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ABSTRACT Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 and Clostridium perfringens type A cause infections in rabbit. Vaccines are considered an effective strategy for fighting these infections. Nowadays, the demand for using a nanoparticle adjuvant as (Montanide™ IMS) is increased due to its ability for enhancing both humoral and cell mediated immunity and, in addition, it can be administrated through different routes. An inactivated vaccine against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 and Clostridium perfringens type A which adjuvanted by Montanide™ IMS 1313 N VG PR (IMS 1313) was developed. The prepared vaccine was evaluated in rabbits for sterility, safety and potency via two different routes of vaccination. Oral administration of inactivated vaccine was evaluated as an alternative route to subcutaneous vaccination. The results revealed that rabbits vaccinated by subcutaneous route exhibited satisfactory antibody and antitoxin titer against rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2 and Clostridium perfringens type A, respectively, from 2nd week post vaccination and reached the peak at 3th week post vaccination. On the other hand, antibody and antitoxin titer of orally vaccinated rabbits didn't reach the satisfactory level. Rabbits vaccinated orally were not protected against virulent rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus 2, with 30% protection, while rabbits vaccinated subcutaneously showed satisfactory protection (90%). Serum nitric oxide and lysozyme activity had significant differences between vaccinated and control rabbits. The level of nitric oxide and lysozyme in sera of subcutaneously vaccinated rabbits was higher than that of orally vaccinated rabbits. Interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-ɑ were determined in the spleen of vaccinated rabbits, significant differences were obtained between subcutaneously and orally vaccinated rabbits. It was concluded that the combined vaccine is potent when inoculated by subcutaneous route in contrast to the oral route. The Montanide™ IMS 1313 adjuvant is a product that can be used for rabbit vaccine preparation.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent, degenerative disease of the joints manifested by joint pain, tenderness, decreased function, and limited range of motion (ROM). The current study aimed at evaluating the therapeutic effect of the high-power pain-threshold ultrasound technique (HPPTUS) in comparison with conventional ultrasound (US) techniques in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). A single-masked, pre–post randomized controlled trial was conducted. Fifty participants of both sexes (between 40 and 50 years of age), diagnosed with stage II knee osteoarthritis, participated in this study. They were randomized into two groups: Group A (experimental group, n=25), which received HPPTUS on the knee joint in addition to the traditional treatment (hot packs and isometric exercise for quadriceps), and Group B (control group, n=25), which received conventional ultrasound on knee joint in addition to the traditional treatment (hot packs and isometric exercise for quadriceps). Both groups underwent a four-week treatment plan in which sessions were conducted twice per week. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to estimate the intensity of pain, Digital Electronic Pressure Algometer was used to measure pressure pain threshold (PPT) on trigger point around knee, and Digital goniometer was utilized to assess ROM of the knee joint before and after treatment. The MANOVA test revealed statistically significant improvements in all variables (VAS, PPT, knee ROM) post-treatment compared to pre-treatment values in the HPPTUS group (experimental group) (p < 0.05), while the control group revealed statistically significant improvement only in VAS post-treatment compared with pre-treatment (p < 0.05). Comparison between groups revealed statistically significant improvements in VAS, PPT, knee ROM in participants receiving HPPTUS compared with the control group (p < 0.05). High-power ultrasound can be effectively implemented in the treatment of knee OA as it produces significant improvements in the intensity of pain, pressure-pain threshold, and knee joint ROM.

The purpose of the study is to investigate the attitude of faculty members of the College of Business Administration at Kuwait University (CBA-KU) toward the AACSB accreditation system and the way they perceive the benefits of accreditation. The level of association and the causal effect of perceived benefits on shaping faculty attitude are also addressed. A questionnaire was administered to all faculty members at CBA-KU resulting in a final response of 43 observations. While the one-sample t-test and Pearson correlation were used to investigate faculty attitude and perceived benefits and their level of association, Regression analysis was utilized in testing the effect of perceived benefits on faculty attitudes. Findings revealed a relatively high positive attitude toward AACSB accreditation and a significant above-average level of agreement with all addressed benefit statements. Significant positive correlation between benefits and attitudes and a significant effect of academic benefits on faculty attitude were also confirmed. The study is the first AACSB accreditation survey in Kuwait which enriches the understanding of the value of earning the accreditation and highlights some factors that enhance faculty positive attitude toward AACSB accrediting.

