Activity enhancement of ligninolytic enzymes of Trametes versicolor with bagasse powder

Suspended cultures of white-rot fungus, Trametes versicolor, supplemented with bagasse powder showed a concentration dependent enhancement in the ligninolytic enzymes activity in liquid shake cultures. 2% (w/v) bagasse powder improved greater stability to the enzymes. The optimum pH is 3.5 and the optimum temperature is 40°C for maximum lignonolytic enzymatic activity. The optimum shaking speed is 60 rpm for maximum enzymatic activity. The maximum enzymatic activity showed by T. versicolor is 495, 440 and 410 mmol/ml.min for LiP, MnP and laccase with bagasse powder at optimum conditions, respectively. Without bagasse powder at optimum conditions, the maximum enzymatic activity for LiP, MnP and laccase is 195, 150 and 170 mmol/ml.min, respectively.Keywords: Bagasse, enhancement, enzymes, optimum, white-rot fungu

A residual based a posteriori error estimator for an augmented mixed finite element method in linear elasticity

In this paper we develop a residual based a posteriori error analysis for an augmented mixed finite element method applied to the problem of linear elasticity in the plane. More precisely, we derive a reliable and efficient a posteriori error estimator for the case of pure Dirichlet boundary conditions. In addition, several numerical experiments confirming the theoretical properties of the estimator, and illustrating the capability of the corresponding adaptive algorithm to localize the singularities and the large stress regions of the solution, are also reporte

Not going with the flow : locomotor activity does not constrain immunity in a wild fish

Immunity is a central component of fitness in wild animals, but its determinants are poorly understood. In particular, the importance of locomotory activity as a constraint on immunity is unresolved. Using a piscine model (Gasterosteus aculeatus) we combined a 25-month observational time series for a wild lotic habitat with an open flume experiment to determine the influence of locomotor activity (counter-current swimming) on natural variation in immune function. To maximize the detectability of effects in our flume experiment we set flow velocity and duration (10 cm s-1 for 48 h) just below the point at which exhaustion would ensue. Following this treatment, we measured expression in a set of immune-associated genes and infectious disease resistance through a standard challenge with an ecologically-relevant monogenean infection (Gyrodactylus gasterostei). In the wild, there was a strong association of water flow with the expression of immune-associated genes, but this association became modest and more complex when adjusted for thermal effects. Our flume experiment, although statistically well-powered and based on a scenario near the limits of swimming performance in stickleback, detected no counter-current swimming effect on immune-associated gene expression or infection resistance. The field association between flow rate and immune expression could thus be due to an indirect effect and we tentatively advance hypotheses to explain this. This study clarifies the drivers of immune investment in wild vertebrates; although locomotor activity, within the normal natural range, may not directly influence immunocompetence, it may still correlate with other variables that do

Manual and Electronic Detection of Subgingival Calculus: Reliability and Accuracy

Calculus consists of mineralised dental biofilm on the surfaces of teeth and dental prosthesis, the location of which can be detected by using a periodontal or an electronic probe. Detection of subgingival calculus is critical for successful treatment outcome in the management of periodontal patients. The aim of this study was to detect subgingival calculus using manual and electronic probe and to compare the reliability and the accuracy of both methods. The study was carried out in vitro on thirty-two extracted teeth with calculus mounted in frasaco model. A total of 192 sites on six surfaces of the teeth bucally and lingually were recorded for the presence of subgingival calculus. Manual probing of calculus depended on tactile sensation and experience; where as electronic probing gave sound and light signal. The results showed that at the depth of 1-3mm, manual probing could detect 62.7% of calculus and electronic probing could detect more at 77.1%. At the deeper sites of 4-6mm, the ability for detection using electronic probing reduced to 14.1% with failure for detection at ≥ 7mm depth. However manual probing recorded more at 25% for 4-6mm calculus and 4.7% at ≥7mm. Manual and electronic probing has different sensitivity in detecting subgingival calculus with electronic probing being more sensitive at shallow sites and failed to detect calculus at deeper sites. It also has difficulty to differentiate between calculus and other roughness on tooth surfaces. These findings highlighted the accuracy and reliability of manual detection for deeper calculus. Redesigning calibration and length of electronic probe can improve its usage. Further study on clinical application to assess the impact of both probing may benefit clinical teaching of subgingival calculus detection and the outcome of periodontal patient’s management

Dynamics and level statistics of interacting fermions in the lowest Landau level

We consider the unitary dynamics of interacting fermions in the lowest Landau level, on spherical and toroidal geometries. The dynamics are driven by the interaction Hamiltonian which, viewed in the basis of single-particle Landau orbitals, contains correlated pair hopping terms in addition to static repulsion. This setting and this type of Hamiltonian has a significant history in numerical studies of fractional quantum Hall (FQH) physics, but the many-body quantum dynamics generated by such correlated hopping has not been explored in detail. We focus on initial states containing all the fermions in one block of orbitals. We characterize in detail how the fermionic liquid spreads out starting from such a state. We identify and explain differences with regular (single-particle) hopping Hamiltonians. Such differences are seen, e.g. in the entanglement dynamics, in that some initial block states are frozen or near-frozen, and in density gradients persisting in long-time equilibrated states. Examining the level spacing statistics, we show that the most common Hamiltonians used in FQH physics are not integrable, and explain that GOE statistics (level statistics corresponding to the Gaussian orthogonal ensemble) can appear in many cases despite the lack of time-reversal symmetry

