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WOS: 000396367400025, The importance of aquaculture sector is increasingly enhanced due to decrease in natural fish stocks, increasing nutritional requirements and qualified protein need. In parallel with the rise, and becoming an important value, of aquaculturesector, significant developments have occurred in fish feed production as well. It is a fact that the most important cost elements within aquaculture are feeds and usage costs of the feeds and these are effective as much as 70% in production. Substantial and great developments are observed for fish feed production industry and thus raw material, additives, feed machine manufacturers and suppliers recently. With this study, it was detected that there were 28 fish feed production plants in to 8 mounts, that generally extruder feed production technology was used and that majority of production systems were imported. It was recorded that fish feed production plants produced 355.387 tons of feed as from 2013. It was observed that 85% of feed production was regionally in Aegean Region and concordantly, supplier companies were centered in this region. This study can be recommended in terms of being an important source for academic and private sector employees studying and working in fish feed production and fish feeding subjects.

WOS: 000458446700004 The aim of present study was to determine relative feed value and estimate the in vitro digestibility E2 of caramba (Lolium multiflorum cv. Caramba), a variety of Italian ryegrass, for ruminants. Caramba was harvested at the five times when the plant height was about 42 cm for each harvesting. The fresh and dry herbage yields of caramba obtained from the first, second, third and fourth harvests were similar and higher (P

Background Patients seeking a second opinion or continuation of care at our hospital will routinely have their pathology reviewed prior to initiating treatment. To assess the relevance of this review in patients with breast cancer, we compared original pathology reports submitted during the referral with second-review reports issued at our institution. We also assessed compliance with College of American Pathologists (CAP) requirements regarding inclusion of scientifically validated data elements (SVDE) in these pathology reports. Methods We retrospectively studied all 1,970 breast pathology referral cases reviewed during one calendar year. The variables studied were histologic classification; tumor grade, necrosis, size, margin status, lymphatic/vascular invasion, dermal involvement, and biomarker profile (ER, PR, and Her-2). Each variable was rated as “agree,” “disagree,” “missing information,” or “not applicable.” Results A significant discrepancy, defined as a disagreement that affected patient care, was found in 226 cases (11.47%). Additionally, in 418 resection cases (31.6%), some CAP-checklist specific required information was missing. The most common areas of significant discrepancy were histologic category (66 cases; 33%) and biomarker reporting (50 cases; 25%). The most problematic diagnostic categories were intraductal lesions, lobular carcinoma, metaplastic carcinomas, and phyllodes tumors. Most disagreements in the biomarker-profile category were interpretive, but in 20% of discrepant cases, findings were supported by repeat immunohistochemical analysis. Conclusions Our results confirm the value and utility of obtaining a second opinion to optimize patient care. Changes in diagnoses obtained after second review should be interpreted and reported in a collaborative fashion, noting the benefit of a review from second pair of experienced eyes. Our results support the use of second review to ensure inclusion of CAP-required data elements in pathology reports. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:192–197. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The standard penetration test (SPT) is the most common test conducted in the field, and it is used to determine in situ properties of different soils. Although it is a matter of debate, these tests are also used for the determination of the consistency of fine-grained soils, whereby the test results can also be utilized to establish numerous empirical correlations to predict the strength of soils in the field. In this study, unsupervised clustering algorithms were employed to classify the SPT standard penetration resistance value (SPT-N) in the field. In this scope, shear strength and liquidity index parameters were used to classify the SPT-N values by taking the classification system of Terzaghi and Peck (1967) into consideration. The results showed that the input parameters were successful for classifying the SPT-N value to an acceptable degree of strength attribute. Therefore, in cases where the SPT tests are unreliable or could not be performed, laboratory tests on undisturbed specimens can give valuable information regarding the consistency and SPT-N value of the soil specimen under investigation. Data in this study is based on several tests that were conducted in a region; nevertheless, it is advised that the results of this study should be evaluated using global data.