Un locus de control externo en gran medida se ha asociado con el bienestar psicológico peor. En general, los pacientes con esquizofrenia demuestran un locus de control externo más en comparación con las poblaciones no psiquiátricas. Antes de investigación en la esquizofrenia también sugiere que la relación entre mayores síntomas psicóticos y la disminución del bienestar psicológico es más fuerte para los individuos que apoyan un locus de control externo más. Esta relación no ha sido probado en una población no clínica. En una muestra de la diversidad étnica de 420 participantes, este estudio encontró, en línea con las hipótesis, de que un locus de control externo más se asoció negativamente con el bienestar psicológico. Mientras que los síntomas psicóticos subclínicos se asociaron negativamente con el bienestar psicológico, el locus de control no moderó la relación general entre la psicosis subclínica y el bienestar psicológico como se esperaba. Los análisis secundarios examinaron las relaciones entre los síntomas psicóticos subclínicos, locus de control y el bienestar psicológico por el origen étnico y sugirieron que la etnicidad moderó la relación entre un locus de control externo y la disminución de bienestar. En otras palabras, para las minorías que había una relación entre una mayor locus de control externo y la disminución de bienestar, pero no para los blancos.

Gypsum plaster/silica composites prepared by dry blending (0.2-10 %) natural sand, silica fume or silica gel and subsequently hydrated. Their physical and mechanical properties, including normal consistency, setting time, apparent porosity, bulk density and compressive strength, were determined after hydration for 7- and 28-days. The results indicated that adding different forms of silica lowered the bulk density and increased the normal consistency, setting time, apparent porosity and, to some limited extent, compressive strength of the composites. This improvement in properties can be attributed to the existence of silica in the interstitial pores in the hardened plaster matrices. While most of the composites revealed only scant rises in compressive strength, their composition was beneficial in so far as it included either a readily available low-cost constituent (sand) or industrial by-products. Consequently, the formed plaster-silica composites are of economic value, contribute to a cleaner environment by minimizing waste and can be used for applications where high porosity, lightweight units are required or recommended for low-cost buildings.

The characteristics of a changing environment and immersed in the knowledge society, demand from enterprises, organizations, universities and society in general, continuous adaptation. This adaptation has to be linked to innovation as a real need, giving a dynamic response to new demands, as a result of the need to improve their operation processes. And that also affects the teaching of Engineering and Electronics, as well as Lifelong learning and the impact on the company itself. Remote accessibility and mobility are an example of this, and represent an innovation in the teaching-learning process, and therefore, in training. The research project “Remote-labs access in Internet-based Performance-centred Learning Environment for currículum Support” is presented for the remote accessibility study. Whose objective is the definition and development of an infrastructure based on European telematics for the organization of currículum through practice based on remote laboratories (RIPLECS). The execution of innovative projects is required for the implementation of these learning systems, in order to examine the integration of mobile devices and their effects on student learning and capacity. A research project in the business environment is presented: “E-business Mobile Training – use of de mobile performance Support System for acquiring e-business Mangement Skills (EMTM)”. Curricular programs should connect to the real world of work, identifying the skills that will be needed for future work. Finally, in this line is presented an innovative project, “Performance-centred Adaptative Aurriculum for Employment Needs (PAC)”. These three projects are a practical contribution of technology to the world of learning and training, facing the 21st century European educational challenges, by innovative emerging technologies applied to learning.

