Blind fluorescence structured illumination microscopy: A new reconstruction strategy

In this communication, a fast reconstruction algorithm is proposed for fluorescence \textit{blind} structured illumination microscopy (SIM) under the sample positivity constraint. This new algorithm is by far simpler and faster than existing solutions, paving the way to 3D and/or real-time 2D reconstruction.Comment: submitted to IEEE ICIP 201

Neuropsychological diagnostics in Ethiopia - challenges and chances among considerations regarding differential diagnosis (literature overview)

Background Neuropsychological tests can provide crucial information regarding the consideration of psychiatric differential diagnosis. This is especially important in developing countries like Ethiopia where advanced imaging is not widely available.Methods A detailed literature search was conducted using the search engines Pubmed, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar from February 2013 until May 2014. Selecting the identified studies pragmatically depending on the content, twenty-six studies were included.Results The administration of tests developed in Western-European settings to the African culture presents enormous challenge. Among these are especially the influence of low level of literacy, familiarity with the testing material, cultural aspects regarding social behavior and sense of time, cultural differences regarding cognitive functions and lack of norms. At the same time, there are opportunities for different fields of application, especially when considering the diagnosis of dementia and in the assessment of frontal lobe lesions. Assessment of cognitive flexibility appears to be an important way to differentiate between affective disorders and schizophrenia.Conclusions In conclusion, we suggest a „basic set of neuropsychological tests“ for application in psychiatric facilities in low income countries like Ethiopia, which mostly includes nonverbal tests. By using these tests, some of the challenges found during the literature search can be overcome. Additionally, they might provide extra information for diagnostic issues. However, they might have to be adapted to the Ethiopian culture.Key words: Cognition; Culture-fair; Ethiopian; Low-Income; Neuropsychology; Psychiatr

System Identification Based Proxy Model of a Reservoir under Water Injection

Simulation of numerical reservoir models with thousands and millions of grid blocks may consume a significant amount of time and effort, even when high performance processors are used. In cases where the simulation runs are required for sensitivity analysis, dynamic control, and optimization, the act needs to be repeated several times by continuously changing parameters. This makes it even more time-consuming. Currently, proxy models that are based on response surface are being used to lessen the time required for running simulations during sensitivity analysis and optimization. Proxy models are lighter mathematical models that run faster and perform in place of heavier models that require large computations. Nevertheless, to acquire data for modeling and validation and develop the proxy model itself, hundreds of simulation runs are required. In this paper, a system identification based proxy model that requires only a single simulation run and a properly designed excitation signal was proposed and evaluated using a benchmark case study. The results show that, with proper design of excitation signal and proper selection of model structure, system identification based proxy models are found to be practical and efficient alternatives for mimicking the performance of numerical reservoir models. The resulting proxy models have potential applications for dynamic well control and optimization

Medication Non-Adherence among Adult Psychiatric Out-patients in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Background: Information on adherence of adult psychiatric patients to biological modes of treatment is scarce in Ethiopia. Knowledge on adherence is essential in terms of future prognosis, quality of life and functionality of such patients. This study was conducted to assess the magnitude and associated factors of non-adherence to medication.Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in November 2011 at the psychiatry facility of Jimma University Specialized Hospital, which provides service to more than 10 mill people. A sample of 422 adults with psychiatric illness in the follow-up outpatients was selected consecutively. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire by face-to-face interview and from patient medical records. The four-item Morisky scale was used to assess degree of medication adherence. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 16 and descriptive, chi-square test and logistic regression statistical methods were used. P-Value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant in the final model.Results: Out of the 422 patients, 40.3% were females and 59.7% males. The prevalence rate for nonadherence was 41.2%, non-affective psychoses diagnosis contributing the highest rate (44.5%). From the total non-adherent respondents, 78.2% attributed their non-adherence to forgetting. Irregular follow-up, poor social support and complex drug regimen were independently associated variables with nonadherence.Concluction: The result of the study showed that non-adherence among psychiatric patients in Southwest Ethiopia is high and revealed possible associated factors. Adherence needs integrated efforts in creating a mechanism in enhancing regular follow-up, informal social support system and ongoing awareness creation among professionals.Keywords: mental illness, non-adherence, Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Ethiopi

In vitro antimicrobial activity of fermented spices and Capsicum Frutescens against multi drug resistance clinical isolate and standard reference bacteria

