Highest Level Of Activity Research Articles

Habitual Physical Exercise and Osteoarthritis of the Knee in Female

The study aimed to evaluate the association of recreational (habitual) physical activities with the osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in the female. The case-control study was carried out at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka in the year 2016 and 2017. The total participants were 174 female selected purposively with the age range of 40 – 70 years, among them 87 were the cases with OA of the knee, and the same number of the same age group were included as the control without OA of the knee. A structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. High level of physical activities (20 or more miles per week) was associated with OA of the knee, whereas moderate level of physical activities (10-20 miles/per week) and low level of physical activities (<10miles/per week) had no significant association with the OA of the knee. This study reveled the relationship of the physical activity and OA of the knee. Continue physical activity according to the public health guideline, may eliminate this such physical problem for the general health promotion and particularly to prevent the OA of the knee.
 Bangladesh Med J. 2019 Sep; 48 (3): 39-42

The Implementation of Age Replacement Method for VH-Drum Components for Baby Diaper Production Machines at PT. XYZ

At PT. XYZ often experiences damage problems during the production process, the high level of damage often causes corrective activities. The high level of corrective activities is caused by replacing components after the component is damaged and this causes high downtime. The average damage to the vh-drum component has a damage frequency of 23 times and a downtime of 3052 minutes in a year. In this study, the aim was to obtain a time interval for replacing sonic seals to reduce maintenance costs by using the age replacement method. Based on the results of the analysis and discussion that has been carried out, it can be concluded that the replacement interval for the Vh-Drum Component of the Baby Diaper Production Machine has decreased with the previous down time of 3052 with the replacement interval for the Vh-Drum Component of the Baby Diaper Production Machine is Baby Diaper is 70,301 days with a total costs IDR 21,735,945, 67 days with a total cost of IDR 22,831,972, 60,883 days with a total cost of IDR 25,018,276. Meanwhile, the smallest cost falls at an interval of 70,301 days with a total cost of Rp. 21,735,945.

On powerpointers, clickerers, and digital pros: Investigating the initiation of digital learning activities by teachers in higher education

This study investigated the initiation of digitally supported learning activities and personal and institutional factors associated with them in different higher education courses, based on the C♭-model. The C♭-model is a theoretical framework that systematizes contextual factors, which influence students‘ learning activities as the most important facilitator of students’ learning success. Using a self-assessment instrument with anchored scenarios in a sample of 1625 higher education teachers, we were able to identify three levels at which higher education teachers initiated digital learning activities: a low level (powerpointers), a moderate level (clickerers), and a high level (digital pros). The findings also support the relevance of the contextual factors specified in the C♭-model for initiating a high level of digital learning activities, namely digitalization policy and commitment of university administration, institutional equipment, technical and educational support, self-assessed basic digital skills, and self-assessed technology-related teaching skills. All of these factors explain a substantial amount of variance in the level of initiated digital learning activities. We conclude that a comprehensive approach rather than isolated measures might contribute to successful teaching and learning in higher education.

IMPACT OF CYBERCRIME ON SELECTED DEPOSIT MONEY BANKS (DMBs) IN THE FEDERAL CAPITAL TERTIARY (FCT)

Banking activities have become more complex with the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which has changed the mode of bank crimes and fraudulent practices, therefore, this study is to examine the impact of cybercrimes on selected Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the Federal Capital Banks (FCT). The study used structured questionnaires and the population of the study is the staff and management of the selected Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in the Federal Capital Banks (FCT). The sample size of the study was determined using population mean or average values with assumed Z corresponding value of 1 percent level of significance to be 2.58 and 0.56 as population standard deviation for a true value of the population mean. The study used the mean of descriptive analysis and Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) for the estimation of the mean values of the banking activities indicators which are Automated Teller Machine (ATM) usage by bank customers and online banking transactions by bank customers. The study revealed that cybercrimes have a negative impact on online banking transactions and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) usage by bank customers in Federal Capital Tertiary (FCT). The study also found that there is a high level of banking cybercrime activities in the (FCT), banks online protocols against banking cybercrime activities in (FCT) is adequate, fight against banking cybercrimes in the FCT by the related agencies is below expectation, poor financial literacy and low knowledge of internet operation are the major causes of banking cybercrimes and the awareness creation on banking cybercrimes by all the related agencies are adequate. Therefore, the study recommended that there should be more awareness creation on banking cybercrimes by all the related agencies to reduce the rate of online banking transactions and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cybercrimes in the Federal Capital Tertiary (FCT).

