bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of host nutrition on growth and development of the parasitoid wasp Venturia canescens
Authors: Harvey Jeffrey A. , Harvey Ian F. , Thompson David J.
Published: April 2011

We investigated the effect of host (Plodia interpunctella; Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) nutritional status on development of the solitary endoparasitoid, Venturia canescens (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae). Parasitoids from 3rd (L3) instars reared on a deficient diet during early parasitism took longer to develop and suffered higher mortality than those reared from hosts fed ad libitum although there was not a significant difference in the size of eclosing wasps from the two groups. L5 hosts reared at high density produced smaller parasitoids, which developed more rapidly than those reared from hosts from low density containers, although mortality was higher in the latter.

In a separate experiment we starved groups of 10–20 hosts (parasitized as L3) daily beginning on the 4th day after parasitism, to determine the host developmental stage required for successful parasitoid development to eclosion. Parasitoid survivorship increased with length of host access to food, while the egg‐to‐adult parasitoid development time increased throughout the experiment. Parasitoid size decreased with increasing periods of host starvation. The successful emergence of Venturia depends upon Plodia reaching the size normally attained in the mid‐5th instar, or 50–70% of the mass of healthy late 5th instars. Our results show that when earlier instars are parasitized, host growth is essential for successful parasitoid development to eclosion. Furthermore, they suggest that, for many koinobionts, host suitability may be greatly influenced by feeding rate and food quality.
Further observations on the correlation between attractiveness of honey bee brood cells to Varroa jacobsoni and the distance from larva to cell rim
Authors: Boot Willem J. , Driessen Ronald G. , Calis Johan N. M. , Beetsma Joop
Published: April 2011

Varroa jacobsoni Oudemans (Acari: Varroidae) was studied with respect to invasion into different types of honeybee, Apis mellifera L., brood cells. Different cell types were obtained by shortening and elongating of cells, grafting worker larvae into drone cells and vice versa. The type of cell strongly affected the number of mites per cell, and the attractive period of the cells to the mites. The type of cell also affected the distance from larva to cell rim preceding cell capping. When this distance was larger in comparison to control cells of the same age, the attractive period of the brood cells was shorter and vice versa. Since in all cell types the distance from larva to cell rim continuously decreased preceding cell capping, this negative correlation is in agreement with the hypothesis that there is a critical larva‐rim distance under which brood cells are attractive to mites. Then, the length of the attractive period of brood cells depends on the moment this critical distance is reached. The distribution of mites over different cell types in turn results from differences in the attractive period.
Effects of emperor moth larval secretions, hemolymph, and components on microorganisms and predators
Authors: Deml R. , Dettner K.
Published: April 2011

The biological significance of the caterpillar scolus secretions, hemolymph, and compounds of four emperor moth species (Lepidoptera, Saturniidae) has been investigated by means of different biological tests and behavioral observations: 1. Larval body fluids and several components (e.g., phenylacetaldehyde) were shown to inhibit growth of certain bacteria but not of fungi. 2. Larval body fluids deter ants from feeding, evidently due to the strong behavior‐modifying activity of several compounds therein. 3. Larval body fluids and whole caterpillars produce feeding‐avoidance in model bird species. The findings suggest that these defensive mechanisms effectively protect saturniid caterpillars from pathogens and predators in nature.
Morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of the epipharyngeal sensilla of the silkworm, Bombyx mori
Authors: Asaoka K. , Shibuya T.
Published: April 2011

One pair of gustatory sensilla was found on the epipharynx of Bombyx mori larvae, and some morphological and electrophysiological characteristics of the epipharyngeal sensilla were investigated. They are sensilla coeloconica composed of a small papilla with a pore at the tip and a swelling of cuticle encircling the papilla. Three bipolar neurons innervate each sensillum. One neuron is an inositol receptor which responds to inositol only. Another cell responds with action potentials of relatively large amplitude to some feeding deterrent substances, such as strychnine nitrate. The thresholds of these cells for inositol and strychnine nitrate are approximately 10−4 M and 10−7 M, respectively. At least two kinds of spikes can be observed when these sensilla are stimulated with some salts and acids. Dose‐response relationships and time courses of responses to inositol and strychnine nitrate were also examined in this study.
Willow grouse bag size is more sensitive to variation in hunter effort than to variation in willow grouse density
Authors: Willebrand Tomas , Hörnell‐Willebrand Maria , Asmyhr Lasse
Published: April 2011

