Sigma-Delta (SD) analog to digital converters (ADCs) have several advantages over the nyquist rate type ADCs. The linearity over high dynamic range makes the SD ADCs an ideal choice for voice and precise instrumentation applications. The SD-ADC architecture is well established and analyzed [5, 6]. It is heavily based on digital processing and provides a high resolution, low noise output with very low analog implementation effort. The technique of sigma delta ADC is in practice from several decades. The feature of digital dominated design of SD-ADC makes it different from other types of ADCs. As the technologies are evolving, new realization methodologies are emerging for realizing SD-ADC. The conventional approach of realizing an ADC as a separate ASIC and providing the interface to digital IC (either Microprocessor or FPGA) for providing mixed signal processing platform has following limitations.
This study was conducted to develop and evaluate the Optimal Poly-1-Order (OP-1) model for approximating solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation. Using a mixed research method, the study employed Ibrahim’s simulation and prediction of grid-connected PV system theory with two objectives and their corresponding research questions. The study gathered primary and secondary data to approximate the implementation of a solar-PV system with an OP-1 model for generating electricity: optimizing energy production, load demands, and financial viability in the medical hostel facility of the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. With the use of simulation and descriptive methods of data analysis, results showed that the lighting system had 400 lights, each with 12W power. It operated for a total of 18 hours. Daily power consumption was 36,400 Wh. More so, it showed that 60 fans with 100W power were used during the same hours, resulting in a daily power usage of 108,000 Wh. Based on a comprehensive economic evaluation, the OP-1 solar-PV system was found to be economically viable for powering the medical hostel. The system met electricity demand, resulting in a remarkable 407% ROI and substantial savings for the grid, despite a lower optimized size of 193kW compared to the base peak generation of 383.90k. The study concluded and recommended that the proposed OP-1 Solar-PV power plant can meet the facility's electricity needs with a peak generation of 383.90kW and detailed energy analysis. Deploying this efficient solar-PV setup guarantees reliable and green electricity for the Medical Hostel, slashing the campus's carbon footprint and grid reliance.
Drug discovery started when a man suffered from abdominal pain and accidentally healed by chewing the leaves of the plant. The story of Ethnopharmacology begins with the doctrine of signatures, the shape signatures of herbs to heal resembled parts of the body. Later, shape signatures were modified into colour and taste signatures for healing. The information exchange and understanding about people's use of natural resources to discover therapeutic and toxicological potential is now shaped into a branch of science, "Ethnopharmacology". Simply Ethnopharmacology, by using modern science, enables traditional knowledge to convert into medicine and acts as a powerful and creative drug discovery engine.
Power and dominance exist everywhere and occur at the macro and micro levels. Being powerful and domineering are factors that serve as emblems for the people in the realm of politics. Power relations are overtly exercised in such discourse. But what is interesting is how power and dominance exist between or among those people who are branded as “powerful;” thus, using the Face Theory of Brown and Levinson (1978), this discourse analysis paper analyzed the power relations that transpired in a senate hearing and its relationship with the Face Threatening Acts (FTAs) used by the people involved in the discourse. A Philippine Senate hearing excerpt served as the primary corpus for analysis. Results showed that the people in the discourse were all powerful, creating tension when they projected their dominance on one another. Each member threatened and challenged their positive and negative faces. The power play evolved into a "pass-theball" effect, and no one has absolute power because it weakens once the person wielding its face is threatened. Hence, to disempower the empowered, a person must learn how to play and use FTAs such as insulting, disagreeing, disapproving, provoking, commanding, and demanding against the powerful to strike a social balance.
