Slow in Motion but Smart in Learning and Memory: Behavioral Changes in Adult NR3A Knockout Mice

The expression of NMDA receptor subunit NR3A is high in the neonatal brain but low in adults. However, its functional role in the adult brain is obscure. Using wild-type (WT) and NR3A knockout (KO) mice, we show here that NR3A plays imperative roles in multiple behavioral functions in adults. NR3A deletion produced a slow locomotor phenotype with enhanced memory capacities. Hippocampal slices from juvenile and adult NR3A KO mice showed greater long-term potentiation (LTP) compared to WT slices. NR3A deletion resulted in increased expression and phosphorylation of calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII). CaMKII inhibition abrogated the enhanced LTP in NR3A KO slices. NR3A KO mice were also more sensitive to acute and chronic pain. These data reveal for the first time that NR3A, despite its low expression, plays several critical roles in behavioral activities in adults and may be a therapeutic target for modulating behaviors under normal and pathological conditions

Physical-model-checking to detect switching-related attacks in power systems

Recent public disclosures on attacks targeting the power industry showed that savvy attackers are now capable of occulting themselves from conventional rule-based network intrusion detection systems (IDS), bringing about serious threats. In order to leverage the work of rule-based IDS, this paper presents an artificially intelligent physical-model-checking intrusion detection framework capable of detecting tampered-with control commands from control centers of power grids. Unlike the work presented in the literature, the work in this paper utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to learn the load flow characteristics of the power system and benefits from the fast responses of the AI to decode and understand contents of network packets. The output of the AI is processed through an expert system to verify that incoming control commands do not violate the physical system operational constraints and do not put the power system in an insecure state. The proposed content-aware IDS is tested in simulation on a 14-bus IEEE benchmark system. Experimental verification on a small power system, with an IEC 61850 network architecture is also carried out. The results showed the accuracy of the proposed framework in successfully detecting malicious and/or erroneous control commands

Actitud hacia la práctica profesional entre los farmacéuticos comunitarios en Kuala Lumpur, Malasia

Objetivos: Este estudio se dirigió a evaluar las actitudes de los farmacéuticos comunitarios hacia la práctica profesional y determinar su competencia observada en diversas actividades farmacéuticas. Métodos: estudio transversal realizado en la ciudad de Kuala Lumpur. El cuestionario contenía 40 preguntas divididas en seis secciones que abordaban varios aspectos de la práctica y la información demográfica. En el estudio participaron 223 farmacéuticos con licencia que trabajan en farmacias comunitarias. Los datos se analizaron utilizando SPSS. Se utilizaron pruebas de correlación de Chi-cuadrado y Pearson para determinar la significación estadística de los datos dicotómicos. Hallazgos clave: Entre los 233 encuestados en actividades de gestión, 194 (87%) obtuvieron una puntuación buena y 5 (2,2%) obtuvieron una puntuación mala. En las actividades de dispensación, 199 (89,2%) obtuvieron la puntuación buena y 5 (2,2%) obtuvieron la puntuación mala. En las actividades de atención farmacéutica, 209 (93,7%) obtuvieron una buena puntuación y 4 (1,8%) obtuvieron una mala puntuación. En actividades inter / intraprofesionales, 108 (48,4%) puntuaron bien y 10 (4,5%) puntuaron mal. En las actividades de salud pública, 153 (68,6%) obtuvieron la puntuación buena y 6 (2,7%) obtuvieron la puntuación mala, mientras que en las actividades de mantenimiento de competencias, 160 (71,7%) obtuvieron la puntuación buena y 3 (1,3%) obtuvieron el puntaje pobre. Conclusiones: La mayor parte de los participantes obtuvo una buena actitud fue del 93,7% para las actividades de atención farmacéutica mientras que la mayor de los participantes obtuvo una mala actitud fue del 4,5% para las actividades inter / intraprofesionales. La mayoría de los participantes aceptan las actividades para mantener la competenciaObjectives: This study was directed to evaluate community pharmacists’ attitudes towards professional practice and determine their observed competence in various pharmaceutical activities. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Kuala Lumpur. The questionnaire contained 40 questions splitted into six sections that addressed several aspects of practice and demographic information. The study was involved in 223 licensed pharmacists who work in community pharmacies. Data were analyzed by using SPSS. Chisquare and Pearson’s correlation tests were used for statistical significance for dichotomous data. Key findings: Among the 233 respondents in managerial activities, 194 (87%) achieved the score good, and 5 (2.2%) had the score poor. In dispensing activities, 199 (89.2%) achieved the score good, and 5 (2.2%) had the score poor. In pharmaceutical care activities, 209 (93.7%) got the score good, and 4 (1.8%) got the score poor. In inter/intra professional activities, 108 (48.4%) got the score good, and 10 (4.5%) got the score poor. In public health activities, 153 (68.6%) got the score good, and 6 (2.7%) got the score poor whereas in the maintenance of competency activities, 160 (71.7%) got the score good, and 3 (1.3%) got the score poor. Conclusions: The highest of participants got a good attitude was 93.7% for pharmaceutical care activities while the highest of participants got poor attitude was 4.5% for inter/intra professional activities. The majority of the participants are accepting the activities to maintain competence.This work is supported by UCSI University, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kuala Lumpur Malaysi