Annual variation in harvested animals (hereafter bag size) is often used as an index of population abundance when investigating population dynamics. Few studies have evaluated how well bag size tracks population change despite its widespread use. Two recent studies on grouse harvest statistics have reached contrasting conclusions. Th ere is limited information about the functional response of hunters in relation to varying game densities, and effort is seldom recorded. We investigated how much of the variation in bag size (total number of harvested grouse km−2) is explained by variation in willow grouseLagopus lagopusdensity (adult and young grouse km−2) and hunting eff ort (total number of hunting days km−2). We also evaluated catch per unit effort (CPUE) as an index of grouse abundance, and estimated the response in harvest rate (total bag size in relation to total grouse density) to varying hunting effort. We used data from the 88 management areas on state land in Jämtland county, Sweden (1996–2007), where hunting days and bag size are recorded in detail. Willow grouse density was estimated in four of these management areas in August using line transects and distance sampling. The hunting effort and total grouse density explained most of the variation in bag size (R2= 0.89). Bag size was twice as sensitive to changes in hunting effort compared to changes in grouse density. More than a ten times change in the grouse population density was required to one unit change in bag size. The use of CPUE did not provide a better alternative index of grouse density, and variation in density only explained 23% of the variation in CPUE. Harvest rate showed a strong relationship with hunting effort, and we suggest that an upper limit in hunting effort can be used to reduce the risk of high harvest rates. Hunters became more efficient at low densities and controlling hunting effort is most important when there are indications of population lows and/or poor breeding. CPUE may be less sensitive to changes in game abundance than previously assumed, and bag size as a proxy for population density would then depend on the ability of hunters to adjust their effort according to population change. We speculate that this ability will depend on whether or not hunters have long‐term experience of a hunting area where they can return to hunt throughout the hunting season. We propose that recording hunting eff ort should be encouraged and possible correlations with game abundance and other factors such as weather should be investigated for game species.
Exploitation of Intestinal Colonization‐Inhibition Between Salmonella Organisms for Live Vaccines in Poultry – Potential and Limitations
Authors: Methner U. , Haase A. , Berndt A. , Martin G. , Nagy B. , Barrow P. A.
Published: April 2011

Immunization represents one of the most important methods to increase the resistance of chickens against Salmonella infection. In addition to the development of an adaptive immune response, oral administration of live Salmonella strains to day‐old chicks provides protection against infection within hours by intestinal colonization‐inhibition. For the exploitation of this phenomenon, practical information on colonization‐inhibition between Salmonella organisms is needed. Colonization‐inhibition capacity between Salmonella strains from serogroups B, C1, C2, D and G was assessed in chickens. The most profound level of intestinal colonization‐inhibition occurred between isogenic strains. Inhibition between strains of the same serovar was greater than that between strains of different serovars. The degree of inhibition between different serovars was not sufficiently high to identify a single strain which might inhibit a wide range of other Salmonella organisms. However, as Salmonella Enteritidis is the dominant serovar in poultry in many countries and because of the profound colonization‐inhibition within this serovar there is a considerable potential to exploit this phenomenon in the development of novel live S. Enteritidis vaccines. Treatment of young chicks with mixtures of different Salmonella serovars resulted not only in a very strong growth inhibition of the isogenic strains but also in a substantial inhibition of heterologous serovars. The potential of mixtures of heterologous Salmonella strains as a ‘Salmonella Inhibition Culture’ and as a ‘live Salmonella vaccine’ should be further explored.
A Correlation for
Confined Nucleate Boiling Heat Transfer
Authors: Chan Mark
Aaron , Yap Christopher
R. , Ng Kim Choon
Published: April 2011

This study presents a generalized confined boiling correlation applicable for various working fluids and operating conditions. A dimensionless parameter, Bond number, has been incorporated into the correlation to include the effects of confinement in the ebullition process of boiling. The proposed correlation is compared with an existing correlation based on their capability in predicting confined boiling data from the literature. A phenomenon of heat transfer coefficient stagnation is found for boiling in narrow spaces despite an increase in heat flux. Results show that the proposed correlation entails an excellent agreement with experimental data, and the predictions have a reasonably low mean absolute error of 17.3% for the entire database.
Field-plate design for edge termination in silicon carbide high-power Schottky diodes
Authors: Mohammad S. Noor , Kub Francis J. , Eddy Charles R.
Published: April 2011

Theoretical two-dimensional simulations have been performed using the ATLAS device simulator from Silvaco (Santa Clara, CA) to investigate the influence of field plate on the high-power performance of n-type 4H-silicon carbide (SiC) Schottky diodes. For the simulations, the doping level of the substrate, the permittivity of the dielectric layer, the thickness of the dielectric layer, the length of the field plate, and the thickness of the field plate have been critically analyzed. The peak electric fields both at the edge of the field plate and inside the dielectric layer have been calculated. The dependence of the junction breakdown voltage on the substrate doping level, the diode temperature, the dielectric layer thickness, and the permittivity of the dielectric layer has been examined. Theoretical simulations have been compared with available experiments, which lend support to the validity of the present results. It has been observed that only a combined impact of optimization of various parameters can lead to the best improvements in field-plated diodes. The optimized overlap between the Schottky-metal contact and the field plate underneath this contact has particularly been found very important. Also, the dielectric layer thickness should neither be very small nor very large, and the doping concentration should preferably be around ND=1×1015 cm−3. A small dielectric layer thickness generates a very large electric field. On the other hand, a large dielectric layer thickness exhibits a very high impact ionization potential. The newest and perhaps the most exciting finding of this investigation is a novel structure exhibiting composite dielectric deposited on the SiC substrate and a second dielectric covering the field-plate edge.
STRUCTURAL AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES AND PHONONS OF PLATINUM NITRIDES BY DENSITY FUNCTIONAL THEORY
Authors: JHA PRAFULLA K. , GUPTA SANJAY D. , GUPTA SANJEEV K. , KIRIN DAVOR
Published: April 2011

