Extracellular Vesicles in CNS Developmental Disorders

The central nervous system (CNS) is the most complex structure in the body, consisting of multiple cell types with distinct morphology and function. Development of the neuronal circuit and its function rely on a continuous crosstalk between neurons and non-neural cells. It has been widely accepted that extracellular vesicles (EVs), mainly exosomes, are effective entities responsible for intercellular CNS communication. They contain membrane and cytoplasmic proteins, lipids, non-coding RNAs, microRNAs and mRNAs. Their cargo modulates gene and protein expression in recipient cells. Several lines of evidence indicate that EVs play a role in modifying signal transduction with subsequent physiological changes in neurogenesis, gliogenesis, synaptogenesis and network circuit formation and activity, as well as synaptic pruning and myelination. Several studies demonstrate that neural and non-neural EVs play an important role in physiological and pathological neurodevelopment. The present review discusses the role of EVs in various neurodevelopmental disorders and the prospects of using EVs as disease biomarkers and therapeutics.     

Kinetic study of radical polymerization. II. Solid‐state bulk polymerization of sodium methacrylate by differential scanning calorimetry

The solid‐state radical polymerization of sodium methacrylate was investigated. It was initiated by azobisisobutyronitrile, which was used as a radical initiator. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to observe the endothermic and exothermic transitions during the polymerization reaction. Structural studies were performed with the DSC thermograms and Fourier transform infrared and ultraviolet–visible spectra, and all of the results confirmed the progress of the reaction. The obtained data revealed that the polymerization reaction proceeded completely with a 100% conversion. ΔH of this reaction was calculated with various amounts of the initiator, and the peak temperatures were determined at different heating rates. The activation energy (19.7 kcal mol^?1) was also obtained by the Kissinger method for this type of solid polymerization reaction. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1648–1654, 2003     

Modification of glassy carbon electrode with multi-walled carbon nanotubes and iron(III)-porphyrin film: Application to chlorate, bromate and iodate detection

In this study, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCTs) is evaluated as a transducer, stabilizer and immobilization matrix for the construction of amperometric sensor based on iron-porphyrin. 5,10,15,20-Tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine iron(III) chloride (Fe(III)P) adsorbed on MWCNTs immobilized on the surface of glassy carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammograms of the Fe(III)P-incorporated-MWCNTs indicate a pair of well-defined and nearly reversible redox couple with surface confined characteristics at wide pH range (2-12). The surface coverage (Γ) and charge transfer rate constant (k_s) of Fe(III)P immobilized on MWCNTs were 7.68 × 10⁻⁹ mol cm⁻² and 1.8 s⁻¹, respectively, indicating high loading ability of MWCNTs for Fe(III)P and great facilitation of the electron transfer between Fe(III)P and carbon nanotubes immobilized on the electrode surface. Modified electrodes exhibit excellent electrocatalytic activity toward reduction of ClO₃⁻, IO₃⁻ and BrO₃⁻ in acidic solutions. The catalytic rate constants for catalytic reduction of bromate, chlorate and iodate were 6.8 × 10³, 7.4 × 10³ and 4.8 × 10² M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. The hydrodynamic amperometry of rotating-modified electrode at constant potential versus reference electrode was used for detection of bromate, chlorate and iodate. The detection limit, linear calibration range and sensitivity for chlorate, bromate and iodate detections were 0.5 μM, 2 μM to 1 mM, 8.4 nA/μM, 0.6 μM, 2 μM to 0.15 mM, 11 nA/μM, and 2.5 μM, 10 μM to 4 mM and 1.5 nA/μM, respectively. Excellent electrochemical reversibility of the redox couple, good reproducibility, high stability, low detection limit, long life time, fast amperometric response time, wide linear concentration range, technical simplicity and possibility of rapid preparation are great advantages of this sensor. The obtained results show promising practical application of the Fe(III)P-MWCNTs-modified electrode as an amperometric sensor for chlorate, iodate and bromate detections.     

Influence of nickel and molybdenum on the phase stability and mechanical properties of maraging steels

The effect of nickel and molybdenum concentrations on the phase transformation and mechanical properties of conventional 18Ni(350) maraging steel has been investigated. Both of these elements act as strong austenite stabilizers. When the concentration of molybdenum or nickel is greater than 7.5 or 24 wt %, respectively, the austenite phase remains stable up to room temperature. In both molybdenum- and nickel-alloyed steels, the austenite phase could be transformed to martensite by either dipping the material in liquid nitrogen or subjecting it to cold working. When 7.5 wt% Mo and 24 wt% Ni were added in combination, however, the austenite phase obtained at room temperature did not transform to martensite when liquid-nitrogen quenched or even when cold rolled to greater than 95% reduction. The aging response of these materials has also been investigated using optical, scanning electron, and scanning transmission electron microscopy.     

Nonlinear Interval Parameter Programming Combined with Cooperative Games: a Tool for Addressing Uncertainty in Water Allocation Using Water Diplomacy Framework

Water Resources Management - This paper shows the utility of a new interval cooperative game theory as an effective water diplomacy tool to resolve competing and conflicting needs of water users...     

An analytical model for manufacturing service supply contracts

The practice of service-based manufacturing, utilized in various industries, particularly in electronics, pharmaceuticals, and automotive, is on the rise as it improves enterprise effectiveness in dynamic markets. The mutual responsibilities between the supplier(s) and user(s) of such services are spelled out in defined-time-horizon contracts. While such contracts define mutual obligations of both parties on a tactical/operational level, the long-term strategic objectives of the parties may be in conflict. This paper is focused on studying the dynamics of manufacturing service contracts. It investigates the factors affecting the shape of the negotiation space for such contracts and also the way the space should be navigated in response to changing market conditions. The paper presents an analytical framework developed to facilitate behavior analysis of the actors involved in the contract.     

Toward the development of interactive virtual dissection with haptic feedback

Traditional, hands-on dissection of an animal is common practice in many classrooms to aid in the study of anatomy and biology. More specifically, virtual dissection environments have been developed making it possible to study the inner workings of animals without cutting them up. In this paper, we present a novel virtual reality dissection simulator, where a user can dissect an animal (i.e. frog) and its organs using a 3D force feedback haptic device. The simulator uses force feedback as part of a multimodal cue to provide guidance and performance feedback to the user. This paper highlights methodologies which are used for addressing some of the key challenges involved in designing and developing simulators, such as: modelling and mechanics of deformation, collision detection between multiple deformable bodies, and haptic feedback.     

Clarifying the interaction between ideas and architectural works in the Achaemenid era

The circle formed in the course of surveying the movement from idea to work—which makes the act of creation—and from work to idea—which is concerned with the sphere of thinking, cognition and perception—leads to the formation of culture and civilization. Formation of any civilization is a direct result of interaction between ideas and forms. If there is no idea, there will be no form, and if there is no form, promotion of idea will be meaningless. From the ancient time, the religious-mythical idea, as a whole idea, has been leading to other ideas including philosophical, mystical and political ideas. Architecture, as a historical form, has been the outcome of interactions between the triple ideas proposed under the religious idea. In this study, an attempt is made to explain the role of each idea in the creation of architectural works of Achaemenid civilization by defining them. It also aims to review the historical form of the Achaemenid era, which was based on a philosophical-political idea, in order to investigate the role of this period in relation to architectural form which is addressed with a kind of pluralism. In other words, the main objective was to clarify the interaction between the prevailing notion of time and architectural works.