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African trypanosomiasis is a parasitic disease that affects both humans and animals. This study investigated the antitrypanosomal activities of crude and an alkaloidal fraction of Diospyros mespiliformis in Trypanosoma evansi – infected rats. A total of twenty-one (21) albino rats were infected with Trypanosoma evansi and grouped into seven (A-G) of 3 rats each. Group A serve as normal control, groups B and C were given 0.2 ml normal saline/kg BW and 3.5 mg/kg BW diminazene aceturate respectively, groups D and E were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg BW alkaloidal while groups E and F received crude extract at 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively for twelve days. Results revealed that both crude and an alkaloidal fraction of D. mespiliformis exhibited significant (p

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to investigate restaurant clientele tipping behavior and its inspiration on foodservice empathy within two- and three-star hotels in Kisumu County, Kenya. This was with the objective of analyzing the tipping effect on restaurant food service quality with an emphasis on Parasuraman, Zeithmal and Barry's empathy as a key dimension of quality in accordance to the SERVQUAL model.Design/methodology/approachFor the purpose of this study, food service empathy was investigated in relation to the influence of tipping on restaurant food service quality. Further, a census of all the two and three star-rated hotels within Kisumu County was carried out. The study applied descriptive research design in the investigation on the tipping behavior and its inspiration on foodservice empathy. Moreover, simple random sampling was employed in the selection of clients since it yielded a sample that is representative of the population. Additionally, the study employed the use of questionnaires for collection of data, which were coded, analyzed and presented in frequencies, tables and graphs.FindingsThe study findings reveal that there is a significant relationship between rewards upon perception of service and food service empathy but failed to find a significant relation between incentives for improved future service as well as the social norms and foodservice empathy. However, in general, the study established a significant relationship between tipping and foodservice empathy in the sampled hotels in Kenya. Thus, in summary, at 95% confidence level, the study concluded that there is a significant relationship between tipping and foodservice empathy.Research limitations/implicationsThis study was restricted on two and three-star hotels within Kisumu County in Kenya with a sample size of 384 respondents, which would otherwise limit the degree to which the findings were applied. Consequently, the study sought to collect data from restaurant clients although the access and, therefore, direct interaction were denied by some of the hotels. Further, this study employed a survey approach in the collection of data from restaurant clients in two and three-star hotels. Accordingly, there was minimal local and regional research literature available on the study topic.Practical implicationsTipping in the context of the broad global service industry, including hospitality's restaurant food service, is as old as Roman times. However, tipping is practiced differently across the world with some countries practicing while other countries not practicing the act of tipping. For that reason, tipping is not regulated in some of the countries including Kenya and therefore the lack of policy. Nonetheless, tipping is perceived to be the genesis of food service failures as a result of discriminatory restaurant food service in addition to increasing costs of eating out. This study therefore sought to investigate restaurant tipping behavior and its inspiration on foodservice empathy. The study results might be applied in policy formulation in order to curb the negative effect of tipping on food service empathy.Originality/valueMinimal studies have been instituted and published in the area of tipping and service quality relationship with an emphasis on each of Parasuraman, Zeithmal and Berry's dimensions of quality. This research survey, therefore, sought to collect data from restaurant clients in two and three-star hotels within Kisumu County in Kenya and therefore investigated restaurant clientele tipping behavior and its inspiration on food service empathy.

ispartof: CESifo Forum vol:23 issue:3 pages:29-32 status: Published online

Tipping is an interesting pecuniary behavior involving service providers and hospitality’s restaurant clients. The tipping act goes beyond the hospitality industry and therefore is a common practic...

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are key enzymes in epigenetics and important drug targets in cancer biology. Whilst it has been established that HDACs regulate many cellular processes, far less is known about the regulation of these enzymes themselves. Here, we show that HDAC8 is allosterically regulated by shifts in populations between exchanging states. An inactive state is identified, which is stabilised by a range of mutations and resembles a sparsely-populated state in equilibrium with active HDAC8. Computational models show that the inactive and active states differ by small changes in a regulatory region that extends up to 28 Å from the active site. The regulatory allosteric region identified here in HDAC8 corresponds to regions in other class I HDACs known to bind regulators, thus suggesting a general mechanism. The presented results pave the way for the development of allosteric HDAC inhibitors and regulators to improve the therapy for several disease states., Human Histone Deacetylases (HDACs) regulate gene expression and are important drug targets. Here, the authors combine NMR measurements, enzymatic assays and molecular dynamics simulations and show that HDAC8 samples a catalytically active and an inactive state and further demonstrate that mutations and ligand binding alter the populations of the two states, which is of interest for inhibitor design.

Background Semaphorin6A (Sema6A) and its PlexinA2 (PlxnA2) receptor canonically function as repulsive axon guidance cues. To understand downstream signaling mechanisms, we performed a microarray screen and identified the "clutch molecule" shootin-1 (shtn-1) as a transcriptionally repressed target. Shtn-1 is a key proponent of cell migration and neuronal polarization and must be regulated during nervous system development. The mechanisms of Shtn-1 regulation and the phenotypic consequences of loss of repression are poorly understood. Results We demonstrate shtn-1 overexpression results in impaired migration of the optic vesicles, lack of retinal pigmented epithelium, and pathfinding errors of retinotectal projections. We also observed patterning defects in the peripheral nervous system. Importantly, these phenotypes were rescued by overexpressing PlxnA2. Conclusions We demonstrate a functional role for repression of shtn-1 by PlxnA2 in development of the eyes and peripheral nervous system in zebrafish. These results demonstrate that careful regulation of shtn-1 is critical for development of the nervous system.

