Qualitative Inquiry into Church-Based Assets for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control: A Forum Focus Group Discussion Approach

Assets church members believed they needed to engage in effective HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities. We used the three-step forum focus group discussion (FFGD) methodology to elicit responses from 32 church leaders and lay members, representing five denominations in Aba, Nigeria. Concrete resources, health expertise, finances, institutional support, capacity building, and spiritual support connected to the collective interest of members were indicated as useful for church members to engage in HIV/AIDS prevention and control activities. Adequate planning and delivery of cost-effective, appropriate and sustainable health promotion programs require an understanding of perceived church-based assets

ANALISIS PENENTUAN TARIF KAMAR HOTEL DENGAN METODE ACTIVITY BASED COSTING: (Studi Kasus Pada Hotel Sylvia Maumere)

This study aims to determine the calculation of hotel room rates using the Activity Based Costing method and the comparison of the calculation of hotel room rates based on the traditional methods used by hotel management with Activity Based Costing. The research method used is quantitative descriptive analysis method. The data collection method used in this research is by using the observation method, the interview method, and the documentation method. The results of the calculation of room rental rates using the Activity Based Costing method approach, namely, for the Superior Twin room type of Rp. 216,648.77 for the Superior Double room type of Rp. 236,680.56 for the Superior Triple room type of Rp. 331,751.82 for the Deluxe room type of Rp. IDR 480,014.08 and for the Suite room type is IDR 3,016,106.64. There is a difference in room rental rates that are lower for the types of Superior Twin, Superior Double, and Superior Triple rooms from the calculation results of the Activity Based Costing method with the calculation of the company using the traditional method approach, namely Rp. 131,588.74, Rp. 111,886.26 and respectively. IDR 144,318.09. Meanwhile, the higher room rental rates using the Activity Based Costing method, namely the Deluxe and Suite types of Rp.75,944.17 and Rp.2,144,770.64

Effet de l’engrais organique liquide «Dragon 1», sur le developpement de la tomate au sud et au centre-ouest de la Côte D’Ivoire

Une étude sur la fertilisation minérale et organique liquide, a été faite sur la tomate en petite saison de pluie au Sud et au Centre-Ouest de la Côte d’Ivoire sur deux années afin, d’améliorer le developpement de la tomate. Mais de manière spécifique, il a s’agit d’évaluer les effets de différentes doses de Dragon 1, associées ou non à l’engrais minéral sur, la hauteur des plantes, le diamètre des tiges, le taux de floraison, les dates  phénologiques (50 % floraison, la 1ère récolte et la fin de la récolte). Le dispositif expérimental était un Split-plot, avec 4 répétitions ayant pour facteur principal, l’engrais minéral et le facteur secondaire, l’engrais  organique à 4 doses (Lha-1) : C0 = 0 (témoin), C1 = 2,5 ; C2 = 3,75 et C3 = 5. Les résultats ont montré que le traitement T10 (300 Kgha-1  engrais minéral + 3,75 Lha-1 de Dragon 1), a mieux amélioré la  croissance en hauteur des plantes à la floraison et à la 1ère récolte.  Cependant, la dose 2 de Dragon 1 utilisée seule, a davantage accru le diamètre des tiges, le taux de floraison, stimulé la précocité de cette  floraison, de la récolte et favorisé une longue période de récolte.Mots clés : Tomate, fertilisation minérale, fertilisation organique liquide

Evaluation of the cytotoxic potential of Securidaca longepedunculata on human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells

The prevalence of cancer has increased interest in the role of complementary and alternative medicine, employing the use of plant products. Securidaca longepedunculata (SL) is an example of plant product which serves as a major component of anticancer decoctions in Nigeria. In other to scientifically ascertain this claim, this study was carried out to evaluates the cytotoxic potential of the crude extract and fractions of SL root bark against human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line. The root back of SL was pulverized and extracted with 80% methanol to yield a crude extract which was then submitted to liquid–liquid fractionation with dichloromethane (DCM) and butanol (BUT). The extract and fractions were subjected to Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). MCF-7 cell line was treated with graded concentrations (9.77 – 5000 μg ml-1) of the aqueous methanol crude extract as well as the DCM and BUT fractions for 24 or 48 hours. Cell viability was thereafter measured by XTT proliferation assay. The inhibitory activities of the aqueous methanolic crude extract was found to be both dose-dependent and time independent with IC50 values of 2241 μg ml-1 and 1808 μg ml-1 after 24 and 48 hours respectively. The DCM and BUT fractions were significantly (p < 0.05) cytotoxic with IC50 values of 86.27 μg ml-1 and 12.08 μg ml-1 respectively after 48 hours of treatment. The study provide evidence that BUT fractions of SL has the highest potential to significantly show anticancer properties

