Synthesis of Cellulose Acetate From Cashew Nut Shell Cellulose

Cashew nut was divided into its three constituent parts viz: the kernel, the testa and the shell. The shell was grated, and extracted with n-hexane using Soxhlet extractor. The Soxhlet extraction lasted for 12 hrs. The relative percent of the shell, kernel and the testa to the cashew nut were 65.49, 29.02 and 1.80 % respectively. The Deffated cashew nut shell was weighed into a thimble and extracted with eighty percent (80 %) ethanol; the extraction process was done exhaustively until the solution was colorless to yield 17.9 and 82.10 % of alcohol extractives and cashew nut shell respectively. The defatted and alcohol extracted Cashew Nut Shell was de-lignified with 17.5 % sodium hydroxide. After drying, about 2 g of the de-lignified Cashew Nut Shell cellulose was reacted with acetic acid and acetic anhydride in the presence of sulfuric acid to yield cellulose acetate. The cellulose acetate obtained was found to be soluble in acetone

A Study of the Organisational Input into the Industrial Design Postgraduate Programme of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

This paper attempted to examine the organisational input into the Industrial Design Postgraduate Programme of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The specific input variables studied include the staff situation, enrolment of candidates, communications policies, plans, facilities and funding of the Postgraduate Programme. The paper attempted to find out if the quality of input into the Postgraduate Programme has helped it to achieve the development of its communications mechanisms and successes in its internal and external operations.  All the staff and students on the programme were included in the study. The data was collected using questionnaires and content analysis. Content analysis and descriptive statistics such as percentages and sums were used for computing the data. The data revealed inadequate staffing, lack of enrolment plans, non participation of staff and other stakeholders in enrolment of candidates, absence of cohesive internal and external communications policies and organisational plans, very poor state of facilities for training and research as well as dearth of funds. These conditions have adversely affected the development of relevant plausible organisational communications channels that could have directly fostered internal consistency, encouraged viability and sustained effective marketing approaches by the PG Programme to its targeted external environments. The study recommends a total overhaul of the input variables and regular auditing of all the formal communications mechanisms in order to increase relevant variety as well as eliminate conflicts emanating from scarcity of resources and the flourishing of the grapevine in the Postgraduate Programme. Keywords: Organisational input, Communication, Organisational viability, Internal environment, External environment, Innovation

The Effect of Varied Doses of Nicotine on Some Morphometric Parameters of the Testis in Albino Wistar Rats

Background: This study is aimed at determining the effect of nicotine on male fertility by evaluating some morphometric parameters of male Wistar rat such as testicular weight, seminiferous tubule diameter, height of epithelium, sertoli-germ cell ratio and Johnsen’s score  in order to assess the spermatogic  index. Methods: 20 adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups, the test groups were administered with 0.2mg/100g, 0.4/100g and 0.6/100g body weight of nicotine base daily for 30 days using a polythene catheter orally , while the control were administered with 2mls 0.9%physiological saline. Histological slides of the testis were made and data obtained from the slides. Results: nicotine caused a significant reduction (P < 0.05) and (P< 0.01) in the mean values of the morphometric parameters of the test group compared with control. The Johnsen’s Score results were 5.4 ± 0.51*, 5.2 ± 0.37* for groups 2 and 3 respectively. For seminiferous tubule diameter the significant values were 208.0±4.22**, 184.5±11.31**in groups 2 and 3, whilst the height of epithelium showed a significant reduction of 153.9± 13.58*, 101.6 ± 1.35**, 76.6 ± 6.65** for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Sertoli-germ cell ratio showed a significant reduction in groups 2 and 3 with values of 3.6 ± 0.77 ** , 1.5 ±  0.16**for groups 2, and 3 respectively, testicular weight showed significant reduction of 1.2±0.05**,1.1±0.05** for group 2 and 3.The results stated are only those that showed a significant reduction at 95% confidence level when compared with the control. Conclusion:  It was concluded that nicotine exerted an adverse effects on the spermatogenic index with concomitant reduction in reproductive potentials of the male rat. Nicotine and nicotine- based products should therefore be taken with caution in cases of infertility in man and animal. Key words: Morphometric parameters ,Johnsen’s Score,Spermatogenic index , fertilit

Simultaneous disruption of two DNA polymerases, Polη and Polζ, in Avian DT40 cells unmasks the role of Polη in cellular response to various DNA lesions

Replicative DNA polymerases are frequently stalled by DNA lesions. The resulting replication blockage is released by homologous recombination (HR) and translesion DNA synthesis (TLS). TLS employs specialized TLS polymerases to bypass DNA lesions. We provide striking in vivo evidence of the cooperation between DNA polymerase η, which is mutated in the variant form of the cancer predisposition disorder xeroderma pigmentosum (XP-V), and DNA polymerase ζ by generating POLη−/−/POLζ−/− cells from the chicken DT40 cell line. POLζ−/− cells are hypersensitive to a very wide range of DNA damaging agents, whereas XP-V cells exhibit moderate sensitivity to ultraviolet light (UV) only in the presence of caffeine treatment and exhibit no significant sensitivity to any other damaging agents. It is therefore widely believed that Polη plays a very specific role in cellular tolerance to UV-induced DNA damage. The evidence we present challenges this assumption. The phenotypic analysis of POLη−/−/POLζ−/− cells shows that, unexpectedly, the loss of Polη significantly rescued all mutant phenotypes of POLζ−/− cells and results in the restoration of the DNA damage tolerance by a backup pathway including HR. Taken together, Polη contributes to a much wide range of TLS events than had been predicted by the phenotype of XP-V cells

