Future aspects of X-ray emission from crystal undulators at channeling of positrons

In connection with ideas to produce undulator-like radiation in the hundreds of keV up to the MeV region by means of positron and electron channeling, there is renewed interest to study various channeling phenomena also experimentally. With electrons experiments have been performed at the Mainz Microtron MAMI to explore channeling-radiation emission by a 4-period epitaxially grown strained layer Si1−xGex undulator with a period length of λu = 9.9 μm. Unfortunately, high-quality positron beams of sufficient intensity are not easily accessible. The only serious candidate in Europe seems to be the Beam Test Facility (BTF) at INFN/LNF, Frascati, Italy. Some requirements to extent BTF in a facility which is also well suited for positron channeling-radiation experiments will be outlined

Towards a taxonomy of process quality characteristics for assessment

Previous assessment of process quality have focused on process capability (i.e. the ability of a process to meet its stated goals). This paper proposes a taxonomy of alternative process quality characteristics based on intrinsic and extrinsic quality attributes. The ultimate goal of this taxonomy is to provide a framework to conduct process assessments using different process quality aspects. Such a framework would considerably broaden process quality perspectives beyond the primary measure of process capability. It would also allow practitioners to identify and evaluate relevant quality characteristics for processes based on specific contexts and implications. For the process assessment model developers, it offers a list of process quality characteristics that could be used to develop relevant process measurement frameworks

Mutations in GJB2 as Major Causes of Autosomal Recessive Non-Syndromic Hearing Loss: First Report of c.299-300delAT Mutation in Kurdish Population of Iran

Background and Objectives: : Autosomal recessive non-syndromic hearing loss (ARNSHL) with genetic origin is common (1/2000 births). ARNSHL can be associated with mutations in gap junction protein beta 2 (GJB2). To this end, this cohort investigation aimed to find the contribution of GJB2 gene mutations with the genotype-phenotype correlations in 45 ARNSHL cases in the Kurdish population. Subjects and Methods: : Genomic DNA was extracted from a total of 45 ARNSHL families. The linkage analysis with 3 short tandem repeat markers linked to GJB2 was performed on 45 ARNSHL families. Only 9 of these families were linked to the DFNB1 locus. All the 45 families who took part were sequenced for confirmation linkage analysis (to perform a large project). Results: : A total of three different mutations were determined. Two of which [c.35delG and c.-23+1G>A (IVS1+1G>A)] were previously reported but (c.299-300delAT) mutation was novel in the Kurdish population. The homozygous pathogenic mutations of GJB2 gene was observed in nine out of the 45 families (20%), also heterozygous genotype (c.35delG/N)+(c.-23+1G>A/c.-23+1G>A) were observed in 4/45 families (8.8%). The degree of hearing loss (HL) in patients with other mutations was less severe than patients with c.35delG homozygous mutation (p<0.001). Conclusions: : Our data suggest that GJB2 mutations constitute 20% of the etiology of ARNSHL in Iran; moreover, the c.35delG mutation is the most common HL cause in the Kurdish population. Therefore, these mutations should be included in the molecular testing of HL in this populatio

The serious games ecosystem: Interdisciplinary and intercontextual praxis

This chapter will situate academia in relation to serious games commercial production and contextual adoption, and vice-versa. As a researcher it is critical to recognize that academic research of serious games does not occur in a vaccum. Direct partnerships between universities and commercial organizations are increasingly common, as well as between research institutes and the contexts that their serious games are deployed in. Commercial production of serious games and their increased adoption in non-commercial contexts will influence academic research through emerging impact pathways and funding opportunities. Adding further complexity is the emergence of commercial organizations that undertake their own research, and research institutes that have inhouse commercial arms. To conclude, we explore how these issues affect the individual researcher, and offer considerations for future academic and industry serious games projects

Geogrid reinforced lime cement treated granular soils

Construction on problematic and soft soils has always been considered a challenging task by the geotechnical engineers. Such soils can be treated with traditional lime and cement stabilization. However in some cases using geogrid reinforced lime and cement treated materials can be very effective, especially in case of seismic or dynamic loads. In this research, a series of laboratory testing has been carried out to investigate mechanical properties of lime and cement treated granular materials with and without geogrid reinforcing layers. The results of the unconfined compressive tests show that geogrid reinforcement improves the ductility of the treated materials. However, it would not develop the compressive strength in many of used mix Designs. The investigations reveal that the mix design for lime and cement treatment must be selected accurately by considering the natural beds conditions to achieve the best possible results from stabilization procedure

Co-electrospun gelatin-chondroitin sulfate/polycaprolactone nanofibrous scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering

Chondroitin sulfate and gelatin (GEL-CS) as a component of cartilage extracellular matrix were incorporated by polycaprolactone (PCL)nanofibers utilizing co-electrospinning process to fabricate composite scaffolds for inducing chondrogenesis of human bone mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) differentiation without using differential medium. The MTT anSSEM results illustrated supported cellular attachment and viability of hMSCs on scaffolds. Sulfated glycosaminoglycan secretion staining, genes expression of COL2a1 and SOX9 and also type ⠡ collagen protein approved the differentiation of seeded hMSCs to chondrocytes without using any external chondrogenic differential factor. The scaffolds containing the highest GEL-CS content (2/1) exhibit better chondrogenesis differentiation results and it can be introduced as acceptable potential for cartilage tissue engineering application. © 2020 Elsevier Lt