Full-field pulsed magneto-photoelasticity – Experimental Implementation

This paper contains a description of the experimental procedure employed when using a pulsed-magneto-polariscope (PMP) and some initial full-field through-thickness measurements of the stress distribution present in samples containing 3D stresses. The instrument uses the theory of magneto-photoelasticity (MPE), which is an experimental stress analysis technique that involves the application of a magnetic field to a birefringent model within a polariscope. MPE was developed for through-thickness stress measurement where the integrated through-thickness birefringent measurement disguises the actual stress distribution. MPE is mainly used in toughened glass where the through-thickness distribution can reduce its overall strength and so its determination is important. To date MPE has been a single-point 2D through-thickness measurement and the analysis time is prohibitive for the investigation of an area which may contain high localised stresses. The pulsed-magneto-polariscope (PMP) has been designed to enable the application of full-field 3D MPE [ ]. Using a proof-of concept PMP several experimental measurements were made, these were promising and demonstrate the potential of the new instrument. Further development of this technique presents several exciting possibilities including a tool for the measurement of the distribution of principal stress difference seen in a general 3D model

OPTIMAL PACKAGING OF MASON-PFIZER MONKEY VIRUS (MPMV) GENOMIC RNA DEPENDS ON CONSERVED LONG RANGE INTERACTIONS BETWEEN U5 AND GAG COMPLEMENTARY SEQUENCES

Employing a combination of genetic and biochemical approaches, we have recently shown that the 5’ end of MPMV genome (from the first nucleotide in R up to 120 nt of Gag) contains a number of sequence and structural motifs important for MPMV gRNA packaging and dimerization. A distinguishing feature of the higher order structure of MPMV packaging signal RNA is two long-range interactions (LRI) between U5 and Gag complementary sequences, LRI-I and LRI-II, which are phylogenetically conserved among different MPMV strains. These LRIs have been suggested to play a role in stabilizing the RNA secondary structure of the 5’ UTR sequences that are important for MPMV RNA packaging. The overall RNA secondary structure of this region is further architecturally held together by three other stem loops (SL3, Gag SL1, and Gag SL2) comprising of sequences from distal parts of the 5’ UTR and Gag, excluding Gag sequences involved in forming U5-Gag LRIs. To provide functional evidence for the biological significance of U5-Gag LRIs and the three stem loops to the MPMV life cycle, a series of mutations were introduced in these structural motifs and their effects on MPMV RNA packaging and propagation tested in a genetic trans-complementation assay. Test of LRIs mutants revealed that disrupting the complementary base pairing of the LRI structural motifs affected both gRNA packaging and propagation, confirming their functional role during MPMV life cycle. Our results further revealed that the two LRIs function at different levels. Specifically, LRI-I functions at the secondary structural level, whereas LRI-II functions at both the primary sequence as well as in its native structural context levels. Finally, Mutational analysis of the sequences involved in viii forming SL3, Gag SL1, and Gag SL2 revealed that they do not play crucial role at individual levels during MPMV gRNA packaging and propagation. These findings suggest that U5-Gag LRIs have a more important architectural role in stabilizing the structure of the 5’ UTR sequences, while the three stem loops (SL3, Gag SL1, and Gag SL2) may have a more secondary role in stabilizing the overall RNA secondary structure, providing a better understanding of the molecular interactions that take place during MPMV gRNA packaging

Prediction model for pile construction productivity rate utilizing the multiple linear regression technique

Productivity is a prevalent requirement in the bridge construction industry. The precision of productivity rate measurement is significantly influenced by the ability to recognize and implement the critical factors that impact the productivity rate. However, the significance of productivity in cost reduction and profit generation is fundamental to every construction industry. Bored piles are critical components in the foundation of transportation bridges. The productivity estimation processes for piles are influenced by a multitude of factors, leading to several challenges for estimators in terms of time and cost. Hence, the present study aims to diagnose these issues and evaluate the rate of productivity in pile construction through the utilization of the multiple linear regression (MLR) Technique. The data for this study was gathered via designated questionnaires, on-site interviews, and telephone inquiries to professionals affiliated with various construction firms. A selection of nine factors that have the greatest influence on the productivity of construction have been identified. These factors are considered autonomous variables that have an impact on the rate of pile productivity. The construction productivity rate, which is impacted by the influencing factors, is the dependent variable. An equal number of 84 questionnaire samples were utilized to construct each of the influencing factors incorporated in this model. The work measurement form was designed to collect real-time primary data from the construction site, six data samples for each factor were obtained from different bridge and overpass projects to verify the effectiveness and performance of the model. The study revealed that the multi-linear regression model has a high level of prediction for productivity, with an accuracy rate of 92.93%. Additionally, the correlation coefficient was determined to be 99%. The results indicated a robust correlation among the independent variables in the constructed model, and the predictions generated by the model matched what was observed

Development of Parallel Auditory Thalamocortical Pathways for Two Different Behaviors

