Smartphone Use in Financial Management among Women’s Informal Saving Groups in Dodoma, Tanzania

Diffusion of smartphone technology has created multiple opportunities for economic development. This research investigated the use of smartphones in financial management among women’s informal saving groups in Dodoma, Tanzania. Qualitative data were collected from 10 groups, derived from 15 interviews and 3 focus group discussions (FGDs) with 22 participants and thematic analysis was done. The findings revealed that research participants were using smartphones to access WhatsApp, the camera, mobile money applications and the calculator for coordination, recording, calculation, and payment. It was also found that untrustworthy communications, high charges and mobile fraud were challenges experienced by the groups. Familiarity, ease of use and nature of the group were identified as important reasons for the smartphone use in financial management. The research contributes knowledge regarding digitizing informal saving groups although smartphone use was not strongly linked to financial management success. This suggests a need for improved skills and technological empowerment to achieve sustainable growth

Evaluation of Novel Imidazotetrazine Analogues Designed to Overcome Temozolomide Resistance and Glioblastoma Regrowth

The cellular responses to two new temozolomide (TMZ) analogues, DP68 and DP86, acting against glioblastoma multi- forme (GBM) cell lines and primary culture models are reported. Dose–response analysis of cultured GBM cells revealed that DP68 is more potent than DP86 and TMZ and that DP68 was effective even in cell lines resistant to TMZ. On the basis of a serial neurosphere assay, DP68 inhibits repop- ulation of these cultures at low concentrations. The efficacy of these compounds was independent of MGMT and MMR func- tions. DP68-induced interstrand DNA cross-links were dem- onstrated with H2O2-treated cells. Furthermore, DP68 induced a distinct cell–cycle arrest with accumulation of cells in S phase that is not observed for TMZ. Consistent with this biologic response, DP68 induces a strong DNA damage response, including phosphorylation of ATM, Chk1 and Chk2 kinases, KAP1, and histone variant H2AX. Suppression of FANCD2 expression or ATR expression/kinase activity enhanced anti- glioblastoma effects of DP68. Initial pharmacokinetic analysis revealed rapid elimination of these drugs from serum. Collec- tively, these data demonstrate that DP68 is a novel and potent antiglioblastoma compound that circumvents TMZ resistance, likely as a result of its independence from MGMT and mismatch repair and its capacity to cross-link strands of DN

The GALEX/S4G UV-IR color-color diagram: Catching spiral galaxies away from the Blue Sequence

We obtained GALEX FUV, NUV, and Spitzer/IRAC 3.6$\mu$m photometry for > 2000 galaxies, available for 90% of the S4G sample. We find a very tight "GALEX Blue Sequence (GBS)" in the (FUV-NUV) versus (NUV-[3.6]) color-color diagram which is populated by irregular and spiral galaxies, and is mainly driven by changes in the formation timescale ($\tau$) and a degeneracy between $\tau$ and dust reddening. The tightness of the GBS provides an unprecedented way of identifying star-forming galaxies and objects that are just evolving to (or from) what we call the "GALEX Green Valley (GGV)". At the red end of the GBS, at (NUV-[3.6]) > 5, we find a wider "GALEX Red Sequence (GRS)" mostly populated by E/S0 galaxies that has a perpendicular slope to that of the GBS and of the optical red sequence. We find no such dichotomy in terms of stellar mass (measured by $\rm{M}_{[3.6]}$), since both massive ($M_{\star} > 10^{11} M_{\odot}$) blue and red sequence galaxies are identified. The type that is proportionally more often found in the GGV are the S0-Sa's and most of these are located in high-density environments. We discuss evolutionary models of galaxies that show a rapid transition from the blue to the red sequence on timescale of $10^{8}$years.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJ

Accumulation of Phenolic Acids during Storage over Differently Handled Fresh Carrots

Carrots contain a significant content of phenolic compounds, mainly phenolic acids. Technological processing of carrots inflicts wounding stress and induces accumulation of these compounds, especially caffeic acid derivatives, in the periderm tissue. In this study, the effect of minimal processing (polishing, washing, peeling, and grating) on the retention of soluble phenolic acids in carrots was monitored during cold storage. Storage for up to 4 weeks and 24 h was used for whole and grated carrot samples, respectively. Total phenolic acid levels found in differently processed carrots varied greatly at the beginning of the storage period and on dry weight basis they ranged from 228 ± 67.9 mg/kg (grated carrot) to 996 ± 177 mg/kg (machine washed). In each case, processing followed by storage induced phenolic acid accumulation in the carrots. At the end of the experiment (4 weeks at +8 °C), untreated and machine-washed carrots contained ca. 4-fold more phenolic acids than at day 0. Similarly, polished carrots contained 9-fold and peeled carrots 31-fold more phenolic acids than at day 0. The phenolic acid content in grated carrot doubled after 24 h storage at +4 °C. Individual phenolic acids were characterized by high resolution mass spectrometry. MS data strongly suggest the presence of daucic acid conjugates of phenolic acids in carrot. Storage time did not have statistically similar effect on all compounds and generally in a way that dicaffeoyldaucic acid had the highest increase. This research provides important information for primary production, packaging, catering, the fresh-cut industry and consumers regarding the selection of healthier minimally processed carrots.202

