Desexualizing Queer Identities: Methods to Validating Non-Sexual Romantic Attraction and Relationships

There is an increase in the negative views of queer and LGBT+ people in America, and I argue that it is, in part, due to the sexualized connotations of, and sexual association with, queer and LGBT+ identities. Innocuous acts by queer or LGBT+ people, such as being an out school teacher or holding hands in a public space, is enough for non-LGBT+ people to become uncomfortable to varying degrees and, sometimes, even cause verbal abuse or violence. When we look at queer or LGBT+ representation through the possibility of queerness, and by reading representations of queer and LGBT+ romantic attraction through non-sexual signs such as sacrifice, affection, desire, and trust, we begin to normalize non-sexualized identities of queer and LGBT+ people. Importantly, we validate non-sexual romantic expressions and relationships of all kinds, asexual included. We also work towards positive and non-sexualized representations of queer and LGBT+ people being reproduced by institutions of knowledge production, such as media and academia

Impact of individual-level characteristics on perceptions of problematic sexual encounters

Rates of sexual assault remain high across university settings despite increased efforts to combat this phenomenon. This project fills a gap in the existing literature by examining how situation-specific variables (i.e. alcohol consumption by and degree of familiarity between individuals) and individual-level factors (i.e., attitudes regarding sexual instrumentality and permissiveness, rape myths, trait token resistance, history of sexual victimization and sexual perpetration) relate to ongoing third-party perceptions of a sexual scenario. The current study used a vignette methodology to portray the dynamic nature of a sexual interaction between a man and a woman that began innocently but escalated to problematic behavior by the man and finally to sexual assault. At eight points in the interaction, a sample of university students (n = 350) reported their perceptions of comfort, safety, consent, and reportability of scenario. They further indicated the extent to which the scenario represented instances of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and state-based female token resistance. As the vignette’s sexual interaction became increasingly problematic, participants reported declining perceptions of comfort, safety, and state-based female token resistance, and they were more likely to characterize the interaction as lacking consent, being worthy of reporting, and involving sexual harassment and sexual assault. An analysis of situational variables within the vignette revealed no significant associations between vignette perceptions and alcohol consumption by or degree of familiarity between characters. For individual-level factors, lower rape myth acceptance was associated with identifying the interaction as lacking consent, being worthy of reporting, and as both sexual harassment and sexual assault. Trait token resistance was also related to perceptions of comfort, safety, and state-based female token resistance. These findings add to the growing literature on university sexual assault by demonstrating that third-party perceptions of sexually problematic vignettes manifest differentially among participants based on individual-level factors but not situational variables

Identification and Comparative Analysis of Subolesin/Akirin Ortholog from Ornithodoros turicata Ticks

Background: Subolesin is an evolutionary conserved molecule in diverse arthropod species that play an important role in the regulation of genes involved in immune responses, blood digestion, reproduction and development. In this study, we have identified a subolesin ortholog from soft ticks Ornithodoros turicata, the vector of the relapsing fever spirochete in the United States. Methods: Uninfected fed or unfed O. turicata ticks were used throughout this study. The subolesin mRNA was amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequenced. Quantitative-real time PCR (QRT-PCR) was performed to evaluate subolesin mRNA levels at different O. turicata developmental stages and from salivary glands and gut tissues. Bioinformatics and comparative analysis was performed to predict potential post-translational modifications in O. turicata subolesin amino-acid sequences. Results: Our study reveals that O. turicata subolesin gene expression is developmentally regulated, where; adult ticks expressed significantly higher levels in comparison to the larvae or nymphal ticks. Expression of subolesin was evident in both unfed and fed ticks and in the salivary glands and midgut tissues. The expression of subolesin transcripts varied in fed ticks with peak levels at day 14 post-feeding. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that O. turicata subolesin showed a high degree of sequence conservation with subolesin’s from other soft and hard ticks. Bioinformatics and comparative analysis predicted that O. turicata subolesin carry three Protein kinase C and one Casein kinase II phosphorylation sites. However, no myristoylation or glycosylation sites were evident in the O. turicata subolesin sequence. Conclusion: Our study provides important insights in recognizing subolesin as a conserved potential candidate for the development of a broad-spectrum anti-vector vaccine to control not only ticks but also several other arthropods that transmit diseases to humans and animals

