A molecular study of hemotropic mycoplasmas (hemoplasmas) in cats in Iran

BackgroundThree feline hemoplasma species are recognized: Mycoplasma haemofelis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', and Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis'. These species can cause anemia in cats and have a worldwide distribution. ObjectivesThere was no previous information on hemotropic mycoplasma spp in cats in Iran and the Middle East. Accordingly, we investigated the molecular presence, and clinical signs and hematological profile in cats infected with these microorganisms in Iranian cats. MethodsPolymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and cytology were performed on 100 blood samples collected from Iranian Shorthair cats. ACBC and case history were also collected for each sample. ResultsBy PCR, 22 (22%; 14-30%, 95% CI) samples were positive. The prevalence of M haemofelis, Ca M haemominutum', and Ca M turicensis' was 63.63% (14/22), 54.54% (12/22), and 18.18% (4/22), respectively. Some double and triple co-infections were also found. Using PCR as the reference method, cytology had poor sensitivity (27%) and reasonable specificity (89.74%). Male cats were at a higher risk of infection (P=.001). Cats older than 8years were more frequently infected than the younger cats (P=.0018). Lower HCT (P=.018), RBC count (P=.028) and HGB concentration (P=.003) were also associated with hemoplasma PCR-positive status. ConclusionsBased on this study, the most prevalent feline hemoplasma species in Iranian cats was M haemofelis, but double and triple co-infections are also documented. Age and sex, as well as reduced RBC parameters, were predisposing factors for hemoplasma infection

