Abstract: Iron is an essential nutrient with limited
bioavailability. Nutritional anemia caused mainly by iron deficiency
is the most recognized nutritional problem in both countries as well
as affluent societies. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) has become the most
important cereal crop for the improvement of human health due to the
starch, protein, oil, and the majority of micronutrients, particularly in
Asian countries. In this study, the iron availability and profile lipid
were evaluated for the extracts from Cibeusi varieties (black rices) of
ancient rice brans.
Results: The quality of K, B, R, E diets groups shows the same
effect on the growth of rats. Hematocrit and MCHC levels of rats fed
K, B, R and E diets were not significantly (P
Abstract: The rhizome of Java grass, Cyperus rotundus was
extracted different organic polar and non-polar solvents and
performed the in vitro antiviral and immunostimulant activities
against White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) and Vibrio harveyi
respectively. Based on the initial screening the ethyl acetate extract of
C. rotundus was strong activities and further it was purified through
silica column chromatography and the fractions were screened again
for antiviral and immunostimulant activity. Among the different
fractions screened against the WSSV and V. harveyi, the fractions, FIII
to FV had strong activities. In order to study the in vivo influence
of C. rotundus, the fractions (F-III to FV) were pooled and delivered
to the F. indicus through artificial feed for 30 days. After the feeding
trail the experimental and control diet fed F. indicus were challenged
with virulent WSSV and studied the survival, molecular diagnosis,
biochemical, haematological, and immunological parameters.
Surprisingly, the pooled fractions (F-IV to FVI) incorporated diets
helped to significantly (P
Abstract: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the
laser and partial vibration stimulation on the mice tibia with
morphological characteristics. Twenty female C57BL/6 mice (12
weeks old) were used for the experiment. The study was carried out on
four groups of animals each consisting of five mice. Four groups of
mice were ovariectomized. Animals were scanned at 0 and 2 weeks
after ovariectomy by using micro computed tomography to estimate
morphological characteristics of tibial trabecular bone. Morphological
analysis showed that structural parameters of multi-stimuli group
appear significantly better phase in BV/TV, BS/BV, Tb.Th, Tb.N,
Tb.Sp, and Tb.pf than single stimulation groups. However, single
stimulation groups didn’t show significant effect on tibia with Sham
group. This study suggests that multi-stimuli may restrain the change
as the degenerate phase on osteoporosis in the mice tibia.
Abstract: Ocimum americanum L (Lamiaceae) is an annual herb
that is native to tropical Africa. The in vitro and in vivo antioxidant
activity of its aqueous extract was carefully investigated by assessing
the DPPH radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical scavenging
activity and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity. The
reducing power, total phenol, total flavonoids and flavonols content
of the extract were also evaluated. The data obtained revealed that the
extract is rich in polyphenolic compounds and scavenged the radicals
in a concentration dependent manner. This was done in comparison
with the standard antioxidants such as BHT and Vitamin C. Also, the
induction of oxidative damage with paracetamol (2000 mg/kg)
resulted in the elevation of lipid peroxides and significant (P < 0.05)
decrease in activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione
peroxidase, glutathione reductase and catalase in the liver and kidney
of rats. However, the pretreatment of rats with aqueous extract of O.
americanum leaves (200 and 400 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg)
caused a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the values of lipid
peroxides and restored the levels of antioxidant parameters in these
organs. These findings suggest that the leaves of O. americanum have
potent antioxidant properties which may be responsible for its
acclaimed folkloric uses.
