3,922 research outputs found
Evaluation of the allowable axial bearing capacity of a single pile subjected to machine vibration by numerical analysis
Palladium Catalysts for Dehydrogenation of Ammonia Borane with Preferential B−H Activation
Cationic Pd(II) complexes catalyzed the dehydrogenation of ammonia borane in the most efficient manner with the release of 2.0 equiv of H_2 in less than 60 s at 25 °C. Most of the hydrogen atoms were obtained from the boron atom of the ammonia borane. The first step of the dehydrogenation reaction was elaborated using density functional theory calculations
Modeling the plastic deformation of crystals with thin precipitates
AbstractPrecipitates, present in most commercial alloys, can have a strong influence on strength and hardening behavior of a single crystal. The effect of thin precipitates on the anisotropy of initial slip resistance and hardening behavior of crystals is modeled in this article. For the convenience of the computational derivation and implementation, the material formulation is given in the unrotated intermediate configuration mapped by the plastic part of the deformation gradient. Material descriptions for the considered two phased aggregates consisting in lattice hardening as well as isotropic hardening and kinematic hardening are suggested. The corresponding elastic–plastic rate-independent algorithmic treatment is derived and numerical simulations of various loading cases are presented to discuss and assess the performance of the suggested model and its rate-independent algorithmic treatment
Structural and histological characterization of oviductal magnum and lectin-binding patterns in Gallus domesticus
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Although chicken oviduct is a useful model and target tissue for reproductive biology and transgenesis, little is known because of the highly specific hormonal regulation and the lack of fundamental researches, including lectin-binding activities and glycobiology. Because lectin is attached to secreted glycoproteins, we hypothesized that lectin could be bound to secretory egg-white proteins, and played a crucial role in the generation of egg-white protein in the oviduct. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the structural, histological and lectin-binding characteristics of the chicken oviductal magnum from juvenile and adult hens.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The oviductal magnums from juvenile and adult hens were prepared for ultrastructural analysis, qRT-PCR and immunostaining. Immunohistochemistry of anti-ovalbumin, anti-ESR1 and anti-PGR, and mRNA expression of egg-white genes and steroid hormone receptor genes were evaluated. Lectin histochemical staining was also conducted in juvenile and adult oviductal magnum tissues.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The ultrastructural analysis showed that ciliated cells were rarely developed on luminal surface in juvenile magnum, but not tubular gland cells. In adult magnum, two types of epithelium and three types of tubular gland cells were observed. qRT-PCR analysis showed that egg-white genes were highly expressed in adult oviduct compared with the juvenile. However, mRNA expressions of <it>ESR1 </it>and <it>PGR </it>were considerably higher in juvenile oviduct than adult (<it>P </it>< 0.05). The immunohistochemical analysis showed that anti-ovalbumin antibody was detected in adult oviduct not in juvenile, unlikely anti-ESR1 and anti-PGR antibodies that were stained in both oviducts. In histological analysis, Toluidine blue was stained in juvenile and adult oviductal epithelia, and adult tubular glands located in the outer layer of oviductal magnum. In contrast, PAS was positive only in adult oviductal tubular gland. Lectins were selectively bound to oviductal epithelium, stroma, and tubular gland cells. Particularly, lectin-ConA and WGA were bound to electron-dense secretory granules in tubular gland.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The observation of ultrastructural analysis, mRNA expression, immunohistochemistry and lectin staining showed structural and physiological characterization of juvenile and adult oviductal magnum. Consequently, oviduct study could be helped to <it>in vitro </it>culture of chicken oviductal cells, to develop epithelial or tubular gland cell-specific markers, and to understand female reproductive biology and endocrinology.</p
IDENTIFYING CRITICAL KINEMATIC PARAMETERS FOR BETTER GOLF PUTTING
In modern golf competition, putting is one of the crucial parts of the game. It has been reported that putting accounts for about 40% of all golf shot played in tournaments (Gwyn & Patch, 1993). Wiren (1992) also indicated that, on average, putting constitutes 38% of all golf strokes in competition and improving putting skills is th e fastest way to lower the score. However, it is also true that most recreational golfers neglect the putting and seldom practice it hard. Despite this revealing statistics and the obvious
importance of competent putting, much of the pedagogical literature is based on the observations and anecdotal evidence provided by top players and coaches (Paradisis & Rees, 2004). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify critical kinematic parameters of a putt by comparing putts performed by elite and novice golifers, and nongolfers. The findings might provide valuable information for improving putting performance
Characteristics of DSSC Panels with Silicone Encapsulant
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC) allow light transmission and the application of various colors that make them especially suitable for building-integrated PV (BIPV) application. In order to apply DSSC modules to windows, the module has to be panelized: a DSSC module should be protected with toughened glass on the entire surface. Up to the present, it seems to be common to use double glazing with DSSC modules, with air gaps between the glass pane and the DSSC modules. Few studies have been conducted on the characteristics of various glazing methods with DSSC modules. This paper proposes a paneling method that uses silicone encapsulant, analyzing the performance through experimentation. Compared to a multilayered DSSC panel with an air gap, the encapsulant-applied panel showed 6% higher light transmittance and 7% higher electrical efficiency. The encapsulant also prevented electrolyte leakage by strengthening the seals in the DSSC module
Morphological and genetic characteristics of Nicotiana langsdorffii, N. glauca and its hybrid
Plant tumors, including genetic tumors, are disorganized and proliferate in an uncontrolled fashion. In this report we describe the morphological, physiological and genetic properties of Nicotiana. langsdorffii and Nicotiana. glauca and their hybrids (Nicotiana. langsdorffii x Nicotiana. Glauca). Nicotiana. langsdorffii leaves are oblate and pubescent with winged petioles, while Nicotiana. glauca leaf-blades are rubbery and oval-to-heart-shaped. The hybrid plants are intermediate in leaf shape, with anisocytic stomata and well-developed trichomes. In addition, they produce tumors in the absence of bacteria and exogenous hormones. Tumor growth in the hybrid plants was not affected by indole-3-acetic acid or kinetin. Genetic polymorphism was analyzed by the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA technique in the parents (Nicotiana. langsdorffii and Nicotiana. glauca) and in the genetic tumors produced by the hybrids. A total of 128 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fragments were scored from fifteen random primers, and pronounced differences were found between the genetic tumors and their parents. These observations show that randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers are might informative about genetic similarities and dissimilarities
Ethanol Extract of the Flower Chrysanthemum morifolium Augments Pentobarbital-Induced Sleep Behaviors: Involvement of Cl− Channel Activation
Dried Chrysanthemum morifolium flowers have traditionally been used in Korea for the treatment
of insomnia. This study was performed to investigate whether the ethanol extract of Chrysanthemum
morifolium flowers (EFC) enhances pentobarbital-induced sleep behaviors. EFC prolonged sleep time
induced by pentobarbital similar to muscimol, a GABAA receptors agonist. EFC also increased sleep
rate and sleep time when administrated with pentobarbital at a subhypnotic dosage. Both EFC and
pentobarbital increased chloride (Cl−) influx in primary cultured cerebellar granule cells. EFC
increased glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) expression levels, but had no effect on the expression
of α1-, β2-, and γ2-subunits of the GABAA receptor in the hippocampus of a mouse brain. This is in
contrast to treatment with pentobarbital, which showed decreased α1-subunit expression and no
change in GAD expression. In conclusion, EFC augments pentobarbital-induced sleep behaviors;
these effects may result from Cl− channel activation
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