bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ATR-FTIR spectroscopy reveals genomic loci regulating the tissue response in high fat diet fed BXD recombinant inbred mouse strains
Authors: Dogan Ayca , Lasch Peter , Neuschl Christina , Millrose Marion K , Alberts Rudi , Schughart Klaus , Naumann Dieter , Brockmann Gudrun A
Published: June 2013

Background

Obesity-associated organ-specific pathological states can be ensued from the dysregulation of the functions of the adipose tissues, liver and muscle. However, the influence of genetic differences underlying gross-compositional differences in these tissues is largely unknown. In the present study, the analytical method of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy has been combined with a genetic approach to identify genetic differences responsible for phenotypic alterations in adipose, liver and muscle tissues.

Results

Mice from 29 BXD recombinant inbred mouse strains were put on high fat diet and gross-compositional changes in adipose, liver and muscle tissues were measured by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The analysis of genotype-phenotype correlations revealed significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosome 12 for the content of fat and collagen, collagen integrity, and the lipid to protein ratio in adipose tissue and on chromosome 17 for lipid to protein ratio in liver. Using gene expression and sequence information, we suggest Rsad2 (viperin) and Colec11 (collectin-11) on chromosome 12 as potential quantitative trait candidate genes. Rsad2 may act as a modulator of lipid droplet contents and lipid biosynthesis; Colec11 might play a role in apoptopic cell clearance and maintenance of adipose tissue. An increased level of Rsad2 transcripts in adipose tissue of DBA/2J compared to C57BL/6J mice suggests a cis-acting genetic variant leading to differential gene activation.

Conclusion

The results demonstrate that the analytical method of ATR-FTIR spectroscopy effectively contributed to decompose the macromolecular composition of tissues that accumulate fat and to link this information with genetic determinants. The candidate genes in the QTL regions may contribute to obesity-related diseases in humans, in particular if the results can be verified in a bigger BXD cohort.
Assessment of perceived health status among primary care patients in Southern Italy: findings from a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Manuti Benedetto , Rizza Paolo , Pileggi Claudia , Bianco Aida , Pavia Maria
Published: June 2013

Background

The primary aim of this study was to measure HRQOL of primary care patients in one of the poorest areas of Italy, using SF-12, whereas the secondary aim was to identify subgroups of this population, according to socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, behavioural risk factors, and health services utilization, that manifest poorer HRQOL. These data may be helpful to policy makers to implement health care policies and social interventions for improving HRQOL.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Southern Italy on primary care patients aged 18 and over. SF-12 was used to measure perceived health status. Physical component and mental summary scores were obtained. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis to evaluate eventual significant differences of mean PCS-12 and MCS-12 according to various characteristics (demographics, presence of chronic diseases, behavioral risk factors, and utilization of health services).

Results

Of the 1467 participating in our survey, more than one third evaluated their health as unsatisfactory, noted significant limitations and reported problems on all SF-12-scales. Physical and mental summary scores showed an overall mean of 45.9 (SD ± 10.8) and 44.9 (SD ± 11.6), respectively. Statistical analysis showed significant differences in perceived health status by socio-demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, education level and employment status, by behavioral risk factors, chronic diseases and health services utilization.

Conclusions

Our findings seem to indicate that primary care patients in Southern Italy have a poor HRQOL and this perception is even poorer in subgroups of the population, according to several sociodemographic, clinical characteristics, and behavioural risk factors. These results may have significant implications for health care policymakers, since they emphasize the need of developing effective and targeted strategies to improve HRQOL in Southern Italy.
Asymmetric kinase dimer formation is crucial for the activation of oncogenic EGFRvIII but not for ERBB3 phosphorylation
Authors: Kancha Rama Krishna , von Bubnoff Nikolas , Duyster Justus
Published: June 2013

Background

Formation of asymmetric kinase dimers is required for wt-EGFR activation upon ligand stimulation. The role of receptor dimerization in oncogenic EGFRvIII mutant activation is not completely understood and the molecular details of EGFRvIII interactions within homo-dimers and hetero-dimers are not elucidated yet.

Findings

By employing mutations that disrupt the asymmetric kinase dimer interface in EGFRvIII, we demonstrate that the mechanism of oncogenic EGFRvIII mutant activation is similar to that of the full-length wild-type EGFR. Surprisingly, the monomeric EGFRvIII lacks autophosphorylation and the formation of asymmetric kinase dimers is indispensable for oncogenic kinase activation. In addition, we show that ERBB3 can act as an activator of EGFRvIII by forming asymmetric kinase dimer in a ligand-independent manner. Interestingly, we found that the formation of asymmetric kinase dimer is dispensable for ERBB3 phosphorylation by the activated EGFR kinase as well as the ERBB2 kinase thus revealing a novel model for receptor function.

Conclusions

Lateral signaling is a novel mechanism of signal propagation via ERBB3 upon activation by EGFR/ERBB2 kinase even in the absence of their ability to form asymmetric kinase dimers.
Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) network: insights from mathematical models
Authors: Cavadas Miguel AS , Nguyen Lan K , Cheong Alex
Published: June 2013

Oxygen is a crucial molecule for cellular function. When oxygen demand exceeds supply, the oxygen sensing pathway centred on the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is switched on and promotes adaptation to hypoxia by up-regulating genes involved in angiogenesis, erythropoiesis and glycolysis. The regulation of HIF is tightly modulated through intricate regulatory mechanisms. Notably, its protein stability is controlled by the oxygen sensing prolyl hydroxylase domain (PHD) enzymes and its transcriptional activity is controlled by the asparaginyl hydroxylase FIH (factor inhibiting HIF-1).

