Quality in Saudi advertising design

This research investigates reasons for differences in quality between advertisements created by local and international advertising agencies operating in Saudi Arabia. It focuses on the investment in, and use of, computer technology as a factor in creating these differences, along with other factors such as work practices, skills, organizational structure, education and design strategies.The objectives of this research are to identify the causes of differences in quality of advertising design outputs between local agencies and international advertising agencies operating in Saudi Arabia; to compare the advertising design processes, practices, resources and difficulties of local and international advertising agencies; and to identify strategies that may improve the quality of local advertising design.The research uses a multi-method approach, using both questionnaires and semi-structured interviews to collect data from 223 professionals working in the field of advertising design in four major cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Khamis Mushait). Participants were selected to provide a balance between local and international advertising agencies. These data confirm that advertisements created by local advertising agencies are commonly considered lower in quality than those of international agencies; it also quantifies participants’ understanding of the reasons for the differences. These reasons, rarely operating alone, include the skill of local staff in using modern computer technology and design software; weaknesses in professional processes and business structures; insufficient design education and training of local designers; limited investment of financial resources in local agencies in terms of technology, management and employment; low investment in novel ideas and concepts; and over-involvement of clients in creative processes.Several strategies and policies to improve the quality and strength of the local advertising industry are identified. In particular, improve the take up and use high performance computer hardware and appropriate professional design software in the field of local advertising; this research also identifies the importance of improving Saudi design education and training, with particular note made of the lack of training in this field for males in Saudi universities. Local Saudi media have a significant role to play in helping to improve visual cultural awareness in Saudi Arabian society. This research offers insights and suggestions that will have positive benefits for local advertising agencies and their clients

Characterisation of novel genome regulation functions of the cancer-associated proteins Translin and Trax

Translin and TRAX are a highly conserved pair of proteins that have a close functional relationship with one another. Originally, these nucleic acid binding proteins were implicated in chromosomal translocation in human leukaemia cells, but subsequently, they have been shown to function in a wide range of biological processes, including RNA interference passenger strand removal, tRNA precursor processing, and neuronal mRNA transport and, more recently, in the degradation of microRNA in oncogenesis. This led to the proposal that they could be druggable targets for a large number of cancers. Moreover, it has previously been proposed that they function at telomeres, although no direct evidence has been provided to support this. Previous analysis on Schizosaccharomyces pombe orthologues of Translin and TRAX, Tsn1 and Tfx1, have shown no notable functional role (Saccharomyces cerevisiae has no tsn1/tfx1 orthologue). Given the link to RNAi regulation in higher eukaryotic organisms, a series of double mutants of tsn1 and tfx1 and RNAi regulatory genes, ago1 and dcr1, were generated to investigate whether Tsn1 and Tfx1 have a redundant role with the RNAi regulators. Different approaches were used to demonstrate that loss of Tfx1, but not Tsn1, can partially suppress the chromosomal instability caused by loss of Ago1, without restoring centromere heterochromatin formation. We extend this to reveal that deletion of four sub-telomeric tlh genes also suppress the need for Ago1, as does the mutation of taz1—a factor that is required for telomere length control, although the mechanisms appear to be different. Extended analysis of Tfx1-and Tsn1-defective cells identify differential roles for these proteins in regulating the levels of distinct transcripts associated with the telomeres and sub-telomeres. These findings not only reveal two novel regulators of telomere dynamics, but also propose that modulating the transcriptional status at sub-telomeres partially suppresses the chromosome segregation defects conferred by loss of Ago1. This reveals a counterbalance between centromeres and telomeres in maintaining chromosome stability. Further analysis of Tsn1 and Tfx1 function led to the revelation of a novel and fundamentally important role for Tsn1 in the DNA damage recovery response in the absence of Dcr1, a function that may be linked to its original proposed role in generating chromosomal translocation. Our data not only separates the functions of Tsn1 and Tfx1 in S. pombe, but also reveals important functional roles for these paralogues in chromosome stability maintenance