Using first principles calculations, we provide here a unified study of structural and electronic properties along with frequency of phonon modes at some high-symmetry points of the Brillouin zone for the noble metal nitride platinum nitride (PtN) by using PWSCF code. Our calculations are performed for two phases viz. zincblende and rocksalt. The present study predicts the zincblende structure as the most probable crystal structure out of two, besides it being metallic. The calculated structural and electronic properties and zone centre phonon modes are in good agreement with the experimental and other calculated data.
MIXED-STATE ENTANGLEMENT IN A SINGLE-COOPER-PAIR BOX DETUNED WITH A COHERENT FIELD
Authors: LI ZHAOXIN , XU YAN , ZHANG LUYIN , CHEN DA
Published: April 2011

A system composed of a single-Cooper-pair box irradiated by a single-mode quantized field has been considered. The entanglement relative to the mixedness μ and the detuning δ is investigated with negative partial transpose. It is found that in the case of initial mixed state, the entanglement is weakened, but increases as time evolves. For a detuned system, the entanglement is further suppressed but more stationary than that for a resonant system.
TWO-PHOTON NONLINEAR SPECTROSCOPY OF PERIODICALLY TRAPPED ULTRACOLD ATOMS IN A CAVITY
Authors: KUMAR TARUN , BHATTACHERJEE ARANYA B. , MANMOHAN
Published: April 2011

We study the transmission spectra of a Bose Einstein condensate (BEC) confined in an optical lattice interacting with two modes of a cavity via nonlinear two-photon transition. In particular, we show that the one-photon and two-photon cavity transmission spectra of a BEC are different. We found that when the BEC is in the Mott state, the usual normal mode splitting present in the one-photon transition is missing in the two-photon interaction. When the BEC is in the superfluid state, the transmission spectrum shows the usual multiple lorentzian structure. However the separation between the lorentzians for the two-photon case is much larger than that for the one-photon case. This study could form the basis for nondestructive high resolution Rydberg spectroscopy of ultracold atoms or two-photon spectroscopy of a gas of ultracold atomic hydrogen.
Role of diabetes- and obesity-related protein in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Linares Gabriel R. , Xing Weirong , Burghardt Hans , Baumgartner Bernhard , Chen Shin-Tai , Ricart Wifredo , Fernández-Real José Manuel , Zorzano Antonio , Mohan Subburaman
Published: April 2011

Although thyroid hormone (TH) is known to exert important effects on the skeleton, the nuclear factors constituting the TH receptor coactivator complex and the molecular pathways by which TH mediates its effects on target gene expression in osteoblasts remain poorly understood. A recent study demonstrated that the actions of TH on myoblast differentiation are dependent on diabetes- and obesity-related protein (DOR). However, the role of DOR in osteoblast differentiation is unknown. We found DOR expression increased during in vitro differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into osteoblasts and also in MC3T3-E1 cells treated with TH. However, DOR expression decreased during cellular proliferation. To determine whether DOR acts as a modulator of TH action during osteoblast differentiation, we examined whether overexpression or knockdown of DOR in MC3T3-E1 cells affects the ability of TH to induce osteoblast differentiation by evaluating alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. ALP activity was markedly increased in DOR-overexpressing cells treated with TH. In contrast, loss of DOR dramatically reduced TH stimulation of ALP activity in MC3T3-E1 cells and primary calvaria osteoblasts transduced with lentiviral DOR shRNA. Consistent with reduced ALP activity, mRNA levels of osteocalcin, ALP, and Runx2 were decreased significantly in DOR shRNA cells. In addition, a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), DOR1 found on the promoter of human DOR gene, was associated with circulating osteocalcin levels in nondiabetic subjects. Based on these data, we conclude that DOR plays an important role in TH-mediated osteoblast differentiation, and a DOR SNP associates with plasma osteocalcin in men.
Comparison of Postoperative Pain in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Coblation Tonsillectomy versus Cautery Tonsillectomy
Authors: Jones Dwight T. , Kenna Margaret A. , Guidi Jessica , Huang Lin , Johnston Patrick R. , Licameli Greg R.
Published: April 2011

Objective

To compare postoperative pain scores between monopolar electrocautery and coblation subcapsular tonsillectomy.

Study Design

Prospective double‐blind randomized study.

Setting

Tertiary care children’s hospital.

Subjects and Methods

Between December 2004 and April 2008, 61 children, ages 4 to 20 years (mean age, 10 years; SD, 4 years), were randomized to have one tonsil removed by electrocautery and the other tonsil removed by coblation. Subjects used the FACES scale to rate pain on each side immediately postoperatively, 2 days postoperatively, and 2 weeks postoperatively. Postoperative hemorrhage was also tracked.

Results

Coblation tonsillectomy resulted in statistically less pain than electrocautery immediately after surgery, but this difference was not clinically significant.

Conclusions

Pediatric pain is similar following monopolar electrocautery or coblation subcapsular tonsillectomy.
The Challenge of Protocols for Reflux Disease
Authors: Altman Kenneth W. , Prufer Neil , Vaezi Michael F.
Published: April 2011

Objectives

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are very common and controversial diseases. The authors have previously reviewed clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on reflux disease, and these major consensus statements differ on what constitutes ideal management. The aim is to critically review existing protocols for reflux based on CPG recommendations and to present a refined protocol that may be further used to develop a critical pathway for reflux in ambulatory medical practice.

Study Design

Literature review with discussion.

Methods

A PubMed search was used to identify current clinical protocols or algorithms for reflux disease, and the principal elements of each were compared.

