The importance of semen analysis in the context of azoospermia

Azoospermia is a descriptive term referring to ejaculates that lack spermatozoa without implying a specific underlying cause. The traditional definition of azoospermia is ambiguous, which has ramifications on the diagnostic criteria. This issue is further compounded by the apparent overlap between the definitions of oligospermia and azoospermia. The reliable diagnosis of the absence of spermatozoa in a semen sample is an important criterion not only for diagnosing male infertility but also for ascertaining the success of a vasectomy and for determining the efficacy of hormonal contraception. There appears to be different levels of rigor in diagnosing azoospermia in different clinical situations, which highlights the conflict between scientific research and clinical practice in defining azoospermia

Design and validation of small interfering RNA on respiratory syncytial virus M2-2 gene: a potential approach in RNA interference on viral replication

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children globally and is a significant pathogen of the elderly and immunocompromised. The M2-2 protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is particularly important in regulation of viral RNA transcription and replication that could be a potential anti-viral candidate against RSV infection. In this study, we designed and validated siRNAs that specifically target the RSV M2-2 gene. Four siRNAs targeting different regions of the M2-2 gene were designed using web tool. In-vitro evaluation of silencing effect was performed by using RSV infected Vero cell line. Viral M2-2 linked GFP recombinant plasmid was co-transfected with non-targeted siRNA, Pooled siRNA, siRNA 1, siRNA 2, siRNA 3 and siRNA 4 using synthetic cationic polymer. The silencing effect of M2-2 gene at the protein level was measured both qualitatively and quantitatively by using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. Meanwhile, the silencing effect at the mRNA level was assessed by using RT-qPCR. This study showed that all four designed siRNAs can effectively and efficiently silence M2-2 gene. siRNA 2 showed the highest (98%) silencing effect on protein level and siRNA 4 with 83.1% at the mRNA level. The viral assay showed no significant cytopathic effects observed after 6 days post-infection with siRNAs. In conclusion, this study showed the effectiveness of siRNA in silencing M2-2 gene both at the protein and mRNA level which could potentially be used as a novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of RSV infection. However, further study is warranted to investigate the silencing effect of M2-2 protein and inhibition of RSV infection

Numerically Modeling Steel Continuous Bridges for Early Age Concrete Deck Cracking

Early age bridge deck cracking is a common problem throughout the United States. Early age cracking develops shortly after the deck is poured. It reduces the serviceability and lifespan of bridges. Early age cracking can be typically attributed to either of two factors, 1) construction practices, and 2) shrinkage. The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has experienced early age bridge deck cracking. ARDOT currently specifies a sequence deck pour on most of their bridges; however, contractors prefer continuous deck pours because of ease and construction time. During the period of this TRC1903 research project, ARDOT has only approved a few continuous pours for relatively short bridges, 180 to 190 ft. long. Concrete cracking occurs when concrete tensile stresses exceed the concrete’s tensile strength. Therefore, early age bridge deck cracking is evaluated in this thesis be monitoring induced concrete tensile stresses and comparing these values with the concrete’s concurrent tensile strength. Bridge site visits at bridges constructed using a continuous deck pour process were conducted to study deck cracking patterns in newly constructed bridges and identify deck sections that were experiencing cracking. In addition to a visual approach for identifying sections experiencing cracking, a numerical method was used. Finite element bridge models were created using ABAQUS to compare numerical modeling results to field recorded results attained from a bridge instrumented with strain gauges cast inside the concrete deck. Additional numerical models were made to verify the modeling techniques used by the author by validating calculated stresses with numerical models in the literature. The Finite element models were specifically developed to model the bridge deck construction process. Therefore, time dependent loads and material properties were considered in the numerical model. Concrete material time dependency was estimated using the Eurocode specifications (CEN., 1992). In addition, concrete stresses were calculated in this thesis using the Eurocode modular ratio approach

The prevalence of blinding trachoma in northern states of Sudan.

