Epigenetic Regulation of the Hippocampus,with Special Reference to Radiation Exposure

The hippocampus is crucial in learning, memory and emotion processing, and is involved in the development of different neurological and neuropsychological disorders. Several epigenetic factors, including DNA methylation, histone modifications and non-coding RNAs, have been shown to regulate the development and function of the hippocampus, and the alteration of epigenetic regulation may play important roles in the development of neurocognitive and neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the epigenetic modifications of various cell types and processes within the hippocampus and their resulting effects on cognition, memory and overall hippocampal function. In addition, the effects of exposure to radiation that may induce a myriad of epigenetic changes in the hippocampus are reviewed. By assessing and evaluating the current literature, we hope to prompt a more thorough understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie radiation-induced epigenetic changes, an area which can be further explored.     

Quantitative ECT: Comparison of Recovery Coefficient and Linearity of Detector Response for Single Photon and Coincidence Detection (F-18, B+ 511 keV)

The response characteristics of two tomographic systems were compared for imaging of positron emitters: a) a SPECT system with a 3/8 in crystal and 511 keV detector shielding, equipped with a specially designed 511 keV collimator, and b) a PET V system using coincidence detection. SPECT transverse plane resolution was 19 mm FWHM and 35 mm FWTM for a radius of rotation of 16 cm. Corresponding resolution for PET was 14 mm FWHM and 28 mm FWTM. Transverse images through a phantom containing cylindrical sources of various cross sections and uniform activity were obtained for each detector. The measured count density or recovery coefficient was found to decrease with source size, the dependence being similar for both systems. The theoretical values for recovery coefficients were calculated by convolution of a Gaussian fit to the SPECT resolution (FWHM, FWTM) values with the uniform cross section of each source. This simple mathematical model confirmed that the recovery coefficient dependence on source size was primarily related to the limited resolution of the detector. Experimental measurements demonstrated that the SPECT resolution for volume sources was sufficient for quantitation, although some limitations exist with respect to source sizes smaller than the detector resolution.     

Assessment of working conditions in two different semiconductor manufacturing lines: Effective ergonomics interventions

This article examines two manufacturing lines producing semiconductors using different technology concepts, namely Conventional Line (CL) and Lean Production Line (LPL). Both lines manufacturing the same products were compared using various factors, including working conditions, task risks and dangers of the job, and physical body stress. Ergonomic approaches were adopted in the investigation of the two lines. Survey questionnaires were administered to 30% of the workers, and multiple statistical tests were used to determine crucial predictors and to investigate the interactions between the factors. This research has shown that improved ergonomics factors will lead to better working conditions and thus increased job satisfaction. The observed ergonomic differences of these two production lines are compared, and appropriate managerial remedial action is recommended. The interventions to both the lines should reduce accident rates, minimize waste of resources, improve work effectiveness, and provide a better working environment that enhances employees' morale and maximizes productivity and profits. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane as an In Situ Biological Membrane for Pharmaceutical Formulation Development: A Review

The use of animals in research has always been a debatable issue. Over the past few decades, efforts have been made to reduce, replace, and refine experiments for ethical use of experimental animals. The use of chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) was one of the proposed alternatives to the Draize rabbit ocular irritation test with several advantages including simplicity, rapidity, sensitivity, ease of performance, and cost-effectiveness. The recent use of CAM in the development of pharmaceuticals and testing models to mimic human tissue, including drug transport across CAM, will be discussed in this review.     

Simultaneous measurement of the surface temperature and the release of atomic sodium from a burning black liquor droplet

Simultaneous measurement of the concentration of released atomic sodium, swelling, surface and internal temperature of a burning black liquor droplet under a fuel lean and rich condition has been demonstrated. Two-dimensional two-colour optical pyrometry was employed to determine the distribution of surface temperature and swelling of a burning black liquor droplet while planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) was used to assess the temporal release of atomic sodium. The key findings of these studies are: (i) the concentration of atomic sodium released during the drying and devolatilisation stages was found to be correlated with the external surface area; and (ii) the insignificant presence of atomic sodium during the char consumption stage shows that sodium release is suppressed by the lower temperature and by the high CO₂ content in and around the particle.     

