29 research outputs found
Erlebnis mit neuen Herausforderungen
No full textThis composition is about studying at a university in Germany. The author describes the challenges he had to overcome in order to be a successful university student in a foreign country
The influence of dealers' perceptions on the buying and selling of Islamic bonds
No full textEThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo
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Advanced DNA Probes for Imaging and Modulating Cell Membrane Dynamic Interactions
No full textThe cell membrane is a critical structure which serves as a natural barrier between cells and their external environment. It plays a vital role in enabling cells to communicate with each other and transduce signals vital for healthy cellular function. To carry out such functions, the various components of the cell membranes dynamically interact with one another. Most of these interactions are very transient and therefore difficult to study and visualize. In this dissertation, we aim to use DNA as a tool to stabilize and visualize the dynamic and transient interactions which take place on the cell membrane to understand more about them as well as the cell membrane’s structure and biophysical properties. Initially, we introduce the current methods which exist in visualizing transient and dynamic cell membrane interactions, followed by the current advances in DNA based probes which have been used to study the cell membrane biophysics. This will be followed by the development of a ‘DNA Zipper’ probe to visualize and quantify dynamic cell membrane interactions and their role in T-cell signaling. The ‘DNA Zipper’ is further expanded upon and improved into various pairs of probes which are comprehensively used to visualize cell membrane heterogeneity and investigate the presence of both ordered and disordered regions of live cell membranes. Lastly, we expand the ‘DNA Zipper’ based system to membrane proteins by optimizing workflows for the targeted labelling of membrane proteins and use the probes to image ligand induced membrane protein dimerization on live cells with potential applications in drug screening and cell membrane modulation and regulation. Therefore, this dissertation will serve to shed light on the excellent properties of DNA as a tool to visualize and stabilize dynamic interactions on live cell membranes and to regulate these interactions for biological manipulation and function, thereby expanding our understanding of the membrane.Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)2025-09-0
Mycoses
No full textCandida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast associated with invasive infection in healthcare settings. Recently, C\ua0auris cases in the United States have been detected in 11 states with the majority of cases in New York, New Jersey and Illinois. Rapid and accurate identification of C\ua0auris is critical for patient care and the implementation of public health measures to control the spread of infection. Our aim was to develop and validate a rapid DNA extraction method using the Roche MagNA Pure 96 instrument and a TaqMan real-time PCR assay for reliable, high-throughput identification of C\ua0auris. We evaluated 247 patient dermal swab samples previously analysed by culture/MALDI-TOF. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 93.6% and 97.2%, respectively. The assay was highly reproducible with a detection limit of 1 C\ua0auris CFU/10\ua0\u3bcL. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of the real-time PCR data showed an area of 0.982 under the curve, with a C| cut-off value of 6437.0. The turnaround time from DNA extraction to real-time PCR results was approximately 200\ua0samples/day. In conclusion, we successfully validated a rapid and high-throughput method for accurate and reproducible identification of C\ua0auris with a significantly reduced turnaround time compared to culture/MALDI-TOF based methods.CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHSUnited States
Chunking of Control: An Unrecognized Aspect of Cognitive Resource Limits
No full textWhy do we divide (‘chunk’) long tasks into a series of shorter subtasks? A popular view is that limits in working memory (WM) prevent us from simultaneously maintaining all task relevant information in mind. We therefore chunk the task into smaller units so that we only maintain information in WM that is relevant to the current unit. In contrast to this view, we show that long tasks that are not constrained by WM limits are nonetheless chunked into smaller units. Participants executed long sequences of standalone but demanding trials that were not linked to any WM representation and whose execution was not constrained by how much information could be simultaneously held in WM. Using signs well-known to reflect beginning of new task units, we show that such trial sequences were not executed as a single task unit but were spontaneously chunked and executed as series smaller units. We also found that sequences made of easier trials were executed as longer task units and vice-versa, further suggesting that the length of task executed as one unit may be constrained by cognitive limits other than WM. Cognitive limits are typically seen to constrain how many things can be done simultaneously e.g., how many events can be maintained in WM or attended at the same time. We show a new aspect of these limits that constrains the length of behaviour that can be executed sequentially as a single task-unit
Comparison of the Mesio-Distal Widths of the Maxillary and Mandibular Central Incisors Between Cleft Lip and Palate and Non Cleft Lip and Palate Individuals
No full textObjective: To compare the mesiodistal widths of the maxillary and mandibular central incisors of cleft lip and palate individuals with non-cleft individuals, in a local population.
