bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retrospective evaluation of canine and feline maxillomandibular trauma cases
Authors: Mulherin B. L. , Soukup J. W. , Hetzel S. , Snyder C. J.
Published: February 2014

Objectives: To determine differences in signalment between maxillomandibular (MM) and non-maxillomandibular (non-MM) trauma patients to help predict the type of injury sustained.

Methods: A medical records database was searched from December 2003 to September 2012 to identify all MM trauma patients. A random sample of non-MM trauma patients was generated for comparison. Patient species, age, sex, weight, and injury aetiology were recorded for both populations.

Results: Sixty-seven MM trauma patients and 129 non-MM trauma patients were identified. Feline patients were almost twice as likely to be presented for MM trauma compared with non-MM trauma. The median weight of canine patients suffering MM injury was significantly less than that of non- MM patients (p = 0.025). A significant association existed between the causes of injuries associated with MM and non-MM trauma populations (p = 0.000023). The MM trauma patients were more likely to sustain injury as a result of an animal altercation (Bonferroni p = 0.001) while non-MM injuries were more likely to result from motor vehicle accidents (Bonferroni p = 0.001). Overall, animals that were less than one year of age with traumatic injuries were overrepresented (65/196) in comparison to the entire patient population.

Clinical significance: The results of this study may help guide clinicians in the evaluation and screening of trauma patients that are presented as an emergency. Cats, small dogs and animals suffering from animal altercations should all be closely evaluated for MM injury.
Development and characterization of 32 microsatellite loci in Genipa americana (Rubiaceae)
Authors: Manoel Ricardo O. , Freitas Miguel L. M. , Barreto Mariana A. , Moraes Mário L. T. , Souza Anete P. , Sebbenn Alexandre M.
Published: February 2014

• Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed for the tree species Genipa americana (Rubiaceae) for further population genetic studies.

• Methods and Results: We identified 144 clones containing 65 repeat motifs from a genomic library enriched for (CT)8 and (GT)8 motifs. Primer pairs were developed for 32 microsatellite loci and validated in 40 individuals of two natural G. americana populations. Seventeen loci were polymorphic, revealing from three to seven alleles per locus. The observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.24 to 1.00 and from 0.22 to 0.78, respectively.

• Conclusions: The 17 primers identified as polymorphic loci are suitable to study the genetic diversity and structure, mating system, and gene flow in G. americana.
Silver and gold-catalyzed multicomponent reactions
Authors: Abbiati Giorgio , Rossi Elisabetta
Published: February 2014

Silver and gold salts and complexes mainly act as soft and carbophilic Lewis acids even if their use as σ-activators has been rarely reported. Recently, transformations involving Au(I)/Au(III)-redox catalytic systems have been reported in the literature. In this review we highlight all these aspects of silver and gold-mediated processes and their application in multicomponent reactions.
Estudio sísmico de los edificios agregados de obra de fábrica utilizando el método del espectro de capacidad
Authors: Moreno-González R. , Bairán J. M.
Published: February 2014

Se presenta un estudio sobre el comportamiento sísmico de un conjunto de edificios agregados de obra de fábrica situados en la ciudad de Barcelona, España. Considerando la edad que tienen estos edificios (más de 70 años) se definen dos propiedades mecánicas para la mampostería. La acción sísmica considerada se define a partir del espectro elástico de respuesta definido en el Eurocódigo 8 para la aceleración sísmica de Barcelona. Para analizar los edificios se utiliza el método del espectro de capacidad, a partir del cual se obtienen la curva de capacidad y las curvas de fragilidad para evaluar el daño sísmico esperado. Las matrices de probabilidad de daño cuantifican el daño sísmico y se obtienen a partir de las curvas de fragilidad y el punto de capacidad por demanda. Teniendo en cuenta que Barcelona se encuentra en una zona de baja sismicidad, los resultados obtenidos muestran un daño sísmico importante.
Nanoroots of Quantum Chemistry
Authors: Putz Mihai V.
Published: February 2014

This chapter identifies specific roots of chemistry and quantum chemistry and advances the idea that length and energy carry major roles at the nano-quantum level. A detailed exposition of this binom is unfolded under the specific radii-electronegativity or radii-chemical hardness that is then naturally extended to the radii-chemical descriptors relationships, having the atomic periodicity as the main benchmark check for their reliability. As such, considering different analytic electronegativity scales, they are reported and compared to the respective atomic orbital radii scales, both for the electronic density formulation, as uniform atomic electronic assembly, and for Slater type density orbital, respectively. The scheme for atomic orbital radii is further generalized by chemical descriptors in the frame of density functional theory. Finally, the chemical bond is treated through introducing the chemical quantum particle-the bondon-as a molecular nano-reality in modeling the energy-length space towards the chemical space, or bonding and reactivity. The existence of the chemical field along the associate bondon particle characterized by its mass , velocity , charge , and life-time are revealed by employing the combined Bohmian quantum formalism with the U(1) and SU(2) gauge transformations of the non-relativistic wave-function and the relativistic spinor, within the Schrödinger and Dirac quantum pictures of electronic motions.
Synthesis and Characterization of Hexagonal Shaped Nanocrystalline Zinc Oxide Powders
Authors: Ahmad M. , Ahmed E. , Khalid N. R. , Jackson M. J. , Ahmed W.
Published: February 2014

