Right-handed Direction Research Articles

Contraction Patterns of Post-Fontan Single Right Ventricle Versus Normal Left and Right Ventricles in Children: Insights From Principal Strain Analysis

Principal strain (PS) analysis quantifies three-dimensional myocardial deformation using three-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography. It defines both the amplitude and direction of the principal myocardial contraction, expressed as PS, and a perpendicular secondary strain of lower intensity. The aims of this study were to apply PS analysis to describe the contractile pattern in the single right ventricle (SRV) functioning as a systemic chamber in hypoplastic left heart syndrome, compared with the normal left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV), and to compare SRV function using conventional echocardiographic evaluations. Fifty-four post-Fontan patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and age-matched control subjects (normal LV, n=64; normal RV, n=48) underwent computation of PS lines, ejection fraction (EF), end-diastolic volume indexed to body surface area, PS, secondary strain, circumferential strain, and longitudinal strain. The PS lines were compared between groups. Linear regressions with coefficient determination (R2) of strains, fractional area change, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion with EF and end-diastolic volume index were assessed in SRV. Additionally, the hypoplastic left heart syndrome cohort was equally divided into two groups with higher and lower EFs, followed by comparison of all parameters. The pattern of PS lines demonstrated a left-handed direction in the anterior free wall, a right-handed direction in the posterior free wall, and a circumferential direction in the medial wall in SRV. In contrast, in the normal LV, the principal contraction is in the circumferential direction, whereas in the normal RV, it is predominantly longitudinal. The R2 values for PS, secondary strain, and circumferential strain on EF were high (0.88, 0.72, and 0.90, respectively), whereas the R2 value for longitudinal strain was comparable with that for fractional area change (0.56 and 0.55). All parameters were independent of end-diastolic volume index. PS lines in the higher EF group showed a more circumferential orientation than in the lower EF group in SRV. PS analysis provides a unique functional map of SRV contraction. This map differs from corresponding maps of the normal LV and RV. This may be helpful in understanding the mechanisms of SRV function, although future longitudinal studies are needed.

Simulation of dispersion effects by considering interactions of pedestrians and bicyclists using an agent space model

As the number of bicyclists in urban areas continues to increase, the need to realistically model the movement and interactions of bicyclists in mixed urban traffic is rapidly gaining importance. Therefore, this paper presents an agent space model (ASM) to elucidate the movements of bicyclists and pedestrians on shared roads. The ASM model, via simulation, particularly illustrates the dispersion phenomenon observed for non-motorized road users. The mutual interactions and diverse bicyclist and pedestrian properties were also incorporated into this model. The mutual interactions were realised through agent spaces of different sizes in conflict and overtaking behaviours for the following combinations: bicyclist-to-pedestrian, bicyclist-to-bicyclist, pedestrian-to-bicyclist, and pedestrian-to-pedestrian, which were obtained through experiments. The hypothesis test indicated that different agent spaces exist for different types of interactions. The experimental data were used to obtain several variables that describe the elements of road user agent spaces, including longitudinal and lateral distances and the dynamic relationship between the longitudinal distance and speed. The simulation results indicated that with an increase in the number of pedestrians, the maximum capacity decreased and the dispersion degree increased. The following psychological and physiological factors affect the degree of dispersion of bicyclists: travelling speed, reaction time, intensity, probability of selecting the head-on direction, and probability of selecting the right-hand direction. In addition, lane formation was observed in all simulations. The results also demonstrated that dedicated bicycle lanes will significantly reduce the dispersion degree. Moreover, the safety and efficiency effects of different forms of bicycle lanes were analysed from the perspective of the degree of dispersion. The simulation results can provide specific guidelines for understanding the causes of phenomena such as dispersion and lane formation, as well as for studying the traffic dynamics, effects of dedicated bicycle lanes, and macroscopic characteristics according to different bicyclist-pedestrian ratios.

Fluorescent Visualization of Nucleolar G-Quadruplex RNA and Dynamics of Cytoplasm and Intranuclear Viscosity

The nucleolus, the locus of ribosome biogenesis, was found to be the predominant intracellular target of a new fluorescent probe, V-P1. In solution, the probe demonstrated both a selectivity to RNA...