Auditory thalamocortical connections are organized as parallel pathways that originate in different divisions of the medial geniculate body (MGB). These pathways may be involved in different functions. Surprisingly little is known about the development of these connections. Here we review studies of the organization and development of auditory thalamocortical pathways in the pallid bat. The pallid bat depends primarily on passive hearing of prey-generated noise for localizing prey, while reserving echolocation for general orientation and obstacle avoidance. In the inferior colliculus (IC) and the auditory cortex, physiological studies show that noise and echolocation calls are processed in segregated regions. Injection of retrograde tracers in physiologically characterized cortical sites show that the ventral division of the MGB (MGBv) projects to the cortical region selective for noise. The cortical region selective for echolocation calls receives input from the suprageniculate (SG) nucleus in the dorsal MGB, but not from the MGBv. Taken together, these studies reveal parallel IC–MGB–cortex pathways involved in echolocation and passive listening. There is overlap of thalamocortical pathways during development. At 2-weeks postnatal, when the bat begins to exhibit adult-like hearing thresholds, the SG projects to both noise- and echolocation call-selective regions. The MGBv, as in adults, projects only to the noise-selective region. The connections become adult-like only after 2-months postnatal. These data suggest that parallel auditory thalamocortical pathways may segregate in an experience-dependent fashion, a hypothesis that remains to be tested in any species

Effect of COVID-19 on the Role of Renin Enzyme and ACE2 and Hormones in PCOS Females

متلازمة تكيس المبايض (PCOS) هي اكثر مشاكل الغدد الصماء شيوعًا لدى النساء في سن الانجاب. النساء المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض عادة ما تنتمي الى فئة  العمر والجنس المعرضة لخطر الإصابة بمرض فيروس كورونا الشديد (COVID-19). يستهدف COVID-19 الخلايا من خلال مستقبل الإنزيم المحول للأنجيوتنسين 2 (ACE2) الموجود على الخلايا في الأوردة والرئتين والقلب والجهاز الهضمي والكلى. تم وصف فرط نشاط نظام الرينين أنجيوتنسين (RAS) أيضًا في اضطرابات التمثيل الغذائي ، وداء السكري من النوع 2 (T2DM) ، وهي حالات مشتركة بين النساء المصابات بحالة تكيس المبايض . الهدف من هذه الدراسة هو معرفة وظيفة الرينين والإنزيم المحول للأنجيوتنسين 2 في متلازمة تكيس المبايض وفيروس كورونا وعلاقته بالهرمونات ومعايير التمثيل الغذائي الأخرى ذات الصلة. تتكون مجموعة الدراسة من 120 عينة تتكون من 80 امرأة مصابة بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض ، حيث تم تقسيمهن إلى مجموعتين  40 امرأة مصابة بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض و مصابة بـ COVID-19 و 40 امرأة مصابة بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض و غير مصابة بـ COVID-19) و 40 امرأة بصحة جيدة مقسمة إلى مجموعتان: - 20 امرأة مصابة بـ COVID-19 ، و 20 امرأة غير مصابة بـ COVID-19) ، تتراوح أعمارهم بين 15-40 سنة. الرينين و ACE2، FBS ، ملف الدهون ، الأنسولين ، HOMA IR ، FSH ، LH ، و التستوستيرون تم قياسها لجميع المشاركين . كانت هناك زيادة في مستوى الرينين ، الإنزيم المحول للأنجيوتنسين 2 ، ومستوى الأنسولين ،  HOMA-IR ، LH ، ونسبة LH / FSH ، ومستويات هرمون التستوستيرون ، باستثناء HDL و FSH كانت منخفضة عند المقارنة بين مرضى متلازمة تكيس المبايض مع مجاميع الاصحاء. هناك انخفاض في الرينين و ACE2 في النساء المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض ومصابة بعدوى كوفيد-  19بالمقارنة مع النساء المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايضوغير مصابات بعدوى كوفيد-19. دخول covid-19 إلى الجسم و انخفاض مستويات ACE2 يؤدي إلى تلف الجهاز التنفسي ومشكلة في الإنجاب لدى النساء المصابات بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض. أيضًا ، في نفس الوقت ، فإن ارتفاع مستوى ACE2 في مريضات متلازمة تكيس المبايض يجعلهن أكثر عرضة لخطر الاصابة بفيروس كورونا وليس متورطًا في التسبب بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض ، ومع ذلك قد يتأثر إنزيم الرينين بمؤشر كتلة الجسم المرتبط بمتلازمة تكيس المبايض.Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most endocrine problem in women of regenerative age. PCOS women typically belong to an age and sex group which is at higher risk for severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19). COVID-19 targets cells through angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor presents on cells in veins, lungs, heart, digestion tracts, and kidneys. Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS) over activity has likewise been described in metabolic disorders; type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and conditions shared by women with polycystic ovary condition. The point of this study is to know the job of renin and ACE2 in PCOS and coronavirus and its relationship with hormones and other metabolic parameters related. The study groups consist of 120 sample subjects consisting of 80 PCOS-women divided into two groups: - (40 PCOS-women infected with COVID-19 and 40 PCOS-women non-infected with COVID-19) and 40 healthy-women divided into two groups: - 20 women-COVID-19 infected, and 20 women non-COVID-19 infected, ranging in age from 15–40 years old.  Renin and ACE2, FBS, lipid profile, level of insulin, HOMA IR, FSH, LH, and testosterone, were measured for all participants. There was an increase in the levels of renin, ACE2, insulin, HOMA-IR, LH, LH / FSH ratio, and testosterone, except HDL and FSH were low when comparing PCOS patients groups with healthy groups. There was a decrease in renin and ACE2 in PCOS women infected with COVID-19 compared with PCOS women non-infection with COVID-19. Infection of COVID-19 and low ACE2 levels lead to respiratory damage and problem in reproductive in PCOS patients. Also, at the same time ACE2 high level in PCOS makes them more risk for coronavirus and is not involved in the cause of PCOS, however renin enzyme may be affected by BMI associated with PCOS

