LL Type Research Articles

Towards a Switchable Nanoparticle Behavior Using Inverse Electron-Demand Diels-Alder Chemistry and Ectoenzyme-Based Ligand Activation

Nanoparticles (NPs) as drug delivery platforms encounter numerous obstacles on their journey from administration to the target site. Often, diametrically opposing particle properties are desirable to overcome biological and physical barriers. Therefore, stimuli-responsive NPs have been developed to allow for specific particle adaptation. In this work, it was demonstrated that NPs can be rendered switchable with respect to their interaction with a receptor through an external chemical stimulus. A combination of the inverse electron-demand Diels-Alder (iEDDA) reaction for subsequent NP functionalization and ectoenzyme-based ligand activation allowed for specific particle tailoring. Building on this, a two-step process for target cell recognition was developed: First, NPs were functionalized with Angiotensin-I (Ang-I) as inactive ligand using iEDDA chemistry. At the target site, the ligand was enzymatically processed to Angiotensin-ll (Ang-II) by cellular ectoenzymes. Ang-ll binds as active ligand to the angiotensin ll type 1 (AT1) receptor on the target cell surface. This enzymatic activation aims to minimize the biological effect of the ligand prior to particle binding, while the NP target cell specificity is increased by a two-step recognition with enzymatic processing and receptor binding.

Stereoregular polyamides with optically‐pure aspartame‐type diketopiperazine derivatives

AbstractPolyamides (PAs) with aspartame‐derived diketopiperazine (DKP) form specific particles and exhibit high heat resistance. In this study, we investigated the stereostructures of aspartic acid and phenylalanine, which constitute aspartame DKP. Diketopiperazines with different stereostructures were synthesized from D‐ and L‐aspartic acid and D‐ and L‐phenylalanine, and LL‐, DD‐, and LD‐type aminodiketopiperazines (LL, DD, and LD‐ADKPs) were obtained. These ADKPs differed in their crystal forms depending on their stereoisomeric structures. Furthermore, PAs were formed from these ADKPs via polycondensation using triphenyl phosphite/pyridine, and their heat resistance was approximately 300 °C. The secondary structure of each PA was evaluated by circular dichroism, which suggested that LD‐type PAs had a mixed secondary structure of coils and helical structures, unlike the LL and DD types. Precipitated LL, DD, and LLcoDD PAs formed similar particles, whereas the particles of the large LD‐type PA had different particle shapes owing to their different conformations.

Behavior Physiology of Workplace Bullying and It’s Role to Job Satisfaction and Psychologycal Distress among Workers at Water Supply Company

Individuals strive to fulfill their essential needs by working. Every company has different work environment. The work environment tends to have impact on each individual. One of the key issues that usually occur at workplace is bullying. Workplace bullying can happen to anyone while both bullies and their victims may experience psychological effects from bullying. This study aims to see the effect of workplace bullying on job satisfaction and psychological distress among water supply company employees. This research design is quantitative using cross sectional design. The results showed that the psychological distress variable played a significant role in workplace bullying (p. <0.05). However, the job satisfaction variable does not contribute to workplace bullying (p. > 0.05). The serotonin trasporter-linked promoter region (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism of the SLC6A4 gene consists of an insertion/deletion that creates a short (S) 14 repeat or a long (L) 16 repeat allele. Genotype profile on one’s serotonergic system is correlated by their dominance in the community. Individuals with allele LL type is more likely become bullies when they are encouraged by the environment. In contrast, individuals with SS allele type with in a characteristic of low transcription activity at transporter serotonin gene tend to become bullying victims in their workplace due to they more vulnerable to stress. Employee with amygdala which easily triggered and intimidated by the dominant individuals, more likely to experience workplace bullying. Those employee who work in supportive workplace show higher job satisfaction and they are not distress psychologically.