Nanocrystalline ZnO powders are synthesized using a quick, simple and inexpensive combustion method. Glycine and zinc nitrate, used as fuel and oxidant/cation sources respectively, were mixed together at room temperature to form a slurry or gel. A series of experiments were performed to synthesize nanoparticles for different fuel to oxidant ratios. The rate of heating and stirring greatly influenced the combustion process. The as-synthesized powder was heat treated at elevated temperatures for varying time to remove adsorbed impurities from the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles. Both the as-synthesized and heat treated powders were characterized using a variety of analytical techniques. The hexagonal wurtzite phase of the ZnO powder was revealed from x-ray diffraction measurements. A decrease in the x-ray diffraction density (Dx) and the bulk density (D) resulted in an increase in percentage porosity (%P) of as-synthesized and heat treated ZnO powders. The range of fuel to oxidant ratios used in the present work indicates that they had a strong influence on the grain size of ZnO powders. The average grain size estimated by using the Scherer formula indicated an approximate value of 6-21 nm for the as-synthesized and heat treated samples.
FPGA-Based Object Detection and Motion Tracking in Micro- and Nanorobotics
Authors: Diederichs Claas , Fatikow Sergej
Published: February 2014

Object-detection and classification is a key task in micro- and nanohandling. The microscopic imaging is often the only available sensing technique to detect information about the positions and orientations of objects. FPGA-based image processing is superior to state of the art PC-based image processing in terms of achievable update rate, latency and jitter. A connected component labeling algorithm is presented and analyzed for its high speed object detection and classification feasibility. The features of connected components are discussed and analyzed for their feasibility with a single-pass connected component labeling approach, focused on principal component analysis-based features. It is shown that an FPGA implementation of the algorithm can be used for high-speed tool tracking as well as object classification inside optical microscopes. Furthermore, it is shown that an FPGA implementation of the algorithm can be used to detect and classify carbon-nanotubes (CNTs) during image acquisition in a scanning electron microscope, allowing fast object detection before the whole image is captured.
Cluster Origin of Solvent Features of Fullerenes, Single-Wall Carbon Nanotubes, Nanocones, and Nanohorns
Authors: Torrens Francisco , Castellano Gloria
Published: February 2014

This chapter discusses the existence of single-wall carbon nanocones (SWNCs), especially nanohorns (SWNHs) in organic solvents in the form of clusters. A theory is developed based on a bundlet model describing their distribution function by size. Phenomena have a unified explanation in bundlet model in which free energy of an SWNC, involved in a cluster, is combined from two components: a volume one, proportional to number of molecules n in a cluster, and a surface one proportional to n1/2. A bundlet model enables describing distribution function of SWNC clusters by size. From purely geometrical differences, bundlet (SWNCs) and droplet (fullerene) models predict different behaviours. The SWNCs of various disclinations are investigated via energetic–structural analyses. Several SWNC’s terminations are studied which are different among one another because of the type of closing structure and arrangement. Packing efficiencies and interaction-energy parameters of SWNCs/SWNHs are intermediate between fullerene and single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) clusters.
C/C-ZrB2-ZrC-SiC Composite Derived from Polymeric Precursor Infiltration and Pyrolysis Part 2
Authors: Zhang Weigang , Xie Changming , Wei Xi , Ge Min
Published: February 2014