A Novel Twist Sensor Based on Long-Period Fiber Grating Written in Side-Helical Polished Structure

We propose a novel method to write a long-period fiber grating in helical polished structure (HPLPFG) as a twist sensor. The helical structure is polished on one side of twisting fiber by CO2 laser following either right-hand or left-hand helix direction. The sensor can discriminate the twist direction and improve the twist sensitivity, due to its asymmetric and helical refractive index distribution. The twist and temperature characteristics of the sensor have been experimentally investigated. The twist sensitivities of the sensor (right-hand direction helix) are 0.199 nm/(rad/m) and 0.141 nm/(rad/m), and the twist sensitivities of the sensor (left-hand direction helix) are −0.119 nm/(rad/m) and −0.196 nm/(rad/m) in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, respectively. The temperature sensitivities of the two sensors are 0.060 nm/°C and 0.063 nm/°C, respectively. The novel sensor has practical application potential in twist sensing.

LE PIANTE SONO DESTRE O MANCINE?

Circumnutation is an oscillating movement of a growing plant organ that results from an endogenous rhythmic process intrinsic to growth. Circumnutating organs, as they extend, describe a helical trace. In Arabidopsis thaliana circumnutation is particularly evident in primary roots and occurs, as in most plants, in a right-handed direction. In A. thaliana the direction of circumnutation depends on the presence of a single gene with the right-handed allele dominant over the left -handed, as in Zea mays where again a single gene controls the left or right spiralization of the kernels on the ear. Furthermore we demonstrate that the specification of the left/right asymmetry is dependent on the establishement of the antero-posterior axis on the ear.

Oscillation of a Small Hα Surge in a Solar Polar Coronal Hole

Abstract Hα surges (i.e., cool/dense collimated plasma ejections) may act as a guide for a propagation of magnetohydrodynamic waves. We report a high-resolution observation of a surge observed with 1.6 m Goode Solar Telescope (GST) on 2009 August 26, from 18:20 UT to 18:45 UT. Characteristics of plasma motions in the surge are determined with the normalizing radial gradient filter and the Fourier motion filter. The shape of the surge is found to change from a “C” shape to an inverse “C” shape after a formation of a cusp, a signature of reconnection. There are apparent upflows seen above the cusp top and downflows below it. The upflows show rising and rotational motions in the right-hand direction, with the rotational speed decreasing with height. Near the cusp top, we find a transverse oscillation of the surge, with the period of ∼2 minutes. There is no change of the oscillation phase below the cusp top, but above the top a phase change is identified, giving a vertical phase speed about 86 km s−1. As the height increases, the initial amplitude of the oscillation increases, and the oscillation damping time decreases from 5.13 to 1.18 minutes. We conclude that the oscillation is a propagating kink wave that is possibly excited by the repetitive spontaneous magnetic reconnection.

Improving formability of sheet metals in incremental forming by equal diameter spiral tool path

In order to improve formability of sheet metal in incremental forming, a new tool path strategy is proposed. When using the tool path strategy, the tool feeds at each layer while making an equal diameter spiral movement around the forward direction. A detailed procedure for generating the tool path is described. The procedure includes the use of commercial CAD/CAM software to generate a common tool path, outputting the common tool path in the form of tool path points, interpolating the output tool path points, and transforming the interpolated tool path points in space. A series of experiments for forming varying wall angle conical frustums were carried out by the spiral tool paths with different spiral directions, spiral diameters, and spiral leads, respectively. The experimental results show that the method of generating equal diameter spiral tool path proposed in this paper is feasible. Within the experimental range, the spiral tool path in both directions can improve the sheet formability, compared with the common tool path in incremental sheet forming. And, the formability with the anti-right-hand spiral direction is better than that with the right-hand spiral direction when the tool moves counter clockwise; the formability increases with the decrease of the spiral lead and the increase of the spiral diameter. In addition, the influence of spiral parameters on the surface quality of the sheet metal was also experimentally studied. The results show that the surface quality of parts decreases with the increase of spiral lead, while the effect of spiral diameter is not significant.

Stereodynamics in reaction O(1D) + CH4 → OH + CH3

A theoretical study of the stereodynamics for reaction O(1D) + CH4 → OH + CH3 has been carried out using the quasiclassical trajectory method (QCT) on a potential energy surface structured by Gonzalez et al. The integral cross sections (ICSs), differential cross sections (DCSs) and product rotational angular momentum polarization have been calculated. With the collision energy increasing, the ICS decreases. There is no threshold energy, because no barrier is found on the minimum energy path. The DCS results show that the backward and forward scatterings exist at the same time. With the collision energy increasing, the dominant rotation of the product changes from the right-handed direction to the left-handed direction in planes parallel to the scattering plane. In the isotopic effect study, the decrease of the mass factor weakens the polarization degree of the rotational angular momentum vectors of the products.