Research on the Distribution Characteristics of Cultivated Land Quality Grades in A County,Liaoning

Cultivated land quality has an important impact on the production capacity of cultivated land and the level of regional development, and is also directly related to national food security. The area-weighted method was used to study the quantity of different cultivated land quality classes in A county, and the spatial autocorrelation analysis was used to study the spatial agglomeration characteristics and differences of cultivated land quality in A county. The results showed that: (1) The natural quality of cultivated land in A county was mainly concentrated in 10-12 grade, while the utilization and economic grades of cultivated land quality were mainly in 11-13 grade, and the utilization and economic qualities of cultivated land were lower than the natural quality. The overall quality of cultivated land in A county was at a medium level. (2) The Moran's I index of natural, utilized and economic quality of cultivated land in A County is greater than 0. 4, showing a strong positive spatial autocorrelation in spatial distribution; In the LISA analysis, the spatial aggregation features of natural, utilized and economic quality of cultivated land turned out to be positive correlated HH type and LL type, and the insignificant NN type distribution was more obvious. (3) Based on the spatial pattern presented by the spatial autocorrelation results, corresponding measures were proposed to provide more scientific references for decision-making and technical support for the implementation of cultivated land fine management in A county.

Zoning and Management of Ecological Restoration from the Perspective of Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand: A Case Study of Yuzhong County in Longzhong Loess Hilly Region, China

The loess hilly region is a typical ecologically fragile and sensitive area. It is of great significance when measuring the balance between supply and demand of ecosystem services and clarify the relationship between supply and demand of ecosystem services for scientific ecological restoration zoning and realizing regional ecological security and social and economic sustainable development. We take Yuzhong County in the loess hilly region of Longzhong, China as an example; by constructing the matching and coordinating relationship between ecosystem service supply and demand and following the idea of “problem diagnosis—strategic orientation—key optimization”, this paper delimits the ecological restoration zones and proposes corresponding governance strategies. The results show that: (1) The supply and demand of ecosystem services were mainly at a low and medium level, with significant spatial heterogeneity. Overall, the spatial pattern of ecosystem services showed high supply and low demand in the southwest mountainous areas and showed low supply and high demand in the urban gully areas of Yuzhong. (2) There were four types of spatial matching of ecosystem service supply and demand: HH type, LH type, LL type, and HL type. The local spatial autocorrelation of supply and demand was dominated by high-low or low-high spatial misadjustment. The average degree of coordination between supply and demand of ecosystem services was 0.629, indicating that supply and demand were basically coordinated. (3) The ecological restoration zones in Yuzhong County can be divided into six categories: the ecological core protection area, ecological potential restoration area, key ecological restoration area, soil and water conservation restoration area, ecological agriculture development area, and ecological innovation promotion area. The results of this study can provide ideas for the refined management and targeted restoration practice of regional ecosystem services. It provides a strong guarantee for ecosystem management and decision-making in the loess hilly region.

Investigation of Prospective Science Teachers’ Answers to Multiple Choice Questions about Star: Analysis Wrong Answers as well as Corrects

The aim of the research is to obtain information about the modeling status of the related science subject by making a concentration analysis of the answers given by the prospective science teachers to the multiple choice questions about the star. The quantitative research method was used in this study. The study group of the research consists of 73 prospective teachers studying at the senior year of the Science Education department of a university in the Western Black Sea Region. Data collection tool "Star Subject Concept Test (SSCT)" was used. The data were analyzed by concentration analysis. In this sense, concentration score, concentration factor and concentration deviation formulas are used. In line with the findings obtained, it was determined that there was LL type modeling in the pretest in prospective teachers, and posttest showed that HH modeling was common in the questions. In the light of the results obtained, suggestions were made to evaluate this situation before teaching and to analyze the effectiveness of different teaching methods.

STUDY OF GENESİS OF PRODUCTİVE SERİES SEDİMENTS BY PETROPHYSICAL PARAMETERS

It is known that over than 90% of oil produced in Azerbaijan is extracted from the South Caspian Basin. The South Caspian basin is one of the largest deeply buried basins. Sedimentation process here is characterized by high rate as 25 km for 150-170 mln. years (0.6-0.7 km/mln.years). Last year’s due to acceleration in search and exploration works and assessment of the outlook for oil and gas deposits research of the genesis of Productive Series attracts a lot of attention. İn this paper “Quantitative and qualitative models of log facies” on the basis of well logging data the analysis of lithology, facies and genesis of sedimentary rocks in Pirallahi structure have been done and results were derived. Within the framework of the study by use of Neuralog software based on LL, SP, GL, NGL and other log types the data have been transformed into the LAS format, then the, porosity, bulk clay coefficient and thickness of facies alteration models have been designed by use of Petrel software. Study of sedimentation environment constantly draws the interest of geoscientists due to the direct dependence of structure and identification of oil and gas traps on sedimentation environment. This paper deals with study of genesis of Productive Series deposits based on quantitative and qualitative analysis of logging curves. The study target is Kirmaky suite across Pirallahi field of Absheron oil-gas bearing region. Study of sedimentation environment constantly draws the interest of geoscientists due to the direct dependence of structure and identification of oil and gas traps on sedimentation environment. This paper deals with study of genesis of Productive Series deposits based on quantitative and qualitative analysis of logging curves. The study target is Kirmaky suite across Pirallahi field of Absheron oil-gas bearing region. Keywords: facies analysis, log facies, genesis, flow, bar, coastal plain.