Acid hydrolysation of starch and formulation of starch microspheres

The aim of this diploma work is to investigate the acid hydrolyses of two types of starch, waxy barley and maize starch to be applied for further usage, in rheology studies and formulation of starch microspheres. Modified starch has always been essential in many areas, especially in tablets, where it could be used as a disintegrant. Starch has also been investigated for manufacturing microspheres. In difference from previous work in the pharmaceutical technology (Elfstrand,2006a) ‘’ from starch to starch microsphere’’, where starch microspheres were used for the encapsulation of protein drugs, starch is in this thesis was used to encapsulate yeast cells. According to this diploma work the two starches that are acid hydrolysed have shown different rheological behaviour. The parameters that are found to affect the rheology behaviours of the starches are temperatures during acid hydrolysis, time, and type of starch. Light microscopy shows that waxy barley starch exhibited a regular spherical structure whereas maize starch has spheres with irregular structure and it also shows that morphology of the starches are intact after acid hydrolysis. Waxy barley starch consisting almost of amylopectin, is easy to gelatinize and solubilized in aqueous medium with the method used for heating in this work (microwave Owen). Formulation of starch microspheres is investigated according to the methods described by Elfstrand.Light microscopy is used to discover if there are microspheres produced. Microspheres could be produced by acid hydrolysed waxy barley starch but not from the maize starch.Waxy barley starch is selected for further studies, where yeast cells are encapsulated.There are indications that yeast cells could be encapsulated or at least that the presence of yeast did not disrupt the formation of microspheres. In conclusion, and regarded to this diploma work waxy barley is the more suitable type of starch to be used since granules are easy to swell and solubilize and do form mPopulärvetenskaplig sammanfattning Syftet med examensarbetet är att undersöka två stärkelse-typer, waxy korn och majs stärkelse. Dessa behandlades med syra och de behandlade stärkelserna undersöktes vad avser deras reologiska egenskaper och sedan studerades om de kunde användas vid formulering av olika typer av stärkelsemikrosfärer. I denna studie skall stärkelse användas för att kapsla in jästceller. Tanken är att undersöka om mikroorganismer kan kapslas in i mikrosfärer. Om så är fallet skulle detta kunna användas för att leverera nyttiga bakterier till tarmen. Detta är baserat på det arbete som (Elfstrand ,2006a) gjorde i sin avhandling ’’From starch to starch Microspheres’’, där hon använder stärkelse för att kapsla in protein i läkemedlet. Det nya är att jag använder andra stärkelse sorter och studerar inkapsling av jäst. För femtio år sedan användes stärkelse huvudsakligen inom hushållet. Idag produceras knappt 19 miljoner ton stärkelse om året. Stärkelse är en förnyelsebar råvara och utvinns ur stort antal växter runt omkring i världen. Den kan hittas i cerealier – exempel majs, vete, korn och ris – och i rotfrukter som potatis och tapioka (rötter från kassava). Stärkelse är en viktig ingrediens i vår mat.45 % av energibehovet som människan får, är av kolhydrater i maten. Nära 90 % av dessa kolhydrater utgörs av stärkelse. Stärkelse används i många områden, särskilt inom medicin, där det kan användas som sprängmedel i tabletter, d.v.s. att när tabletten kommer i kontakt med det vätska t.ex. magsaft så underlättar det att tabletten löses upp och den aktiva substansen i läkemedlet(tabletten) frigörs. Stärkelse är inte bara användbar inom läkemedelsbranschen. Det används i huvudsak inom livsmedelsbranschen. Stärkelsen har i huvudsak fyra funktioner som ingrediens i livsmedel. Stärkelsen ger konsistens i maten och ersätter fett. Den används som bindande medel, och binder till sig vatten. Modifierad stärkelsen fungerar även som emulgator. Ett stort område för majsstärkelse är att det bryts ner till stärkelsesirap, ett sötningsmedel som används i godis, glass och saft. Andra användningsområde är inom pappersindustrin, som ytlim. Potatisstärkelse kan användas för att öka styrkan i pappret. I kosmetika är även användning av stärkelse väsentlig. Risstärkelse används i kosmetika. Andra användningsområden kan vara inom glasfiberväv, gipsputsmassor och betong. Det finns företag som utvecklar nya metoder och använder stärkelse som huvudkälla. Från Lyckeby stärkelse, har det utvecklats annan stärkelse som används som energikälla i sportdrycken Vitargo. Fördelen med denna sorts stärkelse, är att idrottsmännen får tillräckligt med energi som bevaras i kroppen, lätt och snabbt. Vidare används stärkelse för att producera etanol och även nedbrytbara material som ersätter plast. Modifierad stärkelse erhåller betydelsefulla egenskaper som gör att den blir användbar inom ett visst område. Studie av (Bylund, 2011) har visat att modifikation av stärkelse förändrar stärkelses gelatinisationstemperatur och viskositet. Detta leder till att resistensen av stärkelse ökas gentemot skjuvning, lågt pH, hög temperatur och retrogradering. Detta examensarbete har visat att när två typer av stärkelse behandlas med syra hydrolys, olika kvaliteter i reologi tester erhålls. Kvaliteten påverkas av vilken typ av stärkelse som används. Vidare faktorer som kan påverka viskositeten är temperaturer under syrahydrolysen, tid, och reaktionshastigheter. Ljusmikroskopen har visat att waxy korn stärkelse erhåller runda regelbundna sfärer jämfört med majs stärkelse som är oregelbundna. Syra behandlingen ändrar inte utseendet på stärkelse vilket visar att den är ganska mild. Kornstärkelsen är lätt att arbeta med och dess viskositet minskar i huvudsak med tiden som den behandlas med syra. Kornstärkelse innehåller nästan bara amylopektin och är därför lätt nedbruten i mag-tarmkanalen. Waxy kornstärkelse kan vara bra alternativ att användas inom formulering av tabletter. Formulering av stärkelsemikrosfärer erhåller olika egenskaper beroende på stärkelsetyper, polymeren som används för emulgering, buffert och inkubationstiden med enskild temperatur, kalla rumstemperatur och 40 °C. Ljusmikroskopi används för att upptäcka om mikrosfärer bildas av båda typerna av stärkelse. Endast korn stärkelsen visade sig kunna ge bra mikrosfärer. Kornstärkelse valdes därför ut för vidare studier för att kapsla in jästceller. Waxy korn påvisar egenskaper som inte majs stärkelse har. Det var lätt och upptäcka släta runda mikrosfärer i mikroskopin

