An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) vitellogenin and comparison of vitellogenin responses in rare minnow and zebrafish (Danio rerio)

A competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to determine vitellogenin (Vtg) in rare minnow (Gobiocypris rarus) based on the separation and purification of rare minnow Vtg (r-Vtg) as well as the production of polyclonal antibody against r-Vtg in rabbits. Three different ELISAs for measuring r-Vtg were then compared: (1) indirect ELISA with the antibody against carp (Cyprinus carpio) Vtg (c-Vtg) (IC-ELISA); (2) competitive ELISA with the antibody against c-Vtg, and using r-Vtg for coating the plates and preparing standard curve (CC-ELISA); (3) competitive ELISA with the antibody against r-Vtg, and using r-Vtg for coating the plates and preparing standard curve (CR-ELISA). The result showed that the homologous CR-ELISA was the most sensitive among the three assays for quantifying r-Vtg. The sensitivities to 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) Of rare minnow and zebrafish (Danio rerio) were compared upon the establishment of homologous competitive ELISA. The lowest observed effect concentrations (LOECs) to induce Vtg were found to be 0.8 ng EE2 l(-1) for rare minnow and 4 ng EE2 l(-1) for zebrafish respectively. Afterwards, CR-ELISA was applied to measure Vtg concentration in whole body homogenate (WBH) of juvenile rare minnow fed by three diets (tubifex from wastewater treatment plant, Artemia nauplii and commercial pellet food), and the agreements between bioassay and GC-MS analysis demonstrated that rare minnow was a sensitive fish model for assessing estrogenic effects of endocrine disrupting compounds in aquatic environment. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dynamics of Multi-Stage Bladed Disks Systems

This paper presents a new and original method for dynamical analysis of multistage cyclic structures such as turbomachinery compressors or turbines. Each stage is modeled cyclically by its elementary sector and the interstage coupling is achieved through a cyclic recombination of the interface degrees of freedom. This method is quite simple to set up; it allows us to handle the finite element models of each stage's sector directly and, as in classical cyclic symmetry analysis, to study the nodal diameter problems separately. The method is first validated on a simple case study which shows good agreements with a complete 360 deg reference calculation. An industrial example involving two HP compressor stages is then presented. Then the forced response application is presented in which synchronous engine order type excitations are considered.

INTERVALLEY-GAMMA-CHI DEFORMATION POTENTIALS IN III-V ZINCBLENDE AND SI SEMICONDUCTORS BY AB-INITIO PSEUDOPOTENTIAL CALCULATIONS

Intervalley GAMMA - X deformation potential constants (IVDP's) have been calculated by first principle pseudopotential method for the III-V zincblende semiconductors AlP, AlAs, AlSb, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InP, InAs and InSb. As a prototype crystal we have also carried out calculations on Si. When comparing the calculated IVDP's of LA phonon for GaP, InP and InAs and LO phonon for AlAs, AlSb, GaAs, GaSb and InSb with a previous calculation by EPM in rigid approximation, good agreements are found. However, our ab initio pseudopotential results of LA phonon for AlAs, AlSb, GaAs, GaSb and InSb and LO phonon for GaP, InP and InAs are about one order of magnitude smaller than those obtained by EPM calculations, which indicate that the electron redistributions upon the phonon deformations may be important in affecting GAMMA - X intervalley shatterings for these phonon modes when the anions are being displaced. In our calculations the phonon modes of LA and LO at X point have been evaluated in frozen phonon approximation. We have obtained, at the same time, the LAX and LOX phonon frequencies for these materials from total energy calculations. The calculated phonon frequencies agree very well with experimental values for these semiconductors.

1ST PRINCIPLE CALCULATIONS OF QUASI-PARTICLE ENERGIES FOR BAND STRUCTURES OF SI AND GAAS

We have applied the Green function theory in GW approximation to calculate the quasiparticle energies for semiconductors Si and GaAs. Good agreements of the calculated excitation energies and fundamental energy gaps with the experimental band structures were achieved. We obtained the calculated fundamental gaps of Si and GaAs to be 1.22 and 1.42 eV in comparison to the experimental values of 1.17 and 1.52 eV, respectively. Ab initio pseudopotential method has been used to generate basis wavefunctions and charge densities for calculating dielectric matrix elements and electron self-energies.

