488 research outputs found
The use of cost-benefit analysis for environmental projects
In research, we analysed the way cost-benefit analyses (CBA) were carried out in governmental and selfgovernmental projects which were partly financed by the European Union. The primary aim was to establish
how the way these CBAs are carried out can be improved in the case of these institutions. By taking account
of the environmental endowments and social factors, it became obvious that the quantity and presence of
externalities is usually more significant than in the case of the assessment of economic factors. The presence
of quantified benefits in the development documents could make it much easier for the decision makers to
decide whether the investment possesses suitable characteristics in an economical, environmental and social
sense too, in the case of projects and development concepts, or not. Therefore, its realization will certainly modify the welfare curve in a positive direction. In spite of this it can be stated that the incorrect methodical approach of the economic factors result many extern effects in the evaluation, which place the certain development programmes in the centre of the preferred economic decisions in a way that they cause many
social and environmental damages
The use of cost-benefit analysis for environmental projects
In research, we analysed the way cost-benefit analyses (CBA) were carried out in governmental and selfgovernmental projects which were partly financed by the European Union. The primary aim was to establish how the way these CBAs are carried out can be improved in the case of these institutions. By taking account of the environmental endowments and social factors, it became obvious that the quantity and presence of externalities is usually more significant than in the case of the assessment of economic factors. The presence of quantified benefits in the development documents could make it much easier for the decision makers to decide whether the investment possesses suitable characteristics in an economical, environmental and social sense too, in the case of projects and development concepts, or not. Therefore, its realization will certainly modify the welfare curve in a positive direction. In spite of this it can be stated that the incorrect methodical approach of the economic factors result many extern effects in the evaluation, which place the certain development programmes in the centre of the preferred economic decisions in a way that they cause many social and environmental damages
An Efficient Metadynamics-Based Protocol To Model the Binding Affinity and the Transition State Ensemble of G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Ligands
A generally applicable metadynamics scheme for predicting the free energy profile of ligand binding to G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is described. A common and effective collective variable (CV) has been defined using the ideally placed and highly conserved Trp6.48 as a reference point for ligandâGPCR distance measurement and the common orientation of GPCRs in the cell membrane. Using this single CV together with well-tempered multiple-walker metadynamics with a funnel-like boundary allows an efficient exploration of the entire ligand binding path from the extracellular medium to the orthosteric binding site, including vestibule and intermediate sites. The protocol can be used with X-ray structures or high-quality homology models (based on a high-quality template and after thorough refinement) for the receptor and is universally applicable to agonists, antagonists, and partial and reverse agonists. The root-mean-square error (RMSE) in predicted binding free energies for 12 diverse ligands in five receptors (a total of 23 data points) is surprisingly small (less than 1 kcal molâ1). The RMSEs for simulations that use receptor X-ray structures and homology models are very similar
Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activity of Mentha arvensis L. Leaves Methanolic Extract In vitro
