Uncoupling Protein 2 and 3 Gene Polymorphisms and Their Association with Type 2 Diabetes in Asian Indians

Background: This study examined the association of -866G/A, Ala55Val, 45bpI/D, and -55C/T polymorphisms at the uncoupling protein (UCP) 3-2 loci with type 2 diabetes in Asian Indians. Methods: A case-control study was performed among 1,406 unrelated subjects (487 with type 2 diabetes and 919 normal glucose-tolerant NGT]), chosen from the Chennai Urban Rural Epidemiology Study, an ongoing population-based study in Southern India. The polymorphisms were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and direct sequencing. Haplotype frequencies were estimated using an expectation-maximization algorithm. Linkage disequilibrium was estimated from the estimates of haplotypic frequencies. Results: The genotype (P = 0.00006) and the allele (P = 0.00007) frequencies of Ala55Val of the UCP2 gene showed a significant protective effect against the development of type 2 diabetes. The odds ratios (adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index) for diabetes for individuals carrying Ala/Val was 0.72, and that for individuals carrying Val/Val was 0.37. Homeostasis insulin resistance model assessment and 2-h plasma glucose were significantly lower among Val-allele carriers compared to the Ala/Ala genotype within the NGT group. The genotype (P = 0.02) and the allele (P = 0.002) frequencies of -55C/T of the UCP3 gene showed a significant protective effect against the development of diabetes. The odds ratio for diabetes for individuals carrying CT was 0.79, and that for individuals carrying TT was 0.61. The haplotype analyses further confirmed the association of Ala55Val with diabetes, where the haplotypes carrying the Ala allele were significantly higher in the cases compared to controls. Conclusions: Ala55Val and -55C/T polymorphisms at the UCP3-2 loci are associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes in Asian Indians.

A Parallel Progressive Refinement Image Rendering Algorithm on a Scalable Multithreaded VLSI Processor Array

In this paper we develop a multithreaded VLSI processor linear array architecture to render complex environments based on the radiosity approach. The processing elements are identical and multithreaded. They work in Single Program Multiple Data (SPMD) mode. A new algorithm to do the radiosity computations based on the progressive refinement approach[2] is proposed. Simulation results indicate that the architecture is latency tolerant and scalable. It is shown that a linear array of 128 uni-threaded processing elements sustains a throughput close to 0.4 million patches/sec.

Koti keskellä kaupunkia : Keskusta lapsiperheen asuinalueena, esimerkkeinä Tukholma ja Helsinki

Families with children have traditionally moved to suburbs. In the last 20 years a modest counter process has however been recognized. Families with an urban lifestyle stay in the city centres. This study looks at the phenomenon through two cases, Stockholm and Helsinki. In the first case it has already been observed that the city centre has grown in popularity among families with children. Therefore it serves as a basis for the study and as well as a point of comparison. Stockholm’s city centre is expanding as new neighbourhoods have been built and are being planned. In the city centre of Helsinki the building of two large neighbourhoods for 30 000 inhabitants will start in a few years. The first aim of the study is to look closer at what has really happened in the city centre of Stockholm, why families choose to live there with their children and how the City of Stockholm has reacted to the change. The main sources of information are secondary sources, statistics and interviews with planners, politicians and experts in the field. The main object is to look at the situation in the city centre of Helsinki. Can a preference for urban residential environments be observed in Helsinki? What are the reasons for a family to choose the city centre as a living place? How does the everyday life of a family in the city centre appear? How are these families taken into account in the planning of the city? The main sources of information here are statistics, interviews with dwellers in the neighbourhood Kruununhaka and interviews with planners. In Stockholm the birth rate has grown constantly during the 2000s and is highest in the city centre. Some of the families still move elsewhere, but many of them do not. One of the most important reasons for living in the city centre is short working distances which give working parents more time with their children. Another reason is a preference of an urban, active lifestyle. Families prefer to live close to everything, childcare, schools, shops and entertainments. The popularity of the city centre among families with children has taken politicians and planners by surprise. Helsinki has not experienced a baby boom like Stockholm. However the negative changes in the birth rate have been more modest in the central areas than in the suburbs. Statistics show, that many families move away from the city centre as the children grow. Families who stay in the city centre especially appreciate closeness to public and private services and good public transportation which means that they are not dependent on using the car. Further they find that the city centre has a tolerant climate and is a safe and beautiful place to live in. The families enjoy the social life of the neighbourhood and feel that it makes a good climate to raise children in. However they are concerned with traffic safety and the lack of stimulus in the playgrounds of the neighbourhood parks. Two large neighbourhoods with homes for about 30 000 inhabitants are now planned in the former Port Districts in the city centre of Helsinki. The other one, Jätkäsaari has been planned to become an attractive alternative for families with children. Traffic safety has been one of the main objects for the planning. The other, Kalasatama, has been planned to attract all groups in society.

