An Optimal Au Grating Structure for Light Absorption in Amorphous Silicon Thin Film Solar Cell

Plasmonics - Effect of different gold (Au) grating structures on light absorption in solar cell is investigated by finite elemental analysis using COMSOL multiphysics-RF module. The geometry of the...     

The Drosophila L1CAM homolog Neuroglian signals through distinct pathways to control different aspects of mushroom body axon development

The spatiotemporal integration of adhesion and signaling during neuritogenesis is an important prerequisite for the establishment of neuronal networks in the developing brain. In this study, we describe the role of the L1-type CAM Neuroglian protein (NRG) in different steps of Drosophila mushroom body (MB) neuron axonogenesis. Selective axon bundling in the peduncle requires both the extracellular and the intracellular domain of NRG. We uncover a novel role for the ZO-1 homolog Polychaetoid (PYD) in axon branching and in sister branch outgrowth and guidance downstream of the neuron-specific isoform NRG-180. Furthermore, genetic analyses show that the role of NRG in different aspects of MB axonal development not only involves PYD, but also TRIO, SEMA-1A and RAC1.     

Nature of non-transferrin-bound iron: studies on iron citrate complexes and thalassemic sera

Despite its importance in iron-overload diseases, little is known about the composition of plasma non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI). Using 30-kDa ultrafiltration, plasma from thalassemic patients consisted of both filterable and non-filterable NTBI, the filterable fraction representing less than 10% NTBI. Low filterability could result from protein binding or NTBI species exceeding 30 kDa. The properties of iron citrate and its interaction with albumin were therefore investigated, as these represent likely NTBI species. Iron permeated 5- or 12-kDa ultrafiltration units completely when complexes were freshly prepared and citrate exceeded iron by tenfold, whereas with 30-kDa ultrafiltration units, permeation approached 100% at all molar ratios. A g = 4.3 electron paramagnetic resonance signal, characteristic of mononuclear iron, was detectable only with iron-to-citrate ratios above 1:100. The ability of both desferrioxamine and 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyridin-4-one to chelate iron in iron citrate complexes also increased with increasing ratios of citrate to iron. Incremental molar excesses of citrate thus favour the progressive appearance of chelatable lower molecular weight iron oligomers, dimers and ultimately monomers. Filtration of iron citrate in the presence of albumin showed substantial binding to albumin across a wide range of iron-to-citrate ratios and also increased accessibility of iron to chelators, reflecting a shift towards smaller oligomeric species. However, in vitro experiments using immunodepletion or absorption of albumin to Cibacron blue–Sepharose indicate that iron is only loosely bound in iron citrate–albumin complexes and that NTBI is unlikely to be albumin-bound to any significant extent in thalassemic sera.     

Correlation between circulatory Kisspeptin and Adipokines in normal and over-weight Saudi females during menstrual cycle

We analyzed the association between kisspeptin and plasma adipokines (leptin and adiponectin) in normal-weight and over-weight young females. Thirty young Saudi females, based on their body mass index (BMI), were divided into two groups (15 students/group) as (1) Normal weight (NW): BMI = 18.5–24.99 and (2) Over-weight/obese (OW): BMI ≥ 25. Serum adipokines (leptin, adiponectin) and kisspeptin levels were measured in early follicular, pre-ovulatory, and luteal phase in both groups with ELISA. Menstrual cycle phases were confirmed by serum estradiol levels. There was no association of kisspeptin with leptin in early follicular (r ?0.34, P 0.31), pre-ovulatory (r ?0.32, P 0.34) and luteal phase (r 0.21, P 0.54). Likewise, kisspeptin was not found to be correlated with adiponectin in early follicular (r 0.41, P 0.21), pre ovulatory (r 0.24, P 0.48), and luteal phase (r 0.40, P 0.23) when values recorded during different time points during the cycle were plotted with each other.     

Synthesis,structure–activity relationship and molecular docking of 3-oxoaurones and 3-thioaurones as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors

The present study describes efficient and facile syntheses of varyingly substituted 3-thioaurones from the corresponding 3-oxoaurones using Lawesson’s reagent and phosphorous pentasulfide. In comparison, the latter methodology was proved more convenient, giving higher yields and required short and simple methodology. The structures of synthetic compounds were unambiguously elucidated by IR, MS and NMR spectroscopy. All synthetic compounds were screened for their inhibitory potential against in vitro acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes. Molecular docking studies were also performed in order to examine their binding interactions with AChE and BChE human proteins. Both studies revealed that some of these compounds were found to be good inhibitors against AChE and BChE.     

