An application of asset based community development approach: a case study from rural community in Egypt

Many communities in Egypt, specifically the rural areas, are unquestionably distressed places as a result of the major economic and political shifts that have occurred over the past few years. Strategies of community development are currently viewed as the radical remedy for poverty related problems. In Egypt, community development strategies are usually driven from traditional approaches including charity, needs and rights based approaches which focus on basic needs like shelters and food. These approaches have proved a deficiency as they ignore the structural causes of poverty and address symptoms only. In response to these shortages came an alternative capacity focused practice called Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach. The case in this research is that ABCD could offer a coherent strategy of sustainable development in poor communities in Egypt. Based on that, the main objectives of the research is to study the application of ABCD approach in rural areas, and in turn present a customized ABCD approach derived from the international guidelines and the Egyptian experience. In order to fulfill these objectives, case studies from the rural communities in Egypt that adopts ABCD approach were extensively studied mostly through qualitative research methods. The analysis and the findings of the current research are most relevant to developing countries and to those emerging from state capitalism and centralization. The results of the research give substantial contribution in understanding and identifying the ABCD approach. Thus, a possible way is paved to generalize this bottom up development strategy over poor communities

Study affects Pulse Parameters versus cavity length for both Dispersion Regimes in FM mode locked.

To demonstrate the effect of changing cavity length for FM mode locked on pulse parameters and make comparison for both dispersion regime , a plot for each pulse parameter as Lr function are presented for normal and anomalous dispersion regimes . The analysis is based on the theoretical study and the results of numerical simulation using MATLAB. The effect of both normal and anomalous dispersion regimes on output pulses is investigate Fiber length effects on pulse parameters are investigated by driving the modulator into different values. A numerical solution for model equations using fourth-fifth order, Runge-Kutta method is performed through MATLAB 7.0 program. Fiber length effect on pulse parameters is investigated by driving the modulator into different values of lengths. Result shows that, the output pulse width equals to ?= 501ns anomalous regime and ?=518ns in normal regime

Hybrid technique for image compression based on five modulus method and K-L-Transform

Compression is one of the important field in digital image processing , due to that a lot of technique were adopted in this field. In this research a five modulus was applied on image compression then try to hybrid it with K-L-Transform ,then studying the efficiency of each of them individually in addition to the hybrid technique . The hybrid technique give very efficient compression ratio and also the original and retrieved image are very closed to each of them Measuring the correlation factor ,PSNR and MSE shows approach high recommended for approach

Nrf2/HO-1, NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways decipher the therapeutic mechanism of pitavastatin in early phase liver fibrosis in rats

Liver fibrosis is a common chronic hepatic disease. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pitavastatin (Pit) against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis. Rats were divided into four groups: (1) control group; (2) TAA group (100 mg/kg, i.p.) three times weekly for 2 weeks; (3 and 4) TAA/Pit-treated group, in which Pit was administered orally (0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg/day) for 2 weeks following TAA injections. TAA caused liver damage manifested by elevated serum transaminases, reduced albumin and histological alterations. Hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased, and glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were decreased in TAA-administered rats. TAA upregulated the inflammatory markers NF-κB, NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-6. Treatment with Pit ameliorated serum transaminases, elevated serum albumin and prevented histopathological changes in TAA-intoxicated rats. Pit suppressed MDA, NF-κB, NF-κB p65, the inflammatory cytokines and PI3K mRNA in TAA-intoxicated rats. In addition, Pit enhanced hepatic antioxidants and boosted the nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA. Moreover, immunohistological studies supported the ability of Pit to reduce liver fibrosis via suppressing p-AKT expression. In conclusion, Pit effectively prevents TAA-induced liver fibrosis by attenuating oxidative stress and the inflammatory response. The hepatoprotective efficacy of Pit was associated with the upregulation of Nrf2/HO-1 and downregulation of NF-κB and PI3K/Akt signalling pathways

