Biostratigraphy of the Cretaceous-Tertiary Pindos series of Crete

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Quantitative Analysis of Hyperautofluorescent Rings to Characterize the Natural History and Progression in Rpgr-associated Retinopathy

PURPOSE: Quantitative analysis of hyperautofluorescent rings and progression in subjects with retinitis pigmentosa associated with retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene mutations. METHODS: Prospective observational study of 46 subjects. Ring area, horizontal and vertical diameter measurements taken from outer and inner ring borders. Intraobserver repeatability, baseline measurements, progression rates, interocular symmetry, and association with age and genotype were investigated. RESULTS: Baseline ring area was 11.8 ± 13.4 mm and 11.4 ± 13.2 mm for right and left eyes, respectively, with very strong interocular correlation (r = 0.9398; P < 0.0001). Ring area constriction was 1.5 ± 2.0 mm/year and 1.3 ± 1.9 mm/year for right and left eyes, respectively, with very strong interocular correlation (r = 0.878, P < 0.0001). Baseline ring area and constriction rate correlated negatively with age (r = -0.767; P < 0.0001 and r = -0.644, P < 0.0001, respectively). Constriction rate correlated strongly with baseline area (r = 0.850, P < 0.0001). Age, but not genotype, exerted a significant effect on constriction rates (P < 0.0001), with greatest rates of progression seen in younger subjects. An exponential decline overall was found. CONCLUSION: This study provides disease-specific baseline values and progression rates together with a repeatability assessment of fundus autofluorescence metrics. Our findings can guide future treatment trials and contribute to the clinical care of patients with RPGR-associated retinitis pigmentosa

Comparative study of selected indoor concentration from selective laser sintering process using virgin and recycled polyamide nylon (pa12)

Additive manufacturing (AM) stands out as one of the promising technologies that have huge potential towards manufacturing industry. The study on additive manufacturing impact on the environment and occupational exposure are attracting growing attention recently. However, most of the researcher focus on desktop and fused deposition modelling type and less attention given to the industrial type of AM. Usually, during the selective laser sintering process, recycle powder will be used again to reduce cost and waste. This article compares the PM 2.5, carbon dioxide (CO2) and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration between virgin and recycles powder using polyamide-nylon (PA12) towards indoor concentration. Four phases of sampling involve during air sampling accordingly to the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 by DOSH Malaysia. It was found that PM 2.5 and CO2 concentration are mainly generated during the pre-printing process. The recycle powder tended to appear higher compared to virgin powder in terms of PM 2.5, and CO2. The peak value of PM 2.5 is 1452 μg/m3 and CO2 is 1218 ppm are obtained during the pre-printing process during 8 hours of sampling. TVOC concentration from recycling powder is slightly higher during the post- printing phase where confirm the influence of the powder cake and PA12 temperature from the printing process. In summary, this work proves that elective laser sintering (SLS) machine operators are exposed to a significant amount of exposure during the SLS printing process. Mitigation strategies and personal protective equipment are suggested to reduce occupational exposure

Dry-Milling and Fractionation of Transgenic Maize Seed Tissues with Green Fluorescent Protein as a Tissue Marker

The efficiency of fractionating cereal grains (e.g., dry corn milling) can be evaluated and monitored by quantifying the proportions of seed tissues in each of the recovered fractions. The quantities of individual tissues are typically estimated using indirect methods such as quantifying fiber or ash to indicate pericarp and tip cap contents, and oil to indicate germ content. More direct and reliable methods are possible with tissue-specific markers. We used two transgenic maize lines, one containing the fluorescent protein green fluorescent protein (GFP) variant S65T expressed in endosperm, and the other containing GFP expressed in germ to determine the fate of each tissue in the dry-milling fractionation process. The two lines were dry-milled to produce three fractions (bran-, endosperm-, and germ-rich fractions) and GFP fluorescence was quantified in each fraction to estimate the tissue composition. Using a simplified laboratory dry-milling procedure and our GFP-containing grain, we determined that the endosperm-rich fraction contained 4% germ tissue, the germ-rich fraction contained 28% germ, 20% endosperm, and 52% nonendosperm and nonembryo tissues, and the bran-rich fraction contained 44% endosperm, 13% germ, and 43% nonendosperm and nonembryo tissues. GFP-containing grain can be used to optimize existing fractionation methods and to develop improved processing strategies

