Equal Branches Research Articles

Fabrication of a flexible stretchable hydrogel-based antenna using a femtosecond laser for miniaturization.

We demonstrated a new method of fabricating a stretchable antenna by injecting liquid metal (LM) into a femtosecond-laser-ablated embedded hydrogel microchannel, and realized miniaturization of a stretchable dipole antenna based on hydrogel substrate. Firstly, symmetrical microchannels with two equal and linear branches were formed by a femtosecond laser in the middle of a hydrogel substrate, and then were filled with LM by use of a syringe needle. Using this method, a stretchable LM-dipole antenna with each dimension of 24 mm × 0.6 mm × 0.2 mm separated by a 2-mm gap, was formed in the middle of a 70 mm × 12 mm × 7 mm hydrogel slab. Since the polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel contained ∼ 95 wt % deionized water with a high permittivity of 79 in the 0.5 GHz - 1.5 GHz range, the hydrogel used to prepare the flexible antenna can be considered as distilled water boxes. Experiments and simulations showed that a 5-cm-long LM-dipole embedded in hydrogel resonated at approximately 927.5 MHz with an S11 value of about - 12.6 dB and omnidirectional radiation direction. Benefiting from the high permittivity of the hydrogel, the dipole length was downsized by about half compared with conventional polymer substrates at the same resonant frequency. By varying the applied strain from 0 to 48%, the resonant frequency of the hydrogel/LM dipole antenna can be tuned from 770.3 MHz to 927.0 MHz. This method provides a simple and scalable technique for the design and preparation of LM-pattern microstructures in hydrogels, and has potential applications in hydrogel-based soft electronic device.

Experimental study of ensemble phase splitting features of water-oil slug/droplet flow at a branching micro-T-junction

This paper reports the ensemble phase splitting features of water-oil slug/droplet flow at a micro-T-junction with three equal branches. The hydraulic diameter of the channels is around 850 µm. The slug flow shows almost no phase separation (even splitting) at various splitting ratios of continuous flow, which agrees with the prediction of a traditional mechanism. Despite that the morphology of the studied droplet flow apparently looks like slug flow, the phase splitting features of them are distinctively different. At certain conditions, the separation degree of water and oil of droplet flow reaches as high as 45 %. The “abnormal” uneven phase splitting features are resulted from the transition of splitting mode of dispersed phase from pressure dominant process to shear dominant process. The high phase separation degree can be achieved by increasing Capillary (Ca) number of the continuous flow to a critical value larger than 0.02 and increasing the splitting ratios of continuous flow slightly larger than 0.5. The mechanism is discussed to understand these “abnormal” splitting features of droplet chains at high Ca number.

The Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns and the Theory of Modernism

This paper considers issues of convergence of classical and modernist art theories on the example of the so-called Quarrel of the Ancients and the Moderns at the turn of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The works of the main participants in this debate, Charles Perrault and Nicolas Boileau, are examined in the context of the theory of modernism and questions of the origin of modernist art. The aggravation of the contradictions between the two versions of the theory of classicism and, more broadly, the two concepts of modernity, led to the formation of new views on the nature of art in the era of late Louis XIV. The leader of the “Moderns,” Charles Perrault, became the founder of the rationalistic and scientistic theories of modernism, gravitating towards aestheticism, formalism, and semiotics of art. In this article, his theories are explored in connection with the modernist formalist discourse and theoretical work of Clement Greenberg. In addition, Charles Perrault’s theory of art is placed in the space of the theory of “aesthetic modernism” (aesthetic movement) and the theory of “art for art’s sake.” Particular attention is paid to the comparative characteristics of the texts of Charles Perrault, Oscar Wilde, and Julius Meier-Graefe. In turn, the works of the chief theoretician of the “ancients,” Nicolas Boileau, are studied in the context of ideas of the “conservative revolution.” From this perspective, the interpretation of the category of the sublime by Pseudo-Longinus, Boileau, and representatives of romantic culture is assessed. The author concludes that Nicola Boileau and Charles Perrault represent different equal branches of modernist discourse. At the same time, Charles Perrault managed not only to anticipate certain phenomena of the culture of modernism in his texts, but also to take important steps towards the contemporary scientific theory of art.

