Financial Market Structure and the Ergocicity of Prices.

The properties of prices, especially with respect to initial conditions related to market startup and unusual shocks to the market environment, are of concern to regulators assessing alternative financial market structures. A natural way to investigate the importance of initial conditions is to evaluate the ergodicity of the price process. A consistent nonparametric test for ergodic failure is introduced for this purpose. We compare the ergodic properties of prices across (i) a computerized market, characterized by an electronic limit order book and a separate batch opening protocol; and (ii) a traditional open-outcry floor market. The work is enabled in part by unusual matched high-frequency trading data on identical financial instruments traded in both markets over the same 24-hour period.AUCTIONS ; FINANCIAL MARKET

Antiviral activity of chitosan nanoparticles for controlling plant-infecting viruses

Chitosan nanoparticles (ChiNPs) are a potentially effective means for controlling numerous plant diseases. This study firstly describes the antiviral capabilities of ChiNPs to control plant viral diseases compared to its bulk form. Bean yellow mosaic virus (BYMV) was used as a model plant virus affecting faba bean plants and many other legumes. The antiviral effectiveness of ChiNPs and chitosan were evaluated as a curative application method, using six dosage rates (50, 100, 200, 250, 300 and 400 mg/L). Results indicated that ChiNPs curatively applied 48 h post virus inoculation entirely inhibit the disease infectivity and viral accumulation content at 300 mg/L and 400 mg/L. The virus titre was greatly alleviated within the plant tissues by 7.71% up to100% depending on ChiNP dosage rates. However, chitosan used in its bulk-based material form revealed a relatively low to an intermediate reduction in virus infectivity by 6.67% up to 48.86%. Interestingly, ChiNPs affect the virus particle’s integrity by producing defective and incomplete BYMV viral particles, defeating their replication and accumulation content within the plant tissues. Simultaneously, ChiNP applications were appreciably shown to promote the pathogenesis-related (PR-1) gene and other defence-related factors. The mRNA of the PR-1 gene was markedly accumulated in treated plants, reaching its maximum at 400 mg/L with 16.22-fold relative expression change over the untreated control. Further, the total phenol dynamic curve was remarkably promoted for 30 days in response to ChiNP application, as compared to the untreated control. Our results provide the first report that chitosan-based nanomaterials have a superior effect in controlling plant viruses as an antiviral curing agent, suggesting that they may feasibly be involved in viral disease management strategies under field conditions without serious health concerns and environmental costs. Significance: • Our findings show that chitosan nanoparticles have a powerful curing antiviral activity against BYMV disease. These findings open the door for the use of eco-friendly nano-based tools in controlling numerous plant viruses. The use of eco-friendly nano-based materials could result in a successful integrative control strategy for plant viruses under field conditions, negating the need for the conventional measure used to control most of the insect-transmitted plant viruses, that is insecticide application against vector insects

Epigenetic harnessing of HCV via modulating the lipid droplet-protein, TIP47, in HCV cell models

AbstractThis study aimed at identifying potential microRNAs that modulate hepatic lipid droplets (LD) through targeting the Tail interacting protein of 47kDa (TIP47) in HCV infection.Bioinformatics analysis revealed that miR-148a and miR-30a potentially target TIP47. Expression profiling showed that both microRNAs were downregulated, while TIP47 was upregulated in liver biopsies of HCV-infected patients. Forcing the expression of both microRNAs in JFH-I infected, oleic acid-treated Huh7 cells, significantly suppressed TIP47 expression and reduced cellular LDs with marked decrease in viral RNA. This study shows that miR-148a and miR-30a, regulate TIP47 expression and LDs in HCV infected cells

Biocontrol of Bacillus cereus by Lactobacillus plantarum in Kareish cheese and yogurt

