Understanding Polymorphism Formation in Electrospun Fibers of Immiscible Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Blends

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

G Zhong; L Zhang; R Su

2011-12-31

Effects of electric poling, mechanical stretching, and dipolar interaction on the formation of ferroelectric ({beta} and/or {gamma}) phases in poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) have been studied in electrospun fibers of PVDF/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and PVDF/polysulfone (PSF) blends with PVDF as the minor component, using wide-angle X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared techniques. Experimental results of as-electrospun neat PVDF fibers (beaded vs. bead-free) showed that mechanical stretching during electrospinning, rather than electric poling, was effective to induce ferroelectric phases. For as-electrospun PVDF blend fibers with the non-polar PSF matrix, mechanical stretching during electrospinning again was capable of inducing some ferroelectric phases in additionmore » to the major paraelectric ({alpha}) phase. However, after removing the mechanical stretching in a confined melt-recrystallization process, only the paraelectric phase was obtained. For as-electrospun PVDF blend fibers with the polar (or ferroelectric) PAN matrix, strong intermolecular interactions between polar PAN and PVDF played an important role in the ferroelectric phase formation in addition to the mechanical stretching effect during electrospinning. Even after the removal of mechanical stretching through the confined melt-recrystallization process, a significant amount of ferroelectric phases persisted. Comparing the ferroelectric phase formation between PVDF/PSF and PVDF/PAN blend fibers, we concluded that the local electric field-dipole interactions were the determining factor for the nucleation and growth of polar PVDF phases.« less

Molecular Regulation of Lumen Morphogenesis Review

PubMed Central

Datta, Anirban; Bryant, David M.; Mostov, Keith E.

2013-01-01

The asymmetric polarization of cells allows specialized functions to be performed at discrete subcellular locales. Spatiotemporal coordination of polarization between groups of cells allowed the evolution of metazoa. For instance, coordinated apical-basal polarization of epithelial and endothelial cells allows transport of nutrients and metabolites across cell barriers and tissue microenvironments. The defining feature of such tissues is the presence of a central, interconnected luminal network. Although tubular networks are present in seemingly different organ systems, such as the kidney, lung, and blood vessels, common underlying principles govern their formation. Recent studies using in vivo and in vitro models of lumen formation have shed new light on the molecular networks regulating this fundamental process. We here discuss progress in understanding common design principles underpinning de novo lumen formation and expansion. PMID:21300279

Radar target classification studies: Software development and documentation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kamis, A.; Garber, F.; Walton, E.

1985-09-01

Three computer programs were developed to process and analyze calibrated radar returns. The first program, called DATABASE, was developed to create and manage a random accessed data base. The second program, called FTRAN DB, was developed to process horizontal and vertical polarizations radar returns into different formats (i.e., time domain, circular polarizations and polarization parameters). The third program, called RSSE, was developed to simulate a variety of radar systems and to evaluate their ability to identify radar returns. Complete computer listings are included in the appendix volumes.

A Distinct Pathway for Polar Exocytosis in Plant Cell Wall Formation1[OPEN

PubMed Central

Wang, Hao; Zhuang, Xiaohong; Wang, Xiangfeng; Law, Angus Ho Yin; Zhao, Teng; Du, Shengwang; Loy, Michael M.T.; Jiang, Liwen

2016-01-01

Post-Golgi protein sorting and trafficking to the plasma membrane (PM) is generally believed to occur via the trans-Golgi network (TGN). In this study using Nicotiana tabacum pectin methylesterase (NtPPME1) as a marker, we have identified a TGN-independent polar exocytosis pathway that mediates cell wall formation during cell expansion and cytokinesis. Confocal immunofluorescence and immunogold electron microscopy studies demonstrated that Golgi-derived secretory vesicles (GDSVs) labeled by NtPPME1-GFP are distinct from those organelles belonging to the conventional post-Golgi exocytosis pathway. In addition, pharmaceutical treatments, superresolution imaging, and dynamic studies suggest that NtPPME1 follows a polar exocytic process from Golgi-GDSV-PM/cell plate (CP), which is distinct from the conventional Golgi-TGN-PM/CP secretion pathway. Further studies show that ROP1 regulates this specific polar exocytic pathway. Taken together, we have demonstrated an alternative TGN-independent Golgi-to-PM polar exocytic route, which mediates secretion of NtPPME1 for cell wall formation during cell expansion and cytokinesis and is ROP1-dependent. PMID:27531442

WAVE2 regulates meiotic spindle stability, peripheral positioning and polar body emission in mouse oocytes.

PubMed

Sun, Shao-Chen; Xu, Yong-Nan; Li, Ying-Hua; Lee, Seung-Eun; Jin, Yong-Xun; Cui, Xiang-Shun; Kim, Nam-Hyung

2011-06-01

During oocyte meiotic maturation, meiotic spindles form in the central cytoplasm and then migrate to the cortex to extrude a small polar body, forming a highly polarized cell through a process involving actin and actin-related molecules. The mechanisms underlying oocyte polarization are still unclear. The Arp2/3 complex regulates oocyte polarization but it is not known whether the WASP family of proteins, a known regulator of the Arp2/3 complex, is involved in this context. In the present study, the role of WASP family member WAVE2 in mouse oocyte asymmetric division was investigated. (1) WAVE2 mRNA and protein were detected during mouse oocyte meiosis. (2) siRNA-mediated and antibody-mediated disruption of WAVE2 resulted in the failure of chromosome congression, spindle formation, spindle positioning and polar body extrusion. (3) WAVE2 regulated actin-driven chromosome migration since chromosomes were arrested in the central cytoplasm by WAVE2 RNAi in the absence of microtubules. (4) Localization of γ-tubulin and MAPK was disrupted after RNAi, confirming the effect of WAVE2 on spindle formation. (5) Actin cap and cortical granule-free domain (CGFD) formation was also disrupted, further confirming the failure of oocyte polarization. Our data suggest that WAVE2 regulates oocyte polarization by regulating meiotic spindle, peripheral positioning, probably via an actin-mediated pathway, and is involved in polar body emission during mouse oocyte meiotic maturation.

Space-variant filtering for correction of wavefront curvature effects in spotlight-mode SAR imagery formed via polar formatting

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Jakowatz, C.V. Jr.; Wahl, D.E.; Thompson, P.A.

1996-12-31

Wavefront curvature defocus effects can occur in spotlight-mode SAR imagery when reconstructed via the well-known polar formatting algorithm (PFA) under certain scenarios that include imaging at close range, use of very low center frequency, and/or imaging of very large scenes. The range migration algorithm (RMA), also known as seismic migration, was developed to accommodate these wavefront curvature effects. However, the along-track upsampling of the phase history data required of the original version of range migration can in certain instances represent a major computational burden. A more recent version of migration processing, the Frequency Domain Replication and Downsampling (FReD) algorithm, obviatesmore » the need to upsample, and is accordingly more efficient. In this paper the authors demonstrate that the combination of traditional polar formatting with appropriate space-variant post-filtering for refocus can be as efficient or even more efficient than FReD under some imaging conditions, as demonstrated by the computer-simulated results in this paper. The post-filter can be pre-calculated from a theoretical derivation of the curvature effect. The conclusion is that the new polar formatting with post filtering algorithm (PF2) should be considered as a viable candidate for a spotlight-mode image formation processor when curvature effects are present.« less

Large ferroelectric polarization of TiN/Hf0.5Zr0.5O2/TiN capacitors due to stress-induced crystallization at low thermal budget

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Si Joon; Narayan, Dushyant; Lee, Jae-Gil; Mohan, Jaidah; Lee, Joy S.; Lee, Jaebeom; Kim, Harrison S.; Byun, Young-Chul; Lucero, Antonio T.; Young, Chadwin D.; Summerfelt, Scott R.; San, Tamer; Colombo, Luigi; Kim, Jiyoung

2017-12-01

We report on atomic layer deposited Hf0.5Zr0.5O2 (HZO)-based capacitors which exhibit excellent ferroelectric (FE) characteristics featuring a large switching polarization (45 μC/cm2) and a low FE saturation voltage (˜1.5 V) as extracted from pulse write/read measurements. The large FE polarization in HZO is achieved by the formation of a non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic phase, which is enabled by the TiN top electrode (TE) having a thickness of at least 90 nm. The TiN films are deposited at room temperature and annealed at 400 °C in an inert environment for at least 1 min in a rapid thermal annealing system. The room-temperature deposited TiN TE acts as a tensile stressor on the HZO film during the annealing process. The stress-inducing TiN TE is shown to inhibit the formation of the monoclinic phase during HZO crystallization, forming an orthorhombic phase that generates a large FE polarization, even at low process temperatures.

Effects of frying oils' fatty acids profile on the formation of polar lipids components and their retention in French fries over deep-frying process.

PubMed

Li, Xiaodan; Li, Jinwei; Wang, Yong; Cao, Peirang; Liu, Yuanfa

2017-12-15

The effects of frying oils' fatty acids profile on the formation of polar components and their retention in French fries and corresponding deep-fried oils were investigated in the present study, using oils with different fatty acids composition. Our analysis showed that the total polar compounds (TPCs) content in French fries was only slightly lower than that in deep-fried oils, indicating that there was no significant difference considering the amounts of TPCs in French fries and deep-fried oils. Our further analysis showed that different polar components in TPCs distributed differently in deep-fried oils and oils extracted from French fries. Specifically, the level of oligomeric and dimeric triacylglycerols was higher in French fries while oxidized triacylglycerols and diacylglycerols content was higher in deep-fried oils. The different retention of TPCs components in French fries may be explained by their interactions with carbohydrates, which are shown to enhance with the increase of hydrophobic property. Chemometric analysis showed that no correlation between the polar compounds level and saturated fatty acids profile was observed. Meanwhile, the polar compounds content was highly correlated with the formation of trans-C18:1, and a highly positive association between polar compounds and C18:2 content was also observed in palm oil. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The influence of grain growth in circumstellar dust envelopes on observed colors and polarization of some eruptive stars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Efimov, Yu. S.

1989-01-01

R CrB stars are classical examples of stars where dust envelope formation takes place. Dust envelope formation was detected around the Kuwano-Honda object (PU Vul) in 1980 to 1981 when the star's brightness fell to 8(sup m). Such envelopes are also formed at nova outbursts. The process of dust envelope formation leads to appreciable variations in optical characteristics, which are seen in specific color and polarization variations in the course of light fading and the appearance of IR radiation. It is shown that the model of a circumstellar dust envelope with aligned particles of changing size can be successfully applied to explain most phenomena observed at the time of light minima for a number of eruptive stars. The polarization may arise in a nonspherical dust envelope or be produced by alignment of nonspherical particles.

Correlation processing of polarization inhomogenous images in laser diagnostics of biological tissues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Trifonyuk, L.

2012-10-01

The model of interaction of laser radiation with biological tissue as a two-component amorphous-crystalline matrix was proposed. The processes of formation of polarization of laser radiation are considered, taking into account birefringence network protein fibrils. Measurement of the coordinate distribution of polarization states in the location of the laser micropolarimetr was conducted .The results of investigating the interrelation between the values of correlation (correlation area, asymmetry coefficient and autocorrelation function excess) and fractal (dispersion of logarithmic dependencies of power spectra) parameters are presented. They characterize the coordinate distributions of polarization azimuth of laser images of histological sections of women's reproductive sphere tissues and pathological changes in human organism. The diagnostic criteria of the prolapse of the vaginal tissue arising are determined.

Improved resistive switching characteristics of a Pt/HfO2/Pt resistor by controlling anode interface with forming and switching polarity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, Yong Chan; Seong, Sejong; Lee, Taehoon; Kim, Seon Yong; Park, In-Sung; Ahn, Jinho

2018-03-01

The anode interface effects on the resistive switching characteristics of Pt/HfO2/Pt resistors are investigated by changing the forming and switching polarity. Resistive switching properties are evaluated and compared with the polarity operation procedures, such as the reset voltage (Vr), set voltage (Vs), and current levels at low and high resistance states. When the same forming and switching voltage polarity are applied to the resistor, their switching parameters are widely distributed. However, the opposite forming and switching voltage polarity procedures enhance the uniformity of the switching parameters. In particular, the Vs distribution is strongly affected by the voltage polarity variation. A model is proposed based on cone-shaped filament formation through the insulator and the cone diameter at the anode interface to explain the improved resistive switching characteristics under opposite polarity operation. The filament cone is thinner near the anode interface during the forming process; hence, the anode is altered by the application of a switching voltage with opposite polarity to the forming voltage polarity and the converted anode interface becomes the thicker part of the cone. The more uniform and stable switching behavior is attributed to control over the formation and rupture of the cone-shaped filaments at their thicker parts.

Molecular cell biology and physiology of solute transport

PubMed Central

Caplan, Michael J.; Seo-Mayer, Patricia; Zhang, Li

2010-01-01

Purpose of review An enormous body of research has been focused on exploring the mechanisms through which epithelial cells establish their characteristic polarity. It is clear that under normal circumstances cell–cell contacts mediated by the calcium-dependent adhesion proteins of the intercellular adhesion junctions are required to initiate complete polarization. Furthermore, formation of the tight, or occluding, junctions that limit paracellular permeability has long been thought to help to establish polarity by preventing the diffusion of membrane proteins between the two plasmalemmal domains. This review will discuss several selected kinases and protein complexes and highlight their relevance to transporting epithelial cell polarization. Recent findings Recent work has shed new light on the roles of junctional complexes in establishing and maintaining epithelial cell polarity. In addition, work from several laboratories, suggests that the formation of these junctions is tied to processes that regulate cellular energy metabolism. Summary Junctional complexes and energy sensing kinases constitute a novel class of machinery whose capacity to generate and modulate epithelial cell polarity is likely to have wide ranging and important physiological ramifications. PMID:18695392

Energetics and formation mechanism of borders between hexagonal boron nitride and graphene

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sawahata, Hisaki; Yamanaka, Ayaka; Maruyama, Mina; Okada, Susumu

2018-06-01

We studied the energetics of two-dimensional heterostructures consisting of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphene with respect to the border structure and heterobond species using density functional theory. A BC heterobond is energetically preferable at the border between h-BN and graphene. We also found that the polarization at the zigzag border increases the total energy of the heterostructures. Competition between the bond formation energy and the polarization energy leads to chiral borders at which BC heterobonds are dominant. By taking the formation process of the heterostructures into account, the zigzag border with BC heterobonds is found to be preferentially synthesized from graphene edges under hydrogen-rich conditions.

Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Oil-Detachment from the Hydroxylated Silica Surface: Effects of Surfactants, Electrostatic Interactions, and Water Flows on the Water Molecular Channel Formation.

PubMed

Tang, Jian; Qu, Zhou; Luo, Jianhui; He, Lanyan; Wang, Pingmei; Zhang, Ping; Tang, Xianqiong; Pei, Yong; Ding, Bin; Peng, Baoliang; Huang, Yunqing

2018-02-15

The detachment process of an oil molecular layer situated above a horizontal substrate was often described by a three-stage process. In this mechanism, the penetration and diffusion of water molecules between the oil phase and the substrate was proposed to be a crucial step to aid in removal of oil layer/drops from substrate. In this work, the detachment process of a two-dimensional alkane molecule layer from a silica surface in aqueous surfactant solutions is studied by means of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. By tuning the polarity of model silica surfaces, as well as considering the different types of surfactant molecules and the water flow effects, more details about the formation of water molecular channel and the expansion processes are elucidated. It is found that for both ionic and nonionic type surfactant solutions, the perturbation of surfactant molecules on the two-dimensional oil molecule layer facilitates the injection and diffusion of water molecules between the oil layer and silica substrate. However, the water channel formation and expansion speed is strongly affected by the substrate polarity and properties of surfactant molecules. First, only for the silica surface with relative stronger polarity, the formation of water molecular channel is observed. Second, the expansion speed of the water molecular channel upon the ionic surfactant (dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide, DTAB and sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate, SDBS) flooding is more rapidly than the nonionic surfactant system (octylphenol polyoxyethylene(10) ether, OP-10). Third, the water flow speed may also affect the injection and diffusion of water molecules. These simulation results indicate that the water molecular channel formation process is affected by multiple factors. The synergistic effects of perturbation of surfactant molecules and the electrostatic interactions between silica substrate and water molecules are two key factors aiding in the injection and diffusion of water molecules and helpful for the oil detachment from silica substrate.

Solvent polarity effect on quality of n-octadecanethiol self-assembled monolayers on copper and oxidized copper

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Yaozhong; Zhou, Jun; Zhang, Xiaoli; Hu, Jun; Gao, Han

2014-11-01

This article reports the effect of solvent polarity on the formation of n-octadecanethiol self-assembled monolayers (C18SH-SAMs) on pure copper surface and oxidized copper surface. The quality of SAMs prepared in different solvents (n-hexane, toluene, trichloroethylene, chloroform, acetone, acetonitrile, ethanol) was monitored by EIS, RAIRS and XPS. The results indicated that C18SH-SAMs formed in these solvents were in good barrier properties on pure copper surface and the structures of monolayers formed in high polarity solvents were more compact and orderly than that formed in low polarity solvents. For comparison, C18SH adsorbed on the surface of oxidized copper in these solvents were studied and the results indicated that C18SH could be adsorbed on oxidized copper surface after the reduction of copper oxide layer by thiols. Compared with high polarity solvents, a limited reduction process of oxidized copper by thiols led to the incompletely formation of monolayers in low polarity solvents. This can be interpreted that the generated water on solid-liquid interface and a smaller reaction force restrict the continuous reduction reaction in low polarity solvents

Fractal model of polarization switching kinetics in ferroelectrics under nonequilibrium conditions of electron irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maslovskaya, A. G.; Barabash, T. K.

2018-03-01

The paper presents the results of the fractal and multifractal analysis of polarization switching current in ferroelectrics under electron irradiation, which allows statistical memory effects to be estimated at dynamics of domain structure. The mathematical model of formation of electron beam-induced polarization current in ferroelectrics was suggested taking into account the fractal nature of domain structure dynamics. In order to realize the model the computational scheme was constructed using the numerical solution approximation of fractional differential equation. Evidences of electron beam-induced polarization switching process in ferroelectrics were specified at a variation of control model parameters.

Blind adaptive equalization of polarization-switched QPSK modulation.

PubMed

Millar, David S; Savory, Seb J

2011-04-25

Coherent detection in combination with digital signal processing has recently enabled significant progress in the capacity of optical communications systems. This improvement has enabled detection of optimum constellations for optical signals in four dimensions. In this paper, we propose and investigate an algorithm for the blind adaptive equalization of one such modulation format: polarization-switched quaternary phase shift keying (PS-QPSK). The proposed algorithm, which includes both blind initialization and adaptation of the equalizer, is found to be insensitive to the input polarization state and demonstrates highly robust convergence in the presence of PDL, DGD and polarization rotation.

On the Formation Mechanism of A Long-lived Polar Crown Cavity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karna, Nishu; Pesnell, William D.; Zhang, Jie

2016-10-01

We report the study of the longest-lived polar crown cavity of Solar Cycle 24th observed in the year 2013 and propose a physical mechanism to explain the sustained existence. We used high temporal and spatial resolution observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) instruments on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to explore the structure and evolution. We examined the circumpolar cavity in great detail from March 21, 2013, till October 31, 2013, while it existed for more than one year. Our study suggests two necessary conditions to form a long stable circumpolar cavity or any polar crown cavity. First, the underlying polarity inversion line (PIL) of the circumpolar cavity is formed between the trailing part of dozens of decayed active regions distributed in different longitudes and the unipolar magnetic field in the polar coronal hole. Second, the long life of the cavity is sustained by the continuing flux cancellation along the polarity inversion line. The flux is persistently transported toward the polar region through surface meridional flow and diffusion, which also leads to the shrinking of the polar coronal hole. Comparing with the existing theory of the formation of polarity inversion lines, we introduce a new category named as "Diffused trailing flux and polar coronal hole interaction region" to explain the polar crown cavity. The existence of such region also helps explain the process of polar reversal, which provides insight into the solar cycle.

The Formation and Maintenance of the Dominant Southern Polar Crown Cavity of Cycle 24

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Karna, N.; Pesnell, W. D.; Zhang, J.

2017-02-01

In this article, we report a study of the longest-lived polar crown cavity of Solar Cycle 24, using an observation from 2013, and propose a physical mechanism to explain its sustained existence. We used high temporal and spatial resolution observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) instruments on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory ( SDO ) to explore the structure and evolution of the cavity. Although it existed for more than a year, we examined the circumpolar cavity in great detail from 2013 March 21 to 2013 October 31. Our study reinforces the existingmore » theory of formation of polar crown filaments that involves two basic processes to form any polar crown cavity as well as the long-lived cavity that we studied here. First, the underlying polarity inversion line (PIL) of the circumpolar cavity is formed between (1) the trailing part of dozens of decayed active regions distributed in different longitudes and (2) the unipolar magnetic field in the polar coronal hole. Second, the long life of the cavity is sustained by the continuing flux cancellation along the PIL. The flux is persistently transported toward the polar region through surface meridional flow and diffusion. The continuing flux cancellation leads to the shrinking of the polar coronal hole.« less

The Formation and Maintenance of the Dominant Southern Polar Crown Cavity of Cycle 24

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Karna, N.; Zhang, J.; Pesnell, W. D.

2017-01-01

In this article, we report a study of the longest-lived polar crown cavity of Solar Cycle 24, using an observation from 2013, and propose a physical mechanism to explain its sustained existence. We used high temporal and spatial resolution observations from the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) and the Helioseismic Magnetic Imager (HMI) instruments on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to explore the structure and evolution of the cavity. Although it existed for more than a year, we examined the circumpolar cavity in great detail from 2013 March 21 to 2013 October 31. Our study reinforces the existing theory of formation of polar crown filaments that involves two basic processes to form any polar crown cavity as well as the long-lived cavity that we studied here. First, the underlying polarity inversion line (PIL) of the circumpolar cavity is formed between (1) the trailing part of dozens of decayed active regions distributed in different longitudes and (2) the unipolar magnetic field in the polar coronal hole. Second, the long life of the cavity is sustained by the continuing flux cancellation along the PIL. The flux is persistently transported toward the polar region through surface meridional flow and diffusion. The continuing flux cancellation leads to the shrinking of the polar coronal hole.

Transcriptional Modulation of Genes Encoding Structural Characteristics of Differentiating Enterocytes During Development of a Polarized Epithelium In Vitro

PubMed Central

Halbleib, Jennifer M.; Sääf, Annika M.

2007-01-01

Although there is considerable evidence implicating posttranslational mechanisms in the development of epithelial cell polarity, little is known about the patterns of gene expression and transcriptional regulation during this process. We characterized the temporal program of gene expression during cell–cell adhesion–initiated polarization of human Caco-2 cells in tissue culture, which develop structural and functional polarity similar to that of enterocytes in vivo. A distinctive switch in gene expression patterns occurred upon formation of cell–cell contacts between neighboring cells. Expression of genes involved in cell proliferation was down-regulated concomitant with induction of genes necessary for functional specialization of polarized epithelial cells. Transcriptional up-regulation of these latter genes correlated with formation of important structural and functional features in enterocyte differentiation and establishment of structural and functional cell polarity; components of the apical microvilli were induced as the brush border formed during polarization; as barrier function was established, expression of tight junction transmembrane proteins peaked; transcripts encoding components of the apical, but not the basal-lateral trafficking machinery were increased during polarization. Coordinated expression of genes encoding components of functional cell structures were often observed indicating temporal control of expression and assembly of multiprotein complexes. PMID:17699590

Calcium signaling mediates five types of cell morphological changes to form neural rosettes.

PubMed

Hříbková, Hana; Grabiec, Marta; Klemová, Dobromila; Slaninová, Iva; Sun, Yuh-Man

2018-02-12

Neural rosette formation is a critical morphogenetic process during neural development, whereby neural stem cells are enclosed in rosette niches to equipoise proliferation and differentiation. How neural rosettes form and provide a regulatory micro-environment remains to be elucidated. We employed the human embryonic stem cell-based neural rosette system to investigate the structural development and function of neural rosettes. Our study shows that neural rosette formation consists of five types of morphological change: intercalation, constriction, polarization, elongation and lumen formation. Ca 2+ signaling plays a pivotal role in the five steps by regulating the actions of the cytoskeletal complexes, actin, myosin II and tubulin during intercalation, constriction and elongation. These, in turn, control the polarizing elements, ZO-1, PARD3 and β-catenin during polarization and lumen production for neural rosette formation. We further demonstrate that the dismantlement of neural rosettes, mediated by the destruction of cytoskeletal elements, promotes neurogenesis and astrogenesis prematurely, indicating that an intact rosette structure is essential for orderly neural development. © 2018. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Itoh, Masahiko; Nelson, Celeste M.; Myers, Connie A.

Maintenance of apico-basal polarity in normal breast epithelial acini requires a balance between cell proliferation, cell death, and proper cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix signaling. Aberrations in any of these processes can disrupt tissue architecture and initiate tumor formation. Here we show that the small GTPase Rap1 is a crucial element in organizing acinar structure and inducing lumen formation. Rap1 activity in malignant HMT-3522 T4-2 cells is appreciably higher than in S1 cells, their non-malignant counterparts. Expression of dominant-negative Rap1 resulted in phenotypic reversion of T4-2 cells, led to formation of acinar structures with correct apico-basal polarity, and dramatically reduced tumormore » incidence despite the persistence of genomic abnormalities. The resulting acini contained prominent central lumina not observed when other reverting agents were used. Conversely, expression of dominant-active Rap1 in T4-2 cells inhibited phenotypic reversion and led to increased invasiveness and tumorigenicity. Thus, Rap1 acts as a central regulator of breast architecture, with normal levels of activation instructing apical polarity during acinar morphogenesis, and increased activation inducing tumor formation and progression to malignancy.« less

Dendrites In Vitro and In Vivo Contain Microtubules of Opposite Polarity and Axon Formation Correlates with Uniform Plus-End-Out Microtubule Orientation.

PubMed

Yau, Kah Wai; Schätzle, Philipp; Tortosa, Elena; Pagès, Stéphane; Holtmaat, Anthony; Kapitein, Lukas C; Hoogenraad, Casper C

2016-01-27

In cultured vertebrate neurons, axons have a uniform arrangement of microtubules with plus-ends distal to the cell body (plus-end-out), whereas dendrites contain mixed polarity orientations with both plus-end-out and minus-end-out oriented microtubules. Rather than non-uniform microtubules, uniparallel minus-end-out microtubules are the signature of dendrites in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans neurons. To determine whether mixed microtubule organization is a conserved feature of vertebrate dendrites, we used live-cell imaging to systematically analyze microtubule plus-end orientations in primary cultures of rat hippocampal and cortical neurons, dentate granule cells in mouse organotypic slices, and layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the somatosensory cortex of living mice. In vitro and in vivo, all microtubules had a plus-end-out orientation in axons, whereas microtubules in dendrites had mixed orientations. When dendritic microtubules were severed by laser-based microsurgery, we detected equal numbers of plus- and minus-end-out microtubule orientations throughout the dendritic processes. In dendrites, the minus-end-out microtubules were generally more stable and comparable with plus-end-out microtubules in axons. Interestingly, at early stages of neuronal development in nonpolarized cells, newly formed neurites already contained microtubules of opposite polarity, suggesting that the establishment of uniform plus-end-out microtubules occurs during axon formation. We propose a model in which the selective formation of uniform plus-end-out microtubules in the axon is a critical process underlying neuronal polarization. Live-cell imaging was used to systematically analyze microtubule organization in primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons, dentate granule cells in mouse organotypic slices, and layer 2/3 pyramidal neuron in somatosensory cortex of living mice. In vitro and in vivo, all microtubules have a plus-end-out orientation in axons, whereas microtubules in dendrites have mixed orientations. Interestingly, newly formed neurites of nonpolarized neurons already contain mixed microtubules, and the specific organization of uniform plus-end-out microtubules only occurs during axon formation. Based on these findings, the authors propose a model in which the selective formation of uniform plus-end-out microtubules in the axon is a critical process underlying neuronal polarization. Copyright © 2016 the authors 0270-6474/16/361072-15$15.00/0.

MACMULTIVIEW 5.1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Norikane, L.

1994-01-01

MacMultiview is an interactive tool for the Macintosh II family which allows one to display and make computations utilizing polarimetric radar data collected by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory's imaging SAR (synthetic aperture radar) polarimeter system. The system includes the single-frequency L-band sensor mounted on the NASA CV990 aircraft and its replacement, the multi-frequency P-, L-, and C-band sensors mounted on the NASA DC-8. MacMultiview provides two basic functions: computation of synthesized polarimetric images and computation of polarization signatures. The radar data can be used to compute a variety of images. The total power image displays the sum of the polarized and unpolarized components of the backscatter for each pixel. The magnitude/phase difference image displays the HH (horizontal transmit and horizontal receive polarization) to VV (vertical transmit and vertical receive polarization) phase difference using color. Magnitude is displayed using intensity. The user may also select any transmit and receive polarization combination from which an image is synthesized. This image displays the backscatter which would have been observed had the sensor been configured using the selected transmit and receive polarizations. MacMultiview can also be used to compute polarization signatures, three dimensional plots of backscatter versus transmit and receive polarizations. The standard co-polarization signatures (transmit and receive polarizations are the same) and cross-polarization signatures (transmit and receive polarizations are orthogonal) can be plotted for any rectangular subset of pixels within a radar data set. In addition, the ratio of co- and cross-polarization signatures computed from different subsets within the same data set can also be computed. Computed images can be saved in a variety of formats: byte format (headerless format which saves the image as a string of byte values), MacMultiview (a byte image preceded by an ASCII header), and PICT2 format (standard format readable by MacMultiview and other image processing programs for the Macintosh). Images can also be printed on PostScript output devices. Polarization signatures can be saved in either a PICT format or as a text file containing PostScript commands and printed on any QuickDraw output device. The associated Stokes matrices can be stored in a text file. MacMultiview is written in C-language for Macintosh II series computers. MacMultiview will only run on Macintosh II series computers with 8-bit video displays (gray shades or color). The program also requires a minimum configuration of System 6.0, Finder 6.1, and 1Mb of RAM. MacMultiview is NOT compatible with System 7.0. It requires 32-Bit QuickDraw. Note: MacMultiview may not be fully compatible with preliminary versions of 32-Bit QuickDraw. Macintosh Programmer's Workshop and Macintosh Programmer's Workshop C (version 3.0) are required for recompiling and relinking. The standard distribution medium for this package is a set of three 800K 3.5 inch diskettes in Macintosh format. This program was developed in 1989 and updated in 1991. MacMultiview is a copyrighted work with all copyright vested in NASA. QuickDraw, Finder, Macintosh, and System 7 are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

Programmable masks for optical information processing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goebel, J. H.; Matsumoto, T.; Mina, C.; Welch, J.

1984-01-01

Research in progress at NASA Ames Research Center on programmable masks is discussed in this paper. One type is a large area format liquid crystal mask intended for binary optical computation problems. To date, an on-off contrast ratio of 500:1 has been achieved at a switching rate of 1 Hz. With a 32 x 32 format, a ratio 10 to the 4th power:1 is desirable. The switching contrast is entirely dependent on the polarized quality; therefore, it is believed that 10 to the 4th power:1 in transmission is possible. Larger format masks are under development. An application to Hadamard transform polarized imagery at wavelengths of 1.0 to 2.0 micrometers, which is competitive with the best monolithic infrared detector arrays, is discussed.

Particle size distributions in Arctic polar stratospheric clouds, growth and freezing of sulfuric acid droplets, and implications for cloud formation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dye, James E.; Baumgardner, D.; Gandrud, B. W.; Kawa, S. R.; Kelly, K. K.; Loewenstein, M.; Ferry, G. V.; Chan, K. R.; Gary, B. L.

1992-01-01

The paper uses particle size and volume measurements obtained with the forward scattering spectrometer probe model 300 during January and February 1989 in the Airborne Arctic Stratospheric Experiment to investigate processes important in the formation and growth of polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) particles. It is suggested on the basis of comparisons of the observations with expected sulfuric acid droplet deliquescence that in the Arctic a major fraction of the sulfuric acid droplets remain liquid until temperatures at least as low as 193 K. It is proposed that homogeneous freezing of the sulfuric acid droplets might occur near 190 K and might play a role in the formation of PSCs.

Katabatic jumps in the Martian northern polar regions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spiga, Aymeric; Smith, Isaac

2018-07-01

Martian polar regions host active regional wind circulations, such as the downslope katabatic winds which develop owing to near-surface radiative cooling and sloped topography. Many observations (stratigraphy from radar profiling, frost streaks, spectral analysis of ices) concur to show that aeolian processes play a key role in glacial processes in Martian polar regions. A spectacular manifestation of this resides in elongated clouds that forms within the polar spiral troughs, a series of geological depressions in Mars' polar caps. Here we report mesoscale atmospheric modeling in Martian polar regions making use of five nested domains operating a model downscaling from horizontal resolutions of twenty kilometers to 200 m in a typical polar trough. We show that strong katabatic jumps form at the bottom of polar troughs with an horizontal morphology and location similar to trough clouds, large vertical velocity (up to +3 m/s) and temperature perturbations (up to 20 K) propitious to cloud formation. This strongly suggests that trough clouds on Mars are caused by katabatic jumps forming within polar troughs. This phenomena is analogous to the terrestrial Loewe phenomena over Antarctica's slopes and coastlines, resulting in a distinctive "wall of snow" during katabatic events. Our mesoscale modeling results thereby suggest that trough clouds might be present manifestations of the ice migration processes that yielded the internal cap structure discovered by radar observations, as part of a "cyclic step" process. This has important implications for the stability and possible migration over geological timescales of water ice surface reservoirs-and, overall, for the evolution of Mars' polar caps over geological timescales.

Aperture Effects in the Long Slit Spectrophotometry of the Polar Ring Galaxy IIZw71

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pérez-Montero, E.; García-Benito, R.; Díaz, Á. I.; Pérez, E.; Kehrig, C.

2008-10-01

Polar ring galaxies are composed by an early type galaxy and a polar ring rotating around it and which is rich in gas, dust and star formation. IIZw71 is catalogued as a blue compact dwarf galaxy and as a probable polar ring galaxy (Whitmore et al. 1990). The formation of the polar ring and the very luminous bursts of star formation along it, is a consequence of the interaction with a close companion, IIZw70, situated at 18.1 kpc (Cox et al. 2001). We have carried out spectrophotometric observations of the bursts of star formation along the polar ring in order to study differences in the physical properties or the star formation histories between the knots

Huntingtin Is Required for Epithelial Polarity through RAB11A-Mediated Apical Trafficking of PAR3-aPKC

PubMed Central

Elias, Salah; McGuire, John Russel; Yu, Hua; Humbert, Sandrine

2015-01-01

The establishment of apical-basolateral polarity is important for both normal development and disease, for example, during tumorigenesis and metastasis. During this process, polarity complexes are targeted to the apical surface by a RAB11A-dependent mechanism. Huntingtin (HTT), the protein that is mutated in Huntington disease, acts as a scaffold for molecular motors and promotes microtubule-based dynamics. Here, we investigated the role of HTT in apical polarity during the morphogenesis of the mouse mammary epithelium. We found that the depletion of HTT from luminal cells in vivo alters mouse ductal morphogenesis and lumen formation. HTT is required for the apical localization of PAR3-aPKC during epithelial morphogenesis in virgin, pregnant, and lactating mice. We show that HTT forms a complex with PAR3, aPKC, and RAB11A and ensures the microtubule-dependent apical vesicular translocation of PAR3-aPKC through RAB11A. We thus propose that HTT regulates polarized vesicular transport, lumen formation and mammary epithelial morphogenesis. PMID:25942483

Water vapor content in the polar atmosphere measured by Lyman-alpha/OH fluorescence method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Iwasaka, Y.; Saitoh, S.; Ono, A.

1985-01-01

The water vapor of the polar stratosphere possibly plays an important role in various aeronomical processes; for example, OH radical formation through photodissociation of H2O, formation of water cluster ions, radiative energy transfer in the lower stratosphere, condensation onto particulate matter, and so on. In addition to these, it has been speculated, from the viewpoint of global transport and/or budget of water vapor, that the polar stratosphere functions as an active sink. STANFORD (1973) emphasized the existence of the stratospheric Cist cloud in the polar stratosphere which brought a large loss rate of stratospheric water vapor through a so-called freeze-out of cloud particles from the stratosphere into the troposphere. However, these geophysically interesting problems unfortunately remain to be solved, owing to the lack of measurements on water vapor distribution and its temporal variation in the polar stratosphere. The water vapor content measured at Syowa Station (69.00 deg S, 39.35 deg E), Antarctica using a balloon-borne hygrometer (Lyman - alpha/OH fluorescence type) is discussed.

Effects of polarization and absorption on laser induced optical breakdown threshold for skin rejuvenation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Varghese, Babu; Bonito, Valentina; Turco, Simona; Verhagen, Rieko

2016-03-01

Laser induced optical breakdown (LIOB) is a non-linear absorption process leading to plasma formation at locations where the threshold irradiance for breakdown is surpassed. In this paper we experimentally demonstrate the influence of polarization and absorption on laser induced breakdown threshold in transparent, absorbing and scattering phantoms made from water suspensions of polystyrene microspheres. We demonstrate that radially polarized light yields a lower irradiance threshold for creating optical breakdown compared to linearly polarized light. We also demonstrate that the thermal initiation pathway used for generating seed electrons results in a lower irradiance threshold compared to multiphoton initiation pathway used for optical breakdown.

Peculiar orientational disorder in 4-bromo-4'-nitrobiphenyl (BNBP) and 4-bromo-4'-cyanobiphenyl (BCNBP) leading to bipolar crystals.

PubMed

Burgener, Matthias; Aboulfadl, Hanane; Labat, Gaël Charles; Bonin, Michel; Sommer, Martin; Sankolli, Ravish; Wübbenhorst, Michael; Hulliger, Jürg

2016-05-01

180° orientational disorder of molecular building blocks can lead to a peculiar spatial distribution of polar properties in molecular crystals. Here we present two examples [4-bromo-4'-nitrobiphenyl (BNBP) and 4-bromo-4'-cyanobiphenyl (BCNBP)] which develop into a bipolar final growth state. This means orientational disorder taking place at the crystal/nutrient interface produces domains of opposite average polarity for as-grown crystals. The spatial inhomogeneous distribution of polarity was investigated by scanning pyroelectric microscopy (SPEM), phase-sensitive second harmonic microscopy (PS-SHM) and selected volume X-ray diffraction (SVXD). As a result, the acceptor groups (NO2 or CN) are predominantly present at crystal surfaces. However, the stochastic process of polarity formation can be influenced by adding a symmetrical biphenyl to a growing system. For this case, Monte Carlo simulations predict an inverted net polarity compared with the growth of pure BNBP and BCNBP. SPEM results clearly demonstrate that 4,4'-dibromobiphenyl (DBBP) can invert the polarity for both crystals. Phenomena reported in this paper belong to the most striking processes seen for molecular crystals, demonstrated by a stochastic process giving rise to symmetry breaking. We encounter here further examples supporting the general thesis that monodomain polar molecular crystals for fundamental reasons cannot exist.

Cooperative Interactions between 480 kDa Ankyrin-G and EB Proteins Assemble the Axon Initial Segment.

PubMed

Fréal, Amélie; Fassier, Coralie; Le Bras, Barbara; Bullier, Erika; De Gois, Stéphanie; Hazan, Jamilé; Hoogenraad, Casper C; Couraud, François

2016-04-20

The axon initial segment (AIS) is required for generating action potentials and maintaining neuronal polarity. Significant progress has been made in deciphering the basic building blocks composing the AIS, but the underlying mechanisms required for AIS formation remains unclear. The scaffolding protein ankyrin-G is the master-organizer of the AIS. Microtubules and their interactors, particularly end-binding proteins (EBs), have emerged as potential key players in AIS formation. Here, we show that the longest isoform of ankyrin-G (480AnkG) selectively associates with EBs via its specific tail domain and that this interaction is crucial for AIS formation and neuronal polarity in cultured rodent hippocampal neurons. EBs are essential for 480AnkG localization and stabilization at the AIS, whereas 480AnkG is required for the specific accumulation of EBs in the proximal axon. Our findings thus provide a conceptual framework for understanding how the cooperative relationship between 480AnkG and EBs induces the assembly of microtubule-AIS structures in the proximal axon. Neuronal polarity is crucial for the proper function of neurons. The assembly of the axon initial segment (AIS), which is the hallmark of early neuronal polarization, relies on the longest 480 kDa ankyrin-G isoform. The microtubule cytoskeleton and its interacting proteins were suggested to be early key players in the process of AIS formation. In this study, we show that the crosstalk between 480 kDa ankyrin-G and the microtubule plus-end tracking proteins, EBs, at the proximal axon is decisive for AIS assembly and neuronal polarity. Our work thus provides insight into the functional mechanisms used by 480 kDa ankyrin-G to drive the AIS formation and thereby to establish neuronal polarity. Copyright © 2016 the authors 0270-6474/16/364421-13$15.00/0.

PolarPortal.org Communicates Real-Time Developments in the Arctic

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Langen, P. L.; Andersen, S. B.; Andersen, K. K.; Andersen, M. L.; Ahlstrom, A. P.; van As, D.; Barletta, V. R.; Box, J. E.; Citterio, M.; Colgan, W. T.; Dybkjær, G.; Forsberg, R.; Høyer, J. L.; Jensen, M. B.; Kliem, N.; Mottram, R.; Nielsen, K. P.; Olesen, M.; Quaglia, F. C.; Rasmussen, T. A.; Rodehacke, C. B.; Stendel, M.; Sandberg Sørensen, L.; Tonboe, R. T.

2014-12-01

PolarPortal.org was launched in June 2013 by a consortium of Danish institutions, including the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and the National Space Institute at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU-Space). Polar Portal is a single web portal presenting a wide range of near real-time information on both the Greenland ice sheet and Arctic sea-ice in a format geared for non-specialists. Polar Portal aims to meet widespread public interest in a diverse range of climate-cryosphere processes in the Arctic: What is the present Greenland ice sheet contribution to sea level rise? How quickly are outlet glaciers retreating or advancing right now? How extensive is Arctic sea-ice or how warm is the Arctic Ocean at this moment? Although public interest in such topics is widely acknowledged, an important primary task for the scientists behind Polar Portal was collaborating with media specialists to establish the knowledge range of the general public on these topics, in order for Polar Portal to appropriately present useful climate-cryosphere information. Consequently, Polar Portal is designed in a highly visual exploratory format, where individual data products are accompanied by plain written summaries, with hyperlinks to relevant journal papers for more scrutinizing users. Numerous satellite and in situ observations, together with model output, are channeled daily into the Greenland ice sheet and Arctic sea-ice divisions of Polar Portal.

Intraconversion of Polar Ginsenosides, Their Transformation into Less-Polar Ginsenosides, and Ginsenoside Acetylation in Ginseng Flowers upon Baking and Steaming.

PubMed

Li, Xiang; Yao, Fan; Fan, Hang; Li, Ke; Sun, Liwei; Liu, Yujun

2018-03-26

Heating is a traditional method used in ginseng root processing, however, there aren't reports on differences resulting from baking and steaming. Moreover, ginseng flowers, with 5.06 times more total saponins than ginseng root, are not fully taken advantage of for their ginsenosides. Transformation mechanisms of ginsenosides in ginseng flowers upon baking and steaming were thus explored. HPLC using authentic standards of 20 ginsenosides and UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS were used to quantify and identify ginsenosides, respectively, in ginseng flowers baked or steamed at different temperatures and durations. Results show that baking and steaming caused a 3.2-fold increase in ginsenoside species existed in unheated ginseng flowers (20/64 ginsenosides) and transformation of a certain amount of polar ginsenosides into numerous less polar ginsenosides. Among the 20 ginsenosides with standards, polar ginsenosides were abundant in ginseng flowers baked or steamed at lower temperatures, whereas less polar ginsenosides occurred and were enriched at higher temperatures. Furthermore, the two types of heating treatments could generate mostly similar ginsenosides, but steaming was much efficient than baking in transforming polar- into less polar ginsenosides, with steaming at 120 °C being comparably equivalent to baking at 150 °C. Moreover, both the two heating methods triggered ginsenoside acetylation and thus caused formation of 16 acetylginsenosides. Finally, a new transformation mechanism concerning acetyl-ginsenosides formation was proposed.

Denitrification of the polar winter stratosphere - Implications of SAM II cloud formation temperatures

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hamill, Patrick; Toon, O. B.

1990-01-01

The SAM II extinction profiles and the associated temperature profiles are used to determine the amount of denitrification of the winter polar stratospheres. Clear evidence of the denitrification process in the Antarctic data is seen. There are indications in the Arctic data that denitrification mechanisms may be at work there also. At the latitudes observed by the SAM II satellite system, denitrification begins before the formation of extensive ice clouds and may be due to sedimentation of nitric acid particles. However, the possibility of dinitrification by type II PSCs at latitudes not observed by SAM II cannot be excluded.

Metal surface coloration by oxide periodic structures formed with nanosecond laser pulses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Veiko, Vadim; Karlagina, Yulia; Moskvin, Mikhail; Mikhailovskii, Vladimir; Odintsova, Galina; Olshin, Pavel; Pankin, Dmitry; Romanov, Valery; Yatsuk, Roman

2017-09-01

In this work, we studied a method of laser-induced coloration of metals, where small-scale spatially periodic structures play a key role in the process of color formation. The formation of such structures on a surface of AISI 304 stainless steel was demonstrated for the 1.06 μm fiber laser with nanosecond duration of pulses and random (elliptical) polarization. The color of the surface depends on the period, height and orientation of periodic surface structures. Adjustment of the polarization of the laser radiation or change of laser incidence angle can be used to control the orientation of the structures. The formation of markings that change their color under the different viewing angles becomes possible. The potential application of the method is metal product protection against falsification.

Processes for microemulsion polymerization employing novel microemulsion systems

DOEpatents

Beckman, Eric J.; Smith, Richard D.; Fulton, John L.

1990-06-12

This invention is directed to a microemulsion system comprising a first phase including a low-polarity fluid material which is a gas at standard temperature and pressure, and which has a cloud-point density. It also includes a second phase including a polar fluid, typically water, a monomer, preferably a monomer soluble in the polar fluid, and a microemulsion promoter for facilitating the formation of micelles including the monomer in the system. In the subject process, micelles including the monomer are formed in the first phase. A polymerization initiator is introduced into the micelles in the microemulsion system. The monomer is then polymerized in the micelles, preferably in the core of the micelle, to produce a polymeric material having a relatively high molecular weight.

Joint Program on Molecular Biology of Marine Organisms

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-08-20

and lateral flagella formation in a marine vibrio (Belas and Colwell, 1982). Upon contact with a surface, the polar flagella of Vibrio ... parahemolyticus ceased to function. Shortl’ thereafter, lateral flagella formed around the cells, apparently mediating the "irreversible" attachment process. Pilus...Colwell. 1982. Adsorption kinetics of 18 Slaterally and polarly flagellated Vibrio . J. Bacteriol. 151:1568-1580. S-- Brown, C.M., D.C. Ellwood, and

CelR, an Ortholog of the Diguanylate Cyclase PleD of Caulobacter, Regulates Cellulose Synthesis in Agrobacterium tumefaciens

PubMed Central

Barnhart, D. Michael; Su, Shengchang; Baccaro, Brenna E.; Banta, Lois M.

2013-01-01

Cellulose fibrils play a role in attachment of Agrobacterium tumefaciens to its plant host. While the genes for cellulose biosynthesis in the bacterium have been identified, little is known concerning the regulation of the process. The signal molecule cyclic di-GMP (c-di-GMP) has been linked to the regulation of exopolysaccharide biosynthesis in many bacterial species, including A. tumefaciens. In this study, we identified two putative diguanylate cyclase genes, celR (atu1297) and atu1060, that influence production of cellulose in A. tumefaciens. Overexpression of either gene resulted in increased cellulose production, while deletion of celR, but not atu1060, resulted in decreased cellulose biosynthesis. celR overexpression also affected other phenotypes, including biofilm formation, formation of a polar adhesion structure, plant surface attachment, and virulence, suggesting that the gene plays a role in regulating these processes. Analysis of celR and Δcel mutants allowed differentiation between phenotypes associated with cellulose production, such as biofilm formation, and phenotypes probably resulting from c-di-GMP signaling, which include polar adhesion, attachment to plant tissue, and virulence. Phylogenetic comparisons suggest that species containing both celR and celA, which encodes the catalytic subunit of cellulose synthase, adapted the CelR protein to regulate cellulose production while those that lack celA use CelR, called PleD, to regulate specific processes associated with polar localization and cell division. PMID:24038703

Topography of the South Polar Cap and Layered Deposits of Mars: Viking Stereo Grametry at Regional and Local Scales

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schenk, P.; Moore, J.; Stoker, C.

1998-01-01

Layered deposits and residual polar caps on Mars may record the deposition of ice and sediment modulated by periodic climate change. Topographic information relating to layer thicknesses, erosional processes, and formation of dark spirals within these deposits has been sparce or unreliable until the arrival of MOLA in orbit in September 1997. To assist in evaluating these terrains prior to launch and to assess formation and erosion processes in the polar deposits, we have assembled Viking stereo mosaics of the region and have produced the first reliable DEM models of the south polar deposits using automated stereogrammetry tools. Here we report our preliminary topographic results, pending final image pointing updates. The maximum total thickness of the layered deposits in the south polar region is 2.5 km. The thick layered deposits consist of a series of megaterraces. Each terrace is several tens of kilometers wide and is flat or slopes very gently toward the pole. These terraces step downward from a central plateau near the south pole. Terraces are bounded by relatively steep scarps 100-500 meters high that face toward the equator. These scarps correspond to the pattern of dark spirals observed within the residual cap in southern summer, and are interpreted as ice or frost-free surfaces warmed by solar insolation. Several tongue-shaped troughs, with rounded cirquelike heads, are observed near the margins of the deposit. These troughs are 300-600 meters in deep and may be similar to troughs observed in the northern polar deposit.

An ancient role for nuclear beta-catenin in the evolution of axial polarity and germ layer segregation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wikramanayake, Athula H.; Hong, Melanie; Lee, Patricia N.; Pang, Kevin; Byrum, Christine A.; Bince, Joanna M.; Xu, Ronghui; Martindale, Mark Q.

2003-01-01

The human oncogene beta-catenin is a bifunctional protein with critical roles in both cell adhesion and transcriptional regulation in the Wnt pathway. Wnt/beta-catenin signalling has been implicated in developmental processes as diverse as elaboration of embryonic polarity, formation of germ layers, neural patterning, spindle orientation and gap junction communication, but the ancestral function of beta-catenin remains unclear. In many animal embryos, activation of beta-catenin signalling occurs in blastomeres that mark the site of gastrulation and endomesoderm formation, raising the possibility that asymmetric activation of beta-catenin signalling specified embryonic polarity and segregated germ layers in the common ancestor of bilaterally symmetrical animals. To test whether nuclear translocation of beta-catenin is involved in axial identity and/or germ layer formation in 'pre-bilaterians', we examined the in vivo distribution, stability and function of beta-catenin protein in embryos of the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis (Cnidaria, Anthozoa). Here we show that N. vectensis beta-catenin is differentially stabilized along the oral-aboral axis, translocated into nuclei in cells at the site of gastrulation and used to specify entoderm, indicating an evolutionarily ancient role for this protein in early pattern formation.

Src- and Fyn-dependent apical membrane trafficking events control endothelial lumen formation during vascular tube morphogenesis.

PubMed

Kim, Dae Joong; Norden, Pieter R; Salvador, Jocelynda; Barry, David M; Bowers, Stephanie L K; Cleaver, Ondine; Davis, George E

2017-01-01

Here we examine the question of how endothelial cells (ECs) develop their apical membrane surface domain during lumen and tube formation. We demonstrate marked apical membrane targeting of activated Src kinases to this apical domain during early and late stages of this process. Immunostaining for phosphotyrosine or phospho-Src reveals apical membrane staining in intracellular vacuoles initially. This is then followed by vacuole to vacuole fusion events to generate an apical luminal membrane, which is similarly decorated with activated phospho-Src kinases. Functional blockade of Src kinases completely blocks EC lumen and tube formation, whether this occurs during vasculogenic tube assembly or angiogenic sprouting events. Multiple Src kinases participate in this apical membrane formation process and siRNA suppression of Src, Fyn and Yes, but not Lyn, blocks EC lumen formation. We also demonstrate strong apical targeting of Src-GFP and Fyn-GFP fusion proteins and increasing their expression enhances lumen formation. Finally, we show that Src- and Fyn-associated vacuoles track and fuse along a subapically polarized microtubule cytoskeleton, which is highly acetylated. These vacuoles generate the apical luminal membrane in a stereotypically polarized, perinuclear position. Overall, our study identifies a critical role for Src kinases in creating and decorating the EC apical membrane surface during early and late stages of lumen and tube formation, a central event in the molecular control of vascular morphogenesis.

The interdependence of the Rho GTPases and apicobasal cell polarity.

PubMed

Mack, Natalie Ann; Georgiou, Marios

2014-01-01

Signaling via the Rho GTPases provides crucial regulation of numerous cell polarization events, including apicobasal (AB) polarity, polarized cell migration, polarized cell division and neuronal polarity. Here we review the relationships between the Rho family GTPases and epithelial AB polarization events, focusing on the 3 best-characterized members: Rho, Rac and Cdc42. We discuss a multitude of processes that are important for AB polarization, including lumen formation, apical membrane specification, cell-cell junction assembly and maintenance, as well as tissue polarity. Our discussions aim to highlight the immensely complex regulatory mechanisms that encompass Rho GTPase signaling during AB polarization. More specifically, in this review we discuss several emerging common themes, that include: 1) the need for Rho GTPase activities to be carefully balanced in both a spatial and temporal manner through a multitude of mechanisms; 2) the existence of signaling feedback loops and crosstalk to create robust cellular responses; and 3) the frequent multifunctionality that exists among AB polarity regulators. Regarding this latter theme, we provide further discussion of the potential plasticity of the cell polarity machinery and as a result the possible implications for human disease.

Control of apico-basal epithelial polarity by the microtubule minus-end-binding protein CAMSAP3 and spectraplakin ACF7.

PubMed

Noordstra, Ivar; Liu, Qingyang; Nijenhuis, Wilco; Hua, Shasha; Jiang, Kai; Baars, Matthijs; Remmelzwaal, Sanne; Martin, Maud; Kapitein, Lukas C; Akhmanova, Anna

2016-11-15

The microtubule cytoskeleton regulates cell polarity by spatially organizing membrane trafficking and signaling processes. In epithelial cells, microtubules form parallel arrays aligned along the apico-basal axis, and recent work has demonstrated that the members of CAMSAP/Patronin family control apical tethering of microtubule minus ends. Here, we show that in mammalian intestinal epithelial cells, the spectraplakin ACF7 (also known as MACF1) specifically binds to CAMSAP3 and is required for the apical localization of CAMSAP3-decorated microtubule minus ends. Loss of ACF7 but not of CAMSAP3 or its homolog CAMSAP2 affected the formation of polarized epithelial cysts in three-dimensional cultures. In short-term epithelial polarization assays, knockout of CAMSAP3, but not of CAMSAP2, caused microtubule re-organization into a more radial centrosomal array, redistribution of Rab11-positive (also known as Rab11A) endosomes from the apical cell surface to the pericentrosomal region and inhibition of actin brush border formation at the apical side of the cell. We conclude that ACF7 is an important regulator of apico-basal polarity in mammalian intestinal cells and that a radial centrosome-centered microtubule organization can act as an inhibitor of epithelial polarity. © 2016. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Spatial and Temporal Control of T Cell Activation Using a Photoactivatable Agonist.

PubMed

Sanchez, Elisa; Huse, Morgan

2018-04-25

T lymphocytes engage in rapid, polarized signaling, occurring within minutes following TCR activation. This induces formation of the immunological synapse, a stereotyped cell-cell junction that regulates T cell activation and directionally targets effector responses. To study these processes effectively, an imaging approach that is tailored to capturing fast, polarized responses is necessary. This protocol describes such a system, which is based on a photoactivatable peptide-major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) that is non-stimulatory until it is exposed to ultraviolet light. Targeted decaging of this reagent during videomicroscopy experiments enables precise spatiotemporal control of TCR activation and high-resolution monitoring of subsequent cellular responses by total internal reflection (TIRF) imaging. This approach is also compatible with genetic and pharmacological perturbation strategies. This allows for the assembly of well-defined molecular pathways that link TCR signaling to the formation of the polarized cytoskeletal structures that underlie the immunological synapse.

ILK modulates epithelial polarity and matrix formation in hair follicles.

PubMed

Rudkouskaya, Alena; Welch, Ian; Dagnino, Lina

2014-03-01

Hair follicle morphogenesis requires coordination of multiple signals and communication between its epithelial and mesenchymal constituents. Cell adhesion protein platforms, which include integrins and integrin-linked kinase (ILK), are critical for hair follicle formation. However, their precise contribution to this process is poorly understood. We show that in the absence of ILK, the hair follicle matrix lineage fails to develop, likely due to abnormalities in development of apical-basal cell polarity, as well as in laminin-511 and basement membrane assembly at the tip of the hair bud. These defects also result in impaired specification of hair matrix and absence of precortex and inner sheath root cell lineages. The molecular pathways affected in ILK-deficient follicles are similar to those in the absence of epidermal integrin β1 and include Wnt, but not sonic hedgehog, signaling. ILK-deficient hair buds also show abnormalities in the dermal papilla. Addition of exogenous laminin-511 restores morphological and molecular markers associated with hair matrix formation, indicating that ILK regulates hair bud cell polarity and functions upstream from laminin-511 assembly to regulate the developmental progression of hair follicles beyond the germ stage.

Crystal orientation dependence of femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structure on (100) silicon.

PubMed

Jiang, Lan; Han, Weina; Li, Xiaowei; Wang, Qingsong; Meng, Fantong; Lu, Yongfeng

2014-06-01

It is widely believed that laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are independent of material crystal structures. This Letter reports an abnormal phenomenon of strong dependence of the anisotropic formation of periodic ripples on crystal orientation, when Si (100) is processed by a linearly polarized femtosecond laser (800 nm, 50 fs, 1 kHz). LIPSS formation sensitivity with a π/2 modulation is found along different crystal orientations with a quasi-cosinusoid function when the angle between the crystal orientation and polarization direction is changed from 0° to 180°. Our experiments indicate that it is much easier (or more difficult) to form ripple structures when the polarization direction is aligned with the lattice axis [011]/[011¯] (or [001]). The modulated nonlinear ionization rate along different crystal orientations, which arises from the direction dependence of the effective mass of the electron is proposed to interpret the unexpected anisotropic LIPSS formation phenomenon. Also, we demonstrate that the abnormal phenomenon can be applied to control the continuity of scanned ripple lines along different crystal orientations.

Anisotropic etching of platinum electrodes at the onset of cathodic corrosion

PubMed Central

Hersbach, Thomas J. P.; Yanson, Alexei I.; Koper, Marc T. M.

2016-01-01

Cathodic corrosion is a process that etches metal electrodes under cathodic polarization. This process is presumed to occur through anionic metallic reaction intermediates, but the exact nature of these intermediates and the onset potential of their formation is unknown. Here we determine the onset potential of cathodic corrosion on platinum electrodes. Electrodes are characterized electrochemically before and after cathodic polarization in 10 M sodium hydroxide, revealing that changes in the electrode surface start at an electrode potential of −1.3 V versus the normal hydrogen electrode. The value of this onset potential rules out previous hypotheses regarding the nature of cathodic corrosion. Scanning electron microscopy shows the formation of well-defined etch pits with a specific orientation, which match the voltammetric data and indicate a remarkable anisotropy in the cathodic etching process, favouring the creation of (100) sites. Such anisotropy is hypothesized to be due to surface charge-induced adsorption of electrolyte cations. PMID:27554398

The Role of the Clathrin Adaptor AP-1: Polarized Sorting and Beyond

PubMed Central

Nakatsu, Fubito; Hase, Koji; Ohno, Hiroshi

2014-01-01

The selective transport of proteins or lipids by vesicular transport is a fundamental process supporting cellular physiology. The budding process involves cargo sorting and vesicle formation at the donor membrane and constitutes an important process in vesicular transport. This process is particularly important for the polarized sorting in epithelial cells, in which the cargo molecules need to be selectively sorted and transported to two distinct destinations, the apical or basolateral plasma membrane. Adaptor protein (AP)-1, a member of the AP complex family, which includes the ubiquitously expressed AP-1A and the epithelium-specific AP-1B, regulates polarized sorting at the trans-Golgi network and/or at the recycling endosomes. A growing body of evidence, especially from studies using model organisms and animals, demonstrates that the AP-1-mediated polarized sorting supports the development and physiology of multi-cellular units as functional organs and tissues (e.g., cell fate determination, inflammation and gut immune homeostasis). Furthermore, a possible involvement of AP-1B in the pathogenesis of human diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and cancer, is now becoming evident. These data highlight the significant contribution of AP-1 complexes to the physiology of multicellular organisms, as master regulators of polarized sorting in epithelial cells. PMID:25387275

Induced-Dipole-Directed, Cooperative Self-Assembly of a Benzotrithiophene.

PubMed

Ikeda, Toshiaki; Adachi, Hiroaki; Fueno, Hiroyuki; Tanaka, Kazuyoshi; Haino, Takeharu

2017-10-06

A benzotrithiophene derivative possessing phenylisoxazoles self-assembled to form stacks. The molecule isodesmically self-assembled in chloroform, whereas it self-assembled in a cooperative fashion in decalin and in methylcyclohexane. Thermodynamic studies based on isodesmic, van der Schoot, and Goldstein-Stryer mathematical models revealed that the self-assembly processes are enthalpically driven and entropically opposed. An enthalpy-entropy compensation plot indicates that the assembly processes in chloroform, decalin, and methylcyclohexane are closely related. The enthalpic gains in less-polar solvents are greater than those in more-polar solvents, resulting in the formation of large assemblies in decalin and in methylcyclohexane. The formation of large assemblies leads to cooperative assemblies. The elongation process is enthalpically more favored than the nucleation process, which drives the cooperativity of the self-assembly. DFT calculations suggested that a hexameric assembly is more stable than tetrameric or dimeric assemblies. Cooperative self-assemblies based on intermolecular interactions other than hydrogen bonding have rarely been reported. It is demonstrated herein that van der Waals interactions, including induced dipole-dipole interactions, can drive the cooperative assembly of planar π-conjugated molecules.

Spatial control of translation repression and polarized growth by conserved NDR kinase Orb6 and RNA-binding protein Sts5.

PubMed

Nuñez, Illyce; Rodriguez Pino, Marbelys; Wiley, David J; Das, Maitreyi E; Chen, Chuan; Goshima, Tetsuya; Kume, Kazunori; Hirata, Dai; Toda, Takashi; Verde, Fulvia

2016-07-30

RNA-binding proteins contribute to the formation of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) granules by phase transition, but regulatory mechanisms are not fully understood. Conserved fission yeast NDR (Nuclear Dbf2-Related) kinase Orb6 governs cell morphogenesis in part by spatially controlling Cdc42 GTPase. Here we describe a novel, independent function for Orb6 kinase in negatively regulating the recruitment of RNA-binding protein Sts5 into RNPs to promote polarized cell growth. We find that Orb6 kinase inhibits Sts5 recruitment into granules, its association with processing (P) bodies, and degradation of Sts5-bound mRNAs by promoting Sts5 interaction with 14-3-3 protein Rad24. Many Sts5-bound mRNAs encode essential factors for polarized cell growth, and Orb6 kinase spatially and temporally controls the extent of Sts5 granule formation. Disruption of this control system affects cell morphology and alters the pattern of polarized cell growth, revealing a role for Orb6 kinase in the spatial control of translational repression that enables normal cell morphogenesis.

Toward understanding dynamic annealing processes in irradiated ceramics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myers, Michael Thomas

High energy particle irradiation inevitably generates defects in solids in the form of collision cascades. The ballistic formation and thermalization of cascades occur rapidly and are believed to be reasonably well understood. However, knowledge of the evolution of defects after damage cascade thermalization, referred to as dynamic annealing, is quite limited. Unraveling the mechanisms associated with dynamic an- nealing is crucial since such processes play an important role in the formation of stable post-irradiation disorder in ion-beam-processed semiconductors and determines the "radiation tolerance" of many nuclear materials. The purpose of this dissertation is to further our understanding of the processes involved in dynamic annealing. In order to achieve this, two main tasks are undertaken. First, the effects of dynamic annealing are investigated in ZnO, a technologically relevant material that exhibits very high dynamic defect annealing at room temper- ature. Such high dynamic annealing leads to unusual defect accumulation in heavy ion bombarded ZnO. Through this work, the puzzling features that were observed more than a decade ago in ion-channeling spectra have finally been explained. We show that the presence of a polar surface substantially alters damage accumulation. Non-polar surface terminations of ZnO are shown to exhibit enhanced dynamic an- nealing compared to polar surface terminated ZnO. Additionally, we demonstrate one method to reduce radiation damage in polar surface terminated ZnO by means of a surface modification. These results advance our efforts in the long-sought-after goal of understanding complex radiation damage processes in ceramics. Second, a pulsed-ion-beam method is developed and demonstrated in the case of Si as a prototypical non-metallic target. Such a method is shown to be a novel experimental technique for direct extraction of dynamic annealing parameters. The relaxation times and effective diffusion lengths of mobile defects during the dynamic annealing process play a vital role in damage accumulation. We demonstrate that these parameters dominate the formation of stable post-irradiation disorder. In Si, a defect lifetime of ˜ 6 ms and a characteristic defect diffusion length of ˜ 30 nm are measured. These results should nucleate future pulsed-beam studies of dynamic defect interaction processes in technologically relevant materials. In particular, un- derstanding length- and time-scales of defect interactions are essential for extending laboratory findings to nuclear material lifetimes and to the time-scales of geological storage of nuclear waste.

Possible contemporary evaporites formation at the Martian Northern Polar Cap

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Losiak, Anna; Czechowski, Leszek

Evaporitic minerals are abundant on the surface of Mars (e.g., Wentworth et al. 2005, Velbel 2012, Clark and Van Hart 1981, Wang et al. 2006, Kuzmin et al. 2009), especially within the Circumpolar Dune Field and on the Northern Ice Cap itself (e.g., Langevin et al., 2005, Roach et al. 2007, Horgan et al. 2009, Masse et al. 2010, 2012). Most of their proposed formation mechanisms require significant amounts of liquid water and are thus not possible under current Martian conditions (Arvidson et al. 2006, Andrews-Hanna et al. 2007, Fishbaugh et al. 2007, Szynkiewicz et al. 2010). Some authors have considered the potential role of ice and ice- or snowmelt-related alteration in the weathering of Martian materials (e.g., Catling et al. 2006, Zolotov and Mironenko 2007, Niles and Michalski 2009, Masse et al. 2010). However, none of those studies discussed details of the process leading to the formation of the evaporites or the timing of the processes. The aim of this paper is to model numerically if the current radiant heating is sufficient to melt a thin layer of ice surrounding a single dust grain exposed within the south facing side of the Martian North Polar Cap trench. The results of our initial study suggest that for dust grains with basaltic properties and ice with low values of coefficient of heat conduction, and solar constant = 492 W/m2 liquid water may exist below a dust grain for up to 4 hours a sol. This suggest that contemporary evaporites formation on Martian Polar Cap is possible.

Interaction between Meso-scale Eddies and Sub-polar Front in the East (Japan) Sea based on ARGO, AVHRR, and Numerical Model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ro, Y.; Kim, E.

2008-12-01

The East (Japan) Sea is drawing keen international attentions from broad spectrum of groups such as scientists, diplomats, and defense officers for its geopolitical situation, peculiar scientific assets recognized as miniature ocean. From physical oceanographic aspect, it is very rich with many features such as basin-wide circulation pattern, boundary currents, sub-polar front, meso-scale eddy activities and deep water formation. The circulation pattern in the East (Japan) Sea has been of major interests for its peculiar gyre, a western boundary current and its separation that resembles the currents such as Kuroshio and Gulf Stream. In relation to the gyre system in the East Sea, the formation of the East Korea Warm Current (EKWC) has brought up with many numerical experiments. Numerical experiments suggested a new idea to explain the formation of the EKWC in that the potential energy supply into the Ulleung Basin (UB) from the meso-scale eddy is a key process. This is closely linked with the baroclinic instability and the meandering of offshore component of Tsushima Warm Current. The UB has drawn attentions for its role of the formation of two major boundary currents, EKWC, North Korea Warm Current (NKCC), their interaction with the mesoscale UWE, watermass exchange between the Northern Japan Basin and UB. Numerical experiments along with hydrographic and other satellite datasets such as AVHRR, altimeter and ARGO profiles have been analyzed to understand the formation of the UWE. We found that the influence of the bottom topography and frictional forcing against lateral boundary are all closely associated with the sub-polar front. Meandering of the axis of the sub-polar front is closely linked with the separation point of the EKWC, Ulleung Warm Eddy, and other small and meso-scale eddies on the sub-polar front. These will be demonstrated with results of the numerical modeling experiments and animation movie will be presented.

PITX2 and NODAL expression during axis formation in the early rabbit embryo.

PubMed

Plöger, Ruben; Viebahn, Christoph

2018-04-26

Attaining molecular and morphological axial polarity during gastrulation is a fundamental early requirement for normal development of the embryo. In mammals, the first morphological sign of the anterior-posterior axis appears anteriorly in the form of the anterior marginal crescent (or anterior visceral endoderm) while in the avian the first such sign is the Koller's sickle at the posterior pole of the embryonic disc. Despite this inverse mode of axis formation many genes and molecular pathways involved in various steps of this process seem to be evolutionary conserved amongst amniotes, the nodal gene being a well-known example with its functional involvement prior and during gastrulation. The pitx2 gene, however, is a new candidate described in the chick as an early marker for anterior-posterior polarity and as regulator of axis formation including twinning. To find out whether pitx2 has retained its inductive and early marker function during the evolution of mammals, this study analyzes pitx2 and nodal expression at parallel stages during formation of the anterior-posterior polarity in the early rabbit embryo using whole-mount in situ hybridization and serial light-microscopical sections. At a late pre-gastrulation stage a localized reduction of nodal expression presages the position of the anterior pole of the embryonic disc and thus serves as the earliest molecular marker of anterior-posterior polarity known so far. pitx2 is expressed in a polarized manner in the anterior marginal crescent and in the posterior half of the embryonic disc during further development only while nodal expression in the anterior segment of the posterior pitx2 expression domain helps to define the so-called anterior streak domain (ASD), a novel progenitor region of the anterior half of the primitive streak. The expression patterns of both genes thus serve as signs of a conserved involvement in early axis formation in amniotes and, possibly, in twinning in mammals as well. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.

Singular structure of Mueller matrices images of biological crystal networks for diagnostic human tissues pathological changes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sakhnovskiy, M. Y.; Ushenko, V. A.

2013-09-01

The process of converting of laser radiation by optically anisotropic crystals of biological networks are singular in the sense of total (simultaneous) of mechanisms of orientation and phase (birefringence) anisotropy the formation of polarization-inhomogeneous field of scattered radiation. This work is aimed at developing a method of polarization selection mechanisms of blood plasma polycrystalline networks anisotropy. The relationship between statistics, correlation and fractal parameters of polarization-inhomogeneous images of blood plasma and by linear dichroism and linear birefringence of polycrystalline networks albumin and globulin was found. The criteria of differentiation and diagnostic images of polarization-inhomogeneous plasma samples of the control group (donor) and a group of patients with malignant changes of breast tissue was identified.

Soliton-dark pulse pair formation in birefringent cavity fiber lasers through cross phase coupling.

PubMed

Shao, Guodong; Song, Yufeng; Zhao, Luming; Shen, Deyuan; Tang, Dingyuan

2015-10-05

We report on the experimental observation of soliton-dark pulse pair formation in a birefringent cavity fiber laser. Temporal cavity solitons are formed in one polarization mode of the cavity. It is observed that associated with each of the cavity solitons a dark pulse is induced on the CW background of the orthogonal polarization mode. We show that the dark pulse formation is a result of the incoherent cross polarization coupling between the soliton and the CW beam and has a mechanism similar to that of the polarization domain formation observed in the fiber lasers.

Oxygen Abundances in the Rings of Polar-Ring Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radtke, I. R.; Eskridge, P. B.; Pogge, R. W.

2003-05-01

Polar ring galaxies (PRGs) are typically early-type (S0 or E) galaxies surrounded by rings of gas, dust, and stars orbiting nearly perpendicular to the principle plane of the host galaxy (Whitmore et al. 1990 AJ 100 1489). Given that PRGs have two separate, perpendicular axes of rotation, it is clear on dynamical grounds that PRGs are the products of merger events between two galaxies, but are observed in a state where two distinct kinematic and morphological structures are still apparent. As such, they present a unique opportunity to study merger events in systems where the debris is not confused with material from the host. Our understanding of the relative importance of polar ring systems in the overall process of galaxy evolution is confounded by our lack of knowledge regarding the typical lifetimes and evolutionary histories of polar rings. A crucial factor for understanding the formation and evolution of PRGs is information regarding the elemental abundances of the ring material. Polar rings are typically rich in {\\protectH 2} regions. Optical spectroscopy of these {\\protectH 2} regions can tell us their density, temperature, and oxygen abundance. Our earlier work (Eskridge & Pogge 1997 ApJ 486 259) revealed roughly Solar oxygen abundances for {\\protectH 2} regions in the polar ring of NGC 2685. We have extended this project, and now have spectra for six PRGs. Analysis of the data for II Zw 73 and UGC 7576 reveal the polar rings of these galaxies to have {\\protectH 2} region oxygen abundances in the range 0.3 to 0.6 Solar, substantially less than found for NGC 2685. Abundances in this range are much easier to explain with conventional models of chemical enrichment and polar ring formation. We shall present results for our full sample. Taken as a whole, this sample will provide a clear foundation for the typical chemical enrichment patterns in polar rings, and thus provide a clearer understanding of the formation and evolution of these curious objects. We gratefully acknowledge financial support for this project from the AAS Small Research Grant program, and from a Minnesota State University Faculty Research Grant awarded to P. Eskridge.

Frizzled Receptors in Development and Disease

PubMed Central

Wang, Yanshu; Chang, Hao; Rattner, Amir; Nathans, Jeremy

2016-01-01

Frizzled proteins are the principal receptors for the Wnt family of ligands. They mediate canonical Wnt signaling together with Lrp5 and Lrp6 coreceptors. In conjunction with Celsr, Vangl, and a small number of additional membrane and membrane-associated proteins, they also play a central role in tissue polarity/planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling. Targeted mutations in 9 of the 10 mammalian Frizzled genes have revealed their roles in an extraordinarily diverse set of developmental and homeostatic processes, including morphogenetic movements responsible for palate, ventricular septum, ocular furrow, and neural tube closure; survival of thalamic neurons; bone formation; central nervous system (CNS) angiogenesis and blood–brain barrier formation and maintenance; and a wide variety of processes that orient subcellular, cellular, and multicellular structures relative to the body axes. The last group likely reflects the mammalian equivalent of tissue polarity/PCP signaling, as defined in Drosophila, and it includes CNS axon guidance, hair follicle and tongue papilla orientation, and inner ear sensory hair bundle orientation. Frizzled receptors are ubiquitous among multicellular animals and, with other signaling molecules, they very likely evolved to permit the development of the complex tissue architectures that provide multicellular animals with their enormous selective advantage. PMID:26969975

Dune-slope activity due to frost and wind throughout the north polar erg, Mars

PubMed Central

DINIEGA, SERINA; HANSEN, CANDICE J.; ALLEN, AMANDA; GRIGSBY, NATHAN; LI, ZHEYU; PEREZ, TYLER; CHOJNACKI, MATTHEW

2018-01-01

Repeat, high-resolution imaging of dunes within the Martian north polar erg have shown that these dune slopes are very active, with alcoves forming along the dune brink each Mars year. In some areas, a few hundred cubic metres of downslope sand movement have been observed, sometimes moving the dune brink ‘backwards’. Based on morphological and activity-timing similarities of these north polar features to southern dune gullies, identifying the processes forming these features is likely to have relevance for understanding the general evolution/modification of dune gullies. To determine alcove-formation model constraints, we have surveyed seven dune fields, each over 1–4 Mars winters. Consistent with earlier reports, we found that alcove-formation activity occurs during the autumn–winter seasons, before or while the stable seasonal frost layer is deposited. We propose a new model in which alcove formation occurs during the autumn, and springtime sublimation activity then enhances the feature. Summertime winds blow sand into the new alcoves, erasing small alcoves over a few Mars years. Based on the observed rate of alcove erasure, we estimated the effective aeolian sand transport flux. From this, we proposed that alcove formation may account for 2–20% of the total sand movement within these dune fields. PMID:29731538

Dune-slope activity due to frost and wind throughout the north polar erg, Mars.