Mechanical and ablation properties of the 2D C/C-ZrB2-ZrC-SiC composites with a fiber volume fraction of 17.6%, fabricated by infiltration and co-pyrolysis of blended polymeric precursors, were studied in this Part II. Flexural strength and fracture toughness of the composites were found to be influenced strongly by the thickness of the deposited pyrolytic carbon interphase, a composite with the pyrolytic carbon volume fraction of 22.3% exhibits improved bending strength and fracture toughness of 127.9 MPa and 6.23 MPa·m1/2, respectively. The pseudo-plastic strain to failure of the composite is ascribed to sliding of the interphase and pulling out of carbon fibers from the brittle ceramics matrix. Ablation properties of the composite were investigated with a plasma torch and arc-heated wind tunnel tests at temperatures above 1800~2200°C. The composite exhibits very low ablation rates of 0.18×10-3 mm/s at 1800°C and 0.37×10-3 mm/s at 2000°C in the plasma torch after 1000s testing, as compared to a similar rate of 0.30×10-3 mm/s in the wind tunnel at 1900°C after 600s testing. Ablation rates increase with increasing of temperatures from 1800 to 2200°C. The maximum ablation rate is only 1.67×10-3 mm/s in a plasma torch at 2200°C for 1000s, decreased by 71.0% as compared with the C/C-SiC composite with the same fiber and interphase contents. The 2D C/C-ZrB2-ZrC-SiC composite simultaneously showed excellent thermal shock resistance, on account of no cracks on the surface and breakage of the material being detected after these abrupt temperature increasing and long time ablations. The heating-up rate at the center of the composite specimen was found as high as above 30K/s in the plasma torch tests. Excellent ablation and thermal shock resistances of the composite can be attributed to its architecture of carbon fiber and interphase, as well as its matrix microstructures characterized by nano sized dispersions of ZrB2-Zr-SiC phases inherent formed by co-pyrolysis of three polymeric precursors. These meso- and microstructures make the composites possess very small and steady coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) around 1.5~2.5×10-6/K and high thermal conductivities around 10~14 W/mK (which increases with increasing of temperature) from room temperature to 1300°C, respectively. Surface products and cross sectional morphologies of the composite after the ablation tests were also investigated using SEM and XRD, it was found that a homogeneous distributed and continuous glass layer composing of ZrO2-SiO2 with zirconia as a skeleton was in-situ formed. These special features of coating benefits from the merits of matrix microstructures, and inhibits the inward diffusion of oxygen and protects the composite from further oxidation and spalled off by strong gas fluid.
A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of the Mechanical Properties of Carbon-Nanotube Reinforced Polystyrene Composite
Authors: Tahreen Nabila , Masud K. M.
Published: February 2014

In recent years, polymer/carbon nanotube composites have attracted increased attention because the polymer properties have significantly improved. In this paper, a single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) is used to reinforce polystyrene matrix. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to study two periodic systems - a long CNT-reinforced polystyrene composite and amorphous polystyrene matrix itself. The axial and transverse elastic moduli of the amorphous polystyrene matrix and nanocomposites are evaluated using constant-strain energy minimization method. The results from MD simulations are compared with corresponding rule-of-mixture predictions. The simulation results show that CNTs significantly improve the stiffness of polystyrene/CNT composite, especially in the longitudinal direction of the nanotube. Polystyrene posses a strong attractive interaction with the surface of the SWCNT and therefore play an important role in providing effective adhesion. The conventional rule-of-mixture predicts a smaller value than MD simulation where there are strong interfacial interactions. Here the authors report a study on the interfacial characteristics of a CNT-PS composite system through MD simulations and continuum mechanics.
On the Forces between Micro and Nano Objects and a Gripper
Authors: Valchev Galin , Dantchev Daniel , Kostadinov Kostadin
Published: February 2014

The authors study the van der Waals force FvdW, between the gripper jaw and an object – cubical, spherical and conical in shape, situated at a distance L of closest approach from it. The generic and most general case is considered, when the materials of the working jaw of the gripper and the particle are made of different materials strongly preferring the liquid phase of the fluid being at temperature T and chemical potentialm. The contributions due to the standard van der Waals, as well as of the retarded (Casimir) van der Waals interactions are considered. They concluded that FvdW strongly depends on the contrast, at given fixed T and m, between the physical properties of the fluid and the material of the arms of the gripper and the particle. In addition, as expected, FvdW strongly depends on the shape of the object, its size, and the distance L between it and the working jaw of the gripper. Their approach can be applied to any nonpolar fluid.
On Extended Topochemical Atom (ETA) Indices for QSPR Studies
Authors: Roy Kunal , Das Rudra Narayan
Published: February 2014

Development of predictive models has been accepted as an important strategy to aid in toxicity screening of chemicals, determination of physicochemical as well as other biological activity of new molecules, and also in the generation and optimization of lead compounds in rational drug discovery process. The journey of quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) modeling started with the development of various property-based and two-dimensional descriptors to model various physicochemical and biological properties (including toxicity). Topological descriptors contain significant information encoded in the molecular structure. Extended topochemical atom (ETA) indices, a relatively new class of topological descriptors, are the focus point in this chapter. ETA indices contain important information regarding the nature of the atoms, bonds, atomic electronic environment and consider the contribution of different functional groups, molecular fragments, and branching to the response as evidenced by different reports showing their successful application in modeling different endpoints including toxicity, drug activity, and physicochemical properties. Extensive research is still going on for the refinement of the ETA indices by the incorporation of some novel parameters, and future reports on ETA indices will include these new indices.
Basic Research on Elemental and Size Analytical System for Nano-Sized Suspended Particulate Matter Using Contactless Optical Measurement Techniques
Authors: Ikezawa S. , Ueda T.
Published: February 2014