A burning sensation on eating spicy foods purportedly supports the role of capsaicin, an active component of chili peppers, in the etiology of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF). Although the mast cell mediators and activated P2X receptors induce a constant burning sensation through an ATP-dependent mechanism, it is the activation of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV-1) receptor by capsaicin that aggravates it. The molecular basis for the burning pain in OSF is thus attributable to the activation of TRPV1. There is overwhelming evidence that confirms capsaicin has more of a protective role in attenuating fibrosis and is potentially therapeutic in reversing conditions linked to collagen accumulation. The activation of TRPV-1 by capsaicin increases intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i), upregulates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Sirtuin-1 (SIRT-1), to enrich endothelium-dependent vasodilation via endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). The induction of vasodilation induces antifibrotic effects by alleviating hypoxia. The antifibrotic effects of capsaicin are mediated through the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes, downregulation of inflammatory genes and suppression of new collagen fibril formation. Capsaicin also demonstrates an anticarcinogenic effect by upregulating the cytotoxic T cells and downregulating regulatory T cells through the inhibition of angiogenesis and promotion of apoptosis. Judicious administration of capsaicin with an appropriate delivery mechanism may have therapeutic benefits in reducing pain sensation, rendering antifibrotic effects, and preventing the malignant transformation of OSF. This paper provides an overview of the molecular basis of capsaicin and its therapeutic application as an antifibrotic and anticarcinogenic agent for the treatment of OSF
Background and Purpose: We aimed to investigate the effect of smoking on the risk of intracranial aneurysm (IA) rupture (IAR), specifically relationship between the number of cigarettes smoked per day (CPD) or smoking index and the risk of IAR. Materials and Methods: We performed a single-center case–control study of consecutive patients evaluated or treated for IA at our institution from June 2017 to July 2018. Cases were patients with a ruptured IA. Two age- and sex-matched controls with an unruptured IA were included per case. Conditional logistic regression models were used to assess the relationship between both the CPD and smoking index (CPD x years of smoking) and IAR. Results: The study population included 300 cases of IAR and 300 controls. The higher IAR risk was associated with cigarette smoking. Our subgroup analysis of smokers revealed a significant association between IAR risk and current smoking (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.2–6.3; P = 0.012), current heavy smoking (CPD>20) (OR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.4–11.0; P = 0.007), and a smoking index >800 (OR, 11.4; 95% CI, 2.3–24.5; P= 0.003). Conclusion: A dose–response relationship has been noted for intensity and duration of smoking consumption and increased risk of IAR. As smoking is modifiable, this finding is important to managing patients with IAs to quit or reduce smoking prior to life-threatening subarachnoid hemorrhage.
For the following report, the company identified is Maxcart. Maxcart is a new retail company operating in the retail industry in the United States (US). The company will have its chain of supermarket stores in different cities in the US. The company plans to deal in electronic goods, groceries, clothing, toys, non-prescription medicines, furniture, etc. The following report will provide an overview of the HRM system of Maxcart and the various HR policies and programs that will be effective at Maxcart.
This abstract provides an overview of the critical role of academic leadership and governance in higher education institutions. As the landscape of higher education undergoes profound transformations, academic leaders and governance structures play a pivotal role in shaping the direction, quality, and effectiveness of educational institutions. This abstract highlights key themes, challenges, and considerations related to academic leadership and governance, emphasizing the need for adaptability, transparency, and inclusivity in the decision-making processes. The abstract begins by acknowledging the evolving nature of higher education and the increasing complexity of issues facing institutions, including technological advancements, changing student demographics, and shifting funding models. It underscores the central importance of academic leadership and governance in addressing these challenges and promoting institutional excellence.
Objectives: Viral gastroenteritis is a major health problem that is common worldwide, especially in developing countries, and is responsible for the majority of childhood diarrhea disease. The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of rotavirus and enteric adenovirus frequency and the age and seasonal distribution of viral agents in children with acute gastroenteritis attending to our hospital. Materials and Methods: In this study, 6999 stool specimens were investigated for the presence of rotavirus and adenovirus. The samples were obtained between January 2013 and August 2019 from children age 0-17 suffering from acute gastroenteritis attending to our hospital. Frequency of rotavirus and adenovirus were retrospectively evaluated with regard to seasonal distribution, gender and age of patients. Results: Viral antigens were detected in 1341 (19.1 %) of the specimens examined in the study. Among the positive results, rotaviruses and adenoviruses frequency were detected in 14.7 %, 4.4 %respectively. Rota-adenovirus co-infection was 8.4 %(n=113). Whereas rotavirus antigen was determined in all age groups, the highest was found in children age 0-2 with a rate of 57.9 %. Moreover, considering the seasonal distribution of the cases, it can be said that rotavirus infections are mostly observed in winter and spring, while adenovirus infections are frequently detected in summer and autumn. Conclusion: Rotavirus and enteric adenovirus infections are important public health problems that caused hospitalization, morbidity and mortality among children <5 years children in our country. As well as an approach to prevention of acute gastroenteritis, it is very important to detect the agent correctly and quickly for the treatment approach.
