Detecting the antibacterial activity of green synthesized silver (Ag) nanoparticles functionalized with ampicillin (Amp)

In the current study, synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) before and after functionalization with ampicillin antibiotic and their application as anti-pathogenic agents towards bacteria were investigated. AgNPs were synthesized by a green method from AgNO3 solution with glucose subjected to microwave radiation. Characterization of the nanoparticles was conducted using UV-Vis spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), zeta potential determination and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. From SEM analysis, the typical silver nanoparticle particle size was found to be 30 nm and Zeta potential measurements gave information about particle stability. Analysis of FTIR patterns and UV-VIS spectroscopy confirmed the production of nanosilver particles. The activity of produced silver NP was tested against three pathogens (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter baumannii) in both liquid and solid growth medium. AgNPs presented potential antibacterial activity, against tested bacteria. Ag and Ag-AMP nanoparticles were detected to have penitent antimicrobial. The optical density (OD) of the culture solution and measuring zones of inhibition were used to monitor the growth of bacteria in liquid and solid growth medium respectivel

Novel Framework for Hidden Data in the Image Page within Executable File Using Computation between Advanced Encryption Standard and Distortion Techniques

The hurried development of multimedia and internet allows for wide distribution of digital media data. It becomes much easier to edit, modify and duplicate digital information. In additional, digital document is also easy to copy and distribute, therefore it may face many threats. It became necessary to find an appropriate protection due to the significance, accuracy and sensitivity of the information. Furthermore, there is no formal method to be followed to discover a hidden data. In this paper, a new information hiding framework is presented.The proposed framework aim is implementation of framework computation between advance encryption standard (AES) and distortion technique (DT) which embeds information in image page within executable file (EXE file) to find a secure solution to cover file without change the size of cover file. The framework includes two main functions; first is the hiding of the information in the image page of EXE file, through the execution of four process (specify the cover file, specify the information file, encryption of the information, and hiding the information) and the second function is the extraction of the hiding information through three process (specify the stego file, extract the information, and decryption of the information).Comment: 6 Pages IEEE Format, International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security, IJCSIS 2009, ISSN 1947 5500, Impact Factor 0.42

Genetic counselors' scope of practice and challenges in genetic counseling services in Saudi Arabia

AbstractGenetic counseling is an evolving field in Saudi Arabia. In 2015, genetic counseling was recognized as a Master's program by the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. Our genetic counselors combine their knowledge of genetics, counseling theory and interpersonal communication to serve Saudi and non-Saudi patients affected with a range of genetic conditions and/or birth defects. Most patients are referred to the clinic from different clinics at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC) and outside of KFSHRC for various indications. Carrier testing and preventative reproduction options rank highly on the reasons for referral to our clinics.The Saudi population has unique customs and beliefs, such as consanguinity and the evil eye. Challenges that are routinely encountered in our genetic counseling clinics include, but are not limited to, preventative reproductive options and termination of pregnancy, manifesting carriers, stigmatization of women and approaches to complex molecular findings. Working with families from different backgrounds and beliefs undoubtedly requires professionals with a distinctive set of skills and a structured clinical setting. This review article presents the scope of genetic counseling practice and tackles some of the challenges faced in providing genetic counseling in Saudi Arabia

The Usefulness of Analysts’ Target Prices to Foreign Institutional Investors: U.S. Evidence

This paper investigates whether foreign institutional investors in the United States earn future returns by responding to analysts target price revisions. to examine this issue, this study is using firm fixed effect and industry fixed effect regression in order to examine the effect of using analyst’s target price revisions on future abnormal return for foreign institutional investors. We used 51,427 firm-quarter observations between 2003 and 2013 in the U.S. equity market. Different robust approaches were used to proxy foreign institutional trading. We find a positive and significant increase in foreign institutional ownership in response to a positive change in analysts’ target prices, which predict positive stock returns. The results are robust to controlling for other analysts’ outputs, such as revisions to their earnings’ forecasts and stock recommendations, in addition to other determinants of institutional trading. These results are also robust using different measures of institutional trading. In addition, the results show that foreign institutional trading based on target prices’ revisions is more pronounced in firms with high information asymmetry. The results show that foreign institutional investors rely more on analysts in small firms and firms with low analyst coverage

Participation modes and diplomacy of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries towards the global sustainability agenda

After decades of reluctance, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are now more engaged within the global sustainability agenda. Though they historically sought to coordinate strategies, differences in environmental diplomacy and participation modes currently exist. This article examines these differences and links diplomacy to political and economic considerations during different eras. It maps positions, activism in multilateral agreements, and investigates recent changes in light of increased domestic pressures and the rise of formalised national visions. The increased global environmental engagement of GCC countries can yield better outcomes, but environmental pillars do not feature highly in their current visions

Effect of a Mixture of Plants Extracts on Genomic DNA, Insulin Receptor, and Insulin Receptor Substrate-1 Genes in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Male Rats.

This study was designed to study the effects of methanol-watery extracts mixture of five selective medicinal plants on genomic DNA, insulin receptor, and insulin receptor substrate-1 genes in alloxan-induced diabetic male rats. The molecular assays used in this study was DNA fragmentation test and polymerase chain reaction of insulin receptor and insulin receptor substrate-1. Phytochemical assays (thin layer chromatography (TLC) and antioxidant activity by ?- carotene spray) were carried out for characterization of methanol-watery extracts of each plants used (Trigonella faenum-graecum (fenugreek) seeds, Nigella sativa (black cumin) seeds, Zingiber officinale (ginger) rhizomes, Olea europeae (olive) leaves, and Fraxinus ssp.(ash) seeds). The results indicate presence of number of antioxidant bands with different retardation factors (Rf).   Molecular study of DNA showed fragmentation in both DNA extracted from WBC and renal cortex in diabetic group while treatment with mixture  of plants extracts significantly reduced DNA fragmentation in both DNA extracted from WBC and renal cortex in all treatment groups except treatment for 45 days which still had lyses level 5000 bp of DNA extracted from renal cortex. On the other hand, insulin receptor gene of diabetic and diabetic-treated groups for different periods (45, 60, 75 days) showed precense of one band (200 bp) compared with normal control which had two bands while insulin receptor substrate-1 has normal band (320 bp) in normal and treated groups. Keywords: alloxan, insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate -1, antioxidant, DNA fragmentatio