Objective: To determine the perception of sexuality, sexual function disorders and the effects of quality of life of sexual problems in female patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) in a Turkish population. Material and Methods: This study group was between the ages of 18-58 years; female SCI patients, sexually active before the spinal cord injury, were included. The control group consisted of healthy women. Neurological levels T10 and above, T11-L2, conus, and cauda were classified in three sub-groups. SCI and healthy women were evaluated with the TAF Rehabilitation Center Sexual Rehabilitation Evaluation Form in Women with SCI, Female Sexual Function Index, and Satisfaction With Life Scale. Results: Fifty SCI and 50 healthy women were included into the study; 46 patients before the injury and 40 patients after the injury had sexual intercourse experience, respectively. The decrease in sexual arousal and sexual intercourse was statistically significant (p=0.000) in the after-injury group than before the injury. Sexual interest and importance given to sexuality were significantly lower before the injury than in the control group (p

Polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinyl phenacyl pyridinium hexafluorophosphate) (PS-b-PVPP) was synthesized by reacting polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinyl pyridine) prepared by living anionic polymerization with phenacyl bromide followed by counter anion exchange reaction. The ability of PS-b-PVPP to act as a photoinitiator for both free radical and cationic polymerizations is demonstrated. In the free radical polymerization, the initiation step involves the decay of the excited state of the salt with homolytic bond rupture of the nitrogen–carbon bond. For the cationic polymerization, homolytic cleavage followed by electron transfer and/or heterolytic scission reactions are responsible for the generation of reactive species. Photoinduced switching behavior of PS-b-PVPP from ionic to neutral state was also demonstrated by surface analysis, particle size and film thickness measurements.

Biodegradable polymers have been broadly used as agents that can complex with and deliver osteoinductive agents, but osteoinductivity of the polymers themselves has been rarely studied. Here we report the osteoinductivity of poly(4-hydroxy-L-proline ester) (PHPE), a biodegradable cationic polymer with cell penetrating properties. Under physiological conditions, PHPE degrades into trans-4-hydroxy-L-proline (trans-Hyp), a non-coded amino acid with essential functions in collagen fibril formation and fibril stability. Treatment of SaOS-2 osteoblast-like cells and hFOB 1.19 primary osteoblast cells with PHPE promoted earlier collagen nodule formation and mineralization of the extracellular matrix compared to untreated cells, even when mineralization activators were absent in the growth medium. Our results indicate that PHPE is a potential osteoinductive agent in vitro that can favor bone regeneration. Moreover, this osteoinductive property could be partly attributed to the degradation product trans-Hyp, which could recapitulate some, but not all of the osteogenic activity. The primary findings of this study can be summarized as follows: treatment of cells with PHPE led to (1) the induction of COL1A1 expression, collagen synthesis and secretion in osteoblast-like cells, (2) mineralization of the ECM in both SaOS-2 and hFOB 1.19 primary osteoblasts, and (3) induction of BMP2 gene and protein expression in osteoblast-like cells, which can promote mineralization of the ECM and regeneration of the bone tissue. Our results suggest that PHPE is a non-cytotoxic polymer and can be potentially used to overcome collagenopathies such as osteogenesis imperfecta.

In this study, it was aimed to map the corrected Standard Penetration Test (SPT) values in Karsiyaka city center by kriging approach. Six maps were prepared by this geostatistical approach at depths of 3, 6, 9, 13.5, 18 and 25.5 m. Borehole test results obtained from 388 boreholes in central Karsiyaka were used to model the spatial variation of (N-1 60cs values in an area of 5.5 km(2). Corrections were made for depth, hammer energy, rod length, sampler, borehole diameter and fines content, to the data in hand. At various depths, prepared variograms and the kriging method were used together to model the variation of corrected SPT data in the region, which enabled the estimation of missing data in the region. The results revealed that the estimation ability of the models were acceptable, which were validated by a number of parameters as well as the comparisons of the actual and estimated data. Outcomes of this study can be used in microzonation studies, site response analyses, calculation of bearing capacity of subsoils in the region and producing a number of parameters which are empirically related to corrected SPT number as well.