To probe the complexity of hypoxia-induced HIF signalling, efforts in mathematical modelling of the pathway have been underway for around a decade. In this paper, we review the existing mathematical models developed to describe and explain specific behaviours of the HIF pathway and how they have contributed new insights into our understanding of the network. Topics for modelling included the switch-like response to decreased oxygen gradient, the role of micro environmental factors, the regulation by FIH and the temporal dynamics of the HIF response. We will also discuss the technical aspects, extent and limitations of these models. Recently, HIF pathway has been implicated in other disease contexts such as hypoxic inflammation and cancer through crosstalking with pathways like NFκ B and mTOR. We will examine how future mathematical modelling and simulation of interlinked networks can aid in understanding HIF behaviour in complex pathophysiological situations. Ultimately this would allow the identification of new pharmacological targets in different disease settings.
Bone single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography disclosing chronic uterine perforation with intrauterine device migration into the anterior wall of the bladder: a case report
Authors: Morland David , Mathelin Carole , Wattiez Arnaud , Namer Izzie Jacques
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Extraosseous uptake of 99mTc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate is a common situation of variable clinical relevance.

Case presentation

A 52-year-old Caucasian woman presented to our department for breast cancer staging. A 99mTc-hydroxymethylene diphosphonate bone scan was performed and showed focal pelvic hyperfixation that disclosed intrauterine device migration into the anterior wall of the bladder on single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography.

Conclusion

This observation confirms the major role of single photon emission computed tomography with computed tomography in achieving an exact diagnosis.
Uropathogenic specific protein gene, highly distributed in extraintestinal uropathogenic Escherichia coli, encodes a new member of H-N-H nuclease superfamily
Authors: Zaw Myo Thura , Yamasaki Eiki , Yamamoto Shingo , Nair G Balakrish , Kawamoto Keiko , Kurazono Hisao
Published: June 2013

Background

The uropathogenic specific protein (Usp) and three OrfU proteins (OrfU1, OrfU2 and OrfU3) are encoded in the putative small pathogenicity island which is closely associated with Uropathogenic Escherichia coli. Although homology search revealed that Usp and OrfUs have a homology with nuclease-type bacteriocins, which possess H-N-H nuclease motif, and immunity proteins respectively, the molecular activity of these proteins was never investigated. In this study, we try to over-express Usp in E. coli, purify Usp and characterize its molecular activity.

Method

Recombinant Usp protein was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) cells together with 6× Histidine tagged OrfU1 (OrfU1-His) protein, and purified with affinity chromatography using Ni2+ chelating agarose. The nuclease activity of the purified Usp was examined in vitro by using plasmid DNA as a substrate. The importance of H-N-H motif in nuclease activity of Usp was examined by site-directed mutagenesis study.

Results

We revealed that pET expression vector encoding Usp alone could not be maintained in E. coli BL21(DE3), and insertion of the orfUs as well as usp in the constructed plasmid diminished the toxic effect, suggesting that co-expressed OrfUs masked the activity of Usp. To purify Usp protein, we employed the expression vector encoding untagged Usp together with OrfU1-His. A tight complex formation could be observed between Usp and OrfU1-His, which allowed the purification of Usp in a single chromatographic step: binding of Usp/OrfU1-His complex to Ni2+ chelating agarose followed by elution of Usp from the complex with denaturing reagent. The purified free Usp was found to have the nuclease activity, and the activity was constitutively higher than Usp/OrfU1-His complex. H-N-H motif, which is found in various types of nucleases including a subfamily of nuclease-type bacteriocin, had been identified in the C-terminal region of Usp. Site-directed mutagenesis study showed that the H-N-H motif in Usp is indispensable for its nuclease activity.

Conclusion

This is the first evidence of the molecular activity of the new member of H-N-H superfamily and lays the foundation for the biological characterization of Usp and its inhibitor protein, OrfUs.
Visible-light-activated nanocomposite photocatalyst of Cr2O3/SnO2
Authors: Bhosale Rajendra , Pujari Sidram , Muley Gajanan , Pagare Bathuwell , Gambhire Anil
Published: June 2013

Visible-light-activated Cr2O3/SnO2 nanocomposite photocatalyst was prepared by coprecipitation method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption measurement, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The results show that phase composition, crystallite size, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, and optical absorption of samples varied significantly with the heat treatment temperatures. The Cr2O3/SnO2 photocatalyst (the molar ratio Cr to Sn is 1:2) calcined at 400°C for 2 h exhibited maximum photocatalytic activity because it has a smaller particle size of 10.05 nm and a higher surface area of 38.75 m2/g. Under visible-light (λ > 400 nm) irradiation, the degradation rate of Rhodamine B reached 98.0% in 60 min, which is about 3.5 times higher than that of the standard P25 photocatalyst.
Interface waves along fractures in anisotropic media
Authors: Shao Siyi , Pyrak-Nolte Laura J.
Published: June 2013