Pattern of Leprosy: A Histomorphological Study with Clinical Correlation in Ajmer District

Background:
 Leprosy (Hansen’s disease) still continues to be an important public health problem. The present study was carried to correlate histological diagnosis of skin biopsies of untreated leprosy cases with clinical diagnosis using Ridley- Jopling classification.
 Material and Methods:
 124 skin biopsies of untreated leprosy cases over a period of 6 years were included. Paraffin sections of biopsies were stained with Haematoxylin & Eosin, Ziehl- Neelsen’s & Fite stains examined and classified histopathologically according to Ridley- Jopling scale and then correlated with clinical diagnosis.
 
 Results:
 Prevalence rate of leprosy in Ajmer district is 0.16 per 10,000 population per annum. Among the 124 biopsies, most cases were of indeterminate type (39.51%), followed by LL type (17.74%), TT type (16.93%), BT type (10.48%), BL type (07.25%), BB type (05.64%), histioid type (2.41%). Most commonly the patients were affected in 4th decade of life. Male and female ratio was 2.26:1. Most common clinical presentation was anesthesia.
 
 Conclusion:
 Correlation of clinical and histopathological features along with bacteriological index appears more useful for accurate typing of leprosy than considering any of the single parameters alone. This helps the clinician for better care and management of the patients.

A low-luminosity core-collapse supernova very similar to SN 2005cs

ABSTRACT We present observations and analysis of PSN J17292918+7542390, a low-luminosity Type II-P supernova (LL SN IIP). The observed sample of such events is still low, and their nature is still under debate. Such SNe are similar to SN 2005cs, a well-observed LL Type II-P event, having low expansion velocities, and small ejected 56Ni mass. We have developed a robust and relatively fast Monte Carlo code that fits semi-analytic models to light curves of core-collapse SNe. This allows the estimation of the most important physical parameters, like the radius of the progenitor star, the mass of the ejected envelope, the mass of the radioactive nickel synthesized during the explosion, among others. PSN J17292918+7542390 has $R_0 = 91_{-70}^{+119} \times 10^{11} \, \text{cm}$, $M_\text{ej} = 9.89_{-1.00}^{+2.10} \, \mathrm{ M}_{\odot }$, $E_{\mbox{kin}} = 0.65_{-0.18}^{+0.19} \, \text{foe}$, and $v_{\mbox{exp}} = 3332_{-347}^{+216}$ km s−1, for its progenitor radius, ejecta mass, kinetic energy, and expansion velocity, respectively. The initial nickel mass of the PSN J17292918+7542390 turned out to be $1.55_{-0.70}^{+0.75} \times 10^{-3} \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot }$. The measured photospheric velocity at the earliest observed phase is 7000 km s−1. As far as we can tell based on the small population of observed LL SNe IIP, the determined values are typical for these events.

Comparison of interleukin 4 levels in leprosy and non-leprosy patients at Dr. Muhammad Hoesen Palembang General Hospital

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infectious disease caused by the mycobacterium leprae which injure the skin and peripheral nervous system. The spectrum and clinical type of leprosy are based on cellular immunity responses namely T-helper 1 (Th1) and T-helper 2 (Th2). This study aims to compare serum IL-4 levels between lepers and non-lepers in Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang General Hospital. This research is an observational analytic study with a case-control design conducted at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang General Hospital. IL-4 examination is carried out using the ELISA method at the Molecular Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Sriwijaya University in January to February 2019. The case and control groups were 40 lepers and 40 medical personnel and paramedics working in Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang General Hospital and family patients. The study included IL-4 levels, respondent status, clinical type of leprosy, and characteristics of respondents. In the leprosy group, the average age is 35 years, and most of them are male (27). In the non-leprosy group, the average age is 36.5 years, and most of them are female (24). There are more MB patients (36) than PB type (4) while type BL (19), type LL (10) type BB (7) and type BT and BB (2). The median value of IL-4 levels in leprosy patients is 209.63 pg/ml range from 103-243 pg/ml while the median value of IL-4 levels in non-leprosy patients is 63.38 pg/ml range from 32-125 pg/ml. Mann-Whitney analysis results show a p-value of 0.000. There is a significant difference between Interleukin 4 levels in lepers and non-lepers where IL-4 levels are higher in lepers than non-lepers.

