Function Of Time Research Articles

Der elektronische Spermcounter-ein neues Gerät für die Spermadiagnostik*

The new electronic spermcounter was developed to make andrological routine work easier. The apparatus is a complete microcomputer and has three main functions: The counter function allows to determine the number of spermatozoa and round cells at the same time. The morphological function allows the detailed morphological analysis of stained spermatozoa specimen within a reasonable time. Besides the determination of normal and pathlogical forms a more exact differentiation of the respective pathological spermatozoon is possible. The timer function guarantees the exact timing of the evaluation of sperm motility. We judge the motility immediately after ejaculation and 30, 60, 120, 240 minutes later. Using the electronic sperm counter in the andrological routine laboratory and for detailed morphological studies we observed an improvement of the quality of our results and a remarkable saving of time. It is evident, that the spermcounter is a valuable equipment for all institutions performing investigations on sperm, of instance clinical and practical andrologists, veterinarians and scientists working in the field of reproduction.

Parallel kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of Ag(111) island coarsening using a largedatabase

The results of parallel kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations of the room-temperaturecoarsening of Ag(111) islands carried out using a very large database obtained via self-learningKMC simulations are presented. Our results indicate that, while cluster diffusion andcoalescence play an important role for small clusters and at very early times, at late timethe coarsening proceeds via Ostwald ripening, i.e. large clusters grow while small clustersevaporate. In addition, an asymptotic analysis of our results for the average island sizeS(t) as a function oftime t leads to acoarsening exponent n = 1/3 (where S(t)∼t2n), in good agreement with theoretical predictions. However, by comparing with simulationswithout concerted (multi-atom) moves, we also find that the inclusion of such movessignificantly increases the average island size. Somewhat surprisingly we also find that,while the average island size increases during coarsening, the scaled island-sizedistribution does not change significantly. Our simulations were carried out both as atest of, and as an application of, a variety of different algorithms for parallelkinetic Monte Carlo including the recently developed optimistic synchronousrelaxation (OSR) algorithm as well as the semi-rigorous synchronous sublattice (SL)algorithm. A variation of the OSR algorithm corresponding to optimistic synchronousrelaxation with pseudo-rollback (OSRPR) is also proposed along with a method forimproving the parallel efficiency and reducing the number of boundary events viadynamic boundary allocation (DBA). A variety of other methods for enhancingthe efficiency of our simulations are also discussed. We note that, because ofthe relatively high temperature of our simulations, as well as the large range ofenergy barriers (ranging from 0.05 to 0.8 eV), developing an efficient algorithm forparallel KMC and/or SLKMC simulations is particularly challenging. However,by using DBA to minimize the number of boundary events, we have achievedsignificantly improved parallel efficiencies for the OSRPR and SL algorithms. Finally, wenote that, among the three parallel algorithms which we have tested here, thesemi-rigorous SL algorithm with DBA led to the highest parallel efficiencies. Asa result, we have obtained reasonable parallel efficiencies in our simulations ofroom-temperature Ag(111) island coarsening for a small number of processors(e.g. Np = 2 and 4). Since the SL algorithm scales with system size for fixed processor size, we expectthat comparable and/or even larger parallel efficiencies should be possible for parallel KMCand/or SLKMC simulations of larger systems with larger numbers of processors.

Conversion of Ladder Diagram to Petri Net Using Module Synthesis Technique

We proposed an algorithm that converts the ladder diagrams (LDs) of the programmable logic controller (PLC) to the petri nets (PNs) using the module synthesis technique. By using the enabling arc, the reset arc, and the buffer place, we first converted the LD core functions such as contacts and coils to the corresponding PN modules. We then systematically synthesized these PN modules to convert any general LDs consisting of contacts and coils to the corresponding PNs. The generated PN can be served as an analysis tool for the original LD program. We also converted the counter and the timer function blocks of the function block diagram (FBD) to the PN modules because they were the functions supported by most of the commercially available PLCs. In converting these function blocks, we used the variable weight arc and the variable weight enabling arc.

