Use of ultrasound attenuation spectroscopy to determine the size distribution of clay tactoids in aqueous suspensions

The dispersion processes of aqueous samples of clay are studied using ultrasound attenuation spectroscopy. The attenuation spectra that are acquired in the frequency range $10-100$ MHz are used to determine the particle size distributions (PSDs) for different concentrations and ages of the clay suspensions. Our analysis, using equivalent spherical diameter (ESD) for circular discs under Stokes drag in samples of concentrations greater than 1.5\% w/v, shows that a substantial fraction of the aggregates in suspension are actually tactoids that are composed of more than one platelet. This is in contrast to the general belief that clay disperses into individual platelets in the concentration range where their suspensions exhibit glassy behavior. We conclude that the incomplete fragmentation of the clay tactoids arises from the rapid enhancement of the inter-tactoid Coulombic repulsion.Comment: 21 pages, 6 figure

Relaxation Behavior by Time-Salt and Time-Temperature Superpositions of Polyelectrolyte Complexes from Coacervate to Precipitate

Complexation between anionic and cationic polyelectrolytes results in solid-like precipitates or liquid-like coacervate depending on the added salt in the aqueous medium. However, the boundary between these polymer-rich phases is quite broad and the associated changes in the polymer relaxation in the complexes across the transition regime are poorly understood. In this work, the relaxation dynamics of complexes across this transition is probed over a wide timescale by measuring viscoelastic spectra and zero-shear viscosities at varying temperatures and salt concentrations for two different salt types. We find that the complexes exhibit time-temperature superposition (TTS) at all salt concentrations, while the range of overlapped-frequencies for time-temperature-salt superposition (TTSS) strongly depends on the salt concentration (Cs) and gradually shifts to higher frequencies as Cs is decreased. The sticky-Rouse model describes the relaxation behavior at all Cs. However, collective relaxation of polyelectrolyte complexes gradually approaches a rubbery regime and eventually exhibits a gel-like response as Cs is decreased and limits the validity of TTSS.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, Follow Gels journal link for latest versio

Islamic Versus Conventional Mutual Funds Performance in Pakistan; Comparative Analysis Through Performance Measures and DEA Approach

Islamic mutual funds are different from conventional mutual funds because both have different characteristics. Islamic mutual funds act upon the Shariah guidelines and rules. This study investigates the performance of Islamic and conventional mutual funds for the period of 8 years from January 01, 2010 to December 2017. For the purpose of analysis 30 Islamic mutual funds and 30 conventional mutual funds are selected as sample of the study. Study evaluates the performance of Islamic and conventional mutual funds based on different ratios like Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio and Jensen Alphen along with data envelopment analysis technique. Sharpe and Teynor ratios of Islamic mutual funds are higher than the conventional mutual funds which shows the better performance of Islamic mutual fund as compared to conventional mutual funds. Whereas the results of Jenson Alpha showed opposing results with Treynor and Sharpe ratios in which the value of Jenson Alpha of Islamic mutual fund is lower than conventional mutual funds. Results of data envelopment analysis showed higher efficiency of Islamic mutual funds as compared to conventional mutual funds. Ultimately, it is concluded that financial performance of Islamic mutual funds is superior as compared to conventional mutual funds in Pakistani mutual fund market for the period of 2010 to 2017

Islamic Versus Conventional Mutual Funds Performance in Pakistan; Comparative Analysis Through Performance Measures and DEA Approach

Islamic mutual funds are different from conventional mutual funds because both have different characteristics. Islamic mutual funds act upon the Shariah guidelines and rules. This study investigates the performance of Islamic and conventional mutual funds for the period of 8 years from January 01, 2010 to December 2017. For the purpose of analysis 30 Islamic mutual funds and 30 conventional mutual funds are selected as sample of the study. Study evaluates the performance of Islamic and conventional mutual funds based on different ratios like Sharpe ratio, Treynor ratio and Jensen Alphen along with data envelopment analysis technique. Sharpe and Teynor ratios of Islamic mutual funds are higher than the conventional mutual funds which shows the better performance of Islamic mutual fund as compared to conventional mutual funds. Whereas the results of Jenson Alpha showed opposing results with Treynor and Sharpe ratios in which the value of Jenson Alpha of Islamic mutual fund is lower than conventional mutual funds. Results of data envelopment analysis showed higher efficiency of Islamic mutual funds as compared to conventional mutual funds. Ultimately, it is concluded that financial performance of Islamic mutual funds is superior as compared to conventional mutual funds in Pakistani mutual fund market for the period of 2010 to 2017

ANADOLU KARAÇAMINDA [Pinus nigra Arnd. subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe] IMERSOL AQUA® ABSORPSİYONUNUN AĞACIN YÖNLERİNE GÖRE DEĞİŞİMİ