Humic acid improved germination rate, seedling growth and antioxidant system of pea (<i>Pisum sativum</i> L. var. Alicia) grown in water polluted with CdCl<sub>2</sub>

<abstract> <p>Seeds of pea (<italic>Pisum sativum</italic> L. var. Alicia) were germinated for 5 d by soaking in distilled water or treated with cadmium and/or humic acid (HA). Interaction between humic acid and cadmium was previously discussed. However, the regulation of the humic acid / cadmium interaction during seed germination, the first crucial stage of the plant life cycle, need to be clarified. Seed germination is an important stage of the plant life, which is highly sensitive to surrounding medium changes, since the germinating seed is the first interface of material exchange between plant cycle and environment. Relationships among cadmium stress, HA-treatment, germination rate, and changes in reserve mobilization were studied. Cadmium disrupted the soaking process that was a major event of germination. Moreover, important solutes leakage due to Cd-treatment caused disorder in reserve mobilization from cotyledons to growing embryonic axes. The observed delay in germination rate and seedling growth after Cd-treatment could be explained, partially, by the disturbance in the mobilization of water and nutrients. NADH-and MDA-activities were considered as markers of oxidative stress. they were substantially increased after Cd-treatment compared with controls but decreased in presence of AH. Excessive NADH oxidase activities proved the install of oxidative stress in Cd poisoned seeds. We suggested an antagonist effect of Cd and HA on oxidative stress enzyme activities. Treatment of seeds with Cd and/or AH maintained a high level of guaiacol peroxidase activities during five days. The possible implication of GPOX against Cd toxicity and the improvement of the antioxidant system after AH treatment proved an important implication of these findings during germination.</p> </abstract>

NT157 Inhibits HCC Migration via Downregulating the STAT3/Jab1 Signaling Pathway.

Purpose:The high fatality-to-case ratio of hepatocellular carcinoma is directly related to metastasis. The signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 is a key mediator of the cytokine and growth factor signaling pathways and drives the transcription of genes responsible for cancer-associated phenotypes. However, so far, no specific inhibitor for signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 has been used in clinical practice. Therefore, targeting the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 for cancer therapy is highly desired to improve outcomes in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.Experimental Design:Using the small-molecule inhibitor NT157, the effect of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 inhibition on cell migration was tested in hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines and a lung metastasis model of the disease.Results:NT157 significantly inhibited the migration of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines in vitro and lung metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo. Mechanistically, it inhibited the phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, NT157 treatment suppressed the c-Jun activation domain-binding protein-1 levels in the nucleus but no significant decrease was observed in its expression in the cytoplasm. Finally, high mRNA expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 and c-Jun activation domain-binding protein-1 in hepatocellular carcinoma were associated with significantly low survival rates.Conclusion:NT157 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma migration and metastasis by downregulating the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3/c-Jun activation domain-binding protein-1 signaling pathway and targeting it may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for the clinical management of hepatocellular carcinoma in the future.

УДОСКОНАЛЕННЯ ПРОЦЕДУРИ АНАЛІЗУ ТА АУДИТУ ФІНАНСОВИХ РЕЗУЛЬТАТІВ ПІДПРИЄМСТВ В УМОВАХ ГЛОБАЛЬНИХ ВИКЛИКІВ

Modern global challenges related to social and behavioral constraints, accelerating the process of digitalization of interaction between different actors, cause changes in forms and methods of enterprise management, require new approaches to determining the place and role of accounting, analysis and control in enterprise information system. Given the significant decline in entrepreneurial activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, the problems of analyzing the economic entities financial results and the impact of global challenges are becoming relevant and require research to save costs and strengthen revenue control. The research purpose is justification the theoretical provisions and development practical recommendations for improving the methodology and organization of accounting, analysis and audit of enterprises financial results in today's global challenges. The study used methods of observation, comparison, analysis, generalization and formalization, forecasting. The article identifies the main problems of forestry and key indicators of their solution. The main problems are high level of corruption and illegal activities in forests and the necessity to ensure the balance between environmental, economic and social functions of forestry. The procedure of financial results accounting at a forestry enterprise and the algorithm for generating net financial result is considered. The main stages of the enterprise financial results audit are described. The Plan and the Program of audit of forestry enterprise financial results are offered. The expediency of using the electronic timber accounting system at forestry enterprises, in particular at the State Enterprise "Sveske Forestry", which in the current global challenges related to global environmental degradation and social and behavioral constraints in connection with the pandemic, will in the shortest possible time to install all the information about the wood, as well as quickly and in real time to see the remains of products by species and range, etc. The conclusions and suggestions obtained from the research can be used in the practice of forestry enterprises.