The detection of fractures in an anisotropic medium is complicated by discrete modes that are guided or confined by fractures such as fracture interface waves. Fracture interface waves are generalized coupled Rayleigh waves whose existence and velocity in isotropic media depend on the stiffness of the fracture, frequency of the source, and shear-wave polarization. We derived the analytic solution for fracture interface waves in an orthorhombic medium and found that the existence and velocity of interface waves in anisotropic media are also affected by the orientation of a fracture relative to the layering. Laboratory measurements of fracture interface waves using ultrasonic transducers (central frequency [Formula: see text] MHz) on garolite specimens confirmed that the presence of fracture interface waves can mask the textural shear-wave anisotropy of waves propagating parallel to the layering. At low stresses, a layered medium appears almost isotropic when a fracture is oriented perpendicular to the layering, and conversely, a layered medium exhibits stronger anisotropy than the matrix for a fracture oriented parallel to the layering. The matrix shear-wave anisotropy is recovered when sufficient stress is applied to close a fracture. The theory and experimental results demonstrated that the interpretation of the presence of fractures in anisotropic material can be unambiguously interpreted if measurements are made as a function of stress, which eliminates many fractured-generated discrete modes such as fracture interface waves.
Bromodimethylsulfonium Bromide (BDMS)-catalyzed Synthesis of Substituted Pyrroles through a One-pot Four-component Reaction
Authors: Bagdi Prasanta Ray , Basha R Sidick , Lal Mohan , Khan Abu T
Published: June 2013

Trisubstituted N-benzylpyrrole derivatives were synthesized through a one-pot four-component reaction from β-keto esters, benzylamines, aromatic aldehydes, and nitromethane in the presence of 10 mol % bromodimethylsulfonium bromide (BDMS) as catalyst at room temperature. Some of the salient features of the present protocol are simple and mild reaction conditions, good yields, and applicability with a wide range of substrates.
Fabrication of Ordered Poly[1,6-bis(3-nonyl-9-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadiyne] Thin Film via Simple Spin-coating Process
Authors: Miyazaki Yuuki , Okamoto Kazuo , Tsuchiya Kousuke , Ogino Kenji
Published: June 2013

Diacetylene derivative, 1,6-bis(3-nonyl-9-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadiyne was designed and synthesized. Compared with nonsubstituted 1,6-di(N-carbazolyl)-2,4-hexadiyne, the solubility was drastically improved, which allowed us the fabrication of a smooth crystalline thin film via a simple spin-coating process. The resulting film was easily polymerized by photoirradiation after thermal annealing. UV–vis absorption and Raman scattering spectra suggested topochemical polymerization. Out-of-plane XRD measurement of spin-coated film showed a strong diffraction. It suggests the interdigitation structure of alkyl chain. In-plane XRD measurements of spin-coated polymerized films showed two small peaks which were not identical to the result of out-of-plane XRD. These results indicated edge-on orientation. AFM image suggests that the film is composed of an aggregation consisting of needle-like nanostructures of polymer crystals.
Comparative Approach in Legal Policy
Authors: Малько Александр , Malko Aleksander , Саломатин Алексей , Salomatin Alexey
Published: June 2013

Legal Policy as a new direction in Legal Sciences is to help in transformation of legal mechanism of the state and all the legal life. It has become extremely important thanks to extreme complexities of post-modernizing society under circumstances of erosion of state sovereignty, intensive communication and spreading of legal information, civil involvement in legislative process. But only applying of comparative method in the form of Comparative Law, Comparative State Studying, Comparative Political Science can make Legal Policy more effective and precise.
Procedural and process mechanism for the ­implementation of norms in the resolution of collective labour disputes in the
Authors: Шишко Георгий , Shishko George , Ясинская-Казаченко Анжелика , Yasinskaya-Kazachenko Angelica
Published: June 2013

Accurately installed procedural and process mechanism of realization of norms is necessary for achievement of expected result at permission of collective labour disputes, in this regard in article various approaches of scientists to concept of process and procedure are considered. The axiom of procedural legal relationship on permission of collective labour disputes is allocated. As a scientific hypothesis authors make offers concerning an integration of universal legal procedures pro­perly in the form of serving norms in legal relationship about individual and collective labour disputes.
How do Iranian female adolescents express their health education needs? A needs assessment with qualitative thematic analysis
Authors: Shahhosseini Zohreh , Hamzehgardeshi Zeinab
Published: June 2013

Background: Adolescent girls have little knowledge about health information, especially about more sensitive issues. We know little about the perspectives of adolescents about their educational health needs.

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the perceptions of Iranian female adolescents about their educational health needs.

Subjects: The study participants were 67 female adolescents aged 12–19 years currently in junior high and high schools in the city of Sari, located in northern Iran.

Methods: The present study is a qualitative study of thematic analysis. The 67 female adolescents participated in eight focus group discussions (FGDs). The participants were selected from schools in Mazandaran, Iran. The sampling methods were purposeful sampling and a maximum variance sampling method. All tape-recorded data was fully transcribed, and thematic analysis was performed to identify key themes.