Abstract: Advanced head and neck cancers are aggressive
tumours, which require aggressive treatment. Treatment efficiency is
often hindered by cancer cell repopulation during radiotherapy,
which is due to various mechanisms triggered by the loss of tumour
cells and involves both stem and differentiated cells. The aim of the
current paper is to present in silico simulations of radiotherapy
schedules on a virtual head and neck tumour grown with biologically
realistic kinetic parameters. Using the linear quadratic formalism of
cell survival after radiotherapy, altered fractionation schedules
employing various treatment breaks for normal tissue recovery are
simulated and repopulation mechanism implemented in order to
evaluate the impact of various cancer cell contribution on tumour
behaviour during irradiation. The model has shown that the timing of
treatment breaks is an important factor influencing tumour control in
rapidly proliferating tissues such as squamous cell carcinomas of the
head and neck. Furthermore, not only stem cells but also
differentiated cells, via the mechanism of abortive division, can
contribute to malignant cell repopulation during treatment.
Abstract: Conventional educational practices, do not offer all
the required skills for teachers to successfully survive in today’s
workplace. Due to poor professional training, a big gap exists across
the curriculum plan and the teacher practices in the classroom. As
such, raising the quality of teaching through ICT-enabled training and
professional development of teachers should be an urgent priority.
‘Mobile Learning’, in that vein, is an increasingly growing field of
educational research and practice across schools and work places. In
this paper, we propose a novel Mobile learning system that allows the
users to learn through an intelligent mobile learning in cooperatively
every-time and every-where. The system will reduce the training cost
and increase consistency, efficiency, and data reliability. To establish
that our system will display neither functional nor performance
failure, the evaluation strategy is based on formal observation of
users interacting with system followed by questionnaires and
structured interviews.
Abstract: This study examines several critical dimensions of eservice
quality overlooked in the existing literature and proposes a
model and instrument framework for measuring customer perceived
e-service quality in the banking sector. The initial design was derived
from a pool of instrument dimensions and their items from the
existing literature review by content analysis. Based on focused
group discussion, nine dimensions were extracted. An exploratory
factor analysis approach was applied to data from a survey of 323
respondents. The instrument has been designed specifically for the
banking sector. Research data was collected from bank customers
who use electronic banking in a developing economy. A nine-factor
instrument has been proposed to measure the e-service quality. The
instrument has been checked for reliability. The validity and sample
place limited the applicability of the instrument across economies and
service categories. Future research must be conducted to check the
validity. This instrument can help bankers in developing economies
like India to measure the e-service quality and make improvements.
The present study offers a systematic procedure that provides insights
on to the conceptual and empirical comprehension of customer
perceived e-service quality and its constituents.
Abstract: Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are one of the major
treatment modalities that play important role in the management of a
number of different cancers. This study for the first time evaluates the
toxicity of these treatment modalities and its impact on quality of life
of cancer patients in Pakistan. The study also for the first time
determines what cancer patients of different ages and cancer stages
believe would be an effective intervention to manage their
psychosocial needs and treatment induced toxicity. The article also
provides evidence based approach for the use of variety of
interventions to mange cancer treatment induced morbidity and
toxicity. In light of the present study and reviewed research data,
evidence based recommendations are also made for selection of
appropriate interventions to manage Pain, Nausea and Vomiting,
Anxiety and Depression, Fatigue and Overall QOL of cancer
survivors.
Abstract: Risperidone (RISP) is an antipsychotic agent and has
low water solubility and nontargeted delivery results in numerous
side effects. Hence, an attempt was made to develop SLNs hydrogel
for intranasal delivery of RISP to achieve maximum bioavailability
and reduction of side effects. RISP loaded SLNs composed of 1.65%
(w/v) lipid mass were produced by high shear homogenization (HSH)
coupled ultrasound (US) method using glycerylmonostearate (GMS)
or Imwitor 900K (solid lipid). The particles were loaded with 0.2%
(w/v) of the RISP & surface-tailored with a 2.02% (w/v) non-ionic
surfactant Tween® 80. Optimization was done using 32 factorial
design using Design Expert® software. The prepared SLNs
dispersion incorporated into Polycarbophil AA1 hydrogel (0.5%
w/v). The final gel formulation was evaluated for entrapment
efficiency, particle size, rheological properties, X ray diffraction, in
vitro diffusion, ex vivo permeation using sheep nasal mucosa and
histopathological studies for nasocilliary toxicity. The entrapment
efficiency of optimized SLNs was found to be 76 ± 2%,
polydispersity index
Abstract: Welfare may be considered to be a subjective
experience; it has a biological function that is related to the fitness
and survival of the animal accordingly, researches have suggested
that welfare is compromised when the animal's evolutionary fitness is
reduced. This study was carried out to explain the effect of some
managerial stressors as handling and restraint on behavioral patterns
and biochemical parameters of rats. A total of 24 (12 males & 12
females) Sprague-Dawley rats (12 months & 150-180g) were allotted
into 3 groups, handled group (4 male & 4 female), restrained group (4
male & 4 female) and control group (4 males & 4 females).
