Programming to Transition Psychological Experiments from SuperLab to Matlab

For the past six years, our laboratory has conducted experiments programmed in Superlab, a software package designed exclusively for psychological experiments. Although Superlab has some attractive features, it also has some severe limitations. For example, Superlab cannot read files, meaning that for an experiment in which each participant has a unique stimulus list, a unique program has to be assembled for each participant. For an experiment in which each participant has a unique order of conditions, a unique program with the conditions in that order has to be assembled for each participant. Preparing numerous unique programs provides numerous opportunities for errors. Matlab, with Psychophysics toolbox, permits these limitations to be surmounted so that there need be only one program prepared for an experiment. For example, a general Matlab program can read a file containing the unique stimulus list for each participant, or a table that contains condition orders for all participants. We will describe the program we have devised for a set of classification experiments. We will address some of the problems we have encountered and how we have solved them.https://engagedscholarship.csuohio.edu/u_poster_2018/1046/thumbnail.jp

EDTA contamination: a preanalytical cause for interference in iron and unsaturated iron binding capacity assay

Background: The aim of the study is focussed very keenly at performing RCA (root cause analysis) of those particular sample containing the absurd results of the Serum UIBC (Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity), which was also tallied vigilantly side by side with Serum Iron observed at Clinical Biochemistry laboratory of The New Civil Hospital Surat, Gujarat.Methods: The Absurd value from the samples requested for Serum Iiron and Serum Serum UIBC (Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity) from month of August 2018 till the month of August 2019 were taken in to account for analysis. RCA (root cause analysis) of absurd value for Serum Iron and Serum UIBC (Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity) which were prepared was mainly focused on tallying with Serum Calcium and Serum Potassium result.Results: With the continious and strenous monitoring from the side of the researchers, the researchers had throughly analysed and found that in almost all of those analysed test containing absurd results of Serum Iron and Serum UIBC(Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity) which were some way or the other, associated with absurd results of Serum Calcium along with absurd result of Serum Potassium too from the same samples.Conclusions: The Absurd results of Serum Calcium and Serum Potassium are caused mainly due to pre-analytical errors more likely due to the sample contamination with EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid). The contaminated EDTA (ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid) sample cause interference in Serum Iron measurement by producing turbidity in sample and in Serum UIBC (Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity) by chelating Iron

Estimation of particle size using a Novel method for Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

The paper introduces a cost effective method to develop zinc oxide nanoparticles using abundant non-toxic precursors and low energy process. In this paper, co-precipitation method with selected precursors was used for the first time to synthesize Zinc oxide nanoparticles without using any capping agent. The ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). By analyzing the results of XRD and SEM it was found that majority of ZnO nanoparticles pertain an average crystallite size of ~40 nm. These ZnO nanoparticles have potential commercial value in tailored product formulations to meet the specific demand of the consumer [1]

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

INTRODUCTION Investment in Africa over the past year with regard to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) sequencing has led to a massive increase in the number of sequences, which, to date, exceeds 100,000 sequences generated to track the pandemic on the continent. These sequences have profoundly affected how public health officials in Africa have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. RATIONALE We demonstrate how the first 100,000 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Africa have helped monitor the epidemic on the continent, how genomic surveillance expanded over the course of the pandemic, and how we adapted our sequencing methods to deal with an evolving virus. Finally, we also examine how viral lineages have spread across the continent in a phylogeographic framework to gain insights into the underlying temporal and spatial transmission dynamics for several variants of concern (VOCs). RESULTS Our results indicate that the number of countries in Africa that can sequence the virus within their own borders is growing and that this is coupled with a shorter turnaround time from the time of sampling to sequence submission. Ongoing evolution necessitated the continual updating of primer sets, and, as a result, eight primer sets were designed in tandem with viral evolution and used to ensure effective sequencing of the virus. The pandemic unfolded through multiple waves of infection that were each driven by distinct genetic lineages, with B.1-like ancestral strains associated with the first pandemic wave of infections in 2020. Successive waves on the continent were fueled by different VOCs, with Alpha and Beta cocirculating in distinct spatial patterns during the second wave and Delta and Omicron affecting the whole continent during the third and fourth waves, respectively. Phylogeographic reconstruction points toward distinct differences in viral importation and exportation patterns associated with the Alpha, Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants and subvariants, when considering both Africa versus the rest of the world and viral dissemination within the continent. Our epidemiological and phylogenetic inferences therefore underscore the heterogeneous nature of the pandemic on the continent and highlight key insights and challenges, for instance, recognizing the limitations of low testing proportions. We also highlight the early warning capacity that genomic surveillance in Africa has had for the rest of the world with the detection of new lineages and variants, the most recent being the characterization of various Omicron subvariants. CONCLUSION Sustained investment for diagnostics and genomic surveillance in Africa is needed as the virus continues to evolve. This is important not only to help combat SARS-CoV-2 on the continent but also because it can be used as a platform to help address the many emerging and reemerging infectious disease threats in Africa. In particular, capacity building for local sequencing within countries or within the continent should be prioritized because this is generally associated with shorter turnaround times, providing the most benefit to local public health authorities tasked with pandemic response and mitigation and allowing for the fastest reaction to localized outbreaks. These investments are crucial for pandemic preparedness and response and will serve the health of the continent well into the 21st century

