Sequential Process (sequential + process)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Graphic and movie illustrations of human prenatal development and their application to embryological education based on the human embryo specimens in the Kyoto collection

DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2006
Shigehito Yamada
Abstract Morphogenesis in the developing embryo takes place in three dimensions, and in addition, the dimension of time is another important factor in development. Therefore, the presentation of sequential morphological changes occurring in the embryo (4D visualization) is essential for understanding the complex morphogenetic events and the underlying mechanisms. Until recently, 3D visualization of embryonic structures was possible only by reconstruction from serial histological sections, which was tedious and time-consuming. During the past two decades, 3D imaging techniques have made significant advances thanks to the progress in imaging and computer technologies, computer graphics, and other related techniques. Such novel tools have enabled precise visualization of the 3D topology of embryonic structures and to demonstrate spatiotemporal 4D sequences of organogenesis. Here, we describe a project in which staged human embryos are imaged by the magnetic resonance (MR) microscope, and 3D images of embryos and their organs at each developmental stage were reconstructed based on the MR data, with the aid of computer graphics techniques. On the basis of the 3D models of staged human embryos, we constructed a data set of 3D images of human embryos and made movies to illustrate the sequential process of human morphogenesis. Furthermore, a computer-based self-learning program of human embryology is being developed for educational purposes, using the photographs, histological sections, MR images, and 3D models of staged human embryos. Developmental Dynamics 235:468,477, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Vascular gene expression and phenotypic correlation during differentiation of human embryonic stem cells

DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 2 2005
Sharon Gerecht-Nir
Abstract The study of the cascade of events of induction and sequential gene activation that takes place during human embryonic development is hindered by the unavailability of postimplantation embryos at different stages of development. Spontaneous differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) can occur by means of the formation of embryoid bodies (EBs), which resemble certain aspects of early embryos to some extent. Embryonic vascular formation, vasculogenesis, is a sequential process that involves complex regulatory cascades. In this study, changes of gene expression along the development of human EBs for 4 weeks were studied by large-scale gene screening. Two main clusters were identified,one of down-regulated genes such as POU5, NANOG, TDGF1/Cripto (TDGF, teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor-1), LIN28, CD24, TERF1 (telomeric repeat binding factor-1), LEFTB (left,right determination, factor B), and a second of up-regulated genes such as TWIST, WNT5A, WT1, AFP, ALB, NCAM1. Focusing on the vascular system development, genes known to be involved in vasculogenesis and angiogenesis were explored. Up-regulated genes include vasculogenic growth factors such as VEGFA, VEGFC, FIGF (VEGFD), ANG1, ANG2, TGF,3, and PDGFB, as well as the related receptors FLT1, FLT4, PDGFRB, TGF,R2, and TGF,R3, other markers such as CD34, VCAM1, PECAM1, VE-CAD, and transcription factors TAL1, GATA2, and GATA3. The reproducibility of the array data was verified independently and illustrated that many genes known to be involved in vascular development are activated during the differentiation of hESCs in culture. Hence, the analysis of the vascular system can be extended to other differentiation pathways, allocating human EBs as an in vitro model to study early human development. Developmental Dynamics 232:487,497, 2005. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


First-order stochastic cellular automata simulations of the lindemann mechanism

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL KINETICS, Issue 4 2004
Chad A. Hollingsworth
The Lindemann mechanism explains how apparent unimolecular chemical reactions arise from bimolecular collisions. In this mechanism an ingredient M activates reactants A through collisions, and the resulting activated species A* can either decay to products P or be deactivated back to A, again via collisions with M. A first-order stochastic cellular automata model described previously [Seybold, Kier, and Cheng, J Chem Inf Comput Sci 1997, 37, 386] has been modified to simulate this mechanism. It is demonstrated that this model accurately reflects the salient features of the Lindemann mechanism, including the normal second-order kinetic behavior at low [M] and apparent first-order kinetics at high [M]. At low [M] the mechanism is equivalent to a rate-limited sequential process, whereas at high [M] it becomes a preequilibrium with leakage to products. The model also allows an examination of the validity of the steady-state approximation normally employed in a deterministic analysis of this mechanism, and it is seen that this approximation is not well justified under reasonable conditions. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 36: 230,237 2004 [source]


