A Situational Assessment of Children Living with HIV and AIDS in Bangalore

Christy Abraham Research Institute of Asian Women Sookmyung Women' 2005 Asian Women Vol.21 No.-

In its efforts to combat the HIV and AIDS epidemic in India, the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) in line with Government's efforts has developed an integrated work plan on combating the disease. NACO and the State AIDS Control Societies' primary activity targeting children has been prevention of mother-to-child transmission, which involves administering a short course of antiretroviral drugs to mother and newborn that greatly reduces the risk of HIV transmission during pregnancy and child birth. The most vulnerable group of the population, the HIV positive children and children who are now orphans due to the death of one or both of their parents from AIDS, have received little attention both in terms of practical programs and in sector plans. This is much so because the number of AIDS orphans in the country is not known let alone their living conditions and their needs as other children. This paper assesses the situation of 100 children who are living with HIV and AIDS and who are now orphans due to the death of one or both of their parents from AIDS and the concerns and challeges of positive mothers in Bangalore, India. While 63 children live with their families 36 positive children live in one of the Positive Children's Homes in Bangalore. Out of the 64 positive children, 30 children are paternal orphans, three children are maternal orphans, and nine children are double orphans. Thirteen children are living with their positive parents and the double orphans live with their extended families. The information was gathered in individual therapy sessions, group discussions, and family support sessions with positive children and widows. Out of the 36 Positive Children in the institution, 26 are double orphans and 10 children are either maternal orphans or paternal orphans. The paper also gives an insight on how a Family Support Network, MILANA in Bangalore, India, is addressing and coping with the varied issues and problems faced by orphans and their families. The assessment suggests the need to map out the children orphaned by AIDS, so as to get reliable data on the total number of children orphaned by AIDS, and to frame policies for children orphaned by AIDS, taking into consideration not only the educational, health, and nutritional aspects but also the psycho social and economic aspects.

Stabilization of Bacillus subtilis Lipase A by increasing the residual packing

Abraham1, Tajo,Pil Pack1, Seung,Je Yoo, Young Taylor Francis 2005 Biocatalysis and biotransformation Vol.23 No.3

<P>Introduction of well-packed residues to the interior of a protein structure could be considered as a stabilization strategy since the reduction of buried cavities might stabilize protein structure. In this study, the less-packed residues with no water-contact were selected as target sites for increasing residual packing. When Lipase A from Bacillus subtilis (179 amino acids) was used as a model system, 43 less-packed residues were initially considered by analyzing their residual packing value and residual exposure ratio. Among the 43 residues, small amino acids such as GLY and ALA were chosen as target sites. Packing increases of ALA to VAL and GLY to ALA were estimated, by molecular modeling, to give 0.5368∼⃒0.7433  kcal mol −1 stabilization. Mutants of Lipase A such as A38V, A75V, G80A, A105V A146V, and G172A were obtained via protein engineering. Thermostability assays revealed that A38V, G80A and G172V were the most stable mutants. This procedure for selecting the target residues for improved thermostability of Lipase A could be applied for improving the thermostability of other proteins and enzymes.</P>

Role of colour and volatile in foraging behaviour of honeybee Apis cerana on Jacquemontia pentanthos

Anitha Annamma Abraham,Abraham Verghese,Subramanyam Muthangi 한국응용곤충학회 2018 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.21 No.4

Floral visual and olfactory cues guide the insect visitors to the source of reward. This work addresses one such interaction between honeybee Apis cerana and a garden climber Jacquemontia pentanthos. Field studies have indicated that A. cerana showed preference to J. pentanthos over the other flowering plants during its visits for foraging. The objectives of the work is to understand the role of colour and scent in the attraction of Apis cerana to the host plant. Bioassays performed emphasized the involvement of colour and volatiles for the visits of A. cerana. Petals show high reflectance to ultraviolet light with ultraviolet absorbing regions in the centre which serve as a nectar guide. Gas chromatography linked electroanntenogram detector (GC-EAD) showed antennal response to the floral volatile of J. pentanthos identified as sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene. Behavioural studies have shown similar preference to β- caryophyllene as that of α-humulene. Our studies suggest an interplay of colour and volatiles cues for A. cerana visitation to Jacquemontia flowers and these findings are further supported by behavioural studies on.

