Synthesis and characterisation of Fe₆ and Fe₁₂ clusters using bicine

Reaction of bicine {BicH3, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine} with an Fe(III) oxo-centered pivalate triangle in MeCN in the presence of Et<sub>2</sub>NH yields [Et<sub>2</sub>NH<sub>2</sub>]<sub>2</sub>[Fe<sub>6</sub>O<sub>2</sub>(OH)<sub>2</sub>(Bic)<sub>2</sub>(O<sub>2</sub>CCMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>8</sub>], which possesses an S = 5 ground state. Changing the base to NaOMe produces [Fe<sub>12</sub>O<sub>4</sub>(Bic)<sub>4</sub>(HBic)<sub>4</sub>(O<sub>2</sub>CCMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>8</sub>], which contains two Fe6 units bridged by the carboxylate arms from the bicine ligands. The complex displays strong antiferromagnetic coupling leading to an S = 0 ground state

A remark on certain p

The object of the present paper is to prove an interesting result for certain analytic and p-valent functions in the unit disc U={z:|z|<1}

Polymorphism of growth hormone gene and its association with wool traits in Egyptian sheep breeds

Growth hormone (GH) gene has been described as a candidate gene for marker-assisted selection in different farm animals. The present study was designed to identify the polymorphism in GH gene and its association with variation of wool traits in Egyptian sheep breeds. Wool and blood samples were collected from 42 animals including two breeds (Barki and Rahmani) and one crossbred (Rahmani x Awase). Measurements of wool traits were analyzed and involved staple strength (Str), staple length (STL), fiber diameter (FD) and clean fleece yield (CFW). DNA was extracted from blood samples and a 365-bp fragment from exon V was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Single strand conformation polymorphisim (SSCP) analysis showed two conformational patterns. The pattern I was recorded to be more frequent (83.3, 92.86 and 90%) than pattern II (16.7, 7.14 and 10%) in Barki, Rahmani and crossbred, respectively. The sequence analysis showed one single nucleotide polymorphism (C/T). The pattern I (allele T) has been found to affect CFW and FD than pattern II (allele C). Whereas, C allele was more pronounced for Str and STL. These traits are the most important parameters determining commercial values of wool that are preferred for clothing or carpets industry. The nucleotide sequences of C and T alleles were submitted to GenBank and have the accession numbers: KT250511 and KT250512, respectively. In conclusion, the present results provide evidence that there is a single nucleotide polymorphism within GH gene in Egyptian sheep breeds. This mutation was found to have some effects on wool traits. Therefore our data show interesting prospects in future selection programs for improving wool industry.Key words: Sheep, wool, growth hormone (GH) gene, polymorphism, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP)

Efecto hepatoprotector del insaponificable de los aceites de oliva, linaza y sésamo contra la lesión hepática inducida por tetracloruro de carbono en ratas

In the present study, the hepatoprotective activity of the unsaponifiable matter (UNSAP) of olive oil, linseed, and sesame oils against CCl4-induced liver toxicity in rats was investigated. In a preliminary antioxidant study, UNSAP showed pronounced DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 6.2-10.8 mg/mL). The constituents of UNSAP were determined by GC-MS. The subcutaneous administration of CCl4, caused liver injury. The hepatoprotective effect of UNSAP was comparable to that of α-tocopherol, a standard antioxidant agent. The co-administration of the investigated UNSAP normalized the activities of serum marker enzymes, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Furthermore, the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) level were found to be alleviated by pre-treatment with the UNSAP. A histopathological evaluation showed marked improvement in the liver of UNSAP- and α-Tocopherol-treated animals. The hepatoprotective effect could be attributed to the antioxidant characteristics of UNSAP.En el presente estudio, se investigó la actividad hepatoprotectora de la materia insaponificable (UNSAP) de los aceites de oliva, linaza y sésamo contra la toxicidad hepática inducida por CCl4 en ratas. En un estudio preliminar de antioxidantes, UNSAP mostró una pronunciada actividad de captación de radicales DPPH (IC50 6.2-10.8 mg / mL). Los constituyentes del UNSAP fueron determinados por GC-MS. La administración de CCl4, por vía subcutánea, causó lesión hepática. El efecto hepatoprotector del UNSAP fue comparable al del α-Tocoferol, un agente antioxidante estándar. La administración conjunta del UNSAP normalizó las actividades de las enzimas marcadoras séricas, alanina aminotransferasa (ALT) y aspartato aminotransferasa (AST). Además, se encontró que la actividad de la fosfatasa alcalina en suero (ALP) y el nivel de malondialdehído hepático (MDA) se mitigan con el tratamiento previo con UNSAP. La evaluación histopatológica mostró una mejoría notable en el hígado de los animales tratados con UNSAP y α-Tocopherol. El efecto hepatoprotector podría atribuirse a las características antioxidantes de UNSAP