WOS: 000328264700006 Objective: Comparison of quality of life [QOL] and emotional status in male patients with traumatic lower limb amputation [LLA] and controls and evaluation of the relationship between these outcomes and post-amputation pain, functional status and perception of body image. Methods: Thirty male patients aged between 20 and 45 years, with traumatic LLA and 30 healthy normal controls were enrolled. The Nottingham Health Profile [NHP], Beck Depression Inventory [BDI], Beck Anxiety Inventory [BAI], visual analog scale [VAS], Locomotor Capabilities Index [LCI] and Amputee Body Image Scale [ABIS] were used. Results: There were significantly higher NHP, BDI and BAI scores in patients with LLA than control subjects [p < 0.05]. In patients with LLA, all subgroups of NHP were positively correlated with BDI, BAI and ABIS scores [p < 0.05]. The NHP energy and physical disability subgroups scores were negatively correlated with LCI scores. The positive correlation was found between the NHP pain subgroup score and post-amputation pain VAS score [p < 0.05]. There was no correlation between NHP scores and age and time since amputation [p > 0.05]. The positive correlation was found between BDI, BAI and ABIS score [p < 0.05]. Conclusion: It was found that QOL and emotional status deteriorated in male patients with LLA. According to the results of this study, depression, anxiety and body image disturbances may be the determinants of QOL. Having lower functional status were higher post-amputation pain were associated with the poor QOL for some domain. Emotional status of LLA patients may be linked to perception of body image.

This study investigated the effects of ultrasound, enzyme concentration and enzyme treatment time on soluble protein and major allergenic proteins (Ara h 1 and Ara h 2) of roasted peanut kernels. A 3-factor, five-level orthogonal experimental design was implemented with various ultrasonication times, concentrations of trypsin or α-chymotrypsin and treatment times. The total soluble proteins were determined by the Bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 were evaluated by SDS-PAGE and sandwich ELISA. The IgE-binding of peanut extracts was analysed by a competitive inhibition ELISA. Results indicate that ultrasound treatment, followed by protease digestion of peanuts, significantly increased the solubility of peanut protein and decreased the concentrations of Ara h 1 and Ara h 2. The sequential treatment of peanuts by ultrasonication-trypsin-alpha chymotrypsin, resulted in maximum reductions of Ara h 1/Ara h 2, and lowest IgE-binding. This study provides an approach to significantly reduce allergenic proteins in peanut product.

In recent years, the topic of integrating history to mathematics lessons in teaching-learning processes has been frequently discussed among researchers. The main aim of this study is to present an example activity which enriched with history of mathematics and to take the views of students about teaching course in this way. In addition, to create awareness about the developmental stages of mathematics up to now is an implicit purpose. This research is a multiple case study. It was studied with twenty one students who continued eighth grade class in a private primary school. Worksheets containing two algorithms about calculating the square roots of numbers which were used in history were given to each student. In addition, after students reached the solution, they compared their results with results which they obtained from the calculator. Thus, they also saw that the calculator's operating system was similar to algorithms they used. Students' opinions about the integration of the history of mathematics to lessons were collected through an interview form. At the end of the activity, students stated that the chosen activities from the history of mathematics had attracted their interests. Also, they found an opportunity to compare different methods.