Modeling of plasma processes in the slowly diverging magnetic fields at the exit of an applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic thruster

The performance of plasma thrusters with applied electric and magnetic fields can be enhanced by increasing the magnetic field strength, which is applied in the thrust chamber and the exit region propulsive plume. The ejected plasma which passes through a slowly diverging magnetic field will expand but can be restricted within the magnetic nozzle fields. To examine in detail the processes that occur, a new method with Particle-in-cell calculations is applied here. A two-dimensional axisymmetric particle dynamic code is used to model an AF-MPDT (Applied-field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thruster) for which extensive experimental data are available; it used Ar propellant and had applied magnetic coils of 101.5 mm radius and 153 mm length. From the results of the simulation study, it is found that total thrust increases linearly with magnetic field strength in the range of 0–0.1 T, but it decreases with increasing applied magnetic field up to 0.6 T. Thrust efficiency is found to increase to a maximum of 8.4% when B = 0.1 T; further, the peak value of nozzle efficiency reaches 91% at a moderate magnetic field (0.3 T). In detail, it is found that distributions of plasma density (1014–1015 m−3) that form in the magnetic nozzle demonstrate a significant pattern of concentration up to fields of B = 0.3 T where ions begin to be magnetized. However, azimuthal velocities of ions behave differently with different degrees of magnetization, i.e., weakly magnetized ions follow rotating electrons in a right-handed direction, while fully magnetized ions revolve in left-handed direction due to electromagnetic forces. Notably, a feedback effect on total magnetic field due to plasma motion identified in other studies is not found to be present in the working conditions of the AF-MPDT examined here.

Phylogenetic Influence on Twining Chirality in Lianas from Amazonian Peru1

A majority of angiosperm species of vines and lianas use their stem apices for twining and adherence to support structures. Prior observations have suggested a strong predominance of twining orientation in a dextral (right-handed) direction. We present here the chirality of twining (handedness) for 60 taxa representing 21 families encountered in a terra firme Amazonian forest community in Peru. We surveyed 145 stems of climbers that represented one to eight individuals of a given taxon. We demonstrate that dextral chirality is phylogenetically widespread among angiosperm stem climbers and suggest that phylogenetic deviations from the dextral pattern represent independent evolutionary events. Phylogenetic constraint might be invoked to explain the dextral dominance among climbers, but dextral circumnutation is not ubiquitous in other angiosperm organs. Here we also clearly define climbing chirality because of the confusion in previous literature, and we compile published family-level reports of deviations from dextral orientation. This study underscores the need for approaching the twining chirality of plants from genetic, developmental, and physiologic perspectives to clarify the basis for the preferred twining orientation among angiosperm climbers.

A pH-responsive carboxylic β-1,3-glucan polysaccharide for complexation with polymeric guests

The helix-forming nature of β-1,3-glucan polysaccharides is a characteristic that has potential for producing gene carriers, bio-nanomaterials and other chiral nanowires. Herein, carboxylic curdlan (CurCOOH) bearing the β-1,3-polyglucuronic acid structure was successfully prepared from β-1,3-glucan polysaccharide curdlan (Cur) by one-step oxidation using a 4-acetamido-TEMPO/NaClO/NaClO(2) system as the oxidant. The resulting high-molecular-weight CurCOOH was proved to bear the 6-COOH group in 100% purity. The optical rotatory dispersion (ORD) spectra indicated that the obtained CurCOOH behaves as a water-soluble single-strand in various pH aqueous media. This advantage has allowed us to use CurCOOH as a polymeric host to form various macromolecular complexes. For example, complexation of CurCOOH with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) resulted in a water-soluble one-dimensional architecture, which formed a dispersion in aqueous solution that was stable for several months, and much more stable than SWNTs complexes of the similar negatively-charged polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polymethacrylic acid (PMAA). It was shown that in the complex, SWNTs are effectively wrapped by a small amount of CurCOOH, enabling them to avoid electrostatic repulsion. This pH-responsive CurCOOH formed a very stable complex with cationic water-soluble polythiophenes (PT-1), which was stabilized not only by the hydrophobic interaction but also by the electrostatic attraction between trimethylammonium cations in PT-1 and dissociated anionic COO(-) groups in CurCOOH. The included PT-1 became CD-active only in the neutral to basic pH region, and the positive Cotton effect suggested that the conjugated main chain is twisted in the right-handed direction. We also found that CurCOOH can interact with polycytidylic acid (poly(C)) only under high NaCl concentrations, the binding and release of which could be controlled by a change in the salt concentration. We believe, therefore, that CurCOOH bearing a dissociable COOH group can act as a new potential polymeric host to construct novel polymeric complexes applicable for gene carriers, biosensors, chiral polymer assemblies, etc.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND FACILITIES LOCATED IN CONCOURSE OF THE RAILWAY STATIONS IN KANSAI AREA