Evaluation of football players' actions in individual risky situations of offensive play as a model determinant of a sports game

The essence of effective training in a sports game is the use of means and forms of teaching in the organisation of a game, which most faithfully reflect the environment of the player's actual activity in natural conditions. Thus, there is a need to accurately identify the conditions of competition in a sports game. One of the types of such activities is observation, which being an elementary method of cognition, based on deliberate, targeted and intended as well as systematic perception of the studied subject, process or phenomenon. Research objective and questions The aim of the work is to assess the level of absolutely dependent cooperation (synergy) during a team sports game in changing game situations, in achieving the highest offensive objective, i.e. scoring a goal. - Is the effectiveness of achieving the highest objective of the game in offensive actions (i.e. scoring a goal) dependent on the level of player synergy? - Is the size of the conflict in the sports objective of the game dependent on creative player involvement? Material and test method - In the work, detailed observation was carried out with regard to players' actions in achieving the highest objective of the game, i.e. scoring a goal. The observation concerned analysis of 134 goals scored in 61 UEFA Champions League and European League football matches in 2009-2020. - In this study, the method of observation was used, with the possibility of repeatedly observing events being the subject of research. - In the research analysis, the use of film material of recorded games on a DVD was taken into account, where the observed effects were applied to an observation sheet. - The situations in which goals were scored and the research material comprised teams that competed in a given match. - The observation of scoring goals took the type of situation and level of interaction between players into account. Results Analysis of the obtained results can be inferred: 1. In achieving the highest objective of offensive actions, a high level of synergy prevails, requiring anticipation of events. 2. The high level of synergistic activities increases with the difficulty of situational tasks. 3. Due to the multi-faceted nature of team games, the player's training process should also affect his/her mental sphere.

Laboratory Class Engagement among Nursing Students: A Comparative Cross Sectional Study

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the laboratory class engagement level among nursing students in a four dimensions (that is, engagement activities, cognitive skills, other educational practices, and class atmosphere) and its difference with the demographic profile of the students. This research employed a comparative-cross sectional study design. The research was conducted in the College of Nursing, University of Hail in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the academic year 2018-2019. There were 136 nursing students that participated in this study because of the convenience sampling. This study was conducted from January to February 2019. The participants have a high level of engagement activities (2.65), cognitive skills (3.07), other educational practices (2.92), and classroom atmosphere (2.72). There is no significant relation between laboratory class engagements with age (p>0.054), academic year (p>0.382), previous education (p>0.895), gender (p>0.297), and reason for enrolment (p>0.313). Nursing students who enrolled in the fundamental of nursing practical course were highly engaged. The age, academic year, previous education, gender and reason for enrolment were not significant to the students’ engagement. The nursing educator played a major role for the students to reach their highest achievement in the attainment of their goal to meet the expectation of every nursing school towards mission vision.

RTA-408 protects against propofol-induced cognitive impairment in neonatal mice via the activation of Nrf2 and the inhibition of NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of RTA‐408 on the propofol‐induced cognitive impairment of neonatal mice via regulating Nrf2 and NF‐κB p65 nuclear translocation.MethodsC57BL/6 neonatal mice were randomized into intralipid, propofol, vehicle + propofol, and RTA‐408 + propofol groups. The learning and memory ability was inspected by Morries water maze (MWM) test. TUNEL staining was performed to examine the apoptosis of neurons in hippocampus. The gene and protein expressions in hippocampus were detected by immunohistochemistry, qRT‐PCR, or Western blotting. The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) were tested by the corresponding kits.ResultsPropofol prolonged escape latency of mice, decreased the times of crossing the platform, and shortened the time of staying in the target quadrant, while RTA‐408 treatment improved the above‐mentioned situation. Besides, Nrf2 protein in hippocampus of mice induced by propofol was decreased with the increased NF‐κB p65 nuclear translocation, which was reversed by RTA‐408. Meanwhile, RTA‐408 decreased the apoptosis of neurons accompanying with the down‐regulation of Caspase‐3 and the up‐regulations of neuronal‐specific nuclear protein (NeuN), microtubule‐associated protein 2 (Map2), Ca2 +/Calmodulin‐dependent Protein Kinase II (CaMKII), and parvalbumin (PV) immunostaining in hippocampus. Besides, propofol‐induced high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and antioxidase activities in hippocampus were reduced by RTA‐408.ConclusionRTA‐408 improved propofol‐induced cognitive impairment in neonatal mice via enhancing survival of neurons, reducing the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons, mitigating the inflammation and oxidative stress, which may be correlated with the activation of Nrf2 and the inhibition of NF‐κB p65 nuclear translocation.

