The infrared spectrum of a monolayer of CO physisorbed on the NaCl(100) surface has been calculated using the discrete dipole approach. The corresponding description is rigorously microscopic and accounts exactly for the occurring local fields in both the substrate and the adsorbed monolayer. The model does not impose restrictions upon the configuration and links smoothly the microscopy of the ...

Several protocols have been developed for human induced pluripotent stem cell neuronal differentiation. We compare several methods for forebrain cortical neuronal differentiation by assessing cell morphology, immunostaining and gene expression. We evaluate embryoid aggregate vs. monolayer with dual SMAD inhibition differentiation protocols, manual vs. AggreWell aggregate formation, plating subs...

This paper presents a range of applications of the Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (RAMS), a comprehensive mesoscale meteorological modeling system. Applications discussed in this paper include large eddy simulations (LES) and simulations of thunderstorms, cumulus fields, mesoscale convective systems, mid-latitude cirrus clouds, winter storms, mechanicallyand thermally-forced mesoscale sys...

This proposal is linked to the Rain in Cumulus over the Ocean (RICO) project, described in the RICO Scientific Overview Document. The project's aim is to study shallow, precipitating cumulus over a tropical ocean. A field campaign is planned for the winter 2004-05 in the area of the Lesser Antilles. The proposed work is for the study the onset of precipitation, and its effect on cumulus organiz...

The toll-like receptor (TLR) system is expressed in cumulus cells of ovulated cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) and is activated by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS). However, the endogenous ligand(s) for the TLRs and the physiological role(s) in ovulated COCs remain to be defined. Based on reports that hyaluronan fragments can activate TLR2 and TLR4 in macrophages, and that ovulated COCs are c...

Most studies have considered the negative influence of obesity on fertility in both genders. In the present study, we assessed mitochondrial activity expressed as the mitochondrial potential index (MPI) in cumulus cells from obese women and women with a normal body mass index (BMI) during assisted reproductive therapy. The results revealed a significant reduction of MPI with increased body mass...

Porcine cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured together in 10-microliters droplets of culture medium. When 10 COCs were cultured for 24 h, germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) occurred in 81% of them. When more COCs (20 or 40) were put into the same volume of medium the frequency of GVBD gradually decreased. This inhibition was not observed in denuded oocytes. The process of GVBD was advers...

OBJECTIVE This study examines the effects of hydrostatic pressure on in vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes derived from in vitro grown follicles. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, preantral follicles were isolated from 12-day-old female NMRI mice. Each follicle was cultured individually in Alpha Minimal Essential Medium (α-MEM) under mineral oil for 12 days. Then, follicles wer...

Recent cumulus and turbulence parameterization changes to the NASA GISS ModelE2 have improved representation of the Madden-Julian Oscillation and low cloud distribution, but their effect on composition-related quantities is not known. In this study, we simulate the vertical transport of carbon monoxide (CO) from uncontrolled biomass burning in Indonesia in late 2006, during which uniquely high ...

Background: Cryopreservation of ovaries is an important technique in assisted reproduction technology. Physical forces like hydrostatic pressure have a pivotal role in reproduction systems. Due to changes in intrafollicular pressure during ovulatory process, this study designed to examine the effects of hydrostatic pressure on oocyte maturation and cell death in cumulus cells from cryopreserved...