BACKGROUND: Despite historical evidence of blinding trachoma, there have been no widespread contemporary surveys of trachoma prevalence in the northern states of Sudan. We aimed to conduct district-level surveys in this vast region in order to map the extent of the problem and estimate the need for trachoma control interventions to eliminate blinding trachoma. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Separate, population based cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 88 localities (districts) in 12 northern states of Sudan between 2006 and 2010. Two-stage cluster random sampling with probability proportional to size was used to select the sample. Trachoma grading was done using the WHO simplified grading system. Key prevalence indicators were trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years and trachomatous trichiasis (TT) in adults aged 15 years and above. The sample comprised 1,260 clusters from which 25,624 households were surveyed. A total of 106,697 participants (81.6% response rate) were examined for trachoma signs. TF prevalence was above 10% in three districts and between 5% and 9% in 11 districts. TT prevalence among adults was above 1% in 20 districts (which included the three districts with TF prevalence >10%). The overall number of people with TT in the population was estimated to be 31,072 (lower and upper bounds = 26,125-36,955). CONCLUSION: Trachoma mapping is complete in the northern states of Sudan except for the Darfur States. The survey findings will facilitate programme planning and inform deployment of resources for elimination of trachoma from the northern states of Sudan by 2015, in accordance with the Sudan Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) objectives

Letters To The Editor.

No abstract available

Teachers\u27 perceptions on formulaic language

Formulaic sequences (FS) are being increasingly recognized in second language learning as a key language component that has a direct impact on language proficiency. A key aspect of FS are how it can be effectively integrated within language teaching and what practices could be used to present FS and introduce it to students. Recently, researchers have reported a growing interest in using FS in teaching language in classrooms. A mixed method of data analysis was adopted in this study where both qualitative and quantitative data were collected using three instruments “questionnaire, observations and interviewsâ€. 75 Arabic teachers participated in the current study, 72 of them responded to the questionnaire and the others were abstained to access the questionnaire and they were only observed in their classrooms and interviewed afterwards. The study revealed that 72 % of the participants perceive FS as important cultural language components that have direct impact on language proficiency. The participants recommended several practices and tools used to introduce FS in classrooms. Moreover, the majority of teachers acclaimed that FS should be introduced to elementary Arabic language learners. Conclusively, FS should be considered as essential cultural language components

Structural damage detection using ambient vibrations

Master of ScienceDepartment of Civil EngineeringHani G. MelhemThe objective of this research is to use structure ambient random vibration response to detect damage level and location. The use of ambient vibration is advantageous because excitation is caused by service conditions such as normal vehicle traffic on a highway bridge, train passage on a railroad bridge, or wind loads on a tall building. This eliminates the need to apply a special impact or dynamic load, or interrupt traffic on a bridge in regular service. This research developed an approach in which free vibration of a structure is extracted from the response of this structure to a random excitation in the time domain (acceleration versus time) by averaging out the random component of the response. The result is the free vibration that includes all modes based on the sampling rate on time. Then this free vibration is transferred to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT). Variations in frequency response are a function of structural stiffness and member end-conditions. Such variations are used as a measure to identify the change in the structural dynamic properties, and ultimately detect damage. A physical model consisting of a 20 × 20 × 1670 -mm long steel square tube was used to validate this approach. The beam was tested under difference supports conditions varying from a single- to three-span continuous configuration. Random excitation was applied to the beam, and the dynamic response was measured by an accelerometer placed at various locations on the span. A numerical model was constructed in ABAQUS and the dynamic response was obtained from the finite element model subjected to similar excitation as in the physical model. Numerical results were correlated against results from the physical model, and comparison was made between the different span/support configurations. A subsequent step would be to induce damage that simulates loss of stiffness or cracking condition of the beam cross section, and that would be reflected as a change in the frequency and other dynamic properties of the structure. The approach achieved good results for a structure with a limited number of degrees of freedom. Further research is needed for structures with a larger number of degrees of freedom and structures with damage in symmetrical locations relative to the accelerometer position