The obtained results revealed that time spent feeding, drinking,
movement and cage exploration frequencies increased significantly in
handled rats than other groups, while lying time and licking increased
significantly in restrained rats than handled and controls. Moreover,
social behavior decreased in both stressed groups than control.
Triglycerides were significantly increased in handled rats than
other groups, while total lipid, total protein and globulin significantly
increased in both treated groups than control. Corticosterone
increased in restrained and handled rats than control ones. Moreover,
there was an increment in packed cell volume significantly in
restrained rats than others. These deducted that if we want to study
the effect of stress on animal welfare it is necessary to study the
effect of such stressors on animal’s behavior and physiological
responses.
Abstract: Medulloblastoma (MB) is one of the most prevalent
brain tumours among paediatrics. Although its management has
evolved over time still there is need to find new therapeutic targets
for MB that can result in less normal tissue toxicity while improving
survival and reducing recurrence. This literature review is aimed at
finding new potential therapeutic targets for MB focusing on viruses
that can be used as potential targets for MB. The review also gives an
over-view of management of paediatric Medulloblastoma focusing on
Radiotherapy management.
Abstract: The main purpose of this work was verify the
influence of the accelerated carbonation in the physical and
mechanical properties of the hybrid composites, reinforced with
micro and nanofibers and composites with microfibers. The
composites were produced by the slurry vacuum dewatering method,
followed by pressing. It was produced using two formulations: 8% of
eucalyptus pulp + 1% of the nanofibrillated cellulose and 9% of
eucalyptus pulp, both were subjected to accelerated carbonation. The
results showed that the accelerated carbonation contributed to
improve the physical and mechanical properties of the hybrid
composites and of the composites reinforced with microfibers
(eucalyptus pulp).
Abstract: E-service quality plays a significant role to achieve
success or failure in any organization, offering services online. It will
increase the competition among the organizations, to attract the
customers on the basis of the quality of service provided by the
organization. Better e-service quality will enhance the relationship
with customers and their satisfaction. So the measurement of eservice
quality is very important but it is a complex process due to
the complex nature of services. Literature predicts that there is a lack
of universal definition of e-service quality. The e-service quality
measures in banking have great importance in achieving high
customer base. This paper proposes a conceptual model for
measuring e-service quality in Indian Banking Industry. Nine
dimensions reliability, ease of use, personalization, security and trust,
website aesthetic, responsiveness, contact and fulfillment had been
identified. The results of this paper may help to develop a proper
scale to measure the e-service quality in Indian Banking Industry,
which may assist to maintain and improve the performance and
effectiveness of e-service quality to retain customers.
Abstract: This paper illustrates the effect of nano Magnesium
Hydroxide (MH) loading on the thermal properties of Low Density
Polyethylene (LDPE)/Poly (ethylene-co vinyl acetate) (EVA) nano
composite. Thermal studies were conducted, as it understanding is
vital for preliminary development of new polymeric systems.