Native Americans have used Phytolacca americana to treat breast ailments, gastrointestinal disorders, rashes, and inflammation. Some anti-cancer and anti-viral research has been reported on this perennial herb, but none has been published concerning the effects of its extracts on cancer cell genes. In this study, changes in gene expression at the transcription level were evaluated in HCT-116 colon cancer cells after exposure to P. americana ethanol extract and its water fraction using the Human Cancer Pathway Finder PCR Array. Of the genes significantly affected in HCT-116 cells exposed to the ethanol extract at 3200 µg/ml, changes in expression of MYC, PLAU, and TEK may benefit the treatment of colon cancer. Exposing the cells to 1600 µg/ml of the water fraction resulted in several gene changes that may also be beneficial in the treatment of colon cancer: NME4, TEK, and THBS1. A few genes on this array that are known to play a specific role in colon cancer had activities changed in a way that may be detrimental in the treatment of colon cancer. Further studies should be performed to understand how these changes would impact colon cancer treatment. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the effectiveness of the nerve block of articular branches of obturator and femoral nerves in patients with intractable pain due to hip osteoarthritis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Twenty patients (8 female and 12 male; with a mean age 53.5 years) were retrospectively identified who had received nerve block of articular branches of obturator and femoral nerves for chronic hip joint pain due to hip osteoarthritis. The outcome measures (visual analogue pain scale, the level of patient satisfaction with nerve block, reduction rate of NSAID using) were assessed before the treatment and at the 1st and 3rd months after injection. RESULTS: Mean reduction in hip joint pain while walking and at night between the baseline and 1st month, and between the baseline and 3rd month were statistically significant ( p< 0.05). At the 1st and 3rd months after treatment, the reduction rates of NSAID using were almost 67% and 71%; respectively. At the 1st and 3rd months after treatment, the level of patient satisfaction with nerve block were 73.00 ± 21.23 mm and 73.50 ± 18.14 mm; respectively. CONCLUSION: We found that nerve blocks of articular branches of obturator and femoral nerves were effective in short- and mid-term for reducing chronic hip joint pain.

We report a strategy to incorporate micelles of poly[3-dimethyl (methacryloyloxyethyl) ammonium propane sulfonate]-block-poly[2-(diisopropylamino) ethyl methacrylate] (beta PDMA-b-PDPA) into electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) films. We obtained micelles with pH-responsive PDPA-cores and zwitterionic bPDMA-coronae at pH 8.5 through pH-induced self-assembly of bPDMA-b-PDPA in aqueous solution. To incorporate bPDMA-b-PDPA micelles into LbL films, we first obtained a net electrical charge on bPDMA-coronae. Negative charges of the zwitterionic units were screened through complexation of bPDMA-b-PDPA micelles and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH). Positively charged micellar complexes were then self-assembled at the surface using poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS). The pH-stability of the multilayers was examined by exposing the films to decreasing pH values. Despite the disintegration of micellar complexes below pH 7, no change in film thickness was recorded between pH 8.5 and 3.5. Only similar to 20% of the film released at pH < 3.5. Moreover, we demonstrated that when multilayers were exposed to decreasing pH at a temperature below the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) of betainized coronal chains, the film thickness increased by 20% between pH 4.5 and 3. This is probably due to phase separation of the corona block and formation of voids within the film, probably entrapping water molecules within the multilayers. Decreasing temperature also shifted the critical disintegration pH (onset of multilayer dissolution) to a slightly lower pH. By taking advantage of the pH-responsive cores, we showed that multilayers were capable of releasing functional molecules under moderately acidic conditions. Important biological properties of polybetaines, higher loading capacity of zwitterionic block copolymer micelles than linear polybetaines and pH-response of the multilayers at physiologically related pH values make such films promising for biomedical applications., European Commission Marie Curie International Reintegration Grant; Middle East Technical University Start-up Grant; Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) postdoctoral fellowship program

In order to support the development of channel models for higher frequency bands, multiple urban microcellular measurement campaigns have been carried out in Berlin, Germany, at 60 and 10 GHz. In this paper, the collected data is uniformly analyzed with focus on the path loss (PL) and the delay spread (DS). It reveals that the ground reflection has a dominant impact on the fading behavior. For line-of-sight conditions, the PL exponents are close to free space propagation at 60 GHz, but slightly smaller (1.62) for the street canyon at 10 GHz. The DS shows a clear dependence on the scenario (median values between 16 and 38 ns) and a strong distance dependence for the open square and the wide street canyon. The dependence is less distinct for the narrow street canyon with residential buildings. This behavior is consistent with complementary ray tracing simulations, though the simplified model tends to overestimate the DS.