PubMed

Diniega, Serina; Hansen, Candice J; Allen, Amanda; Grigsby, Nathan; Li, Zheyu; Perez, Tyler; Chojnacki, Matthew

2017-01-01

Repeat, high-resolution imaging of dunes within the Martian north polar erg have shown that these dune slopes are very active, with alcoves forming along the dune brink each Mars year. In some areas, a few hundred cubic metres of downslope sand movement have been observed, sometimes moving the dune brink 'backwards'. Based on morphological and activity-timing similarities of these north polar features to southern dune gullies, identifying the processes forming these features is likely to have relevance for understanding the general evolution/modification of dune gullies. To determine alcove-formation model constraints, we have surveyed seven dune fields, each over 1-4 Mars winters. Consistent with earlier reports, we found that alcove-formation activity occurs during the autumn-winter seasons, before or while the stable seasonal frost layer is deposited. We propose a new model in which alcove formation occurs during the autumn, and springtime sublimation activity then enhances the feature. Summertime winds blow sand into the new alcoves, erasing small alcoves over a few Mars years. Based on the observed rate of alcove erasure, we estimated the effective aeolian sand transport flux. From this, we proposed that alcove formation may account for 2-20% of the total sand movement within these dune fields.

ArfB links protein lipidation and endocytosis to polarized growth of Aspergillus nidulans

PubMed Central

Lee, Soo Chan

2008-01-01

Aspergillus nidulans undergoes polarized hyphal growth during the majority of its life cycle. Regulatory mechanisms for hyphal polarity have been intensively investigated in a variety of filamentous fungi. Two important cellular processes, which have received recent attention, include protein myristoylation and endocytosis. It is clear that protein myristoylation is essential for polarity establishment because germinating A. nidulans conidia lost polarity in the presence of cerulenin, a lipid metabolism inhibitor and in an N-myristoyl transferase mutant background. Only 41 predicted proteins encoded by A. nidulans posses an N-myristoylation motif, one of which is ADP ribosylation factor B (ArfB). Disruption of ArfB leads to failure of polarity establishment and maintenance during early morphogenesis and in a delay in endocytosis. Therefore, ArfB connects N-myristoylation and endocytosis to polarized growth. Exocytotic vesicle trafficking through the Spitzenkörper may also require Arf proteins in their role in vesicle formation. Taken together, ArfB is one of the important key components for the fungal hyphal growth. PMID:19704790

Magnetic field vector and electron density diagnostics from linear polarization measurements in 14 solar prominences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bommier, V.

1986-01-01

The Hanle effect is the modification of the linear polarization parameters of a spectral line due to the effect of the magnetic field. It has been successfully applied to the magnetic field vector diagnostic in solar prominences. The magnetic field vector is determined by comparing the measured polarization to the polarization computed, taking into account all the polarizing and depolarizing processes in line formation and the depolarizing effect of the magnetic field. The method was applied to simultaneous polarization measurements in the Helium D3 line and in the hydrogen beta line in 14 prominences. Four polarization parameters are measured, which lead to the determination of the three coordinates of the magnetic field vector and the electron density, owing to the sensitivity of the hydrogen beta line to the non-negligible effect of depolarizing collisions with electrons and protons of the medium. A mean value of 1.3 x 10 to the 10th power cu. cm. is derived in 14 prominences.

Chemical state evolution in ferroelectric films during tip-induced polarization and electroresistive switching

DOE PAGES

Ievlev, Anton V.; Maksymovych, Petro; Trassin, Morgan; ...

2016-10-11

Domain formation and ferroelectric switching is fundamentally inseparable from polarization screening, which on free surfaces can be realized via band bending and ionic adsorption. In the latter case, polarization switching is intrinsically coupled to the surface electrochemical phenomena, and the electrochemical stage can control kinetics and induce long-range interactions. However, despite extensive evidence towards the critical role of surface electrochemistry, little is known about the nature of the associated processes. Here we combine SPM tip induce polarization switching and secondary ion mass spectrometry to explore the evolution of chemical state of ferroelectric during switching. Surprisingly, we find that even pristinemore » surfaces contain ions (e.g. Cl -) that are not anticipated based on chemistry of the system and processing. In the ferroelectric switching regime, we find surprising changes in surface chemistry, including redistribution of base cations. Finally, at higher voltages in the electroforming regime significant surface deformation was observed and associated with a strong ion intermixing.« less

Position- and polarity-dependent Hippo signaling regulates cell fates in preimplantation mouse embryos.

PubMed

Sasaki, Hiroshi

2015-12-01

During the preimplantation stage, mouse embryos establish two cell lineages by the time of early blastocyst formation: the trophectoderm (TE) and the inner cell mass (ICM). Historical models have proposed that the establishment of these two lineages depends on the cell position within the embryo (e.g., the positional model) or cell polarization along the apicobasal axis (e.g., the polarity model). Recent findings have revealed that the Hippo signaling pathway plays a central role in the cell fate-specification process: active and inactive Hippo signaling in the inner and outer cells promote ICM and TE fates, respectively. Intercellular adhesion activates, while apicobasal polarization suppresses Hippo signaling, and a combination of these processes determines the spatially regulated activation of the Hippo pathway in 32-cell-stage embryos. Therefore, there is experimental evidence in favor of both positional and polarity models. At the molecular level, phosphorylation of the Hippo-pathway component angiomotin at adherens junctions (AJs) in the inner (apolar) cells activates the Lats protein kinase and triggers Hippo signaling. In the outer cells, however, cell polarization sequesters Amot from basolateral AJs and suppresses activation of the Hippo pathway. Other mechanisms, including asymmetric cell division and Notch signaling, also play important roles in the regulation of embryonic development. In this review, I discuss how these mechanisms cooperate with the Hippo signaling pathway during cell fate-specification processes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Potassium alum and aluminum sulfate micro-inclusions in polar ice from Dome Fuji, East Antarctica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohno, Hiroshi; Iizuka, Yoshinori; Horikawa, Shinichiro; Sakurai, Toshimitsu; Hondoh, Takeo; Motoyama, Hideaki

2014-03-01

Water-soluble trace constituents affect the physicochemical properties of polar ice. Their structural distribution provides important insights into the formation history of ice and inclusions. We report the first finding of KAl(SO4)2·12H2O (potassium alum) and Al2(SO4)3·nH2O (aluminum sulfate) micro-inclusions in the Dome Fuji ice core, East Antartica, using a micro-Raman technique. Eutectic temperatures of these water-soluble species determined using thermal analysis were -0.4 °C for potassium alum and -8.0 °C for aluminum sulfate. Although the formation process of the aluminum-bearing sulfates remains unclear, the occurrence of these salts largely depends on ice depth.

Solid-State Photochemistry as a Formation Mechanism for Titan's Stratospheric C4N2 Ice Clouds

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Anderson, C. M.; Samuelson, R. E.; Yung, Y. L.; McLain, J. L.

2016-01-01

We propose that C4N2 ice clouds observed in Titan's springtime polar stratosphere arise due to solid-state photochemistry occurring within extant ice cloud particles of HCN-HC3N mixtures. This formation process resembles the halogen-induced ice particle surface chemistry that leads to condensed nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) particles and ozone depletion in Earth's polar stratosphere. As our analysis of the Cassini Composite Infrared Spectrometer 478 per centimeter ice emission feature demonstrates, this solid-state photochemistry mechanism eliminates the need for the relatively high C4N2 saturation vapor pressures required (even though they are not observed) when the ice is produced through the usual procedure of direct condensation from the vapor.

Origin of Pre-Coronal-Jet Minifilaments: Flux Cancellation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Panesar, N. K.; Sterling, A. C.; Moore, R. L.

2017-12-01

We recently investigated the triggering mechanism of ten quiet-region coronal jet eruptions and found that magnetic flux cancellation at the neutral line of minifilaments is the main cause of quiet-region jet eruptions (Panesar et al 2016). However, what leads to the formation of the pre-jet minifilaments remained unknown. In the present work, we study the longer-term evolution of the magnetic field that leads to the formation of pre-jet minifilaments by using SDO/AIA intensity images and concurrent line of sight SDO/HMI magnetograms. We find that each of the ten pre-jet minifilaments formed due to progressive flux cancellation between the minority-polarity and majority-polarity flux patches (with a minority-polarity flux loss of 10% - 40% prior to minifilament birth). Apparently, the flux cancellation between the opposite polarity flux patches builds a highly-sheared field at the magnetic neutral line, and that field holds the cool transition region minifilament plasma. Even after the formation of minifilaments, the flux continues to cancel, making the minifilament body more thick and prominent. Further flux cancellation between the opposite-flux patches leads to the minifilament eruption and a resulting jet. From these observations, we infer that flux cancellation is usually the process that builds up the sheared and twisted field in pre-jet minifilaments, and that triggers it to erupt and drive a jet.

Planet Four: Terrains - Discovery of araneiforms outside of the South Polar layered deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schwamb, Megan E.; Aye, Klaus-Michael; Portyankina, Ganna; Hansen, Candice J.; Allen, Campbell; Allen, Sarah; Calef, Fred J.; Duca, Simone; McMaster, Adam; Miller, Grant R. M.

2018-07-01

We present the results of a systematic mapping of seasonally sculpted terrains on the South Polar region of Mars with the Planet Four: Terrains (P4T) online citizen science project. P4T enlists members of the general public to visually identify features in the publicly released Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Context Camera (CTX) images. In particular, P4T volunteers are asked to identify: (1) araneiforms (including features with a central pit and radiating channels known as 'spiders'); (2) erosional depressions, troughs, mesas, ridges, and quasi-circular pits characteristic of the South Polar Residual Cap (SPRC) which we collectively refer to as 'Swiss cheese terrain', and (3) craters. In this work we present the distributions of our high confidence classic spider araneiforms and Swiss cheese terrain identifications in 90 CTX images covering 11% of the South polar regions at latitudes ≤ -75° N. We find no locations within our high confidence spider sample that also have confident Swiss cheese terrain identifications. Previously spiders were reported as being confined to the South Polar Layered Deposits (SPLD). Our work has provided the first identification of spiders at locations outside of the SPLD, confirmed with high resolution HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment) imaging. We find araneiforms on the Amazonian and Hesperian polar units and the Early Noachian highland units, with 75% of the identified araneiform locations in our high confidence sample residing on the SPLD. With our current coverage, we cannot confirm whether these are the only geologic units conducive to araneiform formation on the Martian South Polar region. Our results are consistent with the current CO2 jet formation scenario with the process exploiting weaknesses in the surface below the seasonal CO2 ice sheet to carve araneiform channels into the regolith over many seasons. These new regions serve as additional probes of the conditions required for channel creation in the CO2 jet process.

Galectin-8 regulates targeting of Gp135/podocalyxin and lumen formation at the apical surface of renal epithelial cells.

PubMed

Lim, HooiCheng; Yu, Chun-Ying; Jou, Tzuu-Shuh

2017-11-01

Establishment of apical-basal polarity, through correct targeting of polarity determinants to distinct domains of the plasma membrane, is a fundamental process for the development of functioning epithelial tubules. Here we report that galectin (Gal)-8 regulates apical-basal polarity of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells via apical targeting of 135-kDa glycoprotein (Gp135). Gal-8 interacts with newly synthesized Gp135 in a glycan-dependent manner. Gal-8 knockdown induces aberrant lumens at the lateral domain and mistargeting of Gp135 to this structure, thus disrupting the kidney epithelial polarity of MDCK cells, which organize lumens at the apical surface. The O -glycosylation deletion mutant of Gp135 phenocopies the effect of Gal-8 knockdown, which suggests that Gal-8 is the decoding machinery for the apical sorting signals of Gp135 residing at its O -glycosylation-rich region. Collectively, our results reveal a new role of Gal-8 in the development of luminal organs by regulating targeting of apical polarity protein Gp135.-Lim, H., Yu, C.-Y., Jou, T.-S. Galectin-8 regulates targeting of Gp135/podocalyxin and lumen formation at the apical surface of renal epithelial cells. © FASEB.

CO2 Condensation Models for Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colaprete, A.; Haberle, R.

2004-01-01

During the polar night in both hemispheres of Mars, regions of low thermal emission, frequently referred to as "cold spots", have been observed by Mariner 9, Viking and Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) spacecraft. These cold spots vary in time and appear to be associated with topographic features suggesting that they are the result of a spectral-emission effect due to surface accumulation of fine-grained frost or snow. Presented here are simulations of the Martian polar night using the NASA Ames General Circulation Cloud Model. This cloud model incorporates all the microphysical processes of carbon dioxide cloud formation, including nucleation, condensation and sedimentation and is coupled to a surface frost scheme that includes both direct surface condensation and precipitation. Using this cloud model we simulate the Mars polar nights and compare model results to observations from the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) and the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA). Model predictions of "cold spots" compare well with TES observations of low emissivity regions, both spatially and as a function of season. The model predicted frequency of CO2 cloud formation also agrees well with MOLA observations of polar night cloud echoes. Together the simulations and observations in the North indicate a distinct shift in atmospheric state centered about Ls 270 which we believe may be associated with the strength of the polar vortex.

Possible role of electric forces in bromine activation during polar boundary layer ozone depletion and aerosol formation events

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tkachenko, Ekaterina

2017-11-01

This work presents a hypothesis about the mechanism of bromine activation during polar boundary layer ozone depletion events (ODEs) as well as the mechanism of aerosol formation from the frost flowers. The author suggests that ODEs may be initiated by the electric-field gradients created at the sharp tips of ice formations as a result of the combined effect of various environmental conditions. According to the author's estimates, these electric-field gradients may be sufficient for the onset of point or corona discharges followed by generation of high local concentrations of the reactive oxygen species and initiation of free-radical and redox reactions. This process may be responsible for the formation of seed bromine which then undergoes further amplification by HOBr-driven bromine explosion. The proposed hypothesis may explain a variety of environmental conditions and substrates as well as poor reproducibility of ODE initiation observed by researchers in the field. According to the author's estimates, high wind can generate sufficient conditions for overcoming the Rayleigh limit and thus can initiate ;spraying; of charged aerosol nanoparticles. These charged aerosol nanoparticles can provoke formation of free radicals, turning the ODE on. One can also envision a possible emission of halogen ion as a result of the ;electrospray; process analogous to that of electrospray ionization mass-spectrometry.

ILK modulates epithelial polarity and matrix formation in hair follicles

PubMed Central

Rudkouskaya, Alena; Welch, Ian; Dagnino, Lina

2014-01-01

Hair follicle morphogenesis requires coordination of multiple signals and communication between its epithelial and mesenchymal constituents. Cell adhesion protein platforms, which include integrins and integrin-linked kinase (ILK), are critical for hair follicle formation. However, their precise contribution to this process is poorly understood. We show that in the absence of ILK, the hair follicle matrix lineage fails to develop, likely due to abnormalities in development of apical–basal cell polarity, as well as in laminin-511 and basement membrane assembly at the tip of the hair bud. These defects also result in impaired specification of hair matrix and absence of precortex and inner sheath root cell lineages. The molecular pathways affected in ILK-deficient follicles are similar to those in the absence of epidermal integrin β1 and include Wnt, but not sonic hedgehog, signaling. ILK-deficient hair buds also show abnormalities in the dermal papilla. Addition of exogenous laminin-511 restores morphological and molecular markers associated with hair matrix formation, indicating that ILK regulates hair bud cell polarity and functions upstream from laminin-511 assembly to regulate the developmental progression of hair follicles beyond the germ stage. PMID:24371086

Origin and effective reduction of inversion domains in aluminum nitride grown by a sublimation method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shigetoh, Keisuke; Horibuchi, Kayo; Nakamura, Daisuke

2017-11-01

Owing to the large differences in the chemical properties between Al and N polarities in aluminum nitride (AlN), the choice of the polar direction for crystal growth strongly affects not only the quality but also the shape (facet formation) of the grown crystal. In particular, N-polar (0 0 0 -1) has been considered to be a more preferable direction than Al-polar (0 0 0 1) for sublimation growth because compared to Al-polar (0 0 0 1), N-polar (0 0 0 -1) exhibits better stability at high growth rate (high supersaturation) conditions and enables easier lateral enlargement of the crystal. However, some critical growth conditions induce polarity inversion and hinder stable N-polar growth. Furthermore, the origin of the polarity inversion in AlN growth by the sublimation method is still unclear. To ensure stable N-polar growth without polarity inversion, the formation mechanism of the inversion domain during AlN sublimation growth must be elucidated. Therefore, herein, we demonstrate homoepitaxial growth on an N-polar seed and carefully investigate the obtained crystal that shows polarity inversion. Annular bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy reveals that polarity is completely converted to the Al polarity via the formation of a 30 nm thick mixed polar layer (MPL) just above the seed. Moreover, three-dimensional atom probe tomography shows the segregation of the oxygen impurities in the MPL with a high concentration of about 3 atom%. Finally, by avoiding the incorporation of oxygen impurity into the crystal at the initial stage of the growth, we demonstrate an effective reduction (seven orders of magnitude) of the inversion domain boundary formation.

Polarized Growth in the Absence of F-Actin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Exiting Quiescence

PubMed Central

Sahin, Annelise; Daignan-Fornier, Bertrand; Sagot, Isabelle

2008-01-01

Background Polarity establishment and maintenance are crucial for morphogenesis and development. In budding yeast, these two intricate processes involve the superposition of regulatory loops between polarity landmarks, RHO GTPases, actin-mediated vesicles transport and endocytosis. Deciphering the chronology and the significance of each molecular step of polarized growth is therefore very challenging. Principal Findings We have taken advantage of the fact that yeast quiescent cells display actin bodies, a non polarized actin structure, to evaluate the role of F-actin in bud emergence. Here we show that upon exit from quiescence, actin cables are not required for the first steps of polarized growth. We further show that polarized growth can occur in the absence of actin patch-mediated endocytosis. We finally establish, using latrunculin-A, that the first steps of polarized growth do not require any F-actin containing structures. Yet, these structures are required for the formation of a bona fide daughter cell and cell cycle completion. We propose that upon exit from quiescence in the absence of F-actin, secretory vesicles randomly reach the plasma membrane but preferentially dock and fuse where polarity cues are localized, this being sufficient to trigger polarized growth. PMID:18596916

Advanced glycation end products of bovine serum albumin-induced endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in cultured human and monkey endothelial cells via protein kinase B signaling cascades.

PubMed

Ma, Jianli; Liu, Ting; Dong, Xiaoguang

2010-12-09

Advanced glycation end products of BSA (AGE-BSA) participate in the pathogenesis of diabetic vascular disease. However, the role of AGE-BSA in diabetic retinopathy, especially in retinal neovascularization, remains incomplete. This study aimed to determine the contributions of AGE-BSA in the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EnMT) of cultured human and monkey endothelial cell lines and the mechanism that may be related with the transition. Monkey choroid-retinal endothelial cells (RF/6A) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) and Ham's F12 medium containing 200 mg/l AGE-BSA. The expression of VE-cadherin, β-catenin, vimentin, N-cadherin, and protein kinase B (AKT2) was observed by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. Cell motility was determined by migration assays; the endothelial function of the formatting tube was measured by tube formation assays, while the change in the polarity was measured using resistance instruments. The characteristics of EnMT included loss of endothelial markers of VE-cadherin and β-catenin, which were replaced by mesenchymal markers of vimentin and N-cadherin, enhanced migration and tube formation, and diminished polarity. AGE-BSA contributed to upregulation of the protein expression of VE-cadherin and β-catenin and downregulation of protein expression of vimentin and N-cadherin, leading to enhanced migration and tube formation and diminished polarity. During this process, expression of AKT2 was upregulated. AGE-BSA can induce EnMT of cultured human and monkey endothelial cells. The signal pathway involving AKT2 may play a role in this process.

Phosphoinositide Signaling Regulates the Exocyst Complex and Polarized Integrin Trafficking in Directionally Migrating Cells

PubMed Central

Thapa, Narendra; Sun, Yue; Schramp, Mark; Choi, Suyoung; Ling, Kun; Anderson, Richard A

2011-01-01

Summary Polarized delivery of signaling and adhesion molecules to the leading edge is required for directional migration of cells. Here, we describe a role for the PIP2 synthesizing enzyme, PIPKIγi2, in regulation of exocyst complex control of cell polarity and polarized integrin trafficking during migration. Loss of PIPKIγi2 impaired directional migration, formation of cell polarity, and integrin trafficking to the leading edge. Upon initiation of directional migration PIPKIγi2 via PIP2 generation controls the integration of the exocyst complex into an integrin-containing trafficking compartment(s) that requires the talin-binding ability of PIPKIγi2, and talin for integrin recruitment to the leading edge. A PIP2 requirement is further emphasized by inhibition of PIPKIγi2-regulated directional migration by an Exo70 mutant deficient in PIP2 binding. These results reveal how phosphoinositide generation orchestrates polarized trafficking of integrin in coordination with talin that links integrins to the actin cytoskeleton, processes that are required for directional migration. PMID:22264730

Hydroxyapatite with Permanent Electrical Polarization: Preparation, Characterization, and Response against Inorganic Adsorbates.

PubMed

Rivas, Manuel; Del Valle, Luis J; Armelin, Elaine; Bertran, Oscar; Turon, Pau; Puiggalí, Jordi; Alemán, Carlos

2018-04-16

Permanently polarized hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles have been prepared by applying a constant DC of 500 V at 1000 °C for 1 h to the sintered mineral. This process causes important chemical changes, as the formation of OH - defects (vacancies), the disappearance of hydrogenophosphate ions at the mineral surface layer, and structural variations reflected by the increment of the crystallinity. As a consequence, the electrochemical properties and electrical conductivity of the polarized mineral increase noticeably compared with as-prepared and sintered samples. Moreover, these increments remain practically unaltered after several months. In addition, permanent polarization favours significantly the ability of HAp to adsorb inorganic bioadsorbates in comparison with as-prepared and sintered samples. The adsorbates cause a significant increment of the electrochemical stability and electrical conductivity with respect to bare polarized HAp, which may have many implications for biomedical applications of permanently polarized HAp. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Pattern formation in early embryogenesis of Xenopus laevis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mglinets, V.A.

1995-07-01

Establishment of egg polarity, separation of germ layers, and the appearance of animal-vegetal, dorsoventral, and anteroposterior axes in Xenopus laevis embryos are considered. The control of these processes by gene coding for growth factors, protooncogens, and homeobox-containing genes is also been reviewed.

Influence of ambient pressure on surface structures generated by ultrashort laser pulse irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

JJ Nivas, J.; Allahyari, E.; Gesuele, F.; Maddalena, P.; Fittipaldi, R.; Vecchione, A.; Bruzzese, R.; Amoruso, S.

2018-02-01

We report an experimental investigation on the surface structures induced by linearly polarized ≈ 900 fs laser pulses, at λ = 1055 nm, on silicon at different values of the ambient pressure, from 10-4 mbar to one atmosphere. Our experimental findings address interesting influences of the surrounding pressure on: (1) the spatial period of ripples; (2) the formation of micro-grooves; (3) the shape of the structured area. Moreover, the effects of various states of polarization in vacuum as well as of circularly polarized pulses in air vs vacuum are also addressed. We identify as one possible key element of such experimental observations: the fact that as the pressure raises the ablated nanoparticles produced during the femtosecond ablation process of the target get deposited more and more on the sample surface covering the irradiated spot area and influencing the structuring process.

Basal sublimation and venting of the north seasonal cap of Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Piqueux, S.; Christensen, P. R.

2007-12-01

Spots, fans and dark polygonal patterns form during the spring on the southern seasonal cap of Mars as a consequence of 1) the basal sublimation of the translucent and impermeable slab of carbon dioxide and 2) the venting of the CO2 gas loaded with dust and sand size material scoured from the surface of the polar layered deposits. The dark polygons on the cap have a similar formation process as the spots but the dust and sand erupt from elongated vents rather than point sources. In the summer, spiders and etched polygons remain on the southern polar layered deposits. The spiders are shaped by the scouring action of confined CO2 gas flowing between the cap and the basement and converging toward point sources, whereas the etched polygons result form the forced migration of the CO2 gas over longer distances. Comparable observations during the spring near the north pole on the seasonal cap indicate that similar processes occur in both polar regions and that the venting model developed for the south seasonal cap also operates near the north pole. However, spider and etched polygonal features are extremely uncommon on the north substrate, indicating that the conditions for their formation (e.g. mechanical strength of the slab and the substrate, transparency of the seasonal cap) are not met. The continual erosion and re-sedimentation occurring at the surface of the polar layered deposits by the seasonal degassing is a major geomorphological agent shaping the polar regions. The polar layered deposits have been proposed to contain the stratigraphic record of climatic changes and catastrophic events of very high interest for future missions. Our observations suggest that both polar regions deposits may have been locally disrupted by the seasonal sub-ice gas flow and that the stratigraphic record may have been partially lost. The Phoenix landing site might have been affected in the past and the stratigraphic information associated with the original deposition of the polar material partially disrupted due to this surface reworking.

Eph regulates dorsoventral asymmetry of the notochord plate and convergent extension-mediated notochord formation.

PubMed

Oda-Ishii, Izumi; Ishii, Yasuo; Mikawa, Takashi

2010-10-29

The notochord is a signaling center required for the patterning of the vertebrate embryonic midline, however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the formation of this essential embryonic tissue remain unclear. The urochordate Ciona intestinalis develops a simple notochord from 40 specific postmitotic mesodermal cells. The precursors intercalate mediolaterally and establish a single array of disk-shaped notochord cells along the midline. However, the role that notochord precursor polarization, particularly along the dorsoventral axis, plays in this morphogenetic process remains poorly understood. Here we show that the notochord preferentially accumulates an apical cell polarity marker, aPKC, ventrally and a basement membrane marker, laminin, dorsally. This asymmetric accumulation of apicobasal cell polarity markers along the embryonic dorsoventral axis was sustained in notochord precursors during convergence and extension. Further, of several members of the Eph gene family implicated in cellular and tissue morphogenesis, only Ci-Eph4 was predominantly expressed in the notochord throughout cell intercalation. Introduction of a dominant-negative Ci-Eph4 to notochord precursors diminished asymmetric accumulation of apicobasal cell polarity markers, leading to defective intercalation. In contrast, misexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of a planar cell polarity gene Dishevelled preserved asymmetric accumulation of aPKC and laminin in notochord precursors, although their intercalation was incomplete. Our data support a model in which in ascidian embryos Eph-dependent dorsoventral polarity of notochord precursors plays a crucial role in mediolateral cell intercalation and is required for proper notochord morphogenesis.

Chemical abundances of the PRGs UGC 7576 and UGC 9796. I. Testing the formation scenario

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Spavone, M.; Iodice, E.; Arnaboldi, M.; Longo, G.; Gerhard, O.

2011-07-01

Context. The study of both the chemical abundances of HII regions in polar ring galaxies and their implications for the evolutionary scenario of these systems has been a step forward both in tracing the formation history of the galaxy and giving hints toward the mechanisms at work during the building of a disk by cold accretion process. It is now important to establish whether such results are typical of the class of polar disk galaxies as a whole. Aims: The present work aims at checking the cold accretion of gas through a "cosmic filament" as a possible scenario for the formation of the polar structures in UGC 7576 and UGC 9796. If these form by cold accretion, we expect the HII regions abundances and metallicities to be lower than those of same-luminosity spiral disks, with values of Z ~ 1/10 Z⊙, as predicted by cosmological simulations. Methods: We used deep long-slit spectra, obtained with DOLORES@TNG in the optical wavelengths, of the brightest HII regions associated with the polar structures to derive their chemical abundances and star formation rate. We used the empirical methods, based on the intensities of easily observable lines, to derive the oxygen abundance 12 + log (O/H) of both galaxies. Such values are compared with those typical of different morphological galaxy types of comparable luminosity. Results: The average metallicity values for UGC 7576 and UGC 9796 are Z = 0.4 Z⊙ and Z = 0.1 Z⊙, respectively. Both values are lower than those measured for ordinary spirals of similar luminosity, and UGC 7576 presents no metallicity gradient along the polar structure. These data, together with other observed features available for the two PRGs in previous works, are compared with the predictions of simulations of tidal accretion, cold accretion, and merging to disentangle these scenarios.

Emergence of tissue polarization from synergy of intracellular and extracellular auxin signaling

PubMed Central

Wabnik, Krzysztof; Kleine-Vehn, Jürgen; Balla, Jozef; Sauer, Michael; Naramoto, Satoshi; Reinöhl, Vilém; Merks, Roeland M H; Govaerts, Willy; Friml, Jiří

2010-01-01

Plant development is exceptionally flexible as manifested by its potential for organogenesis and regeneration, which are processes involving rearrangements of tissue polarities. Fundamental questions concern how individual cells can polarize in a coordinated manner to integrate into the multicellular context. In canalization models, the signaling molecule auxin acts as a polarizing cue, and feedback on the intercellular auxin flow is key for synchronized polarity rearrangements. We provide a novel mechanistic framework for canalization, based on up-to-date experimental data and minimal, biologically plausible assumptions. Our model combines the intracellular auxin signaling for expression of PINFORMED (PIN) auxin transporters and the theoretical postulation of extracellular auxin signaling for modulation of PIN subcellular dynamics. Computer simulations faithfully and robustly recapitulated the experimentally observed patterns of tissue polarity and asymmetric auxin distribution during formation and regeneration of vascular systems and during the competitive regulation of shoot branching by apical dominance. Additionally, our model generated new predictions that could be experimentally validated, highlighting a mechanistically conceivable explanation for the PIN polarization and canalization of the auxin flow in plants. PMID:21179019

What Controls the Temperature of the Arctic Stratosphere during the Spring?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Newman, Paul A.; Nash, Eric R.; Rosenfield, Joan E.; Einaudi, Franco (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Understanding the mechanisms that control the temperature of the polar lower stratosphere during spring is key to understanding ozone loss in the Arctic polar vortex. Spring ozone loss rates are directly tied to polar stratospheric temperatures by the formation of polar stratospheric clouds, and the conversion of chlorine species to reactive forms on these cloud particle surfaces. In this paper, we study those factors that control temperatures in the polar lower stratosphere. We use the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP)/NCAR reanalysis data covering the last two decades to investigate how planetary wave driving of the stratosphere is connected to polar temperatures. In particular, we show that planetary waves forced in the troposphere in mid- to late winter (January-February) are principally responsible for the mean polar temperature during the March period. These planetary waves are forced by both thermal and orographic processes in the troposphere, and propagate into the stratosphere in the mid and high latitudes. Strong mid-winter planetary wave forcing leads to a warmer Arctic lower stratosphere in early spring, while weak mid-winter forcing leads to cooler Arctic temperatures.

Enhanced bipolar resistive switching behavior in polar Cr-doped barium titanate thin films without electro-forming process

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thakre, Atul; Kumar, Ashok

2017-12-01

An enhanced, repeatable and robust resistive switching phenomenon was observed in Cr substituted BaTiO3 polar ferroelectric thin films; fabricated and deposited by the sol-gel approach and spin coating technique, respectively. An enhanced bistable bipolar resistive switching (BRS) phenomenon without electro-forming process, low switching voltage (˜ 2 V) and moderate retention characteristics of 104 s along with a high Roff/Ron resistance ratio ˜103 was achieved. The current conduction analysis showed that the space charge limited conduction (SCLC) and Schottky emission conduction dominate in the high voltage range, while thermally active charge carriers (ohmic) in the lower voltage range. The impedance spectroscopy study indicates the formation of current conducting path and rupturing of oxygen vacancies during SET and RESET process.

Intramolecular, Exciplex-Mediated, Proton-Coupled, Charge-Transfer Processes in N,N-Dimethyl-3-(1-pyrenyl)propan-1-ammonium Cations: Influence of Anion, Solvent Polarity, and Temperature.

PubMed

Safko, Trevor M; Faleiros, Marcelo M; Atvars, Teresa D Z; Weiss, Richard G

2016-06-16

An intramolecular exciplex-mediated, proton-coupled, charge-transfer (PCCT) process has been investigated for a series of N,N-dimethyl-3-(1-pyrenyl)propan-1-ammonium cations with different anions (PyS) in solvents of low to intermediate polarity over a wide temperature range. Solvent mediates both the equilibrium between conformations of the cation that place the pyrenyl and ammonium groups in proximity (conformation C) or far from each other (conformation O) and the ability of the ammonium group to transfer a proton adiabatically in the PyS excited singlet state. Thus, exciplex emission, concurrent with the PCCT process, was observed only in hydrogen-bond accepting solvents of relatively low polarity (tetrahydrofuran, ethyl acetate, and 1,4-dioxane) and not in dichloromethane. From the exciplex emission and other spectroscopic and thermodynamic data, the acidity of the ammonium group in conformation C of the excited singlet state of PyS (pKa*) has been estimated to be ca. -3.4 in tetrahydrofuran. The ratios between the intensities of emission from the exciplex and the locally excited state (IEx/ILE) appear to be much more dependent on the nature of the anion than are the rates of exciplex formation and decay, although the excited state data do not provide a quantitative measure of the anion effect on the C-O equilibrium. The activation energies associated with exciplex formation in THF are calculated to be 0.08 to 0.15 eV lower than for the neutral amine, N,N-dimethyl-3-(1-pyrenyl)propan-1-amine. Decay of the exciplexes formed from the deprotonation of PyS is hypothesized to occur through charge-recombination processes. To our knowledge, this is the first example in which photoacidity and intramolecular exciplex formation (i.e., a PCCT reaction) are coupled.

Towards a new parameterization of ice particles growth

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krakovska, Svitlana; Khotyayintsev, Volodymyr; Bardakov, Roman; Shpyg, Vitaliy

2017-04-01

Ice particles are the main component of polar clouds, unlike in warmer regions. That is why correct representation of ice particle formation and growth in NWP and other numerical atmospheric models is crucial for understanding of the whole chain of water transformation, including precipitation formation and its further deposition as snow in polar glaciers. Currently, parameterization of ice in atmospheric models is among the most difficult challenges. In the presented research, we present a renewed theoretical analysis of the evolution of mixed cloud or cold fog from the moment of ice nuclei activation until complete crystallization. The simplified model is proposed that includes both supercooled cloud droplets and initially uniform particles of ice, as well as water vapor. We obtain independent dimensionless input parameters of a cloud, and find main scenarios and stages of evolution of the microphysical state of the cloud. The characteristic times and particle sizes have been found, as well as the peculiarities of microphysical processes at each stage of evolution. In the future, the proposed original and physically grounded approximations may serve as a basis for a new scientifically substantiated and numerically efficient parameterizations of microphysical processes in mixed clouds for modern atmospheric models. The relevance of theoretical analysis is confirmed by numerical modeling for a wide range of combinations of possible conditions in the atmosphere, including cold polar regions. The main conclusion of the research is that until complete disappearance of cloud droplets, the growth of ice particles occurs at a practically constant humidity corresponding to the saturated humidity over water, regardless to all other parameters of a cloud. This process can be described by the one differential equation of the first order. Moreover, a dimensionless parameter has been proposed as a quantitative criterion of a transition from dominant depositional to intense collectional growth of ice particles; it could be used in models with bulk parameterization of cloud and precipitation formation processes.

The Feasibility of Formation and Kinetics of NMR Signal Amplification by Reversible Exchange (SABRE) at High Magnetic Field (9.4 T)

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

1H NMR signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) was observed for pyridine and pyridine-d5 at 9.4 T, a field that is orders of magnitude higher than what is typically utilized to achieve the conventional low-field SABRE effect. In addition to emissive peaks for the hydrogen spins at the ortho positions of the pyridine substrate (both free and bound to the metal center), absorptive signals are observed from hyperpolarized orthohydrogen and Ir-complex dihydride. Real-time kinetics studies show that the polarization build-up rates for these three species are in close agreement with their respective 1H T1 relaxation rates at 9.4 T. The results suggest that the mechanism of the substrate polarization involves cross-relaxation with hyperpolarized species in a manner similar to the spin-polarization induced nuclear Overhauser effect. Experiments utilizing pyridine-d5 as the substrate exhibited larger enhancements as well as partial H/D exchange for the hydrogen atom in the ortho position of pyridine and concomitant formation of HD molecules. While the mechanism of polarization enhancement does not explicitly require chemical exchange of hydrogen atoms of parahydrogen and the substrate, the partial chemical modification of the substrate via hydrogen exchange means that SABRE under these conditions cannot rigorously be referred to as a non-hydrogenative parahydrogen induced polarization process. PMID:24528143

The feasibility of formation and kinetics of NMR signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) at high magnetic field (9.4 T).

PubMed

Barskiy, Danila A; Kovtunov, Kirill V; Koptyug, Igor V; He, Ping; Groome, Kirsten A; Best, Quinn A; Shi, Fan; Goodson, Boyd M; Shchepin, Roman V; Coffey, Aaron M; Waddell, Kevin W; Chekmenev, Eduard Y

2014-03-05

(1)H NMR signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) was observed for pyridine and pyridine-d5 at 9.4 T, a field that is orders of magnitude higher than what is typically utilized to achieve the conventional low-field SABRE effect. In addition to emissive peaks for the hydrogen spins at the ortho positions of the pyridine substrate (both free and bound to the metal center), absorptive signals are observed from hyperpolarized orthohydrogen and Ir-complex dihydride. Real-time kinetics studies show that the polarization build-up rates for these three species are in close agreement with their respective (1)H T1 relaxation rates at 9.4 T. The results suggest that the mechanism of the substrate polarization involves cross-relaxation with hyperpolarized species in a manner similar to the spin-polarization induced nuclear Overhauser effect. Experiments utilizing pyridine-d5 as the substrate exhibited larger enhancements as well as partial H/D exchange for the hydrogen atom in the ortho position of pyridine and concomitant formation of HD molecules. While the mechanism of polarization enhancement does not explicitly require chemical exchange of hydrogen atoms of parahydrogen and the substrate, the partial chemical modification of the substrate via hydrogen exchange means that SABRE under these conditions cannot rigorously be referred to as a non-hydrogenative parahydrogen induced polarization process.

Optical signal processing for enabling high-speed, highly spectrally efficient and high capacity optical systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fazal, Muhammad Irfan

The unabated demand for more capacity due to the ever-increasing internet traffic dictates that the boundaries of the state of the art maybe pushed to send more data through the network. Traditionally, this need has been satisfied by multiple wavelengths (wavelength division multiplexing), higher order modulation formats and coherent communication (either individually or combined together). WDM has the ability to reduce cost by using multiple channels within the same physical fiber, and with EDFA amplifiers, the need for O-E-O regenerators is eliminated. Moreover the availability of multiple colors allows for wavelength-based routing and network planning. Higher order modulation formats increases the capacity of the link by their ability to encode data in both the phase and amplitude of light, thereby increasing the bits/sec/Hz as compared to simple on-off keyed format. Coherent communications has also emerged as a primary means of transmitting and receiving optical data due to its support of formats that utilize both phase and amplitude to further increase the spectral efficiency of the optical channel, including quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK). Polarization multiplexing of channels can double capacity by allowing two channels to share the same wavelength by propagating on orthogonal polarization axis and is easily supported in coherent systems where the polarization tracking can be performed in the digital domain. Furthermore, the forthcoming IEEE 100 Gbit/s Ethernet Standard, 802.3ba, provides greater bandwidth, higher data rates, and supports a mixture of modulation formats. In particular, Pol-MUX QPSK is increasingly becoming the industry's format of choice as the high spectral efficiency allows for 100 Gbit/s transmission while still occupying the current 50 GHz/channel allocation of current 10 Gbit/s OOK fiber systems. In this manner, 100 Gbit/s transfer speeds using current fiber links, amplifiers, and filters may be possible. Recently, interest has increased in exploring the spatial dimension of light to increase capacity, both in fiber as well as free-space communication channels. The orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light, carried by Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) beams have the interesting property that, in theory, an infinite number of OAMs can be transmitted; which due to its inherent orthogonality will not affect each other. Thus, in theory, one can increase the channel capacity arbitrarily. However, in practice, the device dimensions will reduce the number of OAMs used. In addition to advanced modulation formats, it is expected that optical signal processing may play a role in the future development of more efficient optical transmission systems. The hope is that performing signal processing in the optical domain may reduce optical-to-electronic conversion inefficiencies, eliminate bottlenecks and take advantage of the ultrahigh bandwidth inherent in optics. While 40 to 50 Gbit/s electronic components are the peak of commercial technology and 100 Gbit/s capable RF components are still in their infancy, optical signal processing of these high-speed data signals may provide a potential solution. Furthermore, any optical processing system or sub-system must be capable of handling the wide array of data formats and data rates that networks may employ. The work presented in this Ph.D. dissertation attempts at addressing the issue of optical processing for advanced optical modulation formats, and particularly explores the state of the art in increasing the capacity of an optical link by a combination of wavelength/phase/polarization/OAM dimensions of light. Spatial multiplexing and demultiplexing of both coherently and directly detected signals at the 100 Gbit/s Ethernet standard is addressed. The application of a continuously tunable all-optical delay for all-optical functionality like time-slot interchange at high data-rates is presented. Moreover the interplay of chirp generated by differently cross-phase modulation wavelength-convertors based on SOA-MZI with the residual dispersion of a fiber link is studied and the optimal operating conditions are explored

Bio-inspired design of ice-retardant devices based on benthic marine invertebrates: the effect of surface texture

PubMed Central

Mehrabani, Homayun; Ray, Neil; Tse, Kyle

2014-01-01

Growth of ice on surfaces poses a challenge for both organisms and for devices that come into contact with liquids below the freezing point. Resistance of some organisms to ice formation and growth, either in subtidal environments (e.g., Antarctic anchor ice), or in environments with moisture and cold air (e.g., plants, intertidal) begs examination of how this is accomplished. Several factors may be important in promoting or mitigating ice formation. As a start, here we examine the effect of surface texture alone. We tested four candidate surfaces, inspired by hard-shelled marine invertebrates and constructed using a three-dimensional printing process. We examined sub-polar marine organisms to develop sample textures and screened them for ice formation and accretion in submerged conditions using previous methods for comparison to data for Antarctic organisms. The sub-polar organisms tested were all found to form ice readily. We also screened artificial 3-D printed samples using the same previous methods, and developed a new test to examine ice formation from surface droplets as might be encountered in environments with moist, cold air. Despite limitations inherent to our techniques, it appears surface texture plays only a small role in delaying the onset of ice formation: a stripe feature (corresponding to patterning found on valves of blue mussels, Mytilus edulis, or on the spines of the Antarctic sea urchin Sterechinus neumayeri) slowed ice formation an average of 25% compared to a grid feature (corresponding to patterning found on sub-polar butterclams, Saxidomas nuttalli). The geometric dimensions of the features have only a small (∼6%) effect on ice formation. Surface texture affects ice formation, but does not explain by itself the large variation in ice formation and species-specific ice resistance observed in other work. This suggests future examination of other factors, such as material elastic properties and surface coatings, and their interaction with surface pattern. PMID:25279268

Effect of high-latitude ionospheric convection on Sun-aligned polar caps

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sojka, J. J.; Zhu, L.; Crain, D. J.; Schunk, R. W.

1994-01-01

A coupled magnetospheric-ionospheric (M-I) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model has been used to simulate the formation of Sun-aligned polar cap arcs for a variety of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) dependent polar cap convection fields. The formation process involves launching an Alfven shear wave from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere where the ionospheric conductance can react self-consistently to changes in the upward currents. We assume that the initial Alfven shear wave is the result of solar wind-magnetosphere interactions. The simulations show how the E region density is affected by the changes in the electron precipitation that are associated with the upward currents. These changes in conductance lead to both a modified Alfven wave reflection at the ionosphere and the generation of secondary Alfven waves in the ionosphere. The ensuing bouncing of the Alfven waves between the ionosphere and magnetosphere is followed until an asymptotic solution is obtained. At the magnetosphere the Alfven waves reflect at a fixed boundary. The coupled M-I Sun-aligned polar cap arc model of Zhu et al.(1993a) is used to carry out the simulations. This study focuses on the dependence of the polar cap arc formation on the background (global) convection pattern. Since the polar cap arcs occur for northward and strong B(sub y) IMF conditions, a variety of background convection patterns can exist when the arcs are present. The study shows that polar cap arcs can be formed for all these convection patterns; however, the arc features are dramatically different for the different patterns. For weak sunward convection a relatively confined single pair of current sheets is associated with the imposed Alfven shear wave structure. However, when the electric field exceeds a threshold, the arc structure intensifies, and the conductance increases as does the local Joule heating rate. These increases are faster than a linear dependence on the background electric field strength. Furthermore, above the threshold, the single current sheet pair splits into multiple current sheet pairs. For the fixed initial ionospheric and magnetospheric conditions used in this study, the separation distance between the current pairs was found to be almost independent of the background electric field strength. For either three-cell or distorted two-cell background convection patterns the arc formation favored the positive B(sub y) case in the northern hemisphere.

Redox Control of Inflammation in Macrophages

PubMed Central

Dehne, Nathalie; Grossmann, Nina; Jung, Michaela; Namgaladze, Dmitry; Schmid, Tobias; von Knethen, Andreas; Weigert, Andreas

2013-01-01

Abstract Macrophages are present throughout the human body, constitute important immune effector cells, and have variable roles in a great number of pathological, but also physiological, settings. It is apparent that macrophages need to adjust their activation profile toward a steadily changing environment that requires altering their phenotype, a process known as macrophage polarization. Formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), derived from NADPH-oxidases, mitochondria, or NO-producing enzymes, are not necessarily toxic, but rather compose a network signaling system, known as redox regulation. Formation of redox signals in classically versus alternatively activated macrophages, their action and interaction at the level of key targets, and the resulting physiology still are insufficiently understood. We review the identity, source, and biological activities of ROS produced during macrophage activation, and discuss how they shape the key transcriptional responses evoked by hypoxia-inducible transcription factors, nuclear-erythroid 2-p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. We summarize the mechanisms how redox signals add to the process of macrophage polarization and reprogramming, how this is controlled by the interaction of macrophages with their environment, and addresses the outcome of the polarization process in health and disease. Future studies need to tackle the option whether we can use the knowledge of redox biology in macrophages to shape their mediator profile in pathophysiology, to accelerate healing in injured tissue, to fight the invading pathogens, or to eliminate settings of altered self in tumors. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 19, 595–637. PMID:23311665

Loss of laminin alpha 1 results in multiple structural defects and divergent effects on adhesion during vertebrate optic cup morphogenesis

PubMed Central

Bryan, Chase D.; Chien, Chi-Bin; Kwan, Kristen M.

2016-01-01

The vertebrate eye forms via a complex set of morphogenetic events. The optic vesicle evaginates and undergoes transformative shape changes to form the optic cup, in which neural retina and retinal pigmented epithelium enwrap the lens. It has long been known that a complex, glycoprotein-rich extracellular matrix layer surrounds the developing optic cup throughout the process, yet the functions of the matrix and its specific molecular components have remained unclear. Previous work established a role for laminin extracellular matrix in particular steps of eye development, including optic vesicle evagination, lens differentiation, and retinal ganglion cell polarization, yet it is unknown what role laminin might play in the early process of optic cup formation subsequent to the initial step of optic vesicle evagination. Here, we use the zebrafish lama1 mutant (lama1UW1) to determine the function of laminin during optic cup morphogenesis. Using live imaging, we find, surprisingly, that loss of laminin leads to divergent effects on focal adhesion assembly in a spatiotemporally-specific manner, and that laminin is required for multiple steps of optic cup morphogenesis, including optic stalk constriction, invagination, and formation of a spherical lens. Laminin is not required for single cell behaviors and changes in cell shape. Rather, in lama1UW1 mutants, loss of epithelial polarity and altered adhesion lead to defective tissue architecture and formation of a disorganized retina. These results demonstrate that the laminin extracellular matrix plays multiple critical roles regulating adhesion and polarity to establish and maintain tissue structure during optic cup morphogenesis. PMID:27339294

Uncoupling apical constriction from tissue invagination

PubMed Central

Chung, SeYeon; Kim, Sangjoon; Andrew, Deborah J

2017-01-01

Apical constriction is a widely utilized cell shape change linked to folding, bending and invagination of polarized epithelia. It remains unclear how apical constriction is regulated spatiotemporally during tissue invagination and how this cellular process contributes to tube formation in different developmental contexts. Using Drosophila salivary gland (SG) invagination as a model, we show that regulation of folded gastrulation expression by the Fork head transcription factor is required for apicomedial accumulation of Rho kinase and non-muscle myosin II, which coordinate apical constriction. We demonstrate that neither loss of spatially coordinated apical constriction nor its complete blockage prevent internalization and tube formation, although such manipulations affect the geometry of invagination. When apical constriction is disrupted, compressing force generated by a tissue-level myosin cable contributes to SG invagination. We demonstrate that fully elongated polarized SGs can form outside the embryo, suggesting that tube formation and elongation are intrinsic properties of the SG. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.22235.001 PMID:28263180

The effect of natural organic matter polarity and molecular weight on NDMA formation from two antibiotics containing dimethylamine functional groups.

PubMed

Leavey-Roback, Shannon L; Krasner, Stuart W; Suffet, Irwin H Mel

2016-12-01

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a disinfection byproduct preferentially formed in chloraminated water. NDMA may be formed from certain chemicals containing dimethylamine (DMA) functional groups. This reaction may be slowed by the presence of natural organic matter (NOM). In this study, NOM fractionated by size or polarity was tested for its ability to slow or impede the formation of NDMA from two DMA-containing precursors, the antibiotics tetracycline and spiramycin. The high molecular weight NOM fractions (>10KDa) were shown to be the most effective in reducing the amount of NDMA formed from the precursor chemicals. The filtrate of a C-18 non-polar cartridge was also effective at reducing NDMA formation from tetracycline (spyramycin not tested). Therefore, polar and charged NOM components may be responsible for the reduction in NDMA formation. A possible mechanism for the reduction of NDMA formation from tetracycline is complexation due to the hydrogen bonding of the DMA functional group on tetracycline to polar phenolic functional groups in the NOM. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Pavement cells: a model system for non-transcriptional auxin signalling and crosstalks

PubMed Central

Chen, Jisheng; Wang, Fei; Zheng, Shiqin; Xu, Tongda; Yang, Zhenbiao

2015-01-01

Auxin (indole acetic acid) is a multifunctional phytohormone controlling various developmental patterns, morphogenetic processes, and growth behaviours in plants. The transcription-based pathway activated by the nuclear TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESISTANT 1/auxin-related F-box auxin receptors is well established, but the long-sought molecular mechanisms of non-transcriptional auxin signalling remained enigmatic until very recently. Along with the establishment of the Arabidopsis leaf epidermal pavement cell (PC) as an exciting and amenable model system in the past decade, we began to gain insight into non-transcriptional auxin signalling. The puzzle-piece shape of PCs forms from intercalated or interdigitated cell growth, requiring local intra- and inter-cellular coordination of lobe and indent formation. Precise coordination of this interdigitated pattern requires auxin and an extracellular auxin sensing system that activates plasma membrane-associated Rho GTPases from plants and subsequent downstream events regulating cytoskeletal reorganization and PIN polarization. Apart from auxin, mechanical stress and cytokinin have been shown to affect PC interdigitation, possibly by interacting with auxin signals. This review focuses upon signalling mechanisms for cell polarity formation in PCs, with an emphasis on non-transcriptional auxin signalling in polarized cell expansion and pattern formation and how different auxin pathways interplay with each other and with other signals. PMID:26047974

Interaction of solar wind with the magnetopause-boundary layer and generation of magnetic impulse events

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, L. C.; Wei, C. Q.

1993-01-01

The transport of mass, momentum, energy and waves from the solar wind to the Earth's magnetosphere takes place in the magnetopause-boundary layer region. Various plasma processes that may occur in this region have been proposed and studied. In this paper, we present a brief review of the plasma processes in the dayside magnetopause-boundary layer. These processes include (1) flux transfer events at the dayside magnetopause, (2) formation of plasma vortices in the low-latitude boundary layer by the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and coupling to the polar ionosphere, (3) the response of the magnetopause to the solar wind dynamic pressure pulses, and (4) the impulsive penetration of solar wind plasma filaments through the dayside magnetopause into the magnetospheric boundary layer. Through the coupling of the magnetopause-boundary layer to the polar ionosphere, those above processes may lead to occurrence of magnetic impulse events observed in the high-latitude stations.

Femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structure on the Ti-based nanolayered thin films

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Petrović, Suzana M.; Gaković, B.; Peruško, D.

2013-12-21

Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSSs) and chemical composition changes of Ti-based nanolayered thin films (Al/Ti, Ni/Ti) after femtosecond (fs) laser pulses action were studied. Irradiation is performed using linearly polarized Ti:Sapphire fs laser pulses of 40 fs pulse duration and 800 nm wavelength. The low spatial frequency LIPSS (LSFL), oriented perpendicular to the laser polarization with periods slightly lower than the irradiation wavelength, was typically formed at elevated laser fluences. On the contrary, high spatial frequency LIPSS (HSFL) with uniform period of 155 nm, parallel to the laser light polarization, appeared at low laser fluences, as well as in themore » wings of the Gaussian laser beam distribution for higher used fluence. LSFL formation was associated with the material ablation process and accompanied by the intense formation of nanoparticles, especially in the Ni/Ti system. The composition changes at the surface of both multilayer systems in the LSFL area indicated the intermixing between layers and the substrate. Concentration and distribution of all constitutive elements in the irradiated area with formed HSFLs were almost unchanged.« less

Dlg3 Trafficking and Apical Tight Junction Formation Is Regulated by Nedd4 and Nedd4-2 E3 Ubiquitin Ligases

PubMed Central

Van Campenhout, Claude A.; Eitelhuber, Andrea; Gloeckner, Christian J.; Giallonardo, Patrizia; Gegg, Moritz; Oller, Heide; Grant, Seth G.N.; Krappmann, Daniel; Ueffing, Marius; Lickert, Heiko

2011-01-01

Summary The Drosophila Discs large (Dlg) scaffolding protein acts as a tumor suppressor regulating basolateral epithelial polarity and proliferation. In mammals, four Dlg homologs have been identified; however, their functions in cell polarity remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the X-linked mental retardation gene product Dlg3 contributes to apical-basal polarity and epithelial junction formation in mouse organizer tissues, as well as to planar cell polarity in the inner ear. We purified complexes associated with Dlg3 in polarized epithelial cells, including proteins regulating directed trafficking and tight junction formation. Remarkably, of the four Dlg family members, Dlg3 exerts a distinct function by recruiting the ubiquitin ligases Nedd4 and Nedd4-2 through its PPxY motifs. We found that these interactions are required for Dlg3 monoubiquitination, apical membrane recruitment, and tight junction consolidation. Our findings reveal an unexpected evolutionary diversification of the vertebrate Dlg family in basolateral epithelium formation. PMID:21920314

Tip-induced domain growth on the non-polar cuts of lithium niobate single-crystals

DOE PAGES

Alikin, Denis O.; Ievlev, Anton; Turigin, Anton P.; ...

2015-05-05

Currently ferroelectric materials with designed domain structures are considered as a perspective material for new generation of photonic, data storage and data processing devices. Application of external electric field is the most convenient way of the domain structure formation. Lots of papers are devoted to investigation of the domain kinetics on polar surface of crystals while the forward growth remains one of the most mysterious stages due to lack of experimental methods allowing to study it. Here we performed tip-induced polarization reversal on X- and Y-non-polar cuts in single-crystal of congruent lithium niobate allows us to study the forward growthmore » with high spatial resolution. The revealed difference in the shape and length of domains induced on X- and Y-cuts is beyond previously developed theoretical approaches used for the theoretical consideration of the domains growth at non-polar ferroelectric surfaces. Lastly, to explain experimental results we used kinetic approach with anisotropy of screening efficiency along different crystallographic directions.« less

Ketene Formation in Interstellar Ices: A Laboratory Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hudson, Reggie L.; Loeffler, Mark Josiah

2013-01-01

The formation of ketene (H2CCO, ethenone) in polar and apolar ices was studied with in situ 0.8 MeV proton irradiation, far-UVphotolysis, and infrared spectroscopic analyses at 10-20 K. Using isotopically enriched reagents, unequivocal evidencewas obtained for ketene synthesis in H2O-rich and CO2-rich ices, and several reaction products were identified. Results from scavenging experiments suggested that ketene was formed by free-radical pathways, as opposed to acid-base processes or redox reactions. Finally, we use our results to draw conclusions about the formation and stability of ketene in the interstellar medium.

Investigating Type I Polar Stratospheric Cloud Formation Mechanisms with POAM Satellite Observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strawa, Anthony W.; Drdla, K.; Fromm, M.; Hoppel, K.; Browell, E.; Hamill, P.; Dempsey, D.; Gore, Warren J. (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

Type Ia PSCs are believed to be composed of nitric acid hydrate particles. Recent results from the SOLVE/THESEO 2000 campaign showed evidence that this type of PSC was composed of a small number of very large particles capable of sedimentary denitrification of regions of the stratosphere. It is unknown whether homogeneous or heterogeneous nucleation is responsible for the formation of these PSCs. Arctic winters are tending to be colder in response to global tropospheric warming. The degree to which this influences ozone depletion will depend on the freezing mechanism of nitric acid hydrate particles. If nucleation is homogeneous it implies that the freezing process is an inherent property of the particle, while heterogeneous freezing means that the extent of PSCs will depend in part on the number of nuclei available. The Polar Ozone and Aerosol Measurement (POAM)II and III satellites have been making observations of stratospheric aerosols and Polar Stratospheric Clouds (PSCs) since 1994. Recently, we have developed a technique that can discriminate between Type Ia and Ib PSCs using these observations. A statistical approach is employed to demonstrate the robustness of this approach and results are compared with lidar measurements. The technique is used to analyze observations from POAM II and II during Northern Hemisphere winters where significant PSC formation occurred with the objective of exploring Type I PSC formation mechanisms. The different PSCs identified using this method exhibit different growth curve as expressed as extinction versus temperature.

Geologic history of the polar regions of Mars based on Mars Global surveyor data. II. Amazonian period

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kolb, E.J.; Tanaka, K.L.

2001-01-01

Based on Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) and Mars Orbiter Camera (MOC) observations of Amazonian polar layered deposits' (PLD) morphology, composition, and thickness, we conclude that the PLDs are composed of porous unconsolidated layers that have not experienced significant basal melting or other glacial-type processes. Morphologic features and associations within the PLD chasmata, including preserved craters and sinuous ridges, indicate that the dominant process of chasmata formation is wind scouring. Our detailed analysis of south polar spiral-trough topography, in conjunction with the identification of similar layered stratigraphy within north polar spiral troughs, suggests that trough migration due to preferential ablation of Sun-facing slopes cannot be demonstrated. Within the layered sequences, we have not identified widespread unconformities, discontinuities, or pinch-outs that would indicate an accublation origin of the PLDs. We therefore postulate that the well-defined PLDs at both poles eventually reached and maintained their present form following deposition without extensive deformation or redeposition. Large, cuspate ridges in the Ultimi lobe of Planum Australe appear to be layered and may be unusual erosional remnants of a once thicker PLD in this area. Beneath the north polar layered deposits in Planum Boreum, we have identified a platform of older, highly degraded polar deposits as much as a kilometer thick that may have once covered an area larger than Planum Boreum. ?? 2001 Elsevier Science.

Microwave frequency effect in the formation of Au nanocolloids in polar and non-polar solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horikoshi, Satoshi; Abe, Hideki; Sumi, Takuya; Torigoe, Kanjiro; Sakai, Hideki; Serpone, Nick; Abe, Masahiko

2011-04-01

Given earlier observations that microwave frequencies can have a substantial effect on the photoactivity of a well-known photocatalyst (TiO2), in the synthesis of 3,6-diphenyl-4-n-butylpyridazine through a Diels-Alder process, and in the one-pot solvent-free synthesis of a room-temperature ionic liquid, we proceeded to examine the frequency effects of the 5.8 and 2.45 GHz microwave (MW) radiation in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles in non-polar media, such as oleylamine, which have a low dielectric constant (ε'), and we further examine differences in shape and size under otherwise identical temperature conditions when the synthesis of the gold nanoparticles was carried out in an ethylene glycol polar medium in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone. Whereas a change in microwave frequency from 2.45 to 5.8 GHz at equal microwave power levels led to the synthesis of gold nanoparticles in the non-polar media, a change in the microwave frequency had no effect on the size and shape of the gold nanoparticles synthesized in polar media for identical microwave power levels.

Microwave frequency effect in the formation of Au nanocolloids in polar and non-polar solvents.

PubMed

Horikoshi, Satoshi; Abe, Hideki; Sumi, Takuya; Torigoe, Kanjiro; Sakai, Hideki; Serpone, Nick; Abe, Masahiko

2011-04-01

Given earlier observations that microwave frequencies can have a substantial effect on the photoactivity of a well-known photocatalyst (TiO(2)), in the synthesis of 3,6-diphenyl-4-n-butylpyridazine through a Diels-Alder process, and in the one-pot solvent-free synthesis of a room-temperature ionic liquid, we proceeded to examine the frequency effects of the 5.8 and 2.45 GHz microwave (MW) radiation in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles in non-polar media, such as oleylamine, which have a low dielectric constant (ε'), and we further examine differences in shape and size under otherwise identical temperature conditions when the synthesis of the gold nanoparticles was carried out in an ethylene glycol polar medium in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone. Whereas a change in microwave frequency from 2.45 to 5.8 GHz at equal microwave power levels led to the synthesis of gold nanoparticles in the non-polar media, a change in the microwave frequency had no effect on the size and shape of the gold nanoparticles synthesized in polar media for identical microwave power levels.

Formation of diploid and triploid hybrid groupers (hybridization of Epinephelus coioides ♀ × Epinephelus lanceolatus ♂) and their 5S gene analysis.

PubMed

Huang, Wen; Qin, Qinbo; Yang, Huirong; Li, Shuisheng; Hu, Chaoqun; Wang, Yude; Zhang, Yong; Liu, Shaojun; Lin, Haoran

2016-10-07

Interspecies hybridization is widely used to achieve heterosis or hybrid vigor, which has been observed and harnessed by breeders for centuries. Natural allopolyploid hybrids generally exhibit more superior heterosis than both the diploid progenies and their parental species. However, polyploid formation processes have been long ignored, the genetic basis of heterosis in polyploids remains elusive. In the present study, triploid hybrids had been demonstrated to contain two sets of chromosomes from mother species and one set from father species. Cellular polyploidization process in the embryos had been traced. The triploid hybrids might be formed by failure formation of the second polarized genome during the second meiosis stage. Four spindle centers were observed in anaphase stage of the first cell division. Three spindle centers were observed in side of cell plate after the first cell division. The 5S rDNA genes of four types of groupers were cloned and analyzed. The diploid and triploid hybrids had been proved to contain the tandem chimera structures which were recombined by maternal and paternal monomer units. The results indicated that genome re-fusion had occurred in the hybrid progenies. To further elucidate the genetic patterns of diploid and triploid hybrids, fluorescence chromosome location had been carried out, maternal 5S gene (M-386) were used as the probe. The triploid hybrids contained fewer fluorescence loci numbers than the maternal species. The results indicated that participation of paternal 5S gene in the triploid hybrid genome had degraded the match rates of M-386 probe. Our study is the first to investigate the cellular formation processes of natural allopolyploids in hybrid fish, the cellular polyploidization process may be caused by failure formation of the second polarized genome during the meiosis, and our results will provide the molecular basis of hybrid vigor in interspecies hybridization.

Carbon Dioxide Convection in the Martian Polar Night and Its Implications for Polar Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Colaprete, A.; Haberle, R. M.

2003-01-01

Each Martian year nearly 30% of the atmosphere is exchanged with the polar ice caps. This exchange occurs through a combination of direct surface condensation and atmospheric precipitation of carbon dioxide. It has long been thought the amount of condensation within the polar night is maintained by a balance between diabatic processes such as radiative cooling and latent heating from condensing CO2. This assumption manifests itself in Mars General Circulation Models (GCM) in such a way as to never allow the atmospheric temperature to dip below the saturation temperature of CO2. However, observations from Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) Radio Science (RS) and the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) have demonstrated this assumption to be, at best, approximate. Both RS and TES observations within the polar nights of both poles indicate substantial supersaturated regions with respect to CO2. The observed temperature profiles suggest conditionally unstable regions containing planetary significant amounts of potential convective energy. Presented here are estimates of the total planetary inventory of convective available potential energy (CAPE) and the potential convective energy flux (PCEF). The values for CAPE and PCEF are derived from RS temperature profiles and compared to Mars GCM results using a new convective CO2 cloud model that allows for the formation of CAPE.

O+ trough zones in the polar cap ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling region

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Horwitz, James; Zeng, Wen; Jaafari, Fajer

Regions of low-density troughs in O+ have been observed at 1 RE altitude in the polar cap ionosphere-magnetosphere region by the Thermal Ion Dynamics Experiment(TIDE) on the POLAR spacecraft. In this presentation, the UT Arlington Dynamic Fluid-Kinetic (DyFK) code is employed to investigate the formation of such O+ density troughs. We utilize convection paths of flux tubes in the high-latitude region as prescribed by an empirical convection model with solar wind inputs to track the evolution of ionospheric plasma transport and in particular O+ densities along these tubes with time/space. The flux tubes are subjected to auroral processes of precipitation and wave-driven ion heating when they pass through the auroral oval, which tends to elevate the plasma densities in these tubes. When the F-regions of such tubes traverse locations where the F-region is in darkness, recombination there causes the higher-altitude regions to drain and the densities to decline throughout. Owing to the varying effects of these processes, significant and low trough-like densities at higher altitudes developed along these flux tubes. The modeled densities near 6000 km altitudes will be compared with multiple POLAR passes featuring POLAR/TIDE-measured O+ densities for inside and outside of such trough regions.

Microfluidic production of single micrometer-sized hydrogel beads utilizing droplet dissolution in a polar solvent

PubMed Central

Sugaya, Sari; Yamada, Masumi; Hori, Ayaka; Seki, Minoru

2013-01-01

In this study, a microfluidic process is proposed for preparing monodisperse micrometer-sized hydrogel beads. This process utilizes non-equilibrium aqueous droplets formed in a polar organic solvent. The water-in-oil droplets of the hydrogel precursor rapidly shrunk owing to the dissolution of water molecules into the continuous phase. The shrunken and condensed droplets were then gelled, resulting in the formation of hydrogel microbeads with sizes significantly smaller than the initial droplet size. This study employed methyl acetate as the polar organic solvent, which can dissolve water at 8%. Two types of monodisperse hydrogel beads—Ca-alginate and chitosan—with sizes of 6–10 μm (coefficient of variation < 6%) were successfully produced. In addition, we obtained hydrogel beads with non-spherical morphologies by controlling the degree of droplet shrinkage at the time of gelation and by adjusting the concentration of the gelation agent. Furthermore, the encapsulation and concentration of DNA molecules within the hydrogel beads were demonstrated. The process presented in this study has great potential to produce small and highly concentrated hydrogel beads that are difficult to obtain by using conventional microfluidic processes. PMID:24396529

Microfluidic production of single micrometer-sized hydrogel beads utilizing droplet dissolution in a polar solvent.

PubMed

Sugaya, Sari; Yamada, Masumi; Hori, Ayaka; Seki, Minoru

2013-01-01

In this study, a microfluidic process is proposed for preparing monodisperse micrometer-sized hydrogel beads. This process utilizes non-equilibrium aqueous droplets formed in a polar organic solvent. The water-in-oil droplets of the hydrogel precursor rapidly shrunk owing to the dissolution of water molecules into the continuous phase. The shrunken and condensed droplets were then gelled, resulting in the formation of hydrogel microbeads with sizes significantly smaller than the initial droplet size. This study employed methyl acetate as the polar organic solvent, which can dissolve water at 8%. Two types of monodisperse hydrogel beads-Ca-alginate and chitosan-with sizes of 6-10 μm (coefficient of variation < 6%) were successfully produced. In addition, we obtained hydrogel beads with non-spherical morphologies by controlling the degree of droplet shrinkage at the time of gelation and by adjusting the concentration of the gelation agent. Furthermore, the encapsulation and concentration of DNA molecules within the hydrogel beads were demonstrated. The process presented in this study has great potential to produce small and highly concentrated hydrogel beads that are difficult to obtain by using conventional microfluidic processes.

Lunar and Planetary Science XXXV: Moon and Mercury

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2004-01-01

The session" Moon and Mercury" included the following reports:Helium Production of Prompt Neutrinos on the Moon; Vapor Deposition and Solar Wind Implantation on Lunar Soil-Grain Surfaces as Comparable Processes; A New Lunar Geologic Mapping Program; Physical Backgrounds to Measure Instantaneous Spin Components of Terrestrial Planets from Earth with Arcsecond Accuracy; Preliminary Findings of a Study of the Lunar Global Megaregolith; Maps Characterizing the Lunar Regolith Maturity; Probable Model of Anomalies in the Polar Regions of Mercury; Parameters of the Maximum of Positive Polarization of the Moon; Database Structure Development for Space Surveying Results by Moon -Zond Program; CM2-type Micrometeoritic Lunar Winds During the Late Heavy Bombardment; A Comparison of Textural and Chemical Features of Spinel Within Lunar Mare Basalts; The Reiner Gamma Formation as Characterized by Earth-based Photometry at Large Phase Angles; The Significance of the Geometries of Linear Graben for the Widths of Shallow Dike Intrusions on the Moon; Lunar Prospector Data, Surface Roughness and IR Thermal Emission of the Moon; The Influence of a Magma Ocean on the Lunar Global Stress Field Due to Tidal Interaction Between the Earth and Moon; Variations of the Mercurian Photometric Relief; A Model of Positive Polarization of Regolith; Ground Truth and Lunar Global Thorium Map Calibration: Are We There Yet?;and Space Weathering of Apollo 16 Sample 62255: Lunar Rocks as Witness Plates for Deciphering Regolith Formation Processes.

The Great Solar Active Region NOAA 12192: Helicity Transport, Filament Formation, and Impact on the Polar Field

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

McMaken, Tyler C.; Petrie, Gordon J. D., E-mail: tmcmaken@gmail.com, E-mail: gpetrie@noao.edu

The solar active region (AR), NOAA 12192, appeared in 2014 October as the largest AR in 24 years. Here we examine the counterintuitive nature of two diffusion-driven processes in the region: the role of helicity buildup in the formation of a major filament, and the relationship between the effects of supergranular diffusion and meridional flow on the AR and on the polar field. Quantitatively, calculations of current helicity and magnetic twist from Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) vector magnetograms indicate that, though AR 12192 emerged with negative helicity, positive helicity from subsequent flux emergence, consistent with the hemispheric sign-preference ofmore » helicity, increased over time within large-scale, weak-field regions such as those near the polarity inversion line (PIL). Morphologically, Atmospheric Imaging Assembly observations of filament barbs, sigmoidal patterns, and bases of Fe xii stalks initially exhibited signatures of negative helicity, and the long filament that subsequently formed had a strong positive helicity consistent with the helicity buildup along the PIL. We find from full-disk HMI magnetograms that AR 12192's leading positive flux was initially closer to the equator but, owing either to the region’s magnetic surroundings or to its asymmetric flux density distribution, was transported poleward more quickly on average than its trailing negative flux, contrary to the canonical pattern of bipole flux transport. This behavior caused the AR to have a smaller effect on the polar fields than expected and enabled the formation of the very long neutral line where the filament formed.« less

Erratum: Correction to: Rearrangements of Open Magnetic Flux and Formation of Polar Coronal Holes in Cycle 24

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Golubeva, E. M.; Mordvinov, A. V.

2017-12-01

Correction to: Solar Phys DOI 10.1007/s11207-017-1200-6 Due to an error during processing the Electronic Supplementary Material (ESM) supplied by the author was not included with the article. Please find in this correction document the reference to the ESM.

ACTPol: On-Sky Performance and Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grace, E.; Beall, J.; Bond, J. R.; Cho, H. M.; Datta, R.; Devlin, M. J.; Dunner, R.; Fox, A. E.; Gallardo, P.; Hasselfield, M.;

Analysis of the Efficiency of Surfactant-Mediated Stabilization Reactions of EGaIn Nanodroplets.

PubMed

Finkenauer, Lauren R; Lu, Qingyun; Hakem, Ilhem F; Majidi, Carmel; Bockstaller, Michael R

2017-09-26

A methodology based on light scattering and spectrophotometry was developed to evaluate the effect of organic surfactants on the size and yield of eutectic gallium/indium (EGaIn) nanodroplets formed in organic solvents by ultrasonication. The process was subsequently applied to systematically evaluate the role of headgroup chemistry as well as polar/apolar interactions of aliphatic surfactant systems on the efficiency of nanodroplet formation. Ethanol was found to be the most effective solvent medium in promoting the formation and stabilization of EGaIn nanodroplets. For the case of thiol-based surfactants in ethanol, the yield of nanodroplet formation increased with the number of carbon atoms in the aliphatic part. In the case of the most effective surfactant system-octadecanethiol-the nanodroplet yield increased by about 370% as compared to pristine ethanol. The rather low overall efficiency of the reaction process along with the incompatibility of surfactant-stabilized EGaIn nanodroplets in nonpolar organic solvents suggests that the stabilization mechanism differs from the established self-assembled monolayer formation process that has been widely observed in nanoparticle formation.

Role of the Polarity Determinant Crumbs in Suppressing Mammalian Epithelial Tumor Progression

PubMed Central

Karp, Cristina M.; Tan, Ting Ting; Mathew, Robin; Nelson, Deidre; Mukherjee, Chandreyee; Degenhardt, Kurt; Karantza-Wadsworth, Vassiliki; White, Eileen

2009-01-01

Most tumors are epithelial-derived, and although disruption of polarity and aberrant cellular junction formation is a poor prognosticator in human cancer, the role of polarity determinants in oncogenesis is poorly understood. Using in vivo selection, we identified a mammalian orthologue of the Drosophila polarity regulator crumbs as a gene whose loss of expression promotes tumor progression. Immortal baby mouse kidney epithelial (iBMK) cells selected in vivo to acquire tumorigenicity displayed dramatic repression of crumbs3 (crb3) expression associated with disruption of tight junction formation, apicobasal polarity, and contact-inhibited growth. Restoration of crb3 expression restored junctions, polarity and contact inhibition, while suppressing migration and metastasis. These findings suggest a role for mammalian polarity determinants in suppressing tumorigenesis that may be analogous to the well-studied polarity tumor suppressor mechanisms in Drosophila. PMID:18519669

Terabit bandwidth-adaptive transmission using low-complexity format-transparent digital signal processing.

PubMed

Zhuge, Qunbi; Morsy-Osman, Mohamed; Chagnon, Mathieu; Xu, Xian; Qiu, Meng; Plant, David V

2014-02-10

In this paper, we propose a low-complexity format-transparent digital signal processing (DSP) scheme for next generation flexible and energy-efficient transceiver. It employs QPSK symbols as the training and pilot symbols for the initialization and tracking stage of the receiver-side DSP, respectively, for various modulation formats. The performance is numerically and experimentally evaluated in a dual polarization (DP) 11 Gbaud 64QAM system. Employing the proposed DSP scheme, we conduct a system-level study of Tb/s bandwidth-adaptive superchannel transmissions with flexible modulation formats including QPSK, 8QAM and 16QAM. The spectrum bandwidth allocation is realized in the digital domain instead of turning on/off sub-channels, which improves the performance of higher order QAM. Various transmission distances ranging from 240 km to 6240 km are demonstrated with a colorless detection for hardware complexity reduction.

