Harm to the Well-being of the Udder at the Level of Dairy Farms of Sidi Mhamed Benali Wilaya of Relizane (Algeria)

Background: Among the dairy cattle production problems in Algeria, mastitis rank first in terms of socio-economic impact. Our aim is to identify the state of well-being of the udder in order to manage and control mastitis related problems. Methods: The pH analysis of 177 cow milk samples was performed at two farms located in the Sidi Mhamed Benali region in northwest Algeria associated with an assessment (of the udder’s cleanliness degree, the udder’s position, the teat’s hyperkeratosis lesion and the ITH) out over a period of one year (2020-2021). Result: Analysis of mean (of cleanliness, udder position and ITH) between cold and warm season were significantly different at a value of [(4.11; 2.75); (5.19; 4.11); (56.96; 73.76)] respectively. The paper test revealed that the health of the udder is influenced by any variation in cleanliness and the ITH whose correlation coefficient is equal to 0.72 leading to the appearance of subclinical mastitis during the cold season. While during the hot season the bad milking procedure is incriminated in the appearance of hyperkeratosis lesion at a mean value equal to 1 (smooth ring stage) inducing the appearance of clinical mastitis with p less than 0.05, moreover the cows in first lactation are the most influenced by these elicited factors. In conclusion, monitoring and evaluating the well-being of the udder around the parturition is a tool that allows better prevention of mastitis.

Phenolic substances and cyanogenesis in galled and non-galled tissue of the fern species Microgramma vacciniifolia

Galls, neo-formed plant structures that can occur in different organs, are generated by species-specific interaction with an inducing organism. Inducers manipulate the metabolism of its host. Microgramma vacciniifolia (Langsd. & Fisch.) Copel. is a Neotropical epiphytic fern that hosted two stem galls, one induced by a midge species (Diptera) and other by a micromoth species (Lepidoptera). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of these two gall-inducing insects on the biochemistry of phenolic acids and the cyanogenesis in galls, stems and leaves of M. vacciniifolia. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicated a total of 14 phenol derivatives, including caffeic and coumaric acid. Principal Coordinates Analysis (PCoA) of the phenolic substances indicated three groups consisting (1) non-galled stems and micromoth-induced galls; (2) midge-induced galls; (3) midge-induced galls with parasitoids. Regarding the frequency of cyanogenesis assessed by the picrate paper test, the chi-squared test showed significant difference between fertile leaves (8.3%), sterile leaves (27.7%), non-galled stems (0%) and galls. Among galls, only the midge-induced galls analyzed were cyanogenic (15%). Our results indicated that the different gall-inducers (midge and micromoth) promote species-specific alterations to the phenolic substance composition of the host fern.

Rapid COVID-19 Test: Investigating the Willingness to Take a Rapid Test Based on Multiple Factors

The COVID-19 Pandemic has had a significant impact on society. Due to the large lose of life, scientists have attempted to develop various rapid testing methods. Several methods have been developed among them, an inexpensive paper test. The researcher has endeavored to determine what factors will influence a person’s willing to take a daily covid-19 test. Via a survey instrument that was disseminated we received a response of N=546 participants. We performed many standard statistical tests, t-tests, and one way ANOVA’s as well as Chi Squared tests and Linear by linear associations. Via this analysis were able to determine that there is a statistical significance between willingness to take daily rapid covid-19 test (p <0.05 and, washing your hand (p <0.001), being cautious of your actions (p <0.001), being concerned about covid-19 (p <0.001) and preventing things before they happen (p <0.001). Risk averse people more likely to take preventative measures to take actions to protect themselves and others around them. The lack of basic knowledge regarding the replication of SAR-CoV-2, has led people to underestimate the rapid spread of the virus. Thus, people are coming in contact with others during the most virulent state of the virus.

Deteksi Gen Kdr pada Nyamuk Anopheles di Kabupaten Maluku Tenggara Barat

Malaria is still a health problem in Indonesia, particularly in Eastern part of Indonesia. The use of LLIN insecticide bed nets is one of the efforts to reduce the malaria morbidity rate by protecting human from malaria vector bites. The Anopheles flavirostris, Anopheles barbirostris, and Anopheles subpictus mosquitoes are three of the species reported as malaria vectors in West-Southeast Maluku Regency. The aim of this research was to detect the kdr gene in An. flavirostris, An. barbirostris, and An.subpictus mosquitoes collected from Alusi Kelaan village, West-Southeast Maluku Regency. The research was conducted at the Papua Biomedical Research and Development Center, in June 2016. A total of six An. flavirostris, 42 An. barbirostris, and 24 An. subpictus were pooled separately for genomic DNA extraction. The sample used was the An. flavirostris, An. barbirostris, and An. subpictus that survived after the impregnated paper test. The kdr gene detection was carried out using quantitative PCR (qPCR) focused on points V1010 and L1014. The results showed that there were no kdr mutant strains in the An. flavirostris, An. barbirostris, and An. subpictus. These results indicated that the sensitivity of pyrethroid insecticides contained in LLIN mosquito nets to An. flavirostris, An. barbirostris, and An. subpictus mosquitoes was not decreased in West Southeast Maluku Regency.