The IEC 61850 sampled measured values protocol: Analysis, threat identification, and feasibility of using NN forecasters to detect spoofed packets \u3csup\u3e†\u3c/sup\u3e

The operation of the smart grid is anticipated to rely profoundly on distributed microprocessor-based control. Therefore, interoperability standards are needed to address the heterogeneous nature of the smart grid data. Since the IEC 61850 emerged as a wide-spread interoperability standard widely accepted by the industry, the Sampled Measured Values method has been used to communicate digitized voltage and current measurements. Realizing that current and voltage measurements (i.e., feedback measurements) are necessary for reliable and secure noperation of the power grid, firstly, this manuscript provides a detailed analysis of the Sampled Measured Values protocol emphasizing its advantages, then, it identifies vulnerabilities in this protocol and explains the cyber threats associated to these vulnerabilities. Secondly, current efforts to mitigate these vulnerabilities are outlined and the feasibility of using neural network forecasters to detect spoofed sampled values is investigated. It was shown that although such forecasters have high spoofed data detection accuracy, they are prone to the accumulation of forecasting error. Accordingly, this paper also proposes an algorithm to detect the accumulation of the forecasting error based on lightweight statistical indicators. The effectiveness of the proposed methods is experimentally verified in a laboratory-scale smart grid testbed

A framework for analyzing and testing cyber-physical interactions for smart grid applications

The reliable performance of the smart grid is a function of the configuration and cyber- physical nature of its constituting sub-systems. Therefore, the ability to capture the interactions between its cyber and physical domains is necessary to understand the effect that each one has on the other. As such, the work in this paper presents a co-simulation platform that formalizes the understanding of cyber information flow and the dynamic behavior of physical systems, and captures the interactions between them in smart grid applications. Power system simulation software packages, embedded microcontrollers, and a real communication infrastructure are combined together to provide a cohesive smart grid cyber-physical platform. A data-centric communication scheme, with automatic network discovery, was selected to provide an interoperability layer between multi-vendor devices and software packages, and to bridge different protocols. The effectiveness of the proposed framework was verified in three case studies: (1) hierarchical control of electric vehicles charging in microgrids, (2) International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) 61850 protocol emulation for protection of active distribution networks, and (3) resiliency enhancement against fake data injection attacks. The results showed that the cosimulation platform provided a high-fidelity design, analysis, and testing environment for cyber information flow and their effect on the physical operation of the smart grid, as they were experimentally verified, down to the packet, over a real communication network

An overview of the Effect of using HHO on Spark ignition and direct injection engines combustion, performances, and emissions characteristics

Abstract: One of the major issues, the energy crisis, makes the globe dangerous and violent [1]. Every day, there is an increase in energy demand. Resources of energy are running out swiftly, and all indicators point to their impending demise. In such cases, renewable energy sources must be given more consideration. The widespread use of fossil fuels renders them unsustainable because they increase CO2 levels and emit greenhouse gases that harm the environment [2]. With several trials of usage of HHO gas or compressed natural gas as a fuel performance improver on both internal combustion engines powered by gasoline or diesel up until this point, many advancements have been made in this field[3]. This paper comprises a survey of the numerous advancements that have occurred in this area. There was a net lead to an amplified in brake power from 2.1% to 5.8% and an increase in brake thermal efficiency from 10.27% to 35% with the addition of HHO gas. The usage of traditional fuels decreased by 20% to 30%, and HC and CO exhaust emissions decreased by an average of 14% and 18%, respectivel

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of Endophytic Bacterial Populations From Chinese Traditional Medicinal Plant Licorice and Characterization of the Bioactive Secondary Metabolites Produced by Bacillus atrophaeus Against Verticillium dahliae

Endophytic bacteria associated with medicinal plants possess unique strategies that enhance growth and suvival of host plants, many of which are mediated by distinctive secondary metabolites. These bacteria and their secondary metabolites are important subjects for both basic and applied research aimed at sustainable agriculture. In the present study, 114 endophytic strains isolated from the wild ethnomedicinal plant Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice) were screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activities against common fungal pathogens of tomato (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp., Fulvia fulva, Alternaria solani), cotton (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Vesinfectum, Verticillium dahliae), pomegranite (Ceratocystis fimbriata), Cymbidinium (Colletotrichum gloeosporioides), and Tsao-ko (Pestalotiopsis microspora and Fusarium graminearum) and the common bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella enteritidis, and Escherichia coli. Several Bacillus strains, particularly Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus mojavensis, had a broad spectrum of antifungal and antibacterial activity. A total of 16 strains, selected based on broad antimicrobial activity, were shown to contain at least one putative secondary metabolite-encoding gene (i.e., polyketide synthase or non-ribosomal peptide synthetase) and/or one lytic enzyme (i.e., protease, cellulase, lipase, chitinase), which may be important mediators of antagonistic activity against pathogens. Five strains, representing Bacillus atrophaeus and Bacillus mojavensis, were selected for plant growth chamber experiments based on strong in vitro antifungal activities. All five strains significantly reduced disease severity in Arabidopsis thaliana plants challenged with V. dahlia infection. Gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry analysis of cell-free extracts of Bacillus atrophaeus strain XEGI50 showed that at least 13 compounds were produced only during co-cultivation with V. dahlia, including putative compounds known to have antimicrobial activity, such as 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis (2-methylpropyl) ester; 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)-, methyl ester; 9-octadecenoic acid, methyl ester, (E)-; and decanedioic acid, bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester. To our knowledge, this study is the first to report that bacteria isolated from G. uralensis have biocontrol abilities. Our findings provide new insights into the antimicrobial activities of natural endophytes, particularly B. atrophaeus, and suggest this species may a promising candidate as a biocontrol agent to confer resistance to Verticillium wilt disease and other phytopathogens in cotton and other crops