This study aims to clarify human behavior in front of lounge in a concourse of the monorail stations and shops of the railway stations in Kansai area. The data collected from the investigation conducted in 2008 are analyzed from the point of view of human characteristics with space syntax theory. Characteristics of human behavior in front of lounges in a concourse at the monorail stations and shops in the normal railway stations are analyzed. Left-hand and right-hand circular direction on the way to ticket wicket were also found. Finally, technical proposal on planning facilities located in concourse are discussed.

Gauge non-singlet inflation in SUSY GUTs

We explore the novel possibility that the inflaton responsible for cosmological inflation is a gauge non-singlet in supersymmetric (SUSY) Grand Unified Theories (GUTs). For definiteness we consider SUSY hybrid inflation where we show that the scalar components of gauge non-singlet superfields, together with fields in conjugate representations, may form a D-flat direction suitable for inflation. We apply these ideas to SUSY models with an Abelian gauge group, a Pati-Salam gauge group and finally Grand Unified Theories based on SO(10) where the scalar components of the matter superfields in the $\sixteen$s may combine with a single $\bar {sixteen}$ to form the inflaton, with the right-handed sneutrino direction providing a possible viable trajectory for inflation. Assuming sneutrino inflation, we calculate the one-loop Coleman-Weinberg corrections and the two-loop corrections from gauge interactions giving rise to the "gauge \eta-problem" and show that both corrections do not spoil inflation, and the monopole problem can be resolved. The usual \eta-problem arising from supergravity may also be resolved using a Heisenberg symmetry.

Ion-triggered spring-like motion of a double helicate accompanied by anisotropic twisting

Molecules that extend and contract under external stimuli are used to build molecular machines with nanomechanical functions. But although common in biological systems, such extension and contraction motions with helical molecules have rarely been accompanied by unidirectional twisting in synthetic systems. Here we show that sodium ions can trigger the reversible anisotropic twisting of an enantiomeric double-stranded helicate, without racemization. An optically active helicate consisting of two tetraphenol strands bridged by two spiroborate groups sandwiches a sodium ion. On removal of the central sodium-through addition of a cryptand [2.2.1] in solution-the double helicate extends. Crystallographic and nuclear magnetic resonance studies reveal that the extended helicate is over twice as long as the initial molecule, and is twisted in the right-handed direction. Circular dichroism analysis suggests that the twisting doesn't affect the helicate's handedness. This anisotropic extension-contraction process is reversibly triggered by the successive addition and removal of sodium ions in solution.

HOW THE SNAIL SHELL GOT ITS TWIST

![Figure][1] Handedness — asymmetrical anatomy or behaviour — is a fundamental feature of many animals, but how it occurs remains a mystery. Snails can also show ‘handedness’ — some individuals have shells that spiral in a right-handed direction, others have left-handed shells.

An Arabidopsis thaliana tubulin mutant with conditional root-skewing phenotype

Low doses of microtubule-interacting drugs cause wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana seedling roots to twist in a left-handed helical direction. We here report molecular characterization of an A. thaliana tubulin mutant whose roots twist in a right-handed direction and have shallow left-handed cortical microtubule arrays when challenged with low doses of microtubule drugs. In the absence of the drug, growth and development of the mutant was apparently normal. In this conditional twisting mutant, Cys213 of alpha-tubulin6 was exchanged with Tyr. The mutant tubulin was incorporated into the microtubule polymer with wild-type tubulins, and thus acted as a dominant-negative mutation. These results suggest that compromised microtubules in wild-type and mutant roots are qualitatively distinct and affect skewing direction differently.