Results: The findings of this research around adolescent health education needs emphasized four overarching themes, including appropriate content, suitable method, well-informed sources and an appropriate age for education.

Conclusion: Our results show that the promotion of reproductive health knowledge and life skills are the most important health education needs. Education about these issues via parents, schools and health care providers could promote the health status of adolescents.
Heavy Internet use and its associations with health risk and health-promoting behaviours among Thai university students
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa , Apidechkul Tawatchai
Published: June 2013

The Internet provides significant benefits for learning about the world, but excessive Internet use can lead to negative outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between heavy Internet use and health-promoting behaviour, health risk behaviour and health outcomes among university students. The sample included 860 undergraduate university students chosen at random from Mae Fah Luang University in Thailand. Of the participants, 27.3% were male and and 72.7% were female in the age range of 18–25 years (M age=20.1 years, SD=1.3). Overall, students spent on average 5.3 h (SD=2.6) per day on the internet, and 35.3% engaged in heavy internet use (6 or more hours per day). In multivariate logistic regression adjusting for sociodemographics, lack of dental check-ups, three health risk behaviours (sedentary lifestyle, illicit drug use and gambling) and three health outcomes [being underweight, overweight or obese and having screened positive for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)] were found to be associated with heavy Internet use. The results from this study may support the importance of developing early protective and preventive actions against problematic Internet use to promote university student health.
Ethanol Steam Reforming for Hydrogen Production in Microchannel Reactors: Experimental Design and Optimization
Authors: Bineli Aulus , Thibault Jules , Jardini André , Maciel Filho Rubens
Published: June 2013

In this investigation, an experimental design procedure using prior literature information has been used to guide the localization of optimal points for reaction kinetics study. Three kinetic models were identified and the Pareto domain was circumscribed for a set of three decision variables and two objective functions to find an optimal solution. From the range of Pareto-optimal solutions obtained, the kinetic model considered to be the most reliable was used to explore the optimal operating region. Finally, the experimental design points were chosen to ensure a sufficient range of operating conditions to identify the reaction kinetics.
Modeling NOx Adsorption onto Fe/ZSM-5 Catalysts in a Fixed Bed Reactor
Authors: Cheng Xingxing , Bi Xiaotao T.
Published: June 2013

A NOx adsorption kinetic model including NO oxidation and adsorption was developed. The NOx and O2 adsorption experimental data from a fixed bed were found to be fitted well to the Freundlich type isotherm. An axial dispersion adsorption model was then developed to simulate the breakthrough curve for NOx adsorption in the fixed bed. The model parameters including mass transfer coefficient and axial dispersion coefficient were fitted from the NOx breakthrough curves measured in a fixed bed. This model can be used for design and scale-up of fixed bed NOx adsorption columns. It can also be extended for the modeling of NOx adsorption in the annulus region of the circulating fluidized bed reactor for catalytic reduction of NOx.
Design and Optimization of a Fixed Bed Reactor for Direct Dimethyl Ether Production from Syngas Using Differential Evolution Algorithm
Authors: Vakili Reza , Eslamloueyan Reza
Published: June 2013

Dimethyl ether (DME) is traditionally produced by methanol dehydration in an adiabatic reactor. Recently, a more economical method has been proposed to produce DME in a reactor in which methanol production and dehydration take place simultaneously on a bi-functional catalyst. In the present study, the design and optimization of an industrial scale fixed bed reactor for the direct synthesis of DME from syngas are investigated. A steady state, pseudo-homogeneous model has been applied to simulate the proposed reactor. At first, the preliminary design of the reactor is done based on the reactor design heuristics for industrial reactors. Then, using differential evolution (DE) algorithm as a fast and efficient optimization method, the tentative reactor operating conditions and its internal configuration are optimized. The objective of the optimization is to maximize DME production in each tube of the reactor. The number of tubes, feed inlet and coolant water temperatures are considered as decision variables of the optimization algorithm. At the optimum conditions, the reactor size decreases due to increase of CO conversion and DME productivity in each tube. The results show that the proposed optimum reactor is more economical for large-scale production of DME in comparison to the conventional industrial DME reactor.
Sequence learning pattern in children with specific language impairment
Authors: Sengottuvel Kuppuraj , Rao Prema K.S.
Published: June 2013

The procedural deficit hypothesis (PDH) claims that language deficits in children with specific language impairment (SLI) are caused by sequence learning deficits. Previous studies provided evidence that were both in favor and against this hypothesis. Few studies reported on sequence learning pattern in SLI children using various modifications of the serial reaction time (SRT) task. The present study aimed to examine the PDH by examining sequence learning pattern in SLI using an adapted SRT task. The study also examines the sequence learning pattern among typically developing and SLI children. Results are discussed with relevance to sequence learning pattern and language deficits in SLI children.
The Study of Switching Overvoltages under Power System Restoration Scenario Using Extended Delta-Bar-Delta Algorithm
Authors: Sadeghkhani Iman , Ketabi Abbas , Feuillet Rene
Published: June 2013