Skazane na zapomnienie — prawo handlowe w PRL

The post-war history of Polish commercial law is not a frequent subject of interest in the literature. Historical reflection is usually limited to indicating that the civil code entering into force on 1 January 1965 and, on the same day, the repeal of the pre-war commercial code from 1934 formally ended the era of Polish private law’s duality — the coexistence of two equal branches of law: civil law, regulating common relations, and commercial law, regulating economic relations. However, it was the last symbolic chord in the history of commercial law during the communist period. In fact, it had been extinguished several years earlier and replaced by a socialist substitute in the form of economic law, intended to regulate the centrally planned, socialist trading, in which there was no space for individual economic activity. The article discusses the mechanism of dismantling commercial law in the political and economical order of the totalitarian state, which Poland became after the Second World War. This mechanism was implemented not on the normative level, by repealing the norms of commercial law, but on the factual one, by eliminating — through administrative, fiscal, and penal pressure methods — addressees of commercial law (already existing and potential entrepreneurs) and taking them away, e.g. by nationalizing the most essential components of their enterprises. In this way, the necessary (personal and property) background of commercial law was destroyed, making its norms irrelevant. Thus, commercial law was condemned to a dozen or so years of non-existence and oblivion before the legislator decided to make a formal decision, which was to repeal most provisions of the commercial code. Only those regulations remained in force that were needed by the communist authorities, e.g. to conduct foreign trade. The effects of several-decades-long systemic non-existence of commercial law are still noticeable today. Despite the systemic transformation in 1989 and the return of the Polish economy to free market rules, Polish commercial law — relegated to the role of a specialized discipline of civil law and formally distinguished only for research and teaching activities — has not yet regained its rank as an independent branch of private law.

Variation of surgical anatomy of the thoracic portion of the long thoracic nerve.

Decompression of the long thoracic nerve (LTN) is a potentially beneficial procedure for selected patients with LTN palsy. The aim of this work is to describe the surgical anatomy of the thoracic part of the LTN and highlight its variations. A retrospective review of patients undergoing exploration of the LTN was performed. Preoperatively, all patients had serratus anterior dysfunction and underwent electromyographic (EMG) assessment. All patients had an initial trial of nonoperative management. The surgical procedures were undertaken by the senior author. The anatomy of the LTN and the associated vasculature was recorded in patient records, and with digital photography. Forty-five patients underwent LTN exploration. Two patients with iatrogenic injury were excluded, leaving 43 patients for analysis. Mean age was 36 years. Sixty-seven percent of cases involved the dominant side. Trauma was the commonest cause, followed by neuralgic amyotrophy. Four patients had typical features of serratus anterior dysfunction but with normal EMG studies. Two distinct patterns of LTN anatomy were noted. In 79% of cases, a single major nerve trunk coursing along serratus anterior was observed and classified as a type I LTN. In 21% of cases, two equal major branches of the nerve were identified, which was classified as a type II LTN. Approximately one in five patients may have two major branches of the LTN. This is of clinical relevance to those who undertake any thoracic procedures, as well as those who are considering exploration of the LTN.

Generalized Regularity and the Symmetry of Branches of ''Botanological'' Networks

We derive the generalized regularity of convex quadrilaterals in R^2, which gives a new evolutionary class of convex quadrilaterals that we call generalized regular quadrilaterals in R^2. The property of generalized regularity states that the Simpson line defined by the two Steiner points passes through the corresponding Fermat-Torricelli point of the same convex quadrilateral. We prove that a class of generalized regular convex quadrilaterals consists of convex quadrilaterals, such that their two opposite sides are parallel. We solve the problem of vertical evolution of a ''botanological'' thumb (a two way communication weighted network) w.r to a boundary rectangle in R^2 having two roots,two branches and without having a main branch, by applying the property of generalized regularity of weighted rectangles. We show that the two branches have equal weights and the two roots have equal weights, if the thumb inherits a symmetry w.r to the midperpendicular line of the two opposite sides of the rectangle, which is perpendicular to the ground (equal branches and equal roots). The geometric, rotational and dynamic plasticity of weighted networks for boundary generalized regular tetrahedra and weighted regular tetrahedra lead to the creation of ''botanological'' thumbs and ''botanological'' networks (with a main branch) having symmetrical branches

