Student Teachers’ Beliefs about Developmentally Appropriate Practices and Their Relationship with some Demographic Variables

The purpose of this study was to investigate female student teachers’ beliefs towards developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) and the relationship between these beliefs and the GPA. It also aimed to investigate the differences in DAP beliefs among female student teachers at different years(lst through 4th year). Study sample consisted of 60 female students selected from the Early Child Education program at the College of Education, Sultan Qaboos University from different years (lst through 4th year). The study used the three subscales of teacher beliefs scale: (a) integrated/social- cultural curriculum, (b) teacher-directed / basic school skills and (c) child-centered learning. The results indicated a significant correlation at p=0.01 among the three TBS subscales, the total score and GPA. Significant differences were also found between the different years where the beliefs of the second, third and fourth year students were better than first year students beliefs on all subscales and the total score

Spectrum subtraction as a complementary method for six resolution techniques resolving overlapping spectra; application to multicomponent veterinary formulation with greenness and whiteness assessment

Abstract Mathematical filtration is an efficient tool to resolve the overlapping spectra of binary mixtures in zero or first order form. Herein, a comparative study was conducted between six economic, accurate and precise spectrophotometric methods for determination of Triclabendazole (TCB) and Levamisole HCl (LVM). Each component was resolved with minimum mathematical steps in its zero-order absorption spectrum by ratio subtraction, constant multiplication, and the recent factorized response method; coupled with spectrum subtraction. In addition, the mixture was resolved in its first derivative form by derivative subtraction, D1 constant multiplication, and the recent D1 factorized response method; coupled with spectrum subtraction. Results obtained were also compared to those obtained from constant value, concentration value, and derivative ratio methods. The linearity range was found to be either 1.0–10.0 µg/mL or 2.0–20.0 µg/mL for TCB, and 2.0–14.0 µg/mL for LVM with LOD of 0.08 µg/mL and 0.19 µg/mL, respectively. Validation of the proposed methods was performed according to VICH guidelines. Results obtained from the statistical data showed no significant difference regarding accuracy and precision compared to the reported methods. The developed spectrophotometric methods followed the principles of green analytical chemistry, in which the green assessment was done through four tools, called, National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI), Analytical Eco-Scale (AES), Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and Analytical greenness metric (AGREE). Also, a white assessment was performed using RGB model. The proposed methods could offer an economic alternative for the routine analysis of bulk materials and combined veterinary dosage form. Graphical Abstrac

Predictors of failure of recurrent spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea repair: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background To identify and predict risk factors associated with recurrent spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, a cohort study included a total of 37 adult patients with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea were analyzed. Results Over a 2-year period, 37 patients of spontaneous CSF leak with exclusion of other etiologies (traumatic, congenital) were enrolled: primary (non-recurrent) (n = 20) and secondary (recurrent) (n = 17), where 83.8% were females with an average body mass index (BMI) of 36.4 kg/m2. Associated symptoms of high intracranial pressure (ICP) namely, blurred vision and unsteadiness (P-value = 0.006 and 0.01, respectively), multiparity (92.3%), and failure to localize the defect (17.6%) contributed to patients having more recurrence. Although the cribriform plate was detected frequently (n = 29.4%), they were associated with lower recurrence compared to lateral recess of sphenoid (66.6% vs 20%). Conclusion Direct endoscopic visualization and repair of skull base defects achieve a high success rate, but failure is still a possibility especially in spontaneous etiology of leaks. In a multiparous female, with high CSF pressure, lateral sphenoid recess, large size, or unidentified defect, the incidence of recurrence is much higher. Level of evidence

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) Based on Extracted Natural Dyes

Here, three natural dyes were extracted from different fruits and leaves and used as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Chlorophyll was extracted from spinach leaves using acetone as a solvent. Anthocyanin was extracted from red cabbage and onion peels using water. Different characterizations for the prepared natural dyes were conducted including UV-vis absorption, FTIR, and steady-state/time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy. Various DSSCs based on the extracted dyes were fabricated. The degradation in the power conversion efficiencies was monitored over a week. The effect of the TiO2 mesoporous layers on the efficiency was also studied. The interfaces between the natural dyes and the TiO2 layers were investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Enhancing durability and sustainable preservation of Egyptian stone monuments using metabolites produced by Streptomyces exfoliatus

Abstract Despite their threatens for Egyptian stone monuments, A few studies focused on using biocontrol agents against deteriorative fungi and bacteria instead of using chemical assays that leave residuals leading to human toxicity and environmental pollution. This work aims to isolate and identify fungal and bacterial isolates that showed deteriorative activities from stone monuments in Temple of Hathor, Luxor, Egypt, as well as determine the inhibitory activity of metabolites produced by Streptomyces exfoliatus SAMAH 2021 against the identified deteriorative fungal and bacterial strains. Moreover, studying the spectral analysis, toxicological assessment of metabolites produced by S. exfoliatus SAMAH 2021 against health human cell fibroblast, and colorimetric measurements on the selected stone monuments. Ten samples were collected from Temple of Hathor, Luxor, Egypt. Three fungal isolates and one bacterial isolate were obtained and identified as A. niger isolate Hathor 2, C. fioriniae strain Hathor 3, P. chrysogenum strain HATHOR 1, and L. sphaericus strain Hathor 4, respectively. Inhibitory potential of the metabolites in all concentrations used (100–25%) against the recommended antibiotics (Tetracycline 10 µg/ml and Doxycycline (30 µg/ml) showed an inhibitory effect toward all tested deteriorative pathogens with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) of 25%. Cytotoxicity test confirmed that microbial filtrate as the antimicrobial agent was safe for healthy human skin fibroblast with IC50 of < 100% and cell viability of 97%. Gas chromatography analysis recorded the existence of thirteen antimicrobial agents, Cis-vaccenic acid; 1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid; ç-Butyl-ç-butyrolactone and other compounds. Colorimetric measurements confirmed no color or surface change for the limestone-treated pieces. The use of the metabolite of microbial species antimicrobial as a biocontrol agent raises contemporary issues concerning the bio-protection of the Egyptian monuments to reduce chemical formulas that are toxic to humans and pollute the environment. Such serious problems need further investigation for all kinds of monuments

