The 43GHz SiO maser in the circumstellar envelope of the AGB star R Cassiopeiae

We present multi-epoch, total intensity, high-resolution images of 43GHz, v=1, J=1-0 SiO maser emission toward the Mira variable R Cas. In total we have 23 epochs of data for R Cas at approximate monthly intervals over an optical pulsation phase range from 0.158 to 1.78. These maps show a ring-like distribution of the maser features in a shell, which is assumed to be centred on the star at a radius of 1.6 to 2.3 times the stellar radii. It is clear from these images that the maser emission is significantly extended around the star. At some epochs a faint outer arc can be seen at 2.2 stellar radii. The intensity of the emission waxes and wanes during the stellar phase. Some maser features are seen infalling as well as outflowing. We have made initial comparisons of our data with models by Gray et. al. (2009).Comment: 12 pages, 14 figure

Inheritance of a mutation causing neuropathy with splayed forelimbs in Jersey cattle

A new undesirable genetic factor, neuropathy with splayed forelimbs (JNS), has been identified recently in the Jersey breed. Calves affected with JNS are unable to stand on splayed forelimbs that exhibit significant extensor rigidity and excessive lateral abduction at birth. Affected calves generally are alert at birth but exhibit neurologic symptoms, including spasticity of head and neck and convulsive behavior. Other symptoms reported include dislocated shoulders, congenital craniofacial anomalies, and degenerative myelopathy. Inheritance of an undesirable genetic factor was determined from a study of 16 affected calves reported by Jersey breeders across the United States. All of their pedigrees traced back on both paternal and maternal sides to a common ancestor born in 1995. Genotypes revealed that JNS is attributable to a specific haplotype on Bos taurus autosome 6. Currently 8.2% of the genotyped US Jersey population are carriers of the haplotype. Sequencing of the region of shared homozygosity revealed missense variant rs1116058914 at base 60,158,901 of the ARSUCD1.2 reference map as the most concordant with the genetic condition and the most likely cause. The single-base G to A substitution is in the coding region of the last exon of UCHL1, which is conserved across species. Mutations in humans and gene knockouts in mice cause similar recessive symptoms and muscular degeneration. Since December 2020, carrier status has been tracked using the identified haplotype and reported for all 459,784 genotyped Jersey animals. With random mating, about 2,200 affected calves per year with losses of about $250,000 would result from the 1.3 million US Jersey cows in the national population. Selection and mating programs can reduce numbers of JNS-affected births using either the haplotype status or a direct gene test in the future. Breeders should report calf abnormalities to their breed association to help discover new defects such as JNS

The role of strict patient-positioning during nursing in the management of intracerebral migration of gravitational bullet injury

The intracranial migration of bullet was described in literature since Cushing time and the First World War [1]. The literature is still away from delivering a clear guideline and constitutes more of case reports rather than comprehensive well-designed studies [2-13], this mostly due to the variability and diversity in the presentation and management of such cases. The migration of bullet can be a sequel of any type of penetrating injury to the skull [14]. Intracranial migration after gravitational (falling) bullet injury is a unique type of injury that constitutes of significant human and material losses with differences in biomechanics and structural brain changes after the insult especially regarding the velocity of impact and the degree of yaw for the intracranially settled bullet [15]. The gravitational bullets injuries are considered by the international disease classification system as celebratory firing, that is quite common and is part of the traditional happy (marriage) or funeral event in the middle east in general and in rural areas of Iraq in particular, and also reported in some areas around the world (South America, North Africa, and middle of Asia) [15,16]

Preparation of Emulsified Fuel from used lubricating oil

The use of diesel fuel in diesel engines when they run produces large amounts of environmental emitiondue to the high flame tem temperature when combustion also high quantities of used lubricating oilsproduce annually, and the disposal process has caused serious enviro mental problems, so it must purifyto use it againThe aim of this preparation of emulsifier fuel from waste lubricating oil which have several advantagessuch as reduce the gases pollutants emulsion and invests the waste lubricating oil The emulsifierfuel was prep rated from waste lubricating oil after simple physical treatments and surface active agentmaterials with water that necessary for preparation the emulsion ,the prepared fuel used in internalcombustion engine It wase found that ,the optimum condition for preparation are :water percentage10%,the concentrated of surface active agent 0.2% ,the time of mixing 2min, and the mixing rate 4000rpm to produce the emulsion that more stable along time .It was found that ,the specific gravity for emulsifier fuel which has water 10% , 20% ( 0.8730, 0.8754),the rotational viscosity for the same emulsifier fuel was (23.5, 29.4) c