3D star-like atypical hybrid MOF derived single-atom catalyst boosts oxygen reduction catalysis

A novel 3D star-like MOF derived single atom catalyst with unique Co-N 3 C coordination can efficiently decrease the free energy of rate determining step, which exhibits excellent ORR activity in both alkaline and acid medium. • An unique 3D hybrid MOF with six-branched star morphology. • A precisely modulation of coordination structure at single atom centers. • Superior catalytic activity for ORR in both alkaline and acid medium. • Satisfying power density and durability toward Zn-air battery. Developing high-efficiency, stable and non-precious electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is highly important for energy conversion and storage. Single atom catalysts (SACs) show good potential in enhancing ORR, however, the specifical control over the coordination surroundings around single metal center to intrinsically modify the electron structure is still a great challenge. Herein, we demonstrate that a 3D hybrid MOF composed of cobalt doped ZIF-L and ZIF-8, featuring star morphology with six equal branches, can be used as an advanced precursor for making the Co SACs for greatly boosted ORR. The as-synthesized Co SA -N-C exhibits excellent ORR activity with E 1/2 of 0.891 V in alkaline medium, outperforming the commercial Pt/C by 39 mV. Moreover, the E 1/2 of Co SA -N-C (0.790 V) is merely 15 mV, less than that of Pt/C (0.805 V) in acid medium, which is among the best in the reported state-of-the-art SACs. DFT calculations demonstrate that the enhanced ORR performance is assigned to the formation of atomically isolated cobalt atom coordinated three N atoms and one C atom, which is easier to decrease the free energy of rate determining step and accelerate the ORR process than that of traditional cobalt atom coordinated four N atoms. In addition, a primary Zn-air battery with Co SA -N-C cathode reveals a maximum power density of 92.2 mW cm −2 at 120.0 mA cm −2 , far higher than that of commercial catalysts (74.2 mW cm −2 at 110.0 mA cm −2 ).

Judicial Review (Departmentalism) vs Supremacy: The Connection to a 17th Century Debate and a Dilemma for Today

Abstract Proponents of judicial supremacy argue that the interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court is authoritative for the two other branches of government, while advocates of judicial review (or departmentalism) argue that authority to interpret the Constitution resides in each branch. Both sides offer historical examples in which their understanding prevailed. How to resolve this impasse? I argue that Hobbes and Spinoza can inform the debate. To do so, I first unpack the terms: what is the difference between judicial review or departmentalism and judicial supremacy? I then show that a renowned legal scholar, Larry Alexander, specifically invokes Hobbes in defense of judicial supremacy. For Alexander, the Supreme Court functions as a Hobbesian sovereign. Spinoza presents a clear alternative to the Hobbesian solution of avoiding a state of nature by concentrating power in a unitary sovereign, namely, via a strategy of diffusing power throughout society. But Spinoza’s solution is not yet a formal separation of powers. This conception of power can therefore clarify the assumptions made by advocates of both judicial review or departmentalism and judicial supremacy. I close by considering instances in American history when the application of departmentalist logic did not lead to a Hobbesian state of nature. And what are the lessons for today? I suggest that it is perhaps time to consider an analog to the Canadian/Israeli notwithstanding clause. But rather than adopting verbatim their legislative override, which effectively designates the legislative branch to be supreme, we could require two of the three independent and equal branches to decide contended constitutional questions. Such an American notwithstanding clause would respect the design of our federal government.