Qatar produces only about 8 to 10 percent of food consumed in the country. Domestic production of perishable commodities, primarily vegetables, will be increased by using a combination of hi-tech water-efficient field and greenhouse production systems. Improving the decision making in the various stages of production faces a number of challenges mainly related to adverse climatic conditions, quality of soils, scarcity of irrigation water, and market constraints. This paper highlights preliminary results in assessing climate, soil and crop management constraints in Qatar. Components of the research framework include assessing the yield potential of selected crops through simulation modelling using historical climate and soils data. AquaCrop, a model developed by FAO, has been used in this study to simulate yields of squash for different planting cycles of 110 days in Doha over the 30 year period from 1985 to 2014. The mean simulated yield for January to March planting dates (22nd of each month) was 23 t/ha with a narrow range of only 21 to 24 t/ha, while the simulated yields were highly variable for April, May and June planting dates. The mean yield for April was 17 t/ha (lowest 4 t/ha, highest 24 t/ha). The mean yield for May and June plantings was 7 t/ha with a range of 1 to 20 t/ha. These results compare well with the recent data collected from Al Sulaiteen Agricultural and Industrial Complex site (SAIC) in Doha. The relatively lower yield with greater variability during April to June months is associated with higher evaporative demand and higher temperatures during the crop growth period. The model is used to estimate yields for other crops including cucumber and tomatoes. Comparison of the simulated crop yields with actual field data is underway. Further and more detailed analysis of the AquaCrop model is required.This analysis will help improve the overall food security in the state of Qatar by assisting the decision making process in the various stages of production of selected perishable food crops. Yield potential for selected crops were simulated for conditions where water and nutrients are not limiting. However the simulated results can be used to estimate the optimum amount (and timing of application) of water and nutrients required to achieve the desired production.The findings of this paper will contribute towards achieving the goals of our research project “Improving Food Security in Qatar: Assessing Alternative Cropping Systems Feasibility and Productivity in Variable Climates, Soil and Marketing Environments” (NPRP6-064-4-001) funded by Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF- a member of Qatar Foundation) through its National Research Priority Program.

AListeria monocytogenes-specific bacteriophage cocktail was evaluated for its activity against a nalidixic acid-resistantL. monocytogenes(Lm-NalR) isolate on fresh-cut spinach stored under modified atmosphere packaging at various temperatures. Pieces (~2 × 2 cm2) of fresh spinach inoculated with 4.5 log CFU/cm2Lm-NalRwere sprayed with the phage cocktail (6.5 log plaque-forming units [PFU]/cm2) or a control. The samples were stored at 4°C or 10°C for up to 14 d in sealed packages filled with either atmospheric air (AA) or modified atmosphere (MA). At 4°C under AA, the phages significantly (P≤ 0.05) lowered theLm-NalRpopulations on spinach, compared to control-treated inoculated samples, by 1.12 and 1.51 log CFU/cm2after 1 and 14 d, respectively. At 4°C under MA,Lm-NalRwas significantly reduced by 1.95 log CFU/cm2compared to control leaves after both 1 and 14 d. At 10°C under AA, the phages significantly reducedLm-NalRby 1.50 and 2.51 log CFU/cm2after 1 and 14 d compared to the control. Again at 10°C under MA, the phages significantly reducedLm-NalRby 1.71 and 3.24 log CFU/cm2compared to control after 1 and 14 d, respectively. The results support the potential of lytic bacteriophages in effectively reducing populations ofL. monocytogeneson freshcut leafy produce, under both AA and MA conditions.

We present an extension of the complete flux scheme for conservation laws containing a linear source. In our new scheme, we split off the linear part of the source and incorporate this term in the homogeneous flux, the remaining nonlinear part is included in the inhomogeneous flux. This approach gives rise to modified homogeneous and inhomogeneous fluxes, which reduce to the classical fluxes for vanishing linear source. On the other hand, if the linear source is large, the solution of the underlying boundary value problem is oscillatory, resulting in completely different numerical fluxes. We demonstrate the performance of the homogeneous flux approximation.

