Orbital Diameter Research Articles

Perfect vortex in three-dimensional multifocal array

We proposed an approach for creating three-dimensional (3D) multifocal perfect vortices arrays by using a high numerical aperture objective. The position, orbital angular momentum states, number and diameter of the perfect vortices can be freely modulated by a special designed hybrid phase plate (HPP). HPP could be calculated by 3D phase shifting expression which is derived from Fourier transform theory of the Debye diffraction integral. Furthermore, we developed a novel pixel checkerboard method for adding phase information into the HPP. The segmentation of HPP is related to vortex quality and intensity uniformity. This method could fully use each pixel to modulate the light, since the spatial light modulator has to be used. Small size lattices could generate high quality and uniform intensity vortex arrays in tight focusing region, which may have potential applications in coupling, optical coding and decoding.

Orbital diameters of the symmetric and alternating groups

For a primitive group G acting on a finite set Omega , we define the orbital diameter to be the maximum of the diameters of all orbital graphs of G. In this paper, we study the orbital diameters of symmetric and alternating groups. We give necessary numerical conditions for the orbital diameter to be bounded by some constant c and give precise descriptions of the actions for which the orbital diameter is bounded by 5. For each primitive action, we also either determine all orbital graphs of diameter 2 or give descriptions of infinite families of orbital graphs of diameter 2.

A New Species of Grouper (Epinephelus;Epinephelidae) from the Indo-Pacific

A new species of Indo-Pacific grouper is described from nine specimens, 165–391 mm in SL. Epinephelus kupangensis, new species, is similar in appearance to, and has been treated as, Epinephelus amblycephalus (Bleeker, 1857). The two species are both found in deep waters of the Indo-Pacific and have overlapping ranges in eastern Indonesia, and likely beyond. Epinephelus kupangensis, new species, can be distinguished from Epinephelus amblycephalus on the basis of coloration, counts, and measurements. The species is characterized by the following set of characters: dorsal rays XI, 16; anal rays III, 8; pelvic rays I, 5; pectoral rays 18; caudal rays 18; caudal fin rounded; gill rakers 8+16; lateral line scales 48; longitudinal scale series 99; body scales ctenoid; scales on head cycloid and particularly large in size on opercle; orbit diameter 5.1 in head; pelvic fin 4.0 in head; maxillary streak orange; color when freshly dead pale grayish brown with five dark brown bars; orange-brown spots present dorsally...

Second-Trimester Ultrasound as a Tool for Early Detection of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Early detection of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) is desirable to allow earlier and more comprehensive interventions to be initiated for the mother and infant. We examined prenatal ultrasound as an early method of detecting markers of the physical features and neurobehavioral deficits characteristic of FASD. A longitudinal cohort of pregnant women in Ukraine was recruited as part of the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. Women were enrolled into a moderately to heavy-alcohol-exposed group or a low- or no-alcohol exposure group and were followed to pregnancy outcome. In the second trimester, a fetal ultrasound was performed to measure transverse cerebellar diameter, occipital frontal diameter (OFD), caval-calvarial distance, frontothalamic distance (FTD), interorbital distance (IOD), outer orbital diameter, and orbital diameter (OD). Live born infants received a dysmorphological examination and a neurobehavioral evaluation using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. These data were used to classify infants with respect to FASD. Comparisons were made on the ultrasound measures between those with and without features of FASD, adjusting for gestational age at ultrasound and maternal smoking. A total of 233 mother/child dyads were included. Children classified as FASD had significantly longer IOD and lower FTD/IOD, OFD/IOD, and FTD/OD ratios (p<0.05). Children with a Bayley score <85 had significantly shorter FTD, longer IOD, lower OFD/IOD, and FTD/IOD ratios (p<0.05). In general, mean differences were small. Ultrasound variables alone predicted <10% of the variance in the FASD outcome. Some ultrasound measurements were associated with FASD, selected facial features of the disorder, and lower neurobehavioral scores. However, mean differences were relatively small, making it difficult to predict affected children based solely on these measures. It may be advantageous to combine these easily obtained ultrasound measures with other data to aid in identifying high risk for an FASD outcome.

Cauchy sequences and a Meir-Keeler type fixed point theorem in partial metric spaces.

In this paper we prove some new conditions for Cauchy sequences by using the diameter of orbit in partial metric spaces. A fixed point theorem for Meir-Keeler type contractions in this space is established.