Homeostatic and Circadian Influences on Dreaming: NREM Mentation During a Short Daytime Nap

It has long been known that dream recall, along with various other features of dreaming, changes as a function of time of night. Yet the processes which might account for these time-dependent variations remain obscure. Here we assess the contribution of homeostatic and circadian factors to the generation of NREM mentation across the diurnal cycle. Assuming that previously reported time-of-night mentation effects are primarily driven by a circadian activation cycle which approximates the core body temperature (CBT) rhythm, it was hypothesized that more content would be reported from daytime nap awakenings as compared to night awakenings. Afternoon Nap reports were compared to previously-collected nocturnal reports from Circadian Nadir and Late Morning time points. Contrary to our hypotheses, both amount of mentation reported and propensity to report any mentation at all were lower in Nap as compared to Late Morning reports. A purely circadian influence following the CBT cycle is inadequate to explain this pattern of mentation production.

Interactions between TIME and PIN could play a role in the system that controls the duration of diapause development and synchronization with seasonal cycles in the silkworm Bombyx mori*

AbstractThe significance of winter cold in the termination of diapause was investigated with regards to TIME and PIN in eggs of the silkworm Bombyx mori. TIME (time interval measuring enzyme) is an ATPase that can measure time intervals by exhibiting a transitory burst of activation of the enzyme in accordance with diapause development, which requires cold for resumption of embryonic development in the silkworm. The possible timer function of TIME comprises a built‐in mechanism in the protein structure. TIME is a metallo‐glycoprotein consisting of 156 amino acid residues with a unique sequence in the N‐terminal region to which a sugar chain is attached. PIN (peptidyl inhibitory needle) inhibits the ATPase activity of TIME. PIN is not a simple enzyme inhibitor, but holds the timer by forming a time‐regulatory complex with TIME. The carbohydrate moiety of TIME is essential for the assembly of a high‐affinity PIN‐binding site within the timer motif of the TIME structure. The binding interaction between TIME and PIN was much tighter (nearly 1000 times) at 25°C than that at 4°C, as measured by fluorescence polarization. Because the logEC50 at 4°C was approximately 7 nmol/L, PIN must dissociate from TIME at the physiological concentration of TIME in eggs in the winter cold. Based on the results of our study, we propose that the dissociation of the TIME–PIN complex in the winter cold cues a series of conformational changes of TIME, ultimately reaching the active form of ATPase which in turn causes the completion of diapause development and initiates new developmental programs.

Dynamic disorder and solid state NMR

The temperature dependences of the second moment(M2) and spin–latticerelaxation times (T1 and T1ρ) in solids with dynamic disorder have been investigated assuming that the potential barrierE for the moving atom (or molecule) is a stochastic function oftime. It has been shown that the temperature dependences ofM2,T1 and T1ρ exhibit a significant dependence on the kind of standard deviation of the distribution ofE and on the form of theactivation energy Eb atfrequency ν0 describing thetemporal fluctuations of E. The obtained results have been applied to the interpretationof the temperature transformations of the second moment of1H NMR spectra of the diffusing water molecules in the mineral natrolite.

Establishment of an alpha-fetoprotein-producing human gastric carcinoma in nude mice.

An alpha-fetoprotein (AFP)-producing human gastric carcinoma was transplanted into BALB/c-nu/nu nude mice. The original tumor tissue had been obtained by gastrectomy from a 72-year-old patient with gastric carcinoma. The tumor had been transplanted serially (20 passages) in nude mice. The transplantability was 100%. The doubling time of the tumor ranged from 5.6 days to 11.2 days. AFP appeared in the serum of nude mice 3 to 4 weeks after subcutaneous (sc) transplantation and 6 weeks after intraperitoneal (ip) transplantation of the tumor cell suspension prepared from sc transplanted tumors. A positive correlation was observed between serum AFP level and tumor size. Serum AFP level of mice given ip transplantation increased as a function of time after transplantation. AFP was stained positively by an immunochemical technique in the original and transplanted tumors and was located in the cytoplasms of the tumor cells. The histology of the original tumor was retained. The malignant potential of these transplanted tumor cells was expressed as carcinomatous peritonitis and liver and/or lung metastases.