Interpreting climatic change during the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene in Oklahoma based on the stable isotope and amino acid composition of fossil bison bones

M.S.University of Oklahoma 2014Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-66).The stable isotope values from both the orgamc (collagen, δ13C, δ15N) and inorganic (hydroxyapatite, δ13C, δ18O) components within fossil bison bones and teeth were used to determine climatic shifts in Oklahoma during the Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene, especially across a period known as the Younger Dryas (12,800 to 11,500 cal B.P.). Globally, the Younger Dryas is a period of cooler, drier climatic conditions. Fossil bison samples were collected from ten different kill sites within Oklahoma and Texas, ranging in age from 13,350 to 1,700 cal B.P. Modern bison samples were collected from a wildlife preserve in Oklahoma for comparison purposes. Because collagen degrades over time, collagen preservation was assessed by comparing the relative amino acid distributions within fossil samples to a modern collagen sample. The amino acid hydroxyproline is unique to collagen, so its presence in fossil collagen is a strong indicator of preservation. Based on the carbon isotope values, the bison diet consisted of primarily C3 grasses during the Younger Dryas, indicating a cooler climate in Oklahoma at this time. Depleted nitrogen values indicate a humid environment within Oklahoma during the Younger Dryas. Depleted oxygen values also confirm a cooler, wetter environment during this period

European Working Time Directive and doctors' health: a systematic review of the available epidemiological evidence

Objective: To summarise the available scientific evidence on the health effects of exposure to working beyond the limit number of hours established by the European Working Time Directive (EWTD) on physicians. Design: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and EMBASE. Study selection, quality appraisal and data extraction were carried out by independent pairs of researchers using pre-established criteria. Setting: Physicians of any medical, surgical or community specialty, working in any possible setting (hospitals, primary healthcare, etc), as well as trainees, residents, junior house officers or postgraduate interns, were included. Participants: The total number of participants was 14 338. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Health effects classified under the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Results: Over 3000 citations and 110 full articles were reviewed. From these, 11 studies of high or intermediate quality carried out in North America, Europe and Japan met the inclusion criteria. Six studies included medical residents, junior doctors or house officers and the five others included medical specialists or consultants, medical, dental, and general practitioners and hospital physicians. Evidence of an association was found between percutaneous injuries and road traffic accidents with extended long working hours (LWH)/days or very LWH/weeks. The evidence was insufficient for mood disorders and general health. No studies on other health outcomes were identified. Conclusions: LWH could increase the risk of percutaneous injuries and road traffic accidents, and possibly other incidents at work through the same pathway. While associations are clear, the existing evidence does not allow for an established causal or ‘dose–response’ relationship between LWH and incidents at work, or for a threshold number of extended hours above which there is a significantly higher risk and the hours physicians could work and remain safe and healthy. Policymakers should consider safety issues when working on relaxing EWTD for doctors

Social Psychological Mechanisms of Acquiring Sociocultural Experience: The Hermeneutic Aspect

The article addresses the issue of the individual’s socialization, the usage of interpretative mechanisms in order to gain sociocultural experience. The process of interiorization of cultural experience is analyzed from the perspective of the hermeneutic paradigm. The interpretative mechanisms (semiotization, narrativization) make it possible to explain the formation of the individual’s model of the world, which is, on the one hand, a representation of culture and, on the other, a reflection of the individual’s subjective experience. Reproductive interpretation is acquiring sociocultural experience that does not involve contemplation. Productive interpretation involves contemplating experience, assigning new meanings to it, which ensures the individual’s development and facilitates the process of gaining new experience