Bu çalışmada, Anadolu karaçamı [Pinus nigra Arnd. subsp. pallasiana (Lamb.) Holmboe] odununda Imersol Aqua® absorpsiyonunun ağacın doğu, batı, güney ve kuzey yönlerine göre değişimi araştırılmıştır. Bu amaçla; deneme ağacı dikili halde iken gövde kabuğu üzerinde kuzey yönü belirlenerek kesilmiştir. Diğer yönler, bu yön baz alınarak tomruğun enine kesiti üzerinde işaretlenmiştir. Her bir yön için, tomruğun diri odun kısmından 2 x 5 x 10 cm boyutlarında örnekler hazırlanmıştır. Bu örnekler, sıvı Immersol Aqua® içerisine 10 dakika daldırılarak emprenye edilmiştir. Deneyden elde edilen bulgular, SPSS istatistik programı yardımıyla analiz edilmiştir. Sonuçta; Imersol aqua® absorpsiyonu karaçam diri odununda ağacın doğusundan batısına ve güneyinden kuzeyine doğru azalmıştır. Ağacın yönleri, çözelti absorpsiyonunu önemli düzeyde etkilemiştir. Yönler arasında önemli farklar ortaya çıkmıştır. Anahtar Kelimeler: Karaçam, Imersol aqua®, Absorpsiyon, Ağaç yön

Health benefits attributed to 17α-estradiol, a lifespan-extending compound, are mediated through estrogen receptor α.

Metabolic dysfunction underlies several chronic diseases, many of which are exacerbated by obesity. Dietary interventions can reverse metabolic declines and slow aging, although compliance issues remain paramount. 17α-estradiol treatment improves metabolic parameters and slows aging in male mice. The mechanisms by which 17α-estradiol elicits these benefits remain unresolved. Herein, we show that 17α-estradiol elicits similar genomic binding and transcriptional activation through estrogen receptor α (ERα) to that of 17β-estradiol. In addition, we show that the ablation of ERα completely attenuates the beneficial metabolic effects of 17α-E2 in male mice. Our findings suggest that 17α-E2 may act through the liver and hypothalamus to improve metabolic parameters in male mice. Lastly, we also determined that 17α-E2 improves metabolic parameters in male rats, thereby proving that the beneficial effects of 17α-E2 are not limited to mice. Collectively, these studies suggest ERα may be a drug target for mitigating chronic diseases in male mammals

Renal complications of lipodystrophy: A closer look at the natural history of kidney disease

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144612/1/cen13732_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/144612/2/cen13732.pd

Volume CXIV, Number 4, November 7, 1996

Objective: Turner syndrome (TS) is a chromosomal disorder caused by complete or partial X chromosome monosomy that manifests various clinical features depending on the karyotype and on the genetic background of affected girls. This study aimed to systematically investigate the key clinical features of TS in relationship to karyotype in a large pediatric Turkish patient population.Methods: Our retrospective study included 842 karyotype-proven TS patients aged 0-18 years who were evaluated in 35 different centers in Turkey in the years 2013-2014.Results: The most common karyotype was 45,X (50.7%), followed by 45,X/46,XX (10.8%), 46,X,i(Xq) (10.1%) and 45,X/46,X,i(Xq) (9.5%). Mean age at diagnosis was 10.2±4.4 years. The most common presenting complaints were short stature and delayed puberty. Among patients diagnosed before age one year, the ratio of karyotype 45,X was significantly higher than that of other karyotype groups. Cardiac defects (bicuspid aortic valve, coarctation of the aorta and aortic stenosis) were the most common congenital anomalies, occurring in 25% of the TS cases. This was followed by urinary system anomalies (horseshoe kidney, double collector duct system and renal rotation) detected in 16.3%. Hashimoto's thyroiditis was found in 11.1% of patients, gastrointestinal abnormalities in 8.9%, ear nose and throat problems in 22.6%, dermatologic problems in 21.8% and osteoporosis in 15.3%. Learning difficulties and/or psychosocial problems were encountered in 39.1%. Insulin resistance and impaired fasting glucose were detected in 3.4% and 2.2%, respectively. Dyslipidemia prevalence was 11.4%.Conclusion: This comprehensive study systematically evaluated the largest group of karyotype-proven TS girls to date. The karyotype distribution, congenital anomaly and comorbidity profile closely parallel that from other countries and support the need for close medical surveillance of these complex patients throughout their lifespa

Penilaian Kinerja Keuangan Koperasi di Kabupaten Pelalawan

This paper describe development and financial performance of cooperative in District Pelalawan among 2007 - 2008. Studies on primary and secondary cooperative in 12 sub-districts. Method in this stady use performance measuring of productivity, efficiency, growth, liquidity, and solvability of cooperative. Productivity of cooperative in Pelalawan was highly but efficiency still low. Profit and income were highly, even liquidity of cooperative very high, and solvability was good