1,956 research outputs found

    Comparing soil boundaries delineated by digital analysis of multispectral scanner data from high and low spatial resolution systems

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    The author has identified the following significant results. Computer-aided analysis techniques used with aircraft MSS data showed that the spatial resolution was sufficient to recognize each soil mapping unit of the test site. Some difficulties occurred where different soil series were intricately mixed, and this mixture showed as a separate spectral mapping unit, or where the difference between two soils depended on the depth of silty surface material. Analysis of LANDSAT data with computer-aided techniques showed that it was not possible to find spectrally homogeneous soil features of the seven soil series on the 40 ha test site on the digital display or on a picture print map. Cluster techniques could be used on an extended test area to group spectrally similar data points into cluster classes

    Characterisation of High Current Density Resonant Tunneling Diodes for THz Emission Using Photoluminescence Spectroscopy

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    We discuss the numerical simulation of high current density InGaAs/AlAs/InP resonant tunneling diodes with a view to their optimization for application as THz emitters. We introduce a figure of merit based upon the ratio of maximum extractable THz power and the electrical power developed in the chip. The aim being to develop high efficiency emitters as output power is presently limited by catastrophic failure. A description of the interplay of key parameters follows, with constraints on strained layer epitaxy introduced. We propose an optimized structure utilizing thin barriers paired with a comparatively wide quantum well that satisfies strained layer epitaxy constraints

    Distribution of glycan motifs at the surface of midgut cells in the cotton leafworm (Spodoptera littoralis) demonstrated by lectin binding

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    Glycans are involved in many biological phenomena, including signal transduction, cell adhesion, immune response or differentiation. Although a few papers have reported on the role of glycans in the development and proper functioning of the insect midgut, no data are available regarding the localization of the glycan structures on the surface of the cells in the gut of insects. In this paper, we analyzed the spatial distribution of glycans present on the surface of the midgut cells in larvae of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis, an important agricultural pest insect worldwide. For this purpose, we established primary midgut cell cultures, probed these individual cells that are freely suspended in liquid medium with a selection of seven fluorescently labeled lectins covering a range of different carbohydrate binding specificities [mannose oligomers (GNA and HHA), GalNAc/Gal (RSA and SSA), GlcNAc (WGA and Nictaba) and Neu5Ac(alpha-2,6)Gal/GalNAc (SNA-I)], and visualized the interaction of these lectins with the different zones of the midgut cells using confocal microscopy. Our analysis focused on the typical differentiated columnar cells with a microvillar brush border at their apical side, which are dominantly present in the Lepidopteran midgut and function in food digestion and absorption, and as well as on the undifferentiated stem cells that are important for midgut development and repair. Confocal microscopy analyses showed that the GalNAc/Gal-binding lectins SSA and RSA and the terminal GlcNAc-recognizing WGA bound preferentially to the apical microvillar zone of the differentiated columnar cells as compared to the basolateral pole. The reverse result was observed for the mannose-binding lectins GNA and HHA, as well as Nictaba that binds preferentially to GlcNAc oligomers. Furthermore, differences in lectin binding to the basal and lateral zones of the cell membranes of the columnar cells were apparent. In the midgut stem cells. GNA and Nictaba bound more strongly to the membrane of these undifferentiated cells compared to the microvillar pole of the columnar cells, while SSA, HHA, WGA, and SNA-I showed stronger binding to the microvilli. Our results indicated that polarization of the midgut cells is also reflected by a specific distribution of glycans, especially between the basal and microvillar pole. The data are discussed in relation to the functioning and development of the insect midgut

    Mechanical Demands of the Hang Power Clean and Jump Shrug: A Joint-level Perspective

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    The purpose of this study was to investigate the joint- and load-dependent changes in the mechanical demands of the lower extremity joints during the hang power clean (HPC) and the jump shrug (JS). Fifteen male lacrosse players were recruited from an NCAA DI team, and completed three sets of the HPC and JS at 30%, 50%, and 70% of their HPC 1-Repetition Maximum (1-RM HPC) in a counterbalanced and randomized order. Motion analysis and force plate technology were used to calculate the positive work, propulsive phase duration, and peak concentric power at the hip, knee, and ankle joints. Separate three-way analysis of variances were used to determine the interaction and main effects of joint, load, and lift type on the three dependent variables. The results indicated that the mechanics during the HPC and JS exhibit joint-, load-, and lift-dependent behavior. When averaged across joints, the positive work during both lifts increased progressively with external load, but was greater during the JS at 30% and 50% of 1-RM HPC than during the HPC. The JS was also characterized by greater hip and knee work when averaged across loads. The joint-averaged propulsive phase duration was lower at 30% than at 50% and 70% of 1-RM HPC for both lifts. Furthermore, the load-averaged propulsive phase duration was greater for the hip than the knee and ankle joint. The jointaveraged peak concentric power was the greatest at 70% of 1-RM for the HPC and at 30% to 50% of 1-RM for the JS. In addition, the joint-averaged peak concentric power of the JS was greater than that of the HPC. Furthermore, the load-averaged peak knee and ankle concentric joint powers were greater during the execution of the JS than the HPC. However, the loadaveraged power of all joints differed only during the HPC, but was similar between the hip and knee joints for the JS. Collectively, these results indicate that compared to the HPC the JS is characterized by greater hip and knee positive joint work, and greater knee and ankle peak concentric joint power, especially if performed at 30 and 50% of 1-RM HPC. This study provides important novel information about the mechanical demands of two commonly used exercises and should be considered in the design of resistance training programs that aim to improve the explosiveness of the lower extremity joints