The S-Shaped Relationship Between Internationalization and Performance: Empirical Evidence from Laos

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of internationalization on the business performance of firms in Laos as a transition economy. Using a panel dataset collected by the World Bank for 285 firms during the period 2009, 2012, and 2016 in the service and manufacturing industries, the two-steps Heckman regression results found robust evidence for the fact that the S-curve tie exists between the degree of internationalization and business performance of firms in Laos while controlling other factors. Specifically, if firms have a degree of internationalization lower than 0.4374, they will suffer losses due to the high cost of preparing for phase 1 which is market penetration. Then, when the degree of internationalization continues to increase from 0.4374 to 0.9131, firms will gain benefits from internationalization (phase 2), however, these benefits will deteriorate when the degree of internationalization is greater than 0.9131 (phase 3), meaning that firms will no longer be able to exploit economies of scale or advantages in target markets, or product cycles will fall into a state of decline. Interestingly, we also found that firms with a high concentration level of ownership and internationalization activities may achieve better performance than those with a low concentration of ownership and one which carried out internationalization activities.

Macrobenthic communities in the tidal channels around the Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia

A yearlong seasonal survey was carried out during 2016–2017 at 26 stations representing four tidal channels of the north-western part of the Gulf of Gabès (Tunisia). The area studied (characterized by a maximum tidal range of 2.3 m) was subjected to diverse anthropogenic pressures: from the phosphate industry and its metallic pollution, unauthorized bottom trawling in shallow water (known locally as ‘Kiss’), and organic pollution from the nearby urbanized areas. A total of 23,506 invertebrates representing 311 taxa were collected. Dominant taxa were the polychaetes with 51.4% of the individuals collected and 39.3% of the taxa, the amphipods (18.6% and 15.5%), the tanaids (12.3% and 2.6%), and the molluscs (11.5% and 18.3%). The mean annual abundances varied widely from one channel to another: from 300 to 3700 ind·m−2. The stations located in deeper waters exhibited greater variability. Measurements of abundance revealed seasonal changes with maximum values in winter, spring, and lower numbers in summer. Each tidal channel was characterized by specific features in the fauna. The macrofauna were dominated by the polychaete Cirratulus cirratus (mainly in spring) and the amphipod Microdeutopus anomalus (mainly in winter), whilst both of the tanaids, Apseudopsis gabesi (the first sighting reported for the area) and A. mediterraneus, were found to be abundant in winter in at least one of the four channels. Species are mainly deposit feeders, herbivorous and omnivorous. The analyses on spatial and temporal changes of the macrofauna population revealed variations according to the composition of the fauna increasing or falling along the channels and as a function of seasonal changes. In spite of a high level of anthropogenic activities, the Ecological Status (ES) assessment (applying the AMBI and M-AMBI indices) attributed High or Good ES for 10 stations, Moderate ES for 11 stations and five stations showed a poor ES at least during one season. Sampling subtidal stations in the future to survey long-term degradation of such ecosystems of the coastal environment of the Gulf of Gabès in Tunisia is proposed.

Monosomy 7 and Co-Occurrent Genomic Aberrations Determine Chemotherapy Response in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Patients Using the Cellworks Omics Biology Model (CBM): Mycare-021-04