Methodology: A total of 80 casts (40 of cleft patients and 40 normal) were selected by the department of orthodontics from January, 2021 to February, 2022, dividing them it into 4 groups by consecutive non-probability technique. The mesiodistal width of the maxillary and mandibular central incisors was measured with vernier caliper. Independent t test was applied to compare the mesiodistal width of maxillary and mandibular central incisors between normal and cleft patients. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all four groups.
Results: The mean MD width for the maxillary central incisors was 6.58 ± 1.16mm and 7.67 ±1.18mm for the CLP and control group respectively. The mean MD width for the mandibular central incisors was 4.22± 0.91 mm and 4.67 ± 0.9 mm for the CLP and control group respectively. The student t test showed a significant difference in the MD width of both the maxillary and mandibular central incisors between the CLP and control group.
Conclusion: Patients suffering from cleft lip and palate are associated with diminutive central incisors in both jaws
Discriminant Analysis of Rheumatoid Factor, Anti-Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide, and C-Reactive Protein for Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
No full textBackground: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by joint swelling, joint tenderness, and destruction of synovial joints, leading to severe disability and premature mortality with uncertain aetiology by significant morbidity and mortality. Prevalence of approximately 0.75% in India. About 40% diseased become work disabled within 5 years from onset of symptoms.
Objectives: The study was conducted to determine the most parsimonious way to distinguish between groups and to test the theory by which cases are classified as predicted.
Method: The study is based on 290 clinically suspected RA patients. Cross-sectional study design was used. Clinically suspected cases were referred by different OPD’s of Sir Sunderlal Hospital for screening.
Result: RF, AntiCCP and CRP diagnosed RA 21.3%, 21.7% and 33.1% respectively as positive . 277/290 (92.1%) of respondents were classified correctly into ‘RA’ or ‘non-RA’ groups. Non-RA were classified with better accuracy (98.8%) than RA (58.3%).
Interpretation & Conclusion: Early diagnosis of these high risk suspects will help in preventing from foremost disability. The quality of life may be approved of infected subjects by providing timely diagnosis and treatments and balanced nutritional and social supports
Creación de un Aula de Formación en Atención Farmacéutica en la Universidad de Salamanca
No full textObjetivos: Formar un grupo de trabajo, de estudiantes, farmacéuticos y profesores, que lidere actividades formativas y proyectos de investigación en atención farmacéutica desde un aula de la Facultad de Farmacia.
Material y métodos: Fases del proyecto: Organización del espacio físico y obtención de recursos, formación del equipo, identidad y medios de difusión de las actividades, diseño de las líneas de trabajo.
