22 research outputs found
Evaluation of cellobiose dehydrogenase and laccase containing culture fluids of Termitomyces sp. OE147 for degradation of Reactive blue 21
No full textAbstractThis study evaluates culture filtrate, rich in cellobiose dehydrogenase and laccases, of Termitomyces sp. OE 147, in decolouration and degradation of Reactive blue (RB) 21. About 35% decolouration was achieved at low volumes of the culture supernatant without addition of external redox mediators. An optimized dye to culture fluid ratio (75ppm: 0.1ml) at a pH of 4–5 resulted in removal of colour by 60%. The degradation products of RB21 were analysed by Electron Spray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry and several small molecules (ofm/z 106–199) were detected. These were concluded to be o-Xylene, 2,3-Dihydro-1H-isoindole, Isoindole-1,3-dione, 2,Benzenesulfonyl-ethanol, (4-Hydroxy-phenyl)-sulfamic acid, 2,3-Dihydro-1H-isoindole-5-sulfonic acid and proposed to result from joint action of cellobiose dehydrogenase, laccase, peroxidases and unidentified oxidoreductases present in the culture fluids. Based on the products formed and the known reactions of these enzymes, a degradation pathway was proposed for RB21. The culture fluid was also effective in decolouration (by about 50%) and detoxification (by ∼25%) of the combined effluent collected from a local mill indicating a treatment process that bypasses use of H2O2 and toxic mediators
Exploring the Role of UX Influencing Factors in Virtual Reality for Natural Hazards Prepardness: A Disign-Based Approach
No full textClimate change is one of the major challenges of our time, and its complexity makes finding innovative solutions challenging. One of the ways that climate change poses a challenge is by reshaping the earth’s natural ecosystem and increasing the frequency and severity of Natural Hazards (NH), such as floods and landslides, that affect millions of people and cause substantial losses. One potential solution is to leverage digital transformation and explore the use of narratives and immersive media technologies, such as virtual reality (VR), to communicate scientific information about NH and enable change. However, traditional methods of communication, such as reports and maps, may not be sufficient or accessible to a broader audience. Therefore, there is a need to develop transformative and immersive experiences that can facilitate the comprehension and communication of scientific information about NH.
This research project created immersive and engaging Virtual Reality Environments (VRE) that communicated NH using digital transformation technology as part of an interdisciplinary project called World of Wild Waters (WoWW). VR offered a unique opportunity to create digital twins of NH by integrating numerical simulations of geophysical phenomena that users could explore and manipulate. However, to create engaging VR, it was crucial to explore the factors that influenced User Experience (UX) within VR.
To address this challenge, the work adopted a design-based research (DBR) approach, which consisted of three iterative cycles, each addressing a specific objective. DBR Cycle 1 explored the factors that could enhance user-perceived quality in Immersive Media Experiences (IME). A conceptual framework was formulated by integrating Interactive Digital Narratives (IDN) as an important dimension to be investigated in VR. Based on the proposed framework, a case study was designed to explore the role of IDN and its impact on UX in VR.
DBR Cycle 2 evaluated the impact of affordances on user-perceived experiences in VR. It developed a VR that integrated wayfinding cues as affordances for NH preparedness. The VR prototype implemented three VREs with several types of wayfinding cues: no cues, static cues, and dynamic cues, and it evaluated the psychological and psychometric effects of wayfinding cues on UX within the VR.
DBR Cycle 3 designed and evaluated a VR framework for visualizing numerical simulations of geophysical flows (i.e., floods) to enhance risk communication of NH in VR. We implemented a VR prototype that used the VR framework to visualize and interact with simulations of NH. Furthermore, DBR cycle 3 evaluated the influence of emotions and identity on UX in VR. The research demonstrated the novelty and originality of using VR to enhance the understanding and communication of NH and foster risk awareness and resilience among diverse audiences and stakeholders.