Investigation of effects of copper, zinc, and strontium doping on electrochemical properties of titania nanotube arrays for neural interface applications

Direct interaction with the neuronal cells is a prerequisite to deciphering useful information in understanding the underlying causes of diseases and functional abnormalities in the brain. Precisely fabricated nanoelectrodes provide the capability to interact with the brain in its natural habitat without compromising its functional integrity. Yet, challenges exist in terms of the high cost and complexity of fabrication as well as poor control over the chemical composition and geometries at the nanoscale, all imposed by inherent limitations of current micro/nanofabrication techniques. In this work, we report on electrochemical fabrication and optimization of vertically oriented TiO2 nanotube arrays as nanoelectrodes for neural interface application. The effects of zinc, strontium, and copper doping on the structural, electrochemical, and biocompatibility properties of electrochemically anodized TiO2 nanotube arrays were investigated. It was found that doping can alter the geometric features, i.e., the length, diameter, and wall thickness, of the nanotubes. Among pure and doped samples, the 0.02 M copper-doped TiO2 nanotubes exhibited superior electrochemical properties, with the highest specific storage capacitance of 130 F g&minus;1 and the lowest impedance of 0.295 KΩ. In addition, regeneration of Vero cells and neurons was highly promoted on (0.02 M) Cu-doped TiO2 nanotube arrays, with relatively small tube diameters and more hydrophilicity, compared with the other two types of dopants. Our results suggest that in situ doping is a promising method for the optimization of various structural and compositional properties of electrochemically anodized nanotube arrays and improvement of their functionality as a potential nanoelectrode platform for neural interfacing.</jats:p

Anodization parameters influencing the morphology and electrical properties of TiO2 nanotubes for living cell interfacing and investigations

Nanotube structures have attracted tremendous attention in recent years in many applications. Among such nanotube structures, titania nanotubes (TiO2) have received paramount attention in the medical domain due to their unique properties, represented by high corrosion resistance, good mechanical properties, high specific surface area, as well as great cell proliferation, adhesion and mineralization. Although lot of research has been reported in developing optimized titanium nanotube structures for different medical applications, however there is a lack of unified literature source that could provide information about the key parameters and experimental conditions required to develop such optimized structure. This paper addresses this gap, by focussing on the fabrication of TiO2 nanotubes through anodization process on both pure titanium and titanium alloys substrates to exploit the biocompatibility and electrical conductivity aspects, critical factors for many medical applications from implants to in-vivo and in-vitro living cell studies. It is shown that the morphology of TiO2 directly impacts the biocompatibility aspects of the titanium in terms of cell proliferation, adhesion and mineralization. Similarly, TiO2 nanotube wall thickness of 30-40 nm has shown to exhibit improved electrical behaviour, a critical factor in brain mapping and behaviour investigations if such nanotubes are employed as micro-nano-electrodes

Studying of Physio-chemical Properties of the Groundwater in AL-A’lam City

The present study was conducted for eight wells that are distributed in A’alam subdistrict in Salah al-Din province to assess the groundwater quality in this area. Water samples from these wells were taken during three months periods, one sample per month. Some physical and chemical properties of the water samples were tested by conducting on-site and laboratory tests. The water temperatures of the wells were recorded to assess its relationship with many properties of the water, including basal. The results indicated that the water of the studied wells was warm during the study period, and its temperature range was (19-24) ° C. The pH was measured and also its values were in the range (7.44-8.4). The values of total dissolved solids exceeded the permissible limits, with a minimum value of (1930) mg/L which is higher than the permissible limit in the drinking water relating to the Iraqi standard and the specifications of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the American Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), (1000) mg/L. This increase led to a significant increase in the electrical conductivity values, which reached its lowest recorded value of (3940) microsmins/cm, which is above the permissible limit (1500) microsmins/cm. The concentration of chloride ion, which is in the range (482.7-1053) mg/L and sulfur ions, which recorded its lowest value (411) mg/L, and also this exceeded the permissible limits for both ions (250) mg/L according to the Iraqi standard and WHO standards. The study covered all the studied wells water, and its depth are found in the range (80-160) meters, which is very hard water, with a concentration of (180) mg/L. The results indicate that the water was permanently exposed to pollution and is far from optimal for most of the time. Geographic information systems (GIS) were used to produce spatial maps of the study area showing the distribution of the characteristics studied, thus providing a future database for the region, which could be used to diagnose pollution wherever it would be found