Psychological Skills Among Postgraduate Students

The current research aims to identify Psychological skills among postgraduate students, Statistically significant differences in psychological skills according to the variable (gender/males - females).Statistically significant differences in psychological skills according to the variable of specialization/scientific-humanities). To achieve the objectives of the research, the researcher built a measure of psychological skills. It may be in the final form of (30) items, and each item has four alternatives: It applies to me always - It applies to me sometimes - It applies to me rarely - It applies to me at all. To achieve the objectives of the research, the researcher prepared a scale (skills The psychological questionnaire, in its form, consists of (30) items, and each item has (5) alternatives, which are (always applies to me, often applies to me, sometimes applies to me, rarely applies to me, never applies to me). The researcher extracted the psychometric characteristics of discrimination and validity of its logical, phenomenological, and structural types. As for reliability, it was extracted using the test-retest method and Cronbach\u27s alpha coefficient. The researcher applied the tool to a randomly selected research sample consisting of (300) male and female postgraduate students, with (150) male and (150) female students from the colleges and departments of Tikrit University. The statistical methods used in the research are (Chi-square test, t-test for one sample, t-test for two independent samples, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Cronbach’s alpha equation). The results showed the following: Graduate students have a high level of psychological skills. There are no statistically significant differences on the psychological skills scale according to the variable (gender, specialization). In light of the research results, several recommendations and proposals were crystallized

Detection of Free Obstacle Region using Distance Transform and Image Subtraction Method for Monocular Camera Sensor

An area that is free of any barriers is known as a free region. Prior studies have demonstrated that when textureless impediments are used, the pixel volume expansion approach has limitations in identifying free spaces. To address the shortcoming, an approach that combines distance transform and image subtraction techniques is suggested. This algorithm incorporates three primary image processing processes: distance transform, image subtraction, and k-means segmentation. An object that is 170 cm and another that is 200 cm from the camera serve as the algorithm\u27s inputs. Following image processing, the output is separated into 12 sections, one of which is designated as a free region. Two distinct scenarios—a congested atmosphere and an uncluttered environment—were tested by the program. Four different types of obstacles are tested for each scenario. In this case, there are four types of obstacles: texture, textureless, textureless with one obstacle on the left, and textureless with one obstacle on the right. The outcome demonstrates that the technique can accurately identify free zones. Most importantly, it has a 100% success rate in detecting obstructions that lack texture. This demonstrates that the approach can get around the prior method\u27s drawback. Additionally, each obstacle\u27s success rate is compiled and shown in a table. Furthermore, a comparison is made between the proposed method and the pixel volume expansion method. Combining the image subtraction and distance transform method with the volume pixel expansion method yields the same success rate (100%) in texturing barriers for crowded situations

Impact of constraint therapy versus hand–arm bimanual intensive training on postural control during reaching and reaching quality: Randomized trial

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of Constraint induced movement therapy (CIMT) versus Hand–arm bimanual intensive training (HABIT) on postural control during reaching with the affected arm and reaching quality in sitting children with hemiplegia. Methods: Forty-Two children; twenty normal children and twenty –two with spastic hemiplegia were recruited for participation in the study, hemiplegic children were randomized to the CIMT or HABIT group. Two hemiplegic children were excluded. Their age ranged from four to eight years old. The primary outcome: postural control that was evaluated using Qualysis motion AB system. Secondary outcome: reaching quality that was assessed using Peabody developmental motor scales (version-2) before and after four weeks of interventions that were provided 6days/week for 3 hours/day. Results: The results of this study revealed that there was significant improvement (p < .05) in all measured dependent variables in the post-treatment condition compared with the pre-treatment in both study groups with preference for group (B). Conclusions: Both techniques have a positive influence on postural control and quality of reaching and it would be better to combine both of them in treatment programs