The Mystery of Autism: Parental Perspectives

Research indicated that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder experience higher levels of stress than parents of children with other developmental disorders. Children with autism tend to exhibit problematic behaviors as a result of their inability to communicate effectively. Parents of children with autism find it challenging to determine the reasons for these behaviors. Since researchers have confirmed the presence of stress associated with caring for a child with autism, coping strategies can essentially elevate high stress levels that can lead to depression. Children with autism spectrum disorders may have multiple disabilities that can cause an even greater challenge for professionals and parents. With this said, there is no single intervention or no single best approach for assisting all children with autism spectrum disorders. While evidence-based intervention methods for children with autism spectrum disorders have been identified, the need for better understanding of how to match the most effective intervention to specific child characteristics continues to puzzle educational professionals. To accomplish this, it is essential for parents, educators, and professionals to understand how autism affects an individual and then, identify strengths and weaknesses before considering any particular approach

Enhancing magnetic particle testing of automotive parts

The principle disadvantage in magnetic particle inspection, as generally practiced today, is the combination of variable human judgment and interpretation, and variations in the critical components' characteristics which are: magnetic particle liquid sensitivity, ultraviolet intensity variations, and magnetic field variations at the surface of the test piece. In high speed inspection systems, these variables can reduce the reliability of magnetic particle inspection flaw detection to only about 70% [I]. What is needed is an online, heavy duty, high speed parts inspection with online documentation and almost perfect flaw detect ability within calibrated equipment, if possible, by using modem electronic systems. Currently, the automated MT systems are still in their first stages and are developed on individual researchers' basis [2]. Also, the few current systetns in the market which can automatically perform magnetic particle testing are extremely expensive. Hence, the need to provide a reasonable automated MT system with a comparable performance for inspecting surface defects in ferromagnetic materials automotive component

Performance of locally developed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids under irrigation

    A field experiment was carried out at two locations, New Halfa and Rahad, for two cropping seasons, summer (2003/04) and winter (2004/05) at each location in a randomized complete block design with four replicates, to estimate the phenotypic and genotypic variability, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance for yield, yield components and other agronomic characters among 20 locally developed sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) hybrids. Highly significant differences found between the evaluated hybrids for almost all characters at the four environments, except plant height at New Halfa, in summer, 1000- seed weight and seed yield at both locations in winter. Most of the variation for the morphological traits was due to genetic factors, whereas, the variation in yield and its components was due to environmental factors. High heritability estimate (>60 %) coupled with low genetic advance for the morphological characters indicate epistatic and dominance nature of inheritance, while, the low heritability (<60 %) coupled with high genetic advance for yield and its components, would indicate additive nature of inheritance. Therefore, direct selection for the morpholo-gical traits, based on the phenotype, among the hybrids may be effective, while selection for yield and yield components may not be effective. Thus, there is a need for a mechanism, other than simple selection, to improve yield in sunflower

Traitements d'effluents issus de l'industrie de la pêche par un procédé de coagulation/floculation