Thermal analysis of nanocomposite was conducted using thermo
gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential scanning calorimetry
(DSC). Major finding of TGA indicated two main stages of
degradation process found at (350 ± 25oC) and (480 ± 25oC)
respectively. Nano metal filler expressed better fire resistance as it
stand over high degree of temperature. Furthermore, DSC analysis
provided a stable glass temperature around 51 (±1oC) and captured
double melting point at 84 (±2oC) and 108 (±2oC). This binary
melting point reflects the modification of nano filler to the polymer
matrix forming melting crystals of folded and extended chain. The
percent crystallinity of the samples grew vividly with increasing filler
content. Overall, increasing the filler loading improved the
degradation temperature and weight loss evidently and a better
process and phase stability was captured in DSC.
Abstract: The use of mobile phones is growing tremendously all
over the world. In Tanzania there are a number of operators licensed
by Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA) aiming
at attracting customers into their networks. So far
telecommunications market competition has been very stiff. Various
measures are being taken by mobile operators to survive in the
market. Such measure include introducing of different air time
bundles on daily, weekly and monthly at lower tariffs. Other
measures include the introduction of normal tariff, tourist package
and one network. Despite of all these strategies, there is a dynamic
competition in the market which needs to be explored. Some
influences which attract customers to choose a certain mobile
operator are of particular interest. This paper is investigating if the
network effects and Quality of Services (QoS) influence mobile
customers in selection of their mobile network operators. Seventy
seven students from high learning institutions in Dodoma
Municipality in Tanzania participated in responding to prepared
questionnaires. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for
Social Science (SPSS) Software. The results indicate that, network
coverage does influence customers in selection of mobile operators.
In addition, this paper proposes further research in some areas
especially where the study came up with different findings from what
the theory has in place.
Abstract: The efficiency of wood vinegar mixed with each
individual of three plants extract such as: citronella grass
(Cymbopogon nardus), neem seed (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), and
yam bean seed (Pachyrhizus erosus Urb.) were tested against the
second instar larvae of housefly (Musca domestica L.). Steam
distillation was used for extraction of the citronella grass while neem
and yam bean were simple extracted by fermentation with ethyl
alcohol. Toxicity test was evaluated in laboratory based on two
methods of larvicidal bioassay: topical application method (contact
poison) and feeding method (stomach poison). Larval mortality was
observed daily and larval survivability was recorded until the
survived larvae developed to pupae and adults. The study resulted
that treatment of wood vinegar mixed with citronella grass showed
the highest larval mortality by topical application method (50.0%)
and by feeding method (80.0%). However, treatment of mixed wood
vinegar and neem seed showed the longest pupal duration to 25 day
and 32 days for topical application method and feeding method
respectively. Additional, larval duration on treated M. domestica
larvae was extended to 13 days for topical application method and 11
days for feeding method. Thus, the feeding method gave higher
efficiency compared with the topical application method.
Abstract: This paper presents reliability indices evaluation of the
rotor core magnetization of the induction motor operated as a self
excited induction generator by using probability distribution approach
and Monte Carlo simulation. Parallel capacitors with calculated
minimum capacitive value across the terminals of the induction motor
operated as a SEIG with unregulated shaft speed have been connected
during the experimental study. A three phase, 4 poles, 50Hz, 5.5 hp,
12.3A, 230V induction motor coupled with DC Shunt Motor was
tested in the electrical machine laboratory with variable reactive loads.
Based on this experimental study, it is possible to choose a reliable
induction machines operated as a SEIG for unregulated renewable
energy application in remote area or where grid is not available.
Failure density function, cumulative failure distribution function,
survivor function, hazard model, probability of success and
probability of failure for reliability evaluation of the three phase
induction motor operating as a SEIG have been presented graphically
in this paper.
Abstract: The aim of present study was to monitor the presence
of Trichodina sp. in Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss collected
from various fish farms in the western provinces of Iran during
January, 2013- January, 2014. Out of 675 sampled fish 335, (49.16%)
were infested with Trichodina. The highest prevalence was observed
in the spring and winter followed by autumn and summer. In general,
the intensity of infection was low except in cases where outbreaks of
Trichodiniasis endangered the survival of fish in some ponds. In light
infestation Trichodina is usually present on gills, fins and skin of
apparently healthy fish. Clinical signs of Trichodiniasis only appear
on fish with heavy infections and cases of moderate ones that are
usually exposed to one or more stress factors including, rough
handling during transportation from ponds, overcrowdness,
malnutrition, high of free ammonia and low of oxygen concentration.
