26 research outputs found
Research on illicit cultural artefacts: The case of the Babylonian mathematical cuneiform texts in the Schøyen Collection
No full textThis paper examines whether we can have confidence in the scientific integrity of a research effort that could potentially be part of the illicit trade in cultural artefacts. As an example, I use the research on the ancient clay tablets from the Schøyen Collection. A closer study of the research product reveals questionable research practices, and the latter issue is then put into a wider context. After highlighting the importance of the research community as a social institution in shaping the norms and values of its members, and its influence on what is desirable research, I explore how these expectations and guidelines impact research conducted on illicit cultural artefacts
Achieving thermal comfort by applying passive cooling strategies to courtyard houses in Dubai (UAE)
No full textA passive design approach is centered upon integrating the microclimatic requests
into the design to accomplish advanced comfort levels with lower energy depletion.
The purpose of this research was to examine the cooling effect of designated passive
parameters on the outdoor air temperature, wind speed , shading, indoor and outdoor
daylight of an open courtyard. Numerous variables that demonstrated formerly to
improve the outdoor environments were assessed conjointly to achieve the effect that
passive design has over outdoor air temperature.
The computer simulation was discovered to be the utmost appropriate tool for
analysis affording to the resources accessible. Three variables were examined
originally, orientation, geometry and vegetation among these the coolest parameter
were combined into one scenario titled the enhanced scenario. Two scenarios entitled
the existing scenario presents a specific site circumstances and the enhanced scenario
conjoining the coolest parameters, were equated and assessed.
The NW orientation, the highest geometry of a height to width (H:W) ratio of 1.35,
groups of trees and continuous grass were discovered to be the coolest parameters
included in the enhanced scenario. The enhanced scenario was then equated to the
existing case scenario constructed with NNE orientation, 0.85 H:W ratio and no
vegetation which had the higher temperature ranks. The outcomes discovered had a
small increase in improvement of the outdoor air temperature owing to the passive
principles pertained. The proportional outcomes performance cased a smaller progress
among the enhanced scenario and the existing scenario presenting the site conditions
of Dubai the villa owed to the assimilation of a these principles only. The outcomes of
temperature and wind patterns verified and helped in accepting numerous outdoor
performances which are helpful for directing an ecological design for courtyard
spaces.
One of the foremost conclusions was the reality of a limit to the amount of passive
applications to accomplish a substantial enhancement still, an increase in it was
achievable. Nevertheless, the performance of the outdoor parameters remains
somewhat complicated and impulsive that involves additional exploration
Schøyen-forskning under lupen Bokanmeldelse: Mehreen Sheikh 2017: Den tause dimensjonen i forskning. Gina forlag.
No full textBokanmeldels
Frequent hypomethylation of PTGS2 gene promoter in human term placenta
Get PDFBackground: Gene expression profiles of several tumor suppressor genes are regulated by the methylation and demethylation of their promoters. Here, we aim to identify and quantify the methylation status of four tumor suppressor genes from placentas at term and compare them with the maternal white-blood-cells.
Methods: In order to achieve this objective, DNA enriched from twenty placentas at term and maternal white blood cells was bisulfite-converted and amplified using quantitative real-time methyl-light polymerase chain reaction for the four-genes studied (RASSF1A, APC, RAR-beta, and PTGS2).
Results: Among the four genes examined, RASSF1A, APC and RAR-beta promoter regions were hypermethylated in all the placental samples compared with maternal WBCs. Strikingly, PTGS2 was found to be hypomethylated in the placentas compared to the maternal cells.
