185 research outputs found
Contemporary Advances and Precincts of Biopharming as Drugs’ Production Systems
Get PDFThe pharmaceutical industry has been criticized for not availing more innovative medicines for treatment of emerging and changing diseases. The sharp decline in the number of new drug approvals in the last decade can be attributed particularly to attrition of the small organic molecules during origination and development. Constraints to traditional drug discovery are compounded by among others drug candidates for central nervous system (CNS) disorders facing additional barriers than those intended for other therapeutic application. Additionally, the antineoplastic agents precipitate severe toxic effects. Currently, the prohibitive cost of biopharmaceuticals limits their availability and use. It is therefore becoming imperative that alternative approaches, like biopharming, be considered as avenues for availing medicines for such illnesses. Moreover, increasingly, attention is also shifting to larger and more complex protein molecules as therapeutic agents. Through an extensive review of published literature on recent studies, this paper presents fundamental intuitions that continue to be recognized as advances and precincts. The solution seems to be in more use of biotechnologically plant-derived biopharmaceuticals and humanized substances. The contemporary biopharmaceutical production systems involves transfecting cells using bacteria and virus or by biolistic delivery method; exploration of Genetically Modified Drugs (GMD); and Plant Made Pharmaceuticals (PMP). All these have presented advantages like low costs and an already available technology for harnessing. However, uncertainties range from competing platforms, unresolved technical problems, patent and regulatory issues, potential risks to human health, issues of gene spread, and animal-welfare concerns. Cultivating plants to manufacture drugs would involve many controls and regulations that differ from region to region across the globe in respect to the regulatory authorities. Meanwhile African perspectives on genetically modified organisms need to focus on the science and learning for formulation of policies and agreements to harmonize national and regional bio-safety policies. In conclusion, Pharmacists need to appreciate the huge responsibility that comes with biopharming and, especially, the need for stringent professional, ethical and regulatory controls. Keywords: Biologics, Biopharmaceuticals, Biopharming, Genetically Modified Drugs, Plant Made Pharmaceutical
“For thy kingdom is past not away, / Nor thy power from the place thereof hurled”: Martianus Capella and a Prophylactic Oracle of Apollo
No full textThe chapter provides a reconsideration of a section in Martianus Capella’s Book 1, dedicated to the ‘failure of the oracles’ and culminating in a quotation of a prophylactic Apollinean oracle, attributed to Alexander of Abonouteichos. The author tries to reconstruct some possible lines of transmission of this oracle, at the same time highlighting how its allegorical framework helps to shed light on some aspects of the ongoing controversy between pagans and Christians, which took into account the thaumaturgical and therapeutic capabilities of the gods
Falling to earth from the moon; interview with Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden
No full textAerospace Engineerin
Determinants of Adherence to Tuberculosis Chemotherapy in Nairobi City County, Kenya
No full textTuberculosis (TB) is a leading global cause of death and Kenya is among the top 20 countries with a high burden of the disease. Adherence to drugs used to treat the disease remains a crucial challenge towards the elimination of TB in Kenya. This study evaluated the rate and determinants of adherence to TB chemotherapy among adult patients attending health clinics in Nairobi between April and May 2017. A cross-sectional study was carried out in five randomly selected health centres in the Eastlands area of Nairobi involving 113 respondents who voluntarily consented and met the inclusion criteria. Data was collected using a researcher-administered questionnaire and the level of adherence assessed using participants self-reporting. From the results obtained, the participants exhibited low (11, 9.7%), medium (46, 40.7%), and high (56, 49.6%) adherence to TB therapy. Upon stepwise multivariate regression, the absence of a DOT supporter (p=0.039) and being on other medications (p=0.021) were significantly associated with non-adherence. It is inferred that DOT support enhanced adherence while co-morbidities decreased it
Mixed integer programming in production planning with backlogging and setup carryover : modeling and algorithms
Get PDFThis paper proposes a mixed integer programming formulation for modeling the capacitated multi-level lot sizing problem with both backlogging and setup carryover. Based on the model formulation, a progressive time-oriented decomposition heuristic framework is then proposed, where improvement and construction heuristics are effectively combined, therefore efficiently avoiding the weaknesses associated with the one-time decisions made by other classical time-oriented decomposition algorithms. Computational results show that the proposed optimization framework provides competitive solutions within a reasonable time
Business Project Risk Management
