The three-dimensional architecture of the mitotic spindle,analyzed by confocal fluorescence and electron microscopy

Fluorescence microscopy techniques have become important tools in mitosis research. The well-known disadvantages of fluorescence microscopy, rapid bleaching, phototoxicity and out-of-focus contributions blurring the in-focus image are obstacles which still need to be overcome. Confocal fluorescence microscopy has the potential to improve our capabilities of analyzing cells, because of its excellent depth-discrimination and image processing power. We have been using a confocal fluorescence microscope for the study of the mechanism of poleward chromosome movement, and report here (1) a cell preparation technique, which allows labeling of fixation sensitive spindle antigens with acceptable microtubule preservation; (2) the use of image processing methods to represent the spatial distribution of various labeled elements in pseudocolour; (3) a novel immunoelectron microscopic labeling method for microtubules, which allows the visualization of their distribution in semithin sections at low magnification; and (4) a first attempt to study microtubule dynamics with a confocal fluorescence microscope in living cells, microinjected with rhodamine labeled tubulin. Our experience indicates that confocal fluorescence microscopy provides real advantages for the study of spatial colocalization of antigens in the mitotic spindle. It does not, however, overcome the basic limits of resolution of the light microscope. Therefore, it has been necessary to use an electron microscopic method. Our preliminary results with living cells show that it is possible to visualize the entire microtubule network in stereo, but that the sensitivity of the instrument is still too low to perform dynamic time studies. It will be worthwhile to further develop this new type of optical instrumentation and explore its usefulness on both fixed and living cells.     

PROGRESS IN THE MODELLING OF AIR FLOW PATTERNS IN TIMBER KILNS

Progress in modelling air flow patterns in timber kilns using Computational Fluid Dynamics is reviewed in this work. These simulations are intended to predict the distribution of the flow in the fillet spaces between boards in a hydraulic model of a timber kiln. Here, the flow regime between the boards is transitional between laminar and turbulent flow, with Reynolds numbers of the order of 5000. Running the simulation as a transient calculation has shown few problems with convergence issues, reaching a mass residual of 0.2% of the total inflow after 40-100 iterations per time step for time steps of 0.01 s. Grid sensitivity studies have shown that non-uniform grids are necessary because of the sudden changes in flow cross section, and the flow simulations are insensitive to grid refinement for non-uniform grids with more than 300,000 cells. The best agreement between the experimentally-measured flow distributions between fillet spaces and those predicted by the simulation have been achieved for (effective) bulk viscosities between the laminar viscosity for water and ten times that value. This change in viscosity is not very large (less than an order of magnitude), given that effective turbulent viscosities are typically several orders of magnitude greater than laminar ones. This result is consistent with the transitional flows here.     

Efficient model reduction in non-linear dynamics using the Karhunen-Loève expansion and dual-weighted-residual methods

 We look at the task of computing the time-evolution of a non-linear system for a long time, in our case under random external influences. Our specific example is the fatigue evaluation of a wind turbine. To facilitate such a computation, we look at a reduction of the computational effort by projecting everything on a low-dimensional basis. In this case we take the Karhunen-Loève basis generated from running the model a little while under the random loading. It is important that the error which is caused by this reduction process can be controlled. We estimate the error by dual or adjoint methods. This in turn allows the process of model reduction to be performed adaptively. Dedicated to the memory of Prof. Mike Crisfield, for his cheerfulness and cooperation as a colleague and friend over many years.     

A reactive molecular dynamics model of thermal decomposition in polymers: I. Poly(methyl methacrylate)

The theory and implementation of reactive molecular dynamics (RMD) are presented. The capabilities of RMD and its potential use as a tool for investigating the mechanisms of thermal transformations in materials are demonstrated by presenting results from simulations of the thermal degradation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). While it is known that depolymerization must be the major decomposition channel for PMMA, there are unanswered questions about the nature of the initiation reaction and the relative reactivities of the tertiary and primary radicals formed in the degradation process. The results of our RMD simulations, performed directly in the condensed phase, are consistent with available experimental information. They also provide new insights into the mechanism of the thermally induced conversion of this polymer into its constituent monomers.     

Validation of a Three-Dimensional Computational Fluid Dynamics Model of a Contact Tank

A three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a contact tank is presented in this paper. The model results are compared against 3D velocities and flow through curve (FTC) data, representing a tracer concentration profile, from a 1:8 scale physical model. The objective is to demonstrate that CFD models can simulate both the FTC and the 3D velocity field quite well. Simultaneous validation of velocities and FTC is important in ascertaining the predictive capabilities of CFD models, as physical model studies indicate that different baffle arrangements can lead to similar FTCs. Therefore, a good prediction of only FTC, as presented in previous 3D CFD model studies, does not necessarily imply a correct simulation of the flow field.     