Re-engineering aryl methylcarbamates to confer high selectivity for inhibition of Anopheles gambiae versus human acetylcholinesterase

To identify potential human-safe insecticides against the malaria mosquito we undertook an investigation of the structure-activity relationship of aryl methylcarbamates inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Compounds bearing a β-branched 2-alkoxy or 2-thioalkyl group were found to possess good selectivity for inhibition of Anopheles gambiae AChE over human AChE; up to 530-fold selectivity was achieved with carbamate 11d. A 3D QSAR model is presented that is reasonably consistent with log inhibition selectivity of 34 carbamates. Toxicity of these compounds to live Anopheles gambiae was demonstrated using both tarsal contact (filter paper) and topical application protocols.     

Value of soil zinc balances in predicting fertilizer zinc requirement for cotton-wheat cropping system in irrigated Aridisols

Several studies have shown that soil biotic communities from organically managed fields are more diverse and exhibit higher activity levels compared to conventionally managed fields. The impact of these different soil communities on plant productivity and the provision of soil ecosystem services are, however, still unclear. Here, we test the effects of soil inoculation from each of three organic and three conventional maize fields on maize productivity and nutrient loss during leaching events induced by simulated rain. In particular, we examine whether differences in productivity and nutrient loss are related to the abundance and species composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. We hypothesized that soil biota from organically managed fields would improve maize growth and reduce nutrient leaching significantly more than those from conventionally managed fields. In contrast to our hypothesis, we found that plant productivity was negatively affected by soil inoculation, and this effect was stronger with inoculum from organic fields. Plant productivity was inversely correlated with AMF abundance, suggesting that enhanced carbon allocation to AMF is at least in part responsible for plant growth reduction under our experimental conditions. However, soil inoculation did alter the ecological functioning of the system by reducing phosphorus leaching losses after simulated rain. Moreover, these leaching losses were lower with increased hyphal density and were related with abundance of particular AMF types, suggesting that abundance of AMF and their community composition may be useful indicators of phosphorus leaching losses. The results demonstrate that soil communities from different agricultural fields vary in their impact on plant productivity and nutrient leaching losses. The results further indicate that there is a potential tradeoff between positive effects of soil communities on sustainability and negative effects on crop productivity.     

Life table of cycad scale,Aulacaspis yasumatsui (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), reared on Cycas in Taiwan

Aulacaspis yasumatsui Takagi (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), an invasive scale insect, attacks different species of Cycas (Cycadales: Cycadaceae) in Taiwan. Development, survival and fecundity of A. yasumatsui were studied on Cycas taitungensis at 24 °C, 70 ± 10% RH, and a photoperiod of 12:12 (L:D) h under laboratory conditions. Data on the life history of A. yasumatsui were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table, to address variable development rates among individuals and between sexes. The egg incubation time was 7.26 days for both females and males and female nymphal development duration was 28.65 days. The development duration of male nymphal stages + pupal stage was 19 days. The total pre-oviposition period (TPOP) was 35.92 days. The maximum longevity of female adults was 67 days and 1 day for males. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) was 0.100 day^-1, the finite rate of increase (λ) was 1.11 day^-1, the net reproduction rate (R_o) was 111.51 offspring /individual, and the mean generation time (T) was 47.24 day. Life table data can be used to project population growth, to design mass rearing programs and to establish management tactics to control insect pests.     

Novel insights on effect of atrioventricular programming of biventricular pacemaker in heart failure – a case series

Background

Echocardiography plays an integral role in the diagnosis of congestive heart failure including measurement of left heart pressure as well as mechanical dyssynchrony.

Methods

In this report we describe novel therapeutic uses of echo pulsed wave Doppler in atrioventricular pacemaker optimization in patients who had either not derived significant symptomatic benefit post biventricular pacemaker implantation or deteriorated after deriving initial benefit. In these patients atrioventricular optimization showed novel findings and improved cardiac output and symptoms.

Results

In 3 patients with Cheyne Stokes pattern of respiration echo Doppler showed worsening of mitral regurgitation during hyperpneac phase in one patient, marked E and A fusion in another patient and exaggerated ventricular interdependence in a third patient thus highlighting mechanisms of adverse effects of Cheyne Stokes respiration in patients with heart failure. All 3 patients required a very short atrioventricular delay programming for best cardiac output. In one patient with recurrent congestive heart failure post cardiac resynchronization, mitral inflow pulse wave Doppler showed no A wave until a sensed atrioventricular delay of 190 ms was reached and showed progressive improvement in mitral inflow pattern until an atrioventricular delay of 290 ms. In 2 patients atrioventricular delay as short as 50 ms was required to allow E and A separation and prevent diastolic mitral regurgitation. All patients developed marked improvement in congestive heart failure symptoms post echo-guided biv pacemaker optimization.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the value of echo-guided pacemaker optimization in symptomatic patients post cardiac resynchronization treatment.