Multi-Decadal Space-Based Observations of Basaltic Effusive Eruptions from MODIS Infrared Data.

Ph.D. Thesis. University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2018

Performance analysis of coconut enterprises facilitated through agribusiness incubators

Agribusiness incubators (ABI) catalyze entrepreneurship development by facilitating technology and institutionalized services. The study addresses the performance analysis of enterprises promoted through coconut sector ABIs working in Kerala. Primary and secondary data collected from 30 randomly selected ABI graduated entrepreneurs in business were used to characterize the enterprises. The results indicated that 56 per cent of enterprises joined ABIs at the nascent stage and were able to receive government funding under different subsidy schemes. Majority of enterprises (72%) shared features of micro-enterprises in terms of the number of persons employed (01-10) and annual turnover less than ` 25 lakh. Most of the micro-enterprises (66%) functioned as sole proprietary firms, whereas small enterprises were registered as limited company/partnership firms (20%). Virgin coconut oil (VCO) was the major product in 40 per cent of enterprises followed by coconut chips (20%), coconut chocolates (10%), desiccated coconut (07), neera and tender coconut water-based drinks (07%). Performances of two purposively selected enterprises producing VCO and coconut chips were undertaken using break-even analysis. Production and sales of both VCO and coconut chips were more than the calculated BEP values of 1000 litres and 500 kg respectively. This indicated that both enterprises operated at profitable levels. The findings suggest that the entrepreneurs who completed the business incubation program had greater success in their business irrespective of the business size. This can be attributed to their greater access to technologies and entrepreneurship development programmes under the ABI

Recent Experimental and Clinical Findings in the Skeleton Associated with Loss of Estrogen Hormone or Estrogen Receptor Activity

Studies on rodent models and rare human disorders of estrogen production or response have revealed an increased complexity of the actions of estrogen on bone. ERalpha disruption in human males results in delayed epiphyseal maturation, tall stature, trabecular thinning, marked cortical thinning, genu valgum and significantly reduced cortical vBMD, but trabecular number is preserved and there is normal to increased periosteal expansion. Aromatase deficiency results overall in a similar phenotype, although less is known about skeletal architecture. Importantly, estrogen replacement in these individuals, even if provided late in the third decade, may normalize aBMD. Less certain is whether there is complete recovery of normal skeletal architecture and strength. Rodent models, in general, are consistent with the human phenotype but are confounded by inherent differences between mouse and human physiology and issues regarding the completeness of the different knock-out lines. Both human and rodent studies suggest that residual effects of estrogen through ERbeta, truncated ERalpha forms or nonclassical estrogen receptors might account for different phenotypes in the hERKO man, aromatase deficient subjects and rodents. Importantly, androgen, particularly by preserving trabecular number and augmenting both periosteal and epiphyseal growth, also has significant actions on bone

Yersinia enterocolitica: Epidemiological Studies and Outbreaks

Yersinia enterocolitica is the most common bacteriological cause of gastrointestinal disease in many developed and developing countries. Although contaminated food is the main source of human infection due to Y. enterocolitica, animal reservoir and contaminated environment are also considered as other possible infection sources for human in epidemiological studies. Molecular based epidemiological studies are found to be more efficient in investigating the occurrence of human pathogenic Y. enterocolitica in natural samples, in addition to conventional culture based studies

The c- Jun N-terminal kinase JNK participates in cytokine- and isolation stress-induced rat pancreatic islet apoptosis

Aims/hypothesis: The protocols used for the preparation of human pancreatic islets immediately induce a sustained and massive activation of the c-Jun-N-terminal kinase (JNK). JNK, which participates in apoptosis of insulin-secreting cells, is activated by mechanical stresses, as well as by exposure to pro-inflammatory cytokines. Here, we investigated whether the delivery of a protease-resistant JNK inhibitory peptide (D-JNKI) through a protein transduction system during pancreatic digestion might impair JNK signalling throughout the transplantation procedure. Methods: Rat pancreases were treated with D-JNKI through the pancreatic duct and cells then isolated by enzymatic digestion. Protein extracts were prepared to determine JNK activity by kinase assays and total RNA was extracted to measure gene expressions by a Light-Cycler technique. Cell apoptosis rate was determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay and by scoring cells displaying pycnotic nuclei. Results: Our data establish that the peptide transduction system used here efficiently transfects islets, allowing for stable in vivo (up to 2days) transfection of human islets transplanted under the kidney capsule. Further, D-JNKI decreases intracellular JNK signalling during isolation and following cytokine exposure in both human and rat islets, as measured by kinase assays and reduced c-fos expression; D-JNKI also confers protection against apoptosis induced during the rat islet preparation and subsequent to IL-1β exposure. Conclusions/interpretation: JNK signalling participates in islet isolation- and IL-1β-induced apoptosis in rat islets. Furthermore, the system we used might be more generally applicable for the persistent blockage (several days) of pro-apoptotic pathways in the transplanted islets; this days-long protection might potentially be an absolute prerequisite to help transplanted islets better survive the first wave of the non-specific inflammatory attac