BARYOGENESIS VIA LEFT-RIGHT ASYMMETRY GENERATED BY AFFLECK – DINE MECHANISM IN DIRAC NEUTRINO MODEL

We reconsider a baryogenesis scenario in supersymmetric standard models with Dirac neutrinos proposed by Abel and Page. We introduce intermediate scale physics to stabilize the runaway potential along a right-handed sneutrino direction. If the lightest neutrino mass is small and/or thermal effects induce early oscillation, the right amount of baryon number asymmetry can be obtained even for higher reheating temperature without entropy production. We also discuss the right-handed sneutrino decay via SU (2)R gauge interaction as a solution to the problem of dark matter overproduction.

Baryogenesis via left-right asymmetry generation by the Affleck-Dine mechanism in a Dirac neutrino model

A baryogenesis scenario in supersymmetric standard models with Dirac neutrinos proposed by Abel and Page is reconsidered, introducing intermediate scale physics to stabilize the runaway potential along a right-handed sneutrino direction. Contrary to previous results, the baryon number asymmetry can be explained even for higher reheating temperature without entropy production if the lightest neutrino mass is small and/or thermal effects induce early oscillation. We also discuss the solution to the problem of dark matter overproduction from the right-handed sneutrino decay by $\mathrm{SU}(2{)}_{R}$ gauge interaction.

Biphasic tissue Doppler waveforms during isovolumic phases are associated with asynchronous deformation of subendocardial and subepicardial layers

Subendocardial and subepicardial layers of the left ventricle (LV) are characterized with right- and left-handed helical orientations of myocardial fibers. We investigated the origin of biphasic deformations of the LV wall during isovolumic contraction (IVC) and relaxation (IVR). In eight open-chest adult pigs, strain rates were measured along the right- and left-handed helical directions in the LV anterior wall by implanting 16 sonomicrometry crystals. Sonomicrometry strain rates were compared with the longitudinal subendocardial strain rates obtained by tissue Doppler imaging. During ejection and diastolic filling, shortening and lengthening occurred synchronously along the right- and left-handed helical directions. However, during IVC and IVR, the deformations were dissimilar in the two directions. Transmural shortening during IVC occurred along the right-handed helical direction and was accompanied with transient lengthening in the left-handed helical direction. Conversely, during IVR, the LV lengthened along the left-handed helical direction and shortened in the right-handed helical direction. Peak subendocardial strain rates obtained by tissue Doppler imaging during IVC and IVR correlated with corresponding sonomicrometry strain rate values obtained along the right- and left-handed helical directions (r = 0.81, P < 0.001 and r = 0.70, P = 0.001, respectively). Our data suggest that brief counterdirectional movements occur within the LV wall during IVC and IVR. Shortening along the right-handed helical direction is accompanied with reciprocal lengthening in the left-handed helical direction during IVC and vice versa during IVR. The results support an association between asynchronous deformation of subendocardial and subepicardial muscle fibers and the biphasic isovolumic movements observed with high-resolution tissue Doppler imaging.

Integrated structures of the linear plasmid SCP1 in two bidirectional donor strains of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2)

The linear plasmid SCP1 is integrated into the central region of the chromosome of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). The integrated structures of SCP1 in two bidirectional donor strains, 2612 and A634, were analyzed by cloning and sequencing of the junctions between the SCP1 DNA and the chromosomal DNA. In the NF (normal fertility) strain 2612, SCP1 is integrated in a right-handed direction into ORF-X at the left end of the IS cluster in AseI fragment E. An almost intact left end of SCP1 is retained, while the right terminal inverted repeat (TIR-R) of SCP1 and a 33-kb chromosomal DNA segment including the IS cluster are deleted. In the NF-like strain A634, SCPI is also integrated into AseI fragment E in a left-handed direction. The left junction is composed of IS466 with complete deletion of TIR-R of SCP1, and the right junction is located at the left end of IS468A* with half of TIR-L being deleted. During the integration event, a 5.4-kb chromosomal DNA segment including IS468A, IS468B, IS469 and IS466A was duplicated so that this sequence is now present on both sides of SCP1. Since 2612 and A634 exhibit a similar bidirectional gradient of gene transfer, it is surprising that their chromosomal structures are so different.