Influence of Sex and Blood Collection Method on Innate Immune Response following Lipopolysaccharide Administration in Sheep

Wethers and ewes were used to study the effect of catheter or repeated venipuncture on circulating cortisol and leukocyte concentrations and physical behaviors following administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a gram-negative bacteria cell wall component. Animals were injected with LPS or saline, as a control, to induce an innate immune system response. In addition, blood leukocytes and cortisol levels were studied to determine the effect of sex on immunological and stress responses. Thirty-eight mature Dorset and Suffolk wethers and ewes were assigned into one of four treatment groups: 1.) no-catheter + LPS treated ewes (n=5) and wethers (n=4) that were restrainted to draw blood from the jugular vein; 2.) no-catheter + saline treated ewes (n=6) and wethers (n=4) restrained to draw blood from the jugular vein; 3.) catheter + LPS consisting of LPS-treated ewes (n=6) and wethers (n=4) in which a jugular catheter was placed to draw blood; and 4.) catheter + saline treated ewes (n=6) and wethers (n=4) with a jugular catheter. Blood was collected from the jugular vein catheter, which was placed into the jugular vein the day before the experiment and anchored with a stitch to secure it or venipuncture before the challenge followed by post challenge samples every 30 min for 3 h and every hour until 12 h, and once at 24 h. Physical behaviors and rectal temperatures were monitored before LPS administration and every hour for 12 h post challenge. Total white blood cell counts and leukocyte differentials including lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes were measured immediately after collection using a veterinary hematology blood analyzer (Abaxis VetScan HM5, Abaxis Inc.), and remaining samples were centrifuged, and plasma was collected and stored at -20°C until concentration of cortisol was determined by ELISA. Treatment with LPS resulted in increased cortisol concentrations, rectal temperatures, lethargy, and nasal discharge, as well as decreased WBC count and appetite in ewes and wethers. Catheter insertion alone resulted in increased WBC count, but did not affect cortisol. However, a significant increased in cortisol occurred in LPS treated sheep fitted with catheters compared to those without. Rectal temperatures during LPS challenge were greater in wethers than ewes, and a greater decrease in total WBC count and leukocyte differentials was seen in ewes when compared to wethers. Moreover, there was no significant effect of sex on cortisol concentrations. In summary, there were no differences in cortisol concentrations between sexes and no significant effect of the catheter alone. However, during the LPS challenge catheter exacerbated the innate immune response and cortisol levels, and rectal temperature and WBC count were affected by sex. Therefore, catheter placement created an additional stressor that augmented the LPS-induced immune response

Production and characterization of natural fiber-polymer composites using ground tire rubber as impact modifier

Ce travail porte sur la production et la caractérisation de matériaux composites hybrides basés sur un polymère thermoplastique (polyéthylène de haute densité, PEHD), une fibre naturelle (chanvre) et un caoutchouc recyclé provenant de pneus usés (GTR) comme modificateur d'impact. L'addition d'un agent de couplage (polyéthylène maléaté) est également étudiée. Les échantillons sont mélangés par extrusion à double-vis et fabriqués par un moulage en injection. À partir des échantillons obtenus, une caractérisation morphologique et mécanique complète est effectuée. Les résultats montrent que la bonne dispersion est obtenue en raison des bonnes conditions de mélanges sélectionnées et une bonne adhésion interfaciale entre toutes les phases est atteinte en raison de la présence d'anhydride maléique greffée au polyéthylène (MAPE). Enfin, pour des propriétés mécaniques choisies, des modèles de régression non-linéaire sont proposés pour prédire et contrôler les propriétés finales de ces composés par des comparaisons faites sur la base des propriétés de la matrice seule.This work aims at the production and characterization of hybrid composites based on a thermoplastic polymer (high density polyethylene, HDPE), a natural fiber (hemp) as reinforcement and ground tire rubber (GTR) as an impact modifier. The addition of a coupling agent (maleated polyethylene) is also investigated. The samples are compounded by twin-screw extrusion and produced by injection molding. From the samples obtained, a complete morphological and mechanical characterization is performed. The results show that good dispersion is obtained due to the selected processing conditions and good interfacial adhesion between all the phases is achieved due to the presence of maleic anhydride grafted polyethylene (MAPE). Finally, for selected mechanical properties, nonlinear regression models are proposed to predict and control the final properties of these compounds and comparisons are made based on the neat matrix properties

Review of Different Architectural Strategies for Creating Sustainable Universities

Nowadays Universities are considered as one source of environmental pollution due to their population and different activities occur in universities’ campuses. A lot of energy and materials are consumed during teaching activities and research process in universities. Although some environmental protection strategies can be seen in some universities, but more sustainable approaches to reduce the negative impacts of those activities are neglected. Therefore, this paper reviews some strategies for achieving sustainable universities through economical, environmental and social aspects based on previous studies in terms of Planning, transportation, energy efficiency and indoor environment. Finding of this research can be used for designing future higher education spaces with sustainable approach. Keywords: Sustainable University, Planning, Transportation, Energy efficiency, Indoor environmen

Investigating Architectural Techniques for Designing and Creating Sustainable Spaces