Background: Monosomy 7/Del 7 (-7) or its long arm (del(7q)) is one of the most common cytogenetic abnormalities in pediatric and adult myeloid malignancies, particularly in adverse-risk acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs). In general, (-7) is associated with poor response to induction chemotherapy (PMID 12393746). At the same time, not all patients fare poorly so the ability to identify responders and non-responders remains a high priority. Aim: To predict the response for induction chemotherapy in AML patients with (-7) and identify novel genomic signatures of response and resistance. Methods: Genomic data from 13 consecutive patients with (-7) were analyzed using the Cellworks Omics Biology Model (CBM) to generate patient-specific protein network models. All data was anonymized, de-identified and exempt from IRB review. For each model, disease simulations were performed and patients were segregated into HOXA-upregulated and HOXA-downregulated cohorts based on the simulation levels of HOXA5 and HOXA9. Digital drug simulations for induction chemotherapy were accomplished by measuring the impact of drug effect on a cell growth score, a composite of cell proliferation, viability and apoptosis indices. Each patient-specific model was analyzed to identify mechanisms underlying treatment outcomes. Results: 7/13 (54%) of (-7) patients failed to achieve remission after induction chemotherapy (Table 1) which highlighted that (-7) alone does not confer resistance to chemotherapy. CBM identified other genomic alterations that determine chemotherapy response, including DNA repair deficiency genes, mismatch repair (MMR), and homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. DNA methylation and histone methylation (H3K27me) impacting HOXA gene expression, mainly HOXA5 and HOXA9, were identified as upstream regulators of DNA repair genes. Loss or reduced levels of EZH2 is associated with lower H3K27 methylation and thereby higher expression of HOXA5 and HOXA9 gene targets. High active levels of HOXA correlated with low rates of successful remission induction (22%, n=7) and lower activity levels of HOXA correlated with successful induction chemotherapy (100%, n=4) (Table 1). CBM identified that (-7) results in a decreased expression of EZH2, CARD11, EIF3, PMS2, HUS1, KMT2C (MLL3), CDK5 and IKZF1 genes. Since EZH2 abnormalities alone are not implicated in poor prognosis for AML patients, we sought other aberrations that prevent HOXA upregulation. Using CBM, we identified multiple accompanying aberrations which regulate HOXA genes. Deletions of KAT6A, ASXL1, DNMT3B, DNMT3L genes and high KMT2A-partial tandem duplication correspond to HOXA-upregulation whereas EED amplification, gain of function mutations in DNMT3A, mutations in IDH1/2, MYC and KAT6A amplification and KDM4A deletion result in HOXA-downregulation. Conclusion: Alterations of chromatin regulation have consequences for transcription factors that regulate expression of DNA repair genes. Under conditions where DNA repair is enhanced, induction chemotherapy was 78% less likely to effect remission in (-7) AML patients undergoing induction chemotherapy. Loss of H3K27 methylation associated with loss of PRC2 function by any means resulted in HOXA-upregulation and upregulation of DNA repair genes induced resistance to induction therapy. On the other hand, CBM analysis identified genetic signatures associated with a 100% remission rate from AML induction therapy despite the presence of (-7). Generation of H3K27me caused by PRC2 activation resulting from numerous mechanisms led to HOXA-downregulation and 100% response to induction therapy. Stratification of patients harboring (-7) by HOXA biomarker analysis could inform treatment planning, avoid drug-related adverse events and reduce treatment costs after validation with a larger prospective dataset. Disclosures Castro: Cellworks Group Inc: Consultancy. Watson:Cellworks Group Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Cellmax Life Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Mercy Bioanalytics, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; SEER Biosciences, Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BioAI Health Inc.: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Kumar:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Nair:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Grover:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Sahu:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Mohapatra:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. G:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Agarwal:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Suseela:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Ganesh:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Sauban:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Kumar:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Raman:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Singh:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Basu:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Lunkad:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Mundkur:Cellworks Group Inc.: Current Employment. Macpherson:Cellworks Group Inc.: Current Employment. Kapoor:Cellworks Research India Private Limited: Current Employment. Howard:Servier: Consultancy, Other: Speaker; Boston Scientific: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy, Other: Speaker; EUSA Pharma: Consultancy; Cellworks: Consultancy.

“My little piece of the planet”: the multiplicity of well-being benefits from allotment gardening

PurposeParticipation in urban horticulture (UH) is increasing in popularity, and evidence is emerging about the wide range of social and environmental benefits “grow your own” can also provide. UH can increase mental and physical well-being, as well as improve nature connectedness, social capital and community cohesion.Design/methodology/approachThis study focusses on allotments, which is one of the dominant forms of UH that takes place in the United Kingdom. 163 volunteers in England and Wales participated in keeping a year-long allotment diary as part of a citizen science project investigating activities on allotment gardens. This study examines the unprompted comments that 96 of these gardeners offered as observations when visiting their allotment plots.FindingsParticipants recorded high levels of social and community activities including the sharing of surplus food produce, knowledge exchange, awareness and interaction with wildlife, emotional connection to their allotment, appreciation of time spent outside and aesthetic delight in the natural world around them.Originality/valueAt a time when waiting lists for allotment plots in the United Kingdom are on the rise, and allotment land is subject to multiple pressures from other forms of development, this study demonstrates that these spaces are important sites not only for food production but also health, social capital and environmental engagement.

