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masked representation</title> <meta name="description" content="Search results for: protein masked representation"> <meta name="keywords" content="protein masked representation"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1, minimum-scale=1, maximum-scale=1, user-scalable=no"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" rel="shortcut icon"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/bootstrap-4.2.1/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/plugins/fontawesome/css/all.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://cdn.waset.org/static/css/site.css?v=150220211555" rel="stylesheet"> </head> <body> <header> <div class="container"> <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg navbar-light"> <a class="navbar-brand" href="https://waset.org"> <img src="https://cdn.waset.org/static/images/wasetc.png" alt="Open Science Research Excellence" title="Open Science Research Excellence" /> </a> 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action="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search"> <div id="custom-search-input"> <div class="input-group"> <i class="fas fa-search"></i> <input type="text" class="search-query" name="q" placeholder="Author, Title, Abstract, Keywords" value="protein masked representation"> <input type="submit" class="btn_search" value="Search"> </div> </div> </form> </div> </div> <div class="row mt-3"> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Commenced</strong> in January 2007</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Frequency:</strong> Monthly</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Edition:</strong> International</div> </div> </div> <div class="col-sm-3"> <div class="card"> <div class="card-body"><strong>Paper Count:</strong> 3621</div> </div> </div> </div> <h1 class="mt-3 mb-3 text-center" style="font-size:1.6rem;">Search results for: protein masked representation</h1> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">201</span> Federalizing the Philippines: What Does It Mean for the Igorot Indigenous Peoples? </h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Shierwin%20Agagen%20Cabunilas">Shierwin Agagen Cabunilas</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The unitary form of Philippine government has built a tradition of bureaucracy that strengthened oligarch and clientele politics. Consequently, the Philippines is lagged behind development. There is so much poverty, unemployment, and inadequate social services. In addition, it seems that the rights of national ethnic minority groups like the Igorots to develop their political and economic interests, linguistic and cultural heritage are neglected. Given these circumstances, a paradigm shift is inevitable. The author advocates a transition from a unitary to a federal system of government. Contrary to the notion that a unitary system facilitates better governance, it actually stifles it. As a unitary government, the Philippines seems (a) to exhibit incompetence in delivering efficient, necessary services to the people and (b) to exclude the minority from political participation and policy making. This shows that Philippine unitary system is highly centralized and operates from a top-bottom scheme. However, a federal system encourages decentralization, plurality and political participation. In my view, federalism is beneficial to the Philippine society and congenial to the Igorot indigenous peoples insofar as participative decision-making and development goals are concerned. This research employs critical and constructive analyses. The former interprets some complex practices of Philippine politics while the latter investigates how theories of federalism can be appropriated to deal with political deficits, ethnic diversity, and indigenous peoples’ rights to self-determination. The topic is developed accordingly: First, the author briefly examines the unitary structure of the Philippines and its impact on inter-governmental affairs and processes, asserting that bureaucracy and corruption, for example, are counterproductive to a participative political life, to economic development and to the recognition of national ethnic minorities. Second, he scrutinizes why federalism might transform this. Here, he assesses various opposing philosophical contentions on federal system in managing ethnically diverse society, like the Philippines, and argue that decentralization of political power, economic and cultural developments are reasons to exit from unitary government. Third, he suggests that federalism can be instrumental to Igorots self-determination. Self-determination is neither opposed to national development nor to the ideals of democracy – liberty, justice, solidarity. For example, as others have already noted, a politics in the vernacular facilitates greater participation among the people. Hence, there is a greater chance to arrive at policies that serve the interest of the people. Some may wary that decentralization disintegrates a nation. According to the author, however, the recognition of minority rights which includes self-determination may promote filial devotion to the state. If Igorot indigenous peoples have access to suitable institutions to determine their political life, economic goals, social needs, i.e., education, culture, language, chances are it moves the country forward to development fostering national unity. Remarkably, federal system thus best responds to the Philippines’s democratic and development deficits. Federalism can also significantly rectify the practices that oppress and dislocate national ethnic minorities as it ensures the creation of localized institutions for optimum political, economic, cultural determination and maximizes representation in the public sphere. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=federalism" title="federalism">federalism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Igorot" title=" Igorot"> Igorot</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=indigenous%20peoples" title=" indigenous peoples"> indigenous peoples</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=self-determination" title=" self-determination"> self-determination</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/25019/federalizing-the-philippines-what-does-it-mean-for-the-igorot-indigenous-peoples" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/25019.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">338</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">200</span> The Investigation of Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid against Damage on Neonatal Rat Lung to Maternal Tobacco Smoke Exposure</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Elif%20Erdem">Elif Erdem</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nalan%20Kaya"> Nalan Kaya</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Gonca%20Ozan"> Gonca Ozan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Durrin%20Ozlem%20Dabak"> Durrin Ozlem Dabak</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Enver%20Ozan"> Enver Ozan</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This study was carried out to determine the histological and biochemical changes in the lungs of the rat pups exposed to tobacco smoke during pregnancy period and to investigate the protective effects of alpha lipoic acid, which is administered during pregnancy, on these changes. In our study, 24 six-week old Spraque-Dawley female rats weighing 160 ± 10 g were used (n:7). Rats were randomly divided into four equal groups: group I (control), group II (tobacco smoke), group III (tobacco smoke + alpha lipoic acid) and group IV (alpha lipoic acid). Rats in the group II, group III were exposed to tobacco smoke twice a day for one hour starting from eight weeks before mating and during pregnancy. In addition to tobacco smoke, 20 mg/kg of alpha lipoic acid was administered via oral gavage to the rats in the group III. Only alpha lipoic acid was administered to the rats in the group IV. Once after the delivery, all administrations were stopped. On the 7 and 21th days, the seven pups of all groups were decapitated. A portion of the lung was taken and stained with HE, PAS and Masson. In addition to immunohistochemical staining of surfactant protein A, vascular endothelial growth factor, caspase-3, TUNEL method was also used to determine apoptosis. Biochemical analyzes were performed with some part of the lung tissue specimens. In the histological evaluations performed under light microscopy, inflammatory cell increase, hemorrhagic areas, edema, interalveolar septal thickening, alveolar numbers decrease, degeneration of some bronchi and bronchial epithelium, epithelial cells that were fallen into the lumen and hyaline membrane formation were observed in tobacco smoke group. These findings were ameliorated in tobacco smoke + ALA group. Hyaline membrane formation was not detected in this group. The TUNEL positive cell numbers a significant increase was detected in the tobacco smoke group, whereas a significant decrease was detected in the tobacco smoke + ALA group. In terms of the immunoreactivity of both SP-A and VEGF, a significant decrease was observed in the tobacco smoke group, and a significant increase was observed in the tobacco smoke + ALA group. Regarding the immunoreactivity of caspase-3, there was a significant increase in the group of tobacco smoke and a significant decrease in the group of tobacco smoke + ALA. The malondialdehyde levels were determined to be significantly increased in the tobacco smoke group, and a significant decreased in the tobacco smoke + ALA. Glutathione and superoxide dismutase enzyme activities showed a significant decrease in the group of tobacco smoke and a significant increase in the tobacco smoke + ALA group. In conclusion, we suggest that the exposure to tobacco smoke during pregnancy leads to morphological, histopathological and functional changes on lung development by causing oxidative damage in lung tissues of neonatal rats and the maternal use of alpha lipoic acid can provide a protective effect on the neonatal lung development against this oxidative stress originating from tobacco smoke. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=alpha%20lipoic%20acid" title="alpha lipoic acid">alpha lipoic acid</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=lung" title=" lung"> lung</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=neonate" title=" neonate"> neonate</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=tobacco%20smoke" title=" tobacco smoke"> tobacco smoke</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pregnancy" title=" pregnancy"> pregnancy</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/74246/the-investigation-of-effect-of-alpha-lipoic-acid-against-damage-on-neonatal-rat-lung-to-maternal-tobacco-smoke-exposure" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/74246.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">211</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">199</span> Cobalamin, Folate and Metabolic Syndrome Parameters in Pediatric Morbid Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome </h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mustafa%20M.%20Donma">Mustafa M. Donma</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Orkide%20Donma"> Orkide Donma</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Obesity is known to be associated with many clinically important diseases including metabolic syndrome (MetS). Vitamin B<sub>12</sub> plays essential roles in fat and protein metabolisms and its cooperation with vitamin B<sub>9 </sub>is well-known. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible contributions as well as associations of these micronutrients upon obesity and MetS during childhood. A total of 128 children admitted to Namik Kemal University, Medical Faculty, Department of Pediatrics Outpatient Clinics were included into the scope of this study. The mean age±SEM of 92 morbid obese (MO) children and 36 with MetS were 118.3±3.8 months and 129.5±6.4 months, respectively (p > 0.05). The study was approved by Namık Kemal University, Medical Faculty Ethics Committee. Written informed consent forms were obtained from the parents. Demographic features and anthropometric measurements were recorded. WHO BMI-for age percentiles were used. The values above 99 percentile were defined as MO. Components of MetS [waist circumference (WC), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triacylglycerol (TRG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-Chol), systolic pressure (SP), diastolic pressure (DP)] were determined. Routine laboratory tests were performed. Serum vitamin B<sub>12</sub> concentrations were measured using electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Vitamin B<sub>9</sub> was analyzed by an immunoassay analyzer. Values for vitamin B<sub>12</sub> < 148 pmol/L, 148-221 pmol/L, > 221 pmol/L were accepted as low, borderline and normal, respectively. Vitamin B<sub>9</sub> levels ≤ 4 mcg/L defined deficiency state. Statistical evaluations were performed by SPSSx Version 16.0. p≤0.05 was accepted as statistical significance level. Statistically higher body mass index (BMI), WC, hip circumference (C) and neck C were calculated in MetS group compared to children with MO. No difference was noted for head C. All MetS components differed between the groups (SP, DP p < 0.001; WC, FBG, TRG p < 0.01; HDL-Chol p < 0.05). Significantly decreased vitamin B<sub>9</sub> and vitamin B<sub>12</sub> levels were detected (p < 0.05) in children with MetS. In both groups percentage of folate deficiency was 5.5%. No cases were below < 148 pmol/L. However, in MO group 14.3% and in MetS group 22.2% of the cases were of borderline status. In MO group B<sub>12</sub> levels were negatively correlated with BMI, WC, hip C and head C, but not with neck C. WC, hip C, head C and neck C were all negatively correlated with HDL-Chol. None of these correlations were observed in the group of children with MetS. Strong positive correlation between FBG and insulin as well as strong negative correlation between TRG and HDL-Chol detected in MO children were lost in MetS group. Deficiency state end-products of both B<sub>9 </sub>and B<sub>12</sub> may interfere with the expected profiles of MetS components. In this study, the alterations in MetS components affected vitamin B<sub>12</sub> metabolism and also its associations with anthropometric body measurements. Further increases in vitamin B<sub>12 </sub>and vitamin B<sub>9 </sub>deficiency in MetS associated with the increased vitamin B<sub>12 </sub>as well as vitamin B<sub>9</sub> deficiency metabolites may add to MetS parameters. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=children" title="children">children</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cobalamin" title=" cobalamin"> cobalamin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=folate" title=" folate"> folate</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=metabolic%20syndrome" title=" metabolic syndrome"> metabolic syndrome</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=obesity" title=" obesity"> obesity</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/90585/cobalamin-folate-and-metabolic-syndrome-parameters-in-pediatric-morbid-obesity-and-metabolic-syndrome" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/90585.