Las características de un entorno cambiante e inmersos en la sociedad del conocimiento, exigen de las empresas, organizaciones, universidades y de la sociedad en general, una adaptación continua que ha de ir ligada a la innovación como una necesidad real, dando una respuesta dinámica a las nuevas demandas, como consecuencia de la necesidad de mejorar sus procesos de funcionamiento. Y eso afecta igualmente a la enseñanza de la Ingeniería y la Electrónica, así como en la Formación Permanente y el impacto en la empresa de la misma. La accesibilidad remota y la movilidad son un ejemplo de ello, y suponen una innovación en el proceso de enseñanza-aprendizaje, y por lo tanto, en la formación. Para el estudio de la accesibilidad remota se presenta un proyecto de investigación “Remote-labs access in Internet-based Performance-centred Learning Environment for currículum Support”, cuyo objetivo es la definición y desarrollo de una infraestructura basada en la telemática europea para la organización de los currículums a través de la práctica basada en laboratorios remotos (RIPLECS). Para la implementación de estos sistemas de aprendizaje se precisa la realización de proyectos innovadores, con el fin de examinar la integración de dispositivos móviles y sus efectos sobre el aprendizaje de los estudiantes y el rendimiento. Se presenta así un proyecto de investigación en el entorno de la empresa: “E-business Mobile Training – use of de mobile performance Support System for acquiring e-business Mangement Skills (EMTM)” Los programas curriculares deben conectarse con el mundo real del trabajo, detectando las habilidades que serán necesarias para el trabajo del futuro. En esta línea se presenta por último un proyecto innovador, “Performance-centred Adaptative Aurriculum for Employment Needs (PAC)”. Estos tres proyectos son una aportación práctica de la tecnología al mundo del aprendizaje y la formación, encarando los retos educativos europeos del siglo XXI, mediante tecnologías emergentes innovadoras aplicadas al aprendizaje. AbstractProjects and research for the Education improvement and the use of Technology in Engineering. The characteristics of a changing environment and immersed in the knowledge society, demand from enterprises, organizations, universities and society in general, continuous adaptation. This adaptation has to be linked to innovation as a real need, giving a dynamic response to new demands, as a result of the need to improve their operation processes. And that also affects the teaching of Engineering and Electronics, as well as Lifelong learning and the impact on the company itself. Remote accessibility and mobility are an example of this, and represent an innovation in the teaching-learning process, and therefore, in training. The research project “Remote-labs access in Internet-based Performance-centred Learning Environment for currículum Support” is presented for the remote accessibility study. Whose objective is the definition and development of an infrastructure based on European telematics for the organization of currículum through practice based on remote laboratories (RIPLECS). The execution of innovative projects is required for the implementation of these learning systems, in order to examine the integration of mobile devices and their effects on student learning and capacity. A research project in the business environment is presented: “E-business Mobile Training – use of de mobile performance Support System for acquiring e-business Mangement Skills (EMTM)” Curricular programs should connect to the real world of work, identifying the skills that will be needed for future work. Finally, in this line is presented an innovative project, “Performance-centred Adaptative Aurriculum for Employment Needs (PAC)”. These three projects are a practical contribution of technology to the world of learning and training, facing the 21st century European educational challenges, by innovative emerging technologies applied to learning.

K-based geopolymer binder was prepared by reacting metakaolin with alkaline solutions having different potassium contents and by water curing at room temperature and 80 °C as well as steam curing at 150 and 180 °C. The phase formation, microstructure and Al and Si nearest neighbor environments were studied using XRD, TEM and 27Al and 29Si MAS NMR spectroscopy, respectively. The results revealed that amorphous alumino-silicates were predominant in geopolymer prepared by curing up to 28 days at room temperature or at 80 °C. The amorphous alumino-silicates persisted after hydrothermal treatment at 150 °C/48 hrs and even at 180 °C/30 hrs. However, the samples cured hydrothermally at 180 °C/48 hrs revealed formation of crystalline potassium aluminum silicate and chabazite phases. The Al nearest neighbor environments was not significantly affected by increasing the K/Al ratio up to 1.55 or by the curing temperatures. On the other hand, the geopolymer reaction appears to have increased when cured at 80 °C or steam cured at 150° and 180 °C and crystalline aluminosilicates resulted when the geopolymer sample was hydrothermally treated at 180 °C/48 hrs.

En este artículo exponemos algunas mejoras y aportaciones en dos aspectos de los sistemas de gestión de aprendizaje (LMS). El primer aspecto es la seguridad y la autenticación, donde presentamos una modalidad de combinar la autenticación tradicional de contraseña y nombre de usuario con la autenticación por la técnica biométrica de comparación de huellas dactilares. El segundo aspecto es una arquitectura middleware capaz de dar acceso desde los LMS a distintos laboratorios remotos y virtuales (online) de forma que, se evita la duplicación de los servicios proporcionados por ambas y se reutilizan los servicios proporcionados por los LMS en las sesiones prácticas.

Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS), a lesion of the synovial tissues, is rarely found in the spine. We present a 73-year-old male with increasing lower extremity weakness and paresthesias. MRI scans revealed disc herniation and spinal cord compression at the T11-T12 and T12- L1 levels. Intraoperative exploration revealed an epidural mass originating in the T12 lamina, compressing the spinal cord at T11-T12. Pathologic examination was consistent with pigmented villonodular synovitis.Sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada (PVNS) es una lesión del tejido sinovial y raramente se encuentra en la columna vertebral. Presentamos el caso de un hombre de 73 años de edad que mostró aumento de la flaqueza de la extremidad inferior y parestesias. El examen de imagen por resonancia magnética indicó una hernia de disco y compresión en el nivel de T11-T12 y T12-L1. La exploración quirúrgica evidenció una masa epidural originaria en T2 y compresión de la médula espinal a nivel de T11-T12. El examen patológico fue compatible con sinovitis vellonodular pigmentada.Sinovitis pigmentada vilonodular (PVNS) é uma lesão do tecido sinovial e raramente é encontrada na coluna vertebral. Apresentamos o caso de um homem de 73 anos de idade com aumento de fraqueza da extremidade inferior e parestesia. O exame de imagem por ressonância magnética revelou hérnia de disco e compressão no nível T11-T12 e T12-L1. A exploração cirúrgica evidenciou massa epidural orginária em T2 e compressão da medula espinhal no nível de T11-T12. O exame patológico foi compatível com sinovitis pigmentada vilonodular .