La présente étude porte sur le traitement physico-chimique d'un effluent industriel chargé d'encre de seiche issu de l'industrie de conditionnement des produits de la pêche. Différentes combinaisons de coagulant -floculant ont été étudiées. Le sulfate d'aluminium (SA), divers polyélectrolytes et certains adjuvants pulvérulents ont été utilisés. L'efficacité du traitement par coagulation-floculation a été analysée en suivant l'évolution de la turbidité et de la DCO résiduelle du surnageant.Les résultats de cette étude ont révélé qu'à pH 6-7, l'addition de SA à une concentration supérieure à 1000 mg.l-1 entraîne la coagulation des particules d'encre de seiche. L'addition d'un polyélectrolyte en association avec le SA permet de réduire la concentration requise en SA à environ 300 mg.l-1, tout en améliorant l'efficacité du processus de coagulation-floculation. Le recours à un adjuvant pulvérulent en combinaison avec le SA et un polyélectrolyte accroît notablement les performances du traitement et permet d'obtenir un effluent ayant une turbidité résiduelle de 7 NTU.The aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of a coagulation-flocculation process using different systems individually or in combination. The waste water used was an industrial cuttlefish effluent principally composed of colloidal particles from the cuttlefish. The initial turbidity and chemical oxygen demand were approximately 700 NTU and 22,000 mg×L-1 respectively. Two parameters were used to assess the process efficiency: the residual turbidity and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the supernatant.Three systems were investigated: aluminium sulphate (SA), polyelectrolytes and a ternary combination of SA-polyelectrolyte and colloidal microparticle adjuvant. Results demonstrated that at pH 6-7, SA caused some coagulation of the suspension, but the dosage required (about 1000 mg×L-1) far exceeded those conventionally used in water treatment. As a consequence, an appreciable amount of SA, which was above the authorised limits, remained in the supernatant. Indeed, adsorption isotherm measurements revealed that at pH 6.5-7 the residual proportion of SA attained was about 20%. The addition of polyelectrolytes in combination with SA allowed reduction of the SA dosage to 150 mg×L-1. Amongst the polymers tested, the cationic polymer was the most efficient. The ability to bring about flocculation was positively related to the molecular weight, which is in agreement with a bridging flocculation mechanism. Starch, a natural, low-cost polymer was also an efficient flocculent even though it is a non-charged polymer. The ability of starch to bring about a flocculation action was explained by its relatively low solubility, which leads to some aggregation of macromolecular chains that act as anchoring sites for the coagulated ink particles. With this system, a double treatment in the presence of 150 mg×L-1 SA and 25 mg×L-1 polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (PDMAC) or starch lead to a supernatant with a turbidity and COD of 150 NTU and 5500 mg×L-1 respectively.The third part of our study was concerned with the effect of the addition of an insoluble microparticle adjuvant in combination with SA and polyelectrolytes. Different components were investigated, but among them only colloidal silica and MgO bring about a significant enhancement of the flocculation process. This effect was explained by a bridging mechanism in which the adjuvant microparticles act as sites that favour the anchoring of the coagulated ink particles. Using a triple treatment in the presence of 150 mg×L-1 SA, 25 mg×L-1 PDMAC and 0.75 g×L-1 MgO removed about 95 % of the ink particles. The supernatant obtained was characterised by a low turbidity value (about 7 NTU) and a COD value about 2000 mg×L-1

Draft Whole-Genome Sequence of the Alkaliphilic Alishewanella aestuarii Strain HH-ZS, Isolated from Historical Lime Kiln WasteContaminated Soil

Here, we present the whole-genome sequence of an environmental Gram-negative Alishewanella aestuarii strain (HH-ZS), isolated from the hyperalkaline contaminated soil of a historical lime kiln in Buxton, United Kingdom

Comparing external ventricular drains-related ventriculitis surveillance definitions

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the agreement between the current National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definition for ventriculitis and others found in the literature among patients with an external ventricular drain (EVD)DESIGNRetrospective cohort study from January 2009 to December 2014SETTINGNeurology and neurosurgery intensive care unit of a large tertiary-care centerPATIENTSPatients with an EVD were included. Patients with an infection prior to EVD placement or a permanent ventricular shunt were excluded.METHODSWe reviewed the charts of patients with positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures and/or abnormal CSF results while they had an EVD in place and applied various ventriculitis definitions.RESULTSWe identified 48 patients with a total of 52 cases of ventriculitis (41 CSF culture-positive cases and 11 cases based on abnormal CSF test results) using the NHSN definition. The most common organisms causing ventriculitis were gram-positive commensals (79.2%); however, 45% showed growth of only 1 colony on 1 piece of media. Approximately 60% of the ventriculitis cases by the NHSN definition met the Honda criteria, approximately 56% met the Gozal criteria, and 23% met Citerio’s definition. Cases defined using Honda versus Gozal definitions had a moderate agreement (κ=0.528; P&lt;.05) whereas comparisons of Honda versus Citerio definitions (κ=0.338; P&lt;.05) and Citerio versus Gozal definitions (κ=0.384; P&lt;.05) had only fair agreements.CONCLUSIONSThe agreement between published ventriculostomy-associated infection (VAI) definitions in this cohort was moderate to fair. A VAI surveillance definition that better defines contaminants is needed for more homogenous application of surveillance definitions between institutions and better comparison of rates.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:574–579</jats:sec

