Effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on carcass quality, serum lipid variables and histopathological changes of broiler chickens infected with aflatoxin B1

Three dietary inclusion rates of CLA (0, 2 and 4 g/kg feed) and aflatoxin B1 (0, 200 and 300 μg/kg feed) were tested in a 3 x 3 factorial experimental design on a total of 99 Ross-308 male broiler chickens from 1 to 42 days of age. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) on carcass characteristics, serum lipid variables and histopathological properties in broiler chickens receiving a diet containing aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Carcass yield, abdominal fat weight and abdominal fat percentage were not significantly influenced by dietary CLA, AFB1 or CLA + AFB1. Altered serum lipid measurements induced by AFB1 treatments included increased serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations, and decreased serum concentration of high density lipoprotein (HDL). Serum HDL concentration was increased in birds supplemented with 2 and 4 g CLA/kg diet compared with the control group. However, CLA + AFB1 did not significantly affect these parameters compared to the groups that received AFB1 alone. Aflatoxin B1 administration induced degenerative changes in the liver tissue, but dietary CLA supplementation offered protection to the livers against these changes. Aflatoxin B1 residues were not detected in any breast tissues collected from the broiler carcasses. Our results suggest that CLA provided protection against the negative effects of liver damage induced by AFB1 in broiler chickens. Furthermore, dietary CLA supplementation increased serum HDL levels. Keywords: Aflatoxin B1; conjugated linoleic acid;carcass quality; hepatotoxicity; serum lipid variables South African Journal of Animal Sciences Vol. 35 (2) 2005: pp.109-11

Affinity-Division Multiplexing for Molecular Communications with Promiscuous Ligand Receptors

A key challenge in Molecular Communications (MC) is low data transmission rates, which can be addressed by channel multiplexing techniques. One way to achieve channel multiplexing in MC is to leverage the diversity of different molecule types with respect to their receptor binding characteristics, such as affinity and kinetic binding/unbinding rates. In this study, we propose a practical multiplexing scheme for MC, which is based on the diversity of ligand-receptor binding affinities. This method requires only a single type of promiscuous receptor on the receiver side, capable of interacting with multiple ligand types. We analytically derive the mean Bit Error Probability (BEP) over all multiplexed MC channels as a function of similarity among ligands in terms of their receptor affinities, the number of receptors, the number of multiplexed channels, and the ratio of concentrations encoding bit-1 and bit-0. We investigate the impact of each design parameter on the performance of multiplexed MC system

A Review of Orthodontic Expert Systems

The aim of the current study was to introduce a review on orthodontic expert systems. Particularly, in the recent years there is an increase in digital technology to be involved in all scientific fields and it is obvious that orthodontics can not be distant from the digital era. In addition, many factors and measurements are involved in evaluating the malocclusions, as a result of the development of diagnostic methods therefore orthodontic treatment planning process turn into a more complex course. The orthodontic expert systems are based on the logic that a lot of patient data is asessed by the help of computer programs and a treatment plan is presented to the clinician. In the current study, the developmental course and importance of expert systems in the orthodontic field has been presented, which is a gradually expanding method in medical and dental specialties

[N-(2-Hydroxy­ethyl)ethyl­enediamine]oxalatocopper(II)

In the title mononuclear copper(II) compound, [Cu(C2O4)(C4H12N2O)], the CuII ion has a slightly distorted square-pyramidal geometry, with a tridentate N-(2-hydroxy­ethyl)ethyl­enediamine (HydEt-en) and a bidentate oxalate (ox) ligand. The N atoms of the HydEt-en ligand and the O atoms of ox ligand form the basal plane, while the O atom of the ethanol group of the HydEt-en ligand is located in the axial position. The complex mol­ecules participate in a supra­molecular assembly through N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between HydEt-en and ox ligands

Gamification techniques for raising cyber security awareness

Due to the prevalence of online services in modern society, such as internet banking and social media, it is important for users to have an understanding of basic security measures in order to keep themselves safe online. However, users often do not know how to make their online interactions secure, which demonstrates an educational need in this area. Gamification has grown in popularity in recent years and has been used to teach people about a range of subjects. This paper presents an exploratory study investigating the use of gamification techniques to educate average users about password security, with the aim of raising overall security awareness. To explore the impact of such techniques, a role-playing quiz application (RPG) was developed for the Android platform to educate users about password security. Results gained from the work highlightedthat users enjoyed learning via the use of the password application, and felt they benefitted from the inclusion of gamification techniques. Future work seeks to expand the prototype into a full solution, covering a range of security awareness issues

