Rajesh Varma
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Effects of using augmented reality on students’ learning
No full textThis article presents the results of a systematic review of the literature regarding the effects of using Augmented Reality (AR) on the learning of science students (Natural Sciences and Biology).The PRISMA methodology was used. Ten articles were selected from indexed journals, in a period of time between 2010 and 2022, after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The main inclusion criteria were: only articles with students from Basic and Secondary Education (equivalent to ISCED 2 and 3) and that report results in students’ learning. The main exclusion criteria were: duplicate articles and those that did not present a teaching strategy associated with the use of AR. The databases consulted were Scopus, ScienceDirect, Springer Link, EBSCO and Web of Science. Eight out of ten of the selected articles used an experimental methodology.The results indicate that AR had positive effects on students’ learning and motivation, as well as on other variables such as visuospatial skills and student involvement in tasks.</p
Pillaging plucking plundering ransacking proteomes via CPLL technology
No full textNo proteome can be considered “democratic”, but rather “oligarchic” since a few proteins dominate the landscape and often obliterate the signal of the rare ones. That is the reason why most scientists lament that, in proteome analysis, the same set of abundant proteins is repeatedly seen. Current pre-fractionation techniques, one way or another, are besieged by problems, in that they are based on a “depletion principle”, i.e. elimination of unwanted species. Yet “democracy” calls for giving “equal rights” to everyone. One way to achieve that would be the use of libraries of combinatorial ligands coupled to spherical beads. When these beads are contacted with complex proteomes (e.g., human urines and sera, egg white, any cell or tissue lysate) of widely differing protein composition and relative abundances, they are able to “normalize” the protein population, by sharply reducing the concentration of the most abundant components while simultaneously enhancing the level of the most dilute components. It is felt that this method could offer a strong step forward in bringing the “unseen proteome” (due to either low abundance and/or presence of interferences) within the detection capabilities of current proteomics detection methods. Examples are given of the normalization of human urine and sera samples, resulting in the discovery of a host of proteins previously unreported. These beads can also be used to remove host cell proteins from purified recombinant proteins or proteins purified from natural sources that are intended for human consumption. These proteins typically reach purities of the order of 98%: higher purities often become prohibitively expensive. Yet, if incubated with Combinatorial Peptide Ligand Libraries (CPLL), even these impurities can be effectively removed with minute losses of the main, valuable product.</p
Somatic embryogenesis induction of Syzygium cumini
No full textSomatic embryogenesis serves as an effective alternative system for in vitro cultivation of endangered plants (Syzygium cumini), as it allows for the propagation of plants under a controlled environment. So produce hundreds of embryos that can be used as artificial seeds. Somatic embryos of Syzygium cumini, family Myrtaceae, were induced from the calli of a sterile leaf explant in Murashige and Skoog's medium with 6 ppm 2,4-D. After the transfer of the developed calli into liquid media supplemented with the same concentration of growth regulator, all three embryonic stages (globular, heart and torpedo) were observed after 6 weeks. Liquid media with growth regulators appeared to enhance the development to torpedo-stage embryos, especially at six weeks of age cultures. 12 weeks after the transfer of the callus into liquid media, flasks containing predominantly one microscopic stage were pooled and plated on fresh solid media lacking a growth regulator, where the embryogenic calli germinated showing shoots and aerial parts. Embryogenesis production protocol is considered a good tool to save plants from extinction, especially in Syzygium cumini which is a very important anti-diabetic drug.</p
Biomass to hydrogen: A short biomass potential availability and conversion survey for Dutch municipalities
No full textThe local availability of lignocellulosic biomass was estimated for an arbitrary but representative Dutch municipality to facilitate the conversion and use of hydrogen on a decentralized scale. This study reveals that there is a large potential for this biomass at many locations to play important roles in the energy transition. It is meant as a call to the scientific community to activate individuals and get some inspiration.</p
On the question of the mechanism of the general toxic action of lead nitrate
No full textThe leading unfavorable factor in the working environment that affects the health of miners is polymetallic dust, which contains a large number of toxic chemical elements. The study of the chemical composition of the floating dust in the air environment of the quarries of the East Kazakhstan copper-chemical plant and processing plant (Mamyrbaev, Konakbaev, 1992) showed a high content of lead, selenium, antimony, arsenic, and other trace elements.</p
Combined HPV and CINtec PLUS testing for triaging cervical cancer screening in a Belgian cohort