Renoprotective Effect of Pitavastatin against TAA-Induced Renal Injury: Involvement of the miR-93/PTEN/AKT/mTOR Pathway

This research investigated if pitavastatin (Pita) might protect rats' kidneys against thioacetamide (TAA). By altering the PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathway, pitavastatin may boost kidney antioxidant capacity and minimize oxidative damage. Statins have several benefits, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The principal hypothesis of this study was that Pita can regulate the miR-93/PTEN/AKT/mTOR pathways, which is thought to be responsible for its renoprotective effects. The experiment divided male rats into four groups. Group 1 included untreated rats as the control. Group 2 included rats which received TAA (100 mg/kg intraperitoneally thrice a week for two weeks) to destroy their kidneys. Groups 3 and 4 included rats which received Pita orally at 0.4 and 0.8 mg/kg for 14 days after TAA injections. Renal injury increased BUN, creatinine, and MDA levels and decreased glutathione (GSH) levels. Pitavastatin prevented these alterations. TAA decreased PTEN and increased miR-93, Akt, p-Akt, mTOR, and Stat3 in the kidneys. Pitavastatin also regulated the associated culprit pathway, miR-93/PTEN/Akt/mTOR. In addition, TAA induced adverse effects on the kidney tissue, which were significantly ameliorated by pitavastatin treatment. The findings suggest that pitavastatin can attenuate renal injury, likely by regulating the miR-93/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway. This modulation of the pathway appears to contribute to the protective effects of pitavastatin against TAA-induced renal injury, adding to the growing evidence of the pleiotropic benefits of statins in renal health

Lactoferrin Enhanced Apoptosis and Protected Against Thioacetamide-Induced Liver Fibrosis in Rats

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis is the common pathologic consequence of all chronic liver diseases.AIM: Lactoferrin (Lf) was investigated for its possible hepatoprotective effect against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver fibrosis rat model.MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats received TAA (200 mg/kg/biweekly, ip) for four successive weeks. Lf (200 mg/kg/day, p.o.) or vehicle (VHC) was administered for one month before and another month during TAA injection. Body weight and mortality rate were assessed during the month of TAA-intoxication. Thereafter, serum and liver tissues were analyzed for liver function, oxidative, fibrotic and apoptotic markers.RESULTS: Lf conserved rats against TAA-induced body weight-loss and mortality. Preservation of serum albumin, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin levels was also observed. Lf also protected rats against TAA-induced decrease in reduced glutathione and increase in malondialdehyde liver contents. Normal liver contents of hydroxyproline, nuclear factor kappa B and alpha fetoprotein; as markers of fibrosis; were increased with TAA and conserved with Lf-TAA. Lf maintained the normal architecture of the liver and immunohistochemical findings revealed increase in apoptotic bodies compared to TAA that favored necrosis.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Lf improved liver function, reduced oxidative stress and liver fibrosis, and enhanced apoptosis in rats with liver fibrosis, suggesting it to have useful therapeutic potential in patients with liver fibrosis

Antihypertensive Effects of Roselle-Olive Combination in L-NAME-Induced Hypertensive Rats

This study aimed to evaluate the antihypertensive efficacy of a new combination therapy of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Olea europaea extracts (2 : 1; Roselle-Olive), using N(G)-nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester- (L-NAME-) induced hypertensive model. Rats received L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day, orally) for 4 weeks. Concurrent treatment with Roselle-Olive (500, 250, and 125 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, reversed the L-NAME-induced suppression in serum nitric oxide (NO), and improved liver and kidney markers, lipid profile, and oxidative status. Furthermore, Roselle-Olive significantly lowered the elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme activity (ACE) and showed a marked genoprotective effect against oxidative DNA damage in hypertensive rats. Roselle-Olive ameliorated kidney and heart lesions and reduced aortic media thickness. Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry showed an enhanced endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene and protein expression in both heart and kidney of Roselle-Olive-treated rats. To conclude, our data revealed that Roselle-Olive is an effective combination in which H. sabdariffa and O. europaea synergistically act to control hypertension. These effects are likely to be mediated by antioxidant and genoprotective actions, ACE inhibition, and eNOS upregulation by Roselle-Olive constituents. These findings provide evidences that Roselle-Olive combination affords efficient antihypertensive effect with a broad end-organ protective influence