The micrometeorite flux to Earth during the Frasnian–Famennian transition reconstructed in the Coumiac GSSP section, France

We have reconstructed the distribution of extraterrestrial chrome spinels in a marine limestone section across the Frasnian–Famennian stratotype section at Coumiac in southern France, providing the first insights on the types of micrometeorites and meteorites that fell on Earth at this time. The data can test whether the small cluster of roughly coeval, large impact structures is related to an asteroid breakup and shower with possible bearings also on the late Devonian biodiversity crisis. A total of ∼180 extraterrestrial spinel grains (>32 μm) were recovered from 957 kg of rock. Noble-gas measurements of individual grains show high solar-wind content, implying an origin from decomposed micrometeorites. Element analyses indicate a marked dominance of ordinary chondritic over achondritic grains, similar to the recent flux. The relation between H, L and LL meteorites is ∼29–58–13%, similar to the late Silurian flux, ∼31–63–6%, but different from the distribution, ∼45–45–10%, in the recent and the Cretaceous flux. Our data show no indication of a generally enhanced late Devonian micrometeorite flux that would accompany an asteroid shower. However, in a single limestone bed that formed immediately before the Upper Kellwasser horizon, that represents the main end-Frasnian species-turnover event, we found an enrichment of ∼10 ordinary chondritic grains (>63 μm) per 100 kg of rock, compared to the ∼1–3 grains per 100 kg that characterise background. The anomalously abundant grains are of mixed H, L and LL types and may be related to an enhanced flux of extraterrestrial dust during postulated minima in both the 405 ka and 2.4 Ma Earth-orbit eccentricity cycles at the onset of the Upper Kellwasser event. In the present solar system the dust accretion at Earth is the highest at eccentricity minima because of the spatial distribution of dust bands of the zodiacal cloud. Besides this small grain anomaly the data here and in previous studies support a stable meteorite flux through the late Silurian and Devonian, in contrast to the mid-Ordovician, when achondritic meteorites that are rare on Earth today were common, followed by the influx of a flood of debris related to the breakup of the L-chondrite parent body. Our accumulated data for six time windows through the Phanerozoic indicate that the ordinary chondrites make up a major fraction in the meteorite flux since at least the mid-Ordovician. We note that the sources in the asteroid belt of the H and L meteorites, the two most common types of meteorites today and through much of the Phanerozoic, remain elusive.

Angiotensin ll Type 1 Receptor (AT1) Induces Altered Vascular Responses in Allergic Mice via NOX4 and HIF‐a