Improving the hop utilization in the beer biotechnology.

The rate of isomerization of alpha acids to iso-alpha acids (the bittering compounds in beer) was characterized over a representative pH, wort concentration, time boiling and temperature range during the boiling portion of the brewing process. Because of the complex wort matrix and interfering interactions occurring during real wort boiling (i.e., trub formation and ?-acids/iso-?-acids complexation), this investigation on ?-acid isomerization was performed in wort solution as a function of time (60?120 min), pH variation (5.1-5.8) and wort original gravity ( 10-14oPlato). Precise understanding of isomerization kinetics allows improved accuracy in hopping rate calculation to achieve target concentrations of bitter compounds in wort, despite varying pH as the kettle approaches boiling, or as wort encounters a lag time prior to entering a heat exchanger for cooling. Also, understanding of isomerization is essential if novel regimes are to be explored for potential bioactive compounds in final products.

Time-based damaged ship survivability: A quasi-static equivalent method

This paper presents a series of ideas to make a step forward in the assessment of flooded ship survivability on a time-dependent basis. An extension of the SEM (Static Equivalent Method) to a Quasi-Static Equivalent method (QSEM) is proposed to take into account the time variable and to address the case of multiple compartments. A capsize index based, conceptually, on static calculations is defined as a function of time and sea state. Capsize is considered in terms of both a first-excursion problem concerning the wave amplitude, and as the persistence of high-runs of waves above a critical level. An example of the proposed methodology is presented for the analysis of the flooding a two decks. Using the same hydraulic model, comparisons are carried out between the presented approximate analytical methodology and direct numerical simulations of the flooding process to assess the effect of downflooding means. A discussion is given on how the time-based approach to ship survivability links with the evacuation process, in order to obtain the probability density function of the number of evacuated passengers.

Time Dependence of γ/γ' Lattice Mismatch in Creep-Deformed Single Crystal Superalloy SC16 at 1173 K

The profiles of 001 and 002 reflections have been measured at 1173 K as a function of time by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) on tensile-creep deformed specimens of single crystal superalloy SC16. Decrease in line width (full width at half maximum: FWHM) by about 7 % and increase in peak position by about 3x10-4 degrees was detected after 8.5x104 s. Broadening of the 002 peak profile indicated a more negative value of the lattice misfit after the same time period. The results are discussed in the context of the anisotropic arrangement of dislocations at the γ/γ’ interfaces during creep and their rearrangement during the thermal treatment at 1173 K.

Utilization of coconut fibre carbon in the removal of soluble petroleum fraction polluted water

Activated carbon powder was obtained by treating coconut fibre with ammonium chloride and carbonized at 400oC. The powdered activated carbon was sieved. The portion that passed through a 212 um and retained on a 90 um mesh size was used for this study. The treatment was done to increase the surface area and the adsorption site of the carbon. The activated carbon was characterized in terms of pH, surface area, loss on ignition, moisture content and bulk density. The adsorption pattern of soluble petroleum fraction (kerosene and diesel) on coconut fibre carbons as a function of time was studied. The removal of diesel and kerosene from aqueous solutions measured by changes in the chemical oxygen demand shows that removal efficiency was less than 45% corresponding to about 6.8 mg/l/g decreases in chemical oxygen demand (COD). The removal of diesel and kerosene from aqueous solution followed a psuedo first order rate law. Key words: Activated carbon, adsorption, chemical oxygen demand, characterisation, carbonisation.

