Determination of the average orientation of DNA in the octopus sperm Eledone cirrhossa through polarized light scattering

The coupled-dipole approximation has been used to model polarized light-scattering data obtained from the sperm of the octopus Eledone cirrhosa. Mueller scattering-matrix elements (which describe how a sample alters the intensity and degree of polarization of scattered light) were measured as a function of angle. The sample was modeled as a helical fiber believed to correspond to a DNA protein complex. It was necessary to propose an inherent anisotropy in the polarizability of the fiber in order to fit the data. The direction of the principle axes of the polarizability were determined by comparing the model with experimental data. The results suggest that the 2-nm DNA fibers are perpendicular to the thick fiber that defines the helical geometry of the octopus sperm head.     

Experimental demonstration of an optical phased array antenna for laser space communications

The feasibility of an optical phased array antenna applicable for spaceborne laser communications was experimentally demonstrated. Heterodyne optical phase-locked loops provide for a defined phase relationship between the collimated output beams of three single-mode fibers. In the far field the beams interfere with a measured efficiency of 99%. The main lobe of the interference pattern can be moved by phase shifting the subaperture output beams. The setup permitted agile beam steering within an angular range of 1 mr and a response time of 0.7 ms. We propose an operational optical phased array antenna fed by seven lasers, featuring high transmit power and redundance.     

Optimizing rod window width in positron emission tomography

A technique determines the optimal window width for orbiting rod transmission studies in positron emission tomography (PET). Windowing reduces noise in orbiting rod transmission studies. Lines-of-response (LOR) which intersect the rods generate primarily true coincidence events. LOR which pass far from the rods generate random and scatter events. Since the angular position of the orbiting rods is known in real-time, LOR which produce mostly noise are gated off. When optimally determined, the rod window width maximizes the noise equivalent counts (NEC) collected in the transmission study. Transaxial rod projection profiles of trues, randoms, and scatter produce NEC versus window width plots. For the ECAT EXACT line of PET systems and a 20-cm water cylinder, optimal is five LOR wide.     

Optimal neuronal tuning for finite stimulus spaces

The efficiency of neuronal encoding in sensory and motor systems has been proposed as a first principle governing response properties within the central nervous system. We present a continuation of a theoretical study presented by Zhang and Sejnowski, where the influence of neuronal tuning properties on encoding accuracy is analyzed using information theory. When a finite stimulus space is considered, we show that the encoding accuracy improves with narrow tuning for one- and two-dimensional stimuli. For three dimensions and higher, there is an optimal tuning width.     

Methods and instrumentation for piezoelectric motors

Because of their compact form factor and rigidity, piezoelectric motors are used in scanning probe microscopes that operate at low temperature and high magnetic field. Here we present detailed information to facilitate the assembly, operation, and characterization of inertial motors. Specifically, a model of the motor is developed and used to identify different regions of operation. Drive electronics with high slew rate and large output current are described and a step-by-step procedure for assembling piezoelectric shear stacks is detailed. Additionally, a novel reflective object sensor is described and used to characterize a Pan-style inertial motor that was designed and assembled using the concepts presented in this paper.     

四川盆地震旦系灯影组丘滩体发育分布及对储层的控制

四川盆地震旦系灯影组储层主要发育于微生物丘滩体中，但不同成因类型丘滩体对储层的影响尚不明确。通过钻井岩心和野外露头观测、岩石薄片分析和物性测试等手段，将丘滩体划分为丘基、丘核、丘翼和丘坪4种微相，并根据微相的组合划分出台缘并进型丘滩体、台缘追补型丘滩体和台内饥饿型丘滩体3种丘滩体类型。台缘并进型丘滩体的生长速率快，与可容空间的增加速率相同步，其微相组合以"丘基+丘核"垂向加积为主，在海平面升降过程中易暴露于大气淡水环境，造成海水胶结作用弱、淡水溶蚀作用强，形成以格架溶蚀孔洞为主的储集空间，储层物性好，储集性能最优。台缘追补型丘滩体的生长速率次之，其早期的生长速率滞后于可容空间增长速率但后期逐渐同步，呈现出"丘基+丘核+丘翼/丘坪"侧向加积的微相组合；由于暴露于大气淡水环境的几率减小，其海水胶结作用强，淡水溶蚀作用减弱，储集性能稍差。台内饥饿型丘滩体的生长速率最慢，严重滞后于可容空间的增长速率，呈"云坪（丘基）+丘核+丘坪"微相组合，难以暴露于大气淡水环境，淡水溶蚀作用最弱，储集性能也最差。台缘带古地貌对丘滩体的生长速率影响较大，可控制丘滩体的沉积样式。陡坡台缘带有利于台缘并进型丘滩体发育，缓坡台缘带主要发育台缘追补型丘滩体，台内高地中发育台内饥饿型丘滩体。胡家坝-阆中-安岳地区一带的震旦系灯影组四段发育于典型的陡坡台缘带，是储层发育的最有利相带。     