Processing of Global Area Coverage (GAC) Data of the TIROS-N/NOAA Series Polar Orbiters.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-10-01

National Climatic Data Center as tape copies that generally contain calibration information. In order to process the data on the SPADS , the data must be...the SPADS Eclipse S250, for maintenance of the software and for understanding data formats as well as the techniques involved in processing the GAC...constructive response will be appreciated. * 2. The Raw Data 2.1 How to Order Data Everybody working for the SPAD should contact the department head to

Instability of a Lamellar Phase under Shear Flow: Formation of Multilamellar Vesicles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courbin, L.; Delville, J. P.; Rouch, J.; Panizza, P.

2002-09-01

The formation of closed-compact multilamellar vesicles (referred to in the literature as the ``onion texture'') obtained upon shearing lamellar phases is studied using small-angle light scattering and cross-polarized microscopy. By varying the shear rate γ ˙, the gap cell D, and the smectic distance d, we show that: (i)the formation of this structure occurs homogeneously in the cell at a well-defined wave vector qi, via a strain-controlled process, and (ii)the value of qi varies as (dγ ˙/D)1/3. These results strongly suggest that formation of multilamellar vesicles may be monitored by an undulation (buckling) instability of the membranes, as expected from theory.

Reading the climate record of the martian polar layered deposits

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hvidberg, C.S.; Fishbaugh, K.E.; Winstrup, M.; Svensson, A.; Byrne, S.; Herkenhoff, K. E.

2012-01-01

The martian polar regions have layered deposits of ice and dust. The stratigraphy of these deposits is exposed within scarps and trough walls and is thought to have formed due to climate variations in the past. Insolation has varied significantly over time and caused dramatic changes in climate, but it has remained unclear whether insolation variations could be linked to the stratigraphic record. We present a model of layer formation based on physical processes that expresses polar deposition rates of ice and dust in terms of insolation. In this model, layer formation is controlled by the insolation record, and dust-rich layers form by two mechanisms: (1) increased summer sublimation during high obliquity, and (2) variations in the polar deposition of dust modulated by obliquity variations. The model is simple, yet physically plausible, and allows for investigations of the climate control of the polar layered deposits (PLD). We compare the model to a stratigraphic column obtained from the north polar layered deposits (NPLD) (Fishbaugh, K.E., Hvidberg, C.S., Byrne, S., Russel, P.S., Herkenhoff, K.E., Winstrup, M., Kirk, R. [2010a]. Geophys. Res. Lett., 37, L07201) and show that the model can be tuned to reproduce complex layer sequences. The comparison with observations cannot uniquely constrain the PLD chronology, and it is limited by our interpretation of the observed stratigraphic column as a proxy for NPLD composition. We identified, however, a set of parameters that provides a chronology of the NPLD tied to the insolation record and consistently explains layer formation in accordance with observations of NPLD stratigraphy. This model dates the top 500 m of the NPLD back to ∼1 million years with an average net deposition rate of ice and dust of 0.55 mm a−1. The model stratigraphy contains a quasi-periodic ∼30 m cycle, similar to a previously suggested cycle in brightness profiles from the NPLD (Laskar, J., Levrard, B., Mustard, F. [2002]. Nature, 419, 375–377; Milkovich, S., Head, J.W. [2005]. J. Geophys. Res. 110), but here related to half of the obliquity cycles of 120 and 99 kyr and resulting from a combination of the two layer formation mechanisms. Further investigations of the non-linear insolation control of PLD formation should consider data from other geographical locations and include radar data and other stratigraphic datasets that can constrain the composition and stratigraphy of the NPLD layers.

Influence of oil composition on the formation of fatty acid esters of 2-chloropropane-1,3-diol (2-MCPD) and 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) under conditions simulating oil refining.

PubMed

Ermacora, Alessia; Hrncirik, Karel

2014-10-15

The toxicological relevance and widespread occurrence of fatty acid esters of 2-chloropropane-1,3-diol (2-MCPD) and 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in refined oils and fats have recently triggered an interest in the mechanism of formation and decomposition of these contaminants during oil processing. In this work, the effect of the main precursors, namely acylglycerols and chlorinated compounds, on the formation yield of MCPD esters was investigated in model systems simulating oil deodorization. The composition of the oils was modified by enzymatic hydrolysis, silica gel purification and application of various refining steps prior to deodorization (namely degumming, neutralization, bleaching). Partial acylglycerols showed greater ability, than did triacylglycerols, to form MCPD esters. However, no direct correlation was found between these two parameters, since the availability of chloride ions was the main limiting factor in the formation reaction. Polar chlorinated compounds were found to be the main chloride donors, although the presence of reactive non-polar chloride-donating species was also observed. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Tidal-Rotational Dynamics of Solar System Worlds, from the Moon to Pluto

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Keane, James Tuttle

The spins of planetary bodies are not stagnant; they evolve in response to both external and internal forces. One way a planet's spin can change is through true polar wander. True polar wander is the reorientation of a planetary body with respect to its angular momentum vector, and occurs when mass is redistributed within the body, changing its principal axes of inertia. True polar wander can literally reshape a world, and has important implications for a variety of processes--from the long-term stability of polar volatiles in the permanently shadowed regions of airless worlds like the Moon and Mercury, to the global tectonic patterns of icy worlds like Pluto. In this dissertation, we investigate three specific instances of planetary true polar wander, and their associated consequences. In Chapter 2 we investigate the classic problem of the Moon's dynamical figure. By considering the effects of a fossil figure supported by an elastic lithosphere, and the contribution of impact basins to the figure, we find that the lunar figure is consistent with the Moon's lithosphere freezing in when the Moon was much closer to the Earth, on a low eccentricity synchronous orbit. The South Pole-Aitken impact basin is the single largest perturbation to the Moon's figure and resulted in tens of degrees of true polar wander after its formation. In Chapter 3 we continue our analyses of the lunar figure in light of the discovery of a lunar "volatile" paleopole, preserved in the distribution of hydrogen near the Moon's poles. We find that the formation and evolution of the Procellarum KREEP Terrain significantly altered the Moon's orientation, implying that some fraction of the Moon's polar volatiles are ancient--predating the geologic activity within the Procellarum region. In Chapter 4 we investigate how the formation of the giant, basin-filling glacier, Sputnik Planitia reoriented Pluto. This reorientation is recorded in both the present- day location of Sputnik Planitia (near the Pluto-Charon tidal axis), and the tectonic record of Pluto. This reorientation likely reflects a coupling between Pluto's volatile cycles and rotational dynamics, and may be active on other worlds with comparably large, mobile volatile reservoirs. Finally, in Chapter 5 we consider the broader context of these studies, and touch on future investigations of true polar wander on Mercury, Venus, Mars, Vesta, Ceres, and other worlds in our solar system.

Tailoring entanglement through domain engineering in a lithium niobate waveguide

PubMed Central

Ming, Yang; Tan, Ai-Hong; Wu, Zi-Jian; Chen, Zhao-Xian; Xu, Fei; Lu, Yan-Qing

2014-01-01

We propose to integrate the electro-optic (EO) tuning function into on-chip domain engineered lithium niobate (LN) waveguide. Due to the versatility of LN, both the spontaneously parametric down conversion (SPDC) and EO interaction could be realized simultaneously. Photon pairs are generated through SPDC, and the formation of entangled state is modulated by EO processes. An EO tunable polarization-entangled photon state is proposed. Orthogonally-polarized and parallel-polarized entanglements of photon pairs are instantly switchable by tuning the applied field. The characteristics of the source are theoretically investigated showing adjustable bandwidths and high entanglement degrees. Moreover, other kinds of reconfigurable entanglement are also achievable based on suitable domain-design. We believe tailoring entanglement based on domain engineering is a very promising solution for next generation function-integrated quantum circuits. PMID:24770555

Polar and Non-Polar Layers on Mars: A Single Mechanism for Formation?

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mischna, M. A.; McCleese, D. J.; Richardson, M. I.; Vasavada, A. R.; Wilson, R. J.

2003-01-01

The recent discovery of vast quantities of near-subsurface ice in both polar regions of Mars by the Mars Odyssey Gamma Ray Spectrometer (GRS) has presented us with an interesting quandary. On one hand, these deposits, found poleward of 60 deg in both hemispheres, are consistent with thermal models suggesting ice will be best protected in these regions during periods of high obliquity. On the other hand, the current paradigm regarding the placement of these deposits, i.e., diffusive deposition of water vapor, appears to be inconsistent with the large volume mixing ratios (approx. 90%) inferred from the GRS data. This incongruity argues that diffusion alone cannot be the primary mechanism for the creation of these reservoirs, and that an alternate, large-scale process should be considered.

Integrated optics technology study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, B.; Findakly, T.; Innarella, R.

1982-01-01

The status and near term potential of materials and processes available for the fabrication of single mode integrated electro-optical components are discussed. Issues discussed are host material and orientation, waveguide formation, optical loss mechanisms, wavelength selection, polarization effects and control, laser to integrated optics coupling fiber optic waveguides to integrated optics coupling, sources, and detectors. Recommendations of the best materials, technology, and processes for fabrication of integrated optical components for communications and fiber gyro applications are given.

Electrochemical process and production of novel complex hydrides

DOEpatents

Zidan, Ragaiy

2013-06-25

A process of using an electrochemical cell to generate aluminum hydride (AlH.sub.3) is provided. The electrolytic cell uses a polar solvent to solubilize NaAlH.sub.4. The resulting electrochemical process results in the formation of AlH.sub.3. The AlH.sub.3 can be recovered and used as a source of hydrogen for the automotive industry. The resulting spent aluminum can be regenerated into NaAlH.sub.4 as part of a closed loop process of AlH.sub.3 generation.

Pavement cells: a model system for non-transcriptional auxin signalling and crosstalks.

PubMed

Chen, Jisheng; Wang, Fei; Zheng, Shiqin; Xu, Tongda; Yang, Zhenbiao

2015-08-01

Auxin (indole acetic acid) is a multifunctional phytohormone controlling various developmental patterns, morphogenetic processes, and growth behaviours in plants. The transcription-based pathway activated by the nuclear TRANSPORT INHIBITOR RESISTANT 1/auxin-related F-box auxin receptors is well established, but the long-sought molecular mechanisms of non-transcriptional auxin signalling remained enigmatic until very recently. Along with the establishment of the Arabidopsis leaf epidermal pavement cell (PC) as an exciting and amenable model system in the past decade, we began to gain insight into non-transcriptional auxin signalling. The puzzle-piece shape of PCs forms from intercalated or interdigitated cell growth, requiring local intra- and inter-cellular coordination of lobe and indent formation. Precise coordination of this interdigitated pattern requires auxin and an extracellular auxin sensing system that activates plasma membrane-associated Rho GTPases from plants and subsequent downstream events regulating cytoskeletal reorganization and PIN polarization. Apart from auxin, mechanical stress and cytokinin have been shown to affect PC interdigitation, possibly by interacting with auxin signals. This review focuses upon signalling mechanisms for cell polarity formation in PCs, with an emphasis on non-transcriptional auxin signalling in polarized cell expansion and pattern formation and how different auxin pathways interplay with each other and with other signals. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Self-organization principles of intracellular pattern formation.

PubMed

Halatek, J; Brauns, F; Frey, E

2018-05-26

Dynamic patterning of specific proteins is essential for the spatio-temporal regulation of many important intracellular processes in prokaryotes, eukaryotes and multicellular organisms. The emergence of patterns generated by interactions of diffusing proteins is a paradigmatic example for self-organization. In this article, we review quantitative models for intracellular Min protein patterns in Escherichia coli , Cdc42 polarization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the bipolar PAR protein patterns found in Caenorhabditis elegans By analysing the molecular processes driving these systems we derive a theoretical perspective on general principles underlying self-organized pattern formation. We argue that intracellular pattern formation is not captured by concepts such as 'activators', 'inhibitors' or 'substrate depletion'. Instead, intracellular pattern formation is based on the redistribution of proteins by cytosolic diffusion, and the cycling of proteins between distinct conformational states. Therefore, mass-conserving reaction-diffusion equations provide the most appropriate framework to study intracellular pattern formation. We conclude that directed transport, e.g. cytosolic diffusion along an actively maintained cytosolic gradient, is the key process underlying pattern formation. Thus the basic principle of self-organization is the establishment and maintenance of directed transport by intracellular protein dynamics.This article is part of the theme issue 'Self-organization in cell biology'. © 2018 The Authors.

Conditions for the formation of prominences as inferred from optical observations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Martin, Sara F.

1990-01-01

It is suggested that three conditions, if dynamically maintained for a sufficient period of time, will result in the formation of a solar prominence. These conditions are the presence of a coronal arcade that connects the magnetic fields on opposite sides of a prominence; the existence of a long-term (hours to days) converging flow of small patches of opposite-polarity magnetic flux toward a common-polarity inversion zone; and the cancellation of encountered patches of magnetic flux of opposite polarity at a photospheric polarity inversion boundary.

How do closed-compact multi-lamellar droplets form under shear flow? A possible mechanism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courbin, L.; Pons, R.; Rouch, J.; Panizza, P.

2003-01-01

The formation of closed-compact multi-lamellar droplets obtained upon shearing both a lamellar phase (Lα) and a two-phase separated lamellar-sponge (Lα-L3) mixture is investigated as a function of the shear rate dot gamma, using small-angle light scattering (SALS) and cross-polarized optical microscopy. In both systems the formation of droplets occurs homogeneously in the cell at a well-defined wave vector qe propto dot gamma1/3 via a strain-controlled process. These results suggest that the formation of droplets may be monitored in both systems by a buckling instability of the lamellae as predicted from a recent theory.

KETENE FORMATION IN INTERSTELLAR ICES: A LABORATORY STUDY

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hudson, Reggie L.; Loeffler, Mark J., E-mail: Reggie.Hudson@NASA.gov

2013-08-20

The formation of ketene (H{sub 2}CCO, ethenone) in polar and apolar ices was studied with in situ 0.8 MeV proton irradiation, far-UV photolysis, and infrared spectroscopic analyses at 10-20 K. Using isotopically enriched reagents, unequivocal evidence was obtained for ketene synthesis in H{sub 2}O-rich and CO{sub 2}-rich ices, and several reaction products were identified. Results from scavenging experiments suggested that ketene was formed by free-radical pathways, as opposed to acid-base processes or redox reactions. Finally, we use our results to draw conclusions about the formation and stability of ketene in the interstellar medium.

Characterization of axon formation in the embryonic stem cell-derived motoneuron.

PubMed

Pan, Hung-Chuan; Wu, Ya-Ting; Shen, Shih-Cheng; Wang, Chi-Chung; Tsai, Ming-Shiun; Cheng, Fu-Chou; Lin, Shinn-Zong; Chen, Ching-Wen; Liu, Ching-San; Su, Hong-Lin

2011-01-01

The developing neural cell must form a highly organized architecture to properly receive and transmit nerve signals. Neural formation from embryonic stem (ES) cells provides a novel system for studying axonogenesis, which are orchestrated by polarity-regulating molecules. Here the ES-derived motoneurons, identified by HB9 promoter-driven green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression, showed characteristics of motoneuron-specific gene expression. In the majority of motoneurons, one of the bilateral neurites developed into an axon that featured with axonal markers, including Tau1, vesicle acetylcholine transporter, and synaptophysin. Interestingly, one third of the motoneurons developed bi-axonal processes but no multiple axonal GFP cell was found. The neuronal polarity-regulating proteins, including the phosphorylated AKT and ERK, were compartmentalized into both of the bilateral axonal tips. Importantly, this aberrant axon morphology was still present after the engraftment of GFP(+) neurons into the spinal cord, suggesting that even a mature neural environment fails to provide a proper niche to guide normal axon formation. These findings underscore the necessity for evaluating the morphogenesis and functionality of neurons before the clinical trials using ES or somatic stem cells.

Investigation of Polar Stratospheric Cloud Solid Particle Formation Mechanisms Using ILAS and AVHRR Observations in the Arctic

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Irie, H.; Pagan, K. L.; Tabazadeh, A.; Legg, M. J.; Sugita, T.

2004-01-01

Satellite observations of denitrification and ice clouds in the Arctic lower stratosphere in February 1997 are used with Lagrangian microphysical box model calculations to evaluate nucleation mechanisms of solid polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) particles. The occurrences of ice clouds are not correlated in time and space with the locations of back trajectories of denitrified air masses, indicating that ice particle surfaces are not always a prerequisite for the formation of solid PSCs that lead to denitrification. In contrast, the model calculations incorporating a pseudoheterogeneous freezing process occurring at the vapor-liquid interface can quantitatively explain most of the observed denitrification when the nucleation activation free energy for nitric acid dihydrate formation is raised by only approx.10% relative to the current published values. Once nucleated, the conversion of nitric acid dihydrate to the stable trihydrate phase brings the computed levels of denitrification closer to the measurements. INDEX TERMS: 0305 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Aerosols and particles (0345, 4801); 0320 Atmospheric Composition and SblctureC: loud physics and chemistry; 0340 Atmospheric Composition and Structure: Middle atmosphere-composition and chemistry

Genetic, structural, and chemical insights into the dual function of GRASP55 in germ cell Golgi remodeling and JAM-C polarized localization during spermatogenesis.

PubMed

Cartier-Michaud, Amandine; Bailly, Anne-Laure; Betzi, Stéphane; Shi, Xiaoli; Lissitzky, Jean-Claude; Zarubica, Ana; Sergé, Arnauld; Roche, Philippe; Lugari, Adrien; Hamon, Véronique; Bardin, Florence; Derviaux, Carine; Lembo, Frédérique; Audebert, Stéphane; Marchetto, Sylvie; Durand, Bénédicte; Borg, Jean-Paul; Shi, Ning; Morelli, Xavier; Aurrand-Lions, Michel

2017-06-01

Spermatogenesis is a dynamic process that is regulated by adhesive interactions between germ and Sertoli cells. Germ cells express the Junctional Adhesion Molecule-C (JAM-C, encoded by Jam3), which localizes to germ/Sertoli cell contacts. JAM-C is involved in germ cell polarity and acrosome formation. Using a proteomic approach, we demonstrated that JAM-C interacted with the Golgi reassembly stacking protein of 55 kDa (GRASP55, encoded by Gorasp2) in developing germ cells. Generation and study of Gorasp2-/- mice revealed that knock-out mice suffered from spermatogenesis defects. Acrosome formation and polarized localization of JAM-C in spermatids were altered in Gorasp2-/- mice. In addition, Golgi morphology of spermatocytes was disturbed in Gorasp2-/- mice. Crystal structures of GRASP55 in complex with JAM-C or JAM-B revealed that GRASP55 interacted via PDZ-mediated interactions with JAMs and induced a conformational change in GRASP55 with respect of its free conformation. An in silico pharmacophore approach identified a chemical compound called Graspin that inhibited PDZ-mediated interactions of GRASP55 with JAMs. Treatment of mice with Graspin hampered the polarized localization of JAM-C in spermatids, induced the premature release of spermatids and affected the Golgi morphology of meiotic spermatocytes.

CDC-42 Orients Cell Migration during Epithelial Intercalation in the Caenorhabditis elegans Epidermis.

PubMed

Walck-Shannon, Elise; Lucas, Bethany; Chin-Sang, Ian; Reiner, David; Kumfer, Kraig; Cochran, Hunter; Bothfeld, William; Hardin, Jeff

2016-11-01

Cell intercalation is a highly directed cell rearrangement that is essential for animal morphogenesis. As such, intercalation requires orchestration of cell polarity across the plane of the tissue. CDC-42 is a Rho family GTPase with key functions in cell polarity, yet its role during epithelial intercalation has not been established because its roles early in embryogenesis have historically made it difficult to study. To circumvent these early requirements, in this paper we use tissue-specific and conditional loss-of-function approaches to identify a role for CDC-42 during intercalation of the Caenorhabditis elegans dorsal embryonic epidermis. CDC-42 activity is enriched in the medial tips of intercalating cells, which extend as cells migrate past one another. Moreover, CDC-42 is involved in both the efficient formation and orientation of cell tips during cell rearrangement. Using conditional loss-of-function we also show that the PAR complex functions in tip formation and orientation. Additionally, we find that the sole C. elegans Eph receptor, VAB-1, functions during this process in an Ephrin-independent manner. Using epistasis analysis, we find that vab-1 lies in the same genetic pathway as cdc-42 and is responsible for polarizing CDC-42 activity to the medial tip. Together, these data establish a previously uncharacterized role for polarized CDC-42, in conjunction with PAR-6, PAR-3 and an Eph receptor, during epithelial intercalation.

CDC-42 Orients Cell Migration during Epithelial Intercalation in the Caenorhabditis elegans Epidermis

PubMed Central

Lucas, Bethany; Chin-Sang, Ian; Reiner, David; Kumfer, Kraig

2016-01-01

Cell intercalation is a highly directed cell rearrangement that is essential for animal morphogenesis. As such, intercalation requires orchestration of cell polarity across the plane of the tissue. CDC-42 is a Rho family GTPase with key functions in cell polarity, yet its role during epithelial intercalation has not been established because its roles early in embryogenesis have historically made it difficult to study. To circumvent these early requirements, in this paper we use tissue-specific and conditional loss-of-function approaches to identify a role for CDC-42 during intercalation of the Caenorhabditis elegans dorsal embryonic epidermis. CDC-42 activity is enriched in the medial tips of intercalating cells, which extend as cells migrate past one another. Moreover, CDC-42 is involved in both the efficient formation and orientation of cell tips during cell rearrangement. Using conditional loss-of-function we also show that the PAR complex functions in tip formation and orientation. Additionally, we find that the sole C. elegans Eph receptor, VAB-1, functions during this process in an Ephrin-independent manner. Using epistasis analysis, we find that vab-1 lies in the same genetic pathway as cdc-42 and is responsible for polarizing CDC-42 activity to the medial tip. Together, these data establish a previously uncharacterized role for polarized CDC-42, in conjunction with PAR-6, PAR-3 and an Eph receptor, during epithelial intercalation. PMID:27861585

The Balloon-borne Large Aperture Telescope for Polarization - BLASTPol

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Devlin, Mark

We are proposing a comprehensive program to study the link between Galactic magnetic fields and star formation. After decades of study, the physical processes regulating star formation still remain poorly understood. Large-scale observations of star forming regions provide counts of the number of dense clouds each of which will eventually evolve into tens to hundreds of stars. However, when simple models of gravitational collapse are applied to the clouds they yield a Galactic star formation rate (SFR) which is many times what is actually observed. Some process or combination of processes must be slowing the collapse of the clouds. The two prevailing theories involve turbulence which prevents the effective dissipation of energy and Galactic magnetic fields which are captured and squeezed by the collapsing cloud provide a mechanism for mechanical support. Understanding these effects fits very well the SMD 2010 Science Plan's Cosmic Origins program. The Balloon-borne Large Aperture Telescope - BLAST was originally designed to conduct confusion-limited and wide-area extragalactic and Galactic surveys at submillimeter wavelengths from a long-duration balloon (LDB) platform. These wavelengths are impossible or very difficult to observe from even the best groundbased telescope sites. After a series of successful flights (Ft. Sumner 2003, Sweden 2005, and Antarctica 2006) resulting in over 25 publications, BLAST was converted to BLASTPol. The combination of a polarizing grid in front of each of the 266 feed horns at 250, 350 and 500 micron with a stepped Half Wave Plate (HWP) provided a quick and inexpensive way to make initial measurements of polarized dust emission in star forming regions. By mapping polarization from dust grains aligned with respect to their local magnetic field, the field orientation (projected on the sky) can be traced. The development of the Next Generation BLASTPol instrument is now complete. It has increased spatial resolution (22 arcseconds at 250 microns), four times the field of view (340 square arcminutes) and 12 times the mapping speed of the previous instrument. The focus of this three year proposal is to fly BLASTPol, make deep maps of star forming regions with sizes ranging from 0.25 to 20 square degrees, and to probe galactic dust as a foreground for future Cosmic Microwave Background experiments. This work also includes an extensive data analysis phase.

Advances in coherent optical modems and 16-QAM transmission with feedforward carrier recovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Noé, Reinhold; Hoffmann, Sebastian; Wördehoff, Christian; Al-Bermani, Ali; El-Darawy, Mohamed

2011-01-01

Polarization multiplexing and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) both double spectral efficiency. Combined with synchronous coherent polarization diverse intradyne receivers this modulation format is ultra-robust and cost-efficient. A feedforward carrier recovery is required in order to tolerate phase noise of normal DFB lasers. Signal processing in the digital domain permits compensation of at least chromatic and polarization mode dispersion. Some companies have products on the market, others are working on them. For 100 GbE transmission, 50 GHz channel spacing is sufficient. 16ary quadrature amplitude modulation (16-QAM) is attractive to double capacity once more, possibly in a modulation format flexible transponder which is switched down to QPSK only if system margin is too low. For 16-QAM the phase noise problem is sharply increased. However, also here a feedforward carrier recovery has been implemented. A number of carrier phase angles is tested in parallel, and the recovered data is selected for that phase angle where squared distance of recovered data to the nearest constellation point, averaged over a number of symbols, is minimum. An intradyne/selfhomodyne synchronous coherent 16-QAM experiment (2.5 Gb/s, 81 km) is presented.

Micellization of surface-active substances in nonpolar media

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tikhonov, V.P.; Fuks, G.I.

1982-11-01

Summarizes and correlates the results from studies on 3 types of surfactant polar groups that are typically present in petroleum products: oxygen-containing (COOH and OH groups), soaps (COOM group), and nitrogen-containing (NH/sub 2/ group). Uses a modified IR spectroscopic technique that can be applied to solutions of surfactants in nonpolar liquids to distinguish the simplest associates and micelles of unchanged size and shape (such changes may take place, for example, in solubilization). Shows that the micellization of surfactants in nonpolar media is preceded by the formation of the simplest associates. Finds that the process is regulated by the energy ofmore » interaction of the polar groups, and that it is also influenced by the nonpolar part of the molecule, changes in the dielectric constant of the solvent, and the presence of water or other surfactants. Concludes that all surfactants can be divided into 3 groups according to their solubility as individual molecules in nonpolar liquids, including hydrocarbons: insoluble, spontaneously soluble, and soluble in the presence of other surfactants or polar compounds of the type of water, fatty or aromatic alcohols, acids, etc. Points out that these additives affect the formation of the simplest associates of more complex forms.« less

Fate of products of degradation processes: consequences for climatic change.

PubMed

Slanina, J; ten Brink, H M; Khlystov, A

1999-03-01

The end products of atmospheric degradation are not only CO2 and H2O but also sulfate and nitrate depending on the chemical composition of the substances which are subject to degradation processes. Atmospheric degradation has thus a direct influence on the radiative balance of the earth not only due to formation of greenhouse gases but also of aerosols. Aerosols of a diameter of 0.1 to 2 micrometer, reflect short wave sunlight very efficiently leading to a radiative forcing which is estimated to be about -0.8 watt per m2 by IPCC. Aerosols also influence the radiative balance by way of cloud formation. If more aerosols are present, clouds are formed with more and smaller droplets and these clouds have a higher albedo and are more stable compared to clouds with larger droplets. Not only sulfate, but also nitrate and polar organic compounds, formed as intermediates in degradation processes, contribute to this direct and indirect aerosol effect. Estimates for the Netherlands indicate a direct effect of -4 watt m-2 and an indirect effect of as large as -5 watt m-2. About one third is caused by sulfates, one third by nitrates and last third by polar organic compounds. This large radiative forcing is obviously non-uniform and depends on local conditions.

Chiral Templating of Self-Assembling Nanostructures by Circularly Polarized Light

PubMed Central

Yeom, Jihyeon; Yeom, Bongjun; Chan, Henry; Smith, Kyle W.; Dominguez-Medina, Sergio; Bahng, Joong Hwan; Zhao, Gongpu; Chang, Wei-Shun; Chang, Sung Jin; Chuvilin, Andrey; Melnikau, Dzmitry; Rogach, Andrey L.; Zhang, Peijun; Link, Stephan; Král, Petr; Kotov, Nicholas A.

2015-01-01

Chemical reactions affected by spin angular momenta of circularly polarized photons are rare and display low enantiomeric excess. High optical and chemical activity of nanoparticles (NPs) should facilitate the transfer of spin angular momenta of photons to nanoscale materials but such processes are unknown. Here we demonstrate that circularly polarized light (CPL) strongly affects self-assembly of racemic CdTe NPs. Illumination of NP dispersions with right- and left-handed CPL induces the formation of right- and left-handed twisted nanoribbons, respectively. Enantiomeric excess of such reactions exceeds 30% which is ~10 times higher than other CPL-induced reactions. Illumination with linearly polarized light and assembly in the dark led to straight nanoribbons. The mechanism of “templation” of NP assemblies by CPL is associated with selective photoactivation of chiral NPs and clusters followed by their photooxidation. Chiral anisotropy of interactions translates into chirality of the assembled ribbons. The ability of NPs to retain polarization information, or the “imprint” of incident photons opens new pathways for the synthesis of chiral photonic materials and allows for better understanding of the origins of biomolecular homochirality. PMID:25401922

The polar layered deposits on Mars: Inference from thermal inertia modeling and geologic studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herkenhoff, K. E.

1992-01-01

It is widely believed that the Martian polar layered deposits record climate variations over at least the last 10 to 100 m.y., but the details of the processes involved and their relative roles in layer formation and evolution remain obscure. Weathering of the Martian layered deposits by sublimation of water ice can account for the thermal inertias, water vapor abundances, and geologic relationships observed in the Martian polar regions. The nonvolatile components of the layered deposits appears to consist mainly of bright red dust, with small amounts of dark dust. Dark dust, perhaps similar to the magnetic material found at the Viking Lander sites, may preferentially form filamentary residue particles upon weathering of the deposits. Once eroded, these particles may saltate to form the dark dunes found in both polar regions. This scenario for the origin and evolution of the dark material within the polar layered deposits is consistent with the available imaging and thermal data. Further experimental measurements of the thermophysical properties of magnetite and maghemite under Martian conditions are needed to better test this hypothesis.

Polarization dependent formation of femtosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures near stepped features

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murphy, Ryan D.; Torralva, Ben; Adams, David P.

2014-06-09

Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are formed near 110 nm-tall Au microstructured edges on Si substrates after single-pulse femtosecond irradiation with a 150 fs pulse centered near a 780 nm wavelength. We investigate the contributions of Fresnel diffraction from step-edges and surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation to LIPSS formation on Au and Si surfaces. For certain laser polarization vector orientations, LIPSS formation is dominated by SPP excitation; however, when SPP excitation is minimized, Fresnel diffraction dominates. The LIPSS orientation and period distributions are shown to depend on which mechanism is activated. These results support previous observations of the laser polarization vectormore » influencing LIPSS formation on bulk surfaces.« less

Integrated optics technology study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, B.

1982-01-01

The materials and processes available for the fabrication of single mode integrated electrooptical components are described. Issues included in the study are: (1) host material and orientation, (2) waveguide formation, (3) optical loss mechanisms, (4) wavelength selection, (5) polarization effects and control, (6) laser to integrated optics coupling,(7) fiber optic waveguides to integrated optics coupling, (8) souces, (9) detectors. The best materials, technology and processes for fabrication of integrated optical components for communications and fiber gyro applications are recommended.

The formation of Charon's red poles from seasonally cold-trapped volatiles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grundy, W. M.; Cruikshank, D. P.; Gladstone, G. R.; Howett, C. J. A.; Lauer, T. R.; Spencer, J. R.; Summers, M. E.; Buie, M. W.; Earle, A. M.; Ennico, K.; Parker, J. Wm.; Porter, S. B.; Singer, K. N.; Stern, S. A.; Verbiscer, A. J.; Beyer, R. A.; Binzel, R. P.; Buratti, B. J.; Cook, J. C.; Dalle Ore, C. M.; Olin, C. B.; Parker, A. H.; Protopapa, S.; Quirico, E.; Retherford, K. D.; Robbins, S. J.; Schmitt, B.; Stansberry, J. A.; Umurhan, O. M.; Weaver, H. A.; Young, L. A.; Zangari, A. M.; Bray, V. J.; Cheng, A. F.; McKinnon, W. B.; McNutt, R. L.; Morre, J. M.; Nimmo, F.; Reuter, D. C.; Schenk, P. M.; New Horizons Science Team; Stern, S. A.; Bagenal, F.; Ennico, K.; Gladstone, G. R.; Grundy, W. M.; McKinnon, W. B.; Moore, J. M.; Olkin, C. B.; Spencer, J. R.; Weaver, H. A.; Young, L. A.; Andert, T.; Barnouin, O.; Beyer, R. A.; Binzel, R. P.; Bird, M.; Bray, V. J.; Brozovic, M.; Buie, M. W.; Buratti, B. J.; Cheng, A. F.; Cook, J. C.; Cruikshank, D. P.; Dalle Ore, C. M.; Earler, A. M.; Elliott, H. A.; Greathouse, T. K.; Hahn, M.; Hamilton, D. P.; Hill, M. E.; Hinson, D. P.; Hofgartner, J.; Horányi, M.; Howard, A. D.; Howett, C. J. A.; Jennings, D. E.; Kammer, J. A.; Kollmann, P.; Lauer, T. R.; Lavvas, P.; Linscott, I. R. Lisse, C. M.; Lunsford, A. W.; McComas, D. J.; McNutt, R. L., Jr.; Mutchler, M.; Nimmo, F.; Nunez, J. I.; Paetzold, M.; Parker, A. H.; Parker, J. Wm.; Philippe, S.; Piquette, M.; Porter, S. B.; Protopapa, S.; Quirico, E.; Reitsema, H. J.; Reuter, D. C.; Robbins, S. J.; Roberts, J. H.; Runyon, K.; Schenk, P. M.; Schindhelm, E.; Schmitt, B.; Showalter, M. R.; Singer, K. N.; Stansberry, J. A.; Steffl, A. J.; Strobel, D. F.; Stryk, T.; Summers, M. E.; Szalay, J. R.; Throop, H. B.; Tsang, C. C. C.; Tyler, G. L.; Umurhan, O. M.; Verbiscer, A. J.; Versteeg, M. H.; Weigle, G. E., II; White, O. L.; Woods, W. W.; Young, E. F.; Zangari, A. M.

2016-11-01

A unique feature of Pluto's large satellite Charon is its dark red northern polar cap. Similar colours on Pluto's surface have been attributed to tholin-like organic macromolecules produced by energetic radiation processing of hydrocarbons. The polar location on Charon implicates the temperature extremes that result from Charon's high obliquity and long seasons in the production of this material. The escape of Pluto's atmosphere provides a potential feedstock for a complex chemistry. Gas from Pluto that is transiently cold-trapped and processed at Charon's winter pole was proposed as an explanation for the dark coloration on the basis of an image of Charon's northern hemisphere, but not modelled quantitatively. Here we report images of the southern hemisphere illuminated by Pluto-shine and also images taken during the approach phase that show the northern polar cap over a range of longitudes. We model the surface thermal environment on Charon and the supply and temporary cold-trapping of material escaping from Pluto, as well as the photolytic processing of this material into more complex and less volatile molecules while cold-trapped. The model results are consistent with the proposed mechanism for producing the observed colour pattern on Charon.

The Formation of Charon's Red Poles from Seasonally Cold-Trapped Volatiles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Grundy, W. M.; Cruikshank, D. P.; Gladstone, D. R.; Howett, C. J. A.; Lauer, T. R.; Spencer, J. R.; Summers, M. E.; Buie, M. W.; Earle, A. M.; Ennico, K.;

The formation of Charon's red poles from seasonally cold-trapped volatiles.

PubMed

Grundy, W M; Cruikshank, D P; Gladstone, G R; Howett, C J A; Lauer, T R; Spencer, J R; Summers, M E; Buie, M W; Earle, A M; Ennico, K; Parker, J Wm; Porter, S B; Singer, K N; Stern, S A; Verbiscer, A J; Beyer, R A; Binzel, R P; Buratti, B J; Cook, J C; Dalle Ore, C M; Olkin, C B; Parker, A H; Protopapa, S; Quirico, E; Retherford, K D; Robbins, S J; Schmitt, B; Stansberry, J A; Umurhan, O M; Weaver, H A; Young, L A; Zangari, A M; Bray, V J; Cheng, A F; McKinnon, W B; McNutt, R L; Moore, J M; Nimmo, F; Reuter, D C; Schenk, P M

2016-11-03

A unique feature of Pluto's large satellite Charon is its dark red northern polar cap. Similar colours on Pluto's surface have been attributed to tholin-like organic macromolecules produced by energetic radiation processing of hydrocarbons. The polar location on Charon implicates the temperature extremes that result from Charon's high obliquity and long seasons in the production of this material. The escape of Pluto's atmosphere provides a potential feedstock for a complex chemistry. Gas from Pluto that is transiently cold-trapped and processed at Charon's winter pole was proposed as an explanation for the dark coloration on the basis of an image of Charon's northern hemisphere, but not modelled quantitatively. Here we report images of the southern hemisphere illuminated by Pluto-shine and also images taken during the approach phase that show the northern polar cap over a range of longitudes. We model the surface thermal environment on Charon and the supply and temporary cold-trapping of material escaping from Pluto, as well as the photolytic processing of this material into more complex and less volatile molecules while cold-trapped. The model results are consistent with the proposed mechanism for producing the observed colour pattern on Charon.

Fusomorphogenesis: cell fusion in organ formation.

PubMed

Shemer, G; Podbilewicz, B

2000-05-01

Cell fusion is a universal process that occurs during fertilization and in the formation of organs such as muscles, placenta, and bones. Very little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cell fusion during pattern formation. Here we review the dynamic anatomy of all cell fusions during embryonic and postembryonic development in an organism. Nearly all the cell fates and cell lineages are invariant in the nematode C. elegans and one third of the cells that are born fuse to form 44 syncytia in a reproducible and stereotyped way. To explain the function of cell fusion in organ formation we propose the fusomorphogenetic model as a simple cellular mechanism to efficiently redistribute membranes using a combination of cell fusion and polarized membrane recycling during morphogenesis. Thus, regulated intercellular and intracellular membrane fusion processes may drive elongation of the embryo as well as postembryonic organ formation in C. elegans. Finally, we use the fusomorphogenetic hypothesis to explain the role of cell fusion in the formation of organs like muscles, bones, and placenta in mammals and other species and to speculate on how the intracellular machinery that drive fusomorphogenesis may have evolved.

Extreme anthropogenic loads and the northern ecosystem condition

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kryuckkov, V.V.

1993-11-01

In the extreme North, the polar region of siberian Russia, the largest mining and processing enterprises for metallic and nonmetallic ores, coal, oil, and gas are situated. The extremely vulnerable boreal and polar ecosystems of the north are responding adversely to the impact of these activities, and are in danger of collapse because of them. The mechanisms of such impacts, their formation, continuous extension, and merger have been studied. The deforested and destroyed areas of former forest-tundra and taiga ecosystems resemble the Arctic zones of a much harsher environment more than the typical Arctic zones where they occur. 5 refs.,more » 3 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Update of the Polar SWIFT model for polar stratospheric ozone loss (Polar SWIFT version 2)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wohltmann, Ingo; Lehmann, Ralph; Rex, Markus

2017-07-01

The Polar SWIFT model is a fast scheme for calculating the chemistry of stratospheric ozone depletion in polar winter. It is intended for use in global climate models (GCMs) and Earth system models (ESMs) to enable the simulation of mutual interactions between the ozone layer and climate. To date, climate models often use prescribed ozone fields, since a full stratospheric chemistry scheme is computationally very expensive. Polar SWIFT is based on a set of coupled differential equations, which simulate the polar vortex-averaged mixing ratios of the key species involved in polar ozone depletion on a given vertical level. These species are O3, chemically active chlorine (ClOx), HCl, ClONO2 and HNO3. The only external input parameters that drive the model are the fraction of the polar vortex in sunlight and the fraction of the polar vortex below the temperatures necessary for the formation of polar stratospheric clouds. Here, we present an update of the Polar SWIFT model introducing several improvements over the original model formulation. In particular, the model is now trained on vortex-averaged reaction rates of the ATLAS Chemistry and Transport Model, which enables a detailed look at individual processes and an independent validation of the different parameterizations contained in the differential equations. The training of the original Polar SWIFT model was based on fitting complete model runs to satellite observations and did not allow for this. A revised formulation of the system of differential equations is developed, which closely fits vortex-averaged reaction rates from ATLAS that represent the main chemical processes influencing ozone. In addition, a parameterization for the HNO3 change by denitrification is included. The rates of change of the concentrations of the chemical species of the Polar SWIFT model are purely chemical rates of change in the new version, whereas in the original Polar SWIFT model, they included a transport effect caused by the original training on satellite data. Hence, the new version allows for an implementation into climate models in combination with an existing stratospheric transport scheme. Finally, the model is now formulated on several vertical levels encompassing the vertical range in which polar ozone depletion is observed. The results of the Polar SWIFT model are validated with independent Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) satellite observations and output from the original detailed chemistry model of ATLAS.

Effect of plasticizer on surface of free films prepared from aqueous solutions of salts of cationic polymers with different plasticizers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bajdik, János; Fehér, Máté; Pintye-Hódi, Klára

2007-06-01

Acquisition of a more detailed understanding of all technological processes is currently a relevant tendency in pharmaceutical technology and hence in industry. A knowledge of film formation from dispersion of polymers is very important during the coating of solid dosage forms. This process and the structure of the film can be influenced by different additives. In the present study, taste-masking films were prepared from aqueous citric acid solutions of a cationic polymer (Eudragit ® E PO) with various hydrophilic plasticizers (glycerol, propylene glycol and different poly(ethylene glycols)). The mechanical properties, film thickness, wetting properties and surface free energy of the free films were studied. The aim was to evaluate the properties of surface of free films to predict the arrangement of macromolecules in films formed from aqueous solutions of salts of cationic polymers. A high molecular weight of the plasticizer decreased the work of deformation. The surface free energy and the polarity were highest for the film without plasticizer; the hydrophilic additives decreased these parameters. The direction of the change in polarity (a hydrophilic component caused a decrease in the polarity) was unexpected. It can be explained by the change in orientation of the macromolecules, a hydrophobic surface being formed. Examination of the mechanical properties and film thickness can furnish additional results towards a knowledge of film formation by this not frequently applied type of polymer from aqueous solution.

Polarization properties of amyloid-beta plaques in Alzheimer's disease (Conference Presentation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baumann, Bernhard; Wöhrer, Adelheid; Ricken, Gerda; Pircher, Michael; Kovacs, Gabor G.; Hitzenberger, Christoph K.

2016-03-01

In histopathological practice, birefringence is used for the identification of amyloidosis in numerous tissues. Amyloid birefringence is caused by the parallel arrangement of fibrous protein aggregates. Since neurodegenerative processes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are also linked to the formation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques, optical methods sensitive to birefringence may act as non-invasive tools for Aβ identification. At last year's Photonics West, we demonstrated polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) imaging of ex vivo cerebral tissue of advanced stage AD patients. PS-OCT provides volumetric, structural imaging based on both backscatter contrast and tissue polarization properties. In this presentation, we report on polarization-sensitive neuroimaging along with numerical simulations of three-dimensional Aβ plaques. High speed PS-OCT imaging was performed using a spectral domain approach based on polarization maintaining fiber optics. The sample beam was interfaced to a confocal scanning microscope arrangement. Formalin-fixed tissue samples as well as thin histological sections were imaged. For comparison to the PS-OCT results, ray propagation through plaques was modeled using Jones analysis and various illumination geometries and plaque sizes. Characteristic polarization patterns were found. The results of this study may not only help to understand PS-OCT imaging of neuritic Aβ plaques but may also have implications for polarization-sensitive imaging of other fibrillary structures.

Global-scale tectonic patterns on Pluto

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Matsuyama, I.; Keane, J. T.; Kamata, S.

2016-12-01

The New Horizons spacecraft revealed a global-scale tectonic pattern on the surface of Pluto which is presumably related to its formation and early evolution. Changes in the rotational and tidal potentials, expansion, and loading can generate stresses capable of producing global-scale tectonic patterns. The current alignment of Sputnik Planum with the tidal axis suggests a reorientation of Pluto relative to the rotation and tidal axes, or true polar wander. This reorientation can be driven by mass loading associated with Sputnik Planum. We developed a general theoretical formalism for the calculation of tectonic patterns due to a variety of process including true polar wander, loading, and expansion. The formalism is general enough to be applicable to non-axisymmetric loads. We illustrate that the observed global-scale tectonic pattern can be explained by stresses generated by true polar wander, Sputnik Planum loading, and expansion.

Polar Fluctuations in Metal Halide Perovskites Uncovered by Acoustic Phonon Anomalies

DOE PAGES

Guo, Peijun; Xia, Yi; Gong, Jue; ...

2017-09-28

Solution-processable metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) offer great promise for efficient light harvesting and emitting devices due to their long carrier lifetime and superior carrier transport characteristics. Ferroelectric effects, a hallmark of traditional oxide perovskites, was proposed to be a mechanism to suppress carrier recombination and enhance charge transport in MHPs, but the existence and influence of such polar order is still of considerable debate. Here we performed transient reflection measurements on single crystals of both inorganic and organic-inorganic (hybrid) MHPs over a range of temperatures, and demonstrate significant phonon softening in the cubic phases close to the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition temperatures.more » Such phonon softening indicates the formation of polar domains, which grow in size upon cooling and can persist in the low-temperature tetragonal and orthorhombic phases. Our results link the extraordinary electronic properties of MHPs to the spontaneous polarizations which can contribute to more efficient charge separation and characteristics of an indirect bandgap.« less

Fine-Scale Layering of Mars Polar Deposits and Signatures of Ice Content in Nonpolar Material From Multiband SHARAD Data Processing

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Campbell, Bruce A.; Morgan, Gareth A.

2018-02-01

The variation of Shallow Radar (SHARAD) echo strength with frequency reveals material dielectric losses and polar layer properties. Loss tangents for Elysium and Amazonis Planitiae deposits are consistent with volcanic flows and sediments, while the Medusae Fossae Formation, lineated valley fill, and lobate debris aprons have low losses consistent with a major component of water ice. Mantling materials in Arcadia and Utopia Planitiae have higher losses, suggesting they are not dominated by ice over large fractions of their thickness. In Gemina Lingula, there are frequent deviations from a simple dependence of loss on depth. Within reflector packets, the brightest reflectors are often different among the frequency subbands, and there are cases of reflectors that occur in only the high- or low-frequency echoes. Many polar radar reflections must arise from multiple thin interfaces, or single deposits of appropriate thickness, that display resonant scattering behaviors. Reflector properties may be linked to climate-controlled polar dust deposition.

THE FORMATION AND MAGNETIC STRUCTURES OF ACTIVE-REGION FILAMENTS OBSERVED BY NVST, SDO, AND HINODE

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Yan, X. L.; Xue, Z. K.; Wang, J. C.

2015-08-15

To better understand the properties of solar active-region filaments, we present a detailed study on the formation and magnetic structures of two active-region filaments in active region NOAA 11884 during a period of four days. It is found that the shearing motion of the opposite magnetic polarities and the rotation of the small sunspots with negative polarity play an important role in the formation of two active-region filaments. During the formation of these two active-region filaments, one foot of the filaments was rooted in a small sunspot with negative polarity. The small sunspot rotated not only around another small sunspotmore » with negative polarity, but also around the center of its umbra. By analyzing the nonlinear force-free field extrapolation using the vector magnetic fields in the photosphere, twisted structures were found in the two active-region filaments prior to their eruptions. These results imply that the magnetic fields were dragged by the shearing motion between opposite magnetic polarities and became more horizontal. The sunspot rotation twisted the horizontal magnetic fields and finally formed the twisted active-region filaments.« less

Formation of polarity convergences underlying shoot outgrowths

PubMed Central

Abley, Katie; Sauret-Güeto, Susanna; Marée, Athanasius FM; Coen, Enrico

2016-01-01

The development of outgrowths from plant shoots depends on formation of epidermal sites of cell polarity convergence with high intracellular auxin at their centre. A parsimonious model for generation of convergence sites is that cell polarity for the auxin transporter PIN1 orients up auxin gradients, as this spontaneously generates convergent alignments. Here we test predictions of this and other models for the patterns of auxin biosynthesis and import. Live imaging of outgrowths from kanadi1 kanadi2 Arabidopsis mutant leaves shows that they arise by formation of PIN1 convergence sites within a proximodistal polarity field. PIN1 polarities are oriented away from regions of high auxin biosynthesis enzyme expression, and towards regions of high auxin importer expression. Both expression patterns are required for normal outgrowth emergence, and may form part of a common module underlying shoot outgrowths. These findings are more consistent with models that spontaneously generate tandem rather than convergent alignments. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.18165.001 PMID:27478985

Geomorphology of Titan's polar terrains: Using the landscape's topographic form to constrain surface processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Birch, S. P.; Hayes, A. G., Jr.; Dietrich, W. E.; Howard, A. D.; Malaska, M. J.; Moore, J. M.; Mastrogiuseppe, M.; White, O. L.; Hofgartner, J. D.; Soderblom, J. M.; Barnes, J. W.; Bristow, C.; Kirk, R. L.; Turtle, E. P.; Wood, C. A.; Stofan, E. R.

2015-12-01

Driven by an expansive atmosphere, Titan's lakes, seas and accompanied hydrological cycle hold vast amounts of information regarding the history and evolution of Titan. To understand these features, we constructed a geomorphologic map of Titan's polar terrains using a combination of the Cassini SAR, ISS, VIMS, and topographic datasets. In combining SAR, ISS, and VIMS imagery with topographic data, our geomorphic map reveals a stratigraphic sequence from which we infer formation processes. In mapping both the South and North poles with the same morphologic units, we conclude that processes that dominated the North Pole also operated in the South. Large seas, which are currently methane/ethane filled in the North and dry in the South, characterize both poles. The current day dichotomy may result only from differing initial conditions. Regions removed from the mare are dominated by smooth, undulating plains, bounded by moderately dissected uplands that are discretized into observable drainage basins. These plains contain the highest density of filled and empty lake depressions, which appear morphologically distinct from the larger mare. The thicknesses of these undulating plains are retrieved from the depths of the embedded empty depressions that are up to 800 m deep. The development of such large deposits and the surrounding hillslopes can be explained by the presence of previously vast polar oceans. Larger liquid bodies would have allowed for a sustained accumulation of soluble and insoluble sediments from Titan's lower latitudes. Two plausible evolutionary scenarios include seas that were slightly larger, followed by tectonic uplift, or oceans that were much larger, that have since lost most of their volume over time to methane photolysis. In either scenario, thick sedimentary deposits of soluble materials are required to have been emplaced prior to the formation of the small lake depressions.

Investigation of polar and stereoelectronic effects on pure excited-state hydrogen atom abstractions from phenols and alkylbenzenes.

PubMed

Pischel, Uwe; Patra, Digambara; Koner, Apurba L; Nau, Werner M

2006-01-01

The fluorescence quenching of singlet-excited 2,3-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-2-ene (DBO) by 22 phenols and 12 alkylbenzenes has been investigated. Quenching rate constants in acetonitrile are in the range of 10(8)-10(9) M(-1)s(-1) for phenols and 10(5)-10(6) M(-1)s(-1) for alkylbenzenes. In contrast to the quenching of triplet-excited benzophenone, no exciplexes are involved, so that a pure hydrogen atom transfer is proposed as quenching mechanism. This is supported by (1) pronounced deuterium isotope effects (kH/kD ca 4-6), which were observed for phenols and alkylbenzenes, and (2) a strongly endergonic thermodynamics for charge transfer processes (electron transfer, exciplex formation). In the case of phenols, linear free energy relationships applied, which led to a reaction constant of rho = -0.40, suggesting a lower electrophilicity of singlet-excited DBO than that of triplet-excited ketones and alkoxyl radicals. The reactivity of singlet-excited DBO exposes statistical, steric, polar and stereoelectronic effects on the hydrogen atom abstraction process in the absence of complications because of competitive exciplex formation.

Effect of Thermal Shock During Legionella Bacteria Removal on the Corrosion Properties of Zinc-Coated Steel Pipes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orlikowski, Juliusz; Ryl, Jacek; Jazdzewska, Agata; Krakowiak, Stefan

2016-07-01

The purpose of this investigation was to conduct the failure analysis of a water-supply system made from zinc-coated steel. The observed corrosion process had an intense and complex character. The brownish deposits and perforations were present after 2-3 years of exploitation. The electrochemical study based on the Tafel polarization, corrosion potential monitoring, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy together with microscopic analysis via SEM and EDX were performed in order to identify the cause of such intense corrosion. The performed measurements allowed us to determine that thermal shock was the source of polarity-reversal phenomenon. This process had begun the corrosion of steel which later led to the formation of deposits and perforations in the pipes. The work includes appropriate action in order to efficiently identify the described corrosion threat.

Passivation Behavior of Fe-Based Amorphous Coatings Prepared by High-Velocity Air/Oxygen Fuel Processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ma, H. R.; Li, J. W.; Chang, C. T.; Wang, X. M.; Li, R. W.

2017-12-01

Corrosion resistance and passivation behavior of Fe63Cr8Mo3.5Ni5P10B4C4Si2.5 amorphous coatings prepared by the activated combustion high-velocity air fuel (AC-HVAF) and high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) processes have been studied in detail by cyclic potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cathodic polarization and Mott-Schottky approach. The AC-HVAF coating shows higher corrosion resistance than the HVOF coating in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, as evidenced by its lower corrosion current density and passive current density. It is found that the superior corrosion resistance of the AC-HVAF coating is attributed to the enhanced formation of a dense passive film with less defective structure, higher pitting resistance and passivity stability, as well as stronger repassivity.

Comparisons of in vitro root caries models.

PubMed

Wefel, J S; Heilman, J R; Jordan, T H

1995-01-01

The purpose of this article is to compare various model systems for the production of in vitro root caries and to assess their ability to simulate the naturally occurring root caries process. Partially saturated buffer models and gel models were evaluated using polarized light microscopy and both qualitative and quantitative microradiography. All model systems showed very similar lesion formation when examined under polarized light. When microradiographs were compared, the systems which contained fluoride, showed clear radiopaque bands within the lesion. The bands, which occurred only in the presence of fluoride, appeared to be due to remineralization. When using an in vitro system that simulates the natural root caries process, it is imperative to understand the components of the particular model, as well as its limitations, and to be aware of the need for more than one evaluative technique.

Research on Synthetic Aperture Radar Processing for the Spaceborne Sliding Spotlight Mode.

PubMed

Shen, Shijian; Nie, Xin; Zhang, Xinggan

2018-02-03

Gaofen-3 (GF-3) is China' first C-band multi-polarization synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite, which also provides the sliding spotlight mode for the first time. Sliding-spotlight mode is a novel mode to realize imaging with not only high resolution, but also wide swath. Several key technologies for sliding spotlight mode in spaceborne SAR with high resolution are investigated in this paper, mainly including the imaging parameters, the methods of velocity estimation and ambiguity elimination, and the imaging algorithms. Based on the chosen Convolution BackProjection (CBP) and PFA (Polar Format Algorithm) imaging algorithms, a fast implementation method of CBP and a modified PFA method suitable for sliding spotlight mode are proposed, and the processing flows are derived in detail. Finally, the algorithms are validated by simulations and measured data.

Efficient surface formation route of interstellar hydroxylamine through NO hydrogenation. II. The multilayer regime in interstellar relevant ices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedoseev, G.; Ioppolo, S.; Lamberts, T.; Zhen, J. F.; Cuppen, H. M.; Linnartz, H.

2012-08-01

Hydroxylamine (NH2OH) is one of the potential precursors of complex pre-biotic species in space. Here, we present a detailed experimental study of hydroxylamine formation through nitric oxide (NO) surface hydrogenation for astronomically relevant conditions. The aim of this work is to investigate hydroxylamine formation efficiencies in polar (water-rich) and non-polar (carbon monoxide-rich) interstellar ice analogues. A complex reaction network involving both final (N2O, NH2OH) and intermediate (HNO, NH2O., etc.) products is discussed. The main conclusion is that hydroxyl-amine formation takes place via a fast and barrierless mechanism and it is found to be even more abundantly formed in a water-rich environment at lower temperatures. In parallel, we experimentally verify the non-formation of hydroxylamine upon UV photolysis of NO ice at cryogenic temperatures as well as the non-detection of NC- and NCO-bond bearing species after UV processing of NO in carbon monoxide-rich ices. Our results are implemented into an astrochemical reaction model, which shows that NH2OH is abundant in the solid phase under dark molecular cloud conditions. Once NH2OH desorbs from the ice grains, it becomes available to form more complex species (e.g., glycine and β-alanine) in gas phase reaction schemes.

Polarity-driven oxygen vacancy formation in ultrathin LaNiO 3 films on SrTiO 3

DOE PAGES

Tung, I-Cheng; Luo, Guangfu; Lee, June Hyuk; ...

2017-10-18

Oxide heterostructures offer a pathway to control emergent phases in complex oxides, but their creation often leads to boundaries that have a polar discontinuity. In order to fabricate atomic-scale arrangements of dissimilar materials, we need a clear understanding of the pathways by which materials resolve polarity issues. By examining the real-time lattice structure in-situ during growth for the case of polar LaNiO 3 synthesized on non-polar SrTiO 3 (001), we demonstrate how films in ultra-thin limit form as LaNiO 2.5 and then evolve into LaNiO 3 as the thickness increases. Theory explains how the polar energetics drives the formation ofmore » oxygen vacancies and the stability of these phases with thickness and structure.« less

Recognition of primary and diagenetic magnetizations to determine the magnetic polarity record and timing of deposition of the moat-fill rocks of the Oligocene Creede Caldera, Colorado

USGS Publications Warehouse

Reynolds, Richard L.; Rosenbaum, Joseph G.; Sweetkind, Donald S.; Lanphere, Marvin A.; Robert, Andrew P.; Verosub, Kenneth L.

2000-01-01

Sedimentary and volcaniclastic rocks of the Oligocene Creede Formation fill the moat of the Creede caldera, which formed at about 26.9 Ma during the eruption of the Snowshoe Mountain Tuff. Paleomagnetic and rock magnetic studies of two cores (418 and 703 m long) that penetrated the lower half of the Creede Formation, in addition to paleomagnetic and isotopic dating studies of stratigraphically bracketing volcanic units, provide information on the age and the time span of sedimentation of the caldera fill. Normal polarity magnetization are found in Snowshoe Mountain Tuff beneath the moat sediments; in detrital-magnetite-bearing graded tuffs near the bottom of the moat fill; in an ash-fall deposit about 200 m stratigraphically about the top of core 2; and in postcaldera lava flows of the Fisher Dacite that overlie the Creede Formation. Normal polarity also characterizes detrital-magnetite-bearing tuff and sandstone unites within the caldera moat rocks that did not undergo severe sulfidic alteration. The combination of initially low magnitude of remanent magnetization and the destructive effects of subsequent diagenetic sulfidization on detrital iron oxides results in a poor paleomagnetic record for the fine-grained sedimentary rocks of the Creede Formation. these fine-grained rocks have either normal or revered polarity magnetizations that are carried by magnetite and/or maghemite. Many more apparent reversals are found that can be accommodated by any geomagnetic polarity time scale over the interval spanned by the ages of the bracketing extrusive rocks. Moreover, opposite polarity magnetization are found in specimens separated by only a few centimeters, without intervening hiatuses, and by specimens in several tuff beds, each of which represents a single depositional event. These polarity changes cannot, therefore, be attributed to detrital remanent magnetization. Many polarity changes are apparently related to chemical remanent magnetizations carried by postdepositional magnetite and maghemite that formed in rocks in which most or all detrital megnetic iron oxide was destroyed. Incipient oxidation of early diagenetic pyrite may have normal polarity Snowshoe Mountain Tuff (26.89 ± 0.0 Ma, 1 δ) and on the normal polarity postcaldera Fisher lava flows (as young as 26.23 ± 0.05 Ma, 1 δ) indicate that deposition of the Creede Formation spanned about 340-660 k.y. The intermittently defined normal polarity magnetization for the caldera-fill sequence, compared with different versions of the geomagnetic polarity time scale, is consistent with the shorter time span.

Quantitative cell polarity imaging defines leader-to-follower transitions during collective migration and the key role of microtubule-dependent adherens junction formation.

PubMed

Revenu, Céline; Streichan, Sebastian; Donà, Erika; Lecaudey, Virginie; Hufnagel, Lars; Gilmour, Darren

2014-03-01

The directed migration of cell collectives drives the formation of complex organ systems. A characteristic feature of many migrating collectives is a 'tissue-scale' polarity, whereby 'leader' cells at the edge of the tissue guide trailing 'followers' that become assembled into polarised epithelial tissues en route. Here, we combine quantitative imaging and perturbation approaches to investigate epithelial cell state transitions during collective migration and organogenesis, using the zebrafish lateral line primordium as an in vivo model. A readout of three-dimensional cell polarity, based on centrosomal-nucleus axes, allows the transition from migrating leaders to assembled followers to be quantitatively resolved for the first time in vivo. Using live reporters and a novel fluorescent protein timer approach, we investigate changes in cell-cell adhesion underlying this transition by monitoring cadherin receptor localisation and stability. This reveals that while cadherin 2 is expressed across the entire tissue, functional apical junctions are first assembled in the transition zone and become progressively more stable across the leader-follower axis of the tissue. Perturbation experiments demonstrate that the formation of these apical adherens junctions requires dynamic microtubules. However, once stabilised, adherens junction maintenance is microtubule independent. Combined, these data identify a mechanism for regulating leader-to-follower transitions within migrating collectives, based on the relocation and stabilisation of cadherins, and reveal a key role for dynamic microtubules in this process.

Fertility and polarized cell growth depends on eIF5A for translation of polyproline-rich formins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

PubMed

Li, Tianlu; Belda-Palazón, Borja; Ferrando, Alejandro; Alepuz, Paula

2014-08-01

eIF5A is an essential and evolutionary conserved translation elongation factor, which has recently been proposed to be required for the translation of proteins with consecutive prolines. The binding of eIF5A to ribosomes occurs upon its activation by hypusination, a modification that requires spermidine, an essential factor for mammalian fertility that also promotes yeast mating. We show that in response to pheromone, hypusinated eIF5A is required for shmoo formation, localization of polarisome components, induction of cell fusion proteins, and actin assembly in yeast. We also show that eIF5A is required for the translation of Bni1, a proline-rich formin involved in polarized growth during shmoo formation. Our data indicate that translation of the polyproline motifs in Bni1 is eIF5A dependent and this translation dependency is lost upon deletion of the polyprolines. Moreover, an exogenous increase in Bni1 protein levels partially restores the defect in shmoo formation seen in eIF5A mutants. Overall, our results identify eIF5A as a novel and essential regulator of yeast mating through formin translation. Since eIF5A and polyproline formins are conserved across species, our results also suggest that eIF5A-dependent translation of formins could regulate polarized growth in such processes as fertility and cancer in higher eukaryotes. Copyright © 2014 by the Genetics Society of America.

Formation of Penumbra in a Sample of Active Regions Observed by the SDO Satellite

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murabito, Mariarita; Zuccarello, Francesca; Guglielmino, Salvo L.; Romano, Paolo

2018-03-01

Recently, high-resolution observations improved our understanding of the penumbra formation process around sunspots. In particular, two aspects have been carefully investigated: whether the settlement of the penumbra can occur between the main opposite magnetic polarities where new magnetic flux is still emerging, and the establishment of the Evershed flow. In this paper, we present the analysis of twelve active regions (ARs) where both the penumbra formation and the onset of the Evershed flow were observed. We used data acquired by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) instrument on board the Solar Dynamic Observatory (SDO) satellite analyzing continuum images, magnetograms, and Dopplergrams of the selected ARs. The results obtained in our sample provided the following information about the stable settlement of the penumbra: eight spots formed the first stable penumbral sector in the region between the two opposite polarities, and nine spots formed on the opposite side. Moreover, eleven sunpots showed an inverse Evershed flow (i.e., a plasma motion directed toward the protospot border) before the penumbra formation, which changes within 1–6 hr into the classical Evershed flow as soon as the penumbra forms. Comparing our results with recent observations, we are able to discriminate between the different ways of penumbra formation. Moreover, we suggest that the change from inverse Evershed flow, visible before the penumbra appears, into the classical Evershed flow may be a signature of the formation of penumbral filaments.

Ultrasound assisted forward osmosis concentration of fruit juice and natural colorant.

PubMed

Chanukya, B S; Rastogi, Navin K

2017-01-01

The present study deals with the effect of higher and lower molecular weight compounds present in the feed on concentration polarization during forward osmosis concentration and its mitigation by the application of ultrasound. The effects of ultrasound on transmembrane water flux at different forward osmosis membrane orientations and different model feed solutions consisting of sucrose and pectin have also been evaluated. The feed containing sucrose and pectin subjected towards active layer of the membrane was found to be the most suitable orientation. The application of ultrasound (30kHz) significantly reduced the concentration polarization when the feed contains sucrose concentration up to 5%. Whereas, in case of feed containing 0.5% pectin, the ultrasound was not found to be effective in dislodging the gel layer formation resulting in severe external concentration polarization on the membrane surface. In comparison to the ordinary forward osmosis process, the ultrasound-assisted forward osmosis process resulted in higher water fluxes in case of sweet lime juice as well as rose extract containing anthocyanin. The degradation of rose anthocyanin due to ultrasound was found to be 1.82%. Application of ultrasound was found to be an effective way in mitigating concentration polarization on the forward osmosis membrane resulting in increased flux. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Climate Comics: polar research in a cartoon form

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courville, Z.; Carbaugh, S.; Defrancis, G.; Donegan, R.; Brown, C.; Perovich, D. K.; Richter-Menge, J.

2013-12-01

Climate Comics is a collaborative outreach effort between the Montshire Museum of Science, in Norwich, VT, the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) research staff, and freelance artist and recent graduate of the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, VT, Sam Carbaugh. The project involves the cartoonist, the education staff from the museum, and researchers from CRREL creating a series of comic books with polar science and research themes, including sea ice monitoring, sea ice albedo, ice cores, extreme microbial activity, and stories and the process of fieldwork. The aim of the comic series is to provide meaningful science information in a comic-format that is both informative and fun, while highlighting current polar research work done at the lab. The education staff at the Montshire Museum develops and provides a series of hands-on, inquiry-based activity descriptions to complement each comic book, and CRREL researchers provide science background information and reiterative feedback about the comic books as they are being developed. Here, we present the motivation for using the comic-book medium to present polar research topics, the process involved in creating the comics, some unique features of the series, and the finished comic books themselves. Cartoon illustrating ways snow pack can be used to determine past climate information.

Sarcomeric Pattern Formation by Actin Cluster Coalescence

PubMed Central

Friedrich, Benjamin M.; Fischer-Friedrich, Elisabeth; Gov, Nir S.; Safran, Samuel A.

2012-01-01

Contractile function of striated muscle cells depends crucially on the almost crystalline order of actin and myosin filaments in myofibrils, but the physical mechanisms that lead to myofibril assembly remains ill-defined. Passive diffusive sorting of actin filaments into sarcomeric order is kinetically impossible, suggesting a pivotal role of active processes in sarcomeric pattern formation. Using a one-dimensional computational model of an initially unstriated actin bundle, we show that actin filament treadmilling in the presence of processive plus-end crosslinking provides a simple and robust mechanism for the polarity sorting of actin filaments as well as for the correct localization of myosin filaments. We propose that the coalescence of crosslinked actin clusters could be key for sarcomeric pattern formation. In our simulations, sarcomere spacing is set by filament length prompting tight length control already at early stages of pattern formation. The proposed mechanism could be generic and apply both to premyofibrils and nascent myofibrils in developing muscle cells as well as possibly to striated stress-fibers in non-muscle cells. PMID:22685394

Polarimetry at millimeter wavelengths with the NIKA camera: calibration and performance

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritacco, A.; Ponthieu, N.; Catalano, A.; Adam, R.; Ade, P.; André, P.; Beelen, A.; Benoît, A.; Bideaud, A.; Billot, N.; Bourrion, O.; Calvo, M.; Coiffard, G.; Comis, B.; Désert, F.-X.; Doyle, S.; Goupy, J.; Kramer, C.; Leclercq, S.; Macías-Pérez, J. F.; Mauskopf, P.; Maury, A.; Mayet, F.; Monfardini, A.; Pajot, F.; Pascale, E.; Perotto, L.; Pisano, G.; Rebolo-Iglesias, M.; Revéret, V.; Rodriguez, L.; Romero, C.; Ruppin, F.; Savini, G.; Schuster, K.; Sievers, A.; Thum, C.; Triqueneaux, S.; Tucker, C.; Zylka, R.

2017-03-01

Magnetic fields, which play a major role in a large number of astrophysical processes can be traced via observations of dust polarization. In particular, Planck low-resolution observations of dust polarization have demonstrated that Galactic filamentary structures, where star formation takes place, are associated to well organized magnetic fields. A better understanding of this process requires detailed observations of galactic dust polarization on scales of 0.01 to 0.1 pc. Such high-resolution polarization observations can be carried out at the IRAM 30 m telescope using the recently installed NIKA2 camera, which features two frequency bands at 260 and 150 GHz (respectively 1.15 and 2.05 mm), the 260 GHz band being polarization sensitive. NIKA2 so far in commissioning phase, has its focal plane filled with 3300 detectors to cover a Field of View (FoV) of 6.5 arcmin diameter. The NIKA camera, which consisted of two arrays of 132 and 224 Lumped Element Kinetic Inductance Detectors (LEKIDs) and a FWHM (Full-Width-Half-Maximum) of 12 and 18.2 arcsec at 1.15 and 2.05 mm respectively, has been operated at the IRAM 30 m telescope from 2012 to 2015 as a test-bench for NIKA2. NIKA was equipped of a room temperature polarization system (a half wave plate (HWP) and a grid polarizer facing the NIKA cryostat window). The fast and continuous rotation of the HWP permits the quasi simultaneous reconstruction of the three Stokes parameters, I, Q, and U at 150 and 260 GHz. This paper presents the first polarization measurements with KIDs and reports the polarization performance of the NIKA camera and the pertinence of the choice of the polarization setup in the perspective of NIKA2. We describe the polarized data reduction pipeline, specifically developed for this project and how the continuous rotation of the HWP permits to shift the polarized signal far from any low frequency noise. We also present the dedicated algorithm developed to correct systematic leakage effects. We report results on compact and extended sources obtained duringthe February 2015 technical campaign. These results demonstrate a good understanding of polarization systematics and state-of-the-art performance in terms of photometry, polarization degree and polarization angle reconstruction.

Heterogeneous Nucleation of Trichloroethylene Ozonation Products in the Formation of New Fine Particles

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Ning; Sun, Xiaomin; Chen, Jianmin; Li, Xiang

2017-02-01

Free radicals in atmosphere have played an important role in the atmospheric chemistry. The chloro-Criegee free radicals are produced easily in the decomposition of primary ozonide (POZ) of the trichloroethylene, and can react with O2, NO, NO2, SO2 and H2O subsequently. Then the inorganic salts, polar organic nitrogen and organic sulfur compounds, oxygen-containing heterocyclic intermediates and polyhydroxy compounds can be obtained. The heterogeneous nucleation of oxidation intermediates in the formation of fine particles is investigated using molecular dynamics simulation. The detailed nucleation processes are reported. According to molecular dynamics simulation, the nucleation with a diameter of 2 nm is formed in the Organic Compounds-(NH4)2SO4-H2O system. The spontaneous nucleation is an important process in the formation of fine particles in atmosphere. The model study gives a good example from volatile organic compounds to new fine particles.

Determination of the formation of dark state via depleted spontaneous emission in a complex solvated molecule.

PubMed

Guo, Xunmin; Wang, Sufan; Xia, Andong; Su, Hongmei

2007-07-05

We present a general two-color two-pulse femtosecond pump-dump approach to study the specific population transfer along the reaction coordinate through the higher vibrational energy levels of excited states of a complex solvated molecule via the depleted spontaneous emission. The time-dependent fluorescence depletion provides the correlated dynamical information between the monitored fluorescence state and the SEP "dumped" dark states, and therefore allow us to obtain the dynamics of the formation of the dark states corresponding to the ultrafast photoisomerization processes. The excited-state dynamics of LDS 751 have been investigated as a function of solvent viscosity and solvent polarity, where a cooperative two-step isomerization process is clearly identified within LDS 751 upon excitation.

A study of swing-curve physics in diffraction-based overlay

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bhattacharyya, Kaustuve; den Boef, Arie; Storms, Greet; van Heijst, Joost; Noot, Marc; An, Kevin; Park, Noh-Kyoung; Jeon, Se-Ra; Oh, Nang-Lyeom; McNamara, Elliott; van de Mast, Frank; Oh, SeungHwa; Lee, Seung Yoon; Hwang, Chan; Lee, Kuntack

2016-03-01

With the increase of process complexity in advanced nodes, the requirements of process robustness in overlay metrology continues to tighten. Especially with the introduction of newer materials in the film-stack along with typical stack variations (thickness, optical properties, profile asymmetry etc.), the signal formation physics in diffraction-based overlay (DBO) becomes an important aspect to apply in overlay metrology target and recipe selection. In order to address the signal formation physics, an effort is made towards studying the swing-curve phenomena through wavelength and polarizations on production stacks using simulations as well as experimental technique using DBO. The results provide a wealth of information on target and recipe selection for robustness. Details from simulation and measurements will be reported in this technical publication.

The signaling adapter Gab1 regulates cell polarity by acting as a PAR protein scaffold

PubMed Central

Yang, Ziqiang; Xue, Bin; Umitsu, Masataka; Ikura, Mitsuhiko; Muthuswamy, Senthil K.; Neel, Benjamin G.

2012-01-01

Summary Cell polarity plays a key role in development and is disrupted in tumors, yet the molecules and mechanisms that regulate polarity remain poorly defined. We found that the scaffolding adaptor GAB1 interacts with two polarity proteins, PAR1 and PAR3. GAB1 binds PAR1 and enhances its kinase activity. GAB1 brings PAR1 and PAR3 into a transient complex, stimulating PAR3 phosphorylation by PAR1. GAB1 and PAR6 bind the PAR3 PDZ1 domain and thereby compete for PAR3 binding. Consequently, GAB1 depletion causes PAR3 hypo-phosphorylation and increases PAR3/PAR6 complex formation, resulting in accelerated and enhanced tight junction formation, increased trans-epithelial resistance and lateral domain shortening. Conversely, GAB1 over-expression, in a PAR1/PAR3-dependent manner, disrupts epithelial apical-basal polarity, promotes multi-lumen cyst formation, and enhances growth factor-induced epithelial cell scattering. Our results identify GAB1 as a novel negative regulator of epithelial cell polarity that functions as a scaffold for modulating PAR protein complexes on the lateral membrane. PMID:22883624

Process and catalyst for carbonylating olefins

DOEpatents

Zoeller, Joseph Robert

1998-06-02

Disclosed is an improved catalyst system and process for preparing aliphatic carbonyl compounds such as aliphatic carboxylic acids, alkyl esters of aliphatic carboxylic acids and anhydrides of aliphatic carboxylic acids by carbonylating olefins in the presence of a catalyst system comprising (1) a first component selected from at least one Group 6 metal, i.e., chromium, molybdenum, and/or tungsten and (2) a second component selected from at least one of certain halides and tertiary and quaternary compounds of a Group 15 element, i.e., nitrogen, phosphorus and/or arsenic, and (3) as a third component, a polar, aprotic solvent. The process employing the improved catalyst system is carried out under carbonylating conditions of pressure and temperature discussed herein. The process constitutes and improvement over known processes since it can be carried out at moderate carbonylation conditions without the necessity of using an expensive noble metal catalyst, volatile, toxic materials such as nickel tetracarbonyl, formic acid or a formate ester. Further, the addition of a polar, aprotic solvent to the catalyst system significantly increases, or accelerates, the rate at which the carbonylation takes place.

Nonlinear dynamics of trions under strong optical excitation in monolayer MoSe2.