The use of spectroscopic analysis, particularly UV spectrophotometer, is a simple and essential technique for bulk drug estimation, formulation studies, and compatibility assessments of drugs with various excipients. In the pharmaceutical industry, various analytical instruments, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), are employed for investigating drug-excipient interactions that can impact the stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients. This study aimed to develop a UV spectrophotometric method for the analysis of Pioglitazone hydrochloride in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and methanolic solution, assessing its linearity and compliance with Beer's Law. Furthermore, we aimed to use FTIR to characterize potential interactions between Pioglitazone and common pharmaceutical excipients, such as Guar Gum, Chitosan, and Sodium Alginate. Standard solutions of Pioglitazone were prepared in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) and methanol. UV spectrophotometer was conducted to determine the maximum absorption wavelength. Calibration curves were constructed to evaluate linearity and adherence to Beer's Law. FTIR analyses were performed to investigate drug-excipient interactions by examining the functional groups. In phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), the maximum absorption wavelength for Pioglitazone hydrochloride was 268 nm. The calibration curve for Pioglitazone in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) demonstrated linearity in the concentration range of 1–20 μg/ml, with a correlation coefficient of 0.998. In methanol, the maximum absorption wavelength for Pioglitazone hydrochloride was found to be 272 nm. The calibration curve in methanol exhibited linearity in the range of 1–20 μg/ml, with a correlation coefficient of 0.999. FTIR analysis revealed potential drug-excipient interactions, particularly in the case of Guar Gum, Chitosan, and Sodium Alginate, suggesting the formation of stable hydrogen bonds. The developed UV spectrophotometric method for Pioglitazone analysis is a reliable, cost- effective, and reproducible approach, making it a valuable tool for drug development and quality control. Additionally, the FTIR characterization confirmed interactions between Pioglitazone and common pharmaceutical excipients, enhancing our understanding of formulation compatibility,
This document will discuss some crucial operational aspect to the National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC) https://nadec.com.sa/ dairy Milk production company such as how well the inventories within the production system are currently managed, detailed illustration of the critical operations involved within NADEC production system presenting a logical operational flow, identify the two points where the organisation’s delivery system may fail to align its operational performance measures, how a lean approach could be utilised in the production system to reduce the failings potentially and the three key findings discussing the extent to which the lean approach may assist the production system with aligning its operational performance measures
The study examined psychological predictors and mediators of teacher subjective well-being. Participants included 174 teachers from urban middle and highschools. The first objective was to explore the psychological correlates of the teacher SWB: self-esteem, general self-efficacy (core self-evaluation), teacher self-efficacy, optimism (cognitive trait related to the psychological well-being), and perceived social support (psychosocial trait related to the psychological wellbeing. The second objective was to investigate the mediating role of self-efficacy in the association between optimism and subjective well-being. The third objective was to explore the mediating role of teacher self-efficacy in the relation between perceived social support and teacher subjective well-being. Correlation, linear regression and mediation model analyses through the Sobel test were computed. Results confirmed the research assumptions. The findings of this study enhance the understanding of personal factors associated with teacher subjective wellbeing. The constructs linked to subjective well-being (predictors and mediators) could be target of school psychologists’ interventions, in order to have more engaged and performing teachers in schools. The findings were discussed in the context of designing the interventions for enhancement of the subjective wellbeing among teachers.
Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) consist of heterogeneous subpopulations with different multipotent properties: small and large cells with high and low multipotency, respectively. Accordingly, sorting out a target subpopulation from the others is very important to increase the effectiveness of cell-based therapy. We performed flow-based sorting of hMSCs by using optimally designed microfluidic chips based on the hydrodynamic filtration (HDF) principle. The chip was designed with the parameters rigorously determined by the complete analysis of laminar flow for flow fraction and complicated networks of main and multi-branched channels for hMSCs sorting into three subpopulations: small (<25>40 μm) cells. By focusing with a proper ratio between main and side flows, cells migrate toward the sidewall due to a virtual boundary of fluid layers and enter the branch channels. This opens the possibility of sorting stem cells rapidly without damage. Over 86% recovery was achieved for each population of cells with complete purity in small cells, but the sorting efficiency of cells is slightly lower than that of rigid model particles, due to the effect of cell deformation. Finally, we confirmed that our method could successfully fractionate the three subpopulations of hMSCs by analyzing the surface marker expressions of cells from each outlet.