A contactless sensing system for nano-sized carbonaceous particulate matter using laser-induced incandescence (LII) and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is presented. The LIBS technique allows detecting elemental composition and density of the SPMs, and LII technique allows to measure particulate size. LII technique is temporal resolved method that enables measurement of soot particulate sizes in a combustion process. In the case of the measured material consisting of a carbonaceous element, it is easy to determine the particulate diameter distribution derived from the time-profile of emission attenuation signals during cooling process, because the cooling behaviour is characteristic of the particulate diameter in LII technique. However, in actuality, the SPMs consist of several different types of elements. By using LIBS technique, the elemental analysis is able to conduct easily.
Using Quantum Agent-Based Simulation to Model Social Networks
Authors: Bisconti C. , Corallo A. , De Maggio M. , Grippa F. , Totaro S.
Published: February 2014

This research aims to apply models extracted from the many-body quantum mechanics to describe social dynamics. It is intended to draw macroscopic characteristics of organizational communities starting from the analysis of microscopic interactions with respect to the node model. In this chapter, the authors intend to give an answer to the following question: which models of the quantum physics are suitable to represent the behaviour and the evolution of business processes? The innovative aspects of the project are related to the application of models and methods of the quantum mechanics to social systems. In order to validate the proposed mathematical model, the authors intend to define an open-source platform able to model nodes and interactions within a network, to visualize the macroscopic results through a digital representation of the social networks.
Pharmacokinetic Challenges against Brain Diseases with PET
Authors: Watabe Hiroshi , Matsubara Keisuke , Ikoma Yoko
Published: February 2014

Positron emission tomography (PET) is an imaging technology used to visualize distribution of particular ligands inside living organisms. The ligand is labeled by a positron-emitting isotope, such as 11C, 15O, 13N and 18F, and injected into subjects. By detecting ?-rays emitted from the ligand, in vivo biodistribution and kinetics of the ligand can be depicted with high sensitivity. By altering the target ligand for PET, one can see different distributions and time courses of the target. PET provides several biological and functional images inside the body, rather than simply an anatomical image. Therefore, PET can potentially detect biological changes that occur long before anatomical changes begin. PET has been widely used for neuroreceptor and neurotransmitter studies by tracing radioligands, which have selective affinity for a particular site. For example, the dopamine and serotonin receptors are highly related to brain disorders. By analyzing the pharmacokinetics of these ligands using PET, it is possible to noninvasively detect abnormalities in the brain. However, signals from PET contain many different types of information, and it is important to interpret the signals appropriately and choose the proper technique to analyze PET data. This chapter discusses several analytical methods for PET data.
NanoArt
Authors: Orfescu Cris
Published: February 2014

This chapter is an attempt to introduce NanoArt. It goes back in time to the first uses of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies to create art and continues with the beginnings of NanoArt. Then, it follows a status on this new artistic-scientific discipline and the movement that evolved from recent technological developments in the multidisciplinary area known as nanotechnology. The chapter informs about the international juried NanoArt competitions, displays select artworks collected in the NanoArt21 gallery, and finally presents thoughts of select nanoartists and art people.
Nanocomputing in Cognitive Radio Networks to Improve the Performance
Authors: Reddy Yenumula B.
Published: February 2014

Computing and communications are central issues in cognitive radio networks. The cognitive users are increasing exponentially and the available spectrum resource is constant. Therefore, efficient usage of spectrum through cognitive radio networks is essential. The real-time communications in cognitive radio networks with increasing demand for spectrum is possible through nanocomputing. Nanocomputing is the computing with thousands or millions of computers at the same time to gain more power for less money within minimum possible time. Therefore, the future research requires real-time communications using interconnected nanolevel computer devices. This spectrum sensing application is ideal for nanotechnology implementation because intensive computations are needed. Without nanocomputing it might be infeasible to implement sensing and analysis in real-time for cognitive radio networks with the current available computing power. Therefore, we need complicated distributed processing schemes to achieve our goals and nanocomputing is the best answer. The contribution includes the current state of nanotechnology, the cognitive radio networks, role of nanotechnology in cognitive radio networks, and building the model using nanotechnology for real-time applications.
Nanoparticles
Authors: Rasulev Bakhtiyor , Leszczynska Danuta , Leszczynski Jerzy
Published: February 2014

Nanomaterials are becoming an important component of the modern life and have been the subject of increasing number of investigations involving various areas of natural sciences and technology. However, theoretical modeling of physicochemical and biological activity of these species is still very scarce. The prediction of the properties and activities of ‘classical’ substances via correlating with molecular descriptors is a well known procedure, i.e. QSAR. In spite of this, the application of QSAR for the nanomaterials is a very complicated task, because of “non-classical” structure of nanomaterials. Here, the authors show that an application of the QSAR methods for nanomaterials is nevertheless possible and can be useful in predicting their various properties and activities (toxicity). In the chapter briefly explained how the physico-chemical properties can be predicted for nanomaterials. Furthermore, it was also demonstrated how the biological activity, particularly toxicity, can be modeled and predicted for the series of nanoparticles, by applying the quantum-chemical methods in combination with the nano-QSAR.
Materials Characterization Techniques for Solar Cell Devices
Authors: Hatzistergos Michael S.
Published: February 2014

