KINETICS OF POLYMER CYCLIZATION REACTION AND NOVEL COVALENT DNA CROSS-LINKING ASSAYS

In this dissertation I first do an extensive review of polymer cyclization kinetics. Different theories of polymer cyclization kinetics, their assumptions and their predictions are presented along with the predictions of computer simulations. In addition, the experimental results for synthetic and biological polymers are summarized

Correlation of HbA1C and Lipid Profile Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients at M Yunus Hospital

The lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients is highly dependent on the HbA1c value. Poor HbA1c values accompanied by insulin resistance are associated with hypertriglyceridemia, decreased HDL levels, and sometimes followed by increased LDL levels. The aims of this study was to determine the correlation between HbA1c and lipid profile of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. This research was an analytic observational study with a cross sectional design with prospective method. The total sample of 35 patients seeking treatment at the Polyclinic Internal M Yunus hospital. There were lower levels of total cholesterol (158,83 ± 23,96; 201,51 ± 44,95; p=0,032), triglyceride (111,16 ± 48,06; 156,69 ± 76,07; p=0,169), LDL (80,83 ± 22,69; 121,96 ± 42,82; p=0,030) in type 2 DM patients with controlled glycemic control compared to those without control. There was no significant difference in triglyceride levels between on two groups (111,16 ± 48,06; 156,69 ± 76,07; p=0,169). There was a significant correlation between total cholesterol levels r=0,364; p=0,032), HDL (r=-0,377; p=0,026); LDL (r=0,367; p=0,030) with HbA1c levels. Type 2 DM patients with good glycemic control had significantly lower total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL levels compared to type 2 DM patients with poor glycemic control. Keywords: hba1c, lipid profile, type 2 diabetes mellitu

Relationship between the Presence of the nalC Mutation and Multidrug Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Objectives. The current study was conducted to determine the relationship between the presences of significant multidrug resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) having intact mexR genes (nalC) to different antibiotics. Methods. In order to identify nalC, fifty strains of P. aeruginosa were obtained. All isolates were found in urinary tract infections. They were evaluated against different antibiotics. The nalC mutant was identified by PCR. Results. The 50 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa originated from two hospitals in Iran, in which 32 isolates were found in Milad hospital, and 18 isolates were collected in the Ilam Hospital. The results in Milad hospital of nalC revealed that all P. aeruginosa resistant to oxacillin showed the presence of nalC. In Ilam hospital only three (16.6%) isolates were resistant to oxacilin and aztreonam, and among these three isolates only one isolate revealed resistance to ceftazidime and amikacin. The resistant isolates showed the presence of both OXA-10 and nalC. Conclusion. Our results showed that the presence of nalC was observed among P. aeruginosa resistance to oxacilin. Thus, the finding suggested relationship between oxacilin resistance and presence of nalC and consequently overproduction of the MexABOprM efflux system

Evaluation of an immunocapture-agglutination test (Brucellacapt) for serodiagnosis of human brucellosis, Ilam, Iran

Brucellosis is common health problem in some Middle Eastern, Mediterranean countries and Iran. The present investigation was carried out to investigate the prevalence of brucella antibodies through Rose bengal test (RBT), Wright and Coombs and comparison with Brucella Capt Test. A total of 754 different suspected to brucellosis were tested during the period from March 2008 to February 2009. They assayed by Brucellacapt, Coombs tests and SAT. Our results had shown that of 754 serum samples, 125 samples were positive by Rosbangal test. Thus, frequency of brucellosis by Rosbangal test was 16.5%. The results in 1/40 and 1/80 were equal for Brucellacapt and Coombs test and different for SAT. The other titers results were different for all testes which used in our study. The results from the present study showed a high sensitivity and specificity of Brucellacapt for the diagnosis of human brucellosis

Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Towards Dengue Fever Among Slum Dwellers: A Case Study in Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Objectives: This study intends to evaluate Dhaka city slum dwellers’ responses to Dengue fever (DF).Methods: 745 individuals participated in a KAP survey that was pre-tested. Face-to-face interviews were performed to obtain data. Python with RStudio was used for data management and analysis. The multiple regression models were applied when applicable.Results: 50% of respondents were aware of the deadly effects of DF, its common symptoms, and its infectious nature. However, many were unaware that DF could be asymptomatic, a previously infected person could have DF again, and the virus could be passed to a fetus. Individuals agreed that their families, communities, and authorities should monitor and maintain their environment to prevent Aedes mosquito breeding. However, overall 60% of the study group had inadequate preventative measures. Many participants lacked necessary practices such as taking additional measures (cleaning and covering the water storage) and monitoring potential breeding places. Education and types of media for DF information were shown to promote DF prevention practices.Conclusion: Slum dwellers lack awareness and preventative activities that put them at risk for DF. Authorities must improve dengue surveillance. The findings suggest efficient knowledge distribution, community stimulation, and ongoing monitoring of preventative efforts to reduce DF. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to alter dwellers’ behavior since DF control can be done by raising the population’s level of life. People and communities must perform competently to eliminate vector breeding sites