PubMed

Ye, Jialiang; Yan, Tengfei; Niu, Binghui; Li, Ying; Zhang, Xinhui

2018-02-05

By employing ultrafast transient reflection measurements based on two-color pump-probe spectroscopy, the population and valley polarization dynamics of trions in monolayer MoSe 2 were investigated at relatively high excitation densities under near-resonant excitation. Both the nonlinear dynamic photobleaching of the trion resonance and the redshift of the exciton resonance were found to be responsible for the excitation-energy- and density-dependent transient reflection change as a result of many-body interactions. Furthermore, from the polarization-resolved measurements, it was revealed that the initial fast population and polarization decay process upon strong photoexcitation observed for trions was determined by trion formation, transient phase-space filling and the short valley lifetime of excitons. The results provide a basic understanding of the nonlinear dynamics of population and valley depolarization of trions, as well as exciton-trion correlation in atomically thin MoSe 2 and other transition metal dichalcogenide materials.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Guo, Peijun; Xia, Yi; Gong, Jue

Solution-processable metal-halide perovskites (MHPs) offer great promise for efficient light harvesting and emitting devices due to their long carrier lifetime and superior carrier transport characteristics. Ferroelectric effects, a hallmark of traditional oxide perovskites, was proposed to be a mechanism to suppress carrier recombination and enhance charge transport in MHPs, but the existence and influence of such polar order is still of considerable debate. Here we performed transient reflection measurements on single crystals of both inorganic and organic-inorganic (hybrid) MHPs over a range of temperatures, and demonstrate significant phonon softening in the cubic phases close to the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition temperatures.more » Such phonon softening indicates the formation of polar domains, which grow in size upon cooling and can persist in the low-temperature tetragonal and orthorhombic phases. Our results link the extraordinary electronic properties of MHPs to the spontaneous polarizations which can contribute to more efficient charge separation and characteristics of an indirect bandgap.« less

Giant magnetic splitting inducing near-unity valley polarization in van der Waals heterostructures.

PubMed

Nagler, Philipp; Ballottin, Mariana V; Mitioglu, Anatolie A; Mooshammer, Fabian; Paradiso, Nicola; Strunk, Christoph; Huber, Rupert; Chernikov, Alexey; Christianen, Peter C M; Schüller, Christian; Korn, Tobias

2017-11-16

Monolayers of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides exhibit intriguing fundamental physics of strongly coupled spin and valley degrees of freedom for charge carriers. While the possibility of exploiting these properties for information processing stimulated concerted research activities towards the concept of valleytronics, maintaining control over spin-valley polarization proved challenging in individual monolayers. A promising alternative route explores type II band alignment in artificial van der Waals heterostructures. The resulting formation of interlayer excitons combines the advantages of long carrier lifetimes and spin-valley locking. Here, we demonstrate artificial design of a two-dimensional heterostructure enabling intervalley transitions that are not accessible in monolayer systems. The resulting giant effective g factor of -15 for interlayer excitons induces near-unity valley polarization via valley-selective energetic splitting in high magnetic fields, even after nonselective excitation. Our results highlight the potential to deterministically engineer novel valley properties in van der Waals heterostructures using crystallographic alignment.

Aerosol measurements in the winter/spring Antarctic stratosphere. I - Correlative measurements with ozone. II - Impact on polar stratospheric cloud theories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hofmann, D. J.; Rosen, J. M.; Harder, J. W.

1988-01-01

Aerosol measurements collected from August 25-November 3, 1986 at McMurdo Station using balloon-borne optical particle counters are examined in order to study the relationship between aerosol and ozone distribution and the formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs). Ozone, aerosol, and condensation nuclei profiles, and pressure, temperature, and humidity measurements are analyzed. It is observed that the height of the stratospheric sulfate layer decreases over the period of measurement suggesting that upwelling in the votex is not important in the zone depletion process. Three theories on PSC formation are described, and the effects of the aerosol measurements on the theories are considered. The three theories are: (1) the original theory of water vapor pressure over a solution of H2SO4 of Steele et al. (1983) and Hamill and Mc Master (1984); (2) the nitric acid theory of PSCs of Toon et al. (1986) and Hamill et al. (1986); and (3) the quasi-cirrus cloud theory of Heymsfield (1986).

Formation of brominated disinfection byproducts during Chloramination of drinking water: new polar species and overall kinetics.

PubMed

Zhai, Hongyan; Zhang, Xiangru; Zhu, Xiaohu; Liu, Jiaqi; Ji, Min

2014-01-01

The formation of brominated disinfection byproducts (Br-DBPs), which are generally significantly more cytotoxic and genotoxic than their chlorinated analogues, in chloramination has not been fully examined. In this work, the formation of new polar Br-DBPs in simulated drinking waters was examined using state-of-the-art ultraperformance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry. As many as 29 aliphatic, aromatic, or nitrogenous polar Br-DBPs were detected in chloramination, and five of them (including 2,4,6-tribromoresorcinol, 2,6-dibromo-4-nitrophenol, 2,2,4-tribromo-5-hydroxy-4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione, 2,2,4-dibromochloro-5-hydroxy-4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione, and 2,2,4-bromodichloro-5-hydroxy-4-cyclopentene-1,3-dione) were tentatively identified. Unlike chlorination, chloramination favored the formation of aromatic and nitrogenous polar Br-DBPs and was mild enough to allow polar intermediate Br-DBPs to accumulate. To further explore the formation mechanism of Br-DBPs in chloramination, a quantitative empirical model involving 33 major reactions was developed to describe the overall kinetics. According to the modeling results, bromochloramine and monobromamine were the major species responsible for 54.2-58.1% and 41.7-45.7%, respectively, of the formed Br-DBPs, while hypobromous acid accounted for only 0.2% of the formed Br-DBPs; direct reactions between monochloramine and natural organic matter accounted for the majority of the formed chlorinated DBPs (93.7-95.1%); hypochlorous acid and hypobromous acid in the chloramination were at ng/L or subng/L levels, which were not enough to cause polar intermediate Br-DBPs to decompose.

Dynamic formation and magnetic support of loop or arcade prominences

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vanhoven, Gerard; Mok, Y.; Drake, J. F.

1992-01-01

The results of model dynamic simulations of the formation and support of a narrow prominence at the apex of a coronal magnetic loop or arcade are described. The condensation process proceeds via an initial radiative cooling and pressure drop, and a secondary siphon flow from the dense chromospheric ends. The antibuoyancy effect as the prominence forms causes a bending of a confining magnetic field, which propagates toward the semirigid ends of the magnetic loop. Thus, a wide magnetic 'hammock' or well (of a normal polarity Kippenhahn-Schlueter type) is formed, which supports the prominence at or near the field apex.

PolarHub: A Global Hub for Polar Data Discovery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, W.

2014-12-01

This paper reports the outcome of a NSF project in developing a large-scale web crawler PolarHub to discover automatically the distributed polar dataset in the format of OGC web services (OWS) in the cyberspace. PolarHub is a machine robot; its goal is to visit as many webpages as possible to find those containing information about polar OWS, extract this information and store it into the backend data repository. This is a very challenging task given huge data volume of webpages on the Web. Three unique features was introduced in PolarHub to make it distinctive from earlier crawler solutions: (1) a multi-task, multi-user, multi-thread support to the crawling tasks; (2) an extensive use of thread pool and Data Access Object (DAO) design patterns to separate persistent data storage and business logic to achieve high extendibility of the crawler tool; (3) a pattern-matching based customizable crawling algorithm to support discovery of multi-type geospatial web services; and (4) a universal and portable client-server communication mechanism combining a server-push and client pull strategies for enhanced asynchronous processing. A series of experiments were conducted to identify the impact of crawling parameters to the overall system performance. The geographical distribution pattern of all PolarHub identified services is also demonstrated. We expect this work to make a major contribution to the field of geospatial information retrieval and geospatial interoperability, to bridge the gap between data provider and data consumer, and to accelerate polar science by enhancing the accessibility and reusability of adequate polar data.

Gold particle formation via photoenhanced deposition on lithium niobate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zaniewski, A. M.; Meeks, V.; Nemanich, R. J.

2017-05-01

In this work, we report on a technique to reduce gold chloride into sub-micron particles and nanoparticles. We use photoelectron transfer from periodically polarized lithium niobate (PPLN) illuminated with above band gap light to drive the surface reactions required for the reduction and particle formation. The particle sizes and distributions on the PPLN surface are sensitive to the solution concentration, with inhibited nucleation and large particles (>150 nm) for both low (2E-8M to 9E-7M) and high (1E-5M to 1E-3M) concentrations of gold chloride. At midrange values of the concentration, nucleation is more frequent, resulting in smaller sized particles (<150 nm). We compare the deposition process to that for silver, which has been previously studied. We find that the reduction of gold chloride into nanoparticles is inhibited compared to silver ion reduction, due to the multi-step reaction required for gold particle formation. This also has consequences for the resulting deposition patterns: while silver deposits into nanowires along boundaries between areas with opposite signed polarizations, such patterning of the deposition is not observed for gold, for a wide range of concentrations studied (2E-8 to 1E-3M).

Ice sublimation and rheology - Implications for the Martian polar layered deposits

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hofstadter, M. D.; Murray, B. C.

1990-04-01

If the sublimation and creep of water ice are important processes in the Martian polar layered deposits, ice-rich scenario formation and evolution schemes must invoke a mechanism for the inhibition of sublimation, such as a dust layer derived from the residue of the sublimating deposits. This layer could be of the order of 1 m in thickness. If the deposits are ice-rich, flows of more than 1 km should have occurred. It is noted that the dust particles in question may be cemented by such ice that may be present, but that impurities may also have served to cement dust particles together even in the absence of ice.

Ice sublimation and rheology - Implications for the Martian polar layered deposits

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hofstadter, Mark D.; Murray, Bruce C.

1990-01-01

If the sublimation and creep of water ice are important processes in the Martian polar layered deposits, ice-rich scenario formation and evolution schemes must invoke a mechanism for the inhibition of sublimation, such as a dust layer derived from the residue of the sublimating deposits. This layer could be of the order of 1 m in thickness. If the deposits are ice-rich, flows of more than 1 km should have occurred. It is noted that the dust particles in question may be cemented by such ice that may be present, but that impurities may also have served to cement dust particles together even in the absence of ice.

Analysis of polarized-light effects in glass-promoting solutions with applications to cryopreservation and organ banking.

PubMed

Solanki, Prem K; Rabin, Yoed

2018-01-01

This study presents experimental results and an analysis approach for polarized light effects associated with thermomechanical stress during cooling of glass promoting solutions, with applications to cryopreservation and tissue banking in a process known as vitrification. Polarized light means have been previously integrated into the cryomacroscope-a visualization device to detect physical effects associated with cryopreservation success, such as crystallization, fracture formation, and contamination. The experimental study concerns vitrification in a cuvette, which is a rectangular container. Polarized light modeling in the cuvette is based on subdividing the tridimensional (3D) domain into a series of planar (2D) problems, for which a mathematical solution is available in the literature. The current analysis is based on tracking the accumulated changes in light polarization and magnitude, as it passes through the sequence of planar problems. Results of this study show qualitative agreement in light intensity history and distribution between experimental data and simulated results. The simulated results help explaining differences between 2D and 3D effects in photoelasticity, most notably, the counterintuitive observation that high stress areas may correlate with low light intensity regions based on the particular experimental conditions. Finally, it is suggested that polarized-light analysis must always be accompanied by thermomechanical stress modeling in order to explain 3D effects.

Analysis of polarized-light effects in glass-promoting solutions with applications to cryopreservation and organ banking

PubMed Central

2018-01-01

This study presents experimental results and an analysis approach for polarized light effects associated with thermomechanical stress during cooling of glass promoting solutions, with applications to cryopreservation and tissue banking in a process known as vitrification. Polarized light means have been previously integrated into the cryomacroscope—a visualization device to detect physical effects associated with cryopreservation success, such as crystallization, fracture formation, and contamination. The experimental study concerns vitrification in a cuvette, which is a rectangular container. Polarized light modeling in the cuvette is based on subdividing the tridimensional (3D) domain into a series of planar (2D) problems, for which a mathematical solution is available in the literature. The current analysis is based on tracking the accumulated changes in light polarization and magnitude, as it passes through the sequence of planar problems. Results of this study show qualitative agreement in light intensity history and distribution between experimental data and simulated results. The simulated results help explaining differences between 2D and 3D effects in photoelasticity, most notably, the counterintuitive observation that high stress areas may correlate with low light intensity regions based on the particular experimental conditions. Finally, it is suggested that polarized-light analysis must always be accompanied by thermomechanical stress modeling in order to explain 3D effects. PMID:29912973

Proceedings of International Conference on the Role of the Polar Regions in Global Change Held in Fairbanks Alaska on 11-15 June 1990. Volume 1

DTIC Science & Technology

1992-03-01

and occurring at was first noted by Findeisen [1940]. temperatures near -400C were found in the 27 years of data The homogeneous freezing of water at...the likelihood. and distinct pollutant-produced signatire on the nature of the consequences of such processes. REFERENCES Findeisen , W., The formation

POLARIZED LINE FORMATION IN MOVING ATMOSPHERES WITH PARTIAL FREQUENCY REDISTRIBUTION AND A WEAK MAGNETIC FIELD

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sampoorna, M.; Nagendra, K. N., E-mail: sampoorna@iiap.res.in, E-mail: knn@iiap.res.in

2015-10-10

The dynamical state of the solar and stellar atmospheres depends on the macroscopic velocity fields prevailing within them. The presence of such velocity fields in the line formation regions strongly affects the polarized radiation field emerging from these atmospheres. Thus it becomes necessary to solve the radiative transfer equation for polarized lines in moving atmospheres. Solutions based on the “observer’s frame method” are computationally expensive to obtain, especially when partial frequency redistribution (PRD) in line scattering and large-amplitude velocity fields are taken into account. In this paper we present an efficient alternative method of solution, namely, the comoving frame technique,more » to solve the polarized PRD line formation problems in the presence of velocity fields. We consider one-dimensional planar isothermal atmospheres with vertical velocity fields. We present a study of the effect of velocity fields on the emergent linear polarization profiles formed in optically thick moving atmospheres. We show that the comoving frame method is far superior when compared to the observer’s frame method in terms of the computational speed and memory requirements.« less

Chiral templating of self-assembling nanostructures by circularly polarized light

DOE PAGES

Yeom, Jihyeon; Yeom, Bongjun; Chan, Henry; ...

2014-11-17

Chemical reactions affected by spin angular momenta of circularly polarized photons are rare and display low enantiomeric excess. High optical and chemical activity of nanoparticles (NPs) should facilitate the transfer of spin angular momenta of photons to nanoscale materials but such processes are unknown. Here we demonstrate that circularly polarized light (CPL) strongly affects self-assembly of racemic CdTe NPs. Illumination of NP dispersions with right- and left-handed CPL induces the formation of right- and left-handed twisted nanoribbons, respectively. Enantiomeric excess of such reactions exceeds 30% which is ~10 times higher than other CPL-induced reactions. Illumination with linearly polarized light andmore » assembly in the dark led to straight nanoribbons. The mechanism of “templation” of NP assemblies by CPL is associated with selective photoactivation of chiral NPs and clusters followed by their photooxidation. Chiral anisotropy of interactions translates into chirality of the assembled ribbons. Lastly, the ability of NPs to retain polarization information, or the “imprint” of incident photons opens new pathways for the synthesis of chiral photonic materials and allows for better understanding of the origins of biomolecular homochirality.« less

Parallels between Global Transcriptional Programs of Polarizing Caco-2 Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro and Gene Expression Programs in Normal Colon and Colon Cancer

PubMed Central

Sääf, Annika M.; Halbleib, Jennifer M.; Chen, Xin; Yuen, Siu Tsan; Leung, Suet Yi

2007-01-01

Posttranslational mechanisms are implicated in the development of epithelial cell polarity, but little is known about the patterns of gene expression and transcriptional regulation during this process. We characterized temporal patterns of gene expression during cell–cell adhesion-initiated polarization of cultured human Caco-2 cells, which develop structural and functional polarity resembling enterocytes in vivo. A distinctive switch in gene expression patterns occurred upon formation of cell–cell contacts. Comparison to gene expression patterns in normal human colon and colon tumors revealed that the pattern in proliferating, nonpolarized Caco-2 cells paralleled patterns seen in human colon cancer in vivo, including expression of genes involved in cell proliferation. The pattern switched in polarized Caco-2 cells to one more closely resembling that in normal colon tissue, indicating that regulation of transcription underlying Caco-2 cell polarization is similar to that during enterocyte differentiation in vivo. Surprisingly, the temporal program of gene expression in polarizing Caco-2 cells involved changes in signaling pathways (e.g., Wnt, Hh, BMP, FGF) in patterns similar to those during migration and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells in vivo, despite the absence of morphogen gradients and interactions with stromal cells characteristic of enterocyte differentiation in situ. The full data set is available at http://microarray-pubs.stanford.edu/CACO2. PMID:17699589

Photoelectron Effects on the Self-Consistent Potential in the Collisionless Polar Wind

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Khazanov, G. V.; Liemohn, M. W.; Moore, T. E.

1997-01-01

The presence of unthermalized photoelectrons in the sunlit polar cap leads to an enhanced ambipolar potential drop and enhanced upward ion acceleration. Observations in the topside ionosphere have led to the conclusion that large-scale electrostatic potential drops exist above the spacecraft along polar magnetic field lines connected to regions of photoelectron production. A kinetic approach is used for the O(+), H(+), and photoelectron (p) distributions, while a fluid approach is used to describe the thermal electrons (e) and self-consistent electric field (E(sub II)) electrons are allowed to carry a flux that compensates for photoelectron escape, a critical assumption. Collisional processes are excluded, leading to easier escape of polar wind particles and therefore to the formation of the largest potential drop consistent with this general approach. We compute the steady state electric field enhancement and net potential drop expected in the polar wind due to the presence of photoelectrons as a function of the fractional photoelectron content and the thermal plasma characteristics. For a set of low-altitude boundary conditions typical of the polar wind ionosphere, including 0.1% photoelectron content, we found a potential drop from 500 km to 5 R(sub E) of 6.5 V and a maximum thermal electron temperature of 8800 K. The reasonable agreement of our results with the observed polar wind suggests that the assumptions of this approach are valid.

Electrical resistivity and induced polarization tomography in identifying the plume of chlorinated hydrocarbons in sedimentary formation: a case study in Rho (Milan - Italy).

PubMed

Cardarelli, Ettore; Di Filippo, Gerardina

2009-09-01

Resistivity and induced polarization surveying were originally developed for mineral exploration but are now finding new applications in the field of environmental and engineering geophysics. The present article reports the results of a geophysical survey performed with the aim of identifying a plume of chlorinated hydrocarbons in sedimentary formations of the Pandania plain. The tested site is characterized by three sand and gravel aquifers containing a quantity of clay particles which influence the overall bulk resistivity and chargeability. According to data obtained using shallow boreholes, mainly dense non-aqueous phase liquids were found as contaminants in the first and second aquifer. The aforementioned geo-electrical methods were applied in both two- and three-dimensional approaches. Steel and copper electrodes were used in the process of field data acquisition and the results of the survey were compared. The geophysical survey revealed some anomalies that could be explained by the presence of dense non-aqueous phase liquids in the soil medium. The concept of normalized chargeability facilitates the interpretation of detected induced polarization anomalies. The shape of the plume was inferred from maps of resistivity and chargeability to a depth of 25 m below the surface of the ground.

Numerical modeling of polar mesocyclones generation mechanisms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sergeev, Dennis; Stepanenko, Victor

2013-04-01

Polar mesocyclones, commonly referred to as polar lows, remain of great interest due to their complicated dynamics. These mesoscale vortices are small short-living objects that are formed over the observation-sparse high-latitude oceans, and therefore, their evolution can hardly be observed and predicted numerically. The origin of polar mesoscale cyclones is still a matter of uncertainty, though the recent numerical investigations [3] have exposed a strong dependence of the polar mesocyclone development upon the magnitude of baroclinicity. Nevertheless, most of the previous studies focused on the individual polar low (the so-called case studies), with too many factors affecting it simultaneously. None of the earlier studies suggested a clear picture of polar mesocyclone generation within an idealized experiment, where it is possible to look deeper into each single physical process. The present paper concentrates on the initial triggering mechanism of the polar mesocyclone. As it is reported by many researchers, some mesocyclones are formed by the surface forcing, namely the uneven distribution of heat fluxes. That feature is common on the ice boundaries [2], where intense air stream flows from the cold ice surface to the warm sea surface. Hence, the resulting conditions are shallow baroclinicity and strong surface heat fluxes, which provide an arising polar mesocyclone with potential energy source converting it to the kinetic energy of the vortex. It is shown in this paper that different surface characteristics, including thermal parameters and, for example, the shape of an ice edge, determine an initial phase of a polar low life cycle. Moreover, it is shown what initial atmospheric state is most preferable for the formation of a new polar mesocyclone or in maintaining and reinforcing the existing one. The study is based on idealized high-resolution (~2 km) numerical experiment in which baroclinicity, stratification, initial wind profile and disturbance, surface parameters, lateral boundary conditions are varied in the typically observed range. The approach is fully nonlinear: we use a three-dimensional non-hydrostatic mesoscale model NH3D_MPI [1] coupled with one-dimensional water body model LAKE. A key method used in the present study is the analysis of eddy kinetic and available potential energy budgets. References 1. Mikushin, D.N., and Stepanenko, V.M., The implementation of regional atmospheric model numerical algorithms for CBEA-based clusters. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Parallel Processing and Applied Mathematics, 2010, vol. 6067, p. 525-534. 2. Rasmussen, E., and Turner, J. (eds), Polar Lows: Mesoscale Weather Systems in the Polar Regions. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003, 612 pp. 3. Yanase, W., and Niino, H., Dependence of Polar Low Development on Baroclinicity and Physical Processes: An Idealized High-Resolution Experiment, J. Atmos. Sci., 2006, vol. 64, p. 3044-3067.

Interactions between nested sunspots. 1: The formation and breakup of a delta-type sunspot

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaizauskas, V.; Harvey, K. L.; Proulx, M.

1994-02-01

We investigate a nest of sunspots in which three ordinary bipolar pairs of sunspots are aligned collinearly. The usual spreading action of the growing regions brings two spots of leading polarity together (p-p collision) and forces the leading and trailing spots of the two interior regions to overlap into a single penumbra (p-f collision), thus forming a delta-spot. We examine digitally processed images from the Ottawa River Solar Observatory of two related events inside the delta-spot 5 days after the p-f collision begins: the violent disruption of the f-umbra, and the formation in less than a day of an hydrogen-alpha filament. The evolutionary changes in shape, area, relative motions, and brightness that we measure for each spot in the elongated nest are more compatible with Parker's (1979a) hypothesis of a sunspot as a cluster of flux tubes held together by downdrafts than with the notion of a sunspot as a monolithic plug of magnetic flux. From chromospheric developments over the delta-spot, we show that a shearing motion along a polarity inversion is more effective than convergence for creating a chromospheric filament. We invoke the release of an instability, triggered by a sequence of processes lasting 1 day or more, to explain the disruption of the f-umbra in this delta-spot. We show that the sequence is initiated when the colliding p-f umbrae reach a critical separation around 3200 +/- 200 km. We present a descriptive model in which the reconnected magnetic fields block vertical transport of convective heat flux just beneath the photosphere. We observe the formation of an unusual type of penumbra adjacent to the f-polarity portion of this delta-spot just before its disruption. A tangential penumbral band grows out of disordered matter connected to the f-umbra. We present this as evidence for the extrusion of umbral magnetic flux by thermal plumes rising through a loosely bound umbra.

Interactions between nested sunspots. 1: The formation and breakup of a delta-type sunspot

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaizauskas, V.; Harvey, K. L.; Proulx, M.

1994-01-01

We investigate a nest of sunspots in which three ordinary bipolar pairs of sunspots are aligned collinearly. The usual spreading action of the growing regions brings two spots of leading polarity together (p-p collision) and forces the leading and trailing spots of the two interior regions to overlap inot a single penumbra (p-f collision), thus forming a delta-spot. We examine digitally processed images from the Ottawa River Solar Observatory of two related events inside the delta-spot 5 days after the p-f collision begins: the violent disruption of the f-umbra, and the formation in less than a day of an hydrogen-alpha filament. The evolutionary changes in shape, area, relative motions, and brightness that we measure for each spot in the elongated nest are more compatible with Parker's (1979a) hypothesis of a sunspot as a cluster of flux tubes held together by downdrafts than with the notion of a sunspot as a monolithic plug of magnetic flux. From chromospheric developments over the delta-spot, we show that a shearing motion along a polarity inversion is more effective than convergence for creating a chromospheric filament. We invoke the release of an instability, triggered by a sequence of processes lasting 1 day or more, to explain the disruption of the f-umbra in this delta-spot. We show that the sequence is initiated when the colliding p-f umbrae reach a critical separation around 3200 +/- 200 km. We present a descriptive model in which the reconnected magnetic fields block vertical transport of convective heat flux just beneath the photosphere. We observe the formation of an unusual type of penumbra adjacent to the f-polarity portion of this delta-spot just before its disruption. A tangential penumbral band grows out of disordered matter connected to the f-umbra. We present this as evidence for the extrusion of umbral magnetic flux by thermal plumes rising through a loosely bound umbra.

Femtosecond laser induced tunable surface transformations on (111) Si aided by square grids diffraction

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Han, Weina; Jiang, Lan; Li, Xiaowei, E-mail: lixiaowei@bit.edu.cn

We report an extra freedom to modulate the femtosecond laser energy distribution to control the surface ablated structures through a copper-grid mask. Due to the reduced deposited pulse energy by changing the scanning speed or the pulse fluence, a sequential evolution of three distinctly different surface patterns with periodic distributions is formed, namely, striped ripple lines, ripple microdots, and surface modification. By changing the scanning speed, the number of the multiple dots in a lattice can be modulated. Moreover, by exploring the ablation process through the copper grid mask, it shows an abnormal enhanced ablation effect with strong dependence ofmore » the diffraction-aided fs laser ablated surface structures on polarization direction. The sensitivity shows a quasi-cosinusoid-function with a periodicity of π/2. Particularly, the connection process of striped ripple lines manifests a preferential formation direction with the laser polarization.« less

Modeling the Formation of CO2 Frost Halos on the South Polar Residual Cap of Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becerra, P.; Byrne, S.; HiRISE Team

2011-03-01

We introduce a model for the formation of bright halos seen by HiRISE on the edges of scarps and "swiss cheese" features in the south polar residual cap of Mars. We propose that they are formed from differences between the sublimation rates of sloped and flat surfaces.

A Warmer Atmosphere on Mars Near the Noachian-Hesperian Boundary: Evidence from Basal Melting of the South Polar Ice Cap (Dorsa Argentea Formation)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fastook, J. L.; Head, J. W.; Marchant, D. R.; Forget, F.; Madeleine, J.-B.

2011-03-01

Dorsa Argentea Formation (Noachian-Hesperian) eskers are evidence for basal melting. Ice-flow models show that the mean annual south polar temperature must be raised to -50° to -75°C, providing an independent estimate of elevated lower latitude surface temperature.

Magnetic Fields Versus Gravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hensley, Kerry

2018-04-01

Deep within giant molecular clouds, hidden by dense gas and dust, stars form. Unprecedented data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) reveal the intricate magnetic structureswoven throughout one of the most massive star-forming regions in the Milky Way.How Stars Are BornThe Horsehead Nebulasdense column of gas and dust is opaque to visible light, but this infrared image reveals the young stars hidden in the dust. [NASA/ESA/Hubble Heritage Team]Simple theory dictates that when a dense clump of molecular gas becomes massive enough that its self-gravity overwhelms the thermal pressure of the cloud, the gas collapses and forms a star. In reality, however, star formation is more complicated than a simple give and take between gravity and pressure. Thedusty molecular gas in stellar nurseries is permeated with magnetic fields, which are thought to impede the inward pull of gravity and slow the rate of star formation.How can we learn about the magnetic fields of distant objects? One way is by measuring dust polarization. An elongated dust grain will tend to align itself with its short axis parallel to the direction of the magnetic field. This systematic alignment of the dust grains along the magnetic field lines polarizes the dust grains emission perpendicular to the local magnetic field. This allows us to infer the direction of the magnetic field from the direction of polarization.Magnetic field orientations for protostars e2 and e8 derived from Submillimeter Array observations (panels a through c) and ALMA observations (panels d and e). Click to enlarge. [Adapted from Koch et al. 2018]Tracing Magnetic FieldsPatrick Koch (Academia Sinica, Taiwan) and collaborators used high-sensitivity ALMA observations of dust polarization to learn more about the magnetic field morphology of Milky Way star-forming region W51. W51 is one of the largest star-forming regions in our galaxy, home to high-mass protostars e2, e8, and North.The ALMA observations reveal polarized emission toward all three sources. By extracting the magnetic field orientations from the polarization vectors, Koch and collaborators found that the molecular cloud contains an ordered magnetic field with never-before-seen structures. Several small clumps on the perimeter of the massive star-forming cores exhibit comet-shaped magnetic field structures, which could indicate that these smaller cores are being pulled toward the more massive cores.These findings hint that the magnetic field structure can tell us about the flow of material within star-forming regions key to understanding the nature of star formation itself.Maps of sin for two of the protostars (e2 and e8) and their surroundings. [Adapted from Koch et al. 2018]Guiding Star FormationDo the magnetic fields in W51 help or hinder star formation? To explore this question,Koch and collaborators introduced the quantity sin , where is the angle between the local gravity and the local magnetic field.When the angle between gravity and the magnetic field is small (sin 0), the magnetic field has little effect on the collapse of the cloud. If gravity and the magnetic field are perpendicular (sin 1), the magnetic field can slow the infall of gas and inhibit star formation.Based on this parameter, Koch and collaborators identified narrow channels where gravity acts unimpeded by the magnetic field. These magnetic channels may funnel gas toward the dense cores and aid the star-formation process.The authors observations demonstrate just one example of the broad realm ALMAs polarimetry capabilities have opened to discovery. These and future observations of dust polarization will continue to reveal more about the delicate magnetic structure within molecular clouds, furtherilluminating the role that magnetic fields play in star formation.CitationPatrick M. Koch et al 2018 ApJ 855 39. doi:10.3847/1538-4357/aaa4c1

Initial formation behaviour of polypyrrole on single crystal TiO2 through photo-electrochemical reaction.

PubMed

Kawakita, Jin; Weitzel, Matthias

2011-04-01

Hybrid materials of the organic and inorganic semiconductors have a potential to show the better performance in the charge separation at the junction upon the photovoltaic action by the presence of the space charge layer in the inorganic semiconductor. In this study, the photo-anodic polymerization was selected as a fabrication method for the hybrid materials composed of TiO2 and polypyrrole on the basis of some advantages of this method. For the process control of the photo-anodic polymerization, it is important to elucidate the formation and growth mechanisms of the organic polymer. In this study, a flat sheet of single-crystal TiO2 was used as a well-defined surface for preparation of the organic polymer of pyrrole. Photo-anodic polarization behaviour was clarified and polypyrrole was prepared on TiO2. The formation process, especially the initial step was revealed by observation of polypyrrole with atomic force microscope (AFM) and statistical interpretation of the morphology of polypyrrole in the nano-scopic level. The formation process of polypyrrole on the TiO2 surface was summarized; (1) adsorption of precursors, (2) localized formation and growth of polypyrrole under the photo-illumination, and (3) homogenous growth of polypyrrole with the external current application under the photo-illumination.

Moesin and myosin phosphatase confine neutrophil orientation in a chemotactic gradient

PubMed Central

Liu, Xiaowen; Yang, Tao; Suzuki, Koya; Tsukita, Sachiko; Ishii, Masaru; Zhou, Shuping; Wang, Gang; Cao, Luyang; Qian, Feng; Taylor, Shalina; Oh, Myung-Jin; Levitan, Irena; Ye, Richard D.; Carnegie, Graeme K.; Malik, Asrar B.

2015-01-01

Neutrophils respond to invading bacteria by adopting a polarized morphology, migrating in the correct direction, and engulfing the bacteria. How neutrophils establish and precisely orient this polarity toward pathogens remains unclear. Here we report that in resting neutrophils, the ERM (ezrin, radixin, and moesin) protein moesin in its active form (phosphorylated and membrane bound) prevented cell polarization by inhibiting the small GTPases Rac, Rho, and Cdc42. Attractant-induced activation of myosin phosphatase deactivated moesin at the prospective leading edge to break symmetry and establish polarity. Subsequent translocation of moesin to the trailing edge confined the formation of a prominent pseudopod directed toward pathogens and prevented secondary pseudopod formation in other directions. Therefore, both moesin-mediated inhibition and its localized deactivation by myosin phosphatase are essential for neutrophil polarization and effective neutrophil tracking of pathogens. PMID:25601651

Lower Stratospheric Temperature Differences Between Meteorological Analyses in two cold Arctic Winters and their Impact on Polar Processing Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Manney, Gloria L.; Sabutis, Joseph L.; Pawson, Steven; Santee, Michelle L.; Naujokat, Barbara; Swinbank, Richard; Gelman, Melvyn E.; Ebisuzaki, Wesley; Atlas, Robert (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

A quantitative intercomparison of six meteorological analyses is presented for the cold 1999-2000 and 1995-1996 Arctic winters. The impacts of using different analyzed temperatures in calculations of polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) formation potential, and of different winds in idealized trajectory-based temperature histories, are substantial. The area with temperatures below a PSC formation threshold commonly varies by approximately 25% among the analyses, with differences of over 50% at some times/locations. Freie University at Berlin analyses are often colder than others at T is less than or approximately 205 K. Biases between analyses vary from year to year; in January 2000. U.K. Met Office analyses were coldest and National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) analyses warmest. while NCEP analyses were usually coldest in 1995-1996 and Met Office or NCEP[National Center for Atmospheric Research Reanalysis (REAN) warmest. European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) temperatures agreed better with other analyses in 1999-2000, after improvements in the assimilation model. than in 1995-1996. Case-studies of temperature histories show substantial differences using Met Office, NCEP, REAN and NASA Data Assimilation Office (DAO) analyses. In January 2000 (when a large cold region was centered in the polar vortex), qualitatively similar results were obtained for all analyses. However, in February 2000 (a much warmer period) and in January and February 1996 (comparably cold to January 2000 but with large cold regions near the polar vortex edge), distributions of "potential PSC lifetimes" and total time spent below a PSC formation threshold varied significantly among the analyses. Largest peaks in "PSC lifetime" distributions in January 2000 were at 4-6 and 11-14 days. while in the 1996 periods, they were at 1-3 days. Thus different meteorological conditions in comparably cold winters had a large impact on expectations for PSC formation and on the discrepancies between different meteorological analyses. Met Office. NCEP, REAN, ECMWF and DAO analyses are commonly used for trajectory calculations and in chemical transport models; the choice of which analysis to use can strongly influence the results of such studies.

Formation of the Martian Polar Layered Terrains: Quantifying Polar Water Ice and Dust Surface Deposition during Current and Past Orbital Epochs with the NASA Ames GCM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Emmett, Jeremy; Murphy, Jim

2016-10-01

Structural and compositional variability in the layering sequences comprising Mars' polar layered terrains (PLT's) is likely explained by orbital-forced climatic variations in the sedimentary cycles of water ice and dust from which they formed [1]. The PLT's therefore contain a direct, extensive record of the recent climate history of Mars encoded in their structure and stratigraphy, but deciphering this record requires understanding the depositional history of their dust and water ice constituents. 3D Mars atmosphere modeling enables direct simulation of atmospheric dynamics, aerosol transport and quantification of surface accumulation for a range of past and present orbital configurations. By quantifying the net yearly polar deposition rates of water ice and dust under Mars' current and past orbital configurations characteristic of the last several millions of years, and integrating these into the present with a time-stepping model, the formation history of the north and south PLT's will be investigated, further constraining their age and composition, and, if reproducible, revealing the processes responsible for prominent features and stratigraphy observed within the deposits. Simulating the formation of the deposits by quantifying net deposition rates during past orbital epochs and integrating these into the present, effectively 'rebuilding' the terrains, could aid in understanding deeper stratigraphic trends, correlating between geographically-separated deposits, explaining the presence and shapes of large-scale polar features, and correlating stratigraphy with geological time. Quantification of the magnitude and geographical distribution of surface aerosol accumulation will build on the work of previous GCM-based investigations [3]. Construction and analysis of hypothetical stratigraphic sequences in the PLT's will draw from previous climate-controlled stratigraphy methodologies [2,4], but will utilize GCM-derived net deposition rates to model orbital influences on sedimentation and erosion.[1] Milkovich S.M. and Head J. W. (2005) JGR, 110. [2] Laskar J.B. and Mustard J.F. (2002) Nature, 419, 375-377 [3] Newman C.E. et al. (2005) Icarus, 174, 135-160. [4] Hvidberg C.S. et al. (2012) Icarus, 221, 405-419.

Polarization Induced Deterioration of Reinforced Concrete with CFRP Anode.

PubMed

Zhu, Ji-Hua; Wei, Liangliang; Zhu, Miaochang; Sun, Hongfang; Tang, Luping; Xing, Feng

2015-07-15

This paper investigates the deterioration of reinforced concrete with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) anode after polarization. The steel in the concrete was first subjected to accelerated corrosion to various extents. Then, a polarization test was performed with the external attached CFRP as the anode and the steel reinforcement as the cathode. Carbon fiber reinforced mortar and conductive carbon paste as contact materials were used to adhere the CFRP anode to the concrete. Two current densities of 1244 and 2488 mA/m², corresponding to the steel reinforcements were applied for 25 days. Electrochemical parameters were monitored during the test period. The deterioration mechanism that occurred at the CFRP/contact material interface was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The increase of feeding voltage and the failure of bonding was observed during polarization process, which might have resulted from the deterioration of the interface between the contact material and CFRP. The formation and accumulation of NaCl crystals at the contact material/CFRP interface were inferred to be the main causes of the failure at the interface.

Traction Stresses Exerted by Adherent Cells: From Angiogenesis to Metastasis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinhart-King, Cynthia

2010-03-01

Cells exert traction stresses against their substrate that mediate their ability to sense the mechanical properties of their microenvironment. These same forces mediate cell adhesion, migration and the formation of stable cell-cell contacts during tissue formation. In this talk, I will present our data on the traction stresses generated by endothelial cells and metastatic breast cancer cells focused on understanding the processes of angiogenesis and metastasis, respectively. In the context of capillary formation, our data indicate that the mechanics of the substrate play a critical role in establishing endothelial cell-cell contacts. On more compliant substrates, endothelial cell shape and traction stresses polarize and promote the formation of stable cell-cell contacts. On stiffer substrates, traction stresses are less polarized and cell connectivity is disrupted. These data indicate that the mechanical properties of the microenvironment may drive cell connectivity and the formation of stable cell-cell contacts through the reorientation of traction stresses. In our studies of metastatic cell migration, we have found that traction stresses increase with increasing metastatic potential. We investigated three lines of varying metastatic potential (MCF10A, MCF7 and MDAMB231). MDAMB231, which are the most invasive, exert the most significant forces as measured by Traction Force Microscopy. These data present the possibility that cellular traction stress generation aids in the ability of metastatic cells to migrate through the matrix-dense tumor microenvironment. Such measurements are integral to link the mechanical and chemical microenvironment with the resulting response of the cell in health and disease.

Cosmochemical evidence for astrophysical processes during the formation of our solar system.

PubMed

MacPherson, Glenn J; Boss, Alan

2011-11-29

Through the laboratory study of ancient solar system materials such as meteorites and comet dust, we can recognize evidence for the same star-formation processes in our own solar system as those that we can observe now through telescopes in nearby star-forming regions. High temperature grains formed in the innermost region of the solar system ended up much farther out in the solar system, not only the asteroid belt but even in the comet accretion region, suggesting a huge and efficient process of mass transport. Bi-polar outflows, turbulent diffusion, and marginal gravitational instability are the likely mechanisms for this transport. The presence of short-lived radionuclides in the early solar system, especially (60)Fe, (26)Al, and (41)Ca, requires a nearby supernova shortly before our solar system was formed, suggesting that the Sun was formed in a massive star-forming region similar to Orion or Carina. Solar system formation may have been "triggered" by ionizing radiation originating from massive O and B stars at the center of an expanding HII bubble, one of which may have later provided the supernova source for the short-lived radionuclides. Alternatively, a supernova shock wave may have simultaneously triggered the collapse and injected the short-lived radionuclides. Because the Sun formed in a region where many other stars were forming more or less contemporaneously, the bi-polar outflows from all such stars enriched the local region in interstellar silicate and oxide dust. This may explain several observed anomalies in the meteorite record: a near absence of detectable (no extreme isotopic properties) presolar silicate grains and a dichotomy in the isotope record between (26)Al and nucleosynthetic (nonradiogenic) anomalies.

Cosmochemical evidence for astrophysical processes during the formation of our solar system

PubMed Central

MacPherson, Glenn J.; Boss, Alan

2011-01-01

Through the laboratory study of ancient solar system materials such as meteorites and comet dust, we can recognize evidence for the same star-formation processes in our own solar system as those that we can observe now through telescopes in nearby star-forming regions. High temperature grains formed in the innermost region of the solar system ended up much farther out in the solar system, not only the asteroid belt but even in the comet accretion region, suggesting a huge and efficient process of mass transport. Bi-polar outflows, turbulent diffusion, and marginal gravitational instability are the likely mechanisms for this transport. The presence of short-lived radionuclides in the early solar system, especially 60Fe, 26Al, and 41Ca, requires a nearby supernova shortly before our solar system was formed, suggesting that the Sun was formed in a massive star-forming region similar to Orion or Carina. Solar system formation may have been “triggered” by ionizing radiation originating from massive O and B stars at the center of an expanding HII bubble, one of which may have later provided the supernova source for the short-lived radionuclides. Alternatively, a supernova shock wave may have simultaneously triggered the collapse and injected the short-lived radionuclides. Because the Sun formed in a region where many other stars were forming more or less contemporaneously, the bi-polar outflows from all such stars enriched the local region in interstellar silicate and oxide dust. This may explain several observed anomalies in the meteorite record: a near absence of detectable (no extreme isotopic properties) presolar silicate grains and a dichotomy in the isotope record between 26Al and nucleosynthetic (nonradiogenic) anomalies. PMID:22106251

Formation of surface relief grating in polymers with pendant azobenzene chromophores as studied by AFM/UFM

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kulikovska, Olga; Gharagozloo-Hubmann, Kati; Stumpe, Joachim; Huey, Bryan D.; Bliznyuk, Valery N.

2012-12-01

We studied peculiarities of the structural reconstruction within holographically recorded gratings on the surface of several different amorphous azobenzene-containing polymers. Under illumination with a light interference pattern, two processes take place in this type of polymer. The first process is the light-induced orientation of azobenzene units perpendicular to the polarization plane of the incident light. The second one is a transfer of macromolecules along the grating vector (i.e. perpendicular to the grating lines). These two processes result in the creation of a volume orientation grating (alternating regions of different direction or degree of molecular orientation) and a surface relief grating (SRG)—i.e. modulation of film thickness. One can assume that both orientation of molecules and their movement might change the local mechanical properties of the material. Therefore, formation of the SRG is expected to result also in modulation of the local stiffness of the polymer film. To reveal and investigate these stiffness changes within the grating, spin-coated polymer films were prepared and the gratings were recorded on them in two different ways: with an orthogonal circular or orthogonal linear polarization of two recording light beams. A combination of atomic force microscopy (AFM) and ultrasonic force microscopy (UFM) techniques was applied for SRG development monitoring. We demonstrate that formation of the phase gratings depends on the chemical structure of polymers being used, polymer film thickness, and recording parameters, with the height of grating structures (depth of modulation) increasing with both the exposure time and the film thickness. UFM images suggest that the slopes of the topographic peaks in the phase gratings exhibit an increased stiffness with respect to the grating depressions.

The laser radiation action on the crystal formation processes in the biological fluids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Malov, Alexander N.; Vaichas, Andrey A.; Novikova, Evgeniya A.

2016-11-01

The results of an experimental study of the laser radiation effect on the crystal`s formation in the volume of biological fluids that are complex multi-component solutions have been discussing. Are investigated white and natural bile in vitro. The qualitative changes were observed. Thus, at the bottom of the cell in which bile is not exposed to the laser radiation, the crystals are formed. In the irradiated bile gallstone has a thin layer of a homogeneous viscous colloidal liquid with very small, visible in polarized light crystalline formations was got. Irradiated laser bile's gallstone was covered evenly white deposit without surface defect unlike gallstone in bile without radiation exposure. A possible mechanism to explain the laser radiation action on the mineral formation in biological fluids and also practical application of this effect have been suggesting too.

Precipitation of lamellar gold nanocrystals in molten polymers

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Palomba, M.; Carotenuto, G., E-mail: giancaro@unina.it

Non-aggregated lamellar gold crystals with regular shape (triangles, squares, pentagons, etc.) have been produced by thermal decomposition of gold chloride (AuCl) molecules in molten amorphous polymers (polystyrene and poly(methyl methacrylate)). Such covalent inorganic gold salt is high soluble into non-polar polymers and it thermally decomposes at temperatures compatible with the polymer thermal stability, producing gold atoms and chlorine radicals. At the end of the gold precipitation process, the polymer matrix resulted chemically modified because of the partial cross-linking process due to the gold atom formation reaction.

Spontaneous periodic ordering on the surface and in the bulk of dielectrics irradiated by ultrafast laser: a shared electromagnetic origin.

PubMed

Rudenko, Anton; Colombier, Jean-Philippe; Höhm, Sandra; Rosenfeld, Arkadi; Krüger, Jörg; Bonse, Jörn; Itina, Tatiana E

2017-09-26

Periodic self-organization of matter beyond the diffraction limit is a puzzling phenomenon, typical both for surface and bulk ultrashort laser processing. Here we compare the mechanisms of periodic nanostructure formation on the surface and in the bulk of fused silica. We show that volume nanogratings and surface nanoripples having subwavelength periodicity and oriented perpendicular to the laser polarization share the same electromagnetic origin. The nanostructure orientation is defined by the near-field local enhancement in the vicinity of the inhomogeneous scattering centers. The periodicity is attributed to the coherent superposition of the waves scattered at inhomogeneities. Numerical calculations also support the multipulse accumulation nature of nanogratings formation on the surface and inside fused silica. Laser surface processing by multiple laser pulses promotes the transition from the high spatial frequency perpendicularly oriented nanoripples to the low spatial frequency ripples, parallel or perpendicular to the laser polarization. The latter structures also share the electromagnetic origin, but are related to the incident field interference with the scattered far-field of rough non-metallic or transiently metallic surfaces. The characteristic ripple appearances are predicted by combined electromagnetic and thermo-mechanical approaches and supported by SEM images of the final surface morphology and by time-resolved pump-probe diffraction measurements.

Detection, identification and formation of new iodinated disinfection byproducts in chlorinated saline wastewater effluents.

PubMed

Gong, Tingting; Zhang, Xiangru

2015-01-01

The use of seawater for toilet flushing introduces high levels of inorganic ions, including iodide ions, into a city's wastewater treatment systems, resulting in saline wastewater effluents. Chlorination is widely used in disinfecting wastewater effluents owing to its low cost and high efficiency. During chlorination of saline wastewater effluents, iodide may be oxidized to hypoiodous acid, which may further react with effluent organic matter to form iodinated disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Iodinated DBPs show significantly higher toxicity than their brominated and chlorinated analogues and thus have been drawing increasing concerns. In this study, polar iodinated DBPs were detected in chlorinated saline wastewater effluents using a novel precursor ion scan method. The major polar iodinated DBPs were identified and quantified, and their organic precursors and formation pathways were investigated. The formation of iodinated DBPs under different chlorine doses and contact times was also studied. The results indicated that a few polar iodinated DBPs were generated in the chlorinated saline primary effluent, but few were generated in the chlorinated saline secondary effluent. Several major polar iodinated DBPs in the chlorinated saline primary effluent were proposed with structures, among which a new group of polar iodinated DBPs, iodo-trihydroxybenzenesulfonic acids, were identified and quantified. The organic precursors of this new group of DBPs were found to be 4-hydroxybenzenesulfonic acid and 1,2,3-trihydroxybenzene, and the formation pathways of these new DBPs were tentatively proposed. Both chlorine dose and contact time affected the formation of iodinated DBPs in the chlorinated saline wastewater effluents.

Three Dimensional Structure of the Mars North Polar Basal Unit from MARSIS data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frigeri, A.; Orosei, R.; Cartacci, M.; Cicchetti, A.; Mitri, G.; Giuppi, S.; Noschese, R.; Picardi, G.; Plaut, J.

2012-04-01

Mars Advanced Radar for Subsurface and Ionospheric Sounding (MARSIS) is an orbital subsurface sounder aboard ESA's Mars Express spacecraft . It transmits a low-frequency radar pulse that is capable of penetrating below the surface, and is reflected by subsurface dielectric discontinuities. MARSIS has been used to probe both the south and the north polar caps of Mars, revealing their thickness and structure. We report on the results of a campaign of observations of the north polar ice cap of Mars that took place between May and December 2011 in uniquely favorable conditions and produced data of unprecedented quality. The focus of this work is the so-called Basal Unit, a dark, ice-rich, complexely layered geologic unit lying stratigraphically between the polar layered deposits and the Vastitas Borealis Formation, and extending beneath most of Planum Boreum and Olympia Planitia. The objective of this work is the to study the full three dimensional structure of the Northern Polar Deposit and in particular of the Basal Unit (BU). It was recently found that the BU consists of two markedly different units, called the Rupes Tenuis unit and the Planum Boreum cavi unit. The Rupes Tenuis unit appears to be older, horizontally layered, and lacking erosional contacts. It has been thus interpreted as the result of precipitation and cold-trapping of dust-laden volatiles. The Planum Boreum cavi unit displays cross-bedding, indicating dune accumulation. Bright layers within it are interpreted as being made of ice-cemented dust, while dark layers should consist of weathered basalt fines. It seems likely that, in places, the Planum Boreum cavi unit rests directly on the Vastitas Borealis, without the Rupes Tenuis unit in between. Because the two units in the BU have formed much earlier than the north polar layered deposits, and at some interval from each other, they bear evidence of past climatic conditions that were very different from present, so that they "could potentially be a Rosetta Stone for the Martian climate". Subsurface sounding radar investigations by both MARSIS and SHARAD revealed that the BU has radar properties that are different from both the polar layered deposits and the Vastitas Borealis Formation, probably because of a mostly icy composition, but with a larger fraction of impurities than the polar layered deposits above. The upper surface of the BU exhibits significant relief, with features appearing to be erosional cutbacks and reentrants, indicating a complex accumulation history. Higher dust content and the resulting stronger attenuation is thought to be the reason why SHARAD radar signal could not penetrate through the BU and detect its bottom face. However, such a volume fraction cannot be much larger than the polar layered deposits, since MARSIS data revealed strong returns from the BU-Vastitas Borealis Formation interface, implying a relatively low fraction of impurities within the BU. From the summer phase of the Polar Campaign of data acquisition we have selected 161 radargrams. The radargrams were processed in order to cancel the effect of the ionosphere and to align the primary echo to a datum. The post-processed radargrams have been ingested into a Free Open Source software stack for geophysical imaging and interpretation. We find weak echoes within the BU that appear to outline a two-layer structure, perhaps corresponding to the Rupes Tenuis unit and the Planum Boreum Cavi unit. This was found through visual inspection, however, because echoes within the BU are too sporadic to be automatically picked, so further data processing and analysis is needed to confirm the result. As first results we found that the BU has a dielectric constant significantly greater than that of water ice, and thus that it contains a much larger dust fraction than the NPLD above them. We find, however, that no single value can produce the correct topographic relationship over the whole BU, which implies either that the topography of Planum Boreum beneath the polar cap is not a regular continuation of the topography outside the cap, or that the dielectric permittivity of the BU, and thus its dust content, is laterally inhomogeneous. Work to verify these two hypotheses is currently ongoing.

A Localized Complex of Two Protein Oligomers Controls the Orientation of Cell Polarity

PubMed Central

Lasker, Keren; Ahrens, Daniel G.; Eckart, Michael R.

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Signaling hubs at bacterial cell poles establish cell polarity in the absence of membrane-bound compartments. In the asymmetrically dividing bacterium Caulobacter crescentus, cell polarity stems from the cell cycle-regulated localization and turnover of signaling protein complexes in these hubs, and yet the mechanisms that establish the identity of the two cell poles have not been established. Here, we recapitulate the tripartite assembly of a cell fate signaling complex that forms during the G1-S transition. Using in vivo and in vitro analyses of dynamic polar protein complex formation, we show that a polymeric cell polarity protein, SpmX, serves as a direct bridge between the PopZ polymeric network and the cell fate-directing DivJ histidine kinase. We demonstrate the direct binding between these three proteins and show that a polar microdomain spontaneously assembles when the three proteins are coexpressed heterologously in an Escherichia coli test system. The relative copy numbers of these proteins are essential for complex formation, as overexpression of SpmX in Caulobacter reorganizes the polarity of the cell, generating ectopic cell poles containing PopZ and DivJ. Hierarchical formation of higher-order SpmX oligomers nucleates new PopZ microdomain assemblies at the incipient lateral cell poles, driving localized outgrowth. By comparison to self-assembling protein networks and polar cell growth mechanisms in other bacterial species, we suggest that the cooligomeric PopZ-SpmX protein complex in Caulobacter illustrates a paradigm for coupling cell cycle progression to the controlled geometry of cell pole establishment. PMID:28246363

All-optical polarization control and noise cleaning based on a nonlinear lossless polarizer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Barozzi, Matteo; Vannucci, Armando; Picchi, Giorgio

2015-01-01

We propose an all-optical fiber-based device able to accomplish both polarization control and OSNR enhancement of an amplitude modulated optical signal, affected by unpolarized additive white Gaussian noise, at the same time. The proposed noise cleaning device is made of a nonlinear lossless polarizer (NLP), that performs polarization control, followed by an ideal polarizing filter that removes the orthogonally polarized half of additive noise. The NLP transforms every input signal polarization into a unique, well defined output polarization (without any loss of signal energy) and its task is to impose a signal polarization aligned with the transparent eigenstate of the polarizing filter. In order to effectively control the polarization of the modulated signal, we show that two different NLP configurations (with counter- or co-propagating pump laser) are needed, as a function of the signal polarization coherence time. The NLP is designed so that polarization attraction is effective only on the "noiseless" (i.e., information-bearing) component of the signal and not on noise, that remains unpolarized at the NLP output. Hence, the proposed device is able to discriminate signal power (that is preserved) from in-band noise power (that is partly suppressed). Since signal repolarization is detrimental if applied to polarization-multiplexed formats, the noise cleaner application is limited here to "legacy" links, with 10 Gb/s OOK modulation, still representing the most common format in deployed networks. By employing the appropriate NLP configurations, we obtain an OSNR gain close to 3dB. Furthermore, we show how the achievable OSNR gain can be estimated theoretically.

Initiating the Sierra Nevada catalogue of star-forming polar-ring galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garcia-Ribera, E.; Pérez-Montero, E.; García-Benito, R.; Vílchez, J. M.

2015-05-01

We describe photometric observations with the 1.5m. telescope of the Sierra Nevada Observatory of a preliminary sample of 16 candidates to polar-ring galaxies (PRGs) selected from Whitmore et al. (1990) and Moiseev et al. (2011). The images were taken in broad filters (BVR) in order to characterize the host galaxies and the rings and in narrow filter Hα at the corresponding redshifted wavelength to identify in the rings knots of on-going star-formation. These information allowed us to analyze different physical parameters (formation scenarios, morphological types, and stellar population) and to locate HII regions. The main aim of this work is the elaboration of a catalogue of PRGs with a star-forming ring. In a next future, the spatially-resolved spectroscopy study of these structures will help to understand their most probable mechanism of origin, formation and evolution by means of rotation curves, spectral fitting of stellar populations and chemical abundance analysis (e.g. Pérez-Montero et al. 2009)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Murabito, M.; Guglielmino, S. L.; Zuccarello, F.

We studied the formation of the first penumbral sector around a pore in the following polarity of the NOAA Active Region (AR) 11490. We used a high spatial, spectral, and temporal resolution data set acquired by the Interferometric BIdimensional Spectrometer operating at the NSO/Dunn Solar Telescope, as well as data taken by the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory satellite. On the side toward the leading polarity, elongated granules in the photosphere and an arch filament system (AFS) in the chromosphere are present, while the magnetic field shows a sea-serpent configuration, indicating a region of magneticmore » flux emergence. We found that the formation of a stable penumbra in the following polarity of the AR begins in the area facing the opposite polarity located below the AFS in the flux emergence region, different from what was found by Schlichenmaier and colleagues. Moreover, during the formation of the first penumbral sector, the area characterized by magnetic flux density larger than 900 G and the area of the umbra increase.« less

Folding of a helix is critically stabilized by polarization of backbone hydrogen bonds: study in explicit water.

PubMed

Duan, Li L; Gao, Ya; Mei, Ye; Zhang, Qing G; Tang, Bo; Zhang, John Z H

2012-03-15

Multiple single-trajectory molecular dynamics (MD) simulation at room temperature (300 K) in explicit water was carried out to study the folding dynamics of an α-helix (PDB 2I9M ) using a polarized charge scheme that includes electronic polarization of backbone hydrogen bonds. Starting from an extended conformation, the 17-residue peptide was successfully folded into the native structure (α-helix) between 80 and 130 ns with a root-mean-square deviation of ~1.0 Å. Analysis of the time-dependent trajectories revealed that helix formation of the peptide started at the terminals and progressed toward the center of the peptide. For comparison, MD trajectories generated under various versions of standard AMBER force fields failed to show any significant or stable helix formation in our simulation. Our result shows clear evidence that the electronic polarization of backbone hydrogen bonds energetically stabilizes the helix formation and is critical to the stable folding of the short helix structure. © 2012 American Chemical Society

Sir-two-homolog 2 (Sirt2) modulates peripheral myelination through polarity protein Par-3/atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) signaling.

PubMed

Beirowski, Bogdan; Gustin, Jason; Armour, Sean M; Yamamoto, Hiroyasu; Viader, Andreu; North, Brian J; Michán, Shaday; Baloh, Robert H; Golden, Judy P; Schmidt, Robert E; Sinclair, David A; Auwerx, Johan; Milbrandt, Jeffrey

2011-10-25

The formation of myelin by Schwann cells (SCs) occurs via a series of orchestrated molecular events. We previously used global expression profiling to examine peripheral nerve myelination and identified the NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase Sir-two-homolog 2 (Sirt2) as a protein likely to be involved in myelination. Here, we show that Sirt2 expression in SCs is correlated with that of structural myelin components during both developmental myelination and remyelination after nerve injury. Transgenic mice lacking or overexpressing Sirt2 specifically in SCs show delays in myelin formation. In SCs, we found that Sirt2 deacetylates Par-3, a master regulator of cell polarity. The deacetylation of Par-3 by Sirt2 decreases the activity of the polarity complex signaling component aPKC, thereby regulating myelin formation. These results demonstrate that Sirt2 controls an essential polarity pathway in SCs during myelin assembly and provide insights into the association between intracellular metabolism and SC plasticity.

The Poleward Boundary Intensification (PBI) of Auroral Emission: Its Dynamics and Associated Field-aligned Current System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ohtani, S.; Motoba, T.; Gjerloev, J. W.

2016-12-01

The poleward boundary intensification (PBI) of aurora emission is often addressed in terms of distant reconnection. Recently, however, Ohtani and Yoshikawa [2016] proposed that the PBIs, at least at the initial stage of their formation, are actually the effect of ionospheric polarization in the presence of the enhanced convection in the polar cap and conductance gradient at the poleward boundary of the auroral oval. Whereas the ionospheric polarization itself is a transient process, it is known that the PBIs occasionally extend longitudinally suggesting that a 3D current system forms subsequently, which electrodynamically couples the magnetosphere and ionosphere. In the present study we observationally examine the associated field-aligned current (FAC) observed by the SWARM satellites and compare its characteristics with ground all-sky images. It is found that complex signatures of FACs as suggested by magnetic disturbances reflect the spatial structure of aurora (e.g., location and orientation), whereas the overall motion of PBIs is well explained in terms of the background convection suggested by the FAC distribution. We shall discuss the implications of these results for the responsible evolution process of the PBIs.

A Molecular Probe for the Detection of Polar Lipids in Live Cells

PubMed Central

Bader, Christie A.; Shandala, Tetyana; Carter, Elizabeth A.; Ivask, Angela; Guinan, Taryn; Hickey, Shane M.; Werrett, Melissa V.; Wright, Phillip J.; Simpson, Peter V.; Stagni, Stefano; Voelcker, Nicolas H.; Lay, Peter A.; Massi, Massimiliano; Brooks, Douglas A.

2016-01-01

Lipids have an important role in many aspects of cell biology, including membrane architecture/compartment formation, intracellular traffic, signalling, hormone regulation, inflammation, energy storage and metabolism. Lipid biology is therefore integrally involved in major human diseases, including metabolic disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, obesity, heart disease, immune disorders and cancers, which commonly display altered lipid transport and metabolism. However, the investigation of these important cellular processes has been limited by the availability of specific tools to visualise lipids in live cells. Here we describe the potential for ReZolve-L1™ to localise to intracellular compartments containing polar lipids, such as for example sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamine. In live Drosophila fat body tissue from third instar larvae, ReZolve-L1™ interacted mainly with lipid droplets, including the core region of these organelles. The presence of polar lipids in the core of these lipid droplets was confirmed by Raman mapping and while this was consistent with the distribution of ReZolve-L1™ it did not exclude that the molecular probe might be detecting other lipid species. In response to complete starvation conditions, ReZolve-L1™ was detected mainly in Atg8-GFP autophagic compartments, and showed reduced staining in the lipid droplets of fat body cells. The induction of autophagy by Tor inhibition also increased ReZolve-L1™ detection in autophagic compartments, whereas Atg9 knock down impaired autophagosome formation and altered the distribution of ReZolve-L1™. Finally, during Drosophila metamorphosis fat body tissues showed increased ReZolve-L1™ staining in autophagic compartments at two hours post puparium formation, when compared to earlier developmental time points. We concluded that ReZolve-L1™ is a new live cell imaging tool, which can be used as an imaging reagent for the detection of polar lipids in different intracellular compartments. PMID:27551717

Imaging Polarized Dust Emission in Star Formation Regions with the OVRO MM Array

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Akeson, Rachel; Carlstrom, John

1996-01-01

We present OVRO interferometric observations of linearly polarized emission from magnetically aligned dust grains which allow the magnetic field geometry in nearby star formation regions to be probed on scales ranging from 100 to 3000 AU. Current results include observations of the young stellar objects NGC1333/IRAS 4A, IRAS 16293-2422 and Orion IRc2-KL.

Effect of electrical polarization of hydroxyapatite ceramics on new bone formation.

PubMed

Itoh, S; Nakamura, S; Kobayashi, T; Shinomiya, K; Yamashita, K; Itoh, S

2006-03-01

Large surface charges can be induced on hydroxyapatite (HAp) ceramics by proton transport polarization, but this does not affect beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) because of its low polarizability. We wished to examine differences in osteogenic cell activity and new bone growth between positively or negatively surface-charged HAp and HAp/TCP plates using a calvarial bone defect model. In the first group of rats, test pieces were placed with their positively charged surfaces face down on the dura mater. In the second group, test pieces were placed with their negatively charged surfaces face down on the dura mater. A third group received noncharged test pieces. Histological examination, including enzymatic staining for osteoblasts and osteoclasts, was carried out. While no bone formation was observed at the pericranium, direct bone formation on the cranial bone debris and new bone growth expanded from the margins of the sites of injury to bridge across both the positively and negatively charged surfaces of HAp and HAp/TCP plates occurred. Electrical polarization of implanted plates, including positive charge, led to enhanced osteoblast activity, though decreased osteoclast activity was seen on the positively charged plate surface. Thus, polarization of HAp ceramics may modulate new bone formation and resorption.

Short Polarity Albian Events in the Cretaceous Normal Superchron - Magnetostratigraphy of the Morelos and Tlayua Formations (Mexico)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benammi, M.; Urrutia-Fucugauchi, J.

2007-12-01

Interest in the long period of normal polarity in the Cretaceous has continued to increase since the early study of Helsley and Steiner (1969), who suspected that it corresponded to vast stretches of relatively low amplitude behaviour in the sea-floor magnetic anomaly profiles known informally as the "Cretaceous quiet zone". Since these first studies, paleomagnetists have continued to explore what is now known as the Cretaceous Normal Superchron, an interval of prolonged normal polarity from 118 to 84 Ma. Paleomagnetic data from sediment cores from the DSDP Holes 369, 386, and 364, were interpreted as brief reverse intervals (Keating and Helsley, 1978, 1979). Relatively fewer studies have been reported for land-based sections of pelagic and platform limestones; reports include studies in northern and central Italy (Vandenberg et al., 1978; Tarduno et al., 1992; Tarduno, 1990; Cronin et al., 2001) and Mexico (Urrutia-Fucugauchi, 1988; Benammi et al., 2006). We present here new magnetostratigraphic data for limestone sequences in central and southern Mexico from the Cretaceous Morelos and Tlayua Formations, which record short intervals of reversed polarity during the K normal superchron. The Morelos Formation has been revisited in Guerrero, southern Mexico, where the sequence of platform limestones with almost horizontal thick beds is well-exposed. The magnetostratigraphy shows dominant normal polarity for the sampled sections, with the occurrence of three short reverse polarity intervals corresponding to the Albian, which have been re-sampled and studied in additional detail for magnetic mineralogy and remanent acquisition. The Tlayua Formation is sampled in Tepeji de Rodriguez area, which is known for its rich and well-preserved fossil contents. Age control has mainly been provided from studies on ammonites, belemnites and benthic foraminifera (Cantu, 1987; Seibertz and Buitron, 1987; Kashiyama et al., 2003). Nine polarity intervals are documented in the Tlayua Middle Member, which correlate with middle part of chron C34n (C34n.1n-C34n.2n, 100-105 Ma). Results give further evidence for occurrence of short polarity events within the K normal superchron, and provide additional documentation on the polarity events.

Age constraints on the dispersal of dinosaurs in the Late Triassic from magnetochronology of the Los Colorados Formation (Argentina).

PubMed

Kent, Dennis V; Santi Malnis, Paula; Colombi, Carina E; Alcober, Oscar A; Martínez, Ricardo N

2014-06-03

A measured magnetozone sequence defined by 24 sampling sites with normal polarity and 28 sites with reverse polarity characteristic magnetizations was established for the heretofore poorly age-constrained Los Colorados Formation and its dinosaur-bearing vertebrate fauna in the Ischigualasto-Villa Union continental rift basin of Argentina. The polarity pattern in this ∼600-m-thick red-bed section can be correlated to Chrons E7r to E15n of the Newark astrochronological polarity time scale. This represents a time interval from 227 to 213 Ma, indicating that the Los Colorados Formation is predominantly Norian in age, ending more than 11 My before the onset of the Jurassic. The magnetochronology confirms that the underlying Ischigualasto Formation and its vertebrate assemblages including some of the earliest known dinosaurs are of Carnian age. The oldest dated occurrences of vertebrate assemblages with dinosaurs in North America (Chinle Formation) are younger (Norian), and thus the rise of dinosaurs was diachronous across the Americas. Paleogeography of the Ischigualasto and Los Colorados Formations indicates prolonged residence in the austral temperate humid belt where a provincial vertebrate fauna with early dinosaurs may have incubated. Faunal dispersal across the Pangean supercontinent in the development of more cosmopolitan vertebrate assemblages later in the Norian may have been in response to reduced contrasts between climate zones and lowered barriers resulting from decreasing atmospheric pCO2 levels.

Age constraints on the dispersal of dinosaurs in the Late Triassic from magnetochronology of the Los Colorados Formation (Argentina)

PubMed Central

Kent, Dennis V.; Santi Malnis, Paula; Colombi, Carina E.; Alcober, Oscar A.; Martínez, Ricardo N.

2014-01-01

A measured magnetozone sequence defined by 24 sampling sites with normal polarity and 28 sites with reverse polarity characteristic magnetizations was established for the heretofore poorly age-constrained Los Colorados Formation and its dinosaur-bearing vertebrate fauna in the Ischigualasto–Villa Union continental rift basin of Argentina. The polarity pattern in this ∼600-m-thick red-bed section can be correlated to Chrons E7r to E15n of the Newark astrochronological polarity time scale. This represents a time interval from 227 to 213 Ma, indicating that the Los Colorados Formation is predominantly Norian in age, ending more than 11 My before the onset of the Jurassic. The magnetochronology confirms that the underlying Ischigualasto Formation and its vertebrate assemblages including some of the earliest known dinosaurs are of Carnian age. The oldest dated occurrences of vertebrate assemblages with dinosaurs in North America (Chinle Formation) are younger (Norian), and thus the rise of dinosaurs was diachronous across the Americas. Paleogeography of the Ischigualasto and Los Colorados Formations indicates prolonged residence in the austral temperate humid belt where a provincial vertebrate fauna with early dinosaurs may have incubated. Faunal dispersal across the Pangean supercontinent in the development of more cosmopolitan vertebrate assemblages later in the Norian may have been in response to reduced contrasts between climate zones and lowered barriers resulting from decreasing atmospheric pCO2 levels. PMID:24843149

Coordination of Cell Polarity, Mechanics and Fate in Tissue Self-organization.

PubMed

Kim, Esther Jeong Yoon; Korotkevich, Ekaterina; Hiiragi, Takashi

2018-07-01

Self-organization guides robust, spatiotemporally ordered formation of complex tissues and ultimately whole organisms. While products of gene expression serve as building blocks of living matter, how these interact to give rise to tissues of distinct patterns and function remains a central question in biology. Tissue self-organization relies on dynamic interactions between constituents spanning a range of spatiotemporal scales with tuneable chemical and mechanical parameters. This review highlights recent studies dissecting mechanisms of these interactions. We propose that feedback interactions between cell polarity, mechanics, and fate are a key principle underlying tissue self-organization. We also provide a glimpse into how such processes can be studied in future endeavors. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Hyperpolarized NMR: d-DNP, PHIP, and SABRE.

PubMed

Kovtunov, Kirill Viktorovich; Pokochueva, Ekaterina; Salnikov, Oleg; Cousin, Samuel; Kurzbach, Dennis; Vuichoud, Basile; Jannin, Sami; Chekmenev, Eduard; Goodson, Boyd; Barskiy, Danila; Koptyug, Igor

2018-05-23

NMR signals intensities can be enhanced by several orders of magnitude via utilization of techniques for hyperpolarization of different molecules, and it allows one to overcome the main sensitivity challenge of modern NMR/MRI techniques. Hyperpolarized fluids can be successfully used in different applications of material science and biomedicine. This focus review covers the fundamentals of the preparation of hyperpolarized liquids and gases via dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization (d-DNP) and parahydrogen-based techniques such as signal amplification by reversible exchange (SABRE) and parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP) in both heterogeneous and homogeneous processes. The different novel aspects of hyperpolarized fluids formation and utilization along with the possibility of NMR signal enhancement observation are described. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Control of neuronal polarity and plasticity--a renaissance for microtubules?

PubMed

Hoogenraad, Casper C; Bradke, Frank

2009-12-01

Microtubules have been regarded as essential structures for stable neuronal morphology but new studies are highlighting their role in dynamic neuronal processes. Recent work demonstrates that the microtubule cytoskeleton has an active role during different phases of neuronal polarization - microtubules and their stability determine axon formation, they maintain the identity of axons and they regulate the dynamics of dendritic spines, the major sites of excitatory synaptic input. Although microtubules fulfill distinct cellular functions at different developmental stages, the underlying molecular mechanisms are remarkably similar. Reccurring themes are that microtubules direct specific membrane traffic and affect actin dynamics to locally organize axon growth and spine dynamics. We review the novel role of microtubules during neuronal development and discuss models for microtubule-dependent signaling in neuronal plasticity.

Morphology and composition of the surface of Mars: Mars Odyssey THEMIS results.

PubMed

Christensen, Philip R; Bandfield, Joshua L; Bell, James F; Gorelick, Noel; Hamilton, Victoria E; Ivanov, Anton; Jakosky, Bruce M; Kieffer, Hugh H; Lane, Melissa D; Malin, Michael C; McConnochie, Timothy; McEwen, Alfred S; McSween, Harry Y; Mehall, Greg L; Moersch, Jeffery E; Nealson, Kenneth H; Rice, James W; Richardson, Mark I; Ruff, Steven W; Smith, Michael D; Titus, Timothy N; Wyatt, Michael B

2003-06-27

The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) on Mars Odyssey has produced infrared to visible wavelength images of the martian surface that show lithologically distinct layers with variable thickness, implying temporal changes in the processes or environments during or after their formation. Kilometer-scale exposures of bedrock are observed; elsewhere airfall dust completely mantles the surface over thousands of square kilometers. Mars has compositional variations at 100-meter scales, for example, an exposure of olivine-rich basalt in the walls of Ganges Chasma. Thermally distinct ejecta facies occur around some craters with variations associated with crater age. Polar observations have identified temporal patches of water frost in the north polar cap. No thermal signatures associated with endogenic heat sources have been identified.

Morphology and composition of the surface of Mars: Mars Odyssey THEMIS results

USGS Publications Warehouse

Christensen, P.R.; Bandfield, J.L.; Bell, J.F.; Gorelick, N.; Hamilton, V.E.; Ivanov, A.; Jakosky, B.M.; Kieffer, H.H.; Lane, M.D.; Malin, M.C.; McConnochie, T.; McEwen, A.S.; McSween, H.Y.; Mehall, G.L.; Moersch, J.E.; Nealson, K.H.; Rice, J. W.; Richardson, M.I.; Ruff, S.W.; Smith, M.D.; Titus, T.N.; Wyatt, M.B.

2003-01-01

The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) on Mars Odyssey has produced infrared to visible wavelength images of the martian surface that show lithologically distinct layers with variable thickness, implying temporal changes in the processes or environments during or after their formation. Kilometer-scale exposures of bedrock are observed; elsewhere airfall dust completely mantles the surface over thousands of square kilometers. Mars has compositional variations at 100-meter scales, for example, an exposure of olivine-rich basalt in the walls of Ganges Chasma. Thermally distinct ejecta facies occur around some craters with variations associated with crater age. Polar observations have identified temporal patches of water frost in the north polar cap. No thermal signatures associated with endogenic heat sources have been identified.

Discontinuity-free edge-diffraction model for characterization of focused wave fields.

PubMed

Sedukhin, Andrey G

2010-03-01

A model of discontinuity-free edge diffraction is proposed that is valid in the framework of the scalar Debye approximation and describes the formation process and approximate structure of the stationary diffracted field of a monochromatic converging spherical wave of limited angular opening throughout the whole space about the focus. The field is represented semianalytically in terms of the sum of a direct quasi-spherical wave and two edge quasi-conical waves of the zeroth and first order. The angular spectrum amplitudes of all these waves have smooth continuous variations of the real and imaginary parts in polar angle and radius, the separable nonanalytic functions defining the polar-angle variations of the amplitudes being found by optimization techniques.

Applying the polarity rapid assessment method to characterize nitrosamine precursors and to understand their removal by drinking water treatment processes.