La importancia de las clases de psicomotricidad en los establecimientos educacionales Montessori en el sector oriente de Santiago

Tesis (Profesor de Educación Física para la Enseñanza Básica, Licenciado en Educación)La presente investigación tiene como propósito investigar la importancia que tiene en las clases de psicomotricidad el uso de materiales didácticos hechos de materiales reciclados, en establecimientos educacionales con el método Montessori en el Sector Oriente de Santiago. Los datos recopilados se obtuvieron durante el mes de septiembre del 2017 a través de una encuesta cerrada utilizando escala de Likert, que fue entregada a cada directora y/o responsable del establecimiento educacional de tipo Montessori. A lo largo de este trabajo se analizarán elementos necesarios para el uso de materiales didácticos hechos de materiales reciclados y si se relaciona directamente en el aprendizaje motriz del niño, todo esto para comprender y mejorar las relaciones personales, con los objetos que nos rodean. Es necesario comprender y saber cuáles son los elementos, conceptos y autores que basan sus estudios en la psicomotricidad, así como también el Método Montessori y el reciclaje como medio de reutilización de materiales, en beneficio del desarrollo integral educativo del niño. En el capítulo uno se llevará a cabo el planteamiento del problema, pregunta de investigación, viabilidad del estudio, justificación del problema, para llegar finalmente a los objetivos generales y específicos. En el capítulo dos profundizaremos en el marco teórico sobre el método Montessori, aspectos de motricidad de conceptos de psicomotricidad y su aspecto en el desarrollo del niño de 4 a 6 años. Como también se refiere al material didáctico realizado de material reciclado y reciclaje. Por último, encontramos el marco referencial y conceptual que nos llevaran al siguiente capítulo. En el capítulo 3 tras la realización de una encuesta, se llevan a cabo los datos concretos por medio de gráficos que plasmen los resultados de la misma. Mientras que en capítulo 4 hay un desarrollo y discusión del análisis de cada uno de los datos obtenidos para poder llegar a conclusiones. Por otra parte, será presentado un manual de materiales didácticos hechos con materiales reciclables, con el objetivo de que sea un instrumento de ayuda para los profesores y así promover el reciclaje ayudando al medio ambiente y a la vez relacionarlo con el aprendizaje de los niños