Judicial Review (Departmentalism) vs Supremacy: The Connection to a 17th Century Debate and a Dilemma for Today

Abstract Proponents of judicial supremacy argue that the interpretation of the Constitution by the Supreme Court is authoritative for the two other branches of government, while advocates of judicial review (or departmentalism) argue that authority to interpret the Constitution resides in each branch. Both sides offer historical examples in which their understanding prevailed. How to resolve this impasse? I argue that Hobbes and Spinoza can inform the debate. To do so, I first unpack the terms: what is the difference between judicial review or departmentalism and judicial supremacy? I then show that a renowned legal scholar, Larry Alexander, specifically invokes Hobbes in defense of judicial supremacy. For Alexander, the Supreme Court functions as a Hobbesian sovereign. Spinoza presents a clear alternative to the Hobbesian solution of avoiding a state of nature by concentrating power in a unitary sovereign, namely, via a strategy of diffusing power throughout society. But Spinoza’s solution is not yet a formal separation of powers. This conception of power can therefore clarify the assumptions made by advocates of both judicial review or departmentalism and judicial supremacy. I close by considering instances in American history when the application of departmentalist logic did not lead to a Hobbesian state of nature. And what are the lessons for today? I suggest that it is perhaps time to consider an analog to the Canadian/Israeli notwithstanding clause. But rather than adopting verbatim their legislative override, which effectively designates the legislative branch to be supreme, we could require two of the three independent and equal branches to decide contended constitutional questions. Such an American notwithstanding clause would respect the design of our federal government.

Framing holistic indoor environment: Definitions of comfort, health and well-being

In research and assessment of indoor environmental quality (IEQ), the terms ‘Comfort’, ‘Health’ and ‘Well-being’ are often used interchangeably without a clear definition of terms or effects on conditions for occupants. This calls for a systematic restructuring of the ontological approach to IEQ and, based on a meta-analysis of recent IEQ literature, the authors suggest three substantial contributions: 1) A framework consisting of comfort, health and well-being as three equal branches of IEQ to increase focus on previously neglected aspects and make inter-domain relations more transparent. 2) The identification of key IEQ trends and by extension suggestions for formal definitions of three main domains as part of a multidisciplinary conceptual framework for working holistically with IEQ. 3) The introduction of positive stimuli to IEQ assessment as opposed to the predominance of focus on the absence of negative parameters of current practice. Through including this positive stimuli dimension, the field of IEQ shifts from ‘not bad’ to ‘truly good’, encouraging the design of enriched environments to further positive experiences improving occupant well-being.

Proposing an optimal tree-like design of highly conductive material configuration with unequal branches for maximum cooling a heat generating piece

Due to the concerns regarding the space and cost of high thermal conductivity materials, researching for a better design of high thermal conductivity pathways embedded into a heat generating piece is important. Constructal design theory is applied and a numerical optimization procedure is carried out to find a new geometric pattern of tree-like highly conductive material pathways with unequal branches. The optimization purpose is the minimization of the peak temperature in the heat generating piece, by varying the lengths of the branches and the initial distance from the middle plane. The constraint is the fixed volume fraction occupied by the high thermal conductivity insert. Heat conduction equations are solved by a finite element method (FEM). The numerical code develops in MATLAB software and use unstructured triangular elements for meshing. Because of the multiple optimization variables existed in this work, the “Pattern Search” algorithm is used. The results indicate that the performance of the tree-like configuration with unequal branches is better than the one with equal branches for the same number of branches, the same volume fraction of the highly conductive material and the same conductive ratio. It is also shown that the new proposed configurations of highly thermal conductive pathways, significantly surpass the latest configurations presented in the literature. Depending on the volume fraction of highly conductive material and thermal conductivity ratio, the performance of the proposed configurations is observed to be 2–61% better than the performance of the best result existed in previous works.

Branch specific and spike-order specific action potential invasion in basal, oblique, and apical dendrites of cortical pyramidal neurons.

