Peripheral Arrangement Research Articles

Weather-related changes in the dehydration of respiratory droplets on surfaces bolster bacterial endurance

HypothesisThe study shows for the first time a fivefold difference in the survivability of the bacterium Pseudomonas Aeruginosa (PA) in a realistic respiratory fluid droplet on fomites undergoing drying at different environmental conditions. For instance, in 2023, the annual average outdoor relative humidity (RH) and temperature in London (UK) is 71 % and 11 °C, whereas in New Delhi (India), it is 45 % and 26 °C, showing that disease spread from fomites could have a demographic dependence. Respiratory fluid droplet ejections containing pathogens on inanimate surfaces are crucial in disease spread, especially in nosocomial settings. However, the interplay between evaporation dynamics, internal fluid flow and precipitation and their collective influence on the distribution and survivability of pathogens at different environmental conditions are less known. ExperimentsShadowgraphy imaging is employed to study evaporation, and optical microscopy imaging is used for precipitation dynamics. Micro-particle image velocimetry (MicroPIV) measurements reveal the internal flow dynamics. Confocal imaging of fluorescently labelled PA elucidates the bacterial distribution within the deposits. FindingsThe study finds that the evaporation rate is drastically impeded during drying at elevated solutal concentrations, particularly at high RH and low temperature conditions. MicroPIV shows reduced internal flow under high RH and low temperature (low evaporation rate) conditions. Evaporation rate influences crystal growth, with delayed efflorescence and extending crystallization times. PA forms denser peripheral arrangements under high evaporation rates and shows a fivefold increase in survivability under low evaporation rates. These findings highlight the critical impact of environmental conditions on pathogen persistence and disease spread from inanimate surfaces.

Space efficiency in timber office buildings

Timber offices indicate a growing field, principally thanks to their potential to offer noteworthy ecological and financial gains over their entire life. Like many other building types, space efficiency is a crucial design parameter in timber structures to ensure a project's feasibility. This factor is especially significant in office buildings, where maximizing rental income reflects effective planning. Currently, there is a lack of exhaustive inquiry providing a thorough insight of space efficiency in modern timber office buildings. This study fills this gap in the literature by collecting data from 33 buildings through literature reviews and case study method to investigate space efficiency with the key architectural and structural factors that influence it. The results showed that: (i) central cores stood out as the prevailing core layouts, while peripheral arrangements were noted as alternative preferences. Prismatic shapes emerged as the most favored options; (ii) timber was extensively used as a primary building material, closely followed by combinations of timber and concrete. Load-bearing systems mainly relied on shear walled frames and configurations; (iii) average space utilization across examined cases was 88 %, with variances ranging from 75 % to 95 % among different instances; (iv) average ratio of core area to GFA was 10 %, showing variations between 4 % and 19 % across various scenarios; and (v) there were no substantial variances noted in the effect of different core planning strategies on spatial efficiency. Similar conclusions were drawn regarding building forms and structural materials. Our paper will assist in crafting design principles customized for diverse stakeholders, including architectural designers of timber offices.

Analysis of the vascular patterns of 52 amelanotic cutaneous melanoma metastases: A prospective descriptive study

Background/Aim. Early diagnosis of amelanotic cutaneous melanoma metastases (ACMM) represents a great challenge and is essential for determining the stage, treatment, and prognosis of the disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the vascular structures and their arrangement and frequency in ACMM. Methods. The study was conducted as a prospective, descriptive, multicenter study of pathohistologically confirmed ACMM. Results. The study included a total of 52 ACMM from 17 patients (8 men and 9 women, with an age range of 32-91 years, median 63.12 years) with a previous history of primary melanoma. The most prevalent were elevated ACMM - 39 (75.0%) lesions, while 13 (25.0%) ACMM were flat. Linear irregular blood vessels were statistically significantly more often associated with elevated ACMM, compared to flat ACMM (92.3% vs. 50.0%, p < 0.001). Dotted blood vessels were statistically significantly more frequent in flat ACMM, compared to elevated ACMM (76.9% vs. 28.2%, p = 0.003). Diffuse distribution of blood vessels was the most prevalent, with 92.3% of flat ACMM and 76.9% of elevated ACMM (p = 0.416). Peripheral arrangement of blood vessels was detected in 15.4% of elevated ACMM and 7.7% of flat ACMM (p = 0.815). The central arrangement of blood vessels was seen in 2.6%, while the cluster (segmental) schedule was present in 5.1% of elevated ACMM. The monomorphic vascular pattern was the predominant pattern in 84.6% of flat ACMM and 61.5% of elevated ACMM (p = 0.232). Conclusion. Our study supports the finding that linear irregular blood vessels are more commonly associated with elevated ACMM, while the dotted ones are dominant in flat ACMM.