Comprehensiveness versus Pragmatism: Consensus at the Japanese,Dutch Interface

JOURNAL OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES, Issue 8 2007
Niels G. Noorderhaven
abstract By comparing the views of managers working at the interface of two consensus-oriented societies, Japan and the Netherlands, we show important differences between the consensus decision-making processes as seen by Japanese and Dutch managers. These differences relate to how complete the agreement of opinion should be in order to speak of consensus, with the Japanese managers demanding a more complete consensus than the Dutch. The processes and conditions that Japanese and Dutch managers see as leading to consensus also differ. Japanese consensus is based on a more ordered, sequential process than Dutch consensus. Our respondents differed deeply regarding the role of the hierarchy in their own and the others' consensus processes, with both Japanese and Dutch managers seeing their own consensus process as less hierarchical. Our findings show that the concept of consensus is interpreted quite differently by Japanese and Dutch managers. This is an important warning for companies operating at the interface of these two societies. More in general our research illustrates the usefulness for international management research of detailed comparative studies focusing not on stark contrasts but on more subtle differences between management practices. [source]


Influence of Alcohol Use Experience and Motivational Drive on College Students' Alcohol-Related Cognition

ALCOHOLISM, Issue 8 2009
Roisin M. O'Connor
Background:, Cognitive processes are thought to be pivotal to risk for heavy drinking. However, few studies have examined the alcohol cue-activated positive and negative semantic memory networks that may be pivotal to drinking behavior. Moreover, much is to be understood about the influences of cognitive processes, particularly in high-risk drinking samples such as college students. The current study examines the sequential process of alcohol cues activating valenced semantic memory networks, and the influences of prior drinking experience and individual differences in motivational drive on this automatic (implicit) cognitive process. Methods:, Participants (N = 138, 52% women) were college freshmen prescreened to represent the full range of drinking experience (i.e., current abstainers, light and heavy drinkers). Participants completed self-reports of past month alcohol use, and individual differences in behavioral inhibition system (BIS) and behavioral approach/activation system (BAS). Alcohol cue-elicited positive and negative semantic memory networks were assessed using a priming task. Results:, Results from the priming task revealed that for light drinkers alcohol cues were equally as likely to activate positive and negative semantic memory networks, suggesting relatively neutral cue-elicited alcohol attitudes. Conversely, for heavy drinkers, alcohol cues more readily activated positive relative to negative semantic memory networks, suggesting relatively positive cue-elicited alcohol attitudes. Furthermore, positive alcohol cue-elicited semantic memory networks (positive attitudes) were evident for individuals characterized by a strong BAS and weak BIS (as hypothesized) and those characterized by a weak BAS and weak BIS. Conclusions:, The findings suggest that alcohol-cue elicited positive semantic memory networks may be pivotal to risk for heavy drinking. Specifically, it is via the influence on this cognitive process that prior drinking experience and individual differences in motivational drive, respectively, may maintain and predispose individuals to risk for heavy alcohol use. [source]


A partition experimental design for a sequential process with a large number of variables

QUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2007
Leonard A. Perry
Abstract Statistically designed experiments provide a systematic approach to study and analyze the effects of multiple factors on process performance. In order to improve the performance across an organization, one must investigate multiple processes from supplier to customer. Partition experimental designs provide a design to model several sequential processes simultaneously. The partition design provides the investigator with an efficient design where potential cost and time constraints exist. That is, partition designs are applicable when runs are costly and a large number of variables exist in the serial process. In this paper, we present the application of partition designs using 10 factors in a simulated case study. The design and analysis procedures are discussed, as well as the benefits. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Design of liveness-enforcing supervisors via transforming plant petri net models of FMS,