Rheology and mixing analysis of plant cell cultures (Azadirachta indica, Borojoa patinoi and Thevetia peruviana) in shake flasks

Plant cell culture is a useful technology for the production of secondary metabolites with commercial and pharmaceutical value. The rheology, morphology or aggregation of cell suspension have different applications in flow systems, bioreactor design and unit operations. This suggests solutions to mixing, mass transfer, hydrodynamic stress and cell growth problems. In this study, some morphological aspects associated with elliptical form factor and the tendency to form cell aggregates of Azadirachta indica, Borojoa patinoi and Thevetia peruviana cell cultures were evaluated in shake flasks. The rheological behavior through rheograms for cell concentrations of 0, 4, 8 and 12gDWl⿿1 was also evaluated. From this data, properties and parameters like apparent viscosity, Reynolds number, phase state and volumetric power were calculated for shake flasks of 250 and 500ml. The results showed a dilatant behavior of the culture medium and pseudo-plastic behavior of cell cultures. This last behavior increases with cell concentration and size of the cell aggregates. Rheograms for all cell concentrations of A. indica, were significantly different from the other two species. Culture conditions like shaker orbit diameters and flask volumes were recommended in order to favor an adequate cell growth and mass transfer in plant cell cultures.

Description of a new species of Pareiorhina (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio São Francisco basin, Brazil.

In the present paper we describe a new species of Pareiorhina from Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by a combination of the following characters: the dorsal surface of caudal peduncle strongly concave, 30 vertebrae, bicuspid teeth, a conspicuous cylindrical shaped papilla between the oral valve and premaxilla, smaller odontodes along the snout margin, a small orbital diameter, a higher head width, a shorter interorbital width, a shorter predorsal length, a shorter cleithral width, and a shorter caudal peduncle depth. The new species is known from four small streams of the rio São Francisco basin: one tributary of the rio Maranhão, one tributary of the rio Paraopeba and two tributaries of the Rio das Velhas. This species is found in fast-flowing streams associated with rocks and sand in the bottom of the rivers.

Ultrasound monitoring of the first trimester of pregnancy in local goats through visualisation and measurements of some biometric parameters

The purpose of the present study was monitoring of the first trimester of pregnancy in local goats through ultrasound visualisation and measurements of some biometric parameters. Eighteen local Bulgarian goats, 2 to 4 years of age, weighing 48–56 kg, reared in the Biobase of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine – Stara Zagora were included in the experiments. All animals underwent ultrasound checks on gestation days 21, 28, 35, 42 and 49. Ultrasound measurements included the following biometric parameters: uterine lumen diameter, crown-rump length, trunk diameter, biparietal diameter, inner and outer diameter of placentomes, long and short heart axis, foetal heart rate, foetal orbit diameter. The analysis of results indicated that ultrasound check during the first trimester of pregnancy of local goats could start at 21 day of pregnancy when two biometric parameters were visualised – uterine lumen diameter (10.3±2.7 mm), filled with anechoic amniotic fluid and foetal crownrump length (5.2±0.9 mm), which was hyperechoic. From the 28 day of gestation, ultrasound measurement of trunk diameter was possible. The inner and outer placentome diameters, biparietal diameter and foetal heart rate could be used for monitoring of pregnancy by the end of the first trimester (days 42 and 49).

Geometry of Wave-Formed Orbital Ripples in Coarse Sand

Using new large-scale wave-flume experiments we examine the cross-section and planform geometry of wave-formed ripples in coarse sand (median grain size D50 = 430 μm) under high-energy shoaling and plunging random waves. We find that the ripples remain orbital for the full range of encountered conditions, even for wave forcing when in finer sand the ripple length λr is known to become independent of the near-bed orbital diameter ds (anorbital ripples). The proportionality between λr and ds is not constant, but decreases from about 0.55 for ds / D50 ≈ 1400 to about 0.27 for ds / D50 ≈ 11 , 500 . Analogously, ripple height ηr increases with ds, but the constant of proportionally decreases from about 0.08 for ds / D50 ≈ 1400 to about 0.02 for ds / D50 &gt; 8000 . In contrast to earlier observations of coarse-grained two-dimensional wave ripples under mild wave conditions, the ripple planform changes with the wave Reynolds number from quasi two-dimensional vortex ripples, through oval mounds with ripples attached from different directions, to strongly subdued hummocky-type features. Finally, we combine our data with existing mild-wave coarse-grain ripple data to develop new equilibrium predictors for ripple length, height and steepness suitable for a wide range of wave conditions and a D50 larger than about 300 μm.