This study aims to biocontrol of Bacillus cereus by Lactobacillus plantarum in Kareish cheese and yogurts. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs), antioxidant potentials, total flavonoids content (TFC) and total phenolic content (TPC) of L. plantarum were also estimated. Results showed that incidence of B. cereus in Kareish cheese and yogurt was 16 and 4%, respectively. Four virulence genes were investigated by PCR in B. cereus isolates (n = 10). Two toxin producing genes, cytotoxin K (cytK), and phosphatidylcholine-hydrolyzing phospholipase C (Pc-plc), were detected in all B. cereus, whereas enterotoxigenic (nhe) and hemolysin BL (hbl) genes were detected in 90 and 50%, respectively. All isolates were vulnerable to erythromycin and gentamicin (100%) with intermediate sensitivity to ciprofloxacin and complete resistance to tetracycline (100%). L. plantarum showed antibacterial power against B. cereus EMCC1006 reference strain with MIC at 3.1 mg/mL. From the different concentrations (1.5, 3.1, 6.25, 12.5, 25.0, 50.0, 100.0 mg/mL) of L. plantarum which mixed with Kareish cheese and yogurt samples, the minimum concentrations displayed the excellent sensory parameters. TPC and TFC of L. plantarum CFS were 18.5 (μg GAE/g) and 2.67 (μg QE/g), respectively. Regarding antioxidant activity, IC50 of L. plantarum was 53.84 μg/mL, while IC50 of ascorbic acid was 26.36 μg/mL. In sum, L. plantarum could be used as a promising antibacterial and antioxidant agent for biocontrol of B. cereus to ensure dairy safe without negative impact on sensorial attributes.Universidade de Vigo/CISU

Fabrication and Characterization of Effective Biochar Biosorbent Derived from Agricultural Waste to Remove Cationic Dyes from Wastewater

The main aim of this work is to treat sugarcane bagasse agricultural waste and prepare an efficient, promising, and eco-friendly adsorbent material. Biochar is an example of such a material, and it is an extremely versatile and eco-friendly biosorbent to treat wastewater. Crystal violet (CV)-dye and methylene blue (MB)-dye species are examples of serious organic pollutants. Herein, biochar was prepared firstly from sugarcane bagasse (SCB), and then a biochar biosorbent was synthesized through pyrolysis and surface activation with NaOH. SEM, TEM, FTIR, Raman, surface area, XRD, and EDX were used to characterize the investigated materials. The reuse of such waste materials is considered eco-friendly in nature. After that, the adsorption of MB and CV-species from synthetically prepared wastewater using treated biochar was investigated under various conditions. To demonstrate the study’s effectiveness, it was attempted to achieve optimum effectiveness at an optimum level by working with time, adsorbent dose, dye concentration, NaCl, pH, and temperature. The number of adsorbed dyes reduced as the dye concentrations increased and marginally decreased with NaCl but increased with the adsorbent dosage, pH, and temperature of the solution increased. Furthermore, it climbed for around 15 min before reaching equilibrium, indicating that all pores were almost full. Under the optimum condition, the removal perecentages of both MB and CV-dyes were ≥98%. The obtained equilibrium data was represented by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Additionally, the thermodynamic parameters were examined at various temperatures. The results illustrated that the Langmuir isotherm was utilized to explain the experimental adsorption processes with maximum adsorption capacities of MB and CV-dyes were 114.42 and 99.50 mgg$_{−1}$, respectively. The kinetic data were estimated by pseudo-first and pseudo-second-order equations. The best correlation coefficients of the investigated adsorption processes were described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Finally, the data obtained were compared with some works published during the last four years

ARIA 2016 Executive Summary Integrated care pathways for predictive medicine across the life cycle

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization (WHO) workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (i) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (ii) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (iii) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders for global use in all countries and populations. ARIA - disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally - is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK (MACVIA (Contre les MAladies Chroniques pour un VIeillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK) uses mobile technology to develop care pathways in order to enable the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group or by patients themselves. An App (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom  control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support system. It is associated with an inter-operable tablet for physicians and other health care professionals. The scaling up strategy uses the recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of the novel ARIA approach is to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers, whatever their age, sex or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequalities incurred by the disease.Keywords: ARIA, rhinitis, ICT, EIP on AHA, mobile technology, AIRWAYS ICP