Heat transfer and flow of He II in narrow channels

Heat transfer and fluid flow of He II in a long, narrow channel connected to a bath that supplies a constant supply of heat have been investigated by numerical simulations by using the simplified model of Kitamura et al. [Cryogenics 37 (1) (1997) 1]. Such channels are used to cool compact, stable, low-temperature magnets. The fluid flow is driven by natural convection and the mutual friction between the normal fluid and the superfluid.In this model, the thermomechanical effect and the Goter-Mellink mutual friction balance each other. A consequence of this balance is that the velocity and temperature distributions of He II can be characterized by a dimensionless, dependent parameter equal to the ratio of the fluid speeds of internal convection to the total fluid flow. After a sudden application of heat flux, the internal convection dominates over the total fluid flow until the establishment of steady-state temperature gradients. This predicts that the time required to set up the steady-state total fluid flow is proportional to the total heat capacity in the channel.     

Thin film deposition on a corrugated surface: A molecular dynamics approach

This paper presents the use of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation in the investigation of the surface topography of early-stage film growth on a GMR (giant-magnetoresistance) corrugated structure. The size of the simulated system is limited in order to reduce the computational workload. The numerical model adopts the Morse potential and the Verlet-leapfrog time evolution scheme [R.W. Hockney, 1970; D. Potter, 1972 (Chapter 5). [1]] to describe the atomic interactions which take place between the atoms. The impact energy transferred from the incident atoms to the substrate is modeled by rescaling the atoms within the upper substrate layers. It is found that the important properties of the film-substrate system may be obtained after the deposition of just several atomic layers. The influence of the impact velocity upon the coating parameters is investigated by varying the incident energy of the deposited atoms. The current results indicate that the surface coverage is poor, when atoms are deposited at low incident energies upon a low temperature substrate. At a higher incident energy, the deposited film tends to exhibit a quasi-layer-by-layer growth mechanism, which results in an improved surface coverage. Finally, it is demonstrated that a distinct quasi-fluid behavior is evident on the substrate when the atoms are deposited at high incident energies.     

Evaporation induced self-assembly of zeolite A micropatterns due to the stick-slip dynamics of contact line

In this study, a new surfactant-solvent system was described for the preparation of periodic stripe patterns of zeolite A on solid substrates. The evaporation induced self-assembly of zeolite A particles was due to the stick-slip dynamics of the three-phase contact line of the colloid solutions in acetone containing 10% (v/v) poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) fluid (2 cst.). In order to investigate the possible effects of particle size and the particle concentration on the stick-slip dynamics, three types of zeolite A samples with different particle sizes (zeolite A-I: 250-500 nm, zeolite A-II: 100-250 nm and zeolite A-III: 0-100 nm) were utilized to prepare 0.007-0.06% (w/v) colloidal dispersions. Zeolite A micropatterns were self-assembled on the surface of glass, high density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) substrates, which were placed vertically inside the colloid solutions and held against the wall of the cylindrical vial during the evaporation of acetone. The stripe patterns of zeolite A particles were analyzed with field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and optical microscope. The widths of microstripes and the distance between the stripes were found as 2-20 μm and 40-60 μm respectively depending on the particle concentration. By using the stick-slip dynamics of colloids, the linear micropatterns of zeolite A nanocrystals were prepared with low cost and low energy.     

Lesbian homoerotic transference in dialectic with developmental mourning: On the way to symbolism from the protosymbolic.

This clinical study illustrates the developmental nature of homoerotic transference, when the psychoanalyst is attuned to the evolving dynamics of the mourning process, in this case with a lesbian analysand. The analysand's psychic fantasies of the female analyst as a muse and a demon lover figure are seen to transform into discrete mother and father transferences, as split off feminine and aggressive parts of the self are reintegrated along with heterosexual desires and oedipal desires. Protosymbolic enactments in terms of romantic gift giving and other seductive overtures transform into symbolic expressions of love, concern, regret, and tenderness. A lesbian marriage is preserved, and the loss of intimacy with men is mourned so that desires for intimacy with men can be sublimated. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A probabilistic simulator for population dynamics of quasispecies

We constructed a probabilistic simulator that allows all the events in population dynamics such as death, birth, mutation, and suppression/stimulation to be described by probabilistic rules. The simulator also facilitates a lattice used for expressing distribution and diversity (number of distinct strains) of quasispecies. The simulator is used to investigate the diversity threshold in HIV and T-cell interaction. This work was presented in part at the 13th International Symposium on Artificial Life and Robotics, Oita, Japan, January 31–February 2, 2008