Characterization of an issue provides the required information to determine the root cause of a problem and direct the researcher towards the appropriate solution. Through the explosion of nanotechnology in the past few years, the use of sophisticated analytical equipment has become mandatory. There is no one analytical technique that can provide all the answers a researcher is looking for. Therefore, a large number of very different instruments exist, and knowing which one is best to employ for a specific problem is key to success.
Analytical Models of Bulk and Quantum Well Solar Cells and Relevance of the Radiative Limit
Authors: Connolly James P.
Published: February 2014

The analytical modelling of bulk and quantum well solar cells is reviewed. The analytical approach allows explicit estimates of dominant generation and recombination mechanisms at work in charge neutral and space charge layers of the cells. Consistency of the analysis of cell characteristics in the light and in the dark leaves a single free parameter, which is the mean Shockley-Read-Hall lifetime. Bulk PIN cells are shown to be inherently dominated by non-radiative recombination as a result of the doping related non-radiative fraction of the Shockley injection currents. Quantum well PIN solar cells on the other hand are shown to operate in the radiative limit as a result of the dominance of radiative recombination in the space charge region. These features are exploited using light trapping techniques leading to photon recycling and reduced radiative recombination. The conclusion is that the mirror backed quantum well solar cell device features open circuit voltages determined mainly by the higher bandgap neutral layers, with an absorption threshold determined by the lower gap quantum well superlattice.
Nanostructured Metal Oxide Gas Sensor
Authors: Mazloom Jamal , Ghodsi Farhad E.
Published: February 2014

This chapter provides a review of recent progress in gas sensor based on semiconducting metal oxide nanostructure. The response mechanism and development of various methods to enhancement of sensing properties receives the most attention. Theoretical models to explain the effects of morphology, additives, heterostructured composite and UV irradiation on response improvement were studied comprehensively. Investigations have indicated that 1D nanostructured metal oxide with unique geometry and physical properties display superior sensitivity to gas species. Also, the proposed conduction model in gas sensor based on 1D Metal oxide is discussed. Finally, the response mechanism of hierarchical and hollow nanostructures as novel sensing materials is addressed.
Antimycotic Activity of Nanoparticles of MgO, FeO and ZnO on some Pathogenic Fungi
Authors: Wani A. H. , Amin M. , Shahnaz M. , Shah M. A.
Published: February 2014

Fungi are important pathogens of vegetables, fruits, cereals, pulses, and other crops. Several management strategies have been used for the control of pathogenenic fungi. Each of these methods has one or other limitations. Due to hazardous effects caused by excessive use of pesticides, scientists in the agricultural field are searching for alternative measures against pesticides. As an alternative to chemically manufactured pesticides, use of nanoparticles as antimicrobial agents has become more common as technological advances. Until now, limited research provided some evidence of the application of nanoparticles for the control of plant diseases caused by fungi. In the present study antimycotic activity of nanoparticles of magnesium, Iron and zinc have been investigated under in-vitro conditions and was observed from the study that all the nanoparticles at different concentrations brought about significant inhibition in the germination of spores of Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus niger, and Nigrospora oryzae Berk. However, the highest inhibition in the germination of all the test fungi was observed at higher concentrations followed by lower concentrations of nanoparticles. The nano MgO at highest concentration was found most effective in reducing the spore germination followed by nano-FeO and nano-ZnO at the same concentration respectively.
The Earth Sciences and Creative Practice
Authors: Worden Suzette
Published: February 2014

Artists who engage with the earth sciences have been able to explore all kinds of information about the natural environment, including information about the atmosphere, extremes of physical formations across immense dimensions of time and space, and increasingly ‘invisible’ realms of materials at the nanoscale. This is a rich area for identifying the relationship between digital and material cultures as many artists working with this subject are crossing boundaries and testing out the liminal spaces between the virtual and the real. After an overview of theoretical links between visualisation and geology, mineralogy and crystallography, this chapter explores four themes: (1) environment and experience, (2) code and pattern, (3) co-creation and participation, and (4) mining heritage.
A Knowledge-Based Approach for Microwire Casting Plant Control
Authors: Zaporojan S. , Plotnic C. , Calmicov I. , Larin V.
Published: February 2014

This chapter presents the main ideas and preliminary results of an applied research project concerning the development of an intelligent plant for microwire casting. The properties of glass-coated microwires are useful for a variety of sensor applications. On the other hand, the process of casting can be one of the methods of nanotechnology and advanced materials. In microwire continuous casting, the main control problem is to maintain the optimum thermal and flow conditions of the process, in order to fabricate the microwire of a given stable diameter. Unlike a conventional casting plant, we propose to use a video camera to take the picture of the molten drop and to control the casting process by means of a knowledge based system. For this reason, a model, that is capable of taking into account the current features of the process and of describing the shape of the drop at each time, is developed. The model presented here should allow us to estimate the geometry of the metal-filled capillary and predict the diameter of microwire at each time during the casting process.
An Advanced Architecture of a Massive Parallel Processing Nano Brain Operating 100 Billion Molecular Neurons Simultaneously
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Anirban , Ghosh Subrata , Fujita Daisuke , Pati Ranjit , Sahu Satyajit
Published: February 2014