PurposeWork-integrated learning (WIL) has emerged as a leading pedagogy that blends theory with application. In recent years, policymakers, educators and practitioners have called for a significant expansion of WIL, one which would enable every undergraduate student has at least one WIL experience during their program of study. Despite these appeals, there remains a significant divide between the aspiration of universality and the realities. Consequently, the study asks the following question: How can post-secondary institutions expand their WIL initiatives to universal levels that deliver transformative learning?Design/methodology/approachIn this exploratory study, the authors leverage research from entrepreneurship and management to develop a conceptual model of universal work-integrated learning (UWIL). Entrepreneurship and management research is relevant in this context, as the rapid introduction of a UWIL has transformative implications at the level of the individual (e.g. students, faculty), organization (e.g. processes) and the learning ecosystem (e.g. partners, policymakers) — issues at the core of research in entrepreneurship and management over the past two decades.FindingsAt the core of the authors’ proposal is the contention that the high-impact talent challenge and the delivery of UWIL must be reframed as not simply a challenge facing educators, but as a challenge facing the broader ecosystem of the workforce and the larger community. The authors propose the implementation of UWIL through an open innovation framework based on five strategic pillars.Originality/valueUltimately, the findings the authors present here can be leveraged by all members of the learning ecosystem, including administrators, faculty, policymakers, accreditation bodies and community partners, as a framework for operationalizing a UWIL strategy. The study’s model challenges all members of this learning ecosystem to operationalize a UWIL strategy. This entrepreneurial reframing introduces the potential for innovating the delivery of UWIL by leveraging the broader learning ecosystem to drive efficiencies and transformative learning.

ZusammenfassungMagnetisch-induktive Durchflusssensoren zeichnen sich durch lange Wartungsintervalle aus, sind jedoch auf die Zuführung elektrischer Leistung zur Erzeugung des für die Messung benötigten magnetischen Wechselfelds angewiesen. In jüngster Zeit gibt es Bestrebungen Sensoren kabellos zu betreiben. Die Minimierung des Leistungsbedarfs des Sensors gewinnt so zunehmend an Bedeutung, um eine lange Betriebszeit des Messwertgebers sicherzustellen. In diesem Beitrag wird deshalb ein magnetisch remanentes Material hinsichtlich seines Energieeinsparpotentials für die magnetisch-induktive Durchflussmessung untersucht. Im Gegensatz zur üblichen Felderzeugung mittels Elektromagneten wird nur während der kurzen Umpolzeiträume elektrische Leistung benötigt. Danach bleibt das Magnetfeld auch ohne weitere Zuführung elektrischer Leistung konstant und kann zur Durchflussmessung herangezogen werden. Anders als beispielsweise Ferritmagnete lassen sich remanente Magnetmaterialien jedoch unter geringerem Energieaufwand umpolen, was sie für die Erzeugung magnetischer Wechselfelder prädestiniert. Wie ein Sensor auf Basis remanenter Materialien dimensioniert werden sollte, damit ein für die Messung ausreichendes Magnetfeld unter minimalen Verlusten erzeugt wird, ist eine der Kernfragen dieses Beitrags. Dazu wird ein Prototyp mithilfe eines Modells ausgelegt und messtechnisch untersucht. Die Ansteuerung des Sensors erfolgt über eine eigens entwickelte Logikschaltung. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Messgenauigkeit unabhängig von der Art der Felderzeugung erhalten bleibt. Für niedrige Feldwechselraten kann der geringe Leistungsbedarf remanenter Magnetmaterialien bestätigt werden.

Active probiotic organisms are essential bacteria considered live microorganisms obtained from fermented foods. There is increasing evidence that probiotics are necessaryfor human health. This study aimed to isolate and characterize the active probiotic microorganisms in Nigerias commonly fermented food samples. Maize, castor oil,and African oil beans were the primary fermentable food samples used in the study. The result revealed the presence of active probiotic organisms such as Pedioccocus, Micrococcus,Lactobacillus, and Bacillus species. The study concluded that these organisms are responsible for the fermentation of carbohydrates and protein-rich seeds. &nbsp

Addiction medicine is influenced by societal changes and the environment has an impact on addictive behaviors and how they are experienced. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on addictive behaviors, some of which could be favorable, and others highlight vulnerabilities to be considered by clinicians. Recent legislative changes open possibilities to limit the negative impact of electronic lotteries. In a context favorable to a better acceptance of people of LGBTQIA+ diversity, research and training in addiction medicine also have a role to play. In view of advances in understanding the harmful effects of alcohol, it is necessary to adapt the perception of the risk, in order not to provoke the incomprehension in the population.

In 2021, the manufacturer of diamorphine reported a possible impending shortage for Switzerland and Germany. This led us to investigate this controlled medicine's manufacture, market, and regulatory constraints. Based on our analysis of legal texts and gray literature in the form of reports and documents, we propose recommendations to prevent and address diamorphine shortages in Switzerland. Diamorphine, also known as pharmaceutical "heroin," is used medically to treat persons with severe opioid use disorder in a handful of countries. The controlled medicine is manufactured from morphine, which, in turn, is extracted from opium poppies. Studying data from the International Narcotics Control Board for 2019, we find that Switzerland accounts for almost half of the worldwide medical consumption of diamorphine. It manufactures more than half of the worldwide total and keeps the largest stocks. Moreover, Switzerland is dependent on a sole supplier of diamorphine (monopoly). As a niche product, diamorphine has an increased risk of shortage. Such a shortage would immediately threaten a valuable public health program for around 1,660 Swiss patients. We believe it is urgent to curtail the monopoly and ensure a stable supply for the future.