Megaconial congenital muscular dystrophy due to CHKB gene variants, the first report of thirteen Iranian patients

Megaconial congenital muscular dystrophy (OMIM: 602,541) related to CHKB gene mutation is a newly defined rare autosomal recessive disorder, with multisystem involvement presenting from the neonatal period to adolescence. Choline kinase beta, lipid transport enzyme, catalyzes the biosynthesis of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, two major components of the mitochondrial membrane, on which respiratory enzyme activities are dependent. CHKB gene variants lead to loss-of-function of choline kinase b and lipid metabolism defects and mitochondrial structural changes. To date, many megaconial congenital muscular dystrophy cases due to CHKB gene variants have been reported worldwide. We describe thirteen Iranian megaconial congenital muscular dystrophy cases related to CHKB gene variants, including clinical presentations, laboratory and muscle biopsy findings, and novel CHKB gene variants. The most common symptoms and signs included intellectual disability, delayed gross-motor developmental milestones, language skills problems, muscle weakness, as well as autistic features, and behavioral problems. Muscle biopsy examination showed the striking finding of peripheral arrangements of large mitochondria in muscle fibers and central sarcoplasmic areas devoid of mitochondria. Eleven different CHKB gene variants including six novel variants were found in our patients. Despite the rarity of this disorder, recognition of the multisystem clinical presentations combined with characteristic findings of muscle histology can properly guide to genetic evaluation of CHKB gene.

Sensitized Singlet Fission in Rigidly Linked Axial and Peripheral Pentacene-Subphthalocyanine Conjugates

The goal of harnessing the theoretical potential of singlet fission (SF), a process in which one singlet excited state is split into two triplet excited states, has become a central challenge in solar energy research. Covalently linked dimers provide crucial models for understanding the role of chromophore arrangement and coupling in SF. Sensitizers can be integrated into these systems to expand the absorption bandwidth through which SF can be accessed. Here, we define the role of the sensitizer-chromophore geometry in a sensitized SF model system. To this end, two conjugates have been synthesized consisting of a pentacene dimer (SF motif) connected via a rigid alkynyl bridge to a subphthalocyanine (the sensitizer motif) in either an axial or a peripheral arrangement. Steady-state and time-resolved photophysical measurements are used to confirm that both conjugates operate as per design, displaying near unity energy transfer efficiencies and high triplet quantum yields from SF. Decisively, energy transfer between the subphthalocyanine and pentacene dimer occurs ca. 26 times faster in the peripheral conjugate, even though the two chromophores are ca. 3 Å farther apart than in the axial conjugate. Following a theoretical evaluation of the dipolar coupling, Vdip2, and the orientation factor, κ2, of both the axial (Vdip2 = 140 cm-2; κ2 = 0.08) and the peripheral (Vdip2 = 724 cm-2; κ2 = 1.46) arrangements, we establish that this rate acceleration is due to a more favorable (nearly co-planar) relative orientation of the transition dipole moments of the subphthalocyanine and pentacenes in the peripheral constellation.

Peripheral Arrangement of Steatosis Microvacuoles in Wilson’s Disease

A 17-year-old girl was referred for jaundice and severe liver failure (international normalized ratio, 2.4; Factor V 19%, and total bilirubin level, 85 μmol/L). Transaminase and serum GGT levels were slightly elevated. There was hemolytic anemia with a negative Coombs test and thrombocytopenia. The liver was dysmorphic with splenomegaly. There was no viral hepatitis; the IgG level reached 21 g/L without autoantibodies. Her urinary copper level was 1779 μg/24 hours (N < 0.6), ceruloplasmin level was 0.12 g/L (N > 0.2), and a high exchangeable copper to total copper ratio (23.4%; N < 8.0) and hepatic copper level (844 μg/g) supported the diagnosis of Wilson's disease.

