Parameter estimation for a morphochemical reaction-diffusion model of electrochemical pattern formation

The process of electrodeposition can be described in terms of a reaction-diffusion partial differential equation (PDE) system that models the dynamics of the morphology profile and the chemical composition. Here we fit such a model to the different patterns present in a range of electrodeposited and electrochemically modified alloys using PDE constrained optimization. Experiments with simulated data show how the parameter space of the model can be divided into zones corresponding to the different physical patterns by examining the structure of an appropriate cost function. We then use real data to demonstrate how numerical optimization of the cost function can allow the model to fit the rich variety of patterns arising in experiments. The computational technique developed provides a potential tool for tuning experimental parameters to produce desired patterns.     

Extended preservation of raw beef and pork meat by hyperbaric storage at room temperature

Hyperbaric storage (HS) was evaluated as a new food preservation methodology at room temperature (RT) for beef and pork meat, both minced and in pieces, and compared to refrigeration (RF) storage. The meat samples were stored at 50, 75 and 100 MPa and variable RT up to 60 days. HS at 75 and 100 MPa could not only inhibit microbial growth but also inactivate microorganisms. Regarding physicochemical analyses, an overall equal to better pH maintenance in HS samples was achieved, and similar colour differences between HS and RF were observed. Generally, similarities in moisture content and drip loss between HS (mostly 75 and 100 MPa) and RF were detected (tendency for lower values in the former and higher values in the latter for the higher pressure level). Protein solubility revealed a decrease of sarcoplasmic protein values during storage with a pressure level dependency in some samples.     

Hepatobiliary cystadenoma. A study of five cases with reference to histogenesis

Hepatobiliary cystadenoma is a rare hepatic lesion characterized by a multiloculated cyst lined by cuboidal or columnar epithelial cells. Four cases of hepatobiliary cystadenoma with mesenchymal stroma (HCMS) and one case of hepatobiliary cystadenoma with intracystic epithelial component were studied by light microscopy, immunohistochemical methods, and electron microscopy. Similar studies were conducted on six fetal gallbladder tissues, representing the biliary tree, and two adult ovarian tissues. By light microscopy, the columnar epithelium of the five cases of hepatobiliary cystadenoma was similar to the epithelium of the developing gallbladder. The spindle cell stroma of the HCMS and the subepithelial spindle cells of the developing gallbladders showed similar reactivity to smooth-muscle actin. Vimentin reactivity was strongly positive in the stroma of the HCMS, and in the fetal gallbladders it was only noted in the subepithelial spindle cells of the 15-week gestation fetal gallbladder tissues. By electron microscopy, the epithelium lining the hepatic lesions showed characteristic gastrointestinal features and was identical to the epithelia lining the embryonic gallbladders. Furthermore, the mesenchymal stroma of the HCMS recapitulated the features found in subepithelial tissues in developing gallbladders. Although the ovarian stroma resembled the stroma of the HCMS by light microscopy, the immunohistochemical reactions and the electron microscopic studies showed dissimilarities. This study supports the hypothesis that the hepatobiliary cystadenomas arise from ectopic embryonic tissues destined to form the adult gallbladder.     

Response coding and visuomotor transformation in the Simon task: The role of action goals.

Manual responses can be defined by differing response parameters. Any of them may generate a Simon effect. For all those response parameters, the same implementation of the Simon effect (in terms of subserving mechanism) is assumed. In 3 experiments, subjects had to respond with either fingers or sticks. Temporal properties of the Simon effect changed with response parameters relevant in a task. The Simon effect for manual responses decayed. For stick responses, in which the action goal differed from the anatomical mapping of the acting hand, a sustained Simon effect was observed. However, if the action goal for stick responses was not instrumental for selecting the correct response, the Simon effect decayed. The findings are consistent with the notion of different mechanisms involved in generating a Simon effect. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Ultrastructural and immunocytochemical features of a case of neuroendocrine carcinoma developing in a prior ileostomy site

A patient who developed a mixed neuroendocrine carcinoma and adenocarcinoma at the site of a previous long-standing ileostomy is reported. The neuroendocrine features are documented by both ultrastructural and immunocytochemical findings. Carcinoma arising in an ileostomy site is rare but has been recorded in patients with long-standing ileostomies after colectomy for chronic inflammatory bowel disease, as in this patient. Neuroendocrine carcinoma developing in this setting apparently has not been described before, however.     

Nonlinear distortion generated by DSF-based optical-phase conjugators in analog optical systems

In this paper, the nonlinear distortion induced by dispersion-shifted-fiber-based optical-phase conjugators (OPCs) in intensity-modulated subcarrier multiplexing optical systems is evaluated. In this study, it is shown that the nonlinear distortion mainly arises from the four-wave mixing (FWM) process during the phase conjugation, although there also exists influences from other nonlinear effects. Closed expressions for calculating the second- and third-order harmonic distortions due to FWM, self-phase modulation, cross-phase modulation and group-velocity dispersion effects in the dispersion-shifted-fiber-based OPC are also reported for the first time. The influence of several system design parameters, such as the optical modulation index, the number of channels, the input optical powers, and the effective area of the dispersion-shifted fiber on the compensation of fiber-induced nonlinear distortions employing the optical-phase conjugation technique, is considered.     

Functionalized Nanostructures with Liquid‐Like Behavior: Expanding the Gallery of Available Nanostructures

Recently, we have developed a novel family of functionalized nanostructures that exhibit liquid‐like behavior in the absence of solvents and preserve their nanostructure in the liquid state. The gallery of nanostructures developed so far includes functionalized silica and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, layer‐like organosilicate nanoparticles, polyoxometalate clusters, and organic–inorganic hybrid networks. In an effort to demonstrate the wider applicability of this concept and to provide a deeper insight into this class of materials, the present work cites additional paradigms of functionalized nanostructures with similar behavior as above. In one case, surface functionalization of anatase nanoparticles (TiO₂, an inorganic nanostructure) with a quaternary ammonium organosilane leads to ionically modified nanoparticles that, when electrostatically combined with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐tailed sulfonate anion, exhibit liquid‐like behavior in the absence of solvents. In a different but quite interesting case of a bionanostructure, ion‐exchange functionalization of a DNA oligonucleotide with a PEG‐tailed quaternary ammonium cation leads to an easily separable liquid derivative with attractive features. These examples show the versatility of this concept over a range of nanostructures.     

Reduced form of the interactor matrix

Some structural results about the interactor of a given right invertible system are presented. An original form for this operator, which directly exhibits structural information such as infinite-zero structure or essential orders, is provided. Moreover, this form allows the linkage of the infinite and essential structures of a system