Bioinspired redox-active systems for electron transfer and synthetic challenges

La nature détient une astuce récemment découverte qui lui permet d’effectuer des transformations chimiques exigeantes telles que la réduction et la valorisation du dioxyde de carbone et du diazote, des réactions d’enjeu environnemental. Ces transformations ont lieu grâce à la propriété d’inversion des potentiels redox que possèdent certaines molécules organiques telles que les quinones et les flavines, situées dans des enzymes. Cette propriété leur permet de faciliter le second transfert électronique par rapport au premier et leur permet de générer des espèces assez réductrices capables de réaliser ces transformations chimiques difficiles. Cependant, les quinones et flavines ne possédant pas cette propriété d’inversion des potentiels ne sont pas capables d’effectuer ce type de transformation. L’ordre des potentiels redox (inversion ou non) dépend de l’interaction de la molécule organique avec son environnement dans l’enzyme. Nos travaux visent à reproduire ces processus naturels à l’aide d’un système simplifié contenant un métal éco-compatible et des ligands bio-inspirés, possédant cette propriété d’inversion en vue d’applications en catalyse et afin d’effectuer des réactions chimiques compliquées avec des systèmes plus simples que ceux utilisés par la nature. Nos résultats montrent qu’à l’instar du processus naturel l’environnement du complexe influence fortement l’ordre des potentiels redox des complexes ainsi que la réactivité du complexe et permet de moduler le nombre d’électrons transférés. Nous exploitons aussi l’inversion des potentiels dans les transferts multiélectroniques.Nature has a recently discovered trick that allows it to perform demanding chemical transformations such as the reduction of carbon dioxide and dinitrogen, reactions of environmental concern. These transformations take place thanks to the property of redox potential inversion that certain organic molecules such as quinones and flavines possess, located in enzymes. This property allows them to facilitate the second electronic transfer compared to the first one and allows them to generate reducing species capable of carrying out these difficult chemical transformations. However, quinones and flavines that do not possess the property of potential inversion are not able to carry out this type of transformation. The order of the redox potentials (inversion or not) depends on the interaction of the organic molecule with its environment in the enzyme. Our work aims at reproducing these natural processes with a simplified system containing an eco-compatible metal and bio- inspired ligands, possessing this property of potential inversion for applications in catalysis and in order to perform complicated chemical reactions with simpler systems than those used in nature. Our results show that, as in the natural process, the environment of the complex strongly influences the order of the redox potentials of the complexes as well as the reactivity of the complex and allows to modulate the number of electrons transferred. We also exploit potential inversion in reaction that require multi-electron transfers

Systèmes bioinspirés redox-actifs pour le transfert électronique et les défis synthétiques

Nature has a recently discovered trick that allows it to perform demanding chemical transformations such as the reduction of carbon dioxide and dinitrogen, reactions of environmental concern. These transformations take place thanks to the property of redox potential inversion that certain organic molecules such as quinones and flavines possess, located in enzymes. This property allows them to facilitate the second electronic transfer compared to the first one and allows them to generate reducing species capable of carrying out these difficult chemical transformations. However, quinones and flavines that do not possess the property of potential inversion are not able to carry out this type of transformation. The order of the redox potentials (inversion or not) depends on the interaction of the organic molecule with its environment in the enzyme. Our work aims at reproducing these natural processes with a simplified system containing an eco-compatible metal and bio- inspired ligands, possessing this property of potential inversion for applications in catalysis and in order to perform complicated chemical reactions with simpler systems than those used in nature. Our results show that, as in the natural process, the environment of the complex strongly influences the order of the redox potentials of the complexes as well as the reactivity of the complex and allows to modulate the number of electrons transferred. We also exploit potential inversion in reaction that require multi-electron transfers.La nature détient une astuce récemment découverte qui lui permet d’effectuer des transformations chimiques exigeantes telles que la réduction et la valorisation du dioxyde de carbone et du diazote, des réactions d’enjeu environnemental. Ces transformations ont lieu grâce à la propriété d’inversion des potentiels redox que possèdent certaines molécules organiques telles que les quinones et les flavines, situées dans des enzymes. Cette propriété leur permet de faciliter le second transfert électronique par rapport au premier et leur permet de générer des espèces assez réductrices capables de réaliser ces transformations chimiques difficiles. Cependant, les quinones et flavines ne possédant pas cette propriété d’inversion des potentiels ne sont pas capables d’effectuer ce type de transformation. L’ordre des potentiels redox (inversion ou non) dépend de l’interaction de la molécule organique avec son environnement dans l’enzyme. Nos travaux visent à reproduire ces processus naturels à l’aide d’un système simplifié contenant un métal éco-compatible et des ligands bio-inspirés, possédant cette propriété d’inversion en vue d’applications en catalyse et afin d’effectuer des réactions chimiques compliquées avec des systèmes plus simples que ceux utilisés par la nature. Nos résultats montrent qu’à l’instar du processus naturel l’environnement du complexe influence fortement l’ordre des potentiels redox des complexes ainsi que la réactivité du complexe et permet de moduler le nombre d’électrons transférés. Nous exploitons aussi l’inversion des potentiels dans les transferts multiélectroniques