Results

Of the 828 articles identified in the search, 11 met the search criteria. Together with 4 articles previously identified, 15 were analyzed. All protocols discuss the important role of empiric therapy, although with differences in use. Only 5 protocols (33%) were based on systematic review such as CPGs. Eight protocols (53%) used alarm symptoms to prompt a workup. For these patients, upper endoscopy was by far the most common diagnostic method. The use of other modalities varies significantly between protocols. The authors propose a standard protocol based on patient risk factors that employs CPG recommendations and may be used for critical pathway outcomes measures.

Conclusion

There are major differences between existing protocols for reflux disease in the literature, reflecting many clinical controversies. Outcomes of different protocols have not been extensively studied. The authors propose a new protocol that is a synthesis of those reviewed and based on risk stratification.
A novel animal model of Epstein-Barr virus–associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in humanized mice
Authors: Sato Kei , Misawa Naoko , Nie Chuanyi , Satou Yorifumi , Iwakiri Dai , Matsuoka Masao , Takahashi Rei , Kuzushima Kiyotaka , Ito Mamoru , Takada Kenzo , Koyanagi Yoshio
Published: April 2011

EBV-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (EBV-HLH) is a rare yet devastating disorder caused by EBV infection in humans. However, the mechanism of this disease has yet to be elucidated because of a lack of appropriate animal models. Here, we used a human CD34+ cell-transplanted humanized mouse model and reproduced pathologic conditions resembling EBV-HLH in humans. By 10 weeks postinfection, two-thirds of the infected mice died after exhibiting high and persistent viremia, leukocytosis, IFN-γ cytokinenemia, normocytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia. EBV-infected mice also showed systemic organ infiltration by activated CD8+ T cells and prominent hemophagocytosis in BM, spleen, and liver. Notably, the level of EBV load in plasma correlated directly with both the activation frequency of CD8+ T cells and the level of IFN-γ in plasma. Moreover, high levels of EBV-encoded small RNA1 were detected in plasma of infected mice, reflecting what has been observed in patients. These findings suggest that our EBV infection model mirrors virologic, hematologic, and immunopathologic aspects of EBV-HLH. Furthermore, in contrast to CD8+ T cells, we found a significant decrease of natural killer cells, myeloid dendritic cells, and plasmacytoid dendritic cells in the spleens of infected mice, suggesting that the collapse of balanced immunity associates with the progression of EBV-HLH pathogenesis.
Comparisons of host mitochondrial, nuclear and endosymbiont bacterial genes reveal cryptic fig wasp species and the effects of Wolbachiaon host mtDNA evolution and diversity
Authors: Sun Xiao-Jing , Xiao Jin-Hua , Cook James M , Feng Gui , Huang Da-Wei
Published: April 2011

Background

Figs and fig-pollinating wasp species usually display a highly specific one-to-one association. However, more and more studies have revealed that the "one-to-one" rule has been broken. Co-pollinators have been reported, but we do not yet know how they evolve. They may evolve from insect speciation induced or facilitated by Wolbachia which can manipulate host reproduction and induce reproductive isolation. In addition, Wolbachia can affect host mitochondrial DNA evolution, because of the linkage between Wolbachia and associated mitochondrial haplotypes, and thus confound host phylogeny based on mtDNA. Previous research has shown that fig wasps have the highest incidence of Wolbachia infection in all insect taxa, and Wolbachia may have great influence on fig wasp biology. Therefore, we look forward to understanding the influence of Wolbachia on mitochondrial DNA evolution and speciation in fig wasps.

Results

We surveyed 76 pollinator wasp specimens from nine Ficus microcarpa trees each growing at a different location in Hainan and Fujian Provinces, China. We found that all wasps were morphologically identified as Eupristina verticillata, but diverged into three clades with 4.22-5.28% mtDNA divergence and 2.29-20.72% nuclear gene divergence. We also found very strong concordance between E. verticillata clades and Wolbachia infection status, and the predicted effects of Wolbachia on both mtDNA diversity and evolution by decreasing mitochondrial haplotypes.

Conclusions

Our study reveals that the pollinating wasp E. verticillata on F. microcarpa has diverged into three cryptic species, and Wolbachia may have a role in this divergence. The results also indicate that Wolbachia strains infecting E. verticillata have likely resulted in selective sweeps on host mitochondrial DNA.
Comparative genomic analyses identify common molecular pathways modulated upon exposure to low doses of arsenic and cadmium
Authors: Benton Margaret Ann , Rager Julia E , Smeester Lisa , Fry Rebecca C
Published: April 2011

Background

Exposure to the toxic metals arsenic and cadmium is associated with detrimental health effects including cancers of various organs. While arsenic and cadmium are well known to cause adverse health effects at high doses, the molecular impact resulting from exposure to environmentally relevant doses of these metals remains largely unexplored.

Results

In this study, we examined the effects of in vitro exposure to either arsenic or cadmium in human TK6 lymphoblastoid cells using genomics and systems level pathway mapping approaches. A total of 167 genes with differential expression were identified following exposure to either metal with surprisingly no overlap between the two. Real-time PCR was used to confirm target gene expression changes. The gene sets were overlaid onto protein-protein interaction maps to identify metal-induced transcriptional networks. Interestingly, both metal-induced networks were significantly enriched for proteins involved in common biological processes such as tumorigenesis, inflammation, and cell signaling. These findings were further supported by gene set enrichment analysis.