SINTESIS, KARAKTERISASI DAN UJI KINERJA MIXED MATRIX MEMBRANES PVDF/MIL-101(Cr)/GO UNTUK PEMISAHAN GAS CO2

Kadar CO2 pada atmosfer meningkat dalam beberapa tahun terakhir dan mengakibatkan kenaikan suhu permukaan bumi. Peningkatan emisi CO2 dalam jumlah besar dapat menjadi ancaman bagi keberlangsungan mahkluk hidup di bumi, seperti perubahan iklim, pelelehan es di kutub, dan bencana alam. Teknologi membran pemisahan gas dapat menjadi solusi dan inovasi terbarukan untuk mengurangi emisi CO2 yang efektif karena luas permukaan yang tinggi, desain yang ringkas, kemudahan fabrikasi dan perawatan, dan efektivitas biaya. Teknologi membran pemisahan gas dapat menjadi solusi dan inovasi terbarukan untuk mengurangi emisi CO2. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kondisi optimum sintesis, karakteristik dan kinerja membran matriks campuran berbasis PVDF/MIL-101(Cr)/Graphene Oksida. Sintesis membran dilakukan melalui metode casting pada pelat kaca dan inversi fasa Non-Solvent Induced Phase Separation (NIPs) dengan komposisi optimum PVDF 15% : MIL-101(Cr) 0,2% : GO 0,1%. Hasil sintesis kemudian dikarakterisasi melalui FTIR, SEM-EDX, uji hidrofilisitas, uji porositas, tensile strength, point of zero charge (PZC) dan pengukuran ketebalan membran. Uji kinerja dilakukan dengan mengukur permeabilitas CO2 serta selektivitasnya terhadap CO2/N2 dan CO2/CH4. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa MMMs memiliki ketebalan 0,075 mm dengan penampakkan fisik membran berwarna putih menjadi abu-abu seiring dengan penambahan konsentrasi GO. Keberhasilan penyisipan MIL-101(Cr) dan GO pada matriks PVDF ditunjukkan dengan pergeseran pada puncak serapan dan munculnya interaksi khas pada spektra FTIR untuk vibrasi Cr-O, C=O dan O-H. Selain itu, penambahan filler MIL-101(Cr)/GO juga meningkatkan hidrofilisitas (penurunan nilai sudut kontak dari 88o hingga 83o), persen porositas (37% hingga 51%), tensile strength (7,0 MPa menjadi 8,6 MPa), point of zero charge (pH 7,78 menjadi pH 8,16) dan ukuran pori rata-rata cross-section (1,447 μm menjadi 2,118 μm) serta surface-area (0,105 μm menjadi 0,217 μm). Uji kinerja menunjukkan bahwa permeabilitas CO2 dan selektivitas MMMs terhadap CO2/CH4, dan CO2/N2 adalah 892,8 GPU (umpan single gas); 1,33; dan 1,77, secara berturut-turut. Lebih lanjut, permeabilitas dan selektivitas MMMs terhadap CO2 dan CO2/CH4 adalah 745 GPU (umpan mixture gases) dan 1,05. CO2 levels in the atmosphere have increased in recent years and resulted in an increase in the Earth's surface temperature. Large increases in CO2 emissions can pose a threat to the survival of living things on earth, such as climate change, polar ice melting, and natural disasters. Gas separation membrane technology can be a renewable solution and innovation to reduce CO2 emissions effectively due to its high surface area, compact design, ease of fabrication and maintenance, and cost-effectiveness. Gas separation membrane technology can be a renewable solution and innovation to reduce CO2 emissions. This study aims to determine the optimum conditions of synthesis, characteristics and performance of PVDF/MIL-101(Cr)/Graphene Oxide-based mixed matrix membranes. Membrane synthesis was carried out through casting method on glass plate and Non-Solvent Induced Phase Separation (NIPs) phase inversion with optimum composition of PVDF 15%: MIL-101(Cr) 0.2%: Graphene Oxide 0.1%. The synthesis results were then characterized through FTIR, SEM-EDX, hydrophilicity test, porosity test, tensile strength, point of zero charge (PZC) and membrane thickness measurement. Performance tests were conducted by measuring CO2 permeability and selectivity to CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4. The results showed that MMMs had a thickness of 0.075 mm with the physical appearance of the membrane being white to gray along with the addition of GO concentration. The successful insertion of MIL-101(Cr) and GO in the PVDF matrix is indicated by the shift in absorption peaks and the appearance of typical interactions in the FTIR spectra for Cr-O, C=O and O-H vibrations. In addition, the addition of MIL-101(Cr)/GO filler also increased the hydrophilicity (decreased contact angle value from 88o to 83o), porosity percent (37% to 51%), tensile strength (7.0 MPa to 8.6 MPa), point of zero charge (pH 7.78 to 8.16) and average pore size cross-section (1.447 μm to 2.118 μm) and surface-area (0.105 μm to 0.217 μm). Performance tests showed that the CO2 permeability and selectivity of MMMs to CO2/CH4, and CO2/N2 were 892.8 GPU (single gas feed); 1.33; and 1.77, respectively. Furthermore, the permeability and selectivity of MMMs to CO2 and CO2/CH4 are 745 GPU (mixed gases feed) and 1.05, respectively