This paper presents an intelligent approach to evaluate switching overvoltages during power equipment energization. Switching action is one of the most important issues in power system restoration schemes. This action may lead to overvoltages that can damage some equipment and delay ‎power system restoration. In this work, transient overvoltages caused by power equipment energization are analyzed and estimated using artificial neural network (ANN)-based approach. Three learning algorithms, delta-bar-delta (DBD), extended delta-bar-delta (EDBD), and directed random search (DRS), were used to train the ANNs. In the cases of transformer and shunt reactor energization, ANNs are trained with the worst case scenario of switching angle and remanent flux which reduce the number of required simulations for training ANN. Also, for achieving good generalization capability for developed ANN, equivalent parameters of the network are used as ANN inputs. The simulated results for a partial of 39-bus New England test system, ‎show that the proposed technique can estimate the peak values and ‎duration of switching overvoltages with good accuracy and EDBD algorithm presents best performance.
A cross-sectional study of surveillance of adverse drug reactions in inpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital
Authors: Remesh Ambili , Balan Aswathy , Gnanadurai Angela
Published: June 2013

Background: Pharmacovigilance plays an imperative role in providing information about adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and drug safety in a hospital. Hence, it was considered worthwhile to study the surveillance of ADRs in inpatient departments (IPD). Our study aims to evaluate the frequency, type, characteristics, causality, and severity and avoidability of ADRs in the IPDs.

Methods: This prospective observational study was done in the IPDs of a 550-bed tertiary care hospital in South India during the period April to September 2012. All the patients had experienced at least one suspected ADR after hospitalization and drug treatment; patients who are hospitalized due to suspected ADR(s) in the last 6 months were assessed after obtaining permission from the Institutional Research and Ethics Committee. All the ADRs were recorded on the appropriate, prescribed form for reporting ADRs designed by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization.

Results: A total of 147 ADRs were reported with the use of 96 drugs used by 91 IPD patients. The maximum number of ADRs reported in our study was with antipsychotic drugs and the maximum number of patients reported rashes (n=30) followed by extrapyramidal symptoms (n=17). Causality assessment by the WHO scale and Naranjo’s algorithm showed 48 and 59 ADRs possibly related to drugs, respectively. Of this, 45 patients with ADR had moderate severity and 41 patients with ADRs were not preventable.

Conclusions: The maximum number of ADRs reported in our study was with antipsychotic drugs and the most common ADR reported was rashes. Most of the ADRs reported had a possible causality, were moderate in severity, and were not preventable. The majority of patients had recovered from the ADRs.
Nevirapine induces testicular toxicity in Wistar rats: reversal effect of kolaviron (biflavonoid from Garcinia kola seeds)
Authors: Adaramoye Oluwatosin A. , Akanni Olubukola O. , Farombi Ebenezer O.
Published: June 2013

Background: Nevirapine (NVP) is a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in the treatment of HIV infections and has been reported to be toxic to the male reproductive system. This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of kolaviron (KV), a biflavonoid from Garcinia kola, on NVP-induced testicular toxicity.

Methods: The adult male Wistar rats were given two and four times therapeutic doses of NVP (NVP-2T and NVP-4T; 18 and 36 mg/kg NVP) alone or in combination with KV (200 mg/kg). NVP was given daily, whereas KV was administered five times in a week by oral gavage.

Results: Treatment with NVP did not alter the body weight gain and relative weight of testis of the rats. NVP-4T significantly (p<0.05) decreased the sperm motility, protein content, and live-dead ratio and also increased the percentage sperm abnormalities of the rats. Although NVP-4T significantly increased sperm abnormalities, it has no effect on epididymal sperm count. Also, NVP-4T caused a significant (p<0.05) elevation of serum aminotransferases and γ-glutamyl transferase activities. In addition, NVP-4T significantly (p<0.05) decreased the levels of testicular superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione with marked elevation of malondialdehyde (index of lipid peroxidation) in the rats. In contrast, NVP-2T did not produce an adverse effect on the biochemical indices studied in testes and sperm of rats. Supplementation with KV significantly ameliorated the biochemical changes caused by NVP-4T.

Conclusions: Taken together, KV reversed the adverse effects of NVP-4T on testicular antioxidant enzymes and markers of oxidative stress in the rats.
Gladstone as linguist
Authors: Sampson Geoffrey
Published: June 2013

Anyone who urges that differences between languages may correlate with differences in societies' perceptions of the world is open to misunderstanding by those who do not recognise the arbitrariness of their own socially-conditioned perceptions. A striking example is the reception of William Gladstone's nineteenth-century analyses of the vocabulary of the Homeric epics, Europe's first literature. Gladstone anticipated themes that are commonly seen as original advances of twentieth-century anthropology and linguistics; but this achievement has been obscured by a longstanding misinterpretation, according to which Gladstone ascribed Homer's surprising use of colour words to colour-blindness. At present, that misinterpretation is being disseminated more widely than ever before. In fact, Gladstone explicitly did not believe that Ancient Greeks were colour-blind. He did express a range of ideas standardly credited to much more recent scholarship. The reception of Gladstone's Homeric writings demonstrates the strength of the human disposition to trivialize significant cultural differences.
Is corpus stylistics bent on self-improvement? The role of reference corpora 20 years after the advent of semantic prosody
Authors: Milojkovic Marija
Published: June 2013

