Genetic breakdown of chromosome behaviour ofTribulus terrestris

Zusammenfassung Das Vorkommen einer fruchtbaren Polyploidie-Serie innerhalbTribulus terrestris war bekannt (n=12, Diploid,n=18, Triploid, undn=24, Tetraploid). Untersuchung über die Zytologie eines unfruchtbaren, natürlich vorkommenden Triploides deutet auf genetische Kontrolle bei der Paarbildung der Chromosomen vonTribulus terrestris.     

Isolation of di-N-2-propylpentyl phthalate from human urine.

A higher percentage of di-N-2 propylpentyl phthalate isolated from the urine of the normals and a lower quantity in the patients suffering from Eales' disease accompanied with the occurrence in patients of another compound which is also most likely a phthalate ester has been correlated with the Eales' disease.     

Isolation of di-N-2-propylpentyl phthalate from human urine

Summary A higher percentage of di-N-2 propylpentyl phthalate isolated from the urine of the normals and a lower quantity in the patients suffering from Eales' disease accompanied with the occurrence in patients of another compound which is also most likely a phthalate ester has been correlated with the Eales' disease.Acknowledgement. This work was supported by grants from the Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India.     

Diurnal variation in the activities of isocitrate and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases in cactus phylloclades

Zusammenfassung Die Aktivitäten der Isocitrat- und Glukose-6-P-Dehydrogenasen erreichen in Kakteen (Nopalea dejecta) zu verschiedenen Tageszeiten ihr Maximum.     

Influence of alkaline treatment and fiber loading on the physical and mechanical properties of kenaf/polypropylene composites for variety of applications

Due to current trend and increasing interest towards natural based fiber products, Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) fibers have been used for the developments of many products. Therefore, Kenaf fiber-reinforced composites have been widely used in engineering and industrial applications. The present work deals with the fabricating and characterization of untreated and treated kenaf/polypropylene (PP)-reinforced composites. Composites of PP reinforced with treated and untreated kenaf fibers were fabricated using the injection molding technique. Different fiber loadings of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 wt% treated and untreated kenaf composites were also prepared. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed on the treated, untreated kenaf fibers and kenaf/PP composites. Moreover, the alkaline-treated kenaf composites exhibit better physical, morphological, and mechanical properties because of the compatibility of kenaf with PP. However, variations in tensile and flexural properties depend on treatment and kenaf fiber contents. The percentage increase in the mechanical properties of the treated kenaf/PP composites relative to that of PP was also measured. In addition, 40 wt% kenaf fiber loading resulted in higher mechanical properties. By contrast, kenaf/PP composite with 50% fiber loading was not successfully prepared because of improper mixing and the burning of kenaf fibers in the PP matrix. To conclude, 40% kenaf/PP composites with superior physical and mechanical properties may be used in variety of applications such as automotive, sports, construction, animal bedding, and mass production industries.     

Equity return predictability,its determinants,and profitable trading strategies

This paper explains cross‐market variations in the degree of return predictability using the extreme bounds analysis (EBA). The EBA addresses model uncertainty in identifying robust determinant(s) of cross‐sectional return predictability. Additionally, the paper develops two profitable trading strategies based on return predictability evidence. The result reveals that among the 13 determinants of the cross‐sectional variation of return predictability, only value of stock traded (a measure of liquidity) is found to have robust explanatory power by Leamer's (1985) EBA. However, Sala‐i‐Martin's (1997) EBA reports that value of stock traded, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, level of information and communication technology (ICT) development, governance quality, and corruption perception are robust determinants. We further find that a strategy of buying (selling) aggregate market portfolios of the countries with the highest positive (negative) return predictability statistic in the past 24 months generates statistically significant positive returns in the subsequent 3 to 12 months. In the individual country level, a trading rule of buying (selling) the respective country's aggregate market portfolio, when the return predictability statistic turns out positive (negative), outperforms the conventional buy‐and‐hold strategy for many countries.     