PubMed

Liao, Xiaobin; Bei, Er; Li, Shixiang; Ouyang, Yueying; Wang, Jun; Chen, Chao; Zhang, Xiaojian; Krasner, Stuart W; Suffet, I H Mel

2015-12-15

Some N-nitrosamines (NAs) have been identified as emerging disinfection by-products during water treatment. Thus, it is essential to understand the characteristics of the NA precursors. In this study, the polarity rapid assessment method (PRAM) and the classical resin fractionation method were studied as methods to fractionate the NA precursors during drinking water treatment. The results showed that PRAM has much higher selectivity for NA precursors than the resin approach. The normalized N-nitrosodimethylamine formation potential (NDMA FP) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) FP of four resin fractions was at the same level as the average yield of the bulk organic matter whereas that of the cationic fraction by PRAM showed 50 times the average. Thus, the cationic fraction was shown to be the most important NDMA precursor contributor. The PRAM method also helped understand which portions of the NA precursor were removed by different water treatment processes. Activated carbon (AC) adsorption removed over 90% of the non-polar PRAM fraction (that sorbs onto the C18 solid phase extraction [SPE] cartridge) of NDMA and NDEA precursors. Bio-treatment removed 80-90% of the cationic fraction of PRAM (that is retained on the cation exchange SPE cartridge) and 40-60% of the non-cationic fractions. Ozonation removed 50-60% of the non-polar PRAM fraction of NA precursors and transformed part of them into the polar fraction. Coagulation and sedimentation had very limited removal of various PRAM fractions of NA precursors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Wavelength- or Polarization-Selective Thermal Infrared Detectors for Multi-Color or Polarimetric Imaging Using Plasmonics and Metamaterials

PubMed Central

Ogawa, Shinpei; Kimata, Masafumi

2017-01-01

Wavelength- or polarization-selective thermal infrared (IR) detectors are promising for various novel applications such as fire detection, gas analysis, multi-color imaging, multi-channel detectors, recognition of artificial objects in a natural environment, and facial recognition. However, these functions require additional filters or polarizers, which leads to high cost and technical difficulties related to integration of many different pixels in an array format. Plasmonic metamaterial absorbers (PMAs) can impart wavelength or polarization selectivity to conventional thermal IR detectors simply by controlling the surface geometry of the absorbers to produce surface plasmon resonances at designed wavelengths or polarizations. This enables integration of many different pixels in an array format without any filters or polarizers. We review our recent advances in wavelength- and polarization-selective thermal IR sensors using PMAs for multi-color or polarimetric imaging. The absorption mechanism defined by the surface structures is discussed for three types of PMAs—periodic crystals, metal-insulator-metal and mushroom-type PMAs—to demonstrate appropriate applications. Our wavelength- or polarization-selective uncooled IR sensors using various PMAs and multi-color image sensors are then described. Finally, high-performance mushroom-type PMAs are investigated. These advanced functional thermal IR detectors with wavelength or polarization selectivity will provide great benefits for a wide range of applications. PMID:28772855

Wavelength- or Polarization-Selective Thermal Infrared Detectors for Multi-Color or Polarimetric Imaging Using Plasmonics and Metamaterials.

PubMed

Ogawa, Shinpei; Kimata, Masafumi

2017-05-04

Wavelength- or polarization-selective thermal infrared (IR) detectors are promising for various novel applications such as fire detection, gas analysis, multi-color imaging, multi-channel detectors, recognition of artificial objects in a natural environment, and facial recognition. However, these functions require additional filters or polarizers, which leads to high cost and technical difficulties related to integration of many different pixels in an array format. Plasmonic metamaterial absorbers (PMAs) can impart wavelength or polarization selectivity to conventional thermal IR detectors simply by controlling the surface geometry of the absorbers to produce surface plasmon resonances at designed wavelengths or polarizations. This enables integration of many different pixels in an array format without any filters or polarizers. We review our recent advances in wavelength- and polarization-selective thermal IR sensors using PMAs for multi-color or polarimetric imaging. The absorption mechanism defined by the surface structures is discussed for three types of PMAs-periodic crystals, metal-insulator-metal and mushroom-type PMAs-to demonstrate appropriate applications. Our wavelength- or polarization-selective uncooled IR sensors using various PMAs and multi-color image sensors are then described. Finally, high-performance mushroom-type PMAs are investigated. These advanced functional thermal IR detectors with wavelength or polarization selectivity will provide great benefits for a wide range of applications.

Removal of spurious normal polarity directions in the Kanapoi Formation with progressive thermal demagnetization: implications for dating Pliocene hominin fossils from the Turkana Basin of Kenya

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lepre, C. J.; Kent, D.

2017-12-01

The Kanapoi Formation is a 75-m-thick sedimentary unit in northern Kenya whose fossil record documents the evolution of the genus Australopithecus and habitual bipedalism in Pliocene hominins. Published 40Ar/39Ar dates of 4.20 to 4.10 Ma for three aqueously reworked tuffs from the lower and middle stratigraphic intervals of the formation and a whole-rock K-Ar date of 3.4 ± 0.1 Ma on the Kalokwanya Basalt, which caps the succession, coupled with paleomagnetic data from an unpublished thesis have been used to constrain the age of the unit (McDougall+2012 J Geol Soc). Normal polarities at the base of the formation were correlated to normal subchron C3n.1n (Cochiti Subchron) and would extend the Kanapoi chronostratigraphy back to between 4.29 and 4.18 Ma. The credibility of the normal polarities at the base and elsewhere in the formation as records of the geomagnetic field at the time of deposition, however, is called into question by the ubiquity of the high-coercivity mineral hematite in the Kanapoi sediments and the alternating field demagnetization methods exclusively used to generate the polarity directions. We tested this proposed chronostratigraphy of the Kanapoi Fm by collecting nearly 70 independently orientated block samples from 10 outcrop localities, which sampled roughly two-thirds of the total stratigraphic thickness of the formation and covered the entire vertical extent of the supposed basal normal polarity magnetozone. For most every specimen, stepwise thermal demagnetization (TD) resolved well-defined characteristic magnetizations of uniformly reverse polarity and were carried by a high-temperature component consistent with hematite. TD of the Kalokwanya Basalt confirmed its reverse magnetic polarity, which implies emplacement most likely prior to the base of normal Chron C2An (Gauss Chron) at 3.58 Ma. Kanapoi sediments thus accumulated sometime during reverse subchron C2Ar (4.18-3.58 Ma) but over a period of much less than 600 kyr. Basal age control on the formation is imprecise and complicated by the inconsistency between the radiometric date of the lowest reworked tuff (4.20 ± 0.03 Ma) and its new magnetostratigraphic context. We use these new lines of evidence to assess the chronostratigraphic data that help to implicate A. anamensis as one part of an anagenetically evolving hominin lineage.

Light in condensed matter in the upper atmosphere as the origin of homochirality: circularly polarized light from Rydberg matter.

PubMed

Holmlid, Leif

2009-01-01

Clouds of the condensed excited Rydberg matter (RM) exist in the atmospheres of comets and planetary bodies (most easily observed at Mercury and the Moon), where they surround the entire bodies. Vast such clouds are recently proposed to exist in the upper atmosphere of Earth (giving rise to the enormous features called noctilucent clouds, polar mesospheric clouds, and polar mesospheric summer radar echoes). It has been shown in experiments with RM that linearly polarized visible light scattered from an RM layer is transformed to circularly polarized light with a probability of approximately 50%. The circular Rydberg electrons in the magnetic field in the RM may be chiral scatterers. The magnetic and anisotropic RM medium acts as a circular polarizer probably by delaying one of the perpendicular components of the light wave. The delay process involved is called Rabi-flopping and gives delays of the order of femtoseconds. This strong effect thus gives intense circularly polarized visible and UV light within RM clouds. Amino acids and other chiral molecules will experience a strong interaction with this light field in the upper atmospheres of planets. The interaction will vary with the stereogenic conformation of the molecules and in all probability promote the survival of one enantiomer. Here, this strong effect is proposed to be the origin of homochirality. The formation of amino acids in the RM clouds is probably facilitated by the catalytic effect of RM.

Light in Condensed Matter in the Upper Atmosphere as the Origin of Homochirality: Circularly Polarized Light from Rydberg Matter

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Holmlid, Leif

2009-08-01

Clouds of the condensed excited Rydberg matter (RM) exist in the atmospheres of comets and planetary bodies (most easily observed at Mercury and the Moon), where they surround the entire bodies. Vast such clouds are recently proposed to exist in the upper atmosphere of Earth (giving rise to the enormous features called noctilucent clouds, polar mesospheric clouds, and polar mesospheric summer radar echoes). It has been shown in experiments with RM that linearly polarized visible light scattered from an RM layer is transformed to circularly polarized light with a probability of approximately 50%. The circular Rydberg electrons in the magnetic field in the RM may be chiral scatterers. The magnetic and anisotropic RM medium acts as a circular polarizer probably by delaying one of the perpendicular components of the light wave. The delay process involved is called Rabi-flopping and gives delays of the order of femtoseconds. This strong effect thus gives intense circularly polarized visible and UV light within RM clouds. Amino acids and other chiral molecules will experience a strong interaction with this light field in the upper atmospheres of planets. The interaction will vary with the stereogenic conformation of the molecules and in all probability promote the survival of one enantiomer. Here, this strong effect is proposed to be the origin of homochirality. The formation of amino acids in the RM clouds is probably facilitated by the catalytic effect of RM.

NASA Standard for Airborne Data: ICARTT Format ESDS-RFC-019

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thornhill, A.; Brown, C.; Aknan, A.; Crawford, J. H.; Chen, G.; Williams, E. J.

2011-12-01

Airborne field studies generate a plethora of data products in the effort to study atmospheric composition and processes. Data file formats for airborne field campaigns are designed to present data in an understandable and organized way to support collaboration and to document relevant and important meta data. The ICARTT file format was created to facilitate data management during the International Consortium for Atmospheric Research on Transport and Transformation (ICARTT) campaign in 2004 that involved government-agencies and university participants from five countries. Since this mission the ICARTT format has been used in subsequent field campaigns such as Polar Study Using Aircraft Remote Sensing, Surface Measurements and Models of Climates, Chemistry, Aerosols, and Transport (POLARCAT) and the first phase of Deriving Information on Surface Conditions from COlumn and VERtically Resolved Observations Relevant to Air Quality (DISCOVER-AQ). The ICARTT file format has been endorsed as a standard format for airborne data by the Standard Process Group (SPG), one of the Earth Science Data Systems Working Groups (ESDSWG) in 2010. The detailed description of the ICARTT format can be found at http://www-air.larc.nasa.gov/missions/etc/ESDS-RFC-019-v1.00.pdf. The ICARTT data format is an ASCII, comma delimited format that was based on the NASA Ames and GTE file formats. The file header is detailed enough to fully describe the data for users outside of the instrument group and includes a description of the meta data. The ICARTT scanning tools, format structure, implementations, and examples will be presented.

Room-temperature polar order in [NH4][Cd(HCOO)3]--a hybrid inorganic-organic compound with a unique perovskite architecture.

PubMed

Gómez-Aguirre, L C; Pato-Doldán, B; Stroppa, A; Yáñez-Vilar, S; Bayarjargal, L; Winkler, B; Castro-García, S; Mira, J; Sánchez-Andújar, M; Señarís-Rodríguez, M A

2015-03-02

We report on the hybrid inorganic-organic ammonium compound [NH4][Cd(HCOO)3], which displays a most unusual framework structure: instead of the expected 4(9)·6(6) topology, it shows an ABX3 perovskite architecture with the peculiarity and uniqueness (among all the up-to-date reported hybrid metal formates) that the Cd ions are connected only by syn-anti formate bridges, instead of anti-anti ones. This change of the coordination mode of the formate ligand is thus another variable that can provide new possibilities for tuning the properties of these versatile functional metal-organic framework materials. The room-temperature crystal structure of [NH4][Cd(HCOO)3] is noncentrosymmetric (S.G.: Pna21) and displays a polar axis. DFT calculations and symmetry mode analysis show that the rather large polarization arising from the off-center shift of the ammonium cations in the cavities (4.33 μC/cm(2)) is partially canceled by the antiparallel polarization coming from the [Cd(HCOO)3](-) framework, thus resulting in a net polarization of 1.35 μC/cm(2). As shown by second harmonic generation studies, this net polarization can be greatly increased by applying pressure (Pmax = 14 GPa), an external stimulus that, in turn, induces the appearance of new structural phases, as confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.

Morphologic, phenotypic, and transcriptomic characterization of classically and alternatively activated canine blood-derived macrophages in vitro

PubMed Central

Heinrich, Franziska; Lehmbecker, Annika; Raddatz, Barbara B.; Kegler, Kristel; Tipold, Andrea; Stein, Veronika M.; Kalkuhl, Arno; Deschl, Ulrich; Baumgärtner, Wolfgang; Ulrich, Reiner

2017-01-01

Macrophages are a heterogeneous cell population playing a pivotal role in tissue homeostasis and inflammation, and their phenotype strongly depends on the micromilieu. Despite its increasing importance as a translational animal model for human diseases, there is a considerable gap of knowledge with respect to macrophage polarization in dogs. The present study comprehensively investigated the morphologic, phenotypic, and transcriptomic characteristics of unstimulated (M0), M1- (GM-CSF, LPS, IFNγ-stimulated) and M2- (M-CSF, IL-4-stimulated)-polarized canine blood-derived macrophages in vitro. Scanning electron microscopy revealed distinct morphologies of polarized macrophages with formation of multinucleated cells in M2-macrophages, while immunofluorescence employing literature-based prototype-antibodies against CD16, CD32, iNOS, MHC class II (M1-markers), CD163, CD206, and arginase-1 (M2-markers) demonstrated that only CD206 was able to discriminate M2-macrophages from both other phenotypes, highlighting this molecule as a promising marker for canine M2-macrophages. Global microarray analysis revealed profound changes in the transcriptome of polarized canine macrophages. Functional analysis pointed out that M1-polarization was associated with biological processes such as “respiratory burst”, whereas M2-polarization was associated with processes such as “mitosis”. Literature-based marker gene selection revealed only minor overlaps in the gene sets of the dog compared to prototype markers of murine and human macrophages. Biomarker selection using supervised clustering suggested latexin (LXN) and membrane-spanning 4-domains, subfamily A, member 2 (MS4A2) to be the most powerful predicting biomarkers for canine M1- and M2-macrophages, respectively. Immunofluorescence for both markers demonstrated expression of both proteins by macrophages in vitro but failed to reveal differences between canine M1 and M2-macrophages. The present study provides a solid basis for future studies upon the role of macrophage polarization in spontaneous diseases of the dog, a species that has emerging importance for translational research. PMID:28817687

Polarization and fluence effects in femtosecond laser induced micro/nano structures on stainless steel with antireflection property

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yao, Caizhen; Ye, Yayun; Jia, Baoshen; Li, Yuan; Ding, Renjie; Jiang, Yong; Wang, Yuxin; Yuan, Xiaodong

2017-12-01

In this paper, micro/nano structures on stainless steel were prepared in single spot irradiation mode and scan mode by using femtosecond laser technique. The influence of polarization and fluence on the formation of micro/nano structures were explored. Surface morphology, microstructure, roughness and composition of prepared samples were characterized. The antireflection property and wettability of laser treated samples were also tested and compared with that of original stainless steel.Results showed that the laser-induced spot consists of two distinct regions due to the Gaussian beam profile: a core region of moth-eye-like structure and a peripheral region of nanoparticles-covered laser-induced periodic surface structure (NC-LIPSS). The proportion of the core region and dimension of micro/nano structure increase with increasing laser fluence. Polarization can be used to tune the direction of NC-LIPSS. Atomic ratios of Cr and Mn increase and atomic ratio of Ni decreases after laser irradiation. Oxygen is not detected on laser irradiated samples, indicating that oxidation reactions are not significant during the interaction process between femtosecond laser and 304 stainless steel. These are good for the application of stainless steel as its physical properties would not change or even enhanced. The overlaps between two laser scan lines significantly influence the surface roughness and should be controlled carefully during the preparation process. The laser irradiated surface has a better antireflection property in comparison with that of original stainless steel, which may due to the scattering and absorption of micro/nano structures. Contact angle of micro/nano structured stainless steel decreases with the increase of laser fluence. The hydrophilic property can be explained by Wenzel's model. The interference between the surface plasmon wave and the incident light wave leads to the formation of NC-LIPSS.

Graphene based widely-tunable and singly-polarized pulse generation with random fiber lasers

PubMed Central

Yao, B. C.; Rao, Y. J.; Wang, Z. N.; Wu, Y.; Zhou, J. H.; Wu, H.; Fan, M. Q.; Cao, X. L.; Zhang, W. L.; Chen, Y. F.; Li, Y. R.; Churkin, D.; Turitsyn, S.; Wong, C. W.

2015-01-01

Pulse generation often requires a stabilized cavity and its corresponding mode structure for initial phase-locking. Contrastingly, modeless cavity-free random lasers provide new possibilities for high quantum efficiency lasing that could potentially be widely tunable spectrally and temporally. Pulse generation in random lasers, however, has remained elusive since the discovery of modeless gain lasing. Here we report coherent pulse generation with modeless random lasers based on the unique polarization selectivity and broadband saturable absorption of monolayer graphene. Simultaneous temporal compression of cavity-free pulses are observed with such a polarization modulation, along with a broadly-tunable pulsewidth across two orders of magnitude down to 900 ps, a broadly-tunable repetition rate across three orders of magnitude up to 3 MHz, and a singly-polarized pulse train at 41 dB extinction ratio, about an order of magnitude larger than conventional pulsed fiber lasers. Moreover, our graphene-based pulse formation also demonstrates robust pulse-to-pulse stability and wide-wavelength operation due to the cavity-less feature. Such a graphene-based architecture not only provides a tunable pulsed random laser for fiber-optic sensing, speckle-free imaging, and laser-material processing, but also a new way for the non-random CW fiber lasers to generate widely tunable and singly-polarized pulses. PMID:26687730

Graphene based widely-tunable and singly-polarized pulse generation with random fiber lasers.

PubMed

Yao, B C; Rao, Y J; Wang, Z N; Wu, Y; Zhou, J H; Wu, H; Fan, M Q; Cao, X L; Zhang, W L; Chen, Y F; Li, Y R; Churkin, D; Turitsyn, S; Wong, C W

2015-12-21

Pulse generation often requires a stabilized cavity and its corresponding mode structure for initial phase-locking. Contrastingly, modeless cavity-free random lasers provide new possibilities for high quantum efficiency lasing that could potentially be widely tunable spectrally and temporally. Pulse generation in random lasers, however, has remained elusive since the discovery of modeless gain lasing. Here we report coherent pulse generation with modeless random lasers based on the unique polarization selectivity and broadband saturable absorption of monolayer graphene. Simultaneous temporal compression of cavity-free pulses are observed with such a polarization modulation, along with a broadly-tunable pulsewidth across two orders of magnitude down to 900 ps, a broadly-tunable repetition rate across three orders of magnitude up to 3 MHz, and a singly-polarized pulse train at 41 dB extinction ratio, about an order of magnitude larger than conventional pulsed fiber lasers. Moreover, our graphene-based pulse formation also demonstrates robust pulse-to-pulse stability and wide-wavelength operation due to the cavity-less feature. Such a graphene-based architecture not only provides a tunable pulsed random laser for fiber-optic sensing, speckle-free imaging, and laser-material processing, but also a new way for the non-random CW fiber lasers to generate widely tunable and singly-polarized pulses.

Geology and insolation-driven climatic history of Amazonian north polar materials on Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tanaka, K.L.

2005-01-01

Mariner 9 and Viking spacecraft images revealed that the polar regions of Mars, like those of Earth, record the planet's climate history. However, fundamental uncertainties regarding the materials, features, ages and processes constituting the geologic record remained. Recently acquired Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data and Mars Orbiter Camera high-resolution images from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft and moderately high-resolution Thermal Emission Imaging System visible images from the Mars Odyssey spacecraft permit more comprehensive geologic and climatic analyses. Here I map and show the history of geologic materials and features in the north polar region that span the Amazonian period (???3.0 Gyr ago to present). Erosion and redeposition of putative circumpolar mud volcano deposits (formed by eruption of liquefied, fine-grained material) led to the formation of an Early Amazonian polar plateau consisting of dark layered materials. Crater ejecta superposed on pedestals indicate that a thin mantle was present during most of the Amazonian, suggesting generally higher obliquity and insolation conditions at the poles than at present. Brighter polar layered deposits rest unconformably on the dark layers and formed mainly during lower obliquity over the past 4-5 Myr (ref. 20). Finally, the uppermost layers post-date the latest downtrend in obliquity <20,000 years ago. ?? 2005 Nature Publishing Group.

Geology and insolation-driven climatic history of Amazonian north polar materials on Mars.

PubMed

Tanaka, Kenneth L

2005-10-13

Mariner 9 and Viking spacecraft images revealed that the polar regions of Mars, like those of Earth, record the planet's climate history. However, fundamental uncertainties regarding the materials, features, ages and processes constituting the geologic record remained. Recently acquired Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data and Mars Orbiter Camera high-resolution images from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft and moderately high-resolution Thermal Emission Imaging System visible images from the Mars Odyssey spacecraft permit more comprehensive geologic and climatic analyses. Here I map and show the history of geologic materials and features in the north polar region that span the Amazonian period (approximately 3.0 Gyr ago to present). Erosion and redeposition of putative circumpolar mud volcano deposits (formed by eruption of liquefied, fine-grained material) led to the formation of an Early Amazonian polar plateau consisting of dark layered materials. Crater ejecta superposed on pedestals indicate that a thin mantle was present during most of the Amazonian, suggesting generally higher obliquity and insolation conditions at the poles than at present. Brighter polar layered deposits rest unconformably on the dark layers and formed mainly during lower obliquity over the past 4-5 Myr (ref. 20). Finally, the uppermost layers post-date the latest downtrend in obliquity <20,000 years ago.

Breakdown Characteristics of SF6 Gap Disturbed by a Metallic Protrusion under Oscillating Transient Overvoltages

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kawamura, Tatsuo; Lee, Bok-Hee; Nishimura, Takahiko; Ishii, Masaru

1994-04-01

This paper deals with the experimental investigations of particle-initiated breakdown of SF6 gas stressed by the oscillating transient overvoltage and non-oscillating impulse voltages. The experiments are carried out by using hemisphere-to-plane electrodes with a needle-shaped protrusion in the gas pressure range of 0.05 to 0.3 MPa. The temporal growth of the prebreakdown process is measured by a current shunt and a photomultiplier. The electrical breakdown is initiated by the streamer corona in the vicinity of a needle-shaped protrusion and the flashover of test gap is substantially influenced by the local field enhancement due to the space charge formed by the preceding streamer corona. The dependence of the voltage-time characteristics on the polarity of test voltage is appreciable, and the minimum breakdown voltage under the damped oscillating transient overvoltage is approximately the same as that under the standard lightning impulse voltage. In presence of positive polarity, the dielectric strength of SF6 gas stressed by the oscillating transient overvoltage is particularly sensitive to the local field perturbed by a sharp conducting particle. The formative time lag from the first streamer corona to breakdown is longer in negative polarity than in positive polarity and the field stabilization of space charge is more pronounced in negative polarity.

Formation and occurrence of new polar iodinated disinfection byproducts in drinking water.

PubMed

Pan, Yang; Li, Wenbin; An, Hao; Cui, Hao; Wang, Ying

2016-02-01

During drinking water disinfection, iodinated disinfection byproducts (I-DBPs) can be generated through reactions between iodide, disinfectants, and natural organic matter. Drinking water I-DBPs have been increasingly attracting attention as emerging organic pollutants as a result of their significantly higher toxicity and growth inhibition than their chloro- and bromo-analogues. In this study, by adopting ultra performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry precursor ion scan, multiple reaction monitoring, and product ion scan analyses, 11 new polar I-DBPs with confirmed structures and eight new polar I-DBPs with proposed structures were detected in simulated drinking water samples. Chloramination of simulated raw waters containing natural organic matter with higher aromaticity produced higher levels of new phenolic I-DBPs. Formation of new polar I-DBPs and total organic iodine (TOI) was most favored in chloramination, followed by chlorine dioxide treatment, and relatively minor in chlorination. Lower pH in chloramination substantially enhanced the formation of new polar I-DBPs and TOI. NH2Cl and dissolved organic nitrogen could be important nitrogen sources and precursors for formation of the two new nitrogenous phenolic I-DBPs. Notably, in tap water samples collected from nine major cities located in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, seven of the 11 new polar I-DBPs with confirmed structures were detected at levels from 0.11 to 28 ng/L, and the two new nitrogenous phenolic I-DBPs were ubiquitous with concentrations from 0.12 to 24 ng/L, likely due to the relatively high dissolved organic nitrogen levels in regional source waters. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Influence of Local Geometric Effects on Mars Polar Processes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hecht, M. H.

2005-01-01

Using simple, qualitative heat balance models, this paper addresses textures and structures that will result from the evolution of volatile layers by accretion and by ablation. Such phenomena may have global implications that are not apparent when only flat or sloped surfaces are modeled. In general, structures such as mounds or depressions formed out of volatile materials will evolve in shape such that the growth or retreat of any particular surface will be maximized. It can be shown that the local radius of curvature is proportional to the growth or retreat rate. For example, icy surfaces will tend to form facets that face the dominant sun direction. Two such cases are evaluated: a) Features associated with condensation of volatiles, include cold-trapping and redistribution, such as the concentration of frost around the Viking 2 lander [1]. Here I will focus on textures that likely result from the formation of seasonal CO2 deposits. b) Features associated with sublimation of volatiles, such as those described by Ingersoll et. al. [2] result in textured surfaces that affect both the apparent emissivity and albedo. Similar calculations have been performed with respect to the "Swiss cheese" features on the South Polar Cap [3]. Here, I evaluate the likely sublimation rates from optimal ice scarp structures and their implications for the long-term evolution of the polar caps and formation of layered terrain.

Obesity/Type II diabetes alters macrophage polarization resulting in a fibrotic tendon healing response

PubMed Central

Ackerman, Jessica E.; Geary, Michael B.; Orner, Caitlin A.; Bawany, Fatima

2017-01-01

Type II Diabetes (T2DM) dramatically impairs the tendon healing response, resulting in decreased collagen organization and mechanics relative to non-diabetic tendons. Despite this burden, there remains a paucity of information regarding the mechanisms that govern impaired healing of diabetic tendons. Mice were placed on either a high fat diet (T2DM) or low fat diet (lean) and underwent flexor tendon transection and repair surgery. Healing was assessed via mechanical testing, histology and changes in gene expression associated with collagen synthesis, matrix remodeling, and macrophage polarization. Obese/diabetic tendons healed with increased scar formation and impaired mechanical properties. Consistent with this, prolonged and excess expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components were observed in obese/T2DM tendons. Macrophages are involved in both inflammatory and matrix deposition processes during healing. Obese/T2DM tendons healed with increased expression of markers of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, and elevated and prolonged expression of M2 macrophages markers that are involved in ECM deposition. Here we demonstrate that tendons from obese/diabetic mice heal with increased scar formation and increased M2 polarization, identifying excess M2 macrophage activity and matrix synthesis as a potential mechanism of the fibrotic healing phenotype observed in T2DM tendons, and as such a potential target to improve tendon healing in T2DM. PMID:28686669

Magnetic polarity stratigraphy of the middle Pleistocene (Ensenadan) Tarija Formation of southern Bolivia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

MacFadden, Bruce J.; Siles, Oscar; Zeitler, Peter; Johnson, Noye M.; Campbell, Kenneth E.

1983-03-01

The Tarija Formation of southern Bolivia, which is well known for its classic vertebrate faunas, is of prime importance in understanding of the chronology of the Ensenadan Land Mammal Age. This formation consists of well-exposed and relatively fossiliferous sections of clays, clayey silts, sands, gravels, and tuffs which were deposited in a predominately fluviatile regime in a Pleistocene structural basin. Four stratigraphic sections, each measuring 110 m or less, were studied to establish a magnetic polarity stratigraphy. Paleomagnetic samples were collected from the finer-grained sediments at 100 sites spaced at stratigraphic intervals of 5 m or less. All paleomagnetic specimens were demagnetized in alternating fields of least 250 oersteds (oe). Some specimens were also thermally demagnetized at 200°C or more. Of the 100 sites, 77 were ultimately used to determine the magnetic polarity zonation. Based on the four sections sampled, the Tarija Formation spans a time interval from about 1 my to about 0.7 my B.P. or perhaps younger. The lower half of the composite section is of reversed polarity punctuated by a short normal event. This sequence probably represents the late Matuyama chron with the Jaramillo subchron. The upper part of the section is of normal polarity and represents early Brunhes time. A tuffaceous unit 43 m above the Brunhes-Matuyama boundary yielded a fission track (zircon) age of 0.7 ± 0.2 by B.P. These data indicate that the classic Tarija fauna is middle Pleistocene Ensendan in age.

Tissue-tissue interaction-triggered calcium elevation is required for cell polarization during Xenopus gastrulation.

PubMed

Shindo, Asako; Hara, Yusuke; Yamamoto, Takamasa S; Ohkura, Masamichi; Nakai, Junichi; Ueno, Naoto

2010-02-02

The establishment of cell polarity is crucial for embryonic cells to acquire their proper morphologies and functions, because cell alignment and intracellular events are coordinated in tissues during embryogenesis according to the cell polarity. Although much is known about the molecules involved in cell polarization, the direct trigger of the process remains largely obscure. We previously demonstrated that the tissue boundary between the chordamesoderm and lateral mesoderm of Xenopus laevis is important for chordamesodermal cell polarity. Here, we examined the intracellular calcium dynamics during boundary formation between two different tissues. In a combination culture of nodal-induced chordamesodermal explants and a heterogeneous tissue, such as ectoderm or lateral mesoderm, the chordamesodermal cells near the boundary frequently displayed intracellular calcium elevation; this frequency was significantly less when homogeneous explants were used. Inhibition of the intracellular calcium elevation blocked cell polarization in the chordamesodermal explants. We also observed frequent calcium waves near the boundary of the dorsal marginal zone (DMZ) dissected from an early gastrula-stage embryo. Optical sectioning revealed that where heterogeneous explants touched, the chordamesodermal surface formed a wedge with the narrow end tucked under the heterogeneous explant. No such configuration was seen between homogeneous explants. When physical force was exerted against a chordamesodermal explant with a glass needle at an angle similar to that created in the explant, or migrating chordamesodermal cells crawled beneath a silicone block, intracellular calcium elevation was frequent and cell polarization was induced. Finally, we demonstrated that a purinergic receptor, which is implicated in mechano-sensing, is required for such frequent calcium elevation in chordamesoderm and for cell polarization. This study raises the possibility that tissue-tissue interaction generates mechanical forces through cell-cell contact that initiates coordinated cell polarization through a transient increase in intracellular calcium.

Chiral Nematic Structure of Cellulose Nanocrystal Suspensions and Films; Polarized Light and Atomic Force Microscopy

PubMed Central

Gray, Derek G.; Mu, Xiaoyue

2015-01-01

Cellulosic liquid crystalline solutions and suspensions form chiral nematic phases that show a rich variety of optical textures in the liquid crystalline state. These ordered structures may be preserved in solid films prepared by evaporation of solvent or suspending medium. Film formation from aqueous suspensions of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) was investigated by polarized light microscopy, optical profilometry and atomic force microscopy (AFM). An attempt is made to interpret qualitatively the observed textures in terms of the orientation of the cellulose nanocrystals in the suspensions and films, and the changes in orientation caused by the evaporative process. Mass transfer within the evaporating droplet resulted in the formation of raised rings whose magnitude depended on the degree of pinning of the receding contact line. AFM of dry films at short length scales showed a radial orientation of the CNC at the free surface of the film, along with a radial height variation with a period of approximately P/2, ascribed to the anisotropic shrinkage of the chiral nematic structure. PMID:28793684

A Comparative Study on Formation of Polar Components, Fatty Acids and Sterols during Frying of Refined Olive Pomace Oil Pure and Its Blend Coconut Oil.

PubMed

Ben Hammouda, Ibtissem; Triki, Mehdi; Matthäus, Bertrand; Bouaziz, Mohamed

2018-04-04

The frying performance of pure refined olive-pomace oil (ROPO) and blended with refined coconut oil (RCO) (80:20) was compared during a frying operation of French fries at 180 °C. Blending polyunsaturated oils with highly saturated or monounsaturated oils has been studied extensively, however in literature there is no study has been reported so far on blending ROPO (rich in monounsaturated fatty acids) with RCO (rich in saturated fatty acids) to formulate new frying oils. At the end of the frying process, the blend of ROPO/RCO exhibited a higher chemical stability than the pure ROPO based on total polar compounds (TPC), and polymers. The rate of TPC formation was achieved 23.3% and 30.6% for the blend and the pure oil, respectively. Trans and free fatty acids content, as well as anisidine value were also observed to be the highest in the pure ROPO. This study evaluated the frying performance in the search for appropriate frying oils to deliver healthy fried products with optimized nutritional qualities.

Planar cell polarity signaling in the uterus directs appropriate positioning of the crypt for embryo implantation

PubMed Central

Yuan, Jia; Cha, Jeeyeon; Deng, Wenbo; Bartos, Amanda; Sun, Xiaofei; Ho, Hsin-Yi Henry; Borg, Jean-Paul; Yamaguchi, Terry P.; Yang, Yingzi; Dey, Sudhansu K.

2016-01-01

Blastocyst implantation is a complex process requiring coordination of a dynamic sequence of embryo–uterine interactions. Blood vessels enter the uterus from the mesometrium, demarcating the uterus into mesometrial (M) and antimesometrial (AM) domains. Implantation occurs along the uterine longitudinal axis within specialized implantation chambers (crypts) that originate within the evaginations directed from the primary lumen toward the AM domain. The morphological orientation of crypts in rodent uteri was recognized more than a century ago, but the mechanism remained unknown. Here we provide evidence that planar cell polarity (PCP) signaling orchestrates directed epithelial evaginations to form crypts for implantation in mice. Uterine deletion of Vang-like protein 2, but not Vang-like protein 1, conferred aberrant PCP signaling, misdirected epithelial evaginations, defective crypt formation, and blastocyst attachment, leading to severely compromised pregnancy outcomes. The study reveals a previously unrecognized role for PCP in executing spatial cues for crypt formation and implantation. Because PCP is an evolutionarily conserved phenomenon, our study is likely to inspire implantation studies of this signaling pathway in humans and other species. PMID:27911818

From Cores to Envelopes to Disks: A Multi-scale View of Magnetized Star Formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hull, Charles L. H.

2014-12-01

Observations of polarization in star forming regions have been made across many wavelengths, many size scales, and many stages of stellar evolution. One of the overarching goals of these observations has been to determine the importance of magnetic fields -- which are the cause of the polarization -- in the star formation process. We begin by describing the commissioning and the calibration of the 1.3 mm dual-polarization receiver system we built for CARMA (the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy), a radio telescope in the eastern Sierra region of California. One of the primary science drivers behind the polarization system is to observe polarized thermal emission from dust grains in the dense clumps of dust and gas where the youngest, Class 0 protostars are forming. We go on to describe the CARMA TADPOL survey -- the largest high-resolution (~1000 AU scale) survey to date of dust polarization in low-mass protostellar cores -- and discuss our main findings: (1) Magnetic fields (B-fields) on scales of ~1000 AU are not tightly aligned with protostellar outflows. Rather, the data are consistent both with scenarios where outflows and magnetic fields are preferentially misaligned (perpendicular) and where they are randomly aligned. (2) Sources with high CARMA polarization fractions have consistent B-field orientations on large scales (~20'', measured using single-dish submillimeter telescopes) and small scales (~2.5'', measured by CARMA). We interpret this to mean that in at least some cases B-fields play a role in regulating the infall of material all the way down to the ~1000 AU scales of protostellar envelopes. Finally, (3) While on the whole outflows appear to be randomly aligned with B-fields, in sources with low polarization fractions there is a hint that outflows are preferentially perpendicular to small-scale B-fields, which suggests that in these sources the fields have been wrapped up by envelope rotation. This work shows that the ~1000 AU protostellar envelope may be a turning point: at larger scales B-fields may still retain the memory of the global B-field drawn in from the ambient medium; but at smaller scales the B-fields may be affected by the dynamics of both envelope and disk rotation. This sets the stage for ALMA (the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array), which will soon reveal the morphology of B-fields in circumstellar disks themselves.

Real-Time Study of the Interaction between G-Rich DNA Oligonucleotides and Lead Ion on DNA Tetrahedron-Functionalized Sensing Platform by Dual Polarization Interferometry.

PubMed

Wang, Shuang; Lu, Shasha; Zhao, Jiahui; Huang, Jianshe; Yang, Xiurong

2017-11-29

G-quadruplex plays roles in numerous physiological and pathological processes of organisms. Due to the unique properties of G-quadruplex (e.g., forming G4/hemin complexes with catalytic activity and electron acceptability, binding with metal ions, proteins, fluorescent ligands, and so on), it has been widely applied in biosensing. But the formation process of G-quadruplex is not yet fully understood. Here, a DNA tetrahedron platform with higher reproducibility, regenerative ability, and time-saving building process was coupled with dual polarization interferometry technique for the real-time and label-free investigation of the specific interaction process of guanine-rich singled-stranded DNA (G-rich ssDNA) and Pb 2+ . The oriented immobilization of probes greatly decreased the spatial hindrance effect and improved the accessibility of the probes to the Pb 2+ ions. Through real-time monitoring of the whole formation process of the G-quadruplex, we speculated that the probes on the tetrahedron platform initially stood on the sensing surface with a random coil conformation, then the G-rich ssDNA preliminarily formed unstable G-quartets by H-bonding and cation binding, subsequently forming a completely folded and stable quadruplex structure through relatively slow strand rearrangements. On the basis of these studies, we also developed a novel sensing platform for the specific and sensitive determination of Pb 2+ and its chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. This study not only provides a proof-of-concept for conformational dynamics of G-quadruplex-related drugs and pathogenes, but also enriches the biosensor tools by combining nanomaterial with interfaces technique.

Electrochemical behavior of Al in a non-aqueous alkyl carbonate solution containing LiBOB salt

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Myung, Seung-Taek; Natsui, Hiroshi; Sun, Yang-Kook; Yashiro, Hitoshi

Aluminum was studied as a current collector for rechargeable lithium batteries to understand electrochemical and passivation behavior. Electrochemical polarization tests, in situ scratch polarization tests and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (ToF-SIMS) analysis in lithium bis-oxalato borate (LiBOB)-containing alkyl carbonate solution were conducted. The Al foil did not follow the alloy and de-alloy process with the LiBOB salt in electrolyte at 0 V vs. Li/Li + in the cathodic sweep. During the anodic scan to the noble direction, the absence of an oxidation peak up to 3 V vs. Li/Li + indicated that the air-formed oxide layer of Al was not reduced to metal. Oxide-free Al surfaces made by the in situ scratch test during the electrochemical polarization resulted in abrupt alloy formation with Li at 0 V vs. Li/Li +, but the newly formed surface formed passive films at higher potential with oxygen, namely, Al-O compound, as confirmed by ToF-SIMS.

Polycystin-1 Binds Par3/aPKC and Controls Convergent Extension During Renal Tubular Morphogenesis

PubMed Central

Castelli, Maddalena; Boca, Manila; Chiaravalli, Marco; Ramalingam, Harini; Rowe, Isaline; Distefano, Gianfranco; Carroll, Thomas; Boletta, Alessandra

2013-01-01

Several organs, including lungs and kidneys, are formed by epithelial tubes whose proper morphogenesis ensures correct function. This is best exemplified by the kidney, where defective establishment or maintanance of tubular diameter results in polycystic kidney disease, a common genetic disorder. Most polycystic kidney disease cases result from loss-of-function mutations in the PKD1 gene, encoding Polycystin-1 (PC-1), a large receptor of unknown function. Here we demonstrate that PC-1 plays an essential role in establishment of correct tubular diameter during nephron development. PC-1 associates with Par3 favoring the assembly of a pro-polarizing Par3/aPKC complex and it regulates a program of cell polarity important for oriented cell migration and for a convergent extension-like process during tubular morphogenesis. Par3 inactivation in the developing kidney results in defective convergent extension and tubular morphogenesis and in renal cyst formation. Our data define PC-1 as central to cell polarization and to epithelial tube morphogenesis and homeostasis. PMID:24153433

Polycystin-1 binds Par3/aPKC and controls convergent extension during renal tubular morphogenesis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Castelli, Maddalena; Boca, Manila; Chiaravalli, Marco; Ramalingam, Harini; Rowe, Isaline; Distefano, Gianfranco; Carroll, Thomas; Boletta, Alessandra

2013-10-01

Several organs, including the lungs and kidneys, are formed by epithelial tubes whose proper morphogenesis ensures correct function. This is best exemplified by the kidney, where defective establishment or maintenance of tubular diameter results in polycystic kidney disease, a common genetic disorder. Most polycystic kidney disease cases result from loss-of-function mutations in the PKD1 gene, encoding Polycystin-1, a large receptor of unknown function. Here we demonstrate that PC-1 has an essential role in the establishment of correct tubular diameter during nephron development. Polycystin-1 associates with Par3 favouring the assembly of a pro-polarizing Par3/aPKC complex and it regulates a programme of cell polarity important for oriented cell migration and for a convergent extension-like process during tubular morphogenesis. Par3 inactivation in the developing kidney results in defective convergent extension and tubular morphogenesis, and in renal cyst formation. Our data define Polycystin-1 as central to cell polarization and to epithelial tube morphogenesis and homeostasis.

Cortical PAR polarity proteins promote robust cytokinesis during asymmetric cell division

PubMed Central

Jordan, Shawn N.; Davies, Tim; Zhuravlev, Yelena; Dumont, Julien; Shirasu-Hiza, Mimi

2016-01-01

Cytokinesis, the physical division of one cell into two, is thought to be fundamentally similar in most animal cell divisions and driven by the constriction of a contractile ring positioned and controlled solely by the mitotic spindle. During asymmetric cell divisions, the core polarity machinery (partitioning defective [PAR] proteins) controls the unequal inheritance of key cell fate determinants. Here, we show that in asymmetrically dividing Caenorhabditis elegans embryos, the cortical PAR proteins (including the small guanosine triphosphatase CDC-42) have an active role in regulating recruitment of a critical component of the contractile ring, filamentous actin (F-actin). We found that the cortical PAR proteins are required for the retention of anillin and septin in the anterior pole, which are cytokinesis proteins that our genetic data suggest act as inhibitors of F-actin at the contractile ring. Collectively, our results suggest that the cortical PAR proteins coordinate the establishment of cell polarity with the physical process of cytokinesis during asymmetric cell division to ensure the fidelity of daughter cell formation. PMID:26728855

Pattern formation in a liquid-crystal light valve with feedback, including polarization, saturation, and internal threshold effects

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Neubecker, R.; Oppo, G.-L.; Thuering, B.; Tschudi, T.

1995-07-01

The use of liquid-crystal light valves (LCLV's) as nonlinear elements in diffractive optical systems with feedback leads to the formation of a variety of optical patterns. The spectrum of possible spatial instabilities is shown to be even richer when the LCLV's capability for polarization modulation is utilized and internal threshold and saturation effects are considered. We derive a model for the feedback system based on a realistic description of the LCLV's internal function and coupling to a polarizer. Thresholds of pattern formation are compared to the common Kerr-type approximation and show transitions involving rolls, squares, hexagons, and tiled patterns. Numerical and experimental results confirm our theoretical predictions and unveil how patterns and their typical length scales can be easily controlled by changes of the parameters.

Golgi Positioning

PubMed Central

Yadav, Smita; Linstedt, Adam D.

2011-01-01

The Golgi apparatus in mammalian cells is positioned near the centrosome-based microtubule-organizing center (Fig. 1). Secretory cargo moves inward in membrane carriers for delivery to Golgi membranes in which it is processed and packaged for transport outward to the plasma membrane. Cytoplasmic dynein motor proteins (herein termed dynein) primarily mediate inward cargo carrier movement and Golgi positioning. These motors move along microtubules toward microtubule minus-ends embedded in centrosomes. Centripetal motility is controlled by a host of regulators whose precise functions remain to be determined. Significantly, a specific Golgi receptor for dynein has not been identified. This has impaired progress toward elucidation of membrane-motor-microtubule attachment in the periphery and, after inward movement, recycling of the motor for another round. Pericentrosomal positioning of the Golgi apparatus is dynamic. It is regulated during critical cellular processes such as mitosis, differentiation, cell polarization, and cell migration. Positioning is also important as it aligns the Golgi along an axis of cell polarity. In certain cell types, this promotes secretion directed to the proximal plasma membrane domain thereby maintaining specializations critical for diverse processes including wound healing, immunological synapse formation, and axon determination. PMID:21504874

Unified interpretation of exciplex formation and marcus electron transfer on the basis of two-dimensional free energy surfaces.

PubMed

Murata, Shigeo; Tachiya, M

2007-09-27

The mechanism of exciplex formation proposed in a previous paper has been refined to show how exciplex formation and Marcus electron transfer (ET) in fluorescence quenching are related to each other. This was done by making simple calculations of the free energies of the initial (DA*) and final (D+A-) states of ET. First it was shown that the decrease in D-A distance can induce intermolecular ET even in nonpolar solvents where solvent orientational polarization is absent, and that it leads to exciplex formation. This is consistent with experimental results that exciplex is most often observed in nonpolar solvents. The calculation was then extended to ET in polar solvents where the free energies are functions of both D-A distance and solvent orientational polarization. This enabled us to discuss both exciplex formation and Marcus ET in the same D-A pair and solvent on the basis of 2-dimensional free energy surfaces. The surfaces contain more information about the rates of these reactions, the mechanism of fluorescence quenching by ET, etc., than simple reaction schemes. By changing the parameters such as the free energy change of reaction, solvent dielectric constants, etc., one can construct the free energy surfaces for various systems. The effects of free energy change of reaction and of solvent polarity on the mechanism and relative importance of exciplex formation and Marcus ET in fluorescence quenching can be well explained. The free energy surface will also be useful for discussion of other phenomena related to ET reactions.

Active polarization descattering.

PubMed

Treibitz, Tali; Schechner, Yoav Y

2009-03-01

Vision in scattering media is important but challenging. Images suffer from poor visibility due to backscattering and attenuation. Most prior methods for scene recovery use active illumination scanners (structured and gated), which can be slow and cumbersome, while natural illumination is inapplicable to dark environments. The current paper addresses the need for a non-scanning recovery method, that uses active scene irradiance. We study the formation of images under widefield artificial illumination. Based on the formation model, the paper presents an approach for recovering the object signal. It also yields rough information about the 3D scene structure. The approach can work with compact, simple hardware, having active widefield, polychromatic polarized illumination. The camera is fitted with a polarization analyzer. Two frames of the scene are taken, with different states of the analyzer or polarizer. A recovery algorithm follows the acquisition. It allows both the backscatter and the object reflection to be partially polarized. It thus unifies and generalizes prior polarization-based methods, which had assumed exclusive polarization of either of these components. The approach is limited to an effective range, due to image noise and illumination falloff. Thus, the limits and noise sensitivity are analyzed. We demonstrate the approach in underwater field experiments.

Polarity control of GaN epitaxial films grown on LiGaO2(001) substrates and its mechanism.

PubMed

Zheng, Yulin; Wang, Wenliang; Li, Xiaochan; Li, Yuan; Huang, Liegen; Li, Guoqiang

2017-08-16

The polarity of GaN epitaxial films grown on LiGaO 2 (001) substrates by pulsed laser deposition has been well controlled. It is experimentally proved that the GaN epitaxial films grown on nitrided LiGaO 2 (001) substrates reveal Ga-polarity, while the GaN epitaxial films grown on non-nitrided LiGaO 2 (001) substrates show N-polarity. The growth mechanisms for these two cases are systematically studied by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. Theoretical calculation presents that the adsorption of a Ga atom preferentially occurs at the center of three N atoms stacked on the nitrided LiGaO 2 (001) substrates, which leads to the formation of Ga-polarity GaN. Whereas the adsorption of a Ga atom preferentially deposits at the top of a N atom stacked on the non-nitrided LiGaO 2 (001) substrates, which results in the formation of N-polarity GaN. This work of controlling the polarity of GaN epitaxial films is of paramount importance for the fabrication of group-III nitride devices for various applications.

Human eccrine sweat gland cells reconstitute polarized spheroids when subcutaneously implanted with Matrigel in nude mice.

PubMed

Li, Haihong; Zhang, Mingjun; Chen, Liyun; Li, Xuexue; Zhang, Bingna

2016-10-01

Increasing evidence indicates that maintenance of cell polarity plays a pivotal role in the regulation of glandular homeostasis and function. We examine the markers for polarity at different time points to investigate the formation of cell polarity during 3D reconstitution of eccrine sweat glands. Mixtures of eccrine sweat gland cells and Matrigel were injected subcutaneously into the inguinal regions of nude mice. At 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 weeks post-implantation, Matrigel plugs were removed and immunostained for basal collagen IV, lateral β-catenin, lateroapical ZO-1 and apical F-actin. The results showed that the cell polarity of the spheroids appeared in sequence. Formation of basal polarity was prior to lateral, apical and lateroapical polarity. Collagen IV was detected basally at 2 weeks, β-catenin laterally and ZO-1 lateroapically at 3 weeks, and F-actin apically at 4 weeks post-implantation. At week 5 and week 6, the localization and the positive percentage of collagen IV, β-catenin, ZO-1 or F-actin in spheroids was similar to that in native eccrine sweat glands. We conclude that the reconstituted 3D eccrine sweat glands are functional or potentially functional.

The Seismic Tool-Kit (STK): an open source software for seismology and signal processing.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reymond, Dominique

2016-04-01

We present an open source software project (GNU public license), named STK: Seismic ToolKit, that is dedicated mainly for seismology and signal processing. The STK project that started in 2007, is hosted by SourceForge.net, and count more than 19 500 downloads at the date of writing. The STK project is composed of two main branches: First, a graphical interface dedicated to signal processing (in the SAC format (SAC_ASCII and SAC_BIN): where the signal can be plotted, zoomed, filtered, integrated, derivated, ... etc. (a large variety of IFR and FIR filter is proposed). The estimation of spectral density of the signal are performed via the Fourier transform, with visualization of the Power Spectral Density (PSD) in linear or log scale, and also the evolutive time-frequency representation (or sonagram). The 3-components signals can be also processed for estimating their polarization properties, either for a given window, or either for evolutive windows along the time. This polarization analysis is useful for extracting the polarized noises, differentiating P waves, Rayleigh waves, Love waves, ... etc. Secondly, a panel of Utilities-Program are proposed for working in a terminal mode, with basic programs for computing azimuth and distance in spherical geometry, inter/auto-correlation, spectral density, time-frequency for an entire directory of signals, focal planes, and main components axis, radiation pattern of P waves, Polarization analysis of different waves (including noize), under/over-sampling the signals, cubic-spline smoothing, and linear/non linear regression analysis of data set. A MINimum library of Linear AlGebra (MIN-LINAG) is also provided for computing the main matrix process like: QR/QL decomposition, Cholesky solve of linear system, finding eigen value/eigen vectors, QR-solve/Eigen-solve of linear equations systems ... etc. STK is developed in C/C++, mainly under Linux OS, and it has been also partially implemented under MS-Windows. Usefull links: http://sourceforge.net/projects/seismic-toolkit/ http://sourceforge.net/p/seismic-toolkit/wiki/browse_pages/

Formation of Electron Strings in Narrow Band Polar Semiconductors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kusmartsev, F. V.

2000-01-01

We show that linear electron strings may arise in polar semiconductors. A single string consists of M spinless fermions trapped by an extended polarization well of a cigar shape. Inside the string the particles are free although they interact with each other via Coulomb forces. The strings arise as a result of an electronic phase separation associated with an instability of small adiabatic polarons. We have found the length of the string which depends on dielectric constants of semiconductors. The appearance of these electron strings may have an impact on the effect of stripe formation observed in a variety of high- Tc experiments.

The Roles of the Wnt-Antagonists Axin and Lrp4 during Embryogenesis of the Red Flour Beetle Tribolium castaneum

PubMed Central

Prühs, Romy

2017-01-01

In both vertebrates and invertebrates, the Wnt-signaling pathway is essential for numerous processes in embryogenesis and during adult life. Wnt activity is fine-tuned at various levels by the interplay of a number of Wnt-agonists (Wnt ligands, Frizzled-receptors, Lrp5/6 coreceptors) and Wnt-antagonists (among them Axin, Secreted frizzled and Lrp4) to define anterior–posterior polarity of the early embryo and specify cell fate in organogenesis. So far, the functional analysis of Wnt-pathway components in insects has concentrated on the roles of Wnt-agonists and on the Wnt-antagonist Axin. We depict here additional features of the Wnt-antagonist Axin in the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum. We show that Tc-axin is dynamically expressed throughout embryogenesis and confirm its essential role in head development. In addition, we describe an as yet undetected, more extreme Tc-axin RNAi-phenotype, the ectopic formation of posterior abdominal segments in reverse polarity and a second hindgut at the anterior. For the first time, we describe here that an lrp4 ortholog is involved in axis formation in an insect. The Tribolium Lrp4 ortholog is ubiquitously expressed throughout embryogenesis. Its downregulation via maternal RNAi results in the reduction of head structures but not in axis polarity reversal. Furthermore, segmentation is impaired and larvae develop with a severe gap-phenotype. We conclude that, as in vertebrates, Tc-lrp4 functions as a Wnt-inhibitor in Tribolium during various stages of embryogenesis. We discuss the role of both components as negative modulators of Wnt signaling in respect to axis formation and segmentation in Tribolium. PMID:29615567

Low-energy positron scattering upon endohedrals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amusia, M. Ya.; Chernysheva, L. V.

2017-07-01

We investigate positron scattering upon endohedrals and compare it with electron-endohedral scattering. We show that the polarization of the fullerene shell considerably alters the polarization potential of an atom, stuffed inside a fullerene. This essentially affects both the positron and electron elastic scattering phases as well as corresponding cross sections. Of great importance is also the interaction between the incoming positron and the target electrons that leads to formation of the virtual positronium P˜s. We illustrate the general trend by concrete examples of positron and electron scattering upon endohedrals He@C60 and Ar@C60, and compare it to scattering upon fullerene C60. To obtain the presented results, we have employed new simplified approaches that permit to incorporate the effect of fullerenes polarizability into the He@C60 and Ar@C60 polarization potential and to take into account the virtual positronium formation. Using these approaches, we obtained numeric results that show strong variations in shape and magnitudes of scattering phases and cross sections due to effect of endohedral polarization and P˜s formation.

Optical chirality in AgCl-Ag thin films through formation of laser-induced planar crossed-chain nanostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nahal, Arashmid; Kashani, Somayeh

2017-09-01

Irradiation of AgCl-Ag thin films by a linearly polarized He-Ne laser beam results in the formation of self-organized periodic nanostructures. As a result of secondary irradiation of the initially exposed sample by the same linearly polarized He-Ne laser beam, but with different orientations of polarization, a complex crossed-chain nanostructure forms. We found that such a complex nanostructure has noticeable chirality and increased optical anisotropy, resulting in optical activity of the sample. Double exposure produces two gratings, crossing each other with angle α, which leads to the formation of crossed building blocks with chiroptical effects. It is established that the amount and the sign of the angle between the two laser-induced gratings (±α) determine the amount and the direction of rotation of the linearly polarized probe beam, respectively. We have also observed an induced anisotropy-dependent ellipticity for the probe light, which is passed through the sample. It is shown that the amount of ellipticity depends on the angle α.

Persistence of the cell-cycle checkpoint kinase Wee1 in SadA- and SadB-deficient neurons disrupts neuronal polarity.

PubMed

Müller, Myriam; Lutter, Daniela; Püschel, Andreas W

2010-01-15

Wee1 is well characterized as a cell-cycle checkpoint kinase that regulates the entry into mitosis in dividing cells. Here we identify a novel function of Wee1 in postmitotic neurons during the establishment of distinct axonal and dendritic compartments, which is an essential step during neuronal development. Wee1 is expressed in unpolarized neurons but is downregulated after neurons have extended an axon. Suppression of Wee1 impairs the formation of minor neurites but does not interfere with axon formation. However, neuronal polarity is disrupted when neurons fail to downregulate Wee1. The kinases SadA and SadB (Sad kinases) phosphorylate Wee1 and are required to initiate its downregulation in polarized neurons. Wee1 expression persists in neurons that are deficient in SadA and SadB and disrupts neuronal polarity. Knockdown of Wee1 rescues the Sada(-/-);Sadb(-/-) mutant phenotype and restores normal polarity in these neurons. Our results demonstrate that the regulation of Wee1 by SadA and SadB kinases is essential for the differentiation of polarized neurons.

Optimization of light polarization sensitivity in QWIP detectors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Berurier, Arnaud; Nedelcu, Alexandru

2013-07-01

The current development of QWIPs (Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors) at III-V Lab led to the production of 20 μm pitch, mid-format and full TV-format LWIR starring arrays with excellent performances, uniformity and stability. At the present time III-V Lab, together with TOL (Thales Optronics Ltd.) and SOFRADIR (Société Française de Détecteurs Infrarouges), work on the demonstration of a 20 μm pitch, 640 × 512 LWIR focal plane array (FPA) which detects the incident IR light polarization. Manufactured objects present a strong linear polarization signature in thermal emission. It is of high interest to achieve a detector able to measure precisely the degree of linear polarization, in order to distinguish artificial and natural objects in the observed scene. In this paper, we present a theoretical investigation of the optical coupling in polarization sensitive pixels. The QWIP modeling is performed by the Finite Difference Time Domain (FDTD) method. The aim is to optimize the sensitivity to light polarization as well as the performance of the detector.

Combover/CG10732, a Novel PCP Effector for Drosophila Wing Hair Formation

PubMed Central

Fagan, Jeremy K.; Dollar, Gretchen; Lu, Qiuheng; Barnett, Austen; Pechuan Jorge, Joaquin; Schlosser, Andreas; Pfleger, Cathie; Adler, Paul; Jenny, Andreas

2014-01-01

The polarization of cells is essential for the proper functioning of most organs. Planar Cell Polarity (PCP), the polarization within the plane of an epithelium, is perpendicular to apical-basal polarity and established by the non-canonical Wnt/Fz-PCP signaling pathway. Within each tissue, downstream PCP effectors link the signal to tissue specific readouts such as stereocilia orientation in the inner ear and hair follicle orientation in vertebrates or the polarization of ommatidia and wing hairs in Drosophila melanogaster. Specific PCP effectors in the wing such as Multiple wing hairs (Mwh) and Rho Kinase (Rok) are required to position the hair at the correct position and to prevent ectopic actin hairs. In a genome-wide screen in vitro, we identified Combover (Cmb)/CG10732 as a novel Rho kinase substrate. Overexpression of Cmb causes the formation of a multiple hair cell phenotype (MHC), similar to loss of rok and mwh. This MHC phenotype is dominantly enhanced by removal of rok or of other members of the PCP effector gene family. Furthermore, we show that Cmb physically interacts with Mwh, and cmb null mutants suppress the MHC phenotype of mwh alleles. Our data indicate that Cmb is a novel PCP effector that promotes to wing hair formation, a function that is antagonized by Mwh. PMID:25207969

Formation of negative hydrogen ion: polarization electron capture and nonthermal shielding.

PubMed

Ki, Dae-Han; Jung, Young-Dae

2012-09-07

The influence of the nonthermal shielding on the formation of the negative hydrogen ion (H(-)) by the polarization electron capture are investigated in partially ionized generalized Lorentzian plasmas. The Bohr-Lindhard method has been applied to obtain the negative hydrogen formation radius and cross section as functions of the collision energy, de Broglie wave length, Debye length, impact parameter, and spectral index of the plasma. The result shows that the nonthermal character of the plasma enhances the formation radius of the negative hydrogen, especially, for small Debye radii. It is found that the nonthermal effect increases the formation cross section of the negative hydrogen. It is also found that the maximum position of the formation cross section approaches to the collision center with an increase of the spectral index. In addition, it is found that the formation cross section significantly decreases with an increase of the Debye length, especially, for small spectral indices.

Cytoskeleton and gravity at work in the establishment of dorso-ventral polarity in the egg of Xenopus laevis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ubbels, Geertje A.; Brom, Tim G.

The establishment of polarities during early embryogenesis is essential for normal development. Amphibian eggs are appropriate models for studies on embryonic pattern formation. The animal-vegetal axis of the axially symmetrical amphibian egg originates during oogenesis and foreshadows the main body axis of the embryo. The dorso-ventral polarity is epigenetically established before first cleavage. Recent experiments strongly suggest that in the monospermic eggs of the anuran Xenopus laevis both the cytoskeleton and gravity act in the determination of the dorso-ventral polarity. In order to test the role of gravity in this process, eggs will be fertilized under microgravity conditions during the SL-D1 flight in 1985. In a fully automatic experiment container eggs will be kept under well-defined conditions and artificially fertilized as soon as microgravity is reached; eggs and embryos at different stages will then be fixed for later examination. Back on earth the material will be analysed and we will know whether fertilization under microgravity conditions is possible. If so, the relation of the dorso-ventral axis to the former sperm entry point will be determined on the whole embryos; in addition eggs and embryos will be analysed cytologically.

Nonlinear waves in viscoelastic magnetized complex astroplasmas with polarized dust-charge variations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Das, Papari; Karmakar, Pralay Kumar

2018-01-01

A nonextensive nonthermal magnetized viscoelastic astrofluid, compositionally containing nonthermal electrons and ions together with massive polarized dust micro-spherical grains of variable electric charge, is allowed to endure weakly nonlinear perturbation around its equilibrium. The nonextensivity originating from the large-scale non-local effects is included via the Tsallis thermo-statistical distribution laws describing the lighter species. Assuming the equilibrium as a homogeneous hydrostatic one, the dust polarization effects are incorporated via the conventional homogeneous polarization force law. The perturbed fluid model evolves as a unique conjugate pair of coupled extended Korteweg-de Vries (e-KdV) equations. A constructed numerical tapestry shows the collective excitations of a new pair of distinct classes of nonlinear mode structures in new parametric space. The first family indicates periodic electrostatic compressive eigenmodes in the form of soliton-chains. Likewise, the second one reveals gravitational rarefactive solitary patterns. Their microphysical multi-parametric dependencies of the eigen-patterns are illustratively analyzed and bolstered. The paper ends up with some promising implications and applications in the astro-cosmo-plasmic context of wave-induced accretive triggering processes responsible for gravitationally bounded (gravito-condensed) astro-structure formation, such as stellesimals, planetsimals, etc.

Liposome formation in microgravity.

PubMed

Claassen, D E; Spooner, B S

1996-01-01

Liposomes are artificial vesicles with a phospholipid bilayer membrane. The formation of liposomes is a self-assembly process that is driven by the amphipathic nature of phospholipid molecules and can be observed during the removal of detergent from phospholipids dissolved in detergent micelles. As detergent concentration in the mixed micelles decreases, the non-polar tail regions of phospholipids produce a hydrophobic effect that drives the micelles to fuse and form planar bilayers in which phospholipids orient with tail regions to the center of the bilayer and polar head regions to the external surface. Remaining detergent molecules shield exposed edges of the bilayer sheet from the aqueous environment. Further removal of detergent leads to intramembrane folding and membrane folding and membrane vesiculation, forming liposomes. We have observed that the formation of liposomes is altered in microgravity. Liposomes that were formed at 1-g did not exceed 150 nm in diameter, whereas liposomes that were formed during spaceflight exhibited diameters up to 2000 nm. Using detergent-stabilized planar bilayers, we determined that the stage of liposome formation most influenced by gravity is membrane vesiculation. In addition, we found that small, equipment-induced fluid disturbances increased vesiculation and negated the size-enhancing effects of microgravity. However, these small disturbances had no effect on liposome size at 1-g, likely due to the presence of gravity-induced buoyancy-driven fluid flows (e.g., convection currents). Our results indicate that fluid disturbances, induced by gravity, influence the vesiculation of membranes and limit the diameter of forming liposomes.

Liposome formation in microgravity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Claassen, D. E.; Spooner, B. S.

Liposomes are artificial vesicles with a phospholipid bilayer membrane. The formation of liposomes is a self-assembly process that is driven by the amphipathic nature of phospholipid molecules and can be observed during the removal of detergent from phospholipids dissolved in detergent micelles. As detergent concentration in the mixed micelles decreases, the non-polar tail regions of phospholipids produce a hydrophobic effect that drives the micelles to fuse and form planar bilayers in which phospholipids orient with tail regions to the center of the bilayer and polar head regions to the external surface. Remaining detergent molecules shield exposed edges of the bilayer sheet from the aqueous environment. Further removal of detergent leads to intramembrane folding and membrane vesiculation, forming liposomes. We have observed that the formation of liposomes is altered in microgravity. Liposomes that were formed at 1-g did not exceed 150 nm in diameter, whereas liposomes that were formed during spaceflight exhibited diameters up to 2000 nm. Using detergent-stabilized planar bilayers, we determined that the stage of liposome formation most influenced by gravity is membrane vesiculation. In addition, we found that small, equipment-induced fluid disturbances increased vesiculation and negated the size-enhancing effects of microgravity. However, these small disturbances had no effect on liposome size at 1-g, likely due to the presence of gravity-induced buoyancy-driven fluid flows (e.g., convection currents). Our results indicate that fluid disturbances, induced by gravity, influence the vesiculation of membranes and limit the diameter of forming liposomes.

9+ Years of CALIOP PSC Data: An Evolving Climatology

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pitts, Michael C.; Poole, Lamont R.

2015-01-01

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) play key roles in the springtime chemical depletion of ozone at high latitudes. PSC particles provide sites for heterogeneous chemical reactions that transform stable chlorine and bromine reservoir species into highly reactive ozone-destructive forms. Furthermore, large nitric acid trihydrate (NAT) PSC particles can irreversibly redistribute odd nitrogen through gravitational sedimentation, which prolongs the ozone depletion process by slowing the reformation of the stable chlorine reservoirs. However, there are still significant gaps in our understanding of PSC processes, particularly concerning the details of NAT particle formation. Spaceborne observations from the CALIOP (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) lidar on the CALIPSO (Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observations) satellite are providing a rich new dataset for studying PSCs on unprecedented vortex-wide scales. In this paper, we examine the vertical and spatial distribution of PSCs in the Antarctic and Arctic on vortex-wide scales for entire PSC seasons over the more than nine-year data record.

Planar cell polarity signaling coordinates oriented cell division and cell rearrangement in clonally expanding growth plate cartilage.

PubMed

Li, Yuwei; Li, Ang; Junge, Jason; Bronner, Marianne

2017-10-10

Both oriented cell divisions and cell rearrangements are critical for proper embryogenesis and organogenesis. However, little is known about how these two cellular events are integrated. Here we examine the linkage between these processes in chick limb cartilage. By combining retroviral-based multicolor clonal analysis with live imaging, the results show that single chondrocyte precursors can generate both single-column and multi-column clones through oriented division followed by cell rearrangements. Focusing on single column formation, we show that this stereotypical tissue architecture is established by a pivot-like process between sister cells. After mediolateral cell division, N-cadherin is enriched in the post-cleavage furrow; then one cell pivots around the other, resulting in stacking into a column. Perturbation analyses demonstrate that planar cell polarity signaling enables cells to pivot in the direction of limb elongation via this N-cadherin-mediated coupling. Our work provides new insights into the mechanisms generating appropriate tissue architecture of limb skeleton.

Planar cell polarity signaling coordinates oriented cell division and cell rearrangement in clonally expanding growth plate cartilage

PubMed Central

Li, Yuwei; Li, Ang; Junge, Jason

2017-01-01

Both oriented cell divisions and cell rearrangements are critical for proper embryogenesis and organogenesis. However, little is known about how these two cellular events are integrated. Here we examine the linkage between these processes in chick limb cartilage. By combining retroviral-based multicolor clonal analysis with live imaging, the results show that single chondrocyte precursors can generate both single-column and multi-column clones through oriented division followed by cell rearrangements. Focusing on single column formation, we show that this stereotypical tissue architecture is established by a pivot-like process between sister cells. After mediolateral cell division, N-cadherin is enriched in the post-cleavage furrow; then one cell pivots around the other, resulting in stacking into a column. Perturbation analyses demonstrate that planar cell polarity signaling enables cells to pivot in the direction of limb elongation via this N-cadherin-mediated coupling. Our work provides new insights into the mechanisms generating appropriate tissue architecture of limb skeleton. PMID:28994649

Droplet heteroepitaxy of zinc-blende vs. wurtzite GaN quantum dots

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reese, C.; Jeon, S.; Hill, T.; Jones, C.; Shusterman, S.; Yacoby, Y.; Clarke, R.; Deng, H.; Goldman, Rs

We have developed a GaN droplet heteroepitaxy process based upon plasma-assisted molecular-beam epitaxy. Using various surface treatments and Ga deposition parameters, we have demonstrated polycrystalline, zinc-blende (ZB), and wurtzite (WZ) GaN quantum dots (QDs) on Si(001), r-Al2O3, Si(111), and c-GaN substrates. For the polar substrates (i.e. Si(111) and c-GaN), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and coherent Bragg rod analysis reveals the formation of coherent WZ GaN QDs with nitridation-temperature-dependent sizes and densities. For the non-polar substrates (i.e. Si(001) and r-Al2O3) , QDs with strong near-band photoluminescence emission are observed and ZB GaN QD growth on Si(001) is demonstrated for the first time.

Studies on the Inhibition of Mild Steel Corrosion by Rauvolfia serpentina in Acid Media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bothi Raja, P.; Sethuraman, M. G.

2010-07-01

Alkaloid extract of Rauvolfia serpentina was tested as corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in 1 M HCl and H2SO4 using weight loss method at three different temperatures, viz., 303, 313, and 323 K, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies. It is evident from the results of this study that R. serpentina effectively inhibits the corrosion in both the acids through adsorption process following Tempkin adsorption isotherm. The protection efficiency increased with increase in inhibitor concentration and temperature. Free energy of adsorption calculated from the temperature studies also revealed the chemisorption. The mixed mode of action exhibited by the inhibitor was confirmed by the polarization studies while SEM analysis substantiated the formation of protective layer over the mild steel surface.

The Aeromonas caviae AHA0618 gene modulates cell length and influences swimming and swarming motility

PubMed Central

Lowry, Rebecca C; Parker, Jennifer L; Kumbhar, Ramhari; Mesnage, Stephane; Shaw, Jonathan G; Stafford, Graham P

2015-01-01

Aeromonas caviae is motile via a polar flagellum in liquid culture, with a lateral flagella system used for swarming on solid surfaces. The polar flagellum also has a role in cellular adherence and biofilm formation. The two subunits of the polar flagellum, FlaA and FlaB, are posttranslationally modified by O-linked glycosylation with pseudaminic acid on 6–8 serine and threonine residues within the central region of these proteins. This modification is essential for the formation of the flagellum. Aeromonas caviae possesses the simplest set of genes required for bacterial glycosylation currently known, with the putative glycosyltransferase, Maf1, being described recently. Here, we investigated the role of the AHA0618 gene, which shares homology (37% at the amino acid level) with the central region of a putative deglycosylation enzyme (HP0518) from the human pathogen Helicobacter pylori, which also glycosylates its flagellin and is proposed to be part of a flagellin deglycosylation pathway. Phenotypic analysis of an AHA0618 A. caviae mutant revealed increased swimming and swarming motility compared to the wild-type strain but without any detectable effects on the glycosylation status of the polar flagellins when analyzed by western blot analysis or mass spectroscopy. Bioinformatic analysis of the protein AHA0618, demonstrated homology to a family of l,d-transpeptidases involved in cell wall biology and peptidoglycan cross-linking (YkuD-like). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence microscopy analysis of the wild-type and AHA0618-mutant A. caviae strains revealed the mutant to be subtly but significantly shorter than wild-type cells; a phenomenon that could be recovered when either AHA0618 or H. pylori HP0518 were introduced. We can therefore conclude that AHA0618 does not affect A. caviae behavior by altering polar flagellin glycosylation levels but is likely to have a role in peptidoglycan processing at the bacterial cell wall, consequently altering cell length and hence influencing motility. PMID:25515520

Stabilization of Polar Nanoregions in Pb-free Ferroelectrics

DOE PAGES

Pramanick, A.; Dmowski, Wojciech; Egami, Takeshi; ...

2018-05-18

In this study, the formation of polar nanoregions through solid-solution additions is known to enhance significantly the functional properties of ferroelectric materials. Despite considerable progress in characterizing the microscopic behavior of polar nanoregions (PNR), understanding their real-space atomic structure and dynamics of their formation remains a considerable challenge. Here, using the method of dynamic pair distribution function, we provide direct insights into the role of solid-solution additions towards the stabilization of polar nanoregions in the Pb-free ferroelectric of Ba(Zr,Ti)O 3. It is shown that for an optimum level of substitution of Ti by larger Zr ions, the dynamics of atomicmore » displacements for ferroelectric polarization are slowed sufficiently below THz frequencies, which leads to increased local correlation among dipoles within PNRs. The dynamic pair distribution function technique demonstrates a unique capability to obtain insights into locally correlated atomic dynamics in disordered materials, including new Pb-free ferroelectrics, which is necessary to understand and control their functional properties.« less

Shock structures in a strongly coupled self-gravitating opposite-polarity dust plasma

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mamun, A. A.; Schlickeiser, R.

2016-03-15

A strongly coupled, self-gravitating, opposite-polarity dust plasma (containing strongly coupled inertial positive and negative dust fluids, and inertialess weakly coupled ions) is considered. The generalized hydrodynamic model and the reductive perturbation method are employed to examine the possibility for the formation of the dust-acoustic (DA) shock structures in such an opposite-polarity dust plasma. It has been shown that the strong correlation among charged dust is a source of dissipation and is responsible for the formation of the DA shock structures in such the opposite-polarity dust plasma medium. The parametric regimes for the existence of the DA shock structures (associated withmore » electrostatic and gravitational potentials) and their basic properties (viz., polarity, amplitude, width, and speed) are found to be significantly modified by the combined effects of positively charged dust component, self-gravitational field, and strong correlation among charged dust. The implications of our results in different space plasma environments and laboratory plasma devices are briefly discussed.« less

Stabilization of Polar Nanoregions in Pb-free Ferroelectrics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pramanick, A.; Dmowski, W.; Egami, T.; Budisuharto, A. Setiadi; Weyland, F.; Novak, N.; Christianson, A. D.; Borreguero, J. M.; Abernathy, D. L.; Jørgensen, M. R. V.

2018-05-01

The formation of polar nanoregions through solid-solution additions is known to enhance significantly the functional properties of ferroelectric materials. Despite considerable progress in characterizing the microscopic behavior of polar nanoregions (PNR), understanding their real-space atomic structure and dynamics of their formation remains a considerable challenge. Here, using the method of dynamic pair distribution function, we provide direct insights into the role of solid-solution additions towards the stabilization of polar nanoregions in the Pb-free ferroelectric of Ba (Zr ,Ti )O3 . It is shown that for an optimum level of substitution of Ti by larger Zr ions, the dynamics of atomic displacements for ferroelectric polarization are slowed sufficiently below THz frequencies, which leads to increased local correlation among dipoles within PNRs. The dynamic pair distribution function technique demonstrates a unique capability to obtain insights into locally correlated atomic dynamics in disordered materials, including new Pb-free ferroelectrics, which is necessary to understand and control their functional properties.

Stabilization of Polar Nanoregions in Pb-free Ferroelectrics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Pramanick, A.; Dmowski, Wojciech; Egami, Takeshi

In this study, the formation of polar nanoregions through solid-solution additions is known to enhance significantly the functional properties of ferroelectric materials. Despite considerable progress in characterizing the microscopic behavior of polar nanoregions (PNR), understanding their real-space atomic structure and dynamics of their formation remains a considerable challenge. Here, using the method of dynamic pair distribution function, we provide direct insights into the role of solid-solution additions towards the stabilization of polar nanoregions in the Pb-free ferroelectric of Ba(Zr,Ti)O 3. It is shown that for an optimum level of substitution of Ti by larger Zr ions, the dynamics of atomicmore » displacements for ferroelectric polarization are slowed sufficiently below THz frequencies, which leads to increased local correlation among dipoles within PNRs. The dynamic pair distribution function technique demonstrates a unique capability to obtain insights into locally correlated atomic dynamics in disordered materials, including new Pb-free ferroelectrics, which is necessary to understand and control their functional properties.« less

Polarized radiance distribution measurement of skylight. II. Experiment and data.

PubMed

Liu, Y; Voss, K

1997-11-20

Measurements of the skylight polarized radiance distribution were performed at different measurement sites, atmospheric conditions, and three wavelengths with our newly developed Polarization Radiance Distribution Camera System (RADS-IIP), an analyzer-type Stokes polarimeter. Three Stokes parameters of skylight (I, Q, U), the degree of polarization, and the plane of polarization are presented in image format. The Arago point and neutral lines have been observed with RADS-IIP. Qualitatively, the dependence of the intensity and polarization data on wavelength, solar zenith angle, and surface albedo is in agreement with the results from computations based on a plane-parallel Rayleigh atmospheric model.

Dielectric controlled excited state relaxation pathways of a representative push-pull stilbene: a mechanistic study using femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion technique.