Autolysis of rice bran phytate in long-term study on batch fermentor

Microorganisms especially bacteria produce a diverse of phytate-degrading enzymes. Rice bran is excellent media for bacterial growth and enzymes secretion. The aim of the study was autolysis of rice bran phytate (6%) in long-term on batch fermentor (with constant agitator speed (300 rpm) and fixed air flow rate (0.5kg/cm2). The phytase production in the fermentor was with gradual color change from initial light green to dense green during the fermentation processes. The pH and temperature changes during production of phytase in the rice bran media over 10 weeks were observed. Initial 3 weeks, a reduction in pH from pH 6 to pH 4.2. After the middle of 4thweek and 5thweek considerable increase in pH towards the neutral range was observed i.e. from pH 6.2 to pH 6.99. In the 5thand6thweeks the pH range was found to be pH 7 to pH 7.9. Starting from the beginning of 8thweek to 10thweek pH was in the near alkaline range pH 8-pH 8.2. The temperature of the media during the initial stages of fermentation for first 3 weeks was 22-25°C. Increase in temperature was noticed after the end of the third week. The remaining weeks from 3 to 10 the temperature range was 25°C-29°C. The temperature of the media inside the fermentor was in between 22°C and 29°C throughout the study (environment temperature 20-40°C). Enzymatic partitional hydrolyzed of rice bran phytate into lower myoinsitolphosophates will have many health benefits applications

Translin and Trax differentially regulate telomere-associated transcript homeostasis

Translin and Trax proteins are highly conserved nucleic acid binding proteins that have been implicated in RNA regulation in a range of biological processes including tRNA processing, RNA interference, microRNA degradation during oncogenesis, spermatogenesis and neuronal regulation. Here, we explore the function of this paralogue pair of proteins in the fission yeast. Using transcript analysis we demonstrate a reciprocal mechanism for control of telomere-associated transcripts. Mutation of tfx1(+) (Trax) elevates transcript levels from silenced sub-telomeric regions of the genome, but not other silenced regions, such as the peri-centromeric heterochromatin. In the case of some sub-telomeric transcripts, but not all, this elevation is dependent on the Trax paralogue, Tsn1 (Translin). In a reciprocal fashion, Tsn1 (Translin) serves to repress levels of transcripts (TERRAs) from the telomeric repeats, whereas Tfx1 serves to maintain these elevated levels. This reveals a novel mechanism for the regulation of telomeric transcripts. We extend this to demonstrate that human Translin and Trax also control telomere-associated transcript levels in human cells in a telomere-specific fashion

Translin facilitates RNA polymerase II dissociation and suppresses genome instability during RNase H2- and Dicer-deficiency

The conserved nucleic acid binding protein Translin contributes to numerous facets of mammalian biology and genetic diseases. It was first identified as a binder of cancer-associated chromosomal translocation breakpoint junctions leading to the suggestion that it was involved in genetic recombination. With a paralogous partner protein, Trax, Translin has subsequently been found to form a hetero-octomeric RNase complex that drives some of its functions, including passenger strand removal in RNA interference (RNAi). The Translin-Trax complex also degrades the precursors to tumour suppressing microRNAs in cancers deficient for the RNase III Dicer. This oncogenic activity has resulted in the Translin-Trax complex being explored as a therapeutic target. Additionally, Translin and Trax have been implicated in a wider range of biological functions ranging from sleep regulation to telomere transcript control. Here we reveal a Trax- and RNAi-independent function for Translin in dissociating RNA polymerase II from its genomic template, with loss of Translin function resulting in increased transcription-associated recombination and elevated genome instability. This provides genetic insight into the longstanding question of how Translin might influence chromosomal rearrangements in human genetic diseases and provides important functional understanding of an oncological therapeutic target

Clinical and Serological Findings of COVID-19 Participants in the Region of Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Makkah in Saudi Arabia hosts the largest annual religious event in the world. Despite the many strict rules enacted, including Hajj cancellation, city lockdowns, and social distancing, the region has the second highest number of new COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia. Public health interventions that identify, isolate, and manage new cases could slow the infection rate. While RT-PCR is the current gold standard in SARS-CoV-2 identification, it yields false positive and negative results, which mandates the use of complementary serological tests. Here, we report the utility of serological assays during the acute phase of individuals with moderate and severe clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19). Fifty participants with positive RT-PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled in this study. Following RT-PCR diagnosis, serum samples from the same participants were analyzed using in-house ELISA (IgM, IgA, and IgG) and microneutralization test (MNT) for the presence of antibodies. Of the 50 individuals analyzed, 43 (86%) showed a neutralizing antibody titer of ≥20. Univariate analysis with neutralizing antibodies as a dependent variable and the degree of disease severity and underlying medical conditions as fixed factors revealed that patients with no previous history of non-communicable diseases and moderate clinical manifestation had the strongest neutralizing antibody response “Mean: 561.11”. Participants with severe symptoms and other underlying disorders, including deceased individuals, demonstrated the lowest neutralizing antibody response. Anti-spike protein antibody responses, as measured by ELISA, showed a statistically significant correlation with neutralizing antibodies. This reinforces the speculation that serological assays complement molecular testing for diagnostics; however, patients’ previous medical history (anamnesis) should be considered in interpreting serological results. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; ELISA; micro-neutralization assay; IgM; IgA; IgG ELISA; Makkah; Saudi Arabi