Neutron Scattering Cross Sections for Natural Carbon in the Energy Range 2-133 keV

Natural carbon is well known as reactor structure material and at the same time as one of the most important neutron scattering standards, especially at energies less than 2 MeV, where the neutron total and neutron scattering cross sections are essentially identical. The best neutron total cross section experimental data for natural carbon in the range 1-500 keV have uncertainties of 1-4%. However, the difference between these data and those based on R-matrix analysis and used in the ENDF libraries is evident, especially in the energy range 1-60 keV. Experimental data for total scattering neutron cross sections for this element in the energy range 1-200 keV are scanty. The use of the technique of neutron filtered beams developed at the Kyiv Research Reactor makes it possible to reduce the uncertainty of the experimental data and to measure the neutron scattering cross sections on natural carbon in the energy range 2-149 keV with accuracies of 3-6%. Investigations of the neutron scattering cross section on carbon were carried out using 5 filters with energies 2, 3.5, 24, 54 and 133 keV. The neutron scattering cross sections were measured using a detector system covering nearly 2{pi}. The detector consisting of {sup 3}He counters (58 units), was located just above the carbon samples. The {sup 3}He counters (CHM-37, 7 atm, diameter =18 mm, L=50 cm) are placed in five layers (12 or 11 in each layer). To determine the neutron scattering cross section on carbon the relative method of measurement was used. The isotope {sup 208}Pb was used as the standard. The normalization factor, which is a function of detector efficiency, thickness of the carbon samples, thickness of the {sup 208}Pb sample, geometry, etc., for each sample and for each filter energy has been obtained through Monte Carlo calculations by means of the MCNP4C code. The results of measurements of the neutron scattering cross sections at reactor neutron filtered beams with energies in the range 2-133 keV on carbon samples together with the known experimental data from database EXFOR/CSISRS and ENDF libraries are presented

Investigation of the scattering cross sections of neutrons on carbon nuclei at the reactor filtered beams

Natural carbon is well known as reactor structure material and at the same time as one of the most important neutron scattering standards, especially at energies less than 2 MeV, where the neutron total and neutron scattering cross sections are essentially identical. The best neutron total cross section experimental data for natural carbon in the range 1 - 500 keV has uncertainties of 1 - 4 %. However, the difference between these data and those based on R-matrix analysis and used in the ENDF libraries is evident; especially in the energy range 1 - 60 keV. Experimental data for total scattering neutron cross sections for this element in the energy range 1 - 200 keV are scanty. The use of the technique of neutron filtered beams developed at the Kyiv Research Reactor makes it possible to reduce the uncertainty of the experimental data and to measure the neutron scattering cross sections on natural carbon in the energy range 2 - 149 keV with accuracies of 3 - 6 %. Investigations of the neutron scattering cross section on carbon were carried out using 5 filters with energies 2, 3.5, 24, 54 and 133 keV. The neutron scattering cross sections were measured using a detector system covering nearly 2π. The detector consisting of 3 He counters (58 units), was located just above the carbon samples. The 3 He counters (CHM-37, 7 atm, diameter = 18 mm, L = 50 cm) are placed in five layers (12 or 11 in each layer). To determine the neutron scattering cross section on carbon the relative method of measurement was used. The isotope 208Pb was used as the standard. The normalization factor, which is a function of detector efficiency, thickness of the carbon samples, thickness of the 208Pb sample, geometry, etc., for each sample and for each filter energy has been obtained through Monte Carlo calculations by means of the MCNP4C code. The results of measurements of the neutron scattering cross sections at reactor neutron filtered beams with energies in the range 2 - 133 keV on carbon samples together with the known experimental data from database EXFOR/CSISRS and ENDF libraries are presented

Inspiratory muscle training reduces blood lactate concentration during volitional hyperpnoea

Although reduced blood lactate concentrations ([lac−]B) have been observed during whole-body exercise following inspiratory muscle training (IMT), it remains unknown whether the inspiratory muscles are the source of at least part of this reduction. To investigate this, we tested the hypothesis that IMT would attenuate the increase in [lac−]B caused by mimicking, at rest, the breathing pattern observed during high-intensity exercise. Twenty-two physically active males were matched for 85% maximal exercise minute ventilation (V˙Emax) and divided equally into an IMT or a control group. Prior to and following a 6 week intervention, participants performed 10 min of volitional hyperpnoea at the breathing pattern commensurate with 85% V˙Emax