Reversible Electrical Reduction and Oxidation of Graphene Oxide

Cataloged from PDF version of article.We demonstrate that graphene oxide can be reversibly reduced and oxidized using electrical stimulus. Controlled reduction and oxidation in two-terminal devices containing multilayer graphene oxide films are shown to result in switching between partially reduced graphene oxide and graphene, a process which modifies the electronic and optical properties. High-resolution tunneling current and electrostatic force imaging reveal that graphene oxide islands are formed on multilayer graphene, turning graphene into a self-assembled heterostructure random nanomesh. Charge storage and resistive switching behavior is observed in two-terminal devices made of multilayer graphene oxide films, correlated with electrochromic effects. Tip-induced reduction and oxidation are also demonstrated. Results are discussed in terms of thermodynamics of oxidation and reduction reactions

Dieulafoy Lesion in the Stomach

Dieulafoy disease is an uncommon cause of gastrointestinal system bleeding. Although the exact cause is not known, it is characterized by bleeding from abnormal submucosal vessels. There are many methods for diagnosis and treatment. In this case, a patient with a long-time undiagnosed stomach Dieulafoy lesion had a surgical resection. During the postoperative period the patient was discharged without any complication

Deterministic seismic hazard analysis for Amasya and surroundings

Amasya ve yakın çevresi, kuzeyde Kuzey Anadolu Fayı (KAF) ana kolu ile sınırlanan, orta ve güneyinde ise KAF’dan ayrılarak Anadolu içerisinde doğru uzanan yan kollar olan Esençay-Suluova (Es-SuF) ve Ezinepazar-Sungurlu (EzSF) Fay sistemleri tarafından denetlenen geniş bir deformasyon alanı içerisinde yer almaktadır. Amasya Makaslama Zonu (AMZ) olarak tanımlanan bu alanın morfotektonik evrimi, aktivitesini günümüzde de sürdüren çok sayıda tektonik hat tarafından kontrol edilmiştir. İnceleme alanında yer alan aktif tektonik hatlardan en önemlisi olan KAF’nın ana kolu, son yüzyıldaki (1939, 1942 ve 1943) deprem serisi ile tamamen kırılmıştır. Hendek çalışmaları ile fay hattının son 2000 yıl içerisindeki deprem geçmişi ortaya konularak yayınlanmış ise de tarihsel kayıtlarda bulunan ancak KAF üzerinde bu çalışmalarla bulunamamış birçok yıkıcı depremin AMZ içerisinde yeralan yan kollar üzerinde gerçekleştiği öngörülmektedir. Bu fayların aktivite derecesi ile üzerlerinde gerçekleşebilecek depremlerin çevreye etkilerinin belirlenmesi bu çalışmanın amacını oluşturmaktadır. Amasya ve çevresinin deprem tehlikesinin belirlenmesine yönelik olarak: (1) arazi çalışmaları ile aktif fayların uzanımları ve özellikleri belirlenmiştir, (2) aletsel dönem içerisinde gerçekleşen çeşitli boyutlardaki depremler derlenmiştir, (3) tarihsel deprem kayıtlarına yönelik literatür derlemesi gerçekleştirilmiştir, (4) GPS kampanyalarından elde edilen bölgede biriken yıllık atım değerleri kullanılmıştır, (5) fay segmentlerinin uzunlukları ve olası depremlerin büyüklükleri hesaplanmıştır. (6) Elde edilen tüm verilerin ışığında AMZ dahilinde yer alan herbir fay segmenti üzerinde deprem senaryoları kurgulanmış ve CBS ortamında ivme azalım ilişkileri kullanılarak bu depremlerin şiddet dağılımı hesaplanmıştır.  Anahtar Kelimeler: Amasya, KAF, deterministik deprem tehlikesi analizi (DSHA), deprem senaryoları, ivme azalım ilişkileri.The North Anatolian Fault (NAF) forms the northern boundary of the Anatolian plate and is characterized by a right-lateral strike slip motion. The fault extends between 26° and 40° E longitudes and forms a broad arc roughly parallel to the coast of the Black Sea following a former suture zone. The only visible perturbations to the smooth geometry of the NAF are, at around 34-37°E longitude, two main splay faults named Ezinepazar-Sungurlu Fault and Suluova Fault with several related minor fault segments that bifurcate from the main fault line, possibly due to the convexity of the NAF geometry. These secondary fault structures show remarkable morphological expressions accompanied with elongated basin formations and significant microseismicity. The NAF, together with these splay faults, form a broad wedge-shaped shear zone called Amasya