation and heat and mass transfer are also taken into account. The governing equations of two dimensional fluid have been simplified under long wavelength and low Reynolds number approximation. An exact solutions is presented for the stream function, temperature, concentration field, velocity and heat transfer coefficient. Design/methodology/approach: The effect of the concentration distribution, heat and mass transfer and rotation on the wave frame are analyzed theoretically and computed numerically. Numerical results are given and illustrated graphically in each case considered. Comparison was made with the results obtained in the presence and absence of rotation and heat and mass transfer. Findings: The results indicate that the effect of the permeability and rotation are very pronounced in the phenomena. Originality/value: The objective of the present analysis is to analyze the effects of rotation, heat and mass transfer and compliant walls on the peristaltic flow of a viscous fluid

Supporting Energy Transition in the Urban Environment

In this research, a technology-oriented approach is adopted to investigate the urban energy transition. This analysis focuses on envisioning possible energy scenarios and the associated technology portfolio. In order to actually deploy such technologies, social, economic and politic factors are considered without forgetting the active role of final users. The methodology presented to develop scenarios and investigate the urban energy system transition have a strong potential to inform and transform energy strategy development. The attention is paid to the representation of energy and related resource systems to support policy, investment, environmental or development analytics, and preferably aspects of their interaction

Poverty From an Islamic Economics Perspective: Concept, Measurement, and Treatment

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Survival of Microorganisms on Hospital Fabrics and Methods of Treatments (Review)

 Medical fabrics have been used widely in heath care units as well as in other sectors such as hotels restaurants and food industries. The hospital fabrics are considered as the host for bacteria and fungi, which they remain surviving on surface of fabrics for several weeks. This paper cites a review of the literature published on survival of microorganisms on hospital fabrics and methods of treatments applied to inhibit the reproduction of the microorganisms. The review shows that the times of persistence of microorganisms on fabrics were depending on type of microorganism, fabric and method of treatment

The adoption of global leadership competences and Total Quality Management by the staff of Egyptian and Jordanian exporting companies: case studies

