Identities for the Hankel transform and their applications

In the present paper the authors show that iterations of the Hankel transform with $\mathscr{K}_{\nu}$-transform is a constant multiple of the Widder transform. Using these iteration identities, several Parseval-Goldstein type theorems for these transforms are given. By making use of these results a number of new Goldstein type exchange identities are obtained for these and the Laplace transform. The identities proven in this paper are shown to give rise to useful corollaries for evaluating infinite integrals of special functions. Some examples are also given as illustration of the results presented here.Comment: 16 page

Synthesis of phytochelatins in Helianthus annuus is enhanced by cadmium nitrate

Phytochelatins are the principal heavy metal-detoxifying components in plants. To investigate phytochelatin (PHC) production and the importance of these compounds for heavy metal tolerance, sunflower (Helianthus annuus) was exposed to cadmium. The leaves and roots of sunflower plants cultivated in the presence of 15, 25 and 50 M Cd(NO3)2 for 3 and 9 days showed increased tolerance to cadmium and contained higher concentrations of phytochelatins. The phytochelatin level was assayed by using HPLC and the Cd level was determined by atomic spectrum analysis

Synthesis of phytochelatins in Helianthus annuus is enhanced by cadmium nitrate

Phytochelatins are the principal heavy metal-detoxifying components in plants. To investigate phytochelatin (PHC) production and the importance of these compounds for heavy metal tolerance, sunflower (Helianthus annuus) was exposed to cadmium. The leaves and roots of sunflower plants cultivated in the presence of 15, 25 and 50 M Cd(NO3)2 for 3 and 9 days showed increased tolerance to cadmium and contained higher concentrations of phytochelatins. The phytochelatin level was assayed by using HPLC and the Cd level was determined by atomic spectrum analysis

Journal Writing: Effects on Students’ Writing Proficiency and Student and Teacher Attitudes

In today’s world, writing is no longer a natural activity, especially for the younger generation. They look upon this activity as too complex, overwhelming and sometimes irrelevant. These attitudes are amplified when having to write in a second language. In EFL tertiary education, the expectations of academic achievement have become far greater than actual student capabilities. This study examined the possibility of using journal writing, both with and without an audience, as a way to address this issue. It is believed that by engaging students in the act of writing without the burden of an academic topic, it will indirectly impact students’ academic performance. Seventy-six undergraduate students in three groups (one control and two experimental) were involved. Data was collected in the form of pre-test and post-test writing, student focus group meetings and an interview with the instructor. From the study, it was found that dialogue journal writing with an audience contributed to an increase in the proficiency level of students, especially in terms of their organizational skills. In addition, students who undertook journal writing expressed gains in self-confidence, and were aware of the role of journal writing in this. Finally, journal writing was found to offer insight to the instructor with regard to what is happening under the surface of a class, and thus better address students’ needs. Keywords: EFL, academic writing, writing proficiency, journal writin

Principles of Membrane Surface Modification for Water Applications

Membrane technologies offer efficient and reliable solutions to separate components from aqueous media. Among them, pressure driven membrane separation processes namely microfiltration (MF), ultrafiltration (UF), nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) have been preferred in many industrial operations (food, pharmaceutical, chemical, drinking water, wastewater) due to the intrinsic advantages such as high selectivity, stability, ecocompatibility, scalability, flexibility, small footprint and low operational cost. This chapter will focus on the latest developments of surface modified polymeric membranes via the Layer-by-layer self-assembly approach and incorporation/decoration of nanomaterials. Variable parameters including size and charge of polyelectrolyte, ionic strength of the media, number of bilayers, and different types of nanomaterials on the bulk and surface property, water permeability, selectivity, antifouling, antibacterial, and adsorptive properties of the resultant composite membranes will be reviewed by comparison with the neat membranes. Membrane stability in terms of throughput and rejection characteristics during long-term filtrations will be addressed in this chapter

Adrenomedullin administration alters vascular endothelial growth factor levels in rats in cold stress

Background: Many endogenous peptides play important regulatory roles in angiogenesis by modulating endothelial cell behavior. Adrenomedullin (AdM) is one of such factors. Angiogenesis and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are indistinguishable. Exposure to cold environment stimulates capillary angiogenesis. Objectives: Examine the effect of the bioactive peptide AdM on VEGF levels in rat liver, lung, brain, and heart tissues after cold stress treatment. Methods: Male wistar rats were divided into four groups as control, AdM treatment, cold stress and AdM+cold stress treated groups. In AdM-treated group, animals received intraperitoneal injection of AdM (2000 ng/kg body weight) once a day during a week. For the cold stress exposure, the rats were kept in separate cages at 10°C for a week. Results: The administration of AdM increased VEGF levels in all tissues in cold exposed rats. Conclusion: AdM may be a major regulatory factor in angiogenesis by modulating VEGF levels that is closely associated with cold exposure-related metabolic stimulation

Divination: Using Excel to explore ethnomathematics

This paper presents the way Microsoft Excel is used as a tool to explore properties of the sikidy divination system used in Madagascar. This is an example of how topics of ethnomathematics can be investigated using a technological tool. We simulated the construction of the mother-sikidy and used tools from Excel to present its properties graphically. We considered a generalization of the sikidy divination system and realized that some properties still hold. Using the technology provides opportunities to persevere in solving mathematical problems

Polymerization initated at sidewalls of carbon nanotubes

The present invention is directed to aryl halide (such as aryl bromide) functionalized carbon nanotubes that can be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer-carbon nanotube materials with improved dispersion ability in polymer matrices. In this process the aryl halide is reacted with an alkyllithium species or is reacted with a metal to replace the aryl-bromine bond with an aryl-lithium or aryl-metal bond, respectively. It has further been discovered that other functionalized carbon nanotubes, after deprotonation with a deprotonation agent, can similarly be utilized in anionic polymerization processes to form polymer-carbon nanotube materials. Additionally or alternatively, a ring opening polymerization process can be performed. The resultant materials can be used by themselves due to their enhanced strength and reinforcement ability when compared to their unbound polymer analogs. Additionally, these materials can also be blended with pre-formed polymers to establish compatibility and enhanced dispersion of nanotubes in otherwise hard to disperse matrices resulting in significantly improved material properties. The resultant polymer-carbon nanotube materials can also be used in drug delivery processes due to their improved dispersion ability and biodegradability, and can also be used for scaffolding to promote cellular growth of tissue