Results of Using Alternating Presentation of Stereostimuli in Children with Functional Scotoma in Non-Paralytic Strabismus

The work is devoted to one of the actual problems of modern strabismology — the study of the ability to stereo perception in children with non-paralytic strabismus.Purpose: to study the capability to stereovision with alternating presentation of stereostimuli in children with functional scotoma in non-paralytic strabismus.Patients and methods. 113 children with functional scotoma (FS) in non-paralytic strabismus were observed. We used stereostimuli with different characteristics in the following regimes of presentation: 1) the regime of simple monocular alternating (alternate presentation of an image for the right eye and the left eye); 2) the regime having an “empty” interval (black background) between monocular phases; 3) the regime having a binocular phase (a binocular image containing details corresponding to the stimuli for the right eye and the left eye) between monocular phases.Results. It was found that in 23 (20,3 %) children, the ability to stereo perception was completely absent. All these children had stable total FS (monocular vision). In the remaining 90 children (with unstable or regional FS), the ability to stereo perception was shown with some stimuli in some modes of their alternating presentation. For stimuli with a central arrangement of linear parts, the stereo effect was possible when they were presented in an alternating mode with an “empty” interval lasting from 20 to 70 ms in combination with the duration of monocular phases from 30 to 90 ms. For stimuli with a peripheral arrangement of linear elements, 22.1 % of children were able to stereo perception not only in the “empty” interval mode, but also in the simple alternation mode. At the same time, the greatest number of children capable of stereo perception was detected when using the mode with an “empty” interval of 30–60 ms and a duration of monocular phases of 40–60 ms. With random-dot stimuli, none of the children in this group were capable of stereo perception.Conclusion. Our results suggest that even in patients with FS in non-paralytic strabismus, stereo perception is possible under the conditions of alternating presentation of stimuli with certain characteristics. In this case, the most likely appearance of a stereo effect with stimuli containing peripheral linear elements that create a stereo effect when presented in an alternating mode with an empty interval between monocular phases.

The in vitro toxicity evaluation of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) in human lung cells

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have been increasingly used in many industrial and biomedical fields. Therefore, the assessment of risk and consequences of exposure to HNTs is very important to better protect human safety. This study aims to investigate the short- (24 or 72 h) and long-term (7 days) cytotoxic effects of HNTs at doses 10–200 µg/mL on human alveolar carcinoma epithelial cells (A549) and human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS-2B). The effect of HNTs on cell viability, apoptosis, cell proliferation, oxidative/antioxidative status and cell morphology was evaluated. Our results showed that cytotoxicity of HNTs is dependent on dose, cell model and time of exposure. During the time of exposition toxic effects were intensified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use holo-tomographic microscopy (HTM) to visualise changes in cell morphology due to exposure from HNTs. We observed cells contraction, changes in the size and shape, cell surface folding and cytoplasmic vacuolization, peripheral arrangement of cell nuclei and even increase number of nucleus, which undoubtedly confirmed cytotoxic effect of HNTs at low doses (5 µg/mL and 25 µg/mL). Our results demonstrated that HTM technique provides a new insight into the assessment of HNTs toxicity. Further studies with different cell models are recommended to assess the toxic effect of HNTs on whole human body.

Characterization of Rhizoctonia oryzae associated with sheath blight complex of rice from Haryana

