Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

Aim: The molecular mechanism of epileptogenesis in temporal lobe epilepsy is still unclear. Experimental studies have suggested that matrix metalloproteinases have important roles in this process, but human studies are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of MMP-9, MMP-2 and their tissue inhibitors (TIMP-1 and TIMP-2) in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS). Material and Methods: The tissue samples from temporal neocortex and hippocampus were obtained from patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis who had undergone anterior temporal lobectomy for recurrent medically resistant seizures. Immunohistochemical methods were used to determine the expression of MMP-9, MMP-2 and their tissue inhibitors. Tissue samples were also analyzed with transmission electron microscopy. Results: The immunoreactivity for MMP-9 both in hippocampal and temporal neocortical neurons was stronger than that of MMP-2. Additionally, there was a mild reaction for its tissue inhibitor TIMP-1 as with TIMP-2. The TEM analysis of the hippocampus revealed that there was apparent ultra-structural damage on the pericarya and neuropil of some neurons. There was obvious damage in the mitochondria and the nuclear membrane. Conclusion: The preliminary results of this study revealed that MMP-9 may have a role in patients with drug resistant TLE-HS

Effects of different mowing dates of plant top on tuber yield of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.)

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different mowing dates of plant top on tuber yield of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L) during 2005 and 2006 growing seasons. The experiment was designed according to the “split plots on randomized complete block” experimental design with three replications. Three different mowing dates [a: August 18 (before flowering), b: September 21 (beginning of flowering), c: October 20 (full flowering) and k: control (not-mowing)] and two varieties [red (K) and white (A) skin local Jerusalem artichoke] were taken as factors. Tuber yield and yield components were higher in the first mowing date and control than in the second and third mowing dates in 2005, 2006 and in the average of 2005 to 2006. Two years average maximum tuber yields per decare were 5149.78 kg in the control plots and 3327.27 kg in the plots of red skin of Jerusalem artichoke. The results suggest that first mowing date and control are suitable mowing times for tuber yield.Key words: Jerusalem artichoke, mowing dates, tuber yield, dry matter yield

Argumentation and Formal Reasoning Skillsin an Argumentation-Based Guided Inquiry Course

AbstractThe development of argumentation skills and scientific reasoning abilities is examined in an introductory inquiry-based physics class. The role of competing theories teaching strategy in fostering the acquisition of argumentation and formal reasoning skills is investigated. A repeated measures MANOVA analysis shows that argumentation skills improve during instruction which includes student exercises with competing theories strategie

Examination of Learning Equity among Prospective Science Teachers Who are Concrete, Formal and Postformal Reasoners after an Argumentation-Based Inquiry Course

This study had two research purposes. First, we examined the scientific reasoning gains of prospective science teachers who are concrete, formal, and postformal reasoners in an argumentation-based physics inquiry instruction. Second, we sought conceptual knowledge and achievement gaps between these student groups before and after the instruction. Results were reported for 114 prospective science teachers. Results showed that concrete reasoners’ scientific reasoning gain was higher than those of formal and postformal reasoners. Moreover postformal reasoners outperformed formal and concrete reasoners on a situational conceptual knowledge subscale before and after instruction. In addition, postformal and formal reasoners scored higher than concrete reasoners both on an initial achievement and final achievement measures. However, in-depth analyses showed that final achievement differences between postformal and concrete, and formal and concrete reasoners were lower than their respective initial achievement differences. Implications for teacher education programs were discussed according to these findings

Mutual coupling of printed elements on a cylindrically layered structure using closed-form Green's functions

A hybrid method to calculate mutual coupling of electric or magnetic current elements on a cylindrically layered structure using closed-form Green's functions is presented. When rho = rho' and phi is not very close to phi', closed-form Green's functions are employed in the calculation of MoM matrix entries. When both rho = rho' and phi = phi', series representation of the spectral domain Green's functions do not converge, therefore closed-form Green's functions can not be employed. In that case MoM matrix entries are evaluated using the proposed hybrid method. The technique is applied to both printed dipoles and slots placed on a layered cylindrical structures. The computational efficiency of the analysis of mutual coupling of printed elements on cylindrically layered geometries is increased with the use of proposed hybrid method which employs closed-form Green's functions

Modelling human factors in perceptual multimedia quality: On the role of personality and culture

Perception of multimedia quality is shaped by a rich interplay between system, context, and human factors. While system and context factors are widely researched, few studies in this area consider human factors as sources of systematic variance. This paper presents an analysis on the influence of personality (Five-Factor Model) and cultural traits (Hofstede Model) on the perception of multimedia quality. A set of 144 video sequences (from 12 short movie excerpts) were rated by 114 participants from a cross-cultural population, producing 1232 ratings. On this data, three models are compared: a baseline model that only considers system factors; an extended model that includes personality and culture as human factors; and an optimistic model in which each participant is modeled as a random effect. An analysis shows that personality and cultural traits represent 9.3% of the variance attributable to human factors while human factors overall predict an equal or higher proportion of variance compared to system factors. In addition, the quality-enjoyment correlation varied across the movie excerpts. This suggests that human factors play an important role in perceptual multimedia quality, but further research to explore moderation effects and a broader range of human factors is warranted

Volumetric evaluation of fat in the renal sinus in normal subjects using stereological method on computed tomography images and its relationship with body composition

Background: The aim of the study was: to describe a simple, accurate and practical technique for estimating the volume of adipose tissue within the renal sinus (RS) using stereological method on computed tomography (CT) images; to establish a population database for volume of fat within the RS from 21 to 80 years of age; to investigate the effect of age, gender, body mass index (BMI) and abdominal diameters on RS fat volume in normal subjects.Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed abdominal CT examinations of 240 patients without renal pathology between the ages of 21 and 80 years. There were 6 groups of patients, with 40 patients for each decade.Results: RS fat volumes in the left and right kidney were 5.70 ± 2.87 cm3 and 4.15 ± 2.39 cm3, respectively, in males and 3.51 ± 2.67 cm3 and 2.49 ± 2.16 cm3, respectively, in females. RS fat volume and age were positively correlated for both kidneys (left: r = 0.46; right: r = 0.44; p < 0.001, both), though it appeared to decline after age 70.Conclusions: Quantitative data may allow clinicians to better estimate the age-related RS fat volume changes and help them in decision making

An analysis of the air-jet yarn texturing process. Reply

An analysis of the air-jet yarn texturing process. Repl

An analysis of the air-jet yarn texturing process. Part 1, A brief history of developments in the process

After a brief description of the air-jet texturing process, the historical development of industrial texturing nozzles is summarized, and a critical review is given of previous investigations that have been directed to an understanding of the texturing process. It is argued that many of the previous hypotheses were based on a technology that used pre-twisted supply yarns and that they are invalid for current zero-twist texturing processes

An analysis of the air-jet yarn texturing process. Part 7, The effects of processing parameters on yarn properties

The properties of the supply yam and the processing parameters together determine the final properties of air-jet-textured yams. An investigation is reported on how variations in overfeed, air-pressure, and texturing speed, wet or dry processing, and the use of an impact element each affect the properties of the yam textured . The test plan and the test methods are described, prior to a report of the test results. It is concluded that the test results agree with the predictions made from the postulated mechanism of loop formation