Liposomal formulation of vitamin A for the potential treatment of osteoporosis

Jainy Sachaniya, Reema Savaliya, Ramesh Goyal, Sanjay Singh Institute of Life Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India Abstract: Vitamin A targeting to bones is a suitable treatment for osteoporosis. In this study, we have developed vitamin A-encapsulated liposomes that can be useful to deliver vitamin A to the bones in a selective manner. This liposomal formulation of vitamin A has been found to be stable for >6 months as no significant change in size and charge occurred. Vitamin A liposomes-induced cell proliferation in SaOS-2 (human osteosarcoma cell line) and release kinetics study concluded that the liposomal formulation of vitamin A gives a controlled release of vitamin A in comparison to the free vitamin. The MTT assay showed the proliferation of SaOS-2 cells after their treatment with vitamin A liposomes. Keywords: SaOS-2, nanoliposomes, osteoporosi

Comparative Evaluation of Two in Office Bleaching Systems and the Effect of Light on Their Bleaching Efficiency - An in Vivo Study

Aim: In office bleaching has gained popularity in recent times as one of the most efficient and cost effective technique for treatment of discoloured teeth. Aim of this study was to evaluate the bleaching efficiency of two different In office bleaching materials and the efficacy of light on the shade change. Materials and Methods: 24 patients were randomly assigned to 4 treatment groups. Treatment involved application of 40% H2O2 (Opalescence Boost, Ultradent, US), 35% H2O2 (Whiteness HP Maxx, FGM Dental Products, Brasil) with and without using LED Bleaching light. Evaluation of shade change was done subjectively (Vita Classical shade guide) as well as using spectrophotometer (Vita Easy shade). Results: Statistical analysis of data revealed that there was no significant difference among the two bleaching materials with or without the use of light, but a significant difference was observed when bleaching with light was compared to bleaching without light. Conclusion: The use of light enhances the bleaching efficiency of in office beaching gels irrespective of the concentration

Curcumin Ag nanoconjugates for improved therapeutic effects in cancer

Darshini Shah, Reema Savaliya, Pal Patel, Krupa Kansara, Alok Pandya, Alok Dhawan, Sanjay Singh Institute of Life Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Ahmedabad University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India Abstract: Curcumin has a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, one of them is anticancer activity that is mediated through multiple mechanisms. The major disadvantage associated with the use of curcumin is its low bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. Nanoformulations of curcumin provide an effective solution for this problem. In this study, we have synthesized curcumin Ag nanoconjugates and evaluated their anticancer potential. Keywords: curcumin, anticancer, nanoconjugate, AgNP

Study on inclusion of probiotic, prebiotic and its combination in broiler diet and their effect on carcass characteristics and economics of commercial broilers

Background and Aim: In today era, broiler industry facing a problem of price hiking of feed of broiler, also in competitive era there should be lower feed cost, lower feed conversion ratio, low feed consumption yet good body weight at marketable age. Materials and Methods: Day-old commercial broiler chicks (n=200) were distributed randomly into 5 dietary treatment groups viz. control (T1), probiotic in the feed @ 100 g/tonne of feed (T2), prebiotic in the feed @ 500 g/tonne of feed (T3), probiotic + prebiotic @ 100 g/tonne and 500 g/tonne of feed, respectively (T4) and probiotic + prebiotic @ 50 g/tonne and 250 g/tonne of feed (T5). The growth of broilers and dressing weight along with the weight of giblet (liver without gall bladder, gizzard without serous layer, and heart without pericardium), Kidney, Abdominal fat, Length of Intestine and dressing percentage were measured. Economics in terms of Return Over Feed Cost (ROFC) and European Performance Efficiency Index (EPEI) was calculated. Results: Among all carcass traits, dressing percentage, abdominal fat weight and abdominal fat percentage (as a percentage of dressed weight) were recorded significant (p<0.05) difference among different treatment groups. The income from selling of the birds was significantly (p<0.05) higher in all treatment groups than the control group but there was a non-significant difference between supplemented groups. Feed cost during whole experimental period was significantly (p<0.05) lower in synbiotic supplemented groups (T4 and T5) than other groups. ROFC of all treatment group found significantly (p<0.05) higher than the control group. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the diet supplemented with synbiotic (100% level) was most efficient in terms of EPEI and synbiotic (50% level) in terms of ROFC. Hence, as feed supplement, synbiotic has a beneficial effect over probiotic and prebiotic when used alone