Thermodynamic assessment of the Ge-Si-O-Cl-H system

An assessed thermodynamic dataset for the Ge-Si-O-Cl- H system useful for application in the glass fiber industry is presented. The focus of the work is on the germanium-bearing species. Taking into account the available vapor pressure measurements on the Ge-O , Ge-Cl, Ge-Cl-H , and Ge-O-Cl Systems, modifications have been made to the recommended data for the important oxide and halide species. The GeO2-SiO2 and GeCl4-SiCl4 binary systems have been thermodynamically optimized using simple models. The current dataset, when combined with the data from the FactSage™ database for the other required species/phases, can be used to make useful calculations of glass vapor equilibria pertinent to the manufacture of germanium-doped silica glass fibers using vapor deposition methods

Directionally asymmetric self-assembly of cadmium sulfide nanotubes using porous alumina nanoreactors: Need for chemohydrodynamic instability at the nanoscale

We explore nanoscale hydrodynamical effects on synthesis and self-assembly of cadmium sulfide nanotubes oriented along one direction. These nanotubes are synthesized by horizontal capillary flow of two different chemical reagents from opposite directions through nanochannels of porous anodic alumina which are used primarily as nanoreactors. We show that uneven flow of different chemical precursors is responsible for directionally asymmetric growth of these nanotubes. On the basis of structural observations using scanning electron microscopy, we argue that chemohydrodynamic convective interfacial instability of multicomponent liquid-liquid reactive interface is necessary for sustained nucleation of these CdS nanotubes at the edges of these porous nanochannels over several hours. However, our estimates clearly suggest that classical hydrodynamics cannot account for the occurrence of such instabilities at these small length scales. Therefore, we present a case which necessitates further investigation and understanding of chemohydrodynamic fluid flow through nanoconfined channels in order to explain the occurrence of such interfacial instabilities at nanometer length scales.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figures; http://www.iiserpune.ac.in/researchhighlight

An overview of anti-diabetic plants used in Gabon: Pharmacology and Toxicology

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Ethnopharmacological relevance: The management of diabetes mellitus management in African communities, especially in Gabon, is not well established as more than 60% of population rely on traditional treatments as primary healthcare. The aim of this review was to collect and present the scientific evidence for the use of medicinal plants that are in currect by Gabonese traditional healers to manage diabetes or hyperglycaemia based here on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of plants with anti-diabetic activity. There are presented in order to promote their therapeutic value, ensure a safer use by population and provide some bases for further study on high potential plants reviewed. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical studies were sourced using databases such as Online Wiley library, Pubmed, Google Scholar, PROTA, books and unpublished data including Ph.D. and Master thesis, African and Asian journals. Keywords including ‘Diabetes’ ‘Gabon’ ‘Toxicity’ ‘Constituents’ ‘hyperglycaemia’ were used. Results: A total of 69 plants currently used in Gabon with potential anti-diabetic activity have been identified in the literature, all of which have been used in in vivo or in vitro studies. Most of the plants have been studied in human or animal models for their ability to reduce blood glucose, stimulate insulin secretion or inhibit carbohydrates enzymes. Active substances have been identified in 12 out of 69 plants outlined in this review, these include Allium cepa and Tabernanthe iboga. Only eight plants have their active substances tested for anti-diabetic activity and are suitables for further investigation. Toxicological data is scarce and is dose-related to the functional parameters of major organs such as kidney and liver. Conclusion: An in-depth understanding on the pharmacology and toxicology of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is lacking yet there is a great scope for new treatments. With further research, the use of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is important to ensure the safety of the diabetic patients in Gabon.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Complete Genome Sequence of Avian Paramyxovirus (APMV) Serotype 5 Completes the Analysis of Nine APMV Serotypes and Reveals the Longest APMV Genome

Avian paramyxoviruses (APMV) consist of nine known serotypes. The genomes of representatives of all APMV serotypes except APMV type 5 have recently been fully sequenced. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the APMV-5 prototype strain budgerigar/Kunitachi/74.APMV-5 Kunitachi virus is unusual in that it lacks a virion hemagglutinin and does not grow in the allantoic cavity of embryonated chicken eggs. However, the virus grew in the amniotic cavity of embryonated chicken eggs and in twelve different established cell lines and two primary cell cultures. The genome is 17,262 nucleotides (nt) long, which is the longest among members of genus Avulavirus, and encodes six non-overlapping genes in the order of 3'N-P/V/W-M-F-HN-L-5' with intergenic regions of 4-57 nt. The genome length follows the 'rule of six' and contains a 55-nt leader sequence at the 3'end and a 552 nt trailer sequence at the 5' end. The phosphoprotein (P) gene contains a conserved RNA editing site and is predicted to encode P, V, and W proteins. The cleavage site of the F protein (G-K-R-K-K-R downward arrowF) conforms to the cleavage site motif of the ubiquitous cellular protease furin. Consistent with this, exogenous protease was not required for virus replication in vitro. However, the intracerebral pathogenicity index of APMV-5 strain Kunitachi in one-day-old chicks was found to be zero, indicating that the virus is avirulent for chickens despite the presence of a polybasic F cleavage site.Phylogenetic analysis of the sequences of the APVM-5 genome and proteins versus those of the other APMV serotypes showed that APMV-5 is more closely related to APMV-6 than to the other APMVs. Furthermore, these comparisons provided evidence of extensive genome-wide divergence that supports the classification of the APMVs into nine separate serotypes. The structure of the F cleavage site does not appear to be a reliable indicator of virulence among APMV serotypes 2-9. The availability of sequence information for all known APMV serotypes will facilitate studies in epidemiology and vaccinology