Introduction: Food preservation is required to maintain for a long period of time. Traditional organic food preservative, “Datta” is spice mainly made up of Chili Peppers which frequently used in southern and western part of Ethiopia. Datta can be consumed almost with every kind of foods and it is believed as appetizer and antimicrobial agent against food borne pathogen. This study aimed to assess in vitro antimicrobial activity of fermented condiment and Capsicum frutescens against multi drug resistance clinical isolate and standard reference bacteria.Method: Datta samples collected from different level hotels and Capsicum frutescens (Chili peppers) were extractedin different solvents.Agar well diffusion assay was used to determine antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration was determined by tube dilution method. One way analysis of variant was used in comparison of the finding.Results: Extracted fermented condiment (Datta) sample and Chili Pepper showed antimicrobial activities against multidrug resistant clinical isolate and standard reference bacteria in well diffusion assay. Datta extract showed MIC ranged from 25 mg/L to 66.7 mg/L and MBC ranged from 25 mg/L to 100 mg/L. The Datta and Chili pepper extracts showed high antimicrobial activities against standard Staphylococcus aureus. The water based extract of Datta sample were exhibited significantly low antimicrobial activities (P=0.000) as compared to the other extraction solvents.Conclusion: Water was weak extractor of active compounds having antimicrobial activities. Reference S. aureuswasmore susceptible organism while ATCC Salmonella enteritidis and clinical isolated multi-drug resistant E. coli less susceptible. The traditional use of fermented condiment for food preservation by the local people is supported by this study.Key words: Antimicrobial activity; Chili Pepper extract; Fermented condiment; Minimum bactericidal concentration; Minimum inhibition contractionActivite antimicrobienne en vitro d'epices fermentees et de fruits de capsicume pour la resistance aux medicaments isolate clinique et bacteries de reference standardIntroduction: La conservation des aliments est nécessaire pour maintenir pendant une longue période de temps. Conservateur de nourriture organiqu et raditionnel, "Datta" est l'épicé compose principalement de Chili Peppers qui fréquemment utilize dans le sud et l'ouest de l'Ethiopie. Datta peu têtre consommé presque avec toutes sortes d'aliments et on le croit comme un apéritif et un agent antimicrobien contre l'agent pathogène alimentaire. Cette etude visait à évaluer l'activité antimicrobienne in vitro du condiment fermenté et Capsicum frutescens contre l'isolement clinique de résistance aux médicaments multiples et les bactéries de référence standard.Méthode: Les échantillons de Datta prélevés dans des hôtels de différents niveaux et Capsicum frutescens (Chili Peppers) ont été extraits dans différents solvants. Un dosage de diffusion de puits a été utilisé pour determiner l'activité antimicrobienne et la concentration inhibitrice minimale (MIC) et la concentration bactericide minimale a été determine par la méthode de dilution du tube. Une analyse à sens unique de la variante a été utilisée en comparaison de la découverte.Résultats: L'échantillon extrait de condiments fermentés (Datta) et Chili Pepper ont montré des activités antimicrobiennes contre l'isolement Clinique résistant aux médicaments multiples et les bactéries de référence standard dans le dosage par diffusion de puits. L'extrait de Datta a montréque le MIC variait de 25 mg / L à 66,7 mg / L et le MBC variait de 25 mg / L à 100 mg / L. Les extraits de poisson de Datta et de Chili ont montré des activités antimicrobiennes élevées contre Staphylococcus aureus standard. L'extrait à base d'eau de l'échantillon de Datta a montré des activités antimicrobiennes significativement faibles (P = 0,000) par rapport aux autres solvants d'extraction.Conclusion: L'eauétaitun extracteur faible de composes actifs ayant des activités antimicrobiennes. Référence S. aureus était un organisme plus susceptible tandisque ATCC Salmonella enteritidis et E.coli. E. coli résistant aux médicaments multiples isolés était moins susceptible. L'utilisation traditionnelle du condiment fermenté pour la conservation des aliments par les populations locales est soutenue par cette étude.Mots clés: Activitéantimicrobienne; Extrait de poivre de piment; Condiment fermenté; Concentration bactéricide minimum; Contraction minimaled'inhibitio

A novel disease affecting the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari, Phytoseiidae): 2. disease transmission by adult females