Antileishmanial apoptotic activity of Nigella sativa L. essential oil and thymoquinone triggers on Leishmania tropica

Nigella sativa L., commonly called Black cumin, is well-known in folk medicine and numerous studies have shown its various pharmacological activities. In this study, we estimated the cytotoxic effects of N. sativa essential oil (NEO) and its major bioactive component Thymoquinone (TQ) on Leishmania tropica promastigotes that cause cutaneous leishmanias, and also observed the programmed cell death features. The extraction of NEO was done by hydro-distillation and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Antileishmanial activity of NEO and TQ was determined using 3-(4.5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2.5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the obtained results are expressed as 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50). The leishmanicidal activity of NEO and TQ was mediated via apoptosis as evidenced by in situ labelling of DNA fragments using terminal deoxyribonucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) and cell cycle arrest at sub G0/G1 phase. The IC50 values were 5 µg/mL and 1.3 µg/mL, respectively. We noted a significant increase in DNA fragmentation in treated parasites with IC50 of both NEO and TQ as well as a cell cycle arrest. These results revealed that NEO and TQ possess potential antileishmanial activity that mediated high possibility by programmed cell death

Cost analysis study of price variation among the various brands of proton pump inhibitors available in Benghazi-Libya

Background: A large proportion of patients in developing countries have to pay out of pocket for their medications. The prices of different brands of the same medications vary considerably and may vary from one community pharmacy to another. This study was undertaken to evaluate the variation in costs of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) and histamine H2-receptor antagonists available in Libya. Methods: Prices of various brands of PPI and various formulations were collected from four community pharmacies in the city of Benghazi. Both cost ratio and percentage variation were calculated and compared for various brands of the same strength and number of tablets, capsules, injections, or syrups. Results: The highest cost ratio and percentage price variation were found with omeprazole 20 mg, followed by omeprazole 40 mg. Other significant cost variations (>100%) were seen with pantoprazole 40 mg, Downoprazol (omeprazole + sodium bicarbonate) 40 mg, and esomeprazole 40 mg. Ampoules of omeprazole, cimetidine, and ranitidine had cost ratios of 1:1.7, 1:1.7, and 1:1.8, and cost variation ratios of 71.4, 66.7, and 75, respectively. Variations in prices of PPI and histamine H2 antagonists from the same manufacturer between different community pharmacies were common. The highest percentage cost variation (100) was seen with omeprazole 20 mg. Conclusions: Due to political instability, the prices of all drugs are controlled by importing private companies and the owners of community pharmacies instead of governmental authorities, that leads to cost variations. Therefore, the health authorities exert strict control on pricing of medications

Evaluation of Cerebral Hemodynamics in Cirrhotic Patients by Transcranial Doppler Ultrasonography and its Relation to Hepatic Encephalopathy

The study aimed at Aim evaluation the cerebral hemodynamics in cirrhotic patients by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography and its relation to hepatic encephalopathy. This study is a prospective study , 50 subjects attended El Hussein university hospital, inpatient and outpatient clinic are classified into three groups, group I(10 subjects as a healthy control),group II (20 subjects with liver cirrhosis without hepatic encephalopathy) and group III(20 subjects with liver cirrhosis with hepatic encephalopathy). All patients included in the study underwent a full history taking,complete physical examination, liver functions tests,blood ammonia level,C.B.C,blood urea and serum creatinine and pelvi-abdominal ultarasonography. Transcranial Doppler done for all patients participated in the study using a 2 MHz transducer. The results showed that as regard Trans cranial Doppler ultrasound parameters, we found a statistical significant difference between the three groups as regard Pulsatility Index (P ˂ 0.001), Breath-Holding Index (P ˂ 0.001) ) , Maximum Flow Velocity(P ˂ 0.001) and Mean (P ˂ 0.001), whereas Pulsatility Index, , Maximum Flow Velocity and Mean are higher in patient with Hepatic Encephalopathy, but Breath-holding index is low, there is no statistical significant difference (P > 0.05) between them as regard Minimum Flow Velocity. Conclusion: Transcranial doppler ultrasonography is easy, rapidly done not invasive method for evaluation of cerebral hemodynamic in cirrhotic patient and predection of hepatic encephalopathy. Keywords: Transcranial doppler, Hepatic encephalopathy, Cirrhosis