PREFERENCE BEHAVIOUR OF PIGS AS AN ASSESSMENT CRITERION FOR HOUSING SYSTEMS

This experiment is part of a research project which analyzes the reaction of pigs to different housing systems or to segments of animal husbandry systems. The aim of this project is to identify the preference behaviour of pigs using sensor-based technology, i.e. to identify the preference towards differently designed housing methods. The chosen approach assumes that the preference for different kinds of areas can be illustrated as a function of time (duration of stay, period of stay). A sensor-based animal identification-system was employed to continuously define the habitation and the duration of stay. In the first part of the experiment, housing on straw litter with free airing was compared to housing on totally slatted floor with full air conditioning. The results showed a clear preference for the straw litter system. In the experiment described below, housing on a totally slatted floor was compared to housing on a partly slatted floor. A clear preference for one system could not be noticed over the whole fattening period

The Molecular Mechanism of the Termination of Insect Diapause, Part 1: A Timer Protein, TIME‐EA4, in the Diapause Eggs of the Silkworm Bombyx mori is a Metallo‐Glycoprotein

TIME-EA4 is an ATPase that measures time intervals, functioning as a diapause duration clock in diapause eggs of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Characterization of the primary and higher structures of the TIME-EA4 would be desirable to clarify the mechanism by which the protein measures the time intervals. In our current studies, the whole sequence of TIME-EA4 has been established as that of a metallo-glycoprotein by combinational means involving peptide sequence analysis, nano-HPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS and MS/MS, and cDNA dictation. The amino acid sequence of TIME-EA4 showed 46-55 % homology with the reported proteins of the Cu,Zn-SOD (superoxide dismutase) family; in particular, the SOD active site (core domain) includes metal-binding amino acid ligands and a disulfide bond, and these structures are completely identical in Bombyx SOD, bovine SOD, and TIME-EA4 proteins. We found, however, that TIME-EA4 contains one more copper ion than other SODs, as was proven under neutral nondenaturing conditions. ESI mass spectrometry revealed that the timer function was not in the SOD core domain. In addition, TIME-EA4 has an attached sugar chain, which is indispensable to its functioning as a timer protein.

Energy balances for propagating gravity currents: homogeneous and stratified ambients

The exchange of energy for an inviscid gravity current which is released from a lock and then propagates over a horizontal boundary is considered. Attention is focused on effects due to stratification in the ambient. The investigation uses both a one-layer shallow-water model and Navier–Stokes finite-difference simulations. There is good agreement between these two approaches for the energy of the dense fluid (the current). The results indicate that with respect to the behaviour of energy as a function of time we can distinguish between: (a) currents propagating at supercritical speed (with respect to the fastest internal wave in the ambient), including a nose propagating into an unstratified ambient; and (b) currents propagating at subcritical speed, including the strongest effective stratification for which the density at the base of the ambient is equal to that of the current. The stratification enhances the accumulation of potential energy in the ambient and reduces the energy decay (dissipation) of the two-fluid system. The interaction of the internal waves with the head of the current in the subcritical case has no significant influence on the energy balance of the current.

Evaluation of free energy landscapes from manipulation experiments

A fluctuation relation, which is an extended form of the Jarzynski equality, isintroduced and discussed. We show how to apply this relation in order to evaluatethe free energy landscapes of simple systems. These systems are manipulated byvarying the external field coupled with a systems’ internal characteristic variable.Two different manipulation protocols are considered here: in the first case theexternal field is a linear function of time; in the second case it is a periodic functionof time. While for simple mean field systems both the linear protocol and theoscillatory protocol provide reliable estimates of the free energy landscape, for a simplemodel of a homopolymer the oscillatory protocol turns out to be not reliablefor this purpose. We then discuss the possibility of application of the methodpresented here to evaluate the free energy landscapes of real systems, and thepractical limitations that one can face in the realization of an experimental set-up.

Exact Solution to Rate Equation with Time-DependentCoefficients: Its Application in InGaAsP Lasers

By using the algebraic dynamics method, we obtain exact analyticalsolutions of rate equations with time-dependent coefficients, whichmight present an effective description of the physical mechanism of thepractical semiconductor lasers. Based on the exact solutions, weinvestigate the dynamic behaviour and the emitted properties of theInGaAsP laser, which has been commonly used in long wavelength opticalcommunication systems. It is found that when the cavity length varieswith time exponentially, the output power of the laser will drop andapproach its asymptote. When the cavity length is a sinusoid functionof time, the intensity of the emitted optical pulses can be controlledby the amplitude of this function.