Assembly and Analysis of Unmapped Genome Sequence Reads Reveal Novel Sequence and Variation in Dogs

Correction Volume: 8, Article Number: 11853 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-30169-3 Published:AUG 2 2018Dogs are excellent animal models for human disease. They have extensive veterinary histories, pedigrees, and a unique genetic system due to breeding practices. Despite these advantages, one factor limiting their usefulness is the canine genome reference (CGR) which was assembled using a single purebred Boxer. Although a common practice, this results in many high-quality reads remaining unmapped. To address this whole-genome sequence data from three breeds, Border Collie (n = 26), Bearded Collie (n = 7), and Entlebucher Sennenhund (n = 8), were analyzed to identify novel, non-CGR genomic contigs using the previously validated pseudo-de novo assembly pipeline. We identified 256,957 novel contigs and paired-end relationships together with BLAT scores provided 126,555 (49%) high-quality contigs with genomic coordinates containing 4.6 Mb of novel sequence absent from the CGR. These contigs close 12,503 known gaps, including 2.4 Mb containing partially missing sequences for 11.5% of Ensembl, 16.4% of RefSeq and 12.2% of canFam3.1+ CGR annotated genes and 1,748 unmapped contigs containing 2,366 novel gene variants. Examples for six disease-associated genes (SCARF2, RD3, COL9A3, FAM161A, RASGRP1 and DLX6) containing gaps or alternate splice variants missing from the CGR are also presented. These findings from non-reference breeds support the need for improvement of the current Boxer-only CGR to avoid missing important biological information. The inclusion of the missing gene sequences into the CGR will facilitate identification of putative disease mutations across diverse breeds and phenotypes.Peer reviewe

Changes in background aerosol composition in Finland during polluted and clean periods studied by TEM/EDX individual particle analysis

Aerosol samples were collected at a rural background site in southern Finland in May 2004 during pollution episode ( PM1 similar to 16 mu g m(-3), backward air mass trajectories from south-east), intermediate period (PM1 similar to 5 mu g m(-3), backtrajectories from north-east) and clean period (PM1 similar to 2 mu g m(-3), backtrajectories from northwest/ north). The elemental composition, morphology and mixing state of individual aerosol particles in three size fractions were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalyses. The TEM/EDX results were complemented with the size-segregated bulk chemical measurements of selected ions and organic and elemental carbon. Many of the particles in PM0.2-1 and PM1-3.3 size fractions were strongly internally mixed with S, C and/or N. The major particle types in PM0.2-1 samples were 1) soot and 2) ( ammonium) sulphates and their mixtures with variable amounts of C, K, soot and/or other inclusions. Number proportions of those two particle groups in PM0.2-1 samples were 0 - 12% and 83 - 97%, respectively. During the pollution episode, the proportion of Ca-rich particles was very high ( 26 - 48%) in the PM1- 3.3 and PM3.3-11 samples, while the PM0.2-1 and PM1- 3.3 samples contained elevated proportions of silicates ( 22 - 33%), metal oxides/hydroxides ( 1 - 9%) and tar balls ( 1 - 4%). These aerosols originated mainly from polluted areas of Eastern Europe, and some open biomass burning smoke was also brought by long-range transport. During the clean period, when air masses arrived from the Arctic Ocean, PM1- 3.3 samples contained mainly sea salt particles ( 67 - 89%) with a variable rate of Cl substitution ( mainly by NO3-). During the intermediate period, the PM1- 3.3 sample contained porous (sponge-like) Na-rich particles (35%) with abundant S, K and O. They might originate from the burning of wood pulp wastes of paper industry. The proportion of biological particles and C-rich fragments ( probably also biological origin) were highest in the PM3.3-11 samples ( 0 - 81% and 0 - 22%, respectively). The origin of different particle types and the effect of aging processes on particle composition and their hygroscopic and optical properties are discussed.Aerosol samples were collected at a rural background site in southern Finland in May 2004 during pollution episode ( PM1 similar to 16 mu g m(-3), backward air mass trajectories from south-east), intermediate period (PM1 similar to 5 mu g m(-3), backtrajectories from north-east) and clean period (PM1 similar to 2 mu g m(-3), backtrajectories from northwest/ north). The elemental composition, morphology and mixing state of individual aerosol particles in three size fractions were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalyses. The TEM/EDX results were complemented with the size-segregated bulk chemical measurements of selected ions and organic and elemental carbon. Many of the particles in PM0.2-1 and PM1-3.3 size fractions were strongly internally mixed with S, C and/or N. The major particle types in PM0.2-1 samples were 1) soot and 2) ( ammonium) sulphates and their mixtures with variable amounts of C, K, soot and/or other inclusions. Number proportions of those two particle groups in PM0.2-1 samples were 0 - 12% and 83 - 97%, respectively. During the pollution episode, the proportion of Ca-rich particles was very high ( 26 - 48%) in the PM1- 3.3 and PM3.3-11 samples, while the PM0.2-1 and PM1- 3.3 samples contained elevated proportions of silicates ( 22 - 33%), metal oxides/hydroxides ( 1 - 9%) and tar balls ( 1 - 4%). These aerosols originated mainly from polluted areas of Eastern Europe, and some open biomass burning smoke was also brought by long-range transport. During the clean period, when air masses arrived from the Arctic Ocean, PM1- 3.3 samples contained mainly sea salt particles ( 67 - 89%) with a variable rate of Cl substitution ( mainly by NO3-). During the intermediate period, the PM1- 3.3 sample contained porous (sponge-like) Na-rich particles (35%) with abundant S, K and O. They might originate from the burning of wood pulp wastes of paper industry. The proportion of biological particles and C-rich fragments ( probably also biological origin) were highest in the PM3.3-11 samples ( 0 - 81% and 0 - 22%, respectively). The origin of different particle types and the effect of aging processes on particle composition and their hygroscopic and optical properties are discussed.Aerosol samples were collected at a rural background site in southern Finland in May 2004 during pollution episode ( PM1 similar to 16 mu g m(-3), backward air mass trajectories from south-east), intermediate period (PM1 similar to 5 mu g m(-3), backtrajectories from north-east) and clean period (PM1 similar to 2 mu g m(-3), backtrajectories from northwest/ north). The elemental composition, morphology and mixing state of individual aerosol particles in three size fractions were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) coupled with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) microanalyses. The TEM/EDX results were complemented with the size-segregated bulk chemical measurements of selected ions and organic and elemental carbon. Many of the particles in PM0.2-1 and PM1-3.3 size fractions were strongly internally mixed with S, C and/or N. The major particle types in PM0.2-1 samples were 1) soot and 2) ( ammonium) sulphates and their mixtures with variable amounts of C, K, soot and/or other inclusions. Number proportions of those two particle groups in PM0.2-1 samples were 0 - 12% and 83 - 97%, respectively. During the pollution episode, the proportion of Ca-rich particles was very high ( 26 - 48%) in the PM1- 3.3 and PM3.3-11 samples, while the PM0.2-1 and PM1- 3.3 samples contained elevated proportions of silicates ( 22 - 33%), metal oxides/hydroxides ( 1 - 9%) and tar balls ( 1 - 4%). These aerosols originated mainly from polluted areas of Eastern Europe, and some open biomass burning smoke was also brought by long-range transport. During the clean period, when air masses arrived from the Arctic Ocean, PM1- 3.3 samples contained mainly sea salt particles ( 67 - 89%) with a variable rate of Cl substitution ( mainly by NO3-). During the intermediate period, the PM1- 3.3 sample contained porous (sponge-like) Na-rich particles (35%) with abundant S, K and O. They might originate from the burning of wood pulp wastes of paper industry. The proportion of biological particles and C-rich fragments ( probably also biological origin) were highest in the PM3.3-11 samples ( 0 - 81% and 0 - 22%, respectively). The origin of different particle types and the effect of aging processes on particle composition and their hygroscopic and optical properties are discussed.Peer reviewe

