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Toll-like Receptors Regulate MIF Expression in Benign Lymphoepithelial Lesion of the Lacrimal Gland
Get PDFDespite a perpetual increase in the prevalence of benign lymphoepithelial lesion, data on the mechanisms governing its pathogenesis are still missing. Thus, we aimed in the present study to evaluate whether TLRs could regulate the expression of the pleiotropic pro-inflammatory and tumor-related cytokine MIF in BLEL. Using gene expression profiling and protein expression analysis methods, we found that TLRs were overexpressed and that their signaling pathways were activated in BLEL. We have also confirmed in tissues biopsies, the overexpression of MIF reported previously in plasma of BLEL specimen. The analysis of the TLR7/8 impact on the expression of MIF in BLEL primary cells showed that when activated, TLR7/8 stimulate mainly BLEL lymphocytes to release MIF but not the fibroblast-like cells. No significant change was observed when MIF expression was investigated at the transcriptional level 24h post TLR7/8 activation. Taken together, these data suggest that TLR7 and TLR8 are activated in BLEL and may induce a cell type-dependent regulation of MIF secretion and expression
Contemporary Issues of Climate Change on Oil and Gas Industry Operations
Get PDFThe reality of climate change as an aspect of broader global and environmental change attributable to either natural or anthropogenic cause is becoming more evident. Equally, energy, chiefly oil and gas is not only a major climate change inducer via greenhouse gas emissions anymore, but also a victim of the impacts therein. As such, this paper examines the impact of recorded changes in climatic variables on oil and gas operations categorized into upstream, midstream and downstream operations representing exploration and production, transportation, along with processing and distribution respectively. Identified changes in weather events primarily driven by general climate change having significant impact on oil and gas operations and infrastructure include increasing temperature, increasing flooding, storm surges, sea level rise, coastal erosion, intense winds and waves, drought/water shortage and subsidence/landslides/mudslides and they all pose tremendous risk to onshore and offshore (shallow and deep water) operations and installations. Several adaptation measures are currently being implemented some of which are already yielding positive results. Adaptation measures are being complemented with mitigation strategies as long-term solutions. Sadly, most developing oil producing countries are still way behind in adopting various existing adaptation measures and implementing mitigative strategies due to prevalent low capacity
Symbiotic Effectiveness of Rhizobia Strains Isolated from Nigerian Savanna
Get PDFLaboratory and screenhouse experiment were conducted to assess the symbiotic effectiveness (SE) of rhizobia isolated from southern Guinea savanna, northern Guinea savanna and Sudan savanna of Nigeria and response of promiscuous soybean varieties, TGx1448-2E, TGx1835-10E and TGx1955-10E to inoculation with ten indigenous rhizobia isolates. The soybean varieties were grown on sterilized sand at the screenhouse of the Department of Soil Science and Land Management, Federal University of Technology Minna and watered using Sandsman’s nutrient solution. The treatments were un-inoculated control, mineral nitrogen (urea) and ten rhizobia isolates arranged on a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and replicated three times. The rhizobia isolates were Sg4, Sg6-3, Gw5, Gw3-2, Bg3, Bg1-4, Sk2-3, Am2, Am6-3 and Kr5-5 isolated from Sabon-gida, Gwada, Birnin-gwari, Shika, Amawa and Karaye sites of Nigerian savanna. The results obtained were subjected to Analysis of Variance using statistical analysis system (SAS 2008) computer software. The treatments mean was separated using Least Significant Different (LSD) at 5% probability. Nodulation and biomass yield of the varieties were assessed at six weeks after planting. Nodules were only produced in inoculated plants, SE was calculated. The result obtained showed that nodule dry weight, SE and shoot dry weight were significantly affected by the interaction between inoculation and promiscuous soybean varieties. Generally, inoculated plants gave higher shoot biomass gain than the un-inoculated control but lower than those treated with urea. The difference between those inoculated and those treated with urea was associated to environmental specificities and higher temperature during the period of the experiment. The SE was highest in northern Guinea savanna isolate reaching 67% and lowest in southern Guinea savanna isolate Sg6-3 recorded 53%. The result showed an SE of less than 100% in all the isolates which implies that the indigenous rhizobia isolates were not superior to the mineral nitrogen
Facile Synthesis and Characterization of Chitosan Nanofibers by Oil/Water Emulsion Method
Get PDFA facial approach for the synthesis of surfactant free, biodegradable and eco-friendly chitosan nanofibers (CS-NFS) was prepared by Oil/Water Emulsion method. The morphology of the CS-NFS was examined by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). FE-SEM images show the nanoscale chitosan nanofibers formation with sizes in the ranges of ~100-200 nm. Physiochemical characterizations of the CS-NFS were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-visible spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The CS-NFS are expected to be useful in electrical, optical and electrochemical devices
Comparative Analysis of Household Energy Consumption in Ibadan Region; A Spatio-quantitative Approach