Sheath Blight Disease of rice is a complex biotic stress, caused by three Rhizoctonia speices namely, Rhizoctonia solani, R. oryzae and R. oryzae-sativae. to determine the extent of distribution of these pathogen species, infected samples showing sheath blight symptoms were collected from different rice cultivars grown in three agro-ecological zones of Haryana, India during August, 2016. The isolations attempted from 67 sheath blight infected samples yielded R. solani from 66 samples and R. oryzae from one sample indicating that R. oryzae was associated with sheath blight complex only to the extent of 1.5 per cent. none of the samples was found to be infected with R. oryzae-sativae. R. oryzae was found less pathogenic with 41.97 per cent relative lesion height (RLh) and 57.5 per cent tiller infection as compared to representative isolate of R. solani which produced 52.74 per cent RLh and 100 per cent tiller infection. R. oryzae had a growth rate of 1.82 mm/h, the mycelial width of 6.74 μm with appressed type of growth texture on PDa. the mean number sclerotia produced by R. oryzae were 201.33 per plate that were found immersed in PDa agar medium with peripheral arrangement. the rDna sequence of R. oryzae isolate of haryana has been submitted to nCBI with accession number Mk249694.1.

Результаты использования альтернирующего предъявления различных стереостимулов для исследования способности к стереовосприятию у детей с послеоперационной остаточной микродевиацией

Purpose. To study abilities to stereo-perception in children with postoperative residual micro-deviation via alternating presentation of different stereo stimuli. Material and methods. The study included 30 children aged 8 to 16 years (average 12.5 years) with operated strabismus who have postoperative residual micro-deviation (mean 6.8±0.4 pr.D) at the time of the observation. Residual esotropia was observed in 21 children (5 of them had also a vertical micro-deviation), exotropia – 9 children. Along with the usual ophthalmic examination and evaluation of stereovision by means of classical Lang-test and Fly-test we used our own stereo-tests developed on the basis of stereo images created by J. Ninio. Our stereo-tests included stimuli: 1) with a central location of vertical or horizontal stripes with a successful fusion and an ability to stereo perception of tilt relative to the horizontal axis (vertical strip) or turn around the vertical axis (horizontal strip); 2) with a peripheral location of vertical or horizontal stripes creating respectively the effect of tilt or reversal turn; 3) randomly-point stereo-grams, creating the impression of a successful fusion of vertical or horizont al cylinder. The subject observed the images shown on the monitor screen from a distance of 50 cm from the eyes through the red-blue light filters in conditions of full prismatic compensation of the angle of strabismus and optimal spectacle or contact correction of ametropia. The stimuli were presented both in the static version and in the modes of alternation via a computer pr ogram developed by M. V. Zhmurov. Three modes of alternative presentation of stimuli were used: 1) the mode with a consecutive monocular presentation of visual stimuli corresponding to the right and left eyes 2) the mode with the presence of an empty interval between monocular phases; 3) the mode with the presence of a binocular phase between monocular phases. Results. In all patients, the results of the study of stereovision with Lang-test, Fly-test and static version of our stereo-tests used in this work were negative. In eight children of the general group, the stereo effect appears only with stereo-images with a peripheral arrangement of vertical or horizontal stripes in all three modes of the alternating presentation. In 22 children, the stereo effect appears with stimuli both with peripheral and with the central location of the stripes in all three modes of their alternating presentation. The volume effect with random-dot stereo-stimuli occurred in only nine children, with a stable bifoveal fusion, and only in the mode of alternating presentation with an empty interval between monocular phases. Thus, in this mode of alternating presentation it was possible to perceive not only linear, but also random-dot stereo-images. Comparing the maximum durations of monocular phases for different images in this mode, a significant difference was found between the mean values for stimuli with peripheral vertical stripes (57±2.3 ms) and with central vertical stripes (43.2±2.6 ms; p<0.001), as well as between the mean values for stimuli with peripheral horizontal stripes (56±2.1 ms) and central horizontal stripes (43.6±3.4 ms; p<0.002). The maximum duration of monocular phases for random-dot stereo-images producing the effect of a vertical cylinder (32.2±5.8 ms) and a horizontal cylinder (31.1±6.7 ms) was significantly lower than the maximum duration for stimuli with peripheral vertical and horizontal stripes (p<0.001). The same regularities were observed for the maximum dur ation of the empty i nterval. Conclusion. The stereo-perception is possible in children with residual postoperative micro-deviation. At the same time, the most effective of the images we used are stimuli with a peripheral arrangement of elements that create a stereo effect in condition of a successful fusion. The mode of alternating presentation of stimuli with the presence of an empty interval between monocular phases creates more favorable conditions for the appearance of a stereo effect in comparison with the mode of alternating presentation of stimuli with the presence of a binocular phase between monocular phases and in comparison with the mode of alternating monocular phases. Stereovision with random-dot stereograms causes serious difficulties in most children with postoperative microdeviation, however, it is possible in some cases in the mode of alternating presentation of stimuli with the presence of an empty i nterval between monocular phases.

