Vortex sensing and energy expenditure of fish exposed to unsteady flow and biomimetic transfer of noise filter and signal amplification techniques

Biomimetics is a promising field of research in which natural processes and structures are transfered to technical applications. Part one and two of this work investigate the behavior and the hydrodynamic sense of fish to uncover strategies for locomotory cost reduction and navigation in unsteady flow. Fish detect unsteady flow with their lateral line organ. Trout and rudd were exposed to an unsteady flow signature caused by submerged cylinders. Trout preferred distinct three dimensional regions relative to the cylinder and showed less muscle activity than in non-preferential regions. Interestingly one of those regions had a three dimensional flow signature compared to the almost two dimensional flow pattern of a vortex street. Navigation in complex flow requires sensors and smart signal processing. This work shows that the activity of central neurons of rudd involved in the processing of hydrodynamic information correlated with unsteady flow signatures in terms of spike pattern or spike rate or both. It would be advantageous for robots to use an artificial hydrodynamic sense together with natural inspired signal processing to reduce locomotory costs and also navigate in complex hydrodynamic habitats. In sensory systems it is crucial to separate meaningful signals from noise which may occur in complex habitats. Nature has developed a stunning diversity of lateral line morphologies. The function is not well understood. Part three and four of this work investigate several lateral line morphologies with respect to noise filtering and signal amplification mechanisms. To do so an artificial lateral line sensor was used. Therefore it was possible to gain control of all parameters. An artificial lateral line design was found which significantly enhances signal to noise ratio and therefore this work uncovers the function of this natural morphological occurrence. Additionally a finite element model with fluid structure interaction was used to develop a signal enhancing design of artificial neuromasts for fabrication with microelectromechanical systems. Interestingly a similar structure occurs in nature. Last but not least in part five this work shows an eight channel artificial lateral line canal sensor available with automatic fabrication techniques

On the Nonembeddability and Crossing Numbers of Some Kleinical Polyhedral Maps on the Torus

We designed and constructed a sundial for the purpose of observing the declination of the sun and thus marking solar seasonal variation. The 122 × 122 cm vertical sundial on the south-facing wall of our library has two unusual features: a nodus on the gnomon that casts a shadow of a point for marking the height of the sun and a large blank working space for students to mark the shadow of the nodus at different hours of the day and to connect the marks of 1 day in a line of declination. We discuss the design of a dial that emphasizes a working space for observations on solar declination, methods for determining the position of the nodus such that lines of declination can be observed every day of the year, mathematical procedures that minimize error in laying out the hour lines for this unusual design, the type of materials that are best suited for this design, and how students in an interdisciplinary honors colloquium on seasonal rhythms used the sundial. We also include two appendices on general sundial construction that indicates the information designers need to construct their own sundials

Artificial lateral line canal for hydrodynamic detection

Fish use their lateral line system to detect minute water motions. The lateral line consists of superficial neuromasts and canal neuromasts. The response properties of canal neuromasts differ from those of superficial ones. Here, we report the design, fabrication, and characterization of an artificial lateral line canal system. The characterization was done under various fluid conditions, including dipolar excitation and turbulent flow. The experimental results with dipole excitation match well with a mathematical model. Canal sensors also demonstrate significantly better noise immunity compared with superficial ones. Canal-type artificial lateral lines may become important for underwater flow sensing

Untersuchungen zum Nachweis von Phosphorylierungen an Proteinen und Peptiden mit Eisen(III)-(N-ethyliminodiessigsäure-N'-fluorescein-thioharnstoff)