Molecular machines (MM, Badjic, 2004; Collier, 2000; Jian & Tour, 2003; Koumura & Ferringa, 1999; Ding & Seeman, 2006) may resolve three distinct bottlenecks of scientific advancement (Bandyopadhyay, Fujita, Pati, 2008). Nanofactories (Phoenix, 2003) composed of MM may produce atomically perfect products spending negligible amount of energy (Hess, 2004) thus alleviating the energy crisis. Computers made by MM operating thousands of bits at a time may match biological processors mimicking creativity and intelligence (Hall, 2007), thus far considered as the prerogative of nature. State-of-the-art brain surgeries are not yet fatal-less, MMs guided by a nano-brain may execute perfect bloodless surgery (Freitas, 2005). Even though all three bottlenecks converge to a single necessity of nano-brain, futurists and molecular engineers have remained silent on this issue. Our recent invention of 16 bit parallel processor is a first step in this direction (Bandyopadhyay, 2008). However, the device operates inside ultra-high vacuum chamber. For practical application, one needs to design a 3 D standalone architecture. Here, we identify the minimum nano-brain functions for practical applications and try to increase the size from 2 nm to 20 µm. To realize this, three major changes are made. First, central control unit (CCU) and external execution units (EU) are modified so that they process information independently, second, CCU instructs EU the basic rules of information processing; third, once rules are set CCU does not hinder EU-computation. The basic design of the proposed nano-brain is a dendrimer (Hawker, 2005; Galliot, 1997; Devadoss, 2001; Quintana, 2002; Peer, 2007), with a control unit at its core and a molecular cellular neural network (m-CNN, Rosca, 1993; Chua, 2005) or Cellular Automata (CA, Wolfram, 1983) on its outer surface (EU). Each CNN/CA cell mimics the functionality of neurons by processing multiple bits reversibly (Rozenberg, 2004; Li, 2004; Bandyopadhyay, 2004). We have designed a megamer (Tomalia, 2005) consisting of dendrimer (~10 nm) as its unit CNN cell for building the giant 100 billion neuron based nano brain architecture. An important spontaneous control from 10 nm to 20 µm is achieved by an unique potential distribution following r=a sin k??, where r is the co-ordinate of doped neuron cluster, k is the branch number, ? is the angle of deviation and a is a constant typical of the megamer architecture.
Climate Smart Agriculture: A Solution to adverse effects of climate change
Authors: Wijeratne Mahinda
Published: February 2014

Journal of the University of Ruhuna 2013 1(2): 1-2
Study on factors responsible for high life expectancy in the elderly population in the peripheral area of northwest Sinharaja forest
Authors: Ali S. K. M. , Kumara R. K. C.
Published: February 2014

Sinharaja, a world heritage forest reserve, is one of the least disturbed and biologically unique lowland rain forests in Sri Lanka. Although a forest providing a conducive and healthy environment for high life expectancy is a general consensus, no such studies have been carried out. The main objective of the study was to find out the factors responsible for high life expectancy in the elderly population of northwest (NW) Sinharaja forest peripheral area. Two Grama Niladhari Divisions (GN) comprising six villages in the NW slope of Sinharaja forest were taken as the study area in the Kalawana District Secretariat Division. Of the total elderly population of 80 in the six villages, 61% of the elderly persons of both sexes of over 60 years were selected randomly for the study. A house to house approach based on a questionnaire survey was the primary investigation method. Interviews, case studies, and field observations were supplementary methods used. Simple statistical analysis such as percentages was used to interpret the data. The research was carried out between May-December 2011. Results show that the oldest in the sample was 99 years and in good health. Good quality food with indigenous knowledge on their food value, occupations directly linked to the forest which entailed long walks and fresh air, time for leisure, a simple life style without stress and tension has contributed to a higher life expectancy in the elderly population. Their memory was sharp and remembered over 100 food items gathered from the forest.Journal of the University of Ruhuna 2013 1(2): 3-8
Evaluation of grain density, yield and agronomic characters in some selected rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes
Authors: Karunathilaka D.G.T.U. , Dahanayake N. , Benthota A.P. , Senanayake S.G.J.N.
Published: February 2014

