The influence of electrode material, viscosity, and magnetic field upon prebreakdown current in dielectric oil.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-07, page: . Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1981

ACUTE TOXICITY STUDIES AND ANTIDOTAL THERAPY OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF JATROPHA CURCAS SEEDS IN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMALS

In spite of the myriad of ethno medical uses and agro-feed potential of Jatropha curcas (JC) seeds and the potential for production of biodiesel, toxic properties have been adduced to the plant, especially the seeds. Thus, the current study was done with the aim of investigating the toxicity of the ethanol seed extract of JC in rats, mice, and chicks; and also to use conventional antidotes to treat intoxication in rats due to JC poisoning.The LD50 of the ethanol extract of the JC seed was determined by the method initially described by Lorke. In addition, acute behavioral and CNS toxicity studies of JC including antidotal therapy against JC poisoning were done. The data was analysed using SPSS and results were expressed as mean ± SEM. p < 0.05 was considered significant.The LD50 of IPJC extract ranged from 177.48 to 288.53 mg/kg (moderately toxic) for the adult female rat, adult male mouse, and young male rat. For the adult male rats, the LD50 values were 565.69 mg/kg (IP, slightly toxic) and >5000 mg/kg (oral, slightly toxic) and the LD50 of the JC extract for the chicks was 28.28 mg/kg (IP, highly toxic). JC produced a fairly dose-dependent behavioral and CNS depressant effects which were reduced by atropine, EDTA and a combination of atropine, sodium nitrite & sodium thiosulphate, and EDTA. Also, these antidotes either singly or in combination reduced mortality among the rats by 25-50%.In conclusion, the ethanol extract of JC seeds produces behavioral changes in experimental animals possibly in part by CNS depression which were ameliorated by atropine or EDTA and a combination of antidotes. Thus, these antidotes particularly atropine, may be exploited in the management of JC poisoning

Recessive mutation in tetraspanin CD151 causes Kindler syndrome-like epidermolysis bullosa with multi-systemic manifestations including nephropathy

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is caused by mutations in as many as 19 distinct genes. We have developed a next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel targeting genes known to be mutated in skin fragility disorders, including tetraspanin CD151 expressed in keratinocytes at the dermal-epidermal junction. The NGS panel was applied to a cohort of 92 consanguineous families of unknown subtype of EB. In one family, a homozygous donor splice site mutation in CD151 (NM_139029; c.351 + 2T > C) at the exon 5/intron 5 border was identified, and RT-PCR and whole transcriptome analysis by RNA-seq confirmed deletion of the entire exon 5 encoding 25 amino acids. Immunofluorescence of proband's skin and Western blot of skin proteins with a monoclonal antibody revealed complete absence of CD151. Transmission electron microscopy showed intracellular disruption and cell-cell dysadhesion of keratinocytes in the lower epidermis. Clinical examination of the 33-year old proband, initially diagnosed as Kindler syndrome, revealed widespread blistering, particularly on pretibial areas, poikiloderma, nail dystrophy, loss of teeth, early onset alopecia, and esophageal webbing and strictures. The patient also had history of nephropathy with proteinuria. Collectively, the results suggest that biallelic loss-of-function mutations in CD151 underlie an autosomal recessive mechano-bullous disease with systemic features. Thus, CD151 should be considered as the 20th causative, EB-associated gene

Fast Linear State Estimation for Unbalanced Distribution Systems Using Hybrid Measurements

Distribution system state estimation (DSSE) is traditionally solved iteratively using unsynchronized measurements provided by the SCADA system and/or smart meters. This article puts forward a decoupled linear state estimation (SE) method for unbalanced distribution systems. Contrary to conventional methods, the proposed linear DSSE (LDSSE) method can function with purely unsynchronized or hybrid synchronized/unsynchronized measurements. In the case of purely unsynchronized measurements, the voltage phase angles of the reference bus are acquired through local measurements. In the first stage, the proposed LDSSE method estimates the voltage phase angles in terms of network parameters and available measurements. These are referred to as pseudo-synchronized voltage phase angles, which establish a basis for deriving pseudo-synchronized voltage/current phasors. In the second stage, a set of linear equations are derived for each phase separately. Solving these equations results in estimates for voltage phasors. The linearity and decoupled nature of the proposed LDSSE method significantly reduces the computation time without impacting the accuracy of estimates. The superiority of the proposed LDSSE method over the existing methods is verified using extensive simulations conducted on several test feeders, delivering results 20 times faster than the nonlinear DSSE (NDSSE) on the 8500-bus test feeder

Genotype-phenotype correlation and description of two novel mutations in Iranian patients with glycogen storage disease 1b (GSD1b)

