Comparative analysis of tunisian sheep-like virus, bungowannah virus and border disease virus infection in the porcine host

Apart from the established pestivirus species Pestivirus A to Pestivirus K novel species emerged. Pigs represent not only hosts for porcine pestiviruses, but are also susceptible to bovine viral diarrhea virus, border disease virus (BDV) and other ruminant pestiviruses. The present study focused on the characterization of the ovine Tunisian sheep-like virus (TSV) as well as Bungowannah virus (BuPV) and BDV strain Frijters, which were isolated from pigs. For this purpose, we performed genetic characterization based on complete coding sequences, studies on virus replication in cell culture and in domestic pigs, and cross-neutralization assays using experimentally derived sera. TSV forms a distinct phylogenetic group more closely related to Pestivirus C (classical swine fever virus, CSFV) than to Pestivirus D (BDV). In contrast to BDV and BuPV, TSV replicates by far more efficiently on ovine than on porcine cells. Nevertheless, pigs were susceptible to TSV. As a consequence of close antigenic relatedness of TSV to CSFV, cross-reactivity was detected in CSFV-specific antibody assays. In conclusion, TSV is genetically closely related to CSFV and can replicate in domestic pigs. Due to close antigenic relatedness, field infections of pigs with TSV and other ruminant pestiviruses can interfere with serological diagnosis of classical swine fever

The Hazar pull-apart along the East Anatolian Fault: Structure and active deformation

Understanding the irregularity of seismic cycles: A case study in Turke

The Hazar pull-apart along the East Anatolian Fault: Structure and active deformation

Understanding the irregularity of seismic cycles: A case study in Turke

Digital microfluidics for reconfigurable antennas

Usage of fluids (microfluidic or otherwise) in antennas provides a conceptually easy reconfiguration mechanism in the aspect of physical alteration. However, a requirement of pumps, valves, etc. for liquid transportation makes the antenna implementations rather impractical for the real-life scenarios. This work reports on the theoretical calculations and experiments conducted to evaluate the electrowetting on dielectric (EWOD) driven digital microfluidics as a reconfiguration mechanism for antennas and RF circuits. © 2014 European Association on Antennas and Propagation

The 2500 yr long paleoseismological record of the Hazar Lake, East Anatolian fault, Turkey

Understanding the Irregularity of Seismic Cycles: A Case Study in Turke

Preparation of Al 2O 3and AlN nanotubes by atomic layer deposition

Al 2O 3 and AlN nanotubes were fabricated by depositing conformal thin films via atomic layer deposition (ALD) on electrospun nylon 66 (PA66) nanofiber templates. Depositions were carried out at 200°C, using trimethylaluminum (TMAl), water (H 2O), and ammonia (NH 3) as the aluminum, oxygen, and nitrogen precursors, respectively. Deposition rates of Al 2O 3 and AlN at this temperature were ∼1.05 and 0.86 Å/cycle. After the depositions, Al 2O 3- and AlN-coated nanofibers were calcinated at 500°C for 2 h in order to remove organic components. Nanotubes were characterized by using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). AlN nanotubes were polycrystalline as determined by high resolution TEM (HR-TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). TEM images of all the samples reported in this study indicated uniform wall thicknesses. © 2012 Materials Research Society

Lithium-mediated downregulation of PKB/Akt and cyclin E with growth inhibition in hepatocellular carcinoma cells

We studied in vitro effects of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)-inhibitor lithium on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Lithium induced strong growth inhibition (>70%) in 75% (n = 9 of 12) of cell lines, apparently independent from the status of major genes that are mutated in HCC including p53, p16INK4a, β-catenin and Axin1. Comparative studies with a growth-sensitive Huh7 and growth-resistant Hep40 cell lines showed that lithium induces growth arrest in Huh7 cells but not in Hep40 cells. Lithium induced the accumulation of N-terminally phosphorylated inactive form of GSK3β with concomitant increase in β-catenin and β-catenin/TCF transcriptional activity in both cell lines. This suggests that lithium-mediated HCC growth inhibition is independent of its well-known stimulatory effect on Wnt-β-catenin signaling. The main differences between Huh7 and Hep40 responses to lithium treatment were observed at the levels PKB/Akt and cyclin E proteins. Lithium induced depletion of both proteins in growth-sensitive Huh7, but not in growth-resistant Hep40 cells. PKB/Akt and Cyclin E are 2 major proteins that are known to be constitutively active in HCC. The targeting of both proteins with lithium may be the main reason why most HCC cells are responsive to lithium-mediated growth inhibition, independent of their p53, retinoblastoma and Wnt-β-catenin pathways. The exploration of molecular mechanisms involved in lithium-mediated growth inhibition in relation with PKB/Akt and cyclin E downregulation may provide new insights for therapy of liver tumors. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc

Three dimensional microfabricated broadband patch and multifunction reconfigurable antennae for 60 GHz applications

In this paper we present two antenna designs capable of covering the IEEE 802.11ad (WiGig) frequency band (57-66 GHz and 59-66 GHz respectively). The work below reports the design, microfabrication and characterization of a broadband patch antenna along with the design and microfabrication of multifunction reconfigurable antenna (MRA) in its static form excluding active switching. The first design is a patch antenna where the energy is coupled with a conductor-backed (CB) coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed loop slot, resulting in a broad bandwidth. The feed circuitry along with the loop is formed on a quartz substrate (at 60 GHz), on top of which an SU-8-based three-dimensional (3D) structure with air cavities is microfabricated. The patch metallization is deposited on top of this structure. The second design is a CB CPW-fed loop slot coupled patch antenna with a parasitic layer on top. The feed circuitry along with the loop is formed on a quartz substrate. On top, the patch metallization is patterned on another quartz substrate. The parasitic pixels are deposited on top of these two quartz layers on top of an SU-8 based 3D structure with air cavities. © 2015 EurAAP

Three-dimensional microfabricated broadband patch antenna for wigig applications

The design, microfabrication, and characterization of a broadband patch antenna capable of covering the entire IEEE 802.11ad (WiGig) frequency band (57-66 GHz) are presented in this letter. A conductor-backed (CB) coplanar waveguide (CPW)-fed loop slot couples the energy to the patch antenna, resulting in a broad bandwidth. The feed circuitry along with the loop is formed on a quartz substrate (\varepsilon-{\rm r} = 3.9, \tan \delta = 0.0002 at 60 GHz), on top of which an SU-8-based three-dimensional (3-D) structure with air cavities is microfabricated. The patch metallization is deposited on top of this 3-D structure. While the main role of the structure made out of SU-8 material is to provide a mechanical support for the patch metallization, the antenna takes advantage of the air cavities underneath, thus resulting in an antenna substrate with a very low loss. This, in turn, improves the overall antenna performances. The simulated and measured impedance characteristics agree well, showing {\sim}15\hbox{\%} bandwidth. Also, the radiation pattern results demonstrate the integrity of radiation pattern with reasonably constant gain values (average {\sim}6.4~dB) in the broadside direction over the entire WiGig band. © 2002-2011 IEEE