The Role of Protein Kinase C in the Supraesophageal Ganglion of Female Acheta Domesticus

The phonotactic response of female Acheta domesticus to the male\u27s calling song is modulated by hormones. The presence of Juvenile Hormone III in the supraesophageal ganglion causes crickets to be more selective. This project evaluates the possibility of a second messenger system involving protein kinase C as the molecular mechanism of Juvenile Hormone III control. A solution of Juvenile Hormone III and a protein kinase C blocker was nanoinjected into the supraesophageal ganglion of nselective female crickets, causing them to remain unselective. This suggests that Juvenile Hormone III utilizes a protein kinase C-mediated second messenger system

How do programs work to improve child nutrition?: Program impact pathways of three nongovernmental organization intervention projects in the Peruvian highlands

This paper examines the program logic of three nongovernmental, community-based programs with different intervention models to reduce childhood stunting. Two programs, Child Nutrition Program (PNI) and Good Start, focused directly on education and behavior change among caregivers, or the short routes to achieve impact, while one program, Sustainable Networks for Food Security (REDESA), focused on upstream factors, such as improving local governance and coordination, improving water and sanitation, and increasing family incomes, or the long routes to achieve impact. We compared the logic of each program as it was explicitly documented to the logic as perceived by the implementers. We elucidated the program impact pathways (PIPs) of key activities by actors at different operational levels in each program to identify congruencies and gaps in the perceptions of causal mechanisms between program activities and their intended outcomes, and analyzed them with the simple program models and logical frameworks to highlight the methodology and utility of PIPs. In a desire to move beyond static input-out models of the three programs, we designed and conducted data collection activities (document review, semi-structured interviews, and observations) with the intention of gaining insights about those aspects of the program that brought causal mechanisms of a given program into clearer focus. We propose that different methods for eliciting PIPs may be necessary at different operational levels. The interview method elicited more complete responses among those who are familiar with programmatic concepts, whereas actors at the local operational level provided sparse and fragmentary responses, even when simple, common language was used during the interviews. Group participatory processes, using visual aids, may be more effective for mapping the perceptions of those who are not accustomed to articulating information about programs. To reduce the length and frequency of interviews with program actors, initial PIPs could also be constructed from program documents, then discussed and revised iteratively with program actors. Although program logic models and the logical frameworks provide a succinct overview of the program (for communication, strategic planning, and management), we found that PIPs provide a better representation of the causal connections between program activities and results, particularly when both upstream and direct intervention activities were part of the same program. PIPs provide a visual tool for tracking how activities were perceived to work and make an impact, bringing into focus the different pathways of the activities and influences along the way. Beyond the logical sequence of program inputs, outputs, and outcomes, the conceptualization of impact pathways is a useful approach for understanding the causal connections required for impact and for identifying where attention and reinforcements may be required within program operation. The utility of this tool warrants its use not only during final evaluation but also during mid-program monitoring and relevant assessments. National- and regional-level program actors had good understanding of the overarching frameworks and principles of their respective programs as well as the program components and activities. They demonstrated a strong coherence to the program documents, provided similar cohesive responses, and were able to articulate the impact pathways. However, program actors at the national level identified fewer facilitators and barriers along the impact pathways than did the local actors, revealing that the practical dimensions of the impact pathways were not as evident to planners and managers farther from the communities. Although program actors at the local level were more apt to provide practical examples of influencing factors or incidents that occur during implementation, they had difficulty fully articulating their perceived PIPs and provided fragmented views of how the activities linked to their outcomes. Similar patterns were found across the three programs. This finding raises the question of desirability of a common understanding of the goals and pathways by which these outcomes are achieved or the acceptability of diversity of perspectives. It is still unclear whether program effectiveness may be improved through greater congruency in the PIPs. Future research should elucidate how congruency of PIPs among program actors across operational levels could be increased, and whether greater congruency would improve program implementation and effectiveness.program impact pathway, program logic model, logical framework, childhood stunting, child nutrition programs,

Exploring the Open-Close Mechanism of Dimorphotheca aurantiaca: Day versus Night and Cold versus Hot Temperatures

In the spring of every year on Pepperdine University’s campus, patches of hills are covered with the South African native flower Dimorphotheca aurantiaca or more commonly known as the African Daisy. An observation of the opening and closing mechanism of the flower triggered an important question: does the flower change its shape based on temperature or the presence of light? At night, the African Daisy closes and then opens up again in the daytime. Because temperature has such strong effects on different species of ectodermic animals and temperature-sensitive plants, we hypothesized that the change in temperature initiates the flower’s morphological change. Six flower pots were placed in warmer temperature and then in colder temperature, both under light and then under darkness for six-hour periods. The infrared thermometer was used to accurately measure what temperature the flowers were detecting. Ultimately, we did not reject the null: The African Daisy responded more significantly to change in light exposure than to change in temperature. This discovery reveals that the flower detects light to maintain its survival

Excessive Hospitalizations and Its Associated Economic Burden among People with Diabetes in the United States