The effect of magnetic field on chiral transmission in p-n-p graphene junctions

We investigate Klein tunneling in graphene heterojunctions under the influence of a perpendicular magnetic field via the non-equilibrium Green’s function method. We find that the angular dependence of electron transmission is deflected sideways, resulting in the suppression of normally incident electrons and overall decrease in conductance. The off-normal symmetry axis of the transmission profile was analytically derived. Overall tunneling conductance decreases to almost zero regardless of the potential barrier height when the magnetic field (B-field) exceeds a critical value, thus achieving effective confinement of Dirac fermions. The critical field occurs when the width of the magnetic field region matches the diameter of the cyclotron orbit. The potential barrier also induces distinct Fabry-Pérot fringe patterns, with a “constriction region” of low transmission when is close to the Fermi energy. Application of B-field deflects the Fabry-Pérot interference pattern to an off-normal angle. Thus, the conductance of the graphene heterojunctions can be sharply modulated by adjusting the B-field strength and the potential barrier height relative to the Fermi energy.

Review of the scorpionfish genus Pteroidichthys (Scorpaenidae), with descriptions of two new species.

A taxonomic review of the scorpaenid genus Pteroidichthys Bleeker, 1856 resulted in recognizing four valid species, including two new species; P. acutus n. sp., P. amboinensis Bleeker 1856, P. caussei n. sp., and P. noronhai (Fowler 1938). The genus Pteropelor Fowler, 1938 is regarded as a junior synonym of Pteroidichthys. Rhinopias godfreyi Whitley 1954, previously treated as a valid species, is herein regarded as a junior synonym of P. amboinensis. Pteroidichthys amboinensis and P. caussei have two spines and six soft rays in the anal fin and a supplemental preopercular spine, whereas P. acutus and P. noronhai have three spines and five rays, and lack the spine. Pteroidichthys amboinensis differs from P. caussei in having flexible dorsal-fin spines (vs. rigid in the latter) and tentacles on the supraocular and posterior lacrimal spines well developed, their lengths greater than the orbit diameter (vs. less than orbit diameter). Pteroidichthys noronhai differs from P. acutus in having a relatively short snout, its length shorter than (vs. longer than in the latter) the postorbital length, and a distance between tips of the lateral lacrimal and first suborbital spines shorter than or subequal to (vs. longer than) that between tips of the first and second suborbital spines. Pteroidichthys acutus is known from the western Pacific in depths of 73-400 m, P. amboinensis from the Indo-West Pacific in 7-43 m, P. caussei from the South Pacific in 68-122 m, and P. noronhai from the western Pacific and Western Australia in 52-215 m.

Microcarriers’ suspension and flow dynamics in orbitally shaken bioreactors

In the present work an effort is made to determine the suspension speed of microcarriers in an orbitally shaken bioreactor of cylindrical geometry, and to assess the associated two-phase flow by means of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Microcarrier technologies are commonly used in the bioprocess industry to culture adherent-dependent cells in three dimensional flow. Commercial GE Cytodex microcarriers were employed throughout this study to best mimic the flow conditions occurring in a bioreactor under standard operating conditions. Suspension speed measurements were obtained at different solid concentrations, that are typical for cell cultures, and for different combinations of orbital to cylinder diameters’ ratio, do/di (c = 2.5–12.5g/L; do/di = 0.2–0.7; N = 0–200RPM). The current two-phase PIV results show that mean flow dynamics occurring in the cylindrical bioreactor are not significantly affected by the presence of the microcarriers, and that their suspension is directly associated to the flow transition reported by Weheliye et al. (2013). The flow scaling law included in their study can be successfully employed to predict the full suspension speed across bioreactors of different scales and working under different operating conditions (i.e. inner diameter of the cylinder, di, orbital diameter, do, and filling volume, Vf).

Three new species of the Indo-Pacific fish genus Hime (Aulopidae, Aulopiformes), all resembling the type species H. japonica (Günther 1877).

