Indirect ELISA for Detection of Fascioliasis IgG Antibodies in Human Sera

Currently, coprological examination based on egg detection in stool samples is used as the most ideal standard for the diagnosis of human fascioliasis. However, this method has been proven not to be adequate when being employed in the acute phase of the disease, and presents a poor sensitivity during the chronic phase. Serodiagnosis has become an excellent alternative to coprological examination in efforts to combat the effects of fascioliasis on human and animal health. Human fascioliasis is usually recognized as an infection of the bile ducts and liver caused by Fasciola hepatica, known to affect over 2 million humans. In this research, Indirect Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) was performed to discern between positive and negative IgG antibody titers in sera in collaboration with a lab in Peru. A batch of approximately 325 samples of human sera of endemic Fasciola hepatica from regions in Peru was gathered and sent to the laboratory in order to be examined with the method explained in the following paragraph. In the search for a test for the diagnosis of fascioliasis on humans, indirect ELISA started to be employed in order to determine positive and negative values. In the indirect ELISA test, the sample antibody is sandwiched between the antigen coated on the plate and an enzyme-labeled, anti-species globulin conjugate. The addition of an enzyme substrate-chromogen reagent causes color to develop. This color is directly proportional to the amount of bound sample antibody. The more antibody present in the sample, the stronger the color development in the test wells. Positive samples presented a very strong optical density value, while negative samples were clear or low optical density value, measured with the aid of a spectrophotometer

Microwave Spectroscopy

Contains research objectives, reports on work completed and one research project.Joint Services Electronics Programs (U. S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force) under Contract DA 28-043-AMC-02536(E

Effective coping with cyberbullying in boys and girls: the mediating role of self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and social support

There is sufficient evidence on the negative consequences of cyberbullying victimisation depending on the coping styles. Social support seeking is among the most effective strategies for coping with cybervictimisation, but it is scarcely used. The robust Maximum Likelihood (ML) method was used to test the potential mediating role of individual (self-awareness, and responsible decision-making) and contextual variables (self-perceived parental and peer support) in the relationship between cybervictimisation and social support seeking in boys and girls. This cross-sectional study collected data from 1,276 Spanish secondary school students (51.2% boys, 48.8% girls) aged 11-18 (M = 13.88, SD = 1.42). Structural equation modelling (SEM) results pointed out responsible decision-making and self-perceived parental support as relevant mediating factors for girls. By contrast, the model was not significant for boys. These findings highlight the importance of both individual and contextual variables in helping adolescents cope with cyberaggressions, considering gender differences

Assessment of the importance of the current-wave coupling in the shelf ocean forecasts

International audienceThe effects of wave-current interactions on shelf ocean forecasts is investigated in the framework of the MFSTEP (Mediterranean Forecasting System Project Towards Enviromental Predictions) project. A one way sequential coupling approach is adopted to link the wave model (WAM) to the circulation model (SYMPHONIE). The coupling of waves and currents has been done considering four main processes: wave refraction due to currents, surface wind drag and bottom drag modifications due to waves, and the wave induced mass flux. The coupled modelling system is implemented in the southern Catalan shelf (NW Mediterranean), a region with characteristics similar to most of the Mediterranean shelves. The sensitivity experiments are run in a typical operational configuration. The wave refraction by currents seems to be not very relevant in a microtidal context such as the western Mediterranean. The main effect of waves on current forecasts is through the modification of the wind drag. The Stokes drift also plays a significant role due to its spatial and temporal characteristics. Finally, the enhanced bottom friction is just noticeable in the inner shelf

Electroencephalogram background activity characterization with Detrended Moving Average in Alzheimer's disease patients

The aim of this study was to analyse the electroencephalogram (EEG) background activity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) with the Detrended Moving Average (DMA) method, a new approach to quantify correlation properties in non-stationary signals with underlying trends. EEGs were recorded from the 19 scalp loci of the international 10-20 system in 11 AD patients and 11 age-matched controls. Our results showed two scaling regions in all subjects' channels, with a clear bend when their corresponding slopes (alpha(1) and alpha(2)) were distinctly different. With the exception of electrode T4, the alpha(1) values were lower in control subjects than in AD patients, with significant differences at TS, P3, P4 and O1 (p < 0.01, Student's t-test). On the other hand, alpha(2) values were higher in control subjects than in AD patients, with significant differences only at F4. Furthermore, we evaluated the ability of alpha(2) to discriminate AD patients from control subjects at these electrodes using ROC plots. We obtained a maximum accuracy of 81.82% at O1 with alpha(1) and at F4 with alpha(2). These findings suggest that the scaling behaviour of the EEG is sensitive to AD and that the DMA method could help to increase our insight into brain dysfunction in AD

PORTUGUESE ENGAGED RESEARCH AND LEARNING COMMUNITY

The current research was performed within the ENtRANCE Erasmus+ project in order to identify how may Portuguese Higher Education Institutions (HEI) provide independent participatory research support in response to concerns experienced by civil society, namely based on EU societal challenges. Even though the Biosense project [1] assumed the creation of the first Science Shop in Portugal, it was only active between 2011 and 2013 and there is still no formal evidence of any other one. Nevertheless, several Portuguese HEIs already provide informal services on behalf of citizens and local civil society.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reingeniería humana : un programa para la promoción y donación de órganos

Este estudio, de tipo descriptivo, titulado Reingeniería Humana: Programa para la Promoción de Donación de Órganos, intenta hacer una descripción de un fenómeno en detalle y se desarrolla en el primer semestre con los docentes y estudiantes de primer ingreso de la Facultad de Enfermería de la Universidad de Panamá. La encuesta pregunta sobre si se hace necesario crear la cultura de donación en el personal de la facultad estableciendo programas sobre la donación de órganos, además establece que conocimientos poseen en el tema y los medios que le ayudan a conocer sobre él. Se realizó la encuesta previa orientación y aceptación de los participantes. El análisis estadístico de los resultados se hizo a través de Excel y Epi-Info En el estudio se percibe la aceptación por establecer un programa para promoción de donación de órganos por parte de docentes y discentes, que los medios de comunicación juegan un papel muy importante en la educación en valores y se recomienda evaluar el programa luego de ser impartido para establecer resultados y mejoras

Percepción del paciente quirúrgico sobre la orientación proporcionada por la enfermera

Esta investigación tiene como propósito determinar la "Percepción del Paciente Quirúrgico y la orientación proporcionada por la Enfermera", a partir de su experiencia, emociones, basadas en la Teoría de las Transiciones de Afaf Ibrahim Meleis. Metodología: se trata de un estudio cualitativo con diseño fenomenológico interpretativo. En este estudio participaron siete pacientes operadas de colecistectomía laparoscópica operadas en el Hospital San Miguel Arcángel, ubicado en el distrito de San Miguelito, Ciudad de Panamá. El estudio se realizó mediante la observación, notas de campo y entrevistas semiestructuradas a profundidad, donde las pacientes manifestaron su experiencia y percepción sobre la orientación ofrecida por las enfermeras. Se utilizó como análisis de los datos la codificación inicial y la codificación axial. La codificación inicial se basó en los datos, utilizando el método incidente por incidente, se observó cada acción, se escribió en gerundio y se elaboró los Códigos In Vivo. La Codificación Axial consistió en obtener subcategorías y reagrupación de las mismas para establecer las categorías. Resultados: como resultado se estableció nueve categorías que son: Educación y conocimiento, aprendizaje, cuidados quirúrgicos, compromiso familiar en el paciente quirúrgico, evolución de su condición quirúrgica, emocional, comunicación, escenario quirúrgico, empatía

On-site tests for the detection of potential induced degradation in modules

This paper presents different test alternatives which can be used on-site in a PV installation to detect potential induced degradation (PID) in modules. The testing procedures proposed are: thermal imaging; electroluminescence imaging; open circuit voltage measurements; operating voltage measurements; IV curve measurements; and dark IV curve measurements. Advantages and disadvantages of each test are reported