Molecular ferromagnetism in C60·TDAE

C60·TDAE = tetrakis(dimethylamino)ethylene) with a Tc of not, vert, similar 16K is probably the best example of an organic molecular ferromagnet known to date. Based on ESR studies, we demonstrate that C60·TDAE is a quasi one-dimensional spin one-half Heisenberg ferromagnet, with the C60 units being entirely responsible for the magnetism. C60-C60 interactions responsible for superconductivity in alkali metal doped C60 seem to be essential for the magnetism of C60·TDAE as well.

Raman spectral studies of borate glasses

Raman spectroscopic measurements in borate glasses have been reviewe. The review shows that the technique is useful in identifying the structural groups present in the borate on the basis of the Krogh-Moe hypothesis. Vitreous B2O3 and alkali borates are extensvvely studied and a satisfactory assignment of bands is possible by a careful consideration of the literature. A cation effect on the borate netwoork is observed. Availaable measurements on binary borates other than alkali borates and on ternary borates are limited and more work is required to identify the structural modifications that take place with composition. Mixed alkali effect is reported only lithium-caesium borade and shows the formation of non-bridging oxygens, destroying the six-membered rings when Li2O is replaced by Cs2O. Fast ionic glasses (alkali borates containing alkali halides) yield the same Raman spectra as the alkali borates, except when the alkali is a fluoride.

Synthesis of Layered Perovskite Oxides, ACa2-xLaxNb3-xTix010 (A = K, Rb, Cs), and Characterization of New Solid Acids, HCa2-xLaxNb3-xTixOlo (0 < x d 2), Exhibiting Variable Bronsted Acidity?

Layered perovskite oxides of the formula ACa~,La,Nb3-,Ti,010 (A = K, Rb, Cs and 0 < x d 2) have been prepared. The members adopt the structures of the parent ACazNb3010. Interlayer alkali cations in the niobium-titanium oxide series can be ion-exchanged with Li+, Na+, NH4+, or H+ to give new derivatives. Intercalation of the protonated derivatives with organic bases reveals that the Bronsted acidity of the solid solution series, HC~ ~ , L ~ ,N~ ~ , T ~ ,dOep~eOnd, s on the titanium content. While the x = 1 member (HCaLaNbzTiOlo) is nearly as acidic as the parent HCazNb3010, the x = 2 member (HLazNbTizOlo) is a weak acid hardly intercalating organic bases with pKa - 11.3. The variation of acidity is probably due to an ordering of Nb/Ti atoms in the triple octahedral perovskite slabs, [Ca~,La,Nb~,Ti,0~0], such that protons are attached to NbO6 octahedra in the x = 1 member and to Ti06 octahedra in the x = 2 member.

Energy-Efficient Fault Tolerance in Chip Multiprocessors Using Critical Value Forwarding

Relentless CMOS scaling coupled with lower design tolerances is making ICs increasingly susceptible to wear-out related permanent faults and transient faults, necessitating on-chip fault tolerance in future chip microprocessors (CMPs). In this paper we introduce a new energy-efficient fault-tolerant CMP architecture known as Redundant Execution using Critical Value Forwarding (RECVF). RECVF is based on two observations: (i) forwarding critical instruction results from the leading to the trailing core enables the latter to execute faster, and (ii) this speedup can be exploited to reduce energy consumption by operating the trailing core at a lower voltage-frequency level. Our evaluation shows that RECVF consumes 37% less energy than conventional dual modular redundant (DMR) execution of a program. It consumes only 1.26 times the energy of a non-fault-tolerant baseline and has a performance overhead of just 1.2%.

Chemical Approaches to the Design of Oxide Materials.

Chemical methods of synthesis play a crucial role in designing and discovering new and novel materials and in providing less cumbersome methods for preparing known materials. Chemical methods also enable the synthesis of metastable materials which are otherwise difficult to prepare. In this presentation, the various innovative chemical methods of synthesising oxide materials will be briefly reviewed with emphasis on soft-chemical routes. Electrochemical synthesis, ion-exchange method, alkali-flux method and some of the interaction reactions will be highlighted, besides topochemical aspects of solid state synthesis. Cuprate superconductors as well as intergrowth structures will also be examined.

Stability of copper tolerance in Thiobacillus ferrooxidans

A strain of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans MAL-4-1 was adapted to grow at higher concentrations of copper by repeated subculturing in the presence of increasing levels of added cupric ions in 9K medium. The strains adapted to copper were found to be more efficient in bioleaching of copper from concentrates. When copper tolerant strains were back cultured repeatedly in 9K medium without cupric ions, the initially developed metal tolerance was observed to be lost. This indicates that the copper tolerance developed is stress-dependent and not a permanent trait of the adapted strain.