1ST PRINCIPLE CALCULATIONS OF QUASI-PARTICLE ENERGIES FOR BAND STRUCTURES OF SEMICONDUCTORS

We successfully applied the Green function theory in GW approximation to calculate the quasiparticle energies for semiconductors Si and GaAs. Ab initio pseudopotential method was adopted to generate basis wavefunctions and charge densities for calculating dielectric matrix elements and electron self-energies. To evaluate dynamical effects of screened interaction, GPP model was utilized to extend dieletric matrix elements from static results to finite frequencies. We give a full account of the theoretical background and the technical details for the first principle pseudopotential calculations of quasiparticle energies in semiconductors and insulators. Careful analyses are given for the effective and accurate evaluations of dielectric matrix elements and quasiparticle self-energies by using the symmetry properties of basis wavefunctions and eigenenergies. Good agreements between the calculated excitation energies and fundamental energy gaps and the experimental band structures were achieved.

Thermocapillary Migration of Deformable Bubbles at Moderate to Large Marangoni Number in Microgravity

Using the level-set method and the continuum interface model, the axisymmetric thermocapillary migration of gas bubbles in an immiscible bulk liquid with a temperature gradient at moderate to large Marangoni number is simulated numerically. Constant material properties of the two phases are assumed. Steady state of the motion can always be reached. The terminal migration velocity decreases monotonously with the increase of the Marangoni number due to the wrapping of isotherms around the front surface of the bubble. Good agreements with space experimental data and previous theoretical and numerical studies in the literature are evident. Slight deformation of bubble is observed, but no distinct influence on the motion occurs. It is also found that the influence of the convective transport of heat inside bubbles cannot be neglected at finite Marangoni number, while the influence of the convective transport of momentum inside bubbles may be actually negligible.

Measurement of 16O5+ Induced L X-Ray Production Cross Sections for Gold

The characteristic Ll, Lα, Lβ and Lγx-rays of Au and energy shifts produced by 20–50MeV 16O5+ beams on a thick Au ilm are measured with a Si (Li) detector. Cross-section ratios of σ(Ll)/σ(Lα), σ(Lβ)/σ(Lα) andσ(Lγ)/σ(Lα) versus O5+ energy show that consistent calculations yield considerably better agreements. Energy shifts Ll, Lα, Lβ and Lγ x-rays of Au target increase with more incidence energy. The main application for these measurements is multi-element trace analysis through particle induced x-ray emission.

Guiding of 150 keV O6+ ions through nanocapillaries in an uncoated Al2O3 membrane: special time dependence of the transmission profile width

This paper reports that the transmission of O6+ ions with energy of 150keV through capillaries in an uncoated Al2O3 membrane was measured, and agreements with previously reported results in general angular distribution of the transmitted ions and the transmission fractions as a function of the tilt angle well fitted to Gaussian-like functions were observed. Due to using an uncoated capillary membrane, our c is larger than that using a gold-coated one with a smaller value of E-p/q, which suggests a larger equilibrium charge Q(infinity) in our experiment. The observed special width variation with time and a larger width than that using a smaller E-p/q were qualitatively explained by using mean-field classical transport theory based on a classical-trajectory Monte Carlo simulation.

Dynamics of Vortex-Wave under a Travelling-Wave Modulation

The mecha nism of destabilization is studied for the rotating vortices (scroll waves and spiral waves) in excitable media induced by a parameter modulation in the form of a travelling-wave. It is found that a rigid rotating spiral in the two-dimensional (2D) system undergoes asynchronized drift along a straightline, and a 3D scrolling with its filament closed into a circle can be reoriented only if the direction of wavenumber of a travelling-wave perturbation is parallel to the ring plane. Then, in order to describe the behaviour of the synchronized drift of spiral wave and the reorientation of scrollring, the approximate formulas are given to exhibit qualitative agreements with the observed results.

Electron impact excitation rate coefficients of N II ion

This paper calculates the electron impact excitation rate coefficients from the ground term 2s(2)2p(2) P-3 to the excited terms of the 2s(2)2p(2), 2s2p(3), 2s(2)2p3s, 2s(2)2p3p, and 2s(2)2p3d configurations of N II. In the calculations, rnulticonfiguration Dirac-Fork wave functions have been applied to describe the target-ion states and relativistic distorted-wave calculation has been performed to generate fine-structure collision strengths. The collision strengths are then averaged over a Maxwellian distribution of electron velocities in order to generate the effective collision strengths. The calculated rate coefficients are compared with available experimental and theoretical data, and some good agreements are found for the outer shell electron excitations. But for the inner shell electron excitations there are still some differences between the present calculations and available experiments.

Sustainable development of coastal and marine areas in small island developing states: A basis for integrated coastal management

Agenda 21, the 40-chapter action plan, agreed to by all nations participating in the 1992 Earth Summit represents an ambitious effort to provide policy guidance across the entire spectrum of environment, development, and social issues confronting mankind. In the area of oceans and coasts (Chapter 17 of Agenda 21), the Earth Summit underscored that the management of oceans and coasts should be ‘integrated in content and anticipatory in ambit.’ To assist those responsible for implementing the Earth Summit guidelines on ocean and coastal management, this article first reviews the fundamental shift in paradigm reflected in the Earth Summit agreements as well as the specific recommendations contained in Chapter 17. Next, the article examines the central concept of ‘integrated management,’ noting both its importance and its limits. A general or ‘synthesis’ model of ‘integrated coastal management’ is then presented, addressing such questions as management goals, what is being managed, where, how, and by whom. In a concluding section, methods are proposed whereby the general or ‘synthesis model’ can be tailored to diverse national contexts, involving varying physical, socio-economic, and political conditions.