Correction : Due to an error in the formatting of this paper, the incorrect Introduction was included in the PDF. On 1 September 2015, the Introduction to this paper was replaced with the correct version. Our apologies to the authors of the paper for this error – Editors.Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the most important food crop of the developing world and belongs to family Poaceae (Graminae). This experiment was conducted at Regional Rice Research and Development center, Bombuwala with the objective of evaluating grain density, yield and agronomic characters of some selected rice genotypes with five new breeding lines and five improved varieties. The new breeding lines 09-892, 09-897, 03-1198, 09-1054-1, 09-1063-3 and the improved varieties Bg 358, Bg 359, Bw 363, Bw 364 and At 362 were cultivated in randomized complete block design with three replicates. After land preparation, the field layout was prepared and then the seeds were broadcasted. Observations of yield and agronomic characters were taken at their corresponding stages of the plant. The variety Bw 364 and 09-1063-3 new breeding line had significantly long culm length and panicle length than other varieties. But 09-892 breeding line with intermediate culm showed a lodging problem in the field. New breeding line of 09-1054-1 showed early flowering than other varieties and it deviated from 3½ month aged group flowering. New breeding line of 09-892, 09-897 and 09-1054-1 took shorter time for maturity. The variety Bw 364 (2.6 g) had significantly higher hundred seed weight than other varieties. Numbers of spikelets/panicle did not vary significantly with treatments in the experiment. The variety At 362 (16.3%) and the new breeding lines 09-897 (25.6%), 03-1198 (26.3%) had the lowest spikelet sterility percentage and Bw 363 (40%) showed the highest spikelet sterility percentage in the trial. High density grain percentage significantly varied among the tested genotypes ranging from 45 to 68%. The highest high density grain percentage was shown by Bg 358, Bg 359, Bw 364, At 362,09-892,09-897 while 03-1198 and 09-1054-1 had the lowest high density grain percentage. Among the improved varieties, Bw 364 (5.3 t/ha) and At 362 (5.1 t/ha) showed the highest yield in the trial whereas the new breeding lines 03-1198 (4.1 t/ha) showed the highest yield. Hence, 03- 1198 new breeding line can be selected for adaptability tests and it promises to proceed in the varietal selection programme to become a recommended variety.Journal of the University of Ruhuna 2013 1(2): 19-22
Extraction of trace elements in human fluids using cation exchange resin (chelex-100) columns for ICP-MS analysis
Authors: Maithreepala R.A. , Doong Ruey -an
Published: February 2014

A successful metal ion extraction method was developed using cation exchange resin packed disposable micro pipette tip columns for the extraction of trace metal ions in human fluids. Using this method, concentrations of Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb ions in human urine were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The main objective of this study was to develop a technique to overcome spectral interferences in ICP analysis of trace elements in biological fluids mainly due to salts present in the samples. The amount of resins packed to the column, amount of eluent needed to extract trace elements, and particle size of the resin were examined to determine conditions for metal extraction. The validity of this technique was evaluated by calculating recoveries of trace element concentrations of above elements in certified standard urine samples and by using the technique for trace metal spiked urine samples. The results revealed that Pb, Cd, Zn, Cu and Mn had good recoveries (about 95%) while Ni & Co had about 80% recovery. It was also found that the recoveries of trace elements depended on the concentrations of relevant elements in the samples.Journal of the University of Ruhuna 2013 1(2): 23-30
Mastitogenic bacteria isolated from dairy cows in Kenya and their antimicrobial sensitivity
Authors: Gitau George K. , Bundi Royford M. , Vanleeuwen John , Mulei Charles M.
Published: February 2014

There is limited epidemiological knowledge on udder health in Kenyan dairy cattle that would aid in a pro-active approach towards mastitis prevention. The study objectives were: (1) to investigate the prevalence and distribution of clinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy cattle in Mukurwe-ini and Nakuru Districts, Kenya, and (2) to determine the antibacterial sensitivity of the organisms causing bovine mastitis in these districts. The study involved field-screening of milk samples from 241 dairy cows on 128 farms by use of the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and, if CMT-positive, followed by bacteriological culture of the major causative agents and their respective antibiotic sensitivity to eight commonly used antibiotics. All participating farms were visited twice during the study period. The results obtained during the first and second visits showed the prevalence of clinical mastitis to be very low: 0.9% and 0.5%, respectively; 56.0% and 65.0% of cows were CMT-positive on at least one quarter and 49.6% and 58.7% of cows were culture-positive, respectively. There was no significant difference in mastitis prevalence between Nakuru and Mukurwe-ini districts (p > 0.10). Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 68.0% and 77.0% of samples during the first and second visits, respectively. Other frequently isolated agents included Streptococcus agalactiae, and other Streptococcus spp., S. aureus and S. agalactiae were most sensitive to gentamycin and norfloxacin, and least sensitive to cotrimazole and ampicillin. Knowing the prevalence of mastitogenic organisms and their antibiotic sensitivities could improve treatment efficacy and cow longevity.
Old Testament foundations for Christian hospitality
Authors: Martin Lee Roy
Published: February 2014