Clinical signs of Trichodiniasis in sampled fish were sluggish
movement, loss of appetite, black coloration, necrosis and ulcer on
different parts of the body, detached scales and excessive
accumulation of mucous in gill pouches. The most obvious
histopathological changes in diseased fish were sloughing of the
epidermal layer, aggregation of leucocytes and melanine-carrying
cells (between the dermis and hypodermis) and proliferative changes
including hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the epithelial lining cells of
gill filaments which resulted in fusion of secondary lamellae. Control
of Trichodiniasis, has been achieved by formalin bath treatment at a
concentration of 250 ppm for one hour.
Abstract: This research aims to investigate callus induction,
somatic embryogenesis and indirect plant regeneration of Crassula
ovata (Mill.) Druce – the famous ornamental plant. Experiment no.1:
Callus induction was obtained from leaf and stem explants on
Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with various plant
growth regulators (PGRs). Effects of different PGRs, plant
regeneration and subsequent plantlet conversion were also assessed.
Indirect plant regeneration was achieved from the callus of stem
explants by the addition of 1.5 mg/L Kinetin (KN) alone. Best shoot
induction was achieved (6.5 shoots/per explant) after 60 days. For
successful rooting, regenerated plantlets were sub-cultured on the
same MS media supplemented with 1.5 mg/L KN alone. The rooted
plantlets were acclimatized and the survival rate was 90%.
Experiment no.2: Results revealed that 0.5 mg/L 2,4-D alone and in
combination with 1.0 mg/L 6-Benzyladenine (BA) gave 89.8% callus
from the stem explants as compared to leaf explants. Callus
proliferation and somatic embryo formation were also evaluated by
‘Double Staining Method’ and different stages of somatic
embryogenesis were revealed by scanning electron microscope. Full
Strength MS medium produced the highest number (49.6%) of
cotyledonary stage somatic embryos (SEs). Mature cotyledonary
stage SEs developed into plantlets after 12 weeks of culture. Wellrooted
plantlets were successfully acclimatized at the survival rate of
85%. Indirectly regenerated plants did not show any detectable
variation in morphological and growth characteristics when
compared with the donor plant.
Abstract: The objective of the study was to select the survival of
probiotic strains when exposed to acidic and bile salts condition. Four
probiotic strains Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus TISTR 047,
Lactobacillus casei TISTR 1500, Lactobacillus acidophilus TISTR
1338 and Lactobacillus plantarum TISTR 1465 were cultured in
MRS broth and incubated at 35ºC for 15 hours before being inoculated
into acidic condition 5 M HCl, pH 2 for 2 hours and bile salt 0.3%,
pH 5.8 for 8 hour. The survived probiotics were counted in MRS agar.
Among four stains, Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus TISTR 047
was the highest tolerance specie. Lactobacillus casei subsp.
rhamnosus TISTR 047 reduced 6.74±0.07 log CFU/ml after growing
in acid and 5.52±0.05 log CFU/ml after growing in bile salt. Then,
double emulsion of microorganisms was chosen to encapsulate before
spray drying. Spray drying was done with the inlet temperature 170ºC
and outlet temperature 80ºC. The results showed that the survival of
encapsulated Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus TISTR 047 after
spray drying decreased from 9.63 ± 0.32 to 8.31 ± 0.11 log CFU/ml
comparing with non-encapsulated, 9.63 ± 0.32 to 4.06 ± 0.08 log
CFU/ml. Therefore, Lactobacillus casei subsp. rhamnosus TISTR 047
would be able to survive in gastrointestinal and spray drying condition.