Part 3. Canadian Economic Policy And Korea-Canada Economic Relations : Chapter 8 ; Canada-Korea Economic Relations: A Canadian Perspective

( Abraham Okazaki ) 연세대학교 동서문제연구원 1988 East and West Studies Series Vol.6 No.-

An Engle-Granger and Johansen Cointegration Approach in Testing the Validity of Fisher Hypothesis in the Philippines

Abraham C. CAMBA Jr,Aileen L. CAMBA 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.12

This study contributes to the existing literature and tries to analyze the validity of the Fisher hypothesis in the Philippines. Using monthly data from January 1995 to December 2020, the empirical analysis used the Engle-Granger and Johansen cointegration testing technique. The correlation coefficient suggests a strong positive association. All things being equal, a rise in inflation leads to a rise in the nominal interest rate. The unit-root tests show that inflation and the nominal interest rate are both stationary. Based on both Engle-Granger and cointegrating regression Durbin-Watson tests, the nominal interest rate and inflation are cointegrated. Likewise, the results from Johansen cointegration indicate that there exists a long-run relationship between the variables. However, we rejected a one-to-one relationship between nominal interest rate and inflation. The error correction term coefficient (ECM) shows that it is statistically significant suggesting that the nominal interest rate adjusts to the inflation rate with a lag. The Pair-wise Granger Causality test reported a bi-directional causal relationship between nominal interest rate and inflation. Inflation targeting has been the monetary policy framework of choice for most central banks. In essence, the conclusions of this study are useful to central banks because they help them better comprehend the long-run equilibrium relationship between the nominal interest rate and inflation.

Ginsenoside Rg3 reduces the adhesion, invasion, and intracellular survival of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Abraham F. Mechesso,Yixian Quah,Seung-Chun Park 고려인삼학회 2021 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.45 No.1

Background: Invasive infections due to foodborne pathogens, including Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, are prevalent and life-threatening. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) on the adhesion, invasion, and intracellular survival of S. Typhimurium. Methods: The impacts of Rg3 on bacterial growth and host cell viability were determined using the time kill and the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide assays, respectively. Gentamicin assay and confocal microscopic examination were undertaken to determine the effects of Rg3 on the adhesive and invasive abilities of S. Typhimurium to Caco-2 and RAW264.7 cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess the expression of genes correlated with the adhesion, invasion, and virulence of S. Typhimurium. Results: Subinhibitory concentrations of Rg3 significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the adhesion, invasion, and intracellular survival of S. Typhimurium. Rg3 considerably reduced (p < 0.05) the bacterial motility as well as the release of nitrite from infected macrophages in a concentration-dependent manner. The expression of genes related to the adhesion, invasion, quorum sensing, and virulence of S. Typhimurium including cheY, hilA, OmpD, PrgK, rsgE, SdiA, and SipB was significantly reduced after Rg3 treatment. Besides, the compound downregulated rac-1 and Cdc-42 that are essential for actin remodeling and membrane ruffling, thereby facilitating Salmonella entry into host cells. This report is the first to describe the effects of Rg3 on “trigger” entry mechanism and intracellular survival S. Typhimurium. Conclusion: Rg3 could be considered as a supplement agent to prevent S. Typhimurium infection.