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Seven Measures to Reduce Tail Biting Lesions in Fattening Pigs

Tail biting is an important animal welfare issue in the pig sector. Studies have identified various risk factors which can lead to biting incidents and proposed mitigation measures. This study focused on the following seven key measures which have been identified to affect the risk of tail biting lesions: improvements in straw provision, housing ventilation, genetics, stocking density, herd health, provision of point-source enrichment objects, and adoption of early warning systems. The aim of this study was to examine whether these selected measures to reduce the risk of tail biting lesions in pig fattening are cost-effective. The problem was analyzed by first summarizing the most prospective interventions, their costs and expected impacts on the prevalence of tail biting lesions, second, by using a stochastic bio-economic model to simulate the financial return per pig space unit and per pig at different levels of prevalence of tail biting lesions, and third by looking at how large a reduction in tail biting lesions would be needed at different levels of initial prevalence of lesions to cover the costs of interventions. Tail biting lesions of a severity which would require an action (medication, hospitalization of the pig or other care, or taking preventive measures) by the pig producer were considered in the model. The results provide guidance on the expected benefits and costs of the studied interventions. According to the results, if the average prevalence of tail biting lesions is at a level of 10%, the costs of this damaging behavior can be as high as euro2.3 per slaughtered pig (similar to 1.6% of carcass value). Measures which were considered the least expensive to apply, such as provision of point-source enrichment objects, or provided wider production benefits, such as improvements in ventilation and herd health, became profitable at a lower level of efficacy than measures which were considered the most expensive to apply (e.g., straw provision, increased space allowance, automated early warning systems). Measures which were considered most efficient in reducing the risk of tail biting lesions, such as straw provision, can be cost-effective in preventing tail biting, especially when the risk of tail biting is high. At lower risk levels, the provision of point-source objects and other less costly but relatively effective measures can play an important role. However, selection of measures appropriate to the individual farm problem is essential. For instance, if poor health or barren pens are causing the elevated risk of tail biting lesions, then improving health management or enriching the pens may resolve the tail biting problem cost-effectively.Peer reviewe