Error a la paginació, passa de la pàgina 7 a la 11.The main purpose of this research is to conduct exploratory qualitative research to analyze the level of global leadership competencies and Total Quality Management (TQM) in Egyptian and Jordanian exporting companies and compare it with literature and with what successful Western companies do. The main research question refers to the similarities and differences between Egyptian and Jordanian companies and Western companies regarding the adoption of global leadership competences and Total Quality Management (TQM). In addition, four secondary questions are formulated. These secondary questions: a) Are these companies developing training activities? b) To what degree is the cross-cultural leadership approach taken into account among the companies under study? c) To what degree are global organizational vision and global leadership vision taken into account among the companies under study? and d) To what degree is the TQM taken into account among the companies under study? Data collection consisted of baseline surveys with 53 middle and top level managers of the analyzed companies. It includes answering to questionnaires and individual interviews. In-deep interviews with senior managers have also been performed. Finally, documental information has been analyzed. The analyzed companies are Al Ezz Group (Dekheila Steel), EEMCO Electronics Ltd, Reem Electronics Manufacture, El Mohandes Electric Companies (cables manufacturing) from Egypt and Yossaf Rock Wool Co and Al Shaheen Marble and Granite from Jordan, all private owned companies. The literature review encompasses the literature on globalization and its impact on corporations, the competence movement, Global Leadership, Leadership Skills, Global Leadership Competencies, Cross- Cultural Leadership, Global Vision and Total Quality Management. In addition, previous study analysis of global leadership competencies in several countries: Brazil, India, Nigeria, Belgium, the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Mexico. It also discusses six case studies on global leadership competencies of Western companies: 3M, Xerox, IKEA, Lease Corporation Ltd and the Body Shop International Plc. The result from this study shows that there is a high level of consensus from the respondents from the six Arab companies analyzed in that the global leadership competencies, cross-cultural competencies, global vision competencies and philosophy of TQM are important for a company to compete in the global market successfully and enhancing its global market share. The respondents accepted as own the group of competences that are presented to them, even though these competences are described related to the Western literature, that reflects Western points of view and practices. This confirms the slight differences found in preceding analysis referred to other countries. It has been concluded that all the studied companies develop training activities, have managers that considers having a high level in global leadership and cross-culture competences and applies, more or less intensely, TQM philosophy. We deduce thus that these companies agree with the principles stated by the literature.(Esp) El objetivo principal de este trabajo es desarrollar una investigación exploratoria y cualitativa para analizar el nivel de competencias de liderazgo global y de gestión de la calidad Total (TQM) en empresas exportadores de Egipto y Jordania, y compararlo con la literatura y con las empresas occidentales de éxito La pregunta de investigación principal se refiere a las similitudes y diferencias entre las empresas egipcias y jordanas y las empresas occidentales con respecto a la adopción de las competencias de liderazgo global y la gestión de calidad total (TQM). Además, se plantean cuatro cuestiones secundarias. Estas preguntas secundarias son: a) ¿Desarrollan estas empresas actividades de formación b) ¿En qué medida se tiene en cuenta el enfoque del liderazgo intercultural cuenta en las empresas objeto de estudio? c) ¿En qué grado se consideran en estas empresas la visión global de la organización y la visión de liderazgo global individual? y d) ¿En que medida se tiene en cuenta el TQM? La recolección de datos se ha desarrollado con 53 directivos de nivel medio y superior de las empresas analizadas. Se incluye la respuesta a cuestionarios y entrevistas individuales. También se realizaron entrevistas en profundidad con altos directivos de las compañías. Finalmente, se ha analizado información documental. Las empresas analizadas son Al Ezz Group (Dekheila Steel), EEMCO Electronics Ltd, Reem Electronics Manufacture, El Mohandes compañías eléctricas (cables de fabricación) de Egipto y Yossaf Lana de roca Co y Al Shaheen Mármol y Granito de Jordania, todas empresas de propiedad privada. La revisión de la literatura abarca la literatura sobre la globalización y su impacto en las empresas, las habilidades de liderazgo, las competencias de liderazgo global, el liderazgo intercultural, la visión global y la gestión de calidad total. Además, se analizan estudios anteriores sobre las competencias de liderazgo global en varios países: Brasil, India, Nigeria, Bélgica, Países Bajos, Reino Unido y México. También se analizan seis estudios de casos sobre las competencias de liderazgo global en empresas occidentales: 3M, Xerox, IKEA, Lease Corporation Ltd y The Body Shop Internacional Plc. El resultado de este estudio muestra que existe un alto nivel de consenso entre los encuestados de las seis empresas árabes analizados en que las competencias de liderazgo global, las competencias interculturales, las competencias sobre la visión global y la filosofía de la GCT son importantes para que una empresa compita en el mercado global con éxito y mejore su participación en el mercado global. Los encuestados acepta como propio el conjunto de competencias que se les presentan, a pesar de que estas competencias se describen en relación con la literatura occidental, que refleja los puntos de vista y las prácticas occidentales. Esto confirma las pequeñas diferencias encontradas en los análisis anteriores presentados por la literatura. Se ha concluido que todas las empresas estudiadas desarrollar actividades de formación, tienen directivos que consideran que ellos mismos tienen un nivel alto en liderazgo global y aplican, con mayor o menor intensidad, la filosofía del TQM. Se deduce, por tanto, que estas empresas están de acuerdo con los principios establecidos por la literatura. Por otra parte, sólo una de las empresas de la compañía, Al Ezz Steel, tiene una actividad sistemática para mejorar las competencias de liderazgo global, que incluyen el sistema de reclutamiento, la evaluación del desempeño, la rotación, los programas de acogida y la formación. Por otra parte, ninguna de las empresas tiene todavía una estrategia completa para convertirse en un actor global de éxito como los que desarrollan las principales compañías occidentales.PROGRAMA DE DOCTORAT EN ADMINISTRACIÓ I DIRECCIÓ D'EMPRESES (Pla 2012