LFI 30 and 44 GHz receivers Back-End Modules

The 30 and 44 GHz Back End Modules (BEM) for the Planck Low Frequency Instrument are broadband receivers (20% relative bandwidth) working at room temperature. The signals coming from the Front End Module are amplified, band pass filtered and finally converted to DC by a detector diode. Each receiver has two identical branches following the differential scheme of the Planck radiometers. The BEM design is based on MMIC Low Noise Amplifiers using GaAs P-HEMT devices, microstrip filters and Schottky diode detectors. Their manufacturing development has included elegant breadboard prototypes and finally qualification and flight model units. Electrical, mechanical and environmental tests were carried out for the characterization and verification of the manufactured BEMs. A description of the 30 and 44 GHz Back End Modules of Planck-LFI radiometers is given, with details of the tests done to determine their electrical and environmental performances. The electrical performances of the 30 and 44 GHz Back End Modules: frequency response, effective bandwidth, equivalent noise temperature, 1/f noise and linearity are presented

Octave bandwidth hybrid-coupled microstrip diplexer for a broadband radio astronomy receiver

A new octave bandwidth high selectivity compact microstrip diplexer working in the band from 10 to 20 GHz is presented, intended to be a part of an electro-optical interferometer covering the whole frequency band. The circuit is based on the combination of hybrid couplers and bandpass filters both on the microstrip technology. The diplexer provides two output frequency bands which cover the 10–14 GHz (relative bandwidth of 33%) and the 16–20 GHz (relative bandwidth of 22%) ranges, respectively, with a stop band in between from 14 to 16 GHz. Measured results show a insertion loss level of 3.3 dB for both output bands and high selectivity performance, exhibiting a rejection level between output bands higher than 20 dB and return loss better than 10 dB in all ports.This work has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness under Grant No. ESP2015-70646-C2-2-R

Cancer stem cells: Culprits in endocrine resistance and racial disparities in breast cancer outcomes

Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) promote endocrine therapy (ET) resistance, also known as endocrine resistance in hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Endocrine resistance occurs via mechanisms that are not yet fully understood. In vitro, in vivo and clinical data suggest that signaling cascades such as Notch, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF), and integrin/Akt promote BCSC-mediated endocrine resistance. Once HR positive breast cancer patients relapse on ET, targeted therapy agents such as cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors are frequently implemented, though secondary resistance remains a threat. Here, we discuss Notch, HIF, and integrin/Akt pathway regulation of BCSC activity and potential strategies to target these pathways to counteract endocrine resistance. We also discuss a plausible link between elevated BCSC-regulatory gene levels and reduced survival observed among African American women with basal-like breast cancer which lacks HR expression. Should future studies reveal a similar link for patients with luminal breast cancer, then the use of agents that impede BCSC activity could prove highly effective in improving clinical outcomes among African American breast cancer patients.Fil: Mavingire, Nicole. Loma Linda University Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Campbell, Petreena. Loma Linda University Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Wooten, Jonathan. Loma Linda University Health School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Aja, Joyce. University of the Philippines Diliman; FilipinasFil: Davis, Melissa B. New York Presbyterian Hospital; Estados UnidosFil: Loaiza Perez, Andrea Irene. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo"; ArgentinaFil: Brantley, Eileen. Loma Linda University Health School of Medicine; Estados Unido

Q-band 4-state phase shifter in planar technology: Circuit design and performance analysis