Efficacy of enrichment broths in the recovery of freeze-injured Escherichia coli O157:H7 in inoculated ground beef by PCR

Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains ATCC 35150 and ATCC 43894 and five pooled isolates from beef and pork freeze injured at -25 degrees C in beef infusion were used to inoculate ground beef. Samples (25 g each) were added to 225 ml of buffered peptone water with vancomycin, cefsulodin, and cefixime (BPW-VCC), 225 ml of modified EC broth plus novobiocin (mEC+n), and 225 ml of R&F enrichment broth (R&F-EB) and aerobically incubated at 41 to 42 degrees C. After 6, 7, 8, and 24 h of incubation, levels of E. coli O157:H7 recovered from each broth by a PCR assay with the BAX automated system as well as by conventional enrichment with the use of nonaerated mEC+n incubated at 35 degrees C for 24 h were compared with levels recovered by cultural isolation with immunomagnetic separation and plating on BCM E. coli O157:H7 chromogenic agar. For ground beef inoculated with a mean of 4.23 +/- 1.00 total cells (74% freeze injured) per 25 g, after 6 h the PCR assay identified 72.7, 57.6, and 66% of the samples for R&F-EB, BPW-VCC, and mEC+n, respectively, as presumptive positive, whereas the recovery rates after 7 and 8 h exceeded 90%, with the rate for R&F-EB being 100%. For ground beef inoculated with a mean of 1.50 +/- 0.56 total cells (80% freeze injured) per 25 g, after 6 h the PCR assay identified 47.6, 19.1, and 9.5% of the samples for R&F-EB, BPW-VCC, and mEC+n, respectively, as presumptive positive. These values increased to 81.0, 61.9, and 52.4% after 7 h and to 95.2, 61.9, and 71.4% after 8 h. After 24 h, only 55 to 60% of the samples at both inoculum levels tested positive by PCR with conventional enrichment and incubation, whereas >95% of the samples tested positive with R&F-EB aerated at 41 to 42 degrees C. Culture results for R&F-EB and mEC+n after 7 and 8 h of incubation were closely correlated with presumptive positive PCR results.     

Isolation and characterization of natural Ara h 6: evidence for a further peanut allergen with putative clinical relevance based on resistance to pepsin digestion and heat

Peanut allergy is a significant health problem because of its prevalence and the potential severity of the allergic reaction. The characterization of peanut allergens is crucial to the understanding of the mechanism of peanut allergy. Recently, we described cloning of the peanut allergen Ara h 6. The aim of this study was isolation and further characterization of nAra h 6. We purified nAra h 6 from crude peanut extract using gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. The preparation was further characterized by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) with subsequent immunoblotting. Stability of nAra h 6 was studied by an in vitro digestibility assay as well as by resistance against thermal processing. Sequencing of nAra h 6 identified the N-terminal amino acid sequence as MRRERGRQGDSSS. Further results clearly demonstrated stability of nAra h 6 against pepsin digestion and heating. Immunoglobulin G (IgE) binding analysis and its biological activity shown by RBL 25/30-test of natural Ara h 6 supported the importance of this peanut allergen. Investigation of nAra h 6 revealed evidence for a further peanut allergen with putative clinical relevance based on resistance to pepsin digestion and heat.