Conclusions

This study is the first to compare the transcriptional responses induced by low dose exposure to cadmium and arsenic in human lymphoblastoid cells. These results highlight that even at low levels of exposure both metals can dramatically influence the expression of important cellular pathways.
Solar light-driven photocatalytic hydrogen evolution over ZnIn2S4 loaded with transition-metal sulfides
Authors: Shen Shaohua , Chen Xiaobo , Ren Feng , Kronawitter Coleman X , Mao Samuel S , Guo Liejin
Published: April 2011

A series of Pt-loaded MS/ZnIn2S4 (MS = transition-metal sulfide: Ag2S, SnS, CoS, CuS, NiS, and MnS) photocatalysts was investigated to show various photocatalytic activities depending on different transition-metal sulfides. Thereinto, CoS, NiS, or MnS-loading lowered down the photocatalytic activity of ZnIn2S4, while Ag2S, SnS, or CuS loading enhanced the photocatalytic activity. After loading 1.0 wt.% CuS together with 1.0 wt.% Pt on ZnIn2S4, the activity for H2 evolution was increased by up to 1.6 times, compared to the ZnIn2S4 only loaded with 1.0 wt.% Pt. Here, transition-metal sulfides such as CuS, together with Pt, acted as the dual co-catalysts for the improved photocatalytic performance. This study indicated that the application of transition-metal sulfides as effective co-catalysts opened up a new way to design and prepare high-efficiency and low-cost photocatalysts for solar-hydrogen conversion.
Preparation and characterization of carbon nanofluid by a plasma arc nanoparticles synthesis system
Authors: Teng Tun-Ping , Cheng Ching-Min , Pai Feng-Yi
Published: April 2011

Heat dissipation from electrical appliances is a significant issue with contemporary electrical devices. One factor in the improvement of heat dissipation is the heat transfer performance of the working fluid. In this study, we used plasma arc technology to produce a nanofluid of carbon nanoparticles dispersed in distilled water. In a one-step synthesis, carbon was simultaneously heated and vaporized in the chamber, the carbon vapor and particles were then carried to a collector, where cooling furnished the desired carbon/water nanofluid. The particle size and shape were determined using the light-scattering size analyzer, SEM, and TEM. Crystal morphology was examined by XRD. Finally, the characterization include thermal conductivity, viscosity, density and electric conductivity were evaluated by suitable instruments under different temperatures. The thermal conductivity of carbon/water nanofluid increased by about 25% at 50°C compared to distilled water. The experimental results demonstrated excellent thermal conductivity and feasibility for manufacturing of carbon/water nanofluids.
Chromosome 12q24.31-q24.33 deletion causes multiple dysmorphic features and developmental delay: First mosaic patient and overview of the phenotype related to 12q24qter defects
Authors: Al-Zahrani Jawaher , Al-Dosari Naji , AbuDheim Nada , Alshidi Tarfa A , Colak Dilek , Al-Habit Ola , Al-Odaib Ali , Sakati Nadia , Meyer Brian , Ozand Pinar T , Kaya Namik
Published: April 2011

Background

Genomic imbalances of the 12q telomere are rare; only a few patients having 12q24.31-q24.33 deletions were reported. Interestingly none of these were mosaic. Although some attempts have been made to establish phenotype/genotype interaction for the deletions in this region, no clear relationship has been established to date.

Results

We have clinically screened more than 100 patients with dysmorphic features, mental retardation and normal karyotype using high density oligo array-CGH (aCGH) and identified a ~9.2 Mb hemizygous interstitial deletion at the 12q telomere (Chromosome 12: 46,XY,del(12)(q24.31q24.33) in a severely developmentally retarded patient having dysmorphic features such as low set ears, microcephaly, undescended testicles, bent elbow, kyphoscoliosis, and micropenis. Parents were found to be not carriers. MLPA experiments confirmed the aCGH result. Interphase FISH revealed mosaicism in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Conclusions

Since conventional G-Banding technique missed the abnormality; this work re-confirms that any child with unexplained developmental delay and systemic involvement should be studied by aCGH techniques. The FISH technique, however, would still be useful to further delineate the research work and identify such rare mosaicism. Among the 52 deleted genes, P2RX2, ULK1, FZD10, RAN, NCOR2 STX2, TESC, FBXW8, and TBX3 are noteworthy since they may have a role in observed phenotype.
Clinical assessment of epidural analgesia induced by xylazine-lidocaine combination accompanied by xylazine sedation in calves
Authors: Kamiloglu Alkan , Kamiloglu Nadide Nabil , Ozturk Savas , Atalan Gultekin , Kılıc Engin
Published: April 2011

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether epidural administration of a xylazine-lidocaine combination accompanied by xylazine sedation would provide satisfactory analgesia for some surgical procedures on 10 calves admitted to the Department of Veterinary Surgery, University of Kafkas with perineal urolithiasis (n:2), rectovaginal fistula (n:1), atresia ani (n:2), omphalophlebitis (n:2), omphaloarteritis (n:1) and umbilical hernia (n:2).