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF Spiroplasma citri USING SOME SENSITIVE METHODS

Spiroplasma citri, the causal agent of stubborn disease, was isolated from leaves and fruits of diseased citrus plants and cultured on solid and liquid C3G medium. On the basis of mode of transmission, symptomatology, shape on solid medium, staining of infected plant tissues with Dienes’ stain and phase contrast microscopy, the isolated agent was identified as Spiroplasma citri. Identifiction was ensured by ELISA and PCR techniques. A fragment (1053 bp) from the spiralin gene of S. citri was amplified by PCR using two specific primers for the spiralin gene. The nucleic acid hybridization techniques (Southern and dot blots) were used for identification of the spiroplasmal genome using non-radioactive DNA probe specific for spiralin gene region. It was carried out as an alternative sensitive method for rapid detection of the Egyption isolate of S. citri   using non-radioactive DNA probe specific for spiralin gene region

Is Prolonged Sitting a Risk Factor in Developing Hemorrhoids and Anal Fissures?

Background: Anal fissures and hemorrhoids are common anal conditions. They cause significant morbidity, social embarrassment, and work absenteeism. In addition, they form a significant workload on the healthcare system. Nevertheless, the etiology of these conditions is still contentious. It has been observed that hemorrhoids and anal fissures are associated with prolonged sitting. This study aims to investigate this observation.Methods: This is a case–control study. We compared 81 patients with symptomatic and endoscopically proven hemorrhoids and/or anal fissures with 162 controls with no symptoms or endoscopic evidence of perianal disease. The study was conducted at Khartoum North Teaching Hospital (KNTH) endoscopy unit between January and December 2019. Demographic data, sitting hours per day, and endoscopic findings of patients and controls were recorded in a proforma. The cases and controls were matched for age, sex, and bowel habits. Data were analyzed and compared using the SPSS version 23.Results: The mean sitting hours for cases was 5.99 (SD 3.4) whereas that for controls was 4.0 (SD 3.0) with a highly significant difference (P < 0.001). Sitting for 5 hr or more per day (exposure) was associated with an increased risk of developing hemorrhoids and/or anal fissures [odds ratio 3.68, 95% CI: 2.1–6.47].Conclusion: The study showed that sitting down for 5 hr or more per day might increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids and/or anal fissures. This finding could help in the prevention and treatment of these diseases and the reduction of recurrences

Phytochemical Screening, Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry Analysis, and Antidiabetic Effects of Corchorus olitorius Leaves in Rats

BACKGROUND: Therapies for diabetes mellitus are still meeting failure in most cases, especially in the developed stages of the disease due to incredible associating complications. Hence, there is a need for continuous development of curative therapies for that stubborn disease. AIM: We aimed to investigate the antidiabetic effects of one of the most popular plants cultivated in Egypt, C. olitorius. METHODS: Phytochemical screening of total alcoholic extract of Corchorus olitorius leaves and its aqueous and chloroform fractions revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, carbohydrates, tannins, coumarins, and alkaloids. RESULTS: The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed the presence of 12 and nine chemical compounds in aqueous and chloroform extracts, respectively. C. olitorius decreased serum glucose level and α-amylase activity. This effect was more pronounced in the total alcoholic extract and its chloroform fraction than the aqueous one. The extracts also adjusted the lipid profile, reduced liver injury parameters, and caused remarkable improvement and increase number, size, and density of functioning β-cells. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects of C. olitorius besides its beneficial effect on diabetic complications such as hyperlipidemia and liver injury. The presence of some phytochemicals such as theophylline, trans-2, 3-dimethoxycinnamic acid, 7-hydroxy-4-methyl coumarin, apigenin 7-glucoside, and glycitein may contribute to such pharmacological effects