Quantitative method for comparison of skeletal muscle architectural properties.

A numerical method is presented which calculates the architectural difference index between two muscles. This index is based upon the parameters, identified using statistical discriminant analysis, which best characterize the various muscles. This index can be used to reduce multiple architectural properties into a single value and may be useful in selecting donor muscles which are required to perform a substitute function for another muscle which has been lost or injured.     

Neem Gum as a Binder in a Formulated Paracetamol Tablet with Reference to Acacia Gum BP

This study determined the physical, compressional, and binding properties of neem gum (NMG) obtained from the trunk of Azadirachta indica (A Juss) in a paracetamol tablet formulation in comparison with official Acacia gum BP (ACA). The physical and flow properties were evaluated using density parameters: porosity, Carr’s index, Hausner’s ratio, and flow rate. Compressional properties were analyzed using Heckel and Kawakita equations. The tensile strength, brittle fracture index, and crushing strength–friability/disintegration time ratio were used to evaluate the mechanical properties of paracetamol tablets while the drug release properties of the tablets were assessed using disintegration time and dissolution times. Tablet formulations containing NMG exhibited faster onset and higher amount of plastic deformation during compression than those containing ACA. Neem gum produced paracetamol tablets with lower mechanical strength; however, the tendency of the tablets to cap or laminate was lower when compared to those containing ACA. Inclusion of NMG improved the balance between binding and disintegration properties of paracetamol tablets produced than those containing ACA. Neem gum produced paracetamol tablets with lower disintegration and dissolution times than those containing ACA.     

A Comparative Analysis of Evenness Index Sensitivity

Evenness indices are numerous but the lack of knowledge of their properties is a limitation to their biological usefulness. 15 evenness indices, two of them being recently proposed, were studied in this work. We investigated the sensitivity of each index using (1) 189 macroinvertebrate communities sampled in the field, and (2) a set of communities modified in a controlled way. There is no single way to measure evenness. We demonstrated that a measure should be chosen considering (1) the kind of data analysed and, (2) the index properties wanted by users. Depending on the ecological data set the index should be more sensitive to variations in rare, median or abundant species. For most of macroinvertebrate community analyses, a convenient evenness index requirs to be symmetric, unsensitive to variation on rare taxa, with a large range of variation and can be compared with a diversity index. Depending on diversity measure used, five indices correspond to these criteria: E_Pielou, E_Hurlbert, E_–ln(D), E_1–D, E_MI. Our results were summarized in a table which may help users to select a convenient evenness measure according to their specific data. Concerning index properties, three main features that an evenness index should meet are briefly discussed: dependence with richness, symmetry criteria and variation range. A revue of this controversial subject allowed a best understanding of values obtained with evenness measures depending on their own features.     

An expository review of two methods of calculating the paternity probability.

There are two methods for calculating the posttests probability of paternity, viz., the nonexclusion probability method (E method) and the paternity index method (lambda method). This report reviews these two methods and explains the reasons behind them, in the hope that it might alleviate the current controversy between the advocates of these two methods. The emphasis throughout the paper is on exposition, using simple examples to illustrate certain principles or properties. A discussion follows the presentation of the two methods. The calculation of the paternity index is based on the genotype (or phenotype) of the accused man; and the value of the paternity index remains the same whether the accusation itself is true or false.     

The selection of suitable indices for the measurement and analysis of fish condition

A survey of the studies published in two leading fisheries journals revealed that the analysis and measurement of condition, based on length-weight data, has been performed using a wide variety of indices and statistical procedures. Eight forms of index were identified which can be categorized into those which measure the condition of individual fish, i.e. condition factors', and those which measure the condition of subpopulations as a whole, i.e. regressions of log, 10 weight on log, 10 length and the parameters of such regressions. Analysis of a test data set indicated that both the form of index and properties of the data set size can dictate the patterns of condition observed. The various indices were reviewed in terms of appropriateness, simplicity and statistical correctness. It was concluded that an index should be selected only after a detailed examination of both the underlying assumptions of the index and the properties of the data set.     

