Valve effectively controls amount of contaminant in flow stream

Contaminant valve with a coaxial groove rotor uniformly deposits contaminant into a flow stream under full pressure and flow conditions. The valve tests filters and filter elements of hydraulic oil, fuel, or lubricant systems without any detrimental effect on the performance

Adolescent sex offenders with autism spectrum conditions: currently used treatment approaches and their impact

Aims: Offending behaviour in adolescents with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) is rare. However, some theoretical links have been drawn between sexual offending and autism-typical deficits. Although research in this area is scarce, case-studies have begun to evaluate the impact of treatments for juvenile sexual offenders with ASC. This review aimed to summarise the available treatments for this group and their impact on young people (YP). Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted. Six online data-bases were searched for studies detailing interventions with adolescent sexual offenders with ASC. Results: Six case-studies were reviewed. Interventions consisted of detailed assessments, staff training, peer support, medication, and adapted cognitive- behavioural therapy. One case-study used narrative techniques. Only two studies reported on objective and measurable treatment effects whilst the remainder relied solely on anecdotal evidence. Studies presenting quantitative data found a decrease in sexual arousal, absconding, sexually harmful/inappropriate behaviour, and masturbation to deviant fantasies. Anecdotal evidence pointed to increased insight, flexibility, ability to open-up, and reintegration. The overall quality of studies was low with one exception. Research and clinical implications are discussed. Conclusions: Whilst some benefitted from the currently used treatment options, results cannot be generalised due to methodological flaws

Model for the unidirectional motion of a dynein molecule

Cytoplasmic dyneins transport cellular organelles by moving on a microtubule filament. It has been found recently that depending on the applied force and the concentration of the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules, dynein's step size varies. Based on these studies, we propose a simple model for dynein's unidirectional motion taking into account the variations in its step size. We study how the average velocity and the relative dispersion in the displacement vary with the applied load. The model is amenable to further extensions by inclusion of details associated with the structure and the processivity of the molecule.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

The Gauged Vector Model in Four-Dimensions: Resolution of an Old Problem?

A calculation of the renormalization group improved effective potential for the gauged U(N) vector model, coupled to $N_f$ fermions in the fundamental representation, computed to leading order in 1/N, all orders in the scalar self-coupling $\lambda$, and lowest order in gauge coupling $g^2$, with $N_f$ of order $N$, is presented. It is shown that the theory has two phases, one of which is asymptotically free, and the other not, where the asymptotically free phase occurs if $0 < \lambda /g^2 < {4/3} (\frac{N_f}{N} - 1)$, and $\frac{N_f}{N} < {11/2}$. In the asymptotically free phase, the effective potential behaves qualitatively like the tree-level potential. In the other phase, the theory exhibits all the difficulties of the ungauged $(g^2 = 0)$ vector model. Therefore the theory appears to be consistent (only) in the asymptotically free phase.Comment: Latex, 18 pages plus 3 figures using epsf. Substantially revised to correct a factor of 2 error in the previous version of equation (2.5b). This has significant effects on the results. The model has also been revised to include fermion

30% external quantum efficiency from surface textured, thin-film light-emitting diodes

There is a significant gap between the internal efficiency of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and their external efficiency. The reason for this shortfall is the narrow escape cone for light in high refractive index semiconductors. We have found that by separating thin-film LEDs from their substrates (by epitaxial lift-off, for example), it is much easier for light to escape from the LED structure and thereby avoid absorption. Moreover, by nanotexturing the thin-film surface using "natural lithography," the light ray dynamics becomes chaotic, and the optical phase-space distribution becomes "ergodic," allowing even more of the light to find the escape cone. We have demonstrated 30% external efficiency in GaAs LEDs employing these principles

Testing Ecological Theory with Lianas

Lianas constitute a diverse polyphyletic plant group that is advancing our understanding of ecological theory. Specifically, lianas are providing new insights into the mechanisms that control plant distribution and diversity maintenance. For example, there is now evidence that a single, scalable mechanism may explain local, regional, and pan‐tropical distribution of lianas, as well as the maintenance of liana species diversity. The ability to outcompete trees under dry, stressful conditions in seasonal forests provides lianas a growth advantage that, over time, results in relatively high abundance in seasonal forests and low abundance in aseasonal forests. Lianas may also gain a similar growth advantage following disturbance, thus explaining why liana density and diversity peak following disturbance at the local, forest scale. The study of ecology, however, is more than the effect of the environment on organisms; it also includes the effects of organisms on the environment. Considerable empirical evidence now indicates that lianas substantially alter their environment by consuming resources, suppressing tree performance, and influencing emergent properties of forests, such as ecosystem functioning, plant and animal diversity, and community composition. These recent studies using lianas are transcending classical tropical ecology research and are now providing novel insights into fundamental ecological theory

Developmental changes in the membrane current pattern, K+ buffer capacity, and morphology of glial cells in the corpus callosum slice

Recent studies indicated that glial cells in tissue culture can express a variety of different voltage-gated channels, while little is known about the presence of such channels in glial cells in vivo. We used a mouse corpus callosum slice preparation, in which after postnatal day 5 (P5) more than 99% of all perikarya belong to glial cells (Sturrock, 1976), to study the current patterns of glial cells during their development in situ. We combined the patch-clamp technique with intracellular labeling using Lucifer yellow (LY) and subsequent ultrastructural characterization. In slices of mice from P6 to P8, we predominantly found cells expressing delayed-rectifier K+ currents. They were similar to those described for cultured glial precursor cells (Sontheimer et al., 1989). A-type K+ currents or Na+ currents were not or only rarely observed, in contrast to cultured glial precursors. LY labeling revealed that numerous thin processes extended radially from the perikaryon of these cells, and ultrastructural observations suggested that they resemble immature glial cells. In slices of older mice (P10-13), when myelination of the corpus callosum has already commenced, many cells were characterized by an almost linear current-voltage relationship. This current pattern was similar to cultured oligodendrocytes (Sontheimer et al., 1989). Most processes of LY-filled cells with such a current profile extended parallel to each other. Electron microscopy showed that these processes surround thick, unmyelinated axons. We suggest that cells with oligodendrocyte-type electrophysiology are promyelinating oligodendrocytes. In contrast to cultured oligodendrocytes, membrane currents of promyelinating oligodendrocytes in the slice decayed during the voltage command. This decay was due not to inactivation, but to a marked change in the potassium equilibrium potential within the voltage jump. This implies that, in the more mature corpus callosum, small membrane polarizations in a physiological range can lead to extensive changes in the K+ gradient across the glial membrane within a few milliseconds

Blurred Lines Between Competition and Parasitism

Accurately describing the ecological relationships between species is more than mere semantics-doing so has profound practical and applied implications, not the least of which is that inaccurate descriptions can lead to fundamentally incorrect predicted outcomes of community composition and functioning. Accurate ecological classifications are particularly important in the context of global change, where species interactions can change rapidly following shifts in species composition. Here, we argue that many common ecological interactions-particularly competition and parasitism-can be easily confused and that we often lack empirical evidence for the full reciprocal interaction among species. To make our case and to propose a theoretical framework for addressing this problem, we use the interactions between lianas and trees, whose outcomes have myriad implications for the ecology and conservation of tropical forests (e.g., Schnitzer et al. 2015)