Airway diseases like asthma leads to cardiovascular disease (CVD). We have shown that in a mouse model of asthma, airway hypersensitivity is exacerbated by Angiotensin II (Ang II) via AT1 receptor activation (Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;191:A5663). In this study (see graphic for hypothesis), we investigated the contribution of NOX4 to Ang II-mediated aortic responses in a mouse model of allergic asthma developed in this laboratory. The effects of NOX4 inhibitor GKT137831, HIF-1α inhibitor FM19 and thioredoxin (TRX) activator auranofin were studied on Ang-ll induced-contraction in isolated aortic rings from asthmatic mice using ex-vivo organ bath. Mice were divided into control (CON) and allergen sensitized-challenged (SEN) groups. Mice were sensitized (i.p.) on days 1, 6 with 0.2μg ovalbumin (OVA) followed by 5% OVA aerosol challenges on days 11–13. AT1 antagonist losartan was given i.p. as a single bolus dose (20mg/kg) on day 14 to SEN mice. Organ bath studies were done on day 14 and Western Blot analyses were done to determine aortic expression of AT1, NOX4 as well as p22phox, the subunits of NOX4. In the SEN group, Ang II (10μM) produced higher aortic contraction (33.48±3.26% vs vs. 18.06±3.07% in CON; p<0.05) that was lowered significantly with the use of inhibitors for HIF-1α (10μM; 13.70%±7.43%) and NOX4 (3.54%±6.61%) respectively. Studies have shown that TRX can inhibit Ang ll, HIF-1α sand NOX 4 in the vascular system. Our data showed that TRX activator (auranofin) inhibited Ang ll-mediated contraction to a greater extent in CON mice than SEN. Aortic AT1 receptor expression was significantly higher in SEN mice (1.74±0.08) than CON (1.00±0.13). The expression of NOX4 (1.27±0.06 vs. 0.99±0.09) and p22phox (3.45±0.35 vs. 1.35±0.62) were significantly higher in SEN mice compared to CON. Treatment with losartan significantly attenuated the increases in NOX4 (from1.27±0.06 to 0.67±0.11) and p22phox (from 3.45±0.35 to 0.26±0.11) in SEN mice. These data suggest that most Ang ll through HIF-1α and upregulation by Nox 4, may contribute to altered vascular responses in allergic mice, while TRX antioxidant effect is lower in SEN mice. AT1 antagonist losartan reverses all of these effects, and thus may prevent altered vascular responses to Ang ll in asthma. Support or Funding Information Institutional Research Grant Long Island University SCHEMATIC REPRESENTATION OF HYPOTHESIS TESTED AND PROPOSED PATHWAY FOR ANG ll-MEDIATED VASCULAR CONTRACTION IN ASTHMA This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Absence of Angiotensin ll type 2 (AT2) Receptors Increases Airway Inflammation and Responsiveness in an Allergic Mouse Model of Asthma

Angiotensin ll (Ang ll) is produced locally in the lungs and may potentiate airway responsiveness in asthmatic patients. Ang ll induces its effects by activating two GPCR subtypes: Ang II receptor type‐1 and type‐2 (AT1 and AT2). This lab has previously found that AT2 receptor agonist plays a significant role in reducing airway inflammation and reactivity (FASEB J April 2018 32: 829.6). For the current study, we characterized the role of AT2 receptors in airway hyperreactivity and inflammation using AT2 receptor knockout (AT2KO; Hein L, Barsh et. al. Nature. 1995;377:744–747) and corresponding wild‐type (WT) mice that were divided into two experimental groups each: control (CON) and allergen sensitized‐challenged (SEN). Mice were sensitized (i.p.) on days 1, 6 with 0.2μg ovalbumin (OVA) followed by 5% OVA aerosol challenges on days 11–13. Whole body plethysmography (measuring airway responsiveness as enhanced pause, Penh) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) studies were performed. Methacholine (MCh; 48mg/ml) produced significantly higher airway responsiveness in AT2KO SEN mice compared to WT SEN (324.7±66% in AT2KO SEN vs 166±56.3%, p&lt;0.05). Total cell count analysis showed increased number of cells in AT2KO SEN (3.3±0.2 × 106 vs. 1.4±5 × 106 in WT SEN, p&lt;0.001). Differential BAL cell analysis showed increased eosinophils (73±8% in AT2KO SEN vs. 50.11±2.84% in WT SEN, p&lt;0.05). Macrophages were lower in AT2KO SEN than WT SEN (15±4% vs. 40±3%; p&lt;0.001). These data indicate that absence of AT2 receptors increases airway inflammation and responsiveness in our model of asthma.Support or Funding InformationInstitutional Research Grant Long Island UniversityThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

The Climatological Impacts of Continental Surface Evaporation, Rainout, and Subcloud Processes on δD of Water Vapor and Precipitation in Europe

AbstractAll types of applications of stable water isotopes, for example, for the reconstruction of paleotemperatures or for climate model validation, rely on a proper understanding of the mechanisms determining the isotopic composition of water vapor and precipitation. In this study, we use the isotope‐enabled limited‐area model COSMOiso to characterize the impacts of continental evapotranspiration, rainout, and subcloud processes on δD of European water vapor and precipitation. To this end, we first confirm a reliable implementation of the most important isotope fractionation processes in COSMOiso by comparing 5 years of modeled δD values with multiplatform δD observations from Europe (remote sensing observations of the δD of water vapor around 2.6 km above ground level, in situ δD measurements in near‐surface water vapor, and δD precipitation data from the Global Network of Isotopes in Precipitation). Based on six 15 year sensitivity simulations, we then quantify the climatological impacts of the different fractionation processes on the δD values. We find δD of European water vapor and precipitation to be most strongly controlled by rainout. Superimposed to this are the effect of subcloud processes, which especially affects δD in precipitation under warm conditions, and the effect of continental evapotranspiration, which exerts an important control over the δD of near‐surface water vapor. In future studies, the validated COSMOiso model can be employed in a similar way for a comprehensive interpretation of European isotope records from climatologically different time periods.