In an effort to revive the ancient Christian practice of hospitality, scholars often appeal to the Old Testament as a model to be emulated. This article examined and described the practice of hospitality in the Old Testament and evaluated its relevancy for the recent discussions surrounding hospitality. Throughout the history of discussions on hospitality, Abraham has served as the exemplar of biblical hospitality. Therefore, the Old Testament practice of hospitality was evaluated through Abraham�s story found in Genesis 18. It was concluded that the Old Testament practice of hospitality is not sufficient as a contemporary model for hospitality, but that the following elements of Old Testament thought might serve as theological underpinnings for a renewed and revisioned Christian practice of hospitality in today�s multi-faith environment, in that, (1) all humans bear the image of God, (2) all humans are relational creatures, (3) all humans are dependent upon each other and (4) all humans are travellers hosted by God.
Aneurysmatic bone cyst of the craniocervical region: Surgical technique
Authors: Joaquim Andrei Fernandes , Giacomini Leonardo , Ghizoni Enrico , Tedeschi Helder
Published: February 2014

Aneurysmal bone cysts (ABCs) are nonneoplastic bone lesions that may originate of any site of skeleton. The spine can be affect up to 30% of the cases, leading to pain, neurological deficits, and pathological fractures in symptomatic patients. The incidence of craniocervical (occipito-C1-2) occurrence is not known. We describe the surgical technique and clinical results of two patients with craniocervical ABCs that underwent primary surgical resection: An 11-year-old girl with a lesion in the posterior aspect of the atlas, and a 28-year-old man with an important hydrocephalus and a posterior expansible lesion on the left side of his posterior fossa. Total resection was achieved on both lesions, with no surgical morbidity. Even though ABCs are nonneoplastic lesions, subtotal resection is associated with early recurrence. The knowledge of the anatomy of the region in order to achieve the occlusion of arterial feeders prior to surgical resection itself is the key point of the surgical strategy.
Guillain-Barre syndrome with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome
Authors: Banakar Basavaraj F. , Pujar Guruprasad S. , Bhargava Amita , Khichar Shubhkaran
Published: February 2014

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinicoradiologic entity commonly associated with eclampsia, septicemia, chemotherapeutic drugs etc. Concurrent occurrence of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) with PRES is a rare entity. Dysautonomia is a proposed mechanism for such occurrence. Here we present a non-diabetic, non-hypertensive 63-year-old male patient, who came with acute onset flaccid quadriparesis, developing generalized seizures, altered sensorium and raised blood pressure on fifth day of illness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain showed altered signal intensities involving the parieto-occipital areas suggestive of posterior reversible encephalopathy. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed albuminocytological dissociation, nerve conduction studies revealed demyelinating type of polyneuropathy. The patient was treated with antihypertensives and antiepileptics. After resolution of the encephalopathy, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) was given. The patient recovered gradually over few months. Our case concludes GBS as independent risk factor, for PRES may be secondary to dysautonomia and physicians should be aware of such rare coexistence so that early treatment can be done to reduce the mortality and morbidity.
Neonatal meningitis complicating with pneumocephalus
Authors: Kumari Anita , Agrawal Satish C.
Published: February 2014

Pneumocephalus is a rare condition characterized by the presence of gas within the cranial cavity. This gas may arise either from a trauma, a tumor, a surgical, or a diagnostic procedure or occasionally from an infection. Pneumocephalus as a complication of bacterial meningitis, in absence of trauma or a procedure, is extremely rare, particularly in a newborn. A case of pneumocephalus occurring in a baby, suffering from neonatal meningitis, acquired probably through unsafe cutting and tying of the cord, is reported here. Cutting, tying, and care of the umbilical cord is of utmost importance to prevent neonatal infection as the same is a potential cause of serious anaerobic infections, besides tetanus.
Effect of low-oil corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles on growth performance, carcass traits and beef fatty acid profile of feedlot cattle
Authors: He M. L. , Xu L. , Yang W. Z. , Gibb D. , McAllister T. A.
Published: February 2014

He, M. L., Xu, L., Yang, W. Z., Gibb, D. and McAllister, T. A. 2014. Effect of low-oil corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles on growth performance, carcass traits and beef fatty acid profile of feedlot cattle. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 94: 343–347. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary inclusion of low-oil corn dried distillers’ grains with solubles (LO-DDGS) on growth, carcass traits and beef fatty acids profiles of finishing feedlot cattle. One hundred and eighty British crossbred steers (450±28.5 kg; six pens/treatment) were offered barley grain-barley silage as the control diet with LO-DDGS replacing barley grain at 200 and 300 g kg−1 dry matter basis in treatment diets. Compared with control, LO-DDGS at 200 g kg−1 did not affect growth performance or carcass traits, whereas at 300 g kg−1 it decreased (P<0.05) gain:feed, but increased (P<0.05) levels of desirable fatty acids in beef. LO-DDGS can replace 200 g kg−1 barley grain in finishing feedlot diets without undesirable impacts on growth performance or carcass traits.