This paper (based on a presentation delivered at the 2012 PALA conference in Malta) aims to explain and illustrate the main principles of Contextual Prosodic Theory (CPT), developed by Bill Louw, the originator of the notion of semantic prosody (McEnery and Hardy, 2012: 135). No less importantly, it aims to free the theory from unwarranted criticism it has attracted over the past few years. I deal with the theoretical objections to Louw's stylistics in McEnery and Hardy (2012) and in Hunston (2007). In doing so, certain basic assumptions of Louw's stylistics are restated, such as the roles of intuition, authorial intention and the individual reader's perception. Is Louw justified in assuming that a text may be interpreted by what is, prima facie, NOT in it? After showing how reference corpora can reasonably be taken to influence the act of reading, I give an illustration of a new development in CPT: logical semantic prosody – subtext (Louw 2010a, 2010b). The reference corpora I use include the BNC and COCA, available on Mark Davies' site, and Tim Johns' corpus of the 1995 edition of the Times newspaper, containing 44.5 million words.
The semantics of difficult poems: Deriving a checklist of linguistic phenomena
Authors: Castiglione Davide
Published: June 2013

In analysing a range of 20th century poems and excerpts, stylisticians and literary critics have individuated a number of linguistic and textual features which they relate – with various degrees of explicitness – to the complex notion of ‘difficulty’. While there is a fair amount of agreement in the set of phenomena identified, to the best of my knowledge these have never been analysed, grouped and classified from a linguistic and unified perspective. This is the chief aim of the present paper, in which I reconsider previously discussed poetic excerpts in order to derive a checklist of linguistic phenomena demanding further investigation and even future empirical testing. Another major aim is that of illustrating how widespread and problematic the use of ‘difficult’ and ‘difficulty’ is, often implying quite distinct senses. The meaning of this pair will be kept indeterminate throughout the whole paper, where it simply refers to the personal usage of the critic or stylistician at stake. At the end of the paper, by contrast, a clearer characterization will emerge in the light of the textual excerpts analysed: difficulty is regarded as a combination of semantic opacity and hypothesized processing effort at syntagmatic level. However, being part of a wider ongoing research project, a more satisfactory formulation is still to come. Finally, an additional outcome of the paper is that of adding some evidence to the study of poetic language by taking into account recent poetic developments that so far have been given little attention in stylistics.
Cognitive chiasmus: Embodied phenomenology in Dylan Thomas
Authors: Pelkey Jamin
Published: June 2013

Chiasmus has long been discussed as a rhetorical figure for the symmetrical reversal of linguistic structures in oral and written texts. Recent treatments have begun to challenge this parochial status in ways that are reminiscent of the embodied metaphor revolution in cognitive semantics. This paper further develops the argument that chiastic schemas are a rich source of embodied cognition in need of broader recognition and deeper understanding. A cognitive poetic analysis of Dylan Thomas' iconic work “Vision and Prayer” facilitates this discussion. The dialectic weave of inverse structures and corporeal schemas that emerge from the poem illustrate the aesthetic ubiquity of cognitive chiasmus. Its lived, intertwining nature is proposed as an antidote to the “missing body” problem, as a more complex approach to cognitive symmetry and as a primary source of conceptual blending.
Triggered and self-healing systems using nanostructured materials
Authors: Kötteritzsch Julia , Schubert Ulrich S. , Hager Martin D.
Published: June 2013

Self-healing materials feature the outstanding ability of healing damage inflicted on them. This process leads to the (partial) restoration of the original properties of these materials, in particular of the mechanical properties. Several healing mechanisms involve processes on the nanoscopic level. These lead to the healing of the damage (e.g., crack or scratch) and, as a consequence, the macroscopic mechanical properties are reestablished. Moreover, self-healing of nanomaterials can also be achieved, which is of particular interest, because nanomaterials are particularly prone to damage due to their high surface volume ratio. This review summarizes the involvement of nanoscopic processes in the healing of macroscopic materials, and the healing of nanomaterials is discussed.
Crystal structure of 3-(3-aminopropyl)-2-(p-tolylamino)quinazolin-4(3H)-one, C18H20N4O
Authors: Wang Xiang , Xiao Zhi-You , Yang Xiao-Yan
Published: June 2013

C18H20N4O, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 15.702(1) Å, b = 17.612(1) Å, c = 23.565(2) Å, V = 6516.5 Å3, Z = 16, Rgt(F) = 0.0384, wRref(F2) = 0.1062, T = 298 K.
Secondary Isotope Effects on 13C and 15N Chemical Shifts of Schiff Bases Revisited
Authors: Filarowski Alexander , Hansen Poul Erik
Published: June 2013

An analysis is presented of secondary deuterium isotope effects on 15N and 13C chemical shifts of the methylamine Schiff base of 4,6-dimethoxysalicylaldehyde. It is shown that for this compound existing as an equilibrium between an OH and a NH-form, the secondary isotope effects depend on the OH/NH ratio giving a function with a maximum and a minimum.