Angiotensin ll Type 2 (AT2) Receptors: Novel Target in Asthma

Angiotensin ll (Ang ll) is produced locally in the lungs and may potentiate airway responsiveness in asthmatic patients. Ang ll induces its effects by activating two GPCR subtypes: AT1 and AT2. This lab has previously found that AT1 antagonist losartan reduces airway inflammation and reactivity. The AT2 receptors counterbalance the effects of AT1 and are known to be anti‐inflammatory. However, it is not known if AT2 receptors have any effects in asthma. We studied the effects of AT2 agonist novokinin and antagonist PD 12339 administered in vivo in a mouse model of asthma. Mice were divided into control (non‐allergic; CON) and allergen sensitized‐challenged (SEN) groups, and were sensitized i.p. on days 1, 6 with 0.2μg ovalbumin (OVA) followed by 5% OVA aerosol challenges on days 11–13. Whole body plethysmography (measuring airway responsiveness as enhanced pause, Penh) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) studies were performed. Methacholine (MCh; 48mg/ml) produced significantly higher airway responsiveness in allergic mice compared to control (563.71±40% in SEN vs. 208.79±20.84% in CON, p&lt;0.05). However, novokinin (i.p. 0.3mg/kg) treated SEN mice had significantly attenuated MCh‐indcued airway responsiveness (563.71±40% in SEN vs. 252±11% in SEN+Novokinin, p&lt;0.001). The AT2 antagonist PD 12339 (i.p.5mg/kg) significantly increased MCh airway responsiveness (563.71±40% in SEN vs. 757±30% in SEN+PD 12239, p&lt;0.05). Differential BAL cell analysis showed novokinin also decreased eosinophils (221±21 in SEN vs. 122±18 in SEN+PD 12239, p&lt;0.001), while PD 12239 had no effect on eosinophils (245± 16 cells in SEN+PD 12339). Our data suggests that activation of AT2 receptors may attenuate airway reactivity and inflammation in our model of asthma.Support or Funding InformationLong Island University start‐up funds (DSP)This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Health-Related Quality of Life amongst people affected by Erythema Nodosum Leprosum in Bangladesh: a Cross Sectional Study

Erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL) is a multisystem reaction which affects some people with multibacillary (MB) leprosy, but more specifically those with BL or LL type leprosy. The symptoms of ENL can lead to long term physical, social and economic losses, although very little is known about the effect ofENLon quality of life. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in northwest Bangladesh. A Bengali version of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 (SF-36) was administered to people under treatment for ENL (n = 29) and controls affected by MB leprosy (n = 46) matched for: sex, treatment status, age, Disability grade at diagnosis, education level and housing type. Chi Square and Wilcoxon RST were used to analyse the data using the R statistical package. Results: Patients with ENL had significantly (P &lt; .001) worse Health Related Quality of life (HRQoL) scores on all eight SF-36 health concepts: physical functioning, pain, role limitations due to physical and emotional limitations, emotional well-being, social functioning, energy/fatigue, and general health perceptions. Cohen’s d indicated a large effect (d = .96 to 1.67). The results are compared with results of other published works which examined similar populations Conclusion: HRQoL is significantly impaired in Bangladeshi people suffering from ENL compared with people with MB leprosy and no ENL. ENL affects all areas of a person’s HRQoL measured by the SF-36. Health care providers need to spend time addressing other aspects of a person’s life and not just the physical symptoms.

Features in constructing a certificate of strength of extraterrestrial material by the example of the Chelyabinsk meteorite

The mechanical properties of various components of the Chelyabinsk meteorite are studied. A measurement technique allowing one to obtain a strength certificate of the material by a minimum necessary number of samples with allowance for defectiveness is developed. Universal expressions for the chondritic component and impact melting have been obtained. The expressions allow one to make general estimates of the strength boundaries for LL type meteorites.