Experimental observation of extreme multistability in an electronic system of two coupled R\"{o}ssler oscillators

We report the first experimental observation of extreme multistability in a controlled laboratory investigation. Extreme multistability arises when infinitely many attractors coexist for the same set of system parameters. The behavior was predicted earlier on theoretical grounds, supported by numerical studies of models of two coupled identical or nearly identical systems. We construct and couple two analog circuits based on a modified coupled R\"{o}ssler system and demonstrate the occurrence of extreme multistability through a controlled switching to different attractor states purely through a change in initial conditions for a fixed set of system parameters. Numerical studies of the coupled model equations are in agreement with our experimental findings.Comment: to be published in Phys. Rev.

Prevalence of childhood asthma and its immediate outcome - At tertiary care rural hospital

Introduction: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways resulting in episodic airway obstruction. Globally, childhood asthma is increasing in the prevalence, despite improvements in investigation and treatment. Childhood asthma seemed more prevalent in urban population and now even in rural areas of India. Objectives: To know the prevalence, assess the risk factors, severity, and immediate outcome of the treatment offered to asthmatic children in a tertiary rural hospital. Materials and Methods: All the diagnosed asthmatic children up to 18 years were enrolled in the study. All the patients of pulmonary Koch’s, congenital heart disease and chronic lung disease were excluded from the study. Clinical profile was noted in recruited patients. Results: The prevalence of childhood asthma among children visiting to our department was 3.93%. 58 (48.33%) had age of onset before the age of 6 years. Asthma was more prevalent in boys. 116 (96.66%) children presented with complain of cough, and 118 (98.33%) children had associated breathlessness. Common precipitating factors were change in season (71.66%), pollen allergy (58.33%), air pollutieon (45.00%), and passive smoking (23.33%). Exercise-induced asthma was seen in 55% cases, diurnal variation in 60% and 28.33% children had family history of atopic disease. Majority of the patient was undernourished. The average duration of stay in persistent asthma is 1.8 times more than in intermittent asthma. Conclusion: Significant number of patient becomes symptomatic before the 6 years of age. Prevention of child from exposure to passive smoking, environmental improvement, and allergen avoidance are major aspects for prevention of asthma exacerbations

Open appendicectomy stump: invaginate or not to invaginate?

Acute appendicitis remains the most common abdominal surgical emergency. Appendicectomy is the standard treatment of acute appendicitis, which performed by open or laparoscopic approach. During open method, after removal of appendix, stump simple ligation or simple ligation and invagination. A prospective randomized study conducted at Smt SCL General Hospital, Smt NHL municipal Medical College, Ahmedabad between October 2009 to September 2011 to evaluate the necessity of appendicular stump invagination during appendicectomy. A total 110 patients were studied and randomized into two group, Group I stump simple ligation, transfixation and invagination and Group II stump simple ligation and transfixation only. There was no statically significant difference in the rate of postoperative complication and post operative hospital stay between the two groups. The mean operating time was significantly shorter in group without invagination. The rate of postoperative paralytic ileus was more in group I. We conclude that simple ligation of the appendicular stump during appendicectomy is safe, simple and shortens operating time

Strength Evaluation of Functionalized MWCNT-Reinforced Polymer Nanocomposites Synthesized Using a 3D Mixing Approach