Secondary deuterium isotope effects on 13C and 15N chemical shifts are compared in a broader range of compounds and the above trend is confirmed. Changes in the dielectric constants of the medium with temperature are found to be rather unimportant for the change in equilibrium. Equilibrium isotope effects on chemical shifts are shown to be important. The magnitudes of the isotope effects are correlated both to intrinsic and equilibrium isotope effects. The latter correlate to the shape of the two-potential well, the energy difference and the difference in chemical shifts of the two tautomers.
Targeted Sequence Capture Provides Insight into Genome Structure and Genetics of Male Sterility in a Gynodioecious Diploid Strawberry,Fragaria vescassp.bracteata(Rosaceae)
Authors: Tennessen Jacob A , Govindarajulu Rajanikanth , Liston Aaron , Ashman Tia-Lynn
Published: June 2013

Gynodioecy is a sexual system wherein females coexist with hermaphrodites. It is of interest not only because male-sterile plants are advantageous in plant breeding but also because it can be a crucial step in the evolutionary transition to entirely separate sexes (dioecy) from a hermaphroditic ancestor. The gynodioecious diploid wild strawberry, Fragaria vesca ssp. bracteata (Rosaceae), is a member of a clade with both dioecious and cultivated species, making it an ideal model in which to study the genetics of male sterility. To create a genetic map of F. v. ssp. bracteata, we identified informative polymorphisms from genomic sequencing (3−5x coverage) of two outbred plants from the same population. Using targeted enrichment, we sequenced 200 bp surrounding each of 6575 polymorphisms in 48 F1 offspring, yielding genotypes at 98% of targeted sites with mean coverage >100x, plus more than 600-kb high-coverage nontargeted sequence. With the resulting linkage map of 7802 stringently filtered markers (5417 targeted), we assessed recombination rates and genomic incongruities. Consistent with past work in strawberries, male sterility is dominant, segregates 1:1, and maps to a single location in the female. Further mapping an additional 55 offspring places male sterility in a gene-dense, 338-kb region of chromosome 4. The region is not syntenic with the sex-determining regions in the closely related octoploids, F. chiloensis and F. virginiana, suggesting either independent origins or translocation. The 57 genes in this region do not include protein families known to control male sterility and thus suggest alternate mechanisms for the suppression of male function.
Microarray Comparison of Anterior and PosteriorDrosophilaWing Imaginal Disc Cells Identifies Novel Wing Genes
Authors: Ibrahim Daniel M , Biehs Brian , Kornberg Thomas B , Klebes Ansgar
Published: June 2013

Signaling between cells in the anterior (A) and posterior (P) compartments directs Drosophila wing disc development and is dependent on expression of the homeodomain transcription factor Engrailed (En) in P cells. Downstream of en, posteriorly expressed Hedgehog (Hh) protein signals across the A/P border to establish a developmental organizer that directs pattern formation and growth throughout the wing primordium. Here we extend investigations of the processes downstream of en by using expression array analysis to compare A and P cells. A total of 102 candidate genes were identified that express differentially in the A and P compartments; four were characterized: Stubble (Sb) expression is restricted to A cells due to repression by en. CG15905, CG16884; CG10200/hase und igel (hui) are expressed in A cells downstream of Hh signaling; and RNA interference for hui, Stubble, and CG16884 revealed that each is essential to wing development.
Nanoscale Blended MnO2Nanoparticles in Electro-polymerized Polypyrrole Conducting Polymer for Energy Storage in Supercapacitors
Authors: Sidhu Navjot K , Rastogi A.C.
Published: June 2013

Polypyrrole (pPy) conducting polymer films embedded with MnO2nanoparticles have been synthesized by electrochemical polymerization and anodic oxidation processes. MnO2nanoparticles coexist in the hydrated Mn(II) and Mn(IV) states and undergo valence state change along side pPy anion doping-dedoping contributing to the system pseudocapacitance. Increased density of sequestered MnO2nanoparticles in pPy significantly improves charge storage properties as shown by increased electrodic specific capacitance from 200 to 620 Fg-1based on cyclic voltammetry studies. MnO2nanoparticle dispersion in open porous pPy microstructure is affected by current density in excess of 4 mA.cm-2used in synthesis and results in MnO2particle agglomeration that excludes open surface access reducing specific capacitance. Charge-discharge studies show stable capacitance retention for ∼1000 cycles. The redox performance of MnO2-pPy composite electrodes is suitable for application in the high energy density supercapacitors.
Controllable Synthesis of Different Bismuth Ferrites by a PVA Modified Hydrothermal Method and Photocatalytic Characterization
Authors: Tong Tong , Jin Dengren , Cheng Jinrong
Published: June 2013

Bismuth ferrites crystallites were synthesized by a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) modified hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis indicated that the pure phase of Bi25FeO40, BiFeO3 and Bi2Fe4O9 were synthesized with initial Bi/Fe ratio of 1:1 at the temperature of 200°C for 24 h, using NaOH concentration of 2, 5 and 10 M, respectively. With addition of PVA, the individual Bi-Fe oxides could be existed in a more wide range of processing parameters. The phase evolution of bismuth ferrites in the process of hydrothermal reactions was discussed. Moreover, photocatalytic properties of the bismuth ferrites crystallites were explored. The results showed that they possessed band gaps of about 2.0 eV and performed good degradation effect at visible light region.
Over 20% Efficiency Mechanically Stacked Multi-Junction Solar Cells Fabricated by Advanced Bonding Using Conductive Nanoparticle Alignments
Authors: Makita Kikuo , Mizuno Hidenori , Komaki Hironori , Sugaya Takeyoshi , Oshima Ryuji , Shibata Hajime , Matsubara Koji , Niki Shigeru
Published: June 2013

