Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a multifactorial disease that is estimated to affect 22% of preweaned dairy calves in the United States and is a leading cause of preweaning mortality in dairy ...calves. Overall cost of calfhood BRD is reflected in both the immediate cost of treating the disease as well as lifetime decrease in production and increased likelihood of affected cattle leaving the herd before their second calving. The goal of this paper was to develop an estimate of the cost of BRD based on longitudinal treatment data from a study of BRD with a cohort of 11,470 preweaned dairy calves in California. Additionally, a cost-benefit analysis was performed for 2 different preventative measures for BRD, an increase of 0.47 L of milk per day for all calves or vaccination of all dams with a modified live BRD vaccine, using differing assumptions about birth rate and number of calves raised per year. Average short-term cost of BRD per affected calf was $42.15, including the use of anti-inflammatory medications in the treatment protocols across all management conditions. The cost of treating BRD in calves appears to have increased in recent years and is greater than costs presented in previous studies. A cost-benefit analysis examined different herd scenarios for a range of cumulative incidences of BRD from 3 to 25%. Increasing milk fed was financially beneficial in all scenarios above a 3% cumulative incidence of BRD. Use of a modified live vaccine in dams during pregnancy, examining only its value as a form of BRD prevention in the calves raised on the farm, was financially beneficial only if the cumulative incidence of BRD exceeded 10 to 15% depending on the herd size and whether the dairy farm was raising any bull calves. The cost-benefit analysis, under the conditions studied, suggests that producers with high rates of BRD may benefit financially from implementing preventative measures, whereas these preventative measures may not be cost effective to implement on dairy farms with very low cumulative incidences of BRD. The long-term costs of calfhood BRD on lifetime productivity were not factored into these calculations, and the reduction in disease may be associated with additional cost savings and an improvement in calf welfare and herd life.
New Pb(II), Mn(II), Hg(II), and Zn(II) complexes, derived from 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2-(phenylamino)acetyl)thiosemicarbazone, were synthesized. The compounds with general formulas, ...Pb(H2L)2(OAc)2ETOH.H2O, Mn(H2L)(HL)Cl, Hg2(H2L)(OH)SO4, and Zn(H2L)(HL)Cl, were characterized by physicochemical and theoretical studies. X-ray diffraction studies showed a decrease in the crystalline size of compounds that were exposed to gamma irradiation (γ-irradiation). Thermal studies of the synthesized complexes showed thermal stability of the Mn(II) and Pb(II) complexes after γ-irradiation compared to those before γ–irradiation, while no changes in the Zn(II) and Hg(II) complexes were observed. The optimized geometric structures of the ligand and metal complexes are discussed regarding density functional theory calculations (DFT). The antimicrobial activities of the ligand and metal complexes against several bacterial and fungal stains were screened before and after irradiation. The Hg(II) complex has shown excellent antibacterial activity before and after γ-irradiation. In vitro cytotoxicity screening of the ligand and the Mn(II) and Zn(II) complexes before and after γ-irradiation disclosed that both the ligand and Mn(II) complex exhibited higher activity against human liver (Hep-G2) than Zn(II). Molecular docking was performed on the active site of MK-2 and showed good results.
To help answer questions about availability, accessibility, sustainability and other dimensions of energy security, the vulnerability approach concentrates the attention of policymakers on the ...assessment of risks associated with natural, technical, political and economic factors. This understanding, combined with a focus on energy services (e.g. lighting, heating, telecommunications, mobility, etc.) helps to prioritize actions to achieve the goal of energy security. This paper conceptualizes energy security as low vulnerability of vital energy systems and sustained provision of modern energy services. Taking Tajikistan as a case, this paper highlights key vulnerabilities including neglect of environmental conditions, insufficient energy production capacity, unreliable and expensive energy imports, dwindling power infrastructure causing technical and economic losses, inadequate transparency in the power sector, lack of regional cooperation in energy and water resources sharing, and inadequate financial resources to address these challenges. Three major proposals presented by the World Bank, the United Nations Development Program, and the Government of Tajikistan to achieve energy security in Tajikistan are evaluated. Specifically, they lack a focus on energy services and therefore overlook people's socio-cultural context and appropriate energy needs. This paper highlights energy services as critical to people’s wellbeing and socio-economic development.