Shear Zone (ASZ) where major growing cities of central Anatolia such as Amasya, Çorum and Tokat are located. These cities, which today have total a population close to 500000 with significant industrial infrastructure, were subject to destructive earthquakes during both historical (such as 1579, 1794 and 1668) and instrumental (such as 1939, 1942a, 1942b, 1943 and 1996) seismic periods. Recent paleoseismological studies revealed the rupture history of NAF in a time span of 2000 years (for a review see Hartleb et al. 2006). However, the historical earthquake database of the study area contains unlocated destructive earthquakes (such as 1579 and 1794 events) which are proposed to be nucleated on the splay faults of the ASZ. This statement reveals that there is an unevaluated seismic hazard potential of the region. In this work, a 6 step procedure is followed for a complete earthquake hazard assessment for the study area: First, the faults of ASZ are mapped in detail with field studies to understand the behavior and segmentation of the major fault systems (SuFS and EzSFS). A detailed catalogue of instrumental seismic activity is prepared to understand the seismicity of the region and to define the local clusters concentrated on the fault segments. Information of historical earthquakes are investigated through the literature and field study in major cities to identify the possible related fault segment, this is accomplished by comparing intensity distributions based on historical data and modeled scenarios. The results of recently published analysis of a local GPS campaign (Yavaşoğlu et. al., 2009) is used to determine the annual slip rate resolved on the overall shear zone to estimate the earthquake recurrence interval. For each active fault segment, the maximum magnitude of a possible earthquake is calculated with the relations between the rupture length and magnitude (Wells and Coppersmith, 1994). GIS based earthquake scenarios based on attenuation relations (Tüysüz, 2003) are prepared to model the geographic intensity distribution for each calculated earthquake. Historical documents related to earthquake activity within the study area permit us to study a time-span of 500 years in detail. During this period, two major earthquake swarms occurred on the NAF. The first was the single 1668 event (M:7.9) and the other includes 1939 (Mw:7.8), 1942 (Mw:7.2) and 1943 (M:7.4) earthquakes which ruptured the overall NAF in the study area. On the other hand, faults within the ASZ ruptured in 1579, 1794 and partly in 1939 events accompanied with several moderate earthquakes. The annual slip rate resolved on NAF is 20 mm and on the overall ASZ faults is 5 mm/year (Yavaşoğlu et al., 2009). The relation between these earthquakes and the slip rates shows that there is not enough accumulated elastic strain yet to produce a destructive earthquake both on the NAF and its splays deforming the ASZ. Despite this conclusion, there is always a possibility for a moderate to major earthquake(s) due to the chaotic behavior of crustal deformation which yet cannot be measured and modeled. Keywords: Amasya, North Anatolian Fault, deterministic seismic hazard analysis (DSHA), earthquake scenarios, attenuation relations.&nbsp

Thalassemia mutations in Gaziantep, Turkey

Ninety-eight postnatal and six prenatal cases of thalassemia were studied by the reverse dot-blot hybridization technique in the city of Gaziantep, Turkey. We found the following mutations: IVS 1.110 (G>A) in 29.1%, IVS 2.1 (G>A) in 12.3%, IVS 1.1 (G>A) in 7.7%, Codon 8 (-AA) in 5.6%, -30 (T>A) in 4.6%, IVS 1.6 (T>C) in 4.6%, Codon 39 (C>T) in 3.6%, Codon 44 (-C) in 3.1%, IVS 2.745 (C>G) in 1.5%, Codon 8/9 (+G) in 2.1%, Codon 36/37 (-T) in 2.1%, IVS 1.5 (G>C) in 2.1%, Codon 22 (7pb del) in 0.5%, Codon 5 (-CT) in 0.5% while 20.9% were undetermined. 54 of the thalassemia patients were homozygotes, 12 were compound heterozygous and 31 were heterozygotes. In one allele of 5 thalassemia patients, - thalassemia mutation (3.7 single gene deletions in 1 patient, anti-3.7 gene triplication in 4 patients) wasdetermined at the same time. Finally, this is the first comprehensive study in this region and percentage of and - globin genes mutation is 2.6 and 79.4%, respectively