Assessing the influence of the inclusion of Bacillus subtilis AQUA-GROW® as feed additive on the growth performance,feed utilization, immunological responses and body composition of the Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei

This study was carried out to determine the influence of four concentrations of dietary Bacillus subtilis on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, immunity and antioxidants activities, mortality rate and chemical composition of Litopenaeus vannamei. Three hundred and sixty L. vannamei (4.00g ± 0.03) were raised in 12 hapas (1 m3 each, placed in 4 ponds) equally distributed on apparently 38.5% protein and 10.5% lipid containing three concentrations (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5) g/kg of dietary B. subtilis and a non-supplemented control in triplicates. After 56 days of feeding trial, the growth performance, feed utilization, survival rate and immune parameters were significantly (P < 0.05) better in shrimp fed with dietary B.subtilis compared to the control. The higher dose of dietary B.subtilis showed the good performance of the parameters studied, but in some instances (specific growth rate, feed conversion rate, lysosomal enzyme activity, phenoloxidase activity etc.) were not significant (P < 0.05) difference. This study indicates that dietary B. subtilis based diets have a more positive influence on the growth performance, feed utilization, survival rate and immune response of L. vannamei fingerlings

Potential Symbiotic Effects of β-1,3 Glucan, and Fructooligosaccharides on the Growth Performance, Immune Response, Redox Status, and Resistance of Pacific White Shrimp, <i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i> to <i>Fusarium solani</i> Infection

The potential effects of dietary supplementation with β-1,3 glucan and fructooligosaccharides (β-1,3 GF) on antioxidant activities, immunological response, and growth performance of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) was investigated. Four diets (iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous) with different levels of β-1,3 GF (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 g kg−1) were fed to healthy shrimp juveniles weighing 3 ± 0.5 g for 75 days. Shrimps were randomly distributed into 12 net enclosures at a density of 30 shrimp/net, and the experiment was performed in triplicate. The results revealed that long-term supplementation with 1.5 g kg−1 β-1,3 GF significantly improved shrimp weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and digestive enzyme profiles compared to the control diet group. However, there were no substantial variations in the contents of moisture, crude protein, total lipids, and ash in the muscles of shrimp fed on different diets. Surprisingly, all antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase) and immune biomarkers (lysozyme, total hemocyte count, phenol oxidase, and respiratory burst) activities were significantly elevated with increasing levels of β-1,3 GF in the shrimp diet, and the highest values were recorded in the 1.5 g kg−1 diet groups. Challenge test results revealed that F. solani could cause a high mortality rate (86.7%) in a group fed a normal basal diet within 14 days at a dose of 5 × 104 conidia mL−1. Surprisingly, all dietary treated groups with different doses of β-1,3 GF showed high resistance against F. solani, represented by lower cumulative mortality rates (20–43.3%) compared to the control group. Moreover, most of the infected shrimp showed a typical black to brown gill lesion similar to that observed in the natural infection, where an identical fungus was successfully re-isolated from infected gills and muscles. Overall, this study recommends an appropriate incorporation level of β-1,3 GF that could enhance growth performance and improve the antioxidant activities, non-specific immunity, and disease resistance of L. vannamei, with an optimal level of 1.5 g kg−1

Utilization of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from Agaricus bisporus extract for food safety application: synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial efficacy, and toxicological assessment

Abstract The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in foodborne bacterial pathogens has raised significant concerns in the food industry. This study explores the antimicrobial potential of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) derived from Agaricus bisporus (Mushroom) against foodborne bacterial pathogens. The biosynthesized AgNPs were characterized using various techniques, including UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, high-resolution scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analysis. The antibacterial activity of the AgNPs was tested against a panel of foodborne bacterial strains, and their cytotoxicity was evaluated on normal human skin fibroblasts. Among the tested strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 showed the highest sensitivity with an inhibition zone diameter (IZD) of 48 mm, while Klebsiella quasipneumoniae ATTC 700603 and Bacillus cereus ATCC 11778 displayed the highest resistance with IZDs of 20 mm. The silver cations released by AgNPs demonstrated strong bactericidal effects against both Gram-positive (G + ve) and Gram-negative (G − ve) bacteria, as evidenced by the minimum inhibitory concentration/minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC/MIC) ratio. Moreover, cytotoxicity testing on normal human skin fibroblasts (HSF) indicated that AgNPs derived from the mushroom extract were safe, with a cell viability of 98.2%. Therefore, AgNPs hold promise as an alternative means to inhibit biofilm formation in the food industry sector