Highly Absorptive Chiral L-Shape MDM Plasmonic Metasurface as Multifunction Device: Design and Computational Studies

A multifunction plasmonic metasurface made of metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) layers is designed, and its chiral, absorption, and refractive index sensing properties are studied numerically using finite difference time domain (FDTD) computation. Top layer of the proposed novel metasurface consists of four L-shape gold strips arranged in a specific orientational sequence into a square unit cell whose period (along X direction and Y direction) is varied from 800 to 1400 nm in a step of 200 nm. The proposed super-structure shows highly chiral behaviour with multi bands circular dichroism (CD) between ~ 600 and 1200 nm with highest CD value of about 0.4. The CD spectral response is seen to be tunable with the structural parameters such as periods and appropriate L-strip length. True chiral nature of the proposed structure is cross-checked by computing its enantiomer that shows a mirror reflection of CD response of the original structure. Multi-work functionalities are investigated by studying perfect absorption and refractive index sensing properties of the metasurface. The study shows polarization independent multi-resonance spectral absorption that reaches to ~ 100% in some cases. On the other hand, refractive index sensing study shows high sensitivity (S) of 700–750 nm/RIU (per refractive index unit) with figure of merit (FOM) of 5–10. Owing to its exotic optical properties, the novel metasurface may be considered for chip level integration for multi-purpose work functionalities.

     

Rheological characterization of a fungal fermentation for the production of pneumocandins

The filamentous fungus Glarea lozoyensis produces a novel, pharmaceutically important pneumocandin (B₀) that is used to synthesize a polypeptide, which demonstrates fungicidal activity against clinically relevant pathogens. The scale-up of the pneumocandin fermentation requires an understanding of the rheological properties of the broth and the factors that influence flow behavior. A systematic approach for characterizing the rheological properties using a standard methodology is presented here. An appropriate rheometer was chosen and the effects of shear rate ramping, broth handling, creep and yield testing were examined. The fed-batch fermentation used a soluble production medium that allowed the relationship between biomass and rheological properties to be studied up to the 19-m³ scale. The morphologically heterogeneous broth demonstrated time-dependent shear thinning behavior with thixotropy and a yield stress. The flow curves were described by the power law model, with flow behavior of 0.35-0.4 and consistency index up to 10 Pa.sⁿ. The use of a cup and bob rheometer was preferable to alternative techniques, including turbine and spindle systems defined by Mitschka's technique. The consistency index and flow behavior were shown to have a non-linear relationship with biomass concentrations up to 140 g/L. The consistency index continually increased with biomass during the fermentation, while the flow behavior initially decreased rapidly and then remained at low values for the remainder of the batch cultivation. The consistency index and yield stress were influenced by temperature, osmotic pressure, and pH, while the flow behavior remained independent of these factors.     

A windchill and solar radiation index for homeotherms

A general windchill and solar radiation index based on established formulae and laws for thermal properties of fur and animal heat loss is presented. Some of the expected behavioural and physiological responses to variations in the index values are specified. Indices specific for season and weight of caribou are presented.     

Intrinsic Birefringence of Poly-γ-Benzyl-l-Glutamate, A Helical Polypeptide, and the Theory of Birefringence

The intrinsic birefringence of macromolecules can be obtained directly from flow birefringence measurements in a solvent whose refractive index matches that of the solute. A small and positive value (approximately 0.01) was found for the helical polypeptide, poly-γ-benzyl-L-glutamate. The birefringence in solvents of varying index calculated from the Peterlin-Stuart theory using this value of the intrinsic birefringence did not agree with experimental values. Considerations of polydispersity and shear deformation indicated that the discrepancy could not be attributed to these effects. Also it could not be explained in terms of specific solvent effects. It is concluded that optical properties cannot be derived from the continuum model employed by Peterlin and Stuart. Much better agreement was obtained with a helical dipole necklace model.     