The results showed how UX influencing factors such as IDN, affordances, emotions, and identity enhanced the VR experience, thus contributing to the advancement of knowledge and practice in the fields of VR, UX, and NH. Moreover, this research provided insights and guidelines for creating effective and engaging VR for communicating complex and uncertain scientific information about NH
The impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy education in Saudi Arabia
No full textAbstract: In late 2019, the first COVID-19 case was announced. Subsequently, numerous other instances were found all around the world. On March 2, 2020, the first case was reported in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government has taken several precautions to stop the spread of this pandemic sickness. Closing public and private schools and universities and moving educational activity to online platforms were two of these approaches. whether they are the 21 public pharmacy schools in Saudi Arabia or the. These abrupt transitions had an impact on 8 people, and depending on their level of preparedness, they responded differently. Here, we discuss the elements of the pharmacy school curriculum, including classroom instruction, laboratory work, and experiential learning, based on our experience at King Saud University.
Keywords: Pharmacy education COVID-19 Assessment Lesson learned.
Title: The impact of COVID-19 on pharmacy education in Saudi Arabia
Author: Yasir Awad Ahmed, Bander kammash alshammari, Faisal Abdulrahman Al Amri, Turki Shafaq Alotaibi, Mazen Alawi Nubayri, Jamelah Ali Alshehri, Noha Ali M Alshehri
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)
Vol. 10, Issue 3, July 2022 - September 2022
Page No: 89-93
Research Publish Journals
Website: www.researchpublish.com
Published Date: 26-September-2022
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7113029
Paper Download Link (Source)
https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-pharmacy-education-in-saudi-arabiaInternational Journal of Life Sciences Research, ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online), Research Publish Journals, Website: www.researchpublish.co
Effect of Cu nanoparticles addition on improving the electrical conductivity and mechanical properties of PVA electrospun polymeric film
No full textAalif Shafaq\u27s Novel “Mohabbate Ke Chalis Chirag”: Urdu Translation
No full text“Mohabbate Ke Chalis Chirag” is actually a novel by Elif Shafak, a Turkish author. History, philosophy and Sufiism are her favorite subjects. The novel revolves around the love of Maulana Rumi and Shah Shams. It has been translated into more than 30 languages. It was translated into Urdu by Huma Anwar. The quality of translation is to use it which such skill and dedication that nowhere does it feel that it has been translated from another language into Urdu. And the translator should keep all the skills of translation in front of kim, this effort is seen in Huma Anwar’s translation due to which this translation has the status of original for Urdu language. Nowhere in this translation, the readers do not have any problem with regard language and smoothness. 
Prevention and potential remedies for antibiotic resistance: current research and future prospects
No full textThe increasing threat of antibiotic resistance and shrinking treatment options for infections have pushed mankind into a difficult position. The looming threat of the return of the pre-antibiotic era has caused a sense of urgency to protect and conserve the potency of antibiotic therapy. One of the perverse effects of antibiotic resistance is the dissemination of its causative agents from non-clinically important strains to clinically important strains and vice versa. The popular saying “Prevention is better than cure” is appropriate for tackling antibiotic resistance. On the one hand, new and effective antibiotics are required; on the other hand, better measures for the use of antibiotics, along with increased awareness in the general public related to antibiotic use, are essential. Awareness, especially of appropriate antibiotic use, antibiotic resistance, its dissemination, and potential threats, can help greatly in controlling the use and abuse of antibiotics, and the containment of antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic drugs’ effectiveness can be enhanced by producing novel antibiotic analogs or adding adjuvants to current antibiotics. Combinatorial therapy of antibiotics has proven successful in treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. This review aims to highlight the current global situation of antibiotic resistance and discuss the methods used to monitor, prevent, inhibit, or reverse bacterial resistance mechanisms in the fight against antibiotic resistance
underlying autosomal recessive primary microcephaly in 32 consanguineous families from Pakistan
