Probing the messenger of supersymmetry breaking by the muon anomalous magnetic moment

Motivated by the recently measured muon's anomalous magnetic moment $a_{\mu}$, we examine the supersymmetry contribution to $a_{\mu}$ in various mediation models of supersymmetry breaking which lead to predictive flavor conserving soft parameters at high energy scale. The studied models include dilaton/modulus-mediated models in heterotic string/$M$ theory, gauge-mediated model, no-scale or gaugino-mediated model, and also the minimal and deflected anomaly-mediated models. For each model, the range of $a^{SUSY}_{\mu}$ allowed by other experimental constraints, e.g. b --> s\gamma and the collider bounds on superparticle masses, is obtained together with the corresponding parameter region of the model. Gauge-mediated models with low messenger scale can give any $a^{SUSY}_{\mu}$ within the $2\sigma$ bound. In many other models, b --> s\gamma favors $a^{SUSY}_{\mu}$ smaller than either the $-1\sigma$ value ($26\times 10^{-10}$) or the central value ($42\times 10^{-10}$).Comment: RevTeX, 29 pages, 14 eps figures, figure for deflected anomaly mediation is corrected, reference adde

Properties and morphology of poly(vinyl alcohol) blends with sago pith bio-filler as biodegradable composites

The effects of sago pith as a bio-filler (SPB) on the mechanical and thermal properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) were studied. The SPB was obtained from sago pith waste after starch extraction from sago palm. Sago pith waste was dried and ground to produce SPB. The SPB was blended with PVA in a twin-screw co-rotating extruder in order to produce PVA-SPB composites for mechanical, morphology, and thermal analyses. Blending of SPB and PVA improved the tensile modulus, whereas the tensile strength was reduced. This result occurred because SPB increased the rigidity of PVA. However, lack of interfacial adhesion between PVA and SPB caused the loss of reinforcing effects. The morphology analysis showed that a high loading of SPB (>70 wt%) tended to form clusters, as implied by the presence of elongated cavities due to droplet coalescence restricting chain mobility. Besides that, the enthalpy of melting (Delta H(m)) for 50 wt% of SPB was higher than that of PVA. This observation means that the molecular interaction forces between PVA and SPB were so great as to overtake those of the PVA itself. Thus it was concluded that 40-50 wt% of SPB was preferably blended with PVA to form a biodegradable composite in order to reduce the overall materials cost, rather than to act as a strong reinforcing filler

Identification of microRNA precursors in Bruguiera spp.

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are approximately 22 nt single stranded functional RNAs derived from long stem-loop precursors transcribed by RNA polymerase II. They regulate gene expression through post-transcriptional gene silencing and are important for the regulation of growth, development and stress responses in plants. Mature nucleotide sequences of many miRNA families are highly conserved across the plant kingdom and can be used to identify and annotate homologs and potential miRNA targets. In this study, mature miRNA sequences retrieved from the miRNA registry (miRBase) were used to identify precursor sequences of miRNA orthologs and their potential targets among Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) of the mangrove species Bruguiera cylindrica (L.) Blume, B. gymnorhiza (L.) Lam. and B. sexangula (Lour.) Poir. Candidate miRNA precursors, which potentially belong to the miR156/7, miR396 and miR529 families, had high sequence identity between Bruguiera cylindrica and Bruguiera gymnorhiza, and expression of RNA was confirmed in both species. A number of candidate targets for miR396 and miR529 were also identified among EST from B. gymnorhiza

WeeliciousCuisine quick response (QR)

This paper attempts to create a WeeliciousCuisine quick respond (QR) code content which including some guideline video to guide the users on how to use this product and also providing some recipe to teach them how to used and how to made a complete dishes.The target of audience ages are in seventeen to twenty five years old.Besides that, it also aim for the restaurants, shops and bars to provide them a better understanding of how the products have been use as to improve the services of the tourism industry as this application provides the useful information related to the products or ingredients that required by the foreigners, so the users can get the right ingredients in overseas for example, Malaysia.Research conducted by using the descriptive statistics and result shown more than 58% respondents are still not familiar with Quick respond code but more than a half respondents are interested to know more about Quick respond code and requested to improve their content on food and beverage.In conclusion, WeeliciousCuisine Quick Response (QR) is a system that helps user to have a quick look and learn how to cook in short time.The function of this system is to prevent users for choosing the wrong ingredients and also help them to save time and cost in the supermarket

Normal Mastoid Air Cell System Geometry: Has Surface Area Been Overestimated?