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">193</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">198</span> Law of the River and Indigenous Water Rights: Reassessing the International Legal Frameworks for Indigenous Rights and Water Justice</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sultana%20Afrin%20Nipa">Sultana Afrin Nipa</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Life on Earth cannot thrive or survive without water. Water is intimately tied with community, culture, spirituality, identity, socio-economic progress, security, self-determination, and livelihood. Thus, access to water is a United Nations recognized human right due to its significance in these realms. However, there is often conflict between those who consider water as the spiritual and cultural value and those who consider it an economic value thus being threatened by economic development, corporate exploitation, government regulation, and increased privatization, highlighting the complex relationship between water and culture. The Colorado River basin is home to over 29 federally recognized tribal nations. To these tribes, it holds cultural, economic, and spiritual significance and often extends to deep human-to-non-human connections frequently precluded by the Westphalian regulations and settler laws. Despite the recognition of access to rivers as a fundamental human right by the United Nations, tribal communities and their water rights have been historically disregarded through inter alia, colonization, and dispossession of their resources. Law of the River such as ‘Winter’s Doctrine’, ‘Bureau of Reclamation (BOR)’ and ‘Colorado River Compact’ have shaped the water governance among the shareholders. However, tribal communities have been systematically excluded from these key agreements. While the Winter’s Doctrine acknowledged that tribes have the right to withdraw water from the rivers that pass through their reservations for self-sufficiency, the establishment of the BOR led to the construction of dams without tribal consultation, denying the ‘Winters’ regulation and violating these rights. The Colorado River Compact, which granted only 20% of the water to the tribes, diminishes the significance of international legal frameworks that prioritize indigenous self-determination and free pursuit of socio-economic and cultural development. Denial of this basic water right is the denial of the ‘recognition’ of their sovereignty and self-determination that questions the effectiveness of the international law. This review assesses the international legal frameworks concerning indigenous rights and water justice and aims to pinpoint gaps hindering the effective recognition and protection of Indigenous water rights in Colorado River Basin. This study draws on a combination of historical and qualitative data sets. The historical data encompasses the case settlements provided by the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) respectively the notable cases of Native American water rights settlements on lower Colorado basin related to Arizona from 1979-2008. This material serves to substantiate the context of promises made to the Indigenous people and establishes connections between existing entities. The qualitative data consists of the observation of recorded meetings of the Central Arizona Project (CAP) to evaluate how the previously made promises are reflected now. The study finds a significant inconsistency in participation in the decision-making process and the lack of representation of Native American tribes in water resource management discussions. It highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the indigenous people to achieve their self-determination goal despite the legal arrangements. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=colorado%20river" title="colorado river">colorado river</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=indigenous%20rights" title=" indigenous rights"> indigenous rights</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=law%20of%20the%20river" title=" law of the river"> law of the river</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=water%20governance" title=" water governance"> water governance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=water%20justice" title=" water justice"> water justice</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/185314/law-of-the-river-and-indigenous-water-rights-reassessing-the-international-legal-frameworks-for-indigenous-rights-and-water-justice" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/185314.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">32</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">197</span> Novel Aspects of Merger Control Pertaining to Nascent Acquisition: An Analytical Legal Research</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Bhargavi%20G.%20Iyer">Bhargavi G. Iyer</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ojaswi%20Bhagat"> Ojaswi Bhagat</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> It is often noted that the value of a novel idea lies in its successful implementation. However, successful implementation requires the nurturing and encouragement of innovation. Nascent competitors are a true representation of innovation in any given industry. A nascent competitor is an entity whose prospective innovation poses a future threat to an incumbent dominant competitor. While a nascent competitor benefits in several ways, it is also exposed significantly and is at greater risk of facing the brunt of exclusionary practises and abusive conduct by dominant incumbent competitors in the industry. This research paper aims to explore the risks and threats faced by nascent competitors and analyse the benefits they accrue as well as the advantages they proffer to the economy; through an analytical, critical study. In such competitive market environments, a rise of the acquisitions of nascent competitors by the incumbent dominants is observed. Therefore, this paper will examine the dynamics of nascent acquisition. Further, this paper hopes to specifically delve into the role of antitrust bodies in regulating nascent acquisition. This paper also aspires to deal with the question how to distinguish harmful from harmless acquisitions in order to facilitate ideal enforcement practice. This paper proposes mechanisms of scrutiny in order to ensure healthy market practises and efficient merger control in the context of nascent acquisitions. Taking into account the scope and nature of the topic, as well as the resources available and accessible, a combination of the methods of doctrinal research and analytical research were employed, utilising secondary sources in order to assess and analyse the subject of research. While legally evaluating the Killer Acquisition theory and the Nascent Potential Acquisition theory, this paper seeks to critically survey the precedents and instances of nascent acquisitions. In addition to affording a compendious account of the legislative framework and regulatory mechanisms in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union; it hopes to suggest an internationally practicable legal foundation for domestic legislation and enforcement to adopt. This paper hopes to appreciate the complexities and uncertainties with respect to nascent acquisitions and attempts to suggest viable and plausible policy measures in antitrust law. It additionally attempts to examine the effects of such nascent acquisitions upon the consumer and the market economy. This paper weighs the argument of shifting the evidentiary burden on to the merging parties in order to improve merger control and regulation and expounds on its discovery of the strengths and weaknesses of the approach. It is posited that an effective combination of factual, legal, and economic analysis of both the acquired and acquiring companies possesses the potential to improve ex post and ex ante merger review outcomes involving nascent companies; thus, preventing anti-competitive practises. This paper concludes with an analysis of the possibility and feasibility of industry-specific identification of anti-competitive nascent acquisitions and implementation of measures accordingly. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=acquisition" title="acquisition">acquisition</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=antitrust%20law" title=" antitrust law"> antitrust law</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=exclusionary%20practises%20merger%20control" title=" exclusionary practises merger control"> exclusionary practises merger control</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nascent%20competitor" title=" nascent competitor"> nascent competitor</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/145344/novel-aspects-of-merger-control-pertaining-to-nascent-acquisition-an-analytical-legal-research" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/145344.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">161</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">196</span> Counteract Heat Stress on Broiler Chicks by Adding Anti-Heat Stress Vitamins (Vitamin C and E) with Organic Zinc</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Omnia%20Y.%20Shawky">Omnia Y. Shawky</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Asmaa%20M.%20Megahed"> Asmaa M. Megahed</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alaa%20E.%20ElKomy"> Alaa E. ElKomy</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20E.%20Abd-El-Hamid"> A. E. Abd-El-Hamid</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Y.%20A.%20Attia"> Y. A. Attia</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This study was carried out to elevate the broilers physiological response against heat stress and reduce this impact by adding vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) alone/or with organic zinc (Zn) to chicks’ rations. A total of 192, 26-day-old Arbor Acers male chicks were randomly divided into equal 8 groups (4 replicates for each). All experimental groups were treated as follow: Group 2 was served as a heat stress control that reared at 37ºC with relative humidity 53 ± 8% for 6 hours/day for three successive days/week and fed the basal diet only. Groups 3-8 were heat stressed in a like manner to group 2 and fed basal diet inclusion 200mg VC (group 3), 200mg VE (group 4), 200mg VC+200mg VE (group 5), 200mg VC+30mg Zn (group 6), 200mg VE+30mg Zn (group 7) and 200mg VC+200mg VE+30mg Zn (group 8) /kg feed, while Group 1 was served as a positive control that reared on a neutral temperature (NT) (approximately 21ºC) and fed the basal diet only. Respiration rate and rectal temperature were boosted of HS chicks (80.8 breath/min and 41.97ºC) compared to NT group (60.12 breath/min and 40.9ºC), while, adding VC alone and with VE or Zn resulted in decrease these measurements. Heat stress had a significantly negative effect on chicks body weight gain, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio compared to the NT group, this harmful effect could be overcome by adding VC and VE individually or with Zn. Chicks exposed to heat stress showed slightly increase hemoglobin concentration compared to NT group, while, adding VC, VE individually or with Zn alleviated this effect. Plasma glucose concentration was significantly increased in HS group than the NT group, but adding VC, VE individually or with Zn resulted in a reduction plasma glucose level, which it was still higher than the NT group. Heat stress caused an increase in plasma total lipids and cholesterol concentration compared to the NT group and inclusion VC or VE alone or with Zn was not able to reduce this effect. The increased liver enzymes activities (AST and ALT) that observed in HS group compared to NT group were removed by adding VC and VE individually or with Zn. As well, exposure of broiler chicks to heat stress resulted in a slightly decrease in plasma total antioxidant capacity level (TAC) superoxide dismutase and catalase enzymes activities, while inclusion VC and VE individually or with Zn in chicks rations caused an increased in these measurements. Broiler chicks that exposed to HS revealed a significant increase in heat shock protein (Hsp 70) compared to the NT group, while, adding VC or VE individually or with Zn resulted in a significant decrease in Hsp70 than the HS group and VE alone or with VC had the greatest effect. In conclusion, it could be overcome the harmful and the negative effect of heat stress on broiler chicks’ productive performance and physiological status by inclusion VC (200mg) or VE (200mg) individual or in a combination with organic zinc (30 mg) in chicks’ rations. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=heat%20stress" title="heat stress">heat stress</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=broiler" title=" broiler"> broiler</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=vitamin%20C" title=" vitamin C"> vitamin C</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=vitamin%20E" title=" vitamin E"> vitamin E</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=organic%20zinc" title=" organic zinc"> organic zinc</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/72806/counteract-heat-stress-on-broiler-chicks-by-adding-anti-heat-stress-vitamins-vitamin-c-and-e-with-organic-zinc" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/72806.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">203</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">195</span> Media, Myth and Hero: Sacred Political Narrative in Semiotic and Anthropological Analysis</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Guilherme%20Oliveira">Guilherme Oliveira</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The assimilation of images and their potential symbolism into lived experiences is inherent. It is through this exercise of recognition via imagistic records that the questioning of the origins of a constant narrative stimulated by the media arises. The construction of the "Man" archetype and the reflections of active masculine imagery in the 21st century, when conveyed through media channels, could potentially have detrimental effects. Addressing this systematic behavioral chronology of virile cisgender, permeated imagistically through these means, involves exploring potential resolutions. Thus, an investigation process is initiated into the potential representation of the 'hero' in this media emulation through idols contextualized in the political sphere, with the purpose of elucidating the processes of simulation and emulation of narratives based on mythical, historical, and sacred accounts. In this process of sharing, the narratives contained in the imagistic structuring offered by information dissemination channels seek validation through a process of public acceptance. To achieve this consensus, a visual set adorned with mythological and sacred symbolisms adapted to the intended environment is promoted, thus utilizing sociocultural characteristics in favor of political marketing. Visual recognition, therefore, becomes a direct reflection of a cultural heritage acquired through lived human experience, stimulated by continuous representations throughout history. Echoes of imagery and narratives undergo a constant process of resignification of their concepts, sharpened by their premises, and adapted to the environment in which they seek to establish themselves. Political figures analyzed in this article employ the practice of taking possession of symbolisms, mythological stories, and heroisms and adapt their visual construction through a continuous praxis of emulation. Thus, they utilize iconic mythological narratives to gain credibility through belief. Utilizing iconic mythological narratives for credibility through belief, the idol becomes the very act of release of trauma, offering believers liberation from preconceived concepts and allowing for the attribution of new meanings. To dissolve this issue and highlight the subjectivities within the intention of the image, a linguistic, semiotic, and anthropological methodology is created. Linguistics uses expressions like 'Blaming the Image' to create a mechanism of expressive action in questioning why to blame a construction or visual composition and thus seek answers in the first act. Semiotics and anthropology develop an imagistic atlas of graphic analysis, seeking to make connections, comparisons, and relations between modern and sacred/mystical narratives, emphasizing the different subjective layers of embedded symbolism. Thus, it constitutes a performative act of disarming the image. It creates a disenchantment of the superficial gaze under the constant reproduction of visual content stimulated by virtual networks, enabling a discussion about the acceptance of caricatures characterized by past fables. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=image" title="image">image</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=heroic%20narrative" title=" heroic narrative"> heroic narrative</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=media%20heroism" title=" media heroism"> media heroism</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=virile%20politics" title=" virile politics"> virile politics</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=political" title=" political"> political</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=myth" title=" myth"> myth</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sacred%20performance" title=" sacred performance"> sacred performance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=visual%20mythmaking" title=" visual mythmaking"> visual mythmaking</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=characterization%20dynamics" title=" characterization dynamics"> characterization dynamics</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/179247/media-myth-and-hero-sacred-political-narrative-in-semiotic-and-anthropological-analysis" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/179247.