SOME NEWER CONCEPTS OF ETHYLENE ALPHA-OLEFIN COPOLYMERIZATION ON HETEROGENEOUS ZIEGLER-NATTA CATALYSTS

Unsteady diffusion kinetic, recently advanced by this laboratory, is applied to the examination of some polymerization and molecular chain structure problems. Hitherto deemed "anomalous" phenomena, such as the faster rate of copolymerization of ethylene/alpha-olefin than the homopolymerization of ethylene and the enrichment in the incorporation of a higher alpha-olefin in its copolymerization with ethylene by a lower alpha-olefin, are reasonably explained by unsteady diffusion of monomers. Molecular chain structure of copolymers, such as compositional heterogeneity and its dependence on comonomer incorporation originates from the difference in diffusion coefficients of the monomers. A copolymer composition equation taking into consideration the unsteady diffusion was developed. In cases where simulated curves were compared with experimental curves, good agreements were found.

Numerical simulation of tides and tidal currents in Liaodong Bay with POM

A three-dimensional ocean circulation model, called Princeton Ocean Model (POM), is employed to simulate tides and tidal currents in Liaodong Bay. The nested grid technique is adopted to improve the computation precision. Computed harmonic constants of M-1, M-2 tides at five tidal gauge stations and surface elevations at two oil platforms are compared with those observed, and show good agreements with them. Based on the calculated results, the co-amplitude and co-phase tag lines of nil and M-2 tidal constituents, the residual current field of M-2 constituent, tidal form, tidal Current ellipse and the moving style of tidal current are given. It is found that diurnal tidal constituents have no amphidromic point whereas semi-diurnal constituents have one in the region of interest. Meanwhile, some meaningful results are concluded and presented, which are conducive to a thorough knowledge of the characteristics of tides and tidal currents in the Liaodong Bay.

Ruolo e limiti del contratto negli assetti familiari in funzione successoria

The Article 457 c.c. expressly excludes the contract by the sources of the succession. Moreover, the article 458 c.c., apart from the initial brief aside dedicated to the institute of the family pact, agrees nullity of the agreements with whom someone decides its own succession as well as those with which the future successor could decide about his rights or renounce to them about a succession not yet open. However, for a long time, the Italian doctrine wonders about the role of the contract within the succession law. It feels, in fact, the need to expand the private autonomy within the inheritance that is excessively sacrificed by the prohibition of succession agreements and by the norms for the protection of legitimate heirs. The reasons which led the legal science to these conclusions are based on different events, both social and economic, that push the interpreter to a modernization of dogmatic categories with which he can represent the succession mortis causa. In addiction, it is necessary to underline the crisis of the agreements mortis causa due to this economical and social events: as a matter of fact, the will, as the only way to give the assets post mortem, revealed itself incomplete and extremely severe compared to the new social needs. In fact, increasingly the way to give the assets happens out of the inheritance and despite to the institutions designed by the law. For these reasons, in order to adapt the system of succession to modern economic and social needs, the doctrine has identified, within the system, institutions of a contractual nature in order to better achieve the interests of private, obviating the limits assigned to the shop last will. And recently, in this context, our legislator has introduced the institution of the family pact (art. 768 bis et seq. c.c.), that is the agreement through “the entrepreneur transfers, in whole or in part , the company, and the holder of equity investments transfers, in whole or in part, its shares, to one or more descendants". While, however, part of the doctrine encourages the provision of tools that enable a person to have in advance of his succession, on the other hand there are those who promote the centrality of the will within our legal system and calls for the revitalization in respect of its vast potential is not always adequately exploited. This research aims to verify whether the contract can find importance within the phenomenon of succession for the inter vivos transfer of family assets and if the same has the characteristics to be considered a working alternative to the will. In the present work will be analyzed, in addition, some of the institutions that the doctrine has considered alternatives to the will and particularly the institution of the family pact. The survey will also be directed to the limits that the private autonomy and the legislator met in the use of the contractual instrument, limits that are mostly originated by the rules and principles of the law of succession.

Hamas in Politics: Democracy, Religion, Violence

Gunning, Jeroen, Hamas in Politics: Democracy, Religion, Violence (London: Hurst Publishers Ltd, 2007), pp.xiv+310 RAE2008