Background: Non-syndromic combined pituitary hormone deficiency (CPHD) occurs due to defects in transcription factors that govern early pituitary development and the specification of hormone-producing cells. The most common mutations are in the Prophet of Pit-1 (ProP1) gene. This work aims to (1) report findings of genetic analyses of Tunisian patients with non-syndromic CPHD and (2) describe their phenotype patterns and their evolution through life. Methods: Fifteen patients from twelve unrelated families with variable clinical phenotypes were included after excluding autoimmune and acquired forms of non-syndromic CPHD. Detailed pedigree charts and auxological, hormonal, radiological, and therapeutic details were recorded. Sanger sequencing was performed, and sequences were analyzed with a specific focus on coding and splice site regions of the ProP1 gene. Retained variants were classified using several in silico pathogenicity prediction tools and the VarSome platform. Results: We identified the common p.Arg73Cys mutation in seven patients from four unrelated pedigrees. We found a novel homozygous mutation (c.340C>T) in one sporadic case. This mutation generates a truncated ProP1 protein, predicted to be non-functional, lacking the last 112 codons (p.(Gln114Ter)). We confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) the absence of large exon deletions or insertions in the remaining sporadic patients (7/8). Conclusions: We report two mutations {one newly identified [p.(Gln114Ter)] and one previously reported (p.Arg73Cys)} in five unrelated Tunisian families with non-syndromic CPHD. This work is of clinical importance as it reports the high frequency of the p.Arg73Cys mutation in Tunisian CPHD families. Our study also illuminated the involvement of novel gene(s) in the emergence of non-syndromic CPHD.
The advent of the World Wide Web and the rapid adoption of social media platforms (such as Facebook and Twitter) paved the way for information dissemination that has never been witnessed in the human history before. With the current usage of social media platforms, consumers are creating and sharing more information than ever before, some of which are misleading with no relevance to reality. Automated classification of a text article as misinformation or disinformation is a challenging task. Even an expert in a particular domain has to explore multiple aspects before giving a verdict on the truthfulness of an article. In this work, we propose to use a machine learning ensemble approach for the automated classification of news articles. Our study explores different textual properties that can be used to distinguish fake contents from real. By using those properties, we train a combination of different machine learning algorithms using various ensemble methods and evaluate their performance on 4 real world datasets. Experimental evaluation confirms the superior performance of our proposed ensemble learner approach in comparison to individual learners. The advent of the World Wide Web and the rapid adoption of social media platforms (such as Facebook and Twitter) paved the way for information dissemination that has never been witnessed in human history before. Besides other use cases, news outlets benefitted from the widespread use of social media platforms by providing updated news in near real-time to its subscribers. The news media evolved from newspapers, tabloids, and magazines to a digital form such as online news platforms, blogs, social media feeds, and other digital media formats. It became easier for consumers to acquire the latest news at their fingertips. Facebook referrals account for 70% of traffic to news websites. These social media platforms in their current state are extremely powerful and useful for their ability to allow users to discuss and share ideas and debate over issues such as democracy, education, and health. However, such platforms are also used with a negative perspective by certain entities commonly for monetary gain and in other cases for creating biased opinions, manipulating mindsets, and spreading satire or absurdity. The phenomenon is commonly known as fake news.
The use of performance feedback in the workplace has gained popularity over the years, yet school heads have been challenged in providing it to teachers. In the initial interview, they shared that evaluation results can impact teachers’ motivation, and that feedback should be done carefully. However, they failed to clearly articulate a specific mechanism that had been applied in this vital role. Also, no studies have provided clear detail on the feedback mechanism used by school heads in the past. For this reason, a study explored the feedback mechanisms employed by school heads in conveying the performance evaluation results to teachers. This study employed a narrative inquiry, and interviews were conducted with five school heads and five teachers who were chosen purposively for this research. Responses were recorded using a voice recorder. These responses were transcribed and analyzed using thematic narrative analysis. Based on transcripts, the study identified six emergent themes, such as conversational (one-on-one), relational, reflective, technical, reinforcing, and properly situated mechanisms in conveying performance evaluation results to teachers. Thus, a new feedback mechanism framework was developed.