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">50</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">194</span> Carlos Guillermo 'Cubena' Wilson's Literary Texts as Platforms for Social Commentary and Critique of Panamanian Society</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Laverne%20Seales">Laverne Seales</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> When most people think of Panama, they immediately think of the Canal; however, the construction and the people who made it possible are often omitted and seldom acknowledged. The reality is that the construction of this waterway was achieved through forced migration and discriminatory practices toward people of African descent, specifically black people from the Caribbean. From the colonial period to the opening and subsequent operation of the Panama Canal by the United States, this paper goes through the rich layers of Panamanian history to examine the life of Afro-Caribbeans and their descendants in Panama. It also considers the role of the United States in Panama; it explores how the United States in Panama forged a racially complex country that made the integration of Afro-Caribbeans and their descendants difficult. After laying a historical foundation, the exploration of Afro-Caribbean people and Panamanians of Afro-Caribbean descent are analyzed through Afro-Panamanian writer Carlos Guillermo ‘Cubena’ Wilson's novels, short stories, and poetry. This study focuses on how Cubena addresses racism, discrimination, inequality, and social justice issues towards Afro-Caribbeans and their descendants who traveled to Panama to construct the Canal. Content analysis methodology can yield several significant contributions, and analyzing Carlos Guillermo Wilson's literature under this framework allows us to consider social commentary and critique of Panamanian society. It identifies the social issues and concerns of Afro-Caribbeans and people of Afro-Caribbean descent, such as inequality, corruption, racism, political oppression, and cultural identity. Analysis methodology allows us to explore how Cubena's literature engages with questions of cultural identity and belonging in Panamanian society. By examining themes related to race, ethnicity, language, and heritage, this research uncovers the complexities of Panamanian cultural identity, allowing us to interrogate power dynamics and social hierarchies in Panamanian society. Analyzing the portrayal of different social groups, institutions, and power structures helps uncover how power is wielded, contested, and resisted; Cubena's fictional world allows us to see how it functions in Panama. Content analysis methodology also provides for critiquing political systems and governance in Panama. By examining the representation and presentation of political figures, institutions, and events in Cubena's literature, we uncover his commentary on corruption, authoritarianism, governance, and the role of the United States in Panama. Content analysis highlights how Wilson's literature amplifies the voices and experiences of marginalized individuals and communities in Panamanian society. By centering the narratives of Afro-Panamanians and other marginalized groups, this researcher uncovers Cubena's commitment to social justice and inclusion in his writing and helps the reader engage with historical narratives and collective memory in Panama. Overall, analyzing Carlos Guillermo ‘Cubena’ Wilson's literature as a platform for social commentary and critique of Panamanian society using content analysis methodology provides valuable insights into the cultural, social, and political dimensions of Afro-Panamanians during and after the construction of the Panama Canal. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Afro-Caribbean" title="Afro-Caribbean">Afro-Caribbean</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Panama%20Canal" title=" Panama Canal"> Panama Canal</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=race" title=" race"> race</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Afro-Panamanian" title=" Afro-Panamanian"> Afro-Panamanian</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=identity" title=" identity"> identity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=history" title=" history"> history</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/185180/carlos-guillermo-cubena-wilsons-literary-texts-as-platforms-for-social-commentary-and-critique-of-panamanian-society" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/185180.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">44</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">193</span> A Model to Assess Sustainability Using Multi-Criteria Analysis and Geographic Information Systems: A Case Study</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Antonio%20Boggia">Antonio Boggia</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Luisa%20Paolotti"> Luisa Paolotti</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Gianluca%20%20Massei"> Gianluca Massei</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lucia%20Rocchi"> Lucia Rocchi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Elaine%20Pace"> Elaine Pace</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Maria%20Attard"> Maria Attard</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The aim of this paper is to present a methodology and a computer model for sustainability assessment based on the integration of Multi-criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) with a Geographic Information System (GIS). It presents the result of a study for the implementation of a model for measuring sustainability to address the policy actions for the improvement of sustainability at territory level. The aim is to rank areas in order to understand the specific technical and/or financial support that is required to develop sustainable growth. Assessing sustainable development is a multidimensional problem: economic, social and environmental aspects have to be taken into account at the same time. The tool for a multidimensional representation is a proper set of indicators. The set of indicators must be integrated into a model, that is an assessment methodology, to be used for measuring sustainability. The model, developed by the Environmental Laboratory of the University of Perugia, is called GeoUmbriaSUIT. It is a calculation procedure developed as a plugin working in the open-source GIS software QuantumGIS. The multi-criteria method used within GeoUmbriaSUIT is the algorithm TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Design), which defines a ranking based on the distance from the worst point and the closeness to an ideal point, for each of the criteria used. For the sustainability assessment procedure, GeoUmbriaSUIT uses a geographic vector file where the graphic data represent the study area and the single evaluation units within it (the alternatives, e.g. the regions of a country, or the municipalities of a region), while the alphanumeric data (attribute table), describe the environmental, economic and social aspects related to the evaluation units by means of a set of indicators (criteria). The use of the algorithm available in the plugin allows to treat individually the indicators representing the three dimensions of sustainability, and to compute three different indices: environmental index, economic index and social index. The graphic output of the model allows for an integrated assessment of the three dimensions, avoiding aggregation. The presence of separate indices and graphic output make GeoUmbriaSUIT a readable and transparent tool, since it doesn’t produce an aggregate index of sustainability as final result of the calculations, which is often cryptic and difficult to interpret. In addition, it is possible to develop a “back analysis”, able to explain the positions obtained by the alternatives in the ranking, based on the criteria used. The case study presented is an assessment of the level of sustainability in the six regions of Malta, an island state in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea and the southernmost member of the European Union. The results show that the integration of MCDA-GIS is an adequate approach for sustainability assessment. In particular, the implemented model is able to provide easy to understand results. This is a very important condition for a sound decision support tool, since most of the time decision makers are not experts and need understandable output. In addition, the evaluation path is traceable and transparent. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=GIS" title="GIS">GIS</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=multi-criteria%20analysis" title=" multi-criteria analysis"> multi-criteria analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sustainability%20assessment" title=" sustainability assessment"> sustainability assessment</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=sustainable%20development" title=" sustainable development"> sustainable development</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/53383/a-model-to-assess-sustainability-using-multi-criteria-analysis-and-geographic-information-systems-a-case-study" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/53383.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">289</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">192</span> The Role of Virtual Reality in Mediating the Vulnerability of Distant Suffering: Distance, Agency, and the Hierarchies of Human Life</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Z.%20Xu">Z. Xu</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Immersive virtual reality (VR) has gained momentum in humanitarian communication due to its utopian promises of co-presence, immediacy, and transcendence. These potential benefits have led the United Nations (UN) to tirelessly produce and distribute VR series to evoke global empathy and encourage policymakers, philanthropic business tycoons and citizens around the world to actually do something (i.e. give a donation). However, it is unclear whether or not VR can cultivate cosmopolitans with a sense of social responsibility towards the geographically, socially/culturally and morally mediated misfortune of faraway others. Drawing upon existing works on the mediation of distant suffering, this article constructs an analytical framework to articulate the issue. Applying this framework on a case study of five of the UN’s VR pieces, the article identifies three paradoxes that exist between cyber-utopian and cyber-dystopian narratives. In the “paradox of distance”, VR relies on the notions of “presence” and “storyliving” to implicitly link audiences spatially and temporally to distant suffering, creating global connectivity and reducing perceived distances between audiences and others; yet it also enables audiences to fully occupy the point of view of distant sufferers (creating too close/absolute proximity), which may cause them to feel naive self-righteousness or narcissism with their pleasures and desire, thereby destroying the “proper distance”. In the “paradox of agency”, VR simulates a superficially “real” encounter for visual intimacy, thereby establishing an “audiences–beneficiary” relationship in humanitarian communication; yet in this case the mediated hyperreality is not an authentic reality, and its simulation does not fill the gap between reality and the virtual world. In the “paradox of the hierarchies of human life”, VR enables an audience to experience virtually fundamental “freedom”, epitomizing an attitude of cultural relativism that informs a great deal of contemporary multiculturalism, providing vast possibilities for a more egalitarian representation of distant sufferers; yet it also takes the spectator’s personally empathic feelings as the focus of intervention, rather than structural inequality and political exclusion (an economic and political power relations of viewing). Thus, the audience can potentially remain trapped within the minefield of hegemonic humanitarianism. This study is significant in two respects. First, it advances the turn of digitalization in studies of media and morality in the polymedia milieu; it is motivated by the necessary call for a move beyond traditional technological environments to arrive at a more novel understanding of the asymmetry of power between the safety of spectators and the vulnerability of mediated sufferers. Second, it not only reminds humanitarian journalists and NGOs that they should not rely entirely on the richer news experience or powerful response-ability enabled by VR to gain a “moral bond” with distant sufferers, but also argues that when fully-fledged VR technology is developed, it can serve as a kind of alchemy and should not be underestimated merely as a “bugaboo” of an alarmist philosophical and fictional dystopia. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=audience" title="audience">audience</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cosmopolitan" title=" cosmopolitan"> cosmopolitan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=distant%20suffering" title=" distant suffering"> distant suffering</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=virtual%20reality" title=" virtual reality"> virtual reality</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=humanitarian%20communication" title=" humanitarian communication"> humanitarian communication</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/132810/the-role-of-virtual-reality-in-mediating-the-vulnerability-of-distant-suffering-distance-agency-and-the-hierarchies-of-human-life" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/132810.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">142</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">191</span> Mangroves in the Douala Area, Cameroon: The Challenges of Open Access Resources for Forest Governance</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Bissonnette%20Jean-Fran%C3%A7ois">Bissonnette Jean-François</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Dossa%20Fabrice"> Dossa Fabrice</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The project focuses on analyzing the spatial and temporal evolution of mangrove forest ecosystems near the city of Douala, Cameroon, in response to increasing human and environmental pressures. The selected study area, located in the Wouri River estuary, has a unique combination of economic importance, and ecological prominence. The study included valuable insights by conducting semi-structured interviews with resource operators and local officials. The thorough analysis of socio-economic data, farmer surveys, and satellite-derived information was carried out utilizing quantitative approaches in Excel and SPSS. Simultaneously, qualitative data was subjected to rigorous classification and correlation with other sources. The use of ArcGIS and CorelDraw facilitated the visual representation of the gradual changes seen in various land cover classifications. The research reveals complex processes that characterize mangrove ecosystems on Manoka and Cape Cameroon Islands. The lack of regulations in urbanization and the continuous growth of infrastructure have led to a significant increase in land conversion, causing negative impacts on natural landscapes and forests. The repeated instances of flooding and coastal erosion have further shaped landscape alterations, fostering the proliferation of water and mudflat areas. The unregulated use of mangrove resources is a significant factor in the degradation of these ecosystems. Activities including the use of wood for smoking and fishing, together with the coastal pollution resulting from the absence of waste collection, have had a significant influence. In addition, forest operators contribute to the degradation of vegetation, hence exacerbating the harmful impact of invasive species on the ecosystem. Strategic interventions are necessary to guarantee the sustainable management of these ecosystems. The proposals include advocating for sustainable wood exploitation techniques, using appropriate techniques, along with regeneration, and enforcing rules to prevent wood overexploitation. By implementing these measures, the ecological balance can be preserved, safeguarding the long-term viability of these precious ecosystems. On a conceptual level, this paper uses the framework developed by Elinor Ostrom and her colleagues to investigate the consequences of open access resources, where local actors have not been able to enforce measures to prevent overexploitation of mangrove wood resources. Governmental authorities have demonstrated limited capacity to enforce sustainable management of wood resources and have not been able to establish effective relationships with local fishing communities and with communities involved in the purchase of wood. As a result, wood resources in the mangrove areas remain largely accessible, while authorities do not monitor wood volumes extracted nor methods of exploitation. There have only been limited and punctual attempts at forest restoration with no significant consequence on mangrove forests dynamics. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mangroves" title="Mangroves">Mangroves</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=forest%20management" title=" forest management"> forest management</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=governance" title=" governance"> governance</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=open%20access%20resources" title=" open access resources"> open access resources</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Cameroon" title=" Cameroon"> Cameroon</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/182066/mangroves-in-the-douala-area-cameroon-the-challenges-of-open-access-resources-for-forest-governance" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/182066.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">63</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">190</span> Developing a Roadmap by Integrating of Environmental Indicators with the Nitrogen Footprint in an Agriculture Region, Hualien, Taiwan</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ming-Chien%20Su">Ming-Chien Su</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yi-Zih%20Chen"> Yi-Zih Chen</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nien-Hsin%20Kao"> Nien-Hsin Kao</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Hideaki%20Shibata"> Hideaki Shibata</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The major component of the atmosphere is nitrogen, yet atmospheric nitrogen has limited availability for biological use. Human activities have produced different types of nitrogen related compounds such as nitrogen oxides from combustion, nitrogen fertilizers from farming, and the nitrogen compounds from waste and wastewater, all of which have impacted the environment. Many studies have indicated the N-footprint is dominated by food, followed by housing, transportation, and goods and services sectors. To solve the impact issues from agricultural land, nitrogen cycle research is one of the key solutions. The study site is located in Hualien County, Taiwan, a major rice and food production area of Taiwan. Importantly, environmentally friendly farming has been promoted for years, and an environmental indicator system has been established by previous authors based on the concept of resilience capacity index (RCI) and environmental performance index (EPI). Nitrogen management is required for food production, as excess N causes environmental pollution. Therefore it is very important to develop a roadmap of the nitrogen footprint, and to integrate it with environmental indicators. The key focus of the study thus addresses (1) understanding the environmental impact caused by the nitrogen cycle of food products and (2) uncovering the trend of the N-footprint of agricultural products in Hualien, Taiwan. The N-footprint model was applied, which included both crops and energy consumption in the area. All data were adapted from government statistics databases and crosschecked for consistency before modeling. The actions involved with agricultural production were evaluated and analyzed for nitrogen loss to the environment, as well as measuring the impacts to humans and the environment. The results showed that rice makes up the largest share of agricultural production by weight, at 80%. The dominant meat production is pork (52%) and poultry (40%); fish and seafood were at similar levels to pork production. The average per capita food consumption in Taiwan is 2643.38 kcal capita−1 d−1, primarily from rice (430.58 kcal), meats (184.93 kcal) and wheat (ca. 356.44 kcal). The average protein uptake is 87.34 g capita−1 d−1, and 51% is mainly from meat, milk, and eggs. The preliminary results showed that the nitrogen footprint of food production is 34 kg N per capita per year, congruent with the results of Shibata et al. (2014) for Japan. These results provide a better understanding of the nitrogen demand and loss in the environment, and the roadmap can furthermore support the establishment of nitrogen policy and strategy. Additionally, the results serve to develop a roadmap of the nitrogen cycle of an environmentally friendly farming area, thus illuminating the nitrogen demand and loss of such areas. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=agriculture%20productions" title="agriculture productions">agriculture productions</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=energy%20consumption" title=" energy consumption"> energy consumption</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=environmental%20indicator" title=" environmental indicator"> environmental indicator</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nitrogen%20footprint" title=" nitrogen footprint"> nitrogen footprint</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/29044/developing-a-roadmap-by-integrating-of-environmental-indicators-with-the-nitrogen-footprint-in-an-agriculture-region-hualien-taiwan" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/29044.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">302</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">189</span> Investigation of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria on Seed Germination and Seed to Seedling Transmission in Tomato</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=H.%20Mayton">H. Mayton</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=X.%20Yan"> X. Yan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20G.%20Taylor"> A. G. Taylor</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Infested tomato seeds were used to investigate the influence of Xanthomonas euvesicatoria on germination and seed to seedling transmission in a controlled environment and greenhouse assays in an effort to develop effective seed treatments and characterize seed borne transmission of bacterial leaf spot of tomato. Bacterial leaf spot of tomato, caused by four distinct Xanthomonas species, X. euvesicatoria, X. gardneri, X. perforans, and X. vesicatoria, is a serious disease worldwide. In the United States, disease prevention is expensive for commercial growers in warm, humid regions of the country, and crop losses can be devastating. In this study, four different infested tomato seed lots were extracted from tomato fruits infected with bacterial leaf spot from a field in New York State in 2017 that had been inoculated with X. euvesicatoria. In addition, vacuum infiltration at 61 kilopascals for 1, 5, 10, and 15 minutes and seed soaking for 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes with different bacterial concentrations were used to artificially infest seed in the laboratory. For controlled environment assays, infested tomato seeds from the field and laboratory were placed othe n moistened blue blotter in square plastic boxes (10 cm x 10 cm) and incubated at 20/30 ˚C with an 8/16 hour light cycle, respectively. Infested tomato seeds from the field and laboratory were also planted in small plastic trays in soil (peat-lite medium) and placed in the greenhouse with 24/18 ˚C day and night temperatures, respectively, with a 14-hour photoperiod. Seed germination was assessed after eight days in the laboratory and 14 days in the greenhouse. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the hrpB7 primers (RST65 [5’- GTCGTCGTTACGGCAAGGTGGTG-3’] and RST69 [5’-TCGCCCAGCGTCATCAGGCCATC-3’]) was performed to confirm presence or absence of the bacterial pathogen in seed lots collected from the field and in germinating seedlings in all experiments. For infested seed lots from the field, germination was lowest (84%) in the seed lot with the highest level of bacterial infestation (55%) and ranged from 84-98%. No adverse effect on germination was observed from artificially infested seeds for any bacterial concentration and method of infiltration when compared to a non-infested control. Germination in laboratory assays for artificially infested seeds ranged from 82-100%. In controlled environment assays, 2.5 % were PCR positive for the pathogen, and in the greenhouse assays, no infected seedlings were detected. From these experiments, X. euvesicatoria does not appear to adversely influence germination. The lowest rate of germination from field collected seed may be due to contamination with multiple pathogens and saprophytic organisms as no effect of artificial bacterial seed infestation in the laboratory on germination was observed. No evidence of systemic movement from seed to seedling was observed in the greenhouse assays; however, in the controlled environment assays, some seedlings were PCR positive. Additional experiments are underway with green fluorescent protein-expressing isolates to further characterize seed to seedling transmission of the bacterial leaf spot pathogen in tomato. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=bacterial%20leaf%20spot" title="bacterial leaf spot">bacterial leaf spot</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=seed%20germination" title=" seed germination"> seed germination</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=tomato" title=" tomato"> tomato</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Xanthomonas%20euvesicatoria" title=" Xanthomonas euvesicatoria"> Xanthomonas euvesicatoria</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/99406/investigation-of-xanthomonas-euvesicatoria-on-seed-germination-and-seed-to-seedling-transmission-in-tomato" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/99406.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">134</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">188</span> Sequential Pulsed Electric Field and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction of Bioactive Enriched Fractions from Button Mushroom Stalks</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Bibha%20Kumari">Bibha Kumari</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nigel%20P.%20Brunton"> Nigel P. Brunton</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Dilip%20K.%20Rai"> Dilip K. Rai</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Brijesh%20K.%20Tiwari"> Brijesh K. Tiwari</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Edible mushrooms possess numerous functional components like homo- and hetero- β-glucans [β(1→3), β(1→4) and β(1→6) glucosidic linkages], chitins, ergosterols, bioactive polysaccharides and peptides imparting health beneficial properties to mushrooms. Some of the proven biological activities of mushroom extracts are antioxidant, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, cholesterol lowering activity by inhibiting a key cholesterol metabolism enzyme i.e. 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl CoA reductase (HMGCR), angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Application of novel extraction technologies like pulsed electric field (PEF) and high power ultrasound offers clean, green, faster and efficient extraction alternatives with enhanced and good quality extracts. Sequential PEF followed by ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) were applied to recover bioactive enriched fractions from industrial white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) stalk waste using environmentally friendly and GRAS solvents i.e. water and water/ethanol combinations. The PEF treatment was carried out at 60% output voltage, 2 Hz frequency for 500 pulses of 20 microseconds pulse width, using KCl salt solution of 0.6 mS/cm conductivity by the placing 35g of chopped fresh mushroom stalks and 25g of salt solution in the 4x4x4cm3 treatment chamber. Sequential UAE was carried out on the PEF pre-treated samples using ultrasonic-water-bath (USB) of three frequencies (25 KHz, 35 KHz and 45 KHz) for various treatment times (15-120 min) at 80°C. Individual treatment using either PEF or UAE were also investigation to compare the effect of each treatment along with the combined effect on the recovery and bioactivity of the crude extracts. The freeze dried mushroom stalk powder was characterised for proximate compositional parameters (dry weight basis) showing 64.11% total carbohydrate, 19.12% total protein, 7.21% total fat, 31.2% total dietary fiber, 7.9% chitin (as glucosamine equivalent) and 1.02% β-glucan content. The total phenolic contents (TPC) were determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and expressed as gallic-acid-equivalents (GAE). The antioxidant properties were ascertained using DPPH and FRAP assays and expressed as trolox-equivalents (TE). HMGCR activity and molecular mass of β-glucans will be measured using the commercial HMG-CoA Reductase Assay kit (Sigma-Aldrich) and size exclusion chromatography (HPLC-SEC), respectively. Effects of PEF, UAE and their combination on the antioxidant capacity, HMGCR inhibition and β-glucans content will be presented. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=%CE%B2-glucan" title="β-glucan">β-glucan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=mushroom%20stalks" title=" mushroom stalks"> mushroom stalks</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pulsed%20electric%20field%20%28PEF%29" title=" pulsed electric field (PEF)"> pulsed electric field (PEF)</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ultrasound%20assisted%20extraction%20%28UAE%29" title=" ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE)"> ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE)</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/65769/sequential-pulsed-electric-field-and-ultrasound-assisted-extraction-of-bioactive-enriched-fractions-from-button-mushroom-stalks" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/65769.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">292</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">187</span> Synthesis of Functionalized-2-Aryl-2, 3-Dihydroquinoline-4(1H)-Ones via Fries Rearrangement of Azetidin-2-Ones</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Parvesh%20Singh">Parvesh Singh</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Vipan%20Kumar"> Vipan Kumar</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Vishu%20Mehra"> Vishu Mehra</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Quinoline-4-ones represent an important class of heterocyclic scaffolds that have attracted significant interest due to their various biological and pharmacological activities. This heterocyclic unit also constitutes an integral component in drugs used for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, sleep disorders and in antibiotics viz. norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin. The synthetic accessibility and possibility of fictionalization at varied positions in quinoline-4-ones exemplifies an elegant platform for the designing of combinatorial libraries of functionally enriched scaffolds with a range of pharmacological profles. They are also considered to be attractive precursors for the synthesis of medicinally imperative molecules such as non-steroidal androgen receptor antagonists, antimalarial drug Chloroquine and martinellines with antibacterial activity. 2-Aryl-2,3-dihydroquinolin-4(1H)-ones are present in many natural and non-natural compounds and are considered to be the aza-analogs of favanones. The β-lactam class of antibiotics is generally recognized to be a cornerstone of human health care due to the unparalleled clinical efficacy and safety of this type of antibacterial compound. In addition to their biological relevance as potential antibiotics, β-lactams have also acquired a prominent place in organic chemistry as synthons and provide highly efficient routes to a variety of non-protein amino acids, such as oligopeptides, peptidomimetics, nitrogen-heterocycles, as well as biologically active natural and unnatural products of medicinal interest such as indolizidine alkaloids, paclitaxel, docetaxel, taxoids, cyptophycins, lankacidins, etc. A straight forward route toward the synthesis of quinoline-4-ones via the triflic acid assisted Fries rearrangement of N-aryl-βlactams has been reported by Tepe and co-workers. The ring expansion observed in this case was solely attributed to the inherent ring strain in β-lactam ring because -lactam failed to undergo rearrangement under reaction conditions. Theabovementioned protocol has been recently extended by our group for the synthesis of benzo[b]-azocinon-6-ones via a tandem Michael addition–Fries rearrangement of sorbyl anilides as well as for the single-pot synthesis of 2-aryl-quinolin-4(3H)-ones through the Fries rearrangement of 3-dienyl-βlactams. In continuation with our synthetic endeavours with the β-lactam ring and in view of the lack of convenient approaches for the synthesis of C-3 functionalized quinolin-4(1H)-ones, the present work describes the single-pot synthesis of C-3 functionalized quinolin-4(1H)-ones via the trific acid promoted Fries rearrangement of C-3 vinyl/isopropenyl substituted β-lactams. In addition, DFT calculations and MD simulations were performed to investigate the stability profles of synthetic compounds. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=dihydroquinoline" title="dihydroquinoline">dihydroquinoline</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=fries%20rearrangement" title=" fries rearrangement"> fries rearrangement</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=azetidin-2-ones" title=" azetidin-2-ones"> azetidin-2-ones</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quinoline-4-ones" title=" quinoline-4-ones "> quinoline-4-ones </a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/76501/synthesis-of-functionalized-2-aryl-2-3-dihydroquinoline-41h-ones-via-fries-rearrangement-of-azetidin-2-ones" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/76501.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">250</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">186</span> A Kunitz-Type Serine Protease Inhibitor from Rock Bream, Oplegnathus fasciatus Involved in Immune Responses</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=S.%20D.%20N.%20K.%20Bathige">S. D. N. K. Bathige</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=G.%20I.%20Godahewa"> G. I. Godahewa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Navaneethaiyer%20Umasuthan"> Navaneethaiyer Umasuthan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jehee%20Lee"> Jehee Lee</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors (KTIs) are identified in various organisms including animals, plants and microbes. These proteins shared single or multiple Kunitz inhibitory domains link together or associated with other types of domains. Characteristic Kunitz type domain composed of around 60 amino acid residues with six conserved cysteine residues to stabilize by three disulfide bridges. KTIs are involved in various physiological processes, such as ion channel blocking, blood coagulation, fibrinolysis and inflammation. In this study, two Kunitz-type domain containing protein was identified from rock bream database and designated as RbKunitz. The coding sequence of RbKunitz encoded for 507 amino acids with 56.2 kDa theoretical molecular mass and 5.7 isoelectric point (pI). There are several functional domains including MANEC superfamily domain, PKD superfamily domain, and LDLa domain were predicted in addition to the two characteristic Kunitz domain. Moreover, trypsin interaction sites were also identified in Kunitz domain. Homology analysis revealed that RbKunitz shared highest identity (77.6%) with Takifugu rubripes. Completely conserved 28 cysteine residues were recognized, when comparison of RbKunitz with other orthologs from different taxonomical groups. These structural evidences indicate the rigidity of RbKunitz folding structure to achieve the proper function. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using neighbor-joining method and exhibited that the KTIs from fish and non-fish has been evolved in separately. Rock bream was clustered with Takifugu rubripes. The SYBR Green qPCR was performed to quantify the RbKunitz transcripts in different tissues and challenged tissues. The mRNA transcripts of RbKunitz were detected in all tissues (muscle, spleen, head kidney, blood, heart, skin, liver, intestine, kidney and gills) analyzed and highest transcripts level was detected in gill tissues. Temporal transcription profile of RbKunitz in rock bream blood tissues was analyzed upon LPS (lipopolysaccharide), Poly I:C (Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid) and Edwardsiella tarda challenge to understand the immune responses of this gene. Compare to the unchallenged control RbKunitz exhibited strong up-regulation at 24 h post injection (p.i.) after LPS and E. tarda injection. Comparatively robust expression of RbKunits was observed at 3 h p.i. upon Poly I:C challenge. Taken together all these data indicate that RbKunitz may involve into to immune responses upon pathogenic stress, in order to protect the rock bream. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kunitz-type" title="Kunitz-type">Kunitz-type</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=rock%20bream" title=" rock bream"> rock bream</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=immune%20response" title=" immune response"> immune response</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=serine%20protease%20inhibitor" title=" serine protease inhibitor"> serine protease inhibitor</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/8605/a-kunitz-type-serine-protease-inhibitor-from-rock-bream-oplegnathus-fasciatus-involved-in-immune-responses" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/8605.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">379</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">185</span> Recognizing Human Actions by Multi-Layer Growing Grid Architecture</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Z.%20Gharaee">Z. Gharaee</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Recognizing actions performed by others is important in our daily lives since it is necessary for communicating with others in a proper way. We perceive an action by observing the kinematics of motions involved in the performance. We use our experience and concepts to make a correct recognition of the actions. Although building the action concepts is a life-long process, which is repeated throughout life, we are very efficient in applying our learned concepts in analyzing motions and recognizing actions. Experiments on the subjects observing the actions performed by an actor show that an action is recognized after only about two hundred milliseconds of observation. In this study, hierarchical action recognition architecture is proposed by using growing grid layers. The first-layer growing grid receives the pre-processed data of consecutive 3D postures of joint positions and applies some heuristics during the growth phase to allocate areas of the map by inserting new neurons. As a result of training the first-layer growing grid, action pattern vectors are generated by connecting the elicited activations of the learned map. The ordered vector representation layer receives action pattern vectors to create time-invariant vectors of key elicited activations. Time-invariant vectors are sent to second-layer growing grid for categorization. This grid creates the clusters representing the actions. Finally, one-layer neural network developed by a delta rule labels the action categories in the last layer. System performance has been evaluated in an experiment with the publicly available MSR-Action3D dataset. There are actions performed by using different parts of human body: Hand Clap, Two Hands Wave, Side Boxing, Bend, Forward Kick, Side Kick, Jogging, Tennis Serve, Golf Swing, Pick Up and Throw. The growing grid architecture was trained by applying several random selections of generalization test data fed to the system during on average 100 epochs for each training of the first-layer growing grid and around 75 epochs for each training of the second-layer growing grid. The average generalization test accuracy is 92.6%. A comparison analysis between the performance of growing grid architecture and self-organizing map (SOM) architecture in terms of accuracy and learning speed show that the growing grid architecture is superior to the SOM architecture in action recognition task. The SOM architecture completes learning the same dataset of actions in around 150 epochs for each training of the first-layer SOM while it takes 1200 epochs for each training of the second-layer SOM and it achieves the average recognition accuracy of 90% for generalization test data. In summary, using the growing grid network preserves the fundamental features of SOMs, such as topographic organization of neurons, lateral interactions, the abilities of unsupervised learning and representing high dimensional input space in the lower dimensional maps. The architecture also benefits from an automatic size setting mechanism resulting in higher flexibility and robustness. Moreover, by utilizing growing grids the system automatically obtains a prior knowledge of input space during the growth phase and applies this information to expand the map by inserting new neurons wherever there is high representational demand. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=action%20recognition" title="action recognition">action recognition</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=growing%20grid" title=" growing grid"> growing grid</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=hierarchical%20architecture" title=" hierarchical architecture"> hierarchical architecture</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=neural%20networks" title=" neural networks"> neural networks</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=system%20performance" title=" system performance"> system performance</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/84708/recognizing-human-actions-by-multi-layer-growing-grid-architecture" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/84708.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">157</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">184</span> Anti-DNA Antibodies from Patients with Schizophrenia Hydrolyze DNA</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Evgeny%20A.%20Ermakov">Evgeny A. Ermakov</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lyudmila%20P.%20Smirnova"> Lyudmila P. Smirnova</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Valentina%20N.%20Buneva"> Valentina N. Buneva</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Schizophrenia associated with dysregulation of neurotransmitter processes in the central nervous system and disturbances in the humoral immune system resulting in the formation of antibodies (Abs) to the various components of the nervous tissue. Abs to different neuronal receptors and DNA were detected in the blood of patients with schizophrenia. Abs hydrolyzing DNA were detected in pool of polyclonal autoantibodies in autoimmune and infectious diseases, such catalytic Abs were named abzymes. It is believed that DNA-hydrolyzing abzymes are cytotoxic, cause nuclear DNA fragmentation and induce cell death by apoptosis. Abzymes with DNAase activity are interesting because of the mechanism of formation and the possibility of use as diagnostic markers. Therefore, in our work we have set following goals: to determine the level anti-DNA Abs in the serum of patients with schizophrenia and to study DNA-hydrolyzing activity of IgG of patients with schizophrenia. Materials and methods: In our study there were included 41 patients with a verified diagnosis of paranoid or simple schizophrenia and 24 healthy donors. Electrophoretically and immunologically homogeneous IgGs were obtained by sequential affinity chromatography of the serum proteins on protein G-Sepharose and gel filtration. The levels of anti-DNA Abs were determined using ELISA. DNA-hydrolyzing activity was detected as the level of supercoiled pBluescript DNA transition in circular and linear forms, the hydrolysis products were analyzed by agarose electrophoresis followed by ethidium bromide stain. To correspond the registered catalytic activity directly to the antibodies we carried out a number of strict criteria: electrophoretic homogeneity of the antibodies, gel filtration (acid shock analysis) and in situ activity. Statistical analysis was performed in ‘Statistica 9.0’ using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test. Results: The sera of approximately 30% of schizophrenia patients displayed a higher level of Abs interacting with single-stranded (ssDNA) and double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) compared with healthy donors. The average level of Abs interacting with ssDNA was only 1.1-fold lower than that for interacting with dsDNA. IgG of patient with schizophrenia were shown to possess DNA hydrolyzing activity. Using affinity chromatography, electrophoretic analysis of isolated IgG homogeneity, gel filtration in acid shock conditions and in situ DNAse activity analysis we proved that the observed activity is intrinsic property of studied antibodies. We have shown that the relative DNAase activity of IgG in patients with schizophrenia averaged 55.4±32.5%, IgG of healthy donors showed much lower activity (average of 9.1±6.5%). It should be noted that DNAase activity of IgG in patients with schizophrenia with a negative symptoms was significantly higher (73.3±23.8%), than in patients with positive symptoms (43.3±33.1%). Conclusion: Anti-DNA Abs of patients with schizophrenia not only bind DNA, but quite efficiently hydrolyze the substrate. The data show a correlation with the level of DNase activity and leading symptoms of patients with schizophrenia. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=anti-DNA%20antibodies" title="anti-DNA antibodies">anti-DNA antibodies</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=abzymes" title=" abzymes"> abzymes</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=DNA%20hydrolysis" title=" DNA hydrolysis"> DNA hydrolysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=schizophrenia" title=" schizophrenia"> schizophrenia</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/38482/anti-dna-antibodies-from-patients-with-schizophrenia-hydrolyze-dna" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/38482.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">328</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">183</span> Branched Chain Amino Acid Kinesio PVP Gel Tape from Extract of Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Based on Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Technology</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Doni%20Dermawan">Doni Dermawan</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Modern sports competition as a consequence of the increase in the value of the business and entertainment in the field of sport has been demanding athletes to always have excellent physical endurance performance. Physical exercise is done in a long time, and intensive may pose a risk of muscle tissue damage caused by the increase of the enzyme creatine kinase. Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) is an essential amino acid that is composed of leucine, isoleucine, and valine which serves to maintain muscle tissue, keeping the immune system, and prevent further loss of coordination and muscle pain. Pea (Pisum sativum L.) is a kind of leguminous plants that are rich in Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) where every one gram of protein pea contains 82.7 mg of leucine; 56.3 mg isoleucine; and 56.0 mg of valine. This research aims to develop Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) from pea extract is applied in dosage forms Gel PVP Kinesio Tape technology using Ultrasound-assisted Extraction. The method used in the writing of this paper is the Cochrane Collaboration Review that includes literature studies, testing the quality of the study, the characteristics of the data collection, analysis, interpretation of results, and clinical trials as well as recommendations for further research. Extraction of BCAA in pea done using ultrasound-assisted extraction technology with optimization variables includes the type of solvent extraction (NaOH 0.1%), temperature (20-250C), time (15-30 minutes) power (80 watt) and ultrasonic frequency (35 KHz). The advantages of this extraction method are the level of penetration of the solvent into the membrane of the cell is high and can increase the transfer period so that the BCAA substance separation process more efficient. BCAA extraction results are then applied to the polymer PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) Gel powder composed of PVP K30 and K100 HPMC dissolved in 10 mL of water-methanol (1: 1) v / v. Preparations Kinesio Tape Gel PVP is the BCAA in the gel are absorbed into the muscle tissue, and joints through tensile force then provides stimulation to the muscle circulation with variable pressure so that the muscle can increase the biomechanical movement and prevent damage to the muscle enzyme creatine kinase. Analysis and evaluation of test preparation include interaction, thickness, weight uniformity, humidity, water vapor permeability, the levels of the active substance, content uniformity, percentage elongation, stability testing, release profile, permeation in vitro and in vivo skin irritation testing. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=branched%20chain%20amino%20acid" title="branched chain amino acid">branched chain amino acid</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=BCAA" title=" BCAA"> BCAA</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kinesio%20tape" title=" Kinesio tape"> Kinesio tape</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pea" title=" pea"> pea</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=PVP%20gel" title=" PVP gel"> PVP gel</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=ultrasound-assisted%20extraction" title=" ultrasound-assisted extraction"> ultrasound-assisted extraction</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/68499/branched-chain-amino-acid-kinesio-pvp-gel-tape-from-extract-of-pea-pisum-sativum-l-based-on-ultrasound-assisted-extraction-technology" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/68499.