We investigate a generalized non-linear O(3) σ-model in three space dimensions where the fields are maps from R3∪{∞} to S2. Such maps are classified by a homotopy invariant called the Hopf number which takes integer values. The model exhibits soliton solutions of closed vortex type which have a lower topological bound on their energies. We numerically compute the fields for topological charge 1...

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Genetic alterations prevalent in breast cancer are still being elucidated. In this report, changes in 30 breast cancer tissues, in comparison with normal tissues from Thai patients, were analyzed by arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (AP-PCR). Genetic instability was detected by DNA fingerprinting obtained with 13 of 60 ra...

Filamentous fungi of the Aspergillus niger group are native soil saprophytic fungi. Industrial strains of this group have been extensively used for the production of plant degrading enzymes for the food and beverage, animal feed and paper-and-pulp industries. Recombinant DNA technology allows for the overproduction of these enzymes in copious amounts. The advantages and limitations of A. niger ...

Recent pharmacological studies have shown the importance of trace amine-associated receptor, type 1 (TAAR1), a subtype of trace amine receptors, to be a prospective target receptor for novel neuroleptics. Socalled D-neuron (trace amine (TA) neuron) is the ligand neuron of TAAR1. In 1984, Jaeger et al. specified D-neuron groups from D1 (the spinal cord) to D14 (the bed nucleus of stria terminali...

Figure 1 is a block diagram representation of the I/O and architecture for a 16 or 32-bit counter. Pin CLK is the clock signal, RST the reset signal, and LOAD the load data signal. CLK is a positive, edge-triggered synchronous signal, and LOAD is an active low, synchronous signal. Pins D0 through D15, 31 are the load data inputs, and pins Q0 through Q15, 31 are the count bits. Pin Ci is the car...

We produced a set of pseudoisochromatic plates for determining individual color-difference thresholds to assess test performance and test properties, and analyzed the results. We report a high test validity and classification ability for the deficiency type and severity level [comparable to that of the fourth edition of the Hardy-Rand-Rittler (HRR) test]. We discuss changes of the acceptable ch...

Ammonium transporters (AMTs) play a role in the uptake of ammonium, the form in which nitrogen is preferentially absorbed by plants. Vigna subterranea (VsAMT1) and Solanum tuberosum (StAMT1) AMT1s were characterized using molecular biology and bioinformatics methods. AMT1-specific primers were designed and used to amplify the AMT1 internal regions. Nucleotide sequencing, alignment and phylogene...

Mn modified rhombohedral Pb(In0.5Nb0.5)O3-Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PIN-PMN-PT:Mn) single crystals poled along [011]C crystallographic direction exhibit a "2R" engineered domain configuration, with macroscopic mm2 symmetry. The complete sets of material constants were determined using combined resonance and ultrasonic methods, and compared to [001]C poled PIN-PMN-PT:Mn crystals. The thickness sh...