Turmeric nanofiber-encapsulated natural product formulation act as a phytogenic feed additive—A study in broilers on growth performance,biochemical indices of blood,and E. coli in cecum

A phytogenic feed additive (PFA) formulation was prepared with bioactive molecules—curcuminoids, gingerol, and carvacrol by encapsulating in nanofiber isolated from turmeric spent (turmeric nanofiber, TNF). This formulation was completely characterized by scanning electron microscope, ultra performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography and evaluated for its efficacy. PFA-encapsulated TNF (PFA@TNF) considerably increased mean body weight, decreased cholesterol level, mortality rate, and reduced Escherichia coli content of broilers than antibiotic growth promoter (AGP). The depth of crypts in the ileum of broilers was considerably reduced by the inclusion of PFA@TNF in diets compared with the AGP.     

Structural, electrical and optical properties of Bi2Se3 and Bi2Se(3−x)Tex thin films

Thin films of Bi₂Se₃, Bi₂Se_2.9Te_0.1, Bi₂Se_2.7Te_0.3 and Bi₂Se_2.6Te_0.4 are prepared by compound evaporation. Micro structural, optical and electrical measurements are carried out on these films. X-ray diffraction pattern indicates that the as-prepared films are polycrystalline in nature with exact matching of standard pattern. The composition and morphology are determined using energy dispersive X-ray analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical band gap, which is direct allowed, is 0.67 eV for Bi₂Se₃ thin films and the activation energy is 53 meV. Tellurium doped thin films also show strong optical absorption corresponding to a band gap of 0.70-0.78 eV. Absolute value of electrical conductivity in the case of tellurium doped thin film shows a decreasing trend with respect to parent structure.     

Validation of the Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire and the Reasons for Living Inventory in an adult psychiatric inpatient sample.

This study investigated the factor structure of the Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (ASIQ) and the Linehan Reasons for Living Inventory (LRFI) in a sample of 205 adult psychiatric inpatients. Confirmatory factor analyses provided moderate support for the construct validity of each instrument. Coefficient alphas for the ASIQ (.98) and LRFL (.93) were high. In addition, a range of different clinical cutoff points was derived for each instrument. Both instruments were also better than chance in differentiating between the suicide attempter and psychiatric control groups. High ASIQ and low LRFL scores were significantly associated with scores on selected Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Content scales. The analyses also indicated that only the ASIQ added to the symptoms of hopelessness and negative affect in differentiating between the suicide attempter and psychiatric control groups. Results suggest that both instruments may be useful screening tests for suicidal behavior in psychiatric long-term care inpatient samples. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Disruption of syntaxin-mediated protein interactions blocks neurotransmitter secretion

The membrane protein syntaxin participates in several protein-protein interactions that have been implicated in neurotransmitter release. To probe the physiological importance of these interactions, we microinjected into the squid giant presynaptic terminal botulinum toxin C1, which cleaves syntaxin, and the H3 domain of syntaxin, which mediates binding to other proteins. Both reagents inhibited synaptic transmission yet did not affect the number or distribution of synaptic vesicles at the presynaptic active zone. Recombinant H3 domain inhibited the interactions between syntaxin and SNAP-25 that underlie the formation of stable SNARE complexes in vitro. These data support the notion that syntaxin-mediated SNARE complexes are necessary for docked synaptic vesicles to fuse.     

Suicide risk assessment in a college student population.

A group of 211 students at a midwestern university completed the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire (M. M. Linehan & S. L. Nielsen, 1981), Adult Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire (W. M. Reynolds, 1991a), Multi-Attitude Suicide Tendency Scale (I. Orbach et al., 1991), Beck Helplessness Scale (A. T. Beck, A. Weissman, D. Lester, & L. Trexler, 1974), and the Reasons for Living Inventory (M. M. Linehan, L. J. Goodstein, S. L. Nielsen, & J. A. Chiles, 1983) to determine if this group of commonly used self-report measures can distinguish between individuals with high and low levels of suicidal ideation and history of self-harmful behaviors. Exploratory principal-axis factor analysis resulted in an interpretable 2-factor solution accounting for 36.2% of the variance in suicidality. Support for convergent validity of the chosen measures was also found. It appears that rapid, accurate assessment of university student suicide risk is possible. Implications for reduction of suicide risk in this segment of the population are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Biosorption of Methyl violet onto palm kernel fiber: Diffusion studies and multistage process design to minimize biosorbent mass and contact time