PubMed

Rafiq, Shahnawaz; Sen, Pratik

2013-02-28

Femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion technique was employed to reinvestigate the intriguing dependence of fluorescence quantum yield of trans-4-dimethylamino-4(')-nitrostilbene (DNS) on dielectric properties of the media. In polar solvents, such as methanol and acetonitrile, the two time components of the fluorescence transients were assigned to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) dynamics and to the depletion of the ICT state to the ground state via internal conversion along the torsional coordinate of nitro moiety. The viscosity independence of the first time component indicates the absence of any torsional coordinate in the charge transfer process. In slightly polar solvent (carbon tetrachloride) the fluorescence transients show a triple exponential behavior. The first time component was assigned to the formation of the ICT state on a 2 ps time scale. Second time component was assigned to the relaxation of the ICT state via two torsion controlled channels. First channel involves the torsional motion about the central double bond leading to the trans-cis isomerization via a conical intersection or avoided crossing. The other channel contributing to the depopulation of ICT state involves the torsional coordinates of dimethylanilino and∕or nitrophenyl moieties and leads to the formation of a conformationally relaxed state, which subsequently relaxes back to the ground state radiatively, and is responsible for the high fluorescence quantum yield of DNS in slightly polar solvents such as carbon tetrachloride, toluene, etc. The excited singlet state which is having a dominant π-π∗ character may also decay via intersystem crossing to the n-π∗ triplet manifold and thus accounts for the observed triplet yield of the molecule in slightly polar solvents.

Dielectric controlled excited state relaxation pathways of a representative push-pull stilbene: A mechanistic study using femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rafiq, Shahnawaz; Sen, Pratik

2013-02-01

Femtosecond fluorescence up-conversion technique was employed to reinvestigate the intriguing dependence of fluorescence quantum yield of trans-4-dimethylamino-4'-nitrostilbene (DNS) on dielectric properties of the media. In polar solvents, such as methanol and acetonitrile, the two time components of the fluorescence transients were assigned to intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) dynamics and to the depletion of the ICT state to the ground state via internal conversion along the torsional coordinate of nitro moiety. The viscosity independence of the first time component indicates the absence of any torsional coordinate in the charge transfer process. In slightly polar solvent (carbon tetrachloride) the fluorescence transients show a triple exponential behavior. The first time component was assigned to the formation of the ICT state on a 2 ps time scale. Second time component was assigned to the relaxation of the ICT state via two torsion controlled channels. First channel involves the torsional motion about the central double bond leading to the trans-cis isomerization via a conical intersection or avoided crossing. The other channel contributing to the depopulation of ICT state involves the torsional coordinates of dimethylanilino and/or nitrophenyl moieties and leads to the formation of a conformationally relaxed state, which subsequently relaxes back to the ground state radiatively, and is responsible for the high fluorescence quantum yield of DNS in slightly polar solvents such as carbon tetrachloride, toluene, etc. The excited singlet state which is having a dominant π-π* character may also decay via intersystem crossing to the n-π* triplet manifold and thus accounts for the observed triplet yield of the molecule in slightly polar solvents.

Electrochemical and in-situ Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic (SERS) study of passive films formed on low-carbon steel in highly alkaline environments

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mancio, Mauricio

In reinforced concrete, a passive layer forms because of the alkaline conditions in the pores of the cement paste, where large concentrations of hydroxides create a solution with pH typically between 12 and 14. The corrosion resistance of the material depends on the characteristics and integrity of the passive film; however, currently very limited information is available about the passive films formed on carbon steel under such conditions. This work presents an electrochemical and in-situ Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic (SERS) study of passive films formed on low-carbon steel in highly alkaline environments. More specifically, the study focuses on the characterization of the films formed on ASTM A36 steel reinforcing bar exposed to aqueous solutions that aim to reproduce the chemistry of the environment typically found within the cement paste. Electrochemical techniques such as cyclic potentiodynamic polarization curves, galvanostatic cathodic polarization and linear polarization resistance were employed, in addition to in-situ Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). The experimental setup was built in a way that SERS experiments could be performed simultaneously with potentiodynamic polarization curves, enabling a detailed analysis of the formation and reduction of the surface films as a function of applied potential. Three solutions with different pH levels were used for the polarization and SERS experiments, namely 0.55M KOH + 0.16M NaOH ([OH-]=0.71), 0.08M KOH + 0.02M NaOH ([OH-]=0.10) and 0.008M KOH + 0.002M NaOH ([OH-]=0.01). Additional NaOH solutions in which the pH was varied from 13 to 9 and the ionic strength from 10 -5 to 10-1 were prepared for a pilot study using linear polarization resistance. Results show that the features observed in the cyclic potentiodynamic polarization curves correlated well with the potential arrests observed in the GCP plots as well as with the changes observed in the SERS spectra, providing valuable information about the formation of passive films on carbon steel in each of the environments studied in this research. Although there are key differences among the films formed in the different solutions tested---particularly regarding their thickness and protectiveness---once the film-formation processes had been completed, generally the films were characterized by an inner layer of Fe(II) and an outer layer of Fe(III). A Fe(OH)2-like species appears consistently as dominating the inner Fe(II) layer, while the outer typically composed mostly by gamma-Fe2O3 and/or gamma-FeOOH. Film thickness varied from about 22 nm to 266 nm depending on the pH of the solution, and decreased as pH was reduced.

Integrable high order UWB pulse photonic generator based on cross phase modulation in a SOA-MZI.

PubMed

Moreno, Vanessa; Rius, Manuel; Mora, José; Muriel, Miguel A; Capmany, José

2013-09-23

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a potentially integrable optical scheme to generate high order UWB pulses. The technique is based on exploiting the cross phase modulation generated in an InGaAsP Mach-Zehnder interferometer containing integrated semiconductor optical amplifiers, and is also adaptable to different pulse modulation formats through an optical processing unit which allows to control of the amplitude, polarity and time delay of the generated taps.

Assessment of laser photobiomodulation and polarized light on the healing of cutaneous wounds on euthyroid and hypothyroid induced rats

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ramalho, Luciana Maria Pedreira; Weyll, Barbara Mayoral Pedroso; da Costa Lino, Maíra Dória M.; Ramalho, Maria Jose Pedreira; Barbosa Pinheiro, Antonio Luis

2010-02-01

The aim of this study was to assess the influence of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or polarized light (PL) in cutaneous wound healing of hypothyroid rats at dosages of 20 or 40J/cm2. Bioestimulatory effects of Laser radiation and Polarized light are recognized alternative therapies to improve healing on systemic disease patients, but their usefulness in the improvement of hypothyroidism healing impairment is uncertain till date. Forty Wistar rats were used in this study. Hypothyroidism was propylthiouracil- induced. Standard excisional cutaneous wounds were created without suturing and LLLT (λ660nm, 30mW, φ 3mm) or PL (λ 400-2000nm, 40mW, φ 10mm) was applied every 48 hours up to seven days on experimental groups. The rats were killed on the eighth day when wound contraction was assessed. The healing features were evaluated by light microscopy (H/E and Sirius Red). The cutaneous wounds of hypothyroid rats showed delayed healing process characterized by reduced thickness of epithelial layers, incipient formation of disorganized collagen fibers and wound contraction to a lesser extent (FISHER, p=0.0276), when compared to the euthyroid group. The use of both the Laser and Polarized Light on hypothyroid rats increased the amount of fibroblasts and the thickness of collagen fibers, especially on the L 20J/cm2 group. Euthyroid rats have still demonstrated more regular collagen fibers pattern than hypothyroid rats. It was therefore concluded that hypothyroidism delays wound healing and both Laser photobiomodulation and Polarized Light at 20j/cm2 dosages had improved the healing process in hypothyroid rats.

Dielectric-spectroscopy approach to ferrofluid nanoparticle clustering induced by an external electric field.

PubMed

Rajnak, Michal; Kurimsky, Juraj; Dolnik, Bystrik; Kopcansky, Peter; Tomasovicova, Natalia; Taculescu-Moaca, Elena Alina; Timko, Milan

2014-09-01

An experimental study of magnetic colloidal particles cluster formation induced by an external electric field in a ferrofluid based on transformer oil is presented. Using frequency domain isothermal dielectric spectroscopy, we study the influence of a test cell electrode separation distance on a low-frequency relaxation process. We consider the relaxation process to be associated with an electric double layer polarization taking place on the particle surface. It has been found that the relaxation maximum considerably shifts towards lower frequencies when conducting the measurements in the test cells with greater electrode separation distances. As the electric field intensity was always kept at a constant value, we propose that the particle cluster formation induced by the external ac electric field accounts for that phenomenon. The increase in the relaxation time is in accordance with the Schwarz theory of electric double layer polarization. In addition, we analyze the influence of a static electric field generated by dc bias voltage on a similar shift in the relaxation maximum position. The variation of the dc electric field for the hysteresis measurements purpose provides understanding of the development of the particle clusters and their decay. Following our results, we emphasize the utility of dielectric spectroscopy as a simple, complementary method for detection and study of clusters of colloidal particles induced by external electric field.

Variable-delay Polarization Modulators (VPMs) for Far-infrared through Millimeter Astronomy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chuss, David T.

2008-01-01

This viewgraph presentation reviews the use of Variable-delay Polarization Modulators (VPMs) for Far-infrared through Millimeter Astronomy. The two science goals are to use polarized emission from the partially-aligned dust that provides a probe of the role of magnetic fields in star formation and to use the polarization of the cosmic microwave background radiation CMB to test theories of the very early universe and provide a probe of fundamental physics.

Spectroscopic studies of multiple charge transfer complexes of p-toluidine with π-acceptor picric acid in different polar solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Neeti; Ahmad, Afaq

2010-04-01

The charge transfer complexes of the donor p-toluidine with π-acceptor picric acid have been studied spectrophotometrically in various solvents such as acetone, ethanol, and methanol at room temperature using absorption spectrophotometer. The results indicate that formation of CTC in less polar solvent is high. The stoichiometry of the complex was found to be 1: 1 ratio by straight line method between donor and acceptor with maximum absorption bands. The data are discussed in terms of formation constant ( K CT), molar extinction coefficient (ɛCT), standard free energy (Δ G°), oscillator strength ( f), transition dipole moment (μEN), resonance energy ( R N) and ionization potential ( I D). The results indicate that the formation constant ( K CT) for the complex were shown to be dependent upon the nature of electron acceptor, donor and polarity of solvents which were used.

Polarization of Sunyaev-Zel'dovich signal due to electron pressure anisotropy in galaxy clusters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khabibullin, I.; Komarov, S.; Churazov, E.; Schekochihin, A.

2018-02-01

We describe polarization of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich (SZ) effect associated with electron pressure anisotropy likely present in the intracluster medium (ICM). The ICM is an astrophysical example of a weakly collisional plasma where the Larmor frequencies of charged particles greatly exceed their collision frequencies. This permits formation of pressure anisotropies, driven by evolving magnetic fields via adiabatic invariance, or by heat fluxes. SZ polarization arises in the process of Compton scattering of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) photons off the thermal ICM electrons due to the difference in the characteristic thermal velocities of the electrons along two mutually orthogonal directions in the sky plane. The signal scales linearly with the optical depth of the region containing large-scale correlated anisotropy, and with the degree of anisotropy itself. It has the same spectral dependence as the polarization induced by cluster motion with respect to the CMB frame (kinematic SZ effect polarization), but can be distinguished by its spatial pattern. For the illustrative case of a galaxy cluster with a cold front, where electron transport is mediated by Coulomb collisions, we estimate the CMB polarization degree at the level of 10-8 (˜10 nK). An increase of the effective electron collisionality due to plasma instabilities will reduce the effect. Such polarization, therefore, may be an independent probe of the electron collisionality in the ICM, which is one of the key properties of a high-β weakly collisional plasma from the point of view of both astrophysics and plasma theory.

Dark material in the polar layered deposits and dunes on Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Herkenhoff, Ken E.; Vasavada, Ashwin R.

1999-07-01

Viking infrared thermal mapping and bistatic radar data suggest that the bulk density of the north polar erg material is much lower than that of the average Martian surface or of dark dunes at lower latitudes. We have derived a thermal inertia of 245-280Jm-2s-1/2K-1(5.9-6.7×10-3calcm-2s-1/2K-1) for the Proctor dune field and 25-150Jm-2s-1/2K-1(0.6-3.6×10-3calcm-2s-1/2K-1) for the north polar erg. The uniqueness of the thermophysical properties of the north polar erg material may be due to a unique polar process that has created them. The visible and near-infrared spectral reflectance of the erg suggests that the dark material may be composed of basalt or ferrous clays. These data are consistent with the dark material being composed of basaltic ash or filamentary sublimate residue (FSR) particles derived from erosion of the layered deposits. Dark dust may be preferentially concentrated at the surface of the layered deposits by the formation of FSR particles upon sublimation of water ice. Further weathering and erosion of these areas of exposed layered deposits may form the dark, saltating material that is found in both polar regions. Dark FSR particles may saltate for great distances before eventually breaking down into dust grains, re-mixing with the global dust reservoir, and being recycled into the polar layered deposits via atmospheric suspension.

Grand Minima and Equatorward Propagation in a Cycling Stellar Convective Dynamo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Augustson, Kyle C.; Brun, Allan Sacha; Miesch, Mark; Toomre, Juri

2015-08-01

The 3-D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Anelastic Spherical Harmonic (ASH) code, using slope-limited diffusion, is employed to capture convective and dynamo processes achieved in a global-scale stellar convection simulation for a model solar-mass star rotating at three times the solar rate. The dynamo generated magnetic fields possesses many time scales, with a prominent polarity cycle occurring roughly every 6.2 years. The magnetic field forms large-scale toroidal wreaths, whose formation is tied to the low Rossby number of the convection in this simulation. The polarity reversals are linked to the weakened differential rotation and a resistive collapse of the large-scale magnetic field. An equatorial migration of the magnetic field is seen, which is due to the strong modulation of the differential rotation rather than a dynamo wave. A poleward migration of magnetic flux from the equator eventually leads to the reversal of the polarity of the high-latitude magnetic field. This simulation also enters an interval with reduced magnetic energy at low latitudes lasting roughly 16 years (about 2.5 polarity cycles), during which the polarity cycles are disrupted and after which the dynamo recovers its regular polarity cycles. An analysis of this grand minimum reveals that it likely arises through the interplay of symmetric and antisymmetric dynamo families. This intermittent dynamo state potentially results from the simulations relatively low magnetic Prandtl number. A mean-field-based analysis of this dynamo simulation demonstrates that it is of the α-Ω type. The time scales that appear to be relevant to the magnetic polarity reversal are also identified.

Grand Minima and Equatorward Propagation in a Cycling Stellar Convective Dynamo

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Augustson, Kyle; Brun, Allan Sacha; Miesch, Mark; Toomre, Juri

2015-08-01

The 3D MHD Anelastic Spherical Harmonic code, using slope-limited diffusion, is employed to capture convective and dynamo processes achieved in a global-scale stellar convection simulation for a model solar-mass star rotating at three times the solar rate. The dynamo-generated magnetic fields possesses many timescales, with a prominent polarity cycle occurring roughly every 6.2 years. The magnetic field forms large-scale toroidal wreaths, whose formation is tied to the low Rossby number of the convection in this simulation. The polarity reversals are linked to the weakened differential rotation and a resistive collapse of the large-scale magnetic field. An equatorial migration of the magnetic field is seen, which is due to the strong modulation of the differential rotation rather than a dynamo wave. A poleward migration of magnetic flux from the equator eventually leads to the reversal of the polarity of the high-latitude magnetic field. This simulation also enters an interval with reduced magnetic energy at low latitudes lasting roughly 16 years (about 2.5 polarity cycles), during which the polarity cycles are disrupted and after which the dynamo recovers its regular polarity cycles. An analysis of this grand minimum reveals that it likely arises through the interplay of symmetric and antisymmetric dynamo families. This intermittent dynamo state potentially results from the simulation’s relatively low magnetic Prandtl number. A mean-field-based analysis of this dynamo simulation demonstrates that it is of the α-Ω type. The timescales that appear to be relevant to the magnetic polarity reversal are also identified.

Planar Cell Polarity Breaks the Symmetry of PAR Protein Distribution prior to Mitosis in Drosophila Sensory Organ Precursor Cells.

PubMed

Besson, Charlotte; Bernard, Fred; Corson, Francis; Rouault, Hervé; Reynaud, Elodie; Keder, Alyona; Mazouni, Khalil; Schweisguth, François

2015-04-20

During development, cell-fate diversity can result from the unequal segregation of fate determinants at mitosis. Polarization of the mother cell is essential for asymmetric cell division (ACD). It often involves the formation of a cortical domain containing the PAR complex proteins Par3, Par6, and atypical protein kinase C (aPKC). In the fly notum, sensory organ precursor cells (SOPs) divide asymmetrically within the plane of the epithelium and along the body axis to generate two distinct cells. Fate asymmetry depends on the asymmetric localization of the PAR complex. In the absence of planar cell polarity (PCP), SOPs divide with a random planar orientation but still asymmetrically, showing that PCP is dispensable for PAR asymmetry at mitosis. To study when and how the PAR complex localizes asymmetrically, we have used a quantitative imaging approach to measure the planar polarization of the proteins Bazooka (Baz, fly Par3), Par6, and aPKC in living pupae. By using imaging of functional GFP-tagged proteins with image processing and computational modeling, we find that Baz, Par6, and aPKC become planar polarized prior to mitosis in a manner independent of the AuroraA kinase and that PCP is required for the planar polarization of Baz, Par6, and aPKC during interphase. This indicates that a "mitosis rescue" mechanism establishes asymmetry at mitosis in PCP mutants. This study therefore identifies PCP as the initial symmetry-breaking signal for the planar polarization of PAR proteins in asymmetrically dividing SOPs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The feasibility and application of PPy in cathodic polarization antifouling.

PubMed

Jia, Meng-Yang; Zhang, Zhi-Ming; Yu, Liang-Min; Wang, Jia; Zheng, Tong-Tong

2018-04-01

Cathodic polarization antifouling deserves attention because of its environmentally friendly nature and good sustainability. It has been proven that cathodic voltages applied on metal substrates exhibit outstanding antifouling effects. However, most metals immersed in marine environment are protected by insulated anticorrosive coatings, restricting the cathodic polarization applied on metals. This study developed a conducting polypyrrole (PPy)/acrylic resin coating (σ = 0.18 Scm -1 ), which can be applied in cathodic polarization antifouling. The good stability and electro-activity of PPy in the negative polarity zone in alkalescent NaCl solution were verified by linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), chronoamperometry (CA), cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), demonstrating the feasibility of PPy as cathodic polarization material. Furthermore, the antifouling effects of PPy/acrylicresin coating on 24-h old Escherichia coli bacteria (E. coli) which formed on PPy/acrylic resin-coated plastic plate were measured under different cathodic potentials and treatment time, characterized by fluorescent microscope. The results suggest that at cathodic potential around -0.5 V (vs. saturated calomel electrode (SCE)), there was little trace of attached bacteria on the substrate after 20 min of treatment. PPy/acrylicresin-coated substrates were also subjected to repeated cycles of biofilm formation and electrochemical removal, where high removal efficiencies were maintained throughout the total polarization process. Under these conditions, the generation of hydrogen peroxide is believed to be responsible for the antifouling effects because of causing oxidative damage to cells, suggesting the potential of the proposed technology for application on insulated surfaces in various industrial settings. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dark material in the polar layered deposits and dunes on Mars

USGS Publications Warehouse

Herkenhoff, K. E.; Vasavada, A.R.

1999-01-01

Viking infrared thermal mapping and bistatic radar data suggest that the bulk density of the north polar erg material is much lower than that of the average Martian surface or of dark dunes at lower latitudes. We have derived a thermal inertia of 245-280 J m-2 s-1/2 K-1 (5.9-6.7 ?? 10-3 cal cm-2 s-1/2 K-1) for the Proctor dune field and 25-150 J m-2 s-1/2 K-1 (0.6-3.6 ?? 10-3 cal cm-2 s-1/2 K-1) for the north polar erg. The uniqueness of the thermophysical properties of the north polar erg material may be due to a unique polar process that has created them. The visible and near-infrared spectral reflectance of the erg suggests that the dark material may be composed of basalt or ferrous clays. These data are consistent with the dark material being composed of basaltic ash or filamentary sublimate residue (FSR) particles derived from erosion of the layered deposits. Dark dust may be preferentially concentrated at the surface of the layered deposits by the formation of FSR particles upon sublimation of water ice. Further weathering and erosion of these areas of exposed layered deposits may form the dark, saltating material that is found in both polar regions. Dark FSR particles may saltate for great distances before eventually breaking down into dust grains, re-mixing with the global dust reservoir, and being recycled into the polar layered deposits via atmospheric suspension. Copyright 1999 by the American Geophysical Union.

GRAND MINIMA AND EQUATORWARD PROPAGATION IN A CYCLING STELLAR CONVECTIVE DYNAMO

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Augustson, Kyle; Miesch, Mark; Brun, Allan Sacha

2015-08-20

The 3D MHD Anelastic Spherical Harmonic code, using slope-limited diffusion, is employed to capture convective and dynamo processes achieved in a global-scale stellar convection simulation for a model solar-mass star rotating at three times the solar rate. The dynamo-generated magnetic fields possesses many timescales, with a prominent polarity cycle occurring roughly every 6.2 years. The magnetic field forms large-scale toroidal wreaths, whose formation is tied to the low Rossby number of the convection in this simulation. The polarity reversals are linked to the weakened differential rotation and a resistive collapse of the large-scale magnetic field. An equatorial migration of themore » magnetic field is seen, which is due to the strong modulation of the differential rotation rather than a dynamo wave. A poleward migration of magnetic flux from the equator eventually leads to the reversal of the polarity of the high-latitude magnetic field. This simulation also enters an interval with reduced magnetic energy at low latitudes lasting roughly 16 years (about 2.5 polarity cycles), during which the polarity cycles are disrupted and after which the dynamo recovers its regular polarity cycles. An analysis of this grand minimum reveals that it likely arises through the interplay of symmetric and antisymmetric dynamo families. This intermittent dynamo state potentially results from the simulation’s relatively low magnetic Prandtl number. A mean-field-based analysis of this dynamo simulation demonstrates that it is of the α-Ω type. The timescales that appear to be relevant to the magnetic polarity reversal are also identified.« less

Induced Polarization Signature of Biofilms in Porous Media: From Laboratory Experiments to Theoretical Developments and Validation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Atekwana, Estella; Patrauchan, Marianna; Revil, Andre

2016-10-04

Bioremediation strategies for mitigating the transport of heavy metals and radionuclides in subsurface sediments have largely targeted the use of dissimilatory metal and sulfate-reducing bacteria. Growth and metabolic activities from these organisms can significantly influence biogeochemical processes, including mineral dissolution/precipitation, fluctuating pH and redox potential (Eh) values, development of biofilms, and decreasing hydraulic conductivity. The Spectral Induced Polarization (SIP) technique has emerged as the technique most sensitive to the presence of microbial cells and biofilms in porous media; yet it is often difficult to unambiguously distinguish the impact of multiple and often competing processes that occur during in-situ biostimulation activitiesmore » on the SIP signatures. The main goal of our project is to quantitatively characterize major components within bacterial biofilms (cells, DNA, metals, metabolites etc.) contributing to detectable SIP signatures. We specifically: (i) evaluated the contribution of biofilm components to SIP signatures, (ii) determined the contribution of biogenic minerals commonly found in biofilms to SIP signatures, (iii) determined if the SIP signatures can be used to quantify the rates of biofilm formation, (iv) developed models and a fundamental understanding of potential underlying polarization mechanisms at low frequencies (<40 kHz) resulting from the presence of microbial cells and biofilms« less

CO2 jets formed by sublimation beneath translucent slab ice in Mars' seasonal south polar ice cap

USGS Publications Warehouse

Kieffer, H.H.; Christensen, P.R.; Titus, T.N.

2006-01-01

The martian polar caps are among the most dynamic regions on Mars, growing substantially in winter as a significant fraction of the atmosphere freezes out in the form of CO2 ice. Unusual dark spots, fans and blotches form as the south-polar seasonal CO2 ice cap retreats during spring and summer. Small radial channel networks are often associated with the location of spots once the ice disappears. The spots have been proposed to be simply bare, defrosted ground; the formation of the channels has remained uncertain. Here we report infrared and visible observations that show that the spots and fans remain at CO2 ice temperatures well into summer, and must be granular materials that have been brought up to the surface of the ice, requiring a complex suite of processes to get them there. We propose that the seasonal ice cap forms an impermeable, translucent slab of CO2 ice that sublimates from the base, building up high-pressure gas beneath the slab. This gas levitates the ice, which eventually ruptures, producing high-velocity CO 2 vents that erupt sand-sized grains in jets to form the spots and erode the channels. These processes are unlike any observed on Earth. ?? 2006 Nature Publishing Group.

CAREER Educational Outreach: Inquiry-based Atmospheric Science Lessons for K-12 students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Courville, Z.; Carbaugh, S.; Defrancis, G.; Donegan, R.; Brown, C.; Perovich, D. K.; Richter-Menge, J.

2011-12-01

Climate Comics is a collaborative outreach effort between the Montshire Museum of Science, in Norwich, VT, the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) research staff, and freelance artist and recent graduate of the Center for Cartoon Studies in White River Junction, VT, Sam Carbaugh. The project involves the cartoonist, the education staff from the museum, and researchers from CRREL creating a series of comic books with polar science and research themes, including sea ice monitoring, sea ice albedo, ice cores, extreme microbial activity, and stories and the process of fieldwork. The aim of the comic series is to provide meaningful science information in a comic-format that is both informative and fun, while highlighting current polar research work done at the lab. The education staff at the Montshire Museum develops and provides a series of hands-on, inquiry-based activity descriptions to complement each comic book, and CRREL researchers provide science background information and reiterative feedback about the comic books as they are being developed. Here, we present the motivation for using the comic-book medium to present polar research topics, the process involved in creating the comics, some unique features of the series, and the finished comic books themselves. Cartoon illustrating ways snow pack can be used to determine past climate information.

Effects of bulk and free surface shear flows on amyloid fibril formation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Posada, David; Sorci, Mirco; Belfort, Georges; Hirsa, Amir

2008-11-01

Amyloid diseases such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's, among others, are characterized by the conversion of monomers to oligomers (precursors) and then to amyloid fibrils. Besides factors such as concentration, pH, and ionic strength, evidence exists that shearing flow strongly influences amyloid formation in vitro. Also, during fibrillation in the presence of either gas or solid surfaces, both the polarity and roughness of the surfaces play a significant role in the kinetics of the fibrillation process. By studying the nucleation and growth of a model system (insulin fibrils) in a well-defined flow field, we can identify the flow and interfacial conditions that impact protein aggregation kinetics. The present flow system consists of an annular region, bounded by stationary inner and outer cylinders and driven by rotation of the floor, with either a hydrophobic (air) or hydrophilic (solid) interface. We show both the combined and separated effects of shear and interfacial hydrophobicity on the fibrillation process, and the use of interfacial shear viscosity as a parameter for quantifying the oligomerization process.

Minerals and melt inclusions as keys to understanding magma reservoir processes during formation of volcanic and plutonic mafic-ultramafic complexes in the Maimecha Kotui Province (Polar Siberia)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Simonov, Vladimir; Vasiliev, Yurii; Kotlyarov, Alexey; Stupakov, Sergey

2016-04-01

Magmatic complexes in the Maimecha Kotui Province (Polar Siberia) attract attention of researchers because they contain ultramafic volcanic rocks - meimechites, being products of crystallization of the ultrabasic deep mantle melts (Sobolev et al., 1991, 2009, 2011; Ryabchikov et al., 2002; Vasiliev, Gora, 2014). Effusive meimechites together with intrusive dunites of the Guli massif form ancient (253-246 Ma) volcanic and plutonic association, in which also pyroxenites and alkaline rocks are situated. Conditions of formation of this association were established with the help of minerals and melt inclusions study. The cumulative structure of the Guli massif dunites consists of rather large (2-4 mm) olivine crystals and dividing them zones (0.5-0.7 mm), filled with fine grains of clinopyroxenes and ore minerals (magnetite, ilmenite and chromite). The extended forms of well faceted pyroxene crystals testify to their fast growth from melt between cumulative olivines. Thus, crystallization of clinopyroxenes and ore minerals leads to formation between olivines ore pyroxenites, which are presented in the Guli massif by independent bodies. Analysis of olivine, Cr-spinel and clinopyroxene compositions testify to similarity of conditions of the Guli massif dunites crystallization on the one hand with formation of platinum-bearing Uralian-Alaskan-type mafic-ultramafic complexes and with another - show participation of meimechite magma. Major element composition of melt inclusions in Cr-spinel has shown that dunites of the Guli massif were crystallized with participation of subalkaline picrite magmatic systems, that are relative to melts, responsible of formation of platinum-bearing mafic-ultramafic complexes and meimechites. Peculiarities of trace and rare-earth elements distribution in melt inclusions in Cr-spinel of dunites are actually similar to inclusions in olivine of meimechites. Overall, data on composition of inclusions directly testify to formation of considered dunites from ultrabasic melt close to meimechite magma. The affinity of melts, forming dunites and meimechites, is confirmed by computer simulations, shown high crystallization temperature of olivines from dunites (1590-1415°C) (Simonov et al., 2014, 2015), actually coinciding with data on olivines from meimechite - 1600-1420°C (Sobolev et al., 1991, 2009). A part of this ultrabasic melts was crystallized in the magma chambers (with formation of cumulative dunites) and another part - came up to a surface with formation of effusive meimechites. Presence in Cr-spinels from Guli massif dunites melt inclusions with rather large (up to 50 μm) well faceted olivine crystals, situated in the quenching fine-grained association of minerals (clinopyroxene, feldspar and nepheline), testifies to change of a quiet mode of crystallization by sharp falling of parameters of magma during olivine cumulation in the magma chamber, that resulted in appearance of alkaline rocks. As a whole, minerals and melt inclusions study testify to formation of volcanic and plutonic complexes in the Maimecha Kotui Province (Polar Siberia) as a result of evolution of primary deep mantle ultrabasic melts (similar by its chemical composition to meimechites) during cumulative processes in the magma chambers.

Stratospheric Heterogeneous Chemistry and Microphysics: Model Development, Validation and Applications

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Turco, Richard P.

1996-01-01

The objectives of this project are to: define the chemical and physical processes leading to stratospheric ozone change that involve polar stratospheric clouds (PSCS) and the reactions occurring on the surfaces of PSC particles; study the formation processes, and the physical and chemical properties of PSCS, that are relevant to atmospheric chemistry and to the interpretation of field measurements taken during polar stratosphere missions; develop quantitative models describing PSC microphysics and heterogeneous chemical processes; assimilate laboratory and field data into these models; and calculate the extent of chemical processing on PSCs and the impact of specific microphysical processes on polar composition and ozone depletion. During the course of the project, a new coupled microphysics/physical-chemistry/ photochemistry model for stratospheric sulfate aerosols and nitric acid and ice PSCs was developed and applied to analyze data collected during NASA's Arctic Airborne Stratospheric Expedition-II (AASE-II) and other missions. In this model, detailed treatments of multicomponent sulfate aerosol physical chemistry, sulfate aerosol microphysics, polar stratospheric cloud microphysics, PSC ice surface chemistry, as well as homogeneous gas-phase chemistry were included for the first time. In recent studies focusing on AASE measurements, the PSC model was used to analyze specific measurements from an aircraft deployment of an aerosol impactor, FSSP, and NO(y) detector. The calculated results are in excellent agreement with observations for particle volumes as well as NO(y) concentrations, thus confirming the importance of supercooled sulfate/nitrate droplets in PSC formation. The same model has been applied to perform a statistical study of PSC properties in the Northern Hemisphere using several hundred high-latitude air parcel trajectories obtained from Goddard. The rates of ozone depletion along trajectories with different meteorological histories are presently being systematically evaluated to identify the principal relationships between ozone loss and aerosol state. Under this project, we formulated a detailed quantitative model that predicts the multicomponent composition of sulfate aerosols under stratospheric conditions, including sulfuric, nitric, hydrochloric, hydrofluoric and hydrobromic acids. This work defined for the first time the behavior of liquid ternary-system type-1b PSCS. The model also allows the compositions and reactivities of sulfate aerosols to be calculated over the entire range of environmental conditions encountered in the stratosphere (and has been incorporated into a trajectory/microphysics model-see above). Important conclusions that derived from this work over the last few years include the following: the HNO3 content of liquid-state aerosols dominate PSCs below about 195 K; the freezing of nitric acid ice from sulfate aerosol solutions is likely to occur within a few degrees K of the water vapor frost point; the uptake and reactions of HCl in liquid aerosols is a critical component of PSC heterogeneous chemistry. In a related application of this work, the inefficiency of chlorine injection into the stratosphere during major volcanic eruptions was explained on the basis of nucleation of sulfuric acid aerosols in rising volcanic plumes leading to the formation of supercooled water droplets on these aerosols, which efficiently scavenges HCl via precipitation.

Study on the formation of dodecagonal pyramid on nitrogen polar GaN surface etched by hot H3PO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qi, S. L.; Chen, Z. Z.; Fang, H.; Sun, Y. J.; Sang, L. W.; Yang, X. L.; Zhao, L. B.; Tian, P. F.; Deng, J. J.; Tao, Y. B.; Yu, T. J.; Qin, Z. X.; Zhang, G. Y.

2009-08-01

Hot phosphor acid (H3PO4) etching is presented to form a roughened surface with dodecagonal pyramids on laser lift-off N face GaN grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. A detailed analysis of time evolution of surface morphology is described as a function of etching temperature. The activation energy of the H3PO4 etching process is 1.25 eV, indicating the process is reaction-limited scheme. And it is found that the oblique angle between the facets and the base plane increases as the temperature increases. Thermodynamics and kinetics related factors of the formation mechanism of the dodecagonal pyramid are also discussed. The light output power of a vertical injection light-emitting-diode (LED) with proper roughened surface shows about 2.5 fold increase compared with that of LED without roughened surface.

Driving Forces Controlling Host-Guest Recognition in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Solvent.

PubMed

Ingrosso, Francesca; Altarsha, Muhannad; Dumarçay, Florence; Kevern, Gwendal; Barth, Danielle; Marsura, Alain; Ruiz-López, Manuel F

2016-02-24

The formation of supramolecular host-guest complexes is a very useful and widely employed tool in chemistry. However, supramolecular chemistry in non-conventional solvents such as supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2 ), one of the most promising sustainable solvents, is still in its infancy. In this work, we explored a successful route to the development of green processes in supercritical CO2 by combining a theoretical approach with experiments. We were able to synthesize and characterize an inclusion complex between a polar aromatic molecule (benzoic acid) and peracetylated-β-cyclodextrin, which is soluble in the supercritical medium. This finding opens the way to wide, environmental friendly, applications of scCO2 in many areas of chemistry, including supramolecular synthesis, reactivity and catalysis, micro and nano-particle formation, molecular recognition, as well as enhanced extraction processes with increased selectivity. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Effect of selected organic and inorganic snow and cloud components on the photochemical generation of nitrite by nitrate irradiation.

PubMed

Minero, Claudio; Maurino, Valter; Bono, Francesca; Pelizzetti, Ezio; Marinoni, Angela; Mailhot, Gilles; Carlotti, Maria Eugenia; Vione, Davide

2007-08-01

The effect of selected organic and inorganic compounds, present in snow and cloudwater was studied. Photolysis of solutions of nitrate to nitrite was carried out in the laboratory using a UVB light source. The photolysis and other reactions were then modelled. It is shown that formate, formaldehyde, methanesulphonate, and chloride to a lesser extent, can increase the initial formation rate of nitrite. The effect, particularly significant for formate and formaldehyde, is unlikely to be caused by scavenging of hydroxyl radicals. The experimental data obtained in this work suggest that possible causes are the reduction of nitrogen dioxide and nitrate by radical species formed on photooxidation of the organic compounds. Hydroxyl scavenging by organic and inorganic compounds would not affect the initial formation rate of nitrite, but would protect it from oxidation, therefore, increasing the concentration values reached at long irradiation times. The described processes can be relevant to cloudwater and the quasi-liquid layer on the surface of ice and snow, considering that in the polar regions irradiated snow layers are important sources of nitrous acid to the atmosphere. Formate and (at a lesser extent) formaldehyde are the compounds that play the major role in the described processes of nitrite/nitrous acid photoformation by initial rate enhancement and hydroxyl scavenging.

Effect of Electric Field on Gas Hydrate Nucleation Kinetics: Evidence for the Enhanced Kinetics of Hydrate Nucleation by Negatively Charged Clay Surfaces.

PubMed

Park, Taehyung; Kwon, Tae-Hyuk

2018-03-06

Natural gas hydrates are found widely in oceanic clay-rich sediments, where clay-water interactions have a profound effect on the formation behavior of gas hydrates. However, it remains unclear why and how natural gas hydrates are formed in clay-rich sediments in spite of factors that limit gas hydrate formation, such as small pore size and high salinity. Herein, we show that polarized water molecules on clay surfaces clearly promote gas hydrate nucleation kinetics. When water molecules were polarized with an electric field of 10 4 V/m, gas hydrate nucleation occurred significantly faster with an induction time reduced by 5.8 times. Further, the presence of strongly polarized water layers at the water-gas interface hindered gas uptake and thus hydrate formation, when the electric field was applied prior to gas dissolution. Our findings expand our understanding of the formation habits of naturally occurring gas hydrates in clay-rich sedimentary deposits and provide insights into gas production from natural hydrate deposits.

Polarization rotation vector solitons in a graphene mode-locked fiber laser.

PubMed

Song, Yu Feng; Zhang, Han; Tang, Ding Yuan; Shen, De Yuan

2012-11-19

Polarization rotation vector solitons formed in a fiber laser passively mode locked with atomic layer graphene were experimentally investigated. It was found that different from the case of the polarization locked vector soliton formed in the laser, two extra sets of spectral sidebands always appear on the soliton spectrum of the polarization rotating vector solitons. We confirm that the new sets of spectral sidebands have the same formation mechanism as that of the Kelly sidebands.

Generalization of the Jones vector-matrix method and the regularity of the Weigert effect for partially polarized light.

PubMed

Kilosanidze, Barbara

2010-06-01

Generalization of the Jones vector for partially polarized radiation carried out by Kakichashvili is given. Partially polarized light is presented as two noncoherent components of mutually orthogonal polarization. The formal operation of amplitude summation of mutually noncoherent components and the symbol of this operation are introduced. The rules of operating with this symbol are determined. The regularity of the Weigert effect is modified for partial polarization of the inducing light. On this basis the modification of the Jones matrix for partially polarized light is made. The rules for the formation of the resulting matrix from the Jones matrices corresponding to the noncoherent components of partially polarized light are determined.

Six-channel multi-wavelength polarization Raman lidar for aerosol and water vapor profiling.

PubMed

Wang, Zhaofei; Mao, Jiandong; Li, Juan; Zhao, Hu; Zhou, Chunyan; Sheng, Hongjiang

2017-07-10

Aerosols and water vapor are important atmospheric components, and have significant effects on both atmospheric energy conversion and climate formation. They play the important roles in balancing the radiation budget between the atmosphere and Earth, while water vapor also directly affects rainfall and other weather processes. To further research atmospheric aerosol optical properties and water vapor content, an all-time six-channel multi-wavelength polarization Raman lidar has been developed at Beifang University of Nationalities. In addition to 1064, 532, and 355 nm Mie scattering channels, the lidar has a polarization channel for 532 nm return signals, a 660 nm water vapor channel, and a 607 nm nitrogen detection channel. Experiments verified the lidar's feasibility and return signals from six channels were detected. Using inversion algorithms, extinction coefficient profiles at 1064, 532 and 355 nm, Ångström exponent profiles, depolarization ratio profiles, and water vapor mixing ratio profiles were all obtained. The polarization characteristics and water vapor content of cirrus clouds, the polarization characteristics of dusty weather, and the water vapor profiles over different days were also analyzed. Results show that the lidar has the full-time detection capability for atmospheric aerosol optical properties and water vapor profiles, and real-time measurements of aerosols and water vapor over the Yinchuan area were realized, providing important information for studying the environmental quality and climate change in this area.

Epitaxial engineering of polar ɛ-Ga2O3 for tunable two-dimensional electron gas at the heterointerface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cho, Sung Beom; Mishra, Rohan

2018-04-01

We predict the formation of a polarization-induced two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) at the interface of ɛ-Ga2O3 and CaCO3, wherein the density of the 2DEG can be tuned by reversing the spontaneous polarization in ɛ-Ga2O3, for example, with an applied electric field. ɛ-Ga2O3 is a polar and metastable ultra-wide band-gap semiconductor. We use density-functional theory (DFT) calculations and coincidence-site lattice model to predict the region of epitaxial strain under which ɛ-Ga2O3 can be stabilized over its other competing polymorphs and suggest promising substrates. Using group-theoretical methods and DFT calculations, we show that ɛ-Ga2O3 is a ferroelectric material where the spontaneous polarization can be reversed through a non-polar phase by using an electric field. Based on the calculated band alignment of ɛ-Ga2O3 with various substrates, we show the formation of a 2DEG with a high sheet charge density of 1014 cm-2 at the interface with CaCO3 due to the spontaneous and piezoelectric polarization in ɛ-Ga2O3, which makes the system attractive for high-power and high-frequency applications.

Co-Regulation of Cell Polarization and Migration by Caveolar Proteins PTRF/Cavin-1 and Caveolin-1

PubMed Central

Hill, Michelle M.; Daud, Noor Huda; Aung, Cho Sanda; Loo, Dorothy; Martin, Sally; Murphy, Samantha; Black, Debra M.; Barry, Rachael; Simpson, Fiona; Liu, Libin; Pilch, Paul F.; Hancock, John F.; Parat, Marie-Odile; Parton, Robert G.

2012-01-01

Caveolin-1 and caveolae are differentially polarized in migrating cells in various models, and caveolin-1 expression has been shown to quantitatively modulate cell migration. PTRF/cavin-1 is a cytoplasmic protein now established to be also necessary for caveola formation. Here we tested the effect of PTRF expression on cell migration. Using fluorescence imaging, quantitative proteomics, and cell migration assays we show that PTRF/cavin-1 modulates cellular polarization, and the subcellular localization of Rac1 and caveolin-1 in migrating cells as well as PKCα caveola recruitment. PTRF/cavin-1 quantitatively reduced cell migration, and induced mesenchymal epithelial reversion. Similar to caveolin-1, the polarization of PTRF/cavin-1 was dependent on the migration mode. By selectively manipulating PTRF/cavin-1 and caveolin-1 expression (and therefore caveola formation) in multiple cell systems, we unveil caveola-independent functions for both proteins in cell migration. PMID:22912783

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Shigella flexneri Dissemination

PubMed Central

Agaisse, Hervé

2016-01-01

The intracellular pathogen Shigella flexneri is the causative agent of bacillary dysentery in humans. The disease is characterized by bacterial invasion of intestinal cells, dissemination within the colonic epithelium through direct spread from cell to cell, and massive inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Here, we review the mechanisms supporting S. flexneri dissemination. The dissemination process primarily relies on actin assembly at the bacterial pole, which propels the pathogen throughout the cytosol of primary infected cells. Polar actin assembly is supported by polar expression of the bacterial autotransporter family member IcsA, which recruits the N-WASP/ARP2/3 actin assembly machinery. As motile bacteria encounter cell-cell contacts, they form plasma membrane protrusions that project into adjacent cells. In addition to the ARP2/3-dependent actin assembly machinery, protrusion formation relies on formins and myosins. The resolution of protrusions into vacuoles occurs through the collapse of the protrusion neck, leading to the formation of an intermediate membrane-bound compartment termed vacuole-like protrusions (VLPs). VLP formation requires tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide signaling in protrusions, which relies on the integrity of the bacterial type 3 secretion system (T3SS). The T3SS is also required for escaping double membrane vacuoles through the activity of the T3SS translocases IpaB and IpaC, and the effector proteins VirA and IcsB. Numerous factors supporting envelope biogenesis contribute to IcsA exposure and maintenance at the bacterial pole, including LPS synthesis, membrane proteases, and periplasmic chaperones. Although less characterized, the assembly and function of the T3SS in the context of bacterial dissemination also relies on factors supporting envelope biogenesis. Finally, the dissemination process requires the adaptation of the pathogen to various cellular compartments through transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. PMID:27014639

Effects of a polar stratosphere cloud parameterization on ozone depletion due to stratospheric aircraft in a two-dimensional model

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Considine, David B.; Douglass, Anne R.; Jackman, Charles H.

1994-01-01

A parameterization of Type 1 and 2 polar stratospheric cloud (PSC) formation is presented which is appropriate for use in two-dimensional (2-D) photochemical models of the stratosphere. The calculations of PSC frequency of occurrence and surface area density uses climatological temperature probability distributions obtained from National Meteorological Center data to avoid using zonal mean temperatures, which are not good predictors of PSC behavior. The parameterization does not attempt to model the microphysics of PSCs. The parameterization predicts changes in PSC formation and heterogeneous processing due to perturbations of stratospheric trace constituents. It is therefore useful in assessing the potential effects of a fleet of stratospheric aircraft (high speed civil transports, or HSCTs) on stratospheric composition. the model calculated frequency of PSC occurrence agrees well with a climatology based on stratospheric aerosol measurement (SAM) 2 observations. PSCs are predicted to occur in the tropics. Their vertical range is narrow, however, and their impact on model O3 fields is small. When PSC and sulfate aerosol heterogeneous processes are included in the model calculations, the O3 change for 1980 - 1990 is in substantially better agreement with the total ozone mapping spectrometer (TOMS)-derived O3 trend than otherwise. The overall changes in model O3 response to standard HSCT perturbation scenarios produced by the parameterization are small and tend to decrease the model sensitivity to the HSCT perturbation. However, in the southern hemisphere spring a significant increase in O3 sensitivity to HSCT perturbations is found. At this location and time, increased PSC formation leads to increased levels of active chlorine, which produce the O3 decreases.

Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Shigella flexneri Dissemination.

PubMed

Agaisse, Hervé

2016-01-01

The intracellular pathogen Shigella flexneri is the causative agent of bacillary dysentery in humans. The disease is characterized by bacterial invasion of intestinal cells, dissemination within the colonic epithelium through direct spread from cell to cell, and massive inflammation of the intestinal mucosa. Here, we review the mechanisms supporting S. flexneri dissemination. The dissemination process primarily relies on actin assembly at the bacterial pole, which propels the pathogen throughout the cytosol of primary infected cells. Polar actin assembly is supported by polar expression of the bacterial autotransporter family member IcsA, which recruits the N-WASP/ARP2/3 actin assembly machinery. As motile bacteria encounter cell-cell contacts, they form plasma membrane protrusions that project into adjacent cells. In addition to the ARP2/3-dependent actin assembly machinery, protrusion formation relies on formins and myosins. The resolution of protrusions into vacuoles occurs through the collapse of the protrusion neck, leading to the formation of an intermediate membrane-bound compartment termed vacuole-like protrusions (VLPs). VLP formation requires tyrosine kinase and phosphoinositide signaling in protrusions, which relies on the integrity of the bacterial type 3 secretion system (T3SS). The T3SS is also required for escaping double membrane vacuoles through the activity of the T3SS translocases IpaB and IpaC, and the effector proteins VirA and IcsB. Numerous factors supporting envelope biogenesis contribute to IcsA exposure and maintenance at the bacterial pole, including LPS synthesis, membrane proteases, and periplasmic chaperones. Although less characterized, the assembly and function of the T3SS in the context of bacterial dissemination also relies on factors supporting envelope biogenesis. Finally, the dissemination process requires the adaptation of the pathogen to various cellular compartments through transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms.

Charge Separation and Triplet Exciton Formation Pathways in Small-Molecule Solar Cells as Studied by Time-Resolved EPR Spectroscopy

DOE PAGES

Thomson, Stuart A. J.; Niklas, Jens; Mardis, Kristy L.; ...

2017-09-13

Organic solar cells are a promising renewable energy technology, offering the advantages of mechanical flexibility and solution processability. An understanding of the electronic excited states and charge separation pathways in these systems is crucial if efficiencies are to be further improved. Here we use light induced electron paramagnetic resonance (LEPR) spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations (DFT) to study the electronic excited states, charge transfer (CT) dynamics and triplet exciton formation pathways in blends of the small molecule donors (DTS(FBTTh 2) 2, DTS(F2BTTh 2) 2, DTS(PTTh 2) 2, DTG(FBTTh 2) 2 and DTG(F2BTTh 2) 2) with the fullerene derivative PCmore » 61BM. Using high frequency EPR the g-tensor of the positive polaron on the donor molecules was determined. The experimental results are compared with DFT calculations which reveal that the spin density of the polaron is distributed over a dimer or trimer. Time-resolved EPR (TR-EPR) spectra attributed to singlet CT states were identified and the polarization patterns revealed similar charge separation dynamics in the four fluorobenzothiadiazole donors, while charge separation in the DTS(PTTh 2) 2 blend is slower. Using TR-EPR we also investigated the triplet exciton formation pathways in the blend. The polarization patterns reveal that the excitons originate from both intersystem crossing (ISC) and back electron transfer (BET) processes. The DTS(PTTh 2) 2 blend was found to contain substantially more triplet excitons formed by BET than the fluorobenzothiadiazole blends. As a result, the higher BET triplet exciton population in the DTS(PTTh 2) 2 blend is in accordance with the slower charge separation dynamics observed in this blend.« less

Charge Separation and Triplet Exciton Formation Pathways in Small Molecule Solar Cells as Studied by Time-resolved EPR Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Thomson, Stuart A J; Niklas, Jens; Mardis, Kristy L; Mallares, Christopher; Samuel, Ifor D W; Poluektov, Oleg G

2017-10-19

Organic solar cells are a promising renewable energy technology, offering the advantages of mechanical flexibility and solution processability. An understanding of the electronic excited states and charge separation pathways in these systems is crucial if efficiencies are to be further improved. Here we use light induced electron paramagnetic resonance (LEPR) spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations (DFT) to study the electronic excited states, charge transfer (CT) dynamics and triplet exciton formation pathways in blends of the small molecule donors (DTS(FBTTh 2 ) 2 , DTS(F 2 BTTh 2 ) 2 , DTS(PTTh 2 ) 2 , DTG(FBTTh 2 ) 2 and DTG(F 2 BTTh 2 ) 2 ) with the fullerene derivative PC 61 BM. Using high frequency EPR the g-tensor of the positive polaron on the donor molecules was determined. The experimental results are compared with DFT calculations which reveal that the spin density of the polaron is distributed over a dimer or trimer. Time-resolved EPR (TR-EPR) spectra attributed to singlet CT states were identified and the polarization patterns revealed similar charge separation dynamics in the four fluorobenzothiadiazole donors, while charge separation in the DTS(PTTh 2 ) 2 blend is slower. Using TR-EPR we also investigated the triplet exciton formation pathways in the blend. The polarization patterns reveal that the excitons originate from both intersystem crossing (ISC) and back electron transfer (BET) processes. The DTS(PTTh 2 ) 2 blend was found to contain substantially more triplet excitons formed by BET than the fluorobenzothiadiazole blends. The higher BET triplet exciton population in the DTS(PTTh 2 ) 2 blend is in accordance with the slower charge separation dynamics observed in this blend.

Charge Separation and Triplet Exciton Formation Pathways in Small-Molecule Solar Cells as Studied by Time-Resolved EPR Spectroscopy

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Thomson, Stuart A. J.; Niklas, Jens; Mardis, Kristy L.

Organic solar cells are a promising renewable energy technology, offering the advantages of mechanical flexibility and solution processability. An understanding of the electronic excited states and charge separation pathways in these systems is crucial if efficiencies are to be further improved. Here we use light induced electron paramagnetic resonance (LEPR) spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations (DFT) to study the electronic excited states, charge transfer (CT) dynamics and triplet exciton formation pathways in blends of the small molecule donors (DTS(FBTTh 2) 2, DTS(F2BTTh 2) 2, DTS(PTTh 2) 2, DTG(FBTTh 2) 2 and DTG(F2BTTh 2) 2) with the fullerene derivative PCmore » 61BM. Using high frequency EPR the g-tensor of the positive polaron on the donor molecules was determined. The experimental results are compared with DFT calculations which reveal that the spin density of the polaron is distributed over a dimer or trimer. Time-resolved EPR (TR-EPR) spectra attributed to singlet CT states were identified and the polarization patterns revealed similar charge separation dynamics in the four fluorobenzothiadiazole donors, while charge separation in the DTS(PTTh 2) 2 blend is slower. Using TR-EPR we also investigated the triplet exciton formation pathways in the blend. The polarization patterns reveal that the excitons originate from both intersystem crossing (ISC) and back electron transfer (BET) processes. The DTS(PTTh 2) 2 blend was found to contain substantially more triplet excitons formed by BET than the fluorobenzothiadiazole blends. As a result, the higher BET triplet exciton population in the DTS(PTTh 2) 2 blend is in accordance with the slower charge separation dynamics observed in this blend.« less

Three-dimensional prominence-hosting magnetic configurations: Creating a helical magnetic flux rope

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Xia, C.; Keppens, R.; Guo, Y.

2014-01-10

The magnetic configuration hosting prominences and their surrounding coronal structure is a key research topic in solar physics. Recent theoretical and observational studies strongly suggest that a helical magnetic flux rope is an essential ingredient to fulfill most of the theoretical and observational requirements for hosting prominences. To understand flux rope formation details and obtain magnetic configurations suitable for future prominence formation studies, we here report on three-dimensional isothermal magnetohydrodynamic simulations including finite gas pressure and gravity. Starting from a magnetohydrostatic corona with a linear force-free bipolar magnetic field, we follow its evolution when introducing vortex flows around the mainmore » polarities and converging flows toward the polarity inversion line near the bottom of the corona. The converging flows bring the feet of different loops together at the polarity inversion line, where magnetic reconnection and flux cancellation happen. Inflow and outflow signatures of the magnetic reconnection process are identified, and thereby the newly formed helical loops wind around preexisting ones so that a complete flux rope grows and ascends. When a macroscopic flux rope is formed, we switch off the driving flows and find that the system relaxes to a stable state containing a helical magnetic flux rope embedded in an overlying arcade structure. A major part of the formed flux rope is threaded by dipped field lines that can stably support prominence matter, while the total mass of the flux rope is in the order of 4-5× 10{sup 14} g.« less

Membrane Tension Acts Through PLD2 and mTORC2 to Limit Actin Network Assembly During Neutrophil Migration

PubMed Central

Diz-Muñoz, Alba; Thurley, Kevin; Chintamen, Sana; Altschuler, Steven J.; Fletcher, Daniel A.; Weiner, Orion D.

2016-01-01

For efficient polarity and migration, cells need to regulate the magnitude and spatial distribution of actin assembly. This process is coordinated by reciprocal interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and mechanical forces. Actin polymerization-based protrusion increases tension in the plasma membrane, which in turn acts as a long-range inhibitor of actin assembly. These interactions form a negative feedback circuit that limits the magnitude of membrane tension in neutrophils and prevents expansion of the existing front and the formation of secondary fronts. It has been suggested that the plasma membrane directly inhibits actin assembly by serving as a physical barrier that opposes protrusion. Here we show that efficient control of actin polymerization-based protrusion requires an additional mechanosensory feedback cascade that indirectly links membrane tension with actin assembly. Specifically, elevated membrane tension acts through phospholipase D2 (PLD2) and the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) to limit actin nucleation. In the absence of this pathway, neutrophils exhibit larger leading edges, higher membrane tension, and profoundly defective chemotaxis. Mathematical modeling suggests roles for both the direct (mechanical) and indirect (biochemical via PLD2 and mTORC2) feedback loops in organizing cell polarity and motility—the indirect loop is better suited to enable competition between fronts, whereas the direct loop helps spatially organize actin nucleation for efficient leading edge formation and cell movement. This circuit is essential for polarity, motility, and the control of membrane tension. PMID:27280401

Experimental testing of scattering polarization models

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Wenxian; Casini, Roberto; Tomczyk, Steven; Landi Degl'Innocenti, Egidio; Marsell, Brandan

2018-06-01

We realized a laboratory experiment to study the polarization of the Na I doublet at 589.3 nm, in the presence of a magnetic field. The purpose of the experiment is to test the theory of scattering polarization for illumination conditions typical of astrophysical plasmas. This work was stimulated by solar observations of the Na I doublet that have proven particularly challenging to reproduce with current models of polarized line formation, even casting doubts on our very understanding of the physics of scattering polarization on the Sun. The experiment has confirmed the fundamental correctness of the current theory, and demonstrated that the "enigmatic'' polarization of those observations is exclusively of solar origin.

Formation of vesicles through solvent assisted self-assembly of hydrophobic pentapeptides: encapsulation and pH responsive release of dyes by the vesicles.

PubMed

Kar, Sudeshna; Drew, Michael G B; Pramanik, Animesh

2011-09-01

In the biomimetic design two hydrophobic pentapetides Boc-Ile-Aib-Leu-Phe-Ala-OMe (I) and Boc-Gly-Ile-Aib-Leu-Phe-OMe (II) (Aib: α-aminoisobutyric acid) containing one Aib each are found to undergo solvent assisted self-assembly in methanol/water to form vesicular structures, which can be disrupted by simple addition of acid. The nanovesicles are found to encapsulate dye molecules that can be released by the addition of acid as confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and UV studies. The influence of solvent polarity on the morphology of the materials generated from the peptides has been examined systematically, and shows that fibrillar structures are formed in less polar chloroform/petroleum ether mixture and vesicular structures are formed in more polar methanol/water. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal that while β-sheet mediated self-assembly leads to the formation of fibrillar structures, the solvated β-sheet structure leads to the formation of vesicular structures. The results demonstrate that even hydrophobic peptides can generate vesicular structures from polar solvent which may be employed in model studies of complex biological phenomena.

Polarizing intestinal epithelial cells electrically through Ror2

PubMed Central

Cao, Lin; McCaig, Colin D.; Scott, Roderick H.; Zhao, Siwei; Milne, Gillian; Clevers, Hans; Zhao, Min; Pu, Jin

2014-01-01

ABSTRACT The apicobasal polarity of enterocytes determines where the brush border membrane (apical membrane) will form, but how this apical membrane faces the lumen is not well understood. The electrical signal across the epithelium could serve as a coordinating cue, orienting and polarizing enterocytes. Here, we show that applying a physiological electric field to intestinal epithelial cells, to mimic the natural electric field created by the transepithelial potential difference, polarized phosphorylation of the actin-binding protein ezrin, increased expression of intestinal alkaline phosphatase (ALPI, a differentiation marker) and remodeled the actin cytoskeleton selectively on the cathode side. In addition, an applied electric field also activated ERK1/2 and LKB1 (also known as STK11), key molecules in apical membrane formation. Disruption of the tyrosine protein kinase transmembrane receptor Ror2 suppressed activation of ERK1/2 and LKB1 significantly, and subsequently inhibited apical membrane formation in enterocytes. Our findings indicate that the endogenous electric field created by the transepithelial potential difference might act as an essential coordinating signal for apical membrane formation at a tissue level, through activation of LKB1 mediated by Ror2–ERK signaling. PMID:24928904

Cyclic AMP regulates formation of mammary epithelial acini in vitro

PubMed Central

Nedvetsky, Pavel I.; Kwon, Sang-Ho; Debnath, Jayanta; Mostov, Keith E.

2012-01-01

Epithelial cells form tubular and acinar structures notable for a hollow lumen. In three-dimensional culture utilizing MCF10A mammary epithelial cells, acini form due to integrin-dependent polarization and survival of cells contacting extracellular matrix (ECM), and the apoptosis of inner cells of acini lacking contact with the ECM. In this paper, we report that cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) promotes acinus formation via two mechanisms. First, cAMP accelerates redistribution of α6-integrin to the periphery of the acinus and thus facilitates the polarization of outer acinar cells. Blocking of α6-integrin function by inhibitory antibody prevents cAMP-dependent polarization. Second, cAMP promotes the death of inner cells occupying the lumen. In the absence of cAMP, apoptosis is delayed, resulting in perturbed luminal clearance. cAMP-dependent apoptosis is accompanied by a posttranscriptional PKA-dependent increase in the proapoptotic protein Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death. These data demonstrate that cAMP regulates lumen formation in mammary epithelial cells in vitro, both through acceleration of polarization of outer cells and apoptosis of inner cells of the acinus. PMID:22675028

Cyclonic Vortices in Polar Airmasses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Businger, Steven

Cyclonic vortices in polar airmasses are investigated to determine their storm-scale and mesoscale structures and the nature of the environments conducive to their formation. Case studies of polar low outbreaks show that the environments conducive to the development of strong polar lows include deep outflow of arctic air over open water and a broad closed-low aloft. Once favorable environmental conditions for the formation of polar lows have developed, several storms may form in close proximity to each other during a relatively short time interval. Furthermore, these conditions may persist for several days. To develope a climatology of the synoptic environments conducive to the formation of polar lows, NMC gridded data were composited. The results reveal the presence of significant negative anomalies in the temperature and height fields at the 500 mb level on the days when mature polar lows were present, indicating the presence of strong positive vorticity and low static stability over the area. Aircraft observations made during the 1984 FOX field study indicate that convection in an incipient comma cloud was organized into distinct rainbands ((TURN)50 km wavelength), with tops extending to the tropopause. Equivalent -potential vorticity, computed from cross sections of the dropwindsonde data, showed that the region in which the convective activity was embedded was unstable to moist -symmetric overturnings. As the comma cloud approached a pre-existing polar front, a wave cyclone rapidly developed on the front. Surface data showed unexpectedly strong winds and heavy rain squalls when the comma cloud passed Juneau. Comprehensive data sets were collected in two comma cloud systems during CYCLES. Rainbands, with a wavelength of (TURN)50 km, were present in both comma-cloud systems. Precipitation cores, produced by embedded convection within the rainbands contained updraft speeds of (TURN)1-2 m s('-1) and relatively high liquid water counts; they retained their identities over periods of several hours. The spacing and orientation of the rainbands may be explained by the theory for mixed dynamic/convective instability developed by Sun (1978).

Induction of Highly Curved Structures in Relation to Membrane Permeabilization and Budding by the Triterpenoid Saponins, α- and δ-Hederin

PubMed Central

Lorent, Joseph; Le Duff, Cécile S.; Quetin-Leclercq, Joelle; Mingeot-Leclercq, Marie-Paule

2013-01-01

The interactions of triterpenoid monodesmosidic saponins, α-hederin and δ-hederin, with lipid membranes are involved in their permeabilizing effect. Unfortunately, the interactions of these saponins with lipid membranes are largely unknown, as are the roles of cholesterol or the branched sugar moieties (two for α-hederin and one for δ-hederin) on the aglycone backbone, hederagenin. The differences in sugar moieties are responsible for differences in the molecular shape of the saponins and the effects on membrane curvature that should be the most positive for α-hederin in a transbilayer direction. In large unilamellar vesicles and monocyte cells, we showed that membrane permeabilization was dependent on the presence of membrane cholesterol and saponin sugar chains, being largest for α-hederin and smallest for hederagenin. In the presence of cholesterol, α-hederin induced the formation of nonbilayer phases with a higher rate of Brownian tumbling or lateral diffusion. A reduction of Laurdan's generalized polarization in relation to change in order of the polar heads of phospholipids was observed. Using giant unilamellar vesicles, we visualized the formation of wrinkled borders, the decrease in liposome size, budding, and the formation of macroscopic pores. All these processes are highly dependent on the sugars linked to the aglycone, with α-hederin showing a greater ability to induce pore formation and δ-hederin being more efficient in inducing budding. Hederagenin induced intravesicular budding but no pore formation. Based on these results, a curvature-driven permeabilization mechanism dependent on the interaction between saponin and sterols and on the molecular shape of the saponin and its ability to induce local spontaneous curvature is proposed. PMID:23530040

Electrochemical Studies of Passive Film Formation and Corrosion of Friction Stir Processed Nickel Aluminum Bronze

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-06-01

between the working and reference electrodes in the cell due to the electrolyte and is calculated using equation 19 where ρ is the solution resistivity, l...the electrode and is given by equation 20 where, I is the measured cell current, Icorr is the corrosion current, Eoc is the open circuit potential...signals are applied, making Icorr related to RP , where RP is the polarization resistance as given in Equation 21 [16]. (21) The

Molecular Memory of Morphologies by Septins during Neuron Generation Allows Early Polarity Inheritance.

PubMed

Boubakar, Leila; Falk, Julien; Ducuing, Hugo; Thoinet, Karine; Reynaud, Florie; Derrington, Edmund; Castellani, Valérie

2017-08-16

Transmission of polarity established early during cell lineage history is emerging as a key process guiding cell differentiation. Highly polarized neurons provide a fascinating model to study inheritance of polarity over cell generations and across morphological transitions. Neural crest cells (NCCs) migrate to the dorsal root ganglia to generate neurons directly or after cell divisions in situ. Using live imaging of vertebrate embryo slices, we found that bipolar NCC progenitors lose their polarity, retracting their processes to round for division, but generate neurons with bipolar morphology by emitting processes from the same locations as the progenitor. Monitoring the dynamics of Septins, which play key roles in yeast polarity, indicates that Septin 7 tags process sites for re-initiation of process growth following mitosis. Interfering with Septins blocks this mechanism. Thus, Septins store polarity features during mitotic rounding so that daughters can reconstitute the initial progenitor polarity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Macrophage polarization differs between apical granulomas, radicular cysts, and dentigerous cysts.

PubMed

Weber, Manuel; Schlittenbauer, Tilo; Moebius, Patrick; Büttner-Herold, Maike; Ries, Jutta; Preidl, Raimund; Geppert, Carol-Immanuel; Neukam, Friedrich W; Wehrhan, Falk

2018-01-01

Apical periodontitis can appear clinically as apical granulomas or radicular cysts. There is evidence that immunologic factors are involved in the pathogenesis of both pathologies. In contrast to radicular cysts, the dentigerous cysts have a developmental origin. Macrophage polarization (M1 vs M2) is a main regulator of tissue homeostasis and differentiation. There are no studies comparing macrophage polarization in apical granulomas, radicular cysts, and dentigerous cysts. Forty-one apical granulomas, 23 radicular cysts, and 23 dentigerous cysts were analyzed in this study. A tissue microarray (TMA) of the 87 consecutive specimens was created, and CD68-, CD11c-, CD163-, and MRC1-positive macrophages were detected by immunohistochemical methods. TMAs were digitized, and the expression of macrophage markers was quantitatively assessed. Radicular cysts are characterized by M1 polarization of macrophages while apical granulomas show a significantly higher degree of M2 polarization. Dentigerous cysts have a significantly lower M1 polarization than both analyzed periapical lesions (apical granulomas and radicular cysts) and accordingly, a significantly higher M2 polarization than radicular cysts. Macrophage cell density in dentigerous cysts is significantly lower than in the periapical lesions. The development of apical periodontitis towards apical granulomas or radicular cysts might be directed by macrophage polarization. Radicular cyst formation is associated with an increased M1 polarization of infiltrating macrophages. In contrast to radicular cysts, dentigerous cysts are characterized by a low macrophage infiltration and a high degree of M2 polarization, possibly reflecting their developmental rather than inflammatory origin. As M1 polarization of macrophages is triggered by bacterial antigens, these results underline the need for sufficient bacterial clearance during endodontic treatment to prevent a possible M1 macrophage-derived stimulus for radicular cyst formation.

Sequential development of apical-basal and planar polarities in aggregating epitheliomuscular cells of Hydra.

PubMed

Seybold, Anna; Salvenmoser, Willi; Hobmayer, Bert

2016-04-01

Apical-basal and planar cell polarities are hallmarks of metazoan epithelia required to separate internal and external environments and to regulate trans- and intracellular transport, cytoskeletal organization, and morphogenesis. Mechanisms of cell polarization have been intensively studied in bilaterian model organisms, particularly in early embryos and cultured cells, while cell polarity in pre-bilaterian tissues is poorly understood. Here, we have studied apical-basal and planar polarization in regenerating (aggregating) clusters of epitheliomuscular cells of Hydra, a simple representative of the ancestral, pre-bilaterian phylum Cnidaria. Immediately after dissociation, single epitheliomuscular cells do not exhibit cellular polarity, but they polarize de novo during aggregation. Reestablishment of the Hydra-specific epithelial bilayer is a result of short-range cell sorting. In the early phase of aggregation, apical-basal polarization starts with an enlargement of the epithelial apical-basal diameter and by the development of belt-like apical septate junctions. Specification of the basal pole of epithelial cells occurs shortly later and is linked to synthesis of mesoglea, development of hemidesmosome-like junctions, and formation of desmosome-like junctions connecting the basal myonemes of neighbouring cells. Planar polarization starts, while apical-basal polarization is already ongoing. It is executed gradually starting with cell-autonomous formation, parallelization, and condensation of myonemes at the basal end of each epithelial cell and continuing with a final planar alignment of epitheliomuscular cells at the tissue level. Our findings reveal that epithelial polarization in Hydra aggregates occurs in defined steps well accessible by histological and ultrastructural techniques and they will provide a basis for future molecular studies. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Image Formation in High Contrast Optical Systems: The Role of Polarization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Breckinridge, James B.

2004-01-01

To find evidence of life in the Universe outside our solar system is one of the most compelling and visionary adventures of the 21st century. The technologies to create the telescopes and instruments that will enable this discovery are now within the grasp of mankind. Direct imaging of a very faint planet around a neighboring bright star requires high contrast or a hypercontrast optical imaging system capable of controlling unwanted radiation within the system to one part in ten to the 11th. This paper identifies several physical phenomena that affect image quality in high contrast imaging systems. Polarization induced at curved metallic surfaces and by anisotropy in the deposition process (Smith-Purcell effect) along with beam shifts introduced by the Goos-Hachen effect are discussed. A typical configuration is analyzed, and technical risk mitigation concepts are discussed.

Polarization-based and specular-reflection-based noncontact latent fingerprint imaging and lifting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lin, Shih-Schön; Yemelyanov, Konstantin M.; Pugh, Edward N., Jr.; Engheta, Nader

2006-09-01

In forensic science the finger marks left unintentionally by people at a crime scene are referred to as latent fingerprints. Most existing techniques to detect and lift latent fingerprints require application of a certain material directly onto the exhibit. The chemical and physical processing applied to the fingerprint potentially degrades or prevents further forensic testing on the same evidence sample. Many existing methods also have deleterious side effects. We introduce a method to detect and extract latent fingerprint images without applying any powder or chemicals on the object. Our method is based on the optical phenomena of polarization and specular reflection together with the physiology of fingerprint formation. The recovered image quality is comparable to existing methods. In some cases, such as the sticky side of tape, our method shows unique advantages.

Auxin minimum triggers the developmental switch from cell division to cell differentiation in the Arabidopsis root

PubMed Central

De Ruvo, Micol; Pacifici, Elena; Salvi, Elena; Sozzani, Rosangela; Benfey, Philip N.; Di Paola, Luisa; Marée, Athanasius F. M.; Costantino, Paolo; Grieneisen, Verônica A.; Sabatini, Sabrina

2017-01-01

In multicellular organisms, a stringent control of the transition between cell division and differentiation is crucial for correct tissue and organ development. In the Arabidopsis root, the boundary between dividing and differentiating cells is positioned by the antagonistic interaction of the hormones auxin and cytokinin. Cytokinin affects polar auxin transport, but how this impacts the positional information required to establish this tissue boundary, is still unknown. By combining computational modeling with molecular genetics, we show that boundary formation is dependent on cytokinin’s control on auxin polar transport and degradation. The regulation of both processes shapes the auxin profile in a well-defined auxin minimum. This auxin minimum positions the boundary between dividing and differentiating cells, acting as a trigger for this developmental transition, thus controlling meristem size. PMID:28831001

Dynamic subcellular localization of a respiratory complex controls bacterial respiration

PubMed Central

Alberge, François; Espinosa, Leon; Seduk, Farida; Sylvi, Léa; Toci, René; Walburger, Anne; Magalon, Axel

2015-01-01

Respiration, an essential process for most organisms, has to optimally respond to changes in the metabolic demand or the environmental conditions. The branched character of their respiratory chains allows bacteria to do so by providing a great metabolic and regulatory flexibility. Here, we show that the native localization of the nitrate reductase, a major respiratory complex under anaerobiosis in Escherichia coli, is submitted to tight spatiotemporal regulation in response to metabolic conditions via a mechanism using the transmembrane proton gradient as a cue for polar localization. These dynamics are critical for controlling the activity of nitrate reductase, as the formation of polar assemblies potentiates the electron flux through the complex. Thus, dynamic subcellular localization emerges as a critical factor in the control of respiration in bacteria. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.05357.001 PMID:26077726

Water on Mars: Volatile history and resource availability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jakosky, Bruce M.

1991-01-01

The existence of water on Mars is undisputed today. Measurements of atmospheric water vapor have shown that the abundance varies with location and season in a systematic way which depends on processes of exchange with the polar caps, regolith, and atmosphere. Channels, which give the appearance of having been carved by water or of having had water involved in their formation, appear in various locations on the surface; some were formed by catastrophic outflow of water from beneath the surface, while others form valley networks which give the appearance of having formed over long periods of time primarily early in the planet's history. The north polar residual cap consists of water ice, possibly containing an amount of water equivalent to a global layer several tens of meters thick. Finally, water is observed within the regolith, as adsorbed water or as water of hydration.

Comparative hepatic in vitro depletion and metabolite formation of major perfluorooctane sulfonate precursors in Arctic polar bear, beluga whale, and ringed seal.

PubMed

Letcher, Robert J; Chu, Shaogang; McKinney, Melissa A; Tomy, Gregg T; Sonne, Christian; Dietz, Rune

2014-10-01

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) has been reported to be among the most concentrated persistent organic pollutants in Arctic marine wildlife. The present study examined the in vitro depletion of major PFOS precursors, N-ethyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamide (N-EtFOSA) and perfluorooctane sulfonamide (FOSA), as well as metabolite formation using an assay based on enzymatically viable liver microsomes for three top Arctic marine mammalian predators, polar bear (Ursus maritimus), beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas), and ringed seal (Pusa hispida), and in laboratory rat (Rattus rattus) serving as a general mammalian model and positive control. Rat assays showed that N-EtFOSA (38 nM or 150 ng mL(-1)) to FOSA metabolism was >90% complete after 10 min, and at a rate of 23 pmol min(-1) mg(-1) protein. Examining all species in a full 90 min incubation assay, there was >95% N-EtFOSA depletion for the rat active control and polar bear microsomes, ∼65% for ringed seals, and negligible depletion of N-EtFOSA for beluga whale. Concomitantly, the corresponding in vitro formation of FOSA from N-EtFOSA was also quantitatively rat≈polar bear>ringed seal>beluga whale. A lack of enzymatic ability and/or a rate too slow to be detected likely explains the lack of N-EtFOSA to FOSA transformation for beluga whale. In the same assays, the depletion of the FOSA metabolite was insignificant (p>0.01) and with no concomitant formation of PFOS metabolite. This suggests that, in part, a source of FOSA is the biotransformation of accumulated N-EtFOSA in free-ranging Arctic ringed seal and polar bear. Crown Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Data processing workflow for time of flight polarized neutrons inelastic measurements

DOE PAGES

Savici, Andrei T.; Zaliznyak, Igor A.; Ovidiu Garlea, V.; ...

2017-06-01

We discuss the data processing workflow for polarized neutron scattering measurements performed at HYSPEC spectrometer at the Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The effects of the focusing Heusler crystal polarizer and the wide-angle supermirror transmission polarization analyzer are added to the data processing flow of the non-polarized case. The implementation is done using the Mantid software package.

Evidence for C5 organosulfur secondary organic aerosol components from in-cloud processing of isoprene: Role of reactive SO4 and SO3 radicals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Szmigielski, Rafal

2016-04-01

Isoprene, an aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbon (C5H8), is a key volatile released to the atmosphere by broad-leaf forest vegetation. Data obtained from field and laboratory experiments clearly prove that isoprene is a precursor of secondary organic aerosol (SOA). In this work evidence is provided that in-cloud transformations of isoprene coupled with S(IV)-autoxidation is a potentially important route for aqueous SOA through the formation of polar organosulfates and organosulfites with MWs of 182, 180 and 166, 164, respectively. Recently, MW 182 organosulfates have been observed in substantial abundance in ambient fine aerosol. Results from comprehensive LC/(-)ESI-QTRAP-MS/MS analysis revealed oxygenated polar species with a C5 skeleton bearing - OSO3H (MW 182, 180) and -OSO2H (MW 166, 164) moieties. The structures of these products were elucidated by detailed interpretation of negative-ion electrospray-ionization mass spectra, and additionally, in case of the MW 182 organosulfates, by comparison of chromatographic and mass spectrometric profiles with synthesized standards. The formation of C5 organosulfur products is explained through sulfate/sulfite radical-induced oxidation in the aqueous particle phase.