Around the world as well as in Qatar, breast cancer is characterized among the highest rates of mortalities that are cancer related. Alarmingly, statistics have shown that the incidence of breast cancer is slightly higher in Qatari women than other Arab countries in the region. This evidence suggests the importance of focusing research on understanding and treatment of breast cancer in Qatar. Current treatment options for breast cancer includes; chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are associated with undesired side effects; thus, many people tend to look for alternative treatments. Herbal treatments have been used as an alternative to traditional cancer therapies in recent years. Several studies have shown that herbs contain bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, steroids, as well as others, which exert anti-oxidative, anti-proliferative, and anti-inflammatory properties. One of the most commonly used herbs in the Arabian Gulf region is Origanum syriacum. It is known to have anti-oxidative effect. Unfortunately, studies are extremely limited in terms of understanding its anti-carcinogenic effect. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the effect of O. syriacum aqueous extract (OSE) on an aggressive type of breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) cells. O. syriacum extract was prepared by dissolving the ground dried leaves in water and then drying it using a rotarvapor. Viability of MDA-MB-231 cells in the presence or absence of increasing concentration of OSE was examined by MTT assay. The flow cytometry was used to test the cell cycle progression in the presence of OSE. Moreover, the migratory capacity of MDA-MB-231 cells was determined by Boyden chamber and scratch assay. The invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 in the absence and presence of OSE was investigated using the Matrigel coated wells. Furthermore, adherence of MDA-MB-231 cells to fibronectin was tested with and without OSE. The oxidative stress of the different concentrations of OSE against MDA-MB-231 was determined using ROS-glo assay. Finally, western blot analysis was performed to test the metastatic ability (occludin expression) as well as autophagy marker (LC3A/B expression). The results indicated that OSE decreased the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a time and a concentration dependent manner. The highest anti-proliferative effects of OSE were observed at concentrations of 0.8 mg/ml and above after 24, 48 and 72 hrs of exposure. Furthermore, OSE arrested cells in G1 phase of cell cycle. Also, migratory capacity of MDA-MB-231 cells declined in the presence of OSE at a concentration of 1.2 mg/ml. Moreover, OSE inhibited the adhesive property along with the invasiveness of aggressive breast cancer cell line. Supporting the above results, an increase in occludin expression was observed in cells treated with OSE indicating that O. syriacum extract has an anti-metastatic capacity. Additionally, the production of ROS as well as the expression of LC3A/B proteins increased in MDA-MB-231 cells treated with OSE at concentration of 1.2 mg/ml. Our results demonstrate that Origanum syriacum may have a potential to be used as a supplemental therapy for patients suffering from malignant breast cancer. Further insight into understanding molecular mechanisms and safety of OSE using in vivo studies should be carried out to fully understand its activity at the molecular level and determine its safe use in the treatment/prevention of breast cancer.

Background: The lack of controlled trials in the relationship between participation in adapted sports, and quality of life (QoL) and life satisfaction in people with physical disabilities encouraged us to consider conducting this study. Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the QoL and life satisfaction scores between people with physical disabilities who participated in adapted sports and those who did not participate in any adapted sports. Methods: This cross-sectional controlled study included 60 individuals with physical disabilities (paraplegia and amputee). Participants were divided into two groups based on sports participation and non-sports participation. Group one included 30 disabled elite athletes who participated in adapted sports. The control group included 30 disabled individuals not involved in any adapted sports. We compared scores on the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQoL-BREF) and the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) between the two groups. Participation in the community and QoL was examined as a reflection of participant’s priority on sports participation. Results: We found that WHOQoL-BREF physical, psychological, and social domain scores were significantly higher in group one than in the control group (p ! 0.05), whereas environment domain scores were similar (p 5 0.13). Moreover, SWLS scores were significantly higher in group one than in the control group (p ! 0.05). Conclusions: These results showed that people with physical disabilities who participated in adapted sports had significantly higher QoL and life satisfaction scores compared to people with physical disabilities not involved in any adapted sports. 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.