Мотивація досягнення працівників ІТ-сфери: діагностичні виміри, показники дослідження

The article considers an important problem of motivation to succeed in the field of IT workers. The purpose of the article is to determine the parameters, diagnostic measurements, indicators of achievement motivation of IT workers. Motivation to achieve is the disposition of the individual, which determines a person’s behavior depending on the focus on success or focus on avoiding failure. The main parameter for determining the motivation to achieve is the level of significance of the task, the task that a person solves and the level of expectation of a positive result from the task. Therefore, the prognostic criterion for motivating the achievement of IT workers was hypothetically determined job satisfaction. Research methods: F. Herzberg’s method (adapted) to determine the level of job satisfaction and T. Ehlers’ method of motivating achievement (method of motivating success, method of motivating to avoid failure), methods of statistical analysis (correlations of Pearson, Spearman). Рositive correlations are defined between high, moderate, medium level of motivation to succeed and job satisfaction (hygienic and motivational factors). Positive correlations were found between moderate, average level of motivation to succeed and satisfaction with motivational factors, but not satisfaction with hygienic factors, between groups of subjects with moderate, average level of motivation to succeed and satisfaction with hygienic factors, but not satisfaction with  motivation. Conclusions: the motivation to succeed is dominant over the motivation to avoid failure; employees with high, moderate and medium levels of motivation to succeed are dominated by high rates of job satisfaction; job satisfaction is a prognostic indicator of motivation for success of IT workers.У статті розглядається важлива проблема мотивації досягнення успіху у працівників ІТ-сфери. Мета статті – визначити параметри, діагностичні виміри, показники мотивації досягнення у працівників ІТ-сфери. Мотивація досягнення це диспозиція особистості, яка детермінує поведінку людину в залежності від домінуючої тенденції – орієнтації на успіх чи орієнтації на уникнення невдачі. Основним параметром визначення мотивації досягнення є рівень значущості (цінності) завдання, задачі, яку вирішує людина та рівень очікування позитивного результату від виконання завдання, що й активізує енергетичні затрати (наполегливість, ретельність) для досягнення успіху. Тому прогностичним критерієм мотивації досягнення працівників ІТ-сфери гіпотетично визначалося задоволення від отриманого результату, задоволеність роботою. Методи дослідження: методика Герцберга (адаптована) для визначення рівня задоволеності роботою та методики мотивації досягнення Т. Елерса (методика мотивації досягнення успіху, методика мотивації уникнення невдач), методи статистичного аналізу (кореляціний Пірсона, Спірмена). Визначено позитивні кореляційні зв’язки між високим, помірним, середнім рівнем мотивації досягнення успіху та задоволеністю роботою (гігієнічні і мотиваційні фактори); встановлено позитивні кореляційні зв’язки між помірним, середнім рівнем мотивації досягнення успіху та задоволеністю мотиваційними факторами, але не задоволеністю гігієнічними факторами, між групами досліджуваних із помірниим, середнім рівнем мотивації досягнення успіху та задоволеністю гігієнічними факторами, але не задоволеністю мотиваційними факторами. Висновки: мотивація досягнення успіху переважає мотивацію уникнення невдач; у працівників із високим, помірним та середнім рівнем мотивації досягнення успіху переважають високі показники задоволеності роботою; задоволеність роботою є прогностичним показником мотивації досягнення успіху працівників ІТ-сфери