In neocortical pyramidal neurons, action potentials (APs) propagate from the axon into the dendritic tree to influence distal synapses. Traditionally, AP backpropagation was studied in the thick apical trunk. Here, we used the principles of optical imaging developed by Cohen to investigate AP invasion into thin dendritic branches (basal, oblique, and tuft) of prefrontal cortical L5 pyramidal neurons. Multisite optical recordings from neighboring dendrites revealed a clear dichotomy between two seemingly equal dendritic branches belonging to the same cell ("sister branches"). We documented the variable efficacy of AP invasion in basal and oblique branches by revealing their AP voltage waveforms. Using fast multisite calcium imaging, we found that trains of APs are filtered differently between two apical tuft branches. Although one dendritic branch passes all spikes in an AP train, another branch belonging to the same neuron, same cortical layer, and same path distance from the cell body, experiences only one spike. Our data indicate that the vast differences in dendritic voltage and calcium transients, detected in dendrites of pyramidal neurons, arise from a nonuniform distribution of A-type [Formula: see text] conductance, an aggregate number of branch points in the path of the AP propagation and minute differences in dendritic diameter.

Growth, fructification and plastochron index of different branches in the crown of the husk tomato (Physalis ixocarpa Brot.)

The husk tomato (<em>Physalis ixocarpa</em> Brot.) is commonly cultivated in Central Mexico for its fruits. The plants of cv. 'Rendidora' show sympodial growth after forming 3-5 internodes in the main axis. From there on, each internode is terminated with a node having one flower bud, one leaf and 2 branches (dichasium type of branching). With the exclusion of the first 3 bifurcations which initiate 4 equal apparent main branches of the plant, each subsequent bifurcation has unequal ramifications: a stronger one which prolongs the apparent main branch, and a weaker one which serves as the origin of an apparent lateral branch. The apparent lateral branches form smaller internodes but these internodes require more time for their growth which is the reason that the plastochron lasts longer in the apparent lateral branches. By forming a smaller number of internodes in the same period of time, the apparent lateral branches reach a lower value of the plastochron index. All apparent lateral branches of a plant produce a greater total number of fruits, but a large proportion of them abscise. Due to this, the harvested fruits come principally from the apparent main branches. The phenology of the husk tomato plant is described. Its short period of development makes possible its cultivation in regions with a limited vegetative period.

The Treloar–Kearsley problem for elastomeric materials undergoing time-dependent microstructural evolution: Branching of extensional creep histories

Treloar carried out experiments on square rubber sheets that were loaded by equal in-plane forces along their edges. Kearsley observed from Treloar’s data that the deformations were equal biaxial extensions for smaller forces, but became unequal biaxial extensions beyond a larger force. By means of a simple non-linear elasticity problem, Kearsley showed that the governing equations had multiple solutions that allowed for bifurcation from an equal biaxial to an unequal biaxial deformation. The present work considers this bifurcation phenomenon if Treloar’s experiments were to be carried out in the temperature range, say, of 100–150°C. Tobolsky showed that rubber in this temperature range undergoes microstructural evolution attributed to a chemical process of scission and crosslinking of macromolecular junctions. When loaded by equal in-plane forces along its edges, the rubber sheet can be expected to undergo equal biaxial extensional creep. The possibility is considered that there may be a time when the equal biaxial extensional creep history branches (bifurcates) into an unequal biaxial extensional creep history. Kearsley’s analysis is revisited using a constitutive theory developed for rubber undergoing thermally induced microstructural changes. It is assumed that there is a time when the equal biaxial extension history branches into an unequal biaxial extension history. A branching condition for determining this time is established. A numerical example shows the existence of a branching time and the subsequent branching of an equal biaxial extension history into an unequal biaxial extension history. After branching, the governing equations allow both equal biaxial and unequal biaxial extension histories. It is assumed that the sheet follows the deformation history that maximizes the rate of dissipation, which turns out to be the unequal biaxial extension history.

Excluded volume effects in the end-to-end distance of two-generation dendritic polymers: TTT and HH combs

Excluded volume effects in the end-to-end distances of two-generation dendritic polymers, with various numbers of branches and branch lengths, are determined by calculating the expansion factors of the branches to the order ε = 4–d. The general solution correctly recovers known results of materials with fewer junctions and generations, such as star, brush and block co-polymers. This general solution also predicts the behaviors of three-junction TTT and HH polymers containing equal length branches. Pivot Monte Carlo simulations on the last two classes of polymers compare well with the first-order ε renormalization group results.

