Formation of InAs Self-Assembled Quantum Rings on InP

Shape transformations of partially capped self-assembled InAs quantum dots grown on InP are studied. Atomic force microscopy images show large anisotropic redistribution of the island material after coverage by a 1 nm thick InP layer. The anisotropic material redistribution occurs within a few minutes and leads to a change from lens-like to elongated ring-like islands. The shape transformation is not accompanied by dot material compositional change. The formation of InAs/InP quantum rings disagrees with a previous model of InAs/GaAs ring formation that assumes that the driving force for the dot to ring transformation is the difference in surface diffusion velocity of indium and gallium atoms.Comment: 13 pages, including 2 figures and 1 table. Submitted to Appl. Phys. Let

Determinants of Teachers’ Job Satisfaction: School Culture Perspective

The main purpose of this paper was to describe the effect of school culture factors on teachers’ job satisfaction. Descriptive correlation design with mixed data approach was employed in four public secondary schools of Harari regional state, Ethiopia. The specific objectives were to describe the status of school culture and teachers job satisfaction, to identify the relationship between teachers’ job satisfaction and school culture, to investigate the effect of school culture on teachers’ job satisfaction and to sort out the determinants. The data information was gathered from teachers and educational leaders using questionnaire and interview guides respectively. Teachers’ level of job satisfaction was low. There was no relationship between teachers’ educational qualifications and their levels of job satisfaction. The relationship of teachers’ job satisfaction in terms age, sex, salary, working experience, and marital status was not significant. There was association between teachers’ job satisfaction and school culture, specifically with teachers’ professional development and collaborative leadership practices. School culture and teachers’ levels of qualification were predictors of job satisfaction in the schools. In order to enhance job satisfaction of teachers, the school leaders should strengthen and improve the existing continuous professional development program and collaborative leadership practices in the schools. Supervisors should support and facilitate professional development opportunities for teachers. Moreover, they should promote collaborative leadership practices in the schools. Future studies need to be considered in order to generalize the findings in different settings. Also undertake studies on the effect of job satisfaction and school culture on the quality of teaching-learning

Non economic and other factors in the development of Eastern Turkey

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Pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue: a clinical and histologic description

A 28-year-old man with a history of mycosis fungoides presented for evaluation of multiple dark-brown macules and hyperpigmented dome-shaped papules on the distal tongue. A shave biopsy of the tongue revealed melanin pigment in the basal keratinocytes and melanophages in the lamina propria, consistent with pigmented fungiform papillae of the tongue. Relevant clinical and histologic features of this diagnosis are reviewed

ProTeus: identifying signatures in protein termini

ProTeus (PROtein TErminUS) is a web-based tool for the identification of short linear signatures in protein termini. It is based on a position-based search method for revealing short signatures in termini of all proteins. The initial step in ProTeus development was to collect all signature groups (SIGs) based on their relative positions at the termini. The initial set of SIGs went through a sequential process of inspection and removal of SIGs, which did not meet the attributed statistical thresholds. The SIGs that were found significant represent protein sets with minimal or no overall sequence similarity besides the similarity found at the termini. These SIGs were archived and are presented at ProTeus. The SIGs are sorted by their strong correspondence to functional annotation from external databases such as GO. ProTeus provides rich search and visualization tools for evaluating the quality of different SIGs. A search option allows the identification of terminal signatures in new sequences. ProTeus (ver 1.2) is available at

Potential Hydrogeological, Environment and Vulnerability to Pollution of the Plio-Quaternary Aquifers of the Coastal Basin of Essaouira (Morocco)

The Essaouira synclinal area is part of the semi-arid areas of Morocco which are subject to the impacts of climate and anthropogenic pressures. It is also expected to experience an important agro-industrial development. Water requirements are important for the development of all these activities. Although the situation is not yet alarming, the fact remains that the quality of groundwater resources is constantly put to the test because of the growth sources as diffuse pollution that point. To prevent pollution of groundwater, one approach is the knowledge of especially vulnerable areas. It is for this reason that this study was initiated to produce a map of intrinsic vulnerability of aquifers in the region. The method used to make the card is the numerical rating DRASTIC method (Aller et al. 1987). In the case of this coastal area, which includes two main aquifers superimposed; the Plio-Quaternary and Turonian, the resulting vulnerability is compounded by the risk of infiltration navy. The Rainfall in the area does not exceed 300 mm year-1, the average temperature hovers around 20 ° C. The results indicate that the region is dominated by the class of high vulnerability (61%) followed by the class of very high vulnerability (20%), then the class medium vulnerability (15%) and the class of low vulnerability (4 %). Class very high vulnerability is located in the western coastal area. The center of the basin is dominated by the class of high vulnerability to the east, past the middle and low class. Almost throughout the Oued Ksob is particularly dominated by the class of high vulnerability. Keywords: basin of Essaouira; aquifer; semi-arid regions; hydro geochemistry;  stable isotopes; recharge; vulnerability, pollution, DRASTIC, management, protection of water resource

ANTIFIBROTIC ACTIVITY OF MESNA AGAINST AMIODARONE-ASSOCIATED LUNG INJURY IN WISTAR RATS

Objective: Lung fibrosis is a progressive respiratory disease with a high percentage of mortality. Till now, it had bad prognosis to conventional medications. This study was designed to evaluate the role of mesna, the well-known antioxidant agent, against pulmonary fibrosis.Methods: Pulmonary fibrosis was induced by administration of amiodarone to Wistar rats. Lung indices, leukocytes count, oxidative stress markers, cytokines levels, and hydroxyproline contents, in addition to the histopathological tests, were done for control, amiodarone, and mesna plus amiodarone group.Results: The elevated ratio of lung/body weight and total leukocytes count within bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for amiodarone rats was decline significantly when cotreated with mesna therapy. Furthermore, mesna significantly brought down the lipid peroxidation of amiodarone in lung tissue, represented by decreasing malondialdehyde level and increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity. In addition, mesna diminished the profibrotic transforming growth factor-β1 level while elevated the antifibrotic interferon-γ level, and the high activity of the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-7 was restored within mesna group. Meanwhile, mesna counteracts the increment of hydroxyproline contents and Ashcroft grading scale within amiodarone group. Histologically, critical improvement in the inflammatory cell penetration and alveolar septa was seen in the lung tissue of rats within mesna group, contrasted with those received just amiodarone. Trichome staining clarified that collagen deposition was notably diminished in the peri-alveolar and peri-bronchial area within mesna group. Moreover, mesna therapy downregulated SMAD3 protein level, which was overexpressed by amiodarone challenge.Conclusion: This study gives evidence that mesna therapy may act as a protective agent against amiodarone-mediated pulmonary fibrosis