Electrodeposited NiX2 (X= S, Se) thin films for solar cell applications

Thin films of nickel chalcogenide, NiX2 (X= S, Se) have been electrosynthesized on indiumtin-oxide (ITO) coated glass substrates. The films were characterized for their structural, morphological and compositional characteristics. Their optical and semiconducting parameters were also analysed in order to determine the suitability of the thin films for photoelectrochemical (PEC) / solar cell applications. Structural analysis via X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the films are polycrystalline in nature. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies reveals that the films were adherent to the substrate with uniform and pin-hole free. Compositional analysis via energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) technique confirms the presence of Ni, S, and Se elements in the films. The optical studies show that the films are of direct bandgap. Results on the semiconductor parameters analysis of the films showed that the nature of the Mott-Schottky plots indicates that the films obtained are of p-type material

Psychomotor Skills in Pedagogical Context for Technology Courses

Teaching is a process of disseminating knowledge and specific skills (cognitive, affective and psychomotor) that combines teaching strategies and practices. Teaching strategies revolve around planning, implementation and evaluation of pedagogical context. This study focusses on the psychomotor domain of skills. The Simpson Psychomotor Domain was applied as main objective of this research to investigate the teaching strategies in practical courses implemented by instructors. The survey research design was applied using the quantitative approaches and observation method as supporting data to identify implementation of strategies that develop the psychomotor domain. This research involved 301 instructors from vocational colleges who participated in the questionnaire survey and four heads of department who participated in the observation. The results indicate that the most dominant teaching strategies applied in skill-based pedagogical context are throwback, questioning, demonstration, discussion and video screening. Observation of the four heads of department showed that they laid emphasis on implementation of the psychomotor domain through use of observation, inventory, motion control, special movement and adjustment. The results may provide new ideas for instructors to plan teaching strategies to improve the skill-based pedagogical context

Implementation of self-directed learning in enhancing skills dedicated to the community college teaching staff

Self-directed learning is a type used in the teaching force that requires high knowledge during the teaching and learning process. Self-learning requires educators to constantly improve their skills to prepare before teaching and learning. The purpose of this study is to learn self-study in Community College students. This study utilized a survey method which employed 169 Community College lecturers in Johor using questionnaire form. Overall, the results show a high percentage of strategies for drunkenness and self-directed learning. Therefore, this study found that there are several strategies for self-directed learning implemented by Johor Community College. These strategies have the advantage and potential in enhancing the existing skills of the teaching staff. Next, the highest implementation is carried out in open discussion. Open discussion can generate new ideas in the teaching force. Therefore, this information can assist lecturers in learning self-directed learning for their students

Anterior versus posterior approach in traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures deemed for surgical management: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Uncertainties remain regarding the optimal surgical approach in the treatment of traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures. We aim to compare the surgical, radiological and functional outcomes in anterior versus posterior approaches in patients with traumatic thoracolumbar burst fractures deemed for surgical management. A systematic review adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines was performed. Qualitative analysis and where suitable, meta-analysis were performed to compute pooled estimates of the differences between anterior and posterior approaches. A total of six studies (three observational, one prospective non-randomized trial, two randomized controlled trials) were included. There were no cases of postoperative neurological decline. Meta-analysis demonstrates a longer duration (Mean Difference (MD) + 81.68, 95% CI 39.20 to 123.16, p < 0.001) and increased estimated blood loss (MD + 426.27, 95% CI 119.84 to 732.70, p = 0.006) for the anterior approach. No difference between approaches was found regarding length of hospital stay, late postoperative kyphotic angle, construct failure rate, instrumentation revision rate, rate of return to work, and total hospital charges. Limitations include the small number of, and heterogeneity across studies. Given the similarities in neurological, radiological and functional outcomes between the two approaches, the longer duration and estimated blood loss in the anterior approach should be a point of consideration when selecting the surgical approach. There is an urgent need for contemporary, high quality research in this area