Following intramuscular injection of xylazine at a dose of 0.05 mg/kg for sedation, xylazine-lidocaine combination (0.2 mg/kg lidocaine + 0.02 mg/kg xylazine + 5 ml 0.9% NaCl) was administrated into the lumbosacral (L6-S1), sacrococcygeal (S5-Co1) or intercoccygeal (Co1-Co2) space. Heart rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature were recorded prior to and during analgesia at 5, 10, 15, 30 and 60 minutes. Furthermore, depth and duration of analgesia were evaluated during surgical intervention.

The study revealed that the combination of epidural xylazine-lidocaine with xylazine sedation was highly satisfactory for surgery of the lower urinary tract and the perineal region, but it was less so for surgery of the umbilical area.
Coactivation of SF-1-Mediated Transcription of Steroidogenic Enzymes by Ubc9 and PIAS1
Authors: Suda Noriko , Shibata Hirotaka , Kurihara Isao , Ikeda Yayoi , Kobayashi Sakiko , Yokota Kenichi , Murai-Takeda Ayano , Nakagawa Ken , Oya Mototsugu , Murai Masaru , Rainey William E. , Saruta Takao , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: April 2011

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1) is a nuclear orphan receptor, which is essential for adrenal development and regulation of steroidogenic enzyme expression. SF-1 is posttranslationally modified by small ubiquitin-related modifier-1 (SUMO-1), thus mostly resulting in attenuation of transcription. We investigated the role of sumoylation enzymes, Ubc9 and protein inhibitors of activated STAT1 (PIAS1), in SF-1-mediated transcription of steroidogenic enzyme genes in the adrenal cortex. Coimmunoprecipitation assays showed that both Ubc9 and PIAS1 interacted with SF-1. Transient transfection assays in adrenocortical H295R cells showed Ubc9 and PIAS1 potentiated SF-1-mediated transactivation of reporter constructs containing human CYP17, CYP11A1, and CYP11B1 but not CYP11B2 promoters. Reduction of endogenous Ubc9 and PIAS1 by introducing corresponding small interfering RNA significantly reduced endogenous CYP17, CYP11A1, and CYP11B1 mRNA levels, indicating that they normally function as coactivators of SF-1. Wild type and sumoylation-inactive mutants of Ubc9 and PIAS1 can similarly enhance the SF-1-mediated transactivation of the CYP17 gene, indicating that the coactivation potency of Ubc9 and PIAS1 is independent of sumoylation activity. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that SF-1, Ubc9, and PIAS1 were recruited to an endogenous CYP17 gene promoter in the context of chromatin in vivo. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed that SF-1, Ubc9, and PIAS1 were expressed in the nuclei of the human adrenal cortex. In cortisol-producing adenomas, the expression pattern of SF-1 and Ubc9 were markedly increased, whereas that of PIAS1 was decreased compared with adjacent normal adrenals. These results showed the physiological roles of Ubc9 and PIAS1 as SF-1 coactivators beyond sumoylation enzymes in adrenocortical steroidogenesis and suggested their possible pathophysiological roles in human cortisol-producing adenomas.
Metal Core Piezoelectric Complex Fiber and Application for Smart System
Authors: Sato Hiroshi , Takagi Kiyoshi , Yu Lihua , Nagamine Masaru
Published: April 2011

We produced a new metal-core piezoelectric fiber by means of both hydrothermal and extrusion methods. The insertion of a metal core was significant in view of its strength—greater than that of ceramic materials—and in that electrodes are not required in the fiber's sensor and actuator applications. A new smart board was designed by mounting these piezoelectric fibers on the surface of a CFRP composite, and the sensor and the actuator function were evaluated. We showed that self-sensing was possible using this smart board. And function as a sensor and actuator, this board can control the vibration.
Micromagnetic Modeling of Released/Non-released Magnetostrictive Films
Authors: Shu Yi-Chung , Yen J. H.
Published: April 2011

We study the magnetostrictive behavior of two types of films: one is released from the substrate but constrained from its lateral boundary and the other is attached to the substrate. The former is investigated using the recently developed micromagnetic model which is suitable for films subjected to realistic magneto-mechanical boundary conditions. The latter is modeled within a framework extended from our recent theoretical paper studying rough alloy films with composition modulation. We give an explicit form of the stress-induced magnetic field taking into account the elastic interaction of the film with the substrate. Such results are very different from those considered for attached thick films in literature.
Novel Ferromagnetic Aerogel Composite Materials with Nanoparticles Formation and Chemistry in Response to Light
Authors: Yao Chunhua , Liu Xipeng , Risen William M.
Published: April 2011

Smart composites based on ferromagnetic hybrid aerogels have been prepared. These novel materials change chemistry in response to light to form nanoparticles that react with compounds that are present in the environment of the aerogels. Thus, high surface area silica/functional polymer hybrid aerogels have been formed via sol-gel synthesis. They also can contain coordinated metal-ion species. They are reacted with Fe-precursors to form air stable ferromagnetic aerogels, which they are transformed into active particles themselves or by incorporation of additional metal ions. These active materials, which adhere to tissue, can be positioned magnetically within their environment. Once they are positioned, they can be transformed by UV light to form Au(0) nanoparticles which react with the molecules in their environment. The preparation and properties of these aerogels, their photochemistry and reaction with bio-molecules will be presented.
Influence of Sintering Temperatures on the Properties of Lithium Sodium Potassium Niobate Piezoelectric Ceramics
Authors: Chen Qiang , Lan Dejun , Chen Yi , Xu Zhuo , Yue Xi , Xiao Dingquan , Zhu Jianguo
Published: April 2011

