Retrieving the hemodynamic response function in resting state fMRI: methodology and application

In this paper we present a procedure to retrieve the hemodynamic response function (HRF) from resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. The fundamentals of the procedures are further validated by considering simultaneous electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. The typical HRF shape at rest for a group of healthy subject is presented. Then we present the modifications to the shape of the HRF at rest following two physiological modulations: eyes open versus eyes closed and propofol-induced modulations of consciousness

Inhibition of seafood-borne bacteria in cooked mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta) fish meat by lactic acid bacteria

Antagonistic activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) namely Streptococcus faecalis, Pediococcus cerevisiae and Lactobacillus casei was tested against seafood-borne bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium perfringens and Listeria monocytogenes. Three lactic acid bacteria such as Streptococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus casei and Pediococcus cerevisiae were coated on cooked mackerel meat, individually and in combination against fish-borne bacteria. S. faecalis inhibited C. perfringens in individual coat by 3.7 log units as compared to control, whereas L. casei did not inhibit C. perfringens. P. cerevisiae inhibited S. aureus by 5 log units. L. casei, inhibited L. monocytogenes by 3.3 log units on the third day of storage as compared to control. On the other hand, S. aureus and B. cereus were inhibited on the third and second day by 4.9 log and 5.2 log units respectively. B. cereus, S. aureus, L. monocytogenes were the most sensitive to all three LAB. C. perfringens was the least inhibited among all the seafood-borne bacteria tried. Multiple LAB or LAB strains in combination showed much earlier inhibitory activity on seafood-borne bacteria than single LAB coat

Seasonal variations of abundance and live/dead compositions of copepods inMersin Bay, northeastern Levantine Sea (eastern Mediterranean)

The seasonality of abundance and live/dead compositions of copepods was studied in the northeastern Mediterranean Sea. Zooplankton, chlorophyll-a, and PO4 sampling was performed on a monthly basis from March 2006 to February 2007 at both a coastal station and an open water station. At the coastal station, high phytoplankton biomass was driven by PO4 input from the Lamas River. On annual average, copepod abundance was 53,075 and 140,227 ind. m(-2) at the coastal and open water stations, respectively. The most common copepod taxa were Oithona similis, Euterpina acutifrons, Labidocera spp., Oncaea media, and Temora spp. at the coastal station, and Oncaea media, Labidocera spp., Lucicutia spp., Farranula spp., Oithona similis, and Microsetella spp. at the open water station. At the coastal station, dead copepods did not exceed 7% of the population; on annual average, 2.6% of the copepods were dead. At the open water station, on average 10.6% of the copepod population appeared dead; the percentages of dead copepods reached 29.5% in April and 21.7% in May 2006, suggesting that the copepod community suffered higher nonpredatory mortality at the open water station than at the coastal station, especially in the spring

Parameterized hemodynamic response function data of healthy individuals obtained from resting-state functional MRI in a 7T MRI scanner

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), being an indirect measure of brain activity, is mathematically defined as a convolution of the unmeasured latent neural signal and the hemodynamic response function (HRF). The HRF is known to vary across the brain and across individuals, and it is modulated by neural as well as non-neural factors. Three parameters characterize the shape of the HRF, which is obtained by performing deconvolution on resting-state fMRI data: response height, time-to-peak and full-width at half-max. The data provided here, obtained from 47 healthy adults, contains these three HRF parameters at every voxel in the brain, as well as HRF parameters from the default-mode network (DMN). In addition, we have provided functional connectivity (FC) data from the same DMN regions, obtained for two cases: data with deconvolution (HRF variability minimized) and data with no deconvolution (HRF variability corrupted). This would enable researchers to compare regional changes in HRF with corresponding FC differences, to assess the impact of HRF variability on FC. Importantly, the data was obtained in a 7T MRI scanner. While most fMRI studies are conducted at lower field strengths, like 3T, ours is the first study to report HRF data obtained at 7T. FMRI data at ultra-high fields contains larger contributions from small vessels, consequently HRF variability is lower for small vessels at higher field strengths. This implies that findings made from this data would be more conservative than from data acquired at lower fields, such as 3T. Results obtained with this data and further interpretations are available in our recent research study (Rangaprakash et al., in press) [1]. This is a valuable dataset for studying HRF variability in conjunction with FC, and for developing the HRF profile in healthy individuals, which would have direct implications for fMRI data analysis, especially resting-state connectivity modeling. This is the first public HRF data at 7T