AbstractObjectivesWe conducted this study to estimate the excessive hospital admission among people with diabetes and the associated economic burden in the USA.MethodsThe study was based on the 2005 Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), a nationally representative probability sample conducted annually by the Agency of Health Research and Quality. Nearly 8 million records were sampled from over 1000 community hospitals in the 2005 NIS.ResultsExcluding childbirth-related admissions, the estimated US hospitalizations numbered approximately 30.8 million; individuals with diabetes accounted for over 6.4 million (20.9%) of these admissions. For every 1000 individuals without diabetes, with type 1 diabetes, and with type 2 diabetes, the numbers of hospitalizations were 89, 418, and 303, respectively. The rates of hospitalization increased greatly by the presence of diabetes for all age groups and sex. During 2005, the national bill of hospital charges and costs for individuals with diabetes exceeded US$171 billion and US$90 billion, respectively. If the prevalence of diabetes increases to 7.5% from 7.0%, the total number of hospitalizations made by individuals with diabetes will be 7.5 million in 2015.ConclusionsAlthough approximately 7% of the population had diabetes in the USA, nearly 20.9% of hospitalizations were made by individuals with this condition. Due to the excessive hospitalizations incurred by patients with diabetes, a small increase in the number of people with diabetes will amplify the number of hospitalizations. Health-care communities should anticipate this possible increased demand of hospitalizations and the associated economic burden

A Mixed-Methods Study of Secondary Student and Teacher Attitudes to Mobile Education Apps in Lagos, Nigeria

With the advent of smartphones, laptops, and other various portable devices, the ability to incorporate technology into the classroom has increased dramatically in the last few decades. This study evaluates the perceptions and attitudes of both students and teachers in relation to mobile apps that assist in classroom learning. The research used a mixed-methods approach that collected demographic information and conducted qualitative interviews to determine the perceptions of mobile apps to students and teachers. Cross-sectional data was collected from participants and analyzed for associations. 43 students and 6 teachers were recruited and interviewed. The participants were asked about their thoughts on mobile educational apps, and their interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. For students, themes were centered on barriers to educational app adoption, barriers to continued use of education apps, tracking progress, credibility, and goal setting/reminders. For teachers, themes identified that influenced mobile app use, and criteria used for mobile app selection was identified. Future research should aim to assess quantitative improvements in mobile educational app use within the classroom

Effect of stearic acid treatment on the properties of aligned short hemp fibre mats and their potential use as reinforcement in polypropylene matrix composites

The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of stearic acid vapour treatment on hemp fibre mats produced using dynamic sheet forming, and the potential use of these treated mats as reinforcement in polypropylene matrix composites. Stearic acid was successfully applied through vapour treatment, appearing to form a layer on fibre surfaces. It was found that the presence of stearic acid increased hydrophobicity and thermal stability of fibre mats. It was also found to increase thermal stability of polypropylene matrix composites as well as their strength

An Overview of Alkali Treatments of Hemp Fibres and Their Effects on the Performance of Polymer Matrix Composites

The alkali treatment is aimed to modify the surface chemistry of natural plant fibres effectively through several factors. This treatment has been carried out at ambient and high temperature. Natural plant fibres treated with alkali have been seen to have benefits such as improved separation of fibres from fibre bundles, improved removal of unwanted surface constituents, increased tensile strength and stiffness, better thermal stability, and enhanced interfacial adhesions compared to other standard treatments. Hemp fibres are an attractive reinforcement for natural plant fibres as they are environmentally friendly compared to other natural plant fibres and exhibit good mechanical properties. This chapter mainly provides an overview of alkali treatments on hemp fibres

Computer-Aided Designing and Manufacturing of Lingual Fixed Orthodontic Appliance Using 2D/3D Registration Software and Rapid Prototyping

The availability of 3D dental model scanning technology, combined with the ability to register CBCT data with digital models, has enabled the fabrication of orthognathic surgical CAD/CAM designed splints, customized brackets, and indirect bonding systems. In this study, custom lingual orthodontic appliances were virtually designed by merging 3D model images with lateral and posterior-anterior cephalograms. By exporting design information to 3D CAD software, we have produced a stereolithographic prototype and converted it into a cobalt-chrome alloy appliance as a way of combining traditional prosthetic investment and cast techniques. While the bonding procedure of the appliance could be reinforced, CAD technology simplified the fabrication process by eliminating the soldering phase. This report describes CAD/CAM fabrication of the complex anteroposterior lingual bonded retraction appliance for intrusive retraction of the maxillary anterior dentition. Furthermore, the CAD/CAM method eliminates the extra step of determining the lever arm on the lateral cephalograms and subsequent design modifications on the study model

Knowledge of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine: An Analysis using Together for Health Virginia Population Health Survey

Purpose: The purpose of this analysis was to identify key predictors which impact knowledge of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine in adults aged 21 to 45 in Virginia. Methods: Data was collected from the Together for Health Virginia Population Surveys administered by Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. Logistic regression was performed on data using the variables sex, age, rurality, race, education, income, occupation, and type of health insurance coverage. Results: There was a statistically significant positive relationship between knowledge of the HPV vaccine and part-time occupation (OR: 4.288, CI: 1.492-13.325), younger age (OR: 2.31, CI: 1.088-4.905), and higher education (OR: 2.683, CI: 1.227-5.870). There was a statistically significant negative relationship between knowledge of the vaccine and being male (OR: 0.437, CI: 0.248-0.771), living in an urban area (OR: 0.511, CI: 0.267-0.977), and identifying in the lower income category (OR: 0.246, CI: 0.093-0.651). Conclusion: This study identified 6 key predictors in knowledge of the HPV vaccine among adults in Virginia. Future studies should explore, in particular, the category of students and residents of urban areas. Despite these results, knowledge of the HPV vaccine does not translate to intention to receive the vaccine. Therefore, future studies should additionally study attitudes, behaviors, and potential barriers