Treatment with herbal drugs is considered one of the oldest and safest methods for treating various diseases. Mentha arvensis is a medicinal plant used worldwide in the pharmaceutical industry for its antibacterial, anticancer, antiallergic, and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, the antibacterial activity of the methanolic extract of M. arvensis leaves was tested at different concentrations (50, 100, 150, and 200 ”g/ml) against bacteria isolated from human burn wound infections, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. The results demonstrated that at concentrations of 100, 150, and 200 ”g/ml, the methanolic extract exhibited strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, while K. pneumoniae isolates were resistant to the extract at all tested concentrations. Further, the cytotoxic activity of the methanolic extract was assessed at various concentrations (100, 140, 160, 180, 220, and 250 ”g/ml) against two cell lines: the RD tumor cell line and Vero normal cell line. The higher concentrations of the extract (220 and 250 ”g/ml) showed potent cytotoxic effects on the RD cell line after 72 hours in a dose- and time-dependent manner. In contrast, the extract exhibited lower cytotoxic effects on Vero cells at the same concentrations after 72 h
A review on corpus annotation for arabic sentiment analysis
Mining publicly available data for meaning and value is an important
research direction within social media analysis. To automatically analyze
collected textual data, a manual effort is needed for a successful machine learning algorithm to effectively classify text. This pertains to annotating the text adding labels to each data entry. Arabic is one of the languages that are growing rapidly in the research of sentiment analysis, despite limited resources and scares annotated corpora. In this paper, we review the annotation process carried out by those papers. A total of 27 papers were reviewed between the
years of 2010 and 2016
Chemical Profiling of Significant Antioxidant and Phytotoxic Microwave-Extracted Essential Oil from Araucaria heterophylla Resin
Due to the various hazards of using synthetic chemical compounds in pharmaceutics, agriculture, and industry, scientists and researchers do their best to explore and assess new green natural compounds from natural resources with potent activity. The essential oil (EO) from the resin collected from Araucaria heterophylla Salisb. was extracted by the microwave technique and chemically characterized via GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, the extract EO was assessed for its antioxidant and phytotoxic activities. The EO has 33 compounds, mainly terpenes (98.23%), and the major compounds were α-pinene (62.57%), ÎČ-pinene (6.60%), germacrene D (5.88%), and ÎČ-caryophyllene (3.56%). The extracted EO showed substantial antioxidant activity, where it showed IC50 values of 142.42 and 118.03 mg Lâ1 for DPPH and ABTS, respectively. On the other hand, the EO revealed considerable phytotoxicity against the weed Chenopodium murale, where the EO showed IC50 values of 304.0, 230.1, and 147.1 mg Lâ1, for seed germination, seedling shoot growth, and seedling root growth, respectively. Moreover, the EO showed the same pattern of allelopathic inhibition against the weed Sonchus oleraceus, where it showed IC50 values of 295.7, 224.5, and 106.1 mg Lâ1, for seed germination, seedling shoot growth, and seedling root growth, respectively. The present study showed that the extraction technique affects the constituents of the EO, particularly the quantitative composition. The EO of A. heterophylla resin also revealed considerable antioxidant and phytotoxic activity against weeds. Therefore, it can be considered a promising natural resource that could be integrated into the weed management approach. However, further study is recommended for deep characterization of their authentic compounds and evaluation of their mode of action(s) on a wide spectrum of weeds
Osjetljiva spektrofotometrijska metoda za odreÄivanje antagonista H2-receptora uz uporabu N-bromsukcinimida i p-aminofenola
A simple, accurate and sensitive spectrophotometric method for determination of H2-receptor antagonists: cimetidine (CIM), famotidine (FAM), nizatidine (NIZ), and ranitidine hydrochloride (RAN) has been full developed and validated The method was based on the reaction of these drugs with NBS and subsequent measurement of the excess N-bromosuccinimide by its reaction with p-aminophenol to give a violet colored product (max at 552 nm). Decrease in the absorption intensity (A) of the colored product, due to the presence of the drug, was correlated with its concentration in the sample solution. Different variables affecting the reaction were carefully studied and optimized. Under optimal conditions, linear relationships with good correlation coefficients (0.9988-0.9998) were found between A values and the corresponding concentrations of the drugs in a concentration range of 830, 622, 625, and 420 g mL1 for CIM, FAM, NIZ, and RAN, respectively. Limits of detection were 1.22, 1.01, 1.08, and 0.74 g mL1 for CIM, FAM, NIZ, and RAN, respectively. The method was validated in terms of accuracy, precision, ruggedness, and robustness; the results were satisfactory. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of the above mentioned drugs in bulk substance and in pharmaceutical dosage forms; percent recoveries ranged from 98.5 0.9 to 102.4 0.8% without interference from the common excipients. The results obtained by the proposed method were comparable with those obtained by the official methods.Razvijena je i validirana ispravna, jednostavna i osjetljiva spektrofotometrijska metoda za odreÄivanje antagonista H2-receptora: cimetidina (CIM), famotidina (FAM), nizatidina (NIZ) i ranitidin hidroklorida (RAN). Metoda se temelji na reakciji tih ljekovitih tvari s N-bromsukcinimidom (NBS). ViĆĄak N-bromsukcinimida odreÄuje se nakon reakcije s p-aminofenolom s kojim daje ljubiÄasti produkt (max pri 552 nm). Smanjenje apsorpcijskog intenziteta (A) obojenog produkta, zbog prisutnosti ljekovite tvari korelirano je s njegovom koncentracijom u otopini uzorka. ProuÄavane su razliÄite varijable koje utjeÄu na reakciju. Linearno koncentracijsko podruÄje za CIM, FAM, NIZ i RAN, s koeficijentom korelacije od 0,9988 do 0,9998, iznosi 830, 622, 625 odnosno 420 g mL1. Granice detekcije bile su 1,23, 1,02, 1,09 i 0,75 g mL1 za CIM, FAM, NIZ, odnosno RAN. PredloĆŸena metoda je uspjeĆĄno primijenjena za analizu navedenih ljekovitih tvari i ljekovitih pripravaka. Nepreciznost od 0,7 do 1,2% i visoka ispravnost (analitiÄki povrat izmeÄu 98,5 i 102,4%), bez interferencije uobiÄajenih pomoÄnih tvari, ukazuju na dobru analitiÄku metodu. Rezultati dobiveni predloĆŸenom metodom usporedivi su s rezultatima dobivenim sluĆŸbenom metodom
Genetic Associations and Differential mRNA Expression Levels of Host Genes Suggest a Viral Trigger for Endemic Pemphigus Foliaceus
The long search for the environmental trigger of the endemic pemphigus foliaceus (EPF,
fogo selvagem) has not yet resulted in any tangible findings. Here, we searched for genetic asso ciations and the differential expression of host genes involved in early viral infections and innate
antiviral defense. Genetic variants could alter the structure, expression sites, or levels of the gene
products, impacting their functions. By analyzing 3063 variants of 166 candidate genes in 227 EPF
patients and 194 controls, we found 12 variants within 11 genes associated with differential suscepti bility (p < 0.005) to EPF. The products of genes TRIM5, TPCN2, EIF4E, EIF4E3, NUP37, NUP50, NUP88,
TPR, USP15, IRF8, and JAK1 are involved in different mechanisms of viral control, for example, the
regulation of viral entry into the host cell or recognition of viral nucleic acids and proteins. Only two
of nine variants were also associated in an independent German cohort of sporadic PF (75 patients,
150 controls), aligning with our hypothesis that antiviral host genes play a major role in EPF due to a
specific virusâhuman interaction in the endemic region. Moreover, CCL5, P4HB, and APOBEC3G
mRNA levels were increased (p < 0.001) in CD4+ T lymphocytes of EPF patients. Because there is
limited or no evidence that these genes are involved in autoimmunity, their crucial role in antiviral responses and the associations that we observed support the hypothesis of a viral trigger for EPF,
presumably a still unnoticed flavivirus. This work opens new frontiers in searching for the trigger
of EPF, with the potential to advance translational research that aims for disease prevention and
treatment
Clinical profile and treatment of infantile spasms using vigabatrin and ACTH - a developing country perspective