Resonant effects in an electric circuit with periodically changing parameters

One of three possible manifestations of resonance in a parametric circuit is considered, which is the direct generalization of ordinary resonance. It turns out that inaccurate interpretation of the ordinary resonance becomes an obstacle for extending it to the parametric loop case. Because of this, particular emphasis in this work is placed on the ordinary resonance phenomenon. For the first time the parametric circuit resonance is considered in the situation when all the circuit elements are periodic functions of time.

The action potential: From voltage-gated conductances to molecular structures

The nerve impulse, or action potential, is afast transient change in the membranepotential of excitable cells that canpropagate along axons or muscle fibers andconstitutes the bit of information thatallows communication in the nervoussystem. During the action potential, themembrane voltage goes from its restingvalue of about -70 mV (negative inside) toabout +30 mV in less than 1 ms and returnsto its resting value in a few milliseconds.Much of what we have learned on themechanisms of the generation andpropagation of the action potential has beenusing the giant axon of the squid, whichallowed the introduction of electrodes intoits axoplasm. Thus, Cole and Curtis (1939)were able to measure impedance changesconcomitant with the action potential andfound that the membrane conductanceincreased dramatically while the membranecapacitance was essentially constant.Subsequently, Hodgkin and Katz (1949)demonstrated that external Na ions wererequired to initiate the action potential,suggesting that the large increase inmembrane conductance during the risingphase of the action potential was selectiveto Na ions. The detailed studies of themechanisms in the generation andpropagation of the action potential werehampered by the nonlinear nature of theaction potential and the propagation itself:the membrane potential is both function oftime and distance (

Time-integrated thyroid dose for accidental releases from Pakistan Research Reactor-1

The two-hourly time-integrated thyroid dose due to radio-iodines released to the atmospherethrough the exhaust stack of Pakistan Research Reactor-1 (PARR-1), under accidentconditions, has been calculated. A computer program, PAKRAD (which was developedunder an IAEA research grant, PAK/RCA/8990), was used for the dose calculations. Thesensitivity of the dose results to different exhaust flow rates and atmospheric stabilityclasses was studied. The effect of assuming a constant activity concentration (as a functionof time) within the containment air volume and an exponentially decreasing airconcentration on the time-integrated dose was also studied for various flow rates(1000–50 000 m3 h−1). Thecomparison indicated that the results were insensitive to the containment air exhaust rates up to orbelow 2000 m3 h−1, when the prediction with the constant activity concentration assumption was compared toan exponentially decreasing activity concentration model. The results also indicated thatthe plume touchdown distance increases with increasing atmospheric stability.

Auto-spermatophore extrusion reveals that the reproductive timer functions in the separated terminal abdominal ganglion in the male cricket.

Auto-spermatophore extrusion is a kind of spermatophore extrusion without genital coupling in the male cricket. It rarely occurred in intact males paired with a female, while it frequently occurred in all the males with the connectives cut under restraint and dissection. The time interval (SPaSE) between spermatophore preparation and auto-spermatophore extrusion was found to be comparable to that (RS2) of the time-fixed sexually refractory stage measured by the calling song. According to extracellular spike recording, the dorsal pouch motoneuron (mDP), which singly innervates the dorsal pouch muscles and is responsible for spermatophore extrusion, showed a burst discharge in association with auto-spermatophore extrusion with an interval similar to RS2 in males with the connectives transected between the 6th abdominal ganglion and the terminal abdominal ganglion (TAG) after spermatophore preparation. These results strengthened our previous conclusion that the reproductive timer for RS2 is located in the TAG, and demonstrated that it functions normally even in the TAG separated from the rest of the central nervous system.