Hysteresis Effect of Tangential Force Field With Centrifuge on Myoblast: Cultured on Striped Pattern of Micro Ridge for Direction Control

Hysteresis effects of the direction of mechanical stimulation on the cell behavior have been examined in vitro. A micro ridge pattern was made on the surface of the scaffold to align the directions of the cells being stimulated. The stripe pattern (0.7 μm heigh, 3 μm wide, and 3 μm interval) was created by the photolithography technique. Three regions, which have the uniform value of the angle between the longitudinal direction of the ridge and the direction of the tangential force, were set: 0, 45, and 90 degrees in each region. Myoblasts (C2C12: mouse myoblast cell line) were used in the experiment. The scaffold plate with cells was set in the tube of a conventional centrifuge placed in an incubator to apply the tangential force field to each cell. After the cell culture for 5 hours with centrifugation, the behavior of each cell was analyzed on time-lapse microscopic images for 10 hours. Experimental results show that cell activities (migration and deformation) are enhanced after stimulation of tangential forces perpendicular to the long axis of myoblasts.

New species and record of Pseudonereis (Annelida, Polychaeta, Nereididae) from Taiwan

Two new species and one new record species of the genus Pseudonereis are described from specimens collected from ecological surveys of coasts of Taiwan and an offshore island during the past 15 years: P. jihueiensis n. sp., P. kihawensis n. sp., and P. trimaculata. Epitokes of P. jihueiensis n. sp. and P. trimaculata are also described. Pseudonereis jihueiensis n. sp. can be distinguished from congeners by having edentate jaws, χ-shaped ridge pattern of Areas VI–V–VI, parapodial morphology (i.e., length ratio of dorsal cirrus to dorsal ligule or presence of small pennant-like dorsal ligule, shape of dorsal ligule in certain region of chaetigers), and no heterogomph spinigers in the subacicular fascicle of the neuropodia. Pseudonereis kihawensis n. sp. differs from congeners by having crescent-shaped pointed-bars in Area VI, λ-shaped ridge pattern of Areas VI–V–VI, parapodial morphology (i.e., length ratio of dorsal cirrus to dorsal ligule or presence of small pennant-like dorsal ligule or shape of dorsal ligule in certain region of chaetigers), and no heterogomph spinigers in the subacicular fascicle of the neuropodia. Pseudonereis trimaculata, a species originally described from Indonesia, is reported from Taiwan for the first time. A table of key characters for all species of Pseudonereis is provided.

Identifying key driving mechanisms of heat waves in central Chile

<p>This study explores the main drivers of heat wave (HW) events in central Chile using state-of-the-art reanalysis data (ERA5) and observations during the extended austral summer season (November to March) for the period 1979-2018. Frequency and intensity aspects of the HW events are considered using the total number of HW events per season and the amplitude, respectively. We first contrast ERA5 with several surface meteorological stations in central Chile to evaluate its ability to capture daily maximum temperature variability and the HW events. We then use synoptic- and large-scale fields and teleconnection patterns to address the most favorable conditions of the HW events from a climatological perspective, as well as for the extreme January 2017 HW event that swept central Chile with temperature records and wildfires. ERA5 tends to capture temperature extremes and the HW events at the inland stations; on the contrary, it has difficulties in capturing the maximum temperature variability at the coastal stations, which is plausible given the complex terrain features and confined coastal climate zone (only ~7% of all grid boxes within central Chile). The HW composite based on ERA5 reveals a mid-level trough-ridge dipole pattern exhibiting a blocking anticyclone on the surface over a large part of southwest South America. Relatively dry and warm easterly flow appears to accompany the anomalous warming in a large part of central Chile. The temporal evolution of the HW events yields a wave-like propagation pattern and enhancement of trough-ridge pattern along the South Pacific. This meridional dipole pattern is found to be largely associated with the Pacific South American pattern. In addition, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) appears to be a key component of the HW events in central Chile. In particular, while active MJO phases 2 and 7 promote sub-seasonal patterns that favor the South Pacific dipole mode, synoptic anomalies can superimpose on them and favor the formation of a migrating anticyclone over central-southern Chile and coastal lows over central Chile. Agreeing with the climatological findings, the extreme January 2017 HW analysis suggests that an eastward migratory mid-latitude trough-ridge pattern associated with the MJO phase 2 was at work. We highlight that, in addition to large- and synoptic-scale features, sub-synoptic processes such as coastal lows can have an important role in shaping the HW events and can lead to amplification of temperature extremes during the HW events.</p>

Change in the Wind and Climate at the ExoMars 2022 Landing Site in Oxia Planum (Mars).