Background: Infantile spasms represent a serious epileptic syndrome that occurs in the early infantile age. ACTH and Vigabatrin are actively investigated drugs in its treatment. This study describes the comparison of their efficacy in a large series of Patients with infantile spasms from Pakistan. Methods: All Patients with infantile spasms who presented to Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from January, 2006 to April, 2008 were included in this study. Inclusion criteria were clinical symptoms of infantile spasms, hypsarrythmia or modified hyparrythmia on electroencephalography, at least six months of follow-up period and receipt of any of the two drugs mentioned above. The type of drug distribution was random according to the availability, cost and ease of administration. Results: Fifty six cases fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 62.5% were males. Mean age at onset of seizures was 5 +/- 1.4 months. Fifty two (92.8%) Patients demonstrated hypsarrythmia on electroencephalography. 64.3% cases were identified as symptomatic while 19.6% were cryptogenic and 16.1% were idiopathic. Eighteen Patients received ACTH while 38 Patients received Vigabatrin as first line therapy. Initial response to first line therapy was similar (50% for ACTH and 55.3% for Vigabatrin). Overall, the symptomatic and idiopathic groups responded better to Vigabatrin. The relapse rate was higher for ACTH as compared to Vigabatrin (55.5% vs. 33.3%) when considering the first line therapy. Four Patients evolved to Lennox-Gastaut variant, all of these Patients had initially received Vigabatrin and then ACTH. Conclusion: Vigabatrin and ACTH showed no significant difference in the initial treatment of infantile spasms. However, Patients receiving ACTH were 1.2 times more likely to relapse as compared to the Patients receiving Vigabatrin when considering monotherapy. We suggest that Vigabatrin should be the initial drug of choice in Patients presenting with infantile spasms. However, larger studies from developing countries are required to validate the therapeutic trends observed in this study
Optimizing planting geometries in eucalyptus-based food production systems for enhanced yield and carbon sequestration
The integration of trees into diverse land-use systems holds potential for India to meet nationally determined contribution (NDC) targets under the Paris Climate Agreement. With a target of sequestering 2.5â3 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030, the study focused on the widespread and economically viable eucalyptus-based agroforestry, practiced widely in various planting geometries tailored to meet industrial end-use requirements. In this context, a detailed study was conducted to quantify the influence of five planting geometries [3âmâĂâ3âm, 6âĂâ1.5âm, 17âĂâ1âĂâ1âm (paired row) and two boundary plantations (eastâwest and northâsouth directions) at 2âm away from tree to tree] of eucalyptus on intercrops [dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata)âbarley (Hordeum vulgare L.) rotation] biomass, soil properties, and carbon stock of the system during 2009â2016. Results revealed that biomass accumulation of different tree components was 62.50%â74.09% in stem; 6.59%â9.14% in branch; 3.18%â5.73% in leaves; 12.20%â20.44% in stump roots; and 1.71%â3.48% in fine roots across the planting geometries. The mean carbon content of the stem, branch, leaves, and roots was 49.00, 47.00, 43.00, and 49.00%, respectively. Over the 8-year period, geometry of 3âĂâ3âm performed better in terms of total biomass production (344.60âMgâhaââ1 by tree biomass and 62.53âMgâhaâ1 by intercrops). The independent parameter, DBH2H (DBH: diameter at breast height and H: tree height), was found to be a very good predictor of dry weight, followed by DBH alone. Among various functions (linear, allometric, logistic, Gompertz, Chapman, and exponential), the best-fit equation was allometric, i.e., Bâ=â300.96âĂâDBH2H0.93 (adjusted R2â=â0.96) for eucalyptus based on universal model adequacy and validation criteria. The carbon sequestration rate was maximum (20.79âMg C haâ1 yearâ1) in 3âĂâ3âm followed by 17âĂâ1âĂâ1âm. The total carbon stock of eucalyptus-based system (tree + crop + soil) varied significantly under different planting geometries and sole crop rotation (dhainchaâbarley). The higher carbon stock (237.27âMgâhaâ1) was obtained from 3âĂâ3âm spacing and further partitioning carbon stock in treesâ166.29âMgâhaâ1, cropsâ25.01âMgâhaâ1 and soilâ45.97âMgâhaâ1. The paired row spacing (17âĂâ1âĂâ1âm) yielded higher crop yield and net returns (Rs. 600,475âhaâ1), underscoring wide spacingâs role in system productivity and sustainability. Tree-based systems were valuable components of agriculture, advocating for their widespread adoption to reduce CO2 emissions and generate income through carbon credits. These findings will provide crucial insights into sustainable land-use practices and advance Indiaâs commitment toward adaptation of climate change mitigation strategies
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