Test rig dedicated for hardware used in wind tunnels

The paper present the results of work on measurement system dedicated to hardware used during wind tunnel tests, especially to servomechanisms. These devices could be applied to set specific position of control surface. Proposed system would ensure continuous monitoring of servo-rotor position and servo-motor temperature and would avoid uncontrolled change of control surface position. The application designed to monitor the operating status of the servomechanism was prepared in the LabVIEW software and was implemented on the myRIO platform. Developed test rig allow to register time histories of servo-rotor position and temperature during for different values of applied load. In the paper, test methodology were also presented. Experimental studies show that before wind tunnel tests, selected servomechanism should be tested in terms of maintaining the parameters declared by the manufacturer, especially during continuous operation. Developed measurement system can be used during wind tunnel tests, as well as only for servo-mechanism parameter testing.

Flow-Induced Vibrations of a Rotated Square Tube Array Subjected to Single-Phase Cross-Flow

This paper investigates the flow-induced vibration (FIV) and possibility of fluidelastic instability occurrence in a rotated square geometry tube array through a series of experimental tests. All experiments presented here were conducted in water cross-flow. The array pitch spacing ratio of approximately P/D=1.64 is somewhat larger than that commonly found in typical steam generators. The stability of a single flexible tube as well as multiple flexible tubes were investigated. The tubes were free to vibrate purely in the streamwise direction or the transverse direction relative to the upstream flow. A single flexible tube, in the otherwise rigid tube array, was found to undergo large amplitude vibrations (up to 40 % D) in the transverse direction. Tube vibration frequency analysis indicated the presence of two frequency components related to vorticity shedding in the array. This potential vorticity-induced-vibrations (VIV) and potential coupling between VIV and FEI are discussed in the paper. Test results for streamwise flow-induced vibrations are also presented. Results in water flow show a possible effect related to flow periodicity at low velocity. At significantly high flow velocities, the tubes are found to fully restabilize. This restabilization after VIV locking has not been previously reported as an unlocking result. The present results suggest that the flow-induced vibration of tubes in a rotated square array configuration is significantly more complex than in other geometries, particularly for the streamwise vibration case.

‘Hand mechanogram’ in epilepsia partialis continua

Epilepsia partialis continua manifests as low-frequency, rhythmic involuntary movements of a focal body part. We report a young man, HIV-positive and with syphilis, who developed right-hand epilepsia partialis continua associated with a small left-sided cortico-subcortical frontal lesion. A pen and paper test provided ‘mechanographic’ data on frequency, amplitude and rhythmicity of the hand movements, helping distinguish it from other causes of low-frequency repetitive hand movements.

Can Word-Word Space Facilitate L2 Chinese Reading: Evidence From the Two Empirical Studies by Advanced L2 Learners of Mandarin Chinese

The purpose of this article aims to analysis the effect of word-word space in written Chinese to advanced non-native speakers when they read and process Mandarin texts. The participants have performed one online reaction time experiment and another one offline pencil-paper test. The results indicate that the structure of word segmentation in written Chinese texts have play an effective role in sentences’ semantic processing, and the length and difficulty of sentences stimuli have also displayed significant function for their Chinese sentences processing. However, the results of offline test show that the combinational amount of segmental words have not affected the texts materials processed by advanced L2 participants. These results suggest that word boundary can facilitate L2 learners of Mandarin Chinese in processing text during their reading. Apart from theoretical implications, this article also proposes a new pedagogical approach to teaching text segmentation in Chinese, which can be useful in instructing Chinese as a second or foreign language.

Response of Two Local Common Bean Ecotypes of “Fagioli di Sarconi” PGI (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) to Seed-Borne Pathogens and Environmental Change

Among foods protected by the European Union with the PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) mark, several ecotypes of “Fagioli di Sarconi” common beans, typical legumes of Basilicata Region, are included. This work aimed to conduct a survey of seed-borne pathogens isolated from “Ciuoto” and “Cannellino rosso”, ecotypes of “Fagioli di Sarconi” common beans, in two years and cultivation areas of the National Park of the Agri Valley, for identifying resistant and climatic changes well-adapted genotypes. Three validated methods were used for the seed-borne pathogens screening. Eighteen fungi were differently found for ecotype and year of observation by the washing test. Saprophyte contaminants pathogens isolated and detected by the blotter test were strongly reduced by 1% sodium hypochlorite treatment. Using the between paper test, specific for detecting Colletotrichum lindemuthianum, the presence of this pathogen for both ecotypes, years and cultivation areas, and also some bacteria were individuated. Therefore, area-, environment- and ecotype-dependent differences were revealed, probably also caused by a different polyphenolic content and thickness of integument of two ecotypes. This study represents a baseline information for further studies, development of forecasting models and management of seed-borne diseases associated with common beans.

A Pilot Tool of the Virtual Scenario Initial Dementia Cognitive Screening (VSIDCS) with a Cultural Exhibition for Improving the Standard Traditional Test

Dementia has become a serious global health problem for older people. In the past, primary screening for dementia was carried out by a paper test. These standard traditional tests (e.g., Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)) have been used for many years. In addition to paper tests, is there another way to let people have better involvement and emotions during the test procedure? With the advancement of technology, the application of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have changed and improved many medical technologies. However, there are few applications of VR and AR in dementia screening. The purpose of this study was to apply VR and AR to construct a pilot tool for virtual scenario initial dementia cognitive screening (VSIDCS) with a cultural exhibition, to achieve better involvement and emotions in participants. There were three operating interfaces designed for the system: a VR screening interface, cognitive board, and AR recognition interface. There were twenty-four middle-aged people (Female 10 and Male 14 between 50 and 65 years of age and with an average age of 58.7 years) selected for the test. The results of the experiments showed that VSIDCS test scores are consistent with those of the MoCA and MMSE. Additionally, VSIDCS can induce better involvement and emotions than the MoCA and MMSE. Participants showed better enthusiasm and more positive experiences during the VSIDCS test.