<p>The ESA/ROSCOSMOS ExoMars 2022 will land in Oxia Planum an area that shows outcrops of clay-rich Noachian-aged phyllosilicates overlaid by an Early Amazonian volcanic dark resistant unit (Adru) [1]. Using HiRISE images, we identified NE-SW (53.9 ± 13.2°) oriented TARs overlying an enigmatic ~EW (95.4 ± 10°) oriented ridge pattern that we interpreted as periodic bedrock ridges (PBRs) [2]. Ridges (~ 38 m spaced) display Y-junctions, show cross-cutting fractures and share the same blocky texture of the bedrock they are associated with. Ridge crestlines are locally found in continuity outside and inside heavily eroded impact craters around the dark upstanding material (Adru) exposed in the center of many craters. These stratigraphic relationships suggest that the ridges (PBRs) formed after the event(s) that eroded the crater rims and thus after deposition of the Adru (2.6 Ga). Ridges are even visible in association with impact crater ejecta and are superimposed by 10-25 m craters and boulders, so they pre-date these impact events. When associated with crater ejecta, ridges locally show two different crests. Both crests are truncated by craters suggesting they were emplaced before the impacts. We interpret this double crest arrangement as megaripples detaching from PBRs. The ejecta deposited over the megaripple-PBRs favored the preservation of the megaripple crests from a subsequent episode/s of erosion that led to the complete exposure of the PBRs on the plain. Because the preserved megaripples are locally visible on the southern edges of the PBRs, the wind that formed the megaripple-PBR system should have blown from N-NNE because the megaripples are located at the downwind side of PBRs [3]. To better understand the relative age of the ridges, we mapped their occurrence on 316 craters in the study area that we qualitatively classified as relatively degraded/old and pristine/young. Results show that ridges are only found in degraded/old craters but are never found inside pristine/young craters. Thus, the ridge forming process was only active in-between the formation of degraded/old and pristine/young craters. A major change in the wind regime occurred during or after the event that exposed the PBRs: N-NNE winds that shaped the PBRs changed into dominant SE winds that led to the deposition of the TARs above the PBR/megaripples. This work unveils a complex history of aeolian erosion and deposition in Oxia Planum during the Amazonian. By visiting PBRs for the first time, the ExoMars 2022 mission will provide further constraints on PBR formation and paleo-winds, shedding light on a past Amazonian environment.</p><p>This work is a summary of a manuscript that is currently in press on Geophysical Research Letters: Silvestro et al. 2021, Periodic Bedrock Ridges at the ExoMars 2022 Landing Site: Evidence for a Changing Wind Regime. DOI: 10.1029/2020GL091651.</p><p>[1] Quantin-Nataf C. et al. (2021). Astrobiology, 21, N.3.</p><p>[2] Silvestro S. et al. (2020). 6th Int. Planet. Dunes Work. 12-15 May, 2020. LPI No. 2188, id.3009.</p><p>[3] Hugenholtz C. H. et al. (2015). Aeolian Res. 18, 135–144.</p>

Comparative Dermatoglyphic Study Between Schizophrenic Patients and Healthy Controls

Introduction: Dermatoglyphics is the branch of medical science that is concerned with the study of dermal ridges present on fingers, palms, toes and the soles of the human being. There may have some association between fingerprints and schizophrenia regarding the developmental background of skin ridge pattern and brain.So this study was conducted to find out the fingerprint patterns in schizophrenic patients and also to find out sex variation of fingerprint patterns in between schizophrenic male and schizophrenic female. Objective: This study was carried out with a view to find out the fingerprint patterns in schizophrenic patients. Methodology: A total of 200 samples were selected. Among them, 100 were schizophrenic and 100 were normal healthy control. Samples were taken in between 15 to 40 years of age. Selection of schizophrenic sample was performed by a qualified psychiatrist. Fingerprints were taken by Ink and pad method, described by Cummins. Fingerprint patterns were observed by using a magnifying glass. Results: The frequency of common fingerprint pattern was reduced in schizophrenia. In healthy control loop pattern was predominant. But in schizophrenia frequency of loop pattern was reduced and there was an increased frequency of whorl and arch pattern. Conclusion: Asdermatoglyphics is genetically determined, predominant whorl and arch pattern found among the schizophrenic patients might provide a presumptive value which would aid in diagnosis of the disease. KYAMC Journal Vol. 10, No.-2, July 2019, Page 66-72

A Comparative Analysis of Dermatoglyphic Traits on Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

Background: Dermatoglyphic features have been associated with numerous medical disorders.. This study is an effort to determine the association between dermatoglyphics and chronic kidney disease. Objectives: To record and compare the dermatoglyphic pattern in patients of chronic kidney disease and in control group Methods: A case control descriptive study was conducted over six months period on 100 patients with chronic kidney disease and 100 individuals with no evidence of kidney disease in Hemodialysis Department of National Dialysis Centre situated in Kantipur General Hospital, Basundhara, Kathmandu.Patient’s hands were cleaned with soap and water. Once dried, black duplicating ink was applied on fingers and palm. Finger tips followed by palm were recorded on white A4 size paper. Frequency of each ridge pattern analysis was done and paired t-test was performed using SPSS version 16. Results: The distribution of frequency and percentage of ulnar loop pattern in right hand of patients with chronic kidney disease was 350(70%) whereas the distribution of ulnar loop pattern in left hand was 282(56.4%). Conclusion: The predominant fingerprint pattern in patients with chronic kidney disease was found as ulnar loop but the increased frequency of ulnar loop was recorded in right hand of chronic kidney disease patients as compared to the right hand of control group.