X-linked juvenile retinoschisis: localization between (DXS1195, DXS418) and AFM291wf5 on a single YAC

We studied 17 pedigrees with 108 affected males with X-linked juvenile retinoschisis (RS; McKusick No. 31270) and have analyzed all of the known polymorphic markers in the RS region of Xp22.1-p22.2 between DXS987 and DXS41. By haplotype analyses we found 7 individuals who showed crossovers in this interval surrounding RS. We previously reported AFM291wf5 as the centromeric boundary, and this remains unchanged in the present study. A new recombination was identified on the telomeric side at (DXS1195, DXS418). Our data support the locus order Xpter--(DXS987, DXS207, DXS1053, DXS43)--(DXS1195, DXS418)--(RS, DXS257, DXS999)--(AFM291wf5, DXS443)--DXS1052--(DXS1226, DXS274, DXS41)--Xcen; loci grouped in parentheses could not be mutually ordered by our genetic data. Physical mapping has indicated a distance of at most 900-1,000 kb between (DXS1195, DXS418) and AFM291wf5. No recombination was observed between RS and DXS257 which lies in our new interval of interest, but one critical individual was not informative with this marker. Our data now define the smallest RS inclusion interval. This interval is contained on a single YAC from which we have identified expressed sequences as candidate genes for RS.     

Optical Properties of Spin-Deposited Nanocrystalline Ni-Zn Ferrite Thin Films Processed by Sol-Gel

Nano crystalline Zn-substituted Ni ferrite films with compositions of Ni_1?xZn_xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) were synthesized by sol–gel spin coating method. The synthesized films were characterized for their structural, morphology, optical, electric, and magnetic properties using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, UV-Vis spectrometer, two probe resistivity, and vibrating sample magnetometer techniques, respectively. The corresponding results indicate that zinc content has significant effect on physical, magnetic, and optical properties of the ferrite. X-ray diffraction studies of thin films showed that the samples have pure cubic spinel phase. The crystallite size is of the nanoparticles estimated using Debey-Scherrer’s method was found to be in the range of 10.27 to 14.97 nm. The lattice parameter was found to be increased from 8.35 to 8.40 Å with increasing Zn²⁺ contents. The morphology of the thin films depicted the formation of well-developed nano-sized clusters with homogeneous and agglomerated. The optical absorption seen to be affected due to the presence of Zn in Ni-Zn ferrite thin films. Ni-Zn ferrite thin films possess small coercivity and remnant magnetization, which indicates the soft magnetic nature of the material. Electrical resistivity of the films decreases with increasing temperature, suggesting the semiconducting nature of the samples.     

Chemically deposited nickel oxide as counter electrode for dye sensitized solar cell

Nickel oxide (NiO) thin films have been synthesized by simple and inexpensive chemical bath deposition at low temperature. The synthesized thin films were annealed at 623 K and used for further characterization. Structural and morphological properties of the NiO thin film were characterized using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope (SEM), respectively. The structural study shows the simple cubic formation of NiO thin films with average crystallite size of 9 nm. Honeycomb like surface morphology with porous structure was observed from the SEM study. NiO thin film electrode has been used as a counter electrode in dye sensitized solar cell. Finally, photovoltaic parameters such as short circuit current density (J_sc), open circuit voltage (V_oc), Fill Factor (FF) and efficiency (η) have been studied.     

Sol–gel derived Co<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> thin films: effect of annealing on structural,morphological and optoelectronic properties

Nanocrystalline Co₃O₄ thin films were prepared on glass substrates by using sol–gel spin coating technique. The effect of annealing temperature (400–700 °C) on structural, morphological, electrical and optical properties of Co₃O₄ thin films were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy, Electrical conductivity and UV–visible Spectroscopy. XRD measurements show that all the films are nanocrystallized in the cubic spinel structure and present a random orientation. The crystallite size increases with increasing annealing temperature (53–69 nm). These modifications influence the optical properties. The morphology of the sol–gel derived Co₃O₄ shows nanocrystalline grains with some overgrown clusters and it varies with annealing temperature. The optical band gap has been determined from the absorption coefficient. We found that the optical band gap energy decreases from 2.58 to 2.07 eV with increasing annealing temperature between 400 and 700 °C. These mean that the optical quality of Co₃O₄ films is improved by annealing. The dc electrical conductivity of Co₃O₄ thin films were increased from 10⁻⁴ to 10⁻² (Ω cm)⁻¹ with increase in annealing temperature. The electron carrier concentration (n) and mobility (μ) of Co₃O₄ films annealed at 400–700 °C were estimated to be of the order of 2.4–4.5 × 10¹⁹ cm⁻³ and 5.2–7.0 × 10⁻⁵ cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹ respectively. It is observed that Co₃O₄ thin film annealing at 700 °C after deposition provide a smooth and flat texture suited for optoelectronic applications.     