Clinical and Serological Findings of COVID-19 Participants in the Region of Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Makkah in Saudi Arabia hosts the largest annual religious event in the world. Despite the many strict rules enacted, including Hajj cancellation, city lockdowns, and social distancing, the region has the second highest number of new COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia. Public health interventions that identify, isolate, and manage new cases could slow the infection rate. While RT-PCR is the current gold standard in SARS-CoV-2 identification, it yields false positive and negative results, which mandates the use of complementary serological tests. Here, we report the utility of serological assays during the acute phase of individuals with moderate and severe clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19). Fifty participants with positive RT-PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled in this study. Following RT-PCR diagnosis, serum samples from the same participants were analyzed using in-house ELISA (IgM, IgA, and IgG) and microneutralization test (MNT) for the presence of antibodies. Of the 50 individuals analyzed, 43 (86%) showed a neutralizing antibody titer of >= 20. Univariate analysis with neutralizing antibodies as a dependent variable and the degree of disease severity and underlying medical conditions as fixed factors revealed that patients with no previous history of non-communicable diseases and moderate clinical manifestation had the strongest neutralizing antibody response "Mean: 561.11". Participants with severe symptoms and other underlying disorders, including deceased individuals, demonstrated the lowest neutralizing antibody response. Anti-spike protein antibody responses, as measured by ELISA, showed a statistically significant correlation with neutralizing antibodies. This reinforces the speculation that serological assays complement molecular testing for diagnostics; however, patients' previous medical history (anamnesis) should be considered in interpreting serological results.Peer reviewe

Clinical and Serological Findings of COVID-19 Participants in the Region of Makkah, Saudi Arabia

Makkah in Saudi Arabia hosts the largest annual religious event in the world. Despite the many strict rules enacted, including Hajj cancellation, city lockdowns, and social distancing, the region has the second highest number of new COVID-19 cases in Saudi Arabia. Public health interventions that identify, isolate, and manage new cases could slow the infection rate. While RT-PCR is the current gold standard in SARS-CoV-2 identification, it yields false positive and negative results, which mandates the use of complementary serological tests. Here, we report the utility of serological assays during the acute phase of individuals with moderate and severe clinical manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID19). Fifty participants with positive RT-PCR results for SARS-CoV-2 were enrolled in this study. Following RT-PCR diagnosis, serum samples from the same participants were analyzed using in-house ELISA (IgM, IgA, and IgG) and microneutralization test (MNT) for the presence of antibodies. Of the 50 individuals analyzed, 43 (86%) showed a neutralizing antibody titer of ≥20. Univariate analysis with neutralizing antibodies as a dependent variable and the degree of disease severity and underlying medical conditions as fixed factors revealed that patients with no previous history of non-communicable diseases and moderate clinical manifestation had the strongest neutralizing antibody response “Mean: 561.11”. Participants with severe symptoms and other underlying disorders, including deceased individuals, demonstrated the lowest neutralizing antibody response. Anti-spike protein antibody responses, as measured by ELISA, showed a statistically significant correlation with neutralizing antibodies. This reinforces the speculation that serological assays complement molecular testing for diagnostics; however, patients’ previous medical history (anamnesis) should be considered in interpreting serological results

Use of E-Learning by University Students in Malaysian Higher Educational Institutions: A Case in Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

This paper examines university students' intention to utilize e-learning. In this paper, we apply and use the theory of a technology acceptance model. We employ the structural equation modeling approach with a SmartPLS software to investigate students' adoption process. Findings indicate that the content of e-learning and self-efficacy has a positive impact and substantially associated with perceived usefulness and student satisfaction, which impact university students' intention to utilize e-learning. Although e-learning has gained acceptance in universities around the world, the study of the intention to use e-learning is still largely unexplored in Malaysia. The developed model is employed to explain the university student's intention to utilize e-learning. The study concludes that university students in Malaysia have positive perceptions toward e-learning and intend to practice it for educational purposes