Highly Sensitive Plasmonic Sensor Based on Fano Resonance from Silver Nanoparticle Heterodimer Array on a Thin Silver Film

We investigate the optical spectrum of a multilayer metallic slab using multiple-scattering formalism. A thin silver film is attached to a periodic array of heterodimers consisting of two vertically spaced silver nanoparticles of different radii. Depending on the radius of nanoparticles, heterodimer array presents a simple nanoscale geometry which gives rise to remarkable plasmonic properties of multipolar resonances. Due to the coherent interference of the localized nanoparticle plasmons (discrete mode) and surface plasmon polaritons of metallic film (continuous mode), the reflection spectrum represents a sharp asymmetric Fano resonance dip, which is strongly sensitive to the refractive index of the surrounding embedded dielectric host. The physical features contribute to a highly efficient plasmonic sensor for refractive index sensing with sensitivity of ～1.5?×?10^?3 RIU/nm.     

Atypical properties of several classes of antipsychotic drugs on the basis of differential induction of Fos-like immunoreactivity in the rat brain

Acute administration of typical and atypical antipsychotics has been reported to induce regionally distinct patterns of c-Fos expression in the rat forebrain. Furthermore, atypical index, the difference in the extent of increased Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-LI) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell versus the dorsolateral striatum (DLSt), has been proposed to classify antipsychotics into typical or atypical antipsychotics. The present study was conducted to investigate the atypical properties of 24 antipsychotics that are used in Japan and blonanserin, a novel 5-HT2A and D2 receptor antagonist. We systematically examined the effects of the drugs on Fos-LI in the NAc and DLSt in the rat brain using immunohistochemistry and calculated the atypical index, comparing with those of haloperidol and clozapine. Floropipamide, oxypertine, nemonapride, pimozide and mosapramine, as well as clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone, showed high positive atypical index. Zotepine, perospirone, sulpiride, moperone, sultopride, thioridazine, carpipramine, clocapramine and blonanserin showed moderate ones. In contrast, fluphenazine, bromperidol, timiperone, spiperone, propericiazine, perphenazine, chlorpromazine and levomepromazine had negative atypical index like haloperidol. These results suggest that not only so-called atypical antipsychotics, but also several conventional drugs, possess atypical properties.     

Viscoelastic properties and antimicrobial activity of cellulose fiber sheets impregnated with Ag nanoparticles

A silver nanoparticle colloid was prepared by a modified Tollens method using d-glucose as the reduction agent. The obtained nanoparticles were used for the modification of pine, linter and recycled cellulose fibers. Although the silver contents were relatively low (0.05-0.13wt.%), the cellulose-sheets prepared from the modified fibers show improved mechanical and viscoelastic properties. The tensile index (strength) increased with up to 30% in comparison to the index of the sheets obtained from the untreated fibers. The influence of the nanoparticles on the viscoelastic properties of the cellulose sheets was investigated by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) in the temperature range from -120 to 20°C and with a force frequency of 100Hz. A broad relaxation transition positioned at -80°C was observed in the loss modulus spectrum of all the cellulose sheets, while the Ag-modified sheets exhibited higher storage moduli values in the whole temperature range. The antimicrobial activity tests show that the pine, silver and recycled cellulose fiber sheets with silver nanoparticles can be successfully employed to prevent the viability and growth of the common pathogens Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Candida albicans.     

Ethanol-acetone pulping of wheat straw. Influence of the cooking and the beating of the pulps on the properties of the resulting paper sheets