Molecular Detection of Human Enteric Adenoviruses in Water Samples Collected from Lake Victoria Waters Along Homa Bay Town, Homa Bay County, Kenya.

Lake Victoria is the primary source of water for millions of people in the Sub-Saharan Africa region. In recent years, population development around the lake has resulted in compromised sanitation standards resulting in increased faecal pollution of the lake. Consequently, this condition has increased the chances of waterborne enteric viruses, such as adenoviruses' circulation in the community. Adenoviruses can affect health in both humans and animals by causing a myriad of diseases including the gastrointestinal infections. The study aimed to detect contamination of the lake water with pathogenic human adenoviruses along Homa Bay town, Homa Bay County, Kenya. To examine the presence of adenoviral genome, we collected a total of 216 (monthly n = 36) water samples from six different locations marked by high levels of anthropogenic activities along the shoreline. Molecular amplification technique using the nested PCR procedure was used to detect the genomes from the watersamples. Human adenoviruses were detected in 11 samples (5.09%). Statistical analyses indicated a significant correlation between adenovirus presence and the approximate distance from pit latrines and sewage treatment works at the area. The findings indicate that faecal contamination of the lake watersoriginated from thepoint sources. The findings also suggest a possibility of elevated levels of faecal pollution in different surface waters within the lake basin. The findings indicate that some of the enteric viruses circulating in the local community are human adenovirus type 40, and 41. The data may provide a basis for recognizing the need to prioritize environmental monitoring for enteric virus contamination on an on-going basis.

The psychology of professional and student actors: Creativity, personality, and motivation.

As a profession, acting is marked by a high-level of economic and social riskiness concomitantly with the possibility for artistic satisfaction and/or public admiration. Current understanding of the psychological attributes that distinguish professional actors is incomplete. Here, we compare samples of professional actors (n = 104), undergraduate student actors (n = 100), and non-acting adults (n = 92) on 26 psychological dimensions and use machine-learning methods to classify participants based on these attributes. Nearly all of the attributes measured here displayed significant univariate mean differences across the three groups, with the strongest effect sizes being on Creative Activities, Openness, and Extraversion. A cross-validated Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) classification model was capable of identifying actors (either professional or student) from non-actors with a 92% accuracy and was able to sort professional from student actors with a 96% accuracy when age was included in the model, and a 68% accuracy with only psychological attributes included. In these LASSO models, actors in general were distinguished by high levels of Openness, Assertiveness, and Elaboration, but professional actors were specifically marked by high levels of Originality, Volatility, and Literary Activities.

NaKTI2, a Kunitz trypsin inhibitor transcriptionally regulated by NaWRKY3 and NaWRKY6, is required for herbivore resistance in Nicotiana attenuata.

Here, we reported that a pathogen- and herbivore-induced Kunitz trypsin inhibitor gene, NaKTI2, is required for herbivore resistance, and transcriptionally regulated mainly by NaWRKY3 and NaWRKY6 but not Jasmonate signaling. Plant protease inhibitor (PI) occurs widely in plant species, and is considered as an important part of plant defense arsenal against herbivores. Transcriptome analysis of Nicotiana attenuata leaves revealed that a Kunitz trypsin inhibitor gene, NaKTI2, was highly elicited after inoculation of Alternaria alternata (tobacco pathotype). However, the roles of NaKTI2 in pathogen- and herbivore resistance and its regulation were unclear. NaKTI2 had typical domains of Kunitz trypsin inhibitors and exhibited a high level of trypsin protease inhibitor activities when transiently over-expressed. The transcripts of NaKTI2 could be induced by A. alternata and Spodoptera litura oral secretions (OS). Silencing NaKTI2 via virus-induced gene silencing technique has no influence on lesion diameters developed on N. attenuata leaves after A. alternata inoculation, but S. litura larvae gained more mass and had higher survivorship on NaKTI2-silenced plants. Meanwhile, the expression of NaPI, a PI gene essential for herbivore resistance previously identified in N. attenuata, was not affected in NaKTI2-silenced plants. Unlike NaPI, which was predominantly regulated by jasmonate (JA) signaling, OS-elicited NaKTI2 transcripts were only slightly reduced in JA-deficient plants, but were dramatically decreased in NaWRKY3- and NaWRKY6- silenced plants, respectively. Further electromobility shift assays indicated that NaWRKY3 and NaWRKY6 could directly bind to the promoter regions of NaKTI2 in vitro. Taken together, our results demonstrate that in addition to NaPI, NaKTI2, a pathogen- and herbivore-induced Kunitz trypsin inhibitor gene, is also required for herbivore resistance, and mainly regulated by NaWRKY3 and NaWRKY6.