    Fabrication and functionalization of PCB gold electrodes suitable for DNA-based electrochemical sensing

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    The request of high specificity and selectivity sensors suitable for mass production is a constant demand in medical research. For applications in point-of-care diagnostics and therapy, there is a high demand for low cost and rapid sensing platforms. This paper describes the fabrication and functionalization of gold electrodes arrays for the detection of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in printed circuit board (PCB) technology. The process can be implemented to produce efficiently a large number of biosensors. We report an electrolytic plating procedure to fabricate low-density gold microarrays on PCB suitable for electrochemical DNA detection in research fields such as cancer diagnostics or pharmacogenetics, where biosensors are usually targeted to detect a small number of genes. PCB technology allows producing high precision, fast and low cost microelectrodes. The surface of the microarray is functionalized with self-assembled monolayers of mercaptoundodecanoic acid or thiolated DNA. The PCB microarray is tested by cyclic voltammetry in presence of 5 mM of the redox probe K3Fe(CN6) in 0.1 M KCl. The voltammograms prove the correct immobilization of both the alkanethiol systems. The sensor is tested for detecting relevant markers for breast cancer. Results for 5 nM of the target TACSTD1 against the complementary TACSTD1 and non-complementary GRP, MYC, SCGB2A1, SCGB2A2, TOP2A probes show a remarkable detection limit of 0.05 nM and a high specificity

    Search for the Rare Decays B 0 s → e + e − and B 0 → e + e −

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    A search for the decays Bs0→e+e- and B0→e+e- is performed using data collected with the LHCb experiment in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 7, 8, and 13 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 1, 2, and 2 fb-1, respectively. No signal is observed. Assuming no contribution from B0→e+e- decays, an upper limit on the branching fraction B(Bs0→e+e-)&lt;9.4(11.2)×10-9 is obtained at 90(95)% confidence level. If no Bs0→e+e- contribution is assumed, a limit of B(B0→e+e-)&lt;2.5(3.0)×10-9 is determined at 90(95)% confidence level. These upper limits are more than one order of magnitude lower than the previous values.</p

    Measurement of CP observables in B± → DK± and B± → Dπ± with D → K0SK±π∓ decays

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    Measurements of CP observables in B± → DK± and B± → Dπ± decays are presented, where D represents a superposition of D0 and D¯ states. The D meson is reconstructed in the three-body final states KS0K±π∓ and KS0K∓π±. The analysis uses samples of B mesons produced in proton-proton collisions, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1.0, 2.0, and 6.0 fb−1 collected with the LHCb detector at centre-of-mass energies of s = 7, 8, and 13 TeV, respectively. These measurements are the most precise to date, and provide important input for the determination of the CKM angle γ. [Figure not available: see fulltext.

    Observation of New Ξ 0 c Baryons Decaying to Λ + c K −

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    The Λc+K- mass spectrum is studied with a data sample of pp collisions at a center-of-mass energy of 13 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 5.6 fb-1 collected by the LHCb experiment. Three Ξc0 states are observed with a large significance and their masses and natural widths are measured to be m[Ξc(2923)0]=2923.04±0.25±0.20±0.14 MeV, Γ[Ξc(2923)0]=7.1±0.8±1.8 MeV, m[Ξc(2939)0]=2938.55±0.21±0.17±0.14 MeV, Γ[Ξc(2939)0]=10.2±0.8±1.1 MeV, m[Ξc(2965)0]=2964.88±0.26±0.14±0.14 MeV, Γ[Ξc(2965)0]=14.1±0.9±1.3 MeV, where the uncertainties are statistical, systematic, and due to the limited knowledge of the Λc+ mass. The Ξc(2923)0 and Ξc(2939)0 baryons are new states. The Ξc(2965)0 state is in the vicinity of the known Ξc(2970)0 baryon; however, their masses and natural widths differ significantly
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