The influence of independent variables in the pulping of wheat straw by use of an ethanol-acetone-water mixture [processing temperature and time, ethanol/(ethanol + acetone) value and (ethanol + acetone)/(ethanol + acetone + water) value] and of the number of PFI beating revolutions to which the pulp was subjected, on the properties of the resulting pulp (yield and Shopper-Riegler index) and of the paper sheets obtained from it (breaking length, stretch, burst index and tear index) was examined. By using a central composite factor design and the BMDP software suite, equations that relate each dependent variable to the different independent variables were obtained that reproduced the experimental results for the dependent variables with errors less than 30% at temperatures, times, ethanol/(ethanol + acetone) value, (ethanol + acetone)/(ethanol + acetone + water) value and numbers of PFI beating revolutions in the ranges 140-180 degrees C, 60-120 min, 25-75%, 35-75% and 0-1750, respectively. Using values of the independent variables over the variation ranges considered provided the following optimum values of the dependent variables: 78.17% (yield), 15.21 degrees SR (Shopper-Riegler index), 5265 m (breaking length), 1.94% (stretch), 2.53 kN/g (burst index) and 4.26 mN m2/g (tear index). Obtaining reasonably good paper sheets (with properties that differed by less than 15% from their optimum values except for the burst index, which was 28% lower) entailed using a temperature of 180 degrees C, an ethanol/(ethanol + acetone) value of 50%, an (ethanol + acetone)/(ethanol + acetone + water) value of 75%, a processing time of 60 min and a number of PFI beating revolutions of 1750. The yield was 32% lower under these conditions, however. A comparison of the results provided by ethanol, acetone and ethanol-acetone pulping revealed that the second and third process-which provided an increased yield were the best choices. On the other hand, if the pulp is to be refined, ethanol pulping is the process of choice.     

Index selection with nonlinear profit function as a tool to achieve simultaneous genetic gain

Summary Simultaneous improvement of several, and often negatively correlated, traits is frequently a desired objective in forest tree breeding. A profit function that includes a combination of both linear weights and weights for the cross-products of trait combinations facilitates the construction of a linear index, with an attractive response in all traits. A detailed algorithm for finding the index coefficients is provided, along with three examples of applications in tree breeding. The index is also a powerful tool in optimizing the selection for a ratio of two traits. It is argued that a more equal progress in several traits provides a safetey net when faced with economic uncertainties. The provided algorithm eliminates the need for direct search techniques. Existence of a dual set of linear weights means that the statistical properties of the index based on nonlinear profit functions are identical to those of the classical Smith-Hazel type of index.     

Ultra-Subwavelength and Low Loss in V-Shaped Hybrid Plasmonic Waveguide

A new kind of hybrid plasmonic waveguide is proposed, and its propagation properties are investigated using the finite-element method. This waveguide consists of a V-shaped silver nanowire embedded in a low-index dielectric cladding above a semiconductor substrate, which can confine light in the subwavelength region with a long propagation length. The field distribution, the mode effective index, the propagation length, and the normalized mode area of the hybrid mode supported by the waveguide are investigated at the wavelength of 1550 nm, which are dependent on the geometric parameters.     

农业生态经济系统生产力与多样性评价指标

对农业生态经济系统的评价指标稳定性、持续性、均衡性进行了分析,并将三者加权平均作为生产特性指数,乘以多年平均的生产率作为综合生产力,以反映系统的生产力水平及生产特性.对农业生态经济系统的结构特性提出了协调性(多样性)的量化指标,并提出了农业生态经济系统评价指标体系的建议.     

Interrelations of Graph Distance Measures Based on Topological Indices

In this paper, we derive interrelations of graph distance measures by means of inequalities. For this investigation we are using graph distance measures based on topological indices that have not been studied in this context. Specifically, we are using the well-known Wiener index, Randić index, eigenvalue-based quantities and graph entropies. In addition to this analysis, we present results from numerical studies exploring various properties of the measures and aspects of their quality. Our results could find application in chemoinformatics and computational biology where the structural investigation of chemical components and gene networks is currently of great interest.     

pK changes of ionizable reporter groups as an index of conformational changes in proteins. A study of fluorescein-labelled ribonuclease A.

A chemical derivative of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) has been prepared by reaction with fluorescein-isothiocyanate at pH 6. This derivative has a fluorescein group covalently attached to the alpha-amino group of the protein. The enzymic properties of the modified protein are similar to those of RNase A. It is shown that the pK of the fluorescein group can be used as an index of protein conformation to monitor structural changes in the protein. In this work, the binding of a specific inhibitor (cytidine 2'-monophosphate) to RNase A, the isomerization process occurring in RNase A around pH 6, and the thermal unfolding of RNase A, were studied by mean of the pK changes of the fluorescein group. The results obtained by this method are fully consistent with those obtained by other methods. It is proposed that using ionizable reporter groups and their changes in pK to monitor conformational changes in proteins may be a sensitive tool both in equilibrium and kinetic studies.