The incorporation of carboxyl functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT- COOH) into a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been investigated. The resultant tensile and flexural mechanical properties have been determined. In this paper, a novel synthesis process for a MWCNT-reinforced polymer nanocomposite is proposed. The proposed method significantly eliminates the most challenging issues of the nano-dispersed phase, including agglomeration and non-homogeneous mixing within a given matrix material, and also resolves the issues occurring in conventional mixing processes. The results of scanning electron microscopy support these claims. This 3D-mixing process is followed by an extrusion process, using a twin-screw extruder for pristine MWCNT, and a compression molding process for COOH-MWCNT, to prepare test specimens for experimentally determining the mechanical properties. The test specimens are fabricated using 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt.% MWCNT, with a remaining PMMA phase. The testing is conducted according to ASTM D3039 and ASTM D7264 standards. Significant improvements of 25.41%, 35.85%, and 31.75% in tensile properties and 18.27%, 48%, and 33.33% in flexural properties for 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 wt.% COOH-MWCNT in PMMA, respectively, compared to non-functionalized MWCNTs, were demonstrated. The highest strength was recorded for the nanocomposite with 0.5 wt.% f-MWCNT content, indicating the best doping effect at a lower concentration of f-MWCNT. The proposed CNT-PMMA nanocomposite may be found suitable for use as a scaffold material in the domain of bone tissue engineering research. This type of research possesses a high strength requirement, which may be fulfilled using MWCNT. Furthermore, this analysis also shows a significant amount of enhancement in flexural strength, which is clinically required for fabricating denture bases.This research was funded by a grant from the Romanian Ministry of Research, Innovation, and Digitalization, project number PFE 26/30.12.2021, PERFORM-CDI@UPT100—The increasing of the performance of the Polytechnic University of Timis, oara by strengthening the research, development, and technology transfer capacity in the field of “Energy, Environment and Climate Change” at the beginning of the second century of its existence, within Program 1—Development of the national system of Research and Development, Subprogram 1.2—Institutional Performance-Institutional Development Projects—Excellence Funding Projects in RDI, PNCDI III.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PURE AND APPLIED RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY A PATH FOR HORIZING YOUR INNOVATIVE WORK SURVEY ON RASPBERRY PI FOR INDUSTRIAL SENSOR

Abstract: This paper shows Raspberry Pi feature, advantages, and comparison with single board computer. Raspberry pi cheap, flexible, fully customizable and programmable small computer board. Raspberry Pi board consist of ARM11 programmable processer, Real time operating system and on -chip memory. Raspberry Pi Most effective factor is Reduce Complexibility of devices, Reduce over all cost of system

Recent Advances in Combating Bacterial Infections by Using Hybrid Nano-Systems

In recent years, antimicrobial resistance in many human pathogens has become a serious health concern. Since infections with resistant pathogens cannot be treated with traditional antimicrobial drugs, new strategies are necessary to fight bacterial infections. Hybrid nano-systems may provide a solution to this problem, by combining multiple mechanisms for killing bacteria to synergistically increase the effectiveness of the antimicrobial treatment. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the development of hybrid nano-systems for the treatment of bacterial infections. We discuss the use of hybrid nano-systems for combinational therapy, focusing on various triggering mechanisms for drug release and the development of biomimetic nanomaterials. We also examine inherently antimicrobial nano-systems and their uses in preventing infections due to wounds and medical implants. This review summarizes recent advances and provides insight into the future development of antimicrobial treatments using hybrid nanomaterials

Outcome of Late Presentation of Posterior Urethral Valves

Background: Posterior urethral valves (PUVs) are one of the most common structural causes of lower urinary tract obstruction in male infants. The present study conducted to assess the outcome of Late Presentation of Posterior Urethral Valves. Material and methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study conducted to assess the outcome of Late Presentation of Posterior Urethral Valves. Data such as age at presentation, symptoms and duration of symptoms, complications, investigation, and initial management were collated. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0. Results: There were 30 boy patients. Clinical findings at presentation include voiding anomaly (100%); recurrent fever (86.66%); ballotable kidneys (80%); palpable bladder (83.33%); failure to thrive (33.33%); other symptoms like urinary incontinence, polyuria, and enuresis (33.33%). Renal failure occurs in 70% patients. Of these, 60% required renal replacement therapy but only 16.66% were able to receive the therapy during the study period. Conclusion: The present study concluded that clinical findings at late presentation include voiding anomaly (100%); recurrent fever (86.66%); ballotable kidneys (80%); palpable bladder (83.33%); failure to thrive (33.33%); other symptoms like urinary incontinence, polyuria, and enuresis (33.33%). Renal failure occurs in 70% patients. Of these, 60% required renal replacement therapy but only 16.66% were able to receive the therapy during the study period