A 30% bandwidth phase shifter with four phase states is designed to be integrated in a radio astronomy receiver. The circuit has two 90° out-of-phase microwave phase-shifting branches which are combined by Wilkinson power dividers. Each branch is composed of a 180° phase shifter and a band-pass filter. The 180° phase shifter is made of cascaded hybrid rings with microwave PIN diodes as switching devices. The 90° phase shift is achieved with the two band-pass filters. Experimental characterization has shown significant results, with average phase shift values of -90.7°, -181.7°, and 88.5° within the operation band, 35–47 GHz, and mean insertion loss of 7.4 dB. The performance of its integration in a polarimetric receiver for radio astronomy is analyzed, which validates the use of the presented phase shifter in such type of receiver.This work was supported by the Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad, Spain, under the CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 programme under the Reference No. CSD2010-00064

Performance evaluation of a lossy transmission lines based diode detector at cryogenic temperature

This work is focused on the design, fabrication, and performance analysis of a square-law Schottky diodedetector based on lossy transmission lines working under cryogenic temperature (15 K). The design analysis of a microwave detector, based on a planar gallium-arsenide low effective Schottky barrier height diode, is reported, which is aimed for achieving large input return loss as well as flat sensitivity versus frequency. The designed circuit demonstrates good sensitivity, as well as a good return loss in a wide bandwidth at Ka-band, at both room (300 K) and cryogenic (15 K) temperatures. A good sensitivity of 1000 mV/mW and input return loss better than 12 dB have been achieved when it works as a zero-bias Schottky diodedetector at room temperature, increasing the sensitivity up to a minimum of 2200 mV/mW, with the need of a DC bias current, at cryogenic temperature.This work has been funded by the Spanish Ministry for Economy and Competitiveness under the CONSOLIDER-INGENIO 2010 programme under the Reference No. CSD2010-00064. The authors would like to thank Eva Cuerno and Ana Pérez for the assistance in the assembly of the circuit

Long-term results of open and endovascular revascularization of superficial femoral artery occlusive disease

BackgroundFirst-line treatment for patients with superficial femoral arterial (SFA) occlusive disease has yet to be determined. This study compared long-term outcomes between primary SFA stent placement and primary femoral-popliteal bypass. Periprocedural patient factors were examined to determine their effect on these results.MethodsAll femoral-popliteal bypasses and SFA interventions performed in consecutive patients with symptoms Rutherford 3 to 6 between 2001 and 2008 were reviewed. Time-dependent outcomes were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox proportional hazards were performed to determine predictors of graft patency. Multivariate analysis was completed to identify patient covariates most often associated with the primary therapy.ResultsA total of 152 limbs in 141 patients (66% male; mean age, 66 ± 22 years) underwent femoral-popliteal bypass, and 233 limbs in 204 patients (49% male; mean age, 70 ± 11 years) underwent SFA interventions. Four-year primary, primary-assisted, and secondary patency rates were 69%, 78%, and 83%, respectively, for bypass patients and 66%, 91%, and 95%, respectively, for SFA interventions. Six-year limb salvage was 80% for bypass vs 92% for stenting (P = .04). Critical limb ischemia (CLI) and renal insufficiency were predictors of bypass failure. Claudication was a predictor of success for SFA stenting. Three-year limb salvage rates for CLI patients undergoing surgery and SFA stenting were 83%. Amputation-free survival at 3 years for CLI patients was 55% for bypass and 59% for SFA interventions. Multivariate predictors (odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals) of covariates most frequently associated with first-line SFA stenting were TransAtlantic Inter-Society Consensus II A and B lesions (5.9 [3.4-9.1], P < .001), age >70 years (2.1 [1.4-3.1], P < .001), and claudication (1.7 [1.1-2.7], P = .01). Regarding bypass as first-line therapy, claudicant patients were more likely to have nondiabetic status (5.6 [3.3-9.4], P < .001), creatinine <1.8 mg/dL (4.6 [1.5-14.9], P = .01), age <70 years (2.7 [CI, 1.6-8.3], P < .001), and presence of an above-knee popliteal artery target vessel (1.9 [CI, 1.1-3.4] P = .02).ConclusionIndication, patient-specific covariates, and anatomic lesion classification have significant association when determining surgeon selection of SFA stenting or femoral-popliteal bypass as first-line therapy. Patients with SFA disease can have comparable long-term results when treatment options are well matched to patient-specific and anatomic characteristics