Lithium sodium potassium niobate (Li, Na, K)NbO3 (LNKN) piezoelectric ceramics were prepared by using conventional solid state process. The phase structures of LNKN ceramics were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD). The dielectric properties of LNKN ceramics have been also studied at different temperature and frequency. It was found that LNKN ceramics have high Curie temperature Tc(about 460°C), and relatively high piezoelectric constant d33 (∼200pC/N) and high electromechanical coupling coefficient kp(∼0.40). Both of the piezoelectric constant d33 and electromechanical coupling coefficient kp of LNKN ceramics decreased with the increasing of sintering temperature. The piezoelectric property dependence of composition of LNKN ceramics has also been studied.
Functional Passive Sensor System Using Reflective SAW Delay Line
Authors: Nomura Tooru , Kosaka Tomoe , Saitoh Atushi
Published: April 2011

A new passive and remote SAW sensor system having ID tag function is presented. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices have been widely used as a chemical and physical sensor for measuring the environment. SAW devices have been also used as identification tags (ID tags). The majority of the work reported on SAW sensors to date has used Rayleigh mode SAW and are concerning a delay line. The other hand, it has been shown that the sensors utilizing the shear horizontal mode SAW (SH-SAW) can be designed to sense the liquid properties. The SH-SAW has the unique characteristic of complete reflection at a 90 degree edge normal to the direction of the propagation. This characteristic makes it possible to construct a reflective delay line using the edge reflection. The reflective delay line can be used for as passive and remote sensing.

In this paper, a passive and remote SAW sensor with a function of identification tags has been designed by using the reflective SH-SAW delay line. The reflective delay line was constructed on the 36 YX LiTaO3 substrate having a 90 degree edge normal to the direction of the SAW propagation. Passive and remote SAW sensor consists of several reflective delay lines having different propagation length. The passive sensor and ID tags were made by the multi-channel delay line. The responses of the sensor and ID tags using the edge reflection of SH-SAW are obtained in time domain. Several experiments were performed to verify the performances of the multi-channel edge reflection sensor. The basic characteristics of the reflective SAW sensor were obtained by measuring the amplitude and phase of reflected wave. The obtained results showed that the reflective SH-SAW sensor was very effective for sensing the physical and chemical properties.

Wireless systems are also suggested for the effective operation of the passive SAW sensor. A novel and simple electronic circuit system for accurately measuring the phase characteristics of responses form multi-channel is proposed. In the application, the reflective delay line has been mounted on cantilever to monitor the strain experimentally. The variation of the SH-SAW velocity on the delay line caused by a strain was measured as the passive SAW sensor response. The velocity varied in proportion to the strain applied to the propagation surface. The results showed that the passive sensor was very effective to measure the strain in a wireless mode and it was found that the system is very suitable to health and safety monitoring of building or airplane wing.

Finally it will be shown some applications of the wireless sensor with ID tags on the measurement of the conductivity and viscosity of same liquids.
Spore Detection in Air and Fluid Using Micro-cantilever Sensors
Authors: Davila Angelica P. , Gupta Amit , Walter Tom , Akin Demir , Aronson Arthur , Bashir Rashid
Published: April 2011

The purpose of this paper is to report on our work to develop a real-time monitoring device by using micro-cantilevers for the mass detection of biological organisms in air and fluid. The biological agent used was Bacillus anthracis Sterne spore. The experiment was conducted using a laser Doppler vibrometer (LDV) to measure the resonant frequency of the thermal noise cantilevers and the corresponding decrease in frequency as a result of the added mass. Moreover, the added mass attributed to the spores was quantified and compared in air and deionized (DI) water. The silicon cantilevers used in this study were of lengths ranging from 25 μm to 50 μm, 200 nm thick and a width of approximately 9 μm. The first part of the experiment consisted of suspending spores onto the cantilevers in fluid, drying the cantilevers, performing measurements in air and extracting the mass of the added spores. The average mass of a spore in air was 367 fg. The second part of the experiment utilized antibody and bovine serum albumin (BSA) physically adsorbed onto the cantilevers in order to fix the spores on the surface during the measurements in deionized water. The extracted mass of a spore in fluid was measured to be an average of 1.85 pg. This study demonstrated the ability to detect biological samples not only in air but also in a liquid environment.
Electro-responsive Polymer and its Sensor Applications
Authors: Räisänen Lasse , Räisänen Heikki
Published: April 2011

Emfit Ltd is manufacturer of electro-responsive ferroelectret sensors. These film-like sensors can be used for various applications, for example non-body-contact vitals signs monitoring, dementia care, actigraphs, visitor count and keypads. The sensor material is based on a polyolefin material manufactured in a continuous biaxial orientation process that stretches the film in two perpendicular directions (machine direction and the transverse direction). The biaxially stretched material is further expanded to over double of its original thickness in high-pressure gas-diffusion process. The structure of Emfit material consists of flat voids separated by thin polyolefin layers. The voids are made by compounding small particles that function as rupture nuclei, and form closed lens like cavities to the film during the biaxial orientation. A permanent electric charge is injected into the material using a corona charging process. The voided internal structure makes the film soft and elastic in the thickness direction. This means that the voids expand and contract in relation to the orientation of the film. The excellent sensor and actuator operations of Emfit film are based on the fact that reduction in the thickness of the film caused by an external force takes place in the gas voids and these are much softer than the polymer layers.
A Cost-Effective Fabrication Method for Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites
Authors: Siripong M. , Fredholm Susan , Nguyen Que Anh , Shih Brian , Itescu Johannah , Stolk Jonathan
Published: April 2011