No full textBackground: Cytological screening with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) triage for equivocal results has been the routine screening procedure for cervical cancer for years worldwide. The dual-marker stain p16/Ki67 (CINtec PLUS) has been shown to offer high sensitivity and specificity in the triage of women at risk of developing HPV-related precancerous lesions. We evaluated the utility of CINtec PLUS in women with normal cytology and a positive HPV test, to see if this test can be used as a prognostic biomarker. Methods: Women of 18 years or older were assembled between January 2018 and December 2022 at two different study sites. These were cytology negative for intra-epithelial Neoplasia (NILM) and a positive HPV test. The prognostic value of the CINtec PLUS test for NILM samples and the confounding effect of HPV subtype, age, university, and follow-up stage were evaluated. Results: CINtec PLUS was positive in 63 out of 312 (20%) NILM/ HPV-positive cases. The Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of CINtec PLUS was 92% for high-grade dysplastic lesion (HSIL), 64% for NILM, and 31% for low-grade dysplasia. The negative predictive value was 83% for HSIL, 64% for NILM, and 83% for low-grade dysplasia. Conclusion: Adding CINtec PLUS with NILM cytology and HPV-positive test can be an important prognostic tool to identify women at risk for a high-grade dysplastic cervical lesion. Importantly, the test can also be used in primary HPV screening programs. However, women with low-grade dysplasia remain at risk for over- and under-treatment. </p
Isolation and characterization of probiotic bacteria from fruit pulp, screening of probiotic properties and production of bacteriocin and probiotic curd
No full textThe present study was investigated to isolate probiotic lactic acid bacteria from Actinidia deliciosa (kiwi fruit) pulp. A total of eight isolates were found and two of them were probiotic LAB strains. The both A2 and A5 isolates strains were Gram-positive, catalase and oxidase negative, non-spore forming, non-motile, rod or short cocci shaped bacteria. The A2 and A5 strains both survived well in conditions of low pH, 0.4% phenol and high bile salt concentrations. They could grow at different temperatures and were resistant to different NaCl concentrations. A study was also conducted on the various probiotic and safety attributes of isolates. Bacteriocins, a kind of ribosomal protein produced by LAB, were estimated using the Folin-Lowery method. The formation of bacteriocins was influenced by various physical and chemical factors. The result demonstrates that the optimum conditions for the production of bacteriocins by the A2 strain were glucose as carbon source, pH 6.5, 2% NaCl and 1% bile salts. For the A5 strain, sucrose as a carbon source, pH 6.5, 1% NaCl and 1% bile salt were optimum conditions for bacteriocin production. Study was also conducted on exopolysaccharide (EPS) production, adhesion characteristics, antagonistic activity and antibiotic sensitivity. Probiotic curd (Dahi) formation was done and several parameters of curd like pH, total lactic acid concentration and water-holding capacity were all investigated.</p
Neurological Properties to Circumvent AI’s Error Reduction Impasse
No full textOur paper proposes significant changes to AI technology. We believe this is necessary because current implementations have stagnated at average error rates of approximately 8%. Implementers hope that further improvements will lower error rates to 5% by 2025. This would require 1028 floating-point operations, which is not possible with today’s algorithms and computer technology. Even errors of 5% are excessive for many practical applications.The current AI implementations have ignominious errors. Near bankruptcy of a prominent real estate corporation, and the obligatory resignation of an elected government official resulted from AI errors. The causation errors were ludicrous and unlikely performed by humans. Applications of AI are therefore limited to those for which errors are nugatory.In contrast, the human brain’s capabilities and efficiency are astonishing. In significant contrast to current AI models, the human brain is impressive in terms of its relatively small size (adult average 79 in3), weight (approximately 4#), and power consumption (nominally 15W). We feel that this implies that AI technology needs to adopt excluded neurological properties. The current AI neuron model is an overly simplified linear model, which was proposed about 70 years ago. We propose emulating the neurological neuron’s nonlinear capabilities. The versatility of the improved AI model would be many orders of magnitude beyond that of the currently implemented linear neuron models.Also, the proposed neurological properties are of neural plasticity. Specifically, we describe the neurological associative learning aspect of neuroplasticity, partitioning associative plasticity into “inter-association” (neural network structure), and “intra-association” (neuron functioning). </p
Non-Surgical management with Intra-Arterial Concurrent Chemo Radio Therapy (IACCRT) can be a definitive organ preservation treatment for buccal cancer patient
No full textConventional Head and Neck cancer treatment with primary surgical intervention is a relatively suffering manipulation because of causing severe facial deformity, and mastication malfunction, and resulted in a very poor quality of life for the patients afterward. And post-operation adjuvant therapy with combined modality treatment with Concurrent Chemo-Radio Therapy (CCRT) has been recommended approach for H&N cancer for decades too. But it is also relatively more toxic to the patient, and further severely disrupts patients’ quality of life due to systemic side-effects caused by intravenous cytotoxic drug delivery. Intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy is another option for CCRT because of not only a better tumor response documented, and also bonus a better quality of life improvement.The demonstrated H&N cancer patient approaching with Intra-Arterial Concurrent Chemo-Radio Therapy (IACCRT) showed a very satisfactory curative outcome. Besides the much better quality of life for the patient was conserved, it also bonuses to restore the patient’s dignity of life when compared to the conventional suffering surgical intervention. Such highly humanize IACCRT treatment modality for H&N cancer patients should be recommended and encouraged in clinical practice. </p
Xiphopagic conjoined twins: A case report with pre and postnatal imaging
No full textSiamese or conjoined twins represent a rare but specific malformation occurring in monozygotic and mono-amniotic twin pregnancies. We report a case of xiphopagic conjoined twins and compare the contribution and correlation between ante- and post-mortem imaging for the detailed evaluation of the malformation. Our case highlights the importance of postnatal imaging to better understand this complex type of fetal malformation. </p