The impact of architecture on the environment has turned out to be an important issue for which much research has already been conducted. Although the earth (soil) constitutes a major part of the environment, its use in creating sustainable architecture has not yet been precisely studied. The article focuses on earth (soil), as one of the oldest ecological building materials, and presents new ideas and technologies regarding its use. As a result, the use of earth in creating sustainable architecture will be discussed

Frequency of Helicobacter Pylori Infection Among Asymptomatic Adults Men With Sulfur Mustard Induced Respiratory Diseases in Iranian Veterans: C13-Urea Breathed Test With New Infrared Spectroscopy: A Case– Control Study

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is one of the commonest contaminations in the worldwide, and particularly in developing counties. It has found in a few of pulmonary disorders. However, the status of HP infection has not been known among the population of Sulfur Mustard(SM) induced respiratory diseases. The purpose of the study was to detect HP infection among asymptomatic SM focus population, and to compare with healthy subjects.Material and methods: Sample population sequentially enrolled based upon a self-reported questionnaire in chemical veteran’s clinic. The HP detected by C13-Urea breath test via infrared spectroscopy method.Results: The mean age was 46.17±9.21 SD in the case, and 46.27±9.18 SD in the control groups, respectively. The age ranged from 35 to 70 years. The prevalence rate of infection established in case 78.3% and in control groups 50.4%, respectively. the significant differences found  between cases with control groups (χ<0.001).Conclusion: The significant difference observed between asymptomatic SM induced respiratory diseases with healthy subjects among Iranian veterans. Our results may be related to accruing of HP infection during wartime.Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, sulfur mustard gas, C13-urea breathe test, infrared spectroscopy, respiratory disease, war, asymptomatic, male, adults, Iranian

Detecting and preventing peer-to-peer connections by Linux iptables

Most of companies use Linux iptables as their edge networks’ firewall. Although Linux iptables is a reputed secure stateful packet filter firewall package, it has some weaknesses. This package can not detect or control all peer-to-peer connections. One of the packages which is written for Linux iptables to manage peer-to-peer connections is layer 7-module. This module can not detect all peer-to-peer connections and drop them. Some peer-to-peer connections which use HTTP port for connecting to other peers are detected with this netfilter’s patch-o-matic but those which use static ports or dynamic ports for connecting to peers can not be detected with this module. For controlling peer-to-peer connections investigator blocked some peer-to-peer well known static ports with Linux iptables and then, for increasing the control of other peer-to-peer applications which used dynamic ports, he used QOS rules. Although this trend could drop most of peer-to-peer connections and save internet bandwidth, it was not the complete solution. He decided to control peer-to-peer connections by implementing a new module which checks peer-to-peer payloads in his next investigation

Dextran Hydrogels Incorporated with Bioactive Glass-Ceramic: Nanocomposite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering

A series of nanocomposite scaffolds comprised of dextran (Dex) and sol–gel derived bioactive glass ceramic nanoparticles (nBGC: 0–16 (wt%)) were fabricated as bioactive scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. Scanning electron microscopy showed Dex/nBGC scaffolds were consisting of a porous 3D microstructure with an average pore size of 240 μm. Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy illustrated nBGC nanoparticles were homogenously distributed within the Dex matrix at low nBGC content (2 wt%), while agglomeration was observed at higher nBGC contents. It was found that the osmotic pressure and nBGC agglomeration at higher nBGC contents leads to increased water uptake, then reduction of the compressive modulus. Bioactivity of Dex/nBGC scaffolds was validated through apatite formation after submersion in the simulated body fluid. Dex/nBGC composite scaffolds were found to show improved human osteoblasts (HOBs) proliferation and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity with increasing nBGC content up to 16 (wt%) over two weeks. Owing to favorable physicochemical and bioactivity properties, the Dex/nBGC composite hydrogels can be offered as promising bioactive scaffolds for bone tissue engineering applications

The Relationship between Talent Management and Organizational Commitment in International Division of Tejarat Bank, Iran

Talent management assures that each employee with the talents and special skills was located in the right job and also his career path is clear and operates as an increasing stimulation factor for better employment opportunities, both within and outside the organization. These factors prepare the ground for increasing employee’s commitment to the organization. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between talents management and organizational commitment in international division of Tejarat Bank. The study is descriptive and correlation that were conducted to survey. The study population consisted of all employees in international division of Tejarat Bank. 148 subjects were selected as sample according to Morgan’s table. In order to analyze the data descriptive and inferential statistical were used. Data gathering tool was questionnaires of talent management and organizational commitment. The findings of the research show that there is a significant relationship between talents management and its sub variables as attracting the talents, talents maintenance and talents development with organizational commitment and also there is a relationship between talent management and organizational commitment according to demographic variables

The Methods of Gaining Agreement in Formation of Contracts

ABSTRACT Every contract is based and founded on agreement. Agreement is primarily initiated by a proposal in the form of "offer". However, it is sometimes difficult to recognize whether a proposal is an offer or a mere invitation to transaction. For an offer to result in a legal act, acceptance is necessary. In this article, it has been tried to examine gaining agreement with regard to offer and acceptance mechanism and to analyze strengths and weaknesses of Iranian Law of Contracts relating agreement as the basic foundation of contract by a comparative study