Suitable energy platform significantly improves charge separation of g-C_3N_4 for CO_2 reduction and pollutant oxidation under visible-light

The photocatalytic activities of g-C_3N_4 can be significantly improved by increasing life time of the photogenerated charges. Here, in this work we introduced TiO_2 as proper energy platform to accept the photogenerated electrons from g-C_3N_4 during photocatalysis. The nanophotocatalysts formed from the combination of a suitable amount of TiO_2 nanoparticles and g-C_3N_4 nanosheets showed 8.75 and 4.22% enhancement in photocatalytic activities for CO_2 reduction and 2-chlorophenol(2-CP) degradation under visible light illumination as compared to bare g-C_3N_4. Based on the surface photovoltage spectra, photoluminescence spectra and examination of formed hydroxyl radicals, it was confirmed that these enhanced photoactivities were attributed to the much-improved charge separation via the electron transfer from g-C_3N_4 to TiO_2. From trapping experiments,it was found that hydroxyl radicals were the major species involved in the photocatalytic degradation of 2-CP.This study is helpful to synthesize efficient photocatalysts to cope with energy and environmental issues.     

How atomic nuclei cluster

Nucleonic matter displays a quantum-liquid structure, but in some cases finite nuclei behave like molecules composed of clusters of protons and neutrons. Clustering is a recurrent feature in light nuclei, from beryllium to nickel. Cluster structures are typically observed as excited states close to the corresponding decay threshold; the origin of this phenomenon lies in the effective nuclear interaction, but the detailed mechanism of clustering in nuclei has not yet been fully understood. Here we use the theoretical framework of energy-density functionals, encompassing both cluster and quantum liquid-drop aspects of nuclei, to show that conditions for cluster formation can in part be traced back to the depth of the confining nuclear potential. For the illustrative example of neon-20, we show that the depth of the potential determines the energy spacings between single-nucleon orbitals in deformed nuclei, the localization of the corresponding wavefunctions and, therefore, the degree of nucleonic density clustering. Relativistic functionals, in particular, are characterized by deep single-nucleon potentials. When compared to non-relativistic functionals that yield similar ground-state properties (binding energy, deformation, radii), they predict the occurrence of much more pronounced cluster structures. More generally, clustering is considered as a transitional phenomenon between crystalline and quantum-liquid phases of fermionic systems.     

Differential positioning of adherens junctions is associated with initiation of epithelial folding

During tissue morphogenesis, simple epithelial sheets undergo folding to form complex structures. The prevailing model underlying epithelial folding involves cell shape changes driven by myosin-dependent apical constriction. Here we describe an alternative mechanism that requires differential positioning of adherens junctions controlled by modulation of epithelial apical-basal polarity. Using live embryo imaging, we show that before the initiation of dorsal transverse folds during Drosophila gastrulation, adherens junctions shift basally in the initiating cells, but maintain their original subapical positioning in the neighbouring cells. Junctional positioning in the dorsal epithelium depends on the polarity proteins Bazooka and Par-1. In particular, the basal shift that occurs in the initiating cells is associated with a progressive decrease in Par-1 levels. We show that uniform reduction of the activity of Bazooka or Par-1 results in uniform apical or lateral positioning of junctions and in each case dorsal fold initiation is abolished. In addition, an increase in the Bazooka/Par-1 ratio causes formation of ectopic dorsal folds. The basal shift of junctions not only alters the apical shape of the initiating cells, but also forces the lateral membrane of the adjacent cells to bend towards the initiating cells, thereby facilitating tissue deformation. Our data thus establish a direct link between modification of epithelial polarity and initiation of epithelial folding.     

Application of Quality of Experience in Networked Services: Review,Trend & Perspectives

Over the last decade, there has been an exponential growth of services over the Internet. Services such as online gaming are gaining popularity, whereas, Voice over Internet (VoIP) has been well established. Storage, management and processing of data have moved away from the devices to the cloud. Quality of experience (QoE) defined as the user’s perception of service quality is utilized in different technologies, services and products for improving end user satisfaction and provides quality of service (QoS) according to their demands. In this paper, we describe the utilization of QoE in different technologies, services and products for improving end user satisfaction. Specifically, we present the latest developments in QoE in multimedia services, network management, VoIP, web development, games and cloud computing. Finally, we discuss the current research, solutions and present open issues of future research in QoE.