Resultados y discusión: Se ha constituido el equipo responsable: decano de la Facultad, vicedecano responsable de Proyección Farmacéutica, profesor de Atención farmacéutica, titulares de farmacia comunitaria, representante del CGCOF y estudiante de posgrado. Con recursos aportados por la Facultad se ha acondicionado un aula con espacio para impartir talleres a 24 personas, mesas de trabajo y 12 ordenadores. Se ha diseñado un logo y una página en la web de la Facultad. Se ha catalogado una biblioteca, y organizado un sistema de préstamo, con material bibliográfico y software donado por el CGCOF. Se han definido tres líneas de trabajo: impartir talleres de formación en competencias y habilidades asistenciales, impulsar la realización de trabajos Fin de Grado y coordinar un grupo de investigación profesionales-universidad. En conclusión, se ha creado AUSAF, un Aula de Atención Farmacéutica en la Universidad de Salamanca, que pretende la colaboración entre profesionales farmacéuticos y universidad para iniciar proyectos de investigación y adecuar la formación de nuestros graduados a la evolución actual de la profesión, hacia una farmacia asistencial centrada en el paciente. También pretende servir de apoyo a la formación continua de los profesionales
FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF 3D PRINTED, 3D MICROELECTRODE ARRAYS WITH SPIN COATED INSULATION AND FUNCTIONAL ELECTROSPUN 3D SCAFFOLDS FOR "DISEASE IN A DISH" AND "ORGAN ON A CHIP" MODELS
No full textWe demonstrate a new fabrication technology for 3D Microelectrode Arrays (MEAs) to stimulate and record electrophysiological activity from cellular networks in-vitro. Electrospun Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) 3D scaffolds are coupled to the fabricated MEAs which make them fully functional for “disease in a dish” and “organ on a chip” models to promote cell/tissue growth and regeneration. The microfabrication technology involves 3D towers realized by 3D printing and a metallization layer, defined by stencil mask evaporation techniques. Multiple insulation strategies are reported: a drop-casted/spin-coated 3D layer of Polystyrene (PS) and an evaporated layer of SiO2, both of which are laser micromachined to realize the 3D microelectrodes
The Contribution of Islamic Banking to Economic Development (The Case of The Islamic Republic of Iran)
No full textAbstract
Islamic banking is a new industry which has attracted the attention of many economists in the world regarding its ability to operate successfully and its instruments for mobilising and allocating monetary resources (Deposits). Usually, in the majority of Islamic countries and in some non-Islamic countries, Islamic banking works as one part of a banking system. There are few countries where the banking system is completely Islamic and the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of them. In a country in which the entire system is Islamic there are more questions about its activities. The most important questions are: how can bank managers ensure the Shariah-compliance of banking system activities and how can they contribute to economic development? These are the two main questions of this research.
In order to answer the first question, the Law of Usury-Free Banking in Iran was analysed and it was shown that this law is Shariah-compliant. However, the most important issue is to make sure that all banks in the country work according to the Law of Usury-Free Banking. In order to explore this semi-structured interviews were carried out with twelve interviewees including managers of the Central Bank and commercial banks and researchers. The result of the interviews was the introduction of several instruments used in the banking system of Iran for the supervision of banking activities and to ensure their Shariah-compliance. A new issue in this research is that being Shariah-compliant does not only mean utilising appropriate contracts for each project but also using deposits for the most efficient and profitable projects. This is because banks are the agents of the depositors and therefore they must use their deposits for the best possible projects. The vast majority of interviewees believe that Islamic banking system in Iran works in conformity with the Law of Usury-Free Banking in Iran.
Regarding the second main question, this study utilised both quantitative and qualitative methods in order to obtain sufficient data to analyse it. The secondary data was taken from Iran‘s Central Bank Annual Reports, other Iranian banks‘ reports, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Statistics Centre of Iran. Although the main period of the study was 1989-2006, in order to make a comparative study the periods 1961-1978 and 1979-1988 were considered in some parts of the study. For a more accurate study, not only were the amounts of deposits and financial facilities in the periods before and after the Islamic Revolution compared, but their ratio to liquidity (M2) and GDP were also compared. Our finding was that Islamic banking was relatively more successful than conventional banks operating before the Islamic Revolution in Iran. One important aspect of the contribution of the banking system in Iran to economic development is direct investment. The Islamic banking system in Iran has carried out thousands of huge projects directly most of which cannot be undertaken by private sector including: highways, petrochemical industries, wood and paper industries, industrial farming and animal husbandry, automobile manufacture, the cement industry, railways and so on. In addition, primary data was collected via semi-structured interviews. The majority of interviewees believed that Islamic banking in Iran has had a positive effect on economic development