Conformational relaxation dynamics in the excited electronic states of benzil in solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Ajay K.; Palit, Dipak K.; Mittal, Jai P.

2002-07-01

Relaxation dynamics in the excited singlet (S1) state of benzil have been studied in solution using pico and subpicosecond transient absorption spectroscopic techniques. The triple exponential decay dynamics of the S1 state indicates that the process of conformational change from the cis-skewed to the trans-planar form takes place via the formation of a meta-stable intermediate conformer resulting the involvement of two consequent barrier crossing processes. The barrier crossing dynamics is governed by both the polarity of the solvent, which alters the barrier heights by `static' interactions, as well as the viscosity of the solvent via `dynamical' interactions.

On the inscription of period and half-period surface relief gratings in azobenzene-functionalized polymers.

PubMed

Sobolewska, Anna; Miniewicz, Andrzej

2008-04-17

Laser-light-induced surface relief grating inscription was carried out in the newly synthesized azobenzene-functionalized poly(amide-imide)s having the same main- and side-chain structures but different substituents in the azobenzene groups. The gratings were inscribed employing the two-wave mixing technique with linearly polarized laser beams. Three different polarization configurations were used: s-s, p-p, and s-p. The relatively deep surface relief gratings of period Lambda were formed for the case of s-s and p-p polarizations, whereas the s-p inscription resulted in the half-period grating (Lambda/2) with the weak surface modulation. The origin of the formation of Lambda/2 structure for s-p configuration results from the interference between zeroth- and first-order beams scattered on the polarization refractive index grating and having the same polarization. On the basis of this idea, we presented the simple kinetic model predicting and modeling the half-period grating formation with its temporal evolution. The proposed model is consistent with the experimental findings.

Fabrication of a glancing-angle-deposited distributed polarization rotator for ultraviolet applications

DOE PAGES

Oliver, James B.; Smith, Chris; Spaulding, John; ...

2018-06-05

Glancing-angle–deposited thin films are used to fabricate half-wave plates in a 1-D striped geometry, forming alternating regions of linearly polarized light on a single 100-mm-diam substrate. MgO is selected for fabricating the birefringent films for use in vacuum, based on its formation of isolated columns that avoid potential tensile-stress failure of the porous film. While large-area tests have shown high defect densities for fluences <10 J/cm 2, small-spot laser-damage testing has shown resistance to fluences up to 30 J/cm 2 (351-nm, 5-ns pulse). Here, an amorphous silica film is investigated to match the optical thickness in the intermediate regions inmore » an effort to fabricate a polarization-control device to reduce focal-point modulation (“beam smoothing”) in high-intensity laser systems. Ongoing efforts to improve the laser-damage threshold and minimize optical losses caused by scatter are essential to realizing a practical device. Scalability of the process to meter-scale substrates is also explored.« less

Readily available titania nanostructuring routines based on mobility and polarity controlled phase separation of an amphiphilic diblock copolymer.

PubMed

Hohn, Nuri; Schlosser, Steffen J; Bießmann, Lorenz; Grott, Sebastian; Xia, Senlin; Wang, Kun; Schwartzkopf, Matthias; Roth, Stephan V; Müller-Buschbaum, Peter

2018-03-15

The amphiphilic diblock copolymer polystyrene-block-polyethylene oxide is combined with sol-gel chemistry to control the structure formation of blade-coated foam-like titania thin films. The influence of evaporation time before immersion into a poor solvent bath and polarity of the poor solvent bath are studied. Resulting morphological changes are quantified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and grazing incidence small angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) measurements. SEM images surface structures while GISAXS accesses inner film structures. Due to the correlation of evaporation time and mobility of the polymer template during the phase separation process, a decrease in the distances of neighboring titania nanostructures from 50 nm to 22 nm is achieved. Furthermore, through an increase of polarity of an immersion bath the energetic incompatibility of the hydrophobic block and the solvent can be enhanced, leading to an increase of titania nanostructure distances from 35 nm to 55 nm. Thus, a simple approach is presented to control titania nanostructure in foam-like films prepared via blade coating, which enables an easy upscaling of film preparation.

Induction of lateral lumens through disruption of a monoleucine-based basolateral-sorting motif in betacellulin

PubMed Central

Singh, Bhuminder; Bogatcheva, Galina; Starchenko, Alina; Sinnaeve, Justine; Lapierre, Lynne A.; Williams, Janice A.; Goldenring, James R.; Coffey, Robert J.

2015-01-01

ABSTRACT Directed delivery of EGF receptor (EGFR) ligands to the apical or basolateral surface is a crucial regulatory step in the initiation of EGFR signaling in polarized epithelial cells. Herein, we show that the EGFR ligand betacellulin (BTC) is preferentially sorted to the basolateral surface of polarized MDCK cells. By using sequential truncations and site-directed mutagenesis within the BTC cytoplasmic domain, combined with selective cell-surface biotinylation and immunofluorescence, we have uncovered a monoleucine-based basolateral-sorting motif (EExxxL, specifically 156EEMETL161). Disruption of this sorting motif led to equivalent apical and basolateral localization of BTC. Unlike other EGFR ligands, BTC mistrafficking induced formation of lateral lumens in polarized MDCK cells, and this process was significantly attenuated by inhibition of EGFR. Additionally, expression of a cancer-associated somatic BTC mutation (E156K) led to BTC mistrafficking and induced lateral lumens in MDCK cells. Overexpression of BTC, especially mistrafficking forms, increased the growth of MDCK cells. These results uncover a unique role for BTC mistrafficking in promoting epithelial reorganization. PMID:26272915

Fabrication of a glancing-angle-deposited distributed polarization rotator for ultraviolet applications

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oliver, James B.; Smith, Chris; Spaulding, John

Glancing-angle–deposited thin films are used to fabricate half-wave plates in a 1-D striped geometry, forming alternating regions of linearly polarized light on a single 100-mm-diam substrate. MgO is selected for fabricating the birefringent films for use in vacuum, based on its formation of isolated columns that avoid potential tensile-stress failure of the porous film. While large-area tests have shown high defect densities for fluences <10 J/cm 2, small-spot laser-damage testing has shown resistance to fluences up to 30 J/cm 2 (351-nm, 5-ns pulse). Here, an amorphous silica film is investigated to match the optical thickness in the intermediate regions inmore » an effort to fabricate a polarization-control device to reduce focal-point modulation (“beam smoothing”) in high-intensity laser systems. Ongoing efforts to improve the laser-damage threshold and minimize optical losses caused by scatter are essential to realizing a practical device. Scalability of the process to meter-scale substrates is also explored.« less

Birth, growth and death of an antivortex during the propagation of a transverse domain wall in magnetic nanostrips

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yuan, H. Y.; Wang, X. R.

2014-11-01

Antivortex birth, growth and death accompanying the propagation of a transverse domain wall (DW) in magnetic nanostrips are observed and analyzed. Antivortex formation is an intrinsic process of a strawberry-like transverse DW originated from magnetostatic interaction. Under an external magnetic field, the wider width region of a DW tends to move faster than the narrower one. This speed mismatch tilts and elongates DW center line. As a result, an antivortex with a well-defined polarity is periodically born near the tail of the DW center line. The antivortex either moves along the center line and dies on the other side of the nanostrip, or grows to its maximum size, detaches itself from the DW, and vanishes eventually. The former route reverses the polarity of DW while the later keeps the DW polarity unchanged. The evolution of the DW structures is analyzed using winding numbers assigned to each topological defects. The phase diagram in the field-width plane is obtained and the damping constant's influence on the phase diagram is discussed.

Dust and Ice Deposition in the Martian Geologic Record

USGS Publications Warehouse

Tanaka, K.L.

2000-01-01

The polar layered deposits of Mars demonstrate that thick accumulations of dust and ice deposits can develop on the planet if environmental conditions are favorable. These deposits appear to be hundreds of millions of years old, and other deposits of similar size but of greater age in nonpolar regions may have formed by similar processes. Possible relict dust deposits include, from oldest to youngest: Noachian intercrater materials, including Arabia mantle deposits, Noachian to Early Hesperian south polar pitted deposits, Early Hesperian Hellas and Argyre basin deposits, Late Hesperian Electris deposits, and the Amazonian Medusae Fossae Formation. These deposits typically are hundreds of meters to a couple kilometers thick and cover upward of a million or more square kilometers. The apparent persistence of dust sedimentation at the south pole back to the Early Hesperian or earlier and the early growth of Tharsis during the Late Noachian and perhaps earlier indicates that extensive polar wandering is unlikely following the Middle Noachian. A scenario for the overall history of dust and perhaps ice deposition on Mars includes widespread, voluminous accumulations perhaps planetwide during the Noachian as impacts, volcanism, and surface processes generated large amounts of dust; the Arabia deposits may have formed as ice availability and dust accumulation waned. During the Early Hesperian, thick dust sedimentation became restricted to the south pole and the deep Hellas and Argyre basins; the north polar sedimentary record prior to the Amazonian is largely obscured. Deposits at Electris and Medusae Fossae may have resulted from local sources of fine-grained material - perhaps volcanic eruptions.

Coherent detection in optical fiber systems.

PubMed

Ip, Ezra; Lau, Alan Pak Tao; Barros, Daniel J F; Kahn, Joseph M

2008-01-21

The drive for higher performance in optical fiber systems has renewed interest in coherent detection. We review detection methods, including noncoherent, differentially coherent, and coherent detection, as well as a hybrid method. We compare modulation methods encoding information in various degrees of freedom (DOF). Polarization-multiplexed quadrature-amplitude modulation maximizes spectral efficiency and power efficiency, by utilizing all four available DOF, the two field quadratures in the two polarizations. Dual-polarization homodyne or heterodyne downconversion are linear processes that can fully recover the received signal field in these four DOF. When downconverted signals are sampled at the Nyquist rate, compensation of transmission impairments can be performed using digital signal processing (DSP). Linear impairments, including chromatic dispersion and polarization-mode dispersion, can be compensated quasi-exactly using finite impulse response filters. Some nonlinear impairments, such as intra-channel four-wave mixing and nonlinear phase noise, can be compensated partially. Carrier phase recovery can be performed using feedforward methods, even when phase-locked loops may fail due to delay constraints. DSP-based compensation enables a receiver to adapt to time-varying impairments, and facilitates use of advanced forward-error-correction codes. We discuss both single- and multi-carrier system implementations. For a given modulation format, using coherent detection, they offer fundamentally the same spectral efficiency and power efficiency, but may differ in practice, because of different impairments and implementation details. With anticipated advances in analog-to-digital converters and integrated circuit technology, DSP-based coherent receivers at bit rates up to 100 Gbit/s should become practical within the next few years.

Mars Polar Thermal Inertia and Albedo Properties Using TES Data

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scherbenski, J. M.; Paige, D. A.

2002-12-01

We present north and south polar thermal inertia and albedo maps derived from MGS TES observations. The maps were derived using the same robust approach developed to make polar thermal and inertia and albedo maps using IRTM observationsby Paige, Bachman, and Keegan (1994) and Paige and Keegan (1994). The data processing approach involved reading TES reduced data records in PDS format using the Vanilla software tool, and sending the data down a processing pipeline that constrains and bins the data, and compares it to the results of a diurnal and seasonal thermal model to obtain the best fit thermal inertia and apparent albedo. To facilitate comparison, the TES maps were created at the same Ls ranges as the published IRTM maps using TES spectral surface temperature results. The north polar maps used TES nadir observations obtained during a 50-day period from Ls 98.39 to Ls 121.25. The south polar maps used TES nadir observations obtained during a 30-day period from Ls 321.58 to 338.07. The creation of these maps employ a basic thermal model that does not include the effects of the atmosphere, as well as a one-dimensional radiative-convective model that does include the effects of the atmosphere. The spatial resolution of the north polar maps is 0.1 degrees of latitude and 1.0 degrees of longitude. The spatial resolution of the south polar maps is 2 degrees of latitude and 2 degrees of longitude. The TES north polar maps show the residual cap area in significantly greater detail than has been available previously. The IRTM maps showed that the north polar sand sea that surrounds the cap has unusually low thermal inertia. The TES maps confirm this conclusion, but also show that the dark renetrant features in chama boreal and elsewhere on the cap also have low thermal inertias. This strongly supports the proposal that these dark rentrants are the sources of the dune material. The TES maps also show that the darker layered deposits which are found at the periphery of the cap have high thermal inertias, just like the brighter water ice deposits elsewhere on the cap. This strongly supports the conclusion that even the darker north polar layered deposits are mostly ice. The TES south polar maps show similar features to those observed by IRTM, including the presence of a low thermal inertia region centered on the south pole, and a region of anomalously high apparent albedo southward of 78 degrees latitude. References: Paige, D. A., J. E. Bachman and K. D. Keegan, Thermal and albedo mapping of the polar regions of Mars using Viking thermal mapper observations: 1. North polar region, J. Geophys. Res. 99, 24,959-25,991, 1994. Paige, D. A. and K. D. Keegan, Thermal and albedo mapping of the polar regions of Mars using Viking thermal mapper observations: 1. South polar region, J. Geophys. Res. 99, 24,993-26,013, 1994.

The UV Spectral Components in RE1938-461, the Brightest ROSAT WFC Discovered Polar with a High Euv/optical Ratio: CYCLE4 Medium.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosen, Simon

1994-01-01

Eight new magnetic cataclysmic variables were discovered during the ROSAT WFC survey. Seven of these have been identified with polar (or AM Her) systems. A striking result that has emerged is that the new polars appear to populate a region of high EUV/optical flux ratio when compared to that measured for the previously known systems that were also detected in the WFC survey. It is highly likely that these new polars also possess large soft/hard X-ray flux ratios. In this case, the WFC result suggests that a) polars with large soft excesses are more common than previously believed and b) that the mode of accretion in these particular systems is likely to be via the direct penetration of the white dwarf's surface by blobs of accreting material rather than by the formation of a hard X-ray emitting column above the surface. The new polars will have a direct bearing on the division between the two different modes of accretion. They also provide the means to probe the detailed nature of the processes occurring in the accretion region. We are proposing low resolution HST FOS observations of the brightest of these EUV luminous polars discovered in the WFC survey to a) search for the tail of the emission component from the heated region around the accreting pole to constrain the luminosity, size and temperature of this constituent and b) to perform an initial study of the UV emission lines, measuring their flux and radial velocity motion to constrain the dynamics and physical (ionization) structure within the accretion flow.

Capacity upgrade in short-reach optical fibre networks: simultaneous 4-PAM 20 Gbps data and polarization-modulated PPS clock signal using a single VCSEL carrier

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Isoe, G. M.; Wassin, S.; Gamatham, R. R. G.; Leitch, A. W. R.; Gibbon, T. B.

2017-11-01

In this work, a four-level pulse amplitude modulation (4-PAM) format with a polarization-modulated pulse per second (PPS) clock signal using a single vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) carrier is for the first time experimentally demonstrated. We propose uncomplex alternative technique for increasing capacity and flexibility in short-reach optical communication links through multi-signal modulation onto a single VCSEL carrier. A 20 Gbps 4-PAM data signal is directly modulated onto a single mode 10 GHz bandwidth VCSEL carrier at 1310 nm, therefore, doubling the network bit rate. Carrier spectral efficiency is further maximized by exploiting the inherent orthogonal polarization switching of the VCSEL carrier with changing bias in transmission of a PPS clock signal. We, therefore, simultaneously transmit a 20 Gbps 4-PAM data signal and a polarization-based PPS clock signal using a single VCSEL carrier. It is the first time a signal VCSEL carrier is reported to simultaneously transmit a directly modulated 20 Gbps 4-PAM data signal and a polarization-based PPS clock signal. We further demonstrate on the design of a software-defined digital signal processing (DSP)-assisted receiver as an alternative to costly receiver hardware. Experimental results show that a 3.21 km fibre transmission with simultaneous 20 Gbps 4-PAM data signal and polarization-based PPS clock signal introduced a penalty of 3.76 dB. The contribution of polarization-based PPS clock signal to this penalty was found out to be 0.41 dB. Simultaneous distribution of data and timing clock signals over shared network infrastructure significantly increases the aggregated data rate at different optical network units (ONUs), without costly investment.

Modeling self-organization of novel organic materials

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sayar, Mehmet

In this thesis, the structural organization of oligomeric multi-block molecules is analyzed by computational analysis of coarse-grained models. These molecules form nanostructures with different dimensionalities, and the nanostructured nature of these materials leads to novel structural properties at different length scales. Previously, a number of oligomeric triblock rodcoil molecules have been shown to self-organize into mushroom shaped noncentrosymmetric nanostructures. Interestingly, thin films of these molecules contain polar domains and a finite macroscopic polarization. However, the fully polarized state is not the equilibrium state. In the first chapter, by solving a model with dipolar and Ising-like short range interactions, we show that polar domains are stable in films composed of aggregates as opposed to isolated molecules. Unlike classical molecular systems, these nanoaggregates have large intralayer spacings (a ≈ 6 nm), leading to a reduction in the repulsive dipolar interactions that oppose polar order within layers. This enables the formation of a striped pattern with polar domains of alternating directions. The energies of the possible structures at zero temperature are computed exactly and results of Monte Carlo simulations are provided at non-zero temperatures. In the second chapter, the macroscopic polarization of such nanostructured films is analyzed in the presence of a short range surface interaction. The surface interaction leads to a periodic domain structure where the balance between the up and down domains is broken, and therefore films of finite thickness have a net macroscopic polarization. The polarization per unit volume is a function of film thickness and strength of the surface interaction. Finally, in chapter three, self-organization of organic molecules into a network of one dimensional objects is analyzed. Multi-block organic dendron rodcoil molecules were found to self-organize into supramolecular nanoribbons (threads) and form gels at very low concentrations. Here, the formation and structural properties of these networks are studied with Monte Carlo simulations. The model gelators can form intra and inter-thread bonds, and the threads have a finite stiffness. The results suggest that the high persistence length is a result of the interplay of thread stiffness and inter-thread interactions. Furthermore, this high persistence length enables the formation of networks at low concentrations.

Recent Advances in Chiral Nematic Structure and Iridescent Color of Cellulose Nanocrystal Films

PubMed Central

Gray, Derek G.

2016-01-01

One unique property of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) is their property of forming suspensions with chiral nematic order. This order can be preserved in films cast from the suspensions, raising the possibility of applications as photonic materials and templates. However, it has proved difficult to generate uniform, well-ordered chiral nematic materials from CNC. Recently, the importance of kinetic arrest due to gel formation in the later stages of evaporation has been recognized as a key step in film formation. In this brief review, recent developments regarding the structure of chiral nematic suspensions and films as monitored by polarized light microscopy are outlined, and attention is drawn to the importance of shear forces on the self-organization process. PMID:28335340

Implementation of polarization processes in a charge transport model applied on poly(ethylene naphthalate) films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hoang, M.-Q.; Le Roy, S.; Boudou, L.; Teyssedre, G.

2016-06-01

One of the difficulties in unravelling transport processes in electrically insulating materials is the fact that the response, notably charging current transients, can have mixed contributions from orientation polarization and from space charge processes. This work aims at identifying and characterizing the polarization processes in a polar polymer in the time and frequency-domains and to implement the contribution of the polarization into a charge transport model. To do so, Alternate Polarization Current (APC) and Dielectric Spectroscopy measurements have been performed on poly(ethylene naphthalene 2,6-dicarboxylate) (PEN), an aromatic polar polymer, providing information on polarization mechanisms in the time- and frequency-domain, respectively. In the frequency-domain, PEN exhibits 3 relaxation processes termed β, β* (sub-glass transitions), and α relaxations (glass transition) in increasing order of temperature. Conduction was also detected at high temperatures. Dielectric responses were treated using a simplified version of the Havriliak-Negami model (Cole-Cole (CC) model), using 3 parameters per relaxation process, these parameters being temperature dependent. The time dependent polarization obtained from the CC model is then added to a charge transport model. Simulated currents issued from the transport model implemented with the polarization are compared with the measured APCs, showing a good consistency between experiments and simulations in a situation where the response comes essentially from dipolar processes.

Ferroelectric Nematic and Ferrielectric Smectic Mesophases in an Achiral Bent-Core Azo Compound.

PubMed

Kumar, Jitendra; Prasad, Veena

2018-03-22

Here, we report the observation of ferroelectric nematic and ferrielectric smectic mesophases in an achiral bent-core azo compound consisting of nonsymmetrical molecules with a lateral fluoro substitution on one of the wings. These mesophases are enantiotropic in nature with fairly low transition temperatures and wide mesophase ranges. The liquid crystalline properties of this compound are investigated using polarizing optical microscope, differential scanning calorimeter, X-ray diffraction, and electro-optical studies. As revealed by X-ray diffraction measurements, the nematic mesophase is composed of skewed cybotactic clusters and, in the smectic mesophase, the molecules are tilted with respect to the layer normal. The polar order in these mesophases was confirmed by the electro-optical switching and dielectric spectroscopy measurements. The dielectric study in the nematic mesophase shows a single relaxation process at low frequency ( f < 1 kHz) measured in the range 10 Hz to 5 MHz, which is attributed to the collective motion of the molecules within cybotactic clusters. The formation of local polar order in these clusters leads to a ferroelectric-like polar switching in the nematic mesophase. Of particular interest is the fact that the smectic phase exhibits a field induced ferrielectric state, which can be exploited for designing of the potential optical devices due to multistate switching.

Spectrophotometric and spectroscopic studies of charge transfer complex of 1-Naphthylamine as an electron donor with picric acid as an electron acceptor in different polar solvents

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Neeti; Ahmad, Afaq

2010-08-01

The charge transfer complex of 1-Naphthylamine as a donor with π-acceptor picric acid has been studied spectrophotometrically in different solvents at room temperature. The results indicate that the formation of charge transfer complex is high in less polar solvent. The stoichiometry of the complex was found to be 1:1 by straight line method. The data are analysed in terms of formation constant ( KCT), molar extinction coefficient ( ɛCT), standard free energy (Δ G o), oscillator strength ( ƒ), transition dipole moment ( μ EN), resonance energy ( R N) and ionization potential ( I D). It is concluded that the formation constant ( KCT) of the complex is found to be depends upon the nature of both electron acceptor and donor and also on the polarity of solvents. Further the charge transfer molecular complex between picric acid and 1-Naphthylamine is stabilized by hydrogen bonding.

Pattern formation in mass conserving reaction-diffusion systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brauns, Fridtjof; Halatek, Jacob; Frey, Erwin

We present a rigorous theoretical framework able to generalize and unify pattern formation for quantitative mass conserving reaction-diffusion models. Mass redistribution controls chemical equilibria locally. Separation of diffusive mass redistribution on the level of conserved species provides a general mathematical procedure to decompose complex reaction-diffusion systems into effectively independent functional units, and to reveal the general underlying bifurcation scenarios. We apply this framework to Min protein pattern formation and identify the mechanistic roles of both involved protein species. MinD generates polarity through phase separation, whereas MinE takes the role of a control variable regulating the existence of MinD phases. Hence, polarization and not oscillations is the generic core dynamics of Min proteins in vivo. This establishes an intrinsic mechanistic link between the Min system and a broad class of intracellular pattern forming systems based on bistability and phase separation (wave-pinning). Oscillations are facilitated by MinE redistribution and can be understood mechanistically as relaxation oscillations of the polarization direction.

Distinct water activation on polar/non-polar facets of ZnO nanoparticles

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zhang, He; Sun, Junming; Liu, Changjun

2015-11-01

ZnO nanoparticles with differing dominant facets were prepared and characterized by a complimentary of techniques such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, temperature programmed desorption of H2O, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of adsorbed D2O. For the first time, water interaction/activation is compared on ZnO polar and non-polar facets. We report that non-polar facets exhibit high activity in water activation, which favors reactions such as ketonization and steam reforming in which dissociated water is involved. The distinct water dissociation on ZnO non-polar facets could be related to its facile formation of oxygen vacancies under realistic reaction conditions.

GCM studies on Jovian polar dynamics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tabataba-Vakili, F.; Orton, G.; Li, C.; Young, R. M.; Read, P. L.; Ingersoll, A. P.

2017-12-01

The Juno spacecraft has produced unparalleled measurements of the polar regions of Jupiter. Observations from JunoCAM and JIRAM (Jupiter Infrared Auroral Mapper) have revealed a structure of cyclonic vortices near the poles. We report simulations of the observed polar dynamics using a hierarchy of models from shallow-water to general circulation models with increasing detail. An initialized, unforced shallow-water model of the polar region results in merging cyclones, producing a Saturn-like polar vortex. Further investigations with more detailed models aim to recreate the observed polar structures on Jupiter and investigate the difference between vortical structures on Saturn and Jupiter. Identifying this difference may shed light on the formation and maintenance mechanisms of the observed vortices.

Political polarization projection: social projection of partisan attitude extremity and attitudinal processes.

PubMed

Van Boven, Leaf; Judd, Charles M; Sherman, David K

2012-07-01

What influences perceptions of political polarization? The authors examine the polarization of people's own political attitudes as a source of perceived polarization: Individuals with more extreme partisan attitudes perceive greater polarization than individuals with less extreme partisan attitudes. This "polarization projection" was demonstrated in 3 studies in which people estimated the distribution of others' political attitudes: one study with a nationally representative sample concerning the 2008 presidential election, and 2 studies concerning university students evaluating a policy regarding scarce resource allocation. These studies demonstrate that polarization projection occurs simultaneously with and independently of simple projection, the tendency to assume that others share one's partisan political attitudes. Polarization projection may occur partly because people assume that others engage in similar attitudinal processes as the self, such as extensive thought and emotional arousal. The projection of various attitudinal processes was demonstrated in a study concerning health care reform policies. Further supporting this explanation, polarization projection increased when people introspected about their own attitudinal processes, which increased the accessibility of those processes. Implications for perceptions of partisanship, social judgment, and civic behavior are discussed.

CO_2 Frost Halos on the South Polar Residual Cap of Mars

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Becerra, P.; Byrne, S.; HiRISE Team

2012-03-01

We present observational analysis, and a numerical model to explain the formation of bright CO_2 frost halos seen by HiRISE on the edges of scarps and "swiss cheese" features in the south polar residual cap of Mars.

Process for removing halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds from petroleum products

DOEpatents

Googin, J.M.; Napier, J.M.; Travaglini, M.A.

1983-09-20

A process is described for removing halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds, e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls, from petroleum products by solvent extraction. The halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds are extracted from a petroleum product into a polar solvent by contacting the petroleum product with the polar solvent. The polar solvent is characterized by a high solubility for the extracted halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds, a low solubility for the petroleum product and considerable solvent power for polyhydroxy compound. The preferred polar solvent is dimethylformamide. A miscible compound, such as, water or a polyhydroxy compound, is added to the polar extraction solvent to increase the polarity of the polar extraction solvent. The halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds are extracted from the highly-polarized mixture of water or polyhydroxy compound and polar extraction solvent into a low polar or nonpolar solvent by contacting the water or polyhydroxy compound-polar solvent mixture with the low polar or nonpolar solvent. The halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds and the low polar or nonpolar solvent are separated by physical means, e.g., vacuum evaporation. The polar and nonpolar solvents are recovered from recycling. The process can easily be designed for continuous operation. Advantages of the process include that the polar solvent and a major portion of the nonpolar solvent can be recycled, the petroleum products are reclaimable and the cost for disposing of waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls is significantly reduced. 1 fig.

Process for removing halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds from petroleum products

DOEpatents

Googin, John M.; Napier, John M.; Travaglini, Michael A.

1983-01-01

A process for removing halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds, e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls, from petroleum products by solvent extraction. The halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds are extracted from a petroleum product into a polar solvent by contacting the petroleum product with the polar solvent. The polar solvent is characterized by a high solubility for the extracted halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds, a low solubility for the petroleum product and considerable solvent power for polyhydroxy compound. The preferred polar solvent is dimethylformamide. A miscible compound, such as, water or a polyhydroxy compound, is added to the polar extraction solvent to increase the polarity of the polar extraction solvent. The halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds are extracted from the highly-polarized mixture of water or polyhydroxy compound and polar extraction solvent into a low polar or nonpolar solvent by contacting the water or polyhydroxy compound-polar solvent mixture with the low polar or nonpolar solvent. The halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds and the low polar or nonpolar solvent are separated by physical means, e.g., vacuum evaporation. The polar and nonpolar solvents are recovered from recycling. The process can easily be designed for continuous operation. Advantages of the process include that the polar solvent and a major portion of the nonpolar solvent can be recycled, the petroleum products are reclaimable and the cost for disposing of waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls is significantly reduced.

Process for removing halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds from petroleum products. [Polychlorinated biphenyls; methylene chloride; perchloroethylene; trichlorofluoroethane; trichloroethylene; chlorobenzene

DOEpatents

Googin, J.M.; Napier, J.M.; Travaglini, M.A.

1982-03-31

A process for removing halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds, e.g., polychlorinated biphenyls, from petroleum products by solvent extraction. The halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds are extracted from a petroleum product into a polar solvent by contracting the petroleum product with the polar solvent. The polar solvent is characterized by a high solubility for the extracted halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds, a low solubility for the petroleum product and considerable solvent power for polyhydroxy compound. The preferred polar solvent is dimethylformamide. A miscible polyhydroxy compound, such as, water, is added to the polar extraction solvent to increase the polarity of the polar extraction solvent. The halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds are extracted from the highly-polarized mixture of polyhydroxy compound and polar extraction solvent into a low polar or nonpolar solvent by contacting the polyhydroxy compound-polar solvent mixture with the low polar or nonpolar solvent. The halogenated aliphatic and aromatic compounds in the low polar or nonpolar solvent by physical means, e.g., vacuum evaporation. The polar and nonpolar solvents are recovered for recycling. The process can easily be designed for continuous operation. Advantages of the process include that the polar solvent and a major portion of the nonpolar solvent can be recycled, the petroleum products are reclaimable and the cost for disposing of waste containing polychlorinated biphenyls is significantly reduced. 2 tables.

The Undecided Have the Key: Interaction-Driven Opinion Dynamics in a Three State Model

PubMed Central

2015-01-01

The effects of interpersonal interactions on individual’s agreements result in a social aggregation process which is reflected in the formation of collective states, as for instance, groups of individuals with a similar opinion about a given issue. This field, which has been a longstanding concern of sociologists and psychologists, has been extended into an area of experimental social psychology, and even has attracted the attention of physicists and mathematicians. In this article, we present a novel model of opinion formation in which agents may either have a strict preference for a choice, or be undecided. The opinion shift emerges, in a threshold process, as a consequence of a cumulative persuasion for either one of the two opinions in repeated interactions. There are two main ingredients which play key roles in determining the steady states: the initial fraction of undecided agents and the change in agents’ persuasion after each interaction. As a function of these two parameters, the model presents a wide range of solutions, among which there are consensus of each opinion and bi-polarization. We found that a minimum fraction of undecided agents is not crucial for reaching consensus only, but also to determine a dominant opinion in a polarized situation. In order to gain a deeper comprehension of the dynamics, we also present the theoretical framework of the model. The master equations are of special interest for their nontrivial properties and difficulties in being solved analytically. PMID:26436421

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Zidan, Ragaiy

A process of using an electrochemical cell to generate aluminum hydride (AlH.sub.3) and other high capacity hydrides is provided. The electrolytic cell uses an electro-catalytic-additive within a polar non-salt containing solvent to solubilize an ionic hydride such as NaAlH.sub.4 or LiAlH.sub.4. The resulting electrochemical process results in the formation of AlH.sub.3 adduct. AlH.sub.3 is obtained from the adduct by heating under vacuum. The AlH.sub.3 can be recovered and used as a source of hydrogen for the automotive industry. The resulting spent aluminum can be regenerated into NaAlH.sub.4 or LiAlH.sub.4 as part of a closed loop process of AlH.sub.3 generation.

Single shot damage mechanism of Mo/Si multilayer optics under intense pulsed XUV-exposure.

PubMed

Khorsand, A R; Sobierajski, R; Louis, E; Bruijn, S; van Hattum, E D; van de Kruijs, R W E; Jurek, M; Klinger, D; Pelka, J B; Juha, L; Burian, T; Chalupsky, J; Cihelka, J; Hajkova, V; Vysin, L; Jastrow, U; Stojanovic, N; Toleikis, S; Wabnitz, H; Tiedtke, K; Sokolowski-Tinten, K; Shymanovich, U; Krzywinski, J; Hau-Riege, S; London, R; Gleeson, A; Gullikson, E M; Bijkerk, F

2010-01-18

We investigated single shot damage of Mo/Si multilayer coatings exposed to the intense fs XUV radiation at the Free-electron LASer facility in Hamburg - FLASH. The interaction process was studied in situ by XUV reflectometry, time resolved optical microscopy, and "post-mortem" by interference-polarizing optical microscopy (with Nomarski contrast), atomic force microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microcopy. An ultrafast molybdenum silicide formation due to enhanced atomic diffusion in melted silicon has been determined to be the key process in the damage mechanism. The influence of the energy diffusion on the damage process was estimated. The results are of significance for the design of multilayer optics for a new generation of pulsed (from atto- to nanosecond) XUV sources.

POLARIZED LINE FORMATION WITH LOWER-LEVEL POLARIZATION AND PARTIAL FREQUENCY REDISTRIBUTION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Supriya, H. D.; Sampoorna, M.; Nagendra, K. N.

2016-09-10

In the well-established theories of polarized line formation with partial frequency redistribution (PRD) for a two-level and two-term atom, it is generally assumed that the lower level of the scattering transition is unpolarized. However, the existence of unexplained spectral features in some lines of the Second Solar Spectrum points toward a need to relax this assumption. There exists a density matrix theory that accounts for the polarization of all the atomic levels, but it is based on the flat-spectrum approximation (corresponding to complete frequency redistribution). In the present paper we propose a numerical algorithm to solve the problem of polarizedmore » line formation in magnetized media, which includes both the effects of PRD and the lower level polarization (LLP) for a two-level atom. First we derive a collisionless redistribution matrix that includes the combined effects of the PRD and the LLP. We then solve the relevant transfer equation using a two-stage approach. For illustration purposes, we consider two case studies in the non-magnetic regime, namely, the J {sub a} = 1, J {sub b} = 0 and J {sub a} = J {sub b} = 1, where J {sub a} and J {sub b} represent the total angular momentum quantum numbers of the lower and upper states, respectively. Our studies show that the effects of LLP are significant only in the line core. This leads us to propose a simplified numerical approach to solve the concerned radiative transfer problem.« less

Deletion of Brg1 causes abnormal hair cell planer polarity, hair cell anchorage, and scar formation in mouse cochlea.

PubMed

Jin, Yecheng; Ren, Naixia; Li, Shiwei; Fu, Xiaolong; Sun, Xiaoyang; Men, Yuqin; Xu, Zhigang; Zhang, Jian; Xie, Yue; Xia, Ming; Gao, Jiangang

2016-06-03

Hair cells (HCs) are mechanosensors that play crucial roles in perceiving sound, acceleration, and fluid motion. The precise architecture of the auditory epithelium and its repair after HC loss is indispensable to the function of organ of Corti (OC). In this study, we showed that Brg1 was highly expressed in auditory HCs. Specific deletion of Brg1 in postnatal HCs resulted in rapid HC degeneration and profound deafness in mice. Further experiments showed that cell-intrinsic polarity of HCs was abolished, docking of outer hair cells (OHCs) by Deiter's cells (DCs) failed, and scar formation in the reticular lamina was deficient. We demonstrated that Brg1 ablation disrupted the Gαi/Insc/LGN and aPKC asymmetric distributions, without overt effects on the core planer cell polarity (PCP) pathway. We also demonstrated that Brg1-deficient HCs underwent apoptosis, and that leakage in the reticular lamina caused by deficient scar formation shifted the mode of OHC death from apoptosis to necrosis. Together, these data demonstrated a requirement for Brg1 activity in HC development and suggested a role for Brg1 in the proper cellular structure formation of HCs.

Diploid endosperm formation in Tulipa spp. and identification of a 1:1 maternal-to-paternal genome ratio in endosperms of T. gesneriana L.

PubMed

Mizuochi, Hitoshi; Matsuzaki, Hironori; Moue, Takehiko; Okazaki, Keiichi

2009-03-01

Most Liliaceae plants have the tetrasporic Fritillaria-type embryo sac and normally form diploid embryos and pentaploid endosperms derived from a 4:1 maternal-to-paternal genome ratio (4m:1p) after double fertilization. Here we characterize embryo sac and endosperm formation in Tulipa spp. of Liliaceae. Chromosome analysis using seeds derived from 2x x 2x crosses of Tulipa gesneriana (2n = 2x = 24) identified diploid chromosome number in the endosperm. Similarly, flow cytometric analysis confirmed diploid endosperm formation in T. gesneriana, T. fosteriana (2n = 2x = 24) and T. greigii (2n = 2x = 24). To further study the possible mechanism of diploid endosperm formation, we made interploidy crosses of triploid (2n = 3x = 36) x diploid in which aneuploid seeds with various chromosome numbers (2n = 25-36) were produced. Again, flow cytometric analysis confirmed the same ploidy level in both embryos and endosperms at all aneuploidy levels, suggesting that only a single haploid polar nucleus contributes to endosperm formation at fertilization. Histological observation further confirmed the physical separation of two polar nuclei by a large vacuole in the Fritillaria-type embryo sac of T. gesneriana that appeared to prevent the fusion of the two polar nuclei that originated at the micropylar and chalazal ends before fertilization. Taken together, these results indicate that diploid endosperms (1m:1p) are normally formed in Tulipa spp. by fusion of the micropylar polar nucleus (n) and a spermatid (n) but not by normal triple fusion. We also show that tulip endosperm partially overcomes the triploid block mechanism that occurs in interploidy crosses. Based on these observations, the possible role of triple nuclear fusion in double fertilization is discussed.

The Seismic Tool-Kit (STK): An Open Source Software For Learning the Basis of Signal Processing and Seismology.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reymond, D.

2016-12-01

We present an open source software project (GNU public license), named STK: Seismic Tool-Kit, that is dedicated mainly for learning signal processing and seismology. The STK project that started in 2007, is hosted by SourceForge.net, and count more than 20000 downloads at the date of writing.The STK project is composed of two main branches:First, a graphical interface dedicated to signal processing (in the SAC format (SAC_ASCII and SAC_BIN): where the signal can be plotted, zoomed, filtered, integrated, derivated, ... etc. (a large variety of IFR and FIR filter is proposed). The passage in the frequency domain via the Fourier transform is used to introduce the estimation of spectral density of the signal , with visualization of the Power Spectral Density (PSD) in linear or log scale, and also the evolutive time-frequency representation (or sonagram). The 3-components signals can be also processed for estimating their polarization properties, either for a given window, or either for evolutive windows along the time. This polarization analysis is useful for extracting the polarized noises, differentiating P waves, Rayleigh waves, Love waves, ... etc. Secondly, a panel of Utilities-Program are proposed for working in a terminal mode, with basic programs for computing azimuth and distance in spherical geometry, inter/auto-correlation, spectral density, time-frequency for an entire directory of signals, focal planes, and main components axis, radiation pattern of P waves, Polarization analysis of different waves (including noise), under/over-sampling the signals, cubic-spline smoothing, and linear/non linear regression analysis of data set. STK is developed in C/C++, mainly under Linux OS, and it has been also partially implemented under MS-Windows. STK has been used in some schools for viewing and plotting seismic records provided by IRIS, and it has been used as a practical support for teaching the basis of signal processing. Useful links:http://sourceforge.net/projects/seismic-toolkit/http://sourceforge.net/p/seismic-toolkit/wiki/browse_pages/

Monitoring changes in acid value, total polar material, and antioxidant capacity of oils used for frying chicken.

PubMed

Song, JuHee; Kim, Mi-Ja; Kim, Young-Jun; Lee, JaeHwan

2017-04-01

Oxidation products and tocol homologues were monitored in oils during chicken frying to determine the discarding point of highly used frying oils. Oils were heated without chicken for 170h while chicken frying was performed 130 cycles at 180°C. As heating time and frying cycles increased, all oxidation parameters including acid value, total polar materials (TPM), conjugated dienoic acid (CDA), and p-anisidine values (p-AV) increased significantly (p<0.05). γ-Tocopherol and γ-tocotrienol had the lowest stability in oils during heating or frying processes compared to other tocol homologues. TPM values over 24% were obtained after about 109h for heated oil and 100 cycles for oils used to fry chicken. A decrease of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) in isooctane and methanol was highly correlated with the formation of TPM in oils during the frying process. Both DPPH loss and TPM values could be applied to determine the discarding points of highly used frying oils. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Polar cap formation on Ganymede

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shaya, E. J.; Pilcher, C. B.

1984-01-01

It is argued that Ganymede's polar caps are the remnants of a more extensive covering of water ice that formed during a period in which the satellite was geologically active. It is inferred that the initial thickness of this covering was a significant fraction of the gardening depth since the covering formed. This suggests an initial thickness of at least a few meters over heavily cratered regions such as the south polar grooved terrain. The absence of similar polar caps on Callisto apparently reflects the absence of comparable geologic activity in the history of this satellite.

Inhibition of thrombus formation on intravascular sensors by electrical polarization.

PubMed

Schmitt, J M; Baer, M; Meindl, J D; Anderson, M F; Mihm, F G

1984-09-01

Implantable biomedical sensors built on a silicon substrate capped with glass are currently being developed for intravascular applications. Electrical techniques for inhibiting thrombus formation on the surface of a proposed optical sensor in direct contact with blood have been investigated. Glass-on-silicon specimens (4 X 1.2 X 0.4 mm3) were coated with indium-tin oxide, a transparent conductor, and implanted in the vena cava and iliac veins of three dogs for 10, 20, or 33 days. The equilibrium surface-blood interface potentials of the specimens were modified by implanted current sources which supplied either direct current (8-15 microA) or 100 KHz alternating current (5 microA, root mean square). Light-microscopic and scanning electron-microscopic analyses showed each of the DC-polarized specimens to be free of thrombus, in contrast to nonpolarized (control) specimens on which varying amounts of adsorbed protein and thrombus deposits were found. Like the control specimens, the AC-polarized specimens formed thrombus, but the appearance of the deposits differed. These findings support the view that the polarity, magnitude and time dependence of the potential across conducting surface-blood interface significantly influence thrombogenicity. Further work is necessary to determine the roles of electrochemical and electrostatic factors in preventing thrombus formation on foreign materials.

Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids Are Involved in Polar Auxin Transport and Developmental Patterning in Arabidopsis[W

PubMed Central

Roudier, François; Gissot, Lionel; Beaudoin, Frédéric; Haslam, Richard; Michaelson, Louise; Marion, Jessica; Molino, Diana; Lima, Amparo; Bach, Liên; Morin, Halima; Tellier, Frédérique; Palauqui, Jean-Christophe; Bellec, Yannick; Renne, Charlotte; Miquel, Martine; DaCosta, Marco; Vignard, Julien; Rochat, Christine; Markham, Jonathan E.; Moreau, Patrick; Napier, Johnathan; Faure, Jean-Denis

2010-01-01

Very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are essential for many aspects of plant development and necessary for the synthesis of seed storage triacylglycerols, epicuticular waxes, and sphingolipids. Identification of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase PASTICCINO3 and the 3-hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydratase PASTICCINO2 revealed that VLCFAs are important for cell proliferation and tissue patterning. Here, we show that the immunophilin PASTICCINO1 (PAS1) is also required for VLCFA synthesis. Impairment of PAS1 function results in reduction of VLCFA levels that particularly affects the composition of sphingolipids, known to be important for cell polarity in animals. Moreover, PAS1 associates with several enzymes of the VLCFA elongase complex in the endoplasmic reticulum. The pas1 mutants are deficient in lateral root formation and are characterized by an abnormal patterning of the embryo apex, which leads to defective cotyledon organogenesis. Our data indicate that in both tissues, defective organogenesis is associated with the mistargeting of the auxin efflux carrier PIN FORMED1 in specific cells, resulting in local alteration of polar auxin distribution. Furthermore, we show that exogenous VLCFAs rescue lateral root organogenesis and polar auxin distribution, indicating their direct involvement in these processes. Based on these data, we propose that PAS1 acts as a molecular scaffold for the fatty acid elongase complex in the endoplasmic reticulum and that the resulting VLCFAs are required for polar auxin transport and tissue patterning during plant development. PMID:20145257

Self-Assembly of a Strong Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane Core-Based Aspartate Derivative Dendrimer Supramolecular Gelator in Different Polarity Solvents.

PubMed

He, Huiwen; Chen, Si; Tong, Xiaoqian; An, Zhihang; Ma, Meng; Wang, Xiaosong; Wang, Xu

2017-11-21

Aromatic groups are introduced into the end peripherals of polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) core-based organic/inorganic hybrid supramolecules to get a novel dendrimer gelator POSS-Z-Asp(OBzl) (POSS-ASP), which have eight aspartate derivative arms to make full use of strong π-π stacking forces to get strong supramolecular gels in addition to multiple hydrogen bindings and van der Waals interactions. POSS-ASP can self-assemble into three-dimensional nanoscale gel networks to provide hybrid physical gels especially with strong mechanical properties and fast-recovery behaviors. Two totally different morphologies of the connected spherical particle structures and banded ultralong fibers are observed owing to the polarity of solvents confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy, polarized optical microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy techniques, expecting the existing various self-assembly models and illustrating the peripherals of the dendrimer and the polarity of solvents having huge influences in the supramolecular self-assembly mechanism. What is more, the thermal stability, rheological properties, and network architecture information have also been investigated via tube-inversion, rotational rheometer, and powder X-ray diffraction methods, the results of which confirm the two different gel formation mechanisms that make POSS-ASP to exhibit two totally different thermal and mechanical properties. Such a study reports a new gelation system in organic or organic/aqueous mixed solvents, which can be helpful for investigating the relationship of dendritic supramolecular gelation and different polarity solvents during the supramolecular self-assembly process of gelators.

Topological features of vector vortex beams perturbed with uniformly polarized light

PubMed Central

D’Errico, Alessio; Maffei, Maria; Piccirillo, Bruno; de Lisio, Corrado; Cardano, Filippo; Marrucci, Lorenzo

2017-01-01

Optical singularities manifesting at the center of vector vortex beams are unstable, since their topological charge is higher than the lowest value permitted by Maxwell’s equations. Inspired by conceptually similar phenomena occurring in the polarization pattern characterizing the skylight, we show how perturbations that break the symmetry of radially symmetric vector beams lead to the formation of a pair of fundamental and stable singularities, i.e. points of circular polarization. We prepare a superposition of a radial (or azimuthal) vector beam and a uniformly linearly polarized Gaussian beam; by varying the amplitudes of the two fields, we control the formation of pairs of these singular points and their spatial separation. We complete this study by applying the same analysis to vector vortex beams with higher topological charges, and by investigating the features that arise when increasing the intensity of the Gaussian term. Our results can find application in the context of singularimetry, where weak fields are measured by considering them as perturbations of unstable optical beams. PMID:28079134

Topological features of vector vortex beams perturbed with uniformly polarized light

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

D'Errico, Alessio; Maffei, Maria; Piccirillo, Bruno; de Lisio, Corrado; Cardano, Filippo; Marrucci, Lorenzo

2017-01-01

Optical singularities manifesting at the center of vector vortex beams are unstable, since their topological charge is higher than the lowest value permitted by Maxwell’s equations. Inspired by conceptually similar phenomena occurring in the polarization pattern characterizing the skylight, we show how perturbations that break the symmetry of radially symmetric vector beams lead to the formation of a pair of fundamental and stable singularities, i.e. points of circular polarization. We prepare a superposition of a radial (or azimuthal) vector beam and a uniformly linearly polarized Gaussian beam; by varying the amplitudes of the two fields, we control the formation of pairs of these singular points and their spatial separation. We complete this study by applying the same analysis to vector vortex beams with higher topological charges, and by investigating the features that arise when increasing the intensity of the Gaussian term. Our results can find application in the context of singularimetry, where weak fields are measured by considering them as perturbations of unstable optical beams.

Topological features of vector vortex beams perturbed with uniformly polarized light.

PubMed

D'Errico, Alessio; Maffei, Maria; Piccirillo, Bruno; de Lisio, Corrado; Cardano, Filippo; Marrucci, Lorenzo

2017-01-12

Optical singularities manifesting at the center of vector vortex beams are unstable, since their topological charge is higher than the lowest value permitted by Maxwell's equations. Inspired by conceptually similar phenomena occurring in the polarization pattern characterizing the skylight, we show how perturbations that break the symmetry of radially symmetric vector beams lead to the formation of a pair of fundamental and stable singularities, i.e. points of circular polarization. We prepare a superposition of a radial (or azimuthal) vector beam and a uniformly linearly polarized Gaussian beam; by varying the amplitudes of the two fields, we control the formation of pairs of these singular points and their spatial separation. We complete this study by applying the same analysis to vector vortex beams with higher topological charges, and by investigating the features that arise when increasing the intensity of the Gaussian term. Our results can find application in the context of singularimetry, where weak fields are measured by considering them as perturbations of unstable optical beams.

Imaging Polarized Secretory Traffic at the Immune Synapse in Living T Lymphocytes.

PubMed

Calvo, Víctor; Izquierdo, Manuel

2018-01-01

Immune synapse (IS) formation by T lymphocytes constitutes a crucial event involved in antigen-specific, cellular and humoral immune responses. After IS formation by T lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells, the convergence of secretory vesicles toward the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) and MTOC polarization to the IS are involved in polarized secretion at the synaptic cleft. This specialized mechanism appears to specifically provide the immune system with a fine strategy to increase the efficiency of crucial secretory effector functions of T lymphocytes, while minimizing non-specific, cytokine-mediated stimulation of bystander cells, target cell killing and activation-induced cell death. The molecular bases involved in the polarized secretory traffic toward the IS in T lymphocytes have been the focus of interest, thus different models and several imaging strategies have been developed to gain insights into the mechanisms governing directional secretory traffic. In this review, we deal with the most widely used, state-of-the-art approaches to address the molecular mechanisms underlying this crucial, immune secretory response.

The PDZ domain of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor PDZGEF directs binding to phosphatidic acid during brush border formation.

PubMed

Consonni, Sarah V; Brouwer, Patricia M; van Slobbe, Eleonora S; Bos, Johannes L

2014-01-01

PDZGEF is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the small G protein Rap. It was recently found that PDZGEF contributes to establishment of intestinal epithelial polarity downstream of the kinase Lkb1. By binding to phosphatidic acid enriched at the apical membrane, PDZGEF locally activates Rap2a resulting in induction of brush border formation via a pathway that includes the polarity players TNIK, Mst4 and Ezrin. Here we show that the PDZ domain of PDZGEF is essential and sufficient for targeting PDZGEF to the apical membrane of polarized intestinal epithelial cells. Inhibition of PLD and consequently production of phosphatidic acid inhibitis targeting of PDZGEF to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, localization requires specific positively charged residues within the PDZ domain. We conclude that local accumulation of PDZGEF at the apical membrane during establishment of epithelial polarity is mediated by electrostatic interactions between positively charged side chains in the PDZ domain and negatively charged phosphatidic acid.

The PDZ Domain of the Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor PDZGEF Directs Binding to Phosphatidic Acid during Brush Border Formation

PubMed Central

Consonni, Sarah V.; Brouwer, Patricia M.; van Slobbe, Eleonora S.; Bos, Johannes L.

2014-01-01

PDZGEF is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor for the small G protein Rap. It was recently found that PDZGEF contributes to establishment of intestinal epithelial polarity downstream of the kinase Lkb1. By binding to phosphatidic acid enriched at the apical membrane, PDZGEF locally activates Rap2a resulting in induction of brush border formation via a pathway that includes the polarity players TNIK, Mst4 and Ezrin. Here we show that the PDZ domain of PDZGEF is essential and sufficient for targeting PDZGEF to the apical membrane of polarized intestinal epithelial cells. Inhibition of PLD and consequently production of phosphatidic acid inhibitis targeting of PDZGEF to the plasma membrane. Furthermore, localization requires specific positively charged residues within the PDZ domain. We conclude that local accumulation of PDZGEF at the apical membrane during establishment of epithelial polarity is mediated by electrostatic interactions between positively charged side chains in the PDZ domain and negatively charged phosphatidic acid. PMID:24858808

Applying electric field to charged and polar particles between metallic plates: extension of the Ewald method.

PubMed

Takae, Kyohei; Onuki, Akira

2013-09-28

We develop an efficient Ewald method of molecular dynamics simulation for calculating the electrostatic interactions among charged and polar particles between parallel metallic plates, where we may apply an electric field with an arbitrary size. We use the fact that the potential from the surface charges is equivalent to the sum of those from image charges and dipoles located outside the cell. We present simulation results on boundary effects of charged and polar fluids, formation of ionic crystals, and formation of dipole chains, where the applied field and the image interaction are crucial. For polar fluids, we find a large deviation of the classical Lorentz-field relation between the local field and the applied field due to pair correlations along the applied field. As general aspects, we clarify the difference between the potential-fixed and the charge-fixed boundary conditions and examine the relationship between the discrete particle description and the continuum electrostatics.

Self-consistent theory of nanodomain formation on non-polar surfaces of ferroelectrics

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Morozovska, Anna N.; Obukhovskii, Vyacheslav; Fomichov, Evhen

2016-04-28

We propose a self-consistent theoretical approach capable of describing the features of the anisotropic nanodomain formation induced by a strongly inhomogeneous electric field of a charged scanning probe microscopy tip on nonpolar cuts of ferroelectrics. We obtained that a threshold field, previously regarded as an isotropic parameter, is an anisotropic function that is specified from the polar properties and lattice pinning anisotropy of a given ferroelectric in a self-consistent way. The proposed method for the calculation of the anisotropic threshold field is not material specific, thus the field should be anisotropic in all ferroelectrics with the spontaneous polarization anisotropy alongmore » the main crystallographic directions. The most evident examples are uniaxial ferroelectrics, layered ferroelectric perovskites, and low-symmetry incommensurate ferroelectrics. Obtained results quantitatively describe the differences at several times in the nanodomain length experimentally observed on X and Y cuts of LiNbO3 and can give insight into the anisotropic dynamics of nanoscale polarization reversal in strongly inhomogeneous electric fields.« less

Production, formation, and transport of high-brightness atomic hydrogen beam studies for the relativistic heavy ion collider polarized source upgrade.

PubMed

Kolmogorov, A; Atoian, G; Davydenko, V; Ivanov, A; Ritter, J; Stupishin, N; Zelenski, A

2014-02-01

The RHIC polarized H(-) ion source had been successfully upgraded to higher intensity and polarization by using a very high brightness fast atomic beam source developed at BINP, Novosibirsk. In this source the proton beam is extracted by a four-grid multi-aperture ion optical system and neutralized in the H2 gas cell downstream from the grids. The proton beam is extracted from plasma emitter with a low transverse ion temperature of ∼0.2 eV which is formed by plasma jet expansion from the arc plasma generator. The multi-hole grids are spherically shaped to produce "geometrical" beam focusing. Proton beam formation and transport of atomic beam were experimentally studied at test bench.

Establishment of substratum polarity in the blastocoel roof of the Xenopus embryo.

PubMed

Nagel, M; Winklbauer, R

1999-05-01

The fibronectin fibril matrix on the blastocoel roof of the Xenopus gastrula contains guidance cues that determine the direction of mesoderm cell migration. The underlying guidance-related polarity of the blastocoel roof is established in the late blastula under the influence of an instructive signal from the vegetal half of the embryo, in particular from the mesoderm. Formation of an oriented substratum depends on functional activin and FGF signaling pathways in the blastocoel roof. Besides being involved in tissue polarization, activin and FGF also affect fibronectin matrix assembly. Activin treatment of the blastocoel roof inhibits fibril formation, whereas FGF modulates the structure of the fibril network. The presence of intact fibronectin fibrils is permissive for directional mesoderm migration on the blastocoel roof extracellular matrix.

Formation of laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) on tool steel by multiple picosecond laser pulses of different polarizations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gregorčič, Peter; Sedlaček, Marko; Podgornik, Bojan; Reif, Jürgen

2016-11-01

Laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) are produced on cold work tool steel by irradiation with a low number of picosecond laser pulses. As expected, the ripples, with a period of about 90% of the laser wavelength, are oriented perpendicular to the laser polarization. Subsequent irradiation with the polarization rotated by 45° or 90° results in a corresponding rotation of the ripples. This is visible already with the first pulse and becomes almost complete - erasing the previous orientation - after as few as three pulses. The phenomenon is not only observed for single-spot irradiation but also for writing long coherent traces. The experimental results strongly defy the role of surface plasmon-polaritons as the predominant key to LIPSS formation.

Present-day erosion of Martian polar terrain by the seasonal CO2 jets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Portyankina, Ganna; Hansen, Candice J.; Aye, Klaus-Michael

2017-01-01

Here we report on the detection of new dendritic troughs created by the seasonal CO2 jet activity over several Martian years. According to Kieffers hypothesis (Kieffer, 2007) in Martian polar areas seasonal CO2 ice sublimation creates gas jets that deposit fans of mineral dust and sand on top of the CO2 ice. These jets and the related sub-ice gas flows are believed to carve troughs in the underlying polar deposits which, after multiple repetitions of this process throughout Martian spring seasons, create araneiform terrains. The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) detected the new troughs during its campaign for seasonal monitoring of the polar areas. The newly detected dendritic troughs are small shallow branching troughs (≈ 1.4 m wide) similar to the seasonal furrows previously detected in the northern hemisphere (Bourke, 2013). The essential difference between the new troughs and furrows lies in the fact that the troughs in the south are persistent while the northern furrows are erased each Martian year by the sand movement due to summer winds. From year to year the new southern troughs extend and develop new tributaries and their overall geometry turns from linear to dendritic, a characteristic shared with araneiform terrains. We believe that furrows have the same origin as the southern dendritic troughs but do not develop into dendritic shapes because of the high mobility of the dune material into which they are carved. Several locations where new dendritic troughs are observed lie in the vicinity of dunes. This gives us an observational indication that presence of erosive sand material is an important factor in creating (or at least starting) erosive processes that lead to the formation of dendritic troughs. By extrapolation the same mechanism should be acting to create the much larger araneiform terrains. Detection of the present day erosion working in polar areas and creating new topographical features is important for understanding of the processes that shape polar areas. Several years of HiRISE observations provide us with the information about the current rate of erosion and hence help estimate minimum ages of the araneiforms and the surface into which they are carved to be 1.3 × 103 Martian years.

Localization and activation of the Drosophila protease easter require the ER-resident saposin-like protein seele.

PubMed

Stein, David; Charatsi, Iphigenie; Cho, Yong Suk; Zhang, Zhenyu; Nguyen, Jesse; DeLotto, Robert; Luschnig, Stefan; Moussian, Bernard

2010-11-09

Drosophila embryonic dorsal-ventral polarity is generated by a series of serine protease processing events in the egg perivitelline space. Gastrulation Defective processes Snake, which then cleaves Easter, which then processes Spätzle into the activating ligand for the Toll receptor. seele was identified in a screen for mutations that, when homozygous in ovarian germline clones, lead to the formation of progeny embryos with altered embryonic patterning; maternal loss of seele function leads to the production of moderately dorsalized embryos. By combining constitutively active versions of Gastrulation Defective, Snake, Easter, and Spätzle with loss-of-function alleles of seele, we find that Seele activity is dispensable for Spätzle-mediated activation of Toll but is required for Easter, Snake, and Gastrulation Defective to exert their effects on dorsal-ventral patterning. Moreover, Seele function is required specifically for secretion of Easter from the developing embryo into the perivitelline space and for Easter processing. Seele protein resides in the endoplasmic reticulum of blastoderm embryos, suggesting a role in the trafficking of Easter to the perivitelline space, prerequisite to its processing and function. Easter transport to the perivitelline space represents a previously unappreciated control point in the signal transduction pathway that controls Drosophila embryonic dorsal-ventral polarity. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Full-duplex optical communication system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shay, Thomas M. (Inventor); Hazzard, David A. (Inventor); Horan, Stephen (Inventor); Payne, Jason A. (Inventor)

2004-01-01

A method of full-duplex electromagnetic communication wherein a pair of data modulation formats are selected for the forward and return data links respectively such that the forward data electro-magnetic beam serves as a carrier for the return data. A method of encoding optical information is used wherein right-hand and left-hand circular polarizations are assigned to optical information to represent binary states. An application for an earth to low earth orbit optical communications system is presented which implements the full-duplex communication and circular polarization keying modulation format.

Pattern formation of microtubules and motors: inelastic interaction of polar rods.

PubMed

Aranson, Igor S; Tsimring, Lev S

2005-05-01

We derive a model describing spatiotemporal organization of an array of microtubules interacting via molecular motors. Starting from a stochastic model of inelastic polar rods with a generic anisotropic interaction kernel we obtain a set of equations for the local rods concentration and orientation. At large enough mean density of rods and concentration of motors, the model describes orientational instability. We demonstrate that the orientational instability leads to the formation of vortices and (for large density and/or kernel anisotropy) asters seen in recent experiments.

MAGNETIC FLUX SUPPLEMENT TO CORONAL BRIGHT POINTS

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Mou, Chaozhou; Huang, Zhenghua; Xia, Lidong

Coronal bright points (BPs) are associated with magnetic bipolar features (MBFs) and magnetic cancellation. Here we investigate how BP-associated MBFs form and how the consequent magnetic cancellation occurs. We analyze longitudinal magnetograms from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager to investigate the photospheric magnetic flux evolution of 70 BPs. From images taken in the 193 Å passband of the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) we dermine that the BPs’ lifetimes vary from 2.7 to 58.8 hr. The formation of the BP MBFs is found to involve three processes, namely, emergence, convergence, and local coalescence of the magnetic fluxes. The formation of anmore » MBF can involve more than one of these processes. Out of the 70 cases, flux emergence is the main process of an MBF buildup of 52 BPs, mainly convergence is seen in 28, and 14 cases are associated with local coalescence. For MBFs formed by bipolar emergence, the time difference between the flux emergence and the BP appearance in the AIA 193 Å passband varies from 0.1 to 3.2 hr with an average of 1.3 hr. While magnetic cancellation is found in all 70 BPs, it can occur in three different ways: (I) between an MBF and small weak magnetic features (in 33 BPs); (II) within an MBF with the two polarities moving toward each other from a large distance (34 BPs); (III) within an MBF whose two main polarities emerge in the same place simultaneously (3 BPs). While an MBF builds up the skeleton of a BP, we find that the magnetic activities responsible for the BP heating may involve small weak fields.« less

Photoreactions of biacetyl, benzophenone, and benzil with electron-rich alkenes

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Gersdorf, J.; Mattay, J.; Goerner, H.

1987-02-18

The rate constants (k/sub q/) for fluorescence and phosphorescence quenching of biacetyl by electron-rich alkenes were measured in acetonitrile solution at room temperature. A weak dependence of log k/sub q/ on the free enthalpy change (..delta..G/sub 2/) for electron transfer in the triplet state in the range 0 < ..delta..G/sub 2/ < 1.0 eV indicates formation of a polar exciplex. The strong enhancement of k/sub q/ for 0 > ..delta..G/sub 2/ > -0.70 eV points to electron-transfer processes in singlet and triplet states. Quenching of the phosphorescence and the T-T absorption of benzophenone reveals larger (smaller) k/sub q/ values inmore » the endergonic (exergonic) region, as compared to the Rehm-Weller correlation. The slope of the plot of log k/sub q/ vs. ..delta..G/sub 2/ is similar to that of biacetyl in the endergonic region. The latter indicates that electron transfer in this instance is not the primary step. For benzil the plot of log k/sub q/ vs ..delta..G/sub 2/ resembles more closely that of biacetyl, pointing to a similar mechanism. In the exergonic region electron transfer is observed for benzil (major process) and benzophenone (minor process) by detection of the radical anion with use of nanosecond laser flash photolysis. The yield and half-life of the radical anion depend on the nature of the electron donor and the ketone, the solvent polarity, and the additives (e.g., LiClO/sub 4/, special salt effect). The solvent effect on the photoproducts (oxetanes) is correlated with the free enthalpies of radical ion pair formation.« less

Rheological and Magnetorheological Behaviour of Some Magnetic Fluids on Polar and Nonpolar Carrier Liquids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bălău, Oana; Bica, Doina; Koneracka, Martina; Kopčansky, Peter; Susan-Resiga, Daniela; Vékás, Ladislau

Rheological and magnetorheological behaviour of monolayer and double layer sterically stabilized magnetic fluids, with transformer oil (UTR), diloctilsebacate (DOS), heptanol (Hept), pentanol (Pent) and water (W) as carrier liquids, were investigated. The data for volumic concentration dependence of dynamic viscosity of high colloidal stability UTR, DOS, Hept and Pent samples are particularly well fitted by the formulas given by Vand (1948) and Chow (1994). The Chow type dependence proved its universal character as the viscosity data for dilution series of various magnetic fluids are well fitted by the same curve, regardless the nonpolar or polar charcater of the sample. The magnetorheological effect measured for low and medium concentration water based magnetic fluids is much higher, due to agglomerate formation process, than the corresponding values obtained for the well stabilized UTR, DOS, Hept and Pent samples, even at very high volumic fraction of magnetic nanoparticles.

Photometry of Polar-Ring Galaxies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godínez-Martínez, A.; Watson, A. M.; Matthews, L. D.; Sparke, L. S.

2007-10-01

We have obtained photometry in B and R for seven confirmed or probable polar-ring galaxies from the Polar-Ring Catalog of Whitmore et al. (1990). The rings show a range of colors from B - R ≈ 0.6 to B - R ≈ 1.7. The bluest rings have bright H II regions, which are direct evidence for recent star formation. The minimum age of the reddest ring, that in PRC B-20, is somewhat uncertain because of a lack of knowledge of the internal reddening and metallicity, but appears to be at least 1.2 Gyr. As such, this ring is likely to be stable for at least several rotation periods. This ring is an excellent candidate for future studies that might better determine if it is truly old.

Pump RIN-induced impairments in unrepeatered transmission systems using distributed Raman amplifier.

PubMed

Cheng, Jingchi; Tang, Ming; Lau, Alan Pak Tao; Lu, Chao; Wang, Liang; Dong, Zhenhua; Bilal, Syed Muhammad; Fu, Songnian; Shum, Perry Ping; Liu, Deming

2015-05-04

High spectral efficiency modulation format based unrepeatered transmission systems using distributed Raman amplifier (DRA) have attracted much attention recently. To enhance the reach and optimize system performance, careful design of DRA is required based on the analysis of various types of impairments and their balance. In this paper, we study various pump RIN induced distortions on high spectral efficiency modulation formats. The vector theory of both 1st and higher-order stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) effect using Jones-matrix formalism is presented. The pump RIN will induce three types of distortion on high spectral efficiency signals: intensity noise stemming from SRS, phase noise stemming from cross phase modulation (XPM), and polarization crosstalk stemming from cross polarization modulation (XPolM). An analytical model for the statistical property of relative phase noise (RPN) in higher order DRA without dealing with complex vector theory is derived. The impact of pump RIN induced impairments are analyzed in polarization-multiplexed (PM)-QPSK and PM-16QAM-based unrepeatered systems simulations using 1st, 2nd and 3rd-order forward pumped Raman amplifier. It is shown that at realistic RIN levels, negligible impairments will be induced to PM-QPSK signals in 1st and 2nd order DRA, while non-negligible impairments will occur in 3rd order case. PM-16QAM signals suffer more penalties compared to PM-QPSK with the same on-off gain where both 2nd and 3rd order DRA will cause non-negligible performance degradations. We also investigate the performance of digital signal processing (DSP) algorithms to mitigate such impairments.

Anodic activation of iron corrosion in clay media under water-saturated conditions at 90 degrees C: characterization of the corrosion interface.

PubMed

Schlegel, Michel L; Bataillon, Christian; Blanc, Cécile; Prêt, Dimitri; Foy, Eddy

2010-02-15

To understand the process governing iron corrosion in clay over centuries, the chemical and mineralogical properties of solids formed by free or anodically activated corrosion of iron in water-saturated clay at 90 degrees C over 4 months were probed using microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Free corrosion led to the formation of an internal discontinuous thin (<3 microm thick) magnetite layer, an external layer of Fe-rich phyllosilicate, and a clay transformation layer containing Ca-doped siderite (Ca(0.2)Fe(0.8)CO(3)). The thickness of corroded iron equaled approximately 5-7 microm, consistent with previous studies. Anodic polarization resulted in unequally distributed corrosion, with some areas corrosion-free and others heavily corroded. Activated corrosion led to the formation of an inner magnetite layer, an intermediate Fe(2)CO(3)(OH)(2) (chukanovite) layer, an outer layer of Fe-rich 7 A-phyllosilicate, and a transformed matrix layer containing siderite (FeCO(3)). The corroded thickness was estimated to 85 microm, less than 30% of the value expected from the supplied anodic charge. The difference was accounted for by reoxidation at the anodically polarized surface of cathodically produced H(2)(g). Thus, free or anodically activated corroding conditions led to structurally similar interfaces, indicating that anodic polarization can be used to probe the long-term corrosion of iron in clay. Finally, corrosion products retained only half of Fe oxidized by anodic activation. Missing Fe probably migrated in the clay, where it could interact with radionuclides released by alteration of nuclear glass.

Polarized radiation diagnostics of stellar magnetic fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mathys, Gautier

The main techniques used to diagnose magnetic fields in stars from polarimetric observations are presented. First, a summary of the physics of spectral line formation in the presence of a magnetic field is given. Departures from the simple case of linear Zeeman effect are briefly considered: partial Paschen-Back effect, contribution of hyperfine structure, and combined Stark and Zeeman effects. Important approximate solutions of the equation of transfer of polarized light in spectral lines are introduced. The procedure for disk-integration of emergent Stokes profiles, which is central to stellar magnetic field studies, is described, with special attention to the treatment of stellar rotation. This formalism is used to discuss the determination of the mean longitudinal magnetic field (through the photographic technique and through Balmer line photopolarimetry). This is done within the specific framework of Ap stars, which, with their unique large-scale organized magnetic fields, are an ideal laboratory for studies of stellar magnetism. Special attention is paid to those Ap stars whose magnetically split line components are resolved in high-dispersion Stokes I spectra, and to the determination of their mean magnetic field modulus. Various techniques of exploitation of the information contained in polarized spectral line profiles are reviewed: the moment technique (in particular, the determination of the crossover and of the mean quadratic field), Zeeman-Doppler imaging, and least-squares deconvolution. The prospects that these methods open for linear polarization studies are sketched. The way in which linear polarization diagnostics complement their Stokes I and V counterparts is emphasized by consideration of the results of broad band linear polarization measurements. Illustrations of the use of various diagnostics to derive properties of the magnetic fields of Ap stars are given. This is used to show the interest of deriving more physically realistic models of the geometric structure of these fields. How this can possibly be achieved is briefly discussed. An overview of the current status of polarimetric studies of magnetic fields in non-degenerate stars of other types is presented. The final section is devoted to magnetic fields of white dwarfs. Current knowledge of magnetic fields of isolated white dwarfs is briefly reviewed. Diagnostic techniques are discussed, with particular emphasis on the variety of physical processes to be considered for understanding of spectral line formation over the broad range of magnetic field strengths encountered in these stars.

Active properties of living tissues lead to size-dependent dewetting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Perez-Gonzalez, Carlos; Alert, Ricard; Blanch-Mercader, Carles; Gomez-Gonzalez, Manuel; Casademunt, Jaume; Trepat, Xavier

Key biological processes such as cancer and development are characterized by drastic transitions from 2D to a 3D geometry. These rearrangements have been classically studied as a wetting problem. According to this theory, wettability of a substrate by an epithelium is determined by the competition between cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion energies. In contrast, we found that, far from a passive process, tissue dewetting is an active process driven by tissue internal forces. Experimentally, we reproduced epithelial dewetting by promoting a progressive formation of intercellular junctions in a monolayer of epithelial cells. Interestingly, the formation of intercellular junctions produces an increase in cell contractility, with the subsequent increase in traction and intercellular stress. At a certain time, tissue tension overcomes cell-substrate maximum adhesion and the monolayer spontaneously dewets the substrate. We developed an active polar fluid model, finding both theoretically and experimentally that critical contractility to promote wetting-dewetting transition depends on cell-substrate adhesion and, unexpectedly, on tissue size. As a whole, this work generalizes wetting theory to living tissues, unveiling unprecedented properties due to their unique active nature.

Low-temperature surface formation of NH3 and HNCO: hydrogenation of nitrogen atoms in CO-rich interstellar ice analogues

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedoseev, G.; Ioppolo, S.; Zhao, D.; Lamberts, T.; Linnartz, H.

2015-01-01

Solid-state astrochemical reaction pathways have the potential to link the formation of small nitrogen-bearing species, like NH3 and HNCO, and prebiotic molecules, specifically amino acids. To date, the chemical origin of such small nitrogen-containing species is still not well understood, despite the fact that ammonia is an abundant constituent of interstellar ices towards young stellar objects and quiescent molecular clouds. This is mainly because of the lack of dedicated laboratory studies. The aim of this work is to experimentally investigate the formation routes of NH3 and HNCO through non-energetic surface reactions in interstellar ice analogues under fully controlled laboratory conditions and at astrochemically relevant temperatures. This study focuses on the formation of NH3 and HNCO in CO-rich (non-polar) interstellar ices that simulate the CO freeze-out stage in dark interstellar cloud regions, well before thermal and energetic processing start to become relevant. We demonstrate and discuss the surface formation of solid HNCO through the interaction of CO molecules with NH radicals - one of the intermediates in the formation of solid NH3 upon sequential hydrogenation of N atoms. The importance of HNCO for astrobiology is discussed.

Novel function of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase. Hydrolysis of oxidized polar phospholipids generated during lipoprotein oxidation.

PubMed

Goyal, J; Wang, K; Liu, M; Subbaiah, P V

1997-06-27

Although the major function of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) is cholesterol esterification, our previous studies showed that it can also hydrolyze platelet-activating factor (PAF). Because of the structural similarities between PAF and the truncated phosphatidylcholines (polar PCs) generated during lipoprotein oxidation, we investigated the possibility that LCAT may also hydrolyze polar PCs to lyso-PC during the oxidation of plasma. PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), which is known to hydrolyze polar PCs in human plasma, was completely inhibited by 0.2 mM p-aminoethyl benzenesulfonyl fluoride (Pefabloc), a new serine esterase inhibitor, which had no effect on LCAT at this concentration. On the other hand, 1 mM diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) completely inhibited LCAT but had no effect on PAF-AH. Polar PC accumulation during the oxidation of plasma increased by 44% in the presence of 0.2 mM Pefabloc and by 30% in the presence of 1 mM DFP. The formation of lyso-PC was concomitantly inhibited by both of the inhibitors. The combination of the two inhibitors resulted in the maximum accumulation of polar PCs, suggesting that both PAF-AH and LCAT are involved in their breakdown. Oxidation of chicken plasma, which has no PAF-AH activity, also resulted in the formation of lyso-PC from the hydrolysis of polar PC, which was inhibited by DFP. Polar PCs, either isolated from oxidized plasma or by oxidation of labeled synthetic PCs, were hydrolyzed by purified LCAT, which had no detectable PAF-AH activity. These results demonstrate a novel function for LCAT in the detoxification of polar PCs generated during lipoprotein oxidation, especially when the PAF-AH is absent or inactivated.

Interactions between Auxin Transport and the Actin Cytoskeleton in Developmental Polarity of Fucus distichus Embryos in Response to Light and Gravity1

PubMed Central

Sun, Haiguo; Basu, Swati; Brady, Shari R.; Luciano, Randy L.; Muday, Gloria K.