Eisen(III)-Chelate binden phosphorylierte Proteine und Peptide relativ spezifisch. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden Untersuchungen zur Nutzung von Eisen(III)-Iminodiessigsäure-Fluorescein (FIF) für die Färbung von Proteinblots und Peptidembranen und mit der Kapillarelektrophorese (CE) durchgeführt. In 50mM MES-Puffer pH 6,0 und 1M NaCl konnten bei 60-80°C über 30 min Proteine auf Nitrocellulose gefärbt werden. In der CE konnten mit dem Farbstoff nicht phosphorylierte von phosphorylierten Proteinen unterschieden werden. Aufgrund unflexibler Bedingungen und hoher notwendiger Proteinkonzentrationen erscheint eine Anwendung nicht sinnvoll. Peptidmembranen wurden einem Phosphorylierungsassay mit dem immunopräzipitierten Interleukin-1-Rezeptor I - Komplex unterzogen und konnten dann mit FIF markiert werden. Durch In-Gel-Regenerierung wurde zuvor nachgewiesen, daß zwei bis drei autophosphorylierende Kinasen darin zu finden sind. Für die Untersuchung der Färbespezifität von FIF wurden Peptidmembranen verwendet. FIF erwies sich in bezug auf die Färbung von Phosphoproteinen oder -peptiden als nicht sehr spezifisch. Für spezielle Anwendungen wie Phosphorylierungsassays mit geeigneten Peptiden könnte es dennoch nützlich sein. Im Anschluß an die Experimente wurde eine Färbetheorie entwickelt. Die Zugänglichkeit der Phosphatgruppe ist offenbar wichtig für die Bindung von FIF. Der pH-Wert beeinflußt zwei Effekte gegensätzlich. Ein hoher pH-Wert führt zu schlechter Farbstoffbindung - vermutlich, weil die [OH-]-Ionen an das Eisen(III)-Chelat binden. Ein niedriger pH-Wert mindert die Fluoreszenzintensität stark, vermutlich durch nicht fluoreszente Isoformen des Fluorescein.Iron(III) chelates bind phosphorylated proteins and peptides with a certain specificity. In this work some investigations were made concerning the use of iron(III)-iminodiacetate-fluorescein (FIF). At first conditions were tested for proteins on membranes. By using 50mM MES-buffer, pH 6.0 with 1M NaCl sufficient results were obtained in 30 min at 60-80?C with nitrocellulose. In parallel FIF was used with capillary electrophoresis. A phosphorylated and a nonphosphorylated protein could be distinguished but with low practical use due to poor flexibility of the conditions and the need of high protein concentration. Then Peptides synthesized on cellulose membranes in a phosphorylation assay with the immunoprecipitated receptor I complex of interleukin-1 were used. Beforehand it was proved by in gel regeneration that two or three self phosphorylating kinases can be found in the immunoprecipitate. The peptides could also be marked with FIF. For further investigations of the colouring specificity of FIF a peptide membrane was designed and coloured. It became obvious that FIF can not be seen as highly specific concerning colouring of phosphorylated peptides or proteins. But for certain applications such as phosphorylation assays with qualified peptides it might be useful. After the practical work a colouring theory was developed. Obviously the accessibility of the phosphate group is of importance. The pH value influences two effects contraryly. On the one hand a high pH leads to low binding of FIF. This is probably because the [OH-]-ions can bind to iron(III) chelate. On the other hand the fluorescence intensity is weak at a low pH, probably caused by nonfluorescing isoforms of fluorescein which are more probable at a lower pH due to its charge

Inside, and Beyond „Nothingness”

A brief introduction to the subquantum regime, where the origination of all the observable events and processes of tour physical world can be found. Descending along the scale supplied by the divisibility of Quanta toward increasingly fine structures bearing fractional charges, down to the infinitesimal values where Information couples to space and time, we penetrate into a new, still barely explored reality, which nonetheless is supported by the laws of modern physics. We just begin understanding the properties of the physical vacuum, where entities displaying collective coherent behavior patterns are at the background of all the manifestation forms described by Quantum mechanics. We postulate that these understanding apply also to the synergetic mechanisms linking the human brain to processes that run in Informatic space, due to the morphogenetic blueprints responsible for its specially adapted structure for processing Informatic fields that are encountered along the biological entity’s worldline. The Information transfer is accomplished by subquantum flux vectors propagating at super-luminal velocities, velocities that theoretically are not prohibited beyond the application range of relativistic constraints. All these processes run under higher control instances embedded in Bohm’s super-implicated orders of Reality

A Scientifically Acceptable Mechanism for the Reincarnation Process of the Self

We propose a novel paradigmatic approach to sentient reality as a whole, with specific application to Information-guided DNA dynamics, leading to a triadic genomic configuration , which accommodates besides the parental hereditar legacy, a transcendental originating highly complex guiding matrix able to control the specific way the protein-synthesis is performed. The Self’s own “Soul Genome”, transcending the zero point energy interdimensional barrier, couples to the zygote’s quantum-governed energetic configuration by way of resonant bands of subtle energy superposition effects at the instance of fertilization, triggered by a Zinc-spark related biophotonic bridge. Thus, unique secondary torsion parameters in the DNA strands determine the way the basic protein-generating template is read, supplying the new entity’s psycho-cognitive particularities along purposeful developmental vectors

Artificial lateral line canal for hydrodynamic detection

Fish use their lateral line system to detect minute water motions. The lateral line consists of superficial neuromasts and canal neuromasts. The response properties of canal neuromasts differ from those of superficial ones. Here, we report the design, fabrication, and characterization of an artificial lateral line canal system. The characterization was done under various fluid conditions, including dipolar excitation and turbulent flow. The experimental results with dipole excitation match well with a mathematical model. Canal sensors also demonstrate significantly better noise immunity compared with superficial ones. Canal-type artificial lateral lines may become important for underwater flow sensing

Shift of the surface-barrier part of the irreversibility line due to columnar defects in Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8 thin films

We report the results of studying the influence of the uranium-ion irradiation of the Bi_2Sr_2CaCu_2O_8 thin films on the high-temperature part (close to critical temperature) of their irreversibility line. We studied irreversible properties of the films by measuring the hysteresis of nonresonant microwave absorption. The results have revealed the shift of irreversibility line towards low temperatures and magnetic fields. The effect is most significant for the films irradiated with large doses, more than 1T. This fact is in good agreement with the theoretical prediction by Koshelev and Vinokur of suppression of surface barrier by columnar defects.Comment: LaTeX2e, 9 pages with 3 figures, to be published in Physica