Respon Pemberian Cangkang Telur Ayam dan POC Mucuna bracteata Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Tanaman Tomat (Solanum lycopersicum L.) di Tanah Inceptisol

Kebutuhan tomat yang meningkat tidak sejalan dengan produktivitas yang menurun karena penerapan teknik budidaya yang kurang tepat. Usaha yang dilakukan untuk meningkatkan produktivitas lahan pertanian dengan melakukan pemupukan menggunakan POC Mucuna bracteata dan serbuk cangkang telur. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji pengaruh serta interaksi antara pengguanaan serbuk cangkang telur ayam dan POC Mucuna bracteata terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman tomat. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Desa Pulo Rungkom, Kecamatan Dewantara, Kabupaten Aceh Utara dan Laboratorium Agroekoteknologi, Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Malikussaleh. Rancangan yang digunakan adalah Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) 2 faktor. Faktor pertama yaitu cangkang telur ayam yang terdiri dari 3 taraf yaitu: 0 g/tanaman (C0), 60 g/tanaman (C1), 80 g/tanaman (C2). Faktor kedua yaitu POC Mucuna bracteata yang terdiri dari 3 taraf yaitu: 0 ml/l (P0), 125 ml/l (P1), 150 ml/l (P2). Pemberian cangkang telur ayam 80 g/tanaman dan POC Mucuna bracteata 150 ml/liter memberikan pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman tomat yang terbaik, serta terdapat interaksi antar pemberian cangkang telur ayam dan POC Mucuna bracteata pada peubah berat buah per plot

Study on transferred impulse and response of steel plate walls under various impulsive loading considering mesh size effects

The behavior of steel plate walls (SPWs) under various impulsive loadings and the effects of different mesh sizes are investigated in this paper. With the aim of accurately inspecting SPWs, a series of analyses with 250 models with different plate geometric assumptions and different blast impulsive loadings are performed to study the SPWs’ out-of-plane behavior. The mild steel material specifications are adopted for SPWs with different thickness and stiffener arrangement and ABAQUS software is utilized for the Finite Element analysis. Results of transferred impulse, maximum displacement and Von   Mises stress of SPWs show that SPWs with thickness of 5 mm are the best choice against various impulsive loadings in comparison with SPWs with thickness of 20 mm. In fact, the SPWs having the thickness of 5 mm show better performance as a result of more energy dissipation against various impulsive loadings. Finally, the Von Mises stress contours investigated for some models show 28% more stress in P5 SPW than that in P20 SPW. Also, it can be concluded that various sizes of mesh have no remarkable effect on unstiffened SPW while effect of different mesh sizes is more significant with increasing the number of stiffeners

Гендерні моделі в уявленнях молоді

У статті висвітлено роль гендерних схем, які створюються і транслюються в суспільстві, у формуванні гендерних уявлень молоді. Гендерна схема розглядається як схематизована модель, яка включає систему уявлень про риси маскулінності / фемінінності, гендерні ролі, поведінку, зафіксовані у фонових очікуваннях суспільства, підтримуються психологічними потребами людини поводити себе в соціально схваленій манері, відчувати свою цілісність і несуперечливість. Обґрунтовано застосування асоціативного експерименту для виявлення стереотипів-концептів гендерного досвіду молодих людей. Визначено ключові стереотипи гендерного досвіду молодих людей на основі яких відбувається сприйняття, оцінка себе та інших. (The article deals with the influence of gender patterns created and transmitted in a society on forming the young people’s gender perceptions. The gender scheme is regarded as a schematyzed model that includes a system of ideas of masculinity / femininity traits, gender roles, behavior, recorded in the background expectations of society, supported by psychological needs of a human to behave in a socially approved manner, to feel his integrity and consistency. The use of associative experiment for identifying stereotype concepts of young people’s gender experience has been proved. The author determines the key stereotypes of young people’s gender experience, which are the basis for perception, self-assessment, assessment of other people.