Conclusion: Since placental DNA represents fetal methylation profile and it is an established fact that there is certain amount of cell free circulating DNA in human plasma/serum, these data strongly suggest that hypermethylation of RASSF1A, APC and RAR-beta can be used as gender independent biomarkers to distinctly identify placental DNA in maternal blood. In addition, this is the first report which demonstrates hypomethylation of PTGS2 locus which may have important clinical implications e.g. placental abnormalities
Urinary Tract Bacterial Pathogens and their Sensitivity Pattern
No full textBackground:To detect the prevalence rate of bacterial infection among urinary isolates and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern.Methods In this descriptive study 300 urine samples were collected for culture and sensitivity. After documenting pus cells, inoculation was done on required medias. Growth so obtained was interpreted as one organism grows into one colony hence called colony forming unit (CFU). The number of colonies formed were counted representing number of organisms present in the inoculum of urine taken and a total count was calculated for I ml of urine. Growth of bacterial count ≥ 105 CFU/ml was considered significant. The significant growth obtained was processed for standard biochemical tests of identification and in vitro sensitivity pattern(by the standard disc diffusion method). Zones of inhibition were measured and interpreted by the recommendations of clinical and laboratory standards.Results:- Total 250 (50%) samples of both males and females were positive. Females showed higher prevalence rate of UTI than males. Gram negative bacteria were found in high prevalence rate than gram positive bacteria. The common organisms were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonae, Staphylococus saprophyticus, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococus aureus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa.. In vitro antibiotic susceptibility tests reveal that gram negatives bacteria were sensitive to imipenum, nitrofurantoin and norfloxacin. Gram positive isolates were sensitive to nitrofurantoin, amoxicillin / clauvanic acid, and ampicillin.Conclusion:-There is a need for constant monitoring of susceptibility of specific pathogens in different populations to commonly used anti-microbial agents
Mitral valve replacement in a twin pregnancy
No full textA 35-year-old female with twin gestation diagnosed with severe mitral stenosis and pulmonary hypertension was successfully treated with open heart surgery for mitral valve replacement (MVR). She gave birth to twins with good Apgar scores at 33 weeks of gestation by cesarean section. Cardiac surgery in singleton pregnancy has been reported extensively. However, there is only a single reported case of MVR following therapeutic abortion of a twin pregnancy in the second trimester. In contrast, we report the first case of mitral valve replacement for severe mitral stenosis and pulmonary hypertension in an ongoing twin pregnancy with successful outcomes
Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Uropathogens in Diabetic Women with Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
Get PDFBackground: More than 150 million people around the globe are diagnosed with urinary tract infections every year. Failure to treat these infections with proper antibiotics can lead to serious complications. The objective of this study was to investigate antibiotic sensitivity and resistance pattern of urinary isolates in type-2 diabetic women with asymptomatic bacteriuria.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at the HBS General Hospital, Islamabad, from March 2017 to August 2019. A total of 270 females with the diagnosis of type-2 diabetes mellitus were included in the study. Uropathogens were isolated from urine samples and antibiotic sensitivity testing was conducted. Demographic and clinical information was recorded on a pre-designed proforma. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.
Results: The mean age of the study sample was 50 years (SD ± 5.5) while the mean HbA1c levels were 8.98 g/dL (SD ± 0.8 g/dl). Uropathogens were found in the urine cultures of 106 (39.3%) patients. Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing (ESBL) Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the most common organism (n=46, 43.4%) which was sensitive to tazobactam, tazocin and co-trimoxazole. Nitrofurantoin was the most effective antibiotic with 62.5% isolates sensitive to it. All of the pathogens were resistant to ciprofloxacin.
Conclusions: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is common in type-2 diabetic women with ESBL E. Coli being the most common organism isolated from urine cultures. There is a significant resistance to antibiotics among the uropathogens isolated from these patients
Comparative in silico analyses of Cannabis sativa , Prunella vulgaris and Withania somnifera compounds elucidating the medicinal properties against rheumatoid arthritis
No full textCurrent Evidence and Knowledge Gaps
No full textSince August 2017, more than 725,000
Displaced Rohingya People (DRP) have crossed into Bangladesh
from Rakhine State in Myanmar. The influx has resulted in a
protracted humanitarian crisis, as hundreds of thousands of
DRP have settled into largely makeshift camps in the Cox’s
Bazar (CXB) district. The DRP remain almost entirely reliant
on humanitarian assistance for food, shelter, education, and
healthcare. Bangladeshi host communities (HC) in the
affected areas faced difficult economic conditions before
2017, and the arrival of Rohingya may have exacerbated some
of these challenges. Currently, as the crisis in CXB extends
due to uncertain plans for Rohingya repatriation, a review
of available evidence is needed to inform the ongoing
humanitarian response and guide subsequent analytical
research on inclusive development outcomes for both DRP and
host communities. In addition to implementing humanitarian
programs in the Rohingya response, several organizations,
including the World Bank, are generating knowledge products
to improve the results of humanitarian action in CXB and
advance longer-term development goals. The literature
generated thus far is heterogeneous in approach, methods,
and quality. To date, no study exists that synthesizes the
findings from these studies to provide an overview for
policy makers and researchers. This paper aims to identify
knowledge gaps through a rapid evidence assessment of
literature on the CXB region, the DRPs, and the HC. By
mapping the current evidence and knowledge gaps around
improving outcomes for the DRP and HC, this paper intends to
provide national stakeholders, development agencies, and
their partners with a holistic picture of the analytical
work taking place on the ground and to indicate further
research that may be needed during the ongoing humanitarian
and development response