Background: Glycogen storage disease (GSD) is a rare inborn error of the synthesis or degradation of glycogen metabolism. GSD1, the most common type of GSD, is categorized into GSD1a and GSD1b which caused by the deficiency of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) and glucose-6-phosphate transporter (SLC37A4), respectively. The high rates of consanguineous marriages in Iran provide a desirable context to facilitate finding the homozygous pathogenic mutations. This study designates to evaluate the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with GSD1b to assess the possible genotype-phenotype correlation. Results: Autozygosity mapping was performed on nineteen GSD suspected families to suggest the causative loci. The mapping was done using two panels of short tandem repeat (STR) markers linked to the corresponding genes. The patients with autozygous haplotype block for the markers flanking the genes were selected for direct sequencing. Six patients showed autozygosity in the candidate markers for SLC37A4. Three causative variants were detected. The recurrent mutation of c.10421043delCT (p.Leu348Valfs*53) and a novel missense mutation of c.365G > A (p.G122E) in the homozygous state were identified in the SLC37A4. In silico analysis was performed to predict the pathogenicity of the variants. A novel whole SLC37A4 gene deletion using long-range PCR and sequencing was confirmed as well. Severe and moderate neutropenia was observed in patients with frameshift and missense variants, respectively. The sibling with the whole gene deletion has shown both severe neutropenia and leukopenia. Conclusions: The results showed that the hematological findings may have an appropriate correlation with the genotype findings. However, for a definite genotype-phenotype correlation, specifically for the clinical and biochemical phenotype, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed. © 2020 The Author(s)

A lightweight tile structure integrating photovoltaic conversion and RF power transfer for space solar power applications

We demonstrate the development of a prototype lightweight (1.5 kg/m^3) tile structure capable of photovoltaic solar power capture, conversion to radio frequency power, and transmission through antennas. This modular tile can be repeated over an arbitrary area to forma large aperture which could be placed in orbit to collect sunlight and transmit electricity to any location. Prototype design is described and validated through finite element analysis, and high-precision ultra-light component manufacture and robust assembly are described

Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism-based autozygosity mapping facilitates identification of mutations in consanguineous families with epidermolysis bullosa

Autozygosity mapping (AM) is a technique utilised for mapping homozygous autosomal recessive (AR) traits and facilitation of genetic diagnosis. We investigated the utility of AM for the molecular diagnosis of heterogeneous AR disorders, using epidermolysis bullosa (EB) as a paradigm. We applied this technique to a cohort of 46 distinct EB families using both short tandem repeat (STR) and genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array-based AM to guide targeted Sanger sequencing of EB candidate genes. Initially, 39 of the 46 cases were diagnosed with homozygous mutations using this method. Independently, 26 cases, including the seven initially unresolved cases, were analysed with an EB-targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel. NGS identified mutations in five additional cases, initially undiagnosed due to the presence of compound heterozygosity, deep intronic mutations or runs of homozygosity below the set threshold of 2 Mb, for a total yield of 44 of 46 cases (95.7) diagnosed genetically. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

A lightweight tile structure integrating photovoltaic conversion and RF power transfer for space solar power applications

We demonstrate the development of a prototype lightweight (1.5 kg/m^3) tile structure capable of photovoltaic solar power capture, conversion to radio frequency power, and transmission through antennas. This modular tile can be repeated over an arbitrary area to forma large aperture which could be placed in orbit to collect sunlight and transmit electricity to any location. Prototype design is described and validated through finite element analysis, and high-precision ultra-light component manufacture and robust assembly are described

Enhancing somatic embryogenesis of Malaysian rice cultivar MR219 using adjuvant materials in a high efficiency protocol

Enhancing of the efficient tissue culture protocol for somatic embryos would facilitate the engineered breeding plants program. In this report, we describe the reproducible protocol of Malaysian rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar MR219 through somatic embryogenesis. Effect of a wide spectrum of exogenesis materials was assessed in three phases, namely callogenesis, proliferation and regeneration. Initially, rice seeds were subjected under various auxin treatments. Secondly, the effect of different concentrations of 2,4-D on callus induction was evaluated. In the next step, the efficiency of different explants was identified. Subsequently, the effects of different auxins, cytokinins, L-proline, casein hydrolysate and potassium metasilicate concentrations on the callus proliferation and regeneration were considered. For the callogenesis phase, 2 mg L-1 of 2,4-D and roots were chosen as the best auxin and explant. In the callus proliferation stage, the highest efficiency was observed at week eight in the MS media supplemented with 2 mg L-1 of 2,4-D, 2 mg L-1 of kinetin, 50 mg L-1 of L-proline, 100 mg L-1 of casein hydrolysate and 30 mg L-1 of potassium metasilicate. In the last phase of the research, the MS media added with 3 mg L-1 of kinetin, 30 mg L-1 of potassium metasilicate and 2 mg L-1 of NAA were selected. Meanwhile, to promote the roots of regenerated explants, 0.4 mg L-1 of IBA has shown potential as an appropriate activator