To date, many processes have been used for the preparation of ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) artificial muscle membranes from conductive metals and perfluorosulfonic polymers such as Nafion. The most widely used of these methods is the platinum plating process, which involves chemical reduction of ionic salt solutions. Although these chemical electroding techniques produce IPMCs with outstanding surface electrodes and excellent performance characteristics, they are relatively costly and time-consuming. In this paper, we describe a novel fabrication process for fast preparation of low-cost Ni-Au-Nafion IPMCs. The process involves the formation of an adherent surface layer on prepared Nafion through DC sputter deposition of a fine-grained gold film, followed by electroplating of a thin and ductile nickel layer in a solution of aqueous nickel salts and boric acid. Preliminary results indicate that the Nafion-117-based IPMCs produced using this technique exhibit good surface conductivity and promising actuation performance, with 20 mg, 11.5 mm × 4.7 mm cantilever bending samples showing high displacements and tip forces up to 4 grams at 4 V. Our current research efforts are focused on achieving repeatable synthesis techniques and evaluating the properties and performance characteristics of the Au-Ni-Nafion IPMCs, especially in comparison to the popular platinum IPMCs.
Effect of Solvent, Hydrogen Bonding, and thickness of Azopolymer Films on Surface Relief Grating
Authors: Jung Woo-Hyuk , Kim Dong-Yu , Kumar Jayant , McCarthy Stephen P.
Published: April 2011

Epoxy-based copolymers were synthesized with N,N-diglycidyl aniline (DGA) and aniline (An), called poly(DGA-co-An), where azo coupling reactions were performed using amino benzonitrile (ABN) and nitro aniline (NA). Two azopolymers were dissolved with both tetrahydrofuran (THF)/dioxane complex solvent and THF to compare the diffraction efficiencies according to solvent. The thin films spin-cast with THF/dioxane showed the better diffractive efficiency than with THF due to the high boil point of the residual dioxane. The azopolymers of two azo bonds were spin-coated at 800 and 1300 rpm where the thicker film showed the better diffractive efficiency. The epoxy-based copolymers synthesized with diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) and aniline (An) or 3-hydroxyl aniline (HAn) were coupled with hydroxyl nitro amino benzene (HNAB). Hydroxyl groups in chromophores helped to form hydrogen bonding with the nitrogen atoms in the azo bonds and prevented photoisomerization, showing no surface relief gratings under a normal laser intensity of 100 mW/cm2. Polyurethane-based azopolymers were synthesized with disperse orange 17 (DO17) and toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI), which were no hydroxide groups in the main chains, and showed the better diffractive efficiency than the epoxy-based azopolymers with nitro substituents.
A Leakage Current Model for “Flash-like”, Non-Volatile Resistive Switch Memory Cell
Authors: Schroeder Herbert
Published: April 2011

An advanced leakage current model combining the electronic carrier injection /ejection at the electrode interfaces (described by thermionic emission) with the film conduction properties of a thin dielectric film (modelled as wide band gap semiconductor) is used to describe the current-voltage (I-V) curve of a flash-like resistive switch memory cell. Such a cell consists of a metal-insulator-metal capacitor structure with some embedded charge storage elements within the dielectric, e.g. a floating electrode (like in the gate of a “Flash”) or some metallic ions or clusters, which can be charged or discharged by an applied voltage or current. The resulting different conductance levels can be used for a resistive switching memory cell. This contribution presents calculated simulation results on I-V curves in dependence on polarity and concentration of the stored charge as well as on other parameters such as dielectric constant, background homogeneous defect densities in the dielectric and electrode properties. These parameters show a large influence on the switching ratio S = R(high) / R(low), an important parameter for the application in a device.
Experimental Benchmarking of Pu Electronic Structure
Authors: Tobin James G , Moore K T , Chung B W , Wall M A , Schwartz A J , Ebbinghaus B B , Butterfield M T , Teslich N E , Bliss R A , Morton S A , Yu S W , Komesu T , Waddill G D , Van Der Laan G , Kutepov A L
Published: April 2011

The standard method to determine the band structure of a condensed phase material is to (1) obtain a single crystal with a well defined surface and (2) map the bands with angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (occupied or valence bands) and inverse photoelectron spectroscopy (unoccupied or conduction bands). Unfortunately, in the case of Pu, the single crystals of Pu are either nonexistent, very small and/or having poorly defined surfaces. Furthermore, effects such as electron correlation and a large spin-orbit splitting in the 5f states have further complicated the situation. Thus, we have embarked upon the utilization of unorthodox electron spectroscopies, to circumvent the problems caused by the absence of large single crystals of Pu with well-defined surfaces. Our approach includes the techniques of resonant photoelectron spectroscopy [1], x-ray absorption spectroscopy [1,2,3,4], electron energy loss spectroscopy [2,3,4], Fano Effect measurements [5], and Bremstrahlung Isochromat Spectroscopy [6], including the utilization of micro-focused beams to probe single-crystallite regions of polycrystalline Pu samples. [2,3,6]