•A novel vulnerability approach is applied to energy security assessment.•Key vulnerabilities in energy system are assessed in case of Tajikistan.•Three major pathways to achieve energy security in Tajikistan are evaluated.•A paradigm shift from energy sources to services is recommended to improve access.
The present work aims to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) via a greener approach using honey as abio-reductant and stabilizing agent. The prepared nanoparticles were analysed by using ...UV–visible spectroscopy(UV–Vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), crystalline nature by X-ray diffraction (XRD), fieldelectron scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), size distribution andzeta potential by dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. XRD patterns demonstrate the polycrystalline wurtzitestructure for ZnONPs with an average zeta potential value of 2.61 mV. Spherical and square-shaped nanostructureswere affirmed using FE-SEM and TEM micrographs. The DPPH and ABTS assays revealed that ZnONPspossess antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 38 μg/mL and 6.38 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, theantimicrobial activity of ZnONPs performed against clinical strains of Gram negative bacteria such as Klebsiellapneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), Escherichia coli (E. coli), and Gram positive bacteria Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcusaureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) wasassessed along with their antibiofilm activity. The evaluation of the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane withthe leakge of cellular components, including nucleic acids and proteins, into the culture medium indicated thathoney synthesized ZnONPs could function as potential antimicrobial agents. KCI Citation Count: 0
Beryllium chloride (BeCl2) is a highly toxic substance that accumulates in different tissues after absorption. The purpose of this study was to investigate protective role of crocin against ...BeCl2-intoxication in rats. Male Wistar rats were used in this study and categorised into four groups (n=8). Group I served as normal control rats. Group II treated orally with BeCl2 86mg/kg b.w. for five consecutive days. This dose was equivalent to experimental LD50. Group III treated intraperitoneally with crocin 200mg/kg b.w. for seven consecutive days. Group IV received crocin for seven consecutive days before BeCl2 administration. Blood samples and liver and brain homogenates were obtained for haematological, biochemical and RT-PCR examinations. The haematocrit value, RBCs count and haemoglobin concentration were significantly decreased in BeCl2-treated rats. A significant increase was observed in rat liver and brain malondialdehyde level and protein carbonyls content in BeCl2 exposed group compared to the control group, and these values were significantly declined upon administration of crocin. Lactate dehydrogenase levels in rat liver and brain significantly increased compared to the control group and was associated with significant decrease in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Reduced glutathione hepatic contents of BeCl2-treated rats were significantly decreased. There was significant decline in mRNA expression of catalase and superoxide dismutase genes in BeCl2-intoxicated rats compared to the normal rats. Crocin treatment prior to BeCl2 intake resulted in significant increase in mRNA expressions of catalase and superoxide dismutase genes near to normalcy. The haematological and biochemical parameters were restored near to normal levels. Our results suggested that, BeCl2 induced oxidation of cellular lipids and proteins and that administration of crocin reduced BeCl2-induced oxidative stress combined with initiation of mRNA expression of antioxidant genes.
► Haematological parameters significantly decreased in BeCl2-treated rats. ► Malondialdehyde and protein carbonyls decreased in BeCl2-treated rats. ► Lactate dehydrogenase, catalase and superoxide dismutase decreased after BeCl2. ► mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes declined after BeCl2 intake. ► Crocin protects against BeCl2-intoxication in rats.
Background and Aims: Regional analgesia may play a role in pain management during breast surgery. Ultrasound approach to paravertebral block may be challenging. This study compared success rates of ...ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane block (ESPB) versus parasagittal in-plane thoracic paravertebral block among senior anaesthesia residents in modified radical mastectomy. Methods: One hundred and two female patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy were randomly categorized into PARA group receiving sagittal in-plane paravertebral block and ESPB group receiving erector spinae plane block. The block in the 1st six cases in each group was done by an experienced consultant as a demonstration for three anaesthesia residents not experienced in either block. Primary endpoint was assessing success rate of the blocks. Secondary endpoint was the haemodynamic response to skin incision and postoperative analgesia. Results: All patients were females undergoing modified radical mastectomy. Success rate among residents was 100% in ESPB versus 77.8% in PARA group (P = 0.002). Duration to perform the block was less in ESPB group (4.39 ± 1.2 min) than PARA group (8.18 ± 2.42 min) (P< 0.0001). Guidance frequency by consultants was significantly higher in PARA than ESPB group. Time to 1st analgesic requirement and morphine consumption postoperatively were insignificant between the groups. There was no significant difference regarding haemodynamics. Conclusion: ESPB may be a simple and safe alternative to parasagittal in-plane paravertebral block to provide postoperative analgesia in modified radical mastectomy especially in novice practitioners. It provides equivalent profile of postoperative analgesia with less time to perform the block.