Objectives The aim of this study was to emphasize the necessity of a standard in segmentation threshold and algorithm for measuring volume and surface area of mastoid air cell system (MACS). Methods First, we obtained axial computed tomography scans of 54 normal temporal bones from 27 subjects. Then, we manipulated Hounsfield units (HU) image data in DICOM (digital imaging and communications in medicine) files directly using our program. The volume and surface area of MACS were computed and compared at segmentation thresholds (HU) from –700 to 0 at intervals of 50 using 2 algorithms; square pixel based (SP) algorithm and marching square (MS) algorithm. Results No significant difference was found between the volumes computed by SP and MS algorithms at each segmentation threshold. The surface area computed by SP algorithm, however, was significantly larger than that by MS algorithm. We could minimize this significant difference through a modification of the SP algorithm. As the lower HU threshold value was set, the smaller volume was measured. The surface area showed a plateau at a threshold of approximately –200 HU. The segmentation threshold had greater influence on the measured volume of MACS than the algorithm did. Conclusion A standard method for measuring volume and surface area of MACS is thought to be necessary. We suggest that the MS algorithm and –200 HU of the threshold could be a standard in the measurement of volume and surface area of MACS

Presence of tumour capsule on contrast-enhanced CT is associated with improved outcomes of stereotactic body radiation therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Purpose Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a novel local therapy for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While effective, there is currently noreliable radiological marker to guide patient selection. In this study, we investigated the prognostic value of capsule appearanceon contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) for patients undergoing SBRT. Materials and Methods Between 2006 and 2017, 156 consecutive patients with Child-Pugh score class A/B and HCC ≥5cm that underwent SBRT were retrospectively analysed. Baseline triple-phase CTs of the abdomen were reviewed for the presence of capsule appearances and correlated with objective response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and pattern of treatment failure. Results Capsule appearance on CT was present in 83 (53.2%) patients.It was associated with improved ORR by Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) (60.2% vs 24.7%; p<0.001) andModified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours(mRECIST) (ORR 78.3% vs 34.2%; p<0.001). The presence of a capsule was also associated with superior 2-year local control (89.1% vs. 51.4%; p<0.001) and 2-year OS (34.1% vs. 14.8%, p<0.01). Hepatic out-field failure was the dominant mode of progression, which was less common in patients with intact capsule (54.2% vs. 60.3%, p=0.01). Conclusion Capsule appearance on CT could potentially be a non-invasive prognostic marker for selecting HCC patients undergoing SBRT. Larger cohort is warranted to validate our findings

Edible bird’s nest, a valuable glycoprotein source: current research prospects and challenges in Malaysia

Edible bird’s nest (EBN) is a salivary secretion of swiftlets which consist of protein and carbohydrate rich glycoproteins. This natural ingredient is very valuable, nutritional and medically valuable. The EBN industry have grown rapidly and benefited the Malaysian economy, hence, it is viewed seriously and it is actively supported by the government. This review discusses the progress and development of EBN industry as well as the R&D activities and endeavours especially that which involves deriving peptides with biological activities from EBN and its by-product sources. Many studies have documented the therapeutic properties of EBN such as antiaging, antiviral, antioxidant, and antihypertensive. Studies have also been conducted to produce glycoprotein hydrolysates from EBN through enzymatic hydrolysis, and findings showed that these bioactive peptides increase solubility as well as antioxidant and antihypertensive activities. Enzymatic hydrolysis breaks long protein chains at specific sites and releases amino acids and small peptides with lower molecular weights. The EBN hydrolysates produced can improve bioactivity and overcome insolubility and low absorption of EBN prepared and consumed through traditional means. Further studies need to be carried out to optimise EBN glycoprotein hydrolysates production as well as maximising their bioavailability and efficacy in the human gastrointestinal system. In addition, EBN by-products produced during EBN cleaning process should be fully utilised to recover the high-value glycoproteins, while reducing pollution and wastage. By enhancing R&D activities of EBN, bioactive glycopeptides produced from EBN may become an important functional food ingredient for various uses and innovative value-added products in the future