Polyaniline–CdS nanocomposites: effect of camphor sulfonic acid doping on structural, microstructural, optical and electrical properties

Nanocomposites of CdS nanocrystals with conducting polyaniline doped with camphor sulfonic acid (CSA) have been prepared by spin coating technique and investigated by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–visible spectroscopy and electrical transport method. The X-ray diffraction patterns showed broad peaks due to formation of nanoparticles of CdS in polyaniline matrix. FESEM showed that the transformation of morphology from agglomeration to nanopetals. The FTIR spectra confirmed the interaction between CSA and polyaniline (PANi)–CdS nanocomposite. The UV–visible spectrums revealed the enhancement of doping level for the PANi–CdS nanocomposites which is assigned to the existence of greater number of charges on the polymer backbone. DC electrical conductivity studies showed an increase in conductivity of PANi–CdS nanocomposites from 6.9?×?10^?6 to 3.14?×?10^?4 due to addition of CSA (10–50?%).     

Wavelength conversion using rare earth doped oxides in polyolefin based nanocomposite films

Nanocomposites are a new class of polymeric materials which include organic or inorganic nano‐phase materials. These nanocomposite films can show interesting properties which have many applications for wavelength conversion and energy saving. In this paper, we present polyolefin based nanocomposite films prepared using wavelength‐converting red ‘phosphors’ such as Y₂O₃: Eu³⁺ and LiAl₅O₈:Fe³⁺ and blue ‘phosphor’ CaMgSi₂O₆: Eu²⁺. The durability of the polymer chain is unaffected by incorporation of inorganic nanoparticles as there is no direct interaction between them. The addition of surfactant in the nanocomposite film helps to improve the dispersion ability of the nanoparticles and increase the flexibility of the polymer film. Wavelength‐converting ‘nanophosphors’ incorporated in a polymer matrix help to increase the tensile strength of the film. The films show excellent wavelength conversion ability of UV light into the visible and near IR range. These nanocomposite films have great application in energy saving devices. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Kinetics of swelling of cotton fibers in aqueous ethylenediamine solutions using moisture regain data

Kinetic studies of swelling of cotton cellulose with 75% (w/w) EDA solution have been carried out. Three rates of the reaction were observed in the temperature range 10–35°C: first, the very fast rate (k₁) lasting for about 10 s; second, the extremely slow rate (k₂) lasting for 30–50 s; and third, once again a fast rate (k₃), k₁ being faster than k₃. k₁ was attributed to the swelling action of EDA–monohydrate in amorphous regions of cellulose; k₂ was assigned to the penetration of swelling species into crystallities accompanied by breakage of H bonds in these regions; and k₃ was assigned to the opening up of the crystallites. Activation energy values confirmed this trend. At higher temperatures (35–55°C), the middle rate k₂ merged with k₃, giving only two rates, k₁ and k₂₊₃, as the higher temperatures brought about simultaneous diffusion of swelling agent into, and decrystallization of, the crystalline portions of cellulose. EDA solution of 65% (w/w) concentration gave only two rates: the initial fast rate assigned to the swelling of the amorphous portion, followed by a slow one, operating in mesomorphous regions of cellulose, without any appreciable decrystallization. This was atributed to the important fact, viz., the absence of EDA–monohydrates in the solution.     

Effect of Operational Parameters on Determination of Oxidative Stability Measured by Rancimat Method

Operational parameters of Rancimat, including sample weight (3, 6, 9 g), airflow rate (10, 15, 20 L/h) and temperature (110, 120, 130°C) were evaluated to determine their effects on oxidative stability index, temperature coefficient, Q10 number, and shelf life prediction of ghee (anhydrous milk fat). These parameters showed statistically significant effects on the oxidative stability index. It was observed that when the sample weight and airflow rate at a given temperature were at saturated air condition, the oxidative stability indexes showed no significant differences (p < 0). As the temperature increased, oxidative stability index decreased and average coefficient of variation was minimal at 120°C. The conditions under which the ghee sample was saturated with air and had a relatively lower oxidative stability index, was with sample weight of 6 g, temperature at 120°C and an airflow rate of 15 L/h. Temperature coefficient and Q10 number were independent of sample weight and air flow rate, however, they had a significant effect on shelf life prediction of ghee.     

Researching the design/production interface: product specifications

To learn more about the relationship between design and production functions in manufacturing firms, a number of relevant topics are being researched. This paper concentrates on one aspect—the product specification (design brief)—and examines different approaches to its compilation, based on interviews with 20 firms and the observed experiences of four companies.     

Electrosynthesis and characterization of iron selenide thin films

Iron selenide thin films have been deposited onto stainless steel and fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) glass substrates by the electrodeposition process, in potentiostatic mode using ferric chloride (FeCl₃) and selenium dioxide (SeO₂) salts. The deposition mechanism and growth of the films were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The structural, morphological, compositional and optical properties of the deposited films have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), EDAX and optical absorption techniques, respectively. XRD studies reveal that the films are polycrystalline with monoclinic crystal structure. The surface morphology study shows that grains are uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the substrate. EDAX study reveals that the iron selenide films are rich in iron. Optical absorption study shows the presence of direct transition with bandgap energy of 1.23 eV.