We consider large-scale wireless sensor networks with n nodes, out of which k are in possession, (e.g., have sensed or collected in some other way) k information packets. In the scenarios in which ...network nodes are vulnerable because of, for example, limited energy or a hostile environment, it is desirable to disseminate the acquired information throughout the network so that each of the n nodes stores one (possibly coded) packet so that the original k source packets can be recovered, locally and in a computationally simple way from any k(1 + ¿) nodes for some small ¿ > 0. We develop decentralized Fountain codes based algorithms to solve this problem. Unlike all previously developed schemes, our algorithms are truly distributed, that is, nodes do not know n, k or connectivity in the network, except in their own neighborhoods, and they do not maintain any routing tables.
Gas sensors are important in many fields such as environmental monitoring, agricultural production, public safety, and medical diagnostics. Herein, Tamm plasmon resonance in a photonic bandgap is ...used to develop an optical gas sensor with high performance. The structure of the proposed sensor comprises a gas cavity sandwiched between a one-dimensional porous silicon photonic crystal and an Ag layer deposited on a prism. The optimised structure of the proposed sensor achieves ultra-high sensitivity (S = 1.9×10
nm/RIU) and a low detection limit (DL = 1.4×10
RIU) compared to the existing gas sensor. The brilliant sensing performance and simple design of the proposed structure make our device highly suitable for use as a sensor in a variety of biomedical and industrial applications.
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New nanocomposite material containing TiO2/Poly (acrylamide–styrene sodium sulfonate) TiO2/(P (AAm–SSS) was prepared by in-situ intercalative polymerization of poly acrylamide (PAAm) ...and styrene sodium sulfonate (SSS) in the presence of TiO2 nanoparticles as inorganic filler. N, N-methylene bis acrylamide (MBA) was used as a cross linker. The polymerization process was performed using γ-radiation as reaction initiator. Moreover, new nanocomposite material containing poly styrene–TiO2 (PS–TiO2) was also prepared by ionic polymerization method. Styrene was catalytically polymerized by Ti4+ via an ionic polymerization route to produce polystyrene (PS). The structure characteristics of the nanocomposites were investigated by XRD, TGA, SEM, surface area, and FTIR. The nanoparticles and nanocomposites were investigated for removal of some metal ions from aqueous solutions. The effective key parameters on the sorption behavior of radioactive cesium (Cs+), cobalt (Co2+) and europium (Eu3+) were investigated using batch equilibrium technique with respect to solution pH and contact time. The obtained results revealed that the equilibrium for Cs+, Co2+ and Eu3+ is reached at 2–3h for all nanocomposites. The data indicated that there is no significant change in the uptake between TiO2 nanoparticles and TiO2–PS. On the contrary, the uptake process is significantly improved using TiO2/(P (AAm–SSS) nanocomposite and the maximum experimental retention capacities for Cs+, Co2+ and Eu3+ were found to be 120, 100.9 and 85.7mg/g, respectively.
Cancer is the most frequent life-threatening disease which has the highest mortality rate throughout the world. Diagnosis of cancer at the early stage can plays a critical role for its effective and ...successful treatment. Traditional diagnostic methods for cancer screening are costly, time-consuming, and not practical for repeated screenings. However, a biomarker-based cancer diagnosis is emerging as one of the most promising strategies for early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and subsequent cancer treatment. This review describes the recent advances and improvements in the electrochemical biosensors designed for detecting various cancer biomarkers using different signal transduction techniques and biological recognition strategies.
•Electrochemical biosensor helps to early diagnosis of cancer biomarkers.•Different electrochemical transduction system strategies are well explained.•More than 75 recent research articles on biosensors for cancer biomarker detection have been reviewed.•The advantages and future perspectives of each biosensor are highlighted.
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