A neglected fish stressor: mechanical disturbance during transportation impacts susceptibility to disease in a globally important ornamental fish

The transport of fish in aquaculture and the ornamental trade exposes fish to multiple stressors that can cause mass mortalities and economic loss. Previous research on fish transport has largely focussed on chemical stress related to deterioration in water quality. However, mechanical disturbance during routine fish transport is unpredictable and is a neglected potential stressor when studying fish welfare. Stress-induced immunosuppression caused by mechanical disturbance can increase the chances of contracting infections and can significantly increase infection burden. Here, using a model host-parasite system (guppy Poecilia reticulata and the monogenean ectoparasite Gyrodactylus turnbulli) and a new method of bagging fish (Breathing Bags™), which reduces mechanical disturbance during fish transport, we investigated how parasite infections contracted after simulated transport impact infection trajectories on a globally important ornamental freshwater species. Guppies exposed to mechanical transport disturbance suffered significantly higher parasite burden compared to fish that did not experience transport disturbance. Unfortunately, there was no significant reduction in parasite burden of fish transported in the Breathing Bags™ compared to standard polythene carrier bags. Thus, transport-induced mechanical disturbance, hitherto neglected as a stressor, can be detrimental to disease resistance and highlights the need for specific management procedures to reduce the impact of infectious diseases following routine fish transport

Level of Cybercrime Threat During the Outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic : A Study in Malaysia

Cybercrime threat has shown a sudden increase during the enforced stay-at-home order due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, empirical research was conducted in providing substantial evidence regarding the level of cybercrime threats in Malaysia during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative approach was used to collect data among 332 respondents across Malaysia. The finding stipulated that a large number of respondents have experienced a high level of online phishing/malware distribution (72.9%), a moderate level of online fraud (69.2%), and a moderate level of online sexual harassment (87.7%). The move to explore the level of cybercrime threat experienced by the public during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is essential to detect, disrupt, and mitigate cybercrime threats during unprecedented situations

Cybercrime Threat Landscape amid the Movement Control Order in Malaysia

The COVID-19 pandemic has evolved rapidly and affected almost all the world's countries, creating unprecedented chaos on human lives, physical health, mental wellbeing, and the world economy. During this time, digital space has become an indispensable global means of communication, entertainment, and social interaction. However, high reliance on digital tools increases the risk of being prey to cyberattacks. In order to explore the cybercrime threat landscape, empirical research was conducted to examine the shared experiences related to cybercrime threats during the enforcement of the Movement Control Order in Malaysia. Data was collected using an online survey among 332 respondents across Malaysia. The finding stipulated that most of the respondents comprised females aged between 18 and 28 years old. The result also indicated that majority of female became victims of online phishing/malware distribution [(M = 0.58, SD = 0.13); t (113) = 2.24, p = 0.02] and online sexual harassment [(M = 0.56, SD = 0.11); t (107) = 2.38, p = 0.01]. The understanding of cybercrime experiences faced by the public during MCO is essential to help law enforcement agencies to stay vigilant on issues related to public s

With a Little Help from my Friends: Acculturation and Mental Health in Arabic-speaking Refugee Youth Living with their Families

Introduction: Refugee youth are often faced with the compounding challenges of heightened exposure to traumatic events and acculturating to a new country during a developmental period when their sense of self is still forming. This study investigated whether refugee youth’s acculturation orientation (separation, integration, marginalization, and assimilation) is associated with depressive and posttraumatic stress symptoms and aimed to identify additional indicators of acculturation that may contribute to mental health. Methods: A total of 101 Arabic-speaking refugee youths (aged 14–20 years), who were living with their families and attending school in Germany, took part in the study. They answered questions concerning traumatic exposure and posttraumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, and several indicators of acculturation, including cultural orientation, positive and negative intra- and intergroup contact, language skills and friendship networks. All participants were categorized into one of four acculturation orientations using median splits. Results: Kruskal–Wallis rank sum tests revealed that acculturation orientation was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms [χ2 (3, 97) = 0.519, p = 0.915] or posttraumatic stress symptoms [χ2 (3, 97) = 0.263, p = 0.967]. Regression analysis revealed that German language skills were significantly associated with lower scores of depressive symptoms (p = 0.016) and number of friends in Germany was significantly associated with lower scores of depressive (p = 0.006) and posttraumatic stress symptoms (p = 0.002), respectively. Discussion: Policies that provide refugee youth with access to language classes and social activities with peers do not only enable them to actively participate in a new society but may also have a positive effect on their mental health