Troubles with Reality and Order through the Imagination in a World of Disbelief and Disorder: Wallace Stevens and Supreme Fiction

The voice of the intellect is a soft one but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing - Sigmu nd Freud There have been a lot of writers throughout history who praised or criticized the world s beauty and ways They all had their ideas and advice for humanity But America s most celebrated twentiethcentury poet Wallace Stevens did not just rain down his ideas in his writings but took them as his motto for life And he called the sum of his ideas Supreme Fiction This Supreme Fiction according to Stevens is a supreme level of poetry that cleanses the mind and soul of its readers and reduces the hardships they have to face in real life In other words Supreme Fiction is Stevens replacement for the idea of God Deeply influenced by the Nietzschean idea of the Death of God Stevens wants to create a replacement for God for people to find comfort in a world of disbelief and disorder in the twentieth centur

Influence of Farming Culture on Rituals of North Malabar Region of Kerala State

This paper forms a part of the theses entitled “Influence of farming culture on the folk arts and rituals of North Malabar region of Kerala state”. The objective of the study was to identify specific elements as influenced by farming culture and to assess their scientific rationale, if any. The research design followed was exploratory and ex post facto in nature. The study revealed that most of the rituals have been originated from an ancient agrarian society which had a deep-rooted stand in farming culture. It was also seen that these rituals, through superstitions, taboos, etc., prompted the public to conserve the ecosystem. They promoted eco-friendly sustainable farming supplementing the endeavor towards a greener Kerala

Synthesis and Characterization of New Schiff Bases Derived from N (1)-Substituted Isatin with Dithiooxamide and Their Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Pd(II), and Pt(IV) Complexes

Three new Schiff bases of N-substituted isatin LI, LII, and LIII = Schiff base of N-acetylisatin, N-benzylisatin, and N-benzoylisatin, respectively, and their metal complexes C1a,b = [Co2(LI)2Cl3]Cl, C2 = [Ni(LI)2Cl2]0.4BuOH, C3 = [CuLICl(H2O)]Cl ⋅ 0.5BuOH, C4 = [Pd(LI)2Cl]Cl, C5 = [Pt(L1)2Cl2]Cl2 ⋅ 1.8EtOH.H2O, C6a = [CoLIICl]Cl ⋅ 0.4H2O ⋅ 0.3DMSO, C6b = [CoLIICl]Cl ⋅ 0.3H2O ⋅ 0.1BuOH, C7 = [NiLIICl2], C8 = [CuLII]Cl2 ⋅ H2O , C9 = [Pd(LII)2]Cl2, C10 = [Pt(LII)2.5Cl]Cl3, C11a = [Co(LIII)]C12 ⋅ H2O, C11b = [Co(LIII)]Cl2 ⋅ 0.2H2O, and C12 = [Ni(LIII)2]Cl2, C13 = [Ni(LIII)2]Cl2 were reported. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, metal and chloride content, spectroscopic methods, magnetic moments, conductivity measurements, and thermal studies. Some of these compounds were tested as antibacterial and antifungal agents against Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus niger

ِDiagnosis of causes of suppurative arthritis in sheep in Mosul, Iraq

The prevalence of suppurative arthritis in one hundred sheep from both sexes and different ages were studied. Aspiration of synovial fluid from knee joint of animals showed signs of lameness with reluctant to move in addition to decrease in the body weight and loss of appetite. Physical and bacterial examination of the synovial fluid was revealed green color, turbid and containing pus. Mucin clot showed difference in degree of clotting, and increased number in leukocyte, neutrophile but decreased in lymophocytes and monocyte. The result showed that Streptococcus dysagalactiae was predominate 61.1% while Arcanobacterium pyogenes and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the less 5.5%, also the result showed that all the strains were more sensitive to the Ciprofloxacin. This study is considered to be the first attempt to isolate bacteria from Sheep joints in Mosul-Iraq