Comparison of functional characteristics of distinct Saccharomyces boulardii strains isolated from commercial food supplements

Saccharomyces boulardii is a probiotic yeast with several health benefits. An important number of products are available in the market claiming to contain probiotic S. boulardii strains and these numbers are increasing. In this study, S. boulardii strains were isolated from commercial products, identified and characterised in terms of several probiotic features. Eleven distinct S. boulardii strains were identified by genotypic tests followed by FT-IR spectroscopy and biochemical analysis which were used to differentiate S. boulardii strains from other yeasts including Saccharomyces cerevisiae. All tested strains showed high level of survival under harsh conditions and auto-aggregation characteristics. The hydrophobicity of S. boulardii strains revealed strain specific features and only two strains survived at pH of 2.5. A high level of survival under bile salts conditions were observed for all tested strains. Distinct S. boulardii strains were found to be resistant to bacterial antibiotics whereas they were sensitive to fungal antibiotics. Finally, S. boulardii strains showed high level of antibacterial and antifungal activities particularly against Salmonella Typhimurium and Aspergillus niger, respectively. This study revealed the differences in the functional characteristics of S. boulardii strains available in the market.

Water Use Efficiency of Acacia seyal (Del.) in extreme arid environment prevails in South-Western Desert, Egypt

The present investigation involves the studies of water use efficiency of Acacia seyal (Del.) seedlings under extreme arid conditions. Experiments were performed in a hyper arid environment to study the effects of drought stress using different water regimes at 12%, 9%, 6%, 4% and 2%. Calculated instantaneous water use efficiency was measured under full Photosynthetic Active Radiation range (0-2500μmols-1m-2). Acacia seyal showed maximum photosynthesis rate at 9% soil moisture content, and at high Photosynthetic Active Radiation levels. Maximum transpiration rate recorded at 9% soil moisture content at highest Photosynthetic Active Radiation. The maximum instantaneous water use efficiency was noticed at 4% soil moisture content at high Photosynthetic Active Radiation level. Acacia seyal maximized photosynthesis rate and minimized transpiration rate, giving maximum instantaneous water use efficiency at the high Photosynthetic Active Radiation and low soil moisture content levels.

Evaluation of seasonal variation of heavy metal contamination and health risk assessment in Sabore field Adamawa State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Sabore field is characterised by a high level of artisan activities that contributes to water pollution by heavy metals; these heavy metals when present in drinking water can be deleterious to human health. Consequently, in 2018 we investigated the seasonal variations of the water samples from the Sabore vicinity to determine its suitability for drinking. Six metals (Mn, Cu, Cd, Zn, Ni, Pb) were studied, the health risk assessment was investigated using Hazard Index (HI), Hazard Quotient (HQ) and Cancer Risk (CR). The results showed that water from this locality have HI values > 1, Pb and Cd were top contributors to non-carcinogenic risk while Ni and Cd caused concern for carcinogenic health risk making it unsuitable for consumption. The seasonal spread of the metals shows that Mn varied from 148 to 976 µg/L; Cu from 923 to 1676 µg/L; Cd from 1.167 to 22.5 µg/L; Zn from 63 to 118 µg/L, Ni from 37 to 95 µg/L and Pb from 128 to 185 µg/L in the rainy season. For the dry season, Mn shows a spread of 1442–1802 µg/L; 344–776 µg/L for Cu; 57–82 µg/L for Cd; 48–187 µg/L for Zn; 147–242 µg/L for Ni and 79–256 µg/L for Pb. The increased concentration of some metals during the dry seasons could be attributed to the increased human activities around the field, increased evaporation rate, absence of rainfall and runoff water. The heavy metal content of water from some of the sites exceeded the stipulated permissible limits and poses serious health risk to its consumers.