Descriptions of three new species of the aulopid genus Hime from the central and western Pacific and presumably the easternmost Indian Ocean are presented. Hime surrubea sp. nov., confined to the Hawaiian Island region, has been misidentified in species accounts and faunal lists as H. japonica and although resembling it is separable from that species by its shorter caudal peduncle, slightly larger head, larger eye, especially relative to head size, and slightly smaller pectoral and pelvic fins. Hime capitonis sp. nov. is known conclusively only from seamounts off the southern tip of New Caledonia and Vanuatu, and is distinguishable by its distinctively large head (32.3-35.6% SL) and eyes (orbital diameter 10.8-13.0% SL) and relatively few scales between the anus and anal fin origin (7-9). The Indonesian H. caudizoma sp. nov. is so far known from only 8 specimens, acquired in markets in southeastern Lombok and presumably caught nearby in what would be regarded the eastern reaches of the Indian Ocean. The species is recognisable by its dorsal fin of rather uniform moderate height with nearly straight distal margin and 17 rather than 16 rays, none of which is filamentous in either sex, the second penultimate ray rather than anterior rays the longest in males. Like the other two described here, H. caudizoma has among the largest head and eyes of the family. Observations on the dorsal fin form and other features of H. microps Parin & Kotlyar, 1989 are provided based on a large male specimen collected at Rapa Iti, Austral Islands and a re-evaluation of the original description.

Orbital elements of the material surrounding comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

We investigate the dust coma within the Hill sphere of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. Aims. We aim to determine osculating orbital elements for individual distinguishable but unresolved slow-moving grains in the vicinity of the nucleus. In addition, we perform photometry and constrain grain sizes. Methods. We performed astrometry and photometry using images acquired by the OSIRIS Wide Angle Camera on the European Space Agency spacecraft Rosetta. Based on these measurements, we employed standard orbit determination and orbit improvement techniques. Results. Orbital elements and effective diameters of four grains were constrained, but we were unable to uniquely determine them. Two of the grains have light curves that indicate grain rotation. Conclusions. The four grains have diameters nominally in the range 0.14–0.50 m. For three of the grains, we found elliptic orbits, which is consistent with a cloud of bound particles around the nucleus. However, hyperbolic escape trajectories cannot be excluded for any of the grains, and for one grain this is the only known option. One grain may have originated from the surface shortly before observation. These results have possible implications for the understanding of the dispersal of the cloud of bound debris around comet nuclei, as well as for understanding the ejection of large grains far from the Sun.

Experimental Visualization of Cryogenic Backflow Vortex Cavitation with Thermodynamic Effects

The world’s first test facility that allows the visualization of cavitation on a rotating inducer in both cryogen and water was used for comparing the cavitation features in liquid nitrogen at 77.9 K and water at 292.5 and 333.5 K. The test inducer was a triple-threaded helical one with a diameter of 65.3 mm and a rotational speed range of 3500–6000 rpm. The backflow vortex cavitation on the rotating inducer was quantitatively measured in the considered fluids. From the results, it was inferred that the backflow vortex cavitation orbital rate and its orbital diameter around the inducer axis depend on the head coefficient but are almost independent of the cavitation number and kind of fluid. Furthermore, the diameter of each backflow vortex cavitation column depends on the head coefficient, cavitation number, and kind of fluid. At the same head coefficient and cavitation number, the diameter in liquid nitrogen is 2.4 times smaller than that in water because of the thermodynamic effects. Moreover, the appearance of the cavitation is “foggy” in nitrogen and “foamy” in water. This difference can be explained by the maximum stable size of cavitation bubbles derived from the critical Weber number theory. Based on this theory, each cavitation bubble at the tip vortex regions in nitrogen is four times smaller than that in water.

A new species of the lowland Oligosarcus Günther species group (Teleostei: Ostariophysi: Characidae)

A new characid species is described from the rio Jacuí basin, a coastal drainage from southern Brazil. Itis morphologically most similar to its sympatric congeners Oligosarcus jenynsii and O. jacuiensis , but can be distinguished from both species in having the interorbital region wider and the pectoral fin shorter and additionally from O. jenynsii in having a smaller orbital diameter.