Foram avaliadas as características morfológicas da carcaça, musculosidade e composição tecidual da perna de cordeiros criados em regime de pasto, provenientes de ovelhas Romney, acasaladas com três raças paternas (Romney, East Friesian x (Finn x Texel) e Finn x Poll Dorset). Aos 150 e 300 dias de idade, os cordeiros foram abatidos em dois lotes, cada um com 15 animais de cada raça paterna, num total de 90 animais. O grupo oriundo de animais East Friesian x (Finn x Texel) apresentou maior quantidade de músculo na perna (1.975 g) e, em comparação ao grupo Romney, semelhante musculosidade da perna (0,45) e maior relação músculo:osso (7x6,69). A musculosidade da perna nos animais descendentes de Finn x Poll Dorset foi menor (0,44), quando comparada à dos demais grupos. Cordeiros abatidos mais tardiamente apresentaram carcaças mais longas e magras, provavelmente pelas condições adversas do verão e do outono, em que são típicas a menor taxa de crescimento e a qualidade inferior de forragem. O genótipo e a idade de abate influem nas características morfológicas da carcaça, no índice de musculosidade e de composição tecidual da perna dos cordeiros.Carcass morphologic characteristics, muscularity and leg tissue composition of pasture fed lambs (Limestone Downs farm, New Zealand) born to Romney ewes and sired by Romney, East Friesian x (Finn x Texel), and Finn x Poll Dorset were evaluated for carcass composition and meat quality. Animals were slaughtered in two age groups (150 and 300 days), each group containing 15 animals of each sire breed, comprising a total of 90 animals. The East Friesian x (Finn x Texel) sired group presented the highest weight-adjusted percentage of leg muscle (1,975 g), and relatively to the Romney group, it had similar leg muscularity (0.45), but higher muscle to bone ratio (7x6.69). Finn x Poll Dorset sired group presented less leg muscularity (0.44) than the other genotypes. Lambs slaughtered at the older age had longer and leaner carcasses at the same weight, probably because of summer-autumn adverse conditions, typically with slower pasture growth rates and herbage quality. Both genotype and slaughter age influence carcass morphologic characteristics, muscularity and leg tissue composition of lambs.

Cordeiros criados em regime de pasto, provenientes de ovelhas Romney acasaladas com três raças paternas (Romney, East Friesian x (Finn x Texel) e Finn x Poll Dorset), foram avaliados quanto às características de qualidade da carne. Os cordeiros foram abatidos aos 150 e 300 dias de idade, cada lote com 15 animais de cada raça paterna, totalizando 90 animais. A carne dos cordeiros Romney foi mais macia que a dos demais genótipos. O pH final do músculo Semimembranosus dos cordeiros abatidos mais precocemente foi superior (5,61) ao dos abatidos mais tardiamente (5,58), entretanto estes últimos apresentaram carne com menor maciez (11,16 kg) que os abatidos aos 150 dias de idade (7,45 kg). Com relação à cor, a luminosidade da carne de cordeiros abatidos aos 150 dias foi maior (38,20) que a dos abatidos mais tardiamente (36,80), mas não foi afetada pelo genótipo. Concluiu-se que o genótipo e a idade de abate influíram na produção e qualidade da carne ovina.Lambs born from Romney ewes and sired by Romney, East Friesian x (Finn x Texel), and Finn x Poll Dorset, under pasture grazing system, were evaluated for meat quality. Animals were slaughtered at two age groups (150 and 300 days), each group with 15 animals of each sire breed, in a total of 90 animals. The meat from Romney lambs was more tenderness than those from the other genotypes. The final pH in semimembranosus muscle of younger lambs was higher (5.61) than those in muscle from older lambs (5.58). But, these last showed meat less tenderness (11.16 kg) than that from lambs slaughtered at 150 days of age (7.45 kg). In relation to meat color, the luminosity of meat from lambs slaughtered at 150 days was higher (38.20) than that from lambs slaughtered later (36.80), but this trait was not affected by genotype. In conclusion, both genotype and slaughter age influenced quantitative aspects of lamb carcass and lamb meat quality characteristics.

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