Multidimensional Results and Reflections on CAR-T: The Italian Evidence

The present study aims at defining the economic and organizational impacts of the introduction of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T) in Italy, for the management of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) patients in third-line therapy, defining the overall level of sustainability for both hospitals and the National Healthcare System (NHS). The analysis focused on CAR-T and Best Salvage Care (in the following BSC), assuming the Italian hospital and NHS perspectives, over a 36-month time horizon. Process mapping and activity-based costing methodologies were applied to collect the hospital costs related to the BSC and CAR-T pathways, including adverse event management. Anonymous administrative data on services provided (diagnostic and laboratory examinations, hospitalizations, outpatient procedures, and therapies) to 47 third-line patients with lymphoma, as well as any organizational investments required, were collected, in two different Italian Hospitals. The economic results showed that the BSC clinical pathway required less resources in comparison with CAR-T (excluding the cost related to the therapy) (BSC: 29,558.41 vs. CAR-T: EUR 71,220.84, −58.5%). The budget impact analysis depicts that the introduction of CAR-T would generate an increase in costs ranging from 15% to 23%, without considering treatment costs. The assessment of the organizational impact reveals that the introduction of CAR-T therapy would require additional investments equal to a minimum of EUR 15,500 to a maximum of EUR 100,897.49, from the hospital perspective. Results show new economic evidence for healthcare decision makers, to optimize the appropriateness of resource allocation. The present analysis suggests the need to introduce a specific reimbursement tariff, both at the hospital and at NHS levels, since no consensus exists, at least in the Italian setting, concerning the proper remuneration for the hospitals who guarantee this innovative pathway, assuming high risks related to timely management of adverse events

Reliability of force per unit cross-sectional area measurements of the first dorsal interosseus muscle

Background: Force per unit cross-sectional area (CSA) measurements of the first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle have previously been used as a measure of strength, although the reliability of these techniques has not been reported. Purpose: To determine the test-retest reliability of maximum voluntary isometric force (MVIF), CSA and force per unit CSA measurements of the FDI muscle, using a custom-built dynamometer and ultrasonography. Methods: Following approval from the institutions ethical advisory committee, twenty-seven recreationally active participants, thirteen males (age 22 ± 6 years; height 1.80 ± 0.05 m; body mass 77.5 ± 6.7 kg) and fourteen females (age 24 ± 5 years; height 1.65 ± 0.05 m; body mass 65.1 ± 0.1 kg), completed MVIF and CSA measurements on two separate occasions (Trial 1 and Trial 2) under the same conditions, less than 7 days apart. Reliability was determined using ratio systematic bias and limits of agreement (rLoA), intra-class correlation (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV) and paired samples t-tests. Results: MVIF of the FDI muscle was not significantly different between trials (mean ± SD; 31.8 ± 7.6 N vs. 31.6 ± 7.3 N, P=0.63); rLoA between trials were 1.00 x/÷ 1.09, ICC = 0.990 and CV = 3.22%. CSA of the FDI muscle was not significantly different between trials (22.6 ± 6.9 vs. 22.9 ± 6.9 mm2, P=0.31); rLoA between trials were 0.98 x/÷ 1.19, ICC = 0.979 and CV=6.61%. Force per unit CSA was not significantly different between trials (1.49 ± 0.43 vs. 1.46 ± 0.44 N·mm2; P=0.18); rLoA were 1.02 x/÷ 1.17, ICC = 0.985 and CV = 5.76%. Conclusions: The techniques used to determine MVIF and CSA of the FDI muscle were reliable and can be combined to calculate force per unit CSA. This technique can be used to assess both acute and longitudinal changes in muscle function between and within populations

Capture the fracture: a best practice framework and global campaign to break the fragility fracture cycle

Summary The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) Capture the Fracture Campaign aims to support implementation of Fracture Liaison Services (FLS) throughout the world. Introduction FLS have been shown to close the ubiquitous secondary fracture prevention care gap, ensuring that fragility fracture sufferers receive appropriate assessment and intervention to reduce future fracture risk. Methods Capture the Fracture has developed internationally endorsed standards for best practice, will facilitate change at the national level to drive adoption of FLS and increase awareness of the challenges and opportunities presented by secondary fracture prevention to key stakeholders. The Best Practice Framework (BPF) sets an international benchmark for FLS, which defines essential and aspirational elements of service delivery. Results The BPF has been reviewed by leading experts from many countries and subject to beta-testing to ensure that it is internationally relevant and fit-for-purpose. The BPF will also serve as a measurement tool for IOF to award ‘Capture the Fracture Best Practice Recognition’ to celebrate successful FLS worldwide and drive service development in areas of unmet need. The Capture the Fracture website will provide a suite of resources related to FLS and secondary fracture prevention, which will be updated as new materials become available. A mentoring programme will enable those in the early stages of development of FLS to learn from colleagues elsewhere that have achieved Best Practice Recognition. A grant programme is in development to aid clinical systems which require financial assistance to establish FLS in their localities. Conclusion Nearly half a billion people will reach retirement age during the next 20 years. IOF has developed Capture the Fracture because this is the single most important thing that can be done to directly improve patient care, of both women and men, and reduce the spiralling fracture-related care costs worldwide.</p