A Marketing Perspective on Disseminating Evidence-based Approaches to Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Evidence-based disease prevention practice guidelines can provide a rationale for health programming decisions, which should, in turn, lead to improved public health outcomes. This logic has stimulated the creation of a growing number of evidence-based prevention practice guidelines, including the Guide to Community Preventive Services. Few systematic efforts have been made to document the degree of adoption and implementation of these approaches, although the evidence on translation of research into practice in other health fields indicates that the adoption and implementation rate is low. Drawing on the marketing literature, we suggest three approaches to enhance the adoption and implementation of evidence-based approaches: 1) conducting consumer research with prospective adopters to identify their perspectives on how evidence-based prevention programs can advance their organization's mission, 2) building sustainable distribution channels to promote and deliver evidence-based programs to prospective adopters, and 3) improving access to easily implemented programs that are consistent with evidence-based guidelines. Newly emerging paradigms of prevention research (e.g., RE-AIM) that are more attuned to the needs of the marketplace will likely yield a new generation of evidence-based preventive approaches that can be more effectively disseminated. We suggest that the public health community prioritize the dissemination of evidence-based prevention approaches, because doing so is a potent environmental change strategy for enhancing health

Kajian Pengaruh Air Terhadap Kekuatan Geser Tack Coat Pada Perkerasan Lentur

Penelitian ini membahas setting time pada variasi komposisi campuran tack coat akibat pengaruh air yang memberikan nilai kuat geser yang maksimum serta bagaimana hubungan antara setting time pengaruh air terhadap kuat geser tack coat pada masing-masing variasi campuran tack coat dan besaran sebaran yang memberikan kekuatan geser maksimum. Material yang digunakan adalah aspal dengan penetrasi 60/70 dan minyak tanah produksi Pertamina. Material campuran aspal AC- WC (Asphalt Cement - Wearing Course) diambil dari base camp PT. Multi Struktur di desa Kema kabupaten Minahasa Utara. Spesifikasi bahan campuran perkerasan lentur menggunakan Job Mix Design PT. Sinar Terang Lestari dengan kadar aspal optimum 6,0%. Pengujian dilakukan di laboratorium uji bahan Politeknik Negeri Manado. Benda uji perkerasan lentur dicetak dalam bentuk briket berukuran diameter 4 inci dengan jenis perkerasan AC - WC (Asphalt Cement - Wearing Course). Benda uji dibuat sebayak 480 buah dibagi dalam dua macam yaitu: benda uji melalui proses aging sebagai lapisan perkerasan lama, dibuat sebanyak 240 buah benda uji. Benda uji melalui proses overlay sebagai lapisan perkerasan baru, dibuat sebanyak 240 buah benda uji. Pengujian menggunakan alat uji geser langsung yang dimodifikasi pada penggerak geser manual menjadi penggerak geser electromotor. Pengujian yang dilakukan berupa pengukuran kuat geser tack coat yang didasarkan pada variasi setting time (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120, 135, 150 menit), variasi campuran tack coat (25, 30, 35, 45 pph) serta besaran takaran sebaran tack coat ( 0,25 ; 0,30 ; 0,35 ; 0,45 ltr/m²). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sampai dengan batas waktu curing time tertentu, kekuatan geser yang dihasilkan oleh tack coat terhadap lapis beraspal akan meningkat sejalan dengan lamanya curing time, setelah itu kekuatan geser tack coat akan menurun. Pengaruh air hujan pada lapisan tack coat dari bahan pengencer medium curing cutback penetrasi 60/70 didapat setting time terjadi pada 135 menit dimana kekuatan geser yang terjadi akibat pengaruh air hujan masih lebih besar dari tahanan geser minimum (250kg) lapisan tack coat tanpa pengaruh air. Curing time terhadap kekuatan geser tack coat terbesar terjadi pada variasi tack coat 30 pph dengan kekuatan geser sebesar 375,567kg. Besar sebaran takaran tack coat akibat pengaruh air hujan yang memberikan nilai kekuatan geser terbesar untuk perkerasan lentur dicapai pada variasi tack coat 30 pph pada takaran 0,35 ltr/m2 dengan berat 2,8 gram. Metode pengujian kekuatan geser tack coat dengan alat uji geser langsung pada penelitian ini dapat digunakan untuk pengukuran kekuatan geser tack coat pada perkerasan lentur