No full textAbstract Background Primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a congenital neurodevelopmental disorder manifesting as small brain and intellectual disability. It underlies isolated reduction of the cerebral cortex that is reminiscent of early hominids which makes it suitable model disease to study the hominin‐specific volumetric expansion of brain. Mutations in 25 genes have been reported to cause this disorder. Although majority of these genes were discovered in the Pakistani population, still a significant proportion of these families remains uninvestigated. Methods We studied a cohort of 32 MCPH families from different regions of Pakistan. For disease gene identification, genome‐wide linkage analysis, Sanger sequencing, gene panel, and whole‐exome sequencing were performed. Results By employing these techniques individually or in combination, we were able to discern relevant disease‐causing DNA variants. Collectively, 15 novel mutations were observed in five different MCPH genes; ASPM (10), WDR62 (1), CDK5RAP2 (1), STIL (2), and CEP135 (1). In addition, 16 known mutations were also verified. We reviewed the literature and documented the published mutations in six MCPH genes. Intriguingly, our cohort also revealed a recurrent mutation, c.7782_7783delGA;p.(Lys2595Serfs*6), of ASPM reported worldwide. Drawing from this collective data, we propose two founder mutations, ASPM:c.9557C>G;p.(Ser3186*) and CENPJ:c.18delC;p.(Ser7Profs*2), in the Pakistani population. Conclusions We discovered novel DNA variants, impairing the function of genes indispensable to build a proper functioning brain. Our study expands the mutational spectra of known MCPH genes and also provides supporting evidence to the pathogenicity of previously reported mutations. These novel DNA variants will be helpful for the clinicians and geneticists for establishing reliable diagnostic strategies for MCPH families
Purification and characterization of detergent stable alkaline lipase from Bacillus safensis TKW3 isolated from Tso Kar brackish water lake
No full textExtensive and escalating research has been directed towards halozymes derived from halophiles thriving in extreme hypersaline environments, owing to their myriad industrial applications. These extremophiles have evolved various physiological and metabolic adaptations to endure such extremes, enhancing their industrial potential. Being a potential source of lipases, halophiles of extreme niches have emerged as a emerging research area. This interest has been fueled by the recognition that extreme environments serve as rich reservoirs of diverse cold-active alkaliphilic enzymes. Methods Bacillus safensis TKW3, isolated from brackish Lake Tso Kar of the Ladakh region, India, produced cold-adapted haloalkaliphilic lipase halozyme. The current study focused on the purification and biochemical characterisation of lipase derived from halophilic bacteria. Results The lipase enzyme, purified to homogeneity, exhibited a molecular mass of 28 kDa as confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis. The purification process yielded a purification fold of 12.01 and a final recovery rate of 29.9%. It demonstrated optimal activity at 30 °C and pH 9. The enzyme was evaluated and demonstrated to exhibit stability over a broad temperature range spanning from 5 °C to 55 °C, as well as a wide pH range of 7.0 to 9.0. Due to its stability across a diverse spectrum of pH values, surfactants, metal ions, and inhibitors, the enzyme appeared to hold significant promise for application within the leather and detergent sectors. Upon undergoing detergent compatibility tests spanning diverse temperature ranges, the lipase showcased compatibility with various commercial detergents, thereby presenting itself as an attractive candidate for inclusion in detergent formulations within the industry. Conclusions The lipase from B. safensis TKW3 exhibits promising attributes, including alkali stability, halophilicity, and a wide spectrum of substrate specificity, rendering it an attractive option for incorporation into detergent formulations within the detergent industry. As far as we are aware, this is the first report on the purification and characterization of lipase enzyme from bacterial halophiles in a Tso Kar brackish lake
A statistical study on awareness of antibiotic resistance among the general population
No full text504-509Managing antibiotic resistance is a complex and multifaceted
task. The Global Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance
(GAP-AMR) and Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use
Surveillance System (GLASS), accepted by the WHO in 2015,
has featured generating awareness of antibiotic resistance in the
general population as well as health practitioners and
professionals as one of its five key strategy points for the
containment of antibiotic resistance dissemination. Survey studies,
assessing the general population's awareness of antibiotics and
antibiotic resistance, will help in better policy and infrastructure
design, identify factors contributing to lack of understanding,
and develop more effective awareness generation methods
accordingly. In our study, we concluded that the majority of the
sample population has little to no knowledge of appropriate
antibiotic usage, antibiotic resistance, and repercussions of misuse
of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance irrespective of being
educated. The majority of the studied population is using
antibiotics irresponsibly. Even if the studied population has access
to digital technology and information on the appropriate use of
antibiotics and antibiotic resistance on digital platforms, the
studied group still lacks appropriate antibiotic use awareness, and
the awareness of antibiotic resistance and its repercussions. Thus,
we concluded that it is essential to organize regular physical
awareness campaigns at the local level to develop consciousness
around appropriate antibiotic use and antibiotic resistance to
mitigate the risk of dissemination of antibiotic resistance