Pengaruh kualitas pelayanan, promosi, dan harga terhadap kepuasan pelanggan

With the development of online business, it can open up great opportunities that are very promising for service companies. Therefore, freight forwarding services are currently increasing with the existence of an online business. The importance of increasing customer satisfaction also applies to delivery services. The development of shipping services resulted in the addition of new companies entering the service business. One of the companies engaged in this delivery service is PT. JNE Agent Dipati Ukur Bandung which is a freight forwarding and logistics service company that is widespread in Indonesia, serving delivery in the form of packages, documents, vehicles, etc. But after conducting a pre-survey of customer satisfaction, service quality, promotions and prices from JNE are still considered unfavorable by consumers. This study aims to determine the effect of Service Quality (X1), Promotion (X2) and Price (X3) on Customer Satisfaction (Y) at JNE Dipatiukur. The population in this study were 8,941 JNE Dipatiukur service users and 100 respondents as a sample using Non-Probability Sampling with Purposive Sampling technique. The analysis used includes validity test, reliability test, classical assumption test, multiple regression analysis, correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination and hypothesis testing. Descriptively, customer satisfaction is considered not good, Service Quality is descriptively considered not good, Promotion is considered not good, and Price is descriptively considered not good. The results of the verification analysis of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction have a strong correlation, a determination value of 54.4% and Service Quality has an effect on Customer Satisfaction. Promotion of Customer Satisfaction has a very strong correlation value. The determination value is 67% and Promotion has an effect on Customer Satisfaction. Price to Customer Satisfaction has a very strong correlation value. The determination value is 72.4% and the price has an effect on customer satisfaction. Simultaneously Service Quality, Promotion and Price affect Customer Satisfaction, have a very strong relationship and contribute 79.8%. With the development of online business, it can open up great opportunities that are very promising for service companies. Therefore, freight forwarding services are currently increasing with the existence of an online business. The importance of increasing customer satisfaction also applies to delivery services. The development of shipping services resulted in the addition of new companies entering the service business. One of the companies engaged in this delivery service is PT. JNE Agent Dipati Ukur Bandung which is a freight forwarding and logistics service company that is widespread in Indonesia, serving delivery in the form of packages, documents, vehicles, etc. But after conducting a pre-survey of customer satisfaction, service quality, promotions and prices from JNE are still considered unfavorable by consumers. This study aims to determine the effect of Service Quality (X1), Promotion (X2) and Price (X3) on Customer Satisfaction (Y) at JNE Dipatiukur. The population in this study were 8,941 JNE Dipatiukur service users and 100 respondents as a sample using Non-Probability Sampling with Purposive Sampling technique. The analysis used includes validity test, reliability test, classical assumption test, multiple regression analysis, correlation coefficient, coefficient of determination and hypothesis testing. Descriptively, customer satisfaction is considered not good, Service Quality is descriptively considered not good, Promotion is considered not good, and Price is descriptively considered not good. The results of the verification analysis of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction have a strong correlation, a determination value of 54.4% and Service Quality has an effect on Customer Satisfaction. Promotion of Customer Satisfaction has a very strong correlation value. The determination value is 67% and Promotion has an effect on Customer Satisfaction. Price to Customer Satisfaction has a very strong correlation value. The determination value is 72.4% and the price has an effect on customer satisfaction. Simultaneously Service Quality, Promotion and Price affect Customer Satisfaction, have a very strong relationship and contribute 79.8%

The prevalence of elder abuse and risk factors: a cross-sectional study of community older adults

Abstract Background The old people population is increasing worldwide. Along with their increasing population, an increase in elder abuse cases is predicted. Elder abuse is a neglected problem, and many cases go unreported. This study was conducted to identify types of elder abuse and examine associated risk factors. Methods This cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 500 older people in Ardabil (northwestern Iran). Data was collected over three months, from June to September 2020. Data was collected using a demographic information form and the Domestic Elder Abuse questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 22). Logistic regression was used to identify factors related to elder abuse. Results The results showed that out of the 500 participants, 258 (51.6%) were male, and 242 (48.2%) were female. Among the 500 participants, 377 individuals (75/4%) reported experiencing at least one type of abuse in the past year. The highest rate of elder abuse was observed for emotional neglect (47.2%) and psychological abuse (40.8%), while the lowest rate was measured for rejection (15.4%) and physical abuse (12.4%). The results indicated that elder abuse was significantly associated with chronic illness (OR = 0.601, 95% CI: 0.391–0.922) and having 1–4 children (OR = 1.275, 95% CI: 1.137–1.430). Conclusion Considering the high level of elder abuse and its dangerous effects on the quality of life for older people, it is essential to develop appropriate programs to increase awareness among older people and their families

Effect of chitosan-nanosilica self-assembly layers chitosan- on cotton linter fibers and the paper properties

Surface properties of cellulosic fibers can be modified by Layer-by-Layer (LbL) technique. Cotton fibers are one of important non-wood and industrial cellulosic resources in the world. Cotton linters is produced as a by-product accompany with cotton fibers which is used as a significant cellulosic sources in paper industry for producing durable paper. In this research, the influence of alternate adsorption of cationic chitosan and anionic Nanosilica on modification of fiber surface of cotton linter was investigated. The adsorption of materials on cellulosic fibers was analyzed via electrolyte titration. Experiments were conducted at pH≈3-4 for formation of cationic layer and pH≈9-10 for formation of anionic layer applying stirring rate of about 750rpm, for15 minute deposition time to construct 1 to 3 layers. Hand sheets of about 60 g/ m2 basis weight were made form modified pulp fibers prepared by multilayering of chitosan and nanosilica, then their structural properties and bonding ability were evaluated. Bonding ability of fibers was improved by polyelectrolyte multilayering (PEM) on the surface of cotton linter fibers which was visualized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM).The results showed that apparent density and also bonding ability was improved in the treated fibers because of the increased electrostatic attraction between polycation and anion sites existed on the fiber surface. Apparant density of paper was improved remarkably compared to the untreated fibers. Tensile index of the sheet was increased about 16% with consecutive adsorption onto the cotton linter fibers compared to untreated fibers. Formation index of paper was slightly deteriorated after polyelectrolytes multilayering