Reversible Insertion of a Trivalent Cation onto MnO2 Leading to Enhanced Capacitance

Supercapacitor properties of MnO2 are studied generally in aqueous alkali metal salt solutions, often in a Na salt solution. During electrochemical discharge-charge processes, Na+ ions from the electrolyte get reversibly inserted/deinserted on the surface of MnO2 particles, which leads to redox reaction between MnOONa and MnO2. In the present study, it has been shown that MnO2 exhibits enhanced capacitance behaviour in a rare earth metal salt solution, namely, La(NO3)(3) solution in comparison with NaNO3 and Mg(NO3)(2) aqueous solutions. The specific capacitance increases with an increase in charge on the solution cation (Na+, Mg2+ and La3+). It is proposed that the number of surface sites for adsorption of cations remains unaltered in all solutions. The surface insertion of cation facilitates the reduction of Mn4+ in MnO2 to Mn3+ equivalent to the charge present on the cation. As the specific capacitance is related to the quantity of charge that is exchanged between the solid MnO2 and the aqueous solution, the trivalent cation (La3+) provides greater specific capacitance than in Mg(NO3)(2) and NaNO3 electrolytes. Accordingly, the number of Mn(IV)/Mn(III) redox pairs involved in the neighbourhood of the adsorption site is one, two and three when Na+, Mg2+ and La3+ ions, respectively, are adsorbed. (C) 2011 The Electrochemical Society. DOI: 10.1149/1.3565177] All rights reserved.

Physics Of Undoped And Doped C-60 Fullerene

This paper contains a review of the physical properties of the undoped and alkali-doped C60 materials, including their crystal structure, electronic, optical and vibrational properties and the effect of pressure on the crystal and electronic structure. The mechanisms of superconductivity in alkali-doped C60 in terms of phonon mediated electron pairing vis-a-vis electronic interaction effects are discussed.

Effect of TiO2 electrode thickness on photovoltaic properties of dye sensitized solar cell based on randomly oriented Titania nanotubes

Anatase titania nanotubes (TNTs) have been synthesized from P25 TiO2 powder by alkali hydrothermal method followed by post annealing. The microstructure analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the formation of anatase nanotubes with a diameter of 9-10 nm. These NTs are used to make photo anode in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Layer by layer deposition with curing of each layer at 350 C is employed to realize films of desired thickness. The performance of these cells is studied using photovoltaic measurements. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is used to quantitatively analyze the effect of thickness on the performance of these cells. These studies revealed that the thickness of TiO2 has a pronounced impact on the cell performance and the optimum thickness lies in the range of 10-14 mu m. In comparison to dye solar cells made of P25, TNTs based cells exhibit an improved open circuit voltage and fill factor (FF) due to an increased electron lifetime, as revealed by EIS analysis. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Raman Spectroscopy of the Charge Transfer Complex (TTF)x C60 Br8

We report Raman studies on powder samples of the charge transfer complex (TTF)(x)C60Br8 at room temperature. The phonons show considerable softening with respect to the frequencies observed in the Raman spectrum of solid C60Br8. The strongest mode at 1464 cm(-1) in C60Br8 is red shifted to a doublet with peaks at 1414 and 1421 cm(-1), implying an average phonon softening Delta omega of -47 cm(-1). A comparison with the phonon softening of the corresponding A(g)(2) mode in alkali-doped C-60 (Delta omega similar to -36 cm(-1) for A(6)C(60), A = K, Rb or Cs) suggests that 8 electrons are transferred per C60Br8 molecule in the charge transfer complex. The mode at 503 cm(-1) in C60Br8 is shifted upwards, similar to that in A(6)C(60) compounds.

Raman study of pressure-induced phase transitions in RbIO4

The pressure dependence of the Raman spectra of RbIO4 has been investigated up to 27.3 GPa at room temperature using the diamond-anvil cell. The changes in the Raman spectra show clearly two pressure-induced phase transitions at 5.3 GPa from scheelite to pseudoscheelite and at 7.2 GPa from pseudoscheelite to wolframite. There is an indication of a possible phase transition at 18.3 GPa from wolframite to a denser complex structure. These transitions follow the same sequence as in other compounds such as alkali perrehenates, which crystallize in the scheelite structure. The systematics in pressure-induced phase transitions in alkali periodates is discussed.

Investigations on sodium tin phosphate and tin pyrophosphate glasses

Glasses of the alkali tin phosphate system have been investigated. The infrared absorption and fluorescence spectra of the glasses have been examined. It is found that tin is present in both + 2 and + 4 oxidation states. Also tin ions occupy four- or six-coordinated sites in the glass.