2004-01-01

Land plants orient their growth relative to light and gravity through complex mechanisms that require auxin redistribution. Embryos of brown algae use similar environmental stimuli to orient their developmental polarity. These studies of the brown algae Fucus distichus examined whether auxin and auxin transport are also required during polarization in early embryos and to orient growth in already developed tissues. These embryos polarize with the gravity vector in the absence of a light cue. The auxin, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and auxin efflux inhibitors, such as naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA), reduced environmental polarization in response to gravity and light vectors. Young rhizoids are negatively phototropic, and NPA also inhibits rhizoid phototropism. The effect of IAA and NPA on gravity and photopolarization is maximal within 2.5 to 4.5 h after fertilization (AF). Over the first 6 h AF, auxin transport is relatively constant, suggesting that developmentally controlled sensitivity to auxin determines the narrow window during which NPA and IAA reduce environmental polarization. Actin patches were formed during the first hour AF and began to photolocalize within 3 h, coinciding with the time of NPA and IAA action. Treatment with NPA reduced the polar localization of actin patches but not patch formation. Latrunculin B prevented environmental polarization in a time frame that overlaps the formation of actin patches and IAA and NPA action. Latrunculin B also altered auxin transport. Together, these results indicate a role for auxin in the orientation of developmental polarity and suggest interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and auxin transport in F. distichus embryos. PMID:15122028

T cells' immunological synapses induce polarization of brain astrocytes in vivo and in vitro: a novel astrocyte response mechanism to cellular injury.

PubMed

Barcia, Carlos; Sanderson, Nicholas S R; Barrett, Robert J; Wawrowsky, Kolja; Kroeger, Kurt M; Puntel, Mariana; Liu, Chunyan; Castro, Maria G; Lowenstein, Pedro R

2008-08-20

Astrocytes usually respond to trauma, stroke, or neurodegeneration by undergoing cellular hypertrophy, yet, their response to a specific immune attack by T cells is poorly understood. Effector T cells establish specific contacts with target cells, known as immunological synapses, during clearance of virally infected cells from the brain. Immunological synapses mediate intercellular communication between T cells and target cells, both in vitro and in vivo. How target virally infected astrocytes respond to the formation of immunological synapses established by effector T cells is unknown. Herein we demonstrate that, as a consequence of T cell attack, infected astrocytes undergo dramatic morphological changes. From normally multipolar cells, they become unipolar, extending a major protrusion towards the immunological synapse formed by the effector T cells, and withdrawing most of their finer processes. Thus, target astrocytes become polarized towards the contacting T cells. The MTOC, the organizer of cell polarity, is localized to the base of the protrusion, and Golgi stacks are distributed throughout the protrusion, reaching distally towards the immunological synapse. Thus, rather than causing astrocyte hypertrophy, antiviral T cells cause a major structural reorganization of target virally infected astrocytes. Astrocyte polarization, as opposed to hypertrophy, in response to T cell attack may be due to T cells providing a very focused attack, and thus, astrocytes responding in a polarized manner. A similar polarization of Golgi stacks towards contacting T cells was also detected using an in vitro allogeneic model. Thus, different T cells are able to induce polarization of target astrocytes. Polarization of target astrocytes in response to immunological synapses may play an important role in regulating the outcome of the response of astrocytes to attacking effector T cells, whether during antiviral (e.g. infected during HIV, HTLV-1, HSV-1 or LCMV infection), anti-transplant, autoimmune, or anti-tumor immune responses in vivo and in vitro.

Electrical Deflection of Polar Liquid Streams: A Misunderstood Demonstration

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ziaei-Moayyed, Maryam; Goodman, Edward; Williams, Peter

2000-11-01

The electrical deflection of polar liquid streams, commonly used as a textbook illustration of the behavior of polar molecules, is shown to be due to the formation of electrically charged droplets in the polar liquid stream, induced by a nearby charged object, rather than any force exerted on molecular dipoles. Streams of water and polar organic liquids could be deflected in a uniform electric field, which could not have exerted any force on dipolar species. Water and polar organic liquid streams formed within a grounded, electrically screened region could not be deflected after exiting the screened region, demonstrating that there is no electrical force on uncharged polar liquid droplets. Induced charging was observed also in insulating polar organic liquids and is suggested to be due to ionic impurities. A weak deflection of a stream of a nonpolar liquid (tetrachloroethylene) was also observed, indicating that such impurity effects are quite general, even in nonpolar liquids.

Exciplex formation and energy transfer in a self-assembled metal-organic hybrid system.

PubMed

Haldar, Ritesh; Rao, K Venkata; George, Subi J; Maji, Tapas Kumar

2012-05-07

Exciting assemblies: A metal-organic self-assembly of pyrenebutyric acid (PBA), 1,10-phenanthroline (o-phen), and Mg(II) shows solid-state fluorescence originating from a 1:1 PBA-o-phen exciplex. This exciplex fluorescence is sensitized by another residual PBA chromophore through an excited-state energy-transfer process. The solvent polarity modulates the self-assembly and the corresponding exciplex as well as the energy transfer, resulting in tunable emission of the hybrid (see figure). Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Homogeneous and heterogeneous chemistry along air parcel trajectories

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, R. L.; Mckenna, D. L.; Poole, L. R.; Solomon, S.

1990-01-01

The study of coupled heterogeneous and homogeneous chemistry due to polar stratospheric clouds (PSC's) using Lagrangian parcel trajectories for interpretation of the Airborne Arctic Stratosphere Experiment (AASE) is discussed. This approach represents an attempt to quantitatively model the physical and chemical perturbation to stratospheric composition due to formation of PSC's using the fullest possible representation of the relevant processes. Further, the meteorological fields from the United Kingdom Meteorological office global model were used to deduce potential vorticity and inferred regions of PSC's as an input to flight planning during AASE.

Imaging Vesicular Traffic at the Immune Synapse.

PubMed

Bouchet, Jérôme; Del Río-Iñiguez, Iratxe; Alcover, Andrés

2017-01-01

Immunological synapse formation is the result of a profound T cell polarization process that involves the coordinated action of the actin and microtubule cytoskeleton, as well as intracellular vesicle traffic. Endosomal vesicle traffic ensures the targeting of the T cell receptor (TCR) and various signaling molecules to the synapse, being necessary for the generation of signaling complexes downstream of the TCR. Here we describe the microscopy imaging methods that we currently use to unveil how TCR and signaling molecules are associated with endosomal compartments and deliver their cargo to the immunological synapse.

Hexafluoroisopropyl alcohol mediated synthesis of 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones.

PubMed

Alam, Mohammad A; Alsharif, Zakeyah; Alkhattabi, Hessa; Jones, Derika; Delancey, Evan; Gottsponer, Adam; Yang, Tianhong

2016-11-02

An efficient synthesis of novel 2,3-dihydro-4H-pyrido[1,2-a]pyrimidin-4-ones has been reported. Inexpensive and readily available substrates, environmentally benign reaction condition, and product formation up to quantitative yield are the key features of this methodology. Products are formed by the aza-Michael addition followed by intramolecular acyl substitution in a domino process. The polar nature and strong hydrogen bond donor capability of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropan-2-ol is pivotal in this cascade protocol.

About the Law of Sinus in a trigonometry class

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Prada, D. A.; Mantilla, J.; Díaz, A.; Páez, F.; Gómez, J.

2018-04-01

The law of sine is an equation of great utility in trigonometry. This type of equation has been applied in various contexts as the analysis of the relationship between angle of formation and sheet thickness of aluminum in processes of embossment, also in an instance in the duality of polar spaces of constant curvature. The applications are made obvious in the sense that it is analyzed and continually ponders the theoretical formality. In this article, we show a our own theorem and corollary which is useful in trigonometry.

Formation of intermediate products during the resonance stepwise polarization of dibenzyl ketone and benzil molecules

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Polevoi, A.V.; Matyuk, V.M.; Grigor'eva, G.A.

1987-07-01

The processes resulting in the intramolecular redistribution of energy in electronically excited S/sub ..pi pi..*/ states of dibenzyl ketone and benzil molecules have been investigated by laser mass spectrometry. The decisive role of dissociation under the conditions of the resonance stepwise photoionization of these molecules upon excitation by radiation with lambda = 266 nm has been demonstrated. The ionization potentials of the molecules and the appearance potentials of fragment ions from dibenzyl ketone and benzil have been determined on the basis of an analysis of photoionization efficiency curves.

A model for the evolution of CO2 on Mars

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Haberle, Robert M.; Tyler, D.; Mckay, C. P.; Davis, W. L.

1993-01-01

Our MSATT work has focused on the evolution of CO2 on Mars. We have constructed a model that predicts the evolution of CO2 on Mars from a specified initial amount at the end of the heavy bombardment to the present. The model draws on published estimates of the main process believed to affect the fate of CO2 during this period: chemical weathering, regolith uptake, polar cap formation, and atmospheric escape. Except for escape, the rate at which these processes act is controlled by surface temperatures that we calculate using a modified version of the Gierasch and Toon energy balance model. Various aspects of this work are covered.

Permeable polyaniline articles for gas separation

DOEpatents

Wang, Hsing-Lin [Los Alamos, NM; Mattes, Benjamin R [Santa Fe, NM

2009-07-21

Immersion precipitation of solutions having 15%-30% (w/w) and various molecular weights of the emeraldine base form of polyaniline in polar aprotic solvents are shown to form integrally skinned asymmetric membranes and fibers having skin layers <1 .mu.m thick which exhibit improved rates of gas transport while preserving good selectivity. These membranes can be further transformed by an acid doping process after fabrication to achieve excellent permeation rates and high selectivities for particular gas separations. Prior to the use of concentrated EB solutions, the formation of integrally skinned asymmetric membranes was not possible, since films and fibers made from <5% w/w polyaniline solutions were found to disintegrate during the IP process.

Permeable polyaniline articles for gas separation

DOEpatents

Wang, Hsing-Lin; Mattes, Benjamin R.

2004-09-28

Immersion precipitation of solutions having 15%-30% (w/w) and various molecular weights of the emeraldine base form of polyaniline in polar aprotic solvents are shown to form integrally skinned asymmetric membranes and fibers having skin layers <1 .mu.m thick which exhibit improved rates of gas transport while preserving good selectivity. These membranes can be further transformed by an acid doping process after fabrication to achieve excellent permeation rates and high selectivities for particular gas separations. Prior to the use of concentrated EB solutions, the formation of integrally skinned asymmetric membranes was not possible, since films and fibers made from <5% w/w polyaniline solutions were found to disintegrate during the IP process.

3D numerical model of the southern polar giant impact for the formation of the Martian dichotomy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Leone, Giovanni; Tackley, Paul J.; Gerya, Taras; May, David A.; Zhu, Guizhi

2013-04-01

Lack of volcanism and/or crustal flows in the northern lowlands poses serious problems to the hypothesis of formation of the Borealis basin by giant impact in the Northern Polar region of Mars. We use numerical modeling integrated with a geologic and volcanologic study of the surface of Mars to investigate an alternative process of formation that involves a giant impact on the South Pole, resulting in a hemispherical magma pond and resulting thicker crust. We have performed 3D simulations of Martian evolution from the immediate post-impact stage to the present day for different combinations of impactor sizes and compositions, ranging from 900 km radius and sideritic composition (up to 80% radius iron) to 1750 km radius and mesosiderite-type composition (50% radius iron; nickel neglected at the moment). The main reason for considering siderites is the presence of M-type asteroids like 16 Psyche (and several others) in the asteroid belt, the likely remnants of larger parent bodies in the 1-2 AU range which then migrated to their current position after giant impacts with protoplanets. We assume an impactor speed similar to the escape velocity of the target body, consistent with N-body simulations. Our results show that this is a viable formation hypothesis for the southern highlands. Our preferred scenario is of a lunar sized impactor of 1600 km radius with a 70% iron (by radius) fraction, hitting the south Pole at a speed of 5 km/s (the escape velocity of Mars), melting much of the interior and 1/2 of the planetary surface with the creation of a magma ocean that formed the highlands upon cooling and solidification. Regarding timing, we find that this should have happened after 4 Ma after CAI, because before this the strong heating from short-lived radiogenic elements coupled with the thermal anomaly generated by the giant impact would erase by re-melting any newly formed crust. Using a combination of I3ELVIS (immediate post-impact and core formation) and STAGYY (long-term) thermo-mechanical codes, we are now studying the long-term consequences of such a giant impact: a) thermal and compositional effect on core formation; b) triggering of a transient magnetic field, traces of which have been detected on both the hemispheres; c) start-up of migrating mantle plumes from the southern polar region to the equator following two preferential paths, northwest to Tharsis and northeast to Elysium.

Population gratings in saturable optical fibers with randomly oriented rare-earth ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stepanov, S.; Martinez, L. M.; Hernandez, E. H.; Agruzov, P.; Shamray, A.

2015-07-01

Formation of the dynamic population gratings in optical fibers with randomly oriented rare-earth ions is analyzed with a special interest to the grating component for readout with the orthogonal light polarization. It is shown that as compared with a simple model case of the collinearly oriented dipole-like centers their random orientation leads to approximately 2-times growth of the effective saturation power P sat when it is estimated from the incident power dependence of the fiber absorption or from that of the fluorescence intensity. An optimal incident power, for which the maximum of the dynamic population grating amplitude for collinear light polarization is observed, also follows this change in P sat, while formation of the grating for orthogonal polarization needs essentially higher light power. The reduced anisotropy of the active centers, which is in charge of the experimentally observed weakening of the polarization hole burning (PHB) and of the fluorescence polarization, compensates in some way the effect of random ion orientation. The ratio between the maximum conventional (i.e. for the interacting waves collinear polarizations) two-wave mixing (TWM) amplitude and the initial not saturable fiber optical density proves to be, however, nearly the same as in the model case of collinearly oriented dipoles. The ratio between the PHB effect and the amplitude of the anisotropic grating, which is responsible for TWM of the orthogonally polarized waves, is also not influenced significantly by the reduced anisotropy of ions.

Formation of model polar stratospheric cloud films

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Middlebrook, Ann M.; Koehler, Birgit G.; Mcneill, Laurie S.; Tolbert, Margaret A.

1992-01-01

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to examine the competitive growth of films representative of polar stratospheric clouds. These experiments show that either crystalline nitric acid trihydrate (beta-NAT) or amorphous films with H2O:HNO3 ratios close to 3:1 formed at temperatures 3-7 K warmer than the ice frost point under stratospheric pressure conditions. In addition, with higher HNO3 pressure, we observed nitric acid dihydrate (NAD) formation at temperatures warmer than ice formation. However, our experiments also show that NAD surfaces converted to beta-NAT upon exposure to stratospheric water pressures. Finally, we determined that the net uptake coefficient for HNO3 on beta-NAT is close to unity, whereas the net uptake coefficient for H2O is much less.

A GCM Recent History of Northern Martian Polar Layered Deposits: Contribution from Past Equatorial Ice Reservoirs

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Levrard, B.; Laskar, J.; Montmessin, F.; Forget, F.

2005-01-01

Polar layered deposits are exposed in the walls of the troughs cutting the north polar cap of Mars. They consist of alternating ice and dust layers or layers of an ice-dust mixture with varying proportions and are found throughout the cap. Layers thickness ranges from meters to several tens of meters with an approximately 30 meter dominant wavelength. Although their formation processes is not known, they are presumed to reflect changes in ice and dust stability over orbital and axial variations. Intensive 3-D LMD GCM simulations of the martian water cycle have been thus performed to determine the annual rates of exchange of surface ice between the northern cap and tropical areas for a wide range of obliquity and orbital parameters values.These rates have been employed to reconstruct an history of the northern cap and test simple models of dust-ice layers formation over the last 10 Ma orbital variations. We use the 3-D water cycle model simulated by the 3-D LMD GCM with an intermediate grid resolution (7.5 longitude x 5.625 latitude) and 25 vertical levels. The dust opacity is constant and set to 0,15. No exchange of ice with regolith is allowed. The evolution of the northern cap over obliquity and orbital changes (eccentricity, Longitude of perihelion) has been recently described with this model. High summer insolation favors transfer of ice from the northern pole to the Tharsis and Olympus Montes, while at low obliquity, unstable equatorial ice is redeposited in high-latitude and polar areas of both hemisphere. The disappearance of the equatorial ice reservoir leads to a poleward recession of icy high latitude reservoirs, providing an additional source for the cap accumulation during each obliquity or orbital cycle. Furthering the efforts, a quantitative evolution of ice reservoirs is here investigated for various astronomical conditions.

hmmr mediates anterior neural tube closure and morphogenesis in the frog Xenopus.

PubMed

Prager, Angela; Hagenlocher, Cathrin; Ott, Tim; Schambony, Alexandra; Feistel, Kerstin

2017-10-01

Development of the central nervous system requires orchestration of morphogenetic processes which drive elevation and apposition of the neural folds and their fusion into a neural tube. The newly formed tube gives rise to the brain in anterior regions and continues to develop into the spinal cord posteriorly. Conspicuous differences between the anterior and posterior neural tube become visible already during neural tube closure (NTC). Planar cell polarity (PCP)-mediated convergent extension (CE) movements are restricted to the posterior neural plate, i.e. hindbrain and spinal cord, where they propagate neural fold apposition. The lack of CE in the anterior neural plate correlates with a much slower mode of neural fold apposition anteriorly. The morphogenetic processes driving anterior NTC have not been addressed in detail. Here, we report a novel role for the breast cancer susceptibility gene and microtubule (MT) binding protein Hmmr (Hyaluronan-mediated motility receptor, RHAMM) in anterior neurulation and forebrain development in Xenopus laevis. Loss of hmmr function resulted in a lack of telencephalic hemisphere separation, arising from defective roof plate formation, which in turn was caused by impaired neural tissue narrowing. hmmr regulated polarization of neural cells, a function which was dependent on the MT binding domains. hmmr cooperated with the core PCP component vangl2 in regulating cell polarity and neural morphogenesis. Disrupted cell polarization and elongation in hmmr and vangl2 morphants prevented radial intercalation (RI), a cell behavior essential for neural morphogenesis. Our results pinpoint a novel role of hmmr in anterior neural development and support the notion that RI is a major driving force for anterior neurulation and forebrain morphogenesis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Magnetic Field Experiment Data Analysis System

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Holland, D. B.; Zanetti, L. J.; Suther, L. L.; Potemra, T. A.; Anderson, B. J.

1995-01-01

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) Magnetic Field Experiment Data Analysis System (MFEDAS) has been developed to process and analyze satellite magnetic field experiment data from the TRIAD, MAGSAT, AMPTE/CCE, Viking, Polar BEAR, DMSP, HILAT, UARS, and Freja satellites. The MFEDAS provides extensive data management and analysis capabilities. The system is based on standard data structures and a standard user interface. The MFEDAS has two major elements: (1) a set of satellite unique telemetry processing programs for uniform and rapid conversion of the raw data to a standard format and (2) the program Magplot which has file handling, data analysis, and data display sections. This system is an example of software reuse, allowing new data sets and software extensions to be added in a cost effective and timely manner. Future additions to the system will include the addition of standard format file import routines, modification of the display routines to use a commercial graphics package based on X-Window protocols, and a generic utility for telemetry data access and conversion.

A K(+)-mediated G-quadruplex formation enhancement fluorescence polarization system based on quantum dots for detection of Hg2+ and biothiols.

PubMed

Zhang, Juanni; Tian, Jianniao; He, Yanlong; Zhao, Yanchun; Zhao, Shulin

2014-02-25

A fluorescence polarization homogenous system based on CdTe/CdS QDs that employed a K(+)-mediated G-quadruplex as an enhancer was identified for sensitive and selective detection of Hg(2+) and biothiols in complex samples.

Wide field polarimetry around the Perseus cluster at 350 MHz

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brentjens, M. A.

2011-02-01

Aims: This paper investigates the fascinating diffuse polarization structures at 350 MHz that have previously been tentatively attributed to the Perseus cluster and, more specifically, tries to find out whether the structures are located at (or near) the Perseus cluster, or in the Milky Way. Methods: A wide field, eight point Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope mosaic of the area around the Perseus cluster was observed in full polarization. The frequency range was 324 to 378 MHz and the resolution of the polarization maps was 2' × 3'. The maps were processed using Faraday rotation measure synthesis to counter bandwidth depolarization. The RM-cube covers Faraday depths of -384 to +381 rad m-2 in steps of 3 rad m-2. Results: There is emission all over the field at Faraday depths between -50 and +100 rad m-2. All previously observed structures were detected. However, no compelling evidence was found supporting association of those structures with either the Perseus cluster or large scale structure formation gas flows in the Perseus-Pisces super cluster. On the contrary, one of the structures is clearly associated with a Galactic depolarization canal at 1.41 GHz. Another large structure in polarized intensity, as well as Faraday depth at a Faraday depth of +30 rad m-2, coincides with a dark object in WHAM Hα maps at a kinematic distance of 0.5 ± 0.5 kpc. All diffuse polarized emission at 350 MHz towards the Perseus cluster is most likely located within 1 kpc from the Sun. The layers that emit the polarized radiation are less than 40 pc/|B_∥| thick. Appendix is only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org

Implications of the formation of small polarons in Li2O2 for Li-air batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kang, Joongoo; Jung, Yoon Seok; Wei, Su-Huai; Dillon, Anne C.

2012-01-01

Lithium-air batteries (LABs) are an intriguing next-generation technology due to their high theoretical energy density of ˜11 kWh/kg. However, LABs are hindered by both poor rate capability and significant polarization in cell voltage, primarily due to the formation of Li2O2 in the air cathode. Here, by employing hybrid density functional theory, we show that the formation of small polarons in Li2O2 limits electron transport. Consequently, the low electron mobility μ = 10-10-10-9 cm2/V s contributes to both the poor rate capability and the polarization that limit the LAB power and energy densities. The self-trapping of electrons in the small polarons arises from the molecular nature of the conduction band states of Li2O2 and the strong spin polarization of the O 2p state. Our understanding of the polaronic electron transport in Li2O2 suggests that designing alternative carrier conduction paths for the cathode reaction could significantly improve the performance of LABs at high current densities.

Formation of self-organized domain structures with charged domain walls in lithium niobate with surface layer modified by proton exchange

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shur, V. Ya.; Akhmatkhanov, A. R.; Chuvakova, M. A.; Dolbilov, M. A.; Zelenovskiy, P. S.; Lobov, A. I.

2017-03-01

We have studied the self-organized dendrite domain structures appeared as a result of polarization reversal in the uniform field in lithium niobate single crystals with the artificial surface layer created by proton exchange. We have revealed the self-organized sub-micron scale dendrite domain patterns consisting of domain stripes oriented along the X crystallographic directions separated by arrays of dashed residual domains at the surface by scanning probe microscopy. Raman confocal microscopy allowed visualizing the quasi-regular dendrite domain structures with similar geometry in the vicinity of both polar surfaces. The depth of the structure was about 20 μm for Z+ polar surface and 70 μm for Z- one. According to the proposed mechanism, the dendrite structure formation at the surface was related to the ineffective screening of the residual depolarization field. The computer simulation of the structure formation based on the cellular automata model with probabilistic switching rule proved the eligibility of the proposed scheme, the simulated dendrite domain patterns at various depths being similar to the experimental ones.

The magnetic polarity stratigraphy of the Mauch Chunk Formation, Pennsylvania

PubMed Central

Opdyke, Neil D.; DiVenere, Victor J.

2004-01-01

Three sections of Chesterian Mauch Chunk Formation in Pennsylvania have been studied paleomagnetically to determine a Late Mississippian magnetic polarity stratigraphy. The upper section at Lavelle includes a conglomerate with abundant red siltstone rip-up clasts that yielded a positive conglomerate test. All samples were subjected to progressive thermal demagnetization to temperatures as high as 700°C. Two components of magnetization were isolated: a synfolding “B” component and the prefolding “C” component. The conglomerate test is positive, indicating that the C component was acquired very early in the history of the sediment. A coherent pattern of magnetic polarity reversals was identified. Five magnetozones were identified in the upper Lavelle section, which yields a pattern that is an excellent match with the pattern of reversals obtained from the upper Mauch Chunk at the original type section of the Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary at Pottsville, PA. The frequency of reversals in the upper Mississippian, as identified in the Mauch Chunk Formation, is approximately one to two per million years, which is an average for field reversal through time. PMID:15353597

The magnetic polarity stratigraphy of the Mauch Chunk Formation, Pennsylvania.

PubMed

Opdyke, Neil D; DiVenere, Victor J

2004-09-14

Three sections of Chesterian Mauch Chunk Formation in Pennsylvania have been studied paleomagnetically to determine a Late Mississippian magnetic polarity stratigraphy. The upper section at Lavelle includes a conglomerate with abundant red siltstone rip-up clasts that yielded a positive conglomerate test. All samples were subjected to progressive thermal demagnetization to temperatures as high as 700 degrees C. Two components of magnetization were isolated: a synfolding "B" component and the prefolding "C" component. The conglomerate test is positive, indicating that the C component was acquired very early in the history of the sediment. A coherent pattern of magnetic polarity reversals was identified. Five magnetozones were identified in the upper Lavelle section, which yields a pattern that is an excellent match with the pattern of reversals obtained from the upper Mauch Chunk at the original type section of the Mississippian/Pennsylvanian boundary at Pottsville, PA. The frequency of reversals in the upper Mississippian, as identified in the Mauch Chunk Formation, is approximately one to two per million years, which is an average for field reversal through time.

Laser induced periodic surface structure formation in germanium by strong field mid IR laser solid interaction at oblique incidence.

PubMed

Austin, Drake R; Kafka, Kyle R P; Trendafilov, Simeon; Shvets, Gennady; Li, Hui; Yi, Allen Y; Szafruga, Urszula B; Wang, Zhou; Lai, Yu Hang; Blaga, Cosmin I; DiMauro, Louis F; Chowdhury, Enam A

2015-07-27

Laser induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS or ripples) were generated on single crystal germanium after irradiation with multiple 3 µm femtosecond laser pulses at a 45° angle of incidence. High and low spatial frequency LIPSS (HSFL and LSFL, respectively) were observed for both s- and p-polarized light. The measured LSFL period for p-polarized light was consistent with the currently established LIPSS origination model of coupling between surface plasmon polaritons (SPP) and the incident laser pulses. A vector model of SPP coupling is introduced to explain the formation of s-polarized LSFL away from the center of the damage spot. Additionally, a new method is proposed to determine the SPP propagation length from the decay in ripple depth. This is used along with the measured LSFL period to estimate the average electron density and Drude collision time of the laser-excited surface. Finally, full-wave electromagnetic simulations are used to corroborate these results while simultaneously offering insight into the nature of LSFL formation.

Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) is involved in morula to blastocyst transformation in the mouse

PubMed Central

Wang, Hehai; Ding, Tianbing; Brown, Naoko; Yamamoto, Yasutoshi; Prince, Lawrence S.; Reese, Jeff; Paria, B. C.

2008-01-01

It is unknown whether or not tight junction formation plays any role in morula to blastocyst transformation that is associated with development of polarized trophoblast cells and fluid accumulation. Tight junctions are a hallmark of polarized epithelial cells and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) is a known key regulator of tight junction formation. Here we show that ZO-1 protein is first expressed during compaction of 8-cell embryos. This stage-specific appearance of ZO-1 suggests its participation in morula to blastocyst transition. Consistent with this idea, we demonstrate that ZO-1 siRNA delivery inside the blastomeres of zona-weakened embryos using electroporation not only knocks down ZO-1 gene and protein expressions, but also inhibits morula to blastocyst transformation in a concentration dependent manner. In addition, ZO-1 inactivation reduced the expression of Cdx2 and Oct-4, but not ZO-2 and F-actin. These results provide the first evidence that ZO-1 is involved in blastocyst formation from the morula by regulating accumulation of fluid and differentiation of nonpolar blastomeres to polar trophoblast cells. PMID:18423437

Temporal formation of optical anisotropy and surface relief during polarization holographic recording in polymethylmethacrylate with azobenzene side groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sasaki, Tomoyuki; Izawa, Masahiro; Noda, Kohei; Nishioka, Emi; Kawatsuki, Nobuhiro; Ono, Hiroshi

2014-03-01

The formation of polarization holographic gratings with both optical anisotropy and surface relief (SR) deformation was studied for polymethylmethacrylate with azobenzene side groups. Temporal contributions of isotropic and anisotropic phase gratings were simultaneously determined by observing transitional intensity and polarization states of the diffraction beams and characterizing by means of Jones calculus. To clarify the mechanism of SR deformation, cross sections of SR were characterized based on the optical gradient force model; experimental observations were in good agreement with the theoretical expectation. We clarified that the anisotropic phase change originating in the reorientation of the azobenzene side groups was induced immediately at the beginning of the holographic recording, while the response time of the isotropic phase change originating in the molecular migration due to the optical gradient force was relatively slow.

Polar frost formation on Ganymede

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnson, R. E.

1985-01-01

Voyager photographs have shown the presence of polar frost on Ganymede, a satellite of Jupiter. A number of models have been proposed for the formation of this feature. The models are based on the transport of material from the equatorial to the polar regions. The present paper is concerned with a model regarding the origin and appearance of the Ganymede caps which does not depend on such a transport. The model is based on observations of the surficial changes produced by ion bombardment. It is pointed out that experiments on ion and electron bombardment of water ice at low temperatures have shown that these particles sputter significant quantities of water molecules. In addition, they also change the visual characteristics of the surface significantly. Ion bombardment competing with thermal reprocessing may be sufficient to explain the latitudinal differences observed on Ganymede.

Polarization-insensitive all-optical dual pump-phase transmultiplexing from 2 x 10-GBd OOKs to 10-GBd RZ-QPSK using cross-phase modulation in a passive nonlinear birefringent photonic crystal fiber

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmood, Tanvir

Considering the network size, bit rate, spectral and channel capacity limitations, different modulation formats may be selectively used in future optical networks. Although the traditional metropolitan area networks (MANs) still uses the non-return-to-zero on-off keying (NRZ-OOK) modulation format due to its technical simplicity and therefore low cost, QPSK format is more advantageous in spectrally efficient long-haul fiber optic transmission systems because of its constant power envelope, and robustness to various transmission impairments. Consequently, an important problem may arise, in particular how to route the OOK-data streams from MANs to long-haul backbone networks when the state of polarization (SOP) of the remotely generated OOK is unpredictable. Hence, the focus of this dissertation was to investigate a polarization insensitive (PI) all-optical nonlinear optical signal processing (NOSP) method that can be implemented at the network cross-connect (X-connect) to transfer data from a remotely and a locally generated OOK data simultaneously to more effectual QPSK format for long-haul transmission. By utilizing cross-phase modulation (XPM) and inherent birefringence of the device, the work demonstrated, for the first time, PI all-optical data transfer utilizing dual pump-phase transmultiplexing (DPTM) from 2 x 10-GBd OOKs to 10-GBd RZ-QPSK in a passive nonlinear birefringent photonic crystal fiber (PCF). Polarization insensitivity was achieved by scrambling the SOP of the remotely generated OOK pump and launching the locally generated OOK pump and the probe off-axis. To mitigate polarization induced power fluctuations and detrimental effects due to nearby partially degenerate and non-degenerate four wave mixings, an optimum pump-probe detuning was also utilized. The PI DPTM RZ-QPSK demonstrated a pre-amplified receiver sensitivity penalty < 5.5 dB at 10--9 bit-error-rate (BER), relative to relative to the FPGA-precoded RZ-DQPSK baseline in ASE-limited transmission system. The effect of the remotely generated OOK pump OSNR degradation on PI DPTM RZ-QPSK was also investigated and it was established that 10 -9 BER metric was attainable till the remotely generated OOK pump reached the threshold OSNR limit of 34 dB/0.1nm. Finally, DWDM transmission performance of the PI DPTM RZ-QPSK signal was evaluated using 138-km long recirculating loop and it was demonstrated that the PI DPTM RZ-QPSK can be transmitted over 1,500 km before it reached ITU-T G.709 7% HD-FEC overhead limit. This propagation distance was well beyond the transmission requisites of any typical metro network (≈ 600 km). Furthermore, it was demonstrated that, within the threshold limit, OSNR degradation of the remotely generated OOK pump had minimal impact on the transmission distance of the PI DPTM RZ-QPSK before it reached 7% HD-FEC overhead limit.

Cross-Polarization Optical Coherence Tomography with Active Maintenance of the Circular Polarization of a Sounding Wave in a Common Path System

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gelikonov, V. M.; Romashov, V. N.; Shabanov, D. V.; Ksenofontov, S. Yu.; Terpelov, D. A.; Shilyagin, P. A.; Gelikonov, G. V.; Vitkin, I. A.

2018-05-01

We consider a cross-polarization optical coherence tomography system with a common path for the sounding and reference waves and active maintenance of the circular polarization of a sounding wave. The system is based on the formation of birefringent characteristics of the total optical path, which are equivalent to a quarter-wave plate with a 45° orientation of its optical axes with respect to the linearly polarized reference wave. Conditions under which any light-polarization state can be obtained using a two-element phase controller are obtained. The dependence of the local cross-scattering coefficient of light in a model medium and biological tissue on the sounding-wave polarization state is demonstrated. The necessity of active maintenance of the circular polarization of a sounding wave in this common path system (including a flexible probe) is shown to realize uniform optimal conditions for cross-polarization studies of biological tissue.

Polarized Line Formation in Arbitrary Strength Magnetic Fields Angle-averaged and Angle-dependent Partial Frequency Redistribution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sampoorna, M.; Nagendra, K. N.; Stenflo, J. O., E-mail: sampoorna@iiap.res.in, E-mail: knn@iiap.res.in, E-mail: stenflo@astro.phys.ethz.ch

Magnetic fields in the solar atmosphere leave their fingerprints in the polarized spectrum of the Sun via the Hanle and Zeeman effects. While the Hanle and Zeeman effects dominate, respectively, in the weak and strong field regimes, both these effects jointly operate in the intermediate field strength regime. Therefore, it is necessary to solve the polarized line transfer equation, including the combined influence of Hanle and Zeeman effects. Furthermore, it is required to take into account the effects of partial frequency redistribution (PRD) in scattering when dealing with strong chromospheric lines with broad damping wings. In this paper, we presentmore » a numerical method to solve the problem of polarized PRD line formation in magnetic fields of arbitrary strength and orientation. This numerical method is based on the concept of operator perturbation. For our studies, we consider a two-level atom model without hyperfine structure and lower-level polarization. We compare the PRD idealization of angle-averaged Hanle–Zeeman redistribution matrices with the full treatment of angle-dependent PRD, to indicate when the idealized treatment is inadequate and what kind of polarization effects are specific to angle-dependent PRD. Because the angle-dependent treatment is presently computationally prohibitive when applied to realistic model atmospheres, we present the computed emergent Stokes profiles for a range of magnetic fields, with the assumption of an isothermal one-dimensional medium.« less

Spatial memory during the tropism of maize (Zea mays L.) coleoptiles.

PubMed

Nick, P; Schafer, E

1988-09-01

Photo- or gravitropic stimulation of graminean coleoptiles involves the formation of putative tropistic transverse polarities. It had been postulated that these polarities can be extended by stabilization to developmentally active polarities. Such polarities are known from unicellular spores and zygotes of lower plants and regeneration experiments in dicotyledonous plants. In coleoptiles, photo- or gravitropic stimulation results in stability to counterstimulation of equal strength (with only transient bending in the direction of the second stimulus), as a result of a directional memory, if the time interval between both stimuli exceeds 90 min. This directional memory develops from a labile precursor, which is present from at least 20 min after induction. Once it is stable, spatial memory is conserved for many hours. The formation of spatial memory involves at least one step not present in the common tropistic transduction chain. The spatial expression of memory as curvature is restricted to three distinct responses: (i) curving in the direction of the first stimulus (for time intervals exceeding 90 min); (ii) curving in the direction of the second stimulus (for time intervals shorter than 65 min); and (iii) zero-curvature (for time intervals between 65 and 90 min). This can be interpreted in terms of a stable transverse polarity, which is not identical with the putative tropistic transverse polarity, but might be an extension of it.

Different reaction of the core histones H2A and H2B to red laser irradiation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brill, G. E.; Egorova, A. V.; Bugaeva, I. O.; Postnov, D. E.; Ushakova, O. V.

2017-03-01

Analysis of the influence of red laser irradiation on the processes of self-assembly of the core histones H2A and H2B was performed using a wedge dehydration method. Image-analysis of facies included their qualitative characteristics and calculation of quantitative parameters with subsequent statistical processing. It was established that linearly polarized red laser light (λ - 660 nm, 1 J/cm2) significantly modified the process of self-assembly of core histone H2B, whereas the structure of the facies of H2A histone changed to a lesser extent. Histones were used in the form of aqueous salt solutions. The effect of red light seems to result from the formation of singlet oxygen by direct laser excitation of molecular oxygen.

Sedimentary Mounds on Mars: Tracing Present-day Formation Processes into the Past

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Niles, P. B.; Michalski, J.; Edwards, C. S.

2014-01-01

High resolution photography and spectroscopy of the martian surface (MOC, HiRISE) from orbit has revolutionized our view of Mars with one and revealed spectacular views of finely layered sedimentary materials throughout the globe [1]. Some of these sedimentary deposits are 'mound' shaped and lie inside of craters (Fig 1). Crater mound deposits are found throughout the equatorial region, as well as ice-rich deposits found in craters in the north and south polar region [2-4]. Despite their wide geographical extent and varying volatile content, the 'mound' deposits have a large number of geomorphic and structural similarities that suggest they formed via equivalent processes. Thus, modern depositional processes of ice and dust can serve as an invaluable analog for interpreting the genesis of ancient sedimentary mound deposits.

The Strength and Characteristics of VPPA Welded 2219-T87 Aluminum Alloy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jemian, W. A.

1985-01-01

A study of the variable polarity plasma arc (VPPA) welding process and those factors that control the structure and properties of VPPA welded aluminum alloy 2219-T87 was conducted. The importance of joint preparation, alignment of parts and welding process variables are already established. Internal weld defects have been eliminated. However, a variation of properties was found to be due to the size variation of interdendritic particles in the fusion zone. These particles contribute to the void formation process, which controls the ultimate tensile strength of the welded alloy. A variation of 150 microns in particle size correlated with a 10 ksi variation of ultimate tensile strength. It was found that all fracture surfaces were of the dimple rupture type, with fracture initiating within the fusion zone.

Evolutionarily Conserved Sequence Features Regulate the Formation of the FG Network at the Center of the Nuclear Pore Complex

PubMed Central

Peyro, M.; Soheilypour, M.; Lee, B.L.; Mofrad, M.R.K.

2015-01-01

The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is the portal for bidirectional transportation of cargos between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. While most of the structural elements of the NPC, i.e. nucleoporins (Nups), are well characterized, the exact transport mechanism is still under much debate. Many of the functional Nups are rich in phenylalanine-glycine (FG) repeats and are believed to play the key role in nucleocytoplasmic transport. We present a bioinformatics study conducted on more than a thousand FG Nups across 252 species. Our results reveal the regulatory role of polar residues and specific sequences of charged residues, named ‘like charge regions’ (LCRs), in the formation of the FG network at the center of the NPC. Positively charged LCRs prepare the environment for negatively charged cargo complexes and regulate the size of the FG network. The low number density of charged residues in these regions prevents FG domains from forming a relaxed coil structure. Our results highlight the significant role of polar interactions in FG network formation at the center of the NPC and demonstrate that the specific localization of LCRs, FG motifs, charged, and polar residues regulate the formation of the FG network at the center of the NPC. PMID:26541386

Tie2 signaling cooperates with TNF to promote the pro-inflammatory activation of human macrophages independently of macrophage functional phenotype.

PubMed

García, Samuel; Krausz, Sarah; Ambarus, Carmen A; Fernández, Beatriz Malvar; Hartkamp, Linda M; van Es, Inge E; Hamann, Jörg; Baeten, Dominique L; Tak, Paul P; Reedquist, Kris A

2014-01-01

Angiopoietin (Ang) -1 and -2 and their receptor Tie2 play critical roles in regulating angiogenic processes during development, homeostasis, tumorigenesis, inflammation and tissue repair. Tie2 signaling is best characterized in endothelial cells, but a subset of human and murine circulating monocytes/macrophages essential to solid tumor formation express Tie2 and display immunosuppressive properties consistent with M2 macrophage polarization. However, we have recently shown that Tie2 is strongly activated in pro-inflammatory macrophages present in rheumatoid arthritis patient synovial tissue. Here we examined the relationship between Tie2 expression and function during human macrophage polarization. Tie2 expression was observed under all polarization conditions, but was highest in IFN-γ and IL-10 -differentiated macrophages. While TNF enhanced expression of a common restricted set of genes involved in angiogenesis and inflammation in GM-CSF, IFN-γ and IL-10 -differentiated macrophages, expression of multiple chemokines and cytokines, including CXCL3, CXCL5, CXCL8, IL6, and IL12B was further augmented in the presence of Ang-1 and Ang-2, via Tie2 activation of JAK/STAT signaling. Conditioned medium from macrophages stimulated with Ang-1 or Ang-2 in combination with TNF, sustained monocyte recruitment. Our findings suggest a general role for Tie2 in cooperatively promoting the inflammatory activation of macrophages, independently of polarization conditions.

Uranium immobilization and nanofilm formation on magnesium-rich minerals

DOE PAGES

van Veelen, Arjen; Bargar, John R.; Law, Gareth T. W.; ...

2016-03-18

Polarization-dependent grazing incidence X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements were completed on oriented single crystals of magnesite [MgCO 3] and brucite [Mg(OH) 2] reacted with aqueous uranyl chloride above and below the solubility boundaries of schoepite (500, 50, and 5 ppm) at pH 8.3 and at ambient (P CO2 = 10 –3.5) or reduced partial pressures of carbon dioxide (P CO2 = 10 –4.5). X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra show a striking polarization dependence (χ = 0° and 90° relative to the polarization plane of the incident beam) and consistently demonstrated that the uranyl molecule was preferentially oriented withmore » its O axial = U(VI) = O axial linkage at high angles (60–80°) to both magnesite (101¯4) and brucite (0001). Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis shows that the “effective” number of U(VI) axial oxygens is the most strongly affected fitting parameter as a function of polarization. Furthermore, axial tilt in the surface thin films (thickness ~ 21 Å) is correlated with surface roughness [σ]. Our results show that hydrated uranyl(-carbonate) complexes polymerize on all of our experimental surfaces and that this process is controlled by surface hydroxylation. Lastly, these results provide new insights into the bonding configuration expected for uranyl complexes on the environmentally significant carbonate and hydroxide mineral surfaces.« less

Reaching Your Program Goals: The Secret to a Successful Relationship with Your Evaluator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Warburton, J.; Crowley, S.; Larson, A.

2012-12-01

PolarTREC (Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating) is a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded program in which K-12 teachers participate in hands-on field research experiences in the Polar Regions. PolarTREC has become a leader in the evaluation of teacher research experiences (TREs) and offers a model for outside evaluation for education and public outreach. Programs such as TRE's offer a direct package of outreach opportunities for effective broader impacts. This presentation offers a model for the evaluative process beginning with project design and goals, which involve an outside evaluator, and that provide funders with an outlined scope of projects as well as outcomes and products for use by the public to advance scientific understanding. Outcomes are determined before the program is developed to ensure that all components are striving for program efficacy. Formative and summative evaluations for all audiences ensure robust program reports via survey's, knowledge assessments, conference calls, outreach implementation plans for multiple diverse audiences and in-depth case studies with teachers back in their classrooms. PolarTREC has become part of a larger, international working group of evaluators and program managers on program assessment. As part of this working group, sharing best practices for effective evaluation to better support science efforts, inform funders, and communicate with the public, has been integral to the evolution and advancement of our successful evaluation model.

Uranium Immobilization and Nanofilm Formation on Magnesium-Rich Minerals.

PubMed

van Veelen, Arjen; Bargar, John R; Law, Gareth T W; Brown, Gordon E; Wogelius, Roy A

2016-04-05

Polarization-dependent grazing incidence X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measurements were completed on oriented single crystals of magnesite [MgCO3] and brucite [Mg(OH)2] reacted with aqueous uranyl chloride above and below the solubility boundaries of schoepite (500, 50, and 5 ppm) at pH 8.3 and at ambient (PCO2 = 10(-3.5)) or reduced partial pressures of carbon dioxide (PCO2 = 10(-4.5)). X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra show a striking polarization dependence (χ = 0° and 90° relative to the polarization plane of the incident beam) and consistently demonstrated that the uranyl molecule was preferentially oriented with its Oaxial═U(VI)═Oaxial linkage at high angles (60-80°) to both magnesite (101̅4) and brucite (0001). Extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis shows that the "effective" number of U(VI) axial oxygens is the most strongly affected fitting parameter as a function of polarization. Furthermore, axial tilt in the surface thin films (thickness ∼ 21 Å) is correlated with surface roughness [σ]. Our results show that hydrated uranyl(-carbonate) complexes polymerize on all of our experimental surfaces and that this process is controlled by surface hydroxylation. These results provide new insights into the bonding configuration expected for uranyl complexes on the environmentally significant carbonate and hydroxide mineral surfaces.

Mitosis in Barbulanympha. I. Spindle structure, formation, and kinetochore engagement

PubMed Central

1978-01-01

Successful culture of the obligatorily anaerobic symbionts residing in the hindgut of the wood-eating cockroach Cryptocercus punctulatus now permits continuous observation of mitosis in individual Barbulanympha cells. In Part I of this two-part paper, we report methods for culture of the protozoa, preparation of microscope slide cultures in which Barbulanympha survived and divided for up to 3 days, and an optical arrangement which permits observation and through-focus photographic recording of dividing cells, sequentially in differential interference contrast and rectified polarized light microscopy. We describe the following prophase events and structures: development of the astral rays and large extranuclear central spindle from the tips of the elongate-centrioles; the fine structure of spindle fibers and astral rays which were deduced in vivo from polarized light microscopy and seen as a particular array of microtubules in thin-section electron micrographs; formation of chromosomal spindle fibers by dynamic engagement of astral rays to the kinetochores embedded in the persistent nuclear envelope; and repetitive shortening of chromosomal spindle fibers which appear to hoist the nucleus to the spindle surface, cyclically jostle the kinetochores within the nuclear envelope, and churn the prophase chromosomes. The observations described here and in Part II have implications both for the evolution of mitosis and for understanding the mitotic process generally. PMID:681451

Solvation thermodynamics of amino acid side chains on a short peptide backbone

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hajari, Timir; Vegt, Nico F. A. van der, E-mail: vandervegt@csi.tu-darmstadt.de

The hydration process of side chain analogue molecules differs from that of the actual amino acid side chains in peptides and proteins owing to the effects of the peptide backbone on the aqueous solvent environment. A recent molecular simulation study has provided evidence that all nonpolar side chains, attached to a short peptide backbone, are considerably less hydrophobic than the free side chain analogue molecules. In contrast to this, the hydrophilicity of the polar side chains is hardly affected by the backbone. To analyze the origin of these observations, we here present a molecular simulation study on temperature dependent solvationmore » free energies of nonpolar and polar side chains attached to a short peptide backbone. The estimated solvation entropies and enthalpies of the various amino acid side chains are compared with existing side chain analogue data. The solvation entropies and enthalpies of the polar side chains are negative, but in absolute magnitude smaller compared with the corresponding analogue data. The observed differences are large; however, owing to a nearly perfect enthalpy-entropy compensation, the solvation free energies of polar side chains remain largely unaffected by the peptide backbone. We find that a similar compensation does not apply to the nonpolar side chains; while the backbone greatly reduces the unfavorable solvation entropies, the solvation enthalpies are either more favorable or only marginally affected. This results in a very small unfavorable free energy cost, or even free energy gain, of solvating the nonpolar side chains in strong contrast to solvation of small hydrophobic or nonpolar molecules in bulk water. The solvation free energies of nonpolar side chains have been furthermore decomposed into a repulsive cavity formation contribution and an attractive dispersion free energy contribution. We find that cavity formation next to the peptide backbone is entropically favored over formation of similar sized nonpolar side chain cavities in bulk water, in agreement with earlier work in the literature on analysis of cavity fluctuations at nonpolar molecular surfaces. The cavity and dispersion interaction contributions correlate quite well with the solvent accessible surface area of the nonpolar side chains attached to the backbone. This correlation however is weak for the overall solvation free energies owing to the fact that the cavity and dispersion free energy contributions are almost exactly cancelling each other.« less

Solvation thermodynamics of amino acid side chains on a short peptide backbone

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hajari, Timir; van der Vegt, Nico F. A.

2015-04-01

The hydration process of side chain analogue molecules differs from that of the actual amino acid side chains in peptides and proteins owing to the effects of the peptide backbone on the aqueous solvent environment. A recent molecular simulation study has provided evidence that all nonpolar side chains, attached to a short peptide backbone, are considerably less hydrophobic than the free side chain analogue molecules. In contrast to this, the hydrophilicity of the polar side chains is hardly affected by the backbone. To analyze the origin of these observations, we here present a molecular simulation study on temperature dependent solvation free energies of nonpolar and polar side chains attached to a short peptide backbone. The estimated solvation entropies and enthalpies of the various amino acid side chains are compared with existing side chain analogue data. The solvation entropies and enthalpies of the polar side chains are negative, but in absolute magnitude smaller compared with the corresponding analogue data. The observed differences are large; however, owing to a nearly perfect enthalpy-entropy compensation, the solvation free energies of polar side chains remain largely unaffected by the peptide backbone. We find that a similar compensation does not apply to the nonpolar side chains; while the backbone greatly reduces the unfavorable solvation entropies, the solvation enthalpies are either more favorable or only marginally affected. This results in a very small unfavorable free energy cost, or even free energy gain, of solvating the nonpolar side chains in strong contrast to solvation of small hydrophobic or nonpolar molecules in bulk water. The solvation free energies of nonpolar side chains have been furthermore decomposed into a repulsive cavity formation contribution and an attractive dispersion free energy contribution. We find that cavity formation next to the peptide backbone is entropically favored over formation of similar sized nonpolar side chain cavities in bulk water, in agreement with earlier work in the literature on analysis of cavity fluctuations at nonpolar molecular surfaces. The cavity and dispersion interaction contributions correlate quite well with the solvent accessible surface area of the nonpolar side chains attached to the backbone. This correlation however is weak for the overall solvation free energies owing to the fact that the cavity and dispersion free energy contributions are almost exactly cancelling each other.

Photophysical study of some 3-benzoylmethyleneindol-2-ones and estimation of ground and excited states dipole moments from solvatochromic methods using solvent polarity parameters

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saroj, Manju K.; Sharma, Neera; Rastogi, Ramesh C.

2012-03-01

3-Benzoylmethyleneindol-2-ones, isatin based chalcones containing donor and acceptor moieties that exhibit excited-state intramolecular charge transfer, have been studied in different solvents by absorption and emission spectroscopy. The excited state behavior of these compounds is strongly dependent on the nature of substituents and the environment. These compounds show multiple emissions arising from a locally excited state and the two states due to intramolecular processes viz. intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT). Excited-state dipole moments have been calculated using Stoke-shifts of LE and ICT states using solvatochromic methods. The higher values of dipole moments obtained lead to support the formation of ICT state as one of the prominent species in the excited states of all 3-benzoylmethyleneindol-2-ones. The correlation of the solvatochromic Stokes-shifts with the microscopic solvent polarity parameter (ETN) was found to be superior to that obtained using bulk solvent polarity functions. The absorption and florescence spectral characteristics have been also investigated as a function of acidity and basicity (Ho/pH) in aqueous phase.

The Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor FGD6 coordinates cell polarity and endosomal membrane recycling in osteoclasts.

PubMed

Steenblock, Charlotte; Heckel, Tobias; Czupalla, Cornelia; Espírito Santo, Ana Isabel; Niehage, Christian; Sztacho, Martin; Hoflack, Bernard

2014-06-27

The initial step of bone digestion is the adhesion of osteoclasts onto bone surfaces and the assembly of podosomal belts that segregate the bone-facing ruffled membrane from other membrane domains. During bone digestion, membrane components of the ruffled border also need to be recycled after macropinocytosis of digested bone materials. How osteoclast polarity and membrane recycling are coordinated remains unknown. Here, we show that the Cdc42-guanine nucleotide exchange factor FGD6 coordinates these events through its Src-dependent interaction with different actin-based protein networks. At the plasma membrane, FGD6 couples cell adhesion and actin dynamics by regulating podosome formation through the assembly of complexes comprising the Cdc42-interactor IQGAP1, the Rho GTPase-activating protein ARHGAP10, and the integrin interactors Talin-1/2 or Filamin A. On endosomes and transcytotic vesicles, FGD6 regulates retromer-dependent membrane recycling through its interaction with the actin nucleation-promoting factor WASH. These results provide a mechanism by which a single Cdc42-exchange factor controlling different actin-based processes coordinates cell adhesion, cell polarity, and membrane recycling during bone degradation. © 2014 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Positron Annihilation Ratio Spectroscopy (PsARS) Applied to Positronium Formation Studies

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-03-01

POSITRON ANNIHILATION RATIO SPECTROSCOPY (PsARS) APPLIED TO POSITRONIUM FORMATION STUDIES THESIS...AFIT/GNE/ENP/10-M07 POSITRON ANNIHILATION RATIO SPECTROSCOPY (PsARS) APPLIED TO POSITRONIUM FORMATION STUDIES ...lifetime studies in local electric field experiments. High local electric fields can polarize a positron -electron pair, which may result in an extended

Design of co-existence parallel periodic surface structure induced by picosecond laser pulses on the Al/Ti multilayers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Petrović, Suzana; Peruško, D.; Kovač, J.; Panjan, P.; Mitrić, M.; Pjević, D.; Kovačević, A.; Jelenković, B.

2017-09-01

Formation of periodic nanostructures on the Ti/5x(Al/Ti)/Si multilayers induced by picosecond laser pulses is studied in order to better understand the formation of a laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS). At fluence slightly below the ablation threshold, the formation of low spatial frequency-LIPSS (LSFL) oriented perpendicular to the direction of the laser polarization is observed on the irradiated area. Prolonged irradiation while scanning results in the formation of a high spatial frequency-LIPSS (HSFL), on top of the LSFLs, creating a co-existence parallel periodic structure. HSFL was oriented parallel to the incident laser polarization. Intermixing between the Al and Ti layers with the formation of Al-Ti intermetallic compounds was achieved during the irradiation. The intermetallic region was formed mostly within the heat affected zone of the sample. Surface segregation of aluminium with partial ablation of the top layer of titanium was followed by the formation of an ultra-thin Al2O3 film on the surface of the multi-layered structure.

LKB1/AMPK and PKA control ABCB11 trafficking and polarization in hepatocytes.

PubMed

Homolya, László; Fu, Dong; Sengupta, Prabuddha; Jarnik, Michal; Gillet, Jean-Pierre; Vitale-Cross, Lynn; Gutkind, J Silvio; Lippincott-Schwartz, Jennifer; Arias, Irwin M

2014-01-01

Polarization of hepatocytes is manifested by bile canalicular network formation and activation of LKB1 and AMPK, which control cellular energy metabolism. The bile acid, taurocholate, also regulates development of the canalicular network through activation of AMPK. In the present study, we used collagen sandwich hepatocyte cultures from control and liver-specific LKB1 knockout mice to examine the role of LKB1 in trafficking of ABCB11, the canalicular bile acid transporter. In polarized hepatocytes, ABCB11 traffics from Golgi to the apical plasma membrane and endogenously cycles through the rab 11a-myosin Vb recycling endosomal system. LKB1 knockout mice were jaundiced, lost weight and manifested impaired bile canalicular formation and intracellular trafficking of ABCB11, and died within three weeks. Using live cell imaging, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP), particle tracking, and biochemistry, we found that LKB1 activity is required for microtubule-dependent trafficking of ABCB11 to the canalicular membrane. In control hepatocytes, ABCB11 trafficking was accelerated by taurocholate and cAMP; however, in LKB1 knockout hepatocytes, ABCB11 trafficking to the apical membrane was greatly reduced and restored only by cAMP, but not taurocholate. cAMP acted through a PKA-mediated pathway which did not activate AMPK. Our studies establish a regulatory role for LKB1 in ABCB11 trafficking to the canalicular membrane, hepatocyte polarization, and canalicular network formation.

Search for Polarization Effects in the Antiproton Production Process

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Grzonka, D.; Kilian, K.; Ritman, J.

For the production of a polarized antiproton beam, various methods have been suggested including the possibility that antiprotons may be produced polarized which will be checked experimentally. The polarization of antiprotons produced under typical conditions for antiproton beam preparation will be measured at the CERN/PS. If the production process creates some polarization, a polarized antiproton beam could be prepared by a rather simple modification of the antiproton beam facility. The detection setup and the expected experimental conditions are described.

Sea Ice Formation Rate and Temporal Variation of Temperature and Salinity at the Vicinity of Wilkins Ice Shelf from Data Collected by Southern Elephant Seals in 2008

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santini, M. F.; Souza, R.; Wainer, I.; Muelbert, M.; Hindell, M.

2013-05-01

The use of marine mammals as autonomous platforms for collecting oceanographic data has revolutionized the understanding of physical properties of low or non-sampled regions of the polar oceans. The use of these animals became possible due to advancements in the development of electronic devices, sensors and batteries carried by them. Oceanographic data collected by two southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina) during the Fall of 2008 were used to infer the sea-ice formation rate in the region adjacent to the Wilkins Ice Shelf, west of the Antarctic Peninsula at that period. The sea-ice formation rate was estimated from the salt balance equation for the upper (100 m) ocean at a daily frequency for the period between 13 February and 20 June 2008. The oceanographic data collected by the animals were also used to present the temporal variation of the water temperature and salinity from surface to 300 m depth in the study area. Sea ice formation rate ranged between 0,087 m/day in early April and 0,008 m/day in late June. Temperature and salinity ranged from -1.84°C to 1.60°C and 32.85 to 34.85, respectively, for the upper 300 m of the water column in the analyzed period. The sea-ice formation rate estimations do not consider water advection, only temporal changes of the vertical profile of salinity. This may cause underestimates of the real sea-ice formation rate. The intense reduction of sea ice rate formation from April to June 2008 may be related to the intrusion of the Circumpolar Depth Water (CDW) into the study region. As a consequence of that we believe that this process can be partly responsible for the disintegration of the Wilkins Ice Shelf during the winter of 2008. The data presented here are considered a new frontier in physical and biological oceanography, providing a new approach for monitoring sea ice changes and oceanographic conditions in polar oceans. This is especially valid for regions covered by sea ice where traditional instruments deployed by research vessels cannot be used.

Studies in mid-infrared spectropolarimetry - II. An atlas of spectra

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Craig H.; Wright, Christopher M.; Aitken, David K.; Roche, Patrick F.; Hough, James H.

2000-02-01

We present 8-13μm spectropolarimetry of 55 sources and 16-22μm spectropolarimetry of six of these. This represents a substantial fraction of star formation regions that can be observed in this way with current technology on 4-m class telescopes (i.e. brighter than about 20Jy at 10μm in a 4-arcsec beam). Most of the sources are embedded young stellar objects (YSOs), Hii regions containing sites of star formation or bipolar protoplanetary nebulae (PPN), although a few other sources (e.g. NGC 1068, MWC 349) are also included. The majority have oxygen-rich chemistry but there are three carbon-rich sources. Many of the oxygen-rich sources show deep silicate absorption overlying featureless or optically thin silicate emission. Absorptive polarization with polarization per optical depth (paτ)~=1-3 per cent is common, and many also show evidence for an emissive polarization component as well, although pure polarization in emission is rare. The observed ranges of paτ and pe are very similar, rather surprising in view of their origin from very different environments. Typically the absorptive polarization profiles are similar to the archetypal silicate polarization found in OMC1 BN, but an exception is AFGL 2591, which displays an additional narrow polarization feature at 11.2μm, which has been attributed to annealed silicates. Many of the intensity absorption spectra also show an inflection near 11.2μm, which might also be attributable to annealed silicates. The carbon-rich sources have nearly featureless polarizations in the 0.5-1per cent range, which we ascribe to dichroism in carbon-based grains; this is the first evidence that such grains can be aligned. In two of these sources the polarization appears to be caused by absorption by SiC. A few of the polarization spectra have no straightforward interpretation.

A High-Latitude Winter Continental Low Cloud Feedback Suppresses Arctic Air Formation in Warmer Climates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cronin, T.; Tziperman, E.; Li, H.

2015-12-01

High latitude continents have warmed much more rapidly in recent decades than the rest of the globe, especially in winter, and the maintenance of warm, frost-free conditions in continental interiors in winter has been a long-standing problem of past equable climates. It has also been found that the high-latitude lapse rate feedback plays an important role in Arctic amplification of climate change in climate model simulations, but we have little understanding of why lapse rates at high latitudes change so strongly with warming. To better understand these problems, we study Arctic air formation - the process by which a high-latitude maritime air mass is advected over a continent during polar night, cooled at the surface by radiation, and transformed into a much colder continental polar air mass - and its sensitivity to climate warming. We use a single-column version of the WRF model to conduct two-week simulations of the cooling process across a wide range of initial temperature profiles and microphysics schemes, and find that a low cloud feedback suppresses Arctic air formation in warmer climates. This cloud feedback consists of an increase in low cloud amount with warming, which shields the surface from radiative cooling, and increases the continental surface air temperature by roughly two degrees for each degree increase of the initial maritime surface air temperature. The time it takes for the surface air temperature to drop below freezing increases nonlinearly to ~10 days for initial maritime surface air temperatures of 20 oC. Given that this is about the time it takes an air mass starting over the Pacific to traverse the north American continent, this suggests that optically thick stratus cloud decks could help to maintain frost-free winter continental interiors in equable climates. We find that CMIP5 climate model runs show large increases in cloud water path and surface cloud longwave forcing in warmer climates, consistent with the proposed low-cloud feedback. The suppression of Arctic air formation with warming may act as a significant amplifier of climate change at high latitudes, and offers a mechanistic perspective on the high-latitude "lapse rate feedback" diagnosed in climate models.

Paleomagnetic results from the Early Cretaceous Lakang Formation lavas: Constraints on the paleolatitude of the Tethyan Himalaya and the India-Asia collision

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yang, Tianshui; Ma, Yiming; Bian, Weiwei; Jin, Jingjie; Zhang, Shihong; Wu, Huaichun; Li, Haiyan; Yang, Zhenyu; Ding, Jikai

2015-10-01

To better constrain the Early Cretaceous paleogeographic position of the Tethyan Himalaya and the India-Asia collision process, a paleomagnetic study was performed on the Lakang Formation lava flows in the Cuona area in the southeastern Tethyan Himalaya. Stepwise thermal and alternating field demagnetizations successfully isolated reliable characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) directions that include antipodal dual polarities and pass positive fold tests at the 99% confidence level and reversal tests at 95% confidence level, indicating prefolding primary magnetizations. The distribution patterns of ChRM directions from the Lakang Formation lava flows are consistent with young lava flows at similar latitudes, suggesting that secular variation has likely been averaged out. The tilt-corrected site-mean direction for 31 sites is D = 261.6 °, I = - 68.5 ° with α95 = 3.6 °, which provides a paleopole at 26.8°S, 315.2°E (A95 = 5.7 °), corresponding to a paleolatitude of 52.2 ° ± 5.7 °S for the study area. Comparison of the paleolatitude observed from the Lakang Formation lava flows with that expected from the apparent polar wander paths of India at 130 Ma show a paleolatitude difference of ∼2.1° (∼230 km), indicating that neither a great north-south continental crustal shortening occurred between the Indian craton and the Tethyan Himalaya after 130 Ma, nor that a wide ocean separated them at that time. Comparison with reliable Cretaceous-Paleocene paleomagnetic results observed from the Tethyan Himalaya and the Lhasa terrane indicates that the latitudinal width of the Neo-Tethyan Ocean could have been up to ∼7000 km at 134-130 Ma and an extension should have existed between the Indian craton and the Tethyan Himalaya during the Late Cretaceous and Paleocene. Furthermore, reliable paleomagnetic results suggest that the India-Asia collision was a dual-collision process, consisting of a first collision of the Tethyan Himalaya with the Lhasa terrane (Asia) at 54.9 ± 2.3 Ma and a final continent-continent collision of the Indian craton with the Tethyan Himalaya at 40.0 ± 3.3 Ma.

Correlated Fluorescence-Atomic Force Microscopy Studies of the Clathrin Mediated Endocytosis in SKMEL Cells

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Steve; Hor, Amy; Luu, Anh; Kang, Lin; Scott, Brandon; Bailey, Elizabeth; Hoppe, Adam

Clathrin-mediated endocytosis is one of the central pathways for cargo transport into cells, and plays a major role in the maintenance of cellular functions, such as intercellular signaling, nutrient intake, and turnover of plasma membrane in cells. The clathrin-mediated endocytosis process involves invagination and formation of clathrin-coated vesicles. However, the biophysical mechanisms of vesicle formation are still debated. We investigate clathrin vesicle formation mechanisms through the utilization of tapping-mode atomic force microscopy for high resolution topographical imaging in neutral buffer solution of unroofed cells exposing the inner membrane, combined with fluorescence imaging to definitively label intracellular constituents with specific fluorescent fusion proteins (actin filaments labeled with green phalloidin-antibody and clathrin coated vesicles with the fusion protein Tq2) in SKMEL (Human Melanoma) cells. Results from our work are compared against dynamical polarized total internal fluorescence (TIRF), super-resolution photo-activated localization microscopy (PALM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to draw conclusions regarding the prominent model of vesicle formation in clathrin-mediated endocytosis. Funding provided by NSF MPS/DMR/BMAT award # 1206908.

Rheological investigation of self-emulsification process.

PubMed

Biradar, Shailesh V; Dhumal, Ravindra S; Paradkar, Anant

2009-01-01

Aim of this study is to investigate the mechanism of self-emulsification through rheological analysis of intermediate liquid crystalline (LC) phase formed during self-emulsification process. Binary system of tween 80 (T80) and imwitor 742 (I742) was used and different SES were prepared with I742 at 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90% w/w concentration levels. Self-emulsification was monitored by visual observations and droplet size measurement. Mesophases obtained by 50% v/v hydration of SES were utilized for polarizing microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and rheological studies. Good emulsification with nano sized droplets was observed for SES 30% as compared to micron sized droplets for other SES. In polarizing microscopy, formation of intermediate LC phase was observed in all SES. Lamellar phase was evident in 30% SES while other SES exhibited micellar cubic phase. Presence of high level of structurally bound water in thermal analysis confirmed mesophase formation in all SES. In frequency sweep, decrease in elastic modulus, and an increase in phase degree and loss tangent was observed for 30% SES. Exactly opposite trend was seen in other SES. Thus, rheological studies concluded presence of weak and fragile mesophase structure in 30% SES while LC phase structure with little structural buildup was observed in other SES. This weak mesosphere structure in SES 30% presented no or very little resistance against strain induced deformation. Therefore, during emulsification, weak mesophase in SES 30% ruptured with ease and released jet of nanosize droplets compared to coarse droplets for other SES. This study signifies the effect of viscoelastic properties of intermediate LC phase on self-emulsification performance.

Influence of a reaction medium on the oxidation of aromatic nitrogen-containing compounds by peroxyacids

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dutka, V. S.; Matsyuk, N. V.; Dutka, Yu. V.

2011-01-01

The influence of different solvents on the oxidation reaction rate of pyridine (Py), quinoline (QN), acridine (AN), α-oxyquinoline (OQN) and α-picolinic acid (APA) by peroxydecanoic acid (PDA) was studied. It was found that the oxidation rate grows in the series Py < QN < AN, and the rate of the oxidation reaction of compounds containing a substituent in the α position from a reactive center is significantly lower than for unsubstituted analogues. The effective energies of activation of the oxidation reaction were found. It was shown that in the first stage, the reaction mechanism includes the rapid formation of an intermediate complex nitrogen-containing compound, peroxyacid, which forms products upon decomposing in the second stage. A kinetic equation that describes the studied process is offered. The constants of equilibrium of the intermediate complex formation ( K eq) and its decomposition constant ( k 2) in acetone and benzene were calculated. It was shown that the nature of the solvent influences the numerical values of both K p and k 2. It was established that introduction of acetic acid (which is able to form compounds with Py) into the reaction medium slows the rate of the oxidation process drastically. Correlation equations linking the polarity, polarizability, electrophilicity, and basicity of solvents with the constant of the PDA oxidation reaction rate for Py were found. It was concluded that the basicity and polarity of the solvent have a decisive influence on the oxidation reaction rate, while the polarizability and electrophilicity of the reaction medium do not influence the oxidation reaction rate.

Cryosphere-hydrosphere interactions: numerical modeling using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) at different scales

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bergamasco, A.; Budgell, W. P.; Carniel, S.; Sclavo, M.

2005-03-01

Conveyor belt circulation controls global climate through heat and water fluxes with atmosphere and from tropical to polar regions and vice versa. This circulation, commonly referred to as thermohaline circulation (THC), seems to have millennium time scale and nowadays--a non-glacial period--appears to be as rather stable. However, concern is raised by the buildup of CO2 and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (IPCC, Third assessment report: Climate Change 2001. A contribution of working group I, II and III to the Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Cambridge Univ. Press, UK) 2001, http://www.ipcc.ch) as these may affect the THC conveyor paths. Since it is widely recognized that dense-water formation sites act as primary sources in strengthening quasi-stable THC paths (Stommel H., Tellus131961224), in order to simulate properly the consequences of such scenarios a better understanding of these oceanic processes is needed. To successfully model these processes, air-sea-ice-integrated modelling approaches are often required. Here we focus on two polar regions using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). In the first region investigated, the North Atlantic-Arctic, where open-ocean deep convection and open-sea ice formation and dispersion under the intense air-sea interactions are the major engines, we use a new version of the coupled hydrodynamic-ice ROMS model. The second area belongs to the Antarctica region inside the Southern Ocean, where brine rejections during ice formation inside shelf seas origin dense water that, flowing along the continental slope, overflow becoming eventually abyssal waters. Results show how nowadays integrated-modelling tasks have become more and more feasible and effective; numerical simulations dealing with large computational domains or challenging different climate scenarios can be run on multi-processors platforms and on systems like LINUX clusters, made of the same hardware as PCs, and codes have been accordingly modified.This relevant numerical help coming from the computer science can now allow scientists to devote larger attention in the efforts of understanding the deep mechanisms of such complex processes.

Covalent Surface Modification of Silicon Oxides with Alcohols in Polar Aprotic Solvents.

PubMed

Lee, Austin W H; Gates, Byron D

2017-09-05

Alcohol-based monolayers were successfully formed on the surfaces of silicon oxides through reactions performed in polar aprotic solvents. Monolayers prepared from alcohol-based reagents have been previously introduced as an alternative approach to covalently modify the surfaces of silicon oxides. These reagents are readily available, widely distributed, and are minimally susceptible to side reactions with ambient moisture. A limitation of using alcohol-based compounds is that previous reactions required relatively high temperatures in neat solutions, which can degrade some alcohol compounds or could lead to other unwanted side reactions during the formation of the monolayers. To overcome these challenges, we investigate the condensation reaction of alcohols on silicon oxides carried out in polar aprotic solvents. In particular, propylene carbonate has been identified as a polar aprotic solvent that is relatively nontoxic, readily accessible, and can facilitate the formation of alcohol-based monolayers. We have successfully demonstrated this approach for tuning the surface chemistry of silicon oxide surfaces with a variety of alcohol containing compounds. The strategy introduced in this research can be utilized to create silicon oxide surfaces with hydrophobic, oleophobic, or charged functionalities.

Effect of surface ionic screening on the polarization reversal scenario in ferroelectric thin films: Crossover from ferroionic to antiferroionic states

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morozovska, Anna N.; Eliseev, Eugene A.; Kurchak, Anatolii I.; Morozovsky, Nicholas V.; Vasudevan, Rama K.; Strikha, Maksym V.; Kalinin, Sergei V.

2017-12-01

Nonlinear electrostatic interaction between the surface ions of electrochemical nature and ferroelectric dipoles gives rise to the coupled ferroionic states in nanoscale ferroelectrics. Here, we investigate the role of the surface ion formation energy on the polarization states and its reversal mechanisms, domain structure, and corresponding phase diagrams of ferroelectric thin films. Using 3D finite element modeling, we analyze the distribution and hysteresis loops of ferroelectric polarization and ionic charge, and the dynamics of the domain states. These calculations performed over large parameter space delineate the regions of single- and polydomain ferroelectric, ferroionic, antiferroionic, and nonferroelectric states as a function of surface ion formation energy, film thickness, applied voltage, and temperature. We further map the analytical theory for 1D systems onto an effective Landau-Ginzburg free energy and establish the correspondence between the 3D numerical and 1D analytical results. This approach allows us to perform an overview of the ferroionic system phase diagrams and explore the specifics of polarization reversal and domain evolution phenomena.

Effect of surface ionic screening on the polarization reversal scenario in ferroelectric thin films: Crossover from ferroionic to antiferroionic states

DOE PAGES

Morozovska, Anna N.; Eliseev, Eugene A.; Kurchak, Anatolii I.; ...

2017-12-08

Nonlinear electrostatic interaction between the surface ions of electrochemical nature and ferroelectric dipoles gives rise to the coupled ferroionic states in nanoscale ferroelectrics. Here, we investigated the role of the surface ions formation energy value on the polarization states and polarization reversal mechanisms, domain structure and corresponding phase diagrams of ferroelectric thin films. Using 3D finite elements modeling we analyze the distribution and hysteresis loops of ferroelectric polarization and ionic charge, and dynamics of the domain states. These calculations performed over large parameter space delineate the regions of single- and poly- domain ferroelectric, ferroionic, antiferroionic and non-ferroelectric states as amore » function of surface ions formation energy, film thickness, applied voltage and temperature. We further map the analytical theory for 1D system onto effective Landau-Ginzburg free energy and establish the correspondence between the 3D numerical and 1D analytical results. In conclusion, this approach allows performing the overview of the ferroionic system phase diagrams and exploring the specifics of switching and domain evolution phenomena.« less

SOS System Induction Inhibits the Assembly of Chemoreceptor Signaling Clusters in Salmonella enterica

PubMed Central

Irazoki, Oihane; Mayola, Albert; Campoy, Susana; Barbé, Jordi

2016-01-01

Swarming, a flagellar-driven multicellular form of motility, is associated with bacterial virulence and increased antibiotic resistance. In this work we demonstrate that activation of the SOS response reversibly inhibits swarming motility by preventing the assembly of chemoreceptor-signaling polar arrays. We also show that an increase in the concentration of the RecA protein, generated by SOS system activation, rather than another function of this genetic network impairs chemoreceptor polar cluster formation. Our data provide evidence that the molecular balance between RecA and CheW proteins is crucial to allow polar cluster formation in Salmonella enterica cells. Thus, activation of the SOS response by the presence of a DNA-injuring compound increases the RecA concentration, thereby disturbing the equilibrium between RecA and CheW and resulting in the cessation of swarming. Nevertheless, when the DNA-damage decreases and the SOS response is no longer activated, basal RecA levels and thus polar cluster assembly are reestablished. These results clearly show that bacterial populations moving over surfaces make use of specific mechanisms to avoid contact with DNA-damaging compounds. PMID:26784887

SOS System Induction Inhibits the Assembly of Chemoreceptor Signaling Clusters in Salmonella enterica.

PubMed

Irazoki, Oihane; Mayola, Albert; Campoy, Susana; Barbé, Jordi

2016-01-01

Swarming, a flagellar-driven multicellular form of motility, is associated with bacterial virulence and increased antibiotic resistance. In this work we demonstrate that activation of the SOS response reversibly inhibits swarming motility by preventing the assembly of chemoreceptor-signaling polar arrays. We also show that an increase in the concentration of the RecA protein, generated by SOS system activation, rather than another function of this genetic network impairs chemoreceptor polar cluster formation. Our data provide evidence that the molecular balance between RecA and CheW proteins is crucial to allow polar cluster formation in Salmonella enterica cells. Thus, activation of the SOS response by the presence of a DNA-injuring compound increases the RecA concentration, thereby disturbing the equilibrium between RecA and CheW and resulting in the cessation of swarming. Nevertheless, when the DNA-damage decreases and the SOS response is no longer activated, basal RecA levels and thus polar cluster assembly are reestablished. These results clearly show that bacterial populations moving over surfaces make use of specific mechanisms to avoid contact with DNA-damaging compounds.