Adult female Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari, Phytoseiidae) of one of our laboratory populations (=NR-population), show the following set of symptoms: predators shrink several days after mating, cease egg production and die several days after shrinking, show a lower degree of attraction to herbivore-induced plant volatiles and a shorter choice time in olfactometer tests, have the tendency to leave a prey patch with ample food, may carry excretory crystals in the legs, may cease prey consumption, and have a lower excretion rate. We hypothesized earlier that this characteristic syndrome, called non-responding (=NR-) syndrome, is caused by a pathogen infecting P. persimilis. To further support this hypothesis we here study several transmission modes of the factor causing the NR-syndrome. In all tests we measured size, short-term fecundity, mortality, predator position, response to plant odors and crystal location, thus including 6 of the 9 symptoms known yet. No evidence was found for vertical transmission from parent to offspring. Eggs from symptomatic females of the NR-population mated by males of the NR-population gave rise to normal-sized, well performing predators, when they had been surface sterilized or transferred to a new leaf. However, such eggs gave rise to shrunken females (17%) when left on the leaf where they had been laid. In the latter case transmission via products deposited on the leaf by the mothers was possible. We therefore tested several modes of horizontal transmission by exposing females of a commercial population that never showed the NR-syndrome (=R1-population) to products related to the symptomatic NR-population. No evidence was found for transmission via food or via squashed adult females. However, symptoms were induced in adult females of the R1-population after a 3-day exposure to a live adult female of the NR-population (incubation period=3¿7 days, fraction shrunken females=53%) and after a 1-day exposure to feces and debris collected from such females (incubation period=2¿4 days, fraction shrunken females=65%). Contact with live females and feces of the R1-population did not induce the syndrome. These results clearly indicate that the NR-syndrome is a contagious phenomenon and that the factor inducing the syndrome is transmitted horizontally among and between generations via feces and debris deposited by symptomatic females. The results are discussed in the context of mite pathology and biological contro

Multiple effects of silymarin on the hepatitis C virus lifecycle

Silymarin, an extract from milk thistle (Silybum marianum), and its purified flavonolignans have been recently shown to inhibit hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, both in vitro and in vivo. In the current study, we further characterized silymarin's antiviral actions. Silymarin had antiviral effects against hepatitis C virus cell culture (HCVcc) infection that included inhibition of virus entry, RNA and protein expression, and infectious virus production. Silymarin did not block HCVcc binding to cells but inhibited the entry of several viral pseudoparticles (pp), and fusion of HCVpp with liposomes. Silymarin but not silibinin inhibited genotype 2a NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity at concentrations 5 to 10 times higher than required for anti-HCVcc effects. Furthermore, silymarin had inefficient activity on the genotype 1b BK and four 1b RDRPs derived from HCV-infected patients. Moreover, silymarin did not inhibit HCV replication in five independent genotype 1a, 1b, and 2a replicon cell lines that did not produce infectious virus. Silymarin inhibited microsomal triglyceride transfer protein activity, apolipoprotein B secretion, and infectious virion production into culture supernatants. Silymarin also blocked cell-to-cell spread of virus. CONCLUSION: Although inhibition of in vitro NS5B polymerase activity is demonstrable, the mechanisms of silymarin's antiviral action appear to include blocking of virus entry and transmission, possibly by targeting the host cell

Does voluntary family planning contribute to food security? : evidence from Ethiopia

This study aims to explore the effects of voluntary family planning (FP) utilization on food security in selected districts of Ethiopia. Quantitative research methods were used to conduct a community-based study among a sample of 737 women of reproductive age. The data were analyzed using a hierarchical logistic regression constructed in three models. The findings showed 579 (78.2%) were using FP at the time of the survey. According to the household-level food insecurity access scale, 55.2% of households experienced food insecurity. The likelihood of food security was lower by 64% for women who used FP for less than 21 months (AOR = 0.64: 95%CI: 0.42–0.99) in comparison to mothers who used FP for more than 21 months. Households having positive adaptive behaviors were three times more likely (AOR = 3.60: 95%CI 2.07–6.26) to have food security in comparison to those not having positive adaptive behaviors. This study also revealed that almost half of the mothers (AOR: 0.51: 95%CI: 0.33–0.80) who reported being influenced by other family members to use FP had food security, in comparison to their counterparts. Age, duration of FP use, positive adaptive behaviors, and influence by significant others were found to be independent predictors of food security in the study areas. Culturally sensitive strategies need to be considered to expand awareness and dispel misconceptions that lead to hesitancy around FP utilization. Design strategies should take into account households’ resilience in adaptive skills during shocks, natural disasters, or pandemics which will be invaluable for food security