Визначення раціональних параметрів пневмомеханічного висівного апарата з периферійним розташуванням комірок та інерційним видаленням зайвого насіння

Визначення раціональних параметрів пневмомеханічного висівного апарата з периферійним розташуванням комірок та інерційним видаленням зайвого насіння

Anther development of maize (Zea mays) and longstamen rice (Oryza longistaminata) revealed by cryo-SEM, with foci on locular dehydration and pollen arrangement.

Key message Pollen maturation in Poaceae. Another development has been extensively examined by various imaging tools, including transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and light microscopy, but none is capable of identifying liquid water. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy with high-pressure rapid freeze fixation is excellent in preserving structures at cellular level and differentiating gas- versus liquid-filled space, but rarely used in anther study. We applied this technique to examine anther development of Poaceae because of its economic importance and unusual peripheral arrangement of pollen. Maize and longstamen rice were focused on. Here, we report for the first time that anthers of Poaceae lose the locular free liquid during late-microspore to early pollen stages; the majority of pollen grains arranged in a tight peripheral whorl develops normally and reaches maturity in the gas-filled loculus. Occasionally, pollen grains are found situated in the locular cavity, but they remain immature or become shrunk at anthesis. At pollen stage, microchannels and cytoplasmic strands are densely distributed in the entire pollen exine and intine, respectively, suggesting that nutrients are transported into the pollen from the entire surface. We propose that in Poaceae, the specialized peripheral arrangement of pollen grains is crucial for pollen maturation in the gas-filled loculus, which enables pollen achieving large surface contact area with the tapetum and neighboring grains to maintain sufficient nutrient flow. This report also shows that the single aperture of pollen in Poaceae usually faces the tapetum, but other orientation is also common; pollen grains with different aperture orientations show no morphological differences.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s00497-015-0257-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The influence of shape and type of sowing disc cells on the seed dosage quality

Parameters of peripherally located cells were substantiated, and the influence of their step on the seeds uniformity in a row was determined. Difference in the seeds pitch in the sowing disk for sugar beet seeds ranges from 2.6 to 6.6 mm for round-shaped holes, and from 0 to 1 mm for cells, formed by a suction hole and shovel. That is, using cells, formed by the suction hole and shovel, will provide greater dosage uniformity initially. According to the research results, section of sowing machine for seeding cultivated crops, in which the proposed pneumatic device with a peripheral arrangement of cells and passive device for removing excess seeds by inertia method was used, was designed to exclude the major shortcomings of modern pneumatic sowing machines and improve their performance.

Ovarian maturation and oogenesis in the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus (Decapoda: Portunidae)

AbstractThe study was aimed at understanding the process of reproduction and the changes happening in the ovary of Portunus pelagicus during maturation, which would be useful for its broodstock development for hatchery purposes. For that, tissue samples from different regions of the ovary at various stages of maturation were subjected to light and electron microscopy, and based on the changes revealed and the differences in ovarian morphology, the ovary was divided into five stages such as immature (previtellogenic oocytes), early maturing (early vitellogenic oocytes), late maturing (late vitellogenic oocytes), mature (vitellogenic oocytes), and spent (resorbing oocytes). The ovarian wall comprised of an outermost thin pavement epithelium, a middle layer of connective tissue, and an innermost layer of germinal epithelium. The oocytes matured as they moved from the centrally placed germinal zone toward the ovarian wall. The peripheral arrangement of nucleolar materials and the high incidence of cell organelles during the initial stages indicated vitellogenesis I. Movement of follicle cells toward oocytes in the early maturing stage and low incidence of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in the ooplasm during late vitellogenic stage marked the commencement and end of vitellogenesis II, respectively. Yolk granules at various stages of development were seen in the ooplasm from late vitellogenic stage onwards. The spent ovary had an area with resorbing oocytes and empty follicle cells denoting the end of one reproductive cycle and another area with oogonial cells and previtellogenic oocytes indicating the beginning of the next.