Get PDFUnderstanding locational variations in household energy consumption is critical to ascertaining dichotomies of energy use, need and wellbeing. In recognition of this, the study compares quantities of household energy consumption among urban, peri-urban and rural areas in Ibadan region, Nigeria using Net Heating Value (NHV). It employs a stratified random sampling of 166 households across the three zones. Results show that electricity, majorly used for appliances is dominant in the urban in contrast to fuelwood at the peri-urban and rural areas where cooking is the major end use. Though the quantities of total household energy consumption do not vary significantly at p < .05, electricity consumption is however significantly higher in urban households than in peri-urban and rural households. The Multiple Regression Analysis (MRA) and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicate that socioeconomic characteristics significantly influenced the quantity of household energy consumption at the urban area only. Major variations between locations appear to be in energy types and end uses rather than quantity consumed
A New Quantum Encryption Scheme
Get PDFThe model of quantum computation has advanced very quickly in the last years. This model brings with it an efficient algorithm for factoring, namely the Shor algorithm. This means that the public key infrastructure will soon be obsolete. In this paper we propose a new quantum cryptographic scheme which aims to replace the RSA algorithm from current public key infrastructures. We analyze the security of our scheme and also, we describe the implementation of the scheme using IBM Q SDK, qiskit. We run a number of experiments in order to build a proof of concept application that uses the proposed scheme
An Ethnomedical Perspective of Arabic Traditional Cauterization; Al-Kaiy
Get PDFCauterization (al-kaiy in Arabic) includes using a heated metal instrument (nail or metal rod) for skin application. This article describes the Arabic traditional cauterization from an ethnomedical view. The aims of this article are to document Arabic traditional cauterization practice, to address the beliefs and pattern of use about cauterization in various Arabic countries, and to identify adverse events and raise the safety concerns about this practice. The definition, history, historical indications, related knowledge, beliefs, the available information about the pattern of use in various Arabic countries and safety concerns are discussed. A new classification of identified complications related to cauterization is developed and described. Encouraging the reporting of complications due to cauterization and other traditional therapies by healthcare professionals, further field research and documentation of the knowledge related to the practice and raising the healthcare community and the public awareness towards the safety concerns and the complications related to cauterization are advised
SiC Particulate Reinforced Aluminium Metal Matrix Composite
Get PDFAl or Al alloy Metal Matrix Composites have wide range of applications i.e. aerospace, automobile etc. due to its lightweight, high tensile strength, high wear resistance. This review paper characterized the SiC particulate reinforced Al Metal Matrix Composites. The SiC particulates are dispersed in Al or Al alloy by liquid state processing route and solid-state processing route. Stir casting liquid processing route has been followed by no. of researchers due to its simplicity and low processing cost and at the time of reinforcement small amount of Mg is added to increase the wettability of SiC in molten Al or Al alloy. When Al or Al alloy reinforced with SiC, then its mechanical and tribological properties are enhanced. The effect of particle size, weight or volume fraction of the SiC on density, porosity, hardness, impact toughness, tensile strength, ductility, sliding wear resistance, slurry erosion resistance, erosion-corrosion resistance, corrosion resistance and fatigue strength of Al or Al alloy MMCs are reported. The effect of extrusion and machinability of the SiC particulate reinforced Al MMCs are also discussed in this review article
The Effectively Maintained Inequality Hypothesis and Socioeconomic Inequalities in the Greek Higher Education Sector
Get PDFIn this paper we draw on the hypothesis of “Effectively Maintained Inequality” (EMI), which holds that inequalities in higher education concern differentiation as regards the institutions or study programmes which people from different socioeconomic backgrounds choose, rather than the difference between participating and non-participating. It is an important issue, as in modern knowledge and information societies, characterized by new methods of getting, processing and distributing information, higher education is important as a means of equipping people with the knowledge necessary to participate actively in them, for personal growth and national growth. It also impacts positively on social justice, equality of educational opportunity and can boost intergenerational social mobility. These potential benefits, however, are undermined by segregation within higher education. In this paper we present the findings of a research study that examined the breadth of segregation of the higher sector in Greece by socioeconomic background. Research findings indicate a correlation among cultural, social and financial capital and programme or institution, thus conforming the theory of “Effectively Maintained Inequality”
Physics Teaching with Simulation Techniques
Get PDFThe motivation of the present article is to focus on the enhancement of teaching and learning in Physics. This article emphasizes on the implementation of simulation and visualization techniques for physics teaching. A class is a union of different kind of students from different backgrounds and capabilities of learning. Some of them may visualize the problem in their mind while some of them may not. In that case, to better understand the problem, visualization of the problem may help the students to understand and to make an attempt at solving it