Termite digestomes as a potential source of symbiotic microbiota for lignocelluloses degradation: a review

Termites thrive in great abundance in terrestrial ecosystems and the symbiotic gut microbiota play important roles in digestion of lignocelluloses and nitrogen metabolism. Termites are excellent models of biocatalysts as they inhabit dense microbes in their guts that produce digestive enzymes to decompose lignocelluloses and convert it to end products such as sugars, hydrogen, and acetate. Different of digestive system between lower and higher termites which lower termites dependent on their dual decomposing system, consisting of termite's own cellulases and gut's protists. Higher termites decompose cellulose using their own enzymes, because of the absence of symbiotic protists. Termite gut prokaryotes efficiently support lignocelluloses degradation. In this review, a brief overview of recent experimental works, development and commercialization is discussed. Significant progress has been made to isolate cellulolytic strains from termites and optimise the digestion efficiency of cellulose. Future perspective should emphasize the isolation of cellulolytic strains from termites, genetically modifying or immobilization of the microbes which produce the desired enzyme and thus benefits on the microbiology and biotechnology

Physicians' Preferences for Asthma Guidelines Implementation

Purpose: Patient care based on asthma guidelines is cost-effective and leads to improved treatment outcomes. However, ineffective implementation strategies interfere with the use of these recommendations in clinical practice. This study investigated physicians` preferences for asthma guidelines, including content, supporting evidence, learning strategies, format, and placement in the clinical workplace. Methods: We obtained information through a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire was distributed to physicians attending continuing medical education courses and sent to other physicians by airmail, e-mail, and facsimile. Results: A total of 183 physicians responded (male to female ratio, 2.3:1; mean age, 40.4 +/- 9.9 years); 89.9% of respondents were internists or pediatricians, and 51.7% were primary care physicians. Physicians preferred information that described asthma medications, classified the disease according to severity and level of control, and provided methods of evaluation/treatment/monitoring and management of acute exacerbation. The most effective strategies for encouraging the use of the guidelines were through continuing medical education and discussions with colleagues. Physicians required supporting evidence in the form of randomized controlled trials and expert consensus. They preferred that the guidelines be presented as algorithms or flow charts/flow diagrams on plastic sheets, pocket cards, or in electronic medical records. Conclusions: This study identified the items of the asthma guidelines preferred by physicians in Korea. Asthma guidelines with physicians` preferences would encourage their implementation in clinical practice.This study was supported by grants from the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs, R.O.K. (A040153).*GLOB IN ASTHM, 2009, GLOB STRAT ASTHM MANGILDENHUYS J, 2009, INT J EMERG MED, V2, P33YOO KH, 2007, J ASTHMA ALLERGY CLI, V27, P226Barosi G, 2006, NEUROL SCI, V27, pS231, DOI 10.1007/s10072-006-0624-9Cho SH, 2006, J KOREAN MED SCI, V21, P181Burr ML, 2006, THORAX, V61, P296, DOI 10.1136/thx.2005.045682CHO SH, 2006, KOREAN J MED, V70, P69KIM YS, 2006, TUBERCULOSIS RESP DI, V61, P121YOO KH, 2006, J ASTHMA ALLERGY CLI, V26, P282STONE TT, 2005, QUAL MANAG HLTH CARE, V14, P177Lai CKW, 2003, J ALLERGY CLIN IMMUN, V111, P263, DOI 10.1067/mai.2003.30LEE EK, 2003, TUBERC RESP DIS, V55, P165Kim YK, 2002, CLIN EXP ALLERGY, V32, P1706Ting S, 2002, ANN ALLERG ASTHMA IM, V88, P326*KOR I HLTH SOC AF, 2002, ASTHM MED US EVGROSS PA, 2001, MED CARE, V39, P85Crim C, 2000, CHEST, V118, p62SHartert TV, 2000, J AM GERIATR SOC, V48, P651Stone TT, 1999, AM J MED QUAL, V14, P170Doerschug KC, 1999, AM J RESP CRIT CARE, V159, P1735Beasley R, 1998, LANCET, V351, P1225*KOR AC ASTHM ALL, KOR GUID AD ASTHM TR