531 The significance of peripheral arrangement of pollen in the anther of Poaceae

531 The significance of peripheral arrangement of pollen in the anther of Poaceae

Congenital Cervical Bronchogenic Cyst in a Calf

The present report describes an extrathoracic bronchogenic cyst in a 30-day-old female calf. Histologically, the cyst wall was lined by a layer of ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium with peripheral arrangement of cartilage, glands, and smooth muscle fascicles. The mass was successfully removed by simple surgical excision.

THE COMPOSITIONS AND GENEALOGICAL RECORDS OF INNER VOID BLOCK AS A FRAGMENTAL URBAN MORPHOLOGY

In this paper, it is aimed to clarify the character of “inner void block” as a fragmental urban morphology by viewing from spatial compositions and genealogical records. In the first part, the distribution of the inner void block around the residential area in Tokyo is examined by observing the house detailed map. In the second part, the spatial composition of the inner void block is examined by field survey, and the genealogical record of inner void block is examined by observing the land use and its peripheral arrangement of houses in the block in the old maps. In the final part, the typology of the innner void block is led by the relationship between the spatial composition and the genealogical record of block. As a result, the structured characteristics of the inner void block is clarified through the comparison between types.

Short-term molecular polarization of cells on symmetric and asymmetric micropatterns.

The ability of cells to sense geometrical/physical constraints of local environment is important for cell movements during development, immune surveillance, and in cancer invasion. In this paper, we quantify "front-rear" polarization - the crucial step in initiating cell migration - based on cytoskeleton and substrate adhesion anisotropy in micropatterned cells of well-defined shapes. We then show that the general viewpoint that asymmetric cell shape is one of the defining characteristics of polarized cells is incomplete. Specifically, we demonstrate that cells on circular micropatterned islands can exhibit asymmetric distribution of both filamentous actin (f-actin) and focal adhesions (FAs) as well as directional, lamellipodial-like ruffling activity. This asymmetry, however, is transient and persists only for the period of several hours during which actin filaments and adhesion structures reorganize into symmetric peripheral arrangement. Cells on asymmetric tear-drop shape islands also display polarized f-actin and FAs, but polarization axes are oriented towards the wide end of the islands. Polarization of actin filaments on tear-drop islands is short-term, while focal adhesions remain asymmetrically distributed for long times. From a practical perspective, circular cells constitute a convenient experimental system, in which phenomena related to cell polarization are "decoupled" from the effects of cells' local curvature (constant along circular cell's perimeter), while asymmetric (tear-drop) micropatterned cells standardize the organization of motility machinery of polarized/ moving cells. Both systems may prove useful for the design of diagnostic tools with which to probe and quantify ex vivo the motility/invasiveness status of cells from cancer patients.

Highly Fluorinated Benzobisbenzothiophenes

Expedient, facile syntheses of highly fluorinated benzobisbenzothiophenes (BBBT) are reported. Defined peripheral arrangements of sulfur and fluorine atoms lead to extensive crystalline networks of edge-to-edge S-F close contacts. The effects of various substitution patterns on self-assembly and electronic properties are described.

Institutionalised Powerlessness? The Reality of Women's Policy Units and their Gendered Dynamics in Korea

This study explores the gap between the rhetoric and the reality of gender mainstreaming logic, paying special attention to women's bureaux in Korea. In response to international pressures for gender mainstreaming, the Korean government has established or relocated women's bureaux since the 1990s. At first glance, it appears that the government in Korea has been keen to integrate gender issues into the entire policy process. However, closer investigation draws a very different picture. Qualitative findings from interviews with civil servants in Korean women's bureaux show that the bureaux are characterised by ‘institutionalised powerlessness’ in terms of peripheral structural arrangements, visible and invisible resistance from inside and outside government bureaucracy, and a lack of staff commitment. Therefore, it is hard to draw the conclusion that gender mainstreaming via the systematisation of women's bureaux would ever go beyond symbolic gestures in Korea.