This paper shows a new semiconductor bonding technology for mechanically stacked multi-junction solar cells. Our strategy is the combination of conductive nanoparticle alignments and the van der Waals bonding technique. With this method, reasonably low bonding resistances and minimal optical absorption losses were simultaneously attained for the use of mechanically stacked solar cells. We examined a GaInP(Eg-1.89 eV)/GaAs (Eg-1.42 eV)/InGaAsP (Eg-1.15 eV) three-junction solar cell fabricated with this bonding method. As a result, the total efficiency of 22.5% was achieved, which was in good agreement with the theoretically predicted value. These results suggested that our bonding method is highly useful to fabricate high-efficiency mechanically stacked multi-junction solar cells.
Fabrication of thermally-conductive carbon nanotubes-copper oxide heterostructures
Authors: Li Yuan , Chopra Nitin
Published: June 2013

A complete dry processing route is developed for the fabrication of thermally-conductive carbon nanotube (CNT)-copper oxide (CuOx) heterostructures. This was achieved by the deposition of copper (Cu) onto CNTs and subsequent annealing in Ar and air environment to convert the coated Cu into CuOx nanoparticles. The survivability and diameters of CNTs were studied to ensure their integrity after the multiple processing steps and annealing temperatures (400 °C). The as-produced CNTs, air/Ar-annealed CNTs, Cu-coated CNTs, and CNT-CuOx heterostructures were characterized to study their structure, phase, and morphology using microscopy, elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, and sheet resistance. It was observed that CNTs could survive the processing conditions and became coated with CuOx nanoparticles. The sheet resistance of CNTs coated with CuOx nanoparticles was ∼4 times greater than the as-produced CNTs. The Raman spectroscopy-based estimation of thermal conductivity of CNTs and CNT-CuOx heterostructures showed 2-7 times enhancement for the latter as compared to pure CuOx. In conclusion, such hybrid CNT-based heterostructures are promising for applications in thermal management.
Design and Evaluation of Carbon Nanotube Based Nanofluids for Heat Transfer Applications
Authors: Singh Sathya P. , Nikkam Nader , Ghanbarpour Morteza , Toprak Muhammet S. , Muhammed M. , Khodabandeh Rahmatollah
Published: June 2013

The present work investigates the fabrication, thermal conductivity (TC) and rheological properties of water based carbon nanotubes (CNTs) nanofluids (NFs) prepared using a two-step method. As-received (AR) CNTs heated and the effect of heat treatment was studied using X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. The AR-CNTs and heat-treated CNTs (HT-CNTs) were dispersed with varying concentration of surface modifiers Gum Arabic (GA) and TritonX-100 (TX) respectively. It was found that heat treatment of CNTs effectively improved the TC and influenced rheological properties of NFs. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed TX modified NFs showed better dispersion ability compared to GA. Surface modification of the CNTs was confirmed by Fourier Transformation Infrared (FTIR) analysis. Zeta potential measurement showed the stability region for GA modified NFs in the pH range of 5-11, whereas pH was between 9.5-10 for TX NFs. The concentration of surface modifier plays an extensive role on both TC and rheological behavior of NFs. A maximum TC enhancement of 10% with increases in viscosity around 2% for TX based HT-CNTs NFs was measured. Finally comparison of experimental TC results with the predicted values obtained from a model demonstrated inadequacy of the predictive model for CNT NFs system.
Dual Function Polyvinyl Alcohol Based Oxide Precursors for Nanoimprinting and Electron Beam Lithography
Authors: Malowney J. , Mestres N. , Borrise X. , Calleja A. , Guzman R. , Llobet J. , Arbiol J. , Puig T. , Obradors X. , Bausells J.
Published: June 2013

Ordered arrays of crystalline complex oxides nanostructures were synthesized onto single crystal insulating substrates using aqueous polyvinyl alcohol based electron beam resist precursors. The irradiated zones are insoluble in water (negative-tone resist) due to the electron induced cross linking of polyvinyl alcohol. The subsequent high temperature treatment of the developed precursor samples leads to the formation of ordered arrays of nanodots for low irradiation doses. For high irradiation dosages, epitaxially and oriented nanowires are obtained. These same precursors were shown to be nanoimprintable on single crystal substrates. This allows for future dual processing of a single precursor film gaining nano-structuration from both electron beam and nanoimprint lithography methods.
The Research and Development of the Third Generation of Photovoltaic Modules
Authors: Li Tingkai
Published: June 2013

In order to make high efficiency and low cost solar cell modules, the concept of third generation of photovoltaic modules have been provided. The first generation solar cell: Crystal Si solar cell including single crystal and poly-crystal Si solar cell；The second generation solar cell：Thin film solar cell including Si base thin film, CIGS, CdTe and III-V thin films; The third generation solar cell is the future high efficiency and low cost solar cell modules, such as low cost quantum dots solar cell, Si base thin film tandem and triple cell modules, III-V solar cell on Si, HIT solar cell and nanotechnology with no vacuum technique such as printable technologies and etc. This paper reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of each generation of the solar cell modules and technologies and discussed the research and development of the third generation of photovoltaic modules including the detail technology developments.