ASIAN JOURNAL OF CONTROL, Issue 3 2010
Chun-Fu Zhong
Abstract This paper focuses on the deadlock prevention problems in a class of Petri nets, systems of simple sequential process with resources, S3PR for short. By structure analysis, we propose an approach that can transform a plant net model into a weighted S3PR (WS3PR) that is behaviorally equivalent to the plant model. The WS3PR is made to be live by properly reconfiguring its weight distribution such that its all strict minimal siphons are self-max'-controlled. The resulting WS3PR can serve as a liveness-enforcing Petri net supervisor for the plant model after removing some idle and operation places. A live controlled system can be accordingly obtained by synchronizing a plant model and the places whose weights are regulated. This research shows that a small number of monitors is obtained, leading to more permissive behavior of the controlled system. Examples are used to demonstrate the proposed concepts and methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society [source]


Influence of pH on the Photochemical and Electrochemical Reduction of the Dinuclear Ruthenium Complex, [(phen)2Ru(tatpp)Ru(phen)2]Cl4, in Water: Proton-Coupled Sequential and Concerted Multi-Electron Reduction

CHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 15 2005
Norma R. de Tacconi Prof.
Abstract The dinuclear ruthenium complex [(phen)2Ru(tatpp)Ru(phen)2]4+ (P; in which phen is 1,10-phenanthroline and tatpp is 9,11,20,22-tetraaza tetrapyrido[3,2-a:2,3,-c:3,,,2,,-l:2,,,,3,,,]-pentacene) undergoes a photodriven two-electron reduction in aqueous solution, thus storing light energy as chemical potential within its structure. The mechanism of this reduction is strongly influenced by the pH, in that basic conditions favor a sequential process involving two one-electron reductions and neutral or slightly acidic conditions favor a proton-coupled, bielectronic process. In this complex, the central tatpp ligand is the site of electron storage and protonation of the central aza nitrogen atoms in the reduced products is observed as a function of the solution pH. The reduction mechanism and characterization of the rich array of products were determined by using a combination of cyclic and AC voltammetry along with UV-visible reflectance spectroelectrochemistry experiments. Both the reduction and protonation state of P could be followed as a function of pH and potential. From these data, estimates of the various reduced species' pKa values were obtained and the mechanism to form the doubly reduced, doubly protonated complex, [(phen)2Ru(H2tatpp)Ru(phen)2]4+ (H2P) at low pH (,7) could be shown to be a two-proton, two-electron process. Importantly, H2P is also formed in the photochemical reaction with sacrificial reducing agents, albeit at reduced yields relative to those at higher pH. [source]


Feedbacks between community assembly and habitat selection shape variation in local colonization

JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
Johanna M. Kraus
Summary 1.,Non-consumptive effects of predators are increasingly recognized as important drivers of community assembly and structure. Specifically, habitat selection responses to top predators during colonization and oviposition can lead to large differences in aquatic community structure, composition and diversity. 2.,These differences among communities due to predators may develop as communities assemble, potentially altering the relative quality of predator vs. predator-free habitats through time. If so, community assembly would be expected to modify the subsequent behavioural responses of colonists to habitats containing top predators. Here, we test this hypothesis by manipulating community assembly and the presence of fish in experimental ponds and measuring their independent and combined effects on patterns of colonization by insects and amphibians. 3.,Assembly modified habitat selection of dytscid beetles and hylid frogs by decreasing or even reversing avoidance of pools containing blue-spotted sunfish (Enneacanthus gloriosus). However, not all habitat selection responses to fish depended on assembly history. Hydrophilid beetles and mosquitoes avoided fish while chironomids were attracted to fish pools, regardless of assembly history. 4.,Our results show that community assembly causes taxa-dependent feedbacks that can modify avoidance of habitats containing a top predator. Thus, non-consumptive effects of a top predator on community structure change as communities assemble and effects of competitors and other predators combine with the direct effects of top predators to shape colonization. 5.,This work reinforces the importance of habitat selection for community assembly in aquatic systems, while illustrating the range of factors that may influence colonization rates and resulting community structure. Directly manipulating communities both during colonization and post-colonization is critical for elucidating how sequential processes interact to shape communities. [source]