A survey was conducted to screen the presences of antibiotic-resistant Salmonella from broiler chicken meat brought from local retail shops situated at Kozhinjampara, Palakkad, Kerala. Based on the morphological and biochemical characterization, a total of 15 Salmonella sp were isolated. Among 15 isolates, five (S7, S8, S10, S12, S14) isolates exhibited 100% resistance to all tested antibiotics and only one isolate S9 shows sensitivity to maximum antibiotics tested. In the study, garlic extract was tested against antibiotic-resistant isolates and it exhibited maximum inhibition against S12 isolate (30mm) and minimum inhibition against S8 isolate (22mm). The analyses of the garlic extract by GC-MS confirmed that the major components of garlic having antimicrobial activity. The result specified that garlic extract was found to be effective in controlling antibiotic resistance Salmonella species from broiler chicken meat. Therefore, incorporating garlic products in poultry feeds will help reduce antibiotic-resistant pathogenic microbes which causes drastic infections in human beings.
Abstract- The injection of the PV Grid power into an electric grid affects the power quality. The influence of the PV Grid in the grid system concerning the power quality measurements and the norms followed according to the guidelines specified in the International Electro technical Commission standard, are the active and reactive power variations, variation of voltages, flicker, harmonics and electrical behavior of switching operations. The work study demonstrates has overall good functional characteristics, better performance and faster response than existing systems. The proposed system of having STATCOM is smaller in size and less costly when compared to the existing system. In this proposed system static compensator (STATCOM) is connected at a point with a battery energy storage system to reduce the power quality issues. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme gives the reactive power demand of load and the induction generator. Simulation is done by using MATLAB / SIMULINK-Sim power system software.
Rasa aushadhis are known for their uniqueness in curing the diseases with a very low dosage. These formulations are divided into two types based on their mode of preparation i.e., Single drug and Compound drug formulations. Based on their origin, the drugs are divided into three types, Herbal, Mineral and Animal. Any of these two or three together is combined to make a compound formulation. Apart from these, the other major factor which is needed for a formulation is the Rasa Panchaka of a Drug. Many of the formulations are being prepared based on their availability, keeping their Rasa Panchaka and Samprapti vighatana in mind. These formulations are designed in such a way that two or more drugs will be having one common quality, or Opposite Qualities or an Antidote of a particular Vishadravya, which can help in curing the disease. So an attempt is made to Review Tribhuvanakeerti Rasa with its Probable mode of action.
Dietary fatty acid composition in broiler influences carcass quality by altering fat deposition and fatty acid profile. Thus, the study was carried out to evaluate the effect of incorporation of rapeseed oil in broiler ration on omega-3 fatty acid concentration of carcass and its traits in broiler chicken. A total of 160 day-old straight run broilers (Vencobb 400) were randomly divided into four treatment groups (G1, G2, G3 and G4) having four replicates of ten chicks each. The basal diets (G1) were prepared to meet BIS (2007) nutrient requirements with palm oil at 1.5, 3, and 4.5 per cent in pre-starter, starter and finisher diets, respectively. The experimental diets were broiler rations prepared with rapeseed oil replacing 25, 50 and 100 per cent of palm oil in G2, G3 and G4 diets, respectively. The diets were fed ad libitum till 6 weeks of age. Six birds from each group were randomly selected and slaughtered on 42nd day to study omega-3 fatty acid concentration of carcass and its characteristics. The crude fat content of breast and thigh muscle was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in the group fed rapeseed oil included diets. However, carcass yield, processing yield and meat to bone ratio of cut up parts was not significantly affected. The colour and pH of breast and thigh muscles were similar among the treatment groups. Omega- 3 fatty acid concentration was significantly (P<0.01) increased in both breast and thigh muscle of G4 group broilers compared to G1 group. Thus, rapeseed oil inclusion in diet significantly increased omega-3 fatty acid concentration and significantly reduced crude fat concentration breast and thigh muscles with no effect on the carcass yield and its quality when included in the diet replacing palm oil at different proportion