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">289</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">182</span> Assessment of Water Pollution in the River Nile (Egypt) by Applying Blood Biomarkers in Two Excellent Model Species Oreochromis niloticus niloticus and Clarias gariepinus</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alaa%20G.%20M.%20Osman">Alaa G. M. Osman</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Abd-El%20%E2%80%93Baset%20M.%20Abd%20El%20Reheem"> Abd-El –Baset M. Abd El Reheem</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Khaled%20Y.%20Abouelfadl"> Khaled Y. Abouelfadl</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Usama%20M.%20Mahmoud"> Usama M. Mahmoud</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mohsen%20A.%20Moustafa"> Mohsen A. Moustafa</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> This study aimed to explore new sites of biomarker research and to establish the use of blood parameters in wild fish populations. Four hundred and twenty fish samples were collected from six sites along the whole course of the river Nile, Egypt. The mean values of erythrocytes, thrombocytes, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, and mean corpuscular volume were significantly lower in the blood of Nile tilapia and African catfish collected from downstream (contaminated) compared to upstream sites. In contrast, mean corpuscular hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration in the peripheral blood of both fish species significantly increased from upstream to downstream river Nile. The leukocytes count was significantly decreased in contaminated sites compared to upstream area. Hematological variables in the peripheral blood of Oreochromis niloticus niloticus and Clarias gariepinus exhibited significant (p<0.05) correlation with nearly all the detected chemical and physical parameters along the Nile course. In the present study, lower cellular and nuclear areas and cellular and nuclear shape factor were recorded in the erythrocytes of fish collected from downstream compared to those caught from upstream sites. This was confirmed by higher immature ratios of red cells in the blood of fish sampled from downstream river Nile. Karyorrhetic and enucleated erythrocytes were significantly correlated with physiochemical parameters in water samples collected from the same sites is being higher in the blood of fish collected from downstream sites. To see if there was any correlation between fish altered physiological fitness and environmental stress, we measured serum biochemical variables namely; total protein, cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium, chlorides, alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), uric acid activity, creatinine, and serum glucose. The level of all the selected biochemical variables in the blood of O. niloticus niloticus and C. gariepinus were recorded to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in downstream sites. According to the present results, nearly all the detected haematological and blood biochemical variables are suitable indicators of contaminant exposure in O. niloticus niloticus and C. gariepinus. Also the detected erythrocytes malformations in blood collected from Nile tilapia and African catfish were proven to be suitable for bio-monitoring aquatic pollution. The results revealed species-specific differences in sensitivities, suggesting that Nile tilapia may serve as a more sensitive test species compared to African catfish. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=biomarkers" title="biomarkers">biomarkers</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=water%20pollution" title=" water pollution"> water pollution</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=blood%20parameters" title=" blood parameters"> blood parameters</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=river%20nile" title=" river nile"> river nile</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=african%20catfish" title=" african catfish"> african catfish</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=nile%20tilapia" title=" nile tilapia"> nile tilapia</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/9551/assessment-of-water-pollution-in-the-river-nile-egypt-by-applying-blood-biomarkers-in-two-excellent-model-species-oreochromis-niloticus-niloticus-and-clarias-gariepinus" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/9551.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">291</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">181</span> Influence of Laser Treatment on the Growth of Sprouts of Different Wheat Varieties</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=N.%20Bakradze">N. Bakradze</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=T.%20Dumbadze"> T. Dumbadze</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=N.%20Gagelidze"> N. Gagelidze</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=L.%20Amiranashvili"> L. Amiranashvili</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=A.%20D.%20L.%20Batako"> A. D. L. Batako</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Cereals are considered as a strategic product in human life and it demand is increasing with the growth of world population. There is always shortage of cereals in various areas of the globe. For example, Georgia own production meets only 15-20% of the demand for grain, despite the fact that the country is considered one of the main centers of wheat origin. In Georgia, there are 14 types of wheat and more than 150 subspecies, and 40 subspecies of common wheat. Increasing wheat production is important for the country. One of the ways to solve the problem is to develop and implement new, environmentally and economically acceptable technologies. Such technologies include pre-sowing treatment of seed with a laser and associative nitrogen-fixing of the Azospirillum brasilensse bacteria. In the region there are Dika and Lomtagora which are among the most common in Georgia. Dika is a frost-resistant wheat, with a high ability to adapt to the environment, resistant to falling and it is sown in highlands. Dicka excellent properties are due to its strong immunity to fungal diseases; Dicka grains are rich in protein and lysine. Lomtagora 126 differs with its winter and drought resistance, and, it has a great ability to germinate. Lomtagora is characterized by a strong root system and a high budding capacity. It is an early variety, fall-resistant, easy to thresh and suitable for mechanized harvesting with large and red grains. The plant is moderately resistant to fungal diseases. This paper presents some preliminary experimental results where, a continuous CO2 laser at a power of 25-40 W/cm2 was used to radiate grains at a flow rate of 10-15 cm/sec. The treatment was carried out on grains of the Triticum aestivum L. var. of Lutescens (local variety name - Lomtagora 126), and Triticum carthlicum Nevski (local variety name - Dika). Here the grains were treated with Azospirillum brasilensse isolate (108-109 CFU / ml), which was isolated from the rhizosphere of wheat. It was observed that the germination of the wheat was not significantly influenced by either laser or bacteria treatment. In the case of the variety Lomtagora 126, when irradiated at an angle of 90°, it slightly improved the growth within 38 days of sawing, and in the case of irradiation at an angle of 90°+1, by 23%. The treatment of seeds with Azospirillum brazilense in both irradiated and non-irradiated variants led to an improvement in the growth of ssprouts. However, in the case of treatment with azospiril alone - by 22%, and with joint treatment of seeds with azospiril and irradiation - by 29%. In the case of the Dika wheat, the irradiation only led to an increase in growth by 8-9%, and the combine treatment of seeds with azospiril and irradiation - by 10-15%, in comparison with the control. Thus, the combine treatment of wheat of different varieties provided the best effect on the growth. Acknowledgment: This work was supported by Shota Rustaveli National Science Foundation of Georgia (SRNSFG) (Grant number CARYS 19-573) <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=laser%20treatment" title="laser treatment">laser treatment</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Azospirillum%20brasilensse" title=" Azospirillum brasilensse"> Azospirillum brasilensse</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=seeds" title=" seeds"> seeds</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=wheat%20varieties" title=" wheat varieties"> wheat varieties</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Lomtagora" title=" Lomtagora"> Lomtagora</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Dika" title=" Dika"> Dika</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/135124/influence-of-laser-treatment-on-the-growth-of-sprouts-of-different-wheat-varieties" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/135124.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">144</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">180</span> Fluorescence-Based Biosensor for Dopamine Detection Using Quantum Dots</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sylwia%20Krawiec">Sylwia Krawiec</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Joanna%20Cabaj"> Joanna Cabaj</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Karol%20Malecha"> Karol Malecha</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Nowadays, progress in the field of the analytical methods is of great interest for reliable biological research and medical diagnostics. Classical techniques of chemical analysis, despite many advantages, do not permit to obtain immediate results or automatization of measurements. Chemical sensors have displaced the conventional analytical methods - sensors combine precision, sensitivity, fast response and the possibility of continuous-monitoring. Biosensor is a chemical sensor, which except of conventer also possess a biologically active material, which is the basis for the detection of specific chemicals in the sample. Each biosensor device mainly consists of two elements: a sensitive element, where is recognition of receptor-analyte, and a transducer element which receives the signal and converts it into a measurable signal. Through these two elements biosensors can be divided in two categories: due to the recognition element (e.g immunosensor) and due to the transducer (e.g optical sensor). Working of optical sensor is based on measurements of quantitative changes of parameters characterizing light radiation. The most often analyzed parameters include: amplitude (intensity), frequency or polarization. Changes in the optical properties one of the compound which reacts with biological material coated on the sensor is analyzed by a direct method, in an indirect method indicators are used, which changes the optical properties due to the transformation of the testing species. The most commonly used dyes in this method are: small molecules with an aromatic ring, like rhodamine, fluorescent proteins, for example green fluorescent protein (GFP), or nanoparticles such as quantum dots (QDs). Quantum dots have, in comparison with organic dyes, much better photoluminescent properties, better bioavailability and chemical inertness. These are semiconductor nanocrystals size of 2-10 nm. This very limited number of atoms and the ‘nano’-size gives QDs these highly fluorescent properties. Rapid and sensitive detection of dopamine is extremely important in modern medicine. Dopamine is very important neurotransmitter, which mainly occurs in the brain and central nervous system of mammals. Dopamine is responsible for the transmission information of moving through the nervous system and plays an important role in processes of learning or memory. Detection of dopamine is significant for diseases associated with the central nervous system such as Parkinson or schizophrenia. In developed optical biosensor for detection of dopamine, are used graphene quantum dots (GQDs). In such sensor dopamine molecules coats the GQD surface - in result occurs quenching of fluorescence due to Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). Changes in fluorescence correspond to specific concentrations of the neurotransmitter in tested sample, so it is possible to accurately determine the concentration of dopamine in the sample. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=biosensor" title="biosensor">biosensor</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=dopamine" title=" dopamine"> dopamine</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=fluorescence" title=" fluorescence"> fluorescence</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quantum%20dots" title=" quantum dots"> quantum dots</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/50940/fluorescence-based-biosensor-for-dopamine-detection-using-quantum-dots" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/50940.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">364</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">179</span> Political Communication in Twitter Interactions between Government, News Media and Citizens in Mexico</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Jorge%20Cort%C3%A9s">Jorge Cortés</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alejandra%20Mart%C3%ADnez"> Alejandra Martínez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Carlos%20P%C3%A9rez"> Carlos Pérez</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Anaid%20Sim%C3%B3n"> Anaid Simón</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The presence of government, news media, and general citizenry in social media allows considering interactions between them as a form of political communication (i.e. the public exchange of contradictory discourses about politics). Twitter’s asymmetrical following model (users can follow, mention or reply to other users that do not follow them) could foster alternative democratic practices and have an impact on Mexican political culture, which has been marked by a lack of direct communication channels between these actors. The research aim is to assess Twitter’s role in political communication practices through the analysis of interaction dynamics between government, news media, and citizens by extracting and visualizing data from Twitter’s API to observe general behavior patterns. The hypothesis is that regardless the fact that Twitter’s features enable direct and horizontal interactions between actors, users repeat traditional dynamics of interaction, without taking full advantage of the possibilities of this medium. Through an interdisciplinary team including Communication Strategies, Information Design, and Interaction Systems, the activity on Twitter generated by the controversy over the presence of Uber in Mexico City was analysed; an issue of public interest, involving aspects such as public opinion, economic interests and a legal dimension. This research includes techniques from social network analysis (SNA), a methodological approach focused on the comprehension of the relationships between actors through the visual representation and measurement of network characteristics. The analysis of the Uber event comprised data extraction, data categorization, corpus construction, corpus visualization and analysis. On the recovery stage TAGS, a Google Sheet template, was used to extract tweets that included the hashtags #UberSeQueda and #UberSeVa, posts containing the string Uber and tweets directed to @uber_mx. Using scripts written in Python, the data was filtered, discarding tweets with no interaction (replies, retweets or mentions) and locations outside of México. Considerations regarding bots and the omission of anecdotal posts were also taken into account. The utility of graphs to observe interactions of political communication in general was confirmed by the analysis of visualizations generated with programs such as Gephi and NodeXL. However, some aspects require improvements to obtain more useful visual representations for this type of research. For example, link¬crossings complicates following the direction of an interaction forcing users to manipulate the graph to see it clearly. It was concluded that some practices prevalent in political communication in Mexico are replicated in Twitter. Media actors tend to group together instead of interact with others. The political system tends to tweet as an advertising strategy rather than to generate dialogue. However, some actors were identified as bridges establishing communication between the three spheres, generating a more democratic exercise and taking advantage of Twitter’s possibilities. Although interactions in Twitter could become an alternative to political communication, this potential depends on the intentions of the participants and to what extent they are aiming for collaborative and direct communications. Further research is needed to get a deeper understanding on the political behavior of Twitter users and the possibilities of SNA for its analysis. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=interaction" title="interaction">interaction</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=political%20communication" title=" political communication"> political communication</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=social%20network%20analysis" title=" social network analysis"> social network analysis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Twitter" title=" Twitter"> Twitter</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/46671/political-communication-in-twitter-interactions-between-government-news-media-and-citizens-in-mexico" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/46671.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">221</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">178</span> Effects of Dietary Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Beta Glucan on Maturity, Immunity and Fry Quality of Pabdah Catfish, Ompok pabda</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Zakir%20Hossain">Zakir Hossain</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Md.%20Saddam%20Hossain"> Md. Saddam Hossain</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> A nutritionally balanced diet and selection of appropriate species are important criteria in aquaculture. The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and beta glucan containing diet on growth performance, feed utilization, maturation, immunity, early embryonic and larval development of endangered Pabdah catfish, Ompok pabda. In this study, squid extracted lipids and mushroom powder were used as the source of PUFAs and beta glucan, respectively, and formulated two isonitrogenous diets such as basal or control (CON) diet and treated (PBG) diet with maintaining 30% protein levels. During the study period, similar physicochemical conditions of water such as temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO) were 26.5±2 °C, 7.4±0.2, and 6.7±0.5 ppm, respectively in each cistern. The results showed that final mean body weight, final mean length gain, food conversion ratio (FCR), specific growth rate (SGR), food conversion efficiency (%), hepatosomatic index (HSI), kidney index (KI), and viscerosomatic index (VSI) were significantly (P<0.01 and P<0.05) higher in fish fed the PBG diet than that of fish fed the CON diet. The length-weight relationship and relative condition factor (K) of O. pabda were significantly (P<0.05) affected by the PBG diet. The gonadosomatic index (GSI), sperm viability, blood serum calcium ion concentrations (Ca²⁺), and vitellogenin level were significantly (P<0.05) higher in fish fed the PBG diet than that of fish fed the CON diet; which was used to the indication of fish maturation. During the spawning season, lipid granules and normal morphological structure were observed in the treated fish liver, whereas fewer lipid granules of liver were observed in the control group. Based on the immunity and stress resistance-related parameters such as hematological indices, antioxidant activity, lysozyme level, respiratory burst activity, blood reactive oxygen species (ROS), complement activity (ACH50 assay), specific IgM, brain AChE, plasma PGOT, and PGPT enzyme activity were significantly (P<0.01 and P<0.05) higher in fish fed the PBG diet than that of fish fed the CON diet. The fecundity, fertilization rate (92.23±2.69%), hatching rate (87.43±2.17 %) and survival (76.62±0.82%) of offspring were significantly higher (P˂0.05) in the PBG diet than in the control. Consequently, early embryonic and larval development was better in PBG treated group than in the control. Therefore, the present study showed that the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and beta glucan enriched experimental diet were more effective and achieved better growth, feed utilization, maturation, immunity, and spawning performances of O. pabda. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=polyunsaturated%20fatty%20acids" title="polyunsaturated fatty acids">polyunsaturated fatty acids</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=beta%20glucan" title=" beta glucan"> beta glucan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=maturity" title=" maturity"> maturity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=immunity" title=" immunity"> immunity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=catfish" title=" catfish"> catfish</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/191076/effects-of-dietary-polyunsaturated-fatty-acids-and-beta-glucan-on-maturity-immunity-and-fry-quality-of-pabdah-catfish-ompok-pabda" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/191076.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">6</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">177</span> A Digital Environment for Developing Mathematical Abilities in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=M.%20Isabel%20Santos">M. Isabel Santos</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ana%20Breda"> Ana Breda</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ana%20Margarida%20Almeida"> Ana Margarida Almeida</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Research on academic abilities of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) underlines the importance of mathematics interventions. Yet the proposal of digital applications for children and youth with ASD continues to attract little attention, namely, regarding the development of mathematical reasoning, being the use of the digital technologies an area of great interest for individuals with this disorder and its use is certainly a facilitative strategy in the development of their mathematical abilities. The use of digital technologies can be an effective way to create innovative learning opportunities to these students and to develop creative, personalized and constructive environments, where they can develop differentiated abilities. The children with ASD often respond well to learning activities involving information presented visually. In this context, we present the digital Learning Environment on Mathematics for Autistic children (LEMA) that was a research project conducive to a PhD in Multimedia in Education and was developed by the Thematic Line Geometrix, located in the Department of Mathematics, in a collaboration effort with DigiMedia Research Center, of the Department of Communication and Art (University of Aveiro, Portugal). LEMA is a digital mathematical learning environment which activities are dynamically adapted to the user’s profile, towards the development of mathematical abilities of children aged 6–12 years diagnosed with ASD. LEMA has already been evaluated with end-users (both students and teacher’s experts) and based on the analysis of the collected data readjustments were made, enabling the continuous improvement of the prototype, namely considering the integration of universal design for learning (UDL) approaches, which are of most importance in ASD, due to its heterogeneity. The learning strategies incorporated in LEMA are: (i) provide options to custom choice of math activities, according to user’s profile; (ii) integrates simple interfaces with few elements, presenting only the features and content needed for the ongoing task; (iii) uses a simple visual and textual language; (iv) uses of different types of feedbacks (auditory, visual, positive/negative reinforcement, hints with helpful instructions including math concept definitions, solved math activities using split and easier tasks and, finally, the use of videos/animations that show a solution to the proposed activity); (v) provides information in multiple representation, such as text, video, audio and image for better content and vocabulary understanding in order to stimulate, motivate and engage users to mathematical learning, also helping users to focus on content; (vi) avoids using elements that distract or interfere with focus and attention; (vii) provides clear instructions and orientation about tasks to ease the user understanding of the content and the content language, in order to stimulate, motivate and engage the user; and (viii) uses buttons, familiarly icons and contrast between font and background. Since these children may experience little sensory tolerance and may have an impaired motor skill, besides the user to have the possibility to interact with LEMA through the mouse (point and click with a single button), the user has the possibility to interact with LEMA through Kinect device (using simple gesture moves). <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=autism%20spectrum%20disorder" title="autism spectrum disorder">autism spectrum disorder</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=digital%20technologies" title=" digital technologies"> digital technologies</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inclusion" title=" inclusion"> inclusion</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=mathematical%20abilities" title=" mathematical abilities"> mathematical abilities</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=mathematical%20learning%20activities" title=" mathematical learning activities"> mathematical learning activities</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/95427/a-digital-environment-for-developing-mathematical-abilities-in-children-with-autism-spectrum-disorder" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/95427.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">116</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">176</span> Improvement of Activity of β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis via Immobilization on Polyethylenimine-Chitosan</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Carlos%20A.%20C.%20G.%20Neto">Carlos A. C. G. Neto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Natan%20C.%20G.%20e%20Silva"> Natan C. G. e Silva </a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Tha%C3%ADs%20de%20O.%20Costa"> Thaís de O. Costa</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Luciana%20R.%20B.%20Gon%C3%A7alves"> Luciana R. B. Gonçalves</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Maria%20V.%20P.%20Rocha"> Maria V. P. Rocha</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> β-galactosidases (E.C. 3.2.1.23) are enzymes that have attracted by catalyzing the hydrolysis of lactose and in producing galacto-oligosaccharides by favoring transgalactosylation reactions. These enzymes, when immobilized, can have some enzymatic characteristics substantially improved, and the coating of supports with multifunctional polymers is a promising alternative to enhance the stability of the biocatalysts, among which polyethylenimine (PEI) stands out. PEI has certain properties, such as being a flexible polymer that suits the structure of the enzyme, giving greater stability, especially for multimeric enzymes such as β-galactosidases. Besides that, protects them from environmental variations. The use of chitosan support coated with PEI could improve the catalytic efficiency of β-galactosidase from Kluyveromyces lactis in the transgalactosylation reaction for the production of prebiotics, such as lactulose since this strain is more effective in the hydrolysis reaction. In this context, the aim of the present work was first to develop biocatalysts of β-galactosidase from K. lactis immobilized on chitosan-coated with PEI, determining the immobilization parameters, its operational and thermal stability, and then to apply it in hydrolysis and transgalactolisation reactions to produce lactulose using whey as a substrate. The immobilization of β-galactosidase in chitosan previously functionalized with 0.8% (v/v) glutaraldehyde and then coated with 10% (w/v) PEI solution was evaluated using an enzymatic load of 10 mg protein per gram support. Subsequently, the hydrolysis and transgalactosylation reactions were conducted at 50 °C, 120 RPM for 20 minutes, using whey supplemented with fructose at a ratio of 1:2 lactose/fructose, totaling 200 g/L. Operational stability studies were performed in the same conditions for 10 cycles. Thermal stabilities of biocatalysts were conducted at 50 ºC in 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.6 with 0.1 mM MnCl2. The biocatalyst whose support was coated was named CHI_GLU_PEI_GAL, and the one that was not coated was named CHI_GLU_GAL. The coating of the support with PEI considerably improved the parameters of immobilization. The immobilization yield increased from 56.53% to 97.45%, biocatalyst activity from 38.93 U/g to 95.26 U/g and the efficiency from 3.51% to 6.0% for uncoated and coated support, respectively. The biocatalyst CHI_GLU_PEI_GAL was better than CHI_GLU_GAL in the hydrolysis of lactose and production of lactulose, converting 97.05% of lactose at 5 min of reaction and producing 7.60 g/L lactulose in the same time interval. QUI_GLU_PEI_GAL biocatalyst was stable in the hydrolysis reactions of lactose during the 10 cycles evaluated, converting 73.45% lactose even after the tenth cycle, and in the lactulose production was stable until the fifth cycle evaluated, producing 10.95 g/L lactulose. However, the thermal stability of CHI_GLU_GAL biocatalyst was superior, with a half-life time 6 times higher, probably because the enzyme was immobilized by covalent bonding, which is stronger than adsorption (CHI_GLU_PEI_GAL). Therefore, the strategy of coating the supports with PEI has proven to be effective for the immobilization of β-galactosidase from K. lactis, considerably improving the immobilization parameters, as well as, the catalytic action of the enzyme. Besides that, this process can be economically viable due to the use of an industrial residue as a substrate. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=%CE%B2-galactosidase" title="β-galactosidase">β-galactosidase</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=immobilization" title=" immobilization"> immobilization</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=kluyveromyces%20lactis" title=" kluyveromyces lactis"> kluyveromyces lactis</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=lactulose" title=" lactulose"> lactulose</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=polyethylenimine" title=" polyethylenimine"> polyethylenimine</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=transgalactosylation%20reaction" title=" transgalactosylation reaction"> transgalactosylation reaction</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=whey" title=" whey"> whey</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/120647/improvement-of-activity-of-v-galactosidase-from-kluyveromyces-lactis-via-immobilization-on-polyethylenimine-chitosan" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/120647.