A partition experimental design for a sequential process with a large number of variables

QUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2007
Leonard A. Perry
Abstract Statistically designed experiments provide a systematic approach to study and analyze the effects of multiple factors on process performance. In order to improve the performance across an organization, one must investigate multiple processes from supplier to customer. Partition experimental designs provide a design to model several sequential processes simultaneously. The partition design provides the investigator with an efficient design where potential cost and time constraints exist. That is, partition designs are applicable when runs are costly and a large number of variables exist in the serial process. In this paper, we present the application of partition designs using 10 factors in a simulated case study. The design and analysis procedures are discussed, as well as the benefits. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


Partition experimental designs for sequential processes: Part II,second-order models

QUALITY AND RELIABILITY ENGINEERING INTERNATIONAL, Issue 5 2002
Leonard A. Perry
Abstract Second-order experimental designs are employed when an experimenter wishes to fit a second-order model to account for response curvature over the region of interest. Partition designs are utilized when the output quality or performance characteristics of a product depend not only on the effect of the factors in the current process, but the effects of factors from preceding processes. Standard experimental design methods are often difficult to apply to several sequential processes. We present an approach to building second-order response models for sequential processes with several design factors and multiple responses. The proposed design expands current experimental designs to incorporate two processes into one partitioned design. Potential advantages include a reduction in the time required to execute the experiment, a decrease in the number of experimental runs, and improved understanding of the process variables and their influence on the responses. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The Nature of Exocytosis in the Yolk Trophoblastic Layer of Silver Arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum) Juvenile, the Representative of Ancient Teleost Fishes

THE ANATOMICAL RECORD : ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2009
Marta Jaroszewska
Abstract We have chosen the silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum), a representative of the most ancient teleost family Osteoglossidae, to address the question of yolk nutrients utilization. Silver arowana have particularly large eggs (1,1.5 cm of diameter) and a unique morphology of the yolk. We present evidence that the yolk cytoplasmic zone (ycz) in the "yolksac juveniles" is a very complex structure involved in sequential processes of yolk hydrolysis, lipoprotein particles synthesis, their transport, and exocytosis. Vacuoles filled with yolk granules in different stages of digestion move from the vitellolysis zone through the ycz to be emptied into the microvillar interspace in the process of exocytosis. The area of the ycz with the abundance of the mitochondria must play an important role in providing energy for both the transport of vacuoles and the release of their contents. Therefore, we postulate that the function of yolk syncytial layer (ysl) as the "early embryonic patterning center" transforms in fish larvae or yolksac juveniles into a predominantly specialized role as the yolk trophoblastic layer (ytl) involved in yolk nutrients utilization. In addition to discovering the mechanism of transformation of the ysl function into ytl function, we suggest that the machinery involved in nutrient mobilization and exocytosis in yolk of arowana yolksac juveniles can be very attractive system for studies of regulatory processes in almost all secretory pathways in animal cells. Anat Rec, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


Synthesis of deadlock prevention policy using Petri nets reachability graph technique,

ASIAN JOURNAL OF CONTROL, Issue 3 2010
Yi-Sheng Huang
Abstract This paper proposes a subclass of generalized stochastic Petri net (GSPN) model, called TS3PR, which is modified the systems of simple sequential processes with resources (S3PR) with timed information. Based on the subclass of GSPN, a new deadlock prevention policy is developed by using reachability graph technique. The foundation of the new control policy is to manipulate all the dead states of the system nets. This study is able to change dead states into vanishing ones by additional immediate transitions. A live TS3PR model can then be obtained. It is worthwhile to notice that this study is different from adding additional control place policies in previous literature. Experimental results, indicate that our new control policy is with maximally permissive markings than conventional place-control ones. As a result, we can infer that our proposed control policy seems to be used in Petri nets deadlocked systems. To our knowledge, this is the first work that employs the additional transitions to obtain the deadlock prevention policy. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society [source]