Determination of the overall rate controlling step in the biosorption of Methyl violet dye onto a new biosorbent, palm kernel fiber has been determined. Pseudo-second-order model described the kinetics over the whole contact time period for the effect of initial concentration and temperature. Using the Wu’s approaching equilibrium factor, R_w, it was observed that the time for the switch from initial biosorption to intraparticle diffusion is affected by initial concentration and temperature. A comparison between the activation parameters of film diffusion, pseudo-second order ion exchange and intraparticle diffusion revealed that film diffusion is the overall slowest step in the biosorption process. Temperature increased the biosorption capacity but reduced slightly the rate of intraparticle diffusion, indicating that the biosorbent surface was activated by temperature which limited the diffusion of Methyl violet molecules into the interior of the biosorbent. A multistage process design to minimize mass and contact time was done.     

Improved broadband solar irradiance from the multi-filter rotating shadowband radiometer

Approximations to total and diffuse horizontal and direct normal, broadband solar irradiance (280–4000 nm) can be obtained from the multi-filter rotating shadowband radiometer (MFRSR) using the unfiltered silicon channel of this seven-channel instrument. However, the unfiltered silicon channel only responds to wavelengths between 300 and 1100 nm and does not have a uniform spectral response. In contrast, the best, more expensive, first-class, thermopile-based radiometers respond fairly uniformly to all solar wavelengths. While the total horizontal and direct normal solar irradiance measurements made with the MFRSR unfiltered silicon channel are reasonable if carefully calibrated with a thermopile radiometer, the diffuse horizontal irradiance calibrated in this way has a large bias. These issues are common to all inexpensive, silicon-cell, solar pyranometers. In this paper we use a multivariate, linear regression technique for approximating the thermopile-measured total, diffuse, and direct broadband solar irradiances using the six, narrowband filters and the open-channel of an MFRSR. The calibration of the MFRSR for broadband solar by comparing various combinations of MFRSR channels to first-class thermopile instruments is illustrated, and methods to track the instrument response during field deployments are investigated. We also suggest an approach to calibrate the open-channel for all three components that could improve measurements that are made using typical, commercial, silicon-cell pyranometers.     

Client Verbal Response Category System: Preliminary data.

The Client Verbal Response Category System classifies client responses into Temporal, Directional, and Experiential categories. These categories are defined with their subcategories, interjudge reliability data are presented, and the instrument's utility in psychotherapy process research is demonstrated. Initial results indicate that the instrument is reliable and that it is useful for clarifying the psychotherapeutic change process. (9 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Fatty acid synthesis in the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis): Incorporation of acetate by tissue slices of the developing fruit

Oil palm (E. guineensis) fruits at three stages of development were studied. At week 12–13 after anthesis, the endosperm had started accumulating oil and tissue slices incorporated [1-¹⁴C] acetate into fatty acids which resembled those found in the mature endosperm. The mesocarp contained very little oil and incorporated acetate into polar lipids. At week 16–17, the mesocarp started to accumulate oil; this was reflected in the [¹⁴C] lipid products from acetate incubation. At or just prior to this stage, an increase in the endogenous linoleic and linolenic acid content and the increase in fruit size indicated cellular growth in the mesocarp tissue. At week 20–21 the fruit was ripe, and both endosperm and mesocarp tissues were filled with storage oil. [¹⁴C] Fatty acids synthesized from acetate by mesocarp slices at this stage were the same as the endogenous storage fatty acids in bothE. guineensis andE. oleifera. A very weak fatty acid synthesizing activity was seen in the mature endosperm, but the products had no relationship to the storage lipid.     

Delays to Large Construction Projects in Ghana： A Risk Overview

Delay to large scale projects, which is as a result of actions or inactions of some project stakeholders, is becoming a global phenomena and Ghana is no exception. The objective of the research is to identify, rate and rank the most significant risk factors that causes delay on projects and examine the social impact of these delays to recommend modalities to help mitigate these risk factors. The study adopted quantitative methods with the distribution of 144 questionnaires to built environment professionals receiving a response rate of 75.7%. The instrument listed 58 common factors under eight categories that contribute to the causes of delay for respondents to rate. Analysis of data non-parametric test revealed that client, contractor, material and finance category factors significantly resulted in the schedule delay of large infrastructural projects. The survey analysis revealed that micro-factors that result in delays to large construction projects are time constraint, cost overrun, payment problems, dispute and litigation. The research recommended the following modalities to minimize such delays： availability of resources, improved communication and coordination, proper scope definition and feasibilities, utilization of modern technology, appropriate application of technologically based systems and competent project management＇s structures.