Evaluating the Impact of Technological Adaptation in Third-Party Logistics on Farming Household Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Supply Chain Robustness

Agriculture is recognized as a key determinant in the economic vitality of Sri Lanka. The prominent challenges faced by farmers include the pervasiveness of middlemen, insufficient storage infrastructure, substandard transportation between supply chain participants, and inadequate mechanization within the agricultural sector. This research primarily investigates the influence of Third-Party Logistics – including warehousing, distribution, and order fulfillment – on optimizing farmers' rewards, a process moderated by technology adaptation and mediated by supply chain robustness. The principal objective of this study is to explore and scrutinize the impact of logistics and its constituents on the optimization of compensations and additional benefits for farmers, which can be achieved by enhancing the supply chain through technological adaptation. To meet this objective, the researcher adopted a pragmatic philosophical position coupled with a deductive methodology. The research was conducted among farmers in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. A sample of 180 farming households was chosen through a stratified simple random sampling technique that encompassed all Districts within the Province. An explanatory mixed method was employed as the methodological preference for the study, supplemented by a cross-sectional approach under the time horizon. The study's findings revealed that Third-Party Logistics positively impact reward maximization, and further demonstrated the moderating and mediating effects of technology adaptation and supply chain resilience. In conclusion, the paper presents recommended strategies, which include advancements in logistical practices and the implementation of updated technological solutions within agriculture. These recommendations could be adopted by farmers to maximize the monetary and non-monetary benefits. &nbsp

Detection of Folate Receptor from FR+ Cells

Targeted drug delivery is a newer and less explored arena that has potential scope in tumor targeting because the regular chemotherapy has lethal effects on the normal cells also. Our present Work was an attempt to specifically target receptors on cancerous cells, especially the Folate Receptor (FR). Folate is important for cells for DNA synthesis and the tissues that rapidly divide require folate, cancer cells are no exceptions for this. To cope with the increased demand for the folate the cancer cells express greater FR on the cell surface. This very fact was our basis for the construction of our probe. Previous work in the group successfully demonstrated the use of dyes like Rhodamine to link folic acid in the construction of the probe. Dyes like Rhodamine have great advantages but are proven carcinogenic so there is need for more safe linking agents like biotin which is a naturally occurring substance in human body. In this study, the concept of disulfide linkage was applied in order to link Folate Cysteinyl Dithiopyridil to Cysteinyl biotin as a Mass Spectoscopic Probe. Because the mechanism in the study directly bonds via disulfide bond it makes linkage possible with various different types of moieties such including DNA. Because FR is overly produced in malignant cells, several types of dyes and small molecules are being studied as to bind with FR

DIAGNOSIS IN AYURVEDA WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TRIVIDHA BODHYA SAMGRAHA

Ayurveda is comprehensive in its approach which emphasizes naming a disease is not necessary rather knowledge about Nidana (Etiological Factors), Dosha, Dushya and Samprapti of disease (Pathology) are crucial. Several diseases mentioned in the Samhitas (Classical texts) does not match with clinical presentation of disease thus in order to ascertain a working diagnosis clinical history and detailed physical examination are critical to the diagnostic process. Based on the ‘Purush Purush Veekshya Nyaya’, various Siddhantas (principles) ought to be adopted to diagnose the disease, as diagnosis is always individual to each patient. Acharya Charaka has mentioned the concept of Trividha Bodhya Samgraha (Vikara Samuthana, Vikara Adhishtana and Vikara Prakruti Vishesha that deals with the principles of etiology and different stages of pathology of a disease. This concept holds basis for Ukta Gada (listed diseases) as well as for Anukta Gada (unlisted diseases). Thus it can be applied to diagnose any of the disease. If accurate diagnosis is made in proper and sequential manner it provides the best outcome by assessing the response to multimodal approach of Ayurveda through treatment modality. This present article aims to provide an insight to develop a clinical approach to Ayurveda diagnosis enunciated in Samhitas in context of Trividha Bodhya Samgraha underneath the spectrum of Anukta Vyadhi