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">111</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">175</span> The Mitigation of Quercetin on Lead-Induced Neuroinflammation in a Rat Model: Changes in Neuroinflammatory Markers and Memory</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Iliyasu%20Musa%20Omoyine">Iliyasu Musa Omoyine</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Musa%20Sunday%20Abraham"> Musa Sunday Abraham</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Oladele%20Sunday%20Blessing"> Oladele Sunday Blessing</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Iliya%20Ibrahim%20Abdullahi"> Iliya Ibrahim Abdullahi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ibegbu%20Augustine%20Oseloka"> Ibegbu Augustine Oseloka</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nuhu%20Nana-Hawau"> Nuhu Nana-Hawau</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Animoku%20Abdulrazaq%20Amoto"> Animoku Abdulrazaq Amoto</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yusuf%20Abdullateef%20Onoruoiza"> Yusuf Abdullateef Onoruoiza</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Sambo%20Sohnap%20James"> Sambo Sohnap James</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Akpulu%20Steven%20Peter"> Akpulu Steven Peter</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Ajayi%20Abayomi"> Ajayi Abayomi</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> The neuroprotective role of inflammation from detrimental intrinsic and extrinsic factors has been reported. However, the overactivation of astrocytes and microglia due to lead toxicity produce excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines, mediating neurodegenerative diseases. The present study investigated the mitigatory effects of quercetin on neuroinflammation, correlating with memory function in lead-exposed rats. In this study, Wistar rats were administered orally with Quercetin (Q: 60 mg/kg) and Succimer as a standard drug (S: 10 mg/kg) for 21 days after lead exposure (Pb: 125 mg/kg) of 21 days or in combination with Pb, once daily for 42 days. Working and reference memory was assessed using an Eight-arm radial water maze (8-ARWM). The changes in brain lead level, the neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) activity, and the level of neuroinflammatory markers such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Interleukin 1 Beta (IL-1β) were determined. Immunohistochemically, astrocyte expression was evaluated. The results showed that the brain level of lead was increased significantly in lead-exposed rats. The expression of astrocytes increased in the CA3 and CA1 regions of the hippocampus, and the levels of brain TNF-α and IL-1β increased in lead-exposed rats. Lead impaired reference and working memory by increasing reference memory errors and working memory incorrect errors in lead-exposed rats. However, quercetin treatment effectively improved memory and inhibited neuroinflammation by reducing astrocytes’ expression and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β. The expression of astrocytes and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β correlated with memory function. The possible explanation for quercetin’s anti-neuroinflammatory effect is that it modulates the activity of cellular proteins involved in the inflammatory response; inhibits the transcription factor of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), which regulates the expression of proinflammatory molecules; inhibits kinases required for the synthesis of Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and modifies the phosphorylation of some proteins, which affect the structure and function of intermediate filament proteins; and, lastly, induces Cyclic-AMP Response Element Binding (CREB) activation and neurogenesis as a compensatory mechanism for memory deficits and neuronal cell death. In conclusion, the levels of neuroinflammatory markers negatively correlated with memory function. Thus, quercetin may be a promising therapy in neuroinflammation and memory dysfunction in populations prone to lead exposure. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=lead" title="lead">lead</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=quercetin" title=" quercetin"> quercetin</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=neuroinflammation" title=" neuroinflammation"> neuroinflammation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=memory" title=" memory"> memory</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/185197/the-mitigation-of-quercetin-on-lead-induced-neuroinflammation-in-a-rat-model-changes-in-neuroinflammatory-markers-and-memory" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/185197.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">54</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">174</span> Effect of 12 Weeks Pedometer-Based Workplace Program on Inflammation and Arterial Stiffness in Young Men with Cardiovascular Risks</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Norsuhana%20Omar">Norsuhana Omar</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Amilia%20Aminuddina%20Zaiton%20Zakaria"> Amilia Aminuddina Zaiton Zakaria</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Raifana%20Rosa%20Mohamad%20Sattar"> Raifana Rosa Mohamad Sattar</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Kalaivani%20Chellappan"> Kalaivani Chellappan</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mohd%20Alauddin%20Mohd%20Ali"> Mohd Alauddin Mohd Ali</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Norizam%20Salamt"> Norizam Salamt</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Zanariyah%20Asmawi"> Zanariyah Asmawi</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Norliza%20Saari"> Norliza Saari</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Aini%20Farzana%20Zulkefli"> Aini Farzana Zulkefli</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Nor%20Anita%20Megat%20Mohd.%20Nordin"> Nor Anita Megat Mohd. Nordin</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Inflammation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of vascular dysfunction leading to arterial stiffness. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) and augmentation index (AS), as tools for the assessment of vascular damages are widely used and have been shown to predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). C-reactive protein (CRP) is a marker of inflammation. Several studies noted that regular exercise is associated with reduced arterial stiffness. The lack of exercise among Malaysians and the increasing CVD morbidity and mortality among young men are of concern. In Malaysia data on the workplace exercise intervention is scarce. A programme was designed to enable subjects to increase their level of walking as part of their daily work routine and self-monitored by using pedometers. The aim of this study to evaluate the reducing of inflammation by measuring CRP and improvement arterial stiffness measured by carotid femoral PWV (PWVCF) and AI. A total of 70 young men (20 - 40 years) who were sedentary, achieving less than 5,000 steps/day in casual walking with 2 or more cardiovascular risk factors were recruited in Institute of Vocational Skills for Youth (IKBN Hulu Langat). Subjects were randomly assigned to a control (CG) (n=34; no change in walking) and pedometer group (PG) (n=36; minimum target: 8,000 steps/day). The CRP was measured by using immunological method while PWVCF and AI were measured using Vicorder. All parameters were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. Data for analysis was conducted using Statistical Package of Social Sciences Version 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). At post intervention, the CG step counts were similar (4983 ± 366vs 5697 ± 407steps/day). The PG increased step count from 4996 ± 805 to 10,128 ±511 steps/day (P<0.001). The PG showed significant improvement in anthropometric variables and lipid (time and group effect p<0.001). For vascular assessment, the PG showed significantly decreased for time and effect (p<0.001) for PWV (7.21± 0.83 to 6.42 ± 0.89) m/s; AI (11.88± 6.25 to 8.83 ± 3.7) % and CRP (pre= 2.28 ± 3.09, post=1.08± 1.37mg/L). However, no changes were seen in CG. As a conclusion, a pedometer-based walking programme may be an effective strategy for promoting increased daily physical activity which reduces cardiovascular risk markers and thus improve cardiovascular health in terms of inflammation and arterial stiffness. The community intervention for health maintenance has potential to adopt walking as an exercise and adopting vascular fitness index as the performance measuring tools. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=arterial%20stiffness" title="arterial stiffness">arterial stiffness</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=exercise" title=" exercise"> exercise</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=inflammation" title=" inflammation"> inflammation</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=pedometer" title=" pedometer"> pedometer</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/34490/effect-of-12-weeks-pedometer-based-workplace-program-on-inflammation-and-arterial-stiffness-in-young-men-with-cardiovascular-risks" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/34490.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">354</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">173</span> The Effects of Periostin in a Rat Model of Isoproterenol-Mediated Cardiotoxicity</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Mahmut%20Sozmen">Mahmut Sozmen</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Alparslan%20Kadir%20Devrim"> Alparslan Kadir Devrim</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Yonca%20Betil%20Kabak"> Yonca Betil Kabak</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Tuba%20Devrim"> Tuba Devrim</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Acute myocardial infarction is the leading cause of deaths in the worldwide. Mature cardiomyocytes do not have the ability to regenerate instead fibrous tissue proliferate and granulation tissue to fill out. Periostin is an extracellular matrix protein from fasciclin family and it plays an important role in the cell adhesion, migration, and growth of the organism. Periostin prevents apoptosis while stimulating cardiomyocytes. The main objective of this project is to investigate the effects of the recombinant murine periostin peptide administration for the cardiomyocyte regeneration in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction. The experiment was performed on 84 male rats (6 months old) in 4 group each contains 21 rats. Saline applied subcutaneously (1 ml/kg) two times with 24 hours intervals to the rats in control group (Group 1). Recombinant periostin peptide (1 μg/kg) dissolved in saline applied intraperitoneally in group 2 on 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21. days on same dates in group 4. Isoproterenol dissolved in saline applied intraperitoneally (85mg/kg/day) two times with 24 hours intervals to the groups 3 and 4. Rats in group 4 further received recombinant periostin peptide (1 μg/kg) dissolved in saline intraperitoneally starting one day after the final isoproterenol administration on days 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21. Following the final application of periostin rats continued to feed routinely with pelleted chow and water ad libitum for further seven days. At the end of 7th day rats sacrificed, blood and heart tissue samples collected for the immunohistochemical and biochemical analysis. Angiogenesis in response to tissue damage, is a highly dynamic process regulated by signals from the surrounding extracellular matrix and blood serum. In this project, VEGF, ANGPT, bFGF, TGFβ are the key factors that contribute to cardiomyocyte regeneration were investigated. Additionally, the relationship between mitosis and apoptosis (Bcl-2, Bax, PCNA, Ki-67, Phopho-Histone H3), cell cycle activators and inhibitors (Cyclin D1, D2, A2, Cdc2), the origin of regenerating cells (cKit and CD45) were examined. Present results revealed that periostin stimulated cardiomyocye cell-cycle re-entry in both normal and MCA damaged cardiomyocytes and increased angiogenesis. Thus, periostin contributes to cardiomyocyte regeneration during the healing period following myocardial infarction which provides a better understanding of its role of this mechanism, improving recovery rates and it is expected to contribute the lack of literature on this subject. Acknowledgement: This project was financially supported by Turkish Scientific Research Council- Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Research Support Group (TUBİTAK-TOVAG; Project No: 114O734), Ankara, TURKEY. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=cardiotoxicity" title="cardiotoxicity">cardiotoxicity</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=immunohistochemistry" title=" immunohistochemistry"> immunohistochemistry</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=isoproterenol" title=" isoproterenol"> isoproterenol</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=periostin" title=" periostin"> periostin</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/54682/the-effects-of-periostin-in-a-rat-model-of-isoproterenol-mediated-cardiotoxicity" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/54682.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">234</span> </span> </div> </div> <div class="card paper-listing mb-3 mt-3"> <h5 class="card-header" style="font-size:.9rem"><span class="badge badge-info">172</span> Hedonic Pricing Model of Parboiled Rice</h5> <div class="card-body"> <p class="card-text"><strong>Authors:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Roengchai%20Tansuchat">Roengchai Tansuchat</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Wassanai%20Wattanutchariya"> Wassanai Wattanutchariya</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=Aree%20Wiboonpongse"> Aree Wiboonpongse</a> </p> <p class="card-text"><strong>Abstract:</strong></p> Parboiled rice is one of the most important food grains and classified in cereal and cereal product. In 2015, parboiled rice was traded more than 14.34 % of total rice trade. The major parboiled rice export countries are Thailand and India, while many countries in Africa and the Middle East such as Nigeria, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, are parboiled rice import countries. In the global rice market, parboiled rice pricing differs from white rice pricing because parboiled rice is semi-processing product, (soaking, steaming and drying) which affects to their color and texture. Therefore, parboiled rice export pricing does not depend only on the trade volume, length of grain, and percentage of broken rice or purity but also depend on their rice seed attributes such as color, whiteness, consistency of color and whiteness, and their texture. In addition, the parboiled rice price may depend on the country of origin, and other attributes, such as certification mark, label, packaging, and sales locations. The objectives of this paper are to study the attributes of parboiled rice sold in different countries and to evaluate the relationship between parboiled rice price in different countries and their attributes by using hedonic pricing model. These results are useful for product development, and marketing strategies development. The 141 samples of parboiled rice were collected from 5 major parboiled rice consumption countries, namely Nigeria, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Spain. The physicochemical properties and optical properties, namely size and shape of seed, colour (L*, a*, and b*), parboiled rice texture (hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness), nutrition (moisture, protein, carbohydrate, fat, and ash), amylose, package, country of origin, label are considered as explanatory variables. The results from parboiled rice analysis revealed that most of samples are classified as long grain and slender. The highest average whiteness value is the parboiled rice sold in South Africa. The amylose value analysis shows that most of parboiled rice is non-glutinous rice, classified in intermediate amylose content range, and the maximum value was found in United Arab Emirates. The hedonic pricing model showed that size and shape are the key factors to determine parboiled rice price statistically significant. In parts of colour, brightness value (L*) and red-green value (a*) are statistically significant, but the yellow-blue value (b*) is insignificant. In addition, the texture attributes that significantly affect to the parboiled rice price are hardness, adhesiveness, cohesiveness, and gumminess. The findings could help both parboiled rice miller, exporter and retailers formulate better production and marketing strategies by focusing on these attributes. <p class="card-text"><strong>Keywords:</strong> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=hedonic%20pricing%20model" title="hedonic pricing model">hedonic pricing model</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=optical%20properties" title=" optical properties"> optical properties</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=parboiled%20rice" title=" parboiled rice"> parboiled rice</a>, <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=physicochemical%20properties" title=" physicochemical properties"> physicochemical properties</a> </p> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/58829/hedonic-pricing-model-of-parboiled-rice" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">Procedia</a> <a href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/58829.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-primary btn-sm">PDF</a> <span class="bg-info text-light px-1 py-1 float-right rounded"> Downloads <span class="badge badge-light">332</span> </span> </div> </div> <ul class="pagination"> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=protein%20masked%20representation&page=114" rel="prev">&lsaquo;</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=protein%20masked%20representation&page=1">1</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=protein%20masked%20representation&page=2">2</a></li> <li class="page-item disabled"><span class="page-link">...</span></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" href="https://publications.waset.org/abstracts/search?q=protein%20masked%20representation&page=112">112</a></li> <li class="page-item"><a class="page-link" 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