A mixture detection method based on separate amplification using primer specific alleles of INDELs-a study based on two person's DNA mixture

Samples containing unbalanced DNA mixtures from individuals often occur in forensic DNA examination and clinical detection. Because of the PCR amplification bias, the minor contributor DNA is often masked by the major contributor DNA when using traditional STR or SNP typing techniques. Here we propose a method based in allele-specific Insertion/Deletion (INDEL) genotyping to detect DNA mixtures in forensic samples. Fourteen INDELs were surveyed in the Chinese Han population of Shanxi Province. The INDELs were amplified using two separate primer-specific reactions by real-time PCR. The difference Ct value of the 2 reactions (D-value) were used for determination of the single source DNA. INDELs types and further confirmed by electrophoresis separation. The minor allele frequency (MAF) was above 0.2 in 10 INDELs. The detection limit was 0.3125 ng–1.25 ng template DNA for real-time PCR in all 14 INDEL markers. For single source 10 ng DNA, the average D-value was 0.31 ± 0.14 for LS type, 6.96 ± 1.05 for LL type and 7.20 ± 1.09 for SS type. For the series of simulated DNA mixture, the Ct value varied between the ranges of single source DNA, depending on their INDEL typing and mixture ratios. This method can detect the specific allele of the minor DNA contributor as little as 1:50 in rs397782455 and rs397696936; 1:100 in rs397832665, rs397822382 and rs397897230; the detection limit of the minor DNA contributor was as little as 1:500–1:1000 in the rest INDEL markers, a much higher sensitivity compared with traditional STR typing. The D-value variation depended on the alternation of dilution ratio and INDEL types. When the dilution was 1:1000, the maximum and minimum D-values were 8.84 ± 0.11 in rs397897230 and 4.27 ± 0.19 in rs397897239 for LL and SS type mixture, the maximum and minimum D-values were 9.32 ± 0.54 in rs397897230 and 4.38 ± 0.26 in rs 397897239 for LL(SS) and LS type mixture, separately. Any D-value between 0.86 and 5.11 in the 14 INDELs indicated the presence of mixture. The separate amplification strategy based on real-time PCR provides a promising and convenient method for detection of unbalanced DNA mixture for Chinese Han population.

Analyzing rainfall-induced mass movements in Taiwan using the soil water index

This study applied the soil water index (SWI), which can represent the conceptual soil water contents as influenced by present and antecedent rainfall, for analyzing rainfall-induced mass movements in Taiwan. The SWI has been used in Japan for nationwide mass movement warnings. This study examined whether the SWI can be also applied to Taiwan, which has a climatic condition and high-relief topography similar to Japan. We used data for mass movements for 2006–2012 (n = 263) for the main analyses and those for 2013 (n = 19) for verification. The SWI values before the rainfall events that triggered mass movements were used as the indicator of the antecedent rainfall condition. We found that when SWI values before rainfall events increased from 35, the upper threshold of rainfall conditions needed for triggering mass movements significantly decreased. The mass movements in 2013 support this finding. We classified rainfall conditions for triggering mass movements into two types, short duration–high intensity (SH) and long duration–low intensity (LL), based on a principal component analysis (PCA). The SH type is associated with a rapid increase in SWI, and the LL type is associated with a gradual rise and subsequent constancy of SWI except in some extremely long rainfall events. Based on this result, we modeled the general trend of the time series changes in SWI for the two types, which was verified using the mass movements in 2013.

Antique stone quarries in Turkey: a case study on tuffs in the Temple of Apollon Smintheus

Abstract All types of stones have been used as building stones, depending on their durability, visual harmony with the intended construction and availability. In the Hellenistic period, as in other periods, tuff was preferred as a building stone due to its convenience – it was easy to extract, transport and use for building. In the present study, three ancient quarries that were the possible tuff sources for the Apollon Smintheus Temple in Çanakkale are investigated by comparing the durability properties of stones in the temple and in the quarries. These properties are determined using physical and physico-mechanical tests, comparing fresh and artificially weathered samples. Microstructural and elemental correlations were found using optical microscopy, stereomicroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, methylene blue adsorption and X-ray fluorescence analyses. The results indicate that temple tuffs and two of three quarries have similar geological engineering and microstructural properties with the strong claim that those two quarries could have been the source of building stone for the temple.