Deep phenotyping and genomic data from a nationally representative study on dementia in India

The Harmonized Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia for the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI-DAD) is a nationally representative in-depth study of cognitive aging and dementia. We present a publicly available dataset of harmonized cognitive measures of 4,096 adults 60 years of age and older in India, collected across 18 states and union territories. Blood samples were obtained to carry out whole blood and serum-based assays. Results are included in a venous blood specimen datafile that can be linked to the Harmonized LASI-DAD dataset. A global screening array of 960 LASI-DAD respondents is also publicly available for download, in addition to neuroimaging data on 137 LASI-DAD participants. Altogether, these datasets provide comprehensive information on older adults in India that allow researchers to further understand risk factors associated with cognitive impairment and dementia.Peer reviewe

Partner notification for sexually transmitted infections in developing countries: a systematic review

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The feasibility and acceptability of partner notification (PN) for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in developing countries was assessed through a comprehensive literature review, to help identify future intervention needs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The Medline, Embase, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify studies published between January 1995 and December 2007 on STI PN in developing countries. A systematic review of the research extracted information on: (1) willingness of index patients to notify partners; (2) the proportion of partners notified or referred; (3) client-reported barriers in notifying partners; (4) infrastructure barriers in notifying partners; and (5) PN approaches that were evaluated in developing countries.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Out of 609 screened articles, 39 met our criteria. PN outcome varied widely and was implemented more often for spousal partners than for casual or commercial partners. Reported barriers included sociocultural factors such as stigma, fear of abuse for having an STI, and infrastructural factors related to the limited number of STD clinics, and trained providers and reliable diagnostic methods. Client-oriented counselling was found to be effective in improving partner referral outcomes.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>STD clinics can improve PN with client-oriented counselling, which should help clients to overcome perceived barriers. The authors speculate that well-designed PN interventions to evaluate the impact on STI prevalence and incidence along with cost-effectiveness components will motivate policy makers in developing countries to allocate more resources towards STI management.</p

Status of the BELLE II Pixel Detector

The Belle II experiment at the super KEK B-factory (SuperKEKB) in Tsukuba, Japan, has been collecting $e^+e^−$ collision data since March 2019. Operating at a record-breaking luminosity of up to $4.7×10^{34} cm^{−2}s^{−1}$, data corresponding to $424 fb^{−1}$ has since been recorded. The Belle II VerteX Detector (VXD) is central to the Belle II detector and its physics program and plays a crucial role in reconstructing precise primary and decay vertices. It consists of the outer 4-layer Silicon Vertex Detector (SVD) using double sided silicon strips and the inner two-layer PiXel Detector (PXD) based on the Depleted P-channel Field Effect Transistor (DePFET) technology. The PXD DePFET structure combines signal generation and amplification within pixels with a minimum pitch of $(50×55) μm^2$. A high gain and a high signal-to-noise ratio allow thinning the pixels to $75 μm$ while retaining a high pixel hit efficiency of about $99$. As a consequence, also the material budget of the full detector is kept low at $≈0.21$$\frac{X}{X_0}$ per layer in the acceptance region. This also includes contributions from the control, Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC), and data processing Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) as well as from cooling and support structures. This article will present the experience gained from four years of operating PXD; the first full scale detector employing the DePFET technology in High Energy Physics. Overall, the PXD has met the expectations. Operating in the intense SuperKEKB environment poses many challenges that will also be discussed. The current PXD system remains incomplete with only 20 out of 40 modules having been installed. A full replacement has been constructed and is currently in its final testing stage before it will be installed into Belle II during the ongoing long shutdown that will last throughout 2023

Dynamic process of prostate cancer metastasis to bone

Prostate cancer metastasis to the bone occurs at high frequency in patients with advanced disease, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Over a century ago, the “seed and soil” theory was proposed to explain organ-specific patterns of metastases. Today, this theory continues to be relevant as we continue to discover factors involved in the attraction and subsequent growth of prostate cancer cells to the bone. These include the accumulation of genetic changes within cancer cells, the preferential binding of cancer cells to bone marrow endothelial cells, and the release of cancer cell chemoattractants from bone elements. A key mediator throughout this metastatic process is the integrin family of proteins. Alterations in integrin expression and function promote dissociation of cancer cells from the primary tumor mass and migration into the blood stream. Once in circulation, integrins facilitate cancer cell survival through interactions between other cancer cells, platelets, and endothelial cells of the target bone. Furthermore, dynamic changes in integrins and in integrin-associated signal transduction aid in the extravasation of cancer cells into the bone and in expansion to a clinically relevant metastasis. Thus, we will review the critical roles of integrins in the process of prostate cancer bone metastasis, from the escape of cancer cells from the primary tumor, to their survival in the harsh “third microenvironment” of the circulation, and ultimately to their attachment and growth at distant bone sites. Copyright © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/34905/1/10664_ftp.pd