Collaterals and Bifurcations of Axons of Spinal Cord Motoneurons of the Lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis

Structure of central projections of the motoneuron axons of the spinal cord of the lamprey Lampetra fluviatilis was studied using labeling with horseradish peroxidase in vitro. Axons of the lamprey spinal cord motoneurons were found to have collaterals terminating in ventral columns of the white matter, in which they establish contacts with dendrites of adjacent motoneurons, which can be considered as a substrate of the intermotoneuron interaction. Some axons of motoneurons give bifurcations to two equal branches connected with two neighboring ventral roots, which seems to facilitate propagation of rhythmic activity of locomotor generator in the rostro caudal direction for providing continuous wave of contraction of myotome muscles in the course of undulating movement.

Haemonchus horaki n. sp. (Nematoda: Trichostrongyloidea) from the grey rhebuck Pelea capreolus in South Africa.

In the course of a revision of species of Haemonchus Cobb, 1898 (Nematoda), commonly referred to as large stomach worms and significant pathogens of ruminants, a new species was discovered in the grey rhebuck Pelea capreolus, and the bontebok Damaliscus pygarthus, in South Africa. The new species, Haemonchus horaki, was previously reported as a long-spicule form of H. contortus (Rudolphi, 1803) Ransom, 1911. The new species, compared with H. contortus, can be distinguished by significantly longer spicules (555-615 microm vs. 383-475 microm); a synlophe with fewer ridges (26 vs. 30 in the region of the posterior part of the esophagus) that extend more posteriorly (within 1 mm of the copulatory bursa in males and postvulvar in females, vs. 2/3 to 3/4 of prebursal and prevulvar lengths); and an asymmetrical dorsal lobe with a long dorsal ray divided for more than half of its length, forming 2 branches of unequal length (vs. a dorsal ray divided for less than half of its length and forming 2 equal branches in H. contortus).

Two new species of Longidoridae (Nematoda) from New Zealand forests

Xiphinema waimungui n. sp. from native forest in the North Island, New Zealand, is distinguished from many Xiphinema spp. by having two equal female genital branches, Z differentiation absent and tail short, convex-conoid. Females are 2.71–3.19 mm long, odontostyle 117–130 µm and odontophore 65–75 µm. Four juvenile stages are distinguished; tail shape does not vary markedly. Males were not found. Longidorus waikouaitii n. sp. from a native forest remnant in the South Island, New Zealand, has a rather posteriorly positioned guide-ring, large female body size (>6 mm), a bluntly conoid lip region which is continuous with the body contour and a bluntly rounded tail less than an anal body width long. No males and few juveniles were found. A dichotomous key is provided to the seven species of longidorids currently known from New Zealand.

Proximal root diameter as predictor of total root size for fractal branching models

If root systems have scale-independent branching rules, the total number of links in the root system can be predicted from the ratio of the largest and smallest root diameter. In Paper I we presented an algebraic model for a dicho-syntomous pattern (the simplest form of proportionate branching forming two equal branches at each node) and a herringbone branching model (the simplest form of determinate branching rules). Here, we present a recursive computer model and its results to analyze intermediate patterns, derived from allotomous proportionate branching (with unequal branches). The numerical and algebraic model gave the same results when applied to the same situation and parameter values.

Proximal root diameter as predictor of total root size for fractal branching models

If root systems have scale-independent branching rules, the total number of links in the root system can be predicted from the ratio of the largest and smallest root diameter. In Paper I we presented an algebraic model for a dicho-syntomous pattern (the simplest form of proportionate branching forming two equal branches at each node) and a herringbone branching model (the simplest form of determinate branching rules). Here, we present a recursive computer model and its results to analyze intermediate patterns, derived from allotomous proportionate branching (with unequal branches). The numerical and algebraic model gave the same results when applied to the same situation and parameter values