Comparison of cognitive function, socioeconomic level, and the health-related quality of life between epileptic patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and without

Background Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological conditions. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children with epilepsy proves to be very common. Both epilepsy and ADHD impair quality of life. We aimed to evaluate cognitive function, socioeconomic level, and quality of life (QOL) among children with ADHD and epilepsy. A total of 100 children were divided into 5 groups (20 children/group) as (I) epilepsy, (II) ADHD with epilepsy, (III) ADHD with EEG changes, (IV) ADHD without EEG changes, and (V) control. Children aged between 6 and 11 years were recruited for this study. Early Childhood Epilepsy Severity Scale (E-Chess), Conners’ Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-3rd edition (WISC-III), socioeconomic scale for assessment of social burden and socioeconomic classes, and PedsQL (quality of life measure) assessed. Results Children with ADHD and epilepsy had the lowest PedsQL total scores and lower scores than other groups especially in performance IQ score. The highest percentage of low socioeconomic class (25%) was observed in the group of ADHD with epilepsy and the group of epilepsy. Conclusion ADHD with epilepsy is associated with low performance IQ, poor socioeconomic level, and quality of life. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores show significant correlation with total IQ score in the group of ADHD with epilepsy

A new converter topology for high-speed high-starting-torque three-phase switched reluctance motor drive system

Switched reluctance motor (SRM) has become a competitive selection for many applications of electric machine drive systems recently due to its relative simple construction and its robustness. The advantages of those motors are high reliability, easy maintenance and good performance. The absence of permanent magnets and windings in rotor gives possibility to achieve very high speeds (over 10000 rpm) and turned SRM into perfect solution for operation in hard conditions like presence of vibrations or impacts. Such simple mechanical structure greatly reduces its price. Due to these features, SRM drives are used more and more into aerospace, automotive and home applications. The major drawbacks of the SRM are the complicated algorithm to control it due to the high degree of nonlinearity, also the SRM has always to be electronically commutated and the need of a shaft position sensor to detect the shaft position, the other limitations are strong torque ripple and acoustic noise effects.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Schlieren Visualization of Shaping Air During Operation of an Electrostatic Rotary Bell Sprayer: Impact of Shaping Air on Droplet Atomization and Transport

Electrostatic rotary bell sprayers (ERBSs) are widely used in the automotive industry. In ERBS, atomization is facilitated using centrifugal forces which disintegrate the paint film inside the cup into droplets at the cup edge. The droplets are then transported by the flow of a shaping air (SA) and electrostatic forces to a target surface; the characteristics of these droplets dramatically influence the quality of a painted surface and the painting transfer efficiency. In the current paper, a novel Schlieren-based visualization of the shaping air in the absence of paint droplets was performed during a qualitative investigation to delineate shaping air flow behavior and its interaction with droplets and droplet transport. An infrared thermographic flow visualization (IRFV) method and droplet size measurement were used to complement the Schlieren data for providing insight into shaping air-droplet interactions. The results demonstrated the impact of different operating conditions on the SA flow pattern, and the influence SA has on the secondary atomization and transport of droplets. Hence, these experimental methods combine with a useful tool for optimizing SA configurations that improve spray quality, droplet transport, and the efficiency of ERBS operations