Proposed Methodology for Community-Based Infrastructure Projects

Community participation is considered as one of the key activities of local government development. The new role of communities in infrastructure projects is to act as a bridge between the governmental agencies and the individual households. Low-income groups are generally poor not only financially, but also weak in terms of their power to influence decisionmaking on matters relating to their livelihoods and development of services. They are often totally excluded from the government development processes of planning, budgeting and project implementation. There are many parties concerned with infrastructure development that should be involved in a systematic manner in the formation of public policies and local planning. This study proposes a methodology to deal with all involved parties in infrastructure projects and it is recommended that it be followed from the first phase of any project. The proposed methodology is based on the investigation of the best practices and lessons learned from projects implemented by different agencies in Palestine. It is recommended that municipalities should reshape the people's understanding of the role and capacity of municipalities and to develop new mechanisms to develop trust and transparent relations with communities

Chemical composition, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities of essential oil from Ammodaucus leucotrichus Cosson & Durieu (Apiaceae) growing in South Algeria

ABSTRACT. The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from aerial parts of A. leucotrichus Cosson &amp; Durieu (Apiaceae) grown in the south of Algeria (El-Oued) was determined by GC-MS analysis. The oil was found to be rich in perilladehyde 64.66% and D-Limonene 26.99%. The biological activity of A. leucotrichus Cosson &amp; Durieu essential oil has been investigated. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the essential oil sample was tested on eight strains, one yeast and one fungi. The test showed interesting antimicrobial properties, especially on Salmonella enterica and E. coli, the antioxidant capacity of the oil was measured using the cyclic voltammetry, and the AAT value of A. leucotrichus essential oil was evaluated 47.84 mg α-TE/L. In addition, the antitumor activity showed that the oil of A. leucotrichus was very significant against the HCT116 colon cancer cell line.               KEY WORDS: Ammodaucus leucotrichus, Antioxidant activity, Anticancer activity, Cyclic voltammetry Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2019, 33(3), 541-549. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i3.1

Optimization of nanostructured/nano sized rice husk ash preparation

تم تطوير إجراء لإنتاج رماد قشر الأرز. &nbsp;وقد تم دراسة تأثير العوامل المؤثرة على إنتاجية وخصائص السيليكا غير المتبلورة وهذه العوامل هى الكمية الابتدائية لقشر الأرز و ظروف الاحتراق و التقليب . تم التوصل إلى أن أفضل كمية كانت 20 غراما في الدقيقة في صحن تبخر خزفي بحجم 125 مل يحترق لمدة ساعتين عند درجة حرارة 700 درجة مئوية ، مع تبريد على ثلاث فترات أثناء الاحتراق لإنتاج السليكا عند أقل فقد عند الاشتعال وقد وجد أيضا أن&nbsp; فترات التبريد تلعب دوراَ هاماَ فى تباين حجم الهيكل النانوي وتوزيع شكل الجسيمات. بالاضافة إلى أنه لم يتم العثور على مراحل بلورية في رماد قشر الأرز في جميع الحالات.The objective of the study is developing a procedure for production and characterization of rice husk ash (RHA). The effects of rice husk (RH) amount, burning/cooling conditions combined with stirring on producing of RHA with amorphous silica, highest SiO2, lowest loss on ignition (LOI), uniform particle shape distribution and nano structured size have been studied. It is concluded that the best amount is 20 g RH in 125 ml evaporating dish Porcelain with burning for 2 h at temperature 700 °C combined with cooling three times during burning to produce RHA with amorphous silica, SiO2 90.78% and LOI 1.73%. On the other hand, cooling and stirring times affect the variation of nano structured size and particle shape distribution. However, no crystalline phases were found in RHA in all cases. Results proved that the Attritor ball mill was more suitable than vibration disk mill for pulverizing nano structured RHA with 50% of particle size (D50) lower than 45 mm and 99 % of particle size (D99) lower than 144 mm to nanosized RHA with D50 lower than 36 nm and D99 lower than 57 nm by grinding time 8.16 min to every 1 g RHA without changes in morphousity of silica