Activation of VOHPO4 · 0.5H2O in Propane/Air Mixture: Effect on Structural, Morphological, Oxidant’s Behaviour and Catalytic Property of (VO)2P2O7 Catalysts for Propane Oxidation

VOHPO₄ · 0.5H₂O synthesized by VOPO₄ · 2H₂O and isobutanol was activated in a flow of propane/air mixture (1% propane in air) at 673 K for 36, 75 and 132 h. Three vanadyl pyrophosphate catalysts obtained were denoted as VPD36P, VPD75P and VPD132P. The crystallinity of all propane/air pretreated catalysts as shown in XRD increased with the duration of calcination. SEM micrographs showed the formation of more isolated platelets and more prominent rosebud-shape agglomerate as the pre-treatment was longer. Four reduction peaks maxima at 752, 920, 1026 and 1140 were observed in the rate of hydrogen consumption for VPD36P. As the calcination duration increased to 75 h, the H₂ reduction peaks were shifted to lower temperatures at 750, 882, 1004 and 1140 K. When the calcination duration was further increased to 132 h, only three reduction peaks were observed at 752, 952 and 1142 K. Despite the progressively shifted of the major reduction peak maximum as the duration of calcination increased from 36 to 132 h, the lattice oxygen from VPD36P was found to be the most reactive. The catalytic performance for propane oxidation to acrylic acid (AA) showed that VPD36P gave the highest activity (9.6%) with 83.0% of selectivity to AA.     

Airborne Phase Doppler Interferometry for Cloud Microphysical Measurements

Conducting accurate cloud microphysical measurements from airborne platforms poses a number of challenges. The technique of phase Doppler interferometry (PDI) confers numerous advantages relative to traditional light-scattering techniques for measurement of the cloud drop size distribution, and, in addition, yields drop velocity information. Here, we describe PDI for the purposes of aiding atmospheric scientists in understanding the technique fundamentals, advantages, and limitations in measuring cloud microphysical properties. The performance of the Artium Flight PDI, an instrument specifically designed for airborne cloud measurements, is studied. Drop size distributions, liquid water content, and velocity distributions are compared with those measured by other airborne instruments.     

Nonlinear fuzzy rule-based approach for estimating video trafficrate

The authors investigate a fuzzy logic-based video rate control technique which aims to regulate compressed video to a constant transmission rate, without incurring objectionable quality degradation. Conventional fuzzy rule-based control (FRC) does not adequately control the output video quality. Video information is therefore added into the FRC design by incorporating feed-forward scaling factors, derived from scene change features. The performance of this coder has been compared with other approaches measuring buffer occupancy, the number of coded bits per frame and peak signal-to-noise ratio     

Comparison of Measured Soft X-Ray Yield Versus Pressure for NX1 and NX2 Plasma Focus Devices Against Computed Values Using Lee Model Code

The soft X-ray yield versus pressure curves of NX1 and NX2 plasma focus machines have been measured and published for different pressures and electrode configurations. In this work, the numerical experiments are carried out, using Lee model code. The Lee model code is configured for each of these devices NX1 and NX2 by fitting computed total discharge current waveform against a measured total discharge current waveform. The computed soft X-ray yield versus pressure curves are compared with the laboratory measured soft X-ray yield versus pressure data. The comparison shows agreement between computation and measurement of several important features of the yield versus pressure curves.     

Radiation therapy during pregnancy

A case of recovered memory of childhood trauma is reported with documented sexual trauma in early childhood, chronicled evidence of the absence of memory for traumatic experience over a period of time, and substantial evidence of 'spontaneous' recovery of memory. This account contains the first available prospective report of memory loss in a case in which there is both documented evidence of trauma and evidence of recovery of memory. The case emerged as part of a broadband, large-scale study of children followed closely from birth to adulthood which was not focused on memory for trauma. Prospective data gathered in a neutral research context, corroborated and supplemented by retrospective information, circumvent many limitations of previous retrospective accounts of recovered memories.