Ultrasonographic assessment of fetal growth in miniature “Shiba” goats (Capra hircus)

The aim of the present study was to monitor fetal growth in relation to gestational stage to generate formulae which could be used to estimate fetal age in goats. Eight miniature Shiba goats (Capra hircus) were examined weekly by transrectal and transabdominal ultrasound scanning during the gestation period between Day 21 and 126 days of gestation. For accurate judgment, all fetometric parameters were measured at least three times per one examination for each animal. Quantification of the growth of the fetus allowed the development of a number of predictors of fetal age. Low correlations were associated with measurement of the chest diameter (R2=0.869), trunk diameter (R2=0.8969), tibia length (R2=0.8662) and placentome diameter (R2=0.8999). Moderate correlation was assessed by calculation of the length of six successive lumbar vertebrae (R2=0.9296), femur length (R2=0.9278), heart axis length (R2=0.9382 and 0.9589; for the longitudinal and transverse axis, respectively), occipitonasal length (R2=0.9527), umbilical cord diameter (R2=0.9119) and orbit diameter (R2=0.9239). A high correlation was estimated in investigating the length of six successive thoracic vertebrae (R2=0.9674), braincase diameter (R2=0.9831) and crown rump length (R2=0.9848). In conclusion, the intrauterine fetal biometry estimation through ultrasound might be useful to predict the accurate gestational age in miniature goats.

A new species of Panaqolus (Siluriformes: Loricariidae) from the rio Madeira basin with remarkable intraspecific color variation

The rio Madeira is the largest white-water tributary of the Amazon, and is currently the river drainage with the highest fish species diversity in the world. A new species of Panaqolus was recognized from the middle Madeira and Mamoré rivers (Brazil) and from the Madre de Dios drainage (Peru) and it is described herein. This new species is readily distinguished from its congeners by the large number of white dots distributed all over the body and by its remarkable amplitude of color pattern variation, ranging from a pale, light brown, to dark brown and almost black background coloration. The new species closely resembles P. albomaculatus but has more and smaller dots on the body, a smaller orbital diameter (12.5-16.8% head length vs. 16.0-20.0%) and longer maxillary barbels (9.7-19.6% head length vs. 1.6-8.9%). The new species is the second of the genus Panaqolus described for a Brazilian location after nearly 80 years of the description of P. purusiensis.

Transabdominal and transrectal ultrasonography of fetuses in Württemberg ewes: Correlation with gestational age.

It is useful to determine the gestational age in sheep to provide essential information for effective flock management practices. The aims of this study were to evaluate the efficacy and practical aspects for using two ultrasound techniques, transabdominal and transrectal, in determining the gestational age in Württemberg ewes. Monitoring of embryo and fetus developmental stages during the ewes' gestation was carried out with real time ultrasound using a transabdominal convex probe, frequency 3.5 MHz, and a transrectal linear probe, frequency 7.5 MHz. The size of the embryonic vesicle during the period from the 23rd to the 38th day of gestation can be used as a confirmational indicator of gestational age when the transrectal probe is used. The occipital nasal diameter correlated with the gestational age with both transabdominal (P < 0.05) and transrectal probes (P < 0.01) from the 46th to the 63rd day of gestation. The biparietal diameter of the fetal head measured by transabdominal probe during the period from the 46th to the 63rd day of gestation correlates with gestation age (P < 0.05). The diameter of the fetal eye orbit monitored by transrectal probe from the 46th to the 63rd day of gestation also correlated well with gestational age (P < 0.05).

Optimization and automation of an end-to-end high throughput microscale transient protein production process.

High throughput protein production from transient transfection of mammalian cells is used in multiple facets of research and development studies. Commonly used formats for these high number expressions are 12-, 24- and 96-well plates at various volumes. However there are no published examples of a 96-deep well plate microscale (1,000 μL) suspension process for mammalian transient expression. For this reason, we aimed to determine the optimal operating conditions for a high producing, microscale HEK293 transient system. We evaluated the hydrodynamic flow and measured the oxygen transfer rate (OTR) and transient protein expression for 96-deep well plates of different well geometries filled at 600-1,000 μL working volumes and agitated at various speeds and orbital diameters. Ultimately, a round well-round bottom (RR) 96-deep well plate with a working volume of 1,000 µL agitated at 1,000 RPM and a 3 mm orbital diameter yielded the highest and most consistent total transient protein production. As plate cultures are subject to evaporation, water loss from different plate seals was measured to identify an optimal plate sealing method. Finally, to enable higher capacity protein production, both expression and purification processes were automated. Functionality of this end-to-end automation workflow was demonstrated with the generation of high levels of human IgG1 antibodies (≥360 µg/mL) with reproducible productivity, product quality and ≥78% purification recovery.