Critical Remarks on the State of Religions and Religious Studies in Hungary

( Abraham Kovacs ) 서울대학교 종교문제연구소 2014 종교와 문화 Vol.0 No.26

This paper deals with two major themes. First, it offers a survey of the religious landscape of Hungary with a focus on politics, religion and multiculturalism. In this part the legal status of religions in Hungary will be explained then, Christian religious education and the issue of ‘education about religion’ will be critically discussed. The study sheds lights on how religious tolerance was valued as a treasured Hungarian cultural heritage. Out of this unique in European tradition religious tolerance flourished in Hungary. Some critical remarks are made about how nationalism created a myth of a Christian Hungary for patriotic politicians. It is argued that Hungary is a secular country with a strong presence of Christian culture. However, it is also pointed out that devout religious practices are at low ebb which politicians often dismiss. Through some selected examples it is shown why ‘education about religion’ is vital for the country. This leads us to the second part of the paper where the state of Religious Studies in Hungary is discussed and some suggestions are made about its possible contribution to the development of ‘education about religion’. Here the study presents an overview of three major circles influencing the landscape of the Study of Religions. The current situation of Religious Studies at Hungarian universities is also concisely described to demonstrate that Hungarian scholarship has a good potential to train future teachers to teach the public about religions. It is argued that ‘education about religion’, which is not to be confused with ‘religious education’ (hittan, vallasoktatas), is vital to promote religious tolerance for building up a post-modern society.

Insecticidal Activity of Ethyl Acetate Extracts from Culture Filtrates of Mangrove Fungal Endophytes

Abraham, Silva,Basukriadi, Adi,Pawiroharsono, Suyanto,Sjamsuridzal, Wellyzar The Korean Society of Mycology 2015 Mycobiology Vol.43 No.2

In the search for novel potent fungi-derived bioactive compounds for bioinsecticide applications, crude ethyl acetate culture filtrate extracts from 110 mangrove fungal endophytes were screened for their toxicity. Toxicity tests of all extracts against brine shrimp (Artemia salina) larvae were performed. The extracts with the highest toxicity were further examined for insecticidal activity against Spodoptera litura larvae and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition activity. The results showed that the extracts of five isolates exhibited the highest toxicity to brine shrimp at 50% lethal concentration ($LC_{50}$) values of 7.45 to 10.24 ppm. These five fungal isolates that obtained from Rhizophora mucronata were identified based on sequence data analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region of rDNA as Aspergillus oryzae (strain BPPTCC 6036), Emericella nidulans (strains BPPTCC 6035 and BPPTCC 6038), A. tamarii (strain BPPTCC 6037), and A. versicolor (strain BPPTCC 6039). The mean percentage of S. litura larval mortality following topical application of the five extracts ranged from 16.7% to 43.3%. In the AChE inhibition assay, the inhibition rates of the five extracts ranged from 40.7% to 48.9%, while eserine (positive control) had an inhibition rate of 96.8%, at a concentration of 100 ppm. The extracts used were crude extracts, so their potential as sources of AChE inhibition compounds makes them likely candidates as neurotoxins. The high-performance liquid chromatography profiles of the five extracts differed, indicating variations in their chemical constituents. This study highlights the potential of culture filtrate ethyl acetate extracts of mangrove fungal endophytes as a source of new potential bioactive compounds for bioinsecticide applications.

The Mean Reverting Behavior of Inflation in the Philippines

Abraham C. CAMBA Jr,Aileen L. CAMBA 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.10

Central Bank authorities should carefully manage inflation rate uncertainties to achieve economic growth and development not only in the short-run but also in the long-run. Since inflation is a key macroeconomic variable, an increased understanding about its behavior is undoubtedly important. Thus, paper employs unit root with breakpoints to examine the mean reverting behavior of inflation rate in the Philippines using monthly data from 2002 to 2020. Empirically, the unit root breakpoint innovational and additive outlier tests favor the stationarity or mean reverting behavior of inflation in the Philippines. Also, results of standard unit root tests, ADF, PP, GLS-Dickey- Fuller, KPSS and NP, provide strong evidence of mean reverting processes. The mean reverting behavior of inflation rate reveals that the monetary policy using inflation targeting framework has succeeded in reducing chronic inflation persistence in the Philippines. Thus, this research supports inflation targeting policy that aims to maintain general price level stability for the Philippine economy’s long-term growth and development prospects. The findings of this research remain important for the central bankers for not only providing them better understanding about the behavior of inflation rate, but also helping them formulate and implement policy reforms related to money, credit and banking.

DETENTE : THE COLD WAR'S TRIBUTE TO INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

Abraham Bargman 경남대학교 극동문제연구소 1975 EAST ASIA AND THE MAJOR POWERS Vol.- No.-