No full textTato diplomová práce pojednává o tématu řízení rizik podnikatelského projektu a je zpracována ve firmě Apollo Data s. r. o. na vybraném projektu Úprava aplikace DyneConnect. V práci se prolíná teoretická část, vysvětlující základní pojmy a principy managementu řízení rizik, a praktická část, aplikující tuto teorii. Jako první se autorka zaměřuje na představení společnosti Apollo Data, analýzu podnikatelského prostředí, projektový management v kontextu firmy a představení samotného projektu včetně jeho základních plánů. Práce si klade za cíl na základě výstupů z těchto částí navrhnout konkrétní doporučení, které povedou ke změně přístupu firmy Apollo Data k řízení rizik projektů. Závěrečnou část práce tedy tvoří zhodnocení managementu rizik jak konkrétního projektu, tak dalších projektů firmy a doporučení autorky k jeho zlepšení.ObhájenoThis master's thesis deals with the topic of business project risk management and is conducted at the company Apollo Data s. r. o. for the selected project Úprava aplikace DyneConnect. The thesis combines the theoretical part, explaining the basic concepts and principles of risk management, and the practical part, applying this theory. Initially, the author focuses on introduction of Apollo Data, the analysis of the business environment, project management within the company and the presentation of the project itself, including its basic plans. The thesis aims to propose specific recommendations based on the outputs of these sections, which will lead to a change in Apollo Data's approach to project risk management. The final part of the thesis thus consists of an evaluation of the risk management of both the specific project and other projects within the company, along with the author's recommendations for its improvement
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Review of Canessa, Andrew (2012) "Intimate Indigeneities: Race, Sex, and History in the Small Spaces of Andean Life". Durham & London: Duke University Press
Get PDFThis book is a masterful synthesis of 20 years’ ethnographic fieldwork in one Bolivian community, the Aymara-speaking Andean settlement of Wila Kjarka. Over this period, the author, a renowned Andean anthropologist, has cultivated his own intimate relationships with the people of Wila Kjarka, a fact that is revealed on every page of this intellectually and emotionally engaging work.The central focus is uncovering “what it means to be indigenous to indigenous people themselves” (p. 2). In contrast to many other studies on indigeneity, Canessa explores “these multiple identities … through their own lived experiences and their own voices rather than the lens of globalized concepts and discourses” (p. 4). This is both an intellectually rigorous and profoundly ethical approach, since Canessa fully respects the voice and agency of his informants
Enhancement of antibacterial activity through phyto‐fabrication of silver nanoparticles with Ficus thonningii aqueous extracts
No full textThe World Health Organisation reports higher levels of bacterial resistance to cephalosporins and carbapenems of above 54%. The sufficient redox capabilities of Ficus thonningii phytochemicals for Ag(+) reduction to Ag(0) and ultimately aggregation to nucleation are exploited for the first time in attempting to enhance the antibacterial activity. Solution colour change to brown due to surface plasmon resonance phenomenon confirmed nanoparticle fabrication with a UV/Vis absorption peak at 426 nm. Fourier Transform Infrared spectra revealed functional groups (C=C at 1620–1680 cm(−1); C=H at 1400–1600 cm(−1) aromatics) for encapsulation, stabilisation, and reduction of the silver ion. The Dynamic Light Scattering technique verified F. thonningii encapsulated silver nanoparticles particle size of 57.84 nm with a negative zeta potential (−19.8 mV) as proof of stability. The surface, shape and topographical features were shown by Scanning Electron Microscopy as spherical orientations. An enhanced antimicrobial efficacy was displayed by the nanoparticles (inhibition zones of 26.1, 24.1 and 15.2 mm from 11.5, 10.6 and 6.5 mm) for Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyrogenes and Escherichia coli, respectively, compared to Flucloxacillin standard that was in the ranges of 21.5, 23.5 and 25.7 mm. The enhanced potency provides a basis for diversified approaches of generating novel drugs for treating bacterial infections
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“In Defense of Portfolio Optimization: What If We Can Forecast?”: Author Response
Get PDFWe thank Richard O. Michaud, David N. Esch, and Robert O. Michaud for their interest in our paper. In their letter, they suggest that our results are inconsistent with the canonical literature because we ignore model risk and covariance matrix estimation error, and they claim that were we to include realistic levels of both, much higher levels of IC than those we model would be needed to outperform 1/N investment. We respectfully disagree with their conclusion
Dataset of technical, economic, and environmental parameters of microgrids: A literature-based analysis
Get PDFLiterature-derived dataset comprising: article details (year, author, title, and journal); microgrid applications (country, configuration, and use case); key component parameters (capital, replacement, and operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, capacity, lifespan, and technical characteristics); and system-level aspects (capacity, production, capital, replacement, and O&M costs, net present cost (NPC), payback period (PBP), cost of energy (COE), and carbon emissions)
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