Day-By-Day: Higher Education in Afghanistan

This paper examines higher education in Afghanistan. Based on qualitative research, including interviews with key policymakers and stakeholders, the paper examines the primary issues, challenges, progress, and future vision for higher education in the country. The research reveals that one of the most significant issues in the country in the post-Taliban era is female participation in higher education. It also shows the importance of alternative forms of higher education, such as two-year institutions, private education, and technical/vocational education. The paper also discusses the emergence of quality assurance mechanisms and international partnerships with other universities. Regarding the future direction and vision for higher education, the paper reveals two primary focuses: preparing students for the labor market, and the potential for education to influence democratic values and social cohesion in a divided country

Dramatic reductions of in feed medication via immunization against enteric pathogens

The use of in-feed antimicrobials is coming under increased pressure in food animal production. Five field studies examined the impact of vaccines to stimulate protective immunity against pathogens commonly controlled with in-feed antimicrobials (Lawsonia intracellularis, a common enteric pathogen causing ileitis). Grow-finish pigs were immunized and various levels of in-feed antimicrobials used to control or prevent Lawsonia were removed

Reduction of Salmonella choleraesuis contamination in pork carcasses by vaccination

Salmonellosis is a common clinical and subclinical infection of pigs. The species adapted serovar S choleraesuis predominantly produces a septicemic disease in swine. Disease in other species, including humans, is rare compared to enteric type infections from non host adapted serovars such as S typhimurium. However, when host adapted serovars infect alternate species, disease can be severe. Vaccination with an avirulent live S choleraesuis vaccine, Enterisol® SC-54, significantly reduces prevalence and quantity of infection in pigs. Additionally, those pigs that remain culture positive have two logs or more reduction in the quantity of S choleraesuis present. Vaccination of pigs as young as one day of age is successful. Where these infections are of concern in the human population, vaccination of pigs may provide dramatic reductions of the organism swine, reducing risk in food items of swine origin

Reduction of salmonella contamination in pork carcasses by vaccination

Two field studies and one laboratory challenge were performed to evaluate of vaccination with a live, avirulent Salmonella choleraesuis vaccine (Enterisol® SC-54) to provide cross protection, reduce the level of internal culture and fecal shedding of multiple serovars of Salmonella. Barns of grow-finish pigs were vaccinated orally, via drinking water, or left as matched controls in the field studies. Ileocecal lymph nodes and spiral colon fecal material were collected at the abattoir from field studies. Three week old pigs were vaccinated intranasally and challenged at five weeks of age in the laboratory study. Internal organ culture and fecal shedding were measured two weeks following challenge with S typhimurium. In all three studies, vaccinated pigs had significantly lower culture prevalence of non S choleraesuis serovars (p\u3c0.05), and reduced fecal shedding in following laboratory challenge (p\u3c0.05). A nominal (p=0.07) trend to improved growth rate following laboratory challenge with S typhimurium challenge was also detected

A hard metallic material: Osmium Diboride

We calculate the structural and electronic properties of OsB2 using density functional theory with or without taking into account spin-orbit (SO) interaction. Our results show that the bulk modulus with and without SO interaction are 364 and 365 Gpa respectively, both are in good agreement with experiment (365-395 Gpa). The evidence of covalent bonding of Os-B, which plays an important role to form a hard material